Attributable liver cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life years in China and worldwide: profiles and changing trends

Objective: Liver cancer is a major health concern globally and in China. This analysis investigated deaths and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs) with respect to etiologies and risk factors for liver cancer in China and worldwide.Methods: Global and China-specific data were collected on liver cancer deaths, DALYs, and age-standardized rates(ASRs) from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database. Liver cancer etiologies were classified into five groups and risk factors were categorized into three levels. Each proportion of liver cancer burden was calculated in different geographic regions. The joinpoint regression model were used to assess the trends from 1990±2019.Results: Liver cancer accounted for 484,577 deaths worldwide in 2019 with an ASR of 5.9 per 100,000 population. China had an elevated liver cancer death ASR in 2019 and males had an ASR 1.7 times the global rate. The global ASR for DALYs peaked at 75±79 years of age but peaked earlier in China. Hepatitis B virus was the prominent etiology globally(39.5%) and in China(62.5%), followed by hepatitis C virus and alcohol consumption. In high sociodemographic index countries, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis has gained an increasing contribution as an etiologic factor. The liver cancer burden due to various etiologies has decreased globally in both genders. However, metabolic risk factors, particularly obesity, have had a growing contribution to the liver cancer burden, especially among males.Conclusions: Despite an overall decreasing trend in the liver cancer burden in China and worldwide, there has been a rising contribution from metabolic risk factors, highlighting the importance of implementing targeted prevention and control strategies that address regional and gender disparities.

Effect of the Implementation of Emonc in the Reduction of Maternal Deaths in the Department of Collines from 2018 to 2022

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality remains a public health problem in Benin. Each year, approximately 1500 maternal deaths and more than 12,000 newborn deaths are recorded there. In order to correct the situation, strategies such as the implementation of Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) were initiated. Objective: Determine the rates of maternal deaths in EmONC centers in the Collines department from 2018 to 2022. Framework and Methods: The study took place in Benin precisely in the Collines department. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data collection was carried out during the first two weeks of January 2023 and covered data from the 09 Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care centers (BEMONC) and the Obstetric and Neonatal Care centers of Complete Emergency (CEmONC) of the Collines department from 2018 to 2022. An estimate of the ratios of maternal deaths occurring at the level of the EmONC centers of the Collines department from 2018-2022 was carried out followed by constructive suggestions. Results: During the five years (2018 to 2022), the Collines department recorded 42,582 live births with 148 maternal deaths, i.e. a ratio of 348 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Between 2018 and 2022, the highest maternal death ratio was recorded in 2019, i.e. 425 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births for all EmONC centers and 607 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in EmONC centers. The highest maternal death ratio at the BEmONC center level was recorded in 2020, i.e. 129 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. Conclusion: These results suggest that despite the implementation of EmONC in the Collines department, maternal deaths have not decreased. To improve these outcomes for a reduction in maternal deaths, urgent action must be taken.

Epidemiological Aspects of Stillbirth and Neonatal Deaths in the Delivery Room at the Libreville Mother-Child University Hospital from 2019 to 2022

Introduction: Stillbirths are estimated at 2 million each year, of which more than 40% occur during labour. Our objective was to study the epidemiological aspects of stillbirth and neonatal deaths in the delivery room in our health facility. Patients and methods: Prospective, descriptive and analytical study, conducted at the Jeanne Ebori Foundation Mother-Child University Hospital over 4 years (January 2019-December 2022). All neonatal deaths in the delivery room or foetal death in utero, were included. Results: Among the 18,346 deliveries performed, 512 newborns were declared dead in the delivery room (27.9‰ live births), divided into in utero foetal death (19.0‰) and immediate neonatal death (8.9‰). The mean age was 34.3 weeks of amenorrhea. The rate of preterm birth was 60.4%. The sex ratio was 1.1. The average weight was 2186.6. The main causes were vascular (46.1%), foetal (20.2%), adnexal (17.1%) and asphyxia per partum (16.6%). Foetal causes were more likely to result in IUFD than other causes (OR = 6.4 [2.4 - 15.7], p < 0.001). After birth, partum asphyxia was more likely to lead to death before 15 minutes of life than other causes (OR = 11 [6.1 - 18.9], p Conclusion: The causes of stillbirth and early neonatal mortality are dominated by maternal vascular pathologies. However, the proportion of childbirth-related causes remains worrying. Better monitoring of pregnancy and labour will minimize this prevalence in our hospital.

