Implication of Financial Crimes and Corruption on Manufacturing Firms in Osun State, Nigeria

This research work examines the implication of financial crimes and corruption on manufacturing firms with the objective to find a means to minimize or possibly to eliminate the menace of financial crimes and corruption in an organisation and to identifies the consequences or implications of financial crimes and corruptions on manufacturing firm. The sample comprises seventy (70) employees who were randomly selected from different six categories of manufacturing firms in Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected from both primary and secondary source while the descriptive analysis was used to analyze the data collected with aid of (ANOVA) Analysis of Variance tool to test hypotheses. The results showed that the financial crimes and corruption has significance implication on manufacturing firms and organisations have preventive measures to curb or minimize the incidence of financial crime and corruption. The implications are the needed revenue for development of the firm have drained away and it damage critical management of organisation and scare away both foreign and domestic investors if there are no preventive measure put in place. It was recommended that the executives should ensure that the cases of financial crimes and corruption are reported to EFCC and ICPC and to installed and maintained effective internal control system, policies and operations. Keywords: Financial crime, corruption, money laundry, manufacturing firms, implications.

In vivo anti-malarial activity of propranolol against experimental Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection in mice

Background: Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium spp, which is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The objective of this study is to evaluate in vivo antimalarial activity of propranolol against experimental Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in a mouse model.Methods: A total of 36 mice weighing between 15 to 18g were randomly divided into six groups of six mice each. Mice in the first group (SAL) were non-infected with P. berghei but received normal saline (control), second group (PbA) were mice infected without treatment (control), third group (PRL) were non-infected mice treated with propranolol at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg/bid, fourth group (PbA+PRL) were mice infected and treated with same dose of propranolol, fifth group (QUN) were non-infected mice treated with quinine at a dose of 20 mg/kg stat, then 10 mg/kg bid, and sixth group (PbA+QUN) were infected mice treated with quinine. Parasitaemia, physiological conditions (cognitive function, temperature) and lethality of infected mice were monitored over 7-day period to assess the antimalarial activity of propranolol and quinine. The Y-maze paradigm was used to assess cognitive impairment induced by PbA infection. The effects of propranolol on malaria indices and cognitive impairment were compared with that of quinine and the control using T-test statistical method.Results: Mortality of mice at day 7 in the infected group without treatment (PbA) was 100% (6/6) while mortality was 50% (3/6) in infected group treated with propranolol (PbA+PRL) and 33.3% (2/6) in infected group treated with quinine (PbA+QUN) (OR=2.000, p=1.000). No mortality was recorded in any of the three groups of uninfected mice. Propranolol reduced parasitaemia to a trough level of 1.40±0.07 three days after treatment, comparable to trough level of 1.39±0.0633 by quinine but did not reverse PbA-induced hypothermia, which quinine did.Conclusion: Propranolol demonstrated in vivo antimalarial activity against experimental PbA infection in mice comparable to that of quinine. Keywords: malaria, propranolol, quinine, Plasmodium, cerebral malaria French Title: Activité antipaludique in vivo du propranolol contre l'infection expérimentale par Plasmodium berghei ANKA chez la souris   Contexte: Le paludisme est une maladie infectieuse transmise par les moustiques causée par Plasmodium spp, qui est répandue dans les régions tropicales et subtropicales du monde. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer l'activité antipaludique in vivo du propranolol contre une infection expérimentale à Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) dans un modèle murin. Méthodes: Un total de 36 souris pesant entre 15 et 18 g ont été réparties au hasard en six groupes de six souris chacun. Les souris du premier groupe (SAL) n'étaient pas infectées par P. berghei mais ont reçu une solution saline normale (contrôle), le deuxième groupe (PbA) était des souris infectées sans traitement (contrôle), le troisième groupe (PRL) était des souris non infectées traitées par propranolol à la dose de 7,5mg/kg/bid, le quatrième groupe (PbA+PRL) étaient des souris infectées et traitées avec la même dose de propranolol, le cinquième groupe (QUN) étaient des souris non infectées traitées avec de la quinine à une dose de 20mg/kg stat, puis 10mg/kg bid et le sixième groupe (PbA+QUN) étaient des souris infectées traitées avec de la quinine. La parasitémie, les conditions physiologiques (fonction cognitive, température) et la létalité des souris infectées ont été surveillées sur une période de 7 jours pour évaluer l'activité antipaludique du propranolol et de la quinine. Le paradigme du labyrinthe en Y a été utilisé pour évaluer les troubles cognitifs induits par l'infection au PbA. Les effets du propranolol sur les indices du paludisme et les troubles cognitifs ont été comparés à ceux de la quinine et du témoin à l'aide de la méthode statistique du test T. Résultats: La mortalité des souris au jour 7 dans le groupe infecté sans traitement (PbA) était de 100% (6/6) tandis que la mortalité était de 50% (3/6) dans le groupe infecté traité avec du propranolol (PbA+PRL) et 33,3% ( 2/6) dans le groupe infecté traité par la quinine (PbA+QUN) (OR=2.000, p=1.000). Aucune mortalité n'a été enregistrée dans aucun des trois groupes de souris non infectées. Le propranolol a réduit la parasitémie à un niveau minimum de 1,40±0,07 trois jours après le traitement, comparable au niveau minimum de 1,39±0,0633 de la quinine, mais n'a pas inversé l'hypothermie induite par le PbA, ce que la quinine a fait. Conclusion: le propranolol a démontré une activité antipaludique in vivo contre l'infection expérimentale au PbA chez la souris comparable à celle de la quinine. Mots-clés: paludisme, propranolol, quinine, Plasmodium, paludisme cérébra

