During the past few years, African political development has demonstrated positive trends: democratic election practices and civilmilitary relations have become more rational; multi-party democracy has led to diversif...During the past few years, African political development has demonstrated positive trends: democratic election practices and civilmilitary relations have become more rational; multi-party democracy has led to diversified patterns, with Party-led administrations becoming a marked phenomenon in several countries; endogenous political values have become highlighted, and developmental state theory has surged,propelling reforms in governance models. African countries are eagerly exploring paths of development that are suited to their conditions, and pushing forward transformations in both the economy and governance. In the meantime, African countries remain vulnerable to the tumultuous external environment, and as such suffer from certain"growing pains"as part of this process. These trends will consolidate the strategic base of China-Africa cooperation. The prospects of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future are becoming more promising.展开更多
Background: Although systemic hypertension is rarely seen in steady state sickle cell disease (SCD), relative hypertension has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal complica...Background: Although systemic hypertension is rarely seen in steady state sickle cell disease (SCD), relative hypertension has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal complications. Objective: To determine the prevalence of BP patterns and assess factors associated with relative hypertension insickle cell anemia (SCA) adult patients. Methods: Clinical data and office BP were obtained from 103 consecutive steady-state SCA adult patients (mean age 26 ± 7.9 years, 66% females, 22.3% on hydroxyurea) attending four healthcare centers providing SCD-specific care in Kinshasa. Seated BP was measured using an automated electronic device. Three consecutive blood pressure measurements were taken with 2 minutes interval between readings and the average of the 2 last readings was considered for the analyses. Normal BP, relative hypertension and systemic hypertension were defined as BP 120/70 mmHg, 120 - 139/70 - 89 mmHg and ≥140/90 mmHg, respectively. Results: Normal BP, relative hypertension and systemic hypertension were observed in 56 (54%), 43(42%) and 4 (4%) of SCA patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with relative hypertension were leg ulcer (aOR 2.05;95%CI 1.77 - 5.18;p = 0.016), central obesity (aOR 3.32;95%CI 1.28 - 6.24;p = 0.001), smoking (aOR 5.02;95%CI 1.51 - 9.50;p = 0.017), and microalbumiuria (aOR 3.44;95%CI 1.44 - 5.76;p = 0.035). Conclusion: Relative hypertension was a common finding in the present case series and associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factor as well as factors specific to SCD highlighting the need for measures to prevent its progression towards systemic hypertension and associated cardiovascular and renal disease.展开更多
文摘During the past few years, African political development has demonstrated positive trends: democratic election practices and civilmilitary relations have become more rational; multi-party democracy has led to diversified patterns, with Party-led administrations becoming a marked phenomenon in several countries; endogenous political values have become highlighted, and developmental state theory has surged,propelling reforms in governance models. African countries are eagerly exploring paths of development that are suited to their conditions, and pushing forward transformations in both the economy and governance. In the meantime, African countries remain vulnerable to the tumultuous external environment, and as such suffer from certain"growing pains"as part of this process. These trends will consolidate the strategic base of China-Africa cooperation. The prospects of a closer China-Africa community with a shared future are becoming more promising.
文摘Background: Although systemic hypertension is rarely seen in steady state sickle cell disease (SCD), relative hypertension has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal complications. Objective: To determine the prevalence of BP patterns and assess factors associated with relative hypertension insickle cell anemia (SCA) adult patients. Methods: Clinical data and office BP were obtained from 103 consecutive steady-state SCA adult patients (mean age 26 ± 7.9 years, 66% females, 22.3% on hydroxyurea) attending four healthcare centers providing SCD-specific care in Kinshasa. Seated BP was measured using an automated electronic device. Three consecutive blood pressure measurements were taken with 2 minutes interval between readings and the average of the 2 last readings was considered for the analyses. Normal BP, relative hypertension and systemic hypertension were defined as BP 120/70 mmHg, 120 - 139/70 - 89 mmHg and ≥140/90 mmHg, respectively. Results: Normal BP, relative hypertension and systemic hypertension were observed in 56 (54%), 43(42%) and 4 (4%) of SCA patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with relative hypertension were leg ulcer (aOR 2.05;95%CI 1.77 - 5.18;p = 0.016), central obesity (aOR 3.32;95%CI 1.28 - 6.24;p = 0.001), smoking (aOR 5.02;95%CI 1.51 - 9.50;p = 0.017), and microalbumiuria (aOR 3.44;95%CI 1.44 - 5.76;p = 0.035). Conclusion: Relative hypertension was a common finding in the present case series and associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factor as well as factors specific to SCD highlighting the need for measures to prevent its progression towards systemic hypertension and associated cardiovascular and renal disease.
