FACULTY LIFE SCIENCE

Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in the brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. Caffeine is naturally found in the leaves and fruits of some plants. It is in coffee, black and green tea, cocoa, cola soft drinks and energy drinks. Blinking has been described to occur voluntarily, reflexively or spontaneously. Caffeine is a known stimulant that affects nervous system and probably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance is claimed to have conflicting effects on blink rate and blinking plays a critical role in the health of the eye. This research has assess the influence of caffeinated coffee consumption with blink rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of caffeine intake(coffee) on blink rate.The blink rate was measured on a sample of 85 participants in the university of Benin Optometry teaching clinic.The measurements for the test per participants were obtained and afterwards the means were applied in analysis of the result. Mean baseline was 17.38 and the mean blink rates after caffeine consumption was 15.04, 13.91, 12.42, and 16.69 for 15, 30, 45 and 65 minutes respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction in the blink rate of participants after the consumption of caffeine (p < 0.05). It was concluded that caffeine reduces blink rate in adults and excessive intake of caffeine should be avoided since caffeine intake could cause improper functioning of the eye. Keywords: Caffeine, blink rates, Nervous system, coffee

The issue of water pollution by nanometals in aquatic bodies has become of increasing concern since the rapid development of metal nanoparticles (NPs). Despite the usage of these nanoparticles, they also have negative impacts on fish. This study sought to assess the acute combined effect of Aluminium and Zinc Oxide nanoparticles on Superoxide Dismutase and Malondialdehyde activities of x catfish (Clarias garienpinus) embryo/lavae The Organization for Economic Development (OECD) Fish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test (OECD 236) was employed. Superoxide Dismutase and Malondialdehyde activities were assessed using standard procedures. Fertilized embryos were exposed to different concentrations of Aluminium and Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (0, 0.5, 1, 10 μg/L) for 48 h. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) dose-dependent decrease in MDA and SOD activities in fish embryo/larvae, indicating that nanoparticles-induced a significant reduction in MDA and SOD activities. The findings suggest that Aluminium Oxide and Zinc Oxide nanoparticles could potentially impact the MDA and SOD activities of fish which could invariably affect the survival of aquatic life, especially catfish'

External eye infections occur when harmful microorganisms invade the eyes thereby inflicting harm. Infection in the eyes occurs in three main parts: eyelid, cornea and conjunctiva. The study was carried out to assess bacterial associated with ocular infections. A questionnaire was used to obtain participants demographics and basic general information related to the work. Thereafter samples from 50 healthy students in university of Benin was obtained from the lower cul-de-sac by using a sterile swap stick. Within 4-6 hours of collection, the samples were transported under aseptic condition to the laboratory for analysis. On MacConkey agar, nutrient agar, and mannitol salt agar, the samples were inoculated. The microbes isolated were determined using typical microbial and biological procedures. Antimicrobial test was carried out to ascertain the sensitivity or resistant status of each isolate. The commonest flora isolated was Escherichia Coli in 96% of participants. The total mean CFU for males and females was 3.145 and 2.660 respectively (p=0.519). There was a significant relationship between history of contact lens use with prevalence of Escherichia Coli (p=0.009), also a significant relationship between history of contact lens use with percentage of occurrence of Pseudomonas aeuriginosa (p=<0.001). There was also a relationship between history of visit to clinic and percentage occurrence of Pseudomonas aeuriginosa (p=0.010) and history of visit to clinic with percentage occurrence of Escherichia Coli (0.023) and also a significant relationship was seen between the listed names of the eyedrop with percentage of occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus (p=0.054). This study showed that lifestyles factors such as contact lens use and eye drop use can affect the normal flora of a person.

Food fraud is currently a persistent global problem with advancing technology and no food commodity is left out as in the case of palm oil. The aim of this research is to ascertain the toxicological effects of Sudan III and Sudan IV azo dye in palm oil on liver enzyme and non enzyme markers of rats. The experiment lasted for a total of 3 weeks. The first week was for acclimatization, 2 weeks for Sudan III & IV administration (everyday). The total of 48 male albino rats were used for this study and they all had equal rations of food and water. They were grouped into eight (8) categories for the study, each group having eight (6) animals. The results for Body Weight at week 0 showed a statistically significant difference across the different groups (p < 0.05). The analysis of liver enzyme markers revealed significant differences in glutathione peroxidase levels across groups. However, there was no significant differences between any specific groups, possibly due to the small sample sizes (N = 3). On the other hand, the results for malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the liver, showed that the "SUDAN III 50 mg" group had a significantly higher mean value compared to all other groups. This finding suggests that exposure to the highest dose of Sudan III dye (50 mg) may lead to increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the liver of rats. These findings highlight the importance of strict regulations and monitoring to prevent the illegal use of such dyes in food products and to protect public health.

