Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Salmonella Strains Isolated at the National Clinical Biology and Public Health Laboratory in Bangui, Central African Republic

In Africa, each year, there are estimated to be more than 91 million cases of salmonellosis and 137,000 cases of death. The problem of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella strains is a threat to public health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antibiotic resistance profile of Salmonella strains isolated in biological products analyzed at the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health (NLCBPH) in Bangui. This is, therefore, a cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim, running from January to December 2022. It focused on the strains of Salmonella isolated and identified in stools, urines, and blood samples. For each strain of Salmonella isolated, an antibiogram was carried out following the recommendations of the French Society of Microbiology (CASFM, 2022). A total of 93 strains of Salmonella have been recorded. The age group 0 - 9 years was 29% and that of >50 years was 11%. The median age of patients was 30 years with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 78 years. The female gender was more represented at 52.69% than the male gender at 47.31%, i.e. a sex ratio of 0.89 (M/F). Salmonella strains were much more isolated in stools at 62% followed by urines at 29% and blood at 6%. Salmonella arizonae strains were more represented with 52%. Salmonella strains have a resistance rate to Tetracycline of 62.37% followed by Penicillins of 50%. The rate of multi-antibiotic resistance of the Salmonella strains isolated represented 48.38%. Salmonella spp. strains were multi-resistant at 58.69% followed by Salmonella arizonae strains at 47.91%. There is a significant association between the different families of antibiotics and Salmonella strains (p < 0.05). According to the results obtained, Penicillins, Phenicoles, and Cyclins had a high rate of resistance on Salmonella strains. No strain-producing Broad Spectrum Beta-lactamase has been isolated. Salmonella strains represent a zoonotic health danger, constitute a public health problem and remain a current subject. This germ is resistant to the antibiotics used. It is, therefore, essential to emphasize monitoring the resistance of these germs in the Central African Republic (CAR) to improve the health of the population.

Fatty Acid Composition of Hazelnut Kernel Oil from Coula edulis Collected in the Republic of Congo

Coula edulis is non-timber forest product (NTFP) used in Africa for its hazelnuts, which contain edible seeds with a demonstrated nutritional potential. However, there have been very few scientific studies of this species in the Republic of Congo. Thus, the aim of the current study was therefore to determine the fatty acid composition of the oil extracted from Coula edulis hazelnut seeds collected at random in the Republic of Congo. The oil was extracted using the Soxhlet method and its fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The extracted oil from Coula edulis hazelnut kernels is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (95.28%), particularly oleic acid (94.5%), which classifies it as an oleic oil and gives it interesting nutritional and therapeutic properties. On the other hand, saturated fatty acids (4.15%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.35%) are not well represented. Its low poly-unsaturated fatty acid content makes it more stable when stored at room temperature.

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Profile of Bilanko and Ngamakala Peat Bog Soils (Republic of Congo)

Peatlands are unique and complex natural ecosystems that are part of the most important carbon reservoirs on our planet, home to a diversity of microorganisms responsible for fermentation, humification or peat. The aim is to understand chemical and biological indicators of peatland soils. This work aims to determine the physicochemical and bacteriological profile and lipolytic activity of soil bacteria in Bilanko peatlands. The bacterial profile with the production of lipases is carried out by classical microbiology techniques. The results show that the soils are moderately acidic with temperatures of 27.8˚C ± 0.01˚C for Bilanko and 27.1˚C ± 0.57˚C for Ngamakala. The electroconductivity (EC) varies from (9.52 ± 0.002) μS/cm to (39.01 ± 1.4) μS/cm with low turbidity of (2.04 ± 0.66) mg/L to (31.02 ± 0.84) mg/L and low ion concentrations with, however, a richness in phenolic compounds for Bilanko compared to Ngamakala. FMAT diversity ranged from (1.71 ± 0.88)∙104 UFC/g to (2.92 ± 0.07)∙105 UFC/g for Bilanko and (1.30 ± 0.73)∙104 UFC/g to (2.89 ± 0.06)∙104 UFC/g for Ngamakala. Bacillus loads ranged from (5.20 ± 1.40)∙103 CFU/g to (1.22 ± 0.13)∙104 CFU/g and from (1.11 ± 0.13)∙104 CFU/g to (9.20 ± 2.05)∙103 CFU/g;enterobacteria loads from (1.40 ± 0.76)∙103 CFU/g to (8.80 ± 1.73)∙103 CFU/g and from (1.01 ± 0.02)∙103 CFU/g to (9.20 ± 2.05)∙103 CFU/g;in Pseudomonas from 0 to (2.30 ± 0.53)∙102 CFU/g and from 0 to (8.90 ± 2.35)∙102 CFU/g for Bilanko and Ngamakala respectively. These results reveal a variation in bacterial similarity and distribution in the Bilanko and Ngamakala peat bogs.

An updated inventory of marine opisthobranch(Mollusca,Gastropoda)from the territorial waters of the Republic of Mauritius

Island ecosystems support diverse aquatic invertebrate communities comprising endemic taxa.Documentation of existing species is important for conservation.In this study,a checklist of marine opisthobranch from the Republic of Mauritius is presented.A combination of benthic surveys(50 m×5 m in triplicates),rover diving techniques and photo documentation were used over two years(2018–2020)within 35 sheltered and unsheltered lagoons.Morphological and molecular analysis were used for identification.Species composition within sheltered and unsheltered areas in Mauritius was estimated using the Bray-Curtis similarity.The checklist featured 117 species belonging to 61 genera and 28families,of which 13 are new records.The findings increased the knowledge of opisthobranch diversity from the Mauritius by 15.4%.Among the listed species,the distribution range of Cyerce nigra,Actinocyclus papillatus,and Phyllidia picta extended from the Western Pacific to the South Western Indian Ocean.Molecular analysis of the undescribed Gymnodoris sp.showed it resembled Gymnodoris sp.from Hawaii and were different by a genetic distance value of 10.6%.The species richness and evenness were higher within the sheltered regions of Mauritius which harboured the food resource of opisthobranch.These areas as compared to unsheltered regions were heavily populated,suggesting the probable influence of wave actions on opisthobranch diversity and abundance.The order Nudibranchia was reported as most speciose,with 86 species.The Sacoglossa and Nudibranchia were observed only on macroalgae and sponges respectively.High abundance was also recorded on shipwrecks which are the most common form of artificial reefs.With the inclusion of observations from previous studies,201species belonging to 94 genera and 36 families are now known from the Mauritius.

Contribution to the Study of Fungal Strains Contaminating Peanut Pastes in Bangui (Central African Republic)

Introduction: Peanut pastes are food products resulting from artisanal or industrial processing, used in cooking in Africa in general and in Central African Republic in particular. These peanut pastes are often contaminated by molds and filamentous fungi involved in the degradation of hygienic and organoleptic or even toxicological quality. This study aims to determine the epidemiological profile of molds contaminating peanut pastes sold on the Central African market. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out from June to September 2023. Samples of peanut pastes sold on Central African market were taken and analyzed at the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health using the conventional microbiology method according to ISO 7954 standards. The data obtained were collected in the ODK 2023.3.1 application and analyzed with the Epi Info 7 software. A multivariate analysis by logistic regression, Ficher’s exact test, and chi2 at the 5% threshold (p Penicillium sp.;11.25% of Mucor sp.;10.63% of Aspergillus terrei;3.13% of Aspergillus niger;1.25% of Aspergillus medullans;28.13% of Aspergillus flavus;2.50% of Aspergillus fumigatus. Peanut pastes stored beyond three days were more contaminated (94.19%). Conclusion: The results of this study made it possible to highlight strains of mold that impact the hygienic and organoleptic quality of peanut pastes sold at the Central African market. Most of the isolated strains were the Aspergillus flavus species which is recognized by its toxigenic effects. This species is much more incriminated in the contamination of foodstuffs with the production of the toxin which causes underlying pulmonary pathologies in humans.

Investigating Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Vaccination through Hesitancy, Refusal, and Access Limitation: A Community-Based Survey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Introduction: Vaccination plays a pivotal role in mitigating the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, vaccination campaigns encounter obstacles, especially in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This study aimed at investigating the roles of vaccine hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers, while identifying individual-level factors associated with non-vaccination in Mbujimayi, DRC. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three health districts and included 1496 residents. Attitudes and behaviors related to seeking COVID-19 vaccination were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Hierarchical logistic regression modeling was used to assess factors potentially affecting non-compliance with vaccination. Results: Among participants (median age = 33, IQR = 23.3, M/F sex ratio = 0.7), 60% displayed misconceptions about COVID-19 or its vaccine, while only 35.2% perceived COVID-19 as a significant health threat. Vaccination coverage was estimated at 49.1% (95% CI: 47.5;52.6), with 71.8% of vaccinated individuals having received one dose. Among the unvaccinated individuals, 50.9% expressed no intention to be vaccinated in the future, citing hesitation (30.4%) or refusal (39.6%) mainly due to side effects or distrust of vaccines. Conversely, 32.7% of the unvaccinated persons expressed access barriers despite willingness to be vaccinated. Misconceptions about COVID-19 and its vaccines were the main drivers of vaccination non-compliance. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate significant vaccine non-compliance driven by hesitancy, refusal, and access barriers. Strategies to enhance vaccination coverage and pandemic preparedness should address misconceptions, sociodemographic barriers, and geographic disparities.

