Spatial pattern in solid minerals distribution in Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined the extent of solid mineral distribution in Cross River State using Geographic Information System (GIS), base map and Global Positioning System (GPS) for data collection; Z-score variate and Nearest Neighbour Analysis (NNA) for data analysis. The result of NNA indicated that solid mineral in Cross River State depicted a clustering pattern with apparent clustering observed in the Central Senatorial District of the state. Spatial pattern of mineral distribution revealed that Obubra and Ikom had highly abundant of mineral resources followed by Akamkpa; Yala, Biase, Obanliku and Boki were moderately abundant. Yakurr, Abi, Etung, Ogoja, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Bakassi and Akpabuyo were less abundant. The study suggested that effective mapping of solid minerals in Cross River State would facilitate exploration activity in the respective communities and put the communities in the international stage for proper utilization of available mineral deposits by multinationals.Keywords: Solid mineral distribution, Mapping, Spatial patter

Development and Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria: An African Perspective

This research titled “Development and Environment Sustainability in Nigeria: An African Perspective” examines the effect of development on the African environment. Recent trends and tenets of development are accredited to technological advancements infrastructures and industrialization. Thus, development is respected within the light of social and economic productivity and mostly applauded within the ambiance of consumable scientific, architectural, agricultural and engineering, etc. Notably, the afore-mentioned directly affects the environment and this has become a conundrum to both living and non-living organisms within the environment. It is undisputable that development is good and encouraged, but not at the expense of those to whom it’s meant for. This work then is an exposition of the effects and defects of development that infringes on the environment and proposed a possible solution to environmental sustainability. The paper advocates for a religio-cultural relation with the environment; a relationship that is rather personified than objectified, using Nigeria as a case study. This paper employs the methods of exposition, explication and critical analysis

New Insights into the Androgen-Targeted Therapies and Epigenetic Therapies in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. The androgen receptor (AR), a receptor of nuclear family and a transcription factor, is the most important target in this disease. While most efforts in the clinic are currently directed at lowering levels of androgens that activate AR, resistance to androgen deprivation eventually develops. Most prostate cancer deaths are attributable to this castration-resistant form of prostate cancer (CRPC). Recent work has shed light on the importance of epigenetic events including facilitation of AR signaling by histone-modifying enzymes, posttranslational modifications of AR such as sumoylation. Herein, we provide an overview of the structure of human AR and its key structural domains that can be used as targets to develop novel antiandrogens. We also summarize recent findings about the antiandrogens and the epigenetic factors that modulate the action of AR

Influence of Vegetation Characteristics on Nutrient Loss in the Rainforest Belt of Agoi- Ekpo, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study evaluated the influence of vegetation characteristics on nutrient loss in vegetation fallows in a part of the rainforest belt in Agoi-Ekpo, Cross River State. Participatory method was used to identify fallows of 3-year and abandoned farmland. In each identified fallow category, 10 plots for vegetation estimation was established, while two runoff plots of 10m x 4m was constructed and used for nutrient loss estimation. Data was gathered during the cropping season of March to November, 2012. Results showed that on the 3-year fallow only basal cover was retained by the model and significantly explained Ca loss (R2= 0.627, F = 3.655, p<0.01), Mg loss (R2= 0.57.2, F = 3.271, p<0.05) and potassium loss (R2=0.527, F = 2.980, p<0.05). On the abandoned farmland, the model retained only crown cover and it significantly explained OC loss (R2 = 0.591, F = 3.402, p<0.01), TN (R2 = 0.599, F = 3.456, p<0.01), Ca (R2 = 0.674, F = 4.067, p<0.01), Mg (R2 = 0.796, F = 5.75, p<0.01) and K (R2 = 0.823, F = 6.090, p<0.01). The study showed that more nutrient element losses were recorded in the abandoned farmland. The study suggests that trees and shrubs should not be completely cut down on farmlands facilitate rapid vegetation restoration during land abandonment.Keywords: Nutrient loss, Vegetation characteristics, multiple regression, fallo

