Cytotoxic Properties on Cervical and Liver Cancer Cells of Two Plant Recipes from Burkina Faso

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in developing countries. In recent years, natural plant-based compounds have been used in the search for drugs to combat numerous diseases, including cancer. In this study, we evaluate the cytotoxic properties of paanfo tiben 1 and paanfo tiben 2, two traditional herbal formulations from Burkina Faso used in the treatment of cancer in Burkina Faso. To this end, the recipes were infused and freeze-dried. The dry extracts obtained were used to determine total phenolics and flavonoids content, assess antioxidant activity using the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, evaluate anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting 15-LOX, COX 1 and 2, and assess cytotoxic activity on HeLa cervical cancer and HePG2 liver cancer cell lines using the MTT test. The paanfo tiben 1 recipe showed the highest levels of total phenolics and flavonoids, as well as the best antioxidant activities, with IC50 values of 21.020 ± 0.6 µg/ml and 22.94 ± 0.57 µg/ml for DPPH and ABTS, and 165.15 mM EAA/mg dry extract for FRAP. It also exhibited the best cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 112.02 ± 0.025 µg/ml on HeLa cells and 80.67 ± 6.08 µg/ml on HepG2 cells. On the other hand, paanfo tiben 2 exhibited the best anti-inflammatory activities through inhibition of 15-LOX and COX 1, with inhibition percentages at 100 µg/ml of 32.523% and 24.717 % respectively. These results could justify the traditional use of these two recipes by traditional health practitioners in the treatment of cancer sufferers in Burkina Faso.

Epidemiology of gastric cancer

The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer have fallen dramatically in US and elsewhere over the past several decades. Nonetheless, gastric cancer remains a major public health issue as the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Demographic trends differ by tumor location and histology. While there has been a marked decline in distal, intestinal type gastric cancers, the incidence of proximal, diffuse type adenocarcinomas of the gastric cardia has been increasing, particularly in the Western countries. Incidence by tumor sub-site also varies widely based on geographic location, race, and socioeconomic status. Distal gastric cancer predominates in developing countries, among blacks, and in lower socioeconomic groups, whereas proximal tumors are more common in developed countries, among whites, and in higher socio-economic classes. Diverging trends in the incidence of gastric cancer by tumor location suggest that they may represent two diseases with different etiologies. The main risk factors for distal gastric cancer include Helicobacter pylori （H pylori） infection and dietary factors, whereas gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity play important roles in the development of proximal stomach cancer. The purpose of this review is to examine the epidemiology and risk factors of gastric cancer, and to discuss strategies for primary prevention.

The rationale and design of the minocycline plus amiodarone versus amiodarone alone (MINAA) trial for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

Objectives: Amiodarone administration is presently considered in the prevention of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF) after cardiac operations, but relapse of PAF requiring anticoagulation therapy at hospital discharge is prevalent despite amiodarone prophylaxis. PAF is also associated with increased morbidity and mortality including complications resulting from long-term anticoagulation therapy. Currently, the most effective therapy to prevent PAF after cardiac surgery remains undetermined. Inflammatory mechanisms may be partly responsible for PAF. Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, has specifically an atrial myocytes anti-apoptotic effect, decreases right atrial tissue inflammation and oxidative stress activity. These observations led to this trial’s hypothesis that the addition of minocycline to amiodarone may favorably affect suppression of PAF. Methods: This trial compares the efficacy and safety of minocycline plus amiodarone versus amiodarone alone, in the prevention of PAF among adult patients undergoing cardiac procedures. All patients receive Beta-blocker agent. The primary outcome is PAF occurrence. Secondary outcomes include thromboembolic stroke, need for pharmacologic or electric cardioversion, mediastinal exploration for sepsis or for anticoagulation-related bleeding, serious drug side effects, length of hospital stay and 30-day mortality from cardiovascular causes. Results: This is an ongoing prospective single center randomized controlled clinical trial. Conclusion: The trial provides information on the comparative effectiveness of this low-risk prevention therapy of PAF that could be integrated in clinical practice. (Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT 01422148).

HPV/HBV or HPV/HCV Co-Infections in Women Treated for Chronic Hepatitis at Hôpital Saint Camille in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a public health concern and is mainly caused by Human papillomaviruses (HPV). In many parts of the world, studies are being carried out to understand the different genotypes to better tackle this issue. We conducted a study to determine the prevalence of HPV genotypes in women with chronic hepatitis B or C infection, co-infected or not with HIV, treated at the Hôpital Saint Camille in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Methods: This study was conducted from April to July 2023, including 100 women in gastroenterology at Hôpital Saint Camille. A questionnaire on their socio-demographic and life style was administrated;and endocervical samples were collected using sterile swabs and then sent to Centre of Biomolecular Research Pietro Annigoni (CERBA). HPV molecular detection and genotyping were performed by PCR and hybridization using the HPV Direct Flow Chips kit. Data were analysis using chi square test or Fischer’s exact test with a significance threshold for p Results: The prevalence of HPV infection was 28% (28/100) on the sample of women tested. The most frequent genotypes were HPV 52 (8.33%), followed by HPV 18 and 68 (6.25% each) for high-risk HPVs, and HPV 6, 44/55 and 62/81 (8.33% each) for low-risk HPVs. Conclusion: This study, the first of its kind in Burkina Faso on this group of the population, reveals that the most frequent genotypes found in this study are not included in the vaccine available in Burkina Faso (Gardasil®4).

