Epidemiological, Clinical, Bacteriological Profile of Urinary Tract Infection in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes

Introduction: Urinary tract infection is one of the most frequent public health problems in the world and concerns all ages. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and biological profile of urinary tract infection in the internal medicine unit of the Fousseyni Daou hospital in Kayes. Methodology: It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection which took place from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. It covered all outpatients and hospitalized patients presenting with a urinary tract infection during the study period. Results: We identified 79 cases of urinary tract infection out of 145 requests for ECBU, that is a positivity rate of 53.10% and out of a total of 1883 admissions that is a hospital prevalence of 4.19%. The age groups of 36 to 45 years and 46 to 55 years were more represented in 28 cases (35.44%) and 25 cases (31.64%) with an average age of 45 years ± 10. The female sex was predominant, 42 cases (53.16%) with a sex ratio of 0.88. Housewives were more represented 28 cases (34.44%). The majority of patients resided in rural areas 49 cases (62.03%). The history was dominated by the following pathologies: hypertension 48.10%, diabetes 36.70% and gastropathy 30.37%. The main clinical manifestations were: Urinary burning 67 cases (84.81%), Dysuria 65 cases (82.27%), Pelvic pain 59 cases (74.68%), Fever 57 cases (72.15%). The epidemiological profile of the isolated strains was dominated by enterobacteriaceae, followed by gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. The main bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections in order of frequency: Escherichia coli (45.56%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.39%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.86%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.59%), Streptococcus sp (6.33%), Enterobacter cloacae (3.79%), Acinetobacter sp (3.79%). The study of the susceptibility and resistance profiles of the isolated strains showed significant sensitivity of enterobacteriaceae to colistin and resistance to amoxicillin and to the amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination. Conclusion: Urinary tract infections are a major public health problem since they are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and a high cost of care. Knowledge of the epidemiological-clinical and bacteriological profile of these infections is essential for efficient management.

Etiological and Evolutionary Profile of Anemia in Patients Hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common public health problems in the world and affects all ages. Objective: To describe the etiological and evolutionary profile of anemia in patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. Methodology: It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection which took place from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. It covered all anemic patients hospitalized during the study period. Results: We identified 91 cases of anemia out of 200 patients admitted to the Unit that is a hospital prevalence of 45.5%. The age group of 26 to 35 years was the most represented, that is to say 29 cases (31.87%) with an average age of 43.55 years ± 17.48 years, the female sex predominated, 51 cases (56.04%) with a sex ratio of 0.78. Housewives represented 41 cases (45.05%). The majority of patients resided in rural areas 48 cases (52.75%). The main manifestations were: asthenia 75 cases (78.02%), vertigo 68 cases (74.72%), dyspnea 62 cases (68.13%), headaches 59 cases (64.83%), palpitations 55 cases (60.44%), conjunctival pallor 53 cases (58.24%), tachycardia 43 cases (47.25%), systolic murmur 18 cases (19.78%) and IMO 11 cases (12.09%). The associated pathologies were: infected diabetic wounds 25.27%, followed by bacterial pleuro-pneumopathy 18.68%. Biologically, microcytic anemia was the most frequent 49 cases (53.84%), followed by normocytic anemia 35 cases (38.46%) and macrocytic anemia 7 cases (7.7%). Anemia was hypochromic, 53 cases (58.24%) were more encountered compared to normochromic anemia 38 cases (41.76%). The anemia was: severe in 43 cases (47.25%), moderate 29 cases (31.87%) and mild 19 cases (20.88%). Inflammatory anemia is the most common etiological diagnosis in 60% of cases, followed by vitamin B12 deficiency anemia observed in 21% of patients and then blood diseases in 7.33% of cases. The main causes of death were HIV (50%) and kidney failure (33.33%). Conclusion: Anemia is a frequent symptom in internal medicine. It constitutes a real diagnostic challenge for the internist and this sometimes in an emergency context. The use of specialized examinations and labile blood products is essential in our hospital.

