An updated systematic review and network meta-analysis of 25 randomized trials assessing the efficacy and safety of treatments in COVID-19 disease

To date, there is no definite effective treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed an update network meta-analysis to compare and rank COVID-19 treatments according to their efficacy and safety. Literature search was performed from MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases from inception to September 5, 2020. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) which compared the effect of any pharmacological drugs versus standard care or placebo 28-day after hospitalization in adult patients with COVID-19 disease were included. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% CI were calculated for 28-day all-cause mortality, clinical improvement, any adverse event (AEs), and viral clearance. A total of 25 RCTs, evaluating 17 different treatments, and 11,597 participants were analyzed. Remdesivir for 10-day compared to standard care (RR 0.69, 95% CI [0.48–0.99]), and a low dose compared to a high dose of HCQ (0.38, [0.17–0.89]) were associated with a lower risk of death. A total of 2,766 patients experienced clinical improvement, a 5-day course of remdesivir was associated with a higher frequency of clinical improvement compared to standard care (RR 1.21, 95% CI [1.00–1.47]). Compared to standard care, remdesivir for both 5 and 10 days, lopinavir/ritonavir, and dexamethasone reduced the risk of any severe AEs by 52% (0.48, 0.34–0.67), 24% (0.77, 0.63–0.92), 40% (0.60, 0.37–0.98), and 50% (0.50, 0.25–0.98) respectively. In this study of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, administration of remdesivir for 10-day compared to standard care was associated with lower 28-day all-cause mortality and serious AEs, and higher clinical improvement rate.&nbsp

A secure authentication scheme for bluetooth connection

Recently, Bluetooth technology is widely used by organizations and individuals to provide wireless personal area network (WPAN) because the radio frequency (RF) waves can easily penetrate obstacles and can propagate without direct line-of-sight (LoS)

Post-operative maternal morbidity and mortality after caesarean delivery and laparotomy for uterine rupture at the gynecology and obstetrics service of the Ignace Deen National Hospital in Guinea

Background: The aim of the work was to study post-operative maternal morbidity and mortality after caesarean delivery and laparotomy for uterine failure, to describe the main causes and to analyze the risk factors.Methods: It was a descriptive, comparative and analytical study lasting 2 years with data collection in 2 phases, one of which was a retrospective study lasting one year from July 2018 to June 2019 and the other a prospective study also lasting one year, from July 2019 to June 2020. It concerned all pregnant women who had been caesarized or had had a laparotomy for uterine rupture with complications and those who had not developed any complications. The parameters studied were types of complications, risk factors and maternal mortality. The Chi-square test was used to compare the two populations with a significance level p=0.05.Results: During the study period, 6141 hospitalizations were recorded among which 5682 surgical procedures were performed, i.e. 92.52% of hospitalizations. Caesarean delivery accounted for 90.55% of surgical procedures and laparotomy for uterine rupture for 1.10%. The overall maternal post-operative morbidity rate was 7.60%. Post-operative anemia was by far the most common complication (75.76%) followed by infection (23.46%). The maternal death rate was 0.92% with a ratio of 409.97 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and more than 2/3 of these deaths were due to caesarean delivery. Anemia and septic shock were the main causes of death. Factors related to this post-operative maternal morbidity were: age greater than or equal to 40 years, multi-parity, illiteracy, emergency obstetric evacuation, low socio-economic level, poor quality of prenatal follow-up and rupture of membranes before admission.Conclusion: In the emergency context concerning majority of our cesarean deliveries and the totality of uterine ruptures predispose the mother to high significant morbidity and mortality

Enhancement of bluetooth security authentication using hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) algorithm

Recently, Bluetooth technology is widely used by organizations and individuals to provide wireless personal area network (WPAN). This is because the radio frequency (RF) waves can easily penetrate obstacles and can propagate without direct line-of-sight (LoS). These two characteristics have led to replace wired communication by wireless systems. However, there are serious security challenges associated with wireless communication systems because they are easier to eavesdrop, disrupt and jam than the wired systems. Bluetooth technology started with a form of pairing called legacy pairing prior to any communication. However, due to the serious security issues found in the legacy pairing, a secure and simple pairing called SPP was announced with Bluetooth 2.1 and later since 2007. SPP has solved the main security issue which is the weaknesses of the PIN code in the legacy pairing, however it has been found with some vulnerabilities such as eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. Since the discovery of these vulnerabilities, some enhancements have been proposed to the Bluetooth Specification Interest Group (SIG) which is the regulatory body of Bluetooth technology; nevertheless, some proposed enhancements are ineffective or are not yet implemented by Manufacturers. Therefore, an improvement of the security authentication in Bluetooth connection is highly required to overcome the existing drawbacks. This proposed protocol uses Hash-based Message Authentication Code (HMAC) algorithm with Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256). The implementation of this proposal is based on the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE) as software and a Bluetooth (BT) Shield connected to an Arduino Uno R3 boards as hardware. The result was verified on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) built in Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 with C sharp as default environment. It has shown that the proposed scheme works perfectly with the used hardware and software. In addition, the protocol thwarts the passive and active eavesdropping attacks which exist during SSP. These attacks are defeated by avoiding the exchange of passwords and public keys in plain text between the Master and the Slave. Therefore, this protocol is expected to be implemented by the SIG to enhance the security in Bluetooth connection

