Poor quality of sleep and musculoskeletal pains among highly trained and elite athletes in Senegal.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported that poor sleep quality (PSQ) was associated with musculoskeletal pains (MSP) and poor physical performance in athletes. OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed at determining PSQ and its associations with MSP in some sub-Saharan athletes. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among 205 highly trained and 115 elite athletes (aged: 25 ± 2 years, Body mass index: 22.8 ± 0.9 kg/m2) in Dakar, Senegal, during a competitive season in a variety of sport disciplines including athletics, basketball, football, rugby, wrestling, tennis. Quality of sleep and MSP were assessed using the French version Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and French version of Nordic questionnaire respectively. Pain on body joints during a week was defined as seven-day MSP (MSP-7d) and PSQ for a PSQI > 5. RESULTS: 27.8% (95%CI: 23.2-32.9) of the overall sample suffered PSQ, with 33.7% (95%CI: 24.7-44.0) in basketball and 24.7% (95%CI: 16.9-34.6) in football. According to athletic status and gender, PSQ was more prevalent among highly trained (66.3; 95%CI: 55.9-75.3) and men (69.7%; 95%CI: 59.5-78.7). Among athletes with PSQ 43.8% (95%CI: 33.9-54.2) suffered MSP-7d, with 36.6%; highly trained (95%CI: 23.7-42.9) and 28.1% female. Considering body region, hips/thigh (14.6%; 95% CI: 8.74-23.4) and upper back (13.5%; 95%CI: 7.88 -21, 1) were more affected. Basketball players were more affected from MSP (MSP-7d = 38.5%; 95%CI: 24. 9-54.1) on high on wrists/hands (MSP-7d = 44.4%; 95%CI: 18.9 -73.3; P = 0.04). Based on athletic status, MSP-7d were higher on highly trained necks (100%; 95%CI: 56.1-100; p = 0.04). PSQ was associated with basketball (OR: 3.062, 95%CI: 1.130-8.300, p = 0.02) compared to Athletic. PSQ and MSP-7d were associated on Wrist/hands (OR: 3.352, 95%CI: 1.235-9.099, p = 0.01), and at the upper back (OR: 5.820, 95%CI: 2.096-16.161, p = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that PSQ is considerable among Senegalese athletes and is associated with MSP during a week. Hence, we recommend to look for strategies optimizing good quality of sleep in order to reduce pains, to improve health.

Musculoskeletal pains among amateur and professional athletes of five disciplines in Senegal: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pains (MSPs) in sport are cause of poor performances and loss of competition in athletes. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence of MSPs with regard to sport disciplines and athletic status. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 Senegalese professional and amateur athletes practicing football, basketball, rugby, tennis, athletics, and wrestling. Rates of MSPs in the past year (MSPs-12) and week (MSPs-7d) were assessed using standard questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall proportions of MSPs-12 and MSPs-7d were 70 and 74.2%, respectively. MSPs-12 were more frequently reported on shoulders (40.6%), neck (37.1%) and hips/thigh (34.4%), while MSPs-7d were predominant on hips/thigh (29.5%), shoulders (25.7%), and upper back (17.2%). Proportions of MSPs-12 and MSPs-7d varied significantly by sport disciplines, with highest values among basketball players. Again, highest MSPs-12 proportions on shoulders (29.7%, P = 0.02), wrists/hands (34.6%, P = 0.001), (40.2%, P = 0.0002), and knees (38.8%, P = 0.002) were seen among basketball players. High proportions of MSPs-7d were seen on shoulders (29.6%, P = 0.04) for tennis players, wrists/hands (29.4%, P = 0.03) for basketball and football players, and hips/thigh (38.8%, P < 0.00001) for basketball players. Football players had reduced risk of MSPs-12 by 75% on lower back (OR = 0.25; 95% CI. 0.10-0.63; P = 0.003) and by 72% on knees (OR = 0.28; 95% CI. 0.08-0. 95; P = 0.04). In contrast, tennis players were more at risk of MSPs-12 on shoulders (OR = 3.14; 95% CI. 1.14-8.68; P = 0.02), wrists/hands (OR = 5.18; 95% CI.1.40-11.13; P = 0.01), and hips/thigh (OR = 2.90; 95% CI. 1.1-8.38; P = 0.04). Professionals were protected from MSPs-12 on neck pain with a significant reduction of risk by 61% (OR = 0.39, 95% CI. 0.21-0.75, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: MSPs are a reality among athletes and their risk is modulated by sport disciplines, athletic status and gender.

