Mohamed Traore | University of Oxford (original) (raw)

Papers by Mohamed Traore

Research paper thumbnail of Government spending and inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa: A panel VAR analysis

This paper assesses the effects of government expenditure components on both equity and growth, e... more This paper assesses the effects of government expenditure components on both equity and growth, especially whether it is possible to design public spending to promote a more equitable society without sacrificing economic growth. We employ a panel VAR technique to use a large annual dataset on 10 sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1990-2015. The VAR approach addresses the problem of endogeneity by allowing endogenous interaction between system variables. The panel has a medium time dimension and a relatively small number of countries, thus the panel with fixed effect specification (LSDV) is the most appropriated. The estimation and drawing Impulse Response Functions (IRFs) of different shocks were done using the Stata code (XTVAR). Our findings from impulsive response function give evidence that investment in infrastructure (quality and stock) contributed to more inclusive growth in sub-Saharan African economies than others government spending in long term. Moreover, socia...

Research paper thumbnail of Malaria in Guinean Rural Areas: Prevalence, Management, and Ethnotherapeutic Investigations in Dionfo, Sub-Prefecture of Labe

Planta Medica

As part of a validation program of antimalarial traditional recipes, an ethnotherapeutic approach... more As part of a validation program of antimalarial traditional recipes, an ethnotherapeutic approach was applied in Dionfo, a meso-endemic Guinean rural area where conventional health facilities are insufficient. A prevalence investigation indicated a malarial burden of 4.26%. Ethnomedical and ethnobotanical surveys led to a collection of 63 plant species used against malaria from which Terminalia albida (Combretaceae) was one of the most cited. Ethnotherapeutic evaluation of a remedy based on T. albida was applied to 9 voluntary patients suffering from uncomplicated malaria. Treatment of 7 to 14 days led to an improvement of clinical symptoms and a complete parasite clearance achievement of 8/9 patients without side effects. In addition to antiplasmodial activity in vitro and in vivo previously described, this study indicates an efficacy to support the antimalarial traditional use of T. albida, which could constitute a first-aid treatment when access to other medicines is delayed in t...

Research paper thumbnail of Testing configurations of Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait (ATSB) stations in Mali, West Africa, for improving the control of malaria parasite transmission by vector mosquitoes and minimizing their effect on non-target insects

Background Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) successfully reduced Anopheles mosquito vector po... more Background Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) successfully reduced Anopheles mosquito vector populations and malaria parasite transmission in Mali, but application methods need to be improved for wide-scale use, and effects on non-target organisms (NTOs) must be assessed. The goals of this study were to determine on a village level the effect of different outdoor configurations of ATSB bait stations to 1) achieve > 25% Anopheles mosquito vector daily feeding rate for both males and females and 2) minimize the effect on non-target organisms. Methods Dye was added to Attractive Sugar Bait Stations (ASB – without toxin) to mark mosquitoes feeding on the sugar baits, and CDC UV light traps were used to monitor mosquitoes for the presence of the dye. Yellow plates, pitfall traps, Malaise traps, UV light traps, UV tray traps, and sweep nets were used to trap and sample non-target organisms (NTOs) for dye, indicating feeding on the ASB. ASB stations were hung on outer walls of village...

Research paper thumbnail of The Analysis of Exports Performance in Algeria for the Period 1992-2016

International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues

The study aims to investigate the export performance in Algeria. For this purpose, the researcher... more The study aims to investigate the export performance in Algeria. For this purpose, the researcher used a descriptive approach to examine how trends in exports, export composition, export concentration, market share, and export volatility have changed in Algeria's plans and reform programs. The study found an improvement in Algeria exports during 1992-2016, but this performance weakened during the more recent years. The export composition showed that consumer products and raw materials represented the bulk of Algeria's total exports with an average share of 91.5%. The share of intermediate and capital goods was low, with a percentage of only 3%. It also showed that the largest part of Algeria's products was exported to Europe and Central Asian and North American countries, with an average share of 86%. The results revealed a lack of diversification in Algeria's exports as the product concentration was on average, 97.2%. The extent of geographic concentration ranged between 61% and 78% in Algeria's exports was also high. The market share of Algeria has improved considerably during the study period as it achieved the highest value in 2011. This expansion is explained by the high integration of Algeria by exporting fuel products in the world market. The extent of export volatility has varied during the study period as it was at its highest level (54.1%) during the period 1992-1995. In contrast, the extent of Algeria's exports was less during 2009-2013 as it was only 19.8%. To improve export performance in Algeria, the government should reduce the concentration in their export products and upgrade the structure of their export basket by including more advanced products (such as intermediate, capital and other manufactured products). Improving the export performance in Algeria can also be achieved by enhancing trade relationships with traditional markets as well as other trading partners. These initiatives can be also helpful in reducing the extent of volatility in Algeria's export earnings.

