REVIEW ON CELLULAR SIGNALING, GROWTH FACTORS, AND MECHANICAL STIMULUS IN NERVE REGENERATION

The autonomous and peripheral constitute the entire nervous system. Peripheral nerve injury caused by trauma, accident and other associated factors always results in a huge loss of both the sensory and motor functions. The injured nerves can be successfully restored through the rebuilding of the functional axons. The complete recovery of PNI has not been optimized. Exogenous growth factor (GF) is a new therapeutic strategy that can be used in nerve regeneration. Growth factors mechanism of action is based on the ability to activate the signaling cascades via binding to the individual receptors in order to exert the multiple effects and restore the neuron and tissue regeneration. Although the GFs are limited by their short half-life and rapid deactivation. The use of nerve conduits has been able to reduce these limitations. The nerve conduits have been good biocompatibility and biofunctionality properties.                    Peer Review History: Received 14 September 2024;   Reviewed 18 November 2024; Accepted 23 December; Available online 15 January 2025 Academic Editor: Dr. Muhammad Zahid Iqbal, AIMST University, Malaysia, [email protected] Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/1

Drug Carriers

In recent years, there has been an exponential interest in the development of novel drug delivery systems using drug carriers. Drug carriers offer significant advantages over the conventional drug delivery systems in terms of high stability, high specificity, high drug loading capacity, controlled release of drug and ability to deliver both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. As a result of their unique behaviors, drug carriers have a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. Nanospheres are associated with a lot of benefits such as ease of administration to target sites, reduction in toxicity level and ease of passage via the capillary vessels. Hydrogel nanoparticles are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, as bioresponsive hydrogels in drug delivery system and as a carrier in controlled drug delivery system.  Carbon nanotubes have a large surface area which has the ability to adsorb or conjugate with a wide variety of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. They are useful in the areas of gene delivery, tissue regeneration and biosensor diagnosis. Liposomes are known to target a drug to a specific site. They entrap drugs which are released for subsequent absorption. They are used to achieve active targeting, increase efficacy and therapeutic index of drugs. Niosomes improve the solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. They protect drugs from biological environment, increase the stability of entrapped drugs and they can easily reach the site of action. Aquasomes are nanoparticulate carriers that can be characterized for structural analysis. They preserve conformational integrity and biochemical stability of drugs. Ethosomes are noninvasive delivery carriers that enable drugs to reach the deep skin layers and the systemic circulation.  They contain phospholipids which could be in form of phosphatidyl choline (PC), hydrogenated PC, phosphatidic acid (PA), Phosphatidyl serine (PS) and phosphatidyl inositol (PI). Ethosomes are known to increase skin permeation of drugs, improve biological activity and pharmacodynamics profile of drugs. This review aims to emphasize the importance of drug carriers in drug delivery system, and applications of drug carriers in various areas of research, technology and treatment.

The American No Child Left Behind Act: Implications for the Nigerian School System.

This paper discussed the facts about the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) in America and compares that with the Nigerian equivalent of No Child Left Behind. The standards and goals set forth by both the American and Nigerian legislations were addressed. The paper touched the positive and negative aspects of NCLB on our school systems in both America and Nigeria. Several research articles that discuss the impact of NCLB on our school systems were also discussed. Finally, recommendations on ways and means to help the Nigerian students with disabilities forge ahead in the 21st century were made. Keywords: Special education, Litigation, Social issues, parental involvement, Education refor

Poverty Alleviation Among Nigerian Youths via Entrepreneurial Education: Issues and Challenges

This paper discussed the relevance of entrepreneurship education in alleviating poverty among Nigerian youths. The paper equally discussed the issues and challenges inherent in the implementation of entrepreneurship education in Nigeria Universities. Objectives of entrepreneurship education were highlighted. Theoretical and empirical literature relevant to the study was reviewed. Finally, the study recommended among others that all the three tiers of government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and all other stakeholders in education industry should ensure that entrepreneurship education is properly funded for effective implementation. Key words: poverty, alleviation, youths, stake holders,  entrepreneurial education, self-reliance, issues, challenges

Family Planning in Nigeria: a Myth or Reality? Implications for Education

This study investigated the extent of family planning, the methods and contraceptive devices in use and the influence of education on family planning among couples in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population comprises all the married couples in this area. A sample size of six hundred married people was selected for this study.  Questionnaire was used for data collection. The instrument which was validated by three experts in relevant areas has two parts. Part A elicited the respondents’ bio-data while part B consisted of 12 items to elicit information to answer the research questions. The items were structured on a four point scale.  In the selected area, the instrument was administered personally by the researchers to the literate respondents while the illiterates were interviewed using the items in the questionnaire. Percentages were used to answer research questions 2 and 3 while real limit of numbers was used to answer research question 1. The result shows that family planning practice among couples in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State is high; the contraceptive methods used were mainly traditional.  Educational status has positive influence on family planning in the area. It was recommended that the rural areas should be enlightened on the efficiency of the modern family planning methods. Key words: family planning, traditional methods, modern methods, couples, education

Production and Evaluation of Flakes from Rice (Oryza sativa) and Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Flour Blends

