Nutritional and reproductive strategies in a chemosymbiotic bivalve living in a tropical intertidal seagrass bed

Sulphide-oxidizing endosymbiont-bearing bivalves often dominate the infauna of seagrass-covered sediments, where they control sulphide levels and contribute to carbon cycling by feeding on chemosynthetically fixed carbon and suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM). Previous studies from temperate habitats suggest that SPOM availability may regulate growth and reproduction, since SPOM may be of greater nutritional value than the material provided by bacterial endosymbionts. To examine if changes in diet correlate with body condition and reproductive activity, we studied seasonal patterns in somatic and gonadal investment and gametogenic development in relation to nutrition in the endosymbiont-bearing bivalve Loripes lucinalis in seagrass-covered intertidal flats at a tropical study site (Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania). Carbon stable isotope analysis revealed clear seasonal cycles in the relative heterotrophic contribution to the diet of Loripes, with mean monthly values ranging from 21% in March to 39% in September. Seasonality was also observed for size-corrected body and somatic mass, both increasing from March to October, suggesting food limitation during winter. In contrast, Loripes exhibits a semiannual reproductive cycle characterized by major spawning events during both January-February and July-August. Growth and gametogenic development seem to especially require supplemental heterotrophic nutrition from June to January. Thus, the ability to shift to heterotrophic feeding contributes to growth, reproductive output and survival in Loripes, with downstream effects on population dynamics and seagrass functioning

Development of a Usutu virus specific real-time reverse transcription PCR assay based on sequenced strains from Africa and Europe

Usutu virus (USUV) has been isolated in several African and European countries mainly from mosquitoes and birds. However, previous benign and two recent severe cases of human infections point out the need of a tool for the identification of USUV in human samples. A published real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR assay for the detection of USUV in human blood or cerebrospinal fluid does not take into account the genetic variability of USUV in different geographic regions. Therefore, this article presents a quantitative real-time RT-PCR assay based on sequences from Europe and Africa. Primers and probe were designed in conserved regions among USUV strains that differed from closely related flaviviruses. The specificity of the assay was investigated by testing 16 other flaviviruses circulating in Africa. The sensitivity was determined by testing serial dilutions of virus and RNA standard. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were evaluated by 10 reactions in a same and in different assays, respectively. The assay provides high analytical specificity for USUV and detection limits of 1.2pfu/reaction for virus dilutions in L-15 medium or human serum and 60 copies/reaction for the RNA standard. The assay needs to be evaluated in a clinical context and integrated in standard diagnosis of flaviviral diseases

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Determinants de l’adoption des semences certifiees de varietes ameliorees du riz au Benin

Au Bénin, la diffusion des variétés à haut rendement de riz s’est accélérée en réponse à une demande croissante de cette denrée. Ces variétés évaluées par la recherche, favorisent l’augmentation du rendement de la production rizicole. Pour cela, la semence de ces variétés nécessite un renouvellement périodique dans les structures garantissant la certification. De ce fait, il existe une différence entre les riziculteurs qui utilisent les semences non certifiées des variétés améliorées et ceux qui utilisent des semences certifiées des variétés améliorées. Malheureusement, cette différentiation n’est pas prise en compte dans la plupart des études de l’adoption des variétés à haut rendement. Cette étude prend alors en compte cet aspect en explicitant les déterminants de l’adoption et de l’intensité d’adoption des semences certifiées des variétés améliorées. Les données ont été collectées auprès d’un échantillon aléatoire de 272 ménages agricoles au Bénin. Les modèles Probit et Tobit sont respectivement utilisés pour identifier les variables affectant l’adoption et de l’intensité d’adoption des semences certifiées des variétés améliorées. Les résultats montrent que 81% des variétés utilisées sont améliorées et 19% sont des variétés traditionnelles. Parmi les adoptants des variétés améliorées, 37% utilisent des semences certifiées. Malgré un faible taux d’adoption des semences certifiées, l’intensité moyenne d’utilisation est de 30%. Les résultats montrent que l’appartenance à une association, le type de crédit, l’activité secondaire et la quantité d’engrais chimiques influencent l’adoption des semences certifiées au niveau des riziculteurs. Par ailleurs, les variables telles que la superficie agricole, l’activité secondaire et le sexe sont décisives sur l’intensité d’adoption. Les résultats suggèrent que pour accroître le taux d’adoption des semences certifiées, les octrois de crédit et les sensibilisations des riziculteurs à travers les associations sont recommandés.Mots clés: Adoption, semence certifiée, riz, déterminants, tobit, probitEnglish Title: Determinants of adoption of certified seeds of improved rice varieties in BeninEnglish AbstractIn Benin, the dissemination of high yield varieties of rice increased in response to the growing demand for this crop. These varieties assessed by the research favor the increase of rice yield. To this end, the seed of these varieties requires a periodical renewal in the structures guarantying the certification. From this fact, there exists in one hand, rice producers who use non certified seeds of the improved varieties and on the other hands, those who use certified seeds of these varieties. Unfortunately, this differentiation is not  taken into account in the adoption studies on seeds of high yield varieties. This study takes into account this aspect in clarifying the adoption determinants as well as the certified seeds adoption intensity. The data were collected from a random sample of 272 farming households. Probit and Logit models are respectively used to identify the variables that affect the adoption and the intensity of adoption of the certified seeds of the improved varieties. The results show that 81% of the varieties used are improved while 19% are traditional varieties. Among the adopters of the improved seeds, 37% use certified seeds. Despite this low percentage of adoption of certified seeds, the mean intensity of use of certified seeds is 30%. The results reveal that being member of a cooperative, the type of credit, the off-rice production activity and the quantity of chemical inputs influence adoption of certified seeds of the improved varieties. Moreover, the variables such as farm lands area, the off-rice production activities and gender are decisive on the adoption intensity. Therefore, in order to increase the certified seeds adoption rate, credit supply and the rice farmers’ awareness through the cooperatives are recommended.Keywords: adoption, certified Seeds, rice, determinants, tobit, probi

