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Showing papers by "University of Nigeria, Nsukka published in 2020"


Journal ArticleDOI
Theo Vos1, Theo Vos2, Theo Vos3, Stephen S Lim  +2416 moreInstitutions (246)
TL;DR: Global health has steadily improved over the past 30 years as measured by age-standardised DALY rates, and there has been a marked shift towards a greater proportion of burden due to YLDs from non-communicable diseases and injuries.

5,802 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The largest declines in risk exposure from 2010 to 2019 were among a set of risks that are strongly linked to social and economic development, including household air pollution; unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing; and child growth failure.

3,059 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Rafael Lozano1, Nancy Fullman1, John Everett Mumford1, Megan Knight1  +902 moreInstitutions (380)
TL;DR: To assess current trajectories towards the GPW13 UHC billion target—1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023—the authors estimated additional population equivalents with UHC effective coverage from 2018 to 2023, and quantified frontiers of U HC effective coverage performance on the basis of pooled health spending per capita.

304 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In a retrospective review of hospital records of 40 human monkeypox from Nigeria, majority developed fever and self-limiting vesiculopustular skin eruptions and five deaths were reported.
Abstract: In a retrospective review of hospital records of 40 human monkeypox cases from Nigeria, the majority developed fever and self-limiting vesiculopustular skin eruptions. Five deaths were reported. Compared to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative cases, HIV type 1-coinfected cases had more prolonged illness, larger lesions, and higher rates of both secondary bacterial skin infections and genital ulcers.

273 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A novel review article introduces few frequently used capping agents in the fabrication of nanoparticles and recent advancements in biomedicine and environmental remediation approaches of capped nanoparticles have been elaborated.
Abstract: Capping agents are of utmost importance as stabilizers that inhibit the over-growth of nanoparticles and prevent their aggregation/coagulation in colloidal synthesis. The capping ligands stabilize the interface where nanoparticles interact with their medium of preparation. Specific structural features of nanoparticles are attributed to capping on their surface. These stabilizing agents play a key role in altering the biological activities and environmental perspective. Stearic effects of capping agents adsorbed on the surface of nanoparticles are responsible for such changing physico-chemical and biological characteristics. Firstly, this novel review article introduces few frequently used capping agents in the fabrication of nanoparticles. Next, recent advancements in biomedicine and environmental remediation approaches of capped nanoparticles have been elaborated. Lastly, future directions of the huge impact of capping agents on the biological environment have been summarized.

244 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study explores the effect of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on the environment in MENA countries from 1990 to 2016 by applying the Augmented Mean Group algorithm while accounting for urbanization, financial development, and economic growth.
Abstract: The countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have the greatest potential for renewable energy consumption in the world and is likely to be the most vulnerable to the horrendous effects of climate change. Unfortunately, only a few of the countries have tapped into this potential, as non-renewable energy still dominates the total energy mix of these countries. This study explores the effect of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on the environment in MENA countries from 1990 to 2016 by applying the Augmented Mean Group algorithm while accounting for urbanization, financial development, and economic growth. The panel result suggests that financial development, economic growth, and urbanization add to environmental degradation. Also, findings reveal that renewable energy does not contribute meaningfully to environmental quality, while non-renewable energy consumption significantly adds to environmental degradation. A uni-directional causality flows from urbanization, economic growth, and energy use to environmental degradation. One way to abate this damage is for countries in this region to embrace and promote the consumption of clean energy sources.

200 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This cross-sectional analysis reports the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis across the world during a single year, investigates associations between clinical variables and national income level, and investigates risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis.
Abstract: Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs.

