Conserved sequence of the TgsGP gene in Group 1 Trypanosoma brucei gambiense

The trypanosome responsible for the majority of cases of human trypanosomiasis in Africa is Group 1 Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Currently the most reliable test for the parasite is based on a single gene, which encodes a 47 kDa receptor-like T. b. gambiense-specific glycoprotein, TgsGP, expressed in the flagellar pocket of bloodstream forms. Although TgsGP has been demonstrated in T. b. gambiense throughout its geographic range, similar genes have been demonstrated in other T. brucei sspp. isolates, and there are no data on the extent of sequence variation in TgsGP. Here we have carried out a comparison of TgsGP sequences in a range of Group 1 T. b. gambiense isolates and compared the gene to homologues in other T. brucei sspp. in order to provide information to support the use of this gene as the key identification target for Group 1 T. b. gambiense. We demonstrate that the sequence of TgsGP is well conserved in Group 1 T. b. gambiense across the endemic range of gambian human trypanosomiasis and confirm that this gene is a suitable target for specific detection of this parasite. The TgsGp-like genes in some isolates of T. b. brucei, T. b. rhodesiense and Group 2 T. b. gambiense are closely similar to VSG Tb10.v4.0178, which may be the ancestral gene from which TgsGP was derived.     

Analysis of the Surface Ozone During Summer and Autumn at a Coastal Site in East China

The levels and temporal variations of surface ozone at a coastal site in East China during summer and autumn were analyzed and the influences of meteorological parameters on ozone were investigated. An inland city was chosen as a comparison site. The main results and conclusions of this study are: (1) ozone pollution, with a maximum 1 h concentration of 150.98 ppbv, was severe during summer and autumn at the coastal site; (2) the ozone level was obviously higher at the coastal site than that at the inland site in September; (3) besides temperature and solar radiation, sea-land breeze circulation is an important factor influencing the ozone level at the coastal site, and sea breeze often induce high ozone levels (the average ozone concentration for sea breeze was about 13 ppbv higher than that for land breeze).     

Lien précarité – durée et complexité des séjours hospitaliers en secteur de court séjour

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that socioeconomic deprivation is associated with increased hospitalization lengths of stay (LOS) and costs. Yet, the French DRG-based information system (PMSI) does not take deprived situations into account. Hence, we aimed at extracting routinely available variables measuring deprivation from the Hospital Information System and at assessing their association with severity of illness and hospital LOS.MethodsWe performed record linkage between the PMSI database concerning stays of patients aged more than 16 years in the short-stay sector of Assistance publique–Hôpitaux de Paris in 2007 and an administrative database which provided the following deprivation measures: recipients of Couverture Médicale Universelle (basic or complementary health insurances adapted for underprivileged French citizens) or Aide Médicale d’État (health and medical emergency insurances adapted for underprivileged non French citizens living in France) and homeless patients. We compared length of stays showing a deprivation measure to others after adjustment on morbidity, age and sex.ResultsAmong 352,721 stays, the prevalence of the deprivation measures ranged from 0.71% for “homelessness” to 6.24% for complementary Couverture Médicale Universelle. Stays showing a deprivation measure had specific illnesses and had more frequently associated comorbidities or complications than others. After adjustment, deprivation measures were associated with significantly increased LOS (by 5% for Couverture Médicale Universelle to 48% for emergency Aide Médicale d’État.ConclusionRoutine extraction of deprivation measures from Hospital Information Systems is feasible. Age, sex and illness being equal, these deprivation measures were associated with more complicated cases and increased LOS. We recommend that case mix-based hospital prospective payment systems take socioeconomic deprivation into account.     

Emphysematous pyelonephritis successfully treated with laparoscopic nephrectomy

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe life-threatening infection which continues to carry significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case recently managed at our institution by laparoscopic nephrectomy. The patient survived, and in comparison to some of the more conventionally managed patients in the literature, made an extremely speedy recovery. We would advocate this option to be seriously considered when patients are suitable and appropriately trained surgeons are available.     

Potent relaxant effect of a Celastrus paniculatus extract in the rat and human ileum

Ethnopharmacological importance

Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Celastraceae) is an Ayurvedic remedy used for the treatment of a number of diseases, including bowel spasms.

Aim of the study

To investigate the mode of the relaxing action of a methanolic extract prepared from the seeds of Celastrus paniculatus (CPE, 0.0001–10 μg/mL) in the rat ileum and to try to confirm on human tissues the intestinal pharmacological activity of the extract.

Materials and methods

The relaxant effect of CPE was studied in vitro by evaluating its effect on the spontaneous contractions of the isolated ileum.

Results

CPE exerted a tetrodotoxin- and ω-conotoxin-resistant inhibitory effect on rat ileum motility (IC₅₀: 0.24 ± 0.02 μg/mL; E_max: 99.0 ± 0.60%). The inhibitory effect was reduced by nifedipine but not by cyclopiazonic acid. Experiments with specific antagonists enabled us to exclude the involvement of the main endogenous spasmogenic (i.e. acetylcholine and tachykinins) and relaxing (noradrenaline, nitric oxide, ATP) compounds. CPE also relaxed the isolated human ileum (IC₅₀: 0.26 ± 0.02 μg/mL; E_max: 99.1 ± 0.46%).

Conclusion

It is concluded that (i) CPE exerted a powerful myogenic and L-type Ca²⁺-dependent relaxing effect in the isolated rat ileum and that (ii) the human ileum is sensitive to the inhibitory effect of CPE. If confirmed in vivo, our data could explain the traditional use of this herb in the treatment of intestinal spasms.