Building a Business and Strategic Intelligence Policy as a Strategy for Promoting Congolese Business Progress and Healthy Economic Development in Eastern DRC

The aim of this study was to verify the existence of business and strategic intelligence policies at the level of Congolese companies and at the state level, likely to foster progress and healthy development in the east of the DRC. The study was based on a mixed perspective consisting of objective analysis of quantitative data and interpretative analysis of qualitative data. The results showed that business and strategic intelligence policies have not been established at either company or state level, as this is an area of activity that is not known to the players in companies and public departments, and there are no units or offices in their organizational structures responsible for managing strategic information for competitiveness on the international market. In addition, there is a real need to establish strategic information management units within companies, upstream, and to set up a national strategic information management department or agency to help local companies compete in the marketplace, downstream. This reflects the importance and timeliness of building business and strategic intelligence policies to ensure economic progress and development in the eastern DRC. Business and strategic intelligence provides companies with an appropriate tool for researching, collecting, processing and disseminating information useful for decision-making among stakeholders, in order to cope with a crisis or competitive situation. The study suggests a number of key recommendations based on its findings. To the government, it is recommended to establish the national policy of business and strategic intelligence by setting up a national agency of strategic intelligence in favor of local companies;and to companies to establish business intelligence units in their organizational structures in favor of stakeholders to foster advantageous decision-making in the competitive market and achieve progress. Finally, the study suggests that studies be carried out to fully understand the opportunities and impact of business and strategic intelligence in African countries, particularly in the DRC.

Obstetric References in Disadvantaged Environments: Case of References to the University Hospital Center of Kara, in Northern Togo

Introduction: References are frequent and most often carried out in emergency situations. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of obstetric referrals to the CHU-Kara. Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from September 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, at CHU-Kara, focusing on obstetric referrals to the Gynecology-Obstetrics department. Result: 828 patients were referred for obstetric reasons out of 1295 admissions, representing a frequency of 63.9%. The average age was 25.04 years. They were primigravida (38.3%), unemployed (62.7%). Motorcycles were the main means of transportation, accounting for 53.1% of cases. The average distance to reach the referral center was 31.6 km, covered in an average of 71 minutes. In 40.7% of cases, patients had less than 4 prenatal consultations and were referred in peripartum (56.6%) for pre-eclampsia (14%), post-term pregnancy (11.8%), dystocia (10.5%). Eighty-six point nine percent (86.9%) of the referred patients were able to deliver during their stay in the department, of which 61.7% had vaginal deliveries. The maternal and perinatal mortality rates were 0.7% and 14.9%, respectively. Conclusion: Obstetric referrals to Kara University Hospital are frequent during the perpartum period and are often carried out by motorbike.

Obstetric Emergencies at the Kara University Hospital Maternity Ward: Sociodemographic, Etiological and Prognostic Aspects

Introduction: Obstetric emergencies are common throughout the world and more particularly in developing countries where they are responsible for high maternal-fetal mortality and morbidity. Objective: Study obstetric emergencies in the maternity ward of Kara University Hospital. Method: Retrospective and descriptive study from April 1, 2022 to March 30, 2023, carried out in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Kara University Hospital. Results: Eight hundred and thirty-five (835) obstetric emergencies were recorded out of 2215 admissions, i.e. a frequency of 37.7%. The average age of the patients was 26.7 with a range of 14 and 45 years. They were primigravidas (36.7%) and nulliparous (38.7%), referred (84.7%) and came from rural areas (72%). Emergencies occurred in the 3rd trimester in 74.1% and in parturients (54.1%). Preeclampsia (27%), cessation of progression of labor due to feto-pelvic disproportion (12.4%), postpartum hemorrhage (7.5%) constituted the main obstetric emergencies. In 44.8%, the delivery was carried out vaginally. Magnesium sulfate was the most used drug, i.e. 30.1%;followed by antihypertensive medications in 28.1%. Blood transfusion was performed in 24.3%. The evolution was simple in 90.9%. The maternal fatality rate was 1.6%. The perinatal case fatality rate was 12.3%. Conclusion: Obstetric emergencies are common, dominated by preeclampsia, stopping progress of labor and postpartum hemorrhages. They are responsible for high morbidity and mortality.

Dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis influenced intestinal health of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli

Background: There is growing evidence to support the beneficial effects of supplementing direct-fed microbials(DFM) on performance, health status, and immune responses of weaned pigs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis(DSM 25841) on growth performance, diarrhea, gut permeability and immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic F-18 Escherichia coli(E. coli).Results: The F18 E. coli infection reduced(P < 0.05) growth performance and intestinal villi height, whereas increased(P < 0.05) diarrhea and transcellular and paracellular permeability in the jejunum compared with non-challenged control. Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis linearly enhanced average daily gain of E. coli infected pigs from d 0 to 5 post-inoculation(PI)(P < 0.05) and d 0 to 11 PI(P = 0.058). Supplementation of high dose of Bacillus subtilis reduced(P < 0.05) both transcellular and paracellular permeability on d 5 and d11 PI compared with the E. coli infected pigs fed with control diet. E. coli infection up-regulated(P < 0.05)the m RNA expression of SLC5 A10(soluble carrier family 5 member 10) and MUC2(mucin 2) on d 5 PI, but down-regulated(P < 0.05) expression of SLC5 A10, MUC2, and CLDN1 on d 11 PI in jejunal mucosa when pigs were fed with the control diet. Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis linearly up-regulated(P < 0.05) the m RNA expression of CFTR and ZO1 on d 5 PI and SLC5 A10 and MUC2 on d 11 PI in jejunal mucosa of E. coli infected pigs. In addition, E. coli infection increased(P < 0.05) the m RNA expression of several immune genes(IL1 A, IL1 B, and IL7 on d 5 PI, and IL1 B, IL6, IL7, and TNF on d 11 PI) in the ileal mucosa of weaned pigs. Inclusion of Bacillus subtilis to control diet linearly down-regulated gene expression of IL1 A on d 5 PI(P = 0.07) and IL6 on d 11 PI(P < 0.05) in ileal mucosa of E. coli infected pigs.Conclusions: Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis(DSM 25841) enhanced growth rate and improved gut barrier function of weaned pigs experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli.

Efficacy and dose response of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND Probiotics have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D);however,the certainty of evidence is low.Wellpowered randomized controlled dose-ranging trials are warranted on promising single-strain candidates.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum(L.plantarum)Lpla33(DSM34428)in adults with IBS-D.METHODS This is a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multi-center,and doseranging study.Three hundred and seven adults,18-70 years of age,with IBS-D,according to Rome IV criteria,were allocated(1:1:1)to receive placebo or L.plantarum Lpla33 at 1×10^(9)(1B)or 1×10^(10)(10B)colony-forming units/d over an 8-wk intervention period.The primary outcome was the change in IBS severity scoring system(IBS-SSS)total score after 8 wk,while secondary and exploratory outcomes included abdominal pain severity,IBS related quality of life,stool and microbial profile,and perceived stress.RESULTS IBS-SSS was significantly reduced,after 8 wk,in participants receiving L.plantarum 1B(-128.45±83.30;P<0.001)and L.plantarum 10B(-156.77±99.06;P<0.001),compared to placebo(-58.82±74.75).Further,a dose-ranging effect was observed,with a greater absolute reduction in the L.plantarum 10B group(P<0.05).A reduction in sub-scores related to abdominal pain,abdominal distension,bowel habits,and quality of life was observed in both L.plantarum groups compared to placebo(P<0.001).Further,62.5%and 88.4%of participants administered L.plantarum 1B and 10B,respectively,were classified as stool consistency responders based on a reduction in diarrheal stool form,as compared to 26.3%in the placebo group(P<0.001).In contrast,no significant shifts were observed in microbial diversity.CONCLUSION L.plantarum Lpla33(DSM34428)is well tolerated and improves IBS symptom severity with a dose-ranging effect and a corresponding normalization of bowel habits in adults with IBS-D.

求职,你的心理“毕业”了吗?

面对机会,患得患失,犹豫不决;面对未知,退退缩缩,止步不前;面对挫折,盲目否定,消沉冷对;面对压力,茫然失措,激情顿失。对于现在,是否求真务实、踏实奋进?对于过去,是否勇敢剖析、洒脱挥别?对于将来,是否理性分析、长远规划?

水文模型演变:从洪水预报到水文气象预测(英文)

本文系作者于2009年10月24—25日在北京师范大学召开的"国际水文模型"应邀所作报告的详细摘要.该文详细讨论了短期水文预报系统的三要素,即模型选择、模型率定和参数估计及数据需求.

Liver transplantation for acute hepatic failure due to chemotherapy-induced HBV reactivation in lymphoma patients

Hepatitis B （HBV） reactivation induced by chemotherapy is problem encountered recently in the management of malignant diseases. Chemotherapy-induced HBV reacti- vation may ultimately lead to terminal acute liver failure. Liver transplantation （LT） currently remains the only definitive treatment option for such cases, but is generally denied to patients suffering from malignancy. Here, the authors describe 2 cases of cancer-free and HBV graft renfection-free survival after LT performed for terminal liver failure arising from HBV reactivation induced by chemotherapy for advanced stage lymphoma. These 2 cases, and some other reports in the literature, may suggest that patients suffering from hematologic malignan- cies and terminal liver disease can be considered for LT if the prognosis of their hematologic malignancy is good.

