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Coumarins have demonstrated a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including significant anticancer properties. Recently, a series of cyclocoumarol derivatives, a pyranocoumarin known for its anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects, have been synthesized and shown to have a selective inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of these cyclocoumarol derivatives for the first time. We tested their antiproliferative effects on several human cancer cell lines, including MDAMB231, A549, MCF7, SF268, HCT116, HeLa, and Jurkat. The MTT assay revealed that the methylated cyclocoumarol derivative, 2-methoxy-2-methyl-(1-(p-tolyl))-3,4-dihydropyrano [3,2-c] chromen-5(2H)-one, 5b exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity, particularly against MDAMB231 cells. Further investigations demonstrated that 5b induced apoptosis in MDAMB231 cells via the mitochondrial pathway, as indicated by increased Bax and decreased Bcl2 levels, along with caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. Additionally, compound 5b significantly inhibited the clonogenic potential of MCF7 cells and reduced the migration capacity of MDAMB231, SF268, and A549 cells. These findings suggest that 5b is a promising lead compound for developing new anticancer agents, with the potential for chemical optimization to enhance its efficacy.

The second edition of the Conference on Economic and Monetary Sovereignty of Africa was held in Dakar, Senegal, on October 25–28, 2022. Participants from around the world debated the theme “Facing the Socio-Ecological Crisis: Delinking and the Question of Global Reparations.” The event was designed as a follow-up on discussions begun during the first edition (held in Tunis in 2019; see Ben Gadha et al. 2021), as well as an opportunity to reflect on recent developments.  The Dakar Declaration is one of the main byproducts of four days of intense, fruitful, and comradely debates on the triptych of delinking, socio-ecological resilience, and reparations. It is an internationalist manifesto and a global action plan.

Objectif : La transmission mère-enfant du VIH durant l’allaitement est un problème de santé publique. Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer l’intérêt du suivi thérapeutique pharmacologique des femmes allaitantes sous ARV et leurs enfants à Bamako. Méthodes : Les patientes ont été recrutées du 1er septembre 2015 au 30 septembre 2016 suite à l’obtention de leur consentement éclairé. Les mères et leur enfant ont été suivis dans le service de pédiatrie du CHU Gabriel Touré. Les charges virales plasmatiques ont été réalisées à l’UCRC de Bamako. La détermination des concentrations plasmatiques des médicaments a été réalisée au laboratoire de Pharmacocinétique de Toulouse. Les données ont été saisies et analysées sur le logiciel SPSS version 20. Résultats : L’âge moyen des mères était de 29ans±75 [19-41ans]. A J0, une seule des patientes avait une charge virale plasmatique détectable soit 3,33%(6610copies/ml) et 73,91% des mères avaient un taux de CD4 supérieur à350cellules/mm3. Après 6mois, nous avions trouvé 3 mères qui avaient une charge virale détectable (200copies/ml ; 72copies/ml et 4777 copies/ml) et 86,36% des mères avaient un taux de CD4 supérieur à350cellules/mm3. Les concentrations plasmatiques médianes mères du lopinavir, de l’efavirenz à 3 mois étaient respectivement de 5770ng/ml ; 3505ng/ml et à 6 mois de 5850ng/ml ; 3245ng/ml. Tous les nourrissons avaient une PCR négative à 3 mois et 6 mois de suivi. Conclusion : La mesure des paramètres biologiques constitue un maillon essentiel dans la prise en charge des femmes allaitantes VIH positif au Mali.

