Chemical Composition, Food Safety and Quality Characteristics of Birch Syrup in Comparison to Maple Syrup

Birch syrup has gained popularity in the market due to its distinctive flavor, natural origin, potential health benefits, and culinary versatility with a wide range of applications. Birch syrup has been attracting attention recently because it has been presented as a unique alternative to one of the most used sweeteners, maple syrup. Apart from the similar production process and artisanal appeal, both syrups have important distinctions such as flavor, chemical composition, and other characteristics that make them unique. Because of its high consumption and economic impact, maple syrup has been extensively studied to check various factors and aspects such as chemical composition, physical properties, production processes, quality, safety, health benefits, and more. These studies have helped the FDA to establish standards to guarantee the integrity and safety of maple syrup in the market. On the other hand, birch syrup presents regulatory challenges since less research has been conducted on this syrup to establish safe processing methods and Brix level standards to ensure the safety of this product. Therefore, the chemical composition, physical properties, and safety characteristics of birch syrup were investigated and compared to those of maple syrup. Eight batches of blended, heated, and filtered birch and maple syrup samples were collected by the same producer in Temple, ME. Both syrups were analyzed for chemical and nutritive properties (sugars, organic acids, pH, phenolic compounds, minerals), physical properties and quality characteristics (Brix and water activity levels), and microbial load (total aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold, and fungal inoculation studies). The birch syrup Brix levels (62.2-63.6 degrees Brix) were significantly lower (pEurotium sp(Aspergillus representing the asexual stage), Penicillium brevicompactum, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa when the contamination level was 100 spores in 500 μl for both syrups. Future work could further investigate seasonal variations, producer geography, soil differences, and climate changes to determine if these variables can affect the Brix, pH, water activity levels, sugar, and mineral concentrations in other birch syrup samples. With more data, regulatory agencies can move forward to determine how to best assess an adequate Brix level range and processing parameters to begin creating regulatory definitions to best regulate the growing birch syrup industry

Une Recette Utilisée dans le Traitement Traditionnel des Troubles du Sevrage des Enfants au Mali

Combretum lecardii est traditionnellement utilisé contre les troubles du sevrage des enfants au Mali. Le présent travail avait comme objectif de recenser les données de sécurité, d’efficacité et de qualité de Combretum lecardii. Les informations sur Combretum lecardii ont été collectées en consultant des  livres, des sites et des moteurs de recherche tels que Google, Google scholar, Prota etc. Les résultats ont montré que Combretum lecardii contient des flavonoïdes, tanins et de composées à génines stéroïdiques. La poudre de feuilles de Combretum lecardii possédait des poils tecteurs, des fibres, du xylème, des grains d’amidon, des cristaux d’oxalate de calcium, du parenchyme et des fragments d’épiderme avec stomates. Traditionnellement, Combretum lecardii est utilisé contre les troubles du sevrage et d’autres pathologies. Pharmacologiquement, les activités antitussive, antibactérienne, antidiarrhéique et antalgique de Combretum lecardii ont été retrouvées. Ces résultats peuvent aider à la mise au point d’un médicament traditionnel amélioré à base de Combretum lecardii pour la prise en charge des troubles du sevrage de l’enfant.   Combretum lecardii is traditionally used against child weaning disorders in Mali. The objective of this work was to identify the safety, efficacy and quality data of Combretum lecardii. Information on Combretum lecardii were collected through books, sites and search engines such as Google, Google scholar, Prota etc. The results showed that Combretum lecardii contains flavonoids, tannins and steroidal genin compounds. Combretum lecardii leaf powder had covering trichomes, fibers, xylem, starch grains, crystals of calcium oxalate, parenchymatous cells and epidermis fragments with stomata. Traditionally, Combretum lecardii is used against weaning disorders and other pathologies. Pharmacologically the antitussive, antibacterial, antidiarrheal and analgesic activities of Combretum lecardii were found. These results can be helpful for developing an improved traditional medicine based on Combretum lecardii for the management of child weaning disorders

Evaluation de la qualité botanique, physicochimique, phytochimique et de l’activité anti-radicalaire de la pulpe de fruits des échantillons de Ziziphus mauritiana Lam (Rhamnaceae), récoltés au Mali

