Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy (APN) is a bacterial infection of the upper urinary tract (pyelitis) and renal parenchyma (nephritis), complicating or associated with an infection of the lower urinary ...Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy (APN) is a bacterial infection of the upper urinary tract (pyelitis) and renal parenchyma (nephritis), complicating or associated with an infection of the lower urinary tract. Objective: Study the clinical and para-clinical profile linked to their occurrence of APN during pregnancy in the city of Yaoundé. Methodology: This was a case-control analytical study lasting 07 months with retrospective data collection and covering a period of six years from January 2015 to December 2020 in 03 teaching hospitals in the city of Yaoundé. The data was recorded on a pre-tested technical sheet. We recruited the files of pregnant women in whom a urinary infection had been diagnosed using urine culture. The cases were the files of pregnant women with signs of APN and the controls were the files of pregnant women without signs of APN. The matching criteria were: recruitment site, age and term of pregnancy. Incomplete files were excluded. Statistical analyzes were carried out with Epi-Info 7 and Excel 2016 software. Statistical significance was set at a P value Results: We recruited: 55 cases and 110 controls. The factors associated with the occurrence of APN in pregnancy after logistic regression were: free union (OR: 2.19;P = 0.030), sexual intercourse during pregnancy (OR: 4.47;P = 0.001), positive HIV serology (OR: 5.52;P = 0.001), pre-gestational diabetes (OR: 10.9;P = 0.02) and a history of urinary infection during pregnancy (OR: 11.86;P = 0.001). Conclusion: Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy is an uncommon but serious pathology. Its risk factors in our context are free union, sexual intercourse during pregnancy, positive HIV serology, pre-gestational diabetes, and a history of urinary infection during pregnancy.展开更多
Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a birth weight strictly below 2500 g, whatever the term of pregnancy. It constitutes a major public health problem, both in dev...Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a birth weight strictly below 2500 g, whatever the term of pregnancy. It constitutes a major public health problem, both in developed and developing countries, due to its magnitude and its strong association with infant morbidity and mortality. Main objective was to study the factors associated with the occurrence of small-for-gestational-age newborns in Douala. Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional analytical study with prospective data collection using a technical pretested sheet in the maternity wards of the Douala General Hospital, the Laquintinie Hospital, and the District hospitals of Deido, Nylon and Bonassama over a period of 4 months (January to April 2020). We were interested in any newborn, born alive, vaginally or by cesarean section, of low weight, seen in the first 24 hours from a full-term single-fetal pregnancy whose mother had given her consent. Our sampling was consecutive and non-exhaustive. We excluded newborns whose term was unclear and those with congenital malformations or signs of embryo-foetopathy. Data collection was done using survey sheets. Statistical analyzes were carried out with CS Pro 7.3 and SPSS version 25.0 software. The Student, Chi-square and Fischer tests were used to compare the means of the variables, the percentages with a significance threshold P value Results: During the study period, 305 full-term newborns were included, divided into 172 boys and 133 girls. The percentage of small-for-gestational-age newborns was 9.8%;after multivariate analysis by logistic regression to eliminate confounding factors, we found maternal factors associated with small for gestational age newborns;maternal age less than 20 years, primiparity, gestational age (37 - 38), a delay in prenatal visits greater than 14 weeks, anemia in pregnancy, positive toxoplasmosis serology in pregnancy, a body mass index of Conclusion: Our study revealed the potential determinants of low birth weight at term in the Cameroonian urban context and specifically in Douala.展开更多
Introduction: Spontaneous abortion of the second trimester is an interruption of pregnancy with complete expulsion or not of the product of conception between 15 and 28 weeks of pregnancy without any maneuvers. The ob...Introduction: Spontaneous abortion of the second trimester is an interruption of pregnancy with complete expulsion or not of the product of conception between 15 and 28 weeks of pregnancy without any maneuvers. The objective of our study was to determine the factors associated with second trimester spontaneous abortions at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methodology for this purpose: We conducted a case-control study from January to May 2019 on pregnant women who may or may not have had spontaneous second trimester abortions. Results: In total we recorded 1609 pregnancies and recruited 184 patients, including 46 cases and 138 controls;which gave a frequency of spontaneous abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy of 2.85%. A correlative analysis showed that spontaneous abortions in the second trimester were associated with housewife status (OR = 2.89;CI = 1.21 - 6.79;p = 0.010), gestation > 5 (OR = 4.09;CI = 1.02 - 17.66;p = 0.040), multiparity (OR = 3.81;CI = 1.59 - 9.16;p = 0.002), history of endouterine maneuvers (OR = 5.64;CI = 2.43 - 13 .03;p = 0.000), malaria in pregnancy (OR = 3.99;CI = 1.1 - 14.76;p = 0.030), incompleteness on the second trimester ultrasound (OR = 2.37;CI = 1.18 - 4.70;p = 0.010), jolts when traveling (OR = 46.04;CI = 17.29 - 123.66;p = 0.000), long car journeys (OR = 7.05;CI = 1.99 - 27.77;p = 0.000). After logistic regression eliminating the confounding factors, only the following were associated with abortions: Multiparity (OR = 13.90;CI = 2.96 - 65.18;p = 0.000), endo uterine maneuvers (OR = 3.69;CI = 1. 01 - 13.44;p = 0.047), jolts when traveling (OR = 72.63;CI = 19.47 - 270.96;p = 0.000), long car journeys (OR = 15.41;CI = 2.7 - 85, 95;p = 0.000). Conclusion: Our study reveals that a set of factors contribute to the occurrence of spontaneous abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy in our context.展开更多
The present work aims to stabilize the room temperature allotropic transition of ammonium nitrate(AN)particles utilizing a microencapsulation technique,which involves solvent/non-solvent in which nitrocellulose(NC)has...The present work aims to stabilize the room temperature allotropic transition of ammonium nitrate(AN)particles utilizing a microencapsulation technique,which involves solvent/non-solvent in which nitrocellulose(NC)has been employed as a coating agent.The SEM micrographs revealed distinct features of both pure AN and NC,contrasting with the irregular granular surface topography of the coated AN particles,demonstrating the adherence of NC on the AN surface.Structural analysis via infrared spectroscopy(IR)demonstrated a successful association of AN and NC,with slight shifts observed in IR bands indicating interfacial interactions.Powder X-ray Diffraction(PXRD)analysis further elucidated the structural changes induced by the coating process,revealing that the NC coating altered the crystallization pattern of its pure form.Thermal analysis demonstrates distinct profiles for pure and coated AN,for which the coated sample exhibits a temperature increase and an enthalpy decrease of the room temperature allotropic transition by 6℃,and 36%,respectively.Furthermore,the presence of NC coating alters the intermolecular forces within the composite system,leading to a reduction in melting enthalpy of coated AN by~39%compared to pure AN.The thermal decomposition analysis shows a two-step thermolysis process for coated AN,with a significant increase in the released heat by about 78%accompanied by an increase in the activation barrier of NC and AN thermolysis,demonstrating a stabilized reactivity of the AN-NC particles.These findings highlight the synergistic effect of NC coating on AN particles,which contributed to a structural and reactive stabilization of both AN and NC,proving the potential application of NC-coated AN as a strategically advantageous oxidizer in composite solid propellant formulations.展开更多
An energetic binder based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB),doped with different ratios of nitrocellulose(NC)(10%,20%,30%,and 50%),was developed to study the effect of NC doping on the thermal decomposition b...An energetic binder based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB),doped with different ratios of nitrocellulose(NC)(10%,20%,30%,and 50%),was developed to study the effect of NC doping on the thermal decomposition behavior of a composite propellant(CP)comprising ammonium nitrate(AN)as an oxidizer and magnesium(Mg)as a fuel.Optimization of the propellant formulation was conducted using Chemical Equilibrium with Applications-National Aeronautics and Space Administration(CEA-NASA)software,which demonstrated an increase in specific impulse by 12.09 s when the binder contained 50%NC.Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)analysis confirmed the excellent compatibility between the components,and density measurements revealed an increase of 6.4%with a higher NC content.Morphological analysis using optical microscopy showed that NC doping improved the uniformity and compactness of the surface,reduced cavities,and achieved a more homogeneous particle distribution.Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)analysis indicated a decrease in the decomposition temperature of the propellant as the NC content increased,while kinetic studies revealed a 48.68%reduction in the activation energy when 50%NC was incorporated into the binder.These findings suggest that the addition of NC enhances combustion efficiency and improves overall propellant performance.This study highlights the potential of the new HTPB-NC energetic binder as a promising approach for advancing solid propellant technology.展开更多
