Apport Nutritionnel Des Aliments Consommés Par Les Adolescents De L’école Congolaise De Basket Ball « Gametime » De Brazzaville

Notre étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer l’énergie apportée par les aliments consommés par les adolescents de l’école congolaise de Basket-ball (GAMETIME) pendant la période d’entrainement et comparer ces apports aux normes recommandées par les nutritionnistes. Une enquête de consommation alimentaire a été menée auprès de 10 joueurs dont l’âge moyen était de 15,03 ± 3,65 ans. Le poids moyen était de 41,57 ± 5,18kg, tandis que la taille moyenne des sujets était de 1,69 ± 0,09m.  La méthode utilisée était celle de rappel de 24 heures. Les résultats ont indiqué que 70% des sujets prennent 2 repas par jour et ces repas sont constitués de déjeuner (60%) et du diner (30%). Toutefois, l’apport nutritionnel trouvé était de 3717,12 kilocalories. Tandis que la dépense énergétique était estimée à 2827,29 ±128,87 kilocalories. Par ailleurs, les pourcentages des apports étaient respectivement de 68,95 % en glucides (˃ à 60 %), de   19,52 % en lipides (< à 30 %) et de 11,53 % en protides (< à 15 %). Cependant, les apports énergétiques trouvés étaient supérieurs aux dépenses énergétiques, soit une différence de 889,83 ± 3,38 kilocalories a été constatée. La balance énergétique était plus dominée par des apports que des dépenses. Ces apports répondaient superficiellement aux normes recommandées. En conclusion, l’apport en macronutriment a montré des pourcentages incohérents par rapport aux normes recommandés. L’alimentation des basketteurs adolescents congolais était non seulement hyper glucidique mais malheureusement hypo lipidique et hypo protéique. Ces macronutriments déséquilibrés sont considérés comme facteurs limitants de performance. Our study aimed to evaluate the energy provided by the foods consumed by adolescents from the Congolese basketball school (GAMETIME) during the training period and to compare these contributions to the standards recommended by nutritionists. A food consumption survey was conducted among 10 players whose average age was 15.03 ± 3.65 years. The average weight was 41.57 ± 5.18 kg, while the average height of the subjects was 1.69 ± 0.09 m. The method used was the 24 hour callback. The results indicated that 70% of the subjects took 2 meals per day and these meals consisted of lunch (60%) and dinner (30%). However, the nutrient intake found was 3717.12 kilocalories. While the energy expenditure was estimated at 2827.29 ± 128.87 kilocalories. In addition, the percentages of intakes were respectively 68.95% in carbohydrates (˃ to 60%), 19.52% in lipids (<30%) and 11.53% in proteins (<15%). However, the energy intake found was greater than the energy expenditure, a difference of 889.83 ± 3.38 kilocalories was observed. The energy balance was more dominated by intakes than expenditures. These contributions superficially met the recommended standards. In conclusion, the macronutrient intake showed inconsisten percentages compared to the recommended standards. The diet of Congolese adolescent basketball players was not only high in carbohydrates but unfortunately low in fat and low in protein. These imbalanced macronutrients are considered as performance limiting factors

Comparative study of Plasmodium falciparum msp-1 and msp-2 Genetic Diversity in Isolates from Rural and Urban Areas in the South of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Polymorphisms in the genes encoding the merozoite surface proteins msp-1 and msp-2 are widely used markers for characterizing the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum. This study aimed to compare the genetic diversity of circulating parasite strains in rural and urban settings in the Republic of Congo after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2006. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to September 2021 in rural and urban areas close to Brazzaville, during which Plasmodium infection was detected using microscopy (and nested-PCR for submicroscopic infection). The genes coding for merozoite proteins-1 and -2 were genotyped by allele-specific nested PCR. Totals of 397 (72.4%) and 151 (27.6%) P. falciparum isolates were collected in rural and urban areas, respectively. The K1/msp-1 and FC27/msp-2 allelic families were predominant both in rural (39% and 64%, respectively) and urban (45.4% and 54.5% respectively) areas. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) was higher (p = 0.0006) in rural areas (2.9) compared to urban settings (2.4). The rainy season and the positive microscopic infection were associated with an increase in MOI. These findings reveal a higher P. falciparum genetic diversity and MOI in the rural setting of the Republic of Congo, which is influenced by the season and the participant clinical status

