Stabilization and preservation of probiotic properties of the traditional starter of African opaque sorghum beers

This present study assessed the impact of drying process parameters, that is temperature and drying duration, on the dry matter content, pH, titratable acidity, yeasts and lactic acid bacteria content of granule starter of African opaque sorghum beer. Probiotic properties of the dry starter were tested. The aim was to establish levels of temperature and duration of drying that lead to a longer shelf life and optimum activity of the starter. Results show that the drying temperature has significant effects on the titratable acidity, yeasts and lactic acid bacteria contents of the granule starter while the level of dry matter was significantly affected by both temperature and duration of drying. The optimal drying conditions providing a stable granule starter with optimum viability of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were established to 43°C and 24 h. Both wet and dried starters showed inhibitory effect on the meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.Keywords: sorghum, opaque beer, starter, yeats, probiotic, Response Surface Methodolog

Vector Competence of Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) for Three Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi

The vector competence of 2 tick species, Ixodes ricinus (L.) and Ixodes scapularis Say, was determined and compared for 3 genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi. The 3 genospecies of B. burgdorferi used in the following experiments were Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (B-31 and B-31.D1 clone), Borrelia afzelii (strain Pgau.C3), and Borrelia garinii (strain VS286 and VSBP). Spirochetes from all 5 strains were inoculated intradermally into outbred mice; larval ticks of both species were subsequently fed on those mice and replete larvae were assayed for infection by culture in BSK-H media every 7 d for 4 wk. Infection frequencies in I. scapularis exposed to the 5 strains were as follows: B-31 (90%), B-31.D1 (83%), Pgau.C3 (87%), VS286 (10%), and VSBP (5%). The comparable infection frequencies for /. ricinus were B-31 (3%), B-31.D1 (3%), Pgau.C3 (90%), VS286 (5%), and VSBP (3%). Resultant nymphal /. scapularis successfully transmitted B-31, B-31.D1, Pgau.C3, and VS286 to outbred mice. /. ricinus nymphs transmitted Pgau.C3 and VS286. Both species failed to transmit strain VSB

Epidémies de Choléra en Afrique Sub-Saharienne: Revue documentaire de 2010 à 2016

Introduction: Cholera remains a major public health problem in many parts of the world and particularly in sub-Saharan African countries. The objective of this study is to review data on cholera epidemiology, risk, microbiological and disease control factors in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2016. Material and method: A literature review on cholera epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2016 was conducted using electronic databases from countries that have experienced epidemics. Annual cholera data for countries with outbreaks from 2010 to 2016 have been reported. Results: From 2010 through 2016, 35 of the 54 African countries have experienced cholera epidemics. An overall of 1268 outbreaks have been reported, of which 13.04% were recorded in Nigeria and 4.35% in Burundi. The number of cases reported was 801022 and 13232 deaths (overall CFR =1.65%). Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139 are the main etiological agents. The main risk factors are heavy rains, floods, contamination of water sources and lack ofsanitation. Conclusion: In addition to the suffering of patients, cholera outbreaks cause panic, disrupt economic and social structures and hinder the development of affected communities. Mobilization of the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors is essential to ensure the benefits of patient care and cholera vaccination.Introduction : Le choléra demeure un problème majeur de Santé Publique dans de nombreuses parties du monde et en particulier dans les pays d’Afrique subsaharienne. L’objectif de cette étude de faire une revue des donnéessur les épidémies de choléra, les facteurs de risques, microbiologiques et de lutte contre la maladie en Afrique sub-saharienne de 2010 à 2016. Materiels et méthode: Une revue de la littérature sur les épidémies de choléra en Afrique sub-saharienne de 2010 à 2016 a été conduite dans des banques de données ou bases de données et bibiothèques électroniques des pays ayant connu des épidémies. Les données annuelles de choléra dans les pays ayant connu des épidémies de 2010 à 2016 ont été rapportées. Résultats : Entre 2010 et 2016, 35 des 54 pays d'Afrique ont connu des épidémies de choléra. 1268 épisodes épidémiques ont été rapportés dont 13,04% au Nigeria et 4,35% au Burundi. Le nombre de cas notifiés était de 801022 dont 13232 décès (létalité globale =1,65%). Le Vibrio cholerae O1 et O139 sont les principaux agents étiologiques épidémiogènes. Les principaux facteurs de risques sont les pluies abondantes, les inondations, la contamination des sources d’eau et le manque d’assainissement. Conclusion : En dehors des souffrances éprouvées par les malades, les flambées de choléra provoquent la panique, désorganisent les structures économiques et sociales et freinent le développement des communautés touchées. Cependant, la mobilisation des secteurs de l’eau, de l’assainissement et de l’hygiène ainsi que le rensforcement des systemes de surveillance et riposte surtout au niveau transfrontalier sont des etapes essentielles pour la lutte contre les epidemies de cholera en Afrique subsaharienne

