Elevated plasma homocysteine in association with decreased vitamin B12, folate, serotonin, lipids and lipoproteins in depressed patients

Objective: Increased plasma homocysteine, decreased vitamin B12 and folic acid levels have been implicated in depressive mood. Plasma homocystine, vitamin B12, folic acid tryptophan, lipids and lipoproteins were determined in depressed patients and controls. Method: Sixty subjects consisting of 30 depressed patients and 30 apparently healthy volunteers, who served as controls, were selected for this study. Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were determined using standard procedures. Results: The results showed a significantly higher plasma homocysteine level amongst depressed patients when compared with the corresponding controls (p<0.001), the percentage increase was 116%, while the plasma vitamin B12 (p<0.01), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p<0.001) were markedly lower when amongst depressed patients when compared with the corresponding controls; the percentage differences were 21%, 42% and 42% respectively. Plasma triglyceride, folic acid and tryptophan levels amongst depressed patients were not significantly different from the controls. The male subjects had significantly higher plasma tHcy levels than the female counterparts (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed a significant increase in plasma tHcy coexisting with a decrease in plasma vitamin B12 TC, LDLC and HDLC, in depressed patients. Increased plasma homocysteine could be a sensitive indicator of plasma B vitamin deficiency.Keywords: Cholesterol; Depression; Homocysteine; Tryptophan; Vitamin

The distributional properties of the family of logistic distributions

The distributional properties of half logistic distribution and Type I generalized logistic distribution were studied, bringing out the L-moments (up to order four) of each of these. Skewness and Kurtosis were obtained

TURNOVER INTENTION FACTORS AND ITS EFFECT ON EXTENSION OFFICERS JOB PERFORMANCE IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

This study examines the turnover intention factors and its effect on extension officers’ job performance in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study used stratified sampling technique to select 80 extension officers of the Agricultural Development Project in the 4 zones of Ondo State. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The results show that extension officers rated level of job performance, emotional intelligence and organizational commitment as high while job satisfaction and leadership member exchange as low. Significant and positive correlation (p<0.01) existed between each variable and work performance. Regression analysis results showed that emotional intelligence, job satisfaction, and leadership member exchange were significant turnover intention factors that affect job performance. The R2 value of 0.731 indicates that the three (3) factors gave 73.1% explanation of the variance in extension officers’ job performance. The results also suggested that emotional intelligence (?=0.734) was the most important turnover intention factor that have effect on job performance, followed by job satisfaction and leadership member exchange. Hence, emotional intelligence, job satisfaction and leadership member exchange should be taken into consideration as turnover intention factors that affect job performance among the extension officers. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship of turnover intention factors to job performance and will add to existing body of knowledge in the domain of managing extension officers’ in the agricultural industry, thereby increasing job performance and productivity in the agricultural sector.        Keywords: Extension Officers, Intention, Job Performance, Turnover

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF DESIGN STUDIO JURY IN SCHOOLS OF ARCHITECTURE IN NIGERIA

An examination is a formal test of a person's knowledge or proficiency in a particular subject or skill. An often time, the approach of an examination is accompanied by examination phobia on students, which suggests that the examination period is not always a pleasant one. Architectural jury for design studio works is the equivalent of examination for written courses; hence, students perceive it with mixed feelings. Apart from being an examination, the jury also presents an opportunity for students to learn in an atmosphere that can either be jocular, antagonistic or reassuring. Despite the age long tradition of the jury evaluation system, there are few literatures that have assessed the perception of students towards its use and suitability as a means of performance measurement. The purpose of this study is to investigate students’ perception of the jury system as an integral pedagogical process of evaluating design studio works. Data was collected through a survey of two purposively selected schools using a structured questionnaire as instrument of data collection. The respondents were students across the 3rd to 4th and 5th to 6th year of undergraduate and postgraduate study respectively. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study would be useful in the development of national academic policies for Nigerian Schools of Architecture towards improving students’ acceptance of the jury process as a tool for learning and assessment on one hand, and also to improve their performance in the jury on the other hand

A comparative study of EEG abnormalities among subjects with inter-ictal psychosis and those with schizophrenia

