Francis Chinedu | Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State (original) (raw)

Papers by Francis Chinedu

Cancer Research, 2021

Introduction: Nasal-type extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive, EBV-... more Introduction: Nasal-type extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive, EBV-associated tumor commonly found in the nasal cavity. It is more prevalent in patients in Asia and Latin America mainly affecting the extranodal sites. Upfront radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment but the patient response is variable. ENKTL is often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and early relapse is common. This study evaluated the mutational profiles of recurrent ENKTL for the mechanism of resistance and attempted to look for potential therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: This pilot study involved paired samples obtained from three patients with recurrent ENKTL. Next-generation sequencing was performed to investigate the gene alteration profiles of paired pre- and post-treatment recurrent tumor samples in these patients following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or RT alone. Results: A total of 55 variants was identified, with an average of 2...

Poster Session Abstracts, 2020

BMC Cancer, 2021

Background Genetic alterations for epithelial ovarian cancer are insufficiently characterized. Pr... more Background Genetic alterations for epithelial ovarian cancer are insufficiently characterized. Previous studies are limited regarding included histologies, gene numbers, copy number variant (CNV) detection, and interpretation of pathway alteration patterns of individual patients. Methods We sequenced 410 genes to analyze mutations and CNV of 82 ovarian carcinomas, including high-grade serous (n = 37), endometrioid (n = 22) and clear cell (n = 23) histologies. Eligibility for targeted therapy was determined for each patient by a pathway-based approach. The analysis covered DNA repair, receptor tyrosine kinase, PI3K/AKT/MTOR, RAS/MAPK, cell cycle, and hedgehog pathways, and included 14 drug targets. Results Postulated PARP, MTOR, and CDK4/6 inhibition sensitivity were most common. BRCA1/2 alterations, PTEN loss, and gain of PIK3CA and CCND1 were characteristic for high-grade serous carcinomas. Mutations of ARID1A, PIK3CA, and KRAS, and ERBB2 gain were enriched in the other histologies...

Clinical Trials, 2020

Background: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been emerging as a relatively new biomarker that is... more Background: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been emerging as a relatively new biomarker that is independent of PDL1 for the prediction of response to the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. A recent study has shown that whole exome sequencing (WES)-derived TMB correlates well with panel-derived TMB that is estimated using targeted sequencing. Here, we evaluate the correlation between panel-derived TMB with response to ICI treatment in urothelial cancers. Methods: FFPE tumor tissues from 30 patients with urothelial cancers who had previously received ICI as monotherapies or combination with chemotherapies at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were retrospectively underwent targeted next-generation sequencing (ACTOncoTM) for the identification of nonsynonymous variants across 440 cancer- associated genes. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was calculated by using the sequenced regions of ACTOncoTM to estimate the number of somatic nonsynonymous mutations per megabase of all protein-coding genes. The TMB calculation predicted somatic variants and applied a machine learning model with a cancer hotspot correction. RECIST criteria were used to categorize tumor response to the treatment. Results: Patients were defined as responders (CR/PR) and non-responders (SD/PD) according to the RECIST evaluation. In the cohort receiving ICI monotherapy, the responders (CR/PR, n=8) had significantly higher TMB than non-responders (SD/PD, n=15) (Median 16.2 muts/Mb vs. 6.5 muts/Mb, p=0.0035). One patient with moderate TMB (11.0 muts/Mb) who exhibited disease progression following ICI therapy harbored biallelic JAK2 inactivation. Three high-TMB tumors exhibited mutational signature of aristolochic acid exposure. Conclusions: Although the cohort size is small, this study showed that panel-derived TMB can serve as an independent predictive biomarker to identify urothelial cancer patients for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Citation Format: Yi-Lin Hsieh, Pei-Ning Yu, Yi-Hua Jan, Meng-Shao Lai, Woei-Fuh Wang, De-Wei Zhuo, Shu-Jen Chen, Jen-Hao Cheng, Kien Thiam Tan, Yu-Li Su. Panel-derived tumor mutational burden (TMB) is associated with the response to the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in urothelial cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3177.