Epidemiology of Maternal Deaths from 2017 to 2022 in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of the University Hospital of Tengandogo, Burkina Faso

Background: Although maternal mortality is declining in most countries, it remains a significant public health problem worldwide, with high rates, particularly in developing and insecure countries like ours. Objective: To study the epidemiological factors and factors associated with the occurrence of maternal death in the Gynecology-Obstetrics Department of University Hospital of Tengandogo. Method: It was a retrospective case-control study with a descriptive and analytical purpose over a period of 6 years from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2022. Cases were women with maternal deaths during the study period. Data processing and analysis were performed using Stata version 13 software. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with Stata version 13 software, and logistic regression modeling was used to estimate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR), their 95% confidence intervals (CI), and the threshold for statistical significance was set at a p value < 0.05. Results: A total of 372 patients were included in the study, including 146 cases of maternal death. The in-hospital maternal mortality rate was 1933 deaths per 100,000 live births. The average age was 28.5 years. 58.9% of patients lived in rural areas. Married patients accounted for 88.7% of cases. The average parity was 3. Direct obstetrical causes were the main causes of death, accounting for 72.6%. They were dominated by post-partum hemorrhage (24.2%), puerperal infection (18.6%), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (16.1%) and retroplacental hematoma (8.9%). Chronic anemia (12.9%) was the main indirect obstetric cause. Risk factors associated with maternal death were primiparity (OR for paucigravida and multigravida at 0.05;P = 0.001);ambulance transport (OR for patients referred and brought in by personal vehicle = 0.3, p < 0.001) and vaginal delivery (OR for cesarean deliveries = 0.4, p < 0.001). Conclusion: To reduce maternal mortality in Burkina Faso, strategies such as educating women about danger signs during pregnancy and promoting women’s education can be adopted.

Review of Maternal Deaths over 3 and a Half Years at the Kara University Hospital Center, Northern Togo: About 65 Cases

Objective: To analyze maternal deaths, identify causes and dysfunctions leading to these deaths in order to contribute to the implementation of strategies to reduce maternal mortality at CHU Kara. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study involving 65 cases of maternal deaths recorded at CHU-Kara from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. Results: Our study focused on 65 cases of maternal deaths recorded at the maternity ward of CHU-Kara. The average age was 30 years, with a range of 15 to 45 years. They were mostly housewives (52.3%), uneducated (38.5%), multiparous (41.5%), and referred (86.2%). The causes were mainly direct obstetric causes (81.54%), with preeclampsia and its complications (28.30%) and immediate postpartum hemorrhage (20.75%) being the most common. However, uterine rupture (20.5%) and post-abortion sepsis (16.4%) were the most lethal etiologies. Delayed evacuation (46.43%), inadequate transportation (91%), and insufficient prenatal care (72.31%) were the dysfunctions before referral. Within the CHU Kara, delays in management (58.46%), unavailability of blood and labile products (18%), and insufficient monitoring were the dysfunctions identified. Ninety-five point four percent (95.4%) of the deaths were preventable. Conclusion: The magnitude of intrahospital maternal deaths, the various dysfunctions observed in the occurrence of maternal deaths before referral/evacuation and within the hospital highlight the importance of effectively implementing recommendations from audits in the fight against maternal mortality. The majority of the deaths were preventable (95.38%).

The Impact of Finerenone on Changes in Pulse Wave Velocity, Arterial Pressure and Heart Related Deaths in Hemodialysis Patients—Study Perspective

