Distribution and relative densities of Aedes aegypti in Niger.

Its climate and environmental conditions put Niger at particularly high risk of the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, which can transmit arboviruses. In September 2016, the Republic of Niger reported its first outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the northern region of Tahoua, near the Mali border, particularly in the departments of Tchintabaraden, Tassara, and Abalak. The history of RVF has showed that epidemics and epizootics have a considerable socioeconomic impact in affected countries, such as Niger, whose populations are particularly concerned by livestock farming. Cross-sectional studies were conducted to investigate the abundance of Aedes aegypti and the risk of arbovirus transmission in 54 villages between 2002 and 2017. Sampling took place in 27 villages, with three methods used in each village: (a) capture of aggressive female mosquitoes landing on human adult volunteers from three households, both indoors and outdoors, during two consecutive nights ; (b) insecticide spray collections of resting mosquitoes early in the morning in five selected dwellings, different from those chosen for landing catches, and (c) capture by four Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps, both indoors and outdoors, for two nights. The remaining 27 villages were sampled only by insecticide spray collection of resting mosquitoes. The inventory, distribution, and abundance of mosquito species found at the sampled localities were evaluated. The mosquitoes (Culicidae) caught belonged to four genera, namely: Anopheles spp., Aedes spp., Culex spp. and Mansonia spp. Besides these Culicidae, other biting Diptera (Phlebotomes) were found during the capture. À total of 130,424 adult mosquitoes was caught during the study, 2.6% (3,444/130,423) of them Aedes spp. Aedes aegypti accounted for 96.6% of the Aedes spp. captured. Ae. Aegypti was collected in 41.0% (22/54) of the villages and was abundant (accounting for more than 15% of all mosquitoes captured) in 5 localities. The presence, geographical distribution, and abundance of Ae. aegypti near and in human habitations suggest a high risk of arbovirus transmission in Niger. The high abundance of arbovirus vectors encountered in this study should be a source of concern. Our observations highlight the importance of quantifying and monitoring the risk of arbovirus transmission in Niger. These results are of great importance for public health.

Reproductive success delays moult phenology in a polar mammal.

Animals can respond to dynamic environments through phenological plasticity of life history events; however, changes in one part of the annual cycle can diminish the success of subsequent life history events. Our aims were to determine the associations between reproduction and moult phenology across years and to quantify phenological plasticity across varying environmental conditions. We conducted demographic surveys of 4,252 flipper-tagged Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in the Ross Sea, Antarctica during four austral summers. At each sighting, seals were assigned a moult code based on the visible presence of new fur and the start date of each animal's moult was back-calculated. Reproductive success and parturition dates were obtained for the breeding season prior to and following the moult. We found that successful reproduction delayed moult by 16 days relative to non-parturient females. Phenology of the intervening moult was indicative of previous reproductive dynamics but not predictive of subsequent reproductive outcomes. Across years, moult phenology varied by about two weeks and covaried strongly with sea ice break-out timing for all reproductive categories. Our findings suggest these polar mammals have some flexibility within the annual cycle that allows adjustment of moult phenology to fluctuating environmental conditions without compromising future reproductive success.

The criterion of proportionality in the activation of Left Ventricular Assist Device implants: the method of "four boxes" to analyze the pre-implant phase.

BACKGROUND: Life-saving technologies have completely changed the normal conception of medical treatments. Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD) can prolong survival for patients who are not candidates for heart transplantation. In order to analyze the pre-implantation phase, which involves a shared-decision making process before activation of the device, attention should be paid to the criterion of "proportionality" in order to properly assess the risks and benefits of implantation. AIM: The aim of our analysis is to provide an useful tool for the assessment of LVAD proportionality during the physicians' decision making. METHODS: The method of the "four boxes", developed by Jonsen et al, was chosen to analyze the notion of proportionality and the other main ethical issues regarding LVAD activation in adult patients. RESULTS: Medical issues are not the sole factors, which influence the choice of implantation by patients. Indeed, patient preferences, his/her quality of life, and contextual features should be taken into consideration when proposing LVADs: these factors are as important as clinical issues where outcomes are concerned. CONCLUSIONS: In order to assess the proportionality of such a device, we present, discuss and examine, in the framework of the pre-implant phase, the content of each topic treated by the "four boxes method", that is, an essential tool for the assessment of the proportionality of the treatment for LVAD candidates.

