Physical and Release Properties of Metronidazole Suppositories

Purpose: A study was made of the effects of some bases and adjuvants on the physical and release properties of metronidazole suppositories with a view to providing more information for the optimization of the rectal formulation of metronidazole. Method: Suppositories (1g) containing 200mg of metronidazole each were prepared in witepsol (H15 and E75) and polyethylene glycol (PEG 2850 and 4650) bases, using different concentrations of Tween 80, sodium salicylate and methylcellulose as adjuvants. The setting time, solidification point and melting range of the suppositories were determined, along with their crushing strength, disintegration time and the time for 80% of metronidazole to be released from the suppositories (t80). Results: The ranking of setting time for the suppositories was witepsol H15 > PEG 2850 > witepsol E75 > PEG 4650, while the ranking of solidification point, melting range, crushing strength, disintegration time and the time for 80% of metronidazole to be released from the suppositories (t80) was the reverse of that for setting time. Optimal concentrations of Tween 80 and sodium salicylate were observed for the suppository formulations. Using Kitazawa plots, all formulations showed two dissolution rate constants, k1 and k2 intersecting at time t1, with formulations containing 5 to 20 % w/w of methylcellulose exhibiting a third dissolution rate constant, k3 intersecting with k2 at time t2. Conclusion: The physical and release properties of metronidazole suppositories are influenced considerably by the bases and adjuvants employed. Tween 80 and sodium salicylate can probably be used to formulate only immediate-release suppositories while methylcellulose can be useful for sustained-release metronidazole suppositories. Some insight into these inferences can be obtained from parameters derived from Kitazawa plots. Keywords: metronidazole, suppository bases, adjuvants, physical and release properties, Kitazawa plots. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp.887-89

Predicting Bank Failure in Nigeria Using Survival Analysis Approach

The collapse and failure of a bank could have devastating consequences to the entire banking system and widespread repercussion effect on other banks and the economy as a whole. The main objective of this paper is to determine how bank failure in Nigeria can be predicted far ahead of its occurrence using a survival analysis approach. The paper identifies the financial distress symptoms that can lead to a bank failure by employing the Cox Proportional Hazards Model using financial covariates from financial statements of banks. Panel data covering a period from 2003 to 2011 were analysed. The study shows that survival of banks in Nigeria is mostly influenced by 12 predictor variables that bank regulators could watch out for, to forestall bank distress. The study shows that banks that are high on non-performing loan to total loan plus lease and with high operating expense to average total assets have very high tendency of failure. Another interesting finding is that average survival time for banks in Nigeria varies significantly according to their specialty. The study therefore recommends that the reform activities of the government should be well thought out and strategies for implementation should be put in place to enhance positive effect on the banking sector in Nigeria

Effects of Solid Wastes on the Quality of Selected Well Water in Odo-Oro Area of Ikere, Ekiti in Nigeria

This paper presents an assessment of the impact of uncontrolled and unscientific disposal of Solid waste on ground water in Ikere Ekiti town, Nigeria. In this study, well water quality around solid waste dumpsite sites was investigated. Ground water quality analysis was carried out on water samples collected from four wells labelled 1 to 4 close to solid waste disposal sites. Physico-chemical parameters of the water samples (such as temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, BOD, COD, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total hardness, phosphates, sulphates, chlorides and nitrates) were measured. Results of analysis across the four samples gave a temperature range of 280C - 32.00C, pH 7.26 - 7.75, conductivity 393.0 - 416.0 µm/cm, BOD 4.0 - 4.5 mg/l, DO 7.5 - 9.9 mg/l, COD 4.0 - 70.0 mg/l, phosphates, sulphates, chlorides and nitrates 0.17 – 0.30 mg/l, 10.1 – 25.0 mg/l, 3.7 – 11.5 mg/l, and 0.113 - 0.22 mg/l respectively, total hardness 32.2 and 38.1 mg/l. evidences from the above measurements showed a substantial level of contamination across all samples of water. Based on these outcomes it was recommended that wells should be sited at least 30m from solid wastes dump site, Appropriate place should be located at the outskirt of the town for refuse / disposal, the wells should be treated at least three times in a year, the regulatory agency should employ a geologist on its staff list, preferably one trained in the area of hydrogeology, to assist in solid wastes site selection within the states, the use of groundwater monitoring wells should be considered in those areas where some doubts exist as to future effects of a particular solid wastes operation, the regulatory agency should not discourage novel methods of collecting and treating refuse leachates for certain installations where proper monitoring can be exercised. Keywords: Solid Waste, Well Water, Ground water, Dump Site, Physico-chemical, DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-7-05 Publication date:July 31st 202

