Nigeria can learn from China’s rural reform policies

LSE’s Zainab Haruna argues that a more holistic view of sustainable rural transformation is required for Nigeria

Predictive identification and design of potent inhibitors targeting resistance-inducing candidate genes from E. coli whole-genome sequences

Introduction: This work utilizes predictive modeling in drug discovery to unravel potential candidate genes from Escherichia coli that are implicated in antimicrobial resistance; we subsequently target the gidB, MacB, and KatG genes with some compounds from plants with reported antibacterial potentials.Method: The resistance genes and plasmids were identified from 10 whole-genome sequence datasets of E. coli; forty two plant compounds were selected, and their 3D structures were retrieved and optimized for docking. The 3D crystal structures of KatG, MacB, and gidB were retrieved and prepared for molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and ADMET profiling.Result: Hesperidin showed the least binding energy (kcal/mol) against KatG (−9.3), MacB (−10.7), and gidB (−6.7); additionally, good pharmacokinetic profiles and structure–dynamics integrity with their respective protein complexes were observed.Conclusion: Although these findings suggest hesperidin as a potential inhibitor against MacB, gidB, and KatG in E. coli, further validations through in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed. This research is expected to provide an alternative avenue for addressing existing antimicrobial resistances associated with E. coli’s MacB, gidB, and KatG

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

More Than Being Housewives : Images and Roles of Women in Folk Music and ItsPerformance in Northern Nigeria

Many women in northern Nigeria have been treated as second class citizens, and some are still treated that way. They are expected to focus more on their traditional role as housewives and mothers than on being political leaders, religious leaders and civil servants. Yet, both Muslim and Christian women in northern Nigeria are increasingly employing effective strategies that could help them to resist those restrictions and prove to their male counterparts that they can contribute to the educational, social and economic development of Nigeria if given the opportunity. An effective medium through which women of northern Nigeria sell their capabilities and potentialities is their music and musical performances. Perhaps it is safe to say that women’s involvement in politics and public services has been strengthened partially through their “rebellious” musical actions. This article describes and examines the images and roles of women as depicted in women’s folk music and folk music performances in northern Nigeria.Beaucoup de femmes du Nord nigérien ont été traitées comme des citoyennes de seconde classe et plusieurs le sont encore aujourd’hui. On s’attend plus à ce qu’elles se concentrent sur leur rôle traditionnel de femmes au foyer et de mères qu’à les voir devenir leaders politiques, leaders religieux ou même fonctionnaires. Cependant, tant les femmes musulmanes que chrétiennes du Nord nigérien s’emploient de plus en plus à développer des stratégies efficaces pour résister à ces restrictions et pour prouver à leurs contre-parties masculines qu’elles sont à même de contribuer au développement économique, éducatif et social du Nigéria si on leur en donne l’occasion. Un des espaces dans lequel les femmes du Nord nigérien font connaître leurs capacités et leurs potentialités est celui de leur musique et de leurs performances musicales. Peut-être est-il prudent de dire que la participation des femmes en politique et dans les services publics a été renforcée partiellement par leurs pratiques musicales « rebelles ». Cet article décrit et examine l’image et le rôle des femmes comme ils sont représentés dans la musique populaire féminine et dans les performances de musique populaire du Nord nigérien

Bura folksongs : an analysis of their types, occasions, themes, techniques and functions

