Diversité des insectes actifs au sol dans quatre écosystèmes de bas-fonds du Burkina Faso : importance pour la détermination de bio-indicateurs caractérisant ces milieux

L'action de l’Homme sur l'environnement peut affecter la diversité biologique qui à son tour peut être utilisée comme indicateur de la santé des écosystèmes. Une étude a été menée en 2006 dans quatre (4) MicroBassin-Versants (MBV) du Burkina Faso pour évaluer la diversité des insectes rampants au sol et caractériser chaque écosystème par ses bio-indicateurs les plus significatifs. La diversité taxonomique des espècesd’insectes capturées dans différents sites par des pièges de Barber, leur distribution et leur abondance relative au début et à la fin de la saison des pluies ont ainsi été déterminées. Quatre (4) ordres regroupant treize (13)familles d’insectes, les Carabidae, les Scarabaeidae, les Tenebrionidae, les Cétonidae, les Cérambycidae, les Curculionidae, les Hydrophilidae, les Elateridae, les Staphylinidae, les Chrysomelidae (Coléoptères), lesFormicidae (Hyménoptères), les Gryllidae (Orthoptères) et les Labiduridae (Dermaptères), ont été identifiées dans les MBV étudiés. Les variations climatiques influencent la diversité taxonomique des insectes qui fluctuepar ailleurs dans l’espace et dans le temps. Cinq (5) familles, les Formicidae, les Cicindellidae, les Carabidae, les Scarabaeidae et les Tenebrionidae ont été les plus abondantes et les plus diversifiées en espèces dans chacun des quatre MBV. Ces taxa, qui se sont adaptés aux écosystèmes étudiés, en sont probablement les meilleurs indicateurs. Les résultats obtenus sont discutés en vue de déterminer comment ces groupes majeurs peuvent être utilisés dans l’évaluation et la gestion des écosystèmes qu’ils peuplent

Modalites de consommation et valeur nutritionnelle des legumineuses alimentaires au Burkina Faso

Au Burkina Faso les légumineuses constituent une source importante de nutriments pour les populations. La présente étude a eu pour objectif de déterminer la valeur nutritionnelle et la place des légumineuses dans le régime alimentaire des ménages à Ouagadougou, Kaya, Lebda et Nobéré. La méthodologie a consisté en une enquête de consommation alimentaire auprès de 325 ménages et à déterminer les teneurs en macronutriments et en minéraux fer, zinc et calcium de six (6) variétés de légumineuses. Il en résulte que les principales légumineuses consommées dans les ménages sont l’arachide (Arachis hypogea L.), le niébé (Vigna unguiculata L.), le voandzou (Vigna subterranea L.), le soja (Glycine max L.) et le zamnè (Acacia macrostachya R.). L’arachide, le niébé et le voandzou sont consommées plus 2 à 4 fois dans le mois par l’ensemble des ménages sous forme de mets au sein des ménages tandis que le soja et le zamnè sont consommés hors ménage. A l’exception du voandzou qui est consommé au déjeuner par 38,30% des ménages à Ouagadougou, 60% à Kaya, 66,67% à Lebda et 43,18% à Nobéré, les autres légumineuses sont consommées à tout moment de la journée par plus de 80 % des ménages enquêtés. Les légumineuses niébé, voandzou et zamnè sont consommées sous forme de ragout et de plats associés à des céréales respectivement par 99%, 93% et 76%. L’arachide et le soja sont utilisés comme des ingrédients ou comme des collations. Les légumineuses ont des teneurs importantes en protéines, 35,76%, 31,04%, 27,29%, 22,55% et 20,38% respectivement pour le zamnè, le soja, l’arachide, le niébé et le voandzou. Les teneurs en lipides sont faibles et contribuent à moins de 7% à la valeur énergétique. Le niébé et le voandzou ont des teneurs en carbohydrates élevées, près de 60%. Les teneurs en fer des légumineuses varient de 1,77 mg/100g (voandzou) à 6,50 mg/100g (soja). Celles en zinc varient de 5,34 mg/100 g (zamnè) à 4,33 mg/100g (soja). Le soja et le zamnè ont d’importantes teneurs en calcium, respectivement 57,42 mg/100g et 68,40 mg/100g. Du fait de leur valeur nutritionnelle intéressante en micronutriments ces deux légumineuses nécessitent une attention particulière pour l’enrichissement des produits locaux. La diversification des produits issus de ces légumineuses ainsi que celle des méthodes de consommation au sein des ménages permettront un meilleur profilage de leur bénéfice nutritionnel auprès des populations.Mots clés: Légumineuses, importance, consommation, ménages, nutriments, urbain, rural, Burkina Fas