Observation of Changes in the Atomic and Electronic Structure of Single-Crystal YBa₂Cu₃O₆.₆ Accompanying Bromination

To ascertain the role of bromination in the recovery of superconductivity in underdoped YBa2Cu3O6+y (YBCO), we have performed polarized multiple-edge x-ray-absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements on normal (y~0.6) and brominated (Br/Cu~1/30, y~0.6) single crystals with superconducting transitions at 63 and 89 K, respectively. The brominated sample becomes strongly heterogeneous on an atomic length scale. Approximately one-third of YBCO is locally decomposed yet incorporated as a well-ordered host lattice as nanoscale regions. The decomposed phase consists of heavily distorted domains with an order not following that of the host lattice. Structurally, these domains are fragments of the YBCO lattice that are discontinued along the Cu(1)-O(1) containing planes. The local structure is consistent with the cluster expansions: Y-O(2,3)8-Cu(2)8-..., Ba-O8-Cu(2)4Cu(1)2-..., and Cu-O4... about the Y, Ba, and Cu sites. Interatomic distances and Debye-Waller factors for the expansions were determined from fits to Y K-, Ba L3-, and Cu K-edge XAFS data at room temperature. Br K-edge data reveal that Br does not enter substitutionally or interstitially into the perfect YBCO lattice. However, Br does occupy the Cu(1) sites in a nanofragment of the YBCO lattice, forming Br-O(4)-Ba-Cu2(1)Cu(2)-... nanoclusters. From polarized measurements these nanoclusters were found to be almost randomly oriented with respect to the host crystal, and probably are the nucleus of the decomposed phase. This heterogeneity brings about the unusual structural and electronic properties of the normal state previously reported in the literature. Implications on for diffraction, transport, and magnetization measurements are discussed

iSAT, the new generation digital agro advisory tool that empowers farmers to manage climate risks

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) scientists collaborated with Jokolante, a Senegalese Agritech company, the Senegalese National Meteorological Agency (ANACIM) and the Regional Center for Improvement of Plant Adaptation to Drought (CERAAS) of the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA) to develop a climate advisory service through a decision tree process known as iSAT, which is intended for smallholder crop and livestock farmers. The iSAT process builds context-specific and real time climate and agro-advisory informa tion available through ICT. As of September 2022, weekly climate informed agro-based advisories using IVR voice messages (18 994 in local languages-Wolof, Pula), which have been sent to 2720 (23.5% women-led farms) registered users via Jokolante. Climate informed agro-advisories developed with iSAT are now integrated into the SAIDA app (A Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [FAO] tool for Senegal administered by the National Agency for Agricultural and Rural Council (ANCAR) with a potential national reach of 84,000 producers

Domestic risk factors for increased rodent abundance in a Lassa fever endemic region of rural Upper Guinea

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in West Africa and spread primarily by the multimammate rat, Mastomys natalensis. As there is no vaccine, reduction of rodent-human transmission is essential for disease control. As the household is thought to be a key site of transmission, understanding domestic risk factors for M. natalensis abundance is crucial. Rodent captures in conjunction with domestic surveys were carried out in 6 villages in an area of rural Upper Guinea with high LF endemicity. 120 rodent traps were set in rooms along a transect in each village for three nights, and the survey was administered in each household on the transects. This study was able to detect several domestic risk factors for increased rodent abundance in rural Upper Guinea. Regression analysis demonstrated that having > 8 holes (RR = 1.8 [1.0004-3.2, p = 0.048), the presence of rodent burrows (RR = 2.3 [1.6-3.23, p = 0.000003), and being in a multi-room square building (RR = 2.0 [1.3-2.9], p = 0.001) were associated with increased rodent abundance. The most addressable of these may be rodent burrows, as burrow patching is a relatively simple process that may reduce rodent entry. Further study is warranted to explicitly link domestic rodent abundance to LF risk, to better characterize domestic risk factors, and to evaluate how household rodent-proofing interventions could contribute to LF control