As a Burundian doctoral student at Nanjing University,my personal journey is closely intertwined with China’s development in the new era and the deepening China-Africa partnership.Recently,my experiences have given m...As a Burundian doctoral student at Nanjing University,my personal journey is closely intertwined with China’s development in the new era and the deepening China-Africa partnership.Recently,my experiences have given me a deeper appreciation of the importance of people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa.展开更多
African Aviation continues to fall short of serving the demands of the fast-growing African population. For major air transport in and out of the African continent, African travellers rely mainly on non-African Airlin...African Aviation continues to fall short of serving the demands of the fast-growing African population. For major air transport in and out of the African continent, African travellers rely mainly on non-African Airlines. There is, however, one successful airline on the continent at the writing of this paper: Ethiopian Airlines and the Ethiopian Aviation Group. Why are no further successful airlines possible on a continent of 1.4 billion people (25% of the world’s population) and only a 2%-share of global air transport? At the introduction of SAATM, which is anticipated as the start of the domestic African aviation boom, most African countries seem unprepared to build a success story like Ethiopia. Transportation infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa does not start with roads and rail but with runways and airlines. This research investigates the basic requirements needed to equip Africa with a competitive aviation industry that would contribute some 5% to the continent’s GDP and create hundreds of thousands of workplaces. Interviews with African SAATM leaders signal a slowdown in the effort to succeed. The research is also concerned about the lack of inclusion in the implementation of a NetZero CO2 emission scheme in Africa.展开更多
Although African swine fever(ASF) has been prevalent for more than a century, it remains the number one swine disease that seriously endangers the global pig industry, and there is no effective means of prevention and...Although African swine fever(ASF) has been prevalent for more than a century, it remains the number one swine disease that seriously endangers the global pig industry, and there is no effective means of prevention and treatment(Wang et al. 2023). Due to its enormous economic and social impact, it is listed as a notifiable animal disease by the World Organization for Animal Health(Costard et al. 2013). Although ASF has been present in Sub-Saharan Africa since its first discovery in Kenya.展开更多
African swine fever(ASF),caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV),has brought enormous economic loss and represents a major threat to the global pig industry(Vergne et al.2017).ASFVs are divided into 24 genotypes...African swine fever(ASF),caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV),has brought enormous economic loss and represents a major threat to the global pig industry(Vergne et al.2017).ASFVs are divided into 24 genotypes based on their B646L gene,with only genotypes Ⅰ and Ⅱ circulating globally(Dixon et al.2019).展开更多
Purpose:This paper examines African Journals Online(AJOL)as a bibliometric resource,providing a structured dataset of journal and publication metadata.In addition,it integrates AJOL data with OpenAlex to enhance metad...Purpose:This paper examines African Journals Online(AJOL)as a bibliometric resource,providing a structured dataset of journal and publication metadata.In addition,it integrates AJOL data with OpenAlex to enhance metadata coverage and improve interoperability with other bibliometric sources.Design/methodology/approach:The journal list and publications indexed in AJOL were retrieved using web scraping techniques.This paper details the database construction process,highlighting its strengths and limitations,and presents a descriptive analysis of AJOL’s indexed journals and publications.Findings:The publication analysis demonstrates a steady growth in the number of publications over time but reveals significant disparities in their distribution across African countries.This paper presents an example of the possibility of integrating both sources using author country data from OpenAlex.The analysis of author contributions reveals that African journals serve as both regional and international venues,confirming that African journals play a dual role in fostering both regional and global research engagement.Research limitations:While AJOL contains relevant information for identifying and providing insights about African publications and journals,its metadata are limited.Therefore,the kind of analysis that can be performed with the database presented here is also limited.The integration with OpenAlex aims to overcome some of the limitations.Finally,although some automatic citation procedures have been performed,the metadata has not been manually curated.Therefore,if errors or inaccuracies are present in the AJOL,they may be reproduced in this database.Practical implications:The database introduced in this article contributes to the accessibility of African scholarly publications by providing structured,accessible metadata derived from the AJOL.It facilitates bibliometric analyses that are more representative of African research activities.This contribution complements ongoing efforts to develop alternative data sources and infrastructure that better reflect the diversity of global knowledge production.Originality/value:This paper presents a novel database for bibliometric analysis and offers a detailed report of the retrieval and construction procedures.The inclusion of matched data with OpenAlex further enhances the database’s utility.By showcasing AJOL’s potential,this study contributes to the broader goal of fostering inclusivity and improving the representation of African research in global bibliometric analyses.展开更多
