Predictors of Seasonal Flood Control in Owode Yewa, Ogun State, Nigeria

The increasing challenges of seasonal flood pose serious threat to lives and properties of citizens. This is a major concern for residents in an uncontrolled environment like Owode town in Ogun State. The current study examined a linkage between land use planning and flood control in Owode town. Utilizing a systematic sampling technique, a structured questionnaire was administered to 191 household heads in the study area. The data was analysed with logit Regression model and Marginal Effects at 5% level of significance. The result points out the significance of good road network (Beta= 0.056; p = 0.008) better drainage system (Beta= 0.024; p = 0.000), planned environment (Beta= 0.023; p = 0.000), and public awareness (Beta= 0.016; p = 0.011) as land use planning measures to completely stop flood occurrences in Owode town. Thus, an integration of these measures can sustainably reduce flood risk in flood prone towns like Owode. The study therefore recommends the need for government to re-evaluate its environmental policies to control both human activities and natural habitats

In vivo toxicological evaluation of peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles for potential application in colorectal cancer diagnosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa and worldwide. Efforts are being made at finding improved diagnostic tools, as early detection (before metastasis) is a major factor in CRC treatment. Colonoscopy is the most reliable detection method, but is a specialised and expensive procedure, which is invasive, not readily available and not patient-friendly. There is a risk of developing interval cancers, as colonoscopies are performed every 10 years after the age of 40. The development of non-invasive, cost efficient and readily available diagnostic tools to CRC, which can be performed at more regular intervals, using tumour-targeting molecular imaging agents, is of urgent attention. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess several physicochemical properties, including ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and the ability to be conjugated by ligands or biomolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptides for improved stability, tissue targeting and selectivity. These factors potentiate the role in biomedical applications, including cancer theranostics. Conjugation of AuNPs with a targeting molecule (e.g. antibody or peptide) is directed against cancer cell receptors. The peptides, p.C, p.L, and p.14, bind to CRC cells in vitro. Conjugation of AuNPs with these peptides should be investigated for CRC diagnosis in vivo, as it is hypothesised to allow examinations at shorter intervals through imaging techniques. This could reduce the risk of interval cancers, but before developing this novel tool, in vivo toxicity evaluations are essential. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the short- and long-term toxicological effects of a single intravenous injection of peptides (p.C, p.L, and p.14) conjugated to AuNPs in a healthy rat model. Citrate-capped AuNPs were synthesised by the citrate-reduction method, and conjugated with each peptide (biotinylated) using a combination of PEG (99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin) as a stabilising agent and linker, via biotin-streptavidin interaction. Healthy male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with 14 nm citrate-AuNPs, PEG-, p.C-PEG, p.L-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs (100 μg/kg body weight), and the control rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline. The animals were monitored for behavioural, physiological, biochemical, haematological and histological changes, as well as inflammatory responses. Phase 1 rats were sacrificed 2 weeks post-injection to determine the immediate or acute toxicity of the AuNPs, while phase 2 animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-injection, to investigate the delayed or persistence toxicity of the AuNPs. Results revealed no significant toxicities with the citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG and p.14-PEG-AuNPs over 12 weeks post-exposure, as evidenced by biochemical assays such as serum marker enzymes, liver and kidney function markers, and cholestatic indicators; haematological parameters; oxidative stress markers; and histopathological examinations. P.L-PEG-AuNPs, however, caused significant toxicity (p<0.05) to rats, as evidenced by increased relative liver weight, increased malondialdehyde levels, and total white blood cell counts 2 weeks post-exposure when compared to the control group. This was, however, reversed during the 12 weeks post-exposure. Further, there were no evidence of inflammatory responses, using pro-inflammatory markers including phospho interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicated by immunohistochemical staining of the liver, spleen, kidney and colon of rats 2 weeks post-injection of AuNPs. Citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs did not induce immediate, acute or persistent toxicity, while p.L-PEG-AuNPs induced a transient acute toxicity. It can be concluded that 14 nm spherical citrate-AuNPs at 100 μg/kg body weight is a good candidate for biomedical applications, and as a suitable carrier for diagnostic and/or therapeutic molecules. Combination of 99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin is an appropriate option for stabilising AuNPs in biological environment, and conjugating secondary diagnostic or therapeutic biomolecules or agents to citrate-capped AuNPs. Peptide-conjugated AuNPs are suitable for the development into a diagnostic tool for CRC in vivo

