Diversity analysis of Moroccan carob ("Ceratonia siliqua" L.) accessions using phenotypic traits and RAPD markers

Diversity analysis of moroccan carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) accessions using phenotypic traits and RAPD markers. The carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is a perennial leguminous (Caesalpinioideae) that grows as an evergreen shrub or tree. It¿s an important component of the Mediterranean vegetation and its adaptation in marginal soils of the Mediterranean regions is important environmentally and economically. Phenotypic and genetic diversity among 10 Ceratonia siliqua accessions coming from different areas of Morocco were studied with morphometric and RAPD approaches. The analysis of discriminative fruit characters showed highly significant differences among these accessions, the closely related ones have a similarity level less than 65%. No molecular studies have been carried out so far on Ceratonia siliqua. To provide markers useful for molecular diversity study of the carob tree, genomic DNA extraction and amplification conditions were finalized and 67 arbitrary primers were screened. 52 of them showed clearly reproducible banding patterns. The analysis of RAPD profiles revealed a high degree of genetic diversity within these carob accessions and enabled each of them to be uniquely fingerprinted. Overall, in our study we note that morphological relationship between carob accessions is deeply different to their molecular relationship. Concerning the distribution of the accessions according to their geographical origin, clustering based on RAPD data revealed a rough distribution of theses accessions. Indeed, Sidi Bou Ottman, Demnate and Essaouira accessions coming from the south of Morocco seem to be linked in the PCA plot. However, two geographically distant accessions, Aïn Sfa and Ouazzane coming from the north (about 700 Km) were clustered with Essaouira and Demanate - Sidi Bou Ottman, respectively.Analyse de la diversité des accessions du caroubier marocain (Ceratonia siliqua L.) utilisant des traits phenotypiques et des marqueurs RAPD. Le caroubier (Ceratonia siliqua L.) est une légumineuse pérenne (Caesalpinioideae), à feuillage persistant et pouvant croître entant qu¿arbrisseau ou arbre. C¿est un composant important de la végétation méditerranéenne et son adaptation aux sols marginaux des régions méditerranéennes est d¿une grande importance écologique et économique. La diversité phénotypique et génétique au sein de 10 accessions de caroubier provenant de différentes régions du Maroc a été étudiée par des approches morphométriques et moléculaires (RAPD). L¿analyse des caractères morphologiques discriminants du fruit a montré des différences hautement significatives au sein des accessions, puisque les apparentées d¿entre elles n¿ont approximativement que 65% de similarité. Jusqu¿à nos jours, aucune étude moléculaire n¿a été entreprise sur Ceratonia siliqua. Pour mettre à disposition des marqueurs utiles pour l¿étude de la diversité moléculaire du caroubier, l¿extraction de l¿ADN génomique et les conditions de l¿amplification ont été mises au point et 67 amorces arbitraires ont été criblées. 52 d¿entre elles ont montré clairement des profils de bandes reproductibles. L¿analyse des profils RAPD a révélé une diversité génétique de haut niveau entre les accessions de caroubier ce qui a permis à chacune d¿elles d¿être distinguée génétiquement de façon singulière. De manière générale, nous avons noté que la relation morphologique entre les accessions du caroubier est profondément différente de leur relation moléculaire. Concernant la distribution des accessions selon leur origine géographique, le regroupement basé sur les données de la RAPD a révélé une distribution grossière. En effet, les provenances de Sidi Bou Ottman, Demnate et Essaouira, originaires du sud de Maroc, semblent être liés par l¿analyse des composantes principales (PCA). Cependant, deux accessions géographiquement distantes, Aïn Sfa et Ouazzane, originaires du Nord (approximativement 700 Kms) ont été liées avec Essaouira et Demanate - Sidi Bou Ottman, respectivement

Identification Et Cartographie Des Zones Potentielles De Recharge Des Eaux Dans La Région De Dosso (Sud-Ouest, Niger) Par Analyse Multicritère

Les eaux souterraines constituent la principale sourced’approvisionnement en eau des populations de la région de Dosso, située dansle Sud-Ouest du bassin des Iullemmeden. En dépit du climat aride à semi-aridequi caractérise cette région, le renouvellement des eaux des nappessouterraines s’effectue à travers les pluies. Cette recharge des eaux, quiconstitue un élément essentiel dans le cycle hydrologique, se faitpréférentiellement selon des zones qui peuvent aussi être des zonesvulnérables à la pollution des nappes. L’objectif principal de cette étudeconsiste à identifier puis à cartographier les zones potentielles de recharge deseaux. La démarche méthodologique utilisée dans le cadre de ce travail anécessité l’utilisation de l’analyse multicritère combinant le Systèmed’Information Géographique (SIG) et la télédétection. Après le traitement desimages Landsat de Dosso, tous les paramètres influençant les processus derecharge des eaux ont été intégrés au SIG. Il s’agit : des types de sol, del’occupation du sol, des densités des fractures et du drainage, de la lithologiede la zone non saturée et de la pente du terrain. La carte des zones potentiellesde recharge des eaux montre que la majorité de la zone étudiée présente unpotentiel réel d’infiltration des eaux lié à : la nature sableuse des sols, laprésence des zones de cultures pluviales, la présence de fractures et la densitédu réseau hydrographique. Cette carte a aussi permis de confirmer que leszones à potentiel élevé de recharge se situent dans les lits des mares et des"dallols" (larges vallées sèches), qui deviennent ainsi des zones plusvulnérables. Ce support cartographique constitue de ce fait un outil d’aide à ladécision. Groundwater is the main source of water supply in the Dosso regionwhich is located in the southwestern part of the Iullemmeden Basin. Despitethe arid to semi-arid climate that characterizes this region, groundwaterrecharge is occuring mainly through rainfall. This recharge of water which isan essential element in the hydrological cycle is prefentially done accordingto zones which can also be vulnerable to groundwater pollution. The mainobjective of this study is to identify and mapped the potential recharge areas.A methodology based on a multicriteria analysis integrating GIS and remotesensing was used to map the potential recharge areas. After processing theLandsat satellite images of Dosso region, all the parameters influencing thehydrological recharge processes were obtained and integrated into GIS. Theseparameters are: soil types, land cover, fracture density, drainage density,lithology and slope. The map of potential recharge areas obtained shows thatthe majority of the study areas has great recharge potential. According to thisstudy, this great potentiality could be linked to: the sandy nature of the soil,the cultivable areas, the presence of fractures and density of hydrographicnetwork. This map also confirmed that areas with high recharge potential arelocated in the beds of ponds and "dallols" (wide dry valleys), which thusbecome more vulnerable areas. This map of potential recharge areasconstitutes therefore a tool for decision makers

Qualité Microbiologique, Propriétés Physicochimiques et Profil Sensoriel de Miels de la Région du Worodougou, Côte d’Ivoire

Le présent travail a été réalisé dans la région du Worodogou (Côte d’Ivoire). L’objectif de l’étude était d’évaluer la qualité microbiologique et les caractéristiques physico-chimiques et sensorielles de ces miels. La méthode a consisté à rechercher et dénombrer les microorganismes capables d’altérer la qualité organoleptique et sanitaire de ces miels sur des milieux de culture. L’analyse des paramètres physico chimiques concernait la détermination de la densité des miels, le pH, l’acidité, le taux de sucre, le taux de matière sèche et l’analyse sensorielle. Les résultats montrent un taux de flore mésophile aérobie totale compris entre 1 ufc/ g et 66,14 ufc / g. Les miels analysés ne relèvent pas de contamination par les coliformes. Tous les miels sont dépourvus de levures et moisissures excepté le miel du commerce avec un taux de contamination de 2 ufc / g. On note une contamination par les Staphylocoques du miel provenant de WONGUE (MW) (3,64 à 4,63 ufc/ g). Aucune salmonelle n’a été révélée dans l’ensemble des miels. L’analyse physico-chimique a montré des densités de miels variant de 1,06 ± 0,069 à 1,22 ± 0,089 g/cm3. Les pH des échantillons varient entre 3,7 ± 0,1 et 4,77 ± 0,06. Le miel de BOBI a la plus faible teneur en glucose (41,71 ± 6,54 %) comparée à celle du miel du commerce, de FORONA et de WONGUE (45,50± 0.0 %). Les valeurs de l’acidité totale des miels oscillent entre 16,67 ± 2,89 et 33,33 ± 2,89 meq /kg. Les extraits secs réfractométriques (ERS) ont varié de 21 ± 0,44 à 24 ± 0,1 %. Les couleurs des miels sont le jaune (MC), le marron (MB) et le marron foncée (MF, MW). La saveur des miels est la saveur sucrée. Le gout des miels se situe entre très désagréable à extrêmement agréable Comparés aux normes internationales, on peut affirmer que les miels de la région du Worodougou (Côte d’Ivoire) sont de qualités acceptables. This work was done in the Worodogou region (Ivory Coast). The objective of the study was to evaluate the microbiological quality and the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of these honeys.The method consisted of looking for and counting microorganisms capable of altering the organoleptic and health quality of these honeys on culture media. The analysis of physico-chemical parameters concerned the determination of honey density, pH, acidity, sugar content, dry matter content and sensory analysis. The results show a total aerobic mesophilic flora content of between 1 cfu / g and 66.14 cfu / g. The honeys analyzed do not include coliformcontamination.All honeys are free of yeasts and molds except for commercial honey with a contamination rate of 2 cfu / g. Honey Staphylococci contamination was reported from WONGUE (MW) (3.64 to 4.63 CFU / g). No salmonella was found in all honeys. Physicochemical analysis showed honey densities ranging from 1.06 ± 0.069 to 1.22 ± 0.089 g / cm3. The pH of the samples varies between 3.7 ± 0.1 and 4.77 ± 0.06. BOBI honey has the lowest glucose content (41.71 ± 6.54%) compared to commercial honey, FORONA and WONGUE (45.50 ± 0.0%). The total acidity values of honeys ranged from 16.67 ± 2.89 to 33.33 ± 2.89 meq / kg. Refractometric dry extracts (RHS) ranged from 21 ± 0.44 to 24 ± 0.1%. The colors of the honeys are yellow (MC), brown (MB) and dark brown (MF, MW). The flavor of honey is the sweet taste. The taste of honeys is between very unpleasant to extremely pleasant Compared to international standards, it can be said that honeys from the region of Worodougou (Ivory Coast) are acceptable qualities

Caractérisation de la déformation des dépôts oligocènes du Continental terminal 3 (Ct3) dans la région de Niamey (Bordure Orientale du Craton Ouest Africain, Bassin des Iullemmeden)

Cette étude porte sur la détermination des phases de déformations affectant les dépôts oligocènes du Ct3, correspondant aux derniers dépôts de comblement du bassin des Iullemmeden dans la région de Niamey (Ouest, Niger). La méthodologie mise en œuvre est basée sur l’analyse microtectonique de terrain soutenue par des données cartographiques et de l’imagerie satellitaire. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que les dépôts oligocènes du Ct3 ont enregistré deux évènements majeurs de l’histoire tectonique de l’Afrique de l’Ouest au Cénozoïque : la distension oligocène et la phase compressive post-oligocène, d’âge présumée miocène. La phase distensive oligocène orientée ~N50° à ~N80° serait étroitement contrôlée par la dynamique mantellique prévalant à cette époque, qui confère une structuration en dômes et bassins à l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Ces mouvements mantelliques descendants, concomitant au dernier épisode de comblement du bassin des Iullemmeden, favoriseraient le rejeu en normal de la plupart des failles d’orientation NW-SE. La phase compressive ~N140°, présumée d’âge miocène, se serait produite dans un contexte régional marqué par la poursuitende la convergence Afrique-Europe. Au cours de cette phase compressive, les failles héritées ont été réactivées en décrochements soit senestres soit dextres en fonction de leur orientation par rapport à la direction de raccourcissement. The aim of this study is about the determination deformations phases that affect the Ct3 Oligocene deposits in the Niamey area (West, Niger), which correspond to the last deposits of the Iullemmeden basin. The methodology implemented is based on the microtectonic field investigation supported by cartographic data and satellite imagery analysis. The results of this study show that the Oligocene deposits of Ct3 recorded two major events of the West Africa tectonic history during Cenozoic period: the first one was Oligocene distension and the second was a post-Oligocene compressive phase, presumed to be Miocene in age. The Oligocene distensive phase oriented ~N50° to ~N80° would be closely controlled by the mantle dynamics prevailing at that time, which gave domes and basins structuring in West Africa. These downward mantle movements, concomitantly with the last episode of the Iullemmeden basin infilling, would favor the normal reactivation of the most NW-SE trending faults. The ~N140° compressive phase, presumed to be Miocene in age, would have occurred in a regional shortening context, which was marked by the continuation of the Africa-Europe convergence. During this compressive phase, the inherited structures such as faults were reactivated in either senestral or dextral strike-slip faults according to their orientation with the shortening direction

Evaluation De La Qualité Microbiologique Des Médicaments Traditionnels Améliorés (MTA) Vendus Dans Six Communes d’Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

