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Outbreaks of monkeypox (mpox) have historically resulted from zoonotic spillover of clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Central Africa and clade II MPXV in West Africa. In 2022, subclade IIb caused a global epidemic linked to transmission through sexual contact. Here we describe the epidemiological and genomic features of an mpox outbreak in a mining region in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, caused by clade I MPXV. Surveillance data collected between September 2023 and January 2024 identified 241 suspected cases. Genomic analysis demonstrates a distinct clade I lineage divergent from previously circulating strains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Of the 108 polymerase chain reaction-confirmed mpox cases, the median age of individuals was 22 years, 51.9% were female and 29% were sex workers, suggesting a potential role for sexual transmission. The predominance of APOBEC3-type mutations and the estimated emergence time around mid-September 2023 imply recent sustained human-to-human transmission.

Between January and August 2024, mpox cases have been reported in nearly all provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Monkeypox virus genome sequences were obtained from 11 mpox cases samples, collected in July-August 2024 in several health zones of Kinshasa. Characterisation of the sequences showed subclades Ia and Ib co-circulating in the Limete health zone, while phylogenetic analyses suggested multiple introductions of the two subclades in Kinshasa. This illustrates the growing complexity of Clade I mpox outbreaks in DRC.

Mpox is a zoonotic viral infectious disease first identified in humans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1970 (1). Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is endemic to forested regions [...]

In September 2022, deaths of pigs manifesting pox-like lesions caused by swinepox virus were reported in Tshuapa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two human mpox cases were found concurrently in the surrounding community. Specific diagnostics and robust sequencing are needed to characterize multiple poxviruses and prevent potential poxvirus transmission.

The main proteinase (Mpro), or 3CLpro, is a critical enzyme in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lifecycle and is responsible for breaking down and releasing vital functional viral proteins crucial for virus development and transmission. As a catalytically active dimer, its dimerization interface has become an attractive target for antiviral drug development. Recent research has extensively investigated the enzymatic activity of Mpro, focusing on its role in regulating the coronavirus replication complex and its significance in virus maturation and infectivity. Computational investigations have identified four druggable pockets, suggesting potential allosteric sites beyond the substrate-binding region. Empirical validation through site-directed alanine mutagenesis has targeted residues in both the active and allosteric regions and corroborated these predictions. Structural studies of drug target proteins can inform therapeutic approaches, with metadynamics simulations shedding light on the role of H163 in regulating Mpro function and providing insights into its dynamic equilibrium to the wild-type enzyme. Despite the efficacy of vaccines and drugs in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 spread, its ongoing viral evolution, selective pressures, and continued transmission pose challenges, potentially leading to resistant mutations. Phylogenetic analyses have indicated the existence of several resistant variations predating drug introduction to the human population, emphasizing the likelihood of drug spread. Hydrogen/deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry reveals the structural influence of the mutation. At the same time, clinical trials on 3CLPro inhibitors underscore the clinical significance of reduced enzymatic activity and offer avenues for future therapeutic exploration. Understanding the implications of 3CLPro mutations holds promise for shaping forthcoming therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. This review delves into factors influencing mutation rates and identifies areas warranting further investigation, providing a comprehensive overview of Mpro mutations, categorization, and terminology. Moreover, we examine their associations with clinical outcomes, illness severity, unresolved issues, and future research prospects, including their impact on vaccine efficacy and potential therapeutic targeting.

The marula tree, Sclerocarya birrea (S. birrea) (A. Rich.) Horchst, is native to Africa, used to restore drylands, and introduced outside Africa as a pilot towards commercial cultivation due to its economic potential. However, there is a global paucity of information regarding where subspecies can survive beyond Africa. We aimed to predict and quantify global-scale suitable areas for S. birrea and its subspecies beyond their native ranges under the current environmental conditions and future warming climates. The areas were predicted by using MaxEnt algorithm using occurrence data from Africa and, climatic and topographical environmental variables and, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and Hadley Climate Center’s global Earth Systems Models under shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) greenhouse gas concentrations, SSP3-7.0, for the year 2050 and 2080. The results show that the models’ predictive power was robust, with the Receiver Operating Characteristic’s Area under the Curve (AUCs) ranging from 0.90-0.98. Currently, suitable areas exist in all continents except Europe and Antarctica and, occupy 3,751,057 km2 to 24,632,452 km2 of Earth’s terrestrial area scattered in 54 to 107 countries predominantly in global biomes with climatic conditions ranging from desert tropical to temperate humid. Under future climates, the areas will retract by 64-100%, shifting to high latitudes and being limited to global biomes with tropical desert-to-desert temperate, Mediterranean warm conditions, and some regions of Eastern Europe will become suitable areas. Suitable areas for S. birrea and its subspecies exist beyond Africa, and they will retract and migrate to high latitudes under future warming climates.