Increase in EPI vaccines coverage after implementation of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in infant with Sulfadoxine -pyrimethamine in the district of Kolokani, Mali: Results from a cluster randomized control trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Even though the efficacy of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in infants (IPTi) with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) against clinical disease and the absence of its interaction with routine vaccines of the Expanded Immunization Programme (EPI) have been established, there are still some concerns regarding the addition of IPTi, which may increase the work burden and disrupt the routine EPI services especially in Africa where the target immunization coverage remains to be met. However IPTi may also increase the adherence of the community to EPI services and improve EPI coverage, once the benefice of strategy is perceived.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To assess the impact of IPTi implementation on the coverage of EPI vaccines, 22 health areas of the district of Kolokani were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either receive IPTi-SP or to serve as a control. The EPI vaccines coverage was assessed using cross-sectional surveys at baseline in November 2006 and after one year of IPTi pilot-implementation in December 2007.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At baseline, the proportion of children of 9-23 months who were completely vaccinated (defined as children who received BGG, 3 doses of DTP/Polio, measles and yellow fever vaccines) was 36.7% (95% CI 25.3% -48.0%). After one year of implementation of IPTi-SP using routine health services, the proportion of children completely vaccinated rose to 53.8% in the non intervention zone and 69.5% in the IPTi intervention zone (P <0.001).</p> <p>The proportion of children in the target age groups who received IPTi with each of the 3 vaccinations DTP2, DTP3 and Measles, were 89.2% (95% CI 85.9%-92.0%), 91.0% (95% CI 87.6% -93.7%) and 77.4% (95% CI 70.7%-83.2%) respectively. The corresponding figures in non intervention zone were 2.3% (95% CI 0.9% -4.7%), 2.6% (95% CI 1.0% -5.6%) and 1.7% (95% CI 0.4% - 4.9%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study shows that high coverage of the IPTi can be obtained when the strategy is implemented using routine health services and implementation results in a significant increase in coverage of EPI vaccines in the district of Kolokani, Mali.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00766662">NCT00766662</a></p

Hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects of Anabasis articulata (Forssk) Moq (Chenopodiaceae), an Algerian medicinal plant

Anabasis articulata leaves decoction is widely used by Algerian traditional medicine practitioners as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes. The aqueous extract was found to be non-toxic at 1000 mg/kg, asno deaths or hazardous signs were recorded during treatment or the observation period (24 and 72 h) in either control or treated groups of mice. Experiments were performed in non-diabetic mice, and inhyperglycemic mice (glucose treated and alloxan treated mice) to confirm the antidiabetic potential of A. articulata. Our results showed that the orally administration at a dose of 400 mg/kg decreased the glycaemia by 29.89% after 6 h (p < 0.05), corresponding to the greatest decrease of blood glucose in normoglycaemic mice. This dose also lowered blood glucose concentrations in diabetic mice revealing antihyperglycemic effect of A. articulata leaves. The class of phytochemical responsible for antidiabetic effects in aqueous leaf extract was also investigated. Phytochemical screening showed that the aqueous extract contains alkaloids (1.25%) and saponin (1.30%). Our findings showed that saponin (5 mg/Kg) was the active fraction, since it restores the normal blood glucose levels after 21 days of treatment. The alkaloid fraction did not significantly reduce the blood glucose level. The present studyconfirms the antidiabetic proprieties of A. articulata leaves previously reported by Algerian healers

