Search Results (697)

Invasive bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis remain a major public health concern. This study aimed to perform the molecular characterization of bacterial strains responsible for meningitis in patients of all ages who met the World Health Organization case definition for meningitis and had cerebrospinal fluid samples collected between January 2021 and December 2022 at the Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory of the National Public Health Institute of Mali. We conducted a surveillance-based observational study using national surveillance data collected between January 2021 and December 2022. Data were collected continuously and in real time throughout the study. The analysis was cross-sectional and descriptive. Data were obtained from samples received at the laboratory, accompanied by individual clinical notification forms. For each sample, demographic data and additional clinical information, including vaccination status, were collected. Infection was diagnosed by isolating invasive strains through culture, confirmed by real-time triplex PCR, and positive cases were further characterized by real-time triplex PCR for serotyping. Overall, 103 infections were confirmed among the 1000 samples received, corresponding to a positivity rate of 10.3%. S. pneumoniae predominated with 62%, followed by H. influenzae type b with 36% and N. meningitidis serogroup X with 2%. The identified serotypes of pneumococcus were predominantly not covered by existing vaccines, particularly serotype 23A (38.30%), while others, including serotypes 1 (17.02%) and 3 (10.63%), are included in the PCV13 vaccine. The distribution of cases by age and gender shows a predominance of males, accounting for 60.2% of cases (62/103). The 0–5 age group is by far the largest, accounting for 76.7% of cases (79/103), with males representing 58. 22% (46 cases). These findings highlight the importance and the need for continuous monitoring surveillance of circulating strains and strengthening vaccination efforts to improve prevention. Full article

Weak grid infrastructure and the absence of flexible storage are among the principal barriers to reliable, low-carbon energy access in sub-Saharan transmission systems. This paper proposes a hierarchical multi-objective framework for the optimal siting and sizing of battery energy storage systems (BESSs), applied to the 130-bus Mali transmission network within the EMERGE project. The upper level employs NSGA-II to simultaneously maximize daily price arbitrage revenue and minimize active power losses; the lower level solves a network-constrained DC optimal power flow with thermal branch limits enforced as hard linear inequalities via the Power Transfer Distribution Factor (PTDF) matrix. Over 500 generations, the framework identifies Bus 91 (SIRAKORO II, 150 kV) as the dominant storage location, achieving a maximum daily revenue of approximately €10,033 at a marginal loss increment of $6.7\times {10}^{-3}$ MWh. The resulting Pareto front gives Mali system planners a quantitative tool for trading off private investment returns against grid-level environmental impact, demonstrating that rigorous network-constrained BESS planning is technically tractable and economically viable in the resource-constrained context of sub-Saharan energy transitions. Full article