This study explores the epistemic imperative to decolonize African education systems by centering indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu and introducing the Ubuntu Pedagogy as a pedagogical model.Ubuntu pedagogy trans...This study explores the epistemic imperative to decolonize African education systems by centering indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu and introducing the Ubuntu Pedagogy as a pedagogical model.Ubuntu pedagogy transforms teacher-learner relationships,it provides a replicable model for relational learning,community partnerships,and reassert the dignity of indigenous epistemologies.The paper examines how language,knowledge production,and pedagogy can be restructured to reflect African epistemologies and educational sovereignty.This research also explores the relationship between mother tongue instruction and cognitive access to learning.Through a qualitative literature analysis of case studies and African scholarly discourse,this paper highlights the continued marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems and the need to embed culturally relevant teaching methodologies.The findings support the broader question of whether there exists an epistemological base for knowledge independence or production within African and Afro-Diasporic contexts,revealing culturally coherent frameworks of learning that resist colonial dominance and an exploration of reclaiming African indigenous knowledge systems for educational and cultural sovereignty.展开更多
Introduction: Obstetric Fistulas (OF) constitute a major public health problem in developing countries in general and in Central African Republic (CAR) in particular because of its numerous consequences. The objective...Introduction: Obstetric Fistulas (OF) constitute a major public health problem in developing countries in general and in Central African Republic (CAR) in particular because of its numerous consequences. The objective of this work is to contribute to the management of OF cases in CAR. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study, including data from several OF care services. The study included 245 cases of OF, operated on from 2009 to 2018. The parameters studied were maternal and obstetrical data, sociodemographic data, the specific characteristics of the fistulas as well as the modalities and outcome of surgical treatment. The data collected came from six (6) OF surgical repair campaigns organized by the Ministry of Health and Population with the support of UNFPA. Results: We recorded 245 patients, representing a prevalence of 0.77% of OF per year. Among these patients, almost half (45.3%) were treated at the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital Center (CHUASC). The average age of the patients was 30 years (range 14 to 78 years). They were unschooled (53.9%) and primigravidas (35%). The fistulas had an average duration of evolution of 7.58 years. They were vesicovaginal in 25.3%. Types V and I dominated in 17.4% and 9.2%, respectively. In 85.9% of cases, fistulorrhaphy was performed, half of which (50.2%) via the upper route. The cure rate was 83.3%. Note that our study reveals statistically significant links between the evolution after surgery with age (p = 0.04 Conclusion: OF mainly affected women of childbearing age, uneducated, primiparous. Vesicovaginal fistula was the frequently encountered type and was manifested by urine loss clinically with a positive methylene blue test.展开更多
BACKGROUND The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer(EOCRC,<45 years of age at onset)is on the rise among adults,including African Americans(AA).AIM To examine differences between EOCRC and late-onset colorect...BACKGROUND The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer(EOCRC,<45 years of age at onset)is on the rise among adults,including African Americans(AA).AIM To examine differences between EOCRC and late-onset colorectal cancer(LOCRC)among AA patients and any effect during coronavirus disease(COVID)by comparing data during pre-COVID(2015-2019)and the COVID era(2020-2023).METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of Howard University Hospital records from 2015 to 2023 for colorectal cancer patients that included demographics,clinicals,pathology,and colonoscopy records.A three-year interval analysis was performed to compare post-COVID era(2020-2023)to preceding years to discern temporal trends.RESULTS The study included 138 LOCRC and 13 EOCRC cases of which>80%of patients were AA.Compared to pre-COVID,LOCRC cases increased in number from 55 to 83,and EOCRC cases increased from 6 to 7 during COVID.There was no change in mean age for LOCRC(64.7 years vs 65.3 years)but mean age increased for EOCRC(37.3 years vs 41.5 years).Males predominated in both groups particularly during the pandemic.More than 65%of LOCRC patient colonoscopies were for diagnostic purposes.Gastrointestinal bleeding as a colonoscopy indication and reduced bowel preparation quality were increased during the pandemic.EOCRC patients showed a shift from stage 4(49.2%)to stage 2(30%)and LOCRC patients staging trends changed from stage 4(40%)to stage 3(28.6%).CONCLUSION We report increase in colorectal cancer cases during the COVID-19 era,especially among young AA males.EOCRC and LOCRC patients showed distal location predominance,most commonly in recto-sigmoid region.The decrease in staging or metastasis,which might be due to growing awareness and earlier detection among patients.展开更多
The just-concluded sessions of the National People’s Congress(NPC)and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC),known as Two Sessions,represent excellent opportunities t...The just-concluded sessions of the National People’s Congress(NPC)and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC),known as Two Sessions,represent excellent opportunities to observe how China functions.During the events,five African experts shared with ChinAfrica their perspectives on topics of their interest,excerpts of which follow.展开更多
There has been growing attention to transnational and trans-regional infrastructure cooperation in Africa in recent years.Given that development on the continent has long been plagued by poor infrastructure,trans-regi...There has been growing attention to transnational and trans-regional infrastructure cooperation in Africa in recent years.Given that development on the continent has long been plagued by poor infrastructure,trans-regional cooperation is viewed as both a driving force and a catalyst for African integration.To promote African integration and the construction of the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA),the African Union(AU)has expedited the implementation of the second ten-year plan under its Agenda 2063,which includes advancing the Second Priority Action Plan(PAP II)under the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa(PIDA).To consolidate and enhance strategic interests and influence in Africa,Western countries represented by the European Union and the United States have proposed new infrastructure investment plans for Africa,including initiatives such as the Global Gateway and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment(PGII).These efforts focus on increasing strategic investments in development and strategically important corridors like the Lobito Corridor,intending to strengthen competition with China’s Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).展开更多
