Modern industrial equipment is increasingly characterized by miniaturization,integration,and high performance,necessitating the production of complex structural parts with exceptionally high internal surface quality.D...Modern industrial equipment is increasingly characterized by miniaturization,integration,and high performance,necessitating the production of complex structural parts with exceptionally high internal surface quality.Direct manufacturing often leads to high internal surface roughness,which traditional finishing and measuring methods cannot adequately address due to the decreasing size and increasing complexity of internal structures.This is especially true for components like pipes with large aspect ratios,extremely small deep holes,multi-stage bends,cross pipes,and array holes.To meet the high-performance manufacturing demands of these parts,advanced internal surface finishing and roughness measurement technologies have gained significant attention.This review focuses on the challenges and solutions related to internal surface parts with various apertures and complex structures.Internal surface finishing methods are categorized into mechanical finishing,fluid-based finishing,and energy-field-based finishing based on their characteristics.Roughness measurement technologies are divided into tool-probing and non-probing methods.The principles,required equipment,and key parameters of each finishing and measurement approach are discussed in detail.Additionally,the advantages and limitations of these methods are summarized,and future trends are forecasted.This paper serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers and engineers aiming to enhance the internal surface quality of complex structure parts.展开更多
Background: Malnutrition, a serious public health concern, is influenced by various factors. Objective: The study aims to explore malnutrition issues among infants under five years old in Guéra Province. Methods:...Background: Malnutrition, a serious public health concern, is influenced by various factors. Objective: The study aims to explore malnutrition issues among infants under five years old in Guéra Province. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and a two-stage cluster sampling method to select participants. The study population was infants aged between 0 - 24 months. Data collection was done between June 2023 and September 2024;it included anthropometric measurements, blood analyses, and interviews. Anthropometric parameters were calculated using ENA for SMART software. Statistical analyses were performed by R Studio to investigate associations between different characteristics, using logistic regression models to identify risk factors. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The study included 377 infants in eight villages in Guéra Province, Chad. The sample was predominantly girls (55.3%), with a median age of 16 months. Most infants (94%) were mixed-fed, and only 6% were exclusively breastfed. We found that 7.3% of children were globally malnourished, with higher rates in boys 9.6%. A significant disparity existed between boys and girls in global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates, with boys having a higher prevalence of 17.9%. A substantial proportion of Infants were underweight, with males 27.4%. Stunting was prevalent 20.1%. Several factors were associated with malnutrition, including gender, feeding practices, infectious diseases, and socioeconomic factors. Diarrhea, malaria, limited access to drinking water, and early diet diversification were significantly associated with malnutrition. Conclusion: Targeted interventions are necessary to address these issues and improve the nutritional status of children in the Guéra province.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
Background Deep 3D morphable models(deep 3DMMs)play an essential role in computer vision.They are used in facial synthesis,compression,reconstruction and animation,avatar creation,virtual try-on,facial recognition sys...Background Deep 3D morphable models(deep 3DMMs)play an essential role in computer vision.They are used in facial synthesis,compression,reconstruction and animation,avatar creation,virtual try-on,facial recognition systems and medical imaging.These applications require high spatial and perceptual quality of synthesised meshes.Despite their significance,these models have not been compared with different mesh representations and evaluated jointly with point-wise distance and perceptual metrics.Methods We compare the influence of different mesh representation features to various deep 3DMMs on spatial and perceptual fidelity of the reconstructed meshes.This paper proves the hypothesis that building deep 3DMMs from meshes represented with global representations leads to lower spatial reconstruction error measured with L_(1) and L_(2) norm metrics and underperforms on perceptual metrics.In contrast,using differential mesh representations which describe differential surface properties yields lower perceptual FMPD and DAME and higher spatial fidelity error.The influence of mesh feature normalisation and standardisation is also compared and analysed from perceptual and spatial fidelity perspectives.Results The results presented in this paper provide guidance in selecting mesh representations to build deep 3DMMs accordingly to spatial and perceptual quality objectives and propose combinations of mesh representations and deep 3DMMs which improve either perceptual or spatial fidelity of existing methods.展开更多
It is widely recognized that chronic hyperglycemia decreases bone quality,although little is known about the impact of the rapid correction of chronic hyperglycemia on the quality of bone remodeling.This spotlight art...It is widely recognized that chronic hyperglycemia decreases bone quality,although little is known about the impact of the rapid correction of chronic hyperglycemia on the quality of bone remodeling.This spotlight article explores this correlation by focusing on the stages of bone remodeling linked to glucose levels.展开更多
Background: SARS-CoV-2 has circulated worldwide with dramatic consequences. In Chad, we have no data reported of variants. The aim of this study was to identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants that circulated during the epide...Background: SARS-CoV-2 has circulated worldwide with dramatic consequences. In Chad, we have no data reported of variants. The aim of this study was to identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants that circulated during the epidemic from 2020 to 2021. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out between 2020 and 2021. Samples from patients with suspected COVID-19 were tested in five laboratories in N’Djamena. One hundred quality samples of the positives were sequenced in Kinshasa using Oxford nanopore technologies minion and the Protocol Midnight SARS-CoV2. Data were processed using Excel version 16 software. Results: Of the 100 samples sequenced, 77 (77%) produced sequences, 23 (23%) did not. The genomic profiles were wild-type Wuhan and minor mutations (19A, 19B (A), 20A (B.1, B.2), 20B (AV.1), 20D (B.1.1.1 /C.36), 20C), variant of concern Alpha (20I), variant of concern Delta (21A/J), variant of interest Eta (21D), variant of concern Omicron (21K) and unclassified variant under surveillance (B.1.640). Of these variants, the maximums were detected in patients aged 26 - 35 with 30.26% and 25.26% in 36 - 45. However, 24.67% were in travelers and 75.32% in residents, 35.06% in those vaccinated against COVID-19 and 62.33% in non-vaccinates. The estimated case-fatality rate was 2.44% (107/4374). Conclusion: This work has provided preliminary data on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating during the 2020-2021 epidemics in Chad.展开更多