Pairing ultrasonography with endocrinology to elucidate underlying mechanisms of successful pregnancy in the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus).

Reproductive success is one of the central tenets of conservation management programs, yet the inability to study underlying physiological processes in a minimally-invasive manner and the unpredictable nature of wild animal populations leaves large gaps in our knowledge of factors critical to successful reproduction in wild species. This study integrated ultrasonography of the reproductive tract and analysis of reproductive hormones in 172 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) to identify intrinsic factors associated with reinitiating embryonic growth at the end of diapause. Within the first 3-4 weeks of active gestation, pregnant fur seals (n = 126) had a larger corpus luteum and fewer antral follicles than non-pregnant fur seals, or those still in diapause (n = 46). This suggests that the conceptus drives changes in ovarian status to convey its presence to the female. Morphological changes in the reproductive tract associated with pregnancy were not reflected in differences in endocrine profiles (estradiol, estrone, progesterone, and relaxin) between pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. Hormone concentrations correlated more strongly with calendar date than with the presence or size of the conceptus, demonstrating that none of these reproductive hormones were reliable markers for early pregnancy diagnosis. Instead, the northern fur seal's long diestrus may serve to reduce the probability of a temporal mismatch between corpus luteum regression and embryo implantation. Indeed, conception rates were high and confirmed rates of pregnancy loss were relatively low (11%). In this study, minimally-invasive ultrasonography was used in wild pinnipeds to detect very early pregnancy (embryonic vesicles >2 mm) in combination with ovarian and endocrine dynamics at the time of embryo implantation, shedding light on mechanisms for maternal recognition of pregnancy. This study is also the first to track whether these same animals carried the embryo to term, by observing fur seals during the birthing season the following year. Data do not support the notion that decreased pregnancy rates or higher pregnancy loss rates are major contributing factors to the northern fur seal's population decline.

Analyses of apoptosis and DNA damage in bovine cumulus cells after in vitro maturation with different copper concentrations: consequences on early embryo development.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of copper (Cu) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on apoptosis and DNA integrity of cumulus cells (CC); and oocyte viability. Also, the role of CC in the transport of Cu during IVM was evaluated on oocyte developmental capacity. Damage of DNA was higher in CC matured without Cu (0 µg/dl Cu, P < 0.01) with respect to cells treated with Cu for cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) exposed to 0, 20, 40, or 60 µg/dl Cu). The percentage of apoptotic cells was higher in CC matured without Cu than in CC matured with Cu. Cumulus expansion and viability of CC did not show differences in COC treated with 0, 20, 40, or 60 µg/dl Cu during IVM. After in vitro fertilization (IVF), cleavage rates were higher in COC and DO + CC (denuded oocytes + CC) with or without Cu than in DO. Independently of CC presence (COC, DO + CC or DO) the blastocyst rates were higher when 60 µg/dl Cu was added to IVM medium compared to medium alone. These results indicate that Cu supplementation to IVM medium: (i) decreased DNA damage and apoptosis in CC; (ii) did not modify oocyte viability and cumulus expansion; and (iii) improved subsequent embryo development up to blastocyst stage regardless of CC presence during IVM.

Transcription Factor DLX5 As a New Target for Promising Antitumor Agents.

The crystal structure of the human transcription factor DLX5 has been used for the screening of a library consisting of 10(6 )compounds by the molecular docking technique.In vitro testsof the 14 top-rated ligands showed that compound Q12 displays the best ability to inhibit the proliferation ofDlx5 positive mouse lymphoma cells, which correlates with the down-regulation ofc-mycexpression. Compound Q12 has low toxicity on normal human ovarian epithelial cells and mouse lymphoma cells with absent expression ofDlx5, and can be used for further chemical optimization and for the development of novel, highly efficient cancer treatments.

Immune changes in post-menopausal osteoporosis: the Immunos study.

