Building and strengthening capacity for cardiovascular research in Africa through technical training workshops: a report of the joint course on health research methods by the Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy and the Ivorian Society of Cardiology

PubMed Central

Dzekem, Bonaventure Suiru; Abanda, Martin; Dzudie, Anastase; Kacou, Jean Baptiste Anzouan; Kramoh, Euloge; Yapobi, Yves; Kingue, Samuel; Dzudie, Anastase; Kengne, Andre Pascal

2017-01-01

Summary Africa bears a quarter of the global burden of disease but contributes less than 2% of the global research publications on health, partially due to a lack of expertise and skills to carry out scientific research. We report on a short course on research methods organised by the Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy (CRENC) during the third international congress of the Ivorian Cardiac Society (SICARD) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Results from the pre- and post-test evaluation during this course showed that African researchers could contribute more to scientific research and publications, provided adequate support and investment is geared towards the identification and training of motivated early-career scientists. PMID:29144534

Zones of Difference, Boundaries of Access: Moral Geography and Community Mapping in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Thomann, Matthew

2016-01-01

In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 18% of men who have sex with men (MSM) are HIV-positive. Based on ethnographic research conducted among HIV peer educators and activists in Abidjan, I examine their narratives and hand-drawn maps of city space. I draw on a methodological process of map-making to examine research participants' evaluations of neighborhoods and link these evaluations to debates over national and cultural belonging in Côte d'Ivoire. I suggest a moral geography emerges from the maps and narratives and ask what the bioethical implications of moral geography are in the context of service delivery and activism among sexual minorities.

HEALTH SURVEY INCLUDING SELECTED BLOOD PARAMETERS IN THE AFRICAN SLENDER SNOUTED CROCODILE (MECISTOPS CATAPHRACTUS) AT THE ABIDJAN ZOO IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE.

PubMed

Bradford, Carol; Eschenbrenner, Matt

2017-06-01

The Zoo National d'Abidjan (Abidjan Zoo) in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, holds the world's largest captive population of African slender-snouted crocodiles (Mecistops cataphractus, formerly Crocodylus cataphractus), at 36 adults, 16 yearlings, and 23 hatchlings. Twelve yearling and 12 adult slender-snouted crocodiles at the Abidjan Zoo were restrained for physical exam, body condition scoring, and venipuncture in September 2015. Blood samples collected from the supravertebral venous sinus were analyzed using a handheld blood analyzer (Abaxis® I-stat, Abaxis, Inc., Union City, California 94587, USA) with Chem8+ cartridges (CLIAwaived, Inc., San Diego, California 92130, USA). The adult crocodiles appeared in good general health and demonstrated blood values similar to those of other reptiles. The yearlings had low, ionized calcium values and low hematocrit and hemoglobin levels compared with the adult crocodiles and to other crocodile reference ranges. These findings may dramatically improve the health of the crocodiles and help to ensure a thriving captive population of this critically endangered species.

Groundwater vulnerability in the District of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kouame, Agnes; Jaboyedoff, Michel; Derron, Marc-Henri; Tacher, Laurent

2014-05-01

The District of Abidjan, located on the coastal sedimentary basin south of Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa) covers an area of 2,1 km2. This sedimentary basin is composed of continuous groundwater aquifers in Quaternary, Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous rocks. Our study focuses on the unconfined Quaternary groundwater called the Continental Terminal which formations are composed mainly of lenticular stratification of coarse sands, clays, ferruginous sandstone and iron ore. This Continental Terminal aquifer is the main source of drinking water for the city of Abidjan. Indeed, the city of Abidjan is facing various pollution problems such as illegal dumping of household waste, waste oils garages, domestic and industrial wastewater, gas stations, public discharge Akouédo and the spill of approximately 500 tons of toxic waste from the ship "Probo Koala" the night of 19 August 2006. These toxic wastes have killed more than 10 people and several infections. The infiltration of these contaminants under the influence of rainwater in the basement is a serious threat to groundwater from the District of Abidjan especially as the rains are very strong in this part of the country. What would be the fate of pollutants such as organochlorines, hydrogen sulfide, sulfides and hydrocarbons contained in toxic waste, knowing that this aquifer is the main source of supply of drinking water to the city of Abidjan? It therefore seems necessary to study the vulnerability of groundwater of Abidjan District. The overall objective of this study is to assess the risk of groundwater contamination by organochlorines, sulfides, hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons. This project is to develop groundwater flow and contaminant transport models such as organochlorines models, hydrogen sulfide and sulfides with two digital codes, Visual Modflow and Feflow. Then several scenarios with different pollutants are finally made to realize maps of groundwater vulnerability from Abidjan to these contaminants.

The Equity Impact of Public Finance of Private Education Provision in Cote d'Ivoire

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sakellariou, Chris; Patrinos, Harry Anthony

2009-01-01

The equity effects of public subsidization of private schools in Cote d'Ivoire are analyzed. The subsidy per student in private (and public) schools increases as one goes to higher household per capita expenditure groups. Students from families in the highest expenditure quartile receive twice the subsidy received by students from families in the…

Using a Software Package to Publish EAD Encoded Finding Aids: A Practical Approach and Gradual Implementation at the Archives Departementales de la Cote-d'Or, France

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Devarrewaere, Anthony; Roelly, Aude

2005-01-01

The Archives Departementales de la Cote-d'Or chose as a priority for its automation plan the acquisition of a search engine, to publish online archival descriptions and the library catalogue. The Archives deliberately opted for a practical approach, using for the encoding of the finding aids an automatic data export from an archival management…

Mass concentration, optical depth and carbon composition of particulate matter in the major southern West African cities of Cotonou (Benin) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djossou, Julien; Léon, Jean-François; Barthélemy Akpo, Aristide; Liousse, Cathy; Yoboué, Véronique; Bedou, Mouhamadou; Bodjrenou, Marleine; Chiron, Christelle; Galy-Lacaux, Corinne; Gardrat, Eric; Abbey, Marcellin; Keita, Sékou; Bahino, Julien; Touré N'Datchoh, Evelyne; Ossohou, Money; Awanou, Cossi Norbert

2018-05-01

Air quality degradation is a major issue in the large conurbations on the shore of the Gulf of Guinea. We present for the first time PM2.5 time series collected in Cotonou, Benin, and Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from February 2015 to March 2017. Measurements were performed in the vicinity of major combustion aerosol sources: Cotonou/traffic (CT), Abidjan/traffic (AT), Abidjan/landfill (AL) and Abidjan/domestic fires (ADF). We report the weekly PM2.5 mass and carbonaceous content as elemental (EC) and organic (OC) carbon concentrations. We also measure the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and the Ångström exponent in both cities. The average PM2.5 mass concentrations were 32 ± 32, 32 ± 24 and 28 ± 19 µg m-3 at traffic sites CT and AT and landfill site AL, respectively. The domestic fire site shows a concentration of 145 ± 69 µg m-3 due to the contribution of smoking and roasting activities. The highest OC and EC concentrations were also measured at ADF at 71 ± 29 and 15 ± 9 µg m-3, respectively, while the other sites present OC concentration between 8 and 12 µg m-3 and EC concentrations between 2 and 7 µg m-3. The OC / EC ratio is 4.3 at CT and 2.0 at AT. This difference highlights the influence of two-wheel vehicles using gasoline in Cotonou compared to that of four-wheel vehicles using diesel fuel in Abidjan. AOD was rather similar in both cities, with a mean value of 0.58 in Cotonou and of 0.68 in Abidjan. The seasonal cycle is dominated by the large increase in surface mass concentration and AOD during the long dry season (December-February) as expected due to mineral dust advection and biomass burning activities. The lowest concentrations are observed during the short dry season (August-September) due to an increase in surface wind speed leading to a better ventilation. On the other hand, the high PM2.5 / AOD ratio in the short wet season (October-November) indicates the stagnation of local pollution.

[Neonatal and child tetanus morbidity and mortality in the University hospitals of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (2001-2010)].

PubMed

Aba, Y T; Cissé, L; Abalé, A K; Diakité, I; Koné, D; Kadiané, J; Diallo, Z; Kra, O; Oulaï, S; Bissagnéné, E

2016-08-01

The lack of data on neonatal tetanus and children in university hospitals (UH) in Abidjan for over a decade has motivated the realization of this study. The objective of this study is to evaluate the morbidity and mortality related to neonatal tetanus (NT) and child tetanus (CT) in Abidjan University Hospital from 2001 to 2010. It is a retrospective study, multicenter analysis with records of newborns and children suffering from tetanus in the three UH of Abidjan. The collection and analysis of data were made by the SPHINX 4.5 and EPI.INFO 6.0 software. In ten years, 242 cases of tetanus (53 NT cases and 189 CT cases) were collected with a predominance of cases after the fifth year of life (59.5%). The incidence rate of NT was less than 1 case per 1,000 live births. All mothers of the newborns were inhabiting the city of Abidjan. Their median age was 19 years [16-32] and 64% were teenagers. Gateways were dominated by umbilical wounds (77.3%) in the NTand skin wounds (59%) in CT. The cure rate was 30.2% in the NT and 60% in the CT. Lethality was 60% for NT and 22% for CT with a positive correlation with young age (neonates: p = 4.10-7, age <5 years: p = 0.01), lack of intraspinal injection of tetanus serum (p = 8.10-6), the absence of conventional antibiotic therapy (p = 0.023), the existence of metabolic complications (p = 2.10-5), the score of ≥ 4 Dakar (p = 0.005). Tetanus remains a real morbidly cause among children in Abidjan University Hospital with high lethality. However, the incidence of NT seems consistent with the incidence threshold desired by WHO.

27 CFR 12.31 - List of approved names by country.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., Chateau Yquem, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Chenas, Chevalier-Montrachet, Chiroubles, Clos de la Roche, Clos de Vougeot, Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Cote de Beaune, Cote de Beaune-Villages, Cote de Brouilly, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Nuits-Villages, Cote Rotie, Coteaux du Layon, Cotes du Rhone, Echezeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers...

27 CFR 12.31 - List of approved names by country.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

..., Chateau Yquem, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Chenas, Chevalier-Montrachet, Chiroubles, Clos de la Roche, Clos de Vougeot, Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Cote de Beaune, Cote de Beaune-Villages, Cote de Brouilly, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Nuits-Villages, Cote Rotie, Coteaux du Layon, Cotes du Rhone, Echezeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers...

Parametric study of the impact of waste pollutants on groundwater: the case of Abidjan District (Ivory Coast)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnès Kouamé, Amenan; Jaboyedoff, Michel; Tacher, Laurent; Derron, Marc-Henri; Franz, Martin

2015-04-01

Abidjan like numerous African cities is experiencing a significant and uncontrolled population growth. The annual growth rate is estimated at 3.99% by the National Institute of Statistics. This rapid population growth also generates growing needs in general and especially for drinking water and economic activities. In the District of Abidjan, groundwater comes from the Mio-Pliocene age aquifer called "Continental Terminal". This unconfined aquifer is the main source of water supply. Its lithology consists of four levels. Actually only the two upper levels outcrop and constitute the main part of the Continental Terminal aquifer. Some recent studies report a potential overexploitation and pollution of Abidjan groundwater (Jourda, 1986, Kouame 2007, Deh, 2013). This deterioration in water quality could be due to the release of domestic and industrial waste water, pesticide and fertilizer from crops and toxic waste sites containing high doses of organochlorines, of hydrogen sulfide and sulfides. This risk is also linked to the economic activities such as car workshops, gas stations and the sand exploitation in the lagoon. To observe the likely evolution of such contaminants in the subsurface and we developed hydrogeological models that couple groundwater flow and transport with FEFLOW software. The model is composed of a sandy layer where two constant hydraulic heads of 55 m and 0.2 m are imposed on the north and the south respectively. We carried out grain size analysis of some samples (E2, E3, E4, E5, and E6) which shows particle size ranging between 0.0001 mm and 8 mm. This grain size analysis performed by sieving underwater and laser indicates that these five soils are: loamy sand with traces of clay and gravel for E2 and E5; Sandy loam with traces of clay for E3; Sand with traces of clay and gravel for E4 and Sand with traces of silt and clay for E6. Their porosity and average values of permeability coefficient K measured in the laboratory range from 0.2 to 0.4 and 2.9E-8 and 2.48E-5 m/s, respectively. These values of permeability are low. They were therefore multiplied by 10 in order to calibrate the model. This suggests that the environment of deposition of the sands is heterogeneous with coarse sand channels in places as it can be expected in such lagoon environment. The result of the model simulation in steady state indicates the groundwater flow direction (North-South) and the approach of pollutants plumes to some well fields after 20 years. References: Deh S. K. (2013). Contributions de l'évaluation de la vulnérabilité spécifique aux nitrates et d'un modèle de transport des organochlorés a la protection des eaux souterraines du district d'Abidjan (sud de la Côte d'Ivoire) 230p. Jourda J. P. (1987). Contribution à l'étude géologique et hydrogéologique de la région du Grand Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). Thèse de doctorat de 3ème cycle, Université scientifique, technique et médicale de Grenoble, 319p. Kouamé K. J. (2007). Contribution à la Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eaux (GIRE) du District d'Abidjan (Sud de la Côte d'Ivoire) : Outils d'aide à la décision pour la prévention et la protection des eaux souterraines contre la pollution, Thèse de doctorat unique de l'Université de Cocody, 229p.

[Herpetological data and management of ophidian envenomation at university hospitals in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire].

PubMed

Djohan, V; Menan, E I H; Yavo, W; Barro, P C K; Vanga, H; Dempah, J A; N'Dri, D K; Mignonsin, D; Akaffou, M H; Koné, K

2010-02-01

This study was carried in the intensive care units of Abidjan university hospitals and in the herpetology department of Pasteur Institute between January 2001 and April 2003. The purpose was to identify ophidian species that were dangerous for man and to document cases of snakebite in Abidjan. The study was carried out in two phases, i.e., collection and identification of snake species followed by review of case records involving snake envenomation at Cocody and Treichville university hospitals. A total of 5 snake families, 14 genera and 17 species including some that were dangerous for man were identified. All species except Naja nigricollis live in forest areas. Most snakebites led to simple clinical signs that regressed within 72 hours with only symptomatic treatment. However, a few cases required immunotherapy. Traditional methods of snakebite treatment were used for first line treatment in 50% of cases.

Simulation of the transfer of hydrocarbons in unconfined aquifer in tropical zone: the case of benzene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnès Kouamé, Amenan; Jaboyedoff, Michel; Derron, Marc-Henri; Kouamé, Kan Jean

2016-04-01

Groundwater is the largest global reserves of continental freshwater (Bosca, 2002) and also an important source of drinking water in many parts of the world (Brassington. 2007). However, this resource is today threatened by pollution such as inadequate supply of drinking water services, inaccessibility and / or dilapidated sanitation facilities and excessive use fertilizers, and industrial wastewater and solid waste pesticides (Boubacar, 2010) and the rapid urbanization in great cities (Foster, 2001). Abidjan, the largest city in Côte d'Ivoire is also facing pollution problems such as illegal dumping of waste, waste oil spilled garages, land application of domestic and industrial wastewater, automotive workshops, overexploitation of sand in the Ebrié lagoon, open waste dump of Akouédo and the spill of about 400,000 liters of toxic waste from the ship "Probo Koala" in August 2006. The Abidjan aquifer or the Continental terminal aquifer is the main source of supply drinking water. It is mainly composed of sandy and it is an unconfined aquifer as a whole (Jourda, 1987). According to Gilli and al., (2012), the recharge of unconfined aquifers comes mostly from the infiltration of surface water including rainwater. These waters on their transport in the basement could carry certain pollutants into groundwater. Kouamé (2007) reports a potential groundwater pollution of the "Continental terminal" aquifer in Abidjan. In addition to the cases cited pollution, there has been a proliferation of service stations in the district of Abidjan and this can cause possible pollution. We deemed it necessary to conduct a study on the groundwater pollution of Abidjan by oil in general. We chose benzene to simulate organic pollution in case of accident. To observe the likely evolution of such contaminants in the subsurface, we developed hydrogeological models that couple groundwater flow and benzene transport with FEFLOW software in steady and transient states. The models are composed of two layers. The first layer is composed of clay sands and the second layer of coarse sands with the hydraulic conductivity respectively 1.10-5 and 5.10-4 m / s. The simulation of 400 mg / l of benzene for 50 years in transient state shows that the plume infiltrates down to 105 m, very closed to the saturated zone. References Bosca, C., (2002). Groundwater law and administration of sustainable development, Medit Mag, Science, Training & Technology 2, 13-17. Boubakar A. H. (2010). Aquifères superficiels et profonds et pollution urbaine en Afrique : Cas de la communauté urbaine de Niamey (Niger). Brassington R., (2007). Field hydrogeology. The geological field guide series. 264p. Foster S. S. D., (2001). The interdependence of groundwater and urbanisation in rapidly developing cities. Urban water 3(185-192). Gilli E., Mangan C and Mudry J. (2012). Hydrogéologie : Objets, méthodes, applications. 3 ème édition Dunod. 340p. Jourda J. P. (1987). Contribution à l'étude géologique et hydrogéologique de la région du Grand Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). Thèse de doctorat de 3ème cycle, Université scientifique, technique et médicale de Grenoble, 319 p. Kouamé K. J. (2007). Contribution à la Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eaux (GIRE) du District d'Abidjan (Sud de la Côte d'Ivoire) : Outils d'aide à la décision pour la prévention et la protection des eaux souterraines contre la pollution, Thèse de doctorat unique de l'Université de Cocody, 229p.

Attitude of pregnant women towards HIV testing in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. DITRAME Study Group (ANRS 049 Clinical Trial). Diminution de la Transmission Mère Enfant du VIH. Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA.

PubMed

Cartoux, M; Msellati, P; Meda, N; Welffens-Ekra, C; Mandelbrot, L; Leroy, V; Van de Perre, P; Dabis, F

1998-12-03

To evaluate the attitude of pregnant women towards HIV testing in two cities of West Africa: Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. In the context of a clinical trial to prevent HIV vertical transmission, HIV counselling and testing was offered systematically to women attending antenatal clinics. Informed consent was obtained and test results were given anonymously. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with refusal for testing and failure to return for test results. A total of 9724 pregnant women were interviewed from January 1995 to September 1996. In Abidjan (n=5766) and Bobo-Dioulasso (n=3958), 78 and 92.4% of the women consented to HIV testing, respectively, and 58.4 and 81.8% of them returned for the test results disclosure, respectively. In the two sites, the counsellors themselves and high educational level of the women appeared to be related to refusal of the test, whereas last trimester gestation was associated with failure to return for test results. In Abidjan, foreigners and employees were more likely to refuse testing, and HIV-infected women were three times less likely to return for results than uninfected women. Future implementation of interventions to reduce vertical transmission of HIV that require antenatal HIV testing and counselling will have to solve issue of acceptability of HIV testing by pregnant women.

Maritime Claims Reference Manual.

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-01-01

63 Cape Verde 2-78 Chile 2-82 China 2-86 Colombia 2-92 Comoros 2-97 Congo 2-98 Cook Islands 2-99 Costa Rica 2-101 CoteD’lvore 2-104...continental shelf. VII. MARITIME BOUNDARIES 1881 Agreement Boundary agreement with Chile delimiting Tierra del Fuego and Straits of Magellan. Feb74...Agreement Maritime boundary agreement with Uruguay EIF. SeeLISNo.64. May 85 Agreement Agreement with Chile delimiting a boundary in and seaward of

Complementary feeding adequacy in relation to nutritional status among early weaned breastfed children who are born to HIV-infected mothers: ANRS 1201/1202 Ditrame Plus, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Becquet, Renaud; Leroy, Valériane; Ekouevi, Didier K; Viho, Ida; Castetbon, Katia; Fassinou, Patricia; Dabis, François; Timite-Konan, Marguerite

2006-04-01

In high HIV prevalence resource-constrained settings, exclusive breastfeeding with early cessation is one of the conceivable interventions aimed at the prevention of HIV through breast milk. Nevertheless, this intervention has potential adverse effects, such as the inappropriateness of complementary feeding to take over breast milk. The purpose of our study first was to describe the nature and the ages of introduction of complementary feeding among early weaned breastfed infants up to their first birthday and second was to assess the nutritional adequacy of these complementary foods by creating a child feeding index and to investigate its association with child nutritional status. A prospective cohort study in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, was conducted in HIV-infected pregnant women who were willing to breastfeed and had received a perinatal antiretroviral prophylaxis. They were requested to practice exclusive breastfeeding and initiate early cessation of breastfeeding from the fourth month to reduce breast milk HIV transmission. Nature and ages of introductory complementary feeding were described in infants up to their first birthday by longitudinal compilation of 24-hour and 7-day recall histories. These recalls were done weekly until 6 weeks of age, monthly until 9 months of age, and then quarterly. We created an index to synthesize the nutritional adequacy of infant feeding practices (in terms of quality of the source of milk, dietary diversity, food, and meal frequencies) ranging from 0 to 12. The association of this feeding index with growth outcomes in children was investigated. Among the 262 breastfed children included, complete cessation of breastfeeding occurred in 77% by their first birthday, with a median duration of 4 months. Most of the complementary foods were introduced within the seventh month of life, except for infant food and infant formula that were introduced at age 4 months. The feeding index was relatively low (5 of 12) at age 6 months, mainly as a result of insufficient dietary diversity, but was improved in the next 6 months (8.5 of 12 at 12 months of age). Inadequate complementary feeding at age 6 months was associated with impaired growth during the next 12 months, with a 37% increased probability of stunting. Adequate feeding practices around the weaning period are crucial to achieving optimal child growth. HIV-infected women should turn to early cessation of breastfeeding only when they are counseled properly to provide adequate complementary feeding to take over breast milk. Our child feeding index could contribute to the assessment of the nutritional adequacy of complementary feeding around the weaning period and therefore help to detect children who are at risk for malnutrition.

Decision Lists for Lexical Ambiguity Resolution: Application to Accent Restoration in Spanish and French

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-01

and compute a table of accent pa t tern distributions as follows: De -accented Form Accent Pat tern cesse cesse cessd cout cofit couta coute...c6td du laisser de cote faute de temps (1) c6td appeler l’ autre cote de l’ at lantique (1) c6td passe de notre cote de la frontiere (2) cSte...vivre sur notre cote ouest toujours verte (2) c6te creer sur la cote du labrador des (2) cSte travaillaient cote a cote , ils avaient The training

A Nation Struggling To Identify Itself Cote d’Ivoire As A Neopatrimonial State

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-04-01

Both cocoa and coffee are labor intensive crops. Therefore in order to produce a larger crop and cultivate a greater area of the land, Houphouet...also Houphouet- Boigny’s prosperity was cocoa . Cote d’Ivoire was the world’s largest producer of cocoa accounting for just over 40% of the world’s...or coffee- cocoa stabilization fund controlled by the government that was meant to ensure stable prices even to producers even if the world price

Organizational and operational capabilities of specialist centres for children with psychomotor disability in Abidjan.

PubMed

Alloh, D; Nandjui, B; Bombo, J; Manou, B; Twoolys, A; Alloukou, R; Ake, N; Konate-Konan, E; Pillah, L; Coulibaly, A

2009-06-01

To describe the organizational and operational capabilities of specialized centres for children with psychomotor disability in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire. This descriptive study was carried out from February to May, 2006 at the various specialized centres for children with psychomotor disability that exist in the district of Abidjan. The procedure comprised a clinical description of the disabled children admitted to these centres and an assessment of the centres' organization and operational capabilities. Six specialist centres for children with psychomotor disability were identified, namely the Infant Guidance Centre, the Awakening and Stimulation Centre for disabled Children, the "Sainte-Magdeleine" Centre, the Medical and Training Institute, the "Page Blanche" institute and the "Colombes Notre Dame de la Paix" Centre. Among the children, 97.15% were day patients, 66.37% were mentally challenged, 30.96% had psychomotor impairment and 2.66% had motor impairments. The level of organization varied but the centres nevertheless had operational administrative, medical and paramedical staff, despite the absence of certain specialties. However, the lack of personnel, equipment and infrastructure is hindering the delivery of adequate services to the children. In Abidjan District, reception centres for children with psychomotor impairments are essentially privately run. Organizational and operational performances were suboptimal, with a low carer-to-patient ratio. Reinforcement of the centres' operational capabilities appears to be necessary.

An innovative fast-track development for Cote d`Ivoire

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kreider, G.J.; Barnes, J.E.; Smitherman, J.E.

1996-12-31

In May, 1994, approval was received for the development of the Panthere Gas Field and Lion Oil Field by UMC Petroleum Corporation as operator. At that time, UMC had drilled one well from a jackup at Panthere in 270 feet of water and had set a guyed caisson. Following the Panthere gas discovery, the Lion oil discovery well was drilled in 235 feet of water and another guyed caisson was set. Paragon Engineering Services had been hired in late 1993 to develop project scenarios and cost estimates and as the project evolved, detailed engineering, procurement and construction management services. Productionmore » equipment for 30,000 BOPD, 16,000 BWPD and 75 MMSCFD was to be installed on a jackup drilling rig converted to a Mobile Offshore Production Unit (MOPU) located at the Lion A caisson. Production from Panthere would flow through an 8-inch line to the MOPU. The production equipment on the MOPU would (1) separate oil, water and gas, (2) treat the oil for sale and the water for discharge, (3) pump the oil into an 8-inch pipeline to the refinery in Abidjan, (4) compress the oil well and gas well gas as needed, and (5) dehydrate it for sale. A CALM buoy with shuttle tanker was included in the original plan for early production and as a backup to the oil pipeline. It was also unknown at project initiation whether a gas sales contract would be successfully negotiated, and thus the project was to proceed on the basis of flaring produced gas with capability to add equipment at a later date for gas sales. This paper describes how the project was organized and how this organization allowed the project to accommodate changes and construction problems as they developed while completing the project on time.« less

Particulate matter in Southwestern Africa cities of Cotonou (Benin) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leon, J. F.; Djossou, J.; Liousse, C.; Akpo, A.; Veronique, Y.; Gardrat, E.; Bedou, M.; Bodjrenou, M.

2017-12-01

Air quality observations in the major cities of South-Western Africa still remains few with regards to economic growth and the large increase in the urban population. The main cities lying on the Gulf of Guinea experiences low air quality because of the contribution of local emissions and advection of pollutants from the African continent. We present in this paper new observations acquired from February 2015 to March 2017 in the major cities of Cotonou (Bénin) and Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). The PM2.5 mass concentration and carbon composition (elemental and organic carbon) were recorded on a weekly basis at 4 different locations representative of major emission sources, i.e. traffic emission, domestic fire and waste burning. Additionally, the aerosol optical depth (AOD) was also recorded daily inside and outside the cities. We observe large similarly between both cities. The mean PM2.5 concentration of around 30 µg.m-3 is coherent with previous studies for sub-Saharan western Africa and is 3 times higher than the concentrations recommended by the World Health Organization. The sampled collected at the domestic fire site shows a large pollution by smoking activity with an average concentration of 145 µg.m-3, nearly 5 times the traffic background. The seasonality of PM2.5 is affected by the contribution of desert dust and biomass burning emissions that is clearly observed from the AOD time series. We observe that dust events contribute sporadically to large amount of PM2.5, above 100 µg.m-3, during the dry seasons. Moreover, the biomass burning activity is also maximum before and during the dry season and contributes to increase the PM2.5 concentration. Low PM2.5 observed during the minor dry season can be explain by an enhancement of the atmospheric dispersion due to the increase in the wind intensity and the absence of biomass burning activity. We observe a significant difference in the carbonaceous aerosols between the traffic site in Abidjan and Cotonou. The mean OC/EC ratio is on average 4.0 for Cotonou and 2.0 for Abidjan, clearly indicating the larger contribution emission by the 2-wheel motorcycles in Cotonou compared to Abidjan

Drought in West Africa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Drought settled over West Africa's Ivory Coast region when wet season rains came late in 2007. Instead of beginning in February, the rainy season didn't start until March, and steady rains didn't start until late March, said the Famine Early Warning System Network. Though the rain had started to alleviate the drought, vegetation was still depressed in parts of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) between March 22 and April 6, 2007, when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite captured the data used to make this image. The image shows current vegetation conditions compared to average conditions recorded since 2000. Areas where plants are growing more slowly or more sparsely than average are brown, while areas where vegetation is denser than average are green. The brown tint that dominates the image indicates that plants through most of the country are more sparse than normal. Among the crops affected by the lack of rain was West Africa's cocoa crop. About 70 percent of the world's cocoa comes from West Africa, and Cote d'Ivoire is a top grower, said Reuters. Cocoa prices climbed as the crop fell short. Farmers called the drought the worst in living memory, Reuters said. The delay in rainfall also led to water shortages in parts of Cote d'Ivoire, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Youth access to cigarettes in six sub-Saharan African countries.

PubMed

Chandora, Rachna; Song, Yang; Chaussard, Martine; Palipudi, Krishna Mohan; Lee, Kyung Ah; Ramanandraibe, Nivo; Asma, Samira

2016-10-01

Tobacco smoking is initiated and established mostly during adolescence. The World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Article 16 outlines the obligation of parties to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors. This study examined where and how student smokers obtain cigarettes. We examined Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data from 2009 to 2011 on cigarette access among students aged 13-15 in six sub-Saharan African countries. In all countries analyzed, over 20% of student smokers obtained their cigarettes in a store or shop (52.6% in South Africa, 37.7% in Republic of Congo, 28.2% in Swaziland, 27.4% in Cote d'Ivoire, 26.9% in Ghana, and 22.6% in Uganda). In Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa, 68.9% and 68.7% of student cigarette smokers, respectively, were not refused the sale of cigarettes because of age. The percentage of students who were offered free cigarettes by a tobacco company representative ranged from 4.7% in Cote d'Ivoire to 12.1% in South Africa. The method of obtaining cigarettes and access to cigarettes among students varies among sub-Saharan African countries. Adopting and enforcing interventions that prevent youth from accessing tobacco products could be an effective strategy for reducing smoking initiation among youth in sub-Saharan African countries. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

[Analysis of the healthcare service decentralization process in Côte d'Ivoire].

PubMed

Soura, B D; Coulibaly, S S

2014-01-01

The decentralization of healthcare services is becoming increasingly important in strategies of public sector management. This concept is analyzed from various points of view, including legal, economic, political, and sociological. Several typologies have been proposed in the literature to analyze this decentralization process, which can take different forms ranging from simple deconcentration to more elaborate devolution. In some instances, decentralization can be analyzed by the degree of autonomy given to local authorities. This article applies these typologies to analyze the healthcare system decentralization process in Cote d'Ivoire. Special attention is paid to the new forms of community healthcare organizations. These decentralized structures enjoy a kind of autonomy, with characteristics closer to those of devolution. The model might serve as an example for population involvement in defining and managing healthcare problems in Cote d'Ivoire. We end with proposals for the improvement of the process.

Can the Language of Rights Get Hold of the Complex Realities of Child Domestic Work?: The Case of Young Domestic Workers in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacquemin, Melanie

2006-01-01

This review examines refractions of children's rights in development practice from an anthropological point of view and considers the case of young domestic girls working in Abidjan. The author argues that child labour legislation and the children's rights perspective in Abidjan is permeated by patriarchal values that mask the exploitation of work…

Investigation of a Large Collection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophages Collected from a Single Environmental Source in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Essoh, Christiane; Latino, Libera; Midoux, Cédric; Blouin, Yann; Loukou, Guillaume; Nguetta, Simon-Pierre A; Lathro, Serge; Cablanmian, Arsher; Kouassi, Athanase K; Vergnaud, Gilles; Pourcel, Christine

2015-01-01

Twenty two distinct bacteriophages were isolated from sewage water from five locations in the city of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire over a two-year period, using a collection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with diverse genotypes. The phages were characterized by their virulence spectrum on a panel of selected P. aeruginosa strains from cystic fibrosis patients and by whole genome sequencing. Twelve virions representing the observed diversity were visualised by electron microscopy. The combined observations showed that 17 phages, distributed into seven genera, were virulent, and that five phages were related to temperate phages belonging to three genera. Some showed similarity with known phages only at the protein level. The vast majority of the genetic variations among virulent phages from the same genus resulted from seemingly non-random horizontal transfer events, inside a population of P. aeruginosa phages with limited diversity. This suggests the existence of a single environmental reservoir or ecotype in which continuous selection is taking place. In contrast, mostly point mutations were observed among phages potentially capable of lysogenisation. This is the first study of P. aeruginosa phage diversity in an African city and it shows that a large variety of phage species can be recovered in a limited geographical site at least when different bacterial strains are used. The relative temporal and spatial stability of the Abidjan phage population might reflect equilibrium in the microbial community from which they are released.

High prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among male sex workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: need for services tailored to their needs

PubMed Central

Semde, Gisèle; Sika, Lazare; Crucitti, Tania; Ettiegne Traore, Virginie; Buve, Anne; Laga, Marie

2012-01-01

Objectives To assess condom use and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV among male sex workers (MSW) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2007 and January 2008 among MSW attending a sex worker clinic in Abidjan. A short questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face interview, and the participants were asked to provide a urine sample for STI testing and to self-collect transudate of the gingival mucosa for anonymous HIV testing, using a rapid test. A rectal swab for STI testing was taken by a physician. Molecular amplification assays were performed for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis. Results 96 MSW participated in the survey, their median age was 27 years and the median duration of sex work was 5 years. Consistent condom use with clients during the last working day was 86.0%, and consistent condom use with the regular partner during the last week was 81.6%. HIV infection was detected in 50.0% of the participants. The prevalence of N gonorrhoeae was 12.8%, chlamydia infection was present in 3.2% and T vaginalis in 2.1% of the study participants. Conclusions HIV and STI rates found in this study confirm the high risk and vulnerability status of MSW in Côte d'Ivoire. There is a definite need for studies exploring risk and risk perceptions among MSW in more depth and for services tailored to their needs, including developing and validating simple algorithms for the diagnosis of STI in MSW and men who have sex with men. PMID:22328644

[Entomological investigation following the re-emergence of yellow fever in 2008 in Abidjan area (Côte d'Ivoire)].

PubMed

Konan, Y L; Koné, A B; Ekra, K D; Doannio, J M C; Odéhouri, K P

2009-06-01

In April 2008, Abidjan was again faced with another case of yellow fever after the epidemic of 2001 causing mass immunization campaign. In order to evaluate the extent of amaril virus circulation and the risk for local people, an entomological investigation was carried out by the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene of Côte d'Ivoire. At "Entent" area of Treichville, Breteau index was estimated at 34, recipient index at 20% and house index at 25%. Those indexes were respectively 53, 21 and 31% at "Vridi canal" of Port Bouet. In the both neighborhood, Aedes aegypti accounted for more than 80% of mosquitoes caught and more than 90% of mosquitoes adults obtained from larval breeding. This new situation of epidemic risk could be explained by several factors including the reception of 70% of forced migration people caused by the crisis in the country occurred in 2002, the probable drop of preventive immunization, the environment deterioration creating of more breeding sites of Ae. aegypti.

75 FR 42164 - Notice of Final Determination Updating the List of Products Requiring Federal Contractor...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-20

..., Pakistan. Charcoal Brazil. Coal Pakistan. Coca (stimulant plant) Colombia. Cocoa Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria... Argentina, India, Thailand. Gold Burkina Faso. Granite Nigeria. Gravel (crushed stones) Nigeria. Pornography...

Dengue: etiology of acute febrile illness in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 2011-2012.

PubMed

L'Azou, Maïna; Succo, Tiphanie; Kamagaté, Mamadou; Ouattara, Abdoulaye; Gilbernair, Elia; Adjogoua, Edgar; Luxemburger, Christine

2015-11-01

The burden of dengue in Africa is not well understood. A prospective study was conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire from December 2011 to December 2012 to estimate the proportion of dengue and malaria cases among febrile patients during a period when dengue was not known to be circulating in the region, and to describe the clinical and virological characteristics of laboratory-diagnosed dengue cases. Blood samples were taken from febrile patients (body temperature ≥ 38°C) at two study sites. Patients with fever lasting more than 7 days, with fever of known origin and with jaundice were excluded. Thick blood film tests, ELISA for anti-dengue IgM and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) were performed. A total of 812 patients were enrolled (51.7% male [48.3% female]; 46.4% aged <10 years) of whom 796 (98.0%) provided IgM ELISA and RT-PCR data, and 807 (99.4%) had thick blood film results. Three (0.4%) patients had laboratory-diagnosed dengue (one with DENV-3 serotype), none of whom were diagnosed clinically, and 234 (28.8%) had confirmed malaria. This study suggests that dengue virus circulates in Abidjan outside an epidemic and that there should be an increase in awareness of dengue as a possible diagnosis in cases of undifferentiated fever. These results stress the importance of implementing laboratory capacity to assess dengue burden in Africa. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

What Factors Contribute to Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Urban, Conflict-Affected Settings? Qualitative Findings from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Cardoso, L F; Gupta, J; Shuman, S; Cole, H; Kpebo, D; Falb, K L

2016-04-01

Rapid urbanization is a key driver of the unique set of health risks facing urban populations. One of the most critical health hazards facing urban women is intimate partner violence (IPV). In post-conflict urban areas, women may face an even greater risk of IPV. Yet, few studies have examined the IPV experiences of urban-dwelling, conflict-affected women, including those who have been internally displaced. This study qualitatively examined the social and structural characteristics of the urban environment that contributed to the IPV experiences of women residing in post-conflict Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Ten focus groups were conducted with men and women, both internally displaced (IDPs) and non-displaced. Lack of support networks, changing gender roles, and tensions between traditional gender norms and those of the "modern" city were reported as key contributors to IPV. Urban poverty and with it unemployment, food insecurity, and housing instability also played a role. Finally, IDPs faced heightened vulnerability to IPV as a result of displacement and discrimination. The relationship between economic strains and IPV are similar to other conflict-affected settings, but Abidjan's urban environment presented other unique characteristics contributing to IPV. Understanding these factors is crucial to designing appropriate services for women and for implementing IPV reduction interventions in urban areas. Strengthening formal and informal mechanisms for help-seeking, utilizing multi-modal interventions that address economic stress and challenge inequitable gender norms, as well as tailoring programs specifically for IDPs, are some considerations for IPV program planning focused on conflict-affected women in urban areas.

Safety and acceptability of vaginal disinfection with benzalkonium chloride in HIV infected pregnant women in west Africa: ANRS 049b phase II randomized, double blinded placebo controlled trial. DITRAME Study Group

PubMed Central

Msellati, P.; Meda, N.; Leroy, V.; Likikouet, R.; Van de Perre, P.; Cartoux, M.; Bonard, D.; Ouangre, A.; Combe, P.; Gautier-Charpenti..., L.; Sylla-Koko, F.; Lassalle, R.; Dosso, M.; Welffens-Ekra, C.; Dabis, F.; Mandelbrot, L.

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To study the tolerance and acceptability in Africa of a perinatal intervention to prevent vertical HIV transmission using benzalkonium chloride disinfection. DESIGN: A randomized, double blinded phase II trial. SETTING: Prenatal care units in Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) and Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). PATIENTS: Women accepting testing and counselling who were seropositive for HIV-1 and under 37 weeks of pregnancy were eligible. A total of 108 women (54 in each group) enrolled from November 1996 to April 1997, with their informed consent. INTERVENTION: Women self administered daily a vaginal suppository of 1% benzalkonium chloride or matched placebo from 36 weeks of pregnancy, and a single intrapartum dose. The neonate was bathed with 1% benzalkonium chloride solution or placebo within 30 minutes after birth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adverse events were recorded weekly, with a questionnaire and speculum examination in women through delivery, and examination of the neonate through day 30. The incidence of genital signs and symptoms in the women and cutaneous or ophthalmological events in newborns were compared between groups on an intent to treat basis. RESULTS: The median duration of prepartum treatment was 21 days (range 0-87 days). Compliance was 87% for prepartum and 69% for intrapartum treatment, and 88% for the neonatal bath, without differences between the two groups. In women, the most frequent event was leucorrhoea; the incidence of adverse events did not differ between treatment groups. In children, the incidence of dermatitis and conjunctivitis did not differ between the benzalkonium chloride and placebo groups (p = 0.16 and p = 0.29, respectively). CONCLUSION: Vaginal disinfection with benzalkonium chloride is a feasible and well tolerated intervention in west Africa. Its efficacy in preventing vertical HIV transmission remains to be demonstrated. 


 PMID:10754950

Estimating the number of female sex workers in Côte d'Ivoire: results and lessons learned.

PubMed

Vuylsteke, Bea; Sika, Lazare; Semdé, Gisèle; Anoma, Camille; Kacou, Elise; Laga, Marie

2017-09-01

To report on the results of three size estimations of the populations of female sex workers (FSW) in five cities in Côte d'Ivoire and on operational lessons learned, which may be relevant for key population programmes in other parts of the world. We applied three methods: mapping and census, capture-recapture and service multiplier. All were applied between 2008 and 2009 in Abidjan, San Pedro, Bouaké, Yamoussoukro and Abengourou. Abidjan was the city with the highest number of FSW by far, with estimations between 7880 (census) and 13 714 (service multiplier). The estimations in San Pedro, Bouaké and Yamoussoukro were very similar, with figures ranging from 1160 (Yamoussoukro, census) to 1916 (San Pedro, capture-recapture). Important operational lessons were learned, including strategies for mapping, the importance of involving peer sex workers for implementing the capture-recapture and the identification of the right question for the multiplier method. Successful application of three methods to estimate the population size of FSW in five cities in Côte d'Ivoire enabled us to make recommendations for size estimations of key population in low-income countries. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comorbidities and risk of mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PubMed

Divo, Miguel; Cote, Claudia; de Torres, Juan P; Casanova, Ciro; Marin, Jose M; Pinto-Plata, Victor; Zulueta, Javier; Cabrera, Carlos; Zagaceta, Jorge; Hunninghake, Gary; Celli, Bartolome

2012-07-15

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are afflicted by comorbidities. Few studies have prospectively evaluated COPD comorbidities and mortality risk. To prospectively evaluate COPD comorbidities and mortality risk. We followed 1,664 patients with COPD in five centers for a median of 51 months. Systematically, 79 comorbidities were recorded. We calculated mortality risk using Cox proportional hazard, and developed a graphic representation of the prevalence and strength of association to mortality in the form of a "comorbidome". A COPD comorbidity index (COPD specific comorbidity test [COTE]) was constructed based on the comorbidities that increase mortality risk using a multivariate analysis. We tested the COTE index as predictor of mortality and explored whether the COTE index added predictive information when used with the validated BODE index. Fifteen of 79 comorbidities differed in prevalence between survivors and nonsurvivors. Of those, 12 predicted mortality and were integrated into the COTE index. Increases in the COTE index were associated with an increased risk of death from COPD-related (hazard ratio [HR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.18; P < 0.001) and non-COPD-related causes (HR, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.21; P < 0.001). Further, increases in the BODE and COTE were independently associated with increased risk of death. A COTE score of greater than or equal to 4 points increased by 2.2-fold the risk of death (HR, 2.26-2.68; P < 0.001) in all BODE quartile. Comorbidities are frequent in COPD and 12 of them negatively influence survival. A simple disease-specific comorbidities index (COTE) helps assess mortality risk in patients with COPD.

Establishment of Maximum Voluntary Compressive Neck Tolerance Levels

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-07-01

Bridges Casey Pirnstill Chris Burneka John Plaga Grant Roush Biosciences and Performance Division Vulnerability Analysis Branch July 2011...S) Michael Cote, John Buhrman, Nathaniel Bridges, Casey Pirnstill, Chris Burneka, John Plaga , Grant Roush 5d. PROJECT NUMBER OSMS 5e. TASK

Biology of two larval morphological phenotypes of Aedes aegypti in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Guindo-Coulibaly, N; Diakite, N R; Adja, A M; Coulibaly, J T; Bassa, K F; Konan, Y L; N'Goran, K E

2017-11-23

Since 2008, several outbreaks of yellow fever and dengue occurred in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. A better knowledge of the biology of Aedes aegypti populations, the main vector of yellow fever and dengue viruses, is necessary to tailor vector control strategies implemented in the city. This study was designed to determine some biological parameters, occurring during the life cycle of two morphological phenotypes of Ae. aegypti larvae. Mosquitoes were sampled in a suburb of Abidjan (Treichville) using the WHO layer-traps technique. Biological parameters were studied in laboratory under standard conditions of temperature (27°C ± 2°C) and relative humidity (80% ± 10%). Our results indicated that the mean eggs laid by females from 'brown larvae' (BL) (85.95, 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) 78.87-93.02) was higher than those from 'white larvae' (WL) (64.40%, CI 95% 55.27-73.54). The gonotrophic cycle was 3 and 4 days in females from BL and WL, respectively. The overall yield of breeding mosquitoes from BL (63.88%, CI 95% 62.61-65.14) was higher compared with those of mosquitoes from WL (59.73%, CI 95% 58.35-61.12). The sex ratio (male/female) was 0.95 and 1.68 in Ae. aegypti populations from BL and WL, respectively. Females from BL lived slightly longer than those from WL (t = -2.332; P = 0.021). This study shows that Ae. Aegypti populations from BL and WL present different biological parameters during their life cycle. This could have an implication on their ability to transmit human disease viruses such as dengue and yellow fever. Further molecular studies are needed to determine genetic divergence between these Ae. aegypti populations.

Physical and Sexual Violence Affecting Female Sex Workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Prevalence, and the Relationship with the Work Environment, HIV, and Access to Health Services.

PubMed

Lyons, Carrie E; Grosso, Ashley; Drame, Fatou M; Ketende, Sosthenes; Diouf, Daouda; Ba, Ibrahima; Shannon, Kate; Ezouatchi, Rebecca; Bamba, Amara; Kouame, Abo; Baral, Stefan

2017-05-01

Violence is a human rights violation, and an important measure in understanding HIV among female sex workers (FSW). However, limited data exist regarding correlates of violence among FSW in Côte d'Ivoire. Characterizing prevalence and determinants of violence and the relationship with structural risks for HIV can inform development and implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programs. FSW > 18 years were recruited through respondent driven sampling (RDS) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. In total, 466 participants completed a socio-behavioral questionnaire and HIV testing. Prevalence estimates of violence were calculated using crude and RDS-adjusted estimates. Relationships between structural risk factors and violence were analyzed using χ tests and multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of physical violence was 53.6% (250/466), and sexual violence was 43.2% (201/465) among FSW in this study. Police refusal of protection was associated with physical (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7 to 4.4) and sexual violence (aOR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.9 to 4.8). Blackmail was associated with physical (aOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.2) and sexual violence (aOR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5 to 4.0). Physical violence was associated with fear (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3 to 3.1) and avoidance of seeking health services (aOR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.8). Violence is prevalent among FSW in Abidjan and associated with features of the work environment and access to care. These relationships highlight layers of rights violations affecting FSW, underscoring the need for structural interventions and policy reforms to improve work environments, and to address police harassment, stigma, and rights violations to reduce violence and improve access to HIV interventions.

Identity in Africa's Internal Conflicts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deng, Francis M.

1996-01-01

Identifies and defines four models of internal ethnic conflict and discusses those conflicts within various African nations. The corresponding models and countries include Integration Model: Botswana and Somalia; Managed Diversity Model: Ghana, Cote d'Ivorie, Kenya, and Nigeria; Ambivalent Accommodation Model: Ethiopia and Djibouti; and Acute…

A pilot study of gaseous pollutants' measurement (NO2, SO2, NH3, HNO3 and O3) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: contribution to an overview of gaseous pollution in African cities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bahino, Julien; Yoboué, Véronique; Galy-Lacaux, Corinne; Adon, Marcellin; Akpo, Aristide; Keita, Sékou; Liousse, Cathy; Gardrat, Eric; Chiron, Christelle; Ossohou, Money; Gnamien, Sylvain; Djossou, Julien

2018-04-01

This work is part of the DACCIWA FP7 project (Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa) in the framework of the Work Package 2 Air Pollution and Health. This study aims to characterize urban air pollution levels through the measurement of NO2, SO2, NH3, HNO3 and O3 in Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire. Measurements of inorganic gaseous pollutants, i.e. NO2, SO2, NH3, HNO3 and O3 were performed in Abidjan during an intensive campaign within the dry season (15 December 2015 to 16 February 2016), using INDAAF (International Network to study Deposition and Atmospheric chemistry in AFrica) passive samplers exposed in duplicate for 2-week periods. Twenty-one sites were selected in the district of Abidjan to be representative of various anthropogenic and natural sources of air pollution in the city. Results from this intensive campaign show that gas concentrations are strongly linked to surrounding pollution sources and show a high spatial variability. Also, NH3, NO2 and O3 gases were present at relatively higher concentrations at all the sites. NH3 average concentrations varied between 9.1 ± 1.7 ppb at a suburban site and 102.1 ± 9.1 ppb at a domestic fires site. NO2 mean concentration varied from 2.7 ± 0.1 ppb at a suburban site to 25.0 ± 1.7 ppb at an industrial site. Moreover, we measured the highest O3 concentration at the two coastal sites of Gonzagueville and Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport located in the southeast of the city, with average concentrations of 19.1 ± 1.7 and 18.8 ± 3.0 ppb, respectively. The SO2 average concentration never exceeded 7.2 ± 1.2 ppb over all the sites, with 71.5 % of the sampling sites showing concentrations ranging between 0.4 and 1.9 ppb. The HNO3 average concentration ranged between 0.2 and 1.4 ppb. All these results were combined with meteorological parameters to provide the first mapping of gaseous pollutants on the scale of the district of Abidjan using geostatistical analysis (ArcGIS software). Spatial distribution results emphasize the importance of the domestic fires source and the significant impact of the traffic emissions on the scale of the city. In addition, in this work we propose a first overview of gaseous SO2 and NO2 concentrations on the scale of several African cities by comparing literature to our values. The daily SO2 standard of World Health Organization (WHO) is exceeded in most of the cities reported in the overview, with concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 3662 µg m-3. Annual NO2 concentrations ranged from 2 to 175 µg m-3, which are lower than the WHO threshold. As a conclusion, this study constitutes an original database to characterize urban air pollution and a first attempt towards presenting a spatial distribution of the pollution levels at the scale of the metropolis of Abidjan. This work should draw the attention of the African public authorities to the necessity of building an air quality monitoring network in order to (1) to define national standards and to better control the pollutants emissions and (2) to investigate the impact on the health of the growing population in developing African countries.

Investigation of a Large Collection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteriophages Collected from a Single Environmental Source in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

PubMed Central

Essoh, Christiane; Latino, Libera; Midoux, Cédric; Blouin, Yann; Loukou, Guillaume; Nguetta, Simon-Pierre A.; Lathro, Serge; Cablanmian, Arsher; Kouassi, Athanase K.; Vergnaud, Gilles; Pourcel, Christine

2015-01-01

Twenty two distinct bacteriophages were isolated from sewage water from five locations in the city of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire over a two-year period, using a collection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with diverse genotypes. The phages were characterized by their virulence spectrum on a panel of selected P. aeruginosa strains from cystic fibrosis patients and by whole genome sequencing. Twelve virions representing the observed diversity were visualised by electron microscopy. The combined observations showed that 17 phages, distributed into seven genera, were virulent, and that five phages were related to temperate phages belonging to three genera. Some showed similarity with known phages only at the protein level. The vast majority of the genetic variations among virulent phages from the same genus resulted from seemingly non-random horizontal transfer events, inside a population of P. aeruginosa phages with limited diversity. This suggests the existence of a single environmental reservoir or ecotype in which continuous selection is taking place. In contrast, mostly point mutations were observed among phages potentially capable of lysogenisation. This is the first study of P. aeruginosa phage diversity in an African city and it shows that a large variety of phage species can be recovered in a limited geographical site at least when different bacterial strains are used. The relative temporal and spatial stability of the Abidjan phage population might reflect equilibrium in the microbial community from which they are released. PMID:26115051

External validation of ADO, DOSE, COTE and CODEX at predicting death in primary care patients with COPD using standard and machine learning approaches.

PubMed

Morales, Daniel R; Flynn, Rob; Zhang, Jianguo; Trucco, Emmanuel; Quint, Jennifer K; Zutis, Kris

2018-05-01

Several models for predicting the risk of death in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exist but have not undergone large scale validation in primary care. The objective of this study was to externally validate these models using statistical and machine learning approaches. We used a primary care COPD cohort identified using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Age-standardised mortality rates were calculated for the population by gender and discrimination of ADO (age, dyspnoea, airflow obstruction), COTE (COPD-specific comorbidity test), DOSE (dyspnoea, airflow obstruction, smoking, exacerbations) and CODEX (comorbidity, dyspnoea, airflow obstruction, exacerbations) at predicting death over 1-3 years measured using logistic regression and a support vector machine learning (SVM) method of analysis. The age-standardised mortality rate was 32.8 (95%CI 32.5-33.1) and 25.2 (95%CI 25.4-25.7) per 1000 person years for men and women respectively. Complete data were available for 54879 patients to predict 1-year mortality. ADO performed the best (c-statistic of 0.730) compared with DOSE (c-statistic 0.645), COTE (c-statistic 0.655) and CODEX (c-statistic 0.649) at predicting 1-year mortality. Discrimination of ADO and DOSE improved at predicting 1-year mortality when combined with COTE comorbidities (c-statistic 0.780 ADO + COTE; c-statistic 0.727 DOSE + COTE). Discrimination did not change significantly over 1-3 years. Comparable results were observed using SVM. In primary care, ADO appears superior at predicting death in COPD. Performance of ADO and DOSE improved when combined with COTE comorbidities suggesting better models may be generated with additional data facilitated using novel approaches. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Memories of an Aid Worker

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daoust, Isabelle

2010-01-01

The author had come to Cote d'Ivoire in April 1999 to work for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to persuading governments to respect the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL), which are found in the Geneva Conventions. These rules provide impartial protection for the…

French-African Cultures: A Resource Unit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forbes, Barbara

This resource unit concerns French-African cultures and their influence on other cultures. The materials may be incorporated into Levels 3, 4, and 5 French classes. Topics in the outline include environmental aspects; historical background; and cultural differences expressed in Senegal, Guinee, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Haute Volta, Togo, Dahomey,…

Notification of HIV status disclosure and its related factors in HIV-infected adolescents in 2009 in the Aconda program (CePReF, CHU Yopougon) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, The PRADO-CI Study.

PubMed

Meless, Guanga David; Aka-Dago-Akribi, Hortense; Cacou, Chantal; Eboua, Tanoh François; Aka, Addi Edmond; Oga, Aimé Maxime; Bouah, Belinda; Eugène, Messou; Moh, Corinne; Arrivé, Elise; Timité-Konan, Marguerite; Leroy, Valériane

2013-06-18

We studied the frequency of documentation of disclosure of HIV status in medical charts and its correlates among HIV-infected adolescents in 2009, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The PRADO-CI is a cross-sectional study aimed at studying HIV-infected adolescents' social, psychological, and behavioural difficulties and their determinants in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. In this study, we present specific analyses on disclosure. All HIV-infected adolescents aged 13-21 years and followed at least once in 2009 in two urban HIV-care centres in Abidjan (Cepref and Yopougon Teaching Hospital) were enrolled in the study. Standardized data were extracted from medical records to document if there was notification of disclosure of HIV status in the medical record. Frequency of notification of HIV disclosure was estimated with its 95% confidence interval (CI) and correlates were analyzed using logistic regression. In 2009, 229 adolescents were included: 126 (55%) males; 93% on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 61% on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Their median age was 15 years at the time of the study. Among the 193 patients for whom information on HIV status disclosure was documented (84%), only 63 (32.6%; 95% CI=26.0-39.3%) were informed of their status. The proportion of adolescents informed increased significantly with age: 19% for 13-15 years, 33% for 16-18 years and 86% for 19-21 years (p <0.0001). Adolescents on ART tended to be more likely to be informed of their HIV status (34.5%) than those not treated (13.3%) (p=0.11). Those on cotrimoxazole were significantly more likely to be informed (39.6%) than those not (21.9%) (p=0.01). Disclosure was significantly higher in adolescents with a history of ART regimen change (p=0.003) and in those followed in the Cepref (48.4%) compared to the Yopougon Teaching Hospital (24.8%), (p=0.001). In multivariate analyses, disclosed HIV status was significantly higher in those followed-up in the Cepref compared to the other centre: adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.5 (95% CI: 1.1-10.9), and among older adolescents compared to those aged 13-15 years: [16-18 years] aOR=4.2 (95% CI: 1.5-11.5) and [>18 years]: aOR=22.1 (95% CI: 5.2-93.5). HIV disclosure rate was low among Ivoirian HIV adolescents and was site- and age-dependent. There is a need for practical interventions to support HIV disclosure to adolescents which provides age-appropriate information about the disease.

Implications of Societal Fragmentation for State Formation: Can Democracy Succeed in Afghanistan

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-03-01

Conflict,” in Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict, Eds. Michael E. Brown, Owen R. Cote Jr., Sean M . Lynn-Jones, and Steven E. Miller (Cambridge and London: The...Cote Jr., Sean M . Lynn-Jones, and Steven E. Miller (Cambridge and London: The MIT Press, 1997), 49. 21 conceptions of legitimacy, they are...and Ethnic Conflict, Eds. Michael E. Brown, Owen R. Cote Jr., Sean M . Lynn-Jones, and Steven E. Miller (Cambridge and London: The MIT Press, 1997

Operational issues in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 1998-99.

PubMed Central

Msellati, P.; Hingst, G.; Kaba, F.; Viho, I.; Welffens-Ekra, C.; Dabis, F.

2001-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility, from the public health standpoint, of preventing mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in Africa. METHODS: Voluntary counselling and HIV serotesting were routinely provided in four health centres in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, for six months in 1998-99. Peripartum treatment with zidovudine and alternatives to breastfeeding were provided free to HIV-infected women. FINDINGS: Of the 4309 pregnant women in the study who attended their first antenatal care visit, 3756 benefited from individual counselling and pretesting (87.2%), and 3452 (80.1%) agreed to undergo HIV serotesting. Overall HIV prevalence was (12.89%) and 5% for women aged under 18 years. Among the 2998 HIV-negative women, 71% returned for their test result, whereas only 60% of the 445 HIV-positive women did so. A total of 124 HIV-positive women were informed of their serostatus and the possibility of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV; 100 started treatment and 80 completed zidovudine prophylaxis. At 6 weeks of age, 36 of the 78 liveborn children were being breastfed (46%), two were being mixed-fed and 41 (52%) were being artificially fed. CONCLUSIONS: In Abidjan, voluntary counselling and HIV testing with a view to preventing mother-to-child transmission was feasible in antenatal care units and was well accepted by pregnant women. An insufficient proportion of women returned to obtain their test results. This was especially so among HIV-positive women, the target group for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Additional staff were required in order to offer voluntary counselling and HIV testing to the study women. Close supervision and strong commitment of health workers were essential. Alternatives to breastfeeding were effectively proposed to HIV-positive women, with active follow-up of children and clinical, nutritional and social support. PMID:11477967

6. PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF ENTRY VESTIBULE, WINDOW AND BELL COTE, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF ENTRY VESTIBULE, WINDOW AND BELL COTE, LOOKING NORTHWEST, WITH THE OLDEST TOMBSTONES IN THE FOREGROUND - Christ Church at Accokeek, 600 West Farmington Road, Accokeek, Prince George's County, MD

Antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis in children and adolescents victims of rape in Abidjan.

PubMed

Ehui, E; Couitchéré, L S; Kouakou, G A; Doumbia, A; Kassi, A N; Mossou, C M; Guié, P Y; Eholié, S

2015-08-01

We described the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV transmission among children and adolescents victims of rape in Abidjan (Ivory Coast). We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study on children (0-9 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) victims of rape between 2000 and 2013. We analyzed the patients' socio-demographic characteristics and the modality of the chemoprophylaxis. We included 10 children and 89 adolescents in the study. The median age was 16 years old (3-19 years). The median time to consultation was 23.5 hours (5-152 hours). The antiretroviral chemoprophylaxis was administered to 92 patients (93%). No HIV and HBV seroconversion was observed after a 3-month follow-up. A better management of rape victims is required in Abidjan. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The Role of Polycomb Group Gene Bmi-1 in the Development of Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-01

new tricks. Cell Div. 2006 Jul 24;1:15. 17. Fu M, Wang C, Li Z, Sakamaki T, Pestell RG. Minireview: Cyclin D1: normal and abnormal functions... Pestell RG. Signal transduction mediated by cyclin D1: from mitogens to cell proliferation: a molecular target with therapeutic potential. Cancer...Datar 22 R, Cote R, Pestell R, Albanese C. ErbB-2 induces the cyclin D1 gene in prostate epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Res. 2007

First highlights of the Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) field campaigns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liousse, C.; Knippertz, P.; Flamant, C.; Adon, J.; Akpo, A.; Annesi-Maesano, I.; Assamoi, E.; Baeza, A.; Julien, B.; Bedou, M.; Brooks, B. J.; Chiu, J. Y. C.; Chiron, C.; Coe, H.; Danuor, S.; Djossou, J.; Evans, M. J.; Fayomi, B.; Fink, A. H.; Galy-Lacaux, C.; Gardrat, E.; Jegede, O.; Kalthoff, N.; Kedote, M.; Keita, S.; Kouame, K.; Konare, A.; Leon, J. F.; Mari, C. H.; Lohou, F.; Roblou, L.; Schlager, H.; Schwarzenboeck, A.; Toure, E. N.; Veronique, Y.

2016-12-01

The EU-funded project DACCIWA (Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa) is investigating the relationship between weather, climate, air pollution and health in southern West Africa. The air over the coastal region of West Africa is a unique mixture of natural and anthropogenic gases, liquids and particles, emitted in an environment, in which multi-layer cloud decks frequently form. These exert a large influence on the local weather and climate, which has never been studied in detail over West Africa: this information is currently not included in the majority of weather and climate models. For the first time, the entire chain of impacts of natural and manmade emissions on the West African atmosphere was investigated in a coordinated field campaign. As part of this campaign, three research aircraft (Falcon 20, Twin Otter and ATR) based in Lomé (Togo) flew targeted 50 missions over West Africa from 27 June to 16 July 2016. In that campaign also, three highly instrumented measuring sites inland were set up with weather balloons launched several times a day across the region. The main objective was to build robust statistics of cloud properties in southern West Africa in different chemical landscapes (background state, ship/flaring emissions, polluted megacities, agricultural and forest areas, dust from the Sahel/Sahara). In addition, DACCIWA scientists working on measurements of urban emissions, air pollution, and health have set up four urban sites in Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) and Cotonou (Benin) focusing on main specific regional combustion sources (domestic fires, traffic and waste burning). Long-term measurements of gases and particles and census of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases were started in January 2015 and will continue until March 2017 to determine the links between human health and air pollution. Intensive measurement periods took place in July 2015, January 2016, and July 2016 (a final one is planned for January 2017) in order to characterize toxicological effects of size-speciated aerosol chemical composition. First highlights on the flight sampling strategy, the acquired datasets, and accompanying modelling work will be presented.

HIV vulnerability and the erasure of sexual and gender diversity in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Thomann, Matthew

2016-01-01

In the fight against concentrated HIV epidemics, men who have sex with men (MSM) are often framed as a homogeneous population, with little attention paid to sexual and gender diversity and its impact on HIV vulnerability. This article draws on ethnographic research conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire among les branchés - a local term encompassing several categories of same-sex desire and practice. In the context of increased HIV prevention programming targeting Ivoirian sexual and gender minorities, such diversity is effectively erased. This obfuscation of difference has particularly negative impacts for travestis, who may be at higher risk for HIV infection, though research and prevention efforts in which they are grouped with 'MSM' render them underrepresented and make their vulnerability difficult to quantify. Branchés whose class and/or ethnic backgrounds compound their stigmatised status as sexual and gender minorities also bear the burden of this exclusion. Furthermore, some branchés deploy 'MSM' as a form of self-identification, further complicating who such categories represent. By highlighting the ways in which constructions of gender and sexuality within HIV/AIDS programming obscure complex social realities, I aim to reorient thinking around the development of purposeful HIV programming that engages the complexity of sexual and gender minority experience.

[Hearing aids at the International Center of Auditory rehabilitation in Abidjan: Prosthetics gains and satisfaction in patients].

PubMed

Mobio, M N A; Ilé, S; Yavo, N; Koffi-Aka, V; Kouassi-Ndjeundo, J; Tea, B

To evaluate patients wearing hearing aid at the International Center of Auditory Correction in Abidjan. It is a descriptif and transversal study from 07/01/99 to 06/30/10. We have included the files of patients completely filled. We have stu­died the indications, prosthetics gains and the satisfaction after hearing aid. We have achieved 536 files. The ave­rage was 36 years. The indications have been in 76.1% cases of sensorineural hearing loss. The hearing loss has been associa­ted in 13.2% cases to language disorder. For all patient we have noticed bilateral hearing loss in 496 cases (92.5%). The behind the ear aids have been chosen in 69% cases. The type was analogical or digital respectively in 65% and 35% des cas. The prosthetic pure tonal gain was more than 30 dB in 66.8% cases and the prosthetic speech reception threshold gain more than 30 dB in 55.3% cases. The patients have been respectively satisfied less satisfacted, no satisfacted in 68.47%, 22.76% and 8.7% cases. The hearing aids have improved the audition in most of the indications. The proportion of patients satisfied was proportionally equivalent to the audiometric results.

The Origin and Development of the African Evaluation Guidelines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rouge, Jean-Charles

2004-01-01

In May 1990, the first evaluation seminar in Africa took place in Cote d'Ivoire. It was the first in a series of regional seminars on evaluation planned by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The seminar was jointly presented by the DAC and African Development Bank (ADB).…

The Spore Coat Protein CotE Facilitates Host Colonization by Clostridium difficile

PubMed Central

Hong, Huynh A; Ferreira, William T; Hosseini, Siamand; Anwar, Saba; Hitri, Krisztina; Wilkinson, Anthony J; Vahjen, Wilfried; Zentek, Jürgen; Soloviev, Mikhail; Cutting, Simon M

2017-01-01

Abstract Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is an important hospital-acquired infection resulting from the germination of spores in the intestine as a consequence of antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Key to this is CotE, a protein displayed on the spore surface and carrying 2 functional elements, an N-terminal peroxiredoxin and a C-terminal chitinase domain. Using isogenic mutants, we show in vitro and ex vivo that CotE enables binding of spores to mucus by direct interaction with mucin and contributes to its degradation. In animal models of CDI, we show that when CotE is absent, both colonization and virulence were markedly reduced. We demonstrate here that the attachment of spores to the intestine is essential in the development of CDI. Spores are usually regarded as biochemically dormant, but our findings demonstrate that rather than being simply agents of transmission and dissemination, spores directly contribute to the establishment and promotion of disease. PMID:28968845

Basic Education in Ivory Coast: From Education for All to Compulsory Education, Challenges and Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oyeniran, Rassidy

2017-01-01

Ivorian authorities, for years, are employing various strategies as part of reforms to ensure universal education in Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). In this regard, great efforts are done each year through public funding and partnership development support to face the challenge of Education for All whose term of the implementation was 2015. The…

The HRD Competencies as Perceived by the Human Resource Development Professionals in Banks in Cote d'Ivoire

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Konan, Affoue Zitagisele

2010-01-01

The purposes of this study were to identify how Ivorian HRD professionals in banks perceived their current expertise levels of the HRD competencies, and how these professionals perceived the importance of these competencies needed to be successful in their occupations. In addition, this study determined competencies that are perceived to have the…

76 FR 30954 - Notification of the Imposition of Conditions of Entry for Certain Vessels Arriving to the United...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-27

...-Leste, and Venezuela. This current list is also available in the policy notice available on the Homeport... Union of the Comoros and the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. DATES: The policy announced in this notice will..., except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329. This policy is also available at http...

An oyster-associated hepatitis A outbreak in France in 2007.

PubMed

Guillois-Bécel, Y; Couturier, E; Le Saux, J C; Roque-Afonso, A M; Le Guyader, F S; Le Goas, A; Pernès, J; Le Bechec, S; Briand, A; Robert, C; Dussaix, E; Pommepuy, M; Vaillant, V

2009-03-12

Following the notification of nine hepatitis A cases clustered in the Cotes d Armor district in northwestern France, epidemiological, environmental and microbiological investigations were set up in order to identify the source and vehicle of contamination and implement control measures. In total, 111 cases were identified in the outbreak, all of whom lived or had stayed as tourists in the Cotes d Armor district. Of the cases, 87% had eaten raw shellfish, and 81% specifically oysters. Traceback investigations carried out on raw shellfish consumed by the cases showed that the raw shellfish originated from a single shellfish farm. The shellfish were probably contaminated either in the submersible tanks or in a depuration land-based tank where they were stored. The source of contamination was not identified but shellfish could have been tainted by sewage overflows or by wastewater releases from a polluted storm sewer close to the shellfish farm or from on-site sanitation facilities. To prevent future hepatitis A outbreaks due to shellfish consumption from this area, hazards specific to each farm should be analysed. Timely information on sewage overflows should also be part of communities efforts regarding sewage collection and treatment.

27 CFR 12.21 - List of examples of names by country.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...-Fronsac, Cassis, Cerons, Charlemagne, Chateau Chalon, Chateau-Grillet, Chinon, Chorey-les-Beaunes, Clos de Tart, Clos des Lambrays, Clos Saint-Denis, Collioure, Condrieu, Cornas, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Coteaux du Languedoc, Coteaux du Loir, Coteaux du Lyonnais, Coteaux du Tricastin, Cotes de Duras, Cotes de...

27 CFR 12.21 - List of examples of names by country.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...-Fronsac, Cassis, Cerons, Charlemagne, Chateau Chalon, Chateau-Grillet, Chinon, Chorey-les-Beaunes, Clos de Tart, Clos des Lambrays, Clos Saint-Denis, Collioure, Condrieu, Cornas, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Coteaux du Languedoc, Coteaux du Loir, Coteaux du Lyonnais, Coteaux du Tricastin, Cotes de Duras, Cotes de...

HIV Vulnerability and the Erasure of Sexual and Gender Diversity in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

PubMed Central

Thomann, Matthew

2016-01-01

In the fight against concentrated HIV epidemics, men who have sex with men (MSM) are often framed as a homogeneous population, with little attention paid to sexual and gender diversity and its impact on HIV vulnerability. This article draws on ethnographic research conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire among les branchés – a local term encompassing several categories of same-sex desire and practice. In the context of increased HIV prevention programming targeting Ivoirian sexual and gender minorities, such diversity is effectively erased. This obfuscation of difference has particularly negative impacts for travestis, who may be at higher risk for HIV infection, though research and prevention efforts in which they are grouped with “MSM” render them underrepresented and make their vulnerability difficult to quantify. Branchés whose class and/or ethnic backgrounds compound their stigmatized status as sexual and gender minorities also bear the burden of this exclusion. Furthermore, some branchés deploy “MSM” as a form of self-identification, further complicating who such categories represent. By highlighting the ways in which constructions of gender and sexuality within HIV/AIDS programming obscure complex social realities, I aim to reorient thinking around the development of purposeful HIV programming that engages the complexity of sexual and gender minority experience. PMID:26894990

Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) III: epidemiology of urban malaria in the municipality of Yopougon (Abidjan)

PubMed Central

Wang, Shr-Jie; Lengeler, Christian; Smith, Thomas A; Vounatsou, Penelope; Cissé, Guéladio; Tanner, Marcel

2006-01-01

Background Currently, there is a significant lack of knowledge concerning urban malaria patterns in general and in Abidjan in particular. The prevalence of malaria, its distribution in the city and the fractions of fevers attributable to malaria in the health facilities have not been previously investigated. Methods A health facility-based survey and health care system evaluation was carried out in a peripheral municipality of Abidjan (Yopougon) during the rainy season of 2002, applying a standardized Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) methodology. Results According to national statistics, approximately 240,000 malaria cases (both clinical cases and laboratory confirmed cases) were reported by health facilities in the whole of Abidjan in 2001. They accounted for 40% of all consultations. In the health facilities of the Yopougon municipality, the malaria infection rates in fever cases for different age groups were 22.1% (under one year-olds), 42.8% (one to five years-olds), 42.0% (> five to 15 years-olds) and 26.8% (over 15 years-olds), while those in the control group were 13.0%. 26.7%, 21.8% and 14.6%, respectively. The fractions of malaria-attributable fever were 0.12, 0.22, 0.27 and 0.13 in the same age groups. Parasitaemia was homogenously detected in different areas of Yopougon. Among all children, 10.1% used a mosquito net (treated or not) the night before the survey and this was protective (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.97). Travel to rural areas within the last three months was frequent (31% of all respondents) and associated with a malaria infection (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.25–2.45). Conclusion Rapid urbanization has changed malaria epidemiology in Abidjan and endemicity was found to be moderate in Yopougon. Routine health statistics are not fully reliable to assess the burden of disease, and the low level of the fractions of malaria-attributable fevers indicated substantial over-treatment of malaria. PMID:16584575

Cultural Myths in Stories about Human Resource Development: Analysing the Cross-Cultural Transfer of American Models to Germany and the Cote d'Ivoire.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, Carol D.

2003-01-01

Analysis of reactions of 14 German and 20 Ivory Coast managers to informant stories from 14 U.S. human resource professionals revealed differences in work myths that reflected national differences, e.g., individual versus collective orientation, business development patterns, and management approaches. Awareness of the ethnocentrism of work myths…

Comparison of LASSO and GPS time transfers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewandowski, W.; Petit, G.; Baumont, F.; Fridelance, P.; Gaignebet, J.; Grudler, P.; Veillet, C.; Wiant, J.; Klepczynski, W. J.

1994-01-01

The LASSO is a technique which should allow the comparison of remote atomic clocks with sub-nanosecond precision and accuracy. The first successful time transfer using LASSO has been carried out between the Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur in France and the McDonald Observatory in Texas, United States. This paper presents a preliminary comparison of LASSO time transfer with GPS common-view time transfer.

Sporulation Temperature Reveals a Requirement for CotE in the Assembly of both the Coat and Exosporium Layers of Bacillus cereus Spores.

PubMed

Bressuire-Isoard, Christelle; Bornard, Isabelle; Henriques, Adriano O; Carlin, Frédéric; Broussolle, Véronique

2016-01-01

The Bacillus cereus spore surface layers consist of a coat surrounded by an exosporium. We investigated the interplay between the sporulation temperature and the CotE morphogenetic protein in the assembly of the surface layers of B. cereus ATCC 14579 spores and on the resulting spore properties. The cotE deletion affects the coat and exosporium composition of the spores formed both at the suboptimal temperature of 20°C and at the optimal growth temperature of 37°C. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that ΔcotE spores had a fragmented and detached exosporium when formed at 37°C. However, when produced at 20°C, ΔcotE spores showed defects in both coat and exosporium attachment and were susceptible to lysozyme and mutanolysin. Thus, CotE has a role in the assembly of both the coat and exosporium, which is more important during sporulation at 20°C. CotE was more represented in extracts from spores formed at 20°C than at 37°C, suggesting that increased synthesis of the protein is required to maintain proper assembly of spore surface layers at the former temperature. ΔcotE spores formed at either sporulation temperature were impaired in inosine-triggered germination and resistance to UV-C and H2O2 and were less hydrophobic than wild-type (WT) spores but had a higher resistance to wet heat. While underscoring the role of CotE in the assembly of B. cereus spore surface layers, our study also suggests a contribution of the protein to functional properties of additional spore structures. Moreover, it also suggests a complex relationship between the function of a spore morphogenetic protein and environmental factors such as the temperature during spore formation. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Architecture and assembly of the Bacillus subtilis spore coat.

PubMed

Plomp, Marco; Carroll, Alicia Monroe; Setlow, Peter; Malkin, Alexander J

2014-01-01

Bacillus spores are encased in a multilayer, proteinaceous self-assembled coat structure that assists in protecting the bacterial genome from stresses and consists of at least 70 proteins. The elucidation of Bacillus spore coat assembly, architecture, and function is critical to determining mechanisms of spore pathogenesis, environmental resistance, immune response, and physicochemical properties. Recently, genetic, biochemical and microscopy methods have provided new insight into spore coat architecture, assembly, structure and function. However, detailed spore coat architecture and assembly, comprehensive understanding of the proteomic composition of coat layers, and specific roles of coat proteins in coat assembly and their precise localization within the coat remain in question. In this study, atomic force microscopy was used to probe the coat structure of Bacillus subtilis wild type and cotA, cotB, safA, cotH, cotO, cotE, gerE, and cotE gerE spores. This approach provided high-resolution visualization of the various spore coat structures, new insight into the function of specific coat proteins, and enabled the development of a detailed model of spore coat architecture. This model is consistent with a recently reported four-layer coat assembly and further adds several coat layers not reported previously. The coat is organized starting from the outside into an outermost amorphous (crust) layer, a rodlet layer, a honeycomb layer, a fibrous layer, a layer of "nanodot" particles, a multilayer assembly, and finally the undercoat/basement layer. We propose that the assembly of the previously unreported fibrous layer, which we link to the darkly stained outer coat seen by electron microscopy, and the nanodot layer are cotH- and cotE- dependent and cotE-specific respectively. We further propose that the inner coat multilayer structure is crystalline with its apparent two-dimensional (2D) nuclei being the first example of a non-mineral 2D nucleation crystallization pattern in a biological organism.

Architecture and Assembly of the Bacillus subtilis Spore Coat

PubMed Central

Plomp, Marco; Carroll, Alicia Monroe; Setlow, Peter; Malkin, Alexander J.

2014-01-01

Bacillus spores are encased in a multilayer, proteinaceous self-assembled coat structure that assists in protecting the bacterial genome from stresses and consists of at least 70 proteins. The elucidation of Bacillus spore coat assembly, architecture, and function is critical to determining mechanisms of spore pathogenesis, environmental resistance, immune response, and physicochemical properties. Recently, genetic, biochemical and microscopy methods have provided new insight into spore coat architecture, assembly, structure and function. However, detailed spore coat architecture and assembly, comprehensive understanding of the proteomic composition of coat layers, and specific roles of coat proteins in coat assembly and their precise localization within the coat remain in question. In this study, atomic force microscopy was used to probe the coat structure of Bacillus subtilis wild type and cotA, cotB, safA, cotH, cotO, cotE, gerE, and cotE gerE spores. This approach provided high-resolution visualization of the various spore coat structures, new insight into the function of specific coat proteins, and enabled the development of a detailed model of spore coat architecture. This model is consistent with a recently reported four-layer coat assembly and further adds several coat layers not reported previously. The coat is organized starting from the outside into an outermost amorphous (crust) layer, a rodlet layer, a honeycomb layer, a fibrous layer, a layer of “nanodot” particles, a multilayer assembly, and finally the undercoat/basement layer. We propose that the assembly of the previously unreported fibrous layer, which we link to the darkly stained outer coat seen by electron microscopy, and the nanodot layer are cotH- and cotE- dependent and cotE-specific respectively. We further propose that the inner coat multilayer structure is crystalline with its apparent two-dimensional (2D) nuclei being the first example of a non-mineral 2D nucleation crystallization pattern in a biological organism. PMID:25259857

Performance of rapid tests and algorithms for HIV screening in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

PubMed

Loukou, Y G; Cabran, M A; Yessé, Zinzendorf Nanga; Adouko, B M O; Lathro, S J; Agbessi-Kouassi, K B T

2014-01-01

Seven rapid diagnosis tests (RDTs) of HIV were evaluated by a panel group who collected serum samples from patients in Abidjan (HIV-1 = 203, HIV-2 = 25, HIV-dual = 25, HIV = 305). Kit performances were recorded after the reference techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The following RDTs showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity higher than 99%: Determine, Oraquick, SD Bioline, BCP, and Stat-Pak. These kits were used to establish infection screening strategies. The combination with 2 or 3 of these tests in series or parallel algorithms showed that series combinations with 2 tests (Oraquick and Bioline) and 3 tests (Determine, BCP, and Stat-Pak) gave the best performances (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%). However, the combination with 2 tests appeared to be more onerous than the combination with 3 tests. The combination with Determine, BCP, and Stat-Pak tests serving as a tiebreaker could be an alternative to the HIV/AIDS serological screening in Abidjan.

Malnutrition: prevalence and risk factors among the children younger than five years in a semi-urban area of Abidjan.

PubMed

Sackou Kouakou, J G; Aka, B S; Hounsa, A E; Attia, R; Wilson, R; Ake, O; Oga, S; Houenou, Y; Kouadio, L

2016-08-01

In Côte d'Ivoire, the prevalence of malnutrition among children younger than 5 years exceeded 5% in 2011 and was thus considered serious. This overall prevalence may nonetheless mask differences and specificities between regions and municipalities. This study sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition among children in this age group in a semi-urban area of Abidjan. This exhaustive, descriptive, cross-sectional survey took place from May 6 to July 31, 2010. The children's nutritional status was determined according to the WHO criteria. Univariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with malnutrition (social and demographic characteristics, immunization status, children's eating practices, and household characteristics) were studied. We visited 668 households and recruited 809 children. The prevalence of malnutrition was 22.5%. Multivariate analysis showed that the introduction of porridge after 6 months halved the risk of malnutrition. Risk tripled for children whose father's occupation did not guarantee a regular income. Among the factors highlighted by this study, dietary practices seem the most amenable to corrective action. For example, the adoption of outreach programs by the Maternal and Child Protection services could improve nutritional practices in households.

The effects of topical agent (kelo-cote or contractubex) massage on the thickness of post-burn scar tissue formed in rats.

PubMed

Ko, Won Jin; Na, Young Cheon; Suh, Bum Sin; Kim, Hyeon A; Heo, Woo Hoe; Choi, Gum Ha; Lee, Seo Ul

2013-11-01

We conducted an experimental study to compare the effect of massage using topical agents (Kelo-cote or Contractubex) on scar formation by massaging the healed burn wound on the dorsal area of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Four areas of second degree contact burn were made on the dorsal area of each of 15 SD rats, using a soldering iron 15 mm in diameter. After gross epithelialization in the defect, 15 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Kelo-cote group, Contractubex group, Vaseline group, and control group. Rats in three of the groups (all but the Control group) were massaged twice per day for 5 minutes each day, while those in the Control group were left unattended. For histologic analysis, we performed a biopsy and evaluated the thickness of scar tissue. In the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the Vaseline and control groups. However, no significant differences were observed between the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups. In the Vaseline group, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the control groups. The findings of this study suggest that massage using a topical agent is helpful in the prevention of scar formation and that massage only with lubricant (no use of a topical agent) also has a considerable effect, although not as much as the use of a topical agent. Thus, we recommend massage with a topical agent on the post-burn scar as an effective method for decreasing the scar thickness.

Prevalence and incidence of Entamoeba histolytica infection in South Africa and Egypt.

PubMed

Stauffer, William; Abd-Alla, Mohamed; Ravdin, Jonathan I

2006-02-01

There are little data on the true prevalence and incidence of Entamoeba histolytica infection in Africa. This is due to the inability, historically, to differentiate Entamoeba histolytica from the more common, but non-pathogenic, Entamoeba dispar. In addition, newer studies have demonstrated that the previous gold standard, culture with zymodeme analysis, is insensitive in detecting the presence of infection, especially when compared to PCR. Recent published articles as well as data from the authors' previous work are reviewed and summarized to elucidate what is known about prevalence and incidence of Entamoeba histolytica in Africa. The majority of data on asymptomatic infection are published from South Africa, Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire. Egypt has high rates of asymptomatic infection detected in the stool (>21%), whereas South Africa and Cote d'Ivoire rates range between 0 and 2%. Seroprevalence estimates the rate of recent infection, because anti-amebic antibodies generally persist for <5 years. Seropositivity rates (IgG, IgA) range from approximately 10 to 20%, indicating recent infection in this proportion of the population. Entamoeba histolytica infects a significant proportion of many populations of Africa; however, little data are currently available to indicate true prevalence and incidence. Further studies are needed to determine the burden of infection and disease in Africa.

Microfinance and HIV mitigation among people living with HIV in the era of anti-retroviral therapy: emerging lessons from Cote d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Holmes, Kathleen; Winskell, Kate; Hennink, Monique; Chidiac, Sybil

2011-01-01

The effects of HIV/AIDS have been far-reaching in Africa. Beyond adverse health outcomes and the tremendous toll on life, AIDS has serious economic impacts on households, increasing livelihood insecurity while simultaneously depleting socio-economic resources. Although microfinance is believed to have the potential to mitigate the economic impacts of HIV by helping affected households and communities better prepare for and cope with HIV-related economic shocks, little empirical research exists on this subject. This qualitative study examines the socio-economic impacts of economic strengthening activities on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the era of increased access to anti-retroviral therapy to determine if savings-led, community-managed microfinance is a justified activity for HIV programmes. Findings from a village savings and loan programme, implemented by CARE International in Cote d'Ivoire, revealed that when appropriate medical treatment is available PLHIV are capable of participating in and benefit from microfinance activities, which increased HIV-positive clients' access to money and economic self-sufficiency. By bringing individuals with similar experiences together, savings and loan groups also acted as self-support groups providing psychosocial support while reducing stigmatisation and increasing members' sense of dignity and self-worth.

[Sacroiliac joint disorders in Abidjan: epidemiological, clinical, radiological and etiological characteristics].

PubMed

Diomandé, Mohamed; Eti, E; Ouattara, B; Cheteu, K E; Kouakou Ehaulier Soh, C L; Gbané-Koné, M; Djaha Kouassi, Jean-Mermoze; Kouakou N'zué, M

2014-10-01

The sacroiliac joint remains unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies about the sacroiliac diseases are rare Aim : Describe the epidemiological, clinical, radiological and etiological characteristics of sacroiliac joint diseases in Abidjan Methods : Retrospective and descriptive study concerning 17 patients hospitalized from February 2003 to April 2010 in the department of rheumatology of university hospital center of Cocody (Abidjan) for buttock pain or others functional signs evoking sacroiliac joint which were attested by radiographic lesions. We were interested on the epidemiological, clinical and radiological characteristics and the etiologies in the sacroiliac disease. The hospital prevalence of sacroiliac diseases was 0.55% corresponding in 17 of 3067 rheumatological diseases. The female sex predominated (82.35%) and the mean age of 25.58 years. Gyneco-obstetric events were the predominant risk factors (47.05%). Sacroiliac damage was manifested by inflammatory pain (64.7%) localized at the buttock or lumbar spine, radiating to the thigh (52.9%) and was accompanied by functional disability (82.2%) and fever was not present every time (64.7%). The physical findings were the tripod sign positive (58.8%), the monopodal backing positive (41.2%) and palpation painful of sacroiliac joint. The standard radiograph revealed a blurring aspect and widening of joint space associated with demineralization (68.4%), a joint space narrowing and erosion of articular banks (23.5%). The etiologies found were bacterial arthritis (82.3%) mainly pyogenic (70.58%), osteoarthritis (11.7%) and ankylosing spondylitis (5.9%). Sacroiliac joint diseases are rare in rheumatology practice in Abidjan, concern younger subjects and are dominated by pyogenic sacroiliitis.

The Effects of Topical Agent (Kelo-Cote or Contractubex) Massage on the Thickness of Post-Burn Scar Tissue Formed in Rats

PubMed Central

Ko, Won Jin; Suh, Bum Sin; Kim, Hyeon A; Heo, Woo Hoe; Choi, Gum Ha; Lee, Seo Ul

2013-01-01

Background We conducted an experimental study to compare the effect of massage using topical agents (Kelo-cote or Contractubex) on scar formation by massaging the healed burn wound on the dorsal area of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods Four areas of second degree contact burn were made on the dorsal area of each of 15 SD rats, using a soldering iron 15 mm in diameter. After gross epithelialization in the defect, 15 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Kelo-cote group, Contractubex group, Vaseline group, and control group. Rats in three of the groups (all but the Control group) were massaged twice per day for 5 minutes each day, while those in the Control group were left unattended. For histologic analysis, we performed a biopsy and evaluated the thickness of scar tissue. Results In the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the Vaseline and control groups. However, no significant differences were observed between the Kelo-cote and Contractubex groups. In the Vaseline group, scar tissue thicknesses showed a significant decrease, compared with the control groups. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that massage using a topical agent is helpful in the prevention of scar formation and that massage only with lubricant (no use of a topical agent) also has a considerable effect, although not as much as the use of a topical agent. Thus, we recommend massage with a topical agent on the post-burn scar as an effective method for decreasing the scar thickness. PMID:24286041

Impact of Military Coups d’etat on West Africa’s Socio-Economic and Political Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-16

the 1990s. Under President Doe, the Liberian currency was devalued , corruption was at its peak, and the mismanagement of public funds was the rule...from which they are yet to recover. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Africa, Economic development, Governance, Security, the West, West Africa, Nigeria , Cote... Nigeria and Military Coup d’états 1983-1999 .............................................................. 32 The Second Military Coup after the Second

Area Handbook Series. Cote D’Lvoire; A Country Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-01

longevity shaped Ivoirian elites’ into-a wealthy, male; educated social stratum. B y the laie 1980s, wonen were beginning to emrerge within this group...certain experimental crops like tobacco, rice, and cotton. By the mid-1960s, the National Service had expanded into other areas. The Company of Pioneers ...ethnic balance had emerged among the security forces., North- erneis controlled higher positions in the army; the demographi - cally preponderant Baoul6

ABO/Rh Blood Groups and Risk of HIV Infection and Hepatitis B Among Blood Donors of Abidjan, Côte D'ivoire.

PubMed

Siransy, Liliane Kouabla; Nanga, Zizendorf Yves; Zaba, Flore Sandrine; Tufa, Nyasenu Yawo; Dasse, Sery Romuald

2015-09-01

Hepatitis B and HIV infection are two viral infections that represent real global public health problems. In order to improve their management, some hypotheses suggest that genetic predispositions like ABO and Rh blood groups would influence the occurrence of these diseases. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between ABO and Rhesus blood groups and the susceptibility to HIV infection and hepatitis B. We conducted a cross-sectional and analytical study in a population of voluntary blood donors in the Blood Transfusion Center of Abidjan. All blood donors who donated blood between January and June 2014 were tested for HBs antigen and anti-HIV antibodies (ELISA tests) and were ABO typed. The total number of examined blood donors during this period was 45,538, of which 0.32% and 8.07% were respectively infected with HIV and hepatitis B virus. O-group donors were more infected than non-O donors. Our study is an outline concerning the search for a link between ABO and Rh blood groups and hepatitis B and HIV infection. Further studies should be conducted to confirm the interaction between these two infections and contribute to the search for new therapeutic approaches.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in spices commercialized in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

PubMed

Manda, Pierre; Adanou, Ketty Michele; Ardjouma, Dembelé; Adepo, Aholia Jean Baptiste; Dano, Djédjé Sébastien

2016-08-01

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced mostly by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. OTA is nephrotoxic in all animal species in which it has been tested and is cancerogenic in rodents. It is associated with Balkan endemic nephropathy. It is naturally present in many crop products such as cereals (barley, wheat, maize) and dried fruits, spices, coffee, wine, olives, and cocoa. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination of three Ivoirian spices with OTA (ginger, chili, and pepper) widely consumed by the population. A total of 90 spice samples (ginger: n = 30; chili: n = 30; pepper n = 30) was taken from various sales outlets of Abidjan. OTA was quantified using an HPLC apparatus coupled with a fluorimetric detector. The chili and ginger samples were contaminated with OTA at a mean concentration of 57.48 ± 174 and 0.12 ± 0.15 μg/kg, respectively. No contamination of the pepper samples was detected. Eight (26.67 %) of the chili samples exceeded the maximum limit of 15 μg/kg established by European regulation. These results should serve as an alert on the risk to the consumer population of these products that are highly contaminated with OTA.

Scale-Up of a Titanium Carbonitride Coating System for Titanium Alloys.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

Ti-Cote C on JT12 Compressor 7th-Stage Airfoil -Optical Photomicrograph Porosity in Ti-Cote C Titanium 6AI- 4V Substrate - -- Mag: 1000OX FD 171506...30 21 TiCN Coating on Titanium 6A1- 4V ...indication of any corrosive damage to the titanium 6A1- 4V . This had been a matter of concern due to the corrosive nature of the reactive gases and

Les sous-prefectures de Sikensi et Dabakala, Cote-d'Ivoire. (The Regions of Sikensi and Dabakala, Ivory Coast.) Method de preparation de la carte scolaire: etudes de cas 9.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hallak, J.; And Others

This volume contains the results of the first study of the problems associated with using educational television in curriculum planning in the Ivory Coast. The study was conducted in two districts of this African country, one relatively developed and situated in the southern part of the country, and the other more characteristic of the poorer…

Mali’s Next Battle: Improving Counterterrorism Capabilities

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

most notably nonnoble and non –Kel Adagh clans—and Arab communities joined the fight, with the Arabs form- ing their own rebel group . On April 11...between pro-government and CMA forces Area controlled by jihadist groups in 2012–2013 TOGO COTE D’IVOIRE GHANA SIERRA LEONE BENIN NIGERIA...northern Mali’s larger security issues, both because of ties between and among terrorist and non -jihadi rebel groups —the signatories of the Algiers

Pulmonary Gene Expression Profiling of Inhaled Ricin

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-02-01

luis.dasilva@amedd.army.mil ( L . DaSilva). Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of...profiling of inhaled ricin, Toxicon 41:813-822 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) DaSilva, L Cote, D Roy, C...USA, Inc., Torrance, CA). To detect pulmonary alveolar macrophages, replicate sections of formalin-fixed, L . DaSilva et al. / Toxicon 41 (2003) 813

Cigarette smoking and cigarette marketing exposure among students in selected African countries: Findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey.

