Impact of Agricultural Policies on Agripreneurship Development in Nasarawa State

This study examined the influence of agricultural policy on agripreneurship development in Nasarawa state. The study adopted survey design. The population of the study consists of 2076 agripreneurship managers operating their businesses within Nasarawa State area. The study objectives are to ascertain how specific agricultural policies and programmes have affected food security, poverty reduction and employment generation. Taro Yamane’s sampling technique was used to derived the sample size of 335. Simple linear regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses formulated for the study. The findings revealed that agricultural policy has a significant effect on employment generation, (f- test 96.749 and p-value p of 0 .000), agricultural policy also has a significant effect on poverty alleviation (f-test 200,756 and p-value of 0.000) and moreover, agricultural policy has a significant effect on food security (f-test 86.568 and p-value of 0,000) in Nasarawa state. The study concludes that agripreneurship policy has a positive and significant effect on agripreneurship development in Nasarawa State. The study therefore, recommends that farmers should be encouraged to establish safe storage facilities as it is very important for food security, as it as well help to stabilize food price. There is also need to increase agricultural production, preservation of unused produce or unsold items are equally as important to cutting waste

Mechanisms of Anticonvulsant Action of Residual Aqueous Fraction (RAF) of the Ethanol Root Bark Extract of Carissa edulis

Preparations of Carissa edulis (Vahl) have been used in the Nigerian traditional medicine for the management of fever, sickle cell disease, epilepsy, pain cancer and inflammatory conditions for many years and their efficacy is widely acclaimed among the Hausa communities of Northern Nigeria. The possible mechanism(s) involved in the anticonvulsant action of residual aqueous fraction of ethanol root bark extract of Carissa edulis (RAF) were determined using flumazenil, naloxone, cyproheptadine, bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), ibuprofen and misoprostol. Flumazenil antagonized the anticonvulsant effect of both RAF and diazepam, while BIM promoted their anticonvulsant effect. However, naloxone and cyproheptadine did not affect the RAF anticonvulsant effect. Ketoprofen increased the RAF and valproate anticonvulsant activity while misoprostol did not alter their effects. The interaction studies revealed that GABAergic, glycine, serotonergic and opioid neurotransmission were found to be involved in the RAF anticonvulsant effects. Keywords: Anticonvulsant, Bisindolylmaleimide, Flumazenil, GABA, serotonergic, opioid

Geochemical fractionation and ecological risks assessment of benthic sediment-bound heavy metals from coastal ecosystems off the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean

This studydeterminesthepollution,fractionation,andecologicalrisksofsediment-boundheavymetals from coastalecosystemsofftheEquatorialAtlanticOcean.ContaminationFactor(CF),pollutionload index(PLI),andgeoaccumulationindex(Igeo) wereusedtoassesstheextentoftheheavymetalpol- lution, whilethepotentialecologicalriskwasevaluatedusingtherisksassessmentcode(RAC)and Håkanson potentialecologicalrisk.Theanalysisrevealedconcentrations(mg/g,dw)ofthecadmium(Cd), chromium (Cr),copper(Cu),nickel(Ni),andlead(Pb)insedimentsforwetanddryseasonsvaryfrom 4.40–5.08, 14.80–21.09,35.03–44.8,2.14–2.28, and172.24–196.39,respectively.Theresultsalsoshowed that themetalfractionationpercentagesintheresidual,oxidizable,andreduciblefractionsarethemost significant, whiletheexchangeableandcarbonateboundtracemetalsarerelativelylow.TheRACvalues indicate noriskforCdandNiandlowriskforothermetalsatallthestudiedsitesduringbothseasons. PotentialecologicalriskanalysisoftheheavymetalconcentrationsindicatesthatCdhadhighindividual potentialecologicalrisk,whiletheothermetalshavelowriskatallinvestigatedsites.Themulti-ele- mental potentialecologicalriskindices(R1) indicatehighecologicalriskinalltheecosystem

