Decentralization for National development in Nigeria from a contextual view of agent Israelite system of egalitarian stewardship and accountability

National development of a multicultural setting requires a decentralized appropriation of diverse contributions of various constituent subsets. Improvement of multicultural settings calls for social negotiation and economic merger, and compression of individual resources of the various units to enhance egalitarian level of advancement. However, the Nigerian government employed a centralized authoritarian administration that undermined the value of economic relations and national development since military rule in 1966. Centralization of the control of economic and entrepreneurial ventures culminated in economic deprivations among the states and regions of Nigeria.  Consequently, increase in level of poverty became pronounced while resources of development existed untapped in the local areas. This paper employed historical critical analysis in contextualizing solutions to the above problems while suggesting the need to encourage individual creativity in entrepreneurship in order to enlarge multi economic relations for national development. It concluded by recommending Israelite egalitarian system of stewardship and accountability for a decentralization of economic control towards improvement of the rural constituent regions. There should also be fund from the Federal Government to establish industries in the rural areas. There is need for exploration of resources at the local areas by local trade societies saddled with stewardship of 20% of gross local products to the Federal treasury in order to expand employment opportunities

Evaluation of Dimethylformamide (DMF) as an Organic Modifier in Hydrophobicity Index (Rm) Determination.

Purpose: Ideal behaviour of mixtures of organic modifier and water is reflected by a linear relationship between refractive index and fraction of organic modifier in the mixture. This study was carried out to investigate dimethylformamide (DMF) as an organic modifier in hydrophobicity index (Rm) determination. Method: We quantitatively evaluated the problem of partial miscibility of phases associated with the reversed phase thin layer chromatographic (RPTLC) system, using liquid paraffin as stationary phase and acetone/water mixtures as mobile phase. Ideality of behaviour of acetone /water mixtures was investigated by refractive index measurements. Rm values of compounds were determined using mixtures of acetone and water as mobile phase. Results: DMF/water mixture behaved ideally across the whole concentration range investigated (0-100%) while acetone/water mixture deviated from ideal behaviour when the concentration of acetone in the mixture was 80%. DMF also gave a better extrapolation of Rm value from linear regression of partition data than acetone for bezafibrate used as a test-drug molecule. Conclusion: DMF is a better organic modifier than acetone in this RPTLC system. These findings could be extended to drug-receptor and drug design studies. The use of dimethylformamide (DMF) in preference to acetone as organic modifier is proposed in this study. Keywords: Drug design, dimethylformamide, hydrophobicity index, organic modifiers Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2002; 1(2): 83-9

Novel colorimetric assay of mefenamic acid using 4-amino-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (ADBA)

Purpose: To develop a novel colorimetric assay method for mefenamic acid capsules. Method: The new method (aromatic ring derivatization technique) is based on a diazo coupling reaction using diazotized 4-amino-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (ADBA) as a chromogenic derivatizing reagent. Result: Optimization studies showed that the coupling reaction is very fast and completed in less than 1 minute. A 1:1 drug to reagent stoichiometric ratio was obtained for the azo dye formed. The azo adduct formed exhibits bathochromic shift with absorption maximum (lmax) at 490 nm, which was selected as the analytical wavelength. Lower limit of quantitation of mefenamic acid was 1 mg/ml. The assays were linear over the concentration range of 1 - 6 mg/ml and reproducible. This new method has been successfully applied in the assay of mefenamic acid capsules with accuracy similar to the official (B.P) titrimetric method of assay (p>0.05) and has the advantages of speed, high sensitivity, lower limit of detection and can be automated. Conclusion: The method developed could find application in in-process quality control of mefenamic acid capsules. Keywords: Mefenamic acid assay, 4-amino-3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, colorimetry, diazotization Trop J Pharm Res, June 2002; 1(1): 15-2

Colorimetric Assay Of Naproxen Tablets by Derivatization Using 4-Carboxyl-2,6-Dinitrobenzene Diazonium Ion

