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The αV integrin is expressed in most cancer cells where it regulates a diverse array of cellular functions essential to the initiation, progression and metastasis of solid tumors. However, little is known about how αV integrin modulates cellular sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, particularly the platinum drugs. In this study, we found that down-regulation of αV sensitized human M21 cells to cisplatin (cDDP) through up-regulation of the copper influx transporter CTR1. Cells selected for low αV integrin expression (M21L) were more sensitive to cDDP, accompanied by increase in CTR1 mRNA and CTR1 protein levels, more intracellular cDDP accumulation and cDDP DNA adduct formation. Basal copper (Cu) content, Cu uptake, and Cu cytotoxicity were also increased. Transfection of a luciferase reporter construct containing the hCTR1 promoter sequence revealed an increase of the hCTR1 transcription activity in M21L cells. The basis for the increased hCTR1 transcription was related to an increase in the steady-state level of Sp1, a transcription factor known to drive hCTR1 expression. These results indicate that the αV integrin modulates sensitivity of human cells to the cytotoxic effect of cDDP by regulating expression of the Cu transporter CTR1, and introduce the concept that αV expression is linked to Cu homeostasis.

The αV integrin is expressed in most cancer cells where it regulates a diverse array of cellular functions essential to the initiation, progression and metastasis of solid tumors. However, little is known about how αV integrin modulates cellular sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents, particularly the platinum drugs. In this study, we found that down-regulation of αV sensitized human M21 cells to cisplatin (cDDP) through up-regulation of the copper influx transporter CTR1. Cells selected for low αV integrin expression (M21L) were more sensitive to cDDP, accompanied by increase in CTR1 mRNA and CTR1 protein levels, more intracellular cDDP accumulation and cDDP DNA adduct formation. Basal copper (Cu) content, Cu uptake, and Cu cytotoxicity were also increased. Transfection of a luciferase reporter construct containing the hCTR1 promoter sequence revealed an increase of the hCTR1 transcription activity in M21L cells. The basis for the increased hCTR1 transcription was related to an increase in the steady-state level of Sp1, a transcription factor known to drive hCTR1 expression. These results indicate that the αV integrin modulates sensitivity of human cells to the cytotoxic effect of cDDP by regulating expression of the Cu transporter CTR1, and introduce the concept that αV expression is linked to Cu homeostasis.

The general perception of Oryza glaberrima as low yielding is a potential drawback to intraspecific breeding of this species. Yields of 21 O. glaberrima accessions were evaluated alongside four O. sativa check varieties under two conditions in which panicles were both covered by paper sacks to avoid grain shattering (potential yield plot) and also not covered (control plot) in a rainfed upland field of Benin in 2010 and 2011. Average potential yields of O. glaberrima with panicles covered were 2.42 and 3.65 t ha-1 in 2010 and 2011, respectively, while those of O. sativa were respectively 2.99 and 3.49 t ha-1. Although there was no significant difference between potential yield and control yield in O. sativa, 19 O. glaberrima accessions showed significant yield reduction by grain shattering — the average percentages of lost yield by shattering were 57.88% in 2010 and 66.76% in 2011. These results suggest that low yield of O. glaberrima is due to grain shattering and that its potential yield would not be inferior to O. sativa if the grain shattering problems were overcome. Two O. glaberrima accessions, TOG 12303 and TOG 9300, possessing strong resistance to grain shattering comparable to O. sativa checks, were identified.Keywords: Panicles, paper sacks, potential yield, yield reduction.

Genitourinary infections have a major impact on public health, especially in Africa. Relative distribution of the different pathogens is unknown in Bobo-Dioulasso.To describe the etiology of genitourinary infections, to establish the sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics, and to provide epidemiologic and biologic evidence to optimize the treatment of genitourinary infections.Clinical and biologic diagnoses were performed on 223 women with genitourinary infections.Etiologies found were trichomoniasis (27.8%), chlamydia (26.9%), bacterial vaginosis (19.7%), candidiasis (16.6), and N. gonorrhoeae infection (10.9%). Human immune deficiency virus antibodies were present in 42% of the patients. Spectinomycin or ceftriaxone should be recommended for the treatment of gonorrhoeae in Bobo-Dioulasso.The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is higher than that of N. gonorrhoeae in Bobo-Dioulasso. This should be taken into account in clinical management of sexually transmitted diseases in this setting.Genitourinary infections have a major impact upon public health, especially in Africa. This paper describes findings from a study conducted to describe the etiology of such infections in Bobo-Dioulasso, to establish the sensitivity of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics, and to provide epidemiologic and biologic evidence to optimize the treatment of genitourinary infections. The findings are based upon clinical and biologic diagnoses among 223 women with genitourinary infections. Study found the following etiologies: trichomoniasis in 27.8%, chlamydia in 26.9%, bacterial vaginosis in 19.7%, candidiasis in 16.6%, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in 10.9%. HIV antibodies were present in 42% of patients. The authors recommend spectinomycin or ceftriaxone for the treatment of gonorrhea in Bobo-Dioulasso. Moreover, that the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis is higher than that of Neisseria gonorrhoeae should be taken into account when managing STDs in this setting.

