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The stability of symbiotic flora is an important indicator of the health of an organism. Symbiotic bacteria have been proven to be closely involved in the immune process of organisms. The pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana was studied in relation to symbiotic bacteria on the surface and inside of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). The results showed that the surface disinfection of test locusts contributed to the pathogenicity of B. bassiana to locusts. Most of the surface bacteria of L. migratoria caused some inhibition of B. bassiana growth, and LM5-4 (Raoultella ornithinolytica), LM5-2 (Enterobacter aerogenes), and LM5-13 (Citrobacter freundii) showed the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of B. bassiana. The inoculation of locusts with additional surface symbiotic bacteria reduced the virulence of B. bassiana to L. migratoria. Infection by different strains of B. bassiana caused similar changes in the symbiotic flora of migratory locusts. The inoculation of locusts with additional intestinal symbiotic bacteria (Enterobacter sp.) reduced the virulence of B. bassiana to L. migratoria. These findings illustrate the effect of bacterial communities on fungal infections in L. migratoria when seen from the perspective of ecology in a microenvironment. The active antifungal substances of such bacteria and their mechanisms of action need further study.

Introduction: The aim was to assess weight gain during tuberculosis treatment in patients co-infected with tuberculosis and HIV. Methods: Tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV and undergoing tuberculosis treatment in the pneumophtisiology and infectious and tropical diseases departments of the CHU in Conakry were included. Results: 562 patients were included, with a mean age of 35.6±11.3 years, and 52.5% were women. The average Body Mass Index [BMI] at baseline was 17.8 3.3 kg/m2. 71.5% of patients had a favorable result and 28.5% had an unfavorable result [death, abandonment]. Healed and lost patients gained an average of 2.6 kg and 0.1 kg respectively. Deceased patients lost an average of 3.6 kg. The weight variations of the cured patients were different from those of the deceased [p < 0.001]. A weight gain of 5% after 6 months of treatment was associated with the treatment site [OR=3.81; 95% CI 1.08 to 13.45], alcohol consumption [OR=10.33; 95% CI 1.20 to 89.16], malnutrition before treatment [OR=2.72; 95% CI 1.43 to 5.17] and the form of tuberculosis [OR=3.27; 95% CI 1.15 to 9.33]. Conclusion: Newly diagnosed patients co-infected with TB-HIV at Conakry's CHU are often malnourished. Weight gain during treatment seems to be a reliable indicator of the overall response to treatment.

Background Exclusive breastfeeding is critical for infant survival and development. However, the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life is low in sub-Saharan Africa. With the current trend in breastfeeding rates in many countries including in Guinea, the World Health Assembly target of at least 50% of children aged less than 6 months being exclusively breastfeed by 2025 is likely to be compromised and lives a numerous infant that are be at risk. The objective of this study was to identify the individual and contextual determinants of the practice of Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) in Guinea. Method We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the 2018 Guinea Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). The study population consisted of women who gave birth between the ages of 15 and 49. Our sample consisted of women who had their last birth six (06) months prior to collection. The enumeration areas were our second level. A multilevel logistic regression was performed using Stata version 15.1 software. Three statistical models were implemented: The final model was obtained using the bottom-up step-by-step method. The intra-class correlation coefficient was calculated. Results On the 851 women included in our study, 33% reported having exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months of life of their children. After a multivariate analysis, the variables associated with exclusive breastfeeding are: children aged 2–3 months (OR = 0.53 CI95% = [0.36–0.79]) and children aged 4–5 months (OR = 0.23 IC95% = [0.14–0.36]), women in the Faranah area (OR = 2.69 IC95% = [1.21–5.94]) and those in Mamou (OR = 2.27 IC95% = [1.00–5.94]), women who gave birth in a health facility (OR = 1.94 IC95% = [1.34–2.80]) and women living in polygamous households (OR = 0.68 IC95% = [0.48–0.98]). Conclusion The practice of exclusive breastfeeding remains low in Guinea. For the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the improvement of exclusive breastfeeding practices, the individual and contextual determinants identified in this study should be taken into consideration in policies and programmes.

Malaria incidence is generally lower in cities than rural areas. However, reported urban malaria incidence may not accurately reflect the level of ongoing transmission, which has potentially large implications for prevention efforts. To guide mosquito net distribution, we assessed the extent of malaria transmission in Conakry, Guinea, in 2018. We found evidence of active malaria transmission.

