Littoral Region Research Articles

Assessing the determinants of soil fertility in cocoa-based (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry systems in the Littoral region of Cameroon

Soil fertility decline is a reality across the globe. Soil infertility has led to falling crop yields for both food and cash crops precipitating both poverty and food insecurity. Poor agricultural practices have often been blamed for declining levels of soil fertility. It was within this framework that this study was carried out to assess soil fertility levels in cocoa-based agroforestry systems in the Littoral region of Cameroon. Through the use of a mixed research approach and descriptive and inferential statistical analysis it was found that the most perceived indicators of soil fertility by cocoa farmers in cocoa-based agroforestry systems were cocoa yields (100%), soil colour (90%), indicator plant species (75%), presence of soil macro-organisms (80%), indicator weed species (65%), growth rate/vigour of the cocoa plant (70%), and level of compaction of the soil (50%). Chi-square test statistic (X2 = 15.92, p<0.05) revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in cocoa farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility indicators in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Most cocoa farmers perceived the level of soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems to be between average (29%) and low (43%). Very few cocoa farmers perceived that soil fertility level in cocoa-based agroforestry systems was very high (5.3%). Chi-square test statistic (X2 = 38.42, p<0.05), revealed the existence of a statistically significant difference in cocoa farmers’ perception of the level of soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Correlation and regression analyses showed the existence of a direct and inverse non-causal and causal relationship respectively between several explanatory variables and soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. It was noticed that explanatory variables such as fertilizer/manure application, diversity of tree species in the cocoa agroforests, diversity of soil macro-fauna in the cocoa agroforests, and density of soil macro-fauna in the cocoa agroforests, all had a statistically significant (p<0.05) direct non-causal and causal relationship with soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. Meanwhile, explanatory variables such as age of the cocoa farm, density of cocoa plants in the cocoa agroforests, and application of agrochemicals in the cocoa agroforests, all had a statistically significant (p<0.05) non-causal and causal relationship with soil fertility in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. It is therefore recommended that there should be more organic fertilizer/manure application, more diversity of tree species in the cocoa agroforests, and measures to ensure the diversity and density of soil macro-fauna in cocoa-based agroforestry systems.

Individual and healthcare supply-related barriers to treatment initiation in HIV-positive patients enrolled in the Cameroonian antiretroviral treatment access programme.

Increasing demand for antiretroviral treatment (ART) together with a reduction in international funding during the last decade may jeopardize access to ART. Using data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2014 in 19 HIV services in the Centre and Littoral regions in Cameroon, we investigated the role of healthcare supply-related factors in time to ART initiation in HIV-positive patients eligible for ART at HIV diagnosis. HIV service profiles were built using cluster analysis. Factors associated with time to ART initiation were identified using a multilevel Cox model. The study population included 847 HIV-positive patients (women 72%, median age: 39 years). Median (interquartile range) time to ART initiation was 1.6 (0.5-4.3) months. Four HIV service profiles were identified: (1) small services with a limited staff practising partial task-shifting (n = 4); (2) experienced and well-equipped services practising task-shifting and involving HIV community-based organizations (n = 5); (3) small services with limited resources and activities (n = 6); (4) small services providing a large range of activities using task-shifting and involving HIV community-based organizations (n = 4). The multivariable model showed that HIV-positive patients over 39 years old [hazard ratio: 1.26 (95% confidence interval) (1.09-1.45), P = 0.002], those with disease symptoms [1.21 (1.04-1.41), P = 0.015] and those with hepatitis B co-infection [2.31 (1.15-4.66), P = 0.019] were all more likely to initiate ART early. However, patients in the first profile were less likely to initiate ART early [0.80 (0.65-0.99), P = 0.049] than those in the second profile, as were patients in the third profile [association only significant at the 10% level; 0.86 (0.72-1.02), P = 0.090]. Our findings provide a better understanding of the role played by healthcare supply-related factors in ART initiation. In HIV services with limited capacity, task-shifting and support from community-based organizations may improve treatment access. Additional funding is required to relieve healthcare supply-related barriers and achieve the goal of universal ART access.

