Targeted color design of silver-gold alloy nanoparticles.

This research article focuses on the targeted color design of silver-gold alloy nanoparticles (NPs), employing a multivariate optimization approach. NP synthesis involves interconnected process parameters, making independent variation challenging. Data-based property-process relationships are established to optimize optical properties effectively. We define a color target, employ a green chemical co-reduction method at room temperature and optimize process parameters accordingly. The CIEL*a*b* color space (Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage - International Commission on Illumination) and Euclidean distances facilitate accurate color matching to establish the property-process relationship. Concurrently, theoretical Mie calculations explore the structure-property relationship across particle sizes, concentrations, and molar gold contents. The theoretically optimal structure agrees very well with experimental particle structures at the property-process relationship's optimum. The data-driven property-process relationship provides valuable insights into the formation mechanism of a complex particle system, sheds light on the role of relevant process parameters and allows to evaluate the practically available property space. Model validation beyond the original grid demonstrates its robustness, yielding colors close to the target. Additionally, Design of Experiments (DoE) methods reduce experimental work by threefold with slight accuracy trade-offs. Our novel methodology for targeted color design demonstrates how data-based methods can be utilized alongside structure-property relationships to unravel property-process relationships in the design of complex nanoparticle systems and paves the way for future developments in targeted property design.

Ischemic strokes revealing neurosyphilis: Study of six (6) observations at the neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), stroke is a major public health problem and the etiological aspects are poorly studied and documented because of under-medicalization; the syphilitic etiology is rarely mentioned. Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective study of 472 patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke between 2016 and 2021 in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Conakry, confirmed by neuroradiological explorations (brain CT, MRI-Angio) and a biological workup including VDRL-TPHA serological reactions in blood and CSF. Results: Syphilitic etiology was retained for six (6) patients (4 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 43 years (extremes 36 and 49 years). The clinical picture was dominated by carotid syndromes: superficial and deep sylvian syndrome, anterior cerebral artery syndrome and vertebro-basilar syndromes and one case of lacunar syndrome.The diagnosis was based on the positivity of serological reactions (VDRL-TPHA) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the presence of a predominantly lymphocytic hypercellularity and a hyperproteinorachy in the CSF in the absence of any other etiology. Conclusion: These neurological vascular syndromes consecutive to a cerebral treponematous attack are often the result of a still poorly conducted management of primary and secondary syphilis in our country.

Green room temperature synthesis of silver-gold alloy nanoparticles.

Metallic alloy nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit interesting optical, electrical and catalytic properties, dependent on their size, shape and composition. In particular, silver-gold alloy NPs are widely applied as model systems to better understand the syntheses and formation (kinetics) of alloy NPs, as the two elements are fully miscible. Our study targets product design via environmentally friendly synthesis conditions. We use dextran as the reducing and stabilizing agent for the synthesis of homogeneous silver-gold alloy NPs at room temperature. Our approach is a one-pot, low temperature, reaction-controlled, green and scalable synthesis route of well-controlled composition and narrow particle size distribution. The composition over a broad range of molar gold contents is confirmed by scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDX) measurements and auxiliary inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy measurements (ICP-OES). The distributions of the resulting particles in size and composition are obtained from multi-wavelength analytical ultracentrifugation using the optical back coupling method and further confirmed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Finally, we provide insight into the reaction kinetics during the synthesis, discuss the reaction mechanism and demonstrate possibilities for scale-up by a factor of more than 250 by increasing the reactor volume and NP concentration.

Excision in girls: Life-threatening acute complications in girls within 7 days of excision: Experience of the Pediatric Department of the University Hospital Gabriel Toure in Bamako, Mali.

The practice of excision in girls poses a significant risk to their health. The objective of this study was to determine the immediate acute complications associated with this practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study over a period of 15 months including all girls aged 0-15 years hospitalized for acute complications related to excision within 7 days of the practice in the pediatric department of the University Hospital Gabriel Toure. RESULTS: We collected 17 patient files. The median consultation time was 43 h. The main reason for consultation was post-excision bleeding in 76.4% of the cases. Pallor associated with respiratory distress was found in almost all cases. On admission, four girls (23.5%) were comatose and five girls (29.4%) showed signs of shock. The reasons for hospitalization were hemorrhage associated with post-excisional sepsis (52.9%), complicated shock anemia (23.5%), and severe post-excision anemia (23.5%). The average hemoglobin level was 5.5 g/dL; there was severe anemia in 94.1% of the girls (Hb <7g/dl). All the girls received blood transfusions with red blood cell concentrate. The other treatments received were local care (100%), administration of analgesics (100%), antibiotic therapy (82.4%), and oxygen therapy (41.2%). The outcome was unfavorable in two patients (11.8% deaths). CONCLUSION: This study shows the seriousness of the immediate complications associated with the practice of excision.

