Implications of Development Bank Finance on the Growth and Development of Msmes in Nigeria (2010-2017)

Developing a sustainable source of finance for MSMEs has remained a perennial problem as a result of their poor accounting systems and lack of, or low-valued collaterals. This study examined the impact of development bank finance on the growth and development of MSMEs in Nigeria from 2010 – 2017 with specific objectives of determining whether MSMEs have poor accounting systems, the extent to which SMEs financing depend on sound accounting practices and whether MSMEs funding depend on collateral using the survey research design method

Assessing biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes(L. monocytogenes) is a serious food-borne pathogen for immunocompromised individuals. L. monocytogenes is capable of producing biofilm on the surface of food processing lines and instruments. The biofilm transfers contamination to food products and impose risk to public health. Transfers contamination to food products, and impose risk hazard to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate biofilm producing ability of L. monocytogenes isolates. Microtitre assay was used to measure the amount of biofilm production by ten L. monocytogenes isolates from minced chicken / meat, sausages and burgers. Results showed that all 10 L. monocytogenes isolates were able to form biofilm after 24 h at 20 ̊C on polystyrene surface (the common surface in food industries). Some strains were capable of forming biofilm more than the others. All strains showed a slight raise in the quantities of attached cells over 48 and 72 h. L. monocytogenes strains isolated from minced chicken, minced meat and burgers were better biofilm-producers comparing to the strains isolated from sausages

The Role of Some Inflammatory Markers (IL-6 and CRP) in the Pathogenesis of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Iraqi CCU for Heart Diseases

In this work an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique has been used for detection of some inflammatory markers in serum of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)-Patients Admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) of Iraqi Centre For Heart Diseases and Ibn AlNafees Teaching Hospital. The present method includes quantitative measurement of interleukine-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as their increase during symptoms may be responsible for identifying the mechanism of myocardial damag, in addition to their best performance than other quantitative tests perhaps due to their association with atherosclerotic process that belongs to the endothelial dysfunction. Aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and correlation of IL-6 with CRP in ACS- patients presented with unstable angina/ non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI) symptoms to be as new diagnostic parameters in Iraqi CCU. Seventy (70) ACS- patients with mean age (58.55 year ±  9.98), from Jun.2009 to Feb. 2010 with diagnosis of UA/NSTEMI were included in this study. Proper history, physical examination, electrocardiograph (ECG), and Echocardiography (ECHO) were performed for all patients in addition to the routine laboratory works including fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, assay of transaminases activity (Aspartate and Alanine transaminase),and biomarkers analysis as cardiac troponin I and T, creatine kinase (CK and CK-MB) and myoglobin. Blood sample was collected from all patients for quantitative assay of IL-6 and CRP. All patients underwent diagnostic coronary angiography, were 66 of them with abnormal coronary outcome and four patients have normal coronary arteries, study include 39- male and 31 female. Seventeen of 67 patients (25.4%) had elevated serum level of IL-6 and fifty four of 62 patients (87.1%) had elevated serum level of CRP. Statistically found strong and significant (SS) correlation between IL-6 and CRP (assessed by Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, P<0.01). The significant proportion of UA/NSTEMI patients that had elevated serum levels of IL-6 and/or CRP, in addition to the strong correlation with coronary angiographic findings make these inflammatory markers to be considered  as risk stratification factors and good predictors for coronary artery disease independent of other traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Key words: ACS. IL-6. CRP

Tyrphostin AG 1024 modulates radiosensitivity in human breast cancer cells

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important growth-promoting effect by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, inhibiting apoptotic pathways and mediating mitogenic actions. Tyrphostin AG 1024, one selective inhibitor of IGF-1R, was used to evaluate effects on proliferation, radiosensitivity, and radiation-induced cell apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Exposure to Tyrphostin AG 1024 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner, and the degree of growth inhibition for IC20 plus irradiation (4 Gy) was up to 50% compared to the control. Examination of Tyrphostin AG 1024 effects on radiation response demonstrated a marked enhancement in radiosensitivity and amplification of radiation-induced apoptosis. Western blot analysis indicated that Tyrphostin AG 1024-induced apoptosis was associated with a downregulation of expression of phospho-Akt1, increased expression of Bax, p53 and p21, and a decreased expression of bcl-2 expression, especially when combined with irradiation. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that an IGF-1 inhibitor was able to markedly increase the response of tumour cells to ionizing radiation. These results suggest that Tyrphostin AG 1024 could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in combination with irradiation.   http://www.bjcancer.com © 2001 Cancer Research Campaig

