Giant orbitofacial basidiobolomycosis: diagnostic and management challenges in a resource limited environment.

Basidiobolomycosis, a rare disease caused by the fungus Basidiobolusranarum, an environmental saprophyte, member of the class Zygomycetes; order Entomophthorales, found worldwide is an opportunistic infection that can be life-threatening in immune compromised patients. This report presents an unusual case of a giant orbito-facial basidiobolomycosis in a 30-year-old, otherwise healthy Nigerian farmer. The diagnostic and treatment challenges peculiar in our environment were also discussed.Key words: orbitofacial lesions, fungal infections, basidiobolomycosis, Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon

Apport des techniques géospatiales pour l’analyse de la productivité des aquifères fissurés de la région de Dioulatiedougou (Nord-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire)

L’approvisionnement en eau potable demeure une préoccupation majeure pour les populations en Côte d’Ivoire du fait de la mauvaise exploitation et gestion des données disponibles. La satisfaction d’un tel besoin passe par l’existence d’informations détaillées, fiables et bien organisées sur la qualité et l’environnement de ces eaux souterraines. L’objectif de cette étude est d’élaborer un outil d’aide à décision permettant le suivi et l’optimisation de la productivité des forages à partir d’analyses géospatiales. La démarche adoptée est celle d’une géodatabase qui nécessite une compilation de données sémantique et géographique basées sur un modèle relationnel et qui utilise les techniques de spatialisation et de géostatistique. Le résultat de ce travail est une interface conviviale qui facilite la consultation et la saisie de données sur les forages réalisés. Les analyses spatiale et statistique effectuées montrent que les débits des forages réalisés oscillent entre 0,0 et15m3/h avec une moyenne de 3,95 m3/h. Les classes de débits faibles, moyens et forts représentent 73,33% des débits des forages de cette localité. Les relations entre la productivité et la géologie ont montré que ce sont les granites à biotite et les gneiss qui fournissent les meilleurs débits. Ils possèdent en effet, le plus grand nombre d’arrivée d’eau. Cette géodatabase met à la disposition des gestionnaires des outils d'analyse et d'aide à la décision pour la planification et l’évaluation des forages.Mots clés : Modélisation des données, géodatabase, géostatistique, forages, Dioulatiédougou, Côte d’Ivoir

Modélisation du comportement hydrologique du bassin versant du Boubo en milieu tropical humide de la Côte d’Ivoire par l’application du modèle hydrologique distribué CEQUEAU

L’étude du comportement hydrologique du bassin versant du Boubo a nécessité l’intégration dans le modèle CEQUEAU d'une base de données constituée de données matricielles (paramètres d'altitude et d'occupation du sol), vectorielle (hydrographie, limite du bassin versant, localisation des stations hydrométéorologiques) et des tables associées comprenant les données géographiques. La discrétisation spatiale de la surface du bassin versant (5900 km²) a conduit à 100 mailles carrées de 10 km de côté chacun et 188 mailles partielles.  Le calibrage du modèle sur la période (1983-1987) et sa validation sur les périodes (1992-1996, 1997-2001 et 1992-2001) ont permis de reconstituer les débits moyens journaliers écoulés avec des coefficients de Nash variant de 0,74 à 0,85 et le coefficient de corrélation variant de 0,89 à 0,92. La simulation des différents états de surface indique que les changements phytogéographiques opérés sur le bassin ont eu pour conséquence la réduction de la lame d’eau évapotranspirée et infiltrée et l'augmentation de la lames d'eau ruisselée.Mots-clés: modélisation, chalandise, CEQUEAU, Boubo, comportement hydrologique. Modelling of the hydrological behavior of the watershed of the Boubo in Middle tropical moist, Côte d'Ivoire by the application of the model hydrological CEQUEAU distributedBoubo catchment of this hydrological behaviour study required integration in model CEQUEAU of a data base made up of matric data (parameters of altitude and occupation of the ground), vectorial (hydrographic, limiting network of catchment area, localization of the hydrometeorological stations) and of the tables assignees associated with the geographical data. The grid of this catchment surface (5900 km²) led to 100 square meshs of 10 km side each one and 188 partial meshs. The calibration of the model over the period (1983-1987) and its validation over the periods (1992-1996, 1997-2001 and 1992-2001) made it possible to reconstitute the daily medium flows with coefficients of varying Nash from 0,74 to 0,85 and the coefficient of correlation varying from 0,89 to 0,92. The phytogeographical changes operated on the basin had as a consequence of reduction evaporation and infiltrated water blades and to increase the streamed blades.Keywords: modelling, catchment, CEQUEAU, Boubo, hydrological behaviour

A systematic review of naturalistic interventions in refugee populations

Naturalistic interventions with refugee populations examine outcomes following mental health interventions in existing refugee service organisations. The current review aimed to examine outcomes of naturalistic interventions and quality of the naturalistic intervention literature in refugee populations with the view to highlight the strengths and limitations of naturalistic intervention studies. Database search was conducted using the search terms ‘refugee’, ‘asylum seeker’, ‘treatment’, ‘therapy’ and ‘intervention. No date limitations were applied, but searches were limited to articles written in English. Seven studies were identified that assessed the outcome of naturalistic interventions on adult refugees or asylum seekers in a country of resettlement using quantitative outcome measures. Results showed significant variation in the outcomes of naturalistic intervention studies, with a trend towards showing decreased symptomatology at post-intervention. However, conclusions are limited by methodological problems of the studies reviewed, particularly poor documentation of intervention methods and lack of control in the design of naturalistic intervention studies. Further examination of outcomes following naturalistic interventions is needed with studies which focus on increasing the rigour of the outcome assessment process

Probing interactions in mesoscopic gold wires

We have measured in gold wires the energy exchange rate between quasiparticles, the phase coherence time of quasiparticles and the resistance vs. temperature, in order to probe the interaction processes which are relevant at low temperatures. We find that the energy exchange rate is higher than expected from the theory of electron-electron interactions, and that it has a different energy dependence. The dephasing time is constant at temperatures between 8 K and 0.5 K, and it increases below 0.5 K. The magnetoresistance is negative at large field scales, and the resistance decreases logarithmically with increasing temperatures, indicating the presence of magnetic impurities, probably Fe. Whereas resistivity and phase coherence measurements can be attributed to magnetic impurities, the question is raised whether these magnetic impurities could also mediate energy exchanges between quasiparticles.Comment: latex pothier.tex, 12 files, 15 pages in: Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Size Dependent Magnetic Scattering, Pesc, Hungary, May 28 - June 1st, 2000 Chandrasekhar V., Van Haesendonck C. eds (Kluwer, 2001) [SPEC-S00/083

Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in 178 962 Five-Year Survivors of Cancer Diagnosed at 15 to 39 Years of Age: The TYACSS (Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study)

Background: Survivors of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer are at risk of cerebrovascular events, but the magnitude of and extent to which this risk varies by cancer type, decade of diagnosis, age at diagnosis and attained age remains uncertain. This is the largest ever cohort study to evaluate the risks of hospitalisation for a cerebrovascular event among long-term survivors of TYA cancer. Methods:The population-based Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study (N=178,962) was linked to Hospital Episode Statistics data for England to investigate the risks of hospitalisation for a cerebrovascular event among 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed when aged 15-39 years. Observed numbers of first hospitalisations for cerebrovascular events were compared to that expected from the general population using standardised hospitalisation ratios (SHR) and absolute excess risks (AER) per 10,000 person-years. Cumulative incidence was calculated with death considered a competing risk. Results: Overall, 2,782 cancer survivors were hospitalised for a cerebrovascular event—40% higher than expected (SHR=1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3-1.4). Survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumours (SHR=4.6, CI=4.3-5.0), head & neck tumours (SHR=2.6, CI=2.2-3.1) and leukaemia (SHR=2.5, CI=1.9-3.1) were at greatest risk. Males had a significantly higher AER than females (AER=7 versus 3), especially among head & neck tumour survivors (AER=30 versus 11). By age 60, 9%, 6% and 5% of CNS tumour, head & neck tumour, and leukaemia survivors, respectively, had been hospitalised for a cerebrovascular event. Beyond age 60, every year 0.4% of CNS tumour survivors were hospitalised for a cerebral infarction (versus 0.1% expected. Whereas at any age, every year 0.2% of head & neck tumour survivors were hospitalised for a cerebral infarction 7 (versus 0.06% expected). Conclusions: Survivors of a CNS tumour, head & neck tumour, and leukaemia are particularly at risk of hospitalisation for a cerebrovascular event. The excess risk of cerebral infarction among CNS tumour survivors increases with attained age. For head & neck tumour survivors this excess risk remains high across all ages. These groups of survivors, and in particular males, should be considered for surveillance of cerebrovascular risk factors and potential pharmacological interventions for cerebral infarction prevention

Randomized placebo-controlled trial on azithromycin to reduce the morbidity of bronchiolitis in Indigenous Australian infants: rationale and protocol

Background: Acute lower respiratory infections are the commonest cause of morbidity and potentially preventable mortality in Indigenous infants. Infancy is also a critical time for post-natal lung growth and development. Severe or repeated lower airway injury in very young children likely increases the likelihood of chronic pulmonary disorders later in life. Globally, bronchiolitis is the most common form of acute lower respiratory infections during infancy. Compared with non-Indigenous Australian infants, Indigenous infants have greater bacterial density in their upper airways and more severe bronchiolitis episodes. Our study tests the hypothesis that the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties of azithromycin, improve the clinical outcomes of Indigenous Australian infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis.Methods: We are conducting a dual centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial in northern Australia. Indigenous infants (aged ≤ 24-months, expected number = 200) admitted to one of two regional hospitals (Darwin, Northern Territory and Townsville, Queensland) with a clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis and fulfilling inclusion criteria are randomised (allocation concealed) to either azithromycin (30 mg/kg/dose) or placebo administered once weekly for three doses. Clinical data are recorded twice daily and nasopharyngeal swab are collected at enrolment and at the time of discharge from hospital. Primary outcomes are 'length of oxygen requirement' and 'duration of stay,' the latter based upon being judged as 'ready for respiratory discharge'. The main secondary outcome is readmission for a respiratory illness within 6-months of leaving hospital. Descriptive virological and bacteriological (including development of antibiotic resistance) data from nasopharyngeal samples will also be reported.Discussion: Two published studies, both involving different patient populations and settings, as well as different macrolide antibiotics and treatment duration, have produced conflicting results. Our randomised, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin in Indigenous infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis is designed to determine whether it can reduce short-term (and potentially long-term) morbidity from respiratory illness in Australian Indigenous infants who are at high risk of developing chronic respiratory illness. If azithromycin is efficacious in reducing the morbidly of Indigenous infants hospitalised with bronchiolitis, the intervention would lead to improved short term (and possibly long term) health benefits. Trial registration: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12610000326099

Imaging Mitochondrial Calcium Fluxes with Fluorescent Probes and Single- or Two-Photon Confocal Microscopy

The concentration of calcium ions in the mitochondria has been shown to affect its function, modulating respiratory activity at low levels and causing lethal damage at high concentrations. The rhodamine series of dyes can be used to measure mitochondrial calcium concentration, but the reliability of measurements depends upon correct partitioning of the dye within to the mitochondria. Methods are described to aid verification and quantification of the mitochondrial calcium concentration using single- or two-photon confocal microscopy. The method of linear unmixing to separate fluorescent signals based on either differing excitation or emission spectra is outlined and for the purposes of illustration is applied to the separation of rhod-2 signals originating from the dye within the mitochondria and nucleoli