ABSTRACT
Sexual-performance–enhancing products (aphrodisiacs) are widely used, yet their chronic and combined consumption may pose renal risks because the kidneys are central to drug metabolism and excretion. In Nigeria, concurrent use of prescription agents (e.g., sildenafil), herbal extracts (e.g., Trigonella foenum-graecum), and alcoholic bitters is common, but comparative experimental evidence on renal safety is limited. This study aimed to compare the effects of sildenafil citrate, aqueous T. foenum-graecum seed extract, and a selected alcoholic bitters—alone and in combination—on renal function in male Wistar rats. A randomized controlled experimental design was used: forty adult male rats were allocated into eight groups (control; low/high fenugreek; low/high sildenafil; low/high bitters; and combined low-dose of all test substances) and treated orally once daily for six weeks. Renal function indices (electrolytes/acid–base indices, urea, creatinine) were assessed, kidneys were examined histologically, and data were analysed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test (α = 0.05). There were significant between-group differences in bicarbonate (F(7,32) = 7.712, p = 0.000), sodium (F(7,32) = 6.071, p = 0.000), and urea (F(7,32) = 6.849, p = 0.000). Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences involving the control group for bicarbonate (most pairings, p < 0.05), and significant sodium differences including high-dose bitters versus several groups (e.g., Group 6 vs Group 8, p = 0.000). Creatinine differed significantly across multiple treated groups versus control (e.g., control vs Groups 3–6, p ≤ 0.038). Histology showed dose-related renal injury, with alcoholic bitters demonstrating the most pronounced lesions (glomerulonephritis and myxoid degeneration), while fenugreek and sildenafil produced milder-to-moderate tubular/glomerular alterations. In conclusion, repeated exposure to these aphrodisiacs produced treatment- and dose-dependent renal dysfunction a

ABSTRACT
Heart attacks, strokes, and sudden cardiac death can be avoided by routinely evaluating the cardiopulmonary profile, which includes the integrated function of the heart, lungs, and vascular system. Thus, the present study evaluated the cardiopulmonary profiles of traditional and industrial bread bakers resident in Port Harcourt. The present study adopted the survey-based cross-sectional approach to evaluate the cardiopulmonary profiles of traditional and industrial bread bakers resident in Port Harcourt. The quantitative data obtained from the study were statistically analysed using version 25.0 of the IBM Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software. The present found that the age of the bakers and their non-baker counterparts ranged from 36.8 to 39.70 years; thus, implying a relatively young set of people make up the workforce in the bread baking industry. On BMI changes, the stud noted that the industrial bakers had significantly (p<0.05) elevated level when compared to those of non-bakers and traditional bakers. Only On the blood pressure profile, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the bakers did not vary significantly (p>0.05), it was recorded here that, the value for the traditional bakers was the most marginally raised. The ECG findings on the bakers in the present study revealed that 60% of each of the traditional and industrial bakers presenting with sinus rhythm with abnormal findings ranging from left axis deviation, left/ or ventricular hypertrophy, incomplete right bundle branch block, left axis, deviation to clockwise QRS rotation. On the pulmonary profile screening, the mean FVC, FEV1 and FEV6 levels showed significant (p<0.05) reduced in the bakers. The traditional bakers even had much more significantly (p<0.05) lower levels of the parameters when compared to those of the industrial bakers. Thus, the bakers may need health education on the use of personal protective equipment and good health seeking behaviours to avert cardiopulmonary cri

ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterised by insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and dyslipidaemia, contributing to long-term metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Despite available therapies, effective and sustainable alternatives remain limited, highlighting the need for novel adjunct interventions. This study investigated the effects of biotin supplementation on glucose metabolism, antioxidant status, and lipid profile in letrozole-induced PCOS female Wistar rats. A controlled experimental design was adopted, with 30 rats randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6): control, letrozole-induced PCOS, letrozole + metformin, letrozole + low-dose biotin (100 mg/kg), and letrozole + high-dose biotin (150 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 15–21 days. Biochemical parameters were analysed using standard laboratory methods, and data were expressed as mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Letrozole induction significantly increased blood glucose (95.91 ± 2.35 mg/dl) and reduced antioxidant enzyme activity compared with the control (p < 0.05). High-dose biotin significantly reduced glucose levels (85.55 ± 2.46 mg/dl) and improved catalase, SOD, GSH, and GST activities compared with the PCOS group (p < 0.05), though metformin achieved superior normalisation (75.01 ± 2.38 mg/dl). Biotin supplementation also improved lipid abnormalities, with high-dose biotin reducing LDL (27.89 ± 1.00 mg/dl) and increasing HDL (155.59 ± 1.74 mg/dl) relative to letrozole (p < 0.05). In conclusion, biotin supplementation, particularly at high doses, partially ameliorated hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress, and dyslipidaemia in PCOS-induced rats. Biotin may serve as a supportive therapeutic agent in PCOS management. Further studies are recommended to determine optimal dosing, underlying mechanisms, and long-term clinical relevance.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Nigeria is among the hot spot of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the world. This massive increase is due to the improved case detection capacity and enhanced surveillance systems with stronger diagnostic infrastructure. We aimed to determine the trends of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Niger State, Nigeria. Materials and Method: This is a retrospective study. The study population is the notified cases of TB in Niger State of the Year 2014-2024. All forms of TB; pulmonary and extrapulmonary, drug-susceptible, drug-resistant TB, and HIV co-infection were included. Statistical analysis was conducted under STATA version 17.0 for standard statistical analysis, R version 4.3.0 for complex modeling, NVivo version 14.0 for qualitative analysis, REDCap for questionnaire data management, and ArcGIS for geographic analysis. Result: Based on our data, notified cases tracked in the study area increased from 1,532 in 2014 to 10,907 in 2024, indicating good reporting procedures and case registration systems. There was a consistent rise in both new TB and notified cases. The massive increase in new cases by 991%, from 1,044 cases in 2014 to 10,341 cases in 2024, which represents an average annual increase of approximately 927 cases. Surprisingly, TB cases rose by 991%, but mortality by 92%, mirroring gigantic improvements in case fatality and stupendous developments in the effectiveness of treatment. Despite the increase in TB notifications, TB-related mortality in Niger State remained relatively stable throughout the study period. This pattern aligns with national reports showing improved TB treatment outcome. Conclusion: The trends of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the study area suggests improved diagnostic and treatments accessibility.

