Effects of Walking Football During Ramadan Fasting on Heart Rate Variability and Physical Fitness in Healthy Middle-Aged Males

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a walking football (WF) program during Ramadan fasting (RF) on heart rate variability (HRV) indices, body composition, and physical fitness in middle-aged males. Thirty-one healthy sedentary men were randomized to WF ( n = 18) and control ( n = 13) groups. Both groups participated in RF. The WF group were involved in a training program (small-sided games) of three sessions a week during RF. The time and frequency domains of HRV, body composition, handgrip, lumbar strength, Modified Agility Test (MAT), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were measured before Ramadan (BR), during Ramadan (DR), and after Ramadan (AR). We reported that RF has significantly altered some parameters of HRV DR; the mean HR decreased while the mean RR, LF, and HF increased. WF had a significant effect on HRV and mean HR DR compared with BR and AR decreased while mean RR, HF and LF increased. DR, body mass decreased in both groups, while body mass index (BMI) decreased and lean mass increased only in WF group. Lower body mass and BMI levels were reported AR only in WF group. Physical capacity improved AR, compared with BR, only in the WF group with longer distance in 6MWT, shorter time(s) in MAT, and higher lumbar strength levels. We conclude that RF increases parasympathetic system activity. WF practice during RF is safe and might improve body composition, physical fitness, autonomic cardiac function, and physical fitness in middle-aged males

201: Are QT intervals correlated to apnea-hypopnea index in obstructive sleep apnea?

IntroductionSeveral studies proved that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cardio-vascular diseases such as cardiac arrhythmia. QT duration and dispersion reflect the heterogeinity of ventricular repolarization and are considered as precursors of ventricular arrhythmiaAimThe aim of this study is to assess the relation between the severity of OSA parameters as apnea hypopnea index and QT intervals.MethodsForty patients (18 men and 22 women) who were diagnosed with OSA by overnight polysomnography were included in this prospective study. The mean age was 56±10 years old. They were all in sinus rhythm. Before initiating continuous positive airway pressure therapy, we calculated on a 12 lead ECG : QT duration (QTend) corrected to Bazett formula and QT dispersion (QT end max -QT end min).ResultsTwenty four patients had severe OSA (AHI >30), 4 had moderate OSA (AHI between 15 and 30) and 12 had a mild OSA (AHI between 5 and 15). There was a significant positive correlation between QT dispersion and AHI (r=0.48, p=0.001)ConclusionThe severity of OSA seems to be correlated with ventricular repolarization heterogeinity These results suggest that the higher is the AHI the higher is the risk of ventricular arrhythmia occurence. Further studies are needed to validate these results

A year of genomic surveillance reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolded in Africa.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants

Microalgal cryopreservation using Dimethyl Sulfoxide (Me2SO) coupled with two freezing protocols : influence on the fatty acid profile

International audienceProcedures for determining the optimal pre-freezing protocol for cryo-preservation of microalgae are discussed. Three algal species were used (Chlorella vulgaris, Isochrysis galbana and Dunaliella salina) and cryo-stored using two different methods: the slow cooling and the fast freezing. In the slow cooling, each algae batch was treated with or without cryo-protectant (dimethyl sulfoxide: Me2SO 5% v/v). After 20 min at 4 degrees C, the midi-straws were filled and cooled slowly (1.5 degrees C min(-1)) to -140 degrees C, by a programmable freezer (Digitcool-IMV), before putting them directly into liquid nitrogen. Fast freezing was performed with 10% or 15% Me2SO prior to plunging into liquid nitrogen. The three algal species followed the same re-growth pattern as that of the controls. The post-thawed viability with Me2SO was good for all the selected algae (C. vulgaris > 95%, I. galbana and D. sauna > 70% of the control), applying the slow cooling. The post-thawed viability without Me2SO was 60% for I. galbana, 52% for D. salina and 33% for C. vulgaris. Fast freezing was not suitable for cryo-storage of I. galbana but gave good post-thawing viability for D. salina (70%). The decrease in fatty acid content of the cryo-stored algae was influenced by the temperature. The rapid decrease in temperature induced by fast freezing can explain the low level of fatty acid content of the three cryo-stored algae. Fatty acid profiles show that the nutritional values of the three cryo-stored micro-algae were not significantly affected especially when treated with slow cooling protocols

Micro-algal cryopreservation using Dimethyl Sulfoxide (Me2SO) coupled with two freezing protocols: influence on the fatty acid profile