The Value of Using Unofficial Measurements of Rainfall: The Dublin Storm and Flood of June 1963

Rainfall measurements are vital for the design of hydraulic structures, climate change studies, irrigation and land drainage works. The most important source of design rainfall data comes from convective storms. Accurate assessment of the storm rainfall requires a fairly dense network of raingauges. In 1963, such a storm took place over Dublin in Ireland. However, the existing raingauge network was insufficient to identify both the depth and pattern of rainfall. An appeal was made by Met Eireann for additional unofficial rainfall data. The result was remarkable in that the estimated maximum rainfall depth was found to be more than double the official value and that the resulting depth area analysis suggested a rainfall volume over a large area much bigger than the original isohyet map indicated. This result has huge implications for the estimation of maximum rainfall and dam safety assessment, especially in countries where the raingauge network has a low density. This paper first provides a description of the synoptic conditions that led to the storm, second an analysis of the rainfall data and how the unofficial measurements produced a very different depth area relationship;third, the social consequences of the resulting flood are described. Fourth, the storm is then placed in the context of other storms in the British Isles Finally the implications for rainfall measurement, gauge density and an example of how revised estimates of probable maximum precipitation (PMP) have been used to improve the safety and design standard of a flood detention dam are discussed.

Bacillus sp. probiotic supplementation diminish the Escherichia coli F4ac infection in susceptible weaned pigs by influencing the intestinal immune response, intestinal microbiota and blood metabolomics

Background:Probiosis is considered a potential strategy to reduce antibiotics use and prevent postweaning diarrhea(PWD).This study investigated the effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM25840 or Bacillus subtilis DSM25841 supplementation on growth,health,immunity,intestinal functionality and microbial profile of post-weaning pigs after enterotoxigenic E.coli(ETEC)F4 challenge.Methods:Sixty-four post-weaning piglets(7748 g±643 g)were randomly al ocated to four groups:control basal diet(CO);CO+1.28×10~6 CFU/g of B.amyloliquefaciens(BAA);CO+1.28×10~6 CFU/g feed of B.subtilis(BAS);CO+1 g colistin/kg of feed(AB).At day(d)7,animals were chal enged with 10~5 CFU/m L of ETEC F4 ac O149 and then fol owed for fecal score and performance until d 21.Blood was col ected at d 6,d 12 and d 21 for immunoglobulins,at d 8 for acute phase proteins,at d 8 and d 21 for metabolomics analysis.Jejunum was sampled for morphometry,quantification of apoptosis,cel proliferation,neutral and acid mucine and Ig A secretory cel s,and microarray analysis at d 21.Jejunum and cecum contents were col ected for microbiota at d 21.Results:AB and BAS reduced the fecal score impairment compared to CO(P<0.05)at d 14.Body weight(BW),average daily weight gain(ADWG),average daily feed intake(ADFI)and gain to feed ratio(G:F)did not differ between Bacil us groups and CO.AB improved BW at d 7,d 14 and d 21,ADWG ADFI and G:F from d 0 to d 7(P<0.05).At d 8,CO had higher plasma arginine,lysine,ornithine,glycine,serine and threonine than other groups,and higher haptoglobin than AB(P<0.05).At d 21,CO had lower blood glycine,glutamine and Ig A than BAS.Morphology,cel s apoptosis and mucins did not differ.BAS and AB increased the vil us mitotic index.Transcriptome profile of BAS and AB were more similar than CO.Gene sets related to adaptive immune response were enriched in BAA,BAS and AB.CO had enriched gene set for nuclear structure and RNA processing.CO had a trend of higher Enterobacteriaceae in cecum than the other groups(P=0.06).Conclusion:Bacil us subtilis DSM25841 treatment may reduce ETEC F4ac infection in weaned piglets,decreasing diarrhea and influencing mucosal transcriptomic profile.

Epidemiology and antibiotic resistance of bacterial meningitis in Dapaong,northern Togo

Objective:To assess the seasonality of the bacterial meningitis and the antibiotic resistance of incriminated bacteria over the last three years in the northern Togo.Methods:From January 2007 to January 2010,533 cerebrospinal fluids(CSF) samples were collected from patients suspected of meningitis in the Regional Hospital of Dapaong(northern Togo).After microscopic examination,samples were cultured for bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility. Results:The study included 533 patients(306 male and 227 female) aged from 1 day to 55 years [average age(13.00±2.07) years].Bacterial isolation and identification were attempted for 254/533 (47.65%) samples.The bacteria]species identified were:Neisseria meningitidis A(N.meningitidis A)(58.27%),Neisseria meningitidis W135(N,meningitidis W135)(7.09%),Streptococcus pneumoniae(S.pneumoniae)(26.77%),Haemophilus influenza B(H.influenza B)(6.30%) and Enterobacteriaceae(1.57%).The results indicated that bacterial meningitis occur from November to May with a peak in February for H.influenzae and S.pneumoniae and March for Neisseriaceae. The distribution of positive CSF with regards to the age showed that subjects between 6 and 12 years followed by subjects of 0 to 5 years were most affected with respective frequencies of 67.82%and 56.52%(P【0.001).Susceptibility tests revealed that bacteria have developed resistance to several antibiotics including aminosides(resistance rate】20%for both bacterial strains),macrolides(resistance rate】30%for H.influenzae) quinolones(resistance rate】15% for H.influenzae and N.meningitidis W135).Over three years,the prevalence of S.pneumoniae significantly increased from 8.48%to 73.33%(P【0.001),while the changes in the prevalence of H.influenzae B were not statistically significant:4.24%,vs.8.89%,(P= 0.233).Conclusions: Our results indicate that data in African countries differ depending on geographical location in relation to the African meningitis belt.This underlines the importance of epidemiological surveillance of bacterial meningitis.

乳酸菌在肉制品中的生物防腐作用

肉制品是人们喜爱的食物,并具备丰富的营养。它不但能补充人体所需,促进人体健康,亦是各种自然细菌滋长的良好基质,能提供理想的细菌繁殖和生长条件,导致产品易腐败,甚至使人生病。所以,肉制品的质量在很大程度上受细菌群落的种类影响;至于肉制品中细菌群落的种类,则取决于原料肉的质量、加工过程中原料肉的处理方法,以及运输和贮存时的温度。 在中国,目前经加工处理后出售的肉制品,只占肉类总产量的5～10％。

关注仔猪早期的生产性能对成功至关重要

母猪舍梦寐以求的目标是在不影响仔猪存活力的情况下最大限度地提高母猪的繁殖性能.养猪行业正在朝这个方向迈进,在过去的10年里,丹麦的高产母猪品种的窝产仔数增加到了18头左右。

Treatment of Precancerous Lesions of the Cervix of the Uterus by Leep: Experience of the Principal Clinic of the Togolese Association of Family Well-Being Planning Center (ATBEF)

Objectives: Describe the socio-demographic characteristics, describe the main indications for LEEP and present the main complications. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive study with consecutive recruitment of the study population through cervical cancer screening campaigns throughout the country during the period July 1, 2017 to April 30, 2019. Included were all patients eligible for LEEP and having benefited from this therapeutic method during our study period. Data were collected from a registry and recorded on a questionnaire developed for this study. These data were analyzed using Epi info 3.5.1 software. The following parameters were studied: patient age, indication for LEEP, intraoperative and postoperative complications, histological examination of the specimens, and postoperative surveillance and screening follow-up one year after LEEP. Results: During the study period, 12,595 women were screened for precancerous cervical lesions. A total of 474 women had precancerous lesions. Of these women, 227 had undergone loop resection, a rate of 47.9%. The main indications for LEEP were extensive lesions (68.7%), lesions penetrating the internal cervical os (12.8%). Incidents occurred in 7.5% of patients during the procedure. Post-operative complications occurred in 14.7% of cases. Conclusion: LEEP is a better way to treat precancerous lesions but is not well known by medical staff. The equipment of health facilities and the training of medical staff will make it possible to popularize the practice throughout the country. This extension will contribute to the fight against cervical cancer.

Cervico-Isthmic Pregnancy on Cesarean Scar Successful Treated with Methotrexate, Mifepristone and Misoprostol: A Case Report

Introduction: Cervico-isthmic pregnancy is rare, and serious because of its hemorrhagic complication. Its management varies according to the teams. Observation: We report a case of cervico-isthmic pregnancy on a cesarean scar. This is a 35-year-old, G2P2, who consulted for bleeding from the 1st trimester of pregnancy. The clinical examination found a minimal uterine bleeding. The diagnosis was made by a vaginal ultrasound which found a cervico-isthmic implantation of the pregnancy on the caesarean scar. A protocol of Mifepristone and Misoprostol followed by administration of a single dose of 1 mg/kg of Methotrexate was performed. Cure was obtained 1 month after treatment by negativation of plasma HCG. No bleeding complications were noted. A follow-up ultrasound performed 2 months later showed a uterine vacuity and the presence of an isthmocoele. It was in fact a pregnancy that had implanted in the isthmocoele. Conclusion: Cervico-isthmic pregnancy is rare. His treatment is not codified. Drug management was successful.

