bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction of a New Parameter 'Mastoid to Gonion Height' and its Comparative Evaluation with Established PA Cephalometric Parameters in Sex Determination
Authors: Sathawane Ramhari , Tripathi Samiksha , Sukhadeve Vidyarjan
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Skeletal remains have a vital role in the differentiation of sex in forensic studies. Skull is the second most sexed skeleton after the pelvis. PA cephalogram is more precise and provides numerous anatomic points and planes in the frontal profile for comparison.

Aim:

To introduce a new parameter 'Mastoid to Gonion height,' and compare its accuracy with established PA cephalometric parameters in sex determination using discriminant functions.

Materials and Methods:

A hundred males and females each aged 25 to 60 years were included. A total of eight planes were constructed on PA cephalograms and measured. The data were analyzed using discriminant analysis.

Results:

The linear measurements were found greater in males than females. Among the studied parameters, Bizygomatic width and Mastoid to Gonion height had a high sex discriminating ability. The discriminant function (DF) equation correctly predicted the gender in 88.5% of subjects.

Conclusion:

The new parameter “Mastoid to Gonion” height has been successfully introduced. It is found to be the second-best strong predictor parameter and can be used singly for sex determination. The parameter Bi-zygomatic width also contributed most significantly and can be used singly. The DF equation is proposed to predict new cases.
Quantitative Estimation of Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Response After Covishield Vaccination in Healthcare Workers
Authors: Goyal Megha , Jain Mayuri , Patel Nidhi , Sharma Alka
Published: June 2022

Background:

Most studies of COVID vaccination focused on cell-mediated immunity and serum IgG antibodies, overlooking the role of anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) neutralizing IgA antibodies in preventing viral infection. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine generates variable Anti-Spike IgG responses following one or two vaccine doses in almost all individuals for protection.

Aim:

The study aimed to quantify and estimate the Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response after the second dose of the Covishield vaccine in healthcare workers (HCWs) over the time frame of one, three, and six months.

Material and Methods:

30 HCWs who had received both doses of the Covishield vaccine were selected and divided into three groups based on the time elapsed after the second dose of vaccine for serological analysis. Post-vaccination antibody responses were measured using the SARS-CoV-2 IgG Quantitative assay (detection threshold: ≥50 AU/ml) using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Walli's test, and Mann-Whitney U test.

Result:

Vaccination leads to measurable anti-spike IgG antibodies in HCWs. Only 1 individual was seronegative. The highest antibody titer was reported after one month of the second dose (3615.3 AU/ml). The lowest antibody titer (491.5 AU/ml) was seen after six months of the second dose of Covishield is statistically significant.

Conclusion:

Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody determination is necessary for an immune response after vaccination. This titer decreases with time consequently as the duration after the second dose of the Covishield vaccine increases. This helps assess the requirement of a booster dose for effective immunity against coronavirus.
Efficacy of Pulsed Short Wave Therapy in Symptomatic TMD Patients
Authors: Dhanasekaran Sadhurya M. , Kannan A. , Lakshmi Krithika C. , Anuradha G , Aniyan K Yesoda
Published: June 2022

Context:

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a ginglymoarthroidal joint of synovial variety. The joint's pathology includes those predominantly of musculoskeletal origin, which poses a complex problem in the clinical scenario. The management of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) remains a challenge due to the intricate anatomy of the joint and the multipart etiologies associated with it.

Aims:

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of pulsed short wave therapy (PSWT) with pharmacotherapy in symptomatic TMD patients.

Methods and Material:

A total of 62 patients were included in this randomized control trial and were randomly allotted into two groups. Patients in Group I received PSWTand Group II received a combination of a muscle relaxant and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for 5 consecutive days. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded during the follow-up.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The statistical analysis was performed using Stata/SE 17.0 statistical software.

Results:

There was a statistically significant difference in the groups for different periods. Kaplan–Meier function and extended survivor function tests showed better pain alleviation in the short wave therapy group.

Conclusion:

The current study shows that PSWT decreased pain without adverse effects. Therefore, it could be considered a safe and potentially effective adjuvant therapeutic modality for TMD.
Parental Transmission Effects of the PAX7 Polymorphisms among Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip Palate
Authors: Khan Mahamad Irfanulla , Prashanth C. S. , Mustak Mohammed S. , Nizamuddin Sheikh , Tejasvi Avinash
Published: June 2022

Background:

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are the most common congenital deformities in the human face, with a prevalence of around 1:800 to 1:1000 among the Indian population.

Aim:

To assess the Paired box 7 (PAX7) gene polymorphisms in the etiology of non-syndromic cleft lip and cleft palate (NSCL/P) in the Indian population using a case-parent trio design and to contemplate parent-of-origin effects.

Materials and Methods:

The study comprised forty case-parent trios of NSCL/P from the Indian population. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated from the cases and their parents. The polymorphisms rs6659735, rs553934, rs624761, rs609959, and rs4075768 of the PAX7 gene were genotyped using Agena Bio MassARRAY analysis. The transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) was performed using the PLINK software and the pairwise linkage disequilibrium analysis by the Haploview software.

Results:

The genotyping of the polymorphisms rs6659735, rs553934, rs624761, rs609959, and rs4075768 was done. We found a significant association of the rs6659735 (P-value = 0.03, Odds ratio = 4.5) with NSCL/P in the allelic frequencies of the Indian case-parent trios. In addition, the parent-of-origin effects were observed as the allelic TDT analysis showed a significant paternal transmission of the rs6659735 (P-value = 0.04), whereas the rs553934 (P-value = 0.04) showed an excess maternal transmission.

Conclusions:

The parent-of-origin effects were observed as the two polymorphisms demonstrated a significant parental transmission. The rs6659735 showed a significant paternal transmission, whereas the rs553934 showed an excess maternal transmission, suggesting that the PAX7 gene may influence the risk of NSCL/P in the Indian population.
Multiplicity one theorems over positive characteristic
Authors: Mezer Dor
Published: June 2022

In Aizenbud et al. (2010, Annals of Mathematics 172, 1407–1434), a multiplicity one theorem is proved for general linear groups, orthogonal groups, and unitary groups (
$GL, O,$
and U) over p-adic local fields. That is to say that when we have a pair of such groups
$G_n{\subseteq } G_{n+1}$
, any restriction of an irreducible smooth representation of
$G_{n+1}$
to
$G_n$
is multiplicity-free. This property is already known for
$GL$
over a local field of positive characteristic, and in this paper, we also give a proof for
$O,U$
, and
$SO$
over local fields of positive odd characteristic. These theorems are shown in Gan, Gross, and Prasad (2012, Sur les Conjectures de Gross et Prasad. I, Société Mathématique de France) to imply the uniqueness of Bessel models, and in Chen and Sun (2015, International Mathematics Research Notice 2015, 5849–5873) to imply the uniqueness of Rankin–Selberg models. We also prove simultaneously the uniqueness of Fourier–Jacobi models, following the outlines of the proof in Sun (2012, American Journal of Mathematics 134, 1655–1678).

By the Gelfand–Kazhdan criterion, the multiplicity one property for a pair
$H\leq G$
follows from the statement that any distribution on G invariant to conjugations by H is also invariant to some anti-involution of G preserving H. This statement for
$GL, O$
, and U over p-adic local fields is proved in Aizenbud et al. (2010, Annals of Mathematics 172, 1407–1434). An adaptation of the proof for
$GL$
that works over of local fields of positive odd characteristic is given in Mezer (2020, Mathematische Zeitschrift 297, 1383–1396). In this paper, we give similar adaptations of the proofs of the theorems on orthogonal and unitary groups, as well as similar theorems for special orthogonal groups and for symplectic groups. Our methods are a synergy of the methods used over characteristic 0 (Aizenbud et al. [2010, Annals of Mathematics 172, 1407–1434]; Sun [2012, American Journal of Mathematics 134, 1655–1678]; and Waldspurger [2012, Astérisque 346, 313–318]) and of those used in Mezer (2020, Mathematische Zeitschrift 297, 1383–1396).
Presidents’ discourses: Lags, leads or mere words?
Authors: Reis Mourão Paulo , Baptista João Pedro
Published: June 2022

Introduction: This study seeks to investigate the relationship between the words of the speeches of the various presidents of the Portuguese Republic (1976–2019) and the surrounding economic context. Methodology: We filtered all official speeches by Portuguese presidents from July 1976 to December 2019 and constructed a series of each word’s frequency categorized in the group of economic words. Using autoregressive distributed lag regressions and cointegration analysis, complemented with the analysis of structural breaks, we evaluated how those words’ frequencies changed relative to changing inflation and unemployment rates in Portugal. Results and Discussion: Our results show that certain words have tended to coincide with rises in inflation and unemployment in Portugal, which supports the hypothesis that Portuguese presidents’ speeches tend to reflect economic and political events.
Zinc, Tin and Silver Porphyrins (TPP, TCPP, TMPP, THPP, TPPS, TMPyP) as photosensitizers in antibacterial photodynamic therapy for chronic wounds: A screening study
Authors: George Reama Chinedu , Torimiro Nkem , Daramola Oluwafemi Bamidele , Olajide Afusat Ajoke
Published: June 2022