Assessment of Heavy Metal Status of Boreholes in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Although, many heavy metals are necessary in small amounts for the normal development of the biological cycles, most of them become toxic at high concentrations. The major sources of heavy metal pollution in urban areas of Nigeria are anthropogenic, while contamination from natural sources predominates in the rural areas. The study examined heavy metal status of boreholes in Calabar South, Cross River of Nigeria. Four functional boreholes in the area were sampled. Result showed that the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn) were within WHO maximum permissible limit with mean values of 0.065ml-1g, 0.015mgl-1 and 0.002mgl-1 respectively. The proportion of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in the sampled boreholes was zero, indicating the absence of these metals in the sampled boreholes. The absolutely low levels of heavy metal contents across the sampled boreholes showed they were not polluted and as such suitable for human consumption. The low content also revealed that boreholes in the area were located far away from dumpsites; soak away pits, automobile shops and other forms of heavy metal contaminants. In order to maintain quality status of boreholes in the area, routine monitoring and assessment of boreholes mostly the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes in the area by sanitary inspection officers was suggested.Keywords: Heavy Metal, Borehole Water, Functional Boreholes, Proportion, Quality Statu

Development of Benzimidazole Compounds for Cancer Therapy

A fact that is largely unknown in the lay press and even the scientific community is that today cancer kills more people worldwide than tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) combined. Benzimidazole is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound considered to be a useful pharmacophore in a variety of impactful drugs. The purpose of this review is to highlight the benzimidazole-containing agents that are currently in clinical use or in clinical development as anticancer drugs. It is hoped that this review would function as comprehensive working reference of research accomplishment in the field of discovery and development of benzimidazole-based anticancer drugs

Seasonal Variations in Heavy Metal Status of the Calabar River, Cross River State, Nigeria

The study examined heavy metal status of the Calabar River in Cross River, Nigeria. Surface water samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons for ten months across five stations and analyzed for heavy metal parameters using standard methods. Result showed that the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and total hydrocarbon (THC) in the dry and wet seasons were low and within WHO and FEPA tolerable limits The proportion of copper (Cr), cadmium (Cd), barium (B), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V) and mercury (M) were not detected indicating the absence of these metals in the sampled stations. The low levels of heavy metal contents across the sampled stations showed they were not polluted and as such suitable for aquatic live. Independent samples test result indicated seasonal difference in the proportion of Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and THC (p<0.01).The study identified runoff from industrial, agricultural and residential areas as sources of heavy metal pollution in the wet season and effluent discharges from industrial and municipal wastes as major sources of pollution of the Calabar River in the dry season. To sustain the ecological status of the Calabar River, waste management practice of waste re-use through the use of retention ponds is encouraged

VNLG-152R and its deuterated analogs potently inhibit/repress triple/quadruple negative breast cancer of diverse racial origins in vitro and in vivo by upregulating E3 Ligase Synoviolin 1 (SYVN1) and inducing proteasomal degradation of MNK1/2

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its recently identified subtype, quadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC), collectively account for approximately 13% of reported breast cancer cases in the United States. These aggressive forms of breast cancer are associated with poor prognoses, limited treatment options, and lower overall survival rates. In previous studies, our research demonstrated that VNLG-152R exhibits inhibitory effects on TNBC cells both in vitro and in vivo and the deuterated analogs were more potent inhibitors of TNBC cells in vitro. Building upon these findings, our current study delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying this inhibitory action. Through transcriptome and proteome analyses, we discovered that VNLG-152R upregulates the expression of E3 ligase Synoviolin 1 (SYVN1), also called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl reductase degradation (HRD1) in TNBC cells. Moreover, we provide genetic and pharmacological evidence to demonstrate that SYVN1 mediates the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation of MNK1/2, the only known kinases responsible for phosphorylating eIF4E. Phosphorylation of eIF4E being a rate-limiting step in the formation of the eIF4F translation initiation complex, the degradation of MNK1/2 by VNLG-152R and its analogs impedes dysregulated translation in TNBC cells, resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth. Importantly, our findings were validated in vivo using TNBC xenograft models derived from MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and MDA-MB-453 cell lines, representing different racial origins and genetic backgrounds. These xenograft models, which encompass TNBCs with varying androgen receptor (AR) expression levels, were effectively inhibited by oral administration of VNLG-152R and its deuterated analogs in NRG mice. Importantly, in direct comparison, our compounds are more effective than enzalutamide and docetaxel in achieving tumor growth inhibition/repression in the AR+ MDA-MD-453 xenograft model in mice. Collectively, our study sheds light on the involvement of SYVN1 E3 ligase in the VNLG-152R-induced degradation of MNK1/2 and the therapeutic potential of VNLG-152R and its more potent deuterated analogs as promising agents for the treatment of TNBC across diverse patient populations