Determination of Selected Heavy Metals In Seasonal River In Maru Town, Zamfara State, Nigeria.

The presence of heavy metals in our environment has been of great concern because of their toxicity when their concentration is more than the permissible level. The main threats to human health from heavy metals are associated with exposure to Lead and Cadmium. These metals have been extensively studied and their effect on human health regularly monitored and reviewed by international bodies such as the WHO and USEPA. Total levels of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr were determined in seasonal river in the eastern part of Maru using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The results of total metals concentration (ppm) in the river were 0.0211±0.0014, 0.177±0.0004, 0.0201±0.0031, 1.1367±0.0493 and 0.0058±0.0003 for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr respectively. The study showed that the sample was contaminated with Zn when compared to others. The level of Cd and Pb were high when compared to their safety limit (0.01 and 0.10) by U.S.E.P.A. Keywords: Maru, Heavy Metals, Seasonal Rivers, Contamination

An investigation of threat types to the conservation of Pan troglodytes ellioti at Kwano forest of Gashaka-Gumti national park, Nigeria

The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee has been classified on the red list of threatened species (endangered) of IUCN and It has been established that it is only when animal or plant species are subject to certain threat factors that the species can be considered as threaten. It is in view of the aforementioned that this research was carried out to determine those threat factors that mitigates against the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee habitat. Transects, trails and random forest walks were the methods used for the data collection while tables, charts and mean values as well as photo plats were used to analyse the data collected. The different types of threats observed were Poaching which (11 segments; 52.4 5 %) of the habitat, illegal bush burning (16 segments; 76.6 %) of the habitat, river poisoning (1 segment; 4.8 %) of the habitat, tree felling (4 segments; 19.1 %) of the habitat and Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) extraction (7 segments; 33.3 %) of the habitat. Poaching activities were highest in Ngiti forest (49.4 %), followed by Yakuba forest (25.3 %) while Tounga (16.5 %) and Bakashi (8.9 %) experienced the least poaching activities. Despite the status of Kwano forest as a protected area; the sitting of a research project in the area and constant presence of researchers, some threat factors to the conservation of this forest prevails. Concerted effort from both the National Parks Service and Non-governmental organisations is highly needed to reduce or absolutely eliminate illegal activities from this area.Keywords: Chimpanzee, Habitat, Conservation, Threats and Kwan

Servicio de sistemas personalizados de dosificación: coste del servicio frente al margen de los medicamentos

Introducción: La preparación de sistemas personalizados de dosificación (SPD) dentro del servicio de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico (SFT) ha demostrado ser un instrumento que mejora la adherencia terapéutica del paciente. Para la valoración de su remuneración se analiza el coste de este servicio y si el margen de los medicamentos dispensados e incluidos en el SPD cubre su prestación. Objetivos: Establecer un análisis de costes del servicio; averiguar si, en pacientes polimedicados tipo, el margen de los medicamentos incluidos en el SPD cubre los costes, y conocer el número de medicamentos que deberían incluirse cuyo margen cubra la prestación del servicio. Material y métodos: Para el análisis del coste del servicio, se ha considerado el coste de la preparación del SPD y de la intervención farmacéutica más el coste directo del material utilizado. En el análisis de pacientes reales, se ha calculado el margen de los medicamentos incluidos en el SPD y se ha comparado con el coste calculado de la prestación del servicio. Para el análisis del número de medicamentos, se ha tomado como referencia el precio medio de los medicamentos dispensados al CatSalut y el margen medio actual. Resultados: El coste del servicio por paciente y mes (4 semanas) se ha estimado en 19,85 euros. Se necesitarían un mínimo de 8 medicamentos para cubrir este coste. Conclusiones: A partir de los casos analizados, se concluye que es muy difícil cubrir el coste del servicio con el margen de los medicamentos dispensados e incluidos en el SPD. La remuneración debe considerar otros aspectos tras evaluar la eficiencia del servicio

Servicio de sistemas personalizados de dosificación: coste del servicio frente al margen de los medicamentos