About 44%of the world’s cocoa is produced in one single country,Côte d’Ivoire.Providing this important raw material,most Ivorian cocoa farmers live in severe poverty,which,despite a multitude of sector interven...About 44%of the world’s cocoa is produced in one single country,Côte d’Ivoire.Providing this important raw material,most Ivorian cocoa farmers live in severe poverty,which,despite a multitude of sector interventions,is still widespread,affecting social and environmental sustainability in cocoa production.In this context,cocoa farmers are still often treated as a homogeneous group of small-scale producers(mainly males),resulting in interventions being conceptualized as one-size-fits-all approaches and failing to deliver support schemes that take farmers’specific conditions appropriately into account.Applying a broader typology approach that combines farm characteristics with farmers’characteristics,this study aims to delineate Ivorian cocoa farmers and their farms into specific types in order to improve advice for targeted sustainability interventions and living income(LI)potentials.Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis of a household dataset collected in 2022 in five cocoa-growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire were chosen to identify types of male-headed farms.To assure gender sensitive analysis,a female-headed farm type was created artificially.The specific characteristics of the identified types were captured using descriptive analysis.Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were then applied to examine the relationships between these farm types and various outcomes.Additionally,a binary logistic model was used to estimate the probability of these links in relation to variables relevant for achieving a LI.Finally,Spearman non-parametric correlation was used to identify eventual differences in the strength of relationships between key variables per farm type.Three different types of male-headed farms are identified:type 1(the most productive and diversified farms with larger size),type 2(middle-sized farms with strong focus on cash crops),and type 3(small-sized farms with a good level of diversification for self-consumption).The artificially created type 4 represents female-headed farms with the smallest size.On average,none of these farm types achieves a LI.However,type 1 shows the smallest LI gap,while type 4 is by far the worst.Our analyses reveal underlying socio-economic factors systematically disadvantaging female-headed cocoa farms,most notably limited access to land and other material assets.The key contribution of this study lies in the empirical identification of the different characteristics of farms in a given farming system,thereby identifying the need for targeted support interventions.Type-specific recommendations are made,showing pathways to provide tailored programs to farmers of different types in order to reduce their LI gaps.展开更多
Introduction: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a dilated cardiomyopathy occurring in the last month of pregnancy or the first five months postpartum without pre-existing cardiovascular pathology. It is a major caus...Introduction: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a dilated cardiomyopathy occurring in the last month of pregnancy or the first five months postpartum without pre-existing cardiovascular pathology. It is a major cause of pregnancy-related heart failure with high morbidity and mortality. In severe forms (10% to 15% of cases), thrombo-embolic complications are the main cause. The initial hemodynamic evolution is totally unpredictable and sometimes extremely brutal and fatal. The objective of this work was to show the often pejorative evolution of PPCM in our country. Methods: We report in this work three serious clinical cases revealing the complications of this PPCM among patients admitted to the cardiology department of the CHUD-B/A in 2022 for heart failure. The data were collected according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients and Observations: The first case was a PPCM with severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction complicated by spontaneous left intraventricular contrast and right superficial sylvian ischemic stroke. The second case reports a global cardiac decompensation of a PPCM with severe LV systolic dysfunction complicated by an apical thrombus. The third case is that of a state of cardiogenic shock complicating a PPCM with severe LV systolic dysfunction. Among our 03 patients presenting these severe forms of PPCM, the evolution, in spite of the symptomatic and prognostic treatments of the heart failure, and even of the complications, was unfavourable with death in two of them. Conclusion: Complications of PPCM are frequent and fatal in Benin.展开更多
Metal additives play an essential role in explosive and propellant formulations. Boron(B) is widely used in propellant applications owing to its high energetic content. The addition of B to explosives and propellants ...Metal additives play an essential role in explosive and propellant formulations. Boron(B) is widely used in propellant applications owing to its high energetic content. The addition of B to explosives and propellants increases their energy density, making them more efficient and powerful. Nevertheless, B forms oxide layers on its surface during combustion, slowing down the combustion rate and reducing rocket motor efficiency. To overcome this issue, other metal additives such as aluminum(Al), magnesium(Mg),and titanium(Ti) are revealed to be effective in boosting the combustion rate of propellants. These additives may improve the combustion rate and therefore enhance the rocket motor’s performance. The present study focused on preparing and investigating the ignition and combustion behavior of pure hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB)-B fuel supplemented with nano-titanium and nanomagnesium. The burn rates of HTPB-B fuel samples were evaluated on the opposed flow burner(OFB)under a gaseous oxygen oxidizer, for which the mass flux ranges from 22 kg/(m^(2)·s) to 86 kg/(m^(2)·s). The addition of Ti and Mg exhibited higher regression rates, which were attributed to the improved oxidation reaction of B due to the synergetic metal combustion effect. The possible combustion/oxidation reaction mechanism of B-Mg and B-Ti by heating the fuel samples at 900℃ and 1100℃ was also examined in a Nabertherm burnout furnace under an oxygen atmosphere. The post-combustion products were collected and further subjected to X-ray diffraction(XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) analyses to inspect the combustion behavior of B-Ti and B-Mg. It has been observed that the B oxide layer at the interface between B-Ti(B-Mg) is removed at lower temperatures, hence facilitating oxygen transfer from the surroundings to the core B. Additionally, Ti and Mg decreased the ignition delay time of B, which improved its combustion performance.展开更多
The transition metal complexes of triaminoguanidine(TAG-M,where M=Cobalt(Co)or Iron(Fe))have been prepared.The catalytic effect of these complexes on the thermolysis of energetic composite based on nitrocellulose and ...The transition metal complexes of triaminoguanidine(TAG-M,where M=Cobalt(Co)or Iron(Fe))have been prepared.The catalytic effect of these complexes on the thermolysis of energetic composite based on nitrocellulose and diethylene glycol dinitrate,has been investigated.Extensive characterization of the resulting energetic composites was carried out using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).Isoconversional kinetic analysis was performed to determine the Arrhenius parameters associated with the thermolysis of the elaborated energetic formulations.It is found that TAG-M complexes have strong catalytic effect on the thermo-kinetic decomposition of NC/DEGDN by decreasing the apparent activation energy and significantly increased the total heat release.The models that govern the decomposition processes are also studied,and it is revealed that different reaction processes are accomplished by introduction metal complexes of triaminoguanidine.Overall,this study serves as a valuable reference for future research focused on the investigation of catalytic combustion features of solid propellants.展开更多