ABSTRACT
Introduction: Despite improvements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cervical cancer screening, the incidence of cervical cancer remains disproportionately high among sexually active women in Nigeria. This study determined the prevalence and associated risk factors of cervical cancer among sexually active women receiving antiretroviral therapy at First Referral Hospital, Mutum Biyu, Nigeria. Material and Method: This is a survey study design that is evaluative in nature. Data were derived from respondents through interview and laboratory diagnosis and analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 statistical software. The choice of this study design is informed by the fact that it enables a researcher to obtain data that may not be found in extant literature which can be utilized in testing hypotheses. Result: Majority 63% of the study population were not victims of cervical cancer while 37% of the study population were cervical cancer patients. The majority of respondents (58%) had never heard of cervical cancer, and an even larger proportion (89%) were unaware of cervical cancer screening. Awareness of cervical cancer among this population is thus notably low. Conclusion: There is low level of awareness about cervical cancer and it associated risk factors among sexually active women receiving antiretroviral therapy in the study area. Hence, the need for health education programs.

ABSTRACT
Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological substances are widely consumed as aphrodisiacs due to their perceived benefits, often with⁠ little consideration for their potential adverse biological effects. This study evaluated and compared the effects of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum⁠-graecum, sildenafil citrate, ⁠ and a selected alcoholic bitters on the antioxidant system and testicular⁠ function markers of adult male Wistar rats. An experimental randomized controlled design was adopted using forty (40) adult male Wistar rats assigned into eight groups (n = 5⁠). Groups 1 and 2 received low and high doses of Trigonella foenum-gra⁠ecum⁠ extract respectively; groups 3 and 4 received high and low doses of sildenafil citrate respectively; groups 5 and 6 received high and low doses of alcoholic bitters; group 7 received low doses of all test substances concurrently; while group 8 served as the control and received only rat feed and water. Treatments were administered orally for six weeks. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and antioxidant enzymes and testicular function markers were analyzed using standard biochemical methods. Data⁠ were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc test. The results showed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in most antioxidant parameters in the groups exposed to Trigonella foenum-graecum and alcoholic⁠ bitters when compared with the control, indicating compromised antioxidant defense. In contrast, the sildenafil citrate–treated groups showed relatively milder effects on antioxidant status, with no statistically significant differences⁠ in most parameters. However, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in acid phosphatase activity was observed in several treated groups, suggesting varying degrees of testicular degeneration. Overall, the findings demonstrate that chronic administration of Trigonella foenum-grae

ABSTRACT
Background: Infectious diseases can affect the heart, causing myocarditis, arrhythmias, pericardial effusion, and heart failure. Viral and parasitic infections are major contributors globally, but data from Bangladesh are limited, often from hospitalized patients with short follow-up. This study aims to assess the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors of cardiac manifestations in Bangladeshi patients and evaluate their short- and long-term outcomes to guide better management and prevention. Methods: This cross-sectional study at Zilla Sadar Hospital, Lakhmipur (Jan–Dec 2023) included 125 adults with bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, excluding those with pre-existing cardiac disease. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data (troponin, CRP, leukocytosis, anemia) were collected. Cardiac evaluation included ECG and echocardiography for tachycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias, murmurs, heart failure, pericardial effusion, myocarditis, and valvular abnormalities. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 with Chi-square tests (p<0.05). Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Results: Among 125 participants (56% male, mostly 31–45 years), viral infections were most common (48%). Cardiac manifestations included tachycardia (54.4%), hypotension (19.2%), heart failure (16.0%), pericardial effusion (14.4%), arrhythmias (12.0%), myocarditis (9.6%), and new murmurs (8.0%). Tachycardia was common across ages and slightly higher in males. Bacterial infections had more hypotension (28.0%) and heart failure (24.0%). Elevated troponin (26.7%), CRP (77.8%), leukocytosis (62.2%), and anemia (40.0%) were significantly associated with cardiac involvement. Conclusion: Cardiac involvement, especially tachycardia, is common in systemic infections and correlates with elevated troponin, CRP, leukocytosis, and anemia. Early ECG, echocardiography, and lab evaluation are essential for detection and management.