Loss Of Fertility Research Articles

Desertification vulnerability under accelerated dryland expansion

AbstractGiven accelerated dryland expansion, studies on aridity‐driven desertification are of great importance for advancing our understanding of land degradation mechanisms and developing possible mitigation measures. However, the mechanism by which increased aridity drives ecosystems toward desertification and the impacts of aridity on desertification vulnerability both in space and over time remain unclear. Here, we collected eight key ecosystem structure/functioning data (including soil, vegetation, and animal) for threshold identification using piecewise linear models, and then linked them to biome shifts to explore the process of aridity‐driven desertification. The results show that ecosystems along aridity index (AI, 1 − precipitation/potential evapotranspiration) gradients experience three vulnerable stages featuring different threshold and biome responses: a low vulnerability stage (AI: 0.5–0.65; mainly featuring a soil fertility loss and a forest decline), a moderate vulnerability stage (AI: 0.65–0.75; mainly featuring accelerated non‐forest vegetation degradation) and a high vulnerability stage (AI: 0.75–1; mainly featuring rapid overall land degradation). According to further simulations, areas with low to high vulnerability account for 31% of the global terrestrial area, which is projected to increase by 18.8% (21.2%) by the end of the 21st century under the greenhouse gas emission scenario SSP2‐4.5 (SSP3‐7.0). Given increased vulnerability and population growth, Africa and East Asia are exposed to great desertification risk and ensuing contradiction between humans and land. These findings can provide a theoretical and practical reference for ecosystem management and policy development, which are critical for dryland ecological security and human welfare in areas threatened by desertification.

Awareness of testicular swelling among young adults in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.

Testicular masses can be a sign of various medical problems, ranging from acute emergencies such as testicular torsion to chronic illnesses such as cancer. Therefore, examinations, including self-examinations, are an important procedure for diagnosis and treatment, which can help prevent complications such as loss of fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness about scrotal swelling among adult men in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 3502 males, aged 18-50 years, from August 2021 to March 2022. A total of 3502 participants from different regions of Saudi Arabia responded to our survey over 43 days, from August 21, 2021 to October 3, 2021. Unmarried, Master's/PhD graduated male, showed a high level of knowledge and attitude toward testicular swelling. The prevalence of cases of scrotal swelling, coupled with the lack of reporting or immediate intervention, was one of the reasons for the lack of research about this subject. The study notices several factors which impacted on participants' awareness of scrotal swelling and the risks it poses. The results also emphasized the importance of self-examination in respect to the avoidance of complications such as testicular cancer.

Climatic triggers of the phenophases of Elaphoglossum macrophyllum in Southern Brazil

Abstract Although ferns have a prominent floristic position with their richness center in Atlantic Forest in Brazil, the effect of climate on their phenophases is still poorly known. This group shows different phenological patterns due to the great latitudinal extent, the strong climatic seasonality of this forest, and the leaf dimorphism found in some species. In this scenario, we evaluated the phenological events of Elaphoglossum macrophyllum and related them to climatic factors. Fertility, leaf renewal, and leaf senescence in E. macrophyllum were analyzed based on the monthly survey of 152 plants growing for two years in the subtropical Atlantic Forest, Brazil. The three analyzed phenophases showed the same intra-annual pattern regarding continuity, regularity, and seasonality along the two years, revealing a phenological pattern for the specie. The generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS) indicated that photoperiod was the most important trigger for fertility and leaf renewal. Temperature, as an important phenology modulator, was related to leaf renewal and senescence. Our data indicate that E. macrophyllum, an endangered species in southern Brazil, withstands the consequences of seasonal climatic variations without the individual mortality, total leaf shedding, or fertility loss.

Nitrate leaching losses and the fate of 15N fertilizer in perennial intermediate wheatgrass and annual wheat - A field study.

