Omnia (South Africa)

Most existing research on amahewu has primarily examined the microbial and physicochemical properties of beverages, leaving the overall metabolite profile insufficiently characterized. Metabolomic analysis enables the monitoring of metabolite shifts throughout fermentation, revealing how microbial processes drive variations in bioactive compounds. Therefore, this study employed targeted metabolomics to investigate dynamic changes in amino acids and phenolic compounds during the production of amahewu, a traditional Southern African fermented maize beverage. White and yellow Zea mays L. varieties were fermented with malted sorghum inoculum, and samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring across four production stages. Chemometric analyses (PCA, OPLS-DA) revealed distinct stage- and maize type-dependent clustering with model validation (Q2 > 0.5; CV-ANOVA, p < 0.05). Across both maize types, seven metabolites discriminated raw from cooked maize, with valine (white maize) and alanine (yellow maize) serving as unique markers. Proline was the most abundant amino acid (>1.0 × 108 ng/g in raw maize), but declined by >80% during fermentation, consistent with microbial utilization. Conversely, threonine and valine increased >3-fold in fermented samples, reflecting proteolysis and microbial synthesis. Apigenin represented >70% of quantified phenolics at all stages, whereas caffeic acid decreased sharply post-cooking (FC = 0.07, p = 7.03 × 10−9), and avenanthramides emerged de novo in fermented samples. Correlation analysis showed strong positive feed-forward associations among amino acids (r > 0.8) and feedback-driven phenolic transformations, while pathway enrichment identified isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis (impact = 0.41) in white maize and alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism (impact = 0.13) in yellow maize as dominant routes. Collectively, this study provides insight into the quantitative changes in metabolic composition at different stages of production, which reflect changes in nutritional, biochemical, and health-promoting properties, as well as microbial communities.

Rapid changes in society and technology require adaptation both in working life and education. Lifelong, continuous learning, unlearning, and relearning are more important now than ever before. Different European policy documents and processes highlight establishing a new lifelong learning culture. These focus on more flexible and permeable vocational education and training systems, the validation of non-formal and informal learning. CEDEFOP defines lifelong learning as all learning activity undertaken throughout life, with the aim of improving knowledge, skills/competences and/or qualifications for personal, social and/or professional reasons. Learning can be imparted anywhere and everywhere, acquired in a formal, non-formal or informal setting.

Beneficial soil microbes like plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) significantly contribute to plant growth and development through various mechanisms activated by plant-PGPR interactions. However, a complete understanding of the biochemistry of the PGPR and microbial intraspecific interactions within the consortia is still enigmatic. Such complexities constrain the design and use of PGPR formulations for sustainable agriculture. Therefore, we report the application of mass spectrometry (MS)-based untargeted metabolomics and molecular networking (MN) to interrogate and profile the intracellular chemical space of PGPR Bacillus strains: B. laterosporus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. licheniformis 1001, and B. licheniformis M017 and their consortium. The results revealed differential and diverse chemistries in the four Bacillus strains when grown separately, and also differing from when grown as a consortium. MolNetEnhancer networks revealed 11 differential molecular families that are comprised of lipids and lipid-like molecules, benzenoids, nucleotide-like molecules, and organic acids and derivatives. Consortium and B. amyloliquefaciens metabolite profiles were characterized by the high abundance of surfactins, whereas B. licheniformis strains were characterized by the unique presence of lichenysins. Thus, this work, applying metabolome mining tools, maps the microbial chemical space of isolates and their consortium, thus providing valuable insights into molecular information of microbial systems. Such fundamental knowledge is essential for the innovative design and use of PGPR-based biostimulants.

Wplyw mniejszości narodowych – greckiej w Albanii i albanskiej w Grecji – na relacje grecko-albanskie po 1991 roku

Thrombophilia describes inherited and acquired prothrombotic states which predispose to venous, but not arterial thromboembolism. The heritable states are of limited clinical significance in primary care and while they may underlie a patient's presentation with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) of uncertain cause, tests infrequently alter management. Testing patients is not without pitfalls: results are only informative if taken in the right patient at an appropriate time, as explained in recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)1 and described below. The inherited thrombophilias are described in greater detail in Box 1 and largely fall into one of two groups: common low thrombosis-risk states, such as activated protein C resistance (due to the Factor V Leiden mutation) and rarer higher-risk states, including protein C or S deficiency. Due to their rarity, epidemiological data around some of the thrombophilias are poor: guidelines on these from NICE and the British Society for Haematology are largely expert opinion based on limited observational data.1,2 #### Box 1. Typical components of a thrombophilia blood panel ##### Inherited states

Maize yield as well as fertilizer practices have changed over the last 25 years. Average maize yield for South Africa increased from approximately 2.3 tons ha−1 in the early 1980s to approximately 3.5 tons ha−1 in recent years. The early 1970s to the middle 1990s can be seen as a “boom period” for maize fertilizer research in South Africa. Up until 1995, fertilizer research was grouped in specific projects with clearly defined goals and a definite direction. Research was to a large extent proactive. This research approach is no longer clearly visible and it has become largely reactive, with emphasis on ad hoc problem solving instead of goal oriented research. Such an ad hoc approach can cost us dearly because there will be no real research progress. This paper also gives an overview of research over the last 25 years on soil acidity, macronutrients (N, P and K), secondary nutrients (S, Ca and Mg), micronutrients (Zn) and other contributions (long-term trials and fertilizer placement). The reduction in maize fertilizer research is of concern when seen against the background of the regional and continental importance of maize. Well planned nutrition research can ensure food security and nutrition security both locally and in other parts of the continent, provided there are clear goals and direction, adequate funding, proper management and coordination. Fragmented, ad hoc trials will not create prosperity for all in the region.