Baobab Index

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a critical tool for public health surveillance, yet its application across diverse pathogens and geographical settings remains inconsistent. This systematic review synthesizes global evidence on wastewater surveillance to identify associated risk factors. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420261297382), a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Thirty-nine peer-reviewed studies were included. The evidence base is geographically skewed toward the European Region (48.7%) and the Americas (23.1%), with significant underrepresentation in LMICs. Viruses were the primary biological target (89.7%), followed by bacteria (7.7%) and parasites (2.6%). A proportion meta-analysis of 31 eligible studies demonstrated a pooled wastewater pathogen detection prevalence of 62% (95% CI: 47.5-74.6%), with the European Region yielding the highest regional estimate (73%) and the African Region the lowest (8.3%). Conventional PCR and sequencing methods showed higher pooled detection rates (92.4% and 90.1%, respectively) than RT-qPCR (47.9%). WBE provides a robust early-warning system indicating a need for broader pathogen diversity, incorporating bacterial and parasitic surveillance and expansion into rural and resource-limited regions.

The variability of clopidogrel response is due to many factors including polymorphisms affecting

The global expansion of quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QR-EC) is increasingly associated with β-lactam resistance and mobile genetic elements that facilitate resistance dissemination. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying fluoroquinolone and β-lactam resistance in clinical QR-EC isolates and explored the plasmid type associated. A total of 123 non-duplicate QR-EC clinical isolates responsible mainly for gastrointestinal colonization were collected between 2019 and 2021. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), and carbapenemase genes were screened by PCR. Mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA and parC were analyzed using sequencing and mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR (MAMA-PCR). Selected isolates underwent multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a representative extensively drug-resistant strain carrying multiple quinolone resistance determinants, ESBL genes, and carbapenemase genes, was performed. PMQR genes were prevalent among QR-EC, dominated by aac(6')-Ib-cr (60.9% of isolates). ESBL genes were identified in 93.5% of isolates, predominantly blaCTX-M (95.7%). Among ertapenem-resistant isolates (QCR-EC) (n=18), blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-48 were detected in 13 and 11 isolates, respectively. QRDR mutations were highly frequent, particularly gyrA83 (98.4%) and parC80 (30.9%). Major QCR-EC genotypes belonged to sequence types ST167 (n=2), ST1196, ST469, and ST410. High-risk E. coli ST131 clone harboring IncC plasmid encoding blaNDM-1 was described for the first time in Africa, following its emergence, in two continents, Asia and America. Despite the very rare description of these strains worldwide, their description in three continents sign their global diffusion. This finding highlights the ongoing spread of carbapenem resistance and underscores the urgent need for strengthened genomic surveillance.

This review examines Geobacillus sensu stricto as a source of thermostable glycoside hydrolases (GH) for biomass conversion, food processing, and enzyme engineering. Recent peer-reviewed literature was assessed with emphasis on taxonomy, genome-based Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZyme) prediction, biochemical validation, structural data, and engineering case studies. Taxonomic boundaries were interpreted using current Anoxybacillaceae frameworks, with Parageobacillus treated as a related comparator rather than as Geobacillus. The strongest evidence supports GH13 alpha-amylases, xylan-active systems, beta-xylosidases, and selected accessory enzymes. Recent studies also show that genome mining must be coupled with enzymatic assays and product profiling because CAZyme annotation alone does not prove industrial function. Molecular engineering has improved relevant traits, including the longer thermal half-life of engineered G. stearothermophilus alpha-amylase variants, the increased catalytic efficiency of oligo-alpha-1,6-glucosidase variants, and improved AmyS expression in Bacillus subtilis. Geobacillus glycoside hydrolases are best interpreted as process-specific, engineerable biocatalytic templates. Their translation requires reliable taxonomy, functional validation, structural interpretation, scalable expression and testing on realistic substrates. This synthesis also recognises current limitations: many predicted CAZymes still lack biochemical validation, complete cellulolytic systems remain less mature than xylan- and starch-active systems, and scale-up data remain scarce.

