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Molecular Screening of Trypanosoma spp. in Glossina, Stomoxys and Tabanids in the Moukalaba Doudou National Park (South-West, Gabon)
No full textStudies on the knowledge of the pathogens responsible for trypanosomosis remain insufficient in Gabon, particularly in protected areas, such as the Moukalaba Doudou National Park (MDNP). In order to uphold ecotourism in the Moukalaba Doudou National Park (MDNP), an entomological and parasitological study was carried out during the rainy season, from February to March 2017, to identify the trypanosome species harbored by tsetse, stable fly and tabanid vectors in this protected area. Fly collection was carried out using Vavoua and Nzi traps. Trypanosome infections in the flies were detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In total, seven species of tabanids, five species of tsetse flies and two species of stable flies were collected. These vectors harboured six species of trypanosomes, namely Trypanosoma simiae Tsavo (48%), T. theileri (17%), T. simiae (14%), T. brucei s.l. (10%), T. congolense (9%) and T. vivax (2%). The trypanosome infection rate (IR) varied somewhat among sites. It was 82% in the forest, 92% in settled areas and 95% in the savanna. The high prevalence of trypanosomes in this area raises the possibility of some trypanosomosis transmission risk to humans and animals, but the risk appears to be very low given the low frequency of T. brucei s.l. Studies on the blood meals typing could be done to identify sources and estimate the real risk of infection
Association of Organophosphate Poisoning with Kidney Injury: A Mini Review
Get PDFPoisoning by Organophosphates is a public health problem particularly in developing countries. Although they are commonly used in agriculture as pesticides, unfortunately, their use as weapons in chemical warfare is not rare. Due to lack of control, they are usually available in stores. Individuals may be effected by these compounds either by accidents or suicidal attempts. Poisoning may ocur following peroral, inhalational or dermal intake. Due to structure of the compound (highly soluble), exposure by each route causes high morbidity and mortality. Organophosphates inhibit both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and pseudocholinesterase. Inhibition of AChE results in accumulation of acetylcholine. This mechanism is the main reason for toxic effects. Toxic effects may present as muscarinic, nicotinic and central nervous system (CNS). Progression of the poisoning may be seen in three stages: cholinergic phase, intermediate syndrome and delayed neuropathy. Although cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, ocular, musculoskeletal and CNS manfestations of the poisoning are well-described in the literature, its effects on renal system remains as a neglected field due to its scarcity. In this mini-review, our aim was to determine hazardous effects of OP poisoning on renal system and emphasize the importance of monitorization and early intervention
Disseminated Histoplasmosis Due to Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii in a Non-HIV Patient in Togo: A Case Report
Get PDFBackground: Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum. We report a case of disseminated African histoplasmosis in an HIV uninfected patient in Togo.Case Report: A 35-year-old woman was admitted in dermatology for disseminated nodular lesions and left shoulder pain for 4 months. On examination, there were firm or softened nodular lesions with torpid ulceration and translucent molluscoid-like papules disseminated on the face, trunk, and limbs. There was also a painful swelling of the left shoulder, with an impotent upper limb. Histology showed an acanthotic epidermis discretely keratotic. In the dermis, there were granulomas with giant cells, histiocytes and polymorphonuclear cells around largely altered yeasts. The presence of Histoplasma capsulatum var. duboisii was confirmed by direct microscopic examination. Chest X-ray showed a left minimal abundance pleurisy. Shoulder x-ray showed heterogeneous lysis of the left humeral head and a large osteopenia of bones associated with left scapulo-humeral dislocation. The medical treatment was based on itraconazole (400mg/day) for 4 months relieved by fluconazole (450 mg/day) with good evolution after 4 months.Conclusion: A disseminated form of African histoplasmosis can be observed in non-HIV infected patients. The prognosis depends on the precocity of the diagnosis and the treatment
Dual Quaternions Robotics: A) The 3R Planar Manipulator