The telomerase activator TA-65 protects from cigarette smoke-induced small airway remodeling in mice through extra-telomeric effects.

Small airway remodeling (SAR) is a key phenomenon of airflow obstruction in smokers, leading to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SAR results in an increased thickness of small airway walls, with a combination of peribronchiolar fibrosis with increased fibrous tissue and accumulation of mesenchymal and epithelial cells. SAR pathogenesis is still unclear but recent data suggest that alterations in telomerase activity could represent a possible underlying mechanism of SAR. Our study was dedicated to identify a potential protective role of TA-65, a pharmacological telomerase activator, in a cigarette smoke (CS) model of SAR in mice, and to further precise if extra-telomeric effects of telomerase, involving oxidative stress modulation, could explain it. C57BL/6J mice were daily exposed to air or CS during 4 weeks with or without a concomitant administration of TA-65 starting 7 days before CS exposure. Morphological analyses were performed, and mucus production, myofibroblast differentiation, collagen deposition, as well as transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) expression in the small airway walls were examined. In addition, the effects of TA-65 treatment on TGF-ß expression, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and catalase expression and activity were evaluated in primary cultures of pulmonary fibroblasts and/or mouse embryonic fibroblasts in vitro. Exposure to CS during 4 weeks induced SAR in mice, characterized by small airway walls thickening and peribronchiolar fibrosis (increased deposition of collagen, expression of α-SMA in small airway walls), without mucus overproduction. Treatment of mice with TA-65 protected them from CS-induced SAR. This effect was associated with the prevention of CS-induced TGF-ß expression in vivo, the blockade of TGF-ß-induced myofibroblast differentiation, and the reduction of TGF-ß-induced ROS production that correlates with an increase of catalase expression and activity. Our findings demonstrate that telomerase is a critical player of SAR, probably through extra-telomeric anti-oxidant effects, and therefore provide new insights in the understanding and treatment of COPD pathogenesis.

Plasma Levels of Acyl-Carnitines and Carboxylic Acids Correlate With Cardiovascular and Kidney Function in Subjects With Sickle Cell Trait.

Subjects with sickle cell trait (SCT) carry one copy of mutated ß-globin gene at position E6V at the origin of the production of sickle hemoglobin (HbS). Indeed, individuals with SCT have both normal hemoglobin and HbS, in contrast to patients with sickle cell disease who inherited of two copies of the mutated gene. Although SCT is generally benign/asymptomatic, carriers may develop certain adverse outcomes such as renal complications, venous thromboembolism, exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis … However, little is known about whether similar metabolic pathways are affected in individuals with SCT and whether these metabolic derangements, if present, correlate to clinically relevant parameters. In this study, we performed metabolomics analysis of plasma from individuals with sickle cell trait (n = 34) compared to healthy controls (n = 30). Results indicated a significant increase in basal circulating levels of hemolysis markers, mono- (pyruvate, lactate), di- and tri-carboxylates (including all Krebs cycle intermediates), suggestive of systems-wide mitochondrial dysfunction in individuals with SCT. Elevated levels of kynurenines and indoles were observed in SCT samples, along with increases in the levels of oxidative stress markers (advanced glycation and protein-oxidation end-products, malondialdehyde, oxylipins, eicosanoids). Increases in circulating levels of acyl-carnitines and fatty acids were observed, consistent with increased membrane lipid damage in individuals with sickle cell trait. Finally, correlation analyses to clinical co-variates showed that alterations in the aforementioned pathways strongly correlated with clinical measurements of blood viscosity, renal (glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, uremia) and cardiovascular function (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, blood pressure).

