Monetary Policy Shocks and Inclusive Growth in Nigeria: A VAR Approach

The importance of monetary policy to an economy has made its effectiveness very potent in achieving economic growth in both developed and developing countries, this is because, an effective monetary policy is crucial for sustainable development and economic stability. Hence, this study will among other things investigate the relationship between monetary policy shocks and inclusive growth in Nigeria. With many of the macroeconomic models for measuring the effect of monetary policy on an economy lacking the analytical specificity to account for the importance of shocks on aggregate economy. This study, with the introduction of inclusive growth as a new variable, used a developed model with advanced empirical and quantitative methodology to study monetary policy shocks and inclusive growth in Nigerian economy. Usually, VAR is more applicable to analyzing the linkage among monetary policy variables. Hence, while this study will obtain a new evidence for this relationship, it is expected in Nigeria, that an effective monetary policy will encourage inclusive growth; stabilize inflation and maintain macroeconomic stability in the economy

Assessment of microbiological qualities of Vigna subterranean pudding sold in Ota, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria.

Millions of people worldwide depend on ready-to-eat foods (RTEFs) vended on the streets daily, for a wide variety of food choices that are relatively cheap and easily accessible. Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc.) Pudding ‘Okpa’ is a RTEF gaining enormous popularity in Nigeria, thus the need to investigate its microbiological qualities. A total of 30 samples were purchased from six different vendors along the popular ‘Sango under-bridge’ in Ota and were analyzed for total aerobic plate count, coliform count, fungal count and for specific bacterial and fungal pathogens. The mean total aerobic plate count ranged from 4.06 x 104 to 5.38 x105 cfu/g, mean coliform count ranged from <10 to 1.44 x 102 cfu/g and mean fungal count was 4.54 x 102 to 5.61 x 104 cfu/g. Five different bacteria and three fungi species were identified based on morphological and biochemical tests as major contaminants. These include: Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Mucor, Aspergillus and Rhizopus. The presence of E. coli an indicator organism of faecal contamination, and the relatively high coliform count can be an indication of poor hygiene and sanitation standards post processing or inadequate heat treatment during the preparation of these products. The application of good manufacturing practices (GMP), effective hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) evaluation and adequate supervision and implementation of food safety practices and regular education of food handlers on food quality standards is advanced to improve this product and other RTEFs

ESTIMATION OF GROWTH, MORTALITY, AND EXPLOITATION STATUS OF NURSE TETRA (Brycinus nurse) AND TRUE BIG SCALE TETRA (Brycinus macrolepidotus) (FAMILY: ALESTIDAE) FROM THE NEW CALABAR RIVER, NIGERIA

This study aimed to determine the growth patterns, mortality, and exploitation status of two species of Alestidae in the New Calabar River, Nigeria. For this purpose, fish samples were collected monthly from three landing sites from the local fishermen using gill nets (mesh sizes: 15-25mm), beach seine (mesh sizes: 2.3-10mm), and cast nets (mesh sizes: 15 -25mm). The length-weight relationship revealed exponent “b” value for Brycinus nurse was 3.54 and 3.21 for Brycinus macrolepidotus while the condition factors were 1.08 and 1.02 for Brycinus nurse and Brycinus macrolepidotus respectively. The growth parameters of Brycinus nurse asymptotic length (L) and growth coefficient (K) were 24.46 cm and 0.52 yr-1, respectively, while those for Brycinus macrolepidotus L was 28.88 cm and K was 0.22 yr-1. The reproductive load (L50/L) ratio was found to be 0.59 and 0.61 for B. nurse and B. macrolepidotus, respectively. Exploitation rate (E) for B. nurse was 0.26 and 0.11 for B. macrolepidotus while length-at-first capture (Lc) was 14.49 cm for B. nurse and 17.64 cm for B. macrolepidotus. The natural mortality was greater than the fishing mortality for both species and Logistic regression of the probability of capture routine values recorded for B. nurse were higher than that of B. macrolepidotus. Maximum exploitation rate (Emax) was less than 0.5 for both B. nurse (0.41) and B. macrolepidotus (0.42). These values were close to the maximum allowable limit; therefore, the species may be unsustainable when fishery intensifies in the future. To ensure sustainable exploitation of the two Alestid species in the area, fishing effort should be regulated

Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Species Isolated from Ice-cream Vended in Ota and Lagos Metropolis

