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To solve the problem energy deficit encountered in developing countries, Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) appears to be a very good solution. The paper presents the optimal design of a hybrid renewable energy system considering the technical i.e Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP), economic i.e Cost of Electricity (COE) and Net Present Cost (NPC) and environmental i.e Total Greenhouse gases emission (TGE) aspects using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization-Grey Wolf Optimization (PSOGWO), hybrid Grey-Wolf Optimization-Cuckoo Search (GWOCS) and Sine-Cosine Algorithm (SCA) for a Community multimedia center in MAKENENE, Cameroon; where inhabitants have to spend at times 3 to 4 days of blackout. Seven configurations (Scenarios) of hybrid energy systems including PV, WT, Battery and Diesel generator are analyzed considering an average daily energy load of 50.22 kWh with a peak load of 5.6 kW. Four values of the derating factor i.e 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 are used in this analysis and the best value is 0.9. Scenario 3 with LPSP, COE, NPC, TGE and RF of 0.003%, 0.15913 $/kWh, 46953.0485 $, 2.3406 kg/year and 99.8 % respectively when using GWOCS is found to be the most appropriate for the Community multimedia center. The optimal Scenario is obtained for a system comprising of 18 kW of P p v − r a t e d corresponding to 69 solar panels, 3 days of AD corresponding to a total battery capacity of 241 kWh and 1 of N d g .

Background. Cafeteria diet is known to induce excessive body fat accumulation (obesity) that could cause metabolic and cardiovascular changes and even death. The increase in prevalence over time and the failure in treatment options make obesity a real public health problem. The present study assessed the preventive effect of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the Piper nigrum leaf on the development of metabolic and cardiovascular changes in cafeteria diet fed Wistar rats. Methods. Thirty-six male rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: a normal control group (Nor.), a negative control group (Neg.), two groups administered different doses of extract in mg/kg (E250 and E500), and a group administered atorvastatin 10 mg/kg (Ator., reference drug). The animals were fed with experimental diets (standard and cafeteria) for a period of 5 weeks. Food and water intake were assessed daily, and the body weight assessed weekly. At the end of the feeding, plasma lipid profile and markers of hepatic and renal function were assessed. Furthermore, the relative weights of the adipose tissue and the organs were assessed. The liver, kidneys, and heart homogenates were assessed for markers of oxidative stress while the aorta was histopathologically examined. Results. Cafeteria diet-induced weight gain of 30% and increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of more than 50%. Equally, an increase in the relative weight of accumulated adipose tissues of more than 90%, oxidative stress, and alteration in the organ structure were visible in cafeteria diet fed rats (Neg). Treatment with P. nigrum extract significantly prevented weight gain, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and alteration in the architecture of the aorta. The effect of P. nigrum extract was comparable to that of the reference drug. Conclusion. Piper nigrum leaf may prevent weight gain and possess cardioprotective activity with a strong antioxidant activity.

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a microaerophilic gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa and provokes inflammation and immune responses throughout life with liberation of diversecytotoxique substances dependent on host. Infection to H. pylori has been associated to a number of respiratory complications, including chronic obstructive pulmonary dieases, bronchectasis, asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer. Epidemiological data on the association of H. pylori infection respiratory diseases are rare in Cameroon. We sought to evaluate the prevalence H. pylori infection among patient with respiratory diseases. Methodology: Blood samples were aseptically collected for the measurements Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies, pepsinogene I et II levels, gastrine-17. The blood samples required for the study were collected prospectively. Ethical clairance was obtained from the Centre Regional Ethics Committee for Human Sciences. An authorization of research was obtained from the authorities of Jamot Hospital of Yaounde. All participants signed an informed consent form. Results: The GastroPanel® results showed that the prevalence of H. pylori infection was 42(46.67%). We observed an H. pylori seroprevalence of 75%, 41.9%, 50.0% and 33,33% amongst sujects with bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Asthma and pneumonia respectively.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sanitary quality of smoked fish by determining their mycotoxin content, and also the chemical composition, antifungal activity of Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum basilicum essential oils from Cameroon against some mycotoxigenic fungal strains responsible of the smoked fish biodegradation. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, National School of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, Cameroon, from August 2019 to April 2020. Methodology: Fifteen samples of smoked fishes have been collected in August 2019 from “petit marché” market (Ngaoundere, Cameroon). Physico-chemical parameters of smoked fishes were evaluated. Mycotoxin (AFB1, CIT, and OTA) contents have been determined with HPLC. Isolation and identification of molds were done using their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and the identity of the strains was done by PCR sequencing methods. For plants, 15 kg of Cymbopogon citratus leaves and 5 kg of Ocimum basilicum leaves have been harvested on 10 September 2019 in Ngaoundere and used for the essential oil’s extraction. Essential oil extraction has been done through hydrodistillation and the determination of its chemical composition done with GC/MS. Results: Major part of samples contains at least one mycotoxin, in quantities which are beyond the safe dose. Eleven species of molds have been identified: Aspergillus spp., Penicillium citrinum, and Mucor hiemalis. Amongst the isolated species, those which can produce mycotoxins are: Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus versicolor, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus carbonarius, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium moniliforme. Geranial (42.4%), Neral (33.5%) and Myrcene (10.8%) are major compounds found in the essential oil of C. citratus while monoterpens (60.8%), Eugenol (30.7%), Linalol (29.4%) and 1,8-Cineol (14.3%) are the major compounds found in the essential oil of O. basilicum. Conclusion: Essential oils of C. citratus and O. basilicum are efficient against isolated toxigenic species. C. citratus being more efficient than O. basilicum.