Profil clinique et biologique du Lupus érythémateux systémique dans un hôpital de District au Cameroun: Clinical and biological profile of systemic lupus erythematosus in a district hospital in Cameroon

Contexte et objectif. En Afrique, la prévalence du lupus érythémateux systémique (LES) est certainement sous-estimée et les études sont  restreintes. L’objectif était de décrire le profil clinique et biologique des patients lupiques. Méthodes. Étude documentaire sur LES suivi à l’hôpital de district d’Efolian (au Cameroun), entre janvier 2017 et novembre 2019. Le diagnostic de LES était basé sur les critères SLICC, le score SLEDAI était utilisé pour évaluer l’activité de la maladie. Résultats. Dix-neuf patients ont été colligés dont 17 femmes. L’âge moyen des patients était de 35±15 ans. Le délai diagnostique moyen était de 6,5 ± 1,5 ans. On notait une prédominance des atteintes articulaires et cutanéo-muqueuses. Il y avait une protéinurie chez 16 patients. Le score d’activité de la maladie mesurée par le SLEDAI était très élevé chez 15 patients. Conclusion. Le LES est souvent diagnostiqué tardivement à l’hôpital d’Efoulan. L’atteinte rénale est fréquente et la réalisation des biopsies rénales n’est pas courante. Une étude de cohorte plus élaborée multicentrique est nécessaire pour mieux cerner les facteurs de risque et de pronostique. Context and objective. In Africa, the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is certainly under-estimated and studies are limited. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and biological profile in lupus patients. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on medical records of SLE patients attending Efoulan Hospital in Cameroon from January 2017 to November 2019. The diagnosis of SLE was based on the SLICC criteria and the SLEDAI score was used to assess disease activity. Results. Records from 19 patients were collected including 17 women. Their average age was 35 ± 15 years. The mean diagnostic delay was 6.5 ± 1.5 years. There was a predominance of joint damage and mucous membranes. Proteinuria was encountered in 16 patients. The SLEDAI was very high in 15 patients. Conclusion: SLE is often diagnosed late at Efoulan Hospital. Renal complications are frequent but kidney biopsies are not common. A larger cohort is needed

Surgical intervention on uterine fibromyoma in a country with limited resources: case of the gynaecology-obstetrics department of the Communal Medical Centre of Ratoma Conakry - Guinea

Background: In developing countries, treatment of uterine fibromyoma is confronted with numerous problems, namely: financial inaccessibility to the proposed treatments, fear of surgery and the weakness of the technical platform. The objectives of the study were to calculate the frequency of uterine fibromyomas, describe the socio-demographic characteristics of patients, identify the main clinical data and to describe the modalities of surgical management.Methods: It was a mixed descriptive study, cumulative over a period of 5 years (60 months) with data collection in two phases: a 4-year retrospective study from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 and a 1-year prospective study from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.Results: Authors collected 135 cases of uterine fibromyomas operated on out of a total of 260 cases of gynaecological pathologies, i.e. a frequency of 51.92%. Nulliparous women were the most concerned (45.18%), and women who attended school (60%) and those who did not attend school (40%). Women at home and housewives accounted for 42.20% and 54.07% respectively. Clinically, the circumstances of discovery were dominated by menometrorrhagia and menorrhagia respectively 77.77% and 68.14%. The large uterus was the most frequent physical sign found in 96.29% of cases. Uterine fibromyomas were recorded in 86.6% of cases in women with genital activity. The operative indications were dominated by the large polymyomatous uterus (64.44%), followed by hemorrhagic fibroma (18.52%) The surgical treatment was conservative in 92.60%. The total hysterectomy was performed in 7.40. Lethality was 1.4%.Conclusions: The surgical management of fibroids contrasts conservative treatment (myomectomy) with radical treatment (hysterectomy) with multiple possible approaches (hysteroscopy, vaginal surgery, laparoscopy or laparotomy). In this context, only laparotomy was possible due to lack of equipment. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy equipment are necessary for less invasive surgery

