Evaluation of QSAR and ligand enzyme docking for the identification of ABCB1 substrates

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an efflux pump that belongs to ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family embedded in the membrane bilayer. P-gp is a polyspecific protein that has demonstrated its function as a transporter of hydrophobic drugs as well as transporting lipids, steroids and metabolic products. Its role in multidrug resistance (MDR) and pharmacokinetic profile of clinically important drug molecules has been widely recognised. In this study, QSAR and enzyme-ligand docking methods were explored in order to classify substrates and non-substrates of P-glycoprotein. A set of 123 compounds designated as substrates (54) or non-substrates (69) by Matsson et al., 2009 was used for the investigation. For QSAR studies, molecular descriptors were calculated using ACD labs/LogD Suite and MOE (CCG Inc.). P-glycoprotein structures available in the Protein data bank were used for docking studies and determination of binding scores using MOE software. Binding sites were defined using co-crystallised ligand structures. Three classification algorithms which included classification and regression trees, boosted trees and support vector machine were examined. Models were developed using a training set of 98 compounds and were validated using the remaining compounds as the external test set. A model generated using BT was identified as the best of three models, with a prediction accuracy of 88%, Mathews correlation coefficient of 0.77 and Youden’s J index of 0.80 for the test set. Inclusion of various docking scores for different binding sites improved the models only marginally

Nutrigenetic Effect of Moringa oleifera Seed Meal on the Biological Growth Programme of Young Broiler Chickens.

A Nutrigenetic study of the effects of graded levels (0%, 5% and 10%) of undecorticated undefatted Moringa oleifera Seed Meal (UUMOSM) on the biological growth programme of 48 young broilers of two genotypes (Marshall and Arbor Acres) was conducted. Rates of change (%) of Body Weight (WTR), Length (BLR) and Girth (BGR), and Lengths of Shank (SLR), Thigh (TLR), Wing (WLR) and Keel (KLR) between 1 and 4 weeks age were measured. The effect of Genotype and Diet on growth rate was defined by fitting a univariate General Linear Model, while the strength of relationship between traits was examined by use of Pearson's bivariate correlation method. Only BLR was significantly (P<0.05) affected by genotype, while diet significantly (P<0.05) determined WTR, BGR, TLR, WLR, and KLR. Significant (P<0.05) effects of Genotype x Diet interaction on WTR, BLR, BGR, WLR and KLR were observed. The level of correlation between trait rates varied with increasing levels of UUMOSM in both genotypes; exhibiting a direct, inverse, parabola or inverted parabola shaped relationship curve. These results showed that subtle variations in dietary levels of UUMOSM significantly influence the biological growth programme of young broilers, with implications for size and interrelationship of body parts, including shape/conformation. They further showed that substructures within populations such as clusters with non-overlapping nutritional habits (voluntary or forced) influence overall population estimates of inter-trait relationships. The transcriptomic (gene expression) and metabonomic correlates of the phenomenon reported here will be examined in further studies and should yield evidence of underlying mechanisms.Keywords: Moringa oleifera seed meal, Broiler, Growth rate, Correlationand Regression

Moments in transformation: Trainee and newly qualified Lifelong learning teachers’ reconceptualization of assessment in practice

This study investigates the pre-and post-training conceptualisations of assessment amongst trainee and recently qualified teachers in the lifelong learning sector in the UK. Using the lens of transformative learning, the study maps out the process, influential factors and time in the shift in conceptualisation. Though designed as a qualitative iterative study, the study employed a combination of statistical tools and content analysis in data analysis. It found that the dominant pre-training conceptualisation of assessment was in its summative essence as a tool for testing and examination and that reconceptualization occurred mostly during practice. The study calls for a review of the structure and content of teacher education in the area of assessment and proposed that post-training development programmes for newly and recently qualified teachers must acknowledge these findings in their teacher development programmes

Response to Divergent Selection for 35-Day Bodyweight and Realized Heritabilities over Two Generations in Japanese Quails

Selection for high (H) and low (L) body weight (BW) at 35 days of age in Japanese quail was practiced for 2 generations. The base population was a random bred population obtained from the National Veterinary Research Institute in Jos, Nigeria. Realized heritability for BW at 35 day of age for H and L males in the 2nd generation was 0.43 and 0.35 respectively, while they were 0.50 and 0.55 (respectively) for the H and L females. Body weight of the 2nd generation H and L females were 118.64 and 45.44g respectively, and that of control is 82.96g. Similar weights for the males were 120.2, 47.43 and 78.64g for the H, L and C line respectively in the 2nd generation. The H and L lines diverged significantly (P< 0.05) in body weight at 35- days of age through the two generations of selection, while the control line was intermediate to the selected lines for bodyweight. The results indicate that the base population is amenable to improvement through selection.Key words: body weight, high line, low line, control line, Japanese quails

Assessment of the knowledge, practice, and barriers of physicians in Lagos about respiratory diseases preventable vaccines

