Clinical effect of open reduction and internal fixation with a steel plate through the triceps approach in the treatment of fractures of the middle and lower 1/3 of the humerus.

OBJECTIVE: The stability of fractures of the middle and lower 1/3 of the displaced humeral shaft is poor, and surgery is currently the main treatment. The posterolateral approach to the upper arm has many advantages but it is not widely used in clinical applications. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical effect of open reduction and internal fixation with a steel plate through the triceps approach in the treatment of fractures of the middle and lower 1/3 of the humerus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 26 patients with fractures of the middle and lower 1/3 of the humerus who were admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2021. According to the AO ASIF classification, 12 patients had type A, 8 patients had type B, and 6 patients had type C fractures. The posterior transtriceps approach was used for open reduction and internal fixation with a steel plate to evaluate its clinical efficacy. RESULTS: All patients were followed completely, and the follow-up time was 6.0-18.0 months. Fracture nonunion occurred in 1 patient after the operation, and the other 25 patients healed well; 2 patients showed symptoms of radial nerve injury and numbness in the tiger's mouth area, which improved after 2 weeks. The average healing time of the fracture was 12.3 weeks. There were no infections or complications such as plate fractures. Elbow joint function according to Mayo scoring standards was as follows: 19 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, 2 cases were fair, and 2 cases were poor. The excellent and good rate was 84.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction through the triceps approach and internal fixation with a steel plate for the treatment of the middle and lower 1/3 of the humerus can directly expose and protect the radial nerve and its branches and reduce radial nerve damage, and plate fixation on the tension side is biomechanical and worthy of clinical application.

Eau thermale : minéralité et autres composants: Thermal water: minerality and other components.

Natural mineral waters can be characterised according to their different thermal, mineral and physicochemical properties. France has a wide scale of natural mineral waters of very varied composition and temperature. Thermal waters do not undergo any treatment and are used on the thermal site with a constant temperature, mineralisation and flow. In France there are about 90 spas; each year more than 600,000 patients benefit from the therapeutic properties of thermal waters. © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Influence of physicochemical parameters on the spatial distribution of snail species that are intermediate hosts of human schistosomes in the Senegal River Delta.

The objective of this work was to identify possible correlations between physicochemical parameters (water temperature, water flow velocity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, nitrates, and phosphates) and the spatial distribution in the Senegal River delta of snail species that are intermediate hosts of human schistosomes. Eight water points (ME1 to ME4, NE1 and NE2, TA1 and TA2) were selected in the villages of Menguègne Boye, Ndellé Boye, and Thilla for biweekly monitoring of these snails and the physicochemical parameters of the water. The results show that the spatial distribution of the snail populations is related to pH, dissolved oxygen (mg/l), conductivity, temperature (̊C), and water flow velocity (m/s).

Role of environmental parameters on the density of intermediate host snails of human schistosoma during the year in the commune of Richard-Toll, Senegal.

The implementation and expansion of development projects (dams and irrigation schemes) in the Senegal River valley have led to a significant proliferation of snails. We conducted a one-year (2014) study project, monitoring their density in the commune of Richard Toll, to assess the role of environmental parameters on mollusc population dynamics. Four species involved in the transmission of human schistosomiasis were found: Bulinus globosus, B. truncatus, B. senegalensis, and Biomphalaria pfeifferi. Among the intermediate hosts, B. truncatus is the most abundant species, followed by B. globosus. Snail density depends on the nature of the water point but also on environmental parameters such as vegetation. This study showed that vegetation, water level (flood), and flow velocity influence the dynamics of the snail populations that are intermediate hosts of human schistosomes.

Savanna chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) nesting ecology at Bagnomba (Kedougou, Senegal).

