Path analyses of risk factors for linear growth faltering in four prospective cohorts of young children in Ghana, Malawi and Burkina Faso

Stunting prevalence is an indicator of a country’s progress towards United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2, which is to end hunger and achieve improved nutrition. Accelerating progress towards reducing stunting requires a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to linear growth faltering. We conducted path analyses of factors associated with 18-month length-for-age z-score (LAZ) in four prospective cohorts of children who participated in trials conducted as part of the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements Project in Ghana (n=1039), Malawi (n=684 and 1504) and Burkina Faso (n=2619). In two cohorts, women were enrolled during pregnancy. In two other cohorts, infants were enrolled at 6 or 9 months. We examined the association of 42 indicators of environmental, maternal, caregiving and child factors with 18-month LAZ. Using structural equation modelling, we examined direct and indirect associations through hypothesised mediators in each cohort. Out of 42 indicators, 2 were associated with 18-month LAZ in three or four cohorts: maternal height and body mass index (BMI). Six factors were associated with 18-month LAZ in two cohorts: length for gestational age z-score (LGAZ) at birth, pregnancy duration, improved household water, child dietary diversity, diarrhoea incidence and 6-month or 9-month haemoglobin concentration. Direct associations were more prevalent than indirect associations, but 30%–62% of the associations of maternal height and BMI with 18-month LAZ were mediated by LGAZ at birth. Factors that were not associated with LAZ were maternal iron status, illness and inflammation during pregnancy, maternal stress and depression, exclusive breast feeding during 6 months post partum, feeding frequency and child fever, malaria and acute respiratory infections. These findings may help in identifying interventions to accelerate progress towards reducing stunting; however, much of the variance in linear growth status remained unaccounted for by these 42 individual-level factors, suggesting that community-level changes may be needed to achieve substantial progress.</p

Phénologie de la reproduction du Vautour charognard Necrosyrtes monachus en zone soudano sahélienne (Garango, Burkina Faso), 2013–2015.

Twenty nests of the Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus at Garango, east-central Burkina Faso, were regularly visited (mean 16 visits per nest) during the breeding period from 8 October 2013 to 15 May 2014, to determine the reproductive phenology. During the following breeding season (2014–15) 56 nests were studied to confirm the results obtained the previous season. Most nests were re-used old ones. During the 2013–14 breeding season, pairing and nest building were observed from the end of September 2013. The first clutches were observed from 30 October, with most laid in November and December 2013. In the 13 successful nests, hatching occurred after 45–52 days of incubation. Brooding of the 13 young which eventually flew lasted 3–4 months. During the 2014–15 breeding season, the 45 breeding pairs arrived in the breeding area from September 2014, 41 of the 45 clutches were laid before 28 December 2014, 31 of the 37 clutches which hatched did so before 31 January 2015, 26 of the 33 broods which flew did so before 3 May 2015 and the seven others before 20 May. These results confirm in most respects earlier studies in West and East Africa

Activité antiplasmodique de Canthium multiflorum (Schumach. & Thonn.) Hiern (Rubiacées) et de Trichilia emetica Vahl. (Méliacées) utilisées dans le traitement du paludisme

le but de cette étude était d’évaluer l’activité antiplasmodique de deux  plantes utilisées en médecine traditionnelle pour le traitement du  paludisme et de caractériser les molécules actives. les extraits totaux  organiques et aqueux ont été préparés et le fractionnement bioguidé  utilisant la chromatographie sur colonne et la Chromatographie liquide haute performance (ClhP) ont permis d‘isoler des composés pures dont les structures ont été élucidées par la RMn du Proton (1h) et du Carbone (13C) en 1d et 2d. les formules empiriques des molécules ont été établies par la  spectrométrie de masse, haute résolution. les extraits totaux des deux plantes se sont montrés très actifs à inhiber la croissance de Plasmodium falciparum. Kurubasch aldéhyde, un sesquiterpène identifié dans les racines de Trichilia emetica apparaît comme un inhibiteur fort de la prolifération des cellules cancéreuses S180 (Ci50 = 7 ± 3 μM), un faible inhibiteur des cellules MCF7 (Ci50 = 78 ± 15 μM) mais simplement un modeste inhibiteur de la croissance de Plasmodium falciparum (C50 = 76 μM). le fractionnement des extraits de Canthium multiflorum a conduit à l’isolement de quatre coumarines (6,7-dimethoxycoumarine (i), 6,7,8-trimethoxycoumarine (ii), 7- hydroxy-6-methoxycoumarine (iii),  hymexelsine (iV), un irridoïde (l’acide 10-o- acéthylgeniposidique (V) et deux nouveaux triterpènes pentacycliques 3-oxo-15α,19α-dihydroxy-urs-1,12-diène-28-oïque (Vi) et 3-oxo-9α-hydroxyurs- 1,12-diène-28-oïque (Vii). les coumarines n’ont pas montré d’habilité à inhiber les parasites (Ci50100 μg/ml) tandis que l’un des triterpènes pentacycliques a présenté une activité antiplasmodiale faible à modérée (Ci50 =26 μg/ml). les résultats indiquent une activité faible à modérée des molécules isolées contrairement aux extraits totaux qui se sont montrés très actifs et qui pourraient être développés en phytomédicaments antipaludiques.Mots-clés : Canthium multiflorum, Rubiacee, Trichilia emetica, Méliacee, extraits, P. falciparum, composés chimiques, cytoyoxicité

An historical review of progress to control key cowpea biotic constraints in Burkina Faso

Cowpea farming practices have been ongoing for millennia and have always faced various challenges including diseases, insects, and weeds, that lower its yield to no more than 200 kg/ha. This economically and nutritionally important crop has been a major research focus of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and of several national agricultural research systems (NARS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and partner universities. Researchers have begun to develop sustainable solutions that will minimize the use of synthetic pesticides for protecting the crop in the field and seeds in storage. Research activities of entomologists have made identification of pests possible while also ensuring better understanding about their biology and ecology and plant damaging relationships. Through joint efforts by IITA, NARS, universities, and advanced research institutions, and the support from financial partners via research networks, researchers were able to develop a wide range of improved varieties that tolerate yield limiting biotic stresses. Progress has been made in the protection of cowpea from the initial stages when application of synthetic insecticides was promoted through reduced frequency and targeted insecticide sprays to the deployment of natural enemies of the most economically important insect pests. The concept of integrated pest management has become a reality in sustainable cowpea production. The cowpea lines resulting from selections made among local farmers’ varieties under no insecticide application in Burkina Faso have reduced the need for pesticide application. Combined with application of insecticidal plant extracts, these selected lines can attain up to 600 kg/ha. Finally, it is now possible to store cowpea seeds without chemicals by using triple bagging which stifles bruchids (weevils) of air. Prospects include exploiting the possibilities of biological control and, at the same time, using advanced technological opportunities offered by biotechnology to control cowpea pests and minimize losses in the field and in storage