EVALUATION OF DEPTH TO BASEMENT, HEAT FLOW, AND LEAD-ZINC MINERALIZATION FROM ANALYSIS OF AEROMAGNETIC DATA IN SOME PARTS OF SOUTHERN BENUE TROUGH

The techniques of aeromagnetic data analysis were employed to elucidate depth to magnetic basement sources, lead-zinc (pb-zn) mineralisation and heat flow in parts of Southern Benue Trough. The study area covers an area extent of about 18,150 sq. Km, latitude 05 0 30’N - 06 0 30’N and longitude 007 0 30’E - 009 0 00’E. The digital aeromagnetic data consisting of Total Magnetic Intensity with geospatial attributes covering six (6) sheets 302 (Nkalagu), 303 (Abakaliki), 304 (Dangha), 313 (Afikpo), 314 (Ugep) and 315 (Ikom) were used in this study. Several magnetic digital filtering methods such as reduce to pole, low/high pass, etc were applied on the data before analysis for lineaments, mineralisation, and depth to magnetic sources. Zones of broad magnetic anomalies were found in the north eastern and south eastern part of the study area like Otam-Izekwe, Enyigba, Uburu, Abakaliki, Ndieze Izzi, Isiagu, Obubra, Oturekpe, Mkpani, Idomi, Enona, Ugep, etc. Depth estimates to the magnetic basement sources from spectral analysis range from 0.65km to 1.155 km, while depth estimate from source parameter imaging (SPI) stretches from 0.679km to 7.723km. The north western part of the study area is the deepest. Pb-zn mineralization within the study area is found to be structurally controlled trending in NE-SW and NW – SE directions. The heat flow values range from 0.65 – 1.95Wm-2, pb-zn mineralization is within 0.9 – 1.4Wm-2 and Curie point depth range from 0.75km to 2.1km. Keywords: Depth to basement, Heat flow, Lead-Zinc, Mineralization, Aeromagnetic data DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-2-06 Publication date:March 31st 202

Electricity Supply and Output in Nigerian Manufacturing Sector

This research examined electricity supply and the output of the Nigerian manufacturing sector. The major objective is to critically determine the impact of electricity supply on the manufacturing output in Nigeria. Numerous literatures only revealed the relationship between economic growth and electricity supply, with little empirical attention on the effect of electricity on the various sectors of the economy. This could lead to fallacy of decomposition because economic growth is a function of the performance of different sectors which certainly differ in their need for electricity. In response to this perceived gap, this study explores the relationship between electricity supply and manufacturing sector’s output in Nigeria. Time series data spanning the period between 1981 and 2013 were analyzed using Johansen Cointegration and Vector Autoregression tests. The results revealed that there exists a long run relationship between electricity and manufacturing output in Nigeria. It also identified that electricity supply has an insignificant relationship with the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. For the Nigerian manufacturing sector to serve as a catalyst for the transformation of the Nigerian economy, we recommend that adequate and stable electricity supply must be a policy focus if the desired output of the manufacturing sector is to be achieved. Key Words: Electricity Supply, Output, Manufacturing, Cointegration, Vector Autoregressio

Assessment of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure among University Students in, Enugu, South East, Nigeria

Body Mass Index (BMI) has been described as a significant predictor of Blood Pressure (B.P) but few studies have demonstrated this associationin our environment. The study aims to determine the pattern of relationship between BMI and blood pressure in our environment Two thousand and ninety six (2096) students in two Universities located in Enugu, South East Nigeria completed the study. The blood pressure, weightand height were measured. Body mass index was calculated as weight in Kilograms divided by height in meters square (kg/m ). More females than males were underweight (9.4% versus 4.7%). More males than females were overweight (8% versus 4%).Obesity occurred more in males than females (7% versus 0.9%).Blood pressure parameters increased significantly with BMI (

Comparative evaluation of the chemotherapeutic efficacies of two salts of diminazene aceturate in Trypanosoma brucei brucei infected dogs

Purpose: To compare the anti-trypanosomal efficacies of 4,4-(diazoaminedibenzamidinetrihydrate) diacetate (4,4-DDBT) and 4,4-(diazoamino) benzamidine (4,4-DB) in experimental canine trypanosomosis. Methods: The efficacies of 4,4-DDBT and 4,4-DB were evaluated in 4 groups of dogs (n = 3) designated A-D. Group A was normal control without infection or drug treatment, group B did not receive any drug treatment but was infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei, while groups C and D were infected with T. b. brucei and treated with 4,4-DDBT(3.5 mg/kg) and 4,4-DB (3.5 mg/kg), respectively. Results: The incubation period of the infection was 6 - 9 days post-infection. Treatment of the dogs with 4,4-DDBT led to zero parasitaemia 48 h post-treatment, while there was only a decrease in parasitemia to log 6 in 4,4-DB-treated dogs. Resurgence of parasite into the blood stream occurred in 4,4-DDBTtreated dogs 6 days after initial parasite clearance. Blood analyses post-treatment revealed elevated leucocytes and lymphocytes in 4,4-DB-treated dogs (p < 0.05). Packed cell volume was also observed to be higher in 4,4-DDBT-treated group when compared to 4,4-DB group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that 4,4-DDBT is more efficacious in the clinical management of canine trypanosomosis caused by T. b. brucei. However, it does not prevent relapse of infection. Based on these findings, therefore, 4,4-DDBT should be the diminazene salt of choice when indicated in the clinical management of T. b. brucei infection in dogs