This study was carried out in six (6) communes of Abidjan within a period of six months (November 2016 to April 2017). This paper focuses on assessing the microbiological quality of traditional medicines produced and sold in these communes. A total of 38 samples were collected, including 19 in powder form and another 19 in liquid form. The search and enumeration of the germs was carried out according to the method based on standard procedures (AFNOR). Enumeration included total mesophilic aerobic flora, total coliforms, yeasts and molds, Staphylococcus aureus, and salmonella. The results indicate an absence of the pathogenic flora (Salmonella and S. aureus). There is also an absence of yeasts and molds in the products in liquid form. The level of contamination of the Mesophilic Total Aerobic Flora (FMAT) ranges from 1.104 to 6.7.107 CFU / ml or CFU / g and from 1.6.104 to 5.5.107 CFU / g or CFU / ml for total coliforms. In terms of microbiological quality, 39.47% of the analyzed samples had compliant. In view of these results, it is necessary to train Traditional Medicine Practitioners on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) methods throughout the production chain in order to market MTAs of guaranteed quality and safet

Pregnancy rate and birth outcomes among women receiving antiretroviral therapy in Burkina Faso: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: In Sub-Saharan Africa, few studies reported pregnancy incidence and outcomes in women taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). This survey aims to estimate the incidence and outcomes of pregnancy in a cohort of HIV positive women initiating ART in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Methods: We carried out a retrospective cohort study. We selected women in childbearing age initiating ART and followed up in Bobo-Dioulasso teaching hospital between January 2005 and June 2011. The incidence of pregnancies during follow-up was calculated. Childbirth was defined by the expulsion of a fetus after 22 weeks of amenorrhea. Before this term, it is an abortion. Childbirth is said premature if it occurs before 37 weeks of gestation, to term if it occurs between the 38th and the 42nd week. The annual age-standardized fertility rates were calculated using the baseline population from the 2010 demographic and health survey (DHS) in Burkina Faso. Results: A total of 1,763 women of childbearing age under ART were included in the study. They ranged between 18 and 48 years old with a median of 35 years old. A total of 222 pregnancies were observed during 4639 women-years of follow-up, corresponding to an incidence density of 5 pregnancies for 100 women-years (95% CI: 4.2-5.5). Among the 222 pregnancies recorded, 9(4.0%) ended with abortion, 205(92.4%) with childbirth (including 15 premature childbirths); the outcome of 8(3.6 %) pregnancies were unknown abortion. Live birth and stillborn rates were 94.0% (193/205) and 6.0% respectively. The standard fertility rate in our cohort was 45 live births for 1,000 women-years. The general decrease in fertility rates was 66.0% among women infected with HIV compared to the overall population Conclusion: This study shows a low pregnancy incidence among women initiating ART as compared to their peers from the general population. Pregnancies that occurred during ART generally end with live births. Care packages for HIV infected women of childbearing age must include reproductive health services to better address this issue.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Field-based evidence of fast and global increase of Plasmodium falciparum drug-resistance by DNA-microarrays and PCR/RFLP in Niger

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Over the last years, significant progress has been made in the comprehension of the molecular mechanism of malaria resistance to drugs. Together with <it>in vivo </it>tests, the molecular monitoring is now part of the survey strategy of the <it>Plasmodium </it>sensitivity. Currently, DNA-microarray analysis allows the simultaneous study of many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of <it>Plasmodium </it>isolates. In December 2005, the International Federation of the Red Cross distributed two million three hundred thousand long-lasting insecticide nets to pregnant women and mothers of under five years children in the whole Niger. Then, Niger adopted artemisinin-based combination therapy as first-line treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty four SNPs of <it>pfcrt, pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr </it>and <it>pfATPase </it>were analysed by DNA-microarray and PCR/RFLP in two villages – Zindarou and Banizoumbou – with different durations of malaria transmission. The main objective of the study was to measure the dynamics <it>of Plasmodium falciparum </it>resistant strains and associated factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study shows a global and clear increase of the drug-resistance associated molecular markers frequencies during a relatively short-time period of four years. Markers associated with resistance to chloroquine and sulphonamids were more frequently found in the short transmission zone than in the long transmission one. The <it>pfcrt76T </it>mutation is significantly more present at Banizoumbou than Zindarou (38.3% vs 25.2%, p = 0.013).</p> <p>This work allowed the screening of several field strains for five SNPs of <it>PfATPase6 </it>gene. The <it>pfATPase6S769N</it>, candidate mutation of resistance to artemisinin was not found. However the <it>pfATPsaeA623E </it>mutation was found in 4.7% of samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A significant increase of several SNPs frequencies was highlighted over a four-year period. The polymorphism of five <it>PfATPase6 </it>gene SNPs was described. The global, large and fast increase of the molecular resistance is discussed in the context of current changes of health policy and malaria control in Niger.</p

A comprehensive analysis of drug resistance molecular markers and Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity in two malaria endemic sites in Mali.