The Secrets in the Steam

Introduction： There are several components in motion before steam reaches its destination. Each element plays a significant role in generating adequate steam for terminal sterilization of critical devices. The knowledge and awareness of factors that contribute to wet packs will assist in maximizing steam quality. Steam sterilization of critical devices such as surgical instruments in the acute care setting is fundamentally necessary to prevent infection. Sterile packaging that is wet after removal from the autoclave is considered contaminated. This wet pack presents a significant infection risk and indicates a defect in the sterilization process. The identification of wet packs prompted the exploration of the sterilization process. In reviewing the evolution of steam production, our investigation began in the boiler room. The assessments of the boiler operations, steam quality, and loading technique of the autoclaves were examined as possible contributing factors in the propagation of wet packs. Methods： The investigation was performed in a 592-bed non-teaching acute care facility in New Jersey. Methods to ensure the integrity of steam included; a cut point of 〈 3,500 ppm TDSs （total dissolved solids）, （daily） calibration of the TDS analyzer to ensure accurate TDS measurement, increase in autoclave drying times, reduction of the weight density of surgical trays from 25 lbs. to 20 lbs., and revision of sterilization loading practices. Modifications were implemented from June 2015 to December 2015. Results： No wet packs were identified from January through May 2016. In June 2016, 2 wet packs were detected, and upon further analysis there was an increase in the water level of the boiler drum. After this special cause variation, no wet packs have been identified. Conclusion： The monitoring and documentation of boiler room parameters and CSP （central sterile processing） practice modifications may have impacted the reduction of wet pack.

非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、载脂蛋白A-I及B100、标准脂质测量、脂质比值以及CRP作为女性心血管病危险因素的临床用途

背景：关于不同脂质测定、非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（non-HDL-C）、脂质比值、载脂蛋白和C-反应蛋白（CRP）的临床应用，现行心血管危险检测指南仍有争议。 目的：直接比较总胆固醇（totalcholesterol，TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、HDL-C、non-HDL-C、载脂蛋白A-I（apoA-I）及B100（apoB100）、高敏C-反应蛋白（高敏CRP）以及TC与HDL-C、LDL-C与HDL-C、apoB100与apoA-I、apoB100与HDL-C比值，在妇女作为将来心血管事件预测指标的临床用途。 设计、地点及参试者：于15 632例起始健康美国妇女进行的前瞻性队列研究。1992年11月至1995年7月人组时年龄≥45岁（4分位范围48～59岁）。所有参试者均经10年随访，观察将来心血管事件的发生情况。 主要观测指标：按照各项生化指标不同基线值而确定的首次主要心血管事件（n=4 764）的风险比（hazard ratios，HRs）及95％可信区间（confidence intervals，CIs）。 结果：在校正年龄、吸烟状况、血压、糖尿病及体重指数后，测量结果在最高5分位者将来发生心血管事件的风险比LDL-C为1．62（95％CI，1．17～2．25），apoA-I为1．75（95％CI，1．30～2．38），TC为2．08（95％CI，1．45～2．97），HDL-C为2．32（95％CI，1．64～3．33），apoB100为2．50（95％CI，1．68～3．72），non-HDL-C为2．51（95％CI，1．69～3．72），高敏CRP为2．98（95％CI，1．90～4．67）（P＜0．001，趋势贯穿所有5分位）。脂质比值风险比，apoBl00与apoA-I为3．01（95％CI，2．01～4．50），LDL-C与HDL-C为3．18（95％CI，2．12～4．75），apoB100与HDL-C为3．56（95％CI，2．31～5．47），TC与HDL-C为3．81（95％CI，2．47～5．86）（P＜0．001，趋势贯穿所有5分位）。高敏CRP与脂质参数的相关系数范围为-0．33到0．15，以CRP＜1、1～3和＞3 ms／L为临床分割点，可对每项脂质测量及脂质比值水平增加提供预后危险信息。 结论：non-HDL-C以及TC与HDL-C比值对将来心血管事件的预测效果与载脂蛋白相同或者更好。校正年龄、血压、吸烟、糖尿病和肥胖后，高敏CRP提供的预后信息超越各项脂质测量。