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Abstract The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been producing influential reports for over 35 years. As the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) cycle begins, we offer our perspective as former members of the IPCC Technical Support Units from Working Groups I, II & III, and the Synthesis Report on lessons learned during the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) cycle. We identify three broad issues that, if addressed, could reinforce and sustain the IPCC in continuing its mission to comprehensively assess the scientific understanding of human-induced climate change. These are the imperative to ensure balanced representation, the importance of author recognition, and the need for improved institutional memory. Our recommendations include addressing skill and training needs, tackling barriers to participation particularly for Global South authors, and ensuring all contributors receive appropriate recognition for their efforts. We focus, in particular, on feasible incremental changes that could be implemented during AR7 without major changes to the underlying procedures that require approval by the 195 member governments that make up the IPCC.

This study assessed the effects of COVID-19 on Ghana's WASH system. It focused on low-income households and WASH sector stakeholders using Ayawaso East Municipality as a case study to document lessons from the pandemic's impact on the WASH sector. We used the water and sanitation system approach to understand the effects of COVID-19 mitigation measures on the WASH system. Data were collected through surveys, stakeholder engagements, and document analysis. We found that the government's WASH response increased hygiene practices, solid and liquid waste generation, and water consumption. Sanitation service providers experienced reduced demands for their services, lost clients, and increased operational expenditure. The pandemic's impact is gendered, with women and girls experiencing a greater burden. We argue that responses to the pandemic highlight the need and opportunities for sustainable management of sanitation waste through integrated, circular economy business models, turning waste into valuable resources. Responses to COVID-19 in the WASH system are multisectoral because of its interconnected nature, highlighting the need to integrate sectors beyond water and sanitation. This requires improved institutional structures, policies, investment, and professionalising service providers. HIGHLIGHTS Government's WASH response to COVID-19 increased hygiene practices.; A holistic approach to managing all aspects of WASH is vital.; Effective COVID-19 responses require effective inter-agency cooperation.; Social inclusion and support to marginalised groups is critical to deal with a pandemic.; Investments along the whole service delivery chain are needed to improve wastewater management.;

The climate crisis has migration implications, and we need to act inclusively and urgently. Climate change impacts people’s decisions to migrate largely through economic, political, technological, demographic, and socio-cultural factors, and their dynamic interlinkages. These complex issues often influence climate risks and vulnerabilities and complicate effective investment and policy actions on migration. However, there is inadequate documentation on how climate change is linked to migration and social transformation. Based on a traditional literature review and inputs from a consultation dialogue, this paper analyzes climate-induced migration in West Africa using a social transformation lens. The paper conceptualizes the climate-induced migrant as an agent of adaptation and describes the complexities of climate vulnerabilities, and its intersection with social transformation in migration decisions. A social transformation conceptual framework is proposed to identify the complexities of climate-induced migration and ensure inclusive strategies are planned, implemented, and sustained. The paper discusses the need for transdisciplinary research approaches to capture various intersections of transforming socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities across different countries and migratory landscapes. The paper also highlights the critical concern in the region regarding the “trapped population.” It suggests that a social transformation lens is required to unravel the dynamics around vulnerable people unable to migrate because they do not have the resources to migrate or are constrained by cultural issues.

There is mounting evidence that cancer patients co-administer herbal drugs with chemotherapy, however, information on the pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of such combination therapy is scarce. Natural products including crude extracts, herbal formulas, and bioactive compounds from plants hold great potential to prevent and treat cancers. More importantly, some herbal drugs can reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced toxicity including oral mucositis, gastrointestinal toxicity, hepatotoxicity etc. This review focuses on the effectiveness of some herbal products as adjuvant therapy and describes the possible mechanisms of chemo-herbal drug PD interactions in enhancing the efficacy/ or reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. We also highlighted recent advances in preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies to establish the effectiveness of herbal medicine to enhance efficacy or counteract chemotherapy-induced side effects. In addition, we draw particular attention to the synergistic effects of chemo-herbal drug combination therapy to prevent and treat cancers using evidence from clinical trials. We concluded that herbal drugs hold great potential as adjuvant therapy for the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced side effects. It is important to also highlight that the clinical evidence on chemo-herbal drug combination therapy is limited. There is an urgent need for an in-depth PD evaluation including the safety pharmacology of chemo-herbal drug combination therapy as well as reliable evidence from multicentre clinical trials to establish the beneficial or negative effects of chemo-herbal drug combination therapy in the ongoing fight against cancer.