Near-forward Raman selection rules of the phonon-polariton created by alloying in (Zn,Be)Se

The Raman selection rules of the (ZnSe, BeSe) mixed phonon polariton created by alloying in the three mode (1ZnSe, 2BeSe) ZnBeSe system, whose dramatic S like dispersion covers the large frequency gap between the ZnSe and BeSe spectral ranges, is studied in its wave vector dependence by near forward scattering. Both the collapse regime away from the Brillouin zone centre and the reinforcement regime near the Brillouin zone centre are addressed, using appropriate laser lines and Be contents. We find that in both regimes the considered phonon polariton, in fact a transverse mode with mixed mechanical and electrical character, obeys the same nominal Raman selection rules as its purely mechanical variant commonly observed in the backscattering geometry. Besides, marked differences in the phonon polariton Raman lineshapes in the two regimes give a hint about how the phonon polariton electrical field E develops while descending the S like dispersion towards the Brillouin zone centre. In the reinforcement regime E is large, leading to intramode on top of intermode transfers of oscillator strength mediated by E between the two BeSe modes, that both exhibit a fine structure on account of the alloy disorder. In contrast, in the collapse regime E remains weak, as testified by the absence of intramode transfer. The discussion is supported by contour modeling of the multi phonon polariton Raman lineshapes in their wave vector dependence within the linear dielectric approach.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Intermittent Preventive Treatment to Reduce the Burden of Malaria in Children: New Evidence on Integration and Delivery

James Beeson and colleagues discuss three new studies in PLoS Medicine that provide valuable evidence on how to delivery and integrate intermittent preventive reatment for malaria in children (IPTc)

Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria provides substantial protection against malaria in children already protected by an insecticide-treated bednet in Mali: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that in areas of seasonal malaria transmission, intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in children (IPTc), targeting the transmission season, reduces the incidence of clinical malaria. However, these studies were conducted in communities with low coverage with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Whether IPTc provides additional protection to children sleeping under an ITN has not been established. METHODS AND FINDINGS: To assess whether IPTc provides additional protection to children sleeping under an ITN, we conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of IPTc with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (SP) plus amodiaquine (AQ) in three localities in Kati, Mali. After screening, eligible children aged 3-59 mo were given a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) and randomised to receive three rounds of active drugs or placebos. Treatments were administered under observation at monthly intervals during the high malaria transmission season in August, September, and October 2008. Adverse events were monitored immediately after the administration of each course of IPTc and throughout the follow-up period. The primary endpoint was clinical episodes of malaria recorded through passive surveillance by study clinicians available at all times during the follow-up. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 150 randomly selected children weekly and in all children at the end of the malaria transmission season to assess usage of ITNs and the impact of IPTc on the prevalence of malaria, anaemia, and malnutrition. Cox regression was used to compare incidence rates between intervention and control arms. The effects of IPTc on the prevalence of malaria infection and anaemia were estimated using logistic regression. 3,065 children were screened and 3,017 (1,508 in the control and 1,509 in the intervention arm) were enrolled in the study. 1,485 children (98.5%) in the control arm and 1,481 (98.1%) in the intervention arm completed follow-up. During the intervention period, the proportion of children reported to have slept under an ITN was 99.7% in the control and 99.3% in intervention arm (p = 0.45). A total of 672 episodes of clinical malaria defined as fever or a history of fever and the presence of at least 5,000 asexual forms of Plasmodium falciparum per microlitre (incidence rate of 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-2.05 episodes per person year) were observed in the control arm versus 126 (incidence rate of 0.34; 95% CI 0.29-0.41 episodes per person year) in the intervention arm, indicating a protective effect (PE) of 82% (95% CI 78%-85%) (p<0.001) on the primary endpoint. There were 15 episodes of severe malaria in children in the control arm compared to two in children in the intervention group giving a PE of 87% (95% CI 42%-99%) (p = 0.001). IPTc reduced the prevalence of malaria infection by 85% (95% CI 73%-92%) (p<0.001) during the intervention period and by 46% (95% CI 31%-68%) (p<0.001) at the end of the intervention period. The prevalence of moderate anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <8 g/dl) was reduced by 47% (95% CI 15%-67%) (p<0.007) at the end of intervention period. The frequencies of adverse events were similar between the two arms. There was no drug-related serious adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: IPTc given during the malaria transmission season provided substantial protection against clinical episodes of malaria, malaria infection, and anaemia in children using an LLIN. SP+AQ was safe and well tolerated. These findings indicate that IPTc could make a valuable contribution to malaria control in areas of seasonal malaria transmission alongside other interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00738946. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary

Anaemia in a phase 2 study of a blood stage falciparum malaria vaccine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A Phase 1-2b study of the blood stage malaria vaccine AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel was conducted in 336 children in Donéguébougou and Bancoumana, Mali. In the Phase 2 portion of the study (n = 300), no impact on parasite density or clinical malaria was seen; however, children who received the study vaccine had a higher frequency of anaemia (defined as haemoglobin < 8.5 g/dL) compared to those who received the comparator vaccine (Hiberix). This effect was one of many tested and was not significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To further investigate the possible impact of vaccination on anaemia, additional analyses were conducted including patients from the Phase 1 portion of the study and controlling for baseline haemoglobin, haemoglobin types S or C, alpha-thalassaemia, G6PD deficiency, and age. A multiplicative intensity model was used, which generalizes Cox regression to allow for multiple events. Frailty effects for each subject were used to account for correlation of multiple anaemia events within the same subject. Intensity rates were calculated with reference to calendar time instead of time after randomization in order to account for staggered enrollment and seasonal effects of malaria incidence. Associations of anaemia with anti-AMA1 antibody were further explored using a similar analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A strong effect of vaccine on the incidence of anaemia (risk ratio [AMA1-C1 to comparator (Hiberix)]= 2.01, 95% confidence interval [1.26,3.20]) was demonstrated even after adjusting for baseline haemoglobin, haemoglobinopathies, and age, and using more sophisticated statistical models. Anti-AMA1 antibody levels were not associated with this effect.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>While these additional analyses show a robust effect of vaccination on anaemia, this is an intensive exploration of secondary results and should, therefore, be interpreted with caution. Possible mechanisms of the apparent adverse effect on haemoglobin of vaccination with AMA1-C1/Alhydrogel and implications for blood stage vaccine development are discussed. The potential impact on malaria-associated anaemia should be closely evaluated in clinical trials of AMA1 and other blood stage vaccines in malaria-exposed populations.</p

Hodgkin Lymphoma at the Paediatric Oncology Unit of Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital, Bamako, Mali: 5-Year Experience

Introduction. The aim of this retrospective, unicentric study over 5 years is to describe the epidemiologic, pathologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects of children treated for Hodgkin lymphoma in our paediatric oncology unit. Patients and Methods. From January 2005 to December 2009, all children under 18 years of age, with Hodgkin lymphoma were included in this study. The treatment protocol was the GFAOP (Groupe Franco—Africain d'Oncologie Pédiatrique) Hodgkin lymphoma treatment protocol. Results. During the study period, 217 cancer cases were diagnosed in our centre. Of these cases, 7 were Hodgkin Lymphoma (LH) (0.04%). The mean age was 11.7 years. The sex-ratio was 6/1. 4% (5/7) of patients were stage IIB and 28.6% (2/7) stage IIIB of Ann-Arbor classification. There were 3 cases (42.8%) of sclero-nodular subtype, 2 cases (28.6%) of lymphocyte-rich classical HL subtype, 1 case (14.3%) of mixed cellularity and 1 case (14.3%) of lymphocyte depleted subtype. With a median followup of 37 months, 5 patients (71.4%) are alive, and 2 patients (28.6%) died. Conclusion. Broader multicentric studies are needed for more accurate data on this malignancy