In the pursuit of advancing imidazolium-based energetic ionic liquids (EILs),the current study is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of 1,3-dibutyl-imidazolium azide ([BBIm][N_(3)]),as a novel member in thi...In the pursuit of advancing imidazolium-based energetic ionic liquids (EILs),the current study is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of 1,3-dibutyl-imidazolium azide ([BBIm][N_(3)]),as a novel member in this ionic liquids class.The chemical structure of this EIL was rigorously characterized and confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy,1D,and 2D-NMR analyses.The thermal behavior assessment was conducted through DSC and TGA experiments.DSC analysis revealed an endothermic glass transition at T_(g)=-61℃,followed by an exothermic degradation event at T_(onset)=311℃.Similarly,TGA thermograms exhibited a one-stage decomposition process resulting in 100% mass loss of the sample.Furthermore,the short-term thermal stability of the azide EIL was investigated by combining the non-isothermal TGA data with the TAS,it-KAS,and VYA/CE isoconversional kinetic approaches.Consequently,the Arrhenius parameters(E_(a)=154 kJ·mol^(-1),Log(A/s^(-1))=11.8) and the most probable reaction model g(a) were determined.The observed high decomposition temperatures and the significantly elevated activation energy affirm the enhanced thermal stability of the modified EIL.These findings revealed that[BBIm][N_(3)]EIL can be a promising candidate for advanced energetic material application.展开更多
Background: Congenital heart disease is a public health issue due to its incidence and mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term mortality of children with congenital heart disease admitte...Background: Congenital heart disease is a public health issue due to its incidence and mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term mortality of children with congenital heart disease admitted to the Departmental University Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUD-B/A) from 2011 to 2022. Methods: This descriptive longitudinal study with analytical aims covered 11 years (April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2022). It consisted of a review of the records of children under 15 years of age with echocardiographically confirmed congenital heart disease. This was followed by an interview with the parents to assess the children’s current condition. Data were entered using Kobocollect software and analyzed using R Studio 4.2.2. software. Results: A total of 143 complete files were retained. The median age at diagnosis was 14 months (IIQ: Q1 = 4;Q3 = 60) with a range of 2 days and 175 months, and the sex-ratio (M/F) was 0.96. Left-to-right shunts were the most frequent cardiopathy group (62.9%). Only 35 children (24.5%) benefited from restorative treatment. The mortality rate was 31.5%. Median survival under the maximum bias assumption was 114 months and 216 months under the assumption of minimum bias. Survival was significantly better in children with right-to-left shunts (p = 0.0049) under the assumption of minimum bias. The death risk factors were: age at diagnosis less than 12 months (aHR = 7.58;95% CI = 3.36 - 17.24;p Conclusion: The long-term mortality of congenital heart disease is high and favoured by the absence of restorative treatment. Local correction of congenital heart disease and medical follow-up will help to reduce this mortality.展开更多
Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a benign and chronic disease that can impair the quality of life. Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical aspects and factors associated with typical G...Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a benign and chronic disease that can impair the quality of life. Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical aspects and factors associated with typical GERD in the general population of Parakou in the Republic of Benin. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection which took place from May 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The study population consisted of any subject aged at least 15 years and living in Parakou. Subjects aged at least 15 years, present on the day of the survey and having given their free and informed verbal consent were included. The Short form of QRS®(Reflux-Qual Short form) questionnaire and the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression” score were used to assess the quality of life and anxiety/depression, respectively. The sampling was probabilistic through a 2-stage cluster sampling. The variable of interest was the presence of GERD. Results: Out of 390 subjects surveyed, 28 had symptoms of typical GERD, representing a prevalence of 7.18%. The average age of these subjects was 27.11 ± 7.88 years. Fifteen subjects (53.57%) were male, giving a sex ratio of 1.15. Fourteen (50%) had a secondary level of education, 12 (42.86%) were pupils/students, 18 (64.29%) were single. The monthly income of 22 subjects (78.57%) was lower than the guaranteed interprofessional minimum wage (40,000 FCFA). The average duration of progression of symptoms was 15.89 ± 4.97 months. Symptoms occurred less than twice a week in 22 subjects (78.57%). The clinical manifestations were both diurnal and nocturnal in 12 subjects (42.86%). None of the 28 subjects with GERD had clinical warning signs. Asthma, diabetes, consumption of high fat or spice foods, carbonated drinks, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcoholic beverages and tobacco were statistically associated with the occurrence of GERD. Each of the 28 subjects had at least one associated factor. A significant impair in quality of life was observed in 27 patients (96.43%). Conclusion: Typical GERD is relatively common in the general population of Parakou in the Republic of Benin. It often affects young males. Among the risk factors identified, the most common are carbonated drinks, spicy meals and diabetes. GERD significantly impairs quality of life. Raising awareness about the disease and its associated factors is necessary among the general population.展开更多
Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. A national referral center for the management of infants and pregnant women with sickle cell disease (CPMI-NFED) was created three de...Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. A national referral center for the management of infants and pregnant women with sickle cell disease (CPMI-NFED) was created three decades ago in Cotonou, in the south of Benin with two regional branches including that of Parakou in the North for better access of patients to specialized care. This work is a review of five years of activities in order to describe the epidemiological, clinical, hematological and evolutionary profiles of the children followed up in the said branch. Method: This was a descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study on the medical records of children with sickle cell disease, followed up at the regional branch of CPMI-NFED in Borgou/Alibori from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2022. The variables studied were epidemiological, clinical, biological and evolutionary. Results: A total of 101 children with sickle cell disease were included in the study, including 78 homozygous SS (77.2%) and 23 heterozygous SC (22.8%). Their mean age at inclusion was 51.2 ± 37.6 months [6 - 204]. The sex ratio was 1.4. Vaso-occlusive crises were the main diagnostic circumstances in 42.3% of homozygotes. More than half of the children (51.5%) had a regular follow-up. The average baseline level of hemoglobin (Hb) in homozygous children was 8.8 ± 1.4 g/dl [5.8 - 11.5];and the rate of Hb S varied between 61.9 and 94.7%. In heterozygous SC children, the mean baseline level of Hb was 10.7 ± 0.6 g/dl [9.7 - 11.5]. Acute complications observed during follow-up were dominated by pneumonia and vaso-occlusive crises in both phenotypes. The overall mortality was 3% and only affected homozygous patients. Conclusion: On average, three out of four children were homozygous in our cohort. The main acute complications were infectious and vaso-occlusive. The mortality only affected homozygous carriers. Specialized follow-up has contributed to improving the quality of life of children with sickle cell disease. This could be implemented on a large scale for better survival of children with sickle cell disease.展开更多
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family. In Côte d’Ivoire, okra production is estimated to be over 193,000 tons. This low production is largely due to poor soils and hardl...Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family. In Côte d’Ivoire, okra production is estimated to be over 193,000 tons. This low production is largely due to poor soils and hardly covers the needs of the population. To remedy this, growers systematically use mineral fertilizers. However, these fertilizers pollute the environment. To find an alternative to chemical fertilization and increase production, the effect of biofertilizers (Spaawet, Retone, Super Gro) compared with NPK mineral fertilizer was evaluated on Divo, Teriman, and Djonan F1 cultivars. The trial was set up in a factorial block design with three replications. Plant height, number of functional leaves, and crown diameter were assessed at 60 days after sowing (DAS). The time to 50% flowering, production time, and fruit yield were calculated. The results showed that the biofertilizer Retone induced the highest heights and number of functional leaves, with averages of 61.89 cm and 29.88 leaves, respectively. The diameter at the crown (17.77 mm) was highest with the NPK mineral fertilizer, and the shortest 50% flowering time, with an average of 47.61 days, was also obtained with the biofertilizer Retone. The NPK mineral fertilizer produced the longest production time, with an average of 35.25 days. The highest yields were obtained using Retone (11.07 t/ha) and NPK (9.52 t/ha) fertilizers. The “Divo<sub>*</sub>Retone” interaction produced the highest yield with an average of 12.19 t/ha. The biofertilizer Retone could therefore be used as an alternative fertilizer to chemical fertilization in okra crops, given its effect on the parameters assessed.展开更多