This study reviewed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pre-existing vulnerabilities in rural communities using the scoping review strategy. It focused on manuscripts published on the topic in 2020. Based on 39 studies that met our inclusion criteria (out of 507 studies), we note that COVID-19 is exacerbating pre-existing rural vulnerabilities, including poverty, remoteness, socio-economic marginalisation and high unemployment. There is limited evidence that rural communities are resilient to the pandemic. Reduction in household expenditures and the community food system are the only reported forms of resilience. Although local institutions are supporting rural communities in responding to the impacts of the pandemic, several institutional dynamics undermine the effectiveness of the response. The increased risk of the pandemic is likely to reduce incomes and standards of living amongst poor communities. Thus, coping strategies were identified such as starting small gardens in communities, diet changes, targeting community markets with produce rather than retailers and food swap using social media, with food swap being the most adopted coping strategy. Although this study does not offer a comprehensive picture of the levels and nature of vulnerability, resilience and institutional dynamics of rural communities in different parts of the world reveal the limitations of existing knowledge of the vulnerability of rural communities in the context of COVID-19. This underscores the importance of further studies on rural vulnerability in the context of COVID-19 that will enable evidence-based responses to the pandemic in rural contexts.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been producing influential reports for over 35 years. As the IPCC's Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) cycle begins, we offer our perspective as former members of the IPCC Technical Support Units from Working Groups I, II & III, and the Synthesis Report on lessons learned during the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) cycle. We identify three broad issues that, if addressed, could reinforce and sustain the IPCC in continuing its mission to comprehensively assess the scientific understanding of human-induced climate change. These are the imperative to ensure balanced representation, the importance of author recognition, and the need for improved institutional memory. Our recommendations include addressing skill and training needs, tackling barriers to participation particularly for Global South authors, and ensuring all contributors receive appropriate recognition for their efforts. We focus, in particular, on feasible incremental changes that could be implemented during AR7 without major changes to the underlying procedures that require approval by the 195 member governments that make up the IPCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climate crisis has migration implications, and we need to act inclusively and urgently. Climate change impacts people's decisions to migrate largely through economic, political, technological, demographic, and socio-cultural factors, and their dynamic interlinkages. These complex issues often influence climate risks and vulnerabilities and complicate effective investment and policy actions on migration. However, there is inadequate documentation on how climate change is linked to migration and social transformation. Based on a traditional literature review and inputs from a consultation dialogue, this paper analyzes climate-induced migration in West Africa using a social transformation lens. The paper conceptualizes the climate-induced migrant as an agent of adaptation and describes the complexities of climate vulnerabilities, and its intersection with social transformation in migration decisions. A social transformation conceptual framework is proposed to identify the complexities of climate-induced migration and ensure inclusive strategies are planned, implemented, and sustained. The paper discusses the need for transdisciplinary research approaches to capture various intersections of transforming socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities across different countries and migratory landscapes. The paper also highlights the critical concern in the region regarding the "trapped population." It suggests that a social transformation lens is required to unravel the dynamics around vulnerable people unable to migrate because they do not have the resources to migrate or are constrained by cultural issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has been primarily analysed within urban contexts, has revealed a significant gap in understanding its ramifications within rural areas. This study aims to address this gap by drawing upon the principles of Resilience Theory to shed light on the repercussions of the pandemic in rural contexts, thereby highlighting an overlooked aspect. This research employs a qualitative paradigm grounded in primary data collected from two rural municipalities, Matatiele and Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipalities, in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province. The primary data is derived from 11 focus group interviews involving essential stakeholders and 13 individual interviews that were purposefully selected. The study unravels a spectrum of adverse impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic across the two municipalities by thematically transcribing and coding audio records of interviews and focus groups using NVivo, employing inductive and deductive coding approaches. These impacts include employment loss, bereavement, food insecurity, and an upsurge in reported cases of gender-based violence. The pandemic's ripples extend to cultural practices, education, and community well-being, as evidenced by the waning participation in cultural traditions, declining interest in education among school-goers, and a surge in substance abuse and criminal activities like stock theft. In light of these findings, the study advocates for customised pandemic responses in rural areas underpinned by the Resilience Theory framework. This entails endorsing enhanced healthcare infrastructure, fostering community-driven surveillance, promoting diversified livelihood strategies, and bolstering local governance structures. As the study expands our understanding, it concurrently underscores the significance of further exploration. The proposed avenue of research lies in examining how collaborative efforts among rural-based institutions can augment community resilience against the dual challenges of pandemics and disasters. Through this lens, the study emphasises the imperative of building adaptive capacity within rural communities, emphasising their ability to navigate uncertainties and emerge stronger in adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is growing interest in the literature and policy circles regarding the performance of cooperatives in South Africa, no study has yet synthesised the body of knowledge on how to assess cooperative performance in the country. This paper aims to fill this gap by examining the literature on the performance of cooperatives in post-apartheid South Africa, based on a scoping review of 20 studies published between 1994 and 2021. Most of the reviewed studies adopted a qualitative approach, lacked a clear definition of cooperative performance and standardised metrics/criteria for assessing cooperative performance. The studies often relied on view of study participants to determine the performance of cooperatives. Moreover, the reviewed studies often framed the performance of cooperatives from an economic viewpoint. Clear definition of cooperatives, the development of robust indicators for assessing their performance and greater emphasis on quantitative studies on the performance of cooperatives in South Africa beyond economic and financial indicators is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate policy-driven transformation processes in the energy sector are accelerating changes to both national and international legal frameworks. However, no successful just energy transition is achievable without significant regulatory reforms. In this context, the article examines the possibility for modifying and introducing regulatory tools to guarantee that the just energy transition is conducted in order to accomplish climate goals and lower anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. The analysis is based on the application of the theory of energy justice and its five principal pillars: recognition, procedural, distributive, restorative, and cosmopolitan justice. For each of these five domains, the paper proposed regulatory tools that can strengthen the energy policies, both pursued and planned, in terms of institutional and decision-making dimensions. The analysis' key conclusion is that there is a need for a fundamental change in how energy policies are planned and conducted, and that its regulatory tools must be modified to meet the requirements of energy justice. As a result, proposed in this paper are universal measures to institutionalise energy justice in different legal regimes that should be viewed as advancements in the effort to make energy transition processes more just. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable estimation of stature from skeletal remains will continue to play an important role in assessing a variety of forensic anthropological and archaeological issues. In the present study, we studied and collated data on the morphometry of the tibia as well as analyzing its segment that shows significant correlation with its maximum length and consequently formulating linear regression equations for estimating maximum tibia length (MTL) which is specific for the Nigeria population. A total number of 68 intact adult human tibia bones were used (35 right and 33 left). Thirteen anthropometric parameters were measured including the MTL. The mean differences between right and left bones of all the measured parameter were not statistically significant except for the mean shaft circumference. The correlation coefficient between MTL and the bicondylar tibial width (BTW), anterior-posterior intercondylar diameter (APID), anterior-posterior diameter of medial condyle (APDMC), midshaft transverse diameter (MSTD), and distal articular surface length (DASL) were seen to be significant (P < 0.05) only in the right tibia; therefore, the linear regression equations for estimation of MTL from these parameters for the right tibia were also significant (P < 0.05). The results of our study concluded that it is possible to estimate the maximum length of the right tibia from the BTW, APID, APDMC, MSTD, and DASL with relative accuracy. Our study may be useful for forensic investigations for the identification of the remains of unknown bodies in a Nigerian population.

Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer and is associated with the highest mortality. Where melanoma is mostly unresponsive to conventional therapies (e.g., chemotherapy), BRAF inhibitor treatment has shown improved therapeutic outcomes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on a light-activated compound to produce death-inducing amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Their capacity to selectively accumulate in tumor cells has been confirmed in melanoma treatment with some encouraging results. However, this treatment approach has not reached clinical fruition for melanoma due to major limitations associated with the development of resistance and subsequent side effects. These adverse effects might be bypassed by immunotherapy in the form of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) relying on the ability of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to target specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and to be used as carriers to specifically deliver cytotoxic warheads into corresponding tumor cells. Of late, the continued refinement of ADC therapeutic efficacy has given rise to photoimmunotherapy (PIT) (a light-sensitive compound conjugated to mAbs), which by virtue of requiring light activation only exerts its toxic effect on light-irradiated cells. As such, this review aims to highlight the potential clinical benefits of various armed antibody-based immunotherapies, including PDT, as alternative approaches for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.

Background Drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in South Africa. High smoking prevalence and the risk of adverse TB outcomes has been reported among TB patients in South Africa. This study investigated smoking-related prevalence and related behaviors of drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) inpatients in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Methods This study was conducted in three hospitals in KZN between September and December 2016. Eligible participants, who had DR-TB and self-reported as smokers were asked to complete a questionnaire which was administered by trained interviewers. The questionnaire, which was adapted from the global adult tobacco survey, included questions about smoking behaviour, types of cigarettes smoked and attempts at cessation. The questionnaire has been previously shown to be reliable. The study data were analysed using SPSS. Results The questionnaire was voluntarily completed by 211 DR-TB inpatients who self identified as smokers. Overall, 201 respondents (95.3%) stated that they had ever smoked cigarettes, 104 (49.3%) currently smoke cigarettes on a daily basis, 27(12.8%) on less than daily basis, 51(24.2%) do not currently smoke cigarettes at all. Smoking prevalence was significantly higher among males (88.6%) than among females (11.4%). The study revealed that 179 (84.8%) respondents currently smoke manufactured cigarettes, 20 (9.5%) reported that they also use smokeless tobacco, and 168 (79.6%) had unsuccessfully tried to stop smoking during the past 12 months. Conclusions This study shows a high prevalence of smoking among DR-TB male inpatients in KZN. While most patients reported having made attempts to quit smoking, they have not been successful in their attempts. This study demonstrates that a range of actions to reduce smoking among patients with TB should be considered including restrictions on access and support for smoking cessation.

The study examines the roles of the annual Durban Tourism Careers Expo and the Tourism Indaba in creating job opportunities for youths and developing entrepreneurial minds of emerging entrepreneurs. Informed by the Social Capital Theory of Career Success, the study explores how social structures create value and facilitate the actions of youths within the tourism industry for career opportunities and success. We employed a qualitative study with a purposively selected sample of 16 participants. Findings of the study show that the events create jobs for youths through internships and learnerships. In addition, they give youths exposure in the industry and encourage them to start their own businesses. Seasonal employment, limited township/community-based tourism and lack of start-up capital were challenges identified. We recommend further research concerning the dynamics of seasonal employment in the tourism industry as well as the extent to which township/community-based tourism is practised and its potential entrepreneurial opportunities for youths.