Association between polymorphisms and hypermethylation of CD36 gene in obese and obese diabetic Senegalese females.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and related metabolic disorders are associated with genetic and epigenetic alterations. In this study, we have examined the association between polymorphisms and hypermethylation of the CD36 gene promoter with obesity in Senegalese females with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus to identify novel molecular markers of these pathologies (obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Senegal with healthy lean control, obese, and obese diabetic (age; 49.98 years ± 7.52 vs 50.50 years ± 8.76 vs 51.06 ± 5.78, and body mass index (BMI); 24.19 kg/m2 ± 2.74 vs 34.30 kg/m2 ± 4.41 vs 33.09 kg/m2 ± 4.30). We determined three genetic polymorphisms of CD36 i.e., rs1761667, rs1527483, and rs3211867 by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and methylation of CPG islands of CD36 was assessed by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) in DNA isolated from peripheral blood of each participant. Plasma sCD36 levels and DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to the standard laboratory protocol, all biochemical parameters were analyzed from fasting serum or plasma. RESULTS: For rs1761667, obese and obese diabetic subjects had statistically significant different parameters depending on the genotypic distribution. These were waist size for obese and HDL cholesterol for obese diabetic, they were significantly higher in subjects harboring GG genotype of rs1761667 (respectively p = 0.04 and p = 0.04). For rs3211867, obese subjects harboring the AA/AC genotype had significantly higher BMI (p = 0.02) and total cholesterol (p = 0.03) than obese subjects harboring the CC genotype. At the same time, the obese diabetic subjects harboring the AA/AC genotype had total cholesterol levels significantly higher than the obese diabetic subjects harboring the CC genotype (p = 0.03). For rs1527483, only the control subjects had statistically significant different parameters depending on the genotypic distribution. The control subjects harboring the GG genotype had a significantly higher BMI than the control subjects harboring the AA/AG genotype (p = 0.003). The CD36 gene methylation was significantly 1.36 times more frequent in obese and obese diabetic compared to lean control (RR = 1.36; p = 0.04). DNMT3a levels were higher in subjects with CD36 gene methylation than in subjects without CD36 gene methylation in each group. Obese diabetic subjects with CD36 gene methylation had significantly fewer plasmas sCD36 (p = 0.03) and more LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.01) than obese diabetic subjects without CD36 gene methylation. In the control group, an increase in sCD36 levels would be associated with a decrease in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (coef = -7647.56 p = 0.01 and coef = -2528.50 p = 0.048, respectively) would be associated with an increase in LDL cholesterol levels. For the obese group, an increase in sCD36 levels would be associated with an increase in fasting insulin levels (coef = 490.99 p = 0.02) and a decrease in glycated hemoglobin levels (coef = -1196.26 p = 0.03). An increase in the sCD36 levels would be associated with an increase in the triglyceride levels in the obese diabetic group (coef = 9937.41 p = 0.02). The AA/AC genotype of SNP rs3211867 polymorphism was significantly associated with CD36 gene methylation in the control and obese diabetic groups (respectively p = 0.05, p = 0.002; 95% CI). CONCLUSION: These observations suggest that polymorphisms and epigenetic changes in CD36 gene promoters may be implicated in the onset of obesity and its related complication type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Impact of the interaction between the polymorphisms and hypermethylation of the CD36 gene on a new biomarker of type 2 diabetes mellitus: circulating soluble CD36 (sCD36) in Senegalese females.

BACKGROUND: Several predisposing factors for diabetes mellitus have been identified, including cluster determinant 36 (CD36) receptor expression. We aimed to determine the effects of CD36 gene polymorphisms and hypermethylation on the plasma CD36 protein levels in type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 100 females (lean healthy control subjects and subjects with type 2 diabetes). This study was conducted at the Human Physiology Laboratory at the Dakar Faculty of Medicine in Senegal. Circulating sCD36 levels and DNA methyltransferase 3a levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The other biological parameters were evaluated in a biochemical laboratory. CD36 gene polymorphisms and methylation were explored by real-time polymerase chain reaction and methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: sCD36 was negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol levels (r = - 0.52 p = 0.0001) and triglyceride levels (r = - 0.36 p = 0.01) in control subjects. However, in the type 2 diabetes group, sCD36 levels were positively correlated with total cholesterol levels (r = 0.28 p = 0.04). For rs3211867, control subjects harboring the CC genotypes had significantly higher sCD36 levels than control subjects harboring the AA/AC genotype (p = 0.02); in the type 2 diabetes group, the sCD36 level was not significantly lower in subjects harboring the AA/AC genotype than in subjects harboring the CC genotype (p = 0.27). CD36 gene methylation reduced the sCD36 level in the control subjects compared to control subjects without CD36 gene methylation (p = 0.03). This difference was not significant in the type 2 diabetes group comparing subjects with diabetes with CD36 gene methylation to subjects with diabetes without CD36 gene methylation (p = 0.09). We noted a nonsignificant increase in sCD36 levels in subjects with diabetes with CD36 gene methylation compared to control subjects with CD36 gene methylation (p = 0.27). A combination of the CD36 polymorphism effect and the CD36 methylation effect did not significantly reduce sCD36 levels in subjects with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: CD36 gene polymorphisms and CD36 gene methylation separately reduce sCD36 levels. Their impacts are compensated for in subjects with type 2 diabetes by an increase in sCD36 levels, the mechanism of which needs to be elucidated.

