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In the title compound, C20H18O4, the dihedral angle between the 2H-chromen-2-one ring system and the phenyl ring is 89.12 (5)°. In the crystal, the molecules are connected through C—H...O hydrogen bonds to generate [010] double chains that are reinforced by weak aromatic π–π stacking interactions. The unit-cell packing can be described as a tilted herringbone motif. The H...H, H...O/O...H, H...C/C...H and C...C contacts contribute 46.7, 24.2, 16.7 and 7.6%, respectively, to its Hirshfeld surface.

This study aims to identify challenges in implementing a quality healthcare referral system in developing countries and explore the strategies to overcome these challenges. Data for this study were collected through consultations with experts in the field. We introduce a novel hybrid method called Criteria Importance Assessment (CIMAS) and Alternative Ranking Order Method Accounting for Two-Step Normalization (AROMAN). CIMAS determines the relative importance of criteria, and AROMAN is employed to rank the strategies. The primary challenges identified include inadequate infrastructure facilities and deficient health information systems. The most appropriate strategy involves focusing on improving infrastructure facilities. We also carry out comprehensive sensitivity and comparative analyses to validate the applicability of the proposed model. This study identifies and elucidates the challenges of establishing a high-quality healthcare referral system in developing countries and substantially contributes to the existing body of knowledge by effectively delineating and prioritizing the strategies to tackle these challenges.

The orthophosphate BaNi2Fe(PO4)3 has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction route and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The crystal structure comprises (100) sheets made up of [Ni2O10] dimers that are linked to two PO4 tetrahedra via common edges and vertices and of linear infinite [010] chains of corner-sharing [FeO6] octahedra and [PO4] tetrahedra. The linkage of the sheets and chains into a framework is accomplished through common vertices of PO4 tetrahedra and [FeO6] octahedra. The framework is perforated by channels in which positionally disordered Ba2+ cations are located.

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to estimate malaria transmission and insecticide resistance status in malaria vectors in Adjrako village from Zè District in Southern Benin. The present study was carried out prior to investigations on infectivity of blood from asymptomatic carriers of Plasmodium falciparum to malaria vector mosquitoes. Methods Human landing collections (HLCs) were performed in Adjrako village during the rainy season (September—November 2021). In this village, host-seeking mosquitoes were collected during three nights per survey from 22:00 to 06:00 in six randomly selected houses. Malaria vectors were dissected in orders to determinate their parity. Plasmodium falciparum infection in malaria vectors was determined by qPCR and the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) was calculated. The World Health Organization (WHO) insecticide susceptibility test-kits were used to evaluate the susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to deltamethrin at 0.05% and bendiocarb at 0.1%. Results A total of 3260 females of mosquitoes belonging to 4 genera (Anopheles, Culex, Aedes and Mansonia) were collected. Most of the mosquitoes collected were An. gambiae sensu lato (s.l.). The entomological inoculation rate (EIR) for the three collection months was 8.7 infective bites per person and the parity rate was 84%. Mortality rates of An. gambiae s.l. exposed to 0.05% deltamethrin and 0.1% bendiocarb were 18% and 96%, respectively, indicating that this vector population was resistant to deltamethrin and possibly resistant to bendiocarb in the study area. Conclusion This study showed that malaria transmission is effective in the study area and that An. gambiae s.l. is the main malaria vector. The entomological parameters indicate this study area is potentially favourable for investigations on P. falciparum asymptomatic carriers.

