Amino Acids Profile of Five Leafy Vegetables Mainly Consumed in Western Côte d’Ivoire

In tropical Africa, leafy vegetables are traditionally cooked and eaten as a relish together with a starchy staple food. To contribute to their wider utilization and valorization in food sector, five leafy vegetables consumed in Western Côte d’Ivoire were investigated for their amino acids composition. The leaves of Abelmoschus esculentus, Celosia argentea, Ipomea batatas, Manihot esculenta and Myrianthus arboreus were the five leafy vegetables studied. The samples of these five leafy vegetables in this study were collected at maturity in cultivated farmlands located at Dabou (Southern Côte d’Ivoire). Then, they were washed and oven dried at 60 °C during three days before ground. The amino acid content of the ground samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technical. The results were showed a significantly different (p ˂ 0.05) between amino acids contents of the five leafy vegetables. For a non-essential amino acids, all the five leaves studied were contained only proline with concentrations varying from 563.6 ± 1.08 to 1562.9 ± 1.88 mg/100 g. The two(2) other non-essential amino acids, arginine and tyrosine were detected only in leaves of C. argentea (1370.6 mg/100mg) and A. esculentus (1.70 mg/100mg) respectively. Concerning essential amino acids, only leucine was contained in all leafy vegetables with contents between 175.9 ± 0.56 and 9685.9 ± 5.14 mg/100 g. For the other essential amino acids, lysine was contained in leaves of C. argentea, I. batatas and M. arboreus with respectives concentrations of 266.7 ± 0.89 mg/100 g, 7225.9 ± 2.56 mg/100 g and 182.4 ± 0.66 mg/100 g. Tryptophane was quantified in leaves of A. esculentus and I. batatas with respectives levels of 1205.4 ± 1.86 mg/100g and 175.4 ± 0.84 mg/100g. Valine was detected in leaves of C. argentea and M. esculenta with respectives contents of 1069.4 ± 1.21 mg/100g and 1639.1 ± 1.39 mg/100g. Methionine was contained in leaf of C. argentea with level of 165.1 ± 0.61 mg/100g. The important concentration of amino acids revealed in leaves studied clearly would justify their consumption by Western Côte d’Ivoire populations. Therefore, exploitation of leafy vegetables could contribute food security of ivorian population

L’ impact du comité d’audit dans l’amélioration de la gouvernance des entreprises maliennes

La gouvernance est utilisée dans de nombreux domaines. Ce concept a pour origine du verbe grec « kubernân » signifiant « piloter un navire ou un char » cité par (Bakkour, 2013).A cet effet, le conseil d’administration est un organe suprême qui fixe les règles de gouvernance d’entreprise et la vision stratégique de l’entreprise à long terme. En cela il se fait aider par son comité spécialisé, qui est en occurrence, le comité d’audit. Le comité d’audit se concentre davantage sur les systèmes, les processus et les contrôles internes correspondants et collabore avec les auditeurs internes dans le cadre de leur supervision et de leur protection contre les pressions opportunistes des dirigeants afin de promouvoir la gouvernance d’entreprise. L’objectif de cet article consiste à distinguer l’influence du comité d’audit sur l’amélioration de la gouvernance des entreprises maliennes prestataires de service. Cette recherche qui utilise des données quantitatives, une démarche hypothético-déductive classique et adopte un positionnement épistémologique positiviste. Le résultat obtenu auprès de 65 personnes dans 39 entreprises maliennes prestataires de service, nous montre que le comité d’audit améliore la gouvernance des entreprises maliennes prestataires de service, cela a été affirmé par 92.3% des répondants à notre questionnaire d’enquête.  &nbsp

Gestion des crédits en souffrances dans les systèmes financiers décentralisés au Mali

