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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

[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.

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.

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.

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 spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Aporina delafondi (Cyclophyllidea, Anoplocephalidae), intestinal parasite of turtle doves in Senegal.

Spermiogenesis in Aporina delafondi begins with the formation of a differentiation zone bordered by cortical microtubules and containing from the beginning a portion of nucleus and two parallel centrioles. One of the centrioles aborts, the other gives rise to a flagellum. The cortical microtubules elongate and spiralize while the nucleus migrates along the axoneme and crest-like bodies form at the level of the differentiation zone. The old spermatid separates from the residual cytoplasm by strangulation of the ring of arched membranes. The mature spermatozoon lacks mitochondria, is filiform and tapered at both its extremities. Its anterior extremity is capped by an apical cone of electron-dense material and exhibits five crest-like bodies of unequal lengths on its periphery. Its cortical microtubules are regularly spiralized except at their posterior extremity where they become parallel to the spermatozoon axis. The cytoplasm is slightly dense in the anterior regions (I and II) and exhibits many protein granules and patches of electron-lucent material in the middle (III) and posterior zones (IV and V). The nucleus is an electron-dense cord coiled in a spiral around the middle region (III) of the axoneme. This is of the 9+ "1" pattern and ends before the posterior extremity of the gamete. Spermiogenesis in Aporina delafonidi differs from that of the other Cyclophyllidea by the very early movement of the nucleus into the differentiation zone, the formation of a ring of arched membranes in the distal part of the differentiation zone, the appearance of crest-like bodies during migration of the nucleus and the formation of a cytoplasmic bud which contains the abortive centriole and develops to temporarily form a large lateral extension. The mature spermatozoon differs from that of the other Cyclophyllidea in the presence of lucent patches in its cytoplasm and of five helicoidal crest-like bodies. The systematic position of the genus Aporina is also debated.

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Raillietina (Raillietina) tunetensis (Cyclophyllidea, Davaineidae), intestinal parasite of turtle doves in Senegal.

Spermiogenesis in Raillietina (Raillietina) tunetensis begins with the formation of a differentiation zone equipped with cortical microtubules and containing two centrioles. One of the centrioles very rapidly gives rise to a flagellum which fuses with a median cytoplasmic extension, the cortical microtubules elongate and arched membranes appear. After the migration of the nucleus two crest-like bodies form and the old spermatid becomes detached from the residual cytoplasm. The mature spermatozoon of R. (R.) tunetensis exhibits an apical cone of electron-dense material and two helicoidal crest-like bodies 100 to 200 nm thick. The cortical microtubules are spiralized and make an angle of about 60 degrees to the spermatozoon axis. The axoneme is of the 9 + "1" pattern and does not reach the posterior extremity of the gamete. The nucleus is a fine, compact cord wound in a spiral which may make as much as two complete coils round the axoneme. The cytoplasm is electron-dense in region V of the spermatozoon. Over the rest of the gamete it is made up of lucent material divided into irregular compartments by electron-dense material. The latter consists of a fine, discontinuous peri-axonemal sheath, a fine granular sub-microtubular layer situated in regions I and II, and irregularly spaced partitions localized in regions III and IV. A nucleus with an annular cross section has never been described in a cestode spermatozoon; nor have two crest-like bodies of different length and thickness. In addition we report for the first time the existence of crest-like bodies in the Davaineidae.

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis of Dipylidium caninum (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Dipylidiidae), an intestinal parasite of Canis familiaris.

We describe for the first time the ultrastructure of spermiogenesis of a representative of the family Dipylidiidae, Dipylidium caninum. Spermiogenesis begins with the formation of a differentiation zone. This conical area presents two centrioles with associated striated roots. One of the centrioles develops a flagellum and posteriorly a proximodistal fusion is produced between the axoneme and a median cytoplasmic process. In a final stage of spermiogenesis a condensation of electron-dense material between cortical microtubules is observed in the anterior part of the differentiation zone. This is the origin of the crest-like body that appears at the end of spermiogenesis. The presence of striated roots associated with centrioles constitutes the first report of these structures in the spermiogenesis of a cyclophyllidean cestode.

Diversity and specificity in cestodes of the genus Moniezia: genetic evidence.

Electrophoretic study of two species of Moniezia cestodes, M. expansa and M. benedeni, sampled in African (Senegal) domesticated ruminants, revealed a complex of species and a degree of specificity more pronounced than that previously described. The status of the different species is validated by the probable occurrence of within species cross-mating. A European origin is suggested for M. expansa due to identical isoenzyme patterns in cestodes from France, whereas some atypical individuals may be derived from wild African ruminants.

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Vampirolepis microstoma (Cestoda, Hymenolepididae), intestinal parasite of Rattus rattus.

Spermiogenesis in Vampirolepis microstoma begins with the formation of a nuclear cone and a differentiation zone. This is delimited at the front by arched membranes, bordered by cortical microtubules, and contains two parallel centrioles linked together at their bases by electron-dense, amorphous material. The nuclear cone elongates, becomes filiform, and migrates into the spermatid body. Later, one of the centrioles gives rise to a flagellum that grows at the same pace as the cortical microtubules. Subsequently, 6 crested bodies form and the old spermatid separates from the residual cytoplasm. The mature V. microstoma spermatozoon is filiform and lacks mitochondria. Its anterior end exhibits six crested bodies 100 to 200 nm thick of unequal lengths. The axoneme is of the 9+"1" pattern. The cortical microtubules are spiralized and make an angle of about 20 to 30 degrees to the spermatozoon axis, except at their posterior extremity where they become parallel to this axis. The nucleus is an electron-dense cord coiled in a spiral around the axoneme. The cytoplasm is slightly dense but contains many electron-dense granules in regions III, IV, and V of the spermatozoon. The presence of centrioles linked together at their bases by electron-dense material has never, to our knowledge, been reported in a Platyhelminth. Likewise, a nuclear migration, right from the beginning to the end of spermiogenesis, has never been described in a cestode. In addition, we observe for the first time the existence of six crested bodies in a cestode from a Mammal.

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.

Influence of cadmium speciation for the evaluation of in vitro cadmium toxicity on LLC-PK(1) cells.

The main objective of the present work was to assess the potentiality of in vitro models to improve our understanding of cadmium-induced toxicity, especially on epithelial renal cells. Indeed cadmium, a potent toxic metal, poses a serious environmental threat and the mechanisms of its renal toxicity need to be clarified. Cytotoxicity studies presented here were performed in a tubular proximal original established porcine kidney cell line (LLC-PK(1)). We have compared cytotoxicity induced by different chemical cadmium forms in LLC-PK(1) cells as a function of media cell culture pH and protein content. Cadmium stock solutions were prepared either by dissolving cadmium chloride or cadmium sulphate with increasing protein concentrations in the media cell culture. Its pH was monitored during experiments. Cytotoxicity was measured by neutral red uptake after 24 h of exposure. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity curves, calculated with REGTOX, were systematically correlated with pH and protein content. Experiments in vitro revealed that cadmium was dose-dependently toxic for LLC-PK(1) for concentrations ranging from 10(-4) to 10(-6) M. We have noticed a lack of influence of the media cell culture pH on the cadmium cytotoxicity. REGTOX determines closely the EC(50) values but EC(50)CdCl(2)>EC(50)CdSO(4) and cadmium have been assayed with an inductively coupled atomic emission spectrometer (ICP/AES) directly in the media cell culture and the cellular pellet.