This work focused on determining the physico-chemical characteristics (pH, carbon and nitrogen) and trace metal elements (TMEs) content (As, Sb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn) of soils in the Brazzaville city. Soil samples w...This work focused on determining the physico-chemical characteristics (pH, carbon and nitrogen) and trace metal elements (TMEs) content (As, Sb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn) of soils in the Brazzaville city. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0 to 20 cm using a hand auger on both banks of five tributaries of the Congo River (Djoué, Mfilou, Mfoa, Tsiémé, Djiri) that flow through the city of Brazzaville. 90 sampling points were defined, with 3 points 250 m apart on the banks and located, for each river, at three sites: upstream, midstream and downstream. Finally, 15 composite samples representative of the study area were taken. The average pH values of the water varied between 6.5 and 7.5. These pH values show that the soils studied are neutral. Total carbon content varied between 0.7% (Djiri) and 1.6% (Djoué). Total nitrogen content ranged from 0.08% (Djiri) to 0.12% (Djoué). TMEs contents varied from 0.5 to 1.8 mg/kg for Sb, from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg for As, from 0.1 to 0.18 mg/kg for Cd, from 4.2 to 11.3 mg/kg for Cr, from 0.07 to 0.27 mg/kg for Hg, from 0.7 to 2.4 mg/kg for Ni, from 0 to 158 mg/kg for Pb and from 16 to 105 mg/kg for Zn. The lowest TMEs levels were observed in the soils of the Djiri river, while the highest levels were observed in the soils of the Djoué and Tsiémé rivers. The ANOVA and Bonferroni test did not show significant differences in the means of the parameters measured (p > 0.05). The TMEs levels were below the accepted standards (NF U44-041), with the exception of Pb, which had high levels downstream of the Djoué. According to the pollution index values calculated using soil TME content, the soils on the banks of the Djoué river are considered polluted, while those on the banks of the Tsiémé river are moderately polluted, those on the banks of the Mfoa and Mfilou rivers are slightly polluted, and the soils on the banks of Djiri river are unpolluted.展开更多
The conversion of forest land to other types of land cover is one of the major issues in the global fight against climate change. Understanding the direct and indirect factors of these conversions from local studies i...The conversion of forest land to other types of land cover is one of the major issues in the global fight against climate change. Understanding the direct and indirect factors of these conversions from local studies in the tropics is essential to project the future impact of human activities on the preservation of tropical forests in general and the forests of the Republic of Congo in particular. This study, conducted in five localities with different socioeconomic contexts in the Republic of Congo, aims to analyze the variability of drivers of deforestation and forest degradation linked to urbanization in the Congo Basin. Using a series of land cover maps from the years 1986, 2003 and 2019 for the cities of Ouesso, Pokola, Ngombe, Impfondo and Dongou, as well as field data and socio-economic information collected from local and central administrations, a unique model has been developed to understand the explanatory patterns of forest loss. Deforestation around urban centers is mainly due to urban agriculture due to population growth, as well as the spatial expansion of cities, which have a major impact on the stability and integrity of forests. Shifting agriculture is the main direct cause of deforestation and forest degradation, representing 48% of the total sample, followed by the collection of wood fuel (22%), the collection of construction wood (19%), illegal logging (6%) and urban expansion (5%). Forecasts indicate that forest loss around major cities will increase by 487, 20 ha to 5266, 73 ha by 2050 compared to the base year of 2019. This study highlights the need for a new system of land management and poverty alleviation of local populations to ensure the stability of the Congo Basin tropical forests around large and small African cities.展开更多
Groundwater,surface water and tap water contamination by PTEs(Potentially Toxic Elements)was assessed in Kipushi town and Lupoto locality of Kipushi administrative territory in the Upper-Katanga province,Democratic Re...Groundwater,surface water and tap water contamination by PTEs(Potentially Toxic Elements)was assessed in Kipushi town and Lupoto locality of Kipushi administrative territory in the Upper-Katanga province,Democratic Republic of Congo.A total of fifty four water samples including thirty two samples from drilled water wells,ten samples from spade-sunk water wells,six samples from supplied tap water,four samples from a mine effluent and two samples from a river were collected from both localities in November and December 2017 and in January,February and March 2018.Then the samples were analyzed for their PTE contents by ICP-SF-MS(Inductively Coupled Plasma-Sector Field Mass Spectrometry).Twenty PTEs including aluminum,arsenic,barium,bismuth,cadmium,cesium,chromium,cobalt,copper,iron,lead,manganese,molybdenum,nickel,strontium,thallium,tungsten,uranium,vanadium and zinc were detected at various concentrations in each one of the samples.Many samples had concentrations and mean concentrations of PTE,such as arsenic,aluminum,cadmium,iron,lead,manganese and zinc,higher than the respective acceptable limits set for drinking water by the EU(European Union),the USEPA(United States Environmental Protection Agency),and the WHO(World Health Organization)standards.Most PTEs being deleterious to human health even at very low concentrations,people who use the groundwater,surface water and tap water to meet their water needs in both localities are at risk.展开更多
Dye wastewater poses a significant threat to aquatic organisms due to its high toxicity.Reducing or eliminating the dye waste from the water is necessary for a healthy and sustainable aquaculture.This study investigat...Dye wastewater poses a significant threat to aquatic organisms due to its high toxicity.Reducing or eliminating the dye waste from the water is necessary for a healthy and sustainable aquaculture.This study investigated the adsorption properties of Congo red dye on Mytilus edulis shell powders prepared by calcination at 500℃,700℃,and 900℃.The modified shell powder products were analyzed by SEM(scanning eletron microscopy)and FTIR(fourier transform infrared spectroscopy)for the morphology and structural characterization.The effects of different calcination temperatures,reaction times,reaction temperatures,and initial concentration of Congo red on the adsorption properties were investigated.The adsorption kinetics and isothermal adsorption models were also established.The results revealed that the shell powder calcinated at 900℃showed the best adsorption capacity on Congo red from aqueous solution.The adsorption reaction reached equilibrium after 150 min and followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.At 25℃,96.2%of the Congo red in the solution could be removed,and the adsorption capacity could reach at least 1015 mg g^(–1).The adsorption isotherm is fit with the Freundlich model,indicating a multiphase adsorption process.These results are helpful for cleaning and treating printing and dyeing effluents as well as high-value utilization of shell waste resources.展开更多