Introduction: Child malnutrition is a major public health problem in Côte d’Ivoire in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors influencing malnutrition in children under five ...Introduction: Child malnutrition is a major public health problem in Côte d’Ivoire in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors influencing malnutrition in children under five in the peri-urban area of Abidjan, the economic capital. Patients and Methods: We carried out a prospective cross-sectional analytical study from May 3rd to October 31st 2019 at the General Hospital of Yopougon Attié in a peri-urban district of Abidjan, the economic capital. The study included 522 children aged 0 to 59 months who were received for a consultation, with the informed consent of their parents. The assessment of nutritional status was based on WHO growth standards. Statistical comparisons were made using the Chi-2 test for a significant p-value below 5%. Results: The population was predominantly female (sex ratio of 0.91) with an average age of 8.21 months and overall modest socio-economic conditions. The prevalence of malnutrition was as follows: 3.45% of malnutrition by excess, including 0.57% of obesity, 16.09% of stunting (5.75% severe), 12.07% of underweight (3.45% severe), 8.04% emaciation (1.91% severe). Three risk factors were identified for default malnutrition: age less than 6 months (p = 0.022), low birth weight (p = 0.003), and prematurity (p Conclusion: Malnutrition by deficiency is common in peri-urban areas in Abidjan with the main risk factors being age less than 6 months, low birth weight and prematurity. Fighting against those risk factors could help improve the nutritional status of children under five in the peri-urban environment of Abidjan.展开更多
Rice is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world, and its aroma is increasingly in demand. With the advancement of research, a major rice flavor gene has been identified on rice chromosome 8. It encodes ...Rice is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world, and its aroma is increasingly in demand. With the advancement of research, a major rice flavor gene has been identified on rice chromosome 8. It encodes non-functional betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase leading to the accumulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline which is the major olfactory compound that confers the fragrant character to rice. The aroma of rice is considered a special trait of enormous economic importance that determines the prime price in world trade. To satisfy the needs of the population and reduce rice imports into Benin, we conducted this study to identify aromatic rice accessions grown in Benin. Seventy-two rice accessions collected across Benin were PCR amplified with three SSR markers RM 7049, Aro 7, and RM 223, linked to the fgr (fragrance of rice) aroma gene. Molecular analysis revealed that 12 of the 72 accessions, namely Bagou 19, Bagou 22, Tchaka 34, Foun 15, Tchaka 41, Nana 32, Kan 61, Kung 69, Kung 67, Bagou 20, Agbab 101 and Koum 55 possess the fgr gene and can be considered as aromatic rice accessions. A sensory phenotypic test using KOH was carried out on rice accessions carrying fgr gene. Of the twelve positives, only one had the smell of aromatic rice, like the Azucena control. These results show that Benin also has aromatic rice varieties that can be sold on national and international markets.展开更多
Introduction: Anthropometry applied to newborns is a reliable indicator of the quality of fetal growth. The latter is influenced by genetic, racial and nutritional factors varying from one population to another, expla...Introduction: Anthropometry applied to newborns is a reliable indicator of the quality of fetal growth. The latter is influenced by genetic, racial and nutritional factors varying from one population to another, explaining why a standard cannot be applied to all populations. Research question: should the Caucasian frame of reference be dogmatically applied in our African context? Multicenter studies are therefore necessary;hence the interest of this work, the main objective of which was to describe the anthropometric profile of full-term newborns in the city of Douala. Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim and prospective data collection in the maternity wards of the Douala General Hospital, Laquintinie Hospital, District hospitals of Deido, Nylon and Bonassama over a period of 4 months (January to April 2020). We were interested in any newborn, born alive, vaginally or by cesarean section, seen in the first 24 hours from a full-term single-fetal pregnancy whose mother had given consent. We excluded newborns whose term was unclear and those with congenital malformations or signs of embryo-foetopathy. Data collection was done using structured and pre-tested survey sheets. The study variables were obstetric and anthropometric. Statistical analyzes were carried out with CS Pro 7.3 and SPSS version 25.0 software. The Student, Chi-square and Fischer tests were used to compare the means of the variables, the percentages with a significance threshold P value Results: During the study period, 305 full-term newborns were included, divided into 172 boys and 133 girls. The average anthropometric parameters of the full-term newborn in the city of Douala were: average weight: 3305 grams, average height: 49.8 centimeters, average head circumference: 34.6 centimeters, average upper arm circumference: 11.3 centimeters, circumference average thoracic: 32.8 centimeters. The percentile distribution showed a 10th percentile at 2656 grams and a 90th percentile at 3966 grams for weight defining the limits for small-for-gestational-age neonates and macrosomes. Conclusion: The anthropometric data of the full-term newborn in the city of Douala were: an average weight of 3305.4 grams, an average height of 49.8 centimeters, an average head circumference of 34.2 centimeters, an average upper arm circumference of 11.3 centimeters, and an average thoracic circumference of 32.8 centimeters with higher valuesin male newborns.展开更多
Skin depigmentation is a worrying practice that is gaining popularity, particularly among young girls. However, this practice poses health risks. It also reflects a negative view of black skin color. This was a cross-...Skin depigmentation is a worrying practice that is gaining popularity, particularly among young girls. However, this practice poses health risks. It also reflects a negative view of black skin color. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between April and May 2023 which involved 1039 female students from schools and universities in the Collines department selected by stratified sampling. Data was collected during a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire providing information on the demographic, socio-cultural, and economic characteristics of the girls. The depigmentation products used were identified as well as the complications caused by the use of these products. Statistical analysis made it possible to calculate the frequencies and logistic regression made it possible to identify the factors associated with depigmentation. The prevalence of depigmentation among the girls surveyed was 78.2%. The main products used were soaps based on mercurial derivative and hydroquinone (21.6%) and lotions based on hydroquinone and corticosteroids (75.7%). The factors associated with the practice of depigmentation were the ethnicity of the respondents (OR = 2.52;95% CI = [0.47 - 13.33], p = 0.001);the average monthly income of the parents (OR = 3.26;95% CI = [1.71 - 6.09], p = 0.003);the opinion of the respondents on depigmentation (OR = 2.48;95% CI = [0.84 - 7.3], p < 0.001) and the value given to light skin versus black skin (OR = 3.41;95% CI = [2.32 - 5.01], p < 0.001). In conclusion, the prevalence of depigmentation among the girls surveyed is high. Consequently, reinforced awareness measures and stricter control of bleaching products are imperative to address this high prevalence of the phenomenon.展开更多
To improve the performance of solid composite propellants(SCPs)supplemented with ammonium nitrate(AN)as an oxidizer,the incorporation of energetic ingredients such as explosives,energetic binders or catalysts is a com...To improve the performance of solid composite propellants(SCPs)supplemented with ammonium nitrate(AN)as an oxidizer,the incorporation of energetic ingredients such as explosives,energetic binders or catalysts is a common effective approach.For this purpose,polyurethane(PU),a typical inert binder,was mixed with nitrocellulose(NC)as an energetic polymer.Numerous composite solid propellant compositions based on AN and NC-modified polyurethane binder with different NC ratios were prepared.The prepared formulations were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),RAMAN spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),electron densimetry,thermogravimetric(TG)analysis,and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).A kinetic study was then performed using the iterative KissingerAkahira-Sunose(It-KAS),Flynn-Wall-Ozawa(It-FWO),and non-linear Vyazovkin integral with compensation effect(VYA/CE)methods.The theoretical performances,such as theoretical specific impulse,adiabatic flame temperature,and ideal exhaust gaseous species,were also determined using the NASA Lewis Code,Chemical Equilibrium with Application(CEA).Spectroscopic examinations revealed the existence of NC and full polymerization of PU in the prepared propellants.According to density tests,the density of the propellant increases as the nitrocellulose component increases.According to the thermal analysis and kinetics study,the increase in NC content catalyzed the thermal decomposition of the AN-based composite solid propellants.Based on the theoretical study,increasing the amount of NC in the propellant increased the specific impulse and,as a result,the overall performance.展开更多