Objectives: Immunizations are indicated in a wide range of clinical situations. There are gaps in the implementation of the acceptable recommended guidelines on adult immunization in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the perceptions, practices, and barriers of physicians in recommending adult vaccines. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous, self-administered survey to understand the perceptions, practice, and barriers to adult vaccine recommendations among adult physicians in Lagos. Results: Ninety-seven physicians completed the questionnaire with male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3. The mean age of the responders was 39.54 ± 6.2. The proportion with overall good knowledge was 40 (41.2%). The vaccines routinely recommended include: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 73 (81.1%), COVID-19 vaccine 70 (77.8%), and influenza vaccine 57 (63.3%), respectively. The common barriers for vaccine recommendation include: Unavailability 53 (54.6%), poor reminder systems, 43 (44.3%), inadequate insurance coverage 33 (34%), and vaccine shortage 31 (32%). There was a significant association between the knowledge of physicians and sociodemographics, including age (χ2 = 6.548, P = 0.038), duration of practice (χ2 = 7.761, P = 0.039), type of specialist training (χ2 = 3.860, P = 0.049), as well as specialty (χ2 = 11.282, P = 0.004). Conclusion: This study suggests that the knowledge of physicians regarding adult vaccinnations is below average. Most recommended adult respiratory disease preventable vaccines are pneumococcal conjugate, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccines. The major barriers to vaccination include availability and cost. The implication of this finding is the need to increase awareness about vaccine utilization as well as access among physicians in Lagos and Nigeria at large if the narrative must change

Microanatomical effects of ethanolic extract of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult wistar rats

The study investigated the microanatomical effects of the extracts of Cola nitida on the stomach mucosa of adult male Wistar rats. Twenty adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups of A, B, C and D (n=5). Animals in experimental groups B, C and D were given 600mg/kg body weight of crude extract of Cola nitida each by oral intubation for five, seven and nine consecutive days respectively, while group A (control) received equivalent volume of distilled water. Twenty four hrs after the last administration, the animals were sacrificed; tissues were harvested and fixed in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. The study revealed necrotized surface epithelium, degenerated gastric mucosa, and loss of glandular elements in the stomachs of experimental groups’ vis-à-vis the control group. These observations were days-dependent; as those groups which received the extract for higher number of days were seen to be adversely affected. In conclusion, Cola nitida at 600mg/kg body weight can cause gastric lesion in animals. This lesion may be pronounced if the administration continued for days. Cola nitida should, therefore, be taken with caution to avoid gastric complications.Keyword: Cola nitida, necrotized, degenerated, stomach mucosa, microanatomy, glandular element

Prevalence and factors associated with the use of long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptive methods among women who desire no more children in high fertility countries in sub-saharan Africa.

The proportion of women with family planning needs increased from 74 to 76% between 2000 and 2019, and this improvement has not transcended to a fertility rate stall or decrease in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In the face of a continuous increase in the fertility rate in SSA, population experts agreed that the efficient use of reliable family planning methods such as long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptive methods (LARC/PMs) could help reduce the high fertility rate and associated adverse reproductive health outcomes in the region. However, despite the effectiveness of LARC/PMs, its use remains elusive in SSA. Thus, this study examines the prevalence and factors associated with the use of LARC/PMs among women who desire no more children in high-fertility countries in SSA. Secondary datasets from the demographic health surveys conducted in 20 countries in SSA between 2010 and 2019 were included in the study. A total sample size of 46,290 sexually active women of reproductive age who desire no more children and who met the study inclusion criteria was pooled and analysed. Prevalence of LARC/PMs use was displayed using a graph whilst binary logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors, and results were presented as unadjusted odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with a statistical significance of p < 0.05. The prevalence of LARC/PMs use among women who desire no more children was 7.5%. Ranging from 20.9% in Senegal and as low as 0.4% in Congo. Women within the richest wealth index [aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03-1.36] and those exposed to mass media [aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.41-1.68] had higher odds of LARC/PMs use among sexually active women of reproductive age who desire no more children compared to those within poorest wealth index and women with no mass media exposure. The study concluded that LARC/PMs use among sexually active women who desire no more children was very low, and women within the richest wealth index and those with mass media exposure were likely to use LARC/PMs. Interventions that will encourage using LARC/PMs should be prioritised to reduce fertility rates in SSA. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).

Prevalence, pattern and risk factors for retinal vascular occlusions in a tertiary hospital in Jos, Nigeria

Introduction: Retinal vascular occlusions are the second most common retinal vascular diseases following diabetic retinopathy. They are associated with several systemic and ocular pathologies and are significant causes of visual loss.Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence, pattern and risk factors for retinal vascular occlusions in a tertiary hospital in Jos,Nigeria.Methodology: A retrospective review of all cases of retinal vascular occlusions seen in the eye clinic from January 2011 to December 2014 was carried out.The patients were identified from the clinic register and their case folders retrieved.The following data were then extracted from the files; patients' age, sex, presenting visual acuity, presence of any systemic disorders and type of retinal vascular occlusion.Data analysis was done using Epi Info 7.Results: Three thousand eight hundred and twenty one new patients were seen during the study period and there were 52 (1.36%) cases of retinal vascular occlusions.Only the case files of 44(84.6%) patients were available and were analysed. These were made up of 17 (39%) males and 27 (61%) females.These had a total of 46 retinal vascular occlusions made up of 37 (80.4%)retinal vein occlusions,8 (17.4%) central retinal artery occlusions and a case (2.2%) of combined central retinal artery and vein occlusion. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common systemic risk factors while glaucoma was the most common ocular association.Conclusion: Retinal vascular occlusions are uncommon in our centre butlead to severe visual loss and are associated with significant systemic pathologies.Keywords: Retinal vein occlusion,retinal artery occlusio