Enquête ethnobotanique sur les variétés de haricot (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Commercialisées dans la région du Poro, au nord de la Côte d’Ivoire

Le haricot commun (Phaselolus vulgaris L.) est une légumineuse essentielle pour les populations à faible revenu en Afrique subsaharienne, car elle offre une source importante de protéines moins chère. Malgré son importance, sa culture dans la région du Poro au nord de la Côte d'Ivoire, est encore peu valorisée. Cette étude a pour but de recenser les variétés de haricot sec produites et commercialisées dans cette région à travers une enquête ethnobotanique. Les résultats ont montré que trois variétés (blanc, rouge et noir) sont cultivées et commercialisées dans la région, avec des différences notables dans les habitudes de commercialisation et les prix entre les différents acteurs. Les populations d'ethnie senoufo et malinké sont les acteurs la filière haricot avec une hégémonie de la population senoufo. Les données collectées pourraient contribuer à une meilleure organisation de la filière haricot et à améliorer l'accès des populations locales à cette source de protéines essentielle.   The common bean (Phaselolus vulgaris L.) is an essential legume for low-income populations in sub-Saharan Africa, providing an important source of cheap protein. Despite its importance, its cultivation in the Poro region in the north of Côte d'Ivoire is still underdeveloped. The aim of this study was to identify the dry bean varieties produced and marketed in this region through an ethnobotanical survey. The results showed that three varieties (white, red and black) are grown and marketed in the region, with notable differences in marketing habits and prices between the various players. The bean sector is dominated by the Senoufo and Malinké ethnic groups. The data collected could help to improve the organisation of the bean sector and improve local people's access to this essential source of protein

Novitates Gabonenses 93: a fresh look at Podostemaceae in Gabon following recent inventories, with a new combination for Ledermanniella nicolasii

Background and aims – Podostemaceae is a family of strictly aquatic plants found in rapids and waterfalls. Despite a recent treatment in the Flore du Gabon, the family remained poorly known, with no major studies including Gabonese collections, and almost no targeted inventories since 1966. We present the first large-scale inventory of this family in Gabon, targeting Podostemaceae throughout the country, providing new additions to the flora of Gabon and many new records of poorly known species. Material and methods – Fieldwork was conducted in Gabon between 2017 and 2021. The collected specimens were primarily preserved in ethanol with associated silica gel-preserved material and photographs. Material available at BR, BRLU, LBV, MO, P, WAG, and Z/ZT was examined. For each species, information on distribution and ecology is presented, as well as a distribution map in Gabon. Key results – The 500 newly collected specimens represent 91.4% of all known collections of Podostemaceae from Gabon. Three taxa are newly recorded for the country, including one genus (Inversodicraea tenax, Ledermanniella schlechteri, and Saxicolella nana). New distribution records are also presented for 13 little-known species. Four taxa are excluded from the Gabonese flora (the genus Dicraeanthus, Inversodicraea ledermannii, Ledermanniella sanagaensis, and Macropodiella garrettii). To date, 20 species belonging to five different genera are known to occur in Gabon. A new combination is proposed for Ledermanniella nicolasii, and Inversodicraea tanzaniensis is now considered as a synonym of Inversodicraea tenax

The WSB1 Gene Is Involved in Pancreatic Cancer Progression

Pancreatic cancer cells generate metastases because they can survive the stress imposed by the new environment of the host tissue. To mimic this process, pancreatic cancer cells which are not stressed in standard culture conditions are injected into nude mice. Because they develop xenografts, they should have developed adequate stress response. Characterizing that response might provide new strategies to interfere with pancreatic cancer metastasis.In the human pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1, Mia-PaCa2, Capan-1, Capan-2 and BxPC3, we used Affymetrix DNA microarrays to compare the expressions of 22.000 genes in vitro and in the corresponding xenografts. We identified 228 genes overexpressed in xenografts and characterized the implication of one of them, WSB1, in the control of apoptosis and cell proliferation. WSB1 generates 3 alternatively spliced transcripts encoding distinct protein isoforms. In xenografts and in human pancreatic tumors, global expression of WSB1 mRNA is modestly increased whereas isoform 3 is strongly overexpressed and isoforms 1 and 2 are down-regulated. Treating Mia-PaCa2 cells with stress-inducing agents induced similar changes. Whereas retrovirus-forced expression of WSB1 isoforms 1 and 2 promoted cell growth and sensitized the cells to gemcitabine- and doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, WSB1 isoform 3 expression reduced cell proliferation and enhanced resistance to apoptosis, showing that stress-induced modulation of WSB1 alternative splicing increases resistance to apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.Data on WSB1 regulation support the hypothesis that activation of stress-response mechanisms helps cancer cells establishing metastases and suggest relevance to cancer development of other genes overexpressed in xenografts

Analyse Granulometrique et Cartographie des Sediments Superficiels de la Lagune Cotiere au Benin (Afrique de L’Ouest)

The current study is part of the wide-ranging issue related to the sedimentary dynamics of paralic hydro systems. This study aims to characterize the sedimentary cover of the coastal lagoon, one of Benin's four main water bodies, using the granulometric analysis procedure. Based on shallow sediment samples’, following 48 transects in the lagoon, a few laboratory processes have been undertaken, including granulometry, statistical calculus acting upon the Folk & Ward textural parameters through Excel and Origin 6.0 software, and also sandy feature mapping, while considering the ArcGIS 10.3 software performance. The grain size indexes of these facies indicate a second or poor-rate classification of medium sands, almost symmetrical, with mesokurtic acuity. The Passega diagram describes a saltation or rolling transport of these sands. The combination of Friedman’s, Moiola’s and Weiser’s diagrams reveals fluvial-origin sediments and remobilization from the coastal dune zones flanking the lagoon. At the level of the coastal lagoon, a hydrodynamic zoning is established, characterized by some insubstantial hydro dynamism of the eastern sector, impacted by the influence of the so-called Ouidah lagoon and a relatively strong hydro dynamism of the western sector corresponding to the Grand- Popo lagoon, with a speed ranging between 0.78 to 1.4 m / s towards the bottom and a flow rate of 429 m3 / s, at the Avlo beach station. Ultimately, this study made it possible to underscore the state of hydrodynamic variations observed in the lagoon, notably an opposition between eastern and western sectors, the diversity of sedimentary input sources and the design of the first lithological facies map of this paralic environment, which now stands as a vital tool for its follow-up and monitoring, in the current context of upcoming changes and unremitting alteration.Cette étude s’inscrit dans la problématique de la dynamique sédimentaire des hydrosystèmes paraliques. Elle se base sur les techniques granulométriques pour caractériser les sédiments de la lagune côtière, l’un des quatre principaux plans d’eau paraliques du Bénin. A partir des prélèvements de sédiments superficiels sur 48 transects, des travaux de laboratoire, des calculs de paramètres texturaux de Folk & Ward sur Excel et le logiciel Origin 6.0 ainsi que la cartographie des faciès via ArcGIS 10.3., ont été effectués. Les indices granulométriques de ces faciès indiquent un classement médiocre de sables moyens, presque symétrique, avec une acuité mésocurtique. Le diagramme de Passega décrit un transport par saltation ou roulement de ces sables. La combinaison des diagrammes de Friedman, Moiola et Weiser montre des sédiments d’origine fluviatile et ceux remobilisés à partir des dunes côtières adjacentes à la lagune. Un zonage hydrodynamique est également noté, caractérisé par un hydrodynamisme faible du secteur oriental ou lagune de Ouidah et un hydrodynamisme relativement fort du secteur occidental ou lagune de Grand-Popo, avec une vitesse de l’ordre de 0,78 à 1,4 m/s vers le fond et un débit de 429 m3 /s, à la station de Avlo Plage. En définitive, ce papier fait ressortir l’état de variations hydrodynamiques de la lagune, notamment une opposition entre secteurs oriental et occidental, la diversité des sources d’apports sédimentaires et la réalisation de la première carte des lithofaciès de cet environnement aquatique, outil indispensable à son suivi face à des changements futurs et à un contexte en mutation perpétuelle

Study of Cognitive Associated with Diabetes Induced by Alloxane Monohydrate in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Untreated diabetes can accelerate brain ageing and increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Objective: To assess the cognitive decline associated with alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Material and methods: This study involved 24 Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 300 g. They were divided into three groups: (1) normal rats, (2) untreated diabetic rats and (3) diabetic rats treated with D-erythrodihydrosphingosine (inhibitors of SPK1 and SPK2). The rats were given glucose and food overnight to prevent hypoglycaemia. Behavioural experiments were carried out using object recognition and radial arm maze tests. Results: Behavioural analysis revealed significant differences in the time spent exploring familiar and novel objects in the rats. The study also assessed the cognitive impact of diabetes by evaluating spatial learning in an eight-branch radial maze. The results showed that diabetes affects working memory and that SPK1 and 2 inhibitors do not improve it in diabetic rats. Conclusion Our results show that diabetes induces an alteration in working memory and spatial learning difficulties

Effects of valproic acid on the reproductive functions of adult male Wistar rats and consequences for offspring

Introduction: Valproic acid can affect the nervous system as well as other systems such as the endocrine and reproductive systems. Exposure to valproic acid is not without harmful side effects. These undesirable effects can lead to infertility. Objective: To assess the effects of valproic acid on reproductive functions in adult male Wistar rats and consequences for offspring. Materials and methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats, weighing between 100 and 300 g, were used. Treatment was administered orally for sixty days. For the study, three batches, each containing eight adult male Wistar rats, were formed and treated as follows: (1) a control batch given distilled water at 10 ml/kg; (2) and (3) batches treated with valproic acid at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively. The variables studied included physiological measurements, pedigree observations, sexual behavior, fertility, prolificacy and mortinality rates, spermogram and hormone levels. Results: Exposure of adult male Wistar rats to valproic acid at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg led to an alteration in body weight, a significant decrease in the weight of the prostate (p<0.05), testes (p<0.05) and epididymis (p<0.05). Decreases in fertility rate (25%), prolificacy rate (66.67 and 68.75%), and fecundity rate (250 and 275%), as well as an increase in mortinality rate (50 and 45.45%), were observed respectively in batches 2 and 3 treated with valproic acid. This exposure also led to an alteration in sperm parameters. This was illustrated by asthenospermia (p<0.0001), necrospermia (p<0.05), polyspermia (p<0.05) for the 200 mg/kg dose and oligospermia (p<0.05) for the 400 mg/kg dose. Batches treated with valproic acid showed a significant decrease in testosterone levels (p<0.0001) as well as abnormalities such as hemorrhagic syndrome in neonates born to untreated females and alopecia in the pedigree. Conclusion:Prolonged exposure to valproic acid in adult male Wistar rats at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg led to a reduction in prostate, testicular and epididymal weights. This exposure resulted in a decrease in fertility, prolificacy and fecundity and an increase in mortinality. Alterations in sperm parameters and depletion of testosterone levels were noted, as well as abnormalities in ascendants and descendants.

WSB-1 regulates the metastatic potential of hormone receptor negative breast cancer

© 2018 Cancer Research UK. Background: Metastatic spread is responsible for the majority of cancer-associated deaths. The tumour microenvironment, including hypoxia, is a major driver of metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the E3 ligase WSB-1 in breast cancer biology in the context of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment, particularly regarding metastatic spread. Methods: In this study, WSB-1 expression was evaluated in breast cancer cell lines and patient samples. In silico analyses were used to determine the impact of WSB-1 expression on distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients, and correlation between WSB1 expression and hypoxia gene expression signatures. The role of WSB-1 on metastasis promotion was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Results: High WSB1 expression was associated with decreased DMFS in ER-breast cancer and PR-breast cancer patients. Surprisingly, WSB1 expression was not positively correlated with known hypoxic gene expression signatures in patient samples. Our study is the first to show that WSB-1 knockdown led to decreased metastatic potential in breast cancer hormone receptor-negative models in vitro and in vivo. WSB-1 knockdown was associated with decreased metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, and angiogenic potential. Conclusions: Our data suggests that WSB-1 may be an important regulator of aggressive metastatic disease in hormone receptor-negative breast cancer. WSB-1 could therefore represent a novel regulator and therapeutic target for secondary breast cancer in these patients