Capacity Development of National Reference Centers (NRC) to Face the Challenges of Emerging Infections in Côte d’Ivoire

Background: Some national and international strategies for the detection and prevention of emerging infectious diseases have been established across sectors. The capacity to carry out these tasks varies from country to country, and that remains largely undervalued. The Pasteur Institute of C?te d’Ivoire has created and implemented the capacity of national reference centers to fight against emerging and other infectious diseases. Objective: Show on the one hand the strategies used to develop the National Reference Centers and the IPCI and on the other hand the results obtained by performing these strategies. Method: Datas collection by documentary analysis (published scientific articles and grey literature) was done on Google Scholar, PUBMED and institutional reference documents. The documentary research was carried out to have a better understanding of strategies used to create and develop the NRCs in microbiology of communicable diseases. Results: Seven integrated strategies were launched: 1-training and workforce development;2-investigation of epidemics or public health events;3-strengthening laboratory epidemiological research;4-strengthening surveillance systems;5-improving communication with partners and stakeholders;6-building national and international collaborations;and 7-strengthening technical and technological platforms. In two decades, the number of researchers has risen from 10 in 2004 to ninety (90) in 2021, with 12 senior researchers and 32 junior researchers. A number of health service staff had attended a qualifying training course, 27 investigations into outbreaks and other public health events had been carried out, 18 short-term research projects had been launched, major surveillance programs and epidemiological research efforts on vector-borne, food-borne and nosocomial infections had begun, and several scientific manuscripts had been published or were edited in the writting press. Conclusion: The Ivorian experience shows that, with concerted effort, considerable progress can be made in the development and implementation of an infectious disease control program.

Comparison among Cornelian Cherry and <i>Prunus cerasus</i>According to Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity by Three Various Methods of Extraction

Cornelian cherry and Prunus cerasus with red pigments possess precious source of flavonoids and phenolic acids which have various applications in treatment of various health problems. This study is conducted to compare different methods of extraction (shaking incubator, soxhelet, ultrasonic) were applied in order to identify the best method which shows the highest rate of antioxidant capacity by DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods and total phenolic compounds via Folin-Ciocalteu procedure, p-coumaric acid content of fruits were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a result, cornelian cherry with 1313.13 mg/Kg average TPC score exhibits higher total phenolic content than Prunus cerasus with 1270 mg/Kg. It’s notice worthy that there was a slight difference among antioxidant activity in two fruits. Consequently, DPPH revealed nearly stronger antioxidant activity for Prunus cerasus while cornelian cherry had a little more potent antioxidant activity according to FRAP Test. p-coumaric acid content was almost twice in Prunus cerasus (10.8 mg/ml) than cornelian cherry (5.6 mg/ml). In addition, both shaking incubator and ultrasonic extraction procedures were more efficient than soxhelet in two fruits.

High Frequency Sporophytes Regeneration from the Spore Culture of the Endangered Aquatic Fern <i>Isoetes coreana</i>

Using a mixed culture of megaspores and microspores from I. coreana, we established high frequency sporophyte regeneration system. After 20 days of culturing in MS basal medium, microscopic examination showed significant morphological changes and the microspore released numerous small vesicles into the culture medium. Megaspores also showed dramatic morphological changes during its incubation time in culture. The spore wall was cracked by the expansion of the megaspore (about 2 times increase in diameter). Simultaneously, brown spots were observed on the surface of the megaspores. The frequency of female gametophytes developing from immature megaspores cultured in MS basal liquid medium (pH 7) supplemented with 1 mgl-1 GA3 was 46%. However, these female gametophytes derived from megaspore only culture could not differentiate into sporophytes. The mixed culture of microspores and megaspores resulted in successful sporophyte regeneration. The highest frequency (12.3%) of green sporophyte regeneration from mixed spore culture occurred when the cultures were maintained at 25℃ under cool-white fluorescent light (40 μmol·m-2·s-1) with a 16 h photoperiod. Regenerated sporophytes were transferred to a test tube containing vermiculite and a sand mixture and left there until they had three leaves. After root growth and the fifth leaf had emerged, more than 95% of the regenerated sporophytes were successfully transferred to the soil and grown to mature plants. The sporophyte regeneration system established in this study could be successfully used for the restoration of the endangered aquatic species, I. coreana.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Frequent Recombinant Region in Micropeptin Biosynthetic Gene Cluster among the Genus Microcystis

The gene cluster for the biosynthetic of a nonribosomal peptide, cyanopeptolins and micropeptin (MCN), was identified in Microcystis strains and halogenated MCN-producing Microcystis were found to possess the halogenase gene, mcnD, between nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes, mcnC and mcnE. A comparative sequence analysis of the mcn gene cluster between halogenated and non-halogenated MCN-producing strains revealed mosaic sequence traces from mcnD in the non-coding region between mcnC and mcnE in the latter strains. A phylogenetic analysis based on a 170-bp non-coding region including the mcnD traces suggests that the recombination events occurred in a particular region of the Microcystis’ mcn gene. This study provides novel insight into the ecological patterning of widespread Microcystis species.

Optimization of Technical Parameters for Detecting Mycobacteria in Hospital Wastewater in Tropical Urban Areas: The Case of the City of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

The loads of organic matter, microorganisms, detergents and antibiotics in liquid hospital effluents make them complex environments, raising numerous health and ecological questions. Investigations of mycobacteria in water lack adequate techniques. This study is the first part of a pilot project aimed at developing an optimized protocol for the isolation of mycobacteria from hospital effluents, as a prelude to more in-depth investigation in this matrix. The aim was to compare the performance of two decontamination methods, three culture media and two incubation temperatures generally proposed in the literature, in order to identify the most effective methods in each case, as well as possible areas for improvement in the isolation of these germs from this environmental matrix. The results show that liquid hospital effluent can be decontaminated using both the NaOH method (4%;for 30 min.) and the CPC method (0.05%;for 30 min.), with the same mycobacteria recovery efficiency. Despite the low concentration, decontamination with CPC killed more mycobacteria and sufficiently eliminated contaminating germs. In contrast, decontamination with NaOH was less harmful to mycobacteria, but did not remove many contaminating germs. On the other hand, LJG medium performed better than LJGF medium and LJGP medium for the growth of mycobacteria in hospital waters. Finally, there was no difference in performance between the two incubation temperatures of 30℃ and 37℃. The results of this study show that further evaluation of existing protocols is required in order to optimize methods for the pre-treatment of hospital effluent for the isolation of mycobacteria.

Molecular identification of some wild medicinal macrofungi from Northern Iran

In last decades,macrofungi have attracted increasing attention because of their valuable nutritional and medicinal properties.In this study,a total of 180 macrofungal samples were collected from forests in Mazandaran province,Iran.The dominant orders were Polyporales(51%)and Agaricales(35%).Pure mycelial cultures were successfully obtained from 91 collected samples.Regarding morphological data,47 isolates were selected for molecular identification based on internal transcribed spacer region(ITS)sequence analysis.The results showed that the 38 macrofungal isolates were belonging to 22 species,19 genera,10 families and 5 orders.Most of the macrofungi(47%)were identified as Trametes species and Ganoderma species.Three isolates identified as Hohenbuehelia species,Polyporellus brumalis and Ceriporia lacerata were records as a new to the Iran fungal flora.This study increases the knowledge on Iranian macrofungal diversity and facilitates future genetic and biotechnological investigations on these macrofungi.