We studied the nesting behavior of the critically endangered West African chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus). We assumed that the nesting data stemmed from a single, unhabituated community at the Bagnomba hill site in the savanna-woodlands of southeastern Senegal. The aim of this study was to examine chimpanzees' nesting habits in terms of the tree species utilized and sleeping nest heights. We recorded a total of 550 chimpanzee nests at Bagnomba between January 2015 and December 2015. The chimpanzees here made nests in particular tree species more often than others. The majority of nests (63%) were in two tree species: Diospyros mespiliformis and Pterocarpus erinaceus. The average height of nesting trees was 10.54 m (SD 3.91, range, 0.0-29.0 m) and average nest height was 7.90 m (SD 3.62, range, 0.0-25.0 m). The result of a linear regression analysis (r = 0.7874; n = 550; p < 0.05) is consistent with a preference for nesting at a particular height. Bagnomba chimpanzees rarely made ground nests (0.36% of nests), but the presence of any ground nesting was unexpected, given that at least one leopard (Panthera pardus) also occupied the hill. This knowledge will enable stakeholders involved in the protection of chimpanzees specifically and of biodiversity in general to better understand chimpanzee ecology and inform a conservation action plan in Senegal where the survival of this species is threatened.

Dual-modality endomicroscopy with co-registered fluorescence and phase contrast.

We describe a dual-modality laser scanning endomicroscope that provides simultaneous fluorescence contrast based on confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) and phase-gradient contrast based on scanning oblique back-scattering microscopy (sOBM). The probe consists of a 2.6mm-diameter micro-objective attached to a 30,000-core flexible fiber bundle. The dual contrasts are inherently co-registered, providing complementary information on labeled and un-labeled sample structure. Proof of principle demonstrations are presented with ex-vivo mouse colon tissue.

Involvement of Endogenous Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) appears to be highly involved in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation during adulthood, playing an important role in homeostasis maintenance. The present study aimed to determine the involvement of BDNF in HPA axis activity under basal and stress conditions via partial inhibition of this endogenous neurotrophin. Experiments were conducted in rats and mice with two complementary approaches: (i) BDNF knockdown with stereotaxic delivery of BDNF-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) into the lateral ventricle of adult male rats and (ii) genetically induced knockdown (KD) of BDNF expression specifically in the central nervous system during the first ontogenesis in mice (KD mice). Delivery of siRNA in the rat brain decreased BDNF levels in the hippocampus (-31%) and hypothalamus (-35%) but not in the amygdala, frontal cortex and pituitary. In addition, siRNA induced no change of the basal HPA axis activity. BDNF siRNA rats exhibited decreased BDNF levels and concomitant altered adrenocortoctrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone responses to restraint stress, suggesting the involvement of BDNF in the HPA axis adaptive response to stress. In KD mice, BDNF levels in the hippocampus and hypothalamus were decreased by 20% in heterozygous and by 60% in homozygous animals compared to wild-type littermates. Although, in heterozygous KD mice, no significant change was observed in the basal levels of plasma ACTH and corticosterone, both hormones were significantly increased in homozygous KD mice, demonstrating that robust cerebral BDNF inhibition (60%) is necessary to affect basal HPA axis activity. All of these results in both rats and mice demonstrate the involvement and importance of a robust endogenous pool of BDNF in basal HPA axis regulation and the pivotal function of de novo BDNF synthesis in the establishment of an adapted response to stress.

Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Helicometroides atlanticus (Digenea, Monorchiidae), an intestinal parasite of Parapristipoma octolineatum (Pisces, Teleostei) in Senegal.

The mature Helicometroides atlanticus spermatozoon exhibits an anterior electron-dense material, two axonemes of the 9+"1" pattern, a nucleus, two mitochondria, extramembranous ornamentations located at the level of the first mitochondrion and cortical microtubules arranged into two fields: a ventral field corresponding to the mitochondrial side and a dorsal field corresponding to the nuclear side. It lacks of spine-like body and a cytoplasmic expansion as in Monorchis parvus the only species of Monorchioidea which spermatozoon has been described until now. Nevertheless, it is distinguished from M. parvus by the presence of an anterior electron-dense material and two axonemes which appear one after the other.

Spermatological characteristics of Elstia stossichianum (Digenea, Mesometridae) from the intestine of the cow bream (Sarpa salpa) off Dakar, Senegal.

The current study was designed to increase the spermatological ultrastructural database on Digenea, thus contributing to the future establishment of phylogenetic relationships within this group based on ultrastructural characteristics of both spermiogenesis and spermatozoa. Spermiogenesis in Elstia stossichianum begins with the formation of a differentiation zone containing two centrioles, two striated rootlets, a nucleus, several mitochondria and an intercentriolar body constituted by seven electron-dense layers. Each centriole develops into a free flagellum growing orthogonally to the median cytoplasmic process. Proximo-distal fusion of the flagella with the median cytoplasmic process occurs after flagellar rotation. Both nucleus and mitochondria migrate before the complete proximo-distal fusion of both flagella with the median cytoplasmic process. Finally, the constriction of the ring of arched membranes gives rise to the young spermatozoon. The mature spermatozoon of E. stossichianum exhibits two axonemes of different length of the 9+'1' trepaxonematan pattern, a nucleus, a mitochondrion, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, a lateral expansion, spine-like bodies, cytoplasmic ornamented buttons and granules of glycogen. The formation of cytoplasmic ornamented buttons during the final stages of spermiogenesis is reported here for the first time.

Ultrastructural study of the male gamete of Glossobothrium sp. (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidea: Triaenophoridae) a parasite of Schedophilus velaini (Perciformes: Centrolophidae) in Senegal.

This paper describes the ultrastructure of the male gamete of Glossobothrium sp. (Bothriocephalidea: Triaenophoridae). The mature spermatozoon of Glossobothrium sp. is filiform and possesses two axonemes, a single helicoidal crested body, a parallel nucleus, parallel cortical microtubules and granules of glycogen. In Glossobothrium sp. we describe for first time a 200-250 nm thick crest-like body in the Bothriocephalidean. The anterior part of the spermatozoon exhibits a ring of 27 electron-dense cortical microtubules encircling the first axoneme. This structure persists until the appearance of the second axoneme. When the ring of electron-dense cortical microtubules disappears, the spermatozoon exhibits two bundles of thin cortical microtubules. The posterior part of the spermatozoon contains the posterior extremity of the second axoneme, the posterior extremity of the nucleus and few cortical microtubules. Soon nucleus disappears and the axoneme is disorganized. Thus the posterior extremity of the spermatozoon of Glossobothrium sp. exhibits only singlets produced by the disorganization of the doublets of the second axoneme and few cortical microtubules. This type of posterior extremity of the mature spermatozoon has never been described previously in the Triaenophoridae.

Transport and pharmacodynamics of albitiazolium, an antimalarial drug candidate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Choline analogues, a new type of antimalarials, exert potent in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity. This has given rise to albitiazolium, which is currently in phase II clinical trials to cure severe malaria. Here we dissected its mechanism of action step by step from choline entry into the infected erythrocyte to its effect on phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We biochemically unravelled the transport and enzymatic steps that mediate de novo synthesis of PC and elucidated how albitiazolium enters the intracellular parasites and affects the PC biosynthesis. KEY RESULTS: Choline entry into Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes is achieved both by the remnant erythrocyte choline carrier and by parasite-induced new permeability pathways (NPP), while parasite entry involves a poly-specific cation transporter. Albitiazolium specifically prevented choline incorporation into its end-product PC, and its antimalarial activity was strongly antagonized by choline. Albitiazolium entered the infected erythrocyte mainly via a furosemide-sensitive NPP and was transported into the parasite by a poly-specific cation carrier. Albitiazolium competitively inhibited choline entry via the parasite-derived cation transporter and also, at a much higher concentration, affected each of the three enzymes conducting de novo synthesis of PC. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Inhibition of choline entry into the parasite appears to be the primary mechanism by which albitiazolium exerts its potent antimalarial effect. However, the pharmacological response to albitiazolium involves molecular interactions with different steps of the de novo PC biosynthesis pathway, which would help to delay the development of resistance to this drug.