This study evaluated breakfast flaked samples produced from rice and kidney bean flour blends. The rice grains were sorted, winnowed, washed, soaked, drained, dried, milled, and sieved, whereas, the kidney bean seeds were sorted, cleaned, boiled, drained, dehulled, washed, dried, milled, and sieved. The rice and kidney bean flours were blended in the ratio of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80 and 10:90 of rice and kidney bean. The blended flours were weighed, mixed, heated, aged, cut, toasted, cooled and packaged to obtain the flaked samples. The three best samples from the sensory evaluation of breakfast flake samples (60:40, 30:70, 10:90) were analysed for proximate composition using standard methods. The data obtained were statistically analysed using SPSS and means were separated at 0.05 level of significance. The sensory properties of the breakfast flake samples ranged from 6.07 to 7.53 for colour, 5.67 to 7.80 for taste, 6.20 to 7.13 for texture, 6.20 to 7.00 for flavour and 5.27 to 6.87 for overall acceptability. The breakfast flake samples produced were all acceptable, although sample A (60:40) was preferred most in terms of overall acceptability scores of 6.87±0.73. The results of the proximate composition of the samples showed that moisture ranged from 3.35 to 11.77%, protein 13.95 to 20.61%, ash 1.99 to 3.25%, fibre 1.66 to 4.67%, lipid 6.01 to 6.08% and carbohydrate 53.69 to 69.91%, respectively. It was observed, therefore, that the blends of the rice and kidney bean flour in breakfast flakes making should not exceed 50% of kidney bean flour substitution

MED and MUC Equations: A Comparative Analysis of Counter-Current Development Model for Developing Countries in the Knowledge Driven Economy

This paper compares two sub-models under the Counter-Current Development Model in order to discover the remarkable differences between the two. These models are Meritocracy, Excellence and Development (MED); and then Mediocrity, Underdevelopment and Corruption (MUC). The equations are formulated and explained so as to let any developing country who wishes to advance to another level grab the ideas and employ them. Acceptance and application of the MED model would result in radical positive change (and such nations will be MADE); whereas neglect of MED would result to presence of MUC which is evidenced by continuous economic stagnation or backwardness (and such nations will be MOCKED).  Recommendations are given for the promising and rewarding development model. Keywords: Counter-current development, MED model, MUC model, Developing countries, Knowledge econom

THE ROLE OF POLYSACCHARIDE AEROGEL IN TISSUE REGENERATION AND REPAIR

Aerogel-based biomaterial is an important subject in materials sciences due to their vast attention in different sectors. These materials possess unique properties that distinguish them such as low density. In the area of tissue engineering, there application has been documented in areas such as blood vessel, soft tissue, nerves, bone and cartilage.There are several steps involved in aerogel preparation. The first step involves the appropriate selection of a precursor material such as polymers, silica or carbon. Aerogels have a unique property which includes the composition of mesoporous solid colloids that possess a light weight and a porous frame work structure. Aerogels also possess unique extraordinary physicochemical properties.Tissue engineering is a broad term that encompasses on using biocompatible materials to repair and replace damaged tissues. Notwithstanding, its diverse applications over the years, tissue engineering have had persistent hurdles which include the need to develop new novel biomaterials This article seeks to review the properties of aerogel and their preparation processes. The review also documented the challenges from current studies and future prospects were also discussed.              Peer Review History: Received 2 December 2024;   Reviewed 11 January 2025; Accepted 14 February; Available online 15 March 2025 Academic Editor: Dr. Gehan Fawzy Abdel Raoof Kandeel, Pharmacognosy Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, 12622,  Giza, Egypt, [email protected]

Sugar Spectra of Syrups Produced from Different Tuber Starches via Crude Enzymes and Amyloglucosidase Sources

Syrup production was done via enzyme hydrolysis. Enzymes used were crude enzymes from malted sorghum, wheat and millet and exogenous enzyme by name amyloglucosidase (AMG) which hydrolyzed Cassava (Manihot esculenta,), water yam (Dioscorea alata) and potato white (Ipomoea batatas L) starches. Syrup sugars were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the sugar profile found are fructose; glucose, sucrose, maltose, D-xylose, and D-Raffinose which manifested as a result of the interaction between starches and enzymes. The sugar Fructose was in the range of 17.34 ± 0.651 g/l to 28.16 ± 0.982 g/l, Glucose sugar was in the range of 6.09 ± 0.165 g/l to 177.04 ± 1.229 g/l. The highest glucose yield (177.04 ± 1.229 g/l) was observed in Cassava starch reaction with the commercial enzyme –AMG. Sucrose content was in the range of 5.78 ± 0.180 g/l to 21.59 ± 0.536 g/l, Maltose (23.71 ± 0.125 g/l to 48.04 ± 0.125 g/l) was the most predominant sugar in all syrups gotten from the starch and crude enzymes interaction. The hydrolysis of starches using different enzyme sources yielded sugar spectra of different sugars concentrations with each starch source predisposed to the natural activity of the enzyme peculiar to their variety or cell structure. D-xylose and D-Raffinose were in the range of 0.004-0.225 g/l which is very small in quantity compared to other sugars seen while no D-stachyose was detected