Antileishmanial metabolites from Geosmithia langdonii.

Antileishmanial bioassay guided fractionation of Geosmithia langdonii has resulted in the isolation and identification of two new compounds (1 and 2) together with 10 known compounds (3-12). The structures of the isolated metabolites were elucidated based on comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data as well as mass spectrometry. The absolute configuration at C4, C5, and C6 of 2 was determined as R using a modified Mosher esterification method and NOESY correlations. The extracts and the isolated metabolites were evaluated for their antileishmanial activities. Compounds 3, 9, 11, and 12 were found to be active against Leishmania donovani with IC50 values of 6.9, 3.3, 8.5, and 9.2 µM, respectively, while compounds 1, 5, and 10 showed lower activities against L. donovani with IC50 values of 13.0, 47.3, and 34.0 µM, respectively.

New anthraquinone derivatives from Geosmithia lavendula.

A phytochemical study of Geosmithia lavendula Pitt led to the isolation of three new anthraquinones: 1-acetyl-2,4,6,8-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (1), 2-acetyl-1,4,5,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (2), and 1-acetyl-2,4,5,6,7-pentahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (3), as well as another new compound named didodecyl thiodipropionate (propionic acid, 3,3-sulfinyl di-1,1'-didodecyl ester) (4), along with ten known compounds: 1-acetyl-2,4,5,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (rhodolamprometrin) (5), 1-acetyl-2,4,5,7,8-pentahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (6), (22E)-ergosta-6,22-diene-3beta,5alpha,8alpha-triol, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, oleic acid, D-mannitol, palmitic acid, stearic acid, cis-vaccenic acid and 2-decenal. The structures of the isolated metabolites were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. Compound 1 exhibited moderate activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus with an IC50 value of 16.1 microg/mL.

[Sanitary situation of the Senegal River Basin in 2010. Part II: vector-borne diseases and zoonoses]. / Le bassin versant du fleuve Sénégal, situation sanitaire en 2010. Partie 2. les maladies à transmission vectorielle et les zoonoses.

In recent decades, the Senegal River Basin has witnessed an increase in the prevalence of water-borne human and animal diseases. The "Organization for the Development of the Senegal River" (French acronym, OMVS) decided to establish a "Water Resource Development and Management Framework Project" (French acronym, SDAGE) for the Senegal River Basin. The purpose of SDAGE is to avoid overuse of natural resources while allowing development of human activities in the Senegal River Basin. This project document is intended to provide guidance for mobilizing resources and understanding impact on the environment and local population through to 2025. Within the framework of the first phase of the SDAGE, a survey to assess water-borne diseases in the Senegal River Basin was carried out in 2009. This assessment of the medical situation was based on documents obtained by bibliographic research. The purpose of this report is to summarize the main findings with regard firstly to vector-borne diseases along with corresponding national or regional control programs in the area and, secondly to zoonoses. Findings with regard to diseases directly related to water have been described in another report.

[Drainage basin of the the Senegal River, sanitary conditions in 2010. Part I: Illnesses directly linked to the water]. / Le bassin versant du fleuve Sénégal, situation sanitaire en 2010 Partie 1. les maladies directement liées à l'eau.

Recent decades have seen an increase in the number of cases of waterborne illnesses involving humans and animals living in the Senegal River Basin. The "Senegal River Basin Development Authority" (French acronym, OMVS) decided to draft a "Water Development and Management Master Plan" (French acronym, SDAGE) for the Senegal drainage basin. The aim of ther plan is to avoid overuse of natural resources while allowing development of human activities in the area of the Senegal River. The SDAGE was designed to serve as a timetable and program for mobilizing resources and monitoring impact on the environment and local population until 2025. As part of the initial phase of the SDAGE, a study was carried out in 2009 to evaluate the status of waterborne illness in the Senegal River Basin. This study of the sanitary conditions was based on review of documents compiled from a bibliographic search. The purpose of this report is describe the main findings regarding diseases directly linked to water and national or regional programs for control of those disease in the study area.

[Tibial valgus osteotomy]. / Ostéotomie tibiale de valgisation.

