Relative Effects of Parents’ Occupation, Qualification and Academic Motivation of Wards on Students’ Achievement in Senior Secondary School Mathematics in Ogun State

The importance of mathematics to an individual and the society is clearly beyond debate thus, every individual needs some knowledge of mathematics in order to live a useful life and be an effective member of the society. Despite this impo9rtance role accorded mathematics in the school curriculum, many academically capable students prematurely restrict their educational and career options by discontinuing their mathematical learning early in the high school. The poor results in this subject have continued to be stumbling-blocks in the realization of the educational and employment desire of many candidates because it is a gatekeeper for many careers. This study investigated the relative effects of parents’ occupation, education and academic motivation of wards on students’ achievements in senior secondary school Mathematics in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study employed ex-post facto type of research and the sample was selected using the multistage sampling technique. Two thousand four hundred students from 60 selected schools in nine local government areas within Ogun State, Nigeria were involved and two research instruments namely; Students’ Questionnaire; (r = 0.81) and Mathematics Achievement Test; (r = 0.84) were used. Data were analyzed using multiple regression at .05 level of significance. The result reveals that parents’ education has the highest significant influence on the academic achievement of students in Mathematics while the effect of academic motivation had the least effect among the variables which exerted significant effects on students’ academic achievement in Mathematics. Keywords: Parents’ education; Occupation; Academic Motivation; Achievement

Awareness of Genetic Testing for High-Risk Cancer Among Different Racial Groups in the United States

Background: Genetic testing for high-risk cancer can provide information on personal risk of developing cancer, as well as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment once cancer has been detected. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the Health Information National Trends (HINTS 5, Cycle 4), conducted among U.S. adults (age ≥ 18 years) from February 24 to June 20, 2020. An equal probability sample of addresses were stratified, and an adult was selected from each household. Data analysis was conducted 3,865 respondents who completed the survey. The primary outcome was awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer (GTHC). We used weighted multivariable logistic regression to determine the awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household income, general health status and history of cancer. Results: We found a significant association between race/ethnicity and awareness of GTHC. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic respondents were less likely to be aware GTHC, compared to White respondents (Non-Hispanic Black: aOR=0.53; 95%CI: 0.32–0.87. Hispanic: aOR=0.58; 95%CI: 0.36–0.95). The awareness of ancestry testing was also significantly associated with awareness of GTHC (aOR=5.62; 95%CI: 2.95–10.72). Female respondents were more likely to be aware of GTHC compared to males (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68), and relative to respondents 50-64 years, those 35-49 years were more likely to be aware of GTHC (aOR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.37-2.68). Conclusion: This cross-sectional study showed less awareness of genetic testing for high-risk cancer among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic groups, highlighting the need for more health education among minority racial groups

Physicochemical Quality and Genotoxic Potential of Wastewater Generated by Canteen Complex

Canteens generate high volumes of wastewater that should constantly be subjected to physicochemical and genotoxicity screening. In this study, the wastewater generated by a canteen complex was screened for physicochemical properties and genotoxic potential using standard procedures and Allium cepa chromosome assay. Results showed that the wastewater had total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and total hardness concentrations of 120.70 mg/l, 554.50 mg/l, and 500.00 mg/l, respectively. The chloride concentration of the wastewater (7873.60 mg/l) was much higher than the recommended limit of 250 mg/l. The wastewater inhibited root growth in A. cepa at 0.1%, 1%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100% concentrations but promoted root growth at 2% and 5% concentrations. The wastewater was highly mitodepressive, with mitotic inhibition generally increasing with rising concentrations. The major chromosomal aberrations observed in A. cepa exposed to different concentrations of canteen wastewater were vagrant, sticky, and bridged chromosomes. No chromosomal aberration was observed in onion roots exposed to water (control). The differences in total chromosomal aberrations across wastewater concentrations were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). In view of these results, the practice of discharging untreated canteen wastewater into drainage canals may not be environmentally sustainable

Effect of time of application of spent oil on the growth and performance of maize (Zea mays)

The effect of spent oil pollution on the growth and performance of Zea mays at different stages of growth was investigated in this study. It involved addition of different quantities of spent oil to soils where Zea mays plants at different stages of growth were growing on. The plants showed differential response to quantities of spent oil added to the soils and the times of application. Plants exposed to spent oil pollution one week after germination had the highest level of growth inhibition and the highest chlorophyll content. The leaf area development of the plant was inhibited by the exposure of the plant to spent oil pollution as observed seven weeks after germination. The application of spent oil to the soils three and five weeks, respectively after the germination of the seeds of Z. mays had similar effects on dry matter accumulation of the plant. Statistical differences occur on the growth and performance of the plants exposure to spent oil pollution at different stages of growth (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001). The results from this study showed that generally Z. mays may suffer greater inhibition of growth and performed poorly when it is exposed to spent oil pollution at tender stage of growth.Key words: Spent oil, time application, growth, performance, Zea mays