Yaws, caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue, remains a significant public health concern in tropical regions of West Africa and the South Pacific, primarily affecting children in remote areas with limited access to hygiene and sanitation. In this study, conducted in three endemic countries of West Africa where yaws remains a significant public health concern (Ghana, Cameroon, and Côte d'Ivoire), we aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to yaws among community members, community health workers (CHWs), and traditional healers. The study revealed variations in the perception of causes of yaws among community members: the majority or participants in Ghana attributed yaws to germs (60.2%); in Cameroon the most reported form of transmission was contact with or drinking infected water sources (44.6%); and in Côte d'Ivoire both of these answers were also the most prevalent (60.3% germs and 93.% water sources). A substantial proportion of participants in Côte d'Ivoire also associated yaws with witchcraft and divine punishment (44.8%). Only a small proportion of individuals in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire correctly identified contact with an infected person as a form of transmission (11.9% and 20.7%, respectively) and less than half in Cameroon (42.6%), although more than 98% of all participants reported avoidance behaviours towards yaws infected people due to fear of getting infected. Most participants expressed a preference for seeking care at hospitals (49.2%, 60.6%, 86.2%) or health care professionals including doctors and nurses (58.5%, 41,5% and 17.2%) if they were diagnosed with yaws, although a quarter of participants in Côte d'Ivoire also sought support from traditional healers. The CHWs interviewed were generally well-trained on yaws causes and treatment options, although they often reported low availability of treatment and diagnostic tests for yaws. Our findings underscore the need for community education, awareness campaigns, ongoing CHW training, and improved access to yaws treatment and diagnostic resources. The data also suggest that collaboration with traditional healers, who usually hold a highly esteemed position in the society, such as giving training on yaws causes and transmission or exchanging knowledge on treatment options, could be beneficial in certain regions, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire.

Sorghum and pearl millet have adapted to the socioecological environment in the dryland of West Africa and have been the staple crops for many years. Engaging key stakeholders and improving the sorghum and pearl millet breeding process is essential to addressing the evolving demands of end-users and environmental conditions. Unlike most trait preference studies focusing on men and women farmers’ trait choices, we examined sorghum and pearl millet key value chain actors (VCA), including producers, processors, traders, and consumers. We identified their preferred traits of varieties that need to be mainstreamed into the breeding pipelines. Drawing on the past efforts and experiences of the sorghum and pearl millet breeding programs from the last 30 years, the study was designed to integrate gender equality in sorghum and pearl millet breeding decisions and traits prioritization in West Africa. This process was implemented in phases, leading to the drafting of gender-responsive and client-oriented product profiles. The paper elicited an understanding of how the roles and interests of sorghum and pearl millet VCA influence their varietal choice and adoption decisions. The study found both differences and similarities in the trait preferences of the men and women VCA. Most women, mainly in the production and processing nodes, prefer varieties with specific food and grain quality traits, while men prioritize grain yield and biotic stress resistance traits. Even though both men’s and women’s varietal choices align with their roles in production and consumption, grain yield was commonly desired across gender, crop, and value chain segments. The findings revealed that the gendered interest of actors in the crops’ value chain determines their choice of variety. Gender responsiveness requires identifying and understanding the needs and choices of the sorghum and millet VCA and mainstreaming these into the breeding pipeline. The approach employed in the study elicits the understanding, roles, and interests of the various actors and how these factors influence men’s and women’s decisions to adopt a crop variety. All major stakeholders should co-develop product profiles for the variety being developed to enable co-ownership, increase adoption, and improve gender equity in agricultural technology development and deployment.

Purpose: To report a novel case of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome (UZS). Observation: A 59-year-old man underwent removal of a dislocated intraocular lens and placement of a scleral-sutured intraocular lens. After surgery, the pupil in the operative eye was dilated, fixed, and unresponsive to constricting drops. Conclusion: This case expands the known etiology of UZS. Possible preventative measures may include pre-operative screening for plateau iris and intra-operative use of iris hooks instead of pharmacological dilation.

Improving sorghum adoption rates by developing adapted varieties that meet end-user preferences is a major challenge in West Africa. In this study, a participatory rural appraisal was undertaken to identify the main sorghum production constraints, farmers’ preferred variety traits and their perceptions on sorghum grain mold. The study was conducted in four representative rural communities located in the main sorghum producing area of Senegal. A total of 260 farmers were interviewed and data were collected through focus group discussions and individual questionnaires. Our results indicated that Striga, insects, poor soil fertility and drought are the major sorghum producing constraints in Senegal. Grain mold was identified as the second most important sorghum disease after the damping-off. Discoloration on grain surface was the most important criteria farmers used to recognize the disease. The most important sorghum traits farmers desired in improved varieties are medium to short plant maturity cycle, medium plant height, large open or semi-compact panicle, big and white grain, and adaptation to local growing conditions. The results showed that the sorghum cropping system is dominated by male farmers who mainly grow local landraces. These results will provide updated recommendations for the breeding products profile to meet end-user preferences in Senegal.

Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods (UPF), as proposed by the Nova food classification system, are linked to the development of obesity and several non-communicable chronic diseases and deaths from all causes. The Nova-UPF screener developed in Brazil is a simple and quick tool to assess and monitor the consumption of these food products. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate, against the 24-hour dietary recall, this short food-based screener to assess UPF consumption in the Senegalese context. Methods The tool adaptation was undertaken using DELPHI methodology with national experts and data from a food market survey. Following the adaptation, sub-categories were renamed, restructured and new ones introduced. The validation study was conducted in the urban area of Dakar in a convenience sample of 301 adults, using as a reference the dietary share of UPF on the day prior to the survey, expressed as a percentage of total energy intake obtained via 24-hour recall. Association between the Nova-UPF score and the dietary share of UPF was evaluated using linear regression models. The Pabak index was used to assess the agreement in participants’ classification according to quintiles of Nova-UPF score and quintiles of the dietary share of UPF. Results The results show a linear and positive association (p-value

This work addresses the problem of supervised classification for highly correlated high-dimensional data describing non-independent observations to identify SNPs related to a phenotype. We use a general penalized linear mixed model with a single random effect that performs simultaneous SNP selection and population structure adjustment in high-dimensional prediction models. Specifically, the model simultaneously selects variables and estimates their effects, taking into account correlations between individuals.Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are a type of genetic variation and each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, namely a nucleotide. Previous research has shown that SNPs can be used to identify the correct source population of an individual and can act in isolation or simultaneously to impact a phenotype. In this regard, the study of the contribution of genetics in infectious disease phenotypes is of great importance.In this study, we used uncorrelated variables from the construction of blocks of correlated variables done in a previous work to describe the most related observations of the dataset. The model was trained with 90% of the observations and tested with the remaining 10%. The best model obtained with the generalized information criterion (GIC) identified the SNP named rs2493311 located on the first chromosome of the gene called PRDM16 ((PR/SET domain 16)) as the most decisive factor in malaria attacks.

Abstract Background Over the past two decades, preventive chemotherapy (PC) with praziquantel (PZQ) is the major strategy for controlling schistosomiasis in Senegal. The objective of this analysis was to update the endemicity of schistosomiasis at community level for better targeting mass treatment with PZQ in Senegal. Methods Demographic and epidemiological data from 1610 community health areas were analyzed using the schistosomiasis community data analysis tool of Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases which developed by World Health Organization/Africa Office (WHO/AFRO). The tool uses a WHO/AFRO decision tree for areas without epidemiological data to determine whether mass treatment should be continued at community level. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results Overall, the endemicity of 1610 community health areas were updated based on the data from the district endemicity (33.5%) and the form of Join request for selected PC medicine (40.5%). Up to 282 (17.5%) and 398 (24.7%) of community health areas were classified as moderate and high endemicity. 41.1% of communities were non endemic. High endemicity was more important in Tambacounda, Saint Louis, Matam, Louga and Kedougou. A change in endemicity category was observed when data was disagregted from district level to community level. Implementation units classified non endemic were more important at community level (n = 666) compared to district level (n = 324). Among 540 areas previously classified high endemic at district level, 392 (72.6%) remained high prevalence category, while 92 (17.0%) became moderate, 43 (8.0%) low and 13 (2.4%) non-endemics at community level. Number of implementation units requiring PC was more important at district level (1286) compared to community level (944). Number of school aged children requiring treatment was also more important at district level compared to community level. Conclusions The analysis to disaggregate data from district level to community level using the WHO/AFRO schistosomiasis sub-district data optimization tool provide an update of schistosomiasis endemicity at community level. This study has allowed to better target schistosomiasis interventions, optimize use of available PZQ and exposed data gaps.

We present a laser–plasma electron accelerator module designed to be driven by high-repetition-rate lasers for industrial applications of laser-driven electron beams. It consists of a single vacuum chamber containing all the necessary components for producing, optimizing, and monitoring electron beams generated via laser wakefield acceleration in a gas jet when driven by a suitable laser. The core methods in this paper involve a comprehensive metrological assessment of the driving laser by rigorous temporal laser pulse characterization and contrast measurements, supplemented by detailed spatiotemporal distribution analyses of the laser focus. Results demonstrate the good stability and reproducibility of the laser system, confirming its suitability for advanced scientific and industrial applications. We further demonstrate the functionality of the laser–plasma accelerator module diagnostics, perform target density characterizations, and time-resolved laser–plasma shadowgraphy. Current limitations of the set-up preventing first electron acceleration are analyzed and an outlook for future experiments is given. Our work is a first step towards the wide dissemination of fully integrated laser–plasma accelerator technology.