Continuous proliferation of bacteria in a wound delays its healing process, and could further extend to becoming a chronic wound infection. The effectiveness of different porphyrins as a photosensitizer in antibacterial photodynamic therapy for the inactivation of some wound-colonizing bacteria was studied as a screening experiment. Meso-tetra(4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin, (TMPP), meso-tetra(4-hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (THPP), meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin, (TCPP), meso-tetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin, (TMPyP) were synthesized, each complexed with zinc, tin and silver. The in-vitro and photo-toxicity properties of the porphyrins and their complexes were assessed on some selected wound colonizing multi-drug resistant bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Escherichia coli) using agar well diffusion method. Photo-toxicity of the compounds were investigated using a 100-Watt tungsten lamp while the in-vitro toxicity was carried out in the dark.  The results were compared with previously reported work carried out by this group on meso-tetra(phenyl)porphyrin (TPP), meso-tetra(4-sulphonatophenyl) porphyrin, (TPPS) and their corresponding Zn, Sn and Ag complexes. Most of the porphyrins showed biocidal activities against three of the test isolates with an exception to Proteus sp. ZnTMPyP and ZnTHPP only showed photo-toxic activities against the four test isolates. While SnTHPP, ZnTPPS, ZnTCPP, and SnTCPP all exhibited both toxic and photo-toxic activities against all four bacterial isolates. The Ag-porphyrins had the poorest inactivation activity.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Volatility Persistence of the Nigerian Crude Oil Price
Authors: Samson T. K. , Raheem M. A.
Published: June 2022

Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy cannot be overemphasized, especially with Nigeria, which largely depends on crude oil as a major source of her revenue. Thus, investigating COVID-19’s impacts on the volatility persistence of Nigerian crude oil price forms the nucleus of this study. Our modelling framework was based on GARCH, EGARCH and GJR-GARCH with two asymmetric innovation distributions  Daily price data on the Nigerian crude oil sales (in dollars per barrel), ranging from 4th Jan., 2010 to 27th May, 2021, were obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). To capture the impact of the pandemic, the data were divided into two periods, before Covid-19 was proscribed as a pandemic by World Health Organisation (01/04/2010 to 10/03/2020) and during COVID-19 pandemic (11/03/2020 to 27/05/2021). Result shows that the leverage effect were positive and significant in both periods which indicates that positive shocks increases volatility more than negative news of the same sign. Also, EGARCH-SSTD and GJR-GARCH (1,1)-SSTD were the best fitted models for before and during pandemic respectively. Result shows that volatility persistence was higher during COVID-19 period (1.012639) than before the COVID-19 pandemic (0.988749) .There was also an increase and over persistence in the volatility of Nigerian crude oil price during COVID-19 than before COVID-19 period.
Effects of Aqueous Extract of Moringa oleifera on Phenylhydrazine-induced Liver Toxicity in Wistar Rats
Authors: Obayuwana E. , Imafidon E. O. , Odiase D. E. , Alih O. J. , Nweke S. M. , Enoghase R. J. , Ndubuisi J. P. K. , Okpako R. A.
Published: June 2022

Moringa oleifera has been shown to have a variety of medicinal benefits, including hepatoprotective effects. Phenylhydrazine has been used to cause hepatotoxicity in experimental models. In this study, an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera was used to evaluate the ameliorating properties of phenylhydrazine-induced liver damage by assessing liver enzymes and histoarchitecture employing twenty-five (25) mature Wistar rats were divided into five (5) groups. Group A received 1 ml distilled water, Group B received 50 mg/kg phenylhydrazine twice in 48 hours, Group C received 500 mg/kg body weight of Moringa oleifera aqueous extract for four (4) weeks, Group D received 50 mg/kg phenylhydrazine twice in 48 hours and 500 mg/kg body weight of Moringa oleifera aqueous extract for four (4) weeks, and Group E received 50 mg/kg of phenylhydrazine twice in forty-eight (48) hours and 70 mg/kg body weight of Silymarin for four (4) weeks.  After the administration of phenylhydrazine, significant increases (P<0.05) in the mean concentrations of liver enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT) and total protein were observed, whereas treatment with Moringa oleifera resulted in a reversal of those parameters to values comparable to the control and the standard drug - Silymarin. Overall, the results showed that Moringa oleifera aqueous extract had considerable hepatoprotective capability against phenylhydrazine-induced hepatotoxicity.
Comparative Bioactivity of Bamboo Leaf Ash and Bularafa Diatomaceous Earth against Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky)
Authors: Abdulbaki M. K. , Nwebor E. , Uzu D. , Arohunmolase O. M. , Daramola D. S. , Nwokpoku D. E. , Onyegbule F. O. , Nwaubani S. I.
Published: June 2022

Maize is one of the major staple foods in Sub-Saharan Africa and there is serious loss in maize storage due to insect damage. This study compared the bioactivity of Bamboo Leaf Ash (BLA) and Bularafa Diatomaceous Earth (BDE) against Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) under laboratory conditions. Insecto®, a commercialized DE was also tested as standard check. Adults of the insects were exposed on maize admixed with the BLA at dose rate of 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000ppm; BDE and insecto® at a dose rate of 1,000ppm, at 28.20C and 82.2% relative humidity. Mortality increased with increasing exposure duration and all treatments showed mortality of more than 80% after 14days post-treatment compared to negative control with 0%.The treatments suppressed F1 progeny. Treated grains have weight loss less than 4%, kennel damage less than 14% and grain germination showed no significant change. The decreasing efficacy of the dusts against this insect is Insecto®> BLA > BDE. BLA and BDE have potential for the management of insect pests of stored grain in Nigeria.
Evaluation of Repeat Analysis and Dose Burdens of Patients Examined in the Radiology Department of a Medical University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Fatukasi J. I. , Osho E. S. , Olowookere C. J. , Ogunsemoyin A. O.
Published: June 2022