The description in the abstract lacks clear logic and a comprehensive summary of this study, so please revise and improve it according to the design theme and main content of this study, and describe it in the order of (research background), purpose/aim, method, results and conclusions. The introduction of the abstract and preface is rather lengthy, but the summary of the whole study and the presentation of the research background are not perfect (mainly because the logic of the context is not clear and orderly), so it will appear a bit messy. Hope to be able to modify (this has been mentioned in the preliminary opinion). Cardiovascular events (CVE) pose a significant threat to individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), yet these patients are often excluded from cardiovascular clinical trials, leaving prognostic factors associated with CVE in ESRD patients largely unexplored. Recent human studies have demonstrated elevated circulating aldosterone levels in ESRD patients, correlating with left ventricular hypertrophy. Additionally, animal models have shown improvements in uremic cardiomyopathy with spironolactone therapy, prompting interest in assessing the efficacy of spironolactone or eplerenone in reducing mortality and improving cardiovascular function in dialysis patients. Clinicians have historically been cautious about prescribing mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) to congestive heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to hyperkalemia risk. However, the emergence of finerenone, a novel MR antagonist with a favorable safety profile and lower hyperkalemia risk, has renewed interest in MRA therapy in this population. Heart disease, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and left ventricular failure, is alarmingly prevalent in dialysis patients, contributing significantly to elevated mortality rates compared to the general population. Arterial stiffness, as indicated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), progressively worsens with advancing CKD stages, peaking in severity among ESRD patients undergoing dialysis. High PWV serves as a crucial risk stratification tool in ESRD. Elevated NT-proBNP and BNP levels in ESRD patients are well-documented, with significant associations observed between baseline peptide concentrations and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. By incorporating finerenone into our study, we aim to investigate its potential benefits in reducing arterial stiffness, lowering blood pressure, and ultimately mitigating heart-related mortality among hemodialysis patients. This study holds substantial implications for hypertension and cardiovascular risk management in this vulnerable patient population. Eligible participants must have been on chronic hemodialysis for at least three months, with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers included in their therapy at maximum tolerable doses. Serum potassium levels 5.7 mmol/L, left ventricular ejection fraction 50%, and PWV higher than age-estimated values are also prerequisites for study entry. Randomized allocation will be conducted using a permuted block design, stratified by center, with allocation communicated via signed study forms during initial examinations. All steps of this research will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration.

A novel approach to Parkinson's disease treatment with a potentially dual-acting therapeutic agent that targetsα-synuclein aggregation and neuron death

Parkinson's disease(PD),a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder,is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the aggregation ofα-synuclein protein into Lewy bodies.While the current standards of therapy have been successful in providing some symptom relief,they fail to address the underlying pathophysiology of PD and as a result,they have no effect on disease progression.

Maternal Deaths after Obstetrical Referral and/or Evacuation to the Obstetrics Gynecology Clinic of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center, Togo

Introduction: Maternal death or maternal mortality is “the death of a woman occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination, regardless of duration or location, for any specific cause or aggravated by pregnancy or its management, but neither accidental nor fortuitous. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study carried out from January 1st, 2021 to April 30th, 2022 at the Obstetrics Gynecology Clinic of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital Center (SOUHC). Results: we noted 86 cases of maternal deaths after referral/evacuation i.e. a maternal mortality rate hospital of 555 maternal deaths per 100,000 LB. The average age of the patients was 31.1 ± 6.3 years with extremes of 15 and 45 years. In 33.7% of cases our patients were resellers. Multiparas represented 33.7% of the sample, they had performed less than three antenatal consultations. Postpartum hemorrhage was the reference reason in 33.7%. In 74.4% of cases, the patients referred had arrived by taxi. In 87.9% of cases, the patients had died of direct obstetric causes. Immediate postpartum hemorrhage accounted for 44.6% of cases and anemia, 36.4%. There is a statistically significant association between the availability of blood product and the avoidability of maternal death after obstetrical referral and/or evacuation (p value = 0.0188 0.05). Conclusion: Determining responsibility for maternal death is not always easy. There is an urgent need to strengthen the policy of reducing maternal mortality in Togo. This remains possible by developing communication strategies and a solid referral/counter-referral system.

Mycobacterium smegmatis enhances shikonin-induced immunogenic cell death—an efficient in situ tumor vaccine strategy

Tumor vaccines are a promising avenue in cancer immunotherapy.Despite the progress in targeting specific immune epitopes,tumor cells lacking these epitopes can evade the treatment.Here,we aimed to construct an efficient in situ tumor vaccine called Vac-SM,utilizing shikonin(SKN)to induce immunogenic cell death(ICD)and Mycobacterium smegmatis as an immune adjuvant to enhance in situ tumor vaccine efficacy.SKN showed a dose-dependent and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on the tumor cell line and induced ICD in tumor cells as evidenced by the CCK-8 assay and the detection of the expression of relevant indicators,respectively.Compared with the control group,the in situ Vac-SM injection in mouse subcutaneous metastatic tumors significantly inhibited tumor growth and distant tumor metastasis,while also improving survival rates.Mycobacterium smegmatis effectively induced maturation and activation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(DCs),and in vivo tumor-draining lymph nodes showed an increased maturation of DCs and a higher proportion of effector memory T-cell subsets with the Vac-SM treatment,based on flow cytometry analysis results.Collectively,the Vac-SM vaccine effectively induces ICD,improves antigen presentation by DCs,activates a specific systemic antitumor T-cell immune response,exhibits a favorable safety profile,and holds the promise for clinical translation for local tumor immunotherapy.

