Effects of methanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense on some reproductive parameters of male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus)

This study investigated the effects of the administration of methanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense on serum concentration of testosterone, cauda epididymal sperm reserves (CESR), gonadosomatic weights of the testes and epididymides as well as testicular histomorphology of male albino rats. Twenty four adult male rats of 12 weeks of age were used for the study. Commercial pelleted feed and water were provided ad libitum. The rats were randomly selected into 4 groups of six rats each designated A, B, C and D. Group A served as untreated control and received only distilled water; while groups B, C and D received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the methanolic leaf extract of Piper guineense respectively for 30 days. Oral administration of the plant leaf extract was done every other day with the aid of orogastric cannula. There was no significant variation (p>0.05) in the mean serum testosterone concentration and cauda epididymal sperm reserves across the different groups. However, the mean gonadosomatic weights of the testes of the different treatment groups and the mean gonadosomatic weight of the epididymis of only group C (100 mg/kg body weight) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the control. There was no obvious histomorphologic lesion in testes of the rats of the different groups. It was concluded that oral administration of methanolic seed extract of P. guineense at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight every other day for 30 days did not affect testosterone concentration, CESR and testicular histomorphology but caused an increase in the allometric weight of the testes.Keywords: Piper guineense, Testis, Testosterone, Cauda epididymal sperm reserves, Rattus norvegicu

Primary School Teachers’ Knowledge of Immediate Management of Permanent Tooth Avulsion

Background: This study assessed primary school teachers’ knowledge of immediate management of tooth avulsion in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study of 135 primary school teachers in Enugu metropolis of Enugu State, Nigeria. Data on sex, age, academic qualification, school type, years of service, and the knowledge of immediate management of avulsed tooth among primary school teachers were collected using a self‑administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 18. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The age of study participants ranged from 20 to 58 years. Many teachers in public schools 73 (54.1%) and those with bachelor degree in education 69 (51.1%) participated in the study, They were mostly females 123 (91.1%). The year of service of the teachers ranged from 1 year to 35 years. Only 25 (18.5%) of the teachers had good knowledge of the immediate management of avulsed teeth. Six (4.4%) knew that re‑implantation was the immediate treatment for an avulsed permanent tooth. However, there was a significant association between sex (P < 0.001) and having good knowledge of the management of avulsion, but there was no significant association between age (P = 0.42), school type (P = 0.27) qualification (P = 0.09), year of service (P = 0.42), and having good knowledge of the management of avulsion. Conclusion: Few primary school teachers had good knowledge of immediate management of avulsed tooth indicating the need for increased oral health awareness among teachers in the study area. Keywords: First aid, immediate management, knowledge, permanent tooth avulsion, school teachers, transport medi

Agricultural Productivity and Food Supply Stability in Sub-Saharan Africa: LSDV and SYS-GMM Approach

Food supply fluctuations remain a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this regard, this study empirically examined the impact of agricultural productivity on food security stability in 37 selected countries in SSA from 1990 to 2016, using the pooled, least square dummy variable (LSDV), random and system generalized methods of moments (SYS-GMM) models. The study adopted per-capita food supply variability (PCFSV) as a measure of food security stability while agriculture value-added contribution to gross domestic product (AGVA) and crop production (CRPROD) were selected indicators of agricultural productivity. The LSDV and SYS-GMM model estimations revealed that agricultural productivity and the control factors contributed significantly, though with a mix of positive and negative effects, to food security stability in the selected countries in SSA during the period under review. The LSDV model showed that AGVA had no statistically significant positive effect on food security stability, however, this was corrected in the SYS-GMM model, but with a positive impact. The study concludes that stability in food security is achieved and sustained by improving agricultural productivity. Based on the findings, the study recommended that food security stability should be improved by enhancing agricultural productivity through ensuring effective implementation of pro-agriculture growth policies in SS

Agricultural Productivity and Food Supply Stability in Sub-Saharan Africa: LSDV and SYS-GMM Approach

