Characteristics of farmers’ selection criteria for cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties differ between north and south regions of Burkina Faso

Open Access Article; Published online: 18 July 2019omparative analysis of preferences and key criteria for selecting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) varieties was conducted using the data collected from farmers’ participatory varietal selection (FPVS) activities conducted over 3 years with a total of 2401 farmers (1230 male and 1171 female) in 13 villages in Tougouri department in northern region and Tiéfora department in southern region of Burkina Faso in West Africa. Over the 3 years, farmer criteria for variety selection remained basically stable, but some variations among the regions and years were noticed. Grain yield was the most common and the most important criterion for farmers’ choice in both regions. Farmers in Tougouri (north) put more emphasis on early maturity (90%) and drought resistance (19.7%) as selection criteria than farmers in Tiéfora (south). Farmers in Tiéfora placed statistically significant importance on seed colour and plant type, while farmers in Tougouri did not, and for these selection criteria, there were only slight differences between genders in both areas. Results of stepwise multiple regression indicated that maturity and seed colour in the north, and seed size and seed colour in the south were the most important selection factors for farmers to select cowpea varieties. Improved varieties should have sufficiently good yield to be accepted, but other favoured traits may differ by target region as a reflection of local and regional market demands as well as deep-rooted cultural preferences. Understanding local and regional differences in selection criteria for cowpea varieties is necessary to improve the acceptance of newly released improved varieties. Preferences identified in the participatory activities could inform further development of cowpea breeding strategies for north and south regions of Burkina Faso

Diagnostic et prévalence du syndrome métabolique chez les diabétiques suivis dans un contexte de ressources limitées : cas du Burkina-Faso

Introduction: les conséquences du syndrome métabolique impliquent son diagnostic effectif pour une prise en charge globale des comorbidités dépistées. Objectif : Déterminer la capacité à diagnostiquer le syndrome métabolique en routine, sa prévalence chez les diabétiques, leurs connaissances et pratiques vis-à-vis du risque cardio-métabolique. Méthodes: il s'est agi d'une étude transversale auprès de 388 diabétiques au CHU de Bobo-Dioulasso. Les critères de la fédération internationale du diabète (2009) ont été utilisés. Résultats: l'âge moyen était de 53,5±13,5 ans, le sex ratio de 0,7. L'obésité abdominale était présente dans 61,9% des cas; L'HTA l'était dans 56,4% des cas. La prescription du bilan lipidique a été documentée dans 55,4% des cas pour le HDL et 56,2% pour les triglycérides pour un taux de réalisation de 49,3% et 62,9%. Le taux de dépistage des critères lipidiques était de 26,8%. Un taux de HDL bas a été noté dans 46 cas (43,4%) et une hypertriglycéridémie dans 24 cas (17,6%). In fine, la prévalence du syndrome métabolique était de 48,9% (n=190). Seuls 27,4% savaient que d'autres facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire pouvaient être associés au diabète et seulement 6,7% pratiquaient une activité physique régulière. Conclusion: malgré la faible contribution du laboratoire, le syndrome métabolique est fréquent parmi nos diabétiques. Les patients sont peu sensibilisés sur le risque vasculaire et la pratique d'une activité physique régulière reste faible. Un programme d'éducation adaptée contribuerait à un meilleur dépistage et à une prise en charge optimale des cas