151 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the facile, cost effective, and eco-friendly formulation of iron oxide nanorods (FeO-NRs) formulated using various techniques was characterized using various technique.
Abstract: Biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanorods (FeO-NRs) from FeCl3 capped with Moringa oleifera (MO) has been developed in this work. The facile, cost effective, and eco-friendly FeO-NRs formulated were characterized using various techniques. The change in the visible color which leads to the formulation of FeO-NRs was confirmed by the UV–visible spectroscopy analysis. The crystallinity of FeO-NRs was observed in the X-ray diffraction spectroscopy pattern indexed to the spinel cubic lattice in the tetrahedral hematite structure. A rod-like morphology of FeO-NRs with the average particle size of 15.01 ± 6.03 nm was determined by the scanning and transmission electron microscopies. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis shows the various functional groups in the formulatedFeO-NRs. Vibrating sample magnetometer shows that the formulated FeO-NRs are superparamagnetic with good saturation magnetization. The formulated FeO-NRs inhibit the growth of six human pathogens with a higher activity at lower concentrations. It is noteworthy that the bacterial strains show strong and effective susceptibility to the formulated FeO-NRs at lower concentrations compared to the conventional antibacterial drugs. Hence, the formulated FeO-NRs proved to be a good, efficient, and promising antibacterial agent due to its cost-effectiveness, non-toxicity, and facile synthesis procedures in therapeutic biomedical fields.

147 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a suggested route combining a number of technologies that create an economically-feasible process for conversion of seaweeds to high-grade crude bio-oil through pyrolysis is presented.

144 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the synergistic effects of catalytic co-pyrolysis of the macroalgae (Enteromorpha prolifera) and waste plastics (HDPE) for enhanced biofuels production were revealed.

141 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the quality of drinking groundwater in Ojoto and environs using pollution index of groundwater (PIG), ecological risk index (ERI), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA).

