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Introduction: The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) reported that numerous diseases can be traced back to the consumption of unsafe food contaminated with mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic filamentous fungi. Mycotoxins reported to be of socio-economic concerns include aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, and deoxynivalenol. These mycotoxins are frequent contaminants of maize especially in the face of climate change and global food insecurity. South Africa is a leading exporter of maize in Africa, hence, it is crucial to evaluate exposure risks with respect to mycotoxin contamination of maize for consumers' safety. Materials and method: In total, 752 post-harvest maize samples collected from silos over a 3-year period were analysed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the occurrence of mycotoxins. Results and discussion: The overall mean values for all the quantified mycotoxins were within the South Africa regulatory limit as well as the individual samples, apart from DON and FB mycotoxins with 5% and 1% samples, respectively, above the limit. Citrinin was quantified in South African commercial maize for the first time. The presence of major mycotoxins in South African commercial maize even within safety limits is of public health concern, hence, continuous monitoring and evaluation is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrant entrepreneurs are known to face challenges securing funding from conventional sources, prompting them to devise alternative strategies. Assuming bootstrapping is a method for generating capital without incurring debt or relinquishing equity, this article investigates the strategies immigrant apparel retailers employ in Cape Town. It examines how an entrepreneur's objectives for survival influence their choice of bootstrapping approach. A quantitative survey was administered to 135 immigrant apparel retailers drawn from Parow, Bellville, Wynberg, and Cape Town CBD, all of which are areas known for their high concentration of immigrant retail businesses. The Statistical Package for Social Science Software analysis suggests that the chosen bootstrapping methods strongly correlate with the survival goal of the retail apparel business. The results of this study highlight the importance of survival goals in financial management strategies and, as such, may enhance our understanding of immigrant entrepreneurship within the Cape Town apparel sector. Beyond this, it may also offer critical insights for decision-makers and businesses to leverage immigrant entrepreneurs' economic and social potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a continuous time stochastic model for determining the optimal international reserves management policy when the data generating process of international reserves is a geometric Brownian motion. The policy is a two‐parameter control‐limit that consists of an appropriate and a ceiling level on reserves holdings, given an exogenous floor on international reserves. The optimal solution is determined so as to minimize the total costs of international reserves holdings. It is proved that our results extend the framework of Frenkel and Jovanovic when the logarithm of international reserves is an arithmetic Brownian motion. We also explain that Jung paper does not extend Frenkel and Jovanovic model as claimed by the former. The model is calibrated to derive the optimal level and liquidity tranche size upper bound of international reserves of the CEMAC monetary union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization 2022 malaria chemoprevention guidelines recommend providing a full course of antimalarial treatment at pre-defined intervals, regardless of malaria status to prevent illness among children resident in moderate to high perennial malaria transmission settings as perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). The dhps I431V mutation circulating in West Africa has unknown effect on SP protective efficacy. Methods: This protocol is for a three-arm, parallel, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised trial in Cameroon among children randomly assigned to one of three directly-observed treatment groups: (i) Group 1 (n = 450) receives daily artesunate (AS) placebo on days − 7 to -1, then active SP plus placebo amodiaquine (AQ) on day 0, and placebo AQ on days 1 and 2; (ii) Group 2 (n = 250) receives placebo AS on days − 7 to -1, then active SP and AQ on day 0, and active AQ on days 1 and 2; and (iii) Group 3 (n = 200) receives active AS on days − 7 to -1, then placebo SP on day 0 and placebo AQ on days 0 to 2. On days 0, 2, 5, 7, and thereafter weekly until day 28, children provide blood for thick smear slides. Dried blood spots are collected on the same days and weekly from day 28 to day 63 for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and genotype analyses. Discussion: Our aim is to quantify the chemopreventive efficacy of SP, and SP plus AQ, and measure the effect of the parasite genotypes associated with SP resistance on parasite clearance and protection from infection when exposed to SP chemoprevention. We will report unblinded results including: (i) time-to-parasite clearance among SP and SP plus AQ recipients who were positive on day 0 by qPCR and followed to day 63; (ii) mean duration of SP and SP plus AQ protection against infection, and (iii) mean duration of symptom-free status among SP and SP plus AQ recipients who were parasite free on day 0 by qPCR. Our study is designed to compare the 28-day follow-up of the new WHO malaria chemoprevention efficacy study protocol with extended follow-up to day 63. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06173206; 15/12/2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) is a chemoprevention strategy endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is increasingly being adopted by National Malaria Programmes. PMC aims to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by malaria and anaemia in in young children through provision of antimalarial drugs at routine contact points with the local health system. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the programmatically-implemented country-tailored PMC programmes targeting children up to two years of age using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) on the incidence of malaria and anaemia in children in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire. Methods: We will assess the impact of PMC using passive and active monitoring of a prospective observational cohort of children up to 36 months of age at recruitment in selected study sites in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire. The primary and secondary outcomes include malaria, anaemia and malnutrition incidence. We will also conduct a time-series analysis of passively detected malaria and anaemia cases comparing the periods before and after PMC introduction. This study is powered to detect a 30% and 40% reduction of malaria incidence compared to the standard of care in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire, respectively. Discussion: This multi-country study aims to provide evidence of the effectiveness of PMC targeting children in the first two years of life on malaria and anaemia and will provide important information to inform optimal operationalization and evaluation of this strategy. Trial Registration: Cameroon - NCT05889052; Côte d'Ivoire - NCT05856357. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal nutritional status is crucial for enhancing the physical fitness components of amateur basketball players as it directly influences their strength, endurance, and overall performance. This study assessed the effect of nutritional status on the performance components of physical fitness of amateur basketball players in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional ex post facto study. Participants were 80 (40 male and 40 female) secondary school basketball players from a population of 160 (80 males (8 teams) and 80 females (8 teams) who were selected using random sampling technique from 16 registered teams from the 2023 Benue State Secondary School Basketball League organized by the Benue State Sports Council, Makurdi. All the participants underwent nutritional assessment based on WHO standards. The participants’ height and weight were measured in accordance with the protocol of ISAK. The Slalom test was performed to evaluate agility. The Harre circuit test (HCT) was used to assess coordination. Speed was assessed using the 50m dash. Reaction time was assessed using the reaction time ruler drop test. In all the tests, those with lower time were considered to be more fit and vice versa. Mean and standard deviation were computed for the performance of the participants in agility, coordination, speed and reaction time. The participants were split into three in relation to nutritional status (normal, thin/wasted and stunted). The analysis of variance was used to find out the different performance components of adolescents in relation to nutritional status. All the analyses were performed on 95% confidence intervals using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS v21). The result of the study indicated that nutrition has significant effects on agility (F=10.495, df=2, 77; p<0.05), coordination (F=17.750, df=2, 77; p<0.05), speed (F=5.908, df=2, 77; p<0.05) and reaction time (p<0.05) of amateur basketball players in Makurdi. It was concluded that nutritional status has a significant effect on several key performance components of physical fitness among amateur basketball players in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. It was recommended among others that coaches should take the nutritional status of their players as important as other parameters to ensure a better performance of their players in basketball. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have the advantages of a long lifetime and are compatible with highly scalable manufacturing processes. The use of carbon electrodes and the absence of a hole selective layer (HSL) promote a simplified fabrication process. However, the efficiency of HSL‐free carbon‐based PSCs is inferior to PSCs that utilize metal electrodes and HSL due to poor hole extraction at the perovskite/carbon interface. To overcome those issues, researchers added an interlayer on the perovskite/carbon interface or incorporated additive material into the carbon layer. However, there is limited research on utilizing both strategies to improve carbon‐based PSC performance. Here, we use CuSCN as an interlayer between the perovskite/carbon interface and a carbon additive in carbon‐based PSCs. By utilizing both strategies, the charge transfer of carbon‐based PSC was significantly improved compared to carbon‐based PSC utilizing only one improvement strategy. Confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterizations, the CuSCN interlayer and CuSCN‐incorporated carbon electrode enable more efficient hole transfer, resulting in an increased power conversion efficiency from 0.58% to 5.06%. The proposed PSC structure shows promising results for further improving carbon‐based PSC performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies have suggested compensatory brain overactivation in cognitively healthy (CH) older adults with pathological beta-amyloid(Aβ42)/tau ratios during working memory and interference processing. However, the association between glutamatergic metabolites and brain activation proxied by EEG signals has not been thoroughly investigated. We aim to determine the involvement of these metabolites in EEG signaling. We focused on CH older adults classified under (1) normal CSF Aβ42/tau ratios (CH-NATs) and (2) pathological Aβ42/tau ratios (CH-PATs). We measured plasma glutamine, glutamate, pyroglutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid concentrations using tandem mass spectrometry and conducted a correlational analysis with alpha frequency event-related desynchronization (ERD). Under the N-back working memory paradigm, CH-NATs presented negative correlations (r = ~−0.74–−0.96, p = 0.0001–0.0414) between pyroglutamate and alpha ERD but positive correlations (r = ~0.82–0.95, p = 0.0003–0.0119) between glutamine and alpha ERD. Under Stroop interference testing, CH-NATs generated negative correlations between glutamine and left temporal alpha ERD (r = −0.96, p = 0.037 and r = −0.97, p = 0.027). Our study demonstrated that glutamine and pyroglutamate levels were associated with EEG activity only in CH-NATs. These results suggest cognitively healthy adults with amyloid/tau pathology experience subtle metabolic dysfunction that may influence EEG signaling during cognitive challenge. A longitudinal follow-up study with a larger sample size is needed to validate these pilot studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect‐specific neurotoxic peptides derived from the venoms of scorpions and spiders can cause acute paralysis and death when injected into insects, offering a promising insecticidal component for insect pest control. However, effective delivery systems are required to help neurotoxic peptides pass through the gut barrier into the hemolymph, where they can act. Here, we investigated the potential of a novel nanocarrier, Drosophila X virus‐like particle (DXV‐VLP), for delivering a neurotoxin from the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector (AaIT) against the invasive pest fruit fly, Drosophila suzukii. Our results show that the fusion proteins of DXV polyproteins with AaIT peptide at their C‐termini could be sufficiently produced in Lepidoptera Hi5 cells in a soluble form using the recombinant baculovirus expression system, and could self‐assemble into VLPs with similar particle morphology and size to authentic DXV virions. In addition, the AaIT peptides displayed on DXV‐VLPs retained their toxicity, as demonstrated in injection bioassays that resulted in severe mortality (72%) in adults after 72 h. When fed to adults, mild mortality was observed in the group treated with DXV‐AaIT (38%), while no mortality occurred in the group treated with AaIT peptide, thus indicating the significant role of DXV‐VLPs in delivering AaIT peptides. Overall, this proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates for the first time that VLPs can be exploited to enhance oral delivery of insect‐specific neurotoxic peptides in the context of pest control. Moreover, it provides insights for further improvements and potentially the development of neurotoxin‐based bioinsecticides and/or transgenic crops for insect pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA interference (RNAi) has been exploited as a promising strategy for pest control and also has great potential against the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii. However, since RNAi is poorly induced in D. suzukii through the oral intake of unprotected double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), establishing a potent strategy for dsRNA delivery remains essential. In this study, we developed novel virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the Drosophila X virus (DXV) and investigated their capability to deliver dsRNA in vitro in cultured insect cells and in vivo in live insects. First, the polyproteins of DXV fused at the C-terminus with eGFP or Myc-tag were able to self-assemble into VLPs, in a spherical shape similar to authentic virions. Then, dsRNA molecules were loaded into the DXV-VLPs by a dis-/reassembly strategy and were demonstrated to be partly sheltered from degradation in body fluids from D. suzukii. Furthermore, DXV-VLPs were able to carry the dsRNA efficiently into Drosophila S2 cells and D. suzukii adults. By targeting the essential vha26 gene in D. suzukii adult, DXV-VLP∷dsvha26 complexes could induce higher mortality (46%) and gene silencing (36%) compared with the DXV-VLP∷dsGFP, and unprotected dsvha26 (less than 17% mortality and no silencing). Taken together, as a proof-of-concept, this study suggests that insect virus-based VLPs can function as nano-vehicles for dsRNA delivery into insects and provide a tool to improve RNAi for fundamental studies and pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The African Light Source (AfLS) project is now almost eight years old. This article assesses the history, current context and future of the project. There is by now considerable momentum in building the user community, including deep training, facilitating access to current facilities, growing the scientific output, scientific networks and growing the local laboratory-scale research infrastructure. The Conceptual Design Report for the AfLS is in its final editing stages. This document specifies the socio-economic and scientific rationales and the technical aspects amongst others. The AfLS is supported by many national and Pan-African scientific professional bodies and voluntary associates across many scientific disciplines, and there are stakeholders throughout the continent and beyond. The current roadmap phases have expanded to include national and Pan-African level conversations with policy makers through new Strategic Task Force groups. The document summarizes this progress and discusses the future of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Periegetica is the property of WSB University in Poznan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the detection of low hydrostatic pressure, serving as the foundation for developing an underwater pressure sensor. This included creating a single-mode, uniformly structured Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) with a stainless-steel coating. The experiment included loading the sensor with different volumes of fresh water ranging from 0 ml to 6 ml, in increments of 0.25 ml, in the perpendicular vertical direction. This volume range corresponded to hydrostatic pressures ranging from 0 Pa to 40.55 Pa. The experimental results showed a consistent linear relationship between low hydrostatic pressure and Bragg wavelength, implying a sensitivity of 0.8092 pm/Pa, according to theoretical expectations. Subsequently, mathematical simulations were conducted based on the results to predict the sensor performance under various potential seabed temperatures. The simulation results indicated that as the temperature rose, there was a corresponding increase in the reflected wavelength difference by 5.3754 x 10-9 nm/Pa for every 1°C increase in seawater temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Politically motivated violence and insecurity continue to be a major threat to progress in HIV epidemic control and a significant contributor to health inequality. Despite a decreasing HIV/AIDS disease burden, the Republic of Cameroon in West Africa is experiencing ongoing political instability in her North and South West Regions. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand key frontline health care providers' (fHCP) perceptions of the effects of political instability on HIV/AIDS response gains in Cameroon since 2018, as well as lessons learned for overcoming them. Methods: Between July and August 2022, semi-structured, in-depth key informant interviews involving 10 purposively selected participants were conducted in the two regions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded thematically, and analyzed manually. Results: Six overarching themes emerged from the transcribed key informant interviews. They were as follows: Challenge with access to and availability of health care services (HIV care, commodity supply chain) in the smaller communities; Impact on continuity of treatment; Increased risk of new HIV infections; The socioeconomic impact of the crisis on the quality of life; The impact of the crisis on fHCPs' physical and mental health and the health system'; and Coping mechanisms. Conclusions: Frontline healthcare workers have acknowledged the significant impact the current political instability has had in hindering the development and advancement of a successful local response to HIV/AIDS in the two impacted regions of Cameroon. Coordinated efforts must be made to strengthen the health sector in areas such as HIV healthcare decentralization, supply chain, and protecting frontline healthcare workers from political quagmires in order to lessen the impact of the nation's socio-political crisis on the HIV/AIDS response and, more generally, on the entire health sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, only 6.4 million of the 10.6 million people with tuberculosis (TB) were diagnosed and treated for the disease. Although the World Health Organization recommends initial diagnostic testing using a rapid sensitive molecular assay, only 38% of people diagnosed with TB benefited from these, due to barriers including the high cost of available assays. Pooled testing has been used as an approach to increase testing efficiency in many resource-constrained situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has not yet been widely adopted for TB diagnostic testing. Here we report a retrospective analysis of routine pooled testing of 10,117 sputum specimens using the Xpert MTB/RIF and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assays that was performed from July 2020 to February 2022. Pooled testing saved 48% of assays and enabled rapid molecular testing for 4156 additional people as compared to individual testing, with 6.6% of specimens positive for TB. From an in silico analysis, the positive percent agreement of pooled testing in pools of 3 as compared with individual testing for the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay was estimated as 99.4% (95% CI, 96.6% to 100%). These results support the scale-up of pooled testing for efficient TB diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus‐like particles (VLPs) represent a biodegradable, biocompatible nanomaterial made from viral coat proteins that can improve the delivery of antigens, drugs, nucleic acids, and other substances, with most applications in human and veterinary medicine. Regarding agricultural viruses, many insect and plant virus coat proteins have been shown to assemble into VLPs accurately. In addition, some plant virus‐based VLPs have been used in medical studies. However, to our knowledge, the potential application of plant/insect virus‐based VLPs in agriculture remains largely underexplored. This review focuses on why and how to engineer coat proteins of plant/insect viruses as functionalized VLPs, and how to exploit VLPs in agricultural pest control. The first part of the review describes four different engineering strategies for loading cargo at the inner or the outer surface of VLPs depending on the type of cargo and purpose. Second, the literature on plant and insect viruses the coat proteins of which have been confirmed to self‐assemble into VLPs is reviewed. These VLPs are good candidates for developing VLP‐based agricultural pest control strategies. Lastly, the concepts of plant/insect virus‐based VLPs for delivering insecticidal and antiviral components (e.g., double‐stranded RNA, peptides, and chemicals) are discussed, which provides future prospects of VLP application in agricultural pest control. In addition, some concerns are raised about VLP production on a large scale and the short‐term resistance of hosts to VLP uptake. Overall, this review is expected to stimulate interest and research exploring plant/insect virus‐based VLP applications in agricultural pest management. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cameroon is committed to reaching HIV epidemic control through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Public Health, the National AIDS Control Committee, bilateral/multilateral institutions and implementing partners. The third edition of the Cameroon HIV Research Forum (CAM-HERO) was held in Kribi from December 1st to 3rd, 2022, with the theme "Research for Health Care and Policy on HIV/AIDS." The conference brought together local and international scientists and clinicians, policymakers, and regulatory authorities to 1) disseminate HIV research findings and HIV policy; 2) foster operational research collaboration; 3) build research capacity through training on basics of research methods and CAM-HERO young investigator Awards; and 4) initiate a guideline for promoting HIV/AIDS research in Cameroon. The main activities included training on research methodology and basic principles in bioethics, presentations of selected abstracts, and awards for top research. A total of 35 abstracts (16 oral presentations, 16 posters, and 3 late-breaker-abstracts) were selected for presentation following a rigorous review. The conference ended with evidence-based recommendations and a way-forward statement for the development of a National Guide for HIV/AIDS research in