[Hemogram profile and interest of pre-donation hemoglobin measurement in blood donors in the northwest region of Morocco]. / Profil de l'hémogramme et intérêt de la mesure de l'hémoglobine pré-don chez des donneurs de sang de la région Nord-Ouest du Maroc.

BACKGROUND: Blood donation in Morocco and more particularly in the northwest region is carried out without prior determination of the pre-donation hemoglobin. In addition, we note the lack of scientific research that reports data on the red blood cells, leukocytes and platelet lines in donated blood at the regional or even national level. AIMS: To study hemogram profile in blood donors taken from the Northwest region of Morocco in order to provide decision makers of the National Center of Blood Transfusion and Hematology with valid scientific arguments to complete the criteria to donate whole blood, by the hemogram. METHODS: Prospective study, conducted in 15797 volunteer blood donors (BD) aged between 18 and 60 years, collected during mobile or fixed collections carried out by the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Tangier and Tetouan from November 2014 to May 2016. The hemogram was performed using a Sysmex KX21N® and the analysis of the data was done by the software SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: According to the World Health Organization, anemia corresponds to a hemoglobin level less than 12g/dL in women and less than 13g/dL in men. We found that 14.5 % of women (n=1054) and 3.0 % of men (n=245) were anemic and anemia was hypochromic microcytic in 58,66 % of these BD. Analysis of the white line showed leucopenia in 2.05 % of BD and 807 cases of leukocytosis (5.27 % of BD). Platelet study showed thrombocytopenia in 3.97 % of BD and thrombocytosis in 151BD (0.99 % of cases). CONCLUSION: This study shows the interest of systematic pre-donation hemoglobin measurement and periodic realization of the hemogram among BD in the Northwest region of Morocco.

Polymorphisms of HLA-A, -B, -Cw and DRB1 antigens in Moroccan patients with ankylosing spondylitis and a comparison of clinical features with frequencies of HLA-B*27.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is very often associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA), particularly HLA-B*27. However, the strength of this association and clinical features may vary in different ethnic groups. Our study aims to assess the distribution of HLA-A, -B, -Cw and DRB1 alleles in Moroccan patients with AS and to compare the clinical features of AS and the frequencies of HLA-B27 in patients from Morocco with other series. Seventy-five patients diagnosed with AS and assessed for clinical manifestations were selected and compared to 100 healthy controls. HLA class I and II antigens were typed by polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific oligonucleotide. HLA-B27 subtypes were studied by polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers. HLA-B27 was found in 64% of patients. It was positively associated with younger age at disease onset, family history, and uveitis while it had a negative association with late onset. Six B*27 subtypes were identified in the AS group. HLA-B*2705 and B*2702 were the most common observed subtypes. Among other HLA genes, a significant increase in the prevalence of HLA-Cw*02 and HLA-DRB*15 was found in AS patients. HLA-B27 is involved in the predisposition of AS in the Moroccan population. HLA-B*2705 and B*2702 were the predominant subtypes supporting previous reports in Caucasian spondyloarthropathies. Other HLA genes, HLA-Cw*02 and HLA-DRB1*15, seem to confer predisposing effect to the disease. However, the lower frequency of HLA-B27 compared to the literature in our study suggests the existence of different genetic and/or environmental factors in Morocco.

Expression of daily torpor in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) is correlated with the testosterone-driven vasopressin content in the lateral septum.

In the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), torpor bouts appear after exposure to short photoperiods (SP) for 11 weeks. Castration accelerates the occurrence of daily torpor when performed between the 1st week before and the 4th week after transfer to SP. In animals castrated 8 weeks before transfer to SP, daily torpor was observed nearly at the same time as in the control group. Vasopressin-immunoreactivity (VP-ir) in the lateral septum (LS) of the Djungarian hamster was examined. Dense VP-ir was seen in sexually active and in sexually inactive hamsters implanted with testosterone (T) capsules. No VP-ir could be detected in sexually inactive animals. Thus, the presence of VP-ir in the LS depends on circulating T levels. In control animals exposed to SP, complete disappearance of VP-ir in the LS was observed after 8 weeks. Castration on the day of transfer to SP reduced this period to 6 weeks. In these animals, the early occurrence of daily torpor is related to the quick disappearance of VP-ir in the LS. When castrated animals were maintained under long photoperiods the disappearance of VP-ir was not complete. However, VP-ir disappeared completely after transfer to SP. The results suggest that the SP message acts on daily torpor indirectly via testicular regression but also 'directly' via VP septal innervation.

