Public Service Reforms and the Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) PLC

Due to fiscal maladministration in the public sector and consequent inefficiency of public corporations, the Nigerian government has opted for laissez faire reforms in the public sector. One of the public corporations the government has put up for sale is Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) PLC. This paper examines the privatization process of NITEL and consequent impact on NITEL employees

Racial Politics and Hausa-Fulani Dominant Identity in Colonial and Post-colonial Northern Nigeria

The paper examined racial politics and identity contests in Northern Nigeria. The paper specifically traced the trajectory of racial politics and examined the dynamics of identity construction and contests in Northern Nigeria. An essentially qualitative method of data collection comprising primary data generated through in-depth interviews and secondary data generated through archival records were used. These were then subjected to content and descriptive analyses. Findings from the study revealed that racial politics originated during colonial rule with the British supposedly claiming gene/biological affinity of the Hausa-Fulani as with the Caucasoid groups of Eurasia. The Hausa-Fulani were consequently designated as the civilized group and super-imposed over minority groups that were classified as pagans. About six decades after colonial rule, Hausa-Fulani dominance remains a social reality in spite of identity contests and recreation by the minority groups of Northern Nigeria. Starting with the creation of the Middle Belt identity in the late 1950s, the constituent groups within the Middle Belt have consequently recreated other ethnic identities within Northern Nigeria. Notwithstanding, Hausa-Fulani remains the dominant group in Northern Nigeria socio-political structure

Dodatna terapija željezom poboljšava hematološke i imunološke poremećaje kod ankilostomoze pasa.

For the purpose of investigating the effects of iron supplementation on the therapy of experimental canine ancylostomosis, twenty 8 week old pups were rando mly divided into four equal groups A, B, C and D. Groups A, B and C were serially infected bi-weekly with infective Ancylostoma caninum (L3) larvae up to 98 days. Thereafter, Groups A and B were treated with pyrantel pamoate and dextrose saline infusion with or without iron dextran supplementation, respectively. Pups in Group C were left untreated as were the uninfected control pups in Group D. Clinical observations revealed a serial reversion of the distressing hookworm disease signs in only the two infected and treated Groups A and B, but not in the infected but untreated pups in Group C. Both the haematological, and immunological parameters were most elevated in the iron-treated pups in Group A, with high and positive correlation coefficient (r) of + 0.94, 0.83, 0.41 and 0.98 for the respective Groups A, B, C and D. Iron therapy was suggested as being responsible for the prompt haematological and immunological reversion observed in Group A pups through its facilitation of the haemoglobin synthesis and the iron dependent mitotic cell division processes.U pokusu određivanja učinka dodatka željeza na terapiju pokusno izazvane ankilostomoze pasa, 20 štenadi u dobi 8 tj. bilo je podijeljeno u četiri skupine označene A, B, C i D. Skupine A, B i C bile su svaka dva tjedna invadirane invazijskim ličinkama Ancylostoma caninum (ličinke 3. stupnja) u razdoblju 98 dana. Nakon invazije skupine A i B bile su liječene pirantel pamoatom i infuzijama fiziološke otopine dekstroze s dodatkom ili bez dodatka željeza i dekstrana. Skupina C i kontrolna skupina D nisu bile liječene. Ustanovljeno je znatno poboljšanje kliničkih znakova bolesti u štenadi skupine A i B, ali ne i u invadirane i neliječene štenadi skupine C. Vrijednosti imunoloških i hematoloških pokazatelja bile su mnogo više u skupini A liječenoj željezom s visokim i pozitivnim korelacijskim koeficijentom (r) od +0,94, 0,83, 0,41 i 0,98 za odgovarajuće skupine A, B, C i D. Smatra se da je terapija željezom, putem olakšane sinteze hemoglobina i o željezu ovisnih procesa mitoze, dovela do brzog poboljšanja hematoloških i imunoloških pokazatelja u štenadi skupine A

Sero-epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with brucellosis in dogs in south-western Nigeria

Introduction: In Nigeria, there is limited information on brucellosis particularly in dogs, despite its public health implications. We undertook a sero-epidemiological survey of brucellosis in dogs to determine the prevalence of the disease and associated risk factors for its occurrence in Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to screen dogs in south-western Nigeria for antibodies to Brucella sp using the rapid slide agglutination test (RSA) and Rose Bengal test (RBT), with positive samples confirmed respectively by serum agglutination test (SAT) and competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Data were analyzed with STATA-12. Results: From the 739 dog sera tested, 81 (10.96%) were positive by RSA and 94 (12.72%) by RBT; these were corroborated with SAT (4/81; 4.94%) and cELISA (1/94; 1.06%), respectively. Logistic regression identified location (OR=0.04; 95% CI: 0.02-0.09), breed (OR=1.71; 95% CI: 1.34-2.19), age (OR=0.10; 95% CI: 0.04- 0.30) and management system (OR=8.51; 95% CI: 1.07-68.05) as risk factors for Brucella infection by RSA. However, location (OR=10.83; 95% CI: 5.48-21.39) and history of infertility (OR=2.62; 95% CI: 1.41-4.84) were identified as risk factors using RBT. Conclusion: Given the 10.96% to 12.72% seroprevalence of brucellosis recorded in this study, we advocate control of the disease in dogs, and public health education for those at risk of infection. Again, further studies are required to elucidate the role of dogs in the epidemiology of brucellosis in Nigeria considering the conducive human-animal interface and ecological factors responsible for the transmission of the disease.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Antihypertensive power of Naringenin is mediated via attenuation of mineralocorticoid receptor (MCR)/ angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/ kidney injury molecule (Kim-1) signaling pathway

Please read abstract in the article.Cape Peninsula University of Technology and National Research Foundation (South Africa).https://www.elsevier.com/locate/ejpharhj2023Paraclinical Science

Antihypertensive action of Launaea taraxacifolia and its molecular mechanism of action

Launaea taraxacifolia has been traditionally used for the management of conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases. High blood pressure was established by oral administration of L-Nitro Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME) a non-selective inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The antihypertensive action of the methanol leaf extract of L. taraxacifolia was examined. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10 animals per group: Group A (Distilled water), Group B (Hypertensive rats; 40mg/kg L-NAME), Group C (Hypertensive rats plus 100 mg/kg extract), Group D (Hypertensive rats plus 200 mg/kg extract) and Group E (Hypertensive rats plus 10mg/kg of Lisinopril). The treatments were orally administered for five weeks. Haemodynamic parameters, urinalysis, indices of oxidative stress and immunohistochemistry were determined. Findings from this study showed that blood pressure parameters, urinary sodium and indices of oxidative stress increased significantly while Invivo antioxidant defence systems decreased significantly in hypertensive rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant increases in expressions of mineralocorticoid receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme activity and kidney injury molecule-1 in kidney of hypertensive rats. Treatment with Launeae taraxacifolia normalized blood pressure parameters, urinary sodium, oxidative stress indices, antioxidant defence system, and serum nitric oxide bioavailability.https://www.pjps.pk/homeam2023Paraclinical Science

The therapeutic potential of the novel angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in the treatment of coronavirus disease-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus has become a global pandemic with unprecedented mortality and morbidity along with attendant financial and economic crises. Furthermore, COVID-19 can easily be transmitted regardless of religion, race, sex, or status. Globally, high hospitalization rates of COVID-19 patients have been reported, and billions of dollars have been spent to contain the pandemic. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, which has a significant role in the entry of the virus into the host cell. ACE2 is highly expressed in the type II alveolar cells of the lungs, upper esophagus, stratified epithelial cells, and other tissues in the body. The diminished expressions of ACE2 have been associated with hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and immune system dysregulation. Overall, the potential drug candidates that could serve as ACE2 activators or enhance the expression of ACE2 in a disease state, such as COVID-19, hold considerable promise in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reviews the therapeutic potential and pharmacological benefits of the novel ACE2 in the management of COVID-19 using search engines, such as Google, Scopus, PubMed, and PubMed Central.http://www.veterinaryworld.orgdm2022Paraclinical Science

Clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist, and Its molecular mechanisms of action against sodium fluoride–induced toxicity

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS : Data will be made available based on request from the corresponding author.Sodium fluoride (NaF) is one of the neglected environmental pollutants. It is ubiquitously found in the soil, water, and environment. Interestingly, fluoride has been extensively utilized for prevention of dental caries and tartar formation, and may be added to mouthwash, mouth rinse, and toothpastes. This study is aimed at mitigating fluoride-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity with clofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonist. For this study, forty male Wistar rats were used and randomly grouped into ten rats per group, control, sodium fluoride (NaF; 300 ppm) only, NaF plus clofibrate (250 mg/kg) and NaF plus lisinopril (10 mg/kg), respectively, for 7 days. The administration of NaF was by drinking water ad libitum, while clofibrate and lisinopril were administered by oral gavage. Administration of NaF induced hypertension, and was accompanied with exaggerated oxidative stress; depletion of antioxidant defence system; reduced nitric oxide production; increased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure; activation of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB); and testicular apoptosis. Treatment of rats with clofibrate reduced oxidative stress, improved antioxidant status, lowered high blood pressure through the inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, mineralocorticoid receptor over-activation, and abrogated testicular apoptosis. Taken together, clofibrate could offer exceptional therapeutic benefit in mitigating toxicity associated with sodium fluoride.Cape Peninsula University of Technology and National Research Foundation (South Africa).https://link.springer.com/journal/12011hj2023Paraclinical Science

Globilization, governance and armed conflict in Africa

Governance and conflict are two phenomena, which have been reflective and reminiscent of human societies from time immemorial. The art of governance evolve as certain individuals or groups emerge as leaders and acquire powers, which subject others under their authority. As for conflict, this paper posits that it is borne out of struggle for survival by varying individuals or groups with differing interests. Nevertheless, globalization though a phenomenon of antiquity as well, exacts great influence on the intercourse of governance and conflict. Africa experienced a re-organization of governance premised on the ‘collective good\' to that of the ‘Western\', based on the ‘individual\' as it came under European domination. From First World War to Second World War, Africa, with Asia, had her resources harnessed for sustenance of European war machine. At the end of the Second World War, there began another war generally referred to in literature as the ‘Cold War\'. It was a war for supremacy between two economic powers (i.e. capitalism and socialism). Though this war did not turn into a full-scale war among the super-powers, it was remotely fought in Africa; especially, in places such as Angola and Congo. In some other places it came through coups and counter-coups. More than a decade after the end of the cold war, with calls for democracy and good governance, many African countries remain militarized and conflict plagued as individuals/groups fight for the control of power and survival. It is important to note that several solutions have been preferred without success. This paper hence calls for resort to traditional African culture with emphasis on the collective good to ensure preventive conflict management rather than conflict management after enormous destruction of life and property. African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 8(1) 2005: 58-7

Globalisation, democracy and the New Partnership for Africa\'s Development (NEPAD)

The imposition of the New World Economic Agenda, midwifed especially in Africa, through the Structural Adjustment Programme, and referred to as globalization, is given supremacy or value only through liberal democracy. This is explicitly acknowledged in the NEPAD document without taking cognizance of the fundamental basis on which even liberal democracy subsists. It is the position of this paper that the realization of Africa\'s development requires certain level of basic economic right for the people within and sustainable economic and political empowerment in the New World Order.African Journal for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Vol. 8(2) 2005: 228-24