Struik Nature The book celebrates the remarkable diversity and beauty of indigenous trees,o"ering an engaging exploration of their fascinating world.Divided into two sections,the book delves into both the intrica...Struik Nature The book celebrates the remarkable diversity and beauty of indigenous trees,o"ering an engaging exploration of their fascinating world.Divided into two sections,the book delves into both the intricate biology of trees and the unique characteristics of specific species,complemented by stunning photographs.展开更多
African traditional medicine is characterized by its rich ethnobotanical heritage,diverse healing practices,and the integration of different culture influences.Similarly,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is deeply root...African traditional medicine is characterized by its rich ethnobotanical heritage,diverse healing practices,and the integration of different culture influences.Similarly,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is deeply rooted in ancient philosophies,emphasizing balance,holistic diagnostics,and herbal formulations.Despite their geographical distance,both systems share historical and cultural parallels,particularly in their therapeutic principles,use of natural remedies,and holistic approaches to health.Combining these two medical traditions would offer a comprehensive perspective on healing,particularly through herbal medicine,diagnostic methods,and variations in preparation techniques and applications.As an example,Tetraena gaetula is a perennial plant endemic to the arid and semi-arid regions of Morocco,widely used in local medicine to treat diabetes,dermatological conditions,and liver,kidney,and stomach ailments,as well as in veterinary care.The unique properties of Tetraena gaetula could enhance research on multi-faceted approaches of Chinese medicine including herbal methodologies and local applications,contributing to the development of innovative medicines or therapies that integrate the strengths of both traditions.This paper explores potential strategies for integrating African traditional medicine and TCM,highlighting both the opportunities-such as the potential for new medicine discoveries,expanded treatment options,and cross-cultural knowledge exchange-and the challenges,including differences in regulatory frameworks,scientific validation,and the preservation of traditional knowledge.展开更多
This paper is composed of two parts,respectively prepared by Prof.Jerry Ward,Jr.on Oct 6,2021,for an online lecture to the faculty members and graduates of Central China Normal University,and on May 22,2019,as a contr...This paper is composed of two parts,respectively prepared by Prof.Jerry Ward,Jr.on Oct 6,2021,for an online lecture to the faculty members and graduates of Central China Normal University,and on May 22,2019,as a contribution to our journal of Foreign Language and Literature Research.Prof.Ward provides rich insights into the African American literature in the 21st century by exploring continuity and change,and the key features of the ongoing production,especially by referring to five 21st-century writers.Meanwhile Prof.Ward revisits the literary history of USA and casts new light on African American literature from the perspectives of ethos and ethnos.Thus this paper demonstrates some thought-provoking explorations into the major issues the studies of African American literature is confronted in the new century.展开更多
African cultivated rice(Oryza glaberrima)was domesticated from its wild progenitor,Oryza barthii.The transition from long-awn to short-awn or awnless glumes was an important evolutionary event during domestication.A Q...African cultivated rice(Oryza glaberrima)was domesticated from its wild progenitor,Oryza barthii.The transition from long-awn to short-awn or awnless glumes was an important evolutionary event during domestication.A QTL analysis of 331 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)using 194 InDel markers identified five quantitative trait loci(QTL)associated with awn length.Locus qObAwn5 made the highest contribution in regulating awn length and was fine-mapped to a 260-kb genomic interval.RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses,combined with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout that disruption of gene G12 caused a significant reduction in awn length indicating that G12 was ObAwn5.Genomic analysis revealed a large structural variation(SV)between W1411 and IRGC104165 within this region,characterized by an inversion and two large deletions.Population genomic analyses revealed that all the cultivated African accessions exhibit a domestication-like(Dom-like)pattern,whereas non-cultivated accessions consisted of two distinct types:W1050-like and W1411-like.The W1411-like type was exclusively found in the AA genome of African wild rice.This discovery of ObAwn5 newly substantiates the independent origin of African cultivated rice.展开更多
How a Tanzanian entrepreneur turned lessons from China into a sustainable farming solution back home At the National Agricultural Exhibition in Tanzania’s Dodoma Region in August 2024,one product stood out among hund...How a Tanzanian entrepreneur turned lessons from China into a sustainable farming solution back home At the National Agricultural Exhibition in Tanzania’s Dodoma Region in August 2024,one product stood out among hundreds:bio-genic fertiliser.Visitors,including farmers,researchers and government o"cials,were intrigued by its promise.展开更多
The African Great Green Wall Initiative(GGWI)is an ambitious transcontinental program aimed at halting desertification,restoring degraded lands,and improving livelihoods across the Sahel region.Despite its transformat...The African Great Green Wall Initiative(GGWI)is an ambitious transcontinental program aimed at halting desertification,restoring degraded lands,and improving livelihoods across the Sahel region.Despite its transformative vision,the initiative has encountered technical,financial,and governance challenges.In recent years,China’s involvement-drawing from its extensive experience with the Three-North Shelterbelt Program and integrated desertification control-has introduced a new model of South-South cooperation.Through adaptive technologies,capacity building,and co-developed community-based strategies in Mauritania,Ethiopia,and Nigeria,Chinese partners have provided tangible contributions to Africa’s ecological restoration.This article documents these collaborative stories and argues that China’s ecological governance framework is shaping a new paradigm for global environmental development.展开更多
