Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women ...Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women at high risk. The aim of our study was to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women, and the maternal and perinatal outcomes of infected patients. Methodology: This was a case-control study involving 42 cases matched to 42 controls recruited from two public and tertiary hospitals in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala over a period from November 31 to May 31, 2024. Cases were defined as deliveries or records of COVID-19 deliveries confirmed positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by a COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test (Covid-RDT). Controls were defined as deliveries or records of deliveries negative to the same test. They were matched by the hospital. Non-consenting births and unusable records were excluded. The data collected were recorded on a pre-established, pretexted data sheet examining sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes which were then analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: After multivariate analysis, the independent sociodemographic factors were: belonging to the [30 - 40] age group (OR: 4.4;P = 0.010), being married (OR: 8.1;P = 0.030);being unemployed (OR: 3;P = 0.040). Independent clinical factors were: being in the third trimester of pregnancy (OR: 1.1;P = 0.017), being diabetic (OR: 5;P = 0.033) and being obese (OR: 11.5;P = 0.043). Independent factors associated with maternal outcome were: caesarean section (OR: 10;P = 0.001);admission to intensive care (OR: 30.7;P = 0.013);SO2 ≤ 94% (OR: 11.7;P = 0.033);HR > 100 (OR: 15.5;P = 0.001). Independent factors associated with perinatal outcome were: weight Conclusion: The factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women are multiple, and maternal outcome depends on its condition on admission, and has a significant impact on perinatal health, including mode of delivery. Emphasis must be placed on prevention and optimal management of these associated factors.展开更多
Introduction: The use of radioactive radiations in healthcare facilities must comply with radioprotection safety rules in order to avoid threatening the health of workers and patients. This study aimed to assess the w...Introduction: The use of radioactive radiations in healthcare facilities must comply with radioprotection safety rules in order to avoid threatening the health of workers and patients. This study aimed to assess the working conditions, the protective measures and the medical monitoring of workers directly involved in X-ray work at hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the 1st quarter of 2018, across various state and private health facilities of the city of Douala. Sampling was non-random, based on convenience and all the willing participants that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Quantitative analyses were conducted using EPI INFO 7.0 software and the results were presented in both univariate and bivariate forms. Results: The sample consisted of 56 men and 31 women with a mean age of 34.75 ± 8.77 years. X-ray technicians were over-represented (41.38%). Day/night shift work was the main work pattern (68.96%). The distribution of work zones A&B was known by 87.5% of the participants. Hazard warning signs were effective in work zones A and B (75.86%), and the walls of the premises were also reinforced in these work zones (88.51%), but the use of radiation dosimeters was rare (9.20%). Radiation aprons (94.30%) and hand-held dosimeters (63.20%) were the most commonly used personal protective equipment. The majority of the participants did not benefit from medical follow-up by an occupational health specialist (62.1%). Conclusion: The implementation of radiation protection measures remains a significant concern in Douala based health facilities, and requires stricter administrative controls and sanctions to prevent serious health consequences for exposed staff.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for...BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for assessing this risk.In Gabon,early implementation of anticoagulation therapy and D-dimer testing has been crucial in managing COVID-19.This study hypothesizes that elevated Ddimer levels are linked to increased COVID-19 severity.AIM To determine the impact of D-dimer levels on COVID-19 severity and their role in guiding clinical decisions.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Gabon between March 2020 and December 2023.The study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and available D-dimer measurements at admission.Data on demographics,clinical outcomes,D-dimer levels,and healthcare costs were collected.COVID-19 severity was classified as non-severe(outpatients)or severe(inpatients).A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between D-dimer levels and disease severity,with adjusted odds ratios(OR)and 95%CI.RESULTS A total of 3004 patients were included,with a mean age of 50.17 years,and the majority were female(53.43%).Elevated D-dimer levels were found in 65.81%of patients,and 57.21%of these experienced severe COVID-19.Univariate analysis showed that patients with elevated D-dimer levels had 3.33 times higher odds of severe COVID-19(OR=3.33,95%CI:2.84-3.92,P<0.001),and this association remained significant in the multivariable analysis,adjusted for age,sex,and year of collection.The financial analysis revealed a substantial burden,particularly for uninsured patients.CONCLUSION D-dimer predicts COVID-19 severity and guides treatment,but the high cost of anticoagulant therapy highlights the need for policies ensuring affordable access in resource-limited settings like Gabon.展开更多