Case Reports in Oncological Medicine, 2020

For non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without established actionable alterations in gen... more For non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without established actionable alterations in genes such as EGFR or ALK, options for targeted therapy remain limited in clinical practice. About 5% of lung adenocarcinoma patients have tumors with ERBB2 genetic alterations, with even fewer patients harboring ERBB2 amplification. Currently, clinical trials mainly use IHC, FISH, or mutation testing to identify potential responders to ERBB2-targeting agents. The use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect ERBB2 alterations, including copy number variants, is rare. In this study, we present an EGFR- and ALK-negative advanced NSCLC case for which we conducted comprehensive tumor genomic profiling to identify potentially actionable alterations. The tumor harbored an ERBB2 amplification, and trastuzumab-based therapy resulted in an excellent response, with a necrotic regression of the patient’s lung lesion. Although he developed brain metastasis four months after trastuzumab initiation,...

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018

A subset of endometrial adenocarcinomas (EACs) exhibit microsatellite instability and have defici... more A subset of endometrial adenocarcinomas (EACs) exhibit microsatellite instability and have deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR). The overall aim of the study was to compare the spectrum of mutations in endometrioid-type EAC with and without dMMR by using a clinically validated next-generation sequencing assay. We retrospectively identified 19 EACs with known mismatch repair status that had undergone targeted sequencing of a panel of cancer-related genes. The mismatch repair status was ascertained by immunohistochemistry against MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 mismatch proteins. Somatic mutations in EAC with dMMR were compared against those in cases with proficient MMR (pMMR). The dMMR EAC showed a normalized mean of 66.6 mutations/Mb per case compared with pMMR EAC with a mean of 26.2 (Po0.05). The most commonly mutated genes were PTEN (89% of dMMR, 50% of pMMR), PIK3CA (67% vs. 40%), ATM (89% vs. 40%), and FLT3 (67% vs. 50%). The transition/transversion ratio was 4.7 versus 2.8 for the dMMR and pMMR cohorts, respectively (Po0.05). Copy number variant analysis did not demonstrate significant differences between the dMMR and pMMR cohorts and was not correlated with histologic grade of EAC. In conclusion, tumorigenesis of EAC in the context of dMMR demonstrated heavier mutational burdens and higher transition/transversion ratio. The spectrum of genetic alterations can potentially help identify cases with microsatellite instability phenotype using next-generation sequencing data from a targeted cancer gene panel.

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018

e13531Background: Clinical genetic testing to diagnose germline mutations often requires blood sa... more e13531Background: Clinical genetic testing to diagnose germline mutations often requires blood sample, saliva or buccal smear from a cancer-affected individual. This rules out testing in families w...

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2017

e20522 Background: Lung cancer boasts an arsenal of targeted therapies directed at various molecu... more e20522 Background: Lung cancer boasts an arsenal of targeted therapies directed at various molecular aberrations such as EGFR mutations and fusion genes. Simultaneous assessment for genetic alterations provides biomarkers to assist clinicians in their treatment selections. Methods: A total of 43 FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) samples obtained from lung cancer patients in Taiwan were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS), using a compact panel encompassing 17 potentially actionable, lung cancer-associated genes. NGS was performed on the Ion Torrent PGM or Proton System with a targeted average depth of > 800x. Genomic alterations detected were categorized as single nucleotide variants (SNV) or chromosomal copy number alterations (CNA). Results: A total of 74 putatively actionable genomic alterations were detected across 38 patients (88.4%), which may predict sensitivity or resistance to established and/or therapies that are still in clinical development. 19 patien...

Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2014

The main objective of this study is to determine whether the utilization of strategic management ... more The main objective of this study is to determine whether the utilization of strategic management accounting techniques is capable of providing managers with information for corporate sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was carried out using self-administered questionnaires on a sample of eighty-one accountant distributed across product-sector organisations. The questionnaire was used to gather primary data from respondents. Multiple regression technique was used as the main statistical tool of analysis. Findings: Our findings revealed that sustainability performance measurement is a multi-faceted activity, requiring managers to implement strategic techniques capable of capturing information from diverse areas of corporate environmental and social performance in order to enable them identify, accumulate and manage environmental and social costs related to product development and manufacture.Research limitations/implications:The study used a purposive sampling method, which focused on respondents that agreed to the use of at least one strategic management accounting tool in their organization. However, Specific contextual studies should be carried out to identify which particular strategic management accounting techniques provide the needed information for economic, environmental and social decision-making areas in other organisational categories. Practical implications:The findings enumerate the need for managers to employ strategic management accounting techniques to enable them identify, accumulate, and manage social and environmental costs of their activities.Originality/value:The study focuses on the utility of strategic management accounting techniques by addressing the inherent measurement and management complexities experienced by managers in measuring and reporting sustainability performance.

Journal of Information Engineering and Applications, 2013

This paper examines the nexus of Management Information System Implementation and Managerial perf... more This paper examines the nexus of Management Information System Implementation and Managerial performance in respect of sustainability related measurement systems in organisational management. From a resource-based perspective of the firm information is viewed as one of the critical intangible resource necessary for organisational survival and growth. This exploratory study used a structured five-point likert scale questionnaire to obtain desired responses from a sample of 45 respondents. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested in the study. The Multiple Regression statistical method formed the basis for the relationship prediction. The findings revealed that MIS implementation has implications for the development of managerial human resource, social and environmental core competencies as revealed by the Coefficient of Determination (R 2), as both had predictive powers of 90% and above. Based on this, the study suggests the adoption and implementation of MIS in organisations. This will aid managers develop technique expertise in the areas of human resource, social and environmental competence areas which is directly linked to the survival and growth of the corporation by providing tools for sustainability performance, stakeholder management and competitive advantage.

European Journal of Business and Management, 2015

Purpose:The main objective of this study is to determine whether a relationship exists between re... more Purpose:The main objective of this study is to determine whether a relationship exists between rewards system and employee performance. More specifically, the study intends to address the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards on employee performance.Design/Methodology:A questionnaire designed in the likert-scale format was administered to employees of commercial banks in Awka Metropolis. Presentation and analysis of questionnaire was done using descriptive statistics, regression technique and two-way ANOVA.Findings:The empirical results indicated the presence of a relationship between rewards and employee performance and that there is a significant difference on the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards on employee performance.

Cancers, 2019

(1) Background: Bevacizumab-based regimens are a standard treatment for metastatic colorectal can... more (1) Background: Bevacizumab-based regimens are a standard treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, however meaningful clinical biomarkers for treatment benefit remain scarce. (2) Methods: Tumor samples from 36 mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy underwent comprehensive genomic profiling. Alterations in frequently altered genes and important signaling pathways were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). (3) Results: Overall genetic alteration analysis of investigated genes and pathways did not identify promising new predictors of PFS. However, when considering mutation subtypes, TP53 DNA binding domain (DBD) missense mutations were associated with prolonged PFS (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.13−0.65; p = 0.005). In contrast, TP53 truncating mutations were associated with short PFS (HR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.45−27.50; p = 0.017). Importantly, neither TP53 mutation subtype was associated with overall response rate. In multivariate analysis, TP53 DBD missense mutations remained an independent PFS predictor (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13-0.77; p = 0.011). The other genetic factor independently associated with PFS were PTPRT/PTPRD deleterious alterations, which we previously identified in a screen for biomarkers of bevacizumab response. (4) Conclusions: TP53 DBD missense mutations may predict prolonged PFS in mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy. Analyses of TP53 mutations as clinical biomarkers should take the biological impact of different mutation subtypes into consideration to improve patient stratification.