Overweight, obesity and thyroid cancer risk: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis examined the relationship between excess body weight or body mass index (BMI) and risk of thyroid cancer. METHODS: PubMed(®), MEDLINE(®), EMBASE™ and Academic Search™ Premier databases were searched to identify cohort studies examining the effect of being overweight or obese on the risk of thyroid cancer. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were met by seven cohort studies (total number of thyroid cancer cases, 5154). The pooled relative risk (RR) of thyroid cancer was 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04, 1.22) for overweight. Obesity was also linked with increased thyroid cancer risk in males and females, the strength of the association increasing with increasing BMI. The combined RR of thyroid cancer was 1.18 (95% CI 1.11, 1.25) for excess body weight (overweight and obesity combined). Being overweight was associated with a significant increase in thyroid cancer risk among non-Asians, but not among Asians. Overweight, obesity and excess body weight were all associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma risk. CONCLUSIONS: The association between overweight/obesity/excess body weight and thyroid cancer risk was confirmed.

Spermiogenesis and spermatozoon ultrastructure of Diplodiscus subclavatus (Pallas, 1760) (Paramphistomoidea, Diplodiscidae), an intestinal fluke of the pool frog Rana lessonae (Amphibia, Anura).

Spermiogenesis in Diplodiscus subclavatus begins with the formation of the zone of differentiation presenting two centrioles associated with striated roots and an intercentriolar body. The latter presents seven electron-dense layers with a fine central plate and three plates on both sides. The external pair of these electron-dense layers is formed by a granular row. Each centriole develops into a free flagellum, both of them growing orthogonally in relation to the median cytoplasmic process. After the flagellar rotation and before the proximodistal fusion of both flagella with the median cytoplasmic process four attachment zones were already observed in several cross-sections indicating the area of fusion. Spinelike bodies are also observed in the differentiation zone before the fusion of flagella. Finally, the constriction of the ring of arched membranes gives rise to the young spermatozoon that detaches from the residual cytoplasm. The mature spermatozoon of D. subclavatus shows all the classical characters observed in Digenea spermatozoa such as two axonemes of different length of the 9+"1" trepaxonematan pattern, nucleus, mitochondrion, two bundles of parallel cortical microtubules and granules of glycogen. However, some peculiarities such as a well-developed lateral expansion associated with external ornamentation of the plasma membrane and spinelike bodies combined with their area of appearance distinguish the ultrastructural organization of the sperm cells of D. subclavatus from those of other digeneans.

[Tuberculoma of the posterior fossa: 3 cases in the departement of neurosurgery, university hospital of Gabriel Toure]. / Tuberculome De La Fosse Cerebrale Posteiure A Propos De 3 Cas Enregistres Dans Le Service De Neurochirurgie Du CHU De Gabriel Toure.

The cerebral tuberculoma is an expansive process of slow evolution of the tuberculous bacillus. Bacteriological diagnosis is rarely made. It is usually radiological or histological. The treatment is medical and surgical. We conducted a retrospective study from March 2007 to February 2010 which focused on three cases of cerebral tuberculoma. Two of our patients were male, 75% against 25% female: The age of our three patients was respectively 47, 23, and 4 years. The history of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was found in one case. The heaviness of the head was the pattern in a patient operated on for Pott's disease. The diagnosis was suspected by neuroradiology in 3 patients and histological confirmation was made in 2 cases. The polychimiotherapy of 12 months was established and the improvement has been obtained from the third month of treatment.

Variation in cestode assemblages of Mastomys and Arvicanthis species (rodents: Muridae) from Lake Retba in Western Senegal.