Drought and salinity limit soybean yield. Despite their role in the SnRK1 energy-sensing complex, a systematic study of FCS-Like Zinc Finger (FLZ) proteins in soybean has not been reported. We performed a genome-wide identification of the GmFLZ gene family, identifying 40 members distributed across 18 of the 20 soybean chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of 87 FLZ proteins from Glycine max, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa revealed four major evolutionary clades, suggesting that diversification predates the separation of monocots and dicots. Structural analysis identified ten conserved motifs, with Motifs 1 and 2 present in all family members. Gene duplication analysis identified 304 paralogous pairs, most arising from segmental duplication. Ka/Ks analysis indicated localized positive selection in six gene pairs and purifying selection in 97.9% of pairs. Tissue-specific expression profiling across nine tissues showed that GmFLZ5, GmFLZ15, GmFLZ25, and GmFLZ34 had the highest expression levels detected across the GmFLZ family, with GmFLZ5 the most highly expressed member in leaves, nodules, and stem and showing moderate expression in pod, root, and root hairs, whereas GmFLZ18, GmFLZ23, and GmFLZ37 showed root-preferential expression. RT-qPCR validation under drought (20% PEG-6000) and salt (200 mM NaCl) treatments in the Giza 5 cultivar showed that 36 and 34 of the 40 GmFLZ genes, respectively, exhibited at least a two-fold change in expression, with GmFLZ21 and GmFLZ35 among the most strongly induced under salt stress. These findings provide an evolutionary and functional framework for the GmFLZ family and identify candidate genes for future functional studies in soybean stress tolerance.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of hematological malignancies, yet its broader application to solid tumors, chronic viral infections, and autoimmune diseases remains constrained by antigen heterogeneity, immunosuppressive tissue microenvironments, T-cell exhaustion, limited persistence, and treatment-associated toxicities. These challenges have shifted the field from optimizing individual receptor constructs toward engineering CAR-T cells as programmable immune systems capable of adapting to diverse disease contexts. This review synthesizes recent advances in molecular engineering strategies that enhance CAR-T cell function beyond conventional receptor design. We discuss how receptor engineering, genome editing, transcriptional and epigenetic regulation, metabolic reprogramming, synthetic gene circuits, and safety-control platforms collectively reshape CAR-T cell fate, persistence, and therapeutic efficacy. Rather than functioning independently, these engineering strategies are increasingly integrated to generate context-specific cellular therapies capable of adapting to diverse disease environments, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic viral infections. We also highlight the potential for translation into clinical practice or clinical translation and discuss the major challenges associated with clinical implementation. Next-generation CAR-T therapies will increasingly integrate molecular engineering strategies or will rely on molecular engineering strategies to integrate antigen recognition, cellular fitness, immune regulation, and longevity rather than simply maximizing cytotoxic activity. Recent advances in programmable cellular engineering coupled with rigorous clinical evaluation as well as scalable manufacturing technologies or scalable manufacturing platforms in the treatment of other diseases beyond oncology will facilitate the development of safer, more durable, and broadly applicable cellular therapies.

African nations still struggle with several healthcare challenges such as high prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, underdeveloped healthcare systems, lack of healthcare personnel, and uneven distribution of quality healthcare services. Resource constraints and a fragmented healthcare system make the aforementioned challenges even more difficult to solve. However, digital health technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can be viewed as revolutionary instruments that may help to overcome the mentioned challenges and enhance healthcare practices in Africa. The present article provides a review of how digital health technologies and AI influence clinical pharmacy practice and contribute to precision medicine and pharmacometrics in African nations. To do that, a literature search has been performed using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases for relevant articles about digital health, AI, clinical pharmacy, precision medicine, pharmacometrics, and healthcare delivery in Africa. Healthcare technologies, such as telemedicine, mobile health apps, electronic health records, and clinical decision support systems powered by AI, are becoming more pervasive and widening the scope of work for clinical pharmacists through their contribution to medication optimization, therapeutic monitoring, and evidence-based clinical decision-making. Their application within precision medicine allows creating an individual treatment strategy considering the genetic and clinical features of the patients. At the same time, pharmacometric approaches, especially pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics modeling and model-informed precision dosing, help to optimize drug prescription and therapy outcomes for different African populations. The present article provides a review of how integrating digital health technologies and AI into clinical pharmacy practice could be a promising approach for enhancing precision medicine in Africa. The review also explores their implementation challenges and future opportunities for reasonable healthcare delivery.