The tibial valgus osteotomy whatever its technique has a survival rate of about 85 % to 10 years, if we consider the reoperation as a criterion of failure, with a confidence index at 78%. The age, weight, sex and functional signs have no impact on the outcome. We have found no evidence in the preoperative radiographic assessment, neither the medial pinch, or varus epiphyseal neither varisant gap, which could be a failure and a reoperation before the tenth year. Good results were observed significantly when there is an over-valgus at least 3 degrees of global axis of the lower limb. This corresponds to a valgus epiphyseal by more than 2 degrees . The substantial reduction in the gap varisant that lowers the overall time varisant below 200 kg cm provides the same positive results. The outcome will depend directly on the accuracy of the calculation of the preoperative correction performed and the quality of surgical achievement. Because of the need for precision, navigation technique appears as reliable, simple which makes it also possible to monitor the front slope and tibial rotation induced. The osteosynthesis must be stable and rigid to avoid postoperative loss of correction.

[Leprosy revealed by oedema of the hands]. / Lèpre lépromateuse révélée par un oedème des mains.

BACKGROUND: We reported a case of lepromatous leprosy in a Tunisian woman revealed by a potentially misleading clinical picture involving isolated infiltration of the hands. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 37 year-old woman consulted in October 2000 for bilateral edema of the hands associated with paraesthesia that had been present for one month. Screening for Hansen's bacilli confirmed the diagnosis of multibacillary leprosy. Daily therapy with triple anti-leprosy treatment was initiated. DISCUSSION: The occurrence of edema, which is classically described as a symptom of a reactional state, can occur during the course of leprosy. Where it is a presenting symptom, this unusual heralding sign can be a source of diagnostic error and delay.

Further saponins from Taverniera aegyptiaca.

From the saponin fraction of the total methanolic extract of the dried root and stem barks of Taverniera aegyptiaca Boiss, six new triterpenoidal saponins of oleanane type were isolated and identified as 28-methyl serratagenate-3-beta-O-beta-xylopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside (2), 28-methyl serratagenate 3-beta-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucopyranoside (3), 3beta-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2) beta-glucopyranosyl-olean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta, 3beta, 22beta-triol (4), 3beta-O-beta-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucuronopyranosylolean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta,3beta,22beta-triol (5), 3beta-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-glucuronopyranosylolean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta,3beta,22beta-triol (6), 3beta-O-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-glucuronopyranosylolean-11,13(18)-dien-1beta, 3beta, 22beta-triol (7) together with the known oleanolic acid 3-beta-O-beta-glucoside (1). The identification of the isolated compounds was done on the basis of chemical and spectral evidences.

Laboratory assessment of flexible thin-film membranes as a passive barrier to radon gas diffusion.

This paper presents the experimental results of utilizing a flexible thin-film membrane as a passive barrier to radon gas diffusion. Nine commercially available membranes of various compositions and thicknesses were evaluated as retardant to radon gas diffusion. The radon gas concentration ratios across the thin-film membranes alone and in combination with an adjacent concrete sample (effective diffusion coefficient) were measured in a laboratory system with state-of-the-art instrumentation. An 8.89-cm diameter, 10.2-cm thick concrete sample of standard composition (w/c = 0.5 and cement:sand:gravel = 1:2:4) was used to simulate a basement and slab-on-grade foundation typical of Wisconsin. The radon gas transport characteristics of this concrete sample (porosity, permeability and diffusion) are documented. The experimentation has identified two superior flexible thin-film membranes that may be employed as effective barriers to radon gas diffusion. These include: Polyethylene Naphthalate (7.62 x 10(-5) m) and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol, PETG (7.62 x 10(-5) and 1.27 x 10(-4) m) which had average diffusion coefficients, D, of 4.10 x 10(-14) and 1.66 x 10(-14) m2 s(-1), respectively. Measurements of the effective membrane/concrete diffusion coefficient yielded a further average reduction in D of 98% for the Polyethylene Naphthalate and 96% for the PETG. Details of the experimental set-ups and procedures are described. The results of this investigation have shown that the application of an effective thin-film membrane adjacent to an intact concrete slab can significantly reduce the diffusion of radon gas entry. Therefore, the employment of a flexible thin-film membrane should be considered as a viable radon reduction technology method for residential new construction.

[Epidemiologic aspects of 42 cases of human brucellosis in the Republic of Djibouti]. / Aspects épidémiologiques de 42 cas de brucellose humaine en République de Djibouti.

Brucellosis is an ubiquitous anthropozoonoses in the Republic of Djibouti, but it has only been studied in the City of Djibouti. This retrospective study of 42 cases of human brucellosis diagnosed between April 1993 and April 1995 was carried out at the Peltier Hospital in Djibouti to obtain epidemiological data concerning brucellosis in the Republic of Djibouti. Diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and positive immunologic tests (Rose Bengal test > 100 UI and Wright serology > 1/80). The following information was obtained for each patient: nationality, ethnic origin, place of residence, age, sex, and risk factors for exposure to infected animals or products. There were 30 men and 12 women including 38 Djiboutis, 3 Somalis, and 1 Ethiopian. Ethnic origin was Afar in 32 cases, Somali in 6 cases, and undetermined in 4 cases. Mean age was 31.6 years. Of the 38 Djiboutis, 15 lived in the district of Djibouti, 17 in the district of Tadjourah, 3 in the district of Obock, and none in districts located in the Southern part of the country. In 18 cases brucellosis involved cattle raisers from the Northern part of the country. In five cases no risk factor could be identified. The incidence of brucellosis in the Republic of Djibouti appears to be comparable to that observed in other highly endemic countries. Further study is needed to determine the exact incidence in man and animals and ascertain the need and feasibility of preventive measures.

Enzymatic antagonism of mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade by human plasma cholinesterase.

BACKGROUND: Mivacurium chloride is a bis-benzylisoquinolinium nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent, hydrolyzed by butyrylcholinesterase (PCHE). The dose-response relationships for PCHE after mivacurium have not been studied. Therefore, this study was designed to establish dose-response relationships for PCHE as an antagonist of mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade. METHODS: Forty-eight physical status 1 adults were given 0.15 mg/kg mivacurium during fentanyl-thiopental-nitrous oxide-isoflurane anesthesia. Train-of-four (TOF) stimulation was applied to the ulnar nerve every 12 s, and the force of contraction of the adductor pollicis muscle was recorded. When spontaneous recovery of first twitch height (T1) reached 10% of its initial control value, exogenous PCHE equivalent to activity present in 2.5, 5, 7.5, 15, or 25 ml/kg of human plasma was administered by random allocation to 40 patients. Neuromuscular function in another eight subjects was allowed to recover spontaneously. Two blood samples were taken for determination of plasma cholinesterase activity. The first sample was taken before induction of anesthesia, and the second sample was taken when the TOF ratio had recovered to 0.75. Dibucaine and fluoride numbers were determined from the first assay. RESULTS: Administration of PCHE produced significant increases in PCHE activity in all patients. The larger the dose, the greater was the resultant plasma activity. Human PCHE produced a dose-dependent antagonism of mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade and the recovery times correlated inversely with PCHE activity (P < 0.01). The recovery of T1 was greater (P < 0.01) and time to attain a TOF ratio of 0.75 was shorter (P < 0.01) with any dose of PCHE than that observed in the spontaneous recovery group. After the administration of exogenous PCHE equivalent to activity present in 25 ml/kg of human plasma, recovery of TOF ratio to 0.75 or more was observed in all patients in less than 10 min and time to attain a TOF ratio of 0.75 was 55% shorter than the spontaneous recovery group (8.4 [7.1-9.7] vs. 18.7 [15.4-22] min; mean and 95% confidence intervals). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of exogenous PCHE equivalent to activity present in 25 ml/kg of human plasma (in a 65-kg patient, this dose is equivalent to PCHE activity of 1,625 ml of adult human plasma) resulted in reliable antagonism of mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade. Nevertheless, because of the prohibitive cost of this compound, this reversal modality is unlikely to have a routine practical application at this time.

The calcitonin-CGRP gene in the infantile hypercalcaemia/Williams-Beuren syndrome.

We have investigated 13 families, each of which have one member with infantile hypercalcaemia/Williams-Beuren syndrome (IHWBS), for either a germ cell mutation of, or an association with, the calcitonin-CGRP gene. Restriction fragment mapping studies of the calcitonin-CGRP gene using five restriction enzymes (TaqI, Bg/II, PvuII, PstI, and SacI) and region specific probes failed to show any abnormalities of this gene complex. NO association of IHWBS with polymorphism of the calcitonin-CGRP/parathormone locus was found. Therefore, although the aetiology of IHWBS may be caused by a new dominant mutation, there is no evidence to implicate major rearrangements of the calcitonin-CGRP and parathormone genes.

