Impact of Crude-Oil Spillage Pollution and Chemical Remediation on Agricultural Soil Properties and Crop Growth

Loamy sand of agricultural land in an oil producing and processing area was polluted with crude oil and the fouled soil samples were reclaimed using chemical degreasers and detergents. Both treatments showed significant effect on soil properties and crop growth parameters; however recovery level was 67-100% and significantly (p ≤ 0.01) higher than the level of degradation, except in infiltration rate. Soil pH increased by 26% in fouled soil attributable to bacterial biodegradation of crude oil under the anaerobic conditions present in the soil macro and micro-pores, and indicated the tendency of crude oil spills to buffer acidic soil to neutral. Hydraulic conductivity with 45 – 67% reduction from 82.24 cm/day in the control soil to 39.6 cm/day in polluted soil confirmed the blockage of polluted soils micropores by oil films. Crop growth, indicated by root elongation, diminished to 7.4 ± 0.64 cm in polluted soil compared to13.47 ± 6.40 cm in the control soil. Evapotranspiration and leaf mass water decreased by 90% while fertility indicated 33 – 103% increase in total nitrogen, organic carbon and available phosphorus in the polluted soil. The chemical degreaser/detergent emulsion effectively recovered soil properties and plant growth in the reclaimed soil and is recommended for short-duration restoration of crude-oildegraded soil for productive agriculture. @JASEMJ. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 147 - 15

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Uyo, Nigeria

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that is responsible for most of the excess cardiovascular morbidity amongst persons with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The metabolic syndrome increases the risk for coronary heart disease and stroke by three-fold with a marked increase in cardiovascular mortality. Objectives: This study set out to find the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome amongst type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and the commonest metabolic abnormalities in them in Uyo, South-South Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study carried out at the diabetes clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, between January and August, 2008. Data obtained included anthropometric indices, blood pressure and fasting serum lipids. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 10. Results: Two hundred and forty subjects (106 males, 134 females) were enrolled for the study. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 62.5%. . Majority of the subjects with metabolic syndrome were aged between 41-70 years with a mean age of. 53±7years. Hypertension was the most common metabolic abnormality present in 130 (86.6%) of the subjects with metabolic syndrome, while low high density lipoprotein (HDL) was the least common abnormality present in 26 (17.3%) of the subjects with metabolic syndrome. Two metabolic abnormalities were present in 114 (76%) of the subjects, while four abnormalities were present in 4 (2.6%) of the subjects with metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in type 2 DM patients in Uyo, South-South of Nigeria is high. With the cardiovascular risk associated with this syndrome, efforts must be geared towards addressing these abnormalities through lifestyle modification, health awareness and medications in order to reduce this complication in type 2 DM patients. Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Type 2 DM, Uyo

Classroom Climate and Students’ Academic Achievement in Social Studies in Cross River, Nigeria

This research project examined “Classroom climate and its relationship with students’ academic achievement in Social Studies”. Ex post facto design was adopted. The population of the study comprised 14,297 JSS III students and the sample was 1,200 JSS III students selected through stratified random technique from the three Educational Zones in State Secondary Education Board, Cross River State. The instrument used was a structured six-point Likert scale questionnaire, the reliability estimate of which ranged from 0.7 to 0.8 and achievement test adapted from Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination, Ministry of Education, Cross River State (2004) were used to collect information used in the study. The data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression. The hypothesis was tested at .05 level of significance and 1198 and F (9,1190) degree of freedom. Based on the findings, it was concludedthat all the independent variables mentioned in this study jointly contribute to the variance in students’ academic achievement in Social Studies. It was recommended that Social Studies teachers should be trained to improve their skills on an encouraging classroom climate for students’ confidence and initiative through seminars, conferences and in-service programmes

The pattern of diabetic admissions in UCTH Calabar, South Eastern Nigeria: A five year review

