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Weather variability and its effects on agricultural and food systems are burgeoning global concerns. This study examined the effects of weather variability in the derived savannah and rainforest agroecologies, on crop yields in Southwest Nigeria, and what it portends for food and nutrition security in the region. The trends in the distribution of rainfall and temperature were analysed using the Sens method. The effects of weather variability on crop yield and inferences on what it portends for food security were determined using a stepwise regression model. The results revealed that rainfall fluctuations decreased the yields of cassava (Manihot esculenta) and yam (Dioscorea spp.) in the derived savannah; while a decrease in temperature may support improved yields for maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). The increase in yields of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) would be hampered by increasing maximum temperatures in the rainforest agroecology. Increasing rainfall and temperature would impact warmer conditions that support rapid crop putrefaction, flooding, droughts, challenging postharvest crop management, pest and disease proliferation, and ultimately, reduced crop yields. On the other hand, perpetually low rainfall and temperature conditions will cause poor seedling emergence and growth, seed and total crop loss. It is, therefore, imperative that effective climate adaptation and mitigation mechanisms be put in place across the agroecologies in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The local use of medicinal plants in the management of reproductive abnormalities is a common practice in Africa. One prominent plant used in Nigeria for such purpose is Secamone afzelii. Aim and Objectives: To investigate the effects of Ethanol Extract of Secamone afzelii (EESA) on reproductive dysfunction induced by Aluminum Chloride (AlCl3) in male rats. Material and Methods: Thirty matured male Wistar rats equally divided into six groups were used for this study. Group I served as control, group II received AlCl3 (35 mg/kg bw), groups III and IV received 35 mg/kg bw and 100 and 200 mg/kg EESA respectively. Groups V and VI received 100 and 200 mg/kg EEESA respectively. Doses were given once daily via oral route for 14 consecutive days. Results: The results revealed that, AlCl3 caused significant decrease in final body weight, sex organs relative weight, sperm concentration, motility and viability, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone concentration and Glutathione (GSH) activity, accompanied with significant increase in sperm abnormalities. AlCl3 also induced apparent alteration in the histoarchitecture of the testis and epididymis. Treatment with EESA modulated the harmful effects of AlCl3. This was proved by improvement in the gross anatomical, hormonal and antioxidant activity of treated rats. There was a noticeable improvement in the histopathology of testicular and epididymal tissues. EESA significantly increased serum testosterone in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion: EESA is a possible ameliorative agent in AlCl3-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in male rat.

Background: Endovascular therapy has become increasingly preferred in the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions. The choice of arterial access usually depends on the type of procedure being performed with most via the common femoral artery and increasingly via the radial artery. Percutaneous access via the brachial artery has however been approached with caution due to the perceived increased risk for development of complications. Percutaneous brachial artery access (pBAA) has insufficient evidence when compared to femoral and radial access, with no large-scale studies available. The objective of this study is to review the literature and report the clinical and radiological complications associated with pBAA., Methods: EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL and Medline were searched for existing data on the complications associated with pBAA. Systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out on the data of 31 studies., Results: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that the probability of post procedural haematoma was 4.76%, haemorrhage 1.43%, perforation 1.11% pseudoaneurysm 1.06%, spasm 0.9%, thrombus 0.55%, neuropathy 0.53%, occlusion 0.51%, ischaemia 0.37% and infection 0.24 %. Non-target vessel puncture, stenosis and stroke had a 0% incidence among the assessed population., Conclusion: This study provides evidence to support clinical decision making when it comes to the utility of pBAA in endovascular diagnosis or therapy. The results demonstrate that pBAA is relatively safe with a low incidence of serious complications and thereby provide the clinician with the option of an alternate access point when planning treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Lagos State is the epicenter of COVID-19 in Nigeria, having the highest number of cases and death. Veterinary practitioners play an important role in public health and risk exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 while attending to animal patients and owners. We determined the prevalence of covid-19 among veterinary practitioners and their dog patients in Lagos, and the associated risk factors during the lockdown., Methods: We administered questionnaires, reviewed clinical records and conducted serological test to determine the COVID-19 status of 112 veterinary practitioners and 154 dog patients and to assess the associated factors in nine veterinary clinics or hospitals between June to August 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses at 5% significant level., Result: The mean age of participants was 37.5±10.5 and 66 (58.9%) were male. COVID-19 cases among the veterinary practitioners and dogs were 29 (25.9%) and 3 (2%), respectively. Predictors of COVID-19 cases among veterinary practitioners were contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected dog (AOR: 25.42; CI 4.73-136.66); being a veterinary doctor working during the lockdown (AOR: 6.11; CI 1.56-24.00) and not disinfecting examination table after attending to dogs (AOR: 12.43; CI 1.39-110.99)., Conclusion: Veterinary practitioners and dogs in Lagos were exposed to SARS-COV-2 virus during the COVID-19 lockdown. Contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected dogs, being a veterinary doctor working during the lockdown and not disinfecting examination tables after clinical examination were predictors of COVID-19 cases among veterinary practitioners in Lagos State. Strict Infection, Prevention and Control measures are recommended in veterinary practice., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is the most-important disease of cassava ( Manihot esculenta) in Africa, and is a potential threat to Latin American (LA) cassava production. Although this viral disease is still unknown in LA, its vector - the whitefly - has recently been found. The disease is best controlled through host-plant resistance, which was first found in third backcross derivatives of an interspecific cross between cassava and Manihot glaziovii, and is thought to be polygenic. Recently, high levels of resistance were also found in several Nigerian cassava landraces. Classical genetic analysis and molecular genetic-mapping of the landraces showed that a major dominant gene confers this resistance. Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was used to quickly identify a simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker linked to the CMD-resistance gene. The marker, SSRY28, is located on linkage group R of the male-parent-derived molecular genetic map. The gene, designated as CMD2, is flanked by the SSR and RFLP marker GY1 at 9 and 8 cM, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first report of qualitative virus resistance in cassava, and of molecular markers that tag CMD resistance in cassava. We discuss the use of markers linked to CMD2 for marker-assisted breeding of CMD resistance in Latin America and for increasing the cost-effectiveness of resistance breeding in Africa.