Assessment of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of aqueous root extract of Alstonia boonei De wild using the Allium test

Herbal remedies are generally considered safe because they are natural. This study investigated the aqueous root extract of Alstonia boonei De Wild popularly utilized in herbal medicine, for its cytotoxicity and genotoxicity using the Allium test. Two hundred grams of the dried root was macerated in 1500 ml of tap water and left to stand for 24 hours. After filtration, the solution which formed the crude extract was diluted through four concentrations 25%, 50%, 75 % and 100% with a control for comparison. Allium cepa bulbs were planted in the extract for 48 hours, after which the root tips were observed for abnormalities using a microscope. The 25% extract concentration showed the highest range of abnormalities, including disturbed prophase and metaphase, precocious and lagging chromosomes in the anaphase and binucleate cells. The other concentrations showed a high level of prophase accumulation with bi-nucleate and multinucleate cells present, and inhibition of cell division to other phases. The mitotic index showed increasing values, indicative of low genotoxic effect, proving that for minimal amounts of root extract of Alstonia boonei, cytotoxicity can be observed. Therefore, its use as medicine should be viewed with caution despite the low genotoxic effect.Keywords: aqueous root extract, Alstonia boonei, cytotoxicity, genotoxicit

Effect of firm characteristics on profitability of listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of firm characteristics on profitability of listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria. Profitability is the dependent variable proxied by Return on sales (ROS), while firm characteristics is the independent variable proxied by firm age, firm size, sales growth, liquidity and leverage. The population of the study consists of twenty two (22) listed consumer goods companies as at 31st December, 2016. Eighteen of the listed consumer goods companies are selected to form the sample of the study for the period of six years (2011-2016). The study employed multiple regressions as tool for analysis. A hypothesis was formulated and tested for the study; which states that: Firm characteristics have no significant effect on profitability of listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria. Secondary data obtained from the financial statements of the companies were analyzed. Panel data techniques (fixed and random effects models) were utilized to examine the effect of firm characteristics on profitability and Hausman specification test confirmed that random effects model was more appropriate for the study. The results show that firm size, sales growth and leverage have significant effects on profitability. In contrast, firm age and liquidity are not significantly affecting profitability of listed consumer goods companies in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that, consumer goods companies in Nigeria should conduct careful evaluation and take into consideration the firm characteristics (firm size, sales growth, and leverage) that affect the profits of the company before making major business decisions as this will help in improving their profitability.peer-reviewe

Effectiveness of liquid organic-nitrogen fertilizer in enhancing nutrients uptake and use efficiency in corn (Zea mays)

The ever increasing price of nitrogenous (N) fertilizers coupled with the deleterious effects of imbalanced N fertilizers on the environment necessitates the enhancement of N use efficiency of plants. The objectives of this study were to: (1) Evaluate the uptake of selected nutrients due to application of liquid organic-N fertilizers and (2) determine the efficiency of the formulated fertilizers in Zea mays cultivation in an acid soil. Liquid organic-N fertilizers with different sources of humic molecules were evaluated. The treatments were applied at 10 and 20 days after sowing (DAS) of corn. Plant and soil samples were collected at 54 DAS (tasseling stage) and analyzed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na. The use of liquid organic-N fertilizer increased N content in leaf, stem and roots. The fertilizer with Fulvic acids (FA) increased N uptake and use efficiency. It also improved exchangeable Ca and Mg in soil solution. No significant difference was observered for soil exchangeable K. It can be concluded that the use of organic substances could enhance N uptake and N use efficiency of corn.Key words: Humic acids, fulvic acids, liquid fertilizers, nitrogen use efficiency, nutrient uptake, corn

Pengaruh Insight pada Proses Kesembuhan pasien Skizofrenia

Introduction; mental disorders are still a serious problem in today's world. Aim; know the effect of insight on the healing process of schizophrenia patients. Method; The research design uses a case study that aims to describe the nursing care carried out. Result; shows the results of observations of patients who are not aware that they have schizophrenia, have been in and out of the hospital because of schizophrenia. Conclusion; that schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that requires intensive treatmentPendahuluan; gangguan jiwa masih menjadi masalah serius di dunia saat ini. Tujuan; mengetahui pengaruh insight pada proses kesembuhan pasien Skizofrenia. Metode; desain penelitian menggunakan studi kasus yang bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan asuhan keperawatan yang dilaksanakan. Hasil; menunjukkan hasil observasi pasien yang tidak menyadari bahwa dirinya menderita skizofrenia, pernah keluar masuk rumah sakit karena skizofrenia. Kesimpulan; bahwa skizofrenia salah satu gangguan jiwa berat yang memerlukan penanganan intensif

Effect of low-dose oral contraceptives on Lipid profile levels in Sudanese women using oral contraceptive pills

