This study was aimed at evaluating the serum levels of Calcium, Inorganic phosphate and Magnesium together with the Body Mass Index (BMI) in lactating mothers in Owerri. A total of sixty subjects were recruited. Thirty were lactating subjects while thirty were apparently healthy individuals that served as control subjects. Whole blood (5mls) was collected by venipuncture from the subjects using sterile needles and syringes into clean and sterile plain containers. The samples were immediately centrifuged and separated. The serum samples were stored at -20°C prior to use. All reagents were commercially purchased and the manufacturers’ Standard Operational Procedures were strictly followed. Serum Calcium, Inorganic phosphate and Magnesium levels were analyzed by spectrophotometric method and data was assessed using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The results were expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). Difference in mean values between groups was assessed by student t-test. Result with probability value of P < 0.05 was statistically significant. The mean ± SD values of serum Calcium, Magnesium, Inorganic phosphate and Body Mass Index (9.28 ± 0.53mg/dl, 2.24 ± 0.38mg/dl, 4.18 ± 0.33mg/dl and 25.73 ± 1.60kg/m²) were higher in lactating subjects which was statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared with the control subjects (8.98 ± 0.50mg/dl, 1.98 ± 0.24mg/dl, 3.34 ± 0.37mg/dl and 24.20 ± 1.35kg/m²). There was progressive decrease between 0 – 3 months, 4 – 6 months and ≥ 7 months with the mean ± SD values of Calcium (9.43 ± 0.55, 9.29 ± 0.52 and 9.12 ± 0.53)mg/dl and Inorganic Phosphate (4.25 ± 0.36, 4.18 ± 0.36 and 4.11 ± 0.27)mg/dl, and non progressive decrease in the mean ± SD values of Magnesium (2.29 ± 0.40, 2.20 ± 0.39 and 2.24 ± 0.38)mg/dl and Body Mass Index (26.30 ± 1.77, 25.30 ± 1.70 and 25.60 ± 1.27)kg/m² which was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The increase found was due to increased bone resorption and the decrease was due to enhanced mechanism for bone mineralization as the hormones concentrations tend to normalize in prolonged lactation.

Exposure to soot can lead to hepatic and pancreatic dysfunction. This study determined serum alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and triacylglycerol lipase activities of cooks exposed to soot. Thirty (30) participants (cooks) were exposed to soot (test group), and thirty (30) participants not exposed to soot (control group) were recruited. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and informed consent from the participants was obtained. Alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and triacylglycerol lipase activities were determined using the spectrophotometric method while the Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using weight (kg)/height2 (m2). An Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. The results showed that the mean serum activities of alanine transaminase (14.69±1.84), of cooks exposed to soot, were significantly higher compared with the control(12.83±0.94)(p<0.05). The mean serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (7.81±4.08), of cooks exposed to soot, were significantly higher when compared with the control (3.54±2.00)(p<0.05). The mean serum activities of triacylglycerol lipase of cooks exposed to soot were significantly low compared with the control (p<0.05),  while there was no significant difference in the BMI, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure levels respectively in the test group, compared to the control.  This study observed higher serum activities of alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and low serum activity of triacylglycerol lipase among cooks exposed to soot, this suggests a predisposition to hepatic and pancreatic dysfunction in the cooks Keywords: Soot, alanine transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lipase enzymes

Background: Obesity is a serious health problem, it increases heart-related diseases and its prevalence continues to increase due to genetic and lifestyle influences. This study aims to evaluate the hematological parameters of obese individuals based on gender in the Omisanjana region of Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state. Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The research is based on a cross-sectional study of obese and non-obese individuals in hospitals. The study was carried out in the Omisanjana area of ​​Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state. Fifty (50) obese individuals and fifty (50) apparently non-obese individuals were recruited as controls and participated in the study. The data are shown in the table and are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and are analyzed using the Student's t test of the statistical software package for social sciences (SPSS, version 20.0), and the level of significance is established at p≤ 0.05. Results: The results showed no significant difference in PCV (p=0.3783), WBC (p=0.501), LYM (p=0.149), GRAN (p=0.336), MID (p=0.242), ,RBC (p=0.243), HGB (p=0.086), HCT (p=0.323), MCV (p=0.943), MCH p=0.097), MCHC (p=0.922), PLT (p=0.941), when compared between obese individuals and non-obese individuals based on sex respectively. Conclusion: The study showed no statistically significant changes, and it may be because there are no significant changes in the physiological factors and the growth factors of the precursor cells in the bone marrow, so the body mass index (BMI) has no effect on hematological parameters.

Borehole water is one of the major sources of potable water in most developing countries of the world. Therefore, it becomes imperative to evaluate the continuing portability of these sources of water to the populace. The present study was undertaken to appraise the water quality of selected boreholes in Owerri Metropolis using the water quality index (WQI) method. Samples were collected from five different locations under stringent protocols. The water samples were analyzed for selected physicochemical properties and compared with WHO permissible limits and American Public Health Association. Results showed that the assayed parameters were within WHO permissible limits except Turbidity in Locations 2, 3 and 4. Water quality index ranged from 24.91 to 70.06. This study revealed that the investigated borehole waters are mostly portable and can be consumed. Nonetheless, the sources identified to be of poor quality should be treated before consumption.