Decentralized Financial Systems facilitate access to credit for people excluded from the traditional financial system. They specialize in financing small and medium-sized economic activities. The granting of credit remains the main activity of its microfinance institutions. Moreover the offer of DFIs does not stop there. Nowadays the financial services offered by DFIs go beyond microcredit, namely savings; insurance; money transfer. Microcredit is aimed at micro-entrepreneurs who carry out an income-generating activity. However, in recent years, DFIs, like most financial structures, have experienced great difficulties due to the 2008 financial crisis, but also because of the increase in non-payment, which has led to the bankruptcy of several MFIs. This article makes it possible to see the contribution of the management of overdue credits in general and that of AMIFA-MALI in particular. Collection services are an indispensable means of mitigating these credit risks. We conducted a general acquaintance with the institution, an assessment of internal control, an examination of the accounts (analytical review, follow-up of procedural tests) which allowed us to identify the strengths and weaknesses, some of which could explain the difficulties related to the management of overdue appropriations. The causes of AMIFA-MALI's outstanding credits can be grouped into two categories.   Keywords: System; Financial ;Decentralized; AMIFA Classification JEL : G2 Paper type: Empirical researchLes Systèmes Financiers Décentralisés permettent de faciliter l’accès au crédit à des personnes exclues du système financier traditionnel. Ils sont spécialisés dans le financement des activités économiques de petites et moyennes tailles. L’octroi de crédit demeure la principale activité de ses institutions de microfinance par ailleurs l’offre des SFD ne s’arrête pas là. De nos jours les services financiers offerts par les SFD vont au-delà du microcrédit à savoir : l’épargne ; l’assurance ; le transfert d’argent. Le microcrédit s’adresse aux micro-entrepreneurs qui exercent une activité génératrice de revenus. Cependant, au cours de ces dernières années, les SFD comme la plupart des structures financières ont connu de grandes difficultés à cause de la crise financière de 2008, mais aussi à cause de l’augmentation des impayés, ce qui a entrainé la faillite de plusieurs SFD. Cet article permet de voir l’apport de la gestion des crédits en souffrance en général et celui d’AMIFA-MALI en particulier. Les services de recouvrement sont un moyen indispensable pour atténuer ces risques de crédits. Nous avons procédé à une prise de connaissance générale de l’institution, une évaluation du contrôle interne, un examen des comptes (revue analytique, suivi des tests de procédures) qui nous a permis de relever les points forts et les points faibles, dont certaines défaillances pouvant expliquer les difficultés liées à la gestion des crédits en souffrances. Les causes des crédits en souffrances d’AMIFA-MALI peuvent être regroupées en deux catégories.   Mots clés : Système ; Financier ; Décentralisé ; AMIFA Classification JEL : G2 Type de l’article : Recherche empiriqu

Antibacterial Activity of 04 Medicinal Plant on the IN VITRO Growth of Multi-Resistant Strains Involved in Diarrhea in the Department of Kouto (Ivory Coast)

This work aims at evaluating in vitro the antibacterial effects of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of leaf macerates, Manilkara multinervis, Waltheria indica root bark, Securrinega virosa, and Anogeissus leiocarpa stem bark. These four medicinal plants are traditionally used to treat diarrhea in the canton of North-Niéné (Department of Kouto, Côte d'Ivoire). The antibacterial activities of the various extracts from these plants were carried out on multi-resistant strains (Escherichia coli BLSE, Shigella flexneri BLSE, Staphylococcus aureus meti-R). The methodology consisted of extracting the drugs with a 70% hydroalcoholic solvent and distilled water. Agar diffusion and dilution methods were used for susceptibility testing and determination of CMI and CMB parameters. Agar diffusion and dilution methods were used. By the diffusion method, all four plants were found to be active on at least one of the bacteria tested. The ethanolic extract of M. Multinervis was the most active by inducing a diameter of 15 mm on the growth of S. aureus meti-R. As for the dilution method, the ethanolic extracts of W. indica and M. Multinervis showed bactericidal effects on both S. aureus at 6.25 mg/mL and 3.125 mg/mLrespectively as well as on all other 100 mg/mL germs. Only M. Multinervis recorded the highest activity. This important activity was demonstrated on S. aureus meti-R with a minimum bactericidal concentration of 3.125 mg/mL. These results confirm the traditional use of these plants in the management of diarrheal diseases in the Department of Kouto

Antibacterial Activity of 04 Medicinal Plant on the IN VITRO Growth of Multi-Resistant Strains Involved in Diarrhea in the Department of Kouto (Ivory Coast)

