COVID-19/Tuberculosis Co-Infection at the Epidemic Treatment Center (ETC) of Saint-Louis (Senegal): About 9 Cases

Introduction: COVID-19 is a global public health emergency that can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome. In countries where tuberculosis (TB) is endemic, coinfection of COVID-19 and TB is often encountered, which increases the risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19/TB coinfection at the Epidemic treatment center (ETC) in Saint-Louis (Senegal) and to describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and outcome profile of co-infected patients. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive cohort study based on the records of COVID-19/ TB co-infected patients who were hospitalized at the ETC in Saint-Louis (Senegal) over an 18-month period from March 2020 to September 2021. Results: Out of a total of 454 hospitalizations, we collected records of 9 patients co-infected with COVID-19/TB, resulting in a prevalence of 2%. The study included patients with a median age of 34 years (range: 10-86 years), with a male predominance (7 cases) and a sex ratio of 3.5. The majority of patients (88.9%) had severe forms of COVID-19. Dyspnea and cough were reported in all patients (100%). Pulmonary TB was the most frequent localization, with 9 cases. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by nasopharyngeal PCR in all patients (100%). Bacilloscopy was positive in 3 out of 5 cases. One patient tested positive for GeneXpert? MTB/RIF without rifampicin resistance. All patients were prescribed the hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin combination and anti-tuberculosis treatment. Out of the nine patients, four recovered (44.4%) and five died (55.5%). Conclusion: COVID-19/TB coinfection had a low prevalence in our cohort, but was associated with a high mortality due to the frequent occurrence of severe forms of the disease.

Profile of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients Hospitalized at the Epidemic Treatment Center (ETC) in Saint-Louis, Senegal during the First Two Waves

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major public health emergency. Several risk factors are involved in the occurrence of respiratory distress that can lead to death despite resuscitation measures. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic, and evolution profile of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at the CTE of Saint-Louis (Senegal) during the first two waves. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study that included all patients hospitalized at the ETC of Saint-Louis (Senegal) with SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 2020 to April 2021. Results: A total of 358 cases were collected, 256 (71.5%) during the first wave and 102 (28.5%) during the second wave. The mean age was 49.5 years (19.5). There was a male predominance (58.4%), with a sex ratio of 1.4. Hypertension was the main comorbidity, with 87 cases (24.3%). The most common functional signs were cough in 194 cases (54.2%), dyspnea in 143 cases (40%) and ageusia in 134 cases (37.4%). Thoracic CT scans were performed on 20 patients (5.6%), with severe involvement (50% - 75%) observed in 50% of cases. Hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin was prescribed to 351 patients (98%). Overall, 338 (94.4%) recovered and 17 (4.7%) died. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with death were male sex [OR = 2.645;95% CI: 1.530 - 4.785;p = 0.011], age 60 years [OR = 1.039;95% CI: 0.564 - 1.914;p = 0.002], the presence of comorbidities [OR = 2.171;95% CI: 0.564 - 3.429;p = 0.033], SpO2 (ambient air) 95% [OR = 2.061;95% CI: 0.616 - 3.827;p = 0.03], acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [OR = 0.635;95% CI: 0.316 - 1.275;p = 0.001], severe form [OR = 1.664;95% CI: 0.298 - 2.478;p = 0.016], occurrence of complications [OR = 0.521;95% CI: 0.287 - 0.944;p = 0.032], high creatinine levels [OR = 2.061;95% CI: 1.616 - 3.827;p = 0.026], and lymphopenia [OR = 0.485;95% CI: 0.370 - 0.636;p = 0.001]. Conclusion: In our series, infection with SARS-CoV-2 was associated with low lethality. Several risk factors were identified that need to be considered for successful management of patients.