Temperature Performance Evaluation of Parabolic Dishes Covered with Different Materials in Iwo, Nigeria

Solar radiation reaching the earth is considered to be affected by some parameters like diffusion. This radiation is reflected or scattered by air molecules, cloud and aerosols (dust). Parabolic dishes made of different materials (glass, foil and painted surface) were used to concentrate energy on a copper calorimeter filled with water. A thermometer was inserted in each of the copper calorimeter placed at the focus of the dishes. The experiment was performed from March to April (a period of five weeks), from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily with readings obtained at intervals of 30 minutes every day for one week and was later changed to hourly readings for the remaining four weeks. The initial and final temperatures of the water were determined. The parabolic dish with glass material gave the highest temperature of 56.9oC followed by foil with an average temperature of 48.7oC and painted silver colour with an average temperature of 45.1oC for the daily variation. For the other weeks, the average temperature of the dish with glass was 57.6oC  for foil, 46.9oC and painted silver colour, 40.8oC. The parabolic dish with glass is able to generate a higher temperature compared with foil and painted silver colour. Keywords: Glass, Foil, Silver Colour and Parabolic Dish

The Disappointing Performance of Foreign Direct Investment in Industrial Development in Sub-Saharan African Countries

The Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region compared to other developing regions has been the most vulnerable as regards foreign capital inflow. The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) is expected to result into advanced managerial and technological capacities and acceleration of industrial development. The study examined how the flow of FDI to the SSA region has impacted the industrial development of the region, using the proxy of industry value added growth. The study made use of pooled data from thirty three SSA countries within the period 1993 and 2012. The method of analysis utilized for the study was the fixed effect least-square dummy variable model, employed to estimate the impact of FDI on industrial development for the selected host countries. The study finds that FDI is statistically significant in relation to industrial development for host SSA countries; but it is disappointing that the expected desired features of industrial development, like increased manufacturing outputs, reduction in high level of import and manufactured goods; etc., have not been realized. It is therefore recommended that the governments of host countries should put policies in place to encourage development of industries domestically, to enhance sustained industrial development, such that dependence on external financial assistance and borrowing could be reduced, resulting in sustained increases in non-oil export earnings, domestic income, savings, investment, technology, and hence improved living standard

Welfare and Economic Effects of Fiscal Behaviour of Local Governments in Nigeria

The Nigerian constitution recognises the local government areas (LGAs) as the third tier of government, and sets aside for it the responsibility of effective public service delivery at the grassroots. In recent times, debates have ensued on the effectiveness of the 774 LGAs in Nigeria. While a polar group calls for scrapping of the LGAs because of their poor or non-performance due to, among others, corruption; some others have advocated for a reasonable degree of autonomy to guarantee effectiveness and accountability in the discharge of their duty. In view of this, the study examines the fiscal behaviour of the LGAs with a view to investigating whether they enhance welfare or not. Also, the paper studies factors that affect revenue drive of LGAs, identifies main sources of revenue and its applications. Both primary and secondary data from Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State are employed in the study that utilises descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. On welfare, the fiscal behaviour of Osogbo LGA is felt most in education sub-sector, followed by health and sanitation. The results further show that’ low internal revenue generation; political interference and inadequate mobility for tax collection are the primary factors affecting the performance of LGAs. Lastly, the study finds that increased spending on essential services would improve standard of living of people at the local level. Keywords: Local government, welfare, fiscal action

