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Age-related osteoporosis is a metabolic skeletal disorder caused by estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. Prolonged use of anti-osteoporotic drugs such as bisphosphonates and FDA-approved anti-resorptive selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) has been associated with various clinical drawbacks. We recently discovered a low-molecular-weight biocompatible and osteoanabolic phytoprotein, called HKUOT-S2 protein (32 kDa), from Dioscorea opposita Thunb that can accelerate bone defect healing. Here, we demonstrated that the HKUOT-S2 protein treatment can enhance osteoblasts-induced ossification and suppress osteoporosis development by upregulating skeletal estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα, ERβ, and GPR30 expressions in vivo. Also, HKUOT-S2 protein estrogenic activities promoted hMSCs-osteoblasts differentiation and functions by increasing osteogenic markers, ALP, and RUNX2 expressions, ALP activity, and osteoblast biomineralization in vitro. Fulvestrant treatment impaired the HKUOT-S2 protein-induced ERs expressions, osteoblasts differentiation, and functions. Finally, we demonstrated that the HKUOT-S2 protein could bind to ERs to exert osteogenic and osteoanabolic properties. Our results showed that the biocompatible HKUOT-S2 protein can exert estrogenic and osteoanabolic properties by positively modulating skeletal estrogen receptor signaling to promote ossification and suppress osteoporosis. Currently, there is no or limited data if any, on osteoanabolic SERMs. The HKUOT-S2 protein can be applied as a new osteoanabolic SERM for osteoporosis treatment.

ABSTRACT The main protein sources used in broiler chicken diets, such as soybean meal and fishmeal, are costly, and one potential alternative is black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM).This study aimed to determine the incorporation rate of full-fat BSFLM in broiler chicken diets for optimum zoo-economic performance. The experiment involved 250 day-old unsexed broiler chickens randomly allocated into 25 batches. Five different levels of full-fat BSFLM incorporation (0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16%) were tested during a 49-day experiment. Zootechnical data, economics indexes, and carcass quality were determined. Results indicated a significant decrease in feed intake with the increase of full-fat BSFLM. At the end of the experiment, the broiler chickens fed BSFLM4 demonstrated the highest live weight and the best FCR, with no statistical difference. In terms of economic parameters, the control diet showed the highest feed cost and the lowest economic feed efficiency, without a significant difference. Full-fat BSFLM incorporation did not significantly affect carcass yield. However, chickens receiving BSFLM 16% indicated having a lower zootechnical performance. A full-fat BSFLM incorporation rate of 12% into broiler chicken feed could improve zoo-economic performance in the current study. Moreover, BSFLM could serve as a cost-effective protein source.

Citrus essential oil (CEO) is obtained from the fruit of Genus Citrus, a flowering plant shrub in the family of the Rutaceae (Eremocitrus or Microcitrus) and extensively used in food, chemical industry, and traditional medicinal treatment owing to its pleasant aroma, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties. This review presents a botanical description, distribution, traditional uses, chemical composition, bioactive components, and the therapeutic uses as well as toxicological effects of the CEO. The objective was achieved via a comprehensive literature search of electronic databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, ACS, Springer, Taylor and Francis, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, conference proceedings, thesis, and books until 2022 for publications. Citrus essential oils and their constituents are extracted and isolated either from the fruit peels, seeds, leaves, or flowers of the citrus plants. A comparative study of the sources of CEO confirmed its origin, ethnopharmacological and therapeutic uses. Over 2000 secondary metabolites have been isolated, with the main active constituents: being terpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes. A comprehensive literature review revealed vast therapeutic benefits of CEO. Incomplete data report on in vitro and in vivo trials especially, on dosage, positive and negative control groups, intervention time, toxicity studies, phytochemical profiling, and clinical trials seem to be a knowledge gap.