PubMed

Zhao, Luhua; Palipudi, Krishna M; Ramanandraibe, Nivo; Asma, Samira

2016-10-01

To investigate cigarette smoking prevalence and exposure to various forms of cigarette marketing among students in 10 African countries. We used data collected during 2009-2011 from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), a school-based cross-sectional survey of students aged 13-15years, to measure the prevalence of cigarette smoking and exposure to cigarette marketing; comparisons to estimates from 2005 to 2006 were conducted for five countries where data were available. Current cigarette smoking ranged from 3.4% to 13.6% among students aged 13-15 in the 10 countries studied, although use of tobacco products other than cigarettes was more prevalent in all countries except in Cote D'Ivoire. Cigarette smoking was higher among boys than girls in seven out of the 10 countries. Among the five countries with two rounds of surveys, a significant decrease in cigarette smoking prevalence was observed in Mauritania and Niger; these two countries also experienced a decline in three measures of cigarette marketing exposure. It is also possible that smoking prevalence might have risen faster among girls than boys. Cigarette smoking among youth was noticeable in 10 African countries evaluated, with the prevalence over 10% in Cote D'Ivoire, Mauritania, and South Africa. Cigarette marketing exposure varied by the types of marketing; traditional venues such as TV, outdoor billboards, newspapers, and magazines were still prominent. Published by Elsevier Inc.

[Impact of children with multiple disabilities on families in Abidjan].

PubMed

N Dri, Koumé Mathias; Yaya, Issifou; Zigoli, Robertine; Endemel Ayabakan, François; Ipou, Stéphane Yves; Lambert Moke, Botty

A child's multiple disabilities have a major impact on families in both developed and developing countries. In Côte d'Ivoire, very few data are available concerning the real experiences of families of children with multiple disabilities. The objective of this study was to improve our knowledge of the impact of children with multiple disabilities on families in Côte d'Ivoire. A qualitative study was conducted among the families consulting the Child Guidance Centre of the National Institute of Public Health in Abidjan. Data were collected in May 2015 by semi-structured individual interviews with mothers of children with multiple disabilities. Twenty mothers of multiply disabled children between the ages of 2 and 14 years were interviewed. The child's multiple disability was found to have a negative impact on finances, health, and social life. Health check-ups, treatment and transport are the main additional costs. Mothers suffer from insomnia, fatigue, back pain and anxiety and were often held responsible for their child's disability. A disabled child was a source of discord in several couples and a cause of school drop-out in some families.This study partially addresses the experiences of families with children with multiple disabilities. It confirms the results of several other studies, highlighting the vulnerability and social dysfunction of these families. The presence of a child with multiple disabilities in a family is a source of psychological, financial and social upheaval. This study raises questions about the impact of multiple disabilities on the whole family and a more detailed analysis of economic aspects.

[Malaria and intestinal parasitosis in pregnant woman at Abobo district (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire)].

PubMed

Coulibaly, G; Yao, K P; Koffi, M; Ahouty, B A; Louhourignon, L K; N'Cho, M; N'Goran, E K

2017-05-01

A prospective study was carried out from 2010 to 2012 at the Hôpital Général d'Abobo (HGA) in Abidjan, in order to determine the impact of infectious and parasitic diseases on child cognitive development. Blood samples were examined by means of thick drop and blood smear; as for stool by direct examination and concentration by formalin-ether method. We evaluated the prevalence, the parasite load of malaria and gastrointestinal parasites; then we investigated the risk factors for these disorders. Overall, 331 pregnant women in the last trimester of their pregnancy were enrolled. The plasmodic index was 3.9% with infestation specific rates of P. falciparum from 100%. Concerning digestive protozoa, it has been observed 71.3% of nonpathogenic, against 9.7 % of pathogens, either an overall prevalence of 51.4% of digestive parasites. The calculated average parasitic loads revealed 3089.2 tpz/μl of blood (95 % CI: 591.1-5587.3) for malaria, 6.5 eggs per gram of stool (95 % CI: 0.4-13.4) for intestinal helminths and one parasite by microscopic field for protozoa (common infestation). It has been shown that the occurrence of malaria has been linked to the non-use of impregnated mosquito nets (x 2 = 0.012; p = 0.018), not to age. No link could be established between the presence of digestive parasites and the age of pregnant women, or socioeconomic conditions (level of education, profession, type of toilet). Malaria is less common in pregnant women while the rate of digestive parasites remains high.

Risk of Vibrio transmission linked to the consumption of crustaceans in coastal towns of Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Traoré, S G; Bonfoh, B; Krabi, R; Odermatt, P; Utzinger, J; Rose, K-N; Tanner, M; Frey, J; Quilici, M-L; Koussémon, M

2012-06-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of Vibrio spp. transmission from crustaceans to humans in two coastal towns of Côte d'Ivoire. Bacteriologic analysis was performed on 322 crustacean samples obtained from six markets in Abidjan and one in Dabou. Suspected Vibrio colonies were identified by morphological, cultural, biochemical, and molecular tests and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. PCR assays were used to further characterize Vibrio strains. A survey on consumption of crustaceans was conducted among 120 randomly selected households in Abidjan. Overall, Vibrio spp. were isolated from 7.8% of the crustacean samples studied, at levels as high as 6.3 log CFU/g. Of the Vibrio strains identified, 40% were V. alginolyticus, 36% were V. parahaemolyticus, and 24% were nontoxigenic V. cholerae; the latter two species can cause mild to severe forms of seafood-associated gastroenteritis. Among interviewed households, 11.7% reported daily consumption of crustaceans, confirming the high probability of exposure of human population to Vibrio spp., and 7.5% reported symptoms of food poisoning after consumption of crustaceans. The absence of genes encoding major virulence factors in the studied strains, i.e., cholera toxin (ctxA and ctxB) in V. cholerae and thermostable direct hemolysin (tdh) and thermostable direct hemolysin-related hemolysin (trh) in V. parahaemolyticus, does not exclude the possibility of exposure to pathogenic strains. However, human infections are not common because most households (96.7%) boil crustaceans, usually for at least 45 min (85.9% of households) before consumption.

High Awareness but Low Coverage of a Locally Produced Fortified Complementary Food in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey.

PubMed

Leyvraz, Magali; Rohner, Fabian; Konan, Amoin G; Esso, Lasme J C E; Woodruff, Bradley A; Norte, Augusto; Adiko, Adiko F; Bonfoh, Bassirou; Aaron, Grant J

2016-01-01

Poor complementary feeding practices among infants and young children in Côte d'Ivoire are major contributing factors to the country's high burden of malnutrition. As part of a broad effort to address this issue, an affordable, nutritious, and locally produced fortified complementary food product was launched in the Côte d'Ivoire in 2011. The objective of the current research was to assess various levels of coverage of the program and to identify coverage barriers. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among caregivers of children less than 2-years of age living in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Four measures of coverage were assessed: "message coverage" (i.e., has the caregiver ever heard of the product?), "contact coverage" (i.e., has the caregiver ever fed the child the product?), "partial coverage" (i.e., has the caregiver fed the child the product in the previous month?), and "effective coverage" (i.e., has the caregiver fed the child the product in the previous 7 days?). A total of 1,113 caregivers with children between 0 and 23 months of age were interviewed. Results showed high message coverage (85.0%), moderate contact coverage (37.8%), and poor partial and effective coverages (8.8% and 4.6%, respectively). Product awareness was lower among caregivers from poorer households, but partial and effective coverages were comparable in both poor and non-poor groups. Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices were generally poor and did not appear to have improved since previous assessments. In conclusion, the results from the present study indicate that availability on the market and high awareness among the target population is not sufficient to achieve high and effective coverage. With market-based delivery models, significant efforts are needed to improve demand. Moreover, given the high prevalence of malnutrition and poor IYCF practices, additional modes of delivering IYCF interventions and improving IYCF practices should be considered.

Developpement D'un Modele Climatique Regional: Fizr Simulation des Conditions de Janvier de la Cote Ouest Nord Americaine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goyette, Stephane

1995-11-01

Le sujet de cette these concerne la modelisation numerique du climat regional. L'objectif principal de l'exercice est de developper un modele climatique regional ayant les capacites de simuler des phenomenes de meso-echelle spatiale. Notre domaine d'etude se situe sur la Cote Ouest nord americaine. Ce dernier a retenu notre attention a cause de la complexite du relief et de son controle sur le climat. Les raisons qui motivent cette etude sont multiples: d'une part, nous ne pouvons pas augmenter, en pratique, la faible resolution spatiale des modeles de la circulation generale de l'atmosphere (MCG) sans augmenter a outrance les couts d'integration et, d'autre part, la gestion de l'environnement exige de plus en plus de donnees climatiques regionales determinees avec une meilleure resolution spatiale. Jusqu'alors, les MCG constituaient les modeles les plus estimes pour leurs aptitudes a simuler le climat ainsi que les changements climatiques mondiaux. Toutefois, les phenomenes climatiques de fine echelle echappent encore aux MCG a cause de leur faible resolution spatiale. De plus, les repercussions socio-economiques des modifications possibles des climats sont etroitement liees a des phenomenes imperceptibles par les MCG actuels. Afin de circonvenir certains problemes inherents a la resolution, une approche pratique vise a prendre un domaine spatial limite d'un MCG et a y imbriquer un autre modele numerique possedant, lui, un maillage de haute resolution spatiale. Ce processus d'imbrication implique alors une nouvelle simulation numerique. Cette "retro-simulation" est guidee dans le domaine restreint a partir de pieces d'informations fournies par le MCG et forcee par des mecanismes pris en charge uniquement par le modele imbrique. Ainsi, afin de raffiner la precision spatiale des previsions climatiques de grande echelle, nous developpons ici un modele numerique appele FIZR, permettant d'obtenir de l'information climatique regionale valide a la fine echelle spatiale. Cette nouvelle gamme de modeles-interpolateurs imbriques qualifies d'"intelligents" fait partie de la famille des modeles dits "pilotes". L'hypothese directrice de notre etude est fondee sur la supposition que le climat de fine echelle est souvent gouverne par des forcages provenant de la surface plutot que par des transports atmospheriques de grande echelle spatiale. La technique que nous proposons vise donc a guider FIZR par la Dynamique echantillonnee d'un MCG et de la forcer par la Physique du MCG ainsi que par un forcage orographique de meso-echelle, en chacun des noeuds de la grille fine de calculs. Afin de valider la robustesse et la justesse de notre modele climatique regional, nous avons choisi la region de la Cote Ouest du continent nord americain. Elle est notamment caracterisee par une distribution geographique des precipitations et des temperatures fortement influencee par le relief sous-jacent. Les resultats d'une simulation d'un mois de janvier avec FIZR demontrent que nous pouvons simuler des champs de precipitations et de temperatures au niveau de l'abri beaucoup plus pres des observations climatiques comparativement a ceux simules a partir d'un MCG. Ces performances sont manifestement attribuees au forcage orographique de meso-echelle de meme qu'aux caracteristiques de surface determinees a fine echelle. Un modele similaire a FIZR peut, en principe, etre implante sur l'importe quel MCG, donc, tout organisme de recherche implique en modelisation numerique mondiale de grande echelle pourra se doter d'un el outil de regionalisation.

Addressing Cote d’Ivoire’s Deeper Crisis (Africa Security Brief, Number 19, March 2012)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

who have worked the coffee and cocoa plantations in the South, generating billions of dollars in exports for what was once the economic engine of...1960, during which time it developed in the forest-rich coastal South an economy based on coffee and cocoa, resulting in the concept of a “useful...engrained bitterness and political polarization. The decision by the opposi- tion party (largely composed of Gbagbo loyalists) to boycott the parliament is

Modélisation à long terme et optimisation du stock d'énergie des installations solaires autonomes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maafi, A.; Delorme, C.

1996-04-01

A sizing approach of storage capacity for autonomous solar system has been developed by analyzing the difference between solar radiation input and energy demand on long-term periods. This approach has been implemented using series of daily global irradiation data recorded or generated on a horizontal surface in the meteorological stations of Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Algiers and Tamanrasset (Algeria) and Carpentras (France). The obtained results show that for an energy demand equaling the pluriannual mean of solar irradiation a storage of several months is needed to obtain the autonomy of solar systems located in Algiers, Carpentras and Tamanrasset. It should be too expensive investment to set-up such solar systems in these locations. Therefore, the size of the storage is minimized by using a non-zero initial energy storage and reducing the energy demand. This procedure show that it is possible to provide every day a programmed energy using autonomous solar systems which are competitive economically. Une approche de dimensionnement de la capacité de stockage des installations solaires autonomes a été développé. Elle est basée sur l'analyse de la différence entre l'énergie incidente et la consommation requise. Cette méthode a été mise au point à partir de données journalières d'irradiation globale enregistrées ou reconstituées sur plan horizontal dans les stations météorologiques d'Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), d'Alger et de Tamanrasset (Algérie) et de Carpentras (France). Pour une demande énergétique correspondant à la production moyenne pluriannuelle d'énergie solaire, les résultats montrent qu'un stockage de plusieurs mois est requis pour garantir l'autonomie de fonctionnement des installations solaires implantées à Alger, Carpentras et Tamanrasset. L'autonomie ainsi obtenue n'est pas économiquement rentable. Aussi, la taille du stockage a été minimisée en utilisant un stock initial d'énergie au démarrage de l'installation et en réduisant la consommation. Ceci a permis de montrer que la couverture de besoins énergétiques planifiés à l'aide d'installations solaires autonomes, compétitives sur le plan économique, est possible.

Implementing a national early awareness and alert system for new and emerging health technologies in Italy: the COTE Project.

PubMed

Migliore, Antonio; Perrini, Maria Rosaria; Jefferson, Tom; Cerbo, Marina

2012-07-01

The aim of this study was to establish a national Early Awareness and Alert (EAA) system for the identification and assessment of new and emerging health technologies in Italy. In 2008, Agenas, a public body supporting Regions and the Ministry of Health (MoH) in health services research, started a project named COTE (Observatory of New and Emerging Health Technologies) with the ultimate aim of implementing a national EAA system. The COTE project involved all stakeholders (MoH, Regions, Industry, Universities, technical government bodies, and Scientific Societies), in defining the key characteristics and methods of the EAA system. Agreement with stakeholders was reached using three separate workshops. During the workshops, participants shared and agreed methods for identification of new and emerging health technologies, prioritization, and assessment. The structure of the Horizon Scanning (HS) reports was discussed and defined. The main channels for dissemination of outputs were identified as the EuroScan database, and the stakeholders' Web portals. During the final workshop, Agenas presented the first three HS reports produced at national level and proposed the establishment of a permanent national EAA system. The COTE Project created the basis for a permanent national EAA system in Italy. An infrastructure to enable the stakeholders network to grow was created, methods to submit new and emerging health technologies for possible evaluation were established, methods for assessment of the technologies selected were defined, and the stakeholders involvement was delineated (in the identification, assessment, and dissemination stages).

Gastroschisis: Bellwether for neonatal surgery capacity in low resource settings?

PubMed

Ford, Kat; Poenaru, Dan; Moulot, Olivier; Tavener, Kate; Bradley, Sarah; Bankole, Rouma; Tshifularo, Nyaweleni; Ameh, Emmanuel; Alema, Nelson; Borgstein, Eric; Hickey, Ann; Ade-Ajayi, Niyi

2016-08-01

Economic disadvantage may adversely influence the outcomes of infants with gastroschisis (GS). Gastroschisis International (GiT) is a network of seven paediatric surgical centres, spanning two continents, evaluating GS treatment and outcomes. A 2-year retrospective review of GS infants at GiT centres. Primary outcome was mortality. Sites were classified into high, middle and low income country (HIC, MIC, and LIC). MIC and LIC were sometimes combined for analysis (LMIC). Disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated and centres with the highest mortality underwent a needs assessment. Mortality was higher in the LICs and LMICs: 100% in Uganda and Cote d'Ivoire, 75% in Nigeria and 60% in Malawi. 29% and 0% mortality was reported in South Africa and the UK, respectively. Septicaemia was the commonest cause of death. Averted and non-avertable DALYs were nil in Uganda and Cote d'Ivoire (no survivors). In the UK (100% survival) averted DALYs (met need) was highest, representing death and disability prevented by surgical intervention. Performance improvement measures were agreed: a prospectively maintained GS register; clarification of the key team members of a GS team and management pathway. We propose the use of GS as a bellwether condition for assessing institutional capacity to deliver newborn surgical care. Early access to care, efficient multidisciplinary team working, appropriate resuscitation, avoidance of abdominal compartment syndrome, stabilization prior to formal closure and proactive nutritional interventions may reduce GS-associated burden of disease in low resource settings. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Description of sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV / AIDS in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)].

PubMed

Konan, Y E; Dagnan, N S; Tetchi, E O; Aké, O; Tiembré, I; Zengbé, P; Ekou, F K; Sablé, P S; Kpebo, D O D; Saraka, K W O; Kouamé, K S; Akani, B C; Anoma, C

2014-12-01

The response to HIV must be based on all situations of risk and vulnerability related to sexual behavior. Sexual practices of women who have sex with other women to HIV described in his study come within this framework. This transversal and descriptive study on the sexual practices of 150 women who have sex with other women to HIV was conducted from July to September 2010 in Abidjan. Mean age of the respondents was 26.6 years. Among them, 21.3% was illiterate, 41.4% had no earned income and 57.3% was Christians. At the time of data collection, the majority (70.7%) did not know their HIV status. The analysis of sexual practices has found 13.3% of lesbians, bisexual, 36% and 50.7% of women who say they are lesbian even if they have had sex with men. Women who have sex with other women had sexual risk behavior. It was mostly the non-systematic use of the condom during sexual relation (60%). Among the 26.7% of respondents who had lesbian practices with penetration, 40% took no precaution to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Taking into account these results could help to develop specific strategies to promote responsible sexual practices among women who have sex with other women.

Exposure to toxic waste containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide illegally dumped in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Dongo, Kouassi; Tiembré, Issiaka; Koné, Blaise Atioumonou; Zurbrügg, Christian; Odermatt, Peter; Tanner, Marcel; Zinsstag, Jakob; Cissé, Guéladio

2012-09-01

On August 2006, a cargo ship illegally dumped 500 t of toxic waste containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in numerous sites across Abidjan. Thousands of people became ill. Seventeen deaths were associated with toxic waste exposure. This study reports on environmental and health problems associated with the incident. A cross-sectional transect study was conducted in five waste dumping site areas. Of the households, 62.1% (n = 502) were exposed to the effects of the pollutants and 51.1% of the interviewed people (n = 2,368) in these households showed signs of poisoning. Most important symptoms were cough (37.1%), asthenia (33.1%), pruritus (29.9%) and nausea (29.1%). The health effects showed different frequencies in the five waste impact sites. Among the poisoned persons, 21.1% (n = 532) presented symptoms on the survey day (i.e., 4 months after incident). Transect sampling allowed to determine a radius of vulnerability to exposure of up to 3 km from the point of toxic waste disposal. The area of higher vulnerability is influenced by various environmental factors, such as size and severity of pollution site, duration of toxic waste pollution on the impact site and locally climatic conditions. The surveillance of effects on environment and human health is warranted to monitor the development.

"In the city, everybody only cares for himself": social relations and illness in Abidjan, Co˘te d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Bossart, Rita

2003-12-01

Various studies on African solidarity, survival strategies and the 'therapy man agement group' [J. M. Janzen (1978) The Quest for Therapy in Lower Zaire, Berkeley, Los Angeles & London: University of California Press] have suggested that institutionalized relationships in the form of networks or groups afford an individual access to resources, also in case of illness. My study reconsiders these arguments in ethnographic research about everyday illness management. It focuses on a heterogeneous urban neighbourhood in Abidjan and analyses who offers help to whom, and what kind of help people offer to one another. The findings show that social networks play an important but at the same time restricted role in illness management. The main source of assistance in response to affliction is household members. Apart from emotional and moral support, relatives living outside the household and non-kin play only a minor role. The social network offers help only sporadically, and very often the sick person has to ask friends and family several times before she or he receives financial or practical support. The emphasis given to social networks in the existing literature is often overestimated, at least in the case of illness. These findings implicate the importance of strengthening informal and formal security systems, especially in an urban context of economic hardship and political insecurity.

Aspects épidémiologiques des accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC) aux urgences de l'institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan (ICA)

PubMed Central

N'goran, Yves N'da Kouakou; Traore, Fatou; Tano, Micesse; Kramoh, Kouadio Euloge; Kakou, Jean-Baptiste Anzouan; Konin, Christophe; Kakou, Maurice Guikahue

2015-01-01

Introduction L'objectif de notre étude était de décrire les caractéristiques sociodémographiques et les Facteurs de Risque cardio-Vasculaires (FRV) des patients admis pour accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC) dans un service autre que celui de la neurologie. Méthodes Étude transversale rétrospective sur une période de 2 ans (janv. 2010 et déc. 2011), réalisée aux urgences de l'institut de cardiologie d'Abidjan. Résultats Il s'agissait de 176 adultes avec un âge moyen de 60 ans, une prédominance féminine. Les facteurs de risque majeurs retrouvés étaient l'hypertension artérielle dans 86,4% des cas, le diabète dans 11,4% des cas, le tabagisme dans 2,2% des cas. Les motifs de consultation étaient la perte de connaissance dans 36,4% des cas, l'hémiplégie dans 31,8% des cas, les céphalées dans 17,4% des cas, les vertiges dans 10,9% et les palpitations dans 2,2% des cas. La tension artérielle systolique moyenne était à 174 mmHg, la tension artérielle diastolique moyenne était à 105 mmHg et la pression pulsée moyenne était à 70 mmHg. Les AVC étaient associés à une arythmie complète par fibrillation auriculaire dans 11,4% des cas. Les AVC ischémiques représentaient 84,1%. L’évolution aux urgences a été marquée par un décès dans 17% (30) des cas. Conclusion Les AVC constituent un problème majeur de santé publique. Malgré sa prédominance féminine, ils (AVC) touchaient 44% des hommes dans notre étude lorsqu'on sait qu'en Afrique l'activité sociale repose sur les hommes. Ils restent une pathologie grave par la forte létalité. PMID:26327997

[Smoking and educational status in Africans].

PubMed

Kouassi, B; Kpebo, O D; Horo, K; N'Gom, A; Godé, C; Ahui, B; Koffi, N; Aka-Danguy, E

2010-03-01

Tobacco smoking is a scourge that continues to increase in developing countries despite its known consequences. Is the population of the Ivory Coast sufficiently informed about the consequences of smoking? For this reason, we decided to evaluate the knowledge of the effects of smoking among the people of Abidjan. To evaluate the knowledge of the effects of smoking in the population of Abidjan. To relate this knowledge to the educational level and smoking status. We evaluated knowledge about smoking and its consequences as a function of educational level and smoking status in the population of Abidjan over the age of 15 years. This was undertaken in 3 months, from November 2005 to January 2006, in the two busiest communes in Abidjan. The minimum number of persons required was 1152 but, in fact, we interviewed 1409. The prevalence of smoking was 36.5% with a predominance of males (sex ratio = 3:11). They were mainly young with a mean age of 27.44 years. This population's main sources of information on the ill effects of smoking were the mass media. In general, the subjects did not have a good understanding of smoking and its consequences. With regard to the diseases related to smoking, bronchial carcinoma and cardiovascular disorders were the best known, in 53.1 and 18.1%, respectively. With regard to the components of tobacco, nicotine was the best known (92.6%). Knowledge was related to the level of education: the subjects of a higher educational level were the most knowledgeable about the consequences of smoking. As a result, these subjects were less attached to smoking than the less educated. The consequences of smoking are poorly understood by the general population. With regard to the level of education, the better educated had a better understanding of the effects of smoking and were also those who smoked the least. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Satellite Detection of Ebola River Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemics Trigger Events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tucker, Compton J.; Pinzon, Jorge E.

2006-01-01

Ebola hemorrhagic fever, named after the Ebola River in Central Africa, first appeared in June 1976, during an outbreak in Nzara and Maridi, Sudan. In September 1976, a separate outbreak was recognized in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). One fatal case was identified in Tandala, DRC, in June 1977, followed by another outbreak in Nzara, Sudan, in July 1979. Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks results in a very high mortality of patients who contract the disease: from 50 to 80% of infected people perish from this highly virulent disease. Death is gruesome, with those afflicted bleeding to death from massive hemorrhaging of organs and capillaries. The disease was not identified again until the end of 1994, when three outbreaks occurred almost simultaneously in Africa. In October, an outbreak was identified in a chimpanzee community studied by primatologists in Tal, Cote d'lvoire, with one human infection. The following month, multiple cases were reported in northeast Gabon in the gold panning camps of Mekouka, Andock, and Minkebe. Later that same month, the putative index case of the 1995 Kikwit, DRC, outbreak was exposed through an unknown mechanism while working in a charcoal pit. In Gabon, two additional outbreaks were reported in February and JuIy,1996, respectively, in Mayibout II, a village 40 km south of the original outbreak in the gold panning camps, and a logging camp between Ovan and Koumameyong, near Booue. The largest Ebola hemorrhagic fever epidemic occurred in Gulu District, Uganda from August 2000 to January 2001. In December 2001, Ebola reappeared in the Ogooue-lvindo Province, Gabon with extension into Mbomo District, The Republic of the Congo lasting until July 2002. Since 2002 there have been several outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Gabon and adjacent areas of Congo. Of interest is the seasonal context and occasional temporal clustering of Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. Near simultaneous appearances of Ebola epidemics in Nzara, Sudan and Yambuku, DRC in 1976 occurred within two months of each other in two geographic locations separated by hundreds of kilometers involving two separate viral strains (Sudan and Zaire EBO strains). The outbreaks of Tal, Cote d'lvoire; Mekouka, Gabon; and Kikwit, DRC in late 1994 also occurred within months of each other in three different geographic regions involving two different viral strains (Cote d'lvoire and Zaire EBO strains). Fifteen years passed between the 1976-9 and 1994-6 temporal clusters of Ebola cases without identification of additional cases.

Moving data off the shelf and into action: an intervention to improve data-informed decision making in Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Nutley, Tara; Gnassou, Léontine; Traore, Moussa; Bosso, Abitche Edwige; Mullen, Stephanie

2014-01-01

Improving a health system requires data, but too often they are unused or under-used by decision makers. Without interventions to improve the use of data in decision making, health systems cannot meet the needs of the populations they serve. In 2008, in Côte d'Ivoire, data were largely unused in health decision-making processes. To implement and evaluate an intervention to improve the use of data in decision making in Cote d'Ivoire. From 2008 to 2012, Cote d'Ivoire sought to improve the use of national health data through an intervention that broadens participation in and builds links between data collection and decision-making processes; identifies information needs; improves data quality; builds capacity to analyze, synthesize, and interpret data; and develops policies to support data use. To assess the results, a Performance of Routine Information System Management Assessment was conducted before and after the intervention using a combination of purposeful and random sampling. In 2008, the sample consisted of the central level, 12 districts, and 119 facilities, and in 2012, the sample consisted of the central level, 20 districts, and 190 health facilities. To assess data use, we developed dichotomous indicators: discussions of analysis findings, decisions taken based on the analysis, and decisions referred to upper management for action. We aggregated the indicators to generate a composite, continuous index of data use. From 2008 to 2012, the district data-use score increased from 40 to 70%; the facility score remained the same - 38%. The central score is not reported, because of a methodological difference in the two assessments. The intervention improved the use of data in decision making at the district level in Côte d'Ivoire. This study provides an example of, and guidance for, implementing a large-scale intervention to improve data-informed decision making.

[Management of dental records: an example of the Department of Restorative Dentistry of the School of Odonto-Stomatology in Abidjan].

PubMed

Assoumou, N M; Gnagne-Agnéro Koffi, N D Y; Avoaka Boni, M C; Adou, J; Adiko, E F

2002-06-01

The patient's file is often mismanaged because of the crowd and the frequency of emergencies caused by pain. The practitioner is worrying about handling it in first place. The objective of this work is to recall the importance of a good management of the dental records and to suggest a charting system. The interest of the dental chart, fundamental part of the patient dental file, is described before developing the implications related to an adequate management. The charting system of the service of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics of Abidjan Dental school is described. It translates the target of a good dental records management, which presents appreciable assets for practitioner, patient and administration.

[Complete immunization coverage and reasons for non-vaccination in a periurban area of Abidjan].

PubMed

Sackou, K J; Oga, A S S; Desquith, A A; Houenou, Y; Kouadio, K L

2012-10-01

An immunization coverage survey was conducted among children aged 12-59 months in a suburban neighbourhood in Abidjan. The objective was to determine the complete immunization coverage, the reasons for non-vaccination and factors influencing the immunization status of children. The method of exhaustive sampling enabled us to interview the mothers of 669 children using a questionnaire. Overall vaccination coverage was 68.6% with 1.2%, with 1.2% of children never having received vaccine. The logistic regression analysis showed that the level of education, knowledge of the immunization schedule and the marital status of mothers, as well as the type of habitat, were associated with full immunization of children. These determinants must be taken into account to improve vaccination coverage.

Ship Dynamics Identification Using Simulator and Sea Trial Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-04-29

Committee "© Her Majesty the Queen as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2002 "© Sa majest6 la reine, repr~sent~e par le ministre de la...cotes d’instructeurs. Le but du present rapport est de ddterminer la nature de la dynamique des navires virtuels et r6els de mani&re A ce que des...la dynamique du navire. Le pr6sent document pr6cise la dynamique du navire pour un navire de classe Bay des FC, ainsi que pour un navire simul6. Les

The Role of Polycomb Group Gene BMI-1 in the Development of Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

17. Fu M, Wang C, Li Z, Sakamaki T, Pestell RG. Minireview: Cyclin D1: normal and abnormal functions. Endocrinology. 2004 Dec;145(12):5439-47. 18...connecting development to breast cancer. Cell Cycle. 2004 Feb;3(2):145-8. 32. Wang C, Li Z, Fu M, Bouras T, Pestell RG. Signal transduction mediated by...Ferzli G, Johnson K, Fricke S, Diba F, Kallakury B, Ohanyerenwa C, Chen M, Ostrowski M, Hung MC, Rabbani SA, Datar R, Cote R, Pestell R, Albanese C

Mass Spectrometry and Multiplex Antigen Assays to Assess Microbial Quality and Toxin Production of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Clinical and Food Samples

PubMed Central

Attien, Paul; Sina, Haziz; Moussaoui, Wardi; Zimmermann-Meisse, Gaëlle; Dadié, Thomas; Keller, Daniel; Riegel, Philippe; Edoh, Vincent; Kotchoni, Simeon O.; Djè, Marcellin; Prévost, Gilles

2014-01-01

The aim of our study was to investigate the microbial quality of meat products and on some clinical samples in Abidjan focused on Staphylococcus genus and the toxin production profile of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated. Bacteria were collected from 240 samples of three meat products sold in Abidjan and 180 samples issued from clinical infections. The strains were identified by both microbiological and MALDI-TOF-MS methods. The susceptibility to antibiotics was determined by the disc diffusion method. The production of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin, LukE/D, and epidermolysins was screened using radial gel immunodiffusion. The production of staphylococcal enterotoxins and TSST-1 was screened by a Bio-Plex Assay. We observed that 96/240 of meat samples and 32/180 of clinical samples were contaminated by Staphylococcus. Eleven species were isolated from meats and 4 from clinical samples. Forty-two S. aureus strains were isolated from ours samples. Variability of resistance was observed for most of the tested antibiotics but none of the strains displays a resistance to imipenem and quinolones. We observed that 89% of clinical S. aureus were resistant to methicillin against 58% for those issued from meat products. All S. aureus isolates issued from meat products produce epidermolysins whereas none of the clinical strains produced these toxins. The enterotoxins were variably produced by both clinical and meat product samples. PMID:24987686

Urban development and employment in Abidjan.

PubMed

Joshi, H; Lubell, H; Mouly, J

1975-04-01

The city of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast has grown physically, economically, and demographically at rates exceeding all reasonable expectation. Yet, as in many other development nations, the employment generated by Abidjan's rapid economic expansion has failed to keep pace with the increase in working population it has attracted. Consequently, economic success has been accompanied by a variety of social strains. Some of these have been discussed in earlier issues of the "International Labour Review" by Louis Roussel. This discussion expands on Roussel's earlier treatment by focusing more specifically on several facets of the urban employment problem created by the rapid growth of Abidjan. Attention is directed to labor supply and employment, factors affecting migration, foreign Africans in the Ivory Coast labor force; the urban informal sector; urban infrastructure and development; social problems of population pressure; employment policy options (current government policies and other policy options); and general issues and policy alternatives (motivations for rural urban migration, smaller urban centers as alternative growth poles, and distributing the gains from development). Several essential features of the employment problem stem from the rural urban distribution of the workforce. The rural labor force, including temporary seasonal workers from the savannah countries to the north, remains more or less in balance with increasing rural employment opportunities, since the migration of Ivory Coast nationals to the cities is balanced by the inflow of foreign workers. In contrast, the influx of migrants into urban areas has led to a more rapid increase in the urban labor force than in urban employment, with a consequent rise in unemployment. In 1970 the Abidjan rate of open unemployment was probably around 20%. At this time, most people's idea of a desirable job is one in the formal sector of the urban economy. If there is to be any hope of an eventual balance between expectations and reality, it must be realized that an increasing share of the urban labor force will have to end up in the informal sector. Different attitudes towards work in the informal sector are needed on the part of both young people entering the labor force and of government policy makers. The latter should be seeking ways to increase productivity and incomes in the informal sector rather than for ways to destroy it. Current government policies include the training and educating of nationals to replace foreign technicians and managers, increasing the attractiveness of the rural milieu by the promotion of cooperatives, attempts to reform the land tenure system, the supply of electricity to villages, and the introduction of educational television; and adapting the educational system and technical training programs to the needs of the economy.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: AMBRE project. FEROS archived spectra (Worley+, 2012)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Worley, C. C.; de Laverny, P.; Recio-Blanco, A.; Hill, V.; Bijaoui, A.; Ordenovic, C.

2017-11-01

This first release concerns the FEROS data collected from 2005, October to 2009, December. The spectra were reduced by ESO with the corresponding automatic pipeline and then sent to the Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur (OCA, Nice) for ingestion into a dedicated pipeline (see paper). All FEROS spectra cover the domain 350nm-920nm at a resolution of about 48000. Before their ingestion into MATISSE, these spectra have been convolved at a lower resolution (Δλ=0.33Å), sliced and resampled (total number of pixels = 11890). (1 data file).

Aghien lagoon: a sustainable resource of fresh water for the city of Abidjan (Ivory Coast)? Description of the project and preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamagaté, Bamory; Effebi, Rose K.; Goula Bi, Tié Albert; Lanciné Goné, Droh; Noufé, Djibril; Diallo, Seydou; Ehouman, Serge K.; Koffi, Thierry; Zamblé Trabi, Armand; Lazare, Kouakou; Paturel, Jean Emmanuel; Perrin, Jean-Louis; Salles, Christian; Seguis, Luc; Tournoud, Marie-George; Karoui, Hela

2016-04-01

With more than 6 million inhabitants, Abidjan district faces tremendous difficulties in water supply. The aquifer of the Continental Terminal which is actually the only drinking water source of the city shows a decline of resources and water demand is increasing due to the population growth. Moreover significant evidences of chemical and biological pollution of the groundwater are observed The Aghien lagoon, the largest freshwater pool located near Abidjan, has been identified by the State of Côte d'Ivoire as a potential resource for the production of drinking water.. The main objective of this project is to assess the quantitative and qualitative capacity of the Aghien lagoon to complement the water supply of Abidjan city in the near future. The main components of the project are: • to assess the water budget of the lagoon and its tributaries, • to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of contaminant levels and fluxes from the tributaries toward the lagoon, • to assess the sustainability of the water resources (quantity and quality) of the lagoon according to land use changes in the catchments . The project started in January 2015. The first year was devoted to the set-up of hydro-meteorological gauges within the lagoon watershed. Three major tributaries of the lagoon are considered, the Mé (4000 km2), the Djibi (78 km2) and Bete (206 km2) rivers. Since the start of the project, bi-monthly hydrochemical sampling surveys have been carried out along the tributaries and in the lagoon. The data available from the surveys concern the physico-chemical parameters, trace elements, all the forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, organic carbon, suspended solids. The Djibi and Bete watersheds are partly urbanized while the Mé basin is mainly rural. Baseflow has been identified as the major contribution to streamflow at the annual scale. The Mé flows into a channel downstream to the Aghien lagoon but during the floods, water from the Mé River can flow up the channel and supply the Aghien lagoon. Discharge measurements have shown that over a period of 8 months Bete and Djibi Rivers renewed half of the total volume of the lagoon. The quantification of the Mé contribution is in progress. In agreement with its high rate of urbanization, Djibi River is highly contaminated. High levels of ammonium and total phosphorus have been observed during both low and high flow conditions. Physico-chemical surveys have shown also higher values of conductivity and lower values of dissolved oxygen in the Djibi River. Despite dilution effect due to the Mé river inflow, the Aghien lagoon is already hypertrophic. The lagoon presents a high biological activity characterized by high values of pH, phosphorus concentration but above all chlorophyll a. The research in the lagoon is going on to characterize the temporal variability and to quantify the impact of the major flood events on the water quality of the lagoon and its tributaries, urbanized or rural.

Hazard identification and exposure assessment for bacterial risk assessment of informally marketed milk in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Kouamé-Sina, Sylvie Mireille; Makita, Kohei; Costard, Solenne; Grace, Delia; Dadié, Adjehi; Dje, Marcellin; Bonfoh, Bassirou

2012-12-01

Animal-source foods are important causes of food-borne illness, and milk and dairy products can contain pathogenic microorganisms. We conducted a stochastic assessment of the risk of ingesting milk contaminated with specific microbial pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus spp.) in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. We carried out structured interviews and focus group discussions with farmers (n = 15), vendors (n = 17), and consumers (n = 188) to characterize dairy production systems and milk consumption behavior. Microbiological sampling was conducted at different points between milking and sale. A risk model was developed, and the risk of consuming contaminated raw milk was estimated by Monte Carlo simulation. The investigation into local raw milk consumption patterns showed that the proportion of raw milk consumption was 51.6% in people who consume milk. The probability of ingestion of marketed raw milk that failed to meet standards for this group of bacteria was 29.9% and about 652 consumers per day were estimated to ingest contaminated milk. Microbiological tests from the farm showed that 7.2% of samples taken from milkers' hands, 4.4% of water samples (water used to rinse milk containers or milking utensils (calabash, plastic bottle, filters, buckets), 4.4% of environmental samples (air pollution), 13.2% of samples from milking utensils, and 4.9% of samples from cows' udders were contaminated with one or more of these pathogens. About 624.6 L of marketed raw milk would need to be discarded per day if discarding milk was chosen as the option of risk reduction. The destruction of this milk would result in a potential loss of Euro623.9 per day for all producers. The risk of human illness from consumption of raw milk could be mitigated by raising awareness about heat treatment of milk and good hygiene practices in the dairy chain.

[Topography of ischemic strokes in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire): a computed tomographic approach].

PubMed

Cowppli-Bony, Pascale; Yapi-Yapo, Paulette; Douayoua-Sonan, Thérèse; Kouamé, Blaise; Yapo, Félix Boa; Kouassi, Ernest Beugré

2006-01-01

The authors used computed tomography (CT) to assess and categorize the topography of ischemic strokes (IS) among blacks living in Abidjan, the commercial and administrative center of Côte d'Ivoire, in West Africa. This retrospective study analyzed CT data of patients admitted to the Sainte Anne Marie Polyclinic (the principal private hospital in the country) and to the neurology department of the university hospital center in Cocody, from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2001. The study included patients who met World Health Organisation criteria for stroke and had CT performed during the hospitalization for this stroke. We examined CT data to find early and late signs of IS, analyze lesion diameter (15 mm cutoff used to distinguish infarcts from lacuna), and determine their topography (cerebral arterial territory and localization, that is, brain lobes, basal ganglia and posterior cerebral fossa). We included 260 subjects (58% males) with a median age of 45 years (range: 20-80 years). CT findings were abnormal for 224 patients with infarcts (72.7%), lacuna (27.3%), or both (8%). As reported elsewhere, the anterior arterial territory was most often affected (83.9%) with a middle cerebral artery lesion in 79.4% of patients. Posterior territory (16.1%) lesions and lacuna were probably underestimated because CT exploration is reported to be less useful for this area than for the carotid area. On the other hand, CT diagnoses infarcts more easily than it does lacuna. CT was normal for 36 patients although performed no more than 3 days after IS. These patients did not undergo CT angiography, which might have shown cerebral artery occlusion. Our study included IS of all types and typography. Stroke registries in Africa would provide useful data for better assessment of prevalence for specific topographic and etiologic types of stroke.

Incidence and risk factors of severe adverse events with nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected women. MTCT-Plus program, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background In resource-limited settings where nevirapine-containing regimen is the preferred regimen in women, data on severe adverse events (SAEs) according to CD4 cell count are limited. We estimated the incidence of SAEs according to CD4 cell count and identify their risk factors in nevirapine-treated women. Methods All HIV-infected women who initiated nevirapine-containing regimen in the MTCT-Plus operational program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, were eligible for this study. Laboratory and clinical (rash) SAEs were classified as grade 3 and 4. Cox models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of SAEs. Results From August 2003 to October 2006, 290 women initiated a nevirapine-containing regimen at a median CD4 cell count of 186 cells/mm3 (IQR 124-266). During a median follow-up on treatment of 25 months, the incidence of all SAEs was 19.5/100 patient-years. The 24-month probability of occurrence of hepatotoxicity or rash was not different between women with a CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 and women with a CD4 cell count ≤250 cells/mm3 (8.3% vs. 9.9%, Log-rank test: p = 0.75). In a multivariate proportional hazard model, neither CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 at treatment initiation nor initiation NVP-based regimen initiated during pregnancy were associated with the occurrence of SAEs. Conclusion CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 was not associated with a higher risk of severe hepatotoxicity and/or rash, as well as initiation of ART during pregnancy. Pharmacovogilance data as well as meta-analysis on women receiving NVP in these settings are needed for better information about NVP toxicity. PMID:20576111

No Paragonimus in high-risk groups in Côte d'Ivoire, but considerable prevalence of helminths and intestinal protozoon infections.

PubMed

Traoré, Sylvain G; Odermatt, Peter; Bonfoh, Bassirou; Utzinger, Jürg; Aka, N'da D; Adoubryn, Koffi D; Assoumou, Aka; Dreyfuss, Gilles; Koussémon, Marina

2011-06-03

Paragonimiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by an infection with lung flukes that is transmitted through the consumption of undercooked crabs. The disease is often confused with tuberculosis. Paragonimiasis is thought to be endemic in south-western Côte d'Ivoire. Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the first half of 2009 in patients attending two tuberculosis centres of Abidjan. A third cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2010 in children of two primary schools in Dabou, where crabs are frequently consumed. Patients with chronic cough provided three sputum samples plus one stool sample. Sputum samples were examined for tuberculosis with an auramine staining technique and for Paragonimus eggs using a concentration technique. Stool samples were subjected to the Ritchie technique. Schoolchildren provided a single stool sample, and samples were subjected to the Kato-Katz and an ether-concentration technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to patients and schoolchildren to investigate food consumption habits. Additionally, between June 2009 and August 2010, shellfish were purchased from markets in Abidjan and Dabou and examined for metacercariae. No human case of paragonimiasis was diagnosed. However, trematode infections were seen in 32 of the 272 shellfish examined (11.8%). Questionnaire results revealed that crab and pig meat is well cooked before consumption. Among the 278 patients with complete data records, 62 had tuberculosis, with a higher prevalence in males than females (28.8% vs. 13.9%, χ2 = 8.79, p = 0.003). The prevalence of helminths and intestinal protozoa was 4.6% and 16.9%, respectively. In the school survey, among 166 children with complete data records, the prevalence of helminths and intestinal protozoa was 22.3% and 48.8%, respectively. Boys had significantly higher prevalences of helminths and intestinal protozoa than girls. Hookworm was the predominant helminth species and Entamoeba coli was the most common intestinal protozoon species (13.8%). Not a single case of Paragonimus was found in two high-risk groups of Côte d'Ivoire, most likely explained by food consumption habits. However, other helminth and intestinal protozoon infections were common.

No Paragonimus in high-risk groups in Côte d'Ivoire, but considerable prevalence of helminths and intestinal protozoon infections

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Paragonimiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by an infection with lung flukes that is transmitted through the consumption of undercooked crabs. The disease is often confused with tuberculosis. Paragonimiasis is thought to be endemic in south-western Côte d'Ivoire. Methods Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out in the first half of 2009 in patients attending two tuberculosis centres of Abidjan. A third cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2010 in children of two primary schools in Dabou, where crabs are frequently consumed. Patients with chronic cough provided three sputum samples plus one stool sample. Sputum samples were examined for tuberculosis with an auramine staining technique and for Paragonimus eggs using a concentration technique. Stool samples were subjected to the Ritchie technique. Schoolchildren provided a single stool sample, and samples were subjected to the Kato-Katz and an ether-concentration technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered to patients and schoolchildren to investigate food consumption habits. Additionally, between June 2009 and August 2010, shellfish were purchased from markets in Abidjan and Dabou and examined for metacercariae. Results No human case of paragonimiasis was diagnosed. However, trematode infections were seen in 32 of the 272 shellfish examined (11.8%). Questionnaire results revealed that crab and pig meat is well cooked before consumption. Among the 278 patients with complete data records, 62 had tuberculosis, with a higher prevalence in males than females (28.8% vs. 13.9%, χ2 = 8.79, p = 0.003). The prevalence of helminths and intestinal protozoa was 4.6% and 16.9%, respectively. In the school survey, among 166 children with complete data records, the prevalence of helminths and intestinal protozoa was 22.3% and 48.8%, respectively. Boys had significantly higher prevalences of helminths and intestinal protozoa than girls. Hookworm was the predominant helminth species and Entamoeba coli was the most common intestinal protozoon species (13.8%). Conclusions Not a single case of Paragonimus was found in two high-risk groups of Côte d'Ivoire, most likely explained by food consumption habits. However, other helminth and intestinal protozoon infections were common. PMID:21639877

Where are we heading with HIV / AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa? The status and trends of HIV / AIDS / STD epidemics.

PubMed

Kerkhoven, R

1998-02-01

By the end of 1997, an estimated 20.8 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were infected with HIV, 68% of all HIV infections. At the Tenth Annual International Conference on STDs and AIDS in Africa held in Abidjan in 1997, the MAP network continued its series of pre-conference symposia on the shape and status of HIV/AIDS in the various continents. The outcome of the Abidjan symposium was then published in a provisional report made available to the main conference's participants. The main conclusions of the symposium with regard to the following areas and subjects are presented: West Africa, Central Africa, the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, life expectancy, HIV/AIDS and STDs, data, determinants of the spread of HIV, the relative importance of determinants, poverty, understanding determinants, the national response, children and the spread of HIV, and the future.

Polarimetric Glucose Sensing Using Brewster Reflection off of Eye Lens: Theoretical Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boeckle, Stefan; Rovati, Luigi; Ansari, Rafat R.

2002-01-01

An important task of in vivo polarimetric glucose sensing is to find an appropriate way to optically access the aqueous humor of the human eye. In this paper two different approaches are analyzed theoretically and applied to the eye model of Le Grand. First approach is the tangential path of Cote, et al. (G.L. Cot6, M.D. Fox, and R.B. Northrop: Noninvasive Optical Polarimetric Glucose Sensing Using a True Phase Measurement Technique. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 39, no. 7, pp. 752-756, 1992.) and the second is a new scheme of this paper of applying Brewster reflection off the eye lens.

Methodes de calcul des forces aerodynamiques pour les etudes des interactions aeroservoelastiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biskri, Djallel Eddine

L'aeroservoelasticite est un domaine ou interagissent la structure flexible d'un avion, l'aerodynamique et la commande de vol. De son cote, la commande du vol considere l'avion comme une structure rigide et etudie l'influence du systeme de commande sur la dynamique de vol. Dans cette these, nous avons code trois nouvelles methodes d'approximation de forces aerodynamiques: Moindres carres corriges, Etat minimal corrige et Etats combines. Dans les deux premieres methodes, les erreurs d'approximation entre les forces aerodynamiques approximees par les methodes classiques et celles obtenues par les nouvelles methodes ont les memes formes analytiques que celles des forces aerodynamiques calculees par LS ou MS. Quant a la troisieme methode, celle-ci combine les formulations des forces approximees avec les methodes standards LS et MS. Les vitesses et frequences de battement et les temps d'executions calcules par les nouvelles methodes versus ceux calcules par les methodes classiques ont ete analyses.

[Fungal aetiologies and contributing factors of interdigital tinea pedis among policemen in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)].

PubMed

Kiki-Barro, P C M; Konaté, A; Angora, E K; Kassi, F K; Bosson-Vanga, H; Bedia-Tanoh, A V; Djohan, V; Yavo, W; Menan, E I H

2017-12-01

Fungal interdigital tinea pedis are poorly documented in Ivory Coast. This study aimed to determine the distribution of fungal species and contributing factors of the disease among policemen in Abidjan. Our cross-sectional study was carried out at the police school in Abidjan. Our patients consisted of symptomatic or non-symptomatic police students. Samples of scales or serosities taken from inter-toes spaces were examinated with KOH mount and cultured on Sabouraud-chloramphenicol and Sabouraud-chloramphenicol-actidione media. The method of identification depended on the observed fungus. Among the 303 police students with clinical lesions of the inter-toe folds, 233 (76.9%; IC 95%=71.9-81.4) had a positive diagnosis after mycological examination. Lesions were predominantly located in the 3rd and 4th interdigital plantar spaces, with desquamation (100%) followed by maceration (82.5%) as the predominant functional sign. Dermatophytes accounted for 86.3% of the strains isolated with as majority species : Trichophyton interdigitale (40.3%), Microsporum langeronii (30.0%) and Trichophyton rubrum (15.5%). Yeasts accounted for 13.7% of the strains with Candida albicans (7.7%) as the most found species. The duration at the police school (P=0.004) and the practice of sports activities (P=0.0001) were statistically associated with the occurrence of the disease. A good hygiene of feet would reduce the incidence of the disease among the defense and security forces. Also, investigations for the influence of the seasons in the occurrence of interdigital tinea pedis will allow a better understand of epidemiology of this dermatomycosis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Breast cancer screening programme: a media campaign for isolated or marginalised women].

PubMed

Mansour, Z; Fleur, L; Saugeron, A M; Merle, N; Marquis, D; Lucas, C

2005-12-01

The six counties in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region are all well-equipped to offer widespread breast cancer screening programmes. The regional technical committee for breast cancer screening has entrusted the regional health education committee (CRES) with the task of organsing an incentive campaign targeted at reaching disenfranchised or isolated women. With the collaboration of all its partners, the CRES proposed three examples of interventions: training sessions for a variety of health care professionals, publishing communication tools, and creating partnerships with the press. Financed by the state, this campaign essentially relies upon partnership mobilisation, social solidarity, interpersonal communication and the most popular and easily accessible information channels among this population group.

Neoliberal policy, rural livelihoods, and urban food security in West Africa: a comparative study of The Gambia, Cote d'Ivoire, and Mali.

PubMed

Moseley, William G; Carney, Judith; Becker, Laurence

2010-03-30

This study examines the impact of two decades of neoliberal policy reform on food production and household livelihood security in three West African countries. The rice sectors in The Gambia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali are scrutinized as well as cotton and its relationship to sorghum production in Mali. Although market reforms were intended to improve food production, the net result was an increasing reliance on imported rice. The vulnerability of the urban populations in The Gambia and Côte d'Ivoire became especially clear during the 2007-2008 global food crisis when world prices for rice spiked. Urban Mali was spared the worst of this crisis because the country produces more of its own rice and the poorest consumers shifted from rice to sorghum, a grain whose production increased steeply as cotton production collapsed. The findings are based on household and market surveys as well as on an analysis of national level production data.

A comprehensive review of available epidemiologic and HIV service data for female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs in select West and Central African countries.

PubMed

MacAllister, Jack; Sherwood, Jennifer; Galjour, Joshua; Robbins, Sarah; Zhao, Jinkou; Dam, Kim; Grosso, Ashley; Baral, Stefan D

2015-03-01

To identify gaps in epidemiologic and HIV service coverage data for key populations (KP), including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), people who inject drugs (PWID), and transgender persons, in 8 West and Central Africa countries: Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Nigeria. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed and MEDLINE. This search was supplemented by an additional search of relevant non-peer-reviewed, or gray, literature. Available data on HIV prevalence, KP size estimates, HIV prevention service targets, and HIV prevention service coverage, including the availability of population-specific minimum packages of services, were included in the review. No data for transgender persons were found. HIV prevalence data and size estimates were more frequently available for FSW, followed by MSM. Only 2 countries (Ghana and Nigeria) had both KP size estimates and HIV prevalence data for PWID. The degree to which HIV prevention service targets were adopted was highly variable across the selected countries, and the collection of relevant HIV prevention service coverage data for those targets that were identified was inconsistent. Population-specific minimum packages of services were identified in 3 countries (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria), although only Ghana and Nigeria included services for PWID. Epidemiologic and HIV prevention service data for FSW, MSM, PWID, and transgender persons remain sparse, and these KP are inconsistently accounted for in-service delivery and nationally endorsed minimum packages of HIV services in West and Central Africa. The strengthening of data collection and reporting to consistently include KP and the inclusion of that data in national planning is imperative for effectively addressing the HIV epidemic.

Universal HIV Screening at Postnatal Points of Care: Which Public Health Approach for Early Infant Diagnosis in Côte d'Ivoire?

PubMed Central

Ndondoki, Camille; Brou, Hermann; Timite-Konan, Marguerite; Oga, Maxime; Amani-Bosse, Clarisse; Menan, Hervé; Ekouévi, Didier; Leroy, Valériane

2013-01-01

Background Universal HIV pediatric screening offered at postnatal points of care (PPOC) is an entry point for early infant diagnosis (EID). We assessed the parents' acceptability of this approach in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Methods In this cross-sectional study, trained counselors offered systematic HIV screening to all children aged 6–26 weeks attending PPOC in three community health centers with existing access to HAART during 2008, as well as their parents/caregivers. HIV-testing acceptability was measured for parents and children; rapid HIV tests were used for parents. Both parents' consent was required according to the Ivorian Ethical Committee to perform a HIV test on HIV-exposed children. Free HIV care was offered to those who were diagnosed HIV-infected. Findings We provided 3,013 HIV tests for infants and their 2,986 mothers. While 1,731 mothers (58%) accepted the principle of EID, only 447 infants had formal parental consent 15%; 95% confidence interval (CI): [14%–16%]. Overall, 1,817 mothers (61%) accepted to test for HIV, of whom 81 were HIV-infected (4.5%; 95% CI: [3.5%–5.4%]). Among the 81 HIV-exposed children, 42 (52%) had provided parental consent and were tested: five were HIV-infected (11.9%; 95% CI: [2.1%–21.7%]). Only 46 fathers (2%) came to diagnose their child. Parental acceptance of EID was strongly correlated with prenatal self-reported HIV status: HIV-infected mothers were six times more likely to provide EID parental acceptance than mothers reporting unknown or negative prenatal HIV status (aOR: 5.9; 95% CI: [3.3–10.6], p = 0.0001). Conclusions Although the principle of EID was moderately accepted by mothers, fathers' acceptance rate remained very low. Routine HIV screening of all infants was inefficient for EID at a community level in Abidjan in 2008. Our results suggest the need of focusing on increasing the PMTCT coverage, involving fathers and tracing children issued from PMTCT programs in low HIV prevalence countries. PMID:23990870

Impact of drug stock-outs on death and retention to care among HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Pasquet, Armelle; Messou, Eugène; Gabillard, Delphine; Minga, Albert; Depoulosky, Ayeby; Deuffic-Burban, Sylvie; Losina, Elena; Freedberg, Kenneth A; Danel, Christine; Anglaret, Xavier; Yazdanpanah, Yazdan

2010-10-15

To evaluate the type and frequency of antiretroviral drug stock-outs, and their impact on death and interruption in care among HIV-infected patients in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. We conducted a cohort study of patients who initiated combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in three adult HIV clinics between February 1, 2006 and June 1, 2007. Follow-up ended on February 1, 2008. The primary outcome was cART regimen modification, defined as at least one drug substitution, or discontinuation for at least one month due to drug stock-outs at the clinic pharmacy. The secondary outcome for patients who were on cART for at least six months was interruption in care, or death. A Cox regression model with time-dependent variables was used to assess the impact of antiretroviral drug stock-outs on interruption in care or death. Overall, 1,554 adults initiated cART and were followed for a mean of 13.2 months. During this time, 72 patients discontinued treatment and 98 modified their regimen because of drug stock-outs. Stock-outs involved nevirapine and fixed-dose combination zidovudine/lamivudine in 27% and 51% of cases. Of 1,554 patients, 839 (54%) initiated cART with fixed-dose stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine and did not face stock-outs during the study period. Among the 975 patients who were on cART for at least six months, stock-out-related cART discontinuations increased the risk of interruption in care or death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.83; 95%CI, 1.25-6.44) but cART modifications did not (adjusted HR, 1.21; 95%CI, 0.46-3.16). cART stock-outs affected at least 11% of population on treatment. Treatment discontinuations due to stock-outs were frequent and doubled the risk of interruption in care or death. These stock-outs did not involve the most common first-line regimen. As access to cART continues to increase in sub-Saharan Africa, first-line regimens should be standardized to decrease the probability of drug stock-outs.

Molecular Epidemiology of Malaria in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire. XXXI. Kelch 13 Propeller Sequences in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates before and after Implementation of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy.

PubMed

Djaman, Joseph Allico; Olefongo, Dagnogo; Ako, Aristide Berenger; Roman, Jocelyne; Ngane, Vincent Foumane; Basco, Leonardo K; Tahar, Rachida

2017-07-01

Artemisinin-resistant malaria has not been reported from Africa, but resistance can possibly spread from Asia or arise independently in Africa. The emergence of artemisinin resistance in Africa can be monitored by molecular assay of Kelch 13 (K13) propeller sequences. A total of 251 archived DNA samples of Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in 2002, 2003, and 2006 in Yaounde, Cameroon, and 47 samples collected in 2006 and 2013 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, were analyzed for K13-propeller sequence polymorphism. Only one isolate carried a mutant K13-propeller allele (E602D). None of the isolates carried the key mutant alleles (Y493H, R539T, I543T, and C580Y) associated with artemisinin resistance in Cambodia. The presence of the mutant allele was not correlated with in vitro response to dihydroartemisinin determined by the classical hypoxanthine incorporation assay. There was no evidence of K13 mutations associated with artemisinin resistance before and soon after the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapies in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire.

The Challenge of Urbanization. The World's Large Cities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United Nations New York, NY. Dept. of Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis.

This publication concentrates on city problems and special city planning issues in the world's large cities, pinpointing their demographic characteristics, economic structure, available social services, and infrastructures, as well as current issues facing city planners. Profiles of 100 large cities across the world, from Abidjan to Yangon, make…

Nuclear field density problems.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-01-01

The densities of subgrade soil at various locations throughout the state were determined using the different model nuclear gages owned by the Department. In addition, some laboratory testing and sand cote testing were carried out. It was concluded th...

Composite Gauss-Legendre Quadrature with Error Control

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Prentice, J. S. C.

2011-01-01

We describe composite Gauss-Legendre quadrature for determining definite integrals, including a means of controlling the approximation error. We compare the form and performance of the algorithm with standard Newton-Cotes quadrature. (Contains 1 table.)

International Priorities for Teacher Education. World Assembly 1969.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

International Council on Education for Teaching, Washington, DC.

Four papers are included in this pamphlet, the proceedings of the World Assembly at Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The keynote address, "A Turning Point in History" by Jaime Benitez, President of the University of Puerto Rico, discusses the Apollo 11 moon landing as an object lesson on values with international implications for shifting…

Teledetection passive et processus decisionnel a reference spatiale: Application a l'aquaculture en milieu marin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habbane, Mohamed

L'objectif de cette etude est d'elaborer un processus decisionnel a reference spatiale (PDRS) pour la mariculture. Le PDRS est applique aux eaux cotieres de la baie des Chaleurs, dans le golfe du Saint-Laurent (Canada). Une carte preliminaire regionale d'indices du potentiel maricole, d'une limite de resolution spatiale de 1 kmsp2, est produite avec des parametres du niveau 1. Ces parametres englobent la temperature de l'eau de surface, extraite des images AVHRR, la salinite, les courants ainsi que les pigments chlorophylliens, quantifies a l'aide de mesures in situ. Les images AVHRR, prises en 1994, ont ete utiliees comme reference primaire pour selectionner des aires pouvant supporter une activite maricole sur la cote nord de la baie des Chaleurs. La temperature de surface extraite de ces images permet une analyse mesoechelle a la fois qualitative et quantitative des processus cotiers observes pendant la periode d'acquisition des donnees. Les autres donnees, soit la salinite, les courants et les concentrations en pigments chlorophylliens, sont analysees de facon a identifier la variabilite spatio-temporelle des caracteristiques des eaux de surface. L'ensemble des informations permet de produire une carte preliminaire regionale d'indices du potentiel maricole de la partie centrale de la baie des Chaleurs. Selon cet indice (defini entre 0 et 1), le secteur de potentiel aquicole de 0,5 a 0,75 s'etend sur une superficie d'environ 300 kmsp2. La localisation de cette aire potentielle est en accord avec les fortes concentrations en pigments chlrophylliens, presentant des conditions environnementales ideales a une haute productivite biologique. Par la suite la carte preliminaire est modifiee en tenant compte des parametres du niveau 2. Ces parametres sont la geomorphologie littorale, la bathymetrie, les sediments en suspension, les vents, les vagues, le debit d'eau douce, la glace marine, le carbone organique dissous, les aires de peche et les sources de pollution. Ces parametres sont compares deux a deux par rapport a la carte preliminaire regionale d'indices du potentiel maricole pour determiner leur poids relatif. La carte finale produite avec ces parametres du niveau 2 presente un secteur ou les indices du potentiel maricole sont de 0,5 a 0,75. Ce secteur longe la cote et epouse les isobathes de 10 a 30 m de profondeur. L'effet de la profondeur d'eau semble avoir jouer un role important. Le secteur de potentiel maricole de 0,25 a 0,5 est toujours present et couvre une superficie d'environ 426 kmsp2. L'etude necessitera toujours un suivi des conditions environnementales prevalant dans la region. Ce suivi peut etre effectue a l'aide d'un outil de vision aerospatiale (capteurs de teledetection) et d'analyse spatio-temporelle (SIG-PDRS). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The Potential of Food Fortification to Add Micronutrients in Young Children and Women of Reproductive Age – Findings from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

PubMed Central

Rohner, Fabian; Leyvraz, Magali; Konan, Amoin G.; Esso, Lasme J. C. E.; Wirth, James P.; Norte, Augusto; Adiko, Adiko F.; Bonfoh, Bassirou; Aaron, Grant J.

2016-01-01

Poor micronutrient intakes are a major contributing factor to the high burden of micronutrient deficiencies in Côte d’Ivoire. Large-scale food fortification is considered a cost-effective approach to deliver micronutrients, and fortification of salt (iodine), wheat flour (iron and folic acid), and vegetable oil (vitamin A) is mandatory in Côte d’Ivoire. A cross-sectional survey on households with at least one child 6–23 months was conducted to update coverage figures with adequately fortified food vehicles in Abidjan, the capital of and largest urban community in Côte d’Ivoire, and to evaluate whether additional iron and vitamin A intake is sufficient to bear the potential to reduce micronutrient malnutrition. Information on demographics and food consumption was collected, along with samples of salt and oil. Wheat flour was sampled from bakeries and retailers residing in the selected clusters. In Abidjan, 86% and 97% of salt and vegetable oil samples, respectively, were adequately fortified, while only 32% of wheat flour samples were adequately fortified, but all samples contained some added iron. There were no major differences in additional vitamin A and iron intake between poor and non-poor households. For vitamin A in oil, the additional percentage of the recommended nutrient intake was 27% and 40% for children 6–23 months and women of reproductive age, respectively, while for iron from wheat flour, only 13% and 19% could be covered. Compared to previous estimates, coverage has remained stable for salt and wheat flour, but improved for vegetable oil. Fortification of vegetable oil clearly provides a meaningful additional amount of vitamin A. This is not currently the case for iron, due to the low fortification levels. Iron levels in wheat flour should be increased and monitored, and additional vehicles should be explored to add iron to the Ivorian diet. PMID:27384762

Materials Data on CoTe2O5 (SG:133) by Materials Project

DOE Data Explorer

Kristin Persson

2016-04-22

Computed materials data using density functional theory calculations. These calculations determine the electronic structure of bulk materials by solving approximations to the Schrodinger equation. For more information, see https://materialsproject.org/docs/calculations

Tumor size and stage of breast cancer in Côte d'Ivoire and Republic of Congo - Results from population-based cancer registries.

PubMed

Islami, Farhad; Lortet-Tieulent, Joannie; Okello, Catherine; Adoubi, Innocent; Mbalawa, Charles Gombé; Ward, Elizabeth M; Parkin, D Maxwell; Jemal, Ahmedin

2015-12-01

Breast cancer is now the leading female cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, but there is relatively little information on breast cancer characteristics from this region. We studied, on a population basis, the size and stage of female breast cancer at diagnosis in Côte d'Ivoire and Republic of Congo. Data on tumor size and stage of breast cancer at diagnosis were collected by population-based cancer registries in Abidjan (the capital of Côte d'Ivoire; 141 cases) and Brazzaville (the capital of Republic of Congo; 139 cases) from a random group of female breast cancer cases that were diagnosed in 2008-2009 using the same protocol. The majority of breast cancers in both countries were advanced cancers. In Côte d'Ivoire, 68% of tumors were ≥5 cm in diameter and 74% of cancers were stage III or IV at diagnosis; the corresponding proportions in Republic of Congo were 63% and 81%. These results underscore the importance of increased awareness about early detection of breast cancer, as well as expansion of the capacity to provide appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Mycotoxin Exposure in Côte d'ivoire (Ivory Coast) Through Multi-Biomarker Analysis and Possible Correlation with Food Consumption Patterns.

PubMed

Kouadio, James Halbin; Lattanzio, Veronica M T; Ouattara, Djeneba; Kouakou, Brou; Visconti, Angelo

2014-01-01

The aim of the presented study was to investigate the mycotoxin exposure of Ivorian population related to the consumption patterns of maize, peanuts, millet, and cassava product (attiéké). Maize flour samples (n = 51) were purchased from all Abidjan local markets, in the south of Ivory Coast, and urine (n = 99) was collected during the same reference period (July-September 2011) from volunteers living in Abidjan and Daloa cities. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was used to analyze aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), fumonisins (FB1, FB2), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), and T-2 and HT-2 toxins in maize flour samples, and their relevant biomarkers (AFM1, DON, DON + de-epoxydeoxynivalenol (DOM-1), FB1, α-zearalenol (ZOL), β-ZOL, and OTA) in urine samples. Critical maize contamination was observed by AFs occurrence (total AFs 4.5 - 330.0 μg/kg) while OTA was found in 13% of samples analyzed. AFM1 was detected in 40% of urines samples (0.06 - 14.11 ng/ml), OTA in 37% (0.01 - 0.42 ng/ml), FB1 in 27% (0.07 to 15.31 ng/ml) and, DON was found in 21% of samples at levels up to 10.0 ng/ml. The correlation coefficients (R(2)) obtained by plotting the percentage of biomarker occurrence (positive samples) versus the frequency of food consumption revealed maize, peanuts, millet and attiéké were strongly linked to AFB1 and OTA exposure with values of R(2) ranged from 0.462 to 0.956. The present study provided data on mycotoxin risk in Ivory Coast, revealing a frequent co-exposure to the major mycotoxins such as AFs, OTA, and fumonisins, which appeared to be related to the frequency of peanuts, maize, millet and attiéké consumption.

SED16 autonomous star tracker night sky testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foisneau, Thierry; Piriou, Véronique; Perrimon, Nicolas; Jacob, Philippe; Blarre, Ludovic; Vilaire, Didier

2017-11-01

The SED16 is an autonomous multi-missions star tracker which delivers three axis satellite attitude in an inertial reference frame and the satellite angular velocity with no prior information. The qualification process of this star sensor includes five validation steps using optical star simulator, digitized image simulator and a night sky tests setup. The night sky testing was the final step of the qualification process during which all the functions of the star tracker were used in almost nominal conditions : Autonomous Acquisition of the attitude, Autonomous Tracking of ten stars. These tests were performed in Calern in the premises of the OCA (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur). The test set-up and the test results are described after a brief review of the sensor main characteristics and qualification process.

Improving Teaching Effectiveness: Florida Essential Competency Studies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilson, Garfield

The Florida Council on Teacher Education (COTE) planned and conducted statewide involvement studies to determine competencies that are essential and acceptable to the profession. This included systematic involvement procedures for gaining professional agreement on identification, assessment, implementation, and other development and research on…

Optimizing Schedules for Maritime Humanitarian Cooperative Engagements from a United States Navy Sea Base

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

Amphib upon com- pletion of its mission, which is scheduled to finish on day 82. Because of its exclusive dedication to the Anomie- OPLAT mission, a...add 29 mission– country pairs as follows: 3 in Dakar, 13 in Lagos, 8 in Cotonou , Benin, and 5 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The purple stars in Figure 1

Molecular analysis of markers associated with chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites from southeastern Côte-d'Ivoire by the time of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy adoption in 2005.

PubMed

Ako, Berenger Aristide; Offianan, André Toure; Johansson, Marnie; Penali, Louis Koné; Nguetta, Simon-Pierre Assanvo; Sibley, Carol Hopkin

2012-01-01

Artemisin-based combination therapies became the recommended therapy in Côte-d'Ivoire in 2005, but both chloroquine (CQ) and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) have been heavily used for many decades. Despite this long history, little is known about the geographical distribution of drug resistance-conferring genotypes outside the capital city of Abidjan. In this work, we compared the prevalence of drug-resistant genotypes in Bonoua, an urban area, and Samo, a rural agricultural area, in southeastern Côte-d'Ivoire, about 59 km from Abidjan. Samples were collected from symptomatic patients in both sites during the rainy season in 2005. Genomic DNA was isolated and codons associated with resistance to CQ and SP were analyzed: pfcrt codons Cys-72-Ser, Val-73-Val, Met-74-Ile, Arg-75-Glu, Lys-76-Thr; pfdhfr codons Ala-16-Val, Arg-51-Ile, Cys-59-Arg, Ser-108-Arg/Thr, and Ile-164-Leu; pfdhps codons Ser-436-Ala, Ala-437-Gly, Lys-540-Glu, Ala-581-Gly, and Ala-613-Thr/Ser. A limited number of genotypes were found in Bonoua compared with Samo. In both sites, the triple-mutant allele CVIET of pfcrt predominated: 100% in Bonoua and 86.2% in Samo. The wild-type allele, NCSI of pfdhfr, was common - 50% in Bonoua and 38.7% in Samo - but the triple-mutant IRNI and double-mutant NRNI were also frequent (IRNI, 32.6% in Bonoua and 19.4% in Samo; NRNI, 15.2% in Bonoua and 9.7% in Samo). In Samo, a wide range of different genotypes of Pfdhps was observed, with alleles carrying the Gly-437 codon fixed in Bonoua and comprising 73% of the isolates in Samo. Although these two sites are only 8 km apart, they belonged to very different ecological environments. The overall prevalence of alleles of single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with resistance to CQ and SP in both locations was among the highest of the region by 2005, although the more rural site showed a more diverse set of alleles and mixed infections. Continued surveillance of these markers will be a useful tool for drug policy, as both CQ and SP are still frequently used years after withdrawal, and SP is recommended by the World Health Organization for intermittent preventive therapy for pregnant women and infants. Data analyzed herein are among the first to be generated during the year of artemisin-based combination-therapy introduction in Côte-d'Ivoire and could be of some interest for malaria policy-makers.

Surface display of bacterial tyrosinase on spores of Bacillus subtilis using CotE as an anchor protein.

PubMed

Hosseini-Abari, Afrouzossadat; Kim, Byung-Gee; Lee, Sang-Hyuk; Emtiazi, Giti; Kim, Wooil; Kim, June-Hyung

2016-12-01

Tyrosinases, copper-containing monooxygenases, are widely used enzymes for industrial, medical, and environmental applications. We report the first functional surface display of Bacillus megaterium tyrosinase on Bacillus subtilis spores using CotE as an anchor protein. Flow Cytometry was used to verify surface expression of tyrosinase on the purified spores. Moreover, tyrosinase activity of the displayed enzyme on B. subtilis spores was monitored in the presence of L-tyrosine (substrate) and CuSO 4 (inducer). The stability of the spore-displayed tyrosinase was then evaluated after 15 days maintenance of the spores at room temperature, and no significant decrease in the enzyme activity was observed. In addition, the tyrosinase-expressing spores could be repeatedly used with 62% retained enzymatic activity after six times washing with Tris-HCl buffer. This genetically immobilized tyrosinase on the spores would make a new advance in industrial, medical, and environmental applications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cardiac surgery in Africa: a thirty-five year experience on open heart surgery in Cote d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Yangni-Angate, Koffi Herve; Meneas, Christophe; Diby, Florent; Diomande, Manga; Adoubi, Anicet; Tanauh, Yves

2016-10-01

Few centers for open heart surgery (OHS) are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of OHS results is also noted. By reporting our African experience on OHS, the aim of this study was to fill the gap. It is a retrospective study on 2,612 patients who were subject to an OHS between 1978 and 2013. Data were collected from demographical, clinical, investigative studies, surgical and outcomes parameters. There were 1,475 cases of rheumatic heart diseases (RHD), 126 endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF), 741 congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and 270 various affections. Related to rheumatic valvular surgery we enumerated 1,175 monovalvular (mitral n=778, aortic n=336, tricuspid n=61); 280 bivalvular (mitral + aortic n=150, mitral + tricuspid n=130) and 20 trivalvular. For RHD, average age was 26±10.1 years (4-69 years) and 60% of our patients presented a functional class III or IV according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. A total of 1,481 valvular replacements (bioprostheses n=489, mechanical prostheses n=992) and 445 valvular repair were carried out with a global and late mortality surgery respectively at 7% and 8%. One hundred and twenty-six [126] cases of EMF with right sided form 39, left sided form 40, and bilateral form 47 were colligated. Average age was 12±0.6 years (2-15 years). All patients with EMF underwent surgery; an endocardectomy in all patients combined with valvular reconstruction (n=36) or valvular replacement (n=90) was carried out with a hospital mortality at 16% (n=20). Concerning CHD, the most frequent were ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=240), atrial septal defect (ASD) (n=200), partial atrio-ventricular sepal defect (n=30) and tetralogy of Fallot (T4F) (n=220), a total correction was performed for those CHD with an early mortality at 6.4% (n=44). OHS in Cote d'Ivoire was successfully performed in most of our patients, the spectrum of acquired valvular heart diseases and CHDs in our country is similar to others in Sub-Saharan Africa.

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2008 Appropriations

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-13

political, economic and social reforms. The CRS-3 2 PEPFAR countries include Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria...planning to eliminate several VOA services including Uzbek, Greek, and Cantonese as well as the RFE/RL Macedonia service. BBG also plans to reduce several

Sub-Saharan Africa Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-04-06

24 Feb 87) 5 Briefs Abu Bridge Commissioned 6 IVORY COAST Rescheduling of Swiss Debt Shows ’Confidence’ in Economy (Diaby Aboubakar; FRATERNITE...CSO: 3400/242 IVORY COAST RESCHEDULING OF SWISS DEBT SHOWS ’CONFIDENCE’ IN ECONOMY Abidjan FRATERNITE MATIN in French 30 Jan 87 p 6 [Article by...Diaby Aboubakar] [Text] Minister Seri Gnoleba and Claudio Caratsch, Swiss ambassador to the Ivory Coast, met in the minister’s office yesterday to

[Estimated operational costs of vaccination campaign to combat yellow fever in Abidjan].

PubMed

Zengbe-Acray, Pétronille; Douba, Alfred; Traore, Youssouf; Dagnan, Simplice; Attoh-Toure, Harvey; Ekra, Daniel

2009-01-01

A cost effectiveness study was conducted with the main objective to assess the operational costs of a vaccination campaign against yellow fever organised and implemented in Abidjan from September 21st to October 2nd, 2001. The study was carried out from the perspective of the health authorities. Data was collected retrospectively on all information related to resources needed and required activities. The justification of the monetary value of resources was provided with written proof and receipts as well as other supporting documents. The coverage achieved was 91.33% with 2 584 360 doses of vaccine having been administered. Spending on vaccines and vaccine supplies amounted to 1 123 177 128 FCFA; the average cost per dose was 539.40 FCFA. Human resource costs amounted to 2590 people who were mobilized for a total cost of 125 678 400 FCFA. The total operational cost of the vaccination campaign was 1 394 010 829 FCFA. Vaccines and supplies were the largest item of expenditure, or 80.57% of the total spent. The results of this study could serve as a tool for decision-making related to funding a vaccination campaign. Taking account of these results could contribute to the development of strategies to effectively reduce the operational cost of a vaccination campaign.

33 CFR 117.465 - Lafourche Bayou.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., mile 23.9, at Golden Meadow (2) Galliano Pontoon Bridge, mile 27.8, at Galliano (3) SR 308 (South Lafourche (Tarpon)) Bridge, mile 30.6, at Galliano (4) Cote Blanche Pontoon Bridge, mile 33.9, at Cutoff (5) Cutoff Vertical Lift Bridge, mile 36.3, at Cutoff (6) SR 310 (Larose Pontoon) Bridge, mile 39.1, at...

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2008 Appropriations

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-30

countries that have demonstrated a strong commitment to political, economic and social reforms. The CRS-3 2 PEPFAR countries include Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire...and Cantonese as well as the RFE/RL Macedonia service. BBG also plans to reduce several others, such as VOA and RFE/RL service in Ukrainian, Tibetan

75 FR 21288 - Henry Gas Storage LLC; Notice of Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-23

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP10-125-000] Henry Gas Storage LLC; Notice of Application April 16, 2010. Take notice that on April 5, 2010, Henry Gas Storage... developing the Cote Blanche Island salt dome for natural gas storage in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, all as...

Treated and Untreated foam core particleboards with intumescent veneer

Treesearch

Mark A. Dietenberger; Ali Shalbafan; Johannes Welling; Charles Boardman

2013-01-01

The effectiveness of treatments for the surface layer of novel foam core particleboards was evaluated by means of Cone calorimeter tests, Foam cote particleboards with variations of surface layer treatment, adhesives, and surface layer thicknesses under similar processing conditions were used to produce the test specimen for the Cone calorimeter tests. Ignitability,...

Identification of yeasts during alcoholic fermentation of tchapalo, a traditional sorghum beer from Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

N'guessan, Kouadio Florent; Brou, Kouakou; Jacques, Noémie; Casaregola, Serge; Dje, Koffi Marcellin

2011-05-01

This study investigated the diversity and dynamics of yeasts involved in alcoholic fermentation of a traditional sorghum beer from Côte d'Ivoire, tchapalo. A total of 240 yeast strains were isolated from fermenting sorghum wort inoculated with dry yeast from two geographic regions of Côte d'Ivoire (Abidjan and Bondoukou). Initial molecular identification to the species level was carried out using RFLP of PCR-amplified internal transcribed spacers of rDNA (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2). Ten different profiles were obtained from the restriction of PCR products with the three endonucleases HaeIII, CfoI and HinfI. Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rDNA and the ACT1 gene allowed us to assign these groups to six different species: Saccharomyces cerevisiae-like, Candida tropicalis, Pichia kudriavzevii, Pichia kluyveri, Kodamaea ohmeri and Meyerozyma caribbica. The most frequent species associated with tchapalo fermentation was S. cerevisiae-like (87.36%), followed by C. tropicalis (5.45%) and M. caribbica (2.71%). S. cerevisiae-like strains were diploid heterozygotes and exhibited three to four nucleotides divergence from the type strain in the D1/D2 domain and several indels in the more discriminant sequence of the intron of the ACT1 gene. During the process, the yeast species isolated and their frequencies varied according to the geographic origin of the dry yeast. The occurrence of some species was sporadic and only two non-Saccharomyces species were found in the final product.

[Five years of cholera surveillance in Ivory Coast during social and political crisis, 2001 to 2005].

PubMed

Ekra, K D; Attoh-Touré, H; Bénié, B V J; Coulibaly, D; Koutouan, M G; Aka, L N; Dagnan, S N; Coulibaly, A; Douba, A; Tiembré, I; Odéhouri-Koudou, P; Tagliante-Saracino, J

2009-05-01

For an efficient struggle against infectious diseases with epidemic potential, the Cdte d'Ivoire set up a precocious alert system in 2001 with a main objective: to detect epidemics of cholera, measles, yellow fever and meningitis and to provide necessary information for their control and their prevention. During the 2001 to 2005 period, the country was marked by military and political crisis which occurred in 2002; the country had to face up to a reappearance of cholera. How did it evolve in such a context? The question was to describe the performances of the system and the evolution of cholera from weekly data collected by the centers of epidemiological monitoring in health districts. The cases and declared deaths were compiled and the indicators of morbidity and mortality were then studied according to time site and individual features on the period of 2001 to 2005. From 2001 to 2005, 11,874 cases were notified with 564 deaths and a lethal rate of 4.7%. In 2001, from the initial source of infection, the civil jail, the epidemic of cholera disseminated itself through visitors in the whole city of Abidjan where 3250 cases were notified. Out of city, 20 outbreaks have been declared with a total of 3010 cases. The yearly highest impact, 37 living cases/100,000 inhabitants recorded in 2001, decreased regularly until 2005 with 0.2 living cases/100,000. After 2002, outbreaks were located mainly in the half south of the country which welcomed displaced populations from the north, preferably in transition or settling zones near the front line. The lethal rate in Abidjan (2.3%) was less important than that of other health districts (8.6%). The lethal rate globally increased as the impact decreased. Vibrio cholerae was responsible for the epidemics. The group of 15 years old and over was the most affected (12.69 living cases/100,000) whereas the highest lethal rate appeared in the group under 5 years old (6.6%). The reappearance and constant cholera epidemics in Côte d'Ivoire are due to bad general hygiene conditions, insufficient supply of drinking water from wells or packaged, concentration of populations in the south of the country due to war and uncontrolled development of the poor and unsanitary precarious boroughs. Outburst during the dry season is a warning signal of an important epidemic during the raining season especially in poor urban areas. The precocious alert system has permitted to detect the epidemics, to follow up their evolution and to orientate the struggle against cholera in Côte d'Ivoire.

Ledantevirus: A Proposed New Genus in the Rhabdoviridae Has A Strong Ecological Association with Bats

PubMed Central

Blasdell, Kim R.; Guzman, Hilda; Widen, Steven G.; Firth, Cadhla; Wood, Thomas G.; Holmes, Edward C.; Tesh, Robert B.; Vasilakis, Nikos; Walker, Peter J.

2015-01-01

The Le Dantec serogroup of rhabdoviruses comprises Le Dantec virus from a human with encephalitis and Keuriliba virus from rodents, each isolated in Senegal. The Kern Canyon serogroup comprises a loosely connected set of rhabdoviruses many of which have been isolated from bats, including Kern Canyon virus from California, Nkolbisson virus from Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Cote d'Ivoire, Kolente virus from Guinea, Mount Elgon bat and Fikirini viruses from Kenya, and Oita virus from Japan. Fukuoka virus isolated from mosquitoes, midges, and cattle in Japan, Barur virus from a rodent in India and Nishimuro virus from pigs in Japan have also been linked genetically or serologically to this group. Here, we analyze the genome sequences and phylogenetic relationships of this set of viruses. We show that they form three subgroups within a monophyletic group, which we propose should constitute the new genus Ledantevirus. PMID:25487727

[Health care, needs and barriers in seeking medical care for global health and sexual and reproductive health, among students from Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire].

PubMed

Inghels, M; Coffie, P A; Larmarange, J

2017-09-01

In Ivory Coast, little is known about health needs and health access barriers among young people. The aim of this study was to describe health provision, health needs and barriers when seeking medical care, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health, and the acceptability of a medical examination for students attending their first year at the Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. We conducted a representative cross-sectional study among second year students who were selected by two-stage equiprobable random sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted among students and the university health center staff. Five hundred and forty three students (322 men and 221 women) answered a questionnaire (participation rate 98.4%). Among women who ever had sex, 38.4% (95%CI [30.5%-47.0%]) had unmet contraception needs and 31.2% [23.7%-40.0%] had experienced an unwanted pregnancy. Fear about impaired fertility was the leading reason for non-use of hormonal contraception, the method of choice among most students. The main health problems among students, by order of frequency were malaria (54.3%), respiratory infection (44.6%), constipation (28.0%) and psychological problems (25.9%). High cost perception of services offered, despite their gratuity, were the main barriers against access to the university health center, indicating a lack of communication about this structure and its services. The majority of students favored the establishment of a medical examination during the first year at the university. Establishing a medical examination would improve health center visibility. The following services could be offered: (i) HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea screening, (ii) hepatitis B virus screening and vaccination, (iii) provision and information about contraceptive methods, (iv) presentation of the university health center services. Dedicated spaces where students could have access to information about health-related topics (e.g. sexuality, nutrition, depression) could complete the university's healthcare offer. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among prison inmates: A cross-sectional survey at the Correctional and Detention Facility of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

PubMed Central

Koffi, Ange; Danel, Christine; Ouassa, Timothée; Blehoué, Marcel-Angora; Ouattara, Eric; Assemien, Jeanne-d’Arc; Masumbuko, Jean-Marie; Coffie, Patrick; Cartier, Nathalie; Laurent, Arnaud; Raguin, Gilles; Malvy, Denis; N’Dri-Yoman, Thérèse; Eholié, Serge P.; Domoua, Serge K.

2017-01-01

Background In Côte d’Ivoire, a TB prison program has been developed since 1999. This program includes offering TB screening to prisoners who show up with TB symptoms at the infirmary. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of pulmonary TB among inmates at the Correctional and Detention Facility of Abidjan, the largest prison of Côte d’Ivoire, 16 years after this TB program was implemented. Methods Between March and September 2015, inmates, were screened for pulmonary TB using systematic direct smear microscopy, culture and chest X-ray. All participants were also proposed HIV testing. TB was defined as either confirmed (positive culture), probable (positive microscopy and/or chest X-ray findings suggestive of TB) or possible (signs or symptoms suggestive of TB, no X-Ray or microbiological evidence). Factors associated with confirmed tuberculosis were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Results Among the 943 inmates screened, 88 (9.3%) met the TB case definition, including 19 (2.0%) with confirmed TB, 40 (4.2%) with probable TB and 29 (3.1%) with possible TB. Of the 19 isolated TB strains, 10 (53%) were TB drug resistant, including 7 (37%) with multi-resistance. Of the 10 patients with TB resistant strain, only one had a past history of TB treatment. HIV prevalence was 3.1% overall, and 9.6%among TB cases. Factors associated with confirmed TB were age ≥30 years (Odds Ratio 3.8; 95% CI 1.1–13.3), prolonged cough (Odds Ratio 3.6; 95% CI 1.3–9.5) and fever (Odds Ratio 2.7; 95% CI 1.0–7.5). Conclusion In the country largest prison, pulmonary TB is still 10 (confirmed) to 44 times (confirmed, probable or possible) as frequent as in the Côte d’Ivoire general population, despite a long-time running symptom-based program of TB detection. Decreasing TB prevalence and limiting the risk of MDR may require the implementation of annual in-cell TB screening campaigns that systematically target all prison inmates. PMID:28759620

[Epidemiology of otomycoses at the University Hospital of Yopougon (Abidjan-Ivory Coast)].

PubMed

Adoubryn, K D; N'Gattia, V K; Kouadio-Yapo, G C; Nigué, L; Zika, D K; Ouhon, J

2014-06-01

Otomycosis is a fungal infection, which leads to a damage of the external auditory meatus. The disease is worldwide in distribution but is said to be more common in tropical countries. Though otomycosis presumably occurs frequently in Africa, reports on its incidence and etiology are rare from Côte d'Ivoire. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the disease and to identify aetiological agents as well as the risk factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the University Teaching Hospital of Yopougon from September 2007 to February 2008. For laboratory investigation, specimens were collected by means of a sterile swab. Samples were inoculated on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar with and without antibiotics and incubated at 30°C for a period of 1 to 2 weeks. Identification was performed by direct microscopic examination on Cotton Blue Mount preparation and slide culture examination was used for differentiation of morphology. Biotyping was performed using Carbohydrate Fermentation tests, Carbohydrate Assimilation Tests (galerie Api 20 CAux TM - Sanofi Pasteur), Germ tube Test, detection of chlamydospore formation on corn meal agar. A total of 110 patients (sex-ratio=1.2) with suspected cases of otomycosis were investigated. Itching, otalgia, and hypoacusis were the symptoms reported by the patients and the apparent signs were debris in the ear, scabs and inflammation of the external auditory meatus. Of these, 88 cases (80%) were confirmed specifically of mycotic etiology on the basis of positive culture with 92 isolates consisting of yeasts (65.2%) and moulds (34.8%). The predominant etiological agents were Aspergillus flavus (28.4%), Candida guilliermondii (19.3%) and Candida parapsilosis (18.2%). The predisposing factors included previous otological pathology (P=0.010), frequent scratching of the external ear canal and use of ear drops (RR=3.47; IC 95%=1.3-9.27). This study revealed the great prevalence of otomycosis in Abidjan, some predisposing factors and the aetiological agents. Management of otomycosis must include mycological examination for diagnosis and information for changing behaviour patterns leading to infection. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Tobacco consumption of students ages 8 to 22 in Abidjan, 2002].

PubMed

Bogui, P; Yessoh, M; Tuo, N; Ouattara, S; Dah, C; Kouamé, N

2004-09-01

To update full time educated youth data on smoking prevalence related to gender and to assess perception and behaviour related to smoking, we have led a self-administrated question-study from January to June 2002 in Abidjan with students from 8 to 22 years old. Our population was divided in 3 groups: T1 (812 years), T2 (13-17 years) and T3 (18-22 years). The size of each group has been determined using the smoking estimated rate in each of them. 2742 students had returned a well-full questionnaire, with the following rates, expressed by mean and standard deviation in%: a total smoking rate at 7.9 +/- 0.5, with statistic difference between boys and girls (11 +/- 0,8 versus 3,7 +/- 0,5; p<0.001). This rate increased with age: 3.7 +/- 0.8 in T1; 12.9 +/- 1.0 in T2 and 17.1 +/- 1,1% in T3. Globally, the rate was 0.7 +/- 0.2 for regular smokers (>or=1 cigarette/day) (10% of C.D.T.) and 1.7 +/- 0.2% for ex-smokers. 99.2% of current smokers used cigarettes only. On average, the tobacco consumption was 3.4 cigarettes/day. In non-smokers group, 88% had respiratory symptoms linked to smoke exposure, with 17% of major dyspnea. Non smokers reported public places as the most frequent (66.7 +/- 1.3%) and the highest long time exposure (44.3 +/- 1.9%) places to second hand smoke. A similar smoking prevalence between asthmatics and non-asthmatics subjects, and between sporty type and non sporty type subjects, suggested that students had superficial knowledge or under assessment on smoking detrimental effect. However, their perception of smoking health hazard was sufficient to give 95 +/- 1% favourable opinions on necessary smoking place regulations and 85 +/- 1% favourable opinions on tobacco product advertising ban. The epidemiological and behaviour information given by this study might contribute to the development of a national youth tobacco control program, provided a complementary national survey would be led including non educated youth.