[Eco-epidemiology of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Yemen Arab Republic. I. Presence, in sympatric condition, of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani complexes]. / Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses viscérales et cutanées en République arabe du Yémen. I. Présence, en condition sympatrique, des complexes Leishmania infantum et Leishmania donovani.

In complement to a previous survey, the authors proceed to the analysis of strains isolated from visceral human and canine leishmaniasis. Finally, among eight human strains isolated and identified with an enzymatic method, seven belong to the Leishmania donovani complex and one to the L. infantum complex. The L. donovani complex is represented by the MON-31 and MON-83 zymodem. The first one is also present in Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. The second one, corresponding to a small variant, pleads for an intrafocal polymorphism phenomenon which was until now unknown in the L. donovani complex. The L. infantum complex is observed: 1) in sympatria with L. donovani in mountainous areas; 2) alone in the Tihama coastal plain. As for human cutaneous leishmaniasis present in the same focuses it is caused by L. tropica MON-71 and not by the above mentioned complexes.

[Eco-epidemiology of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Arab Republic of Yemen. II. A survey using intradermal reaction to leishmanin in a zone of mixed infestation with Leishmania tropica, L. donovani and L. infantum]. / Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses viscérales et cutanées en République arabe du Yémen. II. Enquête par intradermoréaction à la leishmanine dans une zone d'infestation mixte à Leishmania tropica, L. donovani et L. infantum.

Frequency distribution of leishmanin test survey in Dhamran valley around Taez (Yemen Arab Republic) is reported. It was carried out on 174 school children from 6 to 12 years old. Three schools located at 950 m, 1,100 m and 1,430 m of altitude were visited. The maximum of positivity is observed in the lower range where L. tropica, L. donovani and L. infantum are rife. In the upper valley, where cutaneous leishmaniasis is rare and visceral leishmaniasis absent, the rate of positivity is a little bit lower. The conjugated influence of the three parasites is suggested.

[Eco-epidemiology of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Arab Republic of Yemen. III. Inventory and dynamics of Phlebotomus]. / Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses viscérales et cutanées en République arabe du Yémen. III. Inventaire et dynamique des phlébotomes.

The systematic inventory and annual following of Phlebotomus population is established by the authors in a transmission area of visceral (human and canine) and cutaneous (human) leishmaniasis in the Yemen Arab Republic (province of Taez). Seven species of Phlebotomus and nine species of Sergentomyia are thus identified. Among them, four are considered as potential vectors: on the one hand, P. orientalis (s.g. Larroussius) and, probably P. arabicus (s.g. Adlerius) for L. infantum and L. donovani, in the other, P. sergenti and P. saevus (s.g. Paraphlebotomus) for L. tropica.

[Epidemiologic study of malaria in the foothill area of the Taez region of the Arabic Republic of Yemen]. / Etude épidémiologique du paludisme dans une zone de piémont de la région de Taez en République arabe du Yémen.

Longitudinal Survey on Malaria is conducted in the Foothills (Ouadi Rissian) in an area between 450 m et 750 m elevation south-west of Taez in Yemen Arab Republic (Y.A.R.) Malaria is mesoendemic and transmission is perennial. P. falciparum is the only parasite species identified and A. arabiensis the main vector collected. Control measures are discussed.

[Urinary schistosomiasis in the region of Barh in the Yemen Arab Republic]. / La bilharziose urinaire dans la région de Barh en République Arabe du Yémen.

A survey on schistosomiasis conducted in 1986 in Barh area, 50 km south-west of Taez in Y.A.R. shows us that this endemic disease is already highly prevalent. Distribution, prevalence, sources of infection, hosts are described. The author propose a plan of action for schistosomiasis control in the area of Barh integrated to the national plan and the PHC services.

[Serological, clinical and epidemiologic analysis of 53 cases of kala-azar in the Arab Republic of Yemen]. / Analyse sérologique, clinique et épidémiologique de 53 cas de Kala-Azar en République Arabe du Yémen.

The visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) is present in Republic Arab of Yemen. On 53 cases diagnosed during 21 months in Taez Republican Hospital the disease is affecting essentially children (55 under five years old) with predominant focus in the area of Charaab and Qobeita. Serology using passive hemagglutination is helpful for the diagnosis when the rate is higher or equal to 1/64e. The problem of wrong positive reaction in cases of lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin is noticed.