Albinism is a genetically heterogeneous disease in which 21 genes are known so far. Its inheritance mode is autosomal recessive except for one X-linked form. The molecular analysis of exonic sequences of these genes allows for about a 70% diagnostic rate. About half (15%) of the unsolved cases are heterozygous for one pathogenic or probably pathogenic variant. Assuming that the missing variant may be located in non-coding regions, we performed sequencing for 122 such heterozygous patients of either the whole genome (27 patients) or our NGS panel (95 patients) that includes, in addition to all exons of the 21 genes, the introns and flanking sequences of five genes, TYR, OCA2, SLC45A2, GPR143 and HPS1. Rare variants (MAF < 0.01) in trans to the first variant were tested by RT-PCR and/or minigene assay. Of the 14 variants tested, nine caused either exon skipping or the inclusion of a pseudoexon, allowing for the diagnosis of 11 patients. This represents 9.8% (12/122) supplementary diagnosis for formerly unsolved patients and 75% (12/16) of those in whom the candidate variant was in trans to the first variant. Of note, one missense variant was demonstrated to cause skipping of the exon in which it is located, thus shedding new light on its pathogenic mechanism. Searching for non-coding variants and testing them for an effect on RNA splicing is warranted in order to increase the diagnostic rate.

African populations of the mosquito Aedes aegypti are usually considered less susceptible to infection by human-pathogenic flaviviruses than globally invasive populations found outside Africa. Although this contrast has been well documented for Zika virus (ZIKV), it is unclear to what extent it is true for dengue virus (DENV), the most prevalent flavivirus of humans. Addressing this question is complicated by substantial genetic diversity among DENV strains, most notably in the form of four genetic types (DENV1 to DENV4), that can lead to genetically specific interactions with mosquito populations. Here, we carried out a survey of DENV susceptibility using a panel of seven field-derived Ae. aegypti colonies from across the African range of the species and a colony from Guadeloupe, French West Indies as non-African reference. We found considerable variation in the ability of African Ae. aegypti populations to acquire and replicate a panel of six DENV strains spanning the four DENV types. Although African Ae. aegypti populations were generally less susceptible than the reference non-African population from Guadeloupe, in several instances some African populations were equally or more susceptible than the Guadeloupe population. Moreover, the relative level of susceptibility between African mosquito populations depended on the DENV strain, indicating genetically specific interactions. We conclude that unlike ZIKV susceptibility, there is no clear-cut dichotomy in DENV susceptibility between African and non-African Ae. aegypti. DENV susceptibility of African Ae. aegypti populations is highly heterogeneous and largely governed by the specific pairing of mosquito population and DENV strain.

Resumen : La traducción es inseparable de la historia de un pueblo, de su cultura y de la dimensión política. Define los marcos jurídicos y sociales en los que se desarrollan las actividades de los individuos. También configura la opinión y el debate ideológico en una democracia. A medida que el mundo avanza hacia el multilingüismo de la globalización económica y cultural, la política en Cataluña se ve en parte atrapada en una lucha por hacer del catalán una lengua mayoritaria, o incluso, para los nacionalistas radicales y los independentistas, la única lengua oficial. En este contexto, la traducción del y al catalán es un medio cultural estratégico de afirmación de la identidad en la lengua de Cervantes. La cuestión de la traducción y, más concretamente, la de la lengua catalana se percibe inevitablemente como política, lo que en cierto modo tiende a dejar la realidad lingüística oscurecida tras el contexto histórico que ha vivido Cataluña. Palabras clave: identidad lingüística-política lingüística-traducción y medios de comunicación Cohabitation des langues: cas du catalan et du castillan en Espagne Résumé : La traduction est inséparable de l’histoire d’un peuple, de sa culture passée et présente, de la dimension politique qui, en définitive, délimite les cadres juridiques et sociaux où se déploie l’activité des personnes, mais aussi marque l’opinion et le débat idéologique dans une démocratie. Alors que la planète s’achemine vers le plurilinguisme d’une mondialisation économique et culturelle, en Catalogne, la politique se trouve en partie prise dans un combat visant à faire du catalan une langue majoritaire, voire, pour les nationalistes radicaux et indépendantistes, la seule langue officielle. Dans un tel contexte, la traduction depuis et vers le catalan constitue le moyen culturel stratégique d’une revendication identitaire face à la langue de Cervantès. La question de la traduction et, plus précisément, celle de la langue catalane est inévitablement perçue comme politique, ce qui, d’une certaine manière, tend à laisser la réalité linguistique occultée derrière le contexte historique que la Catalogne a connu. Mots-clés : identité linguistique-politique linguistique-traduction et médias. Language cohabitation: the case of catalán and castilian in Spain Abstract : Translation is inseparable from the history of a people, its culture past and present, and its political dimension which, ultimately, frames the legal and social context in which individuals act, but also sets its stamp on public opinion and ideological debate in a democracy. As multilingualism marches onward in an economically and culturally globalized world, politics in Catalonia have been caught up in a struggle to make Catalan the majority language—or, for radical nationalists and independence activists, even the only official language. In this context, translation from and into Catalan has become a strategic cultural vehicle for claims opposing Catalan identity to the language of Cervantes. The question of translation and, more specifically, translation of the Catalan language is inevitably perceived as political, so that the linguistic realities tend to be overshadowed by the historical context as experienced in Catalonia. Keywords: linguistic identity-language policy-translation and the medias.