This work aims at evaluating in vitro the antibacterial effects of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of leaf macerates, Manilkara multinervis, Waltheria indica root bark, Securrinega virosa, and Anogeissus leiocarpa stem bark. These four medicinal plants are traditionally used to treat diarrhea in the canton of North-Niéné (Department of Kouto, Côte d'Ivoire). The antibacterial activities of the various extracts from these plants were carried out on multi-resistant strains (Escherichia coli BLSE, Shigella flexneri BLSE, Staphylococcus aureus meti-R). The methodology consisted of extracting the drugs with a 70% hydroalcoholic solvent and distilled water. Agar diffusion and dilution methods were used for susceptibility testing and determination of CMI and CMB parameters. Agar diffusion and dilution methods were used. By the diffusion method, all four plants were found to be active on at least one of the bacteria tested. The ethanolic extract of M. Multinervis was the most active by inducing a diameter of 15 mm on the growth of S. aureus meti-R. As for the dilution method, the ethanolic extracts of W. indica and M. Multinervis showed bactericidal effects on both S. aureus at 6.25 mg/mL and 3.125 mg/mLrespectively as well as on all other 100 mg/mL germs. Only M. Multinervis recorded the highest activity. This important activity was demonstrated on S. aureus meti-R with a minimum bactericidal concentration of 3.125 mg/mL. These results confirm the traditional use of these plants in the management of diarrheal diseases in the Department of Kouto

Differential infectivity of gametocytes after artemisinin-based combination therapy of uncomplicated falciparum malaria

Background: Most malaria-endemic countries use artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as their first-line treatment. ACTs are known to be highly effective on asexual stages of the malaria parasite. Malaria transmission and the spread of resistant parasites depend on the infectivity of gametocytes. The effect of the current ACT regimens on gametocyte infectivity is unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the infectivity of gametocytes to Anopheles gambiae following ACT treatment in the field. Methods: During a randomised controlled trial in Bougoula-Hameau, Mali, conducted from July 2005 to July 2007, volunteers with uncomplicated malaria were randomised to receive artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine, or artesunate-sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine. Volunteers were followed for 28 days, and gametocyte carriage was assessed. Direct skin feeding assays were performed on gametocyte carriers before and after ACT administration. Results: Following artemether-lumefantrine treatment, gametocyte carriage decreased steadily from Day 0 to Day 21 post-treatment initiation. In contrast, for the artesunate-amodiaquine and artesunate-sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine arms, gametocyte carriage increased on Day 3 and remained constant until Day 7 before decreasing afterward. Mosquito feeding assays showed that artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine significantly increased gametocyte infectivity to Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) (p < 10−4), whereas artesunate-sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine decreased gametocyte infectivity in this setting (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Different ACT regimens could lead to gametocyte populations with different capacity to infect the Anopheles vector. Frequent assessment of the effect of antimalarials on gametocytogenesis and gametocyte infectivity may be required for the full assessment of treatment efficacy, the potential for spread of drug resistance and malaria transmission in the field

Apport des moyens endoscopiques dans la dilatation des sténoses caustiques de l’oesophage

Introduction: The aim of this work was to present the contribution of the endoscopy in the management of esophageal dilatation for caustic esophageal stenosis (CES). Methods: This was a descriptive and prospective study in the thoracic surgery department at the Hospital of Mali. A total of 46 cases of CES is recorded and divided into 4 groups according to the topography of the esophageal lesions. For the different methods of dilatation the number of performed endoscopic support was determined to understand the contribution of endoscopic means in the success of dilatation for CES. The outcome, complications and mortality in the two methods were compared. Results: Fibroscopy was used in 41.30% of patients with Savary Guillard dilators and in 47.82% of patients with Lerut dilators. Video laryngoscopy was used in 58.69% of patients who underwent dilatation with Lerut dilators. The passage of the guide wire was performed in 39.13% under video laryngoscopy and 58.68% under fibroscopy. In comparison of the two methods, there is a significant difference in the occurrence of complications (p = 0.04075), general anesthesia (p = 0.02287), accessibility (p = 0.04805) and mortality (p = 0.00402). Conclusion: The CES is a serious disease and under evaluated in Mali. The endoscopies contribute significantly to the success of esophageal dilatation for caustic stenosis in the different methods we used.Keywords: Esophagus, caustic stenosis, dilatation, endoscopicPan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Effects of lenten fasting on body composition and biochemical parameters

