Acute Oral Toxicity and Vasorelaxant Effects of Hydroethanolic Extract from Lannea microcarpa Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiaceae) Trunk Barks in Mice Aortas: Possible Involvement of Intracellular Ca 2+ Mobilization

Lannea microcrapa Engl. & K. Krause (Anacardiaceae) is a fruit and medicinal plant widely used in Burkina Faso. This plant is traditionally used in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the vasorelaxant effects of the hydroethanolic extract from Lannea microcarpa trunk barks (HE_ELM) on the aorta isolated from NMRI mice. Phytochemical screening by HPTLC, assay of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, assessment of antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and LPO), and myography of HE_ELM (1 - 2000 μg/mL) on mice thoracic aortas in the presence and absence of endothelium were carried out. Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independant vasodilation were assessed by cumulative addition of Ach (1 nM - 10 μM) on aortic rings precontracted with the thromboxane analogue A2 agonist, 9,11-dideoxy9α,11α-methanoepoxy PGF2α (U46619). L-NAME was used to verify the involvement of NO production in the relaxation mechanism of the extract. Acute oral toxicity of HE_ELM was also evaluated. A phytochemical study revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, sterols and triterpenes, saponosides, and high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. These compounds are thought to be responsible for the extract’s antioxidant and vasorelaxant properties. HE_ELM demonstrated significant antioxidant potential and induced aortic relaxation. Indeed, pharmacological parameters gave EC50 values ranging from 596.45 ± 95.82 μg/mL to 749.48 ± 133.40 μg/mL and Emax values from 85.51% ± 9.59% to 96.81% ± 8.60% for the three conditions of vasodilation of the extract (p > 0.05). A complete antagonism of the contractile effect of U46619 was noted with 1 mg/mL HE_ELM. These results suggest that HE_ELM induces aortic relaxation through a concentration-dependent, endothelium-independent mechanism, possibly involving intracellular calcium mobilization of vascular cells. Acute oral toxicity tests of HE_ELM (2000 mg/kg) showed no mortality or adverse effects, suggesting the extract’s safety and potential as a therapeutic agent for hypertension. This discovery scientifically validates the use of the plant in alternative medicine to treat hypertension.

2D Modeling of Solar Cell Radial Junction: Study of Carriers Charge Density and Photocurrent Density in Static Mode under Monochromatic Illumination

A theoretical study of a polysilicon solar cell with a radial junction in static regime under monochromatic illumination is presented in this paper. The junction radial solar cell geometry is illustrated and described. The carriers’ diffusion equation is established and solved under quasi-neutral base assumption with boundaries conditions and Bessel equations. New analytical expressions of electrons and holes density and photocurrent are found. The wavelength and structural parameters (base radius, emitter thickness) influences on charge carriers density and photocurrent are shown and examined.

Optimization of Contents of Three Raw Clay Materials in Formulation of a Porcelain

Formulation of traditional hard porcelain generally requires 50% kaolin, 25% silica and 25% feldspar. Four porcelains formulation using the casting method, were prepared with different percentages of kaolinitic clay, sand and pegmatite referenced respectively NONG, SAB and PEG. The physico-chemical, mechanical and mineralogical characteristics were evaluated on specimens formulated and sintered at different temperatures from 1200˚C to 1300˚C. X-ray diffraction has revealed the presence of mullite and quartz as essentially crystalline phases. The specimen formulated with 55% NONG, 25% PEG and 20% SAB and sintered at 1240˚C gives better performance (water absorption: 0.17%, density: 2.42, open porosity: 0.42% and flexural strength: 53.54 MPa).

Frequency and Factors Associated with Depression in Rheumatoid Arthritis in African Black Patients: Case-Control Study

Objective: To study the frequency and factors associated with depression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among Black African patients. Patients and methods: It was a case-control study with a group of patients with RA (case) and a group of healthy subjects without rheumatoid arthritis (con-trols) matched by age and sex. All patients admitted to the rheumatologic department during February 2015 to July 2015 for rheumatoid arthritis meeting the criteria ACR/EULAR 2010, were included. Patients with high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, renal failure or HIV infection have been excluded. Depression was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Results: Fifty patients with RA were included and compared to 100 healthy controls. For RA patients, it was 39 (78%) female and 11 (22%) male with a sex ratio of 0.28. In the control group, it was 77 (77%) female and 23 (23%) male with a sex ratio of 0.29. Twenty-seven (54%) patients with RA had depression compared with 17 (17%) subjects in the control group (p = 0.000). Impaired quality of life and a DAS 28 score greater than 3.2 were statistically associated with depression during RA with a p value respectively of 0.021 and 0.0000231. Conclusion: Depres-sion is significantly more common during RA than in non-RA controls. RA patients should be screened routinely for depression in order to ensure improved treatment and management.

Ankylosing Spondylitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Series of 48 Cases Reported in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis is rare in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of our study was to report cases of AS in a black African population and to see the influence of gender. Method: It was a retrospective study conducted in the Rheumatology Department of Ouagadougou University Hospital, Ouagadougou, from March 2006 to February 28, 2015 for a period of nine years. All the patients who went under a rheumatology consultation during the study period were included. Patients with AS defined by the modified New York criteria were selected. Result: Forty-eight (0.61%) cases of AS were diagnosed among 7806 patients received in the rheumatology department during the study period. The search for the HLA B27 antigen in 20 patients was positive in 11 (55%). Half of the patients (50%) had a BASDAI score ≥ 4. Sacroiliitis was observed in all patients;it was stage 4 in 8 patients. Comparing by sex, there was no statistically significant difference by gender. Conclusion: Prevalence of ankylosing spondylitis increases. The presentation is similar to that of the caucasian series.