Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Properties of Methanol Extract of Stem Bark of Adansonia digitata Linn. in Breast Cancer Cells

Synthetic anticancer drugs are expensive and toxic; therefore, there has been much interest in developing anticancer agents from natural resources and especially plants. The stem bark of Adansonia digitata (SBAD) has many traditional medicinal uses, including the treatment of cancer, but there is currently little scientific evidence to support this. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the cytotoxic and long term antiproliferative effects of a methanol extract of SBAD (MESBAD) in breast cancer cells. Cold extraction was done on SBAD using 70% methanol for 72 hrs. The extract was filtered, concentrated and lyophilized. MCF-7 breast cancer cells were cultured using an established procedure and were treated with MESBAD or DMSO as control. Cytotoxicity and long-term survival were measured using MTT and clonogenic assays respectively. Western blotting was performed with antibodies against p53 and p21. MESBAD induced short-term and long-term (13 to 15 days) cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells in a dose dependent manner and exhibited an IC50 of 100μM. Western blotting indicated that MESBAD activated the p53 tumour suppressor and its target, p21. MESBAD induces cytotoxicity and inhibits long-term survival of MCF-7 breast cancers cells through a mechanism involving the up-regulation of the cell cycle and cell death regulators p53 and p21

Awareness and Usage of Social Networking Sites by Students of Library and Information Science: The Case of Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Nigeria

The study aimed at examining the awareness and use of social networking sites by the students of Library and Information Science in Federal Polytechnic, Offa. Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted with the use of questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Out of two hundred and forty copies of the questionnaire, administered, two hundred and twenty eight were retrieved which represented 95%. Frequency counts and percentages were used to analyse data generated. The study revealed that majority of the respondents use social networking site to a large extent, especially facebook and they use if for various purposes such as connecting with friends, for academic work and so on. The study confirmed that many of the respondents spend up to an hour or more to visit their social networking sites. Many of the respondents also use the sites several times in a day. The social networking sites enable the users to maintain contact with friends and also increase academic knowledge. However, some students reported that engaging in social networking reduces the time they spend on reading and also cause distractions in classroom. The study recommends among others that, students should minimize time spend on social networking and they should make meaningful use of the sites. Keywords: Social networking sites, social networks, internet, polytechnic students, Nigeria

Students’ Perceptions of Entrepreneurship Education in Selected Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria

Entrepreneurship education is introduced in the polytechnics to provide students with basic skills and knowledge to be self-reliant after graduation. This study investigates the perception of polytechnic students towards entrepreneurship education. A descriptive study was conducted in three purposively selected Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria A structured questionnaire that employed 4-likert scale was the instrument used for data collection. A total number of 475 copies of questionnaire were administered to students who were randomly selected for the study. Frequency, percentages and mean aided by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) were used for the analysis. This study reveals that significant number of students positively perceived entrepreneurship education in polytechnics. It was however recommended that the stakeholders should give more support towards the realization of the objectives of the programme. Keywords: Entrepreneurship education, polytechnic students, perception. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-10-15 Publication date: April 30th 202

An Investigation into Health Information Environment of Market Women in Offa, Kwara State Nigeria

The study examined the health information environment of market women in Offa, a semi-urban area in Kwara State of Nigeria. The aim of the study was to identify the information needs of market women, to investigate the information sources, information seeking behaviour and the challenges associated with the use of information sources. Data was collected through a questionnaire. The return rate of the questionnaire administered was 93.5 percent. The findings revealed that the market women have diverse health information needs which include among others malaria fever, hygiene, anti-natal/post-natal care. The main sources of health information used by the market women include family / neighbours and radio. The study made recommendations such as the state government supporting the state library board. The public library should also assist to provide unlimited access to information through the audio-visual materials. Keywords: Health information environment, market women, Offa Metropoli

Knowledge and Practice of Exclusive Breast Feeding Among Mothers Attending Infant Welfare Clinic in a Tertiary Health Institution

The practice of exclusive breastfeeding has been found out to be essential in reducing infant mortality. This practice has been documented to not only be beneficial to the child but also the mother and the society at large. This study was conducted to assess knowledge and practice of exclusive breastfeeding among women attending infant welfare clinic in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. This study adopted descriptive research design. In all 200 mothers participated in the study. Self administered self structured questionnaire whose validity and reliability has been previously established was the instrument used for data collection. The process of collection took 4 weeks. Data collected was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.Results of the study should good knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among women and good practice of exclusive breastfeeding. However not all women that practice exclusive breastfeeding, practice it for at least 6 months.  Husbands were found out to influence the practice and duration of exclusive breastfeeding among women. Although women in this study demonstrated good knowledge and practice of exclusive breast feeding, there is still need to reinforce teaching especially during ante natal clinic to improve the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Conscious effort should also be made on the part of policy makers to put in place policies that will encourage women to practice exclusive breastfeeding because of the various inherent benefits for the child, mother and the society at large. Keywords: Knowledge, Practice, Exclusive Breastfeedin

Budgeting/budgetary control system and institutional effectiveness in universities in Kwara state, Nigeria

Introduction: The study examined the relationship between budgeting/budgetary control system and institutional effectiveness in Universities in Kwara State, Nigeria. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of budget committee, budget implementation, value for money check and internal audit check on institutional effectiveness in universities in Kwara State. Methodology: Two researchers’ questionnaires were designed to collect data from sampled respondents; they were ‘Budgeting/Budgetary control System Questionnaire (BBCSQ)’ and ‘Institutional Effectiveness Questionnaire (IEQ)’. The instruments were validated by two experts to ascertain the content validity while the reliability of the instruments was determined using Cronbach Alpha statistics, thus, the reliability coefficients were found to be 0.83 and 0.76 respectively. Four universities were randomly sampled out of the six accredited universities in Kwara State. The selection represented 67% of the total population. The respondents were the staff of the bursary department of the sampled universities and 110 respondents were determined out of the 290 targeted population using proportional sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 at 0.05 level of significant using PPMC while descriptive statistics of means and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions raised in the study. Results: The result of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between budgeting/budgetary control system and institutional effectiveness in Universities in Kwara State (r. value=.578> t. value=.000). Recommendations: It was recommended among others that budget committee should be composed of experienced and well versatile members in the field of accounting and finance to enhance their performance and overall effectiveness in the system

Evaluation of Extension Agents’ Communication Strategies in Promoting the New Rice for Africa Technology Among Rice Farmers in Ofada, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of extension agents’ communication strategies in promoting the New Rice for Africa Technology among farmers in Ofada, Ogun State, Nigeria. Hinged on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory, the study adopted the survey research design using structured questionnaire and focused group discussion sessions to elicit data from extension workers and rice farmers respectively. Findings from the study revealed that extension agents employed communication strategies such as one-to-one, group gatherings, radio jingles, short sms, and video demonstrations among others to promote NERICA among rice farmers in Ofada. It was also gathered that these communication strategies were effective in passing across required information however; the farmers prefer the one-to-one than the group gathering communication strategy which was more often used by the extension workers. This preference was premised on the inherent advantage of interactivity which the adoption of the one-to-one technique could provide. In the light of these findings, it was recommended that, more needed to be done by the extension agents and the government to ensure adoption of NERICA technology. With the right seedlings, good preservation techniques, and other backup supports such as availability of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, adopting NERICA technology would be easier for farmers. The study recommended use of the one-to-one communication strategy and periodic evaluation of the extension worker’s activities by government. Keywords: Communication; Communication Strategies; Agricultural Extension Agents, NERICA, Rice Farmers DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-6-06 Publication date:June 30th 201