Analysis of Fonio and Three Selected Botanicals Used for Diabetes Care

Department of Nutritional Science

Effects of Digitaria Exilis (Fonio) on Inflammation and Diabetes Pathogenesis

Digitaria exilis (fonio), a wild cereal consumed in West Africa, is rich in chromium, �-glucans and sulfur amino acids, factors known to modulate inflammation and diabetes. However the mechanisms are unknown. We hypothesized that fonio might: a. modulate diabetes pathogenesis through improvement of insulin resistance, glucose metabolism, and reduced inflammation; b. trigger the inflammatory response during infection; c. induce differentiation of immune cells to modulate overall immunity. To test our hypothesis, 3 studies were conducted: In sudy 1, 4-week old KK/HIJ transgenic male mice were fed either the AIN 93 diet or the same diet fortified with 30% fonio or rice flours (n=20). Ten mice per dietary treatment group were sacrificed after 3 or 4 months of feeding. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests (GTT & ITT) were studied by standard techniques. In study 2, non diabetic healthy mice CD1 mice were challenged with bacterial lipopolisaccharides (LPS) and treated with fonio extracts and were sacrified two hours later. To assess the effects of fonio extracts on in vitro secretion by immune cells, spleen cell suspensions (2 x 106/ml) were activated with 2.5 �g/ml LPS for 48 h (study 1 and 2). In study 3, we investigated the mechanisms by which fonio extracts modulate cytokines secretion. For that purpose, monocytic THP1 cells were incubated without and with different concentrations of fonio extracts for 24-72 h. Cell proliferation, viability and differentiation were assessed by trypan blue exclusion test, nitroblue tetrazolium salt reduction, and microscopy, respectively. Cytokines in plasma and spleen cell supernants from the 3 studies were measured by enzyme immune-absorbent. (1) fonio improved insulin resistance and reduced low-grade inflammatory cytokines in KK/HIJ mice. (2) Fonio extracts significantly up-regulated the secretion of TNF-� (pro-inflammatory), and IL-6 (immune modulatory-pro-inflammatory) secretion in vivo and in vitro in LPS-treated mice. (3) Fonio extracts reduced monocytic THP1 cell growth via differentiation, and not necrosis. This is the first study showing that fonio can modulate the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in transgenic and non-diabetic mice. The current data will allow us to conduct a translational human study.Department of Nutritional Science

Physico-Chemical Composition of the Sesame Variety (Sesamum indicum L.) 32-15 and Characterization of its Derived Products (Seeds, Oil and Oilcake) in Senegal

The variety 32-15 is a variety of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) introduced in Senegal. Its integration into the Senegalese culture system has been accompanied by a process of agro-morphological research. The purpose of this study is to understand the qualities of the sesame variety 32-15 by operating its biochemical characterization for better use. The study of the physico-chemical composition was carried out on the seeds, oil and sesame cakes of the variety 32-15. The results showed that the seed contained 95.15% dry matter, 20.75% crude protein, 5.39% ash, 3.04% crude fiber, 51.92% fat, and 14.05% carbohydrate. Seeds have proven to be good sources of minerals. Calcium showed the highest rate (689.92 ± 15.97 mg/100 g) followed by phosphorus (575.99 ± 16.75 mg/100 g), magnesium (315.84 ± 8.66 mg/100 g), zinc (38.56 ± 1.86 mg/100 g) and iron (122.50 ± 4.21 mg/100 g). The quality factors of oil extracts showed stable oil and liquid state at room temperature. The analysis of the oilcakes showed a protein content ranging from 33.93 ± 0.27 to 39.87 ± 0.95% with a slightly high fat composition revealing the low yields of the used presses. Keywords: sesame, variety 32-15, derived products, physico-chemical composition, Senega

Economic Performance of Soil and Water Conservation Practicesin Burkina Faso

The continuous degradation of agroecosystems is a major concern for Sub-Saharan African countries, particularly Burkina Faso. To fight against this problem, various research projects and programs have implemented Soil and Water Conservation practices (SWC) in Northern Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to assess the economic performance of stone rows, grass strips, zaï, filtering dikes, half-moons and agroforestry on agricultural production in this part of Burkina Faso. Stochastic Frontier Analysis was used to estimate SWC’s technical efficiency. Results indicated that the cost for SWC construction did not influence white sorghum and pearl millet yield. However, an increase of 1% in the investment for SWC implementation results in a 0.42% increase in groundnut yield and 0.19% in cowpea yield. Although, the half-moon technique had a positive effect on the farmer’s technical efficiency, the effects of stone rows, filtering dikes, zaï and grass strips were not significant. Given the tremendous efforts that farmers develop to implement these anti-erosion practices, one recommendation is that policy makers strengthen the technical, financial and equipment supports to farmers for efficient implementation of SWC techniques to ensure sustainability of agricultural production systems in Northern Burkina Faso

