Amelioration de la viscosite et de la densite energetique des bouillies infantiles preparees a partir de farines composees a base de riz, de niebe, de soja et d’arachide

L’aliment de complément de la majorité des enfants maliens est la bouillie des céréales dont la viscosité est très élevée pour les enfants âgés de 6 à 9 mois. Leur densité énergétique inférieure à celle du lait maternelle (70 Kcal/100 ml) variait entre 35 à 45 kcal/100 ml (Bauer et al., 1997). Pour faciliter leur déglutition et améliorer la densité énergétique, la nécessité de les liquéfier par l’utilisation de source d’amylase s’impose (Trèche 1995, Réseau TPA, 1998). Les farines de complément ont été développées à partir du riz NERICA 4 auquel l’arachide, le niébé, le soja, le pain de singe ont été incorporés suivant la formule souhaitée. La farine de riz a été obtenue après mouture du riz NERICA 4 blanchi. Les graines de soja et celles d’arachide ont été torréfiées séparément, dé pelliculées puis réduites en farine. Le niébé a été décortiqué, lavé, séché puis réduit en farine. Le maltage a consisté respectivement à tremper le riz pendant 12 heures et le mil pendant 07 heures dans l’eau tiède. Les grains ont été égouttés séparément et mis en germination dans un panier couvert pendant 3 jours au cours desquels, ils ont été arrosés matin et soir. La germination des grains est interrompue par le séchage. Les grains germés de riz et de mil ont été réduits séparément en farine (malt). Dans chaque formule, 95 % de la farine composée ont été ajoutés à 5 % de malt de mil ou de riz. La viscosité et la densité énergétique des bouillies infantiles ont été déterminées. La viscosité de la bouillie contenant le malt de riz a été plus fluide (13 cm) que celle contenant le malt de mil (11 cm). Les densités énergétiques des bouillies ont varié de 52,19 Kcal à 117 Kcal/100 ml de bouillie. Les bouillies contenant le soja et le malt de riz ou de mil ont présentés des densités énergétiques similaires mais supérieures à celles des autres bouillies. L’objectif de la recherche est de réduire la viscosité des bouillies de complément et d’améliorer leur densité énergétique en vue de lutter contre la malnutrition infantile.Mots clé : Riz, bouillies de complément, malt, viscosité, densité énergétiqu

Activités antimicrobiennes des huiles essentielles de Eucalyptus citriodora Hook et Eucalyptus houseana W.Fitzg. ex Maiden

Les huiles essentielles de Eucalyptus citriodora et Eucalyptus houseana récoltées à N’Débougou (Mali) ont été testées sur les bactéries Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus et le champignon Candida albicans. Nous avons utilisé la méthode de diffusion en Agar pour de la détermination des activités antibactériennes. La plus grande activité a été notée avec l’huile essentielle de Eucalyptus houseana sur Staphylococcus aureus. L’activité antifongique a été déterminée par chromatographie sur couche mince (CCM). Les deux huiles essentielles ont été actives sur Candida albicans.Mots clés: Antibactérienne, antifongique, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans

Analyse des impacts d’une pénétration accrue des réseaux Electriques par les Générateurs Photovoltaïques

Résumé : Ces dernières années, le tarissement des sources fossiles et les soucis économiques et environnementaux liés à leurs exploitations ont fait naitre chez les décideurs et les producteurs d’énergie électrique, un grand intérêt pour l’interconnexion des générateurs d’énergies renouvelables aux réseaux électriques, particulièrement le photovoltaïque (PV). Une mauvaise planification ou une mauvaise localisation, à grande échelle de ces sources d’énergies renouvelables, surtout intermittentes, peut pourtant affecter négativement les performances des réseaux auxquels elles sont destinées. Cet article analyse les impacts d’une injection à grande échelle des énergies PV sur la stabilité des réseaux électriques. Les résultats d’une connexion des PV au réseau IEEE (Institute of Electric and Electronique Engineering) de 9 Jeux De Barres (JDB) sont présentés et analysés pour démontrer ces possibles impacts négatifs des Productions PV sur les réseaux. Les résultats de l’analyse du régime permanent révèlent qu’une pénétration accrue des PV peut conduire à une modification des modules des tensions aux JDB, et à une modification, voir une inversion des transits de puissances sur les lignes. L’étude dynamique révèle qu’une grande pénétration PV conduit à une diminution du temps critique d’élimination des défauts et une perte de synchronisme.Mots clés : Réseaux électriques, Générateurs Photovoltaïques, Stabilité en régime permanent, Stabilité transitoire, injection à grande échelle.  Abstract: The rapid depletion of fossil-fuel resources on a world basis and the economic and environmental concerns over electrical energy derived from these sources, have made governments and utilities more interested in connecting renewable alternative sources, such as solar energy, to power systems. If not well sized or allocated, these energy sources will adversely affect the performances of power systems. This paper investigates the impacts of increased penetration of photovoltaic (PV) generation on static performance as well as transient stability of power systems. PV generation systems are added to the IEEE-9 bus test system to replace a portion of conventional generation resources. The obtained simulation results effectively identify the detrimental impacts of increased PV penetration for both steady state stability and transient stability performance.Keywords: Power systems, photovoltaic generators, steady state stability, transient stability, large scale injection