A novel nitrogen-fixing rhizobial strain, designated Z1P35ᵀ, was isolated from root nodules of

Sickle cell disease places a significant burden on health systems in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, where access to high-quality, patient-centred care remains limited. This study evaluated patient-perceived quality of sickle cell disease care at a tertiary-level facility in Ghana and explored process factors influencing perceived quality of care. Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. A tertiary-level healthcare facility in Accra, Ghana. A total of 424 individuals with sickle cell disease were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected between 4 September and 16 October 2023 using pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaires. First-time clinic attendees and those requiring urgent medical intervention were excluded. Primary outcome was patient-perceived quality of care. Secondary outcome measures included socio-demographic and process-related factors influencing patient-perceived care quality. Participants' ages ranged from 15 to 66 years, with a median (IQR) age of 32 (27-42) years. Most were female (67.4%), had the SS genotype (51.9%) and 68.6% were on hydroxyurea. Overall, 81.8% of respondents reported receiving good-quality care. Predictors of higher perceived care quality included age (adjusted OR (AOR)=8.9, (95% CI 3.3 to 24.3), p=0.001), hydroxyurea use (AOR=2.3, (95% CI 1.2 to 4.2), p=0.008), good health worker-patient communication (AOR=3.2, (95% CI 1.7 to 6.0), p=0.001), positive provider attitudes (AOR=3.1, (95% CI 1.7 to 5.7), p=0.001), receipt of health education (AOR=2.1, (95% CI 1.1 to 3.9), p=0.030) and shorter waiting times for emergency care (AOR=0.2, (95% CI 0.1 to 0.6), p=0.001). This study provides context-specific evidence on process-level determinants of quality of sickle cell disease care in Ghana. Interventions to improve provider communication, enhance provider attitudes, strengthen patient education and reduce waiting times may improve patient experience and contribute to progress towards Universal Health Coverage in resource-limited settings.

The apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE ε4) isoform directly alters cholesterol and immune biology and is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative and cardiometabolic disease in industrialized settings; nevertheless, APOE ε4-which is ancestral in humans-has persisted over evolutionary time. One potential explanation is that the costs and benefits of APOE ε4 were significantly different in the environments in which humans evolved compared to those we experience today. In support, previous work has suggested that living in a high pathogen environment, engaging in high levels of physical activity, or eating a low fat diet can dampen the detrimental effects of APOE ε4, and has revealed positive effects for fertility. However, direct tests of whether APOE isoforms are associated with different biological outcomes in non-industrial versus industrialized contexts are lacking. Working with the Turkana of Kenya and the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia-two Indigenous groups in which individuals of shared ancestry span a continuum of subsistence, non-industrial to urban, industrialized lifestyles-we investigated how APOE genotypes impact cholesterol, immunological, and reproductive traits and tested for genotype x environment (GxE) interactions. First, we confirmed established genotype effects across lifestyles, showing that more APOE ε4 alleles are associated with higher total cholesterol, higher LDL cholesterol, and lower HDL cholesterol. Second, we tested for lifestyle interactions, finding lifestyle-dependent effects of genotype on innate immune biomarkers in the Orang Asli but not Turkana. Finally, we show that more APOE ε4 alleles are correlated with an extended reproductive lifespan, however this effect is relatively weak, is not consistent across populations, and does not correspond with a higher reproductive output. Together, our study provides evidence that industrialized environments can modify the biology of APOE ε4; however, we find that APOE ε4 is not universally beneficial in non-industrial contexts, highlighting the role of local environmental variation in determining its specific costs and benefits.