Search Results (875)

Toxoplasmosis is a widely distributed zoonosis caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Infection during pregnancy is a major public health concern due to its potential impact on both maternal health and fetal development. Early detection of maternal infection is critical to prevent adverse outcomes; however, maternal signs are often subtle, non-specific or absent, complicating timely diagnosis. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesise existing evidence on early maternal signs, pregnancy and foetal outcomes, frequently assessed risk factors, and diagnostic approaches of toxoplasmosis in expectant mothers in Africa. The review was done in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar was performed to identify studies published between 2000 and 2025. Retrieved records were managed using Zotero (version 8.0.4) for deduplication and screening. Only English-language studies conducted in Africa and reporting relevant maternal or clinical data were included. A total of 28 cross-sectional studies were included. Lymphadenopathy (25.0%) was the most frequently reported maternal early sign, followed by flu-like illness, asymptomatic infection, low-grade or mild fever, and fatigue or malaise (each 10.7%). Congenital anomalies (50.0%) and miscarriage or spontaneous abortion (42.9%) were the most commonly reported foetal and pregnancy outcomes. Frequently reported risk factors were exposure to cat faeces (57.1%) and ingestion of undercooked or raw meat (42.9%). Diagnostic approaches were commonly enzyme-based immunoassays (78.6%), with limited use of RDTs and molecular methods. These findings suggest the need for improved early detection and prevention strategies in high-risk, low-resource African settings. Enhancing routine screening, health education, and access to appropriate diagnostics are considered. Future studies should consider adopting standardised reporting and integrating sensitive, affordable, rapid diagnostic approaches to enhance early detection and reduce the burden of congenital toxoplasmosis. Full article

The emergence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum in the 1950s posed a global threat to malaria control. Ceasing chloroquine use restored chloroquine-sensitive strains in many African countries. To assess whether chloroquine sensitivity re-emerged in Lambaréné, Gabon, we compiled published and new data on P. falciparum ex vivo chloroquine susceptibility, quantified as half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), from four time points between 2004 and 2024. We then assessed the prevalence of pfcrt and pfmdr1 polymorphisms associated with chloroquine resistance via real-time PCR and Sanger sequencing, respectively, at six different time points between 2009 and 2024. Ex vivo chloroquine susceptibility data revealed a stepwise decrease in the median chloroquine IC₅₀ from 2004 (113.8 nM; IQR: 79.6–163.5 nM, n = 42), 2009 (46.7 nM; IQR: 27.4–76.9 nM, n = 26), and 2017–2018 (15.6 nM; IQR: 6.1–40.9 nM, n = 46) to 2024 (2.1 nM; IQR: 0.8–6.1 nM, n = 39). The chloroquine-sensitive pfcrt haplotype CVMNK increased from 3.6% (1/28) in 2009 to 98.2% (56/57) in 2024, as well as the wild-type pfmdr1 N86 (23.1% (6/16), 2009; 100% (19/19), 2024). Paired molecular and ex vivo analyses revealed an association between IC₅₀ values and CVMNK pfcrt and pfmdr1 N86. Our data provide evidence for the reestablishment of chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum in Lambaréné, Gabon. Full article

Feed availability and quality remain major constraints to ruminant productivity in West Africa, where livestock systems rely heavily on locally available resources such as natural forages, crop residues and agro-industrial by-products. However, reliable ration formulation requires accurate information on feed chemical composition, while existing data are fragmented and highly variable. This study conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2025 to synthesize available data on the chemical composition of ruminant feeds in West Africa. Following PRISMA guidelines, 44 studies reporting quantitative feed composition data were retained. Feed resources were classified into agro-industrial by-products, agricultural by-products and forages, and descriptive statistics were calculated for key nutritional parameters. The results revealed substantial variability in nutrient composition across feed types and even within the same feed resource. Cottonseed cake emerged as a major protein-rich supplement, legume haulms showed higher nutritional value than cereal residues, and several browse species such as Moringa oleifera and Leucaena leucocephala demonstrated high protein potential. These findings highlight that fixed feed composition values are poorly suited to heterogeneous tropical feeding systems. The reference ranges established in this review provide a more reliable basis for feed evaluation and ration formulation and can support the development of locally adapted feeding strategies and decision-support tools for West African livestock systems. Full article