UNLABELLED: The phenotypic and functional characteristics of immune cells of osteoporotic women compared to healthy controls similar for age and estrogen level showed for the first time significant changes in several B lymphocytes populations in postmenopausal osteoporosis, related to bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures, and a significant lower basal secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by CD4(+). INTRODUCTION: To investigate the interactions between bone and immune system, we studied the phenotypic and functional characteristics of immune cells of 26 postmenopausal women with osteoporotic (OP) fractures compared to 24 healthy controls. METHODS: We analyzed surface markers of peripheral B, CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes and cytokine secretion in supernatants of these cells cultured with or without stimulation. Body composition was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The two groups were similar for age and estrogen level. OP women had a significantly lower body mass index, fat mass, and lean mass. The number of CD19(+), CD19(+)/CD27(+), CD19(+)/CD27(+)/CD5(-)/CD38(+) and CD19(+)/CD27(+)/RANK(+), CD4(+)/CD27(+)/CD45RA(-)/RANK(+), and CD4(+)/CD27(+)/CD45RA(-)/CD28(+) was lower in OP women and positively correlated to BMD. In OP women, under basal conditions, CD4(+) secreted less IFN-gamma and B lymphocytes more granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). GM-CSF was positively correlated to fracture rate and negatively to BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that, regardless of age and estrogen status, postmenopausal OP is associated with immune changes, highlighting a possible role of IFN-gamma in the pathophysiology of OP and reporting, for the first time, changes in several B lymphocyte populations. These alterations may reflect the frailty observed after fracture, providing new insight into the mechanisms of morbidity and mortality associated with OP fractures.

Validation of a homologous canine relaxin radioimmunoassay and application with pregnant and non-pregnant Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).

The primary objectives of this study were to validate a canine relaxin RIA for use in otariids and phocids and consider practical applications. For 6 captive Northern fur seal females, serum samples were grouped and examined according to pregnancy (n=13), post-partum (n=8) and non-pregnancy (n=6), and, for 2 captive Northern fur seal males, serum samples were grouped and examined together regardless of age (2 mo-15 yrs, n=6). Placental tissue was available for examination from one Northern fur seal, Steller sea lion and harbor seal. The validation process involved several steps using an acid-acetone extraction process to isolate a relaxin-containing fraction in pools of serum from each group of fur seals and placental tissue from each seal species. A relaxin-like substance was detected in extracts of pregnant, non-pregnant and male serum and placental tissue in a dose-responsive manner as increasing volumes of respective extracts or amounts of canine relaxin were introduced into the assay. In raw serum samples, mean immuno-reactive relaxin concentrations were higher (P<0.05) during pregnancy than post-partum and non-pregnancy, and lower (P<0.05) in male than female fur seals. During pregnancy, mean serum concentrations of relaxin progressively increased (P<0.05) over Months 4-10 and, in serial samples collected from the same fur seals before and after parturition, mean concentrations were higher (P<0.06) pre-partum than post-partum. In conclusion, validation of a homologous canine relaxin RIA for use in otariids and phocids resulted in the discovery of a relaxin-like substance in extracted and raw serum and placental tissue from Northern fur seals, a Steller sea lion and harbor seal. Distinctly higher immuno-reactive concentrations during pregnancy indicated the potential for relaxin to serve as a hormonal marker to differentiate between pregnant and non-pregnant or pseudopregnant pinnipeds.

The promyelocytic leukemia zinc-finger gene, PLZF, is frequently downregulated in malignant mesothelioma cells and contributes to cell survival.

DNA copy number analysis was performed, using single-nucleotide polymorphism mapping arrays, to fine map genomic imbalances in human malignant mesothelioma (MM) cell lines derived from primary tumors. Chromosomal losses accounted for the majority of genomic imbalances. All 22 cell lines examined showed homozygous deletions of 9p21.3, centering at the CDKN2A/ARF and CDKN2B loci. Other commonly underrepresented segments included 1p36, 1p22, 3p21-22, 4q13, 4q34, 11q23, 13q12-13, 14q32, 15q15, 18q12, and 22q12, each observed in 55-90% of cell lines. Focal deletions of 11q23 encompassed the transcriptional repressor gene promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), which was validated by analysis of genomic DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis revealed that PLZF is greatly downregulated in MM cell lines compared with non-malignant mesothelial cells. Ectopic expression of PLZF in PLZF-deficient MM cells resulted in decreased cell viability, reduced colony formation, as well as increased apoptosis, the latter based on results of various cell death assays and the observation of increased cleavage of caspase 3, PARP, and Mcl-1. These data indicate that deletions of PLZF are a common occurrence in MM and that downregulation of PLZF may contribute to MM pathogenesis by promoting cell survival.

Phylogeography of Androctonus species (Scorpiones: Buthidae) in Tunisia: Diagnostic characters for linking species to scorpionism.

A fragment of the mitochondrial (mt) 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced from individual adult scorpions of the genus Androctonus, which were sampled from central and southern Tunisia and identified using an explicit set of morphological characters. Phylogenetic analyses placed the mtDNA haplotypes in three well-supported monophyletic lineages, corresponding to the morphospecies Androctonusaeneas, Androctonusamoreuxi and Androctonusaustralis. The latter species was the most abundant and widespread, and it was characterized by two mtDNA sub-lineages each of which predominated only north or south of the Chott el Jerid, a seasonally flooded saline depression that divides non-Mediterranean Tunisia. The divergence of the two mtDNA lineages was dated by mtDNA molecular clocks, indicating that the formation of the Chott el Jerid is unlikely to have been the barrier generating the vicariant evolution of the two lineages of A. australis, although it may have impeded their mixing following secondary contact. Both regional mtDNA lineages were found in A. australis hector and A. australisgarzonii, indicating that these two morphological forms are neither monophyletic nor geographically isolated and, therefore, should not be treated as species or subspecies. It is recommended that no subspecies of A. australis should be recognized in North Africa and toxicologists should cease the taxonomic error of referring to a species "Androctonus australis Hector". The morphological form "hector" has no proven association with an increased risk of scorpionism compared with "garzonii". However, it might be prudent to produce anti-venom in Tunisia by using both morphological forms of A. australis collected each side of the Chott el Jerid, because of the evidence for regional variation in toxins. The highest risk for scorpion stings occurs in the central region, where the new diagnostic markers should be used to discover any association between Androctonus species and scorpionism.

Phylogeography and recent emergence of the Old World screwworm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences.

A previous study had identified an African and an Asian race of the Old World screwworm fly, Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve (Diptera: Calliphoridae), based on the 3' terminal 279 basepairs (bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The current study improved the phylogeographic resolution of cytochrome b for this species by characterizing more of the gene (the 3' terminal 715 bp) and by sampling more geographical populations, including Oman, Iran, Hong Kong and the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and East Sumba. Strong support was found for recognizing an African race, but not for a monophyletic Asian race. The cladistic and genealogical relationships among the Asian populations were complex. There was sufficient genetic homogeneity throughout separate regions (mainland Asia and each Indonesian island) to suggest that there are no reproductive barriers within each region that might necessitate the production of more than one strain for control by the sterile insect technique (SIT). Primers were designed for the amplification by polymerase chain reaction of two nuclear loci, the highly conserved elongation factor-1alphagene and the less conserved white gene, and the preliminary results indicated that these genes showed the same pattern of small-scale regional variation as cytochrome b. The cytochrome b haplotypes are useful markers for identifying the geographical origins of any emerging infestations of the species: the absence of Indonesian and African haplotypes in the Middle East demonstrates that the large-scale transport of livestock is not spreading Old World screwworm.

Morphological and mitochondrial DNA characters for identification and phylogenetic analysis of the myiasis-causing flesh fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica and its relatives, with a description of Wohlfahrtia monegrosensis sp. n. Wyatt & Hall.

Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) is a major cause of traumatic myiasis in livestock in Central and Eastern Europe and in countries bordering the Mediterranean. The present study explored the utility of external body characters, genitalia characters and mitochondrial DNA characters for identification of this and related species in the subfamily Paramacronychiinae. Sequence analyses of the 3' terminal 273 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene revealed two lineages of W. magnifica, one from Spain and France and the other from the rest of Eurasia, differing by only two base pairs. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b showed that W. magnifica and Wohlfahrtia vigil Walker were sister species; this conclusion was not contradicted by a phylogenetic analysis of the morphological characters. Based on cytochrome b, the genetic distance between specimens of W. vigil from Europe and North America was sufficiently large to justify the recognition of more than one species. A new species, Wohlfahrtia monegrosensis, from northern Spain, was described, based on morphology and cytochrome b. A unique combination of external body characters of males or females were diagnostic for W. magnifica, the W. vigil group and Wohlfahrtia bella, but only the genitalia characters were diagnostic for all nine species studied.

