Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a tropical coastal lagoon (Grand-Lahou lagoon, Côte d’Ivoire)

The distribution of 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface sediments of the Grand-Lahou lagoon (Côte d’Ivoire) was investigated using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The total concentrations of PAHs were between 1.55 and 437.52 μg/g in the dry season. Pyrene, benzo (b) fluoranthene and fluoranthene have the highest concentrations. In the rainy season, the total PAHs concentrations varied between 46.35 and 1222.73 μg/g. Pyrene, benzo (a) pyrene and benzo (a) anthracene were the most present in the sediments of the lagoon of Grand-Lahou during the wet season. Possible sources of PAHs in the  lagoon of Grand-Lahou are oil and fuel spills from ships and fishing boats, combustion of waste, domestic waste disposal and especially the production of charcoal on the Grand-Lahou lagoon shores. A clear dominance of high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs (pyrene, Benzo (k) fluoranthene, Benzo (a) pyrene, indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrilène, Benzo (g, h, i) pyrilene, Benzo (a) anthracene , Benzo (b) fluoranthene) was observed compared to low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs (fluoranthene).Keywords: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH), coastal lagoon, pollution, West Africa

Preslaughter diet management in sheep and goats: effects on physiological responses and microbial loads on skin and carcass

Sixteen crossbred buck goats (Kiko x Spanish; BW = 32.8 kg) and wether sheep (Dorset x Suffolk; BW = 39.9 kg) were used to determine the effect of preslaughter diet and feed deprivation time (FDT) on physiological responses and microbial loads on skin and carcasses. Experimental animals were fed either a concentrate (CD) or a hay diet (HD) for 4 d and then deprived of feed for either 12-h or 24-h before slaughter. Blood samples were collected for plasma cortisol and blood metabolite analyses. Longisimus muscle (LM) pH was measured. Skin and carcass swabs were obtained to assess microbial loads. Plasma creatine kinase activity (863.9 and 571.7 ± 95.21 IU) and non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (1,056.1 and 589.8 ± 105.01 mEq/L) were different (P < 0.05) between sheep and goats. Species and diet treatments had significant effects on the ultimate pH of LM. Pre-holding total coliform (TCC) and aerobic plate counts (APC) of skin were significantly different between species. Goats had lower (P < 0.05) TCC (2.1 vs. 3.0 log(10) CFU/cm(2)) and APC (8.2 vs. 8.5 log(10) CFU/cm(2)) counts in the skin compared to sheep. Preslaughter skin E. coli counts and TCC were different (P < 0.05) between species. Goats had lower (P < 0.05) counts of E. coli (2.2 vs. 2.9 log(10) CFU/cm(2)) and TCC (2.3 vs. 3.0 log(10) CFU/cm(2)) in the skin compared with those in sheep. Diet, species, and FDT had no effect (P > 0.05) on E. coli and TCC in carcass swab samples. The APC of carcass swab samples were only affected (P < 0.05) by the FDT. The results indicated that preslaughter dietary management had no significant changes on hormone and blood metabolite concentrations and sheep might be more prone for fecal contamination than goats in the holding pens at abattoir

AFLP/SSR mapping of resistance genes to Alectra vogelii in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata l. Walp)

