Biotechnology as a Change Agent for National Development: Review in The Gambia

Biotechnology is an important tool which can ensure the production of crop that will have longer shelf live, drought resistant, high saline tolerance, ability to withstand adverse conditions among others. The Gambia among the low-income West African countries, where agriculture is practiced by two-thirds of its citizens and couple with global population which is now around 7 billion predicted to rise to 9 billion by 2050, the Gambian government really needs to act fast and positively in welcoming genetically modified crops if it’s to be able to feed its population now roughly around 2 million people. Application of Biotechnology in crop and animal farming through genetic engineering has led to the development of crops with desirable characteristics such as crop varieties that cope better with drought and salinity, crops that more resistant to pest and diseases and crops that use nutrients more efficiently. This can help transform The Gambia into a country with a robust agriculture capable of not feeding the nation but also generating substantial foreign exchange. Through Agricultural biotechnology, this looming crisis can be averted  eradicating malnutrition by ensuring food self-sufficiency through the production of resistant crops to pests and diseases, having longer shelf-lives, higher nutritional content and palatability, higher yields and early maturity period, tolerant to adverse weather and soil conditions. Achieving food sufficiency which is a direct consequence of a flourishing agricultural sector will facilitate a shift from other natural resources as a source of foreign exchange thus promoting economic diversity through agriculture

Determinants of milk and meat yields of cattle in Senegal

L’objectif de cet article est d’identifier les déterminants du rendement de lait et de viande des bovins au Sénégal. Pour cela, nous avons utilisé un modèle à correction d’erreur de Johansen. Les résultats révèlent qu’à long terme l’alimentation est un déterminant significatif du rendement de lait et de viande des bovins. Le prix du lait et celui de la viande bovine agissent également positivement sur le rendement de lait et de viande de bovins. En revanche, le prix de la viande est négativement lié au rendement de lait des bovins. Mots-clés: Bovins, Déterminants, Rendement, Lait, ViandeThe purpose of this article is to identify the determinants of the milk and meat yields of cattle in Senegal. To estimate our models, we used a Johansen error correction model. The results reveal that in the long term, feed is a significant determinant of the milk and meat yields of cattle. The price of milk and that of beef also have a positive effect on the yield of milk and beef. On the other hand, the price of meat is negatively linked to the milk yield of cattle. Keywords: Cattle, Determinants, Yield, Milk, Mea

IL-17 Production from T Helper 17, Mucosal-Associated Invariant T, and γδ Cells in Tuberculosis Infection and Disease.

IL-17-producing cells have been shown to be important in the early stages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in animal models. However, there are very little data on the role of IL-17 in human studies of tuberculosis (TB). We recruited TB patients and their highly exposed contacts who were further categorized based on results from an IFN-γ-release assay (IGRA): (1) IGRA positive (IGRA+) at recruitment (latently TB infected), (2) IGRA negative (IGRA-) at recruitment and 6 months [non-converters (NC)], and (3) IGRA- at recruitment and IGRA+ at 6 months (converters). Whole blood was stimulated with mycobacterial antigens and analyzed using T helper (Th) 17 multiplex cytokine assays. Th17, Vγ9Vδ2+, and CD161++Vα7.2+ mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The majority of IL-17 was produced by CD26+CD4+ Th17 cells (median 71%) followed by γδ T cells (6.4%) and MAIT cells (5.8%). TB patients had a significantly lower proportion of Th17 cells and CD4+CD161+Vα7.2+ cells producing both IL-17 and IFN-γ compared to LTBI subjects. IGRA NC had significantly lower levels of CD26-CD4+ and CD8+ MAIT cells producing IL-17 compared to IGRA C but had significantly higher levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-23 in ESAT-6/CFP-10-stimulated supernatants compared to IGRA C. These data provide new insights into the role of IL-17 and IL-17-producing cells at three key stages of the Mtb infection spectrum

Changes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific Immunity With Influenza co-infection at Time of TB Diagnosis.

