ABSTRACT
The study investigated the contents of selected heavy metals in top soils and sub-soils around the vicinity of artisanal gold mining site in Minna, Niger state, using standard procedures. Digestion was done using HNO3-H2O2-HCl and heavy metal content using atomic absorption spectrometer. The results obtained showed some extent of contamination with mean values of 2.87 ± 0.17mg kg-1, 286.21 ± 0.20mg kg-1, 15,375.46 ± 0.52mg kg-1, 2233.60 ± 0.46mg kg-1, and 131.71 ± 0.15mg kg-1 for Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Pb, respectively. The surrounding environment (50 m away from the gold mining site) also showed significant contamination with mean values of 2.77 ± 0.17mg kg-1, 295.27 ± 0.20mg kg-1, 11,523.64 ± 0.25mg kg-1, 1956.50 ± 0.54mg kg-1, and 74.63 ± 0.15mg kg-1 for Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Pb, respectively. The values obtained were significantly higher when compared with those from the control soil samples. With the exception of Pb and Mn, the values of the other metals investigated were all below the WHO permissible limit. The trend of contamination with respect to contamination factor was in the order: Zn > Fe > Pb > Mn > Cd. The high contents of Pb and Mn in this area therefore show the need for more studies and immediate intervention measures.
Subject(s)
Metals, Heavy , Soil Pollutants , China , Environmental Monitoring , Hydrogen Peroxide , Metals, Heavy/analysis , Niger , Risk Assessment , Soil , Soil Pollutants/analysisABSTRACT
This was a comparative crossectional study that was conducted among 557 antenatal women at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between 1st April and 30th May 2006. The study compared the accuracy of haemoglobin estimation using an automated HemoCue B analyzer kit with a standard laboratory method (haemogloincyanide) as the gold standard. The result showed a positive correlation of HaemoCue haemoglobin results when compared with the standard methods (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.892; p value = 0.000). We concluded that the use of the automated HemoCue kit for haemoglobin estimation gives an objective assessment which overcomes the challenge of extra skilled manpower or power outages in rural areas thereby enhancing access to quality of care in resource poor countries.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency/prevention & control , Blood Cell Count/instrumentation , Hemoglobinometry/instrumentation , Hemoglobins/analysis , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hemoglobinometry/methods , Hospitals, University , Humans , Methemoglobin/analogs & derivatives , Nigeria , Predictive Value of Tests , Pregnancy , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
This was a comparative crossectional study that was conducted among 557 antenatal women at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between 1st April and 30th May 2006. The study compared the accuracy of haemoglobin estimation using an automated HemoCue B analyzer kit with a standard laboratory method(haemogloincyanide) as the gold standard. The result showed a positive correlation of HaemoCue haemoglobin results when compared with the standard methods (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.892; p value = 0.000). We concluded that the use of the automated HemoCue kit for haemoglobin estimation gives an objective assessment which overcomes the challenge of extra skilled manpower or power outages in rural areas thereby enhancing access to quality of care in resource poor countries. (Afr J Reprod Health 2008; 12[2]:153-159)
Subject(s)
Anemia , Cross-Sectional Studies , Hemoglobins , Nigeria , Pregnant WomenABSTRACT
The long-term prognosis in congenital hepatic fibrosis has been assessed in 30 patients, 13 treated at Newcastle and 17 from other British centres. Twenty-four patients had been followed-up for more than five years from diagnosis. Shunt operations, performed in 18 patients, were successful in controlling haemorrhage with a low mortality (1/18), low incidence of recurrent haemorrhage (3/18) and portal-systemic encephalopathy (3/18) but with a higher incidence of postoperative jaundice (7/18). About a third of the survivors had some evidence of hepatic dysfunction but none had chronic portal systemic encephalopathy. Intelligence quotient was close to normal but educational achievement and job status were low. Serum albumin fell after shunt surgery and a few patients developed ascites: anaemia and hypersplenism however, were corrected by surgery. Blood ammonia is raised in survivors with congenital hepatic fibrosis and rises further after a normal meal; further observations are needed on cerebral function after several decades of survival.