Background: Electrophysiological investigation is an integral part in the management of neuropsychiatric disorders; but this is rare in developing countries including Nigeria.Objectives: The study aims to determine EEG abnormalities among subjects with inter-ictal psychosis in comparison to those with schizophrenia.Methods: A cross-sectional study of subjects with inter-ictal psychosis and those with schizophrenia. Each of the subjects that met the inclusion criteria had an awake EEG recording that lasted 45 minutes.Results: For PWEIP, the mean age was 23.9 (±13.8) years; and made up of 53 (53.0%) males; and for PWS, the mean age was 24.2 (±13.5) years; and there were 51 (51.0%) males. The EEG was normal in 53 (53.0%) of PWEIP and in 83 (83.0%) of PWS. EEG was abnormal in 47 (47.0%) of PWEIP, and 17 (17.0%) in those with PWS, and these were all ‘epileptiform’ activities, and the difference was statistically significant with X2 =20.7 (Fisher’s exact test), df=1 and p=0.00**. Conclusion: A number of subjects in our sample with inter-ictal psychosis and PWS had EEG epileptiform activities reflecting cerebral insults in early life. Thus, preventive measures such as good antenatal care are advocated to minimize the occurrence of these neuro-psychiatric disorders.Keywords: EEG abnormalities, inter-ictal psychosis, schizophreni

Antioxidant and DPPH-Scavenging Activities of Compounds and Ethanolic Extract of the Leaf and Twigs of Caesalpinia bonduc L. Roxb.

Antioxidant effects of ethanolic extract of Caesalpinia bonduc and its isolated bioactive compounds were evaluated in vitro. The compounds included two new cassanediterpenes, 1α,7α-diacetoxy-5α,6β-dihydroxyl-cass-14(15)-epoxy-16,12-olide (1)and 12α-ethoxyl-1α,14β-diacetoxy-2α,5α-dihydroxyl cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide(2); and others, bonducellin (3), 7,4’-dihydroxy-3,11-dehydrohomoisoflavanone (4), daucosterol (5), luteolin (6), quercetin-3-methyl ether (7) and kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1Ç2)-β-D-xylopyranoside (8). The antioxidant properties of the extract and compounds were assessed by the measurement of the total phenolic content, ascorbic acid content, total antioxidant capacity and 1-1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide radicals scavenging activities.Compounds 3, 6, 7 and ethanolic extract had DPPH scavenging activities with IC50 values of 186, 75, 17 and 102 μg/ml respectively when compared to vitamin C with 15 μg/ml. On the other hand, no significant results were obtained for hydrogen peroxide radical. In addition, compound 7 has the highest phenolic content of 0.81±0.01 mg/ml of gallic acid equivalent while compound 8 showed the highest total antioxidant capacity with 254.31±3.54 and 199.82±2.78 μg/ml gallic and ascorbic acid equivalent respectively. Compound 4 and ethanolic extract showed a high ascorbic acid content of 2.26±0.01 and 6.78±0.03 mg/ml respectively.The results obtained showed the antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of C. bonduc and deduced that this activity was mediated by its isolated bioactive compounds

Factors associated with low contraceptive use amongst vulnerable mothers in South West State, Nigeria

Background: Young mothers tend to be more prone to high maternal and perinatal risks and are thus deemed vulnerable to adverse sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in terms of their right to choose contraceptives of their choice to enhance their maternal well-being and childbirth spacing should be well discussed. Achieving sufficient SRHR may be averted if the use of family planning by disadvantaged groups is not given required attention. Aim: This study aimed to identify and analyse the factors associated with the low use of contraceptives amongst vulnerable women in the South West region in Nigeria. Setting: The study area was purposively chosen to capture contraceptive use amongst vulnerable women in Osun State, Nigeria. Methods: A primary data collection was done in three senatorial districts of Osun State, Nigeria, with 140 respondents each to give a total of 420 respondents. Collected data were analysed using univariate, bivariate and multivariate measures. Results: The result showed a magnitude of association and relationship at both levels of analyses. Living arrangements and family types were 89% and 88.3%, respectively, associated with family planning use. In the same vein, living arrangement and family types were also statistically significant at p < 0.05with an odds ratio of 0.23 (95% CI: 0.1184–0.4583) and an odds ratio of 0.35 (95% CI: 0.1756–0.6970) with family planning use, respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that policies and interventions to accelerate and encourage contraceptives use amongst vulnerable mothers in South West, Nigeria should be targeted at those whose husbands lived elsewhere and those whose husbands have more than one wife

