Mountain Top University

The global education landscape is transforming, with African nations playing a key role in international academic exchanges. However, future trends in African student mobility remain unclear. This study employs statistical, deep learning, and ensemble forecasting models to analyze migration patterns across regions: Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, East Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Western Europe, South and West Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Arab States. Historical data reveals regional variations, with North America and Western Europe as top destinations, while East Asia, the Pacific, and the Arab States see rising enrollments. Intra-regional mobility within Sub-Saharan Africa highlights regional academic collaborations. These insights help institutions and policymakers anticipate trends, refine recruitment strategies, and enhance access to global education for African students, fostering knowledge exchange, skill development, and international collaboration.

Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging free radicals, thus providing protection to humans against infection and degenerative diseases. Modern research is directed towards "natural antioxidants" from herbal plants due to their safe therapeutic. Costus spicatus is an herbaceous plant whose parts- leaves, rhizome, stem and roots are used locally because of its medicinal properties. The specific objective of the study was to determine and compare the antioxidant capacity of aqueous extracts of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome for their antioxidant activity and radical scavenging potential. The in vitro antioxidant status of the aqueous extract of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome was compared using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2, Nitric Oxide (NO), 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Ferric Ion Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay (FRAP). The total phenolics and flavonoid contents were also estimated quantitatively. The aqueous extract of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome both have notable flavonoid content. However the rhizome had slightly higher phenolic content compared to the leaf. Both the leaf and rhizome of aqueous extract of Costus spicatus have notable antioxidant capacity when compared with the standard used. The aqueous extract of Costus spicatus rhizome showed higher antioxidant activity than the leaf in a concentration dependent manner. These results revealed that the aqueous extract of Costus spicatus leaf and rhizome has antioxidant capacity and scavenging potential, with the rhizome having the most notable capacity and therefore can be further explored in antioxidant research and in management of diseases related to oxidative stress.

Antibiotic resistance remains a global public health concern, and the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae species that harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is on the rise. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)/AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae in vegetables cultivated on irrigated farms in Lagos, Nigeria. A total of 257 samples, including vegetable samples, irrigation water, and soil, were collected from five farms within the city. Standard microbiological and molecular biology methods were used for the isolation and characterization of bacterial genera within Enterobacteriaceae and the detection of ARGs. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and ESBL production was determined by the double-disk synergy test. Fifty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from the samples, of which 52 (90%) belonged to the family Enterobacteriaceae . Ten genera from this family were represented among obtained isolates, with Klebsiella species and Escherichia fergusonii being most prevalent. In total, 85% and 52% of these isolates were resistant to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and ceftazidime, respectively. Sixty-five percent of these isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), with 56% and 46% testing positive for ESBL and AmpC production, respectively. Some of the MDR isolates had Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Index (MARI) ranging from 0.4 to 0.8. bla SHV was the dominant ESBL encoding gene detected, while bla AmpC was detected in only 4% of isolates. Plasmids ranging in size from 2.6 to 20.35 kb were detected in some of the MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolates. The presence of MDR Enterobacteriaceae in the food chain is of public health significance, highlighting the need for continuous surveillance.

Prepared orange peel biochar (OPB) was evaluated as a low-cost adsorbent for removing Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The OPB was examined using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis to identify surface morphology, functional groups, thermal stability, and surface porosity responsible for adsorption, respectively. The biochar showed typical lignocellulosic decomposition behavior and exhibited a microporous surface whose hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxylate, and phenolic groups allowed effective Pb²⁺ uptake. Batch studies revealed maximum Pb2+ at a pH 5, adsorbent dosage of 0.7 g, contact time of 80 min, adsorbate concentration of 150 mg/L, and temperature of 50 °C. The Langmuir isotherm revealed adsorption maximum capacity of the adsorbent to be 73.5 mg/g, while thermodynamics analysis showed that Pb(II) uptake was endothermic. These results demonstrate that orange-peel biochar can be an effective, environmentally friendly, and renewable adsorbent for lead ions in wastewater treatment.

Introduction: This tracer study examined the licensure performance, employment outcomes, job relevance, and postgraduate engagement of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates of Mountain Province State University (MPSU) from 2008 to 2024. Aim: Anchored on Employability Theory, the study aimed to determine how effectively the nursing program prepared graduates for professional practice and career development. Methods: Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected through a validated researcher-made questionnaire administered to randomly selected graduates across three curriculum groups: CMO 30 (2008–2016), CMO 14 (2017–2021), and CMO 15 (2022–2024). Reliability testing yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.785, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Results: Findings showed a consistently high proportion of respondents who reported passing the Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE), with an overall respondent-based licensure rate of 96% that increased across curriculum groups (CMO 30: 94.9%; CMO 14: 96.8%; CMO 15: 98.3%). Employment outcomes revealed that 86.6% of graduates were currently employed, though recent graduates under CMO 15 exhibited lower employment rates and a higher proportion of those never employed. Job relevance remained high at 90.7%, yet CMO 15 showed the most notable decline. A strong shift toward local employment was observed, with 97.9% of the newest graduates working within the Philippines. Postgraduate engagement was low, with only 23.1% pursuing master’s studies and 1.2% enrolling in doctoral programs, primarily among CMO 30 graduates. Conclusion: The study concludes that the MPSU nursing program continues to produce competent graduates with strong licensure and employment outcomes, though emerging challenges among the newest graduates warrant timely institutional response. Results highlight the importance of ongoing curriculum review, strengthened school-to-work transition support, and expanded access to graduate nursing education. Establishing a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Nursing program at MPSU is recommended to promote lifelong learning and career advancement.

Micronutrient deficiencies, also known as “hidden hunger,” remain a pervasive public health issue in low- and middle-income countries, particularly among vulnerable populations within these countries. The main drivers of these deficiencies are poverty, limited dietary diversity, weak nutritional strategies, poor health service delivery and general health access barriers. This review assesses the prevalence, drivers, and consequences of selected micronutrient deficiencies: iron, iodine, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin D, within the scope of undernutrition, food insecurity, and socioeconomic inequity. The consequences associated with these deficiencies include stunted growth, increased susceptibility to illness, poor cognitive and social functioning, and deepened poverty. The primary strategies to address these deficiencies include dietary diversification, supplement provision, biofortification, and the production of fortified foods. Barriers to progress include the high cost of food, weak healthcare infrastructure, low educational levels, and ineffective policy implementation. Integrated food systems, personalised nutrition, and innovative food technologies have the potential to address both nutritional and health inequities. Addressing barriers to safe and nutritious food and healthcare systems in order to address health inequities requires integrated, multisectoral planning and contextual policy. Improving individual health outcomes is crucial, but addressing micronutrient deficiencies has a ripple effect throughout society, enabling economic development through poverty reduction and increased productivity.

This study investigated the anti-obesogenic effects of 3D-printed snacks—developed from indigenous composite inks of cowpea, sorghum, and orange-fleshed sweet potato—in male and female Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Four experimental diets (TD1–TD4) were formulated from snacks using two blend ratios (33.33%:33.33%:33.33%) and 50%:10%:40%) and two processing states (raw and bioprocessed). Following a five-week HFD-induction period, the rats were supplemented for an additional five weeks with diets containing 20% of these snacks, Orlistat, or HFD alone. Physiological assessments included body weight, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum lipids, sex hormones, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, and histological evaluation of cardiac tissue. HFD feeding induced hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Supplementation with the 3D-printed snacks improved glycemic control, with the TD4 (bioprocessed blend; 50:10:40%) restoring glucose levels close to baseline. TD1 and TD2 (raw blends) improved lipid and hormonal profiles in females, whereas TD3 (bioprocessed blend; 33.33%:33.33%:33.33%) significantly reduced triglycerides and elevated HDL in males. Importantly, only TD1 (raw blend; 33.33%:33.33%:33.33%) significantly reduced ACE activity in males, providing a unique cardioprotective mechanism not observed with other snack formulations. Histological analyses revealed inflammatory infiltration and fibroplasia in HFD and Orlistat groups, whereas all 3D-printed snacks preserved normal myocardial architecture without necrosis or fibrosis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that 3D-printed snacks derived from indigenous composite inks improved metabolic dysfunctions associated with diet-induced obesity. The optimal formulation appears application-specific: TD4 for glycemic control, TD3 for lipid management in males, and TD1/TD2 for metabolic improvements in females.

Dietary fibre extracted manually from citrus wastes of orange, white grapefruit, red grapefruit, and lemon was used to fortify doughnuts as a potential solution to non-communicable diseases. Sixteen Wistar albino rats equally divided into four groups were fed the fibre-fortified doughnuts ad libitum for 28 days at 25, 15, and 0% fibre inclusion; and another control group fed standard rat pellets. Nutritional, microbiological, and sensory properties were examined on doughnuts while the rats' weight and biochemical indices were assessed after feeding. Obtained data was statistically analysed using ANOVA and post-hoc tests. Proximate analysis of the doughnuts revealed moisture range (4.06–10.21%), ash (1.87–2.09%), fibre (0.01–0.26%), fat (6.67–35.84%), protein (10.17–16.37%), and carbohydrate (46.81–64.68%) with the significantly (p<0.05) highest crude fibre (0.26%) in 25% sample, showing improvement over regular doughnuts for gut health. Microbiological analysis showed safe TVB counts (7.0×10 3 –8.0×10 4 CFU/g) and the absence of pathogens, supported by low moisture. Sensory assessment rated the fibre-fortified doughnuts in the range of 6–7 on a 9-point hedonic scale, indicating high acceptability. Average rats’ blood glucose ranged 61–79 mg/dL; 18.37–114.80 mg/dL in atherogenic lipid profiles (TC, TG, VLDL-C, and LDL-C) were lowest in 25% fibre group and highest in HDL-C of the range (7.16–19.00 mg/dL), showing the most efficient in lowering blood glucose and atherogenic lipid profiles in the experimental rats compared to the control groups and better performance than the 15% fibre doughnut. Thus, 25% citrus fruit-waste-fibre-fortified doughnuts could be a nutritionally enhanced fast-food option to lower the risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. • Doughnut was fortified with citrus waste dietary fibre (CWDF) at 0, 15, and 25% • CWDF at 25 % lowered blood glucose and atherogenic lipid levels in Wistar rats • Also, 25% fibre was most effective in elevating HDL-C in experimental animals • Thus, a reduced cardiovascular risks in animals and correlatively in humans • Enhanced nutritional value and better appearance of doughnuts