Hydrologie et morphologie de l’estuaire du fleuve Sassandra, Basse Côte d’Ivoire

Les études physico-chimiques des eaux de surface et de sub-surface et les levés bathymétriques effectués dans l’estuaire du fleuve Sassandra, ont permis de caractériser l’hydrologie et la morphologie du fond de cet embouchure. Sur toute la surface d’eau le pH est proche de la neutralité, la conductivité est comprise entre 50 et 200μs/cm, avec une température moyenne de 28,91°C. La salinité de l’estuaire augmente au fur et à mesure que l’on s’approche de l’océan Atlantique. Sa valeur est comprise entre 0 et 4%. Le taux d’oxygène, très faible à l’embouchure avec une valeur de 2 mg /L contre 8,30 mg/L dans la branche droite du fleuve couverte par la végétation. Les Matières En Suspension (MES) analysées sont constituées d’une fraction inorganique de quartz, feldspath, amphibole, mica, argiles, etc...et d’une fraction organique constituée de débris animaux et végétaux. Cette étude a permis de réaliser les cartes bathymétriques et la répartition des paramètres physico-chimiques, ainsi que la détermination des dépressions et les processus d’érosions au fond de l’estuaire du fleuve Sassandra.Mots-clés: hydrologie, bathymétrie, paramètres physico-chimiques, fleuve Sassandra, Côte d’Ivoire. Hydrology and morphology of the estuary of the Sassandrariver (Low Côte d’Ivoire) The physico-chemical studies of waters of surface and sub-surface and the bathymetric sunrises made in the estuary of theSassandrariver, allowed to characterize the hydrology and the morphology of the bottom of this mouth. On all the surface of water the pH is close to the neutrality, the conductivity is between 50 and 200μs/cm, with an average temperature of 28,91°C. The salinity of the estuary increases as we approach the Atlantic Ocean. His value is between 0 and 4%. The rate of oxygen, very low in the mouth with a value of 2 mg / L against 8,30 mg / L in the straight branch of the river covered by the vegetation. Suspension materials (MES) analyzed are constituted by an inorganic fraction of quartz, feldspar, amphibole, mica and clays etc. and of an organic fraction constituted by animal and plant fragments. This study allowed to realize the bathymetric maps and the distribution of the physico-chemical parameters, as well as the determination of the depressions and the processes of erosions at the bottom of the estuary of the Sassandra river.Keywords: hydrology, bathymetry, physico-chemical parameters, Sassandra river, Côte d’Ivoire

Entomological Surveillance of Behavioural Resilience and Resistance in Residual Malaria Vector Populations.

The most potent malaria vectors rely heavily upon human blood so they are vulnerable to attack with insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) within houses. Mosquito taxa that can avoid feeding or resting indoors, or by obtaining blood from animals, mediate a growing proportion of the dwindling transmission that persists as ITNs and IRS are scaled up. Increasing frequency of behavioural evasion traits within persisting residual vector systems usually reflect the successful suppression of the most potent and vulnerable vector taxa by IRS or ITNs, rather than their failure. Many of the commonly observed changes in mosquito behavioural patterns following intervention scale-up may well be explained by modified taxonomic composition and expression of phenotypically plastic behavioural preferences, rather than altered innate preferences of individuals or populations. Detailed review of the contemporary evidence base does not yet provide any clear-cut example of true behavioural resistance and is, therefore, consistent with the hypothesis presented. Caution should be exercised before over-interpreting most existing reports of increased frequency of behavioural traits which enable mosquitoes to evade fatal contact with insecticides: this may simply be the result of suppressing the most behaviourally vulnerable of the vector taxa that constituted the original transmission system. Mosquito taxa which have always exhibited such evasive traits may be more accurately described as behaviourally resilient, rather than resistant. Ongoing national or regional entomological monitoring surveys of physiological susceptibility to insecticides should be supplemented with biologically and epidemiologically meaningfully estimates of malaria vector population dynamics and the behavioural phenotypes that determine intervention impact, in order to design, select, evaluate and optimize the implementation of vector control measures

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and Toxicology

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ethnopharmacological relevance: The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including ‘Diabetes’ ‘Gabon’ ‘Toxicity’ ‘Constituents’ ‘hyperglycaemia’ were used. Results: A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver. Conclusion: An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Semi-field evaluation of the cumulative effects of a "lethal House Lure" on malaria mosquito mortality

Background: There is growing interest in the potential to modify houses to target mosquitoes with insecticides or repellents as they search for human hosts. One version of this 'Lethal House Lure' approach is the In2Care® EaveTube, which consists of a section of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe fitted into a closed eave, with an insert comprising electrostatic netting treated with insecticide powder placed inside the tube. Preliminary evidence suggests that when combined with screening of doors and windows, there is a reduction in entry of mosquitoes and an increase in mortality. However, the rate of overnight mortality remains unclear. The current study used a field enclosure built around experimental huts to investigate the mortality of cohorts of mosquitoes over multiple nights. Methods: Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes were collected from the field as larvae and reared through to adult. Three-to-five days old adult females were released inside an enclosure housing two modified West African style experimental huts at a field site in M'be, Côte d'Ivoire. Huts were either equipped with insecticide-treated tubes at eave height and had closed windows (treatment) or had open windows and open tubes (controls). The number of host-seeking mosquitoes entering the huts and cumulative mortality were monitored over 2 or 4 days. Results: Very few (0-0.4%) mosquitoes were able to enter huts fitted with insecticide-treated tubes and closed windows. In contrast, mosquitoes continually entered the control huts, with a cumulative mean of 50-80% over 2 to 4 days. Baseline mortality with control huts was approximately 2-4% per day, but the addition of insecticide-treated tubes increased mortality to around 25% per day. Overall cumulative mortality was estimated to be up to 87% over 4 days when huts were fitted with tubes. Conclusion: Only 20-25% of mosquitoes contacted insecticide-treated tubes or entered control huts in a given night. However, mosquitoes continue to host search over sequential nights, and this can lead to high cumulative mortality over 2 to 4 days. This mortality should contribute to community-level reduction in transmission assuming sufficient coverage of the intervention