Prospect Analysis of the United States' Crude Oil Exports to the Asia-Pacific Region

At the end of 2015, the United States lifted a 40-year ban on crude oil exports, which has far-reaching implications for the global crude oil market and crude oil trade patterns. Since the release of crude oil exports, with the recovery of crude oil production and improved export infrastructure in the United States, U.S. crude oil exports have been growing rapidly, with an average of about one million barrels/day in 2017, making the U.S one of the major global crude oil exporters. Currently, the AsiaPacific region has replaced North America as the first major destination for U.S. crude oil exports. In light of future trends in the oil refining industry of the Asia-Pacific region, it will usher in a new wave of refinery operations around 2020 and crude oil imports will continue to grow rapidly. The American region, represented by the United States, will replace West Africa as the second largest source of crude oil imports to the Asia-Pacific region, and that energy trade cooperation between the Asia-Pacific region and the United States will continue to grow. In particular, for China, the United States will become an important source of crude oil imports for our country in the future, and the two countries will shift from the past of energy competition to energy cooperation. Sino-US energy trade will play a more active role in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Opportunities and Challenges in Energy Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Since the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative nearly eight years ago,important progress has been made in economic and energy trade cooperation.In terms of the energy industry,the Belt and Road Initiative is also an road to energy,and countries along the Belt and Road are important partners for China in crude oil and oil products trade.1 In 2020,as the global oil demand fell to an unprecedented low and the energy industry suffered a major setback due to the impact of COVID-19,China’s energy trade with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative bucked the trend.2In the medium and long run,energy cooperation between China and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative enjoys broad prospects in the context of China’s goals of achieving carbon neutrality and peaking carbon dioxide emissions and vigorous promotion of energy transition.

Reasons and effects of the decline of willing related potential living kidney donors

BACKGROUND Although the availability of related living donors(LDs)provides a better chance for receiving kidney transplantation(KT),the evaluation protocols for LD selection remain a safeguard for the LD’s safety.These protocols are variable from one center to another,resulting in variable rates of decline of the potential LDs(PLDs).The decline of willing PLDs may occur at any stage of evaluation,starting from the initial contact and counseling to the day of operation.AIM To identify the causes of the decline of PLDs,the predictors of PLD candidacy,and the effect on achieving LDKT.METHODS A retrospective study was performed on the willing PLDs who attended our outpatient clinic for kidney donation to their related potential recipients between October 2015 and December 2022.The variables influencing their candidacy rate and the fate of their potential recipients were studied.Two groups of PLDs were compared:Candidate PLDs after a completed evaluation vs non-candidate PLDs with a complete or incomplete evaluation.A multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the factors contributing to the achievement of PLD candidacy.RESULTS Of 321 willing PLDs,257 PLDs(80.1%)accessed the evaluation to variable extents for 212 potential recipients,with a mean age(range)of 40.5±10.4(18-65)years,including 169 females(65.8%).The remaining 64 PLDs(19.9%)did not access the evaluation.Only 58 PLDs(18.1%)succeeded in donating,but 199 PDLs(62.0%)were declined;exclusion occurred in 144 PLDs(56.0%)for immunological causes(37.5%),medical causes(54.9%),combined causes(9.7%),and financial causes(2.1%).Regression and release occurred in 55 PLDs(17.1%).The potential recipients with candidate PLDs were not significantly different from those with non-candidate PLDs,except in age(P=0.041),rates of completed evaluation,and exclusion of PLDs(P<0.001).There were no factors that independently influenced the rate of PLD candidacy.Most patients who failed to have KT after the decline of their PLDs remained on hemodialysis for 6 mo to 6 years.CONCLUSION The rate of decline of willing related PLDs was high due to medical or immunological contraindications,release,or regression of PLDs.It reduced the chances of high percentages of potential recipients in LDKT.

Collaborative Analysis of the Development of China's CCUS Industry and Carbon Market

With the global attention to climate ch ange and the national carbon neutrality,CCUS has received increasing attention as the key to achieve the carbon neutrality target.However,Due to poor economics,CCUS is difficult to commercialize in large scale.The carbon market is a relatively economical means to achieve emission reduction goals.Currently the carbon market is an important platform to achieve emission reduction goals and reduce the overall cost of social emission reduction.In the future,the development and growth of CCUS in China still need the assistance of the carbon market in mechanisms,methodologies,and standard processes.

Classifying Cardiac Anomalies in Right and Left Isomerism:Concordant and Discordant Patterns

