The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of quisqualic acid and some novel excitatory amino acid mimetics

L-Glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid are believed to be the principal initiators of excitatory synaptic neurotransmission in the mammalian central system. A number of molecules of either natural or synthetic origin have been identified as possessing agonist or antagonist properties at glutamate binding sites. One of the most potent agonist is quisqualic acid (69), and this thesis features two aspects of the synthetic organic chemistry and the pharmacology of quisqualic acid and some of its analogues

Geophysical Investigation of Some Flood Prone Areas in Ota, Southwestern Nigeria

Thirteen shallow vertical electrical resistivity soundings using Schlumberger array were conducted within the study area. The aim of the study was to investigate the nature of the subsurface in some flood prone areas within the study area by determining the lithology and the corresponding inverse model resistivities at the depths investigated and hence the cause of flooding in the area during the wet season. The resistivity sounding data were collected along seven traverses using a Campus Tigre terrameter. The observed data were interpreted quantitatively using curve matching and computer assisted iteration method. The results of the inversion show a lithology that comprises of the top soil and a paralic sequence of sand and lateritic clay at the depth investigated with varied resistivity and thickness. The flooding is thought to be due to the shallow lateritic clay layer at an average depth of 5.2 m with thickness ranging from 14.5m to 31.8m at the various points of investigation and the shallow depth of the water tabl

Hypoglycaemic effects of the aqueous extract of Newbouldia laevis root in rats

The effect of aqueous root extract of Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) of the family Bignoniaceae reportedly used in folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus, on alloxan experimental hyperglycaemia, and normal blood glucose level was determined in adult male rats by glucose Oxidase method. The extract significantly reduced serum glucose levels in both diabetic and normal rats at the two doses administered (500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight; bucal intubation). In both the normal and diabetic rats, maximal blood glucose lowering effect following extract administration was observed after 4 h and 6 h, respectively, in rats given 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight extract. Phytochemical analysis of the extract reveals a strong presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. The observed activity of the extract does not appear at variance with known antidiabetic properties of flavonoids. Hypoglycaemia could be a side effect when extract is applied in folk medical treatment of non-diabetic ailments.© 2009 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Alloxan, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, diabetes, glycaemic response

Pilgrimage Circuit of Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine, Osun State, Nigeria

One religious tourism destination site of note in Southwestern Nigeria is the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine, located along the banks of the Osun River in the city of Oshogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The sacred grove and shrine was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. This paper examines the routes and trails people take to get to Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine with a view to evaluating access to the destination site as well as the factors impacting on the sacred grove. The study uses ethnographic methods to elicit information from respondents and data collected were analysed descriptively. The paper argues that Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Shrine can improve the living standard of the host community and create job opportunities if its access routes, facilities and trails are improved upon by government

Traditional Methods of Preserving Dead Human Bodies in Southeastern Nigeria

Traditional methods of preserving dead human bodies have been of immense importance in many societies. This practice has been sustained for thousands of years for cultural, religious and socio-environmental reasons. Although there is dearth of literature on the preservation of dead bodies in Nigeria, ethnographic evidences revealed that the tradition is still practised in parts of Igboland. This paper examines the traditional methods employed by the people of Southeast Nigeria in preserving dead human bodies and argues that the tradition can be harnessed for cultural tourism, while promoting the culture of the people. Key Words: Traditional preservation, Dead human bodies, Embalmment, Southeastern Nigeria

A comparative study of glycopyrrolate and dexamethasone in the control of postoperative nausea and vomiting after intrathecal fentanyl and bupivacaine for caesarean section

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is an undesirable outcome that parturient who undergo caesarean section experience. We compare the efficacies of IV glycopyrrolate and IV dexamethasone as prophyaxis against PONV in these paturient.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study of seventy six (76) ASA II patients aged 18-40 years who underwent elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to three groups, group G (glycopyrrolate): n=26, group D (dexamethasone): n=25 and group C (control; normal saline): n=25. Data collection was with the aid of a proforma which included the biophysical profile, Belville scoring scale for PONV, Likert scale was used for patient satisfaction and side effects were also documented. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 and presented in tables and figures.Results: The demographic characteristics and mallampati scores of patients in all 3 groups were similar. The results showed that the incidence of PONV in group D was 8%, in group G 19.2% and in group C 32% (p= 0.048, OR= 0.185, 95% C.I for OR= 0.035 – 0.983). All patients expressed satisfaction in the care they received as assessed using the Likert scale and only patients who received IV glycopyrrolate experienced side effects in the form of dryness of the mouth. There were no side effects reported in patients who received IV dexamethasone.Conclusions: The study demonstrated that IV dexamethasone 8mg was more effective in controlling PONV after intrathecal fentanyl and bupivacaine for caesarean section when compared to 0.2 mg IV glycopyrrolate

