University of Ilorin

Tropical herbs are rich in bioactive phytochemicals with untapped cosmeceutical potential. Constituents such as flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolics provide antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and rejuvenating effects. These structures enable free radical scavenging, UV protection, collagen stabilization, and modulation of inflammation, supporting uses in hair growth, skin lightening, nail strengthening, and odor control. Evidence spans in vitro assays (coffeeberry, tea tree, garlic), in vivo studies (calendula, bergamot, ginseng), and clinical trials (soy, aloe, rosehip) showing benefits in wound healing, hydration, tone, and acne reduction. Yet, most tropical herbs lack standardized formulations, toxicity profiling, and large-scale validation. Systematic exploration and commercialization could foster innovation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development in the global cosmeceutical industry.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as versatile materials for wastewater treatment owing to their high surface area, tunable porosity, and multifunctional active sites. However, the instability of pristine MOFs in aqueous environments and the leaching of metal or ligand species remain critical barriers to their practical application. This review focuses on advanced hybrid MOF composites designed for the removal of organic dyes and heavy metal ions, highlighting their structural features, removal mechanisms, and performance. The focus is made on the recent developments in composite design and functionalization approaches that improve water stability and reusability. The article also examines isotherm and kinetic models, as well as adsorption mechanisms, that govern MOF performance. Special focus is placed on the degradation processes of MOFs in water and the effects that can be reduced by hybridisation. Integrating the state-of-the-art results, this review presents a critical framework that connects synthesis, structure, performance, and reusability, providing guidelines for the rational construction of robust MOF-based adsorbents and photocatalysts to showcase an integrated approach to wastewater remediation. • Recent advances in MOF-based composites in wastewater treatment were reviewed. • MOFs and MOF-based composites design methods were summarized. • MOF-based composites are powerful adsorbents for dyes and metal ions removal. • Possible interaction mechanisms were summarized. • MOF-based composites are cost-effective with recycling and reuse potential. • The challenges and recommendations for future research hotspots were proposed.

The increasing rate of school dropout among secondary school students in Kwara State has become a critical concern, impacting educational outcomes and future opportunities for students. This study investigated factors responsible for dropout as perceived by secondary school students in Kwara State. The population of this study comprised all secondary school students in Kwara state while a sample size of 200 respondents was used in the study. A questionnaire entitled “Factors Responsible for Drop-Out Questionnaire (FRDQ) was used to collect data for the study. Mean and rank order analysis was used to answer the research question while the null hypotheses formulated were tested using t-test and ANOVA at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that low parental income; lack of interest in schooling; and high cost of education are the main perceived factors responsible for school dropout. The study further revealed that there was no significant difference in the factors responsible for dropout as perceived by secondary school students in Kwara state based on gender and school type but a significant difference was found based on age and religion.

Cancer continues to be a significant global health liability characterized by high mortality rates and substantial treatment costs. The limitations of the existing therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, have led to the search for alternatives. This review categorizes the bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, including quinones, polyphenols, triterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins, and examines their antineoplastic effects. Plant bioactives exert anticancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including the inhibition of angiogenesis, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest, mediated by complex cellular signaling pathways. Therefore, exploring additional plant-based bioactives and their respective mechanisms of action is essential. This review highlights several medicinal plants with anticancer properties, including Artemisia annua , Coptis chinensis , and Curcuma longa . Many of these active compounds are currently in clinical use, such as paclitaxel, vinblastine, and topotecan. Biomarkers play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cancer, with key examples discussed, including the BRAF V600E mutation, the EGFR gene, and BRCA1/BRCA2 genes . Despite advancements in cancer treatment, medicinal plants continue to offer promising alternatives, emphasizing the need for further exploration for the development of antineoplastic drugs.

Abstract Background Cypermethrin, a Type II pyrethroid insecticide, has been linked to neurotoxicity. However, its effects on the corpus callosum, the brain's largest white matter tract essential for interhemispheric communication, remain poorly understood, particularly regarding sex-dependent vulnerability. This study examined sex-dependent effects of cypermethrin on the corpus callosum of Wistar rats, focusing on white matter integrity, glial populations, GABAergic interneurons, and apoptotic profiles. Methods Sixty adult Wistar rats (30 male, 30 female) were randomly allocated into six groups: male and female controls (corn oil), low-dose cypermethrin (6.25 mg/kg), and high-dose cypermethrin (12.5 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Behavioral assessment utilized the hole-board test. Biochemical analysis measured brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and total protein. Immunohistochemical markers (GFAP, IBA-1, parvalbumin, cleaved caspase-3) and H&E staining were evaluated in the corpus callosum. Results Cypermethrin induced sex-dependent behavioral changes: males showed increased rearing frequency while females showed decreased rearing. BDNF concentrations significantly decreased in low-dose males (p = 0.0079) and females (p = 0.0039), with partial recovery in high-dose females. GFAP-positive astrocyte density decreased in exposed males but increased in low-dose females (p = 0.024). IBA-1-positive microglia decreased significantly in both sexes, particularly in low-dose groups (males: p = 0.0001; females: p = 0.0075). Parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneuron density decreased in low-dose males (p = 0.029) and both female groups. Cleaved caspase-3 expression increased in all treated groups, with high-dose males most affected (p < 0.0001). H&E staining revealed dose-dependent cellular density reductions, greatest in high-dose males (p = 0.0001). Conclusion Cypermethrin induced sex-dependent white matter neurotoxicity, with males showing greater susceptibility than females.

Background: Antibiotics are vital in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections. However, prescribing practices often deviate from established guidelines with prolonged durations of surgical prophylaxis, redundant antibiotic combinations, and a significant reliance on broad-spectrum agents. This study seeks to determine the antibiotic prescribing practices in our teaching hospital. Methods This was a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study of adult patients admitted into the ICU of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. The study participants were critically ill patients between the ages of 6 months - 65 years who were admitted into the ICU. With the aid of a questionnaire, information such as age, sex, diagnosis, antibiotic prescription and regularity of administration, use of microbiological investigations and outcome of ICU care were extracted from the patients’ hospital files and recorded. Data from this study were summarized expressed as means, standard deviation, frequencies or proportions of the total. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 128 ICU patients were enrolled into the study. One hundred and twenty four (96.88%) patients were prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotic prescription was for prophylactic reasons in 56 (45.16%) patients and therapeutic reasons in 68 (54.84%) patients. All antibiotic prescriptions were empirical. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was ceftriaxone. The most frequently prescribed combination of antibiotics was Ceftriaxone/Metronidazole. There was no statistically significant difference in gender (0.7651) and age (p = 0.0775) between those who survived to ICU discharge and those who died. Prophylactic antibiotic prescription was associated with survival to ICU discharge compared to therapeutic prescription (p = 0.0018). Conclusion Ceftriaxone was the primary empirical ICU antibiotic therapy employed while metronidazole is strategically used for anaerobic coverage. Critical care physicians favoured empirical therapy to the detriment of targeted therapy in this study.