Evidence-based investigations into the ethnoveterinary use of Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) as an anthlemintic

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity, clinical outcome and anthelmintic effects of M. pudica in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Dried leaves of M. pudica were extracted using 70 % methanol cold maceration method. Acute toxicity inquiry was evaluated using Lorke’s method. Anthelmintic effects were investigated in vitro using the egg hatch assay and in vivo using Heligmosomoides bakeri experimentally infected adult albino mice. Coprological and haematological parameters were recorded during the experiment while the serological analysis and post mortem worm burden were assessed at the conclusion of the research.Results: No mortality was recorded in oral acute toxicity test up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg. A probit-log analysis of the percentage egg hatch of the extract and albendazole gave lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values of 1.160 and -1.042, respectively. A reduction in worm count was observed in all the extracttreated groups post mortem, with the maximum extract group having the least worm count (p < 0.05). Treatment with extract resulted in improvement in the haematological parameters. Serum chemistry revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in alanine aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen in all groups. However, a dose-dependent increases in the total protein and albumin was observed.Conclusion: These results show that although M. pudica has weak anthelmintic effects compared to albendazole (standard  anthelmintic), in vivo and in vitro, at the doses used in this study, nonetheless, it reduces worm burden and improves haematologic parameters, serum total protein, albumin and overall weight gain of the treated mice. Thus, increased doses may be effective in anthelmintic chemotherapy. Keywords: Mimosa pudica, Anthelmintic, Toxicity, Heligmosomoides bakeri, Ethnoveterinary medicine, Anthelminti

Proteome Profiling of Breast Tumors by Gel Electrophoresis and Nanoscale Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

We have conducted proteome-wide analysis of fresh surgery specimens derived from breast cancer patients, using an approach that integrates size-based intact protein fractionation, nanoscale liquid separation of peptides, electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics. Through this approach, we have acquired a large amount of peptide fragmentation spectra from size-resolved fractions of the proteomes of several breast tumors, tissue peripheral to the tumor, and samples from patients undergoing noncancer surgery. Label-free quantitation was used to generate protein abundance maps for each proteome and perform comparative analyses. The mass spectrometry data revealed distinct qualitative and quantitative patterns distinguishing the tumors from healthy tissue as well as differences between metastatic and non-metastatic human breast cancers including many established and potential novel candidate protein biomarkers. Selected proteins were evaluated by Western blotting using tumors grouped according to histological grade, size, and receptor expression but differing in nodal status. Immunohistochemical analysis of a wide panel of breast tumors was conducted to assess expression in different types of breast cancers and the cellular distribution of the candidate proteins. These experiments provided further insights and an independent validation of the data obtained by mass spectrometry and revealed the potential of this approach for establishing multimodal markers for early metastasis, therapy outcomes, prognosis, and diagnosis in the future. © 2008 American Chemical Society

Family Planning Decisions, Perceptions and Gender Dynamics among Couples in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study.

Contraceptive use is low in developing countries which are still largely driven by male dominated culture and patriarchal values. This study explored family planning (FP) decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples in Mwanza region of Tanzania. Twelve focus group discussions and six in-depth interviews were used to collect information from married or cohabiting males and females aged 18-49. The participants were purposively selected. Qualitative methods were used to explore family planning decisions, perceptions and gender dynamics among couples. A guide with questions related to family planning perceptions, decisions and gender dynamics was used. The discussions and interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed manually and subjected to content analysis. Four themes emerged during the study. First, "risks and costs" which refer to the side effects of FP methods and the treatment of side -effects as well as the costs inherit in being labeled as an unfaithful spouse. Second, "male involvement" as men showed little interest in participating in family planning issues. However, the same men were mentioned as key decision-makers even on the number of children a couple should have and the child spacing of these children. Third, "gender relations and communication" as participants indicated that few women participated in decision-making on family planning and the number of children to have. Fourth, "urban-rural differences", life in rural favoring having more children than urban areas therefore, the value of children depended on the place of residence. Family Planning programs should adapt the promotion of communication as well as joint decision-making on FP among couples as a strategy aimed at enhancing FP use

Polycystic ovary syndrome

The document attached has been archived with permission from the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-20% of women of reproductive age worldwide. The condition is characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) - with excessive androgen production by the ovaries being a key feature of PCOS. Metabolic dysfunction characterized by insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia is evident in the vast majority of affected individuals. PCOS increases the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related complications, venous thromboembolism, cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events and endometrial cancer. PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion, based primarily on the presence of hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and PCOM. Treatment should be tailored to the complaints and needs of the patient and involves targeting metabolic abnormalities through lifestyle changes, medication and potentially surgery for the prevention and management of excess weight, androgen suppression and/or blockade, endometrial protection, reproductive therapy and the detection and treatment of psychological features. This Primer summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the epidemiology, mechanisms and pathophysiology, diagnosis, screening and prevention, management and future investigational directions of the disorder.Robert J Norman, Ruijin Wu and Marcin T Stankiewic