Data regarding the prevalence and consequences of self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa are very limited. The study aimed to explore the frequency and risk factors of self-medication against COVID-19 by health personnel in this study. This cross-sectional study took place in June 2021, in Conakry, in the all three national hospitals and the six community medical centers, and five primary health centers. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with self-medication. A total of 975 health workers with a median age of 31 (IQR: 27-40) years, with 504 (51.7%) women were included. The majority were clinicians: physicians (33.1%) or nurses (33.1%). Of all, 46.2% reported having had at least one COVID-19 symptom during the 12 months preceding the survey. The proportion of self-medication was 15.3% among national hospital staff, 12.20% in municipality medical centers and 22.6% in primary health centers (p=0.06). More than two-thirds (68.7%) who selfmedicated did not have a test for SARSCoV- 2 infection. They took antibiotics including azithromycin, amoxicillin, ampicillin (42.2%), acetaminophen (37.4%), vitamin C (27.9%), hydroxychloroquine (23.8%) and medicinal plants (13.6%). The median duration of self-medication was 4 days. Fatigue or asthenia, sore throat, loss of smell and sore throat of a close person were independently associated with selfmedication. Health care workers largely practiced self-medication during the Covid pandemic and without diagnostic testing. The results suggest the need for training and sensitization of medical personnel to avoid the consequences of the molecules used, including hepatotoxicity and antibiotic resistance.

BACKGROUND In a country where radiotherapy (RT) is not available, advocacy based on the relevance of surgery + adjuvant RT in locoregional control and survival is needed. AIM To evaluate the impact of surgery with RT on local control and survival compared to surgery alone in breast cancer (BC). METHODS AND RESULTS Between 2007 and 2016, 210 patients with BC were retrospectively reviewed, of which 90 patients underwent surgery with RT (group 1) and 120 patients' surgery (group 2). There were several treatment combinations, including surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy [ACT], RT, and ACT. The results showed 88 (41.9%) cases of relapse, including 31 (34.4%) (group 1) and 57 (47.5%) (group 2) (p = .046). Recurrence occurred after a mean time of 1.5 years in group 1 versus 0.66 years in group 2 (p = .006). The 5-year overall and BC-specific survivals were 49.5% and 62.5%, respectively. The 5-year survival was 60.0% (group 1) and 40.0% (group 2) (p

International audience; Background: The protocol study will focus on the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection as well as the history, symptoms, and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 in four primary health-care workers (PHCWs) and their household contacts in metropolitan France. Methods: Here, we propose a protocol for a nationwide survey to determine the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection in four PHCW populations (general practitioners, pediatricians, pharmacists and assistants, and dentists and assistants) and their household contacts. Participants will be included from June to July 2021 (Phase 1) among PHCW populations located throughout metropolitan France. They will be asked to provide a range of demographic and behavioral information since the first SARS-CoV-2 wave and a self-sampled dried blood spot. Phase 1 will involve also a questionnaire and serological study of PHCWs’ household contacts. Seroprevalence will be estimated using two ELISAs designed to detect specific IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in humoral fluid, and these results will be confirmed using a virus neutralization test. This study will be repeated from November to December 2021 (Phase 2) to evaluate the evolution of immune status achieved by vaccination and/or natural protection of PHCWs and to describe the history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Objectives: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of thyroid disease at the University Hospital of Conakry, Guinea. Methods: This was a descriptive study with prospective data collection, carried out over the period of December 2016 to April 2019 at the endocrinology outpatient consultation at the University Hospital of Conakry. All the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic data of the patients followed-up for thyroid disease were collected, analyzed and classified according to the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile. The functional, morphological and autoimmune aspects of the thyroid gland were studied. Results: Out of a total of 3.517 endocrinology consultations during the study period, 204 patients were diagnosed with thyroid disease (180 women and 24 men, F/H ratio: 7.5). The average age was 47 ± 16 years. A total of 90 patients (44.33%) had hyperthyroidism, including 52 cases of Graves-Basedow disease (57.6%) and 24 cases of toxic multi-nodular goiter (32.6%). Hypothyroidism was confirmed in 25 patients (11%); about half (48%) of them had a complete thyroid surgery. The treatment of hyperthyroidism was exclusively done by synthetic antithyroid drugs, except 5 cases of Hashimoto disease with transient initial hyperthyroidism phase. Hypothyroidism was treated by hormone replacement therapy. Thyroidectomy, partial (n = 5) or total (n = 12), was performed for aesthetic discomfort (n = 6), cervical compression (n = 8) and suspicion of thyroid cancer (n = 3). Follow-up was considered regular in 40 cases (44%). Conclusion: Thyroid disease was frequent in this study conducted in Conakry and its clinical features were very diverse, dominated by hyperthyroidism mainly due to Grave disease. However, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies were hindered by the limitation in availability of biological and morphological explorations.