Treatment of Brewery Waste Water in a Fluidized Bed Digester

This study examined anaerobic fluidized- bed reactor performance employed to treat brewery waste water in terms of treatment efficiency on COD and BOD5 reduction under different hydraulic retention time (HRT). It employed a fluidized-bed digester, with liquid volumetric flow rate of 1.7 x 10-6m3/s, superficial velocity of 0.0012 m/s and 0.00026m/s which achieved the velocity  required to fluidize 20g activated carbon bed of height 0.03m with 0.384 voidage. The pressure drop across the fluidized-bed was calculated to be 1.848 N/m2. The COD and BOD5 concentration reduction efficiencies were monitored .The results obtained indicate that as HRT increases, the concentration of COD and BOD5 initially at 7137.67 COD mg/l and 2177 BOD5 mg/l decreased to final concentration of 1845.92 mg COD/l and 154.17 mg BOD5/l respectively at10h. The COD and BOD5 reduction efficiencies were observed to be 74.1% and 92.9% at the 10h HRT. The experimental data obtained for COD reduction in this work was used for determination of kinetic parameters from modified mixed-flow equation based on Michaelis-Menten’s kinetics and the correlation coefficient was  0.944 .The maximum substrate utilization rate, rmax and the Michaelis-Menten’s constant, KM, were determined to be 301.5 mg COD/l. h and 1345 mg COD/l respectively. Correction factor (F) of 1.1 when applied to the data will fitted simple mixed flow Michaelis Menten kinetic model well. The deviation from typical Michaelis Menten kinetic model can be attributed to acclimatization time required for effective digestion, flow dynamics in the reactor and existence of multi-organism media which would have promoted other side reactions. Organisms identified from the anaerobic digester include clostridium spp, peptococcus anaerobus, bfidobacteriums spp, desulphoribrio spp, corynebacterium spp, lacto. Keywords: Anaerobic decomposition; Brewery wastewater; Fluidized-bed reactor; Modified Michaelis-Menten’s kinetics

Effects of Cutting Parameters on Surface Roughness during End Milling of Aluminium under Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL)

In this study an experimental investigation of effects of cutting parameters on surface roughness during end milling of aluminium 6061 under minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) condition was carried out. The experiments were carried out to investigate surface quality of the machined parameters and to developed mathematical models using least square techniques. Spindle speed (N), feed rate (f), axial depth of cut (a) and radial depth of cut (r) has been chosen as input variables in order to predict surface roughness. The experiment was designed by using central composite design (CCD) in which 30 samples were run in a CNC milling machine. Each of the experimental result was measured using Mitutoyo surface tester. After the predicted surface roughness values have been obtained the average percentage errors were calculated. The mathematical model developed by using least square method shows accuracy of 89.5% which is reasonably reliable for surface roughness prediction. With the obtained optimum input parameters for surface roughness, production operations will be enhanced

The causal relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the macro-economy of selected west African countries: Panel ARDL/Granger Causality Analysis

This study examined the long run and short run dynamic relationships between macroeconomic variables and FDI in West Africa using recent econometric techniques for Granger non-causality and PMG/ARDL for period of 1990 to 2016. Controlling for the influence of trade openness and exchange rate, the long-run effect of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on economic growth and gds are found to be positive and statistically significant. FDI is found to be negative and statistically significant on unemployment indicating that an increase in FDI would significantly reduce unemployment in the selected West African nations in the long-run. The coefficient of error correction model in all the specifications is negative and significant indicating that the short-run disequilibrium is corrected in the long-run. Panel Granger causality tests result indicates that causality do not run from any direction in the short run which could be attributed to poor economic activities among this developing countries and an important revelation for policy implication.Keywords/Phrases: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), West Africa, PMG/ARDL, cointegration, Granger causality, macroeconomic variable

Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in Nigeria

This work empirically investigates the effect of foreign direct investment on Nigeria’s economic growth over the period 1990 to 2012. The study made use of ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation techniques in analyzing the secondary data. The secondary data were mainly sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin (CBN), Annual report and Statement of accounts. The result shows that Export assumes a positive sign which implies that there is a positive relationship between Economic growth and Export; in conclusion FDI has led to increase in Export in Nigeria. Keywords: Foreign direct investment, Economic growth, Gross domestic produc