Ruderals are plants that have capacity to strive and grow in disturbed and polluted environment such as roadsides. Eleusine indica is an example of a ruderal found along the roadside. It is very widely distributed and very invasive weed. It has shown to have ability to withstand pollution created by vehicles. Automobiles usage in cities has greatly increase with development and urbanization. These pollutions include air pollutants such as NOx, SO2, O3and particulate matters like Pb, Hg and other heavy metals. The experiments were carried out to investigate the impact of these aggravated pollution as a result increase in traffic in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. In carrying out the experiment samples were collected along the major roads in Benin city. Ten sites were selected and these were Aduwawa market road sides, Auchi bypass roadside, Agbor road market roadside, Asaba bypass roadside, S and T Barracks market roadside, Lagos bypass roadside, Santana market roadside, Sapele bypass road, Ekenwan bypass roadside, Okhokhugbo market roadside. The comparative analysis between the sizes, numbers and structure of the stomata and epidermal cells of Eleusine indica found in polluted environment (roadsides) and less or zero polluted environment (farmland) was carried out. It was observed that an increase in the number of stomatal in the adaxial layer of the leave at sample site as against the control whereas in the abaxial layer of the cell there was a decrease in the number of stomata as compared to the control. The size of the guard cells diameter of the epidermal cells and thickness of the stomata found at both the lower and upper layers of the polluted samples decreased in relation to the samples from the less polluted environment. The anatomical modification of the epidermal cells are the potentials used by the Eleusine indica for extraction of pollution from automobile, improving the capacity for phytoremediation.

Five (05) marble samples were obtained from Ubo and Ikpeshi areas Southwest Nigeria with the aim of identifying the chemical composition, mineralogical characteristics, and geological origin of the marble. The samples were subjected to X-ray Diffraction and X-ray Fluorescence analysis. Findings revealed the presence of Calcite (1.6-65%), Quartz (14.1- 44.0%), Muscovite (3.0-37%), Orthoclase (2-30%), Anorthite and Anthophyllite with modal abundance of 8% and 18% at UB1 and UB2, respectively. The result from geochemical analysis reveals the presence of SiO2 (3.91- 47.3wt.%), Al2O3(2.61-8.20wt.%), Fe2O3 (0.17- 7.04wt.%), CaO (31.4-88.8wt.%) and MgO, MnO, K2O, P2O2 having <1wt.%. The low values of the total alkali content in the marble samples from the two sites suggest that the environment of deposition of the original carbonate material that underwent metamorphosis to become marbles from both sites must have been that of a shallow, highly saline environment. The marble deposits are not good raw materials for cement production due to its relatively low value of silica and alumina. However, they are suitable for pesticide production and soil liming. Further geochemical analysis can be achieved to determine their trace elements constituents.

A branching, annual plant with lance-shaped green leaves that grows to a height of 60 to 70 cm, Andrographis paniculata is an example of this (Mishra et al, 2007).( Kabeeruddin & Kitabul,1937) wrote in their journal that in Asian nations including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Java, Malaysia, and Indonesia are among those where it thrives frugally. The name Kalmegh is the most popular one in India. One of the widely employed medicinal herbs in the country, and it may be found in the plains. Additionally, the plant is referred to as the “king of bitters”( Kabeeruddin & Kitabul,1937; Shahid, 2011). Since the entire plant, including the leaves, has a very bitter flavor. It has a long history of medicinal use In conventional Chinese, Indian, and Ayurvedic medicine, as well as Western medicine