Research paper thumbnail of FTIR and Py-GC-MS data of wood from various living oak species and Iberian shipwrecks

Data in Brief

Data in this article are related to the chemical characterization of various oak wood samples. Da... more Data in this article are related to the chemical characterization of various oak wood samples. Data have been obtained by the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) to living tree species and shipwreck wood fragments. Measurements were performed on individual rings in order to facilitate the understanding of the variability in wood chemical composition along the radial cores, i.e. the same kind of material traditionally used for dendrochronological analysis. The data in this article is labelled according to the anatomical sections of the wood (sapwood, transition wood and heartwood) where the samples were taken. The experimental background and the results can be found in the related research article, "Chemometric tools for identification of wood from different oak species and their potential for provenancing of Iberian shipwrecks (16th-18th centuries CE)" (Traoré et al., 2018).

Research paper thumbnail of Variability of cowpea (vigna unguiculata l.) nodulation: what efficiency in use of the rhizobial symbiosis for plant growth under zaï cultivation in sub-saharan agro-ecosystem of burkina faso?

International Journal of Current Advanced Research

Research paper thumbnail of First record of Aedes albopictus in inland Africa along the River Niger in Bamako and Mopti, Mali

Acta tropica, Jan 19, 2016

The distribution of Aedes albopictus in Africa has thus far been known to be restricted to coasta... more The distribution of Aedes albopictus in Africa has thus far been known to be restricted to coastal Sub-Saharan countries. This report describes the first record of the tiger mosquito in habitats located in Mali, at a significant distance from the coastal areas of the continent. Aedes albopictus was observed over several years in increasing frequency in Mopti in Central Mali and later in the capital city Bamako, both adjacent to the Niger River. These findings suggest further dissemination of Ae. albopictus could be facilitated by river transport of goods and commodities which harbor larvae and eggs of this species. If correct, the distribution of Ae. albopictus is expected to extend to areas located upstream of the Niger River and its tributaries.

Research paper thumbnail of Conception d'une matrice de nanofibres par électrofilage et étude de son pouvoir adsorbant

Research paper thumbnail of The malaria co-infection challenge: An investigation into the antimicrobial activity of selected Guinean medicinal plants

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Successful field trial of attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) plant-spraying methods against malaria vectors in the Anopheles gambiae complex in Mali, West Africa

Malaria Journal, 2010

Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait ... more Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) methods can decimate local populations of mosquitoes, this study determined the effectiveness of ATSB methods for malaria vector control in the semi-arid Bandiagara District of Mali, West Africa. Methods: Control and treatment sites, selected along a road that connects villages, contained man-made ponds that were the primary larval habitats of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis. Guava and honey melons, two local fruits shown to be attractive to An. gambiae s.l., were used to prepare solutions of Attractive Sugar Bait (ASB) and ATSB that additionally contained boric acid as an oral insecticide. Both included a color dye marker to facilitate determination of mosquitoes feeding on the solutions. The trial was conducted over a 38-day period, using CDC light traps to monitor mosquito populations. On day 8, ASB solution in the control site and ATSB solution in the treatment site were sprayed using a hand-pump on patches of vegetation. Samples of female mosquitoes were age-graded to determine the impact of ATSB treatment on vector longevity. Results: Immediately after spraying ATSB in the treatment site, the relative abundance of female and male An. gambiae s.l. declined about 90% from pre-treatment levels and remained low. In the treatment site, most females remaining after ATSB treatment had not completed a single gonotrophic cycle, and only 6% had completed three or more gonotrophic cycles compared with 37% pre-treatment. In the control site sprayed with ASB (without toxin), the proportion of females completing three or more gonotrophic cycles increased from 28.5% pre-treatment to 47.5% post-treatment. In the control site, detection of dye marker in over half of the females and males provided direct evidence that the mosquitoes were feeding on the sprayed solutions. Conclusion: This study in Mali shows that even a single application of ATSB can substantially decrease malaria vector population densities and longevity. It is likely that ATSB methods can be used as a new powerful tool for the control of malaria vectors, particularly since this approach is highly effective for mosquito control, technologically simple, inexpensive, and environmentally safe.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosing the scope for innovation: Linking smallholder practices and institutional context

NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro antiprotozoal, antimicrobial and antitumor activity of Pavetta crassipes K. Schum leaf extracts

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Successful field trial of attractive toxic sugar bait(ATSB) plant-spraying methods against malaria vectors in the Anopheles gambiae complex in Mali, West Africa

Malaria …, 2010

Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait ... more Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) methods can decimate local populations of mosquitoes, this study determined the effectiveness of ATSB methods for malaria vector control in the semi-arid Bandiagara District of Mali, West Africa. Methods: Control and treatment sites, selected along a road that connects villages, contained man-made ponds that were the primary larval habitats of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis. Guava and honey melons, two local fruits shown to be attractive to An. gambiae s.l., were used to prepare solutions of Attractive Sugar Bait (ASB) and ATSB that additionally contained boric acid as an oral insecticide. Both included a color dye marker to facilitate determination of mosquitoes feeding on the solutions. The trial was conducted over a 38-day period, using CDC light traps to monitor mosquito populations. On day 8, ASB solution in the control site and ATSB solution in the treatment site were sprayed using a hand-pump on patches of vegetation. Samples of female mosquitoes were age-graded to determine the impact of ATSB treatment on vector longevity. Results: Immediately after spraying ATSB in the treatment site, the relative abundance of female and male An. gambiae s.l. declined about 90% from pre-treatment levels and remained low. In the treatment site, most females remaining after ATSB treatment had not completed a single gonotrophic cycle, and only 6% had completed three or more gonotrophic cycles compared with 37% pre-treatment. In the control site sprayed with ASB (without toxin), the proportion of females completing three or more gonotrophic cycles increased from 28.5% pre-treatment to 47.5% post-treatment. In the control site, detection of dye marker in over half of the females and males provided direct evidence that the mosquitoes were feeding on the sprayed solutions. Conclusion: This study in Mali shows that even a single application of ATSB can substantially decrease malaria vector population densities and longevity. It is likely that ATSB methods can be used as a new powerful tool for the control of malaria vectors, particularly since this approach is highly effective for mosquito control, technologically simple, inexpensive, and environmentally safe.

Research paper thumbnail of Novel mutation in the NHLRC1 gene in a Malian family with a severe phenotype of Lafora disease

neurogenetics, 2009

We studied a Malian family with parental consanguinity and two of eight siblings affected with la... more We studied a Malian family with parental consanguinity and two of eight siblings affected with late-childhood-onset progressive myoclonus epilepsy and cognitive decline, consistent with the diagnosis of Lafora disease. Genetic analysis showed a novel homozygous single-nucleotide variant in the NHLRC1 gene, c.560A>C, producing the missense change H187P. The changed amino acid is highly conserved, and the mutation impairs malin's ability to degrade laforin in vitro. Pathological evaluation showed manifestations of Lafora disease in the entire brain, with particularly severe involvement of the pallidum, thalamus, and cerebellum. Our findings document Lafora disease with severe manifestations in the West African population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10048-009-0190-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro antiprotozoal, antimicrobial and antitumor activity of Pavetta crassipes K. Schum leaf extracts

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010

Aim of the studyTo study the potential benefit of the traditional medicinal plant Pavetta crassip... more Aim of the studyTo study the potential benefit of the traditional medicinal plant Pavetta crassipes K. Schum (Rubiaceae), which is widely distributed throughout West Africa, the methanol and dichloromethane extracts were isolated from the plant leaves to determine if they exhibited antiprotozoal, antibacterial, antifungal or antitumor activity in vitro.

