Improving cereal productivity and farmers’ income using a strategic application of fertilizers in West Africa

In the past two years, ICRISAT, in collaboration with other International Agricultural Research Centres, National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems, has been evaluating and promoting point or hill application of fertilizer along with “Warrantage” in three West African countries, namely, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The hill application of fertilizers consists of applying small doses of fertilizer in the planting hills of millet and sorghum. The combination of strategic hill application of fertilizer with complementary institutional and market linkages, through an inventory credit system (known as “Warrantage”) offers a good opportunity to improve crop productivity and farmers’ incomes. Results from the two year on-farm trials showed that, on average, in all the three countries, grain yields of millet and sorghum were greater by 44 to 120% while incomes of farmers increased by 52 to 134% when using hill application of fertilizer than with the earlier recommended fertilizer broadcasting methods and farmers’ practice. Substantial net profits were obtained by farmers using “Warrantage”. Farmers’ access to credit and inputs was improved substantially through the “Warrantage” system. The technology has reached up to 12650 farm households in the three countries and efforts are in progress to further scale-up and out the technology to wider geographical area

Profil clinique et évolutif des lésions de la peau et des parties molles chez les diabétiques en 2017 à la salle de pansement du Centre Marc Sankale de Dakar

Introduction: le but de notre étude était de déterminer le profil clinique et évolutif des lésions de la peau et des parties molles des sujets diabétiques suivis à la salle de pansement. Méthodes: il s'agissait d'une étude observationnelle descriptive et analytique menée du 1er janvier au 31 décembre 2017 à la salle de pansement du centre Marc Sankale de Dakar. Notre étude a porté sur les sujets diabétiques ayant consultés à la salle de pansement. Résultats: au total, 37173 actes de soins ont été enregistrés au centre Marc Sankale. Les activés de soins à la salle de pansement représentaient 16418 cas soit une prévalence de 14,16%. L'âge moyen était de 56,6 ± 12 ans et le sex ratio (H/F) de 0,88. Le diabète de type 2 prédominait (78,97%) et la durée moyenne du diabète était de 8,06 ± 7,9 ans. La glycémie capillaire moyenne était de 2,4 ± 1 g/l. La neuropathie diabétique était présente chez 72,33% des cas. Les lésions se situait aux membres dans 93,98% (1185 cas). Les lésions les plus représentatives étaient l'ulcère (46,76%), l'abcès (13,46%), le phlegmon (13,20%), la gangrène (8,41%), l'érysipèle (3,78%), le mal perforant (3,53%), l'intertrigo (3,95%). Les lésions étaient infectieuses (61,41), non infectieuses (33,50%), vasculaires pures (1,57%) et Mixtes (3,70%). Sur les 1189 patients 7,57% avaient présentés une ostéite. Les germes retrouvés étaient des bactéries grams positifs (12,70%), grams négatifs (23,80%). L'amputation était corrélée à la topographie de la lésion (p=0.00), au type de lésion (p=0.000), à l'ancienneté du diabète (p=0,02), au type de diabète (p=0,008), à la présence d'ostéite (p=0,006). L'amputation etait mineur (43,33%), et majeur (37,43%). Nous avons enregistré 70 décès (5,89%). Conclusion: les lésions de la peau et des tissus mous restent dominées par le pied diabétique. La mortalité est non négligeable et le risque d'amputation était statistiquement corrélé à la topographie, au type de lésion, à l'ancienneté et le type de diabète et à l'existence d'ostéite

Le cactus Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill. et ses formes d’usage dans la zone des Niayes au Sénégal

