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Objective: Coronaviruses belong to the order Nidovirales, family Coronaviridae, and four genera, namely: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was first officially reported in Wuhan City of China. Consequently, on February 11, 2020, the CSG named the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); it causes the disease dubbed Covid-19. The virus was officially declared pandemic by WHO, on March 11, 2020. Up till date, no drug, including the existing ones, has been approved for covid-19 treatment. The objective of this work, is to carry out a review on proven herbal extracts and the phyto-compound contents, for possible antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, and thus, as potential candidates for Covid-19 vaccine. Materials and Methods: Investigation into proven plant species against respiratory tract diseases was carried out between 1st to 30th of July, 2020 via: (a) Conduction of interview with traditional herbal healers and users, in south-western Nigeria on efficacies and history of use of identified plant species; (b) Search to confirm active phyto-compounds in the traditionally identified plant species via: (i). the free ELSEVIER repositories at the ‘COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTRE’ hosted on ELSEVIER Connect. (ii). Unrestricted resources in the PubMed domain. (iii). Unrestricted publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID-19 database. Results: Findings revealed herbal extracts of: (i). Zingiber officinale, (ii). Psidium guayava, (iii). Nigella sativa, and (iv). Hibiscus sabdariffa; are highly rich in phyto-compounds with potent antiviral properties, and therefore suit as a potential remedy against Covid-19. Conclusion: Identified plant species possess phyto-compounds with antiviral activities, thus projecting them as potential candidates for development of Covi-19 vaccine.

The outbreak of yellow fever virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti has been of major concern in Nigeria, this mosquito also transmits several other arboviruses globally. The control of many vectors of mosquito-borne diseases relies heavily on the use of insecticides. Therefore, constant monitoring of insecticide resistance status and associated mechanisms is crucial within the local mosquito population. Here, we determined the resistance profile of adult Ae. aegypti from Majidun and Oke Ota communities, Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria to different classes of insecticides using WHO procedures. The resistant phenotypes of Ae. aegypti were screened for the presence of kdr mutations F1534C, S989P, and V1016G, which have been implicated in insecticide resistance in yellow fever vectors. A high level of resistance to DDT and pyrethroids was recorded in Ae. aegypti in this study, although possible resistance to deltamethrin, one of the pyrethroids was reported in one of the locations. Resistance to bendiocarb was recorded in the Majidun community while Ae. aegypti in both locations were susceptible to malathion. The presence of F1534C mutation associated with DDT and deltamethrin resistance in Ae. aegypti population, and the presence of S989P mutation were detected singly and in co-occurrence with F1534C for the first time in Africa, while V1016G mutation was not detected in this study. The role of these mutations in resistance phenotype expressed in Ae. aegypti in larger populations needs to be established.

Curcuma longa and Curcumin have been documented to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, including anti-Acanthamoeba activity. Hence, this study sought to explore the anti-adhesion activity of C. longa extract and Curcumin against Acanthamoeba triangularis trophozoites and cysts in plastic and contact lenses. Our results showed that C. longa extract and Curcumin significantly inhibited the adhesion of A. triangularis trophozoites and cysts to the plastic surface, as investigated by the crystal violet assay (P, Graphical abstract Image 1

Background: Culex mosquitoes are important vectors of several human pathogens causing infections such as lymphatic filariasis and several viruses. Poor and blocked drainage system can lead to impediment in water flow, leading to the artificial creation of larval habitats for Culex mosquitoes. Culex mosquitoes has the ability to breed in organically polluted water bodies and exhibit high resistance to insecticides. Therefore, this study assessed the species and insecticides susceptibility status of Culex breeding in blocked drainages in Lagos State. Methods: Culex mosquito larvae were collected from blocked drainages in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, Nigeria, using standard WHO technique. The physicochemical parameters of the larval habitats were also recorded. Collected mosquito larvae were raised to adult, 2-3 days old. Glucose fed adults female mosquitoes were exposed to permethrin (0.75%) and DDT (4.0%) WHO insecticide test papers. Morphological identification was carried out using standard keys and molecular identification of Culex pipiens sub-species and kdr genotyping was carried out using PCR Results: High level of resistance was recorded with mortality r ate after 24 hour s for DDT ranging from 20% to 32% while permethrin ranges from 14% to 36%. The pH of the all the Culex mosquito larva habitats ranges from 7.38±0.11 to 7.62±0.29, while TDS ranges from 592.6±79.1 to 655±68.1. A total of 1113 Culex pipiens mosquitoes that were identify morphologically, some were selected for molecular identification using PCR assays, out of which 96.2% were identified as Culex p. quinquefasciatus while 3.7% were unidentified. Knockdown mutation (L1014F) was not detected in DDT and pyrethroids resistant Cx. quinquefasciatus in this study. Conclusion: Unplanned ur banization, inadequate w ater su pply and inefficient solid w aste and sewage management practices can result in the creation artificial larval habitats for Culex mosquitoes leading to potential outbreak of Culex mosquito borne diseases. The resistance to DDT and permethrin insecticides in Cx. quinquefasciatus in Lagos State may represent a threat towards the efficacy of ITNs and other forms of vector control such as indoor residual spraying in the future.