The Niger Delta region, located in the Atlantic coast of southern Nigeria is an area covering about 70000km2 (27000 square miles). More than 25% of Nigeria’s population inhabit this region profoundly rich in petroleum resources- crude oil, natural gas, asphalt and tar. Exploration and exploitation of these petroleum resources have downgraded the diversified environment of the region whose consequence is pollution due to 4200 oil spillages and 250 gas flaring sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of petroleum exploration and exploitation induced air, soil and water pollution on the eyes of the inhabitants of the
Ogbite community in Rivers state of the region. This research is a cross sectional investigative study which investigated petroleum explorative and exploitational processes producing hazardous chemicals induced oculovisual perturbations. With a sample size of 115 respondents, data collected were subjected to statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 to highlight compromises of the oculovisual tissues of the Ogbite community. Descriptive statistics were presented in the form of pie chart tables, bar charts and graphs. The relationship between petroleum pollution and consequences on the eye were explored using Pearson’s chi-square test and statistical relevance of P<0.05. The findings indicated huge external adnexia perturbations, indicating compromise of the oculovisual tissues of the people of Ogbite Community which included visual perceptual description, external
examinations, internal examination, signs and symptoms presented and environmental impact assessment of water and soil. Visual acuity at distance showed 54 (47%) + 2.836 from 6/24 to no light perception while 61 (53%) + 2.901 had visual acuity of 6/5 to 6/18. For near v.a N5- N10 had 61(53%) and N12-N24 had 19 (16.5%) and 28(24.35%). were uncooperative Visual
perceptual description showed: blur vision 48 respondents (41.74%) + 2.121, cloudy/hazy vision 15 (12.18%) + 0.726 and 50 (43.37%) + 2.025 had normal vision. External examinations had pterygium 20(17.4%) + 2.121 red eyes/ redness 16(13.90%) + 1.41. The total number of respondent with external problems were 60(52.17%) which included penguecula, conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer and chalazion. Internal examination indicated cloudy/opaque media 19(16.52%)+2.038, age related macular degeneration 19(16.52%) +2.038. Signs and symptoms presented include: tearing 35(30.43%) + 2.076, foreign body sensation 30 (26.09%) + 2.037, pain 30(26.09% + 2.037), itching 25 (21.74%) + 0.707 and headache 19 (16.52%) + 0.508. For water samples, RV1 had high iron, 0.353 + 0.104mg/L, Zinc 0.150 + 0.048mg/L, Cadmium 0.011 + 0.004mg/L and Lead 0.17 + 0.005mg/L. Egbem 2 had high COD 23.3 + 8.02mg/L, salinilty 52 + 0.023mg/L, TDS 57.3 + 25.7mg/L and Cl 88.6 + 30.26 mg/L. For
soil samples, SSC2 had high EC 1118.0 + 507.4mg/k, Cl 1173 + 800.1 mg/k and SSS had high Fe 156.02 + 65.76 mg/K, Zinc 104.30 + 41.67mg/k, Cu 56.30 + 22.499 mg/k. The chemical analysis of the soil and water samples indicated changes from normal especially the heavy metals and other parameters for assessment of samples. From the findings, the oculovisual systems of some of the people of Ogbite have been compromised by crude oil and gas exploration and exploitation and the consequences of these are the manifestation of increased internal and external eye problems.

Heavy metals are ubiquitous contaminants in the aquatic ecosystems, posing significant threats to fishes and other aquatic fauna which tend to bioaccumulate this toxicant in their muscle. This study was therefore carried out to investigate the bioconcentration of heavy metals in the muscles tissues of fish fauna within Ikpoba River, Benin city. A total number of 26 (13 Clarias garipienus and Tilapia zilli) fishes were collected from Ikpoba River between June to August 2023. Heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr and Co) in the muscles of the fish were estimated using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS), while the ratio of heavy metals in the muscles of the fish relative to water, was estimated using the bioconcentration index. The result showed that Nickel in the muscles of the benthic fish had the highest concentration in the month of June (21.21mg/kg) and lowest in the month of July (14.92mg/kg), while Nickel in the pelagic fish had the highest concentration in August (21.82mg/kg) and lowest in July (12.89mg/kg). Lead and Cadmium were found to be below detectible limit in benthic and pelagic fish muscle tissue across the sampling period. Chromium in the muscle tissue of the benthic fish has the highest in June (10.89mg/kg) and lowest in July (4.85mg/kg), while in pelagic fish, it was found to be highest in August (12.91mg/kg) and lowest in June (6.11mg/kg). The concentration of cobalt in benthic and pelagic fish was found to be highest in the month of August (3.44mg/kg and 12.91mg/kg) and lowest in the month of June (1.93mg/kg and 6.11mg/kg) respectively. These variations therefore signify the level of heavy metal accumulation in their tissues which have impacts on the aquatic ecosystem and human health.

Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it increases activity in the brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline in the body. Caffeine is naturally found in the leaves and fruits of some plants. It is in coffee, black and green tea, cocoa, cola soft drinks and energy drinks. Blinking has been described to occur voluntarily, reflexively or spontaneously. Caffeine is a known stimulant that affects nervous system and probably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance is claimed to have conflicting effects on blink rate and blinking plays a critical role in the health of the eye. This research has assess the influence of caffeinated coffee consumption with blink rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of caffeine intake(coffee) on blink rate.The blink rate was measured on a sample of 85 participants in the university of Benin Optometry teaching clinic.The measurements for the test per participants were obtained and afterwards the means were applied in analysis of the result. Mean baseline was 17.38 and the mean blink rates after caffeine consumption was 15.04, 13.91, 12.42, and 16.69 for 15, 30, 45 and 65 minutes respectively. There was a statistically significant reduction in the blink rate of participants after the consumption of caffeine (p < 0.05). It was concluded that caffeine reduces blink rate in adults and excessive intake of caffeine should be avoided since caffeine intake could cause improper functioning of the eye.