ABSTRACT
Introduction: The SARS-CoV-19 pandemic affected the whole world, with a particularly high and severe incidence in patients with co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The SARS-CoV-2 variants, Delta and Omicron, posed an additional challenge in the management of these patients because of their virulence and high transmissibility. Objective: To assess the disturbance of certain biomarkers in COVID-19-positive T2DM patients in Pointe-Noire. Methods: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study on a cohort of 206 type 2 diabetic patients affected by COVID-19. Blood samples were taken for analysis of biomarkers (CBC, ESR, CRP, GLY, and HbA1c, lipid profile, urea and creatinine). RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal samples and PCR was performed to determine the presence of Delta and Omicron variants. Results: The mean age of our patients was 56.33 ± 12 years. The Delta variant was the most common 132 (64.08%), followed by the other variants 57 (27.67%) and Omicron 17 (8.25%). We observed significant disturbances (p<0.05) in biomarkers as a function of Delta and Omicron variants concerning: TC, TG, HDL, LDL, DDI, VS, CRP, GLY, and HbA1c. Conclusion: We identified the Delta variant as the most frequent in the diabetic population studied. Almost all biological markers studied were disrupted during COVID-19 infection in the type 2 diabetic population.

ABSTRACT
Tomatoes are grown using chemical or organic fertilizers, which influence their quality at harvest. The study aimed to evaluate the agro-morphological and germinative characteristics of three tomato genotypes under CAFCOOP products. The Nadira F1, Rio grande and Roma savanna genotypes tested for their reaction to the effect of the CAFCOOP Ltd product were obtained from the Mfoundi market (Yaoundé). Germination time, emergence of seedlings and first leaf outline, number of secondary roots and stem development were counted manually at the nursery. In the field, a caliper was used to measure plant stem, while a graduated ruler was used to measure root length and plant height. The number of secondary roots, branches and plants were counted manually. The results obtained showed significant genotypic variation in all agro-morphological traits. The number of roots varied from 14.15 ± 2.8 to 22.46 ± 3.53 for Roma, from 10.38 ± 1.89 to 24.71 ± 3.69 for Nadira F1 and from 14.62 ± 2.99 to 24.38 ± 3.47 for Rio grande, for chemical and organic treatments respectively. Plant stem diameter ranged from 5.15 ± 1.14 mm to 9 ± 0.46 mm for Nadira F1 and Rio Control, with no significant difference between treatments. The number of branches per plant, with no significant difference between treatments, ranged from 11.50±3.83 to 17.95±2.98 for Nadira F1 and Rio grande. Our study has enabled us to gain a better understanding of the positive effect of organic products on tomato production.

ABSTRACT
Blood transfusion is a therapeutic act which consists of administering blood or one of its components (red blood cells, platelets and plasma), from one or more healthy subjects to a sick subject. Blood donation is a life-saving gesture that is highly encouraged but a source of pathologies which constitutes a real public health problem. Objective: To study the seroprevalence of viral markers among blood donors at the Gabriel Touré University Hospital in Mali. Method: Cross-sectional study from January 2020 to December 2021. This study was carried out at the CHU Gabriel Touré transfusion service in Mali on the results of blood donors. The donors were selected according to the criteria established by the National Blood Transfusion Center in Mali. Results: the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis were respectively 0.27%, 10.67%, 2.28% and 0.76% among all donors. The male gender dominated with a positive prevalence of 10.98% for HBV. The prevalence of HIV and Hepatitis B co-infection was the most represented with 0.27% collected. Conclusion: the prevalence of infectious agents among blood donors remains high in Bamako, Mali. This study suggests greater attention to raising awareness about testing for viral agents like HIV and hepatitis B.

ABSTRACT
Only recently microbial impurity of beach sand has become an essential issue, particularly during the COVID-19 and in the post-Covid period when a large number of beachgoers are infected not only by the virus but also with other microbes. Besides the bacterial and viral microbes, fungal contamination of beach sand has also been studied in detail in the recent past. Although few Candida spp. have been isolated from the beach sand, the growths of common pathogenic Candida spp. like Candida albicans has not been studied so far. In this study, we used two species of pathogenic Candida – Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis to observe their growth patterns in sea sand. Growths of both species were inhibited in sea sand. It eliminates the possibility of long survival of these species in sea sand and thus their existence mainly appears as surface contamination.

ABSTRACT
Cotton is one of the most important cash crops in Ethiopia and plays a significant role in the agricultural and textile industrial development of the country’s economy. However, the progress in cotton production and productivity in rain-fed environments has been impeded by the absence of improved varieties and inadequate management practices. Presently, there are no recommended cotton varieties specifically tailored for rain-fed environments in northwestern Ethiopia, an area that is largely conducive to cotton cultivation. Interestingly, some investors have chosen to cultivate genotypes that have been recommended for irrigation purposes, particularly within the central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. In the current investigation, an assessment was conducted on various cotton varieties in order to determine their quantitative traits during the primary cultivation period of 2017 and 2018 at Pawe Agricultural Research Centre. The objective of the experiment was to assess seven cotton genotypes using a randomized complete block design, with the aim of identifying genotypes that are highly adaptable and possess high-yielding characteristics. The statistical analysis of variance demonstrated a significant distinction among the traits that were examined. Within this study, the most productive genotypes were identified as Werer-05 and Candia, with yields of 1722.19 kg/ha and 1617.41 kg/ha, respectively. The observed variations in the characteristics of the various cotton varieties indicate the presence of diversity, which holds significant implications for future cotton breeding.

ABSTRACT
Bacteria are the most numerous group of organisms. Most of these unicellular organisms are necessary for maintaining the life of other macroorganisms on Earth. These bacteria were essential in biological evolution, and today they are the basis of every food chain in nature. They are present in soil and water. Other bacteria are members of the physiological flora of humans and animals (they live on the skin, in the oral and nasal mucosa, intestines, lower part of the female reproductive system), perform desirable chemical processes and are used in various economic activities. Of the 1,500 described species of bacteria, only about a hundred species are human pathogens.

ABSTRACT
Background: Liver cancer is a major health problem in Egypt. Understanding its epidemiology can help identify high-risk groups and inform prevention strategies. Objective: To investigate regional and occupational variations in liver cancer characteristics and diagnoses in Damietta governorate, Egypt. Methods: An observational study was conducted using data from the Damietta Cancer Institute in 2021. 128 case diagnosed as Liver cancer were analyzed based on age, location, occupation, cancer stage, provisional diagnosis, and sex. Results: Primary liver cancer was more prevalent in younger individuals while metastatic cancer dominated in older age groups. Certain areas exhibited higher primary cancer rates than others. Provisional diagnoses varied by occupation and location. Male patients presented with more advanced stages and distant metastasis compared to females. Conclusions: Geographical and occupational disparities exist in liver cancer profiles. Sex differences were observed in disease presentation. Robust studies are needed to establish causal relationships and explore underlying disease mechanisms. Understanding regional cancer patterns can help prioritize preventive efforts and develop targeted screening programs.