Journal ArticleDOI
Kathryn V. Walter1, Daniel Conroy-Beam1, David M. Buss2, Kelly Asao2, Agnieszka Sorokowska3, Agnieszka Sorokowska4, Piotr Sorokowski5, Toivo Aavik6, Grace Akello7, Mohammad Madallh Alhabahba8, Charlotte Alm9, Naumana Amjad10, Afifa Anjum10, Chiemezie S. Atama11, Derya Atamtürk Duyar12, Richard Ayebare, Carlota Batres13, Mons Bendixen14, Aicha Bensafia15, Boris Bizumic16, Mahmoud Boussena15, Marina Butovskaya17, Marina Butovskaya18, Seda Can19, Katarzyna Cantarero20, Antonin Carrier21, Hakan Cetinkaya22, Ilona Croy3, Rosa María Cueto23, Marcin Czub4, Daria Dronova17, Seda Dural19, İzzet Duyar12, Berna Ertuğrul24, Agustín Espinosa23, Ignacio Estevan25, Carla Sofia Esteves26, Luxi Fang27, Tomasz Frackowiak4, Jorge Contreras Garduño28, Karina Ugalde González, Farida Guemaz, Petra Gyuris29, Mária Halamová, Iskra Herak21, Marina Horvat30, Ivana Hromatko31, Chin Ming Hui27, Jas Laile Suzana Binti Jaafar32, Feng Jiang33, Konstantinos Kafetsios34, Tina Kavčič35, Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair14, Nicolas Kervyn21, Truong Thi Khanh Ha20, Imran Ahmed Khilji, Nils C. Köbis36, Hoang Moc Lan20, András Láng29, Georgina R. Lennard16, Ernesto León23, Torun Lindholm9, Trinh Thi Linh20, Giulia Lopez37, Nguyen Van Luot20, Alvaro Mailhos25, Zoi Manesi38, Rocio Martinez39, Sarah L. McKerchar16, Norbert Meskó29, Girishwar Misra40, Conal Monaghan16, Emanuel C. Mora41, Alba Moya-Garófano39, Bojan Musil30, Jean Carlos Natividade42, Agnieszka Niemczyk4, George Nizharadze, Elisabeth Oberzaucher43, Anna Oleszkiewicz4, Anna Oleszkiewicz3, Mohd Sofian Omar-Fauzee44, Ike E. Onyishi11, Barış Özener12, Ariela Francesca Pagani37, Vilmante Pakalniskiene45, Miriam Parise37, Farid Pazhoohi46, Annette Pisanski41, Katarzyna Pisanski4, Katarzyna Pisanski47, Edna Lúcia Tinoco Ponciano, Camelia Popa48, Pavol Prokop49, Pavol Prokop50, Muhammad Rizwan, Mario Sainz51, Svjetlana Salkičević31, Ruta Sargautyte45, Ivan Sarmány-Schuller49, Susanne Schmehl43, Shivantika Sharad40, Razi Sultan Siddiqui52, Franco Simonetti53, Stanislava Stoyanova54, Meri Tadinac31, Marco Antonio Correa Varella55, Christin-Melanie Vauclair26, Luis Diego Vega, Dwi Ajeng Widarini, Gyesook Yoo56, Marta Zat’ková, Maja Zupančič57 
University of California, Santa Barbara1, University of Texas at Austin2, Dresden University of Technology3, University of Wrocław4, Opole University5, University of Tartu6, Gulu University7, Middle East University8, Stockholm University9, University of the Punjab10, University of Nigeria, Nsukka11, Istanbul University12, Franklin & Marshall College13, Norwegian University of Science and Technology14, University of Algiers15, Australian National University16, Russian Academy of Sciences17, Russian State University for the Humanities18, İzmir University of Economics19, University of Social Sciences and Humanities20, Université catholique de Louvain21, Ankara University22, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru23, Cumhuriyet University24, University of the Republic25, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon26, The Chinese University of Hong Kong27, National Autonomous University of Mexico28, University of Pécs29, University of Maribor30, University of Zagreb31, University of Malaya32, Central University of Finance and Economics33, University of Crete34, University of Primorska35, University of Amsterdam36, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart37, VU University Amsterdam38, University of Granada39, University of Delhi40, University of Havana41, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro42, University of Vienna43, Universiti Utara Malaysia44, Vilnius University45, University of British Columbia46, Centre national de la recherche scientifique47, Romanian Academy48, Slovak Academy of Sciences49, Comenius University in Bratislava50, University of Monterrey51, DHA Suffa University52, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile53, South-West University "Neofit Rilski"54, University of São Paulo55, Kyung Hee University56, University of Ljubljana57
TL;DR: Using a new 45-country sample (N = 14,399), this work attempted to replicate classic studies and test both the evolutionary and biosocial role perspectives, finding neither pathogen prevalence nor gender equality robustly predicted sex differences or preferences across countries.
Abstract: Considerable research has examined human mate preferences across cultures, finding universal sex differences in preferences for attractiveness and resources as well as sources of systematic cultural variation. Two competing perspectives-an evolutionary psychological perspective and a biosocial role perspective-offer alternative explanations for these findings. However, the original data on which each perspective relies are decades old, and the literature is fraught with conflicting methods, analyses, results, and conclusions. Using a new 45-country sample (N = 14,399), we attempted to replicate classic studies and test both the evolutionary and biosocial role perspectives. Support for universal sex differences in preferences remains robust: Men, more than women, prefer attractive, young mates, and women, more than men, prefer older mates with financial prospects. Cross-culturally, both sexes have mates closer to their own ages as gender equality increases. Beyond age of partner, neither pathogen prevalence nor gender equality robustly predicted sex differences or preferences across countries.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The findings reveal that renewable energy improves environmental quality, and trade is not particularly harmful to the environment, however, non-renewable energy consumption and urbanization are the chief contributors to environmental degradation in the CIVETS countries.
