Potential use of clay from Burkina Faso as filler in rubber production

raw clay materials deposit in Burkina Faso have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis to evaluate their potentialities to be used in rubber compounds production as filler. The samples are composed principally by aolinite, illite and quartz. The rubber compounds have been done in open two-roll mill at room temperature and tested for cure characteristic (ts5, tc90), ineralogical composition by XRD, microstructure by SEM and mechanical properties (Elongation at break, Tear strength, tensile strength, hardness shore A and modulus). The cure characteristics of the rubber compounds formulated with the sample are feeble than those made with commercial kaolin (control). The mechanical properties are in general, except the longation at break, for the sample lowest than those of control. However the different values obtained with the sample are not far to those obtained with commercial kaolin. The different samples can then be used as filler in rubber production after a pre-treatment to reduce the impurities.Keywords: Raw clay materials, rubber, rheology

Dynamique du couvert végétal à la périphérie du Parc W du Burkina Faso

L’objectif de cette étude est d’analyser la dynamique du couvert végétal du Parc W du Burkina Faso et sa périphérie à travers les images Landsat et NDVI. Les données utilisées sont des images Landsat de 1984, 1999 et 2015 de résolution 30 mètres et une série temporelle d’images MODIS NDVI-250 mètres de la période 2001-2015. Des données de références collectées à l’aide d’un GPS et des connaissances locales ont permis une classification supervisée des images Landsat à l’aide de l’algorithme de maximum de vraisemblance. Le test de Mann-Kendall a été appliqué à la série d’images NDVI pour évaluer la tendance évolutive de la végétation.Les résultats montrent que dans la zone hors parc, le couvert végétal a connu une nette régression. Cette régression s’est faite au profit des champs dont les superficies ont plus que doublé, passant de 20,2 % à 46,4 % entre 1984 et 2015. Ainsi, 88,1 %, 48,3 % et 52,2 % des superficies respectives de Botou, Diapaga et Tansarga sont affectées par la dégradation du couvert végétal. Selon le test de Mann-Kendal, 16,82 % de la zone d’étude ont une tendance négative significative de la végétation. Cette tendance est principalement localisée dans les zones à emprise agropastorale, puisque 7,88 % de ces superficies sont localisées dans des champs.The objective of this study is to analyse the dynamics of the vegetation cover of Burkina Faso’s W Park and its periphery through Landsat and NDVI images. The data used are Landsat images from 1984, 1999 and 2015 with a resolution of 30 meters and a time series of MODIS NDVI-250 meters images from the period 2001-2015. Reference data collected using GPS and local knowledge allowed a supervised classification of the Landsat images with the maximum likelihood algorithm. The Mann-Kendall test was applied to the NDVI time series to assess the vegetation trend.The results showed that in the area outside the park, the vegetation cover has clearly regressed. This regression was in favour of croplands whose area has more than doubled from 20.2% to 46.4% between 1984 and 2015. Thus, vegetation cover declined in 88.1%, 48.3% and 52.2% of the areas of Botou, Diapaga and Tansarga respectively. According to the Mann-Kendal test, 16.82% of the study area has a significant negative vegetation trend. This trend is mainly localized in the agropastoral zones, since 7.88% of these areas are located in fields

Faecal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy volunteers and hospitalized patients in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: prevalence, resistance profile, and associated risk factors

Background: Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) are a serious challenge to patients’ treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of ESBL-PE, investigate the associated resistance, and analyze the associated risk factors for acquisition of ESBL-PE.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on healthy volunteers and inpatients. After obtaining informed consent, rectal swabs were collected from each participant for isolation of Enterobacteriaceae on Hektoen enteric agar containing 4µg/L cefotaxime. The Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified using biochemical tests and ESBL production was confirmed by the double-disc synergy test of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Antibiotic susceptibility test of each isolate was done by the disc diffusion method and interpreted using the recommendations of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) clinical  breakpoints version 5.0.Results: During the study period, prevalence of faecal ESBL-PE among the study participants was 54.5% (103/189); 53.5% among healthy volunteers and 55.7% among inpatients (p=0.87). The major ESBL-PE isolates was Escherichia coli (71%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%). The isolates in hospitalized patients were resistant to norfloxacin (84.2%), cotrimoxazole (89.5%), and gentamicin (7.0%). The isolates from healthy volunteers were resistant to norfloxacin (86.2%), cotrimoxazole (82.8%), and gentamicin (1.7%).Gender, age, and previous antibiotic use were not significantly associated with carriage of ESBL-PE (p=0.51).Conclusion: The high prevalence of ESBL-PE in this study is worrying. There is an urgent need to develop measures to monitor and limit the spread of these multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare facilities and the community in Burkina Faso. Keywords: faecal carriage, ESBL-PE, healthy volunteers, inpatients, Burkina Fas

Prevalence and correlates of partner violence among adolescent girls and young women: Evidence from baseline data of a cluster randomised trial in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Little has been documented about partner violence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who are out of school, a factor associated with HIV acquisition. To understand areas for prioritising HIV prevention intervention efforts, we explored the prevalence and correlates of partner violence among out of school AGYW in Shinyanga, Tanzania. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of data from AGYW aged 15-23 years recruited in a cluster randomised trial conducted between October and December 2017 was used to examine correlates of partner violence. Data were collected through an Audio Computer-Assisted Self-interview. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association. RESULTS: 2276 (75.5%) AGYW were sexually active. Of these, 816 (35.9%) reported having experienced violence from partners in the last six months. After adjusting for other covariates, being formerly married (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI:1.02, 2.37), having children (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI:1.47, 2.16), anxiety and depression symptoms (AOR = 3.27, 95%CI: 2.15, 4.96), having engaged in sex work in the past six months (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.53) and economic deprivation (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.34,1.92) were significantly associated with partner violence. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one in three sexually active AGYW had experienced partner violence in the 6 months preceding the survey. The findings underscore the need for future research to focus on understanding the reasons and dynamics underlying high level of partner violence among AGYW. Furthermore, there is a need for implementing intervention programs that aim to reduce economic deprivation among AGYWs and address social norms and structures perpetuating violence against AGYW. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov-ID NCT03597243

Women's Experience of Facility-Based Childbirth Care and Receipt of an Early Postnatal Check for Herself and Her Newborn in Northwestern Tanzania

Negative experiences of care may act as a deterrent to current and/or future utilization of facility-based health services. To examine the situation in Tanzania, we conducted a sub-analysis of a cross-sectional household survey conducted in April 2016 in the Mara and Kagera regions of Tanzania. The sample included 732 women aged 15-49 years who had given birth in a health facility during the previous two years. Log binomial regression models were used to investigate the association between women's experiences of care during childbirth and the receipt of early postnatal checks before discharge. Overall, 73.1% of women reported disrespect and abuse, 60.1% were offered a birth companion, 29.1% had a choice of birth position, and 85.5% rated facility cleanliness as good. About half of mothers (46.3%) and newborns (51.4%) received early postnatal checks before discharge. Early postnatal checks for both mothers and newborns were associated with no disrespect and abuse (RR: 1.23 and 1.14, respectively) and facility cleanliness (RR: 1.29 and 1.54, respectively). Early postnatal checks for mothers were also associated with choice of birth position (RR: 1.18). The results suggest that a missed opportunity in providing an early postnatal check is an indication of poor quality of the continuum of care for mothers and newborns. Improved quality of care at one stage can predict better care in subsequent stages

The vulnerabilities of agricultural land and food production to future water scarcity

Rapidly increasing populations coupled with increased food demand requires either an expansion of agriculturalland or sufficient production gains from current resources. However, in a changing world, reduced wateravailability might undermine improvements in crop and grass productivity and may disproportionately affectdifferent parts of the world. Using multi-model studies, the potential trends, risks and uncertainties to land useand land availability that may arise from reductions in water availability are examined here. In addition, theimpacts of different policy interventions on pressures from emerging risks are examined.Results indicate that globally, approximately 11% and 10% of current crop- and grass-lands could be vul-nerable to reduction in water availability and may lose some productive capacity, with Africa and the MiddleEast, China, Europe and Asia particularly at risk. While uncertainties remain, reduction in agricultural land areaassociated with dietary changes (reduction of food waste and decreased meat consumption) offers the greatestbuffer against land loss and food insecurity

Evidence for the Contribution of the Hemozoin Synthesis Pathway of the Murine Plasmodium yoelii to the Resistance to Artemisinin-Related Drugs

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a major global health problem, causing approximately 780,000 deaths each year. In response to the spreading of P. falciparum drug resistance, WHO recommended in 2001 to use artemisinin derivatives in combination with a partner drug (called ACT) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, and most malaria-endemic countries have since changed their treatment policies accordingly. Currently, ACT are often the last treatments that can effectively and rapidly cure P. falciparum infections permitting to significantly decrease the mortality and the morbidity due to malaria. However, alarming signs of emerging resistance to artemisinin derivatives along the Thai-Cambodian border are of major concern. Through long-term in vivo pressures, we have been able to select a murine malaria model resistant to artemisinins. We demonstrated that the resistance of Plasmodium to artemisinin-based compounds depends on alterations of heme metabolism and on a loss of hemozoin formation linked to the down-expression of the recently identified Heme Detoxification Protein (HDP). These artemisinins resistant strains could be able to detoxify the free heme by an alternative catabolism pathway involving glutathione (GSH)-mediation. Finally, we confirmed that artemisinins act also like quinolines against Plasmodium via hemozoin production inhibition. The work proposed here described the mechanism of action of this class of molecules and the resistance to artemisinins of this model. These results should help both to reinforce the artemisinins activity and avoid emergence and spread of endoperoxides resistance by focusing in adequate drug partners design. Such considerations appear crucial in the current context of early artemisinin resistance in Asia

The efficacy and safety of a new fixed-dose combination of amodiaquine and artesunate in young African children with acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Artesunate (AS) plus amodiaquine (AQ) is one artemisinin-based combination (ACT) recommended by the WHO for treating <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria. Fixed-dose AS/AQ is new, but its safety and efficacy are hitherto untested.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A randomized, open-label trial was conducted comparing the efficacy (non-inferiority design) and safety of fixed (F) dose AS (25 mg)/AQ (67.5 mg) to loose (L) AS (50 mg) + AQ (153 mg) in 750, <it>P</it>. <it>falciparum</it>-infected children from Burkina Faso aged 6 months to 5 years. Dosing was by age. Primary efficacy endpoint was Day (D) 28, PCR-corrected, parasitological cure rate. Recipients of rescue treatment were counted as failures and new infections as cured. Documented, common toxicity criteria (CTC) graded adverse events (AEs) defined safety.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Recruited and evaluable children numbered 750 (375/arm) and 682 (90.9%), respectively. There were 8 (AS/AQ) and 6 (AS+AQ) early treatment failures and one D7 failure (AS+AQ). Sixteen (AS/AQ) and 12 (AS+AQ) patients had recurrent parasitaemia (PCR new infections 10 and 6, respectively). Fourteen patients per arm required rescue treatment for vomiting/spitting out study drugs. Efficacy rates were 92.1% in both arms: AS/AQ = 315/342 (95% CI: 88.7–94.7) vs. AS+AQ = 313/340 (95% CI: 88.6–94.7). Non-inferiority was demonstrated at two-sided α = 0.05: Δ (AS+AQ – AS/AQ) = 0.0% (95% CI: -4.1% to 4.0%). D28, Kaplan Meier PCR-corrected cure rates (all randomized children) were similar: 93.7% (AS/AQ) vs. 93.2% (AS+AQ) Δ = -0.5 (95% CI -4.2 to 3.0%). By D2, both arms had rapid parasite (F & L, 97.8% aparasitaemic) and fever (97.2% [F], 96.0% [L] afebrile) clearances.</p> <p>Both treatments were well tolerated. Drug-induced vomiting numbered 8/375 (2.1%) and 6/375 (1.6%) in the fixed and loose arms, respectively (<it>p </it>= 0.59). One patient developed asymptomatic, CTC grade 4 hepatitis (AST 1052, ALT 936). Technical difficulties precluded the assessment and risk of neutropaenia for all patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fixed dose AS/AQ was efficacious and well tolerated. These data support the use of this new fixed dose combination for treating <it>P. falciparum </it>malaria with continued safety monitoring.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN07576538</p

Implementing facility-based kangaroo mother care services : lessons from a multi-country study in Africa

BACKGROUND : Some countries have undertaken programs that included scaling up kangaroo mother care. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the implementation status of facility-based kangaroo mother care services in four African countries: Malawi, Mali, Rwanda and Uganda. METHODS : A cross-sectional, mixed-method research design was used. Stakeholders provided background information at national meetings and in individual interviews. Facilities were assessed by means of a standardized tool previously applied in other settings, employing semi-structured key-informant interviews and observations in 39 health care facilities in the four countries. Each facility received a score out of a total of 30 according to six stages of implementation progress. RESULTS : Across the four countries 95 per cent of health facilities assessed demonstrated some evidence of kangaroo mother care practice. Institutions that fared better had a longer history of kangaroo mother care implementation or had been developed as centres of excellence or had strong leaders championing the implementation process. Variation existed in the quality of implementation between facilities and across countries. Important factors identified in implementation are: training and orientation; supportive supervision; integrating kangaroo mother care into quality improvement; continuity of care; high-level buy in and support for kangaroo mother care implementation; and client-oriented care. CONCLUSION : The integration of kangaroo mother care into routine newborn care services should be part of all maternal and newborn care initiatives and packages. Engaging ministries of health and other implementing partners from the outset may promote buy in and assist with the mobilization of resources for scaling up kangaroo mother care services. Mechanisms for monitoring these services should be integrated into existing health management information systems.http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmchealthservreshb201