Combined effects of heavy metals and parasite infections on the haematological and biochemical profiles of wild rats from Awotan Municipal Dumpsite in Ibadan City

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-325
Author(s):  
S.A. Adeyemo ◽  
J.K 1Ogundayomi ◽  
O.A. Morenikeji

The combined effects of heavy metals and parasitic infections on wild rats from Awotan municipal dumpsite in Ibadan city southwest Nigeria were determined. A total of thirty rats were captured from the dumpsite and five rats from a control site using live traps. Rats were identified, weighed and body length measured to determine body condition index. Blood samples were collected from the rats using the cardiac puncture method. Rats were euthanized and dissected to extract various organs (kidney, liver and intestine). Intestinal helminths were extracted, identified and preserved. Blood parasites were identified using Giemsa staining technique of thick and thin films while intestinal helminths recovered were preserved and identified to species level. Organs, intestinal helminths and blood samples were digested and concentrated for heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Cortisol level was determined using ELISA technique. All statistical significance was at probability value p < 0.05. Three species of rats were captured, Rattus rattus, Rattus novergicus and Cricetomys gambianus. The mean ± sd of the body condition index of the rats from dumpsite and control groups were 1.82±0.17 and 1.59± 0.38 respectively. There were significant differences in the mean values of eosinophils, platelets and white blood cell counts of rats from the two study sites. Overall parasite prevalence in dumpsite and control were 76.6% and 20% respectively. The overall prevalence of parasite  species from dumpsite was in the order Hymenolepis diminuta (26.6%) >Monoliformis monoliformis (20%) >Plasmodium spp (20%) >Trypanosoma spp (10%). The mean concentration (mg/kg) of heavy metals in kidney, liver, intestine and blood of wild rats from both dumpsite and control decreased in the order Fe> Cr> Cu> Cd> Pb. Cortisol level was higher in infected rats from dumpsite (351±58.83ng/ml) than in uninfected rats from dumpsite (237.22± 44.46ng/ml), indicating exposure to immune stressors. A higher prevalence of parasitic infection, heavy metal pollution and the elevated cortisol concentrations in infected rats showed that the animals’ health and well-being are compromised.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Suvennie Saseetheran ◽  
Bawani Selvam ◽  
Norrimi Rosaida Awang ◽  
Mahani Yusoff ◽  
Abdus Salam Mohamed

Particulate matter (PM) was identified as the main air pollutants in Malaysia which directly impose a treat to human health and understanding this pollutant is also crucial for its mitigation and control. This study aims to determine and characterize the PM2.5 with the influence of meteorological parameters. The PM2.5 samples were collected at Perai, Nibong Tebal and highway of Penang Bridge represented the industrial, residential, and roadside areas of Mainland Penang, respectively. The descriptive statistical analysis was conducted to understand the variations of PM2.5 concentration on the study areas, while its relationship with meteorological parameters were tested using Pearson correlation. Eleven heavy metals and three anions were determined using mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Ion Chromatography, respectively. Results showed that the mean concentration of PM2.5 are 10.88 ?g/m³, 31.96 ?g/m³, and 39.35 g/m³ for residential area, industrial area, and roadside, respectively. The results revealed that mean concentrations of PM2.5 (39.35 ?g/m³) in the roadside are significantly higher than NAAQG 24-h average of 35 ?g/m³. Result also suggested that meteorological parameters were lest significant in controlling the PM2.5 concentrations as only the air pressure was found to be significant with the value of correlation coefficient of 0.476. The major components such as SO42-, K and Na account for about 70-90% of the PM2.5.


2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49
Author(s):  
Sohni Sinha ◽  
A.K. Tripathi

The accumulation of heavy metals in soil at roadside has been studied by the analysis of top soil/dust samples. Concentration of the elements Co, Cr, Pb and Cd were measured on 39 top soil/dust samples collected from near the highways, industrial area and control site. The samples were analysed for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentrations of Co, Cr, Pb and Cd were 0.390, 0.090, 2.195 and 0.094 mg kg-1, respectively. Data obtained from analysis, were statistically examined to know the distribution of metals in different highways and industrial area. The results showed that the topsoil/dust near the highway and industrial sites had significantly enrichment particularly Pb than control sites.


