THE ROLE AND MECHANISM OF PARAHYDROXYBENZOIC ACID DERIVATIVES IN BOVINE TB PATHOGENESIS

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by Mycobacterium bovis imposes a significant financial burden on the global cattle industry. Although considerable effort is being spent developing vaccines for bTB disease prevention and control, a licensed vaccine for use in cattle has yet to emerge. Mycobacterial cell envelope antigens are known to interact with the host immune system and contribute to TB pathogenesis. Thus, a better understanding of the effects of M. bovis cell envelope antigens on the bovine immune system will aid the rational development of effective bTB vaccines. In this thesis, I first report a comparative analysis of the immune-stimulatory effects of various fractions of the M. bovis cell envelope on bovine dendritic cells (bDCs), which are key immune cells required for TB control by the host. I found that the cell surface sugar extract (CSSE) fraction is the least immune-stimulatory suggesting that this fraction might contain an immunosuppressive molecule. Given that CSSE fractions of the M. tuberculosis complex are enriched in phenolic glycans, including para-hydroxy benzoic acid derivatives (p-HBADs), which are known to have immunosuppressive properties, I then examined the immunomodulatory effects of p-HBAD-1, the major p-HBAD made by M. bovis on bDCs. I found that p-HBAD-1 has opposing effects in non-primed and IFN-γ primed bDCs in vitro. In non-primed bDCs, p-HBAD-1 induces a tolerogenic response, while a pro-inflammatory response is observed with IFN-γ primed bDCs. These findings suggest that M. bovis p-HBAD-1 is an immune-regulatory molecule that might have a dual function in bTB pathogenesis. Finally, I successfully prepared plasmid constructs required to disrupt the gene encoding a key enzyme involved in p-HBAD synthesis in M. bovis. These will be used in future efforts to generate an M. bovis mutant deficient in p-HBAD-1 for detailed studies in animal models of TB

Diversity Management and Ethnic Conflict in Organizations in Nigeria: A Study of Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

This work examined the issue of diversity management and ethnic conflict at Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. The purpose was to investigate if ethnic conflict exists in this university and how it is handled. The study adopted the Equity Theory. A sample size of 45 was drawn. The focus group, indebt interview and questionnaire were adopted in the selection of respondents. Four objectives and corresponding four research questions were raised in the study. Data that addressed the research questions were analyzed using descriptive method. The findings of the study include i. Presence of Ethnic Conflict, ii. It was also established that ethnic conflict reduces employee productivity and also affects workers moral. iii. it also leads to high labour turnover in the institution, iv. it leads to absenteeism and also affects workers’ psychology. Based on these findings the study made the following recommendations that i. Regular sensitization of Human Resource Management Personnel of public and private organizations on the need to ensure equal opportunities for all workers irrespective of their ethnic background. This will be better appreciated if the Human Resource Management team embraces the concept of diversity in work organizations and engaged managers related to this. ii. There should be an enactment of laws that will stipulate punishment or penalties for any organization or worker that discriminates via policies and practices or limit the rights of an individual because of ethnicity. iii. There should be a diversity department where issues of diversity will be handled. This department must and should be headed by diversity managers who have undergone training on diversity matters. iv. Any staff found of being guilty of discriminating against a colleague because of ethnic differences must be punished for that (Brown., Kozlowski and Hattrup, 1996)

Financial costs of disease burden, morbidity and mortality from priority livestock diseases in Nigeria: Disease burden and cost-benefit analysis of targeted interventions

Nigeria’s agriculture sector generates one-third of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs two-thirds of the workforce. Its recent growth dominates Nigerian non-oil economic growth. Small-scale, semi-commercial farms, settled agricultural households and transhumant pastoralists dominate production. Livestock is the second largest agricultural sub-sector and features 16.43 million cattle, 34.69 million sheep, 55.15 million goats, 7.18 million pigs and 183.16 million poultry. These provide nutrition and food security, and a range of services including draught power for cropping activities. Poor animal productivity is widely attributed to the occurrence and endemicity of certain animal diseases. These are often unreported, unconfirmed or poorly documented. The financial losses associated with such outbreaks and costs associated with the disease burden are also rarely documented. Efforts at control of such animal diseases have yielded poor returns due to ineffective or absent control programs, insufficient inputs (such as vaccines), poor vaccination coverage due to limited vaccine supplies and constraints in field mobility and support funds, illiteracy of farmers and poor management systems. In preparation for the World Bank’s Integrated Animal and Human Health Management project for Nigeria, estimates of the economic and financial implications of high disease burden, morbidity and mortality and the costs of implementing various interventions, for all or a combination of priority diseases were required. The Government of Nigeria invited ILRI to provide such estimates for priority diseases: NCD in rural poultry flocks; PPR in sheep and goats; CBPP in cattle; ASF in pigs; and trypanosomosis in ruminants and pigs. For these diseases, and across agroecological zones, the study’s objectives were to: • assess the direct and indirect financial burden of inaction; • estimate the costs of targeted interventions; • determine the additional benefits, additional costs and net benefits associated with interventions; • evaluate of the benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) of targeted interventions; and • make recommendations on the feasibility of the targeted interventions. The study featured epidemiology and economic components. Spreadsheet-based economic modelling was effectively combined with participatory epidemiological fieldwork and analysis, and both national and international specialists contributed. Both primary and secondary data were obtained, and stakeholder consultations and expert interviews were conducted. An extensive literature review was compiled

Variation in physico-chemical properties of seed of selected improved varieties of Cowpea as it relates to industrial utilization of the crop

Cowpea is an important food, cash and fodder crop in Sub-Saharan Africa and has potential of becoming an industrial crop. A trial was conducted to evaluate selected improved and popular varietiesof cowpea for physicochemical characteristics that can help to promote commercial production and industrial use. Variations in content were found among varieties for protein (21.3 - 26.9%), carbohydrate(63.37 - 69.56%), fat (1.2 to 1.80%), crude fibre (0.43 to 1.03%), and tannin (0.87 - 1.51 mg/g), also in water binding capacity (91.77 - 108.35%) and gelatinization temperature (79.13 - 84.83oC). High positive correlations (0.86) were observed between the content of fat and crude fibre, ash and protein (0.78), carbohydrate and viscosity of cowpea flour (0.76), and between ash and tannin (0.61) content of cowpea seed, negative correlations were observed between the content of crude protein and carbohydrate (-0.98), ash and fat (-0.78), crude protein and viscosity (-0.76) of cowpea flour, fat and water bindingcapacity of cowpea flour (-0.72) and carbohydrate and tannin (-0.54) in cowpea seed. Seed coat colour plays no significant role in the chemical content of the seed. The physicochemical properties evaluatedgenerally had high broad sense heritability (56 - 99%). Cowpea varieties (IT97K-1101-5 and IT89KD-288) with high protein content could be selected for formulating infant feeds, varieties with lowercarbohydrate, low fat and high crude fibre (IT90K-277-2) would be desirable in making meals for diabetic patients

Evaluation of Occurrence of Renal Dysfunction in Goats Using Some Biochemical Markers.

This cross-sectional study evaluated the demographical distribution and occurrence of kidney dysfunction in goats in Umuahia, Abia state, using known biochemical markers. A total of 145 goats presented for slaughter at the Ahiaeke abattoir were evaluated. Prior to slaughter, sex, age, breed and health status of the goats were determined. Blood was collected from the jugular vein at slaughter for haematology and serum biochemical analyses. Urine was collected from the bladder for urinalysis using test strips. Standard procedures were adapted for all the analyses performed. Results showed that 56.6 % of the goats were females, 89 % were adults, 92.4 % were Red Sokoto breed and 95.2 % were apparently healthy. Out of 145 goats sampled, 3 (2.1 %) were diagnosed with kidney dysfunction based on positive serum creatinine and urine protein levels, while 10 (6.9 %) had positive serum urea values. There was significant association (P and < 0.05) between the health status of goats and all the biochemical parameters measured to ascertain renal dysfunction. No such associations exist between sex, breed and the biochemical markers measured. We conclude that kidney dysfunction exists in Nigerian goats, and health status is a determinant of renal dysfunction. Keywords : renal biomarkers, health status, sex, breed, age, goa

Changes in alt, ast and alp values of plasma and serum samples stored at refrigerator (4 0c) and room temperature (32 0c) for up to five days

This study investigated the time-related changes in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values of serum and plasma samples stored at refrigerator (2 - 8oC, average of 40C) and room temperature (30-340C, average of 320C) for a period of 120 hours (5 days). Blood samples were obtained from a total of 20 patients that presented with cases of liver malfunction at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. The enzyme assays were carried out immediately upon sample collection and separation to obtain the baseline value (BV), and thereafter at specified time intervals across the 120 hours. Results showed that values not significantly different (p > 0.05) from the BV can be obtained from serum and plasma samples within the specified storage durations at the different temperatures as follows: For serum ALT, 40C – 48 hours, 320C – 16 hours; plasma ALT, 40C – 36 hours, 320C –10 hours; serum AST, 40C – 36 hours, 320C – 10hours; plasma AST, 40C – 36 hours, 320C – 8 hours; serum and plasma ALP, 40C – 30 hours, 32oC – 10 hours. All the enzymes were found to be more stable in refrigerated samples than in those kept at room temperature; also the enzymes were more stable in serum than in plasma for all the storage temperatures. It was concluded that in general, reliable values for serum and plasma ALT, AST and ALT (values not significantly different from the BV) can be obtained from refrigerated samples if analysed within 30 hours of blood collection and separation, while for samples kept at room temperatures (320C) analysis should be carried out within 8 hours. Beyond these time points (30 hours for refrigerated samples and 8 hours for samples kept at room temperature) values obtained for the serum and plasma enzymes studied were significantly different (