A colorimetric assay of naproxen tablets based on chemical derivatization with the chromogenic reagent 4-carboxyl-2,6-dinitrobenzene diazonium ion was developed. The optimal reaction time was found to be 5 min at 30 oC after vortex mixing of the drug/reagent mixture for 10 s. The optimal analytical wavelength was found to be 470 nm and linearity of response was obtained between 1-7 μgml-1 of naproxen. The diazo coupling reaction occurred in a 2:1 reagent-drug stoichiometric ratio. The method is sensitive, accurate (mean recovery 101.06±3.06 %), reproducible (imprecision 3.03 % CV) and has a low limit of detection (0.95 μgm-1). It was applied in the assay of naproxen tablets with equivalent accuracy (p>0.05) to the official (BP) UV spectrophotometric method but combined the advantages of speed and more affordable instrumentation. The method can be applied in the in-process quality control of naproxen tablets.Keywords: Naproxen assay, 4-carboxyl-2,6-dintrobenzene diazonium ion (CDNBD), colorimetry, diazo coupling reactionEast and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 12 (2009) 8-1

Post-consent assessment of dental subjects' understanding of informed consent in oral health research in Nigeria

Abstract Background Research participants may not adequately understand the research in which they agree to enroll. This could be due to a myriad of factors. Such a missing link in the informed consent process contravenes the requirement for an "informed" consent prior to the commencement of research. This study assessed the post consent understanding of Nigerian study participants of the oral health research they were invited to join. Methods A descriptive cross sectional study with research participants who had just consented to one of three ongoing research studies on oral health. Study sites included two centers, one in the northern and one in the southern part of Nigeria. Data were collected using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Results A total of 113 research participants were interviewed. The southern part of the country had 58 respondents with the north having 55. The age range was 21 – 80 years. Mean age was 46.1 (SD16.3). The sample was predominantly male (69.9%) and married (64.6%). There was poor understanding of some key elements of the informed consent process such as involvement in research, benefits, contacts, confidentiality and voluntariness. Some identified factors potentially compromising understanding were poverty, illiteracy, therapeutic misconception and confusion about the dual roles of the Dentist and the researcher. Conclusion The participants recruited into the oral health research in Nigeria did not adequately understand the studies they were invited to join nor do they understand their rights as research participants. Measures should be taken to include research bioethics into the curricula of Dental schools and to train oral health researchers in the country on research ethics.</p

Changes in mediators of inflammation and pro-thrombosis after 12 months of dietary modification in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a 12-month dietary modification on indices of inflammation and pro-thrombosis in adults with metabolic syndrome (MS). Materials and methods: This longitudinal study involved 252 adults with MS recruited from the Bodija market, Ibadan and its environs. Participants were placed on 20%, 30% and 50% calories obtained from protein, total fat and carbohydrate respectively and were followed up monthly for 12 months. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured using standard methods. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)], interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using spectrophotometric methods and ELISA as appropriate. Data was analysed using ANCOVA, Student\u2019s t-test, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: After 6 months of dietary modification, there was a significant reduction in waist circumference (WC), while the levels of HDL-C, fibrinogen and PAI-1 were significantly increased when compared with the corresponding baseline values. However, WC and fibrinogen reduced significantly, while HDL-C and IL-10 significantly increased after 12 months of dietary modification as compared with the respective baseline values. Conclusion: Long-term regular dietary modification may be beneficial in ameliorating inflammation and pro-thrombosis in metabolic syndrome

Factors associated with spontaneous stone passage in a contemporary cohort of patients presenting with acute ureteric colic. Results from the MIMIC Study (A Multi-centre cohort study evaluating the role of Inflammatory Markers in patients presenting with acute ureteric Colic)