Food supply fluctuations remain a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this regard, this study empirically examined the impact of agricultural productivity on food security stability in 37 selected countries in SSA from 1990 to 2016, using the pooled, least square dummy variable (LSDV), random and system generalized methods of moments (SYS-GMM) models. The study adopted per-capita food supply variability (PCFSV) as a measure of food security stability while agriculture value-added contribution to gross domestic product (AGVA) and crop production (CRPROD) were selected indicators of agricultural productivity. The LSDV and SYS-GMM model estimations revealed that agricultural productivity and the control factors contributed significantly, though with a mix of positive and negative effects, to food security stability in the selected countries in SSA during the period under review. The LSDV model showed that AGVA had no statistically significant positive effect on food security stability, however, this was corrected in the SYS-GMM model, but with a positive impact. The study concludes that stability in food security is achieved and sustained by improving agricultural productivity. Based on the findings, the study recommended that food security stability should be improved by enhancing agricultural productivity through ensuring effective implementation of pro-agriculture growth policies in SS

Izloženost štakora mononatrijevu l-glutamatu od prenatalne do odrasle dobi: učinci na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteine i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise i zalihu spermija u epididimisu.

This study investigated the effects of exposure of male rats to monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) from prenatal life to adulthood on the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and proteins, serum enzymes, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights. Forty-eight albino rats (40 females and 8 males) were used as starting animals for the study. Being a generational study, the 48 mature albino rats eventually gave birth to the 64 male offspring which were used to conclude the study. Initially, the 40 starting females were randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 10 female rats each, while the 8 males were assigned to the four groups (2 for each) for mating. Females of groups A, B, C and D received 0.0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 2.0 % of MSG respectively in their drinking water. The treatment with MSG for the starting females, which was on a daily basis, started four weeks prior to the introduction of the mating males, and lasted throughout the mating period, pregnancy and delivery, and ended three weeks post-partum. The mating males did not receive MSG as the starting females had access to drinking water containing MSG during the day, and to the mating males during the night. Outside this mating period, the starting females had access to MSG in drinking water for 24 hours daily until 3 weeks post-partum. At the point of weaning (3 weeks post-partum), 64 male offspring (16 each from each of the four groups) were randomly assigned into 16 sub-groups of 4 male offspring each. The 16 male offspring from group A were divided into four sub-groups (A1, A2, A3 and A4), those of B were divided into four sub-groups (B1, B2, B3 and B4), those of C were also divided into four sub-groups (C1, C2, C3 and C4) and those of D were divided into four sub-groups (D1, D2, D3 and D4), all of 4 offspring per sub-group. From that point of weaning, the A1, B1, C1 and D1 sub-groups started receiving 0.0 % of MSG, A2, B2, C2 and D2 sub-groups started receiving 0.5 % of MSG, A3, B3, C3 and D3 sub-groups started receiving 1.0 % of MSG, and A4, B4, C4 and D4 sub-groups started receiving 2.0 % of MSG, all in their drinking water, until adulthood at 16 weeks of age. At 16 weeks of age, the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and total protein, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed. Caudal epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights were also determined. The testes were dissected out for histomorphological studies. Results showed that only the sub-groups that were exposed to MSG from weaning age to adulthood (A2, A3 and A4) had mean testosterone levels that were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum cholesterol levels of some of the treated sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control. The mean caudal epididymal sperm reserves, testicular allometric weights, and serum ALT and AST activities of all the treatment sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum total protein levels