Raffia Forest Exploitation and Socio-Economic Development within Nkongsamba Urban Council

In Nkongsamba of the Littoral region, raffia palms exploitation have offered an impressive assortment of products for food, housing construction and households equipment to many of the community members who greatly depend on this Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for livelihood. This study examines the relationship between raffia forest exploitation and socio-economic development within the Nkongsamba urban council in the Littoral Region of Cameroon. To achieve the main aim of the study, specific objectives were set to examine the socio-economic activities related to raffia forest exploitation in Nkongsamba, assess the relationship between raffia forest activity and socio-economic development of Nkongsamba. Data for the study were obtained through primary and secondary sources using a mixed design method of inquiry which combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches to explore data on raffia forest and its related activities in the study area. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were equally employed for a sample population of 155 that was drawn using Miller & Brewer Sample determination Method (2003). The data generated were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The major results from the analysis of the findings indicate that raffia activities have contributed enormously to socio-economic development. The researcher used linear regression statistics to determine if raffia forest activities have any significant impact on socio-economic development at .05 significant levels. The results showed that the calculated p-value .014 was not up to the significant level .05 placed for the study. This therefore accepts the fact that raffia forest activities have significant effect on socio-economic development. Base on this finding, the study recommended that, in view of the fact that raffia exploitation is the main economic base activity to majority of households in the area under study, the government should enact appropriate polices to promote the potentials of raffia farming households. Such households should be provided with inputs such as improved raffia harvesting materials at affordable rates.

Chronology of Middle Pleistocene Coastal Karst Evolution and Relative Sea-Level Changes in Mallorca

Lucia, G.; Polyak, V.J.; Gines, J.; Fornos, J.J.; Gines, A.; Asmerom, Y., and Onac, B.P., 2021. Chronology of middle Pleistocene coastal karst evolution and relative sea-level changes in Mallorca. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(2), 408–420. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Sea-level change affects the geomorphic evolution of littoral regions in multiple ways. In carbonate coastal regions, sea-level oscillations control the type and occurrence of karst processes such as mixing corrosion, speleothem deposition, and collapse. A variety of cave deposits exist above, below, and at sea level. Among these, the vadose speleothems can provide indirect constraints on maximum sea-level boundaries, record changes from vadose to phreatic phases as littoral groundwaters flood the caves due to sea-level rise, and document different coastal speleogenetic stages. Here, new U-series ages for speleothems from three sites along the eastern coast of Mallorca (Cala Falco, Dimoni, and Sa Ferradura) are presented and used to discuss the effects of relative sea-level oscillations upon coastal karst evolution between ∼1500 and ∼440 kyr before present. The paleo-speleothem record provides new timeframes for periods of vadose conditions allowing to place some relative sea-level constraints in the western Mediterranean, particularly for the Marine Isotope Stages 16 to 12. Periodic sea-level oscillations following glacial/interglacial cycles caused morphological changes within the paleo-caves. The sequences of collapsed karst features and vadose speleothems, coupled with geomorphological evidence and previous published sea-level records, support an interpretation for the occurrence of breakdown events during cold intervals following MIS 11, 9, and 7 sea-level high stands. Further collapses and dismantling of caves happened after MIS 5 high sea stands and throughout the Holocene.

Rifampicin resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected individuals using GeneXpert MTB/RIF ultra: a hospital-based study.

To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with rifampicin (RIF)-resistant tuberculosis using GeneXpert technology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2018 to November 2019 among tuberculosis (TB)-infected Cameroonian patients in the Littoral Region using records from patients presenting with clinically suspected or documented TB. The patients were screened for TB using GeneXpert MDR/RIF ultra. Data were documented with an ad hoc survey form and analysed with SPSS version 22. 153 patients were included in the study. 64.1% were males; mean age was 37.9±14.7years and median age 37years (range: 2-82). Most patients were new cases (76.4%). Relapses accounted for 8.5% and recurrences for 2.6%. Pulmonary TB was diagnosed among 98.7% patients using mostly sputum samples (85%). The prevalence of RIF resistance was 6.7% (95% CI: 3.4%-12.7%). This prevalence was significantly higher in samples of mucus and mucopurulent aspect (P-value=0.04). RIF-resistant M.tuberculosis strains were significantly more frequent among relapses than new cases (23.1% vs. 2.3% P-value<0.0001). A statistically significant association was found between GeneXpert-based quantification results and type and aspect of samples. This study confirms the circulation of RIF-resistant M.tuberculosis strains in the Littoral region. There is a need for extensive studies in other parts of the country.

