serological markers of pulmonary tuberculosis and of response to anti tuberculosis treatment in a patient population in guinea

The aim of the study was to evaluate serological correlates of active tuberculosis and of response to antituberculosis treatment in a cohort of HIV-negative patients with pulmonary tuberculosis studied at diagnosis and during treatment at the Service de Pneumo-Phtisiologie, Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire Ignace Deen, Conakry, Republic of Guinea. Two similar cohorts of HIV-negative healthy households of patients and healthy community controls were included in the study. Plasma samples were obtained from 168 untreated tuberculosis patients, 167 healthy household controls, and 168 healthy community controls. Serial plasma samples were also obtained from the tuberculosis patients at 2 and 8 months after initiation of chemotherapy. IgG antibody levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using ten purified M. tuberculosis antigens. ELISA results were analysed by comparing geometric means of data. Of the ten antigens tested, five (14kDa Ag, 19kDa Ag, AlaDH, MS, and MPT83) elicited similar antibody responses in untreated TB patients and controls. In contrast, levels of three antibodies (ESAT-6, LAM, and 38kDa Ag) were higher in untreated TB patients than in household or community controls (p<0.0001). Levels were higher in untreated patients than in community controls also for the anti-Rv2626c antibody (p = 0.0001) and, at a lower significance level, for the anti-FdxA antibody (p<0.025). Antibody levels against ESAT-6 and Rv2626c decreased during therapy, while antibody levels to the 38 kDa antigen and LAM increased during therapy; FdxA antibody levels did not vary with treatment. Neither severity of presentation nor chest X-ray patterns affected levels of these antibodies before treatment. In contrast, after the 8-month therapeutic course, patients who presented with moderate/severe disease had higher levels of anti-ESAT-6, anti-FdxA, and anti-38kDa antibodies than those of patients with mild disease onset. Patients with bilateral lung lesions had significantly higher anti-38kDa and anti-LAM levels, both at diagnosis and after 8-month treatment, than patients with lesions involving only one lung. Antibodies to alanine dehydrogenase and malate synthetase measured at initiation of treatment were higher in tuberculosis patients who subsequently failed therapy than in those who were cured. The main conclusions of the study are: a) plasma levels of antibodies to a number of M. tuberculosis represent serological correlates of active disease; b) these correlates are affected in an antigen-specific fashion by anti-tuberculosis treatment; c) particular serological markers may be predictive of treatment outcome

Is parasite clearance clinically important after malaria treatment in a high transmission area? A 3-month follow-up of home-based management with herbal medicine or ACT

Argemone mexicana (AM), a validated herbal medicine for uncomplicated malaria, seems to prevent severe malaria without completely clearing parasites in most patients. This study, in a high transmission area of South Mali, explores whether residual parasitaemia at day 28 was associated with subsequent malaria episodes and/or anaemia. Three hundred and one patients were randomly assigned to AM or artesunate/amodiaquine as first line treatment, of whom 294 were followed up beyond the standard 28 days, to 84 days. From day 29 to day 84, there were no significant differences between treatment groups in new clinical episodes of uncomplicated malaria (0.33 vs 0.31 episodes/patient), severe malaria (&lt; 6% per month of patients aged ≤ 5 years) or moderate anaemia (hematocrit &lt; 24%: 1.1% in both groups at day 84). Total parasite clearance at day 28 was not correlated with incidence of uncomplicated or severe malaria or of moderate anaemia over the subsequent two months. Total parasite clearance at day 28 was not clinically important in the context of high transmission. If this finding can be confirmed, some antimalarials which are clinically effective but do not completely clear parasites could nevertheless be appropriate in high transmission areas. Such a policy could be tested as a way to delay resistance to artemisinin combination therapies

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata): Genetics, genomics and breeding

