Effects of pollution on oxidative stress in aquatic species: case of the fish Sarotherodon melanotheron in Bè Lagoon (Lomé)

This study aimed to assess heavy metals accumulation and oxidative stress biomarkers in the fish Sarotherodon melanotheron from a site receiving discharges from industrial and harbor activities (Bè Lagoon) and a reference or control site in Lake Togo, Togo. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) targeting four heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper and nickel) in the waters of Bè Lagoon showed levels of about 2.58 ± 0.11 μg/l, 1.03 ± 0.15 μg/l, 1.71 ± 0.17 μg/l and 3.03 ± 0.07 μg/l respectively for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu. In water of the control site, only Cu and Ni were detected at lower levels: 1.54 ± 0.22 μg/l for Ni and 0.89 ± 0.18 μg/l for Cu. Furthermore, in tissues (liver, muscle and gills) of the fish, the heavy metal contents are found in larger samples of the Bè Lagoon. Among the biological parameters (oxidative stress biomarkers), the catalase activity (P < 0.0001 in liver and P < 0.005 in gill) was found to be significantly higher in the fish collected from Bè lagoon when compared with control site. These changes in biomarkers response at the subcellular level therefore indicate an impact on the biology of the fishes living in Bè lagoon.Keywords: Bè lagoon, catalase activity, Lake Togo, MDA, pollution

ANTISICKLING ACTIVITY EVALUATION OF FRACTIONS OBTAINED FROM WHOLE EXTRACTS OF NEWBOULDIA LAEVIS P. BEAUV (BIGNONIACEAE)

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the fractions from whole extracts of roots and stem barks of Newbouldia laevis and their effect on sickling. Methods: Hydroethanolic extracts of stem barks and roots of Newbouldia laevis were fractionated by the technics of cold precipitation in ethanol. The fractions obtained after phytochemical screening were subjected to Emmel test to evaluate their anti-sickling activity. Active fractions were tested for DPPH and AAPH assay (AAPH induced membrane lipoperoxidation and evaluation of reduction of hemolysis). Results: Two fractions were obtained from each whole extract: supernatant and pellet fractions. Supernatants fractions obtained from whole roots barks extract and stem barks extract at a concentration of 30 mg/ml reduced sickling up respectively to 7% and 10% against 86% for the control. Pellets fractions obtained from the both extracts induced coagulation of SS blood at 30 mg/ml against 86% for the control. Conclusion: Supernatants fractions of hydroethanolic whole extract of roots and stem backs of Newbouldia laevis promise as the potential source of active molecules against sickle cell disease

The effect of medical therapy on IOP control in Ghana

Background: To investigate IOP control following twelve months of continuous medical therapy in Ghana.Methods: This retrospective case series included 163 glaucoma patients diagnosed at a referral eye center between 1996 and 2006. Information collected included age, gender, IOP at presentation, six months and oneyear post treatment and types of anti-glaucoma medications prescribed. Optimal IOP control was defined according to results from the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS), which demonstrated arrest of visual field progression in patients with IOP < 18 mmHg at all visitations: Level 1 (post-treatment IOP . 21 mmHg); Level 2 (. 18 mmHg) and level 3 (. 16mmHg). The principal outcome measure was the achievement of IOP <18 mmHg at six months and twelve month visitations.Results: One hundred sixty three patients were analyzed. These included 68 males (41.7%) and 95 females (58.3%). The mean age was 57}16  (median 59 years; range 7 . 95 years). There was no significant difference in age (p=0.35) or mean IOP (p=0.08) between genders. The mean pre-treated IOP of 31.9}8.9 mmHg significantly decreased to 21.3}6.6  mmHg at 6 months (p=0.001), with 57.4% of eyes at Level 1 IOP control, 25.3% at Level 2 and 15.4% at Level 3 and decreased further at 12 months to 20.7}6.9 mmHg (p=0.48) with 69.7% of eyes at Level 1, 34.4% at Level 2, and 12.4% at Level 3.Conclusions: Current medical regimen is insufficient to reduce IOP to target levels as defined in the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study.Keywords: Glaucoma, POAG, IOP, Ghana, intraocular pressur

Comparison of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Patients in Rural and Urban Ghana

