Physicochemical and biochemical characteristics evaluation of seven improve cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) varieties of Côte d'Ivoire

A lot of people around the world convert cassava roots into different products according to local customs and preferences. In Côte d’Ivoire, due to its high consumption, cassava is a subject of concern to researchers. For that purpose, seven improved varieties of cassava (with better productivity and resistance to many diseases), were set up by CNRA. Nevertheless, their valorization and popularization need information about physico-chemical, biochemical and sensorial characteristics. So, the aim of this study was to identify the best improved varieties regarding these characteristics. The physicochemical,'biochemical and sensorial characteristics were determined according to several standard methods and then the different data were submitted for statistical analyses. Three clusters of varieties were identified. The first cluster (C1) presented the highest energy value (170.26 Kcal/100 g), carbohydrate (37.65 g/100 g), starch (22.52 g/100 g), dry matter (40.79 g/100 g) and the lowest moisture (59.24 g/100 g) and reducing sugar (0.36 g/100 g). In opposition, the second cluster (C2) registered the lowest energy value (130.12 Kcal/100 g), carbohydrate (25.80 g/100 g), starch (6.12 g/100 g), dry matter (29.59g/100 g) while its moisture (70.41 g/100 g) and reducing sugar (0.91 g/100 g) where the highest. The third cluster (C3) presented values between those of cluster 1 and 2. Sensorial characteristics of all the cassava varieties were accepted. Varieties V4, V54 and V69 of the cluster C1, recorded the best characteristics.Key words: Valorization, popularization, cassava, characteristics, sensorial, original, cluster

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Thermophilic Campylobacter

Thermophilic Campylobacters are major causes of gastroenteritis in human. The main risk factor of infection is consumption of contaminated or by cross-contaminated poultry meat. In Côte d’Ivoire, gastroenteritis is usually observed but no case of human campylobacteriosis has been formally reported to date. The aims of this study were to determine prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from chickens ceaca in commercial slaughter in Abidjan. Between May and November 2009, one hundred and nineteen (119) chicken caeca samples were collected and analyzed by passive filtration method followed by molecular identification (PCR). From these 119 samples, 76 (63.8%) were positive to Campylobacter tests. Among the positive colonies, 51.3% were C. jejuni and 48.7% were C. coli. Of the 39 C. jejuni isolates, 79.5%, 38.5%, 17.9%, 10.3%, and 7.7% were, respectively, resistant, to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, and gentamicin. Among the 37 isolates of C. coli, 78.4%, 43.2%, 13.5%, 8.1%, and 0% were resistant, respectively, to the same antibiotics. In conclusion, we reported in this study the presence of high Campylobacter contamination of the studied chickens. Molecular identification of the bacteria was performed and determination of high resistance to antimicrobials of the fluoroquinolone family was revealed

A new paradigm for pandemic preparedness

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Preparing for pandemics requires a degree of interdisciplinary work that is challenging under the current paradigm. This review summarizes the challenges faced by the field of pandemic science and proposes how to address them. RECENT FINDINGS: The structure of current siloed systems of research organizations hinders effective interdisciplinary pandemic research. Moreover, effective pandemic preparedness requires stakeholders in public policy and health to interact and integrate new findings rapidly, relying on a robust, responsive, and productive research domain. Neither of these requirements are well supported under the current system. SUMMARY: We propose a new paradigm for pandemic preparedness wherein interdisciplinary research and close collaboration with public policy and health practitioners can improve our ability to prevent, detect, and treat pandemics through tighter integration among domains, rapid and accurate integration, and translation of science to public policy, outreach and education, and improved venues and incentives for sustainable and robust interdisciplinary work.CCF-2200052 - National Science FoundationPublished versio

