Lability of IgE Levels Early in Life

We report a case of a very fast and intriguing decrease in IgE concentrations after exclusion from the diet of any CM lysate in an unusual clinical presentation of cow's milk allergy in an infant. Analysis of IgE kinetics after allergen elimination suggests rapid cessation of IgE biosynthesis and a short IgE half-life

Dexamethasone palmitate large porous particles: A controlled release formulation for lung delivery of corticosteroids

International audienceWe have optimized a formulation of a prodrug of dexamethasone (DXM), dexamethasone palmitate (DXP) for pulmonary delivery as a dry powder. Formulations were prepared by spray drying DXP with 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine (DPPC) and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) as excipients. Large porous particles around 13 μm were produced with a tap density of 0.05 g/cm 3 and a Fine particle fraction around 40%. The palmitate moiety favors DXP insertion into DPPC bilayers therefore limiting its in vitro release as shown by differential scanning calorimetry. After administering DXP powder intratracheally to rats by insufflation, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood samples were collected up to 24 h and DXP and DXM concentrations were determined by HPLC analysis after extraction. PK parameters were evaluated according to a non-compartmental model. We observe that DXP remains for up to 6 h in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the lungs at very high concentration. In addition, DXP concentration decreases according to two characteristic times. Consequently, DXM can be detected at rather important concentration in ELF up to 24 h. The passage of DXP from the lungs to the bloodstream is very poor whereas DXM seems to be absorbed in the blood more easily. These results suggest that once administered DXP undergoes two different processes: hydrolysis into DXM due to the presence of esterases in the lungs and distribution in the lung tissue. This formulation appears promising to reduce systemic exposure and prolong the effect of the drug locally

Évaluation des pratiques post récolte favorables à la contamination de l’arachide par les mycotoxines dans trois régions de Côte d’Ivoire

Objectif: Les techniques post récoltes jouent un rôle déterminant dans la contamination de l’arachide par les aflatoxines. Cette étude a pour objectif de contribuer à réduire la contamination de l’arachide par les aflatoxines en Côte d’Ivoire par l’identification des pratiques post récoltes à risque.Méthodologie et résultats: Un questionnaire a permis de recueillir les renseignements sur lesdites pratiques dans trois régions : nord, centre et ouest. Le séchage de l’arachide se fait au soleil quel que soit la localité et dure en moyenne 4 à 14 jours. Les arachides sont séchées et conservées en coques dans le nord. Dans les zones de centre et ouest, les gousses sont soit séchées puis décortiquées, soit décortiqués avant séchage. Le stockage des graines ou des gousses se fait dans des sacs en polyéthylène dans les maisons (86%) ou en vrac dans des greniers (14%). La récolte peut être conservée jusqu’à 9 mois avant consommation ou vente. 58,1% des productrices ont des pertes dues à l’effet des moisissures. La contamination fongique de l’arachide s’opère dans 55,8 % des cas, durant le séchage et le stockage, et dans 34,9 % des cas au cours de l’apparitiondes fleurs au champ.Conclusion et application des résultats: Les étapes de séchage et de stockage représentent un risque de contamination par les aflatoxines. Une maitrise des techniques post récolte permettrait de réduire la contamination par les aflatoxines. Il ressort de cette étude qu'une formation des productrices aux bonnes pratiques de production réduirait la contamination parcours aflatoxines.Mots clés: post-récolte, séchage, conservation, arachide, aflatoxinesEnglish Title: Evaluation of post-harvest practices favorable to the contamination of peanut by mycotoxins in three regions of Côte d'IvoireEnglish AbstractObjective: Post harvest techniques take a decisive role in peanuts by aflatoxins contamination. The aim of this study is to help to reduce aflatoxin contamination of groundnuts in Côte d'Ivoire by identifying post-harvest practices at risk.Methodology and results: A survey permit to collect information on post-harvest practices in three regions: north, center and west. Peanuts are dried at sun whatever the locality and lasts on average 4 to 14 days. Peanuts are dried and kept in pods in the north. In the central and western areas, pods are either dried and then shelled, or shelled before drying. The storage of seeds or pods is done in polythene bags in homes (86%) or bulk in granaries (14%). Peanuts can be kept until 9 months before consumption or sale. 58.1% of producers have losses due to effect of molds. Fungal contamination of peanuts occurs in 55.8% of cases, during drying and storage, and in 34.9% of cases during flowering in the field.Conclusion and application of results: Drying and storage stages represent a risk of contamination by aflatoxins. Mastering post-harvest techniques would reduce aflatoxin contamination. This study shows that training producers in good production practices would reduce aflatoxin contamination.Keywords: post-harvest, drying, storage, peanut, aflatoxin

Evaluation Des Caracteristiques Physico-Chimiques Et Microbiologiques D’un Beignet Traditionnel A Base De Mil Fermente (Gnomy) Commercialise Dans La Ville De Yamoussoukro (Cote D’ivoire)

Food craft is very active in Ivory Coast. It is mainly sold in the street and show a large variety of products, among them gnomy, a traditional donut prepared from fermented and deep fried millet. Evaluation of physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics of this food was the main theme of this study. The results demonstrate that gnomy is an acid food with a pH around 5.88 and protein content of 4.7 g/100 g. The absence of Salmonella and enumeration of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Coliforms and Streptococci in the final product show that the gnomy produced at the laboratory following good hygiene practices is a food of satisfactory sanitary quality

Caractérisation Biochimique De La Pulpe des Fruits Du Prunier Noir (Vitex Doniana) De La Côte d’Ivoire

Black plum, the fruit of Vitex doniana, was harvested in three (3) regions belonging to different climatic zones in northern Côte d'Ivoire. Biochemical characteristics of the pulps were studied in order to highlight their nutritional potential and the variability of this composition according to study areas. From the conventional biochemical analyzes used, it appears that the fruit pulp is acidic and mostly made up of water. It is rich in sugars and has antioxidant power between 18.63 ± 0.02 and 35.54 ± 0.01 µg.mL -1. There is also the presence of polyphenols (166.67 ± 0.01 – 196.67 ± 0.01 mEq A.G./100g) and vitamin C (14.34 ± 0.02 – 15.05 ± 0.07 mg/100g). Ashes consist of minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. The analysis of the variance showed that the mean of the parameters studied are significantly different from one region to the other, except the ash rate and vitamin C content. In view of its nutritional quality, black plum presents itself as an interesting fruit to be taken into account in the prevention of certain dietary imbalances and which can even intervene at low cost in the treatment of certain pathologies

Hydrochemical Characterization and Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Mining Environment of Afema Township (South-East of Côte d’Ivoire)

Afema Township, located in the department of Aboisso, was mined from 1992 to 1998. At the end of the exploitation, the sites did not undergo any real rehabilitation work. In order to determine the impact of these mining activities on the physicochemical characteristics and quality of groundwater, this study was undertaken. The results of the water analyses collected in the mining area were processed using Piper's triangular diagram and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The methodological approach consisted, first of all, in determining the hydro-facies of the waters studied, then in dividing them into different groups on the basis of their hydro-chemical similarity and in identifying the factors likely to explain both the origin of the parameters studied and their correlation. Finally, the overall quality of these waters was estimated from the calculation of the quality index. The results showed that the waters studied were divided into two main families: chloride-calcium-magnesium waters and bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium waters. They were on the whole weakly mineralized, with an average electrical conductivity of 195.76 μS.cm-1. This mineralization was controlled by two essential phenomena, the residence time of water in the aquifers and surface infiltration and leaching from unsaturated ground. The physico-chemical quality of the groundwater studied complied with the standards of potability recommended by the WHO. However, the results also showed high levels of cadmium (0.052 mg.L-1) and lead (0.058 mg.L-1); this explained the overall poor quality of these waters according to the water quality index. Thus, the studied waters presented a real risk for human consumption. The consumption of these waters by local communities exposes them to health risks

Hydrochemical Characterization and Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Mining Environment of Afema Township (South-East of Côte d’Ivoire)

Afema Township, located in the department of Aboisso, was mined from 1992 to 1998. At the end of the exploitation, the sites did not undergo any real rehabilitation work. In order to determine the impact of these mining activities on the physicochemical characteristics and quality of groundwater, this study was undertaken. The results of the water analyses collected in the mining area were processed using Piper's triangular diagram and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The methodological approach consisted, first of all, in determining the hydro-facies of the waters studied, then in dividing them into different groups on the basis of their hydro-chemical similarity and in identifying the factors likely to explain both the origin of the parameters studied and their correlation. Finally, the overall quality of these waters was estimated from the calculation of the quality index. The results showed that the waters studied were divided into two main families: chloride-calcium-magnesium waters and bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium waters. They were on the whole weakly mineralized, with an average electrical conductivity of 195.76 μS.cm-1. This mineralization was controlled by two essential phenomena, the residence time of water in the aquifers and surface infiltration and leaching from unsaturated ground. The physico-chemical quality of the groundwater studied complied with the standards of potability recommended by the WHO. However, the results also showed high levels of cadmium (0.052 mg.L-1) and lead (0.058 mg.L-1); this explained the overall poor quality of these waters according to the water quality index. Thus, the studied waters presented a real risk for human consumption. The consumption of these waters by local communities exposes them to health risks

Implementation of a National Reference Laboratory for Buruli Ulcer Disease in Togo

Background: In a previous study PCR analysis of clinical samples from suspected cases of Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) from Togo and external quality assurance (EQA) for local microscopy were conducted at an external reference laboratory in Germany. The relatively poor performance of local microscopy as well as effort and time associated with shipment of PCR samples necessitated the implementation of stringent EQA measures and availability of local laboratory capacity. This study describes the approach to implementation of a national BUD reference laboratory in Togo. Methodology: Large scale outreach activities accompanied by regular training programs for health care professionals were conducted in the regions "Maritime'' and "Central,'' standard operating procedures defined all processes in participating laboratories (regional, national and external reference laboratories) as well as the interaction between laboratories and partners in the field. Microscopy was conducted at regional level and slides were subjected to EQA at national and external reference laboratories. For PCR analysis, sample pairs were collected and subjected to a dry-reagent-based IS2404-PCR (DRB-PCR) at national level and standard IS2404 PCR followed by IS2404 qPCR analysis of negative samples at the external reference laboratory. Principal Findings: The inter-laboratory concordance rates for microscopy ranged from 89% to 94%; overall, microscopy confirmed 50% of all suspected BUD cases. The inter-laboratory concordance rate for PCR was 96% with an overall PCR case confirmation rate of 78%. Compared to a previous study, the rate of BUD patients with non-ulcerative lesions increased from 37% to 50%, the mean duration of disease before clinical diagnosis decreased significantly from 182.6 to 82.1 days among patients with ulcerative lesions, and the percentage of category III lesions decreased from 30.3% to 19.2%. Conclusions: High inter-laboratory concordance rates as well as case confirmation rates of 50% (microscopy), 71% (PCR at national level), and 78% (including qPCR confirmation at external reference laboratory) suggest high standards of BUD diagnostics. The increase of non-ulcerative lesions, as well as the decrease in diagnostic delay and category III lesions, prove the effect of comprehensive EQA and training measures involving also procedures outside the laboratory