Preliminary chemical and biological assessment of Ogbe Creek, Lagos, Nigeria

The study was aimed at assessing the quality of water from the Ogbe Creek during the months of flooding (September- December 2001) and its implications for the health of the inhabitants of the densely-populated city of Lagos, Nigeria. The hydrochemistry of the creek was strongly influenced by the seasonal flooding. The surface water of the creek was characterized by high total dissolved solids (> 200 mg/l), Biological oxygen demand (> 50 mg/l) and alkalinity (> 250 mg/l). Low values of Dissolved oxygen ( 2.00 mg/l) and NO3- (> 5.0 mg/l) were moderately high, suggesting organic pollution and nutrient enrichment of the creek. A high concentration of heavy metal salts such as Fe (> 50 mg/l), Na (> 135 mg/l) and K (> 30 mg/l) reflected the impact of domestic and industrial waste on the creek. One thousand and seventy three phytoplankton comprising 15 species and 106 zooplankton made up of 14 species were collected from the creek, mostly pollution tolerant species. Toxic plankton such as Oscillatoria which produces anatoxin, an alkaloid, Microcystis aeruginosa which produces an acutely lethal hepatotoxin called microcystin and Epistylus were harvested within the creek. The macro benthos harvested consisted of 123 invertebrates comprising four pollution tolerant taxa, Erpobdella, Chironomus, Eristalis and Brachydeutera. The low plankton and macro benthos diversity further indicated the impact of the perturbational stress on the organisms inhabiting the creek. Monitoring and evaluation of the creek, and education on health measures and hygiene are, therefore, essential

Edible Amphibian Species: Local Knowledge of their Consumption in Southwest Nigeria and their Nutritional Value

The knowledge of the consumption of edible amphibian species in southwest Nigeria was investigated based on interviews. There were a total of 900 respondents of which 92.8% were aware of edible frogs being consumed by humans. Six hundred and sixty (73.3%) respondents had seen various individuals eating frogs. Examining the respondents themselves, 387 (43.0%) has eaten frogs. The occupation with the highest consumption of amphibian species was the farmers (64.1%) followed by the secondary school teachers (57.0%) and the least being the housewives (27.3%). Ptychadena pumilio has the highest protein content (19.79%) followed by Xenopus muelleri (19.53%). Hoplobatrachus occipitalis has a protein content of 19.46% and fats and oils of 1.06%. Xenopus muelleri has the highest fat and oil percentage while Ptychadena pumilio has the lowest (0.97%). Glutamic acid followed by aspartic acid was the highest concentration of amino acid in all the species. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference in the  concentration of the amino acid among the three species of edible anurans at (P > 0.05). Frog meat serves as a good source of protein for thelocal inhabitants. But the unsustainable use of these edible frog species would have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem. Hence frog farming and conservation efforts must be encouraged

Biodiversity Change: Preliminary Monitoring of Anura Species in Selected Vegetation Sites in Southwestern Nigeria

Four study sites with different vegetation structures in southwest Nigeria were selected and monitored for anuran species between 2007–2009 applying the transect sampling method. These study sites were located at Ijede (06º 34’ 072’’ N 003º 35’ 030’’ E), Ijebu Oru (06º 56’ 493’’N 003º 56’ 792’’E), Onidundun (07º 37’ 313’’ N 003º 55’ 258’’ E) and Ibapon Oyewole (08º 05’ 129’’ N 004º 11’ 132’’ E), all in southwest Nigeria. The study sites of Ijebu Oru (forests/abandoned farmlands) and Ibapon Oyewole (savanna) had a mean number of species and individuals of 21 and 14, and 236 ± 5 and 108 ± 7.9, respectively. However, at Ijede (swamps/forests), there was 18% reduction (6% in 2008; 12% in 2009) of the initial number of species recorded in 2007 due to shifting agricultural practices. Hylarana albolabris, Aubria subsigillata and Ptychadena aequiplicata were no longer accounted for in 2009 surveys. At Onidundun (derived savanna/forests), there was a 17% reduction of anuran species (Ptychadena mascareniensis, Hyperolius f. burtoni and Arthroleptis sp.) in 2008, but 12% of these species (Hyperolius f. burtoni and Ptychadena mascareniensis) were again seen in 2009 after substantial amount of vegetation growth had occurred. The mean number of species and individuals at the study sites of Ijede and Onidundun were 16.67 ± 1.5 and 16.67 ± 1.5; and 203.67 ± 6.7 and 169.67 ± 8.3, respectively. In general, fewer number of amphibian species were observed during the dry season at the four study sites. Habitat destruction and modification are key causes of habitat loss of anuran species observed in this study. Biomonitoring procedures should be applied regularly to detect changes (increase/decrease) in the diversity and abundance of anuran species within a specified study area of interest over time

