Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome, a Rare Complication of Severe Malnutrition: Two Cases from a Subsaharian Endocrinology Department

Introduction: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), a rare diagnosis due to compression of the third duodenum between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta resulting in bowel obstruction, may lead to severe malnutrition. We report two cases of patients hospitalised in the Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Nutrition Department of the National Hospital Center (NHC) of Pikine. Observations: Patient 1: A 35-year-old female was referred for an aetiological diagnosis due to a rapid weight loss of 15 kilograms in one month, accompanied by persistent vomiting, following an appendectomy performed a month before admission. Upon clinical examination, she presented severe malnutrition (Buzby index of 76%), early post-prandial chronic vomiting, and a poor general condition. An abdominal CT scan revealed aortomesenteric clamp syndrome (AMCS) with an angulation between the aorta and the SMA of 13˚. The underlying cause in this patient was severe malnutrition. Fortunately, her condition improved with medical treatment. Patient 2: We report the case of a 30-year-old female hospitalized due to unusual weight-bearing post-prandial epigastric pain and intermittent vomiting over the past six months. Upon physical examination at admission, she exhibited severe malnutrition with a body mass index (BMI) of 14 kg/m2, a Buzby index of 71%, trophic disorders, and a stage IV general condition assessment according to the World Health Organization (WHO). An abdominal CT scan revealed AMCS with an angle between the aorta and the SMA of 22˚ and an aortomesenteric space of 4 mm. The outcome was poor with medical treatment failure and, unfortunately, the patient died before surgery. Conclusion: SMAS is rarely evoked in clinical practice despite the presence of contributing factors and suggestive clinical signs. The prognosis depends on management time.

Development of a Solar Controller with MLI Control

This work presents the development of a solar regulator which manages the charge and discharge of a (lead) battery installed in a photovoltaic system in order to extend its lifetime. The regulator is controlled by a microcontroller (PIC16F877A) and protects the battery against overcharging, deep discharge, but also against temperature drifts. The operating principle is based on the control of a DC-DC converter by a rectangular signal MLI generated by the microcontroller. In addition to the protection function of the regulator, there is included a control and monitoring panel consisting of a visualization interface on which the system quantities can be observed. Thus, it will be given to the user to be able to act on the system. This display interface uses as a display an LCD screen and LEDs. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the operation of the proposed solar controller.

Formation and Transport of a Saharan Dust Plume in Early Summer

This research studies the capability of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the Chemistry/Aerosol module(WRF-Chem)with and without parametrization to reproduce a dust storm,which was held on 27th June 2018 over Sahara region.The authors use satellite observations and ground-based measurements to evaluate the WRF-Chem simulations.The sensitivities of WRF-Chem Model are tested on the replication of haboob features with a tuned GOCART aerosol module.Comparisons of simulations with satellite and ground-based observations show that WRF-Chem is able to reproduce the Aerosol Optical Depth(AOD)distribution and associated changes of haboob in the meteorological fields with temperature drops of about 9℃and wind gust 20 m·s–1.The WRF-Chem Convec-tion-permitting model(CPM)shows strong 10-meter winds induced a large dust emission along the leading edge of a convective cold pool(LECCP).The CPM indicates heavy dust transported over the West African coast(16°W-10°W;6°N-21°N)which has a potential for long-distance travel on 27th June between 1100 UTC and 1500 UTC.The daily precipitation is improved in the CPM with a spatial distribution similar to the GPM-IMERG precipitation and maxi-mum rainfall located at the right place.As well as raising a large amount of dust,the haboob caused considerable dam-age along its route.