Perennial grains, such as the intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) (IWG), may reduce negative environmental effects compared to annual grain crops. Their permanent, and generally larger, root systems are likely to retain nitrogen (N) better, decreasing harmful losses of N and improving fertilizer N use efficiency, but there have been no comprehensive N fertilizer recovery studies in IWG to date. We measured fertilizer N recovery with stable isotope tracers in crop biomass and soil, soil N mineralization and nitrification, and nitrate leaching in IWG and annual wheat in a replicated block field experiment. Nitrate leaching was drastically reduced in IWG (0.1 and 3.1 kg N ha-1 yr-1) in its third and fourth year since establishment, compared with 5.6 kg N ha-1 yr-1 in annual wheat and 41.0 kg N ha-1 yr-1 in fallow respectively. There were no differences in net N mineralization or nitrification between IWG and annual wheat, though there was generally more inorganic N in the soil profile of annual wheat. More 15N fertilizer was recovered in the straw and all depths of the roots and soils in IWG than annual wheat. However, annual wheat recovered much more 15N fertilizer in the seeds compared to IWG, which had lower grain yields. 15N-labeled fertilizer contributed little (<3 %) to nitrate-N in leachate, highlighting the role of soil microbes in regulating loss of current year fertilizer N. The large reduction in nitrate leaching demonstrates that perennial grains can reduce harmful nitrogen losses and offer a more sustainable alternative to annual grains.

УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ ЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ІНСТРУМЕНТІВ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОГО УПРАВЛІННЯ В УКРАЇНІ

The article is devoted to the actual problems of improving the economic tools of environmental management. The analysis of the normative and legal framework made it possible to identify the problems of environmental management. Forms are considered and justified types, procedure, terms and peculiarities of environmental management are proposed. Attention is paid to the issues that arise between participants in industrial relations of environmental management. Proposals for improving the economic tools of ecological management, which are the provision of progressive development of the agrarian sector of the national economy, and the growth of its competitiveness, are substantiated. Numerous problems related to the procedure for conducting a financial and environmental audit are identified. ISO standards of the 1400 series are considered, the purpose of which is involved in guaranteeing the preservation of the environment. It’s established that this standard does not contain strict requirements for ecology, but is oriented towards compliance by business entities with certain procedures that will contribute to the improvement of the environmental situation in the world. These documents stipulate that the system of standards will ensure the reduction of adverse effects on the environment through the relevant areas of improvement of the economic tools of environmental management. The problems of the efficiency of the rational use of land resources and the results of the short-term requirements of landowners or tenants regarding obtaining the maximum profit and, as a result, the depletion of the country's land fund are considered. The results of the study of the financial and environmental audit as part of the environmental protection activities of agricultural enterprises are recommended for implementation not only in farms, but also in all other formations of small and medium-sized agrarian entrepreneurship. A comprehensive approach to the assessment of environmental protection activities of agrarian enterprises is used, which provides sufficient justification for a number of practical recommendations for improving the current organizational and economic mechanism of the financial and environmental audit of the functioning of agrarian enterprises. It’s confirmed that the processes of loss of soil fertility are related to the lack of systematic state regulation of prices for agricultural and industrial products. The reason lies in the lack of an economically justified mechanism for changing the agricultural production management system associated with the differentiation of forms of ownership.

Acrobustitis-phimosis in bulls: postoplasty technique performed with the animals in a standing position.

Acrobustitis is the inflammation of the distal prepuce, which can lead to a narrowing of the preputial ostium due to stenosis or growth of fibrous tissue after an inflammatory reaction. This condition usually occurs in cattle with long prepuce, such as Zebu or Zebu's crossbreeds, leading the animal to Impotentia Coeundi, this condition is characterized by the bull's disability to copulate, that leads to lower herd fertility and consequent financial losses. Normally, corrective surgeries are performed on-farm and the animal is placed in a lateral recumbency. However, in some situations the animal is restrained with ropes and remains on the grass, dirt or even on uneven floors, which can cause neuropathies, bloat or hypoxia. Due to a series of complications that can occur in the postoperative period of surgery in the lateral recumbency, this article aims to describe the surgical technique for correcting acrobustitis with the animal in a standing position. Ten corrective surgeries for acrobustitis were performed in adult bulls between 4 and 8 years of age and predominantly of zebu or crossbreeds, with a total recovery of the animals for full reproductive activity.

Обработка почвы и посев зерновых культур на склоновых полях

Soil degradation due to water erosion accompanied by the loss of fertility results in reduced grain crop yields. To prevent water erosion on sloping fields during soil tillage and the sowing of grain crops, the authors offer an appropriate technology and a combined tool. The combine tool implements tillage and strip sowing by forming mini-terraces. Their width is determined by the installation of furrow formers at a distance from each other, which corresponds to the sowing width of six seed rows. Combined coulters sow cereals in two rows on the soil surface, in three rows – to a depth of 6 to 8 cm, in the last row – to a depth of 14 to 15 cm. Furrow shapers form anti-erosion furrows to a depth of 9 cm over the rows with seeds, sown to a depth of 14 to 15 cm and form ridges over the seeds sown on the surface. Ridges and furrows prevent water erosion on the slope crop fields. The ridge former is installed at an angle of 30 to 33° to the travel direction of the machine. The distance between ripper tines of the first and second rows shall be not less than 45 cm, and between cultivator teeth and the ridge former is not less than 90 cm. The proposed technology and the developed combined tool can reduce the direct energy consumption for tillage and the sowing of grain crops by 32%.