Dataset on perception of public college students on underage drinking in Nigeria

Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among youths in Nigeria. Underage drinking poses a serious public health problem in most colleges and despite the health and safety risk, consumption of alcohol is rising. Having recourse to the public health objective on alcohol by the World Health organization, which is to reduce the health burden caused by the harmful use of alcohol, thereby saving live and reducing injuries, this data article explored the nature of alcohol use among college students, binge drinking and the consequences of alcohol consumption. Secondary school students are in a transition developmentally and this comes with its debilitating effects such as risky alcohol use which affects their health and educational attainment [1,2]. This data article consists of data obtained from 809 (ages 14e20 years) participants from selected schools in Ota, near Lagos State, Nigeria. For data collection, the youth questionnaire on underage drinking was employed. This data article presents information on participants' alcohol demographics. Analyses of the data can provide insights into heavy episodic drinking (HED), ever drinkers, prevalence of alcohol consumption, strategies to reducing alcohol use, reasons fo

In Vitro Pro-apoptotic and Anti-migratory Effects of Ficus deltoidea L. Plant Extracts on the Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines PC3.

This study aims to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of Ficus deltoidea L. on prostate cancer cells, identify the active compound/s and characterize their mechanism of actions. Two farmed varieties were studied, var. angustifolia (FD1) and var. deltoidea (FD2). Their crude methanolic extracts were partitioned into n-hexane (FD1h, FD2h) chloroform (FD1c, FD2c) and aqueous extracts (FD1a, FD2a). Antiproliferative fractions (IC50 < 30 μg/mL, SRB staining of PC3 cells) were further fractionated. Active compound/s were dereplicated using spectroscopic methods. In vitro mechanistic studies on PC3 and/or LNCaP cells included: annexin V-FITC staining, MMP depolarization measurements, activity of caspases 3 and 7, nuclear DNA fragmentation and cell cycle analysis, modulation of Bax, Bcl-2, Smac/Diablo, and Alox-5 mRNA gene expression by RT-PCR. Effects of cytotoxic fractions on 2D migration and 3D invasion were tested by exclusion assays and modified Boyden chamber, respectively. Their mechanisms of action on these tests were further studied by measuring the expression VEGF-A, CXCR4, and CXCL12 in PC3 cells by RT-PCR. FD1c and FD2c extracts induced cell death (P < 0.05) via apoptosis as evidenced by nuclear DNA fragmentation. This was accompanied by an increase in MMP depolarization (P < 0.05), activation of caspases 3 and 7 (P < 0.05) in both PC3 and LNCaP cell lines. All active plant extracts up-regulated Bax and Smac/DIABLO, down-regulated Bcl-2 (P < 0.05). Both FD1c and FD2c were not cytotoxic against normal human fibroblast cells (HDFa) at the tested concentrations. Both plant extracts inhibited both migration and invasion of PC3 cells (P < 0.05). These effects were accompanied by down-regulation of both VEGF-A and CXCL-12 gene expressions (P < 0.001). LC-MS dereplication using taxonomy filters and molecular networking databases identified isovitexin in FD1c; and oleanolic acid, moretenol, betulin, lupenone, and lupeol in FD2c. In conclusion, FD1c and FD2c were able to overcome three main hallmarks of cancer in PC3 cells: (1) apoptosis by activating of the intrinsic pathway, (2) inhibition of both migration and invasion by modulating the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis, and (3) inhibiting angiogenesis by modulating VEGF-A expression. Moreover, isovitexin is here reported for the first time as an antiproliferative principle (IC50 = 43 μg/mL, SRB staining of PC3 cells)

Population pharmacokinetics of liposomal amphotericin B in adults with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningoencephalitis

BackgroundSingle, high-dose liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB; AmBisome, Gilead Sciences) has demonstrated non-inferiority to amphotericin B deoxycholate in combination with other antifungals for averting all-cause mortality from HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis. There are limited data on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of AmBisome. The aim of this study was to describe population PK of AmBisome and conduct a meta-analysis of the available studies to suggest the optimal dosing for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.MethodsData from a Phase II and Phase III trial of high-dose, short-course AmBisome for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis were combined to develop a population PK model. A search was conducted for trials of AmBisome monotherapy and meta-analysis of clinical outcome data was performed.ResultsA two-compartment model with first-order clearance of drug from the central compartment fitted the data best and enabled the extent of inter-individual variability in PK to be quantified. Mean (SD) population PK parameter estimates were: clearance 0.416 (0.363)  L/h; volume of distribution 4.566 (4.518) L; first-order transfer of drug from central to peripheral compartments 2.222 (3.351)  h-1, and from peripheral to central compartment 2.951 (4.070)  h-1. Data for the meta-analysis were insufficient to suggest optimal dosing of AmBisome for cryptococcal meningoencephalitis.ConclusionsThis study provides novel insight into the PK of AmBisome at the population level and the variability therein. Our analysis also serves to highlight the paucity of data available on the pharmacodynamics (PD) of AmBisome and underscores the importance of thorough and detailed PK/PD analysis in the development of novel antifungals, by demonstrating the challenges associated with post hoc PK/PD analysis

