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Burkina Faso relies on its substantial bovine population for meat and milk production, ensuring food security. The country hosts three primary taurine cattle populations: Lobi, Gourounsi Nahouri, and Gourounsi Ténado. These cattle are adapted to local conditions and exhibit valuable trypan tolerant traits, playing a crucial role in sustaining local communities and holding cultural and socioeconomic significance. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and structure of Burkina's primary taurine cattle populations using 27 microsatellite markers. Blood samples from 143 cattle representing these populations were genotyped. The analysis included assessing genetic diversity, deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, calculating genetic distances, and population structure. The results revealed that all loci were polymorphic, indicating high allelic diversity. The overall mean FIS was moderate (0.028), ranging from -0.36 (CSRM60) to 0.73 (INRA035). Genetic differentiation between populations was moderate, accounting for 4% of the total differences. The highest pairwise FST was observed between Lobi and Gourounsi Ténado. The neighbor-joining tree displayed high admixture levels between Gourounsi populations, while Lobi cattle clustered as a distinct population. The population structure analysis indicated significant zebu gene introgression in Burkina taurine populations with relatively higher levels of admixtures in Gourounsi cattle compared to Lobi. The study provided a thorough genetic analysis of Burkina Faso's taurine cattle populations, uncovering the diversity and population structure. The study also revealed the differences in the prevalence of tsetse flies and associated trypanosomosis across the native tracts of Burkinabe taurine cattle populations had shaped the level of zebu introgression in them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatropha curcas is a medicinal plant whose dead leaves are particularly used in arterial hypertension and diabetes treatment. The purpose of this study is to conduct an acute and subacute toxicity study of Jatropha curcas leaves aqueous extract (JCLAE) using OECD method. For acute toxicity, dose limits of 2000 and 5000 mg/kg were used. In subacute toxicity study 4 batches were constituted including a control batch that received distilled water for 28 days and the other 3 batches, JCLAE doses of respectively 200, 400, 800 mg/kg for the same duration. The LD50 was determined and the hematological, biochemical and histological parameters were analyzed in mice. The LD50 is greater than 5000 mg/kg. HDL-C is the only biochemical parameter that has experienced significant rise variation. Hematological analysis showed a decrease in mean platelet volume and Platelets number. The histological study revealed cases of hepatic cellular apoptosis and kidneys tubular necrosis among animals treated with highest dose. JCLAE is less toxic than Jatropha curcas leaves aqueous extract and high-dose JCLAE also has a moderate toxic effect on thrombocyte line and a protective effect on cardiovascular system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Introduction Le Centre national de transfusion sanguine, opérateur unique de la transfusion sanguine au Burkina Faso est engagé dans la démarche qualité suivant la norme ISO 9001. Aussi, l’écoute-client constitue-t-il un fondement majeur de son système. Notre étude est construite sur le concept de la « satisfaction client » comme fonction de la qualité du service perçue suivant le modèle SERVQUAL. Objectifs Identifier les facteurs associés à la satisfaction des prescripteurs de produits sanguins afin de donner aux décideurs des éléments d’aide à la décision pour l’amélioration continue des services. Matériel et méthodes Nous avons conduit une enquête transversale auprès des prescripteurs de la ville de Ouagadougou entre le 27 février et le 30 avril 2015. Nous avons utilisé un questionnaire anonyme, auto-administré comprenant 13 items associés aux 5 dimensions du SERVQUAL. Les différents gaps ou index de satisfaction (ISC) ont été calculés et une régression linéaire a permis de déterminer les associations statistiques avec un seuil significatif à 5 %. Résultats Sur 256 questionnaires distribués, le taux de retour était de 94,5 %. Environ 30 % des enquêtés étaient globalement satisfaits à très satisfaits. L’index global de satisfaction des clients était de −5,74. Le délai de livraison des produits, l’efficacité et l’innocuité des produits, le conseil transfusionnel, la pro-activité de la communication, la gestion des demandes de réservation de produits et la couverture des besoins étaient les facteurs associés à la satisfaction des prescripteurs. Conclusion Cette étude, première du genre en transfusion sanguine dans notre contexte, a permis d’évaluer la satisfaction des clients et d’identifier les facteurs sur lesquels cibler les actions à mener dans le but d’utiliser efficacement les ressources disponibles. Background The National Blood Transfusion Centre, unique operator of blood transfusion in Burkina Faso is engaged into the quality process according to ISO 9001. Therefore, the assessment of customer satisfaction is a main part of its system. Our study conceives “customer satisfaction” as dependant to the perceived service quality based on SERVQUAL model. Objectives To identify factors associated with the satisfaction of blood products prescribers in order to help decision-makers for continuous