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The mammalian gastrointestinal tract hosts a significant microbial symbiont community, an intriguing feature of this complex organ system. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against Enterococcus faecalis infection in the stomach at a dose of 106 CFU in Swiss mice. A total of 30 mice were randomly assigned to three groups of ten mice each. Group I was the negative control, Group II was infected orally with E. faecalis for 18 days, and Group III was infected with E. faecalis and treated with CAPE orally at a daily dose of 4 mg/kg for 18 days. We assessed the antioxidant activities of stomach homogenate and the immunohistochemical expressions of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Histopathological examination was performed on the stomachs of all mice. Group II had decreased levels of antioxidant activity and positive expressions of NF-κB and PCNA. Histological observations revealed an increase in mucosal and glandular thickness compared with Group I. Group III, treated with CAPE, showed a significant increase in antioxidant activities and a significant decrease in NF-κB and PCNA immunoreactivities compared with Group II. In addition, Group III showed restoration of the normal thickness of the non-glandular and glandular parts of the stomach. Our results revealed that E. faecalis infection has damaging effects on the stomach and proved that CAPE has promising protective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects against E. faecalis. Further studies may investigate the potential therapeutic effects of CAPE against E. faecalis infection.

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The modern global food system is highly unsustainable, shaped by industrialisation and corporate consolidation, with negative repercussions on the environment and biodiversity as well as human health. This paper looks at the burgeoning economy in neglected and underutilised species (NUS) in the Western Cape, South Africa, as a potential innovation that could make the local food system more socially and ecologically resilient. Although, at present, NUS are only marginally included in the local food system and policy discussions, NUS increasingly appear in the high-end food industry, driven by international gastronomic trends. These species hold potential as climate resilient, nutritionally dense, and socially and culturally significant foods in the region, but they also carry ecological and social risks. We critically examine the fledgling NUS economy in the Cape Town area to unpack the motivations and challenges associated with the potentially transformative inclusion of these foods into the local food system. We demonstrate that the main risks associated with NUS are negative ecological repercussions, privatisation of the NUS economy, and the reproduction and further entrenchment of unequal power and race dynamics in the region. To mitigate these risks and actualise the related benefits associated with NUS, engagement with the ecological, social, and political context of NUS needs to be significantly deepened. This is particularly true for those working in the high-end food industry, who appear to be driving the NUS economy, and will require education around sustainability and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), as well as a foregrounding awareness of power dynamics.

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Social interactions are often analyzed by scoring segments of predefined behavior and then statistically assessing numerical and sequential patterns to identify the structure of the encounters. However, this approach can miss the dynamics of the animals' relationship over the course of the encounter, one that often involves invariant bonds, say a nose-to-nose orientation, with many different movements performed by both partners acting to counteract each other's attempts to break or maintain the relationship. Moreover, these invariant bonds can switch from one configuration to another during an interaction, leading from one stable configuration to another. It is this stepwise sequence of configurational stabilities that lead to functional outcomes, such as mating, aggression, or predation. By focusing on the sequence of invariant relational configurations, the deep structure of interactions can be discerned. This deep structure can then be used to differentiate between compensatory movements, no matter how seemingly stereotyped they may appear, from movement patterns which are restricted to a particular form when more than one option is available. A dynamic perspective requires suitable tools for analysis, and such tools are highlighted as needed in describing particular interactions.

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PURPOSE: As part of the process of developing specific recommendations for modifying certain elements of the Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) to promote end-user fidelity, the authors sought input from voice clinicians who regularly use the CAPE-V to assess voice quality. METHOD: At an academic meeting focusing on voice disorders, we presented a poster briefly reviewing the CAPE-V protocol and describing several sources of variability that have been reported in its current use. Interested viewers were directed to a QR code linking to a brief, anonymous survey on how individuals currently use the CAPE-V and how they might improve it. A link to the survey was also distributed on the conference discussion board. RESULTS: Fifty-nine participants responded to the survey: 49 completed it. The median respondent reported 8years of experience conducting voice evaluations, with 50% of their current practice in voice, and about eight voice evaluations per week. Key findings from this survey were that fewer than half of respondents reported audio recording any components of in-person or virtual voice evaluations, and that most respondents reported changing some aspect of the CAPE-V tasks and stimuli in practice. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study revealed a wide range of idiosyncratic practices by clinicians when administering and scoring the CAPE-V. The findings support planned revisions to the CAPE-V protocol and form involving the tasks, stimuli, and rating procedures.

