Oduduwa University

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) declines with age, motivating "NAD⁺-boosting" strategies ranging from lifestyle interventions to supplementation with NAD⁺ precursors (e.g., nicotinamide riboside [NR], nicotinamide mononucleotide [NMN]) and, in some wellness settings, parenteral NAD⁺ administration. We conducted a PRISMA-guided systematic review of peer-reviewed human and rodent intervention studies (January 2010-October 2025) evaluating NAD-related compounds administered orally or parenterally. We identified 113 eligible studies: 33 human intervention studies (28 randomized; 5 nonrandomized) and 80 rodent studies. In rodent models, NAD⁺ augmentation was frequently associated with improvements in metabolic, mitochondrial, inflammatory, and functional outcomes, although effects varied across models and endpoints. In humans, oral NR and NMN consistently demonstrated biochemical target engagement (circulating (plasma/whole blood) or cellular (e.g., PBMC) NAD-related metabolites) and were generally well tolerated over weeks to months; however, effects on functional, metabolic, vascular, and other healthspan-relevant outcomes were heterogeneous and often null or endpoint-specific. No eligible outcomes trials evaluated intravenous or intramuscular NAD⁺ itself for anti-aging or wellness indications. One nonrandomized intravenous NMN study met inclusion criteria and primarily contributed short-term safety and biomarker information. An intravenous NAD⁺ pharmacokinetic pilot lacking eligible clinical outcomes was identified as contextual evidence only. Overall, NAD⁺ augmentation shows clear biological activity, but clinical effectiveness for anti-aging or wellness outcomes remains inconclusive. Larger, well-designed randomized trials with longer follow-up and prespecified clinically meaningful endpoints are needed, particularly for parenteral approaches.

Malaria, a serious disease that can be fatal if left untreated, is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Malaria poses a significant life threat due to growing parasite resistance to drugs and the prohibitive cost of treatment, particularly in high-prevalence African countries. The prospect offered by the exploration of botanicals as alternatives necessitated this study to examine the antimalarial activities of the n-hexane fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis (HFSF) and its butanol fraction (BFSF) on Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Swiss mice of both genders were infused with a chloroquine-sensitive P. berghei (NK-65) strain intraperitoneally. Antimalarial activity (in vivo) of S. filicaulis fractions was evaluated against early and established infection employing 4-day suppressive and curative antimalarial models at 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg dose levels respectively. Rectal temperature (RT), packed cell volume (PCV), body weight (BW), parasitemia level and mean survival time (MST) were variables determined. Findings herein demonstrated marked prevention of BW, RT, and PCV reduction at the treated doses relative to the untreated controls. Moreover, both fractions significantly suppressed parasitemia dose-dependently. The highest antimalarial chemosuppression was demonstrated by the HFSF producing 60.59%, 69.29% and 71.17% inhibition in the 4-day suppression and the BFSF yielded 45.44%, 43.96% and 47.97% chemosuppression in the curative, at the treated doses respectively. Similarly, the fractions delayed the mean survival duration of treated infected mice relative to the untreated group. Therefore, the results herein suggest that both fractions demonstrate dose-dependent and statistically significant suppression of parasitemia and improved clinical parameters in mice infected with P.berghei against murine malaria.

In this research, thermo-physical properties of different sizes of particulate materials for optoelectronic devices applications were investigated. Five different wood species of the family of Sterculiaceae, Moraceae, and Ulmaceae were used in the study. The wood materials were pulverised into particles using a pulverizing machine and were sieved into different maximum particle sizes; 106 μm, 300 μm, 425 μm, 850 μm and 1180 μm with appropriate mesh. The wood samples were oven-dried at 50°C for 30 minutes to avoid redistribution of moisture under the influence of temperature. The basic apparatus that was used to determine the thermal properties was a Differential Thermal Analyser. The result of the thermal conductivity ranged from 0.0100 to 0.0492 Wm-1 K-1. It was observed from the result that thermal conductivity of wood materials is dependent of particle sizes. This indicates that the performance of the material could be influenced by particle size. It has also been noted from the results obtained that almost all the samples considered at some sizes have their thermal conductivity similar to that of polystyrene whose potency in optoelectronics devices has been confirmed.

