The nutritive quality of guar (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i&...The nutritive quality of guar (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) residues (GR) was investigated and the effects of partial replacement of wheat straw by GR on nutrients intake, digestibility, and growth performance. Twenty four male lambs, with average body weight (BW) of 40.3 ± 2.5 kg were divided into three groups. Lambs were fed individually for 104 days with concentrate mixture (18% crude protein) and wheat straw as a total mixed ration. Wheat straw was replaced with 0, 100 and 145 g/kg dry matter guar residues. All rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The fattening trial lasted 104 days</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> At the end of week 10 of the trail</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> a digestion trial was performed using six lambs from each group. The composition of nutrients in the GR was 87%, 8.5%, 56.4% and 40.1% for DM, CP, NDF and ADF, respectively. DM and crude protein (CP) intake were not affected by the inclusion of GR</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> However, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) intake were lower in lambs fed GR compared to control lambs. At the end of the experiment, lambs fed 100 and 145 g GR/kg DM diets gained more weight (P < 0.05) than those fed the control diet. The same trend was found for feed con</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">version (CR). Results from this work suggest</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ed</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> that GR had advantages compa</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">red to regular roughage (wheat straw) in regard to parameters investigated as well as the significant reduction in fattening diets cost.展开更多
Allanblackia parviflora A. Chev. also called vegetable tallow tree provides a variety of non-timber forest products of great importance to rural households including shade, timber, medicine and seed oil but attempts h...Allanblackia parviflora A. Chev. also called vegetable tallow tree provides a variety of non-timber forest products of great importance to rural households including shade, timber, medicine and seed oil but attempts have not been made to improve the tree species and increase its production. Consequently, the species is being threatened due to unsustainable exploitation and poor regeneration and cultivation appears as the only viable option. In order to cultivate the species at meaningful scale, it is necessary to establish the optimum range of environmental factors that influence its propagation and growth. This study was therefore designed to investigate Allanblackia growth parameters and bio-accumulation under different growth media in a greenhouse study. The media were: 1) TS = top soil alone, 2) AB soil = Allanblackia soil alone, 3) TS + H = Top soil alone + humus, 4) AB + TS = Allanblackia soil alone + Top soil alone and 5) SAB = Sterilized Allanblackia soil alone. Each treatment was replicated three times in a complete randomized design. The experiment lasted for 18 months. Results showed that Fe was the micronutrient that accumulated greatest in the plant tissue. Among the treatments, Allanblackia soil showed the highest accumulation of Zn in the plant tissue with the top soil showing the least (7.67 mg·kg<sup>-l</sup>). Humus contributed largely to the bio-accumulation of Cu in the plant tissue. Bio-accumulation of manganese in the plant tissue ranged from 13.30 mg·kg<sup>-l</sup> to 207 mg·kg<sup>-l</sup> suggesting difference in manganese absorption by Allanblackia as influenced by the treatments. The growth parameters of Allanblackia parviflory were impacted differently by the growth media. The result was however controversial since no differences were found between growth of seedlings in sterilized Allanblackia soil and Allanblackia soil.展开更多
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is classified into high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and HPV (LR-HPV) according to their oncogenic potential. These viruses can be found in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and in the ENT sphere. HPV EN...Human papillomavirus (HPV) is classified into high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and HPV (LR-HPV) according to their oncogenic potential. These viruses can be found in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and in the ENT sphere. HPV ENT infections can lead to benign or malignant tumors in which we could find both LR-HPV and HR-HPV genotypes. The objective of this study was to investigate the genotypes of HR-HPV and LR-HPV in archived tissue samples derived from both benign and malignant tumors of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. One hundred and twenty formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archived tissues of the ENT sphere from 26 benign tumors and 94 malignant tumors were included. The tissues were first deparaffinized with xylem. The extracted DNA was used to test for high-risk and low-risk HPV by Real-Time Multiplex PCR. HPV DNA was found in 57.7% (15/26) of benign tumors and 43.61% (41/94) of malignant tumors. The prevalence of HPV infection was 46.67% (56/120) in all tumors combined. The most common HPV genotypes found were HPV 11 (34.28%), HPV 6 (30%), HPV56 (14.28%) and HPV 33 (8.57%). There were 21.43% (12/56) cases of genotypes co-infections with 10 cases of double infection and 2 cases of triple infection. Both low-risk and high-risk HPV are found in ENT tumors with relatively high HPV prevalence.展开更多
