Olabisi Onabanjo University

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), widely misused for its euphoric and stimulant properties, induces overt neurotoxicity in rodents and non-human primates and is associated with profound neurochemical and structural brain alterations. Its deleterious effects are primarily mediated through oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory responses, and apoptotic pathways. Glutathione, a crucial endogenous antioxidant, has been proposed as a potential neuroprotective agent capable of mitigating MDMA-induced cerebral damage.Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups and administered oral treatments for 56 days: MDMA (5 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg), glutathione (15 mg/kg), or their combinations. After treatment, brain tissues were harvested and evaluated for oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG, MDA, GPx, GSH, GST, SOD), pro-inflammatory cytokines (MPO, NF-κB, TNF-α), ion transport enzymes (Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, Ca²⁺ ATPase), neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, serotonin, AChE), and the apoptotic marker caspase-3. Histological analysis of the hippocampus was conducted to assess structural integrity. MDMA administration led to significant elevations in MDA and 8-OHdG, reductions in antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, GSH, SOD), upregulation of inflammatory mediators (MPO, NF-κB, TNF-α), and disruption of ion homeostasis via altered Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and Ca²⁺ ATPase activities. Neurotransmitter imbalances were observed, characterized by increased AChE and serotonin levels and decreased dopamine. Caspase-3 activity was markedly elevated, indicating enhanced apoptosis. Co-administration of glutathione at low MDMA doses ameliorated these effects, restoring antioxidant defenses, suppressing inflammation, and preserving hippocampal architecture. However, its protective efficacy was notably diminished at higher MDMA concentrations. Glutathione confers partial neuroprotection against MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, particularly under moderate exposure conditions. Its antioxidative capacity contributes to the restoration of redox equilibrium and cellular integrity. Nonetheless, under high-dose MDMA exposure, the therapeutic potential of glutathione is limited, suggesting the necessity for complementary interventions targeting excitotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction.

This study examines vibrational resonance (VR) in a nonlinear vibratory system subjected to simultaneous weak low-frequency (LF) and strong high-frequency (HF) excitations. Analytical methods, supported by numerical simulations, are employed to examine how the interplay between stiffness parameters and HF signal properties shapes the system’s dynamic response. Results reveal that incorporating negative stiffness elements, in combination with HF forcing, significantly influences the emergence and tunability of VR states. In particular, controlled modulation of the spring constants within the double-well potential regime enables precise resonance tuning. These insights provide a foundation for designing advanced nonlinear vibration control systems capable of suppressing large-amplitude oscillations, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing vibration isolation performance.

The suboptimal ethanol yield in “Burukutu,” a traditional sorghum-based alcoholic beverage, stems from the recalcitrance of the grain’s starch–protein matrix to enzymatic hydrolysis. This study compared the performance of free and alginate-entrapped (2

Abstract Background Obesity has emerged as a major global public health challenge, with women of reproductive age experiencing disproportionate risk due to progressive and cumulative weight gain across the reproductive life course. Excessive weight gain before conception, during pregnancy, and postpartum is associated with adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean delivery, postpartum weight retention, and long-term cardiometabolic disease. Addressing obesity across this critical life course requires strategic, evidence-informed public health approaches. Objective To synthesize existing from U.S.-based studies on determinants of weight gain across the reproductive life course and to examine public health interventions for obesity prevention and healthy weight management before, during, and after pregnancy. Methods A comprehensive search of PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies examining weight gain and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age. Studies conducted in the United States were included in the final synthesis to ensure contextual consistency in healthcare systems and maternal care practices. Eligible studies were narratively synthesized due to methodological heterogeneity in study designs, populations, and outcome measures. Results A total of 6 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Pre-pregnancy body mass index consistently showed strong associations with excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Additional contributing factors included dietary patterns, physical inactivity, sleep disturbances, gestational diabetes, and psychosocial stress. Excessive gestational weight gain was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes and increased long-term obesity risk among mothers and offspring. Conclusion Weight gain among women across the reproductive life course is driven by complex, interrelated biological, behavioral, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors. Effective obesity prevention requires coordinated, life-course public health strategies that integrate preconception care, pregnancy-specific monitoring and counseling, postpartum support, and long-term weight management interventions. Multi-level approaches spanning individual behavior change, healthcare systems, community programs, and policy action are essential to improve maternal and child health outcomes and to interrupt intergenerational cycles of obesity.

Aldosterone synthase inhibitors are a class of medication that target aldosterone biosynthensis while addressing the current limitations of conventional renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors. This review aims to explore the emerging role of lorundrostat and baxdrostat, efficacy and safety in the management of treatment-resistant and poorly controlled hypertension. A narrative review was conducted, including six (6) clinical trials published between 2016 and 2025. Lorundrostat and baxdrostat demonstrated dose-dependent reductions in blood pressure across evaluated trials. In lorundrostat studies, plasma renin activity increased in association with aldosterone suppression, and an overall favorable safety profile was reported. Baxdrostat demonstrated selective inhibition of aldosterone synthase in early-phase studies, and studies reported mild hyperkalemia and decreased renal function at higher doses. Lorundrostat was found to have comparable efficacy in patients with and without suppressed plasma renin activity, based on subgroup analyses within individual trials. Direct head-to-head comparative data between lorundrostat and baxdrostat are not currently available, and differences in selectivity or off-target effects are derived from separate clinical investigations. While current data support their efficacy and safety in early clinical trials, further large-scale studies are needed to establish their long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and integration into clinical practice guidelines.