Baobab Index

In the face of increasing pressure on agriculture and the effects of climate change, as well as the increasing popularity of Western foods, the enhancement of local food resources stands out as an essential strategy to strengthen food security and to slow down the erosion of traditions. Buprestid beetles are customarily consumed by some people in Togo, but these beetles remain poorly documented. This study explores the nutritional value of Buprestids consumed in Ecological Zone I of Togo. In total 630 individuals representing 7 ethnic groups from 14 localities, with 45 respondents in each, were interviewed. Buprestids were collected in the surveyed areas for identification, and specimens of

African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is the causative agent of devastating disease affecting domestic and wild pigs globally. A previous study of the intranasal inoculation of domestic pigs (DP) and wild boar (WB) with the ASFV genotype II strain "Armenia 2007" demonstrated distinct disease outcomes. This study aims to compare the leukocyte, cytokine and biochemical profiles in experimentally infected DP and WB. Blood and serum samples were collected before infection (day 0), from animals euthanized in groups of six (comprising 3 DP and 3 WB) on days 1, 2, 3 and 5 post infection (pi) and from animals that reached a humane endpoint. Both DP and WB developed severe lymphopenia, occurring earlier in WB. Inflammatory response occurred earlier in WB, as evident from day 3 pi by the increased levels of TNF, followed by IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, IL-1β. IL-8 concentrations only increased in some WB, but not in DP. No modulation of Th1-associated cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-18) was detected in DP, whereas WB had a moderate increase in IL-12 and IFN-γ levels from day 5 pi, which peaked at humane endpoint. C-reactive protein levels increased in concomitant with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as early as day 5 pi in WB, reaching its maximum in both DP and WB at the humane endpoint. A delayed but significant increase in the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators IL-1Ra and IL-10 was observed in both groups, but earlier in some WB from day 5 pi. Biochemical analysis revealed potential perturbations of the liver function in both subspecies, characterized by changes in serum AST and triglycerides levels, in addition to renal alterations in DP evidenced by changes in creatinine and urea levels. These findings underscore earlier immune activation in WB, potentially contributing to the different subspecies-specific disease outcomes following ASFV inoculation.

Oxazolidinones (linezolid and tedizolid) are last-resort antibiotics used to treat severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Although linezolid is not approved for veterinary use, resistant bacteria—particularly enterococci—have increasingly been reported in food-producing animals worldwide. Slaughterhouses represent potential hotspots for the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens along the food chain. This study investigated the presence of oxazolidinone resistance genes and relevant genetic elements in florfenicol-resistant enterococci and staphylococci isolated from wastewater collected from an Italian swine slaughterhouse. In total, five enterococci, six staphylococci, and one Mammaliicoccus sciuri (previously known as Staphylococcus sciuri) isolate were recovered. PCR screening revealed that all staphylococci and M. sciuri carried the cfr gene, while enterococci were positive for either optrA or poxtA. Nine isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing. Enterococcus hirae EM2 carried poxtA on the novel pEhEM2-poxtA plasmid. In E. faecium ED1 and EF1, optrA was located on the novel pEfmED1-optrA plasmid. E. durans EF2 carried poxtA within a Tn6657 transposon integrated into a pEgFS4-2-like plasmid also containing tet(M), tet(L), and genes related to transposition and plasmid replication. In Staphylococcus simulans SN1 and SF3, cfr was found on the novel pSsSN1-cfr plasmid and on p12-02300 plasmid, respectively. In Staphylococcus cohnii SD1, cfr was located on the previously described plasmid unnamed1, while in S. cohnii SF2 it was inserted into a chromosomal Tn558-like transposon along with fexA. M. sciuri SN4 harboured cfr on a small plasmid showing high similarity to the pK8D55P-cfr plasmid previously found in an M. sciuri isolate from ducks. These results highlight the role of slaughterhouse wastewater as a potential reservoir of oxazolidinone resistance genes and emphasize the need for continued monitoring to limit the environmental spread of antimicrobial resistance from animal production systems.

Mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) gene has emerged as a major driver of colistin resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the distribution of mcr-variants and mcr-carrying genomes deposited in the NCBI database by sample collection periods and across continents, countries, genera, species, and ecosystems. In this database mining study, the keyword "mcr" was used to identify all mcr-carrying genomes deposited in the NCBI Pathogen Detection database until June 07, 2025, 12h15 GMT. A purely descriptive approach was used in this study, and percentages were calculated by dividing the number of an event by the total number of events (percentage = n/Nx100). Of the 2422739 whole genomes registered in the NCBI database, 18785 (0.78%) carried complete mcr variant sequences. Seventy-seven mcr subvariants were detected, including mostly mcr-1.1 (9431/18785; 50%), and mcr-9.1 (5971/18785; 32%). Mcr-9.1 was the most frequently detected subvariant in several genera, including Serratia spp. (17/17; 100%), Cronobacter spp. (155/160; 97%), and Pluralibacter spp. (19/20; 95%), whereas mcr-1.1 was the most commonly detected subvariant in Escherichia and Shigella spp. (8235/9678; 85%). Regarding geographical distribution, mcr-1.1 was the most observed subvariant in Asia (6759/9033; 75%) and Europe (1886/4680; 40%), whereas mcr-9.1 was the most identified in America (2982/4017; 74%) and Oceania (546/771; 71%). In Africa, mcr-10.1 (52/160; 33%), and mcr-1.1 (50/160; 31%) were the most frequent subvariants. Mcr-carrying genomes deposited in the NCBI database were distributed across ecosystems, including humans (n = 8185), animals (n = 4521), the environment (n = 468), and food (n = 48). The sample collection years for mcr-carrying bacteria ranged from 1953 to 2025, and the distribution of mcr-carrying genomes was as follows: 1953-1990 (n = 49), 1991-1999 (n = 47), 2000-2009 (n = 704), 2010-2019 (n = 12810), and 2020-2025 (n = 4297). Another key finding was that 705 of the 18785 mcr-carrying genomes deposited in the NCBI database (3.8%) harbored multiple mcr genes, including 693 and 12 genomes co-carrying two and three mcr genes, respectively. Mcr-carrying bacteria represent a significant One Health concern because of their major role in colistin resistance and potential for global dissemination. Key actions, such as global surveillance, One Health monitoring, and appropriate stewardship, should be taken to preserve the efficacy of colistin for decades.

Africa harbors the richest diversity of mitochondrial DNA lineages, reflecting its central role in human evolutionary history. Early studies of mtDNA variation provided the first genetic evidence for the African origin of modern humans. With complete mitochondrial genome sequencing, we can now reconstruct maternal lineages with high resolution, yet large parts of the continent remain underrepresented. Using a newly developed long-range sequencing assay, we generated 1176 complete mitochondrial genomes from 13 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on previously understudied regions. We combined these with over 3600 publicly available African mitogenomes to produce a comprehensive dataset and updated overview of maternal genetic diversity across the continent. We contextualized this diversity with autosomal structure and information on major human expansions, integrating archeological and linguistic evidence. Our analyses suggest an initial demographic expansion of Niger-Congo speakers around 17 thousand years ago (kya), and an initial  expansion associated with Bantu-speaking groups around 6 kya. We identify haplogroup L3e as a key marker of this early Bantu expansion, tracking its spread across sub-Saharan Africa. Distinct demographic signatures also emerge for different geographic sub-branches of Bantu speakers. These findings highlight the power of mitochondrial DNA to trace maternal ancestry and demographic history in Africa, while also acknowledging its limitations for phylogeographic reconstruction.

Migraine is a disabling neurological disorder with limited tolerability and cardiovascular limitations associated with traditional acute therapies such as triptans. Rimegepant, an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, has emerged as a promising treatment option. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of a single 75 mg oral dose of rimegepant for acute preventive treatment of migraine. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted from inception to October 2025. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating oral rimegepant 75 mg for acute migraine in adults were included. Primary outcomes included pain freedom and pain relief at 2, 24, and 48 h. Secondary outcomes included freedom from associated migraine symptoms, return to normal function, rescue medication use, and adverse events. A random-effects model was applied for pooled analysis. Nine RCTs involving 7,198 participants were included. Participants received a single 75 mg oral dose of rimegepant per migraine attack. Rimegepant demonstrated significantly greater 2-hour pain freedom compared with placebo (RR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.5-2.1). Two-hour pain relief was similarly improved (RR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.28-1.42). Safety outcomes were comparable to placebo, with no significant differences in total adverse events (RR = 1.10) or serious adverse events. A single 75 mg oral dose of rimegepant is an effective and well-tolerated therapeutic option for both acute and preventive migraine treatment, offering meaningful clinical improvement and a favorable safety profile. Its non-vasoconstrictive mechanism provides a valuable alternative for patients unable to use triptans or those who respond inadequately to existing therapies.

The monophasic variant 4,[5],12:i:- of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (MVST) has emerged as a significant global public health concern. This study employs whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize MVST isolates from Central Italy, focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, plasmids, virulence factors, the variability in the former fljBA operon region, and the genetic diversity of isolates through hierarchical cluster analysis to assess potential transmission pathways of circulating MVST clones in the food chain. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) MVST isolates (n = 28) from multiple sources (2015-2021) were characterized by real-time PCR and WGS (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies). Phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles revealed the presence of different ASSuT profile variants (ASSuT, ASSuT-plus -additional resistances beyond the classical ASSuT profile-, and incomplete-ASSuT). Twenty-nine resistance genes across eleven antimicrobial classes were identified. Genes responsible for the classical ASSuT phenotype were highly prevalent but often complemented by further, mainly plasmid-borne, resistance genes. In-depth analysis of the former fljBA operon region revealed an extensive genetic variability, including the presence of ASSuT resistance genes (bla

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major threat to global health, and food production environments are increasingly recognized as potential reservoirs and dissemination points for resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Slaughterhouse wastewater contains complex microbial communities originating from multiple animal sources and processing activities, yet the effectiveness of current treatment processes in mitigating microbiological and resistome-associated risks remains poorly understood. In this study, we applied high-throughput long-read metagenomic sequencing to characterize microbial community composition and resistome profiles in wastewater samples collected before and after physicochemical treatment from four Italian slaughterhouses. Taxonomic profiling revealed a diverse microbiome dominated by

Antimicrobial resistance, particularly to carbapenems, represents a major global public health threat. In Senegal, the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli compromises the management of severe infections. This study, conducted between October 2022 and March 2024 at the Centre Hospitalier National Universitaire de Fann and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, investigated 50 carbapenem-resistant bacterial isolates. Species identification was performed using Vitek 2 and MALDI-TOF MS, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion testing. Whole-genome sequencing enabled the detection of resistance genes, plasmid replicons, and clonal lineages through MLST analysis. Among the 50 isolates, 35 (70%) carried at least one carbapenemase gene. The

The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has intensified the search for alternative sources of bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of Pteleopsis suberosa and Piliostigma thonningii, two medicinal plants traditionally used in Togo to treat vaginal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin infections. Hydroethanolic extracts from different plant organs were prepared by cold maceration. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard qualitative tests, while total flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the phosphomolybdate reduction and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The highest extraction yield was obtained from the stem bark of P. thonningii (22.67%). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, triterpenes, and reducing sugars. The leaves of P. thonningii exhibited the highest total flavonoid content (313.82 µg Eq R/mg DE), whereas the leaves of P. suberosa showed the strongest antioxidant activity, reaching 90.70 mg Eq AA/g DE and 430.50 µmol Eq FeSO₄/mg DE in the phosphomolybdate and FRAP assays, respectively. The largest inhibition zone (20 mm) was produced by the stem bark extract of P. thonningii against Candida albicans. In addition, the stem bark extract of P. suberosa and both leaf and stem bark extracts of P. thonningii exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.562 mg/mL against S. aureus n