Multidimensional characterization of noble metal alloy nanoparticles by multiwavelength analytical ultracentrifugation.

In this study, we introduce a method for the simultaneous retrieval of two-dimensional size-composition distributions of noble metal Ag-Au alloy nanoparticles utilizing an analytical ultracentrifuge equipped with a multiwavelength extinction detector (MWL-AUC). MWL-AUC is used to measure coupled optical and sedimentation properties of the particles. The optical response of the nanoparticles is calculated using Mie's theory, where the particles' complex refractive index is corrected due to the effect of reduced mean free path of electrons. Using a combined analysis of the hydrodynamic and spectral data captured by MWL-AUC, the size and composition of the alloy particles is retrieved. Our method is validated through the analysis of synthetic data and by the very good agreement between experimental scanning transmission electron microscopy and our AUC data. The presented comprehensive characterization approach contributes to improved synthesis, scale-up and production of particulate systems as it provides a simple, fast and direct method to determine noble metal alloy nanoparticle size and composition distributions simultaneously.

[Medical check-up of the national football team of mali from may 2008 to january 2010]. / Bilan medical de l'equipe nationale de football du mali de mai 2008 a janvier 2010.

Our goal was to study the medical reasons for the failures of Mali's national men's football team in the first round of the finals in 2008 and 2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study during 21 months of follow-up of the Mali men's national football team (May 2008 to January 2010). Our study covered 16 to 30 players initially and then reduced to 23 during the final phase of CAN Angola 2010 including 8 forwards, 7 midfielders, 5 defenders and 3 goalkeepers. Clinical data (history, anthropometric and hemodynamic parameters, trauma, non-traumatic disorders) and paraclinical data (Echography, MRI, X-ray and ECG) were collected and recorded on individual survey sheets from medical certificates of fitness, match reports and match registry. This data was then processed and entered on WORLD and analyzed by SPSS 12.0 software. We have used as a diagnosis the one mentioned in the records and match reports. RESULTS: Contusions were the most common traumatic conditions with 46.15%. The matches were more traumatic than the training. Competitive matches were more traumatic than friendlies. The lesions were mostly benign. Attackers and midfielders were the most affected (67.7%). Rhinitis (29.4%) gastroenteritis (17.54%) were the most common non-traumatic conditions. We recorded few cases of malaria (11 cases or 6.43%). Osteo-articular and muscular ultrasound was the most performed follow-up examination. Conservative therapies have been the most widely used. CONCLUSION: Players, even though they are healthy subjects, are not spared by signs and pathologies that are not traumatic.

Notre but était d'étudier les raisons médicales des échecs de l'équipe nationale masculine de footballdu Mali au premier tour de la phase finale en 2008 et 2010. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude rétrospective au cours de 21 mois de suivi de l'équipe nationale masculine de football du Mali (de mai 2008 à janvier 2010). Notre étude a porté sur 16 à 30 joueurs initialement puis réduit à 23 pendant la phase finale de la CAN Angola 2010 dont 8 attaquants, 7 milieux, 5 défenseurs et 3 gardiens.Les données cliniques (antécédents, paramètres anthropométriques et hémodynamiques, traumatismes, les troubles non traumatiques) et paracliniques (Echographie, IRM, radiographie et ECG) ont été recueillies et consignées sur les fiches d'enquêtes individuelles à partir des certificats médicaux d'aptitude, les rapports des différents matchs et le registre des matchs. Ces données ont ensuite été traitées et saisies sur WORLD et analysées par le logiciel SPSS 12.0.Nous avons retenu comme diagnostic celui mentionné dans les registres et rapports de match. RÉSULTATS: Les contusions ont été les pathologies traumatiques les plus fréquentes avec 46,15%. Les matchs ont été plus traumatiques que les entrainements. Les matchs de compétition ont été plus traumatiques que les matchs amicaux. Les lésions étaient majoritairement bénignes. Les attaquants et les milieux ont été les plus touchés (67,7%). La rhinite (29,4%) et les gastro-entérites (17,54%) ont été les pathologies non traumatiques les plus fréquentes. Nous avons enregistré peu de cas de paludisme (11 cas soit 6,43%). L'échographieostéo-articulaire et musculaire a été l'examen complémentaire le plus réalisé. Les thérapeutiques conservatrices ont été les plus utilisées. CONCLUSION: Les joueurs bien qu'ils soient des sujets sains ne sont pas épargnés par des signes et pathologies non traumatiques.

[Supporting factors of diarrhoea diseases in the children under 5 years in Commune II of the district of Bamako- Mali]. / Facteurs favorisant les maladies diarrheiques chez les enfants de 0 à 5 ans en Commune II du district de Bamako-Mali.

Diarrhea remains a real public health problem as it is the second leading cause of under-five mortality. In tropical environments, studies show several factors contributing to the frequency and severity of diarrhea. It is in this context that the present study of the factors favoring diarrheal diseases in children from 0 to 5 years old has been carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional cluster survey involving 200 mothers of 0-5 year-old children from November 2015 to October 2016. The Pearson Chi2 test was used with a 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Married women accounted for 85.5% of our sample, 47% of whom had no education. Of the mothers surveyed, 17% of their children had had at least one episode of diarrhea in the two weeks before the survey. Almost all mothers (94%) washed their hands before feeding their children and 13% did not do so after cleaning the children. Regarding the cleanliness of the concession, it was bad in 23.5%. The majority of mothers (51%) did not know the significance of diarrhea, 43% reported the means of transmission, and 28% had inadequate practice in managing diarrhea. Some factors favor the occurrence of diarrhea such as: mixed breastfeeding that was statistically significant (p = 0.014), as well as poor hand hygiene practices (p = 0.027) and concessions (p = 0.000), as well as than the bad knowledge of the subject (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that diarrhea was a disease of the hands rooms, hence the interest of strengthening the awareness of mothers for best practices for behavior change.

Les diarrhées demeurent un véritable problème de santé publique parce qu'elles constituent la deuxième cause de mortalité des moins de 5 ans. En milieu tropical, des études montrent plusieurs facteurs concourent à la fréquence et à la gravité des diarrhées. C'est dans ce contexte que la présente étude a été réalisée avec objectif de déterminer les facteurs favorisant les maladies diarrhéiques chez les enfants de 0 à 5 ans. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Etude transversale par sondage en grappe ayant concerné 200 mères d'enfant de 0-5 ans, de novembre 2015 à octobre 2016. Le test de Chi2 de Pearson a été utilisé avec un niveau de confiance de 95%. Résultats : Les femmes mariées représentaient 85,5% de notre échantillon dont 47% n'avaient reçu aucune instruction. Parmi les mères interrogées, 17% de leurs enfants avaient présenté au moins un épisode de diarrhée dans les deux semaines ayant précédé l'enquête. Presque toutes les mères (94%) se lavaient les mains avant d'alimenter leurs enfants et 13% ne le font pas après le nettoyage des enfants. Concernant la propreté de la concession, elle était mauvaise dans 23,5%. La majorité des mères (51%) ne connaissait pas la signification de la diarrhée, 43% les moyens de sa transmission et 28% avait une pratique inadéquate de la prise en charge de la diarrhée. Certains facteurs favoriseraient la survenue de la diarrhée comme : l'allaitement mixte avec (p = 0,014), de même que les mauvaises pratiques d'hygiène des mains (p =0,027)et des concessions (p = 0,000), ainsi que les mauvaises connaissances du sujet (p = 0,000). CONCLUSION: Notre étude montre que la diarrhée était une maladie des mains salles, d'où l'intérêt de renforcer la sensibilisation des mères pour de meilleures pratiques en faveur du changement de comportement.

[Congenital Hypothyroidism: 2 observed cases at the Gabriel Toure University Hospital of Bamako, Mali]. / Hypothyroïdie congenitale: a propos de deux observations au CHU Gabriel Toure de Bamako-Mali.