Review of Maternal Deaths in Two Health Regions of Togo: About 69 Cases (Epidemiological and Sociodemographic Aspects)

Introduction: Maternal mortality is a public health problem. It is common in hospitals in Togo. From 401 per 100,000 live births in 2013, in 2017 we are 396 per 100,000 live births. Despite several programs ranging from subsidized caesarean section (CARMA) yezou (assistance for pregnant women), the establishment of maternal death reviews in maternity wards to compensate for avoidable causes;we are seeing preventable maternal and fetal deaths in our hospitals. No study on these reviews has been done since its establishment. The objective of our study was to determine the frequency of reviews of maternal deaths, the epidemiological, sociodemographic aspects and the causes of these reviewed maternal deaths. Method: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional, multicenter study lasting four and a half years, from the 1st of January 2018 to the 30th of June 2022, relating to the review of maternal deaths in three reference hospitals of two health regions of south Togo. Any maternal death occurring in one of these hospitals during the study period was included in this survey. The data collected using a collection sheet were analyzed using Epi Info version 7 software. Results: During the study period, the maternal mortality ratio in the three hospitals was 722.3 per 100,000 live births. Only 12.2% of maternal deaths were reviewed in the three hospitals. The patients were young with an average age of 29.9 years, housewives (71%), uneducated (21.7%). The causes of maternal deaths were dominated by direct obstetric causes (89.7%). The main cause was hemorrhage (72.5%), the main cause being immediate postpartum hemorrhage (50.7%). Conclusion: This study shows that the maternal mortality ratio still remains high in our country with a low frequency of maternal death reviews. Young, poor, uneducated women are the most affected by these deaths, the main cause of which remains hemorrhage. Preventive measures deserve to be taken at all levels with a view to reducing maternal mortality.

Characteristics of Deaths of Children in the Pediatrics Department of Hôpital Spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche Gomes (Republic of the Congo) from 2019 to 2021

Introduction: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to decrease the global maternal mortality ratio to below 70 per 100,000 live births and eliminate preventable deaths of newborns and children under the age of five in all countries by 2030. The pediatric department at Spécialisé Mère-Enfant Blanche Gomes Hospital (HSMEBG) is divided into two sectors, one catering to children aged one month to four years and the other dedicated to children aged five to 17 years. According to department records, over the past three years, there has been an average of 1050 hospitalizations per year, with an average duration of five days. Objectives: This study aims to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of children who died while in the pediatrics department of the HSMEBG and analyze the factors associated with their deaths. Methodology: A retrospective analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, collecting data over a three-year period, covering the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. Data were collected from medical records of deceased children using Excel software version 2016, and statistical calculations and logistic regression were performed using Epi info software version 7.2.5.0. Results: During the three years of operation, the pediatric department at HSMEBG recorded 3060 new admissions, of which 271 resulted in death, representing an overall frequency of 8.8%. December and January had the highest mortality rates, accounting for 15.5% and 12.5%, respectively. Out of the 271 recorded deaths, 143 (52.77%) occurred in children under the age of one, and 230 (84.87%) occurred in children under the age of five. The average age at death was 2.4 years, ranging from one month to 17 years. The sex ratio was 1. More than half of the deaths (51.66%) occurred during the night, and 165 (60.89%) sought medical help more than three days after the onset of symptoms. Weekend deaths accounted for nearly half (45.7%) of the cases. Upon admission, slightly over half of the children (55.72%) had impaired consciousness, 219 (80.81%) presented with respiratory distress, and 194 (71.59%) had a fever. The average time from admission to administering the first medication was 72 minutes. Respiratory infections were the leading cause of death, accounting for 83 (30.26%) cases, followed by severe forms of malaria (anemic and neurological) at 23.25%. Among the 271 recorded deaths, 33 (12.18%) received no treatment before their demise, and 136 (50.18%) died within the first 24 hours of hospitalization. The average duration of hospitalization for patients who spent less than 24 hours was 15 hours, while those who died after the 24th hour had an average hospital stay of five days, ranging from one to 41 days. Children under the age of five who were admitted with impaired consciousness had roughly double the risk of dying compared to those without this condition (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The overall mortality rate in the pediatric department at HSMEBG is 8.8%. Acute respiratory infections are the primary cause of death. Improving this rate necessitates reducing consultation and treatment durations.

