Contamination of boreholes water by 76 pesticides molecules in the cotton zone of Kérou

Analysis campaign of underground water was done in 2010 on five boreholes water samples situated in agricultural cotton zone. The obtained results showed the presence of various active matters of at least 76 residues of pesticides, especially insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, with accumulated contents which could average 0.350 or 350 ƒÊg/L per borehole. Indeed, all the prospected boreholes were contaminated. Every molecules of pesticides analyzed were present with at least 1 ƒÊg/L, some molecules concentration such as: aldrine (7 } 0.7 ƒÊg/L), dieldrin (2 } 0.7 ƒÊg/Ls), phorate (7 } 2 ƒÊg/L) and terbufos (7 } 1 ƒÊg/L), highly exceeded maximum residue limits. The most affected zones of the contamination of the underground water by pesticides were those areas where the cotton faming is practiced.Keywords: Kerou, cotton farming, water of boreholes, pesticides

Assessment of groundwater to pollution by the toxic metals in the municipality of Kerou (Benin) in watershed of the Niger

This case study has assessed the vulnerability of boreholes water to pollution by toxic metals in the cotton zone of Kerou, in northern Benin. Toxic metals (lead, copper, cadmium, zinc, nickel and iron) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show high values for lead, nickel and iron, which means that 7 out of 18 boreholes are contaminated. Only the lead level exceeds the standard for the boreholes of Ganbore and Korigourou (0.0613 and 0.098 mg/l against 0.04 mg/l) The level of contamination of Cadmium, zinc and copper is very irregular, but however one must notice that the two aforementioned boreholes are contaminate with the concentration of cadmium above the permitted limit (0.0234 and 0.0244 mg/l against 0.005 mg/l). These findings allow us to say that, apart from the two boreholes of the localities of Ganbore and Korigourou located in cotton farm, most of the boreholes are resistant to pollution. So the responsible factors, of the noticed contamination are defined. It is above all due to the cultivation of cotton in this area. The assays witness of the Mekrou River has revealed high contamination by lead (0.060 mg/l) and the iron (1.4341 mg/l): this result can highlight the ongoing relationship of surface water with groundwater.Keywords: Vulnerability, groundwater, contamination, toxic metals, cotton cultur

Practical actions to strengthen capacity for deep-water research in Africa

While Africa's deep marine biodiversity offers economic prospects it also supports crucial ecosystem services and sustainable development is dependent on knowledge of these systems. Building understanding of deep-water ecosystems is key, but there are substantial discrepancies in countries' abilities to achieve this. Coinciding with the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, the Challenger 150 African Network of Deep-water Researchers is pleased to release a report on “Practical Actions to Strengthen Capacity for Deep-water Research in Africa”. Through a series of online workshops, the ANDR brought together 98 individuals from 19 African nations to discuss challenges for deep-water research in Africa, identify solutions to overcome these and propose practical actions going forward

COVIDiSTRESS diverse dataset on psychological and behavioural outcomes one year into the COVID-19 pandemic

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVIDiSTRESS Consortium launched an open-access global survey to understand and improve individuals’ experiences related to the crisis. A year later, we extended this line of research by launching a new survey to address the dynamic landscape of the pandemic. This survey was released with the goal of addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion by working with over 150 researchers across the globe who collected data in 48 languages and dialects across 137 countries. The resulting cleaned dataset described here includes 15,740 of over 20,000 responses. The dataset allows cross-cultural study of psychological wellbeing and behaviours a year into the pandemic. It includes measures of stress, resilience, vaccine attitudes, trust in government and scientists, compliance, and information acquisition and misperceptions regarding COVID-19. Open-access raw and cleaned datasets with computed scores are available. Just as our initial COVIDiSTRESS dataset has facilitated government policy decisions regarding health crises, this dataset can be used by researchers and policy makers to inform research, decisions, and policy. © 2022, The Author(s).U.S. Department of Education, ED: P031S190304; Texas A and M International University, TAMIU; National Research University Higher School of Economics, ВШЭThe COVIDiSTRESS Consortium would like to acknowledge the contributions of friends and collaborators in translating and sharing the COVIDiSTRESS survey, as well as the study participants. Data analysis was supported by Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Research Grant, TAMIU Act on Ideas, and the TAMIU Advancing Research and Curriculum Initiative (TAMIU ARC) awarded by the US Department of Education Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (Award # P031S190304). Data collection by Dmitrii Dubrov was supported within the framework of the Basic Research Program at HSE University, RF