Porous materials are excellent adsorbents for the removal of organic dyes from sewage and play a significant role in environmental restoration.Herein,two ferrocene(Fc)-based covalent organic frameworks(Fc-COFs),namely...Porous materials are excellent adsorbents for the removal of organic dyes from sewage and play a significant role in environmental restoration.Herein,two ferrocene(Fc)-based covalent organic frameworks(Fc-COFs),namely FcTF-COF and FcBD-COF,are successfully synthesized for the first time through a solvothermal method,and the obtained Fc-COFs powders are used to adsorb Congo red(CR)from water.The results show that both FcTF-COF and FcBD-COF have superb adsorption performance towards CR with ultrahigh adsorption capability of 1672.2 mg g−1 and 1983.7 mg g−1 at pH=4.0,respectively,outperforming the majority of the reported solid porous adsorbents.The maximum adsorption of both Fc-COFs agrees with the Sips adsorption isothermal model,indicating that their adsorption was dominated by heterogeneous adsorption.The Coulombic interactions,hydrogen bonding,π-πinteractions and ion-dipolar interactions should all contribute to their ultrahigh CR adsorption capability and high-pH resistance performance regardless of the pH in the range of 4-9.In addition,after five cycles,both COFs still remain their exceptional high CR adsorption capabilities.This study offers a prospective organic porous adsorbent with promising applications for organic dye removal in sewage processing.展开更多
A BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized using a solvothermal method,and its ability to degrade Congo red was thoroughly investigated.The photocatalytic performance of the BiOI/BiOBr heteroju...A BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized using a solvothermal method,and its ability to degrade Congo red was thoroughly investigated.The photocatalytic performance of the BiOI/BiOBr heterojunction was compared with that of pure BiOBr and BiOI.The structural,morphological,optical,and electrical properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD),field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(UV-vis DRS),and zeta potential analysis.The degradation rate of Congo red was determined by spectrophotometry,revealing that the BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance,achieving a degradation rate of 96.8%for a 50 mg/L Congo red solution within 75 minutes.This rate was significantly higher than those achieved by pure BiOBr(77.2%)and BiOI(83.1%).Theoretical calculations indicate that the S-scheme heterojunction effectively facilitates the separation of photogenerated charge carriers while preserving the strong redox ability of the composite.These characteristics are identified as the key factors underlying the superior photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterostructure.展开更多
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally,including the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).Despite its increasing incidence,limited data exist on physicians’knowledge of thyroid cancer management in the D...BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally,including the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).Despite its increasing incidence,limited data exist on physicians’knowledge of thyroid cancer management in the DRC.AIM To evaluate the knowledge levels of Congolese physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancers,and to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement.METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024,involving 369 physicians practicing in healthcare facilities across Kinshasa,DRC.Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method.Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering thyroid cancer epidemiology,diagnostic methods,treatment approaches,and prognosis.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25,employing descriptive and inferential statistics,with a P value≤0.05 being considered as statistically significant.RESULTS Overall response rate was 96.1%.Of all participants,68%were female and 32%were male physicians.General practitioners constituted 84.8%of respondents,with an average age of 34 years.While 53.7%demonstrated adequate knowledge of hypothyroidism management post-thyroidectomy and 61.2%identified the approach for hypoparathyroidism,only 5.1%recognized the need for radiotherapy in metastatic thyroid cancer cases.Awareness of anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment was limited(6.5%),and 90.2%of physicians were unfamiliar with the surgical complications.Moderate understanding was noted in diagnostic protocols,with 44.2%correctly identifying repeat fine-needle aspiration timing in Bethesda I cases.Knowledge of molecular genetics,recurrence risks,and metastasis patterns was remarkably low.CONCLUSION This study highlights significant knowledge gaps among Congolese physicians regarding thyroid cancer management,especially about advanced treatment modalities and molecular genetics.Targeted educational programs and improved access to diagnostic tools are critical to bridging these deficits.Addressing these gaps can enhance the quality of thyroid cancer care and align clinical practices in the DRC with global standards.展开更多
Pure TiO_(2)and copper-modified titania(Cu/TiO_(2))nanoparticles were synthesized through sol gel combined with the pyrolysis method for the removal of Congo red(CR)in wastewater treatment.Surface morphology and struc...Pure TiO_(2)and copper-modified titania(Cu/TiO_(2))nanoparticles were synthesized through sol gel combined with the pyrolysis method for the removal of Congo red(CR)in wastewater treatment.Surface morphology and structural evaluation utilized XRD,TEM,Raman,FTIR and BET techniques.Cu/TiO_(2)showed rich defects and a higher specific surface area than that of TiO_(2).The 1Cu/TiO_(2)(molar ratio Cu/TiO_(2)of 1/100)showed the best performance to adsorption of CR solution at different reaction conditions(contact duration,CR concentration,adsorbent dose,temperature,and initial pH).Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms were well-described with a pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich model,respectively.The negative ΔG indicates stable adsorption of CR on the Cu/TiO_(2)surface.The adsorption efficiency only decreases by 6%after 5 cycles of adsorption regeneration.The successful synthesis of Cu/TiO_(2)offers a new possibility to address the problems related to CR dye from aqueous solutions.展开更多