Development of a Two-Dimensional Hybrid-Kinetic Code for Simulations of Low-Altitude Auroral Flux-Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sydorenko, D.; Rankin, R.; Kabin, K.

2009-12-01

This paper presents initial results based on kinetic extensions of a nonlinear two-dimensional (2D) multi-fluid (three ion species and fluid electrons) MHD model that is designed to study propagation of shear Alfven waves in low-altitude auroral flux tubes. It is intended to use the model for scientific support of the “enhanced polar outflow probe” e-POP/CASSIOPE spacecraft mission (launch scheduled in 2010). Effects of gravity, thermal pressure, and geomagnetic field curvature are included, while the parallel electric field along geomagnetic field lines is calculated under the assumption of plasma quasineutrality. The model has been used successfully to study excitation of eigenmodes of the ionospheric Alfven resonator (IAR) by an Alfven wave packet injected from the magnetospheric end of the simulated plasma region. The formation of density cavities due to the ponderomotive force of standing oscillations in the IAR [Sydorenko, Rankin, and Kabin, 2008], and excitation of double layers and ion-acoustic wave packets, has been demonstrated. The kinetic extension of the multi-fluid code involves replacing the fluid electron model with a kinetic module that solves the simplified drift-kinetic Vlasov equation for the electron velocity distribution function (EVDF). To avoid undue complexity, it is assumed that (i) the electrons move only along geomagnetic field lines and (ii) the electron magnetic moment is conserved. As a result, the evolution of the EVDF is reduced to the problem of advection in 2D phase space “distance along the field line - velocity along the field line”. This problem is solved using a semi-Lagrangian algorithm [Staniforth and Cote, 1991]. The kinetic simulation starts from the initial equilibrium state similar to [Ergun et al., 2000]. The equilibrium assumes that the plasma consists of two electron populations: cold electrons with isotropic EVDF originating from the ionosphere, and hot anisotropic electrons with a loss-cone EVDF coming from the high-altitude end. The loss-cone distribution is prone to strong numerical dispersion, which is compensated by tracing the interface of the EVDF in the coordinate-velocity phase space. Ergun R. E., C. W. Carlson, J. P. McFadden, F. S. Mozer, and R. J. Strangeway (2000), Geophys. Res. Lett., 27, 4053-4056. Staniforth A. and J. Cote (1991), Mon. Wea. Rev., 119, 2206-2223 Sydorenko, D., R. Rankin, and K. Kabin (2008), J. Geophys. Res., 113, A10206, doi:10.1029/2008JA013579.

JPRS Report, Near East & South Asia.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-08-14

to USSR 95 CPI-M in Kerala 95 Asian Bank Aid 96 Rural Labor Commission 96 Cochin Shipyard 96 Lebanese Envoy’s Plea 97 IRAN Head of...Coast’s ungrateful behavior toward Israel. Nevertheless, the Solel-Boneh company continued to build marble and glass edifices in Abidjan and broad...palace carved in Italian marble, with ceilings imported from Morocco, six meat courses for the luncheon of the entourage—those are some of the images

78 FR 78477 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-26

...) Duane C. Conway (NV) Ronald L. Cote (NV) Brian W. Curtis (IL) Albion C. Doe, Sr. (NH) Robin C. Duckett.... Gartin (OH) Dale L. Giardine (PA) Leslie W. Good (OR) Chester L. Gray (TX) Christian L. Gremillion (LA.... Weinert (NY) Joseph A. Wells (IL) Don S. Williams (VA) Robert L. Williams, Jr. (MS) Kevin W. Wunderlin (OH...

31 CFR 543.201 - Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) with the identifier “[COTED].” The SDN...://www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter. See § 543.411 concerning entities that may not be listed on the SDN List but whose...

31 CFR 543.201 - Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) with the identifier “[COTED].” The SDN...://www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter. See § 543.411 concerning entities that may not be listed on the SDN List but whose...

31 CFR 543.201 - Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Persons List (“SDN List”) (which is accessible via the Office of Foreign Assets Control's Web site... “[COTED].” See § 543.411 concerning entities that may not be listed on the SDN list but whose property and... pursuant to this part also are published on the SDN List, published in the Federal Register and...

31 CFR 543.201 - Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) with the identifier “[COTED].” The SDN...://www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter. See § 543.411 concerning entities that may not be listed on the SDN List but whose...

31 CFR 543.201 - Prohibited transactions involving blocked property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”) with the identifier “[COTED].” The SDN...://www.treasury.gov/sdn. Additional information pertaining to the SDN List can be found in appendix A to this chapter. See § 543.411 concerning entities that may not be listed on the SDN List but whose...

33 CFR 117.465 - Lafourche Bayou.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (Golden Meadow) Bridge, mile 23.9, at Golden Meadow (2) Galliano Pontoon Bridge, mile 27.8, at Galliano (3) SR 308 (South Lafourche (Tarpon)) Bridge, mile 30.6, at Galliano, need not open for the passage of... a.m.; from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (4) Cote Blanche Pontoon Bridge, mile 33...

33 CFR 117.465 - Lafourche Bayou.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (Golden Meadow) Bridge, mile 23.9, at Golden Meadow (2) Galliano Pontoon Bridge, mile 27.8, at Galliano (3) SR 308 (South Lafourche (Tarpon)) Bridge, mile 30.6, at Galliano, need not open for the passage of... a.m.; from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (4) Cote Blanche Pontoon Bridge, mile 33...

Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity and High Level Performance: Realising an Achievable Aim for Physical Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacNamara, Aine; Collins, Dave; Bailey, Richard; Toms, Martin; Ford, Paul; Pearce, Gemma

2011-01-01

Background: Even though all school-aged children in most countries experience some form of curricular physical education many do not maintain a lifelong involvement in sport or physical activity. From a theoretical perspective, the development models that dominate sport are limited by their staged and linear approaches to development (e.g. Cote's…

Cultural Resources Survey of the Burnside Revetment Item, Ascension and St. James Parishes, Louisiana.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-08-27

he finds.. .that (parish) of Cantrelle... Each of those four communities (the parishes of Clesets Rouges , Cote des Allemands, Bonnet Carre, and...tne vicinity of Whitehall (Office of Public Works, Baton Rouge ) ........................................... 34 9. Excerpt from the 1877 Mississippi... Rouge )............................................ 62 14. Excerpt from Chart 50, Levee setback maps, Pontchartrain Levee District, ca. 1926, showing a

[Integration of demographic factors in the characterization of risk areas for sleeping sickness in Côte d'Ivoire].

PubMed

Fournet, F; Kone, A; Meda, A H; Traore, S; Hervouet, J P

2001-01-01

The purpose of this study was to classify the risk for transmission of African human trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) according to population and settlement densities in four different areas of Zoukougbeu, Cote d'Ivoire, where the exact location of cases reported since 1990 is known. Epidemiological risk indexes were calculated from entomological data obtained from three surveys and analyzed with respect to presence of patients and occupancy rate in each area. Results indicated that there was a risk of transmission near the village of Bahigbeu II where the population density is between 30 and 40 inhabitants per km2 and settlement density is 4 per km2. There was also a risk in less inhabited areas such as Ouatigbeu where the population density is less than 30 inhabitants per km2 and dwelling density less than 4 per km2. In fact, cases are regularly reported in Ouatigbeu but never in Bahigbeu II. Based on these findings, we conclude that, while land occupancy can be considered as a risk factor for sleeping sickness, other factors such as human mobility must be taken into account to characterize risk areas and predict outbreaks.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hartman, J.B.; Walker, T.L.

Significant rightholding changes took place in central and southern Africa during 1987. Angola, Benin, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Seychelles, Somali Republic, Tanzania, Zaire, and Zambia announced awards or acreage open for bidding. Decreases in exploratory rightholdings occurred in Cameroon, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania. More wells and greater footage were drilled in 1987 than in 1986. Total wells increased by 18% as 254 wells were completed compared to 217 in 1986. Footage drilled during the year increased by 46% as about 1.9 million ft were drilled compared to about 1.3more » million ft in 1986. The success rate for exploration wells in 1987 improved slightly to 36% compared to 34% in 1986. Significant discoveries were made in Nigeria, Angola, Congo, and Gabon. Seismic acquisition in 1987 was the major geophysical activity during the year. Total oil production in 1987 was 773 million bbl (about 2.1 million b/d), a decrease of 7%. The decrease is mostly due to a 14% drop in Nigerian production, which comprises 60% of total regional production. The production share of OPEC countries (Nigeria and Gabon) versus non-OPEC countries of 67% remained unchanged from 1986. 24 figs., 5 tabs.« less

Market Effects of Naval Presence in a Globalized World

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

reductions in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The second group of countries, largely the top layer of developing countries led by Mexico , South Africa and...Republic Turkmenistan Germany Malaysia Cote d’Ivorie Chad Uzbekistan Hong Kong Mauritius Ecuador Congo, DR Ireland Mexico Gambia Eritrea...study, Mexico and Norway would experience declines in income associated with forward deployed naval operations. On the other hand movements in

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (83rd, Phoenix, Arizona, August 9-12, 2000). Mass Communication and Society Division.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

The Mass Communication and Society Division section of the proceedings contains the following 12 papers: "Retreads: Recycling American Prime Time Television for Fun and Profit" (Chad Dell); "Partisan and Structural Balance of Election Stories on the 1998 Governor's Race in Michigan" (Frederick Fico and William Cote);…

Apport maternel chez la balane tropicale : Plasticite de l'allocation de la ressource trophique pour la production larvaire en conditions de limitation nutritionnelle et de stress environnemental

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freuchet, Florian

Dans le milieu marin, l'abondance du recrutement depend des processus qui vont affecter les adultes et le stock de larves. Sous l'influence de signaux fiables de la qualite de l'habitat, la mere peut augmenter (effet maternel anticipatoire, 'anticipatory mother effects', AME) ou reduire (effet maternel egoiste, 'selfish maternai effects', SME) la condition physiologique de la progeniture. Dans les zones tropicales, generalement plus oligotrophes, la ressource nutritive et la temperature sont deux composantes importantes pouvant limiter le recrutement. Les effets de l'apport nutritionnel et du stress thermique sur la production de larves et sur la stategie maternelle adoptee ont ete testes dans cette etude. Nous avons cible la balane Chthamalus bisinuatus (Pilsbry) comme modele biologique car el1e domine les zones intertidales superieures le long des cotes rocheuses du Sud-Est du Bresil (region tropicale). Les hypotheses de depart stipulaient que l'apport nutritionnel permet aux adultes de produire des larves de qualite elevee et que le stress thermique genere une ponte precoce, produisant des larves de faible qualite. Afin de tester ces hypotheses, des populations de C. bisinuatus ont ete elevees selon quatre groupes experimentaux differents, en combinant des niveaux d'apport nutritionnel (eleve et faible) et de stress thermique (stresse et non stresse). Des mesures de survie et de conditions physiologiques des adultes et des larves ont permis d'identifier les reponses parentales pouvant etre avantageuses dans un environnement tropical hostile. L'analyse des profils en acides gras a ete la methode utilisee pour evaluer la qualite physiologique des adultes et de larves. Les resultats du traitement alimentaire (fort ou faible apport nutritif), ne montrent aucune difference dans l'accumulation de lipides neutres, la taille des nauplii, l'effort de reproduction ou le temps de survie des nauplii en condition de jeune. Il semble que la faible ressource nutritive est compensee par les meres qui adoptent un modele AME qui se traduit par l'anticipation du milieu par les meres afin de produire des larves au phenotype approprie. A l'ajout d'un stress thermique, on observe des diminutions de 47% de la production de larves et celles-ci etaient 18 microm plus petites. Les meres semblent utiliser un modele SME caracterise par une diminution de la performance des larves. Suite a ces resultats, nous emettons l'hypothese qu'en zone subtropicale, comme sur les cotes de l'etat de Sao Paulo, l'elevation de la temperature subie par les balanes n'est, a priori, pas dommageable pour leur organisme si eIle est combinee a un apport nutritif suffisant.

Software structure for Vega/Chara instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clausse, J.-M.

2008-07-01

VEGA (Visible spEctroGraph and polArimeter) is one of the focal instruments of the CHARA array at Mount Wilson near Los Angeles. Its control system is based on techniques developed on the GI2T interferometer (Grand Interferometre a 2 Telescopes) and on the SIRIUS fibered hyper telescope testbed at OCA (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur). This article describes the software and electronics architecture of the instrument. It is based on local network architecture and uses also Virtual Private Network connections. The server part is based on Windows XP (VC++). The control software is on Linux (C, GTK). For the control of the science detector and the fringe tracking systems, distributed API use real-time techniques. The control software gathers all the necessary informations of the instrument. It allows an automatic management of the instrument by using an original task scheduler. This architecture intends to drive the instrument from remote sites, such as our institute in South of France.

Ledantevirus: a proposed new genus in the Rhabdoviridae has a strong ecological association with bats.

PubMed

Blasdell, Kim R; Guzman, Hilda; Widen, Steven G; Firth, Cadhla; Wood, Thomas G; Holmes, Edward C; Tesh, Robert B; Vasilakis, Nikos; Walker, Peter J

2015-02-01

The Le Dantec serogroup of rhabdoviruses comprises Le Dantec virus from a human with encephalitis and Keuriliba virus from rodents, each isolated in Senegal. The Kern Canyon serogroup comprises a loosely connected set of rhabdoviruses many of which have been isolated from bats, including Kern Canyon virus from California, Nkolbisson virus from Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Cote d'Ivoire, Kolente virus from Guinea, Mount Elgon bat and Fikirini viruses from Kenya, and Oita virus from Japan. Fukuoka virus isolated from mosquitoes, midges, and cattle in Japan, Barur virus from a rodent in India and Nishimuro virus from pigs in Japan have also been linked genetically or serologically to this group. Here, we analyze the genome sequences and phylogenetic relationships of this set of viruses. We show that they form three subgroups within a monophyletic group, which we propose should constitute the new genus Ledantevirus. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Application of unweighted pair group methods with arithmetic average (UPGMA) for identification of kinship types and spreading of ebola virus through establishment of phylogenetic tree

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andriani, Tri; Irawan, Mohammad Isa

2017-08-01

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a disease caused by a virus of the genus Ebolavirus (EBOV), family Filoviridae. Ebola virus is classifed into five types, namely Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV), Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BEBOV), Tai Forest ebolavirus also known as Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus (CIEBOV), and Reston ebolavirus (REBOV). Identification of kinship types of Ebola virus can be performed using phylogenetic trees. In this study, the phylogenetic tree constructed by UPGMA method in which there are Multiple Alignment using Progressive Method. The results concluded that the phylogenetic tree formation kinship ebola virus types that kind of Tai Forest ebolavirus close to Bundibugyo ebolavirus but the layout state ebola epidemic spread far apart. The genetic distance for this type of Bundibugyo ebolavirus with Tai Forest ebolavirus is 0.3725. Type Tai Forest ebolavirus similar to Bundibugyo ebolavirus not inuenced by the proximity of the area ebola epidemic spread.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Rapid Serologic Assays and Testing Algorithms in an Antenatal Clinic in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

PubMed Central

Koblavi-Dème, Stéphania; Maurice, Chantal; Yavo, Daniel; Sibailly, Toussaint S.; N′guessan, Kabran; Kamelan-Tano, Yvonne; Wiktor, Stefan Z.; Roels, Thierry H.; Chorba, Terence; Nkengasong, John N.

2001-01-01

To evaluate serologic testing algorithms for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) based on a combination of rapid assays among persons with HIV-1 (non-B subtypes) infection, HIV-2 infection, and HIV-1–HIV-2 dual infections in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, a total of 1,216 sera with known HIV serologic status were used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of four rapid assays: Determine HIV-1/2, Capillus HIV-1/HIV-2, HIV-SPOT, and Genie II HIV-1/HIV-2. Two serum panels obtained from patients recently infected with HIV-1 subtypes B and non-B were also included. Based on sensitivity and specificity, three of the four rapid assays were evaluated prospectively in parallel (serum samples tested by two simultaneous rapid assays) and serial (serum samples tested by two consecutive rapid assays) testing algorithms. All assays were 100% sensitive, and specificities ranged from 99.4 to 100%. In the prospective evaluation, both the parallel and serial algorithms were 100% sensitive and specific. Our results suggest that rapid assays have high sensitivity and specificity and, when used in parallel or serial testing algorithms, yield results similar to those of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based testing strategies. HIV serodiagnosis based on rapid assays may be a valuable alternative in implementing HIV prevention and surveillance programs in areas where sophisticated laboratories are difficult to establish. PMID:11325995

[Clinical and developmental aspects of care-related tetanus in the reference service of the teaching hospital of Abidjan].

PubMed

Aba, T; Kra, O; Ehui, E; Tanon, K A; Kacou, A R; Ouatara, B; Bissagnéné, E; Kadio, A

2011-02-01

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from medical data of inpatients with tetanus in the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases of the University Hospital of Treichville in Abidjan from January 2003 to December 2007. In five years, 221 cases of tetanus have been hospitalized. The tetanus gateway was found in 188 patients (85%). Tetanus gateway linked to care was found in 22 patients (11.7%). Acts of care in question were intramuscular injections (10 cases) and operative procedures (12 cases). Concerning medical care by intramuscular injection, quinine (four cases), sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (one case), and long-acting penicillin (one case) were the identified drugs. The operative procedures mainly involved were skin sutures (nine cases), cures of hernia (two cases), and flattening of Fournier's gangrene (one case). The average incubation period was 9.5 days. The invasion lasted for an average of 1.8 days. On admission, tetanus was immediately generalized for all patients with the presence of paroxysms in 20 patients (90.9%). The lethality of tetanus related care was 54.5%. The death rate in the first 48 hours of hospitalization was estimated at 83.3%. The average length of hospital stay was 14.6 days. Health workers should be involved in the prevention of tetanus in improving the quality of care and especially in reducing intramuscular injections. Also, any patient not immunized against tetanus should receive anti-tetanus serum and an update of its tetanus vaccine before any invasive procedures.

Implementing family-focused HIV care and treatment: the first 2 years' experience of the mother-to-child transmission-plus program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

PubMed Central

Tonwe-Gold, Besigin; Ekouevi, Didier Koumavi; Amani-Bosse, Clarisse; Toure, Siaka; Koné, Mamadou; Becquet, Renaud; Leroy, Valériane; Toro, Patricia; Dabis, François; El Sadr, Wafaa M.; Abrams, Elaine J.

2009-01-01

Summary Objectives To describe a family-focused approach to HIV care and treatment and report on the first two years’ experience of implementing the MTCT-Plus program in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Program implementation New effective models of care are being sought to provide successful strategies to deliver safe, efficient and appropriate HIV care and treatment in resource limited settings. The MTCT-Plus Initiative aims to engage pregnant and postpartum women identified as HIV-infected to initiate comprehensive HIV care and treatment for the woman and her family. Main outcomes Between August 2003 and August 2005, 605 HIV-infected pregnant or post-partum women and 582 HIV-exposed infants were enrolled. Amongst 568 male partners reported alive by enrolled women, 300 (52%) were aware of their wife’s HIV status and 169 (30%) have been tested for HIV. Amongst these partners, 88 (53%) were found to be HIV-infected and 69 (78%) were enrolled into the program. Overall only 10% of the women were enrolled together with their infected partner. On the other hand, a success of the program was also to involve a significant number of seronegative men (half of those who came for VCT) in the care of their families. Amongst 1,624 children <15 years reported alive by their mothers (excluding the last newborn infants of the most recent pregnancy systematically screened for HIV), only 146 (10.8%) were brought in for HIV testing, of whom 18 (12.3%) were found to be HIV-infected. Lessons learned and challenges The family-focused model of HIV care pays attention to the needs of families and household members. The program was successful in enrolling HIV women, their partners and infants in continuous follow-up. However engaging partners and family members of newly enrolled women into care involves numerous challenges outlined in the cascade of necessary events that must take place to achieve this goal. This involves the difficult issue of disclosure of HIV status by women to their partners and family members. Further efforts are required to understand barriers for families accessing HIV services as strategies to improve partner involvement and provide access to care for other children in the households are needed in this West African urban setting. PMID:19236666

Development of Carbon Based optically Transparent Electrodes from Pyrolyzed Photoresist for the Investigation of Phenomena at Electrified Carbon-Solution Interfaces

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Donner, Sebastian

2007-01-01

The work presented herein describes a fundamental investigations of carbon as electrode material by using the pyrolysis of photoresist to create an optically transparent material. The development of these carbon-based optically transparent electrodes (C-OTEs) enables investigations of molecular interactions within the electrical double layer, processes that are central to a wide range of important phenomena, including the impact of changes in the surface charge density on adsorption. The electrochemical importance of carbon cannot be understated, having relevance to separations and detection by providing a wide potential window and low background current in addition to being low cost and light weight.more » The interactions that govern the processes at the carbon electrode surface has been studied extensively. A variety of publications from the laboratories of McCreery and Kinoshita provide in depth summaries about carbon and its many applications in electrochemistry. These studies reveal that defects, impurities, oxidation, and a variety of functional groups create adsorption sites on carbon surfaces with different characteristics. The interest in C-OTEs was sparked by the desire to study and understand the behavior of individual molecules at electrified interfaces. It draws on the earlier development of Electrochemically Modulated Liquid Chromatography (EMLC), which uses carbon as the stationary phase. EMLC takes advantage of changing the applied potential to the carbon electrode to influence the retention behavior of analytes. However, perspectives gained from, for example, chromatographic measurements reflect the integrated response of a large ensemble of potentially diverse interactions between the adsorbates and the carbon electrode. Considering the chemically and physically heterogeneous surface of electrode materials such as glassy carbon, the integrated response provides little insight into the interactions at a single molecule level. To investigate individual processes, they have developed C-OTEs in order to couple electrochemistry with single molecule spectroscopy (SMS). Like EMLC, the novel merger of SMS with electrochemistry is a prime example of how a hybrid method can open new and intriguing avenues that are of both fundamental and technological importance. They show that by taking the benefits of total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) and incorporating carbon as electrode material observations central to the interactions between single DNA molecules and an electrified carbon surface can be delineated. Using TIRFM while applying a positive potential to the electrode, individual molecules can be observed as they reversibly and irreversibly adsorb to the carbon surface. The positive potential attracts the negatively charged DNA molecules to the electrode surface. Dye labels on the DNA within the evanescent wave are excited and their fluorescence is captured by an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) camera. Results are therefore presented regarding the interactions of λ-DNA, 48,502 base pairs (48.5 kbp), HPV-16, 7.9 kbp, and 1 kbp fraction of pBR322 DNA. In addition to the influence of molecular size on adsorption, the fabrication, characterization, and more conventional spectroelectrochemical applications of these novel C-OTEs are presented.« less

Study of the Erosion Corrosion of Alloys and Coatings.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

AD-A±94 327 ST Y OF THE ROSION COROSION OF ALLO COTINGS 4 (U) PITTSBURGH UNIV PA DEPT OF MTERIRLS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING N BIRKS ET AL. DEC 87 ARO...AVAILABILITY OF REPORT 2b. DECLASSIFICATION IOOWNGRADING SCHEDULE Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. 4 . PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT...a further regime, based on scale spallation, at certain values of scale thicknesse . The inclusion of sulfur in the atmosphere results in much more

Eye Tracking in the Cockpit: a Review of the Relationships between Eye Movements and the Aviators Cognitive State

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

proportional dwell time OTW in order to assess the impact of novel cockpit instruments on situational awareness in nearby airspace (Cote, Krueger, & Simmons...frequency. In particular, Spady (1978) examined eye movements during simulated landing approach under instrument flight rules ( IFR ). Simulated turbulence...al. (2007) found that NNI varied across phases of simulated IFR flight, showing the least random (most clustered) distribution of fixations during

[Multidrug resistant tuberculosis among health personnel in Côte d'Ivoire].

PubMed

Bakayoko, A S; Ahui, B J M; Nguessan, R; Kone, A; Kone, Z; Daix, A T; Badoum, G; Adou, G; Kouakou, O A; Kouakou, J; Coulibaly, G; Domoua, K; Aka-Danguy, E

2016-04-01

Multidrug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) of health workers raises the question of hospital-borne transmission of infection. We report 4 cases of MDR-TB confirmed at the health workers over a period of 8 years (January, 2005 to December 2012), in the 2 services of pulmonology from Abidjan to Côte d'Ivoire). It was about young grown-up patients (aged between 28 and 39 years), all HIV negatives, in a no-win situation of antituberculosis treatment (3 patients/4). The most concerned staffs were the male nurses (2/4). Two agents worked in general hospital and the only one in a pulmonology department at the time of the diagnosis. The tuberculosis was of lung seat with bilateral radiographic hurt (3/4) and multiples excavations (4/4). The case index, when it was identified (2/2), was a family case. Among 3 agents who benefited from a second line treatment, 1 died further to an extensive drug resistance and 2 are declared to be cured. The fourth died before the beginning of the treatment. These cases of cure were in touch with a premature care. Multidrug resistant tuberculosis at the health workers could have a negative impact on the antituberculosis fight imposing rigorous measures of infection control and better implication of the occupational medicine. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Gingival displacement techniques in daily practice. Survey among dental surgeons in Abidjan, Ivory Coast].

PubMed

Pesson, D M; Bakou, O D; Didia, E L E; Kouame, A; Blohoua, M R J J; Djeredou, K B

2015-12-01

Access to cervical margins allows the practitioner to record the entire cervical margin in order to provide a true copy to the technician. This requires a gingival displacement obtainable by different techniques. This study aimed to assess the implementation of gingival displacement methods prior to impression taking in fixed prosthodontics. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional survey of sample of 71 dentists practising in Abidjan, Ivory Coast; which ran from October 2nd, 2010 to November 14th, 2010. A survey form was administered to dentists. The questionnaire was organised around the following headings: identification of dentists and practice of gingival displacement methods. The data processing done using software Epi Info 6 and Excel XP on Window XP, allowed calculation of frequencies, means and proportions and the establishment of connection between variables with the chi2 test. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. The results of the survey indicate that non-surgical methods of gingival displacement, including retraction cords and temporary crowns are those they use most frequently (76.4%) because the vast majority of practitioners (87.22%) believe the most traumatic to the periodontium are surgical methods. Our study showed that the gingival displacement methods are frequently carried out in daily practice, regardless of the topography of the abutment teeth and their number, but with a preference for non-surgical methods, particularly those using retraction cords and temporary crowns. The use of injectable gingival displacement paste is not harmful to the periodontal tissues, easy to use and have a very efficient haemostatic action. It should also be known and practiced.

Demarcation of continental-oceanic transition zone using angular differences between gradients of geophysical fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jilinski, Pavel; Meju, Max A.; Fontes, Sergio L.

2013-10-01

The commonest technique for determination of the continental-oceanic crustal boundary or transition (COB) zone is based on locating and visually correlating bathymetric and potential field anomalies and constructing crustal models constrained by seismic data. In this paper, we present a simple method for spatial correlation of bathymetric and potential field geophysical anomalies. Angular differences between gradient directions are used to determine different types of correlation between gravity and bathymetric or magnetic data. It is found that the relationship between bathymetry and gravity anomalies can be correctly identified using this method. It is demonstrated, by comparison with previously published models for the southwest African margin, that this method enables the demarcation of the zone of transition from oceanic to continental crust assuming that this it is associated with geophysical anomalies, which can be correlated using gradient directions rather than magnitudes. We also applied this method, supported by 2-D gravity modelling, to the more complex Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire-Ghana sectors of the West African transform margin and obtained results that are in remarkable agreement with past predictions of the COB in that region. We suggest the use of this method for a first-pass interpretation as a prelude to rigorous modelling of the COB in frontier areas.

Understanding the Root Causes of Military Coups and Governmental Instability in West Africa

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-13

Africans make their living from subsistence farming . The region has few exports. Oil is the principle revenue-earner for Nigeria, cocoa mainly in Cote...category. Farming and fishing, which at this point are at their rudimentary stages, are the basis of the economy of the newly independent Senegal...1973. Fourteen percent of Niger’s GDP is generated by livestock production (camels, goats , sheep and cattle), which supports 35 percent of the

State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2008 Appropriations

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-10-24

strong commitment to political, economic and social reforms. The CRS-3 2 PEPFAR countries include Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique...Uzbek, Greek, and Cantonese as well as the RFE/RL Macedonia service. BBG also plans to reduce several others, such as VOA and RFE/RL service in Ukrainian... social services to Iraqi refugees. FY2007 Supplemental Request. On April 25 and 26, the House and Senate passed the conference report (H.Rept. 110-107

HIV and STI Prevalence among Female Sex Workers in Côte d'Ivoire: Why Targeted Prevention Programs Should Be Continued and Strengthened

PubMed Central

Vuylsteke, Bea; Semdé, Gisèle; Sika, Lazare; Crucitti, Tania; Ettiègne Traoré, Virginie; Buvé, Anne; Laga, Marie

2012-01-01

Objective To assess condom use and prevalence of STIs and HIV among female sex workers (FSWs), as part of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan of a nationwide sex worker prevention project in Côte d'Ivoire. Design and Methods Cross sectional surveys were conducted among FSWs attending five project clinics in Abidjan and San Pedro (2007), and in Yamoussoukro and Gagnoa (2009). A standardized questionnaire was administered in a face-to-face interview, which included questions on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and condom use. After the interview, the participants were asked to provide samples for STI and HIV testing. Results A total of 1110 FSWs participated in the surveys. There were large differences in socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics between FSW coming for the first time as compared to FSW coming on a routine visit. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae or C.trachomatis was 9.1%, 11.8% among first vs. 6.9% routine attendees (p = 0.004). The overall HIV prevalence was 26.6%, it was lower among first time attendees (17.5% as compared to 33.9% for routine attendees, p<0.001). The HIV prevalence among first attendees was also lower than the proportion of HIV positive tests from routine testing and counselling services in the same clinics. Conclusions The results show a relatively high STI and HIV prevalence among FSWs in different cities in Côte d'Ivoire. In the light of these results, prevention efforts should continue to focus on FSWs in the country. PMID:22403685

[Acquired caustic vagina stenosis: Surgical outcomes of 21 cases].

PubMed

Séni, K; Horo, A G; Koffi, A; Aka, K E; Fomba, M; Koné, M

2016-03-01

To document epidemiology, causes, anatomical varieties and surgical management outcomes of caustic acquired vagina stenosis. Retrospective study of 21 patients involved from 1996 to 2012 at the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Yopougon's teaching hospital in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Vaginal stenosis due to genital malformation, vaginal irradiation of pelvic tumours, repair of bladder and vaginal fistulae or intersexual disorders were excluded. The prevalence was 0.14/1000 admissions, mean age was 32.1 years, mean gravidity was 1.76 and mean parity was 1.1. Vaginal stenosis seat and extent were variable and 100 % had a caustic origin by use of traditional medicine vaginal pessaire. Of the patients, 95.2 % underwent surgical treatment followed by several dilations sessions with glass dilators. Successful surgical outcome allowing coitus was achieved in 47.6 % of cases with 52.4 % failure. Acquired caustic vagina stenosis are frequently occurring and are a public health problem related to ignorance. Health education and establishment of expert centers with exchange of experiences in West Africa should be able to improve surgical outcomes. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier SAS.

Spatial mapping and prediction of Plasmodium falciparum infection risk among school-aged children in Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Houngbedji, Clarisse A; Chammartin, Frédérique; Yapi, Richard B; Hürlimann, Eveline; N'Dri, Prisca B; Silué, Kigbafori D; Soro, Gotianwa; Koudou, Benjamin G; Assi, Serge-Brice; N'Goran, Eliézer K; Fantodji, Agathe; Utzinger, Jürg; Vounatsou, Penelope; Raso, Giovanna

2016-09-07

In Côte d'Ivoire, malaria remains a major public health issue, and thus a priority to be tackled. The aim of this study was to identify spatially explicit indicators of Plasmodium falciparum infection among school-aged children and to undertake a model-based spatial prediction of P. falciparum infection risk using environmental predictors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, including parasitological examinations and interviews with more than 5,000 children from 93 schools across Côte d'Ivoire. A finger-prick blood sample was obtained from each child to determine Plasmodium species-specific infection and parasitaemia using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. Household socioeconomic status was assessed through asset ownership and household characteristics. Children were interviewed for preventive measures against malaria. Environmental data were gathered from satellite images and digitized maps. A Bayesian geostatistical stochastic search variable selection procedure was employed to identify factors related to P. falciparum infection risk. Bayesian geostatistical logistic regression models were used to map the spatial distribution of P. falciparum infection and to predict the infection prevalence at non-sampled locations via Bayesian kriging. Complete data sets were available from 5,322 children aged 5-16 years across Côte d'Ivoire. P. falciparum was the predominant species (94.5 %). The Bayesian geostatistical variable selection procedure identified land cover and socioeconomic status as important predictors for infection risk with P. falciparum. Model-based prediction identified high P. falciparum infection risk in the north, central-east, south-east, west and south-west of Côte d'Ivoire. Low-risk areas were found in the south-eastern area close to Abidjan and the south-central and west-central part of the country. The P. falciparum infection risk and related uncertainty estimates for school-aged children in Côte d'Ivoire represent the most up-to-date malaria risk maps. These tools can be used for spatial targeting of malaria control interventions.

AIDS chief says nonoxynol-9 not effective against HIV.

PubMed

According to Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the international multi-site trial of the spermicide nonoxynol-9 in gel form has shown that it is not effective in protecting women from HIV infection. This large-scale Phase III efficacy trial was conducted among female sex workers in Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Thailand. Apart from receiving the trial microbicide or a placebo, participants also received classical HIV prevention support, such as free condoms, free treatment for sexually transmitted infections, counseling, and peer support. One positive outcome of the trial is that fewer of the sex workers who participated became infected with HIV, compared with the sex workers who did not participate at all in the study. However, Piot states that even if the results of the trials are disappointing, the search for an effective microbicide continues. To this effect, at least 36 compounds are at the preclinical testing stage, while 20 are ready for early safety trials in human volunteers and three additional compounds are being considered for large-scale trials.

Age of smoking initiation among adolescents in Africa.

PubMed

Veeranki, Sreenivas P; John, Rijo M; Ibrahim, Abdallah; Pillendla, Divya; Thrasher, James F; Owusu, Daniel; Ouma, Ahmed E O; Mamudu, Hadii M

2017-01-01

To estimate prevalence and identify correlates of age of smoking initiation among adolescents in Africa. Data (n = 16,519) were obtained from nationally representative Global Youth Tobacco Surveys in nine West African countries. Study outcome was adolescents' age of smoking initiation categorized into six groups: ≤7, 8 or 9, 10 or 11, 12 or 13, 14 or 15 and never-smoker. Explanatory variables included sex, parental or peer smoking behavior, exposure to tobacco industry promotions, and knowledge about smoking harm. Weighted multinomial logit models were conducted to determine correlates associated with adolescents' age of smoking initiation. Age of smoking initiation was as early as ≤7 years; prevalence estimates ranged from 0.7 % in Ghana at 10 or 11 years age to 9.6 % in Cote d'Ivoire at 12 or 13 years age. Males, exposures to parental or peer smoking, and industry promotions were identified as significant correlates. West African policymakers should adopt a preventive approach consistent with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to prevent an adolescent from initiating smoking and developing into future regular smokers.

Cocoa Intensification Scenarios and Their Predicted Impact on CO2 Emissions, Biodiversity Conservation, and Rural Livelihoods in the Guinea Rain Forest of West Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gockowski, Jim; Sonwa, Denis

2011-08-01

The Guinean rain forest (GRF) of West Africa, identified over 20 years ago as a global biodiversity hotspot, had reduced to 113,000 km2 at the start of the new millennium which was 18% of its original area. The principal driver of this environmental change has been the expansion of extensive smallholder agriculture. From 1988 to 2007, the area harvested in the GRF by smallholders of cocoa, cassava, and oil palm increased by 68,000 km2. Field results suggest a high potential for significantly increasing crop yields through increased application of seed-fertilizer technologies. Analyzing land-use change scenarios, it was estimated that had intensified cocoa technology, already developed in the 1960s, been pursued in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon that over 21,000 km2 of deforestation and forest degradation could have been avoided along with the emission of nearly 1.4 billion t of CO2. Addressing the low productivity of agriculture in the GRF should be one of the principal objectives of REDD climate mitigation programs.

Winning the battle against the scourge of poliomyelitis in the African Region.

PubMed

Moeti, Matshidiso

2016-10-10

Recently we have recorded some progress against the transmission of poliovirus in the African Region. This is attributable to a number of factors, including commitment of global partnerships against polio, improvement of existing strategies as well as a number of innovations in response to the disease in the Region. The WHO Regional Office in Africa documented these practices that led to the noticeable progress in the polio eradication initiative in the African Region, as lessons learnt and as part of polio legacy planning. The documentation exercise covered eight countries, namely Angola, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Togo. A number of practices were identified. Some of these practices cut across countries while others were peculiar to specific countries. We have thus developed some manuscripts to capture these practices for publication in scientific journal so as to place them in the public domain for use. It is hoped that these practices will be deployed to other public health programmes in the Region and beyond. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Characterization of high order spatial discretizations and lumping techniques for discontinuous finite element SN transport

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maginot, P. G.; Ragusa, J. C.; Morel, J. E.

2013-07-01

We examine several possible methods of mass matrix lumping for discontinuous finite element discrete ordinates transport using a Lagrange interpolatory polynomial trial space. Though positive outflow angular flux is guaranteed with traditional mass matrix lumping in a purely absorbing 1-D slab cell for the linear discontinuous approximation, we show that when used with higher degree interpolatory polynomial trial spaces, traditional lumping does yield strictly positive outflows and does not increase in accuracy with an increase in trial space polynomial degree. As an alternative, we examine methods which are 'self-lumping'. Self-lumping methods yield diagonal mass matrices by using numerical quadrature restrictedmore » to the Lagrange interpolatory points. Using equally-spaced interpolatory points, self-lumping is achieved through the use of closed Newton-Cotes formulas, resulting in strictly positive outflows in pure absorbers for odd power polynomials in 1-D slab geometry. By changing interpolatory points from the traditional equally-spaced points to the quadrature points of the Gauss-Legendre or Lobatto-Gauss-Legendre quadratures, it is possible to generate solution representations with a diagonal mass matrix and a strictly positive outflow for any degree polynomial solution representation in a pure absorber medium in 1-D slab geometry. Further, there is no inherent limit to local truncation error order of accuracy when using interpolatory points that correspond to the quadrature points of high order accuracy numerical quadrature schemes. (authors)« less

U.S. Army Chemical Corps Historical Studies, Gas Warfare in World War 1: The 33rd Division along the Meuse, October 1918

DTIC Science & Technology

1958-07-01

down to Cote de ,’Ole (Map Neo 2) The attack was to be made by the 66th Brig- ado , with two battalions each of the 131st and 3.2nrd Infantry in line...Pannevoux had been heavily shelled with HE, yellow cross, and blue cross every nighto He Arko 95 order for 7 porno 3 Oct to 7 aomo 4 Oct (7th Rles Div

Quadratures with multiple nodes, power orthogonality, and moment-preserving spline approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milovanovic, Gradimir V.

2001-01-01

Quadrature formulas with multiple nodes, power orthogonality, and some applications of such quadratures to moment-preserving approximation by defective splines are considered. An account on power orthogonality (s- and [sigma]-orthogonal polynomials) and generalized Gaussian quadratures with multiple nodes, including stable algorithms for numerical construction of the corresponding polynomials and Cotes numbers, are given. In particular, the important case of Chebyshev weight is analyzed. Finally, some applications in moment-preserving approximation of functions by defective splines are discussed.

Musical and clothing invitations to protection.

PubMed

Deniaud, F

1993-01-01

The Chaussez Capote Project interviewed 48 youths in Abidjan and Dabou aged 14-25 years on how to best get individuals in their age group to use condoms. 251 individuals aged 15-25 were also surveyed in Abidjan on the same subject. While more than 80% of this latter group had already discussed AIDS, sexually transmitted disease (STD), and prevention with others, 90% still wanted advice on these themes from medical staff and the media. 40% who had already used condoms did so incorrectly, while approximately 33% had experienced condom breakage during use. Respondents felt that condom promotion should be associated with information on AIDS, STDs, and contraception or information on general health. In response to this feedback, the project commissioned the creation of a promotional music cassette with French and African songs of different musical styles. Lyrics imparted technical information and correct misconceptions related to condom use. Free distribution of the cassette commenced August 1992, and approximately 800 were given to organizations and businesses. The cassette also aired on radio and Ivorian television, but met with only limited success. It is thought that its impact was limited due to the small number of copies duplicated and inefficient distribution. A new version was therefore created with different songs and short messages by popular African singers for local duplication and sale at a subsidized price starting December 1993. As a 2nd intervention, clothing metaphors applied to condoms and condom use were applied to the development of a clothing promotion loincloth designed Spring 1993. The cloth was pretested and revised to ultimately consist of panels depicting 2 young couples, a condom, a panther, and the words Entre nous. The cloth has been ordered for use by the National AIDS Committee, a condom social marketing project, and the French agency for development cooperation.

Anti-Adhesion Elastomer Seal Coatings for Ultraviolet and Atomic Oxygen Protection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

De Groh, Henry C., III; Puleo, Bernadette J.; Waters, Deborah L.; Miller, Sharon K.

2015-01-01

Radiation blocking sunscreen coatings have been developed for the protection of elastomer seals used in low-Earth-orbit (LEO). The coatings protect the seals from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and atomic oxygen (AO) damage. The coatings were developed for use on NASA docking seals. Docking seal damage from the UV and AO present in LEO can constrain mission time-line, flight mode options, and increases risk. A low level of adhesion is also required for docking seals so undocking push-off forces can be low. The coatings presented also mitigate this unwanted adhesion. Greases with low collected volatile condensable materials (CVCM) and low total mass loss (TML) were mixed with slippery and/or UV blocking powders to create the protective coatings. Coatings were applied at rates up to 2 milligrams per square centimeter. Coated seals were exposed to AO and UV in the NUV (near-UV) and UV-C wavelength ranges (300 to 400 nanometers and 254 nanometers, respectively). Ground based ashers were used to simulate the AO of space. The Sun's UV energy was mimicked assuming a nose forward flight mode, resulting in an exposure rate of 2.5 megajoules per square meter per day. Exposures between 0 and 147 megajoules per square meter (UV-C) and 245 megajoules per square meter (NUV) were accomplished. The protective coatings were durable, providing protection from UV after a simulated docking and undocking cycle. The level of protection begins to decline at coverage rates less than 0.9 milligrams per square centimeter. The leakage of seals coated with Braycote plus 20 percent Z-cote ZnO sunscreen increased by a factor of 40 after moderate AO exposure; indicating that this coating might not be suitable due to AO intolerance. Seals coated with DC-7-16.4 percent Z-cote ZnO sunscreen were not significantly affected by combined doses of 2 x 10 (sup 21) atoms per square AO with 73 megajoules per square meter UV-C. Unprotected seals were significantly damaged at UV-C exposures of 0.3 megajoules per square meter and DC-7-16.4 percent Z-cote coated seals were undamaged at all exposures up to the limits tested thus far which were 147 megajoules per square meter UV-C and 245 megajoules per square meter NUV. The coatings decreased adhesion sufficiently for docking seals at temperatures equal to or greater than -8 degrees Centigrade thus offer a simple and inexpensive way to mitigate adhesion.

Open-label, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial of artesunate-amodiaquine versus artemether-lumefantrine fixed-dose combinations in children and adults with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Côte d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Toure, Offianan A; Assi, Serge B; N'Guessan, Tiacoh L; Adji, Gbessi E; Ako, Aristide B; Brou, Marie J; Ehouman, Marie F; Gnamien, Laeticia A; Coulibaly, M'Lanhoro A A; Coulibaly, Baba; Beourou, Sylvain; Bassinka, Issiaka; Soumahoro, Adama; Kadjo, Florence; Tano, Mea A

2014-11-19

Emergence of artemisinin resistance has raised concerns that the most potent anti-malarial drug may be under threat. Artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) are, respectively, the first- and second-line treatments for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Côte d'Ivoire. Constant monitoring by National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) of drug efficacy is an important tool in establishing rational anti-malarial drug policies in Côte d'Ivoire. In an open label, randomized controlled clinical trial, children and adults were randomized to receive AS-AQ or AL. Both drug regimens were given for three days, and follow-up was for 42 days. The primary endpoint was the 42-day cure rate and was defined as proportion of patients with PCR-corrected cure rate after 42 days of follow-up. A total of 383 patients who were attending the Anonkoua-koute (Abidjan), Petit Paris (Korhogo) and Libreville (Man) hospitals and presenting with symptomatic acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria were randomized to receive AS-AQ (188) and AL (195). The intention-to-treat analysis showed effectiveness rates of 94.7% and 96.4% for AS-AQ and AL, respectively on day 42. After adjustment for PCR, these rates were 96.8% and 99%, respectively. At day 42, in per-protocol analysis, Adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) PCR uncorrected was 97.8% and 97.4% for AS-AQ and AL, respectively. The PCR adjusted ACPR was 100% for each combination and both regimens were well tolerated. This study has shown the high efficacy of AS-AQ in patients of all ages with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria and AS-AQ was non-inferior to AL. Continuous efficacy monitoring is recommended.

A Theoretical Analysis of a New Polarimetric Optical Scheme for Glucose Sensing in the Human Eye

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rovati, Luigi L.; Boeckle, Stefan; Ansari, Rafat R.; Salzman, Jack A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The challenging task of in vivo polarimetric glucose sensing is the identification and selection of a scheme to optically access the aqueous humor of the human eye. In this short communication an earlier approach of Cote et al. is theoretically compared with our new optical scheme. Simulations of the new scheme using the eye model of Navarro, suggest that the new optical geometry can overcome the limitations of the previous approach for in vivo measurements of glucose in a human eye.

[Developing local actions: allowing individual talents be expressed and utilised within a strategic framework].

PubMed

Coruble, Gérard; Vandoorne, Chantal

2005-01-01

The Regional Health Programme of Children and Adolescents in Province Alpes Cote d'Azur (PRSJ), developed between March 1998 and May 1999, is characterised by its scope and complexity. It is more a strategic framework for action than an operational programme. To carry out this action, it was adapted to the level of intervention, on the one hand, using instruments at the regional level adapted for professional interventions, and, on the other hand, through the development of territory-based approaches founded on the creation of networks. Evaluations have shown that the actors found the framework proposed by PRSJ positive and adopted it. They expressed their creativity with more spontaneity in the networks with therapeutic objectives, than those responding to health determinants, which needed initial local support. Local communities appeared as the ideal setting for dissemination and sustainability of PRSJ's objectives. PRSJ's strategic framework allowed local actors to express their talent. This mode of action, which accommodates not only programmatic focus within the context of practitioners on the ground, but also, epidemiology and socio-geographic interventions, are pertinent. To go beyond the explicit milestones set by the strategic orientations of the programme, different elements strengthening the framework are highlighted.

Out of Africa: Uganda and UNAIDS advance a bold experiment.

PubMed

Zuniga, J

1999-10-01

The UNAIDS HIV Drug Access Initiative was launched in 1997 to aid four resource-limited countries: Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Uganda, and Viet Nam. This multipronged initiative between pharmaceutical companies and government officials aims to expand access to HIV-related drugs on a small, sustainable scale in developing countries. Uganda's experience in the implementation of the UNAIDS HIV Drug Access Initiative is presented. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was struck by the reality of AIDS in 1986 when he learned that up to 25 percent of Ugandan troops might be HIV-infected. The overall Ugandan incidence of AIDS has been reduced since that time from 30 percent to about 14.5 percent due, in part, to cooperation between government and international institutions. Various charts are included, indicating cost estimates for the delivery of HIV care, and a flow chart diagrams drug procurement from six pharmaceutical companies for distribution to Ugandans living with HIV/AIDS. Minister of Health Crispus Kiyonga appointed a 15-member National Advisory Board in 1998 that established subcommittees on Drug Policy and Financing, Care and Practice, and Vertical Transmission to implement and oversee responsibilities. The establishment of Uganda's antiretroviral (ARV) treatment guidelines, standards, and educational and treatment efforts are discussed.

Triacylglycerol and triterpene ester composition of shea nuts from seven African countries.

PubMed

Akihisa, Toshihiro; Kojima, Nobuo; Katoh, Naoko; Kikuchi, Takashi; Fukatsu, Makoto; Shimizu, Naoto; Masters, Eliot T

2011-01-01

The compositions of the triacylglycerol (TAG) and triterpene ester (TE) fractions of the kernel fats (n-hexane extracts; shea butter) of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa; Sapotaceae) were determined for 36 samples from seven sub-Saharan countries, i.e., Cote d' Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroun, Chad, Sudan, and Uganda. The principal TAGs are stearic-oleic-stearic (SOS; mean 31.2%), SOO (27.7%), and OOO (10.8%). The TE fractions contents are in the range of 0.5-6.5%, and contain α-amyrin cinnamate (1c; mean 29.3%) as the predominant TE followed by butyrospermol cinnamate (4c; 14.8%), α-amyrin acetate (1a; 14.1%), lupeol cinnamate (3c; 9.0%), β-amyrin cinnamate (2c; 7.6%), lupeol acetate (3a; 7.2%), butyrospermol acetate (4a; 5.8%), and β-amyrin acetate (2a; 4.9%). Shea kernel fats from West African provenances contained, in general, higher levels of high-melting TAGs such as SOS, and higher amount of TEs than those from East African provenances. No striking regional difference in the composition of the TE fractions was observed. Copyright © 2011 by Japan Oil Chemists' Society

A Spore Coat Protein, CotS, of Bacillus subtilis Is Synthesized under the Regulation of ςK and GerE during Development and Is Located in the Inner Coat Layer of Spores

PubMed Central

Takamatsu, Hiromu; Chikahiro, Yukari; Kodama, Takeko; Koide, Hidekatsu; Kozuka, Satoshi; Tochikubo, Kunio; Watabe, Kazuhito

1998-01-01

The spore coat of Bacillus subtilis has a unique morphology and consists of polypeptides of different sizes, whose synthesis and assembly are precisely regulated by a cascade of transcription factors and regulatory proteins. We examined the factors that regulate cotS gene expression and CotS assembly into the coat layer of B. subtilis by Northern blot and Western blot analysis. Transcription of cotS mRNA was not detected in sporulating cells of ςK and gerE mutants by Northern blot analysis. By Western blot analysis using anti-CotS antibody, CotS was first detected in protein samples solubilized from wild-type cells at 5 h after the start of sporulation. CotS was not detected in the vegetative cells and spores of a gerE mutant or in the spores of mutants deficient in ςE, ςF, ςG, or ςK. CotS was detected in the sporangium but not in the spores of a cotE mutant. The sequence of the promoter region of cotS was similar to the consensus sequences for binding of ςK and GerE. These results demonstrate that ςK and GerE are required for cotS expression and that CotE is essential for the assembly of CotS in the coat. Immunoelectron microscopic observation using anti-CotS antibody revealed that CotS is located within the spore coat, in particular in the inner coats of dormant spores. PMID:9603889

[Relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-AIDS) and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma: A clinical epidemiological study of 26 cases in the ophthalmology department of the university hospital of Treichville-Abidjan (Abidjan-Côte d'Ivoire)].

PubMed

Berete, C R; Desjardins, L; Kouassi, L J; Coulibaly, F; Kouakou, K S; Gbe, K; Fanny, A

2016-05-01

To describe the epidemiological and clinical parameters of conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas and their association with HIV-AIDS in the ophthalmology department of the university hospital of Treichville. This is a prospective and descriptive cross sectional study carried out in the ophthalmology department of the university hospital of Treichville from July 2007 to June 2011. Twenty-six (26) patients who were selected presented with a tumor of the globe and/or adnexa. A CT scan was performed in advanced cases. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen was performed in all cases. HIV serology was performed after informed consent. All patients were referred to the oncology department of the university hospital of Treichville where a unit of care for HIV-positive patients with malignant tumors is available. Statistical analysis was performed using the software program EPI info version 6.0. We note a slight predominance of female patients 15 (57.69%) vs. 11 (42.3%) male patients. The mean age was 42.32 years, and 13 patients (50%) were between 25 and 45 years of age. Intraorbital tumors were the most common reason for consultation, i.e. 38.46%. Seventeen patients (65.38%) had no particular history. Nine patients (34.61%) were already on antiretroviral treatment on admission. Three patients, i.e. 11.54%, had already had tumor biopsy and/or evisceration. The mean duration of the disease before consultation in ophthalmology was 14.28 months. Localized limbal conjunctival tumors were found in 11 cases (42.38%). Advanced tumors with regional or cerebral extension accounted for 34.61% of cases. Six patients (23.078%) were HIV negative vs. 20 (76.92%) HIV positive patients. CD4 lymphocyte typing was performed in 17 patients (85%), and 45% had a CD4 count below 200. Only five patients were able to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but three of them died. The average length of follow-up was 29 months. This study allowed us to establish a statistically significant link between HIV positive status of patients and the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma, (P=10(-4)), as well as the decline in CD4 count and disease progression (p=10(-3)). The poor prognosis of conjunctival carcinoma reflects the low socioeconomic status of patients, physician under-staffing in our health care facilities, the prohibitive cost of anticancer drugs and the link between this disease and HIV-AIDS. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Cool carbon stars in the halo and Fornax dSph (Mauron+, 2014)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mauron, N.; Gigoyan, K. S.; Berlioz-Arthaud, P.; Klotz, A.

2014-03-01

Spectroscopy of halo candidate C stars was achieved at ESO (La Silla) on 17-18 October 2009 at the NTT telescope equipped with the EFOSC2 instrument in the spectral range 5200-9300Å. We were able to secure the spectra of 25 candidates with exposure times of generally a few minutes, and eventually, eight were found to be C-rich. We also observed three carbon stars in the Carina dwarf galaxy because they were erroneously believed to be in the halo, and for comparison APM 2225-1401, a C star from the list of Totten and Irwin (1998MNRAS.294....1T). We found spectra that covered the Hα region for four halo stars in the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory archive. They were obtained with the BAO 2.6m telescope and the ByuFOSC2 spectrograph. These spectra were taken on 28 March 1999, 12 June 2002, 11 May 2000, and 11 June 2000 with a resolution ~8Å. Concerning Fornax, spectra of C stars were found in the ESO Archive (program 70.D-0203, P.I. Marc Azzopardi). They were obtained on 5 November 2002 with the ESO 3.6m telescope and the EFOSC instrument with a resolution ~23Å and a spectral coverage from 4000Å to 7950Å. Sixteen C stars were monitored with the ground-based 25cm diameter TAROT telescopes. This monitoring took place irregularly at ESO La Silla and Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur (France) beginning in 2010. Thanks to the recently released Catalina and LINEAR databases, we were able to examine the light curves of 143 halo C stars and found 66 new periodic (Mira or SRa-type) variables among them. (5 data files).

Tuberculose ostéoarticulaire (mal de Pott exclu): à propos de 120 cas à Abidjan

PubMed Central

Gbané-Koné, Mariam; Koné, Samba; Ouali, Boubacar; Djaha, Kouassi Jean -Mermoz; Akoli, Ekoya Ondzala; Nseng, Ingrid Nseng; Eti, Edmond; Daboiko, Jean Claude; Touré, Stanislas André; Kouakou, N'zué Marcel

2015-01-01

Introduction La tuberculose ostéoarticulaire (TOA) représente 2 à 5% de l'ensemble des tuberculoses. Elle demeure d'actualité surtout dans les pays à forte endémicité tuberculeuse. L'objectif était de déterminer la prévalence, les aspects topographiques, radiologiques de la TOA en milieu hospitalier ivoirien. Méthodes Les auteurs rapportent une expérience de 11 ans, à travers une étude rétrospective de 120 dossiers de patients atteints de la tuberculose ostéoarticulaire (le mal de Pott est exclu de cette étude). N'ont pas été inclus dans l’étude les dossiers ne comportant pas d'imagerie. Résultats L'atteinte extra vertébrale représentait 09,2% de la tuberculose ostéoarticulaire. Il s'agissait de 54 hommes et 66 femmes, l’âge moyen était de 43,13 ans. On notait 123 cas d'ostéoarthrites, et 8 cas d'ostéites des os plats. L'atteinte des membres inférieurs prédominait dans 91,87% des cas. La hanche était la première localisation (45,04%), suivie du genou (25,19%). Les atteintes étaient multifocales dans 20% des cas. L'atteinte osseuse était associée à une tuberculose pulmonaire dans 05,83% des cas. Des localisations inhabituelles ont été rapportées: poignet (n = 2), branches ischiopubiennes (n = 4), atteinte sternoclaviculaire (n = 4), médiopieds (n = 2). Les lésions radiologiques étaient avancées (stades III et IV) dans 55,73% des cas. A la TDM, la prévalence des abcès était de 77%. Un geste chirurgical a été réalisé sur 16 articulations (2 épaules, 13 genoux, une cheville). Conclusion La TOA des membres est peu fréquente contrairement à l'atteinte vertébrale. La hanche est la principale localisation. Le retard au diagnostic explique l’étendue des lésions anatomoradiologiques. PMID:26587129

Evaluation of Optimal Formulas for Gravitational Tensors up to Gravitational Curvatures of a Tesseroid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Xiao-Le; Shen, Wen-Bin

2018-01-01

The forward modeling of the topographic effects of the gravitational parameters in the gravity field is a fundamental topic in geodesy and geophysics. Since the gravitational effects, including for instance the gravitational potential (GP), the gravity vector (GV) and the gravity gradient tensor (GGT), of the topographic (or isostatic) mass reduction have been expanded by adding the gravitational curvatures (GC) in geoscience, it is crucial to find efficient numerical approaches to evaluate these effects. In this paper, the GC formulas of a tesseroid in Cartesian integral kernels are derived in 3D/2D forms. Three generally used numerical approaches for computing the topographic effects (e.g., GP, GV, GGT, GC) of a tesseroid are studied, including the Taylor Series Expansion (TSE), Gauss-Legendre Quadrature (GLQ) and Newton-Cotes Quadrature (NCQ) approaches. Numerical investigations show that the GC formulas in Cartesian integral kernels are more efficient if compared to the previously given GC formulas in spherical integral kernels: by exploiting the 3D TSE second-order formulas, the computational burden associated with the former is 46%, as an average, of that associated with the latter. The GLQ behaves better than the 3D/2D TSE and NCQ in terms of accuracy and computational time. In addition, the effects of a spherical shell's thickness and large-scale geocentric distance on the GP, GV, GGT and GC functionals have been studied with the 3D TSE second-order formulas as well. The relative approximation errors of the GC functionals are larger with the thicker spherical shell, which are the same as those of the GP, GV and GGT. Finally, the very-near-area problem and polar singularity problem have been considered by the numerical methods of the 3D TSE, GLQ and NCQ. The relative approximation errors of the GC components are larger than those of the GP, GV and GGT, especially at the very near area. Compared to the GC formulas in spherical integral kernels, these new GC formulas can avoid the polar singularity problem.

Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium difficile in cooked beef sold in Côte d'Ivoire and their antimicrobial susceptibility.

PubMed

Kouassi, Kra Athanase; Dadie, Adjéhi Thomas; N'Guessan, Kouadio Florent; Dje, Koffi Marcellin; Loukou, Yao Guillaume

2014-08-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens in cooked beef sold in the streets in Côte d'Ivoire and their antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 395 kidney and flesh samples of cooked beef were collected from vendors at Abidjan and subjected to C. difficile and C. perfringens isolation and identification by using biochemical tests, API 20A system and PCR detection. Subsequently, the antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for confirmed isolates. Our results showed the prevalence of 12.4% for C. difficile (11.04% in kidney and 13.45% in flesh) and 5.06% for C. perfringens (2.32% in kidney and 7.17% in flesh). Metronidazole and vancomycin remained the most potent antimicrobial agents against C. difficile while metronidazole and penicillin G were the most potent agents against C. perfringens. The resistance rates to tetracycline, doxycycline, chloramphenicol and erythromycin against C. difficile and C. perfringens isolates ranged from 2.05% to 8.16% and from 20% to 50%, respectively. Among all antimicrobial agents tested against C. difficile, percentages of resistance to quinolones ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and nalidixic acid as well as to gentamicin and cefotaxime were the highest. Eight resistant phenotypes were defined for C. difficile isolates and eleven resistant phenotypes for C. perfringens isolates. Clindamycin/gentamicin/cefotaxime/ciprofloxacin/norfloxacin/nalidixic acid resistance was the most common phenotype for C. difficile (55.10% of isolates) while norfloxacin/nalidixic acid resistance was the most common phenotype for C. perfringens (20% of isolates). Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

KSC-03PD-1064

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility, United Space Alliance employee Mike Cote installs Thermal Protection System tiles on a test panel. The test panel and sections of Space Shuttle orbiter Enterprise (OV-101) will be transferred to the Southwest Research Institute for testing after the tile installation is complete. The testing has been requested by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. Sections of Enterprise were borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum where the orbiter is being stored at the Washington Dulles International Airport. Enterprise was the first orbiter built in the Shuttle fleet and was used to conduct the Approach and Landing Test Program before the first powered Shuttle flight.

U. S. Army Chemical Corps Historical Studies, Gas Warfare in World War I: The 29th Division in the Cotes de Meuse, October 1918

DTIC Science & Technology

1959-01-01

personal and ccmpany equip- ment was salvaged in the area, he said, and brought along in the train to be late. reissued at Verdun.14 "A Source of...GAF- 29th Div), both report,on the basis of SOI’s of the period, a total of 1,730 gas shells in five attacks, on 15, 17, 18, 19, 21 Sep. Monthly Rpt...advanced almost five kilometers, dug in just short of the Normal Objective, in the Bois de Consenvoye, its right refused to maintain liaison with the 18th

Phylogenetic analysis revealed the central roles of two African countries in the evolution and worldwide spread of Zika virus.

PubMed

Shen, Shu; Shi, Junming; Wang, Jun; Tang, Shuang; Wang, Hualin; Hu, Zhihong; Deng, Fei

2016-04-01

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in Oceania's islands and the Americas were characterized by high numbers of cases and the spread of the virus to new areas. To better understand the origin of ZIKV, its epidemic history was reviewed. Although the available records and information are limited, two major genetic lineages of ZIKV were identified in previous studies. However, in this study, three lineages were identified based on a phylogenetic analysis of all virus sequences from GenBank, including those of the envelope protein (E) and non-structural protein 5 (NS5) coding regions. The spatial and temporal distributions of the three identified ZIKV lineages and the recombination events and mechanisms underlying their divergence and evolution were further elaborated. The potential migration pathway of ZIKV was also characterized. Our findings revealed the central roles of two African countries, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire, in ZIKV evolution and genotypic divergence. Furthermore, our results suggested that the outbreaks in Asia and the Pacific islands originated from Africa. The results provide insights into the geographic origins of ZIKV outbreaks and the spread of the virus, and also contribute to a better understanding of ZIKV evolution, which is important for the prevention and control of ZIKV infections.

Quantitative targets in DND and ICPD-PA: the prospects for West Africa.

PubMed

1999-01-01

This article presents an overview of the population estimates and projections of the UN for total fertility rates (TFRs), contraceptive prevalence rates, infant mortality rates (IMRs), and life expectancy at birth (LEAB) in West Africa. Countries with a good potential to reach a TFR of 4 children or less within 10-15 years are Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and perhaps Gambia and Guinea, while the TFRs of countries such as Niger and Mali will remain above 5 in the coming decade. Low contraceptive prevalence is one of the reasons behind the slow progress in attaining low fertility levels in the subregion. When basing the data on this indicator, it appears that only Ghana and Cape Verde will attain the target of 20% by the year 2000 and 40% by the year 2010. Moreover, IMRs will continue to decline, but none of the West African countries will reach the quantitative objectives set in the Dakar/Ngor Declaration (DND) and in the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD-PA). Similarly, considerable improvements will be seen in the LEAB during the next decade, but, with the exception of Cape Verde and Ghana, none of the other countries are expected to come close to the goals set in the DND and ICPD-PA.

Outreach in southern France

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jackson, D.

1992-12-09

France's Europort South community lives cheek by jowl with the chemical industry, with major complexes at For, Berre, and Lavera. Xavier Segond, technical adviser at the regional chemical industry association, Le Syndicat General des Industries Chimiques Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Corse (SGIC), says a good relationship has grown over a period of 20 years. Segond describes Arco Chimie as an effective driving force for the Responsible Care effort in the region - partly because its US parent introduced the program on a worldwide basis in 1989, ahead of national industry association Union des Industries Chimiques (UIC; Paris). Arco's F2-billion ($373 million)/year Fos-sur-Mermore » site makes it a significant player. But in 1986 the company was a complete newcomer. We came to Fos as a US company, we had no Paris headquarters or French president, explains Dominique Lequeux, director/human resources. The community viewed the company with a mixture of curiosity and enthusiasm as a potential employer - about 330 people now work at the site. The day before the officials propylene oxide plant opening, we invited in local people, says Lequeux. That formed a good basis for its Responsible Care community outreach program. Now, schools, professional groups, and political groups make 20-25 plant visits each year.« less

(T2L2) Time Transfer by Laser Link

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Veillet, Christian; Fridelance, Patricia

1995-01-01

T2L2 (Time Transfer by Laser Link) is a new generation time transfer experiment based on the principles of LASSO (Laser Synchronization from Synchronous Orbit) and used with an operational procedure developed at OCA (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur) during the active intercontinental phase of LASSO. The hardware improvements could lead to a precision better than 10 ps for time transfer (flying clock monitoring or ground based clock comparison). Such a package could fly on any spacecraft with a stable clock. It has been developed in France in the frame of the PHARAO project (cooled atom clock in orbit) involving CNES and different laboratories. But T2L2 could fly on any spacecraft carrying a stable oscillator. A GPS satellite would be a good candidate, as T2L2 could allow to link the flying clock directly to ground clocks using light, aiming to important accuracy checks, both for time and for geodesy. Radioastron (a flying VLBI antenna with a H-maser) is also envisioned, waiting for a PHARAO flight. The ultimate goal of T2L2 is to be part of more ambitious missions, as SORT (Solar Orbit Relativity Test), aiming to examine aspects of the gravitation in the vicinity of the Sun.

Ground-based solar astrometric measurements during the PICARD mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irbah, A.; Meftah, M.; Corbard, T.; Ikhlef, R.; Morand, F.; Assus, P.; Fodil, M.; Lin, M.; Ducourt, E.; Lesueur, P.; Poiet, G.; Renaud, C.; Rouze, M.

2011-11-01

PICARD is a space mission developed mainly to study the geometry of the Sun. The satellite was launched in June 2010. The PICARD mission has a ground program which is based at the Calern Observatory (Observatoire de la C^ote d'Azur). It will allow recording simultaneous solar images from ground. Astrometric observations of the Sun using ground-based telescopes need however an accurate modelling of optical e®ects induced by atmospheric turbulence. Previous works have revealed a dependence of the Sun radius measurements with the observation conditions (Fried's parameter, atmospheric correlation time(s) ...). The ground instruments consist mainly in SODISM II, replica of the PICARD space instrument and MISOLFA, a generalized daytime seeing monitor. They are complemented by standard sun-photometers and a pyranometer for estimating a global sky quality index. MISOLFA is founded on the observation of Angle-of-Arrival (AA) °uctuations and allows us to analyze atmospheric turbulence optical e®ects on measurements performed by SODISM II. It gives estimations of the coherence parameters characterizing wave-fronts degraded by the atmospheric turbulence (Fried's parameter, size of the isoplanatic patch, the spatial coherence outer scale and atmospheric correlation times). This paper presents an overview of the ground based instruments of PICARD and some results obtained from observations performed at Calern observatory in 2011.

Cote d'Ivoire.

PubMed

1987-12-01

The Republic on the Ivory Coast in Africa is profiled in a Dec. 1987 publication of the U.S. State Department. The geography of the country is described as generally flat, with dense forests in the west, scrub savannah stretching in a narrow strip along the coast midway to Ghana, and a tropical forest and a savannah lying inland. A brief history of the country prior to and during its experience as a French colony is also included. The country's 1986 population of 10.2 million contains more than 60 ethnic groups; literacy rate is 35%, life expectancy is 52 years, and the 1983 infant mortality rate was 121/1,000. Per capita income in 1986 was $921. Petroleum is a natural resource but thus far its exploitation has been financially disappointing. Agriculture produces 25% of the country's gross domestic product, while the food, processing, and textile industries produce 20%. Political conditions have been relatively stable since the Ivory Coast gained its independence from France in 1960. The publication also describes the country's government structure, political conditions, national defense system, and foreign relations policy. It includes general information for travelers to the country and lists principal government officials and U.S. officials to the country as of date of the publication. A bibliography and map are also provided.

Progress toward poliomyelitis eradication--poliomyelitis outbreak in Sudan, 2004.

PubMed

2005-02-04

After the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) resolved in 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis globally, the number of countries in which polio is endemic declined from 125 to six by 2003. However, in 2004, polio cases caused by wild poliovirus (WPV) originating from northern Nigeria were reported in 11 countries--Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, Saudi Arabia, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, and Sudan--reestablishing transmission in the latter five countries. Sudan, a member state of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, initiated poliomyelitis eradication activities in the northern area of the country in 1994 and in the south in 1998. Since 1998, Sudan has made substantial progress in implementing polio eradication strategies, with no WPV reported from May 2001 through April 2004. However, in May 2004, a WPV case was detected in West Darfur, and a polio outbreak is currently affecting 17 of the country's 26 states. This report describes the outbreak and response and provides an update on acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance and supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) in Sudan. The outbreak underscores the importance of continued SIAs in polio-free countries with low routine vaccination coverage, even in areas with moderate to low population density, as well as the need to ensure uniformly high-quality AFP surveillance.

Évolution des conditions d’initiation du traitement antirétroviral des patients infectés par le VIH en Afrique de l’Ouest

PubMed Central

Bashi, J.; Balestre, E.; Messou, E.; Maiga, M.; Coffie, P.A.; Zannou, D.M.; Ba-Gomis, O.; Traore, H.A.; Eholie, S.; Minga, A.; Sow, P.S.; Bissagnene, E.; Dabis, F.; Ekouevi, D.K.

2013-01-01

Résumé Objectif Étudier entre 1996 et 2006, l’évolution des schémas thérapeutiques et du profil clinique et immunologique des patients infectés par le VIH au début du traitement antirétroviral (TARV) en Afrique de l’Ouest. Cadre et méthode Les données issues de 12 centres cliniques adultes (IeDEA West Africa réseau collaboratif de prise en charge de l’infection à VIH) de cinq pays (Bénin, Cote d’Ivoire, Sénégal, Gambie, Mali) ont été mises en commun et analysées. Les patients âgés de 16 ans et plus dont le sexe, la date de naissance et la date d’initiation du TARV étaient connus ont été inclus dans cette étude. Résultats Quatorze mille quatre-cent-quatre-vingt-seize patients avaient débuté un TARV entre 1996–2006 avec 55 % des patients l’ayant débuté entre 2005–2006. La proportion de femmes était de 46 % en 1996–2000 et de 63 % en 2005–2006. L’âge médian à la mise sous traitement était constant: 35 ans chez les femmes et 40 ans chez les hommes. La proportion de patients qui ont débuté le TARV avec un taux de CD4 inférieur à 200 cellules/µl était de 54 % en 1996–2000 et de 64 % en 2005–2006. Les combinaisons thérapeutiques les plus prescrites étaient: AZT/3TC (ou d4T/DDI)/IDV (27 %) en 1996–2000; d4T (ou AZT)/3TC/EFV (59 %) en 2003–2004; et d4T/3TC/NVP (49 %) en 2005–2006. Les traitements de première ligne recommandés par l’OMS étaient débutés dans 83 % de cas en 2005–2006. Conclusion De nouvelles approches pour débuter un TARV plus précocement doivent être développées pour améliorer la survie des patients sous TARV. PMID:20045273

Yellow fever vaccine: an effective vaccine for travelers.

PubMed

Verma, Ramesh; Khanna, Pardeep; Chawla, Suraj

2014-01-01

Yellow fever (YF) is an acute viral communicable disease transmitted by an arbovirus of the Flavivirus genus. It is primarily a zoonotic disease, especially the monkeys. Worldwide, an estimated 200,000 cases of yellow fever occurred each year, and the case-fatality rate is ~15%. Forty-five endemic countries in Africa and Latin America, with a population of close to 1 billion, are at risk. Up to 50% of severely affected persons from YF die without treatment. During 2009, 55 cases and 18 deaths were reported from Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Brazil reported the maximum number of cases and death, i.e., 42 cases with 11 deaths. From January 2010 to March 2011, outbreaks of YF were reported to the WHO by Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Uganda. Cases were also reported in three northern districts of Abim, Agago, and Kitugun near the border with South Sudan. YF usually causes fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, shivers, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. Most patients improve, and their symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 d. Half of the patients who enter the toxic phase die within 10-14 d, while the rest recover without significant organ damage. Vaccination has been the single most important measure for preventing YF. The 17D-204 YF vaccine is a freeze-dried, live attenuated, highly effective vaccine. It is available in single-dose or multi-dose vials and should be stored at 2-8 °C. It is reconstituted with normal saline and should be used within 1 h of reconstitution. The 0.5 mL dose is delivered subcutaneously. Revaccination is recommended every 10 y for people at continued risk of exposure to yellow fever virus (YFV). This vaccine is available worldwide. Travelers, especially to Africa or Latin America from Asia, must have a certificate documenting YF vaccination, which is required by certain countries for entry under the International Health Regulations (IHR) of the WHO.

[Impact of a targeted technical assistance to improve vaccine coverage in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mauritania in 2014].

PubMed

Ahanhanzo, Y Glèlè; Palenfo, D; Saussier, C; Gbèdonou, P; Tonda, A; Da Silva, A; Aplogan, A

2016-08-01

Within the framework of its strategic goal of vaccine coverage (VC) improvement, GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance has entrusted the Agence de médecine préventive (agency for preventive medicine, AMP) with technical assistance services to Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and Mauritania. This support was provided to selected priority districts (PDs) with the worst Penta3 coverage performances. In 2014, PDs benefited from technical and management capacities in vaccinology strengthening for district medical officers, supportive supervisions and technical assistance in health logistics, data management and quality. We analyzed the effects of the AMP technical assistance on the improvement of the cumulative Penta3 coverage, which is the key performance indicator of the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) performance. We compared Penta3 coverage between PDs and other non-priority districts (NPDs), Penta3 coverage evolution within each PD, and the distribution of PDs and NPDs according to Penta3 coverage category between January and December 2014. Technical assistance had a positive effect on the EPI performance. Indeed Penta3 coverage progression was higher in PDs than in NPDs throughout the period. Besides, between January and December 2014, the Penta3 VC increased in 70%, 100% and 86% of DPs in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Mauritania, respectively. Furthermore, the increase in the number of PDs with a Penta3 coverage over 80% was higher in DPs than in NPDs: 20% versus 8% for Cameroon, 58% versus 29% for Côte d'Ivoire and 17% versus 8% for Mauritania. Despite positive and encouraging results, this technical assistance service can be improved and efforts are needed to ensure that all health districts have a VC above 80% for all EPI vaccines. The current challenge is for African countries to mobilize resources for maintaining the knowledge and benefits and scaling such interventions in the public health area.

[Anthropological analysis of interactions between health care providers and children in some paediatrics services in Western Africa (Abidjan, Bamako, Conakry)].

PubMed

Jaffré, Y; Diallo, M; Atcha, V; Dicko, F

2009-10-01

Africa represents a major part of infant global mortality. But if the medical causes of these deaths are well-known, the quality of the medical care provided to the children and the way it affects them are not really studied. Our study conducted in three countries of western Africa describes how much the care given to children involves a part of violence and emphasizes how the social status and the children educational popular modes influence the quality of care. The article underlines how the improvement of the quality of care in pediatrics services cannot be limited to a simple improvement of techniques but must also include all these socio-emotional aspects which constitute the foundations of real ethics.

Mapping malaria risk among children in Côte d'Ivoire using Bayesian geo-statistical models.

PubMed

Raso, Giovanna; Schur, Nadine; Utzinger, Jürg; Koudou, Benjamin G; Tchicaya, Emile S; Rohner, Fabian; N'goran, Eliézer K; Silué, Kigbafori D; Matthys, Barbara; Assi, Serge; Tanner, Marcel; Vounatsou, Penelope

2012-05-09

In Côte d'Ivoire, an estimated 767,000 disability-adjusted life years are due to malaria, placing the country at position number 14 with regard to the global burden of malaria. Risk maps are important to guide control interventions, and hence, the aim of this study was to predict the geographical distribution of malaria infection risk in children aged <16 years in Côte d'Ivoire at high spatial resolution. Using different data sources, a systematic review was carried out to compile and geo-reference survey data on Plasmodium spp. infection prevalence in Côte d'Ivoire, focusing on children aged <16 years. The period from 1988 to 2007 was covered. A suite of Bayesian geo-statistical logistic regression models was fitted to analyse malaria risk. Non-spatial models with and without exchangeable random effect parameters were compared to stationary and non-stationary spatial models. Non-stationarity was modelled assuming that the underlying spatial process is a mixture of separate stationary processes in each ecological zone. The best fitting model based on the deviance information criterion was used to predict Plasmodium spp. infection risk for entire Côte d'Ivoire, including uncertainty. Overall, 235 data points at 170 unique survey locations with malaria prevalence data for individuals aged <16 years were extracted. Most data points (n = 182, 77.4%) were collected between 2000 and 2007. A Bayesian non-stationary regression model showed the best fit with annualized rainfall and maximum land surface temperature identified as significant environmental covariates. This model was used to predict malaria infection risk at non-sampled locations. High-risk areas were mainly found in the north-central and western area, while relatively low-risk areas were located in the north at the country border, in the north-east, in the south-east around Abidjan, and in the central-west between two high prevalence areas. The malaria risk map at high spatial resolution gives an important overview of the geographical distribution of the disease in Côte d'Ivoire. It is a useful tool for the national malaria control programme and can be utilized for spatial targeting of control interventions and rational resource allocation.

The study of behavior titanium pure commercially coated with hydroxyapatite and zirconia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aneed, Shaymaa Hashim; Salih, Ayad Ahmed; Khazaal, Ahlam Rashid; Hasan, Aqeel F.; Hamodi, Jamal Fadhil; Jasim, Kareem Ali; Mahdi, Shatha H.; AL-Maiyaly, Bushra K. H.; Hassun, Hanan K.

2018-05-01

In this research was studied the effect of adding zirconia to hydroxyapatite in the coting of commercially pure titanium (cpTi), by using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) when using micron particle (waves) size limit (0.25-0.5) micron, and deposition was effected with different coating periods(2,4,6) mints, and annealing at 500 °C, it founded there was an improvement in the corrosion properties, as the value of the open circuit potential (OCP) for coated titanium was reach to (-0.262) volt compared with to uncoated titanium was reach to (-0.528)volt. Note that the coating process is perfectly homogeneous to the entire area of the metal used.

KSC-03PD-1086

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility, United Space Alliance employees (from left) Harrell Watts, Mike Cote, and Jason Levandusky install Thermal Protection System tiles on a main landing gear door of Space Shuttle orbiter Enterprise (OV-101). Sections of Enterprise were borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum where the orbiter is being stored at the Washington Dulles International Airport. Enterprise was the first orbiter built in the Shuttle fleet and was used to conduct the Approach and Landing Test Program before the first powered Shuttle flight. After the tile installation is complete, the sections will be transferred to the Southwest Research Institute for testing requested by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KSC-03PD-1080

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility, United Space Alliance employees (from left) John Kuhn, Mike Cote, and Tom Baggitt discuss the installation of Thermal Protection System tiles on a main landing gear door of Space Shuttle orbiter Enterprise (OV-101). Sections of Enterprise were borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum where the orbiter is being stored at the Washington Dulles International Airport. Enterprise was the first orbiter built in the Shuttle fleet and was used to conduct the Approach and Landing Test Program before the first powered Shuttle flight. After the tile installation is complete, the sections will be transferred to the Southwest Research Institute for testing requested by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

KSC-03PD-1085

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Orbiter Processing Facility, United Space Alliance employees (from left) Mike Cote, Tom Baggitt, and Jason Levandusky install Thermal Protection System tiles on a main landing gear door of Space Shuttle orbiter Enterprise (OV-101). Sections of Enterprise were borrowed from the Smithsonian Institution's Air and Space Museum where the orbiter is being stored at the Washington Dulles International Airport. Enterprise was the first orbiter built in the Shuttle fleet and was used to conduct the Approach and Landing Test Program before the first powered Shuttle flight. After the tile installation is complete, the sections will be transferred to the Southwest Research Institute for testing requested by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.

[Socio-economic impact at the household level of the health consequences of toxic waste discharge in Abidjan in 2006].

PubMed

Koné, B A; Tiembré, I; Dongo, K; Tanner, M; Zinsstag, J; Cissé, G

2011-02-01

In August 2006, toxic wastes were discharged in the district of Abidjan, causing important health consequences in many households in the area. In order to appreciate the socio-economic impact of the consequences of toxic waste discharge on the households and of the measures taken by the authorities to deal with this catastrophe, and to appreciate the spatial extent of the pollution, we undertook a multidisciplinary transversal investigation at the sites of discharge of oxic waste, from October the 19th to December the 8th, 2006, using a transect sampling methodology. This paper presents the results related to the socio-economic aspects of the survey while the environmental and epidemiological results are presented in two other published papers. The socioeconomics investigation, conducted using a questionnaire, concerned 809 households across the various sites of discharge of toxic waste. More than 62% of households had at least one person who had been affected by toxic waste (affected households). 62.47% of these households were in Cocody district (with 2 sites and 4 points of discharge), 30.14% in Abobo district (with 2 sites and 3 points) and 7.39% in Koumassi district (with 1 site and 1 point). To escape the bad smell and the nuisance, 22.75% of the 501 "affected" households had left their houses. To face the health consequences generated by the toxic waste, 30.54% of the "affected" households engaged expenses. Those were on average of 92 450 FCFA (€141), with a minimum of 1 000 FCFA (€1.5) and a maximum of 1500000 FCFA (€2.287), in spite of the advertisement of the exemption from payment treatment fees made by the government. The decision of destroying cultures and farms near the points of discharge of the toxic products in a radius of 200 meters, taken by the authorities, touched 2.22% of the households. For these households, it did nothing but worsen their state of poverty, since the zone of influence of the toxic waste went well beyond the 200 meters prescribed by the authorities as the limit of the operations of destruction.

Eutrophication increases methane emission to the atmosphere in tropical lagoons: insights from two Ivory Coast sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

José-mathieu Koné, Yéfanlan; Vieira Borges, Alberto

2017-04-01

Eutrophication increases methane emission to the atmosphere in tropical lagoons: insights from two Ivory Coast sites. Y J M Koné (1) & A.V. Borges (2) (1) Centre de recherches océanologiques (CRO) d'Abidjan, (Ivory Coast) (2) University of Liège, Chemical Oceanography Unit, Liège, Belgium (Belgium) Eutrophication is a worldwide environmental problem and a definitive solution is far from being achieved, despite the large number of studies documenting its causes. In small aquatic ecosystems, excessive growth of macrophytes is a well known undesirable consequence of eutrophication. When these plants die and sink to the bottom the decomposing biomass depletes oxygen content in the water column thus leading to anoxia promoting methane (CH4) production. Here, we reported the CH4 data obtained during six campaigns covering the annual cycle in two small lagoons of Ivory Coast (Ono, Kodjoboué) that are contrasted in the degree of eutrophication and the corresponding coverage of macrophytes (e.g. Echinochloa pyramidalis, Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrilla verticillata). Our data showed a high spatio-temporal variability of CH4 within the lagoons and between the two systems, with CH4 concentrations in surface waters ranging between 80 to 74,604 nmol L-1. The highest CH4 concentration values were observed in the eutrophic Ono lagoon that is covered by 80% of macrophytes, suggesting that lagoons dominated by macrophytes are significant sources of CH4 toward the atmosphere.

Lutte contre la mortalité maternelle en milieu rural: décentralisation de l’offre des soins obstétricaux d’urgence au Burkina Faso

PubMed Central

Kaboré, Souleymane; Méda, Clément Ziemlé; Sombié, Issiaka; Savadogo, Léon Blaise; Karama, Robert; Bakouan, Koabié; Ouédraogo, Djénéba Sanon; Coulibaly, Norbert; Kargougou, Robert Lucien; Lankoandé, Emanuel; Sawadogo, Ramatou windsouri; Gosch, Karen

2017-01-01

Introduction Pour combler la pénurie en sages-femmes (SF) dans le district sanitaire de Tougan au Burkina Faso, il a été conçu une stratégie de décentralisation de l'offre des soins obstétricaux d'urgence basée sur des interventions ponctuelles de prise en charge des complications obstétricales au niveau des centres de santé (CS) en milieu rural par des SF. La présente étude a eu pour objectif de décrire cette expérience et d'analyser ses résultats. Méthodes Il s'agit d'une étude intervention de type transversal analytique basée sur une revue des données routinières de l'ensemble des parturientes prises en charge de 2013 à 2015. La collecte des données s'est déroulée du 5 au 20 janvier 2016. Un test Chi2, des rapports de cotes (OR) et leurs intervalles de confiance à 95% ont été calculés. Résultats Au total 416 parturientes présentant des complications obstétricales ont été prises en charge par les SF de zone. L'âge moyen des parturientes était de 26.4 ans. La distance médiane parcourue pour prendre en charge les parturientes était de quinze km pour un délai moyen d'intervention de 21.1 minutes (déviation standard = 7.13 minutes). Les dystocies représentaient la moitié (50.7%, IC95% = 45.8-55.6) des complications prises en charge suivies des hémorragies (26.4%, IC95% = 22.3%-31.0%). Plus de 77% des interventions avaient abouti à la résolution locale des complications obstétricales. Enfin, le résultat de l'intervention était fonction de la pathologie prise en charge (OR = 5.88; p < 0.001). Conclusion Cette stratégie a permis d'apporter une réplique à l'absence de SF dans les CS périphériques du district sanitaire de Tougan. Dans ce contexte particulier, cette intervention pourrait apporter une solution alternative au manque de ressources humaines en santé en milieu rural. PMID:28979638

Two body and multibody interaction in a cold Rydberg gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jianing; Gallagher, Tom

2009-05-01

Cold Rydberg atoms trapped in a Magneto Optical Trap (MOT) are not isolated and they tend to bond through dipole-dipole and multiple-multiple interactions between Rydberg atoms. The dipole-dipole interaction and van der Waals interaction between two atoms have been intensively studied. However, the fact that the dipole-dipole interaction and van der Waals interaction show the same size of broadening, studied by Raithel's group, and there is transition between two molecular states, studied by Farooqi and Overstreet, can not be explained by the two atom picture. The purpose of this paper is to show the multibody nature of a dense cold Rydberg gas by studying the molecular state microwave spectrum. Specifically, single body, two body and three body interaction regions are separated. Moreover, the multibody energy levels for selected geometries are calculated. In addition, multibody blockade will be discussed. [3pt] [1] A. Reinhard, K. C. Younge, T. Cubel Liebisch, B. Knuffman, P. R. Berman, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 233201 (2008).[0pt] [2] S.M. Farooqi, D. Tong, S. Krishnan, J. Stanojevic,Y.P. Zhang, J.R. Ensher, A.S. Estrin, C. Boisseau, R. Cote, E.E. Eyler, and P.L. Gould, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 183002 (2003).[0pt] [3] K. Richard Overstreet, Arne Schwettmann, Jonathan Tallant, and James P. Shaffer, Phys. Rev. A 76, 011403 (2007).

Factors Associated with PMTCT Cascade Completion in Four African Countries.

PubMed

Dionne-Odom, Jodie; Welty, Thomas K; Westfall, Andrew O; Chi, Benjamin H; Ekouevi, Didier Koumavi; Kasaro, Margaret; Tih, Pius M; Tita, Alan T N

2016-01-01

Background. Many countries are working to reduce or eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Prevention efforts have been conceptualized as steps in a cascade but cascade completion rates during and after pregnancy are low. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was performed across 26 communities in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Zambia. Women who reported a pregnancy within two years were enrolled. Participant responses were used to construct the PMTCT cascade with all of the following steps required for completion: at least one antenatal visit, HIV testing performed, HIV testing result received, initiation of maternal prophylaxis, and initiation of infant prophylaxis. Factors associated with cascade completion were identified using multivariable logistic regression modeling. Results. Of 976 HIV-infected women, only 355 (36.4%) completed the PMTCT cascade. Although most women (69.2%) did not know their partner's HIV status; awareness of partner HIV status was associated with cascade completion (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.01-2.0). Completion was also associated with receiving an HIV diagnosis prior to pregnancy compared with HIV diagnosis during or after pregnancy (aOR 14.1, 95% CI 5.2-38.6). Conclusions. Pregnant women with HIV infection in Africa who were aware of their partner's HIV status and who were diagnosed with HIV before pregnancy were more likely to complete the PMTCT cascade.

Factors Associated with PMTCT Cascade Completion in Four African Countries

PubMed Central

Welty, Thomas K.; Westfall, Andrew O.; Chi, Benjamin H.; Ekouevi, Didier Koumavi; Tih, Pius M.; Tita, Alan T. N.

2016-01-01

Background. Many countries are working to reduce or eliminate mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Prevention efforts have been conceptualized as steps in a cascade but cascade completion rates during and after pregnancy are low. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was performed across 26 communities in Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Zambia. Women who reported a pregnancy within two years were enrolled. Participant responses were used to construct the PMTCT cascade with all of the following steps required for completion: at least one antenatal visit, HIV testing performed, HIV testing result received, initiation of maternal prophylaxis, and initiation of infant prophylaxis. Factors associated with cascade completion were identified using multivariable logistic regression modeling. Results. Of 976 HIV-infected women, only 355 (36.4%) completed the PMTCT cascade. Although most women (69.2%) did not know their partner's HIV status; awareness of partner HIV status was associated with cascade completion (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.01–2.0). Completion was also associated with receiving an HIV diagnosis prior to pregnancy compared with HIV diagnosis during or after pregnancy (aOR 14.1, 95% CI 5.2–38.6). Conclusions. Pregnant women with HIV infection in Africa who were aware of their partner's HIV status and who were diagnosed with HIV before pregnancy were more likely to complete the PMTCT cascade. PMID:27872760

A survey of antifoulants in sediments from Ports and Marinas along the French Mediterranean coast.

PubMed

Cassi, Roberto; Tolosa, Imma; de Mora, Stephen

2008-11-01

Due to deleterious effects on non-target organisms, the use of organotin compounds on boat hulls of small vessels (<25 m) has been widely prohibited. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) resolved that the complete prohibition on organotin compounds acting as biocides in antifouling systems should commence in 2008. As a result of restrictions on the use of organotin based paints, other antifouling formulations containing organic biocides have been utilised. This survey was conducted to assess the contamination of replacement biocides in the marine environment following the ban of TBT-based paints. Surface sediments samples were collected in the major ports and marinas along the France Mediterranean coastline (Cote d'Azur) and analysed for organotin compounds, Irgarol 1051, Sea-nine 211, Chlorothalonil, Dichlofluanid and Folpet. Every port and marina exhibited high levels of organotin compounds, with concentrations in sediments ranging from 37 ng Sn g(-1) dry wt in Menton Garavan to over 4000 ng Sn g(-1) dry wt close to the ship chandler within the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. TBT degradation indexes suggested that fresh inputs are still made. Among the other antifoulants monitored, only Irgarol 1051 exhibited measurable concentrations in almost every port, with concentrations ranging from 40 ng g(-1) dry wt (Cannes) to almost 700 ng g(-1) dry wt (Villefranche-sur-Mer, ship chandler).

Siblings' premarital childbearing and the timing of first sex in three major cities of Cote d'Ivoire.

PubMed

Diop-Sidibe, Nafissatou

2005-06-01

The association between youths' sexual and reproductive attitudes and behaviors and those of their peers and parents has been documented; however, information on siblings' influence is scarce, especially for developing countries. Data on 1,395 female and 1,242 male survey respondents aged 15-24 from three cities in Côte d'Ivoire were analyzed. Life-table analysis was conducted to examine respondents' probability of remaining sexually inexperienced according to siblings' history of premarital childbearing. Cox multivariate regressions were used to estimate respondents' relative risks of sexual debut by age 17 and by age 24. At any age between 15 and 24 years, the life-table probability of remaining sexually inexperienced was typically lower among persons who had at least one sibling with a premarital birth than among those who had no such sibling. In general, among those with at least one sibling who had had a premarital birth, the probability was lower if the sibling or siblings and the respondent were of the same gender rather than opposite genders, and the probability was lowest among those who had a brother and a sister with a history of premarital childbearing. In the multivariate analysis for males, having one or more brothers only, or having at least one brother and at least one sister, with a history of premarital childbearing was associated with increased relative risks of being sexually experienced by ages 17 and 24. No such association was found for females. Programs that seek to reduce premarital sexual activity among young people should develop strategies that take into account the potential influence of siblings.

