Studies on the Effect pH on the Sorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions from Aqueous Media by Nipa Palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb)

The effect of pH on the sorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ion onto Nypa fruticans Wurmb biomass was investigated. Initial pH value of 2, 5, 7, 9, and 12 were used for this study with varying initial concentrations of metal ions. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of Langmuir, Freundlich and Flory-Huggins isotherms. The data showed that the maximum pH (pHmax) for the efficient sorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ is 5.0. Evaluation using the Langmuir equation gave the monolayer sorption capacity as 91.0mg/gfor Pb2+ and about 61.0mg/g for Cu2+. The sorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ion is pH dependent and the data showed that Nypa fruticans wurmb biomass is a successful biosorbent for treating heavy metal contaminated wastewater. The thermodynamic assessment of the metal ions on Nypa fruticans wurmb gave negative ÄG0 values, which confirms the feasibility of the process and the spontaneous nature of the sorptio

Desorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ from Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb) biomass

The desorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ from Nypa frutican Wurmb biomass originally loaded with these two metals in a batch adsorption experiment was investigated using acidic, basic and neutral desorption solutions. The metal-loaded biomass was treated with 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH and distilled water atvarying contact time. The data shows that desorption in all the reagent increased with increase in contact time, reaching 75.3 and 63.7% in acid reagent, 18.9 and 14.06% in basic reagent and 3.35 and 2.44% in distilled water for Pb2+ and Cu2+, respectively, at a contact time of 140 min. The desorption kinetic showed that the release constant, kdes, for both metal ion in acidic system was faster (6.3 x 102 and 7. 9 x 102 min-1 for Pb2+ and Cu2+) than other desorption reagents

Comparative Study of Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Levels in Pregnant Women Using Glucometer and Laboratory Glucose Oxidase Methods

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a medical test utilized mostly to resolve border results involving glucose concentrations. This study is aimed at establishing an existence of relationship of OGTT glucose concentrations between glucose oxidase and glucometer methods. Blood samples were collected from hundred (100) pregnant women with risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus. The glucose concentrations were assayed using glucose oxidase and glucometer methods. The results were analyzed using student t-test and Pearson correlation. The results established a significant increase (P< 0.05) of some of components of OGTT in glucometer method as compared to glucose oxidase method. A correlational study established a correlationship at only the fasting levels of the assay. The findings revealed that results from glucometer seem to be higher when compared to glucose oxidase method. Hence, glucometer should be restricted to only medical screening and not clinical use. Also users of glucometers should be educated on the inaccuracies surrounding the use of glucometer

Studies of the Effect of Old Age on Invitro Blood Clotting In Yenagoa Bayelsa State Nigeria.

Aging has been defined as “a progressive unfavourable loss of adaption, leading to increased vulnerability, decreased viability, and decreased life expectancy. Enablers of aging could be retarded as a result of proper medical intervention of the old aged. The aim of the research is to provide interventions that could also serve a retarder to aging and in the management of the aged. A total of 300 subjects were recruited into the study, 200 subjects constituted the aged defined based on 65 and above years. 100 subjects constituted the  middle aged defined  based on age range of 20-33 years.   Samples were divided into two groups, group A constitutes the control (middle aged) and group B constitutes the aged.  Platelets, serum calcium and clotting time were analyzed using WHO approved methods.  The mean and SD of platelet count of group A 379±137 as compare to group B of 210±122. The CT for group A was 4.8±1.1 as compare to group B of 9.2±1.6. While serum calcium was  2.3±0.30 in the control as against the aged of  1.8±0.34. A statistical significances p<0.05 were observed for all the studied parameters. However, the platelets count and serum calcium had a decline in the aged as compared to the middle aged. Clotting time showed a significant increase. The decline in platelets count of the aged was attributed to decline in the thrombopoietin, senile production sites of platelets precursors and components. The prolonged CT observed for the aged was hinged on the decline in platelets count, coagulation factors and serum calcium concentration. Based on these finding, aged are advice not to expose themselves to injuries and cut. Also heath care providers should treat all injuries in the geriatrics as an emergency. Keywords: Platelets, clotting time, geriatrics, calciu

Relationship between Leukocytospermia and Sperm Count in Men Visiting Fertility Clinic of the Federal Medical Center Yenagoa Bayelsa State Nigeria.

