Assessment of some geo-physical, chemical and technical characteristics of soil and groundwater resources in Jesse, south-south Nigeria

This study assessed some geophysical, physicochemical and geotechnical characteristics of soil and groundwater resources in Jesse, Delta State of Nigeria. Earth Resistivity Meter was employed for the electrical imaging of the subsurface. Soil and water samples from the area were taken to the Laboratory for the determination of the physico-chemical, geochemical and geotechnical parameters. The results of the resistivity data shows that a high resistive plume with resistivity >2,000 Ohm-m has penetrated the soil beyond 21m beneath the surface in most parts of the surveyed area. The water samples show mild acidity with pH values in the range 4.3-5.4. Total dissolved solids (TDS) is low 29.35- 33.58mg/L and conductivity ranges from 50.60-60.78 μS/cm. Heavy metal presence is within WHO permissible limit, only Iron is high (0.455-0.889mg/L). Groundwater sample analysis show that total petroleum hydrocarbons-TPH, as oil and grease is below detection level (<0.031mg/L). This can be attributed to the sealing of the confined aquifer by impermeable clay, but fairly high in surface water (≈0.4mg/L). The average permeability of the soil is 8.805 x 10-3cm/s indicating good drainage condition. The results have shown that shallow boreholes are polluted and the soils of the area are acidic. Groundwater of the area needs treatment before it can be consumed and periodic investigations should be carried out in the study area. Keywords: Groundwater, Hydrocarbon, Pollution, Resistivity, Soil

Antenatal dexamethasone therapy does not affect circulating concentrations of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1.

In animals, dexamethasone administration during pregnancy leads to fetal growth restriction due to enhanced expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). In humans, there is also a significant inverse correlation between maternal and fetal concentrations of IGFBP-1 and birth weight. During pregnancy, maternal IGFBP-1 is derived from the decidualized endometrium. We have studied the effect of dexamethasone on circulating concentrations of IGFBP-1 in 12 pregnant women who received dexamethasone therapy for fetal lung maturation in anticipation of premature delivery before 34 completed weeks of gestation. Blood samples were collected before dexamethasone administration, at 24 h and 48 h after the course of dexamethasone, and within 24 h of delivery, for the measurement of IGFBP-1. There was no significant change in plasma IGFBP-1 concentrations at 24 and 48 h following dexamethasone therapy, and at delivery (P = 0.666, 0.307 and 0.398, respectively). Therefore, antenatal dexamethasone therapy does not influence decidual synthesis of IGFBP-1

The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Morphology Among Women Attending a New Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of polycystic ovary morphology (PCO) among Nigerian women attending for pelvic ultrasound. This was a retrospective study of the ultrasound scan findings of all women who attended for pelvic ultrasound scan at a new teaching hospital in southern Nigeria from the commencement of ultrasound services on 1 March to 31 July 2010. The main indication for the scans was infertility (52.7%), and the commonest finding was fibroid (44.6%). Polycystic ovary morphology was present in 12.2% of the women. On average women with PCO were younger (30.3 v 35.0 years) and more likely to present with amenorrhea (33.3 v 7.6%) than women without PCO, but there was no other statistically significant differences between the two groups. This study suggests that Nigerian women have a low incidence of PCO morphology. (Afr J Reprod Health 2014; 18[1]: 161-164)Keywords: Prevalence, Polycystic Ovary Morphology, Nigeria