Hesperidin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxicity in rats

Context: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major trigger of septic shock resulting in multiple organ damage through excessive stimulation of the host’s immune cells resulting in the release of cytokines. Previous studies have shown that hesperidin has several beneficial properties against inflammation and oxidative stress. Objective: The influence of hesperidin on endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress was investigated using a murine model of sepsis. Materials and methods: Rats were pretreated for 15 d with three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) of hesperidin prior to LPS administration. Afterwards, the levels of biomarkers of endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress were assessed. Reverse transcriptase PCR technique was used to assess the expression of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines. Results: Hesperidin pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced circulating endotoxin, as well as the levels of bactericidal permeability increasing protein and procalcitonin, and the associated endothelial dysfunction by reducing the levels of plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) synthase. There was also down-regulation of the expression of gene for interleukin 1α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 1 receptor, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the liver of rats treated with LPS as a result of hesperidin pretreatment. Hesperidin also showed anti-oxidative properties through the significant (p < 0.05) reduction of NO, hydroperoxides, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the organs. Conclusion: Different doses of hesperidin can prevent endotoxemia-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and endothelial perturbation in rats when administered for as few as 15 d before exposure to endotoxin

In silico analysis of compounds characterized from ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo with NF-κB-inhibitory potential

NF-κB controls cellular growth properties of cells and its regulation is key to the management of disease like cancer. Although plant-derived bioactives have been reported to inhibit NF-κB, there is limited knowledge on the interactions between the phytochemicals and NF-κB. In this study, we identified the phytochemicals in ethanolic extract of Cucurbita pepo using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy technique and used in silico approach to understand the interaction between the identified phytochemicals and NF-κB using Molegro Virtual Docker. The docking algorithm showed that nine phytochemicals fit well into the pocket on NF-κB.. Our analysis showed that Lys144 is a prominent residue by involving in the binding of 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and octadecanoic acid, methyl ester with the moldock score of -55.5264, -57.4634 and -61.1258 respectively. Hence, the binding of these phytochemicals to NF-κB could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer property of C. pepo

RESERVOIR CHARACTERISATION AND STRUCTURAL INTERPRETATION FOR PROSPECT EVALUATION- A CASE STUDY

This paper presents a case study dealing with reservoir delineation and characterisation of the Basecopia field, part of Niger Delta Nigeria. The data set utilized for this work incorporate 3D seismic data, well log suites containing gamma rays, resistivity and porosity logs (neutron and density). These logs were utilized to focus petro-physical properties in three (3) wells. 780 inlines and 496 crosslines of seismic information covering an area of about 234 km2 were utilized. Faults were picked and correlated. Horizons of hydrocarbon bearing sands were picked in view of the re-suit from seismic- to-well tie. These were utilized to produce time and depth maps for a horizon keeping in mind the end goal to recognize the different basic highlights inside the field. Petro-physical aftereffects of the study demonstrate the dominating liquid found in the three wells is light oil at True Vertical Depth Sub Surface (TVDSS) of -7109 to -7333 ft. in Well A, -6916 to -7044 ft. in Well B and -7694 to -7858 ft. in Well C. Thereafter, seismic attributes such as the instantaneous frequency and the dominant frequency indicated the presence of channel filled sand containing hydrocarbon in regions around the wells. Hence, the wells can be said to be properly situated within the reservoir hydrocarbon bearing sand with spatial facies evenly distributed. The study however concluded that Well A bears a considerable amount of reserves of about 209.52Mbbl

Trend Analysis of Teenage Pregnancy in Nigeria (1961-2013): How Effective is the Contraceptive Use Campaign

Teenage pregnancy (TP) is a recurrent global and public health problem. It poses both social and health challenges. Considering the massive campaign on the use of modern contraceptives to prevent TP in recent decades, we assessed trends in TP in Nigeria between 1961 and 2013. Pregnancy and contraception history of 70,811 women who were at least 20 years old when the Nigerian DHS was conducted in 1990, 2003, 2008, and 2013 respectively were used for the study, and descriptive statistics, time analysis techniques and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data at 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of TP between 1961 and 2013 was 49.5% which fluctuated insignificantly during the studied period. The TP prevalence among women who entered adulthood in 1961 was 39.2%; it peaked in 1978 at 58.9% before its unsteady decline to 39.6% in 2012, and then rose sharply to 55.6% in 2013. We predicted TP prevalence as 49.0%, 49.9% and 51.0% in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The odds of TP were over 4 times higher in the North East and 5 times higher in the North West than in the South West. Teenagers with no education had higher odds of TP and it was higher among teenagers from the poorest households (OR=5.64, 95% CI: 5.36-5.94). Rather than reducing with the worldwide acknowledged increase in contraceptive campaigns, TP increased over the years studied. As far as TP is concerned in Nigeria, the impact of the campaign on MC use is far from being effective. To achieve the objective of fewer TPs, fewer resources should be spent on access to contraception and instead diverted to areas more likely to achieve results such as improvements in educational achievement amongst girls

Applications of 3-D Structural Interpretation and Seismic Attribute Analysis to Hydrocarbon Prospecting Over X – Field, Niger-Delta