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PURPOSE: Hyperfunctional voice disorder (HFVD) has a multifaceted origin. Individuals with HFVD work in professions that demand high vocal usage and are bound to work for longer hours with very inflexible work schedules. In consequence, it can be speculated that an eclectic voice therapy program that uses combinatory approaches delivered via telepractice could bring about better efficiency of voice in these individuals. Nevertheless, very less attempts have been made in these lines. Therefore, the present study aims to implement eclectic voice therapy via telepractice and examine the efficacy of the same in HFVD. METHOD: In total, 10 individuals with HFVD in the age range of 20-55years received Comprehensive Voice Habilitation Program (CVHP), an eclectic voice therapy approach via a videoconferencing platform, Zoom Video Communications, Inc. All the participants completed 15 sessions of voice therapy spread across 3weeks. Stroboscopy examination was performed at the baseline and post therapy to track the changes in laryngeal functions. Further, Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation-Voice (CAPE-V), Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI), and Voice Handicap Index in Kannada (VHI-K) were obtained at the baseline, post therapy, and two follow-ups to report the therapy outcomes. Related-sample Friedman's Two-way Analysis of Variance by Ranks and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used to note the pre-post and follow-up changes in voice outcomes. RESULTS: Significant improvement in movement patterns of the vocal folds and a reduction in ventricular hyperadduction were noted in stroboscopy. CAPE-V and AVQI scores decreased in post-therapy and follow-up evaluations indicating reduction in dysphonia severity over time. Also, decrease in VHI-K scores indicated improved psychosocial aspects and quality of life in HFVD. CONCLUSION: The current study provided preliminary evidence on the possible benefits of telepractice in the delivery of CVHP in HFVD. Hence, telepractice could be recommended as an alternate treatment modality for patients with HFVD.

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Introduction: Foodborne infections, which are frequently linked to bacterial contamination, are a serious concern to public health on a global scale. Whether agricultural farming practices help spread genes linked to antibiotic resistance in bacteria associated with humans or animals is a controversial question. Methods: This study applied a long-read Oxford Nanopore MinION-based sequencing to obtain the complete genome sequence of a multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strain (L1PEag1), isolated from commercial cape gooseberry fruits (Physalis peruviana L.) in Ecuador. Using different genome analysis tools, the serotype, Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of the L1PEag1 isolate were determined. Additionally, in vitro assays were performed to demonstrate functional genes. Results: The complete genome sequence of the L1PEag1 isolate was assembled into a circular chromosome of 4825.722 Kbp and one plasmid of 3.561 Kbp. The L1PEag1 isolate belongs to the B2 phylogroup, sequence type ST1170, and O1:H4 serotype based on in silico genome analysis. The genome contains 4,473 genes, 88 tRNA, 8 5S rRNA, 7 16S rRNA, and 7 23S rRNA. The average GC content is 50.58%. The specific annotation consisted of 4,439 and 3,723 genes annotated with KEEG and COG respectively, 3 intact prophage regions, 23 genomic islands (GIs), and 4 insertion sequences (ISs) of the ISAs1 and IS630 families. The L1PEag1 isolate carries 25 virulence genes, and 4 perfect and 51 strict antibiotic resistant gene (ARG) regions based on VirulenceFinder and RGI annotation. Besides, the in vitro antibiotic profile indicated resistance to kanamycin (K30), azithromycin (AZM15), clindamycin (DA2), novobiocin (NV30), amikacin (AMK30), and other antibiotics. The L1PEag1 isolate was predicted as a human pathogen, matching 464 protein families (0.934 likelihood). Conclusion: Our work emphasizes the necessity of monitoring environmental antibiotic resistance, particularly in commercial settings to contribute to develop early mitigation techniques for dealing with resistance diffusion.