2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Piotr Zduniak

The wryneck is an unusual representative of PalearcticPicidaein that it is a long-distance migrant, whose populations have declined across Europe in the last century. Israel is at the eastern extremes of the known wryneck migration routes in the spring, which are little studied. Hence, we studied the species migration patterns and staging at Eilat, the southern tip of Israel being a very important stopover site for many migratory bird species. During 28 springs and 25 autumn migration seasons in the years 1983-2010, a total of 588 wrynecks were trapped.The mean number of birds recorded per spring season was 18.32 (SE = 2.12) and only 3.00 ± 0.71 per autumn season. The analysis performed for spring passage showed that the mean proportion of juveniles to all birds to which ages were assigned was 48.9 ± 5.2%. Furthermore, we did not find any differences in the dates of ringing, wing length, body mass or body condition index of juvenile and adults. We retrapped 97 (18.9%) wrynecks during the spring. The average proportion retrapped per season was 18.3 ± 2.9% and the average stopover was 4.8 ± 0.4 days. Recaptured birds were in better body condition than at first capture, and the body condition index gained significantly during their stay at the stopover site. The low conservation priority accorded to these habitats — and ignored in spite of many studies from the reagion — highlights the importance of the preservation of priority areas such that avian and other migrations can continue with minimal human impact.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-262
Author(s):  
Muktar A.B. Sabuwa ◽  
Wesley Daniel Nafarnda ◽  
Salihu Danlami Mohammed ◽  
Abdulaziz Bello

This study was conducted to determine the concentrations of some toxic heavy metals in cattle slaughtered from the three agricultural zones of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Selected tissues of muscle, intestine, skin, kidney and liver were analyzed for the presence of  Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Thirty cattle were used for sampling. Five samples of the tissues were collected from each of the cattle, making a total of one hundred and fifty samples. Values obtained were compared with that of FAO/WHO guidelines. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of Ni, Cd, Pb and Cu in all the sampled tissues were generally low and below the codex standards. Cr was detected above permissible limit with mean concentrations (mg/kg) of 1.19±5.94, 1.07±4.42, 3.01±6.65, 1.18±5.56 and 1.35±6.94 in intestine, kidney, liver, muscle and skin respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in the level of Ni and Cd across two agricultural zones. Government and private sectors should establish cattle ranch and colonies across Nigeria so  as to reduce pasture contamination. Public enlightenment on the grazing of cattle in heavy metals prone areas such as automobile workshops, construction sites and paint factory premises should be advocated. Measures should be put in place for continuous monitoring of heavy metals in Nasarawa state in order to curtail their potential negative effect in human and animal tissues. Key words: cattle, heavy metals, AAS, Nasarawa state.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Maria Picelli ◽  
Aluísio Vasconcelos de Carvalho ◽  
Lúcio André Viana ◽  
Adriana Malvasio

Seventy-five turtles Podocnemis expansa in the Brazilian Amazon were examined for the presence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites. Samplings were performed in three study areas in the state of Tocantins, Brazil. Twenty-five specimens were sampled per study area (a commercial breeding facility, an indigenous subsistence breeding facility and a wild population of the Javaés River). Hemoparasites of the genus Haemogregarina were found in 66% (50/75) of the turtle specimens, and the infections were restricted to the commercial breeding facility and to the wild population of the Javaés River. The mean level of parasitemia was 54/2,000 erythrocytes (2%). There was no correlation between the body condition index of the chelonians and the level of parasitemia, with no significant difference between genders. No leeches were observed during the physical exams in any of the study areas, but the specimens from the commercial breeding facility were in poor physical condition with shell deformities and the presence of a relatively high amount of skin ulcerations, most likely caused by fungi and bacteria. This was the first study to record the occurrence of hemogregarines on a population scale in P. expansa and helps to increase knowledge about hemoparasites in chelonians in Brazil.


1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (04) ◽  
pp. 1073-1114 ◽  

SummaryIn collaborative experiments in 199 laboratories, nine commercial thromboplastins, four thromboplastins held by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBS & C), London and the British Comparative Thromboplastin were tested on fresh normal and coumarin plasmas, and on three series of freeze-dried plasmas. One of these was made from coumarin plasmas and the other two were prepared from normal plasmas; in each series, one plasma was normal and the other two represented different degrees of coumarin defect.Each thromboplastin was calibrated against NIBS&C rabbit brain 70/178, from the slope of the line joining the origin to the point of intersection of the mean ratios of coumarin/normal prothrombin times when the ratios obtained with the two thromboplastins on the same fresh plasmas were plotted against each other. From previous evidence, the slopes were calculated which would have been obtained against the NIBS&C “research standard” thromboplastin 67/40, and termed the “calibration constant” of each thromboplastin. Values obtained from the freeze-dried coumarin plasmas gave generally similar results to those from fresh plasmas for all thromboplastins, whereas values from the artificial plasmas agreed with those from fresh plasmas only when similar thromboplastins were being compared.Taking into account the slopes of the calibration lines and the variation between laboratories, precision in obtaining a patient’s prothrombin time was similar for all thromboplastins.


