Objective: This study investigated the nephroprotective potential of Ephedra alata alcoholic extract against lead acetate-induced toxicity in rats. Methods: Forty male albino rats were assigned to five groups: control, lead acetate only, E. alata only, therapeutic (lead + E. alata), and preventive (E. alata + lead). Kidney function, oxidative stress, cytokine levels, and tissue morphology were evaluated. Results: Lead acetate significantly increased serum urea, creatinine, MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels (p<0.05), while reducing GPx. Co-administration of E. alata reversed these alterations. Histologically, E. alata mitigated renal damage and preserved tissue structure. Conclusion: Ephedra alata extract exhibits strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively protecting against lead-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Objective: Studies demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of Uterine Balloon Tamponade (UBT) in reducing PPH. However, in Ogun State, Nigeria studies revealed midwives’ inadequate skills to utilise UBT. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of the intervention on midwives’ skills in utilising UBT for managing PPH at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC), Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study utilised a quasi-experimental design involving the Experimental group (EG) and Control group (CG). A sample size of 146 professional midwives working at PHC in Ogun State was utilized for the study. Six Local Government Areas were purposefully selected based on PPH prevalence. A checklist was used to assess midwives’ skills in utilising UBT. The Intervention was teaching, video simulations, and practical demonstrations of UBT. Data was collected in three phases with a 93.8% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of significance. Results: The pre-intervention skills mean score for EG was 3.57 ± 0.66 and CG was 3.58 ± 0.60, while the immediate and 8th-week post-intervention mean scores for EG were 7.84 ± 0.75; 8.0 ± 0.70, and for CG were 3.71 ± 0.67 and 3.71 ± 0.65, respectively. The Cohen’s d effect size for midwives’ skills in utilising UBT for managing PPH is large at 1.18. Conclusion: The intervention improved midwives' skills in utilising UBT to manage PPH. The study recommends the implementation of similar interventions in relevant healthcare settings to ensure the utilisation of UBT in managing PPH.

Objectives: Colour vision deficiency (CVD) is a suggested risk factor in road traffic injuries and deaths globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVD and associated socio-demographic characteristics (SDCs) among commercial motor vehicle drivers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 341 commercial motor-vehicle drivers aged ≥ 20 years in Benin City Metropolis using a purposive sampling technique. Socio-demographic data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Colour vision was assessed using Ishihara pseudochromatic colour plates. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 29.0 and presented in tables and charts. Statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 341 commercial drivers participated in the study. Males were 326 (95.6%), and females were 15 (4.4%). The prevalence of CVD was 9.6% (8.8% males and 0.8% females). Deuteronomaly was the major type of CVD. The age group 41-50 years, having a prevalence of 3.8% was the most affected. The prevalence of CVD increased with an increase in years of driving experience. The association between CVD and SDCs such as age groups, educational status, and years of driving experience, was not statistically significant (P >0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of CVD among drivers in this study was significant, and this could exacerbate road traffic accidents due to the inability to detect traffic signals and other road signs while driving. Routine colour vision assessment of drivers is recommended before issuance of driver’s license and relicensing.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative aerobic bacterium that primarily inhabits the stomach mucosa and is the leading cause of gastric atrophy and cancer. This study will detect the prevalence of H pylori infection with its combined effect on histopathological changes between 2015 and 2023. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 patients who complained of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent upper oesophageal gastroduodenal endoscopy at Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital from January 2015 to August 2023. A gastric mucosal biopsy was performed during endoscopy, and histopathological examination was done using haematoxylin and eosin stain and modified Giemsa stain to increase the specificity of the test. Results: This study analysed 400 patients who complained of dyspepsia, with a mean age of 44.77±15.95. Of these patients, 51% were male and 49% were female. The prevalence of H pylori in the gastric mucosa was 25%, while the remaining patients tested negative. The histopathological analysis showed significant differences between patients with H pylori-induced gastritis and those without, regarding mucous-secreting epithelial cells (10% vs. 92%), intact mucosal glands (76% vs. 10.66%), and gastric atrophy (52% vs. 8%), respectively. Conclusions: This study confirms that the prevalence of H. pylori infection is a significant cause of gastritis, especially the atrophic type, and is common in patients over 40 years old of both sexes. Therefore, we recommend that patients over 40 years old with chronic dyspepsia undergo upper endoscopy and gastric biopsy to reduce the risk of gastric atrophy and cancer.

