Implication of Monetization as a Reform Policy on Employees’ Commitment: A Case of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja Nigeria

This study examined the implication of monetization as a reform policy on the commitment of workers in the Federal Ministry of Education of Nigeria. Both Primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data were obtained from structured questionnaires distributed to stratified random sample in the Ministry’s headquarters, Abuja. Descriptive statistics, Chi square test and ANOVA were applied to the data. The study showed that monetization as a reform policy carried out during President Obasanjo’s Administration has different effect on different categories of staff. Both Junior and senior staff in the ministry responded to monetization benefit with commitment. But there is no significant implication of this reform on the commitment of the management staff category. Government agencies should ensure continuous implementation of inclusive monetization reform with regular review to keep phase with a view to keeping the employees focus on their duties, obligations and responsibilities. Part of the limitations of this investigation is the exclusion of the ministry’s field offices, parastatals and agencies under its direct supervision. Future researchers are obliged to extend the study to these operational areas of the ministry. Keywords: Reforms, Monetization, Education, Administrative polic

Evaluation of phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory effects on methanol extracts of Aeschynomene uniflora

Studies on Aeschynomene uniflora was carried out with the aim to establish scientific validation by evaluating the phytochemical constituents, toxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of the Methanol extract in order to probe its ethnomedical uses. Various phytochemical constituents from the plant were evaluated using standard method which reveals the presence of carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenes and tannins were present in the crude extract. Toxicity studies by using oral route showed no death in any group even at 5000 mg/ kg indicating its safety. Anti- inflammatory effects indicates its efficacy in which the dose at 1000 mg/kg showed more activity compared to Control followed by 250 mg/kg and then 500 mg/kg. The results obtained in this present study indicates the plant to have the potential to act as a source of useful drugs because of the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites. The results were very much encouraging but more scientific validation is necessary before being put into practice.Keywords: Aeschynomene uniflora, Anti-inflammatory, Phytochemicals, Toxicit

The innovations transfer methods and model on cattle farmers in migrants' areas in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra

The study aimed to identify the innovation transfer methods and model on cattle farmers in migrants' areas in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra. The survey method used in this study with field observation support. The respondents determined by quota sampling as many as sixty farmers who joined in five farmer groups represent five migrants' areas with provision the farmers must have been the innovation transfer by the Extension Office. The data analysed quantitatively descriptive. The result showed that the transfer innovation methods conducted by the Extension Officer were mixed training methods (55%), field study method (100%), and direct meeting in rural office (100%). The innovation transfer model formed the participatory model (circle) in which the farmers identified the problems and then contacted the Extension Officer, researched with the Extension Officer and found the solution, thus solving the problems. It concluded that the innovation transfer methods did not use all innovation transfer methods, but they already used participatory models as innovation transfer models

Implementation of extension program planning on cattle farmers in Padang City West Sumatra

The study aimed to identify the implementation of extension program planning on cattle farmers in Padang City, West Sumatra. It conducted with a survey method. The respondent was the cattle farmers who had already received transfer innovation related to raising cattle by Extension Officers. It determined sixty farmers from six districts in Padang City. The data obtained with the questionnaire then analysed descriptive quantitatively and presented in percentages. The result showed the implementation of extension program planning of data collecting 11.67% implemented, state analysis 61.67% implemented, problems identification 61.67% implemented, goal formalisations 36.67% implemented, plan formation 50.00% implemented, activities conducted 100% implemented, activities progress evaluation 95.00% implemented, and reconsideration 36.67% implemented. It concluded that the implementation extension program planning on cattle farmers in Padang City are not implemented well

A Survey of Diagnostic X-ray room design and shielding Integrity of Lead Aprons in a State in North Eastern Nigeria.

Background: X-ray facility design and shielding integrity is meant to optimize the radiation safety of patients, staff and the general public. Objectives: To determine the conformity to x-ray room design standards and the functional efficacy of lead aprons in the surveyed facilities. Materials and Method: The survey was conducted in six radio diagnostic centres in Gombe State Nigeria labelled A to F for anonymity. The building layout of the radiology departments was sketched to show the dimensions (L x B x H) and adjoining structures. Datasheets were also used to record information about the radio-diagnostic facility. Lead aprons were inspected for defects by physical observation and by x-ray exposure. Results: The x-ray room dimension of the six radio diagnostic centres with A(24 m2), B (14.8 m2), C (30 m2), D (36 m2), E (21.2 m2) and F (25 m2). All the walls of the radio-diagnostic room of the facility A, B, C and D were lined with 2 mm lead equivalent, whereas E and F were not. About 7 (38.8%) of lead aprons inspected were defective, while 11 (61.1%) were not defective. Conclusion: There are compromises noted in the design of the facility and the majority of the lead aprons inspected showed good functional efficacy

