Estimating the burden of malaria in Senegal : Bayesian zero-inflated binomial geostatistical modeling of the MIS 2008 data

The Research Center for Human Development in Dakar (CRDH) with the technical assistance of ICF Macro and the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) conducted in 2008/2009 the Senegal Malaria Indicator Survey (SMIS), the first nationally representative household survey collecting parasitological data and malaria-related indicators. In this paper, we present spatially explicit parasitaemia risk estimates and number of infected children below 5 years. Geostatistical Zero-Inflated Binomial models (ZIB) were developed to take into account the large number of zero-prevalence survey locations (70%) in the data. Bayesian variable selection methods were incorporated within a geostatistical framework in order to choose the best set of environmental and climatic covariates associated with the parasitaemia risk. Model validation confirmed that the ZIB model had a better predictive ability than the standard Binomial analogue. Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods were used for inference. Several insecticide treated nets (ITN) coverage indicators were calculated to assess the effectiveness of interventions. After adjusting for climatic and socio-economic factors, the presence of at least one ITN per every two household members and living in urban areas reduced the odds of parasitaemia by 86% and 81% respectively. Posterior estimates of the ORs related to the wealth index show a decreasing trend with the quintiles. Infection odds appear to be increasing with age. The population-adjusted prevalence ranges from 0.12% in Thille-Boubacar to 13.1% in Dabo. Tambacounda has the highest population-adjusted predicted prevalence (8.08%) whereas the region with the highest estimated number of infected children under the age of 5 years is Kolda (13940). The contemporary map and estimates of malaria burden identify the priority areas for future control interventions and provide baseline information for monitoring and evaluation. Zero-Inflated formulations are more appropriate in modeling sparse geostatistical survey data, expected to arise more frequently as malaria research is focused on eliminatio

Myringoplastie par la technique des boutonnières

Introduction : La réparation des lésions tympaniques et ossiculaires au cours de l’otite chronique fait appel à plusieurs procédés bien codifiés par leurs utilisateurs.Le but de ce travail est de rapporter nos résultatsde myringoplastie par la technique des boutonnières, chez des patients porteurs de séquelles d’otite moyenne chronique non cholestéatomateuse.Patients et méthode : Etude rétrospective concernant 49 patients opérés consécutivement de tympanoplastie pour otite moyenne chronique non cholestéatomateuse, entre janvier 2003 et décembre 2009, sélectionnés parmi 140 autres opérés de tympanoplasties selon d’autres procédés. Le temps de réparation de la membrane tympanique (Myringoplastie) a été effectué par la technique d’amarrage antérieur du greffon, technique dite des boutonnières. Les critères d’évaluationétaient l’état du tympan à la dernière consultation, le rinne moyen post opératoire ou rinne résiduel et le gain moyen auditif. Le gain auditif était représenté par la différence entre le rinne pré-opératoire et le rinne post opératoire et tous les paramètres fonctionnels appréciés sur les fréquences 500, 1000 et 2000 hertz.Résultats : L’âge moyen était de 29 ans avec des extrêmes de 8 et 64 ans. La perforation tympanique était importante, centrale ou subtotale dans 32 cas (65,30%), avec une ancienneté remontant à l’enfance dans 19 cas (38,77%). L’oreille controlatérale était porteuse d’une pathologie dans 23 cas (47%). Le rinne moyen pré-opératoire était de 37,04 dB. Avec un recul moyen de 26 mois, la restauration anatomique du tympan en position normale était notée dans 35 cas (71,42 %). Le taux de reperforation a été estimé à 20,4% (10 cas), tandisque la médialisation a été observée dans 2 cas (4,08%), la latéralisation dans 1 cas (2,04%), le blunting ou comblement de l’angle antérieur tympano-méatal dans 1 cas (2,04%). Nous avons noté un rinne moyen post opératoire de 20,38 dB avec un gain moyen post opératoire de 14dB.Conclusion : Les résultats obtenus dans cette première série de myringoplastiepar la technique des boutonnières ont été modestes, mais améliorés dans le temps avec la maitrise de la technique opératoire et des facteurs de risque d’échec représentés ici par l’ancienneté, l’importance et l’évolutivité des lésions.Mots clés : Otite chronique, Myringoplastie, Technique des boutonnières.Objective : Several methods well codified by their users had been described for the repairing of tympanic and ossicular damage during chronic otitis media. The aim of this study was to report our results of myringoplasties by the technic of buttonholes procedure, in patients with sequelae of non chlesteatoma chronic otitis media.Patients and methods : A retrospective study on 49 patients, with sequalea of non cholesteatoma chronic otitis media, operated consecutively of myringoplasty by the technic of buttonholes, between january 2003 and december 2009, was caried out. The patients had been selected among 140 others operated throught others procedures. The criteria of evaluation were the ear drum’s aspect at the last clinical examination, the average air bone gap and the average hearing gain established as the difference between pre opérative and post operative air bone gap. The parameters for the post operative functional outcome had been assessed on the frequencies 500, 1000 and 2000 kHz.Results: The average age was 29 years and ranged from 8 to 64. The tympanic membrane’s perforation was important, central or subtotal in 32 cases (65,30%), with a long term évolution dating back to childhood in 19 cases (38,77%). Pathological disease was noticed in the controlateral ear in 23 cases (47%). The average pre operative air bone gap was 37.04 dB. After a mean follow up of 26 month, the succeful rate of closure of the tymapanic membrane, in the normal position, was 71,42%. The recidive of perforation (reperforation) was estimated at 20,4% (10 cases), whereverthe medialization was observed in 2 cases (4,08), lateralization and the blunting or filling the anterior tympano-méatal angle in respectively 1 case (2,04%). We noted an average post oprative air bone gap of 20,38 dB with an average hearing gain of 14 dB.Conclusion: The results obtained in this first round of myringoplasty with buttonhole procedure were modest, but improved over time withthe mastery of the surgery technic and risks factors of failure represented here by the age, size and scalabillity of the lesions.Keyswords : Chronic otitis media, Myringoplasty, Technic of buttonhole