The valorization of post-distillation by-products represents a key strategy within circular economy frameworks, particularly for medicinal and aromatic plants of the Lamiaceae family. This study investigates, for the first time, the chemical composition and biological potential of the liquid residue obtained after hydrodistillation of Clinopodium albanicum (Griseb. ex K.Malý) Melnikov, an endemic Balkan species. Untargeted LC–HRMS/MS analysis revealed a complex metabolomic profile dominated by hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, including caffeoylquinic acids, alongside a diverse flavonoid fraction comprising quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and acacetin derivatives. The presence of sugars and organic acids further indicated a broad metabolic composition. The evaporated liquid residual extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity (DPPH: 32.54, ABTS: 27.80, FRAP: 35.95 mmol GAE/100 mg). Pronounced antibacterial activity was observed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MICs 0.5–1 mg/mL). Additionally, the extract demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida auris and Candida parapsilosis, as well as strong antibiofilm effects against P. aeruginosa (up to 95.52% inhibition). Molecular docking supported these findings, revealing strong binding affinities of key phenolics toward the bacterial targets FabI and D-Ala-D-Ala ligase. Overall, the results highlight the potential of this by-product for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze current trends in screen exposure and to provide a deeper understanding of the relationships between temperament, screen exposure, and psychological adjustment in preschoolers. Methods: The study was conducted in kindergartens and one health center in the city of Zagreb, using a convenience sample of 115 mothers who assessed their preschool children’s screen exposure, temperament, and psychological adjustment. Results: Descriptive data analysis indicated that children’s screen time generally fell within the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s recommended guidelines. Correlation analysis indicated that externalizing problems were significantly positively correlated with impulsivity, activity, emotionality, and weekend screen time. Conversely, prosocial behavior was negatively correlated with impulsivity and weekend screen exposure. Moderation analyses revealed that weekend screen time significantly altered the associations between temperament and externalizing problems. Specifically, longer weekend screen exposure weakened the relationships between Impulsivity and externalizing problem and between Activity and externalizing problems, suggesting that screen time may buffer the impact of high-risk temperament profiles on behavioral difficulties. Weekend screen time did not moderate the relationship between Emotionality and externalizing problems. Similarly, longer screen exposure weakened the negative association between Impulsivity and prosocial behavior, indicating that screen time may reduce the extent to which impulsive temperament undermines prosocial functioning in preschool children. Conclusions: These findings provide deeper insight into the role of temperament and screen time exposure in predicting both maladaptive and prosocial behaviors among preschool-aged children. Full article

Effective monitoring of insect populations is essential for sustainable pest management and for supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies that reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. Bioacoustic methods have recently emerged as a promising approach for monitoring insects by analyzing the sounds and vibrations they produce during activities such as feeding, movement, and communication. This review examines the application of bioacoustics in insect monitoring and pest management, with particular emphasis on recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and automated detection technologies. The biological foundations of insect sound production, acoustic monitoring technologies, and AI-based analytical methods are discussed. Machine learning and deep learning models enable automated detection and classification of insect species based on acoustic signals, facilitating early pest detection and biodiversity monitoring. Bioacoustics has been applied to detect and identify insect pests, monitor stored-product insects, and manipulate insect behavior using acoustic and vibrational signals. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including environmental noise interference, limited acoustic datasets, and technical constraints of monitoring systems. Future research should focus on improving datasets, signal processing methods, and the integration of bioacoustics monitoring with precision agriculture and IPM frameworks to support sustainable crop protection. Full article

Tomato is widely produced in Burkina Faso for its culinary, nutritional, and economic value. Tens of thousands of farmers are involved in its production throughout the country. However, they face significant biotic constraints that limit yields and income. In particular, tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), a begomovirus transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), severely affects tomato production. This study evaluated the response of 13 tomato genotypes to tomato yellow leaf curl disease (TYLCD), including eight lines with different Ty resistance gene combinations; three local improved varieties, and two commercial varieties in western and central Burkina Faso. All genotypes developed TYLCD symptoms with considerable variability in genotypic responses. Four genotypes carrying a single gene, namely CLN4279O (Ty2), CLN4270I (Ty1/Ty3), CLN4270F (Ty1/Ty3), and CLN4018G (Ty2), exhibited the best field tolerance, with lower disease incidence and severity across sites. In contrast, genotype CLN4078A carrying two resistance genes (Ty1/Ty3 + Ty2), and the checks PETOMECH and ROMA VF were highly susceptible. Hierarchical clustering grouped the genotypes into four classes based on tolerance level and yield. These findings highlight the variability in resistance expression under field conditions and suggest possible interactions between host genotype, environmental factors, and virus populations. Broader multi-site evaluations, supported by molecular diagnostics to identify endemic TYLCV strains, are needed to refine the selection process. Full article

