Identification of Groundwater Potential Zones in Samendeni Watershed in Sedimentary and Semi-Arid Contexts of Burkina Faso, Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Method and GIS

Demand for water increases in Samendeni regarding the undertaken agricultural projects while pressure on surface water from global warming/evapotranspiration also increases. Thus, the need to evaluate the groundwater potential in the catchment is crucial as alternative supplier of water and resilience to climate hazards. The AHP was performed integrating ten influencing factors such as geomorphology, geology, soil, land use/land cover (lulc), slope, rainfall, drainage density, borehole rate & depth and piezometric level to generate groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) in Samendeni watershed (4420 km2). All the factors were processed and ranged into five (5) classes. Weight was assigned to each class of thematic layer. These thematic layers were then reclassified based on the normalized weight to be used in the calculation of groundwater potential zones (GWPZ). The final output, groundwater potential map, revealed a significant groundwater potential with very good (11%), good (31%), moderate (30%), poor (20%), and very poor (8%) of proportion. The interesting (very good, good) GWPZs in the study area are mostly in the central towards the east. The poor zones in term of groundwater potential are concentrated in the upper west region of the watershed. Besides the cross-validation with the relationship between different groundwater potential zones and the wells available in the study area, the overall accuracy was estimated to 88% provided from the result of the similarity analysis where 22 out of the 25 validation wells match with the expected yield classes of GWPZs. The statistics from that validation revealed the performance of AHP method to delineate groundwater potential zones at catchment level.

Cholinesterase Activity as an Indicator of Health Risks among Kou Valley Farmers

Introduction: Pesticides are currently an essential component of agricultural production techniques for controlling pests and weeds. In Burkina Faso, non-compliance with good practice in the use of pesticides poses a real health problem for the population. This study examines the health risks associated with pesticide management in rice-growing areas. Material and Methods: A field survey was conducted in Bama, involving farmers, focusing on their socio-demographic characteristics, pesticide usage, and health effects. Cholinesterase levels were measured in subsample of farmers using a portable device. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, calculating means and percentages for various practices. Health consultations, protection methods, and pesticide management were studied. Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity was compared before and after treatment. Data were categorised into classes based on inhibition levels, and correlation analyses determined relationships between variables such as age, years of experience, and cholinesterase activity. Results: The results indicate that rice cultivation is mainly carried out by a fairly young population, with nearly 63% being under the age of 50. Common poor practices in pesticide use include improper storage and reuse of leftover pesticides. Seven types of pesticides were identified, including organophosphates such as glyphosate, which was used in 26.7% of cases. This organophosphate has resulted in class B poisoning, causing a 30% - 50% reduction in erythrocyte cholinesterase activity. The health effects of pesticide use are felt by agricultural farmers through various symptoms of poisoning. Conclusion: To reduce the occurrence of pesticide poisoning, it is essential to launch information and awareness campaigns among the population and farmers to promote safe practices in pesticide use in Bama, Burkina Faso.

Projected Changes in the Climate Zoning of Côte d’Ivoire

This study assesses the projected changes in the climate zoning of Côte d’Ivoire using the hierarchical classification of principal components (HCPC) method applied to the daily precipitation data of an ensemble of 14 CORDEX-AFRICA simulations under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The results indicate the existence of three climate zones in Côte d’Ivoire (the coastal, the centre and the north) over the historical period (1981-2005). Moreover, CORDEX simulations project an extension of the surface area of drier climatic zones while a reduction of wetter zones, associated with the appearance of an intermediate climate zone with surface area varying from 77,560 km2 to 134,960 km2 depending on the period and the scenario. These results highlight the potential impacts of climate change on the delimitation of the climate zones of Côte d’Ivoire under the greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Thus, there is a reduction in the surface areas suitable for the production of cash crops such as cocoa and coffee. This could hinder the country’s economy and development, mainly based on these cash crops.

Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Compounds Content of Extracts from Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl and Striga hermonthica (Delille) Benth Used as Antheminthic in Burkina Faso

The revaluation of medicinal plants in the veterinary pharmacopoeia is essential for the development of livestock in Burkina Faso. In order to justify the use of C. sesamoides and S. hermonthica in the treatment of gastrointestinal parasitosis of small ruminants, a quantification of phenolic compounds as well as antioxidant activity and acute toxicité evaluation of both plants were performed. Acute toxicity was evaluated by administering a single dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of both plants to mice. The highest total polyphenol content for C. sesamo?des was obtained in the ethyl acetate fraction with 47.236 ± 2.57 mgEAG/100mg while that of S. hermonthica was 74.871 ± 2.57 mgEAG/100mg obtained with the n-butanol Fraction. The dichloromethane extract of S. hermonthica obtained the highest total flavonoid content with 7.31 ± 0.48 mgEQ/100 while the highest total flavonoid content of C. sesamo?des was obtained with ethyl acetate fraction with 5.4273 ± 0.35 mgEQ/100mg. The aqueous extract of C. sesamo?des obtained the highest content of condensed tannins with 3.028 ± 0.13 mgEAT/100mg. Both plant’s extracts did not show any signs of toxicity in NMRI mice after administration of the dose of 2000 mg/kg. The antioxidant activity by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods was good compared to those of Quercetin and Trolox taken as standard.

What Tool for Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Developing Country with Tuberculosis High Burden: Interferon Gamma Release Assays versus Tuberculin Skin Test in Burkina Faso

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of active tuberculosis and the detection/management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cases are the two main strategies for the TB control, particularly in endemic countries. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs) are tools for detection of LTBI. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the TST and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus® (QTF-Plus) and to identify a threshold for TST in best agreement with QTF-Plus for LTBI detection in a high TB burden setting. Methods: In July 2020, a cross-sectional analytical study was performed for QFT-Plus using blood samples and TST in 101 individuals with a high risk of TB living in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. A crude comparison between both tests was done and receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to determine TST’s threshold. TST sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy were calculated. Adjusted agreement between TST and QFT-Plus was evaluated. Results: With the minimum threshold of positivity set at 5 mm for TST, the overall agreement between the latter and QFT-Plus was poor with a Kappa coefficient (κ) rated at 0.319 (95% CI: 0.131 - 0.508). This cut-off yielded a sensitivity of 94.12% (95% CI: 88.53 - 99.71), and very poor specificity of 36.4% (95% IC: 25.0 - 47.80). However, an adjusted cut-off set at 11 mm gave a better specificity of 72.73% (95% CI: 62.1 - 83.30) of TST and improved the PPV (86%). Moreover, concordance between both tests was improved with κ at 0.56 (95% CI: 0.385 - 0.728) and 80.20% of accuracy. Factors associated with discordance between TST (11 mm) and QFT-Plus results were BCG vaccination, OR = 7.53 (95% CI: 1.43 - 139.25), p = 0.05 and chronic cough, OR = 5.07 (95% CI: 1.27 - 20.43), p = 0.01. Conclusions: This study showed that using a minimal cut-off of 11mm for TST significantly improved the concordance between QTF-Plus (IGRA) and TST. Using the cut-off TST of 11 mm would be ideal in low-income countries with a high TB burden, taking into account factors that could contribute to the discrepancy of results.

Prevalence and Spatial Distribution of Badnavirus in the Banana (Musa spp) Major Growing Areas in Burkina Faso

Banana streak virus (BSV) and Sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV) are two badnaviruses commonly found in all banana growing areas of the world. It is a threat to the production and improvement of Musa germplasm. In Burkina Faso, the presence of badnaviruses was reported in banana producing regions. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of BSV and SCBV in banana production areas of Burkina Faso. A survey followed by a symptomatologic study was conducted in banana plantations in 27 localities of the nine main banana producing regions from July to October 2018 and September to December 2020. In all, 251 leaf samples were collected and analysed for BSV and SCBV infection by Indirect Antigen Coated Plate Assay-ELISA followed by amplification of the RT/RNase H region using Polymerase chain reaction with Badna FP/RP and SCBV F/R primers, respectively. A variety of symptoms were observed on almost all plant organs which were revealed due to BSV by symptomatologic study. The results of serological and molecular diagnosis revealed a high overall prevalence of BSV in 80.48% of the samples tested. BSV was distributed in seven survey regions out of nine with prevalence ranging from 10% to 100% in North, Centre, Centre West, Hauts Bassins, Cascades, Centre East and Boucle of Mouhoun regions. Very low prevalence was recorded for SCBV in Cascades and East Centre region with 4.35 and 12.5%, respectively. Species detection using specific primers to each species revealed three main species: Banana streak Obino l’ewaï virus (BSOLV), Goldfinger virus (BSGFV) and Imové virus (BSIMV) in the samples tested, respectively in the proportions of 23%, 8% and 0.8%. Co-infection between BSV species was also detected.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Badnaviruses Infecting Banana in Burkina Faso

