Understanding the role of different strain types of Fusobacterium necrophorum: biofilms, glycans and metabolic pathways

Fusobacterium necrophorum an obligate Gram-negative anaerobe has been implicated in the cause of persistent severe throat infections and the systemic life-threatening Lemierre’s syndrome; a potentially fatal periodontal disease, which results in abscess formation in the tonsils. The use of antibiotics had led to decreased incidence of F. necrophorum infections to a point that the bacterium became a forgotten pathogen; however, there has recently been a rise in interest. F. necrophorum is thought to survive the aerobic oropharynx by biofilm formation. Studies of optimal conditions for biofilm formation could be useful in improving therapeutic options. This current study determined that strains ARU 01 and JCM 3718 formed the most biofilm at 37 °C, with reduction in biofilm observed at 26 °C and 42 °C. Strain JCM 3724 on the other hand, formed most biofilm at 26 °C and 42 °C; this is an indication that strain JCM 3724 but not JCM 3718 or ARU 01 was able to survive in extreme temperatures by forming biofilms; all strains produced more biofilm at pH 4. Biofilm formation was observed in both mono and dual species culture of F. necrophorum, in dual culture the organisms became resistant to penicillin and ciprofloxacin. As glycans are implicated in biofilm formation, bacterial adhesion to host cells and pathogenicity, the cell surface glycans and cell extracts of F. necrophorum were investigated using enzyme-linked lectin assays (ELLA) and lectin histochemical staining. No significant differences were seen in the staining patterns, but a patchy and variable staining was noted for Sambucus nigra that detects sialic acid. A surface lectin, the Galactose binding protein was identified and characterised as binding to unsubstituted beta galactosyl residues of the type carried by many bacteria suggesting a role in biofilm formation. Subsequent molecular and bioinformatic studies identified all but one key component of the lipid A pathway; lpxI was shown to substitute for lpxH in the pathway. The component genes required for expression of sialic acid on the cell surface of the organism were determined; a polymorphism, the presence or absence of siaA, suggested some but not all strains had the ability to express this sugar on the cell surface. Further studies are required to determine whether this is linked to pathogenicity. Genomic and proteomic studies on type strains and clinical isolates revealed significant differences between subsp. necrophorum and funduliforme that will be useful in developing a simple molecular based subspeciation test. The subsp. funduliforme was split into 3 clusters (A, B and C) based on the genomic data; proteomic studies were used to determine the impact of the non-synonymous SNPs seen; two clusters were observed at the protein level, A and B+C. Most of the amino acid replacements that differentiated the clusters A from B +C were conservative or semi- conservative; more differences were noted between the two subspecies and these also included non-conservative changes that could affect protein structure and function. Clearly, there is scope for further work to elucidate the evolution of these clusters and their relevance to pathogenicity

Knowledge Management and its Effects on Financial Performance: Evidence from Dangote Flour Mills, Ilorin

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of knowledge management and their impact on the financial performance of economic entities. It is determined that despite the key role of knowledge both for the development of the country (which in the 21st century is based mainly on knowledge) and to increase the value of the company, today companies do not fully use arrays of knowledge and data, which forms barriers to increase competitiveness in the strategic perspective

The Connexus of Management by Objectives and Organisational Performance: Evidence from Tuyil Pharmaceutical Limited, Ilorin

In modern conditions, the competitiveness of enterprises largely depends on the ability of management to ensure the necessary economic efficiency of operational activities, achieving strategic and tactical goals, rational use of labor, financial and material resources, which determines the relevance of research on innovative approaches to management “by goals”. The article substantiates that this concept is focused on increasing productivity through clear guidelines for each employee of the organization and increase staff motivation through its participation in setting their own goals

Heavy metal pollution of vegetable crops irrigated with wastewater 41 Heavy Metal Pollution of Vegetable Crops Irrigated with Wastewater in Accra, Ghana

