Amélioration des propriétés physiques et chimiques du sol sous l’apport combiné des biodéchets et des engrais minéraux et influence sur le comportement du maïs (Zea mays L. variété Unilu)

Objectifs : Cette étude a été conduite au cours de la saison culturale 2012-2013 sur un ferralsol de la ferme Kasapa dans la région de Lubumbashi en vue d’évaluer les effets des doses combinées des fumiers des poules et des engrais minéraux sur le rendement de maïs (Zea mays Var Unilu) et certaines propriétés physiques et chimiques du sol.Méthodologie et résultats : L’essai a été installé suivant un dispositif en split splot composé au total de 12 traitements et trois répétitions. Les traitements comprenaient 4 doses des fumiers des poules (0, 1,75 ; 3,5 et 7 t/ha) et 3 doses des engrais minéraux (0, 300kg NPK+200kg urée et 150 kg NPK+ 100kg urée). Des analyses physico-chimiques ont été réalisées sur des échantillons de sol et de fumiers de poules. La tendance générale de l’évolution des teneurs (N et K) était à la baisse par rapport aux valeurs initiales et les doses élevées des engrais minéraux et de biodéchets ont fourni des quantités élevées en N et K. Par ailleurs, les biodéchets appliqués seuls ou en combinaison aux engrais minéraux ont amélioré la capacité de rétention d’eau. Le rendement a été largement affecté par l’apport des engrais minéraux que celui des biodéchets. La combinaison des fumiers de poules a permis d’accroitre le rendement en maïs grains (6,9 t.ha-1 pour 7t fumiers de poules combinés à 150kg NPK+100kg urée) alors que le rendement le plus faible (2,9 t.ha-1) a été obtenu sur les parcelles témoins.Conclusion et application de la recherche : L’étude a montré que les fumiers de poules combinés aux engrais minéraux ont permis d’accroitre le rendement du maïs dans les conditions de cet essai. Les fumiers de poules présentent un grand potentiel pour l’amélioration de la disponibilité des éléments nutritifs de sol et a pu fournir la quantité des nutriments nécessaires à la culture du maïs.Mots clés : maïs, biodéchets, rendement, ferme Kasapa, engrais minéraux, fumiers de poules

Complex Allele with Additive Gain-of-Function STING1 Variants in a Patient with Cavitating Lung Lesions and Aspergillosis

International audienceNo abstract availabl

L’apport des faibles doses d’engrais minéraux permet-il d’accroitre le rendement du maïs cultivé à forte densité ? Un exemple avec deux variétés de maïs à Lubumbashi

Objectifs : Une expérimentation évaluant les effets de la densité de semis et de la fertilisation minérale sur le rendement du maïs, a été conduite à la ferme Kasapa de l’Université de Lubumbashi, de novembre 2012 à juin 2013.Méthodologie et résultats : Les effets combinés de deux densités de semis (33333 plants.ha-1 et 53333 plants.ha-1) et trois doses d’engrais (0, 300kg NPK+200kg urée et 400kg NPK+800kg urée) ont été étudiés sur deux variétés de maïs (PAN 53 et Unilu) dans un dispositif split split plot à 3 répétitions. Les observations ont porté sur les paramètres végétatifs, phytosanitaires et de rendement. Les doses d’engrais ont influencé la variation des tous les paramètres de croissance végétative. Le meilleur taux de levée est observé sans apport d’engrais minéraux (79% pour UNILU et 67 % pour PAN 53), alors que la taille des plantes augmente avec la forte dose d’engrais (400 Kg NPK + 800 Kg Urée). Parallèlement, la forte dose a augmenté la résistance à la cercosporiose et à l’helminthosporiose de la variété PAN 53. En revanche, cette variété s’est montrée sensible à la verse, alors que la variété locale résiste en l’absence de doses d’engrais minéraux. Par ailleurs, la forte dose d’engrais et la forte densité de semis ont généré des meilleurs rendements en maïs ; PAN 53 donnant des rendements nettement supérieurs (7,5±2,9 t.ha-1).Conclusion et application : La faible dose d’engrais (300 Kg NPK + 200 Kg Urée) et la forte densité de semis (53333 plantes/ha) restent recommandables pour une intensification de la maïsiculture dans la zone d’étude, dans le contexte socioéconomique de cherté des engrais minéraux décriés par les agriculteurs.Mots clés : maïs, densité de semis, dose d’engrais, variété, Lubumbash

Imidazolium camphorsulfonamides: Chiral catanionic liquid crystals with tunable thermal properties

International audienceWe report the synthesis of novel chiral catanionic liquid crystals bearing camphorsulfonamide substructures. The phase behaviour of these long-chain substituted imidazolium sulphates and sulfonates was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We observed that the phase behaviour clearly depends on the substitution of both cation and anion. The chiral camphorsulfonamide substructures have an unfavourable influence on the formation of liquid crystalline (LC-) phases. Contrary to N,N0-di-alkyl-imidazolium salts, the formation of LC phases was only observed when both cation and anion are substituted with long alkyl chains (C12 or C16). Furthermore, the phase transition temperatures depend on the chain length of the alkyl groups, as higher phase transition temperatures were observed for compounds bearing longer alkyl chains. However, no macroscopic evidence for the formation of chiral mesophases was obtained

Monitoring and Control of Particulate Matter in Urban Area in Douala-Cameroon Town

This study focused on the content of fine particle air pollution in the city of Douala. Several studies have analyzed pollution problems due to road traffic in Douala, Cameroon. Particle concentration levels are higher in heavy traffic than in light traffic. The population’s exposure to air pollution in cities is higher near roads. Several studies have analyzed pollution problems due to road traffic in Douala, Cameroon. In this city, the traffic density at the intersections is indeed higher. Thus, the question is as follows: Are these traffic areas hotspots of increased PM exposure levels? To determine it, four particle size fractions (PM10, PM2.5, PM5, and PM1) were collected using an “OC300 Gas and Dust Particle Laser Detector” for three months at different traffic locations (roundabouts or/and crossroads). Statistical analysis of the data shows very high concentrations at most measurement sites. PM concentrations at the different measurement sites are around 35.69-68.08 µg m−3 for PM1, 50.72-99.13 µg m−3 for PM2.5, 54.11-111.22 µg m−3 for PM5, and 57.97-119.25 µg m−3 for PM10. Exceedances of WHO daily guidelines for PM2.5 (45 µg m−3) and PM10 (15 µg m−3) were found during the measurement campaign, indicating that crossroads are the pollution hotspots in urban areas. Occupation of the roadsides for various economic activities (painting, restaurants, donut shops, etc.) is common in Cameroon, increasing health risks for people working around the roadside. Thus, crossroad locations are areas where the level of exposure to PMx is the highest on road traffics

Infection risk among adults with down syndrome: a two group series of 101 patients in a tertiary center

Abstract Background Down syndrome (DS) is the most common form of viable chromosomal abnormality. DS is associated with recurrent infections, auto-immunity and malignancies in children. Little is known about immunity and infections in DS at adulthood. Methods We studied two separate group of adults (> 18 years old) with DS in a single referral tertiary center (Strasbourg University Hospital). The first group included 37 ambulatory DS patients between November 2014 and May 2017. We analyzed exhaustive serological and immunobiological parameters, at one point, together with the prevalence of infections, autoimmune manifestations and malignancies. The second group included 64 hospitalized patients (138 stays) in the same center, between January 2005 and December 2016. Results One hundred and one adult patients with DS were included. Unlike children and despite a global lymphopenia, adults with DS underwent few infections in our ambulatory group. They did not experience any malignancy and, apart from hypothyroidism, they presented only occasional autoimmune manifestations. Hospitalized DS patients were older than ambulatory ones (median age 47 years (18–73) vs. 27 (18–52), p < 0.0001) and admitted mostly for infections (76.8%). Infections were associated with epilepsy and dementia (OR 6.5 (2.2–19), p = 0.001; p = 0.0006 in multivariate analysis) and higher mortality (OR 7.4 (1.4–37), p = 0.01). Conclusion Despite persistent immunobiological abnormalities at adulthood, young ambulatory adults with DS remain healthy with a low rate of infections. Infections are associated with neurological degeneration and increase the mortality arguing for a dedicated support of older DS patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01663675 (August 13, 2012). Hospital Clinical Research Program (PHRC): number 2012-A00466–37 (Dr Y. Alembik)

B cells in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: Review and remaining challenges