Article purchased; Published online: 9 May 2018Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.), is an important grain legume grown in the tropics where it constitutes a valuable source of protein in the diets of millions of people. Some abiotic and biotic stresses adversely affect its productivity. A review of the genetics, genomics and breeding of cowpea is presented in this article. Cowpea breeding programmes have studied intensively qualitative and quantitative genetics of the crop to better enhance its improvement. A number of initiatives including Tropical Legumes projects have contributed to the development of cowpea genomic resources. Recent progress in the development of consensus genetic map containing 37,372 SNPs mapped to 3,280 bins will strengthen cowpea trait discovery pipeline. Several informative markers associated with quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to desirable attributes of cowpea were generated. Cowpea genetic improvement activities aim at the development of drought tolerant, phosphorus use efficient, bacterial blight and virus resistant lines through exploiting available genetic resources as well as deployment of modern breeding tools that will enhance genetic gain when grown by sub‐Saharan Africa farmers

Alcator C-Mod: research in support of ITER and steps beyond

This paper presents an overview of recent highlights from research on Alcator C-Mod. Significant progress has been made across all research areas over the last two years, with particular emphasis on divertor physics and power handling, plasma–material interaction studies, edge localized mode-suppressed pedestal dynamics, core transport and turbulence, and RF heating and current drive utilizing ion cyclotron and lower hybrid tools. Specific results of particular relevance to ITER include: inner wall SOL transport studies that have led, together with results from other experiments, to the change of the detailed shape of the inner wall in ITER; runaway electron studies showing that the critical electric field required for runaway generation is much higher than predicted from collisional theory; core tungsten impurity transport studies reveal that tungsten accumulation is naturally avoided in typical C-Mod conditions.United States. Department of Energy (DE-FC02-99ER54512-CMOD)United States. Department of Energy (DE-AC02-09CH11466)United States. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-96ER-54373)United States. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-94ER54235

Autoantibodies against type I IFNs in patients with life-threatening COVID-19

Interindividual clinical variability in the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is vast. We report that at least 101 of 987 patients with life-threatening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia had neutralizing immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies (auto-Abs) against interferon-w (IFN-w) (13 patients), against the 13 types of IFN-a (36), or against both (52) at the onset of critical disease; a few also had auto-Abs against the other three type I IFNs. The auto-Abs neutralize the ability of the corresponding type I IFNs to block SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. These auto-Abs were not found in 663 individuals with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and were present in only 4 of 1227 healthy individuals. Patients with auto-Abs were aged 25 to 87 years and 95 of the 101 were men. A B cell autoimmune phenocopy of inborn errors of type I IFN immunity accounts for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia in at least 2.6% of women and 12.5% of men

