The roles of some antecedents of broadband user behavioural intention among students in the rural areas through PLS-SEM

The insufficient broadband enabled-services in the rural areas have been identified among the reasons that prolong the behaviour of rural dwellers on the use of low-band internet while government agencies have started initiations to increase the use of broadband in the rural area.However, previous studies have failed to identify the roles played by antecedents of broadband user behavioural intention in the rural communities. Thus, this research investigates roles of some antecedents of broadband user behavioural intention in the rural areas by adapting UTAUT model.A quantitative research approach was employed by engaging 1,730 participants from 40 villages who are secondary school students that are living in rural areas of northern region of Malaysia.The result reveals that performance expectancy, effort expectancy and compatibility have large effect on broadband user behavioural intention in the rural areas, while social influence recorded medium effect.This implies that all the identified factors may help in determining the behavioural intention of users of broadband in the rural areas

Isolation and serotyping of foot-and-mouth disease virus in cattle collected from north central, Nigeria

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a disease of socio-economic importance which affects cattle, swine, Sheep, goats, and more than 70 wildlife species causing loss of production and with high mortalities in the young animals.The aim of this study was to isolate and serotype foot-and mouth disease (FMD) viruses collected innorth central Nigeria, using the goat tongue cell line (ZZ-R 127). ZZ-R 127 cell line was used for the virus isolation and antigen Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for FMDV serotypes O, A, SAT 1 & SAT 2 was used for the serotyping of the viruses. The ZZ-R 127 continuous cell line yielded rapid results with cytopathic effect (CPE) within 24 hours post inoculation. FMD viruses were isolated from twenty samples (n=20) out of the twenty two (n=22) collected. Antigen capture ELISA (Ag-ELISA) revealed thirteen (n=13) strains of serotype O, three (n=3) strains of serotype A, and four (n=4) strains of serotype SAT 2 with no virus detected in two samples.Therefore, the use of ZZ-R 127 continuous cell line yielded rapid results within 24 hours of post inoculation compared to BHK-21 that may not give result at first passages. The ZZ-R 27 cell line is relatively easy to handle, maintain and cheaper for FMDV diagnosis in endemic countries like Nigeria, compared to bovine thyroid gland (BYT).This study has confirmed the suitability of ZZ-R 127 in the primary isolation of viruses from clinical specimens with less turnaround time to generate results. Therefore, for rapid sensitive and specific laboratory assays, the use of ZZ-R 127 and Ag-ELISA for FMD diagnosis in endemic countries is strongly recommended.Keywords: Isolation, Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus, field samples, cytopathic effect, Nigeri

Antinociceptive and anti-arthritic properties of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth (Rutaceae) in Rodents: possible mechanism of actions

Summary: The leaves of Clausena anisata (Willd.) Hook. f. ex Benth (Rutaceae) is used in Traditional African medicine for the treatment of various ailments including arthritis. The present study sought to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-arthritic properties of hydroethanolic leaf extract of Clausena anisata (HeCA). HeCA (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 1 h before intraplantar injection of formalin 1%v/v in saline to evaluate antinociceptive effect. Moreover, its possible mechanism of antinociceptive action was investigated through pretreatment of mice with antagonists of receptors implicated in nociception. Anti¬inflammatory effect of the extract was investigated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis models in rats. HeCA (400 mg/kg) treatment significantly reduced the duration of paw licking/biting during both in the early (42.12%) and late (75.79%) phases of formalin-induced nociception. However, the antinociceptive effect elicited by HeCA was reverse by pretreatment of mice with naloxone, prazosin, yohimbine, ketanserin, L-arginine, and parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA). HeCA produced dose-dependent and time course decrease in carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Pre- and post-treatment of rats with HeCA ameliorated CFA-induced arthritis evidenced in the significant decrease in arthritic index comparatively similar to the effect of celecoxib. CFA- induced oxidative and nitrosative stress were attenuated by subchronic treatment with HeCA. Findings from this study shows that C. anisata possesses antinociceptive activity through possible interaction with opioidergic, noradrenergic, L-arginine-nitric oxide and serotonergic pathways as well as anti-arthritic property which could be attributed to its ability to prevent the release of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress.Keywords: Complete Freund's adjuvant; L-arginine-nitric oxide; nociception; antioxidant; rheumatoid arthritis; serotonergic