Cameroon, with the aim of improving the quality and quantity of research agenda and projects nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the outcomes of an exploratory study into the obstacles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a post-COVID recovery in the South African educational tourism sector. By reviewing the challenges and the key technological innovations developed and implemented during the pandemic, this study established that, while the COVID-19 restrictions significantly impacted the viability of every business in the edutourism sector, the use of important technological platforms (like social media, virtual reality, mobile apps, computer-based technology and virtual reality/augmented reality [VR/AR]) helped the sector remain resilient. However, the current paucity of empirical data in this regard suggests an investigation, the motivation for the current study, which assumes an inductive approach. This paper highlights the challenges, trends and prospects of COVID-19-related revival strategies for South Africa's edutourism sector, with the ensuing debates contributing to increasing academic debates on the subject, while highlighting both practical policy-related input and theoretical contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five Aspergillus sections have members that are established agricultural pests and producers of different metabolites, threatening global food safety. Most of these pathogenic Aspergillus species have been isolated from almost all major biomes. The soil remains the primary habitat for most of these cryptic fungi. This review explored some of the ecological attributes that have contributed immensely to the success of the pathogenicity of some members of the genus Aspergillus over time. Hence, the virulence factors of the genus Aspergillus, their ecology and others were reviewed. Furthermore, some biological control techniques were recommended. Pathogenic effects of Aspergillus species are entirely accidental; therefore, the virulence evolution prediction model in such species becomes a challenge, unlike their obligate parasite counterparts. In all, differences in virulence among organisms involved both conserved and species-specific genetic factors. If the impacts of climate change continue, new cryptic Aspergillus species will emerge and mycotoxin contamination risks will increase in all ecosystems, as these species can metabolically adjust to nutritional and biophysical challenges. As most of their gene clusters are silent, fungi continue to be a source of underexplored bioactive compounds. The World Soil Charter recognizes the relevance of soil biodiversity in supporting healthy soil functions. The question of how a balance may be struck between supporting healthy soil biodiversity and the control of toxic fungi species in the field to ensure food security is therefore pertinent. Numerous advanced strategies and biocontrol methods so far remain the most environmentally sustainable solution to the control of toxigenic fungi in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells are the most cutting-edge photovoltaic technology having high efficiency and short fabrication time. In recent decades, there has been a significant rise in the study of the usage of carbon materials in perovskite solar cells because of low cost and earth abundance. Several studies have been conducted to mix hole transport materials with carbon materials to improve the hole extraction capability. Nevertheless, no research has reported using CuSCN on different carbon electrodes on perovskite solar cells. In this research, various carbon materials, including carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphite, activated carbon, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), are mixed with CuSCN. The carbon materials and CuSCN were mixed by ball mill and then deposited using the doctor blading method to become an electrode layer. The existence of CuSCN in carbon materials was proved by conducting the energy dispersive X-ray test. CNT mixed with CuSCN material exhibits the highest electrical conductivity indicated by ID/IG ratio of 1.22 using Raman spectroscopy. Perovskite solar cell with a mix of CNT and CuSCN electrode exhibits the lowest series resistance of 76.69 Ω, resulting in the optimum solar cell performance such as a short-circuit current density (JSC) of 0.199 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.52 V, fill-factor (FF) of 0.369, and efficiency of 0.0735. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local evidence is important for contextualized knowledge translation. It can be used to adapt global recommendations, to identify future research priorities and inform local policy decisions. However, there are challenges in identifying local evidence in a systematic, comprehensive, and timely manner. There is limited guidance on how to map local evidence and provide it to users in an accessible and user-friendly way. In this study, we address these issues by describing the methods for the development of a centralized database of health research evidence for Cameroon and its applications for research prioritization and decision making. Methods: We searched 10 electronic health databases and hand-searched the archives of non-indexed African and Cameroonian journals. We screened titles, abstracts, and full texts of peer reviewed journal articles published between 1999 and 2019 in English or French that assess health related outcomes in Cameroonian populations. We extracted relevant study characteristics based on a pre-established guide. We developed a coding scheme or taxonomy of content areas so that local evidence is mapped to corresponding domains and subdomains. Pairs of reviewers coded articles independently and resolved discrepancies by consensus. Moreover, we developed guidance on how to search the database, use search results to create evidence maps and conduct knowledge gap analyses. Results: The Cameroon Health Research and Evidence Database (CAMHRED) is a bilingual centralized online portal of local evidence on health in Cameroon from 1999 onwards. It currently includes 4384 studies categorized into content domains and study characteristics (design, setting, year and language of publication). The database is searchable by keywords or through a guided search. Results including abstracts, relevant study characteristics and bibliographic information are available for users to download. Upon request, guidance on how to optimize search results for applications like evidence maps and knowledge gap analyses is also available. Conclusions: CAMHRED (https://camhred.org/) is a systematic, comprehensive, and centralized resource for local evidence about health in Cameroon. It is freely available to stakeholders and provides an additional resource to support their work at various levels in the research process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: oral candidiasis in HIV-disease generally indicates immune incompetence both among antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive and experienced patients. To optimize oral healthcare among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we sought to evaluate the type and distribution of oral candidiasis with respect to ART-profile and immuno-virological parameters among PLHIV in the Cameroonian context. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 patients (51 ART-naïve and 112 ART-experienced) residing in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from February through May 2019. Oral candidiasis was assessed, while viral load (VL) and CD4-count were measured on Abbott m2000rt and Cy-flow counter platforms, respectively. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v.21 with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: in all, 18 cases of two forms of oral candidiasis were identified (13 erythematous and 5 pseudomembranous), with the majority, 27.7% (11/51), observed among ARTnaïve patients against 6.3% (7/112) in ARTexperienced (p=0.006). With respect to immunovirological profile, 77.8% (14/18) and 22.2% (4/18) of cases were identified among participants with CD4<200 cells/mm³ and CD4>200 cells/mm³, respectively (p<0.0001). In the light of viral load, the occurrence of oral candidiasis was largely observed among subjects with VL≥1000 copies/ml, 83.3% (15/18), against 16.7% (3/18), with VL<1000 copies/ml, irrespective of the candidiasis form (p<0.0001). Conclusion: among PLHIV, erythematous and pseudomembranous candidiasis are commonly found in the absence of ART, driven by immunodeficiency and active viral replication. In spite of the protective role of ART, PLHIV experiencing immuno-virological failure should be referred for management of oral candidiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the expanding industry of medical Cannabis, we discuss recent milestones in RNA interference (RNAi)‐based crop protection research and development that are transferable to medical Cannabis cultivation. Recent and prospective increases in pest pressure in both indoor and outdoor Cannabis production systems, and the need for effective nonchemical pest control technologies (particularly crucial in the context of cultivating plants for medical purposes), are discussed. We support the idea that developing RNAi tactics towards protection of medical Cannabis could play a major role in maximizing success in this continuously expanding industry. However, there remain critical knowledge gaps, especially with regard to RNA pesticide biosafety from a human toxicological viewpoint, as a result of the medical context of Cannabis product use. Furthermore, efforts are needed to optimize transformation and micropropagation of Cannabis plants, examine cutting edge RNAi techniques for various Cannabis–pest scenarios, and investigate the combined application of RNAi‐ and biological control tactics in medical Cannabis cultivation. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Publications associated with the incidence of respiratory diseases in light of the COVID-19 pandemic have skyrocketed. Using bibliometric analysis, this study assessed the characteristics of published articles regarding non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on other respiratory infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 06, 2023, a systematic review of literature on the incidence of respiratory diseases was conducted using the Scopus database. VOS viewer software was used to visualize the network. This study yielded a total of 910 articles, which were eventually narrowed down to 148 articles. The findings of the bibliometric analysis revealed a trend in research that included not only the investigation of the incidence of other respiratory diseases but also that of gastrointestinal infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the research output was created by American and Chinese authors. Kim J. H. was the most productive and cited researcher, with three research articles. There is a scarcity of data on the effectiveness of NPI in preventing the spread of other respiratory diseases among various age groups, including children, adults, and vulnerable populations. Countries should consider increasing their support for COVID-19 research, to generate knowledge pertaining to NPIs and, by extension, other infectious diseases with similar transmission mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Periegetica is the property of WSB University in Poznan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper reports the extent of degradation and pattern of land use land cover change (LULCC) in the Mount Bamboutos landscape in Western Cameroon, using Landsat satellite images of 1980, 2000 and 2018. The researchers surveyed 261 household farmers to understand the different agricultural activities in the landscape. Grassland, sparse primary forest and sparse secondary forest decreased by a magnitude of 818%, 101% and 53%, respectively, from 1980 to 2018. Farmland, tea plantation, eucalyptus plantation and built-up areas increased by 16,799.8 ha (69%), 1009.6 ha (84%), 3757 ha (94%) and 3385.5 ha (97%), respectively, from 1980 to 2018. Agriculture, settlement and grazing land expansion are the key drivers of the LULCC. A conceptual model to increase inclusive stakeholder participation and sustainability in local land use planning is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA interference (RNAi)-based pest control is viewed as a safe and effective method for insect pest control. However, the stability and efficient cellular delivery of the double stranded RNA (dsRNA) active molecule remains crucial to its success in pest control. Among the different approaches that have been proposed to improve dsRNA delivery in insects, the use of nano-carriers, engineered viruses and engineered microbes have been successfully employed in proof-of-concept studies. This review focuses on engineering approaches that have been successfully employed to modify insect viruses and different microbes for dsRNA production and delivery in insects. First, the different viral vector systems based on insect RNA and DNA viruses for dsRNA delivery are discussed. Second, a comprehensive overview of different microbe-based (bacteria, fungi, microalgae) dsRNA production and delivery systems that have been developed till date are presented. Finally, future perspectives on the development of other delivery systems with potential in the context of insect pest control are provided. Overall, this review is expected to stimulate awareness, interest, insight and research into promising sources of biotechnologically interesting viruses and microbes for protecting agriculture and human health against insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Termites are keystone species and play an essential role in the ecosystem by decomposing plants and wood materials with adapted endogenous and symbiotic cellulase systems to obtain food and energy. However, some termites are also pests that have significant economic impacts directly or indirectly on the agricultural system, such as pastures, orchards, nurseries, and eucalyptus forests, and globally the estimated loss is $40 billion annually. Recently, scientists have focused on RNAi technology to protect plants against insect pests, and the utilization of RNAi against termites is confounded because of their social nature and habitats. Many termite species transcriptomes and genome sequencing projects are currently underway, and the outputs open new avenues for the species-specific design of RNAi-based termiticides. With these genomes, symbiotic biological agents such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes can be screened and evaluated to express RNAi bioactive molecules (dsRNA, siRNA, and shRNA). In parallel, dsRNA/siRNA can also be delivered through nanocarriers against termites. In this perspective, we highlight existing RNAi-based functional genomic studies against eusocial termite pests and further discuss the prospects for RNAi-termiticides, considering unique challenges in terms of dsRNA delivery, target efficiency, environmental risks and termite eusociality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Every organization, be it the state or the Church, needs money to be able to operate. While the state raises revenue through the imposition of taxes on the citizens, the Church does it through collection of tithes and other offerings from her members. Among other collections, tithe constitutes a major source of revenue to the modern Church. This work thus sets out to determine the factors influencing tithes compliance by members of some selected Christian Denominations in Bamenda. Specifically, it investigates the effect of: (a) demographic characteristics; (b) perceived benefits derived from tithing and (c) management approach on tithe compliance. Data was collected from Christians of selected church denominations in Bamenda, Mezam Division in the North West Region of Cameroon using the stratified random sampling technique. The data was obtained from 351 questionnaires, 193 of which were issued to Presbyterian Christians, while 67 were issued to Roman Catholics, 47 to Full Gospel and 44 to Apostolic Christians respectively. Descriptive statistics, correlative research design and inferential econometric approach base on the binary logistic regression were employed. Results show that payment of tithe statistically depends on gender as women were more likely than men to pay tithe. The occupation of the Christians, their marital status and denomination also significantly influenced