Increasing frailty is associated with higher prevalence and reduced recognition of delirium in older hospitalised inpatients: results of a multi-centre study

Purpose Delirium is a neuropsychiatric disorder delineated by an acute change in cognition, attention, and consciousness. It is common, particularly in older adults, but poorly recognised. Frailty is the accumulation of deficits conferring an increased risk of adverse outcomes. We set out to determine how severity of frailty, as measured using the CFS, affected delirium rates, and recognition in hospitalised older people in the United Kingdom. Methods Adults over 65 years were included in an observational multi-centre audit across UK hospitals, two prospective rounds, and one retrospective note review. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), delirium status, and 30-day outcomes were recorded. Results The overall prevalence of delirium was 16.3% (483). Patients with delirium were more frail than patients without delirium (median CFS 6 vs 4). The risk of delirium was greater with increasing frailty [OR 2.9 (1.8–4.6) in CFS 4 vs 1–3; OR 12.4 (6.2–24.5) in CFS 8 vs 1–3]. Higher CFS was associated with reduced recognition of delirium (OR of 0.7 (0.3–1.9) in CFS 4 compared to 0.2 (0.1–0.7) in CFS 8). These risks were both independent of age and dementia. Conclusion We have demonstrated an incremental increase in risk of delirium with increasing frailty. This has important clinical implications, suggesting that frailty may provide a more nuanced measure of vulnerability to delirium and poor outcomes. However, the most frail patients are least likely to have their delirium diagnosed and there is a significant lack of research into the underlying pathophysiology of both of these common geriatric syndromes

Observations on the age and growth of Brycinus nurse (Paugy 1986) - Pisces: Characidae in Asa Reservoir, Ilorin, Nigeria

A total of 1,190 specimens of Brycinus nurse (Paugy 1986) caught in Asa Reservoir from November 1991 to October 1993, were analyzed to determine the age and growth using scales and the integrated methods. Obtainable data from the observed, back calculated and Paulys integrated method indicated that the species attained 13.76cm, 15.49cm, 17.02cm, 17.87cm, 21.00cm and 23.00cm in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh year of life respectively. Values obtained from back calculated lengths were lower as compared to those of the observed lengths while those of integrated values were higher than the observed, although the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Average values of ultimate or asymptotic length (L) and the growth coefficient (K) of 27.67 and 0.66 respectively were obtained. The smallest specimen of B. nurse obtained measured 7.56CM (T.L) and weighed 22g while the largest specimen measured 22.60cm (T.L) and weighed 98.91g. The b value obtained was 3.012 indicating that the species exhibited isometric growth. B. nurse attained rapid growth within the first two years with growth decreasing thereafter. Female specimens were observed to grow faster than the males in the first two years of growth. Similarly the females dominated the early age groups (1+ and 2+) with males dominating the age group 3+. A prosperous commercial fishery exists for B. nurse in Asa reservoir, which could be exploited sustainably by the use of the appropriate gill nets. Key Words: Brycinus nurse, scales, age determination, growth Tropical Freshwater Biology 11 (2002) 23-3