Quality and Safety of Beef Produced in Central African Sub-Region

Aim of this research is to provide a general situation of cattle slaughtered in Cameroon, as a representative example for the Central African Sub-region. The quality and safety of beef from the abattoir of Yaoundé, the largest in Cameroon, were considered. From January 2009 to March 2012, the pre-slaughter conditions and characteristics of 1953 cattle carcasses were recorded, as well as the pH of m. longissimus thoracis 24 h after slaughter. From these carcasses, 60 were selected to represent the bulls slaughtered. The quality parameters and composition of m. longissimus thoracis were carried out. The origin of most of the cattle was the Guinea High Savannah (74.6%), and transhumance was the common production system (75.5%). Gudali (45.6%), White Fulani (33.3%) and Red Mbororo (20.3%) breeds were predominant. Carcass weight was affected by rearing system and cattle category, and it markedly varied during year. Considering meat quality, the fat content was low (1.2%) and similar between breeds, moreover Gudali showed the toughest meat. Of the cows slaughtered, 27% were pregnant and the most common abnormal conditions encountered were ectoparasites, fatigue, lameness, fungal-like skin lesions, enlarged lymph nodes, respiratory distress, nodular lesions. More than 20% of the carcasses had some organs condemned, mainly for liver flukes (5.17%), and 1.0% of them were completely condemned due to tuberculosis, that also affected 3.28% of lungs. These data could aid authorities draw up programmes with the aim to strengthen cattle production, improve beef supply, control and prevent the observed diseases, and promote the regional trade

Electrophysiological evidence for enhanced representation of food stimuli in working memory

Studies from our laboratory have shown that, relative to neutral objects, food-related objects kept in working memory (WM) are particularly effective in guiding attention to food stimuli (Higgs et al. in Appetite, 2012). Here, we used electrophysiological measurements to investigate the neural representation of food versus non-food items in WM. Subjects were presented with a cue (food or non-food item) to either attend to or hold in WM. Subsequently, they had to search for a target, while the target and distractor were each flanked by a picture of a food or non-food item. Behavioural data showed that a food cue held in WM modulated the deployment of visual attention to a search target more than a non-food cue, even though the cue was irrelevant for target selection. Electrophysiological measures of attention, memory and retention of memory (the P3, LPP and SPCN components) were larger when food was kept in WM, compared to non-food items. No such effect was observed in a priming task, when the initial cue was merely identified. Overall, our electrophysiological data are consistent with the suggestion that food stimuli are particularly strongly represented in the WM system.</p

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of [Cu(mal)(abpt)(H2O)].3/2H2O and [Cu2(sq)(abpt) 2].2H2O (mal = malonate, sq = squarate, abpt =4-amino-3,5-di-2-pyridyl-4H-1,2,4 triazole)

Two new mixed-ligand complexes of formula [Cu(mal)(abpt)(H2O)].3/2H2O (1) and [Cu2(sq)(abpt) 2].2H2O (2) [mal = malonate, abpt = 4-amino-3,5-di-2-pyridyl-4H-1,2,4 triazole and sq = squarate], have been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystal structure determination and magnetic studies. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a = 14.0086(2) Å, b = 10.0980(2) Å, c = 25.630(4) Å; β = 97.5900(10) o, and Z = 8. Complex 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1 with a = 7.5696(15) Å, b = 8.4697(17) Å, c = 11.049(2) Å; β = 93.00(3)o,  α = 96.98(3), γ = 90.111(3) and Z = 1. Complex 1 consist of a neutral mononuclear [Cu(mal)(abpt)(H2O)] unit and water molecule of crystallization in a distorted square pyramidal coordination sphere, while complex 2 is viewed as being made up of [Cu(sq)(abpt)2] units with the squarato ligand bridging the two copper(II) cations. Variable temperature magnetic behaviour of the complexes reveals the existence of weak antiferromagnetic interaction for complex 1 and weak ferromagnetic intrachain interaction for complex 2.KEY WORDS: Copper(II) complexes, Mixed-ligand, Magnetic properties, Malonate, Squarate, 4-Amino-3,5-di-2-pyridyl-4H-1,2,4 triazoleBull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2011, 25(1), 53-60

Synthesis, crystal and molecular structure of manganese (II) complex of 2-acetylpyridine N (4) ethylthiosemicarbazone

A novel Mn(II) complex with thiosemicarbazone derived from 2-acetylpyridine and N(4)-ethylthiosemicarbazide has been prepared. The single-crystal X-ray analysis of the Mn(II) complex showed a distorted octahedral MnN4S2 environment with the ligand chelating via the nitrogen and sulfur donor atoms in a tridentate manner. The triclinic form of the ligand which has crystallized in a monoclinic system in other works is also described. The basicity of  nitrogen atoms of the ligand was tested with its reaction with HNO3 and the structure of the salt obtained is reported. The result shows that the lone pair of the pyridine nitrogen is more available due to the delocalization of other nitrogen lone pair of electron. http://dx.doi.org/10.21060/cis.2016.41

Local Knowledge and Use of Pangolins by Culturally Diverse Communities in the Forest-Savannah Transition Area of Cameroon

Information about the presence and population status of pangolins, and the threats they face, remains limited in many parts of Cameroon, a country that is home to three species of pangolin and considered to be a global hub of pangolin trafficking. Local communities living in rural areas can provide valuable information on species presence, local uses of wildlife, and possible threats, that is useful for prioritising conservation actions. Using interview surveys in 20 villages surrounding Mbam and Djerem National Park, we investigated local peoples’ knowledge of pangolin presence, perceptions of population trends, cultural importance, consumptive and non-consumptive uses, and hunting of pangolins. Our results showed that most people recognised the white-bellied and giant pangolins, but only 10% recognised the black-bellied pangolin. Ethnolinguistic group significantly affected the likelihood of respondents recognising and having seen a pangolin before. Giant pangolin populations were perceived to be declining, particularly by older respondents. We found evidence of local use of pangolins for meat, but few respondents reported uses of scales. Cultural significance was reported by few respondents, but when it was reported it mostly referred to giant pangolin. White-bellied pangolins are reportedly hunted using bare hands for local consumption most frequently, whilst giant pangolins were mainly hunted for local consumption and income generation using wire snares. Overall, our study shows the possible value of local knowledge for planning and prioritising conservation actions for pangolins. We highlight the urgent need to monitor pangolin populations, and assess the possible impacts to pangolins from threats such as hunting

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Antimicrobial Activities Of Synthesized Zinc(II) Mixed-Ligand Complexes Derived From 2- Acetylpyridine-4-Phenylsemicarbazone And Nitrogen-Sulphurmonodentate Ligands

Abstract: The reaction of zinc chloride with 2-acetylpyridine-4-phenylsemicarbazone and nitrogen-sulphurmonodentate ligands such as thiophene, pyridine, picoline ,aniline and ammonia; yielded five novel mixed -ligand complexes: Zn(2-Ac.4-Psc.Th)Cl2 ,Zn(2-Ac.4-Psc.Py)Cl2, Zn(2-Ac.4-Psc.Pi)Cl2, Zn(2Ac.4-Psc.An)Cl2 and Zn(2-Ac.Psc.Am)Cl2. These were characterized by elemental analysis,molar conductivity, 1 H and 13 C-NMR, IR and electronic absorption spectroscopic studies.All the complexes possess tetrahedral geometries. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated against staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis,Aspergillusnigers andCandida albicans.The result of significant inhibition of growth and proliferation of these microbes by the chelates were obtained particularly with the highest efficiency shown by thethiophene and aniline incorporated complexe