Get PDFKinematics analysis studies the relative motions, such as, first of all, the displacement in space of the end effector of a given robot, and thus its velocity and acceleration, associated with the links of the given robot that is usually designed so that it can position its end-effector with a three degree-of-freedom of translation and three degree-of-freedom of orientation within its workspace. This chapter presents mainly, on the light of both main concepts; the first being the screw motion or/ and dual quaternions kinematics while the second concerns the classical ‘Denavit and Hartenberg parameters method’ the direct kinematics of a planar manipulator. First of all, examples of basic solid movements such as rotations, translations, their combinations and general screw motions are studied using both (4x4) matrices rigid body transformations and dual quaternions so that the reader could compare and note the similarity of the results obtained using one or the other method. Both dual quaternions technique as well as its counterpart the classical ‘Denavit and Hartenberg parameters method’ are finally applied to a three degree of freedom (RRR) planar manipulator. Finally, we and the reader, can observe that the two methods confirm exactly one another by giving us the same results for each of the examples and applications considered, while noting that the fastest, simplest more straightforward and easiest to apply method, is undoubtedly the one using dual quaternions. As a result this work may as well act as a beginners guide to the practicality of using dual-quaternions to represent the rotations and translations ie: or any rigid motion in character-based hierarchies.We must emphasize the fact that the use of Matlab software and quaternions and / or dual quaternions in the processing of 3D rotations and/or screw movements is and will always be the most efficient, fast and accurate first choice. Dual quaternion direct kinematics method could be generalised, in the future, to more complicated spatial and/ or industrial robots as well as to articulated and multibody system
Plastic Surgery of Male External Genitalia after a Trauma Caused by a Mill in Rural Area
Get PDFThe trauma of the external genital organs is a common urological emergency that can affect the patient's functional and psychosocial prognosis as well as his family. We report a case of direct trauma of the external genitalia of a 27-year-old by a mill, requiring a recover plastic surgery in rural area. The examination at admission revealed a significant damage of penile and scrotal skin, denuding testes and cavernous bodies. A cover plastic surgery was performed. After a year of follow up, the outcome was good
Involvement of the Efferent Auditory System for Improvement in Speech Perception in Noise
No full textTo investigate the involvement of auditory efferents in hearing-in-noise in humans, Median olivocochlear (MOC) efferent’s functioning and speech recognition-in-noise abilities were compared in 19 subjects. MOC efferent’s function was assessed in terms of contralateral attenuation of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE): i.e., the reduction in TEOAE amplitude elicited by a 40, 50 and 60-dB SPL contralateral speech spectrum shaped noise. Correspondingly, the speech reception thresholds for sentences embedded in 50-dB SPL speech spectrum shaped noise (SRTn) were measured in the same ear as the TEOAEs, successively in the presence and in the absence of uncorrelated noise in the opposite ear at three different levels (i.e 40, 50, & 60 dB SPL). The results indicated there was no significant statistical correlation between the contralateral attenuation of TEOAEs and SRTn for uncorrelated noise. In addition, there was no change in SRTn for uncorrelated noise at different levels. These results were discussed in line with previous studies
Bioactivity and Antibacterial Effects of Ag-Ca-P Doped PEO Titania Coatings
Get PDFImplant centered infections remain as one of the main complications associated with the use of biomedical implants. These infections can be avoided with the development of bactericidal coatings that prevent bacterial contamination since the very early stage of implantation. However, a multifunctional coating should inhibit bacterial contamination without generating cytotoxic responses. To achieve this purpose, this work presents a comparative evaluation of coatings with different concentrations of Ag. Coatings containing silver, calcium and phosphorous were obtained by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) and its bactericidal activity and cytotoxicity were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and adipose derived stem cells (ADSC), respectively. Silver, calcium and phosphorous were successfully incorporated in the coatings and silver has not affected the coating morphology nor the crystalline structure. ADSC viability was unaltered by cell growth over the surfaces, despite the observation of thinner cells on coatings with higher silver content. After 24 h of incubation, bactericidal activity was observed in coatings with more than 0.6 % at. Ag incorporated, while coatings with 0.2 % at. Ag presented an increased bacterial proliferation indicating a hormetic response. Thus, Ag-CaP-TiO2 coating could be a potential solution for the prevention of implant infections
