Serum hormonal levels in HIV/AIDS infected male subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Nnewi, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the serum hormonal levels (Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol) in symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects on ART. A total of 411 participants aged between 17 and 58 (43 ±10) years were randomly recruited for the study. The participants were staged and grouped as follows: symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects on ART (n= 139), symptomatic HIV/AIDS male subjects not on ART (n= 136) and HIV seronegative subjects (n= 136). Blood samples were collected from the participants for the determination of HIV status by immunochromatography and HIV confirmation by Western Blot. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay for FSH, LH, Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol levels. Their results showed significant rise in FSH, LH in HIV seropositive participants on ART compared respectively to those not on ART and the HIV seropositive subjects (p< 0.05). On the other hand, the Estrogen, Progesterone, Prolactin and Cortisol were all raised in symptomatic HIV seropositive participants not on ART compared respectively to the symptomatic HIV seroposive on ART and the HIV seronegative groups(p< 0.05). The testosterone levels significantly decreased in both symptomatic HIV infected subjects on ART and those not on ART compared with the HIV seronegative controls (p< 0.05). The relevance of HIV infection on the serum hormonal status is that HIV infection causes hypogonadism as well as primary testicular failure in symptomatic HIV participants not on ART. Also, HIV infection causes hyperprolactinaemia,hyperprogesteronaemia and hypercortisolism in symptomatic HIV  participants not on ART

Heavy Metal Content and Microbial Composition of the Rhizosphere of Eleusine Indica Within an Auto-Mechanic Workshop in Benin City, Nigeria

Plant-assisted bioremediation holds promise for in-situ treatment of polluted soil. However, en-hancement of this process for successful phytoremediation processes requires a sound understand-ing of the complex interactions of the rhizosphere. The present study thus investigated the chemi-cal and microbial composition of rhizosphere of Eleusine indica in an auto-mechanic workshop in Benin City. A plot of 30 m x 30 m was randomly located on the workshop and ten subdivided into 9 sub-plots of 10m x 10m, each designated as Subplots A – I, respectively. Plants were counted in each of the sub-plots and density was recorded as number of plants per 100 m2. Soil samples were obtained from within the plant’s rhizosphere and at a distance of 2 m away from plant presence. Results showed that there was an average of 34 plant stands/100 m2. Heavy metals assayed showed mean compositions of 1720.7 mg/kg of Fe, 80.3 mg/kg of Zn, 0.36 mg/kg of Cr, 3.92 mg/kg of Ni, and a total hydrocarbon content of 1856.2 mg/kg. Heavy metal presence within the rhizosphere was higher compared to those of soil samples collected 2 m away from the rhizosphere. The bacte-ria isolates generally obtained in the mechanic workshop were Bacillus subtilis, Microccoccus lu-teus, Microccoccus varians, Pseudomonas putida, Achromobacter sp, Bacillus pumilis, Clostrid-ium sp. and Serratia marascens. The following fungal isolates were identified: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium solani, Penicillium sp., Geotrichum sp., Rhizopus sp. and Tricho-derma sp. Diversity and dominance indices calculated indicated a species richness of 0.332 for bacterial presence in the rhizosphere, and a dominance index of 0.489. For fungal species in the rhizosphere, species richness was 0.289 whereas dominance index was 0.528. The findings thus indicated that successful plant-assisted bioremediation involves interactions of the rhizosphere

Effects of Demographic Factors on Population Dynamics in Imo State, Nigeria; Implications for Farm Labor Availability and Supply

The study assessed the effects of demographic factors on population dynamics in Imo State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used select 60 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the ordinary least square regression technique. Results showed that the area was dominated by female farmers 56.7%, and are married 66.7%. Most of the farming lands used was inherited, with more of hired laborers 76.7% used due to rural-urban drift. Results also showed that over 70% of the people migrated from rural to urban communities. Result further showed that age, gender, educational status, income level and poverty index were important and significant factors affecting population dynamics (expressed as index of rural–urban migration). The study recommended the crop farmers to join cooperative societies to raise funds to support large-scale production while the government is to provide basic rural infrastructures to checkmate rural-urban drift in the area