Oesophageal Mycosis: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects and Risk Factors for Occurrence in the Digestive Endoscopy Unit of the Donka National Hospital, Conakry CHU

Introduction: Oesophageal mycosis (OM) is one of the most common opportunistic infections in patients infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). However, this condition is increasingly observed in immunocompetent subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the endoscopic prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors for the occurrence of oesophageal mycosis in our department. Patients and Method: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of all patients who underwent oeso-gastroduodenal fibroscopy during the period from 1st January to 31st December 2022, i.e. one year, at the digestive endoscopy unit of the hepato-gastroenterology department of the Donka CHU national hospital in Conakry. All patients found to have oesophageal mycosis by FOGD were included. The endoscopy was performed using appropriate equipment: A Fujinon 4400 video endoscopy column;Three Fujinon EG 590 video gastroscopes;A hoover;Data were collected using a pre-established survey form and analysed using Epi info software version 6.0.4;Pearson’s Chi2 test as a test of independence and the exact 5% threshold ficher test. Results: Out of 1343 upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed, 107 cases of oesophageal mycosis were found, representing a prevalence of 7.96%. The mean age was 40 years, with a male predominance of 55.42%. The sex ratio M/F was 1.24. The 45 and over age group was the most affected, with a prevalence of 40.43%, followed by the [35 - 45] age group, with a prevalence of 22.43%. Clinical symptoms were dominated by epigastralgia in 74.76% of cases, followed by odynophagia in 37.38% of cases, nausea and vomiting in 28.03% of cases, and pyrosis in 26.16% of cases. Oesophageal mycosis without oesophagitis was the most common endoscopic finding in 70% of cases. The main associated endoscopic lesions were erythemato-erosive and congestive gastropathy in 28.03% of cases, peptic oesophagitis (9.34%) and gastric ulcer (5.60%). The main risk factors found were positive HIV serology in 39.25% of cases, and diabetes in 24.30% of cases, with a statistically significant relationship of 0.02 and 0.01 respectively. Conclusion: Oesophageal mycosis is the most common opportunistic infection in patients with impaired cellular immunity. The prevalence of oesophageal mycosis in our series was 7.96%. This study enabled us to identify the main risk factors for the occurrence of oesophageal mycosis. Our country needs to step up its programme to combat and prevent immunodeficiency diseases, particularly HIV and diabetes.

Evaluation of Hepatic Fibrosis and Hepatic Steatosis by Pulse Elastography (FIBROSCAN/CAP) in Asymptomatic Patients about 170 Cases at the Donka CHU National Hospital in Conakry

Introduction: Fibroscan is a recent, non-invasive and non-irradiating diagnostic method. It is based on the principle of ultrasound, which enables liver tissue elasticity to be quantified using a probe, and fibrosis to be assessed. Fibroscan measures both elasticity correlated with hepatic fibrosis and CAP correlated with steatosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate hepatic fibrosis and steatosis using pulse elastometry (Fibroscan/CAP). Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study in which 170 patients were included. It was conducted from October 1 2021 to December 31 2023, i.e. 27 months, in an outpatient clinic in the hepato-gastroenterology department of the Donka national hospital of the CHU Conakry. Results: Of the 170 patients identified, 87 were male (51%) and 83 female (49%), giving a M/F sex ratio of 1.04. The average age of our patients was 40. The 30 - 50 age group was the most affected, with a frequency of 58.23% (n = 99), followed by the 50 age group with a frequency of 29.41% (n = 50). Hepatomegaly, steatotic liver on ultrasonography, transaminase elevation and obesity were the main indications, respectively: (21.76%), (17.65%), (14.71%), and (13.53%). The examinations were requested by hepatogastroenterologists (47.06%), diabetologists (35.88%) and general practitioners (29%). Of the 170 patients, 100 patients (58.82%) had no significant fibrosis F0F1, 39 (22.94%) had moderate fibrosis F2, 20 patients (11.76%) had severe fibrosis F3 and 11 patients (6.47%) had fibrosis F4. Hepatic steatosis: 62 patients (36.47%) had no S0 steatosis;29.41% had S1 steatosis, 20% had S2 steatosis and 24 patients (14.11%) had S3 steatosis. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a normal liver in 67.05% of patients, hepatic steatosis in 29.41% and non-decompensated cirrhosis in 6 cases. Thus, 108 patients had the parameters required to calculate the Fatty Liver Index (FLI), steatosis was present in 20% of our patients, while 29.41% had an undetermined status and 24 14.11% had a normal FLI. Conclusion: Identifying subjects at risk of metabolic steatopathy, diagnosing and managing these patients is a public health issue and one of the future challenges of hepato-gastroenterology. Fibroscan is an increasingly popular screening tool for hepatic fibrosis and steatosis. The fight against obesity must be a priority.

