Highlights We established the introduction of diverse sub-Lineages of Lineage B into Africa within the first few months of the SARSCoV-2 outbreak. The evolutionary rate of SARSCoV-2 sequences in Africa is consistent with previous reports indicating congruence with global viral evolution. The G614 spike protein mutant was the most prevalent in this study.

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The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze the interrelationships among iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and total hydrocarbons (THCs) in the gills, intestines and muscles of Clarias gariepinus collected from Osse River, Nigeria, between the periods of April, 2013 to September, 2014. The trace metals in the fish tissues were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS, Philips model PU 9100), while total hydrocarbons were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC,Prominence Dual brand from HGE) equipped with a detector Shimadzu UV-Visible (UV-Vis Prominence SPD 20 A). The concentrations of trace metals and THCs in the tissues were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), in conjunction with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), backed up by correlation analysis (CA). In the most prioritized component among the hierarchies of contaminants, characterized as principal component 1, results of communality extractions and rotated component matrices revealed the order of contaminants was Mn > Cu > Zn > Fe > Cr in the intestines, Cr > Cu > THCs > Mn > Fe in the muscle, while Pb > Cr > Fe > Mn was the order in the gills of the fish. Iron inhibited accumulation of the other trace metals in the gills, where its threshold of essentiality was maximal. Noteworthy is the fact that Mn and Cu were the most active components in the muscle and concurrently of excess concentrations in the tissue, which is the major edible part of fish, and constitutes its main body weight, hence holds its nutritional and economic values. High level of variability which occurred in the toxicant profile across the tissues of C. gariepinus is a function of uptake route, varied organ functions and specificity of tissue permeability of the compared organs. The study demonstrated variability in organ accumulation capacity and toxicant’s competitiveness irrespective of bioavailability. The study provides data useful for future ecotoxicological studies and safety of consumers of the fish.

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The global use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) and release of glyphosate residues in soil environment have over the years been a major concern. In this study, we aim to evaluate the biochemical response and vermiremediation potential of three indigenous earthworm species; namely Alma millsoni, Eudrilus eugeniae and Libyodrilus violaceus in GBH treated soils. Study design: Three weed plants (Tridax procumbense, Ludwigia pasturis and Pannicum maximum) were transplanted into 140 plastic pots and 20 adult individual earthworms of each species were later introduced into 60 pots. In total, each earthworm species treatments representing 20 pots and 20 pots without earthworm were sprayed with 115.49 mL/m 2 (equivalent to 83.2 g a.i/m 2) of Roundup® Alphée. The remaining 60 pots with earthworm species were left unsprayed. Activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), metallothionine (MT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were monitored at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks Post Herbicide Application (PHA) using standard methods. Glyphosate residues in the soil and earthworm species were quantified with a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector. Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) was also calculated. Results: Higher activities of GST and LDH and reduction in MT activities were observed in the three earthworm species exposed to GBH compared to the unexposed while AChE activity was insensitive to the herbicide. The antioxidant defence system was able to protect E. eugeniae and L. violaceus against oxidative stress. The presence of earthworms reduced glyphosate residues in the soil. E. eugeniae and L. violaceus were bioaccumalators and biomagnifiers of glyphosate as indicated by the BAF (> 1) obtained after 8th week PHA. Relationships exist between glyphosate BAF in E. eugeniae and L. violaceus and exposure duration as well as between glyphosate residues in tissues of the earthworm species and their biochemical parameters. Conclusions: Alterations in the enzymatic activities and antioxidant defence of the earthworm species could be an index for GBH contaminated soil monitoring and assessment; both E. eugeniae and L. violaceus showed potential to vermiremediate soils contaminated with GBH.

Aims: To compare the levels of heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii samples from different locations of anthropogenic activities. Study Design: Factorial design.

The accumulation of heavy metals in water and sediment of Ekpan Creek has increased significantly from previously reported concentrations. The present study was designed to assess the levels of heavy metals in surface water and sediment in the Creek using scientifically recommended procedures for seven (7) heavy metals levels of Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Maganese (Mn). The concentrations of these metals were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICPMS) metal scanning respectively. Their order of prevalence in water was Fe>Zn>Mn>Cd>Pb>Cu>Cr, while sediment was Fe>Cu>Mn>Cr>Pb>Zn>Cd. Fe and Cu recorded worrisome levels above regulatory limits in some stations. This requires urgent efforts to monitor the sources of heavy metals to the river, their bioaccumulation in icthyofauna of the river and public health risk assessment.

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