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Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is a complex and biologically diverse disease with no curative treatment options at present. This study aims to utilize computational methods to explore potential anti-PCa compounds based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic indications or repurposing existing drugs. The methods employed in this study include DEGs-to-drug prediction, pharmacokinetics prediction, target prediction, network analysis, and molecular docking. The findings revealed a total of 79 upregulated DEGs and 110 downregulated DEGs in PCa, which were used to identify drug compounds capable of reversing the dysregulated conditions (dexverapamil, emetine, parthenolide, dobutamine, terfenadine, pimozide, mefloquine, ellipticine, and trifluoperazine) at a threshold probability of 20% on several molecular targets, such as serotonin receptors 2a/2b/2c, HERG protein, adrenergic receptors alpha-1a/2a, dopamine D3 receptor, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), epidermal growth factor receptor erbB1 (EGFR), tyrosine-protein kinases, and C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5). Molecular docking analysis revealed that terfenadine binding to inducible nitric oxide synthase (-7.833 kcal.mol−1) and pimozide binding to HERG (-7.636 kcal.mol−1). Overall, binding energy ΔGbind (Total) at 0 ns was lower than that of 100 ns for both the Terfenadine-iNOS complex (-101.707 to -103.302 kcal.mol−1) and Ellipticine-TOPIIα complex (-42.229 to -58.780 kcal.mol−1). In conclusion, this study provides insight on molecular targets that could possibly contribute to the molecular mechanisms underlying PCa. Further preclinical and clinical studies are required to validate the therapeutic effectiveness of these identified drugs in PCa disease.

This article examines how the QSM-MBM-SIMO system's performance is affected by Gaussian imperfect channel estimation (IChE). An analytical and a closed-form expressions for the generic QSM system's pair-wise error probability (PEP) are utilized while calculating a precise Lower bound for the Average Bit Error Probability (ABEP) over Rayleigh fading. Computing the effect of channel estimation errors (ChEE) on system functionality yields analytical results. The accuracy of the lower bound-based analysis of the scheme proposed is demonstrated by the results of Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The MCS results of the proposed scheme demonstrate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain of approximately 1.5 dB at a BER of 10−5 when compared to the SIMO-MBM scheme with perfect channel estimation. Furthermore, when compared to perfect channel estimation (PChE), we discovered a 2 dB loss in coding gains caused by ChEE.

This work focuses on the development of a motor-powered dough-kneading machine for small to medium-scale businesses to aid the efficient production of their edible products. It employs dual electric motors configured to rotate in opposite directions on the same axis for an efficient kneading process. The work was carried out at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State. The machine employs upper and lower electric motors configured to rotate in opposite directions on the same axis for an efficient kneading process. The design analysis was carried out in line with the defined specifications, which was followed by fabrication and evaluation. The result showed a kneading torque of 128 Nm at average kneading power and speed of 1.37 kW and 102.02 RPM respectively. The dough volume per batch and the mixing bowl volume were 0.00397 and 0.00512 m3. The capacity and efficiency of the machine were estimated to be 0.87 kg/min and 90.65% at the R2 of 92.2%. The performance showed that the dough-kneading machine is efficient and can be produced in mass to meet the market demands of small and medium-scale businesses.

Ciprofloxacin is a second-generation broad-spectrum antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone class, highly effective against many bacteria. Several brands of this drug class are marketed for public consumption; hence, it has placed the public in a confused state about the best brands with suitable physical characteristics and safe oral consumption. Additionally, the adverse effects of heavy metal accumulation in drugs for oral use have made it essential to quantify the amount of such heavy metals present. Evaluating the physical quality, elemental analysis identity, and concentration of cadmium and lead in twenty-five brands of ciprofloxacin tablets marketed in Lagos, Nigeria, is the aim of this study. The physical assessment of the tablets was then methodologically evaluated for these parameters; Uniformity of weight, Hardness, Friability, and Disintegration tests. Determining the amount of Cadmium and Lead with the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and evaluating using the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE). Among all the brands of Ciprofloxacin tablets analyzed, 96 % passed the Uniformity of weight test, 52 % passed the Hardness test, 96 % passed the Friability test, and 96 % passed the disintegration test while 2 % passed the test according to the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) to Cadmium. 72 % passed the test according to the Permitted Daily Exposure (PDE) to Lead. The brands that passed the physical tests have good quality and correct physical characteristics. Cadmium and lead are of no benefit to humanity in the body and because they are not easily eliminated from the body, their buildup can put people at risk for mental retardation in children, dementia, kidney damage, nerve damage, infertility, high blood pressure, and cancer at high exposure levels.

