Qualité physico-chimique et bactériologique des eaux utilisées dans les écoles de la préfecture de Zio (Togo)

Durant la période de décembre 2013, des enquêtes ont été menées dans les écoles de l’Inspection d’Enseignement Primaire et Préscolaire de Zio-Sud dans la région Maritime pour analyser le degré de couverture en eau potable des écoles. Sur un total de 65 écoles recensées dans cette inspection, seulement 8 écoles disposent d’ouvrages d’approvisionnement en eau potable dont quatre (04) forages, un (01) puits et trois (03) citernes qui sont fonctionnels ; soit un taux de couverture de 12%. Malgré ce faible taux de desserte, les résultats des analyses physico-chimiques et bactériologiques ont montré que les eaux de certains ouvrages sont impropres à la consommation. Les teneurs en ions Fe2+, Na+, K+, NO3- du forage de l’école primaire publique de Tsikplonou Kondji (F2) et du puits de l’EPP   Gbama-hlan (P1) sont supérieures aux normes recommandées par l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS). Les eaux des citernes issues des précipitations sont par contre très faiblement minéralisées et très pauvres en chlorures. Du point de vue bactériologique, les eaux des citernes, du puits et du cours d’eau présentent une forte charge en germes totaux et constituent un risque sanitaire important pour les apprenants.Mots clés : Ecoles, eau, qualité, physicochimie, bactériologie, Zio

Pharmacist-Physician Communications in a Highly Computerised Hospital:Sign-Off and Action of Electronic Review Messages

<div><p>Background</p><p>Some hospital Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) systems support interprofessional communication. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of pharmacist-physician messages sent via a CPOE system.</p><p>Method</p><p>Data from the year 2012 were captured from a large university teaching hospital CPOE database on: 1) review messages assigned by pharmacists; 2) details of the prescription on which the messages were assigned; and 3) details of any changes made to the prescription following a review message being assigned. Data were coded for temporal, message and prescription factors. Messages were analysed to investigate: 1) whether they were signed-off; and 2) the time taken. Messages that requested a measurable action were further analysed to investigate: 1) whether they were actioned as requested; and 2) the time taken. We conducted a multivariable analysis using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) to account for the effects of multiple factors simultaneously, and to adjust for any potential correlation between outcomes for repeated review messages on the same prescription. All analyses were performed using SPSS 22 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), with p<0.05 considered significant.</p><p>Results</p><p>Pharmacists assigned 36,245 review messages to prescriptions over the 12 months, 34,506 of which were coded for analysis after exclusions. Nearly half of messages (46.6%) were signed-off and 65.5% of these were signed-off in ≤ 48 hours. Of the 9,991 further analysed for action, 35.8% led to an action as requested by the pharmacist and just over half of these (57.0%) were actioned in ≤ 24 hours. Factors predictive of an action were the time since the prescription was generated (p<0.001), pharmacist grade (p<0.001), presence of a high-risk medicine (p<0.001), messages relating to reconciliation (p = 0.004), theme of communication (p<0.001), speciality, (p<0.001), category of medicine (p<0.001), and regularity of the prescription (p<0.001).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In this study we observed a lower rate of sign-off and action than we might have expected, suggesting uni-directional communication via the CPOE system may not be optimal. An established pharmacist-physician collaborative working relationship is likely to influence the prioritisation and response to messages, since a more desirable outcome was observed in settings and with grades of pharmacists where this was more likely. Designing systems that can facilitate collaborative communication may be more effective in practice.</p></div

GRANULITISATION OF FRONTAL NAPPES IN THE KABYÈ MASSIF IN NORTHERN TOGO

The Kabyè Massif represents one of disseminated hills which marks the suture zone of the Panafrican Dahomeyides Belt in northen Togo. Coronitic structures were described in high-grade granulites composing the frontal nappes on the south-western edge of the massif. Granulitisation is investigated through petrofabric study of the frontal nappes rocks of Kabyè Massif. Two stages of granulitisation are revealed: the first one corresponds to the formation of granulites with an Opx + Pl + Cpx + Grt ± Qtz paragenesis ; the second one has a Cpx + Pl + Grt + Qtz ± Ilm mineral assemblage. The former corresponds to metamorphic recristallization of about medium-pressure to high-temperature conditions (P = 10 to 13 kbar and T = 900 with 1000°C). The latter, which developed coronitic structures, is interpretated as formed at an ultra-high-pressure and medium- to hightemperature conditions (P = 13 to 19 kbar and T = 850 to 900°C). These coronitic petro-fabrics define an anticlockwise P-T paths trajectories corresponding to the collision and the beginning of the nappes extraction during the Panafrican tectonics

