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INTERVIEW WITH DEPUTY VICE CHANCELLOR DR. O. A. OMOTESHO, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN, NIGERIA (ENGLISH VERSION)

Background: The University of Ilorin, founded in 1975 in Nigeria, has evolved from 3 to 16 faculties, becoming the country's most sought-after institution for the past two decades. Aims: To document the institutional evolution, identify the most demanded programs, assess scientific output, examine internationalization strategies, and understand strategic development objectives. Methods: Structured interview with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Olubumi Abayomi Omotesho, following a standardized protocol covering historical, academic, scientific, and strategic aspects of the institution, under Creative Commons license format. Results: The university expanded to 16 faculties in 49 years. The most demanded programs are Medicine and Nursing, followed by Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, and Accounting. Areas with the highest scientific output: Medicine, Biological/Agricultural Sciences, and Engineering. It offers 340 postgraduate programs with approximately 7,523 students. There is a dedicated infrastructure for internationalization, with plans for international accommodations. Discussion: The predominance of healthcare courses reflects global employability trends. Research aligned with Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates a contemporary vision. The institutional goal (number one in Nigeria, top 10 in Africa, top 500 globally) shows a measurable strategic approach. Commitment to internationalization aligns with global education trends. Conclusions: The institution exemplifies an evolving African university focused on academic excellence, scientific relevance, and internationalization. The prioritization of student-centered development, clear positioning goals, and international collaboration initiatives establish solid foundations for its contribution to regional and global knowledge.
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DETECTION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV) IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN IRAQ USING IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES

Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has recently been identified in human breast cancer globally, potentially contributing to the initiation and progression of this malignancy, as well as gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and bladder cancer. It has been newly associated with breast cancer. Globally, breast cancer affects more women than any other type of cancer. In Iraq, the prevalence of breast cancer is comparable. Aims: The study examined Iraqi women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) to detect Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and encoded RNA (EBER). Methods: A total of 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) (92%) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) (8%) biopsy samples constituted the case group, while 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from non-cancerous breast tissue served as the control group. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus protein (EBER) in breast tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) methods. Results: EBER RNA signals were found in 31 (62%). EBER RNA signals were seen in 3 (10%) control group participants. Significant differences (P<0.04) were seen in EBV EBER RNA positive signals among study groups. Immunohistochemistry showed nuclear brown staining in 34 (68%) breast cancer patients. Control group: 3 (10%). Discussion: The research identified a statistically significant correlation between EBV positivity and breast cancer among Iraqi women, especially concerning invasive ductal carcinoma. The results corroborate previous reports of elevated EBV levels in malignant breast tissues relative to controls. Although detection approaches such as CISH and IHC provide complementary insights, additional studies are needed. Conclusions: The study concludes that EBNA-1 and EBV EBER RNA were overexpressed in our population group.
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THE REVOLUTION IN AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY: PETROLEUM-BASED DYES AND THE CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIC

Background: The American food regulatory landscape has historically been influenced by industry interests, resulting in the widespread use of petroleum-derived synthetic food dyes banned in European countries. Chronic disease rates in American children have increased from 3% in the 1960s to approximately 60% currently, with annual healthcare costs reaching $1 trillion. The appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services marks a paradigmatic shift toward transparency and industry accountability in food safety regulation. Aim: This forum analysis examines Kennedy Jr.'s revolutionary approach to food safety regulation, particularly his confrontational stance against petroleum-based food additives exemplified by his statement, "if they want to eat petroleum, they should add it themselves at home" and evaluates the broader implications for American public health policy and global regulatory standards. Methods: Critical analysis of Kennedy Jr.'s public policy statements, examination of epidemiological data trends, and evaluation of proposed regulatory frameworks through content analysis of official speeches and policy declarations from the Department of Health and Human Services. Results: Kennedy Jr.'s administration targets the systematic elimination of synthetic food dyes through industry partnerships, scientific transparency initiatives, and restoration of rigorous research standards. His confrontational rhetorical approach, compared to Mike Tyson's boxing style, has generated unprecedented industry cooperation with food companies "calling almost daily" seeking compliance guidance. The strategy combines voluntary industry agreements with open-source information databases and enhanced FOIA access. Discussion: This confrontational rhetoric represents unprecedented directness in health policy communication, challenging decades of established regulatory practices. The approach prioritizes scientific transparency over diplomatic language, generating both media attention and voluntary industry engagement that traditional regulatory pressure failed to achieve. Conclusions: Kennedy Jr.'s revolutionary stance may establish new global standards for food additive oversight, prioritizing public health over commercial interests through evidence-based policymaking and industry accountability measures. This paradigm shift from reactive to preventive regulatory models could influence international food safety governance and restore American leadership in global health policy.
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General information

SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

    General information about this journal
  • Title: SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
  • Short Title: South. J. Sci.
  • ISSN: 2764-5959 (Online); ISSN: 2764-5967 (Print)
  • Universal Decimal Classification (UDC): 001
  • Review Process: Double-Blind Peer-Review
  • Accessibility: Platinum Open Access, NO-APCs.
  • Digital preservation: Portico
  • Frequency of Publication: biannual [2 issues per year]. Journal publication schedule
  • DOI: 10.48141/2764-5959
  • Website: https://www.sjofsciences.com/
  • Country: BRAZIL
  • Publisher: Araucária - Scientific Association.
  • Language of Publication: ENGLISH / PORTUGUESE*
  • *Year that the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Portuguese: 2020
  • First issue year: 1993
  • Free full text: Yes
  • Indexed in: Index Copernicus; Latindex, and I2OR.
  • Formerly known as the Southern Brazilian Journal of Chemistry (1993 to 2021).
  • Former ISSN: 2674-6891 (Online); Former ISSN: 0104-5431 (Print).
  • Website last update: 06/07/2025.

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ADSORPTION STUDIES OF ZINC, COPPER, AND LEAD IONS FROM PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER ONTO SILVER-MODIFIED CLAY ADSORBENT

Background: Industrial wastewater contains pollutants that are detrimental to human health in varied proportions. Among the pollutants are heavy metals, including Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ found in a characterized pharmaceutical wastewater. Several techniques have been proposed for the heavy metal sequester. However, they are with attendant challenges. The adsorption techniques using clay-metal oxide modified adsorbent/composite such as silver-clay adsorbent is considered suitable for an effective sequestering process. Aims: To develop and characterize Ag/clay adsorbent for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. Methods: The Ag nanoparticles were synthesized using Parkia biglobossa aqueous leaves extract in an optimization study. The raw clay was beneficiated and doped with silver nanoparticles via the wet impregnation method. The silver-clay adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS characterization tools. The developed adsorbent was used for the batch adsorption process of the heavy metal ion removal from the wastewater. Results and Discussion: The phytochemical analysis and FTIR results of the P. biglobosa showed that the leaf contains phenol, tannin, and flavonoids which acts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent required for synthesizing the silver nanoparticles. The prepared silver nanoparticles modified clay adsorbent Ag/clay, have evenly distributed stacks of pseudo-hexagonal plates, are rich in silica, possess silver nanoparticles in the frameworks, and contain functional groups suitable for binding heavy metals. The adsorptions of Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ from pharmaceutical wastewater onto the silver-modified clay were studied as a function of adsorbent dosage and contact time. The percentage removal results obtained showed that the adsorbent had up to 99.96%, 99.5%, and 99.44% removal efficiency for Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+, respectively, which are better compared with previous studies. The adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic, with Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order models as best fits for the process. Conclusions: The adsorption of selected heavy metal ions onto the green synthesized silver-modified clay adsorbent (Ag/clay) was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in the order Zn2+>Pb2+>Cu2+ with Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order model best fitted for the process. These show that the synthesized silver oxide nanoparticles supported on local clay can be used as a potentially low-cost adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater.
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SLOW PYROLYSIS OF RICE STRAW: ANALYSIS OF BIOCHAR, BIO-OIL AND GAS

