Quality Control of Conventional X-Ray Tube in Three Tertiary Hospitals in South-East, Nigeria

Background:Quality control of conventional x-ray tube ensures that the patient integral radiation dose is minimized and image quality is improved, by controlling the x-ray beam to reduce scatter radiation.  Objective:To assess x-ray tubes for half value layer (HVL), x-ray field and light field congruence using known standard. Methodology:The HVLs were measured using calibrated, non-invasive, digital multifunctional detector meter that incorporate computer output. The detector was positioned at the center of the collimated beam axis with focus-to-image distance (FID) of 100 cm. Tube potentials of 80 and 100 kVp were selected, and used to make exposures. The corresponding HVLs were then recorded. Also, x-ray field and light field congruence were measured by placing 18 cm x 24 cm cassette loaded with film at FID of 100 cm. The collimator light was in ON position and metal markers were used to delineate the periphery of the light field. Misalignment was calculated from the developed radiographs using standard formula. Results:The HVL ranged from 3.40 to 4.4mmAl. Also, the sum of the misalignment in both orthogonal directions ranged from 7.21 to 9.70 % of FID in all three centers. Conclusion:The HVL were within standard limit at 80 and 100 kVp in all the centers studied. However, x-ray field and light field were grossly misaligned.   &nbsp

AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ADJUSTMENT DYNAMICS IN NIGERIA

This study investigates the extent of the agricultural output translation to economic growth both in the long run and in short run using autoregressive and distributive lag model and Bound test approach. The data used for the study is a transformed annual data into quarterly data for 1980Q3 to 2016Q4 collected from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin and from World Bank development indicator. Evidence from the study revealed that the log difference of agricultural output has an inverse relation with the log difference of real gross domestic product by 0.15% in the current year and in the short run. In contrast, the log of agricultural output at lag 1 showed a positive relation but not significant at 5% level. The bound test and the Wald test also suggested the absence of long run relationship of log difference of agricultural output, labour, agricultural capital, the net export of agricultural product with real domestic product as the dependent variable at 10%, 5%, 2.5% and 1% level of significance. The speed of adjustment of the system in the long run was 1.60% but not significant at 5% level. The study recommends the promotion and expansion of the sector to increase the output from the sector

EFFECTS OF EDUCATION ON INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCES INFLOW AND MIGRATION PROPENSITY IN NIGERIA

Human capital development in education is a major problem facing both emigrating labour from Nigeria and Non-migrant labour in Nigeria. The distribution of international remittance inflow over the level of human capital development in education completed before migration was the aim of this study. Gini coefficient decomposition analysis for the emigrants’ remittance and logistic based regression were used to ascertain the distribution of emigrants’ remittance over the level of human capital development in education completed before migration and to measure the effects of the level of human capital development in education completed before migration on the odds ratio of sending money home to the household. Evidence from the study shows that log mean of the emigrants’ remittance over the level of human capital development in education completed before migration increases as education level completed before migration increases. Also, human capital development level in education completed before migration also contributes to the unequal distribution of remittance across the emigrating groups. The gini coefficient for primary school or less, Secondary and Technical, Tertiary and others are 0.09, 0.08, 0.07 and 0.08 respectively with their corresponding Theil indices as 0.014, 0.011, 0.001 and 0.011 respectively. These statistics suggested that the advancement in human capital development in education before migration would reduce the inequality in remittance inflow. The policy implication of this findings is that migration policies with human capital development can reduce the inequality in the remittance

CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED COMMERCIAL BANKS IN NIGERIA

The stability of a bank is said to be a function of its Capital adequacy which in turn influences its performance. Commercial Banks in Nigeria operate under different levels of capital adequacy. This study therefore sought to examine the effect of capital adequacy ratio on the performance of listed commercial banks in Nigeria proxied by return on capital employed from 2014-2019.  Data for this study, collected from the sampled commercial banks annual financial reports for the period covered, were analysed using panel regression. The study found that capital adequacy ratio had significant and positive effect on return on capital employed of listed commercial banks in Nigeria. Based on this finding, the Central Bank of Nigeria is advised to increase the Capital Adequacy Ratio of commercial banks and ensure that they are complied with. This is expected to bring about improved performance of the banking sector

Clinical Relevance of lncRNA and Mitochondrial Targeted Antioxidants as Therapeutic Options in Regulating Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function in Vascular Complications of Diabetes

Metabolic imbalances and persistent hyperglycemia are widely recognized as driving forces for augmented cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetes mellitus (DM), fostering the development of vascular complications such as diabetic nephropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, specific therapeutic approaches capable of modulating oxidative milieu may provide a preventative and/or therapeutic benefit against the development of cardiovascular complications in diabetes patients. Recent studies have demonstrated epigenetic alterations in circulating and tissue-specific long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signatures in vascular complications of DM regulating mitochondrial function under oxidative stress. Intriguingly, over the past decade mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (MTAs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic option for managing oxidative stress-induced diseases. Here, we review the present status of lncRNA as a diagnostic biomarker and potential regulator of oxidative stress in vascular complications of DM. We also discuss the recent advances in using MTAs in different animal models and clinical trials. We summarize the prospects and challenges for the use of MTAs in treating vascular diseases and their application in translation medicine, which may be beneficial in MTA drug design development, and their application in translational medicine

DETERMINANTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY USE AND CARBON EMISSION INTENSITY IN SUB SAHARA AFRICA.

