Urban Cholera transmission hotspots and their implications for Reactive Vaccination: evidence from Bissau city, Guinea Bissau

Use of cholera vaccines in response to epidemics (reactive vaccination) may provide an effective supplement to traditional control measures. In Haiti, reactive vaccination was considered but, until recently, rejected in part due to limited global supply of vaccine. Using Bissau City, Guinea-Bissau as a case study, we explore neighborhood-level transmission dynamics to understand if, with limited vaccine and likely delays, reactive vaccination can significantly change the course of a cholera epidemic

Evaluation de la Substitution Partielle du Tourteau de Glycine max (L.) Merr (Soja) par le Tourteau de la Pulpe de Dacryodes edulis (Safou) H.J. Lam. (1932) dans l’Alimentation des Poules Pondeuses au Congo-Brazzaville

La substitution du tourteau de soja par des intrants locaux est  souvent proposée comme une alternative dans l’amélioration de la productivité avicole. Pour tester cette hypothèse, le tourteau de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis a été expérimenté chez des poules pondeuses âgées de 24 semaines. L’étude avait pour but de substituer partiellement le tourteau de soja par le tourteau de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis  à 7 % dans l’alimentation des poules pondeuses. Au cours de cette étude, un échantillon de 60 poules pondeuses avait été réparti en deux  lots ; le tourteau de Dacryodes edulis a été incorporé à 7 % dans le premier lot  et le second groupe a servi de témoin. Les deux groupes ont été comparés sur des paramètres zootechniques et économiques. Le  traitement a amélioré significativement  (p< 0,05), l’efficacité alimentaire (4,03 contre 3,11) quoi qu’on ait observé une baisse de la consommation volontaire d’aliment et d’eau respectivement de 16,7 % et 17,4%.  De même, l’incorporation du tourteau de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis à 7% a amélioré significativement la ponte, en l’occurrence le nombre moyen d’œufs pondus par poule  (43,12 contre 46,62), le poids moyen de l’œuf (54,41 g contre 56,48 g), le taux de ponte au pic de ponte, (71,42% contre 74,30%)  et la production des œufs commercialisables  (744 œufs contre 876 œufs). Sur le plan économique, le traitement a amélioré significativement  le coût de revient  du kg d’aliment  (299, 82 FCFA contre 275,95 FCFA), le  prix de production de l’œuf  (95,17 FCFA contre 68,10 FCFA). L'hypothèse formulée au début de cette étude a été vérifiée. L’incorporation du tourteau de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis dans l’alimentation des poules pondeuses est une alternative en aviculture fermière. Cette étude ouvre des perspectives intéressantes   en arboriculture fruitière et en aviculture fermière  au Congo.   Substitution of soybean or meal cake with local inputs is often proposed as an alternative to improving poultry productivity. To test this hypothesis, Dacryodes edulis cake were tested in 24-week-old laying hens. The aim of the study was to partially replace soybean cake with Dacryodes edulis pulp residues at 7% in the diet of laying hens. During this study, a sample of 60 laying hens was divided into two groups; Dacryodes edulis cake was incorporated at 7% in the first batch and the second group served as a control. The two groups were compared on zootechnical and economic parameters. The treatment significantly (p<0.05) improved feed efficiency (4.03 versus 3.11), although a drop in voluntary food and water consumption of 16.7 was observed respectively. % and 17.4%. Likewise, the incorporation of Dacryodes edulis pulp cake at 7% significantly improved laying, in this case, the average number of eggs laid per hen (43.12 versus 46.62), the average weight of the egg (54.41 g versus 56.48 g), the laying rate at peak laying (71.42% versus 74.30%) and the production of marketable eggs (744 eggs versus 876 eggs). Concerning the economic level, the treatment significantly improved the cost per kg of food (299.82 FCFA vs  275.95 FCFA), and the production price of the egg (95.17 FCFA vs 68.10 FCFA). The hypothesis formulated at the beginning of this study was verified. Incorporating residues of Dacryodes edulis seeds or cake into the feed of laying hens is an alternative in free-range poultry farming. This study points to interesting perspectives on fruit cultivation and poultry farming in Congo