Profil des Maladies Rhumatismales du Sujet Age en Guinee

Aim: To determine the respective share of the different rheumatic conditions observed in the elderly person who was hospitalized in the rheumatology department of the CHU Ignace Deen. Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients aged 60 or aver seen in consultation or hospitalized in the rheumatology department during the period from October 2016 to April 2018. Rheumatic diseases have been diagnosed according to the criteria. Results: 1502 patients were examined during the study period; there were 521 patients aged ago 60 years and overs; of whom 351(23, 36%) had at least one rheumatologic diagnostic. There was a predominance of women (216; 61, 54%). The average age of diagnostic were 67, 63 ± 6, 71 years (extremes de 60 to 93 years). The average delay in diagnostic was 3, 91 ± 4, 21 years (extremes de 1 month to 51 years). High blood pressure (142; 40,45%) and diabetes (40; 11,39%) were the main comorbidities. Degenerative pathology (295; 84, 04%) was the most common with low pain (112; 31,90%) as a leader. There were 45 cases (12,82%) of chronic inflammatory rheumatism; rheumatoid arthritis (19; 5,41%) was the most common, followed by spondyloartritis (8; 2,27%). Osteopathies (36 ; 10,25%); periarticular and syndromes (20 ; 5,69%), microcristal arthropathies (24 ; 6,83%), infectious pathology (8; 2,27%) and tumoral pathology (9; 2,56%)were the other diseases found. Conclusion: Degenerative pathology and chronic inflammatory rheumatism were the most common. The expected balance of sex ratio in RA at this age was rather in favor of female predominance. Prospective cohort studies would provide a better understanding of this question.Objectifs: Déterminer le profil épidémiologique des maladies rhumatismales des personnes âgées au service de rhumatologie de l’hôpital National Ignace Deen de Conakry. Patients et méthodes: Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale portant sur des patients âgés d'au moins 60 ans vus en consultation ou hospitalisés dans le service de rhumatologie pendant la période d’octobre 2016 à Avril 2018. Les maladies rhumatismales ont été diagnostiquées selon les critères en vigueur. Résultats: Des 1502 malades examinés, 351 (23,36%) étaient âgés d’au moins 60 ans. Il y avait une prédominance féminine (216 ; 61,54%). L’âge moyen était de 67,63 ± 6,71 ans (extrêmes de 60 et 93 ans). Le délai moyen de diagnostic était de 3,91 ± 4,21 ans (extrêmes de 1 mois et 51 ans). L’hypertension artérielle (142; 40,45%) et le diabète (40; 11,39%) étaient les principales comorbidités. La pathologie dégénérative (295 ; 84,04 %) était la plus fréquente avec une prédominance de la lombalgie commune (112; 31,90 %). Il y avait 45 cas (12,82%) de rhumatisme inflammatoire chronique : la polyarthrite rhumatoïde (PR) (19 cas ; 5,41%) était le plus fréquent, suivie des spondyloarthrites (8; 2,27%). Les ostéopathies (36 ; 10,25%), la pathologie péri-articulaire et les syndromes canalaires (20; 5,69%), les arthropathies microcristallines (24 ; 6,83%), la pathologie infectieuse (8 ; 2,27 %) et la pathologie tumorale (9 ; 2,56 %) étaient les autres maladies retrouvées. Conclusion: La pathologie dégénérative et les rhumatismes inflammatoires chroniques étaient les plus fréquents. L’équilibre attendu du sex-ratio dans la PR à cet âge était plutôt en faveur d’une prédominance féminine. Des études de cohortes prospectives permettraient de mieux comprendre cette question

Implementation of active management of the third period of childbirth for the prevention of immediate post-partum bleeding in four regional maternity hospitals of Conakry, Guinea

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, skills level of health care service providers; to identify complications and difficulties related to the implementation of AMTPC/GATPA.Methods: It was about prospective study, descriptive of 6 months (1st March to 31st August 2014) carried out in the maternity hospitals of Faranah, Kindia, Mamou and Nzérékoré. It concerned the parturient women who had recently given birth and the personnel that carried out AMTPC/GATPA in these hospitals.Results: During the study period of 1,254 out of 1,305 births had benefited of AMTPC/GATPA, a frequency of 96.1%. The midwives were the most represented personnel in the implementation of GATPA (44.1%). In 46.4% of the cases, the health care service providers acquired this competence from the initial training. The release was obtained in the first trial in 64.9% cases. The duration of implementation of GATPA was less than 5 minutes in 72.6% cases. The different stages were respected in 91.5% cases. Complications were dominated by retention of placental fragments (10.2%). Lack of oxytocin was the main difficulty (36.6%).Conclusions: The sustainability of this achievement would depend on the systematic and correct implementation of AMTPC/GATPA at all childbirth attendants and the effective management of oxytocin

Recours a la Médecine Traditionnelle chez les Rhumatisants en Guinée

Aim: To determine the frequency and pattern of use of traditional medicine in rheumatic patients at Ignace Deen National Hospital in Conakry, Guinea. Patients and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study in the rheumatology department of HNID between January and March 2018 Results: Of the 108 patients interviewed, 40 had used traditional medicine (37.03%). There was a female predominance (21 women, 52.5%) with a sex ratio of 0.90. The mean age of the patients was 44.75 ± 17.24 years. Rheumatoid arthritis and knee osteoarthritis were the main rheumatic diseases observed with 41.86% and 16.27% respectively. The diagnostic delay was 6.54 ± 1.25 years. The nature of the treatment used was dominated by taking a decoction (57.50%) and the reason for using traditional treatment was to relieve pain (85%). The oral route was the main mode of use of traditional treatment (67.5%). More than half of the patients (52.50%) were not satisfied with the outcome of traditional treatment received and did not know the name of the treatment used in their vernacular language. In 47.50% of cases they thought that traditional treatment had adverse effects and had possible interactions with modern drug therapy. Conclusion: More than a third of rheumatology consulting patients use traditional medicine even though they believe it has side effects. This phenomenon leads to a delay in consultation with the rheumatologist, hence the need for better communication between the different actors.Objectif : Déterminer la fréquence et le profil de l’utilisation de la médecine traditionnelle chez les patients souffrant de rhumatisme à l'hôpital national Ignace Deen de Conakry (Guinée). Patients et méthodes : Etude transversale de type descriptif dans le service de rhumatologie de l'HNID entre janvier et mars 2018. Résultats : Sur 108 patients interrogés, 40 avaient eu recours à la médecine traditionnelle soit 37,03 %. On notait une prédominance féminine (21 femmes ; 52,5 %) avec un sexe ratio de 0,90 H/F. L’âge moyen des patients était de 44,75 ± 17,24 ans. La polyarthrite rhumatoïde et la gonarthrose étaient les principales affections rhumatologiques observées avec respectivement 41,86% et 16,27%. Le délai diagnostique était de 6,54 ±1,25 ans. La nature du traitement utilisé était dominée par la prise de décoction (57,50%) et le motif d’utilisation du traitement était de soulager la douleur (85%). La voie orale était le principal mode d’utilisation (67,5%). Plus de la moitié des patients (52,50%) n’étaient pas satisfaits du résultat du traitement traditionnel reçu et ne connaissaient pas le nom du traitement utilisé dans leur langue vernaculaire. Ils pensaient dans 47,50% des cas que le traitement traditionnel entrainait des effets indésirables et avait de possibles interactions avec le traitement médicamenteux moderne. Conclusion : Plus du tiers des patients consultant en rhumatologie ont recours à la médecine traditionnelle même s’ils croient qu’elle a des effets indésirables. Ce phénomène entraîne un retard à la consultation chez le rhumatologue, d’où la nécessité d’une meilleure communication entre les différents acteurs

Obstetric emergencies in the maternity ward of the Ignace Deen national hospital CHU of Conakry: sociodemographic, therapeutic and maternal fetal prognosis aspects

Background: Despite government efforts to reduce maternal mortality, the risk of a woman dying from obstetric complications is about one in six in the poorest regions of the world compared to one in thirty thousand in North Europe. The objective was therefore to describe the clinical socio-demographic aspects and to establish the maternal and fetal prognosis of obstetric emergencies.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional prospective study over a 6-month period from January 1 to June 30, 2020 carried out at the maternity ward of the Ignace Deen national hospital (Conakry university hospital) in Guinea. The study looked at a continuous series of 662 obstetric emergency cases.Results: The frequency of admission of obstetric emergencies was 22.62%. They concerned young women (29.5 years old) on average, first-time mothers (53.32%), with low income professional activities, evacuated from a peripheral maternity unit (63.14%), no schooling (44.9%), married (92.3%), using the more often a means of public transport (66.5%) and whose pregnancies were poorly monitored (63.9%). Fetal emergencies were dominated by acute fetal distress (91.3%) and maternal emergencies were dominated by hypertensive emergencies (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia 37.44%) followed by hemorrhagic emergencies (last trimester hemorrhage and postpartum hemorrhage 34.34%). Pregnant and parturient women were more frequently admitted to labor (62.7%) and gave birth more frequently by caesarean section (86.70%). the staff reacted promptly to make a treatment decision in 75.5% of cases within fifteen minutes. emergency procedures were performed in less than fifteen minutes in almost all cases (97.4%), specific treatment was carried out in less than an hour in the majority of cases (68.3%). The maternal case fatality rate was 4.1% with the main cause of death being hemorrhagic shock of 51.8%. The stillbirth rate was 17.4%.Conclusions: The anticipation of emergency obstetric care (SOU) and close collaboration between the obstetrician, the anesthesiologist-resuscitator are essential in the management of obstetric emergencies