Landscape evolution in the Liangzhu area since the early Holocene: A comprehensive sedimentological approach

The Liangzhu culture (5300– 4300 cal yr BP) is considered to be the testification of the five thousand year history of Chinese civilization, and has thus attracted a great deal of attention from the archaeological community. However, the rise and fall of the Liangzhu culture, especially the cause of its vanishing, is still a topic of intense debate. Since the Liangzhu Ancient City area is a low-lying littoral region with a dense network of waterways, the landscape evolution would have had great impact on human-environment interactions. In this study, we will reconstruct the evolutionary history of the landscape by using sedimentological approach. Five sediment cores, together with trenches exposed in the archaeological sites were investigated. The chronology of the sediments was established by using twelve accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates. Sedimentary proxies, including calcium content, grain size, diatoms, and dinoflagellates are used for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. The results showed that: (1) from the last deglaciation to the early Holocene (before ca. 9400 cal yr BP), the Liangzhu area was widely exposed, and the cores contain coarse sand, gravel, and hard clay layers; (2) during the early to middle Holocene (ca. 9400 – 7600 cal yr BP), the area was rapidly submerged by a westward marine transgression, and the subsequent marine regression moved eastward from the Liangzhu area at approximately 7900 – 7600 cal yr BP when the rate of sediment supply exceeded the rate of relative sea level (RSL) rise; (3) during the middle to late Holocene (after ca. 7600 cal yr BP), the deposits mainly originated from overbank flooding or from storm surge events rather than from direct RSL rise from ca. 7600 – 6600 cal yr BP. The Liangzhu Ancient City area remained a swamp and an area of salinization until ca. 5100 cal yr BP.

Internally Displaced and Refugee Students in Cameroon: Some Pedagogical Proposals

For some six years now, Cameroon has been experiencing unprecedented war disturbances. Since 2014, its three northern regions have been undergoing the hardship of Boko Haram ruthless attacks leading to thousands of internally and externally displaced families and hundreds of schools closed down. The Minawao Refugees Camp near Mokolo with over 60 000 inhabitants, mostly Nigerians, somewhat testifies to the gravity of the situation. A similar Camp is located in Gado-Badzere near Garoua-Boula&amp;iuml; in the East Region, populated by Central African Republic refugees. The Zamay Camp is occupied by internally displaced Cameroonian families of the far North Region. The troubles in the South and North-West which started in 2016 considerably increased the number of internally displaced Cameroonians in the neighbouring French-speaking zones of the West and the Littoral Regions. In the refugee camps or in the invaded zones, class sizes have simply become unmanageable with many of them rising from simple to double or triple. Teachers who were trained to teach around 50 to 100 students per class have suddenly found themselves managing 150 - 200 learners in some classes without any preparation. Among the learners of the same class, some have abandoned school for two to three years. Those learners thus need a special pedagogy. This paper aims to propose some pedagogical solutions to such classes.

Speed of sound gradients due to summer thermal stratification can reduce the detection range of acoustic fish tags: results from a field study in Hamilton Harbour, Ontario

Understanding detection range is a key factor for the use of acoustic telemetry in fisheries research. Lakes have strong seasonal changes in thermal stratification, as well as short-term changes due to internal seiches. These thermal gradients in lakes imply strong sound-speed gradients that can refract and diverge acoustic signals, leading to acoustic attenuation and smaller detection range. Using field-based range testing and the Bellhop acoustic model, we investigated how changes in stratification lead to changes in detection range within Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada. During the summer stratified period, the detection range was less than 350 m, whereas in the isothermal fall, range was up to 500 m. Range test data from three separate field observations showed a good correlation with Bellhop predictions. Owing to the intense internal seiches in Hamilton Harbour, the stratification in the shallower littoral regions essentially switched between stratified and isothermal conditions over short timescales, which is predicted to lead to high temporal variability in detection range that must be accounted for during the analysis and interpretation of telemetry-derived data.