Nigeria's telecommunication sector is strongly impacted by customer satisfaction and more so the sector is a competitive landscape where companies are vying to maintain their market share, ensure consumer satisfaction, and cultivate enduring service quality. Service quality is a major factor in determining customer satisfaction, especially regarding mobile service offerings, network reliability, data speed, and coverage. Therefore, this study examined the service quality and customer satisfaction of selected telecommunication firms in Nigeria. The study employed quantitative methods and survey research while the population for the study consisted of ninety-four service team members selected from three (3) telecommunication firms with the largest number of subscribers in Nigeria. The study concluded that service quality affects customer satisfaction of selected telecommunication firms in Nigeria. It was recommended that firms should place more effort into improving the quality of products and services to improve customer satisfaction and help reduce customer attrition.

Corneal ulcer is one of the most important ophthalmic emergencies. A portable, recordable, and smartphone-attachable slit-lamp device called the “Smart Eye Camera” (SEC) is introduced to compare evaluating corneal ulcers between the SEC and the conventional slit-lamp. A total of 110 participants were included in the study, consisting of 55 patients with corneal ulcers and 55 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers as controls. The participants were first subjected to examination by a conventional slit lamp. The video recording with SEC and imaging with a slit lamp were done by a non-medical person. Both SEC videos and slit-lamp photos were reported by two independent ophthalmologists and compared with a slit-lamp examination as a gold standard. The average age of the study participants was 48.85 ± 20.45 years and 68 participants (61.8%) were male. All corneal ulcers were detected by two ophthalmologists using SEC. Ulcer size evaluated in slit lamp and SEC horizontally (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC); 0.90, 95% CI; 0.84–0.94) and vertically (ICC; 0.90, 95% CI; 0.84–0.94) is correlated about 90%. Hypopyon size (ICC; 0.95, 95% CI; 0.92–0.97), and corneal epithelial defect (CED) size horizontally (ICC; 0.94, 95% CI; 0.91–0.96) and vertically (ICC; 0.94, 95% CI; 0.91–0.96) also correlated about 94%. The infiltration pattern evaluated by SEC was consistent with the pattern evaluated in slit lamps in more than 80% of patients. The SEC is so accurate in diagnosing corneal ulcers and its reliability makes it a valuable telemedicine device.

This study looks into how Nigeria's oil and gas and maritime industries are affected by laws against cabotage and local content, with particular attention to employment rates, investment trends, technological developments, and communication. The study adopts the quantitative survey methodology. The target population comprises 358 oil and gas and maritime industries’ employees. Stratified random sampling was adopted to size the population into strata. Data was collected through a closed-ended structured questionnaire. The study used the primary and secondary data sources. The study examines the effects of local content and cabotage regulations in the two sectors, evaluating theories about employment rates, innovation, and investment trends. The result showed that there was a positive and significant effect of investment trend and innovation on cabotage law in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria (t-statistics (43.312) > critical value (0.000). Also, the study revealed that there was a positive and significant effect of investment trends and innovation on local content law in the oil and gas and maritime industry in Nigeria (t-statistics (48.491) > critical value (0.000). The findings show a strong positive correlation between compliance with these regulations and investment patterns. Turning barriers/obstacles into opportunities has proven to need effective innovation. The study recommends that policy improvement, improved innovative capacity, industry cooperation, monitoring, and enforcement will help improve compliance with the regulations and enhance investment patterns/innovation.

The energy drink should not be confused with an energizing drink because the latter is intended to give a boost of energy to its consumer by using a mixture of stimulating ingredients not intended for an athlete, namely, among others, caffeine, taurine and sugar. These stimulants induce a feeling of euphoria or/and a sense of arousal, they accelerate the heart rate and increase the respiratory rate and blood pressure. Our work is aimed to study the physico-chemical characteristics of these energy drinks and their toxicities such as: determination of pH total hardness, hydrotimetrictitle (TH); titratable acidity, sugar and protein levels; calcium; zinc; and heavy metal assays also performed such as: Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead, Mercury. We found that some energy drinks studied include an increase in caffeine content that exceeds the threshold limits recommended 300mg per day, as well as sugar and their pH which is acidic and the presence of traces of heavy metals such as Zinc and Mercury. This study poses some legitimate questions about the negative effect of the consumption of these so-called energizing drinks in high doses and without moderation for the body and their toxicities, especially for populations at risk (athletes, pregnant women, adolescents). Despite the legality of marketing these so-called energy drinks worldwide, scientists in several bulletins recommend caution and moderation in the overdose consumption of these energy drinks and point their fingers at the negative impact on human health.

SummaryMRI technology has profoundly transformed current healthcare and research systems globally. The rapidly growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Africa has underscored the importance of improving access to MRI equipment as well as training and research opportunities on the continent. The Consortium for Advancement of MRI Education & Research in Africa (CAMERA) is a network of African experts, global partners, and ISMRM/ESMRMB members implementing novel strategies to advance MRI access and research in Africa. To identify challenges to MRI usage and provide a framework for addressing MRI needs in the region, CAMERA conducted a Needs Assessment Survey (NAS) and a series of symposia at international MRI society meetings over a 2-year period. The 68-question NAS was distributed to MRI users in Africa and completed by 157 clinicians and scientists from across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). On average, the number of MRI scanners per million people remained at <1, of which, 39% were obsolete low-field systems yet still in use to meet clinical needs. The feasibility of coupling stable energy supplies from various sources has contributed to the growing number of higher-field (1.5T) MRI scanners in the region. However, these systems are underutilized with only 8% of facilities reporting clinical scans of 15 or more patients daily per scanner. The most frequently reported MRI scans were neurological and musculoskeletal. Our NAS combined with the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency data provides the most up-to-date data on MRI density in Africa and offers unique insight into Africa’s MRI needs. Reported gaps in training, maintenance, and research capacity indicate ongoing challenges in providing sustainable high-value MRI access in SSA. Findings from the NAS and focused discussions at ISMRM and ESMRMB provided the basis for the framework presented here for advancing MRI capacity in SSA.Graphical AbstractAfrica has a massive population with few infrastructural resources and an untapped potential to effect transformative change in healthcare. To advance MRI access across all African countries and meet the sustainable development goals of improving health and wellbeing in low-resource settings over the next decade, the MRI community is called to partner with CAMERA to create enabling clinical and research MRI environments that will utilize the rich intellectual resources in Africa to realize lasting and equitable MRI for all Africans and the world at large.

The physicochemical properties of the seed and fatty acid profile of the seed oil of Caesalpinia bonducella were analyzed in this study, using standard methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The proximate composition was found as follows: Moisture (3.24%), crude fat (41.76%), crude protein (28.63%), crude fibre (4.35%), ash content (2.94%) and carbohydrate (19.08%). The total unsaturated fatty acids (57.36%) was more abundant than the total saturated ones (42.68%). The seed oil had a high level of linoleic acid (28.15%), followed by oleic (18.41%), stearic (13.83%) and palmitic (13.56%). Other fatty acids had less than 10% each. There was a high level of unsaturation (57.36%) with oleic and linoleic acids dominating all other fatty acids with a total of 46.56%. The percentage of essential fatty acids (linoleic & linolenic acids) (32.96%) was also high at about â…“ of the total oil content. The total poly-unsaturated fatty acids (36.99%) was higher than those of mono-unsaturated (20.37%). The high level of poly-unsaturated fatty acids in the oil sample is an advantage as these are essential components of the diet of man. The good total unsaturated/saturated (or P/S) ratio of the oil, (i.e.1.344), makes it to be very nutritionally useful if adopted for domestic purposes. Â