Sodium, potassium food intake and global cardiovascular risks in Togo

Objectives. To assess urinary sodium/potassium intake and identify its links with global cardiovascular risk (RCVG) according to the WHOPEN approach to WHO/ISH (International High Blood Pressure Society). Methods. It was a cross-sectional and analytical study that took place from July 6, 2020, to September 17, 2021, in Togo, in the Aneho, Notse and Dapaong localities. It focused on 400 adults selected by sampling. The analysis of two urine samples was done. Cardiovascular risk scores were determined from specific graphs that take into account age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diabetes status and smoking behavior. Results. Among the 400 respondents, 49% lived in rural areas. The average age was 41 (30; 51) years. The average sodium and potassium intakes were respectively 3.2 g (1.04-5.99) or 7.95 g of salt and 1.4 g (1.89-5.62) per day. The risk of excessive sodium intake was 2.39 times higher in urban areas than in rural ones (p=0.049). Residing in rural areas was associated with high potassium intakes compared to urban ones (OR=3,2 IC [1.89-5.62]). Thirteen percent (13%) of respondents were likely to develop at least a deadly or non-deadly cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years 'time, of whom 5% present a high risk. Excessive sodium intake increases by 2.10 times the risk of a deadly cardiovascular disease occurrence. Conclusions. Sodium intakes are high while potassium intakes are low with a subsequent global cardiovascular risk (GCVR) in the three cities. Sodium intakes were associated with VCVR. It is necessary to take steps to reduce excessive sodium intake and improve potassium intake.

Plasma electrolytes in healthy individuals and elective surgical patients in Khartoum

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate if the frequently observed low preoperative values of the plasma electrolytes Na+; K+; and Ca+2 in our surgical patients; in Khartoum; is a reflection of their levels in the population at large or it is a genuine finding in patients.Methods: 90 male and female subjects were included in this study. 60 healthy; young and elderly individuals were selected randomly from amongst medical students and employees of the University of Khartoum. 30 elective orthopedic and general surgical patients were randomly selected from Khartoum teaching hospital. Plasma Na+ and K+ were measured using a digital flammometer; and plasma Ca+2 was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results were compared to international data using the Z test. Comparison between the groups in the study was done using the student t-test. Results: Plasma Na+; K+; and Ca+2of the healthy subjects and the surgical patients were found to be low compared to the international reference values. Plasma K+ is higher and Ca+2is lower in the older subjects when compared to young ones. Conclusion: a larger study is needed to set the normal values for plasma electrolytes in the Sudan. The high environmental temperature and nature of our diets could be the reason for the observed differences between our subjects and international reference values

Dietary and Fluid Adherence among Haemodialysis Patients Attending Public Sector Hospitals in the Western Cape

Objective There has been considerable debate about the extent to which social cognitive models of health behaviour apply in developing countries. The purpose of this paper was to determine the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in predicting dietary and fluid adherence among a sample of haemodialysis patients attending public sector hospitals in the Western Cape.Design and methods A sample of 62 historically disadvantaged patients undergoing haemodialysis completed a battery of psychometric instruments measuring attitudes; subjective norms; perceived behavioural control regarding dietary and fluid adherence; health literacy; perceived social support; and self-reported dietary and fluid adherence. Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG); predialytic serum potassium levels; and predialytic serum phosphate levels served as biochemical indicators of dietary and fluid adherence.Results Regression analyses indicated that the linear combination of attitudes and perceived behavioural control significantly accounted for 15.5of the variance in self-reported adherence (a medium-effect size) and 11.4of the variance in IDWG (a modest-effect size). No significant predictors were identified for predialytic serum potassium and predialytic serum phosphate levels. Interpretation and conclusions The results indicate that; while the TPB may not function in the same manner as it does in Western samples; it may have some nuanced applicability among haemodialysis patients attending public sector hospitals in the Western Cape

Potassium-Uptake Systems of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Genomic and Protein Organization and Potential Roles in Microbial Pathogenesis and Chemotherapy

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a formidable microbial pathogen which uses multiple mechanisms to subvert host immune defences. These include the effective; protective barrier presented by the outer waxy coat; intracellular concealment from host defences; and the ability to enter a prolonged; dormant phase in the infected host. Priority strategies to combat the scourge of TB include the identification of novel and selective targets on/in MTB which are amenable to pharmacological or immune-mediated control. Because they are structurally different from their counterparts in eukaryotic cells and are likely to be essential for survival and growth; the major K+ transporters of MTB represent alternative and novel targets for drug and vaccine design. These K+-uptake systems of MTB are the primary focus of this review; with particular emphasis on their genomic and protein structures; properties and functions; and potential roles in intracellular survival