We report two observations of congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed in 2011 in the university hospital of Gabriel Toure in Bamako. The first occurred in a male infant of 40 days, admitted for respiratory distress and anterior compressive cervical swelling. Although his neonatal period occurred without any medical particularity, family medical history revealed the presence of unexplored goiter in three paternal uncles. Neurological examination was normal with the presence of constipation. A cervical-thoracic scan showed a homogeneous and symmetric hypertrophy of thyroid lobes with a compression of the trachea. The dosage of thyroid hormones confirmed hypothyroidism (FT4 = 1.6 pmol/l, TSH = 60 µUI/ml). After one month of treatment using Levothyroxine, 10 mg/kg, there was a drastic improvement of respiratory distress, a regression of goiter and normalization of thyroid hormones. At six months of life he had no goiter and psychomotor development was normal. The second case occurred in a male infant of 2 years, from an area of endemic goiter. Puffiness of the face without lower limb edema, constipation, and delayed independent walking were the reasons for consultation. On examination, we noted the absence of goiter, large anterior fontanel with facial dysmorphism (lunar facies, hypertelorism, flat nose, macroglossia) and infiltration of the skin more marked in the face with cold extremities. He required support to sit. The thyroid function tests confirmed hypothyroidism (FT4 = 72 nmol/l, FT3 = 0.40 nmol/l, TSH > 60 µUI/l). Under levothyroxine, there was normalization of thyroid hormones after one month of treatment and disappearance of the skin infiltration. At six months of treatment he had acquired independent walking. Mental prognosis remains to be evaluated. These cases confirm the necessity of routine neonatal diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Nous rapportons deux observations d'hypothyroïdie congénitale diagnostiquées en 2011 au CHU Gabriel Touré de Bamako. Il s'agit d'un nourrisson de 40 jours, de sexe masculin admis dans le service pour une détresse respiratoire et une tuméfaction cervicale antérieure compressive. Son passé néonatal était sans particularités, il aurait trois oncles paternels ayant un goitre non exploré. Une constipation chronique était le seul signe fonctionnel tandis que l'examen neurologique était normal. Une tomodensitométrie cervico-thoracique montrait une hypertrophie homogène et symétrique des lobes thyroïdiens avec compression de la trachée. Le dosage des hormones thyroïdiennes confirmait l'hypothyroïdie (T4L = 1,6 pmol/l, TSH= 60 µUI/ml). Sous lévothyroxine à 10 µg /kg, on notait une disparition de la détresse respiratoire, une régression du goitre et la normalisation du taux des hormones thyroïdiennes à un mois de traitement. A six mois de vie, il n'avait pas de goitre et son développement psychomoteur était normal. Le second est un nourrisson de 2 ans, de sexe masculin, provenant d'une zone d'endémie goitreuse. Une bouffissure du visage sans œdème des membres inférieurs, une constipation, un retard de la marche autonome constituaient les motifs de consultation. A l'examen, on notait l'absence de goitre, une fontanelle antérieure large avec une dysmorphie faciale (facies lunaire, hypertélorisme, nez aplati, macroglossie) et une infiltration de la peau plus marquée au visage avec une froideur des extrémités. Il s'asseyait avec appui. Le dosage des hormones thyroïdiennes a confirmé l'hypothyroïdie (T4L = 72 nmol/l, T3L= 0,40 nmol/l, TSH > 60 µUI/l). Sous lévothyroxine, on notait la normalisation des hormones thyroïdiennes à un mois de traitement et la disparition de l'infiltration de la peau. A six mois de traitement il avait acquis la marche autonome. Le pronostic mental reste à être évalué. Ces observations confirment la nécessité du diagnostic néonatal de l'hypothyroïdie.

[Estrus synchronization in cattle by means of chlormadinone acetate ("Bovisynchron" Jenapharm) in the tropics. II. First results of the estrus synchronization of cattle with "Bovisynchron" at the Republic of Mali]. / Synchronisation des chaleurs de bovins par acétate de chlormadinon ("Bovisynchron" jenapharm) sous les tropiques Deuxiéme partie: les premiers résultats de la synchronisation de chaleur chez les bovins avec "Bovisynchron" en République du Mali

The first experiments are reported on oestrus synchronization in cattle in the Republic of Mali. The animals recieved Bovisynchron twice a day orally over a period of 15 days. The synchronization effect was marked; insemination was performed on the 5th and 6th day p.s. The intensity of the oestrus and especially the results of pregnancy are in close relationship to the breeding conditions and the general status of the animals. The oestrus synchronization is considered a favourable biotechnical method for regulating the reproduction provided that the animals are kept stationary or temporarily stationary.