In Senegal, onions (Allium cepa L.) are an important and widely consumed crop. Several varieties and speculations are cultivated, with yields and bulbs qualities depending on technical itineraries and cultivation areas. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of onion bulbs produced at the Kalassane and Nguéthioro sites, using morphological and physicochemical parameters. To this end, an optimized treatment based on the “Société Nationale d’Aménagement et d’Exploitation des terres du Delta” (SAED) technical data sheet, requiring water and fertilizer inputs to be controlled (4455.4 m3 of water/ha, 9 kg/9 m2 of organic matter applied before sowing and 224 g/m2 of N- P-K applied in 4 inputs), another based on the farmers' method using excessive quantities of water and fertilizers (6526.1 m3 water/ha, 12 kg/9 m2 organic matter applied after sowing and 748 g/m2 N-P-K applied in 5 applications), and their combinations were applied on Kalassane. Next, the best method for ensuring quality bulbs at Kalassane was also tested at Nguéthioro. The results show that at Kalassane, onion bulbs from the optimized method are small (67.96 ± 14.40 g) and less waterlogged (Wc 85.44 % ± 0.71, aw 0.83 ± 0.01), with a high total polyphenol content (7.01 mg/100 g ± 0.01), in contrast to those from the farmers’ method, which are 100.80 g ± 14.22; 87.14 % ± 0.69; 0.91 ± 0.01 and 2.11 mg/100 g ± 0.01 respectively. In short, this study leads to the conclusion that optimized practice is the best treatment guaranteeing better quality. In addition, the optimized method showed a difference between the results for the two sites. In the future, repeating this experiment coupled with edaphic characteristics will enable us to determine the influence of soil on the physicochemical and nutritional quality of onions.

Introduction One of the most challenging outcomes after surgery is site infection, the consequences of which include the cost burden on hospitals, contributions to patient morbidity and readmissions. A shift to shorter hospital stays requires closer monitoring of surgical site infections (SSI) after discharge. This paper reviews post-discharge surveillance (PDS) methods on SSI identification, a comparison of some of these methods, SSI rates during and after hospitalization, and associated risk factors for SSI.

BackgroundWe identified commonly deficient standards across rectal cancer programs that underwent accreditation review by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer to evaluate for patterns of noncompliance.Study designWith the use of the internal database of the American College of Surgeons, programs that underwent accreditation review from 2018 to 2020 were evaluated. The occurrence and frequency of noncompliance with the standards, using the 2017 standards manual, were evaluated. Programs were further stratified based on the year of review, annual rectal cancer volume, and Commission on Cancer classification.ResultsA total of 25 programs with annual rectal cancer volume from 14 to more than 200 cases per year underwent accreditation review. Only 2 programs achieved 100% compliance with all standards. Compliance with standards ranged from 48% to 100%. The 2 standards with the lowest level of compliance included standard 2.5 and standard 2.11 that require all patients with rectal cancer to be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting before the initiation of definitive treatment and within 4 weeks after definitive surgical therapy, respectively. Patterns of noncompliance persisted when programs were stratified on the basis oof the year of survey, annual rectal cancer volume, and Commission on Cancer classification. The corrective action process allowed all programs to ultimately become successfully accredited.ConclusionDuring this initial phase of the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer accreditation, the majority of programs undergoing review did not achieve 100% compliance and went through a corrective action process. Although the minimal multidisciplinary team meeting attendance requirements were simplified in the 2021 revised standards, noncompliance related to presentation of all patients at the multidisciplinary team meeting before and after definitive treatment highlights the need for programs seeking accreditation to implement optimized and standardized workflows to achieve compliance.

Protected areas play a crucial role in preserving biological diversity, providing ecosystem services, and regulating hydroclimatic processes. However, the environmental balance of these areas is increasingly under threat due to rapid population growth, high demand for natural resources, and the effects of global warming. To address this, sustainable management of protected areas is essential. This study aims to develop a methodology for monitoring and assessing levels of nocturnal anthropogenic aggression in the Comoé National Park (CNP) in Côte d’Ivoire. By using geospatial data from the Day/Night Band of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS/DNB), the study characterizes the nocturnal anthropization of CNP through the use of several indices. First, light reflectance density is used to identify nighttime light emission foci. Second, the lighted area density index (LADI) is employed to understand the nature of nocturnal activities taking place within CNP, as indicated by artificial light at night (ALAN). Finally, the light intensity index (LII) is used to evaluate the degree of influence of nocturnal anthropogenic activities on biodiversity. The study also found important activities through LADI and observed a high level of light pollution in CNP. Ultimately, the findings of this study indicate that there is a significant level of nocturnal anthropization within CNP, highlighting the need for effective management and conservation efforts in the area.

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies may occur after restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), largely due to malabsorption and/or pouch inflammation. Objectives: The objective of this study was to report the frequency of iron deficiency in patients with UC who underwent RPC with IPAA and identify associated risk factors. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with UC or IBD-unclassified who underwent RPC with IPAA at Mount Sinai Hospital between 2008 and 2017. Patients younger than 18 years of age at the time of colectomy were excluded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze baseline characteristics. Medians with interquartile range (IQR) were reported for continuous variables, and proportions were reported for categorical variables. Iron deficiency was defined by ferritin

Abstract Temporal data series of stable Artificial Lights At Night (ALAN) obtained from sources such as DMSP/OLS and VIIRS/DNB provide valuable insights into the dynamics of urban expansion. This study introduces a novel methodology for characterizing urban boundaries, which combines textural analysis utilizing the Co-occurrence matrix and urban surface delineation employing the Wombling contour detection algorithm. Applying this method to the city of Korhogo in northern Côte d'Ivoire, the findings reveal an irregular and gradual evolution of urban surfaces between 1992 and 2012, with a rate of change of 35 km2. However, starting from 2012, a rapid urbanization process is observed, continuing until 2020, characterized by an evolution rate of approximately 45 km2. Considering the significant urban expansion witnessed in the city of Korhogo, it is imperative to implement appropriate urban management strategies and measures for ecosystem protection.

Abstract Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 are globally dominant and infection rates are very high in children. We measure immune responses following Omicron BA.1/2 infection in children aged 6-14 years and relate this to prior and subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. Primary Omicron infection elicits a weak antibody response with poor functional neutralizing antibodies. Subsequent Omicron reinfection or COVID-19 vaccination elicits increased antibody titres with broad neutralisation of Omicron subvariants. Prior pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 virus infection or vaccination primes for robust antibody responses following Omicron infection but these remain primarily focussed against ancestral variants. Primary Omicron infection thus elicits a weak antibody response in children which is boosted after reinfection or vaccination. Cellular responses are robust and broadly equivalent in all groups, providing protection against severe disease irrespective of SARS-CoV-2 variant. Immunological imprinting is likely to act as an important determinant of long-term humoral immunity, the future clinical importance of which is unknown.