Evaluation de l’Alimentation Séquentielle à Base d’Une Ration Contenant des Feuilles de Manioc Post -Récolte (Manihot esculenta ) sur les Performances Zootechniques des Poulets de Chair en Phase de Finition

Après la récolte des tubercules, les feuilles de manioc sont disponibles dans les champs en République du Congo. Elles sont une source en protéines brutes pour l’alimentation des animaux domestiques. Expérimentées dans un mode séquentiel, elles sont susceptibles d’améliorer les rendements des poulets de chair. Cette technique consiste à fractionner un ou plusieurs ingrédient(s) et la présentation des fractions est faite en respectant un intervalle de temps en fonction des besoins des animaux. L’objectif du travail était d’évaluer les performances des poulets de chair nourris avec un aliment à base de ces feuilles dans un mode de distribution séquentiel sur les performances des poulets de chair. Pour atteindre cet objectif, un échantillon de 50 poulets de souche COBB 500 âgés de 26 jours ont été répartis en deux lots (témoin et traité). Les oiseaux du lot témoin ont été nourris avec un aliment contenant 5% de farine de manioc dans une seule mangeoire alors que ceux du lot traité ont reçu un aliment dont les ingrédients riches en énergies étaient séparés de ceux riches en protéines et en minéraux distribués dans deux mangeoires différentes avec 04 heures de temps d’intervalle pour les deux fractions. Les résultats ont montré que la différence n’est pas significative (p ˂ 0,05) sur le GMQ, le poids vif et l’indice de consommation. Cependant, la consommation de la fraction énergétique est plus élevée chez les témoins que les traités (102,88 contre 82,72g). L’économie des matières azotées en phase de finition a permis un gain de 112,13 F CFA/sujet chez les traités. L’incorporation des feuilles de manioc en mode séquentiel apporte une plus-value en aviculture tropicale.   After harvesting the tubers, cassava leaves are available in the fields in the Republic of Congo. They are a source of crude protein for domestic animal feed. Experimented with in a sequential mode, they are likely to improve broiler yields. This technique consists in fractionating one or more ingredients, and presenting the fractions at time intervals to suit the animals' needs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of broilers fed a feed based on these leaves in a sequential distribution mode. To achieve this objective, a sample of 50 26-day-old COBB 500 chickens was divided into two batches (control and treated). Birds in the control batch were fed a feed containing 5% cassava flour in a single feed trough, while those in the treated batch were fed a feed in which energy-rich ingredients were separated from protein- and mineral-rich ones, distributed in two different feed troughs at 04-hour intervals for the two fractions. The results showed that the difference was not significant (p ˂ 0, 05) on GMQ, live weight and feed conversion ratio. However, consumption of the energy fraction was higher in controls than in treatments (102, 88 vs. 82,72g). Nitrogen savings in the finishing phase resulted in a gain of 112, 13 F CFA/subject in the treated group. The incorporation of cassava leaves in sequential mode provides added value in tropical poultry farming

Effet de la Substitution Partielle du Tourteau de Glycine max (L.) Merr (Soja) par le Tourteau de la Pulpe de Dacryodes edulis (Safou) H.J. Lam. (1932) dans l’Alimentation des Poules Pondeuses au Congo-Brazzaville

