Kyste colloïde obstructif du troisième ventricule avec hydrocéphalie aiguë : à propos d’un cas: Obstructive colloid cyst of the third ventricle with acute hydrocephalus: about a case

The obstructive colloid cyst of the third ventricle is a rare benign tumor and a neurosurgical emergency. It is at the origin of syndrome of intracranial hypertension or sudden death in case of obstruction of the foramen of Monro. The authors report a case of obstructive colloid cyst of the third ventricle discovered in the context of intracranial hypertension. Le kyste colloïde obstructif du troisième ventricule est une tumeur bénigne rare et constitue une urgence neurochirurgicale. Il peut être à l’origine du syndrome d’hypertension intracrânienne ou de mort subite en cas d’obstruction des foramens de Monro. Les auteurs rapportent un cas de kyste colloïde obstructif du troisième ventricule découvert dans un tableau d’hypertension intracrânienne

Mucocèle appendiculaire : A propos de deux observations: Appendicular mucocele: About two observations

The appendix mucocele is a rare pathology, which poses a double problem by its potential malignancy and the risk of peritoneal pseudo-myxoma in case of perforation. The authors report two cases of appendix mucocele in a 61-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman. We found incidentally in imaging an asymptomatic right renal tumor in one observation. La mucocèle appendiculaire est une pathologie rare, qui pose un double problème par sa malignité potentielle et le risque de pseudo-myxome péritonéal en cas de perforation. Les auteurs rapportent deux cas de mucocèle appendiculaire chez un homme de 61 ans et une femme de 58 ans. Il a été retrouvé de manière fortuite en imagerie une tumeur asymptomatique du rein droit dans une observation

Cavernomatose cérébrale sporadique révélée par une crise convulsive: à propos d’un cas

La cavernomatose cérébrale est une pathologie rare pouvant être sporadique ou familiale autosomique dominante. Elle est caractérisée par la présence de cavernomes multiples du système nerveux central. Souvent asymptomatique, la pathologie peut se révéler par des symptômes variés comme l’hémorragie cérébro-méningée, les céphalées ou l’épilepsie. Nous rapportons un cas de cavernomatose cérébrale sporadique chez un patient de 55 ans sans antécédent pathologique particulier révélé par une crise d’épilepsie. A travers cette observation et une revue de la littérature, nous faisons le point sur les aspects cliniques et radiologiques (scanner et IRM) de cette pathologie

L’appendagite aiguë : une étiologie rare à ne pas méconnaître dans les douleurs abdominales: Acute appendagitis: a rare etiology not to be overlooked in abdominal pain

Acute appendagitis is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Its diagnosis is based on medical imaging and its treatment is medical. We report a case of acute appendagitis diagnosed on the abdominal CT scan in the context of epigastralgia. L’appendagite aiguë est une cause rare de douleurs abdominales. Son diagnostic repose sur l’imagerie médicale et son traitement est médical. Nous rapportons un cas d’appendagite aiguë diagnostiquée au scanner abdominal au décours d’une mise au point d’épigastralgies

