Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common nonscarring alopecia and is characterised by distinct gradual patterned hair loss. AGA is mediated by genetic predisposition and excessive follicular sensitivity to androgens, mainly in males, leading to the progressive conversion of scalp terminal hair into vellus hair. Although highly prevalent, it is not fatal but may have a severe psychosocial impact, especially on females and younger males. Significant advances have been made in understanding AGA's epidemiology and pathophysiology, but only 2 drugs remain approved by the FDA - finasteride and minoxidil. Prolonged use of these drugs, is a prerequisite for enhanced treatment response. However, this leads to poor medication adherence and adverse effects from extended use eg, the “postfinasteride syndrome” which persists beyond stopping the drug. Hence, there is a need for research on more effective alternative treatments for AGA, with fewer side effects.

Background. There is increasing global concern over the health effects of heavy metals arising from various anthropogenic activities, especially mining. Mining activities in developing countries are often carried out at an artisanal level using a variety of extraction methods with human health and environmental consequences. Objectives. The broad objective of this study is to assess the chemical forms, distribution pattern, and health risks due to mining and processing techniques at a gold mining site in Igun, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods. Samples were collected from 28 active mine pits and sequentially extracted using standard methods. Extracts were analyzed for metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP/OES), while health risk was assessed using United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Dutch methods. Chemical speciation of heavy metals and health risk assessment was calculated using mobile phase fraction summation. Results. Metals were exclusively present...

A decline in the world’s freshwater resources poses a major domestic and industrial challenge. Amelioration efforts that proffer possible water management and reclamation technology is therefore, of utmost priority. One of the most promising solutions to water conservation is to recycle wastewater. The use of polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) in water treatment/remediation processes provides possible solution to recycling. This overview focused on PNCs; to highlight trends in their fabrication, characterization and application procedures for wastewater remediation and monitoring. Key issues bothering on the regeneration and reuse of PNCs were discussed, along with projections for their rational design for safe application. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

This contribution summarizes the temporal intermediates produced during the ozonation of phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol, as followed by liquid chromatography coupled to a time of flight mass spectrometer (LC-MS-TOF). A 2 × 10⁻³ M solution of the phenolic compounds was ozonated in a sintered glass reactor at an ozone dose of 0.14 mg/min (O₂/O₃ flow 10 mL/min). Identified intermediates showed that catechol pathway was the predominant route for phenol oxidation with acrylic acid being the end product. Hydroxylative dechlorination of 2-chlorophenol also gave catechol, and the reaction products were similar to that of phenol. Hydroxylation and ring opening via the 4-chlorocatechol pathways were the predominant route for the ozonation of 4-chlorophenol, while 2,4-dichlorophenol followed both hydroxylation and hydroxylative dechlorination mechanism. Several novel intermediates and coupling products were identified and reaction schemes leading to breakdown products are provided for each phenolic compound.