PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Sow

Publications and source records attributed to A Sow.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Transferrin overexpression alters testicular function in aged mice.

Many studies have shown a correlation between transferrin (Tf) concentration and sperm yield in several mammalian species. We have used transgenic mice expressing human Tf (hTf) to investigate if overexpression of Tf increases the efficiency of mouse spermatogenesis. We demonstrated that a 36% increase of Tf does not ameliorate the efficiency of mouse spermatogenesis but on the contrary resulted in a 36% decrease of testis sperm reserves. Tf overexpression had no effect on testicular determination and development, however testicular function of these transgenic mice was affected in an age-dependent manner. At 16 months of age, testicular and epididymal weights were significantly reduced. While spermatogenesis was qualitatively normal, testicular functions were perturbed. In fact, testosterone rate after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation was lower in Tf overexpressing mice. Intratesticular concentration of estradiol-17beta was increased and fluid accumulation after ligation of rete testis was more abundant in these transgenic mice. Surprisingly, we found that endogenous Tf levels were also increased in Tf overexpressing mice and we demonstrated for the first time that Tf may serve to upregulate its own expression in testis. Collectively, our data show that Tf overexpression has negative effects on testicular function and that Tf levels require strict regulation in the testis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The application of PCR-ELISA to the detection of Trypanosoma congolense type savannah (TCS) in bovine blood samples.

PCR-ELISA was set up to detect strains of Trypanosoma congolense type savannah (TCS) in field samples of buffy coats. Results of PCR-ELISA and PCR were compared and the effectiveness of both techniques was also compared with the Murray's method for the detection of TCS in 257 bovine buffy coats. The PCR products were labelled with digoxigenin (DIG-dUTP) during amplification cycles of the repetitive satellite DNA. A biotinylated DNA capture probe was used to detect the PCR products by ELISA in streptavidin coated microplates. Both the PCR-ELISA and PCR were more sensitive and more specific than the Murray's method. Of the 257 buffy coats analysed by the three techniques, PCR-ELISA and PCR detected TCS in 98 and 97 buffy coats respectively, whereas the Murray's method detected only 39 samples. PCR-ELISA and PCR had almost the same sensitivity and specificity. PCR-ELISA and PCR respectively detected TCS in 39.2% and 38.6% in all the 334 samples analysed by both techniques in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Appendicectomy in the tropics: prospective study at Hôpital Principal in Dakar].

Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical indication in Africa. It is associated with higher mortality and morbidity than in industrialized countries. The purpose of this prospective 100 case study was to evaluate diagnostic, clinical and paraclinical features as well as surgical modalities especially with regard to approach and postoperative recovery in patients that underwent surgical treatment for appendicitic syndromes over a 9-month period at our institution. Analysis of study data confirmed that surgical indications could be established based on clinical examination alone and that adjuvant investigations only delayed therapy while providing little specific, useful information. Delayed management is a specific feature of tropical areas. Surgical exposure was achieved by the MacBurney approach in 65% of cases, celioscopic approach in 18%, and median laparotomy in 17%. The benefit of the celiosocopic approach was statistically signicant in terms of resumption of eating, duration of hospitalization and incidence of postoperative complications. Mortality in this series was 0% and morbidity was 7% mainly due to parietal complications.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

[Prevalence of malnutrition in the Mbao Health District].

Protein-energy malnutrition is a real health priority in developing countries specially in african ones. So, a cross-sectional study was conducted, from April 14 to July 28 1995, in the health district of Mbao in Senegal, to determine the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) in a population of children 0-5 year old utilizing the health center, for a curative care, an immunization, a growth monitoring. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were collected and analysed using a microcomputer with WHO/CDC Epi Info 6.0. The index weight/age expressed on Zscore was used with comparison to NCHS/CDC/WHO population's international reference. Among 204 children, 89 (43.6%) present a PEM.51 (57.3%) are male. More than 60% of the children with PEM are 6-29 months old. 74 (83.2%) live in the surroundings of Mbao. They all come from different ethnic group. 67.4% utilize the health center for a curative care and 7.9% for growth monitoring. There is no relation statistically significant between protein-energy malnutrition and the parameters we studied. To overcome such problem, it is necessary to strengthen the management of malnourished children in specialized centers, to educate families in the nutritional properties of local products and to improve the socioeconomic status of the population for better access to these products.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1995

Linkage-disequilibrium of the senegal haplotype with the beta S gene in the republic of guinea.