Epidemiological Facies of Human Rabies Deaths in Côte d’Ivoire from 2016 to 2022

Introduction: Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease outside the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Data from previous studies and reports from the rabies center show that cases of death from human rabies are regularly reported, despite training measures for health workers, awareness-raising and communities, and the availability of vaccines. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyse the determinants of human rabies deaths in Côte d’Ivoire from 2016 to 2022. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional qualitative study was carried out from January to August 2023 on all the records of patients who died of human rabies at the Treichville Rabies Center from 2016 to 2022. An analysis of the rabies center’s annual activity reports from 2016 to 2022 was also carried out in order to complete the information gathered from the files. Results: The socio-demographic characteristics showed that out of 148 deaths, children accounted for 47.97% (71) and 66.22% (98) of rabies deaths were male, with an M/F sex ratio of 1.96. In terms of clinical characteristics, in 97.30% (144) of cases, the deceased had presented with furious rabies, and analysis by the Pasteur Institute of Côte d’Ivoire laboratory confirmed 101 cases (92.66%) of human rabies. Geographical distribution showed that cases of human rabies were recorded in 56 health district, and 64% (94) of the deceased lived in rural areas. The main causes of the occurrence of rabies were essentially non-use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and missed vaccination due to ignorance. Conclusion: In view of these results, control strategies and interventions need to be adapted to the epidemiological characteristics of the disease, using a community-based approach with a view to eliminating dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.

Efficacy and predictive factors of transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1 inhibition for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)for unresectable hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC)have rarely been evaluated and it is unknown which factors are related to efficacy.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and independent predictive factors of TACE combined with lenvatinib plus PD-1 inhibitors for unresectable HCC.METHODS This study retrospectively enrolled patients with unresectable HCC who received TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment between March 2019 and April 2022.Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were determined.The objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)were evaluated in accordance with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.Additionally,the prognostic factors affecting the clinical outcome were assessed.RESULTS One hundred and two patients were enrolled with a median follow-up duration of 12.63 months.The median OS was 26.43 months(95%CI:17.00-35.87),and the median PFS was 10.07 months(95%CI:8.50-11.65).The ORR and DCR were 61.76%and 81.37%,respectively.The patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification(BCLC)B stage,early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)response(decrease),or early alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)response(decrease>20%)had superior OS and PFS than their counterparts.CONCLUSION This study showed that TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment was well tolerated with encouraging efficacy in patients with unresectable HCC.The patients with BCLC B-stage disease with early NLR response(decrease)and early AFP response(decrease>20%)may achieve better clinical outcomes with this triple therapy.

Cytokine release syndrome triggered by programmed death 1 blockade(sintilimab)therapy in a psoriasis patient:A case report

BACKGROUND In recent years,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)have demonstrated remarkable efficacy across diverse malignancies.Notably,in patients with advanced gastric cancer,the use of programmed death 1(PD-1)blockade has significantly prolonged overall survival,marking a pivotal advancement comparable to the impact of Herceptin over the past two decades.While the therapeutic benefits of ICIs are evident,the increasing use of immunotherapy has led to an increase in immune-related adverse events.CASE SUMMARY This article presents the case of a patient with advanced gastric cancer and chronic plaque psoriasis.Following sintilimab therapy,the patient developed severe rashes accompanied by cytokine release syndrome(CRS).Fortunately,effective management was achieved through the administration of glucocorticoid,tocilizumab,and acitretin,which resulted in favorable outcomes.CONCLUSION Glucocorticoid and tocilizumab therapy was effective in managing CRS after PD-1 blockade therapy for gastric cancer in a patient with chronic plaque psoriasis.

