FSTL1 aggravates high glucose-induced oxidative stress and transdifferentiation in HK-2 cells.

Chronic hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes, can trigger inflammatory responses in the kidney, leading to diabetic nephropathy (DN). Follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in various kidney diseases. This study investigated the effect of high glucose on FSTL1 expression and its role in oxidative stress and cellular transdifferentiation injury in HK-2 human proximal tubule epithelial cells, a model of DN.

Obstacles to implementing indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation in Africa.

In a climate change context, indigenous and local knowledge includes the use of traditional practices, crop varieties, and land management techniques that have evolved in response to local climatic conditions. This inter-generational transfer of knowledge is crucial for maintaining and adapting these practices to meet the challenges posed by climate change. Despite the many advantages of using indigenous knowledge in climate change adaptation in Africa, its implementation faces several obstacles.

Impact of late-stage hypoxic stimulation and layer breeder age on embryonic development, hatching and chick quality.

The present study examined the effects of breeder age and oxygen (O₂) concentrations during the late chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) growth stage on embryo development, hatching dynamics, chick quality, bone mineralization and hatchability. A total of 1200 eggs from 33- and 50-week-old ISA layer breeders, weighing 53.85 g and 60.

Age-Related Cognitive and Volumetric Changes in the Brain of African Grasscutter ( (Temminck, 1827)).

The African grasscutter (AGC) () is the second largest rodent in sub-Saharan Africa. It is bred for its organoleptic and culinary properties but also serves as a research model. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between age-related changes in brain weight, brain volume, and spatial and nonspatial memory performance in the AGC.

Effect of health shocks on the absenteeism magnitude at work in Togo: is health insurance a mitigating factor?

Background: The occurrence of health shocks affects households economically in various ways. It most often leads to missed work, thus inducing a decrease in productivity and a loss of income. These effects are even more significant if the extent of absenteeism is high or if its duration is long.

Molecular Characterization of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses in Sheep and Goats: A Systematic Review.

Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are responsible for chronic and progressive multisystemic clinical forms, which significantly reduce flocks' productivity and have a considerable economic impact on the small ruminant industry. Due to the increase in genetic analysis studies and the potential for misclassification of certain strains, owing to the high genetic variability of these viruses, a systematic review was deemed necessary. This review explores the types of matrices used for molecular detection and phylogenetic studies, the genomic regions selected as targets, and the software utilized for phylogenetic analysis, assessing the geographical distribution of identified genotypes and subgenotypes over time.

Epidemiological Assessment of Malaria Prevalence among Children Under 5 in Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Cameroon, particularly affecting children under 5 years of age. Despite these efforts, its prevalence persists, highlighting the need for comprehensive epidemiological studies to guide interventions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five randomly selected health areas across five regions of Cameroon.

Effects of layer breeder age and reduced incubator oxygen concentrations on embryo development, hatching events, chick quality, embryonic mortality and hatchability of fertile eggs.

The combined effects of breeder age and oxygen (O) concentrations on embryo development, hatching events, chick quality, embryonic mortality and hatchability were investigated. A total of 900 hatching eggs of average weight of 53.85 ± 2.

Impact of switching to a dolutegravir-based regimen on body weight changes: insights from West African adult HIV cohorts.

Introduction: Adverse metabolic effects related to dolutegravir (DTG) are increasingly reported as countries are adopting DTG-based regimens as first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART), but there is limited data from sub-Saharan Africa. We explored changes in body weight pre- and post-switch to a DTG-based regimen and assessed the association between DTG switch and significant weight gain (SWG) defined as a ≥10% increase over a 12-month period in people living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART in West Africa.

Methods: We first included all PLHIV followed in the IeDEA West Africa cohorts between January 2017 and June 2021, with a documented switch to DTG during 2019-2021 and in care ≥36 months at the day of switch.

The Safety, Acceptability, and Feasibility of Single-Dose Rifampicin as Post-Exposure Chemoprophylaxis for Contacts of Leprosy Patients in Togo: A Mixed-Method Sequential Explanatory Study.

The World Health Organization is encouraging countries to include contact screening and single-dose rifampicin administration as preventive chemotherapy for contacts of leprosy patients in their leprosy control activities. However, no study has been conducted to assess the safety of SDR-PEP and the acceptability and feasibility of this intervention in Togo. To assess the safety of SDR-PEP, we used a cohort design, and for acceptability and feasibility, we used a mixed method, combining a quantitative study to assess the safety of SDR-PEP in a cohort of contacts from recently diagnosed leprosy patients followed by a qualitative study to identify the social, cultural, or institutional factors that would influence the adoption of single-dose rifampicin as post-exposure prophylaxis for contacts of leprosy patients in Togo.

Toxicity of Oils Extracted From the Arils of (K.D. Koenig) in Wistar Rats.

oil, a substance with a rich history of use for its nutritional, therapeutic, traditional, and cosmetic benefits, was the focus of our study. We investigated the impact of consuming edible oil from . arils on Wistar rats.

Criteria for oscillation of noncanonical superlinear half-linear dynamic equations.

This article comes up with criteria to make sure that the solutions to superlinear, half-linear, and noncanonical dynamic equations oscillate in both advanced and delayed cases; these criteria are comparable to the Hille-type and Ohriska-type criteria for the canonical nonlinear dynamic equations; and also these results solve an open problem in many existing works in the literature on dynamic equations. To demonstrate the importance of the results, some examples have been introduced.