The objective of this study was to describe Thrombotic manifestations and therapeutic management during HIV infection and tuberculosis in a 19-year-old male student. The objective of this study was to describe Thrombotic manifestations and therapeutic management during HIV infection and tuberculosis in a 19-year-old student. Observation: It is Mr. S. C., aged 19, admitted for pain and swelling of the right lower limb, physical asthenia and notion of fever. Evolution 5 days, with no particular history of cardiovascular disease, anti-retroviral treatment for 1 year and anti-tuberculosis treatment for 3 months. On clinical examination heart sounds are irregular with a heart rate at 115 bpm, blood pressure at 110/70 mmhg. A febrile red painful swelling at right lower limb with positive Homans sign. 0°C (Temperature 37.7°C), Weight at 58 Kg. The rest of the clinical examination is without particularity. Venous Doppler echo of the lower limbs: shows the presence of acute deep vein thrombosis of the right lateral vein. Mr. S. C. to benefit the following Medical Treatment: lovenox 0.6 UI subcutaneously morning and evening, Sintrom 4 mg 1 comprimed at night, Tramadol 50 mg morning and evening; with a good clinical evolution. CONCLUSION: TB and HIV are chronic infections that result in widespread inflammation predisposing patients to a MTVE (Venous thromboembolic disease) table as well as rifampicin and anti-proteases.

Seven years after the declaration of the first epidemic of Ebola virus disease in Guinea, the country faced a new outbreak—between 14 February and 19 June 2021—near the epicentre of the previous epidemic1,2. Here we use next-generation sequencing to generate complete or near-complete genomes of Zaire ebolavirus from samples obtained from 12 different patients. These genomes form a well-supported phylogenetic cluster with genomes from the previous outbreak, which indicates that the new outbreak was not the result of a new spillover event from an animal reservoir. The 2021 lineage shows considerably lower divergence than would be expected during sustained human-to-human transmission, which suggests a persistent infection with reduced replication or a period of latency. The resurgence of Zaire ebolavirus from humans five years after the end of the previous outbreak of Ebola virus disease reinforces the need for long-term medical and social care for patients who survive the disease, to reduce the risk of re-emergence and to prevent further stigmatization. The viral lineage responsible for the February 2021 outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Guinea is nested within a clade that predominantly consists of genomes sampled during the 2013–2016 epidemic, suggesting that the virus might have re-emerged after a long period of latency within a previously infected individual.

Background: The Expanded Program on Immunisation has made it possible to prevent more than 3 million deaths in children under 5 years. The objectives of this study were to estimate the vaccination coverage of children from 0 to 59 months and identify factors associated with incomplete vaccination coverage.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a dispensary in Conakry, Guinea between January and February 2020. Sociodemographic and vaccination information was collected from mothers of 380 randomly select children aged 0 to 59 months. Information on immunisation coverage was gathered from records vaccination cards and maternal reports. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with incomplete immunisation coverage.Results: Most (66.5%) children aged 12 months were up-to-date with their vaccinations. Factors associated with incomplete vaccination in this age group included: unavailability of vaccination cards (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.56–22.44) and lack of prenatal consultation attendance (aOR 2.93; 95% CI: 1.15–7.48). In contrast only 19.8% (95% CI: 13.9–26.7) of children aged 12–59 months were fully immunised. Factors associated with incomplete vaccination coverage in children aged 12–59 months included high birth order (aOR 10.23; 95% CI: 2.06–19.43), and lack of prenatal consultation attendance (aOR 5.34; 95% CI: 1.48–19.23).Conclusion: Child immunisation coverage is low in Guinea. These results highlight the need to develop strategies based on an integrated approach to overcome obstacles to childhood immunisation in Guinea.