Frequencies and Distribution of APOE Gene Polymorphisms and Its Association With Lipid Parameters in the Senegalese Population.

Background Apolipoprotein E is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in lipid metabolism. It is encoded by the APOE gene. However, APOE gene polymorphism has not been very well studied in the Senegalese population. Therefore, we studied allele frequencies, genotype distributions, and the relationship between APOE gene polymorphisms and lipid parameters in the Senegalese women population. Methodology This study included 110 healthy women aged 35-72 years. The mean age was 49.8 ± 8.1 years. For all subjects, lipid parameters were analyzed from fasting serum, and APOE genotypes were identified by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) based analysis. Results Variations in the frequencies and distribution of the APOE alleles and genotypes were observed (ε3: 47.3%; ε2: 43.2%; ε4: 9.6%; and ε2/ε3: 70%; ε2/ε4: 16.4%; ε3/ε3: 10.9%; ε2/ε4: 2.7%). Compared to the ε3ε3 genotype carriers, carriers of the ε3ε4 genotype had a significantly higher rate of total cholesterol (p=0.03) and no high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p=0.02). Univariate analysis showed that the APOE ε4 allele increases the low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol rate (OR=3.06; 95% CI: 1.16-8.22; p=0.02). Conclusion Our study has shown a difference in APOE allele frequencies and genotype distributions with a total absence of ε2ε2 and ε4ε4 genotypes in a sample of Senegalese women. We also found that APOE gene polymorphism might play a role in plasma lipid levels.

Evaluation of agreement between hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and fructosamine in Senegalese individuals with and without sickle-cell trait.

Fasting glucose (FG) and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) perform sub-optimally in people of African origin, especially in individuals with sickle-cell trait (SCT). The purpose of this study was to compare the relationships between HbA1c, FG, and fructosamine in individuals from Senegal with and without SCT. HbA1c, FG, and fructosamine were measured in 203 adults from Senegal (100 control: 45 with type 2 diabetes (T2D); 103 SCT: 51 with T2D). Significant, positive correlations were observed between HbA1c and FG, fructosamine and FG, and fructosamine and HbA1c in both groups. The limits of agreement were inappropriately large in both groups for the Bland-Altman plots of HbA1c and FG (control: -95.97 to 83.97%; SCT: -115.9 to 91.52%), fructosamine and FG (control: -100.6 to 99.89%; SCT: -105.6 to 100.6%), and fructosamine and HbA1c (control: -52.03 to 38.98%; SCT: -88.04 to 71.41%). In both groups, the greatest proportion of subjects were considered above the clinical cut-point for hyperglycemia when fructosamine was used as the criterion (control: 33%; SCT: 44.6%), and the lowest percentage of subjects were classified as over the clinical cut-point when HbA1c was used as the criterion (control: 21%; SCT: 27.7%).Substantial disparities between HbA1c, FG, and fructosamine were observed in both groups, and these differences were exaggerated in the SCT group. Therefore, these three biomarkers should not be considered to be interchangeable measures of glycemic control. These biomarkers should be used thoughtfully, and special care should be taken when using them in individuals with SCT.

Increased Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes-Related Complications in Combined Type 2 Diabetes and Sickle Cell Trait.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, where sickle cell trait (SCT) is also frequent. Although SCT is generally considered a benign condition, evidence suggests that SCT could exaggerate vascular dysfunction in T2D. However, it remains unclear whether SCT could increase the risk of the development of T2D complications. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether T2D complications were more prevalent among Senegalese individuals with SCT and T2D than among those with T2D only. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Rates of hypertension, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, and impaired renal function as well as arterial stiffness, blood rheology, and concentrations of plasma advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and cytokines were compared between groups of Senegalese individuals with combined SCT and T2D (T2D-SCT) (n = 60), T2D (n = 52), SCT (n = 53), and neither T2D nor SCT (control) (n = 56). Human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) expression of inflammatory and adhesion factors was measured after treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α and subjects' plasma. Effects of AGE inhibition or tiron on HAEC expression of E-selectin were measured. RESULTS: Retinopathy, hypertension, and reduced renal function were more prevalent, and arterial stiffness, blood viscosity at high shear rates, and thixotropic index were higher, in the SCT group compared with the other groups. Multivariable analysis showed that plasma AGE concentration was significantly associated with arterial stiffness. E-selectin expression was elevated in HAECs treated with T2D-SCT plasma compared with the other groups, but AGE inhibition reversed this. CONCLUSIONS: SCT could potentially augment the risk of the development of T2D-related complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and hypertension.

