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Victor Bassey Archibong,1– 3 Ibe Michael Usman,1 Ann Monima Lemuel1 1Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Kampala International University, Bushenyi, Uganda; 2Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria; 3Department of Clinical Biology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaCorrespondence: Ann Monima Lemuel, Tel +256 754031204, Email annexdot5@gmail.comPurpose: Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-cough medications which contain codeine (an opioid) are extensively available in Nigeria, and hence prone to overuse or abuse. The study aimed to understand the effects of oral codeine administration on the integrity of neurons of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum and its behavioral implications in male Wistar rats.Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats of comparable weights were obtained and randomly allocated into 5 groups: A, B, C, D, and E (n = 6). Drugs used for the study were ArchilinTM with codeine and dihydrocodeine 30mg. Group A served as control and was administered 0.5mL/kg of normal saline. Groups B and C were treated with 1mg/kg and 2mg/kg of dihydrocodeine, respectively; Group D and E received 2mL/kg and 4mL/kg of ArchilinTM codeine syrup, respectively. The ArchilinTM codeine syrup and dihydrocodeine solutions were administered to the animals based on their body weight, orally and daily with the aid of oropharyngeal tubes for 21 days. The experimental animals were subjected to neurobehavioral studies using beam walk and open field. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were anesthetized with ketamine-hydrochloride intraperitoneally. The brains were quickly dissected out, rinsed with normal saline, and tissue processed for myelin studies.Results: The beam walking and open field result revealed that prolonged codeine administration interfered with motor function in the experimental animals. Sections of the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum of rats given normal saline showed normal myelin sheaths, whereas animals in the treatment group showed degenerating myelin compared to the control.Conclusion: Prolonged consumption of prescription codeine causes degeneration of the myelin sheaths and this may affect the conduction of electrical impulses in myelinated axons thus resulting in motor function insufficiency.Keywords: codeine, substance abuse, dihydrocodeine, cough syrup, Wistar rats

As living standards rise, the demand for high-quality chilled meat among consumers also grows. Researchers and enterprises have been interested in ensuring the quality of chilled meat in all links of the downstream industry. Nanozyme has shown the potential to address the aforementioned requirements. Reasons and approaches for the application of nanozymes in the freshness assessment or shelf life extension of chilled meat were discussed. The challenges for applying these nanozymes to ensure the quality of chilled meat were also summarized. Finally, this review examined the safety, regulatory status, and consumer attitudes toward nanozymes. This review revealed that the freshness assessment of chilled meat is closely related to mimicking the enzyme activities of nanozymes, whereas the shelf life changes of chilled meat are mostly dependent on the photothermal activities and pseudophotodynamic activities of nanozymes. In contrast, studies regarding the shelf life of chilled meat are more challenging to develop, as excessive heat or reactive oxygen species impair its quality. Notably, meat contains a complex matrix composition that may interact with the nanozyme, reducing its effectiveness. Nanopollution and mass manufacturing are additional obstacles that must be overcome. Therefore, it is vital to choose suitable approaches to ensure meat quality. Furthermore, the safety of nanozymes in meat applications still needs careful consideration owing to their widespread usage.

While studies in social media and disability are growing globally, there is paucity in such studies in Nigeria. This study addresses this apparent gap by exploring the experiences and perceptions o...

Profile assessment of the behavior of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAH – sum of 16 US EPA priority PAHs) in water and suspended particulate matter (SPM) from Cross River estuary, SE Nig...

Optimization of the production and chemical evaluation of cassava-based cookies supplemented with mungbean flour and coconut pomace flour using optimal design model of response surface methodology ...