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting men and women equally, presents distinct gender-based differences in severity and treatment response. While molecular mechanisms underlying psoriasis are well-studied, sex-specific differences remain largely unexplored. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic data from lesional psoriasis skin and healthy controls, comparing male and female cohorts. Our findings reveal 2760 overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between sexes, highlighting shared pathways like IL-17 signaling and Th17 differentiation. However, sex-specific pathways emerged, including male-enriched PI3K-Akt signaling and chemokine receptor activity, and female-enriched glycolysis and AHR-NRF2 pathways. Upstream regulator analysis identified sex-specific drivers, including VEGFA activation and CFTR inhibition in males, and AHR activation and FGF21 inhibition in females. Notably, Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and neutrophil abundance differed by sex, aligning with disease severity trends. These results highlight sex-associated molecular and cellular disparities that may be relevant to understanding differences in disease manifestation and treatment response. As an exploratory, hypothesis-generating transcriptomic analysis, this study lays the groundwork for future experimental and clinical validation of sex-specific mechanisms in psoriasis. Full article

The Mabia languages belong to the Niger–Congo family and are spoken primarily across the savannah and Sahelian regions of West Africa, including northern Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali. Tone plays a crucial role in these languages, shaping both lexical meaning and grammatical structure. This study is a synthesis or an overview of previously described facts about the tonal phenomena in six Mabia languages, Dagaare, Dagbani, Gurenɛ, Kusaal, Likpakpaln, and Buli—highlighting their tonal inventories, structures, and distinctive tonal processes. Dagaare and Dagbani exhibit a two-tone system (high and low), with an additional down-stepped high tone. Kusaal, Likpakpaln, and Buli employ a three-tone system (high, mid, and low), while the tonal status of Gurenɛ remains contested: some scholars describe it as a two-tone language, whereas others provide evidence for a three-tone system. The mid tone, though relatively less productive, appears to represent a later innovation within the group. The mid tone performs both lexical and grammatical functions. Notable tonal phenomena across these languages include tonal polarity, low tone spreading, and restrictions on contour tones, with Buli exhibiting particularly productive low tone spread. In all six languages, tone plays both lexical and grammatical functions. This paper explores these features and offers basic theoretical explanations for their occurrence. Overall, tone is a defining characteristic of the Mabia languages, intricately shaping their phonological and morphological structures. Full article

Future More-Electric and All-Electric Aircraft (MEA/AEA) require electric power systems (EPS) with higher installed power, improved reliability, and reduced complexity, motivating a fundamental reshape of the architecture and key system-level design choices. This paper applies a structured design process to future DC-based EPS and derives justified decisions from a comprehensive assessment of state-of-the-art research. Among three possible topologies, the bipolar three-wire DC grid is selected as the preferred architecture due to its superior corona suppression, insulation behavior, electromagnetic compatibility, safety, and reliability. A voltage-level study shows that increasing the low-voltage bus from 28 V to 48 V yields the most significant wiring-weight reduction (∼20%), while increasing the high-voltage level from 800 V to 1200 V offers only marginal benefits and introduces additional insulation and partial-discharge challenges. For power conversion, both isolated and non-isolated DC/DC converters are required: non-isolated multiphase interleaved converters are suited for smaller subnetworks, whereas isolated dual active bridge converters are foreseen for inter-grid power exchange. Midpoint grounding via a resistor is identified as a robust baseline concept that ensures fault detectability and operational continuity while providing controlled fault currents and limited voltage deviations, with the final resistance value to be refined based on the finalized grid configuration. The study focuses on architecture-level assessment and does not include dynamic simulations or experimental validation, which are identified as areas for future work. Full article