The present work concerns the anti-inflammatory activity of chemical constituents isolated from the roots of Echinops gracilis. The anti-inflammatory activity of the ethyl acetate extract as well as compounds 1, 2, and 3 were evaluated using inhibition of protein denaturation and antiproteinase methods. Structural elucidation was achieved through analysis of NMR spectra (1H and 13C, 1H1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC) and literature survey. Seven compounds were identified as erythrinasinate (1), vogelate (2), ferulic acid (3), p-coumaric acid (4), ursolic acid (5), oleanolic acid (6), and quercetin (7). All the isolated compounds were reported for the first time from this plant. Ethyl acetate extract showed potent inhibitory activity against protein denaturation (IC50 = 125.54 µg/mL). Erythrinasinate (1) and vogelate (2) showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 value of 469.43 and 413.71 µg/mL, respectively. The results obtained from the ethyl acetate extract can justify the use of E. gracilis roots in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatism.

Resurrection of non-processed pseudogenes may increase the efficacy of therapeutic gene editing, upon simultaneous targeting of a mutated gene and its highly homologous pseudogenes. To investigate the potency of this approach for clinical gene therapy of human diseases, we corrected a pseudogene-associated disorder, the immunodeficiency p47phox-deficient chronic granulomatous disease (p47phox CGD), using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-associated nuclease Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9) to target mutated neutrophil cytosolic factor 1 (NCF1). Being separated by less than two million base pairs, NCF1 and two pseudogenes are closely co-localized on chromosome 7. In healthy people, a two-nucleotide GT deletion (ΔGT) is present in the NCF1B and NCF1C pseudogenes only. In the majority of patients with p47phox CGD, the NCF1 gene is inactivated due to a ΔGT transfer from one of the two non-processed pseudogenes. Here we demonstrate that concurrent targeting and correction of mutated NCF1 and its pseudogenes results in therapeutic CGD phenotype correction, but also causes potentially harmful chromosomal deletions between the targeted loci in a p47phox-deficient CGD cell line model. Therefore, development of genome-editing-based treatment of pseudogene-related disorders mandates thorough safety examination, as well as technological advances, limiting concurrent induction of multiple double-strand breaks on a single chromosome., Graphical Abstract, Efficacy of gene-editing may be improved by simultaneous targeting of a gene and its pseudogenes. Wrona et al. evaluate this approach for treatment of p47phox-deficient chronic granulomatous disease. They show that CRISPR-mediated phenotype correction is accompanied by chromosomal deletions, mandating technological improvements to limit induction of multiple DNA cuts.

Germline SAMD9 and SAMD9L mutations (SAMD9/9Lmut) predispose to myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with propensity for somatic rescue. In this study, we investigated a clinically annotated pediatric MDS cohort (n = 669) to define the prevalence, genetic landscape, phenotype, therapy outcome and clonal architecture of SAMD9/9L syndromes. In consecutively diagnosed MDS, germline SAMD9/9Lmut accounted for 8% and were mutually exclusive with GATA2 mutations present in 7% of the cohort. Among SAMD9/9Lmut cases, refractory cytopenia was the most prevalent MDS subtype (90%); acquired monosomy 7 was present in 38%; constitutional abnormalities were noted in 57%; and immune dysfunction was present in 28%. The clinical outcome was independent of germline mutations. In total, 67 patients had 58 distinct germline SAMD9/9Lmut clustering to protein middle regions. Despite inconclusive in silico prediction, 94% of SAMD9/9Lmut suppressed HEK293 cell growth, and mutations expressed in CD34+ cells induced overt cell death. Furthermore, we found that 61% of SAMD9/9Lmut patients underwent somatic genetic rescue (SGR) resulting in clonal hematopoiesis, of which 95% was maladaptive (monosomy 7 ± cancer mutations), and 51% had adaptive nature (revertant UPD7q, somatic SAMD9/9Lmut). Finally, bone marrow single-cell DNA sequencing revealed multiple competing SGR events in individual patients. Our findings demonstrate that SGR is common in SAMD9/9Lmut MDS and exemplify the exceptional plasticity of hematopoiesis in children. This analysis of a large, clinically annotated cohort of individuals with predisposition to myelodysplastic syndromes reveals insights into the genetic determinants of disease progression and their relationship with clinical manifestations and therapy outcome.

HIV infection is divided into stages of infection which are determined by the CD4 cells count progression. Through each stage, the time delay for the progression is important because the duration of HIV infection varies according to the infectious. Retarded optimal control theory is applied to a system of delays ordinary differential equations modeling the evolution of HIV with differential infectivity. Seeking to reduce the population of the infective individuals with low CD \begin{document}$ 4 $\end{document} cells, we use the ARV drug to control the fraction of infective individuals that is identified and will be put under treatment. We use optimal control theory to study our proposed system. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effect of the Antiretroviral treatment (ART) taking into account the delays.

Uterine cervix cancer is the most common cancer found worldwide, mostly in developing countries. In Africa as well as in the Caribbean, it represents the second cause of mortality, just after maternal mortality. In Cameroon, data on cervix cancer are erratic, whereas the incidence of the disease is increasing. This paper is designed to define the epidemiological features of uterine cervix cancer, since it could help identifying behavioral, environmental and genetic risks factors involved in its development. A 4-year retrospective study of patients seen with the diagnosis of cervix cancer at the Medical Oncology unit of the Yaoundé General Hospital between January 2012 and December 2015. Then a prospective study was conducted among health professionals working in the same oncological unit in 2017. The demographic pattern (age of patients, socio professional activity, marital status), clinical features (cancer diagnosis), treatment modalities and outcome were studied. Of the 7775 patients enrolled in the study, 3.61% (n = 281) were carriers of uterine cervix cancer. We noted a relatively large annual growth of cases and the annual average was 27 cases. The average age of our patients was 55.46 years with extreme ages ranging from 23 to 88 years Carcinoma of the cervix occurs much more frequently among women of lower income and education level. Although several risk factors were suspected in our study such as age, sexual factors (including STIs), none of them really testify their responsibility in the genesis of the cancer. However, improving the effective management of different patients suffering from cervix cancer requires an improvement in the conditions for the early and voluntary detection of people at risk, and the quality of care administered to patients.