The quest for sustainable energy systems that function in severe settings has generated interest in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) utilizing radiation-resistant bacteria. These extremophiles, such as Deinococcus radiodurans, Thermococcus gammatolerans, and Rubrobacter radiotolerans, exhibit remarkable DNA repair systems, antioxidative defenses, and protein-protection mechanisms that facilitate prolonged metabolic activity in the presence of strong ionizing radiation. This review aims to critically assess recent advances in electrode nanomaterials, biofilm engineering, and system optimization approaches to improve microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. In contrast to traditional electrogens like Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens, which quickly deteriorate under radiation stress, these organisms preserve their extracellular electron transfer (EET) capability and biofilm integrity in adverse conditions. Their incorporation into MFCs broadens prospective uses in space exploration, radioactive waste treatment, deep subterranean bioenergy extraction, and autonomous environmental surveillance. In interplanetary environments, radiation-resistant microbial fuel cells could supply continuous electricity for life-support systems and instruments in scenarios where solar energy is inconsistent. In nuclear reactors and polluted locations, they could concurrently immobilize radionuclides and produce power for distant sensors. Deep systems may utilize native extremophiles to facilitate seismic and hydrogeological monitoring, whilst autonomous biosensors could function in disaster areas for prolonged environmental surveillance. By integrating extremophile resilience with MFC adaptability, these systems provide a self-sustaining, low-maintenance power source that operates effectively in environments where traditional bio-electrochemical technologies are ineffective. The review examines microbial adaptations to radiation, material degradation in radioactive conditions, electron transport pathways, and the contribution of extremophiles to the enhancement of MFC performance. Utilizing these creatures for energy production signifies a new frontier in bioenergy research, with considerable ramifications for planetary science, nuclear safety, and sustainable infrastructure in harsh conditions.

This study examined the nexus between e-tax system adoption and tax compliance through the mediating and moderating role of taxpayer satisfaction and taxpayer system competence in the post Covid-19 pandemic era in Nigeria. A quantitative method of analysis was employed through an adapted questionnaire which was distributed to 480 taxpayers, asking about their thoughts on e-tax system adoption regarding compliance costs, security, quality of service, and time spent filing returns.[1] The findings reveal a significant and positive relationship between each element of hypothesis one (H1a-d) and tax compliance. Hypotheses 2b, 2c, and 2d also showed significant positive relationships with taxpayer satisfaction. However, cost as an e-tax system adoption factor did not significantly affect taxpayer satisfaction (H2a: β = -0.051, t = 0.153, p = > 0.010). Conversely, H3 revealed a substantial and positive correlation between e-tax system competency and tax compliance (β = 0.042, t = 5.606, p = < 0.05). The indirect effect of taxpayer satisfaction on the link between e-tax system adoption influencers and tax compliance was also found to be significant, while social media did not significantly moderate the SAT-SMP path to a positive level (H4a-d: β = 0.078, t = 0.564, p > 0.05). By providing useful information on taxpayer satisfaction and e-tax system competence, the study offers new insights into the factors influencing e-tax adoption and compliance in a developing country. This information can be used to inform policy and practice in Nigeria.

Ship maneuverability remains a cornerstone of maritime safety and operational efficiency, particularly under the influence of environmental stressors such as wind and ocean currents. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of how these forces, individually and in combination, impact vessel handling across diverse operational contexts, with focused case studies from Nigerian ports: Lagos (Apapa), Bonny River, and Calabar. Utilizing a mixed- methods approach, including literature synthesis, incident analysis, expert survey (n=59), and theoretical modelling, the research identifies critical vulnerabilities in current navigational practices and evaluates the efficacy of technological and operational countermeasures. Findings reveal that crosswinds exceeding 25knots and tidal currents above 3knots significantly compromise lateral control, especially for vessels with high windage areas (e.g., container ships) or deep drafts (e.g., tankers). The compounding effect of simultaneous wind and current forces increases navigational risk by up to 70% in confined channels. While tug assistance and pilot expertise remain highly effective (rated 4.7/5), adoption of advanced technologies like Dynamic Positioning Systems (DPS) remains low (12% of surveyed vessels). Real-time environmental data integration is inconsistently available (41%), and simulation- based training is underutilized (29%). The study proposes a three-pillar framework for improvement: (i) Enhanced crew training using scenario-based simulators, (ii) Strategic deployment of DPS and AI-enhanced predictive routing tools, and (iii) Infrastructure and policy upgrades in high-risk ports. Recommendations include standardized “green window” scheduling during slack tides, mandatory environmental briefings pre-berthing, and regulatory incentives for DPS adoption. This research contributes actionable, regionally contextualized insights to bridge the gap between theoretical hydrodynamics and real-world ship handling, supporting global efforts to enhance maritime resilience in an era of climate volatility and increasing vessel scale.