Adiponectin circulating levels and 10-year (2002–2012) cardiovascular disease incidence:the ATTICA Study

Purpose: Adiponectin is an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular-protective properties. Existing epidemiological evidence is conflicting on the exact relationship between adiponectin and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Our aim was to prospectively assess whether circulating adiponectin is associated with long-term incident CVD. Methods: A population-based, prospective study in adults (>18 years) without previous CVD history (ATTICA study). Circulating total adiponectin levels were measured at baseline (2001–2002) in a sub-sample (n = 531; women/men: 222/309; age: 40 ± 11 years) of the ATTICA cohort and complete 10-year follow-up data were available in 366 of these participants (women/men: 154/212; age: 40 ± 12 years). Results: After adjusting for multiple factors, including age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, physical activity, Mediterranean diet adherence, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, our logistic regression analysis indicates that an increase in circulating total adiponectin levels by 1 unit was associated with 36% lower CVD risk (relative risk [RR]: 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42–0.96; p = 0.03). Further adjusting for interleukin-6 plasma levels had no significant impact (RR: 0.60, 95% CI 0.38–0.94; p = 0.03), while additional adjustment for circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) modestly attenuated this association (RR: 0.63, 95% CI 0.40–0.99; p = 0.046). Conclusions: In our study, elevated circulating total adiponectin levels were associated with lower 10-year CVD risk in adults without previous CVD, independently of other established CVD risk factors. This association appeared to be modestly attenuated by CRP, yet was not mediated by interleukin-6 which is the main endocrine/circulating pro-inflammatory cytokine

Submicroscopic Gametocytes and the Transmission of Antifolate-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum in Western Kenya

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the dhfr and dhps genes are associated with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) treatment failure and gametocyte carriage. This may result in enhanced transmission of mutant malaria parasites, as previously shown for chloroquine resistant parasites. In the present study, we determine the association between parasite mutations, submicroscopic P. falciparum gametocytemia and malaria transmission to mosquitoes. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Samples from children treated with SP alone or in combination with artesunate (AS) or amodiaquine were genotyped for SNPs in the dhfr and dhps genes. Gametocytemia was determined by microscopy and Pfs25 RNA-based quantitative nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (Pfs25 QT-NASBA). Transmission was determined by membrane-feeding assays. We observed no wild type infections, 66.5% (127/191) of the infections expressed mutations at all three dhfr codons prior to treatment. The presence of all three mutations was not related to higher Pfs25 QT-NASBA gametocyte prevalence or density during follow-up, compared to double mutant infections. The proportion of infected mosquitoes or oocyst burden was also not related to the number of mutations. Addition of AS to SP reduced gametocytemia and malaria transmission during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In our study population where all infections had at least a double mutation in the dhfr gene, additional mutations were not related to increased submicroscopic gametocytemia or enhanced malaria transmission. The absence of wild-type infections is likely to have reduced our power to detect differences. Our data further support the use of ACT to reduce the transmission of drug-resistant malaria parasites

An assessment of the risk of Bt-cowpea to non-target organisms in West Africa

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.) is the most economically important legume crop in arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea is grown primarily by subsistence farmers who consume the leaves, pods and grain on farm or sell grain in local markets. Processed cowpea foods such as akara (a deep-fat fried fritter) are popular in the rapidly expanding urban areas. Demand far exceeds production due, in part, to a variety of insect pests including, in particular, the lepidopteran legume pod borer (LPB) Maruca vitrata. Genetically engineered Bt-cowpea, based on cry1Ab (Event 709) and cry2Ab transgenes, is being developed for use in sub-Saharan Africa to address losses from the LBP. Before environmental release of transgenic cowpeas, the Bt Cry proteins they express need to be assessed for potential effects on non-target organisms, particularly arthropods. Presented here is an assessment of the potential effects of those Cry proteins expressed in cowpea for control of LPB. Based on the history of safe use of Bt proteins, as well as the fauna associated with cultivated and wild cowpea in sub-Saharan Africa results indicate negligible effects on non-target organisms

Particularités de l’appendicite aiguë du sujet âgé en milieu hospitalier burkinabè

L’appendicite aiguë du sujet âgé reste une affection au diagnostic difficile. Son pronostic demeure réservé. Le but de cette étude a été de décrire les aspects cliniques et thérapeutiques de l’appendicite aiguë du sujet âgé à l’hôpital régional de Tenkodogo et de dégager les particularités. Nous avons conduit dans le service de chirurgie générale de l’hôpital régional de Tenkodogo, une étude transversale descriptive qui a couvert la période allant de 2010 à 2014. Tous les patients âgés de 65 ans et plus, admis durant cette période et chez qui le diagnostic d’appendicite aiguë a été posé, ont été inclus dans l’étude. Au total, 41 patients ont été  répertoriés. Leur âge moyen a été de 71 ans (s = 3,2 ans). La prédominance masculine a été notée, avec 27 cas (65,8 %). Le délai moyen de consultation a été de 4 jours (s =1,7 jours). Les douleurs abdominales et les vomissements ont été les principaux motifs de consultation. L’association douleur et défense de la fosse iliaque droite a été retrouvée dans 8 cas (19,5 %). L’échographie a été le principal examen complémentaire réalisé. Elle a retrouvé une augmentation des dimensions de l’appendice dans 24 cas (58,5 %). Le délai moyen de diagnostic à partir de l’admission a été de 1,8 jour (s = 0,3 jour). Tous les patients ont bénéficié d’une appendicectomie par laparotomie. Des complications post opératoires ont été notées chez 15 patients (36,6 %). La durée moyenne d’hospitalisation a été de 7 jours (s = 1,1 jour). Un décès a été enregistré, soit un taux de mortalité de 2,4 %.L’appendicite aiguë est une urgence abdominale courante chez le sujet âgé. Le délai de diagnostic est long et la morbidité est importante.Mots-clés : appendicite aiguë, sujet âgé. Particularities of acute appendicitis in the elderly in Burkina Faso Acute appendicitis in the elderly remains a disease that is difficult to diagnose. Its prognosis is not reassuring. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of acute appendicitis in the elderly at the regional hospital of Tenkodogo. We led into the surgery department of the regional hospital of Tenkodogo, a retrospective study which covered the period going from 2010 to 2014. All patients aged 65 and over who had acute appendicitis were included. 41 patients were identified, representing 9% of all acute appendicitis diagnosed during the study period. Their mean age was 71 years. Men were more numerous, with 27 cases (65.8%). The average delay of consultation was 4 days. Abdominal pain and vomiting were the main reasons for consultation. Pain and abdominal tenderness in the right iliac fossa were found in 8 of 41 cases (19.5%).  Ultrasonography was the main supplementary examination. It showed an increase of the appendix dimensions in 24 cases (58.5%). The average time to diagnosis was 1.8 days. All patients underwent open surgery. Post-operative  complications were noted in 15 patients (36.6%). The mean hospital stay was 7 days. One death was recorded, representing a mortality rate of 2.4%. Acute appendicitis is a common abdominal emergency in the elderly. The diagnosis period is long and morbidity is important.Keywords: acute appendicitis, elderly