Global, regional, national, and selected subnational levels of stillbirths, neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality, 1980�2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background Established in 2000, Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) catalysed extraordinary political, financial, and social commitments to reduce under-5 mortality by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. At the country level, the pace of progress in improving child survival has varied markedly, highlighting a crucial need to further examine potential drivers of accelerated or slowed decreases in child mortality. The Global Burden of Disease 2015 Study (GBD 2015) provides an analytical framework to comprehensively assess these trends for under-5 mortality, age-specific and cause-specific mortality among children under 5 years, and stillbirths by geography over time. Methods Drawing from analytical approaches developed and refined in previous iterations of the GBD study, we generated updated estimates of child mortality by age group (neonatal, post-neonatal, ages 1�4 years, and under 5) for 195 countries and territories and selected subnational geographies, from 1980�2015. We also estimated numbers and rates of stillbirths for these geographies and years. Gaussian process regression with data source adjustments for sampling and non-sampling bias was applied to synthesise input data for under-5 mortality for each geography. Age-specific mortality estimates were generated through a two-stage age�sex splitting process, and stillbirth estimates were produced with a mixed-effects model, which accounted for variable stillbirth definitions and data source-specific biases. For GBD 2015, we did a series of novel analyses to systematically quantify the drivers of trends in child mortality across geographies. First, we assessed observed and expected levels and annualised rates of decrease for under-5 mortality and stillbirths as they related to the Soci-demographic Index (SDI). Second, we examined the ratio of recorded and expected levels of child mortality, on the basis of SDI, across geographies, as well as differences in recorded and expected annualised rates of change for under-5 mortality. Third, we analysed levels and cause compositions of under-5 mortality, across time and geographies, as they related to rising SDI. Finally, we decomposed the changes in under-5 mortality to changes in SDI at the global level, as well as changes in leading causes of under-5 deaths for countries and territories. We documented each step of the GBD 2015 child mortality estimation process, as well as data sources, in accordance with the Guidelines for Accurate and Transparent Health Estimates Reporting (GATHER). Findings Globally, 5·8 million (95 uncertainty interval UI 5·7�6·0) children younger than 5 years died in 2015, representing a 52·0% (95% UI 50·7�53·3) decrease in the number of under-5 deaths since 1990. Neonatal deaths and stillbirths fell at a slower pace since 1990, decreasing by 42·4% (41·3�43·6) to 2·6 million (2·6�2·7) neonatal deaths and 47·0% (35·1�57·0) to 2·1 million (1·8-2·5) stillbirths in 2015. Between 1990 and 2015, global under-5 mortality decreased at an annualised rate of decrease of 3·0% (2·6�3·3), falling short of the 4·4% annualised rate of decrease required to achieve MDG4. During this time, 58 countries met or exceeded the pace of progress required to meet MDG4. Between 2000, the year MDG4 was formally enacted, and 2015, 28 additional countries that did not achieve the 4·4% rate of decrease from 1990 met the MDG4 pace of decrease. However, absolute levels of under-5 mortality remained high in many countries, with 11 countries still recording rates exceeding 100 per 1000 livebirths in 2015. Marked decreases in under-5 deaths due to a number of communicable diseases, including lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, measles, and malaria, accounted for much of the progress in lowering overall under-5 mortality in low-income countries. Compared with gains achieved for infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies, the persisting toll of neonatal conditions and congenital anomalies on child survival became evident, especially in low-income and low-middle-income countries. We found sizeable heterogeneities in comparing observed and expected rates of under-5 mortality, as well as differences in observed and expected rates of change for under-5 mortality. At the global level, we recorded a divergence in observed and expected levels of under-5 mortality starting in 2000, with the observed trend falling much faster than what was expected based on SDI through 2015. Between 2000 and 2015, the world recorded 10·3 million fewer under-5 deaths than expected on the basis of improving SDI alone. Interpretation Gains in child survival have been large, widespread, and in many places in the world, faster than what was anticipated based on improving levels of development. Yet some countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, still had high rates of under-5 mortality in 2015. Unless these countries are able to accelerate reductions in child deaths at an extraordinary pace, their achievement of proposed SDG targets is unlikely. Improving the evidence base on drivers that might hasten the pace of progress for child survival, ranging from cost-effective intervention packages to innovative financing mechanisms, is vital to charting the pathways for ultimately ending preventable child deaths by 2030. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY license

International conference ICAWA 2016 : extended book of abstract : the AWA project : ecosystem approach to the management of fisheries and the marine environment in West African waters

In Guinea, among the small pelagics exploited, ethmalose is the subject of an intense maritime artisanal fishing and constitutes one of the most important species from an economic point of view. The present study aims to highlight the socio-economic importance of the fishing of ethmalose and to analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of its abundance. We exploited the database of the National Center for Fisheries Science in Boussoura to estimate: (i) the number of canoes targeting ethmalose, (ii) the evolution of landings over the period 1995-2013, (iii) the number of jobs generated by this fishery and (iv) breeding periods. The results indicate that the number of pirogues targeting ethmalose is constantly increasing. From 978 in 1992 to over 3,800 in 2016. At the same time, landings increased from 23,613 kg in 1995 to more than 74,900 kg in 2013. Over the period 1995-2013, catches of ethmalose constituted one third of artisanal landings. These landings are unevenly distributed in time and space. The period from October to January corresponds to good fishing. Low catches are recorded from February to September. The main fishing grounds are the Boké and Boffa prefectures on the northern coast, where seasonal upwelling is prevalent. Ethmalose reproduces throughout the year with a peak observed in September. The direct employment generated by this fishery is estimated at 17 000

Effective use of food traceability in product recall

International audienceAdvances in Food Traceability Techniques and Technologies: Improving Quality Throughout the Food Chain covers in detail a topic of great importance to both the food industry which is obliged to provide clear and accurate labeling of their products and the government and other organizations which are tasked with verification of claims of food quality and safety.The traceability of food products is becoming ever more important as globalization continues to increase the complexity of food chains. Coverage in the book includes the wide range of technologies and techniques which have been utilized in the tracing of food products. In addition, the ways in which the misuse of food traceability will affect the quality of food is also covered throughout.The first part of the book introduces the concept of traceability in the food industry, highlighting advantages of a robust traceability and the difficulties involved in implementing them. The second part looks at the technologies used to trace products, and the third section reviews the legal requirements for food traceability in the EU, the US, and the rest of the world.The final section contains a number of case studies which evaluate how food traceability has been successfully implemented in various foods focusing on the quality of the food