of groups A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 and D2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the untreated control (A1). Although the mean serum total cholesterol levels of all the treatment sub-groups were lower than that of the untreated control (A1), it was only the values of sub-groups B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 and D4 that showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease. No obvious lesions were observed on the testes of any of the sub-groups. It was concluded that exposure of rats to MSG at the doses used for the study from prenatal life to adulthood led to a significant reduction in serum testosterone and cholesterol levels, mean testicular allometric weights, cauda epididymal sperm reserves, serum activities of ALT and AST, and an increase in serum total protein.Istraženi su učinci mononatrijeva l-glutamata (MNG) na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteina i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise, zalihu spermija u epididimisu kao i alometrijske težine testisa u štakora od prenatalne do odrasle dobi. Istraživanje je započelo odabirom 40 albino štakorica i 8 štakora. S obzirom na to da je riječ o istraživanju učinka na potomcima, od navedenog broja ženki i mužjaka za istraživanje su uzeta 64 muška potomka. Na početku pokusa 40 ženki bilo je nasumce raspoređeno u četiri skupine (A, B, C i D). U svaku skupinu od 10 ženki dodana su i dva mužjaka za parenje. Štakoricama skupine A nije bio primijenjen MNG, onima skupine B bio je primijenjen u koncentraciji 0,5 %, skupini C od 1,0 % i skupini D u koncentraciji od 2,0 % u vodi za piće. Dnevna primjena MNG početnim skupinama ženki započela je četiri tjedna prije uvođenja mužjaka u njihove skupine te je trajala kroz razdoblje parenja, skotnosti i dok su se kotile, a završila je tri tjedna nakon što su se okotile. Mužjacima s kojima su se parile nije bio primijenjen MNG budući da su početne ženke imale pristup pitkoj vodi koja ga je sadržavala samo tijekom dana, a mužjaci tijekom noći. Izvan razdoblja parenja početne ženke imale su pristup pitkoj vodi s MNG tijekom 24 sata sve do trećeg tjedna nakon koćenja. U trenutku zalučenja (tri tjedna nakon koćenja), 64 muška potomka (po 16 iz svake od četiri skupine) bili su nasumce razvrstani u 16 podskupina, po četiri mužjaka u svakoj. Tako je 16 muških potomaka skupine A bilo podijeljeno u 4 podskupine (A1, A2, A3 i A4), skupine B u četiri (B1, B2, B3 i B4), skupine C u četiri (C1, C2, C3 i C4) te one skupine D također u četiri podskupine (D1, D2, D3 i D4) pa su se tako po četiri potomka nalazila u svakoj podskupini. Od trenutka odbijanja od sise podskupine A1, B1, C1 i D1 bile su kontrolne i nisu dobivale MNG. Podskupine A2, B2, C2 i D2 počele su dobivati 0,5 % MNG, podskupine A3, B3, C3 i D3 počele su dobivati 1,0 % MNG, a podskupine A4, B4, C4 i D4 2,0 % MNG u vodi za piće sve do odrasle dobi odnosno do dobi od 16 tjedana. U toj dobi svi su bili pretraženi na razine testosterona, kolesterola i ukupnih proteina u serumu te na aktivnost alanin-aminotransferaze (ALT) i aspartat-aminotransferaze (AST). Također su bile određene rezerve sperme u kaudalnom dijelu epididimisa kao i alometrijske težine testisa. Tkivo testisa bilo je uzeto i za histološku pretragu. Rezultati su pokazali da su samo štakori podskupina koje su bile izložene MNG od trenutka odbijanja od sise do odrasle dobi (A2, A3 i A4) imali srednje razine testosterona značajno manje (P<0,05) nego oni u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Srednje razine kolesterola u nekih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno niže (P<0,05) nego u onih kontrolne skupine. Srednje razine zaliha sperme u epididimisu, alometrijske težine testisa, te aktivnosti ALT i AST u svih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno (P<0,05) niže nego u kontrolne skupine (A1). Srednje razine ukupnih serumskih proteina skupina A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 i D2 bile su značajno (P<0,05) više od onih u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Iako su srednje vrijednosti razina kolesterola u serumu svih pokusnih podskupina bile niže nego u kontrola (A1), samo su vrijednosti u podskupinama B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 i D4 bile značajno smanjene (P<0,05). Oštećenja testisa nisu bila primijećene ni u jednoj podskupini. Zaključuje se da izloženost štakora primijenjenim dozama MNG-a od prenatalne do odrasle dobi dovodi do značajnog smanjenja razina testosterona i kolesterola u serumu, do samnjenja alometrijskih težina testisa, smanjenja zaliha sperme u epididimisu, aktivnosti ALT i AST u serumu te povećanja ukupnih serumskih proteina

Izloženost štakora mononatrijevu l-glutamatu od prenatalne do odrasle dobi: učinci na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteine i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise i zalihu spermija u epididimisu.

This study investigated the effects of exposure of male rats to monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) from prenatal life to adulthood on the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and proteins, serum enzymes, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights. Forty-eight albino rats (40 females and 8 males) were used as starting animals for the study. Being a generational study, the 48 mature albino rats eventually gave birth to the 64 male offspring which were used to conclude the study. Initially, the 40 starting females were randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 10 female rats each, while the 8 males were assigned to the four groups (2 for each) for mating. Females of groups A, B, C and D received 0.0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 2.0 % of MSG respectively in their drinking water. The treatment with MSG for the starting females, which was on a daily basis, started four weeks prior to the introduction of the mating males, and lasted throughout the mating period, pregnancy and delivery, and ended three weeks post-partum. The mating males did not receive MSG as the starting females had access to drinking water containing MSG during the day, and to the mating males during the night. Outside this mating period, the starting females had access to MSG in drinking water for 24 hours daily until 3 weeks post-partum. At the point of weaning (3 weeks post-partum), 64 male offspring (16 each from each of the four groups) were randomly assigned into 16 sub-groups of 4 male offspring each. The 16 male offspring from group A were divided into four sub-groups (A1, A2, A3 and A4), those of B were divided into four sub-groups (B1, B2, B3 and B4), those of C were also divided into four sub-groups (C1, C2, C3 and C4) and those of D were divided into four sub-groups (D1, D2, D3 and D4), all of 4 offspring per sub-group. From that point of weaning, the A1, B1, C1 and D1 sub-groups started receiving 0.0 % of MSG, A2, B2, C2 and D2 sub-groups started receiving 0.5 % of MSG, A3, B3, C3 and D3 sub-groups started receiving 1.0 % of MSG, and A4, B4, C4 and D4 sub-groups started receiving 2.0 % of MSG, all in their drinking water, until adulthood at 16 weeks of age. At 16 weeks of age, the serum levels of testosterone, cholesterol and total protein, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed. Caudal epididymal sperm reserves and testicular allometric weights were also determined. The testes were dissected out for histomorphological studies. Results showed that only the sub-groups that were exposed to MSG from weaning age to adulthood (A2, A3 and A4) had mean testosterone levels that were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum cholesterol levels of some of the treated sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of the untreated control. The mean caudal epididymal sperm reserves, testicular allometric weights, and serum ALT and AST activities of all the treatment sub-groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the untreated control (A1). The mean serum total protein levels of groups A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 and D2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the untreated control (A1). Although the mean serum total cholesterol levels of all the treatment sub-groups were lower than that of the untreated control (A1), it was only the values of sub-groups B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 and D4 that showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease. No obvious lesions were observed on the testes of any of the sub-groups. It was concluded that exposure of rats to MSG at the doses used for the study from prenatal life to adulthood led to a significant reduction in serum testosterone and cholesterol levels, mean testicular allometric weights, cauda epididymal sperm reserves, serum activities of ALT and AST, and an increase in serum total protein.Istraženi su učinci mononatrijeva l-glutamata (MNG) na razine testosterona, kolesterola, proteina i aktivnost enzima u serumu te na testise, zalihu spermija u epididimisu kao i alometrijske težine testisa u štakora od prenatalne do odrasle dobi. Istraživanje je započelo odabirom 40 albino štakorica i 8 štakora. S obzirom na to da je riječ o istraživanju učinka na potomcima, od navedenog broja ženki i mužjaka za istraživanje su uzeta 64 muška potomka. Na početku pokusa 40 ženki bilo je nasumce raspoređeno u četiri skupine (A, B, C i D). U svaku skupinu od 10 ženki dodana su i dva mužjaka za parenje. Štakoricama skupine A nije bio primijenjen MNG, onima skupine B bio je primijenjen u koncentraciji 0,5 %, skupini C od 1,0 % i skupini D u koncentraciji od 2,0 % u vodi za piće. Dnevna primjena MNG početnim skupinama ženki započela je četiri tjedna prije uvođenja mužjaka u njihove skupine te je trajala kroz razdoblje parenja, skotnosti i dok su se kotile, a završila je tri tjedna nakon što su se okotile. Mužjacima s kojima su se parile nije bio primijenjen MNG budući da su početne ženke imale pristup pitkoj vodi koja ga je sadržavala samo tijekom dana, a mužjaci tijekom noći. Izvan razdoblja parenja početne ženke imale su pristup pitkoj vodi s MNG tijekom 24 sata sve do trećeg tjedna nakon koćenja. U trenutku zalučenja (tri tjedna nakon koćenja), 64 muška potomka (po 16 iz svake od četiri skupine) bili su nasumce razvrstani u 16 podskupina, po četiri mužjaka u svakoj. Tako je 16 muških potomaka skupine A bilo podijeljeno u 4 podskupine (A1, A2, A3 i A4), skupine B u četiri (B1, B2, B3 i B4), skupine C u četiri (C1, C2, C3 i C4) te one skupine D također u četiri podskupine (D1, D2, D3 i D4) pa su se tako po četiri potomka nalazila u svakoj podskupini. Od trenutka odbijanja od sise podskupine A1, B1, C1 i D1 bile su kontrolne i nisu dobivale MNG. Podskupine A2, B2, C2 i D2 počele su dobivati 0,5 % MNG, podskupine A3, B3, C3 i D3 počele su dobivati 1,0 % MNG, a podskupine A4, B4, C4 i D4 2,0 % MNG u vodi za piće sve do odrasle dobi odnosno do dobi od 16 tjedana. U toj dobi svi su bili pretraženi na razine testosterona, kolesterola i ukupnih proteina u serumu te na aktivnost alanin-aminotransferaze (ALT) i aspartat-aminotransferaze (AST). Također su bile određene rezerve sperme u kaudalnom dijelu epididimisa kao i alometrijske težine testisa. Tkivo testisa bilo je uzeto i za histološku pretragu. Rezultati su pokazali da su samo štakori podskupina koje su bile izložene MNG od trenutka odbijanja od sise do odrasle dobi (A2, A3 i A4) imali srednje razine testosterona značajno manje (P<0,05) nego oni u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Srednje razine kolesterola u nekih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno niže (P<0,05) nego u onih kontrolne skupine. Srednje razine zaliha sperme u epididimisu, alometrijske težine testisa, te aktivnosti ALT i AST u svih pokusnih podskupina bile su značajno (P<0,05) niže nego u kontrolne skupine (A1). Srednje razine ukupnih serumskih proteina skupina A3, A4, B1, B2, C1, C4, D1 i D2 bile su značajno (P<0,05) više od onih u kontrolnoj skupini (A1). Iako su srednje vrijednosti razina kolesterola u serumu svih pokusnih podskupina bile niže nego u kontrola (A1), samo su vrijednosti u podskupinama B2, C2, C3, C4, D1, D2, D3 i D4 bile značajno smanjene (P<0,05). Oštećenja testisa nisu bila primijećene ni u jednoj podskupini. Zaključuje se da izloženost štakora primijenjenim dozama MNG-a od prenatalne do odrasle dobi dovodi do značajnog smanjenja razina testosterona i kolesterola u serumu, do samnjenja alometrijskih težina testisa, smanjenja zaliha sperme u epididimisu, aktivnosti ALT i AST u serumu te povećanja ukupnih serumskih proteina

