Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of Government Policies on Infant and Young Child Feeding and Food Fortification in Benin.

Background: To prevent micronutrient deficiencies and address the Double Burden of Malnutrition, Benin has implemented Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and food fortification policies for several years. Despite these efforts, significant micronutrient deficiencies persist, posing a public health problem.

Objective: This study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of government policies on IYCF and food fortification in Benin.

VIRAL HEPATITIS C IN ADULT DIABETICS IN COTONOU IN 2023: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS.

Introduction: Diabetes and chronic liver diseases such as viral hepatitis C (HVC) are global public health problems. The combination of the 2 increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate viral hepatitis C in adult diabetics in referral health centers in Cotonou.

COLORECTAL CANCERS IN COTONOU FROM 2013 TO 2023: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL, DIAGNOSTIC, THERAPEUTIC AND PROGNOSTIC ASPECTS.

Introduction: The increasing incidence and high mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC) make it a major public health concern in developing countries.

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of colorectal cancers from 2013 to 2023 in Cotonou.

Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical study with retrospective data collection, covering CRC patients managed in specialized centers in Cotonou (university clinics of visceral surgery, internal medicine and hepatogastroenterology at CNHU-HKM and the Cotonou Cancer Center).

Elaboration and Characterization of Electrodes from and Charcoal Powder with Coconut Bio-Pitch as a Binder.

Carbon-based electrodes have recently been most widely used in P-MFC due to their desirable properties such as biocompatibility, chemical stability, affordable price, corrosion resistance, and ease of regeneration. In general, carbon-based electrodes, particularly graphite, are produced using a complex process based on petroleum derivatives at very high temperatures. This study aims to produce electrodes from bio-pitch and charcoal powder as an alternative to graphite electrodes.

Human leukocyte antigen HLA-B*57:01 status in HIV-1 patients developing hypersensitivity reactions in Benin: a pilot study.

Background: Antiretroviral drugs in people living with HIV-1 (PLHIV-1) often trigger side effects which may lead to discontinuation or failure of treatment. Human Leukocyte Antigen B*57:01 (HLA-B*57:01) allele is known to predict hypersensitivity reactions to Abacavir. Very few data are available on the prevalence of HLA-B*57:01 allele in PLHIV-1 in African countries.

Key gene modules and hub genes associated with pyrethroid and organophosphate resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes: a systems biology approach.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are the main methods used to control mosquito populations for malaria prevention. The efficacy of these strategies is threatened by the spread of insecticide resistance (IR), limiting the success of malaria control. Studies of the genetic evolution leading to insecticide resistance could enable the identification of molecular markers that can be used for IR surveillance and an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with IR.

Protocol for the controlled reproduction of the edible frog in aquaculture hatcheries in the Republic of Benin.

Context Aubria subsigillata is such a highly valued, edible species for the citizens of Benin that over exploitation has led to a rarefaction of wild populations. Aims The aim of captive breeding is to develop breeding protocols and farming practices for the species which will reduce hunting pressure on wild populations. Methods The methodology consisted of determining the concentration of ovulatory hormone and its method of injection into the breeding stock, followed by in vitro fertilisation of the unfertilised eggs of the females by the spermic urine of the males to determine the optimum injection method, hormone concentration for ovulation and sperm collections, and the development of in vitro fertilisation protocols using gametes obtained via the aforementioned methodologies.

Advanced in immunological monitoring of HIV infection: profile of immune cells and cytokines in people living with HIV-1 in Benin.

Background: Immune cells and cytokines have been linked to viremia dynamic and immune status during HIV infection. They may serve as useful biomarkers in the monitoring of people living with HIV-1 (PLHIV-1). The present work was aimed to assess whether cytokines and immune cell profiles may help in the therapeutic follow-up of PLHIV-1.

Transcriptomic analysis of Anopheles gambiae from Benin reveals overexpression of salivary and cuticular proteins associated with cross-resistance to pyrethroids and organophosphates.

Background: Insecticide resistance (IR) is one of the major threats to malaria vector control programs in endemic countries. However, the mechanisms underlying IR are poorly understood. Thus, investigating gene expression patterns related to IR can offer important insights into the molecular basis of IR in mosquitoes.

An Integrated Approach for Biofortification of Carotenoids in Cowpea for Human Nutrition and Health.

Stress-resilient and highly nutritious legume crops can alleviate the burden of malnutrition and food security globally. Here, we focused on cowpea, a legume grain widely grown and consumed in regions at a high risk of micronutrient deficiencies, and we discussed the past and present research on carotenoid biosynthesis, highlighting different knowledge gaps and prospects for increasing this micronutrient in various edible parts of the crop. The literature survey revealed that, although carotenoids are important micronutrients for human health and nutrition, like in many other pulses, the potential of carotenoid biofortification in cowpea is still underexploited.

Effect of fatty acid-enriched black soldier fly larvae meal combined with chitinase on the metabolic processes of Nile tilapia.

The aim of this study is to determine to what extent the addition of chitinase to black soldier fly (BSF) larval meal enriched or not with long-chain PUFA (LC-PUFA) could improve growth, protein digestion processes and gut microbial composition in Nile tilapia. Two different types of BSF meal were produced, in which larvae were reared on substrates formulated with vegetable culture substrate (VGS) or marine fish offal substrate (FOS). The BSF raised on VGS was enriched in -linolenic acid (ALA), while that raised on FOS was enriched in ALA + EPA + DHA.