Procedures for determining the optimal pre-freezing protocol for cryo-preservation of microalgae are discussed. Three algal species were used (Chlorella vulgaris, Isochrysis galbana and Dunaliella salina) and cryo-stored using two different methods: the slow cooling and the fast freezing. In the slow cooling, each algae batch was treated with or without cryo-protectant (dimethyl sulfoxide: Me2SO 5% v/v). After 20 min at 4 degrees C, the midi-straws were filled and cooled slowly (1.5 degrees C min(-1)) to -140 degrees C, by a programmable freezer (Digitcool-IMV), before putting them directly into liquid nitrogen. Fast freezing was performed with 10% or 15% Me2SO prior to plunging into liquid nitrogen. The three algal species followed the same re-growth pattern as that of the controls. The post-thawed viability with Me2SO was good for all the selected algae (C. vulgaris > 95%, I. galbana and D. sauna > 70% of the control), applying the slow cooling. The post-thawed viability without Me2SO was 60% for I. galbana, 52% for D. salina and 33% for C. vulgaris. Fast freezing was not suitable for cryo-storage of I. galbana but gave good post-thawing viability for D. salina (70%). The decrease in fatty acid content of the cryo-stored algae was influenced by the temperature. The rapid decrease in temperature induced by fast freezing can explain the low level of fatty acid content of the three cryo-stored algae. Fatty acid profiles show that the nutritional values of the three cryo-stored micro-algae were not significantly affected especially when treated with slow cooling protocols

147: Infective endocarditis in Tunisia: A changing profile?

BackgroundSince the first description of infective endocarditis (IE), the profile of the disease has evolved continuously with stable incidence.ObjectiveTo update information gained on the epidemiology profile of IE in a Tunisian high-volume tertiary care centerPatients and methodsThis was a descriptive retrospective study of patients treated for IE from January 2001 to December 2010. The patients were divided in two groups according to the date of diagnosis of IE: group 1 (from January 2001 to June 2006) and group 2 (from June 2006 to December 2011). These groups were compared for epidemiologic factors and microbiological differences.ResultsA total of 297 patients admitted during the study period met the modified Duke criteria for IE. The comparison of demographic and microbiological characteristics of IE cases over time between the results of the two groups showed that the annual incidence of IE was stable. The sex incidence rates of IE, in particular, incidence among men was relatively stable across the study period and ranged from 60% in 2001-2006 to 58% in 2006-2010, also there was no significant increase in incidence among women (P=ns). Among incident cases, there was a significant increasing age on presentation, with median age increasing from 39.5 years in 2001-2006 to 51.5 years in 2006-2010 (P=0.05). There were no statistically significant decreases in the proportions of cases affecting the aortic valve (P=0.4) and in IE due to oral streptococci (P= ns) over time. Also there was no significant increase in the incidence of Staphylococcus IE. However, the incidence of IE with negative blood culture has remained stable and continues to be high, nearing 50%.The rate of rheumatic heart disease as an underlying heart disease was stable over time. However, the standardized incidence of IE has increased in patients with prosthetic valves (P= ns). Overall in-hospital mortality rate decreased from ((18.6% in 2001-2006 vs 14.6% in 2006-2010.ConclusionThis study has shown that the annual incidence of IE is stable in Tunisia. However, profound changes in the epidemiological profile of this disease have not been noted in our population

Validation of Recombinant Salivary Protein PpSP32 as a Suitable Marker of Human Exposure to Phlebotomus papatasi, the Vector of Leishmania major in Tunisia

International audienceBackground During a blood meal, female sand flies, vectors of Leishmania parasites, inject saliva into the host skin. Sand fly saliva is composed of a large variety of components that exert different pharmacological activities facilitating the acquisition of blood by the insect. Importantly, proteins present in saliva are able to elicit the production of specific anti-saliva antibodies, which can be used as markers for exposure to vector bites. Serological tests using total sand fly salivary gland extracts are challenging due to the difficulty of obtaining reproducible salivary gland preparations. Previously, we demonstrated that PpSP32 is the immunodominant salivary antigen in humans exposed to Phlebotomus papatasi bites and established that humans exposed to P. perniciosus bites do not recognize it. Methodology/Principal Findings Herein, we have validated, in a large cohort of 522 individuals, the use of the Phlebotomus papatasi recombinant salivary protein PpSP32 (rPpSP32) as an alternative method for testing exposure to the bite of this sand fly. We also demonstrated that screening for total anti-rPpSP32 IgG antibodies is sufficient, being comparable in efficacy to the screening for IgG2, IgG4 and IgE antibodies against rPpSP32. Additionally, sera obtained from dogs immunized with saliva of P. perniciosus, a sympatric and widely distributed sand fly in Tunisia, did not recognize rPpSP32 demonstrating its suitability as a marker of exposure to P. papatasi saliva. Conclusions/Significance Our data indicate that rPpSP32 constitutes a useful epidemiological tool to monitor the spatial distribution of P. papatasi in a particular region, to direct control measures against zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, to assess the efficiency of vector control interventions and perhaps to assess the risk of contracting the disease