Poštedni hirurški tretman nekroze šava na uterusu nakon carskog reza - prikaz serije slučajeva

Introduction: Delivery by caesarean section (CS) accounts for approximately 32% of all deliveries worldwide, and it may be associated with early and late complications. Although postpartum uterine suture necrosis is not a common condition, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality in puerperal women, as well as permanent loss of fertility in these patients. In this article, we present seven patients successfully treated conservatively, who were diagnosed with uterine suture necrosis, during puerperium, after caesarean section. Case series report: We present 12 female patients in whom, in the period between February 1, 2019 and November 10, 2022, infection occurred after caesarean section was performed at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University Clinical Center of Serbia (CGO, UCCS), and clinical suspicion of the presence of uterine suture necrosis arose. Of the total number of patients diagnosed with uterine suture necrosis, seven patients were successfully treated conservatively. Conclusion: The uterus-sparing surgical treatment approach to uterine suture necrosis is a possible alternative to standard treatment, which may allow fertility preservation in patients who have not completed reproduction.

Comparative effect of polymer coating materials on physical properties of NPK fertilizer pellet

Slow-release fertilizer is one method to reduce the rate of loss of fertilizer from the soil due to leaching by rainwater or irrigation water. One of the agents that can be used for slow-release fertilizers is polymeric materials coated on NPK fertilizers. The NPK fertilizer coating polymer material used was a mixture of starch, acrylamide, PVA, and chitosan that was formulated and irradiated at a dose of 20 kGy. The purpose of this study was to obtain the best comparison between coating materials and NPK fertilizers made with a pelletizer machine. NPK fertilizer is mashed and mixed with polymer coating material with a weight ratio of NPK coating material/fertilizer; 1/9, 2/8, and 3/7. The results obtained showed the largest pellet yield capacity using a ratio of coating material and NPK fertilizer with a weight ratio of 1/9 of 4.28 g/minute and the greatest durability value at a ratio of 3/7 with a value of 87.1%. NPK released in NPK fertilizer coated with a polymer coating and fertilizer in a ratio of 1/9, 2/8, and 3/7 resulted in the release of NPK with not too big a difference. In the analysis of the functional group by FTIR between non-irradiated formulation and irradiated 20 kGy, there was no addition or change of molecular structure in the functional group. whereas thermal analysis with DSC displayed endotherm at temperature 500C to 1200C and exotherm at temperature 2500C until 3200C for analysis of TGA degradation of the formulation is divided into 2 phases, in the first phase degradation begins at a temperature of 500C to 1500C losing weight of 5% and in the second phase of degradation at 2500C to 5000C losing weighs 47%

MELANIN: THE PHILOSOPHICAL STONE OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS IN WATER AND FERTILITY OF AGRICULTURAL SOIL

Two fundamental problems now are: the growing contamination of water throughout the world, and the progressive loss of fertility of agricultural soil. The lack of revenue is a significant impediment to financing water. Water pollution is a key part of the climate change. Unless the water sector addresses efficiently the challenges inhibiting creditworthiness, new sources of revenue aren´t likely to flow to the water sector. There are two ways to pay for water infrastructure: tariffs and taxes. Worldwide, there is the cycle of “building” water infrastructure, and then “neglecting” it by not maintaining or repairing these assets because the resources aren’t available. Specifically, when local governments, water utilities, and other providers can significantly expands their collection systems efficiently, improves significantly water quality, reducing the non-revenue water, and decrease energy costs, then they can become viable, efficient, safe, and bankable service providers. Current methods to improve water quality date back to the French Revolution, and to date they are carried out on a larger scale, with more sophistication, greater energy expenditure, more CO2 emissions, greater production of toxic sludge, and yet, the quality of the water is not better, on the contrary it is declining as the contamination of the water continues to be incessantly, increasingly, cumulative and more and more complex. Despite the centuries that have passed, one factor has gone relatively disregarded: the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water and in soil. The better the quality of the water, the higher the levels of dissolved oxygen, and vice versa. Which also applies to agricultural soil, because the more oxygen is present, the more fertile the soil and vice versa. Addressing the low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, until now it seems that it is considered as something secondary, as if it were something accessory, something like a parameter that would even improve spontaneously as soon as the levels of contamination of the precious liquid improve. But this has not happened so far with any method and in any part of the world. In addition to a lack of interest in developing processes to raise dissolved oxygen levels in the water and soil, there is the problem that the few available to date are too expensive. But the discovery of the unsuspected capacity of the human body to extract oxygen from water, dissociating it like plants; it means a light at the end of the tunnel.

Perinatal mental healthcare utilization among patients with placenta accreta spectrum

The psychologial impact of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) remains understudied. People with PAS face increased risks of fertility loss, morbidity and mortality. Referral to a PAS center and prolonged hospital admission is common. These stressors place people with PAS at increased risk for perinatal mental health disorders. Since 2017, we’ve universally screened patients once per trimester to identify safety, substance, and psychosocial risks, referred for care if positive. All PAS patients are offered mental health referral.

Attenuation of Senescence-Induced Oxidative Exacerbations in Aged Rat Testis by Ferula Elaeochytris Root Extract

Objective: Age brings about changes to the oxidant and antioxidant balance of male testis that give rise to loss of fertility. The Ferula elaeochytris root extract (FE), contents antioxidant and anti-inflammatory component, have been used to treat infertility by local people for centuries. The main objectives of this study were to determine whether FE was effective on sperm quality, spermatogenesis, apoptosis and oxidative stress in aged rat. Methods: Four groups were formed with 40 rats; young Control (YC), Aged Control (AC), Ferula elaeochytris administrated aged rat (A+FE) and vitamin E administrated aged rat (A+VE). Vitamin E and FE was administered orally for 8 weeks. Results: The administration of FE significantly increased serum TAS, testetorone levels and decreased testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) activity, that these changes were accompanied by the reduced serum TNF-α, and TOS levels. Also, the apoptosis germ cell, the tubular diameter, the germinal epithelium height and Johnson’s score a have been regulated after administration of FE (p&lt;0.05). Meanwhile, in the present context, in aged group the sperm count, motility, testicular weight declined significantly. FE showed showed significantly increased effect on the motility and sperm count. Conclusive: These findings support that aging induces stress oxidative and inflammation, and FE could protect the testis against these damaging effects via its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory action and modulate spermatogenesis.

根区一次性分层施肥对夏玉米产量和养分吸收的影响

Currently, maize production in China suffers from many problems such as excessive fertilizer application, inefficient fertilizer use and insufficient agricultural labour. This research explores the efficient fertilization pattern of maize for fertilizer decrease and yield increase by studying the effect of one-time mechanical point-applied fertilization of controlled-release compound fertilizer in the root-zone, on yield and nutrient uptake. There were six treatments in the application program: 1) no fertilizer (CK); 2) a one-time banding fertilizer application (BDP) 5 cm off the seeds between rows and 10 cm deep; 3) one-time point-applied fertilization (RZF) 5 cm off seed in the row and 10 cm deep; 4) a layered banding application 5 cm off seed, 10 cm and 20 cm deep between rows at a rate of 3:7 (LBD); 5) a 5 cm off seed, 10 cm deep point-applied fertilization, and 20 cm banding application between rows at a rate of 3:7 (LRZ); 6) a fertilizer reduction of 10% between rows at a rate of LRZ (90% LRZ). The results showed that the one-time mechanical layered application of slow-release compound fertilizer (LRZ and LBD) in the root zone increased yields by 11.97% and 11.15%, respectively, compared to the non-layered application of slow-release compound fertilizer (BDP and RZF), and the differences were significant, indicating that mechanical layered application can replace the BDP mode and achieve increased crop yield. The average increase in agronomic efficiency and partial factor productivity of 25.95% and 11.15% for LBD over BDP and 26.10% and 11.97% for LRZ over RZF were significant, indicating that mechanized stratified fertilizer application can significantly improve fertilizer utilization and reduce fertilizer losses and surface source pollution.

