Predicting field performance of five irrigated tree species using seedling quality assessment in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Five exotic tree species (Acacia angustissima (Mil.) Kuntze, Acacia mangium Wild, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Alp., Leucaena hybrid (LxL), and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) were investigated to determine whether parameters of nursery seedling stock quality could be used to predict their field performance in a plantation irrigated with treated waste-water to produce fodder and wood. Plants were grown in the nursery in two contrasting rooting substrates (ordinary nursery soil and sand), predicted to have different effects on resource allocation. Three categories of morphological indicators were measured, i.e. plant dimensions (height, diameter, root length), plant weights (shoot, root and whole plant weights) and indices (sturdiness quotient ‘SQ’, shoot:root dry weight ratio ‘SRR’ and Dickson’s quality index ‘DQI’). In the nursery, all species performed better in the ordinary nursery soil for all growth parameters except root length. Thus ordinary nursery substrate appeared superior to sand in terms of plant quality. However, a follow up at plantation phase revealed that only some morphological attributes or ratios were suitable to predict field performance for the five tested species in irrigated plantation. In addition, the effect of the substrate observed at the nursery stage had disappeared 12 months after out planting due to the availability of water and nutrients provided by the treated waste water used for the irrigation. The results showed that root collar diameter and DQI appeared to be the most appropriate indicators to predict the outplanting performance of the five tested species in a short-rotation irrigated plantation in semi-arid Burkina Faso. The former measure is simpler and non-destructive

Otomastoïdites aiguës dans le Service d’ORL du CHU Yalgadode Ouagadougou: à propos de 44 cas

Analyser les aspects diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des otomastoïdites dans le Service d’ORL du CHU-YO de Ouagadougou. Méthode : Il s’est agit d’une étude rétrospective de 10 ans, qui a porté sur 44 cas. Résultats: l’incidence annuelle était de 4,4 cas et l’âge moyen de 13,41 ans. Les mastoïdites étaient majoritairement fistulisées (59,09%) et les principaux germes incriminés étaient Staphylococcus aureus (35,29%), Proteus mirabilis (23,53%) et Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23,53%). Ils étaient surtout sensibles à la ciprofloxacine (82,35%) et la ceftriaxone (58,82%). Le traitement a été médico-chirurgical dans 86,36% des cas et l’évolution favorable dans 72,73%. Douze cas (27,27%) de décès par complication systémique et endocrânienne ont été enregistrés. Conclusion : Il convient de prioriser les mesures préventives et la prise en charge précoce des otites infectieuses.Mots clés: Otomastoïdite, épidémiologie, diagnostic, thérapeutique

Effets du remplacement de la farine de poisson par les termites (Macrotermes Sp.) sur l’evolution ponderale et les caracteristiques de carcasse de la volaille locale au Burkina Faso

The high cost and the accessibility of animal protein sources is a major issue in poultry farming in Burkina Faso. The present study aimed to assess the suitability of two termite species as feed for traditional chicken (Gallus domesticus) and guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), comparatively to commercial fishmeal available in this country. The study was carried out during eight weeks in Burkina Faso on ninety chickens and ninety guinea fowls, sixteen weeks old. Two termite species (dry Macrotermes subhyalinus and fresh Macrotermes bellicosus) and commercial fishmeal for poultry feed formulation that is available in the country were used as animal protein ingredients in three feeding management regimes. The birds were allocated to the three feeding treatments, with two replicates per treatment: i) treatment 1 (R1) with a diet including 2.5% of dried termites; ii) treatment 2 (R2) diet with no animal protein ingredient included, but with fresh termites given separately and the amount was depending on the daily capture; iii) treatment 3 (R3) diet including 2.5% of fishmeal. The results showed an average daily feed consumption of 65.5 g per bird. Average daily gain (ADG) for chickens was 7.7 g, 7.8 g and 7.5 g for treatment R1, R2 and R3, respectively. ADG for guinea fowl was 5.64g, 5.34 g and 5.35 g for R1, R2 and R3, respectively. Carcass characteristics studied on male guinea fowl showed a mean carcass percentage of 66.4%. Data on the taste and tenderness showed that R1 and R2 gave a better taste to guinea fowl meat, while R3 and R2 gave more tender meat. Average dry matter contents of the thighs were 42.4%, 41.8% and 40.6% for the groups R1, R2 and R3, respectively. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed between treatments for all the parameters. Thus, dry and fresh Macrotermes spp. can be suitable animal protein ingredients that can substitute fishmeal in traditional chickens and guinea fowl feeding in rural area.Keywords: termites, fishmeal, feeding, local poultry, live weight performances, Burkina Fas