Research paper thumbnail of Government spending and inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa: A panel VAR analysis

This paper assesses the effects of government expenditure components on both equity and growth, e... more This paper assesses the effects of government expenditure components on both equity and growth, especially whether it is possible to design public spending to promote a more equitable society without sacrificing economic growth. We employ a panel VAR technique to use a large annual dataset on 10 sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1990-2015. The VAR approach addresses the problem of endogeneity by allowing endogenous interaction between system variables. The panel has a medium time dimension and a relatively small number of countries, thus the panel with fixed effect specification (LSDV) is the most appropriated. The estimation and drawing Impulse Response Functions (IRFs) of different shocks were done using the Stata code (XTVAR). Our findings from impulsive response function give evidence that investment in infrastructure (quality and stock) contributed to more inclusive growth in sub-Saharan African economies than others government spending in long term. Moreover, socia...

Research paper thumbnail of Malaria in Guinean Rural Areas: Prevalence, Management, and Ethnotherapeutic Investigations in Dionfo, Sub-Prefecture of Labe

Planta Medica

As part of a validation program of antimalarial traditional recipes, an ethnotherapeutic approach... more As part of a validation program of antimalarial traditional recipes, an ethnotherapeutic approach was applied in Dionfo, a meso-endemic Guinean rural area where conventional health facilities are insufficient. A prevalence investigation indicated a malarial burden of 4.26%. Ethnomedical and ethnobotanical surveys led to a collection of 63 plant species used against malaria from which Terminalia albida (Combretaceae) was one of the most cited. Ethnotherapeutic evaluation of a remedy based on T. albida was applied to 9 voluntary patients suffering from uncomplicated malaria. Treatment of 7 to 14 days led to an improvement of clinical symptoms and a complete parasite clearance achievement of 8/9 patients without side effects. In addition to antiplasmodial activity in vitro and in vivo previously described, this study indicates an efficacy to support the antimalarial traditional use of T. albida, which could constitute a first-aid treatment when access to other medicines is delayed in t...

Research paper thumbnail of Testing configurations of Attractive Toxic Sugar Bait (ATSB) stations in Mali, West Africa, for improving the control of malaria parasite transmission by vector mosquitoes and minimizing their effect on non-target insects

Background Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) successfully reduced Anopheles mosquito vector po... more Background Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits (ATSBs) successfully reduced Anopheles mosquito vector populations and malaria parasite transmission in Mali, but application methods need to be improved for wide-scale use, and effects on non-target organisms (NTOs) must be assessed. The goals of this study were to determine on a village level the effect of different outdoor configurations of ATSB bait stations to 1) achieve > 25% Anopheles mosquito vector daily feeding rate for both males and females and 2) minimize the effect on non-target organisms. Methods Dye was added to Attractive Sugar Bait Stations (ASB – without toxin) to mark mosquitoes feeding on the sugar baits, and CDC UV light traps were used to monitor mosquitoes for the presence of the dye. Yellow plates, pitfall traps, Malaise traps, UV light traps, UV tray traps, and sweep nets were used to trap and sample non-target organisms (NTOs) for dye, indicating feeding on the ASB. ASB stations were hung on outer walls of village...

Research paper thumbnail of The Analysis of Exports Performance in Algeria for the Period 1992-2016

International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues

The study aims to investigate the export performance in Algeria. For this purpose, the researcher... more The study aims to investigate the export performance in Algeria. For this purpose, the researcher used a descriptive approach to examine how trends in exports, export composition, export concentration, market share, and export volatility have changed in Algeria's plans and reform programs. The study found an improvement in Algeria exports during 1992-2016, but this performance weakened during the more recent years. The export composition showed that consumer products and raw materials represented the bulk of Algeria's total exports with an average share of 91.5%. The share of intermediate and capital goods was low, with a percentage of only 3%. It also showed that the largest part of Algeria's products was exported to Europe and Central Asian and North American countries, with an average share of 86%. The results revealed a lack of diversification in Algeria's exports as the product concentration was on average, 97.2%. The extent of geographic concentration ranged between 61% and 78% in Algeria's exports was also high. The market share of Algeria has improved considerably during the study period as it achieved the highest value in 2011. This expansion is explained by the high integration of Algeria by exporting fuel products in the world market. The extent of export volatility has varied during the study period as it was at its highest level (54.1%) during the period 1992-1995. In contrast, the extent of Algeria's exports was less during 2009-2013 as it was only 19.8%. To improve export performance in Algeria, the government should reduce the concentration in their export products and upgrade the structure of their export basket by including more advanced products (such as intermediate, capital and other manufactured products). Improving the export performance in Algeria can also be achieved by enhancing trade relationships with traditional markets as well as other trading partners. These initiatives can be also helpful in reducing the extent of volatility in Algeria's export earnings.