Determinants and Outcomes of Pregnancies among Booked versus Unbooked Patients in a Tertiary Hospital South East, Nigeria

Background: Inadequate antenatal care, both in coverage and standard, has been linked with poor pregnancy outcomes. In a resource poor setting, home delivery is considered very cheap, but the possible outcome of such pregnancies has been a subject of interest. This study evaluated the association of booking status with pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: To examine the factors that influence booking and impact of the booking status on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective cohort study of 240 (120 booked and 120 un-booked) pregnant mothers selected through systematic random sampling. The study was carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria. Chi-square test, t-test and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.39 ± 5.05 years and 29.05 ± 6.36 years respectively for the booked and unbooked. Marital status (OR = 6.35, 95% CI = 1.24 - 32.59), educational status (OR = 36.40, 95% CI = 5.26-152.83), place of residence (OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.06 - 0.41), partner’s support (OR = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.01 - 0.37), family support (OR = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.01 - 0.13), mode of delivery (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.12 - 0.46), APGAR score in first minute (OR = 6.02, 95% CI = 2.45 - 14.83) and NBICU admission (OR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.67 - 8.43) were associated with booked status. However, being unmarried, nulliparity/grandmultiparity, low level of education, blue colar jobs, low income, rural dwelling and poor partner and poor family support were associated with the unbooked. The booked parturients had a better perinatal outcome compared the unbooked. Conclusion/Recommendation: There was high prevalence of operative deliveries, perinatal morbidity and mortality among the unbooked mothers. Girl child education, employment and poverty alleviation would improve antenatal care utilization.

A Study on the Values and Strategies of English Picture Book Reading for Improving Pupils’ English Reading Literacy

Reading is one of the core skills in English learning.It is indispensable for EFL learners to develop good English reading literacy in primary schools.English picture books are consistent with pupils’cognitive and thinking modes,which is valuable to improve their English reading literacy.However,at present,most Chinese pupils have some problems in English reading.The paper aims at analyzing the current problems in Chinese pupils’English reading and digging out the values and strategies of English picture book reading,so as to stimulate their reading interests,cultivate their intercultural awareness,and improve their English reading literacy.

The Book Publishing and Analysis of Modern Peking University Library

The paper is based on literature search,introducing and analyzing the book publishing situation of modern Peking University Library from the perspective of the publisher being Peking University Library and its predecessor.It is pointed out that the majority of the book printing methods published by the modern Peking University Library are lead printing,and among the types of Chinese library classification,catalogue of library collections is the most common.

Other Cities’Distribution Institutions for Publishing Books in Modern Chinese Libraries:Taking Huating Bookstore,the Shanghai General Distribution Office of Modern Zhejiang Library,as an Example

Many modern Chinese libraries have established distribution agencies in other cities to distribute books published or sold on consignment.Huating Bookstore,which was once the Shanghai General Distribution Office of Zhejiang Library in modern times,is one of them.On the basis of a brief description of modern Zhejiang Library and its book publishing,as well as the overview of Huating Bookstore,the paper introduces and analyzes the ZPL Publishing Book Catalogue sent by Huating Bookstore,and the ZPL publishing and selling consignment books issued by Huating Bookstore.It points out that Huating Bookstore is a bridge between the ZPL located in Hangzhou and various retail ZPL publishing bookstores in Shanghai.Their production and sales relationship is a mutually beneficial one.