Molecular genetic analysis of populations of Wohlfahrt's wound myiasis fly, Wohlfahrtia magnifica, in outbreak populations from Greece and Morocco.

Wohlfahrt's wound myiasis fly, Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), is the most important cause of traumatic myiasis in the southern Palaearctic region. Larval stages are obligate parasites and the wounds caused by infestations are very similar to those caused by Old and New World screwworm flies. During the last decade, W. magnifica appears to have expanded its range to parts of northern and central Morocco, and to Crete, Greece. Specimens of W. magnifica were collected in Morocco and Crete either as larvae (preserved in 80% ethanol) or as adults (dry-pinned). Comparison specimens were collected in Spain, Hungary and mainland Greece. A DNA fragment containing the 3' 715 base pairs of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from each of 132 larvae or adults of W. magnifica and the amplicons were directly sequenced and analysed phylogeographically. Twelve cytochrome b haplotypes were detected. All haplotypes from Morocco belonged to a lineage that included specimens from the Iberian peninsula, and restricted mixing of central and northern populations in Morocco was demonstrated. Cytochrome b haplotyping combined with an analysis of larval size provided clear evidence of multiple infestations of hosts in all geographical areas, with one quarter of wounds containing larvae from two to at least four females. More than 80% of specimens from Crete contained a haplotype predominating in mainland Greece and Hungary. Our survey indicated that wohlfahrtiosis was more widespread in northern and central Morocco than previously recorded by government veterinarians. However, the prevalence of wohlfahrtiosis was low (< 1%). The high genetic diversity of Moroccan populations is consistent with longterm endemicity, rather than recent introduction. Crete showed a higher prevalence of wohlfahrtiosis (< or = 15%) and less genetic diversity of W. magnifica, which is consistent with a recent introduction. The western and eastern Mediterranean lineages may have been isolated in different Pleistocene ice-age refugia, from which there has been limited post-glacial dispersal.

[Evaluation of the quality of screening and management of infant malnutrition in Cotonou, Benin]. / Evaluation de la qualité du dépistage et de la prise en charge de la malnutrition infantile à Cotonou, Bénin.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of screening and management of infant-juvenile malnutrition in medical/social centres in Cotonou, Benin, the nation's capital and largest city. Study was carried out in 19 public and private medical/social centres selected on the basis of their nutritional activity. Data was collected using 5 methods, i.e., retrospective review of the each centre's records, evaluation of physical resources available at each centre, observation of care providers (n=90), questionnaire concerning nutritional activities for the person in charge of each centre (n=19), and questionnaire about care for the mothers of children consulting at the centres (n=43). The overall prevalence of malnourished children identified by screening at the medical/social centres was low (2.2 %) in comparison with the prevalence of malnutrition in Cotonou (20.3 %). Less than half of the centres (47.4 %) used growth charts. None of the centres had a "thinness chart". Many centres (28.6 %) used material intended for cooking demonstrations. Most centres (75 %) conducted effective Information Education and Communication (IEC) sessions and all authorized centres had required essential medications on hand. Observation of care providers showed that 35% could not perform basic anthropometric measurements. Use of growth charts was lowest among physicians and medical assistants. No doctor provided nutritional counselling. Based on responses to the questionnaire the general knowledge of care providers was good despite the lack of supervision and continuous education. Analysis of the responses of the mothers who brought their children to the centres indicated that malnutrition was never the initial reason for seeking medical attention and only 39 % understood that their child was malnourished upon leaving the centre. These findings indicate that the quality of screening and management of infant-juvenile malnutrition in Cotonou is poor. There is a need to develop a program to fight malnutrition which is a major health problem in the city. Special measures will be necessary for the urban setting.

Screening for hip and knee osteoarthritis in the general population: predictive value of a questionnaire and prevalence estimates.

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and validity of a two-step telephone screening procedure for symptomatic knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) in the general population. METHOD: The screening questionnaire was based on signs and symptoms, previous diagnosis of OA and validated OA criteria. A random sample of telephone numbers was obtained and, at each number, one person aged 40-75 years was included. A physical examination and knee or hip radiographs were offered when the screen was positive. A sample of subjects with negative screens was also examined. The diagnosis of hip/knee OA was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria for signs and symptoms and Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic stage 2 or greater. Prevalence rates were estimated with correction for the performance of the screening procedure. RESULTS: Of 1380 subjects, 479 had positive screens, among whom 109 were evaluated; symptomatic radiographic OA was found in 50 subjects, at the knee (n = 35) or hip (n = 20). Corrected prevalence estimates of symptomatic OA were 7.6% (6.4%-8.8%) for the knee and 5% (3.9%-6.1%) for the hip. The screening procedure had 87% (95% CI 79% to 95%) sensitivity and 92% (95% CI 91% to 93%) specificity for detecting knee OA and respectively 93% (95% CI 86% to 100%) and 93% (95% CI 92% to 94%) for hip OA. CONCLUSION: This study establishes the feasibility of telephone screening for symptomatic knee/hip OA, which could be used for a nationwide prevalence study. Pain and previous OA diagnosis were the best items for detecting symptomatic OA.

Evaluation de la qualite du depistage et de la prise en charge de la malnutrition infantile a Cotonou; Benin

La presente etude tente d'evaluer la qualite du depistage et de la prise en charge des enfants malnutris dans les centres socio-sanitaires de Cotonou; ville la plus importante du Benin. Elle a pu etre realisee dans 19 centres prives; publics; medicaux et sociaux. Cinq enquetes ont ete necessaires : une enquete retrospective a partir des registres des centres; une evaluation des moyens materiels dont disposait chaque centre; une enquete d'observation des prestataires de soins (n=90); un questionnaire du responsable des activites nutritionnelles de chaque centre (n=19); un questionnaire des meres des enfants malnutris venus consulter dans ces centres (n=43). La prevalence globale des enfants malnutris depistes dans les centres socio-sanitaires etait tres faible (2;2) par rapport a la prevalence de la malnutrition a Cotonou (20;3). Moins de la moitie des centres (47;4) utilisaient une fiche de suivi de croissance. Aucun ne possedait de diagramme de maigreur. Le materiel de demonstration culinaire etait utilise dans 28;6des centres. Les 3/4 de l'ensemble des centres realisaient des seances d'IEC (Information Education Communication) de bonne qualite; et tous les centres habilites possedaient les principaux medicaments essentiels. L'evaluation des soignants a montre que 35d'entre eux ne maitrisaient pas les techniques de mesure anthropometriques de base. Ce sont les medecins et les aides-soignants qui utilisaient le moins la courbe de croissance. Aucun medecin ne donnait de conseil nutritionnel. Le questionnaire aux soignants amis en evidence des connaissances correctes dans l'ensemble malgre un defaut de supervision et de formation continue. L'analyse du questionnaire des meres a montre que la malnutrition de leur enfant n'etait jamais le motif de consultation initiale; et que seules 39avaient compris que leur enfant etait malnutri en sortant de la consultation. Cette etude met donc en evidence a Cotonou un deficit du depistage de la malnutrition chez les enfants et une mauvaise qualite de la prise en charge des enfants malnutris. La malnutrition qui est un veritable probleme de sante publique dans cette ville necessite donc la mise en place d'un programme de lutte contre la malnutrition en milieu urbain

[Epidemiologic aspects of infant-juvenile malnutrition in Cotonou, Benin]. / Aspects épidémiologiques de la malnutrmon infanto-juvénile a Cotonou (Bénin).

The prevalence of malnutrition in Benin has been estimated at 29% and infant-juvenile mortality rate at 156% per hundred. Because there is no specific data on the prevalence of malnutrition in Cotonou, a transverse descriptive study was undertaken to determine the rate and features of malnutrition. Anthropometric measurements were performed in African children who were between 0 and 36 months of age and had been living in Cotonou for at least 6 months. A questionnaire was administered to the mothers of all children including study of risk factors and assessment of food intake for the last 24 hours. A semi-assisted interview was carried out with the mothers of undernourished children to determine awareness of their child's condition. A total of 1085 children were included in the study. The prevalence of malnutrition according to type was 20.6% for stunting (Inadequate height for age or chronic malnutrition), 14.6% for underweight (inadequate weight for age) and 3.6% for wasting (inadequate weight for height or acute malnutrition) including severe cases in 6.4%, 2%, and 9.6% respectively. Our data did not demonstrate a significant correlation between malnutrition and any of the following factors: profession of the father, education of the mother, use of contraception, ongoing pregnancy, number of brothers and sisters, number of siblings, or sleeping under a bed net. Conversely malnutrition was significantly correlated with the following factors: history of malnutrition in siblings, soclo-economic level, inadequate food Intake in the last 24 hours, and regularity of medical surveillance of children (although a significant relationship was not found between malnutrition and activity at health care centers). Findings from the 81 interviews carried out with mothers of undernourished children showed that 35% were unaware of the nutritional status of their child. Only 6.1% of mothers who recognized a development problem attributed it to food intake. Only one third of the mothers of the 75 undernourished children that had been examined in a health care centers had been informed by a health care worker that their child was undernourished and one third of mothers had undertaken no action to Improve the condition of their child.