Au Mali, Ziziphus mauritiana est une plante alimentaire et médicinale utilisée dans la  prévention et la prise en charge de la malnutrition. Ce travail rentrait dans le cadre de la valorisation des plantes alimentaires avec comme objectif, l’évaluation de la qualité botanique, physicochimique, phytochimique et de l’activité anti radicalaire des fruits de Ziziphus mauritiana largement consommés au Mali. Les fruits analysés ont été achetés dans les régions de Mopti, Nioro, Ségou et Sikasso. Les caractères macroscopiques, organoleptiques et granulométriques ont été examinés en se basant sur les organes de sens tandis que les éléments microscopiques étaient observés au microscope. Les éléments physicochimiques et phytochimiques ont été déterminés en utilisant des méthodes standards de laboratoire. L’activité anti radicalaire a été évaluée en utilisant le test de réduction du radical DPPH par CCM. Les résultats ont montré que les échantillons récoltés dans différentes localités présentent globalement les mêmes caractères botaniques, physicochimiques, phytochimiques et une activité antiradicalaire. Ces caractères peuvent servir d’éléments de contrôle des fruits de Ziziphus mauritiana en vue de son utilisation pour la prévention et la prise en charge de la malnutrition.   In Mali, Ziziphus mauritiana is a food and medicinal plant used in the prevention and management of malnutrition. For the valorization of food plants, the objective of this work was to evaluate the botanical, physicochemical, phytochemical quality and the antiradical activity of the fruits of Ziziphus mauritiana widely consumed in Mali. The analyzed fruits were purchased in the regions of Mopti, Nioro, Ségou and Sikasso. The macroscopic, organoleptic and granulometric characters were examined based on the sense organs while the microscopic elements were observed under the microscope. Physicochemicals and phytochemicals were determined using standard methods. The anti-radical activity was evaluated using the DPPH radical reduction test by TLC. The results showed that the samples collected in different localities generally present the same botanical, physicochemical, phytochemical characters and an antiradical activity. These characters can serve as fruit control elements of Ziziphus mauritiana in view to its use for the prevention and management of malnutrition

Long-term cellular immunity of vaccines for Zaire Ebola Virus Diseases

Recent Ebola outbreaks underscore the importance of continuous prevention and disease control efforts. Authorized vaccines include Merck’s Ervebo (rVSV-ZEBOV) and Johnson & Johnson’s two-dose combination (Ad26.ZEBOV/MVA-BN-Filo). Here, in a five-year follow-up of the PREVAC randomized trial (NCT02876328), we report the results of the immunology ancillary study of the trial. The primary endpoint is to evaluate long-term memory T-cell responses induced by three vaccine regimens: Ad26–MVA, rVSV, and rVSV–booster. Polyfunctional EBOV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses increase after Ad26 priming and are further boosted by MVA, whereas minimal responses are observed in the rVSV groups, declining after one year. In-vitro expansion for eight days show sustained EBOV-specific T-cell responses for up to 60 months post-prime vaccination with both Ad26-MVA and rVSV, with no decline. Cytokine production analysis identify shared biomarkers between the Ad26-MVA and rVSV groups. In secondary endpoint, we observed an elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines at Day 7 in the rVSV group. Finally, we establish a correlation between EBOV-specific T-cell responses and anti-EBOV IgG responses. Our findings can guide booster vaccination recommendations and help identify populations likely to benefit from revaccination

Relationship between patient sex and anatomical sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Mali

Background: Contribution of host factors in mediating susceptibility to extrapulmonary tuberculosis is not well understood. Objective: To examine the influence of patient sex on anatomical localization of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in Mali, West Africa. Hospital records of 1,304 suspected cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, available in TB Registry of a tertiary tuberculosis referral center from 2019 to 2021, were examined. Results: A total of 1,012 (77.6%) were confirmed to have extrapulmonary tuberculosis with a male to female ratio of 1.59:1. Four clinical forms of EPTB predominated, namely pleural (40.4%), osteoarticular (29.8%), lymph node (12.5%), and abdominal TB (10.3%). We found sex-based differences in anatomical localization of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, with males more likely than females to have pleural TB (OR: 1.51; 95% CI [1.16 to 1.98]). Conversely, being male was associated with 43% and 41% lower odds of having lymph node and abdominal TB, respectively (OR: 0.57 and 0.59). Conclusion: Anatomical sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis differ by sex with pleural TB being associated with male sex while lymph node and abdominal TB are predominately associated with female sex. Future studies are warranted to understand the role of sex in mediating anatomical site preference of tuberculosis

Seroprevalence and risk factors for HIV, HCV, HBV and syphilis among blood donors in Mali

