Monetary Policy and Capital Market Performance: An Empirical Evidence from Nigerian Data

This study utilized time series data to determine the effect of monetary policy on the performance of Nigerian capital market. The study was motivated by the inconclusive debate on the real effect of monetary policy on capital market performance. Specifically, this study ascertained the effect of monetary policy rate and cash reserve ratio on the performance of Nigerian capital market surrogated by all share index. Secondary data for the period 1986 to 2016 were collected from the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Central Bank of Nigeria annual reports of various editions. The study applied the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression technique and causality analysis in which variations in all share index was regressed on monetary policy rate and cash reserve ratio. The analysis revealed that monetary policy tools have no significant effect on capital market performance. The monetary policy rate has negative significant relationship with capital market performance while cash reserve ratio positively relates with performance of the capital market. Considering the findings emanating from this study, the Central Bank of Nigeria should reduce the current double digit monetary policy to a single digit to attract investments in the capital market. Cash reserve ratio which is currently at 22.5% be lowered to the range: 10%-12% to cause an upsurge in money supply which will in turn improve capital market performance through upward movement in all share index

Should we be examining the ovaries in pregnancy? Prevalence and natural history of adnexal pathology detected at first-trimester sonography

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the prevalence and natural history of ovarian pathology in pregnancy. Method

Concise Reporting of Benign Endometrial Biopsies is an Acceptable Alternative to Descriptive Reporting

In the United Kingdom, endometrial biopsy reports traditionally consist of a morphologic description followed by a conclusion. Recently published consensus guidelines for reporting benign endometrial biopsies advocate the use of standardized terminology. In this project we aimed to assess the acceptability and benefits of this simplified "diagnosis only" format for reporting non-neoplastic endometrial biopsies. Two consultants reported consecutive endometrial biopsies using 1 of 3 possible formats: (i) diagnosis only, (ii) diagnosis plus an accompanying comment, and (iii) the traditional descriptive format. Service users were asked to provide feedback on this approach via an anonymized online survey. The reproducibility of this system was assessed on a set of 53 endometrial biopsies among consultants and senior histopathology trainees. Of 370 consecutive benign endometrial biopsies, 245 (66%) were reported as diagnosis only, 101 (27%) as diagnosis plus a brief comment, and 24 (7%) as diagnosis following a morphologic description. Of the 43 survey respondents (28 gynecologists, 11 pathologists, and 4 clinical nurse specialists), 40 (93%) preferred a diagnosis only, with 3 (7%) being against/uncertain about a diagnosis only report. Among 3 histopathology consultants and 4 senior trainees there was majority agreement on the reporting format in 53/53 (100%) and 52/53 (98%) biopsies. In summary, we found that reporting benign specimens within standardized, well-understood diagnostic categories is an acceptable alternative to traditional descriptive reporting, with the latter reserved for the minority of cases that do not fit into specific categories. This revised approach has the potential to improve reporting uniformity and reproducibility

Effectiveness of ovarian suspension in preventing post-operative ovarian adhesions in women with pelvic endometriosis: A randomised controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Endometriosis is a common benign condition, which is characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue in ectopic sites outside the uterus. Laparoscopic excision of the disease is frequently carried out for the treatment of severe endometriosis. Pelvic adhesions often develop following surgery and they can compromise the success of treatment. Ovarian suspension (elevating both ovaries to the anterior abdominal wall using a Prolene suture) is a simple procedure which has been used to facilitate ovarian retraction during surgery for severe pelvic endometriosis. The study aims to assess the effect of temporary ovarian suspension following laparoscopic surgery for severe pelvic endometriosis on the prevalence of post-operative ovarian adhesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A prospective double blind randomised controlled trial for patients with severe pelvic endometriosis requiring extensive laparoscopic dissection with preservation of the uterus and ovaries. Severity of the disease and eligibility for inclusion will be confirmed at surgery. Patients unable to provide written consent, inability to tolerate a transvaginal ultrasound scan, unsuccessful surgeries or suffer complications leading to oophorectomies, bowel injuries or open surgery will be excluded.</p> <p>Both ovaries are routinely suspended to the anterior abdominal wall during surgery. At the end of the operation, each participant will be randomised to having only one ovary suspended post-operatively. A new transabdominal suture will be reinserted to act as a placebo. Both sutures will be cut 36 to 48 hours after surgery before the woman is discharged home. Three months after surgery, all randomised patients will have a transvaginal ultrasound scan to assess for ovarian mobility. Both the patients and the person performing the scan will be blinded to the randomisation process.</p> <p>The primary outcome is the prevalence of ovarian adhesions on ultrasound examination. Secondary outcomes are the presence, intensity and site of post-operative pain.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This controlled trial will provide evidence as to whether temporary ovarian suspension should be included into the routine surgical treatment of women with severe pelvic endometriosis.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN: <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN24242218">ISRCTN24242218</a></p

TSPO ligand residence time influences human glioblastoma multiforme cell death/life balance