Analysis of consumer-oriented quality characteristics of raw and boiled plantains in Cameroon: implication for breeding.

This study aimed at understanding users' demand for raw and boiled plantains in rural and urban areas in West and Littoral regions of Cameroon. Surveys conducted in eight rural localities consisted of key informant interviews, gender-disaggregated focus group discussions, market and individual interviews. Processing and cooking diagnoses were done with restaurant cooks in urban areas, to know the details of plantain processing and boiling and to understand the quality characteristics of raw plantain that give a most-liked boiled plantain. Local favourite landraces, most cultivated landraces in Cameroon (Batard and Big ebanga) and a new CARBAP/CIRAD hybrid (CARBAP K74) were used. The preference for plantain cultivars was both gender and region-dependent. High-quality plantain should be mature, with big fingers and having a dark green peel colour. The fruit length and girth, pulp pH, dry matter content and firmness were found to be relevant postharvest quality characteristics for plantain breeding improvement.

Length‐weight relationships of five fish species from Brazilian Amazon coast hotspot estuaries

The length-weight relationships (LWR) were estimated for five fish species from the Golfão Maranhense, Brazilian Amazon littoral region. Samplings were performed in August 2016, during the dry season, using trawl net with 6.0 m length by 3.0 m width (trawl mouth opening of 6.0 m2) and 1.0 cm mesh size between opposite knots. This study registers LWR for Anchoviella elongata and Gobioides broussonnetii and the estimated LWR for Aspredo aspredo and Aspredinichthys filamentosus covers a wider size range. Moreover, it is presented maximum length values for A. elongata and Sphoeroides greeleyi.

Regional vulnerability for COVID-19 in Cameroon.

few studies have assessed risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) within African countries. Here we examine differences in vulnerability to COVID-19 among the ten administrative regions and two major cities of Cameroon based on epidemiological risk factors and access to healthcare resources. regional epidemiological and healthcare access vulnerability indices were created and compared with cumulative COVID-19 cases, case fatality rates, co-morbidities, and healthcare resources in Cameroon. based on epidemiological risk factors, populations in the East Region, Douala (in the Littoral Region), West Region, and Yaoundé (in the Center Region) are at highest risk for COVID-19. Meanwhile, the North, Far North, East, and Adamawa Regions had the most healthcare access vulnerability. COVID-19 cases per population were highest in the Center, Littoral, and East Regions. Case fatality rates were greatest in the North Region. Potential co-morbidities with greater prevalence among COVID-19 patients included male sex, hypertension, and diabetes. epidemiological risk factors for COVID-19 and access to healthcare varies between the regions of Cameroon. These discrepancies are potentially reflected in regional differences of COVID-19 cases and case fatality rates. In particular, the East Region has high epidemiological risk factors and low healthcare accessibility compared to other regions. Understanding the relationships between epidemiological risk factors, access to healthcare resources, and COVID-19 cases in Cameroon could aid decision-making among national policymakers and inform further research.

Shell sclerochronology and stable oxygen isotope ratios from the limpet Patella depressa Pennant, 1777: Implications for palaeoclimate reconstruction and archaeology in northern Spain

Stable oxygen isotope ratios of mollusc shells (δ18Oshell) offer the possibility to reconstruct coastal resource exploitation patterns and changes in the oceanographic conditions of direct relevance to past human populations. This method relies on the fact that shell carbonate is deposited by molluscs in equilibrium with their surrounding environment and actualistic investigation of modern specimens is needed to ensure that selected species can be used as accurate palaeoclimate indicators. The limpet Patella depressa Pennant, 1777 is one of the most common mollusc species found in Holocene archaeological assemblages along the Atlantic coast of Europe. However, this taxon has not, to date, been tested as a seawater palaeothermometer. Here, we explore the ability of P. depressa to be used as an environmental recorder in this littoral region, specifically in northern Iberia where we obtained live-collected specimens throughout the year. We undertook sclerochronological investigations combining observations of incremental shell growth patterns with δ18Oshell values. Carbonate samples were taken on (i) the ventral margins of shells collected alive year-round in order to test for isotopic equilibrium and (ii) along the axis of maximum shell growth of four modern specimens to decipher the shell growth pattern of this species. Isotopic data showed that calcium carbonate is precipitated in predictable isotopic disequilibrium with the ambient seawater (R2 = 0.95; p < 0.0001), reporting a consistent offset of +1.08‰. Some periods of growth cessation were observed in the shells when thermal tolerances were exceeded in winter and occasionally in summer. Nevertheless, estimated seawater temperatures from modern shell δ18Oshell values agreed closely with instrumentally measured temperatures (R2 = 0.88–0.93; p < 0.0001) and correctly reflected seasonal temperature patterns. As a result, multi-proxy analysis of P. depressa shells can provide a high-resolution palaeothermometer with significant implications for future palaeoclimate and archaeological studies along the Atlantic coast of Europe.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) affects the composition and abundance of zooplankton in the littoral region of Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia

Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms 1883, is a rampant invasive aquatic plant that is recognised as one of the ten worst weeds in the world. Its appearance in Koka Reservoir was reported in 1965 and since then it has become a major threat to the aquatic ecosystem. Despite numerous limnological studies on Koka Reservoir, the effects of water hyacinth on zooplankton has not been addressed previously. To assess this, samples were collected from three weed-infested and three non-infested sites from March to July 2018. The zooplankton community living, which was constituted of 38 species, was dominated by Rotifers, followed by copepods and cladocerans at both sites. The variations in the abundance of zooplankton and species richness (d) between the two sites were significant with higher mean values in the non-infested sites (p < 0.05). The existing infestation level of water hyacinth poses a significant effect on the composition and abundance of zooplankton. Therefore, continuous follow-up, such as physical removal of the weed and constructing buffer zone and designing sustainable management strategies, have to be addressed.

Insight into the hidden bacterial diversity of Lake Balaton, Hungary

In the present study, the prokaryotic community structure of the water of Lake Balaton was investigated at the littoral region of three different points (Tihany, Balatonmáriafürdő and Keszthely) by cultivation independent methods [next-generation sequencing (NGS), specific PCRs and microscopy cell counting] to check the hidden microbial diversity of the lake. The taxon-specific PCRs did not show pathogenic bacteria but at Keszthely and Máriafürdő sites extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing microorganisms could be detected. The bacterial as well as archaeal diversity of the water was high even when many taxa are still uncultivable. Based on NGS, the bacterial communities were dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria, while the most frequent Archaea belonged to Woesearchaeia (Nanoarchaeota). The ratio of the detected taxa differed among the samples. Three different types of phototrophic groups appeared: Cyanobacteria (oxygenic phototrophic organisms), Chloroflexi (anaerobic, organotrophic bacteria) and the aerobic, anoxic photoheterotrophic group (AAPs). Members of Firmicutes appeared only with low abundance, and Enterobacteriales (order within Proteobacteria) were present also only in low numbers in all samples.

A pilot study on the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains from tuberculosis patients in the Littoral region of Cameroon

BackgroundThe re-emergence of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, compounded by multi-drug resistance (MDR) of the causative agents constitutes a major challenge to the management of the disease. Rapid diagnosis and accurate strain identification are pivotal to the control of the disease. This pilot study investigated the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains from TB patients in the Littoral region of Cameroon as well as their resistance to rifampicin (RIF). Patients and methodsThis was a cross sectional hospital-based study carried out between January and December 2017 and including 158 isolates from sputum smear positive individuals [105 (66.5%) males and 53 (33.5%) females]. Sputum samples were tested using Xpert MTB/RIF, followed by culture on Lowenstein–Jensen medium. Isolates were further subjected to molecular characterization using IS6110 typing, deletion analysis and spoligotyping. ResultsThirteen (8.8%) of the 147 isolates with susceptibility results available were resistant to RIF. Drug resistance occurred in 5/50 (10%) female compared to 8/97 (8.2%) male (OR, 0.81; 0.25–2.62; p = 0.764), and there was no significant difference across the age ranges (p = 0.448). On the other hand, RIF resistance was associated (OR, 0.18, 95%CI, 0.05–0.69; p = 0.023) with previously treated patients [(4/14 (28.6%)] compared to new ones [9/133 (6.8%)]. The 150 identified lineages included among others 54 (36%) Cameroon, 18 (12%) UgandaI, 32 (21.3%) Haarlem, 17 (11.3%) Ghana, 9(6%) West African 1, 7(4.7%) Delhi/CAS, 4 (2.7%) LAM and 3 (2%) UgandaII. Of the 150 isolates, the major cluster was the Cameroon SIT 61, with 43(28.7%) isolates. Six (35.3%) of the 17 UgandaI sub-lineage were RIF resistant (OR, 9.58; 95%CI, 2.74–33.55, p = 0.001). ConclusionThe cosmopolitan Littoral region presents with a wide Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains diversity and the UgandaI sub-lineage likely associated with RIF resistance. Understanding the spread of this clade through surveillance will enhance TB control in the region.

