Bayero University Kano

This study explores how demystifying Earth Observation (EO) through co-creation pathways and local language can enhance flood resilience and environmental governance in African informal cities. Using case studies from Maiduguri and Hadejia, Nigeria, the research employed a transdisciplinary mixed-methods design combining rapid evidence assessment, surveys, participatory workshops (n = 50 stakeholders) integrating simplified Sentinel-1/2 demonstrations, indigenous knowledge mapping, and pre-/post-engagement surveys on EO familiarity. Non-expert participants were trained to interpret satellite data using local language, linking distant teleconnections with local flood experiences. The findings revealed significant gains in EO literacy and improvements in interpretive confidence, gender-inclusive participation, and policy engagement. Localizing the curriculum enabled participants to translate technical EO concepts into locally meaningful narratives, fostering cognitive empowerment and practical application in flood preparedness and advocacy. The study demonstrates that data democratization is not only a matter of open access but also of open understanding. It advances a conceptual model linking Demystification, Literacy, Empowerment, Co-Production and Resilience, positioning EO as a social technology that bridges scientific and indigenous knowledge systems. The findings contribute to debates on decolonizing environmental science and propose a potential participatory framework for integrating EO into community-based adaptation, legal accountability, and policy reform across Africa's rapidly urbanizing landscapes.

Postharvest oxidative stress accelerates senescence and flavonol loss in bell peppers, reducing nutritional quality and shelf life, while the role of exogenous melatonin in preserving specific flavonols and regulating the AsA-GSH cycle during ambient storage remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of melatonin (100 and 200 mu mol/L) on flavonol composition, antioxidant capacity, and antioxidant defence systems in bell peppers stored for nine days at 23 +/- 2 degrees C. Melatonin significantly preserved major flavonols, particularly quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin derivatives, with 200 mu mol/L providing the greatest retention. Antioxidant capacity measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ABTS (-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays and activities of catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase were markedly enhanced by melatonin treatment. The AsA-GSH cycle was positively regulated, especially at 100 mu mol/L, maintaining higher levels of reduced antioxidants. After 9 days, ascorbic acid contents were 5.24 and 6.60 mg g-1 in peppers treated with 100 and 200 mu mol/L melatonin, respectively, compared with 4.40 mg g-1 in controls. Glutathione (GSH) levels were higher in treated samples (10.59-10.64 mg g-1) than in controls (9.22 mg g-1), while oxidised GSH accumulation was significantly suppressed. Overall, exogenous melatonin mitigates oxidative stress and preserves flavonols, supporting its postharvest application in bell peppers during storage.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). While telerehabilitation (TR) is an emerging solution, its regional efficacy and implementation requirements are not well-synthesized. This systematic review primarily evaluates the clinical effectiveness of TR for managing CLBP in SSA. Additionally, it investigates the extent of possible sociocultural adaptation and identifies systemic barriers to implementation. A systematic search was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, African Journal Online (AJOL), Web of Science, and CINAHL from inception to February 5, 2026. Eligibility was determined using the PICO framework, targeting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of telerehabilitation for CLBP in Sub-Saharan Africa. Two reviewers independently performed title/abstract screening, full-text review, and quality assessment. Data were synthesized narratively to evaluate clinical effectiveness and categorize implementation barriers. Three RCTs involving 147 participants were included. All studies were conducted in Nigeria and evaluated TR programs incorporating McKenzie therapy or core stability exercises. TR demonstrated significant improvements in pain intensity, disability, and quality of life (p < 0.05), comparable to in-person interventions. Notably, none of the interventions incorporated sociocultural adaptation. Reported implementation barriers included limited smartphone penetration, intermittent internet connectivity, low digital literacy, and insufficient healthcare worker training, reflecting broader infrastructural limitations in the region. Telerehabilitation for CLBP demonstrated clinical effectiveness in SSA, yet significant infrastructural and cultural challenges were mentioned to constrain its scalability. The lack of sociocultural tailoring in existing studies represents a critical gap. Future research and development should prioritize low-bandwidth, culturally adapted solutions that address local health beliefs to ensure the sustainability and regional adoption of digital spine care.

Background Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a frequent manifestation of connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical practice guidelines to standardise screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for CTD-ILD are of high importance for optimised patient care. Methods A European Respiratory Society and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology task force committee, composed of pulmonologists, rheumatologists, pathologists, radiologists, methodologists and patient representatives, developed recommendations based on PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes) questions with grading of the evidence according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) methodology and complementary narrative questions agreed on by both societies. For both PICO and narrative questions, the Evidence to Decision framework was used to formulate the recommendations. Results The task force committee concluded with recommendations for 25 PICO and 28 narrative questions, regarding ILD in the context of systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, Sj & ouml;gren disease (SjD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). In four narrative questions, regarding screening and assessment of risk for ILD progression in MCTD, SjD and SLE and one PICO question regarding pirfenidone in CTD-ILD other than RA-ILD, the task force had insufficient evidence to support recommendations. Screening, diagnostic, monitoring and treatment algorithms were developed based on the recommendations and usual clinical practice. Conclusions We provide practical guidance by evidence-based recommendations to clinicians for each of the CTDs. In many cases there is low certainty or absence of evidence and we encourage further research to fill these gaps.

The increasing need for eco-friendly replacements to synthetic materials has motivated wide research into polymer biocomposites reinforced with natural byproducts. This review investigates the use of agricultural wastes and animal byproducts, specifically rice husk (RH) and cow bone particles (CBP), as reinforcements in polymer matrices for sustainable material development. RH, rich in silica, enhances thermal stability and stiffness, while CBP, primarily composed of calcium phosphate and collagen, improves toughness, bioactivity, and mechanical strength. The review summarizes recent studies on both single and hybrid composites, signifying that RH-CBP hybrid systems can offer synergetic enhancements in flame resistance, strength, thermal behavior, and biodegradability. These hybrid biocomposites find applications in automotive parts, structural panels, packaging materials, biomedical, and consumer goods. Comparative assessments reveal that, despite challenges such as moisture absorption and dispersion, bio-fillers are a cost-effective and eco-friendly substitute to traditional synthetic fibers, meeting the increasing need for sustainable materials. The paper also highlights research gaps, specifically in optimizing hybrid bio-fillers ratios, certifying durability under diverse environmental settings, and providing standardized processing techniques, stressing the need for further research into hybridization strategies for multifunctional applications.