Rural communities are vulnerable to shocks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The resilience of these communities depends on their ability to cope with the impacts of such shocks. This study examines the COVID-19 coping strategies of residents of Matatiele and Winnie Madikizela Mandela local municipalities in South Africa. We collected primary data through 11 FGDs and 13 individual interviews. Of the six coping strategies identified, the most cited was resorting to alternative food sources to address food insecurity. Other coping strategies include alternative sources of income; reducing remittance and expenditure; shifting to new activities; and introducing emotional support. The findings reveal that coping strategies entail changes around basic needs such as food and income. To protect these communities against future shocks, strong local institutions working in collaboration will be invaluable in empowering communities to identify and implement alternative livelihoods while building supportive infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using fetal cell free DNA has been proven to be highly accurate in detecting Down Syndrome, but it is very costly. • This study provides information to the government about the budget impact of implementing NIPT into prenatal screening strategies; the likely costs or savings associated with NIPT in comparison to the current practice. The government would make savings with a lower price of NIPT. To provide information to the government about the budget impact of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) into prenatal screening strategies to detect Down syndrome (DS) in singleton pregnancies in Turkey; the likely costs or savings associated with NIPT in comparison to the current practice were calculated. A decision-analytic model was developed to calculate the cost estimates for 1,309,771 women who gave birth in 2016; 84.8% of whom were <35-years-of-age. The superior combined test (CT) among current strategies is compared with contingent NIPT for women < 35-years-of-age; and usual practice of amniocentesis (AC) for women ≥ 35 years-of-age was replaced with universal NIPT. When the market price of NIPT (1,077 PPPUS$) is used, contingent NIPT offered to high-risk women < 35-years-of-age adds 34,907,225 PPPUS$; and for women-35 ≥ years-of-age the universal NIPT leads to 142,785,818 PPPUS$ more cost to the government compared to current strategies. The additional costs with NIPT are partially compensated by the cost-savings due to reduction of the number of invasive tests and procedure related losses (17,826,476 PPPUS$ for women < 35-years-of-age and 37,070 PPPUS$ for women ≥ 35-years-of-age). Results are sensitive to the NIPT costs; with a lower cost of NIPT, a total saving would be 33,116,046 PPPUS$ with new strategies. NIPT might be the choice of prenatal screening strategies if its price is lowered to economically acceptable levels. Until that time, currently accepted protocols seem to be more realistic. On the other hand, decision makers should also consider possible savings and the women's quality of life that can be improved with the new technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global demand for medicinal plant products has increased in the last two decades leading to overexploitation and sometimes extinction of indigenous medicinal plants. Plant biotechnology offers an efficient approach to enhanced biosynthesis of essential and/or bioactive compounds in plants. This study was aimed at developing a micropropagation protocol for Agathosma betulina Berg. (Buchu), one of the most highly utilized aromatic medicinal plants in South Africa. The study also aimed to develop a technique that will enhance the biosynthesis of some bioactive compounds by manipulating the media composition. Seeds and nodal explants from Buchu were decontaminated, germinated and sub-cultured on Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) media adjusted with different concentrations of N 6 -Benzyladenine (BA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). Dried samples from in vitro cultures were extracted using dichloromethane and analyzed for phytochemical compositions using GC–MS. In vitro seed germination produced healthy seedlings that can be transplanted ex vitro . Significantly higher shoot proliferation was recorded in nodal explants grown in 1/2 strength MS supplemented with 2,4-D and a combination of NAA and BA. Phytochemical analysis revealed significantly higher amounts of limonene accumulated in callus compared to other plant parts. The most abundant phytochemicals were recorded in plants grown on media supplemented with NAA 2.7 μM; these include limonene, pulegone and isomenthone (68, 39 and 33 μg kg − 1 DW respectively). Biosynthesis of certain compounds in in vitro culture of Buchu was induced by plant growth regulator application compared to the control. The plants possess a number of pharmacological properties including anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant. These activities are linked to inherent phytochemical contents. Hence, the use of micropropagation techniques that will enhance the biosynthesis of some bioactive compounds in Buchu will be an efficient means to meet the high demands for this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa are arguably strong economies in their respective geopolitical locations. However, they are all characterised by high levels of poverty and inequality. The burden of poverty in these countries is disproportionately borne by children who have to contend with malnutrition, poor early childhood development, inadequate healthcare and other appalling socioeconomic conditions. Over the years, the countries have committed to international agreements aimed at promoting child welfare. However, reducing the phenomenon of child poverty continues to be an intractable challenge. This paper presents a comparative analysis of child social protection in the three countries and notes that although the countries are characterised by high child poverty, Brazil, and South Africa have made more progress in the design and implementation of child social protection policies that are geared towards not only alleviating child poverty but also improving other socioeconomic conditions of children. This success was linked to the rights-based approach, the political history as well as the institutionalisation of child support within government institutions in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1999, the Khomani community of Southern Kalahari was awarded a large expanse of land they had lodged a claim for in 1994. This was an attempt aimed at redressing the many years of description against the community. In this paper, we assess how the community negotiates the "traditional" and "modern" worlds in finding a suitable development model to utilise the restored land for their livelihood strategies. Using the social capital theory and the