Leukocyte TLR5 deficiency inhibits atherosclerosis by reduced macrophage recruitment and defective T-cell responsiveness

Toll-like receptors (TLR) provide a critical link between innate and adaptive immunity, both important players in atherosclerosis. Since evidence for the role of TLR5 is lacking, we aimed to establish this in the immune axis of atherosclerosis. We assessed the effect of the TLR5-specific ligand Flagellin on macrophage maturation and T-cell polarisation. Next, we generated TLR5-/-LDLr-/- chimeras to study the effect of hematopoietic TLR5 deficiency on atherosclerosis formation. Flagellin stimulation did not influence wildtype or TLR5-/- macrophage maturation. Only in wildtype macrophages, Flagellin exposure increased MCP-1 and IL6 expression. Flagellin alone reduced T-helper 1 proliferation, which was completely overruled in the presence of T-cell receptor activation. In vivo, hematopoietic TLR5 deficiency attenuated atherosclerotic lesion formation by ≈25% (1030*103 ± 63*103 vs. 792*103 ± 61*103 μm2; p = 0.013) and decreased macrophage area (81.3 ± 12.0 vs. 44.2 ± 6.6 μm2; p = 0.011). In TLR5-/- chimeric mice, we observed lower IL6 plasma levels (36.4 ± 5.6 vs. 15.1 ± 2.2 pg/mL; p = 0.003), lower (activated) splenic CD4+ T-cell content (32.3 ± 2.1 vs. 21.0 ± 1.2%; p = 0.0018), accompanied by impaired T-cell proliferative responses. In conclusion, hematopoietic TLR5 deficiency inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation by attenuated macrophage accumulation and defective T-cell responsiveness

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

Cell-specific innate immunity in lung infection and inflammation

Pneumonia and asthma affect millions of adults and children annually and are responsible for a significant amount of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our airways are continuously exposed to pathogens and allergens inhaled through air that can potentially cause these serious illnesses. The innate immune system is initiated once the epithelial barrier fails. The net effect of the innate immunity is the result of complex cell-specific responses not yet fully understood. In this thesis, we studied these cell-specific contributions to host defense using genetically modified mice in which bacterial pneumonia and asthma were simulated. Cells present in the respiratory tract are able to recognize specific molecular patterns of pathogens or allergens because of the expression Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Correct functioning of TLRs is regulated by the chaperone glycoprotein 96 (gp96), and we found that host defense of mice with gp96 deficient macrophages was strongly impaired during pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Next, we studied the cell-specific role of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), the universal adaptor protein found downstream in the TLR signaling pathway. In a series of studies, we found that only myeloid MyD88, but not endothelial or epithelial MyD88, contributes significantly to protection against Klebsiella pneumonia, while in pneumonia induced by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, antibacterial defense depends on epithelial but not myeloid MyD88. Finally, we examined the role of cell-specific MyD88 signaling in asthma, and found that general expression of MyD88 is essential for the development of asthma. Neither myeloid nor alveolar type II MyD88 affects asthma induced inflammatory response

Leukocyte TLR5 deficiency inhibits atherosclerosis by reduced macrophage recruitment and defective T-cell responsiveness

Toll-like receptors (TLR) provide a critical link between innate and adaptive immunity, both important players in atherosclerosis. Since evidence for the role of TLR5 is lacking, we aimed to establish this in the immune axis of atherosclerosis. We assessed the effect of the TLR5-specific ligand Flagellin on macrophage maturation and T-cell polarisation. Next, we generated TLR5-/-LDLr-/- chimeras to study the effect of hematopoietic TLR5 deficiency on atherosclerosis formation. Flagellin stimulation did not influence wildtype or TLR5-/- macrophage maturation. Only in wildtype macrophages, Flagellin exposure increased MCP-1 and IL6 expression. Flagellin alone reduced T-helper 1 proliferation, which was completely overruled in the presence of T-cell receptor activation. In vivo, hematopoietic TLR5 deficiency attenuated atherosclerotic lesion formation by ≈25% (1030*103 ± 63*103 vs. 792*103 ± 61*103 μm2; p = 0.013) and decreased macrophage area (81.3 ± 12.0 vs. 44.2 ± 6.6 μm2; p = 0.011). In TLR5-/- chimeric mice, we observed lower IL6 plasma levels (36.4 ± 5.6 vs. 15.1 ± 2.2 pg/mL; p = 0.003), lower (activated) splenic CD4+ T-cell content (32.3 ± 2.1 vs. 21.0 ± 1.2%; p = 0.0018), accompanied by impaired T-cell proliferative responses. In conclusion, hematopoietic TLR5 deficiency inhibits atherosclerotic lesion formation by attenuated macrophage accumulation and defective T-cell responsiveness.Biopharmaceutic