Abstract: Emerging economies are mostly plague by a massive consumption of non-renewable energy amidst an ever inceasing urbanization rate with little or no attention to the quality of the environmental. As such, this paper investigates the relationship between renewable energy, urbanization, economic growth, trade openness, and ecological footprint in CIVETS countries, namely, Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and South Africa. The study employs augmented mean group estimator, panel cointegration, and causality tests. The findings reveal that renewable energy improves environmental quality, and trade is not particularly harmful to the environment. However, non-renewable energy consumption and urbanization are the chief contributors to environmental degradation in the CIVETS countries. Economic expansion mitigates environmental deterioration in Colombia, South Africa, and Turkey, but contributes to pollution in Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Finally, the causality test suggests that urbanization drives environmental degradation. Policy directions are discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent advances in the development of FeO-NPs from fabrication to applications and the state-of-the-arts synthetic routes are discussed, with special attention to the biopolymer surface functionalization of FeNPs now and future perspective of drug delivery in oncologic disease therapy chiefly cancer cells.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the use of natural banana peel for the biosorption of pollutants from water is discussed, and the factors controlling pollutants removal, and regeneration and reuse of the biosorbent.
Abstract: Pollution of environmental waters and ecosystems is increasing. Adsorption is an effective technique for water decontamination, but is limited by the cost of commercial adsorbents such as activated carbon. Research has thus focused on the recycling and transformation of biowaste as low-cost, biodegradable adsorbents. In particular, banana peel is promising for commercial use due to its wide availability and efficiency. Here, we review the use of natural banana peel for the biosorption of pollutants from water. We discuss the factors controlling pollutants removal, and the regeneration and reuse of the biosorbent. pH of 5.0 to 7.0 is favorable for the removal of cationic pollutants, while pH of 2.0 to 4.0 is suitable for anionic pollutants. Generally, higher pollutant concentration induces lower removal, whereas higher banana peel dosage induces higher removal. Banana peel exhibits efficient removal of pollutants at various temperatures, with adsorption capacities mostly within 1–100 mg/g. Nitric acid is the most efficient eluent for heavy metal desorption from banana peel. Most studies showed efficient biosorbent reuse up to five cycles and above. We also discuss the thermodynamics, kinetics and isotherms of the adsorption process.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Mar 2020
TL;DR: To bypass the present flood modelling challenges within the context of the DCs, extensive calibration of state-of-the-art flood models is of significance and researchers within theDCs should be fascinated by the prospect of developing bespoke flood models based on simple mathematical formulations which are easy to parameterise using global, open source and freely- accessible datasets.
Abstract: The prevalence of flooding events and the associated risk in the urban areas is an increasingly important issue of global significance, although it is more critical for the developing countries (DCs), such as Nigeria, where the hazard is often poorly understood and understudied. With current predictions of worsening future scenarios, it is important to pursue integrated flood risk management approaches which incorporate flood modelling. This paper is part of a research programme which is assessing and modelling urban flood risks in the DCs and data poor areas. It focuses on the latest science and philosophy in relation to urban flood risk management in the DCs. It reviews the literature around current flood modelling techniques and provides a comprehensive table of the different approaches alongside the strengths and weaknesses of the different models. Indeed, research in the vicinity of flood modelling has been extensive, and over the years has resulted in the development of a wide variety of schema, datasets and methodologies for simulating flood hydrodynamics. However, the actual potential of these developments has not been demonstrated in the management of flood risk within the DCs. To date, a perfect model or generic technique which can capture every aspect of flood hydrodynamics in an optimal fashion within the diversity of study locations is still unrealistic. Thus, to bypass the present flood modelling challenges within the context of the DCs, extensive calibration of state-of-the-art flood models is of significance. Additionally, researchers within the DCs should be fascinated by the prospect of developing bespoke flood models based on simple mathematical formulations which are easy to parameterise using global, open source and freely- accessible datasets.

