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Suppression of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase by probiotics circumvents cardiovascular risk profile in experimentally induced PCOS model
(2025) Areloegbe Stephanie Esosa
The present study was designed to investigate the role of PERK in CVD risk associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in experimental rat model, and the therapeutic benefits of probiotics. Eight-weeks-old female Wistar rats were assigned into four groups (n = 6): Control (CTRL), Probiotics (PROB), Letrozole (PCOS), and PCOS + PROB. Daily administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg) for 21 days was used to induce PCOS; thereafter, probiotics (3 × 109 CFU) was administered daily for 6 weeks. Biochemical parameters and histological evaluations were performed with appropriate techniques. The present findings revealed that animals with PCOS were characterized with phenotypic features such as hyperandrogenemia and multiple cysts in the ovaries. In addition, PCOS rats manifested insulin resistance and increase in glucose regulatory protein (GRP78), together with increased levels of circulating corticosterone, cardiac triglyceride, inflammatory mediators (NF-κB and TNF-α), TGF-β1, Caspase-6, and HDAC2, while a decrease in HIF-1α and NrF2 was observed when compared with control animals. These were accompanied by elevated level of PERK. However, treatment with probiotics reversed these systemic, endocrine, metabolic, and cardiac anomalies. The present study suggests that probiotics attenuates CVD risk profile in experimental PCOS rat model by suppression of PERK/HDAC2-dependent pathway.
Performance and Microstructural Evaluation of Asphalt Concrete Produced with Hydrated Lime, Glass Powder and Cement Modifiers
(NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, 2021) Oyedepo Olugbenga Joseph
The increasing axle load arising from the growth in vehicular volume reduces the durability of road pavement, hence the need to further strengthen the road pavement. This research focuses on the determination of the performance of asphalt concrete in relation to the microstructural characteristics of the asphaltic concrete produced with hydrated lime, glass powder and ordinary Portland cement as modifiers. Asphalt Concrete (AC) mixes were prepared with Dangote 3X cement (D3C), Lafarge Superset cement (LSC), hydrated lime (HL) and glass powder (GP) in varying proportions of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100%. The stability and morphology of the asphalt concrete produced were determined using Marshall stability test and scanning electron microscopy respectively. AC containing GP and HL showed maximum stability of 3.61 kN and 4.01 kN respectively. The maximum stability values obtained for the samples containing D3C and LSC as fillers are 4.21 kN and 5.10 kN respectively; these stability values meet the minimum Marshall Design criteria of the Asphalt Institute. The microstructural analysis of the asphalt concrete samples showed that GP has the lowest maximum pore value of 4.39 µm2 in which the inter-particulate spaces in the AC produced with GP are small and the agglomeration of the particles indicated that they are densely packed and are characterized with good strength.
Performance Appraisal of the Traffic Intersection Complex at Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria
(J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage, 2019) Oyedepo Olugbenga Joseph
Throughput time reduction is an integral part of transportation benefit analysis and traffic engineering optimization objectives. It is for this reason, that a large majority of transportation projects view throughput time reduction as one of their principal objectives. An appraisal of the performance of a traffic intersection complex at Mokola, Ibadan, Nigeria using a conflict intensity approach is presented. This work was carried out in order to quantify the effects of the flyover on the reduction of throughput times of vehicular traffic at the intersection. Conflict intensities were measured through traffic volume counts at various conflict points (through, merging and diverging locations). A floating vehicle equipped with a GPS was adopted to capture throughput times through several trial runs at the intersection. Statistical relationships were established between conflict intensities and throughput times using regression analysis. These relationships served as a framework for simulation for generating travel times (augmented), assuming the absence of a flyover. The results show a statistically significant reduction in throughput times due to the presence of the flyover with p-value of < 0.0001 at alpha level of 0.05 using Wilcoxon-Signed rank test. Specifically, reductions of 40.2seconds (33%) for northbound traffic and 27.6 seconds (28.8%) for southbound traffic were observed. This work has shown that the flyover reduced throughput times. The construction of the flyover is therefore justified, and its residual potentials are enormous to handle traffic growth in the area in the near future.
Performance Evaluation of Hot Mix Asphalt Modified with Fly Ash and Waste Foundry Sand in Road Development
(Advances in Science and Technology, 2024) Oyedepo Olugbenga Joseph
This research evaluates the performance of hot mix asphalt modified with fly ash and waste foundry sand for road development. Preliminary tests were conducted to determine material properties. Hot mix asphalt samples with varying percentages of granite, sand, stone dust, and bitumen (5%, 5.5%, 6%, 6.5%, and 7%) were produced using ASTM D6927 Marshall mix design. The optimum bitumen content (OBC) was found from the mix to be 5.7%. Using the same mix design, bituminous mixtures were created with waste foundry sand as a partial replacement for fine aggregate (10% - 50% at 10% intervals), along with granite, stone dust, and 5.7% bitumen (OBC). The mix with 40% replacement performed optimally. A new mixture, incorporating granite, sand, fly ash (10% - 60% replacement for filler material, at 10% intervals), and 5.7% bitumen (OBC), was produced. The optimal replacement percentage was 50%. A combination mix of the materials, based on derived optimums, achieved a stability value of 26.09 kN, meeting the Asphalt Institute's criteria. Microstructural analysis indicated a densely packed agglomeration of particles, implying good strength properties. This research demonstrates the viability of waste foundry sand and fly ash as alternative materials, enhancing the strength and flexibility of hot mix asphalt. Reusing these waste materials in road construction is a positive step towards sustainability.
Performance of coconut shell ash and palm kernel shell ash as partial replacement for cement in concrete
(J. Build. Mater. Struct, 2015) Oyedepo Olugbenga Joseph
High cost of cement used as binder in the production of concrete has led to a search for alternative. Using a mix design ratio of 1:2:4 and water binder ratio of 0.63, concrete cubes were casted using varying ordinary Portland cement (OPC): palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC): coconut shell ash (CSA) ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30 , 60:40 and 50:50 respectively. This research reveal that partial replacement of cement with 20% PKSA and CSA in concrete gives an average optimum compressive strength of 15.4 N/mm2 and 17.26 N/mm2 respectively at 28 days. While the optimum value of compressive strength obtained at 28 days is 20.58 N/mm2 at 10% replacement with CSA. The value obtained is suitable for both light weight and heavy weight concrete respectively. Thus, the research shows that the use of PKSA and CSA as a partial replacement for cement in concrete, at lower volume of replacement, will enhance the reduction of cement usage in concretes, thereby reducing the production cost and the environmental pollution caused by the dumping of the agricultural waste.