The parasite weed Alectra vogelii (Benth) causes significant yield reduction of cowpea in Africa. To find and map the resistance gene to A. vogelii in cowpea, a F2 population from a cross involving a resistant parent IT81D-994 and a susceptible TVX3236 was screened. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) in combination with Single Sequence Repeat (SSR) analysis was used to identify markers that may be linked to the gene Rav3 conferring resistance to A. vogelii in the cowpea cultivar IT81D-994. The analysis of F2 individuals scored for resistance showedthat a single dominant gene conditioned A. vogelii resistance in IT81D-994 with a probability of 30 to 50%. Sixty-six AFLP/SSR markers were identified. Using MAPMAKER, four linkage groups were found. The first group showed 33 markers linked to the susceptible gene. The closest identified marker was 21.4 centimorgans away from the susceptible gene. The primer combination that showed the closest linkage was 809ACG8 (E-ACG 8 + UBC-809). The second group indicated 4 markers linked together while the third and the fourth groups showed 2 markers linkedtogether respectively. No markers were found linked to the resistance gene Rav3 conferring the resistance in the cultivated cowpea cultivar IT81D-994.La plante parasite Alectra vogelii (Benth) provoque une réduction significative du rendement de niébé en Afrique. Pour repérer et cartographier le gène de résistance à A. vogelii, une population F2 issue d’un croisement impliquant le cultivar résistant IT81D-994 et le cultivar sensible TVX3236 a été criblée. La technique Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) en combinaison avec des Séquences Simples Répétés (SSR) a été utilisée pour identifier les marqueurs qui seraient liés au gène Rav3 qui confère la résistance à A. vogelii chez le cultivar de niébé IT81D- 994. L’analyse des individus F2 montrant une résistance indique qu’un seul gène dominant conditionne la résistance à A. vogelii chez IT81D-994 avec une probabilité de 30 à 50 %. Soixante six marqueurs AFLP/SSR ont été identifiés. A l’aide de MAPMAKER, 4 groupes de liaison ont été trouvés. Le premier groupe montre 33 marqueurs liés au gène sensible. Le marqueur le plus proche identifié est à 21.4 centimorgans du gène sensible. La combinaison d’amorces ayant des liaisons les plus proches était 809ACG8 (E-ACG 8 + UBC-809). Le secondgroupe montre 4 marqueurs liés ensemble tandis que le troisième et le quatrième groupe montrent 2 marqueurs liés entre eux respectivement. Aucun marqueur n’a été trouvé lié au gène Rav3 qui confère la résistance au cultivar de niébé cultivé IT81D-994.Key words: Parasite, weeds, legumes, molecular marker

Nitrogen and Fiber Digestion in Sheep Fed Fresh-Frozen and Field-Dried High and Low Tannin Sericea Lespedeza

Field-drying reduces extractable condensed tannin (CT) of sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum-Cours) G. Don], but effects on specific bound and unbound forms of CT and the relationship to protein and fiber digestion in ruminants are unclear. Intake and digestibility of fresh-frozen and field-dried high- and low-tannin sericea were investigated in a feeding trial with sheep (Ovis spp.). Field-drying had no effect on crude protein (CP) and fiber content of sericea, but shifted CT from extractable to bound forms. Digestion coefficients for CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were lower for high-tannin sericea than the low-tannin type. Field-drying had no effect on fiber digestibility but increased CP digestibility and N retention in sheep fed high-tannin forage. Apparent digestion of CT was high for all treatments, but this is likely due to difficulty in analyzing CT in fecal material. Nutritional effects of CT in sericea lespedeza are related to both total CT and proportion of bound and unbound CT in the forage

La Leucémie Myéloïde Chronique Pédiatrique: Une Entité Très Rare Au Service d’Hématologie De Yopougon

Contexte: La leucémie myéloïde chronique (LMC) est un syndrome myéloprolifératif dû à une prolifération myéloïde monoclonale prédominant sur la lignée granuleuse. Son pronostic a été amélioré par l’avènement des inhibiteurs de la tyrosine kinase. Elle survient le plus souvent chez l’adulte jeune. Les auteurs rapportent un cas clinique chez un enfant de 6 ans. Présentation de cas: Il s’agissait d’un enfant de 6 ans, de sexe masculin, référé en consultation en hématologie pour splénomégalie volumineuse évoluant depuis 3 mois. L’hémogramme a montré une hyperleucocytose à 282 Giga/L avec myélémie importante et polymorphe une anémie à 66 g/l et une thrombocytose à 870G/L. L’examen cytogénétique a retrouvé le chromosome Philadelphie sans anomalie additionnelle. Le traitement par imatinib mesylate a pu être débuté. Conclusion: La leucémie myéloïde chronique est certes rare chez l’enfant mais les praticiens doivent y penser devant une hyperleucytose importante persistente. Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative syndrome due to monoclonal myeloid proliferation predominant over the granular line. His prognosis was improved by the advent of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It occurs most often in young adults. The authors report the clinical case of a 6-year-old child because of its rarity. Case report: This was a 6-year-old male child, referred in hematology consultation for persistent of large splenomegaly. The hemogram showed hyperleucocytosis at 282 Giga/L with large myelemia and polymorphic anemia at 66 g/l and thrombocytosis at 870 G/L. the cytogenetic analyse found the Philadelphia chromosome without additional anomaly. The treatment with imatinib mesylate has therefore begun. Conclusion: Although the CML is uncommon at young people, but practicians must think about it when we have an important hyperleucocytosis