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

Stroke genetics informs drug discovery and risk prediction across ancestries

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of stroke — the second leading cause of death worldwide — were conducted predominantly in populations of European ancestry1,2. Here, in cross-ancestry GWAS meta-analyses of 110,182 patients who have had a stroke (five ancestries, 33% non-European) and 1,503,898 control individuals, we identify association signals for stroke and its subtypes at 89 (61 new) independent loci: 60 in primary inverse-variance-weighted analyses and 29 in secondary meta-regression and multitrait analyses. On the basis of internal cross-ancestry validation and an independent follow-up in 89,084 additional cases of stroke (30% non-European) and 1,013,843 control individuals, 87% of the primary stroke risk loci and 60% of the secondary stroke risk loci were replicated (P < 0.05). Effect sizes were highly correlated across ancestries. Cross-ancestry fine-mapping, in silico mutagenesis analysis3, and transcriptome-wide and proteome-wide association analyses revealed putative causal genes (such as SH3PXD2A and FURIN) and variants (such as at GRK5 and NOS3). Using a three-pronged approach4, we provide genetic evidence for putative drug effects, highlighting F11, KLKB1, PROC, GP1BA, LAMC2 and VCAM1 as possible targets, with drugs already under investigation for stroke for F11 and PROC. A polygenic score integrating cross-ancestry and ancestry-specific stroke GWASs with vascular-risk factor GWASs (integrative polygenic scores) strongly predicted ischaemic stroke in populations of European, East Asian and African ancestry5. Stroke genetic risk scores were predictive of ischaemic stroke independent of clinical risk factors in 52,600 clinical-trial participants with cardiometabolic disease. Our results provide insights to inform biology, reveal potential drug targets and derive genetic risk prediction tools across ancestries

POTENTIAL RISK OF LITTER USED IN POULTRY FARMING IN THE DISTRICT OF ABIDJAN ON THE HEALTH OF CHICKENS

Litter is an important constituent of poultry production, which can influence animal welfare, flock health, food safety, environmental impacts and production efficiency. However, the presence of the pathogenic microorganisms in the litter constitutes a potential health risk for chickens. The purpose of this study is to highlight pathogenic strains from litter of poultry farming in Abidjan. This study was conducted in five municipalities of Abidjan District, Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 360 poultry litter samples was collected and transported to laboratory for physicochemical and microbiological analysis. Molecular identification of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC)was carried out by the detection of two virulence genes,iss and iucD. Results showed litter pH and water content ranging from 8.12 to 8.65 and 14.93 to 39.16% respectively. Analysis of these samples showed presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella at 100%, and Aspergillus at 44.44%, 16.60% and 22.20% in Anyama, Bingerville and Yopougon respectively. In Songon and Port-Bouët areas, Escherichia coli was found at 100% and 95.24%, Salmonella at 71.43% and 95.24% and Aspergillus at 15.87% and 4.76% respectively. Of 48 isolates tested for APEC, 8 were positive for iss gene (16.67%) and 5 positives for iucD gene (10.42%). Of the 13 isolates tested positive, 3 (6.25%) were found to be positive for both genes. Therefore, litter would be responsible for the proliferation of potentially pathogenic germs that cause avian diseases. Litter waste could pose a pathogenic risk for the environment and animal health

How invasion by Ailanthus altissima transforms soil and litter communities in a temperate forest ecosystem

International audienceThe invasive tree Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (tree of heaven) is considered as an ecosystem transformer, which alters plant communities in open areas and forests. Nothing is yet known about its potential effects on forest soil biota and ecosystem functioning. We present here the first study assessesing the impact of A. altissima on soil and litter invertebrate communities in a temperate forest. We analyzed the effect of varying A. altissima densities in a forest of north-eastern France on soil microbial activity, diversity of various litter and soil invertebrate groups (Arthropoda, Lumbricidae, Gastropoda), diversity of functional groups (predatory, detritivorous, coprophagous, phytophagous), and trophic structure. Our study shows that increasing density of A. altissima is associated to lower soil microbial activity, decreasing abundance of litter detritivores (Acari and Collembola) and aboveground predatory Coleoptera, and decreasing species richness of terrestrial Gastropoda. In contrast, increased A. altissima density corresponded with greater abundances of litter Lumbricidae and aboveground coprophagous Coleoptera. We found an overall impact of A. altissima invasion on the soil food web structure that could accelerate the mineralization of organic matter and potentially favor nitrophilous plant species in understory plant communities

A virus-based biocatalyst

Contains fulltext : 35236.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)Virus particles are probably the most precisely defined nanometre-sized objects that can be formed by protein self-assembly. Although their natural function is the storage and transport of genetic material, they have more recently been applied as scaffolds for mineralization and as containers for the encapsulation of inorganic compounds(1,2). The reproductive power of viruses has been used to develop versatile analytical methods, such as phage display, for the selection and identification of (bio) active compounds(3). To date, the combined use of self-assembly and reproduction has not been used for the construction of catalytic systems. Here we describe a self-assembled system based on a plant virus that has its coat protein genetically modified to provide it with a lipase enzyme. Using single-object and bulk catalytic studies, we prove that the virus-anchored lipase molecules are catalytically active. This anchored biocatalyst, unlike man-made supported catalysts, has the capability to reproduce itself in vivo, generating many independent catalytically active copies