Analysis, Occurrence and Ecological Risk Assessment of Diclofenac and Ibuprofen Residues in Wastewater from Three Wastewater Treatment Plants in South-Western Nigeria

Despite the frequent detection of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) worldwide in the aquatic environment, there is currently a paucity of studies from Africa, including Nigeria, on the occurrence and potential ecological risks of two commonly used NSAIDs diclofenac and ibuprofen in wastewater and effluent receiving water. In this work, diclofenac and ibuprofen were determined in wastewater from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and effluent receiving water in South-Western Nigeria. Instrumental analysis was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ecological risk was assessed for four trophic levels: fish, daphnia, algae and bacteria. The method quality parameters were satisfactory for the accurate determination of target NSAIDs in wastewater and effluent receiving water. Maximum concentrations of diclofenac and ibuprofen in wastewater were 166.1 µg L-1 (UCH influent) and 62.0 µg L-1 (Ijaiye effluent), respectively. Ibuprofen posed high risk to fish in all effluent and effluent receiving water samples. Bacteriawere the most sensitive organisms to the presence of diclofenac while fish was the most sensitive to ibuprofen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence and ecological risk assessment of diclofenac and ibuprofen residues in wastewater from Nigerian municipal and hospital WWTPs. More efficient wastewater treatment processes and technologies are recommended for the investigated WWTPs to reduce the discharge of target NSAIDs and other pharmaceuticals into the Nigerian aquatic environment. Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, wastewater, ecological risk assessment, Nigeri

Impacts of Gated Communities on Residential Property Values: A Comparison of ONIPETESI Estate and Its Neighbourhoods in IKEJA, Lagos State, Nigeria

There has been a considerable growth of interest in recent years surrounding the emergence of gated communities. This study examined the impact of gated communities on residential property values by comparing Onipetesi Estate and Idi-Mangoro neighbourhood. While questionnaire was administered on the 230 residents of Onipetesi Estate, 40 copies were administered on the Estate Surveying and Valuation firms managing properties within Onipetesi Estate and Idi-Mangoro neighbourhood. A total of 134 (58.26%) and 25 (62.5%) copies of the questionnaires were retrieved from the residents and Managing Agents respectively. In analysing the data collected for this study, descriptive statistics was adopted. The study revealed that residential properties within Onipetesi Estate are more expensive than that of Idi-Mangoro. The study further revealed that the quest for security of life and properties is a major factor attracting people to the estate. In terms of economic sustainability, gated communities provide good basis for improving the standard and quality of valuation of residential properties, however both environmental and social sustainability should be given equal recognition, especially with the various criticisms leveled against gated communities in terms of their sustainability contribution to urban growth

Factors influencing CD4 cell count in HIV-positive pregnant women in a secondary health center in lagos, nigeria

Background: Immunity in pregnancy is physiologically compromised, and this may affect CD4 count levels. It is well-established that several factors affect CD4 count level in pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the mean and reference range of CD4 count in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out at antenatal clinics of the Maternal and Child Center of a secondary health center in Lagos State, Nigeria. Records of HIV-positive pregnant women at various gestational ages, including CD4+ cell count at booking, packed cell volume (PCV) at booking and labor, gestational age at delivery, and infant weight and sex were retrieved. The descriptive data was given as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Pearson's chi-squared test and correlation were used for analytical assessment. Results: Data were retrieved for a total of 143 patients. The mean age was 31.15±3.78 years. The mean PCV was 31.01%±3.79% at booking and 30.49%±4.80% during labor. The mean CD4 count was 413.87±212.09 cells/µL, with a range of 40 to 1,252 cells/µL. The mean infant weight was 3.05±0.45 kg, with a range of 2 to 5 kg. Age of the mother, gestational age, and PCV at booking were not statistically significantly associated with CD4 count. Conclusion: Maternal age, gestational age, and PCV at booking had no significant effects on CD4+ cell count levels in pregnancy. The mean CD4+ cell count of HIV-positive pregnant women in Lagos is 413.87±212.09 cells/µL

Hexamethonium produces both twitch and tetanic depression without fade in common African toad (Bufo regularis)