Mortalité néonatale au centre hospitalier universitaire de Tengandogo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: une étude de cohorte retrospective: Neonatal mortality at Tengandogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Selon l’organisation mondiale de la santé, les décès néonataux représentent 41% de la mortalité infanto-juvénile. L’Afrique subsaharienne a le taux de mortalité néonatale le plus élevé à 28‰. L’objectif de l’étude était de mesurer le taux de mortalité néonatale et d’identifier les facteurs associés au décès au Centre hospitalier universitaire de Tengandogo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Méthodes: Les nouveaux nés de 0 à 28 jours, hospitalisés entre le 1er janvier 2013 et le 31 décembre 2017 ont été inclus dans cette étude de cohorte rétrospective au service de néonatologie et de pédiatrie. Les informations ont été extraites à partir des dossiers cliniques. La survie a été estimée par la méthode de Kaplan Meier. Un modèle de Cox a permis d’identifier les facteurs associés. Résultats: Au total 641 nouveau-nés ont été inclus. Les enfants admis dès le premier jour de leur naissance représentaient 80%. La durée médiane de séjour était de 6 jours avec un intervalle interquartile de 3-12 jours. Les principaux diagnostics étaient la prématurité (36,05%), les infections néonatales (33,23%) et l’asphyxie (17,86%). Le taux de mortalité néonatale était de 22,25 pour 1000 personnes jours. Après ajustement, le poids de naissance inferieur 1500gramme (HRa = 4,13 ; IC 95% (2,58-6,67)) et la notion de réanimation à la naissance (HRa2,62 ; IC 95% [1,64-4,39)) étaient les facteurs de risque. Conclusion: Le taux de mortalité néonatale reste élevé. Le suivi prénatal, la prévention des infections, le renforcement des moyens de réanimation et la compétence des acteurs sont essentiels pour réduire ce taux. Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, neonatal deaths account for 41% of infant and child mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest neonatal mortality rate at 28‰. The objective of the study was to measure the neonatal mortality rate and identify factors associated with death at the Tengandogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Method: New-borns aged 0 to 28 days, hospitalised between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study in the neonatology and paediatrics department. Information was extracted from clinical records. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan Meier method. A Cox model was used to identify associated factors. Results: A total of 641 new-borns were included. Children admitted on the first day of birth accounted for 80%. The median length of stay was 6 days with an interquartile range of 3-12 days. The main diagnoses were prematurity (36.05%), neonatal infections (33.23%) and asphyxia (17.86%). The neonatal mortality rate was 22.25 per 1000 person days. After adjustment, birth weight below 1500 grams (HRa = 4.13; 95% CI (2.58-6.67)) and the notion of resuscitation at birth (HRa2.62; 95% CI (1.64-4.39)) were the risk factors. Conclusion: The neonatal mortality rate remains high. Prenatal follow-up, infection prevention, strengthening of resuscitation resources and competence of actors are essential to reduce this rate

Redesigning crop varieties to win the race between climate change and food security

Climate change poses daunting challenges to agricultural production and food security. Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and more frequent extreme events have already demonstrated their effects on local, regional, and global agricultural systems. Crop varieties that withstand climate-related stresses and are suitable for cultivation in innovative cropping systems will be crucial to maximize risk avoidance, productivity, and profitability under climate-changed environments. We surveyed 588 expert stakeholders to predict current and novel traits that may be essential for future pearl millet, sorghum, maize, groundnut, cowpea, and common bean varieties, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We then review the current progress and prospects for breeding three prioritized future-essential traits for each of these crops. Experts predict that most current breeding priorities will remain important, but that rates of genetic gain must increase to keep pace with climate challenges and consumer demands. Importantly, the predicted future-essential traits include innovative breeding targets that must also be prioritized; for example, (1) optimized rhizosphere microbiome, with benefits for P, N, and water use efficiency, (2) optimized performance across or in specific cropping systems, (3) lower nighttime respiration, (4) improved stover quality, and (5) increased early vigor. We further discuss cutting-edge tools and approaches to discover, validate, and incorporate novel genetic diversity from exotic germplasm into breeding populations with unprecedented precision, accuracy, and speed. We conclude that the greatest challenge to developing crop varieties to win the race between climate change and food security might be our innovativeness in defining and boldness to breed for the traits of tomorrow

Endocrine manifestations in a cohort of 63 adulthood and childhood onset patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis

International audienceOBJECTIVE: Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasm which can infiltrate any organ or tissue. Endocrine involvement has mostly been described in case reports and small retrospective studies. We aimed to describe endocrine manifestations in a large cohort of adulthood onset (AO) and childhood onset (CO) patients with LCH.DESIGN: single-center observational study conducted between January 2002 and December 2017 at Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital (Paris, France), a tertiary care hospital.METHOD: Clinical, biological and morphological evaluations of pituitary, gonadal, adrenal, and thyroid function evaluations performed in 63 consecutive patients with LCH (AO patients:40, CO patients:23). Fifty-eight patients underwent follow-up assessments.RESULTS: Complete pituitary evaluation was performed in 38/63 patients (60.3%); at least 1 anterior pituitary dysfunction (APD) was found in 63.2% of them. In this subgroup of patients, the most prevalent deficiencies were diabetes insipidus (DI,) and GHD (55.3% each), followed by gonadotropin deficiency (34.2%) and thyrotropin deficiency (23.7%). In the subgroup of the 25 incompletely evaluated patients, we found DI in 44%, GHD in 50%, gonadotropin deficiency in 30.4% and thyrotropin deficiency in 16%. APD was more common in CO patients (p=0.003) but was not systematically associated with DI regardless of the age of onset. Endocrine dysfunction was most often permanent; moreover, occurrence of new deficiencies has been described during follow-up.CONCLUSION: The spectrum of endocrine disorders appears to be large in LCH (both in AO and CO patients) and should be evaluated carefully at diagnosis and during follow-up. APD was not always associated with DI