Journal ArticleDOI
26 Feb 2020
TL;DR: Insight is given into the need to focus on novel computational, experimental and computation-driven experimental approaches for studying of host–pathogen interactions and thus making a case for its use in vaccine development.
Abstract: The use of vaccines have resulted in a remarkable improvement in global health. It has saved several lives, reduced treatment costs and raised the quality of animal and human lives. Current traditional vaccines came empirically with either vague or completely no knowledge of how they modulate our immune system. Even at the face of potential vaccine design advance, immune-related concerns (as seen with specific vulnerable populations, cases of emerging/re-emerging infectious disease, pathogens with complex lifecycle and antigenic variability, need for personalized vaccinations, and concerns for vaccines' immunological safety -specifically vaccine likelihood to trigger non-antigen-specific responses that may cause autoimmunity and vaccine allergy) are being raised. And these concerns have driven immunologists toward research for a better approach to vaccine design that will consider these challenges. Currently, immunoinformatics has paved the way for a better understanding of some infectious disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, immune system response and computational vaccinology. The importance of this immunoinformatics in the study of infectious diseases is diverse in terms of computational approaches used, but is united by common qualities related to host-pathogen relationship. Bioinformatics methods are also used to assign functions to uncharacterized genes which can be targeted as a candidate in vaccine design and can be a better approach toward the inclusion of women that are pregnant into vaccine trials and programs. The essence of this review is to give insight into the need to focus on novel computational, experimental and computation-driven experimental approaches for studying of host-pathogen interactions and thus making a case for its use in vaccine development.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Drawing from the health belief model, it is recommended that COVID-19 awareness campaigns should target raising more awareness of the risks associated with the infection to make individuals engage more in precautionary behaviors.
Abstract: The novel coronavirus has not only brought along disruptions to daily socio-economic activities, but sickness and deaths due to its high contagion. With no widely acceptable pharmaceutical cure, the best form of prevention may be precautionary measures which will guide against infections and curb the spread of the disease. This study explored the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and precautionary behavior among Nigerians. The study also sought to determine whether this relationship differed for men and women. A web-based cross-sectional design approach was used to recruit 1,554 participants (mean age = 27.43, SD = 9.75; 42.7% females) from all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, through social media platforms using a snowball sampling technique. Participants responded to web-based survey forms comprising demographic questions and adapted versions of the Ebola knowledge scale, SARS risk perception scale, and precautionary behavior scale. Moderated mediation analysis of the data showed that risk perception mediated the association between COVID-19 knowledge and precautionary behavior and this indirect effect was in turn moderated by gender. Results indicate that having adequate knowledge of COVID-19 was linked to higher involvement in precautionary behavior through risk perception for females but not for males. It was also noted that awareness campaigns and psychological intervention strategies on COVID-19 related activities may be particularly important for males more than females. Drawing from the health belief model, we recommend that COVID-19 awareness campaigns should target raising more awareness of the risks associated with the infection to make individuals engage more in precautionary behaviors.