Aims:Evidence is emerging that,in the setting of isomerism,the atrial and bronchial arrangement are not always concordant,nor are these patterns always harmonious with the arrangement of the abdominal organs.We aimed to evaluate the concordance between these features in a cohort of patients with cardiac malformations in the setting of known isomerism,seeking to determine whether it was feasible to assess complexity on this basis,in this regard taking note of the potential value of bronchial as opposed to appendage morphology.Methods and Results:We studied 78 patients known to have isomerism of the bronchuses,43 with right and 35 with left isomerism.Appendage anatomy could be determined in 49 cases(63%),all but one of these being concordant with bronchial anatomy.When assessing abdominal features,in only 59 cases(76%)was splenic morphology in keeping with the thoracic findings.As expected,right isomerism was associated with greater complexity of cardiac malformations,with an odds ratio of 6.53,with confidence intervals from 2.2–19.3(p<0.001).The odds were slightly decreased with thoraco-abdominal disharmony,when lesions shown to carry higher risk were then found in the setting of left isomerism.Conclusion:Harmony is excellent between bronchial and appendage isomerism,but less so with the arrangement of the abdominal organs.Right isomerism in our cohort,was indicative of a sixfold increase in intracardiac complexity.When discordance was found between the systems,however,the cardiac anomalies were less typical of the anticipated findings for right vs.left isomerism of the appendages.

Insulin Sensitivity of Term Newborns Exposed in Utero to HIV and Antiretrovirals in Yaoundé

Introduction: Antiretrovirals (ARVs) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are implicated in the onset of insulin resistance. They cross the placental barrier thereby inducing early modifications of the fetal environment. The aim of our study was to assess insulin sensitivity in full-term newborns exposed in utero to HIV and ARVs in Yaoundé. Materials and Methods: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in 2 maternities in the city of Yaoundé from November 2021 to June 2022. We generated two groups of newborns (NBs): one group born to HIV positive mothers on ARVs and the other control group born to HIV negative mothers. Clinical data from mothers and NBs were collected. A homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) like index with C peptide served to assess insulin sensitivity. We used the Spearman correlation to measure the strength of association between insulin sensitivity and the different variables. A p-value Results: Of 70 neonates included, 35 were born to HIV positive mothers on ARVs and 35 to HIV negative mothers. The median age of HIV positive and negative mothers was 30 (27 - 32) and 34 (24 - 47) years, respectively (p = 0.791). The body mass index before pregnancy as well as the average newborn weights were comparable in both groups. The ARV protocol associating Tenofovir, Lamivudine, Efavirenz was used by 97.1% of HIV positive mothers. In the exposed NBs group, C peptide was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and blood glucose significantly higher (p < 0.001). The median values of HOMA-IR were 1.4 (0.8 - 1.9) and 2 (1.4 - 2.6) (p = 0.001) for exposed and unexposed NBs, respectively. Conclusion: Newborns exposed to HIV and ARVs had lower C peptide levels and were more sensitive to insulin. Close metabolic monitoring of these newborns would allow early diagnosis and management of any glucose regulation disorder.

Prevalence and Correlates of Macrovascular Complications at Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis in a Tertiary Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Introduction: The presence of vascular complications at type 2 diabetes (T2D) diagnosis is a heavy burden for developing countries. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of macrovascular complications at T2D diagnosis in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Essos Hospital Center in Yaoundé from January 2017 to June 2021. We recruited patients newly diagnosed with T2D who, simultaneously, with assessed macrovascular complications including stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and arterial foot ulcer (AFU). Correlates were investigated using Chi square test and logistic regressions. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: In all, 286 newly diagnosed diabetic patients (51.7% being men) were included. The mean age was 52.6 ± 12.3 years. Prevalent cardiovascular risk factors at diabetes diagnosis were a dyslipidemia (63.6%), sedentary lifestyle (57.7%) and family history of type 2 diabetes (51.6%). The prevalence of macrovascular complications was 17.5% with 8.4% stroke, 5.6% myocardial infarction and 3.4% arterial foot ulcer. Hypertension was associated with all macrovascular complications (p Conclusion: Macrovascular complications are frequent at type 2 diabetes diagnosis and are represented by stroke and myocardial infarction in our study, highlighting the importance of cardiovascular risk evaluation and reduction in people with diabetes right from diagnosis.

Update on inflammatory bowel disease in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC) complicated by inflammatory bowel disease(IBD) represent a distinct subset of patients with unique characteristics,which have serious clinical implications.The aim of this literature review was to shed light to the obscure clinical and molecular aspects of the two diseases combined utilizing current data available and putting issues of diagnosis and treatment into perspective.The prevalence of IBD,mainly ulcerative colitis in PSC patients is estimated to be 21%-80%,dependent on screening programs and nationality.PSC-associated colitis is likely to be extensive,characterized by rectal sparing,backwash ileitis,and generally mild symptoms.It is also more likely to progress to colorectal malignancy,making it imperative for clinicians to maintain a high level of suspicion when tackling PSC patients.There is no optimal surveillance strategy but current guidelines advocate that colonoscopy is necessary at the time of PSC diagnosis with annual endoscopic follow-up.Random biopsies have been criticized and a shift towards targeted biopsies using chromoendoscopy,laser endomicroscopy and narrow-band imaging has been noted.Techniques directed towards genetic mutations instead of histological abnormalities hold promise for easier,more accurate diagnosis of dysplastic lesions.Chemopreventive measures against colorectal cancer have been sought in these patients.Ursodeoxycholic acid seemed promising at first but subsequent studies yielded conflicting results showing anticarcinogenic effects in low doses(8-15 mg/kg per day) and carcinogenic properties in high doses(15-30 mg/kg per day).