This study aimed to isolate and identify phosphate solubilizing microorganisms from rhizosphere soils and evaluate their plant growth-promoting traits in vitro. Fifty-six potential phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were isolated, and ten isolates were selected for further characterization based on their performance. Burkholderia species were found to be the predominant solubilizers of insoluble phosphorus sources. Two strains, B. vietnamiensis-OP984178 and B. ambifaria-OP984173, showed the ability to release soluble phosphorus from different sources, including tricalcium phosphate, ferric phosphate, and hard Minjingu rock phosphate powder. Both isolates also demonstrated production of indole acetic acid, with B. vietnamiensis-OP984178 and B. ambifaria-OP984173 producing up to 23.45 μg/ml and 24.24 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, the strains showed antifungal efficiencies of 31.48% and 24.81%, respectively, when co-inoculated with Fusarium proliferatum-MZ497514 on potato dextrose agar. The study also identified the nitrogen fixation potential of the two strains. Overall, the findings highlight the potential of the selected Burkholderia strains as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents, making them valuable candidates for sustainable agriculture practices. Further research is recommended to explore the potential of these strains using test crops.

Many cancer cells share with yeast a preference for fermentation over respiration, which is associated with overactive glucose uptake and breakdown, a phenomenon called the Warburg effect in cancer cells. The yeast tps1Δ mutant shows even more pronounced hyperactive glucose uptake and phosphorylation causing glycolysis to stall at GAPDH, initiation of apoptosis through overactivation of Ras and absence of growth on glucose. The goal of the present work was to use the yeast tps1Δ strain to screen for novel compounds that would preferentially inhibit overactive glucose influx into glycolysis, while maintaining basal glucose catabolism. This is based on the assumption that the overactive glucose catabolism of the tps1Δ strain might have a similar molecular cause as the Warburg effect in cancer cells. We have isolated Warbicin® A as a compound restoring growth on glucose of the yeast tps1Δ mutant, showed that it inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells and isolated structural analogs by screening directly for cancer cell inhibition. The Warbicin® compounds are the first drugs that inhibit glucose uptake by both yeast Hxt and mammalian GLUT carriers. Specific concentrations did not evoke any major toxicity in mice but increase the amount of adipose tissue likely due to reduced systemic glucose uptake. Surprisingly, Warbicin® A inhibition of yeast sugar uptake depends on sugar phosphorylation, suggesting transport-associated phosphorylation as a target. In vivo and in vitro evidence confirms physical interaction between yeast Hxt7 and hexokinase. We suggest that reversible transport-associated phosphorylation by hexokinase controls the rate of glucose uptake through hydrolysis of the inhibitory ATP molecule in the cytosolic domain of glucose carriers and that in yeast tps1Δ cells and cancer cells reversibility is compromised, causing constitutively hyperactive glucose uptake and phosphorylation. Based on their chemical structure and properties, we suggest that Warbicin® compounds replace the inhibitory ATP molecule in the cytosolic domain of the glucose carriers, preventing hexokinase to cause hyperactive glucose uptake and catabolism.

In paddy soils, excessive application of N fertilizer often results in substantial N losses due to low N utilization efficiency. However, this condition can be mitigated by enhancing soil organic carbon content. Two-year field experiment was carried out at Mkula Irrigation Scheme in Kilombero Valley, Tanzania with the aim of investigating the impact of Azolla, rice straw incorporation and reduced levels of nitrogen input from NPKS-containing fertilizers on N use efficiency, soil chemical properties and rice grain yield. Assuming that this technology will introduce a novel perspective to the research, shedding light on alternative and potentially more sustainable methods for nitrogen management in paddy soils, it will be particularly relevant in sub-Saharan Africa, where the annual cost of chemical fertilizers is expected to continue rising. The treatments involved absolute control, half dose N (50 kg N ha-1), full dose N (100 kg N ha-1), and combination of these N doses with PKS, dry Azolla (3.4 t ha-1) and rice straw (6.9 t ha-1) through omission approach. The soil of the experimental area was sandy clay loam in texture, very strongly acid (pH 4.8), normal electrical conductivity (0.06 dS m-1), low amounts of recorded organic carbon (1.35%), total nitrogen (0.33%), 0.68 mg kg−1 available P, exchangeable potassium (0.15 cmol(+) kg−1), calcium (0.19 mg kg−1) and sodium percentage (3.75%), with very low cation exchange capacity (1.6 cmol(+) kg−1). The results showed that combination of Azolla, rice straw +100 kg N ha-1 + 30 kg P ha-1 + 30 kg K ha-1 + 20 kg S ha-1 resulted in higher rice grain yield, nitrogen uptake and agronomic efficiency of N. Azolla, being an effective biofertilizer, significantly contributes to nitrogen fixation and soil enrichment. Interestingly, this study demonstrates that co-application of Azolla, rice straw, and 50% reduced N is effective for achieving high rice yields, minimizing over-dependence on chemical N fertilizer, sustainable agricultural development, and environmental conservation.

PurposeThis study investigates the influence of incorporating Azolla, rice straw, and NPKS fertilizers on phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) and rice productivity in lowland paddy fields. Despite Azolla’s well-known role as a nitrogen-fixing aquatic fern in rice production, its specific impact on PUE remains unclear. The primary objective is to explore diverse treatment combinations to identify synergies that enhance both PUE and overall rice productivity.MethodsThe study was conducted at Mkula Irrigation Scheme in the Kilombero Valley, Tanzania; the field experiment employed a randomized complete block design with 13 treatments and three replications. Treatments comprised various combinations of Azolla, rice straw, and chemical fertilizers, incorporating 50% and 100% rates of nitrogen (N) applied with phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S).ResultsThe study reveals the substantial impact of Azolla application on total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium levels in the soil. Particularly noteworthy were treatment combinations involving Azolla, rice straw, and reduced rates of synthetic nitrogen, along with specific P, K, and S applications, which exhibited the highest phosphorus uptake and PUE. Specifically, combining rice straw and Azolla with reduced N rates, alongside 30 kg P ha−1 + 30 kg K ha−1 + 20 kg S ha−1, resulted in the highest phosphorus uptake (73.57 kg/ha) and PUE (46.24%).ConclusionIntegrated nutrient management, incorporating rice straw and Azolla alongside synthetic fertilizers, demonstrates synergistic effects on phosphorus uptake and efficiency while maintaining soil quality. The study underscores the potential of such integrated strategies to optimize PUE and contribute to sustainable rice production in lowland paddy fields.

During the 2018-2020 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, EVD was diagnosed in a patient who had received the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine expressing a ZEBOV glycoprotein (rVSV-ZEBOV) (Merck). His treatment included an Ebola virus (EBOV)-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb114), and he recovered within 14 days. However, 6 months later, he presented again with severe EVD-like illness and EBOV viremia, and he died. We initiated epidemiologic and genomic investigations that showed that the patient had had a relapse of acute EVD that led to a transmission chain resulting in 91 cases across six health zones over 4 months. (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others.).

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-inflammatory disorder mainly characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and a constellation of other symptoms. For this reason, delineating a clear distinction between pure FM and FM-like picture attributable to other common diseases can be extremely challenging. Physicians must identify the most significant confounders in individual patients and implement an appropriate diagnostic workflow, carefully choosing a minimal (but sufficient) set of tests to be used for identifying the most plausible diseases in the specific case. This article discusses prevalent non-rheumatological conditions commonly observed in the general population that can manifest with clinical features similar to primary FM. Given their frequent inclusion in the differential diagnosis of FM patients, the focus will be on elucidating the distinctive clinical characteristics of each condition. Additionally, the most cost-effective and efficient diagnostic methodologies for accurately discerning these conditions will be examined.

In the northern part of Tanzania, the slopes of Mount (Mt.) Kilimanjaro are the most important areas, both in terms of socio-economic development and ecological succession. The main agricultural systems in the area are banana-based (in the highlands) and maize-based (in the lowlands), with strong interlinkage between them via residual transfer from the lowlands to the mountains. This study assessed the soil fertility status between the two contrasting farming areas of highland and lowland farms in Hai district along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. To achieve this, smallholder farmers along the slope [from above 1000 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l) banana-based down to maize-based, i.e., less than 1000 m.a.s.l] who practice crop residual transfer from maize-based to banana-based farming systems were selected. Qualitative information regarding the demographics, farming practices, and soil fertility management in the two areas were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. Soils from both areas (highland and lowland farms) were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for the key soil properties. The demographic results show that agriculture is mostly done by adults and elders (>40 years old). Manure was most commonly reported to be used in the highlands, while inorganic fertilizers were mainly used in lowland areas. The major challenges for soil fertility management are a shortage of manure and high cost of inorganic fertilizers. The results of soil nutrients revealed that lowland zones (>1000 m.a.s.l) had significantly (p< 0.01) lower levels of nitrogen (0.14%) and organic carbon (OC) (1.22%) compared with highland zones. Extractable phosphorus (P) was significantly lower in both the highland and lowland zones, at 9.3 mg kg-1 and 8.2 mg kg-1, respectively, compared with other nutrients. However, potassium (K+) was significantly (p

In traditional Congolese medicine, the plants Crassocephalum montuosum (CrasMon) and Crassocephalum picridifolium (CrasPic) are used to treat bacterial gastroenteritis. In the present study, the antibacterial and antioxidant activities as well as the acute and subacute toxicity of organic extracts from the whole plant of the two investigated taxa were evaluated. Physicochemical parameters were also determined, and total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins were investigated and assayed. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the plant extracts were evaluated using disc diffusion, tube macrodilution, and DPPH tests. Conversely, traditional solution reactions, gravimetric tests, and spectrophotometric tests were used to generate physicochemical profiles, identify secondary metabolite groups, and perform microdilution and DPPH tests to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. OECD tests were adapted to assess the acute and subacute toxicity. All the extracts showed antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. typhi strains with the diameter zone of inhibition (DZI) ranging from 12 to 23 mm and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 15.625–125 μg·mL−1. The methanolic extract of CrasPic showed the most pronounced activity with a DZI of 21–23 mm and MIC of 15.625–62.5 μg·mL−1. All extracts showed high antioxidant activity with IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) ranging from 11.6 to 21.8 μg·mL−1, with the methanolic extract of CrasMon showing the most pronounced activity. Both plants contain a variety of phytochemicals including coumarins, quinones, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. The methanolic extract of CrasPic exhibits the highest content of total phenolics (300 mg·GAE·g−1), flavonoids (56 mg·QE·g−1), and tannins (155 mg·GAE·g−1). These extracts have a median lethal dose (LD50) > 5000 mg·kg−1 and no signs of toxicity at 200 mg·kg−1 after 30 days of oral administration to Cavia porcellus. The total ash content was determined to be 14.2% and 15.8% (on a dry weight basis), with the ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid exhibiting a range of 4.04%–5.03%. CrasMon and CrasPic have been demonstrated to exhibit a good antibacterial and antioxidant activities, at least in part, due to the presence of phenolic compounds. These activities may provide a rationale for their use in traditional Congolese medicine against gastroenteritis.

Medicinal plants used for wound healing in Lubumbashi have yet to be discovered. Inventory or profile of their taxa has yet to be established. The present study was carried out to survey the plants used in traditional medicine in Lubumbashi to treat wounds and to define their ethnomedical characteristics. The study was conducted between March 2021 and August 2022, using semistructured interview surveys of households (n = 2730), herbalists (n = 48), and traditional practitioners: TPs (n = 128).The 2,906 interviewed (sex ratio M/F = 0.9; mean age: 56 ± 3 years; and experience: 17 ± 4 years) provided information on 166 taxa, 130 used against chronic wounds, among which Securidaca longepedunculata was the top cited. Most of these taxa are shrubs (33%), belonging to 48 botanical families dominated by the Fabaceae (16%). They are indicated in 70 other pathologies. From these 166 taxa, 198 healing recipes are obtained, 11 combining more than one plant. In all these recipes, the leaf (>36%) is the most used part, and the poultice (>36%) is the most popular form of use. Twelve taxa are cited for the first time as medicinal plants, of which Agelanthus zizyphifolius has the highest consensus and Erigeron sumatrensis has the highest usual value. For the various plants used to treat wounds, some of which are specific to the region, further studies should focus on validating this traditional use.

