A hallmark of meiosis is chromosomal pairing, which requires telomere tethering and rotation on the nuclear envelope via microtubules, driving chromosome homology searches. Telomere pulling toward the centrosome forms the “zygotene chromosomal bouquet”. Here, we identified the “zygotene cilium” in oocytes. This cilium provides a cable system for the bouquet machinery, extending throughout the germline cyst. Using zebrafish mutants and live manipulations, we demonstrate that the cilium anchors the centrosome to counterbalance telomere pulling. The cilium is essential for bouquet and synaptonemal complex formation, oogenesis, ovarian development, and fertility. Thus, a cilium represents a conserved player in zebrafish and mouse meiosis, which sheds light on reproductive aspects in ciliopathies, and suggests that cilia can control chromosomal dynamics.

Background: Residency training develops trainees to practice evidence-based medicine using knowledge acquired through researches. Resident doctors are not just expected to be consumers of good researches but are also expected to build their competencies in conducting researches in their fields of specialization. They are expected to engage in journal clubs as well as scientific paper presentations in local and international conferences under the mentorship and guidance of their trainers. In addition, trainers in residency training supervise the compulsory dissertation of senior residents under them. Objectives: We aimed to assess research engagement of resident doctors in training and pattern of submission and approval of their dissertation proposal. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional descriptive study involving resident doctors in accredited hospitals in Northwestern Nigeria. Electronic questionnaires were distributed to respondents via their verified electronic media contacts. Data were collected within a period of 1 month from July 10 to August 6, 2020. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, simple tables as well as Z-test and Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for decision purposes. Results: A total of 120 questionnaires were completed. The mean age of respondents was 38.0 ± 3.8 years, with majority being males 88 (83.3%), and 107 (89.2%) being married. Only 12 (10%) and 44 (36.7%) respondents had published manuscript before and since commencement of residency training, respectively. There was a significant difference between manuscript publication before and since commencement of residency training (P = 0.012). Only 32% of the respondents who submitted their dissertation proposal to the colleges did so within 12 months of success in their Part 1 fellowship examination. There was no association between the publication of manuscript during residency training and submission of dissertation to either National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (P = 0.190), West African College of Surgeons (P = 0.686), or West African College of Physicians (P = 0.317). Conclusion: Research engagement by resident doctors from this study was not satisfactory. Publication of manuscript by resident doctors was associated with prior publication before commencement of residency training and type of training hospital.

Background: Residency training is a postgraduate medical education where graduate doctors are mentored toward becoming independent specialists. In Nigeria currently, the Medical Residency Training Act (MRTA) 2017 guides residency training under the regulation of three postgraduate medical colleges: the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), West African College of Surgeons (WACS), and West African College of Physicians (WACP). For the respective colleges, resident doctors are expected to attempt Part One and Part Two fellowship examinations after completing their junior and senior residency training, respectively, within stipulated durations. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess resident doctors' performance in training and predictive factors. Methodology: Electronic questionnaires was distributed to respondents through their contacts or emails. Data was collected within a period of one month, from July 10 to August 6, 2020. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, simple tables as well as t-test and Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 0.05 for decision purposes. Results: A total of 120 participants were involved in the study. The mean age of respondents was 38.0 ± 3.8 years, with a majority of 88 (83.3%) males and 107 (89.2%) married. On the first attempt, 48 (65.8%), 37 (60.6%), and 15 (57.7%) respondents were successful in NPMCN, WACS, and WACP Part One fellowship examinations, respectively. There was no significant difference in the success in Part One between the three postgraduate medical colleges. There was significant difference in the duration between the first attempt and success in Part One examinations for the three colleges, respectively (NPMCN – P = 0.001, WACS – P < 0.001, WACP – P = 0.036). Conclusion: There was a comparable success in Part One fellowship examination between the three postgraduate medical colleges, with over half of respondents recording success in their first attempt. However, there were significant delays between the first attempt and success in Part One examination for the three postgraduate medical colleges.

This study evaluated the effects of production variables on the physical and mechanical properties of Wood Plastic Composites produced from the pod of Delonixregia and pure water nylon. The boards were produced at three levels of mixing ratio. (MR 1.1), (MR 1.2) and (MR 1.2.5) of wood fiber to pure water nylon and two levels of board density, BD1 (100kg/m 3 ) and BD2 (1100kg/m 3 ). The materials were fed into the Extruder machine at the required levels of production variable, the temperatures of the extruder were controlled at 170 0 C, 180 0 C, 185 0 C and 190 0 C for zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively while the temperature of the extruder die was held at 200 0 C. The screw speed was varied between 150 revolutions per minutes and the pressure from 33 to 47 bars. The extruded strand passed through a water bath and was subsequently pelletized and ran into a mold of 300mmx180mmx6.4 and hot pressed for thirty (30) minutes. The board produced was conditioned and test samples of 128mmmmX12mm x 6.4mm were cut for evaluating the water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture. The value obtained for water absorption for 24 hours ranges from 1.22±0.241% to 2.03±0.163 % and that of Thickness Swelling ranges from 0.05±0.014 to 0.14±0.032%, Water Absorption for 48 hours ranges from 1.24±0.234 to 2.08±0.184% and that of Thickness swelling ranges from 0.05±0.017 to 0.17±0.043%. The results obtained showed that rate of water absorption of the boards produced increased from 24 hours of soaking through 48 hours. Also, an increase in mixing ratio resulted in decrease water absorption. The mean value for MOE ranges from 640.60±64.890 to 1204.63±215.847N/mm 2 while that of MOR ranges from 33.48±10.238 to 42.56±14.132N/mm 2 .This result shows that the mechanical properties increases as the plastic content in the mixture increases.

This study evaluated the effects of production variables on the physical and mechanical properties of Wood Plastic Composites produced from the pod of Delonixregia and pure water nylon. The boards were produced at three levels of mixing ratio. (MR 1.1), (MR 1.2) and (MR 1.2.5) of wood fiber to pure water nylon and two levels of board density, BD1 (100kg/m 3 ) and BD2 (1100kg/m 3 ). The materials were fed into the Extruder machine at the required levels of production variable, the temperatures of the extruder were controlled at 170 0 C, 180 0 C, 185 0 C and 190 0 C for zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively while the temperature of the extruder die was held at 200 0 C. The screw speed was varied between 150 revolutions per minutes and the pressure from 33 to 47 bars. The extruded strand passed through a water bath and was subsequently pelletized and ran into a mold of 300mmx180mmx6.4 and hot pressed for thirty (30) minutes. The board produced was conditioned and test samples of 128mmmmX12mm x 6.4mm were cut for evaluating the water absorption, thickness swelling, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture. The value obtained for water absorption for 24 hours ranges from