Impact of fermentation and incorporation of cashew flour on the micronutrient and macronutrient contents of millet flour sold in the market: case of the city of Yamoussoukro

The weaning period of an infant, which should begin from 7 months, is characterized by the gradual change from a liquid to a solid diet. After 6 months, the nutrients contained in breast milk are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demands of the infant. This is the ideal period for the introduction of a complementary food to make up for any deficiencies. To contribute to this situation, two groups, each consisting of five combinations of millet flour, enriched with cashew flour were formulated. The samples M100A0 (Unenriched millet flour), M92,5A7,5, M85A15, M77, 5A22,5 and M70A30 were enriched with 7.5%, 15%, 22,5% and 30% downgraded cashew flour, respectively. The samples MF100A0 (Unenriched fermented millet flour), MF92, 5A7,5, MF85A15, MF77, 5A22,5 and MF70A30 were constructed in a corresponding manner, the only difference being that the millet flour was fermented. After analyses of the different formulations, the best proportions of proteins were observed in MF70A30, MF77, 5A22, 5 and M70A30, which were 13.13%, 12.25% and 12.25%, respectively. Samples M70A30 and M77,5A22,5 exhibited the best iron contents of 8.44 ppm and 8.12 ppm, respectively. The protein contents of the unfortified samples M100A0 and MF100A0 were 7.53% and 6.13% respectively. Formulations MF70A30, M77,5A2,5 and M70A30 with levels of 1.06 ppm, 0.98 ppm and 0.98 ppm, respectively, gave the best zinc contents. The moisture contents of the formulated samples had minimal changes. They varied between 6.16 ± 0.06% and 7.6 ± 0.99% for unfermented samples, and between 6.35 ± 0.32% and 7.0 ± 0.02% for fermented samples. The humidity values of the two groups of samples were not significantly different at P≤0.05. These low moisture contents in the flours are important for better preservation. At the end of this study, certain formulations were selected because of their good nutritional profile. Thus the formulations M70A30 composed of 70% millet flour and 30% cashew flour and MF70A30 composed of 70% fermented millet flour and 30% cashew flour present the best options and could be used as quality infant flours.&nbsp

Effects of Different Solid Loading Rates of Faecal Sludge on the Dewatering Performance of Unplanted Filter Bed.

The aim of this study was to investigate which Solid Loading Rate (SLR) of faecal sludge will best improve the dewatering performance of selected sand with particle sizes range of (? 0.1 ? 0.5) mm raised on bench scale filter beds. Public toilet sludge  and septage collected from suction trucks discharging at Dompoase stabilisation  ponds in Kumasi , Ghana, mixed in the ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 by volume representing SLR1, SLR2 and SLR3 respectively, were used for the dewatering. Percolate volume was measured every 24 hour. The faecal sludge of SLR1, SLR2 and SLR3 dewatered at average dewatering times of 7, 5 and 4 days respectively. Removal efficiencies of the different solid loading rates though very high for TS, SS, TVS, COD, DCOD, NH3-N, did not show any significant difference. Organic matter build up in the top 10cm of the filter bed was least in SLR3. Again SLR3 showed the highest potential for annual generation of biosolids at 438, 421 and 379 (kg/m2 year) for SL3, SLR2 and SLR1 respectively. Therefore SLR3 of faecal sludge is recommended for dewatering on the selected filter bed. Key words: Faecal sludge, solid loading rate, dewatering time, filter bed, percolate

Improving coverage of antenatal iron and folic acid supplementation and malaria prophylaxis through targeted information and home deliveries in Côte d'Ivoire: a cluster randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Coverage of antenatal iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation and malaria chemoprophylaxis remains low in many low-income and middle-income settings. We assessed the effectiveness of personal information (INFO) sessions and personal information session plus home deliveries (INFO+DELIV) to increase coverage of IFA supplementation and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp), and their effectiveness on postpartum anaemia and malaria infection. METHODS: We included 118 clusters randomised to a control (39), INFO (39) and INFO+DELIV (40) arm, in a trial conducted between 2020 and 2021 with pregnant women (age >/=15 years) in their first or second trimester of pregnancy in Taabo, Cote d'Ivoire. We used generalised linear regression models to assess intervention impact in postpartum anaemia and malaria parasitaemia, and displayed resulting estimates as prevalence ratios. RESULTS: Overall, 767 pregnant women were enrolled and 716 (93.3%) were followed up after delivery. Neither intervention had an impact on postpartum anaemia, with estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) of 0.97 (95% CI 0.79 to 1.19, p=0.770) for INFO and 0.87 (95% CI 0.70 to 1.09, p=0.235) for INFO+DELIV. While INFO had no effect on malaria parasitaemia (aPR=0.95, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.31, p=0.915), INFO+DELIV reduced malaria parasitaemia by 83% (aPR=0.17, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.75, p=0.019). No improvements in antenatal care (ANC) coverage (aPR=1.05, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.36, p=0.692), IFA (aPR=2.00, 95% CI 0.89 to 4.46, p=0.093) and IPTp (aPR=1.03, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.21, p=0.728) compliance were found for INFO. INFO+DELIV increased ANC attendance (aPR=1.35, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.78, p=0.037) and compliance with IPTp (aPR=1.60, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.80, p<0.001) and IFA recommendations (aPR=7.06, 95% CI 3.68 to 13.51, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: INFO+DELIV can substantially increase compliance with IFA supplementation and improve malaria prevention. However, the increases in IFA supplementation are likely insufficient to address the prevalence of often severe anaemia in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04250428

Study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial of strategies to increase antenatal iron and folic acid supplementation and malaria prophylaxis in rural south-central Côte d'Ivoire

BACKGROUND: Coverage of antenatal iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) remains low in many countries. Evidence on the most effective ways to increase both IFASIPTp is mixed overall, with only few studies directly identifying cost-effective ways to increase coverage of both interventions. The proposed study aims to assess the cost, impact and relative cost-effectiveness of two complementary strategies of increasing IFAS and malaria chemoprophylaxis coverage among pregnant women relative to the current default system in a rural low-income setting of sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will be carried out in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in south-central Cote d'Ivoire. This is a cluster-randomized trial targeting 720 consenting pregnant women aged >/=15 years. The 118 clusters constituting the Taabo HDSS monitoring area will be randomly allocated to one of the following three groups with equal probability: a control group, an information only group, and an information plus home delivery group. To assess the relative effectiveness of each strategy, we will conduct an endline survey within the first 2 weeks after delivery. The primary outcomes of the trial will be maternal post-partum anaemia and malaria infection. Anaemia will be assessed using HEMOCUE devices; malaria infections will be assessed using standard rapid diagnostic tests named CareStart Malaria Pf (HRP2) Ag RDT (Multi Kit with capped lancet and inverted cup specimen transfer device). Other outcomes will include self-reported adherence to supplementation and malaria chemoprophylaxis, as well as miscarriages, stillbirths and low birth weight deliveries. DISCUSSION: This study will assess the cost-effectiveness of two alternative strategies to increase antenatal IFAS and malaria chemoprophylaxis coverage among pregnant women in rural Cote d'Ivoire and similar settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04250428 ; Registered 31 January 2020

Synthesis and anthelmintic activity of some hybrid Benzimidazolyl-chalcone derivatives

Purpose: To synthesize hybrid benzimidazolyl-chalcone derivatives, evaluate their anthelmintic activity, and establish some structural elements which could lead to induction and enhancement of this activity.Methods: A series of 1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-aryl-2-propen-1-one compounds (6a-z) was synthesized by condensation reaction of 2-acetylbenzimidazole with aryl and heteroaryl aldehyde derivatives. The physicochemical characterization of these benzimidazolyl-chalcones was carried out by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). All compounds were screened in vitro for their nematicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus in larval development assay. The anthelmintic activities obtained were compared with those of anthelmintic reference drugs (fenbendazole and ivermectin); 1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-one also used as reference for chalcone.Results: Compounds 6a, 6g, 6w and 6y showed good nematicidal activity (LC100) at 0.002 and 0.0092 &mu;g/ml. The activity of these four benzimidazolyl-chalcones is nearly equal to that of fenbendazole. It is also interesting to know that these compounds have anti-haemonchus activity which is equal or more efficient than ivermectin. Four other compounds (6d, 6h, 6o and 6t) possess interesting anthelmintic activities at 0.68 and 0.16 &mu;g/ml.Conclusion: Preliminary structure-activity relationship studies revealed that arylpropenone group in position 2 of the benzimidazole ring can be considered as new pharmacophore for nematicidal activity.Keywords: Benzimidazole, Chalcone, Anthelmintic activity, Haemonchus contortu

Epidemiology of malaria in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system, south-central Côte d'Ivoire

A deep understanding of the local epidemiology of malaria is essential for the design and implementation of setting-specific control and elimination efforts. In Côte d'Ivoire, new initiatives are underway to reduce the burden of malaria, which requires high-quality longitudinal data. The epidemiology of malaria was studied in the Taabo health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) in south-central Côte d'Ivoire and implications for control are discussed.; Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the rainy season of June/July in 2010 and 2011. Inhabitants of approximately 7 % of randomly selected households in the Taabo HDSS were invited to participate. People were clinically examined, ear temperature was measured and spleen size determined. Finger-prick blood samples were collected and subjected to a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Additionally, thick and thin blood films were prepared on microscope slides and diagnosed under a microscope for Plasmodium infection and parasitaemia. Haemoglobin (Hb) level was determined using a HemoCue device.; A total of 1187 and 1264 people in 2010 and 2011, respectively, had complete data records. The prevalence of Plasmodium infection was 46.0 % in 2010 and 56.6 % in 2011, owing to a statistically significant difference (p &lt; 0.05). Males showed a higher Plasmodium infection prevalence than females (49.6 and 62.8 % versus 42.6 and 51.2 %; respectively, in 2010 and 2011; both p &lt; 0.05). The highest malaria prevalence was observed among infants and young children (aged ≤9 years). The risk of Plasmodium infection was significantly higher in villages compared to small hamlets and urban settings (p &lt; 0.05). Fever, Hb level and splenomegaly were associated with parasitaemia.; Malaria is highly endemic in the Taabo HDSS in south-central Côte d'Ivoire with considerable spatial heterogeneity of Plasmodium infection. There is a pressing need to scale-up control interventions against malaria

