Synthesis and in vitro antifungal evaluation of 2-thioalkylaryl-benzimidazoles derivatives against Candida albicans

The aim of this study is to find potent biomolecules against infectious germs. Based on the reactivity of some key positions of the benzimidazole core, the first part of this work consisted of the synthesis of a series of substituted 2-thioalkylaryl-benzimidazoles 3a-d. Then, another series of N-alkyl-2-thioalkylarylbenzimidazoles 5a-d, 7a-c and 9b-c was also prepared from 2-thioalkylaryl-benzimidazoles by substitution on position-1 of benzimidazole core using the corresponding functionalized ethyl. The chemical structures of these compounds are determined by NMR (1H, 13C) and mass spectrometry. The second part concerned the in vitro antifungal activity evaluation of some of the synthesized compounds on Candida albicans. According to the results of evaluation, four compounds (3b, 3c, 3d and 9c) of the substituted 2-thioalkylaryl-benzimidazoles prove to be potent antifungal agent. Introduction of nitro group (NO2) increased significantly the antifungal activity so that their IMQ is ranging between 0.03 and 0.008 μg (or 333 to 1250 times more efficient than the ketoconazole’s).Keywords: synthesis of 2-thioalkylaryl-benzimidazole, antifungal activity, candida albicans

A tectonic model for the juxtaposition of granulite- and amphibolite-facies rocks in the Eburnean orogenic belt (Sassandra-Cavally domain, Côte d’Ivoire)

The Sassandra-Cavally (SASCA) domain (SW Côte d’Ivoire) marks the transition between the Archean Kenema-Man craton and the Paleoproterozoic (Rhyacian) Baoule-Mossi domain. It is characterized by the tectonic juxtaposition of granulite-facies and amphibolite-facies rocks. Migmatitic grey gneisses, garnet–cordierite–sillimanite migmatitic paragneisses and garnet–staurolite-bearing micaschists reached peak pressure conditions ranging from ∼ 6.6 kbar at 620 °C to ∼ 10 kbar at 820 °C. These conditions are associated with the first recorded deformation D1 and correspond to a Barrovian geothermal gradient of ∼ 25 °C/km. Subsequent exhumation, associated with a second deformation D2, was marked by decompression followed by cooling along apparent geothermal gradients of ∼ 40 °C/km. A D3 deformation phase is marked by folding and local transposition of the regional S1/S2 foliation into E-W trending shear zones. LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of monazite, which displays complex internal structures, reveals four age groups correlated to textural position of monazite grains and analytical points: (1) rare relictual zones yield dates at the Archean-Paleoproterozoic transition (ca. 2400–2600 Ma); (2) a cluster of dates centered at ca. 2037 Ma on grains aligned along the S2 foliation of the migmatitic grey gneiss, attributed to D2; (3) a cluster of dates centered at ca. 2000 Ma, and (4) dates spreading from ca. 1978 to 1913 Ma, documented for the first time in the West African Craton monazites. The ages of the latter two groups are similar to the ones identified in the Guiana Shield, and could be attributed to a disturbance by fluids, to a periodic opening of U–Pb system or to an episodic crystallization of monazite during slow cooling lasting several tens of Myrs. These data allow to propose a model for the tectonic evolution of the SASCA domain at the contact between the Rhyacian Baoule-Mossi domain and the Archean Kenema-Man nucleus whereby crustal thickening is achieved by crustal-scale folding and is followed by and concomitant with lateral flow of the thickened partially molten crust accommodated by regional transcurrent shear zones. This combination of crustal thickening controlled by tectonic forces and gravity-driven flow leads to the juxtaposition of granulite- and amphibolite-facies rocks

The use of plants in the traditional management of diabetes in Nigeria: Pharmacological and toxicological considerations

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The prevalence of diabetes is on a steady increase worldwide and it is now identified as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. In Nigeria, the use of herbal medicine alone or alongside prescription drugs for its management is quite common. We hereby carry out a review of medicinal plants traditionally used for diabetes management in Nigeria. Based on the available evidence on the species׳ pharmacology and safety, we highlight ways in which their therapeutic potential can be properly harnessed for possible integration into the country׳s healthcare system. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical information was obtained from a literature search of electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Pubmed and Scopus up to 2013 for publications on medicinal plants used in diabetes management, in which the place of use and/or sample collection was identified as Nigeria. ‘Diabetes’ and ‘Nigeria’ were used as keywords for the primary searches; and then ‘Plant name – accepted or synonyms’, ‘Constituents’, ‘Drug interaction’ and/or ‘Toxicity’ for the secondary searches. Results: The hypoglycemic effect of over a hundred out of the 115 plants reviewed in this paper is backed by preclinical experimental evidence, either in vivo or in vitro. One-third of the plants have been studied for their mechanism of action, while isolation of the bioactive constituent(s) has been accomplished for twenty three plants. Some plants showed specific organ toxicity, mostly nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic, with direct effects on the levels of some liver function enzymes. Twenty eight plants have been identified as in vitro modulators of P-glycoprotein and/or one or more of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, while eleven plants altered the levels of phase 2 metabolic enzymes, chiefly glutathione, with the potential to alter the pharmacokinetics of co-administered drugs. Conclusion: This review, therefore, provides a useful resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of plants used in diabetes management so as to ensure a more rational use. By anticipating potential toxicities or possible herb–drug interactions, significant risks which would otherwise represent a burden on the country׳s healthcare system can be avoided