ERA'S JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH

Neurofilaments are major protein constituents of the brain, and play important roles in trafficki... more Neurofilaments are major protein constituents of the brain, and play important roles in trafficking of molecules between neurons. An experimental study on thetotal protein content and immunoreactivity of neurofilament protein was undertaken on the hippocampus of adult rats treated with the seed extract of Citrulluslanatus, Omega H3 and soybean oil. Twenty (20) adult wistar rats of average weights 150g were used. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 rats per group. Group A served as control, groups B and C received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of Citrullus lanatus ethanolic seed extracts orally respectively, while groups D and E received 300 mg/kg of Omega H3 and 5ml/kgof Soybean oil for two weeks respectively. Total serum protein was estimated biochemically and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20 group comparison were made by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The hippocampus was dissected, fixed, processed and stained for neurofilament by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. The result revealed total serum protein levels increased significantly in treated groups while immunoreactivity to neurofilament increased in all treated groups compared to the control. In conclusion, ethanolic seed extract of Citrullus lanatus has similar effects as Omega H3 and Soya bean oil which justify it use as supplement.

Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Accounting Research

This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Gl... more This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Global Brand listed companies in Nigeria. The variables of Audit Big 4 firms which include Deloitte, Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, (KPMG) and Price Water House Coopers (PWC) where selected as choice target for this research work. Big four audit firm of Ernst’s & Young (E&Y) was excluded in the sample as it is found not to have provided audit services to any of the selected global brand listed company in Nigeria during the period covered by this study. The study employed the methodology of Multinomial Probit Regression (MPR) analysis in X-raying the data. Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant positive relationship between firm size and choice of external auditor’s selection for the big four audit firms of KPMG and Deloitte. The study also provides a revelation that the relationship between the variable of firm size is negative and statistically significant with audit firm ...

Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Accounting Research

This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Gl... more This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Global Brand listed companies in Nigeria. The variables of Audit Big 4 firms which include Deloitte, Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, (KPMG) and Price Water House Coopers (PWC) where selected as choice target for this research work. Big four audit firm of Ernst’s & Young (E&Y) was excluded in the sample as it is found not to have provided audit services to any of the selected global brand listed company in Nigeria during the period covered by this study. The study employed the methodology of Multinomial Probit Regression (MPR) analysis in X-raying the data. Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant positive relationship between firm size and choice of external auditor’s selection for the big four audit firms of KPMG and Deloitte. The study also provides a revelation that the relationship between the variable of firm size is negative and statistically significant with audit firm ...

Cancer Research, 2021

Introduction: Nasal-type extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive, EBV-... more Introduction: Nasal-type extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive, EBV-associated tumor commonly found in the nasal cavity. It is more prevalent in patients in Asia and Latin America mainly affecting the extranodal sites. Upfront radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment but the patient response is variable. ENKTL is often resistant to conventional chemotherapy and early relapse is common. This study evaluated the mutational profiles of recurrent ENKTL for the mechanism of resistance and attempted to look for potential therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: This pilot study involved paired samples obtained from three patients with recurrent ENKTL. Next-generation sequencing was performed to investigate the gene alteration profiles of paired pre- and post-treatment recurrent tumor samples in these patients following chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or RT alone. Results: A total of 55 variants was identified, with an average of 2...

Poster Session Abstracts, 2020

BMC Cancer, 2021

Background Genetic alterations for epithelial ovarian cancer are insufficiently characterized. Pr... more Background Genetic alterations for epithelial ovarian cancer are insufficiently characterized. Previous studies are limited regarding included histologies, gene numbers, copy number variant (CNV) detection, and interpretation of pathway alteration patterns of individual patients. Methods We sequenced 410 genes to analyze mutations and CNV of 82 ovarian carcinomas, including high-grade serous (n = 37), endometrioid (n = 22) and clear cell (n = 23) histologies. Eligibility for targeted therapy was determined for each patient by a pathway-based approach. The analysis covered DNA repair, receptor tyrosine kinase, PI3K/AKT/MTOR, RAS/MAPK, cell cycle, and hedgehog pathways, and included 14 drug targets. Results Postulated PARP, MTOR, and CDK4/6 inhibition sensitivity were most common. BRCA1/2 alterations, PTEN loss, and gain of PIK3CA and CCND1 were characteristic for high-grade serous carcinomas. Mutations of ARID1A, PIK3CA, and KRAS, and ERBB2 gain were enriched in the other histologies...