Hypertension (HT) is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aimed to evaluate the suppressive effect ofNymphaea lotus(N. lotus) on erectile dysfunction induced by NO deficiency in rat. 40 male rats equally divided into 4 groups received an oral treatment with 10 mg/kg/day of L-NAME, a NO blocker, during 4 weeks. Control group composed of 10 male rats received only distilled water (10 mL/kg). Thereafter oral treatments withN. lotus(75 and 200 mg/kg/day) and losartan (10 mg/kg/day) started and continued concomitantly with L-NAME in 3 groups for 4 additional weeks. Normal and negative controls received only distilled water. Sexual behaviour, orientation activities, anxiety, and penile histomorphology were evaluated at the end of treatment. L-NAME administration elevated significantly the blood pressure in male rats and decreased the copulatory rate by enhancing intromission latency and decreasing the numbers of intromission and ejaculation. However, the sexual motivation remains unaltered by chronic NO blockage suggesting that L-NAME induces penile dysfunction mainly by peripheral mechanisms. L-NAME chronic intake also induced anxiety, 4 weeks ofN. lotuscotreatment prevented inhibitory effects of L-NAME on male sexual behaviour by shortening mainly ejaculation latency and postejaculatory interval while losartan does not. Losartan proved to be a more effective drug to decrease the blood pressure compared to the plant extract. Effectively,Nymphea lotuswas able to reverse totally at 75 mg/kg the increment of hemodynamic parameters and the histological damage and exhibit anxiolytic-like effects in hypertensive male rats.Nymphaea lotususes NO pathway to facilitate sexual responses at central and peripheral levels and can have a double medicinal use, against anxiety and erectile dysfunction.

In Rwanda, the roots of Pentas longiflora Oliv. (Rubiaceae) have been used for a long time to treat Pityriasis versicolor. However, many people reported the use of leaves instead of roots. This research was conducted to compare the phytochemical composition and establish chromatographic methods for the standardization of roots and leaves extracts of P. longiflora. During this process, three new pentalongin glycosides (pentalonginoside A, pentalonginoside B, and pentalonginoside C) and two known glycosides of the same type (harounoside and clarinoside), as well as rutin, luteolin-7-rutinoside were isolated from methanol extract of leaves. In addition, pentalongin and psychorubrin, previously isolated from ethylacetate roots extract, were also identified in Pentas longiflora ethylacetate leaves extract. The presence of the antifungal compound pentalongin in leaves may explain the traditional use of leaves in the treatment of Pytiriasis versicolor. Furthermore, harounoside, psychorubrin, and pentalongin were selected as markers for HPLC fingerprints of MeOH extract. The accuracy and risk profile demonstrated the reliability of the validated method. In general, considerable variations of concentration in plant metabolites, including pentalongin, were observed between samples from different sites. The content in pentalongin (expressed as juglone) in collected samples ranged between 1.7 and 70.0 mg/100 g. The highest concentration (70.0 ± 17 mg/100 g) was registered in the cultivated samples from Mukoni. This important variation of pentalongin concentrations according to sampling sites, shows that in order to guarantee equivalent efficacy, finished products with P. longiflora should be standardized based on their pentalongin content.

Overall, neonatal cancer is uncommon. Because of its rarity and heterogeneity, diagnosis can be challenging. We report a unique case of a myoepithelial carcinoma in a 7 week old girl. Molecular diagnostic workup revealed a EWSR1-KLF15 gene fusion which was previously described in only six cases of myoepithelial tumors so far. All cases occurred in children and adolescents. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a congenital EWSR1-KLF15 fusion positive myoepithelial tumor in an infant.

The activation of NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and/or its components is associated with the physio-pathogenesis of many respiratory diseases including asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), SARS Cov-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), and in several autoimmune diseases. Hibiscus noldeae Baker f. has been widely reported to be traditionally used in the treatment of different ailments, some of which are of inflammatory background such as asthma, wounds, headache, etc. However, the claims have not been supported by evidence at the molecular and functional levels. Here, we report on the bio-guided fractionation of H. noldeae and assessment of the inhibitory properties of some fractions and purified compounds on NLRP3 inflammasome and Interleukin 6 (IL-6). The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was determined by detecting the activity of caspase-1 and the production of Interleukin 1&beta, (IL-1&beta, ) in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ATP-stimulated Tamm-Horsfall Protein 1 (THP-1) macrophages, while the production of IL-6 was studied in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. It was observed that hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the crude extract of the aerial parts of H. noldeae, as well as caffeic acid, isoquercetin, and ER2.4 and ER2.7 fractions revealed significant inhibitory effects on Caspase-1 activities, and on IL-1&beta, and IL-6 production. The ER2.4 and ER2.7 fractions downregulated the production of IL-1&beta, and IL-6, in a similar range as the caspase-1 inhibitor AC-YVAD-CHO and the drug Dexamethasone, both used as controls, respectively. Overall, our work does provide the very first scientific based evidence for Hibiscus noldeae anti-inflammatory effects and widespread use by traditional healers in Rwanda for a variety of ailments.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the lipid profile in nutritional categories, to characterize dyslipidemia and assess cardiovascular risk, to describe association between anthropometric markers, incidence of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk in Cameroonian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Yaounde from April 2014-June 2015. It included 1986 individuals, aged 20 - 65 years, both males (30.7%) and females (69.3%). Blood pressure, anthropometric measurement including weight, height, body fat, waist and hip circumference were performed. BMI was used to define nutritional status. Blood analysis included total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, insulin. Dyslipidemia was defined as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterolemia and combined dyslipidemia. Atherogenic indexes were calculated for assessment of the cardiovascular risk. Results: Out of the 1986 participants, 544 (27.4%), 616 (31%), and 826 (41.6%) were normal weight, overweight and obese respectively. In obese, lipid profile varied according to gender (p 5) was (40.50%). Low HDL-cholesterolemia (75.4%) was the main lipid abnormality found, independently of gender, age, fat location. Waist circumference (WC) unlike body mass index (BMI) and body fatness was associated to hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion: Low HDL-cholesterolemia and high atherogenic risk profile are more prevalent amongst Cameroonian adults. Promotion of healthy lifestyle including good eating habits shall be encouraged to reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease complications.

Introduction: Obliterative Arteriopathy of the Lower Limbs (OALL) is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases in the world with high morbidity and economic impact. In Cameroon, this condition is also present but little studied. For this purpose, this study aims to analyze the epidemiological profile and prognosis of patients operated for OALL at the Yaounde General Hospital (YGH). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study in the surgery department of the YGH relating to ninety-seven medical records of OALL operated patients between 2008 and 2018 (ten years) using a quantitative research approach. Results: It emerges from this study that the mean age was 67.1 ± 13.3 years. Male sex was predominant (57.7%). Stroke was the most frequent clinical past history (15.5%). The most frequent cardiovascular risk factors were arterial hypertension (63.9%), diabetes mellitus (41.2%) and smoking (32.9%). Grade III-IV and acute limb ischemia were the most prevalent OALL grades (41.2% and 32% respectively). Amputation was the most practiced surgical procedure (41.2%). The one-year mortality rate was 39.2%. We found no factor associated with one-year survival. Conclusion: We, therefore, suggest that public health actors develop actions and interventions to exercise in order to reduce this health indicator (mortality rate) and revalue the place of psychosocial care in amputees.

The phytochemical study of the stem bark of Pterocarpus erinaceus led to the isolation of a new saponin (1) and a new benzofuran isoflavonoid (2) along with seven known compounds namely friedelin (3), triacontanoic acid (4), dotriacontanoic acid (5), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl hexacosanoate (6), octacosanoic acid (7), calycosin (8), stigmasterol glucoside (9). The structures of the new compounds were characterized on the basis of IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR analyses in conjunction with EIMS, HRMS and literature review. The free radical scavenging activity and serum bovine albumin denaturation activity of the isolated compounds were evaluated. Compounds 2 (SC50, 12.63±0.86 μg/mL) and 8 (SC50, 42.53±1.77 μg/mL) showed antioxidant properties although lesser than that of the reference drug ascorbic acid (SC50, 5.99±0.59 μg/mL). Compound 3 (IC50, 14.87±1.51 μg/mL) was the most active against the denaturation of the protein followed by compounds 1 (IC50, 28.60±4.10 μg/mL) and 9 (IC50, 35.94±2.10 μg/mL). Sodium diclofenac (IC50, 7.20±0.97 μg/mL) was used as reference drug.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Decoctions of the leaves of M. benthamianum Baill. are used by traditional healers in Guinea to treat malaria and this use was validated by a preliminary clinical assay. Aim of the study To evaluate the in vitro antiplasmodial activity and to identify active compounds from extracts of M. benthamianum leaves. Material and methods Antiplasmodial activity of extracts, fractions and pure compounds was evaluated in vitro against a chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum (3D7) using the measurement of the plasmodial lactate dehydrogenase activity. Selectivity of extracts and purified compounds for Plasmodium parasites was evaluated by using WST-1 test on HeLa human cells. Compounds were isolated using normal phase silica gel column chromatography and prepHPLC and their structures elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analysis. Results Hydroethanolic extracts (70% v/v) of M. benthamianum leaves showed a moderate in vitro activity against P. falciparum 3D7, with IC50 in the range 22.5 – 32.6 µg/mL, depending on the batch; while a dark precipitate formed during ethanol evaporation showed higher activity (IC50 =6.5 µg/mL). The fractionation was performed on this most active fraction and was followed by in vitro antiplasmodial assay. Active compounds (5, 7, 8) belong to several phytochemical classes, contributing together to the global antiplasmodial activity of the hydroethanolic extract against P. falciparum parasite. This study finally allowed the isolation of three diterpenes including two new compounds named Mezobenthamic acids A (1) and B (2) and neocaesalpin H (3), as well as quercetin (4), kaempferol (7), resveratrol (6), gallic acid (9) and its ethylester (5), β-sitosterol glucoside (10) and 13b-hydroxy-pheophorbide a (8). Conclusion This study gives some concrete evidence to support the ethnopharmacological use of Mezoneuron benthamianum leaves extract in the management of malaria. The active compounds can be further studied for their antiplasmodial potential, as well as their suitability to be used as quality markers for the standardization of this herbal drug from the Guinean traditional pharmacopeia.

