Sickle cell anemia Constitutes a public health problem worldwide. It is a heterogeneous disorder, with clinical manifestations including chronic hemolytic anemia, increased susceptibility to infections, and vaso-occlusive complications that often require medical care. The aim of this study was to assess the severity of anemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and certain associations in homozygous sickle cell patients (SS) at the regional hospital in Bafoussam (Cameroon). After obtaining ethical approval, an information sheet was given to participants to obtain their informed consent, and then the questionnaire was administered. 93 patients with sickle cell disease (SS) and 93 healthy individuals (AA) were recruited as controls. Blood samples were taken to assess oxidative stress parameters (catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) total antioxidant activity (FRAP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH)), hematological analyses (complete blood count (CBC)), and the inflammatory state interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), C-reactive protein (CRP)). A significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and hematocrit percentage in whole blood was observed (p < 0.001). However, a very low catalase activity was recorded (p < 0.001), while a non-significant decrease in SOD was noted. MDA and GSH concentrations and total antioxidant activity increased in sickle cell patients (p < 0.001). In addition, a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in inflammation parameters (IL-10 and TNF-alpha) and a significant increase in CRP (p < 0.001) were noted. The present investigation shows that sickle cell patients at Bafoussam Regional Hospital have severe anemia associated with increased oxidative stress and high levels of inflammation. These factors contribute to a significant deterioration in their health; Moreover, medical care for sickle cell patients should therefore take the aforementioned factors into consideration in order to improve their quality of life.
Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc is a popular, protein rich but neglected seed legumes. Research has promoted the characterization of morphotypes to identify varieties that meet the preferences of producers and consumers. However, the full potential of this plant resource is not being developed nor sufficiently promoted. Future investigations should promote high-performance, short-cycle varieties; improving storage conditions that respect the consumer and do not pollute the environment. The choice and adoption of voandzou, of which many varieties are present and under-exploited despite their high nutritional value and their potential for fighting hunger, justifies the interest in developing some agricultural value chains of this legume. Résumé Le voandzou, (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.), est une légumineuse à graines, populaire, riche en protéine mais négligée. Les recherches menées ont promu la caractérisation des morphotypes en vue de l’identification des variétés qui répondent aux préférences des producteurs et des consommateurs. Hélas, tout le potentiel de cette ressource végétale n’est pas valorisé ni suffisamment promu. Les investigations futures devraient cibler la recherche des variétés de haute performance et à cycle court ; l’amélioration des conditions de stockage qui respectent le consommateur et ne polluent pas l’environnement ; le développement de nouveaux produits à base du voandzou de consommation massive contribuant ainsi à l’élimination de la faim sous toutes ses formes. Le choix et l’adoption du voandzou, dont de nombreuses variétés sont présentes et sous exploitées malgré leur forte valeur nutritive et leur potentiel pour la lutte contre la faim, justifie l’intérêt de développer des chaines de valeur agricole de cette légumineuse.
Sorghum is the fifth most cultivated cereal crop in the world while in Cameroon, it ranks second after maize. Its production is hampered worldwide by various constraints including insect pests amongst which lepidopteran are predominant. Serious attacks on transplanted sorghum panicles were reported during the year 2023 in the Far North Region of Cameroon and wrongly attributed to Spodoptera frugiperda - although it is initially known to damage sorghum foliage. Field investigations were carried out with the objectives to evaluate the extent of the damages on sorghum panicles, readily identify the insect species responsible of the alarming damages and identify others insects associated with sorghum panicles. Group discussion was made with agriculture extension agents and farmers then, 30-60 sorghum plants randomly selected along two diagonals of a delimited field portion were evaluated for pest incidence and damage severity on panicles. The plague occurred in three Divisions among which Diamare was the highly affected area. This phenomenon was never reported in the past according to farmers. Pest incidence, density and severity varied across visited fields. Damages on panicle included mostly empty or unfilled grains and destroyed grains. Helicoverpa armigera Hübner was identified as the insect responsible of the alarming damages. This is the first report of H. armigera outbreak on sorghum in Cameroon. Implications of this first-time outbreak are discussed and more investigations are needed to clarify this sudden abundance of H. armigera on sorghum panicle. Three others Lepidoptera species and five bugs species emerged from panicles. The impact of sap sucking bugs on the sorghum production deserve more attention in the future.