GRANULITISATION OF FRONTAL NAPPES IN THE KABYÈ MASSIF IN NORTHERN TOGO

The Kabyè Massif represents one of disseminated hills which marks the suture zone of the Panafrican Dahomeyides Belt in northen Togo. Coronitic structures were described in high-grade granulites composing the frontal nappes on the south-western edge of the massif. Granulitisation is investigated through petrofabric study of the frontal nappes rocks of Kabyè Massif. Two stages of granulitisation are revealed: the first one corresponds to the formation of granulites with an Opx + Pl + Cpx + Grt ± Qtz paragenesis ; the second one has a Cpx + Pl + Grt + Qtz ± Ilm mineral assemblage. The former corresponds to metamorphic recristallization of about medium-pressure to high-temperature conditions (P = 10 to 13 kbar and T = 900 with 1000°C). The latter, which developed coronitic structures, is interpretated as formed at an ultra-high-pressure and medium- to hightemperature conditions (P = 13 to 19 kbar and T = 850 to 900°C). These coronitic petro-fabrics define an anticlockwise P-T paths trajectories corresponding to the collision and the beginning of the nappes extraction during the Panafrican tectonics

Marine Toxins Targeting Kv1 Channels: Pharmacological Tools and Therapeutic Scaffolds

Toxins from marine animals provide molecular tools for the study of many ion channels, including mammalian voltage-gated potassium channels of the Kv1 family. Selectivity profiling and molecular investigation of these toxins have contributed to the development of novel drug leads with therapeutic potential for the treatment of ion channel-related diseases or channelopathies. Here, we review specific peptide and small-molecule marine toxins modulating Kv1 channels and thus cover recent findings of bioactives found in the venoms of marine Gastropod (cone snails), Cnidarian (sea anemones), and small compounds from cyanobacteria. Furthermore, we discuss pivotal advancements at exploiting the interaction of κM-conotoxin RIIIJ and heteromeric Kv1.1/1.2 channels as prevalent neuronal Kv complex. RIIIJ’s exquisite Kv1 subtype selectivity underpins a novel and facile functional classification of large-diameter dorsal root ganglion neurons. The vast potential of marine toxins warrants further collaborative efforts and high-throughput approaches aimed at the discovery and profiling of Kv1-targeted bioactives, which will greatly accelerate the development of a thorough molecular toolbox and much-needed therapeutics

Emerging viral infectious disease threat: Why Tanzania is not in a safe zone

Emerging diseases are global threat towards human existence. Every country is exposed to potentially emergence of infectious diseases. Several factor such as changes in ecology, climate and human demographics play different roles in a complex mechanism contributing to the occurrence of infectious diseases. Important aspects towards control in case of outbreaks are surveillance, preparedness and early response. Tanzania should therefore take opportunity of the calm situation currently present, to prepare. Except for HIV/AIDS, Tanzania has not experienced a major public health threat. However, the question is, is the country safe from emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases? In this article we try to explore the danger of emerging infectious disease (EID) epidemics in Tanzania and the risks attached if an outbreak is to occur. The aim is to formulate recommendations to the government, responsible authorities and general population of what can be done to improve the level of EID preparedness in the country. In conclusion, it is important to strengthen the capacity of community and healthcare staffs on how to respond to potential infectious disease outbreaks. Community-based surveillance systems should be incorporated into the national systems for early detection of public health events. It is also critical to enhance one health approach to increase cross-sectoral information sharing, surveillance and interventional strategies as regards to preparedness and response to disease outbreaks

Development of a Selective Inhibitor for Kv1.1 Channels Prevalent in Demyelinated Nerves

Members of the voltage-gated K+ channel subfamily (Kv1), involved in regulating transmission between neurons or to muscles, are associated with human diseases and, thus, putative targets for neurotherapeutics. This applies especially to those containing Kv1.1 α subunits which become prevalent in murine demyelinated axons and appear abnormally at inter-nodes, underlying the perturbed propagation of nerve signals. To overcome this dysfunction, akin to the consequential debilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS), small inhibitors were sought that are selective for the culpable hyper-polarising K+ currents. Herein, we report a new semi-podand – compound 3 – that was designed based on the modelling of its interactions with the extracellular pore region in a deduced Kv1.1 channel structure. After synthesis, purification, and structural characterisation, compound 3 was found to potently (IC50 = 8 µM) and selectively block Kv1.1 and 1.6 channels. The tested compound showed no apparent effect on native Nav and Cav channels expressed in F-11 cells. Compound 3 also extensively and selectively inhibited MS-related Kv1.1 homomer but not the brain native Kv1.1- or 1.6-containing channels. These collective findings highlight the therapeutic potential of compound 3 to block currents mediated by Kv1.1 channels enriched in demyelinated central neurons

