Gallstones: Management of the Sickle Cell Child

Gallstone is rare in children; however, sickle cell disease is associated with an increased risk of gallstone formation. We aimed to report particularity of diagnosis and management of gallstones in sickle cell children. We conducted a cross-sectional multicentric study in four hospitals of Dakar, in Senegal, during 18 years. We studied frequency, diagnostic particularities, management, and outcome. Among the 105 pediatric patients managed for gallstones, 87 (82.85%) had sickle cell disease. Among the latter, 18 (17.14%) were asymptomatic. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 71 patients (67.62%). Following surgery, sickle cell patients were systematically hospitalized in the intensive care unit for 24 hours. Complications occurred in 7.6% and mortality in 1.9%. Gallstone is frequent in sickle cell children. Its management has good outcomes when taking in account particularities of these patients

Testing of commercial inoculants to enhance P uptake and grain yield of promiscuous soybean in Kenya

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of commercial mycorrhizal inoculants and a rhizobial inoculant to improve soybean yield in Kenya. A promiscuous soybean variety was grown in a greenhouse pot study with two representative soils amended with either water-soluble mineral P or rock P to assess product performance. The performance of selected mycorrhizal inoculants combined with a rhizobial inoculant (Legumefix) was then assessed with farmer groups in three agroecological zones using a small-plot, randomized complete block design to assess soybean root colonization by mycorrhiza, nodulation, and plant biomass production in comparison to rhizobial inoculant alone or with water-soluble mineral P. Greenhouse results showed highly significant root colonization by commercial mycorrhizal inoculant alone (p < 0.001) and in interaction with soil type (p < 0.0001) and P source (p < 0.0001). However, no significant effect was shown in plant P uptake, biomass production, or leaf chlorophyll index. In field conditions, the e ects of mycorrhizal and rhizobial inoculants in combination or alone were highly context-specific and may induce either a significant increase or decrease in root mycorrhizal colonization and nodule formation. Mycorrhizal and rhizobial inoculants in combination or alone had limited effect on plant P uptake, biomass production, leaf chlorophyll index, and grain yield. Though some mycorrhizal inoculants induced significant root colonization by mycorrhizal inoculants, this did not lead to higher soybean yield, even in soils with limited P content. Our results are further evidence that inoculant type, soil type, and P source are critical factors to evaluate commercial inoculants on a context-specific basis. However, our results highlight the need for the identification of additional targeting criteria, as inoculant type, soil type, and P source alone were not enough to be predictive of the response. Without the identification of predictive criteria for improved targeting, the economic use of such inoculants will remain elusive

COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROTIC PATTERN IN WEST AFRICAN SORGHUM LANDRACES

Heterotic grouping based on combining ability for traits of interest, in addition to plant performance and genetic relationship among germplasm, would be useful in planning crosses in breeding programmes. This study aimed at determining the combining abilities of selected landraces for morphological and physiological traits under contrasted environments and identifying the suitable heterotic grouping method for superior hybrid production. For this purpose, nineteen accessions representing different origins and population structure among West African Sorghum Accessions Panel (WASAP) and two female lines, were used in \uab\ua0Line x tester\ua0\ubb mating design to produce thirty-eight (38) hybrids. Analysis of variance showed significant general combining ability and specific combining ability effects for grain weight, plant height, days to flowering, panicle length and chlorophyll content implying existence of heterotic responses for these traits. Both additive and non-additive gene effects were important in controlling the inheritance of the traits. Parents K31.3, K37 and Ni331 were the best combiners for grain weight, providing the opportunity for breeders to improve grain yield under diverse environments. AVG-1 x K31.3 and AVG-1 x Tg148 were the superior hybrids. Combining ability based heterotic grouping methods classified sorghum accessions into four groups. The heterotic group\u2019s specific and general combining ability (HSGCA) method was the suitable in predicting hybrid superiority. This combining abilities based heterotic grouping study is an additional tool that breeders could use to identify the best parents for superior hybrids development in West Africa.La d\ue9termination des groupes h\ue9t\ue9rotiques bas\ue9e sur les aptitudes \ue0 la combinaison des traits d\u2019int\ue9r\ueat en plus des performances et des relations g\ue9n\ue9tiques dans une collection est importante pour planifier les croisements en s\ue9lection. Cette visait la d\ue9termination des aptitudes \ue0 la combinaison des accessions locales pour certains traits morphologiques sous environnements contrast\ue9s et l\u2019identification de la meilleure m\ue9thode dans la pr\ue9diction de la vigueur hybride. Dans cette perspective, dix-neuf accessions repr\ue9sentant diff\ue9rentes origines et la structure de la population d\u2019un panel ouest africain de sorgho (WASAP) et deux m\ue2les st\ue9riles ont \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9s dans un croisement \uab\ua0Line x tester\ua0\ubb pour produire trente-huit hybrides F1, objet de cette \ue9tude. L\u2019analyse de variance a indiqu\ue9 des effets significatifs de l\u2019aptitude g\ue9n\ue9rale et sp\ue9cifique \ue0 la combinaison pour le poids grain, la hauteur plante, la dur\ue9e semis floraison et la concentration en chlorophylle traduisant l\u2019existence des r\ue9ponses h\ue9t\ue9rotiques pour ces traits. Les effets g\ue9niques additif et non-additif ont \ue9t\ue9 importants dans le contr\uf4le de ces caract\ue8res. K31.3, K37 et Ni331 pr\ue9sentent les meilleures aptitudes g\ue9n\ue9rales \ue0 la combinaison puis AVG-1 x K31.3 et AVG-1 x Tg148 ont \ue9t\ue9 les meilleurs hybrides pour le poids grains. Ils constituent une opportunit\ue9 pour l\u2019am\ue9lioration dans divers environnements. Les diff\ue9rentes m\ue9thodes ont class\ue9 les accessions de sorgho en quatre groupes. Le groupage bas\ue9 sur la m\ue9thode HSGCA accroit l\u2019efficience en s\ue9lection de 15 %. Cette \ue9tude offre un outil d\u2019aide pour les s\ue9lectionneurs dans le choix des meilleurs parents \ue0 croiser pour la production des hybrides sup\ue9rieurs en Afrique de l\u2019Ouest