Introduction: the problem of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and its consequences concern and challenge all social actors worldwide. The objective of the study was to identify the real obstacles that actors face in th...Introduction: the problem of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and its consequences concern and challenge all social actors worldwide. The objective of the study was to identify the real obstacles that actors face in the integrated management of children aged 6 - 59 months suffering from SAM at the University Hospital of Mother and Child (CHUME) and the Chad-China Friendship Hospital (HATC) of N’Djamena. Methodology: this is a cross-sectional descriptive and interpretative study conducted from January to October 2023 at the CHUME and HATC of N’Djamena. It is based on questionnaires and direct observation of two hundred and thirty-six (236) parents or guardians of malnourished children admitted to these health facilities. All 236 agreed to participate freely in this study. Results: it appears from this study that the obstacles to the integrated management of malnourished children were: poor care-care relationship (26.7%) permanent product breaks (22.9%), the direct costs of services ranged from 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA (41.53%), drugs used for the treatment of patients came from the street (66.10%), malaria and anemia occupy an important place (27.5%), 57.2% respondents had monthly income below 60,000 CFAF. Conclusion: the present study carried out has identified the real bottlenecks to the integrated management of children suffering from SAM in the therapeutic nutritional units of the city of N’Djamena. .展开更多
The present study tested the sensitivity of Salaria basilisca to water-cadmium （Cd） contamination. For this purpose, liver somatic index （LSI）, Cd concentrations and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as c...The present study tested the sensitivity of Salaria basilisca to water-cadmium （Cd） contamination. For this purpose, liver somatic index （LSI）, Cd concentrations and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase （CAT）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） were measured in the liver of S. basilisca exposed to Cd-contaminated water （2 mg Cd/L as CdCl2） for 14 and 28 d. The results showed that the LSI decreased significantly after 14 and 28 d of Cd-exposure. Cd bioaccumulation in the liver resulted in an increasing uptake up to 42 μg/g dry weight after 28 d of exposure. Activities of CAT and SOD were significantly increased with increasing exposure time. A significant increase in GSH-Px activity, under Cd influence, was observed during 14-day exposure period （p 〈 0.0001）. However, a significant decrease （p 〈 0.05） in this activity with respect to control fish was registered after 28 d of Cd-exposure. These results showed that Cd accumulation in the liver of S. basilisca could induce oxidative stress as demonstrated by changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Results also emphasized that S. basilisca may considered as a sensitive species to Cd exposure.展开更多
To select a marine teleost fish which can be used as a bioindicator of cadmium （Cd） pollution in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, Cd concentrations in liver and gill were compared in three benthic fish species includin...To select a marine teleost fish which can be used as a bioindicator of cadmium （Cd） pollution in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, Cd concentrations in liver and gill were compared in three benthic fish species including Salaria basilisca, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and Solea vulgaris. Fish samples were collected from three selected sites in the Gulf of Gabes, with different degrees of Cd contamination： the industrialized coast of Sfax （S 1）, the coast of Douar Chatt （S2） and the coast of Luza （S3）. The results shows that Cd concentrations in both sediment and water collected from S1 were significantly higher （t9 〈 0.0001） than those from S2 and S3. For each species, Cd concentrations, in both liver and gill, showed the decreasing order： S 1 〉 S2 〉 S3. The highest concentration of Cd was detected in the liver of S. basilisca, and only S. basilisca showed bioaccumulation factors （BAF） greater than 1 in all studied sites. In S 1 and S2, BAF values respect the following order： S. basilisca 〉 Z. ophiocephalus 〉 S. vulgaris. These results of significant bioaccumulation of Cd, in terms of hepatic concentrations and bioaccumulation factors, indicated that S. basilisca can be used as bioindicator to evaluate the evolution of Cd pollution in the Gulf of Gabes.展开更多
AIM To determine whether the need for additional tricuspid valve repair is an independent risk factor when surgery is required for a left-sided heart disease.METHODS One hundred and eighty patients(68 ± 12 years,...AIM To determine whether the need for additional tricuspid valve repair is an independent risk factor when surgery is required for a left-sided heart disease.METHODS One hundred and eighty patients(68 ± 12 years,79 males) underwent tricuspid annuoplasty.Cox proportionalhazards regression model for multivariate analysis was performed for variables found significant in univariate analyses.RESULTS Tricuspid regurgitation etiology was functional in 154 cases(86%),organic in 16 cases(9%),and mixed in10 cases(6%),respectively.Postoperative mortality at 30 days was 11.7%.Mean follow-up was 51.7 mo with survival at 5 years of 73.5%.Risk factors for mortality were acute endocarditis [hazard ratio(HR) = 9.22(95%CI:2.87-29.62),P < 0.001],ischemic heart disease requiring myocardial revascularization [HR = 2.79(1.26-6.20),P = 0.012],and aortic valve stenosis [HR = 2.6(1.15-5.85),P = 0.021].Significant predictive factors from univariate analyses were double-valve replacement combined with tricuspid annuloplasty [HR = 2.21(1.11-4.39),P = 0.003] and preoperatively impaired ejection fraction [HR = 1.98(1.04-3.92),P = 0.044].However,successful mitral valve repair showed a protective effect [HR = 0.32(0.10-0.98),P = 0.046].Additionally,in instances where tricuspid regurgitation required the need for concomitant tricuspid valve repair,mortality predictor scores such as Euroscore 2 could be shortened to a simple Euroscore-tricuspid comprised of only 7 inputs.The explanation may lie in the fact that significant tricuspid regurgitation following leftsided heart disease represents an independent risk factor encompassing several other factors such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and dyspnea.CONCLUSION Tricuspid annuloplasty should be used more often as a concomitant procedure in the presence of relevant tricuspid regurgitation,although it usually reveals an overly delayed correction of a left-sided heart disease.展开更多
Interest in Bordetella holmesii is increasing, but very little is known about this bacterium, which can be isolated from both blood and respiratory samples. In this study, we compared a B. holmesii isolate from the bl...Interest in Bordetella holmesii is increasing, but very little is known about this bacterium, which can be isolated from both blood and respiratory samples. In this study, we compared a B. holmesii isolate from the blood sample of an adult with bacteremia with another isolate from a nasopharyngeal swab from an adult with whooping cough syndrome. Genetic analysis was carried out, targeting relevant genes, and virulence properties were studied in cellular and animal models. Our genomic analysis provided no evidence of traits specific to either blood or respiratory isolates of B. holmesii. Neither isolate was cytotoxic to human tracheal epithelial cells. Both isolates were only weakly invasive and they did not persist within epithelial cells for less than 48 h.展开更多
Nowadays, African cities are subjected to upsets which result from the extraordinary growth of urban populations. The growth of the population of cities has induced some changes in the structure of the activity of tho...Nowadays, African cities are subjected to upsets which result from the extraordinary growth of urban populations. The growth of the population of cities has induced some changes in the structure of the activity of those cities. Agriculture which was formerly confined to the countryside henceforth develops in the urban area and occupies a preponderant place as a strategy of survival, of insertion and of food supplying of the city-dwellers. It has become an activity integrated to the urban tissue through systems of occupying and exploitation of land in the urban area. Population growth (4.81%) between 2002 and 2013 is a critical poverty rate (65%) of the population of Parakou city, entailing a misery perceptible in all its social and economic dimensions. The market-gardening activity has integrated itself to the urban tissue. The objective of this study is to understand how urban agriculture through market-gardening can be a solution for rural farmers who have moved to Parakou city. In this study, documentary research, interviews and field observation are used for data collection. The main results to be signaled among others are: evolution and status of the market-gardening areas in Parakou, the reduction of food insecurity with the permanent availability in quantity and in quality of market-gardening products accessible to the population: the protection of the environment through the drainage of the urban area and the preservation of the diversity of vegetables;the increase of the income of the households of the farmers and the creation of employments.展开更多
The synthesis of geological and petroleum research undertaken in the coastal Sedimentary Basin of the Pointe-Noire region enabled the establishment of a lithostratigraphic scale. It has been observed that the order in...The synthesis of geological and petroleum research undertaken in the coastal Sedimentary Basin of the Pointe-Noire region enabled the establishment of a lithostratigraphic scale. It has been observed that the order in which the series observed in outcrop and those encountered by deep wells succeed each other has allowed a value to be given to this relative scale. The study area corresponds to a longitudinal tectonic accident, fault or flexure. It belongs to the Cretaceous and Tertiary coastal sedimentary basin covered by the Plio-Pleistocene age formations (series of circuses), formed of highly permeable sands comprising multiple resistant horizons that store large bodies of water whose reserves are considered very important. Hydrographic network is composed of four main basins with a mediocre size. The quality of this groundwater is considered to be satisfactory for household consumption, but the sustainable management of these reserves requires constant checks on their quality as well as on the level of the reserves. All these resources put the agglomeration of Pointe-Noire close to large exploitable water reserves that meet the need for drinking water, even if, on the whole, the agglomeration is still experiencing many difficulties in terms of its drinking water supply.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the chemical composition of a moderately polar extract(CHC1_3 soluble part of the MeOH-H_2O extract) obtained from the aerial parts(leaves and flowers) of Centaurea diluta Ait.subsp.algeriensi...Objective:To investigate the chemical composition of a moderately polar extract(CHC1_3 soluble part of the MeOH-H_2O extract) obtained from the aerial parts(leaves and flowers) of Centaurea diluta Ait.subsp.algeriensis(Coss.& Dur.) Maire,a species endemic to Algeria and Morocco on which no reports are available to date.To evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic,antifungal and antimicrobial activities of this extract and the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of its isolated secondary metabolites.Methods:The cytotoxic effects of the extract were investigated on 3 human cancer cell lines i.e.the A549 non-small-cell lung carcinoma(NSCLC),the MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma and the U373 glioblastoma using a MTT colorimetric assay.Biological data allowed to guide the fractionation of the extract by separation and purification on silica gel 60(CC and TLC).The isolated compounds which were characterized by spectral analysis,mainly HR-ESIMS,HR-EIMS,UV and NMR experiments(~1H,^(13)C,COSY,ROESY,HSQC and HMBC) and comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature,were evaluated for cytotoxic activities on six cancer cell lines(A549,MCF7,U373,Hs683 human glioma,PC3 human prostate and B16-F10 murine melanoma).The direct and indirect antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined using microdilution methods for the raw extract and TLC-bioautography and microdilution methods against standard and clinical strains for the isolated compounds.Results:The raw extract reduced cell viability with IC_(50)s of 27,25 and 21 μg/mL on A549,MCF7 and U373,respectively.Five secondary metabolites:two phenolic compounds(vanillin 1,paridol 3),a lignan[(-)-arctigenin 2]and two flavonoid aglycones(eupatilin 4 and jaceosidin 5),were then isolated from this extract.Moderate cytotoxic effects were observed for(-)-arctigenin 2(IC_(50)s:28 and 33μM on Hs683 and B16-F10,respectively),eupatilin 4(IC_(50)s:33 and 47 μM on B16-F10 and PC3,respectively) and jaceosidin 5(IC_(50)s:32 and 40 μM on PC3 and B16-F10,respectively).Conclusions:All the isolated compounds were described for the first time from this species.Although inactive against 7 tested microorganisms(fungi,bacteria and yeast,human or plant pathogens),the raw extract was able to potentiate the effect of beta-lactam antibiotics on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),reducing the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) by a factor of 2-32-fold.No synergy was found between the extract and streptomycin.From the five isolated compounds only jaseosidin 5 showed a moderate antimicrobial activity.展开更多
Background: Confirmatory diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is based on demonstration of parasites by microscopy. However, the sensitivity of routine microscopy methods is ve...Background: Confirmatory diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is based on demonstration of parasites by microscopy. However, the sensitivity of routine microscopy methods is very low, and many cases are missed and left untreated. A clinical study was conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evaluate the accuracy of improved microscopy methods in diagnosis of HAT. These included examination by fluorescence microscopy (FM) of acridine orange (AO) stained smears of whole blood and smears made following a new procedure for concentrating trypanosomes by selective lysis of red blood cells (RBC). Methodology/Principal Findings: Venous blood was collected from 213 HAT cases, 101 HAT suspects and 95 controls and used to determine the accuracy of four microscopy methods: bright field microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick blood smears, FM of AO-stained thick blood smears, FM of AO-stained thick blood smears prepared after RBC lysis and concentration, and FM of AO-stained thin blood smears prepared after RBC lysis and concentration. The sensitivity of FM using thick blood smears stained with AO was 3 times higher than bright field microscopy using Giemsa-stained thick blood smears [19.7% (95% CI: 14.9% - 25.6%) versus 6.1% (95% CI: 3.6% - 10.2%)]. When the RBC lysis and concentration procedure was included, sensitivity of the test was further enhanced to 23.0% (95% CI: 17.9% - 29.1%) with thick blood smears and 34.3% (95% CI: 28.2% - 40.9%) with thin blood smears. Specificity of all four microscopy methods was 100% (95% CI: 96.1% - 100.0%). However, the miniature anion exchange chromatography technique (mAECT) and capillary tube centrifugation (CTC) method remained more sensitive. Conclusions: These new methods have practical advantages, including shorter staining time, ease of demonstration of parasites, and the possibility of archiving slides. They could, therefore, be alternative methods to improve case detection where concentration procedures such as mAECT or CTC are not performed.展开更多
The development of digital platforms is transforming caregiver-patient interactions and the dissemination of knowledge.Obtaining information from the Internet has become a habit for many patients and must be considere...The development of digital platforms is transforming caregiver-patient interactions and the dissemination of knowledge.Obtaining information from the Internet has become a habit for many patients and must be considered by caregivers.Thus,understanding the use of digital tools by patients is a public health issue.The Sav-AQ study aims to understand patterns of use by women with breast cancer and the role of health professionals.Sav-AQ is an exploratory feasibility study with a mixed design,exploring patient and healthcare experience before and after the integration of a specific website into their care pathways.The research is based on the digital platform“My Breast Cancer Network”,which was built by and for patients with breast cancer.A group of 30 breast cancer patients and six healthcare professionals using the platform were followed.The results show that for all users,the activity on the website decreases over time.At the beginning of the course,patients were more assiduous,which can be explained by the search for elements related to an unknown care pathway.The results also show that technical skills to use the platform are necessary for patients and must be accompanied by a health professional.It is of interest to devise a larger study to assessing the impact of such a platform on patient healthcare uptake and health skills development.展开更多
Cholera is re-emerging as an infectious disease with an increase in its overall incidence in Africa since 2008. To analyze the epidemiological aspects of the cholera outbreak in endemic areas in Benin. The study is a ...Cholera is re-emerging as an infectious disease with an increase in its overall incidence in Africa since 2008. To analyze the epidemiological aspects of the cholera outbreak in endemic areas in Benin. The study is a retrospective investigation on 2560 data of cholera patients received in health facilities from 2012 to 2016 in Benin. Besides, a prospective study was conducted. This prospective study includes 513 person (health professionals, community workers and people exposed to cholera) of five different areas of the country. It was conducted from April 10 to May 10, 2017. A survey was conducted over 513 in order to collect data on cholera symptoms, hygiene guidelines suggested by the respondents, excreta disposal, drinking water, household waste management and direct observation. Software R 3.4.0 was used for simple correspondence factor analysis (CFA). From 2012 to 2016, 16.48% of samples were taken and 48.34% were positive for <i>Vibrio cholera</i> O1, <i>El Tor biotype</i>, <i>Ogawa serotypes</i>. The Littoral area is leading in the number of cases (33.83%) followed by Atlantic (23.75%), Ouémé (16.79%) and Colline (8.91%). The survey revealed that the exposed populations are unaware of the symptoms of cholera and do not perceive the quality of drinking water as a strong guidance in the prevention of cholera. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents (86%) are aware for the best times to wash their hands and know that they need to go to hospital in case of symptoms. Our study highlights the persistence of vulnerability factors to cholera in the targeted population, despite a good knowledge of prevention rules among staff and the population.展开更多