We have determined the beta gene cluster haplotype in 40 chromosomes carrying the beta S mutation from individuals of the major ethnic groups living in the Republic of Guinea. Thirty-one of these were either the typical (n = 29) or the atypical (n = 2) Senegal haplotype demonstrating that in this region of Atlantic West Africa, the sickle mutation is in linkage disequilibrium with this particular beta-gene cluster haplotype. Two individuals carrying one chromosome bearing the Benin haplotype were of Malinke ethnic origin. This is in keeping with the hypothesis that the Senegal beta-gene cluster haplotype is linked to the beta S gene in Atlantic West Africa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Biochemical profile of Senegalese women on oral contraceptives].

By its many advantages, pills are one of the most used methods in the world and in Senegal. On the other hand, exist side effects which can limit their utilization. Our study concern 35 women using between 12 and 36 months mini pills, which might produce low side effects. In our users, biochemical parameters are modified but not pathologic. By our results, we think that in the following 5 or 10 years, these alterations might increase; so, we raise the alarm and propose a biological following up of the oral contraceptive users.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Clinical efficacy of a new, enhanced-potency, inactivated poliovirus vaccine.

The 1986-87 outbreak of paralytic poliomyelitis in Senegal, with 676 reported cases, provided an opportunity to evaluate the efficacy of an enhanced-potency inactivated poliovirus vaccine (N-IPV) in the Kolda region, where this vaccine has been used since 1980. 89 cases, confirmed to have poliomyelitis with residual paralysis, were enrolled in a case-control study, up to 5 matched controls being obtained for each case. The clinical efficacy for one dose of N-IPV was 36% (95% confidence interval 0%, 67%) and for two doses was 89% (95% CI 62%, 97%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The epidemiology of measles in a partially vaccinated population in an African city: implications for immunization programs.

A large outbreak of measles was reported in Pointe-Noire, Congo, between October 1984 and March 1985. An investigation was conducted to determine the epidemiology of measles in this community in which, in 1985, 54% of the children 12-23 months of age had documented evidence of vaccination against measles. The investigation included hospital and clinic record reviews and a community survey. Measles has been continuously transmitted in Pointe-Noire since at least 1979, with seasonal epidemics. In early 1984, the expected epidemic did not occur, and at least 1,000 measles hospital admissions and 100 measles deaths were prevented. Between October 1984 and March 1985, 1,942 measles cases were hospitalized, of which 306 (15.8%) died. During the epidemic, the proportion of nonpreventable cases (cases occurring before nine months of age) was 17%, reflecting the change in age distribution of measles cases in childhood since the immunization program started in Pointe-Noire in 1982. From the community survey, it was estimated that 13% of all children under age five years acquired measles in Pointe-Noire in 1985. Vaccine efficacy was calculated from community and hospital samples to be between 78% and 87%. Our findings suggest that increasing vaccination coverage levels to well above 50% is necessary to substantially reduce measles morbidity and mortality in African cities.

Child↗
PubMed1984

Cefotaxime treatment of meningitis in children.

Dangerous in all circumstances, purulent meningitis is even more life-threatening in tropical areas. This results from underlying malnutrition, haemoglobinopathy and enzymopathy, but also from delays in treatment. We have treated 28 patients, 16 boys and 12 girls, aged from 16 days to 7 years suffering from purulent meningitis, with cefotaxime. Almost half of the patients were suffering from malnutrition and low body weight, or from haemoglobinopathy. Cefotaxime, administered 2 or 3 times daily intramuscularly, was given at 90 to 200/mg/kg with a mean of 150/mg/kg/day. Overall, results showed a 79% cure rate including 71% complete recovery, the highest ever seen in the department.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1979

[The prognosis and treatment of pneumococcal meningitis in Africa. 402 cases (author's transl)].

Over a period of 5 years (1973--1977), 1083 patients were hospitalised in the Infectious Disease Clinic of the Dakar University Hospital Centre with bacteriologically confirmed purulent meningitis. The pneumococcus was responsible in 462 cases (42.6%). Analysis of 402 records showed that 234 patients (58.2% of cases) died, 123 were completely cured (30.6%) whilst there were neurological sequelae in 45 cases (28% of the survivors). The chief factors in poor prognosis were the existence and depth of changes in conscious level, age over 20 years, a CSF cell count of less than 500 per mm3, a CSF protein level greater than 2 g per 1 and I CSF antigen level over 8 microgram per ml. From a therapeutic standpoint, the percentage mortality was similar with chloramphenicol and with penicillin G, but complete cures were statistically more frequent in the patients treated initially with chloramphenicol.

Adolescent↗