La substitution des résidus de graines de soja ou tourteau par des intrants locaux est  souvent proposée comme une alternative dans l’amélioration de la productivité avicole. Pour tester cette hypothèse, les résidus de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis a été expérimenté chez des poules pondeuses âgées de 24 semaines. L’étude avait pour but de substituer partiellement les résidus de soja par les résidus de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis  à 7 % dans l’alimentation des poules pondeuses. Au cours de cette étude, un échantillon de 60 poules pondeuses avait été réparti en deux  lots ; les résidus de Dacryodes edulis a été incorporé à 7 % dans le premier lot  et le second groupe a servi de témoin. Les deux groupes ont été comparés sur des paramètres zootechniques et économiques. Le  traitement a amélioré significativement  (p< 0,05), l’efficacité alimentaire (4,03 contre 3,11) quoi qu’on ait observé une baisse de la consommation volontaire d’aliment et d’eau respectivement de 16,7 % et 17,4%.  De même, l’incorporation des résidus de la pulpe de Dacryodes edulis à 7% a amélioré significativement la ponte, en l’occurrence le nombre moyen d’œufs pondus par poule  (43,12 contre 46,62), le poids moyen de l’œuf (54,41 g contre 56,48 g), le taux de ponte au pic de ponte, (71,42% contre 74,30%)  et la production des œufs commercialisables  (744 œufs contre 876 œufs). Sur le plan économique, le traitement a amélioré significativement  le coût de revient  du kg d’aliment  (299, 82 FCFA contre 275,95 FCFA), le  prix de production de l’œuf  (95,17 FCFA contre 68,10 FCFA). L'hypothèse formulée au début de cette étude a été vérifiée. L’incorporation des résidus des graines ou tourteau de Dacryodes edulis dans l’alimentation des poules pondeuses est une alternative en aviculture fermière. Cette étude ouvre des perspectives intéressantes   en arboriculture fruitière et en aviculture fermière  au Congo.   Substitution of soybean or meal residue with local inputs is often proposed as an alternative in improving poultry productivity. To test this hypothesis, Dacryodes edulis residues were tested in 24-week-old laying hens. The aim of the study was to partially replace soybean residues with Dacryodes edulis pulp residues at 7% in the diet of laying hens. During this study, a sample of 60 laying hens was divided into two groups; Dacryodes edulis residues were incorporated at 7% in the first batch and the second group served as a control. The two groups were compared on zootechnical and economic parameters. The treatment significantly (p<0.05) improved feed efficiency (4.03 versus 3.11), although a drop in voluntary food and water consumption of 16.7 was observed respectively. % and 17.4%. Likewise, the incorporation of Dacryodes edulis pulp residues at 7% significantly improved laying, in this case the average number of eggs laid per hen (43.12 versus 46.62), the average weight of the egg (54.41 g versus 56.48 g), the laying rate at peak laying (71.42% versus 74.30%) and the production of marketable eggs (744 eggs versus 876 eggs). Concerning the economic level, the treatment significantly improved the cost  per kg of food (299.82 FCFA vs  275.95 FCFA), the production price of the egg (95.17 FCFA vs 68.10 FCFA) . The hypothesis formulated at the beginning of this study was verified. Incorporating residues of Dacryodes edulis seeds or cake into the feed of laying hens is an alternative in free-range poultry farming. This study points interesting perspectives in fruit cultivation  and oultry farming in Congo

Phenotypic Characterization According to the Feather Color of Indigenous Muscovy Ducks Bred in the Back Yard in Brazzaville, the Congo

. In Congo, waterfowl genetic resources are constituted by native population of Muscovy ducks that play an important role in food security. The present study aimed to identify and to characterize strains bred in the back yard in the households in Brazzaville. A sample of 154 households drawn over seven districts of Brazzaville was enrolled in the survey. Adults ducks found in the households were identified, pictured by a key of determination and then compared by using the multi resolution analysis image method. The survey recorded 13 strains in which four were considered as newly since they have never been reported elsewhere. These strains received temporally the name of the districts where they have been identified for the first time Makelékélé 1 (0.34%, n=6), Makélékélé 2 (0.11%, n =2), Poto poto 1 (0.28%, n=5) and in Poto poto 2 (0.11%, n=2). Finally, the survey reported nine classical strains such as black plumage, duclair, white, tortora, sepia, chocolate, lavender, grey and canizie. The apparent wide variation in plumage colors is an indication that the duck populations have not been ‘purified' through selective breeding. In the context of the valorization of poultry biodiversity, this work represents a step toward a better knowledge of the production abilities of local ducks breeds in Congo

