Contamination of soil and water by various heavy metals such as lead, silver and cadmium is increasing day by day as result of different activities, such as industrialization and urbanization. Lead (Pb) is an example of potential heavy metal that is neither essential element nor have any role in the process of cell metabolism but is easily absorbed and accumulated in different parts of a plant. The lead uptake is mainly regulated by PH, particle size, and cation exchange capacity of the soil, root exudation and by different other physical and chemical parameters. The high concentration of the heavy metals such as lead can cause a number of toxic symptoms in plants that may be retardation in growth (Stunted growth), negative effects on photosynthesis (chlorosis), blackening of roots and different other symptoms. Lead has the ability to inhibit photosynthesis, disturb mineral nutrition and water balance, changes hormonal status and affects membrane structure and permeability. The paper reviewed the effects of lead ion on the growth and some biochemical parameters in plants.

No abstract

Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosqui¬to-borne viral disease with an estimated inci¬dence of millions of cases per years. The study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of dengue fever among febrile patients attending Kura General Hospital Kano, Northern Nigeria. Five milliliter (5 ml) of blood samples were collected from a total of 137 subjects (male, n= 63 and female, n=74) of all ages presenting febrile conditions suggestive of malaria or related diseases for testing of malaria parasites and antibody detection against dengue virus from May, 2018 to October, 2018. Examination of blood samples for detection of malaria parasite was conducted with thick blood film using Giemsa Staining technique while dengue virus antigen was detected using Dengue virus IgM/IgG antibody ELISA kits. The result showed that 13 subjects out of 103 were positive for dengue virus fever which accounted for 9.4% of the tested samples. Highest incidence of dengue virus fever was recorded among subjects of 21 -40 years with total of 5 (3.6%) positive cases.On the basis of gender, 9 samples were men (6.5%) while females recorded only 4 positive samples (2.9%). From the result, 8 samples were infected for both malaria and dengue virus fever and this represents 5.8% of the total samples examined. No significant differences on the prevalence of dengue virus among age categories and sex of the subjects at p < 0.05. It is concluded that dengue virus fever is an emerging infection among the population in the study area.

Malaria and typhoid fever are of tremendous public health concern in sub inclusive). Because of the high prevalence of malaria and typhoid fever in Nigeria, co common. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence co-infection among febrile patients in Kumbotso Local Government Area Kano, Nigeria. A Total of 125 subjects of both age and sex suggestive of Malaria and/or typhoid fever were used as participants. Five milliliter (5 ml) of blood samples were collected from each of the participant for widal tests and blood film from a period of April, 2015 to October, 2015. The results revealed a malaria prevalence of 55% (69/125). The sero while 22% (28/125) had malaria and typhoid fever co negative for both malaria and typhoid fever. However, the result showed that malaria is more likely to cause fever than typhoid infection. Statistical analysis of th significant different on the incident of malaria and that of typhoid fever among febrile patients at p > 0.05. It is recommended that intervention programs aimed at reducing malaria and typhoid infections should be increased in such areas, especially in the wet seasons.

No abstract