Background: Gliomas exhibit substantial intratumoral heterogeneity, which limits prognostic precision and therapeutic efficacy. Selenoproteins are key regulators of redox homeostasis, but their role in glioma progression remains insufficiently defined. This study aimed to characterize glioma cells with high selenoprotein activity and to determine their biological and clinical significance. Methods: We performed integrated multi-omic analyses combining bulk transcriptomic, single-cell transcriptomic, and spatial transcriptomic data to identify and characterize glioma cell states associated with elevated selenoprotein expression. Functional validation was conducted using SELENOS knockdown assays to evaluate effects on glioma proliferation, invasion, tumor growth, macrophage recruitment, CSF1 expression, and macrophage polarization. Results: We identified a malignant glioma cell state, termed SehighMali, characterized by elevated selenoprotein expression and distinct metabolic and immunological features. SehighMali cells showed enhanced oxidative phosphorylation, MYC-associated transcription, and DNA repair activity, and preferentially engaged in immunosuppressive crosstalk with myeloid cells through the CSF1–CSF1R axis. Spatial analyses demonstrated enrichment of SehighMali cells in tumor cores and close colocalization with immunosuppressive myeloid populations. Across bulk cohorts, higher SehighMali abundance was associated with aggressive molecular features, poor clinical outcomes, and a predicted temozolomide-resistant phenotype. SELENOS knockdown suppressed glioma proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth, reduced macrophage recruitment, decreased CSF1 expression, and promoted macrophage polarization toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Conclusions: These findings define a selenoprotein-driven malignant glioma state associated with immune evasion and therapeutic vulnerability. They further identify SELENOS as a potential therapeutic target and provide insight into how selenoprotein-related programs contribute to glioma progression. Full article

Gem-quality garnets exhibit significant potential for U-Pb geochronological applications due to their advantageous characteristics, including high closure temperatures (750–850 °C), optical transparency, chemical homogeneity, and low inclusion content. This study focuses on the gem-quality yellow-green grossular garnet variety (commonly termed Mali garnet), a unique gemstone exclusively occurring in contact metamorphic deposits of Western Africa’s Republic of Mali. Despite its mineralogical significance, fundamental aspects, including precise age determination and chromophore mechanisms of Mali garnet, remain poorly constrained. Here, we conducted standard gemological characterization, spectroscopic analyses (UV–Vis, FTIR, and Raman), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) elemental mapping, and in situ trace element and laser ablation U-Pb geochronological analysis on Mali garnets. The spectral data and chemical composition studies reveal that the coloration of Malian garnets is primarily attributed to the presence of iron and chromium. Our U-Pb geochronological results yield a crystallization age of 197 ± 3 Ma for the Mali garnet samples. The robustness of garnet U-Pb systems in preserving crystallization ages through multiple thermal events supports their application to Precambrian polymetamorphic terranes, where zircon systems are frequently reset. Full article

Plant fungal diseases, such as apple tree canker caused by Valsa mali, have caused severe losses in agricultural production. Traditional chemical fungicides induce drug resistance in pathogens and cause environmental pollution. Therefore, it is of substantial importance to screen efficient and environmentally friendly bacterial strains as potential biocontrol agents. The tea rhizosphere harbors abundant microbial resources, and previous research has identified microorganisms with antifungal activity existing in this environment. Therefore, in this study, we isolated antagonistic bacteria with broad-spectrum biocontrol potential from tea rhizosphere soil. In this study, a strain with strong antagonistic activity against V. mali was isolated from tea rhizosphere soil. Based on morphological characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome analysis, the isolated strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis and designated as LW-66. This strain demonstrated broad-spectrum antifungal activity against various plant pathogenic fungi, including Valsa mali, Fusarium graminearum, Bipolaris sorokinianum, Alternaria solani, and Exserohilum turcicum. The active extract of B. velezensis maintained strong stability across a wide range of temperatures (25–90 °C) and pH values (2–8), with stability decreasing only when the temperature reached 100 °C or pH ≥ 10. In a preventive assay using detached apple branches inoculated with V. mali, the control efficacy of LW-66 against apple tree canker reached more than 90%. Additionally, in a therapeutic assay using V. mali-infected potted apple seedlings, the LW-66 bone-glue bacterial agent achieved a survival rate of up to 90%. Whole-genome analysis revealed that the genome of LW-66 contains 13 predicted secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, seven of which showed high homology (≥92% similarity) with known antimicrobial gene clusters, including surfactin, bacillaene, macrolactin H, fengycin, difficidin, bacillibactin, and bacilysin. These gene clusters may be connected to the broad-spectrum antifungal activity of B. velezensis, as well as its ability to disrupt hyphal morphology. The volatile organic compounds produced by LW-66 inhibited V. mali growth by 91.70%. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that B. velezensis LW-66 has a wide antimicrobial range and strong antagonistic effects against multiple plant pathogenic fungi. Therefore, B. velezensis shows promise as a biocontrol agent for managing fungal diseases in plants, providing a basis for developing LW-66-derived biocontrol products aimed at controlling diseases such as apple tree canker. Full article

Background: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis is a major zoonotic disease in West Africa. In Africa, bTB is endemic in cattle with a prevalence ranging from 2% up to 18%. The disease causes significant public health risks due to unpasteurized milk and milk product consumption. In the context of the EU-PRISMA project, which promotes research and innovation for productive, resilient, and healthy agropastoral systems in West Africa, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in dairy herds from Mali and Niger to assess animal, herd, and within-herd bTB prevalence, as well as to identify animal risk factors and predictors of bTB herd status. Method and principal findings: A random cross-sectional survey on dairy cattle farms using comparative intradermal tuberculin test and epidemiological inquiry was performed in four regions of Mali (Bamako, Koulikoro, Mopti, and Sikasso) and three regions of Niger (Tahoua, Dosso, and Tillabéry). Herd and animal prevalence of bTB and within-herd prevalence were significantly higher in Mali (especially in Bamako and Koulikoro) than in Niger. Several risk factors were significantly associated with animals positive to bTB, i.e., the region where animals live, the age range from 3 to 7 years old, and female animals. In addition, in regions with higher bTB prevalence, the herd with slaughtering of animals in the farm and the herd with the presence of an animal assembly area were associated with the most unfavorable status of a herd with regards to bTB. Moreover, the average and the median annual economic losses of bTB at animal level were estimated at €262 and €137 respectively, with large variability depending on the farm (between €46 and €838). Conclusion and significance: This survey provides useful data on bTB epidemiology and economical losses in Mali and Niger and urges for improvement of surveillance systems and prevention and control strategies. Cost-benefit, return of investment, or similar analyses are strongly recommended to help with decision making. Full article

Spiritual care competence (SCC) is increasingly recognized as relevant in mental health, yet no validated tool exists in Slovenia. This study aimed to translate and validate the Spiritual Care Competence Questionnaire (SCCQ) in a Slovene sample of mental-health professionals. Guided by this aim, our research question was the following: to what extent does the SCCQ demonstrate a replicable seven-factor structure, acceptable reliability, construct validity, and coherent group differences in a Slovene sample of mental-health professionals? In a cross-sectional survey (n = 291) across outpatient, inpatient, private, and other settings, we administered the SCCQ together with measures of spiritual sensitivity (SSS), spiritual transcendence (STS), and the BFI-S. Following forward–backward translation and expert review, we conducted item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and assessed reliability and construct validity. After removing seven psychometrically weak items, a 35-item, seven-factor structure—perception of spiritual needs, team spirit, documentation/tools, spiritual self-awareness, knowledge of other religions, conversation, and empowerment/proactive opening—showed borderline to acceptable fit (TLI = 0.917, CFI = 0.892, RMSEA = 0.068, SRMR = 0.073) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.67–0.87). Convergent validity was supported by positive associations with SSS/STS, while expected correlations with Big Five traits were small but significant (negative for Emotional Instability). Older age and psychotherapist profession predicted higher SCC. The Slovene SCCQ is a confession-neutral, psychometrically adequate instrument for assessing SCC in mental-health services. Findings highlight curricular needs—especially documentation/tools and team-based engagement—and enable research, education, and quality improvement aligned with international SCCQ validations. Full article