Reciprocal RUNX1 fusions are traditionally found in up to 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, usually associated with a translocation (8;21)(q22;q22) corresponding to the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene. So far, alternative RUNX1 rearrangements have been reported only rarely in AML, and the few reports so far have focused on results based on cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction. Acknowledging the inherent limitations of these diagnostic techniques, the true incidence of rare RUNX1 rearrangements may be underestimated. In this report, we present two cases of adult AML, in which we detected rare RUNX1 rearrangements not by conventional cytogenetics but rather by next-generation panel sequencing. These include t(16;21)(q24;q22)/RUNX1-CBFA2T3 and t(7;21)(p22;q22)/RUNX1-USP42, respectively. In both patients the AML was therapy-related and associated with additional structural and numerical alterations thereby conferring bad prognosis. This is in line with previous reports on rare RUNX1 fusions in AML and emphasizes the clinical importance of their detection. In summary, our report not only confirms the clinical utility of NGS for diagnostics of rare reciprocal rearrangements in AML in a real-life scenario but also sheds light on the variety and complexity within AML. It further emphasizes the need for collection of additional cases for deepening insights on their clinical meaning as well as their frequency.

BackgroundInflammation is the most common health problem faced in life relating to a vast number of diseases. The present study evaluated the pharmacological effect of three plants (Vitex thyrsiflora, Entandrophragma cylindricum, and Anonidium mannii) commonly used in the Cameroon pharmacopeia for the management of inflammatory response.MethodsThe pharmacological effect was characterized by the antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties of the ethanol extracts of the three plants. Antioxidant capacity was determined using total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, hydrogen peroxide, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro by protein denaturation and hypotonic-induced hemolysis methods and in vivo by carrageenan paw edema method. Analgesic and antipyretic activities were studied in vivo using acetic acid-induced writhing and brewer’s yeast-induced hyperpyrexia models.ResultsAll selected extracts showed high phenolic (15.93–64.45 mgCAE/g) and flavonoid (336.03–1053.48 mgCAE/g) contents and high ferric reducing power (288.75–364.91 mgCAE/g). These extracts exhibited good DPPH (IC50 = 0.30–1.65 μg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 0.52–1.90 μg/mL), and H2O2 (IC50 = 1.40–3.55 μg/mL) radical scavenging activities. All extracts inhibited protein denaturation (6.79–82.27%) and protected the erythrocyte membrane from lysis induced by hypotonic solution (18.90–88.00%). The extracts significantly reduced dose-dependent paw edema (p < 0.05), fever, and abdominal writhing (p < 0.001) especially at 400 mg/kg.ConclusionsAll extracts exhibited interesting antioxidant properties, as well as significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects.

Background Albizia adianthifolia (Schum.) is medicinally used in Cameroon to manage bronchitis and skin diseases. Our previous study documented the antibacterial potential of its roots’ methanol extract. In this study, methanol roots extract was subjected to chromatography techniques and fractions (AARa and AARb), sub-fractions (AARa1–4, AARb1–2 and AARb11–14) together with isolated phytochemicals were assessed for their antimicrobial as well as their antibiotic-potentiating effects towards Gram-negative multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. Methods The antibacterial activities of the samples (determination of Minimal Inhibitory « MIC » and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration « MBC ») were determined by the modified rapid p-iodonitrotetrazolium chloride (INT) colorimetric assay, as well as those of antibiotics in association with the compounds. Column chromatography was applied to isolate phytochemicals from roots extract and their chemical structures were determined using spectroscopic techniques. Results The phytochemicals isolated were stearic acid (1), a mixture (1:1) of stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (2 + 3), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), palmatin (5), homomangiferin (6) and mangiferin (7). Fraction AARa exhibited selective inhibitory effects whilst all tested bacteria were inhibited by AARb in MIC ranges of 8 to 1024 μg/mL. Sub-fractions AARb1–2 had MIC values between 8 μg/mL and 1024 μg/mL on all tested bacteria. Phytochemicals 4, 2 + 3 and 7 inhibited the growth of 54.54% (6/11), 45.45% (5/11) and 27.27% (3/11) tested bacterial strains, respectively. When tested with an efflux pumps inhibitor (Phenylalanine-Arginine-β-Naphthylamide or PAβN), the inhibitory effects of compounds 2 + 3 and 4 increased towards all the tested bacteria. In association with erythromycin (ERY), streptomycin (STR) and tetracycline (TET), compounds 2 + 3 and 4 had the most significant synergistic activity on the seven selected bacteria. Conclusion The present study provides information on the possible use of Albizia adianthifolia and its constituents in the control of Gram-negative infections including MDR phenotypes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2537-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mortality due to microbial diseases continues to be a major problem in many developing countries. The present study aims to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the ethyl acetate extract and some isolated compounds from aerial parts of Echinops gracilis. The phytochemical study resulted in the isolation of a new flavonoid derivative named apigenin-7- O-(4″-feruloyl)-β-D-glucoside (1), together with 2 known compounds: apigenin -7-O-(4″-trans- p-hydroxycinnamoyl) -β-D-glucoside (2), and apigenin -7-O-glucoside (3). Their chemical structures were determined using a combination of NMR and IR spectroscopic and MS techniques, as well as by comparison with literature data. The extract and isolates were evaluated for their antibacterial and antioxydant properties. The EtOAc extract and compounds 1 and 2 showed the ability to scavenge 2,2′-zino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS) with scavenging concentration (SC50) values of 13.6 ± 0.8 µg/mL, 108.2 ± 4.3 µg/mL, and 28.5 ± 2.2 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, compound 1 displayed significant activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia, with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values of 31.2, 15.6, and 31.2 µg/mL respectively.

Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the analgesic; non ulcerogenic and antioxidant effects of the aqueous stem bark extract of Morinda lucida in mice. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teachers’ Training College; Department of Animal Biology and Physiology and Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I. Between August 2015 and November 2016. Materials and Methods: T¶he phytochemical sifting was realized in other to find the chemical composition of the aqueous stem bark extract of Morinda lucida (ASBEML). ¶The antioxydant activity was evaluated by the measurement the capacity of ASBEML to trap radical DPPH, to reduce Fe3 +, and measures it total polyphenols. The effects of ASBEML were tested on models of acute pain induced by acetic acid and formalin in mouse fasted since 12 hours. The ulcerogenic effect of this plant was evaluated by administration of different doses of the aqueous extract to mouse fasted since 48 hours. Results: T¶he phytochemical tests revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoïds, catechic tannins, alkaloids, saponins and triterpenes. The DPPH, FRAP and Folin-Ciocalteu tests showed that the aqueous stem bark extract of Morinda lucida has a significant antioxydant activity. The oral administration of ASBEML significantly and dose dependently reduced the number of abdominal constrictions induced by injection of acetic acid. A maximum inhibition of 80.20% was obtained at the dose of 400 mg/kg. Also, this extract (400 mg/kg) significantly and dose dependently inhibited both phases of pain induced by formalin injection; the first phase was reduced up to 53.7% while the second phase was reduced up to 75.88%. The oral administration of ASBEML doesn’t caused gastric ulcer. On the contrary, it significantly and dose dependently stimulated the mucus secretion. Conclusion: In sum, the ASBEML possesses antioxidant, analgesic (centrally and peripherally) and non-ulcerogenic properties.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Heinsia crinita is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of febrile illness and erectile dysfunction. Its stem bark powder is found in some peripheral markets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as a remedy against malaria. Investigations were conducted on crude extracts of leaves, fruits and stem barks in view to validate their use and to determine which plant part possesses the best antiplasmodial properties. Materials and methods Different plant parts were extracted with methanol, ethanol and dichloromethane. Based on the preliminary assays, the dichloromethane extract of the stem bark was subjected to fractionation using preparative HPLC system and column chromatography. This step led to the isolation of two new iridoids which had their structures elucidated by NMR, UV, MS and FT-IR spectroscopic techniques. Extracts and pure compounds were tested in vitro against the 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The inhibition of the parasite growth was evaluated in vitro by colorimetric method (p-LDH assay) and their cytotoxicity evaluated in vitro against the human non-cancer fibroblast cell line (WI38) through WST1 assay. The in vivo antiplasmodial activity was assessed by the inhibition of Plasmodium berghei growth in infected mice treated with the ethanol extract of H. crinita stem bark at the concentrations of 200 and 300 mg/Kg/day per os, using a protocol based on the 4-d suppressive test of Peters and compared to a non-treated negative control group of mice (growth =100%). Finally the antioxidant activity of the same extract was evaluated using ABTS, DPPH and cell-based assays. Results A moderate in vitro antiplasmodial activity was observed for the dichloromethane extract of the stem bark of H. crinita (IC50 =29.2±1.39 µg/mL) and for the two new iridoids, lamalbide 6, 7, 8- triacetate (IC50 =16.39±0.43 µg/mL) as well as for its aglycone lamiridosin 6, 7, 8-triacetate (IC50 =0.44.56±1.12 µg/mL). The ethanolic stem bark extract (200 and 300 mg/kg/day, oral route) showed a moderate in vivo antimalarial activity in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice with 27.84±2.75% and 48.54±3.76% of inhibition of the parasite growth, respectively (p

Key Points Intragenic PAX5 amplification defines a novel, relapse-prone subtype of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with a poor outcome.

An investigation of compounds extracted from Ochna schweinfurthiana roots with ethyl acetate led to the isolation of three new compounds 4⿴-methoxylophirone A ( 1 ), 4,4⿲,4⿴⿿trimethoxylophirone A ( 2 ) and (4 E ;7 Z )-3,8-dicarboxy-1-( O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-(1 ⿿ 6)- O -β- d -glucopyranosyl-2,9-dihydroxyhexeicosa-4,7-diene ( 3 ). Six known compounds were also identified, including Calodenone ( 4 ), Calodenine B ( 5 ), Lophirone A ( 6 ), Gerontoisoflavone A( 7 ), 16α,17-dihydroxy- ent -kauran-19-oic acid ( 8 ) and 3β- O - d -glucopyranosyl-β-sitosterol ( 9 ). This report describes the first time that compounds 4 - 8 have been isolated from this plant, while 8 has never been identified in the genus Ochna . Some of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium falciparum strain 3D7 and antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging and Ferric reducing-antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Compound 5 exhibited prominent radical scavenging and FRAP activities, while 7 had weak activity. Compound 1 showed good in vitro anti-plasmodial activity. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and comparisons with prior data in the literature.

BACKGROUND: To obtain better insight into the biology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in various age groups, this study focused on the genetic changes occurring during a lifetime. METHODS: This study analyzed the relation between age and genetics from birth to 100 years in 5564 patients with de novo AML diagnosed from 1998 to 2012 (1192 patients from nationwide pediatric studies [AML Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster studies 98 and 2004] and 4372 adults registered with the Munich Leukemia Laboratory). RESULTS: The frequencies of cytogenetic subgroups were age-dependent. Favorable subtypes (t(8;21), inv(16)/t(16;16), and t(15;17)) decreased in general from the pediatric age group (2 to 70 years; P

