In silico analysis of compounds characterized from ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo with NF-κB-inhibitory potential

NF-κB controls cellular growth properties of cells and its regulation is key to the management of disease like cancer. Although plant-derived bioactives have been reported to inhibit NF-κB, there is limited knowledge on the interactions between the phytochemicals and NF-κB. In this study, we identified the phytochemicals in ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy technique and used in silico approach to understand the interaction between the identified phytochemicals and NF-κB using Molegro Virtual Docker. The docking algorithm showed that nine phytochemicals fit well into the pocket on NF-κB.. Our analysis showed that Lys144 is a prominent residue by involving in the binding of 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and octadecanoic acid, methyl ester with the moldock score of -55.5264, -57.4634 and -61.1258 respectively. Hence, the binding of these phytochemicals to NF-κB could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer property of C. pepo

Use of Technology as Support System for Prison Inmates in the National Open University of Nigeria Study Center, Kirikiri-Lagos

Total incarceration is a major feature of the prison as a place where people are kept because they have sinned against the society. The reality in the age grade of the prisoners has however shown that most of them are of very active age grade of 20-35 years. This is a period of life when people of this age grade are supposed to be educated and capable of contributing to the economy of the society. Therefore complete incarceration without formal education invariably could constitute a drag in the economy of any society. The National Open University of Nigeria has therefore provided access to learning where the inmates could be assisted to acquire knowledge and skills by creating a Special Study Center in the Kirikiri Maximum security Prison in Lagos, Nigeria. This paper therefore investigates the various support systems that are involved in the task of helping the learners to gain access to learning with the use of technology despite their condition under incarceration. It is hoped that when prison inmates have access to education through the appropriate technological support, they would be able to contribute their quota to the economic development of the society after serving their jail term. Learning would also enhance reformation strategy of the prison authorities. It was suggested that private organizations should collaborate with the National Open University of Nigeria in making the technological support system a permanent strategy to help the inmates learn through a functional open and distance learning that is technology supported.Key Words: Synchronous Learning, Flexibility in Learning, Specialised Training, Learner Support Services, Technology, Instructional Delivery System, On-line Support, Distance Learning, Access to Education, Technical Staff, Student Counselors, Customised Programmes

Social Differentiation of Inter-word Yod Coalescence in Spoken Nigerian English

This study attempts to track the incidence of inter-word yod coalescence and possibility of its correlation with social factors in Nigerian English. Three hundred and sixty educated Nigerian speakers of English, evenly distributed into social variables of gender, age and social class, provided data for the study. They were guided to voice five utterances and a short passage into digital recording devices. Tokens of yod coalescence produced at different word boundaries were extracted and analysed statistically, using percentages and the univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The findings reveal a very low usage (3.6%) of inter-word yod coalescence. The process was, however, more prevalent among young speakers and members of high social class who seem to be importing it into the accent. This finding points in the direction of some ongoing innovation in the NigE accent, which possibly suggests the onset of socially conditioned phoneticphonological variation

Epigenetic modifications associated with in utero exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals BPA, DDT and Pb

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics which adversely modify the hormone system. The endocrine system is most vulnerable to assaults by endocrine disruptors during the prenatal and early development window, and effects may persist into adulthood and across generations. The prenatal stage is a period of vulnerability to environmental chemicals because the epigenome is usually reprogrammed during this period. Bisphenol A (BPA), lead (Pb), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) were chosen for critical review because they have become serious public health concerns globally, especially in Africa where they are widely used without any regulation. In this review, we introduce EDCs and describe the various modes of action of EDCs and the importance of the prenatal and developmental windows to EDC exposure. We give a brief overview of epigenetics and describe the various epigenetic mechanisms: DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, and how each of them affects gene expression. We then summarize findings from previous studies on the effects of prenatal exposure to the endocrine disruptors BPA, Pb and DDT on each of the previously described epigenetic mechanisms. We also discuss how the epigenetic alterations caused by these EDCs may be related to disease processes

IMPROVISATIONS OF COVID-19: THE PANDEMIC-ERA MEASURES THAT MAKE POLICING BETTER

The emergency of COVID-19 prompted law enforcement agencies to implement different policy changes to minimize the spread of the virus that placed police officers in dilemmas of personal risk. This thesis analyzes the onset of COVID-19 in the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia as a paradigm for understanding the effects of the virus concerning police officers in the United States. The research finds that some policy changes during the pandemic ushered in job flexibility that boosted officer effectiveness, decreased stress, and revolutionized community engagement. Nevertheless, some were counterproductive and created tension between law enforcement and union leaders. Policy implementation and enforcement to contain the spread of COVID-19 varied from one agency to another, despite the common challenges. This thesis examines the impact of COVID-19 on law enforcement and explores the positive effects of shifts in policy and practice among law enforcement agencies during the pandemic. It shows how policy development—such as virtual technology, teleworking, social distancing, arrest deferments, and citation eligibility—brought about positive changes that made policing better. In identifying whether police responses to the pandemic were effective or counterproductive, this thesis presents recommendations to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies and to help agencies prepare for future pandemics.Civilian, Metropolitan Police Department, District of ColumbiaApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Role of the African Council for Distance Education in Fostering Quality Assurance in Open and Distance Learning in Africa