Research attention in powder metallurgy (PM) processing of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is rising. Some reviews have been published but a detailed historical analysis to identify the thematic research areas and prospective future research areas is lacking. Therefore, this study presents a bibliometric literature analysis of PM-processed HEAs by mapping and clustering 700 articles published between 2007 and August 2022 in the Scopus database. The most prolific authors, their collaborators, institutions, and most preferred journals publishing PM-HEA works are identified and mapped. Publication trend shows that significant research attention in the PM processing of HEAs began to gain traction in 2016. The top three journals in this field are Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Materials Science and Engineering A, and Intermetallics. However, co-authorship network analysis does not reveal significant inter-institutional research collaboration indicating that strengthening this area could help to accelerate scientific discovery, enhance technology transfer, and commercialization of HEA products. Based on the co-occurrence frequencies of author keywords, popular research directions are identified, and a systematic review of emerging functional applications is undertaken. This work provides a comprehensive visual reference guide for researchers to deepen their knowledge of this field and delivers insight into prospective future research opportunities to stimulate further ground-breaking works.

The brewing industry consumes a large amount of water needed for brewing, rinsing, and cooling purposes, and therefore produces huge amount of effluents. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the use of Moringa oleiferra (MO) powder and synthesized 1.0 and 2.0 g TiO2NPs as green synthesized nano-particles for the remediation of brewery wastewater using standard methods. The raw wastewater sample characterization for pH, BOD, COD, Lead and coliform count were: 7.26, 935, 1045, 0.083 mg/L and 136 cfu/100 mL respectively. Results of the UV – Visible spectrophotometer showed the maximum wavelength of 275, 275, 278 and 282.50 nm for 5:20, 10:20, 15:20, 20:20 of MO and TiO2 ratio respectively, while the FTIR results show the presence of oxygen surface complex groups such as hydroxyl and carbonyl. The SEM reveals a porous surface area accompanied by several wide opening pores of different sizes and shapes, while EDX shows the concentration of titanium, Sulphur and silicon in percent weight; 85.79, 2.96 and 1.46 % respectively. Results of the wastewater treated with 50 g defatted M. oleiferra revealed the removal efficiency of 47, 93.2, 56.2, 18, 31.3, 97, 76.1, 81 and 71% for Turbidity, COD, EC, Nitrate, Nitrite, BOD, TS, TDS and TSS respectively. Results of wastewater treated with 1.0 g of TiO2 NPs showed the removal efficiency of 97.8, 94.64, 53.5, 34.2 and 35.1% for COD, BOD, EC, Nitrate and Nitrite respectively. That of 2.0 g of TiO2 NPs showed the removal efficiency of 67, 58, and 87% for Cu, Pb, and Ag respectively. Conclusively, M. oleiferra and varying proportions of green synthesized TiO2 NPs were effective in the remediation of the wastewater from brewery industry as it improves its physicochemical properties, but not so much for the heavy metal concentration.

This study investigated the chemical, minerals and nutritional composition of Pawpaw (C. Papaya) and black plum (S. Cumini) seed flours. The proximate composition was evaluated according to AOA C. The C. Papaya and S. Cumini seed flours were found to have moisture contents of 7.333±1.155, 6.666±2.309, Ash, 5.593±0.095, 5.717±0.126 Protein, 24.600±0.100, 22.36±0.493, Fat, 30.000±2.600, 26.233±0.451, Crude fibre 0.312±0.002, 0.031±0.001 and carbohydrates 32.590±1.155, 39.167±1.40%. Carbohydrates were the major nutrients found in C.Papaya 32.590±1.155% and S.Cumini seed 39.167±1.40. The minor components were crude fibre for both flours. The mineral composition was K, 0.022±0.001, 0.090±0.010, Ca, 0.046±0.006, 0.089±0.011, Zn, 0.078±0.002, 1.198±0.005, Fe, 0.435±0.325, 0.090±0.010, P, 0.116±0001, 0.067±0.007, 0.787±0.001, Mg, 2.322±0.077, 0.093±0.005 and Cu, 0.127±0.0255, 0.076±0.010 for C. Papaya and S. Cumini seed. C. Papaya seed contained a higher amount of Fe, P, Mg and Cu than S. Cumini seed .S. cumin seed flour was found to have a considerable amount of K, Zn and Ca than C, Papaya seed. The Amino acid profile for C.Papaya and S.Cumini were: Threonine, 1.134±0.002, 0.138±0.002, Histidine, 0.157±0.002, 0.257±0.002, Leucine, 0.416±0.002, 0.476±0.002, Isoleucine, 0.541±0.001, 0.641±0.001, Arginine, 0.887±0.001, 0.787±0.001, Methionine, 862±0.001, 0.181±0.001, Tryptophan, 0.013±0.001, 0.313±0.001, Tyrosine, 0.013±0.001, 1.113±0.001 and Aspartic acid, 0.731±0.002, 0.422±0.002 etc. Methionine was the most abundant acid in C. Papaya, while tyrosine was found in S. cumin seed. The least abundant acids were tryptophan and threonine for C. Papaya and S. Cumini seed. This suggested that the flour might serve as a rich source of essential protein. The flours possessed good functional properties and could serve as additives in baby food. Keywords: proximate composition, amino acid, vitamins content, minerals, functional properties

