2025

This study examined the impact of production line strategies and operational performance of manufacturing companies in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it assessed the relationships that one-piece flow, standardised work and ergonomic conditions of the production lines have with operational performance of Manufacturing Companies in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprised all the managerial staff of the 48 registered manufacturing firms in Benin City. A total of 144 copies of questionnaire were distributed, retrieved and found usable for the study. Judgemental and convenience sampling procedure was used in administering the copies of questionnaire to selected respondents in Manufacturing Companies in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The data collected through questionnaire administration were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the research models using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique. The study found that there is a positive and significant relationship between one￾piece flow, ergonomic conditions of the production lines and operational performance of manufacturing companies in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria while a positive and non￾significant relationship was found between standardised work and operational performance of Manufacturing Companies in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It was concluded that adopting one-piece flow and a proper production line ergonomics in the xi organisation will create a more productive workforce, enhanced cost effectiveness and increased profitability. The study recommends that manufacturing companies should consider adopting one-piece flow methodologies, promote a continuous and efficient production process, balance the implementation of standardised work, considering task nature, workforce dynamics, and creativity requirements, and prioritise the creation of ergonomic work environments by investing in facilities that optimize the physical and cognitive capabilities of employees. This should be supported by training programs, regular assessments and employee feedback

Background: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of adult disability worldwide, requiring standardized assessment tools to ensure accurate evaluation and effective rehabilitation. Despite their clinical importance, the knowledge and utilization of stroke assessment scales among neurological physiotherapists in Nigeria remains inconsistent. This study sought to address this gap by assessing the knowledge and clinical application of stroke assessment scales among neurological physiotherapist in Benin City, Edo State. Aim: This study evaluated the knowledge and utilization of stroke assessment scales among neurological physiotherapists in Benin City, Edo State. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional survey of 43 licenced neurological physiotherapists was conducted using a validated questionnaire. Data were analysed with SPSS (v27) using descriptive and Chi-square statistics at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Most respondents showed fair knowledge (55.8%) and moderate utilization (46.5%) of stroke assessment scales. A significant association existed between knowledge and utilization (p = 0.010). Gender was found to influence knowledge level although educational qualification and professional cadre showed no significant relationship. Conclusion: Neurological physiotherapists in Benin City possess moderate knowledge and usage of stroke assessment scales, yet a critical gap persists between awareness and practice. Strengthening continuous professional development and institutional support is essential to bridge this gap and foster evidence based standardized stroke rehabilitation

Both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic functions are impacted by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a chronic metabolic disease. Important indicators of pancreatic health, serum lipase and amylase, are frequently changed in type 2 diabetes, but little is known about how anti-diabetic medications affect these enzymes, especially in African populations. In Benin City, Nigeria, this study examined the serum levels of lipase and amylase in T2DM patients taking various antiglycemic medication classes. 50 T2DM patients and 50 age-matched non-diabetic controls were enlisted. Standard enzymatic assays were used to measure the concentrations of serum lipase and amylase, and correlation statistics and one-way ANOVA were used to analyse the data. The mean levels of lipase (67.03 ± 6.96 U/L) and amylase (93.19 ± 4.49 U/L) were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in controls (59.56 ± 4.81 U/L and 39.52 ± 3.19 U/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Although these differences were not statistically significant, variation was seen across antiglycemic drug classes, with patients on metformin plus sulfonylureas having the highest amylase levels and those on DPP-4 inhibitors having the highest lipase levels. Exocrine function gradually declined over time, as evidenced by the significant negative correlation between lipase activity and the length of diabetes (r = –0.347, p = 0.014). While lipase was lower in overweight people, demographic factors like age, sex, and BMI had no discernible impact on amylase. In conclusion, this study shows that T2DM is linked to increased pancreatic enzyme levels, with patterns impacted by the length of the disease and, to a lesser degree, anti- glycemic medication. These results emphasise the value of tracking exocrine pancreatic function in the treatment of diabetes and demand more extensive, long-term, population-based research to elucidate the clinical consequences of these changes.

The determination of fluid viscosity is fundamental to understanding fluid dynamics and various engineering applications. This project focuses on the design and construction of a Poiseuille’s experimental apparatus used to determine the viscosity of water under laminar flow conditions. The apparatus consists of a large elevated reservoir connected to a cast iron chamber that maintains a constant water level, with flow regulated through a clamp valve. Water is discharged through an outlet hose and a fine capillary tube, allowing steady and measurable flow. The flow rate and pressure difference were used to evaluate the viscosity of water, and the obtained results were compared with standard reference values. The constructed apparatus demonstrated good performance and produced viscosity values that closely agreed with theoretical expectations. The success of this work confirms that a locally fabricated Poiseuille’s apparatus can serve as a reliable, low-cost, and effective tool for experimental studies of fluid viscosity in educational and research laboratories.

The rising global prevalence of maternal obesity (MO) poses a significant challenge to antenatal ultrasound imaging, as increased maternal adipose tissue attenuates sound waves, potentially compromising the quality and accuracy of fetal biometric measurements. Despite the acknowledged impact on measurement accuracy, there is a limited understanding of the specific lived experiences and professional practices of the frontline practitioners in Nigeria. This exploratory study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the perceptions, technical challenges, and adaptive practices of radiographers and sonographers when performing obstetric ultrasound examinations on pregnant women with MO in Edo State, Nigeria. A quantitative exploratory study was conducted using structured questionnaires administered to 60 radiographers and sonographers actively performing obstetric scans in various diagnostic centers and hospitals across Edo State. The findings revealed that a majority of participants "sometimes" (46.67%) or "frequently" (38.33%) encounter patients with maternal obesity in their daily practice, confirming this as a routine clinical issue. The study documented their subjective perceptions of poor image quality, specific technical difficulties (such as probe penetration and artifact management), their confidence levels in measurement accuracy, and the diverse strategies and techniques employed to optimize image acquisition. The conclusions underscore the persistent technical and practical challenges faced by sonographers in this region and advocate for the development of tailored scanning protocols and targeted educational programs to better equip practitioners. This will ultimately improve the consistency and quality of antenatal care provided to this vulnerable patient population.

The global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical health crisis, making oncetreatable infections dangerous again. This problem is particularly severe in hospital settings, where the frequent use of antibiotics and the concentration of sick patients create an ideal environment for drug-resistant bacteria to spread. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital-acquired infections in children at a tertiary hospital in Benin City. Using a cross-sectional design, clinical samples from 67 pediatric patients were analyzed for Staphylococcus aureus isolation, susceptibility testing via Kirby-Bauer method, and MRSA detection with cefoxitin. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen (50% of isolates), with 53.1% multidrugresistant and 30.4% MRSA; high resistance noted to erythromycin (70%) and amikacin (73.1%), but full susceptibility to meropenem and piperacillin; male predominance (67.2%) and older adolescents as largest group (33.3%).These findings highlight alarming AMR levels in pediatric HAIs, aligning with SSA trends and underscoring gaps in empirical therapy. Urgent stewardship and surveillance are needed to curb resistance and improve outcomes.

This study investigates crosswalk safety in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, focusing on the perceptions of road users, adequacy of crosswalk infrastructure, compliance with safety measures, and enforcement of pedestrian safety rules. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to three sample groups of students, staff, and drivers in the campus. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and hypotheses was tested with chi-square at 0,05 significance level. The results suggest that comprehensive solutions incorporating improved infrastructure, increased enforcement, and educational campaigns are essential for creating a safer campus environment for all road users. The findings revealed a general negative perception of crosswalk safety, with key concerns around aggressive drivers’ behavior, including over-speeding and mobile phone usage while walking and driving. The research also identifies significant deficiencies in crosswalk signage and markings, with a substantial proportion of respondents reporting poor visibility of crosswalk infrastructure. Whereas, drivers claimed to yield at crosswalks, pedestrians frequently experienced drivers’ non-compliance, highlighting a disparity in perceptions between these groups. Furthermore, the study found a widespread agreement on the need for infrastructural improvements such as better signage and clearer markings. These findings emphasize the need for addressing both infrastructure deficiencies and behavioral issues to improve pedestrian safety. The study contributes to existing knowledge by providing empirical data on crosswalk safety in a university setting, offering valuable insights for future interventions aimed at enhancing pedestrian infrastructure and safety enforcement. This study concluded by providing important insights regarding crosswalk safety in Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin, emphasising critical concerns related to pedestrian and driver conduct, along with infrastructural deficiencies. It recommended that all existing crosswalk signage should be repainted using reflective and durable thermoplastic materials to improve visibility, particularly at night and the University’s Security Department, along with local traffic authorities, should enforce pedestrian laws to ensure compliance by both pedestrians and drivers.

