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This study investigates the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on electricity consumption in West Africa, employing a dynamic panel data model. The results show a significant long-term positive effect of ICT adoption on electricity consumption. Notably, internet connections increase the demand for electricity, with estimates ranging from 13.4 % to 19.3 %. While mobile phone subscriptions demonstrate modest positive effect of 6.85 %, personal computer ownership appears to have a negligible impact. The study contributes to the existing literature by offering a detailed examination of the distinct effects of different ICT components on electricity consumption, incorporating a novel estimation approach and sensitivity analyses that account for the COVID-19 pandemic and the Anglo-French linguistic divide. What's more, the analysis constitutes an initial effort in the examining both short-term and long-term dynamics of the ICT-electricity relationship in West African region. • We examine the relationship between ICT adoption and electricity consumption in West Africa. • We account for the COVID-19 pandemic and the Anglo-French linguistic divide. • We find a significant long-term positive impact of ICT adoption on electricity consumption. • Internet connectivity demonstrates robust positive impact on electricity consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Trophoblast development is a crucial event in placentation and pregnancy complications but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, we aimed at investigating the role of DiO2 in trophoblast cell line decisions and assessing its placental villous expression in early recurrent miscarriage (ERM) patients.Methods: The placental villous expression of DiO2 was determined with immunofluorescence. Cell proliferation was measured with the CCK8 kit while cell-cycle and apoptosis were studied with flow-cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were measured with wound-healing and transwell assays, respectively. Gene expression was then assessed with RT-qPCR and western blotting.Results: DiO2 is expressed in the CTB, PCT, DCT and STB of the placenta. Its overexpression arrested trophoblast cell line proliferation at the G1 phase of the cell-cycle by downregulating cyclin-D1 and PCNA, while promoting apoptosis via increased caspase-3 activity and inhibition of the AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Also, it augmented trophoblast cell line migration and invasion via the upregulation of N-cadherin, vimentin, fascin-1, twist-1 and other epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes. DiO2 knockdown elicited the opposite effects. Surprisingly, each of these effects of DiO2 manipulation was not mediated by thyroid hormone metabolism. Assessment of the ERM placental villi revealed a downregulation of DiO2, N-cadherin, vimentin, fascin-1 and twist-1. The expression of E-cadherin remained unchanged in these placentae.Discussion: During placentation, DiO2 may inhibit trophoblast proliferation while facilitating their differentiation into an invasive phenotype; and that its downregulation may contribute to the shallow trophoblast invasion that precedes ERM. Hence, DiO2 is a potential therapeutic target against ERM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding is the most devastating hydro-meteorological hazard in Togo. For instance, communities in the Lower Mono River Basin needs attention because they suffer the impacts almost every year. This paper focused on assessment and mapping of social flood risk in the Lower Mono River Basin, West Africa. The study combined GIS, Remote Sensing, and indicator-based flood risk assessment techniques in mapping flood disaster risk. The Risk Assessment Framework of Davidson (1997) and Bolin et al. (2003) that comprises Hazard, Exposure, Vulnerability and Capacity was adopted for the study. The resultant risk map shows that all the communities are exposed to flood risk but particular ones such as Agbanakin, Azime Dossou and Togbavi are found in areas with relatively high flood risk levels. Positive attitude towards early action and early warning systems, collaboration among disaster relief institutions and appropriate building codes are recommended for reduction of flooding disaster risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many women diagnosed with breast cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) present with advanced-stage disease. While cure is not a realistic outcome, site-specific interventions, supportive care, and palliative care can achieve meaningful outcomes and improve quality of life. As part of the 5th Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) Global Summit, an expert international panel identified thirteen key resource recommendations for supportive and palliative care for metastatic breast cancer. The recommendations are presented in three resource-stratified tables: health system resource allocations, resource allocations for organ-based metastatic breast cancer, and resource allocations for palliative care. These tables illustrate how health systems can provide supportive and palliative care services for patients at a basic level of available resources, and incrementally add services as more resources become available. The health systems table includes health professional education, patient and family education, palliative care models, and diagnostic testing. The metastatic disease management table provides recommendations for supportive care for bone, brain, liver, lung, and skin metastases as well as bowel obstruction. The third table includes the palliative care recommendations: pain management, and psychosocial and spiritual aspects of care. The panel considered pain management a priority at a basic level of resource allocation and emphasized the need for morphine to be easily available in LMICs. Regular pain assessments and the proper use of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions are recommended. Basic-level resources for psychosocial and spiritual aspects of care include health professional and patient and family education, as well as patient support, including community-based peer support. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]