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Introduction: Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) is a wellconsumed crop in Ecuador, whose fruits are abundant in bioactive molecules. Its rapid post-harvest deterioration and safety limit its market potential. Methodology: To gather baseline data on the prevalence of bacterial taxa among groups, we employed 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) amplicon gene sequencing to detect changes in the bacterial community structure in cape gooseberry fruits harvested from an organic farm production system (# 270 samples x two ripeness stages), and fruits obtained from an open-air market (#270). Results: This is the first report of bacterial taxa inhabiting cape gooseberry fruits. Shannon's diversity index revealed that the fruits purchased from the market and the unripe stage had the highest level of bacterial diversity (average Shannon indices of 3.3 and 3.1) followed by those collected from the field at the mature ripe stage (2.07). Alpha diversity analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in the number of taxa or evenness within the sample, whereas there was a significant difference in beta diversity between the groups. Rhizobiaceae was the most abundant family in fruits originating from the field regardless of the ripe stage, while Acetobacteraceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Fusobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Erwiniaceae were the most abundant families in the market group. At the genus level, Liberibacter was the most abundant phytopathogen in fruits originating from the field, while Gluconobacter was the most abundant in samples collected from the market. The phytopathogen Candidatus_Liberibacter was the most abundant in samples collected from the field, while the fruits purchased from the market stands contained opportunistic enteric pathogens such as Escherichia vulneris, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and K. variicola, their relative abundance varied with the sample. In addition, potential pathogens of animal origin such as Fusobacterium necrophorum, Porphyromonas levii, Helcococcus ovis, and Trueperella pyogenes were found in almost all samples at varying relative abundance. Conclusion: Our study provides basic information on the microbiome of cape gooseberries from agriculture fields to the table along with the detection of several pathogenic microorganisms with possible impact on food safety and public health therefore, strategies for reducing bacterial contamination in both farm and retail markets are compulsory.

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Vacuum-Assisted Sorbent Extraction (VASE) is a novel extraction technique that uses vacuum to facilitate the transfer of volatile compounds from the matrix to the sorbent. This technique was explored for extraction of volatiles from cape gooseberry fruit, for both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Selected extraction parameters were tested: sample size, extraction temperature and time, influence of tissue disintegration on release of volatiles, and also addition of Ag+1 ions in the form of AgNO3 to stop enzymatic formation of volatile compounds. For selected conditions (10 g sample, extraction for 30 min. at 40 °C of volatiles from blended fruit) quantitative aspects were explored. Twenty-two compounds of cape gooseberry were tested. The method was characterized with a very good linearity in a range of 10-5000 µg/kg and good reproducibility. The experiments proved the usefulness of VASE in both volatile profiling and quantitative analyses of cape gooseberry and in prospective other fruit.

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Background: South Africa was the country worst affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa. There is a paucity of data on the clinical characteristics and mortality of Covid-19 from the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We report on the demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the mortality of patients admitted to the Covid-19 ward of Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH), Mthatha, during three waves of the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. Materials and Methods: We conducted a single centre retrospective observational study of patients admitted for Covid-19 in a tertiary hospital in the rural Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected from patient files, electronic databases and the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) database. The outcomes were duration of admission and in-hospital mortality. Results: There were 371 patients admitted across all three waves with a mean age of 52.2 ± 16.3 years. The proportion of females across the three waves is 61.2%. The commonly associated comorbidities, irrespective of the wave, were hypertension, diabetes and HIV infection. The median duration of admission was six days, with an overall mortality of 31%. The mortality for first, second and third wave were 29.3%, 31.5% and 37.9% respectively. Conclusion: Admissions for Covid-19 were predominantly in females and middle-aged. One third of the admitted patients died. Diabetes, hypertension and HIV infection were the most commonly associated comorbidities.