Complications des otites moyennes chroniques

Objectif de l’étude : Rapporter la fréquence des complications des otites moyennes chroniques et présenter notre expérience dans leur prise en charge.Matériel et méthodes : Etude rétrospective concernant la période allant du 1er janvier 2000 au 31 décembre 2009. Les complications ont été réparties en 2 grands groupes : extracrâniennes et intracrâ-niennes.Résultats : 57 patients sur 350 reçus pour OMC ont présenté une complication, soit une fréquence de 18,38 %. Le cholestéatome était le plus grand pourvoyeur de ces complications (84,2%). Dix-neuf patients présentaient plus d’une complication, soit au total 76 cas. Les complications extracrâniennes ont été les plus fréquentes, 63 cas (83%), dominées par la mastoïdite extériorisée profuse (68,3%). Les complications intracrâniennes au nombre de 13 (17%) étaient dominées par la méningite purulente otogène (46,2%). La mastoïdectomie associée à une antibiothérapie à large spectre, occupait une place im-portante dans la prise en charge de ces complications. Elle a été réalisée chez 45 patients (79%). La mortalité a été estimée à 3,5% (2 cas de décès). Un drainage neurochirurgical a été effectué dans 4 cas (8,6 %).Conclusion : Cette étude se caractérise par un taux de complications d’OMC plus élevé que ceux rappor-tés dans la littérature, ainsi que par la prédominance des formes étendues et des associa-tions de complications chez un même patient.Mots clés : Otite moyenne chronique, Complications, Cholestéatome.The objective of this study : was to report the frequency and our experience of management of complications of chronic otitsmedia.Methods : We conducted a retrospective study covering 10 years period (from 1st January 2000 to 31 December 2009). Complications were divided into 2 groups: extracranial and intracranial.Results : Among 350 patients received for chronic otitis media, 57 presented complications, such as a rate of 18.38%. Cholesteatoma was the largest provider of these complications in order of 84.2%. Nineteen (19) patients had more than one complication. So, a total of 76 cases of complications were listed. Subperiostal mastoiditis was the most common findings, 68.3% of the extracranial complications. The intracranial complications, (17%), were domi-nated by otogenic purulent meningitis (46.2%). Radical mastoïdectomy with broad spectrum antibiotics occupied an important place in the management of these complications, performed in 45 patients (79%). Neurosurgical drainage was performed in 4 cases (8.6%). Mortality was estimated at 3.5% (2 deaths).Conclusion : COCM are characterized, in this study, by an elevated rate compared to that reported in the literature, the prevalence of extended forms and associations of complications in the same patient.Keys words : Chronic otitis media, Complications, Cholesteatoma

The relationship of female physical attractiveness to body fatness

Funding This work was supported by NSFC grant 91431102 from the National Science Foundation of China. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Acknowledgements We are grateful to all the participants from all the countries and all the members of Molecular Energetics Group for their help on the investigation and discussion of the results.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

N-Cyclo­hexyl­benzamide

The structure of the title compound, C13H17NO, features an anti disposition of the N—H and carbonyl groups. The amide group is twisted with respect to the benzene ring [N–C(=O)–C–C torsion angle = −30.8 (4)°]. In the crystal, C(4) chains propagating in [100] are formed by inter­molecular N–H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Weak C—H⋯π inter­actions link the chains into sheets

Effect of starting powder particle size and heating rate on spark plasma sintering of Fe- Ni alloys