Integration of genomic and pharmacokinetic data to predict clinical outcomes in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis causes an estimated 112,000 global deaths per annum. Genomic and phenotypic features of the infecting strain of Cryptococcus spp. have been associated with outcomes from cryptococcal meningitis. Additionally, population-level pharmacokinetic variability is well documented in these patient cohorts. The relative contribution of these factors to clinical outcomes is unknown. Based in Malawi, we conducted a sub-study of the phase 3 Ambition-CM trial (ISRCTN72509687), collecting plasma and cerebrospinal fluid at serial time points during the first 14 days of antifungal therapy. We explored the relative contribution of pathogen genotype, drug resistance phenotype, and pharmacokinetics on clinical outcomes including lumbar opening pressure, pharmacodynamic effect, and mortality. We report remarkable genomic homogeneity among infecting strains of Cryptococcus spp., within and between patients. There was no evidence of acquisition of antifungal resistance in our isolates. Genotypic features of the infecting strain were not consistently associated with adverse or favorable clinical outcomes. However, baseline fungal burden and early fungicidal activity (EFA) were associated with mortality. The strongest predictor of EFA was the level of exposure to amphotericin B. Our analysis suggests the most effective means of improving clinical outcomes from HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis is to optimize exposure to potent antifungal therapy. IMPORTANCE: HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis is associated with a high burden of mortality. Research into the different strain types causing this disease has yielded inconsistent findings in terms of which strains are associated with worse clinical outcomes. Our study suggests that the exposure of patients to potent anti-cryptococcal drugs has a more significant impact on clinical outcomes than the strain type of the infecting organism. Future research should focus on optimizing drug exposure, particularly in the context of novel anticryptococcal drugs coming into clinical use

Analysis of the Dimensions and Determinants of Household Food Security Status among Maize Farming Households in Lagos State, Nigeria

The study focused on analysis of the dimensions and determinants of household food security status among maize farming households in Lagos State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, examine the dimensions of food security status of the households, determine their food security status and examine the factors influencing food security among the maize farming households in the study area. Primary data for the study were obtained from 155 maize farming household heads with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, food security index assessment and logit regression model were used to analyse the data. The results showed that majority (91.6%) of the households were headed by males who were aged 59 years, on the average, married (91.6%) and their level of literacy was very high as all of the respondents had a form of formal education. The mean household size of the study area was 7 members. The household heads had farming experience of 32 years, a mean farm size of 2.14 hectares for maize farming and an average of 1.24 hectares for farming other crops. The results further showed that 77.4% of the household heads perceived food to be moderately available for consumption throughout the year, 81.3% had three square meals each day and 81.2% perceived their food quality consumed to be high all year round. Consequently, majority (97%) of them were food secure. Significant determinants of food security status among the households were farm size, household size and access to credit facilities. Farm size and access to credit facilities influenced food security positively while household size affected it negatively. It was recommended that government should create enabling environment for the farmers to have easy access to more arable land and credit facilities to help them expand their production in order to improve food security for both the farmers and the citizens at large. Keywords: food security, household, socio-economics DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-20-04 Publication date:October 31st 202

