http://hdl.handle.net/11189/1930 Tue, 18 Aug 2026 17:10:25 GMT 2026-08-18T17:10:25Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10700 Title: Mining the whole genome sequence of Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus strain CTM50504 isolated from the Aïn El-Atrous hot spring, Tunisia, for the discovery of extremozymes: promising properties of protease activity Authors: Mechri, Sondes; croze, séverine; REKIK, IMEN; ALLALA, Fawzi; frikha, fakher; Noiriel, Alexandre; Le Roes-Hill, Marilize; Abousalham, Abdelkarim; Tounsi, Slim; lachuer, joel; Bassem, JAOUADI Abstract: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods allow for the generation of data leading to a greater understanding of the potential functionality and dynamics of microorganisms within their biotopes. The enormous volume of data that NGS produces necessitates understanding structural and functional genomics through the application of various omics techniques. Streptomyces cyaneofuscatus CTM50504 is a potential extracellular hydrolase producer isolated from a terrestrial hot spring, Aïn El-Atrous, Korbous (Nabeul, Tunisia). This strain can grow at 50 ◦ C and a pH range of 6–9. It requires the presence of NaCl for growth and secretes proteases, lipases, phospholipases, amylases, and chitinases. Whole-genome sequence (WGS) analysis was performed on strain CTM50504 to identify protein-encoding genes, including hydrolases. The genome sequence was assembled into 858-contigs with an average G + C content of 71 % and a total length of 8,591,922-bp. Genome annotation revealed 770- protein-coding genes with 323 open reading frames encoding hydrolases, including 179-proteases, 20-lipases, 10-phospholipases, 5-amylases, and 5-chitinases. The gene encoding a serine alkaline protease (SCKP) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant SCKP (rSCKP) was purified by affinity chromatography, and its biochemical properties were determined. Molecular dynamics simulations provided deeper insights into how key amino acids contribute to substrate binding and elucidated the basis of substrate selectivity. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10700 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10699 Title: Draft genome dataset of Streptomyces griseoincarnatus strain R-35 isolated from tidal pool sediments Authors: Mitchell, Danielle Dana; Vreulink, Jo-Marie; Prins, Alaric; Le Roes-Hill, Marilize Abstract: The marine isolate, Streptomyces griseoincarnatus strain R-35, was isolated from marine sediments collected from the Glencairn Tidal Pool, Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town, South Africa. The genomic DNA was sequenced using the Ion Torrent GeneStudio™ S5 platform, and the de novo assembly was performed using the SPAdes assembler on the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) Lengau Cluster located at the CSIR, Rosebank, South Africa. The draft genome assembly consisted of 722 contigs totaling 7,625,174 base pairs and a G+C% content of 72.2 mol%. Genome completeness and genome contamination were determined as 99.12% and 0.92%, respectively. Genome annotations performed using the Rapid Annotation with Subsystem Technology (RAST) and the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Centre (BV-BRC) determined the presence of 7996 coding sequences (CDS), 63 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and six ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs). A total of 2570 hypothetical proteins were assigned, and 5246 proteins were assigned to function. The phylogenomic positioning of S. griseoincarnatus strain R-35 was determined using the Type Strain Genome Server (TYGS) and was found to be related to S. griseoincarnatus JCM 4381T, with a digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) value of 84.1%, and an OrthoANIu value of 98.22%. The CARD RGI algorithm on Proksee predicted the presence of 6,107 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) features, 27 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were predicted using antiSMASH, while 189 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) were predicted using dbCAN3. The raw genome sequencing data has been submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology (NCBI) under the BioProject ID PRJNA1129156 (BioSample ID Accession Number: SAMN42145163; Short Read Archive (SRA) Accession: SRR29633055 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10699 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10658 Title: Waves of hurt faced by families due to a hospitalised relative with COVID-19 in the Cape Flats Authors: Chiya, Mondli; Jooste, Karien; Williams, Amy Abstract: Background: Family members value each other, particularly during troubled times, and the consequences of a sudden disruption to their family environment could imply difficult adjustments, affecting their well-being. They did not expect that a family member would get severely ill due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It was unclear what the experiences of family members were on the sudden hospitalisation of a close relative diagnosed with COVID-19. Aim: To gain insight into the experiences of family members with a close relative unexpectedly hospitalised with COVID-19. Setting: Two health clinics in Cape Town, were identified that family members visited after the hospitalisation of a close relative with COVID-19. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was followed including 11 participants, heterogeneously purposefully sampled. Individual interviews lasted 30 min– 45 min, posing semi-structured questions - probing led to thematic saturation. Data coding resulted in four themes with 11 categories. Results: Nursing communication with communities during COVID-19 could identify the presence of emotionally wounded states of family members. Nurses should be competent in techniques to relieve the fear of families around their isolated hospitalised relatives. Further research can explore family-orientated interventions needed to deal with fear of losing a hospitalised relative being critically ill. Conclusion: The need of families for ‘nearness’ to a close relative needed to be understood - it meant more than physical proximity. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10658 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10596 Title: Narrative review: continuous professional development training programmes in Africa and their limitations Authors: Ndlovu, Nqobile; Erasmus, Rajiv; Zemlin, AE Abstract: Continuous professional development (CPD) represents a cornerstone in the advancement of professional skills and knowledge across various sectors. It is globally recognised as a transformative process that unlocks potential, increases capacity, and fosters personal growth. This narrative review article aimed to understand how the CPD training programmes for laboratory professionals are implemented and sustained in Africa. A narrative review was conducted where a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and web searches for white and/or grey literature, facilitated by a custom Python script. A combination of keywords, truncations, and subject headings targeted four key themes: Continuing professional development (and related terms), laboratory professionals, African countries, and aspects of implementation and scoring. The search was restricted to articles in English published from 2009 to 2024. While the actual training needs and gaps for CPD programmes are widely known, the actual implementation of CPD has remained a challenge. In the past, CPD training programmes have been implemented to address the lack of skills and the insufficient and skewed distribution of these health workers. This approach is not sustainable and has led to some challenges with coordination, quality assurance, and regulation. Each country has its unique context and training needs; therefore, CPD needs to be more coordinated and tailored so that professionals are given the right training for their needs. What this study adds: Addressing training gaps for laboratory professionals in Africa will require a well-structured, coordinated and tailored approach that will deliver a continent-wide CPD programme. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/11189/10596 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z