1960 ◽  
Vol XXXIII (II) ◽  
pp. 230-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen E. Hill

ABSTRACT A method for the fractionation of the urinary 17-ketogenic steroids with no oxygen grouping at C11 and those oxygenated at C11, is applied to the clinical problems of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In normal children the mean ratio of the non-oxygenated to oxygenated steroids is 0.24. In childrern with congenital adrenal hyperplasia the ratio is 2.3. The reason for this difference in ratio is discussed. The changes in ratio found under stimulation of the adrenal gland with exogenous or endogenous corticotrophin and the suppression with cortisone therapy are studied. This test can be applied to isolated samples of urine, a major advantage in paediatric practice, and can be carried out in routine laboratories. It is found to be reliable in the diagnosis and sensitive in the control of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Renu Agarwal ◽  
SK Gupta ◽  
Sushma Srivastava ◽  
Rohit Saxena

Introduction: Ocimum basilicum (OB), a herb known for its antihypertensive, anticholinesterase and antioxidant properties was investigated for possible intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects in rabbits with ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: The IOP lowering effect of a single drop of OB extract (OBE) was evaluated in oculonormotensive rabbits using three concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1% w/v). The concentration showing maximum IOP reduction was further evaluated in rabbits with water-loading and steroid-induced OHT. Results: IOP lowering effect of OBE 0.5% in oculonormotensive rabbit eyes was significantly greater compared to OBE 0.25% (p<0.05) but was comparable (p>0.05) to OBE 1%. Therefore, 0.5% concentration was selected for further evaluation. Pretreatment with OBE (0.5%) caused significantly lower increase in IOP after water loading amounting to 23.39% above baseline as compared to 54.00% in control eye, 15 minutes post water loading. At 60 minutes, post water loading, mean IOP rise was 95.12% and 63.58% in control and test eyes, respectively. Significant difference between the mean IOP of two eyes persisted during the 2nd hr. In rabbits with steroid induced OHT, OBE 0.5% produced a mean IOP reduction of 24.73% at the end of first hr and the mean peak IOP reduction of 31.63% was observed at the end of 2 hr. A significant difference between the IOP of test and control eyes persisted from 1 to 6 hr. Conclusions: Ocimum basilicum seed extract showed significant IOP lowering effect in rabbits with water loading and steroid induced OHT, however, its utility as an effective antiglaucoma medication needs further investigations.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Arman

<p>This study aimed at investigating the Effectiveness of Mantle of the Expert in creative thinking Skills among the 7<sup>th</sup> Graders. The study conducted on a sample of 7<sup>th</sup> Graders at Kober Secondary Boys School and Upper Kober Elementary Girls School. The study sample consisted of (100) students split into two groups (experimental and control). The researcher adopting the Torrance test for creative thinking the verbal image "A" by examining the tests used in the Ristow study (1988), Edwards and Baldov (1987) study, and designing a teacher book for the (engineering and measurement) unit according to the integration between the strategies of the mantle of the expert and role playing.</p> <p>This study adopted quasi-experimental design. It included two groups (experimental and controlled) in two branches (males and females) for each group. The controlled group was taught by using the traditional method whereas the experimental group by the mantle of the expert. The data analyzed using (ANCOVA) test to measure the differences in the development of creative thinking between the control and experimental groups.</p> <p>The Conclusions showed that there are statistically significant differences in the mean scores of the creative thinking test due to the way, gender and interaction between them.</p> <p>Based on the Conclusions of the study, the researcher recommends the need to use the mantles of the expert in the teaching of mathematics.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-133
Author(s):  
Zahra Rezaieyazdi ◽  
Sima Sedighi ◽  
Masoumeh Salari ◽  
Mohammadreza H. Fard ◽  
Mahmoud R. Azarpazhooh ◽  
...  

Background: The relationship between SLE and traditional risk factors for cardiovascular events was evaluated. Methods: The data regarding sixty patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls (age and sex matched) were gathered using SLEDAI forms. Venous blood (10mL) from all the participants was examined for hs-CRP, homocysteine, VCAM1, CBC, anti-DNA antibody, C3, C4, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, FBS and triglyceride. : The IMT of carotid arteries was determined bilaterally by ultrasound. Other measurements included insulin levels via Elisa (Linco/Millipore Corp) and the HOMA-IR index for insulin resistance. Results: The mean age (in years) in the test and control groups was 28.8±10.3 (18-52) and 33.8±9.13 (18-48), respectively. Results: The mean age (in years) in the test and control groups was 28.8±10.3 (18-52) and 33.8±9.13 (18-48), respectively. : The average IMT in the test group was directly related to serum levels of VCAM1 (p<0.001), homocysteine (p<0.001), cholesterol (p<0.009), LDL (p<0.001), TG (p<0.001), and FPG (p=0.004). The association between other risk factors, insulin resistance, carotid IMT and SLEDAI, was nonexistent. Mean insulin and insulin resistance levels in all the participants were 0.43±2.06 µU/mL and 0.09±0.44, respectively. There was no significant difference between the test and control groups regarding serum insulin and insulin resistance levels (p=0.42 and p=0.9, respectively). None of the risk factors, such as hsCRP, VCAM1, or homocysteine, were shown to be related to insulin resistance (p=0.6, p=0.6, p=0.09, respectively). Conclusion:: Our findings did not show an increase in the prevalence of atherosclerosis in patients with SLE. There was no association between IMT and insulin resistance. However, the former was associated with FPG, total cholesterol, LDL, TG, homocystein and VCAM1.


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