Background: The world's adult population is increasing rapidly. This increase is expected to lead to an increase in the prevalence of diabetes especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Diabetes places a large burden on the society more so when it becomes complicated. Thisstudy is designed to provide information on hospitalisation trends and their outcomes among diabetic patients.Methods: This was a 5 year retrospective analysis of hospitalisation trends and outcomes among diabetics admitted into the medical wards of UCTH Calabar between January 2006 and December 2010. Information was obtained from their case files and data was analysed using SPSS version 18 soft ware.Results: A total of 3490 patients were admitted into the medical wards during the period under review. Diabetes accounted for 360 (9.64%) of admissions. The average age of the subjects was 48.5 ± 14.0 years. The mean duration of Diabetes was 11 ± 7.2 years (range 1-32 years). HHS was the most frequent indication for admission (35.8%) followed by DKA (21.7%) and diabetic foot syndrome (15.8%). The duration of hospitalisation ranged from 1 to 150 days with an average of 18.7 ± 18.8 days. Mean duration of hospitalisation was longest for diabetic foot syndrome (38.5 ± 36.4 days) and least for UTI (7.3 ± 5.0 days). Three hundred and nine patients (85.8%) were treated and discharged while 48 (13.3%) left against medical advice and 3 (0.8%) died while on admission. A majority of patients who left against medical advice were admitted for DFS (50.0%). 53.3% of the patients had blood pressure above 140/90 on admission and 69% of the subjects were non-compliant with their treatment.Conclusion: Diabetes is a major cause of hospitalisation in our hospitals and most of the complications are preventable. With proper patient education and adherence to management, the burden of DM can be reduced in our society

Spatial and seasonal variations of heavy metal loads in Uyo urban drainage stream under PS and NPS pollution

The concentration of heavy metals (HM) in the 4km urban drainage stream in Uyo was studied using grab and composite sampling of water from six stations on the stream, and analyzed by a multipurpose atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 17 software at1d correlated between stations and runong samples. HM contamination was evaluated with the coefficient and rate of dispersion between stations and the Nom1alized Scatter Coefficient (NSC). The seasonal distribution of metal pollution varied individually amongst metals at stations. The Fe and Pb concentrations exceeded the sate drinking water standard, rendering the water quality not acceptable for drinking; however, the quality was within the safe limit for crop production along the river bank. The relative.dominance of heavy metals followed a different sequence in upstream leachate effluent from all downstream stations. The NSC in dry-wet season was higher than in wet season, and was in the order: Fe>Cu>Zn>Pb, showing that large but variable concentration of Fe from PS and NPS contaminated the stream at faster rate in the wet season while Pb contaminated at nearly constant rate. However, in the dry season, Fe and Pb depleted at downstream at rates far higher than Zn as Cu was increasing. Fe and Pb could be good pollution monitor for total maximum daily load (TMDL) pollution monitoring programme.Key words: Heavy metal loads, Urban drainage stream, Water quality, Seasonal variation,Normalized Scatter Coefficient

Effect of chemical remediation of crude-oil polluted agricultural land on soil properties and crop performance

Chemical degreaser with detergent was. used to wash crude-oil polluted agricultural soil and restore it to 83% -93% of the unpolluted soil's status for sustainable productivity. Comparison of reclaimed soil's properties with unpolluted soil sample of the same area indicated no significant differences (p=0.05) between their values for soil moisture content, soil pH, evapotranspiration, root elongation and soil fertility. Root elongation at 1.1 cm/day in the reclaimed soil compared with 1.29 cm/day in unpolluted soil indjcated 83% recovery. Saturated hydraulic conductivity alsp had ·83% recovery. However, infiltration rate showed a low recovery of 30.%, perhaps, due to the wetness of the reclaimed soil's surface . prior· to the reclamation process. The soil · macro/microspores were unblocked by the degreaser enabling the root pores to overcome the osmotic problem caused by oil-molecules' blockade and conduct moisture through to the phloem and. leaves to sustain evapotranspiration, leaves turgidity and plant health. The chemical reclamation by degreaser with detergent is highly recommended for short-duration in-situ remediation of crude-oil polluted agricultural land.Keywords: crude-oil degradation soil, agricultural land, chemical  remediation, degreaser/detergent, crop performance

Analysis of the Control Processes Upon Storm Water Dynamics Using ECCRARO Model in Eyong Creek and River Catchments in South-Western Nigeria

