This review investigates scalability, environmental performance, and socio-economic sustainability of biochar production in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on traditional/low-tech solutions. Low-tech methods, including open pits, metal drum kilns, and earth mounds, are easily accessible and reasonably priced, but they can have high emissions, uneven biochar quality, and poor thermal efficiency. Standardizing enhanced low-technology designs, putting strong quality assurance systems in place, mobilizing underutilized biomass streams, and using digital monitoring and artificial intelligence to optimize pyrolysis operations are some of the main strategies proposed to achieve scalable and sustainable biochar production in the region. Retort kilns or sophisticated pyrolysis units with gas recirculation are considered medium-to-high technology to stabilize product qualities, lower emissions, and call for a moderate amount of capital and technical know-how. Along with evaluating feedstock possibilities such as invasive species, forestry wastes, and crop residues, the review incorporates techno-economic analysis, climate-smart forestry tools, and circular economy principles. Economically viable biochar systems in Sub-Saharan African contexts require either (i) integration with existing agro-industrial waste streams (e.g., rice mills, sugarcane processing) where collection infrastructure already exists, or (ii) decentralized production using low-cost kilns (< US500 capital cost) that eliminate transport through on-farm processing. To align waste management and forest conservation with goals for negative carbon soil enhancement, the paper recommends policymakers support standardized low-technology designs, create frameworks for ensuring the quality of biochar, increase the use of underutilized biomass streams, and use digital monitoring and artificial intelligence to optimize pyrolysis processes.
Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) is traditionally defined by tonsillar herniation, yet clinical symptoms often correlate poorly with simple linear measurements. Emerging research suggests that the geometry of the fourth ventricle may reflect deeper developmental anomalies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between fourth ventricular roof angle (FVRA) geometry and brainstem dysfunction and to determine its utility as a prognostic marker for symptomatic presentation and surgical outcomes. Following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration (CRD420261301268), a systematic search of Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted through January 2026. Studies reporting FVRA and BSD outcomes (apnea, dysphagia, cranial nerve deficits) were included. Statistical analysis was performed using the meta package in R (Version 4.1.0). A random-effects model was employed to calculate pooled Odds Ratios (OR) and 95
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Hippocampal Sclerosis (TLE-HS) presents a significant therapeutic challenge, primarily due to pharmacoresistance and progressive hippocampal neurodegeneration. Since current anti-seizure therapies often provide limited seizure control in TLE-HS, there is increasing interest in exploring alternative and complementary treatment approaches. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) or Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained attention for its multifaceted therapeutic potential, particularly its neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects. This review explores preclinical and emerging clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of TCM in modulating key molecular targets involved in epileptogenesis. Several TCM-derived bioactive compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory properties by downregulating proinflammatory cytokines and damage-associated molecular patterns. Additionally, TCMs promote neurotrophic factor expression and enhance synaptic plasticity, thereby supporting neuronal survival. By balancing excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABAergic) neurotransmission, TCM may reduce seizure susceptibility and progression. Notably, herbs such as Gastrodia elata and Uncaria rhynchophylla demonstrate promising mechanistic effects. Although encouraging, these findings necessitate further pharmacological validation and clinical trials to substantiate TCM as a complementary, evidence-based intervention for patients with pharmacoresistant TLE-HS.
The Saharan Oscillation Index (SaOI) quantifies the pressure gradient between the Azores High and the Saharan low centered near Niamey, capturing atmospheric variability that influences climate across the Euro-Atlantic-African region. Despite its importance for regional hydroclimate, dust transport, and air quality, its phase behavior and teleconnections with global climate modes remain insufficiently characterized. Here, we analyze 75 years (1950–2024) of SaOI variability using standardized phase classification and seasonal lag-correlation analysis with thirteen large-scale climate indicators (LSCIs). The SaOI exhibits three distinct periods: a balanced phase distribution (1950–1965), sustained variability (1965–1990), and a pronounced shift toward positive-neutral dominance after 1990, with a marked decline in negative phase frequency after 2010. The SaOI shows moderate but statistically significant correlations with the North Atlantic Oscillation Index (NAOI; r = 0.42, 95
The effects of alpha-tocopherol on seizure parameters, locomotor-cognitive functions, inflammatory response, oxidative stress response, histopathological changes, immunohistochemical parameters, and miRNA fold changes were investigated in rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures. Sprague–Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control (n = 8), TBI + PTZ (n = 10), and TBI + PTZ + tocopherol (n = 10). After inducing TBI in animals using the weight-drop method, increased post-injury seizure susceptibility was achieved by administering subconvulsive doses of PTZ. Saline was administered intraperitoneally to the control and TBI + PTZ groups for 6 days, while 500 mg/kg alpha-tocopherol was administered intraperitoneally to the TBI + PTZ + tocopherol group. Seizure intensity, seizure frequency, and total seizure duration were significantly reduced in the TBI + PTZ + tocopherol group compared to the TBI + PTZ group (p < 0.05). No significant adverse effects related to TBI and PTZ were observed in the animals’ locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviors, or learning and memory test outcomes. In the TBI + PTZ + tocopherol group, significant reductions were observed in inflammatory cytokine response, oxidative stress, and SUR1-TRPM4 channel activity compared to the TBI + PTZ group (p < 0.001). While degenerative and apoptotic neurons and the number of 8-OHdG-positive cells in the CA1 and dentate gyrus regions were limited in the TBI + PTZ + tocopherol group, downregulated miR-324-5p increased (p < 0.05). Alpha-tocopherol reduced the severity and duration of seizures, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and stabilized the thiol-disulfide balance. It also reduced degenerative cell structures and DNA damage in the cortex, hippocampus, and dentate gyrus. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that alpha-tocopherol is a potential neuroprotective agent that modulates early epileptogenic network instability in TBI and seizure susceptibility through multiple pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and ion channel regulation.
