Reproductive Performance of Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera: Glossinidae) when fed frozen or fresh bovine blood meals

The tsetse and trypanosomoses control by sterile insect technique (SIT), requires mass production of quality tsetse pupae and consequently high-quality blood meal for the fly feeding. The reproductive performances of Glossina palpalis gambiensis (Diptera : Glossinidae), fed frozen or fresh blood meals has been studied. Three diets of slaughtered bovine blood stored at -18 °C for six months (R6), three months (R3) and one month (R1) were used in the present investigation. Fresh blood samples stored at 4°C and renewed every four days were used as control (R0). The defibrinated blood was packaged in batches of 30 x 20 ml vials. For each blood meal, 30-day feeding tests were conducted at the beginning and end of freezing. All blood meal was irradiated using 137 caesium irradiation before being used. The parameters monitored daily were: the number of dead flies (fed and unfed), the number and weight of pupae and the emergence rate. No difference in survival rates was observed for the three regimes (df: 15; Chi-square: 7.53; p > 0.05), on average 32.1% (R0), 32.4% (R6), 37.5% (R3) and 38.2% (R1). However, flies fed with the six-month-old frozen blood were less efficient in pupa production (df: 3; F: 6. p < 0.001) and pupae weight (df: 3, F: 3.24, p < 0.05) compared to the control. The mortality rate was affected by the duration of freezing: 26.7% for R6 and 8% for the other diets (p <0.05). The implications of our results in terms of blood meal management for efficient production of insectary pupae were discussed

A Spatio-temporal Model of African Animal Trypanosomosis Risk

[b]Background[/b]African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is a major constraint to sustainable development of cattle farming in sub-Saharan Africa. The habitat of the tsetse fly vector is increasingly fragmented owing to demographic pressure and shifts in climate, which leads to heterogeneous risk of cyclical transmission both in space and time. In Burkina Faso and Ghana, the most important vectors are riverine species, namely Glossina palpalis gambiensis and G. tachinoides, which are more resilient to human-induced changes than the savannah and forest species. Although many authors studied the distribution of AAT risk both in space and time, spatio-temporal models allowing predictions of it are lacking.[b]Methodology/Principal Findings[/b]We used datasets generated by various projects, including two baseline surveys conducted in Burkina Faso and Ghana within PATTEC (Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign) national initiatives. We computed the entomological inoculation rate (EIR) or tsetse challenge using a range of environmental data. The tsetse apparent density and their infection rate were separately estimated and subsequently combined to derive the EIR using a "one layer-one model" approach. The estimated EIR was then projected into suitable habitat. This risk index was finally validated against data on bovine trypanosomosis. It allowed a good prediction of the parasitological status (r(2) = 67%), showed a positive correlation but less predictive power with serological status (r(2) = 22%) aggregated at the village level but was not related to the illness status (r(2) = 2%).[b]Conclusions/Significance[/b]The presented spatio-temporal model provides a fine-scale picture of the dynamics of AAT risk in sub-humid areas of West Africa. The estimated EIR was high in the proximity of rivers during the dry season and more widespread during the rainy season. The present analysis is a first step in a broader framework for an efficient risk management of climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases

Dynamiques de peuplements, modifications environnementales et variation du risque trypanosomien dans le sud-ouest du Burkina Faso de 2005 à 2014