Evaluation of Rice Brands by Sensory Qualities

A purposively selected 20 member sensory panel was used to do sensory and cooking qualities assessment of locally processed rice brands and popularly imported rice brands consumed by most Nigerians. The local brands are ‘Enyi, Lobi, Eagle and Veetee; while the imported brands are ‘Tomato and Caprice. The results showed that Olam was significantly better and distinguishable from Abakaliki, Tomato and Caprice brands for colour (P<0.05); Olam was significantly better than Caprice for flavour (P<0.05); Olam was significantly better than Abakaliki and Caprice for sogginess (P<0.05); Olam was significantly preferred than Veetee for stickness (P<0.05); Olam was significantly better than the other brands for taste (P<0.05); Olam was significantly preferred to other brands for texture (P<0.05) and significantly better from Tomato for general acceptability (P<0.05). On assessment of rice grains, the results also showed that Enyi and Abakaliki had poor grain colour rating (P<0.05); the general  acceptability of Olam, Caprice and Veetee grain brands were significantly better than the other brands (P<0.05). Generally speaking, the results of the analyses showed that local brands of processed rice competed well with imported brands for sensory qualities.Key words: rice brands, sensory qualities, consumer preference, general acceptabilit

Chemical characteristics and health risk assessment of potential toxic elementsin atmospheric PM10 around Ashaka cement factory, Gombe, Nigeria

The study determined the ambient mass concentrations, chemical composition and health risks associated with PM10 around Ashaka cement factory, Gombe, Nigeria. The samples were collected for the period (2019-2020). A total of 60 PM10 samples were collected and analyzed for seventeen elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The data collected were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics. The health risk was analyzed for hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The average annual PM10 mass concentrations were found to be higher than the annual limit value for air quality standards (40 μgm-3). The HI estimated were >1 for children, while CR values of Cd, Ni, As and Cr for children and Cr for adults were higher than the acceptable value 10-6, indicating children are more probable to develop cancer than adults

Effects of Interest Rate Deregulation on Agricultural Financing in Nigeria from (1970 to 2014)

The study of effects of interest rate deregulation on agricultural financing in Nigeria 1970-2014 The study also specifically examined the trend in the rate of interest volume of credit to agricultural sector and agricultural GDP contribution under the period 1970-2014 The study employed descriptive trend statistics ordinary least square regression and correlation analysis to achieve its results Secondary data used for the study were computed from CBN Statistical bulletin 2014 The results show that interest rate has a strong influence in the volume of credit to the agricultural sector and it also has weak influence on the agricultural GDP contribution It was also observed that interest rate has been fluctuating under the period 1970-2014 that have resulted to low productivity and unemployment in agricultural sector but makes the financial institutions to be willing to disburse credit to the public The agricultural GDP contribution has a downward and upward trend during the period which is as a result of the neglect of the government based on the discovery of oil and lastly there was an upward trend in the volume of credit to the agricultural sector which means funds were sent to the sector by government but because of bureaucratic processes most farmers are unable to access i

Haematological profile of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Nsukka agro-ecological zone, Enugu state, Nigeria

This study evaluated the haematological profile of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica). Seventy five pigeons were acquired for the study from three locations (Ibagwa, Orba and Enugu-Ezike) where pigeons are raised in Nsukka agro-ecological zone, Enugu State, Nigeria, but after two weeks of acclimatization 64 of the pigeons (34 females and 30 males) that were considered apparently healthy were used for the study. One ml of blood was collected from each pigeon by jugular venipuncture for evaluation of the haematological parameters. The haematological characteristics of the pigeons were determined using standard methods. The overall mean values obtained for the haematological parameters were as follows: packed cell volume (PCV) – 44.54 ± 4.73%; haemoglobin concentration (Hb) – 12.89 ± 1.55 g/dl; red blood cell (RBC) count – 3.34 ± 0.38 (106/ul); mean corpuscular volume (MCV) – 133.86 ± 19.37 fl; mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) – 38.67 ± 5.34 pg; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) – 28.97 ± 2.59 g/dl; leukocyte counts (103/ul): total leukocyte – 23.36 ± 7.06; lymphocyte – 10.66 ± 3.49, heterophil – 7.80 ± 2.89, monocyte count – 2.32 ± 0.93, eosinophil count – 2.25 ± 0.89, and basophil – 0.24 ± 0.30. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the males and females in all the haematological parameters evaluated and the body weights. There were however significant variations (p<0.05) in the PCV, absolute heterophil, monocyte and basophil counts, percentage lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts of the pigeons from the three locations.Keywords: Domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica, Haematolog