The African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) was established to promote research, policy and quality in open and distance learning (ODL), so as to increase access to education and training in Africa. This paper discusses the role of the council in fostering establishment of a quality assurance and accreditation agency (QAAA) aimed at addressing concerns for quality in ODL on the continent, so that the society can have confidence in it. The paper discusses the context within which establishment of the council and development of the QAAA were necessitated as well as the policy framework within which the QAAA is being developed. The challenges being experienced in implementing the project are examined and recommendations towards their resolution, and ensuring the success and sustainability of the agency, are made.Keywords: Quality assurance; Open and distance learning; Accreditation; ACD

Hesperidin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxicity in rats

Context: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major trigger of septic shock resulting in multiple organ damage through excessive stimulation of the host’s immune cells resulting in the release of cytokines. Previous studies have shown that hesperidin has several beneficial properties against inflammation and oxidative stress. Objective: The influence of hesperidin on endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress was investigated using a murine model of sepsis. Materials and methods: Rats were pretreated for 15 d with three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) of hesperidin prior to LPS administration. Afterwards, the levels of biomarkers of endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress were assessed. Reverse transcriptase PCR technique was used to assess the expression of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines. Results: Hesperidin pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced circulating endotoxin, as well as the levels of bactericidal permeability increasing protein and procalcitonin, and the associated endothelial dysfunction by reducing the levels of plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) synthase. There was also down-regulation of the expression of gene for interleukin 1α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 1 receptor, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the liver of rats treated with LPS as a result of hesperidin pretreatment. Hesperidin also showed anti-oxidative properties through the significant (p < 0.05) reduction of NO, hydroperoxides, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the organs. Conclusion: Different doses of hesperidin can prevent endotoxemia-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and endothelial perturbation in rats when administered for as few as 15 d before exposure to endotoxin

Naringin enhances reverse cholesterol transport in high fat/low streptozocin induced diabetic rats

Naringin, a citrus-derived flavonoid with antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and antioxidant properties, is reported to be a useful nutraceutical in the management of diabetes and its complications. This study investigated the mechanism of antiatherogenic properties of naringin in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using high fat-low streptozocin rat model of T2DM. Rats were treated daily with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg naringin orally for 21days. Levels of biomarkers of T2DM, lipid profile and activity of paraoxonase (PON) were assayed spectrophotometrically. The levels of expression of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (Hmgcr), scavenger receptor class B member 1 (Scarb1), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), hepatic Lipase (Lipc), and lecithincholesterol acyltransferase (Lcat) were assessed using relative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique. Naringin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride from 84.84 ± 1.62 to 55.59 ± 1.50 mg/dL and 123.03 ± 15.11 to 55.00 ± 0.86 mg/dL, respectively, at 200 mg/kg naringin. In the liver, Scarb1 and Ahr were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated at 200 mg/kg naringin while Lipc and Lcat were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated by 50 mg/kg naringin. T2DM-induced decrease in PON activities in the plasma, liver and HDL was significantly (p < 0.05) reversed by 200 mg/kg naringin treatment. These genes play critical roles in reverse cholesterol transport and hence our results showed that the antiatherogenic property of naringin in T2DM involves enhancement of reverse cholesterol transport and PON activity

Measurement of agricultural mechanization index and analysis of agricultural productivity of farm settlements in Southwest Nigeria

The levels of agricultural mechanization on some farms in two states in Southwest of Nigeria were measured and the productivity of each of the surveyed farms was analyzed. Factors that lead to profitability of farm activities and whole farms were deduced. &nbsp;Structured questionnaire was used to establish the socio &ndash; economic characteristics, educational level, and technical knowhow of the farmers. &nbsp;The inventory of the farm machinery was also established at each of the farm settlements visited. &nbsp;Agricultural mechanization index was used to evaluate the level of agricultural mechanization while the level of productivity for each farm settlement was determined as an inverse of the work output of the explicit factors involved in production function (capital or machine and labour). &nbsp;Profitability of activities was measured in terms of gross margin and of whole farms. &nbsp;This was measured subjectively as net benefits of physical productivity (crop yield) and the returns from the resources used during production activities. &nbsp;The results of the farm mechanization index revealed that the average level of mechanization in Ogun and Osun States was 31.3% and 28.6%, respectively and the average level of mechanization in the two States was 30.6% while the total productivity ranges between 0.0115 ha/kWh and 0.0951 ha/kWh. &nbsp;The average physical productivity (crop yield) on maize ranges between 1.2 to 1.7 tons/ha and that of cassava was about 11.5 tons/ha in the two states. &nbsp;The sustainability analysis of the schemes indicated that inconsistency in agricultural mechanization policy, lack of favorable conditions for full integration of agricultural mechanization, lack of essential infrastructure and financial credits among other variables explained the observed low spectrum in the scale of production.Keywords: agricultural mechanization, mechanization index, agricultural productivity, farm settlement, farm machinery, settlement, sustainability&nbsp;Citation: Olaoye, J. O., and A. O. Rotimi. &nbsp;Measurement of agricultural mechanization index and analysis of agricultural productivity of farm settlements in Southwest Nigeria. &nbsp;Agric Eng Int: CIGR Journal. 2010, 12(1): 125-134.&nbsp