Comparing measurements of the natural sea surface microlayer (SML) and artificial surface films made of Triton-X-100 and oleyl alcohol can provide a fundamental understanding of diffusive gas fluxes across the air–water boundary layers less than 1 mm thick. We investigated the impacts of artificial films on the concentration gradients and diffusion of oxygen (O₂) across the SML, the thickness of the diffusive boundary layer (DBL), and the surface tension levels of natural seawater and deionized water. Natural and artificial films led to approximately 78 and 81% reductions in O₂ concentration across the surfaces of natural seawater and deionized water, respectively. The thicknesses of the DBL were 500 and 350 µm when natural SML was added on filtered and unfiltered natural seawater, respectively, although the DBL on filtered seawater was unstable, as indicated by decreasing thickness over time. Triton-X-100 and oleyl alcohol at a concentration of 2000 µg L⁻¹ in deionized water persistently increased the DBL thickness values by 30 and 26% over a period of 120 min. At the same concentration, Triton-X-100 and oleyl alcohol decreased the surface tension of deionized water from ~72 mN m⁻¹ to 48 and 38 mN m⁻¹, respectively; 47% recovery was recorded after 30 min with Triton-X-100, although low surface tension persisted for 120 min with oleyl alcohol. The critical micelle concentration values of Triton-X-100 ranged between 400 and 459 µg L⁻¹. We, therefore, suggest that Triton-X-100 resembles natural SML because the reduction and partial recovery of the surface tension of deionized water with the surfactant resembles the behavior observed for natural slicks. Temperature and salinity were observed to linearly decrease the surface tension levels of natural seawater, artificial seawater, and deionized water. Although several factors leading to O₂ production and consumption in situ are excluded, experiments carried out under laboratory-controlled conditions are useful for visualizing fine-scale processes of O₂ transfer from water bodies through the surface microlayer.

Antibiotic resistance is a well-documented global health challenge that disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries. In 2019, the number of deaths attributed to and associated with antibiotic resistance in Western Sub-Saharan Africa was approximately 27 and 115 per 100,000, respectively, higher than in other regions worldwide. Extensive research has consistently confirmed the persistent presence and spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, among livestock, within food supply chains, and across various environmental contexts. This review documents the environmental risk factors contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance in West Africa. We collected studies from multiple West African countries using the Web of Science and PubMed databases. We screened them for factors associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes between 2018 and 2024. Our findings indicate that antibiotic resistance remains a significant concern in West Africa, with environmental pollution and waste management identified as major factors in the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes between 2018 and 2024. Additional contributing factors include poor hygiene, the use of antibiotics in agriculture, aquaculture, and animal farming, and the transmission of antibiotic resistance within hospital settings. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive genetic characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes hinders a thorough understanding of this critical issue in the region. Since antibiotic resistance transcends national borders and can spread within and between countries, it is essential to understand the environmental risk factors driving its dissemination in West African countries. Such understanding will be instrumental in developing and recommending effective strategies nationally and internationally to combat antibiotic resistance.

The sea surface microlayer (SML), a biofilm-like environment, is a unique and challenging habitat for microbes, due to its position at the interface between the ocean and the atmosphere. In coastal areas, microbial communities in the SML are often exposed to anthropogenic pollutants, including heavy metals, microplastics, and pharmaceuticals. While studies have been conducted on the effects of some of these pollutants, further research is needed to understand the impact of antibiotics on the development of bacterial resistance in the SML. Ciprofloxacin showed high effectiveness against SML bacteria in a previous study. Thus, we investigated the effects of different concentrations of this antibiotic on the dynamics of bacterial communities in samples of the SML and the corresponding underlying water (ULW) over time. Ciprofloxacin concentrations of 50 and 100 ng/mL affected bacterial cell numbers and exerted selective pressure on bacterial communities. A non-metric multidimensional scaling (dissimilarity matrix) revealed significant differences in the bacterial community compositions at different time points, regardless of the ciprofloxacin concentration, and indicated that the combination of time and ciprofloxacin concentrations impacts bacterial communities in the SML and ULW (r² = 67%, p = 0.001). Marine bacteria of the Rhodobacterales, including the genera Planktomarina, Lentibacter, and unknown Rhodobacteraceae, persist in the presence of 100 ng/mL ciprofloxacin over time. The abundance of Campylobacterales, particularly Arcobacteraceae, increased over time and with increasing ciprofloxacin concentrations, raising concerns about the development and spread of potential antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the SML and ULW. Ninety-seven bacterial strains (42 marine, 55 non-marine) belonging to 14 genera were also enriched and isolated in the presence of 100 ng/mL ciprofloxacin. Further antibiotic susceptibility tests on enriched marine bacteria revealed widespread resistance to ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics found in environmental samples. Our study, therefore, suggests that more efforts are needed to safeguard the integrity of coastal environments and to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the ecosystem.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), also known as Hughes syndrome, is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent thrombosis and pregnancy complications, accompanied by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). These antibodies target anionic phospholipids or protein–phospholipid complexes within cell membranes, contributing to the underlying mechanisms of the disease. Although anticoagulation therapy remains the cornerstone of APS management, it often fails to prevent complications, particularly in obstetric and thrombotic cases. As autoimmune diseases become increasingly linked to alterations in the gut microbiome, this study investigates the complex interaction between gut bacteria and immune modulation in APS. We explore how disruptions in the gut microbiome may influence the development of autoimmune conditions, with a specific focus on APS. By identifying key microorganisms potentially involved in this gut–immune axis, we aim to provide insights into novel preventive and control approaches. Future research should focus on harnessing the gut microbiome to develop more effective treatments that target both the immune system and microbial populations in APS patients.

Antibiotic resistance is a well-documented global health challenge that disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries. Murray et al. [1] estimated that in 2019, the number of deaths attributed to and associated with antibiotic resistance in Western sub-Saharan Africa was approximately 27 and 115 per 100,000, respectively, higher than in other regions worldwide. Extensive research has consistently confirmed the persistent presence and spread of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, among livestock, within food supply chains, and across various environmental contexts. This review documents the environmental risk factors contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance in West Africa. We collected studies from multiple West African countries using the Web of Science and PubMed databases. We screened them for factors associated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes between 2018 and 2024. Our findings indicate that antibiotic resistance remains a significant concern in West Africa, with environmental pollution and waste management identified as major factors in the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes between 2018 and 2024. Additional contributing factors include poor hygiene, the use of antibiotics in fish and livestock farming, and the transmission of antibiotic resistance in hospitals and community settings. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive genetic characterization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes hinders a thorough understanding of this critical issue in the region. Since antibiotic resistance transcends national borders and can spread within and between countries, it is essential to understand the environmental risk factors driving its dissemination in West African countries. Such understanding will be instrumental in developing and recommending effective strategies nationally and internationally to combat antibiotic resistance.