CONTRIBUTION OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN PSYCHIATRY: CASE OF A PATIENT SUFFERING OF DYSTONIA DUE TO ANTIPSYCHOTICS AT THE SAINT JOHN OF GOD MENTALHEALTH CENTRE IN LOMÉ-TOGO.

Introduction: Antipsychotic-induced dystonia is a neurological side-effect and can be very disabling. Treatment is multidisciplinary, including physiotherapy.

Objective: The aim was to show the contribution of physiotherapy in the management of people suffering from dystonia secondary to antipsychotics.

CO-INFECTION OF MALARIA AND INTESTINAL PARASITOSIS IN RURAL CHILDREN IN THE KLOTO DISTRICT, TOGO.

Introduction: Co-infection of malaria and intestinal parasitosis is the concomitant presence of two parasite species in a single human host; it is more frequent in children in many parts of the world. The objective of this study was to describe the co-infection of malaria and intestinal parasitosis in children in the health district of Kloto.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over a period of four (04) months, from February 8 to May 10, in rural health centers with laboratory facilities in the Kloto sanitary district.

Mitigation of aflatoxin contamination of maize, groundnut, and sorghum by commercial biocontrol products in farmers' fields across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Togo.

Background: Aflatoxin contamination by section Flavi fungi poses a significant threat to food security and public health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Maize, groundnut, and sorghum are staple crops frequently contaminated with aflatoxins, sometimes at dangerous levels. Despite its detrimental effects, many farmers in SSA lack access to effective tools for mitigating aflatoxin contamination.

Examination of factors impacting spitting or vomiting among children under 5 years of age during seasonal malaria chemoprevention: a quantitative study in Burkina Faso, Chad, Nigeria and Togo.

Background: Since 2012, the World Health Organization has recommended seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine (SPAQ) for children aged 3-⁠59 months in regions where malaria transmission is seasonal. Full ingestion of SMC medicines without spitting or vomiting during a complete 3-day course is critical to ensure effectiveness of SMC medicines and to avoid development of antimalarial resistance. Although evidence suggests that spitting or vomiting is not rare, there is limited analytical evidence on potential factors associated with spitting or vomiting in SMC campaigns.

Gynecological health care services utilization and violence among female sex workers in Togo in 2021.

Background: Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Sub Saharan Africa face multiple challenges increasing their vulnerability to poor health, particularly poor sexual and reproductive (SRH) health outcomes and violence. The aim of this study was to assess the use of gynecology health care services and factors associated with its use as well as experiences of violence among FSW in Togo.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2021 among FSW in two cities of Togo.

Evaluation of a Novel Mechanical Device for the Production of Microfragmented Adipose Tissue for Veterinary Regenerative Medicine: A Proof-of-Concept.

Therapies based on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have become one of the most significant advancements in veterinary regenerative medicine. The isolation of MSCs is usually performed by enzymatic digestion and requires variable times for cell expansion. In addition, these procedures need to be performed in specialized laboratory facilities.

Elaboration and Characterization of Electrodes from and Charcoal Powder with Coconut Bio-Pitch as a Binder.

Carbon-based electrodes have recently been most widely used in P-MFC due to their desirable properties such as biocompatibility, chemical stability, affordable price, corrosion resistance, and ease of regeneration. In general, carbon-based electrodes, particularly graphite, are produced using a complex process based on petroleum derivatives at very high temperatures. This study aims to produce electrodes from bio-pitch and charcoal powder as an alternative to graphite electrodes.

State of Food and Nutritional Security of Urban Households in Grand Lome: Approach by Measuring Household Indicators.

In West Africa, the number of people facing food crises increases each year in both rural and urban areas, due to interdependent factors. The city of Grand Lome in Togo faces an increasingly large population that must ensure access to food, which it hardly produces anymore, because of the establishment of housing and infrastructure. In addition, the increase in the price of food products in this city further weakens the purchasing power of city dwellers in the context of poverty.

In ovo toxico-pathological effects of medicinal plants used against coccidiosis on chicken embryos development and hatchability.

TOXICO-pathological effects of herbal plants have always been a major concern, but little information is provided on the toxico-pathological effects of medicinal plants used against coccidiosis. This study aimed to assess the histopathological effects of Carica papaya seeds (CPS), Azadirachta indica leaves (AIL), and Sarcocephalus latifolius root (SLR) used as coccidiostat in traditional poultry farms with various doses using the chick embryo model. A total of 420 Sasso breeder eggs at ED4 of incubation were inoculated with the extract of these plants following a 3×4 factorial design with 3 plant extracts (CPS, AIL and SLR) and 4 inoculation doses (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg egg-weight).

Global trends in CD4 count measurement and distribution at first antiretroviral treatment initiation.

Background: While people with HIV (PWH) start antiretroviral treatment (ART) regardless of CD4 count, CD4 measurement remains crucial for detecting advanced HIV disease and evaluating ART programmes. We explored CD4 measurement (proportion of PWH with a CD4 result available) and prevalence of CD4 <200 cells/µL at ART initiation within the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) global collaboration.

Methods: We included PWH at participating ART programmes who first initiated ART at age 15-80 years during 2005-2019.

Correlation between qualitative and semi-quantitative ultrasound assessment of diffuse fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

Objective: To study the relationship between qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of diffuse liver steatosis in ultrasound.

Patients And Methods: This was a case-control study, conducted in the Campus University Hospital Centre of Lome (Togo) over a 3-month period. It included 40 patients showing ultrasonographic signs of diffuse hepatic steatosis and 40 volunteers (healthy) whose echostructure and echogenicity of the hepatic parenchyma were normal.