SOME ASPECTS OF BIOLOGY AND DIGESTIVE ENZYMES ASSAY IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF CHRYSICHTHYS SPECIES IN LOWER OGUN RIVER, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Fish and other aquatic foods represent an important source of food to man, highly rich in most essential nutrients such as protein and vitamins. Aspects of the biology and digestive enzymes assay in the gastrointestinal tract of two congeneric Chrysichthys species were analyzed from July to December 2019 in the lower Ogun river, Akomoje, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of fifty-three each of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys auratus caught with traps were used during the study. Data were statistically analyzed. Mean standard length, body weight, stomach girth and gape width for Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Chrysichthys auratus were 18.39±4.46cm and 15.07±2.36cm; 174.29±102.71g and 88.16±37.62g; 11.9±2.94cm and 10.22±1.75cm; and 1.89±1.09cm and 1.68±0.29cm, respectively. Mean sex ratio in favour of the males were 1:0.36 and 1:0.33, respectively which were significantly (p< 0.05) different from the hypothesized ratio of 1:1. C. nigrodigitatus and C. auratus both exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern during the study period with a b-value of 2.97 and 2.32; mean condition factors were 1.33 and 0.92 for C. nigrodigitatus and C. auratus, respectively. The prey items found in the stomach of these congeneric species were similar and comprised thirty-three species which can be categorised into seven groups: Algae (8.5% and 11.8%,), Protozoans (22.1% and 18.9%), Desmids (5.3% and 6.3%), Diatoms (13.5% and 11.9%), Rotifers (4.8% and 6.7%), Invertebrates (8.4% and 0.8%) and Crustaceans (21.2% and 26.3%) respectively. Other prey items include detritus, mud/sand, fish parts and other unidentified items. Protozoans (22.1%) and Crustaceans (21.2%) dominated the food items for C. nigrodigitatus and C. auratus while detritus (2.13%) and invertebrates (0.84%) constituted the least component of food items for the two fish species, respectively. The specific activities of some enzymes (proteases, carbohydrase, and lipase) along the gut region (stomach, mid-gut and hind-gut) of these two Chrysichthys species were also studied; the mean values of population of these enzymes were significantly (P<0.05) different across the alimentary tract. The distribution pattern of the enzymes showed that both C. nigrodigitatus and C. auratus were capable of digesting protein, carbohydrate, and lipid components of their food. These findings further corroborate their trophic niche as indicated in their feeding habits. Further studies are recommended on the seasonal distribution of enzyme activities to ascertain the nutritional physiology of these economically important fish species in the study area.   &nbsp

Prevalence and risk factors for falls in urban and rural older adults in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Objectives: This study assessed and compared the risk factors for falls among older adults in rural and urban communities.Design: A comparative cross-sectional approach was used.Setting: The study was conducted among community-living older adults in the rural and urban communities of the most populated Local Government Area (Ado-Ekiti LGA) in Ekiti State.Participants: The study population consisted of 624 persons aged 65 years and above recruited into rural and urban groups using multi-stage random sampling.Main outcome measures: Data collected using validated tools and physical measurements were subjected to binary logistic regression to determine the odds of falls with relevant predictor variables among older adults in both groups.Results: A significantly higher proportion of participants in the urban than the rural group had experienced a fall , and the associated risks include low visual acuity, increasing age, arthritis, hearing impairment, hyperglycaemia and high BMI. Physical activity was a protective factor.Conclusion: This study revealed a high risk of falls among older adults in the urban community. Early diagnosis and management of chronic conditions that increase fall risk and promote physical activity, especially among urban-dwelling older adults, are vital measures to be considered in fall prevention programmes