African swine fever virus(ASFV)pB318L is an important protein for viral replication that acts as a membrane-bound trans-geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase(GGPPS)catalyzing the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate(...African swine fever virus(ASFV)pB318L is an important protein for viral replication that acts as a membrane-bound trans-geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase(GGPPS)catalyzing the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate(IPP)with allylic diphosphates.Recently we solved the crystal structure pB318L lacking N-terminal transmembrane region and performed a preliminary structural analysis.In this study,structure-based mutagenesis study and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate(GGPP)production assay further revealed the key residues for the GGPPS activity.Structural comparison showed pB318L displays a strong similarity to typical GGPPSs instead of protein prenyltransferases.The phylogenetic analysis indicated pB318L may share a common ancestor with the GGPPSs from Brassicaceae plants rather than from its natural host.The subcellular localization analysis showed pB318L is localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm(including the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and mitochondria outer membrane).A unique N-terminal nuclear localization signal(NLS)following the transmembrane region was discovered in pB318L and the NLS was confirmed to be required for the nuclear import.We further revealed the NLS plays an essential role in the interaction with nuclear transporter karyopherin subunit alpha 1(KPNA1).Their interaction may suppress signal transducers and activators of transcription 1(STAT1)translocation and subsequently competitively inhibit nuclear import of IFNstimulated gene factor 3(ISGF3)complex.Our biochemical,structural and cellular analyses provide novel insights to pB318L that acts as an essential GGPPS that promotes viral replication and as a nuclear import protein that may be involved in immune evasion of ASFV.展开更多
African swine fever(ASF)is an acute,hemorrhagic,and highly contagious disease in pigs caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV).Our previous studies have demonstrated that deletion of the MGF360-9L gene weakens AS...African swine fever(ASF)is an acute,hemorrhagic,and highly contagious disease in pigs caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV).Our previous studies have demonstrated that deletion of the MGF360-9L gene weakens ASFV virulence in pigs,yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear.To investigate the mechanism of MGF360-9L regulating ASFV pathogenicity,the relationship between MGF360-9L and host proteins was identified by mass spectrometry.We found that host protein DEAD-box helicase 20(DDX20)interacted with and colocalized with MGF360-9L.Overexpression of DDX20 inhibited ASFV replication,whereas knockdown of DDX20 had the opposite effects.Moreover,DDX20 inhibited ASFV replication by promoting the activation of type I interferon signaling.Surprisingly,DDX20 was gradually degraded following ASFV infection.Mechanistically,MGF360-9L promoted the autophagic degradation of DDX20 by recruiting autophagy-related protein Ras-related protein Rab-1A(Rab1A).Silencing Rab1A suppressed ASFV replication,while overexpression of Rab1A exhibited the opposite effects.Furthermore,Rab1A,MGF360-9L and DDX20 could form a complex to facilitate the degradation of DDX20.Knockdown of Rab1A impaired MGF360-9L-mediated degradation of DDX20 during ASFV infection.In summary,our study demonstrates that MGF360-9L targets DDX20 for autophagy degradation to antagonize its antiviral function and facilitate ASFV replication.This finding broadens our understanding of the regulatory network between ASFV and its host,and provides new insights into the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of ASFV.展开更多
In sub-Saharan Africa, foodborne Salmonella infections cause around 680,000 deaths per year. The evolutionary aspects of the incidence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains no longer seem to attract much inte...In sub-Saharan Africa, foodborne Salmonella infections cause around 680,000 deaths per year. The evolutionary aspects of the incidence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains no longer seem to attract much interest in the Central African Republic (CAR), although salmonellosis remains a health problem requiring national and international surveillance. Methodology: The study conducted at the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health, Bangui, Central African Republic (LNBCSP) was a retrospective descriptive study. The study duration was five years (January 2019 to December 2023). The study sample consisted of patients who underwent bacteriological testing of stool, blood and urine samples for Salmonella at the LNBCSP in Bangui during this period. Study variables were age, sex, year and bacteriological test results. Statistical tests were used to compare incidences. Relative risks (RR) were calculated to measure the degree of association. Results: From 2019 to 2023, we recorded 353 Salmonella strains, of which 5% were found in blood, 37% in urine and 58% in stool. Patient age ranged from 1 to 86 years, with a mean of 27 ± 22.05 years and a mode of 5 years. Children aged 0 to 14 years (34%) and females (55.81%) predominated. The highest rate of contamination by Salmonella strains was 1.69% in 2022. The overall incidence of salmonellosis was 6.72 in 2019, 7.05 in 2020, 6.91 in 2021, 16.9 in 2022 and 6.26 in 2023 per 1000 samples. Resistance was 30.47% to β_lactam antibiotics, 24.22% to fluroquinolones and 37.97% to Salmonella spp. For Salmonella arizonae strains, resistance was 20.25% to aminoglycosides, 43.67% to chloramphenicol and 7.59% to imipenem. Conclusion: Laboratory-based surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains is needed in both human and veterinary medicine. Another study based on molecular characterization will identify new antibiotic-resistant variants circulating in CAR.展开更多
文摘As a Burundian doctoral student at Nanjing University,my personal journey is closely intertwined with China’s development in the new era and the deepening China-Africa partnership.Recently,my experiences have given me a deeper appreciation of the importance of people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa.
