Demographic history was a formative mechanism of the genetic structure for the taste receptor TAS2R16 in human populations inhabiting Africa's Sahel/Savannah Belt.

OBJECTIVES: Mode of subsistence is an important factor influencing dietary habits and the genetic structure of various populations through differential intensity of gene flow and selection pressures. Previous studies suggest that in Africa Taste 2 Receptor Member 16 (TAS2R16), which encodes the 7-transmembrane receptor protein for bitterness, might also be under positive selection pressure. METHODS: However, since sampling coverage of populations was limited, we created a new TAS2R16 population dataset from across the African Sahel/Savannah belt representing various local populations of differing subsistence modes, linguistic affiliations, and geographic provenience. We sequenced the TAS2R16 exon gene and analyzed 2250 haplotypes among 19 populations. RESULTS: We found no evidence for selection as a driving force of genetic variation at this locus; instead, we discovered a highly significant correlation between TAS2R16 genetic and geographical distances based on provenience of the sampled populations, strongly suggesting that genetic drift most likely prevailed over positive selection at this specific locus. We also found significant correlations with other independent loci, mainly in sedentary farmers. DISCUSSION: Our results do not support the notion that the genetic diversity of TAS2R16 in Sahelian populations was shaped by selective pressures. This could result from several alternative and not mutually exclusive mechanisms, of which the possibility that, due to the pleiotropic nature of TAS2R16, selective pressures on other traits could counterbalance those acting on bitter taste perception, or that the change of diet in the Neolithic generally relaxed selective pressure on this gene.

[Phalus sarcomatoid carcinoma, a case study]. / Carcinome a cellules fusiformes (sarcomatoide) du penis. a propos d'un cas.

The sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare histological form, high grade malignancy, aggressive and dark prognosis. We report a (01) case in a young adult of 32 years. The aim of this work is to present, through a review of the literature, the epidemiological and morphological characteristics of this affection; and also to describe the difficulties that the pathologist may encounter in diagnosis of this condition.

Le carcinome sarcomatoide en est une variante rare du carcinome épidermoïde, de haut grade de malignité, agressive et de pronostic sombre. Nous rapportons un (01) cas chez un jeune adulte de 32 ans. Le but de ce travail est de présenter à travers une revue de la littérature, les caractères épidémiologique et morphologique de cette affection ; et aussi de décrire les difficultés du diagnostic histopathologique.

Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Review of the Current Trend in Africa.

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the 11th most common cancer in woman accounting for 6.6% of all cancer cases. Approximately 70-75% bladder cancers are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A few African studies have provided considerable rates of NMIBC as compared to western settings 70% to 85%. Critical step in the management of NMIBC is to prevent tumor recurrence which include transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) for staging and histological diagnosis. A second TURBT for high grade tumor, T1 tumors and intravesical adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy are essential to reduce recurrence rate. Nevertheless, variant histology, multiple, progressive and recurrent high-grade tumors are best treated with early radical cystectomy. The African literature is scanty on the management of NMIBC. Most of the histological types are squamous cell bladder cancer and may not conform to transurethral resection only but rather radical cystectomy. Most of these patients are not suitable for any form of treatment as they present with advanced disease. However, there is an increasing incidence of urothelial cancer in Africa over the years due to urbanization. It is best that major investment is made in uro-oncological care to address the growing challenge of these subtypes.

180° congenital penile torsion with distal hypospadias mistaken for an epispadias: Optimal outcome with tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation.

INTRODUCTION: Severe penile torsion of 180° associated with hypospadias is a rare entity. Knowledge of penile anatomy and pathology are necessary as the diagnosis could be missed. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of severe 180° penile torsion with distal hypospadias that was mistaken for an epispadias which was corrected with surgery. CONCLUSION: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation provided satisfactory result for this association.