SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES,

Iron regulation is a vital aspect of hematological function, ensuring adequate iron supply for erythropoiesis while preventing oxidative toxicity from excess iron. The Iron Regulatory Protein 1 (IRP1) gene plays a central role in maintaining intracellular iron balance by modulating iron uptake, storage, and utilization. This study evaluated the effect of varying concentrations of aqueous Piper guineense (Uziza) leaf extract on the survival rate and IRP1 gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster, a recognized model for human iron metabolism. The aim was to determine how phytochemicals in Piper guineense, such as alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids, influence iron homeostasis at the molecular level. Adult flies were divided into five groups: a
control group and four treatment groups administered 100 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, 300 mg/ml, and 400 mg/ml of Piper guineense extract through their diet. Survival was monitored over 21 days, and IRP1 expression was analyzed using semi-quantitative PCR. Results showed that the 100 mg/ml group recorded the highest survival rate (80 ± 2.65%) compared to the control (71.33 ±
1.76%), indicating mild protective effects at low doses. Conversely, 200 mg/ml (75.67 ± 3.38%), 300 mg/ml (72.33 ± 2.33%), and 400 mg/ml (73.33 ± 2.03%) exhibited slightly higher but statistically insignificant survival relative to control, suggesting that higher concentrations may induce mild stress or toxicity. Gene expression analysis revealed that IRP1 mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the 200 mg/ml (1.55±0.05), 300 mg/ml (1.05±0.15), and 400 mg/ml (0.85±0.05) groups compared with control (2.30±0.10) (p < 0.05), while the 100 mg/ml (1.80±0.10) group maintained a relatively higher expression, implying upregulation of iron metabolism at lower doses. These findings demonstrate a dose-dependent effect of Piper guineense, where lower dosage intake enhances iron upregulation and increased survival rate, but increased dosage downregulates IRP1 expression and reduces the survival rate. The study concludes that controlled consumption of Piper guineense may potentially support hematological health, and further research on its molecular mechanisms and safe therapeutic dosage is recommended.

Luffa cylindrica is a popular, medicinal vine belonging to the Curcubitaceae family that reproduces from seeds. Commonly called loofah, Luffa cylindrica is used in treating pains, backaches, rheumatoid arthritis, fever, syphilis, dysentery and tumours. Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts, using ethanol was studied to explore its In-vitro antioxidant activity and HPLC profile. DDPH (α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power), Hydroxyl radical, and Nitric oxide scavenging activity were assayed to determine the antioxidant capacity of Luffa cylindrica. Also, bioactive compounds were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Phytochemical screening of the ethanoic extract of the Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts indicated the presence of steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Quercetin was the most predominant compound present.

This study examined the knowledge, perception, and uptake of voluntary HIV/AIDS screening among accounting students at a Nigerian university. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, 266 participants were selected through a stratified sampling technique to ensure a representative sample across different years of study. Data collection employed a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used for data analysis. The study aimed to assess students' level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their attitudes toward screening, and the factors influencing their screening decisions. Results showed a high level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among participants, with 90.6% demonstrating good understanding, particularly concerning screening purposes, testing timing, and transmission routes. However, despite this high knowledge level, screening uptake was nearly evenly split, with 49.2% reporting good uptake and 50.8% indicating poor uptake. Only 28.2% engaged in regular screening, and just 35.3% had been tested within the last year, highlighting a gap in continuous monitoring. Stigma, lack of awareness, cost considerations, and accessibility emerged as the primary barriers, with 71.4% identifying stigma as a deterrent. Peer influence, awareness initiatives, and access to free testing services were significant facilitators for screening uptake. The study concludes that while knowledge about HIV/AIDS is high among accounting students, this does not consistently translate to regular screening behavior. Addressing both structural and psychosocial barriers is critical to improving HIV screening uptake. Recommendations
include implementing institutional awareness programs, offering cost-free and easily accessible screening services, and developing peer support networks to reduce stigma. These interventions could contribute to a more consistent and proactive approach to HIV/AIDS screening among university students, ultimately supporting early detection and preventive health behaviors.

