Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst extracts

The methanol and aqueous extracts of Piliostigma reticulatum barks were investigated for its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant test using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method demonstrated important radical scavenging activity for the methanol extract with IC50 = 0,37 ± 0,04 μgmL-1. The 2 extracts were then examined for antibacterial activity by using the broth micro dilution method. The extracts possessed the antibacterial effect against the almost germs tested; the aqueous extract exhibited a better activity than methanol extract. These results indicate that methanol and aqueous extracts of P. reticulatum could be used as a source of antioxidant and antibacterial ingredients in the food industry.Keywords: Piliostigma reticulatum, Ceasalpiniaceae, bark extracts, antioxidant, antibacterialAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5407-5411, 16 August, 201

Case Report: COVID-19 and Lassa Fever Coinfection in an Ebola Suspected Patient in Guinea

ABSTRACT. In this case report, we describe a clinical presentation and therapeutic history of a unique case diagnosed with Lassa fever and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a 23-year-old man from Yomou prefecture in southeast Guinea identified with suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the midst of an ongoing outbreak of that disease in the same region. On May 3, 2021, he was admitted to the Nzérékoré Epidemic disease treatment center where his clinical condition deteriorated significantly. Laboratory testing performed on the same day reveals a negative EVD polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three days later, the patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and Lassa fever by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) assays. Laboratory examination also indicated severe hematological and biochemical deteriorations in the patient. This case substantiates the need for systematic differential diagnosis during epidemic-prone disease outbreaks to better manage severely unwell patients.</jats:p

Language endangerment and language documentation in Africa

Non peer reviewe

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity &gt; 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Water sanitation and hygiene in Sub-Saharan Africa: Coverage, risks of diarrheal diseases, and urbanization

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has a rapidly growing urban population, with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services representing the central needs for this population. Incidentally, this region has the lowest global WASH coverage. Data from the ‘WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene’ and the ‘Global Burden of Disease’ study from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation were used to assess WASH coverage and related health burden in SSA, its subregions, and rural and urban areas in SSA. WASH coverage in the SSA region appears to be low, but urban coverage is better than that in rural areas; however, there is unequal access to urban WASH and poor urban areas are underserved. In addition, 7.75% (5.99–9.7%) of total deaths due to diarrheal diseases across SSA are attributed to unsafe WASH with a risk factor attribution (RFA) percentage of 95.93% (91.94–98.24%). Therefore, a correlation between WASH coverage and mortality due to diarrheal diseases could be established.There is a lack of data on WASH coverage in poor urban areas, although these areas have high incidence of WASH-related diseases including diarrhea. Disaggregated urban WASH data are needed to better understand the WASH service needs of poor urban areas, which would be helpful in ensuring a more inclusive implementation of WASH services

Exploring the dynamic complexity of risk factors for vector-borne infections in sub-Saharan Africa: Case of urban lymphatic filariasis

Dynamic complexity is often a characteristic of public health issues; to visualize these problems as a system rather than isolated elements, system dynamics modeling may be an appropriate tool.The dynamic complexity of risk factors for lymphatic filariasis (LF) as an urban vector-borne disease has been addressed using system dynamics methodology. Some causal loop diagrams (CLDs) were designed to display the network of interactions of risk factors for urban transmission of LF and a potential set of public health interventions. A stock and flow diagram was also designed to capture the transmission dynamics as an accumulation and flow system, and a simulation model was built and executed.The system dynamics (SD) methodology is suitable for addressing the dynamic complexity of risk factors for LF in urban settings and is well-suited for public health interventions

Elaboration of wide bandgap CIGS on silicon by electrodeposition of stacked metal precursors and sulfur annealing for tandem solar cell applications

International audienceA method was developed for the electrodeposition of Cu-In-Ga precursor layers to elaborate Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se) 2 (CIGS) thin films on silicon substrates for future application as silicon/wide-gap CIGS tandem solar cells. An underlayer of Ag was first deposited on silicon substrates to ensure a good adhesion of the electrodeposited stack and to serve as cathode during the deposition process. Cu, In and Ga layers were then sequentially electrodeposited. Ag-Cu-In-Ga precursor layers were finally subjected to elemental sulfur annealing at 600°C. Formation of compact and adherent AgCIGS is observed. X ray diffraction and photoluminescence analyses confirm the formation of wide-gap CIGS of about 1.6 eV, with a spontaneous gallium grading over the depth of the sample leading to the formation of a bi-layer structure with a gallium rich layer at the interface with silicon

Women’s and health providers’ perceptions of companionship during labor and childbirth: a formative study for the implementation of WHO companionship model in Burkina Faso

International audienceAbstract Introduction A key component of achieving respectful maternal and newborn care is labor companionship. Despite important health benefits for the woman and baby, there are critical gaps in implementing labor companionship for all women globally. The paper aims to present the perceptions and experiences of pregnant women, postpartum women, and health care providers regarding companionship during labor and childbirth, and to identify barriers and facilitating factors to the implementation of labor companionship in Burkina Faso. Methods This is a formative study to inform the “Appropriate use of cesarean section through QUALIty DECision-making by women and providers” (QUALI-DEC) study, to design, adapt and implement a strategy to optimize the use of the cesarean section, including labor companionship. We use in-depth interviews (women, potential companions, and health workers) and health facility readiness assessments in eight hospitals across Burkina Faso. We use a thematic analysis approach for interviews, and narrative summaries to describe facility readiness assessment. Results In all, 77 qualitative interviews and eight readiness assessments are included in this analysis. The findings showed that all participants acknowledged an existing traditional companionship model, which allowed companions to support women only in the hospital waiting room and post-natal room. Despite recognizing clear benefits, participants were not familiar with companionship during labor and childbirth in the hospital as recommended by WHO. Key barriers to implementing companionship throughout labor and birth include limited space in labor and delivery wards, no private rooms for women, hospital rules preventing companionship, and social norms preventing the choice of a companion by the woman. Conclusion Labor companionship was considered highly acceptable in Burkina Faso, but more work is needed to adapt to the hospital environment. Revisions to hospital policies to allow companions during labor and childbirth are needed as well as changes to provide private space for women. Training potential companions about their roles and encouraging women’s rights to choose their companions may help to facilitate effective implementation