Interactions between landfill leachate and some clayey soils were investigated to elucidate their possible effects and reactions and the extent to which the chemical composition of landfill leachate influences the chemical and mineralogical properties of the soils upon leachate contact. Physicochemical properties of landfill leachate was obtained while the clay mineralogy, major and minor oxides composition, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), carbonate content and total organic carbon of Shale (Sedimentary), Migmatite gneiss and Quartzite (Basement Complex)-derived clayey soils after three-weeks saturation with leachate were determined. Dark brown colour and malodorous smell of landfill leachate is linked to high concentration of dissolved organic substances in the leachate composition while high leachate pH indicates an old and stabilized leachate with its temperature impacting the bacterial growth and chemical reaction. Significant changes were observed in both chemistry and mineralogy of the clays after leachate contact with observed appearance of Illite in the migmatite gneiss-derived clayey soil, an indication of mineralogical changes caused by ionic solutions. Enrichment of Ca, SiO2 and Cl; in addition to increased CEC for all the soils is generally noticed. Furthermore, leachate contact resulted in modification of Basement Complex-derived soils from acidic to alkaline soils while the sedimentary terrain-derived soils retained its alkaline pH nature. Hence, alteration in mineralogical and chemical properties observed in the different derived clayey soils is a function of the leachate composition, sorptive capacity of the soils, parent material and especially the inherent reactions upon leachate contact.

Highlights • A focused on the erectogenic potentials of two tropical pumpkin seeds was established. • The antioxidant properties of these seed varieties were also discussed. • The inhibitory effects of the seeds on key enzymes relevant to ED were critically explored. • The potentials of the seeds to manage ED were recommended.

This work investigates the possibility of using flow induced vibration (FIV), in a pipeline as an excitation source for piezoelectric energy harvesting mechanism, using model based approach. Mathematical (Partial and Ordinary Differential Equations) models describing the dynamics of FIV, and of vibration excited piezoelectric transducer, obtained from literature, are used. Algorithms for numerical (finite difference method) solution of the FIV models are developed. The developed algorithms are simulated using MatLab software to obtain the vibrations (transverse accelerations) of pipeline conveying fluid under fixed-fixed and fixed-pinned support. Then simulations of the modified Single Degree of Freedom (SDOF) model of the piezoelectric transducer are carried out using the simulated vibrations as base excitations. A power output of 0.027μ watts with 2.13g acceleration value and 0.0016 and 0.16g acceleration for fixed-fixed and fixed-pinned respectively.