Background: Oral contraceptives provide highly reliable contraceptive protection even though imperfect use is considered, and are widely used worldwide.Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of low dose combined oral contraceptive pills use on lipid profile levels in Sudanese women, and to find its correlation with age, BMI and duration of using oral contraceptive.Material and Methods: A clinically-based descriptive study was conducted during the period from May to October 2013. Sixty six women using low dose combined oral contraceptive were selected as a test group compared to sixty six apparently healthy non users as a control, attending the family planning center of Omdurman Maternity Hospital in Khartoum state, Sudan. Blood specimens were collected from both groups and serum levels of Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) were estimated and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated using Friedewaled equation.Results : Results showed a significant increase in the mean serum levels of Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride and HDL in the test group compared with the control group (p <0.05) and insignificant increase in the mean serum levels of LDL in the test group (P = 0.327). HDL levels decreased with age (P value 0.000) while Cholesterol, Triglyceride and LDL levels were not affected. The study also showed significant increase in Cholesterol, Triglyceride and decrease in HDL with duration of oral contraceptive use (P <0.05).The BMI was significantly higher in users than non-users (P 0.025).Conclusion: Combined oral contraceptive pills adversely affect the lipid profile. This may be due to drug responsiveness, as well as increased BMI. There isa correlation between duration of oral contraceptive use and lipid profile among the studied cases.Key words: Contraceptive pill, Low Doses, Serum lipids, Sudanese Women

Photoactive and UV Attenuating Nanomaterial and Heterojunction Devices

This thesis focuses on the synthesis, characterisation and testing of semiconductor nanomaterials and heterojunctions, for photocatalytic and UV attenuation applications. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials were synthesised via a continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) process, where solutions of chemical precursors were mixed with hot, pressurised water. Samples were collected as slurries and processed to obtain dry powders. Synthesis of TiO2 investigated the addition of boric acid as a dopant species to determine (i) its potential to dope TiO2 in the continuous hydrothermal process, and (ii) any effects on reaction conditions and subsequently nanoparticle properties. The powders were prepared as ceramic wafers, and tested for their ability to photocatalytically evolve hydrogen from water, in a sacrificial system. ZnO synthesis was investigated from a scale-up perspective, comparing a mini-pilot scale CHFS reactor to a larger pilot-scale reactor already reported in literature. The observed variation in particle sizes were explained in terms of the nucleation and growth mechanisms of zinc oxide. Additionally, an investigation was carried out to explore the effects of additives in the CHFS reactor to (i) reduce ZnO particle sizes and (ii) obtain dispersions of ZnO nanoparticles. Selected materials from these experiments were investigated as UV attenuators in polymer coatings. Heterojunction ceramic wafers of TiO2 and WO3 were prepared by a simple technique, reported here for the first time. The wafers displayed interesting charge transfer characteristics, and they were investigated for photocatalytic applications in the destruction of organic pollutants and disinfection of water. In these applications, the heterojunction wafers were found to have photocatalytic rates that were greater, or more beneficial than, their corresponding individual semiconductor materials

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Financial Performance of Listed Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria

This paper evaluates the impact of corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) on the financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. In specific terms, the paper examined the influence of four CSRD dimensions (human resources, environment, community and product) on the Earnings per Share (EPS) of the sampled firms. The study utilized a sample size of ten (10) manufacturing firms drawn randomly from seven (7) subsectors of the Nigerian manufacturing industry. Secondary data for the study were collected from the financial statements of the sampled firms and analyzed with the aid of multiple regression analysis. The study finds an overall significant positive association between CSRD and EPS. Furthermore, the study reveals that all the four CSRD dimensions (employee, environment, community and product) have significant positive effect on the EPS. This means that the higher the level of CSRD, the higher the EPS. The study therefore, recommends that management of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria should increasingly approach CSR and CSRD issues with positive mindset thereby recognizing it as investment rather than liability. Finally, the study recommends that the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) should make social and environment reporting in the companies’ financial statements mandatory since CSRD is beneficial to the government, the listed manufacturing companies and their stakeholders.   Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD), Earnings Per share (EPS), Financial Performance, Manufacturing Firms, Stakeholders

Board features and financial performance of Nigerian banks

The presence of contradictory theories and unpredictable empirics calls for this paper to survey the outcome of board traits on financial operation of Nigeria banks. Financial performance of a firm is as important as the firm. Yet, very few studies have examined its impact by the board of directors in Nigeria. Data were obtained and perused using descriptive and inferential figures. Findings show that size of board has significant and constructive bearing on business piece. However, board composition takes undesirable significance. Meetings of board and gender failed to show significance. But, board member nationality and firm size show negative and significant effects. We added by exploring impacts of boards on financial performance. We asked firms to increase the size of the board and engage more independent directors and reduce the number of board diligence and size of the firm. The strong plus impact of board size and firm size on financial operations is an interesting result allowing for additional interrogation of why these behaviours