Organic Matter and Heavy Metals Leachate Effect on Soils of Selected Dumpsites in Selected North Central States of Nigeria

This research was conducted to assess the presence  of some heavy metals Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and Aluminum (Al) in municipal solid waste dumps. Heavy metals in the soils were determined at varying depths of 0-5cm, 5-15cm and 15-30cm to assess the extent of pollution and the effects of pH and organic matter in the soil. Heavy metals concentrations were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of heavy metals across varying depth at the dumpsites when compared with control points in the same location. Mn had the highest mean 131.22 ± 25.98 mgkg-1 followed by Fe, which is 69 ± 11.02 mgkg-1 at the dumpsites. Mean concentration of all the Heavy metals investigated at the various dumpsites studied were significantly higher than at the control point and below the maximum standard levels set by FAO and WHO for agricultural soils. Result of particle distribution indicated higher sand content (> 80.0%) and lower clay and silt contents in both dumpsite and control site which implies the ease of movement of dissolved metals in the soil environment. Organic Matter (OM) content at dumpsites was observed to be slightly higher than at the control sites. The data also signifies that as pH decreases and %OM decreases the concentration of these heavy metals decreases down the soil profile. It is, therefore, concluded that accumulation of heavy metals in depth was highly correlated with pH and organic matter content

Cost Analysis of Medical versus Surgical Management of Glaucoma in Nigeria

Purpose: To analyze the cost of glaucoma medical therapy and compare it with that of surgical management in Nigeria. Methods: The cost of glaucoma drugs and that of surgical therapy in patients who attended the eye clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, between December 2002 and November 2008 were calculated over a 3 year period of follow-up. Costs of medical and surgical therapy were compared based on November 2008 estimates. Results: One hundred and eight patients met the inclusion criteria of the study, of which, 90 patients (83.33%) received medical therapy and 18 patients (16.67%) underwent surgery. The most expensive drugs were the prostaglandin analogues, travoprost (Travatan) and latanoprost (Xalatan). The least expensive topical drugs were beta-blockers and miotics. The mean annual cost of medical treatment was US$273.47΁174.42 (range,$41.54 to $729.23) while the mean annual cost of surgical treatment was US$ 283.78΁202.95 (range, $61.33 to$592.63). There was no significant difference between the mean costs of medical and surgical therapy over the 3-year period (P = 0.37). Older age (P = 0.02) and advanced glaucoma (P < 0.001) were associated with higher costs of therapy. Conclusion: The cost of medical therapy was comparable to that of surgical therapy for glaucoma in Nigeria over a 3-year period

The effect of follicular fluid hormones on oocyte recovery after ovarian stimulation: FSH level predicts oocyte recovery.

BackgroundOvarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology (ART) overcomes the physiologic process to develop a single dominant follicle. However, following stimulation, egg recovery rates are not 100%. The objective of this study is to determine if the follicular fluid hormonal environment is associated with oocyte recovery.MethodsThis is a prospective study involving patients undergoing ART by standard ovarian stimulation protocols at an urban academic medical center. A total of 143 follicular fluid aspirates were collected from 80 patients. Concentrations of FSH, hCG, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and prolactin were determined. A multivariable regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the follicular fluid hormones and oocyte recovery.ResultsIntrafollicular FSH was significantly associated with oocyte recovery after adjustment for hCG (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.21, 95%CI 1.03-1.42). The hCG concentration alone, in the range tested, did not impact the odds of oocyte recovery (AOR = 0.99, 95%CI 0.93-1.07). Estradiol was significantly associated with oocyte recovery (AOR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.99). After adjustment for progesterone, the strength of association between FSH and oocyte recovery increased (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.45-2.34).ConclusionThe relationship between FSH and oocyte recovery is significant and appears to work through mechanisms independent of the sex hormones. FSH may be important for the physiologic event of separation of the cumulus-oocyte complex from the follicle wall, thereby influencing oocyte recovery. Current methods for inducing the final stages of oocyte maturation, with hCG administration alone, may not be optimal. Modifications of treatment protocols utilizing additional FSH may enhance oocyte recovery

Nutritional Analysis and Antibacterial Effect of Honey on Bacterial Wound Pathogens

Abstract: The nutritional analysis of honey sample purchased from Iyale, Dekina Local Government area in Kogi state, Nigeria was assessed using the recommended methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The results were as follow: total titratable acidity (32.6%), fat content (1.5%), protein content (0.88%), unhydrolysed and hydrolysed honey have glucose and fructose (63.0%) and (81%), vitamin C content (3.45%), moisture content (25.22%), ash content (1.67%), crude fibre (1.2%), soluble carbohydrate (69.53%). The antibacterial analysis of honey at 100% concentration revealed a significant activity against Escherichia coli, (25mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (22mm), Staphylococcus aureus (20mm), and Proteus mirabilis (17mm). At 75% concentration the bactericidal activity was slightly reduced but effective against Escherichia coli, (21mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (17mm), Staphylococcus aureus (14mm), and Proteus mirabilis (13mm). While at 50% concentration there was weak inhibition Escherichia coli, (11mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (9mm), Staphylococcus aureus (9mm), however some of the wound bacterial pathogens were resistance at these concentration such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. The minimum bactericidal concentration and the minimum inhibitory concentration were 3.13mg/ml -12.5mg/ml and 1.57mg/ml -6.25mg/ml respectively. The result reveals that honey can be used in the treatment of wound infection associated with these pathogens

Influence of maturity stage on nutritive value of typha for ruminants

The study evaluated the influence of maturity on the nutritive value and fermentation parameters of Typha. Typha samples were collected at two different stages of growth, as indicated by the height of the plants: either 0.5 m (Low Typha; LT, age 3-6months) or 1.5 m (High Typha; HT, age 9-12 months). Samples were analyzed for chemical composition, and incubated in vitro with ruminal fluid from sheep to determine the main fermentation parameters. As maturity advanced, the dry matter, fiber and lignin content (25.30%, 70.40%, 47.30% and 10.58%) in the Typha increased, whereas the content of ashes and protein (12.18% and 12.24%) decreases. The changes in chemical composition caused a significant reduction in both the in vitro ruminal degradability after 96 h of incubation (38.6 and 22.9% for LT and HT, respectively) and the production of volatile fatty acids after 24 h of incubation (6.08 and 5.87 mmol/g dry matter incubated), indicating that the nutritive value of the Typha declines with advancing maturity. The results indicate that Typha plants for ruminant feeding should be preferably harvested at early growth stages