The objectives of this study was to examine the repeated examinations carried out and dose burdens of patients examined in the radiology department of a tertiary institution teaching hospital in Nigeria. A standard daily record keeping method (accepted and rejected films compiled by Radiographers) was used to collect data after viewing by a Radiologist. Raw data collected were sorted with the aid of Tally Chart. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze the data collected with the help of Excel software. The specific repeat rates (SRRs) for different examinations are as follows: chest PA (CXR-6.68 %); lumbosacral (LS-10.90%); skull/head (S/H-15.08 %); abdomen (ABD-12.97 %); pelvis/hip (PE/H-7.77 %); cervical spine/neck (SP/NK-5.56 %); thoracic spine (TS-7.14 %); extremities (EXT-1.64 %); shoulder joint (SHJ-2.22 %); knee joint (KNJ-2.99 %); elbow joint (ELB-2.53 %); ankle joint (ANK-2.77 %); and  hysterosalpingography (HSG-7.35 %). The highest causal reject rates (CRRs) was found to be as a result of under-penetration (34.3%) in this study. This is followed in succession by over-collimation (22.90 %) and processing artifact (20.50 %).   The excessive population doses of the exposed patients resulting from repeats for some examinations are: chest PA (CXR-103.60 mGy); lumbosacral AP (LS-23.00 mGy); skull/head PA (S/H-71.10 mGy); abdomen AP (ABD-33.48 mGy); thoracic spine AP (TS-2.52 mGy);  shoulder joint AP (SHJ-1.89 mGy); knee joint AP (KNJ-2.00 mGy); ankle joint AP (ANK-0.76 mGy);  hysterosalpingography (HSG-1.95 mGy). The selected exposure parameters could also be examined and adjusted to prevent under-penetration.
Establishment and Validation of Continuously Operating Reference Stations Geosystems Network on Static and Real-Time Kinematic in Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Oladosu S. O. , Ehigiator-Irughe R. , Muhammad M. B. M. E.
Published: June 2022

An infrastructure highly treasured by Geomatics Engineers is the continuously operating reference stations (CORS). CORS technology is a complete paradigm shift from the previously known ground control system to a virtual control system. In this paper, we present the steps taken to install CORS Geosystems in Benin City and further test its efficacy by observing fifteen existing control points located far and near using two Tersus GNSS receivers (A&B) concurrently. We perform statistical adjustment using Trimble Business Center software. Successful adjustment took two (2) iterations with Chi square test at (95%) precision confidence level and degree of freedom being nine (9) showed that the result of the adjustment was reliable.  Means of 0.007m, 0.003m 0.000m for Easting, Northings and Heights were obtained while the standard errors (σ) in E, N and H  are 0.003m, 0.007m and 0.000m respectively. The achieved RMS errors obtained from the attempted validation confirmed further that the newly installed CORS is capable of providing reliable 3D geo-spatial data for prospective authorized users to proffer solutions to engineering, scientific, environmental and research driven challenges.
Geotechnical Evaluation of Road Failure along 20th Street BDPA, Benin City, Nigeria
Authors: Andre-Obayanju O. O. , Ireaja C. C.
Published: June 2022

This work investigated the cause of road failure using geotechnical analysis along the 20th Street, BDPA, Benin-city, Nigeria. Soil samples from the failed section of the road were analyzed to ascertain their particle size distribution, limit liquid, plastic limit, maximum dry density, optimum moisture content and California bearing ratio using the British Standard Institution (BS 1377 1990). The result from the particle size distribution analysis showed that soils were well graded (GW) with percentage fines ranging from 26 to 49.7%, specific gravity from 2.4 to 2.6, liquid limit from 21.52-29.79%, plastic limit ranged from 11.73-18.80%, plasticity index 8.29-12.49% and California bearing ratio(unsoaked) from 9-29%. The compaction test results showed that the Maximum Dry Density (MDD) ranged from 1.7mg/m3-1.8mg/m3 and Optimum Maximum Content from 11-14%. It was found that there is a significant difference between the geotechnical characteristics of the soil and the standard for geotechnical characteristics set by the Federal Ministry of Works. This led to the conclusion that the soil geotechnical characteristics is a causative factor of road failure as well as the geology. Hence, it was recommended that the geotechnical and geological characteristics of sub-grades and fill materials be taken into consideration during road construction.
Protective Roles of Adansonia digitata (African Baobab), Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), and Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro) Supplemented Diets against Cadmium-Induced Lipotoxicity, Bone Demineralization, and Cytotoxicity in Rabbits
Authors: Fatoki J. O. , Adekunle O. C. , Olorunfemi A. R. , Iyapo O. , Abdulrahim H. A. , Akintade B. B. , Adekunle A. S.
Published: June 2022

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective roles of Adansonia digitata (African baobab) Cucumeropsis mannii (Melon), Abelmoschus esculentus (Okro),  on lipid profile, bone health, and selected organs (liver, kidney, brain, and testis) against cadmium-induced toxicity in rabbits. Twenty male rabbits were grouped into five with four rabbits in each group. Group 1 served as positive control and received standard feed and 1.5 mg/kg body weight normal saline, group 2 served as negative control and were exposed to 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride, group 3 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium Adansonia digitata supplemented feed, group 4 received 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Citrullus lanatus supplemented feed, while group 5 were given 1.5 mg/kg body weight cadmium chloride and Abelmoschus esculentus supplemented feed. All administrations were orally and lasted for 28 days. At the end of the administration, blood, liver, kidney, brain, and testes were harvested from the rabbits for biochemical and histological analysis. One-way analysis of variance followed by Turkey’s test was used to analyze the results with p < 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed that cadmium exposure caused a significant increase in serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and atherogenic index in rabbits exposed to cadmium. Cadmium exposure also reduced bone calcium concentration. Adansonia digitata maintained the atherogenic index of plasma at 2.67 compared with the positive control group (2.66). The three vegetables reversed the cadmium-induced up-regulation of total cholesterol and triacylglycerol in the liver, kidney, and brain but not in the testis. All the vegetables also restored bone calcium. Citrullus lanatus and Abelmoschus esculentus prevented organ damage induced by cadmium exposure. These vegetables however play different protective roles against cadmium exposed rabbits.
Evaluation of Cancer Risks Associated with Radon Concentration Measured in the Science Faculty Building Complex Basement of a Tertiary Institution in South West, Nigeria
Authors: Olowookere C. J. , Aladeniyi K. , Abu G. A. , Erimona J.
Published: June 2022

In this study, radon concentration was measured with an active detector (RAD 7) in the Science Faculty building complex basement of a tertiary institution in South West (SW), Nigeria. The attendant risk descriptors were determined with the help of mathematical models. The range of mean detectable radon concentration in the basement is 26.5 ±12.3 – 242 ± 50.7 Bq m-3 and the mean for all the rooms examined is 61.74 ± 58.48 Bq m-3. The overall mean is less than the global mean of 100 Bq m-3. The mean annual dose rate is found to be 0.97 ± 0.92 mSv y-1.  The mean annual effective doses for different subjects examined are 0.412 ± 0.391 mSv y-1 (worker), 0.0221 ± 0.0209 mSv y-1 (student in lab session), 0.515 ± 0.488 mSv y-1 (student who lives in the hostel) and 2.149 ± 2.036 mSv y-1 (home owner). Students and workers in the basement are not likely to develop serious health effects, however, if the basement is used as a living room, the radon concentration in Room I-R might lead to health effects. The range of calculated excess life cancer risks (ELCRs) are (0.64-5.82) x 10-3 and (1.16 -10.58) x 10-3 for student and homeowner respectively. The mean values for the two subjects examined fall below the maximum risk of 3.5 x 10-3.
Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Psychological Distress Facing Nursing Students in College of Nursing Gombe, Nigeria
Authors: Musa Abubakar , Saba Y. Aisha
Published: June 2022

The paper is to examine relationship between perceived stress, and psychological distress facing nursing students in College of Nursing, Gombe state. The research design was correlation design. A Research question and one Null hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The population was all nursing students of the College of nursing Gombe. The entire students were used without any sampling; this is because the students were not too large to be managed. ‘perceived stress scale, and ‘Kessler Psychological Distress Scale’ were adapted and used as Instruments for data collection. Two experts from the department of Educational Foundation Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi validated the two instruments. The internal consistency of the instruments showed Cronbach’s alpha of 0.75 for Emotional Intelligence scale, and 0.64 for Psychological Distress scale respectively. Two hundred and twenty-five (225) nursing students participated in the study. Male = 34 and female =191 (n=225). Ethics approval was obtained from the College Management. Research Question was analyzed using mean and standard deviation, Pearson’s Correlation, was used to address the Hypothesis. The findings of the study revealed that, most of the participants had high level of perceived stress, and were experiencing high degree of psychological distress. Positive correlation was found between perceived stress, and Psychological Distress; it was concluded that the higher the level of perceived stress, the higher experiencing psychological distress among Nursing students. Therefore, it is recommended that further exploration to better understanding of the interrelationships of perceived stress, Psychological distress and coping strategies to help develop students’ perceived stress and coping strategies is needed. Inclusion of strategies to enhance perceived stress management in the nursing curriculum which may be beneficial to Nursing Students as this can help to improve their academic and clinical performance.
Menace of Kidnapping and Challenges of Post Abduction Living
Authors: Yakubu S. Muhammad
Published: June 2022