Diversity of Bee Assemblage (Family Apidae) in Natural and Agriculturally Intensified Ecosystems in Uruguay.

Bees (Family Apidae) hold a key role as pollinators in a wide range of angiosperm communities. South America suffered strong modifications during the last decade due to increasing anthropic activities and the expansion of agricultural areas, particularly the boom of soybean. The goal of this research was to know the current diversity of bees in South and Low Littoral regions in Uruguay. Specimens were collected in the seasons 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 on natural meadows, cultivated grasslands, soybean fields, among others flowering communities. Collected specimens were classified following taxonomic keys. Forty-five bee species or taxa were distinguished belonging to the subfamilies Megachilinae (11), Apinae (22), Halictinae (7), Colletinae (2), and Andreninae (3). Most taxa were classified up to genus and 14 to species level. Bee diversity was higher for the South region, with traditional agriculture and rangelands, than that of the Low Littoral region where an increasing agricultural land use took place during the last decade, particularly soybean. In addition, this research aimed to study the presence of native bees and the introduced Apis mellifera (Apinae) in a soybean field at four transects located at 0, 50, 100, and 200 m from the crop border in both seasons. Native bee species were only present at 0 and 50 m, pointing to the relevance of natural edge plant communities for their preservation. This is the first survey on native bee diversity in Uruguay to be regarded as a baseline and the setup of conservation strategies.

The Impact of Human Interventions and Changes in Climate on the Hydro-Chemical Composition of Techirghiol Lake (Romania)

The aim of this study is to establish the potential effect of changes in climate and anthropic interventions made over time on the hydro-chemical properties of the Techirghiol Lake. Located in the littoral region of the Black Sea, Techirghiol Lake is the most hypersaline lake of Romania—well-known for the therapeutic properties of the saline water and sapropelic mud. Long-term time series of salinity and water level were investigated in relation to the lake water inputs (precipitation, overland flow and groundwater), to chemical parameters (pH, DO and BOD5) and also to the hydraulic works designed and built in the region. The obtained results reveal a degradation of this ecosystem in the period of 1970–1998, when the extensive irrigation practice in the proximity of the lake had a negative effect on the water budget of Techirghiol Lake (an increased freshwater input through runoff and seepage), followed by a major decrease of the lake’s salinity.

Helicobacter pylori infection, a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a hospital-based cross-sectional study among dyspeptic patients in Douala-Cameroon

Diabetic mellitus patients are usually prone to chronic infections. However, there have been contradictory reports about the association between H. pylori infection and type II diabetes. The present study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among type 2 dyspeptic diabetic patients in the littoral region of Cameroon. This cross sectional study comprised 93 type 2 diabetic dyspeptic patients and 112 non-diabetic dyspeptic patients attending the Gastroenterology Department at two reference hospitals in Douala-Cameroon. The study was approved by the local Ethical Committee of Medical Sciences. Participants were screened for the presence of both type 2 diabetes and H. pylori infection. Body mass index (BMI) of all the participants was also recorded. Data was analyzed using SSPS statistical package. H. pylori infection was found in 73.11% of diabetic patients versus 58.05% in non-diabetic participants, this difference was found to be significant (OR = 1.472, p = 0.0279). This relationship persists even when adjusted to factors such as age and income level of participants. Infected participants from age group ≥ 55 years and those with high income were those with a higher risk to develop diabetes. Infected patients with high BMI were more prone to develops diabetic mellitus compared with infected patients with normal BMI (p = 0.0034). Also, participant with high BMI were more prone to develops diabetic mellitus whether they were infected or not. Patients having both H. pylori + ve and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were significantly more affected by diabetic mellitus than those in the others combined groups (p < 0.0001), suggested that high BMI and H. pylori infection together or not are factors that favor diabetes mellitus development. Separately or not, H. pylori infection and high BMI were risk factor for diabetes mellitus in our milieu.

