Revealing potential functions of VBNC bacteria in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biodegradation.

The bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated sites is not running smoothly, because of the lower activity of PAH-degrading bacteria in actual bioremediation applications. The phenomenon of "viable but nonculturable" (VBNC) state may be a main limiting factor for their poor biodegradation capabilities of PAHs. Due to their abilities of entering into the VBNC state, most of bacterial populations with PAH-degradation potential remain unculturable. Resuscitation of VBNC bacteria will enhance the degradation capability of indigenous bacteria which will eventually obtain their better capabilities in environmental bioremediation. Although evidences have been presented indicating that resuscitation of VBNC bacteria in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated environments not only significantly enhanced PCB degradation, but also obtained novel highly efficient PCB-degrading bacteria, scanty information is available on the VBNC bacteria in PAH-contaminated sites. VBNC bacteria, as a vast majority of potential microbial resource could be the repository of novel highly efficient PAH-biodegraders. Therefore, studies need to be done on resuscitation of VBNC bacteria to overcome key bottlenecks in bioremediation of PAH-contaminated sites. This mini-review provides a new insight into the potential functions of VBNC bacteria in PAHs biodegradation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: As the vast majority microbial resource, viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacteria, which showed their potential functions in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) biodegradation, can be of great significance in environmental bioremediation. It is therefore important to resuscitate VBNC bacteria for their better capabilities. Meanwhile, preventing the indigenous functional community from entering into the VBNC state will also maintain the high activity of PAH-degrading bacteria in actual bioremediation applications. Undoubtedly, much more work needs to be done to reveal indigenous micro-organisms in the VBNC state from the perspective of environmental functions.

Fractures mandibulaires : prise en charge par procédés orthopédiques et prothétiques

Les fractures mandibulaires sont une solution brutale et accidentelle de la continuité complète ou incomplète, avec ou sans déplacement des fragments de la fracture de l'os mandibulaire. Elles ont un retentissement majeur d'ordre fonctionnel et morphologique, avec des complications plus ou moins graves en l'absence de traitement approprié. Il est donc important de faire une prise en charge rapide des patients traumatisés. Méthodes: La prise en charge de ces fractures relève de la chirurgie par mini-plaques d'ostéosynthèse et/ou des procédés orthopédiques et prothétiques. Les auteurs proposent, à travers un cas clinique, la prise en charge des fractures mandibulaires par procédés orthopédiques et prothétiques. Le procédé a consisté à construire et à poser une gouttière bivalve en résine acrylique pour réaliser une contention mandibulaire. Résultats: Le dispositif utilisé a permis de traiter efficacement le patient traumatisé. En outre, les fonctions de l'appareil manducateur et La morphologie des contours du visage ont été restaurées, permettant ainsi une meilleure insertion socio-professionnelle du patient. Discussion: Les procédés orthopédiques et prothétiques sont fréquemment utilisés du fait de leur coût relativement peu élevé par rapport la chirurgie réparatrice. Dans les cas de dents délabrées et d'appuis dentaires insuffisants, le choix de la gouttière bivalve en résine acrylique apparait comme la meilleure option thérapeutique. Conclusion: Dans notre contexte d'exercice caractérisé par des patients aux moyens financiers limités, la prise en charge des fractures mandibulaires par les procédés orthopédiques et prothétiques permet d'obtenir des résultats comparables à la chirurgie réparatrice

Effet de la formation sur la qualité de la prise en charge des cas de paludisme dans les centres de santé de premier contact de la commune V de Bamako

Le programme national de lutte contre le paludisme avec ses partenaires a entrepris des formations des prestataires sur les nouvelles directives de prise en charge des cas de paludisme dans les formations sanitaires du pays. Cette étude visait à mesurer l'effet desdites formations sur les pratiques des prestataires formés. Elle s'est déroulée dans les structures de premier contact de la commune V du district de Bamako. Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale portant sur les données de 3 mois avant et après la formation à partir des registres de consultation. La fièvre était le symptôme le plus fréquent avec 34,7 % avant la formation et 33,6 % après la formation. La majorité des patients a bénéficié d'un examen biologique soit 57,9 % avant la formation et 60,5 % après la formation. Le paludisme simple a représenté 35,4% avant la formation et 37,9 % après la formation contre respectivement 34,8 % et 34,3 % pour le paludisme grave. Cependant, 29,8 % des patients avant la formation et 27,8 % après la formation n'ont pas été classés conformément aux normes nationales. Parmi les cas de paludisme simple, 45,3 % ont été traités correctement avant la formation contre 57,6 % après la formation. Pour le paludisme grave, les taux de traitement correct étaient de 75,5 % avant la formation contre 72,1 % après la formation. La formation des prestataires a eu un effet modéré sur la qualité de la prise en charge des cas de paludisme dans les structures concernées. La supervision postformation ou la formations des prestataires à la tâche pourrait améliorer la situation

A formula for human average whole-body SARwb under diffuse fields exposure in the GHz region.