Journal ArticleDOI
Spencer L. James1, Chris D Castle1, Zachary V Dingels1, Jack T Fox1  +630 moreInstitutions (249)
TL;DR: Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017, and future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in high-burden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.
Abstract: Background Past research in population health trends has shown that injuries form a substantial burden of population health loss. Regular updates to injury burden assessments are critical. We report Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 Study estimates on morbidity and mortality for all injuries. Methods We reviewed results for injuries from the GBD 2017 study. GBD 2017 measured injury-specific mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) using the Cause of Death Ensemble model. To measure non-fatal injuries, GBD 2017 modelled injury-specific incidence and converted this to prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs). YLLs and YLDs were summed to calculate disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Findings In 1990, there were 4 260 493 (4 085 700 to 4 396 138) injury deaths, which increased to 4 484 722 (4 332 010 to 4 585 554) deaths in 2017, while age-standardised mortality decreased from 1079 (1073 to 1086) to 738 (730 to 745) per 100 000. In 1990, there were 354 064 302 (95% uncertainty interval: 338 174 876 to 371 610 802) new cases of injury globally, which increased to 520 710 288 (493 430 247 to 547 988 635) new cases in 2017. During this time, agestandardised incidence decreased non-significantly from 6824 (6534 to 7147) to 6763 (6412 to 7118) per 100 000. Between 1990 and 2017, age-standardised DALYs decreased from 4947 (4655 to 5233) per 100 000 to 3267 (3058 to 3505). Interpretation Injuries are an important cause of health loss globally, though mortality has declined between 1990 and 2017. Future research in injury burden should focus on prevention in highburden populations, improving data collection and ensuring access to medical care.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Carbon adsorbents derived from biomass have been widely used in the sequestration of hazardous substances from the environment due to their distinctive properties of large internal surface area, mechanical integrity, and regeneration.
Abstract: Carbon adsorbents derived from biomass (agricultural and household residues) have been widely used in the sequestration of hazardous substances from the environment due to their distinctive qualities of large internal surface area, mechanical integrity, and regeneration. The need for carbon adsorbents for sequestration of dyes, heavy metals, and crude oil components has increased because of environmental concerns. This has led to studies of carbon adsorbents derived from agricultural and household biomass residues. These adsorbents have been used to remove pollutants. Although numerous reviews have been published before, analogy of results obtained using different adsorbents is hard due to dissimilarities in research data. Against this backdrop, the purpose of the research survey was to review the contemporary publications regarding the production of activated carbon from biomass sources highlighting specifically its utilization in removing toxic wastes from water solution such as oil spill, dyes, and sundry hazardous substances. Also the work focuses on the methods for the restoration of the spent adsorbents and their end use.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is recommended for CMCs to limit their “dirty” energy sources and substitute them with renewables to promote environmental sustainability and the results suggest that the pollution haven hypothesis does not hold for C MCs.
Abstract: Foreign direct investment (FDI) and the consumption of non-renewable energy have been on the increase in the coastal Mediterranean countries (CMCs) over the last few decades. Both trigger growth, but the environmental impact could be far-reaching as environmental distortions are mainly human-induced. This study examines the environmental issues facing CMCs. Specifically, we investigate whether the pollution haven hypothesis holds for CMCs. We employ a quantile panel data analysis for CMCs to account for heterogeneity and distributional effects of socioeconomic factors. The result reveals that the influence of FDI on environmental degradation is a function of the indicators utilized and also depends on the initial levels of environmental degradation. The results suggest that the pollution haven hypothesis does not hold for CMCs. However, we also find that energy consumption significantly increases environmental degradation for all indicators and across the observed quantiles. The effects of economic growth and urbanization on the environment were mixed for the different indicators and across quantiles. We recommend that it is pertinent for CMCs to limit their "dirty" energy sources and substitute them with renewables to promote environmental sustainability.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: High-resolution geospatial estimates of access to drinking water and sanitation facilities in low-income and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2017 identify areas with successful approaches or in need of targeted interventions to enable precision public health to effectively progress towards universal access to safe water and sanitary facilities.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The emergence and spread of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes jeopardize the efficacy of COL, a last resort antibiotic for treating deadly infections and has been used in livestock for decades globally.
Abstract: The emergence and spread of mobile colistin (COL) resistance (mcr) genes jeopardize the efficacy of COL, a last resort antibiotic for treating deadly infections. COL has been used in livestock for decades globally. Bacteria have mobilized mcr genes (mcr-1 to mcr-9). Mcr-gene-containing bacteria (MGCB) have disseminated by horizontal/lateral transfer into diverse ecosystems, including aquatic, soil, botanical, wildlife, animal environment, and public places. The mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3, mcr-5, mcr-7, and mcr-8 have been detected in isolates from and/or directly in environmental samples. These genes are harboured by Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, Citrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Kluyvera, Aeromonas, Providencia, and Raulotella isolates. Different conjugative and non-conjugative plasmids form the backbones for mcr in these isolates, but mcr have also been integrated into the chromosome of some strains. Insertion sequences (IS) (especially ISApl1) located upstream or downstream of mcr, class 1–3 integrons, and transposons are other drivers of mcr in the environment. Genes encoding multi-/extensive-drug resistance and virulence are often co-located with mcr on plasmids in environmental isolates. Transmission of mcr to/among environmental strains is clonally unrestricted. Contact with the mcr-containing reservoirs, consumption of contaminated animal-/plant-based foods or water, international animal-/plant-based food trades and travel, are routes for transmission of MGCB.