Anesthesie au cours des ventriculocisternostomies au Mali : Une serie de 31 cas

Introduction La ventriculocisternostomie est une technique moderne du traitement des hydrocéphalies. Elle est peu fréquente en Afrique. Objectif:  Décrire la prise en charge anesthésique et l’évolution des patients opérés par ventriculocisternostomie. Patients et Méthode: Etude de cohorte prospective de 15 mois de janvier 2014 au 31 mars 2015. La saisie et l’analyse des données ont été effectuées par Microsoft word 2010 Epi info 3.5.3.fr. Résultats:  Les nourrissons prédominaient avec un sexe ratio de 1,81 en faveur du sexe masculin. Un antécédent de méningite ou d’infection respiratoire à répétition a été retrouvé chez 10 patients (32,2%). L’indication de la ventriculocisternostomie était une hydrocéphalie chez 30 patients (96, 8%). La classe ASA était II chez 19 patients (61,3%). L’intubation était prévue difficile chez 28 patients (90,3%).Tous les patients ont été opérés sous anesthésie générale. Une antibioprophylaxie a été faite chez tous les patients. La tachycardie isolée a été le seul évènement indésirable per opératoire observé chez 13 patients (41,9%). La durée de la chirurgie était de 62, 25 ± 20,9 minutes celle de l’anesthésie était de 93,5 ± 25,4 minutes. En postopératoire, une complication a été observée chez 7 patients (22,6%). Il s’agissait d’une méningite chez 3 patients (42,9%), d’une souffrance cérébrale, d’une obstruction de la stomie, d’un abcès cérébral et une paralysie du nerf III dans 14,3% chacune (1 patient). L’évolution était favorable chez 29 patients (93,5%). La durée médiane d’hospitalisation était de 3 jours. Conclusion:  Au Mali, la prise en charge anesthésique au cours de la ventriculocisternostomie s’adresse à une population pédiatrique avec un terrain précaire.   English title: Anesthesia during endoscopic third ventriculostomy in Mali: A series of 31 cases Introduction: Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV) is a modern technique for the treatment of hydrocephalus. It is uncommon in Africa. Objective To describe ananesthesic management and the outcome of patients operated on by ETV. Patients and Methods Prospective cohort study over 15 months to January 2014 at 31 march 2015. The data entry and analysis were done by word office, Epi info 3.5.3.fr. Results: Infants predominated with a sex ratio of 1.81 in favor of men. A history of meningitis or recurrent respiratory infection was found in 10 patients (32.2%). The indication of ETV was hydrocephalus in 30 patients (96.8%). The ASA class was II in 19 patients (61.3%).  Intubation was expected to be difficult in 28 patients (90.3%). All patients were operated on under general anesthesia. Antibiotic  prophylaxis was done in all patients. Isolated tachycardia was the only peroperative adverse event observed in 13 patients (41.9%). The duration of the surgery was 62.25 ± 20.9 minutes that of the anesthesia was 93.5 ± 25.4 minutes. Postoperatively, a complication was observed in 7 patients (22.6%). It was meningitis in 3 patients (42.9%), brain pain, obstruction of the stoma, brain abscess and nerve III paralysis in 14.3% each (1 patient). The outcome was favorable in 29 patients (93.5%). The median hospital stay was 3 days. Conclusion:  In Mali, anesthetic management during ETV is aimed at a pediatric population with precarious terrain

BMJ Open

In low-income settings with limited access to diagnosis, COVID-19 information is scarce. In September 2020, after the first COVID-19 wave, Mali reported 3086 confirmed cases and 130 deaths. Most reports originated from Bamako, with 1532 cases and 81 deaths (2.42 million inhabitants). This observed prevalence of 0.06% appeared very low. Our objective was to estimate SARS-CoV-2 infection among inhabitants of Bamako, after the first epidemic wave. We assessed demographic, social and living conditions, health behaviours and knowledges associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. We conducted a cross-sectional multistage household survey during September 2020, in three neighbourhoods of the commune VI (Bamako), where 30% of the cases were reported. We recruited 1526 inhabitants in 3 areas, that is, 306 households, and 1327 serological results (≥1 years), 220 household questionnaires and collected answers for 962 participants (≥12 years). We measured serological status, detecting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies in blood sampled. We documented housing conditions and individual health behaviours through questionnaires among participants. We estimated the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths in the population of Bamako using the age and sex distributions. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 16.4% (95% CI 15.1% to 19.1%) after adjusting on the population structure. This suggested that ~400 000 cases and ~2000 deaths could have occurred of which only 0.4% of cases and 5% of deaths were officially reported. Questionnaires analyses suggested strong agreement with washing hands but lower acceptability of movement restrictions (lockdown/curfew), and mask wearing. The first wave of SARS-CoV-2 spread broadly in Bamako. Expected fatalities remained limited largely due to the population age structure and the low prevalence of comorbidities. Improving diagnostic capacities to encourage testing and preventive behaviours, and avoiding the spread of false information remain key pillars, regardless of the developed or developing setting. This study was registered in the registry of the ethics committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Bamako, Mali, under the number: 2020/162/CA/FMOS/FAPH

Expanding Research Capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa Through Informatics, Bioinformatics, and Data Science Training Programs in Mali

Bioinformatics and data science research have boundless potential across Africa due to its high levels of genetic diversity and disproportionate burden of infectious diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS, Ebola virus disease, and Lassa fever. This work lays out an incremental approach for reaching underserved countries in bioinformatics and data science research through a progression of capacity building, training, and research efforts. Two global health informatics training programs sponsored by the Fogarty International Center (FIC) were carried out at the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali (USTTB) between 1999 and 2011. Together with capacity building efforts through the West Africa International Centers of Excellence in Malaria Research (ICEMR), this progress laid the groundwork for a bioinformatics and data science training program launched at USTTB as part of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) initiative. Prior to the global health informatics training, its trainees published first or second authorship and third or higher authorship manuscripts at rates of 0.40 and 0.10 per year, respectively. Following the training, these rates increased to 0.70 and 1.23 per year, respectively, which was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001). The bioinformatics and data science training program at USTTB commenced in 2017 focusing on student, faculty, and curriculum tiers of enhancement. The program’s sustainable measures included institutional support for core elements, university tuition and fees, resource sharing and coordination with local research projects and companion training programs, increased student and faculty publication rates, and increased research proposal submissions. Challenges reliance of high-speed bandwidth availability on short-term funding, lack of a discounted software portal for basic software applications, protracted application processes for United States visas, lack of industry job positions, and low publication rates in the areas of bioinformatics and data science. Long-term, incremental processes are necessary for engaging historically underserved countries in bioinformatics and data science research. The multi-tiered enhancement approach laid out here provides a platform for generating bioinformatics and data science technicians, teachers, researchers, and program managers. Increased literature on bioinformatics and data science training approaches and progress is needed to provide a framework for establishing benchmarks on the topics

Phosphorous Efficiency and Tolerance Traits for Selection of Sorghum for Performance in Phosphorous-Limited Environments

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is widely cultivated in West Africa (WA) on soils with low phosphorus (P) availability. Large genetic variation for grain yield (GY) under low-P conditions was observed among WA sorghum genotypes, but information is lacking on the usefulness of P-tolerance ratios (relative performance in –P [no P fertilizer] vs. +P [with P fertilizer] conditions) and measures of P-acquisition and internal P-use efficiency as selection criteria for enhancing GY under low-P conditions. We evaluated 70 WA sorghum genotypes for GY performance under −P and +P conditions for 5 yr in two locations in Mali and assessed P acquisition (e.g., P content in biomass) and P-use efficiency (e.g., grain produced per unit P uptake) traits under −P and +P conditions in one site in 2010. Significant genetic variation existed for all P-tolerance ratios across multiple sites. Photoperiod-sensitive landrace genotypes showed significantly better P tolerance and less delay of heading under P-limited conditions compared with photoperiod-insensitive varieties. Genotypic correlations of P-tolerance ratios to GY under −P were moderate. Phosphorous acquisition and P-use efficiency traits independent of harvest index were of similar importance for GY under −P conditions in statistically independent trials. However grain-P and stover-P concentrations from one −P trial showed only weak correlations with GYs in statistically independent trials. Highest predicted gains for −P GY were obtained by theoretical index selection based on −P GY combined with P-use efficiency traits (e.g., low-grain P concentration). Such index selection is expected to achieve both increased sorghum productivity and P sustainability in the P-limited WA production systems

Leveraging data science and machine learning for urban climate adaptation in two major African cities: a HE 2 AT Center study protocol

Introduction: African cities, particularly Abidjan and Johannesburg, face challenges of rapid urban growth, informality and strained health services, compounded by increasing temperatures due to climate change. This study aims to understand the complexities of heat-related health impacts in these cities. The objectives are: (1) mapping intraurban heat risk and exposure using health, socioeconomic, climate and satellite imagery data; (2) creating a stratified heat–health forecast model to predict adverse health outcomes; and (3) establishing an early warning system for timely heatwave alerts. The ultimate goal is to foster climate-resilient African cities, protecting disproportionately affected populations from heat hazards. Methods and analysis: The research will acquire health-related datasets from eligible adult clinical trials or cohort studies conducted in Johannesburg and Abidjan between 2000 and 2022. Additional data will be collected, including socioeconomic, climate datasets and satellite imagery. These resources will aid in mapping heat hazards and quantifying heat–health exposure, the extent of elevated risk and morbidity. Outcomes will be determined using advanced data analysis methods, including statistical evaluation, machine learning and deep learning techniques. Ethics and dissemination: The study has been approved by the Wits Human Research Ethics Committee (reference no: 220606). Data management will follow approved procedures. The results will be disseminated through workshops, community forums, conferences and publications. Data deposition and curation plans will be established in line with ethical and safety considerations