Komunitas Fitoplankton di Daerah Litoral Danau Maninjau dan Sungai Ranggeh, Kabupaten Agam Kaitannya dengan Kandungan Nutrien

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Phytoplankton Community Relationship with Nutrient Content in the Littoral Areas of Lake Maninjau and Ranggeh River, Agam Regency.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;Phytoplankton in Lake Maninjau is a food source for fish and plankton-eating fish such as Bada fish (&lt;em&gt;Rasbora&lt;/em&gt; sp.), Lake Maninjau endemic fish that have high economic value. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus would be the limiting factors for phytoplankton growth. This observation aims to determine the composition and abundance of phytoplankton to nutrient content in the littoral areas of Maninjau Lake and Ranggeh River. The observations were conducted on April, July, August, September, October, and November 2018 at several observation stations. The results show that there were phytoplankton groups, ie. Chlorophyta (53 species), Bacillariophyta (35 species), Cyanophyta (six species), Euglenophyta (five species), and Dinophyta (two species). The phytoplankton abundance in Maninjau littoral region ranged from 0.07 x 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt; - 5.8 x 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;individual.L&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, while in Ranggeh River ranges from 0.0016 x 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt; - 2.1 x 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt;individual.L&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;. In July 2018, the most abundant species was &lt;em&gt;Microcystis aeruginosa&lt;/em&gt; (Cyanophyta), in August and September were &lt;em&gt;Synedra ulna&lt;/em&gt; (Bacillaryophyta) while in October and November were &lt;em&gt;Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii&lt;/em&gt; (Cyanophyta). Based on the diversity index, evenness index and dominance index, the phytoplankton community in the littoral area of Maninjau Lake was unstable compared to Ranggeh River. Principal component analysis showed that the abundance of Cyanophyta in the Maninjau littoral area was influenced by the concentration of phosphorus.&lt;/p&gt;

Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Outcome in the Littoral Region of Cameroon: A Meta-analysis of Treatment Success Rate between 2014 and 2016.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health concern, especially in resource-constrained countries like Cameroon. TB drug resistance is a major obstacle to control and prevent. Design Data from 2014 to 2016 on the outcome of anti-TB treatment in the Littoral Region were reviewed manually and analysed using the meta-analysis concept. The treatment success rates (TSR) were the primary outcome used for this study. The heterogeneity statistics (I2) was computed to orientate the choice of the best statistical model (binary fixed effect or random) to compute pooled value of TSR. Results Using an intention-to-treat analysis, the pooled proportions of HIV-uninfected TB patients successfully cured from TB were low and slightly decreased by 1% between 2014 and 2016. Regarding HIV-infected TB patients, pooled values of TSR were lower than those of their HIV-negative counterparts with values ranging from 71% (95% CI: 63%-83%; I2 = 71.16%) in 2014 to 68% (95% CI: 58%-79%; I2 = 70.97%) in 2016. In addition, no heterogeneity was found in three years (I2 = 0.0%; P value = 1). These cure rates were strongly and negatively correlated with the rates of patients lost to follow-up regardless of the year. In HIV-infected patients, the pooled values of ITT analysis-based treatment success rates were 73% (χ2 = 13.92, P value = 0.0002), 71% (χ2 = 7.26, P value = 0.007), and 68% (χ2 = 8.02, P value = 0.004), respectively. The coverage rates with cotrimoxazole (CTX) gradually increased over year ranging from 78.90% in 2014 to 94.17% in 2016, similar to the coverage rate for ARV therapy that was 60.06% in 2014 against 90% in 2016. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the success of the anti-TB therapy in HIV-infected patients and coverage rates with CTX and ARV. Conclusion An improvement in the reduction of percentage of lost to follow-up and coverage with CTX and ARV therapy could greatly increase chances to efficiently control TB in Cameroon.