Opuntia tuna est une espèce bien adaptée dans la zone des Niayes au Sénégal. Sa prolifération assez rapide est due en partie à une sous exploitation suscitant ainsi un envahissement de quelques espaces agropastoraux. Dans une perspective de valorisation et de meilleure gestion de l’espèce, cette présente étude a été conduite pour comprendre les formes d’usages et de gestion de la plante par les populations locales afin de la promouvoir pour renforcer leur résilience. L’étude a porté sur cinq villages de la zone nord des Niayes auprès de petits exploitants de maraichers. Des enquêtes qualitatives par entretiens et groupes de discussion ont été conduites. Elles ont porté sur le niveau de connaissance, les pratiques et usages connus du cactus, les contraintes liées à sa présence, les solutions adoptées ou envisagées et le niveau de perception sur sa valorisation. Les résultats ont révélé de nombreux usages de la plante et de ses produits. Plus de la moitié des personnes enquêtées utilise le cactus dans le domaine agricole. L’élevage, la pharmacopée et l’alimentation sont d’autres secteurs également concernés par l’usage du cactus. Les analyses ont montré que la plupart des personnes enquêtées (94%) admettent un degré d’envahissement très élevé de Opuntia tuna. Le niveau d’envahissement pourrait être liée à la zoochorie selon 38% des hommes et 33% des femmes. La bonne adaptation de l’espèce dans la zone serait également un facteur de prolifération selon 33% des hommes et 23 % des femmes. Afin de pallier la prolifération rapide du cactus les maraichers ont développé des stratégies de gestion telles que le brulis, la coupe et le dessouchage. Une meilleure gestion de cette espèce qui présente de nombreux usages pour les maraichers de la zone des Niayes est nécessaire. De tels usages de l’espèce, valorisés davantage pourrait contribuer de façon significative à la diversification des sources de revenus des communautés locales et au développement durable de la zone des Niayes

Dyslipidemia, obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population in Senegal

Introduction: According to the WHO, 50% of deaths worldwide (40.1% in developing countries) are due to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Of these chronic NCDs, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and disability in developed countries. The Framingham study has shown the importance of hypercholesterolemia as a primary risk factor. In Senegal, the epidemiology of  dyslipidemia and obesity are still poorly understood due to the lack of comprehensive studies on their  impact on the general population. This motivated this study to look into the key epidemiologic and socio-demographic determinants of these risk factors. Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological survey which included 1037 individuals selected by cluster sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire following the WHO STEPwise approach. Socio-demographic, health and biomedical variables were collected. P value Results: The average age was 48 years with a female predominance (M: F of 0.6). The literacy rate was 65.2% and 44.7% of participants were from rural areas. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hyperLDLemia, hypoHDLemia, hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia were 56%, 22.5%, 12.4%, 7.11% and 1.9% respectively. One in four was obese (BMI> 30kg/m2) and 34.8% had abdominal obesity. The main factors significantly associated with dyslipidemia were obesity, urban dwelling, physical inactivity and a family history of dyslipidemia. Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia, obesity and other risk factors in the population was high needing immediate care for those affected and implementation of prevention strategies.Key words: Dyslipidemia, obesity, cardiovascular, risk factors, Saint Loui

Une lesion cutanée persistante non cicatricielle depuis 3 ans: le pyoderma gangrenosum

Le pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) est une dermatose neutrophilique non infectieuse rare souvent méconnue. Il se présente généralement par des ulcérations cutanées inflammatoires, très douloureuses et d'évolution rapide. Il est fréquemment retrouvé dans un contexte de néoplasie, de pathologies inflammatoires digestives, rhumatologiques et/ou hématologiques. Son diagnostic est très souvent tardif après de multiples échecs thérapeutiques. Nous rapportons un cas de pyoderma gangrenosum dont le diagnostic n'a pas été criant. Un patient a été admis dans notre service pour une lésion dermatologique persistante et d'évolution défavorable malgré les débridements et l'administration d'antibiotiques. Il était suivi pour un cancer de la prostate, une hypertension artérielle et un asthme. Du fait des anomalies biologiques observées telles qu'une hyperleucocytose à polynucléaires neutrophiles avec myélémie à myélocytes et métamyélocytes, sans blastose sanguine et une anémie normochrome normocytaire, une leucémie myéloïde chronique a été évoquée chez ce patient. Elle a par la suite été infirmée devant les différents examens complémentaires non concluants. C'est ainsi que le diagnostic de PG a été évoqué et confirmé à l'examen anatomopathologique montrant un aspect histopathologique d'un tissu de granulation concordant avec un pyoderma gangrenosum et une absence de signe histologique de malignité. L'institution d'un traitement à base de corticothérapie a abouti à la guérison

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

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

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

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