Purpose: To compare the clinical features of glaucoma patients who present at a rural hospital in North Eastern Ghana and an urban hospital in the capital city of Accra.Methods: This is a multi-center retrospective case series involving records of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients with emphasis on primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Information collected included basic demographic data, intraocular pressures and optic disc measurements.Results: A total of 949 patients (437 rural; 512 urban; 1868 eyes) were included. Rural vs. urban comparisons, respectively: mean age, 53.2 ± 16.3 vs. 54.5 ± 16.4 years; male: female ratio, 3:2 vs. 1:1; POAG, 78.1% vs. 50.6%; POAG suspect, 10.3% vs. 41.9%; IOP, 39.2 ± 7.1 vs. 31.8 ± 7.3 mmHg; bilateral blindness, 34.1% vs. 17.5%; uniocular blindness, 52.2% vs. 32.9%. Females at the rural hospital were twice as likely to present blind in at least one eye (OR 2.04, CI 1.36 - 3.07, p<0.001).Conclusions: Patients with POAG at the rural hospital present with more advanced disease characteristics.Keywords: glaucoma, open angle,Ghana, Urban, rura

Rocaglates as dual-targeting agents for experimental cerebral malaria

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe and rapidly progressing complication of infection by Plasmodium parasites that is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Treatment options are currently few, and intervention with artemisinin (Art) has limited efficacy, a problem that is compounded by the emergence of resistance to Art in Plasmodium parasites. Rocaglates are a class of natural products derived from plants of the Aglaia genus that have been shown to interfere with eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), ultimately blocking initiation of protein synthesis. Here, we show that the rocaglate CR-1-31B perturbs association of Plasmodium falciparum eIF4A (PfeIF4A) with RNA. CR-1-31B shows potent prophylactic and therapeutic antiplasmodial activity in vivo in mouse models of infection with Plasmodium berghei (CM) and Plasmodium chabaudi (blood-stage malaria), and can also block replication of different clinical isolates of P. falciparum in human erythrocytes infected ex vivo, including drug-resistant P. falciparum isolates. In vivo, a single dosing of CR-1-31B in P. berghei-infected animals is sufficient to provide protection against lethality. CR-1-31B is shown to dampen expression of the early proinflammatory response in myeloid cells in vitro and dampens the inflammatory response in vivo in P. berghei-infected mice. The dual activity of CR-1-31B as an antiplasmodial and as an inhibitor of the inflammatory response in myeloid cells should prove extremely valuable for therapeutic intervention in human cases of CM.We thank Susan Gauthier, Genevieve Perreault, and Patrick Senechal for technical assistance. This work was supported by a research grant (to P.G.) from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (Foundation Grant). J.P. and P.G. are supported by a James McGill Professorship salary award. D.L. is supported by fellowships from the Fonds de recherche sante Quebec, the CIHR Neuroinflammation training program. J.P. is supported by CIHR Research Grant FDN-148366. M.S. is supported by a CIHR Foundation grant. J.A.P. is supported by NIH Grant R35 GM118173. Work at the Boston University Center for Molecular Discovery is supported by Grant R24 GM111625. K.C.K. was supported by a CIHR Foundation Grant and the Canada Research Chair program. (Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); James McGill Professorship salary award; Fonds de recherche sante Quebec; CIHR Neuroinflammation training program; FDN-148366 - CIHR Research Grant; CIHR Foundation grant; R35 GM118173 - NIH; Canada Research Chair program; R24 GM111625

Accelerating progress towards the SDGs: Collaborative policymaking in sanitation for integrated benefits in Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2020, 54% of the world had access to safe sanitation, but access further reduces to 21% in sub-Saharan Africa . With only eight years left to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there is an urgent need to accelerate action in the sanitation sector. Previous academic research highlights sanitation as vital for supporting cross-cutting outcomes in health, economics, climate, gender equality, and the environment. However, there is a gap in knowledge outputs for policymakers to highlights how action in sanitation can leverage investment from agencies and ministries to achieve multiple SDGs. Our transdisciplinary team (academics, policymakers, and practitioners) co-developed actionable outputs for diverse audiences to fill this gap, building on an existing global evidence review identifying 130 synergies between sanitation and the SDGs. We identified priority focus areas influencing sanitation policies and financing in Sub-Saharan Africa to collaboratively develop visual aids, policy briefs, and this academic publication to engage cross-sectoral audiences. Our approach offers insights into the value of theoretical knowledge for policy outcomes in the sanitation sector. It is most likely that SDG6 Targets particularly related to sanitation will not be met by 2030 as the sector suffers from under investment. Co-creation between academia and the development sector is critical for consolidating knowledge/research and development practice to influence investment, progress and innovation