RENTOWNOŚĆ I EFEKTYWNOŚĆ DOCHODOWA PRODUKCJI NARYBKU SUMA W EDO SOUTH W NIGERII

This study used descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, and stochastic profit function to analyze data collected from 120 catfish fingerlings producers in Edo State, Nigeria to examine the profitability and profit efficiency of their production. Results from the study show that catfish fingerlings production is a male dominated activity with a modal age of 21-40 years and 53.3% engaged full time as fingerlings producers. Clarias gariepinus was the dominant species used for fingerlings production. Producers earn a revenue of NGN 2,885,443.2 and make NGN 2,084,004.24 as net profit per production cycle 120,000 implying that catfish fingerlings production is a profitable venture in the study area. Labor cost, depreciation, and cost of transportation affected the profits of fingerlings producers positively in that they led to an increase in their normalized profit. About 70% of the catfish fingerlings producers operated above the mean efficiency value implying that most of the farmers were relatively efficient in profit making. Inadequate water supply, cost of feed, high cost of transportation, and inadequate funds were the major constraints faced by the respondents in the study area. Pest and disease outbreaks were not serious constraints. The study therefore recommends that causes of inefficiencies should be considered and treated so as to enhance higher efficiencies by catfish fingerlings producers and to operate at the optimum profit frontier. It is also recommended that solutions should be proffered to constraints to catfish fingerlings production by concerned authorities to make the venture sustainable in meeting with demands all year round.W badaniu wykorzystano statystyki opisowe, analizę budżetową i stochastyczną funkcję zysku w celu przeprowadzenia analizy danych zebranych od 120 producentów narybku suma w stanie Edo w Nigerii, mając na celu zbadanie opłacalności i efektywności jego produkcji. Wyniki badań pokazują, że produkcja narybku suma jest działalnością zdominowaną przez mężczyzn w wieku 21-40 lat, z których 53,3% zatrudnionych jest na pełny etat jako producenci narybków. Dominującym gatunkiem wykorzystywanym do produkcji narybku był Clarias gariepinus. Producenci zarabiają 2 885 443,20 NGN i osiągają 2 084 004,24 NGN zysku netto na cykl produkcyjny 120 000, co oznacza, że produkcja narybku suma jest dochodowym przedsięwzięciem na badanym obszarze. Koszty pracy, amortyzacja i koszty transportu wpłynęły pozytywnie na zyski producentów narybku, ponieważ doprowadziły do wzrostu ich znormalizowanego zysku. Około 70% producentów narybku suma działało powyżej średniej wartości wydajności, co oznacza, że większość hodowców była stosunkowo wydajna w osiąganiu zysków. Niewystarczające zaopatrzenie w wodę, koszty karmy, wysokie koszty transportu oraz niewystarczające środki finansowe były głównymi ograniczeniami, z jakimi borykali się respondenci na badanym obszarze. Epidemie szkodników i chorób nie były poważnymi ograniczeniami. W związku z tym badanie zaleca rozważenie i leczenie przyczyn nieefektywności w celu zwiększenia wydajności producentów narybku suma i działania na granicy optymalnego zysku. Zaleca się również zaproponowanie rozwiązań ograniczających produkcję narybku suma przez zainteresowane władze, aby przedsięwzięcie było zrównoważone i spełniało wymagania przez cały rok

Profitability and Profit Efficiency of Catfish Fingerlings Production in Edo South, Nigeria

This study used descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, and stochastic profit function to analyze data collected from 120 catfish fingerlings producers in Edo State, Nigeria to examine the profitability and profit efficiency of their production. Results from the study show that catfish fingerlings production is a male dominated activity with a modal age of 21-40 years and 53.3% engaged full time as fingerlings producers. Clarias gariepinus was the dominant species used for fingerlings production. Producers earn a revenue of NGN 2,885,443.2 and make NGN 2,084,004.24 as net profit per production cycle 120,000 implying that catfish fingerlings production is a profitable venture in the study area. Labor cost, depreciation, and cost of transportation affected the profits of fingerlings producers positively in that they led to an increase in their normalized profit. About 70% of the catfish fingerlings producers operated above the mean efficiency value implying that most of the farmers were relatively efficient in profit making. Inadequate water supply, cost of feed, high cost of transportation, and inadequate funds were the major constraints faced by the respondents in the study area. Pest and disease outbreaks were not serious constraints. The study therefore recommends that causes of inefficiencies should be considered and treated so as to enhance higher efficiencies by catfish fingerlings producers and to operate at the optimum profit frontier. It is also recommended that solutions should be proffered to constraints to catfish fingerlings production by concerned authorities to make the venture sustainable in meeting with demands all year round