Background and Prupose: Antibiotic resistance is a major global health concern. In addition to the existing data on the prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there are patchy data on bacterial resistance ...Background and Prupose: Antibiotic resistance is a major global health concern. In addition to the existing data on the prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there are patchy data on bacterial resistance to aminoglycosides in Burkina Faso. In this study, we determined the prevalence of aminoglycoside resistance genes in E. coli, including aac(3)-IIc, aac(6)-Ib and armA in Ouagadougou, and determined which antibiotics in this class are most affected by resistance. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 216 E. coli strains collected from the biomedical analysis laboratories of Saint Camille and Schiphra hospitals. E. coli strains were isolated from pus and urine samples collected between September 2018 and January 2019. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using aminoglycosides, β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides. Aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected in strains with at least one aminoglycoside resistance gene using conventional/multiplex PCR. Results: Aminoglycoside resistance was observed in 46.8% (101/216) of strains. The resistance rates were respectively 45.37% for Tobramycin, 32.40% for Gentamicin, 14.81% for Kanamycin, 2.31% for Netilmicin, 1.84% for Neomycin, and 0.46% for Amikacin. PCR showed that 86 strains (85.15%) possessed the aac(3)-IIc gene, 71 strains or 70.30%) possessed the aac(6’)-Ib gene, and nine strains (8.91%) possessed the armA gene. Conclusion: Aminoglycoside resistance in pathogenic E. coli strains is mainly due to the presence of the aac(3’)-IIc and aac(6’)-Ib genes. The presence of armA was first reported in Burkina Faso. Netilmicin, Neomycin and Amikacin are good therapeutic options for treating urinary tract and pus-forming infections.展开更多
Aims: We aimed at identifying the high-risk HPV genotypes associated with high-grade dysplastic cervical lesions in Burkina Faso. The available vaccines to Burkina Faso only protect against two high risk HPV genotypes...Aims: We aimed at identifying the high-risk HPV genotypes associated with high-grade dysplastic cervical lesions in Burkina Faso. The available vaccines to Burkina Faso only protect against two high risk HPV genotypes: HPV 16 and 18. Are the genotypes identified in the high-grade precan-cerous lesions in this survey covered by the available vaccines? Methods: The detection and genotyping of high-risk HPV have been conducted based on 118 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded archived tissues using the “HPV Genotypes 14 Real-TM Quant” (Sacace biotechnologies<sup>®</sup>, Italy) kit allowing for the detection of fourteen high-risk HPV genotypes: HPV 16, 31, 18, 39, 45, 59, 33, 35, 56, 68, 51, 52, 58 and 66. Results: The prevalence of high-risk HPV infections was 48.8% based on the appropriate PCR results (21/43). The most common HPV genotypes were HPV 39 (21.7%), HPV 35 (13.0%) and HPV 45 (13.0%). Two cases of multiple infections between HPV 39 - 45 and HPV 39 - 59 have been observed. HPV 16 was not detected in this study. Conclusions: We noted a high prevalence rate for HPV 39, HPV 35 and HPV 45, which are not covered by the commercial vaccines. We also found that the prevalence of HPV 18 was very low in this study and HPV 16 was not detected.展开更多
An experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi （KNUST） Ghana from September, 2009 to April, 20...An experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi （KNUST） Ghana from September, 2009 to April, 2010, to determine the most appropriate drying method, as a post harvest practice, that would ensure high percentage germination ofAnnona squamosa seeds and its subsequent effect on seedling growth. The seeds were sun-dried, air-dried under shade or kept in the fresh state. Five treatments were used, namely, Freshly Sown seeds （Treatment 1, control）, Seeds Air-Dried under Shade for one day （Treatment 2）; Seeds Sun-Dried for one day （Treatment 3）; Seeds Air-Dried under Shade for three consecutive days （Treatment 4）; Seeds Sun-Dried for three consecutive days （Treatment 5）. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design （CRD） and replicated three times. Drying of Annona squamosa seeds had significant effect on earliness and number of seeds germinated. Air drying under shade and sun-drying for three consecutive days improved earliness to germination （26 days after sowing） and percent total germination but air-drying under shade had better effect on total seed germination, achieving 90% germination in 42 days after sowing. Furthermore, the prevailing ambient temperature of 30 ℃-32 ℃ enhanced germination of Annona squamosa seeds. The study concluded that for optimum germination, seeds of Annona squamosa should be either air-dried or sun-dried for three consecutive days and be incubated in an ambient temperature range of 30 ℃-32 ℃. In terms of growth, seedling growth in leaf production was better from seeds sun-dried for three consecutive days.展开更多
