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Systemic challenges in the supply and distribution of medicines in conflict-affected areas of Mali: a qualitative study
(Taylor and Francis Ltd., 2026) Ravinetto, Raffaella; Ag Ahmed, Mohamed Ali; Konta, Mama
Background: The conflicts that have been ongoing for over a decade in different Sahel countries, including Mali, have a negative impact on the supply and distribution of medicines. Objective: This study aims to identify and analyze the key contextual challenges affecting the supply and distribution of medicines in conflict-affected areas in Mali. Methods: This study adopts a qualitative study design. First, we conducted 28 interviews with key stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector in the Mopti and Bamako areas. Such key stakeholders included health professionals, community association members, health authorities, and humanitarian stakeholders. Second, we conducted a thematic analysis, using NVivo software for retrieving and coding the qualitative data. Results: The key contextual factors affecting the supply and distribution of medicines in the study area have been organized under four interlinked themes: (1) insecurity and instability, disrupting transport routes and supply chains; (2) systemic and market dysfunctions, generating price instability and recurrent shortages; (3) technical and infrastructural weaknesses, compromising adequate storage conditions; and (4) insufficient coordination and collaboration among the different stakeholders, which further destabilizes the already fragile pharmaceutical supply system. Together, these factors have considerably weakened the pharmaceutical supply chain’s capacity to ensure continuous and equitable access to quality-assured medicines. Conclusion: Insecurity, market disruptions, weak infrastructure, and insufficient coordination severely undermine the supply and distribution of essential medicines in the conflict-affected areas of Mali. Restoring equitable access requires a strong coordination across public, private, and humanitarian actors, sustained investment in logistics and information systems, and the strengthening of regulatory oversight during and after the conflict.
Responding to extreme stress: resilience and psychological distress in undergraduate nursing students in the Western Cape, South Africa
(AOSIS (pty) Ltd, 2026) Chipps, Jennifer; Cromhout, Amanda; Steenkamp, Ilze; Marie Modeste, Regis R.
Background: Nursing students face significant academic and clinical stressors that can affect their psychological well-being. These challenges are intensified during extraordinary events, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objectives: This study investigated psychological distress and resilience among junior (1st year – 2nd year) and senior (3rd year – 4th year) undergraduate nursing students exposed to a major stressor at two universities in the Western Cape, South Africa. Method: A survey was conducted among 589 nursing students during and after COVID-19. Most respondents were female (77.4%) and junior students (75.2%), with a mean age of 22.5 years (± 4.6). Data collection took place at University A (February 2021–March 2021) and University B (November 2021–February 2022). Measures include psychological distress (Kessler-10), resilience (Response to Stressful Experiences Scale) and fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale). Results: Overall, students reported mild psychological distress and fear of COVID-19, and high levels of resilience. Senior students experienced significantly higher psychological distress than juniors (p < 0.001), but lower fear of COVID-19 (p = 0.028). Resilience did not differ significantly between groups, with most students demonstrating high resilience. Conclusion: Nursing students showed strong resilience despite the added pandemic-related stressors. Elevated distress among seniors, however, highlights the need for targeted psychological support. Strengthening resilience within nursing education may prepare students to manage future crises and contribute to a sustainable, adaptable nursing workforce. Contribution: This study provides evidence on the psychological well-being of nursing students in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasises the importance of resilience-building interventions within nursing curricula and institutional support systems to safeguard student health and professional readiness.