Kidnapping refers to crime of seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away a person by force or fraud, often to subject him or her to involuntary servitude in an attempt to demand for a ransom. The paper looked at the concept of kidnapping, prevalence of kidnapping, a concise history of kidnapping in Nigeria, strength of kidnapping in Nigeria, Menace of Kidnapping and Challenges of Post Abduction Living and recovery and future. Some of the recommendations highlighted include; released hostage should receive resources and information about how to see counseling, youths should be provided with enabling environment that would make them relevant in the scheme of things in Nigeria.
Sales Promotion as a Tool for Improving Customer-Based Brand Equity in Kano Metropolis
Authors: Umar M.J. , Abdulmutallib U.B.
Published: June 2022

Managing and building strong brand is seen today as the main goal of every organization. Having a strong brand is significant important to every organization as it result in having greater customers, achieving competitive advantage and brand extension. However, marketing researchers have not address how strong brand (brand equity) may be managed, built and improved through sales promotions. The study investigated sales promotion as a tool for improving customer-based brand equity by business organizations within Kano metropolis. The paper is conceptual. Therefore, it concludes that sales promotion as a promotional tool has a significant improvement on customer-based brand equity in Kano metropolis. Therefore, to have strength in terms of market leadership and market share, organizations must pay higher attention to their marketing activities such as sales promotion and this can be achieved by improving on the quality and awareness of the brand product and services. It is therefore, recommended that sales promotion should be strengthened and used by the organizations to create and manage strong brand as it have a positive impact on the attribute of brand knowledge which are believed to have an improvement on customer-based brand equity.
Quality Educational Planning and Senior Secondary Education Goal Attainment in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State
Authors: Isiaka B. Akanmu , Abdullateef A. Adedayo , Oyedeji N. Bisi
Published: June 2022

This study determined the relationship between quality educational planning and senior secondary education goal attainment in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State. The study adopted a descriptive design of correlation type while its population comprised all the 3594 teachers across the public secondary schools in Ilorin metropolis. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 346 teachers in the metropolis. An adapted questionnaire titled “Quality Educational Planning Questionnaire” (QEPQ) and “Secondary Education Goal Attainment Proforma” (SEGAP) were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentage was used to answer the research questions while inferential statistics of Pearson product-moment correlation statistics was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significant. The findings of the study revealed that quality educational planning has a significant relationship with secondary education goal attainment in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State. It was recommended that adequate classrooms and instructional facilities should continue to be adequately planned in order to keep the tempo of academic performance and enhance the level of senior secondary education goal attainment in Kwara State.
Relationship Between Teachers’ Motivation, Attitude and Students’ Academic Achievement in Senior Secondary Schools in Bauchi Metropolis
Authors: Bada S. Olusegun , Ibrahim M. Inuwa , Aliyu A. Umar , Sani Abubakar
Published: June 2022

