Principal Components Analysis of Local Government Revenue in Nigeria: 1993 – 2014

A considerable number of empirical studies have examined the determinants of local government revenues in Nigeria using different approaches and models. Some of these are cross-sectional studies, time series studies or panel studies. However, despite the number and the variety of studies, the evidence on the determinants of local government revenues in Nigeria has not been comprehensively examined. Amazingly perhaps, few studies have been done which depicts the determinants of local government revenue in Nigeria. There is a gap in the literature because there is no study up till now to have comprehensively modeled all the determinants of local government revenue in Nigeria. This study uses a functional coefficient regression technique to estimate time-varying betas and alpha in the local government revenue model. Functional coefficient representation relaxes the strict assumptions regarding the structure of betas and alpha by combining the predictors into an index. The empirical data were collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria 2014 Statistical Bulletin covering a period of twenty-two years (1993-2014). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that federation account, state allocation, value added tax and internally generated revenue are positively and significantly correlated with local government revenue. Similarly, grants, sure-p, nonoil excess revenue and excess crude account are positively and significantly correlated to local government revenue. The study contributes to the determinants of local government revenue literature with a better understanding of the structure of local government revenue that will provide valuable knowledge to elected and appointed government officials, public policy makers, local, state, and federal government officials to refine current formula for sharing revenue and subsequently improve their revenue performance, which is exactly what local governments in Nigeria need now. However, the study is limited by including only twenty-two years in the selection of time series data in Nigeria, making this a possibly biased selection and it may not be adequate to generalize the results for the entire local government system. Keywords: Federation account, internally generated revenue, local government revenue, Nigeria. SURE-P, VA

Porphyromonas gingivalis–dendritic cell interactions: consequences for coronary artery disease

An estimated 80 million US adults have one or more types of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is the single most important contributor to cardiovascular diseases; however, only 50% of atherosclerosis patients have currently identified risk factors. Chronic periodontitis, a common inflammatory disease, is linked to an increased cardiovascular risk. Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells that infiltrate arterial walls and may destabilize atherosclerotic plaques in cardiovascular disease. While the source of these DCs in atherosclerotic plaques is presently unclear, we propose that dermal DCs from peripheral inflamed sites such as CP tissues are a potential source. This review will examine the role of the opportunistic oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in invading DCs and stimulating their mobilization and misdirection through the bloodstream. Based on our published observations, combined with some new data, as well as a focused review of the literature we will propose a model for how P. gingivalis may exploit DCs to gain access to systemic circulation and contribute to coronary artery disease. Our published evidence supports a significant role for P. gingivalis in subverting normal DC function, promoting a semimature, highly migratory, and immunosuppressive DC phenotype that contributes to the inflammatory development of atherosclerosis and, eventually, plaque rupture

Cardiovascular disease and the role of oral bacteria

In terms of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) the focus has traditionally been on dyslipidemia. Over the decades our understanding of the pathogenesis of CVD has increased, and infections, including those caused by oral bacteria, are more likely involved in CVD progression than previously thought. While many studies have now shown an association between periodontal disease and CVD, the mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain unclear. This review gives a brief overview of the host-bacterial interactions in periodontal disease and virulence factors of oral bacteria before discussing the proposed mechanisms by which oral bacterial may facilitate the progression of CVD

Periodontal treatment effects on endothelial function and cardiovascular disease biomarkers in subjects with chronic periodontitis: protocol for a randomized clinical trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Periodontal disease (PD) is an infectious clinical entity characterized by the destruction of supporting tissues of the teeth as the result of a chronic inflammatory response in a susceptible host. It has been proposed that PD as subclinical infection may contribute to the etiology and to the pathogenesis of several systemic diseases including Atherosclerosis. A number of epidemiological studies link periodontal disease/edentulism as independent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Moreover, new randomized controlled clinical trials have shown an improvement on cardiovascular surrogate markers (endothelial function, sICAM, hsPCR level, fibrinogen) after periodontal treatment. Nonetheless, such trials are still limited in terms of external validity, periodontal treatment strategies, CONSORT-based design and results consistency/extrapolation. The current study is designed to evaluate if periodontal treatment with scaling and root planning plus local delivered chlorhexidine improves endothelial function and other biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in subjects with moderate to severe periodontitis.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This randomized, single-blind clinical trial will be performed at two health centers and will include two periodontal treatment strategies. After medical/periodontal screening, a baseline endothelium-dependent brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and other systemic surrogate markers will be obtained from all recruited subjects. Patients then will be randomized to receive either supragingival/subgingival plaque cleaning and calculus removal plus chlorhexidine (treatment group) or supragingival plaque removal only (control group). A second and third FMD will be obtained after 24 hours and 12 weeks in both treatment arms. Each group will consist of 49 patients (n = 98) and all patients will be followed-up for secondary outcomes and will be monitored through a coordinating center. The primary outcomes are FMD differences baseline, 24 hours and 3 months after treatment. The secondary outcomes are differences in C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glucose serum levels, blood lipid profile, and HOMA index.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This RCT is expected to provide more evidence on the effects of different periodontal treatment modalities on FMD values, as well as to correlate such findings with different surrogate markers of systemic inflammation with cardiovascular effects.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00681564">NCT00681564</a>.</p