A robust Pax7EGFP mouse that enables the visualization of dynamic behaviors of muscle stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Pax7 is a transcription factor involved in the specification and maintenance of muscle stem cells (MuSCs). Upon injury, MuSCs leave their quiescent state, downregulate Pax7 and differentiate, contributing to skeletal muscle regeneration. In the majority of regeneration studies, MuSCs are isolated by fluorescence-activated sorting (FACS), based on cell surface markers. It is known that MuSCs are a heterogeneous population and only a small percentage of isolated cells are true stem cells that are able to self-renew. A strong Pax7 reporter line would be valuable to study the in vivo behavior of Pax7-expressing stem cells. METHODS: We generated and characterized the muscle properties of a new transgenic Pax7EGFP mouse. Utilizing traditional immunofluorescence assays, we analyzed whole embryos and muscle sections by fluorescence microscopy, in addition to whole skeletal muscles by 2-photon microscopy, to detect the specificity of EGFP expression. Skeletal muscles from Pax7EGFP mice were also evaluated in steady state and under injury conditions. Finally, MuSCs-derived from Pax7EGFP and control mice were sorted and analyzed by FACS and their myogenic activity was comparatively examined. RESULTS: Our studies provide a new Pax7 reporter line with robust EGFP expression, detectable by both flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Pax7EGFP-derived MuSCs have identical properties to that of wild-type MuSCs, both in vitro and in vivo, excluding any positional effect due to the transgene insertion. Furthermore, we demonstrated high specificity of EGFP to label MuSCs in a temporal manner that recapitulates the reported Pax7 expression pattern. Interestingly, immunofluorescence analysis showed that the robust expression of EGFP marks cells in the satellite cell position of adult muscles in fixed and live tissues. CONCLUSIONS: This mouse could be an invaluable tool for the study of a variety of questions related to MuSC biology, including but not limited to population heterogeneity, polarity, aging, regeneration, and motility, either by itself or in combination with mice harboring additional genetic alterations

Activités anticholinestérasiques des alcaloïdes totaux extraits des feuilles, fruits, écorces de racines et écorces de tronc de Guiera senegalensis, une plante médicinale Malienne

Guiera senegalensis J. F. Gmel., arbuste d’espèce soudano-sahélienne; surtout abondant en Afrique occidentale. Très connu dans le sahel où il forme des peuplements mono spécifiques qu’on trouve dans les jachères, sur sol argileux ou sableux. Il est largement utilisé en médicine traditionnelle. Dans la perspective de découvrir de nouveaux composés pouvant trouver une application notamment dans le traitement de la maladie d’Alzheimer, nous avons réalisé les tests d’activité anticholinestérase sur les alcaloïdes totaux extraits des organes des 3 sites de récolte et avec comme produit de référence la Galanthamine. L’action thérapeutique des inhibiteurs des cholinestérases est essentiellement due à l’inhibition de l’acétylcholinestérase. Les résultats obtenus semble très intéressent avec les fruits des trois sites. Ce qui pourrait être une base solide pour la recherche d’un phytomédicament contre cette affection.Mots clés : Guiera senegalensis, alcaloïdes, inhibition acétylcholinestérase

Assessing healthcare providers' knowledge and practices relating to insecticide-treated nets and the prevention of malaria in Ghana, Laos, Senegal and Tanzania

Abstract Background Research evidence is not always being disseminated to healthcare providers who need it to inform their clinical practice. This can result in the provision of ineffective services and an inefficient use of resources, the implications of which might be felt particularly acutely in low- and middle-income countries. Malaria prevention is a particularly compelling domain to study evidence/practice gaps given the proven efficacy, cost-effectiveness and disappointing utilization of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). Methods This study compares what is known about ITNs to the related knowledge and practices of healthcare providers in four low- and middle-income countries. A new questionnaire was developed, pilot tested, translated and administered to 497 healthcare providers in Ghana (140), Laos (136), Senegal (100) and Tanzania (121). Ten questions tested participants' knowledge and clinical practice related to malaria prevention. Additional questions addressed their individual characteristics, working context and research-related activities. Ordinal logistic regressions with knowledge and practices as the dependent variable were conducted in addition to descriptive statistics. Results The survey achieved a 75% response rate (372/497) across Ghana (107/140), Laos (136/136), Senegal (51/100) and Tanzania (78/121). Few participating healthcare providers correctly answered all five knowledge questions about ITNs (13%) or self-reported performing all five clinical practices according to established evidence (2%). Statistically significant factors associated with higher knowledge within each country included: 1) training in acquiring systematic reviews through the Cochrane Library (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.30-4.73); and 2) ability to read and write English well or very well (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.05-2.70). Statistically significant factors associated with better clinical practices within each country include: 1) reading scientific journals from their own country (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.10-2.54); 2) working with researchers to improve their clinical practice or quality of working life (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.04-1.98); 3) training on malaria prevention since their last degree (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.17-2.39); and 4) easy access to the internet (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.08-2.14). Conclusions Improving healthcare providers' knowledge and practices is an untapped opportunity for expanding ITN utilization and preventing malaria. This study points to several strategies that may help bridge the gap between what is known from research evidence and the knowledge and practices of healthcare providers. Training on acquiring systematic reviews and facilitating internet access may be particularly helpful

Post-Partum Pituitary Insufficiency and Livedo Reticularis Presenting a Diagnostic Challenge in a Resource Limited Setting in Tanzania: A Case Report, Clinical Discussion and Brief Review of Existing Literature.

Pituitary disorders following pregnancy are an important yet under reported clinical entity in the developing world. Conversely, post partum panhypopituitarism has a more devastating impact on women in such settings due to high fertility rates, poor obstetric care and scarcity of diagnostic and therapeutic resources available. A 37 year old African female presented ten years post partum with features of multiple endocrine deficiencies including hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, lactation failure and secondary amenorrhea. In addition she had clinical features of an underlying autoimmune condition. These included a history of post-partum thyroiditis, alopecia areata, livedo reticularis and deranged coagulation indices. A remarkable clinical response followed appropriate hormone replacement therapy including steroids. This constellation has never been reported before; we therefore present an interesting clinical discussion including a brief review of existing literature. Post partum pituitary insufficiency is an under-reported condition of immense clinical importance especially in the developing world. A high clinical index of suspicion is vital to ensure an early and correct diagnosis which will have a direct bearing on management and patient outcome

Effect of Ebola virus disease on maternal and child health services in Guinea: a retrospective observational cohort study

Background The 2014 west African epidemic of Ebola virus disease posed a major threat to the health systems of the countries affected. We sought to quantify the consequences of Ebola virus disease on maternal and child health services in the highly-affected Forest region of Guinea. Methods We did a retrospective, observational cohort study of women and children attending public health facilities for antenatal care, institutional delivery, and immunisation services in six of seven health districts in the Forest region (Beyla, Guéckédou, Kissidougou, Lola, Macenta, and N’Zérékoré). We examined monthly service use data for eight maternal and child health services indicators: antenatal care (≥1 antenatal care visit and ≥3 antenatal care visits), institutional delivery, and receipt of five infant vaccines: polio, pentavalent (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B virus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b), yellow fever, measles, and tuberculosis. We used interrupted time series models to estimate trends in each indicator across three time periods: pre-Ebola virus disease epidemic (January, 2013, to February, 2014), during-epidemic (March, 2014, to February, 2015) and postepidemic (March, 2015, to Feb, 2016). We used segmented ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression using Newey- West standard errors to accommodate for serial autocorrelation, and adjusted for any potential effect of birth seasonality on our outcomes. Findings In the months before the Ebola virus disease outbreak, all three maternal indicators showed a significantly positive change in trend, ranging from a monthly average increase of 61 (95% CI 38–84) institutional deliveries to 119 (95% CI 79–158) women achieving at least three antenatal care visits. These increasing trends were reversed during the epidemic: fewer institutional deliveries occurred (–240, 95% CI –293 to –187), and fewer women achieved at least one antenatal care visit (–418, 95% CI –535 to –300) or at least three antenatal care visits (–363, 95% CI –485 to –242) per month (p<0·0001 for all). Compared with the negative trend during the outbreak, the change in trend during the post-outbreak period showed that 173 more women per month (95% CI 51–294; p=0·0074) had at least one antenatal care visit, 257 more (95% CI 117–398; p=0·0010) had at least three antenatal care visits and 149 more (95% CI 91–206; p<0·0001) had institutional deliveries. However, although the numbers for these indicators increased in the post-epidemic period, the trends for all stagnated. Similarly, the increasing trend in child vaccination completion during the pre-epidemic period was followed by significant immediate and trend reductions across most vaccine types. Before the outbreak, the number of children younger than 12 months who had completed each vaccination ranged from 5752 (95% CI 2821–8682) for tuberculosis to 8043 (95% CI 7621–8464) for yellow fever. Immediately after the outbreak, significant reductions occurred in the level of all vaccinations except for yellow fever for which the reduction was marginal. The greatest reductions were noted for polio and tuberculosis at –3594 (95% CI –4811 to –2377; p<0·0001) and –3048 (95% CI –5879 to –216; p=0·0362) fewer vaccines administered, respectively. Compared with pre-Ebola virus disease outbreak trends, significant decreases occurred for all vaccines except polio, with the trend of monthly decreases in the number of children vaccinated ranging from –419 (95% CI –683 to –155; p=0·0034) fewer for BCG to –313 (95% CI–446 to –179; p<0·0001) fewer for pentavalent during the outbreak. In the post-Ebola virus disease outbreak period, vaccination coverage for polio, measles, and yellow fever continued to decrease, whereas the trend in coverage for tuberculosis and pentavalent did not significantly differ from zero. Interpretation Most maternal and child health indicators significantly declined during the Ebola virus disease outbreak in 2014. Despite a reduction in this negative trend in the post-outbreak period, the use of essential maternal and child health services have not recovered to their pre-outbreak levels, nor are they all on a course that suggests that they will recover without targeted interventions