University of Toamasina

Seaweed farming offers a sustainable solution to malnutrition and economic challenges in southwestern Madagascar. This study assessed the seasonal performance of 12 edible seaweed species and optimized cultivation parameters for Gracilaria corticata and Gracilaria salicornia using long-line aquaculture. Environmental factors, including temperature, light intensity, salinity, and current speed, were monitored across warm and cool seasons. G. corticata, G. salicornia, and Hormophysa cuneiformis exhibited the highest retention rates (>50 %) and growth performance, with G. corticata demonstrating significant superior growth in both seasons. Smaller cuttings (0–50 g) achieved higher retention and specific growth rates, particularly in the first 30 days. Growth was significantly influenced by light intensity (4209.35 ± 3274.72 lux in the warm season; 3107.77 ± 3194.22 lux in the cool season) and temperature (30.20 ± 1.26 °C in the warm season; 24.83 ± 0.35 °C in the cool season), with optimal conditions occurring in the warm season. These findings highlight the potential of G. corticata and G. salicornia for sustainable aquaculture, contributing to species diversification and food security. Optimizing environmental conditions and cutting sizes is crucial for maximizing seaweed productivity in Madagascar.

Background: Worldwide, complications of preterm birth and low birth weight are the leading cause of death among newborns and so were in Madagascar. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an essential neonatal health intervention to reduce mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Despite this, mothers face several obstacles in its daily practice. The objective of our study was to identify the barriers that oppose mother’s adherence to KMC in order to seek solutions. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including low birth weight infants whose parents have refused or abandoned the practice of KMC. We conducted an interview either face-to-face or by phone call with open-ended and then semi- structured questions. Results: Among 444 low birth weight (LBW) newborns who should be admitted to the kangaroo unit: fifty-seven (12%) did not receive or abandoned KMC during hospitalization. Fourteen infants whose mothers answered the phone call no longer returned to outpatient follow-up. We retained 71 infants whose mothers did not fully adhere to the KMC stages. Financial barriers were the main obstacles, especially transport costs n=47 (66.2%); then parental and family barriers, in particular family organization in relation to household chores n=26 (36.7%); including hospital barriers especially geographical distance from the hospital n=25 (35.2%). Conclusions: To improve mothers’ access and promote the health of premature infants, social assistance: such as transport support, provision of medical insurance, meals, home visits and intervention of psychologists are necessary.

NM is a participant in the BIH Charit\u00E9 Clinician Scientist Program funded by the Charit\u00E9 \u2013Universit\u00E4tsmedizin Berlin, and the Berlin Institute of Health at Charit\u00E9 (BIH) (Grant/Award Number: Not Applicable).

This research investigates the impact of social assistance programs on the economic welfare of families within urban settings. It aims to discern the relationship between the utilization of social assistance programs and economic conditions, explore disparities in impact across socioeconomic strata, delve into the lived experiences of program beneficiaries, and provide recommendations for more equitable and effective policy implementation. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data is collected through surveys and government records, while qualitative data is gathered via interviews and focus groups. The analysis encompasses statistical techniques and thematic coding. The research reveals a positive correlation between social assistance programs and economic improvements in urban households. It uncovers disparities in impact across income strata, with a more pronounced effect on lower-income families. Qualitative insights validate the experiences of program beneficiaries, emphasizing the programs' importance in providing essential resources and education support. The study's findings have substantial implications for policymakers, program administrators, and urban communities. Policymakers are urged to create more targeted, nuanced, and adaptive programs, administrators should streamline administrative processes and support adequacy, and communities are empowered to engage in program design. This research underscores the potential for a more responsive, equitable, and inclusive social assistance framework

Генетическая структура популяций круглой сардинеллы Sardinella aurita была изучена с помощью секвенирования субъединицы I цитохромоксидазы митохондриальной ДНК ( COI ) образцов из вод восточной части Средиземного моря, заливы Искендерун, Мерсин и Анталия. На основании анализа последовательностей COI было выявлено в общей сложности 32 гаплотипа при среднем гаплотипическом разнообразии 0.7917. Самое высокое нуклеотидное разнообразие наблюдалось в популяции зал. Анталия (0.0187), в то время как самое низкое − в популяции зал. Мерсин (0.0093). Самая высокая генетическая дифференциация была обнаружена между популяциями зал. Искендерун и зал. Анталия (0.0168), а самая низкая между популяциями зал. Искендерун и Мерсин (0.0119). Попарные сравнения генетических дистанций показали, что популяция зал. Искендерун статистически отличалась от других популяций ( р < 0.05). Генетическое дерево, построенное с помощью метода присоединения "соседей", показало, что популяции зал. Мерсин и Анталия формировали общий кластер, а популяция зал. Искендерун сильно отличалась от них. Настоящее исследование позволило получить первую информацию о генетической структуре S. aurita , которая может быть полезна с точки зрения управления рыболовством.

Invasion dynamics are determined, among other aspects, by the spatial behaviour of invasive populations. The invasive toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus is spreading inland from the eastern coast of Madagascar, causing considerable ecological impacts. Understanding the basic factors determining the spread dynamics can inform management strategies and provide insights into spatial evolutionary processes. We radio-tracked 91 adult toads in three localities along the invasion gradient to determine whether spatial sorting of dispersive phenotypes is occurring, and investigate intrinsic and extrinsic determinants of spatial behaviour. Overall, toads in our study appeared as habitat generalists, and their sheltering behaviour was tied to water proximity, with toads changing shelter more frequently closer to waterbodies. Toads showed low displacement rates (mean = 4.12 m/day) and quite a philopatric behaviour but were able to perform daily movements of over 50 m. We did not detect any spatial sorting of dispersal-relevant traits nor sex- or size-biased dispersal. Our results suggest that toads are more likely to expand their range during the wet season, and that the range expansion is probably dominated by short-distance dispersal at this stage of the invasion, although a future increase in invasion speed is expected, due to the capacity for long-distance movements of this species.