The Nigerian garment industry has significantly contributed to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. However, this multibillion naira, small and medium scale enterprises have a higher potential to generate huge revenue, provided lean manufacturing concepts are adopted. In this study, the awareness level and the adoption of lean concepts were assessed using a survey technique. In the survey, 40 complete responses were received by administering 60 copies of a structured questionnaire based on five-point Likert scale. By analyzing the responses using descriptive statistics and mean item score, it was deduced that teamwork is the most predominant lean concept that is currently been practiced in the South-Western Nigeria garment industry with the highest mean score of 3.63. Just-in-time supply, workforce commitment, daily schedule and product design have witnessed the influence of the implementation of lean practices. In the garment industry, the practice of the few lean concepts resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of the garments produced. However, a lack of understanding on how to implement the lean concepts has been a major barrier in this industry. Hence, comprehensive trainings, seminars and workshops for the key players in the industry are proposed to increase the knowledge and adoption of lean concepts.

Abstract Background The actively mutating properties of disease-causing pathogens and GI intolerance associated with certain antibiotics among other challenges necessitated the adoption of colloidal system for drug delivery. Nanoemulsions (Ciprofloxacin (Cp) -loaded and non-drug loaded) were prepared by spontaneous emulsification method, characterized using Cryo-TEM, FTIR and Zetasizer. Antimicrobial activities were carried out using agar well diffusion method on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis. The in-vitro and dermal toxicological assessment were carried out using adult Wistar rats. Results The Cryo-TEM micrographs showed spherical morphology while zetasizer results showed polydispersity index (PDI), mean droplet size and zeta potential (ZP) of 0.553, 124.3 ± 0.29 nm and − 15.3 mV respectively for non-drug loaded sesame oil-based emulsion (SOAB). While 0.295, 244.8 ± 0.33 nm and − 5.54 mV were recorded for Cp-loaded sesame oil-based emulsion (SOAB + Cp). The effective voltage charge of the emulsions was 147.4 V. FTIR results of Cp recorded O–H adsorption value of 3429 cm−1, while SOAB and SOAB + Cp showed superimposition at 3427.76 cm−1 showing no drug-excipient interactions. No skin irritation was observed after 14 days of skin corrosion assessment. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in body weight gain of both test and control animals, the treatment did not cause any observable alterations in blood-chemistry parameters and hematological indices. Photomicrographs of liver and heart shows an uncompromised histological architecture. Conclusion The finding of the study shows a skin friendly, nanosized, spherical negatively charged emulsion with no cardiotoxic, hematotoxic and hepatotoxic effects on Wistar rats, and as such appears promising as a safe vehicle for drug delivery. Graphical Abstract

Coverage and capacity are important issues in the planning process for cellular third generation (3G) mobile networks. The planning process aims to allow the maximum number of users sending and receiving adequate signal strength in a cell. This paper describes the conceptual expressions require for network coverage and capacity optimization analysis, examines service quality issues, and presents practical solutions to problems common to sub-optimality of CDMA networks.

Background/Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a debilitating disease still prevailing in the developing world. This study aimed to examine the protective potentials of Cymbopogon citratus extracts (crude (CCC), free (CFP), and bound phenol (CBP) fractions), in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic male rats. Methods: Forty-five (45) animals of about 3–4 months were used for the study. About forty animals were induced with STZ. After induction and confirmation of diabetes, animals were grouped (five animals per group) into nine groups; group 1 (Control), group 2 received 50 mg/kg body weight (bw) (STZ). Groups 3, 4 and 5 were healthy animals and received C. citratus extracts (200 mg/kg bw CCC, 100 mg/kg bw CFP, and 100 mg/kg bw CBP) respectively; while groups 6 – 9 were diabetic group (induced with STZ) and later treated with C. citratus extracts (200 mg/kg bw CCC, 100 mg/kg bw CFP, 100 mg/kg bw CBP, and metformin (200 mg/kg bw) respectively for 14 days. Then, the animals were euthanized, blood/serum was collected, liver samples were collected and divided into two; for biochemical and histopathological studies. Liver biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT), fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, hexokinase, antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GST) activities, albumin, bilirubin, hepatic glucose, GSH, MDA, pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines concentrations, were estimated using standard protocols. Results: Our results revealed that C. citratus extracts counteracted the deleterious effects of type 1 diabetes induction with STZ by optimizing the liver biomarkers, antioxidants enzymes, MDA and GSH levels, reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory. Conclusion: Our results correlated with previous researches; the free phenols fraction revealed brilliant results above others. These suggested that C. citratus could serve as an alternative therapy in ameliorating liver complications linked to oxidative damage and inflammation in STZ-induced type-1 diabetes.

