Are the demographics for squamous cell cancer in the head and neck changing in the United Kingdom?

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is well known to be more common in men than women. Smoking and alcohol are the key risk factors causing such malignancies and there are several publications which have suggested that the prevalence of these diseases is increasing more in women than in men in western countries due to increased smoking and alcohol use.We collected our data at the Institute of Laryngology and Otology from the last 45 years and analysed the disease ratios in male to female patients in different sites within the head and neck. Our results revealed a decreasing male to female ratio, though this was not statistically significant. However, it draws attention to the increasing number of women with head and neck cancer, which may reflect their increasing use of cigarettes and alcohol

Groundwater Quality in the Vicinity of Aba-Eku Dumpsite, Ibadan, SW Nigeria: A Detailed Report

Groundwater contamination by landfill leachate is a recognized socio-economic and environmental problem in many countries. The Aba-Eku dumpsite was upgraded and the present study undertaken to characterize groundwater quality in the vicinity of the site to assess the effectiveness of the upgrades. Twenty three parameters were assessed in two groundwater wells (GW1 and GW2 located 600m from the site) over a twenty-month period using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy and Ion Chromatography. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and correlation coefficients. Phosphates and nitrites were below detection limits. Suspended solids: [42.96±67.68 mg/l]; COD-[9.80±4.07mg/l]; and four metals [Pb: 0.047±0.029; Cu: 0.017±0.009; Ni: 0.012±0.011; Cr: 0.014±0.019 mg/l] were elevated in the up-gradient well GW1. However, only lead was significant (p<0.05). Fifteen parameters were elevated in GW2 down-gradient, of which nine including: pH: 8.15±0.11, dissolved solids: 241.39±62.89; magnesium: 28.25±17.52; chloride: 38.19±16.80; sulphate: 27.00±9.62 and cadmium: 0.070±0.045 mg/l were significant (p<0.05). Mean lead, GW1-0.047±0.029; GW2- 0.015±0.018; cadmium GW1-0.028±0.047; GW2-0.070±0.045 and iron GW1-0.82±0.61; GW2- 2.43±4.33 mg/l levels in both wells exceeded regulatory limits. Correlation results [GW1:TSSCOD; 0.713;p<0.01; GW2:TSS-COD:0.262] indicated that the turbid nature of GW1 reflected in higher levels of TSS appeared to be composed of organics and may have contributed to lead mobilization in this well. Zinc mobilization in both wells was strongly pH dependent [GW1: pH-Zn: -0.491;p<0.01; GW2:pH-Zn: -0.682;p<0.05]. Seasonal variations were less distinct. However, increased leachate influx into GW2 resulted in significantly elevated wet season levels of pH, nitrates, sulphates, chloride and TDS. There is urgent need for remediation in view of the health implications of these pollutants.Key words: Groundwater, Aba-Eku dumpsite, landfill leachate, Remediation

The impacts of auto-mechanic workshops on soil and groundwater in Ibadan metropolis

The extents of groundwater and soil pollution arising from auto-mechanic activities from auto-mechanic workshops at Ibadan metropolis were examined. Groundwater and top soil samples from auto-mechanic villages and control site were collected fortnightly over a period of two months and analysed for both physicochemical parameters and some heavy metals. Results of physicochemical parameters of groundwater ranged from 23 to 29°C for temperature, 0.25 to 8.64 mg/L for DO, 0 to 52.19 mg/L for BOD, 14.7 to 205.86 mg/L for COD, 5.63 to 7.33 for pH, 18 to 133 mg/L for total alkalinity, 23 to 287 mg/L for total hardness, 2 to 32.75 F.T.U for turbidity, 187 to 268 μs/cm for conductivity, 0.7 to 44.6 mg/L for TSS, 135 to 248 mg/L for TDS, 136.3 to 292.6 mg/L for TS, 0.03 to 62.1 mg/L for nitrate, 2.37 to 12.02 mg/L for phosphate, and 0 to 55.6 mg/L for oil and grease. Results of heavy metals analysis for groundwater ranged from 0 to 1.132 mg/L for Cd, 0 to 24.46 mg/L for Pb and 0 to 24.6 mg/L for Fe. Statistical analysis, using Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated correlations of some parameters at P≤0.01 and 0.05. The mean and standard deviations of the parameters were also calculated. The daily activities of automechanic workshops have negative impacts on both soil and water.Key words: Ibadan Metropolis, mechanic workshop, pollutants, soil, groundwater

The Mysterious, Threat We Will Confront Mycobacterium Chelonae

Background: Surgical wound infection is an internationally recognized complication which is expected to get cured in few days time. Lack of antibiotic policies added to the existing chaos in free market policies is expected to end up with mysterious resistant organisms soon in future. Objectives: To report our experience with 52 key hole protracted surgical wound infections in 23 patients. Patients and methods: Demographic data of patients who suffered post operative subcutaneous wound nodules following minimal access surgery, duration of the disease and its clinical manifestations as well as results of investigations were collected and analysed. Results: Two males and 21 females, age range 27-65 (median 42) years had 32 key-hole wound nodules and 20 persistent discharging wounds that had appeared in an average but latent period of nine weeks (range three weeks to sixmonths after surgery). Only two cultures were positive for Mycobacterium chelonae. Conclusion: Mycobacterium chelonae should be suspected in protracted surgical wounds and treated promptly with meticulous frequent dressings, wound excision and clarithromycin plus ceftazidime. Keywords: surgical wounds, subcutaneous, mycobacterium, catalase, resistant organisms.Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2008: pp. 133-13

