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This work focuses on the nesting behavior of the West African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) in the anthropized habitats of the village of Tikankali and its surroundings. Studies on chimpanzee nesting behavior are carried out at several sites of Senegal but never in Tikankaly. Thus, proximity with the Niokolo Koba National Park and the presence of a gold mining industry mean that data on chimpanzee nesting behavior and anthropogenic impacts in their habitats for decisions-making about chimpanzee conservation in this area. We recorded a total of 213 chimpanzee nests during two surveys over a distance of 47.81 km (i.e., 47.81 km x 2). Data were collected in October 2020 and October 2021. The majority of nests (63%) were found in wooded savannah, 19% in bamboo savannah, 09% in gallery forest and 07% in open forest. The results showed that 22 plant species belonging to 08 families are used for chimpanzee nests in and around Tikankali. However, half of the nests were in Pterocarpus erinaceus (53%); followed by Hexalobus monopetalus (8%); Diospyros mespiliformis (6%), Piliostigma thonningii (6%), Lannea acida (6%); and Grewia bicolor (4%). The average height of trees used as chimpanzee nest supports was 9.88 m (SD=3.60) and the average height of nests was 7.46 m (SD=3.23). Linear regression analysis (r=0.84; N=213; p< 0.05) suggested a preference for nesting at a particular height but also that nest height is a function of the supporting tree's height. The current study contributes to the knowledge of chimpanzee nesting behavior in Tikankali, the anthropogenic disruption and will help in the implementation of a good chimpanzee management and conservation strategy in Senegal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of protected areas is to conserve nature. However, the wild animal populations they shelter are not immune to extinction. It is, therefore, important for researchers to provide regular information on the ecology of these populations in order to guide management actions and enhance knowledge. From studies based on chimpanzee nests, we revealed that chimpanzees in Niokolo Koba National Park nest more in closed habitats than in open ones, and that certain plant species are preferentially chosen for nest construction. Diospyros mespiliformis and Pterocarpus erinaceus are the trees most used by chimpanzees for bearing their nests. In addition, we found that chimpanzee nest height and nest life were influenced by the environmental factors. We conclude that the preservation of nesting sites of chimpanzees is crucial for the conservation of this great ape, considered to be on the border of extinction in Senegal. The Niokolo Koba National Park (NKNP) is the largest protected area in Senegal and lies at the northern limit of the chimpanzee's range in West Africa. Recent information on nesting behavior and factors influencing nesting behavior is available for several sites outside NKNP. However, the information available for NKNP is obsolete. Considering that the adequate management of chimpanzee populations cannot be achieved without strong scientific knowledge, it is essential to update data on chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes verus, nesting behavior in NKNP. For this reason, we surveyed their habitat in Mt. Assirik and recorded 626 chimpanzee nests. The results of the study showed that chimpanzees nest more often in closed-canopy habitats such as gallery forests. The average nest height observed in this study was 8.07 ± 0.36 m, varying between 2 and 20 m, which is well below the heights described in most sites where chimpanzees cohabit with large carnivores. Botanical surveys confirmed that chimpanzees select tree species bearing their nests. In Assirik, 12 of the 37 tree species bearing nests are the most used. The nest decay rate (or the time it takes for a nest to go from the fresh to the skeletal stage) at Assirik averaged 68.8 ± 5.8 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimpanzees use tools extensively, but tool-assisted hunting has been reported at only two sites thus far. Systematic tool-assisted hunting has only been recorded at the Fongoli site in Senegal, where hundreds of cases have been recorded of chimpanzees using tools to hunt bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) prey. Here, we report a putative case of tool-assisted hunting at the Bantan study site in southeastern Senegal, based on indirect evidence of tools and tool-making traces in a context similar to that observed at neighboring Fongoli chimpanzee community. If our interpretations are correct, the simplest explanation is that Fongoli females have dispersed to this neighboring community, bringing with them the behavior of tool-assisted hunting. However, the persistence and frequency of tool-assisted hunting at other sites in Senegal is still unknown. Tool-assisted hunting in the Bantan chimpanzee community would present only the third such known site for such behavior among wild chimpanzees thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dialé-Daléma group is located in the eastern part of the Kédougou-Kenieba Inlier (KKI) and is essentially composed of Paleoproterozoic rock formations. Lithostructural studies in this area, hassuggested, often controversial, deformational regimes and geodynamic evolution models. In this study, we suggest the existence of an initial tangential D 1 deformation and transpressional D 2 deformational phases. D 1 is characterized by an initial metamorphic schistosity denoted as S 1 and by F 1 folds with the main shortening stress direction generally oriented in NW-SE direction. D 2 in the study area is divided into two stages. The first stage designated as D 2a is coaxial and compressive in nature. It is characterized by a N-S to NNE-SSW trending metamorphic schistosity termed S 2a . The D 2a phase evolves gradually to a transcurrent phase connoted as D 2b and characterized by a NNE-SSW S 2b metamorphic schistosity which is axial planar to the F 2b folds with subvertical fold axes. During the D 2 phase, the main shortening stress direction rotates gradually in a clockwise motion from an E-W to a NW-SE direction within a continuum of deformation. The third deformation phase D 3 in the Dialé-Daléma basin, is also divided into two stages, thus D 3a and D 3b . D 3a is transcurrent and transtensive in nature and is characterized by NE-SW sinistral shear corridors with local extensional jogs. During this deformation stage, the maximum shortening stress (σ 1 ) direction acts in a N-S direction and rotate to a NE-SW direction, thereby creating a N-S transcurrent dextral shear corridors. D 3b component of the D 3 deformation is compressive in nature with a weak sinistral shear component. The D 4 corresponds to a N-S extensional phase which is characterized by E-W directed normal faults. D 4 in the study area denotes the final stage of the evolution of the Eburnean orogeny in the KKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the reliability of direct observation for measuring intrapartum care and compare this method with clinical audits using objective criteria based on patients' medical charts. Design Cross-sectional study, data collected by two independent evaluators. Setting Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. Participants Thirty consecutive intrapartum care episodes provided by midwives and the corresponding medical charts. Outcome Measure The presence or absence of each of twelve criteria selected on the basis of national and international norms for monitoring of labour and delivery (six criteria) and the immediate postpartum period (six criteria). Results For direct observation, the labour and delivery mean quality scores ranged from 5.34 to 5.77. In contrast, for the chart-based method, the scores ranged from 0.32 to 0.45. For postpartum care evaluated only with direct observation, the scores were also high (5.21–5.65). For direct observation, inter-evaluator agreement was high: kappa coefficients varied from 0.78 to 0.93 depending on the criterion (total score ICC = 0.74). For the chart-based method, inter-evaluator agreement was also high: 0.66 to 1 (total score ICC = 0.72). Comparison of the two methods showed strong differences by items and subscores. Conclusion Using direct observation, the quality of obstetric care was high for both the monitoring of labour and delivery and postpartum care. Both measurement instruments showed high reliability. The chart-based method underestimated the quality of care because of poor medical record documentation. Medical-record-based measurement may not be appropriate for the evaluation of the quality of obstetric care in Senegal and other low-income settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The mature spermatozoon of Parahemiurus merus (Digenea: Hemiuroidea: Hemiuridae) is filiform, tapered in both ends and exhibits the general pattern described in most digeneans so far: two axonemes of the 9+‘1’ pattern of trepaxonematan Platyhelminthes, nucleus, mitochondrion, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane and parallel cortical microtubules. However, the spermatozoon of P. merus presents some peculiarities. The presence of an external ornamentation of the plasma membrane not associated with cortical microtubules in the anterior part of the spermatozoon is described for a second genus in the family Hemiuridae. Cortical microtubules are disposed in only one side of the spermatozoon as described in other species of Hemiuroidea but, in P. merus, the number of cortical microtubules is much lower. The results obtained are compared with the available data on Hemiuroidea in order to improve the understanding of phylogenetic relationships of hemiuroids. Similarities found between spermatozoa of hemiurids and lecithasterids are in accordance with molecular evidence that group these two families in a same clade. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder. Its prevalence is underestimated in Africa, hence the initiation of the Atrial Fibrillation Registry In Countries of Africa (AFRICA). The aim of our study was to describe, within the framework of the AFRICA registry, the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Africa, particularly in Senegal. Methods: we performed a cross-sectional, retrospective, multicentric study conducted from January 1st to December 31st 2017, in three referral cardiology wards in Senegal. Results: one hundred and sixtyeight patients, with a mean age of 63 years, were selected, representing a hospital prevalence of 5.99%. There was a predominance of women with sex-ratio of 0.69. High blood pressure was the most frequent risk factor (24.4%). Heart failure was the most frequent circumstance of discovery (59.52%). AF was persistent in 52.24% and valvular AF accounted for 31% and was more frequent in young people (p= 0.005). Left ventricular systolic function was impaired in 55.7%, the left atrium was dilated in 70.83%. The strategy to reduce heart rate was the most used. Patients with CHA2DS2VASC ≥ 2 received anticoagulation with LMWH and oral relay maid mostly of VKA. The complications were dominated by heart failure (66.6%) and ischemic stroke cerebral (28%). Conclusion: atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent cardiac rhythm disorder. It is a major public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]