Applying an index of biotic integrity based on fish assemblages in a west african river

A multivariate measure of river quality, the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), was adapted to a West African river, the Konkoure (Republic of Guinea). Fish assemblages were sampled using gill-nets during the dry season to provide data for the IBI. Ten metrics were subsequently defined. The capacity of the modified IBI to assess the impact of a bauxite treatment plant was tested. The IBI decreased as expected at the impacted station. Detailed examination of the data revealed that one family, the #Mormyridae$, was almost eliminated from the impacted station, suggesting that members of this family can be considered as intolerant species in future uses of the IBI in other African rivers. (Résumé d'auteur

Characteristics of Jatropha Oil and Prospective for its Valorization as Feedstock for the Development of Biodiesel Technology in Guinea

The continuous depletion of fossil fuel and petroleum products, their limited resources and environment concerns are a matter of concern. The tendency in energy sector represents a challenge as well as an opportunity to look for alternatives of fossil fuels for sustainable development and environmental benefits. Study of biodiesel has become a key objective in the effort towards energy self-reliance. Since Jatropha oil cannot be used in the food industry, its use as energy source becomes very attractive. Before oil extraction, 1000-seed weight of Jatropha was investigated on the point of view of temperature and rainfalls. Seeds were grounded and defatted by extraction using a Soxhlet device. The lipid fraction of Jatropha oil seed were extracted and analyzed for their chemical composition and properties. The content of fatty acid in the extracted lipid was determined by use of Gas Chromatography (GC). Oleic acid (44.7%) and Oinoleic acid (32.8%) represent the dominant fatty acids while palmitic and stearic ones were the saturated fatty acids in the Jatropha oil. The crude oil from an average sample was transformed into biodiesel by transesterification in which a primary alcohol replaces glycerol from crude oil molecules

New data on the level of immune stratum against Q fever agent in population of the of Republic of Guinea

which is bacteria of the species Coxiella burnetii. One of the factors showing the possibility of pathogen circulation in a certain territory is assessed by the presence of an immune stratum in the inhabitants of the region. In the 1980s, the study of the immune structure of the population of the Republic of Guinea in relation to coxiellosis has begun. The present study, carried out in 2015—2019, has been aimed to obtain new information about the immune stratum of the population of the Republic of Guinea against the causative agent of Q fever and to compare it with previous studies. Specific IgG antibodies in the blood of the Guinea residents were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a set of reagents manufactured at the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation). The serum samples were tested in at 1:100 dilution. Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 124/2346 (5.3% [CI 4.5-6.3]) samples. This study confirms the previously obtained data on the circulation of the causative agent of coxiellosis in all landscape and geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea. The natural and climatic conditions of the region, the variety of ixodic tick species currently inhabiting this territory being a reservoir and vector of infection, as well as a large amount of livestock are the factors for active circulation of the Q fever pathogen and the emergence of related disease outbreaks. The data obtained necessitate continuing further studies on distribution of C. burnetii in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. Taking into consideration the epidemiological significance of Q fever, a pressing task is to study a proportion of this infectious disease in the overall structure of diseases registered in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. It is also necessary to conduct regular epizootological monitoring in order to clarify the types of carriers and vectors of C. burnetii in different landscape and geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea as well as to assess the immune stratum against the pathogen in large and small cattle being the main sources of infection for humans. The data obtained will allow us to determine presence of a natural focus of this infection as well as its borders and develop a set of preventive (anti-epidemic) measures

Issues of Scientific and Practical Support of Anti-Epidemic Activities in the Course of Ebola Virus Disease Epidemic Response in West Africa

Consideration is given to the experience of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Guinea in the matter of Ebola fever response. Outlined are the challenging issues regarding scientific support of preventive activities. Provided is a brief characteristic of Pasteur Institute of Guinea as a unique platform for research activities. Covered are the legal aspects of collaboration and priority areas for the development of common initiatives in the sphere of epidemiological monitoring. Identified are the stages of material reinforcement and medical stuff capacity building, including training of specialists with a view to the establishment of effective system for epidemiological surveillance

International collaboration between collections-based institutes for halting biodiversity loss and unlocking the useful properties of plants and fungi