Response of Gliricidia sepium tree to phosphorus application and inoculations with Glomus aggregatum and rhizobial strains in a sub-Saharian sandy soil

A pot experiment was carried out in a green house at Bel Air station to determine effect of phosphorus on the growth of Gliricidia sepium in presence of rhizobial strains and an arbuscular mycorrhizafungus. A factorial 3 factors block was designed with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus aggregatum, phophorus fertilization as triple super phosphate and rhizobial inoculation strains ISRA 604 and ISRA 605 applied on G. sepium seedlings. A non nitrogen fixing tree (NFT), Cassia siamea was used as reference tree for estimating the nitrogen fixation using the 15N isotope dilution technique. Mycorrhizal infection, nodulation, plant growth, P and N contents, 15N atom % excess (15Nae) and N fixed were determined. The results showed that the rhizobium strain ISRA 604 induced nodulation more than ISRA 605 in G. sepium with an increase of 38.28% for nodules number. Frequency (%F) and intensity (%M) of mycorrhization were highest at 0, 20 and 40 mg P kg-1 soil applied however rhizobial inoculation has influenced frequency of mycorrhization. In the rhizobium- AM fungus interaction, plant shoot total N content increased when trees were inoculated with G. aggregatum whatever the rhizobial strain inoculated. Roots N fixed (Ndfa) increased when plant was inoculated with ISRA 604 andamended with 20 mg P kg-1 soil. The inoculated plants exhibited the highest total nitrogen in whole plant as well as in shoots and roots than in non-inoculated and reference plants. G. sepium growthbenefited from selected rhizobia and AM fungus inoculations and P application in a sandy soil

Impact de Eucalyptus camaldulensis sur la diversité des rhizobiums associés à Acacia senegal et A. seyal au Sénégal.

Objectif : Les rhizobiums sont des bactéries symbiotiques importantes pour le développement et l’adaptation des acacias aux contraintes environnementales. Cette étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer l’impact de E. camaldulensis sur la diversité des rhizobiums associés à A. senegal et A. seyal.Méthodologie et résultats : La diversité des rhizobiums a été déterminée à partir de sols prélevés sous des plantations d’eucalyptus. Une suspension aqueuse de chaque sol a servi à inoculer de jeunes plantes d’acacia mises en culture dans des tubes Gibson. Au bout d’un mois, les nodules formés sur le système racinaire ont été récoltés, aseptisés et broyés. La région IGS des bactéries contenues dans chaque nodule a ainsi été amplifiée par PCR à l’aide d’amorces spécifiques. Les fragments amplifiés ont été séquencés et les séquences nucléotidiques obtenues ont permis de construire les arbres phylogénétiques. La diversité des rhizobiums dans les sols Sous Couvert (SC) et Hors Couvert (HC) a été calculée par l’indice de Shannon pour chaque plante piège. Les résultats obtenus montrent que les plantations de E. camaldulensis réduisent la diversité des rhizobiums associés aux acacias sahéliens mais l’effet varie selon la plante piège. Les bradyrhizobiums associés à A. seyal étaient majoritairement rencontrés dans les sols SC de Eucalyptus ; ce qui semble montrer un effet sélectif.Conclusion et application de résultats : Cette étude a montré que E. camaldulensis impacte négativement sur la diversité des rhizobiums mais, le groupe des bradyrhizobiums semble être plus tolérant à l’effet Eucalyptus que les autres groupes de rhizobiums. Ces bactéries pourraient ainsi être utilisées pour la récupération des sols ayant servi à des plantations de Eucalyptus.Mots clés : Diversité des Rhizobiums, Acacia, Impact de Eucalyptus

"Discovery of oil and gas in Senegal : marine environment, protected fishing areas and marine protected areas" : advocacy for collective prevention of ecological risks [résumé]

