Long-Term Mortality of Children with Congenital Heart Disease Admitted to the Departmental University Hospital of Borgou/Alibori from 2011 to 2022

Background: Congenital heart disease is a public health issue due to its incidence and mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term mortality of children with congenital heart disease admitted to the Departmental University Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUD-B/A) from 2011 to 2022. Methods: This descriptive longitudinal study with analytical aims covered 11 years (April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2022). It consisted of a review of the records of children under 15 years of age with echocardiographically confirmed congenital heart disease. This was followed by an interview with the parents to assess the children’s current condition. Data were entered using Kobocollect software and analyzed using R Studio 4.2.2. software. Results: A total of 143 complete files were retained. The median age at diagnosis was 14 months (IIQ: Q1 = 4;Q3 = 60) with a range of 2 days and 175 months, and the sex-ratio (M/F) was 0.96. Left-to-right shunts were the most frequent cardiopathy group (62.9%). Only 35 children (24.5%) benefited from restorative treatment. The mortality rate was 31.5%. Median survival under the maximum bias assumption was 114 months and 216 months under the assumption of minimum bias. Survival was significantly better in children with right-to-left shunts (p = 0.0049) under the assumption of minimum bias. The death risk factors were: age at diagnosis less than 12 months (aHR = 7.58;95% CI = 3.36 - 17.24;p Conclusion: The long-term mortality of congenital heart disease is high and favoured by the absence of restorative treatment. Local correction of congenital heart disease and medical follow-up will help to reduce this mortality.

Effect of Alternate Bearing Phenomenon and Boron Foliar Application on Nitrogen-15 Uptake,Translocation and Distribution in Mango Tree(cv.Zebda)

The objectives of this investigation are to study nitrogen uptake,translocation,accumulation and distribution in mango tree organs using labeled nitrogen(^(15)N)and to understand the mechanism of boron action in increasing fruit yield in the off-year.A field experiment was conducted using fifteen-year-old mango trees(cv.Zebda)grown at Al Malak Valley Farm,El-Sharkeya Governorate-Egypt.Treatments included the application of(^(15)NH4)2SO4,“in the on-year”,at a rate of 50 g nitrogen/tree through the stem injection technique.While boron was sprayed on the same trees“in the off-year”at the following rates:0.0(control),250 and 500 mg·L^(-1).The authors hypothesize that boron and nitrogen act synergistically to increase mango fruit yield in the off-year.Results indicated that the highest ^(15)N uptake and accumulation in the on and off-years was observed in the upper(young leaves).When boron was applied at 250 mg·L^(-1),in the off-year,the upper(young leaves)recorded the highest ^(15)N uptake and accumulation(%^(15)Ndff=13.93)relative to the other two leaf categories and those of the on-year.In the on-year fruit accumulated higher ^(15)N than leaf or bud.In the off-year,bud exhibited the highest ^(15)N accumulation without boron application,while leaves exhibited the highest ^(15)N with boron application.The highest%^(15)Ndff in all tree organs was observed at 250 mg·L^(-1) boron rate.Boron increased nitrogen uptake,translocation and accumulation in mango tree organs.A synergistic relationship was observed between boron and nitrogen which led to an increase in fruit yield in the off-year.

Autologous Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Embedded in Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Context and Aim: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) have emerged as ideal candidates for advanced therapies of various therapeutically-challenging diseases;however, their regenerative potential in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) has not been well determined. In this study, we reviewed our clinical experience in mitigating chronic ulcer complications of diabetic foot through a conventional treatment of autologous adipose-derived MSCs embedded in PRF with pure PRF injections. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in 10 patients with an open DFU wound selected over a period of 1 year starting from April 2019. Patients were either injected with PRF alone (Group A) or injected with MSCs derived from adipose tissue (ADMSC) embedded in (PRF (Group B). Results: Patients in Group B had a better healing index when compared to Group A. Conclusion: Use of ADMSC embedded in PRF showed promising results to treat DFU.

Effectiveness of a Single High Dose of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection Over Corticosteroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections on Osteoarthritis, Chronic Tendinitis and Tennis Elbow Treatment

Background: Corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections and Anti-inflammatory agents are considered as non-invasive treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA), Chronic Tendinitis (CT) and Tennis elbow (TE) that are supposed to provide symptomatic relief and to help surgical delay intervention. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a biological component shown to be beneficial for different orthopedic dysfunctionalities treatment. The presence of GFs in PRPs such as transforming growth factor-β, insulin-like growth factor 1co-stimulate the mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts secretions and promotes the fibrin matrix formation which effectively drive the healing process, induces regenerative response and lead to the damage structure repair in orthopedics trauma. Methods: Three groups of a total of 30 patients presenting OA, CT and TE diagnosis, non-responding to corticosteroid, HA and non-steroid anti-inflammatory treatments were randomized to undergo one intra-articular injections of single high dose of PRP. The efficacy of Intra-articular PRP Injections was evaluated before the injection and one month after. The efficiency assessment score was based on [1] Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, [2] Physical Function Short Form (KOOS-PS) Arabic (KSA) version LK 1.0, [3] HOOS-Physical Function Short form (HOOS-PS), and [4] Macdermid patient-rated Tennis Elbow. Results: A significant reduction of pain and a marked improvement in movements was observed in the 3 patient’s groups, PRP-injected patients showed significantly higher values compared with baseline: (p < 0.005 vs baseline), improve functional status and reduce clearly the articular dysfunctions over the time. In our study, single High dose injection of PRP provided an overall superior clinical improvement compared with HA and corticosteroid treatments over the time and the different follow-up checkpoints of the study.