Clinical Trials, 2020

Background: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been emerging as a relatively new biomarker that is... more Background: Tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been emerging as a relatively new biomarker that is independent of PDL1 for the prediction of response to the immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. A recent study has shown that whole exome sequencing (WES)-derived TMB correlates well with panel-derived TMB that is estimated using targeted sequencing. Here, we evaluate the correlation between panel-derived TMB with response to ICI treatment in urothelial cancers. Methods: FFPE tumor tissues from 30 patients with urothelial cancers who had previously received ICI as monotherapies or combination with chemotherapies at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were retrospectively underwent targeted next-generation sequencing (ACTOncoTM) for the identification of nonsynonymous variants across 440 cancer- associated genes. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was calculated by using the sequenced regions of ACTOncoTM to estimate the number of somatic nonsynonymous mutations per megabase of all protein-coding genes. The TMB calculation predicted somatic variants and applied a machine learning model with a cancer hotspot correction. RECIST criteria were used to categorize tumor response to the treatment. Results: Patients were defined as responders (CR/PR) and non-responders (SD/PD) according to the RECIST evaluation. In the cohort receiving ICI monotherapy, the responders (CR/PR, n=8) had significantly higher TMB than non-responders (SD/PD, n=15) (Median 16.2 muts/Mb vs. 6.5 muts/Mb, p=0.0035). One patient with moderate TMB (11.0 muts/Mb) who exhibited disease progression following ICI therapy harbored biallelic JAK2 inactivation. Three high-TMB tumors exhibited mutational signature of aristolochic acid exposure. Conclusions: Although the cohort size is small, this study showed that panel-derived TMB can serve as an independent predictive biomarker to identify urothelial cancer patients for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Citation Format: Yi-Lin Hsieh, Pei-Ning Yu, Yi-Hua Jan, Meng-Shao Lai, Woei-Fuh Wang, De-Wei Zhuo, Shu-Jen Chen, Jen-Hao Cheng, Kien Thiam Tan, Yu-Li Su. Panel-derived tumor mutational burden (TMB) is associated with the response to the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in urothelial cancers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3177.

Case Reports in Oncological Medicine, 2020

For non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without established actionable alterations in gen... more For non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients without established actionable alterations in genes such as EGFR or ALK, options for targeted therapy remain limited in clinical practice. About 5% of lung adenocarcinoma patients have tumors with ERBB2 genetic alterations, with even fewer patients harboring ERBB2 amplification. Currently, clinical trials mainly use IHC, FISH, or mutation testing to identify potential responders to ERBB2-targeting agents. The use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect ERBB2 alterations, including copy number variants, is rare. In this study, we present an EGFR- and ALK-negative advanced NSCLC case for which we conducted comprehensive tumor genomic profiling to identify potentially actionable alterations. The tumor harbored an ERBB2 amplification, and trastuzumab-based therapy resulted in an excellent response, with a necrotic regression of the patient’s lung lesion. Although he developed brain metastasis four months after trastuzumab initiation,...

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018

A subset of endometrial adenocarcinomas (EACs) exhibit microsatellite instability and have defici... more A subset of endometrial adenocarcinomas (EACs) exhibit microsatellite instability and have deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR). The overall aim of the study was to compare the spectrum of mutations in endometrioid-type EAC with and without dMMR by using a clinically validated next-generation sequencing assay. We retrospectively identified 19 EACs with known mismatch repair status that had undergone targeted sequencing of a panel of cancer-related genes. The mismatch repair status was ascertained by immunohistochemistry against MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6 mismatch proteins. Somatic mutations in EAC with dMMR were compared against those in cases with proficient MMR (pMMR). The dMMR EAC showed a normalized mean of 66.6 mutations/Mb per case compared with pMMR EAC with a mean of 26.2 (Po0.05). The most commonly mutated genes were PTEN (89% of dMMR, 50% of pMMR), PIK3CA (67% vs. 40%), ATM (89% vs. 40%), and FLT3 (67% vs. 50%). The transition/transversion ratio was 4.7 versus 2.8 for the dMMR and pMMR cohorts, respectively (Po0.05). Copy number variant analysis did not demonstrate significant differences between the dMMR and pMMR cohorts and was not correlated with histologic grade of EAC. In conclusion, tumorigenesis of EAC in the context of dMMR demonstrated heavier mutational burdens and higher transition/transversion ratio. The spectrum of genetic alterations can potentially help identify cases with microsatellite instability phenotype using next-generation sequencing data from a targeted cancer gene panel.