Impact of Acute Malaria on Pre-Existing Antibodies to Viral and Vaccine Antigens in Mice and Humans

Vaccine-induced immunity depends on long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) that maintain antibody levels. A recent mouse study showed that Plasmodium chaubaudi infection reduced pre-existing influenza-specific antibodies--raising concerns that malaria may compromise pre-existing vaccine responses. We extended these findings to P. yoelii infection, observing decreases in antibodies to model antigens in inbred mice and to influenza in outbred mice, associated with LLPC depletion and increased susceptibility to influenza rechallenge. We investigated the implications of these findings in Malian children by measuring vaccine-specific IgG (tetanus, measles, hepatitis B) before and after the malaria-free 6-month dry season, 10 days after the first malaria episode of the malaria season, and after the subsequent dry season. On average, vaccine-specific IgG did not decrease following acute malaria. However, in some children malaria was associated with an accelerated decline in vaccine-specific IgG, underscoring the need to further investigate the impact of malaria on pre-existing vaccine-specific antibodies

The impact of transmural multiprofessional simulation-based obstetric team training on perinatal outcome and quality of care in the Netherlands

Background Perinatal mortality and morbidity in the Netherlands is relatively high compared to other European countries. Our country has a unique system with an independent primary care providing care to low-risk pregnancies and a secondary/tertiary care responsible for high-risk pregnancies. About 65% of pregnant women in the Netherlands will be referred from primary to secondary care implicating multiple medical handovers. Dutch audits concluded that in the entire obstetric collaborative network process parameters could be improved. Studies have shown that obstetric team training improves perinatal outcome and that simulation-based obstetric team training implementing crew resource management (CRM) improves team performance. In addition, deliberate practice (DP) improves medical skills. The aim of this study is to analyse whether transmural multiprofessional simulation-based obstetric team training improves perinatal outcome. Methods/Design The study will be implemented in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands with an annual delivery rate of over 9,000. In this area secondary care is provided by four hospitals. Each hospital with referring primary care practices will form a cluster (study group). Within each cluster, teams will be formed of different care providers representing the obstetric collaborative network. CRM and elements of DP will be implemented in the training. To analyse the quality of care as perceived by patients, the Pregnancy and Childbirth Questionnaire (PCQ) will be used. Furthermore, self-reported collaboration between care providers will be assessed. Team performance will be measured by the Clinical Teamwork Scale (CTS). We employ a stepped-wedge trial design with a sequential roll-out of the trainings for the different study groups. Primary outcome will be perinatal mortality and/or admission to a NICU. Secondary outcome will be team performance, quality of care as perceived by patients, and collaboration among care providers. Conclusion The effect of transmural multiprofessional simulation-based obstetric team training on perinatal outcome has never been studied. We hypothesise that this training will improve perinatal outcome, team performance, and quality of care as perceived by patients and care providers

Active PD-L1 incorporation within HIV virions functionally impairs T follicular helper cells.

The limited development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) during HIV infection is classically attributed to an inadequate B-cell help brought by functionally impaired T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. However, the determinants of Tfh-cell functional impairment and the signals contributing to this condition remain elusive. In the present study, we showed that PD-L1 is incorporated within HIV virions through an active mechanism involving p17 HIV matrix protein. We subsequently showed that in vitro produced PD-L1high but not PD-L1low HIV virions, significantly reduced Tfh-cell proliferation and IL-21 production, ultimately leading to a decreased of IgG1 secretion from GC B cells. Interestingly, Tfh-cell functions were fully restored in presence of anti-PD-L1/2 blocking mAbs treatment, demonstrating that the incorporated PD-L1 proteins were functionally active. Taken together, the present study unveils an immunovirological mechanism by which HIV specifically exploits the regulatory potential of PD-L1 to suppress the immune system during the course of HIV infection