This study attempts to analyze the types, occasions, themes and techniques of Bura folksongs. To provide a better understanding of the dimensions of Bura folksongs, the study describes Bura culture including its historical origins, the current location of the Bura people, their language, political systems and institutions, religions, sociocultural values and occupations. -- Analysis of Bura folksongs shows that there are various types of songs that are sung by Bura singers. These include songs of abuse, satirical songs, songs of protest, funeral songs and wedding songs. Others are love songs, work songs, religious songs, political songs and children's game songs. -- The analysis of the occasions for performing Bura folksongs reveals that there are many social and cultural frameworks in which songs are sung. Most Bura songs are created for and sung on particular occasions including naming ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies, festivals, religious activities, political rallies and campaigns, work and games. The occasions could be formal. This means that they are well planned and organized social events such as naming ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and annual festivals. Or the occasions could be informal, that is, neither planned nor organized, and might include such activities as doing solitary work, putting a child to sleep or drinking beer at a pub. -- The themes of Bura folksongs are all-encompassing. The songs express Bura people's sociocultural values, religious beliefs and experiences. Some songs abuse or satirize individuals or groups of people. Others treat subjects such as love, marriage, death, kinship, religion or politics. -- Various techniques are employed by Bura songmakers to compose and perform their songs. The technical features include oral composition of the songs using formulaic words and phrases, oral performance, face-to-face performer and audience interaction and audience participation. Other technical devices are the accompaniment of singing with instrumental music, ululating, dancing, dramatization and work. In addition there are technical features such as figures of sound and figures of speech. Specific application of these technical elements make Bura folksongs unique, but in many ways they provide suitable comparison with songs of other societies of the world. -- Transcribing and translating texts of Bura folksongs strip them of some of these technical features associated with live performance, especially the sounds of music, the audience, the dance, the drama and the musical instruments. Thus, one can say that Bura folksongs are more intended for a listening audience than for a reading audience. -- Another area which the study examines is the function of Bura folksongs. Folk music is an all-pervading and interdependent aspect of Bura culture. Assessment of the entire Bura song corpus reveals that songs are performed for various purposes. The obvious and recurrent functions of Bura songs include serving as a medium through which individuals or groups can express otherwise suppressed feelings and views. Bura songs also mirror Bura culture, beliefs and values. They provide entertainment to the performers and the listeners. Bura musicians enjoy financial and material gains from their performances although they are not substantial. -- The study reveals that the application of various theoretical perspectives of Bura songs is invaluable. The study also shows the need to apply multi-disciplinary approaches such as anthropology, sociology, history, religion and literature in the study of Bura folksongs. Even with this study, Bura folk music is still understudied. It is therefore important that more ethnographic studies in Bura folk music be carried out by insiders and by outsiders too

Availability, challenges and use of print and electronic resources by students of Auchi Polytechnic in the information age

This study ascertained theavailabilities, challenges and use of print and electronic resources by students of Auchi polytechnic in the information age. The study employed a descriptive survey method and questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The population of the study consisted of a focus group made up of total number of six hundred (600) students of Auchi Polytechnic that usedthe library during the period of the study. It was revealed from the study that a majority of the students used the library during examination period. Print resources such as textbooks, past question papers, newspapers and past projects are the most highly used materials in the library by students. A majority of the students preferred electronic information format to print format. However, lack of functional e-library section, the polytechnic library is not automated, erratic power supply, poor network/ Bandwidth problem, e-resources too expensive and Information overload/explosion were given as the problems militating against the use of e-resources by majority of the students. The study concluded that, in spite of the students’ preference for e-resources, it is very expedient to note here that Auchi polytechniclibrary is yet to fully keyed into this new revolution as evidenced by the findings of this study. The study recommended that, the polytechnic management and the library administrators should embark on massive restructuring, revamping and reorganization of the e-library section of the polytechnic to 21st century standard to enable students have undeniable access to electronic materials that are freely available online.Keywords: Availability, challenges, print resources, electronic resources, information age, students, polytechnic librarie

Examining the Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standard on Nigeria Manufacturing Industries: An Issue for Quality Financial Reporting

<p>Pressures brought on by the globalisation of accounting standards prompted modifications to reporting systems all across the globe. It was noted that the application of the IFRS standard hasn't stopped inflated earnings and has no relationship to corporate performance. But given the results of other studies, it's challenging to say whether the execution of IFRS has occasioned in high-quality financial reports in the manufacturing sectors. The implementation of IFRS and the calibre of financial disclosure in Nigeria's industrial sector are the subjects of this study. Both primary and secondary data were employed in the investigation. The sampling cited manufacturing industries' internal and external auditors and accountants provided the source data. The secondary data was gathered from the annual reports of three (3) chosen manufacturing companies listed between 2006 and 2017 on the Nigerian stock exchange. The statistical connection between IFRS implementation and the calibre of financial disclosure in the Nigerian manufacturing sector was assessed using a multiple regression approach. The performance of manufacturing companies under the Nigerian GAAP and IFRS was measured using paired sample T-test. The results discovered that IFRS execution has a substantial positive link with quality of financial reporting in Nigeria manufacturing industry. The paper concluded and recommended that institutional and legal system should be considered in order to guarantee enhancement in transparency and comparability in financial report.</p&gt