Molecular composition of the alveolar lining fluid in the aging lung

As we age, there is an increased risk for the development of pulmonary diseases, including infections, but few studies have considered changes in lung surfactant and components of the innate immune system as contributing factors to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to succumb to infections. We and others have demonstrated that human alveolar lining fluid (ALF) components, such as surfactant protein (SP)-A, SP-D, complement protein C3, and alveolar hydrolases, play a significant innate immune role in controlling microbial infections. However, there is a lack of information regarding the effect of increasing age on the level and function of ALF components in the lung. Here we addressed this gap in knowledge by determining the levels of ALF components in the aging lung that are important in controlling infection. Our findings demonstrate that pro-inflammatory cytokines, surfactant proteins and lipids, and complement components are significantly altered in the aged lung in both mice and humans. Further, we show that the aging lung is a relatively oxidized environment. Our study provides new information on how the pulmonary environment in old age can potentially modify mucosal immune responses, thereby impacting pulmonary infections and other pulmonary diseases in the elderly population.     

Transmission of Schistosoma haematobium in the town of Niamey, Niger

Located in an area where Schistosoma haematobium is hyperendemic, the town of Niamey is a focus of hypoendemicity. The aim of the malacological follow-up studies undertaken over a one year period was the determination of the mollusc species present in the water bodies, the appreciation of their space-time distribution of the snail and to find out the potential seasons of transmission. The investigation applied to 22 sites of transmission in the urban community. Four molluscs species (Bulinus truncatus, B. forskalii, B. globosus and B. senegalensis) are collected. The first three species are present all the year long, with a peak of density in the dry season. The last species (B. senegalensis) is found only during the rainy season. B truncatus and B. senegalensis are the two naturally infested species. The main site of transmission is the river Niger. The ponds play a secondary role in the peripheral districts. The main intermediate host of S. haematobium is B. truncatus.     

Antipsychotic and sedative effects of the leaf extract of Crassocephalum bauchiense (Hutch.) Milne-Redh (Asteraceae) in rodents

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Crassocephalum bauchiense (Hutch.) Milne-Redh (Asteraceae) has been used as a medicine for the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, dementia and psychotic disorders in Cameroonian traditional medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was designed to examine whether the aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction prepared from the leaves of Crassocephalum bauchiense possess antipsychotic and sedative properties in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rectal temperature of mice was recorded with a probe thermometer at a constant depth. Novelty-induced rearing behavior is used to evaluate a central excitatory locomotor behavior in mice. The antipsychotic effects of the extracts were assessed using the apomorphine animal model of psychosis. The catalepsy test was tested based on the ability of the leaves extracts of Crassocephalum bauchiense to alter the duration of akinesia by placing the naive mice with both forelegs over a horizontal bar. The extracts of Crassocephalum bauchiense effects were evaluated on sodium pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. In addition, gamma-aminobutyric acid concentrations in the brain treated mice were also estimated. RESULTS: The aqueous extract and the alkaloid fraction from Crassocephalum bauchiense caused dose-dependent inhibition of novelty-induced rearing behavior, decreased the apomorphine-induced stereotypy and fighting, and had significant fall of the body temperature. The aqueous extract prolonged the sodium pentobarbital sleeping time. This prolongation was not reversed by bicuculline, a light-sensitive competitive antagonist of GABA(A) receptors complex. However, the effect of the aqueous extract on sodium pentobarbital-induced sleeping time was blocked by N-methyl-β-carboline-3-carboxamide, a partial inverse agonist of the benzodiazepine site in the GABA(A) receptor complex and flumazenil, a specific antagonist of the benzodiazepine site in the GABAA receptor complex. In biochemical experiments, the concentration of the inhibitory amino acid, gamma-aminobutyric acid, was significantly increased in the brain of animals treated with the aqueous extract of Crassocephalum bauchiense and sodium valproate. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the antipsychotic and sedative properties of Crassocephalum bauchiense are possibly mediated via the blockade of dopamine D-2 receptors and GABAergic activation, respectively. However, pharmacological and chemical studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for these neuropharmacological actions and also to identify the active substances present in the extracts of Crassocephalum bauchiense.     

Cancer incidence in Conakry,Guinea: first results from the cancer registry 1992–1995

We have registered 2,064 cases of cancer among the inhabitants of Conakry, Guinea, during 1992–1994, corresponding to age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) of 83.3 per 100,000 in men and 110.5 per 100,000 in women. As elsewhere in West Africa, the principal cancer of men was liver cancer (ASR 32.6), with modest rates of stomach (ASR 6.2) and prostate (ASR 8.1) cancers. In women, cervix cancer was the dominant malignancy (ASR 46.0), followed by liver cancer (ASR 12.5) and breast cancer (ASR 10.9). In contrast to contemporary East and Central Africa, Kaposi's sarcoma remained rare (only 4 cases). In the childhood age group, relatively high incidence rates were found for Hodgkin's disease, Burkitt's lymphoma and, especially, retinoblastoma. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Use of disposable prism tonometry in routine clinical practice

AIM: To establish the reliability, efficacy, and safety of disposable prism tonometry and validate its routine use for screening as well as monitoring of glaucoma. METHODOLOGY: Intraocular pressure (IOP) of 400 eyes of 200 consecutive patients who attended the general ophthalmic clinic was checked with both the Goldmann applanation tonometer and a disposable tonometer prism by an experienced examiner after obtaining informed consent. The data were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The mean difference in the IOP between the two types of prisms was 0.1 mmHg (SD+/-1 mmHg). CONCLUSION: Disposable prism tonometry provides a reliable, effective, and safe alternative to Goldmann reusable prism tonometry for routine screening as well as monitoring of glaucoma with the advantages of eliminating the need for chemical disinfection and therefore eliminating the risk of crossinfection.     

新疆南疆地区羊口疮病毒的分离鉴定及其遗传进化分析

为确定新疆喀什等地区羊场发生的疑似羊口疮(ORF)的病原,利用GSFs细胞从送检的羊口鼻痂皮中分离获得的毒株,通过PCR鉴定确定该病原为羊口疮病毒(ORFV),命名为ORFV/XJ-NJ/2017/China株。然后对该分离株的B2L基因和ORFV121基因进行克隆,测序,并与其它ORFV序列进行遗传进化分析。结果表明:ORFV/XJ-NJ/2017/China的B2L基因全长为1097bp,编码365个氨基酸,ORFV121基因长889bp,编码296个氨基酸,与Gen Bank中收录的其他ORFV流行株相比,B2L基因核苷酸的同源性为94.7%~98.5%,与疫苗株的核苷酸同源性为97%,推导的氨基酸同源性为95%~97%,;ORFV121基因核苷酸的同源性为93.6%~99.1%,推导的氨基酸同源性87.7~98%。利用软件构建系统进化树分析,根据B2L基因遗传进化树分析结果表明,该分离株与印度分离株亲缘关系最近;由ORFV121基因遗传进化分析结果表明,该分离株与我国NA1/11分离株亲缘关系最近.根据B2L基因和ORFV121基因的遗传进化分析,其分离得到的病毒株可能是国内外流行重组后产生的一个变异株,为羊口疮病毒的后续研究提供依据。     

Anatomic variation: absence of portal vein bifurcation

Purpose  

To describe in CT scan the absence of a portal vein bifurcation.