Low birth weight in newborns: epidemiological aspects and neonatal prognosis within Bogodogo teaching hospital, Burkina Faso

Background: Low birthweight is one of the main causes of neonatal death, after asphyxia and infections. This study purpose is to determine the epidemiological aspects and prognosis of this condition. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. Data were collected prospectively from July 1st to September 30th, 2021 within Bogodogo Teaching Hospital. The study population included the overall newborns and their mothers. Results: The low birthweight frequency was estimated at 17.26% of live births. The average age was 26.06±5.8 years. Housewives accounted for 68.6% of cases against 78.9% for mothers in union. Unschooled mothers accounted for 38.3%. Mothers having medium socio-economic status accounted for 83.1% of cases. The average number of gesture was 2.60±1.62 and average parity was 2.72±1.76. Premature newborns accounted for 51.1% of cases. Females represented 55.6% of cases, giving a sex ratio of 0.80. The average weight was 1970.64±375.21 g with extremes of 900g and 2450g. The neonatal mortality rate was estimated at 9.4%. Occupation (p=0.003), marital status (p=0.001), place of residence (p=0.011), socioeconomic level (p=0.000), body mass index (p=0.001) and multiple pregnancy (p= 0.01) were statically associated with low birthweight at term. Conclusions: At the end of this study, it appears that further action is still needed to reduce low birthweight frequency, which implies improving the socio-economic conditions of the population.

Regulation of expression of Na+,K+-ATPase in androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer

The β1-subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase was isolated and identified as an androgen down-regulated gene. Expression was observed at high levels in androgen-independent as compared to androgen-dependent (responsive) human prostate cancer cell lines and xenografts when grown in the presence of androgens. Down-regulation of the β1-subunit was initiated at concentrations between 0.01 nM and 0.03 nM of the synthetic androgen R1881 after relatively long incubation times (> 24 h). Using polyclonal antibodies, the concentration of β1-subunit protein, but not of the α1-subunit protein, was markedly reduced in androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP-FGC) cultured in the presence of androgens. In line with these observations it was found that the protein expression of total Na+,K+-ATPase in the membrane (measured by 3H-ouabain binding) was also markedly decreased. The main function of Na+,K+-ATPase is to maintain sodium and potassium homeostasis in animal cells. The resulting electrochemical gradient is facilitative for transport of several compounds over the cell membrane (for example cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent experimentally used in the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer). Here we observed that a ouabain-induced decrease of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in LNCaP-FGC cells results in reduced sensitivity of these cells to cisplatin-treatment. Surprisingly, androgen-induced decrease of Na+,K+-ATPase expression, did not result in significant protection against the chemotherapeutic agent. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Mixed-forest species establishment in a monodominant forest in Central Africa: Implications for tropical forest invasibility

Background: Traits of non-dominant mixed-forest tree species and their synergies for successful co-occurrence in monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest have not yet been investigated. Here we compared the tree species diversity of the monodominant forest with its adjacent mixed forest and then determined which fitness proxies and life history traits of the mixed-forest tree species were most associated with successful co-existence in the monodominant forest. Methodology/Principal Findings: We sampled all trees (diameter in breast height [dbh]≥10 cm) within 6x1 ha topographically homogenous areas of intact central African forest in SE Cameroon, three independent patches of G. dewevrei-dominated forest and three adjacent areas (450-800 m apart). Monodominant G. dewevrei forest had lower sample-controlled species richness, species density and population density than its adjacent mixed forest in terms of stems with dbh≥10 cm. Analysis of a suite of population-level characteristics, such as relative abundance and geographical distribution, and traits such as wood density, height, diameter at breast height, fruit/seed dispersal mechanism and light requirement-revealed after controlling for phylogeny, species that co-occur with G. dewevrei tend to have higher abundance in adjacent mixed forest, higher wood density and a lower light requirement. Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that certain traits (wood density and light requirement) and population-level characteristics (relative abundance) may increase the invasibility of a tree species into a tropical closed-canopy system. Such knowledge may assist in the pre-emptive identification of invasive tree species. © 2014 Peh et al

Substrate preference for burying and feeding of sandfish Holothuria scabra juveniles

