Growth-dependent effects of dietary protein concentration and quality on the biomechanical properties of the diaphyseal rat femur.

Objectives: This study compares the effects of feeding growing rats with increasing concentrations of casein (C) and wheat gluten (G), proteins that show different biological qualities, on the morphometrical and biomechanical properties of the femoral diaphysis.

Materials And Methods: Female rats were fed with one of ten diets containing different concentrations (5-30%) of C and G between the 30th and 90th days of life (Control=C-20%). Biomechanical structural properties of the right femur middiaphysis were estimated using a 3-point bending mechanical test with calculation of some indicators of bone material properties.

[Sociological perspectives on the management of TB/HIV co-infection in Burkina Faso].

In Burkina Faso, the management of TB/HIV co-infection presents a challenge for policy-makers and the health-care system, with its psychological, sociocultural and biomedical issues. The purpose of this paper is to describe the concerns caused by this co-infection and propose a management strategy for these patients. These findings result from a qualitative socio-anthropological study during a public health project in three health districts from 2006 to 2008 and from the observation of care practices in health centres.

[Social anthropological approach to tuberculosis in Mopti (Mali): popular representations and use of treatment].

In Mali, there were 4508 new cases of tuberculosis in 2003, and 5222 in 2006. Tuberculosis (TB) is thus an important public health problem, decreasing the physical, financial and social capital of individuals, their families and society. Because responses to TB have not yet applied a sufficiently integrated approach that can improve patients' access to quality care, this FORESA project advocates a patient-centered approach.

[Understanding and reaching young clandestine sex workers in Burkina Faso to improve response to HIV].

In 1998, researchers in Burkina Faso enrolled 300 women more or less involved in commercial sex work in an open cohort to determine whether adequate management of their sexually transmitted infections and exposure to well-designed, well-delivered, and plentiful communication for behaviour change (CBC) might reduce their vulnerability to HIV. In 2000, they observed that the non-professional sex workers (occasional or clandestine sex workers) were more difficult to reach, to mobilize and to keep involved in the project's different activities. This group was also infected at the same or higher rates than professional sex workers because they did not use condoms routinely.

Long-term exposure to hypobaric hypoxia in rat affects femur cross-sectional geometry and bone tissue material properties.

Hypoxia leads to an increase in erythropoiesis, which induces hypertrophy of the erythropoietic marrow and may induce bone resorption. This study investigates the effect of chronic hypobaric hypoxia (simulated high altitude, SHA) on the biomechanics of rat femurs by mechanical tests of diaphyseal stiffness and strength and calculation of some indicators of bone material properties. Adult female rats were exposed to SHA (5500 m, 23.