Construction of the Genealogy of Eccentric Monks Based on the Historical Materials of Chan Buddhism in the Song Dynasty--From Enlightened Masters in Chan Buddhism,Sages,to Saints

Regarding the Chan Buddhism lamp records from the Song Dynasty and starting from Jing De Zhuan Deng Lu,the category of“enlightened masters in Chan Buddhism”禪門達者was listed separately,meaning a separate category was established for eccentric monks who pretended to be crazy,had unknown inheritance and miraculous deeds,and were difficult to classify.The following lamp records named this category of eccentric monks as“sages”散聖,or“saints”應化聖賢,which constructed another historical genealogy for the special Chan Buddhism eccentric monks.Moreover,the early lamp records included mostly idiosyncratic mad monks from previous dynasties.Since the Southern Song Dynasty,Chan Buddhism historical materials included many sages from the current dynasty.Therefore,this study mainly examines how the genealogy of Chan Buddhism eccentric monks was constructed in Song Dynasty Chan Buddhism lamp records,including quotations,and organizes the images of eccentric monks in the Song Dynasty,as written in Chan Buddhism historical materials,in order that the meaning of existence of these enlightened masters,sages,saints,etc.,included in the genealogy of Song Dynasty eccentric monks in the history of Chan Buddhism can be reflected.

SAINT治疗重度抑郁度患者的大脑可控性分析

目的本研究基于脑网络控制理论,通过对重复经颅磁刺激治疗前后及治疗响应差异的大脑可控性分析,定量反映斯坦福加速智能神经调控疗法(SAINT)的可能响应机制。方法本研究纳入32名重度抑郁症(MDD)患者。基于患者治疗前后的静息态功能性磁共振成像,建立功能连接矩阵;根据连接矩阵构建线性控制模型,计算大脑各区域的平均可控性(AC)和模态可控性(MC);根据治疗后汉密尔顿抑郁评定量表(HAMD-17)的评分下降程度将患者分为治疗响应组和治疗无响应组,采用双样本t检验比较两组之间以及治疗前后可控性的差异与变化;并研究统计检验结果中存在显著差异的脑区的治疗前可控性与HAMD-17评分下降程度之间的相关性。结果治疗前后MDD患者右侧颞中回、右侧顶下叶、左侧额上回、双侧副中央叶状叶和双侧楔前叶的AC和MC发生显著变化(P<0.05)。治疗前治疗响应组和治疗无响应组之间左侧颞上回的AC、左侧后颞上沟的AC和MC均存在显著差异(P<0.05);且左侧后颞上沟区域的AC和MC、左侧颞上回的AC均与HAMD-17评分下降百分比显著负相关(P<0.05)。结论SAINT的神经响应机制可能与MDD患者右侧颞中回、右侧顶下叶、左侧额上回、双侧副中央叶状叶和双侧楔前叶的AC和MC测量有关。此外,SAINT的治疗效果可能与治疗前患者左侧后颞上沟的AC和MC以及左侧颞上回的AC程度相关。

SAINT快速抗抑郁和缓解自杀意念的动态功能连接研究

目的结合滑动窗口法分析斯坦福加速智能神经调控疗法(SAINT)治疗重度抑郁症(MDD)患者大脑网络的动态功能连接(DFC)特征。方法本文结合DFCN滑动窗口法和K均值聚类动态方法,研究SAINT快速抗抑郁和缓解自杀意念的神经环路的DFC变化,通过神经影像数据与临床特征,贝克自杀意念量表中文版、汉密尔顿抑郁评定量表(HAMD-17)的相关性分析,探索其动态网络的连接变化。结果聚类结果显示为正强度低频率的状态Ⅰ,负强度高频率的状态Ⅱ,DFC指标状态转换次数和分数窗口在治疗前后有显著差异,平均停留时间状态Ⅰ和状态Ⅱ与HAMD-17呈负相关,分析发现,抑郁症状与高频稀疏的网络有密切关系。下额回(IFG)、岛屿回(INS)、扣带回(CG)、基底神经节(BG)、枕外侧皮质(LOcC)等节点功能连接强度和变异性发生改变。结论SAINT治疗后的MDD患者IFG、INS、CG、BG、LOcC回路DFC存在异常,可能为探索SAINT的潜在机制提供新启示。

Numerical Simulation of Saint-Venant Equations with Thermal Energy Dependency: Applications on Global Warming

Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has been intensifying the burning of fossil fuels and as a consequence, the average temperature on Earth has been increasing. The 20th century was the warmest and future prospects are not favorable, that is, even higher temperatures are expected. This demonstrates the importance of studies on the subject, mainly to predict possible environmental, social and economic consequences. The objective of this work was to identify the interference of the increase in ambient temperature in the dynamics of fluids, such as ocean waves advancing over the continent. For this, thermal energy was considered in the Saint-Venant equations and computational implementations were performed via Lax-Friedrichs and Adams-Moulton methods. The results indicated that, in fact, depending on the amount of thermal energy transferred to the fluid, the advance of water towards the continent can occur, even in places where such a phenomenon has never been observed.

