The synthesis and the reactivity of arene ruthenium oxalato complexes

This article outlines the reactions of the well known [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)]2(μ-η4-C2O4) and [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(η2-dppm)][PF6] ruthenium complexes with C2O4(Me4N)2 in the mol ratios 1:1 and 2:1. While the 2:1 ratio reaction led to the sole and expected binuclear product {[Ru(η6-p-cymene)(η2-dppm)]2(μ-η2-C2O4)}[PF6]2, the reaction also afforded the unexpected mononuclear complex [RuCl(η2-C2O4)(η6-p-cymene)][Me4N]. This can also be obtained in improved yield by reacting [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 with C2O4[Me4N]2 in a 1:1 mol ratio. Surprisingly, when [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)]2(μ-η4-C2O4) was reacted with an equimolar amount of the ligand dppm, the expected complex {[Ru(η6-p-cymene)]2(μ-η4-C2O4)(μ-dppm)}[PF6]2 was accompanied by [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(η2-dppm)][PF6] in an inseparable solid mixture. KEY WORDS: Ruthenium, Arene, p-cymene, Mesitylene, Oxalate, bis-(Dipenylphosphino)methane  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2008, 22(2), 207-217

The role of health insurance in the coverage of oral health care in Senegal

Oral diseases costs are among the most expensive health care benefits. In Senegal, households contribute up to 37.6% of the national health spending through direct payments. The aim of this work was to study the role of health insurance in the coverage of oral health care in Senegal. The study was based on health insurance agents and policyholders. The study reveals that oral health care coverage through health insurance still does not meet requirements for treatment of oral infections. In financial terms, oral health care costs health insurance too much. As a result, carriers cover them partially. On top of that, the majority of the population’s lack of knowledge about mutual, because they have a little background on oral health care, the latter weighs heavily on health insurance leading to the use of self-medication, traditional medicine and handicraft prosthetists. The analysis reveals an unequal access to oral health care through the health insurance system. To bring under control the expenditure for oral health care, carriers and dental surgeons must work together to raise the populations’ awareness on community solidarity

Impact of genetic diversity on biological characteristics of Usutu virus strains in Africa

Usutu virus (USUV) previously restricted to Africa where it caused mild infections, emerged in 2001 in Europe and caused more severe infections among birds and humans with neurological forms, suggesting an adaptation and increasing virulence. This evolution suggests the need to better understand USUV transmission patterns for assessing risks and to develop control strategies. Phylogenetic analysis conducted in Africa showed low genetic diversity of African USUV strains except for one human and the USUV subtype (USUVsub) strains, which exhibited a deletion in the 3′UTR and nucleotide substitutions throughout the genome. Here we analyzed their viral replication in vitro in mosquito and mammalian cells, and vector competence of Culex quinquefasciatus, compared to a reference strain. Growth kinetics of the different strains showed comparable replication rates however variations in replication and translation efficiency were observed. Vector competence analysis showed that all strains were able to infect Culex quinquefasciatus the main peridomestic Culex species in Africa, with detection of USUV viral genomes and infectious particles. Dissemination and transmission were observed only for USUVsub, but infectious particles were not detected in Culex quinquefasciatus saliva. Our findings suggest that genetic variability can affect USUV in vitro replication in a cell type-dependent manner and in vivo in mosquitoes. In addition, the results show that Culex quinquefasciatus is not competent for the USUV strains analyzed here and also suggest an aborted transmission process for the USUVsub, which requires further investigations

Unintended pregnancy: magnitude and correlates in six urban sites in Senegal

BACKGROUND: In Senegal, unintended pregnancy has become a growing concern in public health circles. It has often been described through the press as a sensational subject with emphasis on the multiple infanticide cases as a main consequence, especially among young unmarried girls. Less scientific evidence is known on this topic, as fertility issues are rarely discussed within couples. In a context where urbanization is strong, economic insecurity is persistent and the population is globalizing, it is important to assess the magnitude of unintended pregnancy among urban women and to identify its main determinants. METHODS: Data were collected in 2011 from a representative sample of 9614 women aged 15–49 years in six urban sites in Senegal. For this analysis, we include 5769 women who have ever been pregnant or were pregnant at the time of the survey. These women were asked if their last pregnancy in the last two years was ‘wanted ’then’, ‘wanted later’ or ‘not wanted’. Pregnancy was considered as unintended if the woman responded ‘wanted later’ or ‘not wanted’. Descriptive analyses were performed to measure the magnitude of unintended pregnancies, while multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of unintended pregnancy. The analyses were performed using Stata version 12. All results were weighted. RESULTS: The results show that 14.3% of ever pregnant women reported having a recent unintended pregnancy. The study demonstrates important distinctions between women whose last pregnancy was intended and those whose last pregnancy was unintended. Indeed, this last group is more likely to be poor, from a young age (< 25 years) and multiparous. In addition, it appears that low participation of married women in decision-making within the couple (management of financial resources) and the lack of discussion on family planning issues are associated with greater experience of unintended pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a need to implement more targeted programs that guarantee access to family planning for all women in need. In urban areas that are characterized by economic insecurity, as in Senegal, it is important to consider strategies for promoting communication within couples on fertility issues

Unintended pregnancy: magnitude and correlates in six urban sites in Senegal

Background: In Senegal, unintended pregnancy has become a growing concern in public health circles. It has often been described through the press as a sensational subject with emphasis on the multiple infanticide cases as a main consequence, especially among young unmarried girls. Less scientific evidence is known on this topic, as fertility issues are rarely discussed within couples. In a context where urbanization is strong, economic insecurity is persistent and the population is globalizing, it is important to assess the magnitude of unintended pregnancy among urban women and to identify its main determinants. Methods: Data were collected in 2011 from a representative sample of 9614 women aged 15–49 years in six urban sites in Senegal. For this analysis, we include 5769 women who have ever been pregnant or were pregnant at the time of the survey. These women were asked if their last pregnancy in the last two years was ‘wanted ’then’, ‘wanted later’ or ‘not wanted’. Pregnancy was considered as unintended if the woman responded ‘wanted later’ or ‘not wanted’. Descriptive analyses were performed to measure the magnitude of unintended pregnancies, while multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of unintended pregnancy. The analyses were performed using Stata version 12. All results were weighted. Results: The results show that 14.3% of ever pregnant women reported having a recent unintended pregnancy. The study demonstrates important distinctions between women whose last pregnancy was intended and those whose last pregnancy was unintended. Indeed, this last group is more likely to be poor, from a young age (< 25 years) and multiparous. In addition, it appears that low participation of married women in decision-making within the couple (management of financial resources) and the lack of discussion on family planning issues are associated with greater experience of unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: This study suggests a need to implement more targeted programs that guarantee access to family planning for all women in need. In urban areas that are characterized by economic insecurity, as in Senegal, it is important to consider strategies for promoting communication within couples on fertility issues. Keywords: Pregnancy, Unintended, Urban, Senega

Correlates of Spatial Differences in under-five mortality in Nairobi’s informal Settlements

Child mortality in Kenya is often associated with individual level factors including socio-economic status, nutritional status, and poor access to health services. Geographical factors are less documented as important predictors of child mortality in the country. Using a Bayesian geo-additive survival model, this paper examines the factors associated with child mortality in two Nairobi slums, Korogocho and Viwandani, accounting for spatial random effects. It uses longitudinal data for the period 2006-2011 involving 30339 children aged below five years from the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System implemented in the two slums. In addition to determinants such as mother’s education and age, size of the household and ethnicity, our findings show a certain spatial structure in child mortality risk, with differences between some villages in Viwandani, while no spatial variations were observed in Korogocho. The results call for specific efforts from policymakers to refine child health interventions in Nairobi’s urban slum

<b>The synthesis and the reactivity of arene ruthenium oxalato complexes</b>

This article outlines the reactions of the well known [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)]2(μ-η4-C2O4) and [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(η2-dppm)][PF6] ruthenium complexes with C2O4 (Me4N) 2 in the mol ratios 1:1 and 2:1. While the 2:1 ratio reaction led to the sole and expected binuclear product {[Ru(η6-p-cymene)(η2-dppm)]2(μ-η2-C2O4)}[PF6]2, the reaction also afforded the unexpected mononuclear complex [RuCl(η2-C2O4)(η6-p-cymene)][Me4N]. This can also be obtained in improved yield by reacting [RuCl2(p-cymene)] 2 with C2O4[Me4N] 2 in a 1:1 mol ratio. Surprisingly, when [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)]2(μ-η4-C2O4) was reacted with an equimolar amount of the ligand dppm, the expected complex {[Ru(η6-p-cymene)]2(μ-η4-C2O4)(μ-dppm)}[PF6]2 was accompanied by [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(η2-dppm)][PF6] in an inseparable solid mixture

Dental care risk management provided by Social Protection Institutions of Senegal

Nowadays in Senegal, located in West Africa, social protection institutions are confronted with a substantially increased healthcare expenditure in general, and oral care in particular. The ability of the leadership to use techniques to contain the impact of risks they are facing determine their viability. The aim of our study was to analyze the risk management of dental care coverage by those institutions. The study was descriptive, extensive and focused on all active social protection Institutions in Senegal since 2005, at least. Our results showed that, in spite of the implementation of risk management mechanisms such as patient co-payment (97% of institutions), coverage ceiling (26%) and dentist council (15%), healthcare expenditure still growing. For the containment of oral care expenditure increase, it is important to raise awareness among social protection institutions for a greater use of existing risk management mechanisms

Association of high Plasmodium falciparum parasite densities with polyclonal microscopic infections in asymptomatic children from Toubacouta, Senegal

Abstract Background Malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in tropical countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In Senegal, a control plan implemented in the beginning of the 2000s has enabled a substantial reduction of mortality and morbidity due to malaria. However, eradication of malaria requires a vaccine that protects against Plasmodium falciparum the deadliest species of the parasite that causes this disease. Plasmodium falciparum is characterized by an extensive genetic diversity that makes vaccine development challenging. In this study, the diversity of P. falciparum isolates was analysed from asymptomatic children residing in the district of Toubacouta, Senegal. Methods A nested PCR approach was used to perform genotyping of the msp-1 and msp-2 loci in samples from 87 asymptomatic children infected with P. falciparum, collected during a cross sectional survey in November and December 2010. Parasite densities in blood samples were determined by microscopic examination and statistical analyses were used to identify association of parasite genotype and parasitaemia. Results Genotyping was successful in 84/87 and 82/87 samples for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. A strong genetic diversity was found with a total of 15 and 21 different alleles identified for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. RO33 was the most frequent allelic family of msp-1 followed by MAD20, then by K1. Regarding msp-2 allelic families, 3D7 was more common than FC27. Multiple infections were predominant, since 69% and 89% of the samples genotyped for msp-1 and msp-2 showed more than one clone of P. falciparum with complexity of infection (COI) of 2.5 and 4.7, respectively. Expected heterozygosity (HE) was 0.57 and 0.55 for msp-1 and msp-2, respectively. Interestingly, polyclonal infections were significantly associated with higher parasitaemia. Conclusions The strong genetic diversity of P. falciparum clones and the association of polyclonal infection with high parasitaemia call for a multi-allelic approach in the design of vaccine candidates for efficient malaria eradication