Le magnésium et le calcium réduisent la sévérité des troubles de la mémoire spatiale pour le modèle kaïnique d'épilepsie mésiale temporale chez la souris.

Calcium and magnesium are divalent multipotent ions playing a major role in metabolism, excitability and neuroglial plasticity. Because of these multiple properties, their deficiency induces complex brain processes leading to acute or even lasting disorders in excitability and neural networks. These ions are usually prescribed in clinical contexts of neuronal hyperexcitability such as preeclampsia and chronic stress. Our aim was to evaluate whether magnesium at 20 mg/kg and calcium at 100 mg/kg could improve the memory prognosis in the kainic model of mesial temporal epilepsy in mice. The animals were organized into 6 groups: control group (without kainate), reference group (GR) without administration of ions, groups treated with magnesium or calcium from the third day (respectively G1m, G1c), groups treated with magnesium or calcium from the third week (respectively G2m, G2c). The mice treated by ions performed better than GR mice, but magnesium was more effective. Memory (short term-long term) was differently affected by kainate or improved by magnesium-calcium. In addition, magnesium demonstrated an increasing therapeutic effect over time while calcium had an acute and apparently decreasing action in the G1c group that received calcium early.

Le calcium et le magnésium sont des ions divalents multipotents importants pour le métabolisme, l'excitabilité, et la plasticité de la névroglie. En raison de leurs multiples propriétés, leur carence provoque des processus cérébraux complexes menant à des aberrations aigües voire durables au niveau de l'excitabilité et des réseaux neuronaux. Ces ions sont habituellement prescrits dans des contextes cliniques d'hyperexcitabilité neuronale comme la prééclampsie et le stress chronique. Notre objectif était d'évaluer si le magnésium à 20 mg/kg et le calcium à 100 mg/kg pouvaient améliorer le pronostic mnésique dans le modèle kaïnique d'épilepsie mésiale temporale chez les souris. Les animaux furent organisés en six groupes : groupe témoin (sans kaïnate), groupe de référence sans administration d'ions (GR), groupes traités au magnésium ou au calcium dès le troisième jour (respectivement G1m, G1c), groupes traités au magnésium ou au calcium à partir de la troisième semaine (respectivement G2m, G2c). Les souris traitées ont toutes présenté de meilleures performances que les souris GR, mais le magnésium était plus efficace. La mémoire (court terme­long terme) était touchée différemment par le kaïnate ou améliorée par le magnésium et le calcium. De plus, le magnésium a démontré un effet thérapeutique croissant avec le temps alors que le calcium avait un effet aigu qui semblait se dégrader pour le groupe G1c qui reçut précocement du calcium.

Pulse wave velocity is lower in trained than in untrained sickle cell trait carriers.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a benign condition of sickle cell disease. Nevertheless, previous reports showed that SCT carriers have increased blood viscosity and decreased vascular reactivity compared to non-SCT carrier. The benefit of regular exercise on vascular function has been well documented in the general population but no study focused on the SCT population. PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to compare arterial stiffness and blood viscosity between trained and untrained SCT carriers, as well as a group of untrained non-SCT. METHODS: Arterial stiffness (finger-toe pulse wave velocity) and blood viscosity were evaluated in untrained non-SCT carriers (n = 10), untrained SCT carriers (n = 23) and trained SCT carriers (n = 17) who reported at least 10 hours of physical exercise per week. RESULTS: Untrained SCT carriers had higher pulse wave velocity (p = 0.032) and blood viscosity (p < 0.001) than their trained counterparts. In addition, untrained SCT carriers had higher blood viscosity (p < 0.001) than the untrained non-SCT group. A positive association was noted between blood viscosity and pulse wave velocity in the whole study population. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that regular exercise may be beneficial for the vascular function of SCT carriers.