文摘African Aviation continues to fall short of serving the demands of the fast-growing African population. For major air transport in and out of the African continent, African travellers rely mainly on non-African Airlines. There is, however, one successful airline on the continent at the writing of this paper: Ethiopian Airlines and the Ethiopian Aviation Group. Why are no further successful airlines possible on a continent of 1.4 billion people (25% of the world’s population) and only a 2%-share of global air transport? At the introduction of SAATM, which is anticipated as the start of the domestic African aviation boom, most African countries seem unprepared to build a success story like Ethiopia. Transportation infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa does not start with roads and rail but with runways and airlines. This research investigates the basic requirements needed to equip Africa with a competitive aviation industry that would contribute some 5% to the continent’s GDP and create hundreds of thousands of workplaces. Interviews with African SAATM leaders signal a slowdown in the effort to succeed. The research is also concerned about the lack of inclusion in the implementation of a NetZero CO2 emission scheme in Africa.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFD1800100)the earmarked fund for China Agriculture Research System (CARS-35)。
文摘Although African swine fever(ASF) has been prevalent for more than a century, it remains the number one swine disease that seriously endangers the global pig industry, and there is no effective means of prevention and treatment(Wang et al. 2023). Due to its enormous economic and social impact, it is listed as a notifiable animal disease by the World Organization for Animal Health(Costard et al. 2013). Although ASF has been present in Sub-Saharan Africa since its first discovery in Kenya.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China(31925036 and 32025034)the Shandong Provincial Key R&D Program,China(2021LZGC001)+3 种基金the Biological Breeding-Major Projects,Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(2023ZD04074 and 2023ZD0404604)the Special Project of Longhu Laboratory,China(LHLab_ZD20230012)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32230100,32330099 and 32201257)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0509503,2022YFF0710703,2021YFA0805902 and 2022XAGG0121,2022YFF1002803).
文摘African swine fever(ASF),caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV),has brought enormous economic loss and represents a major threat to the global pig industry(Vergne et al.2017).ASFVs are divided into 24 genotypes based on their B646L gene,with only genotypes Ⅰ and Ⅱ circulating globally(Dixon et al.2019).
基金supported by a PIPF contract of the Madrid Education,Science and Universities Office(grant number:PIPF-2022/PH-HUM-25403).
文摘Purpose:This paper examines African Journals Online(AJOL)as a bibliometric resource,providing a structured dataset of journal and publication metadata.In addition,it integrates AJOL data with OpenAlex to enhance metadata coverage and improve interoperability with other bibliometric sources.Design/methodology/approach:The journal list and publications indexed in AJOL were retrieved using web scraping techniques.This paper details the database construction process,highlighting its strengths and limitations,and presents a descriptive analysis of AJOL’s indexed journals and publications.Findings:The publication analysis demonstrates a steady growth in the number of publications over time but reveals significant disparities in their distribution across African countries.This paper presents an example of the possibility of integrating both sources using author country data from OpenAlex.The analysis of author contributions reveals that African journals serve as both regional and international venues,confirming that African journals play a dual role in fostering both regional and global research engagement.Research limitations:While AJOL contains relevant information for identifying and providing insights about African publications and journals,its metadata are limited.Therefore,the kind of analysis that can be performed with the database presented here is also limited.The integration with OpenAlex aims to overcome some of the limitations.Finally,although some automatic citation procedures have been performed,the metadata has not been manually curated.Therefore,if errors or inaccuracies are present in the AJOL,they may be reproduced in this database.Practical implications:The database introduced in this article contributes to the accessibility of African scholarly publications by providing structured,accessible metadata derived from the AJOL.It facilitates bibliometric analyses that are more representative of African research activities.This contribution complements ongoing efforts to develop alternative data sources and infrastructure that better reflect the diversity of global knowledge production.Originality/value:This paper presents a novel database for bibliometric analysis and offers a detailed report of the retrieval and construction procedures.The inclusion of matched data with OpenAlex further enhances the database’s utility.By showcasing AJOL’s potential,this study contributes to the broader goal of fostering inclusivity and improving the representation of African research in global bibliometric analyses.
