Cancer du pénis au Sénégal : aspects cliniques et thérapeutiques

Objective

Describe the clinical and therapeutic aspects of penile cancer in Senegal.

Patients and methods

We conducted a retrospective study that looked at records of patients followed for penile cancer in the urology service of the Aristide Le Dantec hospital between January 2000 and December 2011.

Results

Eight patients of mean age of 51.5, with extremes of 27 and 77 have been identified. They were all circumcised in childhood. Clinical examination had highlighted ulcerated and burgeoning tumor affecting glans and a part of the penis in five cases; in two cases, it concerned the entire penis, while one case was limited to the glans. Patients were thus classified according cT3 (three cases) and cT1 (one case). The histological type of the tumour was, in all patients, squamous cell carcinoma. There was no secondary location in the thoracic-flow-pelvic scanner. Therapeutically, a partial penectomy was conducted in five cases, a total penectomy with ganglionic flushing in one case. Two patients refused surgical treatment. There was no recurrence in five patients who underwent a partial amputation of the penis. Overall survival was therefore of 83.3 for surgical patients.

Conclusion

cancer of the penis is rare in Senegal. The support is delicate because of late diagnosis associated with advanced lesions, hence the importance of awareness of the population.     

Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase Activity in Humans

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) could be a rate limiting step in triglyceride (TG) synthesis as it is the final step in this pathway. As such, between depot differences in DGAT activity could influence regional fat storage. DGAT activity and in vitro rates of direct free fatty acid (FFA) storage were measured in abdominal subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue samples from 12 nonobese (BMI <30 kg/m²) and 23 obese men and women (BMI >30 kg/m²) undergoing elective surgery. DGAT activity was greater in omental than in abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue from nonobese patients (2.0 ± 0.9 vs. 0.9 ± 0.3 pmol/min/mg lipid, respectively, P = 0.003), but not from obese patients (1.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.7 ± 0.7 pmol/min/mg lipid, respectively, P = 0.10). DGAT activity per unit adipose weight was negatively correlated with adipocyte size (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with direct FFA storage in omental (P < 0.001) but not in abdominal subcutaneous fat. Tissue DGAT activity varies as a function of adipocyte size, but this relationship differs between visceral and abdominal subcutaneous fat in obese and nonobese humans. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that interindividual variations in DGAT activity may be an important regulatory step in visceral adipose tissue FFA uptake/storage.     

Variation in species‐level plant functional traits over wetland indicator status categories

Wetland indicator status (WIS ) describes the habitat affinity of plant species and is used in wetland delineations and resource inventories. Understanding how species‐level functional traits vary across WIS categories may improve designations, elucidate mechanisms of adaptation, and explain habitat optima and niche. We investigated differences in species‐level traits of riparian flora across WIS categories, extending their application to indicate hydrologic habitat. We measured or compiled data on specific leaf area (SLA ), stem specific gravity (SSG ), seed mass, and mature height of 110 plant species that occur along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona. Additionally, we measured leaf δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, % carbon, % nitrogen, and C/N ratio of 56 species with C3 photosynthesis. We asked the following: (i) How do species‐level traits vary over WIS categories? (ii) Does the pattern differ between herbaceous and woody species? (iii) How well do multivariate traits define WIS categories? (iv) Which traits are correlated? The largest trait differences among WIS categories for herbaceous species occurred for SSG , seed mass, % leaf carbon and height, and for woody species occurred for height, SSG , and δ¹³C. SSG increased and height decreased with habitat aridity for both woody and herbaceous species. The δ¹³C and hence water use efficiency of woody species increased with habitat aridity. Water use efficiency of herbaceous species increased with habitat aridity via greater occurrence of C4 grasses. Multivariate trait assemblages differed among WIS categories. Over all species, SLA was correlated with height, δ¹³C, % leaf N, and C/N; height was correlated with SSG and % leaf C; SSG was correlated with % leaf C. Adaptations of both herbaceous and woody riparian species to wet, frequently inundated habitats include low‐density stem tissue. Adaptations to drier habitats in the riparian zone include short, high‐density cavitation‐resistant stem tissue, and high water use efficiency. The results enhance understanding about using traits to describe plant habitat in riparian systems.     