capability approach, we provide insights into factors that contribute to persistent poverty and inequality in the community. We argue that the lack of solidarity among the community provides challenges for collective networks of livelihood strategies. This disconnect negatively affects the social and human capital of the community. The paper also notes that the paternalist approach of government and aid agencies in the community undermine the community's agency and therefore fail to capture the many local intricacies that can be harnessed for development. We contend that by insisting that the San community remains as a pristine hunter-gatherer (through the exclusive funding of projects considered as 'tradition'), government and development organisations further disempower the community and therefore contribute to the perpetuation of injustice towards the community. The paper observes the connection between land, economic choices, power, and identities and the implication of these for livelihood development among the Khomani San Community. We argue that the application of the capability approach to understanding the barriers to development in the community and getting them to become active agents in championing the course development should be adopted in further development works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxis hemerocallidea is a highly utilized medicinal plant in South Africa. Its cultivation has received considerable attention in order to meet the high demand. High levels of cadmium (Cd) and aluminum (Al) in H. hemerocallidea plants sold in traditional medicinal markets was previously reported., The present study used an in vitro propagation model to investigate the uptake of Cd and Al by H. hemerocallidea and their effect on plant growth, elemental uptake and some stress-induced responses such as pigment, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline content and ultrastructural changes., Shoot and root growth of plantlets exposed to Cd, Cd:Al and high concentrations of Al was significantly reduced. Highest concentrations of Cd accumulated in the corms of Cd-treated plantlets while highest Al concentrations occurred in the leaves and roots. There was higher accumulation of Cd and Al when applied singularly compared to the Cd:Al combination treatments. Cd and Al also reduced accumulation of trace elements in micropropagted H. hemerocallidea with lowest concentrations in the Cd:Al combination treatments. Exposure to Cd, Al and Cd:Al significantly reduced the level of chlorophyll but increased the levels of carotenoids, MDA and proline. Ultrastructural changes were also observed in H. hemerocallidea exposed to Cd and Al., All these factors contributed to the inhibition of plant growth and could potentially affect the ability of this important medicinal plant to synthesize bioactive compounds. It is thus necessary to understand heavy metal stress-induced responses in this highly valued medicinal plant to ensure a high quality product for the consumer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of temperature and nitrogen (N) on lipid productivity and fatty acid composition in three Chlorella strains grown at 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C in modified Tamiya media with low (7 and 21 mg L − 1 N) and moderate (70 mg L − 1 N) N were investigated. Temperature and N influenced biomass accumulation with the largest biomass accumulation (1697, 1732 and 1809 mg DW L − 1 for the three strains) at higher temperatures and N concentrations. Proteins decreased and lipids increased over time with N-deprivation. Strain, temperature and N concentration influenced lipid productivity with the highest productivity in cultures grown in 3% N at higher temperatures (68, 70 and 90 mg lipid L − 1 day − 1 for the three strains). The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profile was similar in the three strains with C16:0 > C18:1n9c > unidentified FAMEs > C18:2n6c > C18:3n3 > C18:0 comprising 90% of the total FAME. C18:1n9c and C16:0 showed the largest variation in response to culture conditions in Chlorella sp. MACC-438 (0.2–26.8% and 2.3–16.2% respectively) and C. minutissima MACC-452 (0.2–26.7% and 3.0–23.3% respectively); unidentified FAMEs (1.1–9.7%) and C18:2n6c (0.9–11.2%) were the most variable in Chlorella sp. MACC-728. Lower temperatures resulted in higher % FAME in Chlorella sp. MACC-438 (68.9%) and C. minutissima MACC-452 (91.7%). Nitrogen concentration had more influence on the specific FAME content compared to temperature. Thus, temperature tolerance is important when selecting strains to ensure high lipid productivity while the specific strains response to N-deprivation is important to ensure quality of the biofuel feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biostimulants offer great potential in improving phytoremediation of contaminated soils. In the current greenhouse-based study,Brassica junceaseedlings grown on soils collected from Krugersdorp Goldmine and the adjourning areas (a Game Reserve and private farmland) were supplemented with different biostimulants (Kelpak® = KEL, vermicompost leachate = VCL, smoke-water = SW). Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was included in the study for comparative purposes because these biostimulants are known to enhance rooting. Prior to the pot trial, concentrations of elements in the three soil types were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Plants were harvested after 105 days and the growth and concentrations of elements in the various plant organs were determined. TheB. junceaseedlings with and without biostimulants did not survive when growing in soil from the Krugersdorp Goldmine. The Game Reserve and private farmland soils supplemented with KEL produced the highest plant biomass and the lowest accumulation of metals in the organs ofB. juncea.High concentrations (>13 000 mg kg−1) of zinc and aluminium were quantified in the roots of IBA-supplemented soils from the Game Reserve. Generally, IBA and SW enhanced the phytoremediation ofB. junceadue to elevated levels of elements that accumulated in their different organs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study investigated the effects of cadmium (Cd) and aluminium (Al) on the accumulation of phenolics, flavonoids and the bioactive compound hypoxoside in Hypoxis hemerocallidea . In addition, antioxidant scavenging and antibacterial activity were assessed to evaluate if Cd and Al stress affect the accumulation of bioactive compounds in H. hemerocallidea . In vitro grown plantlets of H. hemerocallidea were acclimatized for seven months in a greenhouse. Thereafter plants were exposed to various concentrations of Cd and Al both singularly and in combination in the form of Cd(NO 3 ) 2 (2, 5, 10 mg Cd/L); Al 3 (NO 3 ) 3 (500, 1000, 1500 mg Al/L) and combinations of Cd and Al (Cd 2:Al 500, Cd 5:Al 1000 and Cd 10:Al 1500 mg/L) for a further six weeks. The highest amounts of Cd and Al