EFFECT OF MECHANICAL AND PHYSICALPROPERTIES ON BRAKE PADS PRODUCED FROM BAGASSE, BANANA PEELS AND PERIWINKLE SHELL

The study examined the effect of some mechanical and physical properties on brake pads produced from bagasse, banana peels and periwinkle shell in order to determine the materials suitability to develop new asbestos-free brake pads.These materials were sourced locally at Ede, Osun state.Samples were produced from different mix ratios of constituents using two sieve grades of 180 and 250 μm particle sizes. The percentage weights (wt%) of bagasse, banana peels and periwinkle shells were varied while those of crystalline silica, lead sulphide and epoxy resin were constant for both sieve grades. The density of each sample decreases from 2298 - 1199 Kg/m3 as the sieve grade increases. Also, the oil and water absorption rates increase from 0.007 - 0.022% and 0.012 - 0.037% respectively with an increase in sieve grade. Thehardness values of the brake pads produced range from 79.7 to 89.4 HRB and 77.1 to 84.8 HRB for both sieve grades, respectively. Likewise, the values of impact strength for the sieve grades ranged from 18.89 to 27.10J/mm and 17.97 to 24.85 J/mm, respectively.The samples B and C consisting of 15 wt% bagasse, 15 wt% banana peels, 30 wt% periwinkle shell, 10 wt% crystalline silica, 10 wt% lead sulphide, 20 wt% resin and 15 wt% bagasse, 30 wt% banana peels, 15 wt% periwinkle shell, 10 wt% crystalline silica, 10 wt% lead sulphide and 20 wt% resin for sieve grade of 180 μm, respectively, were regarded as the best among others because they gave the greatest properties. Therefore, the study concluded that the use of bagasse, banana peels and periwinkle shells as reinforced materials have properties suitable for the production of brake pads

Insights about Cannabis and Psychosis Using Video Games for Young People with a First Episode of Psychosis, Particularly Those from Black Racialized Communities: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

Background: Cannabis use disorder among young people with a first episode of psychosis contributes to relapse, hospitalization, and impaired functioning. However, few studies have examined what young people with early phase psychosis, particularly those from Black racialized communities, understand or appreciate about this relationship, even though they may be at risk. There are no formally tested knowledge translation strategies that disseminate these research findings for young people with emerging psychosis from Black racialized communities. Objective: This study aims to conceptualize what young people with early phase psychosis/cannabis use disorder understand about the relationship between cannabis and psychosis, focusing on people from racialized backgrounds. This study also aims to assess whether the knowledge translation product, the “Back to Reality Series,” increases awareness of the impact of cannabis use on psychosis from the perspectives of young people with emerging psychosis and cannabis use disorder from Black African and Caribbean communities. Methods: Qualitative analysis will reveal themes from qualitative interviews about cannabis and psychosis from the perspectives of young people with emerging psychosis and cannabis use disorder from Black African and Caribbean communities. Perceptions before and after exposure to the Back to Reality Series will be qualitatively analyzed. A control game will be used for comparison, and scores on a quiz after playing the Back to Reality Series will be quantitatively analyzed to establish whether the Back to Reality Series raises awareness of the effects of cannabis on psychosis. An advisory council involving young people from Black communities, family members, and clinicians will bring community perspectives to this research. Results: We began recruiting participants for this study in September 2021. We will complete data collection on demographic and clinical factors, qualitative interviews, and quantitative assessments of the Back to Reality Series. Conclusions: The voices of young people from racialized backgrounds will generate preliminary data to inform early psychosis programs, addressing cannabis use in this population. The findings may advance the use of a new knowledge translation product that deals with gaps in knowledge about cannabis use for people experiencing early phase psychosis, particularly those from racialized communities