扩展Saint Venant方程组在河网水力计算中的应用

对扩展形式的Saint Venant方程组建立了Preissmann加权四点隐式格式,而离散所得的非线性代数方程组则用收敛速度较快的Newton Raphson迭代法进行求解,并将该解法成功地用于上海市具有数百条河道的大型河网水力数值计算中,模拟了降雨及闸门在各种运行方式下的水力问题,取得了令人满意的结果.

Saint—Venant方程组的弱解

讨论了Ｓａｉｎｔ－Ｖｅｎａｎｔ方程组ｕｔ＋（ｕｖ）ｘ＝０ｖｔ＋ｇＢ（ｕ）ｕｘ＋ｖｖｘ＝０利用补偿紧致方法证明了共Ｃａｕｃｈｙ问题弱解的存在性定理

一种维持Saint-Venant方程组移动稳态解的中心格式

针对S aint-Venant方程组提出了一种具有二阶精度的非交错中心有限体积格式.相较于经典中心格式为维持静稳态解选择重构守恒变量和水位值,但在求解移动稳态问题时会产生巨大误差,格式通过重构守恒变量和能量值,以及一种新的源项离散方法能够精确维持移动稳态解并捕捉其小扰动.最后,通过一些经典数值算例验证了格式的收敛性,谐性以及稳健性.

Hamilton体系与与弹性力学Saint－Venant问题

本文一改传统的在Ｌａｇｒａｎｇｅ体系欧几里德空间中用半道法讨论Ｓａｉｎｔ－Ｖｅｎａｎｔ问题的方法，而在具有守恒性的Ｈａｍｉｌｔｏｎ体系中辛空间里研究该问题．通过讨论Ｈａｍｉｌｔｏｎ算子矩阵的零本征值及其Ｊｏｒｄａｎ型，直接求解出全部Ｓａｉｎｔ－Ｖｅｎａｎｔ问题的解．

一类二阶抛物方程不适定问题的Saint-Venant原理

在三维半无限带状区域上对一类二阶抛物方程不适定问题建立了Saint-Venant原理 ,采用的方法是将问题转化为解一阶微分不等式 .

Saint-Venant方程组Crank-Nicolson格式离散与学习控制建模

研究了Saint-Venant方程组的Crank-Nicolson格式离散化并建立学习控制模型.首先给出了表示明渠流水流质量和动量守恒的Saint-Venant方程组,并线性化;其次,采用Crank-Nicolson格式进行离散,得到了无条件稳定的离散化方程组;最后通过离散化后得到的状态空间方程,建立了基于迭代学习控制的数学模型,为后续进一步研究算法的收敛性奠定了基础.

Bedouin farms in the Saint Katherine mountainous area(South Sinai,Egypt)

This study aims to assess the natural and cultivated plant species in 26 Bedouin farms in Saint Katherine Protectorate(SKP),identify their soil and water characteristics,and assess the suitability of these farms for the cultivation of some wild medicinal plants.The farms were selected to represent wide wadis with deep sand and clay deposits,gorge-like wadis covered with rock fragments of different sizes,spot-like oases,and the Al Q’aa Plain.Using TWINSPAN(two-way indicator species analysis)and DCA(detrended correspondence analysis)techniques,the 26 farms were classified into 5 groups(Ⅰ-Ⅴ)based on their floristic composition of wild plants.These groups reflect an elevation gradient among the farms above sea level from a mean of 119 m to a mean of1,865m.A total of 73 wild species were recorded,with47 in groupⅡ(500-1,000 m)and 25 in group V(>1,700 m).The common target species were Artemisia judaica,Acacia tortilis subsp.raddiana,Origanum syriacum subsp.sinaicum and Varthemia montana(34.6%-26.9%).The cultivated speciesnumbered 25,with 17 in groupⅡ(500-1,000 m) andⅡin groupⅣ(1,500-1,700 m).The common fruit trees were olive,grape,fig,apple,palm,almond,apricot and pomegranate(73.0%-42.3%).Based on the soil characteristics,13 farms belong to soil class 2that describes good soils with moderate limitations,and 12 belong to soil class 3 that describes moderately good soils,which can be used regularly for crops after proper treatment.