Prescription des antibiotiqueschez les enfants de 0 a 14 ans au service depediatrie du Centre Medical Communal (CMC) de Ratoma

Introduction : L’administration sans délai d’un traitement antibiotique à un malade infecté peut décider de son destin. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer la prescription des antibiotiques dans le service de pédiatrie du Centre Médical Communal de Ratoma.Méthodologie: Il a s’agissait d’une étude prospective, réalisée au service de pédiatrie du Centre Médical Communal de Ratoma sur 3 mois. Elle a inclue les enfants de 0 à 14 ans admis dans le service et pour lesquels au moins un antibiotique a été prescrit en consultation et en hospitalisation. La collecte a été faite au fur et à mesure des consultations d’enfants répondant aux critères de sélection. L’analyse et le traitement des données ont permis de générer des fréquences. Des consentements éclairés ont été obtenus auprès des parents.Résultats : Les antibiotiques ont été prescrit chez 72,08% d’enfants réçus. Les enfants de 0 à 4 ans en bénéficiaient le plus (72,1%).Les raisons de prescription les plus courantes étaient les infections respiratoires aiguës (58,46%). La classe la plus prescrite était celle des béta-lactamines (80,15%), particulièrement l’association amoxicilline + acide clavulanique (27,88%). Les formes sirop (59,2%) et comprimé (28,20%) étaient plus prescrit. La voie d’administration était souvent orale (87,4%). A l’issu de l’antibiothérapie, on notait 387 guérisons (99,23%), 1 décès (0,3%) et 2 perdu de vue(0,5%).Conclusion: La prescription des antibiotiques semble assez banale pour les affections respiratoires courantes à étiologies très variée. Ce comportement incite une mise à niveau par une formation des professionnels de santé. Mots clés: Prescription, Antibiotique, Enfants, Pédiatrie. &nbsp; English Title: Prescription of antibiotics in children 0 to 14 years at the service of paediatrics at the CMC of Ratoma Introduction: Administration without delay of antibiotic treatment for an infected patient can decide its own fate. The objective of this study was to assess the prescription of antibiotics in paediatrics of the Centre Medical Commune de Ratoma Methodology: There was a study, prospective to the paediatric service of the Centre Medical Commune de Ratoma on 3 months. She includes children 0 to 14 years admitted and for which at least one antibiotic was prescribed in consultation and hospitalization. The collection was made as consultations of children meet the criteria of selection. Analysis and treatment of the data helped generate frequencies. Informed consent was obtained from the parent. Antibiotics have been prescribed in 72.08% of children received. Children from 0 to 4 years Results: benefited the most (72.1%). The most common reasons for prescription were acute respiratory infections (58,46%). The most prescribed class was that of the betalactam (80,15%), particularly the association amoxicillin + clavulanic (27.88%) acid. The syrup forms (59.2%) and compressed (28,20%) were most prescribed. The route of administration was often oral (87.4%). At the end of the antibiotic treatment, there were387 healings (99.23%), 1 death (0.3%) and 2 lost (0.5%). Conclusion: The prescription of antibiotics seems fairly common to common respiratory conditions to very varied etiologies. This behavior makes an upgrade by training of health professionals. Keywords: Prescription, Antibiotic, Children, Pediatri

Quelques données préliminaires sur l'environnement et la qualité des apports du Niger au Sahel

La présente étude fait partie d'un programme global de recherche sur la désertification liée aux changements climatiques au Mali. Le paramètre climatique considéré ici est la température moyenne relevée sur 30 ans. On procède au suivi des décades les plus représentatives de la saison sèche et de la saison humide pour identifier une tendance quelconque. (...)Des résultats de l'analyse des températures moyennes il apparaît une tendance à la hausse pendant les 3 dernières décennies. (Résumé d'auteur