Influence of macroeconomic factors on residential property returns in Abuja,Nigeria

An attempt was made in this study to bridge the existing gap in the knowledge of the influence exerted by macro-economic factors on residential property returns in Abuja. The backward and forward relationship between property market and the economy has influenced a rise and fall in future of property returns in Abuja market. The methodology employed primary data for returns and secondary data for macro-economic variables, time-series data for annual macroeconomic indices and total returns index spanning between 2001 and 2015. The populations of study consist of transactions of sales (429) and lettings (1213) during the stated period; the respective sample sizes of 286 and 436were quantitatively determined using Frankfort-Nachmias model. The result of Augmented Dicker Fuller (ADF) test showed that all the variables were stationary after first and second differencing order. Tue result of eagle granger cointegration test further suggests the existence of long run relationship between macroeconomic factors and residential property returns. The result of further cointegration regression suggests that between 18.2%-83.6% and 16.2%-79% variation in 3-Bedroom (3B/R) and 4-Bedroom (4B/R) property returns respectively across seven out of twelve residential markets were significantly influenced by macroeconomic indicators. Tue study concludes that positive economic policies aremeant to energize the property market, and vice versa. The study therefore recommends that policy-makers should painstakingly study the future implications of any macroeconomic policy as they could adversely affect property returns, and by extension, the contribution of real estate sector to national economic developmentKeywords: Cointegration regression analysis, macro-economic factors, property return

Effect of Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis L) Leaf Extract on Root-Knot Nematode of Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum L.)

A screen house experiment was conducted to test the efficacy of leaf extract of mahogany (Khaya senegalensis L) for the control of root-knot nematodes of tomato. The completely randomized design was used to test the materials. Results obtained showed that the leaf extracts of the mahogany plant significantly (P0.05) reduced the population of the nematodes compared to the untreated seedlings. It also indicated that there is significant difference (P0.05) on the effect of the extract on the test organism between the varying concentrations of the extract used. The study revealed that the higher the concentration of the extract the more its effect on the test organism. The result also showed a significant variation (P0.05) in the extent of galling, plant height and root lenght in tomato treated with different levels of concentrations of the leaves extracts. The implications of these findings were discussed

Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Growth of Helminthosporium fulvum

The effects of temperature and relative humidity on the growth of Helminthosporium fulvum were investigated. Various temperature regimes of 10oC, 15oC, 20oC, 25oC, 30oC, 35oC and 40¢ªC were used to determine the temperature effect on the growth of H. fulvum. Maximum growth of H. fulvum was obtained at 25¢ªC and 30¢ªC temperatures. The fungus was also cultured on 100, 92.5, 85, 74 and 32.5% relative humidity regimes. The fungus showed maximum growth at 92.5 and 100% relative humidity. The growth of the fungus was observed to increase with increase in relative humidity and vice versa. There were significant differences (P¡Â0.05) in the growth of the fungus at different temperature and relative humidity regimes. The implication of these findings were discusse

Prevalence and pattern of hyperuricemia in a survey among inhabitants of Sokoto metropolis, north western Nigeria

Objective. Hyperuricemia is increasingly being recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases. Studies have revealed links between urate, cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome with considerable ethnic and geographical variation. Although clinical features may develop in persons with hyperuricemia, more than 60% remain symptomatic. There are no definite criteria for therapeutic intervention in patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. The study attempts to determine the prevalence and pattern of hyperuricemia among inhabitants of Sokoto in a bid to identify associated factors and threshold for rational therapy.Methods. A cross sectional survey of 161 adults in which demographic indices including physical examination, anthropometric measurements were obtained with urine and blood samples taken for analysis. Statistical evaluation was done, using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL)Results. Hyperuricemia was documented in 20.5%, with male to female ratio of 2:1 and higher mean urate level in males. Urate level increased with age; ranging from 5.0mmol/L±1.8 among 20-29 years to 6.5mmol/L±1.6 in those aged 50-59 years. Systemic hypertension, type 2 DM, Obesity and kidney dysfunction were commoner among normouricemic than hyperuricemic subjects.Conclusions. Hyperuricemia is common, especially among male gender and advancing age. The association between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular events remains a contentious issue as prevalence of type 2 DM, obesity and kidney dysfunction were similar in hyperuricemic and normouricemic subjects. We could not determine threshold to commence treatment for elevated uric acid level. A larger population and multicentre research is required to prove a link between hyperuricemia and some components of metabolic syndrome.Keywords: Hyperuricemia, Prevalence, Pattern, Sokoto, Nigeri

Effects of dietary supplementation of conjugated linoleic acids and their inclusion in semen extenders on bovine sperm quality

Isomers of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) enhances circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. Furthermore, fertility rate of breeding bulls is positively correlated to seminal plasma IGF-I concentration. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of dietary CLA supplementa-tion and inclusion to the semen extender on bovine semen quality and freezability. Fourteen bulls, randomly assigned to control (CTL) and CLA (50 g/day) groups, were supplemented for 10 weeks. Samples were collected at Weeks −2 (before supplementation), 0, 4, 6 (during supplementation), 10, and 11 (after supplementation). Blood and seminal plasma were analyzed for IGF-I; the ejaculates were frozen in the following subgroups: CTL (no addition to semen extender), CLA c9, t11 (50 µM), CLA c9, t11 (100 µM), CLA t10, c12 (50 µM), CLA t10, c12 (100 µM), and CLA mix (50 µM each of CLA c9, t11 and CLA t10, c12). Sperm motility, morphology, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxidative species were assessed. CLA supplementation decreased ejaculates’ total volume, increased sperm concentration, beat cross frequency, and decreased oxidative stress; it also increased plasma and seminal plasma IGF-I levels compared to the CTL. The inclusion of CLA c9, t11 100 µ M and CLA mixture in the extender increased live spermatozoa percentage post-thawing compared to other groups. Our results show a beneficial effect of CLA supplementation on semen quality; however, further studies evaluating fertilization rates are necessary to corroborate the results

Identification of regeneration-associated genes after central and peripheral nerve injury in the adult rat

BACKGROUND: It is well known that neurons of the peripheral nervous system have the capacity to regenerate a severed axon leading to functional recovery, whereas neurons of the central nervous system do not regenerate successfully after injury. The underlying molecular programs initiated by axotomized peripheral and central nervous system neurons are not yet fully understood. RESULTS: To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of regeneration in the nervous system, differential display polymerase chain reaction has been used to identify differentially expressed genes following axotomy of peripheral and central nerve fibers. For this purpose, axotomy induced changes of regenerating facial nucleus neurons, and non-regenerating red nucleus and Clarke's nucleus neurons have been analyzed in an intra-animal side-to-side comparison. One hundred and thirty five gene fragments have been isolated, of which 69 correspond to known genes encoding for a number of different functional classes of proteins such as transcription factors, signaling molecules, homeobox-genes, receptors and proteins involved in metabolism. Sixty gene fragments correspond to genomic mouse sequences without known function. In situ-hybridization has been used to confirm differential expression and to analyze the cellular localization of these gene fragments. Twenty one genes (~15%) have been demonstrated to be differentially expressed. CONCLUSIONS: The detailed analysis of differentially expressed genes in different lesion paradigms provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of regeneration and may lead to the identification of genes which play key roles in functional repair of central nervous tissues

Cerebrospinal fluid neurogranin in an inducible mouse model of neurodegeneration: A translatable marker of synaptic degeneration

Synapse impairment is thought to be an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD); dysfunction and loss of synapses are linked to cognitive symptoms that precede neuronal loss and neurodegeneration. Neurogranin (Ng) is a somatodendritic protein that has been shown to be reduced in brain tissue but increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients compared to age-matched controls. High levels of CSF Ng have been shown to reflect a more rapid AD progression. To gauge the translational value of Ng as a biomarker, we developed a new, highly sensitive, digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) on the Simoa platform to measure Ng in both mouse and human CSF. We investigated and confirmed that Ng levels are increased in the CSF of patients with AD compared to controls. In addition, we explored how Ng is altered in the brain and CSF of transgenic mice that display progressive neuronal loss and synaptic degeneration following the induction of p25 overexpression. In this model, we found that Ng levels increased in CSF when neurodegeneration was induced, peaking after 2 weeks, while they decreased in brain. Our data suggest that CSF Ng is a biomarker of synaptic degeneration with translational value

Evaluation of the environmental noise levels in Abuja Municipality using mobile phones

Background: Noise remains a nuisance which impacts negatively on the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of man. It aggravates chronic illnesses like hypertension and other cardiopulmonary diseases. Unfortunately, increased activities from industrialization and technological transfers/drifts have tumultuously led to increased noise pollution in most of our fast growing cities today and hence the need for concerted efforts in monitoring and regulating our environmental noise.Objectives: To assess the equivalent noise level (Leq) in Abuja municipality and promote a simple method for regular assessment of Leq within our environment.Methods: This is a cross-sectional community based study of the environmental Leq of Abuja municipality conducted between January 2014 and January 2016. The city was divided into 12 segments including residential, business and market areas via the Abuja Geographic Information System. The major markets were captured separately on a different scale. Measurements were taken with the mobile phone softwares having validated this withExtech 407730 digital sound level meter, serial no Z310135 . Leq(A) were measured at different points and hours of the day and night. The average Leq(A) were classified according to localities and compared with WHO standard safety levels.Results: LeqD ranged 71-92dB(A); 42-79dB(A) and 69-90dB(A) in business/ parks, residential and market places respectively. The Night measurements were similar 18dB(A)-56dB(A) and the day-night Leq(A)=77.2dB(A) and 90.4dB(A) for residential and business zones.Conclusion: The night noise levels are satisfactory but the day and daynight levels are above the recommended tolerable values by WHO and therefore urgently call for awareness and legislative regulations