their compliance to tithe. As the index for perceived benefits from tithe increased, the more likely were the Christian to pay tithe. Christians who perceived that tithes were not well managed were significantly more likely not to have paid tithe in the past three months. We thus recommend that Christians be taught to pay tithe as their Christian duty, not due to benefits previewed and strict management principles be applied to tithe to increase the adherence rate of tithe payments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper discusses the outcomes of an exploratory study into the innovations, adaptations, and best practices that the tourism and hospitality sector in Africa should implement in dealing with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-induced disruptions. Design/methodology/approach: This paper was based on data collected through qualitative approaches by reviewing published academic articles and unpublished documents, including websites, media reports and global public health entities such as the World Health Organization (WHO). Because of the lack of reliable data in some cases, this study is inductive in nature. Findings: The main finding of this research suggests that Africa which is seemingly the least affected in infection and casualty rates has conversely borne the brunt of the negative responses from the global community in travel restrictions and mobility curtailment. Overwhelming trends suggest the domestic tourism market does not have the spending capacity of international visitors who arrive with foreign currency, inevitably main-stream in the form of USD, EURO and GBP, with their spending power estimated at between 1:18 and 1:22. The fragmented, cascaded and sometimes disorganised approach in dealing with policy adoptions and implementation in managing developments around the pandemic further inhibits a compelling approach to continent-wide tourism and hospitality revival. Originality/value: This paper highlights trends, innovations, and adaptations to COVID-19-related revival strategies for Africa and contributes to academic debates on the topic which, in the Global South context is currently under-researched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns around comprehension and recall of consent information by research participants have typically been associated with low health and research literacy levels. In genomics research, this concern is heightened as the scientific and ethical complexities of genetics research, such as biobanking, genetic susceptibility, data sharing, and incidental findings may be more difficult for potential research participants to understand. However, challenges to research participants' comprehension of consent information may be compounded by factors beyond health and research literacy levels. To identify factors that may impact research participants' understanding and recall of consent information, we designed a qualitative study to explore whether participants enrolled in a tuberculosis genetics study (TBGEN-Africa) in Cameroon understood the objectives of the study, the risks and benefits and certain key aspects of the study such as biobanking and data sharing. The results showed that research participants had limited understanding and/or recall of the TBGEN-Africa study goals and methods. Some participants were of the opinion that TBGEN-Africa was not a genetics study because tuberculosis is not an inheritable condition. Factors that may have hindered understanding and/or recall of study information are diagnostic misconception (research participants consider research as part of medical diagnosis), and information overload and situational vulnerability (consent at a time of physical and emotional distress). There is a need for improved practices to support research participants' understanding of consent information in genetics studies including designing the consent process in ways that minimize psychological distress and diagnostic/therapeutic misconception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteins in the thioredoxin superfamily share a similar fold, contain a -CXXC- active site, and catalyze oxidoreductase reactions by dithiol-disulfide exchange mechanisms. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) has two -CGHC- active sites. For in vitro studies, oxidation/reduction of PDI during the catalytic cycle is accomplished with glutathione. Glutathione may act as electron donor/acceptor for PDI also in vivo, but at least for oxidation reactions, GSSG probably is not the major electron acceptor and PDI may not have evolved to react with glutathione with high affinity, but merely having adequate affinity for both glutathione and folding proteins/peptides. Glutaredoxins, on the other hand, have a high affinity for glutathione. They commonly have -CXFC- or -CXYC- active site, where the tyrosine residue forms part of the GSH binding groove. Mutating the active site of PDI to a more glutaredoxin-like motif increased its reactivity with glutathione. All such variants showed an increased rate in GSH-dependent reduction or GSSG-dependent oxidation of the active site, as well as a decreased rate of the native disulfide bond formation, with the magnitude of the effect increasing with glutathione concentration. This suggests that these variants lead to competition in binding between glutathione and folding protein substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fecundity is arguably one of the most important life history traits, as it is closely tied to fitness. Most arthropods are recognized for their extreme reproductive capacity. For example, a single female of the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis, a highly invasive species that is one of the most destructive agricultural pests worldwide, can lay more than 3000 eggs during its life span. The ovary is crucial for insect reproduction and its development requires further investigation at the molecular level. We report here that miR-309a is a regulator of ovarian development in B. dorsalis. Our bioinformatics and molecular studies have revealed that miR-309a binds the transcription factor pannier (GATA-binding factor A/pnr), and this activates yolk vitellogenin 2 (Vg 2) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR) advancing ovarian development. We further show that miR-309a is under the control of juvenile hormone (JH) and independent from 20-hydroxyecdysone. Thus, we identified a JH-controlled miR-309a/pnr axis that regulates Vg2 and VgR to control the ovarian development. This study has further enhanced our understanding of molecular mechanisms governing ovarian development and insect reproduction. It provides a background for identifying targets for controlling important Dipteran pests. Author summary: The ovary is a very critical organ for insect reproduction. Especially, many insect pests are famous for their large reproductive capacity. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in ovarian development could significantly contribute in the development of new insect pest control strategies. In this study, we report that miR-309a regulates the development of the ovary in an important dipteran pest, B. dorsalis, through a transcriptional factor, pannier (GATA-binding factor A/pnr), which in turn directly mediates the expression of Vg2 and VgR. Moreover, miR-309a is under the upstream control of juvenile hormone (JH). Here, in Dipterans, a novel JH-miR-309a-pnr-Vg-related genes regulatory pathway was found in ovarian development. This finding advances our understanding of a mechanism regulating insect ovarian development and provides new insights for potential targets to control dipteran pests through the reproductive strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several interventions have shown benefits in improving mental health problems such as depression which is common in people living with HIV. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the effect of these interventions in improving HIV treatment outcomes. This study aimed at bridging this evidence gap and guiding the integration of depression and HIV management, particularly in rural health settings of Cameroon.Materials and Methods: We carried out a cluster-randomized intervention study targeting persons aged 13 years and above who had been on antiretroviral treatment for 6-9 months. Participants were followed up for 12 months during which those in the intervention group underwent routine screening and management of depression. Comparisons were done using the two-way ANOVA and Chi-squared test with significance set at 5%.Results: Overall, 370 participants with a median age of 39 years (IQR: 30-49) were enrolled in this study. Of these, 42 (11.3%) were screened with moderate to severe depressive symptoms and 41 (11.1%) had poor treatment adherence. There was a significant drop in depression scores in the intervention group from 3.88 (± 3.76) to 2.29 (± 2.39) versus 4.35 (± 4.64) to 3.39 (± 3.0) in controls (p < 0.001) which was accompanied by a drop in the prevalence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms in the intervention group from 9% to 0.8% (p = 0.046). Decreased depression scores were correlated with better adherence scores with correlation coefficients of - 0.191, - 0.555, and - 0.513 at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months of follow-up respectively (p < 0.001) but there was no significant difference in adherence levels (p = 0.255) and viral suppression rates (p = 0.811) between groups.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that considering routine screening and management of depression as an integral component of HIV care could positively impact HIV treatment outcomes. However, there is a need for more research to identify the best combinations of context-specific and cost-effective strategies that can impactfully be integrated with HIV management. Trial registration Trial registration Number: DRKS00027440. Name of Registry: German Clinical Trials Register. Date registration: December 10, 2021 ('retrospectively registered'). Date of enrolment of the first participant: 05/08/2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Africa (SA) is a leading exporter of maize in Africa. The commercial maize farming sector contributes to about 85% of the overall maize produced. More than 33% of South Africa's population live in rural settlements, and their livelihoods depend entirely on subsistence farming. The subsistence farming system promotes fungal growth and mycotoxin production. This review aims to investigate the exposure levels of the rural population of South Africa to dietary mycotoxins contrary to several reports issued concerning the safety of South African maize. A systematic search was conducted using Google Scholar. Maize is a staple food in South Africa and consumption rates in rural and urban communities are different, for instance, intake may be 1–2 kg/person/day and 400 g/person/day, respectively. Commercial and subsistence maize farming techniques are different. There exist differences influencing the composition of mycotoxins in food commodities from both sectors. Depending on the levels of contamination, dietary exposure of South Africans to mycotoxins is evident in the high levels of fumonisins (FBs) that have been detected in SA home-grown maize. Other potential sources of exposure to mycotoxins, such as carryover effects from animal products and processed foods, were reviewed. The combined effects between FBs and aflatoxins (AFs) have been reported in humans/animals and should not be ignored, as sporadic breakouts of aflatoxicosis have been reported in South Africa. These reports are not a true representation of the entire country as reports from the subsistence-farming rural communities show high incidence of maize contaminated with both AFs and FBs. While commercial farmers and exporters have all the resources needed to perform laboratory analyses of maize products, the greater challenge in combatting mycotoxin exposure is encountered in rural communities with predominantly subsistence farming systems, where conventional food surveillance is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dangers of population-level mycotoxin exposure have been well documented. Climate-sensitive aflatoxins (AFs) are important food hazards. The continual effects of climate change are projected to impact primary agricultural systems, and consequently food security. This will be due to a reduction in yield with a negative influence on food safety. The African climate and subsistence farming techniques favour the growth of AF-producing fungal genera particularly in maize, which is a food staple commonly associated with mycotoxin contamination. Predictive models are useful tools in the management of mycotoxin risk. Mycotoxin climate risk predictive models have been successfully developed in Australia, the USA, and Europe, but are still in their infancy in Africa. This review aims to investigate whether AFs' occurrence in African maize can be effectively mitigated in the face of increasing climate change and food insecurity using climate risk predictive studies. A systematic search is conducted using Google Scholar. The complexities associated with the development of these prediction models vary from statistical tools such as simple regression equations to complex systems such as artificial intelligence models. Africa's inability to simulate a climate mycotoxin risk model in the past has been attributed to insufficient climate or AF contamination data. Recently, however, advancement in technologies including artificial intelligence modelling has bridged this gap, as climate risk scenarios can now be correctly predicted from missing and unbalanced data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sport is an equalizer is not always a reality as demonstrated by persistent gender inequality in Nigeria. Therefore, investigating gender inequalities in sports remains highly relevant. This study examined gender inequity in media coverage and welfare of national teams in line with Nigeria sports policy and Africa Union Agenda 2063. Twenty female soccer, track, and field athletes with five coaches participated in in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was employed, and results were presented in verbatim quotes. Participants reported significant pay gaps of close to 80% between male and female national team athletes and significant disparities were reported in welfare. Similar disparities were found on media coverage. Female athletes are perceived as inferior, while many quit or take other nationalities to compete at the highest level. Results show minimal progress in achieving gender equity in Nigerian sports despite the sports policy and African Union Agenda 2063. Therefore, sports governing bodies must demonstrate strong alignments between policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considers tourists' perspectives on the Critical Success Factors for guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Guided tours and tourism destinations are inseparable, with such guided tours often being sought after for their power to improve tourist satisfaction and envisioned to enhance visitors' experience and impact tourism growth at destinations. The success of such guided tours is often premised on several factors, which when present, would influence visitors' propensity to recommend, revisit and make future destination choices. Such factors play a critical role in determining whether visitors would consider guided or self-led excursions. Understanding the Critical Success Factors for guided tours is essential as it makes it easier for tourism suppliers to channel efforts toward tourist satisfaction. Using a structured questionnaire, 451 tourists participating in guided tours in the Western Cape Province of South Africa were surveyed to ascertain the Critical Success Factors for guided tours. The study revealed that safety, knowledgeable guides, and pricing remain critical in the success of guided tours. The study highlights the critical factors considered essential for the success of guided excursions and the areas that require improvement. Following an analysis of the study’s findings, recommendations for effective guided tours for the tourism industry were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Sports betting has been shown to be escalating among youths in developing countries. However, there is still insufficient information on the predictors of sports betting among this particular social group. The aim of this study was to examine