IR AND UV-VISIBLE SPECTRA OF IRON(II) PHTHALOCYANINE COMPLEXES WITH PHOSPHINE OR PHOSPHITE

We have prepared and studied by vibrational and electronic spectrometry of a series of ferrophthalocyanine complexes with phosphine or phosphite axial ligands [PMe3, P(OMe)3, PPh3, P(OPh)3, PPh(OMe)3 and POH(OEt)2]. With PMe3, P(OMe)3 as ligands, only hexacoordinated complexes are obtained but with PPh3, P(OPh)3 and POH(OEt)2 as ligands, the coordination number depends on the FePc:ligand ratio in the reaction mixture. In the ratio 1:1 the complexes thus formed are pentacoordinated and in the ratio 1:2 hexacoordinated complexes are obtained. In the electronic spectra of hexacoordinated complexes, two charge-transfer transition bands, one at ~375 nm and the other at ~421 nm can be observed. We attribute the band at 375 nm to charge-transfer from axial ligand to macrocycle (CT Lax ® Pc) and the band at 421 nm to charge-transfer from metal to axial ligand (CT Fe ® Lax). In the IR spectra, the position of the n FeN4 band is linked to the coordination number; in the spectra of pentacoordinated complexes, its frequency is almost the same as that in the FePc spectrum but in hexacoordinated complexes, it moves to high frequencies. (Received September 10, 2001; revised February 26, 2002) Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2002, 16(1), 73-79

Géomorphologie et productivité des forages dans le nord du bassin du fleuve Comoé en Côte d’Ivoire

L’objectif de cette étude est de caractériser les aquifères et la productivité des forages dans le haut bassin versant de la Comoé, spécifiquement dans la partie nord de la Côte d’Ivoire. La réalisation de ce travail a nécessité des fiches de 952 forages, des cartes géologiques et la base de données  cartographiques de la Côte d’Ivoire. Les épaisseurs d’altération y sont importantes avec 87,92% des forages supérieurs à la classe des épaisseurs moyennes selon le CIEH. Les forages y sont plus profonds et plus productifs sur les schistes que sur les granitoïdes. La profondeur optimale des forages dans cette zone peut être définie entre 40 et 60 m. Les valeurs de transmissivité varient de 5,59.10-6 m2/s à 2,01.10-4 m2/s.Mots clés : Fleuve Comoé, bassin versant, aquifère de socle, transmissivité, épaisseur d’altération, forage

Dynamique d’offre de fourrages relative a l’environnement : Facteurs explicatifs sur les marches du Benin et du Burkina Faso

Les changements climatiques accentuent la pression sur les ressources naturelles et interrogent le potentiel fourrager disponible en zones pastorales pour l’alimentation des ruminants, en particulier celle des bovins et ovins. La présente étude a examiné les facteurs qui influencent l’offre de fourrages, en relation avec l’environnement, sur les marchés du Bénin et du Burkina-Faso. Au total, 272 vendeurs de fourrages ont été enquêtés de façon aléatoire et et en boule de neige dans l’ensemble de la zone d’étude. Le modèle de régression linéaire multiple estimé par les Moindres Carrés Ordinaires a permis d’identifier les facteurs qui affectent l’offre de fourrages dans la zone d’étude. En effet, les zones agro-écologiques, la distance de recherche de fourrages, le prix du fourrage, les caractéristiques des vendeurs et le coût du transport sont les facteurs décisifs qui influencent significativement le niveau d’offre de fourrages dans l’ensemble de la zone d’étude. Toutefois, la zone agro-écologique nord-soudanienne et l’expérience du vendeur dans la collecte du fourrage affectent significativement et positivement la quantité de fourrage offerte au Burkina Faso tandis que la zone agro-écologique I et la distance de recherche de fourrages ont un effet positif et significatif sur l’offre de fourrages au Bénin. La prise en compte de ces facteurs dans les politiques agricoles et actions de développement permettrait d’améliorer l’offre de fourrages et par ricochet la production animale.Mots clés : Déterminants, disparités environnementales, MCO, offre fourragère, Bénin et BurkinaFaso Dynamics of feedstuff’s supply under environmental dimension: determinant factors on Benin and Burkina Faso markets (West Africa)The present study analyses the factors influencing the feedstuff’s supply on the markets of Bénin and Burkina Faso, in relation with environnemental disparity. A sample of 272 feedstuff’s selters was randomly and by snowball selected for a survey. The regression model estimated by OLS allowed to identify the factors that affect the supply of feedstuffs in the study area.As results, the agro-ecological zones, the feedstuffs search distance, feedstuff’s price, the characteristics of the sellers and the cost of transport are the decisive factors that significantly influence the level of forage supply in the study area. However, the North-Sudanese agro-ecological zone and the sellor’s experience in fodder collection significantly and positively affect the level of feedstuffs offered in Burkina Faso while the agroecological zone I and feedstuffs search distance have a positive and significant effect on the supply of feedstuffsin Benin. Considering these factors in agricultural policies and development actions, will lead to improving feedstuffs supply and indirectly the animal production.Keywords: Determinants, environmental disparities, OLS, feedstuffs supply, Benin and Burkina Faso