Background: Most milk and milk products (ice-cream) could be a veritable avenue for the transmission of multidrug resistant genes among any community. In this study, antibiotic susceptibility patterns were surveyed in some selected ice-cream sold in Ota and Lagos metropolis. Materials and Methods: Samples of branded ice-creams were surveyed for antibiotic susceptibility patterns, a total of 9 bacteria species were selected from the pool of isolates and characterized morphologically and biochemically. The antibiotic reactions of the isolates assigned as D1, D2, D3, G1, G2, G3, J1, J2 and J3 to the standard Gram negative and Gram positive antibiotics was done by agar diffusion method. Results: Based on the comparison of the isolates with standard reference organisms, the isolates belonged to the Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Staphylococcus and Micrococcus species. Most of the organisms exhibited antibiotic reactions ranging from susceptible, intermediate to resistance to the assayed standard antibiotics. Conclusion: From this study, the incidence of antibiotic resistance patterns could be on the increase unless strict measure during processing and handling of ice-cream is ensured

Studies on the Serological Markers of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Children in Riyom LGA, North Central Nigeria

Background: Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been identified as one of the most common infectious diseases of major health concern. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection among Children in selected communities at Riyom L.G.A. of Plateau State Nigeria. Methodology: Two hundred (200) sera samples were collected from Pupils attending Primary Schools at three locations of study and analyzed using the HBs Ag Monolisa ELISA kit and the HBV-5 panel test for the qualitative assessment of the markers of hepatitis B virus infection in human serum, plasma and whole blood. Result: Overall result from the total samples assayed showed that, 58(29.0%) were seropositive, [{P value of 0.020}: P 0.05]. Gender consideration of subjects screened showed that male subjects had a prevalence of 19.0% compared to 10.0% for Females [{P value of 0.0435}: P 0.05]. while subjects with traditional method of circumcision recorded a higher prevalence of 9.5% [{P value of 0.3120}:P< 0.05].Considering markers for HBV infection, findings showed that the highest rate of positivity recorded with the HBsAg showed 25% among children screened, HBeAg recorded 4.0%. Anti-HBs which indicate antibody to the HBsAg showed 35(17.5%) positivity while, Anti-HBe positivity recorded 15.0%.Similarly, Anti-HBc Positivity showed a record of 13.5% positivity. Conclusion: The result obtained from this study showed a higher prevalence of the Hepatitis B Virus at our locations of study compared to similar studies conducted earlier within our location of study. It is strongly suggested that accurate diagnosis with effective screening of pregnant mothers be intensified, while the need for timely vaccination of children at risk be promptly embarked upon

Agriculture as a stimulant for Sustainable Development in ECOWAS

The study utilised secondary data sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and the System Generalised Method of Moments (SGMM) econometric technique was used to analyse the data. Sustainable Development Goal (Goal 1) which was proxied by poverty, used as the dependent variable, while agriculture value added, employment in the agricultural sector, inequality, literacy rate, population growth rate and gross domestic savings were the explanatory variables. The study found out that both agriculture value added and employment in the agricultural sector were statistically significant in explaining poverty and negatively related to poverty in the ECOWAS sub-region. Therefore, based on the findings, the study recommended that the governments of ECOWAS countries should focus more on agriculture so as to be exporters of cash crops that will generate foreign exchange for their economies and increase savings that can be used to alleviate and eliminate poverty among the people

Genome-wide profiles of CtBP link metabolism with genome stability and epithelial reprogramming in breast cancer

epithelial reprogramming in breast cance

Predictors and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with hypoxemia in Lagos, Nigeria

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the current public health concern. Hypoxemia has been identified as an independent risk factor for mortality in COVID-19 patients regardless of age or sex. This study therefore aimed to assess the profile of COVID-19 patients with hypoxemia in Lagos, Nigeria and identify their associated socio-demographic and clinical risk factors, predictors, and outcomes.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study in which data were extracted from medical records of real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 positive patients admitted between April and October 2020. Data extracted included age, sex, comorbidities, disease category/classification, symptoms, lowest oxygen saturation (SPO2), and outcomes. Bivariate analysis was done to test associations between hypoxemia and other variables. Multivariate analysis was done to determine significant predictors of hypoxemia.Results: A total of 266 patients were included in the study; mean (SD) 49.80 (± 16.68) years. Hypoxemia (lowest SPO2 ≤ 90 in adults and &lt; 92% in children) was found in 102 (38.3 %) of the cases. SPO2 of hypoxemic patients ranged from 33% to 90%, Mean ±SD of 77±13%. About half of the hypoxemic cases, 53 (52%) were ≥ 60 years and mostly male 70 (68.6%). Difficulty breathing was present in 56 (55%), while the common comorbidities were hypertension 86 (32.3%) and diabetes mellitus 47 (17.7%). Age ≥ 60, difficulty breathing, and fever were independent predictors of hypoxemia. Hypoxemia was significantly associated with death (X2-42.13; P &lt; 0.001); odds ratio 14.5 (95% CI: 5.4–38.8).Conclusion: Hypoxemia occurred in 1 out of every 3 COVID-19 patients with poor prognosis. SPO2 monitoring and early presentation in hospital for those 60 years and above or with dyspnea may be essential for early identification and treatment of hypoxemia to reduce mortality