A simple formula to determine the human average whole-body SAR (SAR(wb)) under realistic propagation conditions is proposed in the GHz region, i.e. from 1.45 GHz to 5.8 GHz. The methodology is based on simulations of ellipsoidal human body models. Only the exposure (incident power densities) and the human mass are needed to apply the formula. Diffuse scattered illumination is addressed for the first time and the possible presence of a Line-of-Sight (LOS) component is addressed as well. As validation, the formula is applied to calculate the average whole-body SAR(wb) in 3D heterogeneous phantoms, i.e. the virtual family (34 year-old male, 26 year-old female, 11 year-old girl, and 6 year-old boy) and the results are compared with numerical ones--using the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method--at 3 GHz. For the LOS exposure, the average relative error varies from 28% to 12% (resp. 14-12%) for the vertical polarization (resp. horizontal polarization), depending on the heteregeneous phantom. Regarding the diffuse illumination, relative errors of -39.40%, -11.70%, 10.70%, and 10.60% are obtained for the 6 year-old boy, 11 year-old girl, 26 year-old female, and 34 year-old male, respectively. The proposed formula estimates well (especially for adults) the SAR(wb) induced by diffuse illumination in realistic conditions. In general, the correctness of the formula improves when the human mass increases. Keeping the uncertainties of the FDTD simulations in mind, the proposed formula might be important for the dosimetry community to assess rapidly and accurately the human absorption of electromagnetic radiation caused by diffuse fields in the GHz region. Finally, we show the applicability of the proposed formula to personal dosimetry for epidemiological research.

[Factors of failure of prosthetic restoration of the acquired losses of substance of the jawbone and the mandible in sub-Saharan Africa]. / Facteurs d'échec de la restauration prothétique des pertes de substances maxillaires et mandibulaires acquises en Afrique subsaharienne.

The obturating prostheses of the jawbone and the prostheses of rebuilding of the mandible make it possible to restore the losses of substance of the jawbone and of the mandible and to cure the functional and Aesthetic disorders which result from these losses of substance. The success of these prosthetic restorations can be compromised by technical, economic and cultural factors. The principal factors are the importance of the losses of substance, the reduced number of teeth, the poverty of the technical plate, the persistence of certain traditional concepts. The fight against these factors requires the promotion of therapeutic associations in maxillo-facial cancerology, the sensitizing of the populations to the early hospital consultations, the improvement of the technical plate of the prosthesis of the jawbone and the face, the facilitation of the access of the most underprivileged groups to the prosthetic restorations, the promotion of multi-field collaboration, the whole co-operation of the patient throughout the treatment and the follow-up postprothetic.

Liposomal amphotericin B (Fungisome) for the treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients in India: a multicentric, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is need to investigate the use of liposomal amphotericin B in cryptococcal meningitis in India. AIMS: To compare the efficacy, safety, duration of treatment and cost of two doses of liposomal amphotericin B (Amp B) (Fungisome) in cryptococcal meningitis in HIV/AIDS patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter study in tertiary care hospitals across India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients with culture-proven cryptococcal meningitis with HIV/AIDS were randomized to receive either 1 (Group A) or 3 mg/kg/day of Fungisome (Group B). Clinical efficacy and tolerability, laboratory evaluations and mycological response were assessed daily, twice weekly and weekly respectively. The patients were assessed at four and eight-week follow-up. STATISTICS: We calculated average and standard deviation for the various parameters. RESULTS: The time to show clinical response was 13.66 days (1 mg) and 9.55 days (3 mg). In Group B (n=6 complete response), 50% patients responded within one week by microbial conversion, 83% in two weeks and 100% in three weeks. Patients with 1 mg dose (n=4 complete response), none showed microbial conversion within one week, 75% responded in two weeks, whereas one patient took four weeks. The average duration of treatment was 36.5+/-14.4 and 26.5+/-5.89 (S.D.) days in 1 and 3 mg/kg/day respectively. Drug was tolerated with little renal, hepatic or hematological toxicity. The cost was found to be 3.81 lacs and 1.74 lacs with 3mg/kg/day and 1mg/kg/day respectively. CONCLUSION: Higher dose showed better efficacy and quicker microbial conversion of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (cerebrospinal fluid) than 1 mg/kg/day. It shortened the duration of treatment in days by 27% while drug cost almost doubled ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN 52812742).