The study was designed to investigate the nature of the cholinoceptors at the sciatic nervegastrocnemius muscle junction of the common African toad (Bufo regularis). Using myographic technique, the twitch properties of the sciatic-gastrocnemius muscle preparation of the common African toad was studied. Both the twitch height and peak tetanic height were measured as a percentage of control. Hexamethonium at a concentratration of 0.1mM significantly (

Flaccid penile length and stretch factor in the newborn

Objective: Little is known about the flaccid penile length in the newborn and the degree of stretch of the penis among investigators while measuring the stretched penile length. This study aimed to document the flaccid penile length and the stretch factor in the newborn.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 term male infants within the first 72 hours of life. The flaccid penile length and the stretched penile length were measured with a wooden spatula and the stretch factor was calculated.Results: The mean (±SD) flaccid and stretched penile length were 30.9 ± 3.8 mm and 38.9 ± 4.0 mm respectively. The mean stretch factor was 26.4 %. Both testes had the same mean volume of 1.6 ± 0.5 ml. There was a significant correlation between flaccid and stretched penile lengths (r = 0.775, p = 0.000). The flaccid penile length was a significant predictor of the stretched penile length.Conclusion: This study has been able to determine the stretch factor while measuring the flaccid and stretch penile lengths in Nigerian newborn infants. It is recommended that the flaccid penile length be measured along with the stretched penile length and determine the stretch factor in order to compare how much investigators stretch the penis during measurement. This will allow for detailed comparison of penile anthropometry across different ethnic groups and races. Keywords: flaccid penile length, newborn, stretch factor, stretched penile length

Melatonin Protects Against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Hepatic and Renal Alterations in Rats

Cyclophosphamide (CLP), a cytotoxic alkylating agent with immunosuppressive and antitumor properties is used in the treatment of different types of cancers, but it is known to cause toxicity-induced changes to the body tissues. Melatonin, an antioxidant mainly secreted by the pineal gland has protective properties especially against tissue toxicity. This study was aimed at investigating the role of melatonin (MLT) in cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity of the liver and kidney using serum biochemical analysis and histopathology in adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were grouped into four (n=6): group 1 was injected intraperitoneally with 0.2mL of normal saline for 14 days, group 2 was injected with 10mg/kg of melatonin intraperitoneally for 14 days, group 3 was injected intraperitoneally with 0.2mL of normal saline for 14 days and 150mg/kg of CLP on the 15th day and in group 4, the rats were injected with 10mg/kg of melatonin for 14 days and 150mg/kg of CLP on the 15th day. Forty-eight hours after the last treatment, the rats were weighed; blood samples collected for biochemical analysis while liver and kidney samples were processed for histology. The results revealed that CLP-treated rats had hypokalemia and hypochloremia with a significant increase in the levels of liver and kidney function markers. Histopathological analysis showed congested central vein and widened sinusoids in the liver, while there were widened as well as congested urinary spaces and loop of Henle, with loss of glomerular epithelia in the kidneys. The rats treated with melatonin and CLP showed improvement in body weight, biochemical parameters of hepatic and renal functions as well as improved tissue conditions. In conclusion, a pre-treatment with melatonin is recommended in cyclophosphamide therapy

Black seed oil ameliorated scopolamine-induced memory dysfunction and cortico-hippocampal neural alterations in male Wistar rats

This study was conducted to evaluate cognitive enhancing effect and ameliorative effects of black seed oil in scopolamine induced rat model of cognitive impairment. These effects were investigated on scopolamine-induced dementia model in Morris water maze test (MWM) and Y maze test. The hippocampal histoarchitectural responses to scopolamine and Nigella sativa oil were also examined. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg ip) was given to induce dementia, followed by oral administration of BSO (1 ml/kg) for 14 consecutive days. MWM and Y-maze paradigms were used to assess hippocampal and frontal dependent memory respectively, thereafter the rats were sacrificed and brains were removed for histopathologic studies. Scopolamine resulted in memory impairment, by delayed latency in the MWM, reduced percentage alternation in the Y maze that was coupled by alterations in the cortico-hippocampal neurons. Posttreatment of rats with BSO mitigated scopolamine-induced amnesia, by reducing latency period and increasing percentage alternation and histological changes. The observed anti-amnestic effect of BSO makes it a promising anti-amnesic agent for clinical trials in patients with cognitive impairment