Purpose The major objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the coping strategies of glaucoma patients at a secondary eye care unit with a view to deciding whether an intervention programme would be justified. Patients and Methods The coping styles of 130 consenting adult glaucoma patients aged 18 years and above who were being treated for glaucoma in the Cross River State Eye Care Programme clinic in Calabar, Nigeria, were investigated by means of the 28-item Brief-COPE inventory in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Results The mean age of the participants was 54.2 years (±14.3) while almost three quarters (73.8%) of them were married. About four out of every five persons examined (81.5%) had a minimum of primary education. "Substance (alcohol and other drug) use", " self-blame" and "behavioural disengagement" are coping styles that were reported by 33%, 42% and 42% of the participants, respectively. This group of patients should be identified in the clinic for appropriate psychological intervention. Conclusion The present study confirms previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests that coping strategies should be considered in the holistic management of glaucoma patients. The information from the current study can be used to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the coping styles of glaucoma patients.

This paper investigates the asymmetric effect of exchange rate changes on stock prices in Nigeria. Using the nonlinear ARDL framework and monthly data from 2000:1 to 2016:12, the nominal exchange r...

This study assessed the aggregate properties that influence track ballast performance along selected Nigerian railway lines. Ballast materials from five selected rail tracks (RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, and RT5) in Nigeria were collected and assessed in present conditions and after triple-fouling (subjected to degradation, clay, and diesel intrusion). Tests performed include gradation, strength, soundness, and drain-ability tests. Results obtained were compared with the requirements established in five recognized railway ballast standards,where applicable. Initial gradation results indicate that presently, ballast materials from the selected study locations can all be classified as “uniformly graded gravel”. However, upon triple-fouling, a gradation shift towards the “well graded” classification was observed. Based on EN 13,450, the gradations of RT1, RT2, and RT3 ballast materials were more satisfactory than gradations of RT4 and RT5. Strength test results show that ballast materials from tracks RT1, RT2, and RT3 performed satisfactorily based on the five ballast standards considered. RT4 and RT5 on the other hand, only performed suitably based on the AREMA No. 4 ballast standard. The least resistance to weathering was observed in the RT4 and RT5 samples. Initial drain-ability test showed that no ballast sample set achieved the standard drain-ability (3.0 cm/sec). However, RT2 ballast samples indicated the highest drainage capacity with a hydraulic conductivity (k) of 2.285 cm/sec. Furthermore, after triple-fouling, the drainage capacity of all ballast samples largely declined. However, the RT1, RT2, and RT3 samples indicated higher k values compared to RT4 and RT5 ballast samples. Outcomes from the study indicate the need for continuous monitoring of track sub-structure materials along Nigerian railways to ensure its sustainability via improved rail track performance, thereby increasing the safety and efficiency of the Nigerian railway network.

This study reviews recent literature on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete incorporating seashells as partial or full substitutes for conventional materials. The study summarizes various contributions elucidating the various waste seashells utilized, the growing worldwide aquaculture production, seashell material preparation and treatment, chemical composition, physical properties, and different mechanical and durability test methods adopted by previous studies such as compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, freeze-thaw resistance, water permeability, air content, chemical attack, carbonation, and weight loss. The study showed that mechanical properties indicate reductions of different percentages with increases in substitution ratio at 5% to 75%, compared to control mixes. However, relative increases in mechanical strength were recorded with the increase in curing age up to 90 days. Influence of seashells on durability properties varied across various durability tests at different seashell percentages. In a nutshell, the use of seashells in concrete production has a good effect, and further innovative research can solidify its utilization in the drive towards sustainable development.