Impact Of Marketing Strategies And Performance Of Banks And Its Ffects On Nigeria Economy

The banking industry has been facing a lot of challenges in recent times in Nigeria. These include competition among them and non banking financial institutions such as insurance Companies. Therefore this research, impact of marketing strategies and performance of banks and its effects on Nigeria economy is aimed tonbsp identify the various types of the marketing mix components employed by thenbsp banks . to examine the effect of the marketing strategies on the performance of the banks. Andnbsp to determine if the marketing strategies employed by the Banks differ significantly from one another. Questionnaire was administered on two population which arenbsp Management andnbsp staff of thenbsp banks and customers of thenbsp banks. 250 questionnaire was administered tonbsp Management andnbsp staff of thenbsp banks,nbsp and also 250 was administered to customers of the bank in Nigeria. Result of the analysis revealed four factors which were distribution network, quality of service, promotion and price with the percentage contribution of each factor being 51.9%, 73.6%, 31.2% and 38.5% respectively. Multiple regression analysis shows that R2 = 0.563 which indicated that the four factor accounted for 56% variability in the performance ofnbsp marketing strategies employed by the banks. The result of the analysis of variance indicated that the mean ratings for thenbsp banks were not significantly different at 0.05level. We thereby conclude that banks should focus its innovative efforts on enlarging the size of the market in which it participates by introducing new products and services, promoting new uses for existing products and seeking out new class of customers

Microstructural Observations on Nissl Substances in the Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Wistar Rats following Quinine Administration

Purpose: This study assessed some microstructural effects of quinine, commonly used in malaria chemotherapy, especially in chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria, on the Nissl substance in the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats using microanatomical studies.Methods: Twenty seven adult male Wistar rats, weighing between 150g and 190g, were randomly separated into groups A, B and C (n=9). The rats in group A served as the control and received intramuscular injection of physiological saline. Group B rats were injected intramuscularly with liquid quinine, 16mg/kg body weight as a start dose, followed by 8mg/kgbody weight 8 hourly for seven days. Group C rats received the same treatment as group B but were subjected to a withdrawal period of one week. Groups A and B rats were sacrificed at the end of the treatment while group C rats were sacrificed at the end of one week. The cerebellum of each rat was removed and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. Results: The findings showed that the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex in control rats stained more intensely and distinctly compared with the less intense stain and degenerated Nissl substances in the treated rats. Conclusion: The observed degenerative changes in the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex of the treated rats may affect the synthesis of proteins in correlation with neuronal functions

Suitability Assessment of Soils around Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan for Maize Production: A Parametric Analyses

The sustainable use of soil resources requires extensive knowledge about its morphology and other properties. The study was carried out to evaluate the suitability of soils for maize production in Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria’s (FRIN), environment, Ibadan, using the parametric method. Four profile pits were dug, described and the soil samples collected and analyzed for particle size distribution, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable bases and extractable micro nutrients. The textures of the soils were loamy sand, sandy loam and sandy clay loam which varied in response to changes in slope and drainage position. The soil’s pH ranged from strong to slightly acidity (4.32 – 6.75). Organic matter (17.2 -61.2g kg-1), total exchangeable base and total nitrogen (0.7 – 3.1g kg-1) were high, while the extractable micro nutrients; Fe (37 – 67mg kg-1), Cu (7 – 13mg kg-1), Mn (5 – 142mg kg-1) and Zn (38 -134mg kg-1) were at toxic level. Suitability evaluation of the soil using parametric approach shows that the soils are presently not suitable (NS) for the cultivation of maize, while, the potential of suitability of the soil for maize cultivation was ranked marginally suitable (S3). The soils of the study area were classified as Egbeda association which is not currently suitable for maize production, because of its present status. However, the soils suitability potential can be improved through conservative agronomic practices and also to prevent rapid degradation

Asymptomatic Malaria Infection and the Immune Response to the 2-Dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola Vaccine Regimen in Adults and Children.