Saving Lives: Timely Flash Flood Warnings in the UK

Flash floods are a major cause of death and destruction to property on a worldwide scale. In the UK sudden flooding has been the cause of the loss of over 60 lives during the last century. Forecasting these events to give enough warning is a major concern: after the 2004 flood at Boscastle, Cornwall UK the Environment Agency (2004) stated that it was not possible to provide a warning in such a fast reacting and small catchment. This is untrue since the Agency had already implemented a real time non-linear flow model as part of a flood warning system on the upper Brue in Somerset UK. This model is described in this paper as it has been applied to the Lynmouth flood of 1952, and briefly for the Boscastle catchment, both of which have an area of about 20 km2. The model uses locally measured SMD and saturated hydraulic conductivity data. With the addition of further parameters the model has been successfully used nationwide.

Rare Case of Abortion Complication: Bilateral Abscess of the Shoulders

Septic abortions usually result from intrauterine maneuvers using non-sterile instruments or materials;they are much more common when abortion is illegal. We report the clinical case of a 28-year-old patient following a complicated abortion of endometritis and bilateral abscess of the shoulders, requiring surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy. The bacterium identified was Escherichia coli, sensitive to ceftriaxone.

Causes of Big Bushfires in Australia: Higher Temperatures and Rainfall or More Fuel?

The 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia caused the loss of 34 lives and an estimated 100 bn AU$ damage. This has sharpened the apparent division between Australians who believe that the increasing number of bushfires is due to climate change, and those who suggest that fuel loads must be managed more carefully. Bushfires whose area equals or exceeds 1 mHa have been analysed in this paper. The results show that the number, duration, and size have increased over the period 1850-2020, but that since 1953, there has been a downward trend in the number of big bushfires. There is a range of temperatures of about 20°C that are associated with the fires, with a modal temperature of 30°C - 32.5°C. Using an analysis of the maximum temperatures for the period 1970-2020 as a standard for comparison with bushfires for the period 1850-2020, shows that during bushfire events the standardised temperatures have a downward trend. This is most clearly shown by the application of the Fisher Exact Test. This suggests that the fuel load in forests is a key factor for bushfires. The role of pre-bushfire rainfall shows a rapid rise in the area burnt when the rainfall exceeds 150 mm month-1 which would lead to more plant growth and hence fuel load. The role of traditional burning over the whole of Australia is described based on documentary evidence. A tentative cost benefit analysis has shown that a comprehensive program of wildfire management is cost effective. The recommendations of previous research, National Inquiries and more recent management practices, have all failed to prevent the 2019-20 fire disaster in Australia.

Downward Trend in the Frequency of Destructive Hailstorms and Maximum Hailstone Size in England and Wales

By their definition, destructive hailstorms cause a great deal of damage to property and have been known to be fatal to humans. At present the long term changes in the frequency of these storms are unknown. Records of destructive hailstorms from many different sources in England and Wales go back for several centuries. Recently discovered records of over 30 destructive hailstorms have allowed a better description of hailstorm history since 1780. The data were grouped into 30, 40, and 50 year non-overlapping time periods in relation to time. Increases in their frequency in the 17th and 18th centuries were probably due to an increase in population and better recording. Since 1900 the frequency has significantly declined so that in the present 50 year time period only 22 have been recorded as compared with an average of 49 in both halves of the 19th century. The decline in frequency may be partly due to the big increase in particulate matter from aviation, which leads to a much higher concentration of ice and cloud condensation nuclei, resulting in fewer destructive hailstorms.

A 249-Year Record of Floods at Appleby in Westmorland, UK

An analysis of nearly 250 years of flood records on the river Eden at Appleby-in-Westmorland has enabled a flood frequency relationship to be established. The most severe floods were in the late 18th and early 19th century. With such a long history of flooding, some remedial measures would have been expected but the local people have, to some extent, adapted to the flood hazard by means of temporary and permanent flood proofing methods such as a cemented board across a doorway and removable flood boards. These measures were overwhelmed during the 2015 flood, as were the flood gates installed by the Environment Agency in 1998. A higher level of protection from floods at Appleby is called for.