Substrate preference for both burying and feeding of sandfish Holothuria scabra juveniles (3–6 g wet body weight) and their associated daily behavior, growth and survival were investigated in laboratory and field experiments using different coastal substrate types (silty mud, sandy mud, and coarse sand) to determine the ideal habitat for potential grow-out culture, sea ranching or stock enhancement of this important sea cucumber species. During the peak hours of burying (03:00–09:00 h) and feeding (15:00–03:00 h), a significantly greater number of sandfish juveniles preferred to bury in (28.3%) and feed on (21.5%) sandy mud, typical of intertidal coastal sand flats. Silty mud was the least preferred substrate for feeding (13.5%) and burying (13.8%). Burying and feeding preferences of sandfish juveniles were not significantly influenced by the presence of seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii) on coarse sand. Growth of sandfish juveniles in the first two weeks of rearing in tanks was significantly greater on coarse sand (growth rate: 0.59 g d−1 or 7.0% d−1), followed by sandy mud (0.34 g d−1 or 4.72% d−1) while OM content of these sediments remain almost unchanged. On silty mud, sandfish juveniles constantly shrunk (−0.02 g d−1 or −0.63% d−1) for 8 weeks while sediment OM content increased. In the field, silty mud substrate of a mangrove pond caused total mortality of sandfish within two weeks, while sandy mud substrate of a sand flat provided significantly higher growth than the control (no sediment), but not significantly different than coarse sand of a seagrass bed. Sandy mud to coarse sand substrates of intertidal sand flats were most preferred by sandfish juveniles while silty mud associated with muddy mangroves and culture ponds seems to be unsuitable that sandfish would opt to avoid. Our results will contribute to the selection of suitable sites for sandfish sea ranching and stock enhancement in coastal areas.This study was funded by the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) through the project FIS/2010/042 “Expansion and Diversification of Production and Management Systems for Sea Cucumbers in the Philippines, Vietnam and northern Australia”. In-house support was provided by SEAFDEC/AQD through studies FS-10-Y2010T and BR-03-Y2011T. Special thanks to M.R. Banaticla-Altamirano for improving this manuscript and to the reviewers and editors for the constructive comments. We also appreciate the assistance of H. Figurado in monitoring in the lab and at the field

Uncovering the role of virtual agents in co-creation contexts – an application to the online wine business

International audiencePurpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the roles of virtual agents in a virtual co-creation context by exploring their influence on online trust. An empirical study is conducted in the French online wine business to analyse the impacts of different dimensions of virtual agents on generating online trust. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected through a questionnaire targeting French online wine shoppers. Findings The results demonstrate a positive effect of the utility and hedonic functions of virtual agents on online trust. The findings also confirm the moderating role of the perceived risk. Research limitations/implications The authors’ convenience sample shows a bias towards a lack of familiarity with virtual agents. Practical implications Wine business actors need to consider their customers’ profiles in order to better adapt virtual agents’ functionality and hence improve their customers’ level of online trust while reducing their risk perception. Additionally, understanding virtual agents’ roles can help identify the underlying mechanisms that emerge in a co-creation process. Originality/value The study contributes to a better understanding of the human dimension of co-creation by examining the different roles of virtual agents as sources of customers’ online trust

Identification of two isoforms of the catalytic subunit of Na,K-ATPase in myocytes from adult rat heart.

The present study demonstrates that two forms of the alpha catalytic subunit of the Na,K-ATPase are present in rat heart and originate from cardiomyocytes. They were resolved on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction and alkylation of the sulfhydryl groups. The two forms were identified on immunoblots using two specific antisera against either the alpha subunit from Bufo marinus kidney and the alpha and beta subunits from lamb kidney. Comparison of the two forms to the alkylated Na,K-ATPase from rat kidney (containing one catalytic subunit) and from rat brain (containing alpha and alpha + subunits) suggested that, in rat cardiac myocytes, the form with a fast migration rate (alpha F) corresponds to the alpha subunit of low ouabain affinity and the one with a slow migration rate (alpha S), to a subunit of high ouabain affinity. Thus, the existence of two isoforms of the catalytic subunit in cardiac myocytes accounts well for the biphasic ouabain inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase activity and for the biphasic inotropic responsiveness to cardiac glycosides of the rat heart