BACKGROUND At the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),more than 90%of HCC patients present cirrhosis,a clinical condition often associated to malnutrition.Sarcopenia is an indirect marker of malnutrition assess...BACKGROUND At the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),more than 90%of HCC patients present cirrhosis,a clinical condition often associated to malnutrition.Sarcopenia is an indirect marker of malnutrition assessable on computed tomography(CT).AIM To evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with HCC treated by trans-arterial(chemo)-embolization.METHODS Patients with HCC treated by a first session of trans-arterial(chemo)embolization and an available CT scan before treatment were included.Sarcopenia was assessed using skeletal muscle index at baseline and at the first radiological assessment.Radiological response was recorded after the first session of treatment using mRECIST.RESULTS Of 225 patients treated by trans-arterial bland embolization(n=71)or trans-arterial chemoembolization(n=154)for HCC between 2007 and 2013,Barcelona Clinic of Liver Cancer stage was A,B,and C in 27.5%,55%,and 16.8%of cases,respectively.Sarcopenia was present in 57.7%of the patients.Patients with sarcopenia presented a higher rate of progressive disease(19%vs 8%,P=0.0236),a shorter progression-free survival(8.3 vs 13.2 mo,P=0.0035),and a shorter median overall survival(19.4 mo vs 35.5 mo,P=0.0149)compared with non-sarcopenic patients.Finally,patients whose sarcopenia appeared after first transarterial treatment had the worst prognosis(P=0.0004).CONCLUSION Sarcopenia is associated with tumor progression and poor survival outcomes after trans-arterial(chemo)-embolization for HCC.展开更多
基金the financial supports from National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFB3403301)the Funds for International Cooperation and Exchange of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52311530080)。
文摘Modern industrial equipment is increasingly characterized by miniaturization,integration,and high performance,necessitating the production of complex structural parts with exceptionally high internal surface quality.Direct manufacturing often leads to high internal surface roughness,which traditional finishing and measuring methods cannot adequately address due to the decreasing size and increasing complexity of internal structures.This is especially true for components like pipes with large aspect ratios,extremely small deep holes,multi-stage bends,cross pipes,and array holes.To meet the high-performance manufacturing demands of these parts,advanced internal surface finishing and roughness measurement technologies have gained significant attention.This review focuses on the challenges and solutions related to internal surface parts with various apertures and complex structures.Internal surface finishing methods are categorized into mechanical finishing,fluid-based finishing,and energy-field-based finishing based on their characteristics.Roughness measurement technologies are divided into tool-probing and non-probing methods.The principles,required equipment,and key parameters of each finishing and measurement approach are discussed in detail.Additionally,the advantages and limitations of these methods are summarized,and future trends are forecasted.This paper serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers and engineers aiming to enhance the internal surface quality of complex structure parts.
文摘Background: Malnutrition, a serious public health concern, is influenced by various factors. Objective: The study aims to explore malnutrition issues among infants under five years old in Guéra Province. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and a two-stage cluster sampling method to select participants. The study population was infants aged between 0 - 24 months. Data collection was done between June 2023 and September 2024;it included anthropometric measurements, blood analyses, and interviews. Anthropometric parameters were calculated using ENA for SMART software. Statistical analyses were performed by R Studio to investigate associations between different characteristics, using logistic regression models to identify risk factors. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The study included 377 infants in eight villages in Guéra Province, Chad. The sample was predominantly girls (55.3%), with a median age of 16 months. Most infants (94%) were mixed-fed, and only 6% were exclusively breastfed. We found that 7.3% of children were globally malnourished, with higher rates in boys 9.6%. A significant disparity existed between boys and girls in global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates, with boys having a higher prevalence of 17.9%. A substantial proportion of Infants were underweight, with males 27.4%. Stunting was prevalent 20.1%. Several factors were associated with malnutrition, including gender, feeding practices, infectious diseases, and socioeconomic factors. Diarrhea, malaria, limited access to drinking water, and early diet diversification were significantly associated with malnutrition. Conclusion: Targeted interventions are necessary to address these issues and improve the nutritional status of children in the Guéra province.
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.
基金Supported by the Centre for Digital Entertainment at Bournemouth University by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC)EP/L016540/1 and Humain Ltd.
文摘Background Deep 3D morphable models(deep 3DMMs)play an essential role in computer vision.They are used in facial synthesis,compression,reconstruction and animation,avatar creation,virtual try-on,facial recognition systems and medical imaging.These applications require high spatial and perceptual quality of synthesised meshes.Despite their significance,these models have not been compared with different mesh representations and evaluated jointly with point-wise distance and perceptual metrics.Methods We compare the influence of different mesh representation features to various deep 3DMMs on spatial and perceptual fidelity of the reconstructed meshes.This paper proves the hypothesis that building deep 3DMMs from meshes represented with global representations leads to lower spatial reconstruction error measured with L_(1) and L_(2) norm metrics and underperforms on perceptual metrics.In contrast,using differential mesh representations which describe differential surface properties yields lower perceptual FMPD and DAME and higher spatial fidelity error.The influence of mesh feature normalisation and standardisation is also compared and analysed from perceptual and spatial fidelity perspectives.Results The results presented in this paper provide guidance in selecting mesh representations to build deep 3DMMs accordingly to spatial and perceptual quality objectives and propose combinations of mesh representations and deep 3DMMs which improve either perceptual or spatial fidelity of existing methods.
文摘It is widely recognized that chronic hyperglycemia decreases bone quality,although little is known about the impact of the rapid correction of chronic hyperglycemia on the quality of bone remodeling.This spotlight article explores this correlation by focusing on the stages of bone remodeling linked to glucose levels.
文摘Background: SARS-CoV-2 has circulated worldwide with dramatic consequences. In Chad, we have no data reported of variants. The aim of this study was to identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants that circulated during the epidemic from 2020 to 2021. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out between 2020 and 2021. Samples from patients with suspected COVID-19 were tested in five laboratories in N’Djamena. One hundred quality samples of the positives were sequenced in Kinshasa using Oxford nanopore technologies minion and the Protocol Midnight SARS-CoV2. Data were processed using Excel version 16 software. Results: Of the 100 samples sequenced, 77 (77%) produced sequences, 23 (23%) did not. The genomic profiles were wild-type Wuhan and minor mutations (19A, 19B (A), 20A (B.1, B.2), 20B (AV.1), 20D (B.1.1.1 /C.36), 20C), variant of concern Alpha (20I), variant of concern Delta (21A/J), variant of interest Eta (21D), variant of concern Omicron (21K) and unclassified variant under surveillance (B.1.640). Of these variants, the maximums were detected in patients aged 26 - 35 with 30.26% and 25.26% in 36 - 45. However, 24.67% were in travelers and 75.32% in residents, 35.06% in those vaccinated against COVID-19 and 62.33% in non-vaccinates. The estimated case-fatality rate was 2.44% (107/4374). Conclusion: This work has provided preliminary data on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating during the 2020-2021 epidemics in Chad.
文摘Introduction: the problem of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and its consequences concern and challenge all social actors worldwide. The objective of the study was to identify the real obstacles that actors face in the integrated management of children aged 6 - 59 months suffering from SAM at the University Hospital of Mother and Child (CHUME) and the Chad-China Friendship Hospital (HATC) of N’Djamena. Methodology: this is a cross-sectional descriptive and interpretative study conducted from January to October 2023 at the CHUME and HATC of N’Djamena. It is based on questionnaires and direct observation of two hundred and thirty-six (236) parents or guardians of malnourished children admitted to these health facilities. All 236 agreed to participate freely in this study. Results: it appears from this study that the obstacles to the integrated management of malnourished children were: poor care-care relationship (26.7%) permanent product breaks (22.9%), the direct costs of services ranged from 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA (41.53%), drugs used for the treatment of patients came from the street (66.10%), malaria and anemia occupy an important place (27.5%), 57.2% respondents had monthly income below 60,000 CFAF. Conclusion: the present study carried out has identified the real bottlenecks to the integrated management of children suffering from SAM in the therapeutic nutritional units of the city of N’Djamena. .
文摘The present study tested the sensitivity of Salaria basilisca to water-cadmium （Cd） contamination. For this purpose, liver somatic index （LSI）, Cd concentrations and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase （CAT）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） were measured in the liver of S. basilisca exposed to Cd-contaminated water （2 mg Cd/L as CdCl2） for 14 and 28 d. The results showed that the LSI decreased significantly after 14 and 28 d of Cd-exposure. Cd bioaccumulation in the liver resulted in an increasing uptake up to 42 μg/g dry weight after 28 d of exposure. Activities of CAT and SOD were significantly increased with increasing exposure time. A significant increase in GSH-Px activity, under Cd influence, was observed during 14-day exposure period （p 〈 0.0001）. However, a significant decrease （p 〈 0.05） in this activity with respect to control fish was registered after 28 d of Cd-exposure. These results showed that Cd accumulation in the liver of S. basilisca could induce oxidative stress as demonstrated by changes in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Results also emphasized that S. basilisca may considered as a sensitive species to Cd exposure.
文摘To select a marine teleost fish which can be used as a bioindicator of cadmium （Cd） pollution in the Gulf of Gabes in Tunisia, Cd concentrations in liver and gill were compared in three benthic fish species including Salaria basilisca, Zosterisessor ophiocephalus and Solea vulgaris. Fish samples were collected from three selected sites in the Gulf of Gabes, with different degrees of Cd contamination： the industrialized coast of Sfax （S 1）, the coast of Douar Chatt （S2） and the coast of Luza （S3）. The results shows that Cd concentrations in both sediment and water collected from S1 were significantly higher （t9 〈 0.0001） than those from S2 and S3. For each species, Cd concentrations, in both liver and gill, showed the decreasing order： S 1 〉 S2 〉 S3. The highest concentration of Cd was detected in the liver of S. basilisca, and only S. basilisca showed bioaccumulation factors （BAF） greater than 1 in all studied sites. In S 1 and S2, BAF values respect the following order： S. basilisca 〉 Z. ophiocephalus 〉 S. vulgaris. These results of significant bioaccumulation of Cd, in terms of hepatic concentrations and bioaccumulation factors, indicated that S. basilisca can be used as bioindicator to evaluate the evolution of Cd pollution in the Gulf of Gabes.
文摘AIM To determine whether the need for additional tricuspid valve repair is an independent risk factor when surgery is required for a left-sided heart disease.METHODS One hundred and eighty patients(68 ± 12 years,79 males) underwent tricuspid annuoplasty.Cox proportionalhazards regression model for multivariate analysis was performed for variables found significant in univariate analyses.RESULTS Tricuspid regurgitation etiology was functional in 154 cases(86%),organic in 16 cases(9%),and mixed in10 cases(6%),respectively.Postoperative mortality at 30 days was 11.7%.Mean follow-up was 51.7 mo with survival at 5 years of 73.5%.Risk factors for mortality were acute endocarditis [hazard ratio(HR) = 9.22(95%CI:2.87-29.62),P < 0.001],ischemic heart disease requiring myocardial revascularization [HR = 2.79(1.26-6.20),P = 0.012],and aortic valve stenosis [HR = 2.6(1.15-5.85),P = 0.021].Significant predictive factors from univariate analyses were double-valve replacement combined with tricuspid annuloplasty [HR = 2.21(1.11-4.39),P = 0.003] and preoperatively impaired ejection fraction [HR = 1.98(1.04-3.92),P = 0.044].However,successful mitral valve repair showed a protective effect [HR = 0.32(0.10-0.98),P = 0.046].Additionally,in instances where tricuspid regurgitation required the need for concomitant tricuspid valve repair,mortality predictor scores such as Euroscore 2 could be shortened to a simple Euroscore-tricuspid comprised of only 7 inputs.The explanation may lie in the fact that significant tricuspid regurgitation following leftsided heart disease represents an independent risk factor encompassing several other factors such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and dyspnea.CONCLUSION Tricuspid annuloplasty should be used more often as a concomitant procedure in the presence of relevant tricuspid regurgitation,although it usually reveals an overly delayed correction of a left-sided heart disease.