ICAWA : International Conference AWA, Dakar, SEN, 13-/12/2016 - 15/12/2016Senegal has a network of protected marine areas (MPAs) but also protected fishing areas (SPAs) with a view to conserving marine biodiversity, protecting and restoring habitats and managing fishing. Recent discoveries of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) were successively discovered in 2014 (Sangomar offshore deep 473 million barrels in the deposit) and in 2015 straddling Senegal and Mauritania in the deep offshore Kayar block and that of St. Louis offshore deep (450 billion m3). This type of exploitation refers to original issues because the economic resources coming from the sea are essential for the State (e.g. artisanal fishing and fishing agreements, tourism, coastal urbanization), but also because Senegal is involved in major international conservation agreements. The country is currently at a key moment in its oil history, whose production of the first barrels of oil is expected from 2021-2023. The technical and security arrangements necessary for the environmental management of petroleum exploitation refer to a major concern, linked first to ecological problems in the exploration phase. Impacts on marine biodiversity can be observed with the phenomenon related to the discharge of waste (spoil, sludge, waste etc.) or accidental spills (crude oil). In addition, mapping of sensitive areas on the high seas (surface and seabed) is not clearly defined by scientific research centers (CRODT, CSE, DGEFM, etc.). Thus, faced with insufficient knowledge and information on the Senegalese continental slope and the risks linked to the exploration and future production of fossil fuels at sea, the State must take measures to better control the whole process of the oil and gas activities taking place at sea but above all to be able to reconcile them with maritime fishing and the conservation of marine biodiversity in order to manage all its maritime resources on a sustainable basis. The data, in particular bio-ecological, fishing, physical and anthropological, acquired during the implementation of MPAs and ZPPs are all useful data for the establishment of benchmarks but must also be considered before the start-up phase. Recent exercises to monitor and model the hydrodynamics of the Senegalese continental shelf under the AWA project are also valuable pieces of information that could be used to manage potential impacts (eg Polmar; 07022 of 16/07/2009, on the organization and operation of the national plan to combat marine pollution). The project piloted by AWATOX also made it possible to carry out measurements of the ecotoxicological state of the peninsula of Cape Verde. This project can provide input and support with relevant scientific information. In view of this prospect of development of the Senegalese oil and gas sector, we emphasize that all actors, in particular those of the littoral, are encouraged to a participatory and inclusive management of fossil fuels located in the edge of the continental shelf

"Discovery of oil and gas in Senegal : marine environment, protected fishing areas and marine protected areas" : advocacy for collective prevention of ecological risks [résumé]

ICAWA : International Conference AWA, Dakar, SEN, 13-/12/2016 - 15/12/2016Senegal has a network of protected marine areas (MPAs) but also protected fishing areas (SPAs) with a view to conserving marine biodiversity, protecting and restoring habitats and managing fishing. Recent discoveries of hydrocarbons (oil and gas) were successively discovered in 2014 (Sangomar offshore deep 473 million barrels in the deposit) and in 2015 straddling Senegal and Mauritania in the deep offshore Kayar block and that of St. Louis offshore deep (450 billion m3). This type of exploitation refers to original issues because the economic resources coming from the sea are essential for the State (e.g. artisanal fishing and fishing agreements, tourism, coastal urbanization), but also because Senegal is involved in major international conservation agreements. The country is currently at a key moment in its oil history, whose production of the first barrels of oil is expected from 2021-2023. The technical and security arrangements necessary for the environmental management of petroleum exploitation refer to a major concern, linked first to ecological problems in the exploration phase. Impacts on marine biodiversity can be observed with the phenomenon related to the discharge of waste (spoil, sludge, waste etc.) or accidental spills (crude oil). In addition, mapping of sensitive areas on the high seas (surface and seabed) is not clearly defined by scientific research centers (CRODT, CSE, DGEFM, etc.). Thus, faced with insufficient knowledge and information on the Senegalese continental slope and the risks linked to the exploration and future production of fossil fuels at sea, the State must take measures to better control the whole process of the oil and gas activities taking place at sea but above all to be able to reconcile them with maritime fishing and the conservation of marine biodiversity in order to manage all its maritime resources on a sustainable basis. The data, in particular bio-ecological, fishing, physical and anthropological, acquired during the implementation of MPAs and ZPPs are all useful data for the establishment of benchmarks but must also be considered before the start-up phase. Recent exercises to monitor and model the hydrodynamics of the Senegalese continental shelf under the AWA project are also valuable pieces of information that could be used to manage potential impacts (eg Polmar; 07022 of 16/07/2009, on the organization and operation of the national plan to combat marine pollution). The project piloted by AWATOX also made it possible to carry out measurements of the ecotoxicological state of the peninsula of Cape Verde. This project can provide input and support with relevant scientific information. In view of this prospect of development of the Senegalese oil and gas sector, we emphasize that all actors, in particular those of the littoral, are encouraged to a participatory and inclusive management of fossil fuels located in the edge of the continental shelf

Treatment of atheromatous renal artery in-stent restenosis in 51 patients

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