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2018

e13531Background: Clinical genetic testing to diagnose germline mutations often requires blood sa... more e13531Background: Clinical genetic testing to diagnose germline mutations often requires blood sample, saliva or buccal smear from a cancer-affected individual. This rules out testing in families w...

Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2017

e20522 Background: Lung cancer boasts an arsenal of targeted therapies directed at various molecu... more e20522 Background: Lung cancer boasts an arsenal of targeted therapies directed at various molecular aberrations such as EGFR mutations and fusion genes. Simultaneous assessment for genetic alterations provides biomarkers to assist clinicians in their treatment selections. Methods: A total of 43 FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) samples obtained from lung cancer patients in Taiwan were subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS), using a compact panel encompassing 17 potentially actionable, lung cancer-associated genes. NGS was performed on the Ion Torrent PGM or Proton System with a targeted average depth of > 800x. Genomic alterations detected were categorized as single nucleotide variants (SNV) or chromosomal copy number alterations (CNA). Results: A total of 74 putatively actionable genomic alterations were detected across 38 patients (88.4%), which may predict sensitivity or resistance to established and/or therapies that are still in clinical development. 19 patien...

Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2014

The main objective of this study is to determine whether the utilization of strategic management ... more The main objective of this study is to determine whether the utilization of strategic management accounting techniques is capable of providing managers with information for corporate sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was carried out using self-administered questionnaires on a sample of eighty-one accountant distributed across product-sector organisations. The questionnaire was used to gather primary data from respondents. Multiple regression technique was used as the main statistical tool of analysis. Findings: Our findings revealed that sustainability performance measurement is a multi-faceted activity, requiring managers to implement strategic techniques capable of capturing information from diverse areas of corporate environmental and social performance in order to enable them identify, accumulate and manage environmental and social costs related to product development and manufacture.Research limitations/implications:The study used a purposive sampling method, which focused on respondents that agreed to the use of at least one strategic management accounting tool in their organization. However, Specific contextual studies should be carried out to identify which particular strategic management accounting techniques provide the needed information for economic, environmental and social decision-making areas in other organisational categories. Practical implications:The findings enumerate the need for managers to employ strategic management accounting techniques to enable them identify, accumulate, and manage social and environmental costs of their activities.Originality/value:The study focuses on the utility of strategic management accounting techniques by addressing the inherent measurement and management complexities experienced by managers in measuring and reporting sustainability performance.

Journal of Information Engineering and Applications, 2013

This paper examines the nexus of Management Information System Implementation and Managerial perf... more This paper examines the nexus of Management Information System Implementation and Managerial performance in respect of sustainability related measurement systems in organisational management. From a resource-based perspective of the firm information is viewed as one of the critical intangible resource necessary for organisational survival and growth. This exploratory study used a structured five-point likert scale questionnaire to obtain desired responses from a sample of 45 respondents. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested in the study. The Multiple Regression statistical method formed the basis for the relationship prediction. The findings revealed that MIS implementation has implications for the development of managerial human resource, social and environmental core competencies as revealed by the Coefficient of Determination (R 2), as both had predictive powers of 90% and above. Based on this, the study suggests the adoption and implementation of MIS in organisations. This will aid managers develop technique expertise in the areas of human resource, social and environmental competence areas which is directly linked to the survival and growth of the corporation by providing tools for sustainability performance, stakeholder management and competitive advantage.

European Journal of Business and Management, 2015

Purpose:The main objective of this study is to determine whether a relationship exists between re... more Purpose:The main objective of this study is to determine whether a relationship exists between rewards system and employee performance. More specifically, the study intends to address the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic rewards on employee performance.Design/Methodology:A questionnaire designed in the likert-scale format was administered to employees of commercial banks in Awka Metropolis. Presentation and analysis of questionnaire was done using descriptive statistics, regression technique and two-way ANOVA.Findings:The empirical results indicated the presence of a relationship between rewards and employee performance and that there is a significant difference on the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards on employee performance.