Contribution of Genomic Surveillance in the Detection and Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Variants during the 6 Pandemic Waves in the Central African Republic from 2020 to 2023

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to strengthen diagnosis and genomic surveillance capacities. In 2021, Central African managed five waves of COVID-19 by integrating genomic surveillance into their health monitoring system. This study sought to report surveillance data from the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health and describe the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, descriptive observational study spans three years, from April 2020 to November 2023. It was conducted on a population of consenting volunteers from across the Central African Republic, who were tested using RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal samples. Data with sufficient information were obtained from the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health (LNBCSP) databases. Sequencing was largely carried out at the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa until May 2023, and subsequently at the LNBCSP. Results and Discussion: Out of 97,864 RT-PCR tests performed, 9,764 were positive, resulting in a prevalence of 9.98%. The average age of the patients was 39.97 years ± 13.76, and the male-to-female sex ratio was 2.12. RT-PCR test positivity was significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), sex (p = 0.013) and clinical manifestations. Ten variants circulated during the five recorded waves, with Omicron (B.1.1.529), Delta (B.1.617.2) variants being predominant. Notably, the B.1.620 and B.640 variants were prominent during the second wave. Conclusion: This retrospective study provides key insights into the COVID-19 pandemic in the CAR. It identifies risk factors and details the circulation of various SARS-CoV-2 variants. Enhancing national genomic surveillance capacities would enable the country to better respond to future pandemic challenges.

Contribution to the Study of the Incidence of Post-Streptococcal Complications in Republic Central African Republic from 2015 to 2018

Introduction: Acute rheumatic fever (AAR) is a non-suppurative complication of late infection by group A. Infections due to streptococci remain a public health problem in the Central African Republic. The present study aims to determine the incidence rate of AAR cases and its complications. Methodology: This was a retrospective and analytical study over a period of 4 years (from January 2015 to December 2018) at the National Laboratory of Clinical Biology and Public Health (LNBCSP) in Bangui. It focused on samples concerning the diagnosis of AAR and patient files seen in consultation in the capital’s reference health establishments. Laboratory registers and patient consultation files were used to collect data. They were entered into Excel 2010 to be analyzed with Epi Info 7. A univariate analysis by logistic regression, Ficher’s exact test, and chi2 at the 5% threshold (p Results: We analyzed 94 cases meeting Jones’s criteria. The ages of the patients ranged from 18 to 85 years (mean age 52 years and mode 45 years). The incidence rate of AAR for the female sex was higher than that of the male sex during the study period (p > 0.05). It went from 166.6 in 2015 to 200 in 2016 and 2018 cases of AAR per 1000 people per year. The average incidence rate was 296.18 cases of AAR per 1000 people per year. The average incidence rate was 223.5 cases of AAR per 1000 people per year for joint damage. Joint damage represented 80.85% (RR = 0.62;Chi2 = 4.88;95% CI [0.39-0.97];p Conclusion: The study allowed data on the impact rate and complications of the AAR in Bangui. Special attention to data management will help produce a complete result on the problem. Joint complications predominated. Sustaining an effective surveillance system and preventing infection would help reduce the risk of AAR occurrence.

Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence among Sex Workers in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR)

