[Guillain-Barré syndrome in hospitals in Togo].

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa characterized by limited resources especially in health facilities and a relatively higher frequency of infectious diseases, studies on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are rare.

Objectives: The objectives of this work are to describe the characteristics of GBS in Togo through a cohort of patients followed in the neurology unit of the Campus University Hospital of Lomé.

Methodology: The study took place from May 2015 to July 2019.

Onchocerca volvulus-specific antibody and cellular responses in onchocerciasis patients treated annually with ivermectin for 30 years and exposed to parasite transmission in central Togo.

Background: Annual mass drug administrations (MDA) of ivermectin will strongly reduce Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae (mf) in the skin and in the onchocerciasis patients' eyes. Ivermectin treatment will also affect the expression of immunity in patients, such that activated immune defenses may help control and contribute to clearance of mf of O. volvulus.

A Network of Field-Calibrated Low-Cost Sensor Measurements of PM in Lomé, Togo, Over One to Two Years.

Air pollution is a leading cause of global premature mortality and is especially prevalent in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In sub-Saharan Africa, preliminary monitoring networks, satellite retrievals of air-quality-relevant species, and air quality models show ambient fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations that far exceed the World Health Organization guidelines, yet many areas remain largely unmonitored and understudied. Deploying a network of five low-cost PurpleAir PM monitors over 2 years (2019-2021), we present the first multiyear ambient air pollution monitoring data results from Lomé, Togo, a major West African coastal city with a population of about 1.

Representative 2D-material-based nanocomposites and their emerging applications: a review.

Composites (or complex materials) are formed from two or many constituent materials with novel physical or chemical characteristics when integrated. The individual components can be combined to create a unique composite material through mechanical transfer, physical stacking, exfoliation, derivative chemical mixtures, mixtures of solid solutions, or complex synthesis processes. The development of new composites based on emerging 2D nanomaterials has allowed for outstanding achievements with novel applications that were previously unknown.

Anti-Th17 and anti-Th2 responses effects of hydro-ethanolic extracts of Aframomum melegueta, Khaya senegalensis and Xylopia aethiopica in hyperreactive onchocerciasis individuals' peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Hyperreactive onchocerciasis (HO) is characterized by a severe skin inflammation with elevated Th17-Th2 combined responses. We previously demonstrated the anthelminthic activity of Aframomum melegueta (AM), Xylopia aethiopica (XA) and Khaya senegalensis (KS) used by traditional healers to treat helminthiasis in the endemic area of Togo. However, their effect on severe onchocerciasis is poorly investigated.

Use of Manihot esculenta leaves on physiological and production parameters of Sasso breeder hens.

Background: The world population is increasing, leading to competition between humans and animals for the use of farm produce. The use of non-conventional resources in poultry feed is increasingly being explored. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) have been studied in layers and broilers feed.

Socioeconomic correlates, typology and characterization of indigenous guinea fowl ( Linnaeus) farming in Benin, West Africa.

The role of agriculture in Benin, Western Africa cannot be overemphasized, where livestock production is a major occupation among the rural population as it serves as a means of livelihood and sustenance. This study was carried out to examine the socio-economic correlates of guinea fowl production status in Benin and to characterize their management practices. 165 farmers across 10 regions in Benin were selected using the non-probabilistic snowball sampling method.

Human genes with codon usage bias similar to that of the nonstructural protein 1 gene of influenza A viruses are conjointly involved in the infectious pathogenesis of influenza A viruses.

Molecular mechanisms of the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) in influenza A-induced pathological changes remain ambiguous. This study explored the pathogenesis of human infection by influenza A viruses (IAVs) through identifying human genes with codon usage bias (CUB) similar to NS1 gene of these viruses based on the relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU). CUB of the IAV subtypes H1N1, H3N2, H3N8, H5N1, H5N2, H5N8, H7N9 and H9N2 was analyzed and the correlation of RSCU values of NS1 sequences with those of the human genes was calculated.

HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among female sex workers in Togo in 2017: a cross-sectional national study.

Background: The HIV epidemic remains an important public health challenge for the sub-Saharan region. Female Sex Workers (FSW) in this region are among the most vulnerable of the key population groups with HIV prevalence as high as twice that of the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate HIV prevalence and explore sexual risk behaviors among FSW in Togo.

The Dark Pigment in the Sesame ( L.) Seed Coat: Isolation, Characterization, and Its Potential Precursors.

Sesame is a worldwide oilseed crop used in the food pharmacy. Its seed phenotypes determine the seed quality values. However, a thorough assessment of seed coat metabolites is lacking, and the dark pigment in the seed coat is not well-characterized.

Antibody escape and global spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineage A.27.

In spring 2021, an increasing number of infections was observed caused by the hitherto rarely described SARS-CoV-2 variant A.27 in south-west Germany. From December 2020 to June 2021 this lineage has been detected in 31 countries.

Photodetection Tuning with High Absorptivity Using Stacked 2D Heterostructure Films.

Graphene-based photodetection (PD) devices have been broadly studied for their broadband absorption, high carrier mobility, and mechanical flexibility. Owing to graphene's low optical absorption, the research on graphene-based PD devices so far has relied on hybrid heterostructure devices to enhance photo-absorption. Designing a new generation of PD devices supported by silicon (Si) film is considered as an innovative technique for PD devices; Si film-based devices are typically utilized in optical communication and image sensing owing to the remarkable features of Si, e.

Can DNA help trace the local trade of pangolins? Conservation genetics of white-bellied pangolins from the Dahomey Gap (West Africa).

Background: African pangolins are currently experiencing unprecedented levels of harvesting, feeding both local demands and the illegal international trade. So far, the lack of knowledge on the population genetics of African pangolins has hampered any attempts at assessing their demographic status and tracing their trade at the local scale. We conducted a pioneer study on the genetic tracing of the African pangolin trade in the Dahomey Gap (DG).

Genetic studies of fall armyworm indicate a new introduction into Africa and identify limits to its migratory behavior.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is native to the Americas and a major pest of corn and several other crops of economic importance.

Genetic diversity of indigenous guinea fowl () using microsatellite markers in northern Togo.

Indigenous guinea fowl is an important animal resource for improving rural household income. In order to provide molecular data for a sustainable management of this poultry resource, an assessment of the genetic diversity and phylogenic relationships was undertaken on seven guinea fowl phenotypes from two agroecological zones (Dry Savannah and Atakora) of Togo. Genotyping was carried out using 18 microsatellite markers on 94 individuals from Dry Savannah (59) and Atakora (35) zones.

Predictors of early-onset neonatal sepsis in premature newborns: Case-control study.

Introduction: Early-onset neonatal sepsis (EOS) is difficult to diagnose clinically because the semiology of premature newborns is poor during the first days of life. This study aimed to identify predictive factors of EOS in neonates less than 37 weeks' gestational age in neonatal care at Louis Mourier Hospital, France.

Method: This was a case-control study of all newborns less than 37 weeks of gestational age diagnosed and managed for EOS from January 1 to December 31, 2019.

Factors Associated with Skin Cancers in People with Albinism in Togo.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with skin cancers in people with albinism (PWA) in Togo.

Method: This is a retrospective analytical study of the records of PWA examined during five dermatological consultation campaigns from 2019 to 2021.

Results: During the study period, 517 PWA were seen.

Diversity of Water Yam ( L.) Accessions from Côte d'Ivoire Based on SNP Markers and Agronomic Traits.

(L.), also referred to as water, winged, or greater yam, is one of the most economically important staple food crops in tropical and subtropical areas. In Côte d'Ivoire, it represents, along with other yam species, the largest food crop and significantly contributes to food security.

Hepatoprotective Effects of (Astereaceae) Extract on CCl-Induced Liver Injury in Broiler Chickens.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leaf extract (VALE) on the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity (CCl) in broiler chickens. A total of 360-day-old broilers were divided into 4 treatments of 90 birds each consisting of 6 replicates of 15 birds each. The treatments were birds offered 1 mL/kg BW saline (control group), 100 mg/kg BW VALE, 1 mL/kg BW CCl (CCl-treated group), and 100 mg/kg BW VALE + 1 mL/kg BW CCl (VALE + CCl group).

Assessment of α-Cypermethrin Pour-On Application and Diminazene Aceturate for Treating Trypanosome-Related Diseases Caused by Tsetse Flies on Cattle in Mô, Togo.

The effects of tsetse-transmitted trypanosomosis control in high tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) challenge and trypanocidal drug resistance settings remain poorly understood in Togo owing to poor data coverage on the current disease impact. From March 2014 to November 2017, a database of zoo-sanitary surveys integrating the evolution of disease incidence and intervention coverage made it possible to quantify the apparent effects attributable to the control effort, focused on all sedentary cattle breeds in the 1,000 km² area of Mô in Togo.

A Molecular Investigation of Malaria Infections From High-Transmission Areas of Southern Togo Reveals Different Species of Parasites.

Malaria particularly burdens people in poor and neglected settings across the tropics of Africa. Meanwhile, a large proportion of the Togo population have poor understanding of malaria epidemiology and parasites. This study carried out a molecular survey of malaria cases in southern Togo during 2017-2019.

Assessment of dietary diversity and nutritional support for children living with HIV in the IeDEA pediatric West African cohort: a non-comparative, feasibility study.

Background: Nutritional care is not optimally integrated into pediatric HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed the 6-month effect of a nutritional support provided to children living with HIV, followed in a multicentric cohort in West Africa.

Methods: In 2014-2016, a nutritional intervention was carried out for children living with HIV, aged under 10 years, receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) or not, in five HIV pediatric cohorts, in Benin, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers in Togo, West Africa.

Background: Hepatitis B and C are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with prevalence among the highest in the World. However, several challenges impede the progression towards the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 as suggested by the World Health Organization Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, including the lack of knowledge on the scale of this epidemic in the region. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers (FSW) in Togo.

The Ripple Effect of Graphite Nanofilm on Stretchable Polydimethylsiloxane for Optical Sensing.

Graphene-based optical sensing devices have been widely studied for their broad band absorption, high carrier mobility, and mechanical flexibility. Due to graphene's weak light absorption, studies on graphene-based optical sensing thus far have focused on hybrid heterostructure devices to enhance photo-absorption. Such hybrid devices need a complicated integration process and lead to deteriorating carrier mobility as a result of heterogeneous interfaces.