Cancers, 2019

(1) Background: Bevacizumab-based regimens are a standard treatment for metastatic colorectal can... more (1) Background: Bevacizumab-based regimens are a standard treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, however meaningful clinical biomarkers for treatment benefit remain scarce. (2) Methods: Tumor samples from 36 mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-based chemotherapy underwent comprehensive genomic profiling. Alterations in frequently altered genes and important signaling pathways were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). (3) Results: Overall genetic alteration analysis of investigated genes and pathways did not identify promising new predictors of PFS. However, when considering mutation subtypes, TP53 DNA binding domain (DBD) missense mutations were associated with prolonged PFS (HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.13−0.65; p = 0.005). In contrast, TP53 truncating mutations were associated with short PFS (HR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.45−27.50; p = 0.017). Importantly, neither TP53 mutation subtype was associated with overall response rate. In multivariate analysis, TP53 DBD missense mutations remained an independent PFS predictor (HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13-0.77; p = 0.011). The other genetic factor independently associated with PFS were PTPRT/PTPRD deleterious alterations, which we previously identified in a screen for biomarkers of bevacizumab response. (4) Conclusions: TP53 DBD missense mutations may predict prolonged PFS in mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-based therapy. Analyses of TP53 mutations as clinical biomarkers should take the biological impact of different mutation subtypes into consideration to improve patient stratification.

ERA'S JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH

Neurofilaments are major protein constituents of the brain, and play important roles in trafficki... more Neurofilaments are major protein constituents of the brain, and play important roles in trafficking of molecules between neurons. An experimental study on thetotal protein content and immunoreactivity of neurofilament protein was undertaken on the hippocampus of adult rats treated with the seed extract of Citrulluslanatus, Omega H3 and soybean oil. Twenty (20) adult wistar rats of average weights 150g were used. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 rats per group. Group A served as control, groups B and C received 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of Citrullus lanatus ethanolic seed extracts orally respectively, while groups D and E received 300 mg/kg of Omega H3 and 5ml/kgof Soybean oil for two weeks respectively. Total serum protein was estimated biochemically and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20 group comparison were made by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The hippocampus was dissected, fixed, processed and stained for neurofilament by the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. The result revealed total serum protein levels increased significantly in treated groups while immunoreactivity to neurofilament increased in all treated groups compared to the control. In conclusion, ethanolic seed extract of Citrullus lanatus has similar effects as Omega H3 and Soya bean oil which justify it use as supplement.

Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Accounting Research

This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Gl... more This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Global Brand listed companies in Nigeria. The variables of Audit Big 4 firms which include Deloitte, Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, (KPMG) and Price Water House Coopers (PWC) where selected as choice target for this research work. Big four audit firm of Ernst’s & Young (E&Y) was excluded in the sample as it is found not to have provided audit services to any of the selected global brand listed company in Nigeria during the period covered by this study. The study employed the methodology of Multinomial Probit Regression (MPR) analysis in X-raying the data. Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant positive relationship between firm size and choice of external auditor’s selection for the big four audit firms of KPMG and Deloitte. The study also provides a revelation that the relationship between the variable of firm size is negative and statistically significant with audit firm ...

Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Accounting Research

This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Gl... more This research work examines the factors that determine the selection of external auditor among Global Brand listed companies in Nigeria. The variables of Audit Big 4 firms which include Deloitte, Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler, (KPMG) and Price Water House Coopers (PWC) where selected as choice target for this research work. Big four audit firm of Ernst’s & Young (E&Y) was excluded in the sample as it is found not to have provided audit services to any of the selected global brand listed company in Nigeria during the period covered by this study. The study employed the methodology of Multinomial Probit Regression (MPR) analysis in X-raying the data. Empirical evidence shows that there is a significant positive relationship between firm size and choice of external auditor’s selection for the big four audit firms of KPMG and Deloitte. The study also provides a revelation that the relationship between the variable of firm size is negative and statistically significant with audit firm ...