Integrated study for automobile wastes management and environmentally friendly mechanic villages in the Imo River basin, Nigeria

Despite the overwhelming advantages of mechanic villages, their heavy metal pollution of soil due to poor waste management is causing serious ecological and public health concerns. Analytical results show that heavy metal concentrations (mgkg-1) above background levels in the upper 100 cm soil profiles of the Okigwe, the Orji and the Nekede mechanic villages in the Imo River basin, collectively range from 748 - 70,606 (± 23021) for Fe; 99-1090 (± 176.8) for Pb; 186 - 600 (± 49.7) for Mn; 102 - 1001(± 208) for Cu; 8 - 23 (± 6.3) for Cd; 4 - 27 (± 4.2) for Cr; and 3 - 10 (±2.2) for Ni. The most abundant metals of environmental concerns are Pb, Mn and Cu, in the order of Pb > Mn > Cu. For proper waste management and environmentally friendly mechanic villages, mechanic villages should have emission testing facilities, concrete floor workshops, toilet facilities, tarred roads and drainage channelled to one or more three-phase storm water treatment facilities. We recommend infiltration method in the sandy areas, and detention method in the shale areas. A combination of the two methods can be used in the transition zones of the basin. The infiltration method is not applicable at Okigwe due to the high clay/silt content (47 - 64%) and presence of an underlying clay bed, despite the initially high infiltration rate (38.1 cm/h). Weathered layer (0 - 7.4 m) across Orji and Nekede, and (0 - 4 m) at Okigwe is the most implicated in the soil pollution process. We further recommend: extended producer responsibility (EPR) for used motor oil, the use of local phyto - remediation plants sensitive to Pb, Mn and Cu, installation of groundwater monitoring wells, comprehensive waste management plan, standard guidelines for establishment of mechanic villages, code of practice, and continuous education for the mechanics

Review and assessment of mechanic village potentials for small scale used engine oil recycling business

Mechanic village should be adapted in developing countries rather than the city-wide auto mechanic workshop practice. This is suggested because developing countries are yet to enforce environmentally friendly automobile workshops and mechanic practice. If all automobile repair works in different cities are confined to mechanic villages, collection, preservation, recycling and reuse of spent oil will become effective. The goal is to stop the habit of disposing spent automobile oil on the ground, which results in excessive trace metal pollution of topsoil and insecurity of food products in the affected areas. Beside environmental quality, business and employment opportunities will improve. Small-scale refining or reprocessing of used oil in mechanic villages is lucrative and recycling plants are affordable and available. Cost benefit analysis indicate strong environmental benefits and annual turnover in excess of $2,234,375.00.Key words: Changed oil, reprocessing, re-refining, cost benefit analysis, auto repair, Nigeria

Studies on the male partners of couples presenting with infertility

A prospective study of 1000 males attending the infertility clinics of three tertiary health institutions was carried out, examining their spermogram, seminal fructose concentration and body mass index (BMI). The twogroups (of 500 males partners each) examined were those of queried infertile by the clinicians and those of proven fertility (fertile men with time to pregnancy (TTP) . 12 months as reference group). Questionnaires andoral interviews were administered to the patients and subjects to reveal their occupational and medical histories, health conditions, working conditions, smoking habits and lifestyles. An inverse relationship between body mass index and the total number of sperm cells per subjects was observed. There was no relationship between the seminal fructose concentration and seminal activity. The mean percentage motility of spermatozoa was found to be statistically higher in fertile subjects (87.15 } 4.66 %) than in queried infertile subjects (40.70 } 22.96 %) at P <0.05. The mean percentage sperm cell count was found to be statistically higher in fertile subjects (71.74 } 15.22x10 cells/ml) than in queried infertile subjects (23.68 } 21.07x10 cells/ml) at p < 0.05. To ensure maximum fertility potential patients presenting with infertility may be advised to reduce body weight. c 2012 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Body mass index, seminal fructose, motility, sperm cell count, morphology

Effects of “Lesser Known” Leafy Vegetables (Vitex doniana and Corchorus oletorius) on the Oxidative Stress Indices of Albino Rats

Aim: To evaluate the effects of two “lesser known” leafy vegetables- Vitex doniana and Corchorus oletorius on the oxidative indices of Albino Rats. Study Design: Forty eight rats, mean body weighty 351.83±1.39g were grouped into four to represent a control, and three diet groups. Dried powdered form of the vegetables was mixed with the normal rat chow in the ratio of 1:4 and pelleted before feeding to the rats. Feeding lasted for a total of three (3) months. The first analysis was done within two weeks, and thereafter repeated every two weeks throughout the study. Place and Duration of Study: The research work was done at Biochemistry laboratory of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri and National Root Crop Research Institute, Umuahia. The study lasted for a period of three months and two weeks (104 days). Methodology: Clean uninfected leaves of the samples were selected and sun dried to constant weight before grinding with a milling machine. The resulting powdered form was used to formulate the experimental diet with the normal rat chow in the ratio of 1:4 as shown in the text. Enzyme activities were determined according to standard methods as referenced in the text. Malonyladehyde and vitamin C contents were also determined Results: Values of malonyladehyde, Vitamin C and activities of catalase significantly (P≥0.05) increased when the sample vegetables were administered to the rats as compared with the control which received no vegetables. However, the activities of peroxidase decreased also significantly as compared with the control. However, only the increase in the values of indices determined were sustained throughout the period of study. Conclusion: The studied vegetables may possess antioxidant components which may play important role in the management of diseases associated with oxidative stres

Concussions in the National Basketball Association: Analysis of Incidence, Return to Play, and Performance From 1999 to 2018.