Assessing biofilm formation by Listeria monocytogenes

Abstract Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a serious food-borne pathogen for immunocompromised individuals. L. monocytogenes is capable of producing biofilm on the surface of food processing lines and instruments. The biofilm transfers contamination to food products and impose risk to public health. Transfers contamination to food products, and impose risk hazard to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate biofilm producing ability of L. monocytogenes isolates. Microtitre assay was used to measure the amount of biofilm production by ten L. monocytogenes isolates from minced chicken / meat, sausages and burgers. Results showed that all 10 L. monocytogenes isolates were able to form biofilm after 24 h at 20˚C on polystyrene surface (the common surface in food industries). Some strains were capable of forming biofilm more than the others. All strains showed a slight raise in the quantities of attached cells over 48 and 72 h. L. monocytogenes strains isolated from minced chicken, minced meat and burgers were better biofilm-producers comparing to the strains isolated from sausages

Primary umbilical endometriosis: Radical excision (omphalectomy) and laparoscopic management of associated pelvic endometriosis in a low resource tertiary hospital

Primary umbilical endometriosis (PUE) is a rare condition affecting 0.5 – 1% of all extragenital endometriosis cases. We reviewed the data of five women with umbilical endometriosis retrospectively. The age range was 29 – 46 years, and they were all nulligravid at presentation. Common clinical presentation was umbilical pain and masses, dysmenorrhea, and primary infertility. Radical umbilical excision was performed to remove the nodule as a definitive treatment. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, followed by varying degrees of operative laparoscopic procedures. They all had endometriosis in the pelvis. Three out of five women operated became pregnant and had live births. Complete resolution of clinical symptoms with a reduction in umbilical and menstrual pain scores occurred. In resource-constrained settings, diagnosis, and treatment of PUE may be challenging. Clinical suspicion and appropriate case management are critical for good reproductive outcomes and quality of life. &nbsp; L'endométriose ombilicale primaire (PUE) est une maladie rare affectant 0,5 à 1 % de tous les cas d'endométriose extragénitale. Nous avons examiné les données de cinq femmes atteintes d'endométriose ombilicale rétrospectivement. La tranche d'âge était de 29 à 46 ans, et ils étaient tous nulligravides à la présentation. Le tableau clinique commun était la douleur et les masses ombilicales, la dysménorrhée et l'infertilité primaire. Une excision ombilicale radicale a été réalisée pour retirer le nodule comme traitement définitif. La laparoscopie diagnostique a été réalisée, suivie de divers degrés de procédures laparoscopiques opératoires. Ils avaient tous une endométriose du bassin. Trois femmes opérées sur cinq sont tombées enceintes et ont eu des naissances vivantes. Une résolution complète des symptômes cliniques avec une réduction des scores de douleur ombilicale et menstruelle s'est produite. Dans les milieux à ressources limitées, le diagnostic et le traitement du PUE peuvent être difficiles. La suspicion clinique et une prise en charge appropriée des cas sont essentielles pour de bons résultats en matière de reproduction et une bonne qualité de vie

Preparing of Barium Titanate Using Chemical Method and Studying of Its Structural Properties

Single crystalline BaTiO3 (BT) was prepared using TiCl4, BaCl2 and oxalic acid. The structure of the prepared nanocrystalline BT powders were a tetragonal perovskite according to XRD and HRTEM analysis. Annealing powder to 750oC show that pure BT phase was formed according to XRD, TG, and FTIR spectroscopy. The TEM images of the prepared powder reveal spherical morphology of BT, while a finger twin, dendritic and embryo shape are observed of BT powder calcined at 230, 530, and 750oC respectively. SAED and HRTEM images showed a high crystalline BT powder and a single crystalline BT respectively

Stability studies of nano-cream containing piroxicam

The aim of this study is to study the stability of the nano-cream formula containing the newly synthesized palm oil esters when stored for reasonable storage duration. The prepared 0.5% piroxicam nano-cream formula contained phosphate buffer as external phase, palm oil esters as the oil phase and a combination of (80:20) of Tween 80 and Span 20 as emulsifier at a ratio of 37:25:38, respectively. Piroxicam is a hydro-lipophobic drug. Stability on storage is an important aspect which ensures the dosage form can exert the effects it is supposed to exert for the duration of storage. Droplets size, electrical conductivity, drug content, pH and rheological parameters are the parameters that have been assessed under different temperature to evaluate the stability of nano-cream preparation. Thus, experiments which measure the above parameters were conducted at storage temperatures of 4, 25 and 40οC.The data obtained from the stability study conducted on nano-cream formula showed that this formulation was stable for the whole 3 months period of the study when stored at tested several temperatures.Keywords: Palm oil esters; Nonionic surfactant; Piroxicam; Nano-crea