International audienceBACKGROUND:HIV, HBV and HCV remain a global public health concern especially in Africa. Prevalence of these infections is changing and identification of risk factors associated with each infection in Mali is needed to improve medical care.METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study of all individuals donating blood (n = 8207) in 2018 to the blood bank at university hospital in Bamako, Mali, to assess prevalence and risks factors associated with HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections.RESULTS:HIV-seroprevalence was 2.16% and significantly increased with age, being married and decreasing education level. In multivariate analysis, after adjustements with age, marital status and geographical setting, only education level was associated with HIV-infection (OR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.15-2.07], p = 0.016). HBsAg prevalence was 14.78% and significantly increased with to be male gender. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, marital status and type of blood donation, education level (OR, 1.17 [95%CI, 1.05-1.31], p = 0.02) and male gender (OR, 1.37 [95%CI, 1.14-1.65], p = 0.005) were associated with HBV-infection. HCV-prevalence was 2.32% and significantly increased with living outside Bamako. In multivariate analysis, adjusting for gender, age and education level, living outside Bamako was associated with HCV-infection (OR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.41-2.35], p < 0.001). Syphilis seroprevalence was very low (0.04%) with only 3 individuals infected. Contrary to a prior study, blood donation type was not, after adjustments, an independent risk factor for each infection.CONCLUSIONS:Overall, HIV and HBV infection was higher in individuals with a lower level of education, HBV infection was higher in men, and HCV infection was higher in people living outside of Bamako. Compared to studies performed in 1999, 2002 and 2007 in the same population, we found that HIV and HCV prevalence have decreased in the last two decades whereas HBV prevalence has remained stable. Our finding will help guide infection prevention and treatment programs in Mali

Prevalence of HIV-1 Natural Polymorphisms and Integrase-Resistance-Associated Mutations in African Children

Integrase inhibitors (INIs) are a potent option for HIV treatment. Limited data exist on INI resistance in West Africa, particularly in children living with HIV/AIDS. We determined the prevalence of integrase gene polymorphisms and the frequency of naturally occurring amino acid (aa) substitutions at positions associated with INI resistance. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples were obtained from one hundred and seven (107) HIV-1-infected children aged less than 15 years old in two West African countries, Benin and Mali. All children were naïve to INI treatment, 56 were naïve to anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and 51 had received ART. Genetic sequencing of HIV integrase was successful in 75 samples. The aa changes at integrase positions associated with INI resistance were examined according to the Stanford HIV Genotypic Resistance database. The median ages were 2.6 and 10 years for ART-naïve and -treated children, respectively. The most common subtypes observed were CRF02_AG (74.7%) followed by CRF06_cpx (20%). No major INI-resistance mutations at positions 66, 92, 121, 143, 147, 148, 155, and 263 were detected. The most prevalent INI accessory resistance mutations were: L74I/M (14/75, 18.6%) followed by E157Q (8/75, 10.6%), G163E/N/T/Q (5/75, 6.6%), Q95A/H/P (2/75, 2.6%), and T97A (4/75, 5.3%). Other substitutions observed were M50I/L/P, H51E/P/S/Q, I72V, T112V, V201I, and T206S. Polymorphisms at positions which may influence the genetic barrier and/or drive the selection of specific INI-resistance pathways were detected. However, no transmitted drug resistance (TDR) to INI was detected among samples of INI-naïve patients. These findings support the use of this treatment class for children with HIV-1, particularly in West Africa

Mosquito microevolution drives Plasmodium falciparum dynamics

International audienc

A Decade of Progress Accelerating Malaria Control in Mali: Evidence from the West Africa International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research

This article highlights over a decade of signature achievements by the West Africa International Centers for Excellence in Malaria Research (WA-ICEMR) and its partners toward guiding malaria prevention and control strategies. Since 2010, the WA-ICEMR has performed longitudinal studies to monitor and assess malaria control interventions with respect to space-time patterns, vector transmission indicators, and drug resistance markers. These activities were facilitated and supported by the Mali National Malaria Control Program. Research activities included large-scale active and passive surveillance and expanded coverage of universal long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets and seasonal malaria chemopre-vention (SMC). The findings revealed substantial declines in malaria occurrence after the scale-up of control interventions in WA-ICEMR study sites. WA-ICEMR studies showed that SMC using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine was highly effective in preventing malaria among children under 5 years of age. An alternative SMC regimen (dihydroartemisinin plus piperaquine) was shown to be potentially more effective and provided advantages for acceptability and compliance over the standard SMC regimen. Other findings discussed in this article include higher observed multiplicity of infection rates for malaria in historically high-endemic areas, continued antimalarial drug sensitivity to Plasmodium falciparum, high outdoor malaria transmission rates, and increased insecticide resistance over the past decade. The progress achieved by the WA-ICEMR and its partners highlights the critical need for maintaining current malaria control interventions while developing novel strategies to disrupt malaria transmission. Enhanced evaluation of these strategies through research partnerships is particularly needed in the wake of reported artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia and East Africa