Comparative study of Ikirun and Osogbo Slag on concrete grade 20

This study examined the use of Prism Steel Slag (PSS) and Machine Iron Slag (MIS) as partial replacement of coarse aggregate in concrete. Coarse aggregates were partially replaced with PSS and MIS at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% respectively. A total of 132 concrete cubes of sizes 150 mm x 150 mm x 150 mm were cast and cured in water for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days respectively. Mix ratio of 1:2:4 was adopted with w/c ratio of 0.45 and batching was done by weight. The slump result indicated that the fresh concrete becomes stiff as the percentages of PSS and MIS increases. However, the compressive strengths of concrete cubes increased as the curing ages increases. 50% PSS and 40% MIS can successfully be used as partial replacement of coarse aggregate in the production of concrete grade 20.Keywords: Concrete, Coarse Aggregate, Strength, Machine Iron Slag, Prism Steel Sla

Disaster preparedness level in hazard laden environment: A case study of tertiary institution students in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Objective: The aim was to assess disaster preparedness of tertiary institution students in Osogbo, Osun State.Materials and methods: A cross sectional study carried out among 360 tertiary institution students using a semi structured self-administered  questionnaire.Results: Extreme heat, extreme cold and overcrowding are the hazards commonly exposed to by the students. While some respondents reported  availability of safety equipment in their school, majority do not either have access to it or know how to operate these equipment. About two thirds  (62.5%) are aware of disaster impact while only about one third (33.3%) are highly prepared for it. Bivariate analysis shows that religion (p=0.032), marital  status (p=0.027) and family type (P=0.008) were significantly associated with their awareness level while only program of study (P=0.013) was significantly  associated with preparedness level.Conclusion: Tertiary institution students in Osogbo are exposed to various hazards and majority are not well prepared for it

Evaluation of patients' satisfaction: A case study of the dental clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Objective: Understanding patients' satisfaction after treatments is an important aspect of human medicine. Considering the paucity of information on dental patients' satisfaction after treatment or care in Nigeria thus, this study was to evaluate patients' satisfaction following treatments at the dental clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.Methods: A total of 150 patients were recruited for the study by convenience sampling while a selfadministered questionnaire was used to gather patient's bio data, access to care, quality of care and general satisfaction.Result: Majority of the patients 64.7% reported satisfactory, 31.3% reported very satisfactory whereas, only 4.0% of the patients reported unsatisfactory.Conclusion: This study confirms that majority of participants had considerable level of satisfaction with the dental care received. However, more ultra-modern dental facilities should be provided to enhance safe and efficient dental care.Keywords: Satisfaction, dissatisfaction, patients, dental, car

Irrigation and manure application influence on in vitro digestibility of herbaceous legumes

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of swine manure rates (0, 5, 10 tonha-1) and irrigation frequencies (2 and 4 days interval) on in vitro fermentation characteristics of three herbaceous forage legumes (Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens and Vigna unguiculata). The experiment was a factorial design with three replicates. The legumes were harvested 12 weeks after sowing. The results showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference in crude protein content for all the parameters determined while lowest neutral detergent fibre content was 450.00 g kg-1 in legumes fertilized with 10tonha-1 manure and the highest was 482.78 g kg-1 in unfertilized legumes. Tannin contents ranged (p < 0.05) from 3.60 g kg-1 in V. unguiculata to 6.60 g kg-1 in M. pruriens. Application of 10 tonha-1 manure caused (P<0.05) higher total anaerobic bacteria count (TABC) (1.65 x106 cfu/ml), dry matter (63.98%) and crude protein (59.5 %) digestibility to be produced by the legumes compared to other manure rates. Lablab purpureus had highest TABC (1.13 x106 cfu/ml) while M. pruriens recorded highest DMD (62.22%) and CPD (58.00%). Legumes irrigated at 2 days intervals had higher TABC content (1.13 x106 cfu/ml) while legumes irrigated at 4 days interval had higher DMD (57.91%) and CPD (52.50%). In conclusion, application of 10 tonha-1 manure rate at 4 days irrigation frequency of the legumes will go a long way to improve the digestibility and availability of nutrients to ruminants

Effects of sleep disturbance on dyspnoea and impaired lung function following hospital admission due to COVID-19 in the UK: a prospective multicentre cohort study

