Using The BALB/c Asthmatic Mouse Model to Investigate the Effects of Hydrocortisone and a Herbal Asthma Medicine on Animal Weight

Euphorbia hirta is an anti-inflammatory phytomedicine used to treat asthma. It contains, amongst other  components, Quercitrin, which is converted to Quercetin in the alimentary canal and is thought to be  responsible for its therapeutic potential. In this study, the BALB/c asthmatic mouse mode was used to  investigate the short and long term effects of Euphorbia hirta on asthma and weight change. Hydrocortisone  was used as positive control. Data showed that animals in both the short and long term control groups  experienced slow but steady progressive weight increments. Both immunization and nebulization had  positive weight gain effects on the animals but the effects were more pronounced following immunization  but were only minimal following nebulization. Prolonged treatment with hydrocortisone remarkably  reduced the cumulative weight gained following prior experimental procedures (immunization and  nebulization), followed by a slow and sustained increase in the rate of weight gain. On the other hand,  prolonged administration of the plant causes only a minimal reduction in weight gained due to induced  asthmatic conditions. It is concluded that E. hirta, besides reducing asthma symptoms similarly to that  of hydrocortisone (as seen with white blood cell counts), does not impact on weight gain as severely as  hydrocortisone.

Evaluating the Place of the Ekpe Traditional Institution as a Tool for Nation-Building in Pre-Colonial Cross River Region

The Cross River region is a vast socio-cultural mosaic which accommodates peoples of distinct ethnic, religious, social, economic and political inclinations. Its northern half is infact, the birth place of the Bantu group who are known to speak over 200 related languages. Amidst this plurality in culture, a traditional institution played a crucial role in the amalgamation of political structures which, if not for colonial intervention, could have engineered a nation out of these different socio-cultural groups; that traditional institution was the Ekpe institution. Literature on the proliferation and indeed imperium of Ekpe abounds. Yet, none explicitly explain the confederation which the Ekpe was at the process of engineering in the Cross River region before colonialism interrupted such progress. This work examines the unsung attempt by the Ekpe traditional institution to forge a confederation across the segmented peoples of the Cross River region. Utilizing primary and secondary evidences, it has been shown in the work that such efforts at nation-building were yielding results and would have maturated into a formidable central political unit but for colonial truncation. Keywords: Ekpe, Old Calabar, Nation-building, Ekpe confederacy, Cross River Region DOI: 10.7176/HRL/49-02 Publication date: August 31st 201

Cooperative Societies and Managerial Competence among Small-Scale Businesses in Odukpani, Cross River State, Nigeria

In this 21st century, Nigeria still faces the big challenge of improving the socio-economic condition of its rural population. Low income and poverty is a perennial problem in Nigeria’s rural communities. This could be attributed to poor or deficient use of the human, natural, environmental and agricultural resources which are available to the rural sector. Primarily, it is the duty of the rural community dwellers themselves to make the best use of these resources which are available to them. This study investigates how cooperative societies can be a tool or strategy for developing managerial competence among small-scale businesses in rural communities of Cross River State using Odukpani as a case study. One hypothesis is tested for the purpose of the study using Analysis of Variance. Ex-post Facto approach is adopted as research design for this study. Ex-post facto is systematic empirical enquiry in which the scientist does not have direct control of the independent variables because they are inherently not manipulable. Sample size for the purpose of this study was one hundred forty (140). Twenty persons were selected from each of the seven (7) Wards/Villages which had cooperative societies. The sampling technique used for this research was simple random sampling. In this study, the researcher used questionnaire for data collection. The findings of the study showed that membership of cooperative societies does significantly influence development of managerial competence for business among rural communities of Odukpani. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made

Nigerian Companies and the Prohibition on Political Donations: A Paradigmatic Shift as a Panacea for Compliance

Democratic rule is generally acclaimed as a better form of governance, but its operation does not appear to come cheap. This is especially so in Nigeria where new democratic dispensations are heralded by expensive electioneering campaigns. The funds for these campaigns are sourced from willing donors or through subtle coercion. Corporate organizations are easy prey to politicians. This paper is provoked by the frequency and blatancy with which corporate organizations in Nigeria donate to political parties and for political purposes without any sanctions despite the unambiguous prohibition in S.38 (2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). This exposes the inability of the provision to halt or reduce this practice to the barest minimum and also reveals the unpopularity of the provision. The paper argued that it is not possible to completely extricate organizations from the political dynamics in their host committees and proffered some mitigating factors which will make the provision more acceptable to the people and more respected. The paper discovered normative reasons why the prohibition in S.38 (2) of CAMA is largely ignored.It therefore recommended wide ranging amendments to the provisions so as to enhance compliance, improve its enforcement strategies, reflect present day realities and align it with International best practices

Challenges in setting up quality control in diagnostic radiology facilities in Nigeria