Marine-derived natural products are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic potential in cancer and other chronic diseases. Despite significant advances, current cancer treatments remain challenged by toxicity, drug resistance, and limited survival benefits. Natural compounds offer promising alternatives due to their multi-target mechanisms and favorable safety profiles. Among them, Spirulina, a filamentous cyanobacterium, stands out for its rich composition and diverse biological activities. Its anticancer effects involve apoptosis induction via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, cell cycle arrest at G1/S or G2/M phases, inhibition of angiogenesis through the VEGF/VEGFR2 axis, and suppression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition. These activities are mainly attributed to C-phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, phenolic compounds, and immunomodulatory polysaccharides. Spirulina also exhibits potent immunomodulatory effects by enhancing natural killer cell activity, promoting M1 macrophage polarization, and regulating Th1 and Th17 cytokine responses, highlighting its potential as both an immunotherapeutic and chemoprotective agent. Moreover, preclinical findings suggest it may reduce chemotherapy-associated side effects. However, translation into clinical therapy remains limited by low bioavailability, lack of standardized extracts, and scarce clinical evidence. This review summarizes current mechanistic and immunological insights and highlights the need for optimized formulations, defined dosing strategies, and well-designed clinical trials to validate Spirulina’s potential in cancer treatment. Full article

A body of evidence suggests that upregulating O-GlcNAcylation, a reversible post-translational modification of serine and threonine residues on target proteins, is beneficial in neurological diseases. However, this phenomenon is currently underexplored in the pharmacotherapy of epilepsy. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential effects of combining N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), a precursor for O-GlcNAcylation, and a centrally acting benzodiazepine (diazepam) on oxidative stress, a known driver of epilepsy, and some epileptogenesis-associated genes. Mice (n = 10) were randomly assigned to treatment groups and treated with varied oral doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of GlcNAc in combination with diazepam (1 mg/kg) for 14 days. Following this, seizure was chemically induced with 70 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol intraperitoneally. Brains of treated mice were excised for antioxidant assays and to determine the expression of genes associated with epileptogenesis: potassium chloride co-transporter (KCC4), interleukin (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our findings suggest that GlcNAc, when concurrently administered with diazepam, prevents oxidative stress and reduces the gene expression of IL-6, a cytokine associated with neuroinflammation and seizures, whilst increasing the gene expression of KCC4, an ion co-transporter that promotes antiepileptogenesis. Full article

Dew constitutes a component of the near-surface water balance, but its large-scale fractal dynamical properties remain poorly documented across Africa. This study estimates dew amounts and investigates their fractal and multifractal behavior under African climatic conditions using gridded ERA5 datasets from 1993 to 2022. The Rescaled-Range (R/S) method, Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MFDFA), and the Improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (ICEEMDAN) algorithm are used. Hurst exponent (Hu) and the multifractal spectrum width (ω) are evaluated at daily and monthly scales over the full period and two sub-periods (1993–2007 and 2008–2022). The results reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in dew distribution. Daily mean amounts range between 0 and 0.18 mm, corresponding to annual accumulations reaching up to ~85 mm·yr⁻¹ in humid coastal, equatorial, and sub-equatorial regions, while remaining below 0.5 mm·yr⁻¹ in hyper-arid deserts. The continental mean annual amount is ~35.5 mm·yr⁻¹. The Hurst exponent exhibits values between zero and one, indicating region-dependent persistent and anti-persistent behaviors. This suggests that prediction schemes based on preceding values may be suitable for dew time series prediction in African regions exhibiting persistent characteristics. The multifractal spectrum width (ω), reaching values of up to 10, highlights strong scaling heterogeneity, particularly at the monthly timescale. These findings indicate that African dew dynamics exhibit significant long-range dependence and multifractal variability, providing new insights into the intrinsic temporal structure of dew and into appropriate approaches for its forecasting. Full article

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of components that includes type 2 diabetes/hyperglycemia, central obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Its prevalence is increasing dramatically in Africa, where it is predominant in obese females. Incomplete fatty acid β-oxidation is among the complex mechanisms that increase MetS risk. However, it remains unclear whether MeS components are associated with increased acylcarnitine categories. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between acylcarnitines and all components of metabolic syndrome in females with obesity from two populations with distinct ethnicities and dietary habits. Methods: We investigated the association of obesity (BMI > 35) with acylcarnitines determined by LC–MS/MS with MetS components in women from Benin, West Africa, and French women. Acylcarnitines and biological and clinical outcomes of MetS according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were assessed in 428 ambulatory women recruited at the market of Dantokpa, Cotonou, and 220 women of Aldepi/Obesepi cohort recruited in the North-East of France. Results: Compared to those without MetS, we observed an association of short-, medium-, and long-chain acylcarnitines (SC, MC, LC) with MetS (p = 0.0001; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively) in African women and of SC acylcarnitines with MetS (p < 0.0001), blood glucose (p < 0.001), low HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) and high triglycerides (p < 0.01) in French women. We also observed significant associations of MC and LC total and mono-unsaturated acylcarnitines with hypertension in both African and French populations (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). The independent determinants of systolic blood pressure were age, body mass index, glycemia, long-chain acylcarnitines, LDL-C and HDL-C. Conclusions: An association of acylcarnitine indexes of altered SC, MC, LC fatty acid β-oxidation with hypertension was reported in the two contrasted women populations, while an association of altered SC fatty acid β-oxidation with glucose and hypertriglyceridemia was reported in French women only. The association of altered acylcarnitine indexes with high SBP could be related to the effects of impaired β-oxidation on endothelial dysfunction. This study was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT02663388. Full article

Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Asteraceae), commonly known as bitter leaf, is a tropical shrub that may potentially serve as a biopesticide against the Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a key pest of potatoes. The beetle’s behavioral response to the methanolic leaf extract of V. amygdalina was evaluated in this study. Using no-choice, dual-choice, and wind-tunnel assays under laboratory conditions, we evaluated responses of larvae and adults to potato leaf discs treated with V. amygdalina extract in a randomized complete block design, measuring feeding behavior, leaf damage levels, and remaining leaf area. The results showed that V. amygdalina had no biocidal effects against the beetle, as no mortality was incurred. However, dose-linked antifeedant effects were evident in both no-choice and dual-choice arenas. Vernonia amygdalina minimized leaf-area loss most effectively at the highest concentration, especially against the larvae. The extract showed no olfactory repellency but acted as an antifeedant, possibly through contact or taste (gustatory) receptors. The consistent behavioral avoidance at higher concentrations suggests that V. amygdalina acts as a form of deterrent against the Colorado potato beetle. Full article

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils and atrazine in agricultural soils creates compound pollution that severely threatens soil health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polybutylene succinate (PBS) on the adsorption and degradation of atrazine in yellow-brown and black soil. Batch adsorption kinetic and isotherm experiments were conducted in two distinct soils amended with MPs. A 90-day degradation experiment was performed to monitor atrazine persistence and the activities of key soil enzymes. The adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting dominant chemisorption and multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces of the soil–MP composites. All MPs significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity for atrazine (6.80–39.93 mg kg⁻¹), with the order PBS > PE > PVC. Furthermore, the degradation of atrazine was impeded by all MPs, with PVC exhibiting the strongest inhibitory effect. The half-life of atrazine ranges from 22.97 to 81.76 days in two soils. The presence of MPs also influenced soil enzyme activities and the effects varied by MP type and soil property. These results demonstrate that MPs can modify the adsorption and persistence of atrazine in soil, thereby increasing its environmental risk. This study provides valuable insights for the long-term ecological risk assessment of co-existing MPs and pesticide pollution in terrestrial environments. Full article

Pecan nutshells (PNS), once considered agricultural waste, are now recognized as a sustainable source of natural antioxidants with potential therapeutic benefits against oxidative stress-related diseases. This narrative review synthesized evidence from the last decade, including predominantly in vitro and in vivo studies, with limited clinical evidence. PNS are particularly rich in polyphenols (gallic acid, ellagic acid, vanillic acid, catechins), with phenolic and flavonoid concentrations reported to be 5–20 times higher than those in the edible kernels. Their antioxidant actions involve free radical scavenging, metal chelation, enhancement of enzymatic defenses, and modulation of redox signalling. Preclinical findings suggest protective roles in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer, mediated through reduced lipid peroxidation, improved glucose metabolism, neuroprotection, and anticarcinogenic activity. However, variability in extraction methods, cultivar differences, and bioavailability issues remain major challenges. Standardized clinical studies are needed to validate the therapeutic potential of PNS as a sustainable antioxidant source. Full article

Background/Objectives: The widespread use of mupirocin and fusidic acid for the treatment and decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) skin infections has led to a rapid emergence of resistant strains, limiting the effectiveness of the few topical agents currently available for clinical use. Methods: In this study, we evaluate Fe(tropo)₃, a neutral and lipophilic iron(III)–tropolone complex, as a non-antibiotic topical antimicrobial candidate for the management of drug-resistant SA skin and soft tissue infections. Results: Fe(tropo)₃ exhibits potent in vitro activity against methicillin-susceptible SA, methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA), vancomycin-intermediate SA, and strains with high-level resistance to mupirocin and fusidate, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 2 µg/mL across all tested isolates. The compound effectively penetrates bacterial cells, induces intracellular iron accumulation, and triggers dose-dependent reactive oxygen species generation, resulting in rapid bacterial killing and significant antibiofilm activity. Importantly, Fe(tropo)₃ shows a slower development of resistance compared with ciprofloxacin and displays synergistic activity with oxacillin against MRSA. When formulated as a 1% topical ointment, Fe(tropo)₃ significantly reduces bacterial burden in a murine excisional wound infection model, achieving a 98% ± 1% reduction in SA load without detectable hemolysis or skin irritation. Conclusions: These pilot study results support Fe(tropo)₃ as a clinically relevant, mechanism-distinct topical antimicrobial with potential utility in settings where resistance to existing topical antibiotics compromises standard care. Full article