A Dutch guideline for the treatment of scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders

Background

Children with neuromuscular disorders with a progressive muscle weakness such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy frequently develop a progressive scoliosis. A severe scoliosis compromises respiratory function and makes sitting more difficult. Spinal surgery is considered the primary treatment option for correcting severe scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders. Surgery in this population requires a multidisciplinary approach, careful planning, dedicated surgical procedures, and specialized after care.

Methods

The guideline is based on scientific evidence and expert opinions. A multidisciplinary working group representing experts from all relevant specialties performed the research. A literature search was conducted to collect scientific evidence in answer to specific questions posed by the working group. Literature was classified according to the level of evidence.

Results

For most aspects of the treatment scientific evidence is scarce and only low level cohort studies were found. Nevertheless, a high degree of consensus was reached about the management of patients with scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders. This was translated into a set of recommendations, which are now officially accepted as a general guideline in the Netherlands.

Conclusion

In order to optimize the treatment for scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders a Dutch guideline has been composed. This evidence-based, multidisciplinary guideline addresses conservative treatment, the preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care of scoliosis in neuromuscular disorders.     

Cognac polyphenolic compounds increase bradykinin-induced nitric oxide production in endothelial cells

We recently reported that in vitro Cognac polyphenolic compounds (CPC) induce NO-dependent vasorelaxant effects and stimulate cardiac function. In the present study, we aim to investigate the effect of CPC on both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anions (O(2)(-)) production in cultured human endothelial cells. In addition, its effect on the bradykinin (BK)-induced NO production was also tested. The role and sources of O(2)(-) in the concomitant effect of BK plus CPC were pharmacologically determined. NO and O(2)(-) signals were measured using electron paramagnetic resonance technique using specific spin trappings. Both, CPC and BK induced an increase in NO production in human endothelial cells. The combination of both further enhanced NO release. The capacity of CPC plus BK to increase NO signal was blunted by the NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and was enhanced in the presence either of superoxide dismutase or catalase. Moreover, CPC plus BK response was greater after inhibition of either NADPH oxidase by apocynin or xanthine oxidase by allopurinol but it was not affected by rotenone. CPC did not affect O(2)(-) level either alone or after its increase upon lipopolysaccharide treatment. Finally, the capacity of BK alone to increase NO was enhanced either by apocynin or allopurinol. Altogether, these data demonstrate that CPC is able to directly increase NO production without affecting O(2)(-) and enhances the BK-induced NO production in human endothelial cells. The data highlight the ability of BK to stimulate not only NADPH oxidase- but also xanthine oxidase-inhibitor sensitive mechanisms that reduce its efficiency in increasing NO either alone or in the presence of CPC. These results bring pharmacological evidence for vascular protection by CPC via its potentiating effect of BK response in terms of endothelial NO release.     

Allozyme variation within and among populations of onion (Allium cepa L.) from West Africa

Local germplasm of onion (Allium cepa L.) in West Africa is threatened by extinction. Sixteen populations of onion collected in five countries in West Africa were investigated for isozyme polymorphism using four polymorphic enzyme systems (ADH, MDH, 6-PGDH and PGI) among nine enzyme systems assayed. This is the first report on the genetic diversity of local landraces of onion. The inheritance of two dimeric enzyme systems PGI and MDH was demonstrated using F₂ progeny arrays. The PGI system revealed a single locus with three alleles, and the MDH system revealed three loci with four alleles. Four polymorphic systems revealed nine alleles (adh-a1 and a2, mdh-c1 and c2, 6-pgdh-a1 and a2, and pgi-a1, a2 and a3) in the 16 local populations observed. The mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus was 2.25, and 67% of the alleles were present in all populations. Allele 6-pgdh-a2 was present in only two landraces (from Niger and Nigeria); it is considered to be a rare allele (frequency approximately 2%). Among the 16 populations, within-population diversity was greater (90%) than between-population diversity (10%). Genetic distance analyses showed an aggregate of all populations except for two, which originated from Nigeria, an English-speaking country. Received: 24 August 1995 / Accepted: 26 February 2001     