Lymphocytic Hypophysitis: Case Report
No full textThe lymphocytic hypophysitis is a rare autoimmune process; its diagnosis is difficult because of the low specificity of the clinical signs. The diagnosis is based on the association of clinical, radiological, hormonal and immunological data.We report the case of a 43 years old female patient suffering from chronic headache with decreased visual acuity for 1 year, amenorrhea and galactorrhea, and progressive fatigue.The complete hormonal examination showed adrenocorticotropic failure, thyrotropic deficiency, moderate hyperprolactinaemia and normal FSH.MRI showed a nodular intrasellar mass extending to the upper border, measuring 11x11x13 mm, enhancing after contrast injection. The mass was filling the optochiasmatic space and lifting the optic chiasm. There was an associated thickening of the pituitary, which was not displaced and was still taking the contrast.Lymphocytic hypophysitis was suspected and the patient was treated with Prednisone 1mg / kg / day (60 mg) with reduction of dosage over six months, and substitution by thyroid hormones with a dosage of about 75 μg per day.The treatment was followed by reestablishment of menstruation and by the disappearance of headaches. The control MRI showed a reduction in the size of pituitary process
Behavioural Changes in a Ten Year Old Gelding that Presented with Palatal Instability, and Observations Made following an Oral Palatopharyngoplasty
No full textA 10 year old ex race horse now three day eventing, was diagnosed with palatal instability (PI) by the author and presented with numerous behavioural issues which were thought to be associated with the condition. An oral palatopharyngoplasty was performed and following an eight week post operative rest period the horse resumed training. Over the following six months significant changes to the horses attitude and performance were observed and recorded including an apparent return to recumbent sleep, which had not been observed in the two years preceding surgery. The importance of including altered behaviour when working up suspected cases of upper airways obstruction in sports horses is discussed
Anti-Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (Anti-HBsAb) in a Representative Population of Ozuoba in Rivers State, Nigeria
Get PDFBackground: Hepatitis B infection is a foremost worldwide health issue of public health significance and chief origin of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There are vaccines available for hepatitis B infection which can be used for prevention before infection. In an effort to prevent and control HBV, the Nigeria Government in 2004 made HBV vaccine as part of national immunization programme. This definitely is an essential procedure to minimize the occurrence of HBV in many countries. Thus, our study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) in a representative population of Ozuoba in Rivers State, Nigeria following the incorporation of HBV vaccine into NPI schedule.Methods: Ninety (90) blood samples were obtained from a male and female population of Ozuoba community in Rivers State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were distributed to obtain demographic profile of participants. ELISA (DIA.PRO Diagnostic Bioprobes, Milano-Italy) was employed for the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of HBsAb in sera and plasma of representative population of Ozuoba in Rivers State, Nigeria. The serological evaluation and result interpretation were carried out as stipulated by the kit’s manufacturers. We engaged Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test to estimate variances amid groups at p < 0.05 significance.Results: Of the 90 participants evaluated, nine tested seropositive for HBsAb giving a general prevalence of 10.0% and a seronegativity of 90.0%. The sex-related prevalence was males (7.1%) and females (12.5%). Sex and age had no effect in hepatitis B surface antibody (p-value >0.05). The age-specific prevalence was 7.7% for age group 13-19 years, 10.2% for 20-35 years of age and 10.7% for 36 years and above.Conclusion: This study revealed that the presence of HBsAb was low (10.0%). Our outcomes indicted that seropositivity and seronegativity of HBsAb have no significant relationship with age and sex. It further showed that 90.0% were HBsAb seronegative and hence, more susceptible to HBV infection. Vaccination programme must be strengthened further to grasp those continuing at highest risk