BOOKS

SNAPSHOTS OF NOTABLE BOOKS ON AFRICA.Africa’s Fashion Diaspora By ELIZABETH WAY Yale University Press.The author,Elizabeth Way,associate curator of costume at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology,is the curator behind Africa’s Fashion Diaspora(2024).She has also curated several prominent exhibitions.Africa’s Fashion Diaspora is among the first books to delve into the vast influence of the African Diaspora on global fashion.

New Books

Travel in Northern Xizang(Revised Edition of 2024)Author:Ma Lihua.This book is one of the series of books about Ma Lihua's trip to Xizang.It describes the nomadic culture,festivals and daily life of local people,and the vast and magnificent scenery in northern Xizang.Published by China Tibetology Publishing House(ISBN:9787521105094).

Management and Construction of University Books and Materials Under the Background of the Internet

The rapid development and popularization of Internet technology has provided important support for the informatization reform of various industries.University books and materials have the characteristics of large quantities and difficult storage and management.Its digital storage and management platform construction can effectively realize the digital storage and real-time retrieval of books and materials,and help students and teachers to find and use books and materials more quickly.Especially in recent years,with the update of intelligent platforms and other technologies,the resource-sharing platform of university books and materials can realize more convenient book information retrieval without the limitation of time and space.This paper mainly explores the optimization path and platform construction scheme of university libraries and information management under the background of the Internet,hoping to provide some theoretical references for university library managers.

Prevalence of Refractive Errors among School Children Aged 5 to 15 Years Old at CHU-IOTA

Introduction: Undetected refractive errors constitute a health problem among school children who cannot take advantage of educational opportunities. The authors studied the prevalence of refractive errors in school children aged 5 to 15 at CHU-IOTA. Patients and Method: This is a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the ophthalmic-pediatrics department of CHU-IOTA, from October to November 2023. Results: We received 340 school children aged 5 to 15, among whom 111 presented ametropia, i.e. a prevalence of 32.65%. The average age was 11.42 ± 2.75 years and a sex ratio of 0.59. The average visual acuity was 4/10 (range 1/10 and 10/10). We found refractive defects: astigmatism 73.87%, hyperopia 23.87% of cases and myopia 2.25%. The decline in distance visual acuity was the most common functional sign. Ocular abnormalities associated with ametropia were dominated by allergic conjunctivitis (26.13%) and papillary excavation (6.31%) in astigmatics;allergic conjunctivitis (9.01%) and papillary excavation (7.20%) in hyperopic patients;turbid vitreous (0.90%), myopic choroidosis (0.45%) and allergic conjunctivitis (0.45%) in myopes. Conclusion: Refractive errors constitute a reality and a major public health problem among school children.

Research on Creation Strategies of Picture Books for Children’s Cognitive and Imaginative Development

This paper discusses the creation strategies of picture books for children’s cognitive and imaginative development,and proposes that picture book creation should closely focus on the needs of children’s cognitive and imaginative development.Through analysis,this paper summarizes the effective strategies in the creation of picture books,aiming to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for the design of children’s picture books,and further promote the comprehensive development of children’s cognitive and imaginative abilities.

Optimization and Innovation of the Operation Model of Mobile Social E-commerce under AI Empowerment:Taking the Female Community Platform“Little Red Book”as an Example

This article takes the female community platform“Little Red Book”as an example to explore the optimization and innovation of mobile community e-commerce operation mode under Artificial Intelligence(AI)empowerment.Firstly,the relevant concepts were defined,and then the unique attributes of mobile community e-commerce were analyzed.As a typical representative of mobile community e-commerce,Little Red Book introduces the background and characteristics of its platform,analyzes its mobile community operation mode,and focuses on exploring how to establish a mobile community e-commerce platform and effective operation mode under the empowerment of AI technology,to provide some reference and inspiration for the development and operation of Little Red Book and other e-commerce platform enterprises.