Investigation of biological condition of fish species in lower Ogun River wetlands, Lagos, Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the biological condition of fish species in lower Ogun River wetlands. A total of 175 individual fish belonging to 10 species were collected from artisanal fishermen usingdifferent types of fishing gears. Two biological indices; condition factor “K” and growth exponent “b” obtained from length-weight relationship were used to determine the biological condition of the fishes. The conditionfactor (K) recorded during the study ranged between 0.55 in Liza  grandisquamis and 5.61 in Oreochromis niloticus. The growth exponent (b) ranged from 1.48 in Penaus notialis to 5.67 in Gymnarchus niloticus. Theregression coefficient of determination was significant for some of the fish with highest value of R2=0.98 for Sardinella madarensis. The study showed that most of the fish species in the study area are in poor biologicalcondition and exhibit allometric growth.Keywords: Allometric growth, condition factor, growth exponent, length-weight relationship

Apparent Nutrient Retention and Haematology of Shika Brown Pullet Chicks Fed Three Plant Protein Sources

An experiment was carried out to determine apparent nutrient retention and haematological indices of pullet chicks fed three plant protein sources. 243 day old Shika Brown chicks were divided into three treatment groups of 81 chicks subdivided into three replicate groups of 27 chicks. Three experimental diets were formulated to contain groundnut cake (GNC) Full fat soya (FFS) and lablab seed meal (LSM) and fed to the chicks for five weeks (3-8 weeks of age). At the 8th week three chicks per replicate were kept in metabolic cage and fed for faecal sample collection. Feed and faecal samples were weighed, oven dried and analyzed for proximate and mineral composition. Blood samples were collected via wing vein from 1 chick per replicate and stored in EDTA bottles for haematological analysis. Results indicated that retention of dry matter, nitrogen free extract and calcium were similar for chicks fed GNC and FFS but significantly different (P<0.05) from those fed LSM. Crude fibre retention was higher (P<0.05) in chicks fed FFS than those fed GNC and LSM, which were similar. Magnessium and sodium retentions were similar for chicks fed FFS and LSM but significantly different from those fed GNC. Only packed cell volume (PCV) varied significantly between treatment means. Other haematological parameters were similar across treatments and within normal ranges. Nutrients in LSM could be well utilized and safely too as those of GNC and FFS

Assessment of yeast supplementation on the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown layers fed high levels of rice bran during growing period

The study assessed the effect of feeding grower pullets with high levels of rice bran supplemented with or without yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on sexual maturity and subsequent laying performance. The treatment groups were: treatment 1, 0% rice bran without yeast, treatment 2, 45% rice bran without yeast, treatment 3, 50% rice bran without yeast treatment 4, 45% rice bran supplemented with yeast and treatment 5, 50% rice bran supplemented with yeast. These diets were fed from the 9th to 20th week of age. Thereafter, a common layer diet was fed to all treatment groups from 20th - 40th week. Results of the study indicated that feeding rice bran at the growing phase did not affect age at point of lay. Indeed the birds fed rice bran diets without yeast reached point of lay earlier than the control group. Similarly, birds on high rice bran + yeast reached peak production earlier than the control group. However, hen-day egg production was higher for the birds fed control diet. It could be concluded therefore that feeding diets containing up to 50% rice bran with or without yeast supplementation during the growing phase did not adversely affect the onset of laying and subsequent performance of Shika brown pullets.Keywords: Yeast, rice bran, pullets, eg

Triterpenoids From the Leaves of Olax mannii Oliv.

The study of the acetone extract of the leaves of Olax mannii Oliv. led to the isolation of two triterpenoids; glutinol and rhoiptelenol. These compounds are reported for the first time in Olax mannii. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, IR and GC-MS.Keywords: Glutinol, Rhoiptelenol, Olax manniiNigerian Journal of Basic and Applied Science (2011), 19(2):193- 19

Cold- Process Synthesis and Properties of Soaps Prepared from Different Triacylglycerol Sources

This study was conducted to find out how different fats and oils produce soaps of different characteristics. It describes cold-process saponification using different fats and oils. Shea nut oil (SAP value:183.9mgKOH/g), groundnut oil (SAP value:187.7mgKOH/g) and Tallow (SAP value:140.3mgKOH/g) were used. Colour, texture, lathering and cleansing power of the prepared soaps were analyzed. shea butter soap had the best lathering capacity. The groundnut oil soap had the most effective cleaning power .The soaps were also recommended for household use .This activity was also provided to share a delight in chemistry with senior school students and to actively engage them in hands-on-active learning

Hereditary spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a familial hemolytic disorder with marked heterogeneity of clinical features, ranging from an asymptomatic condition to a fulminant hemolytic anemia. Although a positive family history of spherocytosis increases the risk for this disorder, it may be sporadic in some cases. In severe cases the disorder may be detected in early childhood, but in mild cases it may go unnoticed until later in adult life. A 27-year-old Nigerian woman presented with mild anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly and a history of multiple blood transfusion. Blood film showed about 70% spherocytes,reticulocytosis of 6.5%, increased osmotic fragility test and a negative direct antiglobulin test. She was managed conservatively on nutritional supplements and a significant regression of symptoms after 6 months was achieved