Background: The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established to regulate and control the use of radioactive and radiation emitting sources in Nigeria. Quality control (QC) on diagnostic radiology equipment form part of the fundamental requirements for the authorization of diagnostic radiology facilities in the Country.Method: Some quality control tests (output, exposure linearity and reproducibility) were measured on the x-ray machines in the facilities that took part in the study. Questionnaire was developed to evaluate the frequencies at which QC tests were conducted in the facilities and the challenges in setting up QC.Results: Results show great variation in the values of the QC parameters measured. Inadequate cooperation by facilities management, lack of QC equipment and insufficient staff form the major challenges in setting up QC in the facilities under study.The responses on the frequencies at which QC tests should be conducted did not correspond to the recommended standards; indicating that personnel were not familiar with QC implementation and may require further training on QC.Keywords: Quality control,challenges,exposure reproducibility,regulation,diagnostic radiolog

Impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning of biology in senior secondary schools in Yakurr LG A

This study was designed to determine the impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning of Biology by SS II students in Yakurr local government area of Cross River state. In order to effectively handle the study, four research questions were formulated to guide the study. The descriptive statistical method was employed so as to determine the impact of teacher’s effectiveness. Five (5) comparable secondary schools were selected to represent the population of the study. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage method to verify the research questions formulated for this study. The result of the findings revealed that there is a positive achievement in students taught by highly qualified biology teachers and those exposed to instructional materials during lessons. It was recommended that government make available to schools the basic instructional materials as this will enhance an effective teaching and learning process

A self-directed learning intervention for radiographers rating mammographic breast density

Purpose: Subjective methods of mammographic breast density (MBD) assessment are prone to inter-reader variability. This work aims to assess the impact of a short self-directed experiential learning intervention on radiographers’ reproducibility of MBD assessment. Method: The study used two sets of images (test and learning intervention) containing left craniocaudal and left mediolateral oblique views. The test set had MBD ratings from VolparaTM and radiologists using the fourth edition Breast Imaging and Data Systems (BI-RADS®). Seven radiographers rated the MBD of the test set before and after a self-directed learning intervention using the percentage descriptors in the fourth edition BI-RADS® Atlas. The inter-reader agreement, agreement between radiographers and VolparaTM as well as radiologist, was assessed using a Weighted Kappa (Kw). Results: Overall, radiographers’ inter-reader agreement (Kw) was substantial (0.79; 95%CI: 0.70–0.87) before the intervention and almost perfect (0.84; 95%CI: 0.77–0.90) after the intervention. Before the intervention, radiographers demonstrated fair agreement with radiologists (0.24; 95%CI:-0.46–0.61) and VolparaTM (0.24; 95% CI: -0.41–0.59). A fair but slightly improved agreement was also observed between radiographers and radiologists (0.31; 95% CI: -0.33 - 0.64) as well as VolparaTM (0.28; 95% CI: -0.34- 0.61) after the intervention. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that a short duration self-directed experiential learning intervention reduces inter-reader differences in MBD classification, but has a negligible impact on improving the agreement between inexperienced and expert readers

The Influence of family background on the academic achievement of students in basic science

This study is base on finding out the influence of family background on the academic achievement of student in Basic Science. A 2 items questionnaire was designed to obtain information from respondents. Student independent T-test was used to test the null hypotheses, from the result obtain there is no significant influence on the academic achievement of student by all the three variables such as polygamous/monogamous homes, birth order and literate and illiterate parent. It was recommended that parent should a good environment for their children

Dead or Dormant? Docile or Fractured? The Culture of Military Clampdown on Youth Demonstrations and its Repercussions on the 21ST Century Nigerian Youths

The history of military regimes in Nigeria is synonymous with the history of suppression, repression, extricable use of violence, impunity and blatant trampling on fundamental human rights. Exclusive of J. T. U. Ironsi’s short six months in office, every military dictator in Nigeria had propelled himself to the rein through dubious and anti-people means. It was therefore not fortuitous that these praetorian guards, possessing the powers of ‘life and death’, trampled on, subdued, and caged the ‘bloody civilians’ whose social contract they had successfully usurped. Being the most affected, Nigerian youths had in several scenarios, occasions and events staged protests, demonstrations and marches to register their discontentment and resentment towards the military dictatorships. The reactions from the military governments were always violent, brutal, dreadful and aptly horrific. Military regimes went extra miles to enforce authority, legitimacy and acceptability. Whether through killing, maiming, blackmailing, bribing or threats, the youths had to be forced or cajoled into submission. This work focuses on military clampdown on youth demonstrations during the military era. It argues that the various repressive regimes had nurtured a docile and sycophantic youths who either display lackadaisical attitude over issues bothering social contract or are ignorant and nonchalant about governance in the country. Secondary evidences are used in the analysis