Water properties and zooplankton diversity of Aghalokpe wetland in Delta State, Nigeria

Characterizing the basic components of our wetlands is the first step to successfully utilizing these important resources and no such data on this wetland are available. On this background, weekly examination of water properties and zooplankton diversity of Adagbarasa wetland from April to May 2015 was carried out. Water quality results, in the present study indicate that Aghalopke wetland showed favourable conditions for aquatic lives but for low oxygen levels (0.05- 3.5 mg/L). Linear correlation and cluster analyses results revealed catenation of most of the water properties which demonstrated the connectivity of the wetland. Air and water temperature, dissolved oxygen, acidity, alkalinity, carbon dioxide, conductivity were identified as chief drivers of the study area’s water properties. Upon careful observation (zooplankton assemblage), four (4) taxonomic groups were found; Copepoda, Rotifera, Cladocera and Protozoa. The numerical stock taking found copepods more in biomass (120/ml) than species (only 2 records) while rotifers had 16 species being dominant, sub dominant in biomass (103/ml). Rotifers, copepods and protozoa had positive negative associations with some water variables. The zooplankton diversity indices (0.44 to 1.76) revealed a deteriorated environment

Controlling bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) (Genus Comovirus of soybean with spatial arrangement of maize-soybean in southeastern Nigeria

Field cultural practices of controlling Bean Pod Mottle Virus (BPMV) (genus comovirus) disease, involving thirteen spatial arrangements of maize/soybean (M:S) were studied for 2 years in Nsukka agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Thirteen spatial arrangements of maize/soybean (M:S) constituted a factor while the health conditions of soybean plants (healthy and infected) constituted another factor. The thirteen spatial arrangements of maize/soybean (M:S) studied differed significantly in the incidence of BPMV disease. Spatial arrangement of 2:4 recorded the highest (82.5%) incidence, though statistically similar with spatial arrangements of 0:4(sole soyabean) (71.3%), 1:4 (76.3%) and 3:4 (70.0%). spatial arrangement of 3:1 recorded the lowest (7.5%) incidence though statistically similar with spatial arrangement of 1:1 (13.8%) and 1:2 (18.9%). Spatial arrangement of 1:2 recorded the highest (69.4) number of pods and grain yields (1.42t/ha), while the spatial arrangement, 3:1 recorded the lowest (40.80) number of pods and grain yield. Health conditions of the soybean plant affected significantly the yield. Healthy soybean plant produced the highest (1.49t/ha) grain yield while infected soybean plant produced the lowest grain yield.of 0..82 t / ha. Keywords: Spatial arrangement, Bean leaf beetle, Bean pod Mottl virus, Maize, Soybean.Agro-Science Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 27-3

Sand dredging impact on macrobenthic invertebrates of a hallowed river in Delta State of Nigeria

River Ethiope is one of the most revered water bodies in Delta State by communities along its course. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from threes communities; Obi- Iloh, Ebedei-Adonishaka, Ebedei Obi-Ukwuole designated as Station 1, 2 and 3 respectively, that forbids women entrance but allows men folk to sand dredge. The survey conducted between March and April, 2015, identified 17 taxa of macro invertebrate with 219 individuals. Of the nine order, Hemiptera constituted the most abundant set 42.25%, followed by Decapoda 16.90%, Coleoptera 11.74%, Plecoptera and Arachnida 6.57%, Odonata 5.16%, Diptera 4.23%, Annelida(Lumbriculida and Arhynchobdelida) 3.76% and the least Trichoptera 2.82%. However, non-statistical significant richness exists among these organisms at the stations (p ≥0.05). Computed biological indices and lower macro invertebrates census revealed that the macro invertebrates were more abundant in stations 3 and 1 than in station 2, identifying the last two stations as unstable and moderately deteriorated. The enlisted significant correlated variables expressed manifold hydrological factors pinpointing human disturbance as impact

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially