Combined polymorphisms involving the IgG heavy chain and Fc gamma receptors among Fulani and non-Fulani in Benin: implications for the natural protection of young Fulani against Plasmodium falciparum malaria infections.

A decreased susceptibility of Fulani populations to malaria infections has been shown in Africa. A previous longitudinal cohort study conducted in the Atacora region of northern Benin showed a high merozoite-phagocytosis capacity in young Fulani. Here, we explored the combined polymorphisms in the constant region of the IgG3 heavy chain (presence/absence of the G3m6 allotype) and in Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) as potentially involved in the natural protection against malaria of young Fulani in Benin.

Susceptibility to malaria in fulani, Bariba, Otamari and gando individuals living in sympatry in Benin: Role of opsonizing antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum merozoites.

Objectives: Fulani in Africa are known to be less susceptible to () malaria. This study explored a potential involvement of antibody-mediated merozoite phagocytosis mechanism in this natural protection against malaria.

Methods: Before the start of the malaria transmission season (MTS) in Benin, the functionality of antibodies against merozoites was determined by the opsonic phagocytosis (OP) assay in plasma samples from Fulani, Bariba, Otamari and Gando groups.

MRI conditional safety of mixed systems: Study of the impact of active implant medical device impedance on the radiofrequency-induced lead heating.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to study the impact of pulse generator small impedance variations on the overall radiofrequency (RF)-induced heating of a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) lead in a 1.5 T MR system.

Methods: An analysis was conducted on two CRM pacing leads with different structural designs.

Fc Gamma Receptor IIIB NA1/NA2/SH Polymorphisms Are Associated with Malaria Susceptibility and Antibody Levels to Merozoite Antigens in Beninese Children.

This paper aimed to investigate the influence of polymorphisms in the FCGR2A gene encoding R131H FcgRIIA variants and in the FCGR3B gene (108G > C, 114C > T, 194 A > G, 233C > A, 244 G > A and 316G > A) encoding FcgRIIIB-NA1, -NA2 and -SH variants on malaria susceptibility and antibody responses against P. falciparum merozoite antigens in Beninese children. An active malaria follow-up was conducted in infants from birth to 24 months of age in Allada, Benin.

Naturally acquired antibodies from Beninese infants promote Plasmodium falciparum merozoite-phagocytosis by human blood leukocytes: implications for control of asymptomatic malaria infections.

Background: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies are thought to play important roles in the protection against Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria. A longitudinal cohort study performed in the Southern part of Benin, identified a group of infants who were able to control asymptomatic malaria infections (CAIG).

A community edutainment intervention for gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and maternal and child health in rural Senegal: a process evaluation.

Background: Edutainment aims to spread educational messages in an entertaining way, and often reaches large audiences. While studies increasingly report the impacts of edutainment interventions, there is limited context-specific evidence on the underlying processes and barriers to effective delivery, especially in rural areas. This article presents results from a process evaluation of a community-based edutainment intervention designed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices on gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and maternal and child health.

Empirical Analysis of Health Assessment Objective and Subjective Methods on the Determinants of Health.

Background: There are several methods for assessing health status. The aims of this study were to investigate the empirical differences between health assessment objective and subjective methods, to identify a possible long-term relationship between methods and health determinants and the influence of these methods on the perceived level of risk according to health determinants.

Methods: Using data from 1970 to 2018 in the United States, health status was assessed by perception of health, absence from work due to self-reported illness, life expectancy at birth and mortality rate.

Exposure to multiple pathogens - serological evidence for Rift Valley fever virus, Coxiella burnetii, Bluetongue virus and Brucella spp. in cattle, sheep and goat in Mali.

An important problem for livestock production in Mali is occurrence of several infectious diseases. A particular challenge for control of pathogens that affect different species, especially in a system with mixed herds with cattle, sheep and goats. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate co-exposure with Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Coxiella burnetii, Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Brucella spp.

Susceptibility to Malaria: Influence of Combined Polymorphisms of IgG3 Gm Allotypes and Fc Gamma Receptors IIA, IIIA, and IIIB.

The binding of immunoglobulin (Ig) to Fc gamma receptors (FcgR) at the immune cell surface is an important step to initiate immunological defense against malaria. However, polymorphisms in receptors and/or constant regions of the IgG heavy chains may modulate this binding. Here, we investigated whether polymorphisms located in FcgR and constant regions of the heavy chain of IgG are associated with susceptibility to malaria.

Willingness to Vaccinate (WTV) and Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Vaccination Against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in Mali.

PPR remains a major challenge to smallholder farmers in Mali. To understand the drivers of low adoption of vaccination by farmers, we analyzed the socio-economic factors influencing farmer WTV during and in the absence of vaccination campaigns. Given that the costs associated with vaccination are largely borne by farmers, we assessed factors that associated with farmer willingness to pay (WTP) more than the current price (150 XOF per dose) by considering two attributes of improvement of the vaccines empirically highlighted as potential leverage points for intervention: access of farmers to vaccines (reducing the distance to the vaccine) and availability of information about the quality of the vaccine (introducing a vaccine viability detector).

Integrated Approach to Facilitate Stakeholder Participation in the Control of Endemic Diseases of Livestock: The Case of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Mali.

In Mali, small ruminants (SRs) are an important means for enhanced livelihood through income generation, especially for women and youth. Unfortunately, opportunities for livestock farmers to tap into these resources for economic growth are hindered by high burden of endemic diseases such as peste des petits ruminants (PPR). A key component for the control of PPR is vaccination of SRs.

[The co-construction of change in community health service provision in Senegal].

An experience of collaboration between researchers and the Ministry of Health of Senegal has encouraged the social uses of results from research on the health of communities. This article presents the contributions of partnership-based research to tackling health inequalities. Following a diagnostic shared with all the actors (practitioners and users) that allowed us to identify the reasons behind the under-utilization of well-equipped and renovated health establishments, three innovations were implemented: district surgery, complementary health insurance and flat-rate fees.

Influence of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection and plane of nutrition on milk production and some biochemical parameters in West African Dwarf goats.

The interactions of trypanosomosis and plane of nutrition on health and productivity of multiparous and primiparous West African Dwarf (WAD) does were studied in a multi-factorial experiment including diet (supplementation or basal diet) and infection (infected or control). Experimental does were infected with Trypanosoma congolense at the beginning of the second week post-kidding and monitored for 16 weeks after infection. Trypanosome infection significantly reduced packed cell volume (PCV) (control: 30.