Journal ArticleDOI
Spencer L. James1, Spencer L. James2, Lydia R. Lucchesi2, Catherine Bisignano2, Chris D Castle2, Zachary V Dingels2, Jack T Fox2, Erin B Hamilton2, Zichen Liu2, Darrah McCracken2, Molly R Nixon2, Dillon O Sylte2, Nicholas L S Roberts2, Oladimeji Adebayo3, Teamur Aghamolaei, Suliman Alghnam, Syed Mohamed Aljunid, Amir Almasi-Hashiani4, Alaa Badawi, Masoud Behzadifar5, Meysam Behzadifar5, Eyasu Tamru Bekru, Derrick A Bennett6, Jens R. Chapman, Kebede Deribe, Bereket Duko Adema7, Yousef Fatahi8, Belayneh K Gelaw, Eskezyiaw Agedew Getahun9, Delia Hendrie10, Andualem Henok11, Hagos de Hidru12, Mehdi Hosseinzadeh13, Guoqing Hu14, Mohammad Ali Jahani15, Mihajlo Jakovljevic16, Farzad Jalilian17, Nitin Joseph18, Manoochehr Karami19, Abraham Getachew Kelbore, Nuruzzaman Khan, Yun Jin Kim20, Parvaiz A Koul21, Carlo La Vecchia22, Shai Linn23, Reza Majdzadeh8, Man Mohan Mehndiratta, Peter Memiah24, Melkamu Merid Mengesha25, Hayimro Edemealem Merie26, Ted R. Miller10, Ted R. Miller27, Mehdi Mirzaei-Alavijeh17, Aso Mohammad Darwesh, Naser Mohammad Gholi Mezerji19, Roghayeh Mohammadibakhsh19, Yoshan Moodley28, Maziar Moradi-Lakeh13, Kamarul Imran Musa29, Bruno Ramos Nascimento30, Rajan Nikbakhsh31, Peter Nyasulu32, Ahmed Omar Bali, Obinna Onwujekwe33, Sanghamitra Pati34, Reza Pourmirza Kalhori17, Farkhonde Salehi17, Saeed Shahabi35, Seifadin Ahmed Shallo, Morteza Shamsizadeh, Zeinab Sharafi5, Sharvari Rahul Shukla36, Mohammad Reza Sobhiyeh17, Joan B. Soriano, Bryan L. Sykes37, Rafael Tabarés-Seisdedos, Degena Bahrey Tadesse, Yonatal Mesfin Tefera, Arash Tehrani-Banihashemi13, Boikhutso Tlou28, Roman Topor-Madry38, Taweewat Wiangkham39, Mehdi Yaseri, Sanni Yaya40, Muluken Azage Yenesew41, Mustafa Z. Younis, Arash Ziapour13, Sanjay Zodpey42, David M. Pigott2, David M. Pigott1, Robert C. Reiner1, Robert C. Reiner2, Simon I. Hay1, Simon I. Hay2, Alan D. Lopez, Ali H. Mokdad1, Ali H. Mokdad2 
TL;DR: While road injury mortality has improved in recent decades, there are worsening rates of incidence and significant geographical heterogeneity, which indicates that more research is needed to better understand how road injuries can be prevented.
Abstract: Background The global burden of road injuries is known to follow complex geographical, temporal and demographic patterns. While health loss from road injuries is a major topic of global importance, there has been no recent comprehensive assessment that includes estimates for every age group, sex and country over recent years. Methods We used results from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 study to report incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability, deaths, years of life lost and disability-adjusted life years for all locations in the GBD 2017 hierarchy from 1990 to 2017 for road injuries. Second, we measured mortality-to-incidence ratios by location. Third, we assessed the distribution of the natures of injury (eg, traumatic brain injury) that result from each road injury. Results Globally, 1 243 068 (95% uncertainty interval 1 191 889 to 1 276 940) people died from road injuries in 2017 out of 54 192 330 (47 381 583 to 61 645 891) new cases of road injuries. Age-standardised incidence rates of road injuries increased between 1990 and 2017, while mortality rates decreased. Regionally, age-standardised mortality rates decreased in all but two regions, South Asia and Southern Latin America, where rates did not change significantly. Nine of 21 GBD regions experienced significant increases in age-standardised incidence rates, while 10 experienced significant decreases and two experienced no significant change. Conclusions While road injury mortality has improved in recent decades, there are worsening rates of incidence and significant geographical heterogeneity. These findings indicate that more research is needed to better understand how road injuries can be prevented.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The groundnut husk and corncob based activated carbons were found to possess the maximum adsorption capacities for copper(II, zinc(II), and chromium(VI) removal, when compared with the other plant biomass-based activated carbONS.
Abstract: Metal ion contamination in wastewater is an issue of global concern. The conventional methods of heavy metal removal from wastewater have some drawbacks, ranging from generation of sludge to high cost of removal. Adsorption technique for copper(II), zinc(II), and chromium(VI) using activated carbon has been found efficient. However, it is not economical on a large scale. This, therefore, necessitates the search for economical and readily available plant biomass-based activated carbons for the sequestration of the metal ions. This review presents the state of the art on the adsorption of copper(II), zinc(II), and chromium(VI) from industrial wastewater. Based on the literature review presented, the groundnut husk and corncob based activated carbons were found to possess the maximum adsorption capacities for copper(II), zinc(II), and chromium(VI) removal, when compared with the other plant biomass-based activated carbons. The high values of the adsorption capacities obtained were as a result of the isotherms and pH of the adsorbent as well as the initial concentration of the metal solutions. From the review, the equilibrium data fitted better with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms than with other isotherms. Research gaps were identified which include a need to investigate the kinetic and the thermodynamic behaviors of the metal ions onto the studied adsorbents. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the three types of activation of the adsorbents should be investigated using single and multi-metals. The optimization of particle size, contact time, temperature, initial concentration, and adsorbent dosage for adsorption of copper(II), zinc(II), and chromium(VI) onto the studied adsorbents using response surface methodology is equally required.

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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors synthesized NiO nanoparticles (NPs) using a simple, cost effective, eco-friendly and sustainable green synthesis route mediated by maize (Zea mays lea silk) dry silk extract.

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TL;DR: It is found that political corruption motivates large-scale political distrust that undermines public compliance to government protocols, limits the outcomes of government responses to COVID-19 and facilitates the spread of the virus in Nigeria.
Abstract: While studies have explored how health sector corruption, weak healthcare system, large-scale immune compromised population, misinformation and prevalence of highly congested slums contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, they have glossed over the impact of political distrust on the spread of the virus. This study explores the impact of political distrust on the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study utilised qualitative dominant mixed methods approach comprising telephone interviews and a survey of 120 educated Nigerians purposively selected from four COVID-19 most affected states including Lagos, Oyo, Kano and Rivers as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The study also relied on secondary data on the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria sourced from Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control from 27 February to 31st August 2020. The study found that political corruption motivates large-scale political distrust. This undermines public compliance to government protocols, limits the outcomes of government responses to COVID-19 and facilitates the spread of the virus in Nigeria. The paper concludes that improving government accountability in the public sector management is relevant for building public trust, promoting citizens' compliance to COVID-19 safety measure and mitigating the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria and beyond.

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TL;DR: This study motivates the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), along with other food and agricultural agencies, to intensify their efforts in monitoring and analysing food components, and advises consumers to eat with certain degrees of caveat.
Abstract: Heavy metals such as Zn, Pb, Fe, and Cu are abundant in the environment and contribute largely to the sustainability and equilibrium of ecosystem processes. However, because of their bioaccumulation, nondegradability, and the excessive amounts in which they exist, these metals contaminate the food chain and subsequently become a source of toxicity to human beings and the entire ecological function. This is a major issue of concern within the study of environmental science and geochemistry. Although there is a global significance to the issue, it seems more immediate for the developing countries (DCs) such as Nigeria, where the pressure of the teeming population escalates the exigency for human sustainability, food security, and total eradication of hunger. Within the Nigerian context, many studies have examined this all-important issue, but most of these studies are fragmented and limited within the purview of mostly individual states and localities within the country. Taken on a wider geographical scale, the discussions and perspectives of these studies on heavy metal contamination of the food chain offer insufficient insight and expose merely a snapshot of the actual situation. As a result of this, a country-wide knowledge base of the implications of heavy metals on the food chain is lacking. Thus, the present study synthesises existing literature and their findings to create a knowledge base on the vulnerability of the food chain in Nigeria. Aquatic foods, fruits, vegetables, and major staple food such as tubers are the major host of carcinogenic and mutagenic components of heavy metals in Nigeria. This study motivates the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), along with other food and agricultural agencies, to intensify their efforts in monitoring and analysing food components, and we advise consumers to eat with certain degrees of caveat.

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TL;DR: In this article, the authors reviewed the anaerobic digestion of food waste, the composition of its digestate and trends in the treatment of ADFE with emphasis on treatment using microalgae.
Abstract: Food waste constitutes a significant portion of waste in the world. Indeed, it is estimated that about one-third of edible human food is wasted globally. Anaerobic digestion has been identified as a promising technology for the treatment of food waste as it generates a significant amount of energy and can remove a substantial portion of the organics. However, this process has not been adequately applied due to technical and economic challenges. Most importantly, anaerobic digestion of food waste produces waste in the form of Anaerobic digestate food effluent (ADFE), with high amounts of nutrient such as ammonium (up to 3000 mg L−1 NH3-N). It has been established that this effluent can be used as a substrate for the cultivation of microalgae allowing both a means of its treatment and its possible valorization. This paper reviews the anaerobic digestion of food waste, the composition of its digestate and trends in the treatment of ADFE with emphasis on treatment using microalgae. Potential microalgal cultivation methods applicable to the treatment of anaerobic digestate, especially ADFE, and possible optimization of the cultivation methods are also reviewed critically. Further, understanding of the cultivation of microalgae in ADFE is required to aid in better design of its treatment process and valorization to improve its economics.

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TL;DR: In vivo studies revealed a pronounced hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats after peroral administration of the insulin-loaded NPs compared to the effect caused by free oral insulin solution, which suggested good biocompatibility of the NPs formulations.