L’augmentation générale des densités de population, dans un contexte de forte variabilité climatique, a provoqué des changements environnementaux majeurs en Afrique de l’Ouest. Si la population a tendance à s’urbaniser, elle reste toujours majoritairement rurale. C’est particulièrement vrai au Burkina-Faso où les modes de vie, les activités de subsistance et les conditions d’accès à l’eau exposent souvent les populations rurales et urbaines aux piqûres d’insectes susceptibles de transmettre des pathogènes responsables de maladies graves et/ou mortelles (paludisme, trypanosomiase, dengue, onchocercose etc.). Nos travaux s’intéressent aux fortes dynamiques de peuplements et de paysages survenues sur les rives du fleuve Comoé (terroirs de Folonzo et de Logogniégué) dans le Sud-ouest du Burkina-Faso entre 2005 et 2014, et au risque encouru par les populations humaines et animales à l’origine de ces dynamiques, de contracter les trypanosomoses transmises par les glossines (ou mouche tsé-tsé). Nos résultats mettent en évidence une multiplication par deux des densités de population humaine, la mise en place d’un élevage sédentaire et une augmentation de l’emprise rurale entre 2005 et 2014, ainsi qu’un rapprochement significatif des populations aux berges de la Comoé infestées de glossines. Ils montrent aussi l’intensification de pratiques spatiales humaines associables au risque trypanosomien, et confirment l’existence de la Trypanosomose Animale Africaine dans le cheptel bovin sédentaire récemment installé dans la zone. Cette étude illustre l’impact que des modifications environnementales engendrées par une dynamique de peuplement peuvent avoir sur les conditions de transmission des trypanosomoses humaines et animales.The general increase of population densities in Subsaharian Africa, in an effective climate change context, caused major population movement and environmental changes. While urbanization is expanding, the population is still mostly rural. Ways of life, subsistence farming and limited access to water sources expose these rural and urban populations to insect bites that could pass on the pathogen responsible for serious or deadly pathological conditions (malaria, trypanosomiasis, dengue fever, onchocerciasis, etc.). In the research conducted in South-West of Burkina Faso, our interest focused on current patterns of settlements and landscapes along river Comoe’s banks and on the exposure risks taken to human and animal trypanosomosis, both transmitted by tsetse flies which live in forest gallery of rivers. To achieve this, human and animal (bovine) populations were counted and mapped, and the rural encroachment on the Comoe’s banks mapped, to make a diachronic comparison between 2005 and 2014. The aim was also to understand the behaviors of people and animals associated with trypanosomosis risks. Simultaneously, tsetse flies were captured to ascertain their density in the studied area. Previously inventoried, bovine blood samples were analyzed in order to determine trypanosomosis infection level. From 2005 to 2014, our results have shown a high rise of the human population located in the area studied (multiplied by two), but also a change in its gender and ethnic structure. Furthermore we noticed a rise of the farmland surface, detrimental to the wooded savannah and gallery forest, and a decrease of tsetse flies densities due to this landscape degradation. Moreover, we observed the beginning of a bovine breeding and a reconciliation of people to the banks of Comoe, still infested by tsetse flies. Our results shown that 10% of the bovines sampled were infected by trypanosomes. This study shows settlements dynamics, mainly due to population growth, and their environmental impact on a savannah ecosystem in Burkina Faso. It aims to describe the consequences of such phenomenon on population health, with the specific example of human and animal trypanosomoses, both transmitted by tsetse flies

Comparative evaluation of acetaminophen form (I) in commercialized paracetamol brands

The vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR/Raman) and X-ray diffraction techniques are combined alongside the principal component analysis (PCA) as novel integrated analytical techniques to comparatively investigate latent chemical information and quality discrepancies regarding twelve (12) commercialized paracetamol (APAP) brands. This research aim is to present an advanced computational screening approach using spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques with PCA as a tool to investigate the structural properties of pharmaceutical solid drugs by vibrational mode and diffraction pattern analyzes. Herein, the acquired vibrational, absorption, and diffraction datasets of APAP functionalities were collected at spectra and diffraction regions of intense peaks to develop predictive PCA models. Interestingly, the PCA models invalidate drug falsification in all the brands and predicted dissimilarities arising from observed differences in the vibrational/absorption modes of APAP form (I) in some brands due to excessive use of cheap (fillers and hydrocolloid alternatives) excipients. The PCA-PXRD model unveils discrepancies regarding the contrasting diffraction patterns (structure-property relationships) observed for APAP form (I) in the brands, which suggests differences in their pharmacokinetic properties cause an unapparent structural modification. Nevertheless, the comparative drug release studies present a%CDR between 93 and 98% in 30 min for all the brands, thus, structural modifications of APAP form (I) as observed in some brands show no serious effects on the%CDR and/ or solubility. Finally, it is expected that this work will contribute to the advances in screening techniques toward addressing the global drug challenges, especially in developing countries