The basis of accurate mineral resource estimates is to have a geological model which replicates the nature and style of the orebody. Key inputs into the generation of a good geological model are the sample data and ma...The basis of accurate mineral resource estimates is to have a geological model which replicates the nature and style of the orebody. Key inputs into the generation of a good geological model are the sample data and mapping information. The Obuasi Mine sample data with a lot of legacy issues were subjected to a robust validation process and integrated with mapping information to generate an accurate geological orebody model for mineral resource estimation in Block 8 Lower. Validation of the sample data focused on replacing missing collar coordinates, missing assays, and correcting magnetic declination that was used to convert the downhole surveys from true to magnetic, fix missing lithology and finally assign confidence numbers to all the sample data. The missing coordinates which were replaced ensured that the sample data plotted at their correct location in space as intended from the planning stage. Magnetic declination data, which was maintained constant throughout all the years even though it changes every year, was also corrected in the validation project. The corrected magnetic declination ensured that the drillholes were plotted on their accurate trajectory as per the planned azimuth and also reflected the true position of the intercepted mineralized fissure(s) which was previously not the case and marked a major blot in the modelling of the Obuasi orebody. The incorporation of mapped data with the validated sample data in the wireframes resulted in a better interpretation of the orebody. The updated mineral resource generated by domaining quartz from the sulphides and compared with the old resource showed that the sulphide tonnes in the old resource estimates were overestimated by 1% and the grade overestimated by 8.5%.展开更多
Introduction:Genetic polymorphisms of certain classes of glutathione S-transferase(GST),the enzyme responsible for the biotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics,have been associated with the risk of several cancers s...Introduction:Genetic polymorphisms of certain classes of glutathione S-transferase(GST),the enzyme responsible for the biotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics,have been associated with the risk of several cancers such as cervical cancer.The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of the rs1695polymorphism of GSTP1in women infected by high-risk human papillomavirus(HR-HPV)in Ouagadougou,Burkina Faso.Meth-ods:Genotyping of GSTP1rs1695 polymorphisms was performed in 55 women with high-risk HPV infection,and 89 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method.Conventional PCR was used for DNA amplification and the enzymes Alw26I or BsmA1 were used for enzymatic digestion.Results:The prevalence of GSTP1rs1695AA,AG and GG genotypes was respectively 27.8%,45.8%and 26.4%in the study population with a mutation rate of 49.31%.However,the frequency of AA,AG and GG genotypic was respec-tively 30.3%,45%,24.7%in controls and 23.6%,47.3%,29.1%in cases.Con-clusion:Our study allowed us to characterize the frequencies ofGSTP1rs1695 genotypes in the study population,in cases and controls.From our analysis,none of the three genotypes ofGSTP1rs1695weren’t associated with a risk or a protective factor for HR-HPV infection in women in Burkina Faso.展开更多
Background Despite significant global effort to control and eradicate malaria,many cases and deaths are still reported yearly.These efforts are hindered by several factors,including the severe underestimation of cases...Background Despite significant global effort to control and eradicate malaria,many cases and deaths are still reported yearly.These efforts are hindered by several factors,including the severe underestimation of cases and deaths,especially in Africa.Methods We used a mathematical model,incorporating the underestimation of cases and seasonality in mosquito biting rate,to study the malaria dynamics in Cameroon.Using a Bayesian inference framework,we calibrated our model to the monthly reported malaria cases in ten regions of Cameroon from 2019 to 2021 to quantify the underestimation of cases and estimate other important epidemiological parameters.We performed Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components analysis to understand regional disparities,looking at underestimation rates,population sizes,healthcare personnel,and healthcare facilities per 1000 people.Results We found varying levels of case underestimation across regions,with the East region having the lowest(14%)and the Northwest having the highest(70%).The mosquito biting rate peaks once every year in most regions,except in the Northwest where it peaks every 6.02 months and in Littoral every 15 months.We estimated a median mosquito biting rate of over 5 bites/day for most regions with Littoral having the highest(9.86 bites/day).Two regions have rates below five:Adamawa(4.78 bites/day)and East(4.64 bites/day).Conclusions The low case estimation underscores the pressing requirement to bolster reporting and surveillance systems.Regions in Cameroon display a range of unique features contributing to the differing levels of underestimation.These distinctions should be considered when evaluating the efficacy of community-based interventions.展开更多
The effects of processing by autoclaving(AC), soaking(SK), short-term fermentation(S-TF, 4 d) and longterm fermentation(L-TF, 14 d) on the nutritional composition, amino acid profile and some antinutrients were determ...The effects of processing by autoclaving(AC), soaking(SK), short-term fermentation(S-TF, 4 d) and longterm fermentation(L-TF, 14 d) on the nutritional composition, amino acid profile and some antinutrients were determined for cottonseed meal(CSM), groundnut meal(GNM) and groundnut husk(GH) in this study. After processing, crude protein content improved by 11% after L-TF, and crude lipid content 25%after SK for CSM; crude protein content improved by 27% after S-TF and L-TF, and crude lipid content 13%after SK for GNM. Soaking and fermentation were shown to significantly increase essential amino acid contents by 44%(SK, methionine) in CSM and 46% in GNM(L-TF, histidine). Phosphorus content was reduced by 59% in CSM and 57% in GNM by L-TF. All processing techniques, with the exception of AC,reduced phytic acid and gossypol contents in CSM and GNM. It was concluded that SK and fermentation were simple, cost-effective, and efficient ways to improve the nutritional value of the selected oilseed byproducts.展开更多
Legume rhizobium symbiosis is initiated upon perception of bacterial secreted lipo-chitooligosaccharides （LCOs）. Perception of these signals by the plant initiates a signaling cascade that leads to nodule formation....Legume rhizobium symbiosis is initiated upon perception of bacterial secreted lipo-chitooligosaccharides （LCOs）. Perception of these signals by the plant initiates a signaling cascade that leads to nodule formation. Several studies have implicated a function for cytokinin in this process. However, whether cytokinin accu- mulation and subsequent signaling are an integral part of rhizobium LCO signaling remains elusive. Here, we show that cytokinin signaling is required for the majority of transcriptional changes induced by rhizo- bium LCOs. In addition, we demonstrate that several cytokinins accumulate in the root susceptible zone 3 h after rhizobium LCO application, including the biologically most active cytokinins, trans-zeatin and iso- pentenyl adenine. These responses are dependent on calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase （CCaMK）, a key protein in rhizobial LCO-induced signaling. Analysis of the ethylene-insensitive Mtein21 Mtsickle mutant showed that LCO-induced cytokinin accumulation is negatively regulated by ethylene. Together with transcriptional induction of ethylene biosynthesis genes, it suggests a feedback loop negatively regulating LCO signaling and subsequent cytokinin accumulation. We argue that cytokinin accumulation is a key step in the pathway leading to nodule organogenesis and that this is tightly controlled by feedback loops.展开更多
Tilapia production in Ghana has been hit with episodes of stress and pathogen-induced mass fish kills which have anecdotally been linked to the culture of illegally imported Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia(GIFT)st...Tilapia production in Ghana has been hit with episodes of stress and pathogen-induced mass fish kills which have anecdotally been linked to the culture of illegally imported Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia(GIFT)strains of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus.This study was thus set up to comprehensively assess the stress tolerance of the GIFT strain and a native strain of Nile tilapia(the Akosombo strain)following exposures to hyperthermic and hypoxic stressors.In a series of experiments,oxygen consumption(MO_(2)),aquatic surface respiration(ASR),thermal limits and hypoxia tolerance were assessed.The effects of these stressors on haematological parameters were also assessed.The GIFT strain was less tolerant of hypoxia and performed ASR at higher O_(2) levels than the Akosombo strain.Under progressive hypoxia,the GIFT strain exhibited higher gill ventilations frequencies(fV)than the Akosombo strain.The thermal tolerance trial indicated that the Akosombo strain of O.niloticus has higher thermotolerance than the GIFT strain and this was reflective in the higher LT_(50)(45.1℃)and LT_(max)(48℃),compared to LT_(50) and LTmax of 41.5℃ and 46℃ respectively.These results imply that it is crucial to consider how the GIFT strain performs under various environmental conditions and changes during culture.Particularly,raising the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia in earthen ponds rich in phytoplankton and subject to protracted episodes of extreme hypoxia may have a detrimental physiological impact on its growth and welfare.展开更多
Paratransit users have reportedly been unsatisfied with the quality of service that they receive.Efforts at replacing the service or formalizing operations to meet users’mobility needs have faced challenges or outrig...Paratransit users have reportedly been unsatisfied with the quality of service that they receive.Efforts at replacing the service or formalizing operations to meet users’mobility needs have faced challenges or outrightly resisted.Approaches such as providing travel information and deploying interventions along the roadway infrastructure where the government has authority have been suggested.Deploying any of these approaches will require insights from empirical data.The study considered a key measure of service quality to users and operators alike-travel time.It investigated factors affecting the travel time of paratransit at the route and segment levels.A travel time survey that employed a mobile app(Trands)onboard paratransit vehicle was used to collect travel time,stop,and other related information on a selected route.The backward stepwise regression technique was used to determine factors affecting paratransit travel were.Dwell time,signal delay,recurrent congestion index(RCI),non-trip stops,and deviation from route were significant variables at the route level.All the factors affecting segment travel were also part of those involving route travel time except the segment length.Interestingly,deviation from the route increased overall travel time,which is against its logic.Insights gained from the study were used in suggesting proposals that can reduce travel time and improve the service quality of paratransit.展开更多
文摘The nutritive quality of guar (<i></span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></i></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">) residues (GR) was investigated and the effects of partial replacement of wheat straw by GR on nutrients intake, digestibility, and growth performance. Twenty four male lambs, with average body weight (BW) of 40.3 ± 2.5 kg were divided into three groups. Lambs were fed individually for 104 days with concentrate mixture (18% crude protein) and wheat straw as a total mixed ration. Wheat straw was replaced with 0, 100 and 145 g/kg dry matter guar residues. All rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The fattening trial lasted 104 days</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> At the end of week 10 of the trail</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> a digestion trial was performed using six lambs from each group. The composition of nutrients in the GR was 87%, 8.5%, 56.4% and 40.1% for DM, CP, NDF and ADF, respectively. DM and crude protein (CP) intake were not affected by the inclusion of GR</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">.</span><span style="font-family:""><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> However, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) intake were lower in lambs fed GR compared to control lambs. At the end of the experiment, lambs fed 100 and 145 g GR/kg DM diets gained more weight (P < 0.05) than those fed the control diet. The same trend was found for feed con</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">version (CR). Results from this work suggest</span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ed</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> that GR had advantages compa</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">red to regular roughage (wheat straw) in regard to parameters investigated as well as the significant reduction in fattening diets cost.
文摘Allanblackia parviflora A. Chev. also called vegetable tallow tree provides a variety of non-timber forest products of great importance to rural households including shade, timber, medicine and seed oil but attempts have not been made to improve the tree species and increase its production. Consequently, the species is being threatened due to unsustainable exploitation and poor regeneration and cultivation appears as the only viable option. In order to cultivate the species at meaningful scale, it is necessary to establish the optimum range of environmental factors that influence its propagation and growth. This study was therefore designed to investigate Allanblackia growth parameters and bio-accumulation under different growth media in a greenhouse study. The media were: 1) TS = top soil alone, 2) AB soil = Allanblackia soil alone, 3) TS + H = Top soil alone + humus, 4) AB + TS = Allanblackia soil alone + Top soil alone and 5) SAB = Sterilized Allanblackia soil alone. Each treatment was replicated three times in a complete randomized design. The experiment lasted for 18 months. Results showed that Fe was the micronutrient that accumulated greatest in the plant tissue. Among the treatments, Allanblackia soil showed the highest accumulation of Zn in the plant tissue with the top soil showing the least (7.67 mg·kg<sup>-l</sup>). Humus contributed largely to the bio-accumulation of Cu in the plant tissue. Bio-accumulation of manganese in the plant tissue ranged from 13.30 mg·kg<sup>-l</sup> to 207 mg·kg<sup>-l</sup> suggesting difference in manganese absorption by Allanblackia as influenced by the treatments. The growth parameters of Allanblackia parviflory were impacted differently by the growth media. The result was however controversial since no differences were found between growth of seedlings in sterilized Allanblackia soil and Allanblackia soil.
文摘Human papillomavirus (HPV) is classified into high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and HPV (LR-HPV) according to their oncogenic potential. These viruses can be found in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and in the ENT sphere. HPV ENT infections can lead to benign or malignant tumors in which we could find both LR-HPV and HR-HPV genotypes. The objective of this study was to investigate the genotypes of HR-HPV and LR-HPV in archived tissue samples derived from both benign and malignant tumors of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. One hundred and twenty formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archived tissues of the ENT sphere from 26 benign tumors and 94 malignant tumors were included. The tissues were first deparaffinized with xylem. The extracted DNA was used to test for high-risk and low-risk HPV by Real-Time Multiplex PCR. HPV DNA was found in 57.7% (15/26) of benign tumors and 43.61% (41/94) of malignant tumors. The prevalence of HPV infection was 46.67% (56/120) in all tumors combined. The most common HPV genotypes found were HPV 11 (34.28%), HPV 6 (30%), HPV56 (14.28%) and HPV 33 (8.57%). There were 21.43% (12/56) cases of genotypes co-infections with 10 cases of double infection and 2 cases of triple infection. Both low-risk and high-risk HPV are found in ENT tumors with relatively high HPV prevalence.