Dear Editor,Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF),caused by the CCHF virus(CCHFV),is a severe tick-borne illness with a wide geographical distribution,posing a significant threat with case fatality rates ranging from...Dear Editor,Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF),caused by the CCHF virus(CCHFV),is a severe tick-borne illness with a wide geographical distribution,posing a significant threat with case fatality rates ranging from 5%to 70%(Hawman and Feldmann,2023).Due to the lack of approved vaccines and therapeutics,the World Health Organization(WHO)has listed CCHF as one of the priority diseases(Semper et al.,2024).CCHF initially presents as a nonspecific febrile illness,characterized by fever,malaise,myalgia,and nausea,which can rapidly progress to hemorrhagic disease.The hemorrhagic stage is particularly pronounced in severe cases,with rapid progression to disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),overt bleeding,kidney or liver failure,and shock(Frank et al.,2024).Up to date,there is an absence of a suitable animal model that can accurately mimic the coagulopathy and bleeding associated with CCHFV infection.Consequently,our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these conditions remains limited(Rodriguez et al.,2022).展开更多
Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) provide great prospective in the photodegradation of pollutants. Nevertheless, the poor separation and recovery hamper their pilot-or industrial-scare applications because of their micro...Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) provide great prospective in the photodegradation of pollutants. Nevertheless, the poor separation and recovery hamper their pilot-or industrial-scare applications because of their microcrystalline features. Herein, this challenge can be tackled by integrating Cu-MOFs into an alginate substrate to offer environmentally friendly, sustainable, facile separation, and high-performance MOF-based hydrogel photocatalysis platforms. The CuⅡ-MOF 1 and CuⅠ-MOF 2 were initially synthesized through a direct diffusion and single-crystal to single-crystal(SCSC) transformation method, respectively,and after the immobilization into alginate, more effective pollutant decontamination was achieved via the synergistic effect of the adsorption feature of hydrogel and in situ photodegradation of Cu-MOFs.Specifically, Cu-MOF-alginate composites present an improved and nearly completed Cr(Ⅵ) elimination at a short time of 15–25 min. Additionally, the congo red(CR) decolorization can be effectively enhanced in the presence of Cr(Ⅵ), and 1-alginate showed superior simultaneous decontamination efficiency of CR and Cr(Ⅵ) with 99% and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, Cu-MOF-alginate composites can maintain a high pollutant removal after over 10 continuous cycles(95% for Cr(Ⅵ) after 14 runs, and 90% for CR after 10runs). Moreover, the Cr(Ⅵ)/CR degradation mechanism for Cu-MOF-alginate composite was investigated.展开更多
Graphene-based materials possess significant potential for the treatment of dye wastewater due to their exceptional adsorption properties toward stubborn pollutants.However,their utilization is hindered by high prepar...Graphene-based materials possess significant potential for the treatment of dye wastewater due to their exceptional adsorption properties toward stubborn pollutants.However,their utilization is hindered by high preparation costs,low yields,environmental pollution during synthesis,and challenges in regenerating the adsorbent.This study proposes a novel approach to address these limitations by developing nitrogen-doped three-dimensional(3D)polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)crosslinked graphene sponges(N-PGA)using a cross-linking method with ammonium carbonate.This method offers a relatively mild,environmentally friendly approach.Ammonium carbonate serves as both a reducing and modifying agent,facilitating the formation of the intrinsic structure of N-PGA and acting as a nitrogen source.Meanwhile,PVA is utilized as the cross-linking agent.The results demonstrate that N-PGA exhibits a favorable internal 3D hierarchical porous structure and possesses robust mechanical properties.The measured specific surface area(BET)of N-PGA was as high as406.538 m^(2)·g^(-1),which was favorable for its efficient adsorption of Congo red(CR)dye molecules.At an initial concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),N-PGA achieved an impressive removal rate of 89.6%and an adsorption capacity of 112 mg·g^(-1)for CR dye.Furthermore,it retained 79%of its initial adsorption capacity after 10 cycles,demonstrating excellent regeneration performance.In summary,the synthesized N-PGA displays remarkable efficacy in the adsorption of CR dye in wastewater,opening up new possibilities for utilizing 3D porous graphene nanomaterials as efficient adsorbents in wastewater treatment.展开更多
This work presents a study of the Paleogene sandstones of the Manika plateau in Kolwezi, DR Congo. These sandstones belong to the “Grès polymorphes” group, which together with the overlying “Sables ocre” make...This work presents a study of the Paleogene sandstones of the Manika plateau in Kolwezi, DR Congo. These sandstones belong to the “Grès polymorphes” group, which together with the overlying “Sables ocre” makes up the Kalahari Supergroup. Sedimentological and geochemical analyses have enabled us to characterize these sandstones and determine their origin, the conditions of their formation and the tectonic context in which they were developed. The results show that the sandstones are quartz arenites with a high level of mineralogical, textural and chemical maturity. They are recycled sandstones, formed in an intracratonic sedimentary basin, in the context of a passive continental margin, after a long fluvial transport of sediments. These sandstones initially come from intense alteration of magmatic rocks with felsic composition, mainly tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) complexes, in hot, humid palaeoclimatic conditions and oxidizing environments.展开更多
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 spe...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.展开更多