Measuring the cosmic-ray acceleration efficiency of a supernova remnant.

Cosmic rays are the most energetic particles arriving at Earth. Although most of them are thought to be accelerated by supernova remnants, the details of the acceleration process and its efficiency are not well determined. Here we show that the pressure induced by cosmic rays exceeds the thermal pressure behind the northeast shock of the supernova remnant RCW 86, where the x-ray emission is dominated by synchrotron radiation from ultrarelativistic electrons. We determined the cosmic-ray content from the thermal Doppler broadening measured with optical spectroscopy, combined with a proper-motion study in x-rays. The measured postshock proton temperature, in combination with the shock velocity, does not agree with standard shock heating, implying that >50% of the postshock pressure is produced by cosmic rays.

[Efficacy of chloroquine in treatment of non-complicated malaria with Plasmodium falciparum in children at the San Pedro dispensary in Côte d'Ivoire]. / Effcacité thérapeutique de la chloroquine dans le traitement du paludisme simple dû à Plasmodium falciparum chez les enfants du dispensaire de San Pedro en Côte d'Ivoire.

A survey has been carried out in south-west of Côte d'Ivoire in order to study chloroquine resistance in treatment of malaria according to 14 days protocol of WHO (World Health Organisation) (1996) for evaluation of antimalarial drugs activity; 63 children, aged from 6 months to 15 years and suffering from noncomplicated malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum, received by oral way 25 mg/kg of chloroquine over three days (10-10-5). During the survey, they were subjected to a clinic and parasitologic (thick and thin blood film) follow up. We obtained, for 51 children (81%), a satisfactory clinical answer, for 8 children (13%) an early therapeutic failure and for the other 4 (6%) a late therapeutic failure. Moreover, we obtained 40% of failure in children of less than 24 months old, 25% between 24 months and 59 months and 7% beyond 6 years old.

[Prevalence and risk factors for otomycosis treated in the hospital setting in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)]. / Prévalence et facteurs favorisants des otomycoses traitées en milieu hospitalier à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

Otomycosis is frequently encountered in tropical and subtropical zones. In Ivory Coast diagnosis of this disease is often based solely on the clinical symptoms. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, predisposing factors, and etiologic agents associated with otomycosis at the Treichville University Hospital Center in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Mycological examinations were performed on specimens obtained from 115 patients presenting with external otitis at the d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Department. Fungi-positive cultures were obtained in 49 patients for an overall otomycosis prevalence of 42.6 (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 34.4-52.2). Univariate analysis showed that the predisposing factors for otomycosis were frequent swimming in natural or artificial pools (Relative Risk (RR) 3.7; CI 1.7-8.1), daily ear cleaning (RR 3.5; CI 1.8-6.8) and excessive use of eardrops containing antibiotics and corticoids (RR = 9.3; IC95% = 4.3-20.1). The most common etiologic agents were Aspergillus flavus (20.4%), Candida albicans (16.3%), Candida parapsilosis (14.3%), and Aspergillus niger (12.2%). A combination of two agents was found in five cases. These data show that otomycosis is endemic in Ivory Coast. Management of otomycosis must include mycological examination for diagnosis as well as changing behavior patterns leading to infection.

[Cryptosporidiosis and isosporiasis in children suffering from diarrhoea in Abidjan]. / Cryptosporidiose et isosporose dans les diarrhées infantiles à Abidjan.

A parasitological survey on intestinal coccidia, Cryptosporidium sp and Isospora belli, has been carried out in paediatric service of an teaching hospital in the district of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). 130 children under 5 years old suffering from diarrhoea have been enrolled. Direct stools examination method, simplified Ritchie technique and Ziehl Neelsen modified coloration were used for analysis. Moreover, the AIDS serological status of the patients has been determined. The results show that Cryptosporidium sp and Isospora belli were found respectively with a prevalence of 7.7% and 3.9%. Only one case of mixed infestation between theses two parasites has been found. Coccidia were the most recurrent parasites found in diarrhoea after flagellates. Parasitism by coccidia was not related to AIDS serological status of the children. These results point out the necessity to make common coccidian parasitical diagnosis in children under 5 years old suffering from diarrhoea.

