Assessing desertification vulnerability and mitigation strategies in northern Nigeria: A comprehensive approach.

Desertification constitutes a grave threat to the environmental and socio-economic stability of desertification frontline states in Northern Nigeria. From 2003 to 2020, this research comprehensively analyzes desertification vulnerability, integrating parameters such as NDVI, LST, TVDI, MSAVI, and Albedo. Key factors contributing to land degradation are identified, along with the spatial patterns and trends of desertification over the two-decade period. The consequences are profound, with Northern Nigeria's ecosystem experiencing a steady decline in vegetation cover. Agriculture, vital to the region's economy, faces increased aridity and reduced arable land, jeopardizing food security. Diminishing water resources exacerbates scarcity issues, placing additional strain on communities. These environmental changes lead to severe socio-economic implications, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks. Urgent, comprehensive, and strategic interventions are imperative. Policy recommendations underscore revising and enforcing land use regulations, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and establishing monitoring systems to guide decision-making. This research contributes practical strategies to enhance the resilience of desertification frontline states, safeguard livelihoods, and align with Nigeria's sustainable development objectives. Findings from the study indicate that only a tiny percentage (6.7 %) of the study area remains unaffected by desertification. Moreover, 13.3 % exhibit light vulnerability, 20 % demonstrate moderate exposure, and 60 % fall into the severe (26.7 %) and compelling (33.3 %) vulnerability categories. These statistics underscore the gravity of desertification in the study area, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation measures to address its impact comprehensively.

Antisickling effect of chrysin is associated with modulation of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin via alteration of functional chemistry and metabolic pathways of human sickle erythrocytes.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) treatment and management remain a challenging puzzle especially among developing Nations. Chrysin's sickling-suppressive properties in human sickle (SS) erythrocytes in addition to its effect on AA-genotype erythrocytes were evaluated. Sickling was induced (76%) with 2% sodium metabisulphite at 3 h. Chrysin prevented (81.19%) the sickling and reversed same (84.63%) with strong IC50s (0.0257 µM and 0.00275 µM, respectively). The levels of oxygenated haemoglobin in the two groups (before and after induction approaches) were similar but significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of SS erythrocytes (the 'induced' control), with chrysin-treated AA-genotype showing no effects relative to the untreated. The level of deoxygenated haemoglobin in the 'induced' control group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the chrysin-treated SS erythrocytes. Normal and chrysin-untreated erythrocytes (AA-untreated) were significantly more resistant to osmotic fragility than the SS-untreated. However, treatment with chrysin significantly reduced the osmotic fragility of the cells relative to the untreated cells. Furthermore, chrysin treatment significantly lowers the high level of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) observed in the sickle erythrocytes, with no effects on AA-genotype erythrocytes. Based on functional chemistry, chrysin treatment alters the functional groups in favour of its antisickling effects judging from the observed bends and shifts. From metabolomics analysis, it was observed that chrysin treatment favors fatty acid alkyl monoesters (FAMEs) production with concomitant shutting down-effects on selenocompound metabolism. Thus, sickling-suppressive effects of chrysin could potentially be associated with modulation of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin via alteration of human sickle erythrocyte's functional chemistry and metabolic pathways implicated in SCD crisis.

Toxicological evaluations of Stigma maydis (corn silk) aqueous extract on hematological and lipid parameters in Wistar rats.

Despite the acclaimed phytotherapeutic attributes of Stigma maydis in folkloric medicine, there is paucity of information on its toxicity profile on hematological and lipid parameters. The toxicological effect of aqueous extract of corn silk at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight on hematological indices in Wistar rats were evaluated progressively at 24 h after 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Lipid parameters were also analyzed at the end of the experimental period. We observed that the extract did not exhibit any significant (p > 0.05) effect on red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and mean platelet volume at all the tested doses. The study however showed a significant increase in the serum levels of white blood cell, platelet, lymphocytes, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; as well as feeding pattern in the animals, while the concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and artherogenic index value were significantly lowered. These findings are suggestive of non-hematotoxic potential of the extract. Overall, the effect exhibited by corn silk extract in this study proved that, it is unlikely to be hematotoxic and could be a good candidature in the management of coronary heart diseases if consumed at the doses investigated.

Excision of a giant anterior chest wall neurofibroma and chest wall reconstruction with methlymethacrylate and vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Plexiformneurofibromas (PNFs) are benign nerve tumours resulting from aberrant growth of cells of nerve sheath. PNFs are generally painless, slow growing neoplasms. Although most neoplasms are asymptomatic, they can be particularly debilitating due to their potential to grow to very large sizes. They have potential for transformation into highly malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours which occur in approximately 5% of patients. They can affect most parts of the body. When they occur in the chest wall, they are amenable to excision. Following excision, a surgeon is faced with a large skeletal and soft tissue defects which pose functional and cosmetic challenges. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 24-year-old farmer that presented with a giant anterior chest wall plexiformneurofibroma that was noticed since childhood. He had excision of the mass and skeletal reconstruction with methylmethacrylate sandwiched in prolene mesh and softtissue coverage with vertical rectus abdominismusculocutaneous flap. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of methylmethacrylate and myocutaneous flaps give both good functional and cosmetic outcome following excision of large chest wall tumours.