Analysis of New Senior English for China Student’s Book 1

This article will firstly discuss the context overview of English teaching and learning in China. Under thiscircumstance, a problematic element will be examined of the New Senior English for China Student’s Book 1 and critical appraisal ofhow this element relates to other elements of curriculum development will be analyzed. The recommended changes and demonstrationmechanisms for evaluating the changes are put forward in the last two parts.

Chu空间下的粗糙集与证据理论结合进行内燃机诊断

证据理论是处理不确定性问题的有效工具,但其依赖专家知识提供证据,并要求各证据体相互独立,致使实际应用困难。借助粗糙集理论,剔除冗余成分,应可克服证据获取主观性和证据体相关性的缺陷。Chu空间理论提供了一种通用的代数框架,是用于诊断信息融合的一种新方法;针对此问题,研究了Chu空间表达下的粗糙集与证据理论可集成性,并提出了基于二者集成的故障诊断推理策略。柴油机的实际诊断结果验证了将粗糙集与证据理论相结合进行故障诊断的良好效果。

数字图书馆合理使用规则新发展——美国HathiTrust案与Google Books案的比较

美国判决的HathiTrust案和Google Books案展现了著作权合理使用规则的新发展。文章比较分析两案判决书,研究发现:两案相同之处在于具有搜索功能;不同之处在于谷歌图书馆的营利性质和片段浏览服务,以及HathiTrust的无障碍阅读服务,这些不同之处对合理使用规则的判断具有一定的影响。建议我国借鉴HathiTrust案和Google Books案的判决,在著作权法中增加判断合理使用的开放性标准,并调整相关法条。

解构与重塑:搅动日本出版市场的BOOK OFF

文章从日本二手书店巨头BOOK OFF的经营战略切入,呈现近十年来BOOK OFF对日本出版业带来的冲击。因为历史原因和制度问题,出版业对BOOK OFF似乎束手无策,只能采取守势。不过,见BOOK OFF步步紧逼,执出版业牛耳的数家大型出版社也不甘示弱,攻守双方各出绝招,互相渗透。在一次又一次较量中,日本出版业的势力版图不断改写,出版业的前景也越发扑朔迷离。

TD-LTE系统中Zadoff-Chu序列的研究与DSP实现

通过对Zadoff-Chu(ZC)序列生成算法的分析及理论推导,提出了一种快速、有效的Zadoff-Chu序列生成的DSP实现方案。该方案已经在TMS320C64xDSP中实现。通过在CCS3.3中运行程序,验证了方案的可行性和高效性。该方案在LTE-TDD无线综合测试仪表的开发中已经得到应用。

Human books的评估标准与评估方式初探

文摘目前Human library在中国高校图书馆已经快速发展起来了,但是Human books是完全不同于普通图书借阅的全新阅读方式。因此,笔者从Human books的评估标准与评估方式上提出了一些建议供同仁探讨,希望能对这一全新阅读方式的发展与推广有所帮助。

Google Book Search与HathiTrust案例特点及启示

Google Book Search与HathiTrust是本世纪备受瞩目的两大电子文献数据库。通过对比分析这两大典型案例在资源建设方面注重纸质资源数字化、服务方式强调高效与深入、服务效果显著且影响深远等特点,得出对我国高校图书馆数字化建设与服务的启示:建立兼具现实意义与前瞻性的战略规划、优化数字资源建设、提升数据库服务功能、加强多元化联盟建设、注重版权管理、创新项目管理方式。

基于组件F1Book的报表生成工具的设计与应用

F1Book是一个表格组件,在它的基础上设计的新报表组件F1BookReporter提供了良好的编程接口方便MIS系统开发者设计报表;基于新组件的报表设计器采用表格格式编辑与数据填入分开的方式,符合中国式报表的设计习惯,并且提供了易用的通用查询界面供用户从数据库中查询取数,方便MIS系统用户使用,两者相结合,使报表的设计和维护都得到了简化。该文介绍了该报表生成工具的设计思路及其应用。