Background: In low-income African countries, the demand and use of plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are increasing. The goal of this work is to present my ...Background: In low-income African countries, the demand and use of plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are increasing. The goal of this work is to present my experience and the challenges of this aesthetic plastic surgery among black African women. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted about the abdominoplasties, liposuctions and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) which I operated in public and private hospitals at Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) in black African women. It covers a period of 13 years, going from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2023. For this study, I had at least 6 months period (to Juin 1, 2024) to assess the occurrence of early and late postoperative complications. Results: I performed 84 abdominoplasties, 144 liposuctions and 23 Brazilian butt lifts (BBL). The average age at the time of abdominoplasty was 44 years with extremes ranging from 26 to 55 years and a concentration of cases (60.7%) in the age group of 40 to 49 years. The age group of 20 to 29 years old represented the lowest rate of requests for abdominoplasty (4.7%). Patients with a BMI of 30 to 2 were the majority (61.9%), followed by those between 25 to 2 (29.7%). 67.8% of patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The average age at the time of liposuction was 41 years with extremes ranging from 21 years to 69 years;and more than half of cases (68%) in the age group between 30 and 49 years. As for Brazilian butt lift (BBL), the average age was 33 years with extremes ranging from 24 to 42 years and a concentration of patients (91.3%) between 20 and 39 years. The immediate postoperative complications of abdominoplasties observed were: seroma in 7% of cases, hematoma and partial infection of the surgical site in 5% of cases. Pathological scars (hypertrophic, keloid) after abdominoplasties were observed in 9% of cases. The most common complication of liposuction was contour deformity. I observed 16 patients (11.1%) with soft-tissue depressions or elevations, skin panniculus or folds. For Brazalian Butt Lift (BBL), complications like asymmetry for 2 patients (8.9%), contour irregularities for 2 patients (8.9%), and excessive fat removal for 6 patients (26%), had observed. I have not recorded any cases of death or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: I perform aesthetic plastic surgery procedures in black African women with a high socioeconomic standard of living compared to the average of the general population. The renunciation of planned surgery is motivated by the impossibility of paying the cost of the operation as well as by popular and religious perceptions regarding cosmetic surgery. The results of these aesthetic plastic surgery procedures carried out are very satisfactory for them. The challenges to overcome are mainly threefold: the unforeseeable complications of these cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, popular and religious perceptions of cosmetic surgery as well as the poverty of the population.展开更多
Prepared with concrete and pragmatic questions,members of a media delegation from the Republic of the Congo toured the cities of Yunfu and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province from 16 to 22 November 2025.They visited produc...Prepared with concrete and pragmatic questions,members of a media delegation from the Republic of the Congo toured the cities of Yunfu and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province from 16 to 22 November 2025.They visited production workshops,explored research institutes,toured beautiful villages and discovered archaeological sites,searching for the keys to Chinese modernisation in its many dimensions.展开更多
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
This study estimated pollutant load from Kahuwa micro-catchment into Lake Kivu. The micro-catchment was sampled monthly for a year at six locations to capture the contribution of agricultural land, industries and comm...This study estimated pollutant load from Kahuwa micro-catchment into Lake Kivu. The micro-catchment was sampled monthly for a year at six locations to capture the contribution of agricultural land, industries and commercial blocks. Both wet and dry depositions in terms of TN （total nitrogen） and TP （total phosphorus） were estimated monthly. The level of pollution was estimated using LISEC index and IPO （organic pollution indices）. Results show that Kahuwa River micro-catchment is polluted mainly by waste dumping sites and industries within the micro-catchment. The general load to the outlet was respectively about 0.35 tons per year （t/yr） for BODs, 1.9 t/yr for COD, 32.73 t/yr for TP and 224.37 t/yr for TN. Atmospheric deposition of nutrient contributed for about 4% and 18% of TP, 3% and 0.01% of TN during dry and wet deposition, respectively.展开更多
文摘Background: In low-income African countries, the demand and use of plastic surgery operations including abdominoplasty, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are increasing. The goal of this work is to present my experience and the challenges of this aesthetic plastic surgery among black African women. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted about the abdominoplasties, liposuctions and Brazilian butt lift (BBL) which I operated in public and private hospitals at Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) in black African women. It covers a period of 13 years, going from December 1, 2010 to December 1, 2023. For this study, I had at least 6 months period (to Juin 1, 2024) to assess the occurrence of early and late postoperative complications. Results: I performed 84 abdominoplasties, 144 liposuctions and 23 Brazilian butt lifts (BBL). The average age at the time of abdominoplasty was 44 years with extremes ranging from 26 to 55 years and a concentration of cases (60.7%) in the age group of 40 to 49 years. The age group of 20 to 29 years old represented the lowest rate of requests for abdominoplasty (4.7%). Patients with a BMI of 30 to 2 were the majority (61.9%), followed by those between 25 to 2 (29.7%). 67.8% of patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The average age at the time of liposuction was 41 years with extremes ranging from 21 years to 69 years;and more than half of cases (68%) in the age group between 30 and 49 years. As for Brazilian butt lift (BBL), the average age was 33 years with extremes ranging from 24 to 42 years and a concentration of patients (91.3%) between 20 and 39 years. The immediate postoperative complications of abdominoplasties observed were: seroma in 7% of cases, hematoma and partial infection of the surgical site in 5% of cases. Pathological scars (hypertrophic, keloid) after abdominoplasties were observed in 9% of cases. The most common complication of liposuction was contour deformity. I observed 16 patients (11.1%) with soft-tissue depressions or elevations, skin panniculus or folds. For Brazalian Butt Lift (BBL), complications like asymmetry for 2 patients (8.9%), contour irregularities for 2 patients (8.9%), and excessive fat removal for 6 patients (26%), had observed. I have not recorded any cases of death or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: I perform aesthetic plastic surgery procedures in black African women with a high socioeconomic standard of living compared to the average of the general population. The renunciation of planned surgery is motivated by the impossibility of paying the cost of the operation as well as by popular and religious perceptions regarding cosmetic surgery. The results of these aesthetic plastic surgery procedures carried out are very satisfactory for them. The challenges to overcome are mainly threefold: the unforeseeable complications of these cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, popular and religious perceptions of cosmetic surgery as well as the poverty of the population.
文摘Prepared with concrete and pragmatic questions,members of a media delegation from the Republic of the Congo toured the cities of Yunfu and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province from 16 to 22 November 2025.They visited production workshops,explored research institutes,toured beautiful villages and discovered archaeological sites,searching for the keys to Chinese modernisation in its many dimensions.
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.
文摘This study estimated pollutant load from Kahuwa micro-catchment into Lake Kivu. The micro-catchment was sampled monthly for a year at six locations to capture the contribution of agricultural land, industries and commercial blocks. Both wet and dry depositions in terms of TN （total nitrogen） and TP （total phosphorus） were estimated monthly. The level of pollution was estimated using LISEC index and IPO （organic pollution indices）. Results show that Kahuwa River micro-catchment is polluted mainly by waste dumping sites and industries within the micro-catchment. The general load to the outlet was respectively about 0.35 tons per year （t/yr） for BODs, 1.9 t/yr for COD, 32.73 t/yr for TP and 224.37 t/yr for TN. Atmospheric deposition of nutrient contributed for about 4% and 18% of TP, 3% and 0.01% of TN during dry and wet deposition, respectively.