BACKGROUND Glomerulopathy with fibrillary deposits is not uncommon in routine nephropathology practice,with amyloidosis and fibrillary glomerulonephritis being the two most frequently encountered entities.Renal amyloi...BACKGROUND Glomerulopathy with fibrillary deposits is not uncommon in routine nephropathology practice,with amyloidosis and fibrillary glomerulonephritis being the two most frequently encountered entities.Renal amyloid heavy and light chain(AHL)is relatively uncommon and its biopsy diagnosis is usually limited to cases that show strong equivalent staining for a single immunoglobulin(Ig)heavy chain and a single light chain,further supported by mass spectrometry(MS)and serum studies for monoclonal protein.But polyclonal light chain staining can pose a challenge.CASE SUMMARY Herein we present a challenging case of renal AHL with polyclonal and polytypic Ig gamma(IgG)staining pattern by immunofluorescence.The patient is a 62-yearold Caucasian male who presented to an outside institution with a serum creatinine of up to 8.1 mg/dL and nephrotic range proteinuria.Despite the finding of a polyclonal and polytypic staining pattern on immunofluorescence,ultrastructural study of the renal biopsy demonstrated the presence of fibrils with a mean diameter of 10 nm.Congo red was positive while DNAJB9 was negative.MS suggested a diagnosis of amyloid AHL type with IgG and lambda,but kappa light chains were also present supporting the immunofluorescence staining results.Serum immunofixation studies demonstrated IgG lambda monoclonal spike.The patient was started on chemotherapy.The chronic renal injury however was quite advanced and he ended up needing dialysis shortly after.CONCLUSION Tissue diagnosis of AHL amyloid can be tricky.Thorough confirmation using other available diagnostic techniques is recommended in such cases.展开更多
Objective: Describe the epidemiological and paraclinical aspects of HP infection in hepatitis B virus carriers. Population and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study running from January 1 to August 30, ...Objective: Describe the epidemiological and paraclinical aspects of HP infection in hepatitis B virus carriers. Population and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study running from January 1 to August 30, 2019, a period of 8 months. It took place in the Hospital Centers of the two major cities of Congo (Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire). The target population of our study consists of patients carrying HBV under antiviral treatment or not. Patients aged at least 18 years and consenting with a biological and morphological assessment were included. We did not include in our study patients taking or having taken antibiotics and/or PPIs less than 4 weeks ago. We excluded all patients who did not deposit fresh stools and those in whom stool extraction could not be done manually. The variables studied covered sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical aspects. Data entry was done using Excel 8.0 software. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 20.0 software. Results: During our study, we included 169 patients. The frequency of HPAG in the stools of HBV carriers in our study population was 63.9% (n = 109). Male patients represented 69% (n = 75) and female patients represented 31% (n = 34). The average age of the patients is 43.92 ± 13.51 years with extremes of 18 years and 80 years. Concerning profession, unemployed patients and those working in the private sector were the most represented in respectively 28.4% (n = 31) and 22.9% (n = 25) without statistical link. Households comprising between 4 - 10 people and the use of public latrines were the risk factors most represented in respectively 69% (n = 75) and 88% (n = 96) without statistical link. Clinically, hepatomegaly and signs of portal hypertension were most represented in 53% (n = 58) and 47% (n = 51). Biologically, HBV DNA was detectable in 60.5% of cases (n = 66).展开更多
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 ai...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.展开更多
In the Democratic Republic of Congo,the Kafubu River has received,for several decades,mining waste from GECAMINE Kipushi and Lubumbashi as well as those from the CHEMAF plant.Given this situation,we wanted to verify t...In the Democratic Republic of Congo,the Kafubu River has received,for several decades,mining waste from GECAMINE Kipushi and Lubumbashi as well as those from the CHEMAF plant.Given this situation,we wanted to verify the degree of contamination of fish in the Kafubu River with TME(Trace Metal Elements).In doing so,fish samples from this river,downstream of mining activities,as well as samples of reference fish from upstream of any mining activity from the sources of the Panda and Kasungwe rivers and that of the Congo River were analyzed with Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS)and Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy(ICP-OES).Statistical analysis,using the Wilcoxon test,of the results obtained as well as the comparison of these with the thresholds of the WHO(World Health Organization),FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization)and the EU(European Union)revealed that the fish of the Kafubu River are contaminated with As,Cd,Co,Cu,Mn,Ni,Pb,Se and Zn.Thus,it was concluded that the fish of the Kafubu River were not fit for human consumption.In addition,because of the very high level of bioaccumulation of these TMEs in the fish of the Kafubu River,the latter have been described as poisonous for the consuming population.The main principle that emerges from this study is that fish from an ecosystem polluted by mining waste are not fit for human consumption.The results of this study will be brought to the attention of Decision-makers in the Haut-Katanga Province so that rigorous measures can be taken to prohibit metallurgical plants from dumping their mining waste into aquatic ecosystems.展开更多
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 h...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.展开更多
Soil ploughing is an important stage in the preparation of planting, causing disturbance to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Soil ploughing can affect the availability of nutrients and wat...Soil ploughing is an important stage in the preparation of planting, causing disturbance to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Soil ploughing can affect the availability of nutrients and water resources, and its effect can be short, medium or long-term. Soil ploughing accelerates surface heating and air circulation and encourages mineralisation by transforming organic matter into mineral salts, making nutrients soluble and accessible to plants. The aim of this study is to determine how soil ploughing affects the distribution of nutrients in the soil profile. The study focuses on nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, which are major elements of soil fertility on the Batéké plateaux in Congo. The results indicate that ploughing significantly modifies the distribution at depth des elements nutritifs: there is more accumulation at the surface than at depth (ei: nitrogen 1.34 t/ha ± 0.035 at 10 cm compared with 1.034 t/ha ± 0.098 at 50 cm) with a higher concentration of carbon (13.89 t/ha ± 0.87) followed by nitrogen (1.34 t/ha ± 0.035).展开更多
