Does the Theory of Uncovered Interest Parity Hold for Nigeria?

This study employs the conventional Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) equation to test the validity of the theory for Nigeria vis-à-vis the United States of America. The study also examine the causality relationship existing between the variables in the UIP model.  The results reveal the invalidity of the UIP theory for Nigerian Naira/ United States dollar exchange rates. We hereby conclude that the existence of abnormal profits from interest arbitrage means that the Uncovered Interest Parity between Nigeria and the U.S.A did not hold in reality at some points in time within the period under review. However, the reasons for the failure of UIP theory for Nigeria might be that the capital mobility between the countries is not perfect, or the risk premium in Nigeria is high as perceived by the potential investors. Country risk, which includes political risk and economic risk remain higher for developing countries including Nigeria, than for the developed countries. JEL Classification:  E4, E42, E43, F3, F31 Key Words: Uncovered Interest Parity, international finance, foreign exchange market, Interest rate Differentia

CALMING THE TIDE: PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND MACROECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY IN NIGERIA

ABSTRAC

Haematological indices of malaria infected residents of Isu community, Onicha local government area, Ebonyi state, Nigeria

Malaria as a major mosquito-borne public health problem is likely to initiate changes in haematological parameters of its sufferers. This study investigated the changes in haematological indices of malaria infected residents of Isu community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. A two-stage sampling design was adopted in which selection of villages constituted the first stage/Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) where three (3) villages (Isuachara, Agbabor and Mgbala-ukwu) out of the seven villages were selected using simple random sampling. In the second stage, a simple random sample of 240 individuals was taken from the three villages using 95% confidence level and a margin of error of 6.32% with a standard deviation of 0.5. Thick blood smears of venous blood stained with Giemsa were examined microscopically for malaria parasitaemia (MP) and its intensity. Those negative for malaria parasite served as controls. Haematological indices (packed cell volume (PCV)), total leucocyte counts (TLC) and white blood cell differentials of malaria positive and negative individuals were determined using standard procedures. Packed cell volume and monocytes of malaria infected individuals were higher and differed significantly from those of uninfected individuals (p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed significant association between the total leucocyte count, packed cell volume and eosinophil count and intensity of malaria parasites. From the results of this study, intensity of malaria parasite altered the values of haematological indices of the sufferers. It was therefore recommended that the diagnosis of malaria and changes in haematological parameters of patients should go hand in hand in our health institutions for effective management and control of the infection.Keywords: Malaria, Haematological, Indices, Parasites, Infected, Resident

<i>Cucumeropsis mannii</i> seed oil protects against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

From Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: epub 2023-10-20, issued 2023-10-20Article version: AMPublication status: PublishedOBJECTIVES This study looked at how CMSO affected male Wistar albino rats' liver damage caused by bisphenol A. METHODS The standard HPLC method was used to assess the CMSO's phenolic content. Then, six (n = 8) groups of forty-eight (48) male Wistar rats (150 20 g) each received either CMSO or olive oil before being exposed to BPA for 42 days. Groups: A (one milliliter of olive oil, regardless of weight), B (BPA 100 mg/kg body weight (BW)), C (CMSO 7.5 mg/kg BW), D (CMSO 7.5 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW), E (CMSO 5.0 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW), and F (CMSO 2.5 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW). KEY FINDINGS A surprising abundance of flavonoids, totaling 17.8006 10.95 g/100 g, were found in the HPLC data. Malondialdehyde, liver enzymes, reactive oxygen species, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels were all significantly elevated by BPA (p 0.05). Additionally, nuclear factor-B, interleukin-6, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and histological alterations were all considerably (p 0.05) caused by BPA. The altered biochemical markers and histology were, however, noticeably recovered by CMSO to a level that was comparable to the control. CONCLUSION Due to the abundance of flavonoid components in the oil, CMSO protects the liver from BPA-induced hepatotoxicity by lowering oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil protects against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

From Oxford University Press via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2023-07-05, accepted 2023-10-11, epub 2023-10-20, cover 2024-01, collection 2024-01-01, corrected-typeset 2024-03-05Acknowledgements: We appreciate the management of the Department of Biochemistry Institutional Research Ethics Committee, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.Publication status: PublishedObjectives: This study looked at how Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) affected male Wistar albino rats’ liver damage caused by bisphenol A (BPA). Methods: The standard HPLC method was used to assess the CMSO’s phenolic content. Then, six (n = 8) groups of 48 male Wistar rats (150 20 g) each received either CMSO or olive oil before being exposed to BPA for 42 days. Groups: A (1 ml of olive oil, regardless of weight), B (BPA 100 mg/kg body weight (BW)), C (CMSO 7.5 mg/kg BW), D (CMSO 7.5 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW), E (CMSO 5.0 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW), and F (CMSO 2.5 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW). Key findings: A surprising abundance of flavonoids, totalling 17.8006 10.95 g/100 g, were found in the HPLC data. Malondialdehyde, liver enzymes, reactive oxygen species, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels were all significantly elevated by BPA (P = 0.05). Additionally, nuclear factor-B, interleukin-6, interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor, and histological alterations were all considerably (P = 0.05) caused by BPA. The altered biochemical markers and histology were, however, noticeably recovered by CMSO to a level that was comparable to the control. Conclusions: Due to the abundance of flavonoid components in the oil, CMSO protects the liver from BPA-induced hepatotoxicity by lowering oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions