Protective role of vitamin B6 (PLP) against DNA damage in Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes

Growing evidence shows that improper intake of vitamin B6 increases cancer risk and several studies indicate that diabetic patients have a higher risk of developing tumors. We previously demonstrated that in Drosophila the deficiency of Pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, causes chromosome aberrations (CABs), one of cancer prerequisites, and increases hemolymph glucose content. Starting from these data we asked if it was possible to provide a link between the aforementioned studies. Thus, we tested the effect of low PLP levels on DNA integrity in diabetic cells. To this aim we generated two Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes, the first by impairing insulin signaling and the second by rearing flies in high sugar diet. We showed that glucose treatment induced CABs in diabetic individuals but not in controls. More interestingly, PLP deficiency caused high frequencies of CABs in both diabetic models demonstrating that hyperglycemia, combined to reduced PLP level, impairs DNA integrity. PLP-depleted diabetic cells accumulated Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) that largely contribute to CABs as α-lipoic acid, an AGE inhibitor, rescued not only AGEs but also CABs. These data, extrapolated to humans, indicate that low PLP levels, impacting on DNA integrity, may be considered one of the possible links between diabetes and cancer

Impact Of Economic Growth On Environmental Pollution In Nigeria

There are concerns that Nigeria’s economic growth may be contributing to environmental degradation, particularly through increased carbon emissions and pollution-intensive investments. This study examines the impact of economic growth on environmental pollution in Nigeria, with a focus on whether economic expansion aligns with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, which suggests that pollution initially rises with growth but declines as income levels increase. To investigate this relationship, the study adopts the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, using annual data from 1986 to 2024. Findings indicate that GDP per capita has a nonlinear relationship with carbon emissions, confirming the EKC hypothesis. Additionally, foreign direct investment (FDI) significantly contributes to environmental pollution, supporting the pollution haven hypothesis, which argues that weak regulatory frameworks attract environmentally harmful investments. Conversely, regulatory quality (RRQ) is found to have a strong mitigating effect on emissions, highlighting the importance of institutional governance in environmental management. The error correction model (ECM) results show that deviations in emissions gradually adjust to long-run equilibrium, suggesting that sustained policy interventions are necessary to maintain environmental stability. Based on these findings, the study recommends strengthening environmental regulations, promoting green foreign investments, investing in clean technologies, and fully implementing Nigeria’s National Energy Transition Plan (NETP) to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability

Impact Of Government Expenditure On Unemployment In Nigeria

Despite rising government expenditure over the years, unemployment remains high and persistent. This study examines the impact of government   expenditure   on unemployment in Nigeria over a period of 1981 to 2023. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was utilized for the analysis. Major findings indicate that general government expenditure has a negative effect on unemployment in the long run while final consumption expenditure has a negative but weak impact on unemployment in Nigeria. Furthermore, the short-run results indicate that past periods of gross national expenditure decrease current unemployment while general government expenditure increase current unemployment. The study concludes that government expenditure is an effective tool for reducing unemployment in Nigeria and The government should implement targeted job creation programs in high impact sectors like infrastructure and social services, alongside strict anti-corruption measures to ensure transparent and efficient allocation of public funds. &nbsp

Impact Of Government Expenditure On Unemployment In Nigeria

Despite rising government expenditure over the years, unemployment remains high and persistent. This study examines the impact of government expenditure on unemployment in Nigeria over a period of 1981 to 2023. An autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was utilized for the analysis. Major findings indicate that general government expenditure has a negative effect on unemployment in the long run while final consumption expenditure has a negative but weak impact on unemployment in Nigeria. Furthermore, the short-run results indicate that past periods of gross national expenditure decrease current unemployment while general government expenditure increase current unemployment. The study concludes that government expenditure is an effective tool for reducing unemployment in Nigeria and The government should implement targeted job creation programs in high impact sectors like infrastructure and social services, alongside strict anti-corruption measures to ensure transparent and efficient allocation of public funds. &nbsp

IMPACT OF MARKET CAPITALIZATION ON MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN NIGERIA

This study examined the impact of market capitalization on manufacturing output in Nigeria over the period 1981–2023, using annual time-series data. Employing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, the findings reveal that market capitalization (MCP), the number of deals (NDL), and foreign direct investment (FDI) have significant positive impacts on manufacturing output in the long run. Conversely, inflation is found to have a detrimental effect on manufacturing output. In the short run, lagged market capitalization and the number of deals exhibit positive influences, underscoring the dynamic role of the capital market in fostering industrial performance. The study concludes that market capitalization holds substantial potential for boosting Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. To harness this potential, the study recommends expanding the capital market by encouraging firm listings, enhancing transparency through improved corporate governance, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to bolster investor confidence. These measures are pivotal for positioning the capital market as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic development.&nbsp

Pre-M Phase-promoting Factor Associates with Annulate Lamellae in Xenopus Oocytes and Egg Extracts