Adaptive laboratory evolution and rational engineering enabled xylose utilisation and xylan conversion in natural isolates of saccharomyces cerevisiae
(Elsevier B.V., 2026) Kruger, Francois; Den Haan, Riaan
Second-generation biofuels produced from renewable lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) are attractive alternatives to environmentally damaging, non-renewable fossil fuels. A key challenge in converting LCB to bioethanol is the incomplete utilisation of all available sugars. To address this, the hemicellulose fraction, consisting mainly of xylan, should be converted to the desired product alongside cellulose. This study aimed to develop natural isolate strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae capable of xylose utilisation and xylan degradation. Strains YI13, YI59 and FIN1 were selected for potential industrial applications due to their high fermentation performance levels under environmental stress and enhanced ethanol production compared to laboratory strains. Xylose utilisation was achieved in these strains by introducing heterologous xylose isomerase (XI) and xylulokinase (XKS) gene cassettes and a xylose transporter (XTR), followed by adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) in minimal xylose media. The evolved strains were further engineered for cell-associated xylosidase and secreted xylanase activities, yielding variants with strong enzyme activities, optimized xylose metabolism, and high ethanol production from both xylose and xylan. The final engineered version of YI13 showed the best xylose and xylan conversion, with maximum ethanol titres of ∼7.1 g/L from 20 g/L xylose and ∼4.7 g/L from 40 g/L xylan, among the highest ethanol titres from polymeric xylan by direct microbial conversion reported to date. The development of these S. cerevisiae strains provides a useful platform for future development of robust xylan-converting S. cerevisiae strains for large-scale ethanol production, although validation on real-world lignocellulosic feedstocks is still required.
Whole-genome characterization and analysis of Pantoea agglomerans R6: a genomic insight into its pathogenicity and resistance as a potential opportunistic plant pathogen
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2026) Holman, Darin Edward; Klein, Ashwil; Keyster, Marshall
Pantoea agglomerans is a Gram-negative bacterium increasingly recognised as an opportunistic pathogen, yet the molecular basis underpinning its host-interaction capacity remains poorly understood. Here, we report the wholegenome sequencing and integrative characterisation of P. agglomerans strain R6, isolated from Lactuca serriola. The 4.7 Mb draft genome (GC content 55.6%) encodes 4,349 genes, including secretion system components, siderophore clusters, adhesins, and multidrug efflux pumps. Comparative genomic analysis against previously characterised Pantoea strains revealed an open pan-genome shaped by horizontal gene transfer, with multiple genomic islands harbouring putative virulence- and resistance-associated loci. Notably, homologues of type VI secretion system components, iron acquisition systems, and stress response pathways suggest adaptive potential during host colonisation. Complementary phenotypic assays supported these genomic predictions, demonstrating swarming motility, biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide production, and enzymatic activities associated with host interaction in related strains. While R6 displayed susceptibility to β-lactams, its genomic repertoire indicates potential for adaptive resilience under selective pressure. This integrative genomic and phenotypic characterisation identifies candidate molecular features associated with opportunistic behaviour and highlights the genomic potential of R6, rather than experimentally validated causal determinants of pathogenicity
Citrate reduced gold nanoparticles lowered lipid content in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes by altering the expression of adipogenic genes
(Springer, 2026) Hyera, Anelisiwe; Fadaka, Adewale Oluwaseun; Gabuza, Kwazikwakhe Bethuel; Mganto-Khuselo, Zanele; Madiehe, Abram Madimabe; Meyer, Mervin; Sibuyi, Nicole Remaliah Samantha
Obesity and related metabolic disorders are increasing at alarming rates worldwide, posing a major public health challenge. Current anti-obesity therapies are limited by toxicity and adverse side effects, highlighting the need for alternative strategies. Nanotechnology offers a promising approach, with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) attracting significant attention in biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties and potential therapeutic effects. This study investigated the anti-lipogenic effects of citrate-capped AuNPs (cAuNPs) on differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The 14 nm cAuNPs were synthesized using the citrate reduction method and characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of cAuNPs were evaluated on cell viability, lipid accumulation, and gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells and differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. cAuNPs were non-cytotoxic to 3T3-L1 cells at concentrations up to 400 nM. Oil Red O (ORO) staining revealed a concentration-dependent reduction in lipid accumulation, with the maximal effect at 72 h. Gene expression analysis using RT2 PCR arrays identified 35 differentially expressed genes, with significant alterations in genes related to adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. Functional enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPi) network analyses highlighted modulation of PPAR signalling and key hub genes involved in adipocyte function. These findings demonstrated that cAuNPs exert anti-adipogenic effects by altering molecular pathways associated with lipid storage, suggesting their potential as a nanotechnology-based strategy for obesity management. Future in vivo studies will be essential to assess their therapeutic efficacy and safety in order to advance AuNPs as innovative anti-obesity agents.