EFFECTS OF SELECTED MACROECONOMIC VARIABLES ON STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

In spite of the vital role played by the stock exchange market in the overall national development, it is still performing below expectations in Nigeria owing to several macroeconomic factors. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of selected macroeconomic variables on stock market performance in Nigeria. The study employed time-series data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s statistical bulletin and World Development Indicators. Stock market performance was measured using the all-shares index while the identified macroeconomic variables included GDP growth, broad money supply, exchange rate, savings interest rate, and inflation rate. An Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) estimation technique was used to establish the long run relationship among the variables, and it was revealed that a long run relationship existed among the variables in the estimated model. The result shows that macroeconomic variables such as gross domestic product, broad money supply, exchange rate, and savings interest rate have a positive effect on stock market performance in Nigeria. On the other hand, the results showed that the inflation rate has a negative effect on stock market performance in Nigeria. Predicated on the result, the study recommended that policies to increase gross domestic product, exchange rate, interest rate, and money supply should be implemented because they can lead to an improvement in the performance of the stock market, while the inflation rate should be maintained at a single digit to prevent its negative effect on the performance of the stock market in Nigeria

Insecticidal Activity of Crude Extracts of Hyptis suaveolens (Bush Mint) on Anopheles Mosquitoes Collected from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Anopheles gambiae is a vector that is responsible for the transmission of malaria parasites which causes high morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and the world at large. Human-vector contact can be reduced by the use of conventional repellents being sold in the market, though some of these repellent are not environmentally friendly and An. gambiae have developed resistance to some of these repellents. To this end, the phytochemical constituents and insecticidal activity of crude extracts of Hyptis suaveolens (bush mint) was determined on adult An. gambiae mosquitoes collected from Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria to evaluate its effect in controlling them. Here, 70% ethanolic and diethyl ether fat crude extracts were made from H. suaveolens dried leaves and used to carry out the experiment. The phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, saponins, tannins, steroids and reducing sugar. Glycoside was not detected in the ethanol extract. Only steroids was detected in diethyl ether extract the rest of the phytochemical tested were absent. An. gambiae larvae were collected from the field and were raised to F1 progeny adults that were used for the study. WHO protocol for carrying out human bait repellency cage test was used. Human hand treated with the extracts was exposed to a cage containing 30 female mosquitoes for each of the extracts respectively. The ethanolic crude extract treatment proved to be more effective in repelling mosquitoes with 0% (0/30) mosquito landing than diethyl ether extract which had 40% (12/30) mosquitoes landing and the control hand (untreated left hand) had the highest landing rate 63.3% (19/30) which showed very high significant difference (χ2 = 27.2619, df = 2, P <0.00001) in relation to the treatments. After 24 hours holding period, the mortality rate of exposed mosquitoes was observed to be highest in the ethanolic treatment 73.3% (22/30). In conclusion, H. suaveolens extracts have repellency potential in controlling adult An. gambiae

Anti-trypanosomal Activity of Bufonidae (Toad) Venom Crude Extract on Trypanosoma brucei brucei in Swiss Mice

Trypanosomiasis afflicts about 6 ~ 7 million people globally and to a large extent impedes livestock production in Africa. Naturally, trypanosomal parasites undergo genetic mutation and have developed resistance over a wide range of therapies. The utilization of animals and plants products has presented therapeutic potential for identifying novel anti-trypanosomal drugs. This study evaluated toad venom for anti-trypanosomal potency invivo in Swiss mice. Toads were collected from July to August 2019. The acute oral toxicity and biochemical characterization of the toad venom were determined. The experimental mice were administered various doses (130 mg/kg, 173 mg/kg and 217 mg/kg) of the toad venom crude extract and 0.75 mg/mL of Diamizan Plus standard drug for the treatment of trypanosomiasis, once daily for 3 days. The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal activity was evaluated by a curative test, after infecting the mice with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The pre-patent period was 72 hours before treatment commenced. The overall results showed that trypanosomal load was highest in the control group while the group treated with Diamizan drug had the least trypanosomal load. As such, the mean trypanosomal load in relation to treatments showed a very high significant difference (P0.05) across treatment groups. The over 50% reduction in the trypanosomal load in the 130 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group brings to bare the anti-trypanosomal potency of the toad venom. The anti-trypanosomal activity demonstrated by the toad venom has provided basis for development of new therapeutic agents from different toad species. The study recommends further studies (both in-vivo and invitro) followed by the characterization of the active compounds present in the toad venom responsible for the anti-tyrpanosomal activity observed alongside the management and conservation of these species

LEVELS OF HAEMOGLOBIN AND PACKED CELL VOLUMES IN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD IN JOS

Haemoglobin and packed cell volume have been studied in many neonatal study populations, but in Jos, Nigeria, no real reference values exist. On the other hand, disorders of the blood are common in this environment, necessitating knowledge of the references values of blood parameters as are applicable to neonates. Blood samples were taken from 121 umbilical cords at time of birth, and were analysed for haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV). The Hb concentration was determined by the indirect colorimetric method, and the PCV by the microhaematocrit centrifuge method. The mean values obtained were Hb 12.13 ± 0.11 g/dl and PCV 37.95 ± 0.49%. The mean umbilical cord blood haemoglobin and packed cell volumes were compared with those of the mothers, taken also at the time of delivery. The maternal values were Hb 10.87 ± 0.012 g/dl and PCV 34.51 ± 0.045%. The comparison shows statistically significant difference in Hb (P<0.0001, n =121) and PCV (P<0.0001, n = 121). The study establishes a baseline data on Hb and PCV in neonates in Jos

Spoilage of freshly harvested mango fruits (Mangifera indica) stored using different storage methods

No Abstract. Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 145-14

Synthesis, spectral characterization, and theoretical investigation of the photovoltaic properties of (E)-6-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)diazenyl)-2-octyl-benzoisoquinoline-1, 3-dione

Abstract This research work focuses on the synthesis, characterization through spectra (FT-IR, UV–vis, and 1H-NMR) investigations, and the use of density functional theory (DFT) along with time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) to investigate the electronic, structural, reactivity, photophysical properties, and the photovoltaic properties of a novel (E)-6-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)diazenyl)-2-octyl-benzoisoquinoline-1,3-dione. The structure of the synthesized compound was modeled using the Gaussian09W and GaussView6.0.16 softwares employing B3LYP and 6–31 + G(d) basis set. The DFT studies was performed in order to investigate the Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO), Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), charge distribution, Nonlinear Optics (NLO), and stability of the titled molecule. The HOMO–LUMO energy gap which corresponds to the difference between HOMO and LUMO energies of the studied compound was found to be 2.806 eV indicating stiff and smooth nature of the titled molecule. This accounts for the less stability and high chemical reactivity of the compound. The photovoltaic properties were conducted to evaluate the light harvesting efficiency (LHE), short circuit current density (JSC), Gibbs free energy of injection ( $$\Delta {G}_{inj}$$ Δ G inj ), open cycled voltage (VOC) and Gibbs free energy regeneration ( $$\Delta {G}_{reg}$$ Δ G reg ) and solar cell conversion efficiency. Interestingly, the results obtained were found to be in good agreement with other experimental and computational findings

Evaluation of the therapeutic potentials of extract fractions of Vernonia calvoana on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: approach through in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies

Abstract Background Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder and many medicinal plants are used in traditional medicine to manage it. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Vernonia calvoana (V. calvoana) extract fractions on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat models. In this study, we first investigated the binding affinity of ligands from extracts of V. calvoana crystal structure proteins using a molecular docking approach. Furthermore, the in silico predictions were validated by in vitro and in vivo biochemical evaluations to ascertain the efficacy of these extract fractions. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the fractions was evaluated using DPPH, FRAP, SOD, and LPx scavenging. For biological activity, extract fractions of V. calvoana and metformin (400 mg and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively) were administered to diabetic rats for 21 days after induction and confirmation of diabetes. Results The radical scavenger activities of the fractions showed a good dose-dependent reaction activity. A significant reduction in hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity was observed in all experimental treated groups. Improved hematological and histopathological changes were also observed. Conclusion The In silico analyses revealed that all the compounds from extract fractions of V. calvoana have varying binding affinity for PFK and lipoprotein lipase, with some showing higher affinity than the standard drug, further validating the biological activity of the plant. The results of this study indicated that V. calvoana extracts might have potential value in treating complications arising from diabetes mellitus