In vivo toxicological evaluation of peptide conjugated gold nanoparticles for potential application in colorectal cancer diagnosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in South Africa and worldwide. Efforts are being made at finding improved diagnostic tools, as early detection (before metastasis) is a major factor in CRC treatment. Colonoscopy is the most reliable detection method, but is a specialised and expensive procedure, which is invasive, not readily available and not patient-friendly. There is a risk of developing interval cancers, as colonoscopies are performed every 10 years after the age of 40. The development of non-invasive, cost efficient and readily available diagnostic tools to CRC, which can be performed at more regular intervals, using tumour-targeting molecular imaging agents, is of urgent attention. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess several physicochemical properties, including ease of synthesis, biocompatibility, and the ability to be conjugated by ligands or biomolecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptides for improved stability, tissue targeting and selectivity. These factors potentiate the role in biomedical applications, including cancer theranostics. Conjugation of AuNPs with a targeting molecule (e.g. antibody or peptide) is directed against cancer cell receptors. The peptides, p.C, p.L, and p.14, bind to CRC cells in vitro. Conjugation of AuNPs with these peptides should be investigated for CRC diagnosis in vivo, as it is hypothesised to allow examinations at shorter intervals through imaging techniques. This could reduce the risk of interval cancers, but before developing this novel tool, in vivo toxicity evaluations are essential. This study was therefore aimed at investigating the short- and long-term toxicological effects of a single intravenous injection of peptides (p.C, p.L, and p.14) conjugated to AuNPs in a healthy rat model. Citrate-capped AuNPs were synthesised by the citrate-reduction method, and conjugated with each peptide (biotinylated) using a combination of PEG (99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin) as a stabilising agent and linker, via biotin-streptavidin interaction. Healthy male Wistar rats were intravenously injected with 14 nm citrate-AuNPs, PEG-, p.C-PEG, p.L-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs (100 μg/kg body weight), and the control rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline. The animals were monitored for behavioural, physiological, biochemical, haematological and histological changes, as well as inflammatory responses. Phase 1 rats were sacrificed 2 weeks post-injection to determine the immediate or acute toxicity of the AuNPs, while phase 2 animals were sacrificed 12 weeks post-injection, to investigate the delayed or persistence toxicity of the AuNPs. Results revealed no significant toxicities with the citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG and p.14-PEG-AuNPs over 12 weeks post-exposure, as evidenced by biochemical assays such as serum marker enzymes, liver and kidney function markers, and cholestatic indicators; haematological parameters; oxidative stress markers; and histopathological examinations. P.L-PEG-AuNPs, however, caused significant toxicity (p<0.05) to rats, as evidenced by increased relative liver weight, increased malondialdehyde levels, and total white blood cell counts 2 weeks post-exposure when compared to the control group. This was, however, reversed during the 12 weeks post-exposure. Further, there were no evidence of inflammatory responses, using pro-inflammatory markers including phospho interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicated by immunohistochemical staining of the liver, spleen, kidney and colon of rats 2 weeks post-injection of AuNPs. Citrate, PEG-, p.C-PEG, and p.14-PEG-AuNPs did not induce immediate, acute or persistent toxicity, while p.L-PEG-AuNPs induced a transient acute toxicity. It can be concluded that 14 nm spherical citrate-AuNPs at 100 μg/kg body weight is a good candidate for biomedical applications, and as a suitable carrier for diagnostic and/or therapeutic molecules. Combination of 99% PEG-OH and 1% PEG-biotin is an appropriate option for stabilising AuNPs in biological environment, and conjugating secondary diagnostic or therapeutic biomolecules or agents to citrate-capped AuNPs. Peptide-conjugated AuNPs are suitable for the development into a diagnostic tool for CRC in vivo

Biological synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles using leaf extracts of Crassocephalum rubens and their comparative in vitro antioxidant activities

The use of plant and plant products in the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is made possible because of the natural inherent phytochemicals responsible for the reduction of respective metallic salts to nanoparticle forms, and ensuring therapeutic applicability. In this study, synthesis of AgNPs and AuNPs was performed using two different aqueous extraction methods for Crassocephalum rubens: maceration using laboratory method of extraction (cold aqueous extract of Crassocephalum rubens (AECR)), and decoction using traditional healer's method of extraction (hot aqueous crude extract of Crassocephalum rubens (CECR)). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various methods, and in vitro antioxidant po- tential were thereafter investigated. The characterization results indicated the formation of mostly spherical- shaped AgNPs and AuNPs with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of 470 nm and 540 nm, respectively. The nanoparticles possess high antioxidant potentials but AECR synthesized AuNPs exhibited the least phyto- chemical contents and antioxidant potential when compared to other nanoparticles. It can therefore be concluded that extraction method and nanoparticle type are important factors that could influence the antioxidant properties of the nanoparticles. Further studies using these nanoparticles as anticancer or anti-inflammatory agent in both in vitro and in vivo are underway

Prevention of Fe2+ induced lipid peroxidation by aqueous extract of Garcinia kola leaf in some rat tissues. Innovations in Pharmaceuticals and pharmacotherapy

Cell injury in aerobic organism subjected to oxidative stress has been caused by lipid peroxidation. The ability of aqueous extract of Garcina kola leaf (3.3-33.3µg/ml) to prevent 60µM Fe2+ induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver and brain were assessed respectively using TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive species. Fe2+ - chelating ability of the extract was also determined. The result of the study revealed that incubating the liver and brain in the presence of iron exhibited high percentage inhibition against thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) induced by iron (ii) sulphate (60µM) with IC50 value of 72.58±29.16µg/ml and 89.36µg/ml respectively, while the extract shows strong iron chelating ability of 79.93% at concentration (2.3µg/ml) with an EC value of 62.0µg/ml. The inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of Garcinia kola shown in TBARS and Iron chelation assays were concentration dependent. The results however suggest that Garcinia kola is beneficial in the treatment of various cellular damages due to its ability to reduce lipid peroxidation

Optimization by Integration: A Corporate Governance and Human Resource Management Dimension

Contemporary business entities that are keen to achieve measurable growth can no longer rely on inflexible corporate management frameworks for running their affairs. This viewpoint is adduced in the light of the emergence and re-emergence of unpredictable and likewise complex operating contexts. Notwithstanding the connected legal, financial, economic and social issues; business concerns must devise innovative ways to sustain holistic performance levels. Moreover, corporate and regulatory interests must collaborate to effectively mitigate corporate failures attributable to various business concerns. In furtherance of the debate on the nexus between corporate governance and human resource management, this paper presented a conceptual model that aggregates specific aspects of business processes that synergizes both concepts. Practical perspectives on the interrelatedness between corporate governance and human resource management provide a veritable basis to explore the theme of this paper. The paper opined that an appropriate balance must be achieved with regards to identifiable and fundamental aspects of the corporate structure and process. It was recommended that a diverse model of corporate integration enhances the functionalities of the corporate entity; facilitates optimization processes, thereby contributing to long term sustainability and growth. The central role of human actors in the governance of business entities is also duly emphasized, as this viewpoint underlies the essence of integrating the two concepts in general and specific terms

Non-Interest Income and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) Performance in Nigeria

The review of the regulations guiding the activities of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria affected the revenue generated by DMBs, forcing most banks to diversify their sources of revenue to non-interest income. Panel data technique was employed to examine the impact of non-interest income on DMBs performance in Nigeria from 2012 through 2019. The empirical finding revealed that noninterest income, capital adequacy ratio, and bank loan positively and significantly impact DMBs’ performance in Nigeria. The study recommends that DMBs delve into non-interest income activities as it appeared to improve the performance of DMBs in Nigeria, and the monetary authority should review the policy guiding the non-interest income activities of the DMBs at regular intervals.How to Cite:Yunusa, L. A., Arikewuyo, K. A., Olowofela, E. O. & Sanyaolu, W. A. (2022). Non-Interest Income and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) Performance in Nigeria. Signifikan: Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi, 11(1), 31-42. https://doi.org/10.15408/sjie.v11i1.15469

Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Solanum macrocarponLeavesagainst Carbon tetrachloride-Induced Liver Damage in Rats

Liver damage is a growing concern of today’s modern society. The increasing incidence of exposure to toxic agents has contributed to liver diseases. There is therefore need for hepatoprotective agents. This study was aimed at investigating the protective effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Solanum macrocarponagainst CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Six groups of four animals each were used for the investigation. Group 1 served as control, groups 2, 3 and 4 animals were pre-treated with leaf extract of Solanum macrocarponat 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 750mg/kg body weight respectively for 14 days prior to a single intraperitoneal administration of CCl4. Animals in groups 5 and 6 received only the extract at a dose of 750mg/kg body weight and CCl4respectively. All animals were sacrificed 24 h after the administration of CCl4.The liver functions tests were performed in addition to their histopathological evaluation.Results obtained showed significant adverse changes in the levels of all measured parameters in CCl4treated rats. However, pre-treatment with aqueous extract of S. macrocarponprevented the adverse changes. Our findings suggest that S. macrocarponprotects the liver against CCl4-induced damage. This could be attributed to the presence of phytochemical compounds in the plant

One-pot synthesis, characterisation and biological activities of gold nanoparticles prepared using aqueous seed extract of Garcinia kola

Recently, biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has become a focus area in cancer research owing to the eco-friendliness and cost effectiveness of the synthetic method. In this study, aqueous extract of Garcinia kola seed (AEGKs) was used for the bio-reduction of Au3+ to Au0. The synthesised AEGKs-AuNPs was characterised by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the AEGKs and AEGKs-AuNPs was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The AEGKs-AuNPs showed an absorption maximum at 512 nm, and the HRTEM images revealed mostly, spherical-shaped AuNPs in the size range of 2–17 nm. The FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that polyphenolic compounds and proteins were predominant, and responsible for the reduction and capping of the AuNPs. The AEGKs-AuNPs showed concentration dependent antioxidant activities, while dose dependent in vitro anti-cancer activity of the AEGKs-AuNPs was demonstrated against lungs, prostrate, human cervical and human colon cancer cells, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)− 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tetrazolium reduction (MTT) assay. The antioxidant and anti-cancer activities of the AEGKs-AuNPs could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals and physicochemical properties of the AuNPs

Biology of glucose metabolization in cancer cells

Cancer is a disease at the cellular level involving heritable disorders in cellular control mechanism. Cancer cells also need to adapt their metabolism to survive and multiply under the metabolically compromised conditions provided by the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells alter their metabolism to maintain unregulated cellular proliferation and survival, but this transformation leaves them reliant on constant supply of nutrients and energy. They alter their metabolism to support their rapid prolif- eration and expansion across the body. After the discovery of based on the altered cancer cell metabolism in 1930, loads of studies have shed light on several aspects of cancer metabolism with a common goal to fi nd new ways for effectively eliminating tumor cells by targeting their energy metabolism. Research has directed most of its resources to elucidate the causes, prevention and possible cure for cancer, yet the process has been elusive claiming human lives more than ever. This disease is a manifestation of etio- logical and pathological disturbances of mechanisms that control cell division, differentiation and metabolism. 50% of all human tumors carry genetic alterations that lead to the inactivation of some tumor suppressor proteins. Cancer cells are shown to experience characteristic changes in their meta- bolic programs, including increased uptake of glucose, enhanced rates of glutaminolysis and fatty acids synthesis, suggesting that metabolic shifts supports tumor cells growth and survival. In this review, we summarized the major concepts of glucose metabolization and explore the molecular basis of aerobic glycolysis of cancer cell