Development and validation of a risk score for advanced colorectal adenoma recurrence after endoscopic resection

AIM: To develop and validate a risk score for advanced colorectal adenoma(ACA) recurrence after endoscopic polypectomy.METHODS: Out of 3360 patients who underwent colon polypectomy at University of Foggia between 2004 and 2008, data of 843 patients with 1155 ACAs was retrospectively reviewed. Surveillance intervals were scheduled by guidelines at 3 years and primary endpoint was considered 3-year ACA recurrence. Baseline clinical parameters and the main features of ACAs were entered into a Cox regression analysis and variables with P < 0.05 in the univariate analysis were then tested as candidate variables into a stepwise Cox regression model(conditional backward selection). The regression coefficients of the Cox regression model were multiplied by 2 and rounded in order to obtain easy to use point numbers facilitating the calculation of the score. To avoid overoptimistic results due to model fitting and evaluation in the same dataset, we performed an internal 10-fold cross-validation by means of bootstrap sampling. RESULTS: Median lesion size was 16 mm(12-23) while median number of adenomas was 2.5(1-3), whereof the number of ACAs was 1.5(1-2). At 3 years after polypectomy, recurrence was observed in 229 ACAs(19.8%), of which 157(13.5%) were metachronous neoplasms and 72(6.2%) local recurrences. Multivariate analysis, after exclusion of the variable "type of resection" due to its collinearity with other predictive factors, confirmed lesion size, number of ACAs and grade of dysplasia as significantly associated to the primary outcome. The score was then built by multiplying the regression coefficients times 2 and the cut-off point 5 was selected by means of a Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis. In particular, 248 patients with 365 ACAs fell in the higher-risk group(score ≥ 5) where 3-year recurrence was detected in 174 ACAs(47.6%) whereas the remaining 595 patients with 690 ACAs were included in the low-risk group(score < 5) where 3-year recurrence rate was 7.9%(55/690 ACAs). Area under the curve of the model was 0.81(0.72-0.86) with an overall classification error rate of 0.09. The model was finally validated by means of 10-fold cross validation.CONCLUSION: Our study provides support for the use of a novel risk score as a clinical predictor of ACA recurrence after colon polypectomy.

Exploring the metabolic syndrome: Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease

After the first description of fatty pancreas in 1933,the effects of pancreatic steatosis have been poorly investigated,compared with that of the liver. However,the interest of research is increasing. Fat accumulation,associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome(Met S),has been defined as "fatty infiltration" or "nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease"(NAFPD). The term "fatty replacement" describes a distinct phenomenon characterized by death of acinar cells and replacement by adipose tissue. Risk factors for developing NAFPD include obesity,increasing age,male sex,hypertension,dyslipidemia,alcohol and hyperferritinemia. Increasing evidence support the role of pancreatic fat in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus,Met S,atherosclerosis,severe acute pancreatitis and even pancreatic cancer. Evidence exists that fatty pancreas could be used as the initial indicator of "ectopic fat deposition",which is a key element of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and/or Met S. Moreover,in patients with fatty pancreas,pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with an increased risk of intraoperative blood loss and post-operative pancreatic fistula.

Local ablative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma:An updated review