ACTUALISATION STRUCTURALE DE L’AQUIFÈRE DU PALÉOCÈNE DANS LE BASSIN CÔTIER DU TOGO

Groundwater is one of the main sources of drinking water to the population living in the coastal sedimentary basin of Togo. Faced with the depletion and pollution of the most accessible aquifer of the Continental terminal, it is important to find alternatives groundwater resources, exploring the potential of the deep aquifers that are little exploited this day. This study aims to improve knowledge of one of these deep aquifers and particularly the Paleocene aquifer. The Paleocene aquifer is a confined aquifer and this study focuses on its configuration, its location and its structure, based on the systematic inventory of wells and stratigraphy. Thus geological sections of North-South and West-East directions have allowed knowing the extent and geometry of this aquifer, as well as the nature of the reservoir and wall rocks. They also show that the sedimentary formations of coastal basin are organized in a monocline series dipping toward south. Different results were represented as isopach map of the reservoir and isohypse maps of upper confining bed and lower confining one. As the others formations of the basin, the wall rocks take on an air of an inclined plane towards the Atlantic Ocean. The upper confining bed elevations range from 20 m in the northern part of the basin, at -380 in the Southeast. Those of lower confining bed in the same sectors are 0 in NW and -20m in NE at -420 m in the South. This morphology of the aquifer is related to the NNW-SSE direction of extension faults that affected the crystalline basement at the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Estimates of the reservoir thickness are between 6m to more than 50 m and are influenced by the base sands

A Rational Design of a Selective Inhibitor for Kv1.1 Channels Prevalent in Demyelinated Nerves That Improves Their Impaired Axonal Conduction

K+ channels containing Kv1.1 α subunits, which become prevalent at internodes in demyelinated axons, may underlie their dysfunctional conduction akin to muscle weakness in multiple sclerosis. Small inhibitors were sought with selectivity for the culpable hyper-polarizing K+ currents. Modeling of interactions with the extracellular pore in a Kv1.1-deduced structure identified diaryldi(2-pyrrolyl)methane as a suitable scaffold with optimized alkyl ammonium side chains. The resultant synthesized candidate [2,2′-((5,5′(di-p-topyldiaryldi(2-pyrrolyl)methane)bis(2,2′carbonyl)bis(azanediyl)) diethaneamine·2HCl] (8) selectively blocked Kv1.1 channels (IC50 ≈ 15 μM) recombinantly expressed in mammalian cells, induced a positive shift in the voltage dependency of K+ current activation, and slowed its kinetics. It preferentially inhibited channels containing two or more Kv1.1 subunits regardless of their positioning in concatenated tetramers. In slices of corpus callosum from mice subjected to a demyelination protocol, this novel inhibitor improved neuronal conduction, highlighting its potential for alleviating symptoms in multiple sclerosis

Investigating the biological properties of carbohydrate derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA) as a potential novel therapy for the management of oral biofilm infections.

Background: A number of oral diseases, including periodontitis, derive from microbial biofilms and are associated with increased antimicrobial resistance. Despite the widespread use of mouthwashes being used as adjunctive measures to control these biofilms, their prolonged use is not recommended due to various side effects. Therefore, alternative broad-spectrum antimicrobials that minimise these effects are highly sought after. Carbohydrate derived fulvic acid (CHD-FA) is an organic acid which has previously demonstrated to be microbiocidal against Candida albicans biofilms, therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial activity of CHD-FA against orally derived biofilms and to investigate adjunctive biological effects.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentrations were evaluated for CHD-FA and chlorhexidine (CHX) against a range of oral bacteria using standardised microdilution testing for planktonic and sessile. Scanning electron microscopy was also employed to visualise changes in oral biofilms after antimicrobial treatment. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was assessed against oral epithelial cells, and the effect of CHD-FA on host inflammatory markers was assessed by measuring mRNA and protein expression.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Results: CHD-FA was highly active against all of the oral bacteria tested, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, with a sessile minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5%. This concentration was shown to kill multi-species biofilms by approximately 90%, levels comparable to that of chlorhexidine (CHX). In a mammalian cell culture model, pretreatment of epithelial cells with buffered CHD-FA was shown to significantly down-regulate key inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-8 (IL-8), after stimulation with a multi-species biofilm.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusions: Overall, CHD-FA was shown to possess broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with a supplementary function of being able to down-regulate inflammation. These properties offer an attractive spectrum of function from a naturally derived compound, which could be used as an alternative topical treatment strategy for oral biofilm diseases. Further studies in vitro and in vivo are required to determine the precise mechanism by which CHD-FA modulates the host immune response.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt