Etiological Factors of Infective Endocarditis in Children Aged 1 Month to 15 Years Hospitalised in the Paediatric Department of CHU Gabriel Touréof Bamako (Mali)

Introduction: In emerging countries where studies are rarer, the epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis resembles that of developed countries at the beginning of the antibiotic era. There is little data available in Mali on this subject, motivating this study, the aim of which was to study the etiological factors of infective endocarditis in children aged between 1 month and 15 years hospitalised in the paediatric department of the CHU Gabriel Touré. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional and descriptive study, which took place from August 2018 to August 2019 (13 months), in children aged between 1 month and 15 years hospitalised in the paediatric department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital with an ultrasound- confirmed cardiac disease and a temperature above 38°C. Results: The hospitalization rate was 0.4%. The average age was 11 months, the sex ratio was 1.35. Respiratory distress (63.6%) and fever (30.3%) were the most common reasons for referral. Congenital heart disease (87.9%) and dyspnoea on feeding (24.2%) were the most common medical histories. IVC was the most frequent congenital heart disease (36.4%). The mean temperature was 39.1°C. Blood cultures were taken in 24 patients (72.7%) and were positive in 27.3%. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 55.6% of cases. Trans-thoracic ultrasound found vegetations in 03 cases. According to the modified DUKE criteria, the diagnosis of endocarditis was retained in 27.30%. The evolution was marked by a high case fatality rate (45.45%). Conclusion: Endocarditis is an uncommon disease in children with a pulmonary portal of entry and Staphylococcus aureus as the main germ. Its mortality remains high.

The application of the “Treatment in Accordance with Three Categories of Etiologic Factors” theory in the prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases in traditional Chinese medicine since the Ming and Qing Dynasties

“Treatment in accordance with three categories of etiologic factors”(consideration of the climatic and seasonal conditions,environment and individual’s constitution in the treatment of diseases),that is,treatment following time,place and individual,is one of the basic principles followed by Chinese medicine in the clinical treatment of diseases.This paper analyzes the similarities and differences in traditional Chinese medicine treatment of patients with epidemic diseases in different regions and periods since the Ming(1368-1644 C.E.)and Qing(1636-1912 C.E.)Dynasties.In addition,the theory of epidemic disease prevention and control based on the application of“treatment in accordance with three categories of etiologic factors”was discussed to inspire and guide the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Structure and Composition of Non-Infectious Phosphate Calculi Formed in Patients with Low and High Urinary Phosphate Concentrations

Objective: The aim of this paper was to assess the relationships among chemical, phase and structural composition and?etiopathogenic factors of non-infectious phosphate calculi formed in patients with low and high urinary phosphate concentrations, and to characterize the mechanism of their formation related on biochemical results. Material and Methods: Twelve samples of phosphate renal calculi were obtained, 4 from patients with low phosphaturia and 6 from patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations. Their chemical composition was determined qualitatively by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and quantitatively by spectrophotometric and thermal analysis;and their phase composition was determined by Fourier transform infrared transmission spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The structure of the calculi was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Non-infectious phosphate renal calculi of patients with low phosphaturia consist of poorly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite, whereas those of patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations consist of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite with some amount of calcium oxalate crystals. Calculi of patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations are formed at urinary supersaturation with respect to hydroxyapatite and calcium oxalate about 4 times higher than in patients with low phosphaturia. Conclusion: In patients with low phosphaturia, the non-infectious phosphate renal calculi are formed in urine near pH 7 and contain only poorly crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite. In patients with high urinary phosphate concentrations and hypercalciuria, the calculi are formed in urine near pH 6 and consist of both poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite and some amount of calcium oxalate crystals.

Discussing the Dietary Regimen and Disease Prevention and its Application as an Anti‑epidemic Measure

This article discusses the role of dietary regimen in the traditional culture of Chinese medicine according to its origin.Dietary regimen is a technique that inherits the traditional culture of Chinese medicine.Through analysis of the characteristics of the dietary regimen and the discussion of the idea of disease prevention,the application of the dietary regimen in disease prevention is sought.Under the guidance of three key factors,the application of the dietary regimen in disease prevention is mainly manifested in two aspects.First,the dietary regimen can be used to guide the daily reasonable diet to maintain the human body in a balance of Yin and Yang,which could prevent the occurrence of diseases.Second,on the basis of minimizing health loss,it can be used for disease treatment,adjuvant treatment,and rehabilitation.Finally,taking preventive treatment as the guiding ideology,the application of a dietary regimen as an“anti‑epidemic”was briefly discussed.

Discussing the Dietary Regimen and Disease Prevention and its Application as an Anti-epidemic Measure

This article discusses the role of dietary regimen in the traditional culture of Chinese medicine according to its origin.Dietary regimen is a technique that inherits die traditional culture of Chinese medicine.Through analysis of the characteristics of the dietary regimen and the discussion of the idea of disease prevention,the application of the dietary regimen in disease prevention is sought.Under the guidance of three key factors,the application of the dietary regimen in disease prevention is mainly manifested in two aspects,h irst,the dietary regimen can be used to guide the daily reasonable diet to maintain the human body in a balance of Yin and Yang,which could prevent the occurrence of diseases.Second,on the basis of minimizing health loss,it can be used for disease treatment,adjuvant treatment,and rehabilitation.Finally,taking preventive treatment as the guiding ideology,the application of a dietary regimen as an"anti-epidemic"was briefly discussed.