Ablative treatments currently represent the first-line option for the treatment of early stage unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Furthermore, they are effective as bridging/downstaging therapies before orthotopic liver transplantation. Contraindications based on size, number, and location of nodules are quite variable in literature and strictly dependent on local expertise. Among ablative therapies, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has gained a pivotal role due to its efficacy, with a reported 5-year survival rate of 40%-70%, and safety. Although survival outcomes are similar to percutaneous ethanol injection, the lower local recurrence rate stands for a wider application of RFA in hepato-oncology. Moreover, RFA seems to be even more cost-effective than liver resection for very early HCC (single nodule &le; 2 cm) and in the presence of two or three nodules &le; 3 cm. There is increasing evidence that combining RFA to transarterial chemoembolization may increase the therapeutic benefit in larger HCCs without increasing the major complication rate, but more robust prospective data is still needed to validate these pivotal findings. Among other thermal treatments, microwave ablation (MWA) uses high frequency electromagnetic energy to induce tissue death via coagulation necrosis. In comparison to RFA, MWA has several theoretical advantages such as a broader zone of active heating, higher temperatures within the targeted area in a shorter treatment time and the lack of heat-sink effect. The safety concerns raised on the risks of this procedure, due to the broader and less predictable necrosis areas, have been recently overcome. However, whether MWA ability to generate a larger ablation zone will translate into a survival gain remains unknown. Other treatments, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation, laser ablation, and cryoablation, are less investigated but showed promising results in early HCC patients and could be a valuable therapeutic option in the next future.

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio predicts survival after radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastases

AIM: To test the correlation between lymphocyte-tomonocyte ratio(LMR) and survival after radiofrequency ablation(RFA) for colorectal liver metastasis(CLMs). METHODS: From July 2003 to Feb 2012, 127 consecutive patients with 193 histologically-proven unresectable CLMs were treated with percutaneous RFA at the University of Foggia. All patients had undergone primary colorectal tumor resection before RFA and received systemic chemotherapy. LMR was calculated by dividing lymphocyte count by monocyte count assessed at baseline. Treatment-related toxicity was defined as any adverse events occurred within 4 wk after the procedure. Overall survival(OS) and time to recurrence(TTR) were estimated from the date of RFA by Kaplan-Meier with plots and median(95%CI). The inferential analysis for time to event data was conducted using the Cox univariate and multivariate regression model to estimate hazard ratios(HR) and 95%CI. Statistically significant variables from the univariate Cox analysis were considered for the multivariate models.RESULTS: Median age was 66 years(range 38-88) and patients were prevalently male(69.2%). Median LMR was 4.38%(0.79-88) whereas median number of nodules was 2(1-3) with a median maximum diameter of 27 mm(10-45). Median OS was 38 mo(34-53) and survival rate(SR) was 89.4%, 40.4% and 33.3% at 1, 4 and 5 years respectively in the whole cohort. Running log-rank test analysis found 3.96% as the most significant prognostic cut-off point for LMR and stratifying the study population by this LMR value median OS resulted 55 mo(37-69) in patients with LMR > 3.96% and 34(26-39) mo in patients with LMR ≤ 3.96%(HR = 0.53, 0.34-0.85, P = 0.007). Nodule size and LMR were the only significant predictors for OS in multivariate analysis. Median TTR was 29 mo(22-35) with a recurrence-free survival(RFS) rate of 72.6%, 32.1% and 21.8% at 1, 4 and 5 years, respectively in the whole study group. Nodule size and LMR were confirmed as significant prognostic factors for TTR in multivariate Cox regression. TTR, when stratified by LMR, was 35 mo(28-57) in the group > 3.96% and 25 mo(18-30) in the group ≤ 3.96%(P = 0.02).CONCLUSION: Our study provides support for the use of LMR as a novel predictor of outcome for CLM patients.

Reaction behavior of oil sand in fluidized-bed pyrolysis

The reaction behavior of oil sand from Inner Mongolia（China） were studied in a fluidizedbed pyrolysis process,and a comparative study was conducted on the properties of the liquid products obtained through fluidized-bed pyrolysis of oil sand and the native bitumen obtained by solvent extraction.The results indicated that the fluidized-bed pyrolysis,a feasible carbon rejection process,can be used to upgrade oil sand.The reaction temperature and time were found to be the key operating parameters affecting the product distribution and yields in fluidized-bed pyrolysis of oil sand.The optimal temperature was 490℃ and the most suitable reaction time was 5 min.Under these operation conditions,the maximum yield of liquid product was 80wt%.In addition,the pyrolysis kinetics of oil sand at different heating rates of 5,10,20 and 30℃/min was investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer（TGA）.

Heart and lung, a dangerous liaison-Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy and respiratory diseases: A systematic review

AIM: To investigate the possible association between Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy(TTC)-a reversible clini-cal condition mimicking an acute myocardial infarction characterized by multifactorial pathophysiologic mecha-nisms- and respiratory system diseases. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE medical information sources, to identify the different triggering causes, limiting our search to ar-ticles in English. The search keywords were: "tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy", "takotsubo", "takotsubo cardiomyopa-thy", "broken heart syndrome", "stress-induced cardio-myopathy", "apical ballooning syndrome", and "ampulla cardiomyopathy in combination with respiratory dis-eases, lung, pulmonary disease. For each kind of dis-ease, we registered: author, year and country of study, patient sex, age, concurring situation, and outcome. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1725 articles found, we se-lected 37 papers reporting a total of 38 patients. As ex-pected, most patients were women(81.6%), mean age was 65 ± 10 years. Outcome was favorable in 100% of cases, and all the patients have been discharged un-eventfully in a few days. CONCLUSION: An association between respiratory diseases and TTC is likely to exist. Patients with severe respiratory diseases, due to the high dosages of β2-agonists used or to the need of invasive procedures, are highly exposed to the risk of developing TTC.

Post-partum reactivation of chronic hepatitis B virus infection among hepatitis B e-antigen-negative women

AIM: To investigate the frequency and timing of post-partum chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) reactivation and identify its pre-partum predictors. METHODS: Forty-one hepatitis B e antigen(HBe Ag)-negative chronic HBV infected pregnant women were prospectively evaluated between the 28 th and the 32 nd week of gestation. Subjects were re-evaluated at 3-mo intervals during the first post-partum year and every 6 mo during the following years. HBV DNA was determined using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(Cobas Taq Man HBV Test) with a lower detection limit of 8 IU/m L. Post-partum reactivation(PPR) was defined as abnormal alanine aminotransaminase(ALT) levels and HBV DNA above 2000 IU/m L. RESULTS: Fourteen out of 41 women(34.1%) had prepartum HBV DNA levels > 2000 IU/m L, 18(43.9%) had levels < 2000 IU/m L and 9(21.9%) had undetectable levels. Fourteen women were lost to follow-up(failure to return). PPR occurred in 8 of the 27(29.6%) women evaluated, all within the first 6 mo after delivery(5 at month 3; 3 at month 6). Five of the 6(83.3%) women with pre-partum HBV DNA > 10000 IU/m L exhibited PPR compared with 3 of the 21(14.3%) women with HBV DNA < 10000 IU/m L(two with HBV DNA > 2000 and the third with HBV DNA of 1850IU/m L), P = 0.004. An HBV DNA level ≥ 10000 IU/m L independently predicted post-partum HBV infection reactivation(OR = 57.02, P = 0.033). Mean pre-partum ALT levels presented a non-significant increase in PPR cases(47.3 IU/L vs 22.2 IU/L, respectively, P = 0.094).CONCLUSION: In the present study, PPR occurred in approximately 30% of HBe Ag-negative pregnant women; all events were observed during the first semester after delivery. Pre-partum HBV DNA level > 10000 IU/m L predicted PPR.

Diabetic nephropathy in Africa:A systematic review

AIM:To determine the prevalence and incidence of diabetic nephropathy in Africa.METHODS:We performed a systematic narrative review of published literature following the MOOSE Guidelines for Meta-Analysis and Systematic Reviewsof Observational Studies.We searched Pub MedMEDLINE for all articles published in English and French languages between January 1994 and July 2014 using a predefined strategy based on the combination of relevant terms and the names of each of the 54 African countries and African sub-regions to capture the largest number of studies,and hand-searched the reference lists of retrieved articles.Included studies reported on the prevalence,incidence or determinants of chronic kidney disease(CKD) in people with diabetes within African countries.RESULTS:Overall,we included 32 studies from 16 countries;two being population-based studies and the remaining being clinic-based surveys.Most of the studies(90.6%) were conducted in urban settings.Methods for assessing and classifying CKD varied widely.Measurement of urine protein was the most common method of assessing kidney damage(62.5% of studies).The overall prevalence of CKD varied from 11% to 83.7%.Incident event rates were 94.9% for proteinuria at 10 years of follow-up,34.7% for endstage renal disease at 5 years of follow-up and 18.4% for mortality from nephropathy at 20 years of followup.Duration of diabetes,blood pressure,advancing age,obesity and glucose control were the common determinants of kidney disease.CONCLUSION:The burden of CKD is important among people with diabetes in Africa.High quality data from large population-based studies with validated measures of kidney function are still needed to better capture the magnitude and characteristics of diabetic nephropathy in Africa.

精神卫生立法需要着眼于未来(英文)

The forum article by Professor Xie [1] raises the broad issue of whether mental health legislation in China needs to respond to the existing realities of the community mental health services system.Given the lack of community mental health resources in China,the burden of caring for persons with mental illnesses has traditionally been borne by families and by psychiatric hospitals.As China introduces its first national mental health legislation the concern is