Varicelle en milieu hospitalier a Lome (Togo) : Etude de 2003 a 2018

Objectif : Le but de cette étude était de documenter le profil épidémio-clinique, thérapeutique et évolutif des cas de varicelle en milieu hospitalier. Méthode : Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective, portant sur les dossiers de malades vus en consultation et/ou en hospitalisation en dermatologie et en maladies infectieuses au CHU de Lomé de Janvier 2003 à Décembre 2018. Résultat : Durant la période d’étude, 232 (0,26) des 89168 patients reçus en dermatologie et en maladies infectieuses avaient souffert de varicelle. L’âge moyen des patients était de 19,1±13,7 ans (extrêmes : 2 jours et 78 ans) et le sexratio (H/F) de 1,09. La durée  d’évolution des lésions avant la consultation était de 4,6 jours (extrêmes : 1 et 21 jours). Les signes fonctionnels étaient dominéspar le prurit (n=193 ; 83,2%), la fièvre (n=151 ; 65,1%) et les céphalées (n=9 ; 3,9%). Les signes cliniques étaient principalement les vésicules (n=225 ; 96,9%), les croûtes (n=56 ; 24,1%) et l’érythème (n=56 ; 18,5%). Nous avons retrouvé 13 patients infectés par le VIH dont huit dépistés au décours de la maladie. L’évolution était émaillée d’une surinfection bactérienne (n=11 ; 13, 6%) et d’une pneumopathie varicelleuse (n=9 ; 11,1%). Les séquelles cutanées étaient une hyperpigmentation chez 5 (6,2%) et un cas de cicatrice déprimée (1,2%). Nous avons enregistré 8 (3,4%) décès dont 3 étaient positifs au VIH et un nouveau-né de 2 jours, dont la mère avait eu une varicelle quelques jours avant l’accouchement. Les facteurs associés au décès étaient l’existence d’une pneumopathie varicelleuse (p=0,008), la surinfection bactérienne (p=0,02) et l’infection à VIH (p≤=0,001). Conclusion : Les résultats de cette étude montrent que la varicelle est relativement moins fréquente en dermatologie et infectiologie  en milieu hospitalier à Lomé. Par ailleurs, l’existence d’une pneumopathie varicelleuse, d’une surinfection bactérienne et d’une  infection à VIH augmentent le risque de décès au cours de cette affection. Mots-clefs : Varicelle, infection à VIH, Togo   English Title: Varicella in a Teaching Hospital in Lomé (Togo): A study from 2003 To 2018 Objective: The aim of this study was to document the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of varicella cases in a hospitals.Method: This is a retrospective study, on the files of patients seen in consultation and/or hospitalization in dermatology and infectious diseases in Lomé from January 2003 to December 2018.Results: During the study period, 232 (0.26) of 89168 patients seen in dermatology and infectious disease had suffered from varicella. The mean age of the patients was 19.1 ± 13.7 years (range: 2 days and 78 years) and the sex ratio (M/F) was 1.09. The evolution duration of the lesions before consultation was 4.6 days (range: 1 and 21 days). The functional signs were dominated by pruritus (n = 193; 83.2%), fever (n = 151; 65.1%) and headache (n = 9; 3.9%). The clinical signs were mainly vesicles (n = 225; 96.9%), crusts (n = 56, 24.1%) and erythema (n = 56; 18.5%). We found 13 patients infected with HIV, eight of whom were screened in the course of the disease. The evolution was enamelled with bacterial surinfection (n = 11; 13.6%) and varicella pneumonia (n = 9, 11.1%). The cutaneous sequelae were hyperpigmentation in 5 (6.2%) and one cases of depressed scar (1.2%). We recorded 8 (3.4%) deaths of which 3 werepositive for HIV and one 2-day newborn, whose mother had had varicella a few days before giving birth. The factors associated with death were varicella pneumonia (p = 0.008), secondary bacterial infection (p = 0.02) and HIV infection (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The results of this study show that varicella is relatively less frequent in dermatology and infectiology in hospitals in Lomé. In addition, the existence of varicella pneumonia, secondary bacterial infection and HIV infection increases the risk of death during this disease. Keywords: Varicella, HIV infection, Togo