The information on ecological niches of the Marula tree, Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Horchst. subspecies are needed for sustainable management of this tree, considering its nutritional, economic, and ecological benefits. However, despite Tanzania being regarded as a global genetic center of diversity of S. birrea, information on the subspecies ecological niches is lacking. We aimed to model ecological niches of S. birrea subspecies in Tanzania under the current and future climates. Ecological niches under the current climate were modelled by using ecological niche models in MaxEnt using climatic, edaphic, and topographical variables, and subspecies occurrence data. The Hadley Climate Center and National Center for Atmospheric Research's Earth System Models were used to predict ecological niches under the medium and high greenhouse gases emission scenarios for the years 2050 and 2080. Area under the curves (AUCs) were used to assess the accuracy of the models. The results show that the models were robust, with AUCs of 0.85–0.95. Annual and seasonal precipitation, elevation, and soil cation exchange capacity are the key environmental factors that define the ecological niches of the S. birrea subspecies. Ecological niches of subsp. caffra, multifoliata, and birrea are currently found in 30, 22, and 21 regions, and occupy 184 814 km2, 139 918 km2, and 28 446 km2 of Tanzania's land area respectively, which will contract by 0.4–44% due to climate change. Currently, 31–51% of ecological niches are under Tanzania’s protected areas network. The findings are important in guiding the development of conservation and domestication strategies for the S. birrea subspecies in Tanzania.

Limited solubility of the Tanzania’s Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR) in non-acidic soil conditions has held back its potential for widespread use in agricultural production. This study was designed to isolate, characterize and test phosphate-solubilizing bacteria for their potential to increase solubility of MPR and enhance maize plant growth under field conditions. Ten out of 19 isolates showing greatest phosphate solubilization indices on a Pikovskaya agar medium were further characterized for other plant-growth promoting traits including production of IAA, siderophores and ammonia. Two of them, namely isolates-MdE4 and MdG1 substantially outperformed other isolates in phosphate solubilization and production of IAA, ammonia and siderophores. The two isolates molecularly identified as Klebsiella variicola-MdE4 and K. variicola-MdG1 produced up 701, 699 and 750, 680 μg/ml of soluble phosphate from tricalcium phosphate and hard Minjungu rock phosphate, respectively. Additionally, Biorock P- a biofertilizer formulation containing MdE4 and MdG1 co-cultured in a molasses-based modified broth medium retained most of the phosphate solubilizing potential and other plant-growth promoting traits of MdE4 and MdG1. Co-application of MdE1 and MdG1-containing “bio-rock P” and inorganic phosphate at 20 kg P/ha resulted in higher maize grain yield than that of positive control (40 kg P/ha) under field conditions. The two isolates- Klebsiella variicola-MdE4 and K. variicola-MdG1 have the potential for use in a biofertilizer formulation for commercial field applications.

Beginning in March 2020, to reduce COVID-19 transmission, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief supporting voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services was delayed in 15 sub-Saharan African countries. We reviewed performance indicators to compare the number of VMMCs performed in 2020 with those performed in previous years. In all countries, the annual number of VMMCs performed decreased 32.5% (from 3,898,960 in 2019 to 2,631,951 in 2020). That reduction is largely attributed to national and local COVID-19 mitigation measures instituted by ministries of health. Overall, 66.7% of the VMMC global annual target was met in 2020, compared with 102.0% in 2019. Countries were not uniformly affected; South Africa achieved only 30.7% of its annual target in 2020, but Rwanda achieved 123.0%. Continued disruption to the VMMC program may lead to reduced circumcision coverage and potentially increased HIV-susceptible populations. Strategies for modifying VMMC services provide lessons for adapting healthcare systems during a global pandemic.

The main proteinase (Mpro), or 3CLpro, is a critical enzyme in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) lifecycle and is responsible for breaking down and releasing vital functional viral proteins crucial for virus development and transmission. As a catalytically active dimer, its dimerization interface has become an attractive target for antiviral drug development. Recent research has extensively investigated the enzymatic activity of Mpro, focusing on its role in regulating the coronavirus replication complex and its significance in virus maturation and infectivity. Computational investigations have identified four druggable pockets, suggesting potential allosteric sites beyond the substrate-binding region. Empirical validation through site-directed alanine mutagenesis has targeted residues in both the active and allosteric regions and corroborated these predictions. Structural studies of drug target proteins can inform therapeutic approaches, with metadynamics simulations shedding light on the role of H163 in regulating Mpro function and providing insights into its dynamic equilibrium to the wild-type enzyme. Despite the efficacy of vaccines and drugs in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 spread, its ongoing viral evolution, selective pressures, and continued transmission pose challenges, potentially leading to resistant mutations. Phylogenetic analyses have indicated the existence of several resistant variations predating drug introduction to the human population, emphasizing the likelihood of drug spread. Hydrogen/deuterium-exchange mass spectrometry reveals the structural influence of the mutation. At the same time, clinical trials on 3CLPro inhibitors underscore the clinical significance of reduced enzymatic activity and offer avenues for future therapeutic exploration. Understanding the implications of 3CLPro mutations holds promise for shaping forthcoming therapeutic strategies against COVID-19. This review delves into factors influencing mutation rates and identifies areas warranting further investigation, providing a comprehensive overview of Mpro mutations, categorization, and terminology. Moreover, we examine their associations with clinical outcomes, illness severity, unresolved issues, and future research prospects, including their impact on vaccine efficacy and potential therapeutic targeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the second cereal food crop grown in Tanzania after maize (Zea mays L.) and covers approximately 18% of the agricultural land. Soil degradation due to intensive cultivation along with low organic matter input and nutrient imbalance has led to a decline in rice crop yields. This study was conducted to characterize, classify, and assess the fertility status of soils in two rice irrigation schemes of Morogoro region in Tanzania. The data obtained through this study will contribute significantly to land use planning and will facilitate the transfer of agro-technology and other development of the regions with similar ecological conditions. The studied pedons were named MKU-P1 and MKD-P1 for Mkula and Mkindo irrigation schemes, respectively. A total of seven composite soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected for soil fertility assessments. Landform, soil morphological features, parent material, natural vegetation, drainage, erosion, and laboratory data were used to classify the soils in their respective order as per the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Taxonomy and the World Reference Base (WRB) soil classification systems. Results showed that the pedons were sandy clay loam in the topsoil and sandy clay to clay in the subsoil; soil reaction ranged from medium acid (pH 5.7) to strongly alkaline (pH 8.6). The topsoil and subsoil nutrients of the studied pedons including available K+, total N, soil organic matter, and organic carbon are low. Based on the USDA Soil Taxonomy, MKU-P1 is classified as Inceptisols cumulic humaquepts and MKD-P1 as Vertisols Fluvaquentic endoaquerts corresponding to Subaquatic fluvisols (loamic, oxyaquic) and Irragric vertisols (gleyic) in the WRB, respectively. The pedons were ranked as suitable for rice production. However, the chemical fertility of the soil is ranked as low fertile associated with deficient in total N; available P, K+, and Ca2+ with excessive iron and manganese; and likely to pose toxicity to crops. The application of organic and mineral amendments in recommended rates and timing for N and P is therefore essential to increase the nutrient content of these soils and minimize losses. Salinity in the subsurface pedon MKD-P1 needs to be taken into future consideration.

The rise in global human population, coupled with the effects of climate change, has increased the demand for arable land. Soil fertility has been the most affected, among other things. Many approaches to soil fertility management have been proposed by studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA); however, the question of sustainability remains. Nutrient monitoring (NUTMON), which combines biophysical and socio-economic features for soil fertility management, gives an in-situ soil fertility status of a given land use system, which ultimately provides guidance in proposing appropriate soil management techniques in a given land use system. In this review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) approach was deployed for a systematic search of the literature materials. The review evaluated various studies on nutrient monitoring in SSA soils in order to understand the socioeconomic attributes and their influence on farming systems, as well as nutrient flow and balances. The review identified two dominant smallholder farming systems in SSA: mixed crop-livestock and mixed crop farming systems. Also, this review revealed that most nutrient balance studies in SSA have been done in mixed crop and livestock farming systems. However, regardless of the farming systems, the overall mean nutrient balances in all studies, particularly those of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), were negative, indicating significant nutrient mining. The review further revealed a vast range of biophysical soil fertility management technologies; however, their adoption has been limited by socio-economic aspects including land ownership, gender, financial position, literacy level, and access to inputs. Therefore, in view of this situation, integrating biophysical and socioeconomic disciplines could address the problem of soil nutrient depletion holistically, thus decreasing the existing negative nutrient balances in the SSA region.

Gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infections control has an important role to play in increasing livestock production from a limited natural resource base and to improve animal health and welfare. This study aimed to collect indigenous knowledge and identify wild plants locally used by goat smallholders of three territories of Haut-Katanga province for treating signs of gastrointestinal parasitism. Ethnoveterinary surveys were conducted by semi-structured interviews and a bibliographic screening of the biological activities relating to cited plants was carried out. Our interviews showed that ethnosemantic diagnoses of GIP diseases are based on signs. Eighty-seven informants reported that 27 plant species from 15 families, dominated by Fabaceae (29.6%) and Lamiaceae (18.5%) were commonly used in their goats treatment. Among these plants, five species with palmately compound leaves were considerably more used. From those, we noted a substitution of Vitex congolensis De Wild. and T. Durand (Lamiaceae) by Oldfieldia dactylophylla (Welw. Ex Oliv.) J. Leonard (Picrodendraceae) and of Vitex mombassae Vatke by Vitex madiensis Oliv. Subsp. Milanjiensis (Britten) F. White. Roots (46.9%), leaves (28.0%) and seeds (12.5%) were the most frequently used plant organs, and maceration is applied for most of the medicinal preparations (62.2%). Recipes were administered by oral route, for GIP 1) prevention (33.3%), by macerating the ground plant material in drinking water for 2 weeks at the start of each season (dry and rainy); and 2) treatment (66.7%). According to the literature, some of these plants have few or no studies investigating their anthelmintic activity. The cited plants are worth investigating further as they could constitute an effective alternative strategy in maintaining animal productivity. Studies on the biological activity of these plants can also provide indications of promising leads for extracts that could be developed into commercial standardized medications.

The new landscape of treatments for metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma (mRCC) is constantly expanding, but it is associated with the emergence of novel toxicities, adding to up to those observed in the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) era. Indeed, the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) alone or in combination has been associated with the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) involving multiple-organ systems which, even if rarely, had led to fatal outcomes. Moreover, due to the relatively recent addition of ICIs to the previously available treatments, the potential additive adverse effects of these combinations are still unknown. A prompt recognition and management of these toxicities currently represents a fundamental issue in oncology, since it correlates with the outcome of cancer patients. Even if clinical guidelines provide indications for the management of irAEs, no specific protocol to evaluate the individual risk of developing an adverse event during therapy is currently available. A multidisciplinary approach addressing appropriate interventions aimed at reducing the risk of any insidious, severe, and/or dose-limiting toxicity might represent the most efficacious strategy to timely prevent and manage severe irAEs, allowing indirectly to improve both patients’ cancer-specific survival and quality of life. In this review, we reported a five-case series of toxicity events that occurred at our center during treatment for mRCC followed by the remarks of physicians from different specialties, pinpointing the relevant role of an integrated and extended multidisciplinary team in a modern model of mRCC patient management.

Here, the authors describe the emergence and spread of a new potential SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest, B.1.620. They show that this lineage, first identified in Lithuania, has established local transmission in Europe on multiple occasions and likely emerged in Central Africa.

Human Mpox cases are increasingly reported in Africa, with the highest burden in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While case reporting on a clinical basis can overestimate infection rates, laboratory confirmation by PCR can underestimate them, especially on suboptimal samples like blood, commonly used in DRC. Here we used a Luminex-based assay to evaluate whether antibody testing can be complementary to confirm cases and to identify human transmission chains during outbreak investigations. We used left-over blood samples from 463 patients, collected during 174 outbreaks between 2013 and 2022, with corresponding Mpox and VZV PCR results. In total, 157 (33.9%) samples were orthopox-PCR positive and classified as Mpox+; 124 (26.8%) had antibodies to at least one of the three Mpox peptides. The proportion of antibody positive samples was significantly higher in Mpox positive samples (36.9%) versus negative (21.6%) (p < 0.001). By combining PCR and serology, 66 additional patients were identified, leading to an Mpox infection rate of 48.2% (223/463) versus 33.9% when only PCR positivity is considered. Mpox infections were as such identified in 14 additional health zones and 23 additional outbreaks (111/174 (63.8%) versus 88/174 (50.6%)). Our findings highlight the urgent need of rapid on-site diagnostics to circumvent Mpox spread.