Background: Sleep disturbance is common following hospital admission both for COVID-19 and other causes. The clinical associations of this for recovery after hospital admission are poorly understood despite sleep disturbance contributing to morbidity in other scenarios. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and nature of sleep disturbance after discharge following hospital admission for COVID-19 and to assess whether this was associated with dyspnoea. Methods: CircCOVID was a prospective multicentre cohort substudy designed to investigate the effects of circadian disruption and sleep disturbance on recovery after COVID-19 in a cohort of participants aged 18 years or older, admitted to hospital for COVID-19 in the UK, and discharged between March, 2020, and October, 2021. Participants were recruited from the Post-hospitalisation COVID-19 study (PHOSP-COVID). Follow-up data were collected at two timepoints: an early time point 2–7 months after hospital discharge and a later time point 10–14 months after hospital discharge. Sleep quality was assessed subjectively using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and a numerical rating scale. Sleep quality was also assessed with an accelerometer worn on the wrist (actigraphy) for 14 days. Participants were also clinically phenotyped, including assessment of symptoms (ie, anxiety [Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale questionnaire], muscle function [SARC-F questionnaire], dyspnoea [Dyspnoea-12 questionnaire] and measurement of lung function), at the early timepoint after discharge. Actigraphy results were also compared to a matched UK Biobank cohort (non-hospitalised individuals and recently hospitalised individuals). Multivariable linear regression was used to define associations of sleep disturbance with the primary outcome of breathlessness and the other clinical symptoms. PHOSP-COVID is registered on the ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN10980107). Findings: 2320 of 2468 participants in the PHOSP-COVID study attended an early timepoint research visit a median of 5 months (IQR 4–6) following discharge from 83 hospitals in the UK. Data for sleep quality were assessed by subjective measures (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and the numerical rating scale) for 638 participants at the early time point. Sleep quality was also assessed using device-based measures (actigraphy) a median of 7 months (IQR 5–8 months) after discharge from hospital for 729 participants. After discharge from hospital, the majority (396 [62%] of 638) of participants who had been admitted to hospital for COVID-19 reported poor sleep quality in response to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. A comparable proportion (338 [53%] of 638) of participants felt their sleep quality had deteriorated following discharge after COVID-19 admission, as assessed by the numerical rating scale. Device-based measurements were compared to an age-matched, sex-matched, BMI-matched, and time from discharge-matched UK Biobank cohort who had recently been admitted to hospital. Compared to the recently hospitalised matched UK Biobank cohort, participants in our study slept on average 65 min (95% CI 59 to 71) longer, had a lower sleep regularity index (–19%; 95% CI –20 to –16), and a lower sleep efficiency (3·83 percentage points; 95% CI 3·40 to 4·26). Similar results were obtained when comparisons were made with the non-hospitalised UK Biobank cohort. Overall sleep quality (unadjusted effect estimate 3·94; 95% CI 2·78 to 5·10), deterioration in sleep quality following hospital admission (3·00; 1·82 to 4·28), and sleep regularity (4·38; 2·10 to 6·65) were associated with higher dyspnoea scores. Poor sleep quality, deterioration in sleep quality, and sleep regularity were also associated with impaired lung function, as assessed by forced vital capacity. Depending on the sleep metric, anxiety mediated 18–39% of the effect of sleep disturbance on dyspnoea, while muscle weakness mediated 27–41% of this effect. Interpretation: Sleep disturbance following hospital admission for COVID-19 is associated with dyspnoea, anxiety, and muscle weakness. Due to the association with multiple symptoms, targeting sleep disturbance might be beneficial in treating the post-COVID-19 condition. Funding: UK Research and Innovation, National Institute for Health Research, and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Post-acute COVID-19 neuropsychiatric symptoms are not associated with ongoing nervous system injury

A proportion of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 experience a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms months after infection, including cognitive deficits, depression and anxiety. The mechanisms underpinning such symptoms remain elusive. Recent research has demonstrated that nervous system injury can occur during COVID-19. Whether ongoing neural injury in the months after COVID-19 accounts for the ongoing or emergent neuropsychiatric symptoms is unclear. Within a large prospective cohort study of adult survivors who were hospitalized for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, we analysed plasma markers of nervous system injury and astrocytic activation, measured 6 months post-infection: neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein and total tau protein. We assessed whether these markers were associated with the severity of the acute COVID-19 illness and with post-acute neuropsychiatric symptoms (as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire for depression, the General Anxiety Disorder assessment for anxiety, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for objective cognitive deficit and the cognitive items of the Patient Symptom Questionnaire for subjective cognitive deficit) at 6 months and 1 year post-hospital discharge from COVID-19. No robust associations were found between markers of nervous system injury and severity of acute COVID-19 (except for an association of small effect size between duration of admission and neurofilament light) nor with post-acute neuropsychiatric symptoms. These results suggest that ongoing neuropsychiatric symptoms are not due to ongoing neural injury