Entomophagy practices, use patterns, and factors influencing perception and consumption frequency of edible insects in the Republic of Benin.

Background: Edible insects are important sources of essential nutrients and have the potential to contribute to malnutrition reduction and food security in the Republic of Benin. However, their consumption is always restricted to a limited number of sociocultural groups. To determine how the consumption of insects could be promoted as an alternative food source, this study documents the endogenous knowledge associated with edible insects and, the main factors that govern their perception and frequency consumption.

Market opportunities seizing capability and fish farming firm performance: A dynamic managerial capability perspective.

The role that owner-managers' managerial capabilities play in agricultural firms' strategic change and performance is still unclear. A firm's market opportunities seizing capability (OSC) is a source of competitiveness and superior performance. The objective of this study is to establish how owner-manager's dynamic managerial capabilities (DMCs) including managerial human capital, managerial social capital and managerial cognition affect firm performance through the mediating effect of OSC, as well as the moderating effect of market dynamism in the relationship OSC and firm performance.

Effect of living conditions on genital mutilation practices among adolescent girls in West Africa: A pooled analysis from demographic and health surveys.

Despite commitments and interventions, Female Genital Mutilations (FGM) practice persists in West African countries. This research analyzes the effect of living conditions on FGM practice. Data were sourced from thirty-four demographic and health surveys conducted between 1995 and 2020 in 12 countries.

Interactions between the omnivorous bug Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae) and the tomato pests Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Phthorimaea absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): predation, phytophagy, and prey preference.

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous bug that can derive nutrients from 3 trophic levels: plants, herbivorous arthropods, and other predators. On tomato, besides damaging the plants as they feed, might the mirid also forage on pest species and repel pests. In greenhouse and laboratory experiments, we investigated the functional response of the bug, its prey preference, and its influence on the oviposition potentials of 2 major pest species Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on tomato Solanum lycopersicum L.

Plant-biomass-based hybrid seed wraps mitigate yield and post-harvest losses among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Sustainable practices that reduce food loss are essential for enhancing global food security. We report a 'wrap and plant' seed treatment platform to protect crops from soil-borne pathogens. Developed from the abundantly available wastes of banana harvest and recycled old, corrugated cardboard boxes via chemical-free pulping, these paper-like biodegradable seed wraps exhibit tunable integrity and bioavailability of loaded moieties.

Predictive Value of Immune Cells in the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study.

Aims: Immunological and biochemical parameters are gaining more and more importance in the prognosis of diabetes and its complications. Here, we assessed the predictive power of immune cells correlated with biochemical parameters in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Materials And Methods: Immune cells and serum biochemical parameters were determined in women with GDM and pregnant controls.

Diversity of market gardening farms in western Burkina Faso. Nexus between production environment, farm size, financial performance and environmental issues.

This study characterizes market gardening in Houet province in order to determine the various categories of market gardening farms based on specific socioeconomic variables, as well as to analyze the main factors influencing their economic performance. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical ascending classification, the main factors influencing the economic situation of the market garden farms in Houet were analyzed through the interrelationships between the variables considered. Findings revealed four clusters of vegetable farms with different socioeconomic features depending on the farming environment (urban, peri-urban and rural).

Use of Habitat Suitability Model as a Tool to Highlight Best Conservation Area for the Red-bellied Monkey () in Southern-Benin, West Africa.

Wildlife habitats are increasingly degraded as a result of anthropogenic pressures. The IUCN recently updated the red list category of the red-bellied monkey () from Endangered to Critically Endangered due to its population decrease, habitats degradation and various threats to its conservation. It is therefore important to identify areas of great importance for the sustainable conservation of the subspecies.

Assessment of phenotypic diversity within Goliath chickens population in Benin.

Goliath chickens are a new strain of poultry that originated in the department of Zou, commune of Agbangnizoun in the Republic of Benin. The characteristics of this chicken strain have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to characterize the phenotypic diversity of Goliath chickens in departments of Zou and Couffo.

Molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in hard ticks collected from wild animals in Benin, West Africa.

Tick and tick-borne pathogens constitute a growing veterinary and public health concern around the world. Ticks are considered natural reservoirs for tick-borne related pathogens and are equally responsible for the spread of infections in animals as well as humans. In this study, the presence of Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum was investigated in hard ticks collected from reptiles, birds, and wild mammalian animals.

Quantum chemical hydrogenolysis strategy for elimination of heteroatoms in biomass homologous organic compounds based on oxolane and thiolane.

Bio-oils obtained from biomass contain heteroatoms compounds, like oxolane and thiolane. It is quite difficult for industrialist to purify such refractory bio-oils. One of the efficient strategies for the elimination of heteroatoms is hydrogenolysis process, which results in the formation of HO and HS residues as by-products.

Molecular and cellular biology of PCSK9: impact on glucose homeostasis.

Proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors (PCSK9i) revolutionised the lipid-lowering therapy. However, a risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is evoked under PCSK9i therapy. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the link of PCSK9 with T2DM.