FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF NOVEL HERBOSPHERES DELIVERY SYSTEM OF LEAF EXTRACT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DEL (ASTERACEAE)

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to formulate herbospheres of V. amygdalina leaf-extract and to study the in vitro and antibacterial properties of the formulationsVernonia amygdalina, Del (Asteraceae) is a tropical shrub used throughout West Africa for the management of diabetes and other metabolic diseases associated with the liver. The plant has acquired special relevance recently, having been proved in human medicine to possess potent antimalarial, antihelmintic, and antitumorigenic properties.Methods: Herbospheres were formulated with lipid matrices consisting of goat fat (70%) and Phospholipon® 90H (30%) by melt homogenization and characterized for taste masking, particle size, pH, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. Inhibition zone diameter of the herbospheres was studied.Results: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, protein, steroids, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides in substantial quantities. Acid compounds and oils were, however, absent. The particle size of herbospheres ranged from 6.90±0.2 to 28.50±0.71 μm and was significantly affected by the type of surfactant used (p < 0.05). The pH ranged from 5.6 to 5.9 at day 1 and 4.1 to 4.4 at 30 days. Highest EE of 90–92 % was obtained and was significantly affected by surfactant used (p<0.05). Formulations exhibited significantly higher inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than tetracycline pure sample used as the reference drug (p<0.05).Conclusion: V. amygdalina herbospheres formulations had antibacterial properties in addition to taste masking and high encapsulation of the extract

Seismo-Structural Interpretation and Petrophysical Evaluation of Ugwu-Field, Coastal Swamp Depositional Belt of the Niger Delta Basin

Structural interpretation of 3-D seismic data and well log have been applied to unravel hydrocarbon entrapment pattern and petrophysical parameters of X-field within the coastal swamp region of the Niger Delta.. Four reservoir intervals (A, B, C and D) delineated as (W-026, 032, 042 and 048) using gamma ray and resistivity log response. Structural interpretation for inline 5158 revealed four horizons (A, B, C and D) and eight (8) faults labelled (F1, F2, F12, F13, F21, F22, F23, and F24) were mapped. It was observed that the hanging wall block due to reverse drag or rollover anticline slided over fault F12 and created fault F2, thereby creating subsidence where sediments can be deposited. Therefore, faults F2 and F12 created rollover structures which cuts across the entire four reservoirs and invaluably responsible for trapping of hydrocarbon in the field. RMS map developed for horizons \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 revealed high amplitude anomalies, while variance attribute for both horizons showed relatively uniform lithology observed from east to west across the study area. While from north-east to south west, variance was observed to increase relatively which indicates different lithology. These trend exposes dipping of the channel fill at both flanks by creating extensive faulting. Results of petrophysical evaluation for reservoirs \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019 across the four wells were analyzed. For reservoir \u2018A\u2019, porosity values of 32.8%, 24.8%, 25.9% and 27.1% were obtained for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 respectively with an average of 27.65%, while for reservoir \u2018B\u2019 porosity values of 26.83%, 26.93%, 25.59% and 27.99% for wells W-048, 042, 026 and 032 were obtained respectively with an average of 26.84%. This porosity values were rated very good to excellent for reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and very good for reservoir \u2018B\u2019, while Permeability values of the order (K > 1000mD) were obtained for both reservoirs across the four wells and is rated excellent. Hydrocarbon saturation (Shc) across the four wells averages at 68.57% for reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and 68.67% for reservoir \u2018B\u2019 which is high. Log motifs using gamma ray log for well-026 was integrated with seismic facies to infer on depositional environment of the reservoirs horizons showed a combination of serrated funnel/blocky shape log response and coarsening upward cycles. For reservoirs \u2018A\u2019, \u2018B\u2019 and \u2018C\u2019 the log shape pattern indicates deposition in a fluvial / tidal, channel environment while for reservoir \u2018D\u2019 the pattern indicates deposition in deltaic front environment. Isochore maps computed for horizons \u2018A\u2019 and \u2018B\u2019, shows that horizon \u2018A\u2019 is relatively thick and this pattern suggests increased tectonic activities during deposition of reservoir \u2018A\u2019 and is an indication that reservoir \u2018A\u2019 is a synrift deposit

FinTech revolution: the impact of management information systems upon relative firm value and risk

The FinTech or ‘financial technology’ revolution has been gaining increasing interest as technologies are fundamentally changing the business of financial services. Consequently, financial technology is playing an increasingly important role in providing relative performance growth to firms. It is also well known that such relative performance can be observed through pairs trading investment. Therefore pairs trading have implications for understanding financial technology performance, yet the relationships between relative firm value and financial technology are not well understood. In this paper we investigate the impact of financial technology upon relative firm value in the banking sector. Firstly, using pairs trade data we show that financial technologies reveal differences in relative operational performance of firms, providing insight on the value of financial technologies. Secondly, we find that contribution of relative firm value growth from financial technologies is dependent on the specific business characteristics of the technology, such as the business application and activity type. Finally, we show that financial technologies impact the operational risk of firms and so firms need to take into account both the value and risk benefits in implementing new technological innovations. This paper will be of interest to academics and industry professionals

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Determination of depth to bedrock in Afikpo syncline of the Benue Trough, Nigeria, using seismic refraction methods.

A three channel digital signal enhancement Seismograph model S79-3, was used in continuous profiling to determine the depth to bedrock in Afikpo syncline. Afikpo syncline came as a result of instability of accumulated sediments in the Benue trough during the Albian-Turonian tectonic episode. Incessant collapse of building structures in Nigeria compelled us to carry out seismic refraction surreys in the fast developing Ndibe beach. The results of the survey gave a two-layer model. The seismic P-wave velocity of the weak overburden sediment varies from 277-512ms while layer two has a P-wave velocity which ranges from 370-1408ms. The depth to bedrock varies from 2.0 to 3.98m. The depth to the expected Afikpo sandstone in the Ndibe beach area in 3.98m and any engineering structure placed in the Afikpo sandstone will be geotechnical sound. The seismic refraction method has proved to be an indispensable tool used to determine the depth to bedrock. Key Words: Bedrock, Seismic Refraction, Velocity, Geolog

Application of seismic refraction methods in groundwater studies in Calabar Southeastern Nigeria.

Calabar, the Cross River State capital, is underlain by Benin Formation. The formation is partly marine, partly deltaic and partly fluviolacustrine in origin. Seismic refraction surveys in the area show that the aquiferous zone has seismic wave velocity of 700-800ms while the non aquiferous zone has velocity ranging from 400-600ms. The velocity is larger in the aquiferous zone because the density in the water bearing sand is higher. Vertical electric sounding confirms the hydrogeologic boundaries between these zones established by the seismic refraction survey. Key words: Seismic Refraction, Groundwater, Velocity, Vertical Electrical Sounding, Aquife