Family Background and Entrepreneurial Intention of Fresh Graduates in Nigeria

This study seeks to assess, empirically, the impact of family background on the entrepreneurial intention among fresh graduates in Nigeria. The family as a social institution remains resilient in its psychological functions in Nigeria. It is a source of finance and human resources, social and cultural values, and role modeling.  While studies have shown that family background is one of the numerous determinants of entrepreneurial intention, we know little about the role which family background plays in the promotion of entrepreneurial intentions in Nigeria, especially among the fresh graduates.  This study, therefore, seeks to test the hypothesis that family background has significant influence on the entrepreneurial intention among fresh graduates in Nigeria. We draw a sample of 250 corps’ members, currently serving with the Nigerian Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Bayelsa state, using a simple random sampling technique. With the aid of the primary data collected, our findings are quite revealing. Following the preliminary conclusions drawn from this study, we offer suggestions for further studies. Keywords; Entrepreneurial intention, perception of feasibility, perception of desirability, family background, and Problem-Based Learning

Analysis of The Physicochemical Properties of Carica Papaya, Citrus Paradisi and Croton Zambesicus Seed Oils and Their Applications

Oil was extracted from three Nigerian local plant seeds namely: Carica papaya, Citrus paradise and Croton zambesicus using n-hexane and their physicochemical properties determined. The result of the analysis showed thgeir percentage oil yield to be C. papaya (22.00), C. paradisi (28.00) and C. Zambesicus (27.00). The three seed oils were liquid at room temperature and their odour non-offensive. The specific gravities were 0.92 for C. papaya and C. Zambesicus, and 0.93 for C. paradise. The flash point in oC were C. papaya (148.00), C. paradise (256.00) and C. Zambesicus (242.00). The acid values were 4.20, 3.93 and 2.43 for C. papaya, C. paradisi and C. Zmbesicus respectively. The peroxide values were: C. papaya (1.66), C. paradisi (19.74) and C. Zambesicus (9.26). The saponification values were: C. papaya (234.22), C. paradise. (204.77) and C. Zambesicus (210.66). The iodine values were: C. papya (25.38), C. paradisi (16.12) and C. Zambesicus (52.03). These results suggest that the three seeds may be viable sources of oil based on their % yield. The studied properties of the oils in most cases compete favourable with Elais guinensis seed oil (PKO) which is presently used for many domestic and industrial purposes in Nigeria especially for the production of paints, cosmetics, soap, lubricants and varnishes

Seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus antibodies among patients with lymphoid malignancies at a tertiary center in Lagos, Nigeria

Akinsegun Akinbami,1 Idris Durojaiye,2 Adedoyin Dosunmu,1 Sarah John-Olabode,3 Adewumi Adediran,4 Olajumoke Oshinaike,5 Ebele Uche,1 Akinola Dada,5 Mojeed Odesanya,6 Olaitan Okunoye7 1Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria; 2Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; 3Department of Haematology and Immunology, Ben Carson School of Medicine, Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria; 4Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; 5Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria; 6Oak Hospitals, Ikorodu, Nigeria; 7Department of Medicine, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria Background: There is a significant association of human T-lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) with lymphoid malignancies. HTLV causes a lymphoproliferative malignancy of CD4-activated cells called adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and a chronic myelopathy called tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM). This study aims to determine the prevalence of HTLV among patients with lymphoid malignancies at a tertiary center in Lagos. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the hematology clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. After obtaining consent, approximately 5 mL of venous blood was collected from each subject. The serum was separated and stored at –20°C. Sera were assayed for HTLV by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the determination of antibodies to HTLV-1 and -2. Western blot confirmatory testing was done on reactive samples. All patients were also screened for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by rapid kits. Results: A total of 39 patients with lymphoid malignancies were enrolled, consisting of 24 (61.5%) with solid malignancies, while 15 (38.5%) had leukemia. Only two patients (5.1%) with lymphoid malignancies were reactive on the ELISA test. On confirmatory testing with Western blot, two patients (5.1%) with lymphoid malignancies were also positive for HTLV. All patients were HIV negative, but four were positive to HBsAg and HCV. There was no association between history of previous blood transfusion and positivity to HTLV (P=0.544). Conclusion: A prevalence of 5.1% of HTLV among patients with lymphoid malignancies was found in this study, and previous history of blood transfusion was not found to be a significant cause of HTLV infection. Keywords: HTLV, lymphoid malignancies, ATL, ELISA, TSP/HA

Mycosis Fungoides: Case Report and Literature Review

Mycosis fungoides (MF), also known as Alibert-Bazin syndrome or granuloma fungoides, is the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Cutaneous lymphomas are an uncommon, heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) of T- and B-cell origin where the skin is the primary organ of involvement. This is a case of a 60-year-old Nigerian woman, who was diagnosed and managed as a case of chronic dermatitis but further investigations confirmed a diagnosis of MF; she was thereafter managed with topical glucocorticoids/chemotherapy and improved on these treatments. We make a plea for better awareness of the disease among physicians and pathologists in Africa

Cluster of differentiation 4+ cell count mean value, reference range and its influencing factors in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-seronegative pregnant women in Lagos

Background: Immunity in pregnancy is physiologically compromised and this may affect cluster of differentiation four (CD4) count levels. It is well established that several factors affect CD4 count level in pregnancy. This study aims to determine the effects of maternal age, gestational age, parity and level of education as they influence CD4 count in pregnancy and also to determine the mean and reference range of CD4 count in pregnancy in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Ante-natal clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria. About 5 mls of blood was collected into Ethylene Diamine Tetracetic Acid (EDTA) bottles from HIV-negative pregnant women in various gestational ages of pregnancy. CD4+ cell count and full blood count of all samples were done within 3 hours of collection. The descriptive data was given as means ± standard deviation (SD). Pearson’s chi-squared test and correlation were used for analytical assessment. Results: A total of 74 pregnant women were recruited. The age range was 19–41 years and a mean age of 30.42 ± 5.34 years. The CD4+ cell count was not statistically significant when compared with participants ages P = 0.417, neither with gestational ages P = 0.323, nor with parity P = 0.247 nor level of education P = 0.96. An overall mean CD4+ cell count was 771.96 ± 250 cells/μl and the range was 193–1370 cells/μl. Conclusion: Maternal age, gestational age, parity and level of education had no significant effects on CD4+ cell count levels in pregnancy. The mean CD4+ cell count of HIV-negative pregnant women in Lagos is 771.96 ± 250 cells/μl.Keywords: CD4+ cell count, mean value, pregnant women, reference rang