Limitations of self-reported estimates of functional capacity using the Walking Impairment Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: A potential issue with the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) is that it is relatively complex. We estimated the number of errors made by patients when self-completing the WIQ, and assessed the benefit of correcting missing, duplicate or paradoxical (i.e., reported lower difficulty for a higher-intensity task) answers.DESIGN: Prospective non-interventional study. MATERIALS: All consecutive new patients with claudication over a 3-month period. METHODS: The WIQ was self-completed before patients performed a constant-load treadmill walking test (maximised to 750 m). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We analysed the coefficient of determination of the linear relationship between overall WIQ score (mean of the available subscales when at least two subscales are available) and treadmill maximal walking distance (MWD), before and after correction of errors. RESULTS: We studied 73 patients. Thirty-seven questionnaires had to be corrected for one or more errors. The coefficient of determination between the overall WIQ score and MWD was R(2) = 0.391 (n = 56) and R(2) = 0.426 (n = 73) before and after correction, respectively. CONCLUSION: Supervision of self-completed WIQs detects errors in almost half of the questionnaires, resulting in a missing overall WIQ score in 23% of cases among uncorrected questionnaires. The overall WIQ score correlates only moderately with MWD, even after correction

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) provides a superior tool for the diagnosis of Pneumococcal Infection in Burkina Faso

Purpose of study: The aim of this study was to determine the value of real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt-PCR) in the routine surveillance of pneumococcal meningitis in Burkina Faso, compared to standard methods of culture, Gram stain and latex agglutination assay.Materiel and methods: A total of 385 specimens of cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed by the three standard bacteriological methods (Gram stain, latex agglutination assay, and culture) and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction.Results: Of 385 specimens analyzed by these methods, 204 S. pneumoniae were detected by one or more  methods. Gram stain detected 36.4% (140/385) Gram positive encapsulated diplococci; 37.7% (145/385) and 20.8% (80/385) of the specimens were positive for pneumococci by latex agglutination assay and culture. These specimens were tested with rt-PCR, which confirmed 51.2% (197/385) S. pneumoniae positive. The sensitivity and specificity of culture were 54.4% and 31.5%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of rt-PCR were 96.6% and 100%, respectively. These results showed that rt-PCR was more sensitive than Gram stain (p=0.0235), latex agglutination assay (p=0.0442)and culture (p=0.0006).The culture is the gold standard method; however, the result showed that rt-PCR had specificity and was as specific as Gram stain (p=0.3405) and latex agglutination assay (p=0.7745).Conclusion: rt-PCR was highly sensitive and specific. It could be used as a complementary diagnostic tool to  mprove case confirmation of bacterial meningitis. However,its high cost, the qualification of the technical staff and infrastructures required for its implementation, constitute obstacles to its widened use in countries with limited resources.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, meningitis, rt-PCR, standard bacteriological methods Objectif: Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la place de la rt-PCR dans la surveillance de routine deméningitespneumococciquesau Burkina Faso et la comparée avec les méthodes de la bactériologie classique: Culture, coloration de Gram et l’agglutination au latex.Matériel etméthodes: Au total, 385 échantillons deliquides céphalorachidiens (LCR)étaient analysés par les trois méthodes de la bactériologie classique (coloration de Gram, agglutination au latex, culture) et la PCR en temps réel.RESULTATS: Parmi 385 échantillons analysés, 204 cas de Streptococcuspneumoniae étaient détectés par une ou plusieurs méthodes. La coloration de Gram adétecté 36,4% (140/385) diplocoques encapsulés à Gram positif (DGP); 37,7% (145/385) et 20,8% (80/385) d’échantillons étaient positifs aux pneumocoques par l’agglutination au latex et la culture. Ces échantillons étaient aussi testés par rt-PCR qui a confirmé 51,2% (197/385) cas positifs de S. pneumoniae. La sensibilité et la spécificité de la culture étaient respectivement de 54,4% et 31,5%, et la sensibilité et la spécificité de rt-PCR étaient respectivement de 96,6% et 100%. Ces résultats ont montré que la rt-PCR était plus sensible que la coloration de Gram (p=0,0235), l’agglutination au latex (p=0,0442) et la  culture(p=0,0006).La culture est une méthode de référence; cependant, le résultat a montré que rt-PCR était plus sensibleet aussi spécifique que la coloration de Gram ((p=0,3405)et l’agglutination au latex (p=0,7745).Conclusion : :rt-PCR était plus sensible et plus spécifique. Elle pourrait être utilisée comme un outil de diagnosticcomplémentaire pour améliorer les cas de confirmation de méningites bactériennes. Cependant, ces coûts de réalisation, la qualification de techniciens et les matériels pour son application constituent des obstacles pour sa vulgarisation dans les pays à ressources limités.Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, méningites, rt-PCR, méthodes de la bactériologie classique Article in English