Objective: Overnutrition is a risk factor for major Non-Communicable Diseases globally. Adolescence is a vulnerable period characterised by several lifestyle changes such as a newly discovered autonomy and peer pressure which may result in them adopting long-lasting unhealthy behaviours that could lead to overnutrition. This study was carried out to assess the pattern and predictors of overnutrition among adolescents in rural areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a school-based descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between July and October 2023 among 898 in-school adolescents. A multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select respondents for the study. A pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the participants. A binary and multivariable logistic regression model was fitted with adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence levels. Statistical significance was taken at P<0.05. Result: The mean age of respondents in this study was 15.40±1.91 years. There were more females (51.8%) than male respondents (48.2%). The mean weight was 48.56±9.78kg, and the mean BMI was 19.19±3.23. The prevalence of overnutrition was high (16.4%). The predictors of overnutrition were age (AOR=0.448, 95%CI= 0.217-0.925), gender (AOR=0.467, 95%CI= 0.311-0.703), father’s occupation (AOR=2.505, 95%CI= 1.229-5.105), mother’s education (AOR=2.167, 95%CI= 1.252-3.751) and level of physical activity (AOR=0.269, 95%CI= 0.074-0.983). Conclusion: The prevalence of overnutrition among adolescents in Ogun State is high. Efforts should be geared towards the introduction of nutrition education programmes that address the factors associated with overnutrition. Furthermore, policies on obesity-preventing measures in the form of increased physical activity in high schools should be implemented.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of undergraduates in the discipline of medicine, pharmacy and nursing about adverse drug reactions and their reporting. Methodology: This study was conducted among undergraduate students of medicine, pharmacy and nursing from five tertiary institutions located in South-West Nigeria. The questionnaire consisted of sections on the demographics of respondents, their knowledge, attitude and practice of ADR reporting. Results: A total of 711 undergraduates (345 medical, 262 pharmacy and 104 nursing students) completed the survey. A larger proportion of medical students knew the correct definition of pharmacovigilance compared to nursing and pharmacy students. The regulatory body for collating and monitoring ADRs in Nigeria was correctly identified by 64.3% of the study participants. The mean pharmacovigilance knowledge score for all respondents was 2.6/10 (SD – 1.3; Range: 0-6). Medical students (3.1/10) had the highest knowledge score, followed by nursing students (2.4/10) and pharmacy students (2.0/10) -P <.000. Nursing students (63.5%) had observed ADRs during their training more than the others. Pharmacy students (30.2%) in comparison to nursing (19.2%) and medical students (15.2%) knew the ADR reporting form (yellow form). Conclusion: Though the knowledge of Nigerian undergraduate medical, pharmacy and nursing students about adverse drug reactions and their’ reporting was generally poor, this study identified gaps peculiar to each of the three programmes. There is a need therefore for curriculum review of these programmes to include both theoretical and practical aspects of adverse drug reactions and their reporting.

Background: Cancer is a complex and adaptive disease characterised by uncontrolled cell proliferation, tissue invasion, and metastasis. Previously thought to be a genetic disease caused by DNA abnormalities, recent research demonstrates the critical role of metabolic reprogramming in cancer development. Cancer cells experience severe metabolic changes in the tumour microenvironment (TME), which include nutritional deprivation, hypoxia, and low pH. Main text: The Warburg effect is a dramatic shift in which cells rely on aerobic glycolysis instead of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) for rapid energy production and growth. MYC, an oncogene, and TP53, a tumour suppressor, regulate metabolic alterations by increasing glycolysis, glutaminolysis, and other pathways necessary for tumour survival. Mitochondrial failure causes genomic instability, cancer, and resistance to apoptosis, increasing reliance on glycolysis and glutaminolysis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and resistant tumour forms are metabolically flexible, allowing them to adapt to environmental changes. The TME regulates metabolic pathways that promote tumour growth, including HIFs and AMPK. Conclusion: Therapeutic drugs that target altered metabolic pathways, such as glycolytic enzyme inhibitors, glutaminolysis, and mitochondrial function, have shown promise in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, the metabolic flexibility of cancer cells and tumour heterogeneity make treatment problematic. Recent therapeutic strategies combining metabolic inhibitors, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy have yielded promising results.