The potent osteo-inductive capacity of bioinspired brown seaweed-derived carbohydrate nanofibrous three-dimensional scaffolds

This study aimed to investigate the osteo-inductive capacity of a fucoidan polysaccharide network derived from brown algae on human adipose-derived stem cells(HA-MSCs)for bone regeneration.The physiochemical properties of the scaffold including surface morphology,surface chemistry,hydrophilicity,mechanical stiffness,and porosity were thoroughly characterized.Both in vitro and in vivo measurements implied a superior cell viability,proliferation,adhesion,and osteo-inductive performance of obtained scaffolds compared to using specific osteogenic induction medium with increased irregular growth of calcium crystallites,which mimic the structure of natural bones.That scaffold was highly biocompatible and suitable for cell cultures.Various examinations,such as quantification of mineralization,alkaline phosphatase,gene expression,and immunocytochemical staining of pre-osteocyte and bone markers confirmed that HAD-MSCs differentiate into osteoblasts,even without an osteogenic induction medium.This study provides evidence for the positive relationship and synergistic effects between the physical properties of the decellularized seaweed scaffold and the chemical composition of fucoidan in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of HA-MSCs.Altogether,the natural matrices derived from brown seaweed offers a sustainable,cost-effective,non-toxic bioinspired scaffold and holds promise for future clinical applications in orthopedics.

SIZ1-Mediated SUMOylation of TPR1 Suppresses Plant Immunity in Arabidopsis

Plant immune responses are tightly regulated to ensure their appropriate deployment. Overexpression of TOPLESS-RELATED 1 (TPR1), a SUPPRESSOR OF npr1-1, CONSTITUTIVE 1 (SNC1)-interacting protein, results in autoimmunity that reduces plant growth and development. However, how TPR1 activity is regulated remains unknown. Loss of function of SIZ1, a (SUMO) E3 ligase, induces an autoimmune response, partially due to elevated SNC1 levels. Here we show that SNC1 expression is upregulated in Arabidopsis thaliana siz1-2 due to positive-feedback regulation by salicylic acid. SIZ1 physically interacts with TPR1 and facilitates its SUMO modification. The K282 and K721 residues in TPR1 serve as critical SUMO attachment sites. Simultaneous introduction of K282R and K721R substitutions in TPR1 blocked its SUMOylation, enhaneed its transcriptional co-repressor activity, and increased its association with HISTONE DEACETYLASE 19 (HDA19), suggesting that SUMOylation of TPR1 represses its transcriptional co-repressor activity and inhibits its interaction with HDA19. In agreement with this finding, the simultaneous introduction of K282R and K721R substitutions enhanced TPR1 mediated immunity, and the tpr1 mutation partially suppressed autoimmunity in siz1-2. These results demonstrate that SIZ1-mediated SUMOylation of TPR1 represses plant immunity, which at least partly contributes to the suppression of autoimmunity under nonpathogenic conditions to ensure proper plant development.

Animal genes identification and mTOR signaling reactivation in autophagy

Autophagy(self-eating)is a self-degradation process essential for survival,differentiation,development,and homeostasis.Conceiving that a process of cellular self-eating could be beneficial may appear bewildering.In its simplest form,however,autophagy is probably a single cell’s adjustment to starvation;the cell is forced to break down part of its own reserves to keep alive until circumstances improve(Mizushima and Klionsky,2007).Based on its mechanism,physiological function,and cargo specificity,autophagy can be classified into at least three forms,chaperone-mediated autophagy,microautophagy,and macroautophagy(Klionsky,2005),among which macroautophagy is the best characterized.Autophagy was discovered in mammalian cells and has been extensively investigated in yeast(Huang and Klionsky,2002).Original studies in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae identified a group of autophagy(ATG)genes that are required for survival during starvation(Klionsky et al.,2003).Accumulating evidence indicates that many ATG genes are functionally conserved from yeast to mammals;nevertheless,autophagy is more complicated in multicellular organisms and probably requires factors that are absent in yeast.Until now,little is known about the mechanism of autophagy specific to mammals.In a groundbreaking investigation,Tian et al.(2010)discovered four novel genes particularly required for autophagy in multicellular organisms,and established Caenorhabditis elegans as one of the premier genetic models for uncovering new autophagy genes.The authors also isolated numerous new mutations in genes homologous to yeast autophagy genes,which confirmed the results of the study.These new mutations not only provide a valuable resource for inquiring the structure and function of autophagy proteins,but also set up C.elegans as a preeminent system for investigating the role and regulation of autophagy in multicellular organisms.

Variation of blubber thickness of the Yangtze finless porpoise(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis)in human care:Adaptation to environmental temperature

Blubber thickness(BT)has a seasonal pattern in most small cetaceans in temperate and polar regions,which may be a crucial adaptive mechanism in response to environmental temperature changes.However,BT and environmental temperature correlations have never been tested experimentally in any cetacean species owing to logistical difficulties in the aquatic environment.The Yangtze finless porpoise(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis,YFP)is one of the smallest cetacean species worldwide,which exclusively inhabits the middle and lower regions of the Yangtze River in China.Here,we investigated BT variation patterns in YFPs and their relationship to environmental temperature changes using ultrasound imaging technology by longitudinally monitoring four YFPs in human care.We found that blubber was not evenly distributed in the skin of YFPs.BT increased along the craniocaudal axis from the head to the umbilical girth,and decreased towards the fluke,with relatively thicker blubber in the dorsal region than in the ventral and lateral regions.Significant negative correlations between BT and seasonal water temperature changes were observed in YFPs.However,different body regions display different sensitivities to seasonal temperature changes.The BT in the anal girth region exhibited noticeable seasonal changes.In contrast,the umbilical lateral and ventral regions showed relatively blunt seasonal changes,indicating different adaptive functions of the blubber in different regions.BT in the dorsal region decreased linearly with increasing water temperature.In the lateral and ventral regions,BT significantly changed with water temperature at a threshold of 18C.The YFPs had relatively thinner BT than similar-sized harbor porpoises that inhabit relatively high latitudes with much lower water temperatures.This further demonstrates the adaptive function of BT in response to environmental temperatures in small cetaceans.This study elucidates the seasonal pattern of BT variation in small cetaceans and provides insight into adaptation mechanisms of small cetaceans to temperature changes.

Protist 10,000 Genomes Project

Protists are a highly diverse group of microscopic eukaryotic organisms that are not fungi,animals,or plants.Protistswere some of the microbes first visualized and described by Anton van Leeuwenhoek using themicroscope in the seventeenth century.After that,the description and cataloging of these diverse microbial eukaryotes was pursued by microbiologists throughout the following centuries.1 So far,more than 60,000 protist species have been recorded in the NCBI taxonomy system,but many have yet to be identified.Protists have long been considered important models in fundamental biological studies,such as cell biology,genetics,ecology and evolution toxicology,and applied fields,including biofuels,nutritional supplements and aquaculture feed production,environmental monitoring and pollution treatment,protozoan parasitic disease treatment and prevention,as well as agriculture.

Adenosine monophosphate enhances callus regeneration competence for de novo plant organogenesis

Dear Editor,Plant tissue culture involves callus formation and de novo shoot regeneration.First,explants from differentiated tissues are used to generate a pluripotent cell mass,called callus,on auxin-rich callus-inducing medium(CIM),followed by shoot regeneration on cytokinin-rich shoot-inducing medium(SiM).Callus results from division of pericycle-like cells(Atta et al.,2009;Sugimoto et al.,2010);its cellular identity resembles that of lateral root primordia(Atta et al.,2009;Sugimoto et al.,2010).Callus acquires cellular pluripotency by forming root stem cell niches on CIM(Sugimoto et al.,2010)。

Taxonomy and phylogeny of dematiaceous coelomycetes

t Coelomycetous fungi are an artificial taxonomic group which produce conidia inside a cavity i.e.conidiomata.Coelomycetes comprise about,1000 genera and 7000 species,which can be endophytic,pathogenic or saprobic.Traditional classification of coelomycetes was previously based on morphology,such as the shape of conidiomata and mode of conidiogenesis,while it was treated as a distinct group i.e.Deuteromycotina.Sequence based taxonomic studies has been used to accommodate asexual fungi in a natural classification system,resolve generic boundaries of polyphyletic genera and species complexes,as well as establish asexual-sexual links.Nevertheless,most of genera lack sequence data,thus,morphology based identification is still important when introducing new genera or species.In this paper we illustrate,describe,and provide taxonomic notes for 235 dematiaceous coelomycetous genera,including five new genera viz.Apiculospora,Didymellocamarosporium,Melanocamarosporium,Melnikia and Paulkirkia.Phylogenetic analyses of combined sequence data are provided to show placements of dematiaceous coelomycetes in Dothideomycetes,Leotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes.One-hundred and fifty-two(65%)of genera have sequence data,thus,their taxonomic placement in a natural classification system,is listed as an outline.However,83 genera still lack sequence data,hence,they are treated as Ascomycota,genera incertae sedis.In addition,separate analyses are provided where better taxonomic resolution is needed.

Record of a juvenile Omura's whale live stranded in Hainan Island:Evidence of a potential breeding ground in the South China Sea?

On January 12,2011,a very young juvenile Bryde's-like baleen whale was found stranded alive on the east coast of Hainan Island,in the South China Sea.Unfortunately,it died the next morning.This baleen whale showed some unique external morphology and skull features of the Omura's whale(Balaenoptera omurai).Subsequently,it was genetically identified as an Omura's whale using two different mitochondrial DNA markers.This study documents the first confirmed live stranding of a juvenile Omura's whale on Hainan Island,China.Our findings expand the known distribution range of this species in Chinese waters and may indicate that waters around Hainan Island in the South China Sea could be a potential breeding ground for the Omura's whale.

Fungal diversity notes 367-490:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal taxa

This is a continuity of a series of taxonomic papers where materials are examined,described and novel combinations are proposed where necessary to improve our traditional species concepts and provide updates on their classification.In addition to extensive morphological descriptions and appropriate asexual and sexual connections,DNA sequence data are also analysed from concatenated datasets(rDNA,TEF-a,RBP2 and b-Tubulin)to infer phylogenetic relationships and substantiate systematic position of taxa within appropriate ranks.Wherever new species or combinations are being proposed,we apply an integrative approach(morphological and molecular data as well as ecological features wherever applicable).Notes on 125 fungal taxa are compiled in this paper,including eight new genera,101 new species,two new combinations,one neotype,four reference specimens,new host or distribution records for eight species and one alternative morphs.The new genera introduced in this paper are Alloarthopyrenia,Arundellina,Camarosporioides,Neomassaria,Neomassarina,Neotruncatella,Paracapsulospora and Pseudophaeosphaeria.The new species are Alfaria spartii,Alloarthopyrenia italica,Anthostomella ravenna,An.thailandica,Arthrinium paraphaeospermum,Arundellina typhae,Aspergillus koreanus,Asterina cynometrae,Bertiella ellipsoidea,Blastophorum aquaticum,Cainia globosa,Camarosporioides phragmitis,Ceramothyrium menglunense,Chaetosphaeronema achilleae,Chlamydotubeufia helicospora,Ciliochorella phanericola,Clavulinopsis aurantiaca,Colletotrichum insertae,Comoclathris italica,Coronophora myricoides,Cortinarius fulvescentoideus,Co.nymphatus,Co.pseudobulliardioides,Co.tenuifulvescens,Cunninghamella gigacellularis,Cyathus pyristriatus,Cytospora cotini,Dematiopleospora alliariae,De.cirsii,Diaporthe aseana,Di.garethjonesii,Distoseptispora multiseptata,Dis.tectonae,Dis.tectonigena,Dothiora buxi,Emericellopsis persica,Gloniopsis calami,Helicoma guttulatum,Helvella floriforma,H.oblongispora,Hermatomyces subiculosa,Juncaceicola italica,Lactarius dirkii,Lentithecium unicellulare,Le.voraginesporum,Leptosphaeria cirsii,Leptosphaeria irregularis,Leptospora galii,Le.thailandica,Lindgomyces pseudomadisonensis,Lophiotrema bambusae,Lo.fallopiae,Meliola citri-maximae,Minimelanolocus submersus,Montagnula cirsii,Mortierella fluviae,Muriphaeosphaeria ambrosiae,Neodidymelliopsis ranunculi,Neomassaria fabacearum,Neomassarina thailandica,Neomicrosphaeropsis cytisi,Neo.cytisinus,Neo.minima,Neopestalotiopsis cocoe¨s,Neopestalotiopsis musae,Neoroussoella lenispora,Neotorula submersa,Neotruncatella endophytica,Nodulosphaeria italica,Occultibambusa aquatica,Oc.chiangraiensis,Ophiocordyceps hemisphaerica,Op.lacrimoidis,Paracapsulospora metroxyli,Pestalotiopsis sequoiae,Peziza fruticosa,Pleurotrema thailandica,Poaceicola arundinis,Polyporus mangshanensis,Pseudocoleophoma typhicola,Pseudodictyosporium thailandica,Pseudophaeosphaeria rubi,Purpureocillium sodanum,Ramariopsis atlantica,Rhodocybe griseoaurantia,Rh.indica,Rh.luteobrunnea,Russula indoalba,Ru.pseudoamoenicolor,Sporidesmium aquaticivaginatum,Sp.olivaceoconidium,Sp.pyriformatum,Stagonospora forlicesenensis,Stagonosporopsis centaureae,Terriera thailandica,Tremateia arundicola,Tr.guiyangensis,Trichomerium bambusae,Tubeufia hyalospora,Tu.roseohelicospora and Wojnowicia italica.New combinations are given for Hermatomyces mirum and Pallidocercospora thailandica.A neotype is proposed for Cortinarius fulvescens.Reference specimens are given for Aquaphila albicans,Leptospora rubella,Platychora ulmi and Meliola pseudosasae,while new host or distribution records are provided for Diaporthe eres,Di.siamensis,Di.foeniculina,Dothiorella iranica,Do.sarmentorum,Do.vidmadera,Helvella tinta and Vaginatispora fuckelii,with full taxonomic details.An asexual state is also reported for the first time in Neoacanthostigma septoconstrictum.This paper contributes to a more comprehensive update and improved identification of many ascomycetes and basiodiomycetes.

Notes for genera:Ascomycota

Knowledge of the relationships and thus the classification of fungi,has developed rapidly with increasingly widespread use of molecular techniques,over the past 10–15 years,and continues to accelerate.Several genera have been found to be polyphyletic,and their generic concepts have subsequently been emended.New names have thus been introduced for species which are phylogenetically distinct from the type species of particular genera.The ending of the separate naming of morphs of the same species in 2011,has also caused changes in fungal generic names.In order to facilitate access to all important changes,it was desirable to compile these in a single document.The present article provides a list of generic names of Ascomycota(approximately 6500 accepted names published to the end of 2016),including those which are lichen-forming.Notes and summaries of the changes since the last edition of‘Ainsworth&Bisby’s Dictionary of the Fungi’in 2008 are provided.The notes include the number of accepted species,classification,type species(with location of the type material),culture availability,life-styles,distribution,and selected publications that have appeared since 2008.This work is intended to provide the foundation for updating the ascomycete component of the"Without prejudice list of generic names of Fungi"published in 2013,which will be developed into a list of protected generic names.This will be subjected to the XIXth International Botanical Congress in Shenzhen in July 2017 agreeing to a modification in the rules relating to protected lists,and scrutiny by procedures determined by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi(NCF).The previously invalidly published generic names Barriopsis,Collophora(as Collophorina),Cryomyces,Dematiopleospora,Heterospora(as Heterosporicola),Lithophila,Palmomyces(as Palmaria)and Saxomyces are validated,as are two previously invalid family names,Bartaliniaceae and Wiesneriomycetaceae.Four species of Lalaria,which were invalidly published are transferred to Taphrina and validated as new combinations.Catenomycopsis Tibell&Constant.is reduced under Chaenothecopsis Vain.,while Dichomera Cooke is reduced under Botryosphaeria Ces.&De Not.(Art.59).