Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Conservation and use of genetic resources of cacao ( Theobroma cacao L .) by gene banks and nurseries in six Latin American countries

International audienceCacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is among the most important cash crops in tropical countries. The existing cacao genetic diversity represents a key resource to ensure the long-term sustainability of cacao cultivation but it remains vastly underused. The objective of this paper is to describe the current state of conservation and use of cacao genetic materials in six countries in South (Peru and Ecuador) and Central America (Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala). For each country, we reviewed the regulations for cacao genetic resources, we carried out a survey of 176 gene banks and nurseries, and we performed a review of breeding and selection programs. We found that all countries had poor systems of certification, verification and traceability. Gene banks conserved many local materials in Peru and Ecuador while they mainly conserved international clones in Central American countries. In all countries except Honduras, more than half of the gene banks did not have any characterization or evaluation data of the conserved materials. Although nurseries in all countries had fair productive capacities, varieties sold were unevenly characterized in Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala, and less than half of the nurseries provided technical assistance to farmers in Ecuador and El Salvador. Breeding and selection programs had not fully used the cacao diversity in these countries. Based on the results, we identified the strengths and weakness, as well as the most appropriate investment areas for each country. A better conservation and use of cacao genetic resources in Latin America would benefit not only these countries but also the whole cacao sector