Badnaviruses are serious plant pararetroviruses affecting banana and causes serious economic losses to banana production worldwide. This study aims to examine the variability of BSV and SCBV nature infecting banana in Burkina Faso. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) used the Badna FP/RP specific primers for the RT/RNase H regions present in badnaviruses. The PCR yielded about 579 bp amplicons from banana infected by BSV and SCBV. The 38 BSV isolates recorded low nucleotide identity ranging from 58.9% - 98.1%. Based on percentage nucleotide sequence identity and phylogenetic analyse, BSV isolates were categorized into four groups: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Group 4 shared 76.9% - 100% identity with BSOL species. However, Groups 1 and 3 recorded a low identity ranging, from 76.8% - 79.2%, 68.8% - 79.7% with BSCV, and 72.8% - 79.0% between Group 2 and BSOLV. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were assigned to a potentially new BSV species. The two SCBV isolates recorded a low nucleotide identity of 68% among themselves indicating high diversity. In addition, SCBV_Cd and SCBV_CE showed high nucleotide identity 91.3% and 58.7% with SCBV_C and SCBV, when they were compared to all published SCBV genotypes. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed the segregation of SCBV isolates into two genotypes, SCBV_Cd in C and SCBV_CE segregated in a new genotype namely Z. Recombination analyses showed weak signatures of recombination among some of the BSV and SCBV sequences.

Effect of a Nutrition Education Intervention on Mothers’ Infant and Young Child Feeding Knowledge and Practices in the Peri-Urban Areas of Bobo-Dioulasso: Before and after Study

Background: This study assessed the effect of a nutrition education intervention aiming to improve the knowledge and practices of under 5 years children’s mothers on infant and young child feeding in peri urban areas of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. Methods: A total of 243 mothers of children under 5 years in the peri-urban of Bobo-Dioulasso were surveyed before and after the intervention using the FAO questionnaire for infant and young child feeding (IYCF) knowledge and practices assessment in January and October 2017. The intervention included two components consisting of a theoretical phase (counselling and discussion) and cooking demonstrations implemented for ten months. To account for the before-and-after design of the study, the McNemar’s test was used to assess the effect of the intervention on mothers’ infant and young child feeding knowledge and practices. Results: The mean age of mothers was 29 ± 6.2 years and 50.6% of the mothers were between 20 and 29 years old. All indicators used to assess the mothers’ knowledge of breastfeeding and complementary feeding significantly improved after the intervention (all p-values < 0.05). In terms of child feeding practices, half of the indicators (early breastfeeding initiation, age of complementary feeding initiation, and minimum meal frequency) significantly increased (all p = 0.001) while two indicators (minimum dietary diversity, and minimum acceptable diet) did not change (p = 0.06 and 0.67) after the intervention. Finally, continued breastfeeding, significantly declined after the intervention (73.3% vs 86.0% p = 0.001). Conclusion: The intervention improved the mothers’ knowledge on breastfeeding and complementary feeding and some child feeding practices. This study provided some evidence of an effective nutrition education intervention to increase maternal knowledge and practices.

二硫化碳气体近紫外吸收截面积测定

利用二极管阵列光谱仪,室温条件下,在波长220～380 nm的波段内,测量了CS2的紫外吸收截面积。发现CS2在315 nm处具有较大吸收,其值为σ=7.184×10-20cm2.molecule-1。与文献报道进行了比对,吻合较好,并利用所获得的数据对CS2大气光解寿命进行了评估。

醋酸乙烯酯-丙烯酸丁酯乳液聚合成核机理

本工作研究了醋酸乙烯酯(VA)和丙烯酸丁酯(BA)乳液共聚合.通过对不同共聚单体配比下共聚合时胶乳粒径及胶粒数密度随转化率变化的分析,对VA/BA乳液共聚合成核及粒增长机理进行了探讨,指出水相成核是高VA含量时胶粒数密度较大的主要原因并解释了胶粒数密度及胶乳粒径与单体转化率的关系,同时也讨论了该共聚体系一步法聚合时反应机理与胶粒形态的关系.

Impact of Health and Nutrition Interventions in the Prevention and Recovery of Child Malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2010 to 2020: Review Article

Malnutrition is still a widespread public health problem worldwide. The objective of this review is to identify the most effective nutrition programs used in the prevention and management of child malnutrition in children under five years. Also, it is to suggest courses of action to improve interventions in the fight against malnutrition. The promotion of exclusive breastfeeding and food diversification improves the mothers’ knowledge and contributes to prevention of malnutrition. Food supplementation increases the weight/height ratio of malnourished children. The two programs combined bring better results on mothers’ feeding practices and children’s anthropometric data. This review has highlighted the importance of food supplementation and nutritional education in the management and prevention of child malnutrition. In addition, the combination of several approaches to good dietary practices brings better results. Finally, primary prevention can protect children from the harmful consequences of malnutrition.

Can Plasmodium falciparum Induce Homocysteinemia in Malaria Patients?

Background: Plasmodium falciparum has developed elaborate strategies to survive in the hostile intracellular environment of the infected host cell, including resistance to oxidative stress. Cysteine is a metabolic product of homocysteine and a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione used by Plasmodium falciparum to escape harmful oxidation. Objectives: In the present study we aimed to assess whether Plasmodium falciparum can induce homocysteinemia in malaria patients of Burkina Faso. Methods: Eighty-five (85) individuals including 25 affected by severe malaria, 44 by simple malaria, and 12 negative controls for P. falciparum infection were included in the present study. An enzymatic assay of plasma homocysteinemia was performed using the Homocysteine Enzymatic Assay reagent (ref 05385415 190) on the Roche/ Hitachi Cobas c. Results: The results of the present study show that the mean plasma homocysteine concentrations were 15.1 ± 8.4 μmol/L among patients with severe malaria, 14.0 ± 6.0 μmol/L in patients with uncomplicated malaria, and 12.6 ± 4.1 μmol/L in negative controls for malaria parasite. Conclusions: Our findings suggest high homocysteinemia in malaria patients, especially in those with severe malaria. Monitoring homocysteinemia in the latter group will be useful to avoid complications when an elevated plasma level of homocysteine is a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

A Rapid and Cost-Effective Method for Genotyping Genome-Edited Animals：A Heteroduplex Mobility Assay Using Microfluidic Capillary Electrophoresis

The recent emergence and application of engineered endonucleases have led to the development of genome editing tools capable of rapidly implementing various targeted genome editions in a wide range of species.Moreover,these novel tools have become easier to use and have resulted in a great increase of applications.Whilst gene knockout（KO） or knockin（KI） animal models are relatively easy to achieve,there is a bottleneck in the detection and analysis of these mutations.Although several methods exist to detect these targeted mutations,we developed a heteroduplex mobility assay on an automated microfluidic capillary electrophoresis system named HMA-CE in order to accelerate the genotyping process.The HMA-CE method uses a simple PCR amplification of genomic DNA（gDNA） followed by an automated capillary electrophoresis step which reveals a heteroduplexes（HD） signature for each mutation.This allows efficient discrimination of wild-type and genome-edited animals down to the single base pair level.

关于可表为两个平方和的整数的因子的β-律 献给余家荣教授100华诞

本文借助Selberg-Delange方法,证明除数整数的平均分布可以表示为两个平方的总和收敛于β-律.

Kindlin-1 drives early steps of breast cancer metastasis

Dear Editor,Kindlin-1 plays a major role in the activation of integrins[1].Kindlin-1 is often overexpressed in cancers.Kindlin-1 overexpression has been associated with a higher propensity of breast cancer patients to metastasize to the lungs[2,3].Furthermore,Kindlin-1 depletion in mouse models was found to inhibit tumor growth and lung metastasis[3,4].However,the underlying mechanisms remain poorly explored.

Engineering polymer MEMS using combined microfluidic pervaporation and micro-molding

In view of the extensive increase of flexible devices and wearable electronics,the development of polymer microelectro-mechanical systems(MEMS)is becoming more and more important since their potential to meet the multiple needs for sensing applications in flexible electronics is now clearly established.Nevertheless,polymer micromachining for MEMS applications is not yet as mature as its silicon counterpart,and innovative microfabrication techniques are still expected.We show in the present work an emerging and versatile microfabrication method to produce arbitrary organic,spatially resolved multilayer micro-structures,starting from dilute inks,and with possibly a large choice of materials.This approach consists in extending classical microfluidic pervaporation combined with MIcro-Molding In Capillaries.To illustrate the potential of this technique,bilayer polymer double-clamped resonators with integrated piezoresistive readout have been fabricated,characterized,and applied to humidity sensing.The present work opens new opportunities for the conception and integration of polymers in MEMS.