Malaria transmission and prevalence involves a triangular web of interactions between man, vector, and the environment. Any meaningful effort in malaria control, elimination and or eradication should target weakening and or breaking the forces of interactions within the triangle. In sub-Saharan Africa, effective malaria control programme is encumbered by myriad of challenges. The unabated burden of malaria could be ascribed to efficient malaria vectors with strong niche for ecological expression that maintain high levels of transmission at all seasons. Parasite genotypic heterogeneity, multiple expressions of traits of adaptations to parasitism and unpredictable behavioural changes are the smart ways the infectious agent thrives, persists and expresses ecological niche with scaring symphony. Environmental factors and climatic changes, population movement, deteriorated socioeconomic situation, lack of access to effective and timely antimalarial treatment, use of sub-standard and or fake anti-malarial drugs, self medication and non-compliance to drug dosage are the galvanizing factors to poor intervention outcomes. Above all, for ages, in most settings and communities, there is lack of knowledge regarding the causative agent of malaria. Diversionary factors and misconceptions such as eating too much palm oil, standing in the sun, drinking too much of alcohol, jinxing and witchcraft attacks are brands of porous perceptions on causes and risk factors of malaria. And if a thousand and one sophisticated strategies are put in place to eliminate malaria in sub-Saharan Africa where indigenous and factorial perceptions with rhetorical contrast of ideas hold sway, then, a predictable defeated performance is the expected result. For the sustenance of the gains already recorded in the fight against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, the role of the community as a strong partnership for change cannot be underestimated.

In many countries of sub-Saharan Africa, the release of each year’s results for the end of high school examinations heralds an annual ritual of public commentary on the poor state of national education systems. However, the exoglossic/monolingual language regime for these examinations is infrequently acknowledged as contributing to the dismal performance of students. Even less attended to is the manner in which the language of examinations, through shaping students’ performances, may be exacerbating social inequalities. This article politicizes the language of examinations in the region in the hope of generating policy and research interest in what is arguably an insidious source of inequality. The article makes three arguments. Firstly, it is argued that current exoglossic/monolingual practices in these examinations constitute a set of sociolinguistic aberrations, with demonstrable negative effects on students’ performance. Secondly, it is argued that the gravity of these paradoxical sociolinguistic disarticulations is better appreciated when their social ramifications are viewed in terms of structural violence and social inequality. Thirdly, in considering how to evolve a more socially equitable examination language regime, it is argued that the notion of consequential validity in testing positions translanguaging as a more ecologically valid model of language use in examinations.

The effect of temperature and relative humidity were determined on the development of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on stored bean (Vigna unguiculata) seeds exposed to five temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and six relative humidity levels (40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90%). Oviposition and total adult progeny responded in a curvilinear pattern to temperature and relative humidity while developmental period presented a linear response. Egg laying (117.33 ± 3.21) and adult emergence (35.00 ± 1.70) were least at 20 °C and 90% R.H. but those showed the optimal values at 30 °C and 70% R.H. The implication of these findings is that the growth attributes of C. maculatus relate with the weather variables studied in a curvilinear manner and thus quadratic equations generated could be used for the prediction of optimum temperature and relative humidity in a given area for the management of C. maculatus in stored beans.

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in nine popular smoked fish species, (Clarias gariepinus, Parachana obscura, Heterotis niloticus, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Gymnarchus niloticus, Ethmalosa fimbriata, Sardinella aurita, Scromber scrombus and Trachurus trachurus), in the Nigerian market by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry after extraction by ultrasonication with hexane/dichloromethane. The mean concentrations of ∑16 PAHs in these species ranged from 52.4 μg kg−1 to 1230 μg kg−1. The estimated margins of exposure (MOE values) were less than 10,000 for C. gariepinus, G. niloticus and E. fimbriata indicating serious concern for the consumers’ health. The estimated excess cancer risk factors for these fish species investigated indicate that approximately 1 to 65 out of 106 equally exposed adults may suffer from cancer and cancer-related diseases during their lifetime through the ingestion of carcinogenic PAHs from smoked fish in their diet.

The manner in which our conceptualisation and practice of terminology development can be informed by processes of knowledge change in child language development and a paradigm shift in disciplines, has been relatively underexplored. As a result, insights into what appears to be fundamental processes of knowledge change have not been employed to reflect on terminology development, its dynamics, requirements and relationship to related fields. In this article, frames of knowledge change in child language development and the philosophy of science are used to examine terminology development as knowledge growth that is signalled lexico-semantically through a range of transformations: addition, deletion, redefinition and reorganisation. The analysis is shown to have implications for work procedures, expertise types, critique, and for the relationships between terminology development and translating.