文摘This study explores the epistemic imperative to decolonize African education systems by centering indigenous philosophies such as Ubuntu and introducing the Ubuntu Pedagogy as a pedagogical model.Ubuntu pedagogy transforms teacher-learner relationships,it provides a replicable model for relational learning,community partnerships,and reassert the dignity of indigenous epistemologies.The paper examines how language,knowledge production,and pedagogy can be restructured to reflect African epistemologies and educational sovereignty.This research also explores the relationship between mother tongue instruction and cognitive access to learning.Through a qualitative literature analysis of case studies and African scholarly discourse,this paper highlights the continued marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems and the need to embed culturally relevant teaching methodologies.The findings support the broader question of whether there exists an epistemological base for knowledge independence or production within African and Afro-Diasporic contexts,revealing culturally coherent frameworks of learning that resist colonial dominance and an exploration of reclaiming African indigenous knowledge systems for educational and cultural sovereignty.
文摘Introduction: Obstetric Fistulas (OF) constitute a major public health problem in developing countries in general and in Central African Republic (CAR) in particular because of its numerous consequences. The objective of this work is to contribute to the management of OF cases in CAR. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study, including data from several OF care services. The study included 245 cases of OF, operated on from 2009 to 2018. The parameters studied were maternal and obstetrical data, sociodemographic data, the specific characteristics of the fistulas as well as the modalities and outcome of surgical treatment. The data collected came from six (6) OF surgical repair campaigns organized by the Ministry of Health and Population with the support of UNFPA. Results: We recorded 245 patients, representing a prevalence of 0.77% of OF per year. Among these patients, almost half (45.3%) were treated at the Sino-Central African Friendship University Hospital Center (CHUASC). The average age of the patients was 30 years (range 14 to 78 years). They were unschooled (53.9%) and primigravidas (35%). The fistulas had an average duration of evolution of 7.58 years. They were vesicovaginal in 25.3%. Types V and I dominated in 17.4% and 9.2%, respectively. In 85.9% of cases, fistulorrhaphy was performed, half of which (50.2%) via the upper route. The cure rate was 83.3%. Note that our study reveals statistically significant links between the evolution after surgery with age (p = 0.04 Conclusion: OF mainly affected women of childbearing age, uneducated, primiparous. Vesicovaginal fistula was the frequently encountered type and was manifested by urine loss clinically with a positive methylene blue test.
文摘BACKGROUND The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer(EOCRC,<45 years of age at onset)is on the rise among adults,including African Americans(AA).AIM To examine differences between EOCRC and late-onset colorectal cancer(LOCRC)among AA patients and any effect during coronavirus disease(COVID)by comparing data during pre-COVID(2015-2019)and the COVID era(2020-2023).METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of Howard University Hospital records from 2015 to 2023 for colorectal cancer patients that included demographics,clinicals,pathology,and colonoscopy records.A three-year interval analysis was performed to compare post-COVID era(2020-2023)to preceding years to discern temporal trends.RESULTS The study included 138 LOCRC and 13 EOCRC cases of which>80%of patients were AA.Compared to pre-COVID,LOCRC cases increased in number from 55 to 83,and EOCRC cases increased from 6 to 7 during COVID.There was no change in mean age for LOCRC(64.7 years vs 65.3 years)but mean age increased for EOCRC(37.3 years vs 41.5 years).Males predominated in both groups particularly during the pandemic.More than 65%of LOCRC patient colonoscopies were for diagnostic purposes.Gastrointestinal bleeding as a colonoscopy indication and reduced bowel preparation quality were increased during the pandemic.EOCRC patients showed a shift from stage 4(49.2%)to stage 2(30%)and LOCRC patients staging trends changed from stage 4(40%)to stage 3(28.6%).CONCLUSION We report increase in colorectal cancer cases during the COVID-19 era,especially among young AA males.EOCRC and LOCRC patients showed distal location predominance,most commonly in recto-sigmoid region.The decrease in staging or metastasis,which might be due to growing awareness and earlier detection among patients.
文摘The just-concluded sessions of the National People’s Congress(NPC)and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC),known as Two Sessions,represent excellent opportunities to observe how China functions.During the events,five African experts shared with ChinAfrica their perspectives on topics of their interest,excerpts of which follow.
文摘There has been growing attention to transnational and trans-regional infrastructure cooperation in Africa in recent years.Given that development on the continent has long been plagued by poor infrastructure,trans-regional cooperation is viewed as both a driving force and a catalyst for African integration.To promote African integration and the construction of the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA),the African Union(AU)has expedited the implementation of the second ten-year plan under its Agenda 2063,which includes advancing the Second Priority Action Plan(PAP II)under the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa(PIDA).To consolidate and enhance strategic interests and influence in Africa,Western countries represented by the European Union and the United States have proposed new infrastructure investment plans for Africa,including initiatives such as the Global Gateway and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment(PGII).These efforts focus on increasing strategic investments in development and strategically important corridors like the Lobito Corridor,intending to strengthen competition with China’s Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).
