Effects of Mango on Gut Microbial Population and Its Impact on Body Composition and Glucose Homeostasis in Mice Fed High Fat Diet

The gut microbial population is significantly compromised in high fat feeding. These changes are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates and fiber from plant food sources are suggested to prevent gut dysbiosis due to high fat feeding. Various parts of mango have been studied for their anti-obesogenic, immunomodulatory and gastroprotective abilities. This study investigated the effects of 12-week freeze-dried mango pulp supplementation on the gut microbiota and its impact on body composition, glucose homeostasis and inflammatory markers in C57BL/6 mice fed a high fat (HF) diet. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatment groups: Control (AIN-93M, 10% kcal from fat), HF (60% kcal from fat), and HF+1% or 10% mango. Cecal sample analyses by 16S rDNA sequencing show that HF feeding resulted in a significant loss of bacteria, most notably Bifidobacteria and Akkermansia while mango supplementation prevented the loss of these bacteria in a dose-dependent manner similar to control. Mango supplementation did not reduce body weight or fasting blood glucose. Plasma lipids were elevated with HF feeding compared to control, with both mango doses lowering plasma triglyceride. The HF+10% mango significantly lowered plasma non-esterified fatty acids but increased plasma total cholesterol. In comparison to the HF group, a dose-dependent increase in microbial fermentation was observed with mango supplementation, as evident in increased fecal and cecal acetic and butyric acid but not propionic acid. Furthermore, mango supplementation modulated gut inflammation, as observed with an increase in ileal and colonic IL-10 gene expression compared to the HF group. These results demonstrate that mango supplementation in high fat feeding modulated some of the adverse effects that accompanies high fat diet-induced obesity.Nutritional Scienc

Effect of whole foods on the gut-adipose axis in models of diet-induced obesity: The case of wheat germ and pinto beans

The global alteration in food supply characterized by increased western-style diets (high in saturated fat and refined sugar) is a major driver of the obesity epidemic. Western diets disrupt the host-gut bacteria homeostasis, which elevates intestinal permeability to initiate obesity-related insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation. Dietary enrichment with fiber and more recently, tryptophan may mitigate these detrimental effects of obesity. Thus, the addition of whole foods to the western dietary pattern may be a convenient and cost-effective means to mitigate the damaging impact of obesity. The studies herewith were designed to understand the effect of two whole foods - wheat germ (WG) and pinto beans (PB) - on the gut bacteria and intestinal defenses against diet-induced obesity. In addition, the implication on glucose homeostasis and adipose tissue inflammation was examined. Results showed that WG only increased the abundance of taxa within the Lactobacillaceae family. PB had a robust effect on the gut bacteria, by increasing the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, and suppressing taxa within the Tenericutes and Proteobacteria phyla. Feeding a western-style diet consistently weakened signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 activation in the small intestine. However, both WG and PB reversed this effect potentially through different mechanisms involving interleukin (Il)-22 and butyrate, respectively. Consequently, STAT3-induced antimicrobial peptide genes (Reg3B and Reg3y) were significantly upregulated by WG and PB. In the adipose tissue, WG suppressed nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NFKB) activation by the western diet, and downregulated Il-6 and lipopolysaccharide binding protein genes. PB suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor (Tnf)-a gene and the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage marker, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNos), in the adipose tissue. Finally, both WG and PB improved glucose homeostasis in the animals fed a western diet. These studies show that the restoration of STAT3 activation in the small intestine is central to the gut-protective abilities of WG and PB albeit through separate mechanisms. Furthermore, these studies provide valuable foundational insights that should be considered for future studies that aim to identify the benefits of whole foods on gut and peripheral tissues using western diet-induced models of obesity