Background: Violence against women has become an international public health and human rights issue in recent decades. The violence suffered by sex workers is of little interest for research, yet it constitutes a major health and safety problem. We propose to assess the extent of the phenomenon of gender-based violence (GBV) among sex workers (SWs) in the city of Bangui in the CAR. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study covering the period from July to October 2021 carried out among SWs in Bangui, the capital of the CAR. Given that the SWs association had only 159 members in Bangui, an exhaustive sampling was retained. Were included in the study, any SW present during the data collection period and having given their written consent. The parameters studied were socio-demographic characteristics: age, sex, residence, level of education, marital status, and characteristics linked to violence: the notion of violence during their professional activity, the type of violence, the declaration and the declaration if necessary, the response and management of this violence. The data collected was analyzed using Epi info version 7 software. Results: Of the 159 SWs that counted the association, 108 had been included. The average age was 27.0 years with extremes of 14 and 46 years. The age groups of 25 to 34 years were the most represented (43.5%). Fifty-six SWs (51.9%) had reached the secondary level. Unemployed SWs were in the majority at 74.1%;Sixty-six (66) SWs in our sample (61.1%) had already been victims of violence during the exercise of their activity Sexual violence was the most represented (28.5%) followed by verbal violence (22.4%). Sixty-eight (62.9%) wanted to stop the professional activity of SWs and 93.1% would accept another income-generating activity in place of sex work. Conclusion: It is necessary to supervise SWs and protect them within the framework of respect for human rights, rather than criminalizing them and the exploiters flouting their human dignity and putting their lives in danger. .

A Biogas Production Model from the Combination of Pig Manure and Cow Dung in N’Zérékoré City, Republic of Guine

This present research work focuses on the valorization of pig droppings for production of biogas in mono digestion and co-digestion with proportions of cow dung from the urban commune of N’Zérékoré. It was carried out in December 2020 in the Physics laboratory of the University of N’Zérékoré. The anaerobic digestion process took 25 days in an almost constant ambient temperature of 25˚C. Five digesters were loaded on 12/06/2020, two of which with 1 kg of pig dung and 1 kg of cow dung both in mono-digestion. The 3 other digesters in co-digestion with different proportions of pig manure and cow dung. The substrate in each digester is diluted in 2 liters of water, with a proportion of (1/2). The main results obtained are: 1) the evolution of the temperature and pH during digestion process, 2) the average biogas productions 0.61 liters for (D1);1.20 liter for (D2);1.65 liter for (D3);1.51 liter for (D4) and 1.31 liter for (D5). The cumulative amounts of biogas are respectively: D1 (7.95 liters), D2 (15.60 liters), D3 (21.50 liters), D4 (19.65 liters) and D5 (17.05 liters). The total cumulative production is 81.75 liters at the end of the process. The originality of this research work is that the proposed model examines the relation between the daily biogas production and the variation of temperature, pH and pressure. The combustibility test showed the biogas produced during the first week was no combustible (contains less than 50% methane). Combustion started from the biogas produced from the 15th day and it is from the 20th day that a significant amount of stable yellow/blue flame was observed. The results of this study show the combination of pig manure and cow dung presents advantages for optimal biogas production.

Foreign Minister of Central African Republic Visits CIIS and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Research Center

On April 15,Foreign Minister of the Central African Republic Sylvie Baipo-Temon visited China Institute of International Studies(CIIS)and the Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Research Center during her visit to China,accompanied by multiple Central African Republic officials and Counsellor Chen Xiaolei from the Department of African Affairs of China’s Foreign Ministry.

Principle for the Installation of Accommodation for Sick guards in Public Health Establishments in Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo

The results of scientific studies of human social facts in the field of health show that the management of a patient should involve the patient’s entourage,whatever the status or size of the health establishment.In healthcare establishments in the Congo,the following are recognised as being responsible for medical care:specialist doctors,doctors,midwives,nurses and care assistants.The patient’s family and close friends are responsible for looking after the patient and financing care.The hospital infrastructure does not provide any space for the patient warden who accompany the patient during reception and hospitalisation.This makes Congolese hospitals inefficient for patient care.How can we integrate the function of the Sick guard and the assistance of the family,in order to reduce the mortality rate and repair the harm caused to patients requiring the presence of relatives during their stay in hospital,which is considered to be a dangerous place?This article examines the functional principles for configuring the space that patient warden would occupy in the patient care system.On the basis of a documentary analysis of sociological and architectural studies of existing facilities,this article proposes a typical accommodation model with the spaces needed to ensure the well-being and effectiveness of the patient warden with the patient.These are rooms with minimum space for 2 to 4 individual beds,equipped with toilets and showers.The accommodation has a dining area,kitchen and laundry facilities.In the future,this accommodation will become part of the hospital estate and may be occupied by orderlies and patient warden recruited by the hospital administration.

Coordination of Regulation Devices for Damping Power Oscillations in a Dynamic Disturbance Context: A Fuzzy Logic-Based Approach Applied to the Electrical Grid of the Republic of Congo

This article presents a fuzzy logic-based approach to coordinate the control devices of the power system, such as Power System Stabilizers (PSS) and Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOM), to damp power oscillations caused by dynamic disturbances. At first, we used the Lyapunov method to study the dynamic stability of the power grid in the Republic of Congo. This method allowed us to analyze the eigenvalues of the state variable matrix and highlight the eigenvalues in the complex plane. Secondly, we proposed a fuzzy logic-based controller to account for uncertainties existing near the thresholds. The inputs to this controller are the generator speed and generator rotor angle. We demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of this fuzzy control by applying it to the power grid of the Republic of Congo, with three power stabilizers and two STATCOMs. .

Abdominoplasty, Liposuction and Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My Experience in This Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with Black African Women in a Low-Income Country

Background: In low-income African countries, the demand and use of plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are increasing. The goal of this work is to present my experience and the challenges of this aesthetic plastic surgery among black African women. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted about the abdominoplasties, liposuctions and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) which I operated in public and private hospitals at Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) in black African women. It covers a period of 13 years, going from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2023. For this study, I had at least 6 months period (to Juin 1, 2024) to assess the occurrence of early and late postoperative complications. Results: I performed 84 abdominoplasties, 144 liposuctions and 23 Brazilian butt lifts (BBL). The average age at the time of abdominoplasty was 44 years with extremes ranging from 26 to 55 years and a concentration of cases (60.7%) in the age group of 40 to 49 years. The age group of 20 to 29 years old represented the lowest rate of requests for abdominoplasty (4.7%). Patients with a BMI of 30 to 2 were the majority (61.9%), followed by those between 25 to 2 (29.7%). 67.8% of patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The average age at the time of liposuction was 41 years with extremes ranging from 21 years to 69 years;and more than half of cases (68%) in the age group between 30 and 49 years. As for Brazilian butt lift (BBL), the average age was 33 years with extremes ranging from 24 to 42 years and a concentration of patients (91.3%) between 20 and 39 years. The immediate postoperative complications of abdominoplasties observed were: seroma in 7% of cases, hematoma and partial infection of the surgical site in 5% of cases. Pathological scars (hypertrophic, keloid) after abdominoplasties were observed in 9% of cases. The most common complication of liposuction was contour deformity. I observed 16 patients (11.1%) with soft-tissue depressions or elevations, skin panniculus or folds. For Brazalian Butt Lift (BBL), complications like asymmetry for 2 patients (8.9%), contour irregularities for 2 patients (8.9%), and excessive fat removal for 6 patients (26%), had observed. I have not recorded any cases of death or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: I perform aesthetic plastic surgery procedures in black African women with a high socioeconomic standard of living compared to the average of the general population. The renunciation of planned surgery is motivated by the impossibility of paying the cost of the operation as well as by popular and religious perceptions regarding cosmetic surgery. The results of these aesthetic plastic surgery procedures carried out are very satisfactory for them. The challenges to overcome are mainly threefold: the unforeseeable complications of these cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, popular and religious perceptions of cosmetic surgery as well as the poverty of the population.

Historical review and reflections on the participation of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of epidemics in the People’s Republic of China (from 1950 until now)

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, both the Communist Party and the government have placed great emphasis on the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture and moxibustion have been actively involved in combating major epidemics such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and COVID-19. This article conducts a historical review of these three significant cases to elucidate how the acupuncture community has effectively utilized its unique advantages and characteristics through theoretical discussions, clinical practices, experimental research, as well as receiving administrative leadership and political support from the Communist Party of China and government. We provide an objective evaluation of their effectiveness while summarizing historical experiences to serve as a reference for future utilization of acupuncture and moxibustion therapy in epidemic relief efforts. Additionally, propose four suggestions: strengthening Party leadership and enhancing political support;timely summarization of experiences to establish programs and systems;deepening scientific research by integrating experimental findings with clinical practice;focusing on public awareness campaigns and education to solidify grassroots foundations.

Landscape Design of Parks Based on Red Tourism——With the Memorial Park of Soviet Republic of China in Ruijin,Jiangxi Province as a Study Case

Red tourism is a derivative product of organized patriotic education and revolutionary education activities.Memorial Park of Soviet Republic of China in Ruijin City,Jiangxi Province,as a representative of red tourism destination,is designed with red and patriotic education as the principal line to carry forward revolutionary traditions and spirits of Red Army,as well as create "red" garden landscapes with strong patriotism,time spirits and leisure elements.

Analysis of Monthly, Seasonal and Annual Air Temperature Variability and Trends in Taiz City - Republic of Yemen

Climate change is one of the most important issues of today’s World. Climate scientists have concluded that the earth’s surface air temperature warmed by 0.6 ± 0.2℃ during the 20th century, accompanied by changes in the hydrologic cycle. Of all the climate elements, temperature plays a major role in detecting climate change brought about by urbanization and industrialization. This study focuses on the variability and trends of the mean annual, seasonal and monthly surface air temperature in Taiz city, Republic of Yemen, during the period 1979-2006. The results of the analysis of the whole period reveal a statistically significant increasing trend in practically all the months and seasons. A tendency has also been observed towards warmer years, with significantly warmer summer and spring periods and slightly warmer autumn and winter, an increase of 1.79℃ and 1.18℃ has been observed in the mean summer and mean winter temperature, respectively. Positive trends of about 1.5℃ in the annual mean temperature were found for the whole period. The air temperature time series are analyzed, so that the variability and trends can be described.

Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:Observations from the Crimean peninsula

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA)is widely recognized as a global health issue.However,little is known about OHCA epidemiology in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR)territories.[1,2]The15 post-Soviet states occupy nearly one-sixth of the land surface of the earth,and the total population exceeds 292 million people.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus Infections among Patients with Chronic Renal Failure in Zabeed City, Yemen Republic

Background and Aims: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) are at high risk of viral hepatitis due to high number of blood transfusion sessions, prolonged vascular access, high exposure to infected patients and contaminated equipment, or cross contamination from the dialysis circuits and pose problems in the management of patients in the renal dialysis units. This study was done to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) & Hepatitis C virus (HCV), in patients on hemodialysis in Zabeed City, Yemen Republic, and address the major risk factors for transmission of these viruses among HD patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, during June, 2013 to October, 2014, a total of 243 chronic hemodialysis patients were tested. Patients were selected from many regions by cluster sampling from Zabeed public hospital, (hemodialysis center) in Zabeed City, Yemen Republic. A close ended and multiple choice-based questionnaires were completed and HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies were assessed using third generation enzyme linked immunoassay kit as serological testing and data were analyzed using the SPSS-20 software. Results: The overall prevalence of positive HBsAg was (48.83%) while positive anti-HCV was (46.01%) and (5.16%) mixed infection with HBV and HCV. Analysis of risk factors in patients with HBV & HCV infection is showed the history of blood transfusion and duration of hemodialysis was found to be a statistically significant (P < 0.05) as risk factor for HBV and HCV infection. Conclusion: The evaluation suggests that blood transfusion and duration of hemodialysis may be the main most important risk factor for HBV and HCV infection among hemodialysis patients.

Plant-Arthropod Associations from the Lower Miocene of the Most Basin in Northern Bohemia(Czech Republic):A Preliminary Report

Terrestrial plants and insects currently account for the majority of the Earth＇s biodiversity, and approximately haft of insect species are herbivores. Thus, insects and plants share ancient associations that date back more than 400 Myr. However, investigations of their past interactions are at the preliminary stages in Western Europe. Herein, we present the first results of our study of various feeding damage based on a dataset of nearly 3500 examined plant specimens from the Lower Miocene of the Lagerstaette Bflina Mine in the Most Basin, Czech Republic. This site provides a unique view of the Neogene freshwater ecosystems. It has long been studied by scientists working in different branches of sedimentology, paleobotany, and paleozoology. The fossils are preserved in three characteristic horizons overlaying the coal seam （Clayey Superseam Horizon, Delta Sandy Horizon, and Lake Clayey Horizon）, reflecting paleoenvironmental changes in a short time period of development. The trace fossils are classified as functional feeding groups or ＂guilds＂, without searching for a direct cause or a recent analog host relation. Approximately 23% of specimens of dicotyledonous plant leaves were found to be damaged and associated with some leaf ＂morphotypes＂. Deciduous plant-host taxa, and those with a chartaceous texture typical of riparian habitats, were frequently damaged, such as Populus, recorded with two species Populus zaddachii and Populus populina （57.9% and 31% herbivory levels, respectively）, followed by Acer, Alnus, and Carya, averaging almost 30% of damaged leaves/leaflets. There has been evidence of 60 damage types （DT） representing all functional feeding groups recorded at the Bflina Mine, including 12 types of leaf mines and 16 gall- type DT. In total, Lower Miocene of the Lagerstaette Bilina Mine exhibits a high level of external foliage feeding types （23.7%）, and a low level of more specialized DT, such as galls （4.3%） and leaf mines （〈1%）. A broader comparison based on DT of the main sedimentary environments shows significance supporting different biomes by frequency of damage levels and DT diversities.