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 calls for “strong global partnerships and cooperation” to support the other SDGs. The collections-based science community offers many examples of conservation of plant and fungal biodiversity, sharing, repatriation and aggregation of data, access to new technologies, supply of plant and fungal material, strengthening capacity of practitioners, and benefit sharing with the providers of biodiversity and genetic resources. Collaboration framed by workable multilateral treaties will increase our understanding of plant and fungal diversity, help halt biodiversity loss, and accelerate our sustainable use of plants and fungi and the exploration of their useful traits. Summary: Collections-based institutes are at the forefront of generating knowledge and understanding of plant and fungal biodiversity. Through the analysis of occurrence data, the use of modern technologies to better understand the evolutionary relationships between species and documentation of their useful properties, the work of collections-based institutes provides good models for conservation; addressing species loss and improving sustainable use of plants and fungi. Nevertheless, the pressure on the planet's plant and fungal diversity is relentless. We argue that a massive increase in the accessibility of preserved and living collections of plants and fungi is required. An increased scale of responsible exploration to both conserve and unlock the useful properties of plants and fungi is needed to deliver solutions to the many global challenges facing humanity and the planet. This article explores the role of collaborations between collections-based institutes and their partners in preventing biodiversity loss and delivering sustainable development. Drawing on examples from herbaria, agricultural and wild species genebanks, mycological collections, an international NGO, and the botanic garden community, we demonstrate how collaboration improves efficiency and impact. Collaborations can be peer to peer, institutional, governmental, national, or international, they may involve work with local communities and are frequently a combination of these. We suggest the five key benefits to collaboration and show that with trust, understanding, and mutual respect, powerful and sustainable partnerships develop. Such trust and respect are hard won, but once established, sustain a high level of commitment, enable development of shared long-term visions of success, and attract diverse funding streams

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Lassa Seropositivity in Inhabitants of the Forest Region of Guinea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in West Africa, mainly transmitted to humans by multimammate rats. Several modes of virus transmission are suspected: aerosolisation of the virus, contact with infected rodent excreta, and consumption of rodent meat. Person-to-person transmission also occurs via contact with body fluids of infected persons (blood, urine) and is responsible for numerous outbreaks, mostly in healthcare facilities. Our objective was to precisely describe risk factors for Lassa fever in both rural and urban communities of forest Guinea. For each participant, a standardized questionnaire was completed and a blood sample tested for Lassa virus antibodies. A total of 1424 subjects were interviewed and 977 blood samples tested. The prevalence of Lassa virus antibodies was estimated at 12.9% and 10.0% in rural and urban areas, respectively. The two risk factors were: to have, in the past twelve months, undergone an injection, or lived with someone displaying a haemorrhage. Contrary to our expectation, no factors related to contact with rodents were identified. It is still probable that transmission occurs via indirect contact between rodents and humans in households, but our results highlight the importance of person-to-person transmission via close contact and nosocomial exposure

Analysis of Ebola virus Zaire 2014 isolates

Analysis of 5 Ebola virus Zaire 2014 isolates passaged in cell cultures or in mice, demonstrated presence of unique mutations in the genome RNA in some cases. All identified nucleotide substitutions are singular, stochastically located, synonymous or fall within non-coding regions. Variability level of nucleotide sequences is equal to 0.005-0.01 %, suggesting extremely high genetic stability of Ebola virus Zaire, the causative agent of the outbreak. Confirmed is suppression of non-synonymous mutations accumulation in ebolavirus variants in the course of time. Detected are alterations in glycosilation sites and mucin-like domain of ebolavirus glycoprotein

Evaluation of Convalescent Plasma for Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea

: In the wake of the recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in several African countries, the World Health Organization prioritized the evaluation of treatment with convalescent plasma derived from patients who have recovered from the disease. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma for the treatment of EVD in Guinea. : In this nonrandomized, comparative study, 99 patients of various ages (including pregnant women) with confirmed EVD received two consecutive transfusions of 200 to 250 ml of ABO-compatible convalescent plasma, with each unit of plasma obtained from a separate convalescent donor. The transfusions were initiated on the day of diagnosis or up to 2 days later. The level of neutralizing antibodies against Ebola virus in the plasma was unknown at the time of administration. The control group was 418 patients who had been treated at the same center during the previous 5 months. The primary outcome was the risk of death during the period from 3 to 16 days after diagnosis with adjustments for age and the baseline cycle-threshold value on polymerase-chain-reaction assay; patients who had died before day 3 were excluded. The clinically important difference was defined as an absolute reduction in mortality of 20 percentage points in the convalescent-plasma group as compared with the control group. : A total of 84 patients who were treated with plasma were included in the primary analysis. At baseline, the convalescent-plasma group had slightly higher cycle-threshold values and a shorter duration of symptoms than did the control group, along with a higher frequency of eye redness and difficulty in swallowing. From day 3 to day 16 after diagnosis, the risk of death was 31% in the convalescent-plasma group and 38% in the control group (risk difference, -7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -18 to 4). The difference was reduced after adjustment for age and cycle-threshold value (adjusted risk difference, -3 percentage points; 95% CI, -13 to 8). No serious adverse reactions associated with the use of convalescent plasma were observed. : The transfusion of up to 500 ml of convalescent plasma with unknown levels of neutralizing antibodies in 84 patients with confirmed EVD was not associated with a significant improvement in survival. (Funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02342171.).<br/