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) constitutes a major challenge to sustainability worldwide. This also applies to Japan, where urbanization in coastal lowlands is contrasted with widespread agricultural abandonment in rural landscapes. In this systematic review we synthesized the main LULCC trajectories, their driving forces, and specific effects in Japan from 1994 to 2024. Following PRISMA guidelines, 158 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed using quantitative co-occurrence analyses, Chi-squared tests, and Sankey diagrams to map land-use flows. Two dominant and opposing trajectories were confirmed: urban expansion and agricultural abandonment. The most significant land transition flow involved the conversion of agricultural land to forests/natural vegetation, while the conversion of agricultural land to built-up areas came in second place. These transitions were primarily driven by economic and demographic factors, but reforestation trends were strongly influenced by policy and institutional factors (35.70%), reflecting national regreening initiatives. Ecological and biodiversity impacts of LULCC were the most often documented effects (>40% of records). While the published literature describes trends in land-use transformations, the mechanistic understanding of LULCC remains limited. There is an urgent need to move toward process-based predictive modeling that integrates socio-economic variables. Future policies should balance urban density management with the strategic use of rural abandonment for ecosystem services provision and climate mitigation. Full article

In response to flood risks, nature-based solutions are increasingly recommended as resilience strategies. Wetlands are proposed as natural levers given their regulatory properties. This represents another way of promoting wetlands and, consequently, a call for their conservation. However, for nature-based solutions to be implemented effectively, residents’ perceptions and practices must be taken into account. To this end, in the flood-prone Greater-Nokoué region, this study highlighted residents’ perceptions and practices on the issue. Questionnaire surveys were conducted among 430 wetland residents with diverse socio-demographic profiles, who were either new or long-term residents living near wetlands (swamp formations and water bodies). The main results show that nearly half of the residents recognise the usefulness of wetlands in flood management. Both positive and negative perceptions are influenced by socio-demographic factors (gender, age, level of education) and residential factors (duration of residence near wetlands). Despite this fairly positive perception, wetlands are underused in flood management. Similarly, nature-based solutions are not exploited in alternative flood management approaches. Full article

Long-read sequencing technologies, particularly those developed by Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT), have transformed genome sequencing by enabling high-resolution analysis of complex microbial communities. Among ONT devices, the MinION remains affordable and scalable for low-resource settings. However, its limited onboard computing power constrains high-accuracy basecalling and limits its ability to address inherent sequencing errors effectively. To overcome these constraints, we assembled a streamlined in-house workflow that integrates at least five MinION devices with a GPU-powered workstation running Ubuntu 20 and MinKNOW. Rather than a new sequencing platform, this “home-made GridION” represents a practical integration of existing ONT devices with dedicated computing resources. At its core is a live basecalling pipeline capable of handling both FAST5 and POD5 file formats. The system supports high-throughput basecalling using Guppy on FAST5 files as well as Dorado on POD5 files, ensuring compatibility with both legacy and current ONT data standards. File monitoring is automated via inotifywait, enabling immediate detection of new files, real-time basecalling, and organized output of FASTQ batches. Beyond basecalling, we implemented an automated downstream pipeline for metagenomic analysis, enabling taxonomic profiling and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG). Tested on 10 hospital wastewater samples, the workflow generated at least 500,000 reads per sample within six hours, which were analysed for antimicrobial resistance gene abundance. This demonstrates its potential as an open, scalable hardware/software platform that extends the utility of MinION sequencing for microbial genomics in resource-limited environments. The setup can channel as many MinIONs as available USB ports, with a ratio of 1 MK1D for 1 TB of storage capacity on the associated computer. Full article

Tripterygium glycoside (TG) is known to disrupt the oxidative balance in bio-systems, inducing oxidative stress-mediated toxic effects on testicular tissue. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of coumestrol (COU) against these adverse effects. Sixty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into control and Tripterygium glycoside (TG) groups for four weeks. Following initial intervention, eight rats per group were sacrificed to verify the establishment of the oligospermia model and hormonal dysfunction. The remaining rats were subdivided into five therapeutic subgroups, TG, TG + L-carnitine, and three COU dosage groups (low, medium, and high) to evaluate potential protective effects. The present study comprehensively analyzed its impacts on testicular histomorphology, circulating testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and redox balance status, as well as a suite of serum biochemical and physiological biomarkers. Our results revealed that TG induced oligospermia in rats, causing significant testicular oxidative stress characterized by excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), alongside depleted superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Conversely, COU treatment effectively mitigated these impairments by significantly downregulating ROS and MDA levels while restoring SOD activity and T-AOC. Full article