Local People's perception of forest ecosystem services, traditional conservation, and management approaches in North Wollo, Ethiopia

For their livelihoods, many people rely on the services offered by forest ecosystems. Nevertheless, forests are being lost and degraded on a global scale, endangering the delivery of important services. This is the situation in Ethiopia, a nation where land degradation and deforestation pose a threat to the majority of forest ecosystems. Studies in North Wollo are very scarce and limited despite the present growth in evidence bases measuring environmental services and risks across the globe. The traditional knowledge and attitudes of the locals concerning trends in forest management, conservation, and ecosystem services were investigated in this study. We used many approaches for gathering data. The quantitative data were analyzed and interpreted using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, multiple linear regression, and general linear regression models. The main threats to forest ecosystems in North Wollo included deforestation for the production of firewood and charcoal, increased population growth and agricultural needs, environmental pollution, the allelopathic influence of exotic species, and loss of soil fertility. These dangers cause instability and a decline in the range of ecological services provided by forests. Regarding this, the customary rules, social exclusion, and indigenous beliefs were utilized as a conservation technique to maintain and protect the remaining natural resources. In addition, the community uses terracing, gully prevention, and hillside planting with native trees to restore the ecology that has been damaged. As a result, efforts should be made to solve the current difficulties and dangers since local people, the government and non-governmental organizations have an interest in preserving forest ecosystems. In general, encouraging the direct involvement of locals in decision-making and equitable distribution of the benefits resulting from the ecosystems could aid in addressing the difficulties and risks to the ecosystems.

Changes in Yield and Antioxidant Enzyme Content of Tomato Plant Depending on the Application of Microorganism Injected Tuff Material

ABSTRACT Tomatoes are one of the most popular and widely grown vegetables in the world. Due to the excessive and unconscious use of chemical fertilizers used in tomato cultivation for high yields, economic and environmental problems such as loss of soil fertility and pollution can occur. So, in this study, Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) bacteria were applied to the soil in a tuff carrier medium and the yield parameters of tomato plants were investigated. Bandita F1 tomato seedlings were used in this study. Approximately 108 cfu g−1 bacteria were added to the medium sized tuff material (8 × 8 × 11 mm). The tuff materials with PGPR were applied to the soil according to the experimental group. A trial model was created as the plots in which bacteria inoculated tuff material was applied and the plots without bacteria were applied. Approximately 50 g of Tuff + PGPR material was applied to each plant root and irrigated according to the water requirement of the plants. The highest yield (6016 kg da-1) was obtained when tuff inoculated with bacteria was applied. In this application, an increase of 9.0% was recorded compared to the control group. In the application of tuff inoculated with bacteria, the amount of chlorophyll increased by 4.66%, membrane permeability by 3.0% and the amount of photosynthesis by 3.91% compared to the control group. It was found that the use of tuff materials inoculated with bacteria would have a positive effect on the yield of the tomato plant.

Bentonite clay with different nitrogen sources can effectively reduce nitrate leaching from sandy soil.

Nitrate (NO3-1) leaching from soils results in the lower soil fertility, reduced crop productivity and increased water pollution. The effects of bentonite clay mixed with various nitrogen (N) fertilizers on NO3-1 leaching from sandy soils haven't been extensively studied. Therefore, the present lysimetric study determined NO3-1 leaching from bentonite [0, 2 and 4% (m/m)] treated sandy soil under three N sources (calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2], ammonium chloride [NH4Cl], and urea [CO(NH2)2] at the rate of 300 kg N ha-1). Results showed that bentonite markedly reduced NO3-1 release in the leachate, while 4% bentonite retained higher NO3 in the soil. The NO3-1 leaching from sandy soil varied with N sources as Ca(NO3)2 > NH4Cl > (CO(NH2)2. At early stages of leaching, higher concentrations of NO3-1 were detected in leachate with both NH4Cl and Ca(NO3)2, but leaching of NO3-1 increased with urea at later leaching stages. The amount of total NO3-1 retained in soil was conversely related to the amount of NO3-1 in the leachate. This study indicated that soil amendment with bentonite could efficiently mitigate NO3-1 leaching from sandy soil and hence prevent N fertilizer losses and groundwater pollution.

Successful pregnancy in women with endometrial carcinoma

Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide and fourth in Europe. Global estimates show rising incidence in both developed and developing countries. Standard surgical treatment leads to permanent loss of fertility. With current trends of reproductive-age women delaying childbearing, rising endometrial carcinoma incidence rates and a growing epidemic of obesity, research on conservative treatment remains a priority. Fertility-sparing treatment involves the use of oral progestins and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices, both shown to be beneficial and safe in early-stage endometrial carcinoma. We present a case of a 40-year-old female with endometrial adenocarcinoma grade 1 diagnosed during infertility workup. After one year of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine devices and almost three years after initial diagnosis was made, pregnancy was achieved. Term elective C-section delivery was done and a healthy infant was born. Today, a 46-yearold female, with six years of disease-free survival, still opts for conservative treatment. Aim of this paper is to show how conservative management with steady follow up in highly motivated individuals could be a reliable option for females of reproductive age with endometrial malignancies. Concept of fertility-sparing treatment should give hope to patients with malignant disease and unfulfilled reproductive goals.