Invasion of Epithelial Cells Is Correlated with Secretion of Biosurfactant via the Type 3 Secretion System (T3SS) of Shigella flexneri

Biosurfactants are amphipathic molecules produced by many microorganisms, usually bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. They possess the property of reducing the tension of the membrane interfaces. No studies have been conducted on Shigella species showing the role of biosurfactant-like molecules (BLM) in pathogenicity. The aim of this study is to assess the ability of Shigella environmental and clinical strains to produce BLM and investigate the involvement of biosurfactants in pathogenicity. Our study has shown that BLM are secreted in the extracellular medium with EI24 ranging from 80% to 100%. The secretion is depending on the type III secretion system (T3SS). Moreover, our results have shown that S. flexneri, S. boydii, and S. sonnei are able to interact with hydrophobic areas with 17.64%, 21.42%, and 22.22% hydrophobicity, respectively. BLM secretion is totally prevented due to inhibition of T3SS by 100 mM benzoic and 1.5 mg/ml salicylic acids. P. aeruginosa harboring T3SS is able to produce 100% of BLM in the presence or in the absence of both T3SS inhibitors. The secreted BLM are extractable with an organic solvent such as chloroform, and this could entirely be considered a lipopeptide or polypeptide compound. Secretion of BLM allows some Shigella strains to induce multicellular phenomena like “swarming.

Optimization of Culture Conditions for Protease Production using Three Strains of Bacillus

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of a few external factors on bacterial growth and the production of enzymes with a proteolytic effect in three strains of Bacillus: CMS5 (Bacillus subtilis), CMS4 (Bacillus sp.) and SPo5 14′ (Bacillus velenzensis) isolated from squashes packed in traditionally prepared cassava leaves, but also to determine the best source of carbon and nitrogen. All three strains have the ability to actively degrade milk casein. The strains were grown in Luria Bertani medium and the suspension from the cell culture was used to measure optical density and demonstrate enzyme activity on a petri dish containing skim milk. Several parameters were verified including the influence of temperature, pH, and carbon and nitrogen source on growth and enzyme production. Growth was possible from 25 to 60°C with an optimal temperature of 30°C after 24 hours. Enzyme production was observed from 25 to 55°C with an optimum at 37°C. For pH, growth and enzyme production was possible from pH 5.7 and 9 with an optimum of 7 in all three strains. Among the sources of carbons used, galactose is the best source for growth after 24 h in all three strains, and starch for production. Among nitrogen sources, Bacto-peptone is best for growth as well as production

Microbiota Landscape of Gut System of Guppy Fish (Poecilia reticulata) Plays an Outstanding Role in Adaptation Mechanisms

Microbial consortium that is present in fish gut systems works together to achieve unknown specific roles. Here, we collected guppy fish from hydrocarbon- and trace metal-contaminated wastewater to assess the relationships between gut microbiota and host fish adaptation. Targeted genes and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing have been used to identify gut bacteria of guppies. Mineral-conditioned medium contributes to identify bacteria with the ability to grow and/or to tolerate hydrocarbon and trace metals. Additionally, trace metals’ tolerance minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of microbiota was evaluated. We first isolated bacteria from the gut system, and we showed that Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Shigella spp., Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas spp., Citrobacter spp., Salmonella enterica ssp.arizonae sp., Enterobacter spp, and Acinetobacter spp. are part of guppy gut microbiota. Some representative species are able to degrade and/or tolerate gasoline and/or diesel fuel hydrocarbons. Tolerance to trace metals was observed in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We showed that minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of some microbiota isolated from gut systems has been found including for mercury (Hg) between 2 and 4‰, cobalt (Co) Co (2 and 5‰), zinc (Zn) (9 and 18‰), and plomb (Pb) (22 and 27‰). Zn and Pb were the trace metals for which the rate of tolerance was significantly higher. Finally, we showed that cytochrome c oxidase is not interfering in presence of trace metals. The working consortium showed that bacteria should work together to achieve their best

Production, Partial Purification and Based SDS-PAGE Profiles of Caseinolytic Enzyme in two Bacillus Strains Isolated from Fermented Cassava leaves "Ntoba mbodi" in Congo Brazzaville