Sciatica, mostly clinical-based diagnosis, is a potentially debilitating condition as a result of disco-radicular conflict between L4 and L5 or L5 and S1. This study aims at describing the epidemiological, clinical an...Sciatica, mostly clinical-based diagnosis, is a potentially debilitating condition as a result of disco-radicular conflict between L4 and L5 or L5 and S1. This study aims at describing the epidemiological, clinical and etiological aspects of sciatica in Hubert Koutoukou Maga Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou. It was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted in CNHU-HKM Cotonou neurology department from 1st January to 30th June 2016. The study population comprised 115 low back pain patients seen in consultation. Data collection was carried out through a standard information sheet with socio-demographic, clinical, para-clinical, etiological and therapeutic data. Epi data 3.1 was used for data entry and Stata11 for processing. Frequency of sciatica was 18.6%, with 95% CI [11.5% - 25.7%]. The study population age ranged from 29 to 73 years, with 52 ± 16 as mean value, while sex ratio was estimated at 0.6. Bilateral sciatica representing 53% was present in L5 and S1 nerve roots in 44.4% of cases. It was exacerbated in prolonged standing (24.4%) and relieved in supine position (44.3%), with paresthesia (59.1%) and intermittent radicular claudication (40.9%). Spinal osteoarthritis was the most prevalent etiology (47%). Sciatica is becoming increasing prevalent and should be regarded as problem of health concern.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy (APN) is a bacterial infection of the upper urinary tract (pyelitis) and renal parenchyma (nephritis), complicating or associated with an infection of the lower urinary tract. Objective: Study the clinical and para-clinical profile linked to their occurrence of APN during pregnancy in the city of Yaoundé. Methodology: This was a case-control analytical study lasting 07 months with retrospective data collection and covering a period of six years from January 2015 to December 2020 in 03 teaching hospitals in the city of Yaoundé. The data was recorded on a pre-tested technical sheet. We recruited the files of pregnant women in whom a urinary infection had been diagnosed using urine culture. The cases were the files of pregnant women with signs of APN and the controls were the files of pregnant women without signs of APN. The matching criteria were: recruitment site, age and term of pregnancy. Incomplete files were excluded. Statistical analyzes were carried out with Epi-Info 7 and Excel 2016 software. Statistical significance was set at a P value Results: We recruited: 55 cases and 110 controls. The factors associated with the occurrence of APN in pregnancy after logistic regression were: free union (OR: 2.19;P = 0.030), sexual intercourse during pregnancy (OR: 4.47;P = 0.001), positive HIV serology (OR: 5.52;P = 0.001), pre-gestational diabetes (OR: 10.9;P = 0.02) and a history of urinary infection during pregnancy (OR: 11.86;P = 0.001). Conclusion: Acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy is an uncommon but serious pathology. Its risk factors in our context are free union, sexual intercourse during pregnancy, positive HIV serology, pre-gestational diabetes, and a history of urinary infection during pregnancy.
文摘Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a birth weight strictly below 2500 g, whatever the term of pregnancy. It constitutes a major public health problem, both in developed and developing countries, due to its magnitude and its strong association with infant morbidity and mortality. Main objective was to study the factors associated with the occurrence of small-for-gestational-age newborns in Douala. Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional analytical study with prospective data collection using a technical pretested sheet in the maternity wards of the Douala General Hospital, the Laquintinie Hospital, and the District hospitals of Deido, Nylon and Bonassama over a period of 4 months (January to April 2020). We were interested in any newborn, born alive, vaginally or by cesarean section, of low weight, seen in the first 24 hours from a full-term single-fetal pregnancy whose mother had given her consent. Our sampling was consecutive and non-exhaustive. We excluded newborns whose term was unclear and those with congenital malformations or signs of embryo-foetopathy. Data collection was done using survey sheets. Statistical analyzes were carried out with CS Pro 7.3 and SPSS version 25.0 software. The Student, Chi-square and Fischer tests were used to compare the means of the variables, the percentages with a significance threshold P value Results: During the study period, 305 full-term newborns were included, divided into 172 boys and 133 girls. The percentage of small-for-gestational-age newborns was 9.8%;after multivariate analysis by logistic regression to eliminate confounding factors, we found maternal factors associated with small for gestational age newborns;maternal age less than 20 years, primiparity, gestational age (37 - 38), a delay in prenatal visits greater than 14 weeks, anemia in pregnancy, positive toxoplasmosis serology in pregnancy, a body mass index of Conclusion: Our study revealed the potential determinants of low birth weight at term in the Cameroonian urban context and specifically in Douala.
文摘Introduction: Spontaneous abortion of the second trimester is an interruption of pregnancy with complete expulsion or not of the product of conception between 15 and 28 weeks of pregnancy without any maneuvers. The objective of our study was to determine the factors associated with second trimester spontaneous abortions at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methodology for this purpose: We conducted a case-control study from January to May 2019 on pregnant women who may or may not have had spontaneous second trimester abortions. Results: In total we recorded 1609 pregnancies and recruited 184 patients, including 46 cases and 138 controls;which gave a frequency of spontaneous abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy of 2.85%. A correlative analysis showed that spontaneous abortions in the second trimester were associated with housewife status (OR = 2.89;CI = 1.21 - 6.79;p = 0.010), gestation > 5 (OR = 4.09;CI = 1.02 - 17.66;p = 0.040), multiparity (OR = 3.81;CI = 1.59 - 9.16;p = 0.002), history of endouterine maneuvers (OR = 5.64;CI = 2.43 - 13 .03;p = 0.000), malaria in pregnancy (OR = 3.99;CI = 1.1 - 14.76;p = 0.030), incompleteness on the second trimester ultrasound (OR = 2.37;CI = 1.18 - 4.70;p = 0.010), jolts when traveling (OR = 46.04;CI = 17.29 - 123.66;p = 0.000), long car journeys (OR = 7.05;CI = 1.99 - 27.77;p = 0.000). After logistic regression eliminating the confounding factors, only the following were associated with abortions: Multiparity (OR = 13.90;CI = 2.96 - 65.18;p = 0.000), endo uterine maneuvers (OR = 3.69;CI = 1. 01 - 13.44;p = 0.047), jolts when traveling (OR = 72.63;CI = 19.47 - 270.96;p = 0.000), long car journeys (OR = 15.41;CI = 2.7 - 85, 95;p = 0.000). Conclusion: Our study reveals that a set of factors contribute to the occurrence of spontaneous abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy in our context.
文摘The present work aims to stabilize the room temperature allotropic transition of ammonium nitrate(AN)particles utilizing a microencapsulation technique,which involves solvent/non-solvent in which nitrocellulose(NC)has been employed as a coating agent.The SEM micrographs revealed distinct features of both pure AN and NC,contrasting with the irregular granular surface topography of the coated AN particles,demonstrating the adherence of NC on the AN surface.Structural analysis via infrared spectroscopy(IR)demonstrated a successful association of AN and NC,with slight shifts observed in IR bands indicating interfacial interactions.Powder X-ray Diffraction(PXRD)analysis further elucidated the structural changes induced by the coating process,revealing that the NC coating altered the crystallization pattern of its pure form.Thermal analysis demonstrates distinct profiles for pure and coated AN,for which the coated sample exhibits a temperature increase and an enthalpy decrease of the room temperature allotropic transition by 6℃,and 36%,respectively.Furthermore,the presence of NC coating alters the intermolecular forces within the composite system,leading to a reduction in melting enthalpy of coated AN by~39%compared to pure AN.The thermal decomposition analysis shows a two-step thermolysis process for coated AN,with a significant increase in the released heat by about 78%accompanied by an increase in the activation barrier of NC and AN thermolysis,demonstrating a stabilized reactivity of the AN-NC particles.These findings highlight the synergistic effect of NC coating on AN particles,which contributed to a structural and reactive stabilization of both AN and NC,proving the potential application of NC-coated AN as a strategically advantageous oxidizer in composite solid propellant formulations.