Prevalence et facteurs favorisants des otomycoses traitees en milieu hospitalier a Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire)

Otomycosis is fre q u e n t ly encountered in tropical and subtropical zones. In Ivory Coast diagnosis of this disease is often based solely on the clinical symptoms. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence; predisposing factors; and etiologic agents associated with otomycosis at the Treichville University Hospital Center in Abidjan; Ivory Coast. M y c o l ogical examinations we re perfo rmed on specimens obtained from 115 patients presenting with external otitis at the d'Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Department. Fungi-positive cultures were obtained in 49 patients for an overall otomycosis prevalence of 42.6 (95Confidence Interval (CI); 34.4-52.2). Univa ri ate analysis showed that the predisposing fa c t o rs for otomycosis we re frequent swimming in natural or artificial pools (Relative Risk (RR) 3.7; CI 1.7-8.1); daily ear cleaning (RR 3.5; CI 1.8-6.8) and excessive use of eardrops containing antibiotics and corticoids (RR = 9.3; IC95= 4.3-20.1). The most common etiologic agents were Aspergillus fl avus (20.4); Candida albicans (16.3); Candida parapsilosis (14.3); and A s p e rgillus niger (12.2). A combination of two agents was found in five cases. These data show that otomycosis is endemic in Ivo ry Coast. Manage m e n t of otomycosis must include mycological examination for diagnosis as well as changing behavior patterns leading to infection

[Localization and registration of the hinge axis in black Africans]. / Le point sur la localisation et le transfert de l'axe charnière chez le sujet melanoderme africain.

The study of the cinematic method using "SAM" and "Quick Axis of FAG" added to mandibular condyle palpation for the hinge axis limited points, show that the Black Africans mandibular condyle rotation axis position is higher (3.5 mm) and backer (2 mm) than the Caucasians. The axial points are located to between 11 and 12 mm in front of the tragus and between 7 and 8 mm below on the perpendicular line to the furrow defining the tragus superior side to the Ectocanthus.

[Comparative study of four malaria diagnostic techniques used in Ivory Coast]. / Etude comparative de quatre techniques de diagnostic biologique du paludisme utilisées en Côte d'Ivoire.

The biological diagnosis of malaria plays an important part in the patients' treatment for malaria. Thus, many techniques have been developed to reach this purpose. We have compared four of them concerning 196 patients from October, 1996 to January, 1997 in Abidjan. Thick blood film has been chosen as the technique for reference. It has come out that the plasmodic index was 18.3%. The Plasmodium falciparum has been the only encountered species. The different sensitivities of the QBC test and of the Parasight F test reached 100% against 83.3% in the case of the thin blood film. The QBC test and the thin blood film had each a specificity of 100% against 88.1% for the Parasight F test. Unlike the QBC test, the thick blood film and the thin blood film have remained the most difficult to be realised. Therefore, the analysis of parameters of credibility (sensitivity, specificity), predictable values and the time involved will allow in a given situation to use the appropriate biological diagnosis technique.

Primary resistance to antituberculosis drugs: a national survey conducted in Côte d'Ivoire in 1995-1996. Ivoirian Study Group on Tuberculosis Resistance.

SETTING: A national survey of resistance to the antituberculosis drugs used in Côte d'Ivoire was conducted in 1995-1996. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of primary resistance to antituberculosis drugs. METHODS: Consecutive new tuberculous patients with positive smear were recruited from tuberculosis centres and rural health centres. Drug susceptibility testing was performed according to the proportion method. Positive cultures were tested against streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethambutol. All resistant strains and 10% of all randomly sampled cultures were sent to an external laboratory for quality control. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) tests were performed for consenting patients at the tuberculosis centres. RESULTS: Among the 430 samples, 320 were available for analysis. Primary resistance to antituberculosis drugs was observed for 13.4% of the patients (43/320); multidrug resistance (to at least isoniazid and rifampicin) was observed for 5.3% of the patients; 14.2% of HIV-negative and 16.2% of HIV-positive patients were resistant to at least one antituberculosis drug (P = 0.70). CONCLUSION: This study is representative of antituberculosis drug resistance in Côte d'Ivoire. The rate of primary resistance is high and emphasises the need for a sentinel survey of tuberculous resistance. The National Tuberculosis Control Programme needs to make improvements in its management of tuberculosis cases.

Family planning in Burkina Faso: results of a survey.

A survey of women of reproductive age was undertaken during April and May 1986 as part of an operations research project in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. Data were collected on respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) of contraception. Although the government family planning program had been operating only since February 1985, knowledge of modern methods was surprisingly high, with 64 percent of respondents having ever heard of at least one modern method. Only 4.9 percent, however, were currently using a modern method. Use of traditional methods was high in this traditional society, with 41 percent of women currently practicing abstinence. Both knowledge and current use varied significantly across several background characteristics, the most important of which was education. The respondents were very vocal about their fertility desires regarding both the spacing and limitation of births. Moreover, attitudes toward possible future contraceptive use were extremely positive. These factors may be contributing to the steadily increasing demand for family planning services, which the government program is striving to meet.