TPM implementation by FMCG firms in Ado/Ota industrial hub of Ogun State Nigeria was investigated, and its influence on the firm's performance was analyzed. Primary data were collected through the administration of an online questionnaire. A total number of 98 respondents participated in this research. The analysis was conducted through descriptive analysis and structural equation model (SEM) using a smart partial least square (PLS) software. It was observed that TPM implementation had a positive influence on firms' performance. The descriptive analysis. It noted that most firms explored in this study had implemented TPM. It implies that above ninety percent of companies in the industrial hub are practicing TPM. The data employed in this research are limited to those obtained from FMCG firms in Ado/Ota in Ogun State, Nigeria. However, this study's findings can represent other firms in other locations where TPM is practiced. This research will be helpful for FMCG firms in Nigeria, especially those in Ogun State. TPM was measured using the following indicators: 5S, Autonomous Maintenance, Kobetsu Kaizen, Planned Maintenance, Quality, Education and Training, Office TPM, and Health, Safety and Environment. Eight indicators measure The company's performance: Product Quality, Cost, Inventory, Lead Time, Processing Cycle Time, Customer Complaints, Equipment Efficiency and Overall Productivity. The research review shows that the TPM implementation significantly affects firms' sustainable performance. In addition, the result shows that local firms in the survey area are yet to key into implementing TPM practices fully.

A Gram-positive anaerobic bacillus known as Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) present in the intestinal tract of humans is the causative organism for C. difficile infection (CDI). A prospective target for the therapy of CDI is the germinant spore receptor CspC, a key regulator of the germination mechanism. The detection of bile acids by CspC has been reported to initiate the germination and signaling pathways in CDI. Herein, we examined small molecule compounds with putative inhibitory efficacies on CspC using integrative computational modeling approach. Due to their higher binding affinities as compared to metronidazole (Reference drug), the computational analysis identified three compounds (Hesperetin, Galbanic acid, and Tomatidine) as potential therapeutics for the receptor target. At the end of the 100ns molecular dynamics simulation, the stability investigations revealed Tomatidine and Galbanic acid to be more stable compounds compared to other simulated natural compounds, including the reference drug (Metronidazole). They also exhibited acceptable drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties as determined by the Lipinski’s rule of five. Notwithstanding the results of our study, it is still too premature to conclude that the drug candidates are appropriate for use among CDI patients without substantial clinical and preclinical research.

Background. Studies have proven the effect of several agents, including natural products, to induce, prevent and treat genotoxicity through experimental models and clinical trials. In this study, the genotoxic preventive potential of Annona muricata ethanol extract on N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU)-induced pro-leukaemia in mice models using micronuclei formation in bone marrow was assessed. Materials and methods. Forty-eight mice weighing 18-24g were randomly divided into six groups of eight mice. The mice were intravenously administered 20mg/kg of NEU 48 hourly 3 times, 80mg/kg of NEU 48 hourly 3 times. The negative control was fed with feed and water only. We introduced 0.2ml (0.1g/ml) ethanolic extract of Annona muricata for 3 weeks prior to NEU low dosage administration, 0.2ml (0.1g/ml) ethanolic extract of Annona muricata for 3 weeks prior to ENU high dosage and Annona muricata (ethanolic extract) administration, and gave commercial diet to the adverse/ toxicity group. The bone marrow was harvested, smeared and stained using MayGrumwald. The procedure enabled the determination of micronucleus polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) microscopically. Results. Groups exposed to various dosages of the ENU yielded significantly increased MNPCEs, with group B producing higher MNPCEs. The groups treated with the extract displayed a significant reduction in the MNPCEs despite prior exposure to concentrations of NEU. The adverse group displayed no difference in MNPCEs compared with the negative control. Conclusion. The ENU induced genotoxicity depending on its concentration. The extract displayed a profound capacity to prevent genotoxicity and alleviate leukaemia with good tolerance.