This study reports the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among gynaecological outpatients presenting at the Bobo-Dioulasso Hospital (Burkina Faso) with genital infections and examines the factors associated with HIV infection in this population. Of 245 eligible non-pregnant women, 220 consented to participate in the study. Seventy-seven per cent had sexually transmitted infections. The most common were: Trichomonas vaginalis (28%), Chlamydia trachomatis (27%), bacterial vaginosis (20%), Candida albicans (17%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (11%). The prevalence of HIV infection was 42% (95% c.i. 35.3, 48.3). Logistic regression analyses revealed Neisseria gonorrhoeae to be the only STD significantly associated with infection with HIV (P = 0.04). A sedimentation rate greater than or equal to 100 mm in the first hour was also associated with HIV infection (P0.001). Women consulting for genital infections constitute a high risk group for HIV infection and other STDs. Management of these women should focus on the early diagnosis and treatment of STDs.During May-October 1992 in the gynecology and obstetrics department at the National Central Hospital Souro Sanou in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, physicians conducted a physical examination of and took vaginal smears from 220 nonpregnant women of reproductive age who consented to take part in this study and who had clinical signs of a genital infection. The researchers wanted to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the factors associated with HIV infection. 77% had an STD. The most common STDs were Trichomonas vaginalis (28%) and Chlamydia trachomatis (27%). 42% were HIV positive. HIV-positive women were significantly more likely than HIV-negative women to be infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (30.4% vs. 24.2%; p = 0.03). Risk factors associated with HIV infection among women presenting with genital infections included young age (25.5 vs. 27.5 years; p = 0.03), low gravidity (2 vs. 2.7; p = 0.04), a higher sedimentation rate in the first hour (75.3 vs. 54; p 0.001), and a low hemoglobin level (11.7 vs. 12.2 g/dl; p = 0.01). These findings indicate that women with genital infections are a group at high risk of HIV and other STDs and a target population for preventive interventions. Physicians should focus on detection and treatment of STDs when they manage cases with genital infections, and they should give appropriate advice on the prevention of HIV to all women presenting with genital infections.

En zone tropicale, la riziculture (oryza sativa L) de bas-fond avec ou sans maîtrise de l'eau, est souvent confrontée au problème de toxicité ferreuse. Cette contrainte édaphique est couramment observée dans les bas-fonds ouest-africains. C'est un trouble nutritionnel associé à de fortes concentrations de fer dans la solution du sol. Les conditions réductrices que l'on rencontre couramment dans les sols de bas-fond engorgés d'eau sont précurseurs de la toxicité ferreuse par la solubilisation dans la solution du sol de la quasi-totalité du fer sous forme ferreux (Fe2+). Ce fer ferreux (Fe2+) absorbé en abondance par la plante se concentre dans les feuilles, entraînant une décoloration des limbes, une réduction du tallage, de la taille des plants, et provoque une baisse importante des rendements. Une étude a été réalisée afin de déterminer l'effet de la toxicité ferreuse sur le rendement et les composantes du rendement du riz. Quatre variétés de riz (BKE189, CG14, CK4 et TOX3069), à sensibilité différente à la toxicité ferreuse, ont été cultivées en champ à Bouaké (site non toxique) et à Korhogo (site affecté par la toxicité ferreuse). Les résultats de l'étude montrent que la toxicité ferreuse entraînerait chez les variétés sensibles une perturbation de la distribution des synthétisants produits dans les feuilles, ce qui aurait pour conséquence un mauvais remplissage des grains lors de la formation de ceux-ci, d'où des grains plus légers à la récolte.

Rice production is usually reduced by water stress that can evenly occur during rice cycle in West Africa under bimodal rainfall pattern. In order to determine the effects of water stress on rice grain quality, experiments were conducted on upland site (on ferralsol) at the main AfricaRice research center at M'be, 30 km North of Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. The rice varieties CG14 (Oryza glaberrima), WAB56-104 (Oryza sativa), and NERICA1 (cross WAB56-104 x CG14) were sown at 25 × 25 cm spacing during the dry season cropping period of 2000, 2001 and 2002. Irrigation line (Boon irrigation) was used to supply water until flowering stage. Water was then supply manually from the milky stage of each variety to its full ripening stage. Physical (husking yield, milling recovery, and head rice ratio), chemical (amylose and proteins contents) and cooking parameters (cooking time, volume expansion, rice flour gelatinization temperature, consistency and viscosity) of the harvested grains were determined in the laboratory. The results showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between all the parameters in comparison with the checks samples and stressed crop. In general, NERICA 1 showed better physical and cooking quality traits than its parents. Rice samples from plots subject to lower water availability during repining stage showed higher protein content for all varieties studied. Increase in the average protein content of stressed samples were 31, 11.8 and 13.3% times, respectively for NERICA 1, CG14 and WAB56 -104, where (using the protein content of check plots as 100%) NERICA 1 showed higher husking yield, total mean milling recovery and head rice ratio for samples collected on stressed plots than the glaberrima and the sativa samples recorded on similar plots. Finding showed that cooking properties that meet West African rice consumers' preferences for cooked rice were more improved for NERICA 1 than its parents in comparison with samples collected from stressed plots. It is concluded that moisture stress at ripening stage should be further investigated as potential indirect means of improving rice grain quality.

Metadata only record L'objectif spécifique de la recherche est d'établir un système d'analyse et de gestion de l'information agro-socio-économique relative á l'utilisation des ressources naturelles en vue d'aider á la prise de décision pour leur utilisation durable au Mali.

Metadata only record The model that is developed in this paper is capable of identifying effective, affordable Striga control practices, as well as potential barriers to the adoption of those practices. This is not only a valuable tool for guiding the design of new field trials to empirically test the effects of Striga control packages, but may also be used to identify policy options for facilitating their adoption. Available in SANREM office, FS