Chemical characterization of essential oil from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis (D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron (Linn.)

Objective:To isolate and identify the compounds in the essential oils from the leaves of Callistemon viminalis (D.R.) and Melaleuca leucadendron (Linn.) collected in Dakar,Senegal.Methods:The essential oils from the leaves of these two myrtaceaes were extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by gas chromatograph and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.Results:A total of 34 constituents were identified in the oil of Callistemon viminalis and the major compounds were 1.8-cineole (58.12％),limonene (9.72％),α-terpineol (9.56％),geranial (6.02％),δ-elemene (3.53％),myrcene (2.96％) and α-pinene (2.49％).For the essential oil of Melaleuca leucadendron,43 constituents were identified,and 1.8-cineole (28.87％),epiglobulol (23.06％),α-pinene (12.22％),limonene (11.65％) and α-terpineol (7.06％) were major compounds.Conclusions:Considering properties of the identified major compounds,essential oils of both studied myrtaceae could be used in the medicine field including the food,pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Crystal structure of bis-(N,N,N',N'-tetra-methyl-guanidinium) tetra-chlorido-cuprate(II).

In the structure of the title salt, (C5H14N3)2[CuCl4], the Cu(II) atom in the anion lies on a twofold rotation axis. The tetra-chlorido-cuprate(II) anion adopts a flattened tetra-hedral coordination environment and inter-acts electrostatically with the tetra-methyl-guanidinium cation. The crystal packing is additionally consolidated through N-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, resulting in a three-dimensional network structure.

Crystal structure of catena-poly[N,N,N',N'-tetra-methyl-guanidinium [(chlorido-cadmate)-di-µ-chlorido]].

In the structure of the title salt, {(C5H14N3)[CdCl3]} n , the Cd(II) atom of the complex anion is five-coordinated by one terminal and four bridging Cl atoms. The corresponding coordination polyhedron is a distorted trigonal bipyramid, with Cd-Cl distances in the range 2.4829 (4)-2.6402 (4) Å. The bipyramids are condensed into a polyanionic zigzag chain extending parallel to [101]. The tetra-methyl-guanidinium cations are situated between the polyanionic chains and are linked to them through N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, forming a layered network parallel to (010).

Mobilisporobacter senegalensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic bacterium isolated from tropical shea cake.

A Gram-stain positive, endospore-forming, strictly anaerobic bacterium, designated strain Gal1T, was isolated from shea cake, a waste material from the production of shea butter, originating from Saraya, Senegal. The cells were rod-shaped, slightly curved, and motile with peritrichous flagella. The strain was oxidase-negative and catalase-negative. Growth was observed at temperatures ranging from 15 to 45 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 6.5-9.3 (optimum pH 7.8). The salinity range for growth was 0-3.5 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Yeast extract was required for growth. Strain Gal1T fermented various carbohydrates such as mannose, mannitol, arabinose, cellobiose, fructose, glucose, maltose, sucrose, trehalose and lactose and the major end-products were ethanol and acetate. The only major cellular fatty acid was C16 : 0 (19.6 %). The DNA base G+C content of strain Gal1T was 33.8 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that this strain was related to Mobilitalea sibirica DSM 26468T with 94.27 % similarity, Clostridium populeti ATTC 35295T with 93.94 % similarity, and Clostridium aminovalericum DSM 1283T and Anaerosporobacter mobilis DSM 15930T with 93.63 % similarity. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and the results of biochemical and physiological tests, strain Gal1T was clearly distinguished from closely related genera, and strain Gal1T can be assigned to a novel species of a new genus for which the name Mobilisporobacter senegalensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gal1T ( = DSM 26537T = JCM 18753T).