Effects of 5-HT denervation of the suprachiasmatic nuclei or lesions of the median raphe nucleus on daily torpor in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus.

In the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus), using 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (a specific neurotoxin), depletion of the serotonin (5-HT) fibers innervating the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) was performed in animals displaying torpor bouts. The characteristics of postoperative torpor bouts in lesioned hamsters were similar to those observed before the denervation. 5-HT innervation of the SCN thus seems unnecessary for the expression and temporal organization of daily torpor. After chemical or thermic lesions of the 5-HT neurons of the anterior median raphe nucleus (MR) in hamsters displaying torpor bouts, the phenomenon of torpor was not prevented. In addition, hamsters lesioned on the day of transfer to short photoperiod (SP) displayed their first torpor bouts after the same duration of SP exposure as intact hamsters. These results suggest that, contrary to what is observed in hibernation, 5-HT neurons of the anterior part of the MR are not involved in the mechanisms governing the occurrence and seasonal timing of daily torpor.

Effects of the 5-HT1a receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT and other non-photic stimuli on the circadian rhythm of wheel-running activity in hamsters under different constant conditions.

Our findings show that administration of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-[di-n-propylamino] tetralin) was able to induce significant phase-advances 4 h before onset of hamster locomotor activity under constant darkness. All other non-photic treatments applied such as melatonin, dimethyl sulphoxide, Ringer, saline or enforced wheel-running failed to induce any significant phase-advances. Similar results were obtained in pinealectomized animals. In constant light (LL), all treatments produced phase-advances. These results show that: (1) LL seems to be an inappropriate constant condition to study the chronobiological effect of drugs or other non-photic stimuli; (2) the endogenous circadian pacemaker (SCN) can be affected specifically by 8-OH-DPAT.

Regional differences in testosterone effects on vasopressin receptors and on vasopressin immunoreactivity in intact and castrated Siberian hamsters.

Vasopressin binding sites were detected in the brain of the Siberian hamster, using [3H]vasopressin and a 125I-labelled linear vasopressin antagonist specific for V1 vasopressin receptors. In the ventromedial and premammillary nuclei, the density of the binding was lower in the females than in the males. The effect of castration and of testosterone replacement was assessed in males. Two distinct effects were observed. Orchidectomy diminished significantly the vasopressin binding in the ventromedial nucleus, an effect which was prevented by implantation of a mini-pump releasing testosterone. On the contrary, in the premammillary nucleus no significant differences were noticed following castration and testosterone treatment. In addition, vasopressin immunoreactivity was examined in males, in females and in castrated males. No sex differences were evident. However, in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the lateral septal nucleus, castration decreased vasopressin immunoreactivity in either sex. This effect of castration was prevented by testosterone. Vasopressin immunoreactivity was detected neither in the ventromedial nor in the premammillary hypothalamic nuclei. Our observations suggest that, in adult Siberian hamster premammillary nucleus, the expression of vasopressin receptors is not controlled by gonadal steroids but is sex related and could be induced during fetal or early postnatal life.

Effects of temperature, steroids and castration on daily torpor in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

1. In Phodopus sungorus the frequency and characteristics of daily torpor were not affected by a decrease in temperature. The seasonal cycle of daily torpor is essentially under photoperiodic control. 2. Testicular regression is a necessary condition for daily torpor occurrence. Testosterone and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone administration totally inhibited daily torpor in hamsters which were exposed to short days. The temporal inhibition of torpor by steroids had no effect on the seasonal time measuring mechanism governing daily torpor. 3. Castration influenced certain aspects of the daily torpor display. Castrated hamsters showed a delay in terminating torpor season lending further support to the hypothesis that recrudescence of the testis plays a role in terminating the daily torpor season. Castration, when performed before or on the day of transfer to short photoperiod led to an increase in the frequency of torpor bouts and reduce SP exposure duration which is necessary for the daily torpor season beginning.

Daily torpor in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus): photoperiodic regulation, characteristics and circadian organization.

1. The daily torpor was measured by oxygen uptake in Djungarian hamsters during adaptation to a short photoperiod (SP: 10L, 14D) at 20 degrees C. In these constant conditions the torpor presented metabolic characteristics and a daily time course independent of the duration of adaptations to SP. 2. The frequency of torpor bouts increased during SP exposure and its maximum was reached after about 130 days. The frequency of torpor was greater in males than in females. 3. The incidence of torpor was increased by constant dark exposure and this is discussed as a protective mechanism for the individual animal's ability to survive. 4. The temporal organization of daily torpor was demonstrated to be directly synchronized by the day-night cycle and to be controlled by an endogenous circadian function.