social predictors of sports betting among youths in Ilorin, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Material and methods. A cross-sectional community survey was conducted among 470 youths from Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Social predictors of sports betting (SPSB) were evaluated using a 23-item questionnaire consisting of three parts: Part I - socio-demographic variables (age, gender, employment status); Part II -items on sports betting engagement (SBE); and Part III - items on family influence, peer influence, and media influence. Frequency and percentage, the phi coefficient, and binary logistic regression were used for analyses. Results. The findings revealed a weak relationship between sports betting and family influence (=.218); a moderate relationship between sports betting and peer influence (=.523), and a moderate relationship between sports betting and media influence (=.559). Gender and employment status were significantly associated with sports betting (p < .05). Conclusion. The study showed that family influence, peer influence, media influence, and employment status were predictors of sports betting among Nigerian youths. Gambling regulatory bodies, parents, educators, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should sensitize young people on the dangers of engaging in sports betting as a sustainable source of income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Cameroon was recorded in March 2020. In response to the pandemic, most countries like Cameroon instituted a number of control measures to curb its spread accross the country. These COVID-19 control measures added to the fear of this disease within the population may have led to other detrimental health effects like: the pattern of hospitalizations and hospital outcomes. Methods We did a cross-sectional study with data from in-patient admission records of children admitted to the pediatric ward of the Regional Hospital Bamenda over a 24 months period (1st of March 2019 to the 28th of February 2021). The pre-pandemic period in Cameroon (that is, the first 12 months, from March 2019 to February 2020) and the pandemic period (that is, the last 12 months, from March 2020 to February 2021) were compared. Results A total of 2282 hospitalization records were included in the study. Most of the hospitalized children were males (57.23%). There was a 19.03% decline in pediatric hospitalizations during the first 12 months of the pandemic, which was statistically significant (p  = 0.00024). The causes of hospitalizations and mortality remained similar over both periods, with severe malaria, the leading cause of admissions. Hospital deaths before and during the pandemic were 1.6% and 1.9%, respectively. Conclusion There was a statistically significant decline in pediatric hospitalizations during the first 12 months of the pandemic as compared to the same period before the pandemic. Hospital mortality and causes of hospitalizations remained similar over both the periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africa is one of the regions with high mycotoxin contamination of foods and continues to record high incidences of liver cancers globally. The agricultural sector of most African countries depends largely on climate variables for crop production. Production of mycotoxins is climate-sensitive. Most stakeholders in the food production chain in Africa are not aware of the health and economic effects of consuming contaminated foods. The aim of this review is to evaluate the main factors and their degree of contribution to the high levels of mycotoxins in African foods. Thus, knowledge of the contributions of different factors responsible for high levels of these toxins will be a good starting point for the effective mitigation of mycotoxins in Africa. Google Scholar was used to conduct a systemic search. Six factors were found to be linked to high levels of mycotoxins in African foods, in varying degrees. Climate change remains the main driving factor in the production of mycotoxins. The other factors are partly man-made and can be manipulated to become a more profitable or less climate-sensitive response. Awareness of the existence of these mycotoxins and their economic as well as health consequences remains paramount. The degree of management of these factors regarding mycotoxins varies from one region of the world to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considered the key success factors (KSFs) for participants in sport tourism events, with a specific focus on the views of participants of the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT). Adopting a quantitative approach and utilising systematic sampling, n=598 cyclists were sampled in both the mountain biking (n=218) and the road cycling (n=380) categories, through self-administered questionnaires at event registration venues between February and March 2019. The data were analysed using SPSS via a factor analysis. Of the 49 identified elements, eight corresponding KSFs emerged. Key findings highlighted the non-homogenous nature of the respective participant groups and noted differences in the rating of four of the eight KSFs. While road cyclists were noted to be seekers of fully rounded event experience, mountain bikers preferred to participate in activities promoting exploration and adventure. Importantly, the study highlights that understanding KSFs might assist concerned stakeholders with stimulating sport tourism participation through the hosting of tailor-made events for participants who might be more selective in their desires when travelling and participating in sport events. Insights from the study should prove crucial in attracting both new and previous participants, particularly considering the context of the COVID19 pandemic that significantly hampered participation at such events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have reported high efficacy and safety of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) when administered under direct observation in Cameroon. There is paucity of data to support their continuous use in home-based treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Cameroon. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of AS-AQ versus AL for home-based treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria among children 6-120 months in Yaoundé, Cameroon.Methods: A two-arm, open-label, randomized, controlled trial comparing the equivalence of AS-AQ (experimental group) and AL (control group) was carried out from May 2019 to April 2020 at two secondary hospitals in Yaoundé. Participants were randomized to receive either AS-AQ or AL. After the first dose, antimalarial drugs were given at home, rather than under direct observation by a study staff. The conventional on-treatment and post-treatment laboratory and clinical evaluations were not done until day 3 of the full antimalarial treatment course. The evaluation of effectiveness was mainly based on per protocol polymerase chain reaction adjusted adequate clinical and parasitological response (PP PCR adjusted ACPR) on day 28 post-treatment. Safety was based on assessment of adverse events (AEs) and severe adverse events (SAEs) from day 1 to day 28.Results: A total of 242 children were randomized to receive AS-AQ (n = 114) and AL (n = 128). The PP PCR adjusted day 28 cure rates were [AS-AQ = 96.9% (95% CI, 91.2-99.4) versus AL = 95.5% (95% CI, 89.9-98.5), P = 0.797]. Expected mild to moderate adverse events were reported in both arms [AS-AQ = 83 (84.7%) versus AL = 99 (86.1%), P = 0.774]. The most common adverse events included: transient changes of hematologic indices and fever.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that AS-AQ and AL are effective and safe for home management of malaria in Yaoundé. The evidence from this study supports the parallel use of the two drugs in routine practice. However, the findings from this study do not describe the likely duration of antimalarial effectiveness in holoendemic areas where multiple courses of treatment might be required.Trial Registration: This study is a randomized controlled trial and it was retrospectively registered on 23/09/2020 at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT04565184. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]