Biomass is the term attributed to any renewable resource derived from organic matter that can be used in energy production. Agricultural production generates residues that are of great importance for their energy use, of which sugar cane, eucalyptus, and rice. Various residues are generated from rice cultivation, among which the rice husk and rice straw are the most important. Several thermal conversion technologies have been developed for the use of biomass in industry. Pyrolysis has been notable for its ability to produce biofuels at different stages of aggregation. The slow pyrolysis of biomass has been proposed as a pretreatment method to improve the physical-chemical characteristics of rice straw. In this process is produced, mainly, a solid called biochar, which has a higher energy content when compared to the biomass of origin. This study investigated the slow pyrolysis of rice straw at 300 - 700°C for the purpose of obtaining biochar, bio-oil, and gases for energy purposes. The experimental results show that pyrolysis temperature has important roles in yield product. The highest biochar yield was observed at a temperature of 300°C with 49.91 wt%. This represents 47% more when compared to yield at 700°C (33.87 wt.%). This behavior is linked to the proximate analysis results for fixed carbon 26.01 wt.% at 300°C. The high pH of the biochar was attributed to the presence of alkali metals, according to XRF. Thermal decomposition of the biomass resulting in a gradual increase of bio-oil (16.81 - 34.70 wt.%) and gas (6.53 - 18.05 wt.%) on a wet basis. Thus, in the dry base parameter, the bio-oil increases from 19.22 - 30.6 wt.% and the gases at 9.42-20.19 wt.%. Drying of the raw material showed, by the results, a significant increase in the co-products.
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ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATE FROM URINARY TRACT INFECTION OF THALASSEMIC PATIENTS IN THI-QAR PROVINCE

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common type of pathogen that causes Urinary tract infection disease. It can be presented as a pathogenic or non-pathogenic strain and found not only in the animal but also in the human intestine. This bacterium can cause opportunistic infection when the human host comprised of thalassemia patients or changes the healthy hemostatic flora. This study aimed to analyze the presence of bacteria in thalassemia patients with urinary tract infection. A total of 303 samples were collected during the period from August 2019 to January 2020 from thalassemia patients who suffered from urinary tract infection. The results showed that there were 6.9% of patients infected with E. coli, 2.6% of patients were infected with S. aureus, 0.7% with both Proteus and Klebsiella, while 89.1% of patients had a negative sample for bacteria. Also, the incidence of urinary tract infections in females is higher than in males. Besides, its occurrence in rural areas is higher than in city residents. Moreover, among 16 antibiotics tested to sensitize bacteria to antibiotics, Imipenem showed 100% efficacy on all isolated bacteria. In contrast, Netilmicin showed 80.1% efficacy, Gentamycin 80.1%, and Amikacin 76.2%. Ampicillin, Aztreonam, Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid, Tetracycline, and Ticarcillin-Clavulanic Acid, did not show any effectiveness toward the bacteria while other antibiotics showed different activities. Furthermore, the isolated microbes from thalassemia patients were the highest resistance to antibiotics in comparison with other studies, and this antibiotic-resistant may be due to the weakening of the patient's immune status and frequent blood taking and the antibodies it contains.
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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

The SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES publishes articles in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Agriculture, and related interdisciplinary areas and is intended to fill a gap in terms of scientific information worldwide. All manuscripts can be published either in English or Portuguese, with tile, abstracts, and keywords in English. At present, there are NO PUBLICATION FEES. Editors will cover web hosting, open access, DOI number, and other service costs.

We have set high standards for the articles to be published by ensuring strong but fair refereeing by at least two reviewers. We hope that this Journal will provide a forum for disseminating high-quality research in chemistry and related areas and are open to any questions and suggestions. Starting in 2020, the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES will have two issues per year (June and December).

Thank you very much for choosing the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES to publish your paper!
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