文摘An energetic binder based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB),doped with different ratios of nitrocellulose(NC)(10%,20%,30%,and 50%),was developed to study the effect of NC doping on the thermal decomposition behavior of a composite propellant(CP)comprising ammonium nitrate(AN)as an oxidizer and magnesium(Mg)as a fuel.Optimization of the propellant formulation was conducted using Chemical Equilibrium with Applications-National Aeronautics and Space Administration(CEA-NASA)software,which demonstrated an increase in specific impulse by 12.09 s when the binder contained 50%NC.Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)analysis confirmed the excellent compatibility between the components,and density measurements revealed an increase of 6.4%with a higher NC content.Morphological analysis using optical microscopy showed that NC doping improved the uniformity and compactness of the surface,reduced cavities,and achieved a more homogeneous particle distribution.Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)analysis indicated a decrease in the decomposition temperature of the propellant as the NC content increased,while kinetic studies revealed a 48.68%reduction in the activation energy when 50%NC was incorporated into the binder.These findings suggest that the addition of NC enhances combustion efficiency and improves overall propellant performance.This study highlights the potential of the new HTPB-NC energetic binder as a promising approach for advancing solid propellant technology.
基金This work was conducted in the frame of the accompanying research on strategies for improving farmer families’incomes and sustainable cocoa production funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development(BMZ).
文摘About 44%of the world’s cocoa is produced in one single country,Côte d’Ivoire.Providing this important raw material,most Ivorian cocoa farmers live in severe poverty,which,despite a multitude of sector interventions,is still widespread,affecting social and environmental sustainability in cocoa production.In this context,cocoa farmers are still often treated as a homogeneous group of small-scale producers(mainly males),resulting in interventions being conceptualized as one-size-fits-all approaches and failing to deliver support schemes that take farmers’specific conditions appropriately into account.Applying a broader typology approach that combines farm characteristics with farmers’characteristics,this study aims to delineate Ivorian cocoa farmers and their farms into specific types in order to improve advice for targeted sustainability interventions and living income(LI)potentials.Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis of a household dataset collected in 2022 in five cocoa-growing regions of Côte d’Ivoire were chosen to identify types of male-headed farms.To assure gender sensitive analysis,a female-headed farm type was created artificially.The specific characteristics of the identified types were captured using descriptive analysis.Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were then applied to examine the relationships between these farm types and various outcomes.Additionally,a binary logistic model was used to estimate the probability of these links in relation to variables relevant for achieving a LI.Finally,Spearman non-parametric correlation was used to identify eventual differences in the strength of relationships between key variables per farm type.Three different types of male-headed farms are identified:type 1(the most productive and diversified farms with larger size),type 2(middle-sized farms with strong focus on cash crops),and type 3(small-sized farms with a good level of diversification for self-consumption).The artificially created type 4 represents female-headed farms with the smallest size.On average,none of these farm types achieves a LI.However,type 1 shows the smallest LI gap,while type 4 is by far the worst.Our analyses reveal underlying socio-economic factors systematically disadvantaging female-headed cocoa farms,most notably limited access to land and other material assets.The key contribution of this study lies in the empirical identification of the different characteristics of farms in a given farming system,thereby identifying the need for targeted support interventions.Type-specific recommendations are made,showing pathways to provide tailored programs to farmers of different types in order to reduce their LI gaps.
文摘Introduction: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a dilated cardiomyopathy occurring in the last month of pregnancy or the first five months postpartum without pre-existing cardiovascular pathology. It is a major cause of pregnancy-related heart failure with high morbidity and mortality. In severe forms (10% to 15% of cases), thrombo-embolic complications are the main cause. The initial hemodynamic evolution is totally unpredictable and sometimes extremely brutal and fatal. The objective of this work was to show the often pejorative evolution of PPCM in our country. Methods: We report in this work three serious clinical cases revealing the complications of this PPCM among patients admitted to the cardiology department of the CHUD-B/A in 2022 for heart failure. The data were collected according to the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients and Observations: The first case was a PPCM with severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction complicated by spontaneous left intraventricular contrast and right superficial sylvian ischemic stroke. The second case reports a global cardiac decompensation of a PPCM with severe LV systolic dysfunction complicated by an apical thrombus. The third case is that of a state of cardiogenic shock complicating a PPCM with severe LV systolic dysfunction. Among our 03 patients presenting these severe forms of PPCM, the evolution, in spite of the symptomatic and prognostic treatments of the heart failure, and even of the complications, was unfavourable with death in two of them. Conclusion: Complications of PPCM are frequent and fatal in Benin.
基金the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science for their support.
文摘Metal additives play an essential role in explosive and propellant formulations. Boron(B) is widely used in propellant applications owing to its high energetic content. The addition of B to explosives and propellants increases their energy density, making them more efficient and powerful. Nevertheless, B forms oxide layers on its surface during combustion, slowing down the combustion rate and reducing rocket motor efficiency. To overcome this issue, other metal additives such as aluminum(Al), magnesium(Mg),and titanium(Ti) are revealed to be effective in boosting the combustion rate of propellants. These additives may improve the combustion rate and therefore enhance the rocket motor’s performance. The present study focused on preparing and investigating the ignition and combustion behavior of pure hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB)-B fuel supplemented with nano-titanium and nanomagnesium. The burn rates of HTPB-B fuel samples were evaluated on the opposed flow burner(OFB)under a gaseous oxygen oxidizer, for which the mass flux ranges from 22 kg/(m^(2)·s) to 86 kg/(m^(2)·s). The addition of Ti and Mg exhibited higher regression rates, which were attributed to the improved oxidation reaction of B due to the synergetic metal combustion effect. The possible combustion/oxidation reaction mechanism of B-Mg and B-Ti by heating the fuel samples at 900℃ and 1100℃ was also examined in a Nabertherm burnout furnace under an oxygen atmosphere. The post-combustion products were collected and further subjected to X-ray diffraction(XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) analyses to inspect the combustion behavior of B-Ti and B-Mg. It has been observed that the B oxide layer at the interface between B-Ti(B-Mg) is removed at lower temperatures, hence facilitating oxygen transfer from the surroundings to the core B. Additionally, Ti and Mg decreased the ignition delay time of B, which improved its combustion performance.
文摘The transition metal complexes of triaminoguanidine(TAG-M,where M=Cobalt(Co)or Iron(Fe))have been prepared.The catalytic effect of these complexes on the thermolysis of energetic composite based on nitrocellulose and diethylene glycol dinitrate,has been investigated.Extensive characterization of the resulting energetic composites was carried out using scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).Isoconversional kinetic analysis was performed to determine the Arrhenius parameters associated with the thermolysis of the elaborated energetic formulations.It is found that TAG-M complexes have strong catalytic effect on the thermo-kinetic decomposition of NC/DEGDN by decreasing the apparent activation energy and significantly increased the total heat release.The models that govern the decomposition processes are also studied,and it is revealed that different reaction processes are accomplished by introduction metal complexes of triaminoguanidine.Overall,this study serves as a valuable reference for future research focused on the investigation of catalytic combustion features of solid propellants.
文摘In the pursuit of advancing imidazolium-based energetic ionic liquids (EILs),the current study is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of 1,3-dibutyl-imidazolium azide ([BBIm][N_(3)]),as a novel member in this ionic liquids class.The chemical structure of this EIL was rigorously characterized and confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy,1D,and 2D-NMR analyses.The thermal behavior assessment was conducted through DSC and TGA experiments.DSC analysis revealed an endothermic glass transition at T_(g)=-61℃,followed by an exothermic degradation event at T_(onset)=311℃.Similarly,TGA thermograms exhibited a one-stage decomposition process resulting in 100% mass loss of the sample.Furthermore,the short-term thermal stability of the azide EIL was investigated by combining the non-isothermal TGA data with the TAS,it-KAS,and VYA/CE isoconversional kinetic approaches.Consequently,the Arrhenius parameters(E_(a)=154 kJ·mol^(-1),Log(A/s^(-1))=11.8) and the most probable reaction model g(a) were determined.The observed high decomposition temperatures and the significantly elevated activation energy affirm the enhanced thermal stability of the modified EIL.These findings revealed that[BBIm][N_(3)]EIL can be a promising candidate for advanced energetic material application.
文摘Background: Congenital heart disease is a public health issue due to its incidence and mortality rate. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term mortality of children with congenital heart disease admitted to the Departmental University Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUD-B/A) from 2011 to 2022. Methods: This descriptive longitudinal study with analytical aims covered 11 years (April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2022). It consisted of a review of the records of children under 15 years of age with echocardiographically confirmed congenital heart disease. This was followed by an interview with the parents to assess the children’s current condition. Data were entered using Kobocollect software and analyzed using R Studio 4.2.2. software. Results: A total of 143 complete files were retained. The median age at diagnosis was 14 months (IIQ: Q1 = 4;Q3 = 60) with a range of 2 days and 175 months, and the sex-ratio (M/F) was 0.96. Left-to-right shunts were the most frequent cardiopathy group (62.9%). Only 35 children (24.5%) benefited from restorative treatment. The mortality rate was 31.5%. Median survival under the maximum bias assumption was 114 months and 216 months under the assumption of minimum bias. Survival was significantly better in children with right-to-left shunts (p = 0.0049) under the assumption of minimum bias. The death risk factors were: age at diagnosis less than 12 months (aHR = 7.58;95% CI = 3.36 - 17.24;p Conclusion: The long-term mortality of congenital heart disease is high and favoured by the absence of restorative treatment. Local correction of congenital heart disease and medical follow-up will help to reduce this mortality.
文摘Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a benign and chronic disease that can impair the quality of life. Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical aspects and factors associated with typical GERD in the general population of Parakou in the Republic of Benin. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with prospective data collection which took place from May 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. The study population consisted of any subject aged at least 15 years and living in Parakou. Subjects aged at least 15 years, present on the day of the survey and having given their free and informed verbal consent were included. The Short form of QRS®(Reflux-Qual Short form) questionnaire and the “Hospital Anxiety and Depression” score were used to assess the quality of life and anxiety/depression, respectively. The sampling was probabilistic through a 2-stage cluster sampling. The variable of interest was the presence of GERD. Results: Out of 390 subjects surveyed, 28 had symptoms of typical GERD, representing a prevalence of 7.18%. The average age of these subjects was 27.11 ± 7.88 years. Fifteen subjects (53.57%) were male, giving a sex ratio of 1.15. Fourteen (50%) had a secondary level of education, 12 (42.86%) were pupils/students, 18 (64.29%) were single. The monthly income of 22 subjects (78.57%) was lower than the guaranteed interprofessional minimum wage (40,000 FCFA). The average duration of progression of symptoms was 15.89 ± 4.97 months. Symptoms occurred less than twice a week in 22 subjects (78.57%). The clinical manifestations were both diurnal and nocturnal in 12 subjects (42.86%). None of the 28 subjects with GERD had clinical warning signs. Asthma, diabetes, consumption of high fat or spice foods, carbonated drinks, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcoholic beverages and tobacco were statistically associated with the occurrence of GERD. Each of the 28 subjects had at least one associated factor. A significant impair in quality of life was observed in 27 patients (96.43%). Conclusion: Typical GERD is relatively common in the general population of Parakou in the Republic of Benin. It often affects young males. Among the risk factors identified, the most common are carbonated drinks, spicy meals and diabetes. GERD significantly impairs quality of life. Raising awareness about the disease and its associated factors is necessary among the general population.
文摘Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. A national referral center for the management of infants and pregnant women with sickle cell disease (CPMI-NFED) was created three decades ago in Cotonou, in the south of Benin with two regional branches including that of Parakou in the North for better access of patients to specialized care. This work is a review of five years of activities in order to describe the epidemiological, clinical, hematological and evolutionary profiles of the children followed up in the said branch. Method: This was a descriptive and retrospective cross-sectional study on the medical records of children with sickle cell disease, followed up at the regional branch of CPMI-NFED in Borgou/Alibori from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2022. The variables studied were epidemiological, clinical, biological and evolutionary. Results: A total of 101 children with sickle cell disease were included in the study, including 78 homozygous SS (77.2%) and 23 heterozygous SC (22.8%). Their mean age at inclusion was 51.2 ± 37.6 months [6 - 204]. The sex ratio was 1.4. Vaso-occlusive crises were the main diagnostic circumstances in 42.3% of homozygotes. More than half of the children (51.5%) had a regular follow-up. The average baseline level of hemoglobin (Hb) in homozygous children was 8.8 ± 1.4 g/dl [5.8 - 11.5];and the rate of Hb S varied between 61.9 and 94.7%. In heterozygous SC children, the mean baseline level of Hb was 10.7 ± 0.6 g/dl [9.7 - 11.5]. Acute complications observed during follow-up were dominated by pneumonia and vaso-occlusive crises in both phenotypes. The overall mortality was 3% and only affected homozygous patients. Conclusion: On average, three out of four children were homozygous in our cohort. The main acute complications were infectious and vaso-occlusive. The mortality only affected homozygous carriers. Specialized follow-up has contributed to improving the quality of life of children with sickle cell disease. This could be implemented on a large scale for better survival of children with sickle cell disease.
文摘Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is an herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family. In Côte d’Ivoire, okra production is estimated to be over 193,000 tons. This low production is largely due to poor soils and hardly covers the needs of the population. To remedy this, growers systematically use mineral fertilizers. However, these fertilizers pollute the environment. To find an alternative to chemical fertilization and increase production, the effect of biofertilizers (Spaawet, Retone, Super Gro) compared with NPK mineral fertilizer was evaluated on Divo, Teriman, and Djonan F1 cultivars. The trial was set up in a factorial block design with three replications. Plant height, number of functional leaves, and crown diameter were assessed at 60 days after sowing (DAS). The time to 50% flowering, production time, and fruit yield were calculated. The results showed that the biofertilizer Retone induced the highest heights and number of functional leaves, with averages of 61.89 cm and 29.88 leaves, respectively. The diameter at the crown (17.77 mm) was highest with the NPK mineral fertilizer, and the shortest 50% flowering time, with an average of 47.61 days, was also obtained with the biofertilizer Retone. The NPK mineral fertilizer produced the longest production time, with an average of 35.25 days. The highest yields were obtained using Retone (11.07 t/ha) and NPK (9.52 t/ha) fertilizers. The “Divo<sub>*</sub>Retone” interaction produced the highest yield with an average of 12.19 t/ha. The biofertilizer Retone could therefore be used as an alternative fertilizer to chemical fertilization in okra crops, given its effect on the parameters assessed.
文摘Introduction: Child malnutrition is a major public health problem in Côte d’Ivoire in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors influencing malnutrition in children under five in the peri-urban area of Abidjan, the economic capital. Patients and Methods: We carried out a prospective cross-sectional analytical study from May 3rd to October 31st 2019 at the General Hospital of Yopougon Attié in a peri-urban district of Abidjan, the economic capital. The study included 522 children aged 0 to 59 months who were received for a consultation, with the informed consent of their parents. The assessment of nutritional status was based on WHO growth standards. Statistical comparisons were made using the Chi-2 test for a significant p-value below 5%. Results: The population was predominantly female (sex ratio of 0.91) with an average age of 8.21 months and overall modest socio-economic conditions. The prevalence of malnutrition was as follows: 3.45% of malnutrition by excess, including 0.57% of obesity, 16.09% of stunting (5.75% severe), 12.07% of underweight (3.45% severe), 8.04% emaciation (1.91% severe). Three risk factors were identified for default malnutrition: age less than 6 months (p = 0.022), low birth weight (p = 0.003), and prematurity (p Conclusion: Malnutrition by deficiency is common in peri-urban areas in Abidjan with the main risk factors being age less than 6 months, low birth weight and prematurity. Fighting against those risk factors could help improve the nutritional status of children under five in the peri-urban environment of Abidjan.
文摘Rice is one of the most widely cultivated cereals in the world, and its aroma is increasingly in demand. With the advancement of research, a major rice flavor gene has been identified on rice chromosome 8. It encodes non-functional betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase leading to the accumulation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline which is the major olfactory compound that confers the fragrant character to rice. The aroma of rice is considered a special trait of enormous economic importance that determines the prime price in world trade. To satisfy the needs of the population and reduce rice imports into Benin, we conducted this study to identify aromatic rice accessions grown in Benin. Seventy-two rice accessions collected across Benin were PCR amplified with three SSR markers RM 7049, Aro 7, and RM 223, linked to the fgr (fragrance of rice) aroma gene. Molecular analysis revealed that 12 of the 72 accessions, namely Bagou 19, Bagou 22, Tchaka 34, Foun 15, Tchaka 41, Nana 32, Kan 61, Kung 69, Kung 67, Bagou 20, Agbab 101 and Koum 55 possess the fgr gene and can be considered as aromatic rice accessions. A sensory phenotypic test using KOH was carried out on rice accessions carrying fgr gene. Of the twelve positives, only one had the smell of aromatic rice, like the Azucena control. These results show that Benin also has aromatic rice varieties that can be sold on national and international markets.
文摘Introduction: Anthropometry applied to newborns is a reliable indicator of the quality of fetal growth. The latter is influenced by genetic, racial and nutritional factors varying from one population to another, explaining why a standard cannot be applied to all populations. Research question: should the Caucasian frame of reference be dogmatically applied in our African context? Multicenter studies are therefore necessary;hence the interest of this work, the main objective of which was to describe the anthropometric profile of full-term newborns in the city of Douala. Methodology: We carried out a cross-sectional study with an analytical aim and prospective data collection in the maternity wards of the Douala General Hospital, Laquintinie Hospital, District hospitals of Deido, Nylon and Bonassama over a period of 4 months (January to April 2020). We were interested in any newborn, born alive, vaginally or by cesarean section, seen in the first 24 hours from a full-term single-fetal pregnancy whose mother had given consent. We excluded newborns whose term was unclear and those with congenital malformations or signs of embryo-foetopathy. Data collection was done using structured and pre-tested survey sheets. The study variables were obstetric and anthropometric. Statistical analyzes were carried out with CS Pro 7.3 and SPSS version 25.0 software. The Student, Chi-square and Fischer tests were used to compare the means of the variables, the percentages with a significance threshold P value Results: During the study period, 305 full-term newborns were included, divided into 172 boys and 133 girls. The average anthropometric parameters of the full-term newborn in the city of Douala were: average weight: 3305 grams, average height: 49.8 centimeters, average head circumference: 34.6 centimeters, average upper arm circumference: 11.3 centimeters, circumference average thoracic: 32.8 centimeters. The percentile distribution showed a 10th percentile at 2656 grams and a 90th percentile at 3966 grams for weight defining the limits for small-for-gestational-age neonates and macrosomes. Conclusion: The anthropometric data of the full-term newborn in the city of Douala were: an average weight of 3305.4 grams, an average height of 49.8 centimeters, an average head circumference of 34.2 centimeters, an average upper arm circumference of 11.3 centimeters, and an average thoracic circumference of 32.8 centimeters with higher valuesin male newborns.
文摘Skin depigmentation is a worrying practice that is gaining popularity, particularly among young girls. However, this practice poses health risks. It also reflects a negative view of black skin color. This was a cross-sectional study carried out between April and May 2023 which involved 1039 female students from schools and universities in the Collines department selected by stratified sampling. Data was collected during a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire providing information on the demographic, socio-cultural, and economic characteristics of the girls. The depigmentation products used were identified as well as the complications caused by the use of these products. Statistical analysis made it possible to calculate the frequencies and logistic regression made it possible to identify the factors associated with depigmentation. The prevalence of depigmentation among the girls surveyed was 78.2%. The main products used were soaps based on mercurial derivative and hydroquinone (21.6%) and lotions based on hydroquinone and corticosteroids (75.7%). The factors associated with the practice of depigmentation were the ethnicity of the respondents (OR = 2.52;95% CI = [0.47 - 13.33], p = 0.001);the average monthly income of the parents (OR = 3.26;95% CI = [1.71 - 6.09], p = 0.003);the opinion of the respondents on depigmentation (OR = 2.48;95% CI = [0.84 - 7.3], p < 0.001) and the value given to light skin versus black skin (OR = 3.41;95% CI = [2.32 - 5.01], p < 0.001). In conclusion, the prevalence of depigmentation among the girls surveyed is high. Consequently, reinforced awareness measures and stricter control of bleaching products are imperative to address this high prevalence of the phenomenon.
文摘To improve the performance of solid composite propellants(SCPs)supplemented with ammonium nitrate(AN)as an oxidizer,the incorporation of energetic ingredients such as explosives,energetic binders or catalysts is a common effective approach.For this purpose,polyurethane(PU),a typical inert binder,was mixed with nitrocellulose(NC)as an energetic polymer.Numerous composite solid propellant compositions based on AN and NC-modified polyurethane binder with different NC ratios were prepared.The prepared formulations were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),RAMAN spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction(XRD),electron densimetry,thermogravimetric(TG)analysis,and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC).A kinetic study was then performed using the iterative KissingerAkahira-Sunose(It-KAS),Flynn-Wall-Ozawa(It-FWO),and non-linear Vyazovkin integral with compensation effect(VYA/CE)methods.The theoretical performances,such as theoretical specific impulse,adiabatic flame temperature,and ideal exhaust gaseous species,were also determined using the NASA Lewis Code,Chemical Equilibrium with Application(CEA).Spectroscopic examinations revealed the existence of NC and full polymerization of PU in the prepared propellants.According to density tests,the density of the propellant increases as the nitrocellulose component increases.According to the thermal analysis and kinetics study,the increase in NC content catalyzed the thermal decomposition of the AN-based composite solid propellants.Based on the theoretical study,increasing the amount of NC in the propellant increased the specific impulse and,as a result,the overall performance.
文摘Sciatica, mostly clinical-based diagnosis, is a potentially debilitating condition as a result of disco-radicular conflict between L4 and L5 or L5 and S1. This study aims at describing the epidemiological, clinical and etiological aspects of sciatica in Hubert Koutoukou Maga Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou. It was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted in CNHU-HKM Cotonou neurology department from 1st January to 30th June 2016. The study population comprised 115 low back pain patients seen in consultation. Data collection was carried out through a standard information sheet with socio-demographic, clinical, para-clinical, etiological and therapeutic data. Epi data 3.1 was used for data entry and Stata11 for processing. Frequency of sciatica was 18.6%, with 95% CI [11.5% - 25.7%]. The study population age ranged from 29 to 73 years, with 52 ± 16 as mean value, while sex ratio was estimated at 0.6. Bilateral sciatica representing 53% was present in L5 and S1 nerve roots in 44.4% of cases. It was exacerbated in prolonged standing (24.4%) and relieved in supine position (44.3%), with paresthesia (59.1%) and intermittent radicular claudication (40.9%). Spinal osteoarthritis was the most prevalent etiology (47%). Sciatica is becoming increasing prevalent and should be regarded as problem of health concern.