This study assessed the involvement of rural youths in soybean value addition process in Oyo State, Nigeria with aim of describing the socio-economic characteristics of young farmers that are involved in soybean value addition process; determine the perception of young farmers towards the soybean value addition process; examine the awareness of soybean value addition available to young farmers; determine the level of youth involvement in soybean value addition and examine the constraints in value addition of soybean production among rural young farmers. A multistage sampling procedure was adopted in the study. Firstly, purposive sampling technique was used to select two zones (Ibadan/ Ibarapa zone and Oyo zone) from the four agricultural zones in Oyo State based on the predominance of soybean farmers in the area. Secondly, proportionate random sampling technique was used to select three Local Government Areas (LGAs) from the two zones. Two LGAs (Akinyele and Ido) from Ibadan/Ibarapa zone and one LGA (Afijio) from Oyo zone were selected. Thirdly, proportionate sampling technique was used to select 8, 7 and 6 communities from Akinyele, Ido and Afijio LGAs respectively; this makes a total of 21 communities. Finally, simple random sampling technique was used to select 6 youths that were involved in soybean value addition process in each community making 126 youths (between the ages of 18 and 40 years) that were are involved in soybean value addition for the study. Data collected were analyzed and summarized using frequency count, chi-square and correlation analysis among others. The results revealed that the mean age of rural youths that were involved in soybean value addition was 27.80 ± 7.17 years. The majority (73.0%) were female, many of them (57.1%) had a high level of awareness about soybean value addition activities (fresh soybeans, dried soybeans, roasted soybeans, soy grits, soy flour, soy milk, soy sprouts and soy curd/tofu). About 73.8% had a high level of involvement and their main constraints against their involvement were inadequate processing skills (mean= 3.65), hazard involved (mean= 3.37) and low shell life span of soybean products (mean= 2.88). The results of the chi-square indicated the indigenous status (χ2 = 2.104; P

Moringa oleifera Lam., Moringaceae, and Telfairia occidentalis Hook. f., Curcubitaceae, leaves are two tropical vegetables of medicinal properties. In this study, the inhibitory activities and the radical scavenging potentials of these vegetables on relevant enzymes of type 2-diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) were evaluated in vitro. HPLC-DAD was used to characterize the phenolic constituents and Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation in rat's pancreas was investigated. Various radical scavenging properties coupled with metal chelating abilities were also determined. However, phenolic extracts from the vegetables inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase and chelated the tested metals (Cu2+ and Fe2+) in a concentration-dependent manner. More so, the inhibitory properties of phenolic rich extracts from these vegetables could be linked to their radical scavenging abilities. Therefore, this study may offer a promising prospect for M. oleifera and T. occidentalis leaves as a potential functional food sources in the management of type 2-diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Type 2-diabetes, Tropical, Antioxidant, Lipid peroxidation, Medicinal, Phenolics

Summary Cell phones have become an integral part of everyday life. As cell phone usage has become more widespread, concerns have increased regarding the harmful effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation from these devices. The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the emitted radiation by cell phones on testicular histomorphometry and biochemical analyses. Adult male Wistar rats weighing 180–200 g were randomly allotted to control, group A (switched off mode exposure), group B (1-hr exposure), group C (2-hr exposure) and group D (3-hr exposure). The animals were exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation of cell phone for a period of 28 days. Histomorphometry, biochemical and histological investigations were carried out. The histomorphometric parameters showed no significant change (p

Problem statement: River Landzu is of particular importance in the study of surface water pollution because effluents from cottage industries, municipal sewage, agricultural and urban run-off are discharged into it bringing about considerable change in the water quality. Approach: This study aimed at using the application of Water Quality Index (WQI) in evaluating the quality of River Landzu for public usage. This was done by subjecting the 120 water samples collected to comprehensive physicochemical analysis using APHA standard methods of analysis. Results: The WQI for the samples was 171.85. The high value of WQI had been found mainly from the higher values of iron, chromium and manganese, COD and turbidity. The results of the analysis when compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) permissible limit indicated that the river was polluted and so the water is not safe for domestic use and would need further treatment. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated application of water quality index in estimating/understanding the quality of river water and appeared to be promising in the field of water quality management.

Metal content of the ochre was determined by Flame photometry and atomic adsorption spectroscopic technique while the antimicrobial activity of ochre from North-Central Nigeria against selected organisms were investigated using standard methods. The results revealed the presence of Fe, Mg, Na, K, Ca, Mn, Cu, and Zn in ochre. Fe had the highest concentration (1122.7 mg/kg) followed by Mg (193.0 mg/kg). The lowest concentration was that of Zn followed by Cu at 0.65 and 3.8 mg/kg respectively. Sensitivity tests of ochre against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Dermatophilus congolensis revealed that ochre had the highest zone of inhibition against Dermatophilus congolensis compared to other pathogens. The MIC and MBC at 50% of the compounding with culture of 1000 µgcm-3were found to be favourable. The study therefore showed that ochre could be a good agent in the fight against infections associated with D. congolensis. Key words: Ochre, metals, North-Central Nigeria, antimicrobial properties.