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Africa unlike other developing regions of the world has experienced declining flows of foreign direct investment (FDI).The flow of FDI is expected to result into gradual reduction in reliance on external borrowed capital and acceleration of economic development. The study examined the declining flow of FDI to the African regions as well as the impact that it has had on economic development of the region, using the proxies of Income per capita, Life expectancy and Education indices. The study made use of pooled data from thirty nine African countries within the period 1993 and 2012.The method of analysis utilized for the study was the fixed effect least-square dummy variable model, employed to estimate the impact of foreign direct investment on economic development for the selected host African countries. The study finds that foreign direct investment is statistically significant in relation to economic development for host African countries. It is therefore recommended that the governments of host countries should consider closely the sectors that FDI flows into, encourage investment domestically in such sectors such that dependence on external financial flows could be reduced, resulting in sustained increases in income, literacy level and hence improved life expectancy which are expected to result into sustained economic development

Changing Ecotypes of Dengue Virus 2 Serotype in Nigeria and the Emergence of Cosmopolitan and Asian I Lineages, 1966–2019

Dengue virus (DENV) is a leading mosquito-borne virus with a wide geographical spread and a major public health concern. DENV serotype 1 (DENV-1) and serotype 2 (DENV-2) were first reported in Africa in 1964 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Although the burden of dengue is unknown in many African countries, DENV-2 is responsible for major epidemics. In this study, we investigated the activities of DENV-2 to determine the circulating strains and to appraise the changing dynamics in the epidemiology of the virus in Nigeria. Nineteen DENV-2 sequences from 1966–2019 in Nigeria were retrieved from the GenBank of the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). A DENV genotyping tool was used to identify the specific genotypes. The evolutionary history procedure was performed on 54 DENV-2 sequences using MEGA 7. There is a deviation from Sylvatic DENV-2 to other genotypes in Nigeria. In 2019, the Asian I genotype of DENV-2 was predominant in southern Edo State, located in the tropical rainforest region, with the first report of the DENV-2 Cosmopolitan strain. We confirmed the circulation of other non-assigned genotypes of DENV-2 in Nigeria. Collectively, this shows that DENV-2 dynamics have changed from Sylvatic transmission reported in the 1960s with the identification of the Cosmopolitan strain and Asian lineages. Sustained surveillance, including vectorial studies, is required to fully establish the trend and determine the role of these vectors

Epidemiological analysis of spatially misaligned data: a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus outbreak in Nigeria

This research is focused on the epidemiological analysis of the transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus outbreak in Nigeria. The data included 145 outbreaks together with the locations of the infected farms and the date of confirmation of infection. In order to investigate the environmental conditions that favoured the transmission and spread of the virus, weather stations were realigned with the locations of the infected farms. The spatial Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for complete spatial randomness rejects the null hypothesis of constant intensity (P < 0·0001). Preliminary exploratory analysis showed an increase in the incidence of H5N1 virus at farms located at high altitude. Results from the Poisson log-linear conditional intensity function identified temperature (−0·9601) and wind speed (0·6239) as the ecological factors that influence the intensity of transmission of the H5N1 virus. The model also includes distance from the first outbreak (−0·9175) with an Akaike’s Information Criterion of −103·87. Our analysis using a point process model showed that geographical heterogeneity, seasonal effects, temperature, wind as well as proximity to the first outbreak are very important components of spread and transmission of HPAI H5N1.Web of Scienc

Editorial: Environmental stressors, multi-hazards and their impact on health

[Extract] nvironmental stressors, such as air pollution, noise pollution, and chemical exposure, can adversely affect human health by increasing the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. The sixth assessment report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that the global temperature is projected to reach or exceed 1.5◦C of warming over the next 20 years, exacerbating exposure to environmental stressors. Air pollution alone is estimated to cause 4.2 million deaths annually, and most of the world’s population (99%) is exposed to air quality levels that exceed the WHO Air Quality Guidelines