BACKGROUND: Malaria infection affects the immune response to some vaccines. As Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreaks have occurred mainly in malaria-endemic countries, we have assessed whether asymptomatic malaria affects immune responses to the 2-dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen. METHODS: In this sub-study of the EBOVAC-Salone Ebola vaccine trial in Sierra Leone, malaria microscopy was performed at the time of Ebola vaccination. Participants with symptomatic malaria were treated before vaccination. Ebola vaccine responses were assessed post-dose 1 (day 57) and post-dose 2 (day 78) by the EBOV glycoprotein FANG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and responses expressed as geometric mean concentrations (GMCs). Geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of the GMCs in malaria-positive versus malaria-negative participants were derived with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 587 participants were studied, comprising 188 adults (≥18 years) and 399 children (in age groups of 12-17, 4-11, and 1-3 years). Asymptomatic malaria was observed in 47.5% of adults and 51.5% of children on day 1. Post-dose 1, GMCs were lower in 1-3-year-old malaria-positive compared with malaria-negative children (age group-specific GMR, .56; 95% CI, .39-.81) but not in older age groups. Post-dose 2, there was no consistent effect of malaria infection across the different age groups but there was a trend toward a lower response (GMR, .82; 95% CI, .67-1.02). CONCLUSIONS: The Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen is immunogenic in participants with asymptomatic malaria. Therefore, it is not necessary to screen for asymptomatic malaria infection prior to vaccination with this regimen

Neural and behavioural changes in male periadolescent mice after prolonged nicotine-MDMA treatment

The interaction between MDMA and Nicotine affects multiple brain centres and neurotransmitter systems (serotonin, dopamine and glutamate) involved in motor coordination and cognition. In this study, we have elucidated the effect of prolonged (10 days) MDMA, Nicotine and a combined Nicotine-MDMA treatment on motor-cognitive neural functions. In addition, we have shown the correlation between the observed behavioural change and neural structural changes induced by these treatments in BALB/c mice.We observed that MDMA (2 mg/Kg body weight; subcutaneous) induced a decline in motor function, while Nicotine (2 mg/Kg body weight; subcutaneous) improved motor function in male periadolescent mice. In combined treatment, Nicotine reduced the motor function decline observed in MDMA treatment, thus no significant change in motor function for the combined treatment versus the control. Nicotine or MDMA treatment reduced memory function and altered hippocampal structure. Similarly, a combined Nicotine-MDMA treatment reduced memory function when compared with the control. Ultimately, the metabolic and structural changes in these neural systems were seen to vary for the various forms of treatment. It is noteworthy to mention that a combined treatment increased the rate of lipid peroxidation in brain tissue

Deep analysis of neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitries using online databases and integrated bioinformatics shows their pan-cancer roles as prognostic predictors.

AIM: Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous childhood cancer derived from the neural crest. The dual cell identities of neuroblastoma include Mesenchymal (MES) and Adrenergic (ADRN). These identities are conferred by a small set of tightly-regulated transcription factors (TFs) binding super enhancers, collectively forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). The purpose of this study was to gain a deep understanding of the role of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma and other cancers as potential indicators of disease prognosis, progression, and relapse. METHODS: To that end, we first investigated the expression and mutational profile of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma. Moreover, we established their correlation with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival while establishing their extended networks with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, we analysed the pan-cancer expression and mutational profile of these TFs and their correlation with patient survival and finally their network connectivity, using a panel of bioinformatic tools including GEPIA2, human pathology atlas, TIMER2, Omicsnet, and Cytoscape. RESULTS: We show the association of multiple MES and ADRN TFs with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival and find significantly higher expression of various MES and ADRN TFs compared to normal tissues and their association with overall survival and disease-free survival in multiple cancers. Moreover, we report the strong correlation of the expression of these TFs with the infiltration of stromal and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment and with stemness and metastasis-related genes. Furthermore, we reveal extended pan-cancer networks comprising these TFs that influence the tumour microenvironment and metastasis and may be useful indicators of cancer prognosis and patient survival. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis shows the significance of MES and ADRN TFs as indicators of patient prognosis and the putative utility of these TFs as potential novel biomarkers