We have used complementary biochemical and in vivo approaches to study the compartmentalization of M phase-promoting factor (MPF) in prophase Xenopus eggs and oocytes. We first examined the distribution of MPF (Cdc2/CyclinB2) and membranous organelles in high-speed extracts of Xenopus eggs made during mitotic prophase. These extracts were found to lack mitochondria, Golgi membranes, and most endoplasmic reticulum (ER) but to contain the bulk of the pre-MPF pool. This pre-MPF could be pelleted by further centrifugation along with components necessary to activate it. On activation, Cdc2/CyclinB2 moved into the soluble fraction. Electron microscopy and Western blot analysis showed that the pre-MPF pellet contained a specific ER subdomain comprising "annulate lamellae" (AL): stacked ER membranes highly enriched in nuclear pores. Colocalization of pre-MPF with AL was demonstrated by anti-CyclinB2 immunofluorescence in prophase oocytes, in which AL are positioned close to the vegetal surface. Green fluorescent protein-CyclinB2 expressed in oocytes also localized at AL. These data suggest that inactive MPF associates with nuclear envelope components just before activation. This association may explain why nuclei and centrosomes stimulate MPF activation and provide a mechanism for targeting of MPF to some of its key substrates

EXCHANGE RATE DYNAMICS AND THE EFFECT ON BALANCE OF PAYMENTS IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM MIXED DATA SAMPLING MODEL

This study used both annual and monthly data to investigate exchange rate dynamics and its pass-through effect on balance of payments (BOP) in Nigeria over a period of 1980-2023. Data on total trade (TTR) and balance of payment (BOP) were annual data while data on exchange rate (EXR) and inflation (INF) were quarterly and monthly data respectively. The data were analysed using the mixed data sampling (MIDAS) model.  Findings show that appreciation of exchange rate could, at different times, have both positive and negative impacts on BOP. That is, the impact of EXR on BOP is positive in the first and third quarters but negative in the second and the fourth quarters.  Hence, the study establishes that exchange rate across the quarters has expected signs and are statistically significant except for the second quarter. The result further shows that inflation has a negative impact on BOP for a period of twelve months of every year investigated. The result shows that inflation is a drag on the Nigerian balance of payments. TTR has a positive and significant impact on BOP both in the short run and in the long-run. However, in terms of the sizes of the estimated coefficients, the impact of total trade on BOP is higher in the short run than in the long run. Based on the finding, the study recommends that the CBN exchange rate regime should pursue a stable and sustained exchange rate because internal and external performance of the nation hovers around exchange rate stability. &nbsp

Risk Management of Birdwatching Saporkren Tourism Destination, Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is a famous tourism object for diving with hundreds of beautiful spots. However, there is a tourism spot which is specialized for birdwatching at Saporkren in Raja Ampat. Compared to the number of tourists coming for diving, those coming for birdwatching is low. This paper aims to analyze risk management of Saporkren in coping with current issues, specifically, (1) to identify the main current problem with its consequences and causes, and (2) to provide possible solutions. This study employed problem and solution trees (PASTs) analyses. The respondents interviewed include forest group leader who manages the birdwatching area, the staff members of West Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency, the tour guide leader, the tourist, and the local government officer. This study figured out the main problem is the low number of tourists coming to Saporkren. This is due to the lack of interesting attractions, facility, quality of tour guide and security related to the issues of riots and Covid-19, leading to the root cause of lack of commitment and cooperation between management of Saporkren and its stakeholders. Based on the possible solutions, the birdwatching Saporkren can exploit the potential attractions like exotic wildlife, local cuisine festivals and competitions in Saporkren to develop and prepare the implementation of standard procedures of Covid- 19. Keywords: main problem, problem tree analysis, solution, solution tree analysi

Risk Factors for Small-for-Gestational-age and Preterm Births among 19,269 Tanzanian Newborns.

Few studies have differentiated risk factors for term-small for gestational age (SGA), preterm-appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and preterm-SGA, despite evidence of varying risk of child mortality and poor developmental outcomes. We analyzed birth outcome data from singleton infants, who were enrolled in a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of neonatal vitamin A supplementation conducted in Tanzania. SGA was defined as birth weight <10th percentile for gestation age and sex using INTERGROWTH standards and preterm birth as delivery at <37 complete weeks of gestation. Risk factors for term-SGA, preterm-AGA, and preterm-SGA were examined independently using log-binomial regression. Among 19,269 singleton Tanzanian newborns included in this analysis, 68.3 % were term-AGA, 15.8 % term-SGA, 15.5 % preterm-AGA, and 0.3 % preterm-SGA. In multivariate analyses, significant risk factors for term-SGA included maternal age <20 years, starting antenatal care (ANC) in the 3(rd) trimester, short maternal stature, being firstborn, and male sex (all p < 0.05). Independent risk factors for preterm-AGA were maternal age <25 years, short maternal stature, firstborns, and decreased wealth (all p < 0.05). In addition, receiving ANC services in the 1(st) trimester significantly reduced the risk of preterm-AGA (p = 0.01). Significant risk factors for preterm-SGA included maternal age >30 years, being firstborn, and short maternal stature which appeared to carry a particularly strong risk (all p < 0.05). Over 30 % of newborns in this large urban and rural cohort of Tanzanian newborns were born preterm and/or SGA. Interventions to promote early attendance to ANC services, reduce unintended young pregnancies, increased maternal height, and reduce poverty may significantly decrease the burden of SGA and preterm birth in sub-Saharan Africa