Breakpoint structure of the Anopheles gambiae 2Rb chromosomal inversion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Alternative arrangements of chromosome 2 inversions in <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>are important sources of population structure, and are associated with adaptation to environmental heterogeneity. The forces responsible for their origin and maintenance are incompletely understood. Molecular characterization of inversion breakpoints provides insight into how they arose, and provides the basis for development of molecular karyotyping methods useful in future studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sequence comparison of regions near the cytological breakpoints of 2Rb allowed the molecular delineation of breakpoint boundaries. Comparisons were made between the standard 2R<it>+</it>^{<it>b </it>}arrangement in the <it>An. gambiae </it>PEST reference genome and the inverted 2R<it>b </it>arrangements in the <it>An. gambiae </it>M and S genome assemblies. Sequence differences between alternative 2R<it>b </it>arrangements were exploited in the design of a PCR diagnostic assay, which was evaluated against the known chromosomal banding pattern of laboratory colonies and field-collected samples from Mali and Cameroon.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The breakpoints of the 7.55 Mb 2R<it>b </it>inversion are flanked by extensive runs of the same short (72 bp) tandemly organized sequence, which was likely responsible for chromosomal breakage and rearrangement. Application of the molecular diagnostic assay suggested that 2R<it>b </it>has a single common origin in <it>An. gambiae </it>and its sibling species, <it>Anopheles arabiensis</it>, and also that the standard arrangement (2R<it>+</it>^<it>b</it>) may have arisen twice through breakpoint reuse. The molecular diagnostic was reliable when applied to laboratory colonies, but its accuracy was lower in natural populations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The complex repetitive sequence flanking the 2R<it>b </it>breakpoint region may be prone to structural and sequence-level instability. The 2R<it>b </it>molecular diagnostic has immediate application in studies based on laboratory colonies, but its usefulness in natural populations awaits development of complementary molecular tools.</p

Étude de la composition minérale et des teneurs en protéines et en matières grasses de huit variétés de sésame (

Huit variétés de sésame (EF153, EF147, LC162, LC164, HB168, 32-15, 38-1-7 et Birkan) qui, selon le Centre d’Étude Régional pour l’Amélioration de l’Adaptation à la Sécheresse (CERAAS), sont les mieux appréciées sur le plan agro-morphologique, ont fait l’objet de cette étude. Les teneurs en protéines, en matières grasses et en éléments minéraux de chacune d’elles ont été déterminées. L’étude des éléments minéraux a porté sur le calcium, le phosphore, le magnésium, le fer et le zinc. Les résultats ont montré que, pour les huit variétés de sésame étudiées, les teneurs en protéines varient de 22,59 % à 29,37 % tandis que celles en matières grasses s’établissent dans une fourchette de 48,65 % à 52,45 %. L’étude montre aussi que toutes les variétés sont riches en éléments minéraux. Cependant, le calcium demeure l’élément le plus important dans toutes les variétés étudiées, suivi du phosphore, du magnésium, du fer et du zinc. Les meilleures teneurs minérales obtenues, pour tous les minéraux étudiés, sont avec la variété 38-1-7 : magnésium 455,04 mg/100 g ; phosphore 711,17 mg/100 g ; calcium 973,22 mg/100 g de ; fer 10,86 mg/100 g et le zinc 7,88 mg/100 g. L’étude statistique des teneurs en protéines, en matières grasses et en composition minérale des variétés a permis d’identifier trois variétés plus appréciées, mais aussi d’indiquer leurs domaines potentiels d’utilisation. Ainsi, les variétés LC162 et 38-1-7 pourraient être utilisées respectivement comme additifs en protéines et en éléments minéraux dans les aliments destinés aux enfants. Quant à la variété EF147, elle pourrait être recommandée pour la consommation d’huile

Étude de la composition minérale et des teneurs en protéines et en matières grasses de huit variétés de sésame (Sesamum indicum L.) introduites au Sénégal pour un criblage variétal

Huit variétés de sésame (EF153, EF147, LC162, LC164, HB168, 32-15, 38-1-7 et Birkan) qui, selon le Centre d’Étude Régional pour l’Amélioration de l’Adaptation à la Sécheresse (CERAAS), sont les mieux appréciées sur le plan agro-morphologique, ont fait l’objet de cette étude. Les teneurs en protéines, en matières grasses et en éléments minéraux de chacune d’elles ont été déterminées. L’étude des éléments minéraux a porté sur le calcium, le phosphore, le magnésium, le fer et le zinc. Les résultats ont montré que, pour les huit variétés de sésame étudiées, les teneurs en protéines varient de 22,59 % à 29,37 % tandis que celles en matières grasses s’établissent dans une fourchette de 48,65 % à 52,45 %. L’étude montre aussi que toutes les variétés sont riches en éléments minéraux. Cependant, le calcium demeure l’élément le plus important dans toutes les variétés étudiées, suivi du phosphore, du magnésium, du fer et du zinc. Les meilleures teneurs minérales obtenues, pour tous les minéraux étudiés, sont avec la variété 38-1-7 : magnésium 455,04 mg/100 g ; phosphore 711,17 mg/100 g ; calcium 973,22 mg/100 g de ; fer 10,86 mg/100 g et le zinc 7,88 mg/100 g. L’étude statistique des teneurs en protéines, en matières grasses et en composition minérale des variétés a permis d’identifier trois variétés plus appréciées, mais aussi d’indiquer leurs domaines potentiels d’utilisation. Ainsi, les variétés LC162 et 38-1-7 pourraient être utilisées respectivement comme additifs en protéines et en éléments minéraux dans les aliments destinés aux enfants. Quant à la variété EF147, elle pourrait être recommandée pour la consommation d’huile

ANALYSE DES DETERMINANTS DES CONDITIONS DE VIE DES MENAGES RURAUX DU MALI

L’objectif de cette étude est d’analyser les déterminants des conditions de vie des ménages ruraux au Mali. Montrer les effets significatifs des caractéristiques socio-économiques sur les conditions de vie de ces ménages. A travers les données de l’Enquête Modulaire et Permanente auprès des Ménages (EMOP). L’analyse s’est effectuée à partir du modèle de régression linéaire générale, la méthode requise est celle des moindres carrés ordinaires (MCO). Les principaux résultats issus des analyses révèlent entre autres que l’augmentation de la taille des ménages peut augmenter leurs dépenses de consommation. Lorsque le nombre de personne du ménage s’accroît d’une personne, les dépenses augmentent de 0,016. L’effet du genre peut influencer les dépenses de consommation des ménages, un ménage dirigé par un femme dépense moins qu’un ménage dirigé par un homme

The implementation of malaria intermittent preventive trialtreatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in infants reduced all-cause mortality in the district of Kolokani, Mali: results from a cluster randomized control

Abstract Background Malaria intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in infant with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTi-SP) reduced the incidence of malaria and anaemia by 30% and 20% respectively. The strategy is now a recommended policy for malaria control. However, there was no published study on the impact of the strategy on mortality. The present study assessed the impact of the implementation of IPTi-SP in health services in Mali on all-cause mortality. Methods The 22 health sub-districts of the district of Kolokani were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either receive IPTi-SP or to serve as a control. The IPTi-SP was implemented for two years starting December 2006. Information on births and deaths through 31 March, 2009 was collected on all children who reached four months of age on 1 December, 2006, likely to be exposed to the intervention in 75 localities randomly selected in each zone. Results A total of 5,882 children (2,869 from the intervention zone and 3,013 from the nonintervention zone) who reached four months of age between 1 December, 2006 and 1 December, 2008 were surveyed between the age of four months to the age of 18 months from 1 December, 2006 to 31 March, 2009. In the cohort of four to 18 months of age, the mortality rate per 1,000 children was 2.53 in the intervention zone compared to 3.46 in the nonintervention zone, gender and season adjusted mortality rate ratio (MRR) = 0.73 (95% CI 0.55-0.97, p = 0.029). In the cohort of the four to 12 months of age, mortality rates per 1,000 children were 2.22 in the intervention zone and 3.13 in the non-intervention zone, MRR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.49-1.02, p = 0.064) adjusted for gender and season. Conclusion The implementation of the IPTi-SP resulted in a substantial reduction in all-cause mortality in children. The results of this study support the adoption and the implementation of IPTi-SP as malaria control strategy. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT00766662</p