Sperm count, or sperm concentration measures the concentration of sperm in a man's ejaculate, distinguished from total sperm count, which is the sperm count multiplied with volume. Over 15  million sperm per milliliter is considered normal, according to the WHO in 2010. Older definitions state 20 million. Sperm count is the focal factor of conception and is threatened by variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Leukocytospermia is been argued as one factor that decrease sperm count and quality. An abnormally high concentration of WBC‘s in the semen is a condition known as leukocytospermia, also referred to as leukospermia, pyospermia or pyosaemia. This research was designed to establish if a relationship do exists between seminal sperm count and leukocytospermia.  One hundred (100) apparently healthy men visiting the Microbiology Department  of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa for semen analysis from August 2012- March 2013 constituted the study population. The study population was divided into two groups; non-leukocytospermic subjects and leukocytospermic.The sperm count was assessed by improved bright-light Neubauer haemocytometer.  The research carried out correlating the relationship between sperm count and leukocytospermia was statistically significant (P<0.05). Leukocytospermic samples tend to have decreases sperm count as compared to non leukocytospermic samples. Also cases of aspermia were more rampant in leukocytospermic subjects than non-leukocytospermic subjects. Leukocytospermia is a signal of inflammation and infection of the male reproduction apparatus and hence Medical Practitioners should matter of urgency employ the appropriate treatment regime to eliminate the causative agent. Key words: Leukocytospermia,  non-leukocytospermic , sperm count, seminal fluid, MAGI : Male accessory sex gland infection,spermatozoa

Effects of Storage Duration and Temperature on Some Most Frequent Routine Biochemical Parameters

Storage of samples at a given temperature for future Laboratory investigation is a routine due to several technical constraints. This study was designed to determine the effect, reliability and accuracy of studied biochemical parameters upon prolonged sample storage at a given temperature. A total of hundred apparently healthy subjects of equal sex difference were recruited for the study. As case may be, either  plasma or serum extracted from the blood of the subjects were stored at -20 16??/m:t>">  and laboratory analysis carried out on day 1, day 2, day 20 and day 30 respectively for total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL, aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase using WHO approved methods. The results of the biochemical parameters showed that the mean concentrations of total protein and albumin were significantly higher (P<0.05) after storage for 30days.The baseline value of the aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase activity exhibited a significant decrease (P <0.05) after day 30. Also a significant decrease (P < 0.05) was observed in concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL on day 30. In conclusion samples for clinical purpose should be analyzed within two days, whereas that for research should not exceed 20 days to ensure reliability and accuracy. Keywords: Storage time, temperature, biochemicals, proteins, lipids, enzyme

LEADERSHIP STYLES AND MOTIVATION ON JOB PERFORMANCE OF LIBRARY PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

Institution is to attain high level of productivity; efficient and effective leadership must be provided thereby enhancing the overall job performance of the entire personnel. This study therefore examined leadership styles as determinants of library personnel’s job performance in public university libraries in North-Central Nigeria. The Paper adopted a survey research design of a survey method in order to objectively collect information from the respondents. The population for the study was 421 (140 librarians and 281 library officers and library assistants) in public universities in North Central states in Nigeria while, total enumeration was adopted for the selection of 421 research subjects used in this study. Data were collected using a self-developed, validated, pretested (Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient value of 0.801, and 0.750) and administered questionnaire titled “Leadership Style and Job Performance Assessment Questionnaire (LSJPAQ)” which was designed through the extensive literature review. The results revealed that, democratic leadership style was most adopted or exhibited by librarians/library managers (average of 3.51) while, librarians/library managers do not exhibit or adopt the autocratic and laissez-faire styles of leadership (grand of 2.95 and 1.93 respectively) in public university libraries in North-Central Nigeria. The study also showed that the performance of library personnel in the studied universities in North-Central Nigeria was very good (grand of 3.24). Findings from the tested null hypotheses revealed that, there was a positive correlation between leadership style and library personnel job performance (r = 0.542, p \u3c .05). Based on the findings observed, it was recommended that Librarians/library managers should employ a mixture of autocratic and democratic style of leadership in their library administration in order to enhance better job performance among library personnel; and the use of laissez-faire leadership style should be discouraged by librarians/library managers as it could not bring a better job performance among library personnel