[Abortion practices in high school students in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire].

PubMed

Aké-Tano, Sassor Odile Purifine; Kpebo, Denise Olga; Konan, Yao Eugène; Tetchi, Ekissi Orsot; Sable, Stéphane Parfait; Ekou, Franck Kokora; Attoh, Touré Harvey; Aka, Lepri Nicaise; Diarassouba, Barakissa; Dagnan, N Cho Simplice

2017-12-05

Induced abortion is illegal in Cote d'Ivoire, except when the mother's life is in danger. The primary objective of this study was to describe abortion practices among Yamoussoukro high school students. More specifically, this study estimated the prevalence of induced abortion, described the pathway and the methods used for abortion and determined any abortion-related complications. This cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2011 on 312 randomly selected girls attending the Lycée Jeunes Filles in Yamoussoukro. These girls had a mean age (SD) of 16.1 (4.7) years; 258 (82.7%) of them had already had sexual intercourse and 81 (31.4%) had already been pregnant. Fifty (61.7% [56.3-67.1%]) of these 81 girls had already had an abortion. The abortion pathway was as follows: the main method was self-prescribed medication (70%) as first attempt, followed, in case of failure, by traditional healers (56.4%). Healthcare practitioners were usually consulted at the third attempt (85.7%). The most commonly used methods of abortion were drugs (91.9%), ingestion of plants/beverages (68.5%) and introduction of devices into the uterine cavity (62.3%). Twenty-two (44%) out of 50 induced abortions resulted in complications, mostly infectious complications (81.8%), and bleeding (68.2%). Complications were significantly associated with self-induced abortions or abortions performed by traditional healers (p < 0.001). More intensive sexual education, access to modern methods of contraception, awareness campaigns concerning the risks related to unwanted pregnancies and abortions performed by non-medical personnel need to be implemented to prevent school abortions. The quality and accessibility of post-abortion services also need to be reinforced.

"Ghana faces ecological disaster".

PubMed

Asmah, G F

1990-05-01

The rate of deforestation in Ghana is alarming and urgent steps need to be taken to reverse the trend, Robert D. Mann, a British tropical agriculturist, has warned. He says, "There will be further disintegration of the local climate, deterioration of soil fertility and reduced food-crop production, if the present trend of denudation by felling trees and uncontrolled bush fires is not halted and reversed." Mann, who has conducted research on "deforestation, drought and famine in Africa" was in Ghana recently to speak on the "role of the Church in West Africa in stimulating action to combat desertification". Representatives of protestant churches in Ghana, Togo, Liberia, Gambia, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone attended the 3-day conference which was organized by the Overseas Department of the British Methodist Church. It was to enable participants to share perspectives on the nature, scale and seriousness of the deforestation problem. Participants also exchanged experiences on village-based projects for promoting tree planting and agro-forestry, and developed strategies for the rural development programs. Robert Mann noted that Ghana was not only affected by its proximity to the Sahel, but also by its own deforestation. The situation in Ghana, once renowned for her extensive forests and woodland, has now drastically changed. By 1980/81 the area of closed forest had been reduced to 17,000 sq km from 47,9000 sq km in 1937/38. He said in 1939 the volume of wood exported from Ghana was 42,450 cubic meters but it rose to 1,471,600 cubic meters by 1987. Such activities, Mann said, put severe strain on the environment and affected both the economy and sociocultural basis of the country. full text

VizieR Online Data Catalog: The DENIS database (Epchtein+, 1999)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Epchtein, N.; Deul, E.; Derriere, S.; Borsenberger, J.; Egret, D.; Simon, G.; Alard, C.; Balazs, L. G.; de Batz, B.; Cioni, M.-R.; Copet, E.; Dennefeld, M.; Forveille, T.; Fouque, P.; Garzon, F.; Habing, H. J.; Holl, A.; Hron, J.; Kimeswenger, S.; Lacombe, F.; Le Bertre, T.; Loup, C.; Mamon, G. A.; Omont, A.; Paturel, G.; Persi, P.; Robin, A. C.; Rouan, D.; Tiphene, D.; Vauglin, I.; Wagner, S. J.

1999-09-01

DENIS is a project to survey the all-southern sky in three wavelength bands (Gunn-i 0.82 μm; J, 1.25 μm; and K_s, 2.15 μm) with limiting magnitudes 18.5, 16.5 and 14.0, respectively. The observations are performed with the 1m-ESO telescope at La Silla (Chile). The DENIS instrument is made up of a 3-channel camera built of commercially available detector arrays by the Observatoire de Paris and with major contributions from other European Institutes, notably: the IAS in Frascati, the Observatoire de Grenoble, the University of Innsbruck, the Observatoire de Lyon, and the IAC in Tenerife. The survey is carried out by observing strips of 30 ° in declination and 12 arcminutes in Right Ascension with an overlap of 2 arcminutes between consecutive strips. The survey started at the end of 1995 and is expected to be completed in 2000. The data are reduced in two consecutive steps, the first at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris and the second at the Leiden Observatory. The position of a general extracted point source is provided with an accuracy better than 1 arcsec and its magnitude to better than 0.1 mag. The data will be made publicly available as soon as possible after completing the data reduction. The Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) is implementing the final databases and is providing access of the processed and calibrated data to the worldwide community. The principal investigator of the DENIS project is N. Epchtein (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur); scientists and engineers from seven European countries and from Brazil are involved. (1 data file).

A method of time transfer between remote stations via LRO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoffman, Evan; Sun, Xiaoli; Skillman, David R.; McGarry, Jan F.; Mao, Dandan

2014-05-01

Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) is a standard geodetic technique that uses the round trip time of light from a ground station to a satellite to determine distance. When combined with a spacecraft detector and timing system, this technique can also be used to transfer time between ground stations, demonstrated by the Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2) project by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiaes (CNES) and Observatorire de la Cote d'Azur (OCA) as well as the Laser Time Transfer (LTT) project by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory. We describe an additional method of time transfer using simultaneous one-way laser ranging (LR) by two or more ground stations to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). A one way ranging is necessary, as two way ranging via retroreflectors for time transfer becomes impractical at lunar distances. The method will utilize the one-way LR currently being performed as a part of the LRO mission, allowing time transfer to be a by-product of the conventional usage of the data. Each ground station is referenced to a Master Clock using a multifrequency all-view GPS receiver at both the ground station and Master Clock locations.The Master Clock is located close enough to the ground station to make ionospheric differences in signal path negligible. Two or more stations range to LRO at the same time and their times of arrival are compared. Results from a ground-based experiment are shown, with sub-nanosecond precision shown to be achievable. Ultimately this measurement will provide a more precise and accurate relation of timing standards between stations, leading to a marked improvement in orbit determination.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: The DENIS database first release (Epchtein+, 1999)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Epchtein, N.; Deul, E.; Derriere, S.; Borsenberger, J.; Egret, D.; Simon, G.; Alard, C.; Balazs, L. G.; de Batz, B.; Cioni, M.-R.; Copet, E.; Dennefeld, M.; Forveille, T.; Fouque, P.; Garzon, F.; Habing, H. J.; Holl, A.; Hron, J.; Kimeswenger, S.; Lacombe, F.; Le Bertre, T.; Loup, C.; Mamon, G. A.; Omont, A.; Paturel, G.; Persi, P.; Robin, A. C.; Rouan, D.; Tiphene, D.; Vauglin, I.; Wagner, S. J.

1999-09-01

DENIS is a project to survey the all-southern sky in three wavelength bands (Gunn-i 0.82 μm; J, 1.25 μm; and K_s, 2.15 μm) with limiting magnitudes 18.5, 16.5 and 14.0, respectively. The observations are performed with the 1m-ESO telescope at La Silla (Chile). The DENIS instrument is made up of a 3-channel camera built of commercially available detector arrays by the Observatoire de Paris and with major contributions from other European Institutes, notably: the IAS in Frascati, the Observatoire de Grenoble, the University of Innsbruck, the Observatoire de Lyon, and the IAC in Tenerife. The survey is carried out by observing strips of 30 ° in declination and 12 arcminutes in Right Ascension with an overlap of 2 arcminutes between consecutive strips. The survey started at the end of 1995 and is expected to be completed in 2000. The data are reduced in two consecutive steps, the first at the Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris and the second at the Leiden Observatory. The position of a general extracted point source is provided with an accuracy better than 1 arcsec and its magnitude to better than 0.1 mag. The data will be made publicly available as soon as possible after completing the data reduction. The Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg (CDS) is implementing the final databases and is providing access of the processed and calibrated data to the worldwide community. The principal investigator of the DENIS project is N. Epchtein (Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur); scientists and engineers from seven European countries and from Brazil are involved. (1 data file).

Abidjan: new challenges. UNAIDS focus.

PubMed

1998-03-01

This article focuses on the challenges as a result of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Updated surveillance uncovers 16,000 new infections a day and 30 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, 1 in 100 adults in the 15-49 age group are infected with HIV and only 1 in 10 infected persons are aware of their HIV status. At the 10th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa in 1997, Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS, drew attention to the importance of unmasking what is in many places still an invisible epidemic. Dr. Piot said that the alarming situation calls for an unprecedented global effort. In conclusion, Dr. Piot issued these challenges of: breaking the silence, focusing on the next generation, making AIDS a development issue, and ensuring solidarity to help Africa scale up its response to the epidemic.

Prevalence of human parvovirus B19 in sickle cell disease and healthy controls.

PubMed

Teuscher, T; Baillod, B; Holzer, B R

1991-01-01

The serological HPV status of 35 patients with SCA (Hb SS), randomly chosen from a sickle cell clinic in rural south-west Togo and of 13 household members with normal haemoglobin type (Hb AA) was assessed. No difference in HPV-IgG seropositivity rate was found. In 30 urban hospital patients from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, who were in acute painful sickle cell crisis HPV-IgG seropositivity rate increased with age. In only one (HIV positive) patient HPV-IgM antibodies were detected. It is concluded that HPV-infection exists in West Africa (1) and that there is no evidence for increased seroprevalence in SCA (2). HPV does not seem to trigger acute painful crises in SCA (3). The age-specific HPV seropositivity increase in urban patients may be due to differing transmission rates in urban and rural areas.

Quatrième conférence consensuelle sur le diagnostic et le traitement de la démence

PubMed Central

Moore, Ainsley; Patterson, Christopher; Lee, Linda; Vedel, Isabelle; Bergman, Howard

2014-01-01

Résumé Objectif Revoir les stratégies diagnostiques de la maladie d’Alzheimer, actualiser les recommandations concernant le traitement des symptômes de démence et proposer une approche thérapeutique à la démence d’apparition précoce et d’évolution rapide. Composition du comité Des spécialistes et des délégués de diverses régions du Canada et représentant diverses disciplines pertinentes ont discuté et se sont mis d’accord sur les révisions à apporter aux lignes directrices de 2006. Méthodologie On a eu recours au système GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation) pour évaluer le consensus concernant les recommandations, lequel était défini comme suit : lorsque 80 % ou plus des participants ont voté en faveur de la recommandation. La cote des données probantes est rapportée lorsque cela est possible. Rapport important pour les médecins de famille, malgré les progrès effectués dans les domaines des biomarqueurs liquidiens et de la neuro-imagerie, le diagnostic de démence au Canada demeure fondamentalement clinique. De nouveaux critères cliniques essentiels de diagnostic de la maladie d’Alzheimer en reconnaissent dorénavant les formes moins fréquentes et non amnestiques. La démence précoce, une affection rare, mais importante, devrait inciter les médecins à aiguiller les patients vers un spécialiste ayant accès à des conseillers en génétique. La démence d’évolution rapide, mal définie dans la littérature, faciliterait le dépistage de cette affection rare, mais importante. Les inhibiteurs de la cholinestérase sont maintenant indiqués pour le traitement d’affections autres que la maladie d’Alzheimer. Des lignes directrices concernant l’arrêt du traitement, lesquelles n’existaient pas auparavant, sont également apparues. De nouvelles données probantes sur le recours à la mémantine, aux antidépresseurs et à d’autres agents psychotropes dans le traitement de la démence sont aussi présentées. Conclusion Plusieurs recommandations de la Quatrième conférence consensuelle sur le diagnostic et le traitement de la démence intéresseront les médecins de famille. Pour assurer l’utilité des lignes directrices, les médecins de famille devraient participer à toutes les étapes du processus de formulation continu, y compris à la sélection des sujets.

Groundwater and climate change: a sensitivity analysis for the Grand Forks aquifer, southern British Columbia, Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, D. M.; Mackie, D. C.; Wei, M.

The Grand Forks aquifer, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada was used as a case study area for modeling the sensitivity of an aquifer to changes in recharge and river stage consistent with projected climate-change scenarios for the region. Results suggest that variations in recharge to the aquifer under the different climate-change scenarios, modeled under steady-state conditions, have a much smaller impact on the groundwater system than changes in river-stage elevation of the Kettle and Granby Rivers, which flow through the valley. All simulations showed relatively small changes in the overall configuration of the water table and general direction of groundwater flow. High-recharge and low-recharge simulations resulted in approximately a +0.05 m increase and a -0.025 m decrease, respectively, in water-table elevations throughout the aquifer. Simulated changes in river-stage elevation, to reflect higher-than-peak-flow levels (by 20 and 50%), resulted in average changes in the water-table elevation of 2.72 and 3.45 m, respectively. Simulated changes in river-stage elevation, to reflect lower-than-baseflow levels (by 20 and 50%), resulted in average changes in the water-table elevation of -0.48 and -2.10 m, respectively. Current observed water-table elevations in the valley are consistent with an average river-stage elevation (between current baseflow and peak-flow stages). L'aquifère de Grand Forks, situé en Colombie britannique (Canada), a été utilisé comme zone d'étude pour modéliser la sensibilité d'un aquifère à des modifications de la recharge et du niveau de la rivière, correspondant à des scénarios envisagés de changement climatique dans cette région. Les résultats font apparaître que les variations de recharge de l'aquifère pour différents scénarios de changement climatique, modélisées pour des conditions de régime permanent, ont un impact sur le système aquifère beaucoup plus faible que les changements du niveau des rivières Kettle et Granby, qui coulent dans la vallée. Toutes les simulations ont montré des différences relativement faibles dans la configuration d'ensemble de la nappe et dans la direction générale des écoulements. Des simulations de conditions de recharge forte et de recharge faible produisent respectivement une remontée de 0,05 m et un abaissement de 0,025 m, approximativement, des cotes de la nappe pour l'ensemble de l'aquifère. Des changements simulés de la cote du niveau de la rivière, pour refléter des niveaux plus hauts que ceux des pics de crues (de 20 et de 50%), produisent respectivement des remontées de la nappe de 2,72 et 3,45 m en moyenne. Des changements simulés de l'altitude du niveau de la rivière, pour refléter des niveaux plus bas que ceux de basses eaux (de 20 et de 50%), produisent respectivement des abaissements de la nappe de 0,48 et 2,10 m en moyenne. Les altitudes courantes observées de la nappe dans la vallée sont cohérentes avec une cote moyenne du niveau de la rivière (entre les niveaux courants de basses eaux et de crues). El acuífero de los Grand Forks, situado al sur de la Columbia Británica central (Canadá) ha sido utilizado como lugar de estudio para modelar la sensibilidad de un acuífero a los cambios en la recarga y el caudal de los ríos de acuerdo con escenarios previstos de cambio climático en la región. Los resultados sugieren que las variaciones en la recarga al acuífero bajo los diversos escenarios, que han sido modelados en régimen estacionario, tienen un impacto mucho menor en las aguas subterráneas que los cambios en el caudal de los ríos Kettle y Granby, que discurren por el valle. Todas las simulaciones muestran diferencias relativamente pequeñas en la configuración regional de los niveles freáticos y en la dirección general del flujo subterráneo. Las simulaciones de recarga elevada y baja causan un incremento de 0,05 m y un decremento de 0,025 m, respectivamente, en los niveles del acuífero. Los cambios de la elevación del río, simulados para reflejar niveles de flujo mayores que los valores pico (en un 20% y un 50%) resultan en cambios medios de los niveles del acuífero de 2,72 m y 3,45 m, respectivamente. Los cambios simulados en la elevación del río para flujos inferiores al caudal de base (en un 20% y en un 50%) provocan descensos en los niveles de 0,48 y 2,10 m, respectivamente. Los niveles actuales del acuífero en el valle son coherentes con una elevación media del nivel en el río (entre el caudal de base actual y los picos de caudal).

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Palomar 5 abundance analysis (Koch+, 2017)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koch, A.; Code, P.

2017-03-01

The Pal 5 data discussed here were taken as part of a broader program to study the internal dynamics of outer halo GCs (see, e.g., Cote et al., 2002ApJ...574..783C; Jordi et al., 2009AJ....137.4586J; Baumgardt et al., 2009MNRAS.396.2051B; Frank et al., 2012, Cat. J/MNRAS/423/2917). Our Pal 5 target stars were chosen from the red giant branch (RGB) and asymptotic giant branch (AGB) sequences identified in the early photometric studies of Sandage & Hartwick (1977AJ.....82..459S, SH77) and the unpublished photometry and astrometry from Cudworth, Schweitzer, and Majewski (CSM; see Schweitzer et al., 1993, in The Globular Cluster-Galaxy Connection, ASP Conf. Ser., 48, 113). (1 data file).

Sensitivity of inelastic response to numerical integration of strain energy. [for cantilever beam

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kamat, M. P.

1976-01-01

The exact solution to the quasi-static, inelastic response of a cantilever beam of rectangular cross section subjected to a bending moment at the tip is obtained. The material of the beam is assumed to be linearly elastic-linearly strain-hardening. This solution is then compared with three different numerical solutions of the same problem obtained by minimizing the total potential energy using Gaussian quadratures of two different orders and a Newton-Cotes scheme for integrating the strain energy of deformation. Significant differences between the exact dissipative strain energy and its numerical counterpart are emphasized. The consequence of this on the nonlinear transient responses of a beam with solid cross section and that of a thin-walled beam on elastic supports under impulsive loads are examined.

The Next Generation of Risk Assessment Multi-Year Study-Highlights of Findings, Applications to Risk Assessment, and Future Directions.

PubMed

Cote, Ila; Andersen, Melvin E; Ankley, Gerald T; Barone, Stanley; Birnbaum, Linda S; Boekelheide, Kim; Bois, Frederic Y; Burgoon, Lyle D; Chiu, Weihsueh A; Crawford-Brown, Douglas; Crofton, Kevin M; DeVito, Michael; Devlin, Robert B; Edwards, Stephen W; Guyton, Kathryn Z; Hattis, Dale; Judson, Richard S; Knight, Derek; Krewski, Daniel; Lambert, Jason; Maull, Elizabeth Anne; Mendrick, Donna; Paoli, Gregory M; Patel, Chirag Jagdish; Perkins, Edward J; Poje, Gerald; Portier, Christopher J; Rusyn, Ivan; Schulte, Paul A; Simeonov, Anton; Smith, Martyn T; Thayer, Kristina A; Thomas, Russell S; Thomas, Reuben; Tice, Raymond R; Vandenberg, John J; Villeneuve, Daniel L; Wesselkamper, Scott; Whelan, Maurice; Whittaker, Christine; White, Ronald; Xia, Menghang; Yauk, Carole; Zeise, Lauren; Zhao, Jay; DeWoskin, Robert S

2016-11-01

The Next Generation (NexGen) of Risk Assessment effort is a multi-year collaboration among several organizations evaluating new, potentially more efficient molecular, computational, and systems biology approaches to risk assessment. This article summarizes our findings, suggests applications to risk assessment, and identifies strategic research directions. Our specific objectives were to test whether advanced biological data and methods could better inform our understanding of public health risks posed by environmental exposures. New data and methods were applied and evaluated for use in hazard identification and dose-response assessment. Biomarkers of exposure and effect, and risk characterization were also examined. Consideration was given to various decision contexts with increasing regulatory and public health impacts. Data types included transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics. Methods included molecular epidemiology and clinical studies, bioinformatic knowledge mining, pathway and network analyses, short-duration in vivo and in vitro bioassays, and quantitative structure activity relationship modeling. NexGen has advanced our ability to apply new science by more rapidly identifying chemicals and exposures of potential concern, helping characterize mechanisms of action that influence conclusions about causality, exposure-response relationships, susceptibility and cumulative risk, and by elucidating new biomarkers of exposure and effects. Additionally, NexGen has fostered extensive discussion among risk scientists and managers and improved confidence in interpreting and applying new data streams. While considerable uncertainties remain, thoughtful application of new knowledge to risk assessment appears reasonable for augmenting major scope assessments, forming the basis for or augmenting limited scope assessments, and for prioritization and screening of very data limited chemicals. Citation: Cote I, Andersen ME, Ankley GT, Barone S, Birnbaum LS, Boekelheide K, Bois FY, Burgoon LD, Chiu WA, Crawford-Brown D, Crofton KM, DeVito M, Devlin RB, Edwards SW, Guyton KZ, Hattis D, Judson RS, Knight D, Krewski D, Lambert J, Maull EA, Mendrick D, Paoli GM, Patel CJ, Perkins EJ, Poje G, Portier CJ, Rusyn I, Schulte PA, Simeonov A, Smith MT, Thayer KA, Thomas RS, Thomas R, Tice RR, Vandenberg JJ, Villeneuve DL, Wesselkamper S, Whelan M, Whittaker C, White R, Xia M, Yauk C, Zeise L, Zhao J, DeWoskin RS. 2016. The Next Generation of Risk Assessment multiyear study-highlights of findings, applications to risk assessment, and future directions. Environ Health Perspect 124:1671-1682; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP233.

Vancouver AIDS conference: special report. The role of the military: to protect society -- and themselves.

PubMed

Whiteside, A; Winsbury, R

1996-01-01

Military personnel are at particularly high risk of becoming infected with HIV because they are in the age group at highest risk for infection, age 15-24 years; they are away from home for long periods of time; many feel invulnerable and ready to take risks; there are usually prostitutes and drugs in military areas; and troops have cash, but maybe not condoms, in their pockets. The level of attention given to HIV/AIDS in the military has grown over the course of the last few international AIDS conferences. One roundtable on HIV/AIDS in the armed forces was held at the 11th International Conference on AIDS held in Vancouver during July 7-12, 1996. A large-scale survey reported at the conference found the level of sexual activity to be significantly higher among US military personnel than in the civilian population. Even the oldest soldiers reported higher levels of multiple partner sex habits than the most sexually active young men in the UK and France. The data further indicate that significant numbers of those men who were infected continued to knowingly have unprotected sex. Data from Angola, Cambodia, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Thailand, and Zimbabwe show significantly higher levels of HIV infection among military personnel compared to the civilian populations. The authors stress the important role the military can play in preventing the spread of HIV and the need to involve military personnel in AIDS prevention programs.

WHO still reeling from racism charges.

PubMed

1995-06-01

The World Health Organization (WHO) is not as prestigious as it used to be. It operates on a relatively small annual budget of $1.8 billion, the WHO 1995 audit suggested irregularities in the way contracts were awarded and criticized a lack of control over funds at the WHO's African headquarters in the Congo, and its director, Hiroshi Nakajima, has been accused of being a racist against Africans. Nakajima complained during a January 1995 WHO board meeting that some African members had poor English skills. Delegates from several African nations to the annual World Health Assembly, which began in Geneva on May 1, subsequently raised the issue and called for the Japanese director to resign. The release of the recent WHO health report, "Bridging the Gaps," was an attempt by the organization to regain some its international respect, but little new was reported. Basic messages were that poverty is the most important cause of ill health, 60% of all new HIV infections occur among people aged 15-24 in many countries, 50% of people with HIV globally are younger than 25 years old, 60% of infections in women occur by age 20, and life expectancy is increasing in all countries except Cote d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Congo, Uganda, and Zambia, all countries hard-hit by HIV/AIDS. For now, Nakajima has retained his position, although British and US donors stress that they will keep closer watch over the organization and that reforms must be made.

Adaptation of Dunn Solar Telescope for Jovian Doppler spectro imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Underwood, Thomas A.; Voelz, David; Schmider, François-Xavier; Jackiewicz, Jason; Dejonghe, Julien; Bresson, Yves; Hull, Robert; Goncalves, Ivan; Gualme, Patrick; Morand, Frédéric; Preis, Olivier

2017-09-01

This paper describes instrumentation used to adapt the Dunn Solar Telescope (DST) located on Sacramento Peak in Sunspot, NM for observations using the Doppler Spectro Imager (DSI). The DSI is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and measures the Doppler shift of solar lines allowing for the study of atmospheric dynamics of giant planets and the detection of their acoustic oscillations. The instrumentation is being designed and built through a collaborative effort between a French team from the Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur (OCA) that designed the DSI and a US team at New Mexico State University (NMSU). There are four major components that couple the DSI to the DST: a guider/tracker, fast steering mirror (FSM), pupil stabilizer and transfer optics. The guider/tracker processes digital video to centroid-track the planet and outputs voltages to the DST's heliostat controls. The FSM removes wavefront tip/tilt components primarily due to turbulence and the pupil stabilizer removes any slow pupil "wander" introduced by the telescope's heliostat/turret arrangement. The light received at a science port of the DST is sent through the correction and stabilization components and into the DSI. The FSM and transfer optics designs are being provided by the OCA team and serve much the same functions as they do for other telescopes at which DSI observations have been conducted. The pupil stabilization and guider are new and are required to address characteristics of the DST.

Cardiac surgery in Africa: a thirty-five year experience on open heart surgery in Cote d’Ivoire

PubMed Central

Meneas, Christophe; Diby, Florent; Diomande, Manga; Adoubi, Anicet; Tanauh, Yves

2016-01-01

Background Few centers for open heart surgery (OHS) are in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of OHS results is also noted. By reporting our African experience on OHS, the aim of this study was to fill the gap. Methods It is a retrospective study on 2,612 patients who were subject to an OHS between 1978 and 2013. Data were collected from demographical, clinical, investigative studies, surgical and outcomes parameters. Results There were 1,475 cases of rheumatic heart diseases (RHD), 126 endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF), 741 congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and 270 various affections. Related to rheumatic valvular surgery we enumerated 1,175 monovalvular (mitral n=778, aortic n=336, tricuspid n=61); 280 bivalvular (mitral + aortic n=150, mitral + tricuspid n=130) and 20 trivalvular. For RHD, average age was 26±10.1 years (4–69 years) and 60% of our patients presented a functional class III or IV according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. A total of 1,481 valvular replacements (bioprostheses n=489, mechanical prostheses n=992) and 445 valvular repair were carried out with a global and late mortality surgery respectively at 7% and 8%. One hundred and twenty-six [126] cases of EMF with right sided form 39, left sided form 40, and bilateral form 47 were colligated. Average age was 12±0.6 years (2–15 years). All patients with EMF underwent surgery; an endocardectomy in all patients combined with valvular reconstruction (n=36) or valvular replacement (n=90) was carried out with a hospital mortality at 16% (n=20). Concerning CHD, the most frequent were ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n=240), atrial septal defect (ASD) (n=200), partial atrio-ventricular sepal defect (n=30) and tetralogy of Fallot (T4F) (n=220), a total correction was performed for those CHD with an early mortality at 6.4% (n=44). Conclusions OHS in Cote d’Ivoire was successfully performed in most of our patients, the spectrum of acquired valvular heart diseases and CHDs in our country is similar to others in Sub-Saharan Africa. PMID:27904843

Assessing the role of anthropogenic and biogenic sources on PM1 over southern West Africa using aircraft measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brito, Joel; Freney, Evelyn; Dominutti, Pamela; Borbon, Agnes; Haslett, Sophie L.; Batenburg, Anneke M.; Colomb, Aurelie; Dupuy, Regis; Denjean, Cyrielle; Burnet, Frederic; Bourriane, Thierry; Deroubaix, Adrien; Sellegri, Karine; Borrmann, Stephan; Coe, Hugh; Flamant, Cyrille; Knippertz, Peter; Schwarzenboeck, Alfons

2018-01-01

As part of the Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project, an airborne campaign was designed to measure a large range of atmospheric constituents, focusing on the effect of anthropogenic emissions on regional climate. The presented study details results of the French ATR42 research aircraft, which aimed to characterize gas-phase, aerosol and cloud properties in the region during the field campaign carried out in June/July 2016 in combination with the German Falcon 20 and the British Twin Otter aircraft. The aircraft flight paths covered large areas of Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, focusing on emissions from large urban conurbations such as Abidjan, Accra and Lomé, as well as remote continental areas and the Gulf of Guinea. This paper focuses on aerosol particle measurements within the boundary layer (< 2000 m), in particular their sources and chemical composition in view of the complex mix of both biogenic and anthropogenic emissions, based on measurements from a compact time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (C-ToF-AMS) and ancillary instrumentation. Background concentrations (i.e. outside urban plumes) observed from the ATR42 indicate a fairly polluted region during the time of the campaign, with average concentrations of carbon monoxide of 131 ppb, ozone of 32 ppb, and aerosol particle number concentration ( > 15 nm) of 735 cm-3 stp. Regarding submicron aerosol composition (considering non-refractory species and black carbon, BC), organic aerosol (OA) is the most abundant species contributing 53 %, followed by SO4 (27 %), NH4 (11 %), BC (6 %), NO3 (2 %) and minor contribution of Cl (< 0.5 %). Average background PM1 in the region was 5.9 µg m-3 stp. During measurements of urban pollution plumes, mainly focusing on the outflow of Abidjan, Accra and Lomé, pollutants are significantly enhanced (e.g. average concentration of CO of 176 ppb, and aerosol particle number concentration of 6500 cm-3 stp), as well as PM1 concentration (11.9 µg m-3 stp). Two classes of organic aerosols were estimated based on C-ToF-AMS: particulate organic nitrates (pONs) and isoprene epoxydiols secondary organic aerosols (IEPOX-SOA). Both classes are usually associated with the formation of particulate matter through complex interactions of anthropogenic and biogenic sources. During DACCIWA, pONs have a fairly small contribution to OA (around 5 %) and are more associated with long-range transport from central Africa than local formation. Conversely, IEPOX-SOA provides a significant contribution to OA (around 24 and 28 % under background and in-plume conditions). Furthermore, the fractional contribution of IEPOX-SOA is largely unaffected by changes in the aerosol composition (particularly the SO4 concentration), which suggests that IEPOX-SOA concentration is mainly driven by pre-existing aerosol surface, instead of aerosol chemical properties. At times of large in-plume SO4 enhancements (above 5 µg m-3), the fractional contribution of IEPOX-SOA to OA increases above 50 %, suggesting only then a change in the IEPOX-SOA-controlling mechanism. It is important to note that IEPOX-SOA constitutes a lower limit to the contribution of biogenic OA, given that other processes (e.g. non-IEPOX isoprene, monoterpene SOA) are likely in the region. Given the significant contribution to aerosol concentration, it is crucial that such complex biogenic-anthropogenic interactions are taken into account in both present-day and future scenario models of this fast-changing, highly sensitive region.

Severe morbidity after antiretroviral (ART) initiation: active surveillance in HIV care programs, the IeDEA West Africa collaboration.

PubMed

Abo, Yao; Zannou Djimon, Marcel; Messou, Eugène; Balestre, Eric; Kouakou, Martial; Akakpo, Jocelyn; Ahouada, Carin; de Rekeneire, Nathalie; Dabis, François; Lewden, Charlotte; Minga, Albert

2015-04-09

The causes of severe morbidity in health facilities implementing Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) programmes are poorly documented in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to describe severe morbidity among HIV-infected patients after ART initiation, based on data from an active surveillance system established within a network of specialized care facilities in West African cities. Within the International epidemiological Database to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA)--West Africa collaboration, we conducted a prospective, multicenter data collection that involved two facilities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and one in Cotonou, Benin. Among HIV-infected adults receiving ART, events were recorded using a standardized form. A simple case-definition of severe morbidity (death, hospitalization, fever>38°5C, Karnofsky index<70%) was used at any patient contact point. Then a physician confirmed and classified the event as WHO stage 3 or 4 according to the WHO clinical classification or as degree 3 or 4 of the ANRS scale. From December 2009 to December 2011, 978 adults (71% women, median age 39 years) presented with 1449 severe events. The main diagnoses were: non-AIDS-defining infections (33%), AIDS-defining illnesses (33%), suspected adverse drug reactions (7%), other illnesses (4%) and syndromic diagnoses (16%). The most common specific diagnoses were: malaria (25%), pneumonia (13%) and tuberculosis (8%). The diagnoses were reported as syndromic in one out of five events recorded during this study. This study highlights the ongoing importance of conventional infectious diseases among severe morbid events occurring in patients on ART in ambulatory HIV care facilities in West Africa. Meanwhile, additional studies are needed due to the undiagnosed aspect of severe morbidity in substantial proportion.

Effets de la pollution de l’air sur la santé

PubMed Central

Abelsohn, Alan; Stieb, Dave M.

2011-01-01

Résumé Objectif Faire connaître aux médecins de famille les effets de la pollution atmosphérique sur la santé et indiquer quels conseils donner aux patients vulnérables pour qu’ils soient moins exposés. Sources de l’information On a consulté MEDLINE à l’aide des termes relatifs à la pollution atmosphérique et à ses effets indésirables. On a révisé les articles en anglais publiés entre janvier 2008 et décembre 2009. La plupart des études contenaient des preuves de niveau II. Principal message Au Canada, la pollution de l’air extérieur cause une morbidité et une mortalité importantes. Elle peut affecter le système respiratoire (exacerbation de l’asthme et de la maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique) et le système cardiovasculaire (déclencher l’arythmie, l’insuffisance cardiaque et les AVC). La cote air santé (CAS) est un nouvel outil de communication mis au point par Santé Canada et Environnement Canada qui indique sur une échelle de 1 à 10, le risque pour la santé causé par la pollution atmosphérique. La CAS est largement diffusée dans les médias et cet outil pourrait être utile au médecin de famille pour inciter les patients à haut risque (comme ceux qui souffrent d’asthme, de maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique ou d’insuffisance cardiaque) à réduire leur exposition à la pollution atmosphérique. Conclusion Le médecin de famille peut se servir de la CAS et de ses messages sur la santé pour enseigner aux asthmatiques et aux autres patients à risque élevé la façon de réduire les risques pour la santé causés par la pollution atmosphérique.

Responding to Communicable Diseases in Internationally Mobile Populations at Points of Entry and along Porous Borders, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo

PubMed Central

Rogers, Kimberly; Ward, Sarah; Ojo, Olubumni; Kakaī, Clement Glele; Agbeko, Tamekloe Tsidi; Garba, Hassan; MacGurn, Amanda; Oppert, Marydale; Kone, Idrissa; Bamsa, Olutola; Schneider, Dana; Brown, Clive

2017-01-01

Recent multinational disease outbreaks demonstrate the risk of disease spreading globally before public health systems can respond to an event. To ensure global health security, countries need robust multisectoral systems to rapidly detect and respond to domestic or imported communicable diseases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Border Team works with the governments of Nigeria, Togo, and Benin, along with Pro-Health International and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization, to build sustainable International Health Regulations capacities at points of entry (POEs) and along border regions. Together, we strengthen comprehensive national and regional border health systems by developing public health emergency response plans for POEs, conducting qualitative assessments of public health preparedness and response capacities at ground crossings, integrating internationally mobile populations into national health surveillance systems, and formalizing cross-border public health coordination. Achieving comprehensive national and regional border health capacity, which advances overall global health security, necessitates multisectoral dedication to the aforementioned components. PMID:29155668

Responding to Communicable Diseases in Internationally Mobile Populations at Points of Entry and along Porous Borders, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.

PubMed

Merrill, Rebecca D; Rogers, Kimberly; Ward, Sarah; Ojo, Olubumni; Kakaī, Clement Glele; Agbeko, Tamekloe Tsidi; Garba, Hassan; MacGurn, Amanda; Oppert, Marydale; Kone, Idrissa; Bamsa, Olutola; Schneider, Dana; Brown, Clive

2017-12-01

Recent multinational disease outbreaks demonstrate the risk of disease spreading globally before public health systems can respond to an event. To ensure global health security, countries need robust multisectoral systems to rapidly detect and respond to domestic or imported communicable diseases. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Border Team works with the governments of Nigeria, Togo, and Benin, along with Pro-Health International and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization, to build sustainable International Health Regulations capacities at points of entry (POEs) and along border regions. Together, we strengthen comprehensive national and regional border health systems by developing public health emergency response plans for POEs, conducting qualitative assessments of public health preparedness and response capacities at ground crossings, integrating internationally mobile populations into national health surveillance systems, and formalizing cross-border public health coordination. Achieving comprehensive national and regional border health capacity, which advances overall global health security, necessitates multisectoral dedication to the aforementioned components.

Approches pour la reduction de l'impact de defaut dans le transport d'energie du parc eolien offshore via VSC-HVDC =

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benadja, Mounir

Dans ce travail est presente un systeme de generation d'energie d'un parc eolien offshore et un systeme de transport utilisant les stations VSC-HVDC connectees au reseau principal AC onshore. Trois configurations ont ete etudiees, modelisees et validees par simulation. Dans chacune des configurations, des contributions ameliorant les cotes techniques et economiques sont decrites ci-dessous : La premiere contribution concerne un nouvel algorithme MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) utilise pour l'extraction de la puissance maximale disponible dans les eoliennes des parcs offshores. Cette technique d'extraction du MPPT ameliore le rendement energetique de la chaine de conversion des energies renouvelables notamment l'energie eolienne a petite et a grande echelles (parc eolien offshore) qui constitue un probleme pour les constructeurs qui se trouvent confrontes a developper des dispositifs MPPT simples, moins couteux, robustes, fiables et capable d'obtenir un rendement energetique maximal. La deuxieme contribution concerne la reduction de la taille, du cout et de l'impact des defauts electriques (AC et DC) dans le systeme construit pour transporter l'energie d'un parc eolien offshore (OWF) vers le reseau principal AC onshore via deux stations 3L-NPC VSCHVDC. La solution developpee utilise des observateurs non-lineaires bases sur le filtre de Kalman etendu (EKF). Ce filtre permet d'estimer la vitesse de rotation et la position du rotor de chacune des generatrices du parc eolien offshore et de la tension du bus DC de l'onduleur DC-AC offshore et des deux stations 3L-NPC-VSC-HVDC (offshore et onshore). De plus, ce developpement du filtre de Kalman etendu a permis de reduire l'impact des defauts AC et DC. Deux commandes ont ete utilisees, l'une (commande indirect dans le plan abc) avec EKF integre destinee pour controler le convertisseur DC-AC offshore et l'autre (commande d-q) avec EKF integre pour controler les convertisseurs des deux stations AC-DC et DC-AC tout en tenant compte des entrees de chacune des stations. L'integration des observateurs non-lineaires (EKF) dans le controle des convertisseurs permet de resoudre le probleme des incertitudes de mesure, des incertitudes dans la modelisation, en cas du dysfonctionnement ou de panne des capteurs de mesure ainsi que le probleme de l'impact des defauts (AC et DC) sur la qualite d'energie dans les systemes de transmission. Ces estimations contribuent a rendre le cout global du systeme moins cher et sa taille moins encombrante ainsi que la reduction de l'impact des defauts (AC et DC) sur le systeme. La troisieme contribution concerne la reduction de la taille, du cout et de l'impact des defauts electriques (AC et DC) dans le systeme construit pour transporter l'energie d'un parc eolien offshore (OWF) vers le reseau principal AC onshore via deux stations VSC-HVDC. La solution developpee utilise des observateurs non-lineaires bases sur le filtre de Kalman etendu (EKF). Ce filtre permet d'estimer la vitesse de rotation et la position du rotor de chacune des generatrices du parc eolien et de la tension du bus DC de l'onduleur DC-AC offshore. La contribution porte surtout sur le developpement des deux commandes des deux stations. La premiere, la commande non-lineaire modifiee pour controler le premier convertisseur de la station VSC-HVDC offshore assurant le transfert de la puissance generee par le parc eolien vers la station VSC-HVDC onshore. La deuxieme commande non-lineaire modifiee avec integration de la regulation de la tension du bus DC et de la commande a modele de reference adaptative (MRAC) pour la compensation des surintensites et surtensions durant les defauts AC et DC. On peut constater que lors d'un defaut AC au PCC (Point of Common Coupling) du cote reseau onshore, la profondeur de l'impact du defaut AC sur l'amplitude des courants du reseau principal AC onshore qui etait reduit a 60% par les travaux de recherche (Erlich, Feltes et Shewarega, 2014), comparativement a la nouvelle commande proposee MRAC qui reduit la profondeur de l'impact a 35%. Lors de l'apparition des defauts AC et DC, une reduction de l'impact des defauts sur l'amplitude des courants de reseau AC terrestre et du temps de reponse a ete observee et la stabilite du systeme a ete renforcee par l'utilisation de la commande adaptative basee sur le modele de reference MRAC. La quatrieme contribution concerne une nouvelle commande basee sur le mode de glissement (SM) appliquee pour la station VSC-HVDC qui relie le parc eolien offshore (OWF) au reseau principal AC. Ce parc est compose de dix eoliennes basees sur des generatrices synchrones a aimant permanent (VSWT/PMSGs) connectees en parallele et chacune est controlee par son propre convertisseur DC-DC. Une comparaison des performances entre la commande SM et de la commande non-lineaire avec des controleurs PI pour les deux conditions (presence et absence de defaut DC) a ete analysee et montre la superiorite de la commande par SM. Un prototype du systeme etudie a echelle reduite a ete realise et teste au laboratoire GREPCI en utilisant la carte dSPACE-DS1104 pour la validation experimentale. L'analyse et la simulation des systemes etudies sont developpees sous l'environnement Matlab/Simulink/Simpowersystem. Les resultats obtenus a partir des configurations developpees sont valides par simulation et par experimentation. Les performances sont tres satisfaisantes du point de vue reponse dynamique, reponse en regime permanent, stabilite du systeme et qualite de l'energie.

The development of cardiac surgery in West Africa-the case of Ghana

PubMed Central

Edwin, Frank; Tettey, Mark; Aniteye, Ernest; Tamatey, Martin; Sereboe, Lawrence; Entsua-Mensah, Kow; Kotei, David; Baffoe-Gyan, Kofi

2011-01-01

West Africa is one of the poorest regions of the world. The sixteen nations listed by the United Nations in this sub-region have some of the lowest gross domestic products in the world. Health care infrastructure is deficient in most of these countries. Cardiac surgery, with its heavy financial outlay is unavailable in many West African countries. These facts notwithstanding, some West African countries have a proud history of open heart surgery not very well known even in African health care circles. Many African health care givers are under the erroneous impression that the cardiovascular surgical landscape of West Africa is blank. However, documented reports of open-heart surgery in Ghana dates as far back as 1964 when surface cooling was used by Ghanaian surgeons to close atrial septal defects. Ghana's National Cardiothoracic Center is still very active and is accredited by the West African College of Surgeons for the training of cardiothoracic surgeons. Reports from Nigeria indicate open-heart surgery taking place from 1974. Cote D'Ivoire had reported on its first 300 open-heart cases by 1983. Senegal reported open-heart surgery from 1995 and still runs an active center. Cameroon started out in 2009 with work done by an Italian group that ultimately aims to train indigenous surgeons to run the program. This review traces the development and current state of cardiothoracic surgery in West Africa with Ghana's National Cardiothoracic Center as the reference. It aims to dispel the notion that there are no major active cardiothoracic centers in the West African sub-region. PMID:22355425

The effectiveness of using carbonate isotope measurements of body tissues to infer diet in human evolution: Evidence from wild western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus).

PubMed

Fahy, Geraldine E; Boesch, Christophe; Hublin, Jean-Jacques; Richards, Michael P

2015-11-01

Changes in diet throughout hominin evolution have been linked with important evolutionary changes. Stable carbon isotope analysis of inorganic apatite carbonate is the main isotopic method used to reconstruct fossil hominin diets; to test its effectiveness as a paleodietary indicator we present bone and enamel carbonate carbon isotope data from a well-studied population of modern wild western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) of known sex and age from Taï, Cote d'Ivoire. We found a significant effect of age class on bone carbonate values, with adult chimpanzees being more (13)C- and (18)O-depleted compared to juveniles. Further, to investigate habitat effects, we compared our data to existing apatite data on eastern chimpanzees (P. troglodytes schweinfurthii) and found that the Taï chimpanzees are significantly more depleted in enamel δ(13)Cap and δ(18)Oap compared to their eastern counterparts. Our data are the first to present a range of tissue-specific isotope data from the same group of wild western chimpanzees and, as such, add new data to the growing number of modern non-human primate comparative isotope datasets providing valuable information for the interpretation of diet throughout hominin evolution. By comparing our data to published isotope data on fossil hominins we found that our modern chimpanzee bone and enamel data support hypotheses that the trend towards increased consumption of C4 foods after 4 Ma (millions of years ago) is unique to hominins. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Framework for the Next Generation of Risk Science

PubMed Central

Krewski, Daniel; Andersen, Melvin E.; Paoli, Gregory M.; Chiu, Weihsueh A.; Al-Zoughool, Mustafa; Croteau, Maxine C.; Burgoon, Lyle D.; Cote, Ila

2014-01-01

Objectives: In 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated the NexGen project to develop a new paradigm for the next generation of risk science. Methods: The NexGen framework was built on three cornerstones: the availability of new data on toxicity pathways made possible by fundamental advances in basic biology and toxicological science, the incorporation of a population health perspective that recognizes that most adverse health outcomes involve multiple determinants, and a renewed focus on new risk assessment methodologies designed to better inform risk management decision making. Results: The NexGen framework has three phases. Phase I (objectives) focuses on problem formulation and scoping, taking into account the risk context and the range of available risk management decision-making options. Phase II (risk assessment) seeks to identify critical toxicity pathway perturbations using new toxicity testing tools and technologies, and to better characterize risks and uncertainties using advanced risk assessment methodologies. Phase III (risk management) involves the development of evidence-based population health risk management strategies of a regulatory, economic, advisory, community-based, or technological nature, using sound principles of risk management decision making. Conclusions: Analysis of a series of case study prototypes indicated that many aspects of the NexGen framework are already beginning to be adopted in practice. Citation: Krewski D, Westphal M, Andersen ME, Paoli GM, Chiu WA, Al-Zoughool M, Croteau MC, Burgoon LD, Cote I. 2014. A framework for the next generation of risk science. Environ Health Perspect 122:796–805; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307260 PMID:24727499

Direct evidence of three-body interactions in a cold {sup 85}Rb Rydberg gas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Han Jianing

2010-11-15

Cold Rydberg atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are not isolated and they interact through dipole-dipole and multipole-multipole interactions. First-order dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals interactions between two atoms have been intensively studied. However, the facts that the first-order dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals interactions show the same size of broadening [A. Reinhard, K. C. Younge, T. C. Liebisch, B. Knuffman, P. R. Berman, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 233201 (2008)] and there are transitions between two dimer states [S. M. Farooqi, D. Tong, S. Krishnan, J. Stanojevic, Y. P. Zhang, J. R. Ensher, A.more » S. Estrin, C. Boisseau, R. Cote, E. E. Eyler, and P. L. Gould, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 183002 (2003); K. R. Overstreet, Arne Schwettmann, Jonathan Tallant, and James P. Shaffer, Phys. Rev. A 76, 011403(R) (2007)] cannot be explained by the two-atom picture. The purpose of this article is to show the few-body nature of a dense cold Rydberg gas by studying the molecular-state microwave spectra. Specifically, three-body energy levels have been calculated. Moreover, the transition from three-body energy levels to two-body coupled molecular energy levels and to isolated atomic energy levels as a function of the internuclear spacing is studied. Finally, single-body, two-body, and three-body interaction regions are estimated according to the experimental data. The results reported here provides useful information for plasma formation, further cooling, and superfluid formation.« less

Interpretation of leaching data for cementitious waste forms using analytical solutions based on mass transport theory and empiricism

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Spence, R.D.; Godbee, H.W.; Tallent, O.K.

1991-01-01

Despite the demonstrated importance of diffusion control in leaching, other mechanisms have been observed to play a role and leaching from porous solid bodies is not simple diffusion. Only simple diffusion theory has been developed well enough for extrapolation, as yet. The well developed diffusion theory, used in data analysis by ANSI/ANS-16.1 and the NEWBOX program, can help in trying to extrapolate and predict the performance of solidified waste forms over decades and centuries, but the limitations and increased uncertainty must be understood in so doing. Treating leaching as a semi-infinite medium problem, as done in the Cote model, resultsmore » in simpler equations, but limits, application to early leaching behavior when less than 20% of a given component has been leached. 18 refs., 2 tabs.« less

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 38 crewmember

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-02

ISS038-E-025350 (2 Jan. 2014) --- One of the Expedition 38 crew members aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station recorded this image which features the Manicouagan Crater and reservoir located primarily in Manicouagan Regional County Municipality in the Cote-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. Scientists believe the crater was caused by the impact of a 5 kilometer (3 mile) diameter asteroid about 215.5 million years ago (Triassic Period). The crater is a multiple-ring structure about 100 kilometers (60 miles) across, with its 70 kilometer (40 mile) diameter inner ring as its most prominent feature; it contains a 70 kilometer (40 mile) diameter annular lake, the Manicouagan Reservoir, surrounding an inner island plateau, Rene-Levasseur Island. Because it is so unique and easily recognizable from the sky and space, the crater has been the subject of hundreds of images from astronauts for 45-plus years.

Pendulums, Pedagogy, and Matter: Lessons from the Editing of Newton's Principia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biener, Zvi; Smeenk, Chris

Teaching Newtonian physics involves the replacement of students'' ideas about physical situations with precise concepts appropriate for mathematical applications. This paper focuses on the concepts of `matter'' and `mass''. We suggest that students, like some pre-Newtonian scientists we examine, use these terms in a way that conflicts with their Newtonian meaning. Specifically, `matter''and `mass'' indicate to them the sorts of things that are tangible,bulky, and take up space. In Newtonian mechanics, however, the terms are defined by Newton's Second Law: `mass'' is simply a measure of the acceleration generated by an impressed force. We examine the relationship between these conceptions as it was discussed by Newton and his editor, Roger Cotes, when analyzing a series of pendulum experiments. We suggest that these experiments, as well as more sophisticated computer simulations, can be used in the classroom to sufficiently differentiate the colloquial and precise meaning of these terms.

On a quadrature formula of Gori and Micchelli

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Shijun

2005-04-01

Sparked by Bojanov (J. Comput. Appl. Math. 70 (1996) 349), we provide an alternate approach to quadrature formulas based on the zeros of the Chebyshev polynomial of the first kind for any weight function w introduced and studied in Gori and Micchelli (Math. Comp. 65 (1996) 1567), thereby improving on their observations. Upon expansion of the divided differences, we obtain explicit expressions for the corresponding Cotes coefficients in Gauss-Turan quadrature formulas for and I(fTn;w) for a Gori-Micchelli weight function. It is also interesting to mention what has been neglected for about 30 years by the literature is that, as a consequence of expansion of the divided differences in the special case when , the solution of the famous Turan's Problem 26 raised in 1980 was in fact implied by a result of Micchelli and Rivlin (IBM J. Res. Develop. 16 (1972) 372) in 1972. Some concluding comments are made in the final section.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: Virgo cluster ETGs: GC and galaxy diffuse light (Li+, 2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, B.; Peng, E. W.; Zhang, H.-X.; Blakeslee, J. P.; Cote, P.; Ferrarese, L.; Jordan, A.; Liu, C.; Mei, S.; Puzia, T. H.; Takamiya, M.; Trancho, G.; West, M. J.

2017-09-01

We selected four intermediate-luminosity ETGs from the ACS Virgo Cluster Survey (ACSVCS; Cote et al. 2004, J/ApJS/153/223), a homogeneous Hubble Space Telescope survey of 100 ETGs in the nearby Virgo cluster of galaxies using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS; Ford et al. 1998SPIE.3356..234F). We observed these galaxies with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrographs (GMOS, Hook et al. 2004PASP..116..425H), twin instruments on the Gemini North and Gemini South telescopes. Our target galaxies have sizes (Re~10-18") that fit well within the GMOS field of view (5.5 arcmin2), providing coverage out to 10-16Re. Each galaxy contained ~50 targetable GCs with V<23 mag. VCC 1231, VCC 1062, and VCC 2000 data were taken with GMOS-South, whereas data for VCC 685 was taken with GMOS-North. (3 data files).

Temperature and composition dependence of Mg-based amorphous-alloy structure factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

From, M.; Muir, W. B.

1992-01-01

Measurements of the x-ray total structure factors for amorphous Mg70Zn30, Ca70Mg30, and Mg85.5Cu14.5 at 9, 150, and 300 K have been made. The composition dependence of the room-temperature structure factors of MgxZn1-x have also been measured for values of x=0.65, 0.70, and 0.75. These compositional changes can be accounted for by the increase in average atomic size as the fraction of the larger Mg atoms increases with x. Also the Perkus-Yevick hard-sphere model is sufficient to calculate the change in structure factor with composition if an experimental structure factor is available from which the sphere diameters and packing fraction can be extracted. The temperature dependence of the structure factors is consistent with the observed thermal expansion and a Debye phonon model with Meisel and Cote's approximation for the multiphonon contribution to the structure factor.

Modelisation de la diffusion sur les surfaces metalliques: De l'adatome aux processus de croissance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boisvert, Ghyslain

Cette these est consacree a l'etude des processus de diffusion en surface dans le but ultime de comprendre, et de modeliser, la croissance d'une couche mince. L'importance de bien mai triser la croissance est primordiale compte tenu de son role dans la miniaturisation des circuits electroniques. Nous etudions ici les surface des metaux nobles et de ceux de la fin de la serie de transition. Dans un premier temps, nous nous interessons a la diffusion d'un simple adatome sur une surface metallique. Nous avons, entre autres, mis en evidence l'apparition d'une correlation entre evenements successifs lorsque la temperature est comparable a la barriere de diffusion, i.e., la diffusion ne peut pas etre associee a une marche aleatoire. Nous proposons un modele phenomenologique simple qui reproduit bien les resultats des simulations. Ces calculs nous ont aussi permis de montrer que la diffusion obeit a la loi de Meyer-Neldel. Cette loi stipule que, pour un processus active, le prefacteur augmente exponentiellement avec la barriere. En plus, ce travail permet de clarifier l'origine physique de cette loi. En comparant les resultats dynamiques aux resultats statiques, on se rend compte que la barriere extraite des calculs dynamiques est essentiellement la meme que celle obtenue par une approche statique, beaucoup plus simple. On peut donc obtenir cette barriere a l'aide de methodes plus precises, i.e., ab initio, comme la theorie de la fonctionnelle de la densite, qui sont aussi malheureusement beaucoup plus lourdes. C'est ce que nous avons fait pour plusieurs systemes metalliques. Nos resultats avec cette derniere approche se comparent tres bien aux resultats experimentaux. Nous nous sommes attardes plus longuement a la surface (111) du platine. Cette surface regorge de particularites interessantes, comme la forme d'equilibre non-hexagonale des i lots et deux sites d'adsorption differents pour l'adatome. De plus, des calculs ab initio precedents n'ont pas reussi a confirmer la forme d'equilibre et surestiment grandement la barriere. Nos calculs, plus complets et dans un formalisme mieux adapte a ce genre de probleme, predisent correctement la forme d'equilibre, qui est en fait due a un relachement different du stress de surface aux deux types de marches qui forment les cotes des i lots. Notre valeur pour la barriere est aussi fortement diminuee lorsqu'on relaxe les forces sur les atomes de la surface, amenant le resultat theorique beaucoup plus pres de la valeur experimentale. Nos calculs pour le cuivre demontre en effet que la diffusion de petits i lots pendant la croissance ne peut pas etre negligee dans ce cas, mettant en doute la valeur des interpretations des mesures experimentales. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

The Next Generation of Risk Assessment Multi-Year Study—Highlights of Findings, Applications to Risk Assessment, and Future Directions

PubMed Central

Cote, Ila; Andersen, Melvin E.; Ankley, Gerald T.; Barone, Stanley; Birnbaum, Linda S.; Boekelheide, Kim; Bois, Frederic Y.; Burgoon, Lyle D.; Chiu, Weihsueh A.; Crawford-Brown, Douglas; Crofton, Kevin M.; DeVito, Michael; Devlin, Robert B.; Edwards, Stephen W.; Guyton, Kathryn Z.; Hattis, Dale; Judson, Richard S.; Knight, Derek; Krewski, Daniel; Lambert, Jason; Maull, Elizabeth Anne; Mendrick, Donna; Paoli, Gregory M.; Patel, Chirag Jagdish; Perkins, Edward J.; Poje, Gerald; Portier, Christopher J.; Rusyn, Ivan; Schulte, Paul A.; Simeonov, Anton; Smith, Martyn T.; Thayer, Kristina A.; Thomas, Russell S.; Thomas, Reuben; Tice, Raymond R.; Vandenberg, John J.; Villeneuve, Daniel L.; Wesselkamper, Scott; Whelan, Maurice; Whittaker, Christine; White, Ronald; Xia, Menghang; Yauk, Carole; Zeise, Lauren; Zhao, Jay; DeWoskin, Robert S.

2016-01-01

Background: The Next Generation (NexGen) of Risk Assessment effort is a multi-year collaboration among several organizations evaluating new, potentially more efficient molecular, computational, and systems biology approaches to risk assessment. This article summarizes our findings, suggests applications to risk assessment, and identifies strategic research directions. Objective: Our specific objectives were to test whether advanced biological data and methods could better inform our understanding of public health risks posed by environmental exposures. Methods: New data and methods were applied and evaluated for use in hazard identification and dose–response assessment. Biomarkers of exposure and effect, and risk characterization were also examined. Consideration was given to various decision contexts with increasing regulatory and public health impacts. Data types included transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics. Methods included molecular epidemiology and clinical studies, bioinformatic knowledge mining, pathway and network analyses, short-duration in vivo and in vitro bioassays, and quantitative structure activity relationship modeling. Discussion: NexGen has advanced our ability to apply new science by more rapidly identifying chemicals and exposures of potential concern, helping characterize mechanisms of action that influence conclusions about causality, exposure–response relationships, susceptibility and cumulative risk, and by elucidating new biomarkers of exposure and effects. Additionally, NexGen has fostered extensive discussion among risk scientists and managers and improved confidence in interpreting and applying new data streams. Conclusions: While considerable uncertainties remain, thoughtful application of new knowledge to risk assessment appears reasonable for augmenting major scope assessments, forming the basis for or augmenting limited scope assessments, and for prioritization and screening of very data limited chemicals. Citation: Cote I, Andersen ME, Ankley GT, Barone S, Birnbaum LS, Boekelheide K, Bois FY, Burgoon LD, Chiu WA, Crawford-Brown D, Crofton KM, DeVito M, Devlin RB, Edwards SW, Guyton KZ, Hattis D, Judson RS, Knight D, Krewski D, Lambert J, Maull EA, Mendrick D, Paoli GM, Patel CJ, Perkins EJ, Poje G, Portier CJ, Rusyn I, Schulte PA, Simeonov A, Smith MT, Thayer KA, Thomas RS, Thomas R, Tice RR, Vandenberg JJ, Villeneuve DL, Wesselkamper S, Whelan M, Whittaker C, White R, Xia M, Yauk C, Zeise L, Zhao J, DeWoskin RS. 2016. The Next Generation of Risk Assessment multiyear study—highlights of findings, applications to risk assessment, and future directions. Environ Health Perspect 124:1671–1682; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP233 PMID:27091369

Technique distribuee de gestion de la charge sur le reseau electrique et ring-tree: Un nouveau systeme de communication P2P

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayoub, Simon

Le reseau de distribution et de transport de l'electricite se modernise dans plusieurs pays dont le Canada. La nouvelle generation de ce reseau que l'on appelle smart grid, permet entre autre l'automatisation de la production, de la distribution et de la gestion de la charge chez les clients. D'un autre cote, des appareils domestiques intelligents munis d'une interface de communication pour des applications du smart grid commencent a apparaitre sur le marche. Ces appareils intelligents pourraient creer une communaute virtuelle pour optimiser leurs consommations d'une facon distribuee. La gestion distribuee de ces charges intelligentes necessite la communication entre un grand nombre d'equipements electriques. Ceci represente un defi important a relever surtout si on ne veut pas augmenter le cout de l'infrastructure et de la maintenance. Lors de cette these deux systemes distincts ont ete concus : un systeme de communication peer-to-peer, appele Ring-Tree, permettant la communication entre un nombre important de noeuds (jusqu'a de l'ordre de grandeur du million) tel que des appareils electriques communicants et une technique distribuee de gestion de la charge sur le reseau electrique. Le systeme de communication Ring-Tree inclut une nouvelle topologie reseau qui n'a jamais ete definie ou exploitee auparavant. Il inclut egalement des algorithmes pour la creation, l'exploitation et la maintenance de ce reseau. Il est suffisamment simple pour etre mis en oeuvre sur des controleurs associes aux dispositifs tels que des chauffe-eaux, chauffage a accumulation, bornes de recharges electriques, etc. Il n'utilise pas un serveur centralise (ou tres peu, seulement lorsqu'un noeud veut rejoindre le reseau). Il offre une solution distribuee qui peut etre mise en oeuvre sans deploiement d'une infrastructure autre que les controleurs sur les dispositifs vises. Finalement, un temps de reponse de quelques secondes pour atteindre 1'ensemble du reseau peut etre obtenu, ce qui est suffisant pour les besoins des applications visees. Les protocoles de communication s'appuient sur un protocole de transport qui peut etre un de ceux utilises sur l'Internet comme TCP ou UDP. Pour valider le fonctionnement de de la technique de controle distribuee et le systeme de communiction Ring-Tree, un simulateur a ete developpe; un modele de chauffe-eau, comme exemple de charge, a ete integre au simulateur. La simulation d'une communaute de chauffe-eaux intelligents a montre que la technique de gestion de la charge combinee avec du stockage d'energie sous forme thermique permet d'obtenir, sans affecter le confort de l'utilisateur, des profils de consommation varies dont un profil de consommation uniforme qui represente un facteur de charge de 100%. Mots-cles : Algorithme Distribue, Demand Response, Gestion de la Charge Electrique, M2M (Machine-to-Machine), P2P (Peer-to-Peer), Reseau Electrique Intelligent, Ring-Tree, Smart Grid

[Impact of HIV counseling and testing during antenal consultation for HIV- women in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire): a quantitative and qualitative study (Ditrame Plus 3 project, ANRS 1253)].

PubMed

Brou, Hermann; Agbo, Hélène; Desgrees Du Loû, Annabel

2005-01-01

This study takes place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, inside a program of reduction of the mother-to-child HIV transmission, the Ditrame Plus study, ANRS 1201-1202. In this program, HIV test is proposed to women during antenatal consultations. After the test, we have followed during twelve months after childbirth 400 women who were HIV negative. We examine in this paper how these women who have been HIV tested during pregnancy and who are HIV seronegative communicate with their partner about HIV test and about the risk of HIV infection. We analyse also the behaviour of the partners in terms of HIV testing and condom use with their wife. Among the 400 women followed, for 6 upon 10, the HIV test allowed them to reinforced communication with their partner upon STD and AIDS. For 2 upon 10, the HIV test was the occasion to start a dialogue on this subject. On the whole, communication between spouses on these questions became more frequent after HIV test in all socio- demographic classes. They were more frequent when the husband was instructed and they were more easy in monogamous couples. Overall, the spouses discussed about the protection by condoms of the eventual extramarital sexual intercourse of the husband, in order to avoid the risk of infection of the HIV- wife. Ninety per cent of women asked their husband (or regular sexual partner) to use condoms if he would have sexual intercourse "outside". Women used different strategies to tackle this difficult subject of extramarital intercourse with their husband : they approached it as a simple discussion, or as a joke, or when they had a conjugal dispute. Ninety seven per cent of the followed women notified their partner they had been HIV tested. This notification was easy because they were seronegative. Then 94 % of these women told their partner he should be HIV tested also. But, despite this high figure, only a quarter of the partners asked an HIV test and were tested. Many of them were scared by a possible infection and didn't want to know their serostatus. The qualitative study showed also that many men thank that their serostatus was necessary the same than their wife's. They concluded they didn't need to be tested, since their wife was tested and was HIV(-). Instruction level of the husband was the major predictor of the men's probability of being HIV tested : this probability was four time higher among the more instructed partners than among the partners without instruction. Despite the low level of HIV-tested men, only a third of these couples used condoms at the resumption of sexual activity after childbirth. When the woman was instructed, condoms were more frequently used. Generally, women used the contraceptive role of the condom to convince their partner to use it. The ability of HIV negative women to adopt prevention practices in order to avoid a possible HIV infection from their husband (or regular partner) depended strongly on the quality of the conjugal relationship. This conjugal relationship was related to the sociodemographic characteristics of each partners. Behavioral changes were easier when both partners were instructed or when the woman was financially independent. They were more difficult in polygamous marriages or when women were muslims. But the analysis of marginal cases revealed that women with no instruction can also negotiate: this negotiation depends on the quality of the communication existing in the couple. In conclusion, HIV testing allowed some women to strengthen the dialogue pre-existing in their couple upon HIV questions, and it allowed other women to start such a dialogue. This dialogue was centred overall on the use of condoms in case of extramarital intercourse. A complete prevention of HIV transmission in the couple, with HIV testing of both conjugal partners, and use of condoms until this double testing is done, remains seldom. Hence, it seems that the couple should be better taken into account in the HIV counseling and testing programs.

[Docimologic analysis of 4th-year preclinical exam questions].

PubMed

Gnagne-Agnero, Koffi N; Zinsou, E M; Assoumou, N M; Adiko, E F

2003-12-01

Operative Dentistry and Endodontics' Department of the School of Dentistry of Abidjan experienced pre-clinical exam in fourth year of dentistry with MCQ following guided courses which aim was to lead student to be correctly in charge of the patients when they start their first clinical performance. The objective off his this work is to show how one's can analyse exams questions efficiently. In this work the authors present et discuss the results of the evaluation of this preclinical exam performed through calculation of index of success (Ir) which gives us information on the difficulty of a question for all the students who answered, the discriminative index (Id) which allow to determine when a question is selective enough to distinguish weak to strong students in a group. The mean to evaluate is well chosen because the questions asked has a Ir between 46% et 80% (satisfying Ir) and the average Id is between 0.30 and 0.53 (Id discriminates well among 0.30 et 1). This methodology allows an evaluation of a high number of students by stocked questions.

Serological evidence of Ebola virus infection in Indonesian orangutans.

PubMed

Nidom, Chairul A; Nakayama, Eri; Nidom, Reviany V; Alamudi, Mohamad Y; Daulay, Syafril; Dharmayanti, Indi N L P; Dachlan, Yoes P; Amin, Mohamad; Igarashi, Manabu; Miyamoto, Hiroko; Yoshida, Reiko; Takada, Ayato

2012-01-01

Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) belong to the family Filoviridae and cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. Despite the discovery of EBOV (Reston virus) in nonhuman primates and domestic pigs in the Philippines and the serological evidence for its infection of humans and fruit bats, information on the reservoirs and potential amplifying hosts for filoviruses in Asia is lacking. In this study, serum samples collected from 353 healthy Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Kalimantan Island, Indonesia, during the period from December 2005 to December 2006 were screened for filovirus-specific IgG antibodies using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with recombinant viral surface glycoprotein (GP) antigens derived from multiple species of filoviruses (5 EBOV and 1 MARV species). Here we show that 18.4% (65/353) and 1.7% (6/353) of the samples were seropositive for EBOV and MARV, respectively, with little cross-reactivity among EBOV and MARV antigens. In these positive samples, IgG antibodies to viral internal proteins were also detected by immunoblotting. Interestingly, while the specificity for Reston virus, which has been recognized as an Asian filovirus, was the highest in only 1.4% (5/353) of the serum samples, the majority of EBOV-positive sera showed specificity to Zaire, Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire, or Bundibugyo viruses, all of which have been found so far only in Africa. These results suggest the existence of multiple species of filoviruses or unknown filovirus-related viruses in Indonesia, some of which are serologically similar to African EBOVs, and transmission of the viruses from yet unidentified reservoir hosts into the orangutan populations. Our findings point to the need for risk assessment and continued surveillance of filovirus infection of human and nonhuman primates, as well as wild and domestic animals, in Asia.

Direct evidence of three-body interactions in a cold Rb85 Rydberg gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Jianing

2010-11-01

Cold Rydberg atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are not isolated and they interact through dipole-dipole and multipole-multipole interactions. First-order dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals interactions between two atoms have been intensively studied. However, the facts that the first-order dipole-dipole interactions and van der Waals interactions show the same size of broadening [A. Reinhard, K. C. Younge, T. C. Liebisch, B. Knuffman, P. R. Berman, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.100.233201 100, 233201 (2008)] and there are transitions between two dimer states [S. M. Farooqi, D. Tong, S. Krishnan, J. Stanojevic, Y. P. Zhang, J. R. Ensher, A. S. Estrin, C. Boisseau, R. Cote, E. E. Eyler, and P. L. Gould, Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.91.183002 91, 183002 (2003); K. R. Overstreet, Arne Schwettmann, Jonathan Tallant, and James P. Shaffer, Phys. Rev. APLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.76.011403 76, 011403(R) (2007)] cannot be explained by the two-atom picture. The purpose of this article is to show the few-body nature of a dense cold Rydberg gas by studying the molecular-state microwave spectra. Specifically, three-body energy levels have been calculated. Moreover, the transition from three-body energy levels to two-body coupled molecular energy levels and to isolated atomic energy levels as a function of the internuclear spacing is studied. Finally, single-body, two-body, and three-body interaction regions are estimated according to the experimental data. The results reported here provides useful information for plasma formation, further cooling, and superfluid formation.

PEPFAR Funding and Reduction in HIV Infection Rates in 12 Focus Sub-Saharan African Countries: A Quantitative Analysis.

PubMed

Chin, Roger J; Sangmanee, Domrongphol; Piergallini, Lisa

2015-01-01

HIV and AIDS continue to have a calamitous effect on individuals living on the continent of Africa. U.S. President George W. Bush implemented the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with the objective of committing approximately $15 billion from 2004 through 2008 to assist with the reduction of the HIV pandemic worldwide. The majority of the PEPFAR policy and funding focused on 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Botswana, Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The policy question this research paper seeks to analyze is whether the PEPFAR funding (as a % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)) allocated to the 12 countries in Africa had any effect on the decrease of HIV infection rates of males and females between the ages of 15 and 49. A fixed-effects panel regression analysis was conducted to determine if this association exists. This study examined the 12 African countries that received PEPFAR funding over the years 2002 to 2010; even though PEPFAR was only active from 2004 through 2008, this research included two years prior and two years after this timeframe in order to better estimate the effect of PEPFAR funding on HIV reduction. The results illustrate that on average, ceteris paribus, for every 1 percentage point increase in PEPFAR funding per GDP a country received, the country's HIV infection rate decreased by 0.355 percentage points. While the empirical findings in this study suggested that the correlation between PEPFAR funding and HIV reduction is statistically significant, the practical significance is perhaps less obvious. Arguably, the reduction rate should be higher given the extent of funding targeted to this project. The conclusion of this research provides suggestions on future research and the policy implications of PEPFAR.

Spatial variation in mandibular bone elastic modulus and its effect on structural bending stiffness: A test case using the Taï Forest monkeys.

PubMed

Le, Kim N; Marsik, Matthew; Daegling, David J; Duque, Ana; McGraw, William Scott

2017-03-01

We investigated how heterogeneity in material stiffness affects structural stiffness in the cercopithecid mandibular cortical bone. We assessed (1) whether this effect changes the interpretation of interspecific structural stiffness variation across four primate species, (2) whether the heterogeneity is random, and (3) whether heterogeneity mitigates bending stress in the jaw associated with food processing. The sample consisted of Taï Forest, Cote d'Ivoire, monkeys: Cercocebus atys, Piliocolobus badius, Colobus polykomos, and Cercopithecus diana. Vickers indentation hardness samples estimated elastic moduli throughout the cortical bone area of each coronal section of postcanine corpus. For each section, we calculated maximum area moment of inertia, I max (structural mechanical property), under three models of material heterogeneity, as well as spatial autocorrelation statistics (Moran's I, I MORAN ). When the model considered material stiffness variation and spatial patterning, I max decreased and individual ranks based on structural stiffness changed. Rank changes were not significant across models. All specimens showed positive (nonrandom) spatial autocorrelation. Differences in I MORAN were not significant among species, and there were no discernable patterns of autocorrelation within species. Across species, significant local I MORAN was often attributed to proximity of low moduli in the alveolar process and high moduli in the basal process. While our sample did not demonstrate species differences in the degree of spatial autocorrelation of elastic moduli, there may be mechanical effects of heterogeneity (relative strength and rigidity) that do distinguish at the species or subfamilial level (i.e., colobines vs. cercopithecines). The potential connections of heterogeneity to diet and/or taxonomy remain to be discovered. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Medical emergencies related to HIV/AIDS in tropical zones: a prospective study in Cote d'Ivoire (1999-2000)].

PubMed

Tanon, A; Eholié, S; Binan, Y; Ehui, E; Zana, E; Maurice, C; Bissagnené, E; Aoussi, E; Kakou, A; Kadio, A

2006-04-01

At the beginning of the HIV epidemic, the incidence of the complications considered as emergencies was high in developed countries but with the advent of new therapeutic strategies the frequency of such complications and the associated need for emergency treatment decreased drastically. In developing countries where management resources remain limited, HIV/AIDS patients are still exposed to the risk of serious complications. However few studies have documented exact implication of HIV/AIDS in medical emergencies hospitals in developing countries. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe medical emergencies related to HIV infection in adult patients admitted at Treichvilie University Hospital Center. Evaluation of prevalence was carried out in the infections disease and internal medicine emergency units between May 1999 and January 2000. All patients over the age of 15 years were included after informed consent to undergo pre-testing and HIV serology. A total of 400 patients were recruited including 312 that were HIV positive (78%). Mean patient age of patients was 35 years. The male-to-female sex ratio was 1. The most frequent motives for emergency consultation were deterioration of general condition (62%), diarrhea (39.1%) and cough (20.5%). Illness was chronic in 54% of cases. Physical signs were severe weight lost (84%), fever (50%), pale conjunctivas (29%), respiratory signs (19.2%) and dehydration (19%). The most frequent organic involvement causing admission was digestive (39.7%), neurological (24.4%) and pulmonary (20.5%). No deaths were observed. Most medical emergencies related to the HIV infection in the adult involved opportunistic diseases. They pose a challenge for therapeutic management.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 22 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-12-02

ISS022-E-005403 (2 Dec. 2009) --- Giens Peninsula, France is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 22 crew member on the International Space Station. This detailed image depicts the Giens Peninsula located along the Mediterranean coastline of France. The peninsula is part of the Cote d?Azur, also known as the French Riviera, the coastal region bounded by the Rhone River to the west, to the north by the Rhone Alps, and the east by the Italian border. The peninsula itself, extended out southwards from the city of Hyeres to the resort community of Giens, is formed from two tombolos. A tombolo is a ridge of beach material (typically sand) built by wave action that connects an island to the mainland. Tombolos, like many coastal features, typically change dramatically over geologic time due to fluctuating sediment supply, coastal currents, sea levels and storm events. The tombolos of the Giens Peninsula have been modified by human activities including sand dune removal, construction of roadways, and replacement of the original sand by other materials. The long-term survival of these tombolos will be determined by the effects of these changes on the natural coastal processes, with potential sea level rise presenting an additional threat. In addition to Giens, three other urban areas are visible in this image; Carqueiranne, Hyeres, and La Londe-les-Maures. The urban areas are recognizable by both light pink rooftops and grey street grids. These contrast with green to brown vegetated areas including agricultural fields (between Hyeres and La Londe-les-Maures, top center) and dark green vegetated hillslopes (between Hyeres and Carqueiranne, top left). Small white dots and streaks in the Mediterranean Sea are actually yachts and other pleasure craft.

Directives préalables

PubMed Central

O’Sullivan, Rory; Mailo, Kevin; Angeles, Ricardo; Agarwal, Gina

2015-01-01

Résumé Objectif Établir la prévalence de patients dotés de directives préalables dans une pratique familiale et décrire les points de vue des patients quant au rôle du médecin de famille dans l’amorce de discussions à propos des directives préalables. Conception Un questionnaire auquel les patients ont répondu eux-mêmes. Contexte Une clinique d’enseignement en médecine familiale achalandée en milieu urbain, à Hamilton, en Ontario. Participants Un échantillon de commodité formé de patients adultes qui se sont présentés à la clinique durant une semaine de travail typique. Principaux paramètres à l’étude La prévalence des directives préalables dans une population de patients a été déterminée et les attentes à l’endroit du rôle de leur médecin de famille ont été sollicitées. Résultats Les répondants au sondage étaient au nombre de 800 (un taux de réponse de 72,5 %) et leurs groupes d’âges étaient bien répartis; 19,7 % d’entre eux avaient rédigé des directives préalables et 43,8 % avaient déjà discuté du sujet des directives préalables, mais seulement 4,3 % de ces discussions avaient eu lieu avec un médecin de famille. Dans 5,7 % des cas, un médecin de famille avait soulevé la question; 72,3 % des répondants croyaient que les patients devraient amorcer la discussion. Les patients qui considéraient les directives préalables d’une importance extrême étaient considérablement plus enclins à vouloir que leur médecin de famille commence la conversation (rapport de cotes de 3,98; p < ,05). Conclusion Les directives préalables n’étaient pas systématiquement abordées dans la pratique familiale. La plupart des patients préféraient amorcer la discussion des directives préalables. Toutefois, les patients qui considéraient le sujet d’une extrême importance voulaient que leur médecin de famille commence la discussion.

Fast sub-electron detectors review for interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feautrier, Philippe; Gach, Jean-Luc; Bério, Philippe

2016-08-01

New disruptive technologies are now emerging for detectors dedicated to interferometry. The detectors needed for this kind of applications need antonymic characteristics: the detector noise must be very low, especially when the signal is dispersed but at the same time must also sample the fast temporal characteristics of the signal. This paper describes the new fast low noise technologies that have been recently developed for interferometry and adaptive optics. The first technology is the Avalanche PhotoDiode (APD) infrared arrays made of HgCdTe. In this paper are presented the two programs that have been developed in that field: the Selex Saphira 320x256 [1] and the 320x255 RAPID detectors developed by Sofradir/CEA LETI in France [2], [3], [4]. Status of these two programs and future developments are presented. Sub-electron noise can now be achieved in the infrared using this technology. The exceptional characteristics of HgCdTe APDs are due to a nearly exclusive impaction ionization of the electrons, and this is why these devices have been called "electrons avalanche photodiodes" or e-APDs. These characteristics have inspired a large effort in developing focal plan arrays using HgCdTe APDs for low photon number applications such as active imaging in gated mode (2D) and/or with direct time of flight detection (3D imaging) and, more recently, passive imaging for infrared wave front correction and fringe tracking in astronomical observations. In addition, a commercial camera solution called C-RED, based on Selex Saphira and commercialized by First Light Imaging [5], is presented here. Some groups are also working with instruments in the visible. In that case, another disruptive technology is showing outstanding performances: the Electron Multiplying CCDs (EMCCD) developed mainly by e2v technologies in UK. The OCAM2 camera, commercialized by First Light Imaging [5], uses the 240x240 EMMCD from e2v and is successfully implemented on the VEGA instrument on the CHARA interferometer (US) by the Lagrange laboratory from Observatoire de la Cote d'Azur. By operating the detector at gain 1000, the readout noise is as low as 0.1 e and data can be analyzed with a better contrast in photon counting mode.

[New statuses of women and urbanization in Africa].

PubMed

Antoine, P; Nanitelamio, J

1990-01-01

Statistical representations of demographic phenomena are imperfect mirrors of social practices at a given time. In Africa, where traditional marital customs are influenced by western ways and where new modes of male-female relations are becoming established, the classic demographic categories of marital status do not reflect the diversity of forms of union encountered in large cities. Data from Brazzaville, Abidjan, and Dakar are the basis for some hypotheses concerning the development of new statuses of women. The discussion of female statuses is conducted in terms of an analysis of the different markets, or places of exchange, where women compete: the labor market, the marriage market, and the sexual market. In the labor market, most African women are in occupations that are directly related to traditional sexual division of labor. But the modern sector offers women the means of achieving a more independent economic status, although the proportion of women with high salaries is still small. The marriage market has been strongly influenced by changes underway in African cities. The status of single, which used to be a status of waiting, has become definitive for some women. The number of women living alone or heads of households has become high in some African cities. Increasing age at marriage and female employment opportunities in cities have increased the phenomenon of relations between men and women not dictated by the family group. Polygamy is still found at all social levels. A debate is underway in the Abidjan press concerning the new status "mistress", which is sometimes interpreted as a western form of polygamy. The practice exists in all social categories; what changes is the nature and value of the gifts given to the woman. The 2 defining features of the mistress phenomenon are its economic aspects and its existence at the margin of the matrimonial system. It can be said to belong to the sexual market, which includes all physical and affective relations apart from marriage. The sexual market is assuming ever greater importance in urban zones. Prostitution is its most obvious aspect, but it is only 1 among many. The status of mother is no longer forcibly related to that of wife in African cities. New female statuses are organized around 3 main themes: affirmation of the individual, enlarged scope of life, and greater eroticization of sexual relations. The social desire for motherhood persists but that for marriage has eroded. The demographic importance of the different new statuses of women requires evaluation. Social and health policies should be based on knowledge of the real society. Too often population policies take into account only wives, neglecting the growing number of women who are not traditional wives and neglecting also the adolescent women who are also vitally concerned.

PADME (Phobos And Deimos & Mars Environment): A Proposed NASA Discovery Mission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Pascal

2014-11-01

Ever the since their discovery in 1877 by American astronomer Asaph Hall, the two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, have been enigmas. Spacecraft missions have revealed irregular-shaped small bodies with different densities, morphologies, and evolutionary histories. Spectral data suggest that they might be akin to D-type asteroids, although compositional interpretations of the spectra are ambiguous. The origin of Phobos and Deimos remains unknown. There are three prevailing hypotheses for their origin: 1) They are captured asteroids, possibly primitive D-type bodies from the outer main belt or beyond; 2) They are reaccreted impact ejecta from Mars; 3) They are remnants of Mars’s formation. Each one of these hypotheses has radically different and important implications regarding the evolution of the solar system, and/or the formation and evolution of planets and satellites, including the delivery of water and organics to the inner solar system. The Phobos And Deimos & Mars Environment (PADME) mission is a proposed NASA Discovery mission that will test these hypotheses, by investigating simultaneously the internal structure of Phobos and Deimos, and the composition and dynamics of their surface and near-surface materials. PADME would launch in 2020 and reach Mars orbit in early 2021. PADME would then begin a series of slow and increasingly close flybys of Phobos first, then of Deimos. PADME would use the proven LADEE spacecraft and mature instrument systems to enable a low-cost and low risk approach to carrying out its investigation. In addition to achieving its scientific objectives, PADME would fill strategic knowledge gaps identified by NASA’s SBAG and HEOMD for planning future, more ambitious robotic landed or sample return missions to Phobos and/or Deimos, and eventual human missions to Mars Orbit. PADME would be built, managed, and operated by NASA Ames Research Center. Partners include the SETI Institute, NASA JPL, NASA GSFC, NASA JSC, NASA KSC, LASP, Cornell U., U. of Central Florida, U. of Maryland, U. of Virginia, Lowell Observatory, Royal Observatory of Belgium, Observatoire de la Cote d’Azur, and JAXA.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Merriwether, D.A.; Huston, S.L.; Bunker, C.A.

An intergenic region V Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 9 bp deletion located between the genes for tRNA{sup LYS} and cytochrome oxidase II was discovered in a small percentage of Nigerian and Ivory Coast natives. Previously this deletion has been described as Asian-specific and has been reported throughout the New World, Asia, S.E. Asia, and the Pacific Islands at frequencies ranging from 0% to 100%. In the New World and the Pacific Islands, the deletion is almost always accompanied by an Hae III restriction site gain at nt 16517. All 9 occurrences of the deletion observed in Africa (from four different populations)more » co-occur with the Hae III 16517 site gain, indicating that the African deletion probably shares a common origin with the deletion described as {open_quotes}Asian-specific{close_quotes}. The deletion was found in Benin and Sokoto, Nigeria in 2/54 Edo Bini, 1/2 Edo Ishan, 3/99 Hausa, 0/18 Fulani, and 0/16 other Nigerians. The deletion was also detected in 3/115 Ivory Coast natives from Abidjan. A 9 bp insertion (triplication) was observed in 1/115 Ivory Coast natives. The triplicated individual also possessed the Hae III 16517 site gain. The fragment containing the African deletion was sequenced and found to be identical in sequence to the Asian deletion region. D-loop sequence of nts 15975 to 00048 revealed that 2 of the 3 Ivory Coast deleted individuals and 1 of the 6 Nigerians deleted (Hausa) had a T-C transition at nt position 16189 which is common in New World-deleted individuals. These results raise the possibility that the occurrence of this deletion predates the separation of Asian and African populations from a common ancestral populations, or that the deletion has occurred more than once in human evolution. Either explanation requires that caution be exercised when using the 9 bp deletion as a population marker.« less

Impact de la preparation des anodes crues et des conditions de cuisson sur la fissuration dans des anodes denses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amrani, Salah

La fabrication de l'aluminium est realisee dans une cellule d'electrolyse, et cette operation utilise des anodes en carbone. L'evaluation de la qualite de ces anodes reste indispensable avant leur utilisation. La presence des fissures dans les anodes provoque une perturbation du procede l'electrolyse et une diminution de sa performance. Ce projet a ete entrepris pour determiner l'impact des differents parametres de procedes de fabrication des anodes sur la fissuration des anodes denses. Ces parametres incluent ceux de la fabrication des anodes crues, des proprietes des matieres premieres et de la cuisson. Une recherche bibliographique a ete effectuee sur tous les aspects de la fissuration des anodes en carbone pour compiler les travaux anterieurs. Une methodologie detaillee a ete mise au point pour faciliter le deroulement des travaux et atteindre les objectifs vises. La majorite de ce document est reservee pour la discussion des resultats obtenus au laboratoire de l'UQAC et au niveau industriel. Concernant les etudes realisees a l'UQAC, une partie des travaux experimentaux est reservee a la recherche des differents mecanismes de fissuration dans les anodes denses utilisees dans l'industrie d'aluminium. L'approche etait d'abord basee sur la caracterisation qualitative du mecanisme de la fissuration en surface et en profondeur. Puis, une caracterisation quantitative a ete realisee pour la determination de la distribution de la largeur de la fissure sur toute sa longueur, ainsi que le pourcentage de sa surface par rapport a la surface totale de l'echantillon. Cette etude a ete realisee par le biais de la technique d'analyse d'image utilisee pour caracteriser la fissuration d'un echantillon d'anode cuite. L'analyse surfacique et en profondeur de cet echantillon a permis de voir clairement la formation des fissures sur une grande partie de la surface analysee. L'autre partie des travaux est basee sur la caracterisation des defauts dans des echantillons d'anodes crues fabriquees industriellement. Cette technique a consiste a determiner le profil des differentes proprietes physiques. En effet, la methode basee sur la mesure de la distribution de la resistivite electrique sur la totalite de l'echantillon est la technique qui a ete utilisee pour localiser la fissuration et les macro-pores. La microscopie optique et l'analyse d'image ont, quant a elles, permis de caracteriser les zones fissurees tout en determinant la structure des echantillons analyses a l'echelle microscopique. D'autres tests ont ete menes, et ils ont consiste a etudier des echantillons cylindriques d'anodes de 50 mm de diametre et de 130 mm de longueur. Ces derniers ont ete cuits dans un four a UQAC a differents taux de chauffage dans le but de pouvoir determiner l'influence des parametres de cuisson sur la formation de la fissuration dans ce genre de carottes. La caracterisation des echantillons d'anodes cuites a ete faite a l'aide de la microscopie electronique a balayage et de l'ultrason. La derniere partie des travaux realises a l'UQAC contient une etude sur la caracterisation des anodes fabriquees au laboratoire sous differentes conditions d'operation. L'evolution de la qualite de ces anodes a ete faite par l'utilisation de plusieurs techniques. L'evolution de la temperature de refroidissement des anodes crues de laboratoire a ete mesuree; et un modele mathematique a ete developpe et valide avec les donnees experimentales. Cela a pour objectif d'estimer la vitesse de refroidissement ainsi que le stress thermique. Toutes les anodes fabriquees ont ete caracterisees avant la cuisson par la determination de certaines proprietes physiques (resistivite electrique, densite apparente, densite optique et pourcentage de defauts). La tomographie et la distribution de la resistivite electrique, qui sont des techniques non destructives, ont ete employees pour evaluer les defauts internes des anodes. Pendant la cuisson des anodes de laboratoire, l'evolution de la resistivite electrique a ete suivie et l'etape de devolatilisation a ete identifiee. Certaines anodes ont ete cuites a differents taux de chauffage (bas, moyen, eleve et un autre combine) dans l'objectif de trouver les meilleures conditions de cuisson en vue de minimiser la fissuration. D'autres anodes ont ete cuites a differents niveaux de cuisson, cela dans le but d'identifier a quelle etape de l'operation de cuisson la fissuration commence a se developper. Apres la cuisson, les anodes ont ete recuperees pour, a nouveau, faire leur caracterisation par les memes techniques utilisees precedemment. L'objectif principal de cette partie etait de reveler l'impact de differents parametres sur le probleme de fissuration, qui sont repartis sur toute la chaine de production des anodes. Le pourcentage de megots, la quantite de brai et la distribution des particules sont des facteurs importants a considerer pour etudier l'effet de la matiere premiere sur le probleme de la fissuration. Concernant l'effet des parametres du procede de fabrication sur le meme probleme, le temps de vibration, la pression de compaction et le procede de refroidissement ont ete a la base de cette etude. Finalement, l'influence de la phase de cuisson sur l'apparition de la fissuration a ete prise en consideration par l'intermediaire du taux de chauffage et du niveau de cuisson. Les travaux realises au niveau industriel ont ete faits lors d'une campagne de mesure dans le but d'evaluer la qualite des anodes de carbone en general et l'investigation du probleme de fissuration en particulier. Ensuite, il s'agissait de reveler les effets de differents parametres sur le probleme de la fissuration. Vingt-quatre anodes cuites ont ete utilisees. Elles ont ete fabriquees avec differentes matieres premieres (brai, coke, megots) et sous diverses conditions (pression, temps de vibration). Le parametre de la densite de fissuration a ete calcule en se basant sur l'inspection visuelle de la fissuration des carottes. Cela permet de classifier les differentes fissurations en plusieurs categories en se basant sur certains criteres tels que le type de fissures (horizontale, verticale et inclinee), leurs localisations longitudinales (bas, milieu et haut de l'anode) et transversales (gauche, centrale et droite). Les effets de la matiere premiere, les parametres de fabrication des anodes crues ainsi que les conditions de cuisson sur la fissuration ont ete etudies. La fissuration des anodes denses en carbones cause un serieux probleme pour l'industrie d'aluminium primaire. La realisation de ce projet a permis la revelation de differents mecanismes de fissuration, la classification de fissuration par plusieurs criteres (position, types localisation) et l'evaluation de l'impact de differents parametres sur la fissuration. Les etudes effectuees dans le domaine de cuisson ont donne la possibilite d'ameliorer l'operation et reduire la fissuration des anodes. Le travail consiste aussi a identifier des techniques capables d'evaluer la qualite d'anodes (l'ultrason, la tomographie et la distribution de la resistivite electrique). La fissuration des anodes en carbone est consideree comme un probleme complexe, car son apparition depend de plusieurs parametres repartis sur toute la chaine de production. Dans ce projet, plusieurs nouvelles etudes ont ete realisees, et elles permettent de donner de l'originalite aux travaux de recherches faits dans le domaine de la fissuration des anodes de carbone pour l'industrie de l'aluminium primaire. Les etudes realisees dans ce projet permettent d'ajouter d'un cote, une valeur scientifique pour mieux comprendre le probleme de fissuration des anodes et d'un autre cote, d'essayer de proposer des methodes qui peuvent reduire ce probleme a l'echelle industrielle.