Childhood cancer in Côte d’Ivoire, 1995 - 2004 – challenges and hopes

Background. There is insufficient research into the state of paediatric oncology in African countries.Objectives. The purpose of this study was to analyse the state of paediatric oncology between 1995 and 2004 in Côte d’Ivoire.Methods. This retrospective descriptive study analysed all patients under the age of 18 who were diagnosed with cancer in Côte d’Ivoireover a period of 10 years (January 1995 - December 2004) with regard to demographics, types of pathology, delay in diagnosis andtreatment, treatment modalities, abandonment of treatment and survival rate.Results. Of 405 patients diagnosed with cancer, 331 were included in the study. Burkitt’s lymphoma was the most common malignancy (73.6%), followed by nephroblastoma (14.5%) and acute leukaemia (4%). Delay in diagnosis occurred in 38.7% of cases and ranged from 1 to 3 months; the average delay from diagnosis to starting treatment was 18 days. An abdominal mass and swelling of the jaw were the most common clinical presentations. Almost half of the patients (48.6%) were lost to follow-up and over a third (39.3%) died shortly after admission owing to advanced disease. The overall survival rate was 9.4%.Conclusions. Cancer in children in Côte d’Ivoire was dominated by Burkitt’s lymphoma. The rate of loss to follow-up of almost 50% is grounds for concern. The overall survival rate of 9.4% is very low, but such figures are not uncommon for African countries. Collaboration within the Franco-African Group of Paediatric Oncology has contributed to improving the management of children with cancer

Pression d’inoculum de la maladie des raies noires (MRN) causée par Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet, dans les plantations industrielles de bananiers, en Côte d’ivoire

The Black Leaf Streak Disease (BLSD) is one of main parasitic constraints of the agro-industrial plantations of banana in the world. Caused by a fungus ascomycete (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet), the losses of yield are up to 50 %, without of resistant cultivars and effective management. This study relative to the level of the disease has been conducted in 12 industrial plantation in 6 production area: Aboisso, Grand- Bassam, Dabou, Agboville, Azaguié and Tiassalé; for a total surface of 2576 ha. The observations concerned the ranks of Youngest Leaf Spotted (YLS), of the Youngest Leaf Necrosed (YLN), the Number of Standing Leaves (NSL) and the gap between the Youngest Leaf Spotted and the Number of Standing Leaves. The results showed that chronic re-infestation of industrial plantation during the last five years, except CDBCI Tiassalé-Songon in 2011 and 2012. An acceptable level of re-infestation was observed in 2012 on other plantations, with the rank of YLS greater than or equal to 3, except BATIA Tiassalé and CDBCI Azaguié. The internal inoculum pressure (YLS) varied a lot from one plantation to another and from one year to another. Except plantation SBMK Aboisso and BATIA Tiassalé, other plantations had at least one value of the rank of the top YLS or equal to 8, during the study indicating a relatively low severity of the BLSD. From 2009 to 2012, all plantations have shown over 8 standing leaves, the minimum required for proper filling of the bunch of banana regime at the time of flowering

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial And Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Properties of Lannea Barteri (Anacardiaceae)

Abstract: Lannea barteri (Oliv.) Engl (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant used in west African countries such as Côte d&apos;Ivoire for the treatment of various diseases (wound, rheumatic, diarrhoea). Dichloromethane and methanol extracts from the roots and stem bark of L. barteri were screened for their antibacterial, antifungal, radical scavenging and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. TLC bioautography and agar overlay assay for antifungal activity were run with Cladosporium cucumerinum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici and Candida albicans respectively. Also extracts were tested on bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), some of which were multidrug resistant bacteria. DPPH and Acetylcholinesterase solutions sprayed on TLC plates were used for radical scavengers and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. L. barteri gave high positive responses in all four tests, exhibiting activity against bacteria, fungi, free radicals and acetycholinesterase. The phytochemical screening showed that all the extracts contained at least trace amount of steroids, terpenoïds, saponins, quinones, tannins and flavonoïds. This study which is the first report on the biological activities and phytochemicals of Lannea barteri, supports its traditional uses in the treatment of infectious and non infectious diseases