Delayed bone defect repairs lead to severe health and socioeconomic impacts on patients. Hence, there are increasing demands for medical interventions to promote bone defect healing. Recombinant proteins such as BMP-2 have been recognized as one of the powerful osteogenic substances that promote mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to osteoblast differentiation and are widely applied clinically for bone defect repairs. However, recent reports show that BMP-2 treatment has been associated with clinical adverse side effects such as ectopic bone formation, osteolysis and stimulation of inflammation. Here, we have identified one new osteogenic protein, named ‘HKUOT-S2’ protein, from Dioscorea opposita Thunb. Using the bone defect model, we have shown that the HKUOT-S2 protein can accelerate bone defect repair by activating the mTOR signaling axis of MSCs-derived osteoblasts and increasing osteoblastic biomineralization. The HKUOT-S2 protein can also modulate the transcriptomic changes of macrophages, stem cells, and osteoblasts, thereby enhancing the crosstalk between the polarized macrophages and MSCs-osteoblast differentiation to facilitate osteogenesis. Furthermore, this protein had no toxic effects in vivo. We have also identified HKUOT-S2 peptide sequence TKSSLPGQTK as a functional osteogenic unit that can promote osteoblast differentiation in vitro. The HKUOT-S2 protein with robust osteogenic activity could be a potential alternative osteoanabolic agent for promoting osteogenesis and bone defect repairs. We believe that the HKUOT-S2 protein may potentially be applied clinically as a new class of osteogenic agent for bone defect healing.

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Abstract Introduction Recent advances in long‐acting antiretroviral therapy (LA‐ART) could provide new options for HIV treatment and reduce adherence barriers, if regimens are acceptable to patients. We elicited preferences for key attributes of potential LA‐ART regimens among people with HIV (PWH) in the United States, focusing on four treatment modes (oral tablets, subcutaneous injections, intramuscular injections, and implants), product characteristics and location of administration. Methods A discrete choice experiment was conducted among PWH aged ≥18 years recruited from HIV clinics in Washington State and Atlanta, Georgia from March 2021 to June 2022. Participants responded to 17 choice scenarios, each with three options: two systematically generated hypothetical LA‐ART regimens and a constant opt‐out (their current daily oral treatment). LA‐ART regimen descriptions included treatment mode, pain, dosing frequency, location, pre‐treatment time with undetectable viral load, pre‐treatment negative reaction testing and “late‐dose leeway” (i.e. flexibility or forgiveness in timing the next dose). We used conditional logistic regression, with an interaction between treatment mode and pain, to estimate preference weights for all attribute levels. Results Seven hundred participants (350 at each site) enrolled, with median age 51 years (range 18–73); 70% identified as cisgender male, 24% as cisgender female and 6% as non‐binary or transgender. LA oral tablets were the only mode preferred over current daily oral treatment, with annual implants and injections the next most preferred LA‐ART option. Longer time between doses was preferred, and administration at home was preferred to clinics, which were preferred to pharmacies. Attributes with less impact on preferences included oral lead‐in treatment to achieve viral suppression or test for negative reactions and late‐dose leeway around the prescribed dosing interval. Participants in Atlanta were more likely to prefer their current daily oral ART than participants from Seattle. Conclusions PWH in the United States may soon have several options for LA‐ART. Our results suggest that LA oral tablets will be preferred by many patients over their current daily oral treatment, while implants and injections with longer duration may be acceptable to some. Future research should investigate sources of preference heterogeneity and actual uptake of and adherence to LA‐ART products, when available.

Key points Long-acting antiretroviral treatment regimens currently in development will increase choice and may improve clinical outcomes in persons with HIV infection. Creating a discrete choice experiment (DCE) based on hypothetical attributes of products in development requires detailed input from experts and stakeholders, but can provide important data to help guide product development and understand patient preferences. While key informant interviewers with product developers, researchers, and clinicians can provide guidance to inform DCE development, careful pilot testing will be needed to ensure the salience and comprehension of the different attributes and levels identified.

BackgroundTo manage the deleterious effects of parasitic infections such as lymphatic filariasis (LF) and schistosomiasis among school children, most countries including Ghana make use of mass drug administration (MDA). Although MDA has proven effective in reducing worm burden, unfortunately adverse drug effects (ADEs) post-MDA are derailing the gains and also remain poorly monitored. The study assessed incidence and factors associated with ADEs among students following a school-based mass de-worming exercise involving administration of Praziquantel (PZQT) and Albendazole (ADZ) against LF and SCH at Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) Municipal.MethodologyAfter fulfilling all ethical obligations, a total of 598 students aged 5-20 years who received PZQT or ADZ monotherapy or a combination of the two (PZQT + ADZ) as part of the mass de-worming exercise were recruited through quota and random sampling. Bodyweight and height of students were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. Students were orally interviewed to obtain information such as age, sex, intake of diet before taking drugs. Subsequently, students were monitored over 24 hours post-MDA for cases of ADEs. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 26 was used to describe data collected and to determine associations between incidence of ADEs and predictor variables.Principal findingsOut of the 598 students, 243 (40.64%) represented by 124 males (51.03%) and 119 females (48.97%) with mean (SD) age of 13.43 (2.74) years experienced one or more forms of ADE. In decreasing order, the detected ADEs included headache (64.6%), Abdominal pain (48.6%), fever (30.0%), diarrhea (21.4%) and itching (12.8%). Multivariable statistical analysis showed that age 5-9 years (OR: 2.01, p = 0.041) and underweight (OR: 2.02, p = 0.038) were associated with incidence of ADEs. Compared with students who received combination therapy, students who received ADZ only (OR: 0.05, p < 0.001) and PZQT only (OR: 0.26, p < 0.001) had low cases of ADEs. Gender and diet intake before MDA were not associated with ADE incidence.ConclusionADE incidence was common among students in the KEEA municipality. Age, underweight, and double dosing were associated with increase in ADE incidence, while gender and food intake were not associated with increase in ADE incidence. The Disease Control Unit of the Ghana Health Service should incorporate stringent ADE monitoring in post-MDA surveillance in the National MDA program in order to be able to detect, manage and report ADEs to inform planning for future MDA programs. Such initiatives will help not only in improving effectiveness of MDA programs but also identify high risk groups and exact strategies to reduce negative influence of ADE on MDA coverage and anthelminthic drug compliance.

Résumé : L’objectif de cette recherche est de montrer l’impact des transferts monétaires des migrants internationaux de la région de Zinder au Niger. Elle vise à identifier les transferts de fonds qui favorisent le développement socioéconomique des ménages d’origine des migrants. Dans la conduite de notre recherche, les données primaires et secondaires sont utilisées. Dans un premier temps, les résultats de cette recherche ont montré que les migrants transfèrent des fonds en grande majorité dont le but principal est de fournir des supplémentaires à leurs ménages pour répondre aux besoins de base et améliorer les conditions de vie de leurs familles. A cet effet, les transferts monétaires des migrants contribuent positivement au bien-être socioéconomique des ménages d’origine. Ils contribuent à la réduction de la pauvreté en leur permettant d’améliorer la sécurité alimentaire, l’accès aux soins de la santé, de l’éducation de leurs enfants et l’amélioration de leur cadre de vie. Les transferts monétaires des migrants offrent aussi aux ménages bénéficiaires un capital économique leur permettant d’exercer des petits commerces, et d’investir dans l’agriculture, l’élevage, le foncier etc.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer-related mortality globally. However, available treatments are expensive and are associated with adverse effects or poor treatment outcomes in advanced disease. Meanwhile, plants like Carica papaya have demonstrated various biological activities that further studies may lead to the identification of newer and safer treatment options for HCC. Aim: To evaluate the anticancer activity of an alkaloidal extract derived from Carica papaya seeds using rodent models of HCC. Experimental procedure: Carica Papaya fruits were collected and authenticated. The seeds were isolated and air-dried. Alkaloidal extract was prepared from a 70% ethanol soxhlet crude extract and referred to as Carica papaya alkaloidal extract (CPAE). HCC was induced in 68 out of 84 healthy male Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 16 weeks. These rats were put into five groups of 10; Carica papaya alkaloidal extract [(CPAE) (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), Lenvatinib (4 mg/kg)], 1% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), and 2 untreated groups (control and model). A prophylaxis study was performed with 10 rats by co-administration of CPAE (200 mg/kg) and CCl4 six hours apart for 16 weeks. Rats were sacrificed after a twelve-week treatment program under anesthesia for histological, hematological, and biochemical analyses. Results and conclusion: CPAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly restored weight loss (48.44 and 51.75% respectively), reduced tumor multiplicity, and dose-dependently reversed liver histomorphological changes induced by CCl4 compared to the model group. The CPAE (100 and 200 mg/kg) further reduced bleeding time, improved prothrombin time and restored platelet count (p < 0.01) compared to the model. The CPAE (200 mg/kg) again significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced serum alpha-fetoprotein levels compared to the model group and prevented the establishment of HCC in rats when concerrently administered with CCl4 in 16 weeks prophylactic study.

Introduction: Increase in the prevalence of type-2 diabetes in Sub-Sahara Africa has created the need for robust treatment and management programs. However, an effective diabetes management program requires a high annual budget that most countries in this region cannot afford. That said, various plants and plant products in this region have either been confirmed and/or ethnopharmacologically used for the management of type-2 diabetes. Aim: To investigate the antidiabetic and insulin secretory effects of an alkaloidal extract derived from Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides in normoglycemic and experimental diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Alkaloidal extract was prepared from leaves of Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (ZZAE). Nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetes was modeled in male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 130 to 150 g. The experimental diabetic rats were grouped into six treatment groups [Model, 20% Tween20, chlorpropamide, and ZZAE (50, 100, and 150 mg/kg)], and one control group. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), and body weight were measured weekly. Rats were sacrificed 2 days after treatment under chloroform anesthesia to collect blood samples and to isolate major organs for biochemical, and histological analyses respectively. Islets of Langerhans were isolated from normoglycemic rats and co-cultured with ZZAE and chlorpropamide (10 μg/mL) to assess the insulin secretory effect of ZZAE. Results: ZZAE improved glucose kinetics curve in normoglycemic (p < 0.001) and experimental diabetic rats (p < 0.05) compared to the model. ZZAE (100 and 150 mg/kg) restored islets population, and improved kidney, and liver, histoarchitecture. ZZAE (150 mg/kg) improved post-treatment serum insulin levels compared to the model group (p < 0.001) and the Chlorpropamide group (p < 0.05). ZZAE also restored glycogen synthesis in skeletal muscles of experimental diabetic rats and stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic islets of Langerhans isolated from normoglycemic rats. Conclusion: These results showed that ZZAE has active alkaloids that can be explored for diabetes management.

There is a significant gap in our knowledge of the microbe–host relationship between urban and traditional rural populations. We conducted a large-scale study to examine the gut microbiota of different traditional rural and urban lifestyles in human populations. Using high-throughput 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing, we tested urban French, Saudi, Senegalese, Nigerian and Polynesian individuals as well as individuals living in traditional rural societies, including Amazonians from French Guiana, Congolese Pygmies, Saudi Bedouins and Algerian Tuaregs. The gut microbiota from individuals living in traditional rural settings clustered differently and presented significantly higher diversity than those of urban populations (p 0.01). The bacterial taxa identified by class analysis as contributing most significantly to each cluster were Phascolarctobacterium for traditional rural individuals and Bifidobacterium for urban individuals. Spirochaetae were only present in the gut microbiota of individuals from traditional rural societies, and the gut microbiota of all traditional rural populations was enriched with Treponema succinifaciens. Cross-transmission of Treponema from termites or swine to humans or the increased use of antibiotics in nontraditional populations may explain why Treponema is present only in the gut microbiota of traditional rural populations. Keywords: Geography, gut microbiota, metagenomics, probiotics, traditional living, treponema

Culturomics investigates microbial diversity of the human microbiome by combining diversified culture conditions, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA gene identification. The present study allowed identification of four putative new Clostridium sensu stricto species: ‘Clostridium amazonitimonense’ strain LF2T, ‘Clostridium massilidielmoense’ strain MT26T, ‘Clostridium nigeriense’ strain Marseille-P2414T and ‘Clostridium merdae’ strain Marseille-P2953T, which we describe using the concept of taxonogenomics. We describe the main characteristics of each bacterium and present their complete genome sequence and annotation. Keywords: ‘Clostridium amazonitimonense’, ‘Clostridium massilidielmoense’, ‘Clostridium merdae’, ‘Clostridium nigeriense’, culturomics, emerging bacteria, human microbiota, taxonogenomics

Microbial culturomics represents a completely new approach to investigate microbial diversity by using different optimized culture conditions, mass spectrometry, genome sequencing and annotation and phenotypic description that allow for an extensive characterization of new species and the study of the human microbiome. Here we present four new species within the genus Paenibacillus: ‘Paenibacillus bouchesdurhonensis’ strain Marseille-P3071T, ‘Paenibacillus rubinfantis’ strain MT18T, ‘Paenibacillus senegalimassiliensis’ strain SIT18T and ‘Paenibacillus tuaregi’ strain Marseille-P2472T, which are all facultatively aerobic and Gram-positive bacilli.

We report here the main characteristics of five new species, ‘Marasmitruncus massiliensis’ strain Marseille-P3646T (CSUR P3646), ‘Clostridium culturomicum’ strain Marseille-P3545T (CSUR P3545), ‘Blautia provencensis’ strain Marseille-P3502T (CSUR P3502), ‘Bacillus caccae’ strain Marseille-P3604T (CSUR P3604) and ‘Ornithinibacillus massiliensis’ strain Marseille-P3601T (CSUR P3601), which were isolated recently from undernourished children's stool samples from Niger using microbial culturomics.

The main characteristics of ‘Khelaifiella massiliensis’ strain Mt13T (= CSUR P1935, = DSM100591), ‘Niameybacter massiliensis’ strain Mt14T (= CSUR P1909, = DSM100592), ‘Brachybacterium massiliense’ strain MT5T (= CSUR P2240, = DSM101766), ‘Enterobacter timonensis’ strain mt20T (= CSUR P2201, = DSM 101775) and ‘Massilibacillus massiliensis’ strain Marseille-P2411T (= CSUR P2411, = DSM102838), new species isolated from the gut of healthy African infants, are presented.

We report here the main characteristics of five new species ‘Urmitella timonensis’ strain Marseille-P2918T (CSUR P2918), ‘Blautia marasmi’ strain Marseille-P2377T (CSUR P2377), ‘Lachnoclostridium pacaense’ strain Marseille-P3100T (CSUR P3100), ‘Bacillus marasmi’ strain Marseille-P3556T (CSUR P3556) and ‘Anaerotruncus rubiinfantis’ strain MT15T (CSUR P2276), which were isolated recently from stool samples taken from undernourished children in Niger and Senegal using microbial culturomics.

Paenibacillus phocaensis sp. nov. strain mt24T (= CSUR P2238 = DSM 101777) is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, spore-forming and motile bacilli. This strain was isolated from the stool sample of a healthy infant from Niger. Its genome was estimated to a size of 5 521 415 bp with a 53.54% GC content. It contains 4835 protein-coding genes and 89 RNAs, among which two were 16S rRNA genes. There were also 101 genes (2.09%) identified as ORFans.

INTRODUCTION: il s'agissait de décrire le profil épidémiologique, clinique et évolutif des patients suivis pour tuberculose au Centre Hospitalier Régional de Maradi.Méthodes: nous avions mené une étude rétrospective, descriptive et analytique à partir des dossiers des patients suivis pour tuberculose du 1er janvier 2015 au 31 décembre 2017.Résultats: au total 595 patients ont été suivis dont 406 hommes (68,24%) pour 189 femmes (31,76%) et une prévalence de 27,71%. L'âge moyen était de 42,3 ans avec des extrêmes de 13 mois à 85 ans. 70,5% des patients provenaient du milieu urbain. Les commerçants représentaient 36,9% des cas. La recherche bactériologique était positive dans 64,7% des cas. Les signes fonctionnels étaient représentés par: la toux (99,5%), la fièvre (79,5%), et la douleur thoracique. La tuberculose pulmonaire avait représenté 78,7%. Le succès thérapeutique a été 81,28%. La prévalence du VIH était de 13,6% et une létalité de 10,42% dont 40,4% des patients décédés avaient une co-infection TB/VIH.Conclusion: avec 10,42% de décès, la tuberculose demeure un fléau dans les pays à faible revenu. L'infection à VIH/SIDA a négativement influencé ces décès au cours de cette étude. La recherche des facteurs de co-morbidités chez tout patient tuberculeux devrait être systématique afin d'améliorer leur prise en charge globale.

A new Actinobacterium, designated Tessaracoccus massiliensis type strain SIT-7T (= CSUR P1301 = DSM 29060), have been isolated from a Nigerian child with kwashiorkor. It is a facultative aerobic, Gram positive, rod shaped, non spore-forming, and non motile bacterium. Here, we describe the genomic and phenotypic characteristics of this isolate. Its 3,212,234 bp long genome (1 chromosome, no plasmid) exhibits a G+C content of 67.81% and contains 3,058 protein-coding genes and 49 RNA genes.

Abstract Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is associated with inadequate diet, low levels of plasma antioxidants and gut microbiota alterations. The link between gut redox and microbial alterations, however, remains unexplored. By sequencing the gut microbiomes of 79 children of varying nutritional status from three centers in Senegal and Niger, we found a dramatic depletion of obligate anaerobes in malnutrition. This was confirmed in an individual patient data meta-analysis including 107 cases and 77 controls from 5 different African and Asian countries. Specifically, several species of the Bacteroidaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococceae families were consistently depleted while Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were consistently enriched. Further analyses on our samples revealed increased fecal redox potential, decreased total bacterial number and dramatic Methanobrevibacter smithii depletion. Indeed, M. smithii was detected in more than half of the controls but in none of the cases. No causality was demonstrated but, based on our results, we propose a unifying theory linking microbiota specificity, lacking anaerobes and archaea, to low antioxidant nutrients, and lower food conversion.

Objectives: In Niger, 65% of hepatocarcinoma and 75% of cirrhosis cases were due to hepatitis B virus (HBV). We studied the genotypic characteristics of HBsAg in chronically HBV-infected patients in Niamey. Methods: We studied prospectively HBV genotypic patterns among hospitalized patients with HBV infection in the National Hospital of Niamey, Niger. Patients were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV genotyping was performed on the HBsAg-positive patients. Results: In this study, we have confirmed the predominance of the HBV genotype E (HBV-E) in Niger and have identified 2 recombinant forms including HBV-E/D and HBV-A3/E reported previously among blood donors in Niger and Ghana, respectively. Amino acid substitutions found in HBV sequences obtained here included P120T, S143L, G145A and A194T. These substitutions were characterized as being associated with modified antigenicity and, notably, with impaired serological detection of HBsAg, while the A194T variant was found to have a controversial role in reduced susceptibility to tenofovir. Conclusions: We have identified two recombinant HBV forms and rare genotypic patterns in Niger that may affect hepatitis B surface antigen antigenicity, and improve current knowledge of epidemiological, clinical and virological patterns of hepatitis B in this country.

Bacillus andreraoultii strain SIT1T (= CSUR P1162 = DSM 29078) is the type strain of B. andreraoultii sp. nov. This bacterium was isolated from the stool of a 2-year-old Nigerian boy with a severe form of kwashiorkor. Bacillus andreraoultii is an aerobic, Gram-positive rod. We describe here the features of this bacterium, together with the complete genome sequencing and annotation. The 4 092 130 bp long genome contains 3718 protein-coding and 116 RNA genes.

Avtar Brah is Professor Emerita at Birkbeck College, University of London. Her book Cartographies of a Diaspora (1996) has been widely read internationally and opened up new perspectives on ‘difference’ and ‘diversity’, informed by feminism and post-structuralism. An early advocate of intersectionality, she is also the longest standing member of the Feminist Review. In this interview, conducted in December 2016, Avtar Brah reflects on her own personal journey to academia and activism, and discusses the value of a postcolonial approach to questions of identity, migration and border crossing at times of resurgent nationalism. In particular, she addresses the value of transnational feminism and the utility of an intersectional framework of analysis to understand the so-called “refugee crisis”, the persistence of racism and sexism in contemporary culture and the state of feminism.

Pearly penile papules (PPP) are common, benign lesions that appear on the corona of the glans penis during adolescence or early adulthood. Despite their benign nature, PPP are known to cause significant distress because of their resemblance to sexually transmitted infections such as condyloma acuminata. PPP can be clinically distinguished based on their uniform, dome-shaped papules that orient in one to two rows around the glans penis. There is no association between PPP and sexually transmitted infections, and treatment is generally reserved for patients with excessive concern. Physicians should be aware of this distinction in order to adequately reassure anxious patients. For patients who still desire treatment after counseling, cryotherapy and laser therapy represent two reliable treatment options with low rates of recurrence.

Bacillus rubiinfantis sp. nov. strain mt2T is the type strain of B. rubiinfantis sp. nov., isolated from the fecal flora of a child with kwashiorkor in Niger. It is Gram-positive facultative anaerobic rod belonging to the Bacillaceae family. We describe the features of this organism alongside the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 4 311 083 bp long genome (one chromosome but no plasmid) contains 4028 protein-coding gene and 121 RNA genes including nine rRNA genes.

Bacillus niameyensis sp. nov. strain SIT3T (= CSUR P1266 = DSM 29725) is the type strain of B. niameyensis sp. nov. This Gram-positive strain was isolated from the digestive flora of a child with kwashiorkor and is a facultative anaerobic rod and a member of the Bacillaceae family. This organism is hereby described alongside its complete genome sequence and annotation. The 4 286 116 bp long genome (one chromosome but no plasmid) contains 4130 protein-coding and 66 RNA genes including five rRNA genes.

Severe acute malnutrition is the world-leading cause of children under-five's death. Recent metagenomics studies have established a link between gut microbiota and severe acute malnutrition, describing an immaturity with a striking depletion in oxygen-sensitive prokaryotes. Amoxicillin and therapeutic diet cure most of the children with severe acute malnutrition but an irreversible disruption of the gut microbiota is suspected in the refractory and most severe cases. In these cases, therapeutic diet may be unable to reverse the microbiota alteration leading to persistent impaired development or death. In addition, as enteric sepsis is a major cause of death in this context, identification of missing gut microbes to be tested as probiotics (live bacteria that confer a benefit to the host) to restore rapidly the healthy gut microbiota and prevent the gut pathogenic invasion is of foremost importance. In this study, stool samples of malnourished patients with kwashiorkor and healthy children were collected from Niger and Senegal and analyzed by culturomics and metagenomics. We found a globally decreased diversity, a decrease in the hitherto unknown diversity (new species isolation), a depletion in oxygen-sensitive prokaryotes including Methanobrevibacter smithii and an enrichment in potentially pathogenic Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria and Streptococcus gallolyticus. A complex of 12 species identified only in healthy children using culturomics and metagenomics were identified as probiotics candidates, providing a possible, defined, reproducible, safe, and convenient alternative to fecal transplantation to restore a healthy gut microbiota in malnourished children. Microbiotherapy based on selected strains has the potential to improve the current treatment of severe acute malnutrition and prevent relapse and death by reestablishing a healthy gut microbiota.

The effects of diets with corn, sorghum, or pearl millet on growth performance and egg production and quality in poultry were determined on pullets (120), 19-week-old (with a mean of 1,050±11 g) in a 3-month experiment. The control diet was corn-based with fishmeal and peanut meal as the primary protein supplements. Sorghum and millet were used to replace the corn on a wt/wt basis so that treatments are: (i) a corn-based control; (ii) 50% corn + 50% millet; (iii) 50% corn+50% sorghum; (iv) pearl millet; and (v) sorghum. Ingredients samples were collected and analyzed through proximate analysis. Performance response criteria were egg production rate, average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg weight, feed conversion c g of feed/dozen eggs), egg yolk colour and feed cost. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. Results indicated that layers fed corn versus those fed 50% corn + 50% sorghum, 50% corn + 50% millet, sorghum or millet had similar egg production rate. Feed cost was higher for layer fed corn or sorghum based diets and egg pigmentation was poor in sorghum and millet based diets. Therefore, it is recommended that in Niger, the poultry producers could replace corn up to 50% by millet or sorghum in layer diets.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) discriminate microbial pathogens and induce T-cell responses of appropriate effector phenotype accordingly. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in part, mediate this microbial recognition and differentiation while the development of T-cell effector functions critically depends on the release of Th1- or Th2- type cytokines. In the present study, buffalo PBMCs were stimulated under in vitro culture conditions by Bacillus subtilis cell wall petidoglycan, a TLR2 ligand, in a dose-and time- dependent manner. The expression of TLR2 as well as the subsequent differential induction of the Th1 and Th2 type cytokines was measured. Stimulation was analyzed across five doses of peptidoglycan (10 μ/ml, 20 μg/ml, 30 μg/ml, 40 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml) for 3 h, 12 h, 24 h and 36 h incubation periods. We observed the induction of TLR2 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner and the peptidoglycan induced tolerance beyond 30 μg/ml dose at all incubation periods. The correlation between peptidoglycan stimulation and TLR2 induction was found positive at all doses and for all incubation periods. Increased production of all the cytokines was observed at low doses for 3 h incubation, but the expression of IL-4 was relatively higher than IL-12 at the higher antigen doses, indicating tailoring towards Th2 response. At 12 h incubation, there was a pronounced decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 expression relative to IL-12 in a dose- dependent manner, indicating skewing to Th1 polarization. The expression of IL-12 was highest for all doses across all the incubation intervals at 24 h incubation, indicating Th1 polarization. The relative expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ was also higher while that of IL-4 and IL-10 showed a decrease. For 36 h incubation, at low doses, relative increase in the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 was observed which decreased at higher doses, as did the expression of all other cytokines. The exhaustion of cytokine production at 36 h indicated that PBMCs became refractory to further stimulation. It can be concluded from this study that the cytokine response to sPGN initially was of Th2 type which skews, more pronouncedly, to Th1 type with time till the cells become refractory to further stimulation.

Le lymphome T intestinal associé à une entéropathie ou Enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL), est une complication rare de la maladie céliaque (MC). Nous rapportons l'observation d'un lymphome T associée à une MC révélé par une occlusion intestinale aigue. Une patiente maghrébine de 38 ans, aux antécédents de stérilité et de douleurs abdominales chroniques, était admise en urgence pour occlusion intestinale aigue. L'intervention chirurgicale retrouvait une tumeur au dépend du grêle avec des adénopathies mésentériques. L'histologie et l'immunohistochimie de la pièce opératoire objectivait un lymphome T digestif CD3+ et le bilan immunologique de la maladie cAcute intestinal obstruction revealing enteropathy associated t-cell lymphoma, about a caseliaque était positif. Le diagnostic d'EATL était ainsi retenu. La patiente était mise sous chimiothérapie (CHOEP) et régime sans gluten avec une réponse complète au traitement. L'EATL est une complication rare de la MC qui peut être révélée par une occlusion intestinale. Son pronostic peut être amélioré par une prise en charge précoce associant chirurgie et chimiothérapie. Sa prévention passe par un diagnostic précoce de la MC et un régime sans gluten.

A primeira parte do texto trata das várias noções de "diferença" que surgiram na recente controvérsia sobre a categoria "negro" (black) como sinal comum para a experiência de grupos africanos-caribenhos e do sul da Ásia na Grã-Bretanha do pós-guerra. O objetivo é assinalar como "negro" operou como sinal contingente em diferentes circunstâncias políticas. A segunda seção considera as maneiras como questões de "diferença" foram enquadradas na teoria e na prática feministas durante as décadas de 1970 e 1980, tendo como foco principal o debate britânico. A autora conclui com um breve exame de algumas categorias conceituais usadas na teorização da "diferença", sugerindo um novo quadro para análise.The first part of text adresses the various notions of "difference" that have emerged in the recent controversy about the category "black" as a common sign for the experience of African-Caribbean and South Asian groups in post-war Britain. The aim is to signal how "black" has operated as a contingent sign under different political circumstances. The second section is concerned with the ways in which issues of "difference" were framed within feminist theory and practice during the 1970s and 1980s. The primary focus is on the British debate. The author concludes with a brief examination of some conceptual categories used in the theorisation of "difference", and suggests a new analytical framework.

Campylobacter fetus bacteremia is rare and occurs mainly in patients with immunosuppression. This infection, which often involves secondary localizations has already been reported in some primary humoral immune deficiencies. We describe three cases of severe infection due to C. fetus with cellulitis at presentation, but without any gastrointestinal symptoms, occurring in patients with acquired hypogammaglobulinemia.

Adaptive resource allocation has been shown to provide substantial performance gain in OFDMA-based wireless systems, such as WiMAX, when full channel state information (CSI) is available at the transmitter. However, in some fading environments (e.g., fast fading), there may not be a feedback link sufficiently fast to convey the CSI to the transmitter. In this paper, we consider resource allocation strategies for downlink multiuser mobile WiMAX systems, where the transmitter has only the channel distribution information (CDI), but no knowledge of the instantaneous channel realization. We address the problem of subchannel assignment and power allocation, to maximize the ergodic weighted-sum rate under long-term fairness, minimum data rate requirement and power budget constraints. This problem is formulated as a nonlinear stochastic constrained optimization problem. We provide an analytical solution based on the Lagrange dual decomposition framework. The proposed method has a complexity of ðÂ’ª(KM) for K users and M subchannels. Simulation results are provided to compare the performance of this method with other allocation schemes and to illustrate the tradeoff between maximized weighted-sum rate and the constraints.

Abstract In cooperative networks, a variety of resource allocation problems can be formulated as constrained optimization with system-wide objective, e.g., maximizing the total system throughput, capacity or ergodic capacity, subject to constraints from individual users, e.g., minimum data rate, transmit power limit, and from the system, e.g., power budget, total number of subcarriers, availability of the channel state information (CSI). Most constrained resource allocation schemes for cooperative networks require rigorous optimization processes using numerical methods since closed-form solutions are rarely found. In this article, we show that the Lambert-W function can be efficiently used to obtain closed-form solutions for some constrained resource allocation problems. Simulation results are provided to compare the performance of the proposed schemes with other resource allocation schemes.

Adaptive resource allocation has been shown to provide substantial performance gain in OFDMA-based wireless systems, such as WiMAX, when full channel state information (CSI) is available at the transmitter. However, in some fading environments (e.g., fast fading), there may not be a feedback link sufficiently fast to convey the CSI to the transmitter. In this paper, we consider resource allocation strategies for downlink multiuser mobile WiMAX systems, where the transmitter has only the channel distribution information (CDI), but no knowledge of the instantaneous channel realization. We address the problem of subchannel assignment and power allocation, to maximize the ergodic weighted-sum rate under long-term fairness, minimum data rate requirement and power budget constraints. This problem is formulated as a nonlinear stochastic constrained optimization problem. We provide an analytical solution based on the Lagrange dual decomposition framework. The proposed method has a complexity of (KM) for K users and M subchannels. Simulation results are provided to compare the performance of this method with other allocation schemes and to illustrate the tradeoff between maximized weighted-sum rate and the constraints.