文摘Struik Nature The book celebrates the remarkable diversity and beauty of indigenous trees,o"ering an engaging exploration of their fascinating world.Divided into two sections,the book delves into both the intricate biology of trees and the unique characteristics of specific species,complemented by stunning photographs.
文摘African traditional medicine is characterized by its rich ethnobotanical heritage,diverse healing practices,and the integration of different culture influences.Similarly,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is deeply rooted in ancient philosophies,emphasizing balance,holistic diagnostics,and herbal formulations.Despite their geographical distance,both systems share historical and cultural parallels,particularly in their therapeutic principles,use of natural remedies,and holistic approaches to health.Combining these two medical traditions would offer a comprehensive perspective on healing,particularly through herbal medicine,diagnostic methods,and variations in preparation techniques and applications.As an example,Tetraena gaetula is a perennial plant endemic to the arid and semi-arid regions of Morocco,widely used in local medicine to treat diabetes,dermatological conditions,and liver,kidney,and stomach ailments,as well as in veterinary care.The unique properties of Tetraena gaetula could enhance research on multi-faceted approaches of Chinese medicine including herbal methodologies and local applications,contributing to the development of innovative medicines or therapies that integrate the strengths of both traditions.This paper explores potential strategies for integrating African traditional medicine and TCM,highlighting both the opportunities-such as the potential for new medicine discoveries,expanded treatment options,and cross-cultural knowledge exchange-and the challenges,including differences in regulatory frameworks,scientific validation,and the preservation of traditional knowledge.
文摘This paper is composed of two parts,respectively prepared by Prof.Jerry Ward,Jr.on Oct 6,2021,for an online lecture to the faculty members and graduates of Central China Normal University,and on May 22,2019,as a contribution to our journal of Foreign Language and Literature Research.Prof.Ward provides rich insights into the African American literature in the 21st century by exploring continuity and change,and the key features of the ongoing production,especially by referring to five 21st-century writers.Meanwhile Prof.Ward revisits the literary history of USA and casts new light on African American literature from the perspectives of ethos and ethnos.Thus this paper demonstrates some thought-provoking explorations into the major issues the studies of African American literature is confronted in the new century.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31925029,32401815)
文摘African cultivated rice(Oryza glaberrima)was domesticated from its wild progenitor,Oryza barthii.The transition from long-awn to short-awn or awnless glumes was an important evolutionary event during domestication.A QTL analysis of 331 recombinant inbred lines(RILs)using 194 InDel markers identified five quantitative trait loci(QTL)associated with awn length.Locus qObAwn5 made the highest contribution in regulating awn length and was fine-mapped to a 260-kb genomic interval.RNA-seq and RT-qPCR analyses,combined with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout that disruption of gene G12 caused a significant reduction in awn length indicating that G12 was ObAwn5.Genomic analysis revealed a large structural variation(SV)between W1411 and IRGC104165 within this region,characterized by an inversion and two large deletions.Population genomic analyses revealed that all the cultivated African accessions exhibit a domestication-like(Dom-like)pattern,whereas non-cultivated accessions consisted of two distinct types:W1050-like and W1411-like.The W1411-like type was exclusively found in the AA genome of African wild rice.This discovery of ObAwn5 newly substantiates the independent origin of African cultivated rice.
文摘How a Tanzanian entrepreneur turned lessons from China into a sustainable farming solution back home At the National Agricultural Exhibition in Tanzania’s Dodoma Region in August 2024,one product stood out among hundreds:bio-genic fertiliser.Visitors,including farmers,researchers and government o"cials,were intrigued by its promise.
文摘The African Great Green Wall Initiative(GGWI)is an ambitious transcontinental program aimed at halting desertification,restoring degraded lands,and improving livelihoods across the Sahel region.Despite its transformative vision,the initiative has encountered technical,financial,and governance challenges.In recent years,China’s involvement-drawing from its extensive experience with the Three-North Shelterbelt Program and integrated desertification control-has introduced a new model of South-South cooperation.Through adaptive technologies,capacity building,and co-developed community-based strategies in Mauritania,Ethiopia,and Nigeria,Chinese partners have provided tangible contributions to Africa’s ecological restoration.This article documents these collaborative stories and argues that China’s ecological governance framework is shaping a new paradigm for global environmental development.
基金supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China to Heng Zhang(31970152)the Strategic Priority Research Program of CAS to Yu-Hui Dong(XDB37040302)the CAS Emergency Research Project on African Swine Fever to Yu-Hui Dong(Grant KJZDSW-L06-01).