Abstract Ligands addressed to the mitochondrial Translocator Protein (TSPO) have been suggested as cell death/life and steroidogenesis modulators. Thus, TSPO ligands have been proposed as drug candidates in several diseases; nevertheless, a correlation between their binding affinity and in vitro efficacy has not been demonstrated yet, questioning the specificity of the observed effects. Since drug-target residence time is an emerging parameter able to influence drug pharmacological features, herein, the interaction between TSPO and irDE-MPIGA, a covalent TSPO ligand, was investigated in order to explore TSPO control on death/life processes in a standardized glioblastoma cell setting. After 90 min irDE-MPIGA cell treatment, 25 nM ligand concentration saturated irreversibly all TSPO binding sites; after 24 h, TSPO de-novo synthesis occurred and about 40 % TSPO binding sites resulted covalently bound to irDE-MPIGA. During cell culture treatments, several dynamic events were observed: (a) early apoptotic markers appeared, such as mitochondrial membrane potential collapse (at 3 h) and externalization of phosphatidylserine (at 6 h); (b) cell viability was reduced (at 6 h), without cell cycle arrest. After digitonin-permeabilized cell suspension treatment, a modulation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore was evidenced. Similar effects were elicited by the reversible TSPO ligand PIGA only when applied at micromolar dose. Interestingly, after 6 h, irDE-MPIGA cell exposure restored cell survival parameters. These results highlighted the ligand-target residence time and the cellular setting are crucial parameters that should be taken into account to understand the drug binding affinity and efficacy correlation and, above all, to translate efficiently cellular drug responses from bench to bedside

The effect of culture on Corporate Governance Practices in Nigeria

This study focuses on the effect of culture on the application of corporate governance practices in Nigeria. Corporate governance has been receiving serious attention in emerging markets over the past two decades. But relatively little attention has been given to the study on corporate governance in a country study. The current situations in Nigerian public and private sectors such as the corporate scandal resulting from Lever Brothers Nigeria plc, Siemens, Shell, Halliburton, and Cadbury Nigeria plc, have shown that the issue of fraud, corruption, and corporate scandals cannot be overlooked. Most top management, as this study argues, bring in beliefs acquired from their early childhood into their senior management roles and responsibilities. This study adopts a grounded theory and reports on the effect of culture on the implementation of corporate governance in Nigeria. Based on the interview with 32 staffs, this study identifies the effect of culture that shapes corporate governance and they include abuse of power by top management, weak legal framework, poor recruitment and ineffective control. Although having efficient corporate governance is worth pursuing, this depends on the power of top management, the strength of internal control procedures and the legal framework put in place by management

The role of ultrasound in the management of women with acute and chronic pelvic pain

Pelvic pain (acute or chronic) is a common symptom in women of all ages. Ultrasonography is the least invasive investigative tool available to the clinician. Transvaginal probes produce high-resolution images of the pelvic organs, providing reliable and reproducible information without the need for a full bladder. Common gynaecological pathology involving the uterus, Fallopian tube and/or the ovary can be diagnosed with confidence. Non-gynaecological pathology involving the bowel can also be diagnosed with accuracy, and will often be seen in the acute gynaecological setting. Ultrasound can be used to triage patients into appropriate treatment protocols, enabling the clinician to avoid surgery in some cases and select the correct surgical approach in others. If the patient has a negative pregnancy test, no pelvic tenderness on bimanual examination and a normal scan, significant pathology is very unlikely

Caesarean Section in the Delivery of Nigerian Eclamptics

Context: The place of caesarean section in the delivery of eclamptics has remained controversial, thereby creating the need for further studies. Objective: To evaluate the place of caesarean section in the delivery of eclamptics using the experience at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. Study Design, Setting and Subjects: Retrospective descriptive analysis of 44 ante- and intra-partum eclamptics treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital over a 4-year period. Main Outcome Measures: Caesarean section rate, maternal mortality ratio, maternal morbidity rates, perinatal mortality rate and perinatal morbidity rates. Results: A caesarean section rate of 91% was recorded due to superimposed ante- and intra-partum factors. The maternal and fetal outcomes were better in those who had caesarean section than in those who delivered vaginally. Conclusion: The results suggest the need for a more liberal and early use of caesarean section in Nigerian eclamptics. (Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2001, 18(1): 34-37

Are Destructive Operations Still Relevant to Obstetric Practice in Developing Countries?

Context: From our clinical observation, we often see caesarean section being performed in situations where destructive operations would have been more appropriate. Objective: To determine the proportion of cases of obstructed labour that meet defined criteria for destructive vaginal operation vis-à-vis the proportion that actually undergo the operation. Study Design, Setting and Subjects: A retrospective audit of all cases of obstructed labour seen at a university teaching hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria, over a fifteen- year period. Results: Out of 2947 patients presenting with obstructed labour during the study period, 67 (2.3%) met the set criteria for destructive vaginal delivery. Only 11 (16.4%) of these had destructive vaginal operations while the remaining 56 (83.6%) had caesarean section. Consultants were more likely than junior residents to perform craniotomy instead of caesarean section for the same indications (p < 0.02). Senior residents occupied an intermediate position. No maternal death occurred in the craniotomy group while three maternal deaths were recorded in the caesarean section group. Rates of infection, blood transfusion, vesico-vaginal fistula and Asherman's syndrome were also higher in the caesarean than in the craniotomy group. Conclusion: Only one-sixth of women who are suitable candidates for destructive vaginal operations are offered the procedure at the UNTH, Enugu, the rest being delivered by caesarean section, despite the higher complication rate of caesarean delivery in such cases. The reasons for this situation and the ways to either reverse it or else eliminate the need for destructive operations are discussed. Key Words: Destructive Operations, Obstructed Labour, Fetal Death [Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2002, 19: 90- 92