[Prevalence of smoking among 741 High school students from Dakar. Carbon monoxide measurement]. / Prevalence du tabagisme parmi 741 Lycéens de Dakar : Intérêt de la mesure du monoxide de carbone.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption is a net increase in our areas. In Senegal, as in other African countries, sponsorship of cultural and sporting events in schools promote tobacco use among schoolchildren. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of tobacco in the French School of Jean Mermoz of Dakar by a survey completed by a measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) in expired air. METHODS: seven hundred forty-one students (n = 402 girls and n = 339 boys), aged 11 to 18 years of French and African cultures, participated in the study. A questionnaire with several items of smoking has been distributed to them . Two weeks after the collection of questionnaires, the CO measuring for all students was conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking in High School was 23.1% and smoking was found more in boys according to the questionnaire and piCO+TM with 13.7% and 7.1% respectively. It affected over the upper age class or equal to fifteen years. The most mentioned reason for the initiation of smoking (45.4% of smokers) was curiosity with a need to be free, followed by the influence of the environment famial (44.4%) and friendly (20.5%). The measurement of carbon monoxide showed that 12.4% of our subjects had a smoking profile with 8% light smoking, 1% moderate smoking, and severe smoking was 3% of our students. A significant difference (p = 0.0021) between the two prevalences was found. CONCLUSION: The carbon monoxide intoxication by tobacco use is responsible for microcirculatory accidents such as tissue hypoxia, whereas smoking affects young students, in which the phenomenon is more precocious. Thus it is urgent to establish a policy of tobacco control in schools.

Crystal structure of (ferrocenylmeth-yl)di-methyl-ammonium hydrogen oxalate.

The crystal structure of the title salt, [Fe(C5H5)(C8H13N)](HC2O4), consists of discrete (ferrocenylmeth-yl)di-methyl-ammonium cations and hydrogen oxalate anions. The anions are connected through a strong O-H⋯O hydrogen bond, forming linear chains running parallel to [100]. The cations are linked to the anions through bifurcated N-H⋯(O,O') hydrogen bonds. Weak C-H⋯π inter-actions between neighbouring ferrocenyl moieties are also observed.

Sickle Cell Trait Worsens Oxidative Stress, Abnormal Blood Rheology, and Vascular Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: It is predicted that Africa will have the greatest increase in the number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) within the next decade. T2DM patients are at risk for cardiovascular disorders. In Sub-Saharan African countries, sickle cell trait (SCT) is frequent. Despite the presence of modest abnormalities in hemorheology and oxidative stress, SCT is generally considered a benign condition. Little is known about vascular function in SCT, although recent studies demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including venous thromboembolism, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. We hypothesized that SCT could accentuate the vascular dysfunction observed in T2DM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The current study, conducted in Senegal, compared vascular function, hemorheological profile, and biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and nitric oxide metabolism in healthy individuals (CONT), subjects with T2DM or SCT, and patients with both T2DM and SCT (T2DM-SCT). RESULTS: Flow-mediated dilation was blunted in individuals with T2DM, SCT, and T2DM-SCT compared with CONT, with vascular dysfunction being most pronounced in the latter group. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity measurements demonstrated increased arterial stiffness in T2DM-SCT. Oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, and inflammation (interleukin-1ß) were greater in patients with T2DM-SCT compared with the other groups. Blood viscosity was higher in individuals with TD2M, SCT carriers, and individuals with T2DM-SCT, and the values were further increased in the latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate severe biological abnormalities and marked vascular dysfunction in patients with both T2DM and SCT. SCT should be viewed as a risk factor for further cardiovascular disorders in individuals with T2DM.

Cardiopulmonary response to exercise in COPD and overweight patients: relationship between unloaded cycling and maximal oxygen uptake profiles.

Cardiopulmonary response to unloaded cycling may be related to higher workloads. This was assessed in male subjects: 18 healthy sedentary subjects (controls), 14 hypoxemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 31 overweight individuals (twelve were hypoxemic). They underwent an incremental exercise up to the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), preceded by a 2 min unloaded cycling period. Oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), and respiratory frequency (fR) were averaged every 10 s. At the end of unloaded cycling period, HR increase was significantly accentuated in COPD and hypoxemic overweight subjects (resp., +14 ± 2 and +13 ± 1.5 min(-1), compared to +7.5 ± 1.5 min(-1) in normoxemic overweight subjects and +8 ± 1.8 min(-1) in controls). The fR increase was accentuated in all overweight subjects (hypoxemic: +4.5 ± 0.8; normoxemic: +3.9 ± 0.7 min(-1)) compared to controls (+2.5 ± 0.8 min(-1)) and COPDs (+2.0 ± 0.7 min(-1)). The plateau VE increase during unloaded cycling was positively correlated with VE values measured at the ventilatory threshold and VO2max. Measurement of ventilation during unloaded cycling may serve to predict the ventilatory performance of COPD patients and overweight subjects during an exercise rehabilitation program.