文摘African swine fever virus(ASFV)pB318L is an important protein for viral replication that acts as a membrane-bound trans-geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase(GGPPS)catalyzing the condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate(IPP)with allylic diphosphates.Recently we solved the crystal structure pB318L lacking N-terminal transmembrane region and performed a preliminary structural analysis.In this study,structure-based mutagenesis study and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate(GGPP)production assay further revealed the key residues for the GGPPS activity.Structural comparison showed pB318L displays a strong similarity to typical GGPPSs instead of protein prenyltransferases.The phylogenetic analysis indicated pB318L may share a common ancestor with the GGPPSs from Brassicaceae plants rather than from its natural host.The subcellular localization analysis showed pB318L is localized in both nucleus and cytoplasm(including the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and mitochondria outer membrane).A unique N-terminal nuclear localization signal(NLS)following the transmembrane region was discovered in pB318L and the NLS was confirmed to be required for the nuclear import.We further revealed the NLS plays an essential role in the interaction with nuclear transporter karyopherin subunit alpha 1(KPNA1).Their interaction may suppress signal transducers and activators of transcription 1(STAT1)translocation and subsequently competitively inhibit nuclear import of IFNstimulated gene factor 3(ISGF3)complex.Our biochemical,structural and cellular analyses provide novel insights to pB318L that acts as an essential GGPPS that promotes viral replication and as a nuclear import protein that may be involved in immune evasion of ASFV.
基金supported by the grants from the open competition program of top ten critical priorities of Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation for the 14th Five-Year Plan of Guangdong Province(2024KJ14)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(lzujbky-2022-ct02)+7 种基金the Project of National Center of Technology Innovation for Pigs(NCTIP-XD/C03)the Youth Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(Y2025QC33)the Major Science and Technology Project of Gansu Province(22ZD6NA001 and 22ZD6NA012)the Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS-CSLPDCP-2023002 and CAAS-ASTIP-2025-LVRI)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2023M743830)the Earmarked Fund for CARS-35 and CARS-39-13he Fundamental Research Funds for Innovation Team of Gansu Province(23JRRA546,23JRRA548)the Basic Scientific Research Fund of LVRI(1610312021009).
文摘African swine fever(ASF)is an acute,hemorrhagic,and highly contagious disease in pigs caused by the African swine fever virus(ASFV).Our previous studies have demonstrated that deletion of the MGF360-9L gene weakens ASFV virulence in pigs,yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear.To investigate the mechanism of MGF360-9L regulating ASFV pathogenicity,the relationship between MGF360-9L and host proteins was identified by mass spectrometry.We found that host protein DEAD-box helicase 20(DDX20)interacted with and colocalized with MGF360-9L.Overexpression of DDX20 inhibited ASFV replication,whereas knockdown of DDX20 had the opposite effects.Moreover,DDX20 inhibited ASFV replication by promoting the activation of type I interferon signaling.Surprisingly,DDX20 was gradually degraded following ASFV infection.Mechanistically,MGF360-9L promoted the autophagic degradation of DDX20 by recruiting autophagy-related protein Ras-related protein Rab-1A(Rab1A).Silencing Rab1A suppressed ASFV replication,while overexpression of Rab1A exhibited the opposite effects.Furthermore,Rab1A,MGF360-9L and DDX20 could form a complex to facilitate the degradation of DDX20.Knockdown of Rab1A impaired MGF360-9L-mediated degradation of DDX20 during ASFV infection.In summary,our study demonstrates that MGF360-9L targets DDX20 for autophagy degradation to antagonize its antiviral function and facilitate ASFV replication.This finding broadens our understanding of the regulatory network between ASFV and its host,and provides new insights into the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of ASFV.
文摘In sub-Saharan Africa, foodborne Salmonella infections cause around 680,000 deaths per year. The evolutionary aspects of the incidence of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains no longer seem to attract much interest in the Central African Republic (CAR), although salmonellosis remains a health problem requiring national and international surveillance. Methodology: The study conducted at the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health, Bangui, Central African Republic (LNBCSP) was a retrospective descriptive study. The study duration was five years (January 2019 to December 2023). The study sample consisted of patients who underwent bacteriological testing of stool, blood and urine samples for Salmonella at the LNBCSP in Bangui during this period. Study variables were age, sex, year and bacteriological test results. Statistical tests were used to compare incidences. Relative risks (RR) were calculated to measure the degree of association. Results: From 2019 to 2023, we recorded 353 Salmonella strains, of which 5% were found in blood, 37% in urine and 58% in stool. Patient age ranged from 1 to 86 years, with a mean of 27 ± 22.05 years and a mode of 5 years. Children aged 0 to 14 years (34%) and females (55.81%) predominated. The highest rate of contamination by Salmonella strains was 1.69% in 2022. The overall incidence of salmonellosis was 6.72 in 2019, 7.05 in 2020, 6.91 in 2021, 16.9 in 2022 and 6.26 in 2023 per 1000 samples. Resistance was 30.47% to β_lactam antibiotics, 24.22% to fluroquinolones and 37.97% to Salmonella spp. For Salmonella arizonae strains, resistance was 20.25% to aminoglycosides, 43.67% to chloramphenicol and 7.59% to imipenem. Conclusion: Laboratory-based surveillance of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains is needed in both human and veterinary medicine. Another study based on molecular characterization will identify new antibiotic-resistant variants circulating in CAR.