Bridging the gender gap: a blue-print for global guidelines? Human rights: women's issues.

PubMed

Tapper, A

1998-04-01

This article reports the issues discussed during the 10th African AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) conference in Abidjan. The conference focuses on the gender gap in providing HIV/AIDS preventive measures and it passes certain recommendations on how to disclose the subject. During the discussion, the participants identified special problems of women that place them at risk for HIV/AIDS. Also, the meeting came up with four areas that need immediate action: 1) more services for women of reproductive age at STD, family planning, and maternal clinics; more voluntary testing; more partner counseling; 2) education and information for very young girls (and boys) before the onset of sexual activity; 3) it was agreed that the constructive and supportive involvement of men has to be sought by all means; and 4) the economic condition of women and families affected by HIV must be improved by access to credit. The main recommendations approved by the UNFPA/UNAIDS workshops are: 1) create greater equality (especially in program implementation); 2) review of educational programs; 3) better prevention and care; and 4) improve the economic status of women and HIV-infected families.

[Prevalence and characteristics of acute coronary syndromes in a sub-Saharan Africa population].

PubMed

N'Guetta, R; Yao, H; Ekou, A; N'Cho-Mottoh, M P; Angoran, I; Tano, M; Konin, C; Coulibaly, I; Anzouan-Kacou, J B; Seka, R; Adoh, A M

2016-04-01

To assess prevalence, characteristics and management of acute coronary syndromes in sub-Saharan Africa population. Prospective survey from January, 2010 to December, 2013, carried out among patients aged 18 years old, admitted to intensive care unit of Abidjan Heart Institute for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Four hundred and twenty-five (425) patients were enrolled in this study. Prevalence of ACS was 13.5%. Mean age was 55.4±11 years. Clinical presentation was predominantly ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 71.5% of subjects, non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) accounted for 28.5%. Two hundred and eighty patients (65.9%) were transferred by unsafe transportation. Among the 89 patients admitted within 12hours of the onset of symptoms, primary percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 20 patients (22.5%), or 6.6% of STEMI as a whole. Twenty-five patients (8.2%) received fibrinolytic therapy with alteplase. In-hospital death rate was 10%. The prevalence of acute coronary syndromes is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. Excessive delays of admission and limited technical facilities are the major difficulties of their management in our regions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Epidemiologic and clinical aspects of toxic waste poisoning in Abidjan].

PubMed

Tiembre, Issaka; Koné, Blaise A; Dongo, Kouassi; Tanner, Marcel; Zinsstag, Jakob; Cissé, Guéladio

2009-01-01

In the nights of 19 to 21 August, 2006, highly toxic waste products were dumped at various sites in Abidjan, and numerous cases of poisoning were reported to the health authorities, who were unprepared for such a problem. The research group on Environment and Health in Urban Environment from the Swiss Center of Scientific Research and its partners at the Swiss Tropical Institute undertook this study whose objectives were to: describe the epidemiologic profile of the people poisoned; identify the main clinical symptoms and the risk factors for poisoning; and recommend steps to attenuate the effects and to prevent intermediate- and long-term consequences. This cross-sectional study examined the populations living around the discharge sites (n=6). The sample size was calculated at 619 people per site, to identify a 1% risk and a standard error of 0.4%, because of variability of the human impact factor at the different sites. Households were chosen at each site by the transect technique. Six teams, each including a physician, a public health agent and a local guide collected the data, after specific training. A pilot investigation made it possible to validate the final questionnaire. Of 4573 people surveyed, 4344 people, about 95%, were home during the toxic waste discharge. In all, 2369 (51.8%) had signs of poisoning. Sex, district of residence, and presence at home at the time of the discharge were all statistically related to poisoning. The distribution of poison victims according to health centre shows that 1297 people (64.4%) visited a health center AA(3/4) 615 of them (about 47.4%) a public or official centre, and 778 (about 60%), an unofficial centre; 379 (29.2%) were managed by an NGO, 159 individuals (12.3%) by mobile units, 63 individuals (4.8%) by the unofficial public health centre, and 35 (2.7%) at an unspecified site. Of those who sought care, 673 people (about 51.8%) received a medical prescription, and 815 (or 62.7%) had been given the drug directly, for free. 94 individuals (about 7.2%) chose their own self-medication, and 74 people (5.7%) a traditional treatment. In all, 34 people, about 2.6% of those who sought care, were hospitalized. Of the subjects who went to a health centre, 1421 (72.8%) had a positive course and 532 (27.7%) an unfavourable course. The latter complained especially of respiratory signs, in particular a cough and thoracic pains (21.8%), digestive signs (diarrhoea and abdominal distension, about 21.5%), and cutaneous (pruritus) and neurological (headaches) signs (20.7%). Overall, 532 people (21.%) still presented signs during the investigation. This study highlighted the persistence of the symptoms among many of those poisoned more than 4 months afterwards. This phenomenon continues, although the sites have been partially cleaned: the long-term effects on population health remain alarming. Thorough multidisciplinary studies are essential to explore the long-term effects.

A new inventory for two-wheel vehicle emissions in West Africa for 2002

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assamoi, Eric-Michel; Liousse, Catherine

2010-10-01

Rather surprisingly, urban atmospheric particulate levels in West Africa compare with measured concentrations in Europe and Asia megacities (Liousse, C., Galy-Lacaux, C., Assamoi, E.-M., Ndiaye, A., Diop, B., Cachier, H., Doumbia, T., Gueye, P., Yoboue, V., Lacaux, J.-P., Guinot, B., Guillaume, B., Rosset, R., Castera, P., Gardrat, E., Zouiten, C., Jambert, C., Diouf, A., Koita, O., Baeza, A., Annesi-Maesano, I., Didier, A., Audry, S., Konare, A., 2009. Integrated Focus on West African Cities (Cotonou, Bamako, Dakar, Ouagadougou, Abidjan, Niamey): Emissions, Air Quality and Health Impacts of Gases and Aerosols. Third International AMMA Conference on Predictability of the West African Moosoon Weather, Climate and Impacts. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. July 20-24). This pollution mainly derives from road traffic emissions with, in some capitals (e.g. Cotonou), the strong contribution of two-wheel vehicles. Two key questions arise: are presently available emission inventories (e.g. Junker, C., Liousse, C., 2008. A global emission inventory of carbonaceous aerosol from historic records of fossil fuel and biofuel consumption for the period 1860-1997. Atmospheric Chemistry Physics, 8, 1-13; Bond, T.C., Streets, D.G., Yarber, K.F., Nelson, S.M., Woo, J.H., Klimont, Z., 2004. A technology-based global inventory of black and organic carbon emissions from combustion. Journal of Geophysical Research, 1009, D14203, DOI:10.1029/2003JD003697) able to account for these emissions? And, if not, how can we remedy this? The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology to estimate emissions produced by two-wheel vehicles in West Africa for 2002 in a context where reliable information is hardly available. Fuel consumption ratios between two-wheel engines (in this work) and all vehicles issued from UN database ( http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=EDATA&f=cmID%3aMO%3btrID%3a1221) are as high as 169%, 264% and 628%, for Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad respectively, indicating that this global database does not properly account for regional specificities. Moreover, emission factors for black carbon (BC) and primary organic carbon (OCp) have been measured for two-stroke engines in Benin (Guinot, B., Liousse, C., Cachier, H., Guillaume, B., et al. New emission factor estimates for biofuels and mobile sources. Atmospheric Environment, in press.), giving significantly higher values than in Europe. This is particularly true for OCp, and consequently the calculated emissions for two-stroke engines are also significantly larger than total road traffic previously estimated in global inventories ( Junker and Liousse (2008) with United Nations database for 2002; Bond et al., 2004). The ensuing discussion illustrates the importance of two-stroke engines in the West Africa transport sector and the strong need for inventory updating.

Multiscale analysis of deforestation risk due to commodity crop expansion in sub-Saharan Africa and the role of non-industrial producers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ordway, E.; Asner, G. P.; Naylor, R. L.; Nkongho, R.; Lambin, E.

2017-12-01

Rapid integration of global agricultural markets and subsequent cropland displacement in recent decades increased large-scale tropical deforestation in South America and Southeast Asia. Growing land scarcity and more stringent land use regulations in these regions could incentivize the offshoring of export-oriented commodity crop production to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We assess the effects of domestic- and export-oriented agricultural expansion on deforestation in SSA in recent decades at the global, regional and local scales. Using Cameroon as a case-study, we explore the influence of emerging oil palm expansion on deforestation in greater depth. We found that commodity crops are expanding in SSA, increasing pressure on tropical forests. Four Congo Basin countries, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d'Ivoire were most at risk in terms of exposure, vulnerability and pressures from agricultural expansion. These countries averaged the highest percent forest cover (58% ±17.9) and lowest proportions of potentially available cropland outside forest areas (1% ±0.9). Foreign investment in these countries was concentrated in oil palm production (81%), with a median investment area of 41,582 thousand ha. Based on remote sensing and field survey results, however, medium- and large-scale non-industrial producers are driving a substantial fraction of the oil palm expansion leading to deforestation in Cameroon. Additionally, unlike Southeast Asia, oil palm expansion in sub-Saharan Africa is associated primarily with domestic market demands. In contrast, cocoa, the fastest expanding export-oriented crop across SSA, accounted for 57% of global expansion in 2000-2013 at a rate of 132 thousand ha yr-1, yet only amounted to 0.9% of foreign land investment. Commodity crop expansion in SSA appears largely driven by small- and medium-scale farmers rather than industrial plantations. Findings highlight that, although most agricultural expansion was associated with domestic demand, there is evidence of a growing influence of distant markets on land-use change in SSA.

Single-Injection Vaccine Protects Nonhuman Primates against Infection with Marburg Virus and Three Species of Ebola Virus▿

PubMed Central

Geisbert, Thomas W.; Geisbert, Joan B.; Leung, Anders; Daddario-DiCaprio, Kathleen M.; Hensley, Lisa E.; Grolla, Allen; Feldmann, Heinz

2009-01-01

The filoviruses Marburg virus and Ebola virus cause severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality in humans and nonhuman primates. Among the most promising filovirus vaccines under development is a system based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that expresses a single filovirus glycoprotein (GP) in place of the VSV glycoprotein (G). Here, we performed a proof-of-concept study in order to determine the potential of having one single-injection vaccine capable of protecting nonhuman primates against Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV), Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus (CIEBOV), and Marburgvirus (MARV). In this study, 11 cynomolgus monkeys were vaccinated with a blended vaccine consisting of equal parts of the vaccine vectors VSVΔG/SEBOVGP, VSVΔG/ZEBOVGP, and VSVΔG/MARVGP. Four weeks later, three of these animals were challenged with MARV, three with CIEBOV, three with ZEBOV, and two with SEBOV. Three control animals were vaccinated with VSV vectors encoding a nonfilovirus GP and challenged with SEBOV, ZEBOV, and MARV, respectively, and five unvaccinated control animals were challenged with CIEBOV. Importantly, none of the macaques vaccinated with the blended vaccine succumbed to a filovirus challenge. As expected, an experimental control animal vaccinated with VSVΔG/ZEBOVGP and challenged with SEBOV succumbed, as did the positive controls challenged with SEBOV, ZEBOV, and MARV, respectively. All five control animals challenged with CIEBOV became severely ill, and three of the animals succumbed on days 12, 12, and 14, respectively. The two animals that survived CIEBOV infection were protected from subsequent challenge with either SEBOV or ZEBOV, suggesting that immunity to CIEBOV may be protective against other species of Ebola virus. In conclusion, we developed an immunization scheme based on a single-injection vaccine that protects nonhuman primates against lethal challenge with representative strains of all human pathogenic filovirus species. PMID:19386702

Diarrhea management in children under five in sub-Saharan Africa: does the source of care matter? A Countdown analysis.

PubMed

Carvajal-Vélez, Liliana; Amouzou, Agbessi; Perin, Jamie; Maïga, Abdoulaye; Tarekegn, Hayalnesh; Akinyemi, Akanni; Shiferaw, Solomon; Young, Mark; Bryce, Jennifer; Newby, Holly

2016-08-19

Diarrhea remains a high burden disease, responsible for nine percent of deaths in children under five globally. We analyzed diarrhea management practices in young children and their association with the source of care. We used Demographic and Health Survey data from 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with high burdens of childhood diarrhea. We classified the quality of diarrhea management practices as good, fair, or poor based on mothers' reports for children with diarrhea, using WHO/UNICEF recommendations for appropriate treatment. We described the prevalence of diarrhea management by type and assessed the association between good management and source of care, adjusting for potential confounders. Prevalence of good diarrhea management is low in 11 of the 12 analyzed surveys, varying from 17 % in Cote d'Ivoire to 38 % in Niger. The exception is Sierra Leone, where prevalence of good practice is 67 %. Prevalence of good management was low even among children taken to health facilities [median 52 %, range: 34-64 %]. Diarrhea careseeking from health facilities or community providers was associated with higher odds of good management than care from traditional/informal sources or no care. Careseeking from facilities did not result systematically in a higher likelihood of good diarrhea management than care from community providers. The odds of good diarrhea management were similar for community versus facility providers in six countries, higher in community than facility providers in two countries, and higher in facility than in community providers in four countries. Many children's lives can be saved with correct management of childhood diarrhea. Too many children are not receiving adequate care for diarrhea in high-burden sub-Saharan African countries, even among those seen in health facilities. Redoubling efforts to increase careseeking and improve quality of care for childhood diarrhea in both health facilities and at community level is an urgent priority.

A stochastic Forest Fire Model for future land cover scenarios assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiorucci, P.; Holmes, T.; Gaetani, F.; D'Andrea, M.

2009-04-01

Land cover change and forest fire interaction under climate and socio-economics changes, is one of the main issues of the 21th century. The capability of defining future scenarios of land cover and fire regime allow forest managers to better understand the best actions to be carried out and their long term effects. In this paper a new methodology for land cover change simulations under climate change and fire disturbance is presented and discussed. The methodology is based on the assumption that forest fires exhibits power law frequency-area distribution. The well known Forest Fire Model (FFM), which is an example of self organized criticality, is able to reproduce this behavior. Starting from this observation, a modified version of the FFM has been developed. The new model, called Modified Forest Fire Model (MFFM) introduces several new features. A stochastic model for vegetation growth and regrowth after fire occurrence has been implemented for different kind of vegetations. In addition, a stochastic fire propagation model taking into account topography and vegetation cover has been introduced. The MFFM has been developed with the purpose of estimating vegetation cover changes and fire regimes over a time windows of many years for a given spatial region. Two different case studies have been carried out. The first case study is related with Liguria (Italy), a region of 5400 km2 lying between the Cote d'Azur, France, and Tuscany, Italy, on the northwest coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. This region is characterized by Mediterranean fire regime. The second case study has been carried out in California (Florida) on a region having similar area and characterized by similar climate conditions. In both cases the model well represents the actual fire regime in terms of power law parameters proving interesting results about future land cover scenarios under climate, land use and socio-economics change.

Single-injection vaccine protects nonhuman primates against infection with marburg virus and three species of ebola virus.

PubMed

Geisbert, Thomas W; Geisbert, Joan B; Leung, Anders; Daddario-DiCaprio, Kathleen M; Hensley, Lisa E; Grolla, Allen; Feldmann, Heinz

2009-07-01

The filoviruses Marburg virus and Ebola virus cause severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality in humans and nonhuman primates. Among the most promising filovirus vaccines under development is a system based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that expresses a single filovirus glycoprotein (GP) in place of the VSV glycoprotein (G). Here, we performed a proof-of-concept study in order to determine the potential of having one single-injection vaccine capable of protecting nonhuman primates against Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV), Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus (CIEBOV), and Marburgvirus (MARV). In this study, 11 cynomolgus monkeys were vaccinated with a blended vaccine consisting of equal parts of the vaccine vectors VSVDeltaG/SEBOVGP, VSVDeltaG/ZEBOVGP, and VSVDeltaG/MARVGP. Four weeks later, three of these animals were challenged with MARV, three with CIEBOV, three with ZEBOV, and two with SEBOV. Three control animals were vaccinated with VSV vectors encoding a nonfilovirus GP and challenged with SEBOV, ZEBOV, and MARV, respectively, and five unvaccinated control animals were challenged with CIEBOV. Importantly, none of the macaques vaccinated with the blended vaccine succumbed to a filovirus challenge. As expected, an experimental control animal vaccinated with VSVDeltaG/ZEBOVGP and challenged with SEBOV succumbed, as did the positive controls challenged with SEBOV, ZEBOV, and MARV, respectively. All five control animals challenged with CIEBOV became severely ill, and three of the animals succumbed on days 12, 12, and 14, respectively. The two animals that survived CIEBOV infection were protected from subsequent challenge with either SEBOV or ZEBOV, suggesting that immunity to CIEBOV may be protective against other species of Ebola virus. In conclusion, we developed an immunization scheme based on a single-injection vaccine that protects nonhuman primates against lethal challenge with representative strains of all human pathogenic filovirus species.

Crude childhood vaccination coverage in West Africa: Trends and predictors of completeness.

PubMed

Kazungu, Jacob S; Adetifa, Ifedayo M O

2017-02-15

Background : Africa has the lowest childhood vaccination coverage worldwide. If the full benefits of childhood vaccination programmes are to be enjoyed in sub-Saharan Africa, all countries need to improve on vaccine delivery to achieve and sustain high coverage. In this paper, we review trends in vaccination coverage, dropouts between vaccine doses and explored the country-specific predictors of complete vaccination in West Africa.  Methods : We utilized datasets from the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, available for Benin, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, to obtain coverage for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, polio, measles, and diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT) vaccines in children aged 12 - 23 months. We also calculated the DPT1-to-DPT3 and DPT1-to-measles dropouts, and proportions of the fully immunised child (FIC). Factors predictive of FIC were explored using Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression.  Results : Overall, there was a trend of increasing vaccination coverage. The proportion of FIC varied significantly by country (range 24.1-81.4%, mean 49%). DPT1-to-DPT3 dropout was high (range 5.1% -33.9%, mean 16.3%). Similarly, DPT1-measles dropout exceeded 10% in all but four countries. Although no single risk factor was consistently associated with FIC across these countries, maternal education, delivery in a health facility, possessing a vaccine card and a recent post delivery visit to a health facility were the key predictors of complete vaccination.  Conclusions : The low numbers of fully immunised children and high dropout between vaccine doses highlights weaknesses and the need to strengthen the healthcare and routine immunization delivery systems in this region. Country-specific correlates of complete vaccination should be explored further to identify interventions required to increase vaccination coverage. Despite the promise of an increasing trend in vaccination coverage in West African countries, more effort is required to attain and maintain global vaccination coverage targets.

Coverage of Nutrition Interventions Intended for Infants and Young Children Varies Greatly across Programs: Results from Coverage Surveys in 5 Countries.

PubMed

Leyvraz, Magali; Aaron, Grant J; Poonawala, Alia; van Liere, Marti J; Schofield, Dominic; Myatt, Mark; Neufeld, Lynnette M

2017-05-01

Background: The efficacy of a number of interventions that include fortified complementary foods (FCFs) or other products to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is well established. Programs that provide such products free or at a subsidized price are implemented in many countries around the world. Demonstrating the impact at scale of these programs has been challenging, and rigorous information on coverage and utilization is lacking. Objective: The objective of this article is to review key findings from 11 coverage surveys of IYCF programs distributing or selling FCFs or micronutrient powders in 5 countries. Methods: Programs were implemented in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Surveys were implemented at different stages of program implementation between 2013 and 2015. The Fortification Assessment Coverage Toolkit (FACT) was developed to assess 3 levels of coverage (message: awareness of the product; contact: use of the product ≥1 time; and effective: regular use aligned with program-specific goals), as well as barriers and factors that facilitate coverage. Analyses included the coverage estimates, as well as an assessment of equity of coverage between the poor and nonpoor, and between those with poor and adequate child feeding practices. Results: Coverage varied greatly between countries and program models. Message coverage ranged from 29.0% to 99.7%, contact coverage from 22.6% to 94.4%, and effective coverage from 0.8% to 88.3%. Beyond creating awareness, programs that achieved high coverage were those with effective mechanisms in place to overcome barriers for both supply and demand. Conclusions: Variability in coverage was likely due to the program design, delivery model, quality of implementation, and product type. Measuring program coverage and understanding its determinants is essential for program improvement and to estimate the potential for impact of programs at scale. Use of the FACT can help overcome this evidence gap.

Surveillance of travellers: an additional tool for tracking antimalarial drug resistance in endemic countries.

PubMed

Gharbi, Myriam; Flegg, Jennifer A; Pradines, Bruno; Berenger, Ako; Ndiaye, Magatte; Djimdé, Abdoulaye A; Roper, Cally; Hubert, Véronique; Kendjo, Eric; Venkatesan, Meera; Brasseur, Philippe; Gaye, Oumar; Offianan, André T; Penali, Louis; Le Bras, Jacques; Guérin, Philippe J

2013-01-01

There are growing concerns about the emergence of resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). Since the widespread adoption of ACTs, there has been a decrease in the systematic surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance in many malaria-endemic countries. The aim of this work was to test whether data on travellers returning from Africa with malaria could serve as an additional surveillance system of local information sources for the emergence of drug resistance in endemic-countries. Data were collected from travellers with symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria returning from Senegal (n = 1,993), Mali (n = 2,372), Cote d'Ivoire (n = 4,778) or Cameroon (n = 3,272) and recorded in the French Malaria Reference Centre during the period 1996-2011. Temporal trends of the proportion of parasite isolates that carried the mutant genotype, pfcrt 76T, a marker of resistance to chloroquine (CQ) and pfdhfr 108N, a marker of resistance to pyrimethamine, were compared for travellers and within-country surveys that were identified through a literature review in PubMed. The in vitro response to CQ was also compared between these two groups for parasites from Senegal. The trends in the proportion of parasites that carried pfcrt 76T, and pfdhfr 108N, were compared for parasites from travellers and patients within-country using the slopes of the curves over time; no significant differences in the trends were found for any of the 4 countries. These results were supported by in vitro analysis of parasites from the field in Senegal and travellers returning to France, where the trends were also not significantly different. The results have not shown different trends in resistance between parasites derived from travellers or from parasites within-country. This work highlights the value of an international database of drug responses in travellers as an additional tool to assess the emergence of drug resistance in endemic areas where information is limited.

Geology and total petroleum systems of the Gulf of Guinea province of West Africa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brownfield, Michael E.; Charpentier, Ronald R.

2006-01-01

The Gulf of Guinea Province as defined by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) consists of the coastal and offshore areas of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and Benin, and the western part of the coast of Nigeria, from the Liberian border east to the west edge of the Niger Delta. The province includes the Ivory Coast, Tano, Central, Saltpond, Keta, and Benin Basins and the Dahomey Embayment. The area has had relatively little hydrocarbon exploration since 1968, with only 33 small to moderate-sized oil and gas fields having been discovered prior to the USGS assessment. Most discoveries to 1995 have been located in water depths less than 500 m. Since 1995, only eight new offshore discoveries have been made, with four of the discoveries in the deep-water area of the province. Although as many as five total petroleum systems exist in the Gulf of Guinea Province, only one, the Cretaceous Composite Total Petroleum System, and its assessment unit, the Coastal Plain and Offshore Assessment Unit, had sufficient data to allow assessment. The province shows two important differences compared to the passive-margin basins south of the Niger Delta: (1) the influence of transform tectonics, and (2) the absence of evaporites and salt deformation. The province also lacks long-lived, large deltaic systems that typically result in rapid source rock burial and abundant high-quality hydrocarbon reservoirs. The USGS assessed the potential for undiscovered conventional oil and gas resources in the Gulf of Guinea Province as part of its World Petroleum Assessment 2000, estimating a mean of 1,004 million barrels of conventional undiscovered oil, 10,071 billion cubic feet of gas, and 282 million barrels of natural gas liquids. Most of the hydrocarbon potential is postulated to be in the offshore, deeper waters of the province. Gas resources may be large, as well as accessible, in areas where the zone of hydrocarbon generation is relatively shallow.

Time-transfer experiments between satellite laser ranging ground stations via one-way laser ranging to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, D.; Sun, X.; Skillman, D. R.; Mcgarry, J.; Hoffman, E.; Neumann, G. A.; Torrence, M. H.; Smith, D. E.; Zuber, M. T.

2014-12-01

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) has long been used to measure the distance from a ground station to an Earth-orbiting satellite in order to determine the spacecraft position in orbit, and to conduct other geodetic measurements such as plate motions. This technique can also be used to transfer time between the station and satellite, and between remote SLR sites, as recently demonstrated by the Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2) project by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiaes (CNES) and Observatorire de la Cote d'Azur (OCA) as well as the Laser Time Transfer (LTT) project by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, where two-way and one-way measurements were obtained at the same time. Here we report a new technique to transfer time between distant SLR stations via simultaneous one-way laser ranging (LR) to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft at lunar distance. The major objectives are to establish accurate ground station times and to improve LRO orbit determination via these measurements. The results of these simultaneous LR measurements are used to compare the SLR station times or transfer time from one to the other using times-of-flight estimated from conventional radio frequency tracking of LRO. The accuracy of the time transfer depends only on the difference of the times-of-flight from each ground station to the spacecraft, and is expected to be at sub-nano second level. The technique has been validated by both a ground-based experiment and an experiment that utilized LRO. Here we present the results to show that sub-nanosecond precision and accuracy are achievable. Both experiments were carried out between the primary LRO-LR station, The Next Generation Satellite Laser Ranging (NGSLR) station, and its nearby station, Mobile Laser System (MOBLAS-7), both at Greenbelt, Maryland. The laser transmit time from both stations were recorded by the same event timer referenced to a Hydrogen maser. The results have been compared to data from a common All-View GPS, and showed < 1 nanosecond precision and accuracy over 6 months. Time transfer experiments between NGSLR and McDonald Observatory SLR station at Fort Davis, Texas have also been conducted and analysis of the data will be presented.

[Malaria serology test: what contribution does it make in an endemic country such as Ivory Coast?

PubMed

Goran-Kouacou, Amah Patricia Victorine; Dou, Gonat Serge; Zika, Kalou Dibert; Adou, Adjoumanvoulé Honoré; Yéboah, Oppong Richard; Aka, Rita Ahou; Hien, Sansan; Siransy, Kouabla Liliane; N'Guessan, Koffi; Djibangar, Tariam Agnès; Dassé, Séry Romuald; Adoubryn, Koffi Daho

2017-01-01

Malaria serology test seems to have attracted very little interest in endemic countries such as Ivory Coast. However, this examination has been regularly performed in the parasitology laboratory at the Training and Research Unit of Medical Sciences in Abidjan. Our study aimed to highlight the contribution of malaria serology test in our endemic country context. We conducted a retrospective study of malaria serology test using Falciparum-Spot IF (bioMerieux) kit for the detection of IgG antiplasmodial antibodies. It included all malaria serology tests performed from January 2007 to February 2011 and whose results were available in the registry. In total, 136 patients were selected. The average age of patients was 36,3 years, ranging from 1 to 81 years, and sex ratio was 0,97. Indications for malaria serology test were varied and dominated by splenomegaly (49.3%), cytopenias (14.7%), indeterminate fever (13.2%). Almost all of the patients (98.5%) had antiplasmodial antibodies with high medium titer of 1057,35IU/ml. There was no link between age and Ab titer, which was higher in cytopenias, prolonged fevers and the splenomegaly. Malaria serology test seems to have attracted very little interest in routine clinical practice provided in our endemic area because, whatever the reason of the prescription, titers were high.

Usefulness of routine preoperative testing in a developing country: a prospective study

PubMed Central

Bordes, Julien; Cungi, Pierre-Julien; Savoie, Pierre-Henry; Bonnet, Stéphane; Kaiser, Eric

2015-01-01

Introduction The assessment of anesthetic risks is an essential component of preoperative evaluation. In developing world, preanesthesia evaluation may be challenging because patient's medical history and records are scare, and language barrier limits physical examination. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of routine preoperative testing in a low-resources setting. Methods Prospective observational study performed in a French forward surgical unit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. 201 patients who were scheduled for non urgent surgery were screened with routine laboratory exams during preoperative evaluation. Changes in surgery were assessed (delayed or scheduled). Results Abnormal hemoglobin findings were reported in 35% of patients, abnormal WBC count in 11,1% of patients, abnormal platelets in 15,3% of patients. Positive HIV results were found in 8,3% of cases. Routine tests represented 43,6% of changes causes. Conclusion Our study showed that in a developing country, routine preoperative tests showed abnormal results up to 35% of cases, and represented 43,5% of delayed surgery causes. The rate of tests leading to management changes varied widely, from 0% to 8,3%. These results suggested that selected tests would be useful to diagnose diseases that required treatment before non urgent surgery. However, larger studies are needeed to evaluate the cost/benefit ratio and the clinical impact of such a strategy. PMID:26516395

Impact of biomass burning on pollutant surface concentrations in megacities of the Gulf of Guinea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menut, Laurent; Flamant, Cyrille; Turquety, Solène; Deroubaix, Adrien; Chazette, Patrick; Meynadier, Rémi

2018-02-01

In the framework of the Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project, the tropospheric chemical composition in large cities along the Gulf of Guinea is studied using the Weather and Research Forecast and CHIMERE regional models. Simulations are performed for the May-July 2014 period, without and with biomass burning emissions. Model results are compared to satellite data and surface measurements. Using numerical tracer release experiments, it is shown that the biomass burning emissions in Central Africa are impacting the surface aerosol and gaseous species concentrations in Gulf of Guinea cities such as Lagos (Nigeria) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast). Depending on the altitude of the injection of these emissions, the pollutants follow different pathways: directly along the coast or over land towards the Sahel before being vertically mixed in the convective boundary layer and transported to the south-west and over the cities. In July 2014, the maximum increase in surface concentrations due to fires in Central Africa is ≈ 150 µg m-3 for CO, ≈ 10 to 20 µg m-3 for O3 and ≈ 5 µg m-3 for PM10. The analysis of the PM10 chemical composition shows that this increase is mainly related to an increase in particulate primary and organic matter.

Apport de la tomodensitométrie dans le diagnostic de la tuberculose vertébrale à propos de 496 cas à Abidjan

PubMed Central

Gbané-Koné, Mariam; Ouattara, Baly; Diomandé, Mohamed; Sessou, Viva; Kaboré, Fulgence; Djoko, Kouadio Flore; Traoré, Moriba; Eti, Edmond; Kouakou, N'zué Marcel

2015-01-01

Introduction Le mal de Pott est la forme la plus fréquente des tuberculoses ostéo articulaires, le diagnostic de certitude reste difficile. L'imagerie tient une place indéniable dans le diagnostic. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer la prévalence de la tuberculose vertébrale et l'apport de la TDM dans le diagnostic. Méthodes Nous avons mené une étude rétrospective sur dossiers de tuberculose vertébrale dans le service de Rhumatologie du CHU de Cocody de Janvier 2006 à Décembre 2013. N'ont pas été inclus dans l’étude, tous les dossiers ne comportant pas d'imagerie. Resultats La prévalence hospitalière de la tuberculose vertébrale était de 10,95%, elle représentait 90,2% de la tuberculose ostéoarticulaire. Elle concernait les 2 sexes, l’âge moyen était de 43,27 ans (4-88ans). L'atteinte dorsolombaire était la localisation la plus fréquente (95,13%). L'atteinte du rachis cervical était rare. La spondylodiscite était fréquente (92,14%). La spondylite (6%) et l'atteinte de l'arc postérieur (0,86%) étaient rares. La spondylodiscite était unique le plus souvent (70,05%), les formes multiétagées ont été notées dans 28,65% des cas, les atteintes mutifocales ont été notées dans14, 63% des cas. Les localisations inhabituelles étaient: atteinte sous occipitale (n=3), atteinte concomitante des 3 segments rachidiens (n=3), atteinte du sacrum (n=1), abcès isolés du psoas (n=4). La prévalence des abcès était de 85,91%, celle des épidurites était de 80,17%. La ponction scannoguidée des abcès a été réalisée dans 20 cas, la recherche de BAAR était positive dans 15 cas. Il existait une tuberculose viscérale évolutive dans 20% des cas. Conclusion La TDM est indéniable dans le diagnostic positif et lésionnel de la tuberculose vertébrale. Le retard au diagnostic explique l’étendue des lésions. PMID:26113932

African anthropogenic combustion emission inventory: specificities and uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sekou, K.; Liousse, C.; Eric-michel, A.; Veronique, Y.; Thierno, D.; Roblou, L.; Toure, E. N.; Julien, B.

2015-12-01

Fossil fuel and biofuel emissions of gases and particles in Africa are expected to significantly increase in the near future, particularly due to the growth of African cities. In addition, African large savannah fires occur each year during the dry season, mainly for socio-economical purposes. In this study, we will present the most recent developments of African anthropogenic combustion emission inventories, stressing African specificities. (1)A regional fossil fuel and biofuel inventory for gases and particulates will be presented for Africa at a resolution of 0.25° x 0.25° from 1990 to 2012. For this purpose, the original database of Liousse et al. (2014) has been used after modification for emission factors and for updated regional fuel consumption including new emitter categories (waste burning, flaring) and new activity sectors (i.e. disaggregation of transport into sub-sectors including two wheel ). In terms of emission factors, new measured values will be presented and compared to litterature with a focus on aerosols. They result from measurement campaigns organized in the frame of DACCIWA European program for each kind of African specific anthropogenic sources in 2015, in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Cotonou (Benin) and in Laboratoire d'Aérologie combustion chamber. Finally, a more detailed spatial distribution of emissions will be proposed at a country level to better take into account road distributions and population densities. (2) Large uncertainties still remain in biomass burning emission inventories estimates, especially over Africa between different datasets such as GFED and AMMABB. Sensitivity tests will be presented to investigate uncertainties in the emission inventories, applying methodologies used for AMMABB and GFED inventories respectively. Then, the relative importance of each sources (fossil fuel, biofuel and biomass burning inventories) on the budgets of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, black and organic carbon, and volatile organic compounds emission will be discussed for the years 1990-2012 at the region (West and Central Africa) and country (Ivory Coast and Benin) level and compared to existing inventories. Finally, a first tentative estimation of uncertainties will be conducted allowing to vary fuel consumption and emission factors for gases and particles.

Le transfert de connaissances entre les mathematiques et les sciences. Une etude exploratoire aupres d'eleves de 4e secondaire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samson, Ghislain

2003-06-01

Au moment ou dans plusieurs pays on travaille a refondre les programmes d'etudes, tant au primaire qu'au secondaire, l'interet pour le transfert renait. Un des concepts fondamentaux en apprentissage consiste en l'habilete a reutiliser de facon consciente et efficace un acquis d'une situation a une autre situation. Cette recherche emane de preoccupations professionnelles au moment ou le chercheur etait enseignant au secondaire. Au cours de ces annees, il lui a ete possible de constater que plusieurs eleves percevaient difficilement les liens presents entre les disciplines mathematiques et scientifiques. Des travaux en psychologie cognitive et plus particulierement selon une perspective du traitement de l'information ont servi de cadre de reference pour evaluer et analyser les capacites de transfert aupres d'eleves de 4e secondaire. Ce cadre de reference permet de formuler le principal objectif qui est de mieux comprendre le processus de transfert chez des eleves en situation de resolution de problemes scientifiques. Cette these s'interesse donc au transfert en tant que phenomene important du processus d'apprentissage au sens de l'integration. La methode de recherche choisie, de nature qualitative, est principalement axee sur l'evaluation de la capacite a transferer des connaissances lors d'une epreuve et d'un entretien. Pour evaluer ce potentiel de transfert, nous avons elabore deux outils: une epreuve en mathematiques et en sciences et un guide d'entretien. Pour la passation de l'epreuve, le chercheur a pu compter sur la collaboration de 130 sujets provenant de deux ecoles. L'entretien complete la prise de donnees avec 13 sujets ayant accepte de poursuivre l'etude. Les donnees recueillies par ces instruments font ensuite l'objet d'une analyse de contenu. En premier lieu, les verbatims de l'epreuve et de l'entretien ont ete transcrits, puis codifies. La correction des reponses fournies pour les problemes resolus s'est faite a partir d'une grille d'analyse qualitative et adaptee de la litterature (Thouin, 1995). Une seconde serie d'analyses permettant de categoriser les reponses selon la typologie des connaissances declaratives, procedurales et conditionnelles complete la prise de donnees. Nos resultats indiquent que les sujets sont tres influences par des elements de surface, principalement lorsqu'il s'agit de problemes auxquels ils ne sont pas habitues. En l'absence de connaissances de base, plusieurs sujets vont tendre vers des propositions de solution "pratico-pratique" provenant de leur vecu: cela nous apparait d'importance d'un point de vue didactique et en matiere de transfert. Lors des entretiens realises un mois plus tard, les sujets ont eprouve de la difficulte a se rappeler le contenu de l'epreuve. Et lorsqu'il y avait un rappel, celui-ci etait superficiel et surtout axe sur le contenu ou le contexte d'un probleme. La plupart des sujets ne pouvait nommer que deux ou trois elements (des problemes en mathematiques, en sciences physiques, le probleme de la fenetre, le probleme du laser, etc.). Nos resultats confirment ce que plusieurs chercheurs (Julo, 1995, Jonnaert et Vander Borght, 1999; Richard et al., 1990) qui s'interessent aux questions de l'apprentissage admettent aujourd'hui: l'eleve ne travaille jamais sur la situation proposee par l'enseignant, mais bien sur la representation qu'il s'en est construite. Au plan methodologique, cette recherche est interessante par la variete des sources de collecte de donnees utilisees, par l'application d'outils methodologiques et d'analyses originaux tires de la recherche et de la pratique. Du cote theorique, il resulte de cette etude une meilleure comprehension du processus de transfert des connaissances mathematiques vers les sciences physiques. Finalement, aux plans didactique et pedagogique, cette recherche alimente la reflexion sur l'apprentissage et l'enseignement des sciences au secondaire. Elle fait ressortir que les mathematiques sont importantes dans la mobilisation de certaines connaissances scientifiques et que l'enseignant peut et devrait jouer un role pour favoriser le transfert.

Structural and crystal orientation analysis of Al-Si coating on Ni-based superalloy by means of EBSD technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muslimin, A. N.; Sugiarti, E.; Aritonang, T.; Purawiardi, R. I.; Desiati, R. D.

2018-03-01

Ni-based superalloy is widely used for high performance components in power generation turbine due to its excellent mechanical properties. However, Ni-based superalloy has low oxidation resistantance. Therefore, surface coating is required to improve oxidation resistance at high temperatures. Al-Si as a coting material was successfully co-deposited on Ni-based substrate by pack cementation method at 900 °C for about 4 hours. The oxidation test was carried out at high temperature of 1000 °C for 100 hours. Micro structural characterization and analysis on crystal orientation were perfomed by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) and Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) technique, respectively. The results showed that the coating layer with a homogenous layer and had a thickness of 53 μm consisting of β-NiAl with cubic structure and Ni2Al3 with hexagonal structure. TGO layer was developed after oxidation and had a thickness of about 5 μm consisting of α-Al2O3 and spinel NiCr2O4. The phase composition map and crystal orientation acquired by EBSD technique was also discussed both in TGO and coating layers.

A very deep IRAS survey at l(II) = 97 deg, b(II) = +30 deg

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hacking, Perry; Houck, James R.

1987-01-01

A deep far-infrared survey is presented using over 1000 scans made of a 4 to 6 sq. deg. field at the north ecliptic pole by the IRAS. Point sources from this survey are up to 100 times fainter than the IRAS point source catalog at 12 and 25 micrometers, and up to 10 times fainter at 60 and 100 micrometers. The 12 and 25 micrometer maps are instrumental noise-limited, and the 60 and 100 micrometer maps are confusion noise-limited. The majority of the 12 micrometer point sources are stars within the Milky Way. The 25 micrometer sources are composed almost equally of stars and galaxies. About 80% of the 60 micrometer sources correspond to galaxies on Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS) enlargements. The remaining 20% are probably galaxies below the POSS detection limit. The differential source counts are presented and compared with what is predicted by the Bahcall and Soneira Standard Galaxy Model using the B-V-12 micrometer colors of stars without circumstellar dust shells given by Waters, Cote and Aumann. The 60 micrometer source counts are inconsistent with those predicted for a uniformly distributed, nonevolving universe. The implications are briefly discussed.

AllAboard: Visual Exploration of Cellphone Mobility Data to Optimise Public Transport.

PubMed

Di Lorenzo, G; Sbodio, M; Calabrese, F; Berlingerio, M; Pinelli, F; Nair, R

2016-02-01

The deep penetration of mobile phones offers cities the ability to opportunistically monitor citizens' mobility and use data-driven insights to better plan and manage services. With large scale data on mobility patterns, operators can move away from the costly, mostly survey based, transportation planning processes, to a more data-centric view, that places the instrumented user at the center of development. In this framework, using mobile phone data to perform transit analysis and optimization represents a new frontier with significant societal impact, especially in developing countries. In this paper we present AllAboard, an intelligent tool that analyses cellphone data to help city authorities in visually exploring urban mobility and optimizing public transport. This is performed within a self contained tool, as opposed to the current solutions which rely on a combination of several distinct tools for analysis, reporting, optimisation and planning. An interactive user interface allows transit operators to visually explore the travel demand in both space and time, correlate it with the transit network, and evaluate the quality of service that a transit network provides to the citizens at very fine grain. Operators can visually test scenarios for transit network improvements, and compare the expected impact on the travellers' experience. The system has been tested using real telecommunication data for the city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and evaluated from a data mining, optimisation and user prospective.

Proposal for a revised taxonomy of the family Filoviridae: classification, names of taxa and viruses, and virus abbreviations

PubMed Central

Kuhn, Jens H.; Becker, Stephan; Ebihara, Hideki; Geisbert, Thomas W.; Johnson, Karl M.; Kawaoka, Yoshihiro; Lipkin, W. Ian; Negredo, Ana I.; Netesov, Sergey V.; Nichol, Stuart T.; Palacios, Gustavo; Peters, Clarence J.; Tenorio, Antonio; Volchkov, Viktor E.; Jahrling, Peter B.

2011-01-01

The taxonomy of the family Filoviridae (marburgviruses and ebolaviruses) has changed several times since the discovery of its members, resulting in a plethora of species and virus names and abbreviations. The current taxonomy has only been partially accepted by most laboratory virologists. Confusion likely arose for several reasons: species names that consist of several words or which (should) contain diacritical marks, the current orthographic identity of species and virus names, and the similar pronunciation of several virus abbreviations in the absence of guidance for the correct use of vernacular names. To rectify this problem, we suggest (1) to retain the current species names Reston ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, and Zaire ebolavirus, but to replace the name Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus [sic] with Taï Forest ebolavirus and Lake Victoria marburgvirus with Marburg marburgvirus; (2) to revert the virus names of the type marburgviruses and ebolaviruses to those used for decades in the field (Marburg virus instead of Lake Victoria marburgvirus and Ebola virus instead of Zaire ebolavirus); (3) to introduce names for the remaining viruses reminiscent of jargon used by laboratory virologists but nevertheless different from species names (Reston virus, Sudan virus, Taï Forest virus), and (4) to introduce distinct abbreviations for the individual viruses (RESTV for Reston virus, SUDV for Sudan virus, and TAFV for Taï Forest virus), while retaining that for Marburg virus (MARV) and reintroducing that used over decades for Ebola virus (EBOV). Paying tribute to developments in the field, we propose (a) to create a new ebolavirus species (Bundibugyo ebolavirus) for one member virus (Bundibugyo virus, BDBV); (b) to assign a second virus to the species Marburg marburgvirus (Ravn virus, RAVV) for better reflection of now available high-resolution phylogeny; and (c) to create a new tentative genus (Cuevavirus) with one tentative species (Lloviu cuevavirus) for the recently discovered Lloviu virus (LLOV). Furthermore, we explain the etymological derivation of individual names, their pronunciation, and their correct use, and we elaborate on demarcation criteria for each taxon and virus. PMID:21046175

Proposal for a revised taxonomy of the family Filoviridae: classification, names of taxa and viruses, and virus abbreviations.

PubMed

Kuhn, Jens H; Becker, Stephan; Ebihara, Hideki; Geisbert, Thomas W; Johnson, Karl M; Kawaoka, Yoshihiro; Lipkin, W Ian; Negredo, Ana I; Netesov, Sergey V; Nichol, Stuart T; Palacios, Gustavo; Peters, Clarence J; Tenorio, Antonio; Volchkov, Viktor E; Jahrling, Peter B

2010-12-01

The taxonomy of the family Filoviridae (marburgviruses and ebolaviruses) has changed several times since the discovery of its members, resulting in a plethora of species and virus names and abbreviations. The current taxonomy has only been partially accepted by most laboratory virologists. Confusion likely arose for several reasons: species names that consist of several words or which (should) contain diacritical marks, the current orthographic identity of species and virus names, and the similar pronunciation of several virus abbreviations in the absence of guidance for the correct use of vernacular names. To rectify this problem, we suggest (1) to retain the current species names Reston ebolavirus, Sudan ebolavirus, and Zaire ebolavirus, but to replace the name Cote d'Ivoire ebolavirus [sic] with Taï Forest ebolavirus and Lake Victoria marburgvirus with Marburg marburgvirus; (2) to revert the virus names of the type marburgviruses and ebolaviruses to those used for decades in the field (Marburg virus instead of Lake Victoria marburgvirus and Ebola virus instead of Zaire ebolavirus); (3) to introduce names for the remaining viruses reminiscent of jargon used by laboratory virologists but nevertheless different from species names (Reston virus, Sudan virus, Taï Forest virus), and (4) to introduce distinct abbreviations for the individual viruses (RESTV for Reston virus, SUDV for Sudan virus, and TAFV for Taï Forest virus), while retaining that for Marburg virus (MARV) and reintroducing that used over decades for Ebola virus (EBOV). Paying tribute to developments in the field, we propose (a) to create a new ebolavirus species (Bundibugyo ebolavirus) for one member virus (Bundibugyo virus, BDBV); (b) to assign a second virus to the species Marburg marburgvirus (Ravn virus, RAVV) for better reflection of now available high-resolution phylogeny; and (c) to create a new tentative genus (Cuevavirus) with one tentative species (Lloviu cuevavirus) for the recently discovered Lloviu virus (LLOV). Furthermore, we explain the etymological derivation of individual names, their pronunciation, and their correct use, and we elaborate on demarcation criteria for each taxon and virus.

[Efficacy of permethrin-impregnated Olyset Net mosquito nets in a zone with pyrethroid resistant vectors. I--Entomologic evaluation].

PubMed

Doannio, J M; Dossou-Yovo, J; Diarrassouba, S; Chauvancy, G; Darriet, F; Chandre, F; Henry, M C; Nzeyimana, I; Guillet, P; Carnevale, P

1999-01-01

The efficacy of permethrin-treated Olyset Net mosquito nets on malaria transmission and morbidity was studied in Kafine, a village located in the savanna region of the Cote d'Ivoire in Africa. After collecting sociodemographic, entomological, and parasitological data, bednets were distributed first in the southern half of the village and then in the whole village. Throughout the study period, mosquito specimens were captured on the skin of inhabitants at four points in the village between 6 PM and 6 AM both inside (but outside bednets) and outside houses. Prior to distribution of bednets, the mean biting rate (MBR) by Anopheles gambiae was 77.4 bites per man per night (b/m/n). The mean parturity rate (MPR) was 40.6 p. 100, the sporozootic index (SI) was 0.99 p. 100, and the mean entomological inoculation rate (MEIR) was 0.7 infectious bites per man per night (b+/m/n). Six months after distribution of bednets in the southern half of the village, MBR was 80.2 b/m/n, MPR was 32 p. 100, SI was 1.8 p. 100, and MEIR was 0.83 b+/m/n. After extending distribution to the whole village, data from November 1996 to July 1997 were as follows: MBR, 67.8 b/m/n; MPR, 20.1 p. 100; SI, 0.65 p. 100; and MEIR, 0.66 p. 100. From August 1977 to July 1998, data were as follows: MBR, 102.6 b/m/n; MPR, 26.2 p. 100; SI, 1.15 p. 100; and MEIR, 0.74 b+/m/n. Comparative analysis of these data showed that use of bednets had no effect on the bite or entomological inoculation rate. This is in agreement with the documented resistance of vectors in the study zone to permethrin. Despite the known stimulation/repulsion effect of permethrin, use of treated bednets had no real impact on transmission. This inefficacy could be related to the high prevalence (80 p. 100) of the Kdr gene (responsible for resistance) in the savanna form of Anopheles gambiae.

Comparison of Subsidence Rates for Conjugate Margins of the Equatorial and Northern South Atlantic Ocean as A First-Order Constraint on Symmetry of Underlying, Early Rift Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zavala, O.

2017-12-01

We compared subsidence histories from wells into Cretaceous-Cenozoic conjugate margins in the Equatorial and northern South Atlantic as a first-order constraint on whether rifting occurred in a symmetrical, pure shear mode, or whether rifting occurred in an asymmetrical, simple shear mode. For the pure shear mode of rifting, the prediction is for longterm subsidence on both conjugate margins to be similar and reflective of underlying, rift symmetry; for the simple shear mode of rifting, the prediction is that subsidence above the more thinned and wider, lower plate margin is greater than subsidence above the less thinned and more narrow, upper plate margin. A major caveat of this approach is that subsidence variations can be affected by other external factors that include increased sedimentation related to local deltas and structural or hotspot-related uplifts of coastal areas. In the northern Equatorial Atlantic, the longterm subsidence rate for the Guyana basin of northeastern South America of 18.52 m/Ma is less that of the Senegal area of west Africa of 54 m/Ma suggestive of an upper plate to the west and lower plate to the east. Moving southwards, the Potiguar basin of northern Brazil of 23 m/Ma is roughly the same as the Keta-Togo-Benin-Cote d'Ivoire basins of west Africa (21 m/Ma) and suggestive of an underlying rift symmetry. The Bahia Norte-Reconcavo-Sergipe-Alogoas basins of Brazil are less (28 m/Ma) than the Gabon basin (57 m/Ma) of west Africa suggesitive of an lower plate to the east and an upper plate to the west. The Bahia Sul-Espirito Santo basins of Brazil are less (20 m/Ma) than the Lower Congo basin (45 m/Ma) although the latter area includes the localized influence of the Congo delta. We compare additional evidence such as seismic reflection and refraction data and gravity modeling to the predictions of the subsidence values.

Migration and AIDS.

PubMed

Decosas, J; Kane, F; Anarfi, J K; Sodji, K D; Wagner, H U

1995-09-23

A successful short-term solution to transmission of AIDS in Western Africa by migrants involves provision of accessible and acceptable basic health and social services to migrants at their destination. The aim is to establish a sense of security and community, which is a health requirement. When migrants are excluded from community life or victimized as carriers of HIV infections, they will be driven by basic survival needs and dysfunctional social organization, which results in the rapid spread of HIV. Closing borders and mass deportation may not be an option. The long-term solution is population policy, environmental protection, and economic development. The focus on mapping the spread of AIDS must shift to a consideration of the migrant social conditions that make them vulnerable to AIDS. The issue of migration and AIDS will be addressed at the First European Conference on Tropical Medicine in October 1995 in Hamburg, Germany. In Uganda, HIV seroprevalence rates ranged from 5.5% among the stable population to 12.4% among internal migrants moving between villages to 16.3% among migrants from other areas. A World Bank project is operating in Western Africa, which traces seasonal male migration from the Cameroon to Liberia, Senegal to Nigeria, and from the Sahel to the coast during dry seasons. National border rules may influence the routes but not the extent of migration. A major destination place is Cote d' Ivoire, which has 25% of total population comprised of migrants from other countries and one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Western Africa. On plantations prostitutes are brought in. Each prostitute serves about 25 workers. The pattern of sexual mixing contributes to the high HIV rates. Female migration is smaller and usually concentrated in prostitution at place of destination. Illiteracy and poverty drive women migrants into the trade. Their frequent health problems are malaria, pelvic pain, menstrual irregularity, vaginal discharge, and genital sores. Drugs are bought on the streets or from friends and may be of questionable efficacy. Health services may be sought upon return to the home country.

Bottom shear stress and salinity distribution in a windy Mediterranean lagoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseenko, Elena; Roux, Bernard; Kuznetsov, Konstantin

2017-04-01

This work concerns the wind influence on bottom shear stress and salinity levels in a Mediterranean semi-enclosed coastal lagoon (Etang de Berre), with respect to a replanting program of Zostera noltii. The MARS3D numerical model is used to analyze the 3D current, salinity and temperature distribution induced by three meteorological, oceanic and anthropogenic forcings in this lagoon. The numerical model has been carefully validated by comparison with daily observations of the vertical salinity and temperature profiles at three mooring stations, for one year. Then, two modelling scenarios are considered. The first scenario (scen.#1), starting with an homogeneous salinity of S=20 PSU and without wind forcing, studies a stratification process under the influence of a periodic seawater inflow and a strong freshwater inflow from an hydropower plant (250 m3/s). Then, in the second scenario (scen.#2), we study how a strong wind of 80 km/h can mix the haline stratification obtained at the end of scen.#1. The most interesting results concern four nearshore replanting areas ; two are situated on the eastern side of EB and two on the western side. The results of scen.#2 show that all these areas are subject to a downwind coastal jet. Concerning bottom salinity, the destratification process is very beneficial; it always remains greater than 12 PSU for a N-NW wind of 80 km/h and a hydropower runoff of 250 m3/s. Special attention is devoted to the bottom shear stress (BSS) for different values of the bottom roughness parameter (for gravels, sands and silts), and to the bottom salinity. BSS presents a maximum near the shoreline and decreases along transects perpendicular to the shoreline. There exists a zone, parallel to the shoreline, where BSS presents a minimum (close to zero). When comparing the BSS value at the four replanting areas with the critical value, BSScr, at which the sediment mobility would occur, we see that for the smaller roughness values (ranging from z0=3.5 e-4 mm, to 3.5 e-2 mm) BSS largely surpasses this critical value. For a N-NW wind speed of 40 km/h (which is blowing for around 100 days per year), BSS still largely surpasses BSScr - at least for the silt sediments (ranging from z0=3.5 e-4 mm, to 3.5 e-3 mm). This confirms the possibility that the coastal jet could generate sediment mobility which could have a negative impact for SAV replanting. Acknowledgements We acknowledge financial supports by the French Water Agency (Agence de l'Eau-RMC - convention N 2010-0042) and by the Regional Council (Conseil Regional Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur): Projet HYDROSYS - Subvention N2008-11944CA and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (ARCUS-Russia program). We also acknowledge PhD grants received from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (Direction des Relations Europeennes et Internationales et de la Cooperation: reseau formation-recherche Franco-Russe). Part of this research is also a contribution to the grant of Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) N16-35-00526.

Instability of superfluid Fermi gases induced by a rotonlike density mode in optical lattices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yunomae, Yoshihiro; Yamamoto, Daisuke; Danshita, Ippei

2009-12-15

We study the stability of superfluid Fermi gases in deep optical lattices in the BCS-Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover at zero temperature. Within the tight-binding attractive Hubbard model, we calculate the spectrum of the low-energy Anderson-Bogoliubov (AB) mode as well as the single-particle excitations in the presence of superfluid flow in order to determine the critical velocities. To obtain the spectrum of the AB mode, we calculate the density response function in the generalized random-phase approximation applying the Green's function formalism developed by Cote and Griffin to the Hubbard model. We find that the spectrum of the AB mode is separatedmore » from the particle-hole continuum having the characteristic rotonlike minimum at short wavelength due to the strong charge-density-wave fluctuations. The energy of the rotonlike minimum decreases with increasing the lattice velocity and it reaches zero at the critical velocity which is smaller than the pair-breaking velocity. This indicates that the superfluid state is energetically unstable due to the spontaneous emission of the short-wavelength rotonlike excitations of the AB mode instead due to pair breaking. We determine the critical velocities as functions of the interaction strength across the BCS-BEC crossover regime.« less

Exploring the interaction network of the Bacillus subtilis outer coat and crust proteins.

PubMed

Krajčíková, Daniela; Forgáč, Vladimír; Szabo, Adam; Barák, Imrich

2017-11-01

Bacillus subtilis spores, representatives of an exceptionally resistant dormant cell type, are encircled by a thick proteinaceous layer called the spore coat. More than 80 proteins assemble into four distinct coat layers: a basement layer, an inner coat, an outer coat and a crust. As the spore develops inside the mother cell, spore coat proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm are gradually deposited onto the prespore surface. A small set of morphogenetic proteins necessary for spore coat morphogenesis are thought to form a scaffold to which the rest of the coat proteins are attached. Extensive localization and proteomic studies using wild type and mutant spores have revealed the arrangement of individual proteins within the spore coat layers. In this study we examined the interactions between the proteins localized to the outer coat and crust using a bacterial two hybrid system. These two layers are composed of at least 25 components. Self-interactions were observed for most proteins and numerous novel interactions were identified. The most interesting contacts are those made with the morphogenetic proteins CotE, CotY and CotZ; these could serve as a basis for understanding the specific roles of particular proteins in spore coat morphogenesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Anthropogenic plumes from metropolitan areas and biomass burning emissions in West Africa during DACCIWA - airborne measurements on board the DLR Falcon 20

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stratmann, Greta; Schlager, Hans; Sauer, Daniel; Brocchi, Vanessa; Catoire, Valery; Baumann, Robert

2017-04-01

The DACCIWA (Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions over West Africa) airborne field campaign was conducted in Southern West Africa in June/July 2016. Three European research aircraft (DLR - Falcon 20, SAFIRE - ATR 42 and BAS - Twin Otter) were deployed from Lomé/Togo and conducted research flights across Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. On board the DLR Falcon O3, SO2, CO, NO2 and aerosol fine mode particle number concentration and size distribution were measured during a total of 12 scientific flights. Until now only few airborne trace gas measurements were conducted in Southern West Africa. Therefore, this field experiment contributes to the knowledge of the chemical composition of the lower troposphere between 0 - 4 km. During several flights pollution plumes from major population centers - Lomé/Togo, Accra/Ghana, Kumasi/Ghana, and Abidjan/Ivory Coast - were probed below, inside and above clouds. Here, enhanced trace gas and particle concentrations were observed. In addition, plumes from biomass burning emissions were detected which were transported to West Africa. The composition of the pollution plumes are presented as well as transport pathways using HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectories) trajectory calculations. Ozone enhancements in the biomass burning pollution plumes of up to 70 ppb were observed compared to background concentrations of 30-40 ppb. Furthermore, HYSPLIT atmospheric dispersion simulations are used to estimate anthropogenic SO2 city emissions.

Open-heart surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting in Western Africa.

PubMed

Edwin, Frank; Frimpong-Boateng, Kwabena

2011-01-01

We read with concern the paper of Budzee and colleagues in a recent issue of the Pan African Medical Journal. We wish to draw the attention of the authors and the readership of the journal to gross inaccuracies in the report. The first open-heart surgery in Nigeria is reported to have taken place on 1(st) February 1974 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) in Enugu. Publications from the group in Abidjan indicate the performance of the first 300 cases of open-heart surgery by 1983, the figure increasing to 850 by 1987. Senegal reportedly began performing open-heart surgery in 1995 and is currently a reference point for open cardiac procedures for francophone West Africa. The Ghanaian open-heart experience began in 1964 when surface cooling was used to achieve hypothermia for the successful closure of an atrial septal defect. However, it was not until 1989 that Ghana's National Cardiothoracic Center (NCTC) was established. The NCTC performs regular open-cardiac procedures covering almost the entire spectrum of cardiothoracic procedures including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The NCTC is equipped with modern cardiovascular/thoracic facilities and has been accredited by the West African College of Surgeons as a center of excellence for the training of cardiothoracic surgeons and has performed creditably in this regard. It is emphasized that open-heart surgery has been practiced in West Africa for decades and continues to be practiced with excellence matching international standards at Ghana's National Cardiothoracic Center.

A fresh injection of interest for vaccines.

PubMed

1998-02-01

In recent years, HIV/AIDS funding has gone largely to prevention measures, drug therapy for people who are already infected with HIV, and basic related science. HIV/AIDS vaccine development has been of only low priority, and almost no effort is targeted toward vaccines appropriate for use in developing countries. A vaccine, however, is theoretically the only way to end the epidemic. An attempt was made at the Abidjan AIDS Conference to reinvigorate the AIDS vaccine research program, but because the potential market for such a vaccine is in the poorer developing countries, it will be difficult to convince the pharmaceutical industry to renew investment in vaccine research. Pharmaceutical companies see no profit potential in vaccine development and marketing. The World Bank's suggestion on how to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to invest again in vaccine research is discussed. The gp120(E) vaccine is undergoing an early-stage trial in Thailand, and another trial is scheduled for later in 1998 in Uganda. However, none of the 25 possible vaccine types which have been developed in the laboratory and tested for safety on humans has gone into efficacy trials. Experts calculate that even if more intensive work were to begin now, a vaccine could not become generally available before 2005, due to the 8-year product evaluation cycle. Whether a vaccine based upon one HIV subtype will be effective against other subtypes, and the need for governments and donors to invest in the development of a vaccine are discussed.

Lignes directrices canadiennes sur l’utilisation sécuritaire et efficace des opioïdes pour la douleur chronique non cancéreuse

PubMed Central

Kahan, Meldon; Mailis-Gagnon, Angela; Wilson, Lynn; Srivastava, Anita

2011-01-01

Résumé Objectif Présenter aux médecins de famille un résumé clinique pratique des lignes directrices canadiennes sur l’utilisation sécuritaire et efficace des opioïdes pour la douleur chronique non cancéreuse, produites par le National Opioid Use Guideline Group. Qualité des données Pour produire les lignes directrices, les chercheurs ont effectué une synthèse critique de la littérature médicale sur l’efficacité et l’innocuité des opioïdes pour la douleur chronique non cancéreuse et ont rédigé une série de recommandations. Un panel de 49 cliniciens experts de toutes les régions du Canada ont passé en revue l’ébauche et ont atteint un consensus sur 24 recommandations. Message principal Il est recommandé de faire un dépistage du risque de dépendance avant de prescrire des opioïdes. On recommande des opioïdes faibles (codéine et tramadol) pour une douleur de légère à modérée qui n’a pas répondu aux traitements de première intention. On peut essayer l’oxycodone, l’hydromorphone et la morphine chez les patients qui n’ont pas eu de soulagement avec des opioïdes plus faibles. Une faible dose initiale et une lente hausse du titrage sont recommandées, ainsi qu’une étroite surveillance du patient qu’on a d’abord renseigné. Les médecins doivent surveiller l’apparition de complications comme l’apnée du sommeil. La dose optimale est celle qui améliore le fonctionnement ou atténue les cotes d’évaluation de la douleur d’au moins 30 %. Pour la grande majorité des patients, la dose optimale sera bien en deçà de l’équivalent de 200 mg de morphine par jour. On recommande le sevrage progressif pour les patients qui n’ont pas répondu à un essai d’opioïdes adéquat. Conclusion Les opioïdes jouent un rôle important dans la prise en charge de la douleur chronique non cancéreuse, mais il faut en prescrire avec prudence pour limiter les dommages potentiels. Les nouvelles lignes directrices canadiennes offrent des conseils dont les médecins avaient grand besoin pour les aider à en arriver à un juste équilibre entre le contrôle optimal de la douleur et la sécurité.

Seasonal and Inter-annual Variability in Modeled Larval Dispersal and Population Connectivity of Blue Crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gyory, J.; Jones, B.; Ko, D. S.; Taylor, C.

2016-02-01

Larval dispersal trajectories and their resulting population connectivity patterns are known to be key drivers of population dynamics for many marine organisms. However, few studies to date have examined the temporal variability in population connectivity. Here, we model the larval dispersal and population connectivity of blue crabs in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2003-2012 and use network analyses to understand how they vary over seasonal and inter-annual scales. We found that in all years, the Mississippi River Delta is a barrier to dispersal. Few larvae cross it and settle successfully. In some years (2004, 2007, 2008, and 2009), 1-2 locations (Adams Bay and Chandeleur Sound) had high (> 0.3) betweenness centrality. These locations are likely to be important for maintaining population connectivity in the region, since more than 30% of larval pathways are predicted to pass through them. Connectivity matrices suggest that some estuaries have consistently high larval retention rates. These include West Cote Blanche Bay, Chandeleur Sound, and, in some years, Pensacola Bay and Atchafalaya Bay. Within the spawning season, we observe a decline in average vertex degree and average source strength in every year. This suggests that seasonal declines in the strength of along-shore currents produce consistent reductions in population connectivity through the spawning season.

Rapid urban malaria appraisal (RUMA) in sub-Saharan Africa

PubMed Central

Wang, Shr-Jie; Lengeler, Christian; Smith, Thomas A; Vounatsou, Penelope; Cissé, Guéladio; Diallo, Diadie A; Akogbeto, Martin; Mtasiwa, Deo; Teklehaimanot, Awash; Tanner, Marcel

2005-01-01

Background The rapid urban malaria appraisal (RUMA) methodology aims to provide a cost-effective tool to conduct rapid assessments of the malaria situation in urban sub-Saharan Africa and to improve the understanding of urban malaria epidemiology. Methods This work was done in Yopougon municipality (Abidjan), Cotonou, Dar es Salaam and Ouagadougou. The study design consists of six components: 1) a literature review, 2) the collection of available health statistics, 3) a risk mapping, 4) school parasitaemia surveys, 5) health facility-based surveys and 6) a brief description of the health care system. These formed the basis of a multi-country evaluation of RUMA's feasibility, consistency and usefulness. Results A substantial amount of literature (including unpublished theses and statistics) was found at each site, providing a good overview of the malaria situation. School and health facility-based surveys provided an overview of local endemicity and the overall malaria burden in different city areas. This helped to identify important problems for in-depth assessment, especially the extent to which malaria is over-diagnosed in health facilities. Mapping health facilities and breeding sites allowed the visualization of the complex interplay between population characteristics, health services and malaria risk. However, the latter task was very time-consuming and required special expertise. RUMA is inexpensive, costing around 8,500–13,000 USD for a six to ten-week period. Conclusion RUMA was successfully implemented in four urban areas with different endemicity and proved to be a cost-effective first approach to study the features of urban malaria and provide an evidence basis for planning control measures. PMID:16153298

Epidemiology of influenza in West Africa after the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic, 2010-2012.

PubMed

Talla Nzussouo, Ndahwouh; Duque, Jazmin; Adedeji, Adebayo Abel; Coulibaly, Daouda; Sow, Samba; Tarnagda, Zekiba; Maman, Issaka; Lagare, Adamou; Makaya, Sonia; Elkory, Mohamed Brahim; Kadjo Adje, Herve; Shilo, Paul Alhassan; Tamboura, Boubou; Cisse, Assana; Badziklou, Kossi; Maïnassara, Halima Boubacar; Bara, Ahmed Ould; Keita, Adama Mamby; Williams, Thelma; Moen, Ann; Widdowson, Marc-Alain; McMorrow, Meredith

2017-12-04

Over the last decade, capacity for influenza surveillance and research in West Africa has strengthened. Data from these surveillance systems showed influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 circulated in West Africa later than in other regions of the continent. We contacted 11 West African countries to collect information about their influenza surveillance systems (number of sites, type of surveillance, sampling strategy, populations sampled, case definitions used, number of specimens collected and number of specimens positive for influenza viruses) for the time period January 2010 through December 2012. Of the 11 countries contacted, 8 responded: Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo. Countries used standard World Health Organization (WHO) case definitions for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) or slight variations thereof. There were 70 surveillance sites: 26 SARI and 44 ILI. Seven countries conducted SARI surveillance and collected 3114 specimens of which 209 (7%) were positive for influenza viruses. Among influenza-positive SARI patients, 132 (63%) were influenza A [68 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 64 influenza A(H3N2)] and 77 (37%) were influenza B. All eight countries conducted ILI surveillance and collected 20,375 specimens, of which 2278 (11%) were positive for influenza viruses. Among influenza-positive ILI patients, 1431 (63%) were influenza A [820 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 611 influenza A(H3N2)] and 847 (37%) were influenza B. A majority of SARI and ILI case-patients who tested positive for influenza (72% SARI and 59% ILI) were children aged 0-4 years, as were a majority of those enrolled in surveillance. The seasonality of influenza and the predominant influenza type or subtype varied by country and year. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 continued to circulate in West Africa along with influenza A(H3N2) and influenza B during 2010-2012. Although ILI surveillance systems produced a robust number of samples during the study period, more could be done to strengthen surveillance among hospitalized SARI case-patients. Surveillance systems captured young children but lacked data on adults and the elderly. More data on risk groups for severe influenza in West Africa are needed to help shape influenza prevention and clinical management policies and guidelines.

18-Month Effectiveness of Short-Course Antiretroviral Regimens Combined with Alternatives to Breastfeeding to Prevent HIV Mother-to-Child Transmission

PubMed Central

Leroy, Valériane; Ekouevi, Didier K.; Becquet, Renaud; Viho, Ida; Dequae-Merchadou, Laurence; Tonwe-Gold, Besigin; Rouet, François; Sakarovitch, Charlotte; Horo, Appolinaire; Timité-Konan, Marguerite; Rouzioux, Christine; Dabis, François

2008-01-01

Objective We assessed the 18-month effectiveness of short-course (sc) antiretroviral peripartum regimens combined with alternatives to prolonged breastfeeding to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Methodology HIV-1 infected pregnant women received from ≥32–36 weeks of gestation scZidovudine (ZDV)+/−Lamivudine (3TC)+single-dose Nevirapine (sdNVP) at delivery within the ANRS 1201/1202 DITRAME-Plus cohort (2001–2003). Neonates received a sdNVP+7-day ZDV prophylaxis. Two infant-feeding interventions were systematically offered free of charge: formula-feeding or exclusive shortened breastfeeding with early cessation from four months. The reference group was the ANRS 049a DITRAME cohort (1994–2000) exposed to scZDV from 36 weeks, then to prolonged breastfeeding. Pediatric HIV infection was defined by a positive plasma HIV-1 RNA at any age, or if aged ≥18 months, a positive HIV-1 serology. Turnbull estimates of cumulative transmission risks (CTR) and effectiveness (HIV-free survival) were compared by exposure group using a Cox model. Findings Among 926 live-born children enrolled, 107 (11.6%) were HIV-infected at 18 months. CTRs were 22.3% (95% confidence interval[CI]:16–30%) in the 238 ZDV long-term breastfed reference group, 15.9% (CI:10–27%) in the 169 ZDV+sdNVP shortened breastfed group; 9.4% (CI:6–14%) in the 195 ZDV+sdNVP formula-fed group; 6.8% (CI:4–11%) in the 198 ZDV+3TC+sdNVP shortened breastfed group, and 5.6% (CI:2–10%) in the 126 ZDV+3TC+sdNVP formula-fed group. Each combination had a significantly higher effectiveness than the ZDV long-term breastfed group except for ZDV+sdNVP shortened breastfed children, ranging from 51% (CI:20–70%) for ZDV+sdNVP formula fed children to 63% (CI:40–80%) for ZDV+3TC+NVPsd shortened breastfed children, after adjustment for maternal eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART), home delivery and low birth-weight. Substantial MTCT risk reductions are reachable in Africa, even in short-term breastfed children. The two sc antiretroviral combinations associated to any of the two infant feeding interventions, formula-feeding and shortened breastfeeding, reduce significantly MTCT with long-term benefit until age 18 months and without increasing mortality. PMID:18286200

The DACCIWA project: Dynamics-aerosol-chemistry-cloud interactions in West Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knippertz, Peter

2017-04-01

This contribution provides an overview of the EU-funded DACCIWA (Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa) project. DACCIWA consists of 16 European and African research organisations and has strong links to universities, weather services and government organisations across West Africa. The project runs from 2010 to 2018 and is built around a major international field campaign in 2016. A key motivation for DACCIWA is the expected tripling of anthropogenic emissions in southern West Africa (SWA) between 2000 and 2030, whose impacts on human health, ecosystems, food security and the regional climate are largely unknown. An integrated assessment of this problem, which is mostly due to massive economic and population growth and urbanization, is challenging due to (a) a superposition of regional effects with global climate change, (b) a strong dependence on the variable West African monsoon, (c) incomplete scientific understanding of interactions between emissions, clouds, radiation, precipitation and regional circulations, and (d) a lack of observations. DACCIWA combines measurements in the field in SWA with extensive modelling activities and work on satellite data. In particular during the main DACCIWA field campaign in June-July 2016 high-quality observations of emissions, atmospheric composition and meteorological parameters were sampled. The campaign involved three research aircraft, three ground-based supersites, enhanced radiosonde launches, and intensive measurements at urban sites in Abidjan and Cotonou. These data have already been quality-controlled and will be freely available to the research community through a database at http://baobab.sedoo.fr/DACCIWA/ after the end of the project. The resulting benchmark dataset is currently combined with a wide range of modelling and satellite-based research activities that will ultimately allow (a) an assessment of the roles of relevant physical, chemical and biological processes, (b) an improvement of the monitoring of climate and atmospheric composition from space, and (c) a contribution to the development of the next generation of weather and climate models capable of representing coupled cloud-aerosol interactions. The latter will ultimately contribute to reduce uncertainties in climate predictions. An important part of the DACCIWA mission is to work with operational centres, international programs, policy-makers and users to foster the uptake of research results and to actively guide sustainable future planning for West Africa. Amongst other things, this will be achieved through the writing of policy briefs and recommendations for model development towards the end of the project. More specific aspects of DACCIWA will be presented in other contributions to this session.

Effects of Atomic Oxygen and Grease on Outgassing and Adhesion of Silicone Elastomers for Space Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

deGroh, Henry C., III; Puleo, Bernadette J.; Steinetz, Bruce M.

2011-01-01

An investigation of silicone elastomers for seals used in docking and habitat systems for future space exploration vehicles is being conducted at NASA. For certain missions, NASA is considering androgynous docking systems where two vehicles each having a seal would be required to: dock for a period of time, seal effectively, and then separate with minimum push-off forces for undocking. Sili-cone materials are generally chosen for their wide operating temperatures and low leakage rates. However silicone materials are often sticky and usually exhibit considerable adhesion when mated against metals and silicone surfaces. This paper investigates the adhesion unit pressure for a space rated silicone material (S0383-70) for either seal-on-seal (SoS) or seal-on-aluminum (SoAl) operation modes in the following conditions: as-received, after ground-based atomic-oxygen (AO) pre-treatment, after application of a thin coating of a space-qualified grease (Bray-cote 601EF), and after a combination of AO pre-treatment and grease coating. In order of descending adhesion reduction, the AO treatment reduced seal adhesion the most, followed by the AO plus grease pre-treatment, followed by the grease treatment. The effects of various treatments on silicone (S0383-70 and ELA-SA-401) outgassing properties were also investigated. The leading adhesion AO pre-treatment reduction led to a slight decrease in outgassing for the S0383-70 material and virtually no change in ELA-SA-401 outgassing.

Assessing atmospheric particulate matter distribution based on Saturation Isothermal Remanent Magnetization of herbaceous and tree leaves in a tropical urban environment.

PubMed

Barima, Yao Sadaiou Sabas; Angaman, Djédoux Maxime; N'gouran, Kobenan Pierre; Koffi, N'guessan Achille; Kardel, Fatemeh; De Cannière, Charles; Samson, Roeland

2014-02-01

Particulate matter (PM) emissions, and the associated human health risks, are likely to continue increasing in urban environments of developing countries like Abidjan (Ivory Cost). This study evaluated the potential of leaves of several herbaceous and tree species as bioindicators of urban particulate matter pollution, and its variation over different land use classes, in a tropical area. Four species well distributed (presence frequencies >90%) over all land use classes, easy to harvest and whose leaves are wide enough to be easily scanned were selected, i.e.: Amaranthus spinosus (Amaranthaceae), Eleusine indica (Poaceae), Panicum maximum (Poaceae) and Ficus benjamina (Moraceae). Leaf sampling of these species was carried out at 3 distances from the road and at 3 height levels. Traffic density was also noted and finally biomagnetic parameters of these leaves were determined. Results showed that Saturation Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (SIRM) of leaves was at least 4 times higher (27.5×10(-6)A) in the vicinity of main roads and industrial areas than in parks and residential areas. The main potential sources of PM pollution were motor vehicles and industries. The slightly hairy leaves of the herbaceous plant A. spinosus and the waxy leaves of the tree F. benjamina showed the highest SIRM (25×10(-6)A). Leaf SIRM increased with distance to road (R(2)>0.40) and declined with sampling height (R(2)=0.17). The distance between 0 and 5m from the road seemed to be the most vulnerable in terms of PM pollution. This study has showed that leaf SIRM of herbaceous and tree species can be used to assess PM exposure in tropical urban environments. © 2013.

Influence of geography, seasons and pedology on chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils from Lippia multiflora Mold leaves.

PubMed

Soro, Lêniféré Chantal; Munier, Sylvie; Pelissier, Yves; Grosmaire, Lidwine; Yada, Rickey; Kitts, David; Ocho-Anin Atchibri, Anin Louise; Guzman, Caroline; Boudard, Frédéric; Menut, Chantal; Robinson, Jean Charles; Poucheret, Patrick

2016-12-24

Lippia multiflora is a plant with nutritional and pharmaco-therapeutic properties that is native to central and occidental Africa. The potential effects of plants on health are associated with their chemical composition. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify chemical variations in essential oils of Lippia multiflora as a function of geographic origin and time of annual harvest to determine optimal chemical profiles for ethno-pharmacotherapeutic applications. Experimental plants were cultivated at Abidjan (LPA), Toumodi (LPT) and Bondoukou (LPB). Natural Lippia multiflora seeds were sourced to produce standardized plants over a period of six months. Standard plants (n=40) were re-introduced into natural plots, cultivated for 12 months and leaves were sampled monthly in a standardized fashion. Essentials oils (n=36) were then extracted from these samples by hydro-distillation according to the European Pharmacopoeia and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using GC/FID and GC/MS. These data were then analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Anti-inflammatory properties were also assessed against activated macrophages in vitro. The results indicated that chemical profiles and essential oil yields vary according to the location where the plants were cultivated. One essential oil chemotype corresponded to the LPA and LPT sites and one corresponded to the LPB site. Statistical analysis of the chemical profiles and monthly evolution of the three sites over a period of one year allowed assessment of variations in composition and the subsequent choice of the optimal harvest time for ethnopharmacological applications. Anti-inflammatory activity apparently correlated with chemical profiles of essential oils and the geographic origins of the plants. The optimal harvest time was associated with the maximum yield of pharmacological compounds with the most potential interest for health. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 15 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-05-11

ISS015-E-07725 (11 May 2007) --- Marsh Island, Louisiana is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 15 crewmember on the International Space Station. Marsh Island, located along the southwestern coastline of Louisiana, is a remnant of an abandoned lobe of the Mississippi River Delta formed approximately 5000-7500 years before the present day, according to scientists. It is composed primarily of organic-rich muds and brackish marsh vegetation (some peat -- semiconsolidated plant and organic matter -- is also present). The intricate lake, pond and stream network of the island is highlighted in this image by silver-gray sunglint -- light reflected off of water surfaces directly back to the crewmember on the space station. Sunglint also illuminates water surfaces in the adjacent Gulf of Mexico and West Cote Blanche Bay -- variations in intensity of reflectance in these water bodies is due to surface roughness (often related to wind-driven waves or currents) and the presence of surfactants that can change the surface properties of the water. Marsh Island is a popular fishing, shrimping and birding location. The island has experienced significant loss of vegetation and land area -- nearly 3,000 hectares (7,000 acres) - due to erosion, with a corresponding loss of habitat for local and migratory birds, shrimp, alligators and deer. While Marsh Island is uninhabited, it has been the focus of intensive development for management of erosion, such as revegetation of deteriorated marsh areas. Leveed canals (straight silver-gray water features) help drain areas for above-surface revegetation, while sill dams help stabilize water levels and foster regrowth of important subsurface vegetation such as widgeongrass.

Cholera Incidence and Mortality in Sub-Saharan African Sites during Multi-country Surveillance

PubMed Central

Sauvageot, Delphine; Njanpop-Lafourcade, Berthe-Marie; Akilimali, Laurent; Anne, Jean-Claude; Bidjada, Pawou; Bompangue, Didier; Bwire, Godfrey; Coulibaly, Daouda; Dengo-Baloi, Liliana; Dosso, Mireille; Orach, Christopher Garimoi; Inguane, Dorteia; Kagirita, Atek; Kacou-N’Douba, Adele; Keita, Sakoba; Kere Banla, Abiba; Kouame, Yao Jean-Pierre; Landoh, Dadja Essoya; Langa, Jose Paulo; Makumbi, Issa; Miwanda, Berthe; Malimbo, Muggaga; Mutombo, Guy; Mutombo, Annie; NGuetta, Emilienne Niamke; Saliou, Mamadou; Sarr, Veronique; Senga, Raphael Kakongo; Sory, Fode; Sema, Cynthia; Tante, Ouyi Valentin; Gessner, Bradford D.; Mengel, Martin A.

2016-01-01

Background Cholera burden in Africa remains unknown, often because of weak national surveillance systems. We analyzed data from the African Cholera Surveillance Network (www.africhol.org). Methods/ Principal findings During June 2011–December 2013, we conducted enhanced surveillance in seven zones and four outbreak sites in Togo, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique and Cote d’Ivoire. All health facilities treating cholera cases were included. Cholera incidences were calculated using culture-confirmed cholera cases and culture-confirmed cholera cases corrected for lack of culture testing usually due to overwhelmed health systems and imperfect test sensitivity. Of 13,377 reported suspected cases, 34% occurred in Conakry, Guinea, 47% in Goma, DRC, and 19% in the remaining sites. From 0–40% of suspected cases were aged under five years and from 0.3–86% had rice water stools. Within surveillance zones, 0–37% of suspected cases had confirmed cholera compared to 27–38% during outbreaks. Annual confirmed incidence per 10,000 population was <0.5 in surveillance zones, except Goma where it was 4.6. Goma and Conakry had corrected incidences of 20.2 and 5.8 respectively, while the other zones a median of 0.3. During outbreaks, corrected incidence varied from 2.6 to 13.0. Case fatality ratios ranged from 0–10% (median, 1%) by country. Conclusions/Significance Across different African epidemiological contexts, substantial variation occurred in cholera incidence, age distribution, clinical presentation, culture confirmation, and testing frequency. These results can help guide preventive activities, including vaccine use. PMID:27186885

Forest structure of oak plantations after silvicultural treatment to enhance habitat for wildlife

USGS Publications Warehouse

Twedt, Daniel J.; Phillip, Cherrie-Lee P.; Guilfoyle, Michael P.; Wilson, R. Randy; Schweitzer, Callie Jo; Clatterbuck, Wayne K.; Oswalt, Christopher M.

2016-01-01

During the past 30 years, thousands of hectares of oak-dominated bottomland hardwood plantations have been planted on agricultural fields in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Many of these plantations now have closed canopies and sparse understories. Silvicultural treatments could create a more heterogeneous forest structure, with canopy gaps and increased understory vegetation for wildlife. Lack of volume sufficient for commercial harvest in hardwood plantations has impeded treatments, but demand for woody biomass for energy production may provide a viable means to introduce disturbance beneficial for wildlife. We assessed forest structure in response to prescribed pre-commercial perturbations in hardwood plantations resulting from silvicultural treatments: 1) row thinning by felling every fourth planted row; 2) multiple patch cuts with canopy gaps of <1 0.25 – 2 ha; and 3) tree removal on intersecting corridors diagonal to planted rows. These 3 treatments, and an untreated control, were applied to oak plantations (20 - 30 years post-planting) on three National Wildlife Refuges (Cache River, AR; Grand Cote, LA; and Yazoo, MS) during summer 2010. We sampled habitat using fixed-radius plots in 2009 (pre-treatment) and in 2012 (post-treatment) at random locations. Retained basal area was least in diagonal corridor treatments but had greater variance in patch-cut treatments. All treatments increased canopy openness and the volume of coarse woody debris. Occurrence of birds using early successional habitats was greater on sites treated with patch cuts and diagonal intersections. Canopy openings on row-thinned stands are being filled by lateral crown growth of retained trees whereas patch cut and diagonal intersection gaps appear likely to be filled by regenerating saplings.

Serological Evidence of Ebola Virus Infection in Indonesian Orangutans

PubMed Central

Nidom, Reviany V.; Alamudi, Mohamad Y.; Daulay, Syafril; Dharmayanti, Indi N. L. P.; Dachlan, Yoes P.; Amin, Mohamad; Igarashi, Manabu; Miyamoto, Hiroko; Yoshida, Reiko; Takada, Ayato

2012-01-01

Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) belong to the family Filoviridae and cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates. Despite the discovery of EBOV (Reston virus) in nonhuman primates and domestic pigs in the Philippines and the serological evidence for its infection of humans and fruit bats, information on the reservoirs and potential amplifying hosts for filoviruses in Asia is lacking. In this study, serum samples collected from 353 healthy Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) in Kalimantan Island, Indonesia, during the period from December 2005 to December 2006 were screened for filovirus-specific IgG antibodies using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with recombinant viral surface glycoprotein (GP) antigens derived from multiple species of filoviruses (5 EBOV and 1 MARV species). Here we show that 18.4% (65/353) and 1.7% (6/353) of the samples were seropositive for EBOV and MARV, respectively, with little cross-reactivity among EBOV and MARV antigens. In these positive samples, IgG antibodies to viral internal proteins were also detected by immunoblotting. Interestingly, while the specificity for Reston virus, which has been recognized as an Asian filovirus, was the highest in only 1.4% (5/353) of the serum samples, the majority of EBOV-positive sera showed specificity to Zaire, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, or Bundibugyo viruses, all of which have been found so far only in Africa. These results suggest the existence of multiple species of filoviruses or unknown filovirus-related viruses in Indonesia, some of which are serologically similar to African EBOVs, and transmission of the viruses from yet unidentified reservoir hosts into the orangutan populations. Our findings point to the need for risk assessment and continued surveillance of filovirus infection of human and nonhuman primates, as well as wild and domestic animals, in Asia. PMID:22815803

Different physiological stages and breeding systems related to the variability of meat quality of indigenous Pantaneiro sheep

PubMed Central

Burin, Poliana Campos; Leonardo, Ariadne Patricia; Fausto, Daiane Aparecido; da Silva, Adrielly Lais Alves; Ricardo, Hélio de Almeida; Corrêa da Silva, Marcelo; de Souza, Márcio Rodrigues; de Vargas Junior, Fernando Miranda

2018-01-01

This study configures a first report regarding the variability of meat quality of locally adapted Pantaneiro sheep depending on different physiological stages and breeding systems. Pantaneiro sheep are raised in Brazil under a tropical wetland ecosystem denominated Pantanal. Twenty-nine Pantaneiro sheep from different sex and physiological stages were sorted into three groups, simulating three of the most representative ovine meat products commercialized by South American industries: a) non castrated male lambs (n = 11); b) wethers (n = 9); c) cull ewes (n = 9). Animals from each physiological stage were submitted to different breeding systems, resembling farming strategies adopted in several developing countries of South America. The effect of physiological stages on the quality of meat was accessed using 16 variables measured in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LM) and the semimembranosus (SM) muscles. The variables were related to brightness, color, physical aspects, soluble and total collagen as well as chemical traits. The physiological stage was defined as a classification variable in order to proceed ANOVA tests and comparison of means (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis was used to identify patterns of similarity and differentiation between samples of different physiological stages (a, b, c). The results revealed that meat quality varies according to different physiological stages, especially between lambs (a) and cull ewes (c). As a consequence, the physiological stage at slaughter should be taken into consideration to cote the quality of meat from indigenous sheep raised in tropical regions. The results contribute towards sensorial evaluation and the characterization of potential food products derived from indigenous sheep bred under tropical climate in developing countries. PMID:29432430

[The Ditrame (ANRS 049) clinical trial aimed at reducing the mother-child transmission of HIV in Abidjan. Participants' understanding of the trial principles].

PubMed

Coulibaly-Traoré, D; Msellati, P; Vidal, L; Ekra, C Welffens; Dabis, F

2003-03-01

The HIV vaccine attempts in developing countries have underlined many ethical questions on the informed consent of the participants. These problems have already been encountered in the context of studies on the prevention of mother-child transmission (MCT) of HIV in Africa. This study is aimed at describing the level of understanding and interpretations that these women have of the clinical trial, randomisation and placebo, as well as their motivations for participating in the study. This was a qualitative study conducted in 1997 by a sociologist in the form of in-depth, structured interviews among 57 women participating in a clinical trial on the prevention of MCT of HIV. The interview included a section on the representation of MCT then questions on the eventual sharing of information concerning the HIV-infection status, the motivations for participating in the study and the understanding of the randomIsation and the placebo. Nearly half of the women had not shared the result of their blood test with anyone. Their isolation enhanced the difficulties in getting information on the study. The notion of a probability of transmission was not easy to explain in terms adapted to the level of education of the women. The randomisation was understood as a number pulled out of a hat during a lucky draw. The women did not really understand the pictures used to describe the placebo. They claimed that they wanted to participate in the study essentially to protect their child and to have access to treatment. The correct information of patients participating in clinical trials requires repeated interventions throughout the research period. When there is no social protection, the notion of freedom of choice itself, including the idea of informed consent, is relative and the pragmatic choices made by the women clearly show this. These elements must be taken into consideration in the projects of vaccination trials.

Disease patterns and causes of death of hospitalized HIV-positive adults in West Africa: a multicountry survey in the antiretroviral treatment era.

PubMed

Lewden, Charlotte; Drabo, Youssoufou J; Zannou, Djimon M; Maiga, Moussa Y; Minta, Daouda K; Sow, Papa S; Akakpo, Jocelyn; Dabis, François; Eholié, Serge P

2014-01-01

We aimed to describe the morbidity and mortality patterns in HIV-positive adults hospitalized in West Africa. We conducted a six-month prospective multicentre survey within the IeDEA West Africa collaboration in six adult medical wards of teaching hospitals in Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Cotonou, Dakar and Bamako. From April to October 2010, all newly hospitalized HIV-positive patients were eligible. Baseline and follow-up information until hospital discharge was recorded using standardized forms. Diagnoses were reviewed by a local event validation committee using reference definitions. Factors associated with in-hospital mortality were studied with a logistic regression model. Among 823 hospitalized HIV-positive adults (median age 40 years, 58% women), 24% discovered their HIV infection during the hospitalization, median CD4 count was 75/mm(3) (IQR: 25-177) and 48% had previously received antiretroviral treatment (ART). The underlying causes of hospitalization were AIDS-defining conditions (54%), other infections (32%), other diseases (8%) and non-specific illness (6%). The most frequent diseases diagnosed were: tuberculosis (29%), pneumonia (15%), malaria (10%) and cerebral toxoplasmosis (10%). Overall, 315 (38%) patients died during hospitalization and the underlying cause of death was AIDS (63%), non-AIDS-defining infections (26%), other diseases (7%) and non-specific illness or unknown cause (4%). Among them, the most frequent fatal diseases were: tuberculosis (36%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (10%), cryptococcosis (9%) and sepsis (7%). Older age, clinical WHO stage 3 and 4, low CD4 count, and AIDS-defining infectious diagnoses were associated with hospital fatality. AIDS-defining conditions, primarily tuberculosis, and bacterial infections were the most frequent causes of hospitalization in HIV-positive adults in West Africa and resulted in high in-hospital fatality. Sustained efforts are needed to integrate care of these disease conditions and optimize earlier diagnosis of HIV infection and initiation of ART.

Morbidity and healthcare resource utilisation in HIV-infected children following antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in Côte d’Ivoire, 2004–2009

PubMed Central

Desmonde, S.; Essanin, J.B; Aka, E.A; Messou, E.; Amorissani-Folquet, M.; Rondeau, V.; Ciaranello, A.; Leroy, V.