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 Repub...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.展开更多
文摘This work focused on determining the physico-chemical characteristics (pH, carbon and nitrogen) and trace metal elements (TMEs) content (As, Sb, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn) of soils in the Brazzaville city. Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0 to 20 cm using a hand auger on both banks of five tributaries of the Congo River (Djoué, Mfilou, Mfoa, Tsiémé, Djiri) that flow through the city of Brazzaville. 90 sampling points were defined, with 3 points 250 m apart on the banks and located, for each river, at three sites: upstream, midstream and downstream. Finally, 15 composite samples representative of the study area were taken. The average pH values of the water varied between 6.5 and 7.5. These pH values show that the soils studied are neutral. Total carbon content varied between 0.7% (Djiri) and 1.6% (Djoué). Total nitrogen content ranged from 0.08% (Djiri) to 0.12% (Djoué). TMEs contents varied from 0.5 to 1.8 mg/kg for Sb, from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg for As, from 0.1 to 0.18 mg/kg for Cd, from 4.2 to 11.3 mg/kg for Cr, from 0.07 to 0.27 mg/kg for Hg, from 0.7 to 2.4 mg/kg for Ni, from 0 to 158 mg/kg for Pb and from 16 to 105 mg/kg for Zn. The lowest TMEs levels were observed in the soils of the Djiri river, while the highest levels were observed in the soils of the Djoué and Tsiémé rivers. The ANOVA and Bonferroni test did not show significant differences in the means of the parameters measured (p > 0.05). The TMEs levels were below the accepted standards (NF U44-041), with the exception of Pb, which had high levels downstream of the Djoué. According to the pollution index values calculated using soil TME content, the soils on the banks of the Djoué river are considered polluted, while those on the banks of the Tsiémé river are moderately polluted, those on the banks of the Mfoa and Mfilou rivers are slightly polluted, and the soils on the banks of Djiri river are unpolluted.
文摘The conversion of forest land to other types of land cover is one of the major issues in the global fight against climate change. Understanding the direct and indirect factors of these conversions from local studies in the tropics is essential to project the future impact of human activities on the preservation of tropical forests in general and the forests of the Republic of Congo in particular. This study, conducted in five localities with different socioeconomic contexts in the Republic of Congo, aims to analyze the variability of drivers of deforestation and forest degradation linked to urbanization in the Congo Basin. Using a series of land cover maps from the years 1986, 2003 and 2019 for the cities of Ouesso, Pokola, Ngombe, Impfondo and Dongou, as well as field data and socio-economic information collected from local and central administrations, a unique model has been developed to understand the explanatory patterns of forest loss. Deforestation around urban centers is mainly due to urban agriculture due to population growth, as well as the spatial expansion of cities, which have a major impact on the stability and integrity of forests. Shifting agriculture is the main direct cause of deforestation and forest degradation, representing 48% of the total sample, followed by the collection of wood fuel (22%), the collection of construction wood (19%), illegal logging (6%) and urban expansion (5%). Forecasts indicate that forest loss around major cities will increase by 487, 20 ha to 5266, 73 ha by 2050 compared to the base year of 2019. This study highlights the need for a new system of land management and poverty alleviation of local populations to ensure the stability of the Congo Basin tropical forests around large and small African cities.
文摘Groundwater,surface water and tap water contamination by PTEs(Potentially Toxic Elements)was assessed in Kipushi town and Lupoto locality of Kipushi administrative territory in the Upper-Katanga province,Democratic Republic of Congo.A total of fifty four water samples including thirty two samples from drilled water wells,ten samples from spade-sunk water wells,six samples from supplied tap water,four samples from a mine effluent and two samples from a river were collected from both localities in November and December 2017 and in January,February and March 2018.Then the samples were analyzed for their PTE contents by ICP-SF-MS(Inductively Coupled Plasma-Sector Field Mass Spectrometry).Twenty PTEs including aluminum,arsenic,barium,bismuth,cadmium,cesium,chromium,cobalt,copper,iron,lead,manganese,molybdenum,nickel,strontium,thallium,tungsten,uranium,vanadium and zinc were detected at various concentrations in each one of the samples.Many samples had concentrations and mean concentrations of PTE,such as arsenic,aluminum,cadmium,iron,lead,manganese and zinc,higher than the respective acceptable limits set for drinking water by the EU(European Union),the USEPA(United States Environmental Protection Agency),and the WHO(World Health Organization)standards.Most PTEs being deleterious to human health even at very low concentrations,people who use the groundwater,surface water and tap water to meet their water needs in both localities are at risk.
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2023YFD2401105)the Fujian Science and Technology Planning ProjectSTS Program(No.2021T3013)。
文摘Dye wastewater poses a significant threat to aquatic organisms due to its high toxicity.Reducing or eliminating the dye waste from the water is necessary for a healthy and sustainable aquaculture.This study investigated the adsorption properties of Congo red dye on Mytilus edulis shell powders prepared by calcination at 500℃,700℃,and 900℃.The modified shell powder products were analyzed by SEM(scanning eletron microscopy)and FTIR(fourier transform infrared spectroscopy)for the morphology and structural characterization.The effects of different calcination temperatures,reaction times,reaction temperatures,and initial concentration of Congo red on the adsorption properties were investigated.The adsorption kinetics and isothermal adsorption models were also established.The results revealed that the shell powder calcinated at 900℃showed the best adsorption capacity on Congo red from aqueous solution.The adsorption reaction reached equilibrium after 150 min and followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.At 25℃,96.2%of the Congo red in the solution could be removed,and the adsorption capacity could reach at least 1015 mg g^(–1).The adsorption isotherm is fit with the Freundlich model,indicating a multiphase adsorption process.These results are helpful for cleaning and treating printing and dyeing effluents as well as high-value utilization of shell waste resources.
基金supported by the National Nat-ural Science Foundation of China(22465012)the Key Research and Development Project of Hainan Province,China(ZDYF2024GXJS005)the Major Science and Technology Plan of Hainan Province,China(ZDKJ202016).
文摘Porous materials are excellent adsorbents for the removal of organic dyes from sewage and play a significant role in environmental restoration.Herein,two ferrocene(Fc)-based covalent organic frameworks(Fc-COFs),namely FcTF-COF and FcBD-COF,are successfully synthesized for the first time through a solvothermal method,and the obtained Fc-COFs powders are used to adsorb Congo red(CR)from water.The results show that both FcTF-COF and FcBD-COF have superb adsorption performance towards CR with ultrahigh adsorption capability of 1672.2 mg g−1 and 1983.7 mg g−1 at pH=4.0,respectively,outperforming the majority of the reported solid porous adsorbents.The maximum adsorption of both Fc-COFs agrees with the Sips adsorption isothermal model,indicating that their adsorption was dominated by heterogeneous adsorption.The Coulombic interactions,hydrogen bonding,π-πinteractions and ion-dipolar interactions should all contribute to their ultrahigh CR adsorption capability and high-pH resistance performance regardless of the pH in the range of 4-9.In addition,after five cycles,both COFs still remain their exceptional high CR adsorption capabilities.This study offers a prospective organic porous adsorbent with promising applications for organic dye removal in sewage processing.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22262012)the Foundation of Hubei Key Laboratory of Biologic Resources Protection and Utilization(No.PT012214)+1 种基金Science and Technology Research Project of Education Department of Hubei Province(No.D20221903)Enshi Science and Technology Plan Project(No.D20230090)。
文摘A BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized using a solvothermal method,and its ability to degrade Congo red was thoroughly investigated.The photocatalytic performance of the BiOI/BiOBr heterojunction was compared with that of pure BiOBr and BiOI.The structural,morphological,optical,and electrical properties of the samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD),field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy(UV-vis DRS),and zeta potential analysis.The degradation rate of Congo red was determined by spectrophotometry,revealing that the BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterojunction exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance,achieving a degradation rate of 96.8%for a 50 mg/L Congo red solution within 75 minutes.This rate was significantly higher than those achieved by pure BiOBr(77.2%)and BiOI(83.1%).Theoretical calculations indicate that the S-scheme heterojunction effectively facilitates the separation of photogenerated charge carriers while preserving the strong redox ability of the composite.These characteristics are identified as the key factors underlying the superior photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the BiOI/BiOBr S-scheme heterostructure.
文摘BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally,including the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC).Despite its increasing incidence,limited data exist on physicians’knowledge of thyroid cancer management in the DRC.AIM To evaluate the knowledge levels of Congolese physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules and cancers,and to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement.METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June to August 2024,involving 369 physicians practicing in healthcare facilities across Kinshasa,DRC.Participants were selected using a multi-stage sampling method.Data were collected via a structured questionnaire covering thyroid cancer epidemiology,diagnostic methods,treatment approaches,and prognosis.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25,employing descriptive and inferential statistics,with a P value≤0.05 being considered as statistically significant.RESULTS Overall response rate was 96.1%.Of all participants,68%were female and 32%were male physicians.General practitioners constituted 84.8%of respondents,with an average age of 34 years.While 53.7%demonstrated adequate knowledge of hypothyroidism management post-thyroidectomy and 61.2%identified the approach for hypoparathyroidism,only 5.1%recognized the need for radiotherapy in metastatic thyroid cancer cases.Awareness of anaplastic thyroid cancer treatment was limited(6.5%),and 90.2%of physicians were unfamiliar with the surgical complications.Moderate understanding was noted in diagnostic protocols,with 44.2%correctly identifying repeat fine-needle aspiration timing in Bethesda I cases.Knowledge of molecular genetics,recurrence risks,and metastasis patterns was remarkably low.CONCLUSION This study highlights significant knowledge gaps among Congolese physicians regarding thyroid cancer management,especially about advanced treatment modalities and molecular genetics.Targeted educational programs and improved access to diagnostic tools are critical to bridging these deficits.Addressing these gaps can enhance the quality of thyroid cancer care and align clinical practices in the DRC with global standards.
基金supported by the Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation(2024QN02011)basic scientific research business expense project of colleges and universities directly under Inner Mongolia(2023QNJS131 and 2024QNJS127)Science and Technology Plan Program of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(2023YFDZ0031).
文摘Pure TiO_(2)and copper-modified titania(Cu/TiO_(2))nanoparticles were synthesized through sol gel combined with the pyrolysis method for the removal of Congo red(CR)in wastewater treatment.Surface morphology and structural evaluation utilized XRD,TEM,Raman,FTIR and BET techniques.Cu/TiO_(2)showed rich defects and a higher specific surface area than that of TiO_(2).The 1Cu/TiO_(2)(molar ratio Cu/TiO_(2)of 1/100)showed the best performance to adsorption of CR solution at different reaction conditions(contact duration,CR concentration,adsorbent dose,temperature,and initial pH).Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms were well-described with a pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich model,respectively.The negative ΔG indicates stable adsorption of CR on the Cu/TiO_(2)surface.The adsorption efficiency only decreases by 6%after 5 cycles of adsorption regeneration.The successful synthesis of Cu/TiO_(2)offers a new possibility to address the problems related to CR dye from aqueous solutions.
基金supported in part by grants from the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDB0490000 to Z.H.)National Key Research and Development Program(2021YFF0702002 to J.L.,2022YFC2303300 to Z.H.,and 2023YFC2305900 to M.W.)+3 种基金“Youth Commando”project(2023QNTJ-02 TO J.L.)Key Project(2024JZZD-02 to Z.H.)of State Key Laboratory of Virology and BiosafetyWuhan Institute of Virology,the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20336 to Z.H.and Y.Z.)Wuhan Natural Science Foundation(202404071010067 to M.W.and 202404071010068 to J.L.).
文摘Dear Editor,Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever(CCHF),caused by the CCHF virus(CCHFV),is a severe tick-borne illness with a wide geographical distribution,posing a significant threat with case fatality rates ranging from 5%to 70%(Hawman and Feldmann,2023).Due to the lack of approved vaccines and therapeutics,the World Health Organization(WHO)has listed CCHF as one of the priority diseases(Semper et al.,2024).CCHF initially presents as a nonspecific febrile illness,characterized by fever,malaise,myalgia,and nausea,which can rapidly progress to hemorrhagic disease.The hemorrhagic stage is particularly pronounced in severe cases,with rapid progression to disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC),overt bleeding,kidney or liver failure,and shock(Frank et al.,2024).Up to date,there is an absence of a suitable animal model that can accurately mimic the coagulopathy and bleeding associated with CCHFV infection.Consequently,our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these conditions remains limited(Rodriguez et al.,2022).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22077099,22171223 and 22307102)the Innovation Capability Support Program of Shaanxi(Nos.2023-CX-TD-75 and 2022KJXX-32)+5 种基金the Technology Innovation Leading Program of Shaanxi(Nos.2023KXJ-209 and 2024QCYKXJ-142)the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi(Nos.2023-JC-YB-141 and 2022JQ-151)the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi(No.2024GH-ZDXM-22)Young Talent Fund of Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi,China(No.SWYY202206)the Shaanxi Fundamental Science Research Project for Chemistry&Biology(Nos.22JHZ010 and 22JHQ080)the Yan’an City Science and Technology Project(No.2022SLZDCY-002).
文摘Metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) provide great prospective in the photodegradation of pollutants. Nevertheless, the poor separation and recovery hamper their pilot-or industrial-scare applications because of their microcrystalline features. Herein, this challenge can be tackled by integrating Cu-MOFs into an alginate substrate to offer environmentally friendly, sustainable, facile separation, and high-performance MOF-based hydrogel photocatalysis platforms. The CuⅡ-MOF 1 and CuⅠ-MOF 2 were initially synthesized through a direct diffusion and single-crystal to single-crystal(SCSC) transformation method, respectively,and after the immobilization into alginate, more effective pollutant decontamination was achieved via the synergistic effect of the adsorption feature of hydrogel and in situ photodegradation of Cu-MOFs.Specifically, Cu-MOF-alginate composites present an improved and nearly completed Cr(Ⅵ) elimination at a short time of 15–25 min. Additionally, the congo red(CR) decolorization can be effectively enhanced in the presence of Cr(Ⅵ), and 1-alginate showed superior simultaneous decontamination efficiency of CR and Cr(Ⅵ) with 99% and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, Cu-MOF-alginate composites can maintain a high pollutant removal after over 10 continuous cycles(95% for Cr(Ⅵ) after 14 runs, and 90% for CR after 10runs). Moreover, the Cr(Ⅵ)/CR degradation mechanism for Cu-MOF-alginate composite was investigated.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51671052,51750110513,52250610222)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(N182502042)the Liao Ning Revitilization Talents Program(XLYC1902105)。
文摘Graphene-based materials possess significant potential for the treatment of dye wastewater due to their exceptional adsorption properties toward stubborn pollutants.However,their utilization is hindered by high preparation costs,low yields,environmental pollution during synthesis,and challenges in regenerating the adsorbent.This study proposes a novel approach to address these limitations by developing nitrogen-doped three-dimensional(3D)polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)crosslinked graphene sponges(N-PGA)using a cross-linking method with ammonium carbonate.This method offers a relatively mild,environmentally friendly approach.Ammonium carbonate serves as both a reducing and modifying agent,facilitating the formation of the intrinsic structure of N-PGA and acting as a nitrogen source.Meanwhile,PVA is utilized as the cross-linking agent.The results demonstrate that N-PGA exhibits a favorable internal 3D hierarchical porous structure and possesses robust mechanical properties.The measured specific surface area(BET)of N-PGA was as high as406.538 m^(2)·g^(-1),which was favorable for its efficient adsorption of Congo red(CR)dye molecules.At an initial concentration of 50 mg·L^(-1),N-PGA achieved an impressive removal rate of 89.6%and an adsorption capacity of 112 mg·g^(-1)for CR dye.Furthermore,it retained 79%of its initial adsorption capacity after 10 cycles,demonstrating excellent regeneration performance.In summary,the synthesized N-PGA displays remarkable efficacy in the adsorption of CR dye in wastewater,opening up new possibilities for utilizing 3D porous graphene nanomaterials as efficient adsorbents in wastewater treatment.
文摘This work presents a study of the Paleogene sandstones of the Manika plateau in Kolwezi, DR Congo. These sandstones belong to the “Grès polymorphes” group, which together with the overlying “Sables ocre” makes up the Kalahari Supergroup. Sedimentological and geochemical analyses have enabled us to characterize these sandstones and determine their origin, the conditions of their formation and the tectonic context in which they were developed. The results show that the sandstones are quartz arenites with a high level of mineralogical, textural and chemical maturity. They are recycled sandstones, formed in an intracratonic sedimentary basin, in the context of a passive continental margin, after a long fluvial transport of sediments. These sandstones initially come from intense alteration of magmatic rocks with felsic composition, mainly tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) complexes, in hot, humid palaeoclimatic conditions and oxidizing environments.
文摘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.
文摘BACKGROUND Glomerulopathy with fibrillary deposits is not uncommon in routine nephropathology practice,with amyloidosis and fibrillary glomerulonephritis being the two most frequently encountered entities.Renal amyloid heavy and light chain(AHL)is relatively uncommon and its biopsy diagnosis is usually limited to cases that show strong equivalent staining for a single immunoglobulin(Ig)heavy chain and a single light chain,further supported by mass spectrometry(MS)and serum studies for monoclonal protein.But polyclonal light chain staining can pose a challenge.CASE SUMMARY Herein we present a challenging case of renal AHL with polyclonal and polytypic Ig gamma(IgG)staining pattern by immunofluorescence.The patient is a 62-yearold Caucasian male who presented to an outside institution with a serum creatinine of up to 8.1 mg/dL and nephrotic range proteinuria.Despite the finding of a polyclonal and polytypic staining pattern on immunofluorescence,ultrastructural study of the renal biopsy demonstrated the presence of fibrils with a mean diameter of 10 nm.Congo red was positive while DNAJB9 was negative.MS suggested a diagnosis of amyloid AHL type with IgG and lambda,but kappa light chains were also present supporting the immunofluorescence staining results.Serum immunofixation studies demonstrated IgG lambda monoclonal spike.The patient was started on chemotherapy.The chronic renal injury however was quite advanced and he ended up needing dialysis shortly after.CONCLUSION Tissue diagnosis of AHL amyloid can be tricky.Thorough confirmation using other available diagnostic techniques is recommended in such cases.
文摘Objective: Describe the epidemiological and paraclinical aspects of HP infection in hepatitis B virus carriers. Population and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study running from January 1 to August 30, 2019, a period of 8 months. It took place in the Hospital Centers of the two major cities of Congo (Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire). The target population of our study consists of patients carrying HBV under antiviral treatment or not. Patients aged at least 18 years and consenting with a biological and morphological assessment were included. We did not include in our study patients taking or having taken antibiotics and/or PPIs less than 4 weeks ago. We excluded all patients who did not deposit fresh stools and those in whom stool extraction could not be done manually. The variables studied covered sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical aspects. Data entry was done using Excel 8.0 software. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 20.0 software. Results: During our study, we included 169 patients. The frequency of HPAG in the stools of HBV carriers in our study population was 63.9% (n = 109). Male patients represented 69% (n = 75) and female patients represented 31% (n = 34). The average age of the patients is 43.92 ± 13.51 years with extremes of 18 years and 80 years. Concerning profession, unemployed patients and those working in the private sector were the most represented in respectively 28.4% (n = 31) and 22.9% (n = 25) without statistical link. Households comprising between 4 - 10 people and the use of public latrines were the risk factors most represented in respectively 69% (n = 75) and 88% (n = 96) without statistical link. Clinically, hepatomegaly and signs of portal hypertension were most represented in 53% (n = 58) and 47% (n = 51). Biologically, HBV DNA was detectable in 60.5% of cases (n = 66).
文摘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.
文摘In the Democratic Republic of Congo,the Kafubu River has received,for several decades,mining waste from GECAMINE Kipushi and Lubumbashi as well as those from the CHEMAF plant.Given this situation,we wanted to verify the degree of contamination of fish in the Kafubu River with TME(Trace Metal Elements).In doing so,fish samples from this river,downstream of mining activities,as well as samples of reference fish from upstream of any mining activity from the sources of the Panda and Kasungwe rivers and that of the Congo River were analyzed with Inductively Couple Plasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS)and Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy(ICP-OES).Statistical analysis,using the Wilcoxon test,of the results obtained as well as the comparison of these with the thresholds of the WHO(World Health Organization),FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization)and the EU(European Union)revealed that the fish of the Kafubu River are contaminated with As,Cd,Co,Cu,Mn,Ni,Pb,Se and Zn.Thus,it was concluded that the fish of the Kafubu River were not fit for human consumption.In addition,because of the very high level of bioaccumulation of these TMEs in the fish of the Kafubu River,the latter have been described as poisonous for the consuming population.The main principle that emerges from this study is that fish from an ecosystem polluted by mining waste are not fit for human consumption.The results of this study will be brought to the attention of Decision-makers in the Haut-Katanga Province so that rigorous measures can be taken to prohibit metallurgical plants from dumping their mining waste into aquatic ecosystems.
文摘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.
文摘Soil ploughing is an important stage in the preparation of planting, causing disturbance to the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. Soil ploughing can affect the availability of nutrients and water resources, and its effect can be short, medium or long-term. Soil ploughing accelerates surface heating and air circulation and encourages mineralisation by transforming organic matter into mineral salts, making nutrients soluble and accessible to plants. The aim of this study is to determine how soil ploughing affects the distribution of nutrients in the soil profile. The study focuses on nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, which are major elements of soil fertility on the Batéké plateaux in Congo. The results indicate that ploughing significantly modifies the distribution at depth des elements nutritifs: there is more accumulation at the surface than at depth (ei: nitrogen 1.34 t/ha ± 0.035 at 10 cm compared with 1.034 t/ha ± 0.098 at 50 cm) with a higher concentration of carbon (13.89 t/ha ± 0.87) followed by nitrogen (1.34 t/ha ± 0.035).
文摘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.