A year of genomic surveillance reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolded in Africa.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

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

Fabrication d’aliment du bétail issue de la cueillette de gousses de

Les gousses de l’arbre fourrager de Piliostigma reticulatum sont très utilisées au Burkina Faso. Comme peu de données existent sur cette activité, une enquête a été conduite en zone nord-soudanienne auprès de 90 personnes. Les résultats montrent que la collecte et la transformation des gousses sont menées par des femmes ménagères non instruites, âgées de 20 à 60 ans. La quantité moyenne collectée par les jeunes (20–35 ans), les moins âgées (36–50 ans) et les plus âgées (51–60 ans) est respectivement de 20, 5 et 10 t par femme. La vente de la farine leur procure un revenu moyen de, respectivement, 40 000, 14 000 et 32 000 FCFA par femme (1000 FCFA = 1,5 €). Les moins de 35 ans s’intéressent particulièrement à la vente ; leurs contraintes sont d’ordre commercial (débouchés, organisation de la filière), tandis que les plus âgées ont indiqué des contraintes de gestion et de disponibilité des gousses (coupe des arbres, feux de brousses, animaux…). Les principales solutions préconisées par les jeunes sont la recherche de nouveaux débouchés pour la farine, tandis que pour les plus âgées ce sont la lutte contre les coupes d’arbres et la divagation des animaux. L’étude a montré que cette activité génère des revenus pour les jeunes femmes rurales démunies et fournit aux éleveurs des compléments alimentaires fourragers en saison sèche

Fabrication d’aliment du bétail issue de la cueillette de gousses de Piliostigma reticulatum : une opportunité pour les femmes rurales burkinabé

Les gousses de l’arbre fourrager de Piliostigma reticulatum sont très utilisées au Burkina Faso. Comme peu de données existent sur cette activité, une enquête a été conduite en zone nord-soudanienne auprès de 90 personnes. Les résultats montrent que la collecte et la transformation des gousses sont menées par des femmes ménagères non instruites, âgées de 20 à 60 ans. La quantité moyenne collectée par les jeunes (20–35 ans), les moins âgées (36–50 ans) et les plus âgées (51–60 ans) est respectivement de 20, 5 et 10 t par femme. La vente de la farine leur procure un revenu moyen de, respectivement, 40 000, 14 000 et 32 000 FCFA par femme (1000 FCFA = 1,5 €). Les moins de 35 ans s’intéressent particulièrement à la vente ; leurs contraintes sont d’ordre commercial (débouchés, organisation de la filière), tandis que les plus âgées ont indiqué des contraintes de gestion et de disponibilité des gousses (coupe des arbres, feux de brousses, animaux…). Les principales solutions préconisées par les jeunes sont la recherche de nouveaux débouchés pour la farine, tandis que pour les plus âgées ce sont la lutte contre les coupes d’arbres et la divagation des animaux. L’étude a montré que cette activité génère des revenus pour les jeunes femmes rurales démunies et fournit aux éleveurs des compléments alimentaires fourragers en saison sèche

CARBON AND NUTRIENT LOSSES THROUGH BIOMASS BURNING, AND LINKS WITH SOIL FERTILITY AND YAM ( DIOSCOREA ALATA ) PRODUCTION

International audienc

pXO16, the large conjugative plasmid from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis displays an extended host spectrum

pXO16, the large conjugative plasmid from Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis is able to efficient self-transfer, to mobilize and retro-mobilize non-conjugative plasmids, including "non-mobilizable" plasmids, and to transfer chromosomal loci. It also displays a remarkable aggregation phenotype associated with conjugation under liquid conditions. However, it was recently shown that aggregation boosts pXO16 transfer but is not mandatory. In this paper, we have further explored pXO16 transfers under various mating conditions and with different members of the Bacillus cereus group. The results indicated that colony or filter mating largely compensate the transfer deficit observed when using a pXO16 aggregation-minus mutant. Using filter mating, pXO16 transfer efficiency and host range were both improved. For instance, pXO16 was shown to transfer itself, and to mobilize the small pUB110 plasmid, from B. thuringiensis serovar israelensis to the thermotolerant Bacillus cytotoxicus at frequencies of 3.3 × 10-3 and 5.2 × 10-4 transconjugants per donor (T/D), respectively. All together, these results indicate that pXO16 can potentially "circulate" among members of the Bacillus cereus group. Yet, this is contrasting with pXO16's known natural distribution, which is apparently limited to the israelensis serovar of B. thuringiensis