The physicochemical quality of commercially and locally extracted Sesamum indicum (sesame) and Gossypium hirsutum (cottonseed) oils was compared in this study, with an emphasis on three important freshness and stability indicators: acid value (AV), percentage free fatty acid (%FFA), and peroxide value (PV). These factors are essential for evaluating edible oils' hydrolytic and oxidative rancidity, which have a direct bearing on shelf life, consumer safety, and nutritional quality. Samples of oil were collected in Benin City, Nigeria, from both commercial and artisanal sources. AV, %FFA, and PV were measured using standard titrimetric and iodometric techniques, and SPSS version 30.0 was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of p < 0.05. Significant differences between the various oil samples were found in the results. In terms of freshness and oxidative stability, manually extracted sesame oil showed the lowest values in all indices (AV: 2.165 ± 0.3707 mg KOH/g; %FFA: 1.357 ± 0.2249; PV: 6.361 ± 0.7573 meq/kg). On the other hand, commercially extracted sesame oil showed much higher AV (12.9067 ± 0.6792 mg KOH/g), %FFA (6.759 ± 0.2702), and PV (45.3847 ± 1.1737 meq/kg), indicating increased lipid degradation, perhaps as a result of exposure to high temperatures and metal contaminants during industrial processing. Cottonseed oil showed the poorest quality profile, with AV (23.3043 ± 3.021 mg KOH/g), %FFA (11.722 ± 1.5195), and PV (99.586 ± 0.8009 meq/kg), reflecting high susceptibility to oxidative rancidity and limited storage stability. The findings are consistent with previous research showing that oil integrity is significantly impacted by extraction method, seed moisture, and storage conditions.

The liver is the main organ where exogenous and endogenous chemicals are metabolized and finally excreted. As a consequence, hepatocytes are exposed to remarkable concentrations of these chemicals and drugs, which can lead to cell death, hepatoxicity, liver dysfunction, and even organ failure. During fetal development, the liver plays a crucial role in hematopoiesis, metabolism, and detoxification. Any disruptions or
abnormalities in liver development can have long-lasting effects on liver function and overall health.

background: The increasing population of older adults worldwide has heightened the demand for caregiving, especially in tertiary healthcare settings. Caregivers, both formal and informal, face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. These burdens can negatively impact their quality of life (QoL) and increase the risk of depression, especially when caring for hospitalized older adults with complex needs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between care burden, QoL, and depression among caregivers in a tertiary health institution.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 primary caregivers of hospitalized older adults at the University ofBenin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and completed structured questionnaires, including the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) to measure caregiver burden and the WHOQOL-HIV BREF to assess quality of life across multiple domains. Descriptive statistics summarized sociodemographic variables, while Spearman’s rho analysis assessed the relationships between care burden, QoL, and depression. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: Of the 80 participants, 73.8% were female, and 61.3% were married. The mean age was 37.56 ± 1 1.36 years. The mean Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) score was 10.35 ± 1.65 out of a maximum obtainable score of 13, indicating a high level of strain. QoL scores varied across domains, with the psychological health domain scoring the lowest (14.48 ± 2.37) and the level of independence domain scoring the highest (15.38 ± 2.97). Spearman’s rho analysis revealed a negative correlation (rho = -0.027, p = 0.814) between care burden and total QoL and a negative but non-significant correlation (rho = -0.196, p = 0.081) between care burden and psychological health.
Conclusion: Caregivers of hospitalized older adults experience moderate levels of care burden,which influence specific domains of their quality of life, such as social relationships and psychological health. However, no statistically significant relationships were found between care burden, overall QoL, and depression in this study. These findings suggest that while caregiving presents challenges, coping mechanisms like spirituality may mitigate its negative impacts. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance caregiver support systems, focusing on mental health, stress management, and social connections to improve caregivers’ overall well-being and quality of life.
Keywords: Care burden, quality of life, depression, caregivers, hospitalized older adults