ANALYSIS OF CONSTRAINTS WITH ACCESS TO SECURE PROPERTY RIGHTS REGISTRATION IN AKURE, NIGERIA

A reasonable proportion of economic achievement is derivable from an active land market system that is supported with improved and formalized land right registration. However, there are still constraints with access to secure property rights registration in many states of Nigeria in contrast with the experience in developed economies. This situation inhibits a healthy real estate property market development. The paper elicited data from 150 professionals in the built environment within Akure, the capital of Ondo state, using a structured questionnaire. Factor analysis by principal components was adopted in the data analysis to classify identified twenty-one variables that constitute constraints to property rights registration in the study area. The results show that six components accounted for 77.23% of the total variance explained and a total of six factors were extracted which converged in 10 iterations.  Time taken in achieving land title registration, the bureaucratic procedure involved, inappropriate document to work with, poor knowledge of ICT among officials and poor internet connectivity are among inhibiting factors.  There is need to introduce modern Land Information System (LIS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) into property right registration process to make data more secure, enhance huge data storage, easy access and retrieval

Prevalence of Tuberculosis among patients attending two Secondary Hospitals in Abeokuta Ogun State.

This study was conducted to examine the rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among individuals attendingthe outpatient clinic of two hospitals in Abeokuta Metropolis in Southwestern Nigeria. Of the 132 individuals examined, the overall rate of tuberculosis infection was 16.7%. Infection was highest among patients in the 21-40 year age group (11.4%). Results also showed that 10.6% of male patients were infected with tuberculosis and 6.1% of female patients infected with tuberculosis. There was no significant difference between the sex and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. There was also no significant difference between age-groups and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. But there was a significant difference between the ESR and tuberculosis infection. Cette étude a été menée afin d’examiner le taux d’infections à Mycobacteriumtuberculosi schez les individus suivis à la clinique externe de deux hôpitaux de métropole de Abeokuta au Sud-ouest du Nigéria. Sur les 132 individus examinés, le taux global d'infection de la tuberculose était de 16,7%. L'infection était plus élevée chez les patients âgés de 21-40 ans (11,4%). Les résultats ont également montré que 10,6% des patients de sexe masculin ont été infectés par la tuberculose et 6,1% des patientes infectées par la tuberculose. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre le sexe et l'infection à Mycobacteriumtuberculosis. Il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les groupes d'âge et l'infection à Mycobacteriumtuberculosis. Mais il y avait une différence significative entre l'ESR et la tuberculose.Article in English

Evaluation of End-Users’ Satisfaction on Land Title Registration Process in Akure, Nigeria

Land title registration facilitates secured land ownership right while also aiding property transactions in transparent atmosphere. A stable and efficient land registration system is a cornerstone for creation of free movement of interests in land. The provision of ready access to up-to-date land information relating to registered land encourages credible dealings in property and exchange of rights. The aim of this empirical study is therefore to evaluate the end-user‟s satisfaction on land title registration process in Akure, Nigeria. Using random sampling technique, data were collected from one hundred and eleven (111) land-allied professionals as consumers of land registry services through structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using frequency distribution, percentage and weighted mean score. The result of the analysis revealed that the performance of the land registry is below average and it is recommended that more proactive approaches be put to land title registration.Key Words: Development, land market, Land registry, Service

Impacts of Land Disputes on Community Development

Land disputes as experienced in different parts of Nigeria have strong effect on rural and urban socio-economic development. Land disputes have disastrous and life threatening effects on individuals as well as on groups, communities and even entire nations. In view of this, the study examined the impacts of land disputes on the development of the affected communities. In achieving this, Three hundred and Seventeen (317) questionnaires were retrieved from the residents of the various villages that make up Inyimagu community in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state Nigeria, a community that has been ravaged by communal clashes with the adjoining villages including Nsobo community in Obubra local government area of Cross River state over the issue of land ownership. Data were analysed using a simple descriptive statistics. Finding shows that village claim of long time settlements, long-term enmity amongst families among others factors are the major reasons for the incessant land disputes in these communities. This has led to the massive loss of lives and properties both in the past and in the present. Conclusively, it is recommended that that the existing land law system in Nigeria should be comprehensively reviewed to fashion out a best policy such that makes both rural and urban lands to be centrally administered. It is further recommended that affected state governments should as a matter of urgency set up a team of experts such as Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Lawyers, Land Surveyors and Urban and Regional planners to embark on a comprehensive process that would lead to the establishment of land information management system for the states. This, on the long run, would foster an increased understanding of size and boundary of each individual’s hereditament particularly for the lands in dispute

