The Coal Province lies within the central portion of Anambra Basin and along the axis of regional water resources catchment of Southeastern Nigeria. Although this area includes a prolific aquifer, the high cost of development and treatment of the groundwater degraded by AMD has created water scarcity problems against water policy initiatives. Social and economic impacts were investigated, even as policy measures for rehabilitation purposes through water resource management were highlighted. Several geoscientific methods were integrated for the investigations. Mean resistivity up to 30 Ω-m relatively at shallow depths indicated aquitards of Enugu/Mamu Formations, whereas the aquifer reflected resistivity ≤1,000 Ω-m at depths of ≥180 m across Ajali Sandstone. Alkaline-rich seepage flushed Fe-rich AMD at aquifer-aquitards interfaces adjoining the river catchment area. The AMD-induced oxidation process produced noxious Ca-Mg-Na-HCO3-SO4-Cl facie. These results were correlated with policy related questionnaires. Plans for water security were proposed, mainly to channel groundwater directly from the regional aquifer, or the chemically degraded seeped water from the fluvial system, into constructor water reservoir (treatment) columns prior to distribution to the town-water supply. Such water resource development is cost effective; and with management policies regulated by relevant decision-making agencies, sustainable supply is assured.
Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate if SCD protects against HIV infection by determining the association between SCD and the incidence and virulence of HIV infection. Methods: This is a systematic review that used MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Academic Search Complete as data sources. Articles describing the relationship of SCD with HIV infection were included in this review. Hence, the effect measures were converted to correlation coefficients and synthesized accordingly to examine the putative protective role of SCD over HIV infection. Independent full-text screening and data extraction were conducted on all eligible studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the mixed methods appraisal tool. We employed a random-effects model of meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence. We computed Cochrane's Q statistics, I2, and prediction interval to quantify effect size heterogeneity. Results: SCD reduces the risk of HIV infection by 75% (OR = 0.25; r = -0.36, p < 0.001; I2 = 71.65). There was no publication bias (Egger’s t-value = 0.411; p = 0.721) (Figure 2). Similarly, risk of HIV virulence was reduced by 77% (OR = 0.23; r= -0.38; p < 0.001; I2 = 63.07).The mechanisms implicated in the protective influence of SCD include autosplenectomy, reduced CCR5 expression, and increased expression of heme and iron-regulated genes. Conclusions: Sickle cell disease appears protective of HIV infection and slows HIV progression. PROSPERO registration Number: CRD42022304490
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