Research paper thumbnail of FTIR and Py-GC-MS data of wood from various living oak species and Iberian shipwrecks

Data in Brief

Data in this article are related to the chemical characterization of various oak wood samples. Da... more Data in this article are related to the chemical characterization of various oak wood samples. Data have been obtained by the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) to living tree species and shipwreck wood fragments. Measurements were performed on individual rings in order to facilitate the understanding of the variability in wood chemical composition along the radial cores, i.e. the same kind of material traditionally used for dendrochronological analysis. The data in this article is labelled according to the anatomical sections of the wood (sapwood, transition wood and heartwood) where the samples were taken. The experimental background and the results can be found in the related research article, "Chemometric tools for identification of wood from different oak species and their potential for provenancing of Iberian shipwrecks (16th-18th centuries CE)" (Traoré et al., 2018).

Research paper thumbnail of Variability of cowpea (vigna unguiculata l.) nodulation: what efficiency in use of the rhizobial symbiosis for plant growth under zaï cultivation in sub-saharan agro-ecosystem of burkina faso?

International Journal of Current Advanced Research

Research paper thumbnail of First record of Aedes albopictus in inland Africa along the River Niger in Bamako and Mopti, Mali

Acta tropica, Jan 19, 2016

The distribution of Aedes albopictus in Africa has thus far been known to be restricted to coasta... more The distribution of Aedes albopictus in Africa has thus far been known to be restricted to coastal Sub-Saharan countries. This report describes the first record of the tiger mosquito in habitats located in Mali, at a significant distance from the coastal areas of the continent. Aedes albopictus was observed over several years in increasing frequency in Mopti in Central Mali and later in the capital city Bamako, both adjacent to the Niger River. These findings suggest further dissemination of Ae. albopictus could be facilitated by river transport of goods and commodities which harbor larvae and eggs of this species. If correct, the distribution of Ae. albopictus is expected to extend to areas located upstream of the Niger River and its tributaries.

Research paper thumbnail of Conception d'une matrice de nanofibres par électrofilage et étude de son pouvoir adsorbant

Research paper thumbnail of The malaria co-infection challenge: An investigation into the antimicrobial activity of selected Guinean medicinal plants

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015

Research paper thumbnail of Successful field trial of attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) plant-spraying methods against malaria vectors in the Anopheles gambiae complex in Mali, West Africa

Malaria Journal, 2010

Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait ... more Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) methods can decimate local populations of mosquitoes, this study determined the effectiveness of ATSB methods for malaria vector control in the semi-arid Bandiagara District of Mali, West Africa. Methods: Control and treatment sites, selected along a road that connects villages, contained man-made ponds that were the primary larval habitats of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis. Guava and honey melons, two local fruits shown to be attractive to An. gambiae s.l., were used to prepare solutions of Attractive Sugar Bait (ASB) and ATSB that additionally contained boric acid as an oral insecticide. Both included a color dye marker to facilitate determination of mosquitoes feeding on the solutions. The trial was conducted over a 38-day period, using CDC light traps to monitor mosquito populations. On day 8, ASB solution in the control site and ATSB solution in the treatment site were sprayed using a hand-pump on patches of vegetation. Samples of female mosquitoes were age-graded to determine the impact of ATSB treatment on vector longevity. Results: Immediately after spraying ATSB in the treatment site, the relative abundance of female and male An. gambiae s.l. declined about 90% from pre-treatment levels and remained low. In the treatment site, most females remaining after ATSB treatment had not completed a single gonotrophic cycle, and only 6% had completed three or more gonotrophic cycles compared with 37% pre-treatment. In the control site sprayed with ASB (without toxin), the proportion of females completing three or more gonotrophic cycles increased from 28.5% pre-treatment to 47.5% post-treatment. In the control site, detection of dye marker in over half of the females and males provided direct evidence that the mosquitoes were feeding on the sprayed solutions. Conclusion: This study in Mali shows that even a single application of ATSB can substantially decrease malaria vector population densities and longevity. It is likely that ATSB methods can be used as a new powerful tool for the control of malaria vectors, particularly since this approach is highly effective for mosquito control, technologically simple, inexpensive, and environmentally safe.

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnosing the scope for innovation: Linking smallholder practices and institutional context

NJAS - Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences, 2012

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro antiprotozoal, antimicrobial and antitumor activity of Pavetta crassipes K. Schum leaf extracts

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Successful field trial of attractive toxic sugar bait(ATSB) plant-spraying methods against malaria vectors in the Anopheles gambiae complex in Mali, West Africa

Malaria …, 2010

Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait ... more Background: Based on highly successful demonstrations in Israel that attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) methods can decimate local populations of mosquitoes, this study determined the effectiveness of ATSB methods for malaria vector control in the semi-arid Bandiagara District of Mali, West Africa. Methods: Control and treatment sites, selected along a road that connects villages, contained man-made ponds that were the primary larval habitats of Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles arabiensis. Guava and honey melons, two local fruits shown to be attractive to An. gambiae s.l., were used to prepare solutions of Attractive Sugar Bait (ASB) and ATSB that additionally contained boric acid as an oral insecticide. Both included a color dye marker to facilitate determination of mosquitoes feeding on the solutions. The trial was conducted over a 38-day period, using CDC light traps to monitor mosquito populations. On day 8, ASB solution in the control site and ATSB solution in the treatment site were sprayed using a hand-pump on patches of vegetation. Samples of female mosquitoes were age-graded to determine the impact of ATSB treatment on vector longevity. Results: Immediately after spraying ATSB in the treatment site, the relative abundance of female and male An. gambiae s.l. declined about 90% from pre-treatment levels and remained low. In the treatment site, most females remaining after ATSB treatment had not completed a single gonotrophic cycle, and only 6% had completed three or more gonotrophic cycles compared with 37% pre-treatment. In the control site sprayed with ASB (without toxin), the proportion of females completing three or more gonotrophic cycles increased from 28.5% pre-treatment to 47.5% post-treatment. In the control site, detection of dye marker in over half of the females and males provided direct evidence that the mosquitoes were feeding on the sprayed solutions. Conclusion: This study in Mali shows that even a single application of ATSB can substantially decrease malaria vector population densities and longevity. It is likely that ATSB methods can be used as a new powerful tool for the control of malaria vectors, particularly since this approach is highly effective for mosquito control, technologically simple, inexpensive, and environmentally safe.

Research paper thumbnail of Novel mutation in the NHLRC1 gene in a Malian family with a severe phenotype of Lafora disease

neurogenetics, 2009

We studied a Malian family with parental consanguinity and two of eight siblings affected with la... more We studied a Malian family with parental consanguinity and two of eight siblings affected with late-childhood-onset progressive myoclonus epilepsy and cognitive decline, consistent with the diagnosis of Lafora disease. Genetic analysis showed a novel homozygous single-nucleotide variant in the NHLRC1 gene, c.560A>C, producing the missense change H187P. The changed amino acid is highly conserved, and the mutation impairs malin's ability to degrade laforin in vitro. Pathological evaluation showed manifestations of Lafora disease in the entire brain, with particularly severe involvement of the pallidum, thalamus, and cerebellum. Our findings document Lafora disease with severe manifestations in the West African population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10048-009-0190-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Research paper thumbnail of In vitro antiprotozoal, antimicrobial and antitumor activity of Pavetta crassipes K. Schum leaf extracts

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010

Aim of the studyTo study the potential benefit of the traditional medicinal plant Pavetta crassip... more Aim of the studyTo study the potential benefit of the traditional medicinal plant Pavetta crassipes K. Schum (Rubiaceae), which is widely distributed throughout West Africa, the methanol and dichloromethane extracts were isolated from the plant leaves to determine if they exhibited antiprotozoal, antibacterial, antifungal or antitumor activity in vitro.