translocated to the shoot were 34 and 1608 mg/L respectively. Phytochemical screening showed significantly high amounts of total phenolics and flavonoids at the moderate Cd treatment (5 mg/L) compared to the controls. Exposure to Cd and Al significantly decreased the accumulation of hypoxoside. There was a significant increase in diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant scavenging activity in most of the metal-treated plants compared to the positive control ascorbic acid. Extracts from Cd 2 mg/L treatment exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to the control. The results of the present study revealed that cultivating H. hemerocallidea on metal contaminated soils affects the accumulation of the bioactive compound, hypoxoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and biostimulants to enhance phytoextraction is gaining popularity in phytoremediation technology. This study investigated the stimulatory effects of smoke-water (SW), a smoke-derived compound karrikinolide (KAR1) and other known plant growth regulators (PGRs) [gibberellic acid (GA3), kinetin (Kin) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)] to enhance the phytoextraction potential ofPennisetum clandestinum. Pennisetum clandestinumseedlings were grown for 10 weeks in vermiculite using Hoagland's nutrient solution and were treated with cadmium (Cd) (2, 5, and 10 mg L−1) and SW, KAR1and PGRs. KAR1exhibited positive effects on shoot and root dry weight (140 and 137 mg respectively) at the highest concentration of Cd (10 mg L−1) compared to all the other treatments. KAR1and SW treatments used in the present study significantly improved the phytoextraction potential ofP. clandestinum(602 and 575 mg kg−1respectively) compared to the other tested PGRs. This is the first report on the use of SW and KAR1to enhance phytoremediation potential inP. clandestinum.Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms of smoke constituents involved in phytoextraction potential of plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of the disparate countries on the African continent is a principal aim of the African Union. This is even more compelling in the twenty-first century with all the myriads of socio-economic and political challenges the continent confronts. While the legacies of the continent's colonial past, neo-colonialism and the idiosyncrasies of African leaders have been identified as impediments to the realisation of the continent's integration, the role of xenophobia as a hindrance to Africa's integration has not been recognised and acknowledged. Although xenophobia is not a new phenomenon on the continent, the size and scope of South African xenophobic attacks in recent years indicate a great challenge for African integration. This paper argues that the leaders of the African Union member states need to channel more attention to the menace of xenophobia as Africa's integration can only be realised if this question is acknowledged and addressed. African integration becomes a mere intellectual and elitist pursuit if this challenge is not given adequate attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drimia elata (Jacq.) is a bulbous plant that is extensively utilized in South African traditional medicine. This study investigated the effects of cadmium (Cd) and aluminum (Al) on growth, heavy metal bioaccumulation, metabolite content and antibacterial activity in D. elata . Seeds were germinated and after seven months, plants were exposed to various concentrations of Cd and Al both singly and in combinations for six weeks. Thereafter, the experiment was terminated and the mean fresh (FW) and dry weights (DW) of the bulb and shoot biomass recorded. Dried samples (0.5 g DW) were analyzed for Cd and Al accumulation using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy. In addition, total chlorophyll, free-proline, total phenolic and flavonoid content were quantified as a measure of plant stress. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the microdilution assay and the activity was correlated to heavy metal and secondary metabolite content. Plants exposed to heavy metals generally exhibited a marked reduction in plant biomass. The highest Cd content (83 mg/kg) was recorded in bulbs grown in Cd 5:Al 1000 mg/l. There was a significant increase in free-proline and a significant reduction in the chlorophyll, phenolic and flavonoid content in plants exposed to increasing concentrations of Cd and Al. This decrease in secondary metabolite content may account for the poor antibacterial activity of plants grown in most of the heavy metal treatments. This results indicate that exposure of D. elata to heavy metal contaminated soil may potentially compromise the health of the consumer due to heavy metal bioaccumulation as well as reduced efficacy of the herbal product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The quality and safety of herbal medicines is becoming a major concern worldwide particularly due to contamination by heavy metals. The present study quantified the levels of heavy metals in frequently used South African medicinal plants and determined the variations in certain biological activities and phytochemical compositions. Eleven plant species were obtained from both muthi shops (MS) (commercial outlets) and from open street markets (OSM) for comparison. Samples were dried, powdered and digested using microwave acid-assisted digestion. The digested solutions were analysed for heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Plants were classified based on their elemental composition using chemometric techniques. Powdered plant samples were extracted using 70% acetone and screened for antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Phytochemical analyses were carried out to determine total phenolic and flavonoid content. Of the 22 samples analysed, Bulbine natalensis obtained from OSM and Alepidea amatymbica obtained from MS exhibited high levels of Al [5559 and 4392mg/kg dry weight (DW)] and Fe (4164 and 4465mg/kg DW) respectively. Levels of As and Hg were above the World Health Organization permissible limits in most of the samples analysed. Hierarchical cluster analysis classified the samples into four groups based on their metallic analyte concentrations. Group one having low metal content and group four having a high metal content. In general, plant samples with high levels of metals yielded greater antibacterial activity. However, antibacterial activity recorded in this study is not an indicator of high levels of heavy metal contamination as some samples despite the high levels of metal exhibited low antibacterial activity. The variations in the amounts of phenolics and flavonoids in the evaluated samples could have probably been that some of the plant samples may have been harvested from different localities or at different times of the year, perhaps plant age or degree of storage. The results highlighted the need for in-depth risk