Assessment of heavy metals contamination in the sediment of Yardantsi reservoir, Gusau Nigeria

The magnitude and ecological relevance of metals pollution in the sediment of Yardantsi Reservoir, Gusau Nigeria, which serve as main source of water for irrigation and municipalities was assessed by applying sets of complementary sediment quality assessment methods; The contamination factor (Cf); and comparisons with concentration based sediment quality guidelines (CBSQGs) of target heavy metals. The sediment metals concentrations in the reservoir were investigated from May, 2015 to April, 2017. Sediment samples were collected from five sampling stations and analysed using Shimadzu AA6800 Atomic Absorbtion Spectrophotometry. The results showed that Cd has a mean concentration of (1.81cmol/kg). Cu (3.40cmol/kg), Cr (0.99cmol/kg), Fe (46.71cmol/kg), Ni (0.50cmol/kg), Pb (0.14cmol/kg), and Zn (13.87cmol/kg). Contamination factor (Cf) and CBSQGs suggested that cadmium concentration was slightly higher as Cf>6 and exceeded threshold effects concentrations (TECs). This may cause adverse biological effects and the reservoir was in potential risk with regards to Cd concentration, while the rest of the metals were found to be lower than the proposed TECs and has Cf<1 indicating that there are no harmful effects from these metals. It is suggested that the reservoir input should be monitored and the sediment sources be mitigated.Keywords: Assessment, contamination, heavy metals, reservoir, sedimen

Tuberculosis of the Testis: A Case Report

A 45-year-old man visited our clinic with a painless swelling of the left scrotum and an ulcer as chief complaints. A hard and indurated mass was palpable with ulcerating foci that were proximal and distal, measuring 3 × 2 cm and 2 × 1 cm respectively and about 2 cm apart. Laboratory data were normal except for an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cell (WBC) differential showed neutropenia and lymphocytosis. A diagnosis of left testicular tumor was made and the patient had a left orchidectomy with fistulectomy. Histopathology results showed a stratified squamous epithelium with tuberculous granuloma and necrotic caseation. Patient is currently on anti-tubercular medication. The rarity of this condition makes these findings important to report

Response of groundnut to thermal indices as influenced by intercropping and mulching in tropical wet and dry climate in Nigeria

Temperature as a limiting factor to groundnut production had affected groundnut economic value in a tropical wet and dry climate of Nigeria. A field trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of mulching on some selected thermal indices of groundnut intercropped with maize at Abeokuta during the early 2018 cropping season. The experiment was arranged in 6×3 factorial and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Experimental factors were the cropping system of sole planting of three groundnut cultivars SAMNUT-24 (GNUT1), SAMNUT-25 (GNUT2), SAMNUT-26 (GNUT3) and their intercrop combinations with maize (SAMMAZ-15), mulching methods were black polythene, white polythene and banana leaf. Thermal indices were estimated on emergence, flowering, pod formation, seed formation, and maturity phases. The results of thermal indices showed that intercrop significantly influence (p≤0.05) growing degree days (GDD) of groundnut at emergence (2225.50 ºday) and flowering (2700.96 0day) phases and mulching was significant (p≤0.05) at seed formation phase. In conclusion, intercrop showed significant influence on thermal indices and yield of groundnut, white polythene mulch enhanced heat accumulation at emergence, flowering and seed formation stages

Acute appendicitis in situs inversus- a case report

This was a case of acute appendicitis in a patient with situs inversus found at Surgery for twisted left ovarian cyst in a 26 year old married woman. The case was interesting because the diagnosis of acute appendicitis as apposed to twisted left ovarian cyst was made intraoperatively when it was found in the left iliac fossa together with the caecum and ascending colon. The spleen, liver and gall bladder were found in the right and left hypochondria regions respectively. The chest xray also showed dextrocardia.Keywords: Situs inversus, ovarian cyst, acute appendiciti

Assessment of surface water physico-chemical parameters of Yardantsi Reservoir, Gusau Nigeria

The Yardantsi Reservoir, Gusau Nigeria serves multitude of purposes for the Gusau populace. It is the main source of water for domestic purpose, irrigation, and fishing. The reservoir receives both organic and inorganic waste through runoffs and seepage from the catchment areas. The physico- chemical parameters of the surface water were investigated monthly from May, 2015 to April, 2017. Samples were collected from five sampling stations and analyzed using standard procedures for examination of water and waste water. The data obtained was subjected to multivariate analysis using Microsoft office excels and SPSS. The results showed the following mean seasonal variation of surface water temperature (26.62±0.34– 30.12±0.17ᴼC),transparency (48.82±1.08- 22.07±0.87cm), mean depth (2.12±0.05-2.65±0.04m), pH (7.61±0.15-7.96±0.13), electrical conductivity (186.32±3.84- 108.05±5.43µS/cm), total dissolved solids (96.00±1.95- 63.70±3.68mg/L), dissolved oxygen (7.80±0.11-6.91±0.10mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (2.71±0.09-2.48±0.05mg/L), alkalinity (40.57±0.69–27.87±0.51mg/L), hardness (59.20±1.01– 32.18±0.94mg/L), NO3-N (2.28±0.08-4.44±0.07mg/L), PO4-P (123.72±1.44-173.48 ± 2.78 mg/L), sulphate (31.62±1.45-71.80±1.82mg/L)  and chloride (74.08±1.67- 37.64±0.96mg/L) for dry and rainy seasons respectively. The results revealed that a highly significant seasonal variation (p<0.01) was exhibited in all parameters with the exception of pH which shows no significant seasonal variation (p>0.05) and biochemical oxygen demand, which shows a significant seasonal variation (p<0.05). The results of this survey showed that the parameters observed indicated that most of them fall within the recommended range set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ).Keywords: Dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, reservoir, temperatur

Attitude of Jos University medical students to their initial encounter with cadavers in the dissecting room

Objective: This study aimed to discover the emotional reactions, attitudes and beliefs of undergraduate medical students of University of Jos medical school to 1st time encounter with human cadaver.Materials and Methods: A structured pretested and validated questionnaire was administered to 450 students of 200 to 500 levels all at the same time in May 2012. The age of the students ranged from 21 to 26 years with mean age of 23.1 years.Results: 26.1%, 15.6%, 32.3%, and 15.2% of the 200, 300, 400, and 500 level students, respectively, indicated great anxiety as their reaction to the first experience with cadaver. The fear of infection was the most common cause of worry for the studied population (71.4%, 70%, 49.3%, and 87.3% for the 200, 300, 400, and 500 levels, respectively). A number of students had no symptoms on their first encounter with cadavers (40.5% of 200, 34.4% of 300, 27.7% of 400, and 51.9% of 500 levels) however; dizziness was a common symptom experienced.Conclusion: Overwhelming majority were of the opinion that cadaver dissection should not be substituted with visuals because cadaver dissection gives the students better appreciation of the three‑dimensional. Assessment of the attitudes and reactions of medical students could help medical tutors to formulate better strategies to develop academic and clinical competences.Keywords: Attitude, cadavers, dissecting room, encounter, Jos, medical student