Effects of monosodium-L-glutamate administration on serum levels of reproductive hormones and cholesterol, epididymal sperm reserves and testicular histomorphology of male albino rats

This study investigated the effects of administration of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) on serum gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinising hormone (LH), testosterone and total cholesterol (TC), cauda epididymal sperm reserves (CESR) and testicular histomorphology of adult male albino rats. Eighty-four rats, randomly assigned to 7 groups of 12 rats each, were used for the study. Varying low doses (0.25, 0.50 or 1.00 g/kg body weight) of MSG were administered orally or subcutaneously at 48-h intervals for six weeks. Serum GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and CESR were evaluated on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. Testicular histomorphology was evaluated on day 42. The results showed that the mean serum GnRH, LH and testosterone levels, and the CESR of all the treated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the untreated control on days 14, 28 and 42 of MSG administration. The mean serum TC levels of all the treated groups were also significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the control group on days 14 and 28. No lesions were observed on sections of the testes. It was concluded that MSG administration for 14, 28 and 42 days led to significantly lower serum levels of GnRH, LH, testosterone and TC, and significantly lower CESR

Negative Effect on Growth via Human Capital Allocation

Corruption is generally defined as the use of public position or a position of power for private gains (Bardhan, 1997). The incentive to abuse public power often stems from its financial benefits and the associated benefits (even more power) that come with larger finances. Corruption often involves the exchange of money by the briber in a bid to obtain power (or preferential treatment). It is a form of rent seeking that often leads to inefficiencies and the misallocation of resources meant to improve the public’s welfare.1 Bardhan (1997) gives instances of where corrupt government officials purchase more complex equipments than required in order to enable them to inflate costs against the public’s discretion. Corruption also retards growth through various other means; it discourages investment (Mauro, 1995) and is a hindrance to the growth of local firms who have to constantly pay bribes to go through the rigid bureaucracies (Fissman and Svensson, 2000)

Performance assessment of multi-input-single-output (MISO) production process using transfer function and fuzzy logic: A case study of soap production

In this research an improved and novel method of assessing the performance of multi input single output (MISO) processes, as typified by soap production process was studied. The method involves the combination of transfer function and fuzzy logic and was used in assessing the three years performance of a soap factory. A comparison of the years studied shows that the year 2011 with a performance rating λ of 0.761 which corresponds to the linguistic variable “Good” recorded the best performance, while the year 2012 with a performance rating λ of 0.250 which corresponds to the linguistic variable “Poor” recorded the worst performance. The result of this study will help to improve maintenance effectiveness, quality, utilization of raw materials and efficiency of MISO production processes