Activités insecticides de Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth (Scrophulariaceae) sur Callosobrichus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera : Bruchidae)

Insecticidal activities of Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth (Scrophulariacecae) on Callobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleptera Bruchidae). This paper deals with insecticidal potentialities of Striga hermonthica (Del.) (Scrophulariaceae) in protection of cowpea Vigna unguculata (L.) Walp against Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) during storage. Crude acetone extract at 0,5% w/w (100 mg of extract for 20 g of grain) exhibits 48% of ovicidal effect and then reduces by half emergence rate of adult beetles at the first generation. This extract shows a weak insecticide activity against adults of C. maculatus. Petroleum ether fraction (0,4% w/w ) of the crude extract reveals ovicidal (51%) and larvicidal (72%) effects which reduce the emergence rate of adults to only 9%. LD50 and LD90 are monitored during crude extract fractionation to follow ovicidal and larvicidal compounds and to evaluate their efficacy during the isolation procedure. One fraction, mainly composed of two triterpenoid compounds has been identified as responsible of the ovicidal activity of S. hermonthica while the origin of the larvicidal activity hasn’t been identified

Analyse de l’activite insecticide du methylisothiocyanate sur callosobruchus maculatus (f.) (coleoptera : bruchidae) et son parasitoide dinarmus basalis (rondani) (hymenoptera : pteromalidae)

Le Coléoptère bruchidae Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) provoque des pertes importantes au cours du stockage du niébé en Afrique de l’Ouest. Un parasitoïde endogène Dinarmus basalis Rondani (Pteromalidae) est présent dans les greniers et peut dans certaines conditions réduire la population de la bruche. Certains agriculteurs introduisent dans leurs greniers les feuilles d’un arbuste, Boscia senegalensis (Lam.) (Capparaceae) qui émettent dans l’atmosphère des systèmes destockage des composés soufrés volatiles dont le méthylisothiocyanate (MITC). Ce composé est toxique envers les adultes de C. maculatus mais son influence sur son ennemi naturel est jusque là inconnue. La sensibilité de la bruche et du parasitoïde au MITC a été analysée en conditions de laboratoire. Les adultes des deux espèces ont une sensibilité similaire au MITC. Après 24 h d’exposition à ce composé, la CL50était respectivement de 0,48 et de 0,54 mg/l chez C. maculatus et D. basalis. L’activité ovicide du MITC est très importante puisque la CL50 des oeufs de C. maculatus est de 0,04 mg/l. Les larves de C. maculatus ne semblent pas être affectées par les traitements au MITC contrairement à celles du parasitoïde D. basalis qui ont montré une plus grande sensibilité à ce composé. L’introduction dans les greniers des feuilles de B. senegalensis qui y libèrent le méthylisothiocyanate réduit la densité de la population du parasitoïde et entraîne une augmentation des pertes en poids des graines en favorisant le développement de la population de la bruche. The bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus F. causes major losses during the storage of the seeds of Vigna unguiculata (Walp.) in West Africa. An endemic parasitoid, the pteromalid Dinarmus basalis Rond. is present in the stores and can reduce the increase in bruchid populations. African farmers often place in the stores the leaves of a shrub, Boscia senegalensis Lam. (Capparaceae), which release methylisothiocyanate (MITC). This compound is toxic to adult bruchids and couldreduce seed losses but its influence on the bruchid natural enemy D. basalis was hitherto unknown. The adults susceptibility of both species towards MITC were similar. After a 24 h exposure, the LC50 was respectively 0.48 and 0.54 mg/l for C. maculatus and D. basalis. The ovicidal activity of this compound was high; the LC50 of C. maculatus eggs was 0.04 mg/l after a 24 h exposure to MITC. High concentrations only slightly affected the survival of C. maculatus during its postembryonicdevelopment in the seeds of V. unguiculata. Gas chromatographicanalysis demonstrated that 25-35 % of the MITC present in the atmosphere of the experimental jars was absorbed by the seeds but concentrations inside the cotyledons were too low to influence the survival of the C. maculatus larvae. The D. basalis larvae developing at the expense of their host inside the larval galleries, were more affected by the treatment. The introduction of B. senegalensis releasingMITC in the storage systems could reduce the density of the parasitoid population and so increase the seed losses by permitting the development of the bruchid population

Insulinotropic action of white lupine seeds (Lupinus albus L.) :effects on ion fluxes and insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe