ACTIVITE DE L’ALPHA AMYLASE SERIQUE ET SALIVAIRE DES SUJETS ADULTES CONSOMMATEURS HABITUELS DE DEUX BOISSONS ALCOOLISEES LOCALES DU BENIN

Introduction: the effect of alcohol on the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva raises many controversies. The objective of this study was to study the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva of adults subjects habitual consumers of two local alcoholic beverages in Benin. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study from April 1 to August 31, 2012. Usual consumers of tchoukoutou and sodabi and those non-consumers of both sexes were selected in the city of Parakou in Benin Republic. For each subject, blood and saliva samples were collected. The activity of α-amylase was determined by the kinetic enzymatic method. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare means and linear regression to establish statistical relationships. Results: a total of 150 subjects were recruited (32 women). The mean age was 34.7 ± 9.32 years. The mean values of the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva of subjects habitual consumers of sodabi respectively 154.44 ± 52.47 IU/L and 131694.3 ± 114126.7 IU/L were higher than those of non-users respectively 125.38 ± 75.38 IU/L and 86121.16 ± 60852.9 IU/L. The mean values of the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva of subjects habitual consumers of tchoukoutou respectively 146.65 ± 59.10 IU/L and 94690.3± 64578.77 IU/L were higher than those of non-users. The differences were significant at serum α-amylase activity (p <0.05). The mean values of the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva of the subjects habitual consumers of sodabi were higher than those of tchoukoutou consumers with no significant difference. The correlations between the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva and duration of use on one hand and the daily average amount of alcohol consumed on the other hand were very strong. Conclusion: consumption of tchoukoutou and sodabi increase the activity of α-amylase in serum and saliva. The abuse of these two beverages should be avoided by people

PROFIL DES LIPIDES SERIQUES DES SUJETS ADULTES BENINOIS CONSOMMATEURS HABITUELS DE TABAC

Introduction: Tobacco consumption alters several biological parameters. This study aimed to describe the serum lipids profile of Benin adult subjects who are usual tobacco smokers, snuffers and chewers. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional and analytical descriptive study from April 1st to August 30th, 2012 in Benin adult subjects who are usual tobacco consumers (60 smokers, 60 chewers, 60 snuffers) and in 60 subjects who are not tobacco consumers. The following serum lipid parameters were measured: Total cholesterolemia (TC), HDL cholesterolemia (HDL- C), triglyceride (TG) levels, LDL cholesterolemia (LDL- C), VLDL cholesterolemia (VLDL- C) and atherogenic index (AI). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) improved by Student’s t test allowed to compare averages between the different study groups. Simple or multiple associations between the different variables were tested on 5% threshold by means of Person’s chi2 and Fisher’s F comparison tests. Linear regression was used to determine the different correlations. Results: TC, HDL- C and AI averages were significantly higher in chewers than in snuffers (p ≤ 0.02). CT and HDL- C averages were significantly higher in chewers than in smokers (p ≤ 0.002) whereas TG and VLDL- C had significantly lower average values (p < 0.02). TG, LDL- C and VLDL- C averages were significantly higher in smokers than in snuffers (p < 0.05). TG, VLDL- C and AI averages were significantly higher in snuffers than in non consumers (p < 0.03) while non-consumers showed an HDL- C average that was significantly higher (p = 0.001). TC, HDL-C, TG and VLDL- C were significantly higher in chewers than in non consumers (p < 0.02). TG, VLDL-C and AI were significantly higher in smokers than in non-consumers (p < 0.006). There were average correlations for TG and VLDL- C (r = +0.203 and +0.207 respectively) in snuffers and for HDL- C, LDL- C and AI (r = +0.229, +0.248 and +0.242 respectively) in smokers with the number of years of tobacco consumption. Only smokers presented an average correlation with daily quantity of tobacco consumed (r = +0.257) as for TC. Conclusion: Tobacco modifies serum lipid values, regardless of its mode of consumption. Subsequently, it fosters the development of atheromatosis

Facteurs prédictifs de succès des étudiants en première année de médecine à l’université de Parakou

Introduction: Plusieurs facteurs dont les notes obtenues au BAC peuvent influencer les performances académiques des étudiants en première année de médecine. L'objectif de cette étude était d'évaluer la relation entre les résultats des étudiants au BAC et le succès en première année de médecine. Méthodes: Nous avons réalisé une étude analytique ayant inclus l'ensemble des étudiants régulièrement inscrits en première année à la Faculté de Médecine de l'université de Parakou durant l'année académique 2010-2011. Les données concernant les notes par discipline et mention obtenue au BAC ont été collectées. Une analyse multivariée utilisant la régression logistique et la régression linéaire multiple a permis d'établir les meilleurs prédicteurs du succès et de la moyenne de l'étudiant en fin d'année. Le logiciel SPSS version 17.0 a été utilisé pour l'analyse des données et un p<0,05 a été considéré comme statistiquement significatif. Résultats: Parmi les 414 étudiants régulièrement inscrits les données de 407 ont pu être exploitées. Ils étaient âgés de 15 à 31 ans; 262 (64,4%) étaient de sexe masculin. 98 étaient admis avec un taux de succès de 23,7%. Le sexe masculin, la note obtenue en mathématiques, en sciences physiques, la moyenne au BAC et la mention étaient associés au succès en fin d'année mais en analyse multivariée seule une note en sciences physiques > 15/20 était associée au succès (OR: 2,8 [1,32-6,00]). Pour la moyenne générale obtenue en fin d'année seule une mention bien obtenue au BAC était associée (coefficient de l'erreur standard: 0,130 Bêta =0,370 et p=0,00001). Conclusion: Les meilleurs prédicateurs du succès en première année étaient une bonne moyenne en sciences physiques au BAC et une mention bien. La prise en compte de ces éléments dans le recrutement des étudiants en première année pourrait améliorer les résultats académiques.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Serum Lipid Profile of the Adult Habitual Consumers of Two Traditional Alcoholic Drinks Made in Benin

Alcohol consumption modifies many biological parameters. This study aimed to describe the profile of the serum lipids of adult habitual consumers of Tchoukoutou and Sodabi, two traditional alcoholic drinks made in Benin. We carried out a descriptive, cross-sectional and analytic study from May 1st, 2013 to August 31, 2013. The target of the study was a population consisting of 60 habitual consumers of Tchoukoutou (mean age: 35.8

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 drug resistance in a subset of mothers and their infants receiving antiretroviral treatment in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

The emergence of HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) is a public health problem that affects women and children. Local data of HIVDR is critical to improving their care and treatment. So, we investigated HIVDR in mothers and infants receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Saint Camille Hospital of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This study included 50 mothers and 50 infants on ART. CD4 and HIV-1 viral load were determined using FACSCount and Abbott m2000rt respectively. HIVDR was determined in patients with virologic failure using ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping System kit on the 3130 Genetic Analyzer. The median age was 37.28 years in mothers and 1.58 year in infants. Sequencing of samples showed subtypes CRF02_AG (55.56%), CRF06_cpx (33.33%) and G (11.11%). M184V was the most frequent and was associated with highlevel resistance to 3TC, FTC, and ABC. Other mutations such as T215F/Y, D67N/E, K70R, and K219Q were associated with intermediate resistance to TDF, AZT, and 3TC. No mutation to LPV/r was detected among mothers and infants. The findings of HIVDR in some mothers and infants suggested the change of treatment for these persons

Index et charge glycémiques de quatre jus de fruits chez des sujets adultes jeunes apparemment sains

