University of Ilorin

Clinical use of trastuzumab (TZM), has been widely associated with increased incidence of cardiotoxicity. Ocimum gratissimum Linn. is a household medicinal plant popularly used for treating inflammatory conditions. In this study, we investigated the abrogative potential of 100 mg/kg/day of the ethanol leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum Linn. (OG) and its petroleum ether (PEOG), ethyl acetate (EAOG) and ethanol (EOG) fractions in TZM intoxicated Wistar rats for 7 days using anthropometric, biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical endpoints. In addition, secondary metabolite constituents in OG and its fractions were determined through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The study results showed that oral pretreatments with OG and OG fractions as well as the fixed dose valsartan-lisinopril (VAL-LSP) combination effectively ameliorated and restore nearly normal levels the TZM-altered plasma cardiac troponin I and antioxidant profile which were corroborated by histopathological and immunohistochemical findings as indicated by the inhibition of TZM-induced activation of caspases-3 and − 9 and profound upregulation of BCL-2 expression. Phytoscan of OG and its fractions showed the presence of thymol and in high amount. Overall, our findings revealed the cardioprotective potentials of OG, OG fractions and fixed dose VAL-LSP combination against TZM-induced cardiotoxicity which probably was mediated via abrogation of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and antioxidant mechanisms.

Background Despite the huge burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) among Nigerian children, the burden and outcome of respiratory illnesses remain undocumented. Thus, we aimed to describe the spectrum and outcome of respiratory illnesses among SCD childrenand adolescentadmissions in ten Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Method A retrospective review of the SCD admission records of children and adolescents with a confirmed diagnosis of respiratory illnesses from 2012 to 2021 in ten tertiary health facilities across five geopolitical zones in Nigeria was conducted. The data, collectedbetween March and June 2023, included the age, sex, diagnosis, complications, duration and outcome of hospitalization. Results Of the 72,333 paediatric admissions, 7,256 (10.0%) had SCD; the proportion of SCD from the total admission ranged from 2.1 to 16.3% in the facilities. Of the 7,256 children and adolescents with SCD, 1,213 (16.7%) had respiratory morbidities. Lower respiratory disease was the most common (70.0%) respiratory entity and the majority were pneumonia (40.1.0%), followed by acute chest syndrome (26.7%). Seventeen (1.4%) patients died; all had lower respiratory diseases [(acute chest syndrome ACS (11, 64.7%), pneumonia; 5, 29.4%, and asthma (1, 5.9%). Based on the proportion of deaths among overall SCD, the 17 death cases contributed 9.4% (95% CI 5.9 to 14.5). Factors associated with deaths included duration of hospitalization less than 72 hours and lower respiratory tract diseases. Conclusion Sickle cell disease is a major contributor to hospitalization among Nigerian children and adolescents, with high respiratory morbidity and mortality. Pneumonia and acute chest syndrome were associated with mortality, andthe highest risk of death within the first 72 hours.

The non-commutative DKP equation in (1 + 3) dimension with isotropic oscillator plus inverse quadratic potential are solved within the Nikiforov-Uvarov method. The energy eigenvalues equation and the eigenfunctions are obtained. The energy shift arises as a result of space non-commutativity is evaluated within the ambit of perturbation theory. Using the molecular constants for some molecules, the effect of non-commutative space on the behaviour of some molecules are studied. The results revealed that the space noncommutativity modify the bound state energy levels significantly for all the molecules as it was seen that the energy shifts increases for any increase in perturbation parameter θ\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\uptheta$$\end{document}.