文摘Background and Prupose: Antibiotic resistance is a major global health concern. In addition to the existing data on the prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there are patchy data on bacterial resistance to aminoglycosides in Burkina Faso. In this study, we determined the prevalence of aminoglycoside resistance genes in E. coli, including aac(3)-IIc, aac(6)-Ib and armA in Ouagadougou, and determined which antibiotics in this class are most affected by resistance. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 216 E. coli strains collected from the biomedical analysis laboratories of Saint Camille and Schiphra hospitals. E. coli strains were isolated from pus and urine samples collected between September 2018 and January 2019. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using aminoglycosides, β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides. Aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected in strains with at least one aminoglycoside resistance gene using conventional/multiplex PCR. Results: Aminoglycoside resistance was observed in 46.8% (101/216) of strains. The resistance rates were respectively 45.37% for Tobramycin, 32.40% for Gentamicin, 14.81% for Kanamycin, 2.31% for Netilmicin, 1.84% for Neomycin, and 0.46% for Amikacin. PCR showed that 86 strains (85.15%) possessed the aac(3)-IIc gene, 71 strains or 70.30%) possessed the aac(6’)-Ib gene, and nine strains (8.91%) possessed the armA gene. Conclusion: Aminoglycoside resistance in pathogenic E. coli strains is mainly due to the presence of the aac(3’)-IIc and aac(6’)-Ib genes. The presence of armA was first reported in Burkina Faso. Netilmicin, Neomycin and Amikacin are good therapeutic options for treating urinary tract and pus-forming infections.
文摘Aims: We aimed at identifying the high-risk HPV genotypes associated with high-grade dysplastic cervical lesions in Burkina Faso. The available vaccines to Burkina Faso only protect against two high risk HPV genotypes: HPV 16 and 18. Are the genotypes identified in the high-grade precan-cerous lesions in this survey covered by the available vaccines? Methods: The detection and genotyping of high-risk HPV have been conducted based on 118 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded archived tissues using the “HPV Genotypes 14 Real-TM Quant” (Sacace biotechnologies<sup>®</sup>, Italy) kit allowing for the detection of fourteen high-risk HPV genotypes: HPV 16, 31, 18, 39, 45, 59, 33, 35, 56, 68, 51, 52, 58 and 66. Results: The prevalence of high-risk HPV infections was 48.8% based on the appropriate PCR results (21/43). The most common HPV genotypes were HPV 39 (21.7%), HPV 35 (13.0%) and HPV 45 (13.0%). Two cases of multiple infections between HPV 39 - 45 and HPV 39 - 59 have been observed. HPV 16 was not detected in this study. Conclusions: We noted a high prevalence rate for HPV 39, HPV 35 and HPV 45, which are not covered by the commercial vaccines. We also found that the prevalence of HPV 18 was very low in this study and HPV 16 was not detected.
文摘An experiment was conducted at the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi （KNUST） Ghana from September, 2009 to April, 2010, to determine the most appropriate drying method, as a post harvest practice, that would ensure high percentage germination ofAnnona squamosa seeds and its subsequent effect on seedling growth. The seeds were sun-dried, air-dried under shade or kept in the fresh state. Five treatments were used, namely, Freshly Sown seeds （Treatment 1, control）, Seeds Air-Dried under Shade for one day （Treatment 2）; Seeds Sun-Dried for one day （Treatment 3）; Seeds Air-Dried under Shade for three consecutive days （Treatment 4）; Seeds Sun-Dried for three consecutive days （Treatment 5）. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design （CRD） and replicated three times. Drying of Annona squamosa seeds had significant effect on earliness and number of seeds germinated. Air drying under shade and sun-drying for three consecutive days improved earliness to germination （26 days after sowing） and percent total germination but air-drying under shade had better effect on total seed germination, achieving 90% germination in 42 days after sowing. Furthermore, the prevailing ambient temperature of 30 ℃-32 ℃ enhanced germination of Annona squamosa seeds. The study concluded that for optimum germination, seeds of Annona squamosa should be either air-dried or sun-dried for three consecutive days and be incubated in an ambient temperature range of 30 ℃-32 ℃. In terms of growth, seedling growth in leaf production was better from seeds sun-dried for three consecutive days.
文摘The basis of accurate mineral resource estimates is to have a geological model which replicates the nature and style of the orebody. Key inputs into the generation of a good geological model are the sample data and mapping information. The Obuasi Mine sample data with a lot of legacy issues were subjected to a robust validation process and integrated with mapping information to generate an accurate geological orebody model for mineral resource estimation in Block 8 Lower. Validation of the sample data focused on replacing missing collar coordinates, missing assays, and correcting magnetic declination that was used to convert the downhole surveys from true to magnetic, fix missing lithology and finally assign confidence numbers to all the sample data. The missing coordinates which were replaced ensured that the sample data plotted at their correct location in space as intended from the planning stage. Magnetic declination data, which was maintained constant throughout all the years even though it changes every year, was also corrected in the validation project. The corrected magnetic declination ensured that the drillholes were plotted on their accurate trajectory as per the planned azimuth and also reflected the true position of the intercepted mineralized fissure(s) which was previously not the case and marked a major blot in the modelling of the Obuasi orebody. The incorporation of mapped data with the validated sample data in the wireframes resulted in a better interpretation of the orebody. The updated mineral resource generated by domaining quartz from the sulphides and compared with the old resource showed that the sulphide tonnes in the old resource estimates were overestimated by 1% and the grade overestimated by 8.5%.
基金supported by“International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology(ICGEB)”for the funding of this research work through the project:“Implication of the host genetic factor in Human Papillomavirus Infection and its associated cervical lesions and cancer in West African Women”.Ref.No.CRP/BFA17-01.
文摘Introduction:Genetic polymorphisms of certain classes of glutathione S-transferase(GST),the enzyme responsible for the biotransformation of drugs and xenobiotics,have been associated with the risk of several cancers such as cervical cancer.The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of the rs1695polymorphism of GSTP1in women infected by high-risk human papillomavirus(HR-HPV)in Ouagadougou,Burkina Faso.Meth-ods:Genotyping of GSTP1rs1695 polymorphisms was performed in 55 women with high-risk HPV infection,and 89 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method.Conventional PCR was used for DNA amplification and the enzymes Alw26I or BsmA1 were used for enzymatic digestion.Results:The prevalence of GSTP1rs1695AA,AG and GG genotypes was respectively 27.8%,45.8%and 26.4%in the study population with a mutation rate of 49.31%.However,the frequency of AA,AG and GG genotypic was respec-tively 30.3%,45%,24.7%in controls and 23.6%,47.3%,29.1%in cases.Con-clusion:Our study allowed us to characterize the frequencies ofGSTP1rs1695 genotypes in the study population,in cases and controls.From our analysis,none of the three genotypes ofGSTP1rs1695weren’t associated with a risk or a protective factor for HR-HPV infection in women in Burkina Faso.
基金support from New Frontier in Research Fund-Exploratory(Grant No.NFRFE-2021-00879)NSERC Discovery Grant(Grant No.RGPIN-2022-04559)+1 种基金Portions of this work were performed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory under the auspices of the US Department of Energy contract 89233218CNA000001supported by NIH grant R01-OD011095.
文摘Background Despite significant global effort to control and eradicate malaria,many cases and deaths are still reported yearly.These efforts are hindered by several factors,including the severe underestimation of cases and deaths,especially in Africa.Methods We used a mathematical model,incorporating the underestimation of cases and seasonality in mosquito biting rate,to study the malaria dynamics in Cameroon.Using a Bayesian inference framework,we calibrated our model to the monthly reported malaria cases in ten regions of Cameroon from 2019 to 2021 to quantify the underestimation of cases and estimate other important epidemiological parameters.We performed Hierarchical Clustering on Principal Components analysis to understand regional disparities,looking at underestimation rates,population sizes,healthcare personnel,and healthcare facilities per 1000 people.Results We found varying levels of case underestimation across regions,with the East region having the lowest(14%)and the Northwest having the highest(70%).The mosquito biting rate peaks once every year in most regions,except in the Northwest where it peaks every 6.02 months and in Littoral every 15 months.We estimated a median mosquito biting rate of over 5 bites/day for most regions with Littoral having the highest(9.86 bites/day).Two regions have rates below five:Adamawa(4.78 bites/day)and East(4.64 bites/day).Conclusions The low case estimation underscores the pressing requirement to bolster reporting and surveillance systems.Regions in Cameroon display a range of unique features contributing to the differing levels of underestimation.These distinctions should be considered when evaluating the efficacy of community-based interventions.