Background: Prior Influenza A viral (IAV) infection has been shown to increase susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) and TB has also been shown to be a primary cause of death during pandemics, including the Spanish Influenza outbreak of 1918-1919. The majority of data has been obtained from mouse models, thus the aim of this study was to determine the impact of Flu co-infection on host immunity and disease severity in TB patients at diagnosis. Methods: Sputum from 282 patients with active TB were analyzed for presence of FluA/FluB RNA at presentation using multiplex PCR. Sputum RNA was also analyzed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) load using 16S RNA amplification. Supernatants from digested sputum and Mtb antigen-stimulated whole blood were analyzed using multiplex cytokine arrays and PBMC were analyzed for cytokine production from CD4+ T, CD8+ T and Mucosal Associated Invariant T cells (MAITs). Results: 12 (4.3%) of TB patients were found to have FluA or FluB viral RNA present in their sputum at the time of TB diagnosis. The TB/Flu co-infected patients had a significantly higher bacterial load compared to those with TB mono-infection (p = 0.0026). They had lower levels of IL17A in ex vivo sputum (p = 0.0275) and higher MCP-1 (CCL2) levels in the blood following PPD stimulation (p = 0.0267). TB/Flu co-infected subjects had significantly higher IFN-γ+IL-17+CD4+ and IFN-γ+IL-17-CD8+ cells compared to TB mono-infected subjects. Conclusions: These data show that Flu co-infection at time of TB diagnosis is associated with a higher bacterial load and differential cellular and soluble profiles. These findings show for the first time the impact of TB/Flu co-infection in a human cohort and support the potential benefit of Flu vaccination in TB-endemic settings

Prevalence of Highly Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella Fecal Carriage Among Food Handlers in Lower Basic Schools in The Gambia

Salmonella spp are among the most common food borne pathogens. Food handlers play an important role in the production of food products, in which they can contribute to the transmission of salmonellosis. The probability of food contamination depends mainly on the health status and personal hygiene of the food handlers and their choice of managing their health could give rise to contamination of food by multi drug resistant bacteria. Multi Drug Resistance is of global concern and poses a public health threat in combating diseases. In the developing countries there is paucity on the prevalence of salmonella carriage among food handlers. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of salmonella and to determine their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Method: A total of 500 stool samples from different food handlers were collected and analyzed with completed questionnaires. For standard isolation and identification of salmonella isolates; stool samples were enriched in buffered peptone water, standard culture and biochemical tests were used. Antimicrobial susceptibility Test (AST) was carried out using Clinical Laboratory and Standard Institute (CLSI-2015) protocol disc diffusion method. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft excel version 2010 to determine the risk factors. Results: Of 500 participants with the mean age of 38.15, 497(99.4%) were all females. Most of the participants wash their hands under running water and 271(54.2%) were certified on food handling. Among the risk factors, consuming medicines/antibiotics from street vendors showed statistical significant of salmonella carriage with (P=0.011). It was found that 13(2.6%) were salmonella carriers. AST performed on the 13 isolates show that; 13(100%), 12(92.3%), 7(53.8%), 9(69.2%) and 9(69.2%) were resistant to Ampicillin, Erythromycin, and Tetracycline, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime respectively. And 13(100%), 12(92.3%) and 7(53.8) were sensitive to Imipenem, chloramphenicol and gentamycin respectively. Conclusion: This study had found multidrug resistant salmonella isolates carriers amongst food handlers who could serve as potential reservoirs for the transmission of these infections in the communities. Thus, it is crucial to implement regular screening of food handlers and health education on food safety

Major Neutrophil-Derived Soluble Mediators Associate With Baseline Lung Pathology and Post-Treatment Recovery in Tuberculosis Patients

Background: The inflammatory response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis results in variable degrees of lung pathology during active TB (ATB) with central involvement of neutrophils. Little is known about neutrophil-derived mediators and their role in disease severity at baseline and recovery upon TB treatment initiation. Methods: 107 adults with confirmed pulmonary TB were categorised based on lung pathology at baseline and following successful therapy using chest X-ray scores (Ralph scores) and GeneXpert bacterial load (Ct values). Plasma, sputum, and antigen-stimulated levels of MMP1, MMP3, MMP8, MMP9, MPO, S100A8/9, IL8, IL10, IL12/23(p40), GM-CSF, IFNγ, and TNF were analysed using multiplex cytokine arrays. Results: At baseline, neutrophil counts correlated with plasma levels of MMP8 (rho = 0.45, p = 2.80E-06), S100A8 (rho = 0.52, p = 3.00E-08) and GM-CSF (rho = 0.43, p = 7.90E-06). Levels of MMP8 (p = 3.00E-03), MMP1 (p = 1.40E-02), S100A8 (p = 1.80E-02) and IL12/23(p40) (p = 1.00E-02) were associated with severe lung damage, while sputum MPO levels were directly linked to lung damage (p = 1.80E-03), Mtb load (p = 2.10E-02) and lung recovery (p = 2.40E-02). Six months of TB therapy significantly decreased levels of major neutrophil-derived pro-inflammatory mediators: MMP1 (p = 4.90E-12 and p = 2.20E-07), MMP8 (p = 3.40E-14 and p = 1.30E-05) and MMP9 (p = 1.60E-04 and p = 1.50E-03) in plasma and sputum, respectively. Interestingly, following H37Rv whole cell lysate stimulation, S100A8 (p = 2.80E-02), MMP9 (p = 3.60E-02) and MPO (p = 9.10E-03) levels at month 6 were significantly higher compared to baseline. Sputum MMP1 (p = 1.50E-03), MMP3 (p = 7.58E-04), MMP9 (p = 2.60E-02) and TNF (p = 3.80E-02) levels were lower at month 6 compared to baseline in patients with good lung recovery. Conclusion: In this study, patients with severe lung pathology at baseline and persistent lung damage after treatment were associated with higher plasma and sputum levels of major pro-inflammatory neutrophil-derived mediators. Interestingly, low sputum MPO levels were associated with severe lung damage, higher Mtb burden and low recovery. Our data suggest that therapeutic agents which target these mediators should be considered for future studies on biomarkers and host-directed therapeutic approaches against TB-related lung pathology and/or lung recovery