This study investigated the influence of teachers' motivation and teachers’ attitudes, on students’ academic achievement in secondary schools in Bauchi metropolis in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Correlational research design was used. Teachers’ Motivation Questionnaire (TMQ), and Teachers’ Attitude Questionnaire (TAQ) were adapted and used for the research study. Three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The statistical tools used were Multiple Regression Analysis and Pearson's Product Moment correlation coefficient. The participants in this study were made up of 191 teachers and purposively selected from the population of 382 teachers of English and Civic Education across 26 senior secondary schools in Bauchi metropolis. Multiple regression analysis discovered that there is a significant positive relationship among teachers' motivation, teachers' attitudes and students’ academic achievement (f= +13061, p<0.05), and also shows that 12 percent of variance in student achievement is contributed by teachers' motivation and teacher attitudes scores (R2= +0.122). The results further revealed a significant relationship between the motivation of teachers and students’ academic achievement (r= +0.304, p<0.05), and there is significant relationship between teachers' attitudes and students’ academic achievement (r= +0.243, p<0.05). The study recommends among others that, teachers should be motivated by government and education stakeholders in order to improve teachers’ attitudes toward teaching and students’ academic achievement.
Effect of taxifolin on acrylamide-induced oxidative and proinflammatory lung injury in rats: Biochemical and histopathological studies
Authors: Demir Omer Faruk , Elma Bekir , Suleyman Bahadir , Ozkaraca Mustafa , Mammadov Renad , Suleyman Halis , Coban Taha Abdulkadir , Ozcicek Fatih
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To examine the probable beneficial effects of taxifolin against acrylamide damage in lung tissue.Methods: 18 male albino Wistar rats were divided into healthy (HG), acrylamide (AG) and taxifolin + acrylamide (TAG) groups. Once a day for 30 days, acrylamide was orally administered to the AG group (50 mg/kg), while ACL (50 mg/kg) and TAX (20 mg/kg) were orally administered to TAG group. Protein concentration, malondialdehyde (MDA), and total glutathione (tGSH) levels as well as oxidant and antioxidant molecules concentrations of the rat lung tissues were measured. In addition, degree of mononuclear (MN) cell infiltration and bronchial-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) hyperplasia was evaluated by the degree of hyperplasia (absent, mild, moderate, severe). The histopathological andbiochemical data the groups were compared.Results: When compared in terms of MDA levels, it was found that the AG group had high MDA levels, and the TAG group had low MDA levels. (p < 0.001). TAG group was found to have a higher tGSH level than the AG group (p < 0.001). Compared to the AG group, lower TOS and higher TAS levels were obtained in the TAG group (p < 0.001). In addition, when TOS levels of TAG and HG groups were compared, the TOS levels between the two groups were statistically insignificant (p = 0.213). It has been observed that TAX administration prevents the increase in NF-ƘB level. When the NF-ƘB levels of the AG and TAG groups were compared with each other, there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001). In the AG group, severe MN cell hyperplasia and BALT hyperplasia were observed histopathologically. It was determined that these findings were alleviated in the TAG group. A histopathologically significant difference was found between AG and TAG groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Taxifolin has beneficial effects against lung injury caused by acrylamide, a healthdamaging environmental factor. Regular use of taxifolin can be recommended, especially in people who are known to have intense contact with acrylamide. There is a need for research studies on this subject.
Effect of estrogen application timing on adipose tissue revascularization and immune regulation in rats after autologous fat transplantation
Authors: Lin Weigang , Zhu Lili , Liao Mirong , Zhang Yunyan
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To study the effect of timing of estrogen application on adipose tissue revascularization and immune regulation in rats given autologous fat transplantation.Methods: Ninety (90) healthy rats were selected for use in this study. The rats were randomly divided into a study group (n = 45) and control group (n = 45). After ovariectomy, the study group was given estrogen replacement therapy before autologous fat transplantation, while the control group was given estrogen replacement therapy after autologous fat transplantation. The rats were observed for 6 weeks after transplantation. Micro-vessel density, wet weight of transplanted fat, VEGF expression level, levels of M1 and M2 in macrophages, and macrophage infiltration rate were determined 40 days postautologous fat transplantation.Results: Forty days after autologous fat transplantation, microvessel density, wet weight of transplanted fat, expression level of VEGF and levels of M1 and M2 in macrophages were significantly higher in study group rats than in controls (p < 0.05). There was 80 % macrophage infiltration in the study group rats, while the corresponding control value (61 %) was significantly lower (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Estrogen treatment before autologous fat transplantation in rats is helpful for the revascularization of adipose tissue, enhances vascular regeneration, promotes the survival of adipose tissue after transplantation, and activates immune cells. It also promotes the production of immune factors, and improves immunoregulation in adipose tissue. Thus, this therapeutic strategy may be useful in clinical practice, but further clinical trials are required.
Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry of different extracts of the organs of Rumex cyprius and their antihepatotoxic effect
Authors: Eid Basma G , Sokkar Nadia M
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Phytochemical and biological investigations of the valuable plant, Rumex cyprius, family Polygonaceae, wildly grown in Saudi Arabia.Methods: Chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared from the different organs of R. cyprius. The extracts were analyzed by electrospray ionization source coupled to a mass spectrometer (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometer (ESI-MS/MS) at different collision energies. The plant organs (leaf, fruit and stem) were standardized on the bases of quercetin by HPLC, and determined for their hepatoprotection in tetrachloride-induced acute liver toxicity using a mouse model.Results: Twenty-five phenolic compounds distributed between the leaf, fruit and stem of R. cyprius were identified. They were related to classes of anthraquinones, phenolic acids, flavonoid aglycones, glycosides and polyphenols. Twenty-two compounds in total were found and identified, and for the hepatoprotective effects, the leaf exhibited the best activity.Conclusion: R. cyprius is a source of potentially active phytoconstituents and a good naturalhepatoprotective drug. This study is being documented for the first time.
Efficacy and safety of post-auricular injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate and lidocaine in the treatment of acute tinnitus, and its effect on sleep quality
Authors: Liang Bijun , Feng Xiaohua , Deng Rui , Liu Youli , He Ying , Zhang Xiwu
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To study the efficacy and safety of post-auricular injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate plus lidocaine in the treatment of acute tinnitus, and its effect on sleep quality.Methods: Eighty acute tinnitus patients admitted to Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China from January 2020 to June 2021, served as subjects for this retrospective analysis. The patients were equally assigned to a reference group given postauricular injection of lidocaine, and a research group treated with post-auricular injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate in combination with lidocaine. Treatment efficacy values in the two groups of patients were determined and compared.Results: Total treatment effectiveness values in patients in the research group after one course of treatment, and at three months post-treatment, were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the reference group (p < 0.05). After treatment, the two groups had markedly improved Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores, although patients in the research group had lower scores than those in reference group (p < 0.05). There were significant decreases in post-treatment pure tone threshold and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) in the two groups of patients, with lower values in the research group than in the reference group (p < 0.05). There were no obvious adverse drug reactions during treatment and during 3-month follow-up period.Conclusion: Post-auricular injection of methylprednisolone sodium succinate and lidocaine effectively improved the clinical efficacy and the sleep quality of acute tinnitus patients. It is a simple and highly safe operation which merits clinical application.
Effect of non-invasive ventilator in combination with tiotropium bromide on pulmonary function and sleep quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Liu Dongli , He Xiaolong , Gao Jianquan , Luan Qiangqiang , Du Yanling
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To study the influence of non-invasive ventilator and tiotropium bromide on pulmonary function and sleep quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) combined with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with COPD-OSAHS were selected and randomly assigned to control group (CG) and treatment group (TG), with 60 subjects in each group. Non-invasive ventilator therapy was used in both groups, based on conventional therapy, while tiotropium bromide was added in TG. Treatment effectiveness in the two groups was evaluated and compared.Results: Total effectiveness was significantly higher in TG than in CG. Post-therapy arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) were increased, while partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and lactic acid (Lac) were decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). Post-treatment values of indices of lung function, viz, forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio were higher than the corresponding pre-treatment levels, and also values were significantly higher in TG than in CG (p < 0.05). Average sleep time, apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) and mechanical ventilation time of TG were less than those of CG. There were lower levels of Creactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in TG than in CG. During the treatment, no obvious adverse reaction was seen in both groups.Conclusion: Non-invasive ventilator, in combination with tiotropium bromide, is more effective in the treatment of COPD-OSAHS than the use of non-invasive ventilator alone. However, further clinical trials are required before its adoption in clinical practice.
Effectiveness of simvastatin/aspirin combination in the treatment of coronary heart disease in the elderly, and its effect on cardiac function and levels of inflammatory factors
Authors: Lu Jinya , Cai Hongli , Li Yefei , Chen Jiayi
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of simvastatin plus aspirin in the treatment of coronary heart disease in the elderly, and its effect on cardiac function and inflammatory factor levels.Methods: Eighty-seven identified elderly patients with coronary heart disease who were admitted to Nantong First People's Hospital, Nantong, China between January 2020 and June 2021 were recruited and assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to receive either conventional treatment (group A) or simvastatin plus aspirin (group B). The clinical endpoint was treatment efficacy.Results: No significant differences were found between the two groups in respect of their baseline data (p > 0.05). Simvastatin plus aspirin was associated with a significantly higher treatment efficacy versus conventional treatment (p < 0.05). The patients, after joint therapy, had more cases of grade I cardiac function and fewer cases of grade III cardiac function, compared with conventional treatment group (p < 0.05). The application of simvastatin plus aspirin resulted in lower levels of triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than the conventional treatment (p < 0.05). Simvastatin plus aspirin was also associated with lower levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and hypersensitive-c-reactive-protein (hs-CRP) when compared with conventional treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, simvastatin plus aspirin produced a similar incidence of adverse events with conventional treatment (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Simvastatin/aspirin combination therapy is effective in the treatment of coronary heart disease in the elderly. It efficiently lowers glucose levels, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory factors, but enhances the cardiac function of patients.
Simvastatin suppresses cerebral aneurysm in rats through suppression of release of pro-inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Chen Congcong , Wei Hongdan , Song Jiawen , Zhang Xiaona
Published: June 2022