ECCRARO model, which registers flood-stage response to rainfall impulse in Enyong/Ikpa rivers' catchments, was applied in conjunction with the analysis of the physical properties of the catchment system to establish how surface runoff/subsurface drainage to the floodplains/rivers and the flood routing through the catchment rivers control flood stages, hence flooding of the catchments. The control of the rising and falling flood stages under rainfall impulse was dominated by the combined processes of runoff production/drainage and flood routing. However, drainage through the floodplain was slower in Enyong Creek catchment than the routing of floodwater through its river system, hence, drainage problem was a priority in upstream Enyong Creek. In Ikpa river catchment, the sluggish flood routing in its river system dominated flooding problem more than the runoff production process, making flood routing a priority problem. The runoff coefficients, generating surface runoff from excess effective rainfall into runoff were twice higher in Enyong Creek than in Ikpa river catchments, while the groundwater flows in Ikpa sub-catchments exceeded those from corresponding sub-catchments in Enyong basin. On the other hand, the Lag between stage accretion and recession rates was wider in Ikpa than Enyong rivers, while the time of concentration of 3.5 to 4.5 hours in Enyong was far greater than the Lag time of 0.5 hour in Ikpa catchments. The lower surface gradient in Ikpa river at its confluence with Cross river retarded its entrance flow rates, causing a higher upstream backwater that exacerbates flooding in Ikpa tributary swamps, while the entrance in the Enyong Creek was smoother at its confluence due to its positive surface gradient at its confluence with Cross river. Drainage of runoff is priority flood control problem in Enyong Creek catchment while flood routing is priority in Ikpa river catchment. Keywords: Control processes, storm water dynamics, drainage, flood routing, ECCRARO Journal of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 6 (1) 2006 pp. 39-4

Thyroid Hormones and Glycaemic Indices in Types 1 and 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Studies comparing the relationship between thyroid hormones and the glycaemic indices in Types 1 and 2 diabetics are scanty. This study compared the relationship between thyroid hormones and glycaemic indices in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics on various therapies. The thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), totalthyroxine (T4), total triodothyronine (T3) and the glycaemic indices; fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and C-peptide were assayed. Blood specimens from 18 Type 1 and 143 Type 2 diabetics attending out-patient diabetic clinics and 105 apparently healthy age matched non-diabetic control subjects were analyzed. The levels of FPG and HbA1C were significantly higher in Type 1 than in Type 2 diabetics, while C-peptide was significantly lower in Type 1 diabetics than in Type 2 subjects. Correlation analysis between TSH and HbA1C in Type 2 diabetics showed significant association (r = 0.211, p = 012) while a similar analysis in Type 1 diabetics showed a negative association that wasinsignificant (r =- 0.276, P = 0.268). The correlation between T3 and HbA1C in Type 1 was negative and was not significant (r = - 0.258, p = 0.302), whereas the correlation in Type 2 was positive (r = 0.192, p = 0.049). A negative correlation existed between HbA1C and FT4 in Type 1 diabetics. C-peptide levels showed a positive correlation with T3 levels in Type 2 diabetics. There were associations between thyroid hormones (FT4, T3 and TSH) and the glycaemic indices (HbA1C and Cpeptide) in diabetics, the direction and magnitude of which vary with diabetes class Types 1 and 2 diabetics. Variation in the levels of thyroid hormones influences the levels of glycaemic indices in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differently

Lipid Profile and Thyroid Hormones in Types 1 and 2 Diabetics

Literature describing relationship between thyroid hormones and lipid levels in Types 1 and 2 diabetics is scanty. Medications used in treating each of the two classes of diabetes differ and the effect of the various hypoglycemic agents on thyroid hormones varies, while thyroid hormone levels relate inversely with cholesterol levels. We measured thyroid hormones and lipids levels in 18 Type 1 and 143 Type 2 diabetics using Enzyme immunoassay reagent kits manufactured by Biomerica Inc., Newport Beach, California, USA and Biolabo, Fines, France, respectively. The Triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly higher in Type 1 than in Type 2 diabetics (p = 0.025, 0.002, respectively), but very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) was higher (p = 0.027) in Type 2 than in Type 1 diabetics. Free thyroxine (FT4) showed significant positive correlation with total cholesterol (TC) (r = 0.179, p = 0.034), HDL-C (r = 0.176, p = 0.037) and VLDL-C (r =.183, p =.030) in Type 2, but not in type 1 diabetics. Total triiodothyronine (T3) and TG were positively correlated in Type 1 diabetics, (r =0 .59, p 0.027) but were not correlated in Type 2 subjects. T3 and VLDLC levels showed positive correlation in Type 2 diabetics (r = .224, p = 0.003), but were not correlated in Type 1 subjects. The relationship between thyroid hormones and lipid profile differ in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, as the levels of LDL-C, VLDL-C triglycerides, HDL-C and thyroid hormones varied in magnitude and direction of association in the 2 classes of diabetes mellitus subjects. Both the classes of diabetes mellitus and the levels of thyroid hormone do influence lipid levels in diabetics differently

Dietary pattern of adult diabetic subjects attending a Tertiary Care Hospital Diabetic Clinic in Calabar, Nigeria

No Abstract. Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 8 (1) 2008: pp. 16-2