Single crystals of β-KCoFe(PO4)2, potassium cobalt(II) iron(III) bis(orthophosphate), were grown from the melt under atmospheric conditions. This phosphate crystallizes isotypically with KZnFe(PO4)2 in space group C2/c, adopting a zeolite-ABW type of structure. The structure of the present phosphate is distinguished by an occupational disorder of the two transition-metal sites with ratios Fe:Co of 0.5725:0.4275 for the first and 0.4275:0.5725 for the second site. In the crystal structure, PO4 and (Co,Fe)O4 tetrahedra are linked through vertices to form elliptical rings with the sequence DDDDUUUU of up (U) and down (D) pointing vertices. Each eight-membered ring is surrounded by four other rings of the same type, delimiting interstices with rectangular shape. This arrangement leads to the formation of [(Co/Fe)(PO4)]−∞ sheets parallel to (001). Stacking of the sheets into a three-dimensional framework results in the formation of two types of channels. The first one is occupied by potassium cations, whereas the second one remains vacant. Calculations of bond-valence sums and charge distribution were used to confirm the structure model.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine associated with azithromycin on the QTc interval in Gabonese patients treated for COVID-19. Methods: This was an observational study conducted from April to June 2020, at the Libreville University Hospital Center in Gabon. Patients admitted for COVID-19 and treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, each combined with azithromycin were included. The QTc interval was measured upon admission and 48 h after starting treatment. The primary endpoint was QTc prolongation exceeding 60 ms and/or a QTc value exceeding 500 ms at 48 h. Results: Data from 224 patients, 102 (45.5%) who received hydroxychloroquine and 122 treated with chloroquine, were analyzed. The median baseline QTc was 396 (369–419) ms. After 48 h of treatment, 50 (22.3%) patients had a significant prolongation of QTc. This tended to be more frequent in patients treated with chloroquine (n = 33; 27.0%) than in those treated with hydroxychloroquine (n = 17; 16.7%) (p = 0.06). QTc prolongation exceeding 60 ms was found in 48 (21.3%) patients, while 11 patients had a (4.9%) QTc exceeding 60 ms at admission and exceeding 500 ms after 48 h. Conclusion: Early QTc prolongation is frequent in COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine in association with azithromycin.

Natural herbal remedies have always been important in the management of skin disorders and the treatment of skin infections due to limited access to pharmaceuticals and the affordable cost of herbal products. K. Pinnata is a plant used as a medicinal herb by almost all traditional medicines in tropical Africa. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the antioxidant and healing properties of K. pinnata (Lam) pers extract from Togolese flora. The hydroethanol extract of K. pinnata (Lam) pers was subjected to in vitro antioxidant activity screening models, such as molybdate reduction, iron reduction assay (FRAP) and DPPH radical scavenging assay. A 1.5 cm diameter excision wound model was also used to assess the plant's healing activity. Wistar rats were treated after excision by topical application of vaseline, vaseline supplemented with 3% (EHKP 3%) and 10% (EHKP 10%) hydroethanol extract of K. pinnata (Lam) pers leaves, sulfadiazine (reference), or no treatment (negative control). Total antioxidant activity by the molybdate reduction method was 0.12 ± 0.01 µg EAA/mg EL, while the iron reduction assay (FRAP) showed an antioxidant capacity of 4.21 ± 0.04 mol Eq FeS04/ g extract and 10.17 ± 0.03 mol Eq FeS04/ g extract respectively for extract concentrations of 100 µg/ml and 200 µg/ml. In addition, the extract showed a dose-dependent ability to trap the DPPH radical. Results showed a significant reduction in wound surface area in animals treated with 10% EHKP. The hydroxyproline assay showed a significant difference in collagen production in animals treated with 10% EHKP, compared with the control group (P < 0.001) and the vaseline group (P < 0.01) on the last day. Histological analysis showed rapid re-epithelialization in animals treated with the extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundLong-lasting insecticidal bed nets (LLINs) are a key measure for preventing malaria and their evaluation is coordinated by the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES). LifeNet® was granted WHOPES time-limited interim recommendation in 2011 after successful Phase I and Phase II evaluations. Here, we evaluated the durability and community acceptance of LifeNet® in a Phase III trial from June 2014 to June 2017 in Benin rural area.MethodsA prospective longitudinal, cluster-randomized, controlled trial with households as the unit of observation was designed to assess the performance of LifeNet® over a three-year period, using a WHOPES fully recommended LLIN (PermaNet® 2.0) as a positive control. The primary outcomes were the bioassay performance using WHO cone assays and tunnel tests, the insecticide content and physical integrity.ResultsAt baseline, 100% of LLINs were within the tolerance limits of their target deltamethrin concentrations. By 36 months only 17.3% of LifeNet® and 8.5% of PermaNet® LLINs still were within their target deltamethrin concentrations. Despite these low rates, 100% of both LLINs meet WHO efficacy criteria (≥ 80% mortality or ≥ 95% knockdown or tunnel test criteria of ≥ 80% mortality or ≥ 90% blood-feeding inhibition) after 36 months using WHO cone bio-assays and tunnel tests. The proportion of LLINs in good physical condition was 33% for LifeNet® and 29% for PermaNet® after 36 months. After 36 M the survivorship was 21% and 26% for LifeNet® and PermaNet® respectively. Although both LLINs were well accepted by the population, complaints of side effects were significantly higher among LifeNet® users than PermaNet® ones.ConclusionLifeNet® LLINs did meet WHO criteria for bio-efficacy throughout the study period and were well accepted by the population. This is an important step towards getting a full WHO recommendation for use in malaria endemic countries.