Background: Educational interventions have been recognized as an effective strategy for improving diabetes management outcomes, but their effectiveness in the Nigerian context has not been systematically reviewed. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of educational interventions for adults with T2DM in Nigeria, focusing on clinical, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes. It also highlights the cultural relevance, barriers, and facilitators of these interventions. Main Body: A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, identified 591 studies, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. Data extraction focused on intervention type, outcomes, and study quality, assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Outcomes were synthesized into thematic categories and analyzed for common trends. Educational interventions significantly improved glycemic control, with a mean HbA1c reduction of 1.3% (SD: 0.14%). Behavioral outcomes such as medication adherence improved by an average of 23.5% (SD: 2.1%), while psychosocial outcomes, including quality of life, showed a 15% improvement. Culturally tailored programs using local languages, family involvement, and community-based models were particularly effective. Barriers included resource constraints and literacy challenges, while facilitators involved community health workers and familial support. Conclusion: Educational interventions are effective in improving diabetes outcomes in Nigeria, particularly when adapted to the local context. Policymakers should prioritize these interventions in healthcare strategies, and future research should focus on scaling and sustaining their impact.

Objectives: Untreated malaria presents severe complications. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) of the trio Hookworm, Ascaris and Whipworm account for a major disease burden worldwide. While the health of school-aged children is usually compromised by common diseases such as malaria, helminthiasis and Schistosomiasis, the co-infections are accountable for increased morbidities and associated consequences like anaemia and malnutrition in vulnerable populations. The study determined the prevalence and burden of polyparasitism with these 3 diseases among school children in the study areas. Methods: Blood, urine and stool samples were collected from a total of 1103 primary school pupils with ages ranging from 4 to 15 years. Malaria parasite was detected using thick and thin blood films and mRDT. Stool samples of intestinal helminth infection were processed using formol-ether concentrations and Kato-Katz and Mac-Master Chamber techniques. Urine samples were analyzed using sedimentation by the centrifugation method for Schistosoma haematobium, and haemoglobin was determined using a haematology analyzer to establish anaemia. Results: The overall mean age, haemoglobin, weight and height of the students’ population was 9.97±2.637(years), 10.84±4.651(g/dl), 28.86±8.278(Kg) and 1.182(m)±1420, respectively. Age, height and weight showed no significant differences among pupils across the three senatorial zones. Conclusion: The findings from this study showed that the co-endemicity of malaria and helminths infections is an important health problem in the study areas, among the subjects with concurrent Plasmodium falciparum, STH and Schistosoma haematobium infections resulting in increased the risk of lower haemoglobin levels and anaemia, which in turn calls for integrated disease control interventions.

Objective: Paracetamol (acetaminophen), a widely used analgesic and antipyretic, poses hepatotoxic risks at overdose due to reactive metabolite (NAPQI) accumulation, glutathione depletion, and oxidative stress. This study investigated the dose-dependent histological effects of paracetamol on rat livers to evaluate subacute (14-day) hepatotoxic effects. Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, low-dose (200 mg/kg/day), and high-dose (500 mg/kg/day) paracetamol groups. These doses were administered orally for 14 days. Liver tissues were processed for histopathological examination by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and lesions were semi-quantitatively scored (0 = none, 3 = severe) for necrosis, congestion, inflammation, vacuolization, and fatty changes. Results: Liver biopsy showed dose-dependent liver injury. Compared to controls, the high-dose group showed marked hepatocellular necrosis (2.8 ± 0.6), sinusoidal congestion (2.5 ± 0.5), inflammatory infiltration (2.7 ± 0.6), vacuolization (2.0 ± 0.4), and fatty changes (1.5 ± 0.3) (p < 0.01). Low-dose rats exhibited less severe changes. The biochemical markers showed significant increases of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (245.6 ± 32.7 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (280.4 ± 40.5 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (320.8 ± 35.9 U/L), and bilirubin (2.8 ± 0.6 mg/dL) in the high-dose group compared with the low-dose and control groups (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Prolonged paracetamol administration induces hepatotoxicity, inflammation, and vacuolization in rat livers, with severity correlating to dose. Elevated liver enzymes confirm structural damage, underpinning the dangers of overdose and long-term use.