Thermal conductivity of soils with heavy metals concentration from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

This paper presents the characteristic thermal and chemical properties of some surface soil samples from the oil-producing regions of Nigeria. A microprocessor-based thermal analyzer was used to determine the thermal conductivity while spectrophotometric procedure was employed to conduct the heavy metal concentration analysis. Thermal conductivity values were compared with heavy metal concentrations in each soil sample. The values of lead and cadmium and their respective measured thermal conductivities were highly correlated, with their correlation coefficients both greater than 0.900, while other metals showed no correlation.

Cleft lip and palate as seen in the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

The purpose of this study was to update cleft lip and palate anormalies in Nigerian Africans using clinic materials. Hospital available information about records of 45 children with cleft lip and palate were reviewed. The 24 males and 21 females were all seen at the Dental centre, U. C. H., Ibadan during a period of six years. Twice more females than males had complete cleft of the palate and alveolar process on one side of the premaxilla. Majority of the clefts of the soft and hard palates on both sides of the premaxilla occurred in males with a male-to-female ration 6:1. There were several bilateral clefts and a preponderance of left unilateral clefts over clefts on right side. No other clear-cut patterns emerged probably because of small sample size.

Lipoma of the oral cavity: clinicopathological review of seven cases from Ibadan.

This study provides documented basis of oral lipoma experience at the University College Hospital Ibadan. The study reviewed seven cases, seen over a period of 18 years. Peak age of occurrence way 40 years and above. The tongue, and cheek were the predominant sites while the overall incidence was 0.43%. Male to female ratio was 2.5:1. Surgical excision is the only treatment recommended in the present study and no recurrence was recorded in these case treated in this study.

Osteomyelitis mimicking Paget's disease or a pagetoid phenomenon: a case report.

Osteomyelitis is an inflammatory infection of the bone marrow. When the maxillofacial region is involved the mandible is the preferred site in adults and the elderly. Maxillary involvement is usually seen in children with only few cases reported in adults. The disease occurs in stages, with some stages highly mimicking other diseases. Clinicians ought to be aware of the full biological course of osteomyelitis of the jaws to avoid mis-diagnosis or underdiagnosis.

Prevalence of pregnancy related oral granuloma in a Nigerian population group and the possible role of contraceptives.

A clinicopathological survey on pregnancy related tumours was carried out on 400 randomly selected pregnant Nigerian women. Fifteen (15) cases of pregnancy granuloma or 'epulis gravidanum' were found. Of these subjects, 287 representing 71.8 percent were on birth control before conception, while 113 or 28.2 percent were not. Nine (9) cases of pregnancy tumour were found in the group on birth control pills and six (6) in the group not on birth control representing an incidence of 3.1 and 5.3 percent respectively. Literature review indicate a general incidence of between 0-2.5 percent. Five of the granuloma regressed post partum, while ten were excised. Patients were followed 1-2 years post partum and no recurrence was recorded, even in patients who have re-commenced on contraceptives.

Effects of different brands of fluoride dentifrices on dental caries incidence in the rat.

The effectiveness of 3 different brands of fluoride-containing dentifrices on the prevention of dental caries was investigated in molars of young rats. Forty albino Wistar rats weighing 50-80g, 28 males and 12 females were inoculated in the mouth with streptococcus viridans daily from day 1 to day 5 of the experiment. The animals were then divided into four groups and fed with rat pellets containing 60% sucrose added as granulated sugar. All the groups were given water ad libitum. Group I had daily tooth brushing with water and served as the control while groups II, III and IV received daily brushing of their molar teeth with different fluoride--containing dentifrices: (Maxam, Florish and Close-Up respectively. All topical treatments were given for one minute daily per rat from day 6 to day 56 of the experiment. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed, the jaws removed and the teeth were scored for occlusal caries. All fluoride--containing dentifrices tested reduced caries in the following order: Maxam 37.86%, Florish 59.22% and Close-Up 57.28%. This study confirmed that fluoride incorporated in Florish and Close-Up showed significant levels of caries reduction (P <0.01) and (P <0.05) respectively in the rat. It also adds credence to Dental Health Education in the application of various tooth pastes in oral hygiene measures.

Influence of nitric oxide on histamine and carbachol-induced gastric Acid secretion in the common african toad - bufo regularis.

The study aimed to determine the influence of nitric oxide (NO) on the action of histamine and carbachol on acid secretion in the common African toad - Bufo regularis. Gastric acidity was determined by titration method. The acid secretion was determined when nitric oxide was absent following administration of NO synthase inhibitor; N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and when nitric oxide was in excess by administration of exogenous NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Histamine or carbachol increased acid secretion in the toad. Acid output increased from 0.32 +/- 0.04 mEq/15min to 0.56 +/- 0.08 and 0.61 +/- 0.05 mEq/15min for histamine and carbachol respectively [P < 0.05]. Pretreatment of the toad with L-NAME produced further increases in histamine (0.62 +/- 0.06 mEq/15min) or carbachol (0.74 +/- 0.06 mEq/15min) induced acid secretion respectively. SNP however, completely abolished the acid secretion stimulated by either histamine or carbachol. It was therefore concluded that nitric oxide has a negative influence on the histamine or carbachol-stimulated acid secretion in the toad - Bufo regularis.