Vol 18, No 4 ,2017,: African Scientist

Automobile workshops are known to be sources of release of hydrocarbons from spent engine oil and gasoline into the terrestrial environment where they may be accumulated by soil in fauna such as earthworms. These hydrocarbon wastes often contain benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. This study was carried out to determine the concentration of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in soil and earthworm from selected auto mechanic workshops from Isihor and Agbor Park areas in Benin City.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between eye dominance, handedness and ear preference and to establish the consistency in the lateral preferences of the eye, hand and ear among the study population. Two hundred and ten (210) volunteer subjects, both male and female between the ages of 18-25 years were selected from the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. The miles test, hand preference test and ear preference test were used to test for the dominant eye, hand and ear respectively.

This study was aimed at monitoring the quality of produced water from a flow station waste pit located in Ologbo in Edo State of Nigeria, in order to ascertain the levels of compliance to environmental standards. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microbiological qualities adopting standard analytical procedures.

This study was aimed at evaluating the water quality profile of Ekenwan River located in Edo-South, Nigeria and also to determine the antibiotics sensitivity pattern of its isolated bacteria. Water samples were collected from upstream and downstream stations of the river and they were designated as station A and station B respectively; standard analytical and bacteriological procedures were adopted. The pH of water samples for station A ranged from 5.11-5.86 while and station B ranged from 4.11-5.94.

This study was carried out to isolate and identify bacteria associated with barbers’ clipper in barbers’ shops in Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State. A total of thirty (30) barbing salon operating within Ugbowo district were randomly selected for this study. Sixty (60) samples were collected from the different shops. Sterile swab sticks were used to obtain samples from the surface of barbers’ clippers and were immediately sealed to prevent contamination. Identification of isolates was done using Gram staining technique and biochemical tests.

Azadirachta indica (AI), is a popular medicinal plant originally grown in India, but is now cultivated in almost every part of the world including Nigeria where it is popularly called "Dogonyaro". The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) on the reproductive hormones of male albino wistar rats. Twenty (20) male albino wistar rats weighing between (150-200) grams were used. They were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 5 animals in each group. Rats in group A (control) were administered 5ml of normal saline daily.

The aim of this study was to estimate serum cortisol levels during the trimesters of pregnancy and six weeks post-partum. 25 healthy women between the age range of 21 and 35 were recruited for this study. They were divided into five groups (n=5), (group 1: control; group 2: 1st trimester; group 3: 2rd trimester; group 4: 3rd trimester; group 5: Postpartum). Blood samples were collected from the subjects and serum Cortisol level was estimated using a commercially prepared ELISA kit. Results were analysed and a p-value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Biological treatment using aquatic plants have been investigated as an alternative process for treatment of beverage factory effluent. In this study, Lemna paucicostata Hegelm was exposed to different concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 25%) of beverage factory effluent. The experiment was set up in triplicates for each concentration and observed for fourteen days. From the results obtained, fast growth and turnover of L. paucicostata was observed and the relative growth rate was found to be concentration dependent. L.

The study was conducted for eight weeks to investigate the effects of 250mg/kg body weight of ethanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus on the morphology and reproductive functions of the ovary. Twenty-eight (28) adult female Wistar rats were categorized into four groups of seven rats each (n=7) with A (control), B (to assess implantation and resorption), C (to assess the litters), and D (to assess the effects on ovarian features and functions. Male adult rats of proven virility were mated with the female rats of groups B and C.