BACKGROUND: Drug resistance is one of the greatest challenges of malaria control programme in Mali. Recent advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies provide new and effective ways of tracking drug-resistant malaria parasites in Africa. The diversity and the prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum drug-resistance molecular markers were assessed in Dangassa and Nioro-du-Sahel in Mali, two sites with distinct malaria transmission patterns. Dangassa has an intense seasonal malaria transmission, whereas Nioro-du-Sahel has an unstable and short seasonal malaria transmission. METHODS: Up to 270 dried blood spot samples (214 in Dangassa and 56 in Nioro-du-Sahel) were collected from P. falciparum positive patients in 2016. Samples were analysed on the Agena MassARRAY® iPLEX platform. Specific codons were targeted in Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, and Pfdhps, Pfarps10, Pfferredoxin, Pfexonuclease and Pfmdr2 genes. The Sanger's 101-SNPs-barcode method was used to assess the genetic diversity of P. falciparum and to determine the parasite species. RESULTS: The Pfcrt_76T chloroquine-resistance genotype was found at a rate of 64.4% in Dangassa and 45.2% in Nioro-du-Sahel (p = 0.025). The Pfdhfr_51I-59R-108N pyrimethamine-resistance genotype was 14.1% and 19.6%, respectively in Dangassa and Nioro-du-Sahel. Mutations in the Pfdhps_S436-A437-K540-A581-613A sulfadoxine-resistance gene was significantly more prevalent in Dangassa as compared to Nioro-du-Sahel (p = 0.035). Up to 17.8% of the isolates from Dangassa vs 7% from Nioro-du-Sahel harboured at least two codon substitutions in this haplotype. The amodiaquine-resistance Pfmdr1_N86Y mutation was identified in only three samples (two in Dangassa and one in Nioro-du-Sahel). The lumefantrine-reduced susceptibility Pfmdr1_Y184F mutation was found in 39.9% and 48.2% of samples in Dangassa and Nioro-du-Sahel, respectively. One piperaquine-resistance Exo_E415G mutation was found in Dangassa, while no artemisinin resistance genetic-background were identified. A high P. falciparum diversity was observed, but no clear genetic aggregation was found at either study sites. Higher multiplicity of infection was observed in Dangassa with both COIL (p = 0.04) and Real McCOIL (p = 0.02) methods relative to Nioro-du-Sahel. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals high prevalence of chloroquine and pyrimethamine-resistance markers as well as high codon substitution rate in the sulfadoxine-resistance gene. High genetic diversity of P. falciparum was observed. These observations suggest that the use of artemisinins is relevant in both Dangassa and Nioro-du-Sahel

Resurgence of Malaria Transmission and Incidence after Withdrawal of Indoor Residual Spraying in the District of Koulikoro, Mali

In Mali, malaria vector control relies mostly on long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS). From 2008 to 2016, an IRS program was implemented in the district of Koulikoro. After a significant reduction in malaria indicators, IRS was stopped in 2016. This study evaluated the effect of IRS withdrawal on entomological parameters of malaria transmission and incidence in children aged 6 months to 10 years in the district of Koulikoro. Entomological parameters of malaria transmission during the last year of IRS implementation in 2016 were compared with those obtained 2 years after IRS withdrawal in 2018 in two villages of Koulikoro. Mosquito vectors were collected by mouth aspiration and pyrethrum spray catches in the villages to monitor these transmission parameters. A sharp increase (10.8 times higher) in vector abundance after IRS withdrawal was observed. The infection rate of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato to Plasmodium falciparum increased from zero during IRS implementation to 14.8% after IRS withdrawal. The average entomological inoculation rate, which was undetectable before, was 1.22 infected bites per person per month 2 years after IRS was withdrawn, and the cumulative malaria incidence rate observed after IRS was 4.12 times (15.2% versus 3.7%) higher than that observed in 2016 in the villages before IRS withdrawal. This study showed a resurgence of malaria transmission and incidence in the Koulikoro health district after IRS was withdrawn. Thus, to manage the potential consequences of malaria transmission resurgence, alternative approaches are needed when stopping successful malaria control interventions