Abstract: The effect of starting powder particle size and heating rate on spark plasma sintering of Fe-Ni alloys was investigated, with the particle powder size varying from 3 to 70 μm and heating rate from 50 to 150 °C/min. The effect of the starting powder particle size was more obvious when comparing 3-FeNi and 70-FeNi at all heating rates, with the former having better density and hardness than the latter. Sintered densities close to theoretical (≥ 99%) were achieved for a heating rate of 50°C/min for the different starting particle size powders, and decreased with increasing heating rate. The average grain size of alloys sintered at 150°C/min was ~34% smaller than those sintered at 50°C/min. The porosity content of the sintered samples increased with increasing heating for the same particle size. The shrinkage rate depends on both heating rate and particle size. At a particle size of 3 μm and a heating rate of 50oC/min, three peaks were observed indicative of the phenomena responsible for good densification. As the heating rate increases, only two peaks and one peak are observed at heating rates of 100 and 150oC/min, respectively. This suggests that, unlike high heating rates, the longer processing time at low heating rate allows the three phenomena to take place. The hardness measurement revealed a steady decrease with increasing heating rate. At a heating rate of 150°C/min the particles were well packed but no typical dimple structure of a ductile material was observed. However, for samples sintered at 50 and 100°C/min a typical dimple fracture morphology was observed

Structure démographique de peuplement naturel et répartition spatiale des plantules de Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. dans la forê

Pterocarpus erinaceus de la famille des Fabaceae, est un arbre  éminemment utile pour les populations. C’est une espèce endémique multi-usage des zones guinéo-soudaniennes et soudano-sahéliennes. La présente étude analyse les paramètres structuraux du peuplement naturel de P. erinaceus, détermine la distribution spatiale des plantules et leurs relations spatiales avec leurs géniteurs et les autres espèces. Des mesures dendrométriques et la cartographie des peuplements naturels de Pterocarpus erinaceus ont été effectuées dans la forêt de Tiogo en zone soudanienne du Burkina Faso. L’analyse des structures en diamètre et en  hauteur montre que le peuplement est dominé par des individus âgés, les individus jeunes étant absents. La distribution spatiale des jeunes plantules de l’espèce montre qu’elles ont une distribution grégaire et ont besoin des milieux plus ou moins ouverts pour germer. L’analyse de la fonction L12 (r) montre que ces plantules sont en compétition avec la plupart des espèces en présence hormis Acacia macrostachya et Vittelaria paradoxa. Cette germination préférentielle des milieux  ouverts expose ces plantules à la sécheresse pendant la saison sèche, aux feux de végétation et à la dent des herbivores qui parcourent chaque jour les forêts en zone soudanienne.Mots clés : Structure, distribution spatiale, régénération, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Tiogo, Burkina Faso

Osteolipoma: An unusual tumor of the parotid region

SummaryPurpose of studyOncology of the parotid region is rich and varied, like its components. During his career, the ENT surgeon may come across such an exceptional tumor as osteolipoma. The aim of this study was to describe the rarity and the etiopathogeny of osteolipoma with parapharyngeal location.Patients and methodWe had the opportunity to find this uncommon tumor in a 21-year-old female patient. The mass located in the parotid region was hard, barely mobile and at first looked like a parotid tumor. Total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation was performed. It revealed a stony and dented tumor inside the internal lobe of the parotid located in the parapharyngeal space between the vertical portion of the mandible anteriorly and the styloid apophyse posteriorly. Macroscopic examination of the piece evidenced a lipomatous mass with hard as bone nodes in its middle. Histology revealed an osteolipoma.ConclusionA review of the literature shows the uncommon occurrence of this type of tumor. A few rare cases were reported among which two involving the parapharyngeal space

Fishers’ Perceptions and Attitudes toward Weather and Climate Information Services for Climate Change Adaptation in Senegal

Climate variability has become a major issue for vital sectors in the context of climate change. In fisheries, in particular, the effects of climate change are reflected in the decline of fishing yield and loss of lives during extreme weather events in the sea. This study analyzed the perception of climate variability and change by fisher-folks, the attitude of fisher-folks toward the weather forecast and the adoption rate of the use of the weather forecast as well as the factors determining its use in Senegal. To this end, 576 fisher-folks belonging to 41 local fishing committees along the coastal areas were surveyed and focus group discussions were organized with key informants. The adoption rate was identified using the method of the average treatment effect (ATE) and the test of independency (chi-square) was used to analyze the perceptions of and beliefs on climate change. The results showed that 96% of fisher-folks perceive the change in the climate, though the effects are differently appreciated across the coastline. The most frequently observed effects are: coastal erosion, change in wind direction, increase in extreme swells and sea level rise. Nearly half of fisher-folks confirm that they noticed these changes over the past five years. In the Southern Coast in particular, 40% of fisher-folks stated that these changes happened 10 years ago. This statement is confirmed by the qualitative data. More than 90% of the respondents ascertain the weather forecast before going to fish, 63% regularly receive the weather forecast and 53% avoid going to sea during extreme events. In addition, the results showed that if the weather forecast was made accessible to the majority of fisher-folks, more than 83% would avoid going to sea during periods of extreme weather extreme events, thus reducing significantly the number of fatalities. The best way to protect the fisher-folks from the harmful effects of climate change is to ensure large-scale access to and use of accurate weather forecasts