Evaluation of the efficiency of bird-baited traps for sampling potential West Nile Fever mosquito vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) in Senegal

The efficiency of bird-baited traps and collection heights for sampling potential West Nile mosquito vectors was studied during the 2006 rainy season (between September 27 and November 26) in Barkedji area situated in the sahelian area of Senegal (West Africa). Each night, two traps were set on the ground-level and two on the canopy-level (~ 3 m) each containing either a chicken or a pigeon, the traps being rotated the following nights. A total of 1,030 mosquitoes were collected using 66 traps-nights. Culex species were predominant and represented 92.2% of the fauna of which 63% belonged to Cx. neavei group Theobald whereas 23.8% were Cx poicilipes (Theobald). The species of the Cx. neavei group were mainly collected by the pigeon-baited trap at canopy while Cx. poicilipes was captured similarly by pigeons and chickens placed at the canopy and ground. The implication of these results in West Nile vectors surveillance is discussed

Evidence of West Nile virus circulation among humans in central northern Algeria

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the most widely distributed flavivirus worldwide. It is a mosquito-borne virus, and birds constitute its natural reservoir. Humans and equines are considered accidental hosts. Human WNV infections are usually asymptomatic or express as a mild febrile syndrome; however, in around 1% of cases they are responsible for more serious neurological diseases with a potentially lethal outcome. In the Mediterranean basin the virus circulation is regarded as endemic. Outbreaks of WNV meningoencephalitis are regularly notified, especially during summer and autumn seasons. In Algeria, although some surveys have reported WNV activity in the Sahara, to date few data are available about virus circulation in the northern part of the country. We conducted this study to detect possible WNV activity in this part of Algeria. For this purpose, in 2010 a total of 164 human sera were collected from native patients of the Algiers district and surrounding areas, then tested retrospectively for IgG anti-WNV by ELISA. Plaque reduction neutralization technique (PRNT) was used for result confirmation. In this cohort, 9.8% of the 164 collected sera returned positive for anti-WNV IgG; after confirmation by PRNT; 6.7% had specific neutralizing antibodies. No statistically significant difference was observed according to the sex or transfusion status of the patients. In conclusion, these data show for the first time serological evidence of WNV circulation in Algiers and its surrounding areas. They also highlight the need for implementing an integrated surveillance programme covering all aspects of WNV disease in order to better understand the circulation dynamics of WNV in this region. Other flaviviruses antigenically related to WNV should be investigated, given the evidence of serological cross-reaction, as specific IgG antibodies decrease after PRNT confirmation. Keywords: Algeria, circulation, ELISA, north central, sero-neutralization (PRNT), West Nile viru