Complexly faulted subsurface configuration is capable of causing erroneous deductions in the absence of a well packaged interpretation approach and workflow for an oilfield exploration programme, thus a well prepared analysis saddled on the use and integration of sufficient data is indispensable to the unravelling of complex field subsurface structure as the search for oil and gas progresses into deeper waters. Suite of signatures from wireline logs and seismic volume was employed to gain more insight into the complexities of the hydrocarbon hosting units within and outside the vicinity of well control in the X-field Niger Delta. Horizons and fault interpretation were carried out to produce subsurface structure maps. Amplitudes of the horizons mapped were extracted and were used to study the distribution of the hydrocarbon sand. Three hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs were delineated within the study interval, namely: ROJ A, ROJ C and ROJ D. Well to seismic tie revealed that these reservoirs tied direct hydrocarbon indicators (bright spots) on the vertical sections. The structure maps produced revealed a series of NW-SE and E-W trending growth faults and fault echelons, most of which dip to the south. Fault assisted closures were revealed at the southern part of the field, which correspond to the crest of roll over structures and possibly served as the trapping mechanism for the reservoirs. The reflection amplitude of the studied horizons shows a fine network of anomalies that can be correlated to the prediction of the lateral distribution of the hydrocarbon sand. The conclusion of the study was that the western part of horizon ROJ A is a highly prospective area as bright spots were observed in the region. Also in the adjacent southern direction of this horizon, hydrocarbon accumulations have been confirmed from wells. These gas sands are possibly trapped in anticlinal closures located in the same area. On the other hand, the results from the study of horizon ROJ C suggest development opportunities in the southern area. High amplitude gas sands are seen to spread to the south and stratigraphy was assumed to play a major role in hydrocarbon migration. The study over horizon ROJ D reveal likely geologic features like regional sand pinch outs and channels in the southern part of the field. Spectral decomposition interpretation was suggested to be used further in improving the delineation of the thin reservoir sand bodies and for better outlining of their geometries but was not available on the workstation used The study has shown the feasibility of integrating structural interpretation and instantaneous amplitude in prospect identification and reservoir prediction

2- D Electrical Imaging And Its Application In Groundwater Exploration In Part Of Kubanni River Basin-Zaria, Nigeria

A modern field system, Terrameter (Signal Averaging System) SAS 4000/1000, was used to accomplish the task of exploring groundwater in Kubanni River Basin. 23 image lines were measured at different strategic locations of the study area based on the fractured map of the area and previous information obtained from the area. Four straight line profiles with a spread of 200 m per section were traversed during the course of this survey with three of them generally trending along a North-South direction while the fourth, trends approximately along the East- West direction. The four profiles have a total coverage distance of about 4.2 km. The data used for this survey was acquired by measuring a series of constant traverse along the same line but with the electrode spacing being increased with each successive traverse. Since increasing separation leads to greater depth penetration, the measured apparent resistivities was used to construct a vertical contoured section displaying the variation of resistivity both laterally and vertically over the section. Interpretation of the data acquired using this equipment revealed the suitability of the Southern part of the study area for location of boreholes, as the resistivity values of rock obtained around this zone reflects aquiferous materials. More layers of rock units around Area BZ and Tudun Sarki were revealed than what was reported by previous workers. Also observed were slight variation in depth to bed rock around area BZ and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology as compared with observations made by previous workers. However, the observation of the increasing undulating bedrock geometry with depth towards the southern part of the study area was consistent with that of the previous workers

Effects of Fibre-Enriched Diets on Tissue Lipid Profiles of MSG Obese Rats

In order to investigate the influence of some fibre-enriched diets on tissue lipids in an animal model of obesity induced by the administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG), obese rats were fed diets containing 30% of Acha, Cassava, Maize and Plantain for five weeks and weight gain, feed intake and lee index were recorded. The lipid profiles of plasma, erythrocytes, kidney, heart and liver as well as hepatic 3- hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase activity were measured. The diets significantly (p < 0.05) reduced weight gain and lee index in the obese rats. Obesity-induced increase in plasma and erythrocytes lipid levels was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by these diets. MSG-induced obesity also resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in hepatic cholesterol level which was reduced by the diets. MSG-obesity was characterised by a significant (p < 0.05) increase in cholesterol, triacylglycerol and phospholipids in kidney and this was reversed by the diets except Maize which did not reverse the increased cholesterol level. Only Acha reversed the obesity-induced increase in heart cholesterol and phospholipids. The increased activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase associated with obesity was also significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by the diets. In conclusion, dyslipidemia associated with MSG-induced obesity could be attenuated by consumption of fibre-enriched diet

Analysis of corruption and economic growth in Nigeria

This paper studied corruption and the Nigerian economic growth. In doing this, the study looked at historical overview of corruption in Nigeria and conceptual issues were also discussed. It also reviewed the causes and effects of corruption, without leaving out the dynamics of corruption. Also, the study looked at the relationship between corruption and the Nigerian economic growth. However, the study introduces a new perspective on the role of corruption in economic growth and provides quantitative estimates of the impact of corruption on the economic growth in Nigeria as well as their causal relationship. This study used the ordinary least squares (OLS) to determine the relationship between corruption and economy growth. The study applied the granger causality method to measure the causal relationship that exists between corruption and the gross domestic product (GDP). The results revealed that corruption impairs and impacts economic growth. It is on this basis, we draw our conclusion and suggest that Private Anti-Corruption Initiatives, Public anti-corruption initiatives andPublic education campaign/programmes should be strengthened and motivated in to address the cause of corruption rather than its effects. Key Words: Growth, Granger Causality, Corruption, Nigeria, Economi