We studied patterns of variation in cestode communities of 3 abundant rodent species that live in sympatry in the Niayes of the Retba Lake, Western Senegal. We evaluated whether the host species have the same parasites and, within host species, whether the variability in parasite community is related to intrinsic (sex, age of the host individual) or extrinsic (habitat, season) factors. Arvicanthis niloticus was parasitized by 2 cestode species, namely Inermicapsifer madagascariensis and the highly dominant Raillietina trapezoïdes . Raillietina baeri was the only cestode species found in Mastomys erythroleucus , and there was no cestode in M. huberti . Prevalence and abundance levels of cestodes were very high in A. niloticus , especially in adults. Seasonal and habitat effects were found in both cestode communities of M. erythroleucus and A. niloticus . Local host specificity and abundance/prevalence levels suggested variations in the interaction between rodents and cestode intermediate host species among habitats and seasons.

The full length cloning of a novel porcine gene CFL2b and its influence on the MyHC expression.

Porcine CFL2b gene play an important role in the muscle development and myofibrillar formation in pig. To explore whether CFL2b expression affects muscle fiber trait, the porcine CFL2b full-length cDNA was amplified using homology based cDNA cloning and SMART RACE. Then the full length cDNA of porcine CFL2b was inserted into pEGFP-N1 and transfected into C2C12 cells. The cells stably expressing CFL2b were selected by G418. We examined the expression of MyHC 2x, MyHC 2b and MyHC1/slow in C2C12 cells stably expressing CFL2b. The results showed that the level of MyHC 2x and MyHC 2b mRNA were dramatically increased compared with control cells, while the level of MyHC1/slow mRNA is not changed. To identify the transcription events of CFL2b, the porcine CFL2b mRNA was detected by Northern blotting, two transcripts, long transcript (3,012 bp) and short transcript (1,466 bp) were found in porcine skeletal muscles. The nucleotide sequence of CFL2b shares 88.1 and 74.9% homology with the CFL2b gene in human and mouse. The deduced amino acid sequence of CFL2b (166 amino acids) in pig shares 100, 99.1% identity with the CFL2b in human and mouse, respectively. Taken together, our research revealed that porcine CFL2b may be involved in the regulation muscle fiber trait by affecting the expression of MyHC.

Adult human spinal cord harbors neural precursor cells that generate neurons and glial cells in vitro.

Adult human and rodent brains contain neural stem and progenitor cells, and the presence of neural stem cells in the adult rodent spinal cord has also been described. Here, using electron microscopy, expression of neural precursor cell markers, and cell culture, we investigated whether neural precursor cells are also present in adult human spinal cord. In well-preserved nonpathological post-mortem human adult spinal cord, nestin, Sox2, GFAP, CD15, Nkx6.1, and PSA-NCAM were found to be expressed heterogeneously by cells located around the central canal. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the existence of immature cells close to the ependymal cells, which display characteristics of type B and C cells found in the adult rodent brain subventricular region, which are considered to be stem and progenitor cells, respectively. Completely dissociated spinal cord cells reproducibly formed Sox2(+) nestin(+) neurospheres containing proliferative precursor cells. On differentiation, these generate glial cells and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons. These results provide the first evidence for the existence in the adult human spinal cord of neural precursors with the potential to differentiate into neurons and glia. They represent a major interest for endogenous regeneration of spinal cord after trauma and in degenerative diseases.

Kidney disease in RA patients: prevalence and implication on RA-related drugs management: the MATRIX study.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of kidney disease (KD) indicators together with the profile of RA drugs prescribed in RA patients was investigated in the MATRIX study (MeThotreXate And Renal Insufficiency). METHODS: Renal function (RF) was assessed using Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (aMDRD) study formulae. RESULTS: Serum creatinine (SCr) was normal in 81.4% of the 129 patients included. According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) classification, the distribution by stage of KD was, using the aMDRD and CG formulae, as follows: stage 1: 11.3% and 11.4%; stage 2: 20.0% and 20.3%; stage 3: 15.0% and 24.1%; stage 4: 0% and 1.3%; stage 5: 0%. Proteinuria, haematuria and leucocyturia were observed in 16%, 17% and 20% of the patients, respectively. Using the aMDRD and CG formulae, 36% and 38% of the prescriptions made in patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min required a dosage adjustment. Among the patients with GFR <60 ml/min, 83-90% received at least one drug that required a dosage adjustment and 67-70% received at least one drug that was potentially nephrotoxic, according to aMDRD or CG formulae, respectively. Five (50%) and 8 (47%) patients did not have appropriate MTX dosage adjustment according to their stage of KD with aMDRD or CG formulae, respectively. CONCLUSION: Systematic estimation of RF with CG or aMDRD formulae and urine dipstick are necessary in RA patients. In patients with KD at high risk for drug toxicity, dosage should be adapted to RF.

