28 research outputs found
Unraveling the chemical composition, antioxidant, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition of Moroccan propolis
In the present study, seven propolis samples collected from different areas of Morocco were evaluated for various potential attributes. Physicochemical parameters (moisture, pH, soluble substance, insoluble substance, ash content, conductivity, organic matter, resin, balsams, total carbohydrates, total proteins and mineral content), structural characterization by FTIR, phenolic and flavonoid composition and some biological activities (antioxidant, and -glucosidase and -amylase inhibitory activities) were determined. The analyzed physicochemical parameters showed the following values: moisture (3.35.2%), pH (4.15.5), soluble substance (66.175.4%), insoluble substance (23.833.7%), ashes (1.62.3%), conductivity (1.52.5 mS/cm), organic matter (97.7098.4%), wax (19.751.5%), resin (46.875.2%), balsam (1.53.1%), total carbohydrates (1.52.0 mg Glceq/g), and total proteins (1.76.2 g/100 g). Calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium were the most predominant minerals present in propolis samples. The phytochemical composition indicated the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and stilbens compounds described as having a high antioxidant capacity and potential -amylase (IC50 = 195.09963.79 g/mL) and -glucosidase (IC50 = 90.99876.24 g/mL) inhibitory activities. Moreover, FTIR spectra showed that the samples are structurally different between them, validating the results of the physicochemical analysis. The outcome of this study provides relevant information about Moroccan propolis composition and quality standards.This work was supported by a grant from University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah for. Laboratory of Natural Substances, Pharmacology, Environment, Modeling, Health and Quality of Life (SNAMOPEQ). This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorteoperation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER 000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) under the scope of Norte2020-Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Zlatina Genisheva is supported by the project OH2O (POCI-01-0145- FEDER-029145) funded by FCT and FEDER under the scope of ProgramaOperacional de Competividade e Internacionalizaçao (POCI)- COMPETE 2020 and PORTUGAL 2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance
INTRODUCTION
Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic.
RATIONALE
We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs).
RESULTS
Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants.
CONCLUSION
Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century
2-[-3-(2-(4-methylphenyl)-2-oxoethylidene)-1,4-dihydro- quinoxaline-2(1H)-ylidene]-1-(4-methylphenyl) ethanone
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