Impact of Urban Anthropogenic Pressures on the Mangrove Forest of Sainte Marie (East Madagascar)

This article demonstrates the urban anthropogenic threats and their impacts on Sainte Marie (Eastern Madagascar) mangrove ecosystem. In addition to conducting interview with 158 residents, floristic inventories were carried out in order to compare the mangrove structure between a control site and another one that was impacted by Belle Vue dyke (south of the District downtown) rehabilitation. From 2003 to 2014, the island of Sainte Marie lost 0.47% per year of its mangrove area. 87% of the harvested resources from this ecosystem are fish products and are related to human nutrition. The mangrove is used as a dumping ground for liquid and solid waste in the lots of Saint Joseph and La Pointe. Defecation in the open air is topical under the island’s mangrove forest. A very weak resilience of the mangrove impacted by the rehabilitation of Belle Vue dyke was noted. Indeed, regenerations of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Ceriops tagal have struggled to rebuild. The total height and diameter of impacted trees decreased by 37.2% and 44.3%, respectively. The development of an updated urban master plan, including mangroves in the related zoning process is an imperative measurement for the conservation and/or valuation of existing lots.

中心格式在Saint-Venant方程组上的应用研究

浅水波方程组对于其数值格式有较高的要求.在实际应用中作者更关心在稳态解附近的行为,特别是当计算区域出现干湿界面的时候,不但要求格式具有和谐性,而且需要保持水深恒为非负,同时又要求数值格式具有较高的精度.设计同时满足这些性质的数值格式具有一定的难度.论文的核心是总结研究了受关注的求解浅水波方程组的中心格式:KP格式,BCKN格式和T格式的各自优势以及不足之处.该文通过求解一维问题来展示各自格式在一些算例上的应用.

Modified Saint-Venant equations for flow simulation in tidal rivers

Flow in tidal rivers periodically propagates upstream or downstream under tidal influence. Hydrodynamic models based on the Saint-Venant equations （the SVN model） are extensively used to model tidal rivers. A force-corrected term expressed as the combination of flow velocity and the change rate of the tidal fevel was developed to represent tidal effects in the SVN model. A momentum equation incorporating with the corrected term was derived based on Newton＇s second law. By combing the modified momentum equation with the continuity equation, an improved SVN model for tidal rivers （the ISVN model） was constructed. The simulation of a tidal reach of the Qiantang River shows that the ISVN model performs better than the SVN model. It indicates that the corrected force derived for tidal effects is reasonable; the ISVN model provides an appropriate enhancement of the SVN model for flow simulation of tidal rivers.

Giorgio Vasari＇s Saint Michael： A Symbol of Neoplatonic Light

This essay includes a brief explanation of who is Michael The Archangel; discusses the manifold depictions of Saint Michael in Italian Renaissance art, in particular in Giorgio Vasari＇s imagery; and examines the impact of Neoplatonism in the interpretation of The Archangel and Michael＇s symbolic role. The Renaissance Neoplatonic philosopher Marsilio Ficino explained the signification of the Platonic celestial ladder as a spiritual vehicle for the human soul to achieve the divine＇s love. One step of this ladder is the Angelic Mind. The sparkling light of the Angelic Mind＇s realm reveals the splendor and beauty of God＇s grace. This is the realm where Michael, a Seraphim and a messenger of God, resides, delivering God＇s messages of grace and love to humanity throughout the world. In the vault of the Pope Pius V Chapel at the Vatican, once called Saint Michael＇s Chapel, for example, Giorgio Vasari （1511-1574） metaphorically visualized these divine messages. He painted al fresco Michael The Archangel in combat against personifications of vices as demons who want to prevent human beings from the obtaining divine grace that will allow their souls to ascend toward divine love.