Two Bacillus strains isolated from Ntoba mbodi : Bacillus megaterium (B.me NM 02) Bacillus licheniformis (B.li NM01), has shown a significant caseinolytic enzyme activity. We set optimization of growth and enzyme production conditions. Several parameters have been optimized: temperature, pH, various types of media, carbon and nitrogen sources. In both strains, growth is possible from 25 to 60 ° C with an optimum temperature at 37°C for B.li and at 35°C for B.me. Enzyme production was observed from 25 to 55 °C with an optimum temperature of 30 °C for B.li. Enzyme production was observed from 25 to 50 ° C with an optimum temperature of 35 ° C in B.me. For pH, growth and enzyme production can be at 5, 7 and 9 with an optimum at 7 for both strains. The LB medium is better for growth and enzyme production than TSB for B.li and B.me. Among the carbon sources used, fructose is better for growth after 48 hours of incubation in both strains (B.li: 0,93±0,001, B.me: 0,928±0,002), but for enzyme production fructose remains the best carbon source for B.li (14,33±1,24) , while starch is the best for B.me (14.66±1,24). Concerning nitrogen sources, in both strains the best source of growth is the yeast extracts (B.li: 0,969±0,015, B.me: 0,952±0,01). For enzyme production, the two sources can be used for B.li.(14,333±1,247) but for B .me (14,333±0,471) only the yeast extracts is the best as well as for growth and enzyme production. Furthermore, in both strains the produced enzyme was partially purified by using ammonium sulfate precipitation, and SDS-PAGE has been hold, profiles of specific bands are useful to give more information and differentiate the two strains

Synergic Involvements of Microorganisms in the Biomedical Increase of Polyphenols and Flavonoids during the Fermentation of Ginger Juice

Steered fermentation by microorganisms gives great added value in the nutritional quality of local food. Ginger rhizome naturally contains a myriad of bioactive compounds including polyphenol and flavonoids. The aim of this work was to ferment the ginger juice, to evaluate the biochemical parameters of ginger wine, and to understand the involvement of microorganisms in the bioincrease of polyphenol compounds. Titratable acidity and pH values were determined and showed that pH is around 1.6 at the end of the fermentation when the acidity is around 6.431 g/L. Using colorimetric assay, the total polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds were evaluated throughout the fermentation. The variation of the polyphenol and flavonoid concentrations of the unsweetened sample was around 10.18 to 14.64 mg Eq AG/g and 1.394 to 2.224 mg Eq Cat/g Ms, but those from the sweet sample were around 10.82 to 18.34 mg Eq AG/g Ms and 1.311 to 2.290 mg Eq Cat/g. Using one-step PCR, multiplex techniques with specific primers, with yeast-like phenotype 27.27% (6), have been assigned among 22 isolates to Saccharomyces cerevisiae. By using PCR multiplex techniques, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus safensis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been identified. Together with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we showed that Bacillus sp. are able to secrete enzymatic landscape with some activities up to 50% including cellulase, amylase, pectinase, and protease

HIV-1 genetic diversity and primary drug resistance mutations before large-scale access to antiretroviral therapy, Republic of Congo

Abstract Background In this work, we investigated the genetic diversity of HIV-1 and the presence of mutations conferring antiretroviral drug resistance in 50 drug-naïve infected persons in the Republic of Congo (RoC). Samples were obtained before large-scale access to HAART in 2002 and 2004. Methods To assess the HIV-1 genetic recombination, the sequencing of the pol gene encoding a protease and partial reverse transcriptase was performed and analyzed with updated references, including newly characterized CRFs. The assessment of drug resistance was conducted according to the WHO protocol. Results Among the 50 samples analyzed for the pol gene, 50% were classified as intersubtype recombinants, charring complex structures inside the pol fragment. Five samples could not be classified (noted U). The most prevalent subtypes were G with 10 isolates and D with 11 isolates. One isolate of A, J, H, CRF05, CRF18 and CRF37 were also found. Two samples (4%) harboring the mutations M230L and Y181C associated with the TAMs M41L and T215Y, respectively, were found. Conclusion This first study in the RoC, based on WHO classification, shows that the threshold of transmitted drug resistance before large-scale access to antiretroviral therapy is 4%