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Interrogating the ecological and geographic factors that influence population divergence dynamics can reveal why some groups of organisms diversify more prolifically than others. One such group is the heathers (Erica, Ericaceae), the largest plant genus in the Cape Floristic Region. We study Erica abietina, a highly variable species complex with four subspecies differing in geographic range, habitat and pollination syndrome. We test for population differentiation, hybridisation, introgression and pollinator-driven divergence using genotyping-by-sequencing on samples across the entire distribution. We find five variably distinct genetic groups, with one subspecies comprising two independent lineages that are geographically isolated and occur on different soil types. Phylogenetic analysis suggests two independent shifts between bird and insect pollination, with accompanying genetic divergence. However, for one pair of populations with different pollinators, we uncover several individuals of hybrid origin at a site of sympatry. These results suggest that floral differentiation driven by divergent selection acts in concert with geographic isolation to maintain reproductive isolation and promote speciation. Our investigations reveal a highly dynamic system whose diversity has been shaped by a variety of interacting forces. We suggest that such a system could be a model for much of the diversification of the Cape flora.

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Lead toxicosis remains a concern in raptors, especially following feeding on carcasses sourced from hunting. Rapid diagnosis of lead exposure and easy field monitoring is desirable. The LeadCareII analytical system, validated for rapid diagnoses of lead toxicity in humans, has been described as a useful evaluation system in various species. For this study we attempt to validate the LeadCareII system in the Cape Vulture (CV) (Gyps coprotheres). Blood samples from CV housed under captive conditions and low background lead exposure, were pooled and spiked with known concentrations of a lead standard (0-60 µg/dL). Samples were analyzed by the LeadCareII system and by ICP-MS. The final results showed that despite good linearity the LeadCareII system underestimated lead concentrations by up to 50 %. While the results can be corrected by the derived equation, this is not supported due to the large underestimations evident. The reason for the underestimation is presently unknown.

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BACKGROUND:  Administrative tasks are an increasing burden for primary care doctors globally and linked to burnout. Many tasks occur during consultations. They cause interruptions with possible effects on patients' and doctors' experiences and care. The burden and typology of interruptions of doctors in primary care consultations have not been studied in South Africa. Given the link between administrative loads and burnout, describing the extent of these interruptions would help. This study's aim was to assess the extent of interruptions on primary care doctors in the Western Cape. METHODS:  This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Doctors from rural and urban primary care clinics in the Western Cape answered an online self-administered survey on the types of interruptions experienced during consultations. Interruptions were categorised and their prevalence calculated. Clinical and non-clinical interruption categories were compared. RESULTS:  There were 201 consultations from 30 doctors. Most interruptions were from retrieving and recording the current patient's information (93.0%), paperwork for other patients (50.7%), and telephone calls about the current patient (41.8%). Other prevalent interruptions were for emergencies (39.8%) and acquiring consumables (37.3%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of four (2-4) interruption types per consultation was higher than global settings. CONCLUSION:  Doctors experienced many interruptions during consultations. Their wide range included interruptions unrelated to the current patient.Contribution: This study adds insights from the global south on clinicians' administrative burden. It elaborates on the types of activities that interrupt consultations in an upper-middle income primary care setting. Exploration of interventions to decrease this burden is suggested.