The development of Callosobruchus maculatus depends on the availability of bambara groundnut seeds (Vigna subterranea) These seeds are used as oviposition sites and a food source for larvae. The scarcity of this resource induces intraspecific competition that can impact fecundity and population dynamics. This study explores the mechanisms of this competition and its effects on species regulation. Experiments were conducted by varying the seed mass (2 to 20 g in increments of 2 g) for females no more than 24 hours old throughout their lives. The 10 g mass, considered favorable for females, was fed to 2, 3, 4, and 5 females to assess oviposition, larval development, fecundity, and sex ratio. One, five, ten, fifteen, and twenty larvae of all instars (L1, L2, L3, L4) were introduced into tubes containing 10 g of seed in the presence of a 24-hour-old female to evaluate its effect on oviposition. The results show that the average number of eggs laid by a female (71.8 ± 13.37) is dependent on the number of seed. Egg-laying is concentrated at the beginning (39 ± 5.76 eggs in the first few days) before gradually decreasing (6.46 ± 4.6 at the end of the period). With one female per 10 g of seed, fecundity remains high (>80%) and the sex ratio is 0.9. In the presence of more than three females, egg-laying drops significantly (24 eggs for five females) and the sex ratio shifts towards males.Egg laying decreases in the presence of larvae (22.6) for stage 4. These results indicate that the limited availability of seeds leads to competitive exclusion between females, thus contributing to the natural regulation of C. maculatus populations in bambara groundnut stocks. Résumé Le développement de Callosobruchus maculatus dépend de la disponibilité des graines de voandzou (Vigna subterranea). utilisées comme site de ponte et source de nourriture pour les larves. La rareté de cette ressource induit une compétition intraspécifique pouvant impacter la fécondité et la dynamique de la population. Cette étude explore les mécanismes de cette compétition et ses effets sur la régulation de l’espèce. Des expériences ont été menées en faisant varier la masse des graines (2 à 20 g par pas de 2) pour une femelle âgée de 24h au plus durant toute sa vie. La masse 10 g favorable pour une femelle a été servie à 2, 3,4, 5 femelles pour évaluer la ponte, le développement larvaire, la fécondité et le sex-ratio. 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 larves de tous les stades (L1, L2, L3, L4) ont été introduites dans les tubes contenant 10g en présence d’une femelle de 24h, pour évaluer son effet sur la ponte. Les résultats montrent que le nombre moyen d’œufs pondus par une femelle (71,8 ±13,37) est dépendant de la masse de graines. La ponte est principalement concentrée au début (39±5,76 œufs aux premiers jours) avant de diminuer progressivement (6,46±4,6 en fin de période). Avec une femelle sur 10 g de graines, la fécondité reste élevée (>80 %) et le sex-ratio est de 0,9. En présence de plus de trois femelles, la ponte chute significativement (24 œufs pour cinq femelles) et le sex-ratio est en faveur de mâles. La ponte diminue en présence des larves (22,6) pour le stade 4. Ces résultats indiquent que la disponibilité limitée des graines entraîne une exclusion compétitive entre femelles, contribuant ainsi à la régulation naturelle des populations de C. maculatus dans les stocks de voandzou
This study evaluated the potential of maggot meal as a partial substitute for fishmeal in the diet of Heterotis niloticus to improve aquaculture sustainability in Cameroon, where fishmeal is costly and scarce. Conducted between April and June 2024 at IRAD Nkolbisson, the experiment involved 240 juvenile fish distributed in eight hapas and fed four isoprotein and isoenergetic diets containing 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% maggot meal. Results showed that survival and growth performance were significantly influenced by diet. The best zootechnical performance, including weight gain, specific growth rates, and feed conversion ratio, was achieved with the 50% maggot meal diet, which also showed high survival. Although the 75% substitution diet had the lowest production cost, the 50% level provided the best balance between growth and profitability. The study concludes that maggot meal can effectively replace up to 50% of fishmeal in H. niloticus diets, enhancing economic efficiency in developing-country aquaculture.