Anthelmintic Effects of Sericea Lespedeza Hay Fed to Goats Infected With \u3cem\u3eHaemonchus Contortus\u3c/em\u3e

Infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, is the major hindrance to economic goat production in the southern USA. Grazing forages high in condensed tannins (CT) or adding purified CT to the diet has been shown to reduce numbers of parasite eggs in sheep and goat faeces (Min & Hart, 2003). An alternative to grazing is feeding hay from CT-containing forages to livestock to reduce the effects of GIN (Shaik et al., 2004). The purpose of the current study was to test potential anthelmintic effects of feeding sericea lespedeza [(Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours.) G. Don] hay to goats

Titrage des immunoglobulines G anti-Plasmodium falciparum chez les enfants atteints de paludisme grave au CHU de Yopougon.

Objectifs : La pathogénie du paludisme dépend de l’interaction du plasmodium et le système immunitaire de son hôte. L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer la relation entre la parasitémie et le titre des Immunoglobulines de classe G anti-Plasmodium falciparum. Patients et Méthodes : Cette étude transversale a concerné 37 enfants âgés de 0 à15 ans souffrant de paludisme grave ayant été consultés au service de pédiatrie du centre hospitalier universitaire de Yopougon en Côte d’Ivoire. Le titre des IgG anti-P. falciparum a été évalué par immunofluorescence indirecte. Résultats : La parasitémie variait entre 360 et 400000 trophozoites avec une moyenne de 48525 trophozoites/mm3. La concentration en hémoglobine variait entre 3,4 et 10,7 g/dL avec une moyenne de 6,28 g/dL. Les plaquettes variaient entre 17 et 506 .103/mm3 avec une moyenne de 110,18.103/mm3. Le titre des IgG anti- P. falciparum variait entre 40 et 320 avec une moyenne de 220. L’hyperparasitémie (parasitémie ≥ 100000 trophozoites/mm3) était présente uniquement chez les patients de 0 à 5 ans. La moyenne du titre des IgG anti-P. falciparum était significativement plus élevée chez les sujets ayant une parasitémie < 100000 trophozoites/mm3 comparés à ceux présentant une parasitémie ≥ 100000 (110 vs 233,3) p = 0,017 test U de Mann-Withney. Conclusions : Le paludisme grave et l’hyperparasitémie (≥ 100000 trophozoites/mm3) sont plus fréquents chez les enfants de 0 à 5 ans et touche plus les garçons que les filles. Les anticorps IgG anti-P.falciparum ont été retrouvés chez tous les patients

Application De L’ultrason A L’étude De L’homogénéité Des Briques Réfractaires

The quality of refractory bricks such as their ability to resist to thermal shocks essentially depends on the homogeneity of their structure. The imperfections observed in the structure of some refractory bricks arise from the mode of their preparation. Thus, the homogeneity of bricks manually elaborated with refractory clays and sintered at 1280°C was studied. The speed of ultrasounds in different areas of the bricks was measured with an ultrasound auscultation device. The results point out the speeds of ultrasounds may vary from one zone to another revealing heterogeneities into some bricks. This technique allows showing the distribution of possible heterogeneities in these materials

Early infant HIV-1 diagnosis programs in resource-limited settings: opportunities for improved outcomes and more cost-effective interventions

Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV-1 infection confers substantial benefits to HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected infants, to their families, and to programs providing prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services, but has been challenging to implement in resource-limited settings. In order to correctly inform parents/caregivers of infant infection status and link HIV-infected infants to care and treatment, a 'cascade' of events must successfully occur. A frequently cited barrier to expansion of EID programs is the cost of the required laboratory assays. However, substantial implementation barriers, as well as personnel and infrastructure requirements, exist at each step in the cascade. In this update, we review challenges to uptake at each step in the EID cascade, highlighting that even with the highest reported levels of uptake, nearly half of HIV-infected infants may not complete the cascade successfully. We next synthesize the available literature about the costs and cost effectiveness of EID programs; identify areas for future research; and place these findings within the context of the benefits and challenges to EID implementation in resource-limited settings

Parasite

Parasites and infectious diseases are well-known threats to primate populations. The main objective of this study was to provide baseline data on fecal parasites in the cercopithecid monkeys inhabiting Côte d'Ivoire's Taï National Park. Seven of eight cercopithecid species present in the park were sampled: Cercopithecus diana, Cercopithecus campbelli, Cercopithecus petaurista, Procolobus badius, Procolobus verus, Colobus polykomos, and Cercocebus atys. We collected 3142 monkey stool samples between November 2009 and December 2010. Stool samples were processed by direct wet mount examination, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration, and MIF (merthiolate, iodine, formalin) concentration methods. Slides were examined under microscope and parasite identification was based on the morphology of cysts, eggs, and adult worms. A total of 23 species of parasites was recovered including 9 protozoa (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba butschlii, Chilomastix mesnili, Giardia sp., Balantidium coli, and Blastocystis sp.), 13 nematodes (Oesophagostomum sp., Ancylostoma sp., Anatrichosoma sp., Capillariidae Gen. sp. 1, Capillariidae Gen. sp. 2, Chitwoodspirura sp., Subulura sp., spirurids [cf Protospirura muricola], Ternidens sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichostrongylus sp., and Trichuris sp.), and 1 trematode (Dicrocoelium sp.). Diversity indices and parasite richness were high for all monkey taxa, but C. diana, C. petaurista, C. atys, and C. campbelli exhibited a greater diversity of parasite species and a more equitable distribution. The parasitological data reported are the first available for these cercopithecid species within Taï National Park. Les maladies parasitaires et infectieuses sont des menaces très connues pour les populations de primates. L’objectif principal de cette étude était de fournir des données de base sur les parasites intestinaux des primates non-humains du Parc National de Taï en Côte d’Ivoire. Sept des huit espèces de cercopithécidés vivant dans le parc ont été échantillonnées : Cercopithecus diana, Cercopithecus campbelli, Cercopithecus petaurista, Procolobus badius, Procolobus verus, Colobus polykomos and Cercocebus atys. Nous avons collecté 3142 échantillons de selles de singes de novembre 2009 à décembre 2010. Les échantillons de selles ont été traités par la technique d’examen direct, les méthodes de concentration formol-éthyl acétate et MIF (merthiolate, iode, formol). Les lames ont été examinées au microscope et l’identification des parasites a été basée sur la morphologie des kystes, des œufs et des vers adultes. Au total, 23 espèces de parasites ont été trouvées, dont 9 protozoaires (Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba hartmanni, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba butschlii, Chilomastix mesnili, Giardia sp., Balantidium coli et Blastocystis sp.), 13 nématodes (Oesophagostomum sp., Ancylostoma sp., Anatrichosoma sp., Capillariidae Gen. sp. 1, Capillariidae Gen. sp. 2, Chitwoodspirura sp., Subulura sp., Spiruridae [cf. Protospirura muricola], Ternidens sp., Strongyloides sp., Trichostrongylus sp. et Trichuris sp.), et un trématode (Dicrocoelium sp.). L’indice de diversité et la richesse parasitaire étaient élevés pour tous les taxa de singes, mais C. diana, C. petaurista, C. atys and C. campbelli ont enregistré une plus grande diversité et une distribution plus équitable des espèces de parasites. Les données parasitologiques que nous rapportons sont les premières disponibles pour ces espèces de singes du Parc National de Taï