Background: The catholic lenten fasting is the period of 40 days of fasting that precedes Easter. It is one of religious fasting less documented in the scientific literature. Thus the aim of our study was to evaluate the evolution of anthropometric and body composition and biochemical profile during Catholic lenten fasting.Methods: We conducted a prospective study, which took place during the period between one week before at the end of lenten fasting. Eleven fasters (4 women and 7 men), aged between 18 and 59 years were included in present study. Anthropometric, body composition parameters and biochemical profile were evaluated one week before, at 15th day and at the end of Lenten fasting.Results: Weight, body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat decreased significantly at the end of Lenten fasting. Lipid profile changed significantly during this fasting period. Total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein – cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides decreased significantly with fasting. High density lipoprotein – cholesterol (HDL-C) was remained unchanged during this fasting period while TC/HDL ratio was significantly decreased at the end of Lent.Conclusions: Present study showed that the fasting of Lent seems to have beneficial effects on reducing cardiovascular risk factors. Further studies are required to better understand the physiological mechanisms involved for a therapeutic use

Aestivation of the African Malaria Mosquito, Anopheles gambiae in the Sahel

The African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, inhabits diverse environments including dry savannas, where surface waters required for larval development are absent for 4–8 months per year. Under such conditions, An. gambiae virtually disappears. Whether populations survive the long dry season by aestivation (a dormant state promoting extended longevity during the summer) or are reestablished by migrants from distant locations where larval sites persist has remained an enigma for over 60 years. Resolving this question is important, because fragile dry season populations may be more susceptible to control. Here, we show unequivocally that An. gambiae aestivates based on a demographic study and a mark release–recapture experiment spanning the period from the end of one wet season to the beginning of the next. During the dry season, An. gambiae was barely detectable in Sahelian villages of Mali. Five days after the first rain, before a new generation of adults could be produced, mosquito abundance surged 10-fold, implying that most mosquitoes were concealed locally until the rain. Four days after the first rain, a marked female An. gambiae s.s. was recaptured. Initially captured, marked, and released at the end of the previous wet season, she has survived the 7-month-long dry season. These results provide evidence that An. gambiae persists throughout the dry season by aestivation and open new questions for mosquito and parasite research. Improved malaria control by targeting aestivating mosquitoes using existing or novel strategies may be possible

Effects of amodiaquine and artesunate on sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine pharmacokinetic parameters in children under five in Mali

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, in combination with artesunate or amodiaquine, is recommended for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria and is being evaluated for intermittent preventive treatment. Yet, limited data is available on pharmacokinetic interactions between these drugs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a randomized controlled trial, children aged 6-59 months with uncomplicated <it>falciparum </it>malaria, received either one dose of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine alone (SP), one dose of SP plus three daily doses of amodiaquine (SP+AQ) or one dose of SP plus 3 daily doses of artesunate (SP+AS). Exactly 100 μl of capillary blood was collected onto filter paper before drug administration at day 0 and at days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after drug administration for analysis of sulphadoxine and pyrimethamine pharmacokinetic parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Fourty, 38 and 31 patients in the SP, SP+AQ and SP+AS arms, respectively were included in this study. The concentrations on day 7 (that are associated with therapeutic efficacy) were similar between the SP, SP+AQ and SP+AS treatment arms for sulphadoxine (median [IQR] 35.25 [27.38-41.70], 34.95 [28.60-40.85] and 33.40 [24.63-44.05] μg/mL) and for pyrimethamine (56.75 [46.40-92.95], 58.75 [43.60-98.60] and 59.60 [42.45-86.63] ng/mL). There were statistically significant differences between the pyrimethamine volumes of distribution (4.65 [3.93-6.40], 4.00 [3.03-5.43] and 5.60 [4.40-7.20] L/kg; <it>p = 0.001</it>) and thus elimination half-life (3.26 [2.74 -3.82], 2.78 [2.24-3.65] and 4.02 [3.05-4.85] days; <it>p < 0.001</it>). This study confirmed the lower SP concentrations previously reported for young children when compared with adult malaria patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite slight differences in pyrimethamine volumes of distribution and elimination half-life, these data show similar exposure to SP over the critical initial seven days of treatment and support the current use of SP in combination with either AQ or AS for uncomplicated <it>falciparum </it>malaria treatment in young Malian children.</p