La consommation de jus de fruits naturels n’a pas d’effet significatif ni sur la glycémie à jeun ni sur le contrôle glycémique chez les diabétiques. L’objectif de cette étude était de déterminer l’index et la charge glycémiques de quatre jus de fruits chez des sujets adultes jeunes apparemment sains. Il s’agissait d’une étude quasi expérimentale, qui a inclus 32 sujets adultes volontaires apparemment sains, sélectionnés selon les critères de l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé et répartis en 4 groupes de 8. Chaque groupe de sujets a consommé à deux reprises l’aliment de référence (pain blanc pour 2 groupes ; glucose pour les 2 autres), puis une portion de l’un des jus de fruits contenant une quantité équivalente à 25 g de glucides. L’Index Glycémique (IG) et la Charge Glycémique (CG) ont été déterminés par la méthode standard. Le jus DAFANI orange-mangue avait un IG faible (47,50), les jus DAFANI cocktail mangue-ananas-fruit de la passion (62,25) et ananas IRA (64,12) un IG moyen, et le jus DAFANI nectar mangue (87,62) un IG élevé. Tous les jus de fruits avaient une CG modérée (comprise entre 11 et 19). Bien que la CG des jus de fruits étudiés soit modérée, leur consommation doit être contrôlée en particulier chez les diabétiques.   English title: Glycemic index and glycemic load of four fruit juices in apparently healthy young adults’ subjects Consuming natural fruit juices has no significant effect on either fasting blood sugar or blood sugar control in diabetics. This study was aimed to determine the glycemic index and glycemic load of four fruit juices in apparently healthy young adult subjects. Through a quasi-experimental study, 32 apparently healthy adult volunteers were selected using the World Health Organization criteria, and divided into 4 groups of 8. Each group of subjects consumed twice the reference food (white bread for 2 groups; glucose for the 2 other), then a serving of one of the fruit juices containing an amount equivalent to 25 g of carbohydrate. The Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL) was determined by the standard method. DAFANI orange-mango juice had a low GI (47.50), DAFANI mango-pineapple-passion fruit cocktail (62.25) and pineapple IRA (64.12) juices had an average GI, and DAFANI mango nectar juice (87.62) a high GI. All fruit juices had a moderate GL (between 11 and 19). Despite the moderate GL of fruit juices studied, their consumption must be controlled, particularly in diabetics

Influence of the programmed cell death of lymphocytes on the immunity of patients with atopic bronchial asthma

BACKGROUND: Fairly recent data highlight the role of programmed cell death and autoimmunity, as potentially important factors in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive airway diseases. The purpose of our research was to determine the influence of apoptotic factors on the immunity of patients with atopic bronchial asthma according to the degree of severity. METHOD: The study was performed on the peripheral blood of patients with atopic bronchial asthma with different severity. The Immunological aspects were determined with ELISA, the fluorimetric method and the method of precipitation with polyethylene glycol. And the quantification of the parameters of the programmed cell death was performed by the method of flow cytometry and electron microscopy method. RESULTS: The data obtained from morphological and biochemical parameters show the deregulation of Programmed Death of lymphocytes of patients with atopic bronchial asthma but individual for each group of patients. This dysfunction might induce the secretion of autoantibodies against DNA. This could explain the accumulation of circulating immune complex with average size considered as the most pathogenic in patients with bronchial asthma especially in the patients of serious severity. It should be noted that Patients with bronchial asthma of mild and severe severity had different way and did not have the same degree of deficiency of the immune system. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that apoptotic factor of lymphocytes may play an important role in controlling immunity of patients with atopic bronchial asthma

STIM1 regulates calcium signaling in taste bud cells and preference for fat in mice.

International audienceUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying oro-gustatory detection of dietary fat is critical for the prevention and treatment of obesity. The lipid-binding glycoprotein CD36, which is expressed by circumvallate papillae (CVP) of the mouse tongue, has been implicated in oro-gustatory perception of dietary lipids. Here, we demonstrate that stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), a sensor of Ca(2+) depletion in the endoplasmic reticulum, mediates fatty acid-induced Ca(2+) signaling in the mouse tongue and fat preference. We showed that linoleic acid (LA) induced the production of arachidonic acid (AA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (Lyso-PC) by activating multiple phospholipase A2 isoforms via CD36. This activation triggered Ca(2+) influx in CD36-positive taste bud cells (TBCs) purified from mouse CVP. LA also induced the production of Ca(2+) influx factor (CIF). STIM1 was found to regulate LA-induced CIF production and the opening of multiple store-operated Ca(2+) (SOC) channels. Furthermore, CD36-positive TBCs from Stim1-/- mice failed to release serotonin, and Stim1-/- mice lost the spontaneous preference for fat that was observed in wild-type animals. Our results suggest that fatty acid-induced Ca(2+) signaling, regulated by STIM1 via CD36, might be implicated in oro-gustatory perception of dietary lipids and the spontaneous preference for fat