The ebola epidemic that raged in West Africa between 2013 and 2016 was the largest since the discovery of the virus in 1976. During this epidemic, more than 11,000 cases were notified with a lethality of over 67%. Several means of transmission have been described. The great difficulty noted during the epidemic was the estimation of the number of asymptomatic and pauci symptomatic cases, however there is evidence that this population has been in contact with the virus for some time. Thus, they could be a source for the spread of the epidemic. In this paper, we report in Guinea-Conakry three stories of probable pauci-symptomatic form of ebola disease that would have been the cause of massive infection in a population sorely tried by the epidemic between 2014 and 2015 in Guinea.

Anxiety and depression continue to be significant comorbidities for people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorder among HIV patients at Conakry, Guinea. In this cross-sectional study, we described socio-demographic, clinical and psychosocial data related to anxiety and depression in 160 HIV patients of the University Teaching Hospital, Conakry, Guinea. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used for measuring depression and anxiety in the prior month. The HADS score of ⩾8 was used to identify possible cases of depression and anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. The prevalence of comorbid depression and anxiety among HIV patients was 8.1% and the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among HIV-infected patients was 13.8% and 16.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that individuals having BMI ⩽ 18 (AOR = 3.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37–9.57) and who did not receive antiretroviral treatment (AOR = 18.93, 95% CI 1.88–188.81) were significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms. Similarly, having age

This paper empirically investigates the change in the relationship between economic growth and financial development as ECOWAS economies grow over the period 1991–2017. The methodology of analysis is the quantile regression, which allows determining the impact of financial development at different levels of economic growth. Financial development is measured by private sector credit to GDP and liquid liabilities to GDP. The results indicate that financial development plays a positive and significant role in economic growth process regardless of the level of economic development. The size of the impact of financial development depends on its measure as well as the specification of the model. Our findings also indicate that the impact of finance increases with the level of economic growth between the 10th and the 90th percentile. Moreover, when country fixed effects are taken into consideration, the impact of finance rises significantly at the lowest percentiles of economic development, while it remains relatively stable at medium and high levels of economic development. Finally, the findings point out the absence of linearity in the linkage between finance and economic growth.

Background Paranosema locustae Canning, 1953 (Microsporidia) provides effective control of grasshoppers. Horizontal transmission of P. locustae is known to occur, and evidence for the mechanism of this transmission via predatory natural enemies has been found. We conducted a 3-year laboratory and field study to assess the potential impact of feces from both grasshoppers Locusta migratoria L. and their natural enemies on the persistence of P. locustae. Results We found that P. locustae persisted among grasshopper populations in treated areas and in adjacent untreated areas for up to 2 years, and the density of grasshoppers decreased in both areas. We showed that healthy grasshoppers could be infected by eating food contaminated by feces from their natural enemies. Grasshopper predators retained a large number of spores acquired from eating grasshoppers infected with P. locustae. Spores in the feces of the main natural enemy, the beetle Pterostichus gebleri Dejean 1828, in the treated area showed clear viability. Conclusion These results demonstrate that predatory natural enemies are important vectors for this microsporidian disease, and suggest that sustainable transmission and continuing population suppression might be achieved by horizontal transmission via natural enemies, which should be maximized to increase the effectiveness of P. locustae. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resume Objectif L’objectif de cette etude est de rapporter le vecu psychosocial des patients infectes gueris et des personnes affectees psychiquement par le virus Ebola a Conakry et de decrire les techniques psychologiques utilisees pour leur prise en charge. Methodes Il s’agit d’une etude prospective, transversale et descriptive sur trois mois en periode de crise, portant sur les patients infectes gueris et les patients affectes psychiquement par le virus Ebola, recus au service de psychiatrie de l’hopital national Donka pour soutien psychologique a la demande de l’ONG Save The Children. Les patients ont ete recus entre mai et aout 2014 et repartis en differents groupes. Le dispositif d’accueil comprenait plusieurs salles d’entretien. Les entretiens se sont deroules dans la confidentialite et sous la responsabilite de deux medecins psychiatres-psychotherapeutes 1 . Tous les sujets ont donne leur consentement eclaire a participer a l’etude. Pour les enfants, le consentement des parents ou des tuteurs a ete requis. Resultats Du 30 mai au 9 aout 2014, 68 patients ont ete recus au service de psychiatrie de l’hopital national Donka pour soutien psychologique. Parmi eux, 37 sujets infectes et declares gueris de la maladie a virus Ebola, 17 sujets contacts et 14 sujets non contacts, mais egalement traumatises psychologiquement. Parmi ces sujets contacts et non contacts, nous avons enregistre 14 orphelins (45,16 %), 8 veuves (25,80 %) et 9 veufs (29,03 % des cas). Trois des patients sur l’ensemble de la cohorte, soit 4,41 % ont presente un etat de stress post-traumatique et sept, soit 10,29 % des cas, une depression moderee sans symptome psychotique. Sur le plan social, 37 patients (54 %) ont fait l’objet de rejet et de stigmatisation dans leur entourage communautaire et/ou professionnel. Discussion La peur de retomber malade et d’en mourir, l’angoisse, l’insomnie, la mefiance ou l’evitement, le sentiment de rejet, le repli sur soi, l’hospitalisme pour les orphelins et la perte d’interet pour les activites habituelles (anhedonie) ont ete les principaux problemes psychologiques trouves chez les patients. Le debriefing psychologique suivi de psychotherapie de soutien, de therapie cognitive et comportementale avec recours parfois a un antidepresseur ont ete les moyens therapeutiques utilises. Les conseils d’hygiene individuelle et collective ont ete prodigues a tous les patients dans le cadre de la prevention. Ces patients, remis en confiance, se sont constitues en ONG pour renforcer les equipes de sensibilisation et de surveillance dans les communes de Conakry et a l’interieur du pays. Conclusion Les patients infectes gueris et les personnes affectees par le virus Ebola a Conakry ont subi un reel traumatisme psychologique. L’apport d’un soutien psychologique a ete un moyen efficace pour soulager la souffrance psychologique de ces victimes et faciliter leur reinsertion sociale et professionnelle. Une etude elargie aux autres victimes gueries et affectees par la maladie hemorragique liee au virus Ebola permettrait d’apprecier l’ampleur des desordres psychologiques et d’apporter une meilleure prise en charge psychotherapeutique. L’accompagnement psychologique des survivants doit constituer une priorite sanitaire.

Funding Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Reacting, the French Ebola Task Force, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, and Montpellier University Of Excellence-University of Montpellier.; International audience; BACKGROUND : The prevalence of Ebola virus infection among people who have been in contact with patients with Ebola virus disease remains unclear, but is essential to understand the dynamics of transmission. This study aimed to identify risk factors for seropositivity and to estimate the prevalence of Ebola virus infection in unvaccinated contact persons.METHODS : In this retrospective, cross-sectional observational study, we recruited individuals between May 12, 2016, and Sept 8, 2017, who had been in physical contact with a patient with Ebola virus disease, from four medical centres in Guinea (Conakry, Macenta, N'zérékoré, and Forécariah). Contact persons had to be 7 years or older and not diagnosed with Ebola virus disease. Participants were selected through the Postebogui survivors' cohort. We collected self-reported information on exposure and occurrence of symptoms after exposure using a questionnaire, and tested antibody response against glycoprotein, nucleoprotein, and 40-kDa viral protein of Zaire Ebola virus by taking a blood sample. The prevalence of Ebola virus infection was estimated with a latent class model.FINDINGS : 1721 contact persons were interviewed and given blood tests, 331 of whom reported a history of vaccination so were excluded, resulting in a study population of 1390. Symptoms were reported by 216 (16%) contact persons. The median age of participants was 26 years (range 7-88) and 682 (49%) were male. Seropositivity was identified in 18 (8·33%, 95% CI 5·01-12·80) of 216 paucisymptomatic contact persons and 39 (3·32%, 5·01-12·80) of 1174 (2-4) asymptomatic individuals (p=0·0021). Seropositivity increased with participation in burial rituals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2·30, 95% CI 1·21-4·17; p=0·0079) and exposure to blood or vomit (aOR 2·15, 1·23-3·91; p=0·0090). Frequency of Ebola virus infection varied from 3·06% (95% CI 1·84-5·05) in asymptomatic contact persons who did not participate in burial rituals to 5·98% (2·81-8·18) in those who did, and from 7·17% (3·94-9·09) in paucisymptomatic contact persons who did not participate in burial rituals to 17·16% (12·42-22·31) among those who did.INTERPRETATION : This study provides a new assessment of the prevalence of Ebola virus infection among contact persons according to exposure, provides evidence for the occurrence of paucisymptomatic cases, and reinforces the importance of closely monitoring at-risk contact persons.

International audience; Surface acoustic waves (SAW) propagating on magneto-strictive ferromagnets can induce mag-netization reversal: their weak damping and mature technology make them ideal for remote wave control of magnetic bits. Experimental demonstrations of this spectacular coupling have so far required the simultaneous application of a static magnetic field. We show here SAW-driven all-acoustical switching (AAS) over millimetric distances. It relies on the triggering of magnetization precession of a uniaxial in-plane magnetized film by acoustic ferromagnetic resonance at zero field. Moreover, the absence of biasing field enables toggling between the two equilibrium magnetic states for over twenty consecutive acoustic pulses. This proof-of-concept opens an alternative path to magnetic bit manipulation.

Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) and Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) are the most important pests of maize in China. A laboratory study and a 2-year field study on the efficacy of transgenic maize expressing the Cry1Ac protein BT38 against O. furnacalis and H. armigera were performed. We found that the husks, kernels, and silks of BT38 showed significant efficacy against larvae of O. furnacalis and H. armigera. In the field, when neonate larvae of O. furnacalis and H. armigera were on plants at different growth stages and when levels of leaf-damage or number of damaged silks were used to score efficacy, we found that BT38 showed significant insecticidal efficacy against O. furnacalis and H. armigera, but the non-Bt maize did not show significant efficacy against either pest. These results suggest that the insecticidal efficacy of Bt maize expressing the Cry1Ac protein could be useful in the integrated pest management of these key maize pests.

La myasthénie est une maladie auto-immune qui se caractérise par une faiblesse musculaire fluctuante, s’aggravant à l’effort et s’améliorant au repos, mettant en jeu le pronostic vital. Le polymorphisme clinique de cette affection rend souvent le diagnostic clinique difficile. Aussi le dosage des anticorps anti récepteur d’acétylcholine (AC anti Rach) et l’ENMG sont les principaux outils du diagnostic. Les auteurs rapportent 6 cas de myasthénie pour mettre en relief les difficultés de diagnostic et de prise en charge en Afrique subsaharienne.Mots clés: Ac anti-Rach, Myasthénie, électromyogramme, AfriqueEnglish Title: Myasthenia autoimmune: diagnosis and management. About six cases in Benin and GabonEnglish AbstractMyasthenia is a life threatening autoimmune disease presenting varying degrees of muscle weakness becoming worse during effort and released by rest. Its clinical polymorphism makes difficult the diagnosis. The anti-AChR antibodies testing and EMNG are the main diagnostic tools. The authors report 6 cases of myasthenia to underline the difficulties regarding diagnosis and management of this disease in sub-Saharan Africa.Keywords: Anti-AChR antibodies, Myasthenia, Electromyogram, Africa

We show on in-plane magnetized thin films that magnetization can be switched efficiently by 180 degrees using large amplitude Rayleigh waves travelling along the hard or easy magnetic axis. Large characteristic filament-like domains are formed in the latter case. Micromagnetic simulations clearly confirm that this multi-domain configuration is compatible with a resonant precessional mechanism. The reversed domains are in both geometries several hundreds of \mu m^2, much larger than has been shown using spin transfer torque- or field-driven precessional switching. We show that surface acoustic waves can travel at least 1mm before addressing a given area, and can interfere to create magnetic stripes that can be positionned with a sub-micronic precision., Comment: Movies can be found at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/frdels1bibcgw80/AADWgqp8W8T7UHKRY0Yrazoya?dl=0. This article has been submitted to the special "Magneto-elastic effects" issue of the Journal of Physics of Condensed Matter

Aphids are important agricultural pests because of their feeding and, for many species, their ability to transmit plant pathogenic viruses. Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an important predator in northern China of many aphid species, including Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). We measured the functional response and intraspecific competition of O. sauteri under different densities of A. craccivora at several constant temperatures. Predation of O. sauteri on A. craccivora conformed to Holling's type II functional response at all temperatures tested. The predation capability of O. sauteri showed a significant correlation with temperature. The predation capacity of O. sauteri was highest at 25°C, at which temperature we found the highest instantaneous attack rate (a = 0.8711), the theoretical maximum number of aphids captured (181.36), and the shortest handling time (Th = 0.0055). Predation by O. sauteri increased progressively with temperature from 15 to 25°C, but then decreased at 30°C. Intraspecific competition of O. sauteri increased positively with predator density under all temperatures examined. Our results indicate O. sauteri has significant potential for use as a biocontrol agent, under a wide range of temperatures. The inverse density-dependent predation and intraspecific competition of O. sauteri suggests that to obtain the greatest degree of pest suppression, releases of O. sauteri should begin early in the cropping season and numbers released should take prey density into consideration.

Development of large metropolitan regions like Dakar constitutes economic and social opportunities as well as challenges depending on how the urban growth was planned designed and managed. The dynamic transformation of the Dakar Metropolitan Region from a population of 245,000 to 3.5 million inhabitants in 1950 and 2016 respectively has occurred in different paces, times and places in terms of numbers, urban form and structure (density distribution, and compactness). When a city reaches one million or more of population size, it becomes more complex for its planning, design and management compared to a small city. For instance, when a city reaches one million inhabitants, its accessibility will be largely determined by elements of its urban form and structure as well as elements of transport infrastructures and, recently, elements of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This accessibility determines in large the interaction between economic and spatial design strategies. After the introduction, this study is divided in six sections. The first section presents the “Conceptual framework of the Smart Metropolitan Regional Development” of the study; The second section presents “Urbanization of the Dakar Metropolitan Region in Time and Space”; The third section focuses on the “Urban Accessibility and Mobility”; The fourth section presents “Urbanization, Economic Growth and Metropolitan Regional Development” including economic growth, human development and sustainability, inclusion, resilience and prosperity; The fifth section presents “Towards a Smart Metropolitan regional Development”; The sixth section, based on the development of the previous sections, presents the “Spatial and Economic Design Strategies for a Smart Dakar Metropolitan Regional Development”.

Insects such as locusts and grasshoppers can reduce the effectiveness of pathogens and parasites by adopting different defense strategies. We investigated the behavioral thermopreference of Locusta migratoria manilensis (Meyen) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) induced by the fungus Beauveria bassiana, and the impact this behavior had on the fungal mycosis under laboratory conditions. By basking in higher temperature locations, infected nymphs elevated their thoracic temperature to 30-32.6 °C, which is higher than the optimum temperature (25°C) for B. bassiana conidial germination and hyphal development. A minimum thermoregulation period of 3 h/day increased survival of infected locusts by 43.34%. The therapeutic effect decreased when thermoregulation was delayed after initial infection. The fungus grew and overcame the locusts as soon as the thermoregulation was interrupted, indicating that thermoregulation helped the insects to cope with infection but did not completely rid them of the fungus. A significant enhancement in the number of haemocytes was observed in infected thermoregulating locusts, reaching levels that were even higher than those observed in the controls. In contrast, haemocyte concentration was severely reduced in infected insects that did not thermoregulate. In infected non-thermoregulating locusts, the reduction in haemocyte number was accompanied by an increase in fungal blastospore concentration that was obvious in the haemolymph by day four. In contrast, no circulating blastospores were found in the haemolymph of infected thermoregulating locusts three days post-inoculation. We also examined the phagocytic activity of infected insects in vivo by using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled silica beads. The proportion of beads that was engulfed by haemocytes in infected, thermoregulating insects was similar to that in the controls throughout the experiment, whereas the rate of phagocytosis in infected, non-thermoregulating insects progressively decreased after infection. These findings demonstrated that behavioural thermoregulation can adversely affect B. bassiana mycosis in infected L. migratoria manilensis, thereby limiting the development of lethal entomopathogenic fungi in locusts. This is apparently accomplished through an increase in the levels of haemocytes, leading to greater phagocytic activity under certain environmental conditions.

Paranosema locustae Canning, 1953 (Microsporidia) provides effective control of grasshoppers. Horizontal transmission of P. locustae is known to occur, and evidence for the mechanism of this transmission via predatory natural enemies has been found. We conducted a 3-year laboratory and field study to assess the potential impact of feces from both grasshoppers Locusta migratoria L. and their natural enemies on the persistence of P. locustae.We found that P. locustae persisted among grasshopper populations in treated areas and in adjacent untreated areas for up to 2 years, and the density of grasshoppers decreased in both areas. We showed that healthy grasshoppers could be infected by eating food contaminated by feces from their natural enemies. Grasshopper predators retained a large number of spores acquired from eating grasshoppers infected with P. locustae. Spores in the feces of the main natural enemy, the beetle Pterostichus gebleri Dejean 1828, in the treated area showed clear viability.These results demonstrate that predatory natural enemies are important vectors for this microsporidian disease, and suggest that sustainable transmission and continuing population suppression might be achieved by horizontal transmission via natural enemies, which should be maximized to increase the effectiveness of P. locustae. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.