2013-01-01

Background We describe severe morbidity and healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) among HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Methods All HIV-infected children enrolled in an HIV-care programme (2004–2009) were eligible from ART initiation until database closeout, death, ART interruption, or loss to follow-up. We calculated incidence density rates (IR) per 100 child-years (CY) for severe morbidity, HCRU (outpatient and inpatient care), and associated factors using frailty models with a Weibull distribution. Results Of 332 children with median age 5.7 years and median follow-up 2.5 years, 65.4% were severely immunodeficient by WHO criteria and all received cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. We recorded 464 clinical events in 228 children; the overall IR was 57.6/100 CY (95%CI: 52.1–62.5). Severe morbidity was more frequent in children on protease inhibitor-based ART compared to those on other regimens (aHR: 1.83, 95%CI: 1.35–2.47) and those moderately/severely immunodeficient compared to those not (aHR: 1.57; 95%CI: 1.13–2.18 and aHR: 2.53, 95%CI: 1.81–3.55 respectively). Of the 464 events, 371 (80%) led to outpatient care (IR: 45.6/100CY) and 164 (35%) to inpatient care (IR: 20.2/100CY). In adjusted analyses, outpatient care was significantly less frequent in children >10 years compared to children <2 years (aHR: 0.49, 95%CI: 0.31–0.78) and in those living furthest from clinic compared to those living closest (aHR: 0.65, 95%CI: 0.47–0.90). Both inpatient and outpatient HCRU were negatively associated with cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Conclusion Despite ART, HIV-infected children still require substantial utilization of healthcare services. PMID:24525473

Test of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory using distributed temperature sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Y.; Sayde, C.; Li, Q.; Gentine, P.

2017-12-01

Monin-Obukhov similarity theory [Monin and Obukhov, 1954] (MOST) has been widely used to calculate atmospheric surface fluxes applying the structure correction functions [Stull, 1988]. The exact forms of the structure correction functions for momentum and heat, which depend on the vertical gradient velocity and temperature, have been determined empirically mostly from the Kansas experiment [Kaimal et al., 1972]. However, due to the limitation of point measurement, the vertical gradient of temperature and horizontal wind speed are not well captured. Here we propose a way to measure the vertical gradient of temperature and horizontal wind speed with high resolution in space (every 12.7 cm) and time (every second) using the Distributed Temperature Sensing [Selker et al., 2006] (DTS), thus determining the exact form of the structure correction functions of MOST under various stability conditions. Two parallel vertical fiber optics will be placed on a tower at the central facility of ARM SGP site. Vertical air temperature will be measured every 12.7 cm by the fiber optics and horizontal wind speed along fiber will be measured. Then vertical gradient of temperature and horizontal wind speed will be calculated and stability correction functions for momentum and heat will be determined. ReferencesKaimal, J. C., Wyngaard, J. C., Izumi, Y., and Cote, O. R. (1972), Spectral characteristics of surface-layer turbulence, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 98(417), 563-589, doi: 10.1002/qj.49709841707. Monin, A., and Obukhov, A. (1954), Basic laws of turbulent mixing in the surface layer of the atmosphere, Contrib. Geophys. Inst. Acad. Sci. USSR, 24(151), 163-187. Selker, J., Thévenaz, L., Huwald, H., Mallet, A., Luxemburg, W., van de Giesen, N., Stejskal, M., Zeman, J., Westhoff, M., and Parlange, M. B. (2006), Distributed fiber-optic temperature sensing for hydrologic systems, Water Resources Research, 42, W12202, doi: 10.1029/2006wr005326. Stull, R. (1988), An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology, pp. 666, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

Scientific Considerations for Evaluating Cancer Bioassays Conducted by the Ramazzini Institute

PubMed Central

Caldwell, Jane C.; Jinot, Jennifer; Evans, Marina V.; Cote, Ila; Vandenberg, John J.

2013-01-01

Background: The Ramazzini Institute (RI) has completed nearly 400 cancer bioassays on > 200 compounds. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and others have suggested that study design and protocol differences between the RI and other laboratories by may contribute to controversy regarding cancer hazard findings, principally findings on lymphoma/leukemia diagnoses. Objective: We aimed to evaluate RI study design, protocol differences, and accuracy of tumor diagnoses for their impact on carcinogenic hazard characterization. Methods: We analyzed the findings from a recent Pathology Working Group (PWG) review of RI procedures and tumor diagnoses, evaluated consistency of RI and other laboratory findings for chemicals identified by the RI as positive for lymphoma/leukemia, and examined evidence for a number of other issues raised regarding RI bioassays. The RI cancer bioassay design and protocols were evaluated in the context of relevant risk assessment guidance from international authorities. Discussion: Although the PWG identified close agreement with RI diagnoses for most tumor types, it did not find close agreement for lymphoma/leukemia of the respiratory tract or for neoplasms of the inner ear and cranium. Here we discuss a) the implications of the PWG findings, particularly lymphoma diagnostic issues; b) differences between RI studies and those from other laboratories that are relevant to evaluating RI cancer bioassays; and c) future work that may help resolve some concerns. Conclusions: We concluded that a) issues related to respiratory tract infections have complicated diagnoses at that site (i.e., lymphoma/leukemia), as well as for neoplasms of the inner ear and cranium, and b) there is consistency and value in RI studies for identification of other chemical-related neoplasia. Citation: Gift JS, Caldwell JC, Jinot J, Evans MV, Cote I, Vandenberg JJ. 2013. Scientific considerations for evaluating cancer bioassays conducted by the Ramazzini Institute. Environ Health Perspect 121:1253–1263; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1306661 PMID:24045135

Surveillance of Travellers: An Additional Tool for Tracking Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Endemic Countries

PubMed Central

Gharbi, Myriam; Flegg, Jennifer A.; Pradines, Bruno; Berenger, Ako; Ndiaye, Magatte; Djimdé, Abdoulaye A.; Roper, Cally; Hubert, Véronique; Kendjo, Eric; Venkatesan, Meera; Brasseur, Philippe; Gaye, Oumar; Offianan, André T.; Penali, Louis; Le Bras, Jacques; Guérin, Philippe J.; Study, Members of the French National Reference Center for Imported Malaria

2013-01-01

Introduction There are growing concerns about the emergence of resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). Since the widespread adoption of ACTs, there has been a decrease in the systematic surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance in many malaria-endemic countries. The aim of this work was to test whether data on travellers returning from Africa with malaria could serve as an additional surveillance system of local information sources for the emergence of drug resistance in endemic-countries. Methodology Data were collected from travellers with symptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria returning from Senegal (n = 1,993), Mali (n = 2,372), Cote d’Ivoire (n = 4,778) or Cameroon (n = 3,272) and recorded in the French Malaria Reference Centre during the period 1996–2011. Temporal trends of the proportion of parasite isolates that carried the mutant genotype, pfcrt 76T, a marker of resistance to chloroquine (CQ) and pfdhfr 108N, a marker of resistance to pyrimethamine, were compared for travellers and within-country surveys that were identified through a literature review in PubMed. The in vitro response to CQ was also compared between these two groups for parasites from Senegal. Results The trends in the proportion of parasites that carried pfcrt 76T, and pfdhfr 108N, were compared for parasites from travellers and patients within-country using the slopes of the curves over time; no significant differences in the trends were found for any of the 4 countries. These results were supported by in vitro analysis of parasites from the field in Senegal and travellers returning to France, where the trends were also not significantly different. Conclusion The results have not shown different trends in resistance between parasites derived from travellers or from parasites within-country. This work highlights the value of an international database of drug responses in travellers as an additional tool to assess the emergence of drug resistance in endemic areas where information is limited. PMID:24204960

Proteins encoded by the gerP operon are localised to the inner coat in Bacilluscereus spores and are dependent on GerPA and SafA for assembly.

PubMed

Ghosh, Abhinaba; Manton, James D; Mustafa, Amin R; Gupta, Mudit; Ayuso-Garcia, Alejandro; Rees, Eric J; Christie, Graham

2018-05-04

Germination of Bacillus spores is triggered by certain amino acids and sugar molecules, which permeate through the outermost layers of the spore to interact with receptor complexes that reside in the inner membrane. Previous studies have shown that mutations in the hexacistronic gerP locus reduce the rate of spore germination, with experimental evidence indicating that the defect stems from reduced permeability of the spore coat to germinant molecules. Here we use the ellipsoid localisation microscopy technique to reveal that all six Bacillus cereus GerP proteins share proximity with cortex lytic enzymes within the inner coat. We reveal also that the GerPA protein alone can localise in the absence of all other GerP proteins, and that it has an essential role for the localisation of all other GerP proteins within the spore. The latter is also demonstrated to be SafA - but not CotE - dependent for localisation, which is consistent with an inner coat location. GerP null spores are shown also to have reduced permeability to fluorescently labelled dextran molecules compared to wild type spores. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that the GerP proteins have a structural role within the spore associated with coat permeability. Importance The bacterial spore coat comprises a multi-layered proteinaceous structure that influences the distribution, survival and germination properties of spores in the environment. Results from the current study are significant since they increase our understanding of coat assembly and architecture while adding detail to existing models of germination. We demonstrate also that the ELM image analysis technique can be used as a novel tool to provide direct quantitative measurements of spore coat permeability. Progress in all of these areas should ultimately facilitate improved methods of spore control in a range of industrial, healthcare and environmental sectors. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Coverage of Nutrition Interventions Intended for Infants and Young Children Varies Greatly across Programs: Results from Coverage Surveys in 5 Countries123

PubMed Central

Aaron, Grant J; Poonawala, Alia; van Liere, Marti J; Schofield, Dominic; Myatt, Mark

2017-01-01

Background: The efficacy of a number of interventions that include fortified complementary foods (FCFs) or other products to improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is well established. Programs that provide such products free or at a subsidized price are implemented in many countries around the world. Demonstrating the impact at scale of these programs has been challenging, and rigorous information on coverage and utilization is lacking. Objective: The objective of this article is to review key findings from 11 coverage surveys of IYCF programs distributing or selling FCFs or micronutrient powders in 5 countries. Methods: Programs were implemented in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Surveys were implemented at different stages of program implementation between 2013 and 2015. The Fortification Assessment Coverage Toolkit (FACT) was developed to assess 3 levels of coverage (message: awareness of the product; contact: use of the product ≥1 time; and effective: regular use aligned with program-specific goals), as well as barriers and factors that facilitate coverage. Analyses included the coverage estimates, as well as an assessment of equity of coverage between the poor and nonpoor, and between those with poor and adequate child feeding practices. Results: Coverage varied greatly between countries and program models. Message coverage ranged from 29.0% to 99.7%, contact coverage from 22.6% to 94.4%, and effective coverage from 0.8% to 88.3%. Beyond creating awareness, programs that achieved high coverage were those with effective mechanisms in place to overcome barriers for both supply and demand. Conclusions: Variability in coverage was likely due to the program design, delivery model, quality of implementation, and product type. Measuring program coverage and understanding its determinants is essential for program improvement and to estimate the potential for impact of programs at scale. Use of the FACT can help overcome this evidence gap. PMID:28404839

Cuban Ocular Toxoplasmosis Epidemiology Study (COTES): incidence and prevalence of ocular toxoplasmosis in Central Cuba.

PubMed

Bustillo, Jorge L; Diaz, Jose D; Pacheco, Idarmes C; Gritz, David C

2015-03-01

Serological studies indicate that rates of ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) vary geographically, with higher rates in tropical regions. Little is known about population-based rates of active OT. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of OT in Central Cuba. This large-population, cross-sectional cohort study used a prospective database at a large regional referral centre in Central Cuba. The patient database was searched for all patients who presented with OT during the 12-month study period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012. Inclusion criteria were the clinical diagnosis of OT, characterised by focal retinochoroidal inflammation and a response to therapy as expected. Gender-stratified and age-stratified study population data from the 2012 Cuban Census were used to calculate incidence rates and prevalence ratios. Among 279 identified patients with OT, 158 presented with active OT. Of these, 122 new-onset and 36 prior-onset cases were confirmed. Based on the total population in the Sancti Spiritus province (466,106 persons), the overall incidence of active OT was 26.2 per 100,000 person-years (95% CI 21.7 to 31.3) with an annual prevalence ratio of 33.9 per 100,000 persons (95% CI 28.8 to 39.6). The incidence of active OT was lowest in the oldest age group and highest in patients aged 25-44 years (4.5 and 42.1 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). This first report describing population-based rates of OT in the Cuban population highlights the importance of patient age as a likely risk factor for OT. Disease rates were found to be highest in females and young to middle-aged adults. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Serum lactate levels in infants exposed peripartum to antiretroviral agents to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV: Agence Nationale de Recherches Sur le SIDA et les Hépatites Virales 1209 study, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

PubMed Central

Ekouevi, Didier Koumavi; Touré, Ramata; Becquet, Renaud; Viho, Ida; Sakarovitch, Charlotte; Rouet, François; Towne-Gold, Besigin; Fassinou, Patricia; Leroy, Valériane; Blanche, Stéphane; Dabis, François

2006-01-01

Background Mitochondrial toxicity was described in infants exposed to long-term antiretroviral regimens (ARVs) containing nucleoside analogues for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). We measured the serum lactate levels in children born to HIV-1 infected (HIV+) African women receiving short-term ARV PMTCT regimens. Methods A prospective study was conducted in women-child pairs from the third trimester of pregnancy to three months of life. The exposed group was formed by children exposed in utero to nucleoside analogue ARVs, zidovudine (ZDV) or ZDV + lamivudine (3TC) from 32–36 weeks of amenorrhea until delivery. All these women received nevirapine single-dose (NVPsd) at the beginning of labor. The children received ZDV during the first 7 days of life and a NVPsd at day 3. The control group was formed by infants born to HIV+ women who had received NVPsd only and not exposed to nucleoside analogue ARVs. Serum lactate levels were measured at 4, 6 and 12 weeks of life by Cobas Integra 400™. Results A total of 836 blood samples from 338 infants were collected (262 exposed and 76 controls). Median lactacidemia was 1.8 mmol/l, Interquartile Range [1.2–2.7 mmol/l]). Overall serum lactate levels ≥2.5 mmol/l, defining hyperlactatemia were observed in 39 of the 292 infants who had at least two serum lactate measurements, 13.4%, 95% confidence Interval [9.6–17.8%]. The three-month period prevalence of hyperlactatemia did not differ between the exposed group (13.1%) and the control group (14.3%) (p=0.84). All serum lactate levels returned to normal values in all subsequent samples No case of symptomatic hyperlactatemia was detected during the study period. Conclusion Increased lactate levels were identified equally in infants whose mother received a short-term of nucleoside analogues or NVPsd for PMTCT. Although not rare, hyperlactatemia was not related to short-term exposure to nucleoside analogue ARVs PMID:16950945

Exploring Ivorian perspectives on the effectiveness of the current Ivorian science curriculum in addressing issues related to HIV/AIDS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ado, Gustave Firmin

School-based HIV/AIDS science education has the potential to impact students when integrated into the science curriculum. However, this mixed method study shows that school-based HIV/AIDS science education is often not infused into career subjects such as science education but integrated into civics education and taught by teachers who lack the skills, knowledge, and the training in the delivery of effective school HIV/AIDS education. Since science is where biological events take place, it is suggested that HIV/AIDS science merits being taught in the science education classroom. This study took place in nine public middle schools within two school districts in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, one major urban city in the southern region. The study utilized triangulation of multiple data sources---both qualitative and quantitative. To substantiate the claims made in this study, a range of qualitative methods such as field notes and individual interviews with 39 teachers, 63 sixth grade students, 8 school administrators, and 20 community elders were used. For the quantitative portion 140 teachers and 3510 sixth grade students were surveyed. The findings from the study prioritize science education that includes HIV/AIDS science education for all, with emphasis on HIV/AIDS prevention in Ivory Coast. The factors that influence the implementation of HIV/AIDS curricula within the Ivorian sixth grade classrooms are discussed. Interview and survey data from students, teachers, school administrators, and community elders indicate that in the Ivorian school setting, "gerontocratic" cultural influences, religious beliefs, personal cultural beliefs, and time spent toward the discourse on HIV/AIDS have led to HIV/AIDS education that is often insufficient to change either misconceptions about HIV/AIDS or risky practices. It was also found that approaches to teaching HIV/AIDS does not connect with youth cultures. By reframing and integrating current HIV/AIDS curricula into the science classroom, providing teachers with adequate HIV/AIDS teaching resources that are more responsive to and inclusive of youth cultural beliefs, and by aligning teaching practices to Ivorian youth cultural and academics interests, there is a chance that HIV/AIDS education could lead to safer sexual behaviors amongst Ivorian youth.

Optimizing the management of acute coronary syndromes in sub-Saharan Africa: A statement from the AFRICARDIO 2015 Consensus Team.

PubMed

Kakou-Guikahue, Maurice; N'Guetta, Roland; Anzouan-Kacou, Jean-Baptiste; Kramoh, Euloge; N'Dori, Raymond; Ba, Serigne Abdou; Diao, Maboury; Sarr, Moustapha; Kane, Abdoul; Kane, Adama; Damorou, Findide; Balde, Dadhi; Diarra, Mamadou Bocary; Djiddou, Mohamed; Kimbally-Kaki, Gisèle; Zabsonre, Patrice; Toure, Ibrahim Ali; Houénassi, Martin; Gamra, Habib; Chajai, Bachir; Gerardin, Benoit; Pillière, Rémy; Aubry, Pierre; Iliou, Marie-Christine; Isnard, Richard; Leprince, Pascal; Cottin, Yves; Bertrand, Edmond; Juillière, Yves; Monsuez, Jean-Jacques

2016-01-01

Whereas the coronary artery disease death rate has declined in high-income countries, the incidence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, where their management remains a challenge. To propose a consensus statement to optimize management of ACS in sub-Saharan Africa on the basis of realistic considerations. The AFRICARDIO-2 conference (Yamoussoukro, May 2015) reviewed the ongoing features of ACS in 10 sub-Saharan countries (Benin, Burkina-Faso, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Togo), and analysed whether improvements in strategies and policies may be expected using readily available healthcare facilities. The outcome of patients with ACS is affected by clearly identified factors, including: delay to reaching first medical contact, achieving effective hospital transportation, increased time from symptom onset to reperfusion therapy, limited primary emergency facilities (especially in rural areas) and emergency medical service (EMS) prehospital management, and hence limited numbers of patients eligible for myocardial reperfusion (thrombolytic therapy and/or percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]). With only five catheterization laboratories in the 10 participating countries, PCI rates are very low. However, in recent years, catheterization laboratories have been built in referral cardiology departments in large African towns (Abidjan and Dakar). Improvements in patient care and outcomes should target limited but selected objectives: increasing awareness and recognition of ACS symptoms; education of rural-based healthcare professionals; and developing and managing a network between first-line healthcare facilities in rural areas or small cities, emergency rooms in larger towns, the EMS, hospital-based cardiology departments and catheterization laboratories. Faced with the increasing prevalence of ACS in sub-Saharan Africa, healthcare policies should be developed to overcome the multiple shortcomings blunting optimal management. European and/or North American management guidelines should be adapted to African specificities. Our consensus statement aims to optimize patient management on the basis of realistic considerations, given the healthcare facilities, organizations and few cardiology teams that are available. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The mothering experience of women with FGM/C raising 'uncut' daughters, in Ivory Coast and in Canada.

PubMed

Koukoui, Sophia; Hassan, Ghayda; Guzder, Jaswant

2017-04-05

While Female Genital Cutting (FGM/C) is a deeply entrenched cultural practice, there is now mounting evidence for a gradual decline in prevalence in a number of geographical areas in Africa and following migration to non-practicing countries. Consequently, there is now a growing number of women with FGM/C who are raising 'uncut' daughters. This study used a qualitative methodology to investigate the experience of women with FGM/C raising daughters who have not been subjected to the ritual. The aim of this study was to shed light on mothers' perception of the meaning and cultural significance of the practice and to gain insight into their mothering experience of 'uncut' girls. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen mothers living in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and in Montreal, Canada (8 and 7, respectively). Thirteen mothers intrinsically refused to perpetuate FGM/C onto their daughters and two diasporic mothers were in favour of FGM/C but forewent the practice for fear of legal repercussions. Whether the eschewing of FGM/C was deliberate or legally imposed, raising 'uncut' daughters had significant consequences in terms of women's mothering experiences. Mothers faced specific challenges pertaining to community and family pressure to have daughters undergo FGM/C, and expressed concerns regarding their daughters' sexuality. Conversely, women's narratives were also infused with pride and hope for their daughters, and revealed an accrued dialogue between the mother-daughter dyad about cultural norms and sexuality. Interestingly, women's mothering experience was also bolstered by the existence of informal networks of support between mothers with FGM/C whose daughters were 'uncut'. These communities of mothers engaged in open dialogue about the consequences of FGM/C and offered reciprocal solidarity and support in their decision to forego FGM/C for their children. Women with FGM/C who are raising 'uncut' daughters in their homeland and in their country of immigration vastly report a positive experience. However, they also face specific challenges related to immigration, psychosocial, and psychosexual considerations, which must be tackled from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Ethnopharmacological reports on anti-Buruli ulcer medicinal plants in three West African countries.

PubMed

Tsouh Fokou, Patrick Valere; Nyarko, Alexander Kwadwo; Appiah-Opong, Regina; Tchokouaha Yamthe, Lauve Rachel; Addo, Phyllis; Asante, Isaac K; Boyom, Fabrice Fekam

2015-08-22

Buruli ulcer (BU) is the third most common mycobacterial infection in the world, after tuberculosis and leprosy and has recently been recognized as an important emerging disease. This disease is common in West Africa where more than 99% of the burden is felt and where most affected people live in remote areas with traditional medicine as primary or only option. Reports indicate that the ethnopharmacological control approach of the disease in such settings has shown promise. However, no or very few compilations of traditional knowledge in using medicinal plants to treat BU have been attempted so far. This review aimed to record medicinal plants used traditionally against BU in three countries in West Africa: Ivory Coast, Ghana and Benin and for which ethnopharmacological knowledge supported by pharmacological investigations has been reported. The information recorded in this review will support further pharmacological research to develop appropriate drugs for a better BU control. A systematic review of the literature on ethnobotanical use and anti-BU activity of plants reported for BU treatment was performed. The approach consisted to search several resources, including Technical Reports, Books, Theses, Conference proceedings, web-based scientific databases such as publications on PubMed, Science direct, Springer, ACS, Scielo, PROTA, Google and Google scholar reporting ethnobotanical surveys and screening of natural products against Mycobacterium ulcerans. This study was limited to papers and documents published either in English or French reporting ethnopharmacological knowledge in BU treatment or pharmacological potency in vitro. This review covered the available literature up to December 2014. The majority of reports originated from the three most affected West African countries (Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Benin). Though, 98 plant species belonging to 48 families have been identified as having anti-BU use, many have received no or little attention. Most of the pharmacological studies were performed only on 54 species. To a lesser extent, ethnopharmacological knowledge was validated in vitro for only 13 species. Of those, seven species including Ricinus comminus, Cyperus cyperoides (cited as Mariscus alternifolius), Nicotiana tabacum, Mangifera indica, Solanum rugosum, Carica papaya, and Moringa oleifera demonstrated efficacy in hospitalised BU patients. Four isolated and characterized compounds were reported to have moderate bioactivity in vitro against M. ulcerans. This review compiles for the first time ethnopharmacologically useful plants against BU. The phamacological potential of 13 of them has been demonstrated in vitro and support BU evidence-based traditional medicines. In addition, 7 species showed activity in BU patients and have emerged as a promising source of the traditional medicine for treatment of BU. Yet, further safety and efficacy study should be initiated prior any approval as alternative therapy. Overall, a huge gap in knowledge appeared, suggesting further well-planned and detailed investigations of the in vitro, in vivo, and safety properties of the claimed anti-BU plants. Therefore, plants with medicinal potential should be scrutinized for biologically active compounds, using bioassay-guided fractionation approach to provide new insights to find novel therapeutics for BU control. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

The DACCIWA 2016 radiosonde campaign in southern West Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fink, Andreas H.; Maranan, Marlon; Knippertz, Peter; Ngamini, Jean-Blaise; Francis, Sabastine

2017-04-01

Operational upper-air stations are very sparsely distributed over West Africa, resulting in the necessity to enhance radiosonde observations for the DACCIWA (Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa) experimental period during June-July 2016. Building on the AMMA (African Monsoon - Multidisciplinary Analyses) experience, existing infrastructures, as well as human networks, the upper air network was successfully augmented to a spatial density that is unprecedented for southern West Africa. Altogether, more than 750 experimental radiosondes were launched at seven stations in three countries along the Guinea Coast. From its outset, the DACCIWA radiosonde campaign had three pillars: (a) enhancing soundings at operational or quiescent AMMA radiosonde stations; (b) launching sondes at DACCIWA supersites and two additional DACCIWA field sites; and (c) collecting standard and - if possible - high-resolution data from other operational RS stations. In terms of (a), it was found during preparing recce visits to West Africa, that the AMMA-activated stations of Cotonou (Benin) and Abuja (Nigeria) were operational though almost "invisible" on the World Meteorological Organisation's Global Teleconnection System (GTS). These and other AMMA legacies facilitated the implementation of enhanced, four-times daily soundings at Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Cotonou and Parakou (both Benin). Two well-instrumented DACCIWA ground sites at Kumasi (Ghana) and Savé (Benin) performed 06 UTC soundings, being enhanced to four-times daily ascents during fifteen Intensive Observing Periods (IOPs). In addition, research staff and students from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and African partners conducted up to five-times daily soundings at Lamto (Ivory Coast) and Accra (Ghana). Almost all of the experimental DACCIWA ascents were submitted to the GTS in real time and assimilated at least at three European numerical weather prediction centres that helped to improve their operational analysis over southern West Africa during June-July 2016. In addition, upper-air data from the Nigerian stations Lagos, Abuja and Kano, not available in international archives, were collected and fed into the DACCIWA database. Instrumental to the success of the DACCIWA radiosonde campaign under challenging logistical constraints was the excellent collaboration and commitment of various African partners. In addition, European and African students worked together in the field to ensure an uninterrupted sounding frequency. The present contribution will describe the network, aspects of the Africa-European team working, the available data and their accessibility for research, as well as some first applications and highlights.

Mapping malaria risk among children in Côte d’Ivoire using Bayesian geo-statistical models

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background In Côte d’Ivoire, an estimated 767,000 disability-adjusted life years are due to malaria, placing the country at position number 14 with regard to the global burden of malaria. Risk maps are important to guide control interventions, and hence, the aim of this study was to predict the geographical distribution of malaria infection risk in children aged <16 years in Côte d’Ivoire at high spatial resolution. Methods Using different data sources, a systematic review was carried out to compile and geo-reference survey data on Plasmodium spp. infection prevalence in Côte d’Ivoire, focusing on children aged <16 years. The period from 1988 to 2007 was covered. A suite of Bayesian geo-statistical logistic regression models was fitted to analyse malaria risk. Non-spatial models with and without exchangeable random effect parameters were compared to stationary and non-stationary spatial models. Non-stationarity was modelled assuming that the underlying spatial process is a mixture of separate stationary processes in each ecological zone. The best fitting model based on the deviance information criterion was used to predict Plasmodium spp. infection risk for entire Côte d’Ivoire, including uncertainty. Results Overall, 235 data points at 170 unique survey locations with malaria prevalence data for individuals aged <16 years were extracted. Most data points (n = 182, 77.4%) were collected between 2000 and 2007. A Bayesian non-stationary regression model showed the best fit with annualized rainfall and maximum land surface temperature identified as significant environmental covariates. This model was used to predict malaria infection risk at non-sampled locations. High-risk areas were mainly found in the north-central and western area, while relatively low-risk areas were located in the north at the country border, in the north-east, in the south-east around Abidjan, and in the central-west between two high prevalence areas. Conclusion The malaria risk map at high spatial resolution gives an important overview of the geographical distribution of the disease in Côte d’Ivoire. It is a useful tool for the national malaria control programme and can be utilized for spatial targeting of control interventions and rational resource allocation. PMID:22571469

Sérologie palustre: quel apport dans un pays d’endémie palustre comme la Côte d’Ivoire?

PubMed Central

Goran-Kouacou, Amah Patricia Victorine; Dou, Gonat Serge; Zika, Kalou Dibert; Adou, Adjoumanvoulé Honoré; Yéboah, Oppong Richard; Aka, Rita Ahou; Hien, Sansan; Siransy, Kouabla Liliane; N’Guessan, Koffi; Djibangar, Tariam Agnès; Dassé, Séry Romuald; Adoubryn, Koffi Daho

2017-01-01

Introduction La sérologie palustre semble avoir peu d’intérêt dans les pays d’endémie comme la Côte d’Ivoire. Cependant cet examen a été régulièrement réalisé au laboratoire de Parasitologie de l’Unité de Formation et de Recherche Sciences Médicales d’Abidjan. Le but de notre étude était d’apprécier l’apport de la sérologie palustre dans notre contexte de pays endémique. Méthodes Nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective portant sur la sérologie palustre qui a utilisé le kit Falciparum spot-IF de Biomérieux à la recherche d’anticorps antiplasmodiaux d’isotype IgG. Elle a concerné les sérologies réalisées de janvier 2007 à février 2011 et dont les résultats étaient disponibles dans le registre. Résultats Au total, 136 patients ont été sélectionnés. L’âge moyen était de 36,3 ans avec des extrêmes de 1 an et 81 ans et un sex-ratio de 0,97. Les indications de sérologie palustre étaient variées, dominées par la splénomégalie (49,3%), les cytopénies (14,7%), la fièvre d’origine indéterminée (13,2%). La quasi-totalité des patients (98,5%) avaient des anticorps antiplasmodiaux avec un titre moyen élevé à 1057,35UI/ml. Il n’existait pas de lien entre l’âge et le titre d’Ac qui était plus élevé pour les cytopénies, les fièvres prolongées et la splénomégalie. Conclusion La sérologie palustre a peu d’intérêt dans notre pratique courante en zone d’endémie car quelque soit le motif de la prescription, les titres étaient élevés. PMID:28690735

[Acceptability of HIV testing provided to infants in pediatric services in Cote d'Ivoire, meanings for pediatric diagnostic coverage].

PubMed

Oga, Maxime; Brou, Hermann; Dago-Akribi, Hortense; Coffie, Patrick; Amani-Bossé, Clarisse; Ekouévi, Didier; Yapo, Vincent; Menan, Hervé; Ndondoki, Camille; Timité-Konan, M; Leroy, Valériane

2014-01-01

HIV testing in children had rarely been a central concern for researchers. When pediatric tracking retained the attention, it was more to inform on the diagnosis tools' performances rather than the fact the pediatric test can be accepted or refused. This article highlights the parents' reasons which explain why pediatric HIV test is accepted or refused. To study among parents, the explanatory factors of the acceptability of pediatric HIV testing among infant less than six months. Semi-structured interview with repeated passages in the parents of infants less than six months attending in health care facilities for the pediatric weighing/vaccination and consultations. We highlight that the parents' acceptance of the pediatric HIV screening is based on three elements. Firstly, the health care workers by his speech (which indicates its own knowledge and perceptions on the infection) directed towards mothers' influences their acceptance or not of the HIV test. Secondly, the mother who by her knowledge and perceptions on HIV, whose particular status, give an impression of her own wellbeing for her and her child influences any acceptance of the pediatric HIV test. Thirdly, the marital environment of the mother, particularly characterized by the ease of communication within the couple, to speak about the HIV test and its realization for the parents or the mother only are many factors which influence the effective realization of the pediatric HIV testing. The preventive principle of HIV transmission and the desire to realize the test in the newborn are not enough alone to lead to its effective realization, according to certain mothers confronted with the father's refusal. On the other hand, the other mothers refusing the realization of the pediatric test told to be opposed to it; of course, even if their partner would accept it. The mothers are the principal facing the pediatric HIV question and fear the reprimands and stigma. The father, the partner could be an obstacle, when he is opposed to the infant HIV testing, or also the facilitator with his realization if he is convinced. The father position thus remains essential face to the question of pediatric HIV testing acceptability. The mothers are aware of this and predict the difficulties of achieving their infant to be tested without the preliminary opinion of their partner at the same time father, and head of the family. The issue of pediatric HIV testing, at the end of our analysis, highlights three elements which require a comprehensive management to improve the coverage of pediatric HIV test. These three elements would not exist without being influenced; therefore they are constantly in interaction and prevent or support the realization or not pediatric test. Also, with the aim to improve the pediatric HIV test coverage, it is necessary to take into account the harmonious management of these elements. Firstly, the mother alone (with her knowledge, and perceptions), its marital environment (with the proposal of the HIV test integrating (1) the partner and/or father with his perceptions and knowledge on HIV infection and (2) facility of speaking about the test and its realization at both or one about the parents, the mother) and of the knowledge, attitudes and practices about the infection of health care workers of the sanitary institution. Our recommendations proposed taking into account a redefinition of the HIV/AIDS approach towards the families exposed to HIV and a more accentuated integration of the father facilitating their own HIV test acceptation and that of his child.

Lignes directrices canadiennes sur la rhinosinusite bactérienne aiguë

PubMed Central

Kaplan, Alan

2014-01-01

Résumé Objectif Faire un résumé clinique des lignes directrices canadiennes sur la rhinosinusite bactérienne aiguë (RSBA) qui présente des éléments d’intérêt pour les médecins de famille. Source des données Les auteurs des lignes directrices ont effectué une recherche documentaire systématique et ont rédigé des recommandations. Une cote a été donnée à la fois en fonction de la fiabilité des données probantes et de la solidité des recommandations. On a sollicité les commentaires d’experts en la matière venant de l’extérieur, ainsi que l’aval de sociétés médicales canadiennes (Association pour la microbiologie médicale et l’infectiologie Canada, Société canadienne d’allergie et d’immunologie clinique, Société canadienne d’otorhinolaryngologie et de chirurgie cervicofaciale, Association canadienne des médecins d’urgence et Regroupement canadien des médecins de famille en santé respiratoire). Message principal Le diagnostic de la RSBA repose sur la présence de symptômes particuliers et leur durée; l’imagerie ou une culture n’est pas nécessaire dans les cas peu compliqués. Le traitement dépend de la gravité des symptômes, notamment avec des corticostéroïdes intranasaux (CSIN) recommandés comme monothérapie pour les cas de légers à modérés, quoique leurs bienfaits soient modestes. Le recours à des CSIN accompagnés d’antibiotiques est réservé aux patients qui ne répondent pas aux CSIN après 72 heures et comme traitement initial des patients dont les symptômes sont graves. Le choix de l’antibiotique doit tenir compte du pathogène soupçonné, du risque de résistance, des problèmes concomitants et des tendances locales de la résistance aux antimicrobiens. Des thérapies d’appoint comme l’irrigation nasale avec une solution saline sont recommandées. En présence de cas réfractaires au traitement, d’épisodes récurrents et de signes de complications, on devrait demander une consultation en otorhinolaryngologie. Les lignes directrices portent sur les situations particulières à l’environnement canadien des soins de santé, y compris les actions à prendre durant les périodes d’attente prolongées pour avoir une consultation avec un spécialiste ou une imagerie. Conclusion Les lignes directrices canadiennes offrent des recommandations à jour pour le diagnostic et le traitement de la RSBA qui tiennent compte de la compréhension en évolution de la maladie. De plus, les lignes directrices présentent des outils utiles pour aider les cliniciens à cerner les épisodes viraux par opposition à ceux d’origine bactérienne, ainsi qu’à prendre en charge de manière optimale leurs patients atteints de RSBA.

Paleoclimatic and deforestation effect on the chemical and isotopic composition of the coastal fresh groundwater resources of South-east Ivory Coast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adiaffi, B.; Marlin, C.; Yei, O. M.-S.; Massault, M.; Noret, A.; Biemi, J.

2009-04-01

Since a half of century, the forest surface area of the South Ivory Coast has been decreased for the benefit of agriculture (15 000 km2 in 1993 versus 83 000 km2 in 1955-1958). This area also undergoes climate change. Vegetation cover has gradually changed from rainforests (C3 plants) to savanna (C4 plants) and agricultural plants. In the Abidjan area (5.00-6.00°N, 2.40-4.40°W), the mean rainfall amount and temperature value evolve during the 20th century (1912 mm/year and 26.3°C/year during the first decennial to 1613 mm/year and 26.9°C/year during the last ten years). The Paleoproterozoïc fractured bedrock (PB) and the Continental Terminal (CT) deposits groundwater are studied to show the climate change and deforestation effect on the area groundwater resources using stable isotopes (18O, 2H and 13C) contents, radiocarbon (14C) contents and chemical data on a set of 25 groundwater samples. The residence time of the groundwaters is estimated by the 14C using two models: (i) the model of well-mixed reservoir (WMR model) and (ii) the piston flow model (PF model). The range of the PB groundwater residence time (15 000 - 8 000 to ~ 300 - 100 a BP) for both models shows that the recharge has started at the beginning of the post-glacial period whereas the CT aquifer recharge is much more recent (from 300 a BP to today). The PB groundwater provides information about paleoclimatic conditions that occurred over the studied area during the late Pleistocene. It is demonstrated, through this study, that the evolution of vegetation cover (from forests to savanna and agriculture plants) is shown in groundwater by the trend in 13C content from old groundwater (confined bedrock groundwater: residence time of ~ 15 000 a BP) to the recent groundwater (unconfined bedrock groundwater and CT groundwater: residence times: ~ 300 a BP and lower than 100 a BP, respectively). The δ18O and δ2H values also increase with time from the beginning of the post-glacial period (~ 15 000 a BP) to the present day (< 100 a BP), showing the evolution of the climate from cold to warm conditions. This study has shown the paleoclimate effect on the water resources in Ivory Coast and are consistent with the results obtained by some authors in Western Africa (Ghana, Liberia, Mali and Niger).

Status of pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae s. s. M form prior to the scaling up of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) in Adzopé, Eastern Côte d’Ivoire

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The growing development of pyrethroid resistance constitutes a serious threat to malaria control programmes and if measures are not taken in time, resistance may compromise control efforts in the foreseeable future. Prior to Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) distribution in Eastern Cote d’Ivoire, we conducted bioassays to inform the National Malaria Control Programme of the resistance status of the main malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae s. s. and the need for close surveillance of resistance. Methods Larvae of An. gambiae s. s. were collected in two areas of Adzopé (Port-Bouët and Tsassodji) and reared to adults. WHO susceptibility tests with impregnated filter papers were carried out to detect resistance to three pyrethroids commonly used to develop LLINs: permethrin 1%, deltamethrin 0.05% and lambda-cyhalothrin 0.05%. Molecular assays were conducted to detect M and S forms and the L1014F kdr allele in individual mosquitoes. Results Resistance, at various degrees was detected in both areas of Adzopé. Overall, populations of An. gambiae at both sites surveyed showed equivalent frequency of the L1014F kdr allele (0.67) but for all tested pyrethroids, there were significantly higher survival rates for mosquitoes from Tsassodji (32–58%) than those from Port-Bouët (3–32%) (p < 0.001), indicating the implication of resistance mechanisms other than kdr alone. During the survey period (May–June) in this forested area of Côte d’Ivoire, An. gambiae s. s. found were exclusively of the M form and were apparently selected for pyrethroid resistance through agricultural and household usage of insecticides. Conclusion Prior to LLINs scaling up in Eastern Côte d’Ivoire, resistance was largely present at various levels in An. gambiae. Underlying mechanisms included the high frequency of the L1014F kdr mutation and other unidentified components, probably metabolic detoxifiers. Their impact on the efficacy of the planned strategy (LLINs) in the area should be investigated alongside careful monitoring of the trend in that resistance over time. The need for alternative insecticides to supplement or replace pyrethroids on nets must be stressed. PMID:23232083

Efficiency improvement in proton dose calculations with an equivalent restricted stopping power formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maneval, Daniel; Bouchard, Hugo; Ozell, Benoît; Després, Philippe

2018-01-01

The equivalent restricted stopping power formalism is introduced for proton mean energy loss calculations under the continuous slowing down approximation. The objective is the acceleration of Monte Carlo dose calculations by allowing larger steps while preserving accuracy. The fractional energy loss per step length ɛ was obtained with a secant method and a Gauss-Kronrod quadrature estimation of the integral equation relating the mean energy loss to the step length. The midpoint rule of the Newton-Cotes formulae was then used to solve this equation, allowing the creation of a lookup table linking ɛ to the equivalent restricted stopping power L eq, used here as a key physical quantity. The mean energy loss for any step length was simply defined as the product of the step length with L eq. Proton inelastic collisions with electrons were added to GPUMCD, a GPU-based Monte Carlo dose calculation code. The proton continuous slowing-down was modelled with the L eq formalism. GPUMCD was compared to Geant4 in a validation study where ionization processes alone were activated and a voxelized geometry was used. The energy straggling was first switched off to validate the L eq formalism alone. Dose differences between Geant4 and GPUMCD were smaller than 0.31% for the L eq formalism. The mean error and the standard deviation were below 0.035% and 0.038% respectively. 99.4 to 100% of GPUMCD dose points were consistent with a 0.3% dose tolerance. GPUMCD 80% falloff positions (R80 ) matched Geant’s R80 within 1 μm. With the energy straggling, dose differences were below 2.7% in the Bragg peak falloff and smaller than 0.83% elsewhere. The R80 positions matched within 100 μm. The overall computation times to transport one million protons with GPUMCD were 31-173 ms. Under similar conditions, Geant4 computation times were 1.4-20 h. The L eq formalism led to an intrinsic efficiency gain factor ranging between 30-630, increasing with the prescribed accuracy of simulations. The L eq formalism allows larger steps leading to a O(constant) algorithmic time complexity. It significantly accelerates Monte Carlo proton transport while preserving accuracy. It therefore constitutes a promising variance reduction technique for computing proton dose distributions in a clinical context.

Search for Carbon-Rich Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars in Milky Way Globular Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Indahl, Briana; Pessev, P.

2014-01-01

From our current understanding of stellar evolution, it would not be expected to find carbon rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in Milky Way globular clusters. Due to the low metallicity of the population II stars making up the globular clusters and their age, stars large enough to fuse carbon should have already evolved off of the asymptotic giant branch. Recently, however, there have been serendipitous discoveries of these types of stars. Matsunaga et al. (2006) discovered a Mira variable in the globular cluster Lynga 7. It was later confirmed by Feast et al. (2012) that the star is a member of the cluster and must be a product of a stellar merger. In the same year, Sharina et al. (2012) discovered a carbon star in the low metallicity globular cluster NGC6426 and reports it to be a CH star. Five more of these types of stars have been made as serendipitous discoveries and have been reported by Harding (1962), Dickens (1972), Cote et al. (1997), and Van Loon (2007). The abundance of these types of carbon stars in Milky Way globular clusters has been unknown because the discovery of these types of objects has only ever been a serendipitous discovery. These stars could have been easily overlooked in the past as they are outside the typical parameter space of galactic globular clusters. Also advances in near-infrared instruments and observing techniques have made it possible to detect the fainter carbon stars in binary systems. Having an understanding of the abundances of carbon stars in galactic globular clusters will aid in the modeling of globular cluster and galaxy formation leading to a better understanding of these processes. To get an understanding of the abundances of these stars we conducted the first comprehensive search for AGB carbon stars into all Milky Way globular clusters listed in the Harris Catalog (expect for Pyxis). I have found 128 carbon star candidates using methods of comparing color magnitude diagrams of the clusters with the carbon stars of the Large Magellenic Clouds and picking out very red stars in the red giant branch range. Observations will need to be done of these candidates to further confirm if they are carbon stars and are members of their respective globular cluster.

Towards a detailed knowledge about Mediterranean flash floods and extreme floods in the catchments of Spain, France and Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duband, D.

2009-09-01

It is important to remember that scientific research programs of the European Commission and contributors had implemented a multidisciplinary (geography, history, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, geomorphology, geology, paleohydrology, sociology, economy......) better knowledge and more understanding of the physical risk assessment of disastrous floods (particularly flash floods) with rising factors of vulnerability and perhaps climate change at the end of the XX1 century, in the triangular geographical area Zaragosa (Spain)-Orléans (France)-Firenze (Italy). With reference to historical floods events observed from last two centuries in Spain (Catalonia), France (Languedoc Roussillon - Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur-Corse-Rhone Alpes -Auvergne- Bourgogne) and in Italy (Ligurie - Piemont - Lombardie) we lay particular stress on a detailed understanding of the spatial and temporal scales of the physical dynamic process being at the origin of locals or extensive flash floods. This study requires to be based on the meteorology (atmospheric circulation patterns ,on west Europe- Atlantic and Mediterranean sea) responsible, with relief and sea surface temperature, of high precipitations (amounts, intensities), air temperature, discharges of high floods, observed in the past ,on large and coastal rivers. We will take example of the Rhone river catchments, in connexion with Po-Ebre-Loire-Seine rivers, based on the studies of thirty high historical floods occurred from 1840 to 2005, and characteristics of Oceanic and Mediterranean weather situations, sometime alternated. Since recent years we have the daily mean sea level pressure dataset (EMSLP) reconstructions for European-North Atlantic Region for the period 1850-2006. So it is now possible to allow us the selection in the complete meteorological dataset during 1950- 2009 period by an analog method (like operational daily applications from 1969, at Electricity of France) to select weather situations similar to historical daily situations responsible of extreme floods with larges discharges, with the conditional precipitations associated on catchments with god and up to date observations of precipitations (daily, hourly). This kind of complete studies would be very useful for: -Statistical-physical studies of extreme rainfall-flood events (peak discharge, volume), frequency-probability-uncertainty (GRADEX and SHADEX methodology), -Better forecasting of meteorological (precipitations) and hydrological (floods) events, during crisis situations, -better understanding of the historical variability in the past 2 centuries (atmospheric features, precipitations, discharges high/low), -Better adjustment of modelling simulation, -Better identification and probabilistic approach of uncertainties.

A meteorological and chemical overview of the DACCIWA field campaign in West Africa in June-July 2016

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Knippertz, Peter; Fink, Andreas H.; Deroubaix, Adrien; Morris, Eleanor; Tocquer, Flore; Evans, Mat J.; Flamant, Cyrille; Gaetani, Marco; Lavaysse, Christophe; Mari, Celine; Marsham, John H.; Meynadier, Rémi; Affo-Dogo, Abalo; Bahaga, Titike; Brosse, Fabien; Deetz, Konrad; Guebsi, Ridha; Latifou, Issaou; Maranan, Marlon; Rosenberg, Philip D.; Schlueter, Andreas

2017-09-01

In June and July 2016 the Dynamics-Aerosol-Chemistry-Cloud Interactions in West Africa (DACCIWA) project organised a major international field campaign in southern West Africa (SWA) including measurements from three inland ground supersites, urban sites in Cotonou and Abidjan, radiosondes, and three research aircraft. A significant range of different weather situations were encountered during this period, including the monsoon onset. The purpose of this paper is to characterise the large-scale setting for the campaign as well as synoptic and mesoscale weather systems affecting the study region in the light of existing conceptual ideas, mainly using objective and subjective identification algorithms based on (re-)analysis and satellite products. In addition, it is shown how the described synoptic variations influence the atmospheric composition over SWA through advection of mineral dust, biomass burning and urban pollution plumes.The boreal summer of 2016 was characterised by Pacific La Niña, Atlantic El Niño and warm eastern Mediterranean conditions, whose competing influences on precipitation led to an overall average rainy season. During the relatively dusty pre-onset Phase 1 (1-21 June 2016), three westward-propagating coherent cyclonic vortices between 4 and 13° N modulated winds and rainfall in the Guinea coastal area. The monsoon onset occurred in connection with a marked extratropical trough and cold surge over northern Africa, leading to a breakdown of the Saharan heat low and African easterly jet and a suppression of rainfall. During this period, quasi-stationary low-level vortices associated with the trough transformed into more tropical, propagating disturbances resembling an African easterly wave (AEW). To the east of this system, moist southerlies penetrated deep into the continent. The post-onset Phase 2 (22 June-20 July 2016) was characterised by a significant increase in low-level cloudiness, unusually dry conditions and strong northeastward dispersion of urban pollution plumes in SWA as well as rainfall modulation by westward-propagating AEWs in the Sahel. Around 12-14 July 2016 an interesting and so-far undocumented cyclonic-anticyclonic vortex couplet crossed SWA. The anticyclonic centre had its origin in the Southern Hemisphere and transported unusually dry air filled with aged aerosol into the region. During Phase 3 (21-26 July 2016), a similar vortex couplet slightly farther north created enhanced westerly moisture transports into SWA and extraordinarily wet conditions, accompanied by a deep penetration of the biomass burning plume from central Africa. Finally, a return to more undisturbed monsoon conditions took place during Phase 4 (27-31 July 2016). The in-depth synoptic analysis reveals that several significant weather systems during the DACCIWA campaign cannot be attributed unequivocally to any of the tropical waves and disturbances described in the literature and thus deserve further study.

Re-testing and misclassification of HIV-2 and HIV-1&2 dually reactive patients among the HIV-2 cohort of The West African Database to evaluate AIDS collaboration

PubMed Central

Tchounga, Boris K; Inwoley, Andre; Coffie, Patrick A; Minta, Daouda; Messou, Eugene; Bado, Guillaume; Minga, Albert; Hawerlander, Denise; Kane, Coumba; Eholie, Serge P; Dabis, François; Ekouevi, Didier K

2014-01-01

Introduction West Africa is characterized by the circulation of HIV-1 and HIV-2. The laboratory diagnosis of these two infections as well as the choice of a first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) is challenging, considering the limited access to second-line regimens. This study aimed at confirming the classification of HIV-2 and HIV-1&2 dually reactive patients followed up in the HIV-2 cohort of the West African Database to evaluate AIDS collaboration. Method A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to December 2012 in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali among patients classified as HIV-2 or HIV-1&2 dually reactive according to the national HIV testing algorithms. A 5-ml blood sample was collected from each patient and tested in a single reference laboratory in Côte d’Ivoire (CeDReS, Abidjan) with two immuno-enzymatic tests: ImmunoCombII® (HIV-1&2 ImmunoComb BiSpot – Alere) and an in-house ELISA test, approved by the French National AIDS and hepatitis Research Agency (ANRS). Results A total of 547 patients were included; 57% of them were initially classified as HIV-2 and 43% as HIV-1&2 dually reactive. Half of the patients had CD4≥500 cells/mm3 and 68.6% were on ART. Of the 312 patients initially classified as HIV-2, 267 (85.7%) were confirmed as HIV-2 with ImmunoCombII® and in-house ELISA while 16 (5.1%) and 9 (2.9%) were reclassified as HIV-1 and HIV-1&2, respectively (Kappa=0.69; p<0.001). Among the 235 patients initially classified as HIV-1&2 dually reactive, only 54 (23.0%) were confirmed as dually reactive with ImmunoCombII® and in-house ELISA, while 103 (43.8%) and 33 (14.0%) were reclassified as HIV-1 and HIV-2 mono-infected, respectively (kappa= 0.70; p<0.001). Overall, 300 samples (54.8%) were concordantly classified as HIV-2, 63 (11.5%) as HIV-1&2 dually reactive and 119 (21.8%) as HIV-1 (kappa=0.79; p<0.001). The two tests gave discordant results for 65 samples (11.9%). Conclusions Patients with HIV-2 mono-infection are correctly discriminated by the national algorithms used in West African countries. HIV-1&2 dually reactive patients should be systematically investigated, with a standardized algorithm using more accurate tests, before initiating ART as at least 4 out of 10 of them could initiate an effective first-line ART for HIV-1 and optimize their second-line treatment options. PMID:25128907

Diagnosis, Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, Prevention, and Control of Hypertension in Cameroon: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinic-Based and Community-Based Studies.

PubMed

Kuate Defo, Barthelemy; Mbanya, Jean Claude; Tardif, Jean-Claude; Ekundayo, Olugbemiga; Perreault, Sylvie; Potvin, Louise; Cote, Robert; Kengne, Andre Pascal; Choukem, Simeon Pierre; Assah, Felix; Kingue, Samuel; Richard, Lucie; Pongou, Roland; Frohlich, Katherine; Saji, Jude; Fournier, Pierre; Sobngwi, Eugene; Ridde, Valery; Dubé, Marie-Pierre; De Denus, Simon; Mbacham, Wilfred; Lafrance, Jean-Philippe; Nsagha, Dickson Shey; Mampuya, Warner; Dzudie, Anastase; Cloutier, Lyne; Zarowsky, Christina; Tanya, Agatha; Ndom, Paul; Hatem, Marie; Rey, Evelyne; Roy, Louise; Borgès Da Silva, Roxane; Dagenais, Christian; Todem, David; Weladji, Robert; Mbanya, Dora; Emami, Elham; Njoumemi, Zakariaou; Monnais, Laurence; Dubois, Carl-Ardy

2017-05-29

Hypertension holds a unique place in population health and health care because it is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and the most common noncommunicable condition seen in primary care worldwide. Without effective prevention and control, raised blood pressure significantly increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, dementia, renal failure, and blindness. There is an urgent need for stakeholders-including individuals and families-across the health system, researchers, and decision makers to work collaboratively for improving prevention, screening and detection, diagnosis and evaluation, awareness, treatment and medication adherence, management, and control for people with or at high risk for hypertension. Meeting this need will help reduce the burden of hypertension-related disease, prevent complications, and reduce the need for hospitalization, costly interventions, and premature deaths. This review aims to synthesize evidence on the epidemiological landscape and control of hypertension in Cameroon, and to identify elements that could potentially inform interventions to combat hypertension in this setting and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. The full search process will involve several steps, including selecting relevant databases, keywords, and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH); searching for relevant studies from the selected databases; searching OpenGrey and the Grey Literature Report for gray literature; hand searching in Google Scholar; and soliciting missed publications (if any) from relevant authors. We will select qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods studies with data on the epidemiology and control of hypertension in Cameroon. We will include published literature in French or English from electronic databases up to December 31, 2016, and involving adults aged 18 years or older. Both facility and population-based studies on hypertension will be included. Two reviewers of the team will independently search, screen, extract data, and assess the quality of selected studies using suitable tools. Selected studies will be analyzed by narrative synthesis, meta-analysis, or both, depending on the nature of the data retrieved in line with the review objectives. This review is part of an ongoing research program on disease prevention and control in the context of the dual burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases in Africa. The first results are expected in 2017. This review will provide a comprehensive assessment of the burden of hypertension and control measures that have been designed and implemented in Cameroon. Findings will form the knowledge base relevant to stakeholders across the health system and researchers who are involved in hypertension prevention and control in the community and clinic settings in Cameroon, as a yardstick for similar African countries. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017054950; http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ display_record.asp?ID=CRD42017054950 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qYSjt9Jc). ©Barthelemy Kuate Defo, Jean Claude Mbanya, Jean-Claude Tardif, Olugbemiga Ekundayo, Sylvie Perreault, Louise Potvin, Robert Cote, Andre Pascal Kengne, Simeon Pierre Choukem, Felix Assah, Samuel Kingue, Lucie Richard, Roland Pongou, Katherine Frohlich, Jude Saji, Pierre Fournier, Eugene Sobngwi, Valery Ridde, Marie-Pierre Dubé, Simon De Denus, Wilfred Mbacham, Jean-Philippe Lafrance, Dickson Shey Nsagha, Warner Mampuya, Anastase Dzudie, Lyne Cloutier, Christina Zarowsky, Agatha Tanya, Paul Ndom, Marie Hatem, Evelyne Rey, Louise Roy, Roxane Borgès Da Silva, Christian Dagenais, David Todem, Robert Weladji, Dora Mbanya, Elham Emami, Zakariaou Njoumemi, Laurence Monnais, Carl-Ardy Dubois. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 29.05.2017.

Sequence specificity of mutagen-nucleic acid complexes in solution: intercalation and mutagen-base pair overlap geometries for proflavine binding to dC-dC-dG-dG and dG-dG-dC-dC self-complementary duplexes.

PubMed

Patel, D J; Canuel, L L

1977-07-01

The complex formed between the mutagen proflavine and the dC-dC-dG-dG and dG-dG-dC-dC self-complementary tetranucleotide duplexes has been monitored by proton high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 0.1 M phosphate solution at high nucleotide/drug ratios. The large upfield shifts (0.5 to 0.85 ppm) observed at all the proflavine ring nonexchangeable protons on complex formation are consistent with intercalation of the mutagen between base pairs of the tetranucleotide duplex. We have proposed an approximate overlap geometry between the proflavine ring and nearest neighbor base pairs at the intercalation site from a comparison between experimental shifts and those calculated for various stacking orientations. We have compared the binding of actinomycin D, propidium diiodide, and proflavine to self-complementary tetranucleotide sequences dC-dC-dG-dG and dG-dG-dC-dC by UV absorbance changes in the drug bands between 400 and 500 nm. Actinomycin D exhibits a pronounced specificity for sequences with dG-dC sites (dG-dG-dC-dC), while propidium diiodide and proflavine exhibit a specificity for sequences with dC-dG sites (dC-dC-dG-dG). Actinomycin D binds more strongly than propidium diiodide and proflavine to dC-dG-dC-dG (contains dC-dG and dG-dC binding sites), indicative of the additional stabilization from hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between the pentapeptide lactone rings of actinomycin D and the base pair edges and sugar-phosphate backbone of the tetranucleotide duplex.

Sequence specificity of mutagen-nucleic acid complexes in solution: Intercalation and mutagen-base pair overlap geometries for proflavine binding to dC-dC-dG-dG and dG-dG-dC-dC self-complementary duplexes

PubMed Central

Patel, Dinshaw J.; Canuel, Lita L.

1977-01-01

The complex formed between the mutagen proflavine and the dC-dC-dG-dG and dG-dG-dC-dC self-complementary tetranucleotide duplexes has been monitored by proton high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 0.1 M phosphate solution at high nucleotide/drug ratios. The large upfield shifts (0.5 to 0.85 ppm) observed at all the proflavine ring nonexchangeable protons on complex formation are consistent with intercalation of the mutagen between base pairs of the tetranucleotide duplex. We have proposed an approximate overlap geometry between the proflavine ring and nearest neighbor base pairs at the intercalation site from a comparison between experimental shifts and those calculated for various stacking orientations. We have compared the binding of actinomycin D, propidium diiodide, and proflavine to self-complementary tetranucleotide sequences dC-dC-dG-dG and dG-dG-dC-dC by UV absorbance changes in the drug bands between 400 and 500 nm. Actinomycin D exhibits a pronounced specificity for sequences with dG-dC sites (dG-dG-dC-dC), while propidium diiodide and proflavine exhibit a specificity for sequences with dC-dG sites (dC-dC-dG-dG). Actinomycin D binds more strongly than propidium diiodide and proflavine to dC-dG-dC-dG (contains dC-dG and dG-dC binding sites), indicative of the additional stabilization from hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between the pentapeptide lactone rings of actinomycin D and the base pair edges and sugar-phosphate backbone of the tetranucleotide duplex. PMID:268613

76 FR 61054 - Approval and Promulgation of State Implementation Plans; State of Colorado Regulation Number 3...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-03

....aa; II.D.1.bb; II.D.1.kk; II.D.1.nn; II.D.1.oo; II.D.1.aaa; II.D.1.bbb; II.D.1.ccc; II.D.1.fff; II.D...; II.D.1.y; II.D.1.aa; II.D.1.bb; II.D.1.kk; II.D.1.nn; II.D.1.oo; II.D.1.aaa; II.D.1.bbb; II.D.1.ccc...

Effects of vitamin D2-fortified bread v. supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3 on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D metabolites: an 8-week randomised-controlled trial in young adult Finnish women.

PubMed

Itkonen, Suvi T; Skaffari, Essi; Saaristo, Pilvi; Saarnio, Elisa M; Erkkola, Maijaliisa; Jakobsen, Jette; Cashman, Kevin D; Lamberg-Allardt, Christel

2016-04-14

There is a need for food-based solutions for preventing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D3 (D3) is mainly used in fortified food products, although the production of vitamin D2 (D2) is more cost-effective, and thus may hold opportunities. We investigated the bioavailability of D2 from UV-irradiated yeast present in bread in an 8-week randomised-controlled trial in healthy 20-37-year-old women (n 33) in Helsinki (60°N) during winter (February-April) 2014. Four study groups were given different study products (placebo pill and regular bread=0 µg D2 or D3/d; D2 supplement and regular bread=25 µg D2/d; D3 supplement and regular bread=25 µg D3/d; and placebo pill and D2-biofortified bread=25 µg D2/d). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (S-25(OH)D2) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (S-25(OH)D3) concentrations were measured at baseline, midpoint and end point. The mean baseline total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D=S-25(OH)D2+S-25(OH)D3) concentration was 65·1 nmol/l. In repeated-measures ANCOVA (adjusted for baseline S-25(OH)D as total/D2/D3), D2-bread did not affect total S-25(OH)D (P=0·707) or S-25(OH)D3 (P=0·490), but increased S-25(OH)D2 compared with placebo (P<0·001). However, the D2 supplement was more effective than bread in increasing S-25(OH)D2 (P<0·001). Both D2 and D3 supplementation increased total S-25(OH)D compared with placebo (P=0·030 and P=0·001, respectively), but D2 supplementation resulted in lower S-25(OH)D3 (P<0·001). Thus, D2 from UV-irradiated yeast in bread was not bioavailable in humans. Our results support the evidence that D2 is less potent in increasing total S-25(OH)D concentrations than D3, also indicating a decrease in the percentage contribution of S-25(OH)D3 to the total vitamin D pool.

Differential effects of vitamin D2 and D3 supplements on 25-hydroxyvitamin D level are dose, sex, and time dependent: a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Hammami, Muhammad M; Yusuf, Ahmed

2017-02-24

Vitamin D (D) supplements are indispensable for its world-wide deficiency. Controversy continues on ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3) relative potency as well as on dosing-schedule and sex role in raising 25-hydroxy D (25(OH)D) level, the best indicator of D status. We randomized 279 adults to daily D2, D3, D2/D3, or placebo; 2-weekly D2 or D3; or 4-weekly D2 or D3 (250,000 IU over/140 days). Randomization sequence, stratified by body-mass-index (BMI) and sex, was concealed from study coordinators and participants who were then blinded to capsules' content. D2, D3, 25(OH)D2, and 25(OH)D3 Serum levels were determined blindly on days 0,1,2,3,4,7,14, and 2-weekly thereafter by high performance liquid chromatography assay. The results of 269 participants were available for analysis. Primary endpoint was area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 25(OH)D (25(OH)D2 + 25(OH)D3) adjusted for sex, BMI, and baseline 25(OH)D level. Mean(SD) age was 33.0(8.5) year, 41% were males, and 85% completed follow-up. Baseline 25(OH)D level was 39.8(11.9) and increased by 3.3(11.6) and 28.6(16.3) nmol/L, in the placebo and active-treatment groups, respectively. AUC from day 0 to 140 (AUC 140 ) of 25(OH)D was 40% (D3 daily) to 55% (D3 2-weekly) higher with active-treatment than placebo (p < 0.001). 25(OH)D2 AUC 140 was higher in daily than 2-weekly (17%, p = 0.006) and 4-weekly (20%, p = 0.001) D2-treated groups. 25(OH)D3 AUC 140 was lower in daily than 2-weekly (11%, p = 0.002) and 4-weekly D3-treated groups (10%, p = 0.008). In D2-treated groups, there was 16.4 nmol/L decrease in 25(OH)D3 level that correlated (p < 0.001) with 25(OH)D2 level increase (r = 0.48) and baseline 25(OH)D level (r = 0.58), in one participant with measurable baseline 25(OH)D2 level, D3 caused a similar decrease in 25(OH)D2 level, while in the D2/D3-treated group, 25(OH)D3 level didn't increase. Incremental AUC from day 0 to 7 (AUC 7 ) of D3 and 25(OH)D3 in D3-treated groups were 118-243% higher and 31-39% lower, respectively, than incremental AUC 7 of D2 and 25(OH)D2 in D2-treated groups. Incremental AUC 7 of D3 and 25(OH)D3 in D3-treated groups and D2 and 25(OH)D2 in D2-treated groups were higher in females than males (55, 13, 64, and 28%, respectively). Baseline 25(OH)D level predicted response to D2 and D3 (p < 0.001), whereas, BMI was significant predictor only for early response to D2. Effects of D2 and D3 supplements on 25 (OH)D level may be dosing-schedule and sex-dependent. D2-associated reduction in 25(OH)D3 level may be related to total 25(OH)D level rather than being D2-specific. D2 may be 25-hydroxylated faster than D3. ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT01170494 (registered July 25, 2010).

Feeding Concept, Military Vs Civilian System

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

Pudding d 3 c Chocolate Pudding w/Whipped Topping d 3 c Cowboy Cookies d 3 c Cream Puffs d 3 c Donuts d...c Fruit Won Tons d 3 c Gelatin Cubes d 3 c Hermits d 3 c Ice Box Cookies d : c Ice Cream d...I c Jelly Bar Spritz d 3 c Jelly Roll d : c Lemon Meringue Pie d : c Lime Gelatin Cubes d : c Oatmeal Cookies

New antagonists of LHRH. II. Inhibition and potentiation of LHRH by closely related analogues.

PubMed

Bajusz, S; Csernus, V J; Janaky, T; Bokser, L; Fekete, M; Schally, A V

1988-12-01

Modifications of the previously described LHRH antagonists, [Ac-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Trp3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10]LHRH and the corresponding D-Hci6 analogue, have been made to alter the hydrophobicity of the N-terminal acetyl-tripeptide portion. Substitution of D-Trp3 with the less hydrophobic D-Pal(3) had only marginal effects on the antagonistic activities and receptor binding potencies of the D-Cit/D-Hci6 analogues, but it appeared to further improve the toxicity lowering effect of D-Cit/D-Hci6 substitution. Antagonists containing D-Pal(3)3 and D-Cit/D-Hci6 residues, i.e. [Ac-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Pal(3)3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10]LHRH (SB-75) and [Ac-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Pal(3)3, D-Hci6, D-Ala10]LHRH (SB-88), were completely free of the toxic effects, such as cyanosis and respiratory depression leading to death, which have been observed in rats with the D-Trp3, D-Arg6 antagonist and related antagonists. Replacement of the N-acetyl group with the hydrophilic carbamoyl group caused a slight decrease in antagonistic activities, particularly in vitro. Introduction of urethane type acyl group such as methoxycarbonyl (Moc) or t-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) led to analogues that showed LHRH-potentiating effect. The increase in potency induced by these analogues, e.g. [Moc-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Trp3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10]LHRH and [Boc-D-Phe1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Pal(3)3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10]LHRH, was 170-260% and persisted for more than 2 h when studied in a superfused rat pituitary system.

The agreement between 3D, standard 2D and triplane 2D speckle tracking: effects of image quality and 3D volume rate.

PubMed

Trache, Tudor; Stöbe, Stephan; Tarr, Adrienn; Pfeiffer, Dietrich; Hagendorff, Andreas

2014-12-01

Comparison of 3D and 2D speckle tracking performed on standard 2D and triplane 2D datasets of normal and pathological left ventricular (LV) wall-motion patterns with a focus on the effect that 3D volume rate (3DVR), image quality and tracking artifacts have on the agreement between 2D and 3D speckle tracking. 37 patients with normal LV function and 18 patients with ischaemic wall-motion abnormalities underwent 2D and 3D echocardiography, followed by offline speckle tracking measurements. The values of 3D global, regional and segmental strain were compared with the standard 2D and triplane 2D strain values. Correlation analysis with the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was also performed. The 3D and 2D global strain values correlated good in both normally and abnormally contracting hearts, though systematic differences between the two methods were observed. Of the 3D strain parameters, the area strain showed the best correlation with the LVEF. The numerical agreement of 3D and 2D analyses varied significantly with the volume rate and image quality of the 3D datasets. The highest correlation between 2D and 3D peak systolic strain values was found between 3D area and standard 2D longitudinal strain. Regional wall-motion abnormalities were similarly detected by 2D and 3D speckle tracking. 2DST of triplane datasets showed similar results to those of conventional 2D datasets. 2D and 3D speckle tracking similarly detect normal and pathological wall-motion patterns. Limited image quality has a significant impact on the agreement between 3D and 2D numerical strain values.

Effect of vitamin D treatments on plasma metabolism and immune parameters of healthy dairy cows.

PubMed

Yue, Yuan; Hymøller, Lone; Jensen, Søren Krogh; Lauridsen, Charlotte

2018-06-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effect of vitamin D repletion on certain immune parameters of vitamin D insufficient dairy cows. Twenty dairy cows in late lactation were treated daily with vitamin D in five different ways: sunlight exposure (SUN), D 2 supplementation combined with sunlight exposure (D2SUN), D 2 supplementation (D2), D 3 supplementation (D3), and D 2 and D 3 supplementation combined (D2D3). The cows had very low vitamin D levels at d 0 because of the vitamin D deprivation before the study. After 1 month of vitamin D repletion, all cows had plasma 25(OH)D levels within the normal range. Total 25(OH)D concentration was significantly higher in SUN, D2SUN and D2D3 than D2 or D3 at the end of the study. However, milk yield, as well as protein and fat content of the milk, was not influenced by vitamin D treatments. There was no difference obtained in the measured immune parameters: Leucocyte populations, somatic cell count, immunoglobulin concentrations in plasma and milk, and antigen-stimulated cytokine productions did not change in response to vitamin D repletion or difference in vitamin D sources, and no relations to plasma 25(OH)D levels were identified. Despite the fact that plasma 25(OH)D increased from a very low level to normal range, the present study did not show any effect of vitamin D repletion on the tested immune parameters of healthy dairy cows. Therefore, in this study, it was concluded that repletion to physiologically normal plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of vitamin D-depleted healthy dairy cows had no influence on immune parameters.

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and hand preference for writing in the BBC Internet Study.

PubMed

Manning, J T; Peters, M

2009-09-01

The ratio of the length of the second to the fourth digit (2D:4D) may be negatively correlated with prenatal testosterone. Hand preference has been linked with prenatal testosterone and 2D:4D. Here we show that 2D:4D is associated with hand preference for writing in a large internet sample (n>170,000) in which participants self-reported their finger lengths. We replicated a significant association between right 2D:4D and writing hand preference (low right 2D:4D associated with left hand preference) as well as a significant correlation between writing hand preference and the difference between left and right 2D:4D or Dr-l (low Dr-l associated with left hand preference). A new significant correlation between left 2D:4D and writing hand preference was also shown (high left 2D:4D associated with left hand preference). There was a clear interaction between writing hand preference and 2D:4D: The left 2D:4D was significantly larger than the right 2D:4D in male and female left-handed writers, and the right hand 2D:4D was significantly larger than the left hand 2D:4D in male and female right-handed writers.

Aquatic Resources of Rocky Mountain Arsenal Adams County, Colorado

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-01

D Nais pardalis P Nais simplex D,P D,P DUNais variabilis D,P D,P P Ophidonais serpentina D D,P Pristina leidyi D D Stylaria lacustris D D D... serpentina were the dominant naidids in Lake Ladora. Nais variabilis was the only naidid identified in Lake Mary. Most of the tubificid worms collected were

Integration of Defocus by Dual Power Fresnel Lenses Inhibits Myopia in the Mammalian Eye

PubMed Central

McFadden, Sally A.; Tse, Dennis Y.; Bowrey, Hannah E.; Leotta, Amelia J.; Lam, Carly S.; Wildsoet, Christine F.; To, Chi-Ho

2014-01-01

Purpose. Eye growth compensates in opposite directions to single vision (SV) negative and positive lenses. We evaluated the response of the guinea pig eye to Fresnel-type lenses incorporating two different powers. Methods. A total of 114 guinea pigs (10 groups with 9–14 in each) wore a lens over one eye and interocular differences in refractive error and ocular dimensions were measured in each of three experiments. First, the effects of three Fresnel designs with various diopter (D) combinations (−5D/0D; +5D/0D or −5D/+5D dual power) were compared to three SV lenses (−5D, +5D, or 0D). Second, the ratio of −5D and +5D power in a Fresnel lens was varied (50:50 compared with 60:40). Third, myopia was induced by 4 days of exposure to a SV −5D lens, which was then exchanged for a Fresnel lens (−5D/+5D) or one of two SV lenses (+5D or −5D) and ocular parameters tracked for a further 3 weeks. Results. Dual power lenses induced an intermediate response between that to the two constituent powers (lenses +5D, +5D/0D, 0D, −5D/+5D, −5D/0D and −5D induced +2.1 D, +0.7 D, +0.1 D, −0.3 D, −1.6 D and −5.1 D in mean intraocular differences in refractive error, respectively), and changing the ratio of powers induced responses equal to their weighted average. In already myopic animals, continued treatment with SV negative lenses increased their myopia (from −3.3 D to −4.2 D), while switching to SV positive lenses or −5D/+5D Fresnel lenses reduced their myopia (by 2.9 D and 2.3 D, respectively). Conclusions. The mammalian eye integrates competing defocus to guide its refractive development and eye growth. Fresnel lenses, incorporating positive or plano power with negative power, can slow ocular growth, suggesting that such designs may control myopia progression in humans. PMID:24398103

Integration of defocus by dual power Fresnel lenses inhibits myopia in the mammalian eye.

PubMed

McFadden, Sally A; Tse, Dennis Y; Bowrey, Hannah E; Leotta, Amelia J; Lam, Carly S; Wildsoet, Christine F; To, Chi-Ho

2014-02-14

Eye growth compensates in opposite directions to single vision (SV) negative and positive lenses. We evaluated the response of the guinea pig eye to Fresnel-type lenses incorporating two different powers. A total of 114 guinea pigs (10 groups with 9-14 in each) wore a lens over one eye and interocular differences in refractive error and ocular dimensions were measured in each of three experiments. First, the effects of three Fresnel designs with various diopter (D) combinations (-5D/0D; +5D/0D or -5D/+5D dual power) were compared to three SV lenses (-5D, +5D, or 0D). Second, the ratio of -5D and +5D power in a Fresnel lens was varied (50:50 compared with 60:40). Third, myopia was induced by 4 days of exposure to a SV -5D lens, which was then exchanged for a Fresnel lens (-5D/+5D) or one of two SV lenses (+5D or -5D) and ocular parameters tracked for a further 3 weeks. Dual power lenses induced an intermediate response between that to the two constituent powers (lenses +5D, +5D/0D, 0D, -5D/+5D, -5D/0D and -5D induced +2.1 D, +0.7 D, +0.1 D, -0.3 D, -1.6 D and -5.1 D in mean intraocular differences in refractive error, respectively), and changing the ratio of powers induced responses equal to their weighted average. In already myopic animals, continued treatment with SV negative lenses increased their myopia (from -3.3 D to -4.2 D), while switching to SV positive lenses or -5D/+5D Fresnel lenses reduced their myopia (by 2.9 D and 2.3 D, respectively). The mammalian eye integrates competing defocus to guide its refractive development and eye growth. Fresnel lenses, incorporating positive or plano power with negative power, can slow ocular growth, suggesting that such designs may control myopia progression in humans.

Carnivorous diving beetles of the genus Desmopachria (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from Brazil: New species, new records, and a checklist

PubMed Central

Braga, Rafael Benzi; Ferreira, Nelson

2014-01-01

Abstract Eight new species of DesmopachriaBabington, 1841 are described and illustrated from Brazil: D. dicrophallica sp. nov. , D. disticta sp. nov. , D. grammosticta sp. nov. , D . grandinigra sp. nov. , D. itamontensis sp. nov. , D. leptophallica sp. nov. , D. stethothrix sp. nov. , and D. ukuki sp. nov. The species D. amyaeMiller, 2001 , D. cheiMiller, 1999 , D. margarita Young, 1990, and D. volatidiscaMiller, 2001 are recorded for the first time from Brazil. From species of the Desmopachria reported in Brazil, D. aldessaYoung, 1980 has a new record from Pará state and D. fossulataZimmermann, 1928, D. granoidesYoung, 1986 , and D. laevis Sharp, 1882 have new records from Rio de Janeiro State. A checklist of all Desmopachria recorded from Brazil is presented with notes about some of the localities. Resumo Oito espécies novas de DesmopachriaBabington, 1841 são descritas e ilustradas para o Brasil, D. dicrophallica sp. nov. , D. disticta sp. nov. , D. grammosticta sp. nov. , D . grandinigra sp. nov., D. itamontensis sp. nov., D. leptophallica sp. nov., D. stethothrix sp. nov. e D. ukuki sp. nov. As espécies D. amyaeMiller, 2001, D. cheiMiller, 1999 , D. margarita Young, 1990 e D. volatidiscaMiller, 2001 são registradas pela primeira vez para o Brasil. Das espécies de Desmopachria registradas para o Brasil D. aldessaYoung, 1980 tem um novo registro para o estado do Pará e D. fossulataZimmermann, 1928 , D. granoidesYoung, 1986 e D. laevis Sharp, 1882 têm novos registros para o estado do Rio de Janeiro. Uma listagem de todos os Desmopachria registrados para o Brasil é apresentada, com notas acerca de algumas localidades. PMID:25373202

Enzymatic and Microbial Preparation of d-Xylulose from d-Xylose

PubMed Central

Chiang, Lin-Chang; Hsiao, Humg-Yu; Ueng, Pear P.; Tsao, George T.

1981-01-01

A high-d-xylulose mixture (d-xylose-d-xylulose = 33:67) was prepared from the cold ethanol extract of preisomerized d-xylose solution (d-xylose-d-xylulose = 77:23). Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini and Aspergillus niger were demonstrated to preferentially utilize d-xylose in the mixture of d-xylose and d-xylulose. Chromatographically pure d-xylulose was thus obtained in 90% yield. A high-d-xylulose mixture was also incubated with Rhodotorula toruloides, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida utilis, or Mucor rouxii.d-Xylose and d-xylulose were simultaneously consumed. When borate was added to the mixture, a d-xylulose-borate complex was formed, and it could be used to protect d-xylulose from being utilized. PMID:16345816

Noise Certification Considerations for Helicopters Based on Laboratory Investigations

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-07-01

Calculations were made, usiug 1/3-octave I /2-second spectral analyses, of dBA, dBAT, dBAD, EdBA, PNdB, PNdBD, EPNdB, dBD , dBE, and dBA corrected...networks were examined, dBD and dBE, and the "crest" factor which iF dfined as ZO log Peak SPL PMS SPL was applied to uncorrected dBA. The ten engineering...calculation procedures and weighting networks investigated are: dBA PNdB + dBAT PNdBT dBA D EPNdB EdBA dBD (calculated at peak PNdB) dBA (with "crest

Bacterial resistance to vancomycin: overproduction, purification, and characterization of VanC2 from Enterococcus casseliflavus as a D-Ala-D-Ser ligase.

PubMed

Park, I S; Lin, C H; Walsh, C T

1997-09-16

The VanC phenotype for clinical resistance of enterococci to vancomycin is exhibited by Enterococcus gallinarum and Enterococcus casseliflavus. Based on the detection of the cell precursor UDP-N-acetylmuramic acid pentapeptide intermediate terminating in D-Ala-D-Ser instead of D-Ala-D-Ala, it has been predicted that the VanC ligase would be a D-Ala-D-Ser rather than a D-Ala-D-Ala ligase. Overproduction of the E. casseliflavus ATCC 25788 vanC2 gene in Escherichia coli and its purification to homogeneity allowed demonstration of ATP-dependent D-Ala-D-Ser ligase activity. The kcat/Km2 (Km2 = Km for D-Ser or C-terminal D-Ala) ratio for D-Ala-D-Ser/D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptide formation is 270/0.69 for a 400-fold selection against D-Ala in the C-terminal position. VanC2 also has substantial D-Ala-D-Asn ligase activity (kcat/Km2 = 74 mM-1min-1).

The Gut Microbiota Regulates Endocrine Vitamin D Metabolism through Fibroblast Growth Factor 23.

PubMed

Bora, Stephanie A; Kennett, Mary J; Smith, Philip B; Patterson, Andrew D; Cantorna, Margherita T

2018-01-01

To determine the effect of the microbiota on vitamin D metabolism, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25D), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25D), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25D) were measured in germ-free (GF) mice before and after conventionalization (CN). GF mice had low levels of 25D, 24,25D, and 1,25D and were hypocalcemic. CN of the GF mice with microbiota, for 2 weeks recovered 25D, 24,25D, and 1,25D levels. Females had more 25D and 24,25D than males both as GF mice and after CN. Introducing a limited number of commensals (eight commensals) increased 25D and 24,25D to the same extent as CN. Monocolonization with the enteric pathogen Citrobacter rodentium increased 25D and 24,25D, but the values only increased after 4 weeks of C. rodentium colonization when inflammation resolved. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 was extremely high in GF mice. CN resulted in an increase in TNF-α expression in the colon 2 days after CN that coincided with a reduction in FGF23 by 3 days that eventually normalized 25D, 24,25D, 1,25D at 1-week post-CN and reinstated calcium homeostasis. Neutralization of FGF23 in GF mice raised 1,25D, without CN, demonstrating that the high FGF23 levels were responsible for the low calcium and 1,25D in GF mice. The microbiota induce inflammation in the GF mice that inhibits FGF23 to eventually reinstate homeostasis that includes increased 25D, 24,25D, and 1,25D levels. The microbiota through FGF23 regulates vitamin D metabolism.

Scheduling and Coordination of Multiple Dynamic Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-12-01

Lemna 9. For C (.) defined in (39), .im C (D) -C (D ) exists V DE(.,D) (42) D-D and him4 C(D) C*(D+) exists V DE[D,D). (43) D-D Proof. For any DEi(,D] a...0[t0 ,1 ] where -to - [t,..., tK ’ (151) With this minor abuse of notation, the gradient of C[(t,V1 is to be K found with respect to t ER This

Increasing dietary EPA and DHA influence estimated fatty acid desaturase activity in systemic organs which is reflected in the red blood cell in mice.

PubMed

Davidson, Emily A; Pickens, C Austin; Fenton, Jenifer I

2018-03-01

Delta-5 (D5D) and delta-6 (D6D) desaturase are key enzymes in fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may alter tissue FA composition via D5D and D6D. The purpose was to determine the relationship between dietary EPA + DHA, estimated desaturase activities of various tissues and the reflection of desaturase activity in the red blood cell (RBC). Mice were fed diets with increasing percent of energy from EPA + DHA. Phospholipid FA composition of heart, muscle, spleen, lung, adipose tissues and RBC were analysed. D5D and D6D enzyme activity estimates (EAE) were calculated as the ratio of 20:4/20:3 and 20:3/18:2, respectively. D5D EAE decreased in all tissues, except muscle, with increasing dietary EPA + DHA. RBC D5D EAE positively correlated with D5D EAE in all tissues. RBC D6D EAE positively correlated with muscle and inversely correlated with adipose D6D EAE. Our findings suggest differential influence of dietary EPA + DHA upon tissue desaturase activities.

Six new C21 steroidal glycosides from Asclepias curassavica L.

PubMed

Li, Jun-Zhu; Liu, Hai-Yang; Lin, Yi-Ju; Hao, Xiao-Jiang; Ni, Wei; Chen, Chang-Xiang

2008-07-01

Six new C(21) steroidal glycosides, named curassavosides A-F (3-8), were obtained from the aerial parts of Asclepias curassavica (Asclepiadaceae), along with two known oxypregnanes, 12-O-benzoyldeacylmetaplexigenin (1) and 12-O-benzoylsarcostin (2). By spectroscopic methods, the structures of the six new compounds were determined as 12-O-benzoyldeacylmetaplexigenin 3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (3), 12-O-benzoylsarcostin 3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (4), sarcostin 3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-canaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (5), sarcostin 3-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-canaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-canaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (6), 12-O-benzoyldeacylmetaplexigenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-canaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (7), and 12-O-benzoylsarcostin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-d-canaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-oleandropyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside (8), respectively. All compounds (1-8) were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity; only compound 3 showed weak inhibitory activity against Raji and AGZY cell lines.

X-ray variability of Pleiades late-type stars as observed with the ROSAT-PSPC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marino, A.; Micela, G.; Peres, G.; Sciortino, S.

2003-08-01

We present a comprehensive analysis of X-ray variability of the late-type (dF7-dM) Pleiades stars, detected in all ROSAT-PSPC observations; X-ray variations on short (hours) and medium (months) time scales have been explored. We have grouped the stars in two samples: 89 observations of 42 distinct dF7-dK2 stars and 108 observations of 61 dK3-dM stars. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test applied on all X-ray photon time series show that the percentage of cases of significant variability is quite similar on both samples, suggesting that the presence of variability does not depend on mass for the time scales and mass range explored. The comparison between the Time X-ray Amplitude Distribution functions (XAD) of the set of dF7-dK2 and of the dK3-dM show that, on short time scales, dK3-dM stars show larger variations than dF7-dK2. A subsample of eleven dF7-dK2 and eleven dK3-dM Pleiades stars allows the study of variability on longer time scales: we found that variability on medium - long time scales is relatively more common among dF7-dK2 stars than among dK3-dM ones. For both dF7-dK2 Pleiades stars and dF7-dK2 field stars, the variability on short time scales depends on Lx while this dependence has not been observed among dK3-dM stars. It may be that the variability among dK3-dM stars is dominated by flares that have a similar luminosity distribution for stars of different Lx, while flaring distribution in dF7-dK2 stars may depend on X-ray luminosity. The lowest mass stars show significant rapid variability (flares?) and no evidence of rotation modulation or cycles. On the contrary, dF7-dK2 Pleiades stars show both rapid variability and variations on longer time scales, likely associated with rotational modulation or cycles.

Characteristics of a Plasma-Injection-Controlled Discharge for CO2 Mixing Lasers,

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-04-01

D=9,11 D=911 130 D-6,9 D-911,14 F3 F4 F5 F10 F11 D=6,8 D=11 D - 11 D-9,11,14 D=9,14 F6 F7 F 12 F13 F14 10 D=11 D =11 10D=9,1,14 F8 F9 F1 5 190 D...Representative (4 copies) Director, Defence Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Exchange Section, British Library, U.K. Periodicals Recording Section

Population genetic study for 24 STR loci and Y indel (GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit and PowerPlex® Fusion system) in 1000 Korean individuals.

PubMed

Park, Hyun-Chul; Kim, Kicheol; Nam, Younhyoung; Park, Jihye; Lee, Jinmyung; Lee, Hyehyeon; Kwon, Hansol; Jin, Hanjun; Kim, Wook; Kim, Won; Lim, Sikeun

2016-07-01

Allele frequencies for 23 autosomal short tandem repeat loci (D3S1358, vWA, D16S539, CSF1PO, TPOX, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, TH01, FGA, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D2S441, D19S433, D22S1045, D10S1248, D1S1656, D12S391, D2S1338, SE33, Penta D, Penta E), 1 Y-chromosome short tandem repeat locus (DYS391) and Y indel were obtained from 1000 unrelated individuals of the Korean population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vitamin D(3) is more potent than vitamin D(2) in humans.

PubMed

Heaney, Robert P; Recker, Robert R; Grote, James; Horst, Ronald L; Armas, Laura A G

2011-03-01

Current unitage for the calciferols suggests that equimolar quantities of vitamins D(2) (D2) and D(3) (D3) are biologically equivalent. Published studies yield mixed results. The aim of the study was to compare the potencies of D2 and D3. The trial used a single-blind, randomized design in 33 healthy adults. Calciferols were dosed at 50,000 IU/wk for 12 wk. Principal outcome variables were area under the curve for incremental total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and change in calciferol content of sc fat. Incremental mean (sd) 25(OH)D area under the curve at 12 wk was 1366 ng · d/ml (516) for the D2-treated group and 2136 (606) for the D3 (P < 0.001). Mean (sd) steady-state 25(OH)D increments showed similar differences: 24 ng/ml for D2 (10.3) and 45 ng/ml (16.2) for D3 (P <0.001). Subcutaneous fat content of D2 rose by 50 μg/kg in the D2-treated group, and D3 content rose by 104 μg/kg in the D3-treated group. Total calciferol in fat rose by only 33 ng/kg in the D2-treated, whereas it rose by 104 μg/kg in the D3-treated group. Extrapolating to total body fat D3, storage amounted to just 17% of the administered dose. D3 is approximately 87% more potent in raising and maintaining serum 25(OH)D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of vitamin D than does equimolar D2. For neither was there evidence of sequestration in fat, as had been postulated for doses in this range. Given its greater potency and lower cost, D3 should be the preferred treatment option when correcting vitamin D deficiency.

Assessment of Chemical Solution Synthesis and Properties of Gd2Zr2O7 Thin Films as Buffer Layers for Second-Generation High-Temperature Superconductor Wires (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-01

AC05-00OR22725. REFERENCES 1. D.P. Norton, A. Goyal, J.D. Budai, D.K. Christen, D.M. Kroeger, E.D. Specht , Q. He, B. Saffian, M. Paranthaman, C.E...critical current density. Science 274, 755 (1996). 2. A. Goyal, D.P. Norton, J.D. Budai, M. Paranthaman, E.D. Specht , D.M. Kroeger, D.K. Christen, Q...D.K. Christen, M. Paranthaman, E.D. Specht , J.D. Budai, Q. He, B. Saffian, F.A. List, D.F. Lee, E. Hatfield, P.M. Martin, C.E. Klabunde, J. Mathis

Assessment of Myocardial Infarct Size by Three-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography: A Comparative Study to Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography.

PubMed

Wang, Qiushuang; Huang, Dangsheng; Zhang, Liwei; Shen, Dong; Ouyang, Qiaohong; Duan, Zhongxiang; An, Xiuzhi; Zhang, Meiqing; Zhang, Chunhong; Yang, Feifei; Zhi, Guang

2015-10-01

To compare three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) techniques in the assessment of left ventricular function and myocardial infarct size (MIS). Thirty-two patients diagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction and 18 healthy control patients underwent 2D echocardiography, 3D echocardiography, and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). 3D left ventricular global area strain (GAS), 2D and 3D global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS) as well as global circumferential strain (GCS) were analyzed to correlate with myocardial infarct size detected by SPECT. 2D and 3D left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as well as 2D and 3D wall motion score index (WMSI) also were measured using conventional echocardiography. The 2D-GLS values were significantly higher than that of 3D-GLS, while 2D-GCS and GRS were significantly lower than 3D-GCS and GRS, respectively. However, no significant differences in LVEF and WMSI could be observed between 2D and 3D echocardiography. Myocardial strain indices, LVEF, and WMSI using 2D and 3D echocardiography also had good correlations with MIS as measured by SPECT. ROC curve analysis showed that the 3D and 2D myocardial indices, LVEF, and WMSI could distinguish between small and large MIS, while 2D-GLS had the highest AUC. The 2D and 3D myocardial strain indices correlated well with MIS by SPECT. Among them, the 2D-GLS showed the highest diagnostic value, while 3D-GRS and GCS had better diagnostic value than 2D-GRS and GCS. © 2015, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease: Can Novel Measures of Vitamin D Status Improve Risk Prediction and Address the Vitamin D Racial Paradox?

PubMed

Kim, Samuel M; Lutsey, Pamela L; Michos, Erin D

2017-01-01

To provide a state-of-the-art update on some emerging measures of vitamin D status and discuss how assessment of these key vitamin D metabolites might improve prognostication of risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition and relatively easy to treat with supplementation and/or modest sunlight exposure. A substantial body of experimental and epidemiological evidence suggest that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for CVD. Most epidemiologic studies to date have focused on total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, which is the established marker of vitamin D stores. However, there is emerging evidence that other novel markers of vitamin D metabolism may better characterize 'true' vitamin D status. Some key novel measures include bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, 1-25 dihydroxyvitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH) 2 D3], and ratio of 24,25(OH) 2 D3 to 25(OH)D [the vitamin D metabolic ratio]. Utilization of these biomarkers may enhance understanding of the association between vitamin D and CVD risk, and may provide explanation for the observation that 25(OH)D is a stronger CVD risk factor in whites than blacks. Novel measures of vitamin D status could potentially change clinical practice regarding how patients are currently screened for vitamin D status and defined as vitamin D deficient or not. However, whether measuring any of these alternate markers of vitamin D status can provide further insight regarding CVD risk beyond the traditionally measured 25(OH)D concentrations is uncertain at this time. This is an area where further research is strongly needed.

Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease: Can Novel Measures of Vitamin D Status Improve Risk Prediction and Address the Vitamin D Racial Paradox?

PubMed Central

Kim, Samuel M.; Lutsey, Pamela L.; Michos, Erin D.

2017-01-01

Purpose of review To provide a state-of-the-art update on some emerging measures of vitamin D status and discuss how assessment of these key vitamin D metabolites might improve prognostication of risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. Recent findings Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition and relatively easy to treat with supplementation and/or modest sunlight exposure. A substantial body of experimental and epidemiological evidence suggest that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for CVD. Most epidemiologic studies to date have focused on total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, which is the established marker of vitamin D stores. However, there is emerging evidence that other novel markers of vitamin D metabolism may better characterize ‘true’ vitamin D status. Some key novel measures include bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, 1–25 dihydroxyvitamin D, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25(OH)2D3], and ratio of 24,25(OH)2D3 to 25(OH)D [the vitamin D metabolic ratio]. Utilization of these biomarkers may enhance understanding of the association between vitamin D and CVD risk, and may provide explanation for the observation that 25(OH)D is a stronger CVD risk factor in whites than blacks Summary Novel measures of vitamin D status could potentially change clinical practice regarding how patients are currently screened for vitamin D status and defined as vitamin D deficient or not. However, whether measuring any of these alternate markers of vitamin D status can provide further insight regarding CVD risk beyond the traditionally measured 25(OH)D concentrations is uncertain at this time. This is an area where further research is strongly needed. PMID:28261371

Potencies of vitamin D analogs, 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 , 1α-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 , in lowering cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic mice in vivo.

PubMed

Quach, Holly P; Dzekic, Tamara; Bukuroshi, Paola; Pang, K Sandy

2018-04-01

Vitamin D 3 and the synthetic vitamin D analogs, 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [1α(OH)D 3 ], 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 2 [1α(OH)D 2 ] and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ] were appraised for their vitamin D receptor (VDR) associated-potencies as cholesterol lowering agents in mice in vivo. These precursors are activated in vivo: 1α(OH)D 3 and 1α(OH)D 2 are transformed by liver CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 to active VDR ligands, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 2 [1,25(OH) 2 D 2 ] , respectively. 1α(OH)D 2 may also be activated by CYP24A1 to 1α,24-dihydroxyvitamin D 2 [1,24(OH) 2 D 2 ], another active VDR ligand. 25(OH)D 3 , the metabolite formed via CYP2R1 and or CYP27A1 in liver from vitamin D 3 , is activated by CYP27B1 in the kidney to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . In C57BL/6 mice fed the high fat/high cholesterol Western diet for 3 weeks, vitamin D analogs were administered every other day intraperitoneally during the last week of the diet. The rank order for cholesterol lowering, achieved via mouse liver small heterodimer partner (Shp) inhibition and increased cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) expression, was: 1.75 nmol/kg 1α(OH)D 3  > 1248 nmol/kg 25(OH)D 3 (dose ratio of 0.0014) > > 1625 nmol/kg vitamin D 3 . Except for 1.21 nmol/kg 1α(OH)D 2 that failed to lower liver and plasma cholesterol contents, a significant negative correlation was observed between the liver concentration of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 formed from the precursors and liver cholesterol levels. The composite results show that vitamin D analogs 1α(OH)D 3 and 25(OH)D 3 exhibit cholesterol lowering properties upon activation to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 : 1α(OH)D 3 is rapidly activated by liver enzymes and 25(OH)D 3 is slowly activated by renal Cyp27b1 in mouse. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Synthesis of 4-O-glycosylated 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose and of 1,5-anhydro-D-tagatose from a common intermediate 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-fructose.

PubMed

Agoston, Károly; Dékány, Gyula; Lundt, Inge

2009-05-26

Four novel disaccharides of glycosylated 1,5-anhydro-D-ketoses have been prepared: 1,5-anhydro-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose, 1,5-anhydro-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-fructose, 1,5-anhydro-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-D-tagatose, and 1,5-anhydro-4-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-tagatose. The common intermediate, 1,5-anhydro-2,3-O-isopropylidene-beta-D-fructopyranose, was prepared from D-fructose and was converted into the D-tagatose derivative by oxidation followed by stereoselective reduction to the 4-epimer. The anhydroketoses thus prepared were glycosylated and deprotected to give the disaccharides.

Neurotoxicity profiles of substituted amphetamines in the C57BL/6J mouse.

PubMed

O'Callaghan, J P; Miller, D B

1994-08-01

Dopaminergic (DA) and serotonergic (5-HT) projections to striatum and cortex have been implicated as the primary targets of substituted amphetamine (AMP)-induced neurotoxicity, largely on the basis of the propensity of these compounds to cause protracted decrements in DA and 5-HT rather than on the basis of AMP-induced alterations of indices linked to neural damage. Moreover, most studies of AMP-induced neurotoxicity, regardless of the endpoints assessed, have been conducted using a rat model; relatively little attention has been focused on the effects of these compounds in the mouse. Here, we evaluated the potential neurotoxic effects of d-methamphetamine (d-METH), d-methylenedioxyamphetamine (d-MDA), d-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (d-MDMA) and d-fenfluramine (d-FEN) in the C57BL6/J mouse. Astrogliosis, assessed by quantification of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), was taken as the main index of AMP-induced neural damage. A silver degeneration stain also was used to obtain direct evidence of AMP-induced neuronal damage. Assays of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), DA and 5-HT were used to assess effects on DA and 5-HT systems. Mice received d-METH (10 mg/kg), d-MDA (20 mg/kg), d-MDMA (20 mg/kg) or d-FEN (25 mg/kg) every 2 hr for a total of four s.c. injections. d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA caused a large (300%) increase in striatal GFAP that resolved by 3 weeks and a 50 to 75% decrease in TH and DA that did not resolve. d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA also caused fiber and terminal degeneration in striatum as revealed by silver staining. d-FEN did not affect any parameters in striatum. d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA also increased GFAP in cortex, effects that were associated with small (10-25%) and transient decrements in cortical 5-HT. d-FEN caused prolonged (weeks) decrements (20%) in cortical 5-HT but did not affect cortical GFAP. The effects of d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA were stereoselective and were blocked by pretreatment with MK-801. Core temperature was slightly elevated by d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA but was dramatically lowered by d-FEN. The data suggest that d-METH, d-MDA and d-MDMA, but not d-FEN, produce damage to neural elements of mouse striatum and cortex.

Evidence for Noncanonical Neurotransmitter Activation: Norepinephrine as a Dopamine D2-Like Receptor Agonist

PubMed Central

Sánchez-Soto, Marta; Bonifazi, Alessandro; Cai, Ning Sheng; Ellenberger, Michael P.; Newman, Amy Hauck

2016-01-01

The Gαi/o-coupled dopamine D2-like receptor family comprises three subtypes: the D2 receptor (D2R), with short and long isoform variants (D2SR and D2LR), D3 receptor (D3R), and D4 receptor (D4R), with several polymorphic variants. The common overlap of norepinephrine innervation and D2-like receptor expression patterns prompts the question of a possible noncanonical action by norepinephrine. In fact, previous studies have suggested that norepinephrine can functionally interact with D4R. To our knowledge, significant interactions between norepinephrine and D2R or D3R receptors have not been demonstrated. By using radioligand binding and bioluminescent resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays in transfected cells, the present study attempted a careful comparison between dopamine and norepinephrine in their possible activation of all D2-like receptors, including the two D2R isoforms and the most common D4R polymorphic variants. Functional BRET assays included activation of G proteins with all Gαi/o subunits, adenylyl cyclase inhibition, and β arrestin recruitment. Norepinephrine acted as a potent agonist for all D2-like receptor subtypes, with the general rank order of potency of D3R > D4R ≥ D2SR ≥ D2L. However, for both dopamine and norepinephrine, differences depended on the Gαi/o protein subunit involved. The most striking differences were observed with Gαi2, where the rank order of potencies for both dopamine and norepinephrine were D4R > D2SR = D2LR >> D3R. Furthermore the results do not support the existence of differences in the ability of dopamine and norepinephrine to activate different human D4R variants. The potency of norepinephrine for adrenergic α2A receptor was only about 20-fold higher compared with D3R and D4R across the three functional assays. PMID:26843180

The stay green mutations d1 and d2 increase water stress susceptibility in soybeans.

PubMed

Luquez, Virginia M; Guiamét, Juan J

2002-06-01

The stay green mutant genotype d1d1d2d2 inhibits the breakdown of chloroplast components in senescing leaves of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Together with G (a gene that preserves chlorophyll in the seed coat) they may extend photosynthetic activity in some conditions. While wild-type soybeans maintain high leaf water potentials right up to abscission, leaves of (GG)d1d1d2d2 dehydrate late in senescence, which suggests that water relations may be altered in the mutant. Three-week-old plants were subjected to a moderate water deficit (soil water potential=-0.7 MPa) for 7-10 d. Leaf water potential and relative water content decreased significantly more in response to water deficit in unifoliate leaves of GGd1d1d2d2 than in a near-isogenic wild-type line. Down-regulation of stomatal conductance in response to drought was similar in mutant and wild-type leaves. Likewise, exogenously applied ABA reduced stomatal conductance to a similar extent in the mutant and the wild type, and applied ABA failed to restore water deficit tolerance in GGd1d1d2d2. Experiments with explants lacking roots indicate that the accelerated dehydration of GGd1d1d2d2 is probably not due to alterations in the roots. In a comparison of near-isogenic lines carrying different combinations of d1, d2 and G, only d1d1d2d2 and GGd1d1d2d2 (i.e. the genotypes that cause the stay green phenotype) were more susceptible to water deficit than the wild type. These data suggest that pathways involved in chloroplast disassembly and in the regulation of stress responses may be intertwined and controlled by the same factors.

Measurement of the CP asymmetry in B - → D s - D 0 and B - → D - D 0 decays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aaij, R.; Adeva, B.; Adinolfi, M.; Ajaltouni, Z.; Akar, S.; Albicocco, P.; Albrecht, J.; Alessio, F.; Alexander, M.; Alfonso Albero, A.; Ali, S.; Alkhazov, G.; Alvarez Cartelle, P.; Alves, A. A.; Amato, S.; Amerio, S.; Amhis, Y.; An, L.; Anderlini, L.; Andreassi, G.; Andreotti, M.; Andrews, J. E.; Appleby, R. B.; Archilli, F.; d'Argent, P.; Arnau Romeu, J.; Artamonov, A.; Artuso, M.; Aslanides, E.; Atzeni, M.; Auriemma, G.; Bachmann, S.; Back, J. J.; Baker, S.; Balagura, V.; Baldini, W.; Baranov, A.; Barlow, R. J.; Barsuk, S.; Barter, W.; Baryshnikov, F.; Batozskaya, V.; Battista, V.; Bay, A.; Beddow, J.; Bedeschi, F.; Bediaga, I.; Beiter, A.; Bel, L. J.; Beliy, N.; Bellee, V.; Belloli, N.; Belous, K.; Belyaev, I.; Ben-Haim, E.; Bencivenni, G.; Benson, S.; Beranek, S.; Berezhnoy, A.; Bernet, R.; Berninghoff, D.; Bertholet, E.; Bertolin, A.; Betancourt, C.; Betti, F.; Bettler, M. O.; van Beuzekom, M.; Bezshyiko, Ia.; Bifani, S.; Billoir, P.; Birnkraut, A.; Bizzeti, A.; Bjørn, M.; Blake, T.; Blanc, F.; Blusk, S.; Bocci, V.; Boente Garcia, O.; Boettcher, T.; Bondar, A.; Bondar, N.; Borghi, S.; Borisyak, M.; Borsato, M.; Bossu, F.; Boubdir, M.; Bowcock, T. J. V.; Bowen, E.; Bozzi, C.; Braun, S.; Brodski, M.; Brodzicka, J.; Brundu, D.; Buchanan, E.; Burr, C.; Bursche, A.; Buytaert, J.; Byczynski, W.; Cadeddu, S.; Cai, H.; Calabrese, R.; Calladine, R.; Calvi, M.; Calvo Gomez, M.; Camboni, A.; Campana, P.; Campora Perez, D. H.; Capriotti, L.; Carbone, A.; Carboni, G.; Cardinale, R.; Cardini, A.; Carniti, P.; Carson, L.; Carvalho Akiba, K.; Casse, G.; Cassina, L.; Cattaneo, M.; Cavallero, G.; Cenci, R.; Chamont, D.; Chapman, M. G.; Charles, M.; Charpentier, Ph.; Chatzikonstantinidis, G.; Chefdeville, M.; Chen, S.; Chitic, S.-G.; Chobanova, V.; Chrzaszcz, M.; Chubykin, A.; Ciambrone, P.; Cid Vidal, X.; Ciezarek, G.; Clarke, P. E. L.; Clemencic, M.; Cliff, H. V.; Closier, J.; Coco, V.; Cogan, J.; Cogneras, E.; Cogoni, V.; Cojocariu, L.; Collins, P.; Colombo, T.; Comerma-Montells, A.; Contu, A.; Coombs, G.; Coquereau, S.; Corti, G.; Corvo, M.; Costa Sobral, C. M.; Couturier, B.; Cowan, G. A.; Craik, D. C.; Crocombe, A.; Cruz Torres, M.; Currie, R.; D'Ambrosio, C.; Da Cunha Marinho, F.; Da Silva, C. L.; Dall'Occo, E.; Dalseno, J.; Danilina, A.; Davis, A.; De Aguiar Francisco, O.; De Bruyn, K.; De Capua, S.; De Cian, M.; De Miranda, J. M.; De Paula, L.; De Serio, M.; De Simone, P.; Dean, C. T.; Decamp, D.; Del Buono, L.; Delaney, B.; Dembinski, H.-P.; Demmer, M.; Dendek, A.; Derkach, D.; Deschamps, O.; Dettori, F.; Dey, B.; Di Canto, A.; Di Nezza, P.; Didenko, S.; Dijkstra, H.; Dordei, F.; Dorigo, M.; Dosil Suárez, A.; Douglas, L.; Dovbnya, A.; Dreimanis, K.; Dufour, L.; Dujany, G.; Durante, P.; Durham, J. M.; Dutta, D.; Dzhelyadin, R.; Dziewiecki, M.; Dziurda, A.; Dzyuba, A.; Easo, S.; Egede, U.; Egorychev, V.; Eidelman, S.; Eisenhardt, S.; Eitschberger, U.; Ekelhof, R.; Eklund, L.; Ely, S.; Ene, A.; Escher, S.; Esen, S.; Evans, H. M.; Evans, T.; Falabella, A.; Farley, N.; Farry, S.; Fazzini, D.; Federici, L.; Fernandez, G.; Fernandez Declara, P.; Fernandez Prieto, A.; Ferrari, F.; Ferreira Lopes, L.; Ferreira Rodrigues, F.; Ferro-Luzzi, M.; Filippov, S.; Fini, R. A.; Fiorini, M.; Firlej, M.; Fitzpatrick, C.; Fiutowski, T.; Fleuret, F.; Fontana, M.; Fontanelli, F.; Forty, R.; Franco Lima, V.; Frank, M.; Frei, C.; Fu, J.; Funk, W.; Färber, C.; Gabriel, E.; Gallas Torreira, A.; Galli, D.; Gallorini, S.; Gambetta, S.; Gandelman, M.; Gandini, P.; Gao, Y.; Garcia Martin, L. M.; Garcia Plana, B.; García Pardiñas, J.; Garra Tico, J.; Garrido, L.; Gascon, D.; Gaspar, C.; Gavardi, L.; Gazzoni, G.; Gerick, D.; Gersabeck, E.; Gersabeck, M.; Gershon, T.; Ghez, Ph.; Gianí, S.; Gibson, V.; Girard, O. G.; Giubega, L.; Gizdov, K.; Gligorov, V. V.; Golubkov, D.; Golutvin, A.; Gomes, A.; Gorelov, I. V.; Gotti, C.; Govorkova, E.; Grabowski, J. P.; Graciani Diaz, R.; Granado Cardoso, L. A.; Graugés, E.; Graverini, E.; Graziani, G.; Grecu, A.; Greim, R.; Griffith, P.; Grillo, L.; Gruber, L.; Gruberg Cazon, B. R.; Grünberg, O.; Gushchin, E.; Guz, Yu.; Gys, T.; Göbel, C.; Hadavizadeh, T.; Hadjivasiliou, C.; Haefeli, G.; Haen, C.; Haines, S. C.; Hamilton, B.; Han, X.; Hancock, T. H.; Hansmann-Menzemer, S.; Harnew, N.; Harnew, S. T.; Hasse, C.; Hatch, M.; He, J.; Hecker, M.; Heinicke, K.; Heister, A.; Hennessy, K.; Henry, L.; van Herwijnen, E.; Heß, M.; Hicheur, A.; Hill, D.; Hopchev, P. H.; Hu, W.; Huang, W.; Huard, Z. C.; Hulsbergen, W.; Humair, T.; Hushchyn, M.; Hutchcroft, D.; Ibis, P.; Idzik, M.; Ilten, P.; Ivshin, K.; Jacobsson, R.; Jalocha, J.; Jans, E.; Jawahery, A.; Jiang, F.; John, M.; Johnson, D.; Jones, C. R.; Joram, C.; Jost, B.; Jurik, N.; Kandybei, S.; Karacson, M.; Kariuki, J. M.; Karodia, S.; Kazeev, N.; Kecke, M.; Keizer, F.; Kelsey, M.; Kenzie, M.; Ketel, T.; Khairullin, E.; Khanji, B.; Khurewathanakul, C.; Kim, K. E.; Kirn, T.; Klaver, S.; Klimaszewski, K.; Klimkovich, T.; Koliiev, S.; Kolpin, M.; Kopecna, R.; Koppenburg, P.; Kotriakhova, S.; Kozeiha, M.; Kravchuk, L.; Kreps, M.; Kress, F.; Krokovny, P.; Krupa, W.; Krzemien, W.; Kucewicz, W.; Kucharczyk, M.; Kudryavtsev, V.; Kuonen, A. K.; Kvaratskheliya, T.; Lacarrere, D.; Lafferty, G.; Lai, A.; Lanfranchi, G.; Langenbruch, C.; Latham, T.; Lazzeroni, C.; Le Gac, R.; Leflat, A.; Lefrançois, J.; Lefèvre, R.; Lemaitre, F.; Lenisa, P.; Leroy, O.; Lesiak, T.; Leverington, B.; Li, P.-R.; Li, T.; Li, Z.; Liang, X.; Likhomanenko, T.; Lindner, R.; Lionetto, F.; Lisovskyi, V.; Liu, X.; Loh, D.; Loi, A.; Longstaff, I.; Lopes, J. H.; Lucchesi, D.; Lucio Martinez, M.; Lupato, A.; Luppi, E.; Lupton, O.; Lusiani, A.; Lyu, X.; Machefert, F.; Maciuc, F.; Macko, V.; Mackowiak, P.; Maddrell-Mander, S.; Maev, O.; Maguire, K.; Maisuzenko, D.; Majewski, M. W.; Malde, S.; Malecki, B.; Malinin, A.; Maltsev, T.; Manca, G.; Mancinelli, G.; Marangotto, D.; Maratas, J.; Marchand, J. F.; Marconi, U.; Marin Benito, C.; Marinangeli, M.; Marino, P.; Marks, J.; Martellotti, G.; Martin, M.; Martinelli, M.; Martinez Santos, D.; Martinez Vidal, F.; Massafferri, A.; Matev, R.; Mathad, A.; Mathe, Z.; Matteuzzi, C.; Mauri, A.; Maurice, E.; Maurin, B.; Mazurov, A.; McCann, M.; McNab, A.; McNulty, R.; Mead, J. V.; Meadows, B.; Meaux, C.; Meier, F.; Meinert, N.; Melnychuk, D.; Merk, M.; Merli, A.; Michielin, E.; Milanes, D. A.; Millard, E.; Minard, M.-N.; Minzoni, L.; Mitzel, D. S.; Mogini, A.; Molina Rodriguez, J.; Mombächer, T.; Monroy, I. A.; Monteil, S.; Morandin, M.; Morello, G.; Morello, M. J.; Morgunova, O.; Moron, J.; Morris, A. B.; Mountain, R.; Muheim, F.; Mulder, M.; Müller, D.; Müller, J.; Müller, K.; Müller, V.; Naik, P.; Nakada, T.; Nandakumar, R.; Nandi, A.; Nasteva, I.; Needham, M.; Neri, N.; Neubert, S.; Neufeld, N.; Neuner, M.; Nguyen, T. D.; Nguyen-Mau, C.; Nieswand, S.; Niet, R.; Nikitin, N.; Nogay, A.; O'Hanlon, D. P.; Oblakowska-Mucha, A.; Obraztsov, V.; Ogilvy, S.; Oldeman, R.; Onderwater, C. J. G.; Ossowska, A.; Otalora Goicochea, J. M.; Owen, P.; Oyanguren, A.; Pais, P. R.; Palano, A.; Palutan, M.; Panshin, G.; Papanestis, A.; Pappagallo, M.; Pappalardo, L. L.; Parker, W.; Parkes, C.; Passaleva, G.; Pastore, A.; Patel, M.; Patrignani, C.; Pearce, A.; Pellegrino, A.; Penso, G.; Pepe Altarelli, M.; Perazzini, S.; Pereima, D.; Perret, P.; Pescatore, L.; Petridis, K.; Petrolini, A.; Petrov, A.; Petruzzo, M.; Pietrzyk, B.; Pietrzyk, G.; Pikies, M.; Pinci, D.; Pisani, F.; Pistone, A.; Piucci, A.; Placinta, V.; Playfer, S.; Plo Casasus, M.; Polci, F.; Poli Lener, M.; Poluektov, A.; Polukhina, N.; Polyakov, I.; Polycarpo, E.; Pomery, G. J.; Ponce, S.; Popov, A.; Popov, D.; Poslavskii, S.; Potterat, C.; Price, E.; Prisciandaro, J.; Prouve, C.; Pugatch, V.; Puig Navarro, A.; Pullen, H.; Punzi, G.; Qian, W.; Qin, J.; Quagliani, R.; Quintana, B.; Rachwal, B.; Rademacker, J. H.; Rama, M.; Ramos Pernas, M.; Rangel, M. S.; Ratnikov, F.; Raven, G.; Ravonel Salzgeber, M.; Reboud, M.; Redi, F.; Reichert, S.; dos Reis, A. C.; Remon Alepuz, C.; Renaudin, V.; Ricciardi, S.; Richards, S.; Rinnert, K.; Robbe, P.; Robert, A.; Rodrigues, A. B.; Rodrigues, E.; Rodriguez Lopez, J. A.; Rogozhnikov, A.; Roiser, S.; Rollings, A.; Romanovskiy, V.; Romero Vidal, A.; Rotondo, M.; Rudolph, M. S.; Ruf, T.; Ruiz Vidal, J.; Saborido Silva, J. J.; Sagidova, N.; Saitta, B.; Salustino Guimaraes, V.; Sanchez Mayordomo, C.; Sanmartin Sedes, B.; Santacesaria, R.; Santamarina Rios, C.; Santimaria, M.; Santovetti, E.; Sarpis, G.; Sarti, A.; Satriano, C.; Satta, A.; Savrina, D.; Schael, S.; Schellenberg, M.; Schiller, M.; Schindler, H.; Schmelling, M.; Schmelzer, T.; Schmidt, B.; Schneider, O.; Schopper, A.; Schreiner, H. F.; Schubiger, M.; Schune, M. H.; Schwemmer, R.; Sciascia, B.; Sciubba, A.; Semennikov, A.; Sepulveda, E. S.; Sergi, A.; Serra, N.; Serrano, J.; Sestini, L.; Seyfert, P.; Shapkin, M.; Shcheglov, Y.; Shears, T.; Shekhtman, L.; Shevchenko, V.; Siddi, B. G.; Silva Coutinho, R.; Silva de Oliveira, L.; Simi, G.; Simone, S.; Skidmore, N.; Skwarnicki, T.; Smith, I. T.; Smith, M.; Soares Lavra, l.; Sokoloff, M. D.; Soler, F. J. P.; Souza De Paula, B.; Spaan, B.; Spradlin, P.; Stagni, F.; Stahl, M.; Stahl, S.; Stefko, P.; Stefkova, S.; Steinkamp, O.; Stemmle, S.; Stenyakin, O.; Stepanova, M.; Stevens, H.; Stone, S.; Storaci, B.; Stracka, S.; Stramaglia, M. E.; Straticiuc, M.; Straumann, U.; Strokov, S.; Sun, J.; Sun, L.; Swientek, K.; Syropoulos, V.; Szumlak, T.; Szymanski, M.; T'Jampens, S.; Tang, Z.; Tayduganov, A.; Tekampe, T.; Tellarini, G.; Teubert, F.; Thomas, E.; van Tilburg, J.; Tilley, M. J.; Tisserand, V.; Tobin, M.; Tolk, S.; Tomassetti, L.; Tonelli, D.; Tourinho Jadallah Aoude, R.; Tournefier, E.; Traill, M.; Tran, M. T.; Tresch, M.; Trisovic, A.; Tsaregorodtsev, A.; Tully, A.; Tuning, N.; Ukleja, A.; Usachov, A.; Ustyuzhanin, A.; Uwer, U.; Vacca, C.; Vagner, A.; Vagnoni, V.; Valassi, A.; Valat, S.; Valenti, G.; Vazquez Gomez, R.; Vazquez Regueiro, P.; Vecchi, S.; van Veghel, M.; Velthuis, J. J.; Veltri, M.; Veneziano, G.; Venkateswaran, A.; Verlage, T. A.; Vernet, M.; Vesterinen, M.; Viana Barbosa, J. V.; Vieira, D.; Vieites Diaz, M.; Viemann, H.; Vilasis-Cardona, X.; Vitkovskiy, A.; Vitti, M.; Volkov, V.; Vollhardt, A.; Voneki, B.; Vorobyev, A.; Vorobyev, V.; Voß, C.; de Vries, J. A.; Vázquez Sierra, C.; Waldi, R.; Walsh, J.; Wang, J.; Wang, M.; Wang, Y.; Wang, Z.; Ward, D. R.; Wark, H. M.; Watson, N. K.; Websdale, D.; Weiden, A.; Weisser, C.; Whitehead, M.; Wicht, J.; Wilkinson, G.; Wilkinson, M.; Williams, M. R. J.; Williams, M.; Williams, T.; Wilson, F. F.; Wimberley, J.; Winn, M.; Wishahi, J.; Wislicki, W.; Witek, M.; Wormser, G.; Wotton, S. A.; Wyllie, K.; Xiao, D.; Xie, Y.; Xu, A.; Xu, M.; Xu, Q.; Xu, Z.; Xu, Z.; Yang, Z.; Yang, Z.; Yao, Y.; Yin, H.; Yu, J.; Yuan, X.; Yushchenko, O.; Zarebski, K. A.; Zavertyaev, M.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, Y.; Zhelezov, A.; Zheng, Y.; Zhu, X.; Zhukov, V.; Zonneveld, J. B.; Zucchelli, S.

2018-05-01

The CP asymmetry in B - → D s - D 0 and B - → D - D 0 decays is measured using LHCb data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb-1, collected in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The results are A^{CP}({B}-\\to {D}_s-{D}^0)=(-0.4± 0.5± 0.5) and A^{CP}({B}-\\to {D}-{D}^0)=(2.3± 2.7± 0.4)% , where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. This is the first measurement of A^{CP}({B}-\\to {D}_s-{D}^0) and the most precise determination of A^{CP}({B}-\\to {D}-{D}^0) . Neither result shows evidence of CP violation. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Configurational Molecular Glue: One Optically Active Polymer Attracts Two Oppositely Configured Optically Active Polymers.

PubMed

Tsuji, Hideto; Noda, Soma; Kimura, Takayuki; Sobue, Tadashi; Arakawa, Yuki

2017-03-24

D-configured poly(D-lactic acid) (D-PLA) and poly(D-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid) (D-P2H3MB) crystallized separately into their homo-crystallites when crystallized by precipitation or solvent evaporation, whereas incorporation of L-configured poly(L-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) (L-P2HB) in D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB induced co-crystallization or ternary stereocomplex formation between D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB and L-configured L-P2HB. However, incorporation of D-configured poly(D-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) (D-P2HB) in D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB did not cause co-crystallization between D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB and D-configured D-P2HB but separate crystallization of each polymer occurred. These findings strongly suggest that an optically active polymer (L-configured or D-configured polymer) like unsubstituted or substituted optically active poly(lactic acid)s can act as "a configurational or helical molecular glue" for two oppositely configured optically active polymers (two D-configured polymers or two L-configured polymers) to allow their co-crystallization. The increased degree of freedom in polymer combination is expected to assist to pave the way for designing polymeric composites having a wide variety of physical properties, biodegradation rate and behavior in the case of biodegradable polymers.

Configurational Molecular Glue: One Optically Active Polymer Attracts Two Oppositely Configured Optically Active Polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsuji, Hideto; Noda, Soma; Kimura, Takayuki; Sobue, Tadashi; Arakawa, Yuki

2017-03-01

D-configured poly(D-lactic acid) (D-PLA) and poly(D-2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoic acid) (D-P2H3MB) crystallized separately into their homo-crystallites when crystallized by precipitation or solvent evaporation, whereas incorporation of L-configured poly(L-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) (L-P2HB) in D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB induced co-crystallization or ternary stereocomplex formation between D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB and L-configured L-P2HB. However, incorporation of D-configured poly(D-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) (D-P2HB) in D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB did not cause co-crystallization between D-configured D-PLA and D-P2H3MB and D-configured D-P2HB but separate crystallization of each polymer occurred. These findings strongly suggest that an optically active polymer (L-configured or D-configured polymer) like unsubstituted or substituted optically active poly(lactic acid)s can act as “a configurational or helical molecular glue” for two oppositely configured optically active polymers (two D-configured polymers or two L-configured polymers) to allow their co-crystallization. The increased degree of freedom in polymer combination is expected to assist to pave the way for designing polymeric composites having a wide variety of physical properties, biodegradation rate and behavior in the case of biodegradable polymers.

NASA TEERM Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives Projects

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-08-18

1 N2-2 N3-2 N4-2 N5-2 N6-2 N7-2 N8-2 N9-2 N10-2 N11-2 N12-2 N13-2 H H2-1 H3-1 H4-1 H5-1 H6-1 H7-1 H8-1 H9-1 H10-1 H11-1 H12-1 H13 -1 H2-2 H3-2 H4-2...H5-2 H6-2 H7-2 H8-2 H9-2 H10-2 H11-2 H12-2 H13 -2 D D2-1 D3-1 D4-1 D5-1 D6-1 D7-1 D8-1 D9-1 D10-1 D11-1 D12-1 D13-1 D2-2 D3-2 D4-2 D5-2 D6-2 D7-2...Color, Adhesion, Impact , Flexibility, Fluid Resistance, Filiform Corrosion, Salt-Spray Corrosion, Artificial Weathering, Stripability, Restoration

Response of Vitamin D Concentration to Vitamin D3 Administration in Older Adults without Sun Exposure: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial.

PubMed

Schwartz, Janice B; Kane, Lynn; Bikle, Daniel

2016-01-01

To determine the dose-response relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and supplemental vitamin D3 in elderly nursing home residents. Randomized double-blind investigation. Nursing home. Of 81 women (n=51) and men (n=30) (mean age 87.4±8) enrolled, 72 completed the study. Sixteen weeks of oral vitamin D3 at 800, 2,000, or 4,000 IU/d or 50,000 IU/wk. The main outcome was 25(OH)D concentrations (tandem mass spectrometry) after 16 weeks. Free 25(OH)D and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were also analyzed. Safety monitoring of calcium and estimated glomerular filtration rate was performed, and adherence and clinical status were measured. 25(OH)D concentrations increased with dose (P<.001) and were higher with 50,000 IU/wk (P<.001) than other doses and with 4,000 IU/d than 800 or 2,000 IU/d, but 800 IU and 2,000 IU/d did not differ. One subject receiving 800 IU/d had concentrations less than 20 ng/mL. All subjects receiving more than 2000 IU/d had concentrations of 20 ng/mL and greater. Free 25(OH)D concentrations rose with total 25(OH) vitamin D. Total and free 25(OH)D were related to calcium concentrations; only free 25(OH)D was related to iPTH. 25(OH)D increased linearly with 800 to 4,000 IU/d and 50,000 IU/wk of vitamin D3, without a ceiling effect. Data suggest that some elderly adults will require more than 800 IU/d of vitamin D3 to ensure adequate vitamin D levels. Changes in 25(OH)D with vitamin D3 were related to starting concentrations (greatest with the lowest concentrations and unchanged with 800 and 2,000 IU/d if 20-40 ng/mL). Relationships between serum calcium and iPTH and free 25(OH)D suggest the potential for free 25(OH)D in defining optimal 25(OH)D concentrations. © 2016, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2016, The American Geriatrics Society.

The effects of sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation on self-measured digit ratio (2D:4D).

PubMed

Manning, John T; Churchill, Andrew J G; Peters, Michael

2007-04-01

We used self-reported direct finger measurements from 255,116 participants in a BBC Internet survey to investigate the measurement of 2D:4D ratios and their association with sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. We found significant sex differences such that males had lower 2D:4D than females and the effect size of the sex differences was greatest for right hand 2D:4D. Mean 2D:4D was lower for right hands than for left hands in men, but lower for left hands compared to right hands in women. The sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D was present across ethnic and country groupings, suggesting that it is universal in humans. However, there was also evidence that mean 2D:4D varied across ethnic groups with higher ratios for Whites, Non-Chinese Asians, and Mid-Easterners and lower ratios in Chinese and Black samples. There were significant differences in 2D:4D across sexual orientation groups but these were confined to men. Male homosexuals and bisexuals had higher mean 2D:4D (suggesting exposure to lower prenatal T) than heterosexuals. The effect was present in Whites, but there was no evidence for the pattern among Black and Chinese participants. In women, there were no significant effects of sexual orientation on 2D:4D. Most studies of sexual orientation effects on 2D:4D have measured finger length from photocopies of the hands. In comparison, our self-reported measures gave higher mean 2D:4D, lower effect sizes, and, in some instances, different patterns of effect size. The implications of our findings for future research into 2D:4D are discussed.

Rotigotine is a potent agonist at dopamine D1 receptors as well as at dopamine D2 and D3 receptors.

PubMed

Wood, Martyn; Dubois, Vanessa; Scheller, Dieter; Gillard, Michel

2015-02-01

Rotigotine acts as a dopamine receptor agonist with high affinity for the dopamine D2, D3, D4 and D5 receptors but with a low affinity for the dopamine D1 receptor. We have investigated this further in radioligand binding and functional studies and compared the profile of rotigotine with that of other drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). The binding of rotigotine to human dopamine D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 receptors was determined in radioligand binding studies using [(3)H]rotigotine and compared with that of standard antagonist radioligands. Functional interactions of rotigotine with human dopamine receptors was also determined. [(3)H]rotigotine can be used as an agonist radioligand to label all dopamine receptor subtypes and this can be important to derive agonist affinity estimates. Rotigotine maintains this high affinity in functional studies at all dopamine receptors especially D1, D2 and D3 receptors and, to a lesser extent, D4 and D5 receptors. Rotigotine, like apomorphine but unlike ropinirole and pramipexole, was a potent agonist at all dopamine receptors. Rotigotine is a high-potency agonist at human dopamine D1, D2 and D3 receptors with a lower potency at D4 and D5 receptors. These studies differentiate rotigotine from conventional dopamine D2 agonists, used in the treatment of PD, such as ropinirole and pramipexole which lack activity at the D1 and D5 receptors, but resembles that of apomorphine which has greater efficacy in PD than other dopamine agonists but has suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties. © 2014 The British Pharmacological Society.

Rotigotine is a potent agonist at dopamine D1 receptors as well as at dopamine D2 and D3 receptors

PubMed Central

Wood, Martyn; Dubois, Vanessa; Scheller, Dieter; Gillard, Michel

2015-01-01

Background and Purpose Rotigotine acts as a dopamine receptor agonist with high affinity for the dopamine D2, D3, D4 and D5 receptors but with a low affinity for the dopamine D1 receptor. We have investigated this further in radioligand binding and functional studies and compared the profile of rotigotine with that of other drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Experimental Approach The binding of rotigotine to human dopamine D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 receptors was determined in radioligand binding studies using [3H]rotigotine and compared with that of standard antagonist radioligands. Functional interactions of rotigotine with human dopamine receptors was also determined. Key Results [3H]rotigotine can be used as an agonist radioligand to label all dopamine receptor subtypes and this can be important to derive agonist affinity estimates. Rotigotine maintains this high affinity in functional studies at all dopamine receptors especially D1, D2 and D3 receptors and, to a lesser extent, D4 and D5 receptors. Rotigotine, like apomorphine but unlike ropinirole and pramipexole, was a potent agonist at all dopamine receptors. Conclusions and Implications Rotigotine is a high-potency agonist at human dopamine D1, D2 and D3 receptors with a lower potency at D4 and D5 receptors. These studies differentiate rotigotine from conventional dopamine D2 agonists, used in the treatment of PD, such as ropinirole and pramipexole which lack activity at the D1 and D5 receptors, but resembles that of apomorphine which has greater efficacy in PD than other dopamine agonists but has suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties. PMID:25339241

Measurement of branching fractions and CP-violating charge asymmetries for B-meson decays to D{sup (*)}D{sup (*)}, and implications for the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle {gamma}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Aubert, B.; Barate, R.; Bona, M.

2006-06-01

We present measurements of the branching fractions and charge asymmetries of B decays to all D{sup (*)}D{sup (*)} modes. Using 232x10{sup 6} BB pairs recorded on the {upsilon}(4S) resonance by the BABAR detector at the e{sup +}e{sup -} asymmetric B factory PEP-II at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, we measure the branching fractions B(B{sup 0}{yields}D*{sup +}D*{sup -})=(8.1{+-}0.6{+-}1.0)x10{sup -4}, B(B{sup 0}{yields}D*{sup {+-}}D{sup {+-}})=(5.7{+-}0.7{+-}0.7)x10{sup -4}, B(B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup +}D{sup -})=(2.8{+-}0.4{+-}0.5)x10{sup -4}, B(B{sup +}{yields}D*{sup +}D*{sup 0})=(8.1{+-}1.2{+-}1.2)x10{sup -4}, B(B{sup +}{yields}D*{sup +}D{sup 0})=(3.6{+-}0.5{+-}0.4)x10{sup -4}, B(B{sup +}{yields}D{sup +}D*{sup 0})=(6.3{+-}1.4{+-}1.0)x10{sup -4}, and B(B{sup +}{yields}D{sup +}D{sup 0})=(3.8{+-}0.6{+-}0.5)x10{sup -4}, where in each case the first uncertainty is statistical and themore » second systematic. We also determine the limits B(B{sup 0}{yields}D*{sup 0}D*{sup 0})<0.9x10{sup -4}, B(B{sup 0}{yields}D*{sup 0}D{sup 0})<2.9x10{sup -4}, and B(B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup 0}D{sup 0})<0.6x10{sup -4}, each at 90% confidence level. All decays above denote either member of a charge-conjugate pair. We also determine the CP-violating charge asymmetries A(B{sup 0}{yields}D*{sup {+-}}D{sup {+-}})=0.03{+-}0.10{+-}0.02, A(B{sup +}{yields}D*{sup +}D*{sup 0})=-0.15{+-}0.11{+-}0.02, A(B{sup +}{yields}D*{sup +}D{sup 0})=-0.06{+-}0.13{+-}0.02, A(B{sup +}{yields}D{sup +}D*{sup 0})=0.13{+-}0.18{+-}0.04, and A(B{sup +}{yields}D{sup +}D{sup 0})=-0.13{+-}0.14{+-}0.02. Additionally, when we combine these results with information from time-dependent CP asymmetries in B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)+}D{sup (*)-} decays and world-averaged branching fractions of B decays to D{sub s}{sup (*}}D{sup (*)} modes, we find the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa phase {gamma} is favored to lie in the range (0.07-2.77) radians (with a +0 or +{pi} radians ambiguity) at 68% confidence level.« less

26 CFR 1.355-6 - Recognition of gain on certain distributions of stock or securities in controlled corporation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

..., unless otherwise stated, assume that P, S, T, X, Y, N, HC, D, D1, D2, D3, and C are corporations, A and B... and D2, D1 and D2 each owns 50 percent of the stock of D3, and D3 owns all of the stock of C. Within... the stock of D1, D2, D3, and C on the date A purchases the T stock under the attribution rules of...

Results of Sediment Sampling and Elutriate Testing at the Proposed Glovers Point Shallow Water Habitat Project Site

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

Aroclor1248 0.3 1.0 Endrin 0.003 0.1 PCB - Aroclor1268 0.3 1.0 Endrin Aldehyde 0.011 0.1 PCB - Aroclor1232 0.2 1.0 Endrin Ketone 0.006 0.1 PCB... aldehyde n.d. 0.0008 9.9 n.d. 0.009 50 Endrin ketone n.d. 0.003 9.9 n.d. NA 50 Heptachlor n.d. 0.002 5.1 n.d. NA 50 Heptachlor epoxide n.d. 0.0008...Endosulfan sulfate n.d. 0.002 n.d. 0.01 0.50 Endrin n.d. 0.004 n.d. 0.004 0.50 Endrin aldehyde n.d. 0.004 n.d. 0.08 1.00 Endrin ketone n.d. 0.006 n.d

Differentiation of Forebrain and Hippocampal Dopamine 1-Class Receptors, D1R and D5R, in Spatial Learning and Memory

PubMed Central

Sariñana, Joshua; Tonegawa, Susumu

2017-01-01

Activation of prefrontal cortical (PFC), striatal, and hippocampal dopamine 1-class receptors (D1R and D5R) is necessary for normal spatial information processing. Yet the precise role of the D1R versus the D5R in the aforementioned structures, and their specific contribution to the water-maze spatial learning task remains unknown. D1R- and D5R- specific in situ hybridization probes showed that forebrain restricted D1R and D5R KO mice (F-D1R/D5R KO) displayed D1R mRNA deletion in the medial (m)PFC, dorsal and ventral striatum, and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. D5R mRNA deletion was limited to the mPFC, the CA1 and DG hippocampal subregions. F-D1R/D5R KO mice were given water-maze training and displayed subtle spatial latency differences between genotypes and spatial memory deficits during both regular and reversal training. To differentiate forebrain D1R from D5R activation, forebrain restricted D1R KO (F-D1R KO) and D5R KO (F-D5R KO) mice were trained on the water-maze task. F-D1R KO animals exhibited escape latency deficits throughout regular and reversal training as well as spatial memory deficits during reversal training. F-D1R KO mice also showed perseverative behavior during the reversal spatial memory probe test. In contrast, F-D5R KO animals did not present observable deficits on the water-maze task. Because F-D1R KO mice showed water-maze deficits we tested the necessity of hippocampal D1R activation for spatial learning and memory. We trained DG restricted D1R KO (DG-D1R KO) mice on the water-maze task. DG-D1R KO mice did not present detectable spatial memory deficit, but did show subtle deficits during specific days of training. Our data provides evidence that forebrain D5R activation plays a unique role in spatial learning and memory in conjunction with D1R activation. Moreover, these data suggest that mPFC and striatal, but not DG D1R activation are essential for spatial learning and memory. PMID:26174222

Genetic variability and forensic efficiency of 39 microsatellite loci in the Li ethnic group from Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

PubMed

Chen, Jing; Xie, Bingbing; Yang, Yaran; Yang, Meng; Liu, Chao; Lv, Yuexin; Chen, Chuguang; Liu, Xu; Fang, Xiangdong; Wu, Huijuan; Yan, Jiangwei

2017-08-01

Investigation of allele and genotype frequencies of microsatellite loci in various populations is an essential pre-requisite in forensic application. The present study obtained population genetic data and forensic parameters of 39 autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) loci from a Chinese Li ethnic group and estimated the genetic relationships between Li and other reference populations. Thirty-nine STR loci, which include D19S433, D5S818, D21S11, D18S51, D6S1043, D3S1358, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, D2S441, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, Penta E, TH01, D12S391, D2S1338, FGA, D6S477, D18S535, D19S253, D15S659, D11S2368, D20S470, D1S1656, D22-GATA198B05, D8S1132, D4S2366, D21S1270, D13S325, D9S925, D3S3045, D14S608, D10S1435, D7S3048, D17S1290 and D5S2500, were amplified in two multiplex DNA-STR fluorescence detection systems for 189 unrelated healthy individuals of the Chinese Li ethnic group. The allele frequency distribution and several parameters commonly used in forensic science were statistically analysed. A total of 378 alleles were observed with corresponding allelic frequencies ranging from 0.0026-0.5899. The power of discrimination and power of exclusion ranged from 0.7569-0.9672 and 0.2513-0.7355, respectively. The power of exclusion (PE) ranged from 0.2580-0.7943 for trio paternity cases and 0.1693-0.5940 for duo paternity cases. The polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.5001-0.8611. The cumulative match probability across these 39 loci was 2.4242 × 10 -38 . The results indicate that 39 STR loci are polymorphic among the Li ethnic group in Hainan Island in the South China Sea. This set of polymorphic STR loci provide highly polymorphic information and forensic efficiency for forensic individual identification and paternity testing, as well as basic population data for population genetics and anthropological research.

Influence of drug binding on DNA hydration: acoustic and densimetric characterizations of netropsin binding to the poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT) and poly(dA).poly(dT) duplexes and the poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) triplex at 25 degrees C.

PubMed

Chalikian, T V; Plum, G E; Sarvazyan, A P; Breslauer, K J

1994-07-26

We use high-precision acoustic and densimetric techniques to determine, at 25 degrees C, the changes in volume, delta V, and adiabatic compressibility, delta Ks, that accompany the binding of netropsin to the poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT) and poly(dA).poly(dT) duplexes, as well as to the poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) triplex. We find that netropsin binding to the heteropolymeric poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT) duplex is accompanied by negative changes in volume, delta V, and small positive changes in compressibility, delta Ks. By contrast, netropsin binding to the homopolymeric poly(dA).poly(dT) duplex is accompanied by large positive changes in both volume, delta V, and compressibility, delta Ks. Furthermore, netropsin binding to the poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) triplex causes changes in both volume and compressibility that are nearly twice as large as those observed when netropsin binds to the poly(dA).poly(dT) duplex. We interpret these macroscopic data in terms of binding-induced microscopic changes in the hydration of the DNA structures and the drug. Specifically, we find that netropsin binding induces the release of approximately 22 waters from the hydration shell of the poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT) heteropolymeric duplex, approximately 40 waters from the hydration shell of the poly(dA).poly(dT) homopolymeric duplex, and about 53 waters from the hydration shell of the poly(dA).poly(dT), induces the release of 18 more water molecules than netropsin binding to the heteropolymeric duplex, poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT). On the basis of apparent molar volume, phi V, and apparent molar adiabatic compressibility, phi Ks, values for the initial drug-free and final drug-bound states of the two all-AT duplexes, we propose that the larger dehydration of the poly(dA).poly(dT) duplex reflects, in part, the formation of a less hydrated poly(dA).poly(dT)-netropsin complex compared with the corresponding poly(dAdT).poly(dAdT)-netropsin complex. In conjunction with our previously published entropy data [Marky, L. A., & Breslauer, K. J. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 4359-4363], we calculate that each water of hydration released to the bulk solvent by ligand binding contributes 1.6 cal K-1 mol-1 to the entropy of binding. This value corresponds to the average difference between the partial molar entropy of water in the bulk state and water in the hydration shells of the two all-AT duplexes. When netropsin binds to the poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) triplex, the changes in both volume and compressibility suggest that the binding event induces more dehydration of the triplex than of the duplex state. Specifically, we calculate that netropsin binding to the poly(dT).poly(dA).poly(dT) triplex causes the release of 13 more waters than netropsin binding to the poly(dA).poly(dT) duplex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

D meson hadronic decays at CLEO-c

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Fan

The CLEO-c experiment is the best arena in which to study most D meson decay phenomena. Precise measurements of hadronic deecays of D mesons allow us to better constrain parameters of the Standard Model. We study the inclusive decays of D+s mesons, using data collected near the D*+sD-s peak production energy Ecm = 4170 MeV by the CLEO-c detector. We report the inclusive yields of D+s decays to K+X, K-X, K0SX , pi+X, pi-X, pi 0X, etaX, eta'X , φX, oX and f0(980)X, and also decays into pairs of kaons, D+s → KK¯X. Using these measurements, we obtain an overview of D+s decays. The measurements of inclusive decays of D+s mesons indicate that the inclusive o yield, Ds → oX, is substantial. Using the same D*+sD-s data sample, we search for D+s exclusive hadronic decays involving o. We report the first observation of D+s → pi+pi0o decay and first upper limits on D+s → pi+etao, D+s → K+pi0o, D+s → K+o, and D+s → K+etao decays. Our measurement of D+s → pi+o decay is consistent with other experiments. Using the data collected on psi(3770) resonance and near the D*+sD-s peak production energy by the CLEO-c detector, we study the decays of charmed mesons D0, D +, and Ds to pairs of light pseudoscalar mesons P. We report branching fractions of Cabibbo-favored, singly-Cabibbo-suppressed, and doubly-Cabibbo-suppressed decays. We normalize against the Cabibbo-favored D modes, D 0 → K-pi+, D+ → K-pi +pi+, and D+s → K+ K0S. These measurements of D → PP decays allow the testing of flavor symmetry and the extraction of key amplitudes.

Association of desaturase activity and C-reactive protein in European children.

PubMed

Wolters, Maike; Börnhorst, Claudia; Schwarz, Heike; Risé, Patrizia; Galli, Claudio; Moreno, Luis A; Pala, Valeria; Russo, Paola; Veidebaum, Toomas; Tornaritis, Michael; Fraterman, Arno; De Henauw, Stefaan; Eiben, Gabriele; Lissner, Lauren; Molnár, Dénes; Ahrens, Wolfgang

2017-01-01

Desaturase enzymes influence the fatty acid (FA) composition of body tissues and their activity affects the conversion rate of saturated to monounsaturated FA and of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) to long-chain PUFA. Desaturase activity has further been shown to be associated with inflammation. We investigate the association between delta-9 (D9D), delta-6 (D6D) and delta-5 desaturase (D5D) activity and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) in young children. In the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) cohort study children were examined at baseline (T0) and after 2 y (T1). D9D, D6D, and D5D activities were estimated from T0 product-precursor FA ratios. CRP was measured at T0 and T1. In a subsample of 1,943 children with available information on FA, CRP, and covariates, the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of desaturase activity and CRP were analyzed. Cross-sectionally, a D9D increase of 0.01 units was associated with a 11% higher risk of having a serum CRP ≥ Percentile 75 (P75) (OR, 99% CI: 1.11 (1.01; 1.22)) whereas D6D and D5D were not associated with CRP. No significant associations were observed between baseline desaturase activity and CRP 2 y later. Cross-sectionally, our results indicate a positive association of D9D and CRP independent of weight status. High D9D activity may increase the risk of subclinical inflammation which is associated with metabolic disorders. As D9D expression increases with higher intake of saturated FA and carbohydrates, dietary changes may influence D9D activity and thus CRP. However, it remains to be investigated whether there is a causal relationship between D9D activity and CRP.

Dark nights reverse metabolic disruption caused by dim light at night.

PubMed

Fonken, L K; Weil, Z M; Nelson, R J

2013-06-01

The increasing prevalence of obesity and related metabolic disorders coincides with increasing exposure to light at night. Previous studies report that mice exposed to dim light at night (dLAN) develop symptoms of metabolic syndrome. This study investigated whether mice returned to dark nights after dLAN exposure recover metabolic function. Male Swiss-Webster mice were assigned to either: standard light-dark (LD) conditions for 8 weeks (LD/LD), dLAN for 8 weeks (dLAN/dLAN), LD for 4 weeks followed by 4 weeks of dLAN (LD/dLAN), and dLAN for 4 weeks followed by 4 weeks of LD (dLAN/LD). After 4 weeks in their respective lighting conditions both groups initially placed in dLAN increased body mass gain compared to LD mice. Half of the dLAN mice (dLAN/LD) were then transferred to LD and vice versa (LD/dLAN). Following the transfer dLAN/dLAN and LD/dLAN mice gained more weight than LD/LD and dLAN/LD mice. At the conclusion of the study dLAN/LD mice did not differ from LD/LD mice with respect to weight gain and had lower fat pad mass compared to dLAN/dLAN mice. Compared to all other groups dLAN/dLAN mice decreased glucose tolerance as indicated by an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test at week 7, indicating that dLAN/LD mice recovered glucose metabolism. dLAN/dLAN mice also increased MAC1 mRNA expression in peripheral fat as compared to both LD/LD and dLAN/LD mice, suggesting peripheral inflammation is induced by dLAN, but not sustained after return to LD. These results suggest that re-exposure to dark nights ameliorates metabolic disruption caused by dLAN exposure. Copyright © 2013 The Obesity Society.

Index to ring digit ratio in Saudi Arabia at Almadinah Almonawarah province: a direct and indirect measurement study

PubMed Central

Almasry, Shaima M; El Domiaty, Magda A; Algaidi, Sami A; Elbastawisy, Yasser M; Safwat, Maha D

2011-01-01

The digit ratio, or the relative lengths, of the 2nd and 4th digits (2D : 4D) shows a sex difference, with males tending to have lower values in comparison with females. This sex differences arises early in the fetus and may result from the effects of prenatal testosterone and estrogen on the relative growth rate of the 2nd and 4th digits. This study aimed to estimate finger lengths and the 2D : 4D ratios for the first time in Saudi Arabian subjects using direct and indirect measurements, and to evaluate the correlations between both indirect and direct 2D : 4D with adult testosterone and various sexually dimorphic physical traits. The results revealed the following: (i) mean 2D : 4D in Saudi Arabian samples varied from 0.96 to 0.99; (ii) mean 2D : 4D was lower for indirect compared to direct 2D : 4D; (iii) sex differences in indirect 2D : 4D were higher than in direct 2D : 4D measurements; (iv) there were no significant correlations between indirect or direct 2D : 4D and testosterone level; (v) there were four significant correlations between direct 2D : 4D and body size traits but no significant correlations between indirect 2D : 4D and body size. PMID:21044064

WE-AB-BRA-07: Quantitative Evaluation of 2D-2D and 2D-3D Image Guided Radiation Therapy for Clinical Trial Credentialing, NRG Oncology/RTOG

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Giaddui, T; Yu, J; Xiao, Y

Purpose: 2D-2D kV image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) credentialing evaluation for clinical trial qualification was historically qualitative through submitting screen captures of the fusion process. However, as quantitative DICOM 2D-2D and 2D-3D image registration tools are implemented in clinical practice for better precision, especially in centers that treat patients with protons, better IGRT credentialing techniques are needed. The aim of this work is to establish methodologies for quantitatively reviewing IGRT submissions based on DICOM 2D-2D and 2D-3D image registration and to test the methodologies in reviewing 2D-2D and 2D-3D IGRT submissions for RTOG/NRG Oncology clinical trials qualifications. Methods: DICOM 2D-2Dmore » and 2D-3D automated and manual image registration have been tested using the Harmony tool in MIM software. 2D kV orthogonal portal images are fused with the reference digital reconstructed radiographs (DRR) in the 2D-2D registration while the 2D portal images are fused with DICOM planning CT image in the 2D-3D registration. The Harmony tool allows alignment of the two images used in the registration process and also calculates the required shifts. Shifts calculated using MIM are compared with those submitted by institutions for IGRT credentialing. Reported shifts are considered to be acceptable if differences are less than 3mm. Results: Several tests have been performed on the 2D-2D and 2D-3D registration. The results indicated good agreement between submitted and calculated shifts. A workflow for reviewing these IGRT submissions has been developed and will eventually be used to review IGRT submissions. Conclusion: The IROC Philadelphia RTQA center has developed and tested a new workflow for reviewing DICOM 2D-2D and 2D-3D IGRT credentialing submissions made by different cancer clinical centers, especially proton centers. NRG Center for Innovation in Radiation Oncology (CIRO) and IROC RTQA center continue their collaborative efforts to enhance quality assurance services and to be consistently adaptive to the new advances in radiation therapy. This project was supported by NCI grants U10CA180868, U10CA180822, U24CA180803, U24CA12014 and PA CURE Grant.« less

Optimum Aeroelastic Characteristics for Composite Supermaneuverable Aircraft.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-07-31

1󈨌D22 1 k 16 ’ cD 22YI Y6 WL k 17 ’ cD 22 Y, Y7 k 18 ’ -2cD 26YI1 Y6 gi 0 k19 : -2cD26Y I y 7 k1,10 12 2c Bo 10 1 󈧐D22 1 10 22 cD22 (y2 )2 k23 -2cD...2 6y1Y2 k24 -2cD 2 6 Y2Y 2 3 ,, 11 10 k -S-D + 2cD a 25 12 D22 5 2 12 5 2 k26 cD22 Y2 Y6 k27 cD22 y2 Y7 28 -2cD 2 6 Y2 Y6 k29 -2cD 26Y2 Y7 k’ "" 0y

[Accommodation to monochromatic targets in people with different color vision statuses].

PubMed

Qian, Yishan; Huang, Jia; Chu, Renyuan

2015-01-01

To compare the accommodation response (AR) to monochromatic targets in subjects with different color vision statuses, and to investigate the role of color vision in the control of accommodation and emmetropization. It was a case-control study. Accommodation was measured with a dynamic infrared optometer while subjects [17 protans, 47 deutans, and 23 normals; mean age: (20.0 ± 4.4) years] viewed a (1) red on black or (2) green on black vertical square-wave gratings of iso-luminance (3 cycles/deg; 0.9 contrast) in a Badal optic system. The grating stepped 1.00 D towards the eye from an initial position of 0 D until 5.00 D. With red-black targets, the AR in the protans (AR = 1.98 D) was worse than that in the normals (AR = 2.55 D) when the accommodation stimulus (AS) was 4.00 D (LSD, P = 0.031). The AR in the deutans were worse than that in the normals when the AS was 3.00, 4.00, and 5.00 D (3.00 D: 1.23 D vs. 1.69 D, P = 0.002; 4.00 D: 1.89 D vs. 2.55 D, P = 0.002; 5.00 D: 2.40 D vs. 3.17 D, P = 0.003). With green-black targets, the AR in the protans were worse than that in the normals when the AS was 3.00 and 4.00 D (3.00 D: 1.13 D vs. 1.61 D, P = 0.004; 4.00 D: 1.80 D vs. 2.34 D, P = 0.021). In the deutans, the AR was worse with stimuli of 3.00, 4.00, and 5.00 D (3.00 D: 1.21 D vs. 1.61 D, P = 0.003; 4.00 D: 1.65 D vs. 2.34 D, P < 0.001; 5.00 D: 2.36 D vs. 2.93 D, P = 0.007). No significant differences between the protans and deutans were found for all the stimulus conditions. In the protans, accommodation to red-black targets was better than that to green-black targets when the stimulus was 2.00, 3.00, and 5.00 D (2.00 D: t = -2.81, P = 0.013; 3.00 D: t = -4.55, P < 0.001; 5.00 D: t = -3.15, P = 0.006). In the deutans, accommodation to red-black targets was better than that to green-black targets when the stimulus was 4.00 D (t = -2.19, P = 0.034). In the normals, accommodation to red-black targets were better than that to green-black targets when the stimulus was 2.00, 4.00, and 5.00 D (2.00 D: t = -2.57, P = 0.017; 4.00 D, t = -2.67, P = 0.014; 5.00 D: t = -2.15, P = 0.043). Individuals with a color vision deficiency tend to have a larger accommodative lag than normals. Red targets tend to induce better accommodation response than green ones. Color vision may play a role in the control of accommodation and emmetropization.

[D2 lymph node dissection in gastric cancer surgery: long term results--analysis of an experience with 227 patients].

PubMed

Vasilescu, C; Herlea, V; Tidor, S; Ivanov, B; Stănciulea, Oana; Mănuc, M; Gheorghe, C; Ionescu, M; Diculescu, M; Popescu, I

2006-01-01

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the postoperative mortality and 5 year survival in gastric cancer patients undergoing a minimum of D2 lymphadenectomy. A retrospective study was conducted on 1170 patients operated for gastric adenocarcinoma in the Department of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation of Fundeni Clinical Institute, between 1997 and April 2005. Only 443 patients underwent a curative resection, from which 216 patients had D1 resection and in 227 cases a D2 or D3/D4 lymphadenectomy was performed. Information about survival was available for 189 patients of those who had a D1 resection and for 210 of those who underwent a D2 or D3/D4 lymphadenectomy. Postoperative mortality was 6.5% in the group of curative resection, with 9.2% for D1 and 3.9% for D2/D3 D4. Five year survival according to Kaplan Meier curves was 32 % in the D1 group vs. 51,8% in D2/D3-D4 (p <0.0001). Significant differences were noted in the median survival-- D2/D3-D4 group 63 months vs. 28 months in D1 group. Our data support the gastric resection with a minimum of D2 lymphadenectomy in the radical surgery of gastric cancer. However, an accurate interpretation of the statistical interpretation between the different groups of patients is difficult, mainly because of the retrospective character of the study.

Binding of the B D D ¯ and B D D systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dias, J. M.; Debastiani, V. R.; Roca, L.; Sakai, S.; Oset, E.

2017-11-01

We study theoretically the B D D ¯ and B D D systems to see if they allow for possible bound or resonant states. The three-body interaction is evaluated implementing the fixed center approximation to the Faddeev equations which considers the interaction of a D or D ¯ particle with the components of a B D cluster, previously proved to form a bound state. We find an I (JP)=1 /2 (0-) bound state for the B D D ¯ system at an energy around 8925-8985 MeV within uncertainties, which would correspond to a bottom hidden-charm meson. In contrast, for the B D D system, which would be bottom double-charm and hence manifestly exotic, we have found hints of a bound state in the energy region 8935-8985 MeV, but the results are not stable under the uncertainties of the model, and we cannot assure, nor rule out, the possibility of a B D D three-body state.

Allele frequencies of 23 autosomal short tandem repeat loci in the Philippine population.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Jae Joseph Russell Beltran; Salvador, Jazelyn M; Calacal, Gayvelline C; Laude, Rita P; De Ungria, Maria Corazon A

2015-07-01

We characterized diversity and forensic descriptive parameters of 23 autosomal STR loci (CSF1PO, D13S317, D16S539, D5S818, D7S820, TPOX, D18S51, D21S11, D3S1358, D8S1179, FGA, TH01, vWA, D1S1656, D10S1248, D12S391, D2S441, D22S1045, D19S433, D2S1338, D6S1043, Penta D and Penta E) among 167 unrelated Filipinos. The most variable autosomal STR loci observed is Penta E (observed heterozygosity: 0.9222, match probability: 0.0167). Results reveal matching probability of 8.21×10(-28) for 23 autosomal STR loci. This dataset for the Philippine population may now be used in evaluating the weight of DNA evidence for forensic applications such as in human identification, parentage/kinship testing, and interpretation of DNA mixtures. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Striatal Neurons Expressing D1 and D2 Receptors are Morphologically Distinct and Differently Affected by Dopamine Denervation in Mice

PubMed Central

Gagnon, D.; Petryszyn, S.; Sanchez, M. G.; Bories, C.; Beaulieu, J. M.; De Koninck, Y.; Parent, A.; Parent, M.

2017-01-01

The loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s disease induces a reduction in the number of dendritic spines on medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum expressing D1 or D2 dopamine receptor. Consequences on MSNs expressing both receptors (D1/D2 MSNs) are currently unknown. We looked for changes induced by dopamine denervation in the density, regional distribution and morphological features of D1/D2 MSNs, by comparing 6-OHDA-lesioned double BAC transgenic mice (Drd1a-tdTomato/Drd2-EGFP) to sham-lesioned animals. D1/D2 MSNs are uniformly distributed throughout the dorsal striatum (1.9% of MSNs). In contrast, they are heterogeneously distributed and more numerous in the ventral striatum (14.6% in the shell and 7.3% in the core). Compared to D1 and D2 MSNs, D1/D2 MSNs are endowed with a smaller cell body and a less profusely arborized dendritic tree with less dendritic spines. The dendritic spine density of D1/D2 MSNs, but also of D1 and D2 MSNs, is significantly reduced in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. In contrast to D1 and D2 MSNs, the extent of dendritic arborization of D1/D2 MSNs appears unaltered in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Our data indicate that D1/D2 MSNs in the mouse striatum form a distinct neuronal population that is affected differently by dopamine deafferentation that characterizes Parkinson’s disease. PMID:28128287

Striatal Neurons Expressing D1 and D2 Receptors are Morphologically Distinct and Differently Affected by Dopamine Denervation in Mice.

PubMed

Gagnon, D; Petryszyn, S; Sanchez, M G; Bories, C; Beaulieu, J M; De Koninck, Y; Parent, A; Parent, M

2017-01-27

The loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease induces a reduction in the number of dendritic spines on medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum expressing D 1 or D 2 dopamine receptor. Consequences on MSNs expressing both receptors (D 1 /D 2 MSNs) are currently unknown. We looked for changes induced by dopamine denervation in the density, regional distribution and morphological features of D 1 /D 2 MSNs, by comparing 6-OHDA-lesioned double BAC transgenic mice (Drd1a-tdTomato/Drd2-EGFP) to sham-lesioned animals. D 1 /D 2 MSNs are uniformly distributed throughout the dorsal striatum (1.9% of MSNs). In contrast, they are heterogeneously distributed and more numerous in the ventral striatum (14.6% in the shell and 7.3% in the core). Compared to D 1 and D 2 MSNs, D 1 /D 2 MSNs are endowed with a smaller cell body and a less profusely arborized dendritic tree with less dendritic spines. The dendritic spine density of D 1 /D 2 MSNs, but also of D 1 and D 2 MSNs, is significantly reduced in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. In contrast to D 1 and D 2 MSNs, the extent of dendritic arborization of D 1 /D 2 MSNs appears unaltered in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Our data indicate that D 1 /D 2 MSNs in the mouse striatum form a distinct neuronal population that is affected differently by dopamine deafferentation that characterizes Parkinson's disease.

Dopamine D4 receptor, but not the ADHD-associated D4.7 variant, forms functional heteromers with the dopamine D2S receptor in the brain

PubMed Central

González, Sergio; Rangel-Barajas, Claudia; Peper, Marcela; Lorenzo, Ramiro; Moreno, Estefanía; Ciruela, Francisco; Borycz, Janusz; Ortiz, Jordi; Lluís, Carme; Franco, Rafael; McCormick, Peter J.; Volkow, Nora D.; Rubinstein, Marcelo; Floran, Benjamin; Ferré, Sergi

2011-01-01

Polymorphic variants of the dopamine D4 receptor have been consistently associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However the functional significance of the risk polymorphism (variable number of tandem repeats in exon 3) is still unclear. Here we show that whereas the most frequent 4-repeat (D4.4) and the 2-repeat (D4.2) variants form functional heteromers with the short isoform of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2S), the 7-repeat risk allele (D4.7) does not. D2 receptor activation in the D2S-D4 receptor heteromer potentiates D4 receptor-mediated MAPK signaling in transfected cells and in the striatum, which did not occur in cells expressing D4.7 or in the striatum of knock-in mutant mice carrying the 7 repeats of the human D4.7 in the third intracellular loop of the D4 receptor. In the striatum D4 receptors are localized in cortico-striatal glutamatergic terminals, where they selectively modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission by interacting with D2S receptors. This interaction shows the same qualitative characteristics than the D2S-D4 receptor heteromer-mediated MAPK signaling and D2S receptor activation potentiates D4 receptor-mediated inibition of striatal glutamate release. It is therefore postulated that dysfunctional D2S-D4.7 heteromers may impair presynaptic dopaminergic control of corticostriatal glutamatergic neurotransmission and explain functional deficits associated with ADHD. PMID:21844870

Effect of feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 with a negative cation-anion difference diet on calcium and vitamin D status of periparturient cows and their calves.

PubMed

Weiss, W P; Azem, E; Steinberg, W; Reinhardt, T A

2015-08-01

Holstein cows (>1 gestation) were fed 1 of 3 diets during the last 13 d of gestation (ranged from 22 to 7 d). The control diet (16 cows) was formulated to provide 18,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 and had a dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) of 165mEq/kg (DCAD=Na + K - Cl - S). The second diet (DCAD + D) provided the same amount of vitamin D3 but had a DCAD of -139mEq/kg (17 cows). The third diet (DCAD + 25D) had no supplemental vitamin D3 but provided 6mg/d of 25-(OH) vitamin D3 [25-(OH)D3] with a DCAD of -138mEq/kg (20 cows). Diets were fed until parturition and then all cows were fed a common lactation diet that contained vitamin D3. Negative DCAD diets reduced urine pH, with the greatest decrease occurring with the DCAD + D treatment. Urinary Ca excretion was greatest for cows fed DCAD + 25D followed by cows fed DCAD + D. Urinary pH was negatively correlated with urinary excretion of Ca for cows fed DCAD + D. No such correlation was observed with the DCAD + 25D treatment because substantial excretion of urinary Ca occurred at moderate urinary pH values for that treatment. Cows fed DCAD + 25D had greater serum concentrations of 25-(OH)D3 than other treatments from 5 d after supplementation started through 7 d in milk. Concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D3 in serum were greatest in DCAD + 25D cows starting at 2 d before calving and continued through 7 d in milk. Serum Ca concentrations 5 d before calving were greatest for cows fed DCAD + 25D, but at other time points before and after parturition treatment did not affect serum Ca. Incidence of clinical hypocalcemia was not statistically different between treatments, but cows fed DCAD + 25 had the highest incidence rate (12.5, 0, and 20% for control, DCAD + D, and DCAD + 25D). Calves born from cows fed DCAD + 25D had greater concentrations of 25-(OH)D3 in serum at birth than calves from other treatments (before colostrum consumption), but concentrations were similar by 3 d of age. Concentrations of 25-(OH)D3 in colostrum and transition milk were increased by feeding DCAD + 25D, but by 28 d in milk treatment effects no longer existed. Overall, feeding 25-OH vitamin D with a negative DCAD diet increased vitamin D status of the cow and her newborn calf but had minimal effects on calcium status and did not have positive effects on the incidence of hypocalcemia. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Loss of Plasticity in the D2-Accumbens Pallidal Pathway Promotes Cocaine Seeking.

PubMed

Heinsbroek, Jasper A; Neuhofer, Daniela N; Griffin, William C; Siegel, Griffin S; Bobadilla, Ana-Clara; Kupchik, Yonatan M; Kalivas, Peter W

2017-01-25

Distinct populations of D1- and D2-dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-/D2-MSNs) comprise the nucleus accumbens, and activity in D1-MSNs promotes, whereas activity in D2-MSNs inhibits, motivated behaviors. We used chemogenetics to extend D1-/D2-MSN cell specific regulation to cue-reinstated cocaine seeking in a mouse model of self-administration and relapse, and found that either increasing activity in D1-MSNs or decreasing activity in D2-MSNs augmented cue-induced reinstatement. Both D1- and D2-MSNs provide substantial GABAergic innervation to the ventral pallidum, and chemogenetic inhibition of ventral pallidal neurons blocked the augmented reinstatement elicited by chemogenetic regulation of either D1- or D2-MSNs. Because D1- and D2-MSNs innervate overlapping populations of ventral pallidal neurons, we next used optogenetics to examine whether changes in synaptic plasticity in D1- versus D2-MSN GABAergic synapses in the ventral pallidum could explain the differential regulation of VP activity. In mice trained to self-administer cocaine, GABAergic LTD was abolished in D2-, but not in D1-MSN synapses. A μ opioid receptor antagonist restored GABA currents in D2-, but not D1-MSN synapses of cocaine-trained mice, indicating that increased enkephalin tone on presynaptic μ opioid receptors was responsible for occluding the LTD. These results identify a behavioral function for D1-MSN innervation of the ventral pallidum, and suggest that losing LTD GABA in D2-MSN, but not D1-MSN input to ventral pallidum may promote cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. More than 90% of ventral striatum is composed of two cell types, those expressing dopamine D1 or D2 receptors, which exert opposing roles on motivated behavior. Both cell types send GABAergic projections to the ventral pallidum and were found to differentially promote cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking via the ventral pallidum. Furthermore, after cocaine self-administration, synaptic plasticity was selectively lost in D2, but not D1 inputs to the ventral pallidum. The selective impairment in D2 afferents may promote the influence of D1 inputs to drive relapse to cocaine seeking. Copyright © 2017 the authors 0270-6474/17/370757-11$15.00/0.

Loss of Plasticity in the D2-Accumbens Pallidal Pathway Promotes Cocaine Seeking

PubMed Central

Neuhofer, Daniela N.; Griffin, William C.; Siegel, Griffin S.; Bobadilla, Ana-Clara; Kupchik, Yonatan M.

2017-01-01

Distinct populations of D1- and D2-dopamine receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1-/D2-MSNs) comprise the nucleus accumbens, and activity in D1-MSNs promotes, whereas activity in D2-MSNs inhibits, motivated behaviors. We used chemogenetics to extend D1-/D2-MSN cell specific regulation to cue-reinstated cocaine seeking in a mouse model of self-administration and relapse, and found that either increasing activity in D1-MSNs or decreasing activity in D2-MSNs augmented cue-induced reinstatement. Both D1- and D2-MSNs provide substantial GABAergic innervation to the ventral pallidum, and chemogenetic inhibition of ventral pallidal neurons blocked the augmented reinstatement elicited by chemogenetic regulation of either D1- or D2-MSNs. Because D1- and D2-MSNs innervate overlapping populations of ventral pallidal neurons, we next used optogenetics to examine whether changes in synaptic plasticity in D1- versus D2-MSN GABAergic synapses in the ventral pallidum could explain the differential regulation of VP activity. In mice trained to self-administer cocaine, GABAergic LTD was abolished in D2-, but not in D1-MSN synapses. A μ opioid receptor antagonist restored GABA currents in D2-, but not D1-MSN synapses of cocaine-trained mice, indicating that increased enkephalin tone on presynaptic μ opioid receptors was responsible for occluding the LTD. These results identify a behavioral function for D1-MSN innervation of the ventral pallidum, and suggest that losing LTDGABA in D2-MSN, but not D1-MSN input to ventral pallidum may promote cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT More than 90% of ventral striatum is composed of two cell types, those expressing dopamine D1 or D2 receptors, which exert opposing roles on motivated behavior. Both cell types send GABAergic projections to the ventral pallidum and were found to differentially promote cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking via the ventral pallidum. Furthermore, after cocaine self-administration, synaptic plasticity was selectively lost in D2, but not D1 inputs to the ventral pallidum. The selective impairment in D2 afferents may promote the influence of D1 inputs to drive relapse to cocaine seeking. PMID:28123013

Influence of nutrient density and lighting regime in broiler chickens: effect on antioxidant status and immune function.

PubMed

Guo, Y L; Li, W B; Chen, J L

2010-04-01

1. The effects of nutrient density and lighting regime on oxidant status and immune function of broilers were investigated in a 2 x 4 experimental design (8 groups of 576 chickens). 2. There were two nutrient densities: high (H) starter diet AME 13.39 MJ/kg, 230 g crude protein (CP)/kg: finisher 13.39 MJ/kg, 197 g CP/kg CP) and low (L) starter AME 12.03 MJ/kg, 208 g CP/k; finisher 12.14 MJ/kg, 183 g CP/kg C. The 4 lighting regimes were continuous (CL) 23L:1D, 20L:4D (12L:2D:8L:2D), 16L:8D (12L:3D:2L:3D:2L:2D) and 12L:12D (9L:3D:1L:3D:1L:3D:1L:3D). Blood and lymphoid organs were collected at d 21 and 42 for assay of antioxidant indices and immunity. 3. Chickens fed low density diet had a higher Fabricius bursa weight (FBW). Low density diet tended (P = 0.089) to increase the a-Naphthylacetate esterase (ANAE) positive percentage response at 42 d. 4. The 12L:12D schedule decreased serum malondialdehyde compared with other regimes at 21 d. At 42 d, it was lower in the 12L:12D and 16L:8D groups than in CL and 20L:4D. There was a trend (P = 0.086) for greater superoxide dismutase activity in the 12L:12D and 16L:8D groups than under the CL and 20L:4D regimes at 42 d. ANAE positive percentage in 12L:12D group at 42 d was higher than in CL and 20L:4D groups. Plasma IgG in the 12L:12D group at 42 d was higher than in the CL group. 5. There was an interaction between nutrient density and lighting regime for FBW at 42 d. 6. These results demonstrate that low nutrient density and a 12L:12D schedule lighting schedule can enhance oxidant-antioxidant balance and the immune functions of broilers.

Photobiology of vitamin D in mushrooms and its bioavailability in humans

PubMed Central

Keegan, Raphael-John H.; Lu, Zhiren; Bogusz, Jaimee M.; Williams, Jennifer E.; Holick, Michael F.

2013-01-01

Mushrooms exposed to sunlight or UV radiation are an excellent source of dietary vitamin D2 because they contain high concentrations of the vitamin D precursor, provitamin D2. When mushrooms are exposed to UV radiation, provitamin D2 is converted to previtamin D2. Once formed, previtamin D2 rapidly isomerizes to vitamin D2 in a similar manner that previtamin D3 isomerizes to vitamin D3 in human skin. Continued exposure of mushrooms to UV radiation results in the production of lumisterol2 and tachysterol2. It was observed that the concentration of lumisterol2 remained constant in white button mushrooms for up to 24 h after being produced. However, in the same mushroom tachysterol2 concentrations rapidly declined and were undetectable after 24 h. Shiitake mushrooms not only produce vitamin D2 but also produce vitamin D3 and vitamin D4. A study of the bioavailability of vitamin D2 in mushrooms compared with the bioavailability of vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 in a supplement revealed that ingestion of 2000 IUs of vitamin D2 in mushrooms is as effective as ingesting 2000 IUs of vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 in a supplement in raising and maintaining blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D which is a marker for a person's vitamin D status. Therefore, mushrooms are a rich source of vitamin D2 that when consumed can increase and maintain blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in a healthy range. Ingestion of mushrooms may also provide the consumer with a source of vitamin D3 and vitamin D4. PMID:24494050

Resurrection of vitamin D deficiency and rickets

PubMed Central

Holick, Michael F.

2006-01-01

The epidemic scourge of rickets in the 19th century was caused by vitamin D deficiency due to inadequate sun exposure and resulted in growth retardation, muscle weakness, skeletal deformities, hypocalcemia, tetany, and seizures. The encouragement of sensible sun exposure and the fortification of milk with vitamin D resulted in almost complete eradication of the disease. Vitamin D (where D represents D2 or D3) is biologically inert and metabolized in the liver to 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the major circulating form of vitamin D that is used to determine vitamin D status. 25(OH)D is activated in the kidneys to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], which regulates calcium, phosphorus, and bone metabolism. Vitamin D deficiency has again become an epidemic in children, and rickets has become a global health issue. In addition to vitamin D deficiency, calcium deficiency and acquired and inherited disorders of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus metabolism cause rickets. This review summarizes the role of vitamin D in the prevention of rickets and its importance in the overall health and welfare of infants and children. PMID:16886050

A Context Dependent Interpretation of Inconsistencies in 2D:4D Findings: The Moderating Role of Status Relevance

PubMed Central

Millet, Kobe; Buehler, Florian

2018-01-01

Whereas direct relationships between 2D:4D and dominance related attitudes or behavior often turn out to be weak, some literature suggests that the relation between 2D:4D and dominance is context-specific. That is, especially in status-challenging situations 2D:4D may be related to dominant behavior and its correlates. Based on this perspective, we interpret inconsistencies in the literature on the relation between 2D:4D and risk taking, aggression and dominance related outcomes and investigate in our empirical study how attitudes in low 2D:4D men may change as a function of the status relevance of the context. We provide evidence for the idea that status relevance of the particular situation at hand influences the attitude towards performance-enhancing means for low 2D:4D men, but not for high 2D:4D men. We argue that 2D:4D may be related to any behavior that is functional to attain status in a specific context. Implications for (economic) decision making are discussed. PMID:29403365

Microsatellite analysis of loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 9q, 11p and 17p in medulloblastomas.

PubMed

Albrecht, S; von Deimling, A; Pietsch, T; Giangaspero, F; Brandner, S; Kleihues, P; Wiestler, O D

1994-02-01

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cerebellum whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. Previous studies suggest a role for loci on chromosomes 11p and 17p in the pathogenesis of MB. Evidence for another potential MB locus has recently emerged from studies on Gorlin syndrome (GS), an autosomal dominant syndrome with multiple basal cell carcinomas, epithelial jaw cysts, and skeletal anomalies. Since GS can be associated with MB, we examined sporadic (non-GS) cases of MB for evidence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 9 where a putative GS locus has been localized to band q31. Nineteen paired blood and MB DNA specimens from 16 patients (11 primary tumours, two primary with recurrent tumours, one primary tumour and cell line, two cell lines) were studied by PCR analysis of microsatellites at D9S55 (9p12), D9S15 (9q13-q21.1), D9S127 (9q21.1-21.3), D9S12 (9q22.3), D9S58 (9q22.3-q31), D9S109 (9q31), D9S53 (9q31), GSN (9q33), D9S60 (9q33-q34), D9S65 (9q33-q34), ASS (9q34), D9S67 (9q34.3), TH (11p15.5), D11S490 (11q23.3), D17S261 (17p11.2-12), D17S520 (17p12), TP53 (17p13.1), D17S5 (17p13.3), D17S515 (17q22-qter), and by RFLP analysis at the WT-1 locus (11p13). Only two tumours had LOH on 9q. One was non-informative at D9S15, D9S65, and GSN but showed LOH at D9S127, D9S12, D9S58, D9S109, D9S53, D9S60, ASS, and D9S67. The other was uninterpretable at D9S65 and non-informative at D9S15, D9S58, D9S53, and D9S67 but exhibited LOH at D9S127, D9S12, D9S109, GSN, D9S60, and ASS. Both these cases were informative at D9S55 without LOH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Non-analytic terms from nested divergences in maximal supergravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Anirban

2016-07-01

The {D}4{{ R }}4 and {D}6{{ R }}4 coefficient functions in the effective action of type II string theory compactified on T d contain terms of the form {{ E }}1{{ln}}{g}d and {{ E }}2{({{ln}}{g}d)}2 in specific dimensions, where g d is the T-duality invariant string coupling, and {{ E }}1 and {{ E }}2 are U-duality invariant coefficient functions. We derive these non-analytic terms from nested ultraviolet divergences in two and three loop maximal supergravity. For the {D}4{{ R }}4 coupling, the contribution involves {{ E }}{{ R }4}{{ln}}{g}d, while for the {D}6{{ R }}4 coupling, it involves {{ E }}{{ R }4}{{ln}}{g}d, {{ E }}{D2{{ R }}4}{({{ln}}{g}d)}2 and {{ E }}{D4{{ R }}4}{{ln}}{g}d; where {{ E }}{{ R }4}, {{ E }}{D2{{ R }}4} and {{ E }}{D4{{ R }}4} are the {{ R }}4, {D}2{{ R }}4 and {D}4{{ R }}4 coefficient functions respectively. The contribution from {{ E }}{D2{{ R }}4}, the coefficient function of an amplitude that vanishes onshell, arises from a two loop nested subdivergence of the three loop amplitude.

IgE binding to peanut allergens is inhibited by combined D-aspartic and D-glutamic acids.

PubMed

Chung, Si-Yin; Reed, Shawndrika

2015-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine if D-amino acids (D-aas) bind and inhibit immunoglobulin E (IgE) binding to peanut allergens. D-aas such as D-Asp (aspartic acid), D-Glu (glutamic acid), combined D-[Asp/Glu] and others were each prepared in a cocktail of 9 other D-aas, along with L-amino acids (L-aas) and controls. Each sample was mixed with a pooled plasma from peanut-allergic donors, and tested by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and Western blots for IgE binding to peanut allergens. Results showed that D-[Asp/Glu] (4 mg/ml) inhibited IgE binding (75%) while D-Glu, D-Asp and other D-aas had no inhibitory effect. A higher inhibition was seen with D-[Asp/Glu] than with L-[Asp/Glu]. We concluded that IgE was specific for D-[Asp/Glu], not D-Asp or D-Glu, and that D-[Asp/Glu] was more reactive than was L-[Asp/Glu] in IgE inhibition. The finding indicates that D-[Asp/Glu] may have the potential for removing IgE or reducing IgE binding to peanut allergens in vitro. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Determination of the specificity of monoclonal antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni CAA glycoprotein antigen using neoglycoconjugate variants.

PubMed

Carvalho de Souza, Adriana; van Remoortere, Alexandra; Hokke, Cornelis H; Deelder, André M; Vliegenthart, Johannes F G; Kamerling, Johannis P

2005-09-01

The immunogenic O-glycan of circulating anodic antigen (CAA) is a high-molecular-mass polysaccharide with the unique -->6)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1--> repeating unit. To obtain information at the molecular level about the specificity of monoclonal antibodies against CAA, the immunoreactivity of two series of bovine serum albumin-coupled synthetic oligosaccharides related to the CAA O-glycan was monitored using ELISA and surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. The importance of the axial hydroxyl group of beta-D-GalpNAc for antibody binding was investigated using the following series of analogues: beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O); beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O); and beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-GlcpA-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->O). In the second series of analogues, beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->O), beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->O), and beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)-beta-D-Gal-pNAc-(1-->6)-[beta-D-Glcp6S-(1-->3)]-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1-->O), the native beta-D-GlcpA moiety was replaced by beta-D-Glcp6S to evaluate the influence of the nature of the charge on antibody recognition. Comparison of the immunoreactivity of these series with that measured for conjugates containing corresponding synthetic CAA fragments showed that the antibody binding levels can be correlated to the antibody specificity to CAA fragments. For the most reactive antibodies, the structural changes chosen (beta-D-GalpNAc replaced by beta-D-GlcpNAc, and beta-D-GlcpA replaced by beta-D-Glcp6S) completely eradicated the binding.

Forensic and population genetic analyses of eighteen non-CODIS miniSTR loci in the Korean population.

PubMed

Jin, Han Jun; Kim, Ki Cheol; Yoon, Cha Eun; Kim, Wook

2013-11-01

We analyzed the variation of eighteen miniSTR loci in 411 randomly chosen individuals from Korea to increase the probability that a degraded sample can be typed, as well as to provide an expanded and reliable population database. Six multiplex PCR systems were developed (multiplex I: D1S1677, D2S441 and D4S2364; multiplex II: D10S1248, D14S1434 and D22S1045; multiplex III: D12S391, D16S3253 and D20S161; multiplex IV: D3S4529, D8S1115 and D18S853; multiplex V: D6S1017, D11S4463 and D17S1301; multiplex VI: D5S2500, D9S1122 and D21S1437). Allele frequencies and forensic parameters were calculated to evaluate the suitability and robustness of these non-CODIS miniSTR systems. No significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations were observed, except for D4S2364, D5S2500 and D20S161 loci. A multidimensional scaling plot based on allele frequencies of the six miniSTR loci (D1S1677, D2S441, D4S2364, D10S1248, D14S1434 and D22S1045) showed that Koreans appeared to have most genetic affinity with Chinese and Japanese than to other Eurasian populations compared here. The combined probability of match calculated from the 18 miniSTR loci was 2.902 × 10(-17), indicating a high degree of polymorphism. Thus, the 18 miniSTR loci can be suitable for recovering useful information for analyzing degraded forensic casework samples and for adding supplementary genetic information for a variety of analyses involving closely related individuals where there is a need for additional genetic information. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Energy efficiency of digestible protein, fat and carbohydrate utilisation for growth in rainbow trout and Nile tilapia.

PubMed

Schrama, Johan W; Haidar, Mahmoud N; Geurden, Inge; Heinsbroek, Leon T N; Kaushik, Sachi J

2018-04-01

Currently, energy evaluation of fish feeds is performed on a digestible energy basis. In contrast to net energy (NE) evaluation systems, digestible energy evaluation systems do not differentiate between the different types of digested nutrients regarding their potential for growth. The aim was to develop an NE evaluation for fish by estimating the energy efficiency of digestible nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates) and to assess whether these efficiencies differed between Nile tilapia and rainbow trout. Two data sets were constructed. The tilapia and rainbow data set contained, respectively, eight and nine experiments in which the digestibility of protein, fat and energy and the complete energy balances for twenty-three and forty-five diets was measured. The digestible protein (dCP), digestible fat (dFat) and digestible carbohydrate intakes (dCarb) were calculated. By multiple regression analysis, retained energy (RE) was related to dCP, dFat and dCarb. In tilapia, all digestible nutrients were linearly related to RE (P<0·001). In trout, RE was quadratically related to dCarb (P<0·01) and linearly to dCP and dFat (P<0·001). The NE formula was NE=11·5×dCP+35·8×dFAT+11·3×dCarb for tilapia and NE=13·5×dCP+33·0×dFAT+34·0×dCarb-3·64×(dCarb)2 for trout (NE in kJ/(kg0·8×d); dCP, dFat and dCarb in g/(kg0·8×d)). In tilapia, the energetic efficiency of dCP, dFat and dCarb was 49, 91 and 66 %, respectively, showing large similarity with pigs. Tilapia and trout had similar energy efficiencies of dCP (49 v. 57 %) and dFat (91 v. 84 %), but differed regarding dCarb.

Functional Selectivity of Allosteric Interactions within G Protein–Coupled Receptor Oligomers: The Dopamine D1-D3 Receptor Heterotetramer

PubMed Central

Guitart, Xavier; Navarro, Gemma; Moreno, Estefania; Yano, Hideaki; Cai, Ning-Sheng; Sánchez-Soto, Marta; Kumar-Barodia, Sandeep; Naidu, Yamini T.; Mallol, Josefa; Cortés, Antoni; Lluís, Carme; Canela, Enric I.; Casadó, Vicent; McCormick, Peter J.

2014-01-01

The dopamine D1 receptor–D3 receptor (D1R-D3R) heteromer is being considered as a potential therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders. Previous studies suggested that this heteromer could be involved in the ability of D3R agonists to potentiate locomotor activation induced by D1R agonists. It has also been postulated that its overexpression plays a role in L-dopa–induced dyskinesia and in drug addiction. However, little is known about its biochemical properties. By combining bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, bimolecular complementation techniques, and cell-signaling experiments in transfected cells, evidence was obtained for a tetrameric stoichiometry of the D1R–D3R heteromer, constituted by two interacting D1R and D3R homodimers coupled to Gs and Gi proteins, respectively. Coactivation of both receptors led to the canonical negative interaction at the level of adenylyl cyclase signaling, to a strong recruitment of β-arrestin-1, and to a positive cross talk of D1R and D3R agonists at the level of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Furthermore, D1R or D3R antagonists counteracted β-arrestin-1 recruitment and MAPK activation induced by D3R and D1R agonists, respectively (cross-antagonism). Positive cross talk and cross-antagonism at the MAPK level were counteracted by specific synthetic peptides with amino acid sequences corresponding to D1R transmembrane (TM) domains TM5 and TM6, which also selectively modified the quaternary structure of the D1R-D3R heteromer, as demonstrated by complementation of hemiproteins of yellow fluorescence protein fused to D1R and D3R. These results demonstrate functional selectivity of allosteric modulations within the D1R-D3R heteromer, which can be involved with the reported behavioral synergism of D1R and D3R agonists. PMID:25097189

Vitamin D Assays and the Definition of Hypovitaminosis D: Results from the 1st International Conference on Controversies in Vitamin D.

PubMed

Sempos, Christopher T; Heijboer, Annemieke C; Bikle, Daniel D; Bollerslev, Jens; Bouillon, Roger; Brannon, Patsy M; DeLuca, Hector F; Jones, Glenville; Munns, Craig F; Bilezikian, John P; Giustina, Andrea; Binkley, Neil

2018-05-31

The 1st International Conference on Controversies in Vitamin D was held in Pisa, Italy June 14-16, 2017. The meeting's purpose was to address controversies in vitamin D research, review data available to help resolve them and suggest a research agenda to clarify areas of uncertainty. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) concentration, i.e., the sum of 25 (OH)D 3 and 25 (OH)D 2 , remains the critical measurement for defining vitamin D status. Assay variation for 25 (OH) D has contributed to the current chaos surrounding efforts to define hypovitaminosis D. An essential requirement to develop consensus on vitamin D status is that measurement of 25 (OH) D and, in the future, other potential vitamin D biomarkers, e.g., 1α,25 (OH) 2 D 3 , 3-epi-25 (OH) D, 24,25 (OH) 2 D 3, vitamin D binding protein (DBP), free/bioavailable 25 (OH) D and parathyroid hormone be standardized/harmonized, to allow pooling of research data. Vitamin D Standardization Program (VDSP) tools are described and recommended for standardizing 25 (OH) D measurement in research. In the future, similar methodology, based on National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Materials, must be developed for other candidate markers of vitamin D status. Failure to standardize/harmonize vitamin D metabolite measurements is destined to promulgate continued chaos. At this time, 25 (OH) D values below 12 ng/mL (30 nmol/L) should be considered to be associated with an increased risk of rickets/osteomalacia while 25 (OH) D concentrations between 20-50 ng/mL (50-125 nmol/L) appear to be safe and sufficient in the general population for skeletal health. In an effort to bridge knowledge gaps in defining hypovitaminosis D, an international study on rickets as a multifactorial disease is proposed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

New Approach to Depositing Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Buffer Layers for Coated Conductors (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-02-01

Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725. REFERENCES 1. A. Goyal, D.P. Norton, J.D. Budai, M. Paranthaman, E.D. Specht , D.M. Kroeger, D.K. Christen, Q. He, B...Kroeger, D. Norton, E.D. Specht , and D.K. Christen, U.S. Patents 5 739 086 (18 April 1998), 5 741 377 (21 April 1998), 5 898 020 (27 April 1999), and 5...Verebelyi, X. Cui, E.D. Specht , D.K. Christen, P.M. Christen, and P.M. Martin, JOM 51(7), 19 (1999). 4. A. Goyal, E.D. Specht , D.M. Kroeger, and M

Contribution for an African autosomic STR database (AmpF/STR Identifiler and Powerplex 16 System) and a report on genotypic variations.