The effectiveness of renewable energy use as a mitigation means to carbon emission tops the list of the global debate. Despite the global acceptance for energy transition, the regeneration of renewable energy are conditional on some natural forces and gains. This study used principal component analysis to fathom the components that best explain the variations between renewable energy use and carbon emission intensity. Population density was revealed as one condition upon which the renewable energy regenerates. One other gain of renewable energy revealed is the Carbon emission reduction by renewable energy use. Carbon trading and renewable energy promotion through policies and programmes were recommended together with population control and management of sustainable economic gains

Regulation of immunomodulatory networks by Nrf2-activation in immune cells: Redox control and therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases

Inflammatory diseases present a serious health challenge due to their widespread prevalence and the severe impact on patients' lives. In the quest to alleviate the burden of these diseases, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has emerged as a pivotal player. As a transcription factor intimately involved in cellular defense against metabolic and oxidative stress, Nrf2's role in modulating the inflammatory responses of immune cells has garnered significant attention. Recent findings suggest that Nrf2's ability to alter the redox status of cells underlies its regulatory effects on immune responses. Our review delves into preclinical and clinical evidence that underscores the complex influence of Nrf2 activators on immune cell phenotypes, particularly in the inflammatory milieu. By offering a detailed analysis of Nrf2's role in different immune cell populations, we cast light on the potential of Nrf2 activators in shaping the immune response towards a more regulated state, mitigating the adverse effects of inflammation through modeling redox status of immune cells. Furthermore, we explore the innovative use of nanoencapsulation techniques that enhance the delivery and efficacy of Nrf2 activators, potentially advancing the treatment strategies for inflammatory ailments. We hope this review will stimulate the development and expansion of Nrf2-targeted treatments that could substantially improve outcomes for patients suffering from a broad range of inflammatory diseases

Follicular Lymphoma In Situ Presenting as Dermatopathic Lymphadenopathy

Introduction. Follicular lymphoma in situ (FLIS) is a recently described entity with few cases recognized worldwide. To our knowledge, this is the first FLIS reported from West Africa. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 48-year-old civil servant with axillary lymphadenopathy discovered on routine mammography. On histology, a predominant reactive change with aggregates of melanophages was seen prompting a diagnosis of reactive lymphadenopathy. Immunohistochemistry done in our laboratory showed CD10 and Bcl-6 positive germinal centres with a small population of Bcl-2 positive germinal centre centre cells that were limited to some of the germinal centres. Conclusion. This highlights the use of immunohistochemistry in lymph node pathology—a resource which is very limited in our environment

Numerical Simulation of Nonlinear and Non-Isothermal Liquid Chromatography for Studying Thermal Variations in Columns Packed with Core-Shell Particles

A high-resolution flux-limiting semi-discrete finite volume scheme (HR-FVS) is applied in this study to numerically approximate the nonlinear and non-isothermal flow of one-dimensional lumped kinetic model (1D-LKM), for a fixed-bed column loaded with core-shell particles. The developed model comprise a system of convection-dominated partial differential for mass and energy balances in the mobile phases coupled with differential equation and algebraic equation in the stationary phase. The solution of the model equations is obtained by utilizing a HR-FVS, the scheme has second-order accuracy even on the grid coarse and its explicit nature has the potential to resolve the arisen sharp discontinuities in the solution profiles. A second-order total variation diminishing (TVD) Runge-Kutta technique is used to solve the system of ODEs in time. Several forms of a single-solute mixture are produced to investigate the influences of the fractions of core radius on thermal waves and concentration fronts. Moreover, a particular criterion is introduced for analyzing the performance of the underlying process and to identify the optimal parameter values of the fraction of core radius

Detection of TRPV4 channel current-like activity in Fawn Hooded hypertensive (FHH) rat cerebral arterial muscle cells.

The transient receptor potential vallinoid type 4 (TRPV4) is a calcium entry channel known to modulate vascular function by mediating endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The present study investigated if isolated cerebral arterial myocytes of the Fawn Hooded hypertensive (FHH) rat, known to display exaggerated KCa channel current activity and impaired myogenic tone, express TRPV4 channels at the transcript and protein level and exhibit TRPV4-like single-channel cationic current activity. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunostaining analysis detected the expression of mRNA transcript and translated protein of TRPV4 channel in FHH rat cerebral arterial myocytes. Patch clamp recording of single-channel current activity identified the presence of a single-channel cationic current with unitary conductance of ~85 pS and ~96 pS at hyperpolarizing and depolarizing potentials, respectively, that was inhibited by the TRPV4 channel antagonist RN 1734 or HC 067074 and activated by the potent TRPV4 channel agonist GSK1016790A. Application of negative pressure via the interior of the patch pipette increased the NPo of the TRPV4-like single-channel cationic current recorded in cell-attached patches at a patch potential of 60 mV that was inhibited by prior application of the TRPV4 channel antagonist RN 1734 or HC 067047. Treatment with the TRPV4 channel agonist GSK1016790A caused concentration-dependent increase in the NPo of KCa single-channel current recorded in cell-attached patches of cerebral arterial myocytes at a patch potential of 40 mV, which was not influenced by pretreatment with the voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine or the T-type Ca2+ channel blocker Ni2+. These findings demonstrate that FHH rat cerebral arterial myocytes express mRNA transcript and translated protein for TRPV4 channel and display TRPV4-like single-channel cationic current activity that was stretch-sensitive and activation of which increased the open state probability of KCa single-channel current in these arterial myocytes