An Sustainable Strategy for Reuse Agriculture Soil Impacted by A Mixture of Hydrocarbons

In world agriculture; such as the one implemented in Mexico; the use of fossil fuels in machinery for soil preparation and harvesting of an agricultural crop is common. As a result; waste residual oil (WMO) is generated in that sese agricultural soil impacted by 80;000 ppm of WMO exceeds the limit of 4;400 ppm of hydrocarbons according to Mexican environmental regulation NOM-138-SEMARNAT/SS-2003 (NOM-138). WMO causes loss of fertility and environmental pollution. A sustainable strategy of solution is biostimulation and phytoremediation. The aims of this research were: i) Biostimulation of an agricultural soil impacted by 80;000 ppm WMO then by ii) Phytoremediation sowing H. annuus inoculated with B. vietnamiensis and P. polymyxa to reduce WMO at concentration value below the NOM-138 maximum. The variable-response variables of WMO bioelimination from an agricultural soil were: initial and final WMO concentration by Soxhlet; phenology and biomass of H. annuus with B. vietnamiensis and P. polymyxa. Experimental data were validated by ANOVA/Tukey HSD P&lt;0.05 %. The results indicate that biostimulation and phytoremediation sowing H. annus with B. vietnamiensis and P. polymyxa were effective in reducing WMO concentration from 80;000 ppm to 1000 ppm; a value below the maximum limit of NOM-138 an evidence of soil bioremediation. It is concluded that a sustainable strategy to recover the agricultural productivity of a soil impacted by mixture of hydrocarbons It is possible by exploiting the natural microbial heterotrophic aerobic capacity that in combination with plants that tolerate and mineralize hydrocarbon mixtures such as WMO.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Wetland Soils Affected by Crude Oil Spillage in Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

Loss of soil fertility through loss of soil organic matter, leaching of nutrients, loss of the nutrient-laden topsoil, changes in soil-pH, reduction in cation exchange capacity, salinization, water logging and other forms of soil degradation are major problems associated with agricultural productivity in the oil producing areas of Nigeria. This analysis investigated some selected physico-chemical properties of wetland soils affected by crude oil spillage in Bodo city in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Field reconnaissance survey using a handheld Geographic Positioning system (GPS) and survey technique involving random sampling, was used in siting soil profile pits. The unpolluted samples were collected 50 meters away from the polluted site but in the same geographic region and was used as control site. Soil samples were collected based on degree of horizon differentiation and analyzed using routine and special analytical techniques. Soil data were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat program. Result shows that soil physical properties of the polluted site: moisture content, soil bulk density, and soil texture were highly significant (p=0.01 and 0.05) when compared to the unpolluted site while some chemical soil properties analysed especially soil pH, organic matter, carbon-nitrogen ratio, available phosphorus were affected by crude oil spillage. Results from this study affirm that crude oil can have detrimental effect on soil physico-chemical properties, which implies low soil fertility and thereby affect crop production and increase food insecurity within the study site. Further studies involving more edaphic properties, biotoxic metals and their bioaccessibility in crops growing on waterside affected by crude oil spill will surely enhance knowledge and management of the these highly industrially influenced soils. Also, international and national oil and gas companies should carry out their activities with international best practice.

Factors Associated with Fertility Intention among Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Government Hospitals of Kaski District, Nepal

COVID-19 has affected the reproductive health of women worldwide. Such effects were mainly on the reduction in child-birth, postponement of fertility plans and loss of lives of mothers and children as well as still births. The paper attempts to examine the factors associated with the impact of the pandemic on fertility intentions of women who are preparing to have a child even if they already had one or more children. Patient exit survey during 9 June 2022 to 8 July 2022 was conducted at selected hospitals among women who have visited an Obstetric and Gynaecological specialist at the Out Patient Department for consultation. Among 138 participant women who provided with oral informed consent to participate, 34 were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2). The number of living children, gender of the children and the educational attainment of the mothers have been found to be significantly associated with change in fertility intention of women. A qualitative study is necessary to ascertain on why the number and gender of children is central to changes in fertility intentions at the times of the pandemic as such.