PubMed

Alves, Cíntia; Gusmão, Leonor; Damasceno, Albertino; Soares, Benilde; Amorim, António

2004-01-28

Allele frequencies, together with some parameters of forensic interest, for 17 STRs included in the AmpF/STR Identifiler (CSF1PO, D2S1338, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D19S433, D21S11, FGA, TH01, TPO and VWA) and Powerplex 16 System (CSF1PO, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, FGA, Penta D, Penta E, TH01, TPO and VWA) were estimated from a sample of 135-144 unrelated individuals from Mozambique. No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed with the exception of the FGA locus (using the Bonferroni correction for the number of loci analysed, the departure observed at this locus was not significant). Comparative analyses between our population data and other African databases, namely Promega's African-Americans, AB Applied Biosystems African-Americans and two other population samples from Mozambique and Guiné Bissau, are presented and discussed. Genotype inconsistencies between both commercial kits (for D16S539 and D8S1179) and other genotypic variations (three-banded allele patterns for TPO) are also reported.

Production and application of a rare disaccharide using sucrose phosphorylase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides.

PubMed

Morimoto, Kenji; Yoshihara, Akihide; Furumoto, Toshio; Takata, Goro

2015-06-01

Sucrose phosphorylase (SPase) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides exhibited activity towards eight ketohexoses, which behaved as D-glucosyl acceptors, and α-D-glucose-1-phosphate (G1P), which behaved as a donor. All eight of these ketohexoses were subsequently transformed into the corresponding d-glucosyl-ketohexoses. Of the eight ketohexoses evaluated in the current study, d-allulose behaved as the best substrate for SPase, and the resulting d-glucosyl-d-alluloside product was found to be a non-reducing sugar with a specific optical rotation of [α]D(20) + 74.36°. D-Glucosyl-D-alluloside was identified as α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-allulofuranoside by NMR analysis. D-Glucosyl-D-alluloside exhibited an inhibitory activity towards an invertase from yeast with a Km value of 50 mM, where it behaved as a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 9.2 mM. D-Glucosyl-D-alluloside was also successfully produced from sucrose using SPase and D-tagatose 3-epimerase. This process also allowed for the production of G1P from sucrose and d-allulose from D-fructose, which suggested that this method could be used to prepare d-glucosyl-d-alluloside without the need for expensive reagents such as G1P and d-allulose. Copyright © 2014 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Five new triterpene saponins, polygalasaponins XXVIII-XXXII from the root of Polygala japonica Houtt.

PubMed

Zhang, D; Miyase, T; Kuroyanagi, M; Umehara, K; Ueno, A

1996-04-01

Five new oleanane-type saponins, polygalasaponins XXVIII-XXXII, along with one known saponin, polygalasaponin XXIV, and one known acylated sucrose, tenuifoliside C, were isolated from the root of Polygala japonica. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl pesenegenin 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->5)-beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamno-pyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-[4-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->4)-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-[4-O-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl]-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl persenegenin 28-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->4)-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl (1-->3)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-[4-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl]-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence.

A periplasmic D-alanyl-D-alanine dipeptidase in the gram-negative bacterium Salmonella enterica.

PubMed

Hilbert, F; García-del Portillo, F; Groisman, E A

1999-04-01

The VanX protein is a D-alanyl-D-alanine (D-Ala-D-Ala) dipeptidase essential for resistance to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin. While this enzymatic activity has been typically associated with vancomycin- and teicoplainin-resistant enterococci, we now report the identification of a D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptidase in the gram-negative species Salmonella enterica. The Salmonella enzyme is only 36% identical to VanX but exhibits a similar substrate specificity: it hydrolyzes D-Ala-D-Ala, DL-Ala-DL-Phe, and D-Ala-Gly but not the tripeptides D-Ala-D-Ala-D-Ala and DL-Ala-DL-Lys-Gly or the dipeptides L-Ala-L-Ala, N-acetyl-D-Ala-D-Ala, and L-Leu-Pro. The Salmonella dipeptidase gene, designated pcgL, appears to have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer because pcgL-hybridizing sequences were not detected in related bacterial species and the G+C content of the pcgL-containing region (41%) is much lower than the overall G+C content of the Salmonella chromosome (52%). In contrast to wild-type Salmonella, a pcgL mutant was unable to use D-Ala-D-Ala as a sole carbon source. The pcgL gene conferred D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptidase activity upon Escherichia coli K-12 but did not allow growth on D-Ala-D-Ala. The PcgL protein localizes to the periplasmic space of Salmonella, suggesting that this dipeptidase participates in peptidoglycan metabolism.

Considérations nosographiques sur le délire d'infestation parasitaire à travers trois observations cliniques

PubMed Central

Berhili, Nabil; Bout, Amine; Hlal, Hayat; Aarab, Chadya; Aalouane, Rachid; Rammouz, Ismail

2016-01-01

Le syndrome d'Ekbom, ou délire d'infestation parasitaire, est une pathologie rare, caractérisée par la conviction inébranlable d'avoir une peau infestée d'insectes ou de parasites. Il s'agit d'un délire monothématique à mécanisme hallucinatoire qui touche typiquement les femmes d’âge avancé. Nous rapportons les cas de trois patients qui présentent un délire d'infestation parasitaire dans des contextes cliniques différents. Le premier patient souffre d'un délire d'infestation isolé correspondant à la forme décrite par Karl Ekbom. Le deuxième cas présente un délire d'infestation secondaire, s'inscrivant dans le cadre d'une leuco-encéphalopathie de type CADASIL. Enfin, le troisième patient se présente dans un tableau évocateur d'un épisode dépressif avec une caractéristique psychotique qui intègre le délire d'infestation. Ces trois vignettes cliniques illustrent parfaitement le caractère trans-nosographique de ce syndrome ainsi que les difficultés de prise en charge de ces patients, tant au niveau de l'alliance thérapeutique que sur le plan des choix en matière de traitement pharmacologiques. PMID:27642468

Taxonomic changes in the genus Diabrotica Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae): results of a synopsis of North and Central America Diabrotica species

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The following new synonyms in Diabrotica Chevrolat are proposed: D. flaviventris Jacoby 1887 = D. tibialis Jacoby 1887 = D. adelpha Harold 1875; D. peckii Bowditch 1911 = D. bioculata Bowditch 1911; D. circulata Harold 1875 = D. nummularis Harold 1877; D. linensis Bechyné 1956 = D. trifurcata Jacoby...

23 CFR Appendix D to Subpart D of... - Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Process Flow Chart

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 23 Highways 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Process Flow Chart D Appendix D to Subpart D of Part 230 Highways FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION..., Subpt. D, App. D Appendix D to Subpart D of Part 230—Equal Opportunity Compliance Review Process Flow...

The genus Dendrothele (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) in New Zealand

Treesearch

K.K. Nakasone; H.H. Burdsall

2011-01-01

Sixteen species of Dendrothele sensu lato are confirmed from New Zealand. Nine new taxa are described: Dendrothele arachispora, D. aucklandica, D. australis, D. cymbiformis, D. leptostachys, D. magnenavicularis, D. navicularis, D. novae-zelandiae and D. subellipsoidea. Ten species were previously reported, but...

PSS-3D1D: an improved 3D1D profile method of protein fold recognition for the annotation of twilight zone sequences.

PubMed

Ganesan, K; Parthasarathy, S

2011-12-01

Annotation of any newly determined protein sequence depends on the pairwise sequence identity with known sequences. However, for the twilight zone sequences which have only 15-25% identity, the pair-wise comparison methods are inadequate and the annotation becomes a challenging task. Such sequences can be annotated by using methods that recognize their fold. Bowie et al. described a 3D1D profile method in which the amino acid sequences that fold into a known 3D structure are identified by their compatibility to that known 3D structure. We have improved the above method by using the predicted secondary structure information and employ it for fold recognition from the twilight zone sequences. In our Protein Secondary Structure 3D1D (PSS-3D1D) method, a score (w) for the predicted secondary structure of the query sequence is included in finding the compatibility of the query sequence to the known fold 3D structures. In the benchmarks, the PSS-3D1D method shows a maximum of 21% improvement in predicting correctly the α + β class of folds from the sequences with twilight zone level of identity, when compared with the 3D1D profile method. Hence, the PSS-3D1D method could offer more clues than the 3D1D method for the annotation of twilight zone sequences. The web based PSS-3D1D method is freely available in the PredictFold server at http://bioinfo.bdu.ac.in/servers/ .

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on hepatic dysfunction, vitamin D status, and glycemic control in children and adolescents with vitamin D deficiency and either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Nwosu, Benjamin Udoka; Maranda, Louise

2014-01-01

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on mild hepatic dysfunction and glycemic control are unclear in children and adolescents with either type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Vitamin D supplementation will improve hepatic dysfunction and glycemic control. To determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on alanine transaminase (ALT), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. A retrospective study of 131 subjects with either T1D (n = 88 ∶ 46 females, 42 males), or T2D (n = 43 ∶ 26 females, 17 males) of ages 3-18 years between 2007-2013. All subjects had (1) a diagnosis of diabetes for > 12 mo, (2) received vitamin D supplementation for the management of vitamin D deficiency (3) had baseline and subsequent simultaneous measurements of HbA1c, ALT, and 25(OH)D. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D concentration of < 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL). At baseline, vitamin D deficiency occurred in 72.1% of patients with T2D and in 37.5% of T1D patients (p < 0.001). Patients with T2D had significantly higher values for BMI SDS (p < 0.001), alanine transaminase (ALT) (p = 0.001), but lower 25(OH)D p < 0.001), and no difference in HbA1c (p = 0.94), and total daily dose (TDD) of insulin per kg body weight (p = 0.48) as compared to T1D patients. After 3 months of vitamin D supplementation, there was a significant increase in 25(OH)D in both T2D (p = 0.015), and T1D patients (p < 0.001); significant reduction in BMI SDS (p = 0.015) and ALT (p = 0.012) in T2D, but not in T1D. There was a clinically-significant decrease in HbA1c in T2D from 8.5 ± 2.9% at baseline to 7.7 ± 2.5 at 3 mo, but not in T1D, 8.5 ± 1.2 to 8.53 ± 1.1%. Vitamin D supplementation in subjects with T2D was associated with statistically significant decreases in BMI SDS, ALT, and a clinically-significant decrease in HbA1c.

Synthesis, molecular properties estimations, and dual dopamine D2 and D3 receptor activities of Benzthiazole-based ligands.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schübler, Moritz; Sadek, Bassem; Kottke, Tim; Weizel, Lilia; Stark, Holger

2017-09-01

Neurleptic drugs, e.g. aripiprazole, targeting the dopamine D2s and D3 receptors (D2sR and D3R) in the central nervous system are widely used in the treatment of several psychotic and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, a new series of benz[d]thiazole-based ligands (1-18) was synthesized by applying the bioisosteric approach derived from the selective D3Rs ligand BP-897 and its structurally related benz[d]imidazole derivatives. Herein, introduction of the benz[d]thiazole moiety was well tolerated by D2sR and D3R binding sites leading to antagonist affinities in the low nanomolar concentration range at both receptor subtypes. Further exploration of different substitution patterns at the benz[d]thiazole heterocycle and the basic 4-phenylpiperazine resulted in the discovery of high dually acting D2sR and D3R ligands. Moreover, the methoxy substitution at 2-position of 4-phenylpiperazine resulted in significantly (22-fold) increased D2sR binding affinity as compared to the parent ligand BP-897, and improved physicochemical and drug-likeness properties of ligands 1-9. However, the latter structural modifications failed to improve the drug-able properties in ligands having un-substituted 4-phenylpiperazine analogues (10-18). Accordingly, compound 7 showed in addition to high dual affinity at the D2sR and D3R (Ki (hD2SR) = 2.8 ± 0.8 nM; Ki (hD3R) = 3.0 ± 1.6 nM), promising clogS, clogP, LE (hD2sR, hD3R), LipE (hD2sR, hD3R), and drug-likeness score values of -4.7, 4.2, (0.4, 0.4), (4.4, 4.3), and 0.7, respectively. Also, the deaminated analogue 8 (Ki (hD2SR) = 3.2 ± 0.4 nM; Ki (hD3R) = 8.5 ± 2.2 nM) revealed clogS, clogP, LE (hD2sR, hD3R), LipE (hD2sR, hD3R) and drug-likeness score values of -4.7, 4.2, (0.4, 0.4), (3.9, 3.5), and 0.4, respectively. The results observed for the newly developed benz[d]thiazole-based ligands 1-18 provide clues for the diversity in structure activity relationships (SARs) at the D2sR and D3R subtypes.

Transition-state destabilization reveals how human DNA polymerase β proceeds across the chemically unstable lesion N7-methylguanine

PubMed Central

Ouzon-Shubeita, Hala; Lee, Seongmin

2014-01-01

N7-Methyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (m7dG) is the predominant lesion formed by methylating agents. A systematic investigation on the effect of m7dG on DNA replication has been difficult due to the chemical instability of m7dG. To gain insights into the m7dG effect, we employed a 2′-fluorine-mediated transition-state destabilzation strategy. Specifically, we determined kinetic parameters for dCTP insertion opposite a chemically stable m7dG analogue, 2′-fluoro-m7dG (Fm7dG), by human DNA polymerase β (polβ) and solved three X-ray structures of polβ in complex with the templating Fm7dG paired with incoming dCTP or dTTP analogues. The kinetic studies reveal that the templating Fm7dG slows polβ catalysis ∼300-fold, suggesting that m7dG in genomic DNA may impede replication by some DNA polymerases. The structural analysis reveals that Fm7dG forms a canonical Watson–Crick base pair with dCTP, but metal ion coordination is suboptimal for catalysis in the polβ-Fm7dG:dCTP complex, which partially explains the slow insertion of dCTP opposite Fm7dG by polβ. In addition, the polβ-Fm7dG:dTTP structure shows open protein conformations and staggered base pair conformations, indicating that N7-methylation of dG does not promote a promutagenic replication. Overall, the first systematic studies on the effect of m7dG on DNA replication reveal that polβ catalysis across m7dG is slow, yet highly accurate. PMID:24966350

Current drug treatments targeting dopamine D3 receptor.

PubMed

Leggio, Gian Marco; Bucolo, Claudio; Platania, Chiara Bianca Maria; Salomone, Salvatore; Drago, Filippo

2016-09-01

Dopamine receptors (DR) have been extensively studied, but only in recent years they became object of investigation to elucidate the specific role of different subtypes (D1R, D2R, D3R, D4R, D5R) in neural transmission and circuitry. D1-like receptors (D1R and D5R) and D2-like receptors (D2R, D2R and D4R) differ in signal transduction, binding profile, localization in the central nervous system and physiological effects. D3R is involved in a number of pathological conditions, including schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, addiction, anxiety, depression and glaucoma. Development of selective D3R ligands has been so far challenging, due to the high sequence identity and homology shared by D2R and D3R. As a consequence, despite a rational design of selective DR ligands has been carried out, none of currently available medicines selectively target a given D2-like receptor subtype. The availability of the D3R ligand [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO for positron emission tomography studies in animal models as well as in humans, allows researchers to estimate the expression of D3R in vivo; displacement of [(11)C]-(+)-PHNO binding by concurrent drug treatments is used to estimate the in vivo occupancy of D3R. Here we provide an overview of studies indicating D3R as a target for pharmacological therapy, and a review of market approved drugs endowed with significant affinity at D3R that are used to treat disorders where D3R plays a relevant role. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neurochemical evidence supporting dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromers in the striatum of the long-tailed macaque: changes following dopaminergic manipulation.

PubMed

Rico, Alberto J; Dopeso-Reyes, Iria G; Martínez-Pinilla, Eva; Sucunza, Diego; Pignataro, Diego; Roda, Elvira; Marín-Ramos, David; Labandeira-García, José L; George, Susan R; Franco, Rafael; Lanciego, José L

2017-05-01

Although it has long been widely accepted that dopamine receptor types D1 and D2 form GPCR heteromers in the striatum, the presence of D1-D2 receptor heteromers has been recently challenged. In an attempt to properly characterize D1-D2 receptor heteromers, here we have used the in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) in striatal sections comprising the caudate nucleus, the putamen and the core and shell territories of the nucleus accumbens. Experiments were carried out in control macaques as well as in MPTP-treated animals (with and without dyskinesia). Obtained data support the presence of D1-D2 receptor heteromers within all the striatal subdivisions, with the highest abundance in the accumbens shell. Dopamine depletion by MPTP resulted in an increase of D1-D2 density in caudate and putamen which was normalized by levodopa treatment. Two different sizes of heteromers were consistently found, thus suggesting that besides individual heteromers, D1-D2 receptor heteromers are sometimes organized in macromolecular complexes made of a number of D1-D2 heteromers. Furthermore, the PLA technique was combined with different neuronal markers to properly characterize the identities of striatal neurons expressing D1-D2 heteromers. We have found that striatal projection neurons giving rise to either the direct or the indirect basal ganglia pathways expressed D1-D2 heteromers. Interestingly, macromolecular complexes of D1-D2 heteromers were only found within cholinergic interneurons. In summary, here we provide overwhelming proof that D1 and D2 receptors form heteromeric complexes in the macaque striatum, thus representing a very appealing target for a number of brain diseases involving dopamine dysfunction.

Reduced sleep duration mediates decreases in striatal D2/D3 receptor availability in cocaine abusers

PubMed Central

Wiers, C E; Shumay, E; Cabrera, E; Shokri-Kojori, E; Gladwin, T E; Skarda, E; Cunningham, S I; Kim, S W; Wong, T C; Tomasi, D; Wang, G-J; Volkow, N D

2016-01-01

Neuroimaging studies have documented reduced striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor (D2/D3R) availability in cocaine abusers, which has been associated with impaired prefrontal activity and vulnerability for relapse. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the decreases in D2/D3R remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that sleep deprivation is associated with a downregulation of striatal D2/D3R in healthy volunteers. As cocaine abusers have disrupted sleep patterns, here we investigated whether reduced sleep duration mediates the relationship between cocaine abuse and low striatal D2/D3R availability. We used positron emission tomography with [11C]raclopride to measure striatal D2/D3R availability in 24 active cocaine abusers and 21 matched healthy controls, and interviewed them about their daily sleep patterns. Compared with controls, cocaine abusers had shorter sleep duration, went to bed later and reported longer periods of sleep disturbances. In addition, cocaine abusers had reduced striatal D2/D3R availability. Sleep duration predicted striatal D2/D3R availability and statistically mediated the relationship between cocaine abuse and striatal D2/D3R availability. These findings suggest that impaired sleep patterns contribute to the low striatal D2/D3R availability in cocaine abusers. As sleep impairments are similarly observed in other types of substance abusers (for example, alcohol and methamphetamine), this mechanism may also underlie reductions in D2/D3R availability in these groups. The current findings have clinical implications suggesting that interventions to improve sleep patterns in cocaine abusers undergoing detoxification might be beneficial in improving their clinical outcomes. PMID:26954979

Effects of D-glucose upon D-fructose metabolism in rat hepatocytes: A 13C NMR study.

PubMed

Malaisse, W J; Ladrière, L; Verbruggen, I; Willem, R

2002-12-01

Isolated hepatocytes from fed rats were exposed for 120 min to D-glucose (10 mM) and either D-[1-13C]fructose, D-[2-13C]fructose or D-[6-13C]fructose (also 10 mM) in the presence of D2O. The identification and quantification of 13C-enriched D-fructose and its metabolites (D-glucose, L-lactate, L-alanine) in the incubation medium and the measurement of their deuterated isotopomers indicated, by comparison with a prior study conducted in the absence of exogenous D-glucose, that the major effects of the aldohexose were to increase the recovery of 13C-enriched D-fructose, decrease the production of 13C-enriched D-glucose, restrict the deuteration of the 13C-enriched isotopomers of D-glucose to those generated by cells exposed to D-[2-13C]fructose, and to accentuate the lesser deuteration of the C, (as compared to C5) of 13C-enriched D-glucose derived from D-[2-13C]fructose. The ratio between C2-deuterated and C2-hydrogenated L-lactate, as well as the relative amounts of the CH3-, CH2D-, CHD, and CD3- isotopomers of 13C-enriched L-lactate were not significantly different, however, in the absence or presence of exogenous D-glucose. These findings indicate that exogenous D-glucose suppressed the deuteration of the C1 of D-[I-13C]glucose generated by hepatocytes exposed to D-[1-13C]fructose or D-[6-13C]fructose, as otherwise attributable, in part at least, to gluconeogenesis from fructose-derived [3-13C]pyruvate, and apparently favoured the phosphorylation of D-fructose by hexokinase isoenzymes, probably through stimulation of D-fructose phosphorylation by glucokinase.

Biosynthesis of Lipoteichoic Acid in Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Role of DltD in d-Alanylation

PubMed Central

Debabov, Dmitri V.; Kiriukhin, Michael Y.; Neuhaus, Francis C.

2000-01-01

The dlt operon (dltA to dltD) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus 7469 encodes four proteins responsible for the esterification of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) by d-alanine. These esters play an important role in controlling the net anionic charge of the poly (GroP) moiety of LTA. dltA and dltC encode the d-alanine–d-alanyl carrier protein ligase (Dcl) and d-alanyl carrier protein (Dcp), respectively. Whereas the functions of DltA and DltC are defined, the functions of DltB and DltD are unknown. To define the role of DltD, the gene was cloned and sequenced and a mutant was constructed by insertional mutagenesis of dltD from Lactobacillus casei 102S. Permeabilized cells of a dltD::erm mutant lacked the ability to incorporate d-alanine into LTA. This defect was complemented by the expression of DltD from pNZ123/dlt. In in vitro assays, DltD bound Dcp for ligation with d-alanine by Dcl in the presence of ATP. In contrast, the homologue of Dcp, the Escherichia coli acyl carrier protein (ACP), involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, was not bound to DltD and thus was not ligated with d-alanine. DltD also catalyzed the hydrolysis of the mischarged d-alanyl–ACP. The hydrophobic N-terminal sequence of DltD was required for anchoring the protein in the membrane. It is hypothesized that this membrane-associated DltD facilitates the binding of Dcp and Dcl for ligation of Dcp with d-alanine and that the resulting d-alanyl–Dcp is translocated to the primary site of d-alanylation. PMID:10781555

A peptide targeting an interaction interface disrupts the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer to block signaling and function in vitro and in vivo: effective selective antagonism.

PubMed

Hasbi, Ahmed; Perreault, Melissa L; Shen, Maurice Y F; Zhang, Lucia; To, Ryan; Fan, Theresa; Nguyen, Tuan; Ji, Xiaodong; O'Dowd, Brian F; George, Susan R

2014-11-01

Although the dopamine D1-D2 receptor heteromer has emerging physiological relevance and a postulated role in different neuropsychiatric disorders, such as drug addiction, depression, and schizophrenia, there is a need for pharmacological tools that selectively target such receptor complexes in order to analyze their biological and pathophysiological functions. Since no selective antagonists for the D1-D2 heteromer are available, serial deletions and point mutations were used to precisely identify the amino acids involved in an interaction interface between the receptors, residing within the carboxyl tail of the D1 receptor that interacted with the D2 receptor to form the D1-D2 receptor heteromer. It was determined that D1 receptor carboxyl tail residues (404)Glu and (405)Glu were critical in mediating the interaction with the D2 receptor. Isolated mutation of these residues in the D1 receptor resulted in the loss of agonist activation of the calcium signaling pathway mediated through the D1-D2 receptor heteromer. The physical interaction between the D1 and D2 receptor could be disrupted, as shown by coimmunoprecipitation and BRET analysis, by a small peptide generated from the D1 receptor sequence that contained these amino acids, leading to a switch in G-protein affinities and loss of calcium signaling, resulting in the inhibition of D1-D2 heteromer function. The use of the D1-D2 heteromer-disrupting peptide in vivo revealed a pathophysiological role for the D1-D2 heteromer in the modulation of behavioral despair. This peptide may represent a novel pharmacological tool with potential therapeutic benefits in depression treatment. © FASEB.

24,25,28-Trihydroxyvitamin D sub 2 and 24,25,26-trihydroxyvitamin D sub 2 : Novel metabolites of vitamin D sub 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reddy, G.S.; Tserng, K.

1990-01-30

Understanding of the inactivation pathways of 25-hydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} and 24-hydroxyvitamin D{sub 2}, the two physiologically significant monohydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D{sub 2}, is of importance, especially during hypervitaminosis D{sub 2}. At present, little information is available regarding the inactivation pathway of 25-hydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} except its further metabolism into 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2}. In our present study, the authors investigated the metabolic fate of 25-hydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} in the isolated perfused rat kidney and demonstrated its conversion not only into 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} but also into two other new metabolites, namely, 24,25,28-trihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} and 24,25,26-trihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2}. The structuremore » identification of the new metabolites was established by the techniques of ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry and by the characteristic nature of each new metabolite's susceptibility to sodium metaperiodate oxidation. In order to demonstrate the physiological significance of the two new trihydroxy metabolites of vitamin D{sub 2}, induced hypervitaminosis D{sub 2} in a rat using (3{alpha}-{sup 3}H)vitamin D{sub 2} and analyzed its plasma for the various (3{alpha}-{sup 3}H)vitamin D{sub 2} metabolites on two different high-pressure liquid chromatography systems. The results indicate that both 24,25,26-trihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} and 24,25,26-trihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2} circulate in the vitamin D{sub 2} intoxicated rat in significant amounts along with other previously identified monohydroxy and dihydroxy metabolites of vitamin D{sub 2}, namely, 24-hydroxyvitamin D{sub 2}, 25-hydroxyvitamin D{sub 2}, and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D{sub 2}.« less

Revision of the flightless click-beetle genus Dima Charpentier, 1825 (Coleoptera: Elateridae: Dimini) in the Balkan Peninsula.

PubMed

Mertlik, Josef; Németh, Tamás; Kundrata, Robin

2017-01-13

The genus Dima Charpentier, 1825 in the Balkan Peninsula and surrounding areas was revised based on the adult semaphoronts. Altogether 33 species are known from the investigated area, of which nine are new for science: D. bruhai sp. nov. (Greece), D. dusaneki sp. nov. (Macedonia), D. fialai sp. nov. (Macedonia), D. kozufensis sp. nov. (Greece, Macedonia), D. orientalis sp. nov. (Bulgaria), D. pelikani sp. nov. (Albania, Montenegro), D. pelionensis sp. nov. (Greece), D. vonickai sp. nov. (Albania), and D. zbuzeki sp. nov. (Greece). Dima peloponnensis Schimmel & Platia, 2008 was synonymized under D. assingi Schimmel & Platia, 2008, D. scutellaris Platia, 2010 and D. fokidensis Schimmel & Platia, 2008 were synonymized under D. fthiotidensis Schimmel & Platia, 2008, D. pindosensis Schimmel & Platia, 2008 was synonymized under D. raineri Wurst, 1997, and D. riesei Platia, 2010 was synonymized under D. vailatii Schimmel & Platia, 2008. For the first time, a male was described for D. florinensis Platia, 2012, and females for D. neumanni Platia, 2013, D. olympica Meschnigg, 1934, and D. schimmeli Platia & Gudenzi, 2009. Dima dalmatina Küster, 1844 was recorded for the first time from Bosnia and Herzegovina, D. elateroides Charpentier, 1825 from Bulgaria and Macedonia, D. florinensis from Macedonia, and D. raineri Wurst, 1997 from Albania. For each species we provided bibliography and information on the type depositories, diagnosis, intraspecific variability and distribution, and figured the main diagnostic morphological characters. Due to the generally uniform morphology within the genus and great intraspecific variability in most diagnostic characters we were unable to construct a reliable identification key for the Dima species in the Balkan Peninsula. Our study revealed that Dima is a more speciose genus than expected and that more species may be discovered in the near future, even in Europe.

Coupling between d-3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase and d-2-hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase drives bacterial l-serine synthesis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wen; Zhang, Manman; Gao, Chao; Zhang, Yipeng; Ge, Yongsheng; Guo, Shiting; Guo, Xiaoting; Zhou, Zikang; Liu, Qiuyuan; Zhang, Yingxin; Ma, Cuiqing; Tao, Fei; Xu, Ping

2017-01-01

l-Serine biosynthesis, a crucial metabolic process in most domains of life, is initiated by d-3-phosphoglycerate (d-3-PG) dehydrogenation, a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction catalyzed by d-3-PG dehydrogenase (SerA). d-2-Hydroxyglutarate (d-2-HG) is traditionally viewed as an abnormal metabolite associated with cancer and neurometabolic disorders. Here, we reveal that bacterial anabolism and catabolism of d-2-HG are involved in l-serine biosynthesis in Pseudomonas stutzeri A1501 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. SerA catalyzes the stereospecific reduction of 2-ketoglutarate (2-KG) to d-2-HG, responsible for the major production of d-2-HG in vivo. SerA combines the energetically favorable reaction of d-2-HG production to overcome the thermodynamic barrier of d-3-PG dehydrogenation. We identified a bacterial d-2-HG dehydrogenase (D2HGDH), a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent enzyme, that converts d-2-HG back to 2-KG. Electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and ETF-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETFQO) are also essential in d-2-HG metabolism through their capacity to transfer electrons from D2HGDH. Furthermore, while the mutant with D2HGDH deletion displayed decreased growth, the defect was rescued by adding l-serine, suggesting that the D2HGDH is functionally tied to l-serine synthesis. Substantial flux flows through d-2-HG, being produced by SerA and removed by D2HGDH, ETF, and ETFQO, maintaining d-2-HG homeostasis. Overall, our results uncover that d-2-HG–mediated coupling between SerA and D2HGDH drives bacterial l-serine synthesis. PMID:28827360

Study of D J meson decays to D +π-, D 0π+ and D ∗+π- final states in pp collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aaij, R.; Adeva, B.; Adinolfi, M.; Adrover, C.; Affolder, A.; Ajaltouni, Z.; Albrecht, J.; Alessio, F.; Alexander, M.; Ali, S.; Alkhazov, G.; Cartelle, P. Alvarez; Alves, A. A.; Amato, S.; Amerio, S.; Amhis, Y.; Anderlini, L.; Anderson, J.; Andreassen, R.; Andrews, J. E.; Appleby, R. B.; Gutierrez, O. Aquines; Archilli, F.; Artamonov, A.; Artuso, M.; Aslanides, E.; Auriemma, G.; Baalouch, M.; Bachmann, S.; Back, J. J.; Baesso, C.; Balagura, V.; Baldini, W.; Barlow, R. J.; Barschel, C.; Barsuk, S.; Barter, W.; Bauer, Th.; Bay, A.; Beddow, J.; Bedeschi, F.; Bediaga, I.; Belogurov, S.; Belous, K.; Belyaev, I.; Ben-Haim, E.; Bencivenni, G.; Benson, S.; Benton, J.; Berezhnoy, A.; Bernet, R.; Bettler, M.-O.; van Beuzekom, M.; Bien, A.; Bifani, S.; Bird, T.; Bizzeti, A.; Bjørnstad, P. M.; Blake, T.; Blanc, F.; Blouw, J.; Blusk, S.; Bocci, V.; Bondar, A.; Bondar, N.; Bonivento, W.; Borghi, S.; Borgia, A.; Bowcock, T. J. V.; Bowen, E.; Bozzi, C.; Brambach, T.; van den Brand, J.; Bressieux, J.; Brett, D.; Britsch, M.; Britton, T.; Brook, N. H.; Brown, H.; Burducea, I.; Bursche, A.; Busetto, G.; Buytaert, J.; Cadeddu, S.; Callot, O.; Calvi, M.; Gomez, M. Calvo; Camboni, A.; Campana, P.; Perez, D. Campora; Carbone, A.; Carboni, G.; Cardinale, R.; Cardini, A.; Carranza-Mejia, H.; Carson, L.; Akiba, K. Carvalho; Casse, G.; Garcia, L. Castillo; Cattaneo, M.; Cauet, Ch.; Cenci, R.; Charles, M.; Charpentier, Ph.; Chen, P.; Chiapolini, N.; Chrzaszcz, M.; Ciba, K.; Vidal, X. Cid; Ciezarek, G.; Clarke, P. E. L.; Clemencic, M.; Cliff, H. V.; Closier, J.; Coca, C.; Coco, V.; Cogan, J.; Cogneras, E.; Collins, P.; Comerma-Montells, A.; Contu, A.; Cook, A.; Coombes, M.; Coquereau, S.; Corti, G.; Couturier, B.; Cowan, G. A.; Craik, D. C.; Cunliffe, S.; Currie, R.; D'Ambrosio, C.; David, P.; David, P. N. Y.; Davis, A.; De Bonis, I.; De Bruyn, K.; De Capua, S.; De Cian, M.; De Miranda, J. M.; De Paula, L.; De Silva, W.; De Simone, P.; Decamp, D.; Deckenhoff, M.; Del Buono, L.; Déléage, N.; Derkach, D.; Deschamps, O.; Dettori, F.; Di Canto, A.; Dijkstra, H.; Dogaru, M.; Donleavy, S.; Dordei, F.; Suárez, A. Dosil; Dossett, D.; Dovbnya, A.; Dupertuis, F.; Durante, P.; Dzhelyadin, R.; Dziurda, A.; Dzyuba, A.; Easo, S.; Egede, U.; Egorychev, V.; Eidelman, S.; van Eijk, D.; Eisenhardt, S.; Eitschberger, U.; Ekelhof, R.; Eklund, L.; El Rifai, I.; Elsasser, Ch.; Falabella, A.; Färber, C.; Fardell, G.; Farinelli, C.; Farry, S.; Fave, V.; Ferguson, D.; Albor, V. Fernandez; Rodrigues, F. Ferreira; Ferro-Luzzi, M.; Filippov, S.; Fiore, M.; Fitzpatrick, C.; Fontana, M.; Fontanelli, F.; Forty, R.; Francisco, O.; Frank, M.; Frei, C.; Frosini, M.; Furcas, S.; Furfaro, E.; Torreira, A. Gallas; Galli, D.; Gandelman, M.; Gandini, P.; Gao, Y.; Garofoli, J.; Garosi, P.; Tico, J. Garra; Garrido, L.; Gaspar, C.; Gauld, R.; Gersabeck, E.; Gersabeck, M.; Gershon, T.; Ghez, Ph.; Gibson, V.; Giubega, L.; Gligorov, V. V.; Göbel, C.; Golubkov, D.; Golutvin, A.; Gomes, A.; Gordon, H.; Gándara, M. Grabalosa; Diaz, R. Graciani; Cardoso, L. A. Granado; Graugés, E.; Graziani, G.; Grecu, A.; Greening, E.; Gregson, S.; Griffith, P.; Grünberg, O.; Gui, B.; Gushchin, E.; Guz, Yu.; Gys, T.; Hadjivasiliou, C.; Haefeli, G.; Haen, C.; Haines, S. C.; Hall, S.; Hamilton, B.; Hampson, T.; Hansmann-Menzemer, S.; Harnew, N.; Harnew, S. T.; Harrison, J.; Hartmann, T.; He, J.; Head, T.; Heijne, V.; Hennessy, K.; Henrard, P.; Morata, J. A. Hernando; van Herwijnen, E.; Hicheur, A.; Hicks, E.; Hill, D.; Hoballah, M.; Hombach, C.; Hopchev, P.; Hulsbergen, W.; Hunt, P.; Huse, T.; Hussain, N.; Hutchcroft, D.; Hynds, D.; Iakovenko, V.; Idzik, M.; Ilten, P.; Jacobsson, R.; Jaeger, A.; Jans, E.; Jaton, P.; Jawahery, A.; Jing, F.; John, M.; Johnson, D.; Jones, C. R.; Joram, C.; Jost, B.; Kaballo, M.; Kandybei, S.; Kanso, W.; Karacson, M.; Karbach, T. M.; Kenyon, I. R.; Ketel, T.; Keune, A.; Khanji, B.; Kochebina, O.; Komarov, I.; Koopman, R. F.; Koppenburg, P.; Korolev, M.; Kozlinskiy, A.; Kravchuk, L.; Kreplin, K.; Kreps, M.; Krocker, G.; Krokovny, P.; Kruse, F.; Kucharczyk, M.; Kudryavtsev, V.; Kvaratskheliya, T.; La Thi, V. N.; Lacarrere, D.; Lafferty, G.; Lai, A.; Lambert, D.; Lambert, R. W.; Lanciotti, E.; Lanfranchi, G.; Langenbruch, C.; Latham, T.; Lazzeroni, C.; Le Gac, R.; van Leerdam, J.; Lees, J.-P.; Lefèvre, R.; Leflat, A.; Lefrançois, J.; Leo, S.; Leroy, O.; Lesiak, T.; Leverington, B.; Li, Y.; Gioi, L. Li; Liles, M.; Lindner, R.; Linn, C.; Liu, B.; Liu, G.; Lohn, S.; Longstaff, I.; Lopes, J. H.; Lopez-March, N.; Lu, H.; Lucchesi, D.; Luisier, J.; Luo, H.; Machefert, F.; Machikhiliyan, I. V.; Maciuc, F.; Maev, O.; Malde, S.; Manca, G.; Mancinelli, G.; Maratas, J.; Marconi, U.; Märki, R.; Marks, J.; Martellotti, G.; Martens, A.; Sánchez, A. M´ın; Martinelli, M.; Santos, D. Martinez; Tostes, D. Martins; Massafferri, A.; Matev, R.; Mathe, Z.; Matteuzzi, C.; Maurice, E.; Mazurov, A.; Skelly, B. Mc; McCarthy, J.; McNab, A.; McNulty, R.; Meadows, B.; Meier, F.; Meissner, M.; Merk, M.; Milanes, D. A.; Minard, M.-N.; Rodriguez, J. Molina; Monteil, S.; Moran, D.; Morawski, P.; Mordà, A.; Morello, M. J.; Mountain, R.; Mous, I.; Muheim, F.; Müller, K.; Muresan, R.; Muryn, B.; Muster, B.; Naik, P.; Nakada, T.; Nandakumar, R.; Nasteva, I.; Needham, M.; Neubert, S.; Neufeld, N.; Nguyen, A. D.; Nguyen, T. D.; Nguyen-Mau, C.; Nicol, M.; Niess, V.; Niet, R.; Nikitin, N.; Nikodem, T.; Nomerotski, A.; Novoselov, A.; Oblakowska-Mucha, A.; Obraztsov, V.; Oggero, S.; Ogilvy, S.; Okhrimenko, O.; Oldeman, R.; Orlandea, M.; Goicochea, J. M. Otalora; Owen, P.; Oyanguren, A.; Pal, B. K.; Palano, A.; Palutan, M.; Panman, J.; Papanestis, A.; Pappagallo, M.; Parkes, C.; Parkinson, C. J.; Passaleva, G.; Patel, G. D.; Patel, M.; Patrick, G. N.; Patrignani, C.; Pavel-Nicorescu, C.; Alvarez, A. Pazos; Pellegrino, A.; Penso, G.; Altarelli, M. Pepe; Perazzini, S.; Trigo, E. Perez; Yzquierdo, A. Pérez-Calero; Perret, P.; Perrin-Terrin, M.; Pessina, G.; Petridis, K.; Petrolini, A.; Phan, A.; Olloqui, E. Picatoste; Pietrzyk, B.; Pilař, T.; Pinci, D.; Playfer, S.; Casasus, M. Plo; Polci, F.; Polok, G.; Poluektov, A.; Polycarpo, E.; Popov, A.; Popov, D.; Popovici, B.; Potterat, C.; Powell, A.; Prisciandaro, J.; Pritchard, A.; Prouve, C.; Pugatch, V.; Navarro, A. Puig; Punzi, G.; Qian, W.; Rademacker, J. H.; Rakotomiaramanana, B.; Rangel, M. S.; Raniuk, I.; Rauschmayr, N.; Raven, G.; Redford, S.; Reid, M. M.; dos Reis, A. C.; Ricciardi, S.; Richards, A.; Rinnert, K.; Molina, V. Rives; Romero, D. A. Roa; Robbe, P.; Roberts, D. A.; Rodrigues, E.; Perez, P. Rodriguez; Roiser, S.; Romanovsky, V.; Vidal, A. Romero; Rouvinet, J.; Ruf, T.; Ruffini, F.; Ruiz, H.; Valls, P. Ruiz; Sabatino, G.; Silva, J. J. Saborido; Sagidova, N.; Sail, P.; Saitta, B.; Guimaraes, V. Salustino; Salzmann, C.; Sedes, B. Sanmartin; Sannino, M.; Santacesaria, R.; Rios, C. Santamarina; Santovetti, E.; Sapunov, M.; Sarti, A.; Satriano, C.; Satta, A.; Savrie, M.; Savrina, D.; Schaack, P.; Schiller, M.; Schindler, H.; Schlupp, M.; Schmelling, M.; Schmidt, B.; Schneider, O.; Schopper, A.; Schune, M.-H.; Schwemmer, R.; Sciascia, B.; Sciubba, A.; Seco, M.; Semennikov, A.; Senderowska, K.; Sepp, I.; Serra, N.; Serrano, J.; Seyfert, P.; Shapkin, M.; Shapoval, I.; Shatalov, P.; Shcheglov, Y.; Shears, T.; Shekhtman, L.; Shevchenko, O.; Shevchenko, V.; Shires, A.; Coutinho, R. Silva; Sirendi, M.; Skwarnicki, T.; Smith, N. A.; Smith, E.; Smith, J.; Smith, M.; Sokoloff, M. D.; Soler, F. J. P.; Soomro, F.; Souza, D.; De Paula, B. Souza; Spaan, B.; Sparkes, A.; Spradlin, P.; Stagni, F.; Stahl, S.; Steinkamp, O.; Stevenson, S.; Stoica, S.; Stone, S.; Storaci, B.; Straticiuc, M.; Straumann, U.; Subbiah, V. K.; Sun, L.; Swientek, S.; Syropoulos, V.; Szczekowski, M.; Szczypka, P.; Szumlak, T.; T'Jampens, S.; Teklishyn, M.; Teodorescu, E.; Teubert, F.; Thomas, C.; Thomas, E.; van Tilburg, J.; Tisserand, V.; Tobin, M.; Tolk, S.; Tonelli, D.; Topp-Joergensen, S.; Torr, N.; Tournefier, E.; Tourneur, S.; Tran, M. T.; Tresch, M.; Tsaregorodtsev, A.; Tsopelas, P.; Tuning, N.; Garcia, M. Ubeda; Ukleja, A.; Urner, D.; Ustyuzhanin, A.; Uwer, U.; Vagnoni, V.; Valenti, G.; Vallier, A.; Van Dijk, M.; Gomez, R. Vazquez; Regueiro, P. Vazquez; Sierra, C. Vázquez; Vecchi, S.; Velthuis, J. J.; Veltri, M.; Veneziano, G.; Vesterinen, M.; Viaud, B.; Vieira, D.; Vilasis-Cardona, X.; Vollhardt, A.; Volyanskyy, D.; Voong, D.; Vorobyev, A.; Vorobyev, V.; Voß, C.; Voss, H.; Waldi, R.; Wallace, C.; Wallace, R.; Wandernoth, S.; Wang, J.; Ward, D. R.; Watson, N. K.; Webber, A. D.; Websdale, D.; Whitehead, M.; Wicht, J.; Wiechczynski, J.; Wiedner, D.; Wiggers, L.; Wilkinson, G.; Williams, M. P.; Williams, M.; Wilson, F. F.; Wimberley, J.; Wishahi, J.; Witek, M.; Wotton, S. A.; Wright, S.; Wu, S.; Wyllie, K.; Xie, Y.; Xing, Z.; Yang, Z.; Young, R.; Yuan, X.; Yushchenko, O.; Zangoli, M.; Zavertyaev, M.; Zhang, F.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, W. C.; Zhang, Y.; Zhelezov, A.; Zhokhov, A.; Zhong, L.; Zvyagin, A.

2013-09-01

A study of D +π-, D 0π+ and D ∗+π- final states is performed using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb-1, collected at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV with the LHCb detector. The D 1(2420)0 resonance is observed in the D ∗+π- final state and the resonance is observed in the D +π-, D 0π+ and D ∗+π- final states. For both resonances, their properties and spin-parity assignments are obtained. In addition, two natural parity and two unnatural parity resonances are observed in the mass region between 2500 and 2800 MeV. Further structures in the region around 3000 MeV are observed in all the D ∗+π-, D +π- and D 0π+ final states. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

The non-modulated transfer of total effluent for serially coupled columns in gas chromatography.

PubMed

Krupcík, Ján; Mydlová-Memersheimerová, Janka; Májek, Pavel; Zapadlo, Michal; Sandra, Pat

2010-03-12

The non-modulated transfer (NMT) of the total effluent of the separation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on two columns coupled in series has been studied. A non-polar poly(5%-phenyl-95%-methyl)siloxane column (40 m x 100 microm x 0.1 microm) and a polar 70%-cyanopropyl-polysilphenylene-siloxane column (4 m x 0.1 mm x 0.1 microm) were used as (1)D and (2)D columns, respectively. The effluents from both the (1)D column and the (1)D+(2)D column series were monitored independently by two FIDs. Data from the (1)D and (1)D+(2)D integration reports were used to evaluate the NMT experiment. (1)D retention times, t(R,i,D1), were directly accessible from (1)D integration report while (2)D retention times, t(R,i,B), were calculated for all corresponding peak pairs from (1)D and (1)D+(2)D integration reports as a difference t(R,i,D2)=t(R,i,D1+D2)-t(R,i,D1). Search for corresponding peaks of PCB congeners in the (1)D and (1)D+(2)D chromatograms is elucidated in detail on standard PCB samples and on PCB congeners present in the technical formulation Arochlor 1242. Both retention times (t(R,i,D1) and t(R,i,D2)) as well as peak widths at half height (w(h,i)) and peak heights (h(i)) obtained from integration reports were used to construct 2D and 3D images for PCB NMT separations on serially coupled columns. The performance of the NMT procedure is illustrated by the separation of (i) standard PCB solutions, (ii) a mixture of the 209 PCBs, and (iii) a mixture of Arochlor 1242 and hydrocarbons on the DB-5+BPX-70 column series. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

27 CFR 21.151 - List of denaturants authorized for denatured spirits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Denatured Rum (S.D.R.) Acetaldehyde S.D.A. 29. Acetone, U.S.P S.D.A. 23-A, 23-H. Acetaldol C.D.A. 18. Almond... alcohol S.D.A. 39, 39-A, 39-B, 40, 40-A, 40-B, 40-C. Camphor, U.S.P S.D.A. 27, 27-A, 38-B. Caustic soda.... Formaldehyde solution, U.S.P S.D.A. 22, 38-C, 38-D. Gasoline C.D.A. 18, 19; S.D.A. 28-A. Gasoline, unleaded C.D...

27 CFR 21.151 - List of denaturants authorized for denatured spirits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Denatured Rum (S.D.R.) Acetaldehyde S.D.A. 29. Acetone, U.S.P S.D.A. 23-A, 23-H. Acetaldol C.D.A. 18. Almond... alcohol S.D.A. 39, 39-A, 39-B, 40, 40-A, 40-B, 40-C. Camphor, U.S.P S.D.A. 27, 27-A, 38-B. Caustic soda.... Formaldehyde solution, U.S.P S.D.A. 22, 38-C, 38-D. Gasoline C.D.A. 18, 19; S.D.A. 28-A. Gasoline, unleaded C.D...

Characterization of mutants expressing thermostable D1 and D2 polypeptides of photosystem II in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942.

PubMed

Haraguchi, Norihisa; Kaseda, Jun; Nakayama, Yasumune; Nagahama, Kazuhiro; Ogawa, Takahira; Matsuoka, Masayoshi

2018-06-08

Photosystem II complex embedded in thylakoid membrane performs oxygenic photosynthesis where the reaction center D1/D2 heterodimer accommodates all components of the electron transport chain. To express thermostable D1/D2 heterodimer in a cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, we constructed a series of mutant strains whose psbA1 and psbD1 genes encoding, respectively, the most highly expressed D1 and D2 polypeptides were replaced with those of a thermophilic strain, Thermosynechococcus vulcanus. Because the C-terminal 16 amino acid sequences of D1 polypeptides should be processed prior to maturation but diverge from each other, we also constructed the psbA1ΔC-replaced strain expressing a thermostable D1 polypeptide devoid of the C-terminal extension. The psbA1/psbD1-replaced strain showed decreased growth rate and oxygen evolution rate, suggesting inefficient photosystem II. Immunoblot analyses for thermostable D1, D2 polypeptides revealed that the heterologous D1 protein was absent in thylakoid membrane from any mutant strains with psbA1, psbA1ΔC, and psbA1/psbD1-replacements, whereas the heterologous D2 protein was present in thylakoid membrane as well as purified photosystem II complex from the psbA1/psbD1-replaced strain. In the latter strain, the compensatory expression of psbA3 and psbD2 genes was elevated. These data suggest that heterologous D2 polypeptide could be combined with the host D1 polypeptide to form chimeric D1/D2 heterodimer, whereas heterologous D1 polypeptide even without the C-terminal extension was unable to make complex with the host D2 polypeptide. Since the heterologous D1 could not be detected even in the whole cells of psbA1/psbD1-replaced strain, the rapid degradation of unprocessed or unassembled heterologous D1 was implicated. Copyright © 2018 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Allele frequency distribution for 15 autosomal STR loci in two Muslim populations of Tamilnadu, India.

PubMed

Eaaswarkhanth, M; Roy, Soma; Haque, Ikramul

2007-11-01

Allele frequencies of the 15 autosomal STR loci: D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D3S1358, THO1, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D5S818, and FGA were determined in two endogamous Muslim populations (Dawoodi Bohra Muslims from Shiite Muslims and Sunni Muslims) residing in Tamilnadu, India. The Loci D7S820, CSF1PO, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D13S317, D16S539, D5S818, and FGA in Dawoodi Bohra Muslims from Shiite Muslims, and CSF1PO, D19S433, TPOX, and D16S539 in Sunni Muslims were found to deviate significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The power of discrimination of the analyzed markers was found to be high for the populations, thereby facilitating the validation and efficiency of these STR markers in human identification.

Max dD/Dt: A Novel Parameter to Assess Fetal Cardiac Contractility and a Substitute for Max dP/Dt.

PubMed

Fujita, Yasuyuki; Kiyokoba, Ryo; Yumoto, Yasuo; Kato, Kiyoko

2018-07-01

Aortic pulse waveforms are composed of a forward wave from the heart and a reflection wave from the periphery. We focused on this forward wave and suggested a new parameter, the maximum slope of aortic pulse waveforms (max dD/dt), for fetal cardiac contractility. Max dD/dt was calculated from fetal aortic pulse waveforms recorded with an echo-tracking system. A normal range of max dD/dt was constructed in 105 healthy fetuses using linear regression analysis. Twenty-two fetuses with suspected fetal cardiac dysfunction were divided into normal and decreased max dD/dt groups, and their clinical parameters were compared. Max dD/dt of aortic pulse waveforms increased linearly with advancing gestational age (r = 0.93). The decreased max dD/dt was associated with abnormal cardiotocography findings and short- and long-term prognosis. In conclusion, max dD/dt calculated from the aortic pulse waveforms in fetuses can substitute for max dP/dt, an index of cardiac contractility in adults. Copyright © 2018 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From 2D to 3D: The morphology, proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 on silk fibroin/chitosan matrices.

PubMed

Li, Da-Wei; He, Feng-Li; He, Jin; Deng, Xudong; Liu, Ya-Li; Liu, Yang-Yang; Ye, Ya-Jing; Yin, Da-Chuan

2017-12-15

It has been widely accepted that cell culture in two-dimensional (2D) conditions may not be able to represent growth in three-dimensional (3D) conditions. Systematic comparisons between 2D and 3D cell cultures are needed to appropriately use the existing 2D results. In this work, we conducted a comparative study between 2D and 3D cell cultures of MC3T3-E1 using the same type of material (a mixture of silk fibroin (SF) and chitosan (CS)). Our results showed 3D SF/CS scaffold exhibited different effects on cell culture compared with the 2D cases. 1) The cells grown in 3D scaffold showed multiple morphologies. 2) The proliferation of cells in 3D scaffold was long-term and sustainable. 3) Cell differentiation occurred throughout the entire 3D scaffold. The results showed that cell culture in 3D SF/CS scaffold exhibited different features than 2D cases and 3D SF/CS scaffold could be a promising material for 3D cell culture. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Regulation of vitamin D metabolism following disruption of the microbiota using broad spectrum antibiotics.

PubMed

Bora, Stephanie A; Kennett, Mary J; Smith, Philip B; Patterson, Andrew D; Cantorna, Margherita T

2018-06-01

Vitamin D, 25hydroxyvitamin D (25D), and 24,25dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25D) were measured before and after broad spectrum antibiotic (Abx) treatment for 2 wks. Abx treatments increased 25D and 24,25D levels suggesting that the microbiota or Abx were altering vitamin D metabolism. Increased 25D, but not 24,25D, following Abx treatments were found to be dependent on toll like receptor signaling. Conversely, the effects of Abx on 24,25D levels required that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) be expressed in tissues outside of the hematopoietic system (kidney) and not the immune system. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)23 increased following Abx treatment and the effect of Abx treatment on FGF23 (like the effect on 24,25D) was not present in VDR knockout (KO) mice. The Abx mediated increase in 24,25D was due to changes to the endocrine regulation of vitamin D metabolism. Conversely, 25D levels went up with Abx treatment of the VDR KO mice. Host sensing of microbial signals regulates the levels of 25D in the host. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Spatiotemporal characteristics of regional drought occurrence in East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Su-Bin; Byun, Hi-Ryong; Kim, Do-Woo

2014-07-01

Droughts in the East Asian region (105-150°E, 20-50°N) are quantified using the effective drought index (EDI) over a period of 43 years, from 1962 to 2004, and the East Asian region was classified into six subregions on the basis of similarity in drought climate: (D1) South China; (D2) lower region of the Yangtze River, South Korea, and Central/South Japan; (D3) Central China and North Korea; (D4) Northwest China and middle region of the Yangtze River; (D5) North China; and (D6) Northeast China and North Japan. The EDI time series was then summarized for the different drought subregions and a drought map was created that shows the spatiotemporal characteristics of regional drought occurrence in East Asia. The map shows that in subregions, D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, and D6, there were 50 (11.63 per decade), 36 (8.37 per decade), 30 (6.98 per decade), 28 (6.51 per decade), 29 (6.74 per decade), and 33 (7.67 per decade) drought occurrences, respectively. The most common characteristic of droughts in the subregions is that short-term droughts (<200 days) which mainly occur in spring and summer, whereas long-term droughts (≥200 days) mainly occur in autumn and winter. D1 shows the highest frequency of short-term droughts. Short-term droughts occur more frequently than long-term droughts in D2 and D3, but D4 and D6 showed a higher frequency of long-term droughts than short-term droughts. D5 showed a similar frequency of short- and long-term droughts. Drought onset dates are evenly distributed throughout the year for D1, D2, and D3, but distributed mostly in spring and summer in D4, D5, and D6. All the differences are linked to variations in the precipitation cycle of each subregion. In terms of annual variations in drought occurrence, D2 showed weakening droughts (the annual lowest EDI shows a positive trend), whereas the other subregions showed intensifying droughts (the annual lowest EDI shows a negative trend). The greatest intensifying trend was observed in D5, followed by D3, D6, D4, and D1.

Clinical utility of simultaneous quantitation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by LC-MS/MS involving derivatization with DMEQ-TAD.

PubMed

Kaufmann, Martin; Gallagher, J Christopher; Peacock, Munro; Schlingmann, Karl-Peter; Konrad, Martin; DeLuca, Hector F; Sigueiro, Rita; Lopez, Borja; Mourino, Antonio; Maestro, Miguel; St-Arnaud, René; Finkelstein, Joel S; Cooper, Donald P; Jones, Glenville

2014-07-01

The discovery of hypercalcemic diseases due to loss-of-function mutations in 25-hydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase has placed a new demand for sensitive and precise assays for 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25-(OH)2D]. We describe a novel liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry-based method involving derivatization with DMEQ-TAD {4-[2-(6,7-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3,4-dihydroquinoxalinyl)ethyl]-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione} to simultaneously assay multiple vitamin D metabolites including 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and 24,25-(OH)2D using 100 μL of serum with a 5-minute run time. The assay uses a newly synthesized internal standard d6-24,25-(OH)2D3 enabling the quantitation of 24,25-(OH)2D3 as well as the determination of the ratio of 25-OH-D3 to 24,25-(OH)2D3, a physiologically useful parameter. We report data on more than 1000 normal and disease samples involving vitamin D deficiency or hypercalcemia in addition to studies involving knockout mouse models. The assay showed good correlation with samples from quality assurance schemes for 25-OH-D (25-OH-D2 and 25-OH-D3) determination (-2% to -5% bias) and exhibited low inter- and intraassay coefficients of variation (4%-7%) and lower limits of quantitation of 0.25-0.45 nmol/L. In clinical studies, we found a strong correlation between serum levels of 25-OH-D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3 (r(2) = 0.80) in subjects over a broad range of 25-OH-D3 values and a marked lack of production of 24,25-(OH)2D3 below 25 nmol/L of 25-OH-D. The ratio of 25-OH-D3 to 24,25-(OH)2D3, which remained less than 25 in vitamin D-sufficient subjects (serum 25-OH-D < 50 nmol/L) but was greatly elevated (80-100) in patients with idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia. The new method showed good utility in clinical settings involving vitamin D deficiency; supplementation with vitamin D and idiopathic infantile hypercalcemia, as well as in animal models with ablation of selected cytochrome P450-containing enzymes involved in vitamin D metabolism.

Measurement of semileptonic B decays into orbitally excited charmed mesons.

PubMed

Aubert, B; Bona, M; Karyotakis, Y; Lees, J P; Poireau, V; Prencipe, E; Prudent, X; Tisserand, V; Garra Tico, J; Grauges, E; Lopez, L; Palano, A; Pappagallo, M; Eigen, G; Stugu, B; Sun, L; Abrams, G S; Battaglia, M; Brown, D N; Cahn, R N; Jacobsen, R G; Kerth, L T; Kolomensky, Yu G; Lynch, G; Osipenkov, I L; Ronan, M T; Tackmann, K; Tanabe, T; Hawkes, C M; Soni, N; Watson, A T; Koch, H; Schroeder, T; Walker, D; Asgeirsson, D J; Fulsom, B G; Hearty, C; Mattison, T S; McKenna, J A; Barrett, M; Khan, A; Blinov, V E; Bukin, A D; Buzykaev, A R; Druzhinin, V P; Golubev, V B; Onuchin, A P; Serednyakov, S I; Skovpen, Yu I; Solodov, E P; Todyshev, K Yu; Bondioli, M; Curry, S; Eschrich, I; Kirkby, D; Lankford, A J; Lund, P; Mandelkern, M; Martin, E C; Stoker, D P; Abachi, S; Buchanan, C; Gary, J W; Liu, F; Long, O; Shen, B C; Vitug, G M; Yasin, Z; Zhang, L; Sharma, V; Campagnari, C; Hong, T M; Kovalskyi, D; Mazur, M A; Richman, J D; Beck, T W; Eisner, A M; Flacco, C J; Heusch, C A; Kroseberg, J; Lockman, W S; Martinez, A J; Schalk, T; Schumm, B A; Seiden, A; Wilson, M G; Winstrom, L O; Cheng, C H; Doll, D A; Echenard, B; Fang, F; Hitlin, D G; Narsky, I; Piatenko, T; Porter, F C; Andreassen, R; Mancinelli, G; Meadows, B T; Mishra, K; Sokoloff, M D; Bloom, P C; Ford, W T; Gaz, A; Hirschauer, J F; Nagel, M; Nauenberg, U; Smith, J G; Ulmer, K A; Wagner, S R; Ayad, R; Soffer, A; Toki, W H; Wilson, R J; Altenburg, D D; Feltresi, E; Hauke, A; Jasper, H; Karbach, M; Merkel, J; Petzold, A; Spaan, B; Wacker, K; Kobel, M J; Mader, W F; Nogowski, R; Schubert, K R; Schwierz, R; Volk, A; Bernard, D; Bonneaud, G R; Latour, E; Verderi, M; Clark, P J; Playfer, S; Watson, J E; Andreotti, M; Bettoni, D; Bozzi, C; Calabrese, R; Cecchi, A; Cibinetto, G; Franchini, P; Luppi, E; Negrini, M; Petrella, A; Piemontese, L; Santoro, V; Baldini-Ferroli, R; Calcaterra, A; de Sangro, R; Finocchiaro, G; Pacetti, S; Patteri, P; Peruzzi, I M; Piccolo, M; Rama, M; Zallo, A; Buzzo, A; Contri, R; Lo Vetere, M; Macri, M M; Monge, M R; Passaggio, S; Patrignani, C; Robutti, E; Santroni, A; Tosi, S; Chaisanguanthum, K S; Morii, M; Adametz, A; Marks, J; Schenk, S; Uwer, U; Klose, V; Lacker, H M; Bard, D J; Dauncey, P D; Nash, J A; Tibbetts, M; Behera, P K; Chai, X; Charles, M J; Mallik, U; Cochran, J; Crawley, H B; Dong, L; Meyer, W T; Prell, S; Rosenberg, E I; Rubin, A E; Gao, Y Y; Gritsan, A V; Guo, Z J; Lae, C K; Arnaud, N; Béquilleux, J; D'Orazio, A; Davier, M; Firmino da Costa, J; Grosdidier, G; Höcker, A; Lepeltier, V; Le Diberder, F; Lutz, A M; Pruvot, S; Roudeau, P; Schune, M H; Serrano, J; Sordini, V; Stocchi, A; Wormser, G; Lange, D J; Wright, D M; Bingham, I; Burke, J P; Chavez, C A; Fry, J R; Gabathuler, E; Gamet, R; Hutchcroft, D E; Payne, D J; Touramanis, C; Bevan, A J; Clarke, C K; George, K A; Di Lodovico, F; Sacco, R; Sigamani, M; Cowan, G; Flaecher, H U; Hopkins, D A; Paramesvaran, S; Salvatore, F; Wren, A C; Brown, D N; Davis, C L; Denig, A G; Fritsch, M; Gradl, W; Schott, G; Alwyn, K E; Bailey, D; Barlow, R J; Chia, Y M; Edgar, C L; Jackson, G; Lafferty, G D; West, T J; Yi, J I; Anderson, J; Chen, C; Jawahery, A; Roberts, D A; Simi, G; Tuggle, J M; Dallapiccola, C; Li, X; Salvati, E; Saremi, S; Cowan, R; Dujmic, D; Fisher, P H; Sciolla, G; Spitznagel, M; Taylor, F; Yamamoto, R K; Zhao, M; Patel, P M; Robertson, S H; Lazzaro, A; Lombardo, V; Palombo, F; Bauer, J M; Cremaldi, L; Godang, R; Kroeger, R; Sanders, D A; Summers, D J; Zhao, H W; Simard, M; Taras, P; Viaud, F B; Nicholson, H; De Nardo, G; Lista, L; Monorchio, D; Onorato, G; Sciacca, C; Raven, G; Snoek, H L; Jessop, C P; Knoepfel, K J; Losecco, J M; Wang, W F; Benelli, G; Corwin, L A; Honscheid, K; Kagan, H; Kass, R; Morris, J P; Rahimi, A M; Regensburger, J J; Sekula, S J; Wong, Q K; Blount, N L; Brau, J; Frey, R; Igonkina, O; Kolb, J A; Lu, M; Rahmat, R; Sinev, N B; Strom, D; Strube, J; Torrence, E; Castelli, G; Gagliardi, N; Margoni, M; Morandin, M; Posocco, M; Rotondo, M; Simonetto, F; Stroili, R; Voci, C; Del Amo Sanchez, P; Ben-Haim, E; Briand, H; Calderini, G; Chauveau, J; David, P; Del Buono, L; Hamon, O; Leruste, Ph; Ocariz, J; Perez, A; Prendki, J; Sitt, S; Gladney, L; Biasini, M; Covarelli, R; Manoni, E; Angelini, C; Batignani, G; Bettarini, S; Carpinelli, M; Cervelli, A; Forti, F; Giorgi, M A; Lusiani, A; Marchiori, G; Morganti, M; Neri, N; Paoloni, E; Rizzo, G; Walsh, J J; Lopes Pegna, D; Lu, C; Olsen, J; Smith, A J S; Telnov, A V; Anulli, F; Baracchini, E; Cavoto, G; Del Re, D; Di Marco, E; Faccini, R; Ferrarotto, F; Ferroni, F; Gaspero, M; Jackson, P D; Li Gioi, L; Mazzoni, M A; Morganti, S; Piredda, G; Polci, F; Renga, F; Voena, C; Ebert, M; Hartmann, T; Schröder, H; Waldi, R; Adye, T; Franek, B; Olaiya, E O; Wilson, F F; Emery, S; Escalier, M; Esteve, L; Ganzhur, S F; Hamel de Monchenault, G; Kozanecki, W; Vasseur, G; Yèche, Ch; Zito, M; Chen, X R; Liu, H; Park, W; Purohit, M V; White, R M; Wilson, J R; Allen, M T; Aston, D; Bartoldus, R; Bechtle, P; Benitez, J F; Cenci, R; Coleman, J P; Convery, M R; Dingfelder, J C; Dorfan, J; Dubois-Felsmann, G P; Dunwoodie, W; Field, R C; Gabareen, A M; Gowdy, S J; Graham, M T; Grenier, P; Hast, C; Innes, W R; Kaminski, J; Kelsey, M H; Kim, H; Kim, P; Kocian, M L; Leith, D W G S; Li, S; Lindquist, B; Luitz, S; Luth, V; Lynch, H L; Macfarlane, D B; Marsiske, H; Messner, R; Muller, D R; Neal, H; Nelson, S; O'Grady, C P; Ofte, I; Perazzo, A; Perl, M; Ratcliff, B N; Roodman, A; Salnikov, A A; Schindler, R H; Schwiening, J; Snyder, A; Su, D; Sullivan, M K; Suzuki, K; Swain, S K; Thompson, J M; Va'vra, J; Wagner, A P; Weaver, M; West, C A; Wisniewski, W J; Wittgen, M; Wright, D H; Wulsin, H W; Yarritu, A K; Yi, K; Young, C C; Ziegler, V; Burchat, P R; Edwards, A J; Majewski, S A; Miyashita, T S; Petersen, B A; Wilden, L; Ahmed, S; Alam, M S; Ernst, J A; Pan, B; Saeed, M A; Zain, S B; Spanier, S M; Wogsland, B J; Eckmann, R; Ritchie, J L; Ruland, A M; Schilling, C J; Schwitters, R F; Drummond, B W; Izen, J M; Lou, X C; Bianchi, F; Gamba, D; Pelliccioni, M; Bomben, M; Bosisio, L; Cartaro, C; Della Ricca, G; Lanceri, L; Vitale, L; Azzolini, V; Lopez-March, N; Martinez-Vidal, F; Milanes, D A; Oyanguren, A; Albert, J; Banerjee, Sw; Bhuyan, B; Choi, H H F; Hamano, K; Kowalewski, R; Lewczuk, M J; Nugent, I M; Roney, J M; Sobie, R J; Gershon, T J; Harrison, P F; Ilic, J; Latham, T E; Mohanty, G B; Band, H R; Chen, X; Dasu, S; Flood, K T; Pan, Y; Pierini, M; Prepost, R; Vuosalo, C O; Wu, S L

2009-07-31

We present a study of B decays into semileptonic final states containing charged and neutral D1(2420) and D_{2};{*}(2460). The analysis is based on a data sample of 208 fb;{-1} collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B factory at SLAC. With a simultaneous fit to four different decay chains, the semileptonic branching fractions are extracted from measurements of the mass difference Deltam=m(D;{**})-m(D) distributions. Product branching fractions are determined to be B(B;{+}-->D_{1};{0}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{1};{0}-->D;{*+}pi;{-})=(2.97+/-0.17+/-0.17)x10;{-3}, B(B;{+}-->D_{2};{*0}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{2};{*0}-->D;{(*)+}pi;{-})=(2.29+/-0.23+/-0.21)x10;{-3}, B(B;{0}-->D_{1};{-}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{1};{-}-->D;{*0}pi;{-})=(2.78+/-0.24+/-0.25)x10;{-3} and B(B;{0}-->D_{2};{*-}l;{+}nu_{l})xB(D_{2};{*-}-->D;{(*)0}pi;{-})=(1.77+/-0.26+/-0.11)x10;{-3}. In addition we measure the branching ratio Gamma(D_{2};{*}-->Dpi;{-})/Gamma(D_{2};{*}-->D;{(*)}pi;{-})=0.62+/-0.03+/-0.02.

D-tagatose, a stereoisomer of D-fructose, increases blood uric acid concentration.

PubMed

Buemann, B; Toubro, S; Holst, J J; Rehfeld, J F; Bibby, B M; Astrup, A

2000-08-01

D-Fructose has been found to increase uric acid production by accelerating the degradation of purine nucleotides, probably due to hepatocellular depletion of inorganic phosphate (Pi) by an accumulation of ketohexose-1-phosphate. The hyperuricemic effect of D-tagatose, a stereoisomer of D-fructose, may be greater than that of D-fructose, as the subsequent degradation of D-tagatose-1-phosphate is slower than the degradation of D-fructose-1-phosphate. We tested the effect of 30 g oral D-tagatose versus D-fructose on plasma uric acid and other metabolic parameters in 8 male subjects by a double-blind crossover design. Both the peak concentration and 4-hour area under the curve (AUC) of serum uric acid were significantly higher after D-tagatose compared with either 30 g D-fructose or plain water. The decline in serum Pi concentration was greater at 50 minutes after D-tagatose versus D-fructose. The thermogenic and lactacidemic responses to D-tagatose were blunted compared with D-fructose. D-Tagatose attenuated the glycemic and insulinemic responses to a meal that was consumed 255 minutes after its administration. Moreover, both fructose and D-tagatose increased plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The metabolic effects of D-tagatose occurred despite its putative poor absorption.

Low Vitamin D Status: Definition, Prevalence, Consequences and Correction

PubMed Central

Binkley, Neil; Ramamurthy, Rekha; Krueger, Diane

2014-01-01

Vitamin D is obtained from cutaneous production when 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) by ultraviolet B radiation or by oral intake of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3. An individual's vitamin D status is best evaluated by measuring the circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. Though controversy surrounds the definition of low vitamin D status, there is increasing agreement that the optimal circulating 25(OH)D level should be ~30-32 ng/ml or above. Using this definition, it has been is estimated that approximately three quarters of all adults in the United States are low. Classically, low vitamin D status has skeletal consequences such as osteomalacia/rickets. More recently, associations between low vitamin D status and increased risk for various non-skeletal morbidities have been recognized; whether all of these associations are causally related to low vitamin D status remains to be determined. To achieve optimal vitamin D status, daily intakes of at least 1000 IU or more of vitamin D are required. The risk of toxicity with “high” amounts of vitamin D intake is low. Substantial between-individual variability exists in response to the same administered vitamin D dose. When to monitor 25(OH)D levels has received little attention. Supplementation with vitamin D3 may be preferable to vitamin D2. PMID:20511052

Conditional deletion of Tsc1 in the female reproductive tract impedes normal oviductal and uterine function by enhancing mTORC1 signaling in mice

PubMed Central

Daikoku, Takiko; Yoshie, Mikihiro; Xie, Huirong; Sun, Xiaofei; Cha, Jeeyeon; Ellenson, Lora Hedrick; Dey, Sudhansu K.

2013-01-01

Heightened mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity by genetic deletion of its direct inhibitor, Tsc1, is associated with aberrant development and dysfunction of the female reproductive tract in mice. Here, we compared the phenotypes of mice with conditional deletion of Tsc1 in the female reproductive tract by either progesterone receptor (PR)-Cre (Tsc1PR(d/d)), which inactivates Tsc1 in all major cell types in the uterus (epithelium, stroma and myometrium), or anti-Mullerian hormone type 2 receptor (Amhr2)-Cre (Tsc1Amhr2(d/d)), which inactivates stromal and myometrial Tsc1. Tsc1PR(d/d) and Tsc1Amhr2(d/d) females are infertile resulting from oviductal hyperplasia, retention of embryos in the oviduct and implantation failure. In contrast to the appropriate embryonic development after fertilization seen in Tsc1Amhr2(d/d) females, embryo development was disrupted in Tsc1PR(d/d) females. In addition, uteri in Tsc1PR(d/d) and Tsc1Amhr2(d/d) females showed epithelial hyperplasia but not endometrial cancer. In conclusion, Tsc1PR(d/d) and Tsc1Amhr2(d/d) have overlapping yet distinct phenotypes in the context of compartment-specific deletion of Tsc1. PMID:23475984

Digit ratio (2D:4D), aggression, and testosterone in men exposed to an aggressive video stimulus.

PubMed

Kilduff, Liam P; Hopp, Renato N; Cook, Christian J; Crewther, Blair T; Manning, John T

2013-10-10

The relative lengths of the 2(nd) and 4(th) digits (2D:4D) is a negative biomarker for prenatal testosterone, and low 2D:4D may be associated with aggression. However, the evidence for a 2D:4D-aggression association is mixed. Here we test the hypothesis that 2D:4D is robustly linked to aggression in "challenge" situations in which testosterone is increased. Participants were exposed to an aggressive video and a control video. Aggression was measured after each video and salivary free testosterone levels before and after each video. Compared to the control video, the aggressive video was associated with raised aggression responses and a marginally significant increase in testosterone. Left 2D:4D was negatively correlated with aggression after the aggressive video and the strength of the correlation was higher in those participants who showed the greatest increases in testosterone. Left 2D:4D was also negatively correlated to the difference between aggression scores in the aggressive and control conditions. The control video did not influence testosterone concentrations and there were no associations between 2D:4D and aggression. We conclude that 2D:4D moderates the impact of an aggressive stimulus on aggression, such that an increase in testosterone resulting from a "challenge" is associated with a negative correlation between 2D:4D and aggression.

Applications of 2D to 3D conversion for educational purposes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koido, Yoshihisa; Morikawa, Hiroyuki; Shiraishi, Saki; Takeuchi, Soya; Maruyama, Wataru; Nakagori, Toshio; Hirakata, Masataka; Shinkai, Hirohisa; Kawai, Takashi

2013-03-01

There are three main approaches creating stereoscopic S3D content: stereo filming using two cameras, stereo rendering of 3D computer graphics, and 2D to S3D conversion by adding binocular information to 2D material images. Although manual "off-line" conversion can control the amount of parallax flexibly, 2D material images are converted according to monocular information in most cases, and the flexibility of 2D to S3D conversion has not been exploited. If the depth is expressed flexibly, comprehensions and interests from converted S3D contents are anticipated to be differed from those from 2D. Therefore, in this study we created new S3D content for education by applying 2D to S3D conversion. For surgical education, we created S3D surgical operation content under a surgeon using a partial 2D to S3D conversion technique which was expected to concentrate viewers' attention on significant areas. And for art education, we converted Ukiyoe prints; traditional Japanese artworks made from a woodcut. The conversion of this content, which has little depth information, into S3D, is expected to produce different cognitive processes from those evoked by 2D content, e.g., the excitation of interest, and the understanding of spatial information. In addition, the effects of the representation of these contents were investigated.

Placental vitamin D metabolism and its associations with circulating vitamin D metabolites in pregnant women.

PubMed

Park, Heyjun; Wood, Madeleine R; Malysheva, Olga V; Jones, Sara; Mehta, Saurabh; Brannon, Patsy M; Caudill, Marie A

2017-12-01

Background: Little is known about placental vitamin D metabolism and its impact on maternal circulating vitamin D concentrations in humans. Objective: This study sought to advance the current understanding of placental vitamin D metabolism and its role in modulating maternal circulating vitamin D metabolites during pregnancy. Design: Nested within a feeding study, 24 healthy pregnant women (26-29 wk of gestation) consumed a single amount of vitamin D (511 IU/d from diet and a cholecalciferol supplement) for 10 wk. Concentrations of placental and blood vitamin D metabolites and placental messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance of vitamin D metabolic pathway components were quantified. In addition, cultured human trophoblasts were incubated with 13 C-cholecalciferol to examine the intracellular generation and secretion of vitamin D metabolites along with the regulation of target genes. Results: In placental tissue, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ] was strongly correlated ( r = 0.83, P < 0.001) with 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 Moreover, these placental metabolites were strongly correlated ( r ≤ 0.85, P ≤ 0.04) with their respective metabolites in maternal circulation. Positive associations ( P ≤ 0.045) were also observed between placental mRNA abundance of vitamin D metabolic components and circulating vitamin D metabolites [i.e., LDL-related protein 2 ( LRP2 , also known as megalin) with 25(OH)D 3 and the C3 epimer of 25(OH)D 3 [3-epi-25(OH)D 3 ]; cubilin ( CUBN ) with 25(OH)D 3 ; 25-hydroxylase ( CYP2R1 ) with 3-epi-25(OH)D 3 ; 24-hydroxylase ( CYP24A1 ) with 25(OH)D 3 , 3-epi-25(OH)D 3 , and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ]; and 1α-hydroxylase [( CYP27B1 ) with 3-epi-25(OH)D 3 and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ]. Notably, in vitro experiments with trophoblasts showed increased production and secretion of 25(OH)D 3 and higher CYP24A1 gene transcript abundance in response to cholecalciferol treatment. Conclusions: The numerous associations of many of the placental biomarkers of vitamin D metabolism with circulating vitamin D metabolites among pregnant women [including a CYP27B1 -associated increase in 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] and the evidence of trophoblast production and secretion of vitamin D metabolites, especially 25(OH)D 3 , suggest that the placenta may play an active role in modulating the vitamin D metabolite profile in maternal circulation in human pregnancy. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03051867. © 2017 American Society for Nutrition.

Highly potent antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone free of edematogenic effects.

PubMed

Bajusz, S; Kovacs, M; Gazdag, M; Bokser, L; Karashima, T; Csernus, V J; Janaky, T; Guoth, J; Schally, A V

1988-03-01

To eliminate the undesirable edematogenic effect of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonists containing basic D amino acids at position 6, exemplified by [Ac-D-Phe(pCl)1,2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6,D-Ala10]LH-RH [Phe(pCl) indicates 4-chlorophenylalanine], analogs with D-ureidoalkyl amino acids such as D-citrulline (D-Cit) or D-homocitrulline (D-Hci) at position 6 were synthesized and tested in several systems in vitro and in vivo. HPLC analysis revealed that the overall hydrophobicity of the D-Cit/D-Hci6 analogs was similar to that of the basic D-Arg6 antagonists. In vitro, most of the analogs completely inhibited LH-RH-mediated luteinizing hormone release in perfused rat pituitary cell systems at an antagonist to LH-RH molar ratio of 5:1. In vivo, the most active peptides, [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(pCl)2,D-Trp3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10]LH-RH [Nal(2) indicates 3-(2-naphthyl)alanine] and its D-Hci6 analog, caused 100% inhibition of ovulation in cycling rats in doses of 3 micrograms and suppressed the luteinizing hormone level in ovariectomized female rats for 47 hr when administered at doses of 25 micrograms. Characteristically, these peptides did not exert any edematogenic effects even at 1.5 mg/kg. These properties of the D-Cit/D-Hci6 antagonists may make them useful clinically.

Highly potent antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone free of edematogenic effects.

PubMed Central

Bajusz, S; Kovacs, M; Gazdag, M; Bokser, L; Karashima, T; Csernus, V J; Janaky, T; Guoth, J; Schally, A V

1988-01-01

To eliminate the undesirable edematogenic effect of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonists containing basic D amino acids at position 6, exemplified by [Ac-D-Phe(pCl)1,2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6,D-Ala10]LH-RH [Phe(pCl) indicates 4-chlorophenylalanine], analogs with D-ureidoalkyl amino acids such as D-citrulline (D-Cit) or D-homocitrulline (D-Hci) at position 6 were synthesized and tested in several systems in vitro and in vivo. HPLC analysis revealed that the overall hydrophobicity of the D-Cit/D-Hci6 analogs was similar to that of the basic D-Arg6 antagonists. In vitro, most of the analogs completely inhibited LH-RH-mediated luteinizing hormone release in perfused rat pituitary cell systems at an antagonist to LH-RH molar ratio of 5:1. In vivo, the most active peptides, [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(pCl)2,D-Trp3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10]LH-RH [Nal(2) indicates 3-(2-naphthyl)alanine] and its D-Hci6 analog, caused 100% inhibition of ovulation in cycling rats in doses of 3 micrograms and suppressed the luteinizing hormone level in ovariectomized female rats for 47 hr when administered at doses of 25 micrograms. Characteristically, these peptides did not exert any edematogenic effects even at 1.5 mg/kg. These properties of the D-Cit/D-Hci6 antagonists may make them useful clinically. PMID:3278323

A novel NhaD-type Na+/H+ antiporter from the moderate halophile and alkaliphile Halomonas alkaliphila.

PubMed

Wang, Yanhong; Song, Na; Yang, Lina; Abdel-Motaal, Heba; Zhang, Rui; Zhang, Zhenglai; Meng, Fankui; Jiang, Juquan

2017-07-01

In this study, a NhaD-type Na + /H + antiporter gene designated Ha-nhaD was obtained by selection of genomic DNA from the moderate halophile and alkaliphile Halomonas alkaliphila in Escherichia coli KNabc lacking 3 major Na + /H + antiporters. The presence of Ha-NhaD conferred tolerance of E. coli KNabc to NaCl up to 0.6 mol·L -1 and to LiCl up to 0.2 mol·L -1 and to an alkaline pH. pH-dependent Na + (Li + )/H + antiport activity was detected from everted membrane vesicles prepared from E. coli KNabc/pUC-nhaD but not those of KNabc/pUC18. Ha-NhaD exhibited Na + (Li + )/H + antiport activity over a wide pH range from 7.0 to 9.5, with the highest activity at pH 9.0. Protein sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Ha-NhaD is significantly different from the 7 known NhaD-type Na + /H + antiporters, including Dw-NhaD, Dl-NhaD, Vp-NhaD, Vc-NhaD, Aa-NhaD, He-NhaD, and Ha-NhaD1. Although Ha-NhaD showed a closer phylogenetic relationship with Ha-NhaD2, a significant difference in pH-dependent activity profile exists between Ha-NhaD and Ha-NhaD2. Taken together, Ha-nhaD encodes a novel pH-dependent NhaD-type Na + /H + antiporter.

D and D knowledge management information tool - a web based system developed to share D and D knowledge worldwide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lagos, L.; Upadhyay, H.; Shoffner, P.

2013-07-01

Deactivation and decommissioning (D and D) work is a high risk and technically challenging enterprise within the U.S. Department of Energy complex. During the past three decades, the DOE's Office of Environmental Management has been in charge of carrying out one of the largest environmental restoration efforts in the world: the cleanup of the Manhattan Project legacy. In today's corporate world, worker experiences and knowledge that have developed over time represent a valuable corporate asset. The ever-dynamic workplace, coupled with an aging workforce, presents corporations with the ongoing challenge of preserving work-related experiences and knowledge for cross-generational knowledge transfer tomore » the future workforce [5]. To prevent the D and D knowledge base and expertise from being lost over time, the DOE and the Applied Research Center at Florida International University (FIU) have developed the web-based Knowledge Management Information Tool (KM-IT) to capture and maintain this valuable information in a universally available and easily accessible and usable system. The D and D KM-IT was developed in collaboration with DOE Headquarters (HQ), the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG), and the ALARA [as low as reasonably achievable] Centers at Savannah River Sites to preserve the D and D information generated and collected by the D and D community. This is an open secured system that can be accessed from https://www.dndkm.org over the web and through mobile devices at https://m.dndkm.org. This knowledge system serves as a centralized repository and provides a common interface for D and D-related activities. It also improves efficiency by reducing the need to rediscover knowledge and promotes the reuse of existing knowledge. It is a community-driven system that facilitates the gathering, analyzing, storing, and sharing of knowledge and information within the D and D community. It assists the DOE D and D community in identifying potential solutions to their problem areas by using the vast resources and knowledge base available throughout the global D and D community. The D and D KM-IT offers a mechanism to the global D and D community for searching relevant D and D information and is focused on providing a single point of access into the collective knowledge base of the D and D community within and outside of the DOE. Collecting information from subject matter specialists, it builds a knowledge repository for future reference archiving Lessons Learned, Best Practices, ALARA reports, and other relevant documents and maintains a secured collaboration platform for the global D and D community to share knowledge. With the dynamic nature and evolution of the D and D knowledge base due to multiple factors such as changes in the workforce, new technologies and methodologies, economics, and regulations, the D and D KM-IT is being developed in a phased and modular fashion. (authors)« less

Rebaudiosides T and U, minor C-19 xylopyranosyl and arabinopyranosyl steviol glycoside derivatives from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni.

PubMed

Perera, Wilmer H; Ghiviriga, Ion; Rodenburg, Douglas L; Alves, Kamilla; Bowling, John J; Avula, Bharathi; Khan, Ikhlas A; McChesney, James D

2017-03-01

Two diterpene glycosides were isolated from a commercial Stevia rebaudiana leaf extract. One was found to be 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid-(2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl- β-d-glucopyranosyl) ester (rebaudioside T), whereas the other was determined to be 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid-(6-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) ester (rebaudioside U). In addition, five C-19 sugar free derivatives were prepared and identified as follows: 13-[(2-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)]oxy]kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (dulcoside A 1 ); 13-[(2-O-β-d-xylopyranosy-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]kaur-16-en-19-oic acid; 13-[(2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-)oxy]kaur-16-en-19-oic acid; 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl-)oxy]kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (rebaudioside R 1 ) and 13-[(2-O-6-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]kaur-16-en-19-oic acid, respectively. Chemical structures were determined by NMR experiments. HPLC analyses were also useful to differentiate different steviol-C13 sugar substituent patterns by elution position. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Changes in body weight are significantly associated with changes in fasting plasma glucose and HDL cholesterol in Japanese men without abdominal obesity (waist circumference < 85 cm).

PubMed

Oda, Eiji; Kawai, Ryu

2011-06-01

The aims are to examine whether changes in body weight (dBW) are associated with changes in cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese men without abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC) < 85 cm) and which anthropometric index, dBW or changes in WC (dWC), is more strongly associated with changes in cardiovascular risk factors in men without abdominal obesity. It is a retrospective study in 692 Japanese men without abdominal obesity who took annual health screening tests consecutively over one year. Standardized linear regression coefficients (SRCs) of dBW and dWC were calculated for changes in systolic blood pressure (dSBP), diastolic blood pressure (dDBP), fasting plasma glucose (dFPG), triglycerides (dTG), HDL cholesterol (dHDL), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (dCRP). The SRCs of dBW for dFPG and dHDL were significant in all men and in men with each risk factor corresponding to the component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The SRCs of dWC for dTG and dCRP were significant in all men but not in men with each risk factor corresponding to the MetS component. In conclusions, dBW were significantly associated with dFPG and dHDL in Japanese men without abdominal obesity. Therefore, abdominal obesity should not be considered as a necessary component of MetS in Japanese men. dBW may be more useful than dWC as a marker of changes in cardiovascular risk factors in lifestyle intervention programs.

Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report. Volume Two

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barry, J. R.; Jenkins, D. R.; White, D. J.; Goodman, P. A.; Reingold, L. A.

2003-01-01

Volume II of the Report contains appendices that were cited in Volume I. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board produced many of these appendices as working papers during the investigation into the February 1, 2003 destruction of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Other appendices were produced by other organizations (mainly NASA) in support of the Board investigation. In the case of documents that have been published by others, they are included here in the interest of establishing a complete record, but often at less than full page size. Contents include: CAIB Technical Documents Cited in the Report: Reader's Guide to Volume II; Appendix D. a Supplement to the Report; Appendix D.b Corrections to Volume I of the Report; Appendix D.1 STS-107 Training Investigation; Appendix D.2 Payload Operations Checklist 3; Appendix D.3 Fault Tree Closure Summary; Appendix D.4 Fault Tree Elements - Not Closed; Appendix D.5 Space Weather Conditions; Appendix D.6 Payload and Payload Integration; Appendix D.7 Working Scenario; Appendix D.8 Debris Transport Analysis; Appendix D.9 Data Review and Timeline Reconstruction Report; Appendix D.10 Debris Recovery; Appendix D.11 STS-107 Columbia Reconstruction Report; Appendix D.12 Impact Modeling; Appendix D.13 STS-107 In-Flight Options Assessment; Appendix D.14 Orbiter Major Modification (OMM) Review; Appendix D.15 Maintenance, Material, and Management Inputs; Appendix D.16 Public Safety Analysis; Appendix D.17 MER Manager's Tiger Team Checklist; Appendix D.18 Past Reports Review; Appendix D.19 Qualification and Interpretation of Sensor Data from STS-107; Appendix D.20 Bolt Catcher Debris Analysis.

Dopamine D2 receptors in striatal output neurons enable the psychomotor effects of cocaine.

PubMed

Kharkwal, Geetika; Radl, Daniela; Lewis, Robert; Borrelli, Emiliana

2016-10-11

The psychomotor effects of cocaine are mediated by dopamine (DA) through stimulation of striatal circuits. Gabaergic striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are the only output of this pivotal structure in the control of movements. The majority of MSNs express either the DA D1 or D2 receptors (D1R, D2R). Studies have shown that the motor effect of cocaine depends on the DA-mediated stimulation of D1R-expressing MSNs (dMSNs), which is mirrored at the cellular level by stimulation of signaling pathways leading to phosphorylation of ERKs and induction of c-fos Nevertheless, activation of dMSNs by cocaine is necessary but not sufficient, and D2R signaling is required for the behavioral and cellular effects of cocaine. Indeed, cocaine motor effects and activation of signaling in dMSNs are blunted in mice with the constitutive knockout of D2R (D2RKO). Using mouse lines with a cell-specific knockout of D2R either in MSNs (MSN-D2RKO) or in dopaminergic neurons (DA-D2RKO), we show that D2R signaling in MSNs is required and permissive for the motor stimulant effects of cocaine and the activation of signaling in dMSNs. MSN-D2RKO mice show the same phenotype as constitutive D2RKO mice both at the behavioral and cellular levels. Importantly, activation of signaling in dMSNs by cocaine is rescued by intrastriatal injection of the GABA antagonist, bicuculline. These results are in support of intrastriatal connections of D2R + -MSNs (iMSNs) with dMSNs and indicate that D2R signaling in MSNs is critical for the function of intrastriatal circuits.

Dopamine D2 receptors in striatal output neurons enable the psychomotor effects of cocaine

PubMed Central

Kharkwal, Geetika; Radl, Daniela; Lewis, Robert; Borrelli, Emiliana

2016-01-01

The psychomotor effects of cocaine are mediated by dopamine (DA) through stimulation of striatal circuits. Gabaergic striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) are the only output of this pivotal structure in the control of movements. The majority of MSNs express either the DA D1 or D2 receptors (D1R, D2R). Studies have shown that the motor effect of cocaine depends on the DA-mediated stimulation of D1R-expressing MSNs (dMSNs), which is mirrored at the cellular level by stimulation of signaling pathways leading to phosphorylation of ERKs and induction of c-fos. Nevertheless, activation of dMSNs by cocaine is necessary but not sufficient, and D2R signaling is required for the behavioral and cellular effects of cocaine. Indeed, cocaine motor effects and activation of signaling in dMSNs are blunted in mice with the constitutive knockout of D2R (D2RKO). Using mouse lines with a cell-specific knockout of D2R either in MSNs (MSN-D2RKO) or in dopaminergic neurons (DA-D2RKO), we show that D2R signaling in MSNs is required and permissive for the motor stimulant effects of cocaine and the activation of signaling in dMSNs. MSN-D2RKO mice show the same phenotype as constitutive D2RKO mice both at the behavioral and cellular levels. Importantly, activation of signaling in dMSNs by cocaine is rescued by intrastriatal injection of the GABA antagonist, bicuculline. These results are in support of intrastriatal connections of D2R+-MSNs (iMSNs) with dMSNs and indicate that D2R signaling in MSNs is critical for the function of intrastriatal circuits. PMID:27671625