Background:The perception of effort is a key determinant of endurance performance and a barrier to physical activity in inactive populations.From a neurophysiological viewpoint,effort perception is thought to arise fr...Background:The perception of effort is a key determinant of endurance performance and a barrier to physical activity in inactive populations.From a neurophysiological viewpoint,effort perception is thought to arise from the brain processing of an efference copy of the motor command in sensory areas.However,recent research suggests that feedback from muscle spindles plays a significant role in this perception.In this study,tendon vibration protocols were employed to attenuate sensory feedback during subsequent cycling exercises.The aim was to assess whether vibration would increase cycling power output,muscle activation,and heart rate at fixed perceived effort intensities.Methods:Fifteen healthy young participants completed 2 experimental visits(vibration and sham).In each visit,participants performed two 3-min cycling bouts,1 at a moderate perceived effort intensity and 1 at a strong perceived effort intensity,before(pre)and after(post)an actual or a sham vibration protocol.Vibration was applied bilaterally on the patellar and Achilles tendons for 10 min.Power output,heart rate,and vastus lateralis electromyography(VL EMG)were recorded and averaged for each bout.Absolute values as well as relative change(%)between pre and post conditions were compared across sham and vibration conditions.Results:At moderate perceived effort,power output,heart rate,and VL EMG increased post-vibration compared to pre-vibration(p<0.05),while no difference was observed in the sham condition.At strong perceived effort,power output and VL EMG decreased post-sham(p<0.05)but remained unchanged post-vibration.Moreover,the relative change between pre and post conditions was significantly higher in the vibration conditions compared to the sham condition for all variables.Conclusion:This study shows that tendon vibration reduces effort perception during subsequent cycling bouts.This effect is likely a consequence of vibration-induced reduction in muscle spindle reafferent signaling to the brain,but this mechanism remains to be further elucidated.From an applied perspective,these findings highlight tendon vibration as a promising tool for enhancing physical activity engagement.展开更多
The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity,which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes.While inbreeding generally reduces th...The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity,which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes.While inbreeding generally reduces the proportion of heterozygous individuals in a population,polyploidy tends to increase the proportion.North American Populus tremuloides is one of the most widely distributed and ecologically important tree species in the Northern Hemisphere.However,genetic variation in Mexican populations of P.tremuloides,including the genetic signatures of their adaptation to a variety of environments,remains largely uncharacterized.The aim of this study was to analyze how inbreeding coefficient(FIS)and ploidy are associated with clonal richness,population cover,climate and soil traits in 91 marginal to small,isolated populations of this tree species throughout its entire distribution in Mexico.Genetic variables were determined using 36,810 filtered SNPs derived from genome re-sequencing.We found that FIS was approximately between 0 and e1,indicating an extreme heterozygosity excess.One key contributor to the observed extreme heterozygosity excess was asexual reproduction,although ploidy levels cannot explain this excess.Analysis of all neutral SNPs showed that asexual reproduction was positively correlated with observed heterozygosity(Ho)but negatively correlated with expected heterozygosity(He).Analysis of outlier SNPs also showed that asexual reproductionwas positively correlated with Ho and negatively correlated with He,although this latter correlation was not significant.These findings support the presence of a Meselson effect.展开更多
文摘Introduction: The Coronavirus pandemic was responsible for an unprecedented health crisis that shook the world with its high contagiousness and lethality. Its impact on maternal and fetal health places pregnant women at high risk. The aim of our study was to determine the factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women, and the maternal and perinatal outcomes of infected patients. Methodology: This was a case-control study involving 42 cases matched to 42 controls recruited from two public and tertiary hospitals in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala over a period from November 31 to May 31, 2024. Cases were defined as deliveries or records of COVID-19 deliveries confirmed positive by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or by a COVID-19 rapid diagnostic test (Covid-RDT). Controls were defined as deliveries or records of deliveries negative to the same test. They were matched by the hospital. Non-consenting births and unusable records were excluded. The data collected were recorded on a pre-established, pretexted data sheet examining sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and maternal and perinatal outcomes which were then analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Results: After multivariate analysis, the independent sociodemographic factors were: belonging to the [30 - 40] age group (OR: 4.4;P = 0.010), being married (OR: 8.1;P = 0.030);being unemployed (OR: 3;P = 0.040). Independent clinical factors were: being in the third trimester of pregnancy (OR: 1.1;P = 0.017), being diabetic (OR: 5;P = 0.033) and being obese (OR: 11.5;P = 0.043). Independent factors associated with maternal outcome were: caesarean section (OR: 10;P = 0.001);admission to intensive care (OR: 30.7;P = 0.013);SO2 ≤ 94% (OR: 11.7;P = 0.033);HR > 100 (OR: 15.5;P = 0.001). Independent factors associated with perinatal outcome were: weight Conclusion: The factors associated with the occurrence of COVID-19 in pregnant women are multiple, and maternal outcome depends on its condition on admission, and has a significant impact on perinatal health, including mode of delivery. Emphasis must be placed on prevention and optimal management of these associated factors.
文摘Introduction: The use of radioactive radiations in healthcare facilities must comply with radioprotection safety rules in order to avoid threatening the health of workers and patients. This study aimed to assess the working conditions, the protective measures and the medical monitoring of workers directly involved in X-ray work at hospitals in Douala, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during the 1st quarter of 2018, across various state and private health facilities of the city of Douala. Sampling was non-random, based on convenience and all the willing participants that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Quantitative analyses were conducted using EPI INFO 7.0 software and the results were presented in both univariate and bivariate forms. Results: The sample consisted of 56 men and 31 women with a mean age of 34.75 ± 8.77 years. X-ray technicians were over-represented (41.38%). Day/night shift work was the main work pattern (68.96%). The distribution of work zones A&B was known by 87.5% of the participants. Hazard warning signs were effective in work zones A and B (75.86%), and the walls of the premises were also reinforced in these work zones (88.51%), but the use of radiation dosimeters was rare (9.20%). Radiation aprons (94.30%) and hand-held dosimeters (63.20%) were the most commonly used personal protective equipment. The majority of the participants did not benefit from medical follow-up by an occupational health specialist (62.1%). Conclusion: The implementation of radiation protection measures remains a significant concern in Douala based health facilities, and requires stricter administrative controls and sanctions to prevent serious health consequences for exposed staff.
文摘BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for assessing this risk.In Gabon,early implementation of anticoagulation therapy and D-dimer testing has been crucial in managing COVID-19.This study hypothesizes that elevated Ddimer levels are linked to increased COVID-19 severity.AIM To determine the impact of D-dimer levels on COVID-19 severity and their role in guiding clinical decisions.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Gabon between March 2020 and December 2023.The study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and available D-dimer measurements at admission.Data on demographics,clinical outcomes,D-dimer levels,and healthcare costs were collected.COVID-19 severity was classified as non-severe(outpatients)or severe(inpatients).A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between D-dimer levels and disease severity,with adjusted odds ratios(OR)and 95%CI.RESULTS A total of 3004 patients were included,with a mean age of 50.17 years,and the majority were female(53.43%).Elevated D-dimer levels were found in 65.81%of patients,and 57.21%of these experienced severe COVID-19.Univariate analysis showed that patients with elevated D-dimer levels had 3.33 times higher odds of severe COVID-19(OR=3.33,95%CI:2.84-3.92,P<0.001),and this association remained significant in the multivariable analysis,adjusted for age,sex,and year of collection.The financial analysis revealed a substantial burden,particularly for uninsured patients.CONCLUSION D-dimer predicts COVID-19 severity and guides treatment,but the high cost of anticoagulant therapy highlights the need for policies ensuring affordable access in resource-limited settings like Gabon.
基金supported by the French National Research Agency(Agence Nationale de la Recherche,ANR,Grant No.ANR-23-CE37-0014)for the Effort_(LESS)Project.
文摘Background:The perception of effort is a key determinant of endurance performance and a barrier to physical activity in inactive populations.From a neurophysiological viewpoint,effort perception is thought to arise from the brain processing of an efference copy of the motor command in sensory areas.However,recent research suggests that feedback from muscle spindles plays a significant role in this perception.In this study,tendon vibration protocols were employed to attenuate sensory feedback during subsequent cycling exercises.The aim was to assess whether vibration would increase cycling power output,muscle activation,and heart rate at fixed perceived effort intensities.Methods:Fifteen healthy young participants completed 2 experimental visits(vibration and sham).In each visit,participants performed two 3-min cycling bouts,1 at a moderate perceived effort intensity and 1 at a strong perceived effort intensity,before(pre)and after(post)an actual or a sham vibration protocol.Vibration was applied bilaterally on the patellar and Achilles tendons for 10 min.Power output,heart rate,and vastus lateralis electromyography(VL EMG)were recorded and averaged for each bout.Absolute values as well as relative change(%)between pre and post conditions were compared across sham and vibration conditions.Results:At moderate perceived effort,power output,heart rate,and VL EMG increased post-vibration compared to pre-vibration(p<0.05),while no difference was observed in the sham condition.At strong perceived effort,power output and VL EMG decreased post-sham(p<0.05)but remained unchanged post-vibration.Moreover,the relative change between pre and post conditions was significantly higher in the vibration conditions compared to the sham condition for all variables.Conclusion:This study shows that tendon vibration reduces effort perception during subsequent cycling bouts.This effect is likely a consequence of vibration-induced reduction in muscle spindle reafferent signaling to the brain,but this mechanism remains to be further elucidated.From an applied perspective,these findings highlight tendon vibration as a promising tool for enhancing physical activity engagement.
基金We thank the Mexican Consejo Nacional de Humanidades,Ciencias y Tecnologías(CONAHCYT)for the financial support provided to the first author to carry out his training in the Institutional Doctoral Program in Agricultural and Forestry Sciences(PIDCAFUJED)with Scholarship No.334852financial support with agreement number CONACYT-FRQ-2016:279459 for the project“Genome-wide scans for detecting adaptation to climate and soil in Populus tremuloides as the most widely distributed tree species in North America”Dr.Jesús M.Olivas-García assisted in the sampling in the state of Chihuahua,Mexico,and Katrin Groppe,Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics,Germany,provided excellent lab work.The Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program(ELAP)of the Government of Canada awarded a scholarship and the Institute of Integrative and Systems Biology(IBIS)of Laval University allowed the use of its campus and contributed to the training of the first author.
文摘The presence of heterozygous individuals in a population is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity,which can positively affect fitness and adaptability to environmental changes.While inbreeding generally reduces the proportion of heterozygous individuals in a population,polyploidy tends to increase the proportion.North American Populus tremuloides is one of the most widely distributed and ecologically important tree species in the Northern Hemisphere.However,genetic variation in Mexican populations of P.tremuloides,including the genetic signatures of their adaptation to a variety of environments,remains largely uncharacterized.The aim of this study was to analyze how inbreeding coefficient(FIS)and ploidy are associated with clonal richness,population cover,climate and soil traits in 91 marginal to small,isolated populations of this tree species throughout its entire distribution in Mexico.Genetic variables were determined using 36,810 filtered SNPs derived from genome re-sequencing.We found that FIS was approximately between 0 and e1,indicating an extreme heterozygosity excess.One key contributor to the observed extreme heterozygosity excess was asexual reproduction,although ploidy levels cannot explain this excess.Analysis of all neutral SNPs showed that asexual reproduction was positively correlated with observed heterozygosity(Ho)but negatively correlated with expected heterozygosity(He).Analysis of outlier SNPs also showed that asexual reproductionwas positively correlated with Ho and negatively correlated with He,although this latter correlation was not significant.These findings support the presence of a Meselson effect.