The Effect of Tourniquet Application on Serum Calcium and Inorganic Phosphorus Determination

Venous blood sampling is usually performed using a tourniquet to help locate and define peripheral veins to achieve successful and safe venipuncture. Despite widespread usage of tourniquets for venipuncture by phlebotomists, very few are aware of the effects of tourniquet application on laboratory parameters. This study was set out to determine the influence of different tourniquet application times on total serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations in healthy individuals. A total of hundred (100) healthy subjects were used for the study and three (3) set of venous blood samples were collected from each subjects without tourniquet application, 1min and 5min after tourniquet applications respectively. Samples were collected into plain containers and allowed to clot at room temperature for 20 minutes, centrifuged and serum separated. The samples were analysed for calcium and phosphorus concentrations using WHO approved methods and standard operating system (SOP).  Data obtained were analysed statistically using Two-Way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) SPSS statistical package (version 20). The result revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in concentrations of total and ionized calcium in samples collected after 5minutes of tourniquet application. The concentration of inorganic phosphate (Pi) was not affected by the application and removal of the tourniquet. This study showed that the acceptable period recommended for tourniquet application should be within 60 seconds. Therefore, if blood sample cannot be collected within 60 seconds, non-application of tourniquet should be used especially for calcium profile determination. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/65-07 Publication date: August 31st 201

Sorption kinetics of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution by Nipah palm ( Nypa fruticans Wurmb) shoot biomass

The sorption kinetics of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in aqueous solution by unmodified and mercaptoacetic acid modified biomass of Nypa fruticans shoot has been investigated. The equilibrium sorption capacity of Pb2+ and Cu2+ was determined from the Langmuir equation and found to be 15.59 mg/g and 21.85 mg/g for unmodified biomass and 52.86 mg/g and 66.71 mg/g for modified biomass at 30\ub0C. The time dependent studies showed relatively rapid sorption of 5 - 10 min to reach equilibrium for both metal ions. A batch sorption model, based on the assumption of the pseudo-second-order mechanism, was applied to predict the rate constants (g mg-1 min-1), which were found to be 3.59 x 10-4 (Pb2+) and 1.85 x 10-4 (Cu2+) and 2.82 x 10-2 (Pb2+) and 3.67 x 10-2 (Cu2+) on unmodified and mercaptoacetic acid modified biomass respectively. The activation energy of the sorption of Pb2+ and Cu2+ on Nypah palm reveals an endothermic process

Sustainable conversion of agro-wastes into useful adsorbents

Preparation and characterization of raw andactivated carbon derived from three different selectedagricultural wastes: kola nut pod raw and activated (KNPRand KNPA), bean husk raw and activated (BHR and BHA)and coconut husk raw and activated (CHR and CHA) wereinvestigated, respectively. Influences of carbonization andacid activation on the activated carbon were investigatedusing SEM, FTIR, EDX, pHpzcand Boehm titration tech-niques, respectively. Carbonization was done at 350°C for2 h followed by activation with 0.3 M H3PO4(ortho-phosphoric acid). Results obtained from SEM, FTIR, andEDX revealed that, carbonization followed by acid acti-vation had a significant influence on morphology and ele-mental composition of the samples. SEM showed well-developed pores on the surface of the precursors after acidtreatment, FTIR spectra revealed reduction, broadening,disappearance or appearance of new peaks after acid acti-vation. EDX results showed highest percentage of carbonby atom respectively in the order BHA[KNPA[CHArespectively. The pHpzcwas found to be 5.32, 4.57 and 3.69for KNPA, BHA and CHA, respectively. Boehm titrationresult compliments that of pHpzc, indicating that the sur-faces of the prepared adsorbents are predominantly acidic.This study promotes a sustainable innovative use of agro-wastes in the production of cheap and readily availableactivated carbons, thereby ensuring more affordable waterand effluent treatment adsorbents