Human sarcomas comprise a heterogeneous group of rare tumors that affect soft tissues and bone. Due to the scarcity and heterogeneity of these diseases, patient-derived cells that can be used for preclinical research are limited. In this study, we investigated whether the tissue explant technique can be used to obtain sarcoma cell lines from fresh as well as viable frozen tissue obtained from 8 out of 12 soft tissue and 9 out of 13 bone tumor entities as defined by the World Health Organization. The success rate, defined as the percent of samples that yielded sufficient numbers of outgrowing cells to be frozen, and the time to freeze were determined for a total of 734 sarcoma tissue specimens. In 552 cases (75%) enough cells were obtained to be frozen at early passage. Success rates were higher in bone tumors (82%) compared with soft tissue tumors (68%), and the mean time to freezing was lower in bone tumors (65 days) compared with soft tissue tumors (84 days). Overall, from 40% of the tissues cells could be frozen at early passage within2 month after tissue removal. Comparable results as with fresh tissue were obtained after explant of viable frozen patient-derived material. In a selected number of bone and soft tissue sarcoma entities, conventional karyotyping and/or FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis revealed a high amount (60%) of abnormal cells in 41% of analyzed samples, especially in bone sarcomas (osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma). In conclusion, the explant technique is well suited to establish patient-derived cell lines for a large majority of bone and soft tissue sarcoma entities with adequate speed. This procedure thus opens the possibility for molecular analysis and drug testing for therapeutic decision making even during patient treatment.

A new dihydroflavonol-flavonol biflavonoid derivative, named ericoside was isolated from the ethanol extract of the whole plant of Erica mannii along with the known flavonoid, taxifolin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside; and two readily available sterols (sitosterol, sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside). The isolation was performed using chromatographic methods and the structure of purified molecules were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques (e.g. MS, NMR) and by comparison with literature data. The crude ethanol extract, ericoside, and taxifolin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside were tested against ten Gram-negative bacteria including multidrug resistant clinical isolates using a broth microdilution method. The crude ethanol extract showed no noteworthy activity. Of the purified compounds, ericoside displayed moderate activity against the resistant Escherichia coli AG100 with a MIC of 64 μg/mL.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) remains the primary technique in the diagnosis and localization of partial epilepsy seizures. Despite the advent of modern neuroimaging techniques, the use of EEG signals for locating epilepsy-affected brain areas is still convenient. That is why during these last decades, several computer-aided detection (CAD) methodologies have been proposed to detect and discriminate focal (F) EEG signals, and hence locate epileptogenic foci. In this impetus, this paper applied Jacobi polynomial transforms (JPTs)-based entropy measures to analyze the complexity and discriminate the bivariate focal (F) and non-focal (NF) EEG signals. Jacobi polynomial transforms namely discrete Legendre transform (DLT) and discrete Chebyshev transform (DChT) are applied to separate F and NF EEG signals into their different rhythms. Furthermore, entropy measures like approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SampEn), permutation entropy (PermEn), fuzzy entropy (FuzzyEn) and increment entropy (IncrEn) are extracted. For direct discrimination between F and NF EEG signals, extracted entropies are combined to define different features vectors that are fed as inputs of two kernel machines namely the least-squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) and simple multi-layer perceptron neural network (sMLPNN). Experimental results demonstrated that our methodology achieved the highest performance of 98.33% sensitivity, 98.00% specificity, and 98.17% accuracy in discriminating F and NF EEG signals with sMLPNN classifier. In addition, our methodology will be useful to clinicians in providing an accurate and objective paradigm for locating epilepsy-affected brain areas.

One new limonoid, trigilgianin (1), one new phenyl alkene, epoxy gilgialkene (2), together with five known compounds: scopoletin (3), sitosteryl-6’-O-undecanoate-β-D-glucoside (4), sitosteryl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), cinchonain A (6) and cinchonain B (7) were isolated from the stem bark of Trichilia gilgiana Harms. (Meliaceae). All compounds were isolated for the first time from this species. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral studies and by comparison of these data with those from the literature. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 were tested for in vitro antileishmanial activity against visceral leishmaniasis parasite Leishmania donovani and cytotoxicity against macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line. Compounds 1 and 3 showed the highest antileishmanial activity (IC50 values of 6.044 and 6.804 µg/mL, respectively) with low cytotoxicity (CC50 values of >200 and 47.47 µg/mL, respectively), while compound 2 was moderately active on L. donovani promastigotes (IC50 56.81 µg/mL).

The 2016 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Urinary System recognizes microphthalmia transcription factor (MiT) family translocation carcinomas as a separate entity among renal cell carcinomas. TFE3 and transcription factor EB (TFEB) are members of the MiT family for which chromosomal rearrangements have been associated with renal cell carcinoma formation. TFEB translocation renal cell carcinoma is a rare tumor harboring a t(6;11)(p21;q12) translocation. Recently, renal cell carcinomas with TFEB amplification have been identified. TFEB amplified renal cell carcinomas have to be distinguished from TFEB-translocated renal cancer, because they may demonstrate a more aggressive behavior. Herein, we present a TFEB-translocated and a TFEB-amplified carcinoma cases and describe their distinct histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics. In addition, we review conventional morphology, immunophenotype, genetic background, and clinical outcome of TFEB-rearranged RCCs in the literature, with a special emphasis on important differential diagnoses and the diagnostic approach.

Aims: This study was designed to elucidate the antioxidant, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the ethanol extract of the stem bark of Dichaetanthera africana. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, India, between September 2014 and November 2014. Methodology: Antioxidant activities were determined in vitro by the total phenolic, total flavonoid, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), DPPH, hydrogen peroxide and ABTS methods. Analgesic and antipyretic activities were investigated using the acetic acid induced writhing and brewer’s yeast induced hyperpyrexia assays respectively. Results: Ethanol extract had high phenolic (4.15-44.35 mgCA/g) and flavonoid (85.56-596.7 mgCA/g) contents and FRAP (187.87-371.41 mgCA/g). This extract exhibited strong DPPH (IC50 = 0.49 µg/ml), H2O2(IC50 = 1.62 µg/ml) and ABTS (IC50= 0.43 µg/ml) radical scavenging activities. Significant reduction of abdominal writhing (P< 0.001) and fever (P< 0.001) were observed in rats in a dose dependent manner after administration of the ethanol extract with the most effective dose being 400 mg/kg b.w. Conclusion: These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of Dichaetanthera africana in the treatment of pain and fever.