Heavy metal concentrations in irrigation water (samples =120), soil (samples =144) and edible parts of both exotic and traditional vegetables (samples = 240) irrigated with wastewater from some parts of Accra were studied. The concentrations of heavy metals in mg/l were quantified in wastewater from Accra and groundwater at Mampong as Fe (0.67; 1.00), Mn (0.78; 0.31), Cu (0.06; 0.07), Zn (0.14; 0.13), Pb (0.08; 0.12), Ni (0.06; 0.13), Cr (< 0.006), Cd (< 0.002) and Co (< 0.005), soil Fe (164.38; 162.92), Mn (39.39; 20.09), Cu (7.21; 6.13), Zn (6.03; 7.45), Pb (9.31; 7.63), Ni (5.00; 2.97), Cr (0.51;0.85), Cd (0.07;0.09) and Co (0.73;0.87), and vegetables from Accra and Mampong. The wastewater used for irrigation had the highest concentration (mg/l) of Mn (0.78),  followed by Fe (0.67), Zn (0.14), Pb (0.08), Cu (0.06), Ni (0.06) while Cr, Cd and Co were below detection limits. Fe (164.38; 162.92), Mn (39.39; 20.09), Cu (7.21; 6.13), Pb (9.31; 7.63) and Ni (5.00; 2.97) levels were higher in wastewater irrigated soils than groundwater irrigated soils, respectively. However, average values were all below the FAO/WHO  recommended mean levels in mg/l for wastewater and soil as Fe (5.00; 50,000), Mn (0.20; 2,000), Cu (0.20; 100), Zn (2.00; 300), Pb (5.00; 100), Ni (0.20; 50.00), Cr (0.10;50.00), Cd (0.01;3.00) and Co (0.05;100), respectively. Concentration levels of heavy metals (mg/kg) in vegetables crops analysed from all sites were not elevated except for Pb in cabbage, (10.51), lettuce (10.19), green pepper (9.44), hot pepper (7.61) and ayoyo (9.05) compared to the FAO/WHO maximum recommended limit of 0.30 mg/kg for Pb. Health risk assessments showed that hazard indexes for the crops were below 1 (USEPA), indicating that normal  consumption of vegetables analysed pose no risk from heavy metal toxicities. However, to prevent any chronic health risk and extent of heavy metal contamination, steps must be taken to reduce human activities at the sites. Regular monitoring of heavy metals in the vegetables grown in wastewater irrigated areas is also necessary

Financial Institutions Micro Loans: A Strategy for Reducing Poverty in Nigeria)

This article summarizes the arguments and counter-arguments in the scientific debate on the use of microcredit by financial institutions as a strategic direction for poverty reduction in Nigeria. This study is aimed at studying the impact of microcredit operations provided by commercial banks to business entities, poverty indicators of the country. Five commercial and five microfinance banks of the state of Nigeria were selected as the object of the study

Fostering Entrepreneurial Mentoring Culture for Sustainable Leadership Performance in Nigeria: Evidence from Selected SMEs in Ilorin Metropolis

The human resources are the most important resources an organization can boast of in the 21st century, since it ensures the efficient and effective utilization of other types of resources, hence their continuous development. One of the ways of developing human resources is through entrepreneurial mentoring. Mentoring is among the few tools needed for preparing tomorrows’ skilled employees and is also used to strengthen organizational capabilities, intelligence, build organization knowledge, and sustain the organization competitive advantage. The dynamic career environment heightens the need for entrepreneurs engaging other people in their career and personal development

Management of Hypertension among Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Evidence suggests that coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common outcome of hypertension. Hypertension accelerates the development of atherosclerosis, and sustained elevation of blood pressure (BP) can destabilize vascular lesions and precipitate acute coronary events. Hypertension can cause myocardial ischemia in the absence of CHD. These cardiovascular risks attributed to hypertension can be reduced by optimal BP control. Although several antihypertensive agents exist, the choice of agent and the appropriate target BP for patients with CHD remain controversial. In this succinct paper, we examine the evidence and the mechanisms for the linkage between hypertension and CHD and we discuss the treatment options and the goals of therapy that are consistent with the report of the seventh Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) and American Heart Association scientific statement. We anticipate changes in the recommendations of the forthcoming JNC 8

The Rhetoric Of Celebrity Endorsement Strategy And Consumer Purchase Intention On Fast Moving Consumer Goods Among Al-Hikmah University Undergraduate Students

The ultimate goal of any business organization is to be prosperous in today’s increasingly competitive and dynamic markets where the cost of acquiring new customers has been found to be exponentially greater than that of maintaining existing ones, firms must continually explore ways of achieving higher customer retention rates. The building of a reputable brand image in the mind of the consumers is especially enhanced through the use of endorsers or spokespersons in the firm’s marketing communications; and celebrities are among the persons commonly used as endorsers or spokespersons in this regard

Nigerian Growth Model: Lessons from China

China has experienced rapid economic growth since 1977 when the country begins its reform. Before this time, the growth in Nigeria was above that of China; but the country has surpassed Nigeria since early 1980s as it has a constant and steady growth since then. The Nigerian economic growth kept fluctuating. The paper investigated therefore, the trend in the economic growth of both countries and tries to investigate the factors that lead to such economic growth in China so as to apply it to the Nigerian economy. Both descriptive and inferential statistics are used to investigate this. It was revealed that the Chinese reforms that started in 1977 has led to the stability in the growth rate of the country. The trend showed that the growth in China is driven by export and foreign investment. An investigation of these variables on economic growth in Nigeria has shown that, export had positive but not significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. Investments on the other hand had positive and significant impact on economic growth. The public expenditure also had positive and significant impact on economic growth. It is recommended that the export base should be diversified to have advantage of export driven growth. Key words: Economic growth model; Export; Investment; Public expenditure; Reform