Re-expression of the tumor suppressor NF2/merlin inhibits invasiveness in mesothelioma cells and negatively regulates FAK.

The neurofibromatosis type 2 NF2 gene product, merlin, is a tumor suppressor frequently inactivated in malignant mesothelioma (MM). To investigate a possible correlation between merlin inactivation and MM invasiveness, we restored merlin expression in NF2-deficient MM cells. Re-expression of merlin markedly inhibited cell motility, spreading and invasiveness, properties connected with the malignant phenotype of MM cells. To test directly whether merlin inactivation promotes invasion in a nonmalignant system, we used small interfering RNA to silence Nf2 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and found that downregulation of merlin resulted in enhanced cell spreading and invasion. To delineate signaling events connected with this phenotype, we investigated the effect of merlin expression on focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a key component of cellular pathways affecting migration and invasion. Expression of merlin attenuated FAK phosphorylation at the critical phosphorylation site Tyr397 and disrupted the interaction of FAK with its binding partners Src and p85, the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase. In addition, NF2-null MM cells stably overexpressing FAK showed increased invasiveness, which decreased significantly when merlin expression was restored. Collectively, these findings suggest that merlin inactivation is a critical step in MM pathogenesis and is related, at least in part, with upregulation of FAK activity.

Aspects epidemiologiques de la malnutrition infanto-juvenile a Cotonou (Benin)

Au Benin; la prevalence de la malnutrition est estimee a 29; et le taux de mortalite infanto-juvenile a 156. N'ayant pas de donnees specifiques sur la prevalence de la malnutrition a Cotonou; une enquete descriptive transversale a ete menee afin d'etablir le taux de malnutrition et de preciser ses caracteristiques. L'enquete comprenait des mesures anthropometriques des enfants africains de 0 a 36 mois residant a Cotonou depuis au moins 6 mois; un questionnaire des meres de tous ces enfants comportant l'etude de certains facteurs de risque et le rappel de la consommation alimentaire des dernieres 24 heures et un entretien semi directif des meres d'enfants malnutris afin de connaitre leur perception du probleme. Au total; 1085 enfants ont ete inclus dans l'enquete. La prevalence des differents types de malnutrition etait de 20;6pour le retard statural (Taille/Age; ou malnutrition chronique); 14;6pour l'insuffisance ponderale (Poids/Age); et 3;6pour l'emaciation (Poids/Taille; ou malnutrition aigue); dont respectivement 6;4; 2; et 0;6de severe. Nous n'avons pas retrouve de liaison significative entre la malnutrition et la profession du pere; le niveau d'etude de la mere; la prise d'une contraception; l'existence d'une grossesse en cours; le nombre de freres et soeurs; le numero de fratrie; le fait de dormir sous moustiquaire. Par contre; la malnutrition etait significativement liee a un antecedent de malnutrition dans la fratrie; au niveau socio-economique bas; a un defaut quantitatif de la ration alimentaire des 24 dernieres heures; a la regularite du suivi medical des enfants; sans qu'une liaison significative soit retrouvee entre la malnutrition et les indicateurs d'activite des centres de sante. Parmi les 81 entretiens de meres d'enfants malnutris ; 35des meres n'etaient pas conscientes de l'etat nutritionnel de leur enfant. Parmi celles qui se rendaient compte qu'il existait un probleme de croissance; seulement 6;1le rattachaient a une cause alimentaire. Parmi les 75 enfants malnutris ayant consulte dans un centre de sante; seulement 1/3 des meres ont ete informees par un agent de sante que leur enfant etait malnutri et 1/3 des meres n'avaient rien entrepris pour ameliorer l'etat de leur enfant