Synthesis of new cocrystal solid form of fluconazole-fumaric acid

Pharmaceutical cocrystals are multicomponent crystalline solids comprised of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and one or more co-formers interacting through hydrogen bonding or other weak interactions like the π-stack and van der Waals interactions. Fluconazole (FLZ) is a triazole antifungal drug used in the treatment and prevention of superficial and systemic fungal infections. It is also used to prevent and treat meningitis. Cocrystallization is an alternative approach for enhancement of drug. It can be performed using neat grinding, solvent assisted grinding, solvent evaporation, cooling evaporation and slurry cocrystallization. In this work, a new cocrystal Fluconazol-Fumaric acid monohydrate was synthesized via 1:1 stoichiometric amount of FLZ and FUM at different conditions. The characterization of the synthesized cocrystals was achieved using Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The results obtained for the characterization of the samples showed some obvious differences among the spectra, diffractograms and thermograms. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the new structure shows a cocrystal where the fluconazole molecules are attached to the fumaric acid and water molecules respectively through hydrogen bonds, gave unique cell dimensions for an assumed structure C17H18F2N6O6 with a space group of P21/n, a = 17.053(3) Å, b = 5.5995(10), c=21.154(3), α = 90°, β=105.418(4)°, γ= 90°, V = 1947.3(6) Å3. This work is the first to report a monohydrate cocrystal structure of fluconazole and fumaric acid.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Cocristais farmacêuticos são sólidos cristalinos multi-componentes compostos de um ingrediente ativo farmacêutico (API) e um ou mais co-formadores interagindo através de ligações de hidrogênio ou outras interações fracas como as π-stack e Van der Waals. Fluconazol (FLZ), é um fármaco anti-fúngico triazol utilizado no tratamento e prevenção de infecções fúngicas superficiais e sistémicas. É também utilizado para prevenir e tratar a meningite. Cocristalização é uma abordagem alternativa para melhorar as propriedades de fármacos. Pode ser realizada através de moagem a seco, moagem assistida por solvente, evaporação de solvente e cristalização em suspensão. Neste trabalho, um novo co-cristal Fluconazol-Ácido Fumarico monohidrato foi sintetizado utilizando uma estequimetria 1:1 em diferentes condições. A caracterização dos co-cristais sintetizados foi realizada utilizando espectroscopia Raman, calorimetria exploratória diferencial, difração de raios-X em pó é por monocristal. Os resultados obtidos para a caracterização das amostras mostrou algumas diferenças obvias entre os espectros, difratogramas e termogramas. A difração de raios-X de monocristal mostrou uma nova estrutura onde as moléculas de fluconazol estão ligadas ao ácido fumárico e a uma molécula de água através de ligações de hidrogênio, originando uma estrutura única C17H18F2N6O6 de grupo espacial P21/n e dimensões da célula unitária a = 17.053(3) Å, b = 5.5995(10), c=21.154(3), α = 90°, β=105.418(4)°, γ= 90°, V = 1947.3(6) Å3. Este trabalho é o primeiro a relatar uma estrutura de co-cristal mono-hidrato de fluconazol e acido fumárico

Dynamiques de peuplements, modifications environnementales et variation du risque trypanosomien dans le sud-ouest du Burkina Faso de 2005 à 2014

International audienceThe general increase of population densities in Subsaharian Africa, in an effective climate change context, caused majorpopulation movement and environmental changes. While urbanization is expanding, the population is still mostly rural. Ways of life,subsistence farming and limited access to water sources expose these rural and urban populations to insect bites that could passon the pathogen responsible for serious or deadly pathological conditions (malaria, trypanosomiasis, dengue fever, onchocerciasis,etc.). In the research conducted in South-West of Burkina Faso, our interest focused on current patterns of settlements andlandscapes along river Comoe’s banks and on the exposure risks taken to human and animal trypanosomosis, both transmitted bytsetse flies which live in forest gallery of rivers. To achieve this, human and animal (bovine) populations were counted and mapped,and the rural encroachment on the Comoe’s banks mapped, to make a diachronic comparison between 2005 and 2014. The aimwas also to understand the behaviors of people and animals associated with trypanosomosis risks. Simultaneously, tsetse flies werecaptured to ascertain their density in the studied area. Previously inventoried, bovine blood samples were analyzed in order todetermine trypanosomosis infection level. From 2005 to 2014, our results have shown a high rise of the human population locatedin the area studied (multiplied by two), but also a change in its gender and ethnic structure. Furthermore we noticed a rise ofthe farmland surface, detrimental to the wooded savannah and gallery forest, and a decrease of tsetse flies densities due to thislandscape degradation. Moreover, we observed the beginning of a bovine breeding and a reconciliation of people to the banksof Comoe, still infested by tsetse flies. Our results shown that 10% of the bovines sampled were infected by trypanosomes. This studyshows settlements dynamics, mainly due to population growth, and their environmental impact on a savannah ecosystem in BurkinaFaso. It aims to describe the consequences of such phenomenon on population health, with the specific example of human andanimal trypanosomoses, both transmitted by tsetse flies.L’augmentation générale des densités de population, dans un contexte de forte variabilité climatique, a provoqué des changementsenvironnementaux majeurs en Afrique de l’Ouest. Si la population a tendance à s’urbaniser, elle reste toujours majoritairementrurale. C’est particulièrement vrai au Burkina-Faso où les modes de vie, les activités de subsistance et les conditions d’accès à l’eauexposent souvent les populations rurales et urbaines aux piqûres d’insectes susceptibles de transmettre des pathogènes responsablesde maladies graves et/ou mortelles (paludisme, trypanosomiase, dengue, onchocercose etc.). Nos travaux s’intéressent aux fortesdynamiques de peuplements et de paysages survenues sur les rives du fleuve Comoé (terroirs de Folonzo et de Logogniégué) dansle Sud-ouest du Burkina-Faso entre 2005 et 2014, et au risque encouru par les populations humaines et animales à l’origine de cesdynamiques, de contracter les trypanosomoses transmises par les glossines (ou mouche tsé-tsé). Nos résultats mettent en évidenceune multiplication par deux des densités de population humaine, la mise en place d’un élevage sédentaire et une augmentationde l’emprise rurale entre 2005 et 2014, ainsi qu’un rapprochement significatif des populations aux berges de la Comoé infestéesde glossines. Ils montrent aussi l’intensification de pratiques spatiales humaines associables au risque trypanosomien, et confirmentl’existence de la Trypanosomose Animale Africaine dans le cheptel bovin sédentaire récemment installé dans la zone. Cette étudeillustre l’impact que des modifications environnementales engendrées par une dynamique de peuplement peuvent avoir sur lesconditions de transmission des trypanosomoses humaines et animales

Population dynamics, changes environmental and risk change trypanosome in the southwestof Burkina Faso from 2005 to 2014

L’augmentation générale des densités de population, dans un contexte de forte variabilité climatique, a provoqué des changementsenvironnementaux majeurs en Afrique de l’Ouest. Si la population a tendance à s’urbaniser, elle reste toujours majoritairementrurale. C’est particulièrement vrai au Burkina-Faso où les modes de vie, les activités de subsistance et les conditions d’accès à l’eauexposent souvent les populations rurales et urbaines aux piqûres d’insectes susceptibles de transmettre des pathogènes responsablesde maladies graves et/ou mortelles (paludisme, trypanosomiase, dengue, onchocercose etc.). Nos travaux s’intéressent aux fortesdynamiques de peuplements et de paysages survenues sur les rives du fleuve Comoé (terroirs de Folonzo et de Logogniégué) dansle Sud-ouest du Burkina-Faso entre 2005 et 2014, et au risque encouru par les populations humaines et animales à l’origine de cesdynamiques, de contracter les trypanosomoses transmises par les glossines (ou mouche tsé-tsé). Nos résultats mettent en évidenceune multiplication par deux des densités de population humaine, la mise en place d’un élevage sédentaire et une augmentationde l’emprise rurale entre 2005 et 2014, ainsi qu’un rapprochement significatif des populations aux berges de la Comoé infestéesde glossines. Ils montrent aussi l’intensification de pratiques spatiales humaines associables au risque trypanosomien, et confirmentl’existence de la Trypanosomose Animale Africaine dans le cheptel bovin sédentaire récemment installé dans la zone. Cette étudeillustre l’impact que des modifications environnementales engendrées par une dynamique de peuplement peuvent avoir sur lesconditions de transmission des trypanosomoses humaines et animales.The general increase of population densities in Subsaharian Africa, in an effective climate change context, caused majorpopulation movement and environmental changes. While urbanization is expanding, the population is still mostly rural. Ways of life,subsistence farming and limited access to water sources expose these rural and urban populations to insect bites that could passon the pathogen responsible for serious or deadly pathological conditions (malaria, trypanosomiasis, dengue fever, onchocerciasis,etc.). In the research conducted in South-West of Burkina Faso, our interest focused on current patterns of settlements andlandscapes along river Comoe’s banks and on the exposure risks taken to human and animal trypanosomosis, both transmitted bytsetse flies which live in forest gallery of rivers. To achieve this, human and animal (bovine) populations were counted and mapped,and the rural encroachment on the Comoe’s banks mapped, to make a diachronic comparison between 2005 and 2014. The aimwas also to understand the behaviors of people and animals associated with trypanosomosis risks. Simultaneously, tsetse flies werecaptured to ascertain their density in the studied area. Previously inventoried, bovine blood samples were analyzed in order todetermine trypanosomosis infection level. From 2005 to 2014, our results have shown a high rise of the human population locatedin the area studied (multiplied by two), but also a change in its gender and ethnic structure. Furthermore we noticed a rise ofthe farmland surface, detrimental to the wooded savannah and gallery forest, and a decrease of tsetse flies densities due to thislandscape degradation. Moreover, we observed the beginning of a bovine breeding and a reconciliation of people to the banksof Comoe, still infested by tsetse flies. Our results shown that 10% of the bovines sampled were infected by trypanosomes. This studyshows settlements dynamics, mainly due to population growth, and their environmental impact on a savannah ecosystem in BurkinaFaso. It aims to describe the consequences of such phenomenon on population health, with the specific example of human andanimal trypanosomoses, both transmitted by tsetse flies

Unveiling the dark side of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in cancers and other human pathology: a systematic review

Abstract Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 (GRP78) is a chaperone protein that is predominantly expressed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. GRP78 plays a crucial role in protein folding by assisting in the assembly of misfolded proteins. Under cellular stress conditions, GRP78 can translocate to the cell surface (csGRP78) were it interacts with different ligands to initiate various intracellular pathways. The expression of csGRP78 has been associated with tumor initiation and progression of multiple cancer types. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the existing evidence on the roles of GRP78 in various types of cancer and other human pathology. Additionally, the review discusses the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying GRP78's involvement in tumorigenesis and cancer advancement. Furthermore, we highlight recent innovative approaches employed in downregulating GRP78 expression in cancers as a potential therapeutic target

Enhancing Malaria Research, Surveillance, and Control in Endemic Areas of Kenya and Ethiopia

Malaria control programs in Africa encounter daunting challenges that hinder progressive steps toward elimination of the disease. These challenges include widespread insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors, increasing outdoor malaria transmission, lack of vector surveillance and control tools suitable for outdoor biting vectors, weakness in malaria surveillance, and an inadequate number of skilled healthcare personnel. Ecological and epidemiological changes induced by environmental modifications resulting from water resource development projects pose additional barriers to malaria control. Cognizant of these challenges, our International Center of Excellence for Malaria Research (ICEMR) works in close collaboration with relevant government ministries and agencies to align its research efforts with the objectives and strategies of the national malaria control and elimination programs for the benefit of local communities. Our overall goal is to assess the impact of water resource development projects, shifting agricultural practices, and vector interventions on Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria in Kenya and Ethiopia. From 2017 to date, the ICEMR has advanced knowledge of malaria epidemiology, transmission, immunology, and pathogenesis, and developed tools to enhance vector surveillance and control, improved clinical malaria surveillance and diagnostic methods, and strengthened the capacity of local healthcare providers. Research findings from the ICEMR will inform health policy and strategic planning by ministries of health in their quest to sustain malaria control and achieve elimination goals

Mean predicted habitat suitability index for both species.

<p>The index varies between 0 (less suitable, green scale) and 1 (highly suitable, red scale).</p