文摘Interest in Bordetella holmesii is increasing, but very little is known about this bacterium, which can be isolated from both blood and respiratory samples. In this study, we compared a B. holmesii isolate from the blood sample of an adult with bacteremia with another isolate from a nasopharyngeal swab from an adult with whooping cough syndrome. Genetic analysis was carried out, targeting relevant genes, and virulence properties were studied in cellular and animal models. Our genomic analysis provided no evidence of traits specific to either blood or respiratory isolates of B. holmesii. Neither isolate was cytotoxic to human tracheal epithelial cells. Both isolates were only weakly invasive and they did not persist within epithelial cells for less than 48 h.
文摘Nowadays, African cities are subjected to upsets which result from the extraordinary growth of urban populations. The growth of the population of cities has induced some changes in the structure of the activity of those cities. Agriculture which was formerly confined to the countryside henceforth develops in the urban area and occupies a preponderant place as a strategy of survival, of insertion and of food supplying of the city-dwellers. It has become an activity integrated to the urban tissue through systems of occupying and exploitation of land in the urban area. Population growth (4.81%) between 2002 and 2013 is a critical poverty rate (65%) of the population of Parakou city, entailing a misery perceptible in all its social and economic dimensions. The market-gardening activity has integrated itself to the urban tissue. The objective of this study is to understand how urban agriculture through market-gardening can be a solution for rural farmers who have moved to Parakou city. In this study, documentary research, interviews and field observation are used for data collection. The main results to be signaled among others are: evolution and status of the market-gardening areas in Parakou, the reduction of food insecurity with the permanent availability in quantity and in quality of market-gardening products accessible to the population: the protection of the environment through the drainage of the urban area and the preservation of the diversity of vegetables;the increase of the income of the households of the farmers and the creation of employments.
文摘The synthesis of geological and petroleum research undertaken in the coastal Sedimentary Basin of the Pointe-Noire region enabled the establishment of a lithostratigraphic scale. It has been observed that the order in which the series observed in outcrop and those encountered by deep wells succeed each other has allowed a value to be given to this relative scale. The study area corresponds to a longitudinal tectonic accident, fault or flexure. It belongs to the Cretaceous and Tertiary coastal sedimentary basin covered by the Plio-Pleistocene age formations (series of circuses), formed of highly permeable sands comprising multiple resistant horizons that store large bodies of water whose reserves are considered very important. Hydrographic network is composed of four main basins with a mediocre size. The quality of this groundwater is considered to be satisfactory for household consumption, but the sustainable management of these reserves requires constant checks on their quality as well as on the level of the reserves. All these resources put the agglomeration of Pointe-Noire close to large exploitable water reserves that meet the need for drinking water, even if, on the whole, the agglomeration is still experiencing many difficulties in terms of its drinking water supply.
文摘Objective:To investigate the chemical composition of a moderately polar extract(CHC1_3 soluble part of the MeOH-H_2O extract) obtained from the aerial parts(leaves and flowers) of Centaurea diluta Ait.subsp.algeriensis(Coss.& Dur.) Maire,a species endemic to Algeria and Morocco on which no reports are available to date.To evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic,antifungal and antimicrobial activities of this extract and the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of its isolated secondary metabolites.Methods:The cytotoxic effects of the extract were investigated on 3 human cancer cell lines i.e.the A549 non-small-cell lung carcinoma(NSCLC),the MCF7 breast adenocarcinoma and the U373 glioblastoma using a MTT colorimetric assay.Biological data allowed to guide the fractionation of the extract by separation and purification on silica gel 60(CC and TLC).The isolated compounds which were characterized by spectral analysis,mainly HR-ESIMS,HR-EIMS,UV and NMR experiments(~1H,^(13)C,COSY,ROESY,HSQC and HMBC) and comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature,were evaluated for cytotoxic activities on six cancer cell lines(A549,MCF7,U373,Hs683 human glioma,PC3 human prostate and B16-F10 murine melanoma).The direct and indirect antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined using microdilution methods for the raw extract and TLC-bioautography and microdilution methods against standard and clinical strains for the isolated compounds.Results:The raw extract reduced cell viability with IC_(50)s of 27,25 and 21 μg/mL on A549,MCF7 and U373,respectively.Five secondary metabolites:two phenolic compounds(vanillin 1,paridol 3),a lignan[(-)-arctigenin 2]and two flavonoid aglycones(eupatilin 4 and jaceosidin 5),were then isolated from this extract.Moderate cytotoxic effects were observed for(-)-arctigenin 2(IC_(50)s:28 and 33μM on Hs683 and B16-F10,respectively),eupatilin 4(IC_(50)s:33 and 47 μM on B16-F10 and PC3,respectively) and jaceosidin 5(IC_(50)s:32 and 40 μM on PC3 and B16-F10,respectively).Conclusions:All the isolated compounds were described for the first time from this species.Although inactive against 7 tested microorganisms(fungi,bacteria and yeast,human or plant pathogens),the raw extract was able to potentiate the effect of beta-lactam antibiotics on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA),reducing the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs) by a factor of 2-32-fold.No synergy was found between the extract and streptomycin.From the five isolated compounds only jaseosidin 5 showed a moderate antimicrobial activity.
文摘Background: Confirmatory diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is based on demonstration of parasites by microscopy. However, the sensitivity of routine microscopy methods is very low, and many cases are missed and left untreated. A clinical study was conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evaluate the accuracy of improved microscopy methods in diagnosis of HAT. These included examination by fluorescence microscopy (FM) of acridine orange (AO) stained smears of whole blood and smears made following a new procedure for concentrating trypanosomes by selective lysis of red blood cells (RBC). Methodology/Principal Findings: Venous blood was collected from 213 HAT cases, 101 HAT suspects and 95 controls and used to determine the accuracy of four microscopy methods: bright field microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick blood smears, FM of AO-stained thick blood smears, FM of AO-stained thick blood smears prepared after RBC lysis and concentration, and FM of AO-stained thin blood smears prepared after RBC lysis and concentration. The sensitivity of FM using thick blood smears stained with AO was 3 times higher than bright field microscopy using Giemsa-stained thick blood smears [19.7% (95% CI: 14.9% - 25.6%) versus 6.1% (95% CI: 3.6% - 10.2%)]. When the RBC lysis and concentration procedure was included, sensitivity of the test was further enhanced to 23.0% (95% CI: 17.9% - 29.1%) with thick blood smears and 34.3% (95% CI: 28.2% - 40.9%) with thin blood smears. Specificity of all four microscopy methods was 100% (95% CI: 96.1% - 100.0%). However, the miniature anion exchange chromatography technique (mAECT) and capillary tube centrifugation (CTC) method remained more sensitive. Conclusions: These new methods have practical advantages, including shorter staining time, ease of demonstration of parasites, and the possibility of archiving slides. They could, therefore, be alternative methods to improve case detection where concentration procedures such as mAECT or CTC are not performed.
文摘The development of digital platforms is transforming caregiver-patient interactions and the dissemination of knowledge.Obtaining information from the Internet has become a habit for many patients and must be considered by caregivers.Thus,understanding the use of digital tools by patients is a public health issue.The Sav-AQ study aims to understand patterns of use by women with breast cancer and the role of health professionals.Sav-AQ is an exploratory feasibility study with a mixed design,exploring patient and healthcare experience before and after the integration of a specific website into their care pathways.The research is based on the digital platform“My Breast Cancer Network”,which was built by and for patients with breast cancer.A group of 30 breast cancer patients and six healthcare professionals using the platform were followed.The results show that for all users,the activity on the website decreases over time.At the beginning of the course,patients were more assiduous,which can be explained by the search for elements related to an unknown care pathway.The results also show that technical skills to use the platform are necessary for patients and must be accompanied by a health professional.It is of interest to devise a larger study to assessing the impact of such a platform on patient healthcare uptake and health skills development.
文摘Cholera is re-emerging as an infectious disease with an increase in its overall incidence in Africa since 2008. To analyze the epidemiological aspects of the cholera outbreak in endemic areas in Benin. The study is a retrospective investigation on 2560 data of cholera patients received in health facilities from 2012 to 2016 in Benin. Besides, a prospective study was conducted. This prospective study includes 513 person (health professionals, community workers and people exposed to cholera) of five different areas of the country. It was conducted from April 10 to May 10, 2017. A survey was conducted over 513 in order to collect data on cholera symptoms, hygiene guidelines suggested by the respondents, excreta disposal, drinking water, household waste management and direct observation. Software R 3.4.0 was used for simple correspondence factor analysis (CFA). From 2012 to 2016, 16.48% of samples were taken and 48.34% were positive for <i>Vibrio cholera</i> O1, <i>El Tor biotype</i>, <i>Ogawa serotypes</i>. The Littoral area is leading in the number of cases (33.83%) followed by Atlantic (23.75%), Ouémé (16.79%) and Colline (8.91%). The survey revealed that the exposed populations are unaware of the symptoms of cholera and do not perceive the quality of drinking water as a strong guidance in the prevention of cholera. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents (86%) are aware for the best times to wash their hands and know that they need to go to hospital in case of symptoms. Our study highlights the persistence of vulnerability factors to cholera in the targeted population, despite a good knowledge of prevention rules among staff and the population.
基金The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki.Study ethics was approved by the independent French ethic committee CERIM(Comitéd’éthique de la recherche en imagerie médicale)(approval date May 252020,No.CRM-2004-084).
文摘BACKGROUND At the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),more than 90%of HCC patients present cirrhosis,a clinical condition often associated to malnutrition.Sarcopenia is an indirect marker of malnutrition assessable on computed tomography(CT).AIM To evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with HCC treated by trans-arterial(chemo)-embolization.METHODS Patients with HCC treated by a first session of trans-arterial(chemo)embolization and an available CT scan before treatment were included.Sarcopenia was assessed using skeletal muscle index at baseline and at the first radiological assessment.Radiological response was recorded after the first session of treatment using mRECIST.RESULTS Of 225 patients treated by trans-arterial bland embolization(n=71)or trans-arterial chemoembolization(n=154)for HCC between 2007 and 2013,Barcelona Clinic of Liver Cancer stage was A,B,and C in 27.5%,55%,and 16.8%of cases,respectively.Sarcopenia was present in 57.7%of the patients.Patients with sarcopenia presented a higher rate of progressive disease(19%vs 8%,P=0.0236),a shorter progression-free survival(8.3 vs 13.2 mo,P=0.0035),and a shorter median overall survival(19.4 mo vs 35.5 mo,P=0.0149)compared with non-sarcopenic patients.Finally,patients whose sarcopenia appeared after first transarterial treatment had the worst prognosis(P=0.0004).CONCLUSION Sarcopenia is associated with tumor progression and poor survival outcomes after trans-arterial(chemo)-embolization for HCC.