The liver is crucial for metabolism, detoxification, and homeostasis, making its functional status vital for physiological health. This study investigated the liver function status of Wistar rats after they were administered an extract of Emilia praetermissa leaf, a medicinal plant traditionally used for its antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular activity. Nine Wistar rats were divided into control and experimental groups, with the latter receiving varying doses of the Emilia praetermissa leaf extract over a defined period. Liver function markers, specifically total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and bilirubin levels (including total bilirubin (T.BIL) and direct bilirubin (D.BIL)) were assessed to evaluate liver functionality. The toxicity of the leaf extract was also studied in the rats, and no toxicity was observed. The results showed dose-related changes in liver function parameters of rats treated with Emilia praetermissa local gin and aqueous extracts. Total protein and albumin levels were highest in Group 2 and Group 4 respectively, while ALT and AST levels were markedly elevated in Group 2, suggesting possible liver stress. Bilirubin levels showed mild increases in Groups 4 and 7, and ALP activity peaked in Group 6. Overall, the variations indicate that the treatments caused biochemical alterations in liver function, suggesting potential hepatic effects that warrant further investigation. These findings offer insight into the potential therapeutic or toxicological effects of Emilia praetermissa on liver health, contributing to its pharmacological evaluation for safe medicinal use.

A company, though a legal fiction, operates through the actions and decisions of it’s shareholders and directors. The provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 envisage democratic and inclusive processes that reflect on the interests of all shareholders in practice, the principle that “the majority have their way and the minority shareholders. Unarguably, it is a commonplace to see actions of majority shareholders that contradict the Act or Articles, which in result could be detrimental to the interest of the minority shareholder. Such an illegal impedes good corporate governance and could have a company destabilized. Given the wanton injustice suffered by the latter, the letters of CAMA, though, attempts to provide safeguards in exceptional cases, the discretionary power of the court and the procedural hurdles in initiating derivative actions may deter or deny minority shareholders adequate protection. The study adopts the doctrine methodology of research. This research critically evaluates the effectiveness of minority protection mechanisms in Nigeria and identifies the legal and institutional loopholes that allow collusion between majority shareholders and company directors. Drawing from comparative corporate law regimes in other jurisdictions, the study recommends reforms aimed at establishing a robust legal, institutional, and third-party framework that better secures the rights and interests of minority shareholders.

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy from a hotter system to a cooler system through conduction, convection and radiation. Biomass smoke, produced from the combustion of wood, charcoal, crop residues, and animal dung, is a complex mixture of harmful pollutants including fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), is a traditional and popular vegetable in many parts of the world regularly consumed as part of the normal diet, either fresh or after processing for its nutritional benefits. This study aims to investigate the histopathological and hematological protective effects of beetroot extract in heat and biomass smoke-induced pulmonary damage in Wistar Rats. Forty-nine (49) adult female rats were divided into seven groups (n=7), including control, heat-only, smoke-only, smoke + heat, heat + beetroot, smoke + beetroot and heat + treasmoke + treatment. The hematological results indicate that exposure to smoke alone caused a significant reduction in total white blood cell count, while other groups showed no such decline. Red blood cell and hemoglobin levels dropped notably in rats exposed to smoke and combined heat and smoke, but these values improved with beetroot pretreatment. Most red cell and platelet indices remained unchanged, though MPV and PLCR increased in the heat-only group and were normalized by beetroot extract. Overall, beetroot treatment effectively mitigated hematological disruptions induced by heat and smoke exposure. Histologically, Vascular and bronchiolar ulceration and interstitial inflammation were seen in the lung tissue of the smoke only, heat only and smoke + treatment respectively. Animals in the beetroot treated groups had normal alveoli, bronchiolar dilation and bronchiolar ulceration (heat + beetroot, smoke + beetroot and heat + smoke + beetroot respectively. Beetroot treatment markedly restored WBC, RBC, HGB, and HCT levels and normalized platelet indices, demonstrating its hematoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. These protective actions are attributed to beetroot’s rich composition of betalains, polyphenols, flavonoids, and dietary nitrates, which enhance nitric oxide bioavailability, scavenge reactive oxygen species, and suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines. Beetroot extract therefore shows promise as a natural, affordable antioxidant remedy against heat and biomass smoke-induced hematological toxicity.