Abstract Introduction The composite coverage index (CCI) is the weighted average coverage of eight preventive and curative interventions received along the maternal and childcare continuum. This study aimed to analyse maternal and child health indicators using CCI. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of demographic and health surveys (DHS) focused on women aged 15 to 49 and their children aged 1 to 4. This study took place in Guinea. The CCI (meeting the need for planning, childbirth assisted by qualified healthcare workers, antenatal care assisted by qualified healthcare workers, vaccination against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, taking oral rehydration salts during diarrhoea and seeking care for pneumonia) is optimal if the weighted proportion of interventions is > 50%; otherwise, it is partial. We identified the factors associated with CCI using the descriptive association tests, the spatial autocorrelation statistic and multivariate logistic regression. Results The analyses involved two DHS surveys, with 3034 included in 2012 and 4212 in 2018. The optimal coverage of the CCI has increased from 43% in 2012 to 61% in 2018. In multivariate analysis, in 2012: the poor had a lower probability of having an optimal CCI than the richest; OR = 0.11 [95% CI; 0.07, 0.18]. Those who had done four antenatal care visits (ANC) were 2.78 times more likely to have an optimal CCI than those with less OR = 2.78 [95% CI;2.24, 3.45]. In 2018: the poor had a lower probability of having an optimal CCI than the richest OR = 0.27 [95% CI; 0.19, 0.38]. Women who planned their pregnancies were 28% more likely to have an optimal CCI than those who had not planned OR = 1.28 [95% CI;1.05, 1.56]. Finally, women with more than 4 ANC were 2.43 times more likely to have an optimal CCI than those with the least OR = 2.43 [95% CI; 2.03, 2.90]. The spatial analysis reveals significant disparities with an aggregation of high partial CCI in Labé between 2012 and 2018. Conclusion This study showed an increase in CCI between 2012 and 2018. Policies should improve access to care and information for poor women. Besides, strengthening ANC visits and reducing regional inequalities increases optimal CCI.

Abstract Background General anesthesia in pregnant women can be associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity. Emergency caesarean section can be performed by converting labor epidural analgesia to surgical anesthesia by injecting high-dose short-acting local anesthetics through the epidural catheter. The effectiveness and the delay to obtain surgical anesthesia depends upon the protocol used. Data indicate that alkalinization of local anesthetics may shorten their onset of action and increase their effectiveness. This study investigates whether alkalinization of adrenalized lidocaine could increase the efficacy and decrease the delay of onset of surgical anesthesia via an indwelling epidural catheter, thus decreasing the necessity to resort to general anesthesia for emergency caesarean deliveries. Methods This study will be a bicentric, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial with two parallel groups of 66 women who require emergency caesarian deliveries and who have been receiving epidural labor analgesia. The number of subjects in groups will be unbalanced with a 2:1 ratio of experimental:control. In both groups, all eligible patients will have had an epidural catheter placed for labor analgesia with levobupicaine or ropivacaine. Patient randomization will occur when the decision is made by the surgeon that an emergency caesarean delivery is indicated. Surgical anesthesia will be obtained by injecting 20 mL of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:200,000, or 10 mL 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:200,000 plus 2 mL sodium bicarbonate 4.2% (total of 12 mL). The primary outcome will be the rate of conversion to general anesthesia for failure of the epidural to provide adequate analgesia. This study will be powered to detect a 50% reduction in the incidence of general anesthesia, from 80 to 40%, with a confidence ratio of 90%. Discussion Sodium bicarbonate could be used to avoid general anesthesia for emergency caesarean deliveries by providing reliable and effective surgical anesthesia in women with pre-existing labor epidural catheters is promising. This randomized controlled trial seeks to determine the optimal local anesthetic mixture for converting epidural analgesia to surgical anesthesia for emergency caesarean sections. This may decrease the need for general anesthesia for emergency caesarian section, shorten the time to fetal extraction, and improve safety and patient satisfaction. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05313256. Registered on 6 April 2022

The study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil from dried seeds of Xylopia aethiopica. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/FID and GC/MS. The essential oil yield was 1.35%. Forty-nine compounds were identified in the essential oil with 1,8-cineole (16.3%), β-pinene (14.8%), trans-pinocarveol (9.1%), myrtenol (8.3%), α-pinene (5.9%), and terpinen-4-ol (5.6%) as major components. The antimicrobial activity of this essential oil was studied using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods on four bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and one fungus (Candida albicans). The essential oil exhibited excellent activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis, and C. albicans and moderate activity against E. coli. Among all strains tested, C. albicans showed the best sensitivity with a MIC of 50 mg/mL. The antioxidant activity was examined using a DPPH-free radical scavenging assay. The essential oil of X. aethiopica showed low antioxidant activity (IC50 = 784.604 ± 0.320 mg/mL) compared to that of ascorbic acid and the reference compound (IC50 = 0.163 ± 0.003 mg/mL). The results indicate that consumption of X. aethiopica seeds can reduce the virulence of food-borne pathogens and their resistance to antibiotics.