Introducción: La preparación de sistemas personalizados de dosificación (SPD) dentro del servicio de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico (SFT) ha demostrado ser un instrumento que mejora la adherencia terapéutica del paciente. Para la valoración de su remuneración se analiza el coste de este servicio y si el margen de los medicamentos dispensados e incluidos en el SPD cubre su prestación. Objetivos: Establecer un análisis de costes del servicio; averiguar si, en pacientes polimedicados tipo, el margen de los medicamentos incluidos en el SPD cubre los costes, y conocer el número de medicamentos que deberían incluirse cuyo margen cubra la prestación del servicio. Material y métodos: Para el análisis del coste del servicio, se ha considerado el coste de la preparación del SPD y de la intervención farmacéutica más el coste directo del material utilizado. En el análisis de pacientes reales, se ha calculado el margen de los medicamentos incluidos en el SPD y se ha comparado con el coste calculado de la prestación del servicio. Para el análisis del número de medicamentos, se ha tomado como referencia el precio medio de los medicamentos dispensados al CatSalut y el margen medio actual. Resultados: El coste del servicio por paciente y mes (4 semanas) se ha estimado en 19,85 euros. Se necesitarían un mínimo de 8 medicamentos para cubrir este coste. Conclusiones: A partir de los casos analizados, se concluye que es muy difícil cubrir el coste del servicio con el margen de los medicamentos dispensados e incluidos en el SPD. La remuneración debe considerar otros aspectos tras evaluar la eficiencia del servicio

The relational shift in urban ecology: from place and structures to multiple modes of coproduction for positive urban futures

This perspective emerged from ongoing dialogue among ecologists initiated by a virtual workshop in 2021. A transdisciplinary group of researchers and practitioners conclude that urban ecology as a science can better contribute to positive futures by focusing on relationships, rather than prioritizing urban structures. Insights from other relational disciplines, such as political ecology, governance, urban design, and conservation also contribute. Relationality is especially powerful given the need to rapidly adapt to the changing social and biophysical drivers of global urban systems. These unprecedented dynamics are better understood through a relational lens than traditional structural questions. We use three kinds of coproduction—of the social-ecological world, of science, and of actionable knowledge—to identify key processes of coproduction within urban places. Connectivity is crucial to relational urban ecology. Eight themes emerge from the joint explorations of the paper and point toward social action for improving life and environment in urban futures

Current Smoking and Prognosis After Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction:New Pathophysiological Insights

Objectives: The aim of this study was to mechanistically investigate associations among cigarette smoking, microvascular pathology, and longer term health outcomes in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). Background: The pathophysiology of myocardial reperfusion injury and prognosis in smokers with acute ST-segment elevation MI is incompletely understood. Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled during emergency percutaneous coronary intervention. Microvascular function in the culprit artery was measured invasively. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (1.5-T) was performed 2 days and 6 months post-MI. Infarct size and microvascular obstruction were assessed using late gadolinium enhancement imaging. Myocardial hemorrhage was assessed with T2* mapping. Pre-specified endpoints included: 1) all-cause death or first heart failure hospitalization; and 2) cardiac death, nonfatal MI, or urgent coronary revascularization (major adverse cardiovascular events). Binary logistic regression (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence interval [CI]) with smoking status was used. Results: In total, 324 patients with ST-segment elevation MI were enrolled (mean age 59 years, 73% men, 60% current smokers). Current smokers were younger (55 ± 11 years vs. 65 ± 10 years, p < 0.001), with fewer patients with hypertension (52 ± 27% vs. 53 ± 41%, p = 0.007). Smokers had better TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) flow grade (≥2 vs. ≤1, p = 0.024) and ST-segment resolution (none vs. partial vs. complete, p = 0.010) post–percutaneous coronary intervention. On day 1, smokers had higher circulating C-reactive protein, neutrophil, and monocyte levels. Two days post-MI, smoking independently predicted infarct zone hemorrhage (OR: 2.76; 95% CI: 1.42 to 5.37; p = 0.003). After a median follow-up period of 4 years, smoking independently predicted all-cause death or heart failure events (OR: 2.20; 95% CI: 1.07 to 4.54) and major adverse cardiovascular events (OR: 2.79; 95% CI: 2.30 to 5.99). Conclusions: Smoking is associated with enhanced inflammation acutely, infarct-zone hemorrhage subsequently, and longer term adverse cardiac outcomes. Inflammation and irreversible myocardial hemorrhage post-MI represent mechanistic drivers for adverse long-term prognosis in smokers. (Detection and Significance of Heart Injury in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction. [BHF MR-MI]; NCT02072850)