Determinants of resting energy expenditure in obese and non-obese children and adolescents

Resting energy expenditure (REE) is the largest component of total daily energy expenditure. Objectives of this study were to examine whether differences in REE exist after obesity develops in a group of children and adolescents, and to determine the effects of body composition, gender, age, pubertal development and parental obesity on REE. In 116 Caucasian children and adolescents (57 obese and 59 non-obese), aged 7.8 to 16.6 years, REE was assessed by open-circuit indirect calorimetry and different anthropometric variables and bioelectrical impedance were obtained (weight, height, skinfold thicknesses, waist and hip circumferences). Anthropometric indices and body compartments were calculated: the body mass index, surface area (SA), fat-free mass (FFM), fat-mass (FM) and percentage of FM. Differences between obese and non-obese subjects were tested and stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed with REE as dependent variable. Results show that REE was significantly higher in obese than in non-obese children and adolescents but REE/FFM ratio was not significantly different between these groups. In the non-obese group, FFM explained 73.1% of the variability in REE and gender, age and SA added 3.8%, 2.6%, and 2.6% to it, respectively. In the obese group, FFM was also the most powerful predictor of REE with 72.3%, followed by waist circumference and age with 2.5% and 2.1%, respectively. These results show that REE differences between obese and lean children do not seem to justify the maintenance of obesity. The main determinant of REE is FFM in both groups. No significant contribution of FM, pubertal development or parental obesity in REE was found in children and adolescents.     

Immunolocalization of the mGluR1b splice variant of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the rat cerebellar cortex

Several metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes have been identified in the cerebellar cortex that are targeted to different compartments in cerebellar cells. In this study, preembedding immunocytochemical methods for electron microscopy were used to investigate the subcellular distribution of the mGluR1b splice variant in the rat cerebellar cortex. Dendritic spines of Purkinje cells receiving parallel fiber synaptic terminals were immunoreactive for mGluR1b. With a preembedding immunogold method, approximately 25% of the mGluR1b immunolabeling was observed perisynaptically within 60 nm from the edge of the postsynaptic densities. Values of extrasynaptic gold particles beyond the first 60 nm were maintained at between 10 and 18% along the whole intracellular surface of the dendritic spine membranes of Purkinje cells. For comparison, the distribution of mGluR1a was studied. A predominant (approximately 37%) perisynaptic localization of mGluR1a was seen in dendritic spines of Purkinje cells, dropping the extrasynaptic labeling to 15% in the 60-120-nm bin from the edge of the postsynaptic specialization. Our results reveal that mGluR1b and mGluR1a are localized to the same subcellular compartments in Purkinje cells but that the densities of the perisynaptic and extrasynaptic pools were different for both isoforms. The compartmentalization of mGluR1b and mGluR1a might serve distinct requirements in cerebellar neurotransmission.     

Whole cell current and membrane potential regulation by a human smooth muscle mechanosensitive calcium channel

Mechanotransduction is required for a wide variety of biological functions. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of activation of a mechanosensitive Ca(2+) channel, present in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells, on whole cell currents and on membrane potential. Currents were recorded using patch-clamp techniques, and perfusion of the bath (10 ml/min, 30 s) was used to mechanoactivate the L-type Ca(2+) channel. Perfusion resulted in activation of L-type Ca(2+) channels and an increase in outward current from 664 +/- 57 to 773 +/- 72 pA at +60 mV. Membrane potential hyperpolarized from -42 +/- 4 to -50 +/- 5 mV. In the presence of nifedipine (10 microM), there was no increase in outward current or change in membrane potential with perfusion. In the presence of charybdotoxin or iberiotoxin, perfusion of the bath did not increase outward current or change membrane potential. A model is proposed in which mechanoactivation of an L-type Ca(2+) channel current in human jejunal circular smooth muscle cells results in increased Ca(2+) entry and cell contraction. Ca(2+) entry activates large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization and relaxation.