[Carmyerius marchandi, a new species of trematode (Gastrothylacidae), a parasite of cattle in Senegal]. / Carmyerius marchandi, nouvelle espèce de trématode (Gastrothylacidae), parasite des bovins au Sénégal.

Carmyerius marchandi n. sp., a new species of trematode (Paramphistomoidea, Gastrothylacidae), has been described in Senegal. It has an average length of 13 +/- 1 mm and an average diameter of 3 +/- 0.4 mm. The brood pouch, bearing muscular invaginations and a ventrolateral swelling, makes up two thirds of the body length. There is a Carmyerius-type acetabulum. The ratio between the diameter of the acetabulum and body length is 1:7.4. The trematode has a Gastrothylax-type pharynx. The ratio between pharynx length and body length is 1:13.3. The ratio between pharynx length and acetabulum diameter is 1:1.8. The caeca extend beyond the mid section of the parasite. The lobed testicles are in a lateroposterior position. The ovary is situated between the two testicles and the uterus is in a mediodorsal position. The vitelline glands take up a large area in the ventrolateral swelling of the brood pouch. The small genital atrium is of the elongatus type. Using scanning electron microscopy, the parasite's body shows transverse ridging and tegumentary papillae around the oral aperture, genital pore and acetabulum. All of these characteristics indicate that this Gastrothylacidae belongs to the Carmyerius genus. To judge by the other species in the genus previously described, this appears to be a new species. We suggest that it should be named C. marchandi n. sp., as a token of gratitude to Professor Bernard Marchand.

Drugs in the parallel market for the treatment of urethral discharge in Dakar: epidemiologic investigation and physicochemical tests.

OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) constitute a major public health concern in developing countries. Their interest lies mainly in their diagnosis and their early treatment. Owing to lack of health education and poor living conditions inherent in underdevelopment, self-medication is common practice in these Third World countries. Therefore, the illegal sale of drugs is an important phenomenon in Africa and Asia. METHODS: An investigation, with a view to evaluating the importance of drug sales in the parallel market for the treatment of urethral discharge in Dakar, was carried out in 50 different locations in the working-class districts of the capital from 13 February to 6 March 1997. These drugs, obtained from vendors in the illegal market, were tested and analyzed using the standard physicochemical methods. RESULTS: The most frequently proposed drugs to treat male urethritis are: ampicillin 250-mg capsules (44%); oxytetracyline 250-mg capsules (24%); and cotrimoxazole 450-mg tablets (12%). In most cases (88%), these drugs were sold unpackaged; 12% were sold in blisters. Furthermore, in 90% of cases, the expiry date was not indicated. The dosage and duration of treatment were correct in only 6% of cases. The physicochemical analysis was based on the external appearance, the identification, and the dosage of the active principle. Of these drugs offered by street vendors, 53.1% had an unusual appearance; they were mainly ampicillin 250 mg (21 of 22 samples) and oxytetracycline 250 mg (6 of 12 samples). Furthermore, all active principles were identified as positive, with the exception of ampicillin 250 mg, for which only one sample of the 22 was positive; the others appeared to be flour, with no trace of the active principle. CONCLUSION: Given the extent of these illegal sales of drug and their harmful consequences for the health of the population, adequate measures should be taken to eradicate this blight. For this mission to succeed, public authorities, health professionals and populations should combine their efforts.