A Descriptive, Multiyear Examination of Positive Behavior Support

A major goal of positive behavior support (PBS) is to produce broad-based, long-term improvements in adaptive behavior; however, the empirical base, at present, is mainly composed of relatively short-term studies carried out in circumscribed contexts. Therefore, a need exists for reliable data that can inform the field regarding the comprehensive lifestyle effects of PBS implementation in natural community contexts over extended periods of time. The current investigation was conducted to provide a descriptive analysis of PBS with diverse participants and broad measurement strategies over multiple years. Using extensive data portfolios for 21 participants, we employed rating scales to quantify changes in key variables from baseline through 2 years of intervention. The data revealed variable levels of intervention integrity, generalized reductions in problem behavior with occasional relapses, and encouraging enhancements across six domains of quality of life. This study represents an initial attempt to understand the processes and outcomes of behavioral support by documenting behavioral patterns across full days, entire years, and all environments. We discuss the need to consider new conceptual and methodological frameworks for further study of efficacious and sustainable behavior support

Detecting Foci of Malaria Transmission with School Surveys: A Pilot Study in the Gambia.

BACKGROUND: In areas of declining malaria transmission such as in The Gambia, the identification of malaria infected individuals becomes increasingly harder. School surveys may be used to identify foci of malaria transmission in the community. METHODS: The survey was carried out in May-June 2011, before the beginning of the malaria transmission season. Thirty two schools in the Upper River Region of The Gambia were selected with probability proportional to size; in each school approximately 100 children were randomly chosen for inclusion in the study. Each child had a finger prick blood sample collected for the determination of antimalarial antibodies by ELISA, malaria infection by microscopy and PCR, and for haemoglobin measurement. In addition, a simple questionnaire on socio-demographic variables and the use of insecticide-treated bed nets was completed. The cut-off for positivity for antimalarial antibodies was obtained using finite mixture models. The clustered nature of the data was taken into account in the analyses. RESULTS: A total of 3,277 children were included in the survey. The mean age was 10 years (SD = 2.7) [range 4-21], with males and females evenly distributed. The prevalence of malaria infection as determined by PCR was 13.6% (426/3124) [95% CI = 12.2-16.3] with marked variation between schools (range 3-25%, p<0.001), while the seroprevalence was 7.8% (234/2994) [95%CI = 6.4-9.8] for MSP119, 11.6% (364/2997) [95%CI = 9.4-14.5] for MSP2, and 20.0% (593/2973) [95% CI = 16.5-23.2) for AMA1. The prevalence of all the three antimalarial antibodies positive was 2.7% (79/2920). CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows that malaria prevalence and seroprevalence before the transmission season were highly heterogeneous

The G1613A Mutation in the HBV Genome Affects HBeAg Expression and Viral Replication through Altered Core Promoter Activity

Infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis and is closely associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, we demonstrated that the G1613A mutation in the HBV negative regulatory element (NRE) is a hotspot mutation in HCC patients. In this study, we further investigated the functional consequences of this mutation in the context of the full length HBV genome and its replication. We showed that the G1613A mutation significantly suppresses the secretion of e antigen (HBeAg) and enhances the synthesis of viral DNA, which is in consistence to our clinical result that the G1613A mutation associates with high viral load in chronic HBV carriers. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of the mutation, we performed the electrophoretic mobility shift assay with the recombinant RFX1 protein, a trans-activator that was shown to interact with the NRE of HBV. Intriguingly, RFX1 binds to the G1613A mutant with higher affinity than the wild-type sequence, indicating that the mutation possesses the trans-activating effect to the core promoter via NRE. The trans-activating effect was further validated by the enhancement of the core promoter activity after overexpression of RFX1 in liver cell line. In summary, our results suggest the functional consequences of the hotspot G1613A mutation found in HBV. We also provide a possible molecular mechanism of this hotspot mutation to the increased viral load of HBV carriers, which increases the risk to HCC