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Synergistic Effects of Compost and Biochar on Lead and Cadmium Remediation in Contaminated Soils grown to Amaranthus hybridus

2024-12-28T16:22:32+00:00

The study investigates the combined use of compost and biochar for soil remediation. It evaluates the effectiveness of biochar from maize cob and poultry litter, in combination with compost, in reducing the availability of lead and cadmium in contaminated soils. Pot experiment was conducted in a controlled environment using soils from an iron-pot industry dumpsite and a contaminated fadama (valley bottom) soil. Using the rate of 10.7 g/kg, maize cob and poultry litter were combined with compost in ratio 0:0, 1:4, 2:3, 4:1 and 3:2 and applied to soils grown to Amaranthus hybridus, that was laid in randomized complete block design. Growth parameters, Biomass Yield, Remediation percentage, lead and cadmium in the soils and plant were determined 6 weeks after planting, following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, polynomial regression and ANOVA at α0.05, It was found that increasing the compost in the combination with biochar improved plant height, leaf area, and biomass yield. The application of 60% poultry litter biochar and 40% compost gave the highest remediation of 68 and 55% remediation for Pb and Cd, respectively, in the iron-pot industry dumpsite soil, and 68 and 42% remediation in the contaminated soil, for the respective metals. The combination ratio 3:2 was also most effective in reducing Pb and Cd concentrations in Amaranthus hybridus. The study also highlights the importance of soil pH in influencing metal mobility and plant uptake. The findings suggest that combining biochar with compost (3:2) can enhance soil remediation while supporting agricultural productivity.

Pharmacological Potential and Effect of Bitter Kola Aqueous Seed Extract Compared with the Standard Drug in Trypanosomiasis Disease Induced Animal

2024-12-28T16:37:32+00:00

The use of plant extract is fast becoming the choice method for the treatment of this disease. This study investigated the pharmacological potential of Garcinia kola aqueous seed extract compared with the diminazene aceturate drug in trypanosomiasis induced Wister rat. The extract was obtained through Maceration method with distilled water. In vitro and In vivo activity of the extract and Diminazene aceturate drug was determined using various standard methods. Biochemical analysis of the kidney function was determined by colorimetric method and histological analysis was carried out using standard tissue processing and stained with haematoxilin and Eosin stains. Data were analyzed statistically using anova Turkeys post hoc SPSS version 2.0 software and at 0.01 significant difference. Result revealed various pharmacological potentials of the seed and biochemical effects on the kidney functions were also observed in all the extract treated and control groups. The Garcinia kola seed extract exhibited trypanosostatic at dose of <400 mg and trypanocidal activity at doses > 400 mg in both in- vitro and in -vivo, compared with trypanocidal activity of standard drug dose of 3.5 mg/kg.bw. Garcinia kola seed extract proved to be highly toxic to the kidney at high doses >200 mg /kg.bw due to various pathological lesions observed on the kidney histology of the extract treated groups when compared with standard drug.

Alternative approach in Computing the Haar measure of SU (2)

2024-12-28T16:51:16+00:00

The compact Lie group G = SU (2), known as the special unitary group, consists of all 2×2 complex matrices with determinants equal to one (1). This work presents, among other contributions, a unique procedure for computing the Haar measure of any locally compact group. This procedure is then specifically applied to compute the Haar measure of SU (2).

Perceived psychosocial effect and Coping Strategies among Patients living with chronic wound in Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria

2024-12-28T17:07:23+00:00

Understanding multifaceted psychosocial burden of patients grappling with chronic wounds is imperative for delivering comprehensive healthcare interventions. The study aimed at assessing the perceived psychosocial effect and coping strategies among patients living with chronic wound in selected tertiary hospitals in Ondo State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design among 158 Patients living with chronic wound using purposive sampling technique. Researchers developed questionnaire with a reliability Cronbach’s Alpha value of 0.79 and 0.77 was used as instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyses using descriptive statistics while inferential statistics such as multiple logistic regression were used to test hypotheses stated at 5% level of significance. Findings showed that the most common psychosocial effect of chronic wound has on the respondents were financial burden to me and/or the family 3.49±0.89, trouble moving about because of the wound(s) 3.46±0.86, dependent on help from others 3.40±0.88 among others. The results indicated that 79(50.0%) experience a high psychosocial impact. The most coping strategies were Positive Affirmations 3.59±3.29, Gratitude Practices 3.33±0.91, and Spiritual Coping 3.27±1.02 among other. Multinomial logistic regression analysis, indicate that aged between 15-24 (P=0.01; OR= 12.12; CI: 2.36 – 62.25) and 35-44 (P=0.04; OR=2.65; CI: 1.03 – 6.80) are 12.2 times more likely to perceive high psychosocial effects compared to other age categories. This study highlights the significant psychosocial impact of chronic wounds on patients. These insights call for comprehensive healthcare approaches that address both the physical and psychosocial needs of these patients to improve their overall well-being.

Comparative Study of Compost and Biochar Application Rates for Lead and Cadmium Remediation in Contaminated Soils grown to Amaranthus hybridus

2024-12-28T18:33:13+00:00

This study evaluates the effectiveness of biochar, derived from maize cobs and poultry litter, and compost in remediating soils contaminated with lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) using Amaranthus hybridus as a test crop. Pot experiment was conducted using soils from an iron-pot industry dumpsite and a contaminated fadama (valley bottom) soil, treated with varying application rates of biochar (maize cobs and poultry litter) and compost (0, 5, 10, and 15 g/kg). Growth parameters, Biomass Yield, Remediation percentage, lead and cadmium in the soils and plant were determined 6 weeks after planting, following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, polynomial regression and ANOVA at α0.05, It was observed that increasing the application rate of both amendments significantly enhanced the remediation efficiency of Pb and Cd in both soil types, reducing their availability and accumulation in Amaranthus hybridus. The highest remediation was observed at 15 g/kg poultry litter biochar, which achieved 55% and 48% remediation for Pb and Cd, respectively, in the iron-pot industry dumpsite soil, and 56 and 47% remediation in the contaminated fadama soil, for the respective metals. Similarly, this treatment reduced heavy metal uptake by Amaranthus hybridus, enhancing soil pH and reducing metal mobility. The optimal application rate for effective remediation was determined to be between 8.2 and 10.7 g/kg. These findings suggest that biochar, particularly from poultry litter, is effective for mitigating heavy metal contamination in the contaminated soils.

Challenges and Barriers in the Provision of Palliative Care in Nigeria: Implications and Consequences

2024-12-28T17:19:30+00:00

Palliative care enhances the quality of life for patients and their families by preventing and reducing pain and suffering. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), just 14% of the 40 million people worldwide who require palliative care receive it, indicating that there are obstacles in providing palliative care. The objective of this review is to analyze the challenges and barriers to providing palliative care, as well as its implications for patients with chronic illnesses. Literature from published research related to the review was evaluated using keywords such as challenges, provision, palliative care, and older population utilizing search engines such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The literature was compiled and reviewed for eligibility to capture just the variables mentioned in this article; the period span used in the literature search was 2013–2023. There are numerous challenges to providing palliative care, including patient-related barriers such as cultural beliefs and a lack of financial support, as well as health-care provider barriers, most notably communication challenges among healthcare professionals, patients, their families, ethical challenges. There are significant disparities in the kind of health issues that palliative care addresses. Addressing the problems and impediments to palliative care involves a multifaceted strategy that includes healthcare professionals, lawmakers, educators, and the community. By recognizing and actively working to remove these barriers, the healthcare system can improve the quality of life for those suffering from serious diseases while also ensuring that palliative care is accessible and comprehensive to everyone who needs it.

A Narrative Review on Menstrual Disorders and Adolescent’s Health-Related Quality of Life: Implications for Midwifery Practice

2024-12-28T17:32:36+00:00

Globally, menstrual disorders are significant health concern affecting a substantial proportion of adolescent girls, profoundly impacting their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). These conditions frequently cause physical discomfort, emotional distress, and social challenges, necessitating supportive care and management. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the multifaceted quality-of-life impacts of menstrual disorders on adolescents and derive implications for midwifery practice. The data for this review paper were gathered from published studies utilizing electronic databases of Medline, Science direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar which were searched using the keywords: menstrual disorders, adolescents HRQoL, impact of menstrual disorders on adolescents HRQoL and midwifery practice. The Biopsychosocial Model was used as the foundational basis to understand the holistic impact of menstrual disorders. The date limit considered in the literature search was from 2012 - 2024 to capture the variables identified in the review. The study revealed that adolescent with dysmenorrhea, heavy menstrual bleeding, and other menstrual disorders experience substantial deficits across physical, psychological, social, academic, and other quality-of-life domains. Furthermore, severe pain, fatigue, school absenteeism, anxiety and depression were common impacts reported. It also established midwives plays a vital role in supporting adolescents with menstrual disorders to provide comprehensive education, counseling, and management strategies to acquire an optimal health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Menstrual disorders profoundly affect adolescents who are vulnerable population at the transitional stage of life. This makes it important for midwives who are the frontline of pivotal care to contribute to adolescents overall well-being and HRQoL while preventing long-lasting complications.

Patterns of Managing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Shifting Landscape from Historical to Future Perspective

2024-12-28T18:20:05+00:00

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The management of T2DM is deeply rooted in history and has undergone significant transformations in its management across time. As a result, this study aims to describe the historical, current and future perspectives of T2DM management. This review article is extracted from published studies and the following keywords were used to search the electronic databases of Medline, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar: patterns of managing type 2 diabetes mellitus, history of t2dm management, current management of T2DM and future perspective of T2DM management. In order to include the variables indicated in this study purpose and give the review article more credibility, the date range for the literature search was 2012 to 2024. The study revealed the historical context of managing T2DM from the antiquity era to be extreme restrictive carbohydrate diet. The current perspective to managing T2DM includes the use of insulin, continual glucose monitoring, lifestyle modification, natural remedies and anti-diabetes oral drugs. Furthermore, the review also revealed future perspective to managing T2DM were identified to be natural remedies, combination therapy and individualized interventions. Diabetes has remained one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century accounting for a global presence. The management has however evolved significantly over time, driven by historical discoveries, current advancements, and future innovations and by incorporating these advancements, promising prospects ensue to improve T2DM patients’ outcome and reduce the burden of T2DM on global health systems.