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of simvastatin (SA) against onset of cerebral aneurysmmediated inflammatory cytokine release and subsequent inflammation and degradation of the extracellular matrix of smooth muscle cells.Methods: Cerebral aneurysm was induced in male Wistar rats using elastase injection, and aneurysm growth was monitored for one month following SA treatment. Inhibition of aneurysm growth was determined along with the expression levels of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-6, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: Aneurysm size decreased in rats treated with SA, relative to values obtained for control rats (p < 0.05). The corresponding expressions of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were also reduced following pre-treatment with SA (p < 0.05). The results indicate a reduction in the aneurysm area in rats pre-treated with SA, when compared to the untreated animals (p < 0.05).Conclusion: SA treatment inhibits the progression of cerebral aneurysms via its protective effect against inflammation, indicating its potential for use in the prevention and treatment of cerebralaneurysms.
Effects of Feed Moisture Content, Soybean Ratio and Barrel Temperature on Physical and Functional Properties of Extruded Maize-Soybean Flour Blends
Authors: Mugabi Robert , Byakika Stellah , Mukisa Ivan Muzira
Published: June 2022

The effects moisture content, temperature and soybean ratio on expanded product characteristics of extruded maize-soybean blends were studied. Response surface methodology was used to study the effects of extrusion conditions on extrudate properties taking barrel temperature (BT), feed moisture content (FM) and soybean flour ratio (SR) as factors. Expansion ratio (ER), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), hardness and colour (b* - (+) yellowness) of the extrudates were determined. BT and FM had significant effects on ER (p < 0.05). At low FM levels, ER increased with BT. It was observed that both FM and BT significantly affected WAI and WSI. WAI increased as FM increased. Increasing FM to 20% resulted in a decrease in WSI, beyond which an increase was observed. Hardness increased significantly as feed moisture content increased. High SR content significantly increased the extrudate hardness. FM had no significant effect on colour. Colour increased as the SR and BT increased. Significant regression models explained the effects of SR, FM, and BT on all response variables. All of the response variables' R2, were higher than 0.89.

Keywords: Maize, Soybean, moisture content, extrusion.