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In 2023, passive laboratory-based surveillance showed an increase in hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. We investigated hepatitis A incidence using the notifiable medical condition surveillance system (NMCSS) data and molecularly characterised positive blood samples from the Western Cape province for 2023. All HAV IgM seropositive cases from the NMCSS from 1 January to 31 October 2023 in South Africa were investigated. HAV RNA from blood samples that had tested positive for HAV IgM from Western Cape was amplified in the VP1/P2B junction and sequenced (3500Xl Genetic Analyser). Sequences were assembled, aligned (Sequencher) and analysed (Aliview 1.27 and MEGA11). Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and the CuSum2 Threshold to determine suspected outbreaks. In 2023, the incidence of HAV IgM was 6.28/100,000 in South Africa, with the highest incidence in Western Cape province (15.86/100,000). Children aged 5 to 14 years were affected the most in the Western Cape. The positive cases in the Western Cape were above the CuSum2 threshold from January to May 2023, with the highest incidence observed in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan (14.8/100,000). Genotyping was successfully performed on 92.7% (139/150) of serum samples, for which the IB sub-genotype was detected. Three primary mutations R63K, R71S and M104I were observed in more than 49% of the samples. Most of the samples sequenced belonged to patients residing in areas close to each other within the City of Cape Town Southern, Western, and Mitchells Plain sub-districts. The CuSum2 threshold method allowed the identification of suspected HAV outbreaks in the districts within the Western Cape in 2023 while genotyping identified clusters of sub-genotype IB. Genotyping could assist with determining the common source of infection during an outbreak, especially if coupled with epidemiological and geographical data. Further active surveillance can assist in investigating the HAV risk factors for targeted public health responses.

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Chronic wounds significantly impact the patients' quality of life, creating an urgent interdisciplinary clinical challenge. The development of novel agents capable of accelerating the healing process is essential. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has demonstrated positive effects on skin regeneration. However, its susceptibility to degradation limits its pharmaceutical application. Chemical modification of the structure improves the pharmacokinetics of this bioactive phenol. Hence, two novel series of CAPE hybrids were designed, synthesized, and investigated as potential skin regenerative agents. To enhance the stability and therapeutic efficacy, a caffeic acid frame was combined with quinolines or isoquinolines by an ester (1a-f) or an amide linkage (2a-f). The effects on cell viability of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and HaCaT cells were evaluated at different concentrations; they are not cytotoxic, and some proved to stimulate cell proliferation. The most promising compounds underwent a wound-healing assay in HGFs and HaCaT at the lowest concentrations. Antimicrobial antioxidant properties were also explored. The chemical and thermal stabilities of the best compounds were assessed. In silico predictions were employed to anticipate skin penetration capabilities. Our findings highlight the therapeutic potential of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) derivatives 1a and 1d as skin regenerative agents, being able to stimulate cell proliferation, control bacterial growth, regulate ROS levels, and being thermally and chemically stable. An interesting structure-activity relationship was discussed to suggest a promising multitargeted approach for enhanced wound healing.

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Recent advances in sequencing technology and phylogenetic methods allow us to solve puzzling taxonomic questions using detailed analyses of genetic diversity of populations and gene flow between them. The genus of solitary-living dune mole-rat, Bathyergus, is quite unique among six genera of African mole-rats. The animals are by far the largest and the only scratch digging mole-rat genus possessing a skull less adapted to digging, grooved upper incisors, and more surface locomotor activity. Most authors recognize two species of dune mole-rats, B. suillus and B. janetta, but according to others, the genus is monotypic. In addition, recent molecular studies have revealed cryptic genetic diversity and suggested the existence of up to four species. In our study, we used mitochondrial and genome-wide nuclear data collected throughout the distribution of the genus to investigate the number of species. In agreement with previous studies, we found Bathyergus to be differentiated into several distinct lineages, but we also found evidence for a degree of gene flow between some of them. Furthermore, we confirmed that B. janetta is nested within B. suillus, making the latter paraphyletic and we documented an instance of local mitochondrial introgression between these two nominal species. Phylogeographic structure of the genus was found to be very shallow. Although traditionally dated to the Miocene, we found the first split within the genus to be much younger estimated to 0.82 Ma before present. Genealogical distinctiveness of some lineages was very low, and the coancestry matrix showed extensive sharing of closely related haplotypes throughout the genus. Accordingly, Infomap clustering on the matrix showed all populations to form a single cluster. Overall, our study tends to support the existence of only one species of Bathyergus namely, B. suillus. Environmental niche modelling confirmed its dependence on sandy soils and the preference for soils with relatively high carbon content. Bayesian skyline plots indicate recent population decline in the janetta lineage, probably related to global environmental change.

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Detection and monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environments has become an increasingly higher priority of regulatory agencies as public concern for human intake of these chemicals continues to grow. While many methods utilize active sampling strategies ("grab samples") for precise PFAS quantitation, here we evaluate the efficacy of low-cost passive sampling devices (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking, or SPATTs) for spatial and temporal PFAS assessment of aquatic systems. For this study, passive samplers were initially deployed in North Carolina along the Cape Fear River during the summer and fall of 2016 and 2017. These were originally intended for the detection of microcystins and monitoring potentially harmful algal blooms, though this period also coincided with occurrences of PFAS discharge from a local fluorochemical manufacturer into the river. Additional samplers were then deployed in 2022 to evaluate changes in PFAS fingerprint and abundances. Assessment of PFAS showed legacy compounds were observed across almost all sampling sites over all 3 years (PFHxS, PFOS, PFHxA, etc.), while emerging replacement PFAS (e.g., Nafion byproducts) were predominantly localized downstream from the manufacturer. Furthermore, samplers deployed downstream from the manufacturer in 2022 noted sharp decreases in observed signal for replacement PFAS in comparison to samplers deployed in 2016 and 2017, indicating mitigation and remediation efforts in the area were able to reduce localized fluorochemical contamination.

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The Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, accommodating over 11 000 plant species, notable degree of endemism, and substantial diversification within limited plant lineages, a phenomenon ascribed to historical radiation events. While both abiotic and biotic factors contribute to this diversification, comprehensive genomic alterations, recognized as pivotal in the diversification of angiosperms, are perceived as uncommon. This investigation focuses on the genus Pteronia, a prominent representative of the Asteraceae family in the GCFR. Employing NGS-based HybSeq and RADSeq methodologies, flow cytometry, karyology, and ecological modeling, we scrutinize the intricacies of its polyploid evolution. Phylogenetic reconstructions using 951 low-copy nuclear genes confirm Pteronia as a well-supported, distinct clade within the tribe Astereae. The ingroup displays a structure indicative of rapid radiation likely antedating polyploid establishment, with the two main groups demarcated by their presence or absence in the fynbos biome. Genome size analysis encompasses 1293 individuals across 347 populations, elucidating significant variation ranging from 6.1 to 34.2 pg (2C-value). Pteronia demonstrates substantially large genome sizes within Astereae and phanerophytes. Polyploidy is identified in 31% of the studied species, with four discerned ploidy levels (2x, 4x, 6x, 8x). Cytotypes exhibit marked distinctions in environmental traits, influencing their distribution across biomes and augmenting their niche differentiation. These revelations challenge the presumed scarcity of polyploidy in the Cape flora, underscoring the imperative need for detailed population studies. The intricate evolutionary history of Pteronia, characterized by recent polyploidy and genome size variation, contributes substantially to the comprehension of diversification patterns within the GCFR biodiversity hotspot.

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South Africa faces the urgency to comprehensively understand and manage its methane (CH4) emissions. The primary aim of this study is to compare CH4 concentrations between Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga regions dominated by cattle farming and coal mining industries, respectively. CH4 concentration trends were analyzed for the period 2019 to 2023 using satellite data. Trend analysis revealed significant increasing trends in CH4 concentrations in both provinces, supported by Mann-Kendall tests that rejected the null hypothesis of no trend (Eastern Cape: p-value = 8.9018e-08 and Mpumalanga: p-value = 2.4650e-10). The Eastern Cape, a leading cattle farming province, exhibited cyclical patterns and increasing CH4 concentrations, while Mpumalanga, a major coal mining province, displayed similar increasing trends with sharper concentration points. The results show seasonal variations in CH4 concentrations in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces. High CH4 concentrations are observed in the northwestern region during the December-January-February (DJF) season, while lower concentrations are observed in the March-April-May (MAM) and June-July-August (JJA) seasons in the Eastern Cape province. In the Mpumalanga province, there is a dominance of high CH4 concentrations in southwestern regions and moderately low concentrations in the northeastern regions, observed consistently across all seasons. The study also showed an increasing CH4 concentration trend from 2019 to 2023 for both provinces. The study highlights the urgent need to address CH4 emissions from both cattle farming and coal mining activities to mitigate environmental impacts and promote sustainable development. Utilizing geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technologies, policymakers and stakeholders can identify and address the sources of CH4 emissions more effectively, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and sustainable resource management.

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INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis is a global health problem that causes 1. 4 million deaths every year. It has been estimated that sputum smear-negative diagnosis but culture-positive pulmonary TB diagnosis contribute to 12.6% of pulmonary TB transmission. TB diagnosis by smear microscopy smear has a minimum detection limit (LOD) of 5,000 to 10,000 bacilli per milliliter (CFU/ml) of sputum result in missed cases and false positives. However, GeneXpert technology, with a LOD of 131-250 CFU/ml in sputum samples and its implementation is believe to facilitate early detection TB and drug-resistant TB case. Since 2013, Ghana health Service (GHS) introduce GeneXpert MTB/RIF diagnostic in all regional hospitals in Ghana, however no assessment of performance between microscopy and GeneXpert TB diagnosis cross the health facilities has been reported. The study compared the results of routine diagnoses of TB by microscopy and Xpert MTB from 2016 to 2020 at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). METHODS: The study compared routine microscopic and GeneXpert TB diagnosis results at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) from 2016 to 2020 retrospectively. Briefly, sputum specimens were collected into 20 mL sterile screw-capped containers for each case of suspected TB infection and processed within 24 h. The samples were decontaminated using the NALC-NaOH method with the final NaOH concentration of 1%. The supernatants were discarded after the centrifuge and the remaining pellets dissolved in 1-1.5 ml of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and used for diagnosis. A fixed smears were Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast stain and observed under microscope and the remainings were used for GeneXpert MTB/RIF diagnosis. The data were analyze using GraphPad Prism. RESULTS: 50.11% (48.48-51.38%) were females with an odd ratio (95% CI) of 1.004 (0.944-1.069) more likely to report to the TB clinic for suspected TB diagnosis. The smear-positive cases for the first sputum were 6.6% (5.98-7.25%), and the second sputum was 6.07% (5.45-6.73%). The Xpert MTB-RIF diagnosis detected 2.93% (10/341) (1.42-5.33%) in the first and 5.44% (16/294) (3.14-8.69%) in the second smear-negative TB samples. The prevalence of Xpert MTB-RIF across smear positive showed that males had 56.87% (178/313) and 56.15% (137/244) and females had 43.13% (135/313) and 43.85% (107/244) for the first and second sputum. Also, false negative smears were 0.18% (10/5607) for smear 1 and 0.31% (16/5126) for smear 2. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study highlights the higher sensitivity of the GeneXpert assay compared to traditional smear microscopy for detecting MTB. The GeneXpert assay identified 10 and 16 positive MTB from smear 1 and smear 2 samples which were microscopic negative.

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The main reason cited for the low participation rate in indexed insurance in Africa is the lack of farmers' involvement in the initial conception. The main aim of this article was, therefore, to design an improved participatory methodology that would help farmers in South Africa gather information on the value they place in new crop insurance initiatives based on weather indices. The main objective of this study was to determine their willingness to pay (WTP) crop insurance in the Eastern Cape. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, and the respondents were selected by using a probability sampling procedure. A sample of 150 respondents was selected. The results from descriptive statistics showed that 62% of the smallholder irrigation scheme farmers were between 52 and above years of age, male and female: 87% and 13%, respectively. The results from the probit model revealed that out of nine variables included in the model, only four namely, logAge square, gender, marital status and age were significantly influencing the WTP index-based crop insurance at 1%, 5% and 10%, respectively. However, age was found to reduce the chances of participating in crop-based insurance. A large proportion of those who were willing to pay insurance had not previously experienced losses because of natural hazards. Therefore, it recommended that the government should use existing extension officers to educate the farmers and promote the importance and benefits of insurance products. Contribution: The results are expected to contribute to the local government to improve disaster resilience through strengthening regional financial funding.