Zanthoxylum lemairei is widely used in African folk medicine for its pharmacological relevance. Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract from the leaves of this plant lead to the isolation of two new tetraflavonoids, lemairones A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), along with three known compounds, lupeol, sitosterol, and sitosterol 3- O -β- d -glucopyranoside. The antibacterial screening of the leaves of this plant, characterization of compounds 1 and 2 , and their antibacterial activity are reported for the first time. The isolation of the compounds was performed using different chromatographic methods while their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including MS and NMR, and by comparison of data with those of similar flavonoids reported in the literature. The isolated compounds and the crude extract were tested against ten Gram negative multi-resistance bacterial strains including clinical isolates using a broth dilution method. The crude ethanol extract showed weak activity against the tested bacteria strains with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 512 to 1024 μg/mL. Among the isolated metabolites, only the new tetraflavonoids were tested. Lemairone A displayed weak activity while lemairone B had moderate activity against the resistant Escherichia coli AG100 with MIC values of 128 μg/mL and 64 μg/mL respectively. In addition, both molecules displayed weak activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae KP55 (MIC 128 μg/mL).

In this paper, we investigate the global dynamics of a system of delay differential equations which describes the interaction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with both liver and blood cells. The model has two distributed time delays describing the time needed for infection of cell and virus replication. We also include the efficiency of drug therapy in inhibiting viral production and the efficiency of drug therapy in blocking new infection. We compute the basic reproduction number and find that increasing delays will decrease the value of the basic reproduction number. We study the sensitivity analysis on the key parameters that drive the disease dynamics in order to determine their relative importance to disease transmission and prevalence. Our analysis reveals that the model exhibits the phenomenon of backward bifurcation (where a stable disease-free equilibrium (DFE) co-exists with a stable endemic equilibrium when the basic reproduction number is less than unity). Numerical simulations are presented to evaluate the impact of time-delays on the prevalence of the disease.

Malaria and soil-transmitted helminths are common parasitic diseases found in schoolchildren in sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and intensities of these infections in apparently healthy schoolchildren living in Mfou health district, where malaria and intestinal infections are among the first causes of morbidity. In a cross-sectional study involving 503 schoolchildren, anthropometric parameters were measured. Finger-prick blood and fresh stool samples were collected for malaria parasites determination, assessment of anaemia and detection of helminths’ eggs. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between these infections and other factors. Overall, 40.6 and 29.6% of children harboured malaria parasites and worms respectively. Prevalences of mild, moderate and severe undernutrition were respectively 22.2, 2.3 and 0.5% for underweight, and 21.9, 7.6 and 2.0% for stunting. In logistic regression analysis, anaemia (OR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.71-4.07) and infection with Ascaris lumbricoides (OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.01-2.91) were significantly associated with malaria infection. Infection with Trichuris trichiura was significantly associated with increased risks of underweight (OR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.11-4.01). Moreover, rural schoolchildren showed increased chances of carrying worms, compared to their urban counterparts (OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.75-3.86). Malaria prevention and school-based deworming activities should be re-enforced in Mfou health district to reduce the burden of these infections in children. Key words: Malaria, soil-transmitted helminths, undernutrition, schoolchildren, Mfou, Cameroon.

We conducted a cytogenetic analysis of 642 children with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated on the AML-Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) 04 protocol to determine the prognostic value of specific chromosomal aberrations including monosomal (MK+), complex (CK+) and hypodiploid (HK+) karyotypes, individually and in combination. Multivariate regression analysis identified in particular MK+ (n=22) as a new independent risk factor for poor event-free survival (EFS 23±9% vs 53±2% for all other patients, P=0.0003), even after exclusion of four patients with monosomy 7 (EFS 28±11%, P=0.0081). CK+ patients without MK had a better prognosis (n=47, EFS 47±8%, P=0.46) than those with MK+ (n=12, EFS 25±13%, P=0.024). HK+ (n=37, EFS 44±8% for total cohort, P=0.3) influenced outcome only when t(8;21) patients were excluded (remaining n=16, EFS 9±8%, P

Background Stress, regardless of its nature is nowadays recognized as one of the major risk factors for neuropsychiatric diseases, such as mood and anxiety disorders. The brain compared with other organs is more vulnerable to oxidative damage mainly due to its high rate of oxygen consumption, abundant lipid content, and relative insufficiency of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, the identification of neural mechanisms underlying resistance and vulnerability to stress is of crucial importance in understanding the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders and in developing new treatments, since the existing ones are for several reasons subject to increasing limitations. This study was aimed to assess the effects of hydromethanolic extract of Ficus sycomorus stem bark on depression, anxiety and memory impairment induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) in rats. Methods These effects were studied using anxiety-related behavior, depression-related behavior, anhedonia-like behavior and the Y maze task. Sucrose test was performed twice (before and after UCMS) to assess anhedonia in rats. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the extract were performed. The antioxidant activities of the extract were assessed using total glutathione (GSH) content and malondialdehyde (MDA) level (lipid peroxidation) in the rat temporal lobe homogenates. Results The extract of F. sycomorus in a dose of 100 mg/kg significantly increased the sucrose consumption and the swimming time which had been reduced by the unpredictable chronic mild stress (p