improvement of services. Material and methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among prescribers of blood components in Ouagadougou, between February 27 and April 30, 2015. We used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, including 13 items associated to the 5 dimensions of SERVQUAL model. The different satisfaction gaps were calculated and linear regression was used to determine statistical associations with a significance level of 5%. Results The return rate was 94.5% about the 256 questionnaires distributed. A total of 30% of respondents were satisfied to very satisfied. The overall global gap of satisfaction was −5.74. The product delivery time, the efficacy and safety of blood products, the medical and clinical support, the pro-activity of the communication, the management of blood products reservation and the satisfaction of needs in blood products were the factors associated with the prescribers’ satisfaction. Conclusion This first study in blood transfusion services in our context was been useful to assess customer satisfaction and identify the main axes on which targeting priority actions in order to effectively use available resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé But de l’étude Au Burkina Faso, des normes nationales ont étés définies pour les produits sanguins labiles (PSL) et les centres de transfusion sanguine doivent mettre en place un contrôle qualité produits finis (CQPF) pour s’assurer que leur production les respectent et le cas échéant, mettre en place des mesures correctives. Notre étude avait pour but d’établir les principales caractéristiques des PSL du Centre régional de transfusion sanguine de Ouagadougou (CRTSO) et d’évaluer la capacité de ce CRTS à améliorer sa production. Méthodes Nous avons effectué entre mars et décembre 2014, deux séries de contrôle des caractéristiques des PSL du CRTSO dans une étude avant et après intervention. L’intervention a consisté à mettre en œuvre un plan d’amélioration qualité subséquemment aux résultats de la première série de contrôle. Les paramètres évalués sur les PSL étaient ; le volume, le contenu en hémoglobine (Hb) et l’hématocrite (Ht) pour les CGR, le volume, le contenu en plaquettes pour les concentrés de plaquettes standards (CPS) et le taux de facteur VIII résiduel pour le plasma frais congelé (PFC). Au total, 312 CGRUA et 280 CPS ont été sélectionnés aléatoirement et contrôlés dans la première série. Puis, 215 CGRUA, 54 CPS et 60 PFC ont été sélectionnées et contrôlés dans une deuxième série, six mois plus tard et après mise en œuvre d’un plan d’amélioration. Les données recueillies ont été comparés avec les tests statistiques appropriés. Résultats Le contenu moyen en Hb des CGRUA était de 47,8 ± 8,9 g et 54,7 ± 7,2 g avant et après le plan d’amélioration et le taux de non-conformités (NC) de ce paramètre avait significativement régressé de 17,6 % à 1,4 %. Le contenu en plaquettes des CPS était faible (0,14 ± 0,10 × 10 11 et 0,30 ± 0,15 × 10 11 ) par rapport à la norme (0,5 × 10 11 plaquettes) avec des taux de NC élevés s’établissant respectivement à 97,1 % et 72,2 % entre les deux séries. Conclusion L’étude montre que seuls les CGR répondent aux standards nationaux contrairement au CPS et au PFC. L’étude démontre également la capacité du CRTSO à améliorer sa production même si le taux de non-conformité des CPS est demeuré élevé. Au total, le CQPF doit être réalisé par tout centre de transfusion du pays. Objectives In Burkina Faso, blood components must comply with national standards. Then, all Transfusion services must implement a quality control process to ensure compliance. Our study aims to establish the main characteristics of blood components of the regional transfusion center of Ouagadougou, and evaluate the capability of this center to improve its manufacturing process. Methods We conducted from marsh to December 2014 a pre-post study, assessing blood components’ characteristics before and after the implementation of a six months’ improvement plan. The assessed parameters were: volume, hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in RBCs; volume and the number of platelets in PPCs; and volume and concentration of clotting factor VIII in fresh frozen plasma (FFP), respectively. Three hundred and twelve RBCs and 280 PCs were randomly selected for the first series of controls, and 215 RBCs, 54 PCs and 60 FFP were selected for the second series of controls. We compared the mean values of the components parameters and the overall non-compliance rates for each series. Results The average Hb level of RBCs was respectively 47.8 ± 8.9 g and 54.7 ± 7.2 g in the first and second series compare to a standard of ≥ 40 g. Non-compliance rates of Hb level decreased significantly from 17.6% to 1.4%. For PCs units, the mean number of platelets was 0.14 ± 0.10 × 10 11 and 0.30 ± 0.15 × 10 11 in the first and second period compare to a standard of 0.5 × 10 11 . Non-compliance rates for platelets number were high 97.1% and 72.2%. Conclusion The study demonstrates that only RBCs complied with national standards. The study also demonstrates the capability of CRTSO to improve blood components’ processing even if for PCs and FFP, NC rates remain high. QC must be maintained and expanded to the others regional blood centers of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Comprehensive understanding of the determinants of cross-subtype immune responses in HIV infection is critical to developing efficacious HIV vaccines against multiple viral subtypes. Because HIV-1 subtype A or recombinants comprising subtype A are prevalent in Africa and parts of Asia where HIV is spreading, we assessed the determinants of cross-subtype immune responses in HIV-infected blood donors from Cote d’Ivoire to peptides from a candidate CRF02_AG vaccine sequence, a subtype A sequence from western Kenya and a CRF01_AE sequence from Thailand. We present evidence that immune recognition of multiple viral subtypes is maintained by recognition of multiple epitopes. Our data suggest that complete escape of HIV from immune recognition is uncommon. Evaluation of these frequently generated cross-reactive responses should be included in immunogenicity trials of HIV vaccines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To study the overall impact of morbidity on the nutritional status of infants in a rural area of Burkina-Faso. Method A cohort of children ( n = 114) were monitored from age 6 months to 2 years in 30 villages in north-eastern Burkina Faso. Anthropometric measurements and the incidence of illness were recorded at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months. An overall morbidity score was constructed including the duration of common illnesses and their effect on appetite. Mixed linear regression models were used to analyse the relation between this score and both the weight-for-length (WFL) and the length-for-age (LFA) index. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, the morbidity score at time T was strongly correlated with the WFL index at time T ( P < 0.0001) and weakly correlated with the LFA index at time T + 1 ( P = 0.06). When the morbidity score was divided into classes, at time T the mean WFL z-score for children with a high morbidity score was 0.34 z-scores lower than the one for healthy children ( P < 0.0001); at time T + 1, the difference in the mean LFA z-scores between the same groups was 0.09 z-score ( P = 0.02). However, similar results were obtained using simpler expressions of morbidity. Taken separately, diarrhoea or febrile illness had an effect on WFL (at time T), but only diarrhoea had an effect on LFA (at time T + 1). Conclusion Morbidity was strongly correlated with weight loss in children in the short term and weakly correlated with a slowdown in growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-specific immune responses against subtypes circulating in areas where the virus is endemic is critical for the design of candidate vaccines. In Cote d'Ivoire, the most prevalent HIV-1 subtype is CRF02_AG. We detected T cell responses to CRF02_AG consensus p24(gag) or protease peptides in 81% of HIV-1- or HIV-1/2-infected blood donors in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Both the magnitude and the breadth of interferon- gamma enzyme-linked immunospot responses were inversely correlated with plasma viral load. One frequently recognized peptide in p24(gag) was mapped to the optimal epitope (TPQDLNMML). Further studies of this epitope may be important for the development of HIV-1 vaccines for West Africa and West-Central Africa. Copyright © 2005 Infectious Diseases Society of America [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This communication consider the problem of the management on the short-term of water resource systems (WRS). This problem is coped through an adaptive generation of a recurrent optimization problem which is solved by a specialized primal linear programming technique. A fuzzy approach is used in each instance of the recurrent optimization problem to express accurately the demand constraints and the terminal level stock constraints. The proposed approach, applied to a WRS of medium complexity, shows that it can be adapted to the management of particular situations like flood management, management in presence of failed devices,… [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cellular factors that may protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were investigated in 27 HIV-exposed seronegative (ESN) female sex workers (FSWs) and 27 HIV-seronegative female blood donors. Compared with blood donors, ESN FSWs had significantly decreased expression levels of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), but not of C-C chemokine receptor 5, on both memory (P<.001) and naive (P=.041) CD4(+) T cells. CXCR4 down-regulation was associated with prolonged duration of commercial sex work by ESN FSWs. CD38 expression on CD8(+) T cells was significantly increased among ESN FSWs, compared with that among blood donors (P=.017). There were no differences in HLA-DR and CD62L expression between blood donors and ESN FSWs. Proportions of T cells producing the beta-chemokines RANTES (regulated on activation, normally T cell-expressed and -secreted), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, and MIP-1beta or the cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, were similar in the 2 groups. These data indicate that ESN FSWs differ from HIV-seronegative female blood donors with respect to immunological factors that have no clear protective potential against HIV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the decentralized adaptive predictive control of multireach irrigation canal. Separation of the decomposed N subsystem by control structures; Use of the predictive theory to formulate the set of local controllers for automatic operations; Evaluation on the water levels at constant target value under external perturbation.

Introduction et but de l’étude La malnutrition chronique menace toujours les enfants de moins de cinq ans en Afrique subsaharienne et sa responsabilité dans la mortalité infantile reste prédominante. En dépit des efforts engagés depuis plusieurs années la situation demeure inquiétante et l’atteinte du premier Objectif du Millénaire pour le Développement (OMD) semble compromise pour le Burkina Faso. Pour tenter de mieux comprendre les déterminants de cette situation, une étude des pratiques alimentaires des mères d’enfants de moins de cinq ans a été réalisée en 2013 dans le district sanitaire de Tenkodogo. Matériel et méthodes L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer le rôle des pratiques alimentaires des mères dans le mauvais état nutritionnel de leurs enfants. Il s’agissait donc d’évaluer l’état nutritionnel des enfants de moins de cinq ans au moyen de l’anthropométrie, de décrire les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des mères et des enfants et d’analyser les pratiques alimentaires des mères afin d’identifier certains déterminants du retard de croissance. La collecte des données a été faite auprès de 315 enfants et leurs mères. La sélection des individus a été faite d’une manière aléatoire. Une grille d’observation a été utilisée pour les enfants et un questionnaire a été administré aux mères. Résultats et Analyse statistique Une faible proportion des enfants de moins de six mois était exclusivement allaitée au sein (22,8 %). La diversification de l’alimentation des enfants était faible (39,5 %). Les enfants du milieu rural présentaient un retard de croissance (40,1 %) supérieur à ceux du milieu urbain (22,4 %). Le faible niveau d’instruction, l’occupation principale de la mère, le lieu d’accouchement et la résidence de la mère semblent favoriser le retard de croissance. Conclusion L’enquête suggère que les pratiques alimentaires inadéquates des mères contribuent à freiner la croissance harmonieuse des enfants de moins de cinq ans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A genome-wide scan was conducted for the levels of total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG subclasses directed against Plasmodium falciparum antigens in an urban population living in Burkina Faso. Non-parametric multipoint linkage analysis provided three chromosomal regions with genome-wide significant evidence (logarithm of the odds (LOD) score >3.6), and five chromosomal regions with genome-wide suggestive evidence (LOD score >2.2). IgG3 levels were significantly linked to chromosomes 8p22-p21 and 20q13, whereas IgG4 levels were significantly linked to chromosome 9q34. In addition, we detected suggestive linkage of IgG1 levels to chromosomes 18p11-q12 and 18q12-q21, IgG4 levels to chromosomes 1p31 and 12q24 and IgG levels to chromosome 6p24-p21. Moreover, we genotyped genetic markers located within the regions of interest in a rural population living in Burkina Faso. We detected genome-wide significant and suggestive linkage results when combining the two study populations for chromosomes 1p31, 6p24-p21, 8p22-p21, 9q34, 12q24 and 20q13. Because high anti-parasite IgG3 and low anti-parasite IgG4 levels were associated with malaria resistance, the chromosomal regions linked to IgG3 and IgG4 levels are of special interest. Although the results should be confirmed in an independent population, they may provide new insights in understanding both the genetic control of IgG production and malaria resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A topological Neural Network (Kohonen map) was used here to retrieve the aerosol optical properties over ocean case 1 waters from the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) observations. The Kohonen map was first used to aggregate similar spectral MERIS signatures in 400 pertinent groups without any a priori information on the corresponding optical properties of atmosphere and ocean. For this purpose, more than 148.000 spectra taken from 85 MERIS images collected in 2003 and 2004 over the Mediterranean Sea were processed to train the Kohonen map. The 400 groups were then labelled using synthetic spectra (of which the corresponding optical properties are known) generated by the MOMO (Matrix Operator MethOd) code. This algorithm was successfully applied to a set of 5 MERIS images representative of the conditions prevailing in the Eastern Mediterranean. The good spatial homogeneity of the level-2 atmospheric products – the atmospheric reflectance and the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) – is a first indication of the potential of the presented method. Ground based measurements of the AOT provided by the AERONET (AErosol RObotic NEtwork) program, collected on a small island (Lampedusa) in the Mediterranean Sea, validated our method for the five selected days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to define over the period 1979-2002 the main synoptic weather regimes relevant for understanding the daily variability of rainfall during the summer monsoon season over Senegal. 'Interannual' synoptic weather regimes are defined by removing the influence of the mean 1979-2002 seasonal cycle. This is different from Part I where the seasonal evolution of each year was removed, then removing also the contribution of interannual variability. As in Part I, the self-organizing maps approach, a clustering methodology based on non-linear artificial neural network, is combined with a hierarchical ascendant classification to compute these regimes. Nine weather regimes are identified using the mean sea level pressure and 850 hPa wind field as variables. The composite circulation patterns of all these nine weather regimes are very consistent with the associated anomaly patterns of precipitable water, mid-troposphere vertical velocity and rainfall. They are also consistent with the distribution of rainfall extremes. These regimes have been then gathered into different groups. A first group of four regimes is included in an inner circuit and is characterized by a modulation of the semi-permanent trough located along the western coast of West Africa and an opposite modulation on the east. This circuit is important because it associates the two wettest and highly persistent weather regimes over Senegal with the driest and the most persistent one. One derivation of this circuit is highlighted, including the two driest regimes and the most persistent one, what can provide important dry sequences occurrence. An exit of this circuit is characterised by a filling of the Saharan heat low. An entry into the main circuit includes a southward location of the Saharan heat low followed by its deepening. The last weather regime is isolated from the other ones and it has no significant impact on Senegal. It is present in June and September, and missing in July and August, meaning that this is a weather regime more specific of the intermediate seasons than the summer. It is included in a large-scale pattern covering the northern latitudes of Europe. The correspondence between these 'interannual' synoptic weather regimes and the 'pure' synoptic regimes defined in Part I has been established. By selecting a high statistical significance level for these correspondences, each of five out of nine 'interannual' weather regimes has a close correspondence with one 'pure' synoptic weather regime, one out of them have links with two 'pure' regimes, and the last three regimes have no significant correspondence in terms of 'pure' regimes. However when considering more moderate links, two out of these three regimes show a connection with a 'pure' regime, and the last one remains isolated. The ensemble of the weather regimes occurrences can explain a significant part of interannual variability of summer rainfall amount over Senegal, especially linked to the driest and the wettest weather regimes occurrences. It is also shown that Senegal rainfall state is very sensitive to a small displacement or deformation of the weather regime patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the face of growing resistance in malaria parasites to drugs, pharmacological combination therapies are important. There is accumulating evidence that methylene blue (MB) is an effective drug against malaria. Here we explore the biological effects of both MB alone and in combination therapy using modeling and experimental data. Results: We built a model of the central metabolic pathways in P. falciparum. Metabolic flux modes and their changes under MB were calculated by integrating experimental data (RT-PCR data on mRNAs for redox enzymes) as constraints and results from the YANA software package for metabolic pathway calculations. Several different lines of MB attack on Plasmodium redox defense were identified by analysis of the network effects. Next, chloroquine resistance based on pfmdr/ and pfcrt transporters, as well as pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine resistance (by mutations in DHF/DHPS), were modeled in silico. Further modeling shows that MB has a favorable synergism on antimalarial network effects with these commonly used antimalarial drugs. Conclusions: Theoretical and experimental results support that methylene blue should, because of its resistance-breaking potential, be further tested as a key component in drug combination therapy efforts in holoendemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to define over the period 1979-2002 the main synoptic weather regimes relevant for understanding the daily variability of rainfall during the summer monsoon season over Senegal. 'Pure' synoptic weather regimes are defined by removing the influence of seasonal and interannual time scales, in order to highlight the day by day variability of the atmospheric circulation. The Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) approach, a clustering methodology based on non-linear artificial neural network, is combined with a Hierarchical Ascendant Classification to compute these regimes. Nine weather regimes are identified using the mean sea level pressure and 850 hPa wind field as variables, and gathered into three classes. Two of these weather regimes represent the classical 3-5-day African easterly waves with a mean wavelength of about 3,000 km. Three others are characterized by a modulation of the semi-permanent trough located along the western coast of West Africa and might be interpreted in terms of the 6-9-day easterly waves. The last four weather regimes are characterized by a more or less strong north-south dipole of circulation. They can be interpreted as a northward/southward displacement of the Saharan Heat Low for two of them, and a filling/deepening of this depression for the other two. The circulation patterns of all these nine weather regimes are very consistent with the associated anomaly patterns of precipitable water, mid-troposphere vertical velocity, outgoing longwave radiation, and finally rainfall. Rainfall distribution is also highlighted over the southwestern area of Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]