Dentine hypersensitivity: real or imagined

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity is a common presentation of cause of pain and or discomfort with mastication which has been shown to affect the quality of life of the affected individual. It is also a common cause of presentation at the dental clinics. However, the cause, diagnosis and possible management to give relief can be a dilemma for the clinician who at times may wonder if the sensation the individual is presenting with, is real or imagined.Aim: The purpose of this paper was to review dentine hypersensitivity in view of causes, diagnosis and management.Methodology: Articles used were found by searching the key words: dentine hypersensitivity, tooth wear lesions, desensitization, gingival recession, treatment of hypersensitivity.Result: There are a variety of causes of dentine hypersensitivity with a variety of ways to manage and provide adequate treatment, but the condition must be well understood.Conclusion: Many options of treatment are now available to eliminate the pain from dentine hypersensitivity and thus improving the quality of life of these patients because the sensitivity they experience is real.Keywords: dentine, hypersensitivity, tooth wear, desensitization, quality of lif

Effects of a 12-Week Structured Fitness Exercise on the Red Blood Cells of College Students in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

This study investigated and determined the effects of a 12-week structured fitness training programme on the Red Blood cells of College Students. The structured exercise/ training programme consisted of graded physical activities lasting for about fifty (50) minutes and administered three times a week,  The pre-test, post-test control group - design was used for the study. Sixty (60) College Students were used comprising thirty (30) subjects each for both the experimental and the control groups. Statistical procedure employed included the descriptive statistics of mean, range and standard deviation, inferential statistics of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine significance of adaptation. A post-hoc analysis of Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) was also applied to find out the magnitude of the adaptation.  Graphical illustration was also used to pictorially display the pattern of changes in the variable.  The result of the findings showed a rejection of the hypothesis which stated that there will be no significant effect of a 12-week fitness training programme on the Red blood cells of College Students in Ekiti State. Based on the findings of this study, it was therefore concluded that a structured exercise training programme of 12 weeks duration is capable of reducing the red blood cells of college students in Ikere Ekiti. It was recommended that such fitness training programme be encouraged among the youths. Keywords: Resistance exercise, hematological variables, college students

Effects of a 12-Week Structured Fitness Exercise on the Red Blood Cells of College Students in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

This study investigated and determined the effects of a 12-week structured fitness training programme on the Red Blood cells of College Students. The structured exercise/ training programme consisted of graded physical activities lasting for about fifty (50) minutes and administered three times a week,  The pre-test, post-test control group - design was used for the study. Sixty (60) College Students were used comprising thirty (30) subjects each for both the experimental and the control groups. Statistical procedure employed included the descriptive statistics of mean, range and standard deviation, inferential statistics of Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine significance of adaptation. A post-hoc analysis of Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) was also applied to find out the magnitude of the adaptation.  Graphical illustration was also used to pictorially display the pattern of changes in the variable.  The result of the findings showed a rejection of the hypothesis which stated that there will be no significant effect of a 12-week fitness training programme on the Red blood cells of College Students in Ekiti State. Based on the findings of this study, it was therefore concluded that a structured exercise training programme of 12 weeks duration is capable of reducing the red blood cells of college students in Ikere Ekiti. It was recommended that such fitness training programme be encouraged among the youths. Keywords: Resistance exercise, hematological variables, college students

Studies on the nutritional requirements of Diplostomum phoxini (Strigeida trematoda) in vitro

The elucidation of some of the nutritional requirements of the strigeid trematode, Diplostomum phoxini, developing to maturity in vitro was attempted. D. phoxini can develop in a medium containing glucose balanced salt solution, amino acids, yeast extract, egg albumen and horse serum at 4

Bioremediation of environmental wastes: the role of microorganisms

The growing rate of urbanization and industrialization has led to an increase in several types of pollution caused by the release of toxic chemicals to the environment. This is usually perpetuated by the manufacturing industry (e.g. detergent and dye), agricultural sectors (e.g. fertilizers and pesticides), mining industry (e.g. cyanide and sulphuric acid) and construction companies (e.g. cement and metals). These pollutants have adverse effects on the health of plants, animals, and humans. They also lead to the destruction of the microbial population in both aquatic and the terrestrial regions, and hence, have necessitated the need for remediation. Although different remediation methods, such as the physical and chemical methods, have been adopted for years, however, the drawbacks and challenges associated with them have promoted the use of an alternative which is bioremediation. Bioremediation involves using biological agents such as plants and microbes to remove or lessen the effects of environmental pollutants. Of the two, microbes are more utilized primarily because of their rapid growth and ability to be easily manipulated, thus enhancing their function as agents of bioremediation. Different groups of bacteria, fungi and algae have been employed to clean up various environmental pollutants. This review discusses the types, mechanisms, and factors affecting microbial bioremediation. It also recommends possible steps that could be taken to promote the use of microbes as bioremediation agents

Element Levels in Plasma of Cancer Patients

This study investigated the levels and the trend of some plasma elements in cancer patients. A total number of seven hundred (700) patients with different types of cancer (leukemia, ovarian, prostate, breast, colon, cervical, uterine, ovarian) attending University Teaching Hospitals and Federal Medical Centers in Southwestern Nigeria, and three hundred (300) healthy subjects who served as control subjects were examined. The plasma levels of Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn and Cu were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry while Na and K, were analysed using flame emission photometry.The alterations observed in plasma profile of elements of the cancer patients when compared with the control may be a useful indicator in the detection of the initial changes occurring in neoplastic cells. A significant increase (p<0.05) was recorded in the plasma level of  lead and  cadmium when compared with the control and among the cancer types which suggests their involvement in the generation of reactive oxygen species which could lead to lipid peroxidation,  DNA damage and alteration in gene expression. Keywords: cancer, elements, plasma, alteration, patients