<strong>Introduction</strong>: The Covid-19 pandemic changes radically the modalities of care for almost worldwide hospitals, such as in the Psychiatry Department of the University Hospital of Analankininina Toamasina Madagascar. Phone exchanges reduced the transferal dimension of care approach, which is so important for patients treated in Psychiatric Department. The objective of this study is to describe the psychiatric and addictological impacts of the pandemic in patients in the Psychiatry Department Hospital of Toamasina Madagascar. <strong>Methods</strong>: This is a single-center descriptive prospective study conducted in the Psychiatric Département of Analankinina Toamasina University Hospital, which is the only hospital reference for mental disorders in the eastern region of Madagascar. The population studied were made up of outpatients and those hospitalized from September 01st to October 31st, 2021, more specifically, after the first pandemic of Covid-19 infection and after the first Lock-down period. Were included patients having or not a Covid-19 infection and who presented psychological disorders, a depressive mood, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders or a delusional state, with or without psychiatric and addiction past. Were excluded patients whose authorizatipn was not obtained. Questionnaires translated into the local dialect were used. <strong>Results</strong>: Thirty patient cases were included with Male-Female equitability. The average age was 42 years old. The study showed the predominance of psychiatric disorders in low-income patients (56.66%), who had mainly moderate forms of Covid-19 infection (66.67%). The majority of them (93.33%) presented significant psychological disorders according to the Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5) Scale. Depression mood was found in 26.67% of cases according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A significant proportion of patients (90%) presented pathologic anxiety according to the same scale. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was observed in 46.66% of patients, according to the PTD Check List DSM5 (PCL-5) Scale. An increase of alcohol and cigarettes addiction and heroin withdrawal precisely due to financial problems have been noticed. <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Despite health restrictions due to spread of Covid-19 infections, contact and touch should always be at the heart of medical practice because according to traditional Malagasy belief, touch is synonymous of healing.

Quelles que soient les époques traversées par les entreprises, les dispositifs comptables leur servaient d’outils de gestion et dont les plus efficaces seront certainement ceux qui répondent aux nécessités du moment et acceptés par leurs utilisateurs. Si les entreprises sont unanimement admises comme étant le moteur de la croissance économique et que la comptabilité y occupe une place importante, comment expliquer la vétusté du système comptable malagasy, déjà vieux de ses 17 ans ? L’objectif de ce manuscrit est de prouver que les dispositifs comptables actuels ont été hérités d’une époque déjà révolue, autant inaccessible que désuète pour les entreprises. De par leur côté historique, nos recherches se basaient sur les archives, sans oublier les dernières publications disponibles sur la comptabilité malagasy. Quant aux résultats de ce travail, il en ressort d’abord que les méthodes comptables usitées à Madagascar ont été héritées de ce qui se pratiquaient en France au XIXème siècle. Ensuite, les méthodes plagiées s’accordaient tant bien que mal au contexte malagasy d’antan. Enfin, les dispositifs comptables actuels sont tiraillés entre le passé et le présent qu’il faille prendre des décisions pour les faire évoluer et pour que les entreprises puissent désormais se les approprier.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern worldwide affecting humans, animals and the environment. However, data is lacking especially in developing countries. Thus, the World Health Organization developed a One-Health surveillance project called Tricycle focusing on the prevalence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in humans, animals, and the environment. Here we present the first results of the human community component of Tricycle in Madagascar. From July 2018 to April 2019, rectal swabs from 492 pregnant women from Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Ambatondrazaka, and Toamasina were tested for ESBL-E. coli carriage. Demographic, sociological and environmental risk factors were investigated, and E. coli isolates were characterized (antibiotic susceptibility, resistance and virulence genes, plasmids, and genomic diversity). ESBL-E. coli prevalence carriage in pregnant women was 34% varying from 12% (Toamasina) to 65% (Ambatondrazaka). The main risk factor associated with ESBL-E. coli carriage was the rainy season (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–5.6, p = 0.009). Whole genome sequencing was performed on 168 isolates from 144 participants. blaCTX–M–15 was the most frequent ESBL gene (86%). One isolate was resistant to carbapenems and carried the blaNDM–5 gene. Most isolates belonged to commensalism associated phylogenetic groups A, B1, and C (90%) and marginally to extra-intestinal virulence associated phylogenetic groups B2, D and F (10%). Multi locus sequence typing showed 67 different sequence types gathered in 17 clonal complexes (STc), the most frequent being STc10/phylogroup A (35%), followed distantly by the emerging STc155/phylogroup B1 (7%), STc38/phylogroup D (4%) and STc131/phylogroup B2 (3%). While a wide diversity of clones has been observed, SNP analysis revealed several genetically close isolates (n = 34/168) which suggests human-to-human transmissions. IncY plasmids were found with an unusual prevalence (23%), all carrying a blaCTX–M–15. Most of them (85%) showed substantial homology (≥85%) suggesting a dissemination of IncY ESBL plasmids in Madagascar. This large-scale study reveals a high prevalence of ESBL-E. coli among pregnant women in four cities in Madagascar associated with warmth and rainfall. It shows the great diversity of E. coli disseminating throughout the country but also transmission of specific clones and spread of plasmids. This highlights the urgent need of public-health interventions to control antibiotic resistance in the country.