Corelates of echochardiographic left ventricular mass in young arabs

No Abstract. NQJHM Vol. 6 (3) 1996: pp. 142-14

Cellulose nanocrystal cationic derivative induces NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent IL-1\u3b2 secretion associated with mitochondrial ROS production

Crystalline cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have emerged as novel materials for a wide variety of important applications such as nanofillers, nanocomposites, surface coatings, regenerative medicine and potential drug delivery. CNCs have a needle-like structure with sizes in the range of 100-200. nm long and 5-20. nm wide and a mean aspect ratio 10-100. Despite the great potential applicability of CNCs, very little is known about their potential immunogenicity. Needle-like materials have been known to evoke an immune response in particular to activate the (NOD-. like receptor, pyrin domain-containing 3)-inflammasome/IL-1\u3b2 (Interleukin 1\u3b2) pathway. In this study we evaluated the capacity of unmodified CNC and its cationic derivatives CNC-AEM (aminoethylmethacrylate)1, CNC-AEM2, CNC-AEMA(aminoethylmethacrylamide)1 and CNC-AEMA2 to stimulate NLRP3-inflammasome/IL-1\u3b2 pathway and enhance the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mouse macrophage cell line (J774A.1) was stimulated for 24. h with 50. \u3bcg/mL with unmodified CNC and its cationic derivatives. Alternatively, J774A1 or PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were stimulated with CNC-AEMA2 in presence or absence of LPS (lipopolysaccharide). IL-1\u3b2 secretion was analyzed by ELISA, mitochondrial function by JC-1 staining and ATP content. Intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed by DCF-DA (2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate) and MitoSOX, respectively. Mitochondrial ROS and extracellular ATP were significantly increased in cells treated with CNC-AEMA2, which correlates with the strongest effects on IL-1\u3b2 secretion in non-primed cells. CNC-AEMA2 also induced IL-1\u3b2secretion in LPS-primed and non-primed PBMCs. Our data suggest that the increases in mitochondrial ROS and ATP release induced by CNC-AEMA2 may be associated with its capability to evoke immune response. We demonstrate the first evidence that newly synthesized cationic cellulose nanocrystal derivative, CNC-AEMA2, has immunogenic properties, which may lead to the development of a potential non-toxic and safe nanomaterial to be used as a novel adjuvant for vaccines.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Effect of Using Combination of O’level Result With JAMB Score on Student Performance in The First Two Years of Medical School in Benue State University, Makurdi

This study was carried out to assess the performance of students in the first two years of Medical School in Benue State University, a newly established College of Health Sciences. The assessment was based on some of their scores on admission into the University. These were the University Matriculation Examination (UME) scores, O&apos;level (SSCE) score and combination by equal weighting of O&apos;level scores with UME (CJSC) scores. The period of study involved the 100 and 200 level years respectively. Result showed that there was no correlation between UME score only and 100 level average score (r = -0.054, P > 0.05); but it correlates with 200 level results (r = 0.318, P < 0.01). There was correlation between SSCE and 100 level result (r = 0.406, P < 0.001) but not with 200 level average (r = 0.176, P > 0.05). CJSC correlates with 100 level weighted average (r = 0.368, P < 0.001) and 200 level result (r = 0.240, P < 0.05). Based on UME score only, 21.10% of students with UME score ≥ 240 as compared with 15.40% of those with UME score < 240 failed and were withdrawn at 100 level (z = 0.695, P > 0.05) . The performance of students with high derived SSCE ≥ 60 was significantly better than those with lower SSCE < 60 (P < 0.01). Result also showed that SSCE is the best predictor of student performance at 100 level. It is suggested that the quality of Secondary School Certificate result should be given good consideration in admitting students into Medical Schools

Effect of curing methods on the strength of interlocking paving blocks

Interlocking paving blocks (IPB) are an integral part of the pavement infrastructure in developing countries. However, the effect of curing methods on the performance of IPB is vague, and the understanding of this phenomenon will ensure optimum strength and performance for subsequent IPB to be produced. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of different curing methods on the compressive strength of IPB. The curing methods evaluated are hot water, open-air, ponding, membrane, earthing and sprinkling methods. Dog-bone samples with a cross-sectional area of 24,401 mm2 were designed and made. The samples are cured using different methods and tested at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 days except for those cured in hot water which are tested at 3, 6, 9, 24 and 48 hours after casting. Results from this study indicate that the curing method strongly affects the compressive strength of the IPB. The optimum curing method was found to be the ponding method as it resulted in the highest compressive strength