基金a part of CPDs PhD supported by the Danish International Development Agency(DANIDA)(grant number DFC No.13-PO1-GHA)
文摘The effects of processing by autoclaving(AC), soaking(SK), short-term fermentation(S-TF, 4 d) and longterm fermentation(L-TF, 14 d) on the nutritional composition, amino acid profile and some antinutrients were determined for cottonseed meal(CSM), groundnut meal(GNM) and groundnut husk(GH) in this study. After processing, crude protein content improved by 11% after L-TF, and crude lipid content 25%after SK for CSM; crude protein content improved by 27% after S-TF and L-TF, and crude lipid content 13%after SK for GNM. Soaking and fermentation were shown to significantly increase essential amino acid contents by 44%(SK, methionine) in CSM and 46% in GNM(L-TF, histidine). Phosphorus content was reduced by 59% in CSM and 57% in GNM by L-TF. All processing techniques, with the exception of AC,reduced phytic acid and gossypol contents in CSM and GNM. It was concluded that SK and fermentation were simple, cost-effective, and efficient ways to improve the nutritional value of the selected oilseed byproducts.
文摘Legume rhizobium symbiosis is initiated upon perception of bacterial secreted lipo-chitooligosaccharides （LCOs）. Perception of these signals by the plant initiates a signaling cascade that leads to nodule formation. Several studies have implicated a function for cytokinin in this process. However, whether cytokinin accu- mulation and subsequent signaling are an integral part of rhizobium LCO signaling remains elusive. Here, we show that cytokinin signaling is required for the majority of transcriptional changes induced by rhizo- bium LCOs. In addition, we demonstrate that several cytokinins accumulate in the root susceptible zone 3 h after rhizobium LCO application, including the biologically most active cytokinins, trans-zeatin and iso- pentenyl adenine. These responses are dependent on calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase （CCaMK）, a key protein in rhizobial LCO-induced signaling. Analysis of the ethylene-insensitive Mtein21 Mtsickle mutant showed that LCO-induced cytokinin accumulation is negatively regulated by ethylene. Together with transcriptional induction of ethylene biosynthesis genes, it suggests a feedback loop negatively regulating LCO signaling and subsequent cytokinin accumulation. We argue that cytokinin accumulation is a key step in the pathway leading to nodule organogenesis and that this is tightly controlled by feedback loops.
文摘Tilapia production in Ghana has been hit with episodes of stress and pathogen-induced mass fish kills which have anecdotally been linked to the culture of illegally imported Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia(GIFT)strains of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus.This study was thus set up to comprehensively assess the stress tolerance of the GIFT strain and a native strain of Nile tilapia(the Akosombo strain)following exposures to hyperthermic and hypoxic stressors.In a series of experiments,oxygen consumption(MO_(2)),aquatic surface respiration(ASR),thermal limits and hypoxia tolerance were assessed.The effects of these stressors on haematological parameters were also assessed.The GIFT strain was less tolerant of hypoxia and performed ASR at higher O_(2) levels than the Akosombo strain.Under progressive hypoxia,the GIFT strain exhibited higher gill ventilations frequencies(fV)than the Akosombo strain.The thermal tolerance trial indicated that the Akosombo strain of O.niloticus has higher thermotolerance than the GIFT strain and this was reflective in the higher LT_(50)(45.1℃)and LT_(max)(48℃),compared to LT_(50) and LTmax of 41.5℃ and 46℃ respectively.These results imply that it is crucial to consider how the GIFT strain performs under various environmental conditions and changes during culture.Particularly,raising the GIFT strain of Nile tilapia in earthen ponds rich in phytoplankton and subject to protracted episodes of extreme hypoxia may have a detrimental physiological impact on its growth and welfare.
基金supported by a grant from the Regional Transport Research and Education Centre,Kumasi(TRECK)of the Department of Civil Engineering,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,Kumasi(KNUST),Ghana.
文摘Paratransit users have reportedly been unsatisfied with the quality of service that they receive.Efforts at replacing the service or formalizing operations to meet users’mobility needs have faced challenges or outrightly resisted.Approaches such as providing travel information and deploying interventions along the roadway infrastructure where the government has authority have been suggested.Deploying any of these approaches will require insights from empirical data.The study considered a key measure of service quality to users and operators alike-travel time.It investigated factors affecting the travel time of paratransit at the route and segment levels.A travel time survey that employed a mobile app(Trands)onboard paratransit vehicle was used to collect travel time,stop,and other related information on a selected route.The backward stepwise regression technique was used to determine factors affecting paratransit travel were.Dwell time,signal delay,recurrent congestion index(RCI),non-trip stops,and deviation from route were significant variables at the route level.All the factors affecting segment travel were also part of those involving route travel time except the segment length.Interestingly,deviation from the route increased overall travel time,which is against its logic.Insights gained from the study were used in suggesting proposals that can reduce travel time and improve the service quality of paratransit.