Background: The effect of concussions on professional athletes has been investigated in many sports. However, few studies have evaluated concussions in National Basketball Association (NBA) players. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that concussion incidence has increased, yet the return-to-play (RTP) rate will remain high following the institution of the NBA concussion policy (NBACP). We also hypothesized that the incidence of repeat concussions will be similar to first occurrences and that player performance and game availability will not be significantly affected by sustaining a concussion. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Publicly available records were searched to identify all concussions from NBA seasons 1999-2000 to 2017-2018. Player demographics and information regarding career history were tabulated. Incidence of concussion and RTP timing were evaluated before and after institution of the NBACP (2011). Minutes per game and game score per minute were evaluated pre- versus postconcussion. Player availability and performance were also compared with an age-, body mass index-, position-, and experience-matched control group of players who did not sustain a concussion. Results: A total of 189 concussions were reported in the NBA from 1999 to 2018, with a mean +/- SD incidence of 9.7 +/- 7.3 concussions per season. Following implementation of the NBACP, incidence significantly increased from 5.7 +/- 2.8 to 16.7 +/- 7.5 concussions per season (P = .007). All players returned to play following first-time concussion after missing 7.7 +/- 8.6 days and 3.5 +/- 4.1 games. RTP time was not significantly different after implementation of the NBACP (games missed, P = .24; days missed, P = .27), and there was no difference in concussion-free time interval (P = .29). Game score per minute and minutes per game were not significantly affected by sustaining a concussion (both P \u3e .05). Conclusion: Concussion incidence in NBA players is approximately 17 instances per season since the 2011 institution of a league-wide concussion policy. The number of reported concussions significantly increased following the policy, in line with trends seen in other professional sports leagues. Players have retained a high rate of RTP after 3 to 4 missed games. Player performance and availability are not affected by sustaining a concussion following successful RTP

Pneumococcal carriage in sub-Saharan Africa--a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal epidemiology varies geographically and few data are available from the African continent. We assess pneumococcal carriage from studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) before and after the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) era. METHODS: A search for pneumococcal carriage studies published before 2012 was conducted to describe carriage in sSA. The review also describes pneumococcal serotypes and assesses the impact of vaccination on carriage in this region. RESULTS: Fifty-seven studies were included in this review with the majority (40.3%) from South Africa. There was considerable variability in the prevalence of carriage between studies (I-squared statistic = 99%). Carriage was higher in children and decreased with increasing age, 63.2% (95% CI: 55.6-70.8) in children less than 5 years, 42.6% (95% CI: 29.9-55.4) in children 5-15 years and 28.0% (95% CI: 19.0-37.0) in adults older than 15 years. There was no difference in the prevalence of carriage between males and females in 9/11 studies. Serotypes 19F, 6B, 6A, 14 and 23F were the five most common isolates. A meta-analysis of four randomized trials of PCV vaccination in children aged 9-24 months showed that carriage of vaccine type (VT) serotypes decreased with PCV vaccination; however, overall carriage remained the same because of a concomitant increase in non-vaccine type (NVT) serotypes. CONCLUSION: Pneumococcal carriage is generally high in the African continent, particularly in young children. The five most common serotypes in sSA are among the top seven serotypes that cause invasive pneumococcal disease in children globally. These serotypes are covered by the two PCVs recommended for routine childhood immunization by the WHO. The distribution of serotypes found in the nasopharynx is altered by PCV vaccination

Effects of metal-contaminated soils on the accumulation of heavy metals in gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and the potential health risks: a study in Peninsular Malaysia

Centella asiatica is a commonly used medicinal plant in Malaysia. As heavy metal accumulation in medicinal plants which are highly consumed by human is a serious issue, thus the assessment of heavy metals in C. asiatica is important for the safety of consumers. In this study, the heavy metal accumulation in C. asiatica and the potential health risks were investigated. Samples of C. asiatica and surface soils were collected from nine different sites around Peninsular Malaysia. The concentration of six heavy metals namely Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Pb and Zn were determined by air-acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The degree of anthropogenic influence was assessed by calculating the enrichment factor (EF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo). The heavy metal uptake into the plant was estimated through the calculation of translocation factor (TF), bioconcentration factor (BCF) and correlation study. Estimated daily intakes (EDI) and target hazard quotients (THQ) were used to determine the potential health risk of consuming C. asiatica. The results showed that the overall surface soil was polluted by Cd, Cu and Pb, while the uptake of Zn and Ni by the plants was high. The value of EDI and THQ showed that the potential of Pb toxicity in C. asiatica was high as well. As heavy metal accumulation was confirmed in C. asiatica, daily consumption of the plant derived from polluted sites in Malaysia was not recommended

Application of predictive breeding in yam improvement for west Africa

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