Objectives There is conflicting data on the role of white blood cell count (WBC) and other inflammatory markers in spontaneous stone passage in patients with acute ureteric colic. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship of WBC and other routinely collected inflammatory and clinical markers including stone size, stone position and Medically Expulsive Therapy use (MET) with spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with acute ureteric colic. Subjects and Methods Multi‐centre retrospective cohort study coordinated by the British Urology Researchers in Surgical Training (BURST) Research Collaborative at 71 secondary care hospitals across 4 countries (United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New Zealand). 4170 patients presented with acute ureteric colic and a computer tomography confirmed single ureteric stone. Our primary outcome measure was SSP as defined by the absence of need for intervention to assist stone passage. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between key patient factors and SSP. Results 2518 patients were discharged with conservative management and had further follow up with a SSP rate of 74% (n = 1874/2518). Sepsis after discharge with conservative management was reported in 0.6% (n = 16/2518). On multivariable analysis neither WBC, Neutrophils or CRP were seen to predict SSP, with an adjusted OR of 0.97 [95% CI 0.91 to 1.04, p = 0.38], 1.06 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.13, p = 0.1] and 1.00 [95% CI 0.99 to 1.00, p = 0.17], respectively. Medical expulsive therapy (MET) also did not predict SSP [adjusted OR 1.11 [95% CI 0.76 to 1.61]). However, stone size and stone position were significant predictors. SSP for stones 7mm. For stones in the upper ureter the SSP rate was 52% [95% CI 48 to 56], middle ureter was 70% [95% CI 64 to 76], and lower ureter was 83% [95% CI 81 to 85]. Conclusion In contrast to the previously published literature, we found that in patients with acute ureteric colic who are discharged with initial conservative management, neither WBC, Neutrophil count or CRP help determine the likelihood of spontaneous stone passage. We also found no overall benefit from the use of MET. Stone size and position are important predictors and our findings represent the most comprehensive stone passage rates for each mm increase in stone size from a large contemporary cohort adjusting for key potential confounders. We anticipate that these data will aid clinicians managing patients with acute ureteric colic and help guide management decisions and the need for intervention

Short Communication - Survey of the Abnormalities of the Genitalia of Slaughtered Cows in Lafenwa Abattoir, Abeokuta

No Abstrac

Serological and pathological assessment of lymphoid organs in chicks fed with graded levels of fermented and unfermented cassava diets

Despite the myriad of investigations in literature on cassava utilization in domestic chickens, its effects on the avian specific humoral immune system still remains elusive. This study investigated the effects of graded levels of fermented (F) and unfermented (UF) cassava diets on the lymphoid organs and its subsequent humoral immunological response in domestic chicks. One hundred day-old Yaffa White cockerels were randomly divided into five groups (A to E) of twenty birds each. The replacement of maize with 0%, 20%, 30%, fermented or unfermented cassava root meal was on a quantitative basis in each group fed for 5 weeks. All other ingredients remained constant. The mean body weight in different cassava treated groups (CTGs) showed no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) compared with the control. The bursa and thymic weights showed both decrease and increase significant difference (P&lt;0.05). There was significant decrease in the IBD antibody titers of CTGs compared with the control at week 5. Macroscopically, mild to moderate enlargement and atrophy of bursa of Fabricius, with petechiation of cortical surfaces of the thymus were observed. Microscopically, lesions such as interfollicular edema, interfollicular fibrosis, follicular atrophy, lymphofollicular hypoplasia, dystrophic epithelium, thickened splenic capsule, splenic lymphoid hypoplasia, thymic lymphoid hypoplasia, diffuse medullary thymic haemorrhages and Myoid cells proliferation were the consistent histopathological changes in all the CTGs. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that cassava inclusion feeds could cause subtle sublethal effects to the lymphoid organs of domestic chickens, and consequently lead to vaccine failure when it is administered for a long period of time.Keywords: Lymphoid organs, fermented and unfermented cassava, serology, patholog

Design and construction of solar-powered smart garbage disposal unit

Cities with developing economies experience exhausted waste collection services, and inadequately managed and uncontrolled dumpsites; which is an ongoing challenge and many struggles due to weak institutions and rapid urbanization. The purpose of the research is to design and construct a smart garbage disposal system using a two-way power supply unit (that is, the electrical power supply unit and solar power supply unit) based on Arduino Nano that utilizes ATMEGA 328p microcontroller. Two pairs of ultrasonic sensors, the pair that faced upward detects the presence of garbage disposal agent at a close distance of (5 - 50) cm and then opens the lid while the other pair faced the inside of the container senses when the container is filled up and then closes the container until it is emptied are used