and quality assessments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Following the decision by President Hastings Kamuzu Banda of Malawi to declare himself 'President for life', the African political landscape in the past two decades has witnessed a steady increase in the number of leaders who sought to extend their hold on power by either abolishing constitutional limits on tenure or by extending the number of terms allowed by the constitution. Analysts of African politics often see these events as undemocratic and a danger to the consolidation of democracy on the African continent. In this article, I review President Olusegun Obasanjo's attempt at amending the Nigerian constitution to extend his term of office. The article examines the strategies he employed to secure the third agenda and how his agenda was defeated, not only by the opposition party but also by some individual politicians from his own party the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The implications Obasanjo's third term agenda for Nigeria and Africa are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since inception, modern cooperatives have been instrumental in uplifting the social and economic conditions of people. As an economic model that seeks to advance the collective interest of its members, the cooperative movement has come to be viewed as an invaluable tool for human and economic development. Over the years, a number of challenges (such as the lack of knowledge about the purpose and functions of cooperatives, information, marketing skills and financial resources) have precluded cooperatives in developing countries, like South Africa, from actualizing these esteemed ideals. In some countries, there has been a growing emphasis on network formation by cooperatives as a strategy to overcome some of these challenges. Consequently, the past two decades have witnessed an emerging body of literature on cooperative networks. The bulk of studies on networks have largely focused on how resources and capabilities influence inter-organizational linkages that facilitate access to resources embedded in a network. Such resources include information, financial resources, new technologies and a variety of social capital. This article reviews the literature on network formation by cooperatives and identifies the attendant challenges and benefits. The article also reflects on the lessons that South African cooperatives could learn from these experiences to facilitate the development of a vibrant cooperative sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In South Africa, the use of commercial herbal concoctions is becoming very popular. However, due to lack of Good Manufacturing Practices there is a possibility of heavy metal contamination in these commercial herbal concoctions. The aim of this investigation was to screen for heavy metal and trace elements in commercial herbal concoctions used in traditional medicine to treat various kinds of ailments in South Africa. This is the first investigation in which metal concentrations in commercial herbal concoctions was measured. Fourteen herbal concoctions were obtained from traditional herbal (muthi) shops and were subjected to analysis for total and bioavailable metal concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-OES). Of all the concoctions tested only Vusa umzimba and Sejeso herbal mixture contained high amounts of Cd (2.2 and 0.6mg/kg) respectively, exceeding the safety limit of 0.3mg/kg (WHO, 1998). Vusa umzimba also exhibited high amounts of bioavailable Cd (1.2mg/kg) thereby making it unsafe for human consumption. Surprisingly very high amounts of Hg were detected in Ingwe muthi mixture and Sejeso herbal mixture (14.9 and 12.3mg/kg) respectively. These by far exceeds the weekly allowance limit of 2μg/kg given by WHO/UN committee (2007). Relatively high amounts of Pb were found in Sejeso herbal mixture. The levels of bioavailable metals detected in this study raise concerns, not only for consumer safety, but also the quality of herbal concoctions available as part of the traditional medicinal practice in South Africa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: The evaluated medicinal plants are used in South African traditional medicine in treating stomach-related ailments. Aims of the study: The study aimed at evaluating the pharmacological, genotoxic and phytochemical properties of the seven selected medicinal plants used for treating stomach-related ailments. Materials and methods: : Ethyl acetate (EtOAc), ethanol (EtOH) 70% and water extracts of the selected plant parts were evaluated for their antimicrobial and anthelmintic activities using microdilution assays. Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) and Candida albicans were used for antimicrobial assays. Caenorhabditis elegans was used for the anthelmintic assay. Plant extracts were also assayed for their cyclooxygenase-inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 enzymes. The Ames test was used to evaluate the genotoxicity of the plant extracts. A spectrophotometric method was used to determine the total phenolics, gallotannins, flavonoids and saponins. Results: Twelve extracts exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) <1mg/mL against the bacterial test strains, and five extracts exhibited MIC <1mg/mL against Candida albicans. The EtOAc extract of Tetradenia riparia had the best minimum lethal concentration (MLC) value (0.004mg/mL) against Caenorhabditis elegans. All the EtOAc extracts exhibited percentage inhibition in the range of 50.7–94.7% against COX-1 and -2 enzymes at 250μg/mL. All the plant extracts were non-mutagenic towards Salmonella typhimurium tester strains TA98, TA100 and TA1537 without metabolic activation. Phytochemical analysis revealed relatively high amounts of total phenolics, gallotannins and flavonoids in the evaluated plant extracts. Conclusions: The general pharmacological activities exhibited by some of the plant extracts in this study support the traditional uses of the selected plants in treating stomach-related ailments. The Ames test showed that all the plant extracts were non-mutagenic but cytotoxicity tests are needed to ascertain the safety for long-term consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The twin challenges of lack of access to improved sanitation and food insecurity remain critical, particularly in the global south. With cognizance of the nutrient potential of human excreta, there has been increasing interest in linking sanitation innovations with agriculture by using nutrients recovered from human excreta for crop production, thus, closing the nutrient loop. While studies and field trials have explored and validated the technical feasibility of reusing nutrients recovered from human excreta in agriculture, there is still limited knowledge of its social acceptability. This study examined whether indigenous knowledge can be leveraged to increase the acceptability of human-excreta-derived plant nutrient sources such as treated effluent in agriculture. A qualitative research design comprising seven focus group interviews (five in rural areas and two in peri-urban areas) was conducted in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Findings from the focus groups reveal a willingness to grow and consume food using treated effluent. Additionally, participants made references to indigenous practices that encourage recycling and reuse of human excreta. Given the potential to simultaneously address issues of food insecurity and sanitation that characterize many peri-urban and rural areas in South Africa, we recommend further studies in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma is the least common form of skin cancer and is associated with the highest mortality. Where melanoma is mostly unresponsive to conventional therapies (e.g., chemotherapy), BRAF inhibitor treatment has shown improved therapeutic outcomes. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) relies on a light-activated compound to produce death-inducing amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Their capacity to selectively accumulate in tumor cells has been confirmed in melanoma treatment with some encouraging results. However, this treatment approach has not reached clinical fruition for melanoma due to major limitations associated with the development of resistance and subsequent side effects. These adverse effects might be bypassed by immunotherapy in the form of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) relying on the ability of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to target specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and to be used as carriers to specifically deliver cytotoxic warheads into corresponding tumor cells. Of late, the continued refinement of ADC therapeutic efficacy has given rise to photoimmunotherapy (PIT) (a light-sensitive compound conjugated to mAbs), which by virtue of requiring light activation only exerts its toxic effect on light-irradiated cells. As such, this review aims to highlight the potential clinical benefits of various armed antibody-based immunotherapies, including PDT, as alternative approaches for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable smallholder farming is contingent on fertilizer access. Soils across Africa are typically nutrient deficient, a condition exacerbated by long-term nutrient mining. Nitrified urine fertilizer is a nutrient-rich and hygienically safe solution derived from human urine. It has the potential to provide a sustainable source of soil nutrients to low and middle-income countries struggling with food insecurity challenges. This study presents findings of a survey that assessed public acceptance within Msunduzi, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa towards the use of nitrified urine fertilizer. Results indicate that in general attitudes were much more positive towards the use of nitrified urine fertilizer than raw urine as a soil amendment. Residents living within rural zones of the municipality (78.5%), as opposed to urban (65.7%) and peri-urban (65.2%), and younger individuals within the sampled population were found to be the most receptive to the use of nitrified urine fertilizer. Our findings also underscore the complex set of factors that shape attitudes towards a topic such as the use of human waste as a fertilizer, which are crucial in shaping the legitimacy of an emerging technology such as urine nitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of drip irrigation regimen on growth, physiological parameters, and crop yield in Cucumis sativus L. was investigated using a drip irrigation system. The experimental design comprised eight various water regimens (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 L.h-1). Plants received water five times a day, making a total of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 L per day. Growth and photosynthetic parameters were analyzed on a weekly base for a period of 8 weeks. Crop yield was measured at the end of the experiment. In general, photosynthetic rate (A), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), stomatal conductance (gs) and the transpiration rate (E) of the cucumber plants were enhanced by increasing water quantities compared with the control. Overall, the total chlorophyll content was significantly enhanced between week 7 and 8 in plants treated with high irrigation volume. Significant improvements were recorded in plant height and number of leave from week 3 to 8 in plants supplied with high irrigation volume. The observed increase in photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll contents, and plant growths perhaps accounted for the significant increase in the number of marketable fruits in cucumber grown in higher water regimen. The optimal yield of cucumber in the present study was attained in plants irrigated with water regimen ranging from 40 to 80 L per day. The results of this study present valuable information that cucumber growers in South Africa should adopt the use of drip irrigation technique to save water considering the high drought condition in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hypoxis species (Hypoxidaceae) are popular medicinal plants used in the African traditional medicine to treat numerous ailments and are reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this paper we reviewed and evaluated the traditional uses, pharmacological, phytochemistry and toxicity aspects of the genus Hypoxis. Potential medicinal prospects and possible knowledge gaps and pitfalls are discussed. Materials and methods: A comprehensive and systematic review of literature on Hypoxis species was done using numerous resources such as books and scientific databases that include Pubmed, Scopus, Scirus, Google scholar, Web of Science and others. Information on the various pharmacological and chemical properties of Hypoxis extracts was critically analysed and discussed under the various topics. Results: The literature indicated a broad range of uses, pharmacological and toxicological properties of different Hypoxis species extracts and their relevance to African healthcare systems. Several compounds, mostly glucosides, sterols and sterolins, have been isolated, identified and tested in various in vitro and in vivo models as well as in a couple of clinical trials with a lot of promising prospects reported in some studies. Conclusion: A critical analysis of the available literature and studies identifies positive potential for the future use of Hypoxis species in both traditional and modern medicine and concurrently so with possible pitfalls and research gaps in current knowledge. An integrated and holistic approach to addressing research issues, particularly toxicology aspects could be more effectively applied and incorporate conservation strategies for the species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]