CONTRIBUTION À L’ÉVALUATION ET À LA CARTOGRAPHIE DE LA SENSIBILITÉ À L’ÉROSION HYDRIQUE DES SOLS DU SOUS BASSIN VERSANT DE L’OUED DE SAIDA (OUEST DE L’ALGÉRIE)

The sub-watershed of WadiSaidawich is a part of Macta watershed is characterized by a semiarid climate. Erratic rains, usually in stormy character, combined with anthropozoogenic pressure (deforestation, urbanization, overgrazing) cause a severe erosion. According to the National Agency of water resources, sediment yield (sediment from erosion) is estimated at 29667 t / year, which contribute to the siltation of the dam of Ouizert. This study was conducted using a Geographic Information System (GIS), allowed to characterize different areas of the sub-watershed, producing a synthetic map of the distribution of degrees of susceptibility to erosion. Indeed, Three classes of multifactorial vulnerability to water erosion were distinguished, areas with low vulnerability 40.18%; areas with medium vulnerability 24.93% and 34.88% highly vulnerable areas. Thus, classes with medium and high multifactorialvulnerability represent 60% of the area. This first mapping study is a tool to help decision makers to better manage water resources and soil and taking into account the expectations and needs of the rural populatio

Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des diabétiques sur les complications oculaires du diabète à Lomé (Togo).

But : évaluer les connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des diabétiques sur les complications oculaires du diabète à Lomé. Matériels et méthode : Nous avons mené une enquête transversale sur les patients diabétiques du 1er Avril au 31 Juin 2020 dans 6 centres de prise en charge du diabète à Lomé. Le taux de bonnes réponses a été établi pour chaque volet. -Connaissances : mauvaise (65%)Résultats : Nous avons inclus 150 patients. L’âge moyen était de 56,98 ± 13,37 ans avec un sexe ratio de 1,1 (79H/71F). Le niveau de connaissance globale était faible (50,6%) reparti en 65,47% pour les connaissances générales sur le diabète et 35,82% pour les complications oculaires du diabète.  Les attitudes étaient approximatives (68,7%). Devant une baisse de vision 84% des patients s’adresseraient à l’ophtalmologue.  Le niveau de pratique était néfaste soit 20,4%. Pour le suivi diabétique 36,7% des patients ont déjà consulté un ophtalmologue, 41,3% ont réalisé un fond d’œil, 17,3% une angiographie rétinienne, 4% une photocoagulation rétinienne au laser et 2,7% une IVT. Une séance de sensibilisation sur les complications oculaires du diabète a été suivi pour 52,7% des patients et 50,7% des patients ont suivi une séance d’éducation thérapeutique.Conclusion : Le niveau de connaissance était insuffisant, les attitudes approximatives et les pratiques néfastes. Il est donc important de mettre en place une sensibilisation sur le diabète et ses complications oculaires en vue d’un changement de comportement.

Evaluation of Wind Potential for an Optimum Choice of Wind Turbine Generator on the Sites of Lomé, Accra, and Cotonou Located in the Gulf of Guinea

This work presents the characterization and assessment of wind energy potential in annual and monthly levels of the sites of Lomé, Accra and Cotonou located in the Gulf of Guinea, and the optimal characteristics of wind turbines to be installed on these sites. Studies of characterization and the wind potential of these sites from the wind speed data collected over a period of thirteen years at a height of 10 meters above the ground, show an annual average speed of 3.52 m/s for Lomé, 3.99 m/s for Cotonou and 4.16 m/s for Accra. These studies also showed that a monthly average speed exceeding 4 m/s was observed on the sites of Cotonou and Accra during the months of February, March, April, July, August and September and during the months of July, August and September on the site of Lomé. After a series of simulation conducted using the software named PotEol that we have developed in Scilab, we have retained that the wind turbines rated speeds of ~8 to 9 m/s at the sites of Lomé and Cotonou and ~ 9 to 10 m/s on the site of Accra would be the most appropriate speeds for optimal exploitation of electric energy from wind farms at a height of 50 m above the ground.Article History: Received May 26th 2016; Received in revised form August 24th 2016; Accepted August 30th 2016; Available onlineHow to Cite This Article: Salami, A.A., Ajavon, A.S.A , Kodjo, M.K. and Bédja, K. (2016) Evaluation of Wind Potential for an Optimum Choice of Wind Turbine Generator on the Sites of Lomé, Accra, and Cotonou Located in the Gulf of Guinea. Int. Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 5(3), 211-223.http://dx.doi.org/10.14710/ijred.5.3.211-22