At the nanoscale level, several biological processes take place, owing to the potential that engineered nanomaterials might interrelate with bio-molecules and cellular procedures. This study aimed to synthesize cadmium oxide nanoparticles via a one-step calcination process of tetradentate Schiff base-Cd(II) complex at different temperature ranges. The as-synthesized compounds were carried out via a viz UV–visible, elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, molar conductivity, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The band gap energy and average particle sizes of the CdO particles are respectively (2.69 eV, 3.54 eV), 26.88 nm for CdO@250, and (3.20 eV, 3.57 eV), 25.67 nm for CdO@300, while CdO@350 exhibited the 3.78 eV and 28.42 nm values. The antioxidant accomplishments of the test samples through the scavenging activity of DPPH radicals showed CdO@300 to possess (IC50 = 5.18 ± 0.56 µg/mL). Similarly, the as-synthesized CdO nanoparticles exhibited higher antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli as compared to the corresponding Cd-HMB and ligand (HMB), while ciprofloxacin acted as a standard antibiotic. Furthermore, HMB and its complex Cd-HMB were docked against the DNA gyrase enzymes of S. aureus (PDB IDs: 5CDQ) and E. coli (PDB IDs: 6F86) as receptors. The binding sites docking results showed that the binding energies of HMB and Cd-HMB to 5CDQ ranged from − 3.44 to − 4.99 kcal/mol and from − 6.45 to − 6.64 kcal/mol, while the binding energies related to the target 6F86 are in the ranges of (− 3.64, − 4.76) kcal/mol and (− 6.08, − 6.09) kcal/mol respectively. Therefore, the significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the ligand (HMB), Cd-HMB, and CdO NPs review the broad application prospects of these compounds as therapeutic agents for wide-ranging biomedical applications.

In this paper, a new member of the Poisson family of distributions called the Poisson-Exponential-Gamma (PEG) distribution for modelling count data is proposed by compounding the Poisson with Exponential-Gamma distribution. The first four moments about the origin and the mean of the new PEG distribution were obtained. The expressions for its coefficient of variation, skewness, kurtosis, and index of dispersion were equally derived. The parameters of the PEG distribution were estimated using the Maximum Likelihood Method. Its relative performance based on the Goodness-of-Fit (GoF) criteria was compared with those provided by seven of the existing related distributions (Poisson, Negative-Binomial, Poisson-Exponential, Poisson-Lindley, Poisson-Shanker, Poisson-Shukla, and Poisson Entropy-Based Weighted Exponential distributions) in the literature on three different published real-life count data sets. The GoF assessment of all these distributions was performed based on the values of their loglikelihoods (-2logLik\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${-}2{\text{logLik}}$$\end{document}), Akaike Information Criteria, Akaike Information Criteria Corrected, and Bayesian Information Criteria. The results showed that the new PEG distribution was relatively more efficient for modelling (over-dispersed) count data than any of the seven existing distributions considered. The new PEG distribution is therefore recommended as a credible alternative for modelling count data whenever relative gain in the model’s efficiency is desired.

Machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, has experienced rapid advancements and applications across various domains. In education, its integration holds great potential to revolutionize teaching, learning, and educational outcomes. Despite the growing interest, there needs to be more comprehensive bibliometric analyses that track the trajectory of machine learning's integration into educational research. This study addresses this gap by providing a nuanced perspective derived from bibliometric insights. Using a dataset from 1986 to 2022, consisting of 449 documents from 145 sources retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS), the research employs network analysis to unveil collaborative clusters and identify influential authors. A temporal analysis of annual research output sheds light on evolving trends, while a thematic content analysis explores prevalent research themes through keyword frequency. The findings reveal that co-authorship network analysis exposes distinct clusters and influential figures shaping the landscape of machine learning in educational research. Scientific production over time reveals a significant surge in research output, indicating the field's maturation. The co-occurrence analysis emphasizes a collective focus on student-centric outcomes and technology integration, with terms like "online" and "analytics" prevailing. This study provides a nuanced understanding of the collaborative and thematic fabric characterizing machine learning in educational research. The implications derived from the findings guide strategic collaborations, emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary engagement. Recommendations include investing in technological infrastructure and prioritizing student-centric research. The study contributes foundational insights to inform future endeavors in this ever-evolving field.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a globally significant tick-borne zoonotic pathogen that causes fatal haemorrhagic disease in humans. Despite constituting an ongoing public health threat, limited research exists on the presence of CCHFV among herdsmen, an occupationally exposed population that has prolonged contact with ruminants and ticks. This cross-sectional study, conducted between October 2018 and February 2020 in Kwara State, Nigeria, was aimed at assessing CCHFV seroprevalence among herdsmen and non-herdsmen febrile patients, and identifying the associated risk factors. Blood samples from herdsmen (n = 91) and febrile patients in hospitals (n = 646) were analyzed for anti-CCHFV IgG antibodies and CCHFV S-segment RNA using ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Results revealed a remarkably high CCHFV seroprevalence of 92.3% (84/91) among herdsmen compared to 7.1% (46/646) in febrile patients. Occupational risk factors like animal and tick contact, tick bites, and hand crushing of ticks significantly contributed to higher seroprevalence in the herdsmen (p<0.0001). Herdsmen were 156.5 times more likely (p<0.0001) to be exposed to CCHFV than febrile patients. Notably, the odds of exposure were significantly higher (OR = 191.3; p<0.0001) in herdsmen with a history of tick bites. Although CCHFV genome was not detectable in the tested sera, our findings reveal that the virus is endemic among herdsmen in Kwara State, Nigeria. CCHFV should be considered as a probable cause of febrile illness among humans in the study area. Given the nomadic lifestyle of herdsmen, further investigations into CCHF epidemiology in this neglected population are crucial. This study enhances our understanding of CCHFV dynamics and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in at-risk communities.

Impacts of structuration on the geomorphology and internal architecture of a Pleistocene feeder channel-ponded lobe system, Channel-1B (Ch-1B), on the continental slope of the Niger Delta, Nigeria, has been studied using a combination of 3D seismic stratigraphy and geomorphology methods. Mapping of diagnostic seismic facies, characterization of channel morphology and internal architecture, quantitative analysis, architectural element (AE) delineation, and reservoir modeling were carried out with the view to (1) establish Ch-1B geomorphology, internal architecture, and sediment fills, (2) investigate the influence of structuration on the evolution of internal architecture over time, and (3) assess the impact of the resulting internal architecture variability on reservoir modeling and development strategies. This study established a strong link between structuration and the evolution of feeder channel-ponded lobe systems. Evolution of Ch-1B has been summarized in five phases: (I) channel initiation dominated by sediment bypass and incision into fold-1, (II) major break in slope gradient resulting in deposition of ponded lobe-1, (III) complete fill of accommodation created in the ponded basin between folds 1 and 2, diversion of the channel axis westward by fold-2 and eventual incision into lobe-1 and fold-2 by the feeder channel as it adjusted to a new base level, (IV) deposition of lobe-2 in the footwall of fold-2, and (V) filling of the feeder channel, almost entirely, by turbidite muds thereby creating a channel plug that partitioned lobe-1 into two compartments. Understandings, from this work, of the impacts of structuration on geomorphology and internal architecture have been applied to AE delineation, reservoir modeling, and development strategies in terms of the number and type of wells needed to produce hydrocarbon in lobe-1 efficiently. Given that well costs represent a significant portion of field development costs, this study concludes that adequately delineating and modeling structurally influenced AEs will significantly affect field development economics.

This research investigates the production of composite materials by utilizing a polystyrene-based resin (PBR) as the matrix and a blend of coconut fiber (CF) and rubber tire (RT) as fillers. The composites were produced in varying proportions, and their mechanical and chemical properties were characterized through hardness tests, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The findings highlight the notable influence of filler type and proportion on the mechanical and chemical attributes of the composites. The hardness tests demonstrated a substantial enhancement in composite hardness with the incorporation of CF and RT fillers, with CF exerting a more pronounced effect. FTIR analysis disclosed the presence of aromatic and aliphatic groups in all composites, and the introduction of CF and RT particles led to the emergence of additional peaks. EDS analysis indicated that carbon was the predominant element in all composites, followed by oxygen, while the SEM images revealed a heterogeneous microstructure for all composites, with good dispersion of CF and RT particles in the PBR matrix. The resulting composites exhibit potential applications in diverse fields such as construction, automotive, and packaging.

Background There is a lack of contemporary data describing global variations in vascular access for hemodialysis (HD). We used the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to highlight differences in funding and availability of hemodialysis accesses used for initiating HD across world regions. Methods Survey questions were directed at understanding the funding modules for obtaining vascular access and types of accesses used to initiate dialysis. An electronic survey was sent to national and regional key stakeholders affiliated with the ISN between June and September 2022. Countries that participated in the survey were categorized based on World Bank Income Classification (low-, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income) and by their regional affiliation with the ISN. Results Data on types of vascular access were available from 160 countries. Respondents from 35 countries (22% of surveyed countries) reported that > 50% of patients started HD with an arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF or AVG). These rates were higher in Western Europe (n = 14; 64%), North & East Asia (n = 4; 67%), and among high-income countries (n = 24; 38%). The rates of > 50% of patients starting HD with a tunneled dialysis catheter were highest in North America & Caribbean region (n = 7; 58%) and lowest in South Asia and Newly Independent States and Russia (n = 0 in both regions). Respondents from 50% (n = 9) of low-income countries reported that > 75% of patients started HD using a temporary catheter, with the highest rates in Africa (n = 30; 75%) and Latin America (n = 14; 67%). Funding for the creation of vascular access was often through public funding and free at the point of delivery in high-income countries (n = 42; 67% for AVF/AVG, n = 44; 70% for central venous catheters). In low-income countries, private and out of pocket funding was reported as being more common (n = 8; 40% for AVF/AVG, n = 5; 25% for central venous catheters). Conclusions High income countries exhibit variation in the use of AVF/AVG and tunneled catheters. In low-income countries, there is a higher use of temporary dialysis catheters and private funding models for access creation.

The continuous rise of the population cum standard of living has resulted in Nigerians looking for a profound solution to the fast-growing demand for electrical energy with sustainability concerns including greenhouse gas emissions limitation. Thus, the investigation of uranium leaching kinetics and thermodynamics has become one of the most crucial topics in leach technology, where many distinct results have been obtained. In this study, the influence of sulfuric acid concentration, reaction temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio, and leaching time were all investigated. At established experimental conditions (2.5 mol/L H2SO4, 75 °C, 75 µm), the uranium ore dissolution efficiency recorded was 89.1% within 120 min. The kinetic and thermodynamic tests of the leaching process coupled with the reaction mechanism between sulfuric acid and uranium were discussed. Hence, the results confirm that the dissolution mechanism of uranium was diffusion controlled, exothermic, and spontaneous.

Feed additives in fish rations improve feed efficiency, increase the growth rate of fisheries, and play a significant role in the immunoprophylactic control of infections in aquaculture. This study aims to evaluate the hematological and biochemical effects of Spirulina, PoultryStar®, and colistin on Cyprinus carpio, as well as the histopathological alteration caused in the liver and intestine of C. carpio fed with these additives. One hundred and eighty C. carpio fish were grouped into six groups of thirty fish each for the purpose of the experiment. Group A was fed a diet without any additives, and this served as the control group. Groups B and C were fed diets that contained 1% and 2% of Spirulina, respectively. PoultryStar® at 1% and 2% was added to the diet fed to fish in groups D and E, respectively, while group F was fed a diet that contained 3000 IU of colistin. Blood samples were collected and subjected to hematological and biochemical assays for the evaluation of hemato-biochemical indices. Liver and intestine samples from each experimental group were subjected to histopathological analysis. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the hematological and biochemical indices of the different groups of fish. The histopathologic examination of the liver and intestine samples of C. carpio treated with Spirulina, PoultryStar®, and colistin revealed variable pathological alterations. Findings from this study showed that Spirulina and PoultryStar® could be used in aquaculture, and studies should be conducted to further determine the prospects of colistin in pisciculture.

Artemisinin combination therapies, the first-line antimalarials in Nigeria, have reportedly suffered multiple failures in malaria treatment, hence the search for novel combination of other compounds. Methyl gallate and palmatine have been reported to exhibit antiplasmodial activities but the antimalarial activity of their combination has not been evaluated. Therefore, the evaluation of the combination of methyl gallate and palmatine for antimalarial activity in vitro and in vivo in the presence of piperine was carried out. The inhibitory potential of methyl gallate and palmatine combination on β-hematin (hemozoin) formation was studied in vitro. Also, the antimalarial activity of methyl gallate and palmatine combination with/without a bioenhancer (piperine) was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei NK65-infected mice. Methyl gallate and palmatine in the ratio 3:2 acted synergistically in vitro and had the highest inhibitory effect (IC50 = 0.73 µg/mL) on β-hematin (hemozoin) formation. The 3:2 combination of methyl gallate and palmatine exhibited no antimalarial activity in vivo in the absence of piperine but caused reduction in parasitemia that exceeded 40% in the presence of piperine at the dose of 25 mg/kg body weight on days 6 and 8 post-inoculation in mice. The 3:2 combination of methyl gallate and palmatine in the presence of piperine exhibited antimalarial activity in vivo, possibly by synergistic inhibition of hemozoin formation which may cause accumulation of haem within the food vacuole of Plasmodium spp. and its death.

Global climate change effects, referred to as “environmental stresses,” in North Africa (NA) may be anthropocentrically caused or naturally occurring. This region is one of the regions most sensitive to climate change because of its location and dry environment. Even though nations in the NA area have distinct political and social frameworks, access to natural resources, and wealth levels, the region is bound by major environmental issues and international disputes. This chapter examines the regional impacts of global climate change in North Africa by focusing on the most pressing environmental issues and potential remedies. This chapter clarifies that climate change is mostly to blame the environmental problems in the North African region, which threatens the long-term stability of the area, particularly in terms of poverty, inequality, and underdevelopment. However, attempts to address these issues have been hampered by genuine ignorance of their causes and potential solutions. As one of the most water-scarce regions in the world with a heavy reliance on climate-sensitive agriculture, North Africa’s economic and social situation will likely worsen in the future. Mitigating climate change will remove resources from initiatives to combat poverty, unemployment, and subpar living circumstances, endangering the viability of the development process. North African nations must consider environmental conservation in the context of regional sustainable development and propose responsibilities that the government and outside aid should take.

Fast Flux Botnet (FFB) poses a significant threat as an advanced method employed by cybercriminals for orchestrating distributed malicious attacks. Existing FFB detection systems face challenges such as vulnerability to evasion mechanisms, prolonged detection times, and high dimensionality of the feature set. In response to these issues, this study introduces Bot-FFX, an improved FFB detection architecture designed to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of detection. Bot-FFX comprises four integral modules: extractor, filter, resolver, and detector. The extractor module is dedicated to Domain Name System (DNS) queries on domains, while the filter module classifies incoming domains as denylist or safelist, redirecting unclassified domains to the resolver. The resolver extracts all associated IP addresses within 10 min of the domain's Time-To-Live (TTL). The detector module employs a rule-based Genetic Algorithm (GA) and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) for botnet detection. Utilizing metrics such as Standard Deviation of Round Trip Time (SDRTT), Average Google Hits (AGH), and Genetic Threshold Value (GTV), the detector, built on a K-Dimensional (KD) tree KNN algorithm, accurately classifies domains based on their set of IP addresses. To evaluate Bot-FFX, a dataset comprising 2000 benign domains and 1630 botnet domains was utilized, divided into 50% training and testing sets. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Bot-FFX, achieving an impressive accuracy of 99.178%, with a minimal false positive rate of 0.8% and an equally low false negative rate of 0.8%. This study establishes Bot-FFX as a robust and efficient framework for Fast Flux Botnet detection, contributing to the ongoing efforts in cybersecurity to combat evolving cyber threats.