Road traffic safety has emerged as an urban mobility and development issue for African cities throughout time. To establish a comprehensive road safety reform within cities, one needed to be familiar with the political and legal environment, institutional responsibilities, and stakeholders. Road safety reform, though, is not without its issues. This study aims to prioritize Nairobi's road safety strategies to achieve zero traffic injuries. Four road safety reform challenges were examined based on the opinions of three experts. The Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA) was used to calculate the weights and ranks of experts, alternatives, and criteria, simultaneously. The findings of the study indicated that lack of political priority given to road safety reform is the most significant challenge, while the lack of coordination among different government agencies is the least challenge. The findings of the study also indicated that the top three strategies for successfully enacting a road safety reform are to take advantage of broad institutional and governance reform, reframe the road safety in political and public debate, and bundle the road safety with other important public issues.

Abstract Objective In the framework of EVALMOUS study aiming to assess the use and effectiveness of mosquito nets by pregnant women and other members of their household in a lagoon area in southern Benin, the behaviour of pregnant women relative to the time they go to bed using the net were recorded. Malaria vectors biting rhythm, Plasmodium falciparum infection and insecticide resistance genes in malaria vectors were also determined. Results Overall, 3848 females of Anopheles gambiae s. l were collected and 280 pregnant women responded to the survey. Almost all Anopheles gambiae s. l. tested were Anopheles coluzzi Coetzee and Wilkerson 2013 (Diptera: Culicidae). The CSP index in malaria vector was 1.85% and the allelic frequency of kdr gene was 74.4%. Around 90% of bites and Plasmodium falciparum Welch, 1897 (Haemosporida: Plasmodiidae) transmission occurred between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., which coincides with the period when more than 80% of pregnant women were under bednet. Despite a slight early evening and early morning biting activity of malaria vectors in the study area, the good use of nets might remain a useful protection tool against mosquito biting and malaria transmission.

The sustainability of the mining sector over long term relies on a range of factors that must be carefully evaluated. To address this, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques have been utilized for their flexibility in offering supplementary tools. In this context, we assess the condition of the mining sector in Africa by examining key fundamental challenges it faces. Based on the literature review and opinions of experts, eleven challenges in the mining sector are identified. This study applies the FullEX approach to accommodate group decision-making process. Experts' Years of Experience (YE) and educational backgrounds are utilized to determine the importance of coefficients of criteria in the group decision-making process. The findings highlight mineral depletion resulting from over-exploitation, a scarcity of skilled labor, inconsistent power supply, inadequate infrastructure, and political problems as the most significant challenges confronting the mining sector. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to evaluate the robustness of our approach. The insights gained from this study carry extensive implications for policymakers to devise appropriate strategies for overcoming the challenges facing the mining sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goats, more popular than cattle in rural Benin, are mainly kept for meat production. Their milk is still unpopular but can provide the much-needed nutrients for children in food-insecure households. This study explored the socio-economic factors affecting the attitude of rural households in the Niger Valley of Benin toward goat milk consumption. Data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews of 721 heads of households or their representatives. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to test the association between socioeconomic variables and goat milk consumption. Goat milk and its products were consumed in 14.7% of the surveyed households and were not part of the traditional diets of remaining 81.8%. Their sensory qualities were further reasons reported by 18.4% of respondents for their non-consumption. A household's likelihood to consume goat milk or its derivatives was significantly influenced by the sociocultural background of its head and whether it kept goats or not. The odds of consuming goat milk and/or its derivatives were 2.285 and 2.017 times higher, respectively, for households from Dendi and Peulh socio-cultural groups. Despite the recorded cultural barriers, there is room for increasing goat milk consumption by rural households by increasing its availability and raising awareness of its nutritional and health benefits.