Risk factors for early death in severe non-brain- injured trauma patients

Severe trauma is one of the main causes of premature death,posing a significant challenge to public health systems.[1]At present,there is a lack of universally accepted guidelines for rapid detection of life-threatening severe trauma,[2]and the accuracy of existing prognostic models in predicting early death is limited.[3,4]Severe non-brain-injured trauma(SNT)patients account for approximately 70%of all trauma-related deaths.Moreover,there is a lack of studies on early death in SNT patients.[5]This study aims to identify risk factors associated with early death(≤72 h post-admission)in SNT patients.

Intertwined depressive and cognitive trajectories and the risk of dementia and death in older adults:a competing risk analysis

Background Depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment often interact,rendering their associations controversial.To date,their joint trajectories and associations with dementia and death remain underexplored.Aims To explore the interactions between depressive symptoms and cognitive function,their developmental trajectories and the associations with all-cause dementia,Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and all-cause death in older adults.Methods Data were from the Health and Retirement Study.Depressive symptoms and cognitive function were measured using the 8-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status,respectively.All-cause dementia and AD were defined by self-reported or proxy-reported physician diagnoses.All-cause death was determined by interviews.The restricted cubic spline,group-based trajectory modelling and subdistribution hazard regression were used.Results Significant interactions between depressive symptoms and cognitive function in 2010 in their association with new-onset all-cause dementia and AD from 2010 to 2020 were found,especially in women(p for interaction<0.05).Independent trajectory analysis showed that emerging or high(vs no)depressive trajectories and poor or rapidly decreased cognitive trajectories(vs very good)from 1996 to 2010 were at significantly higher risk of subsequent all-cause dementia,AD and all-cause death.15 joint trajectories of depressive symptoms and cognitive function from 1996 to 2010 were determined,where rapidly decreased cognitive function was more common in those with no depressive symptoms.Compared with older adults with the trajectory of no depressive symptoms and very good cognitive function,those with the trajectory of no depressive symptoms but rapidly decreased cognitive function were much more likely to develop new-onset all-cause dementia and death,with subdistribution hazard ratios(95%confidence intervals)of 4.47(2.99 to 6.67)and 1.84(1.43 to 2.36),especially in women.Conclusions To effectively mitigate the risk of dementia and death,it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of preventing cognitive decline in older adults without depressive symptoms,particularly in women.

Audits of Death in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents Followed up in the Pediatric Department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori from 2005 to 2020

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality among children. The objective of this work was to audit the deaths of children and adolescents with HIV infection followed up in the pediatric department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUDB/A) the from 2005 to 2020. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted in the pediatric department of CHUD/B-A in Parakou. All children with HIV infection who died from January 1, 2005 to August 31, 2020 were included. Data collection was carried out in three stages: a phase of medical records processing, a phase of community survey and a phase of death audits. The variables studied were sociodemographic, clinical, biological, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: Over the study period, the data of 464 infected children were recorded, including 92 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 19.83%. Severe acute malnutrition (69.23%), gastro-intestinal tract infections (43.58%) and serious opportunistic pulmonary infections (24.36% pulmonary tuberculosis and 19.23% pneumocystis) were the main causes of death. The main dysfunctions found were: the delayed diagnosis of HIV infection (79.35%), the absence or delay in consultation when the child’s clinical condition deteriorates (32.61% and 47.83%), delayed initiation of antiretroviral treatment (42.39%) and non-adherence to treatment (38.04%). Non-adherence to treatment was predominant in adolescents (90.49%). Conclusion: Specific interventions for early detection, adequate nutritional care, psychosocial support for adolescents and mothers of children are necessary to reduce mortality due to HIV among children and adolescents.

Effects of Maternal Death on Children Living in the Sagnarigu Municipality

Introduction: The greatest effect of maternal mortality is renowned in children aged 2 - 5 months whose mothers had died. Children whose mothers died due to maternal complications were likely to record a higher mortality in infancy compared to children of surviving mothers. Motherless children mostly suffer a lot due to lack of day-to-day care, isolation, lack of motivation as well as economic cost associated with mother’s death. Thus, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the lives of children whose mothers passed away during childbirth at the Sagnarigu Municipality. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out at the Sagnarigu Municipal. The study recruited 297 respondents. To assess the effects of maternal death on the lives of children, families that experienced maternal death were assessed. The number of pregnancies experienced by the deceased woman, pregnancy-related complaints experienced, determinants of maternal death, number of children alive, and their standard of living were assessed with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Results: The data showed that negligence, illiteracy, poor road access, poverty, ignorance, delays in recognizing the problem, delays in making appropriate decisions, delays in the health facility, delays in giving the appropriate treatments, and traditional beliefs were some of the factors that led to maternal death in the Sagnarigu Municipality. Conclusion: The study concluded that determinants of maternal death in the Sagnarigu Municipal included the following;negligence, illiteracy, poverty, and delays in recognizing the problem. The study findings also demonstrated that the effects of maternal death on children are diverse and cut across different areas of a child’s life including livelihood sustenance, healthcare, education, and emotional and psychological development.

Accuracy of Physicians in Diagnosing HIV and AIDS-Related Death in the Adult Population of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: The lack of cause of death information is the main challenge in monitoring the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing HIV and AIDS-related deaths in countries where the majority of deaths occur at home. Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of physician reviewers of verbal autopsies in diagnosing HIV and AIDS-related deaths in the adult population of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Methods: This study was done within the context of a burial surveillance system in Addis Ababa. Trained interviewers completed a standard verbal autopsy questionnaire and an independent panel of physicians reviewed the completed form to assign cause of death. Physicians' review was compared to a reference standard constructed based on prospectively collected HIV-serostatus and patients' hospital record. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to validate the physicians' verbal autopsy diagnoses against reference standards. Results: Physicians accurately identified AIDS-related deaths with sensitivity and specificity of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80 - 0.93) and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.64 - 0.87), respectively. Generally, there was high level of agreement (Cohen's Kappa Statistic (K > 0.6) between the first two physicians with some yearly variations. In 2008 and 2009 there was an almost perfect agreement (K > 0.80). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the agreement level between two independent physicians in diagnosing AIDS-related death is very high and thus using a single verbal autopsy coder is practical for programmatic purposes in countries where there is critical shortage of doctors.

Quercetin Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cardiac Inflammation via Inhibiting Autophagy and Programmed Cell Death

Objective The aim of this study is to explore the potential modulatory role of quercetin against Endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced septic cardiac dysfunction.Methods Specific pathogen-free chicken embryos(n=120)were allocated untreated control,phosphate buffer solution(PBS)vehicle,PBS with ethanol vehicle,LPS(500 ng/egg),LPS with quercetin treatment(10,20,or 40 nmol/egg,respectively),Quercetin groups(10,20,or 40 nmol/egg).Fifteenday-old embryonated eggs were inoculated with abovementioned solutions via the allantoic cavity.At embryonic day 19,the hearts of the embryos were collected for histopathological examination,RNA extraction,real-time polymerase chain reaction,immunohistochemical investigations,and Western blotting.Results They demonstrated that the heart presented inflammatory responses after LPS induction.The LPS-induced higher mRNA expressions of inflammation-related factors(TLR4,TNFα,MYD88,NF-κB1,IFNγ,IL-1β,IL-8,IL-6,IL-10,p38,MMP3,and MMP9)were blocked by quercetin with three dosages.Quercetin significantly decreased immunopositivity to TLR4 and MMP9 in the treatment group when compared with the LPS group.Quercetin significantly decreased protein expressions of TLR4,IFNγ,MMP3,and MMP9 when compared with the LPS group.Quercetin treatment prevented LPS-induced increase in the mRNA expression of Claudin 1 and ZO-1,and significantly decreased protein expression of claudin 1 when compared with the LPS group.Quercetin significantly downregulated autophagyrelated gene expressions(PPARα,SGLT1,APOA4,AMPKα1,AMPKα2,ATG5,ATG7,Beclin-1,and LC3B)and programmed cell death(Fas,Bcl-2,CASP1,CASP12,CASP3,and RIPK1)after LPS induction.Quercetin significantly decreased immunopositivity to APOA4,AMPKα2,and LC3-II/LC3-I in the treatment group when compared with the LPS group.Quercetin significantly decreased protein expressions of AMPKα1,LC3-I,and LC3-II.Quercetin significantly decreased the protein expression to CASP1 and CASP3 by immunohistochemical investigation or Western blotting in treatment group when compared with LPS group.Conclusion Quercetin alleviates cardiac inflammation induced by LPS through modulating autophagy,programmed cell death,and myocardiocytes permeability.