Modelling Coastal Externalities Effects on Residential Housing Values

Design/methodology/approach A survey approach was adopted for the data collection process. For both models, property values were measured in proximity to coastline using 0–250m, 251-500m and 0-500m. Purpose This paper examines the impact of coastline on the rental value of residential property in proximity to the coastline, using the hedonic pricing model from two perspectives. First, model 1A-C accounted for estimating the influence of coastal amenities while controlling for other housing attributes influencing rent. Second, model 2A-C accounted for the interaction between coastal amenities/disamenities and other housing attributes influencing rent. Findings Findings revealed that property rental value increases as we move away from the coastline when disamenities are not controlled. The results suggested that for a mean-priced home (N2,941,029 or $8,170) at the mean distance from the coastline (301.83m), a 1$0.03) increase in rental value. Practical implications The implication to real estate valuers is that varying premiums should be considered when valuing a property depending on the distance to the coastline while considering other housing attributes. Originality/value This research introduces a novel approach to the hedonic model for determining property values in proximity to coastal environment by estimating the influence of coastal amenities while controlling for other housing attributes influencing rent, on one hand, and accounting for the interaction between coastal amenities/disamenities and other housing attributes influencing rent on the other

Towards an Architecture-based Ensemble Methods for Online Social Network Sensitive Data Privacy Protection

Abstract - In 2014, the world woke up to a giant data breach that leveraged users’ personal information that was taken from one of the world’s biggest social network platform. Based on the literature, this was possible because of the Centralised Architectural-based Approach to protecting the privacy of users’ online data. Although the literature is inundated with decentralized approaches, there is none to the best of our knowledge that uses an ensemble of methods and draws on a consensus mechanism to address the challenges caused by the Centralised Architectural-based Approach. This paper presents a decentralized approach that adopts and adapts an ensemble of methods. These methods include cryptographic, hashing, and the plenum byzantine fault tolerance algorithms that present a consensus platform, protocol, and mechanism to use the technology of blockchain in a novel manner as a significant contribution. This paper adopts the descriptive approach in its presentation as the usable implementation of the presented proposal is near completion with issues of computational overhead addressed based on preliminary results that show promise of being able to support agreement up to ≈ 75% in terms of making changes by participants in the chain. </p

Effect of dietary components on miRNA and colorectal carcinogenesis

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed and among the commonest causes of cancer-related mortality globally. Despite the various available treatment options, millions of people still suffer from this illness and most of these treatment options have several limitations. Therefore, a less expensive, non-invasive or a treatment that requires the use of dietary products remains a focal point in this review. Main body Aberrant microRNA expression has been revealed to have a functional role in the initiation and progression of CRC. These has shown significant promise in the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC, owing to their unique expression profile associated with cancer types and malignancies. Moreover, microRNA therapeutics show a great promise in preclinical studies, and these encourage further development of their clinical use in CRC patients. Additionally, emerging studies show the chemo-preventive potential of dietary components in microRNA modulation using several CRC models. This review examines the dietary interplay between microRNAs and CRC incidence. Improving the understanding of the interactions between microRNAs and dietary components in the carcinogenesis of CRC will assist the study of CRC progression and finally, in developing personalized approaches for cancer prevention and therapy. Conclusion Although miRNA research is still at its infancy, it could serve as a promising predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CRC. Given the ever-expanding number of miRNAs, understanding their functional aspects represents a promising option for further research