Invasive rhinosinusitis complicating poorly controlled diabetes in a teenager

SCOPUS: le.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Comparison of Elastography, Serum Marker Scores, and Histology for the Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)-Infected Patients in Burkina Faso

Liver fibrosis (LF) must be assessed before talking treatment decisions in hepatitis B. In Burkina Faso, liver biopsy (LB) remains the “gold standard” method for this purpose. Access to treatment might be simpler if reliable alternative techniques for LF evaluation were available. The hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients who underwent LB was invited to have liver stiffness measurement (Fibroscan) and serum marker assays. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled. The performance of each technique for distinguishing F0F1 from F2F3F4 was compared. The area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves was 0.61, 0.71, 0.79, 0.82, and 0.87 for the aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), Fib-4, Fibrotest, Fibrometre, and Fibroscan. Elastometric thresholds were identified for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. Combined use of Fibroscan and a serum marker could avoid 80% of biopsies. This study shows that the results of alternative methods concord with those of histology in HBV-infected patients in Burkina Faso. These alternative techniques could help physicians to identify patients requiring treatment

Characteristics and Factors Associated with the Clinical Forms of Lipoatrophy during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background: We aimed to study the factors associated with clinical forms of lipoatrophy in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in Yalgado Ouédraogo Teaching Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methods: This cross-sectional review from March 10 to November 10, 2011, included a nonprobability sample of HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral (ARV) medications for at least 6 months and monitored in the internal medicine department. The diagnosis of lipoatrophy was clinical. Results: Three hundred patients were included. The sex ratio was 0.4 and the mean age was 42.1 ± 8.5 years. The mean duration of HAART was 73.2 ± 30.9 months. In all, 97 (32.3%) patients had lipoatrophy: 75 (25%) isolated and 22 (7.3%) mixed syndrome. Facial lipoatrophy was frequent (61.8%). Isolated lipoatrophy was associated with male sex ( P = .002) and body mass index ≤25 ( P 42 years ( P < .05), physical activity ( P = .003), smoking ( P = .001), stavudine (d4T; P = .0001), or protease inhibitors ( P = .01). Conclusion: Prevention of lipoatrophy associated with HAART requires the exclusion of modifiable risk factors that we identified

Incidence of Severe Neutropenia in HIV-Infected People Starting Antiretroviral Therapy in West Africa

<div><p>Background</p><p>In sub-Saharan Africa, antiretroviral therapy (ART) including drugs with potential toxicity such as Zidovudine (ZDV) are routinely prescribed. This study aimed at estimating the incidence of severe neutropenia and associated factors after ART initiation in five West African countries.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted within the international epidemiologic database to evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) collaboration in West Africa. All HIV-infected adults, initiating ART between 2002 and 2014, with a baseline and at least one follow-up absolute neutrophil count (ANC) measurement were eligible. Incidence of severe neutropenia (ANC <750 cells/mm³) was estimated with 95% confidence interval (CI) according to age, gender, HIV clinic, hemoglobin, CD4 count, clinical stage, and ART duration. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify factors associated with severe neutropenia, expressed with their adjusted hazard ratios (aHR).</p><p>Results</p><p>Between 2002 and 2014, 9,426 HIV-infected adults were enrolled. The crude incidence rate of a first severe neutropenia was 9.1 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 8.6–9.8). Factors associated with severe neutropenia were exposure to ZDV <6 months (aHR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.8–2.6), ≥6–12 months (aHR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.6–2.8) and ≥12 months (aHR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.2) [Ref. no ZDV exposure], CD4 count <350 cells/mm³ (aHR = 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1–1.5) and advanced clinical stage at ART initiation (aHR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0–1.4).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>The incidence of severe neutropenia after ART initiation in West Africa is high and associated with ZDV exposure and advanced HIV disease. In this context, efforts are needed to scale-up access to less toxic first-line ART drugs and to promote early ART initiation.</p></div