It is now widely accepted that antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have direct pathogenic effects and that B cells, notably through aPL production, play a key role in the development of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Recent findings strengthened the implication of B cells with the description of specific B cell phenotype abnormalities and inborn errors of immunity involving B cell signaling in APS patients. In addition, it has been shown in preclinical models that cross-reactivity between APS autoantigens and mimotopes expressed by human gut commensals can lead to B cell tolerance breakdown and are sufficient for APS development. However, B cell targeting therapies are surprisingly not as effective as expected in APS compared to other autoimmune diseases. Elucidation of the B cell tolerance breakdown mechanisms in APS patients may help to develop and guide the use of novel therapeutic agents that target B cells or specific immune pathway

Ionic Liquid Crystals Based on Mesitylene-Containing Bis- and Trisimidazolium Salts

International audienceThe synthesis of novel ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) based on bis- and trisimidazolium salts (I-, BF4-, and [N(SO2CF3)2]-) bearing hydrophobic hexadecyl chains and a bridging mesitylene moiety is reported. The study of their mesomorphic properties is presented, including the characterization of the Smectic A phase by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. A detailed powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) study as a function of temperature confirmed that cooling gives rise to a glass transition from the liquid-crystalline smectic A phase to a metastable lamellar phase. In addition, in the case of bisimidazolium iodide, the ability of these molecules to form self-aggregates in solution has been demonstrated by diffusion nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Effects of Ficus umbellata (Moraceae) Aqueous Extract and 7-Methoxycoumarin on Scopolamine-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment in Ovariectomized Wistar Rats

The present work was undertaken to evaluate the ability of F. umbellata aqueous extract and its major component 7-methoxycoumarin (MC) to improve scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats. For this to be done, 10 sham-operated and 30 postmenopausal-like rats were randomly distributed in eight groups (n=5) and treated with distilled water (2 mL/250 g), estradiol valerate (1 mg/kg BW), piracetam (1.5 mg/kg BW), F. umbellata aqueous extract (50 and 200 mg/kg BW), or MC (1 mg/kg BW) for 21 consecutive days. Before and after the memory impairment with scopolamine (2 mg/kg BW), animals underwent behavioral evaluations on Y- and radial mazes. As results, age and ovariectomy did not induce significant changes in the reference memory errors. While age decreased working memory errors, ovariectomy increased it. The MC as well as F. umbellata extract significantly increased (p<0.01) the percentage of spontaneous alternation and decreased (p<0.001) working and spatial reference memory errors and anxiety parameters (rearing and grooming) in ovariectomized rats. MC significantly reduced (p<0.05) the MDA level, but resulted in an increase in GSH level in brain homogenates. These results suggest that MC is endowed with neuroprotective effects and could account for the neuroprotective effects of F. umbellata in rats

Characterization of smallholder cattle production systems in South-Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

In South-Kivu province, cattle farming is an integral component of farmers’ livelihoods and one of the few income-generating opportunities for smallholders. However, very few studies have been conducted to characterize smallholders’ cattle production systems. This study documents cattle production systems to better understand their current situation, constraints they face and opportunities they offer. For that purpose, an investigation was conducted based on a structured survey questionnaire and participatory interviews with 863 farmers in South-Kivu province. Collected data were analysed using factorial analysis of mixed data and clustering techniques. The results revealed three types of smallholder cattle farms differing mainly in their herds’ sizes and landholding. The first category is the most common and includes farmers raising small herds (6.3 ± 6.7 cattle) of local breeds in herding system (in this work, “herding system” refers to a rearing system for which the farmer drives and stays with his animals on pastures and fallow land during the day) and grazing fodder in community pastures, fallow lands and roadside grasses, while land constitutes a scarce resource. In the second category, some farmers have small tracts of land ( 5 ha), but all have medium-size herds (45.1 ± 19.4 cattle) made up of local breeds, which they rear in herding system. They also exploit community pastures, fallow land and roadside fodder for animal feeding. The third and last category includes farmers with large cattle herds (78.1 ± 28.1 cattle) of local, crossbred and exotic breeds raised free range in the fenced paddocks on vast areas of land (> 5 ha) found in high-altitude regions. However, while being different according to the above-considered characteristics, the three categories of cattle farming remain extensive pastoral farms dominated by male farmers. Agriculture and/or animal husbandry are their main source of income while their livestock are also composed of goats and poultry, beside cattle. Still, the three farming groups require more inputs and improvement strategies for increased productivity in the challenging environment characterized by low land accessibility and high demand for milk and meat. Fodder cultivation and crop-livestock integration through agro-ecological systems as well as access to credit and extension services are the proposed strategies for the improvement of this economic sector