Evaluation of Access to Care for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Not on Dialysis in Saint-Louis Region (SENEGAL)

Introduction: Patients with chronic diseases, especially kidney diseases, frequently use the health care system and free dialysis policies are being implemented in many countries in Africa. This study aimed to evaluate access to care for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in northern region of Saint-Louis. Methodology: In a cross-sectional survey, we included non-dialyzed CKD patients aged ≥20 years who attended outpatient nephrology clinic at University Hospital of Saint-Louis between January 1st and January 31st 2018. Access to care was measured using a questionnaire that integrated dimensions such as availability, geographic and financial accessibility, convenience, acceptability, effectiveness of care and quality of information. Socio-demographic and clinical data were also collected and analyzed with Epi Info 7. Results: Among 97 surveyed patients, 90 were included (response rate of 92.8%). Patients’ mean age was 35.2 years (20 - 89 years) and 55% were male. Only 30% of patients had health coverage either by the government, or private insurance or community health insurance. Access to care was rated as globally low by 73% of participants. However, we noticed some variations according to dimensions of access. Geographical accessibility and convenience of delivered care were good for the majority of patients, while financial access and acceptability of care were considered as very limited. Bivariate analysis showed that acceptability and effectiveness of care were linked to CKD stage while the quality of patients’ information was correlated with their educational level. Furthermore, health coverage was also associated with financial accessibility of care but not with its availability. Conclusion: This study showed that access to care is poor for majority of patients with CKD in Saint-Louis. Identification of the main barriers will help define appropriate strategies to achieve universal access to quality renal care.

Barbara Longhi’s Saint Agnes of Rome:Iconic Images of Purity and Virtue

Barbara Longhi of Ravenna(1552-1638)enjoyed creating small devotional paintings depicting holy saints,in particular Saint Agnes(c.291-304).This saint’s life and martyrdom was recorded by the Bishop of Milan,Saint Ambrose(339-397),a Doctor of the Church and theologian,in his book Concerning Virgins(374)and by Jacobus de Voragine,the Archbishop of Genoa,in his Golden Legend(Legenda Aurea,1275).The saint’s story continues to be imaged and recounted to the present day because she is an icon of a pure and virtuous adolescent female.Barbara Longhi,along with her father,Luca Longhi(1507-1580),painted several versions of Saint Agnes.In their many depictions they composed two types of images:a single-solo-image of the saint;and her presence in a group of saints-a theme known as holy conversation.In her paintings of Saint Agnes,however,Barbara Longhi preferred to depict the solo image of the saint as virgo,a young maiden of virtue.This essay is composed of two parts:(1)an account of the life and martyrdom of Saint Agnes;and(2)an iconographical interpretation of Barbara Longhi’s Saint Agnes of Rome.

Iranian Medical Staff’s Perception of the <i>All Saints</i>TV S

The present study was an attempt to explore the Iranian medical staff’s perception of the All Saints TV series. 199 participants including doctors, nurses, interns, and paramedics took part in this survey study which was done in 2011. A 17-item Likert scale questionnaire was developed by the team of researchers to gather further evidence on the issues raised by the participants in the focus group which was formed in order to delve into their thoughts, attitudes, and feelings about the mentioned program. The supportive and non-blaming nature of the working relationship among the treatment team, their respect for the patients, their strong team work, the accuracy and precision of the presented medical information, and the discipline and sense of responsibility on the part of the medical staff were among the most frequent issues being mentioned and noticed by the participants. In addition, the majority of the participants considered the demonstrated model for providing healthcare services to be an efficient one;however, they believed that it was not possible to apply that model in the Iranian hospitals mainly due to the cultural differences between the two contexts and the current regulations in Iran. The participants were also observed to be only moderately satisfied with the system they were working in. It seems that healthcare systems in the developed countries can be used as models to identify the problems with the existing healthcare system in Iran. Authorities need to take appropriate measures to resolve such problems. The possible solutions and actions have been suggested in the present article.