Assessment of the Shellfish Production Areas’ Quality: The Oualidia and Sidi Moussa Lagoons Case

Based on European regulation 91/492/EC, Morocco, very early, established legislation with conditions for producing and marketing live bivalve molluscs. In applying this legislation, the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH)   has set up a system for sanitary monitoring of the marine environment, through which several harvesting areas have been classified while others are in progress. In January 2020, the Oualidia and Sidi Moussa lagoons were categorized respectively in classes B and C with respectively 52.77% of the results, which were between 230 and 4600 MPN E. coli / 100 g of flesh and intravalvular liquid (FIL) and 11.11% of results that fell between 4600 and 46000 MPN E. coli / 100 g FIL. Sidi Moussa lagoon has been classified as a clean area category C since 2006. As a result, the oyster farming activity has been suspended in this area. This incident is a warning sign of the significant weakness of these ecosystems in addressing multiple social and economic challenges. On another side, INRH has sufficient data and tools to progress towards a better optimization of the marine environment sanitary monitoring program management

Assessment of the Shellfish Production Areas’ Quality: The Oualidia and Sidi Moussa Lagoons Case

Based on European regulation 91/492/EC, Morocco, very early, established legislation with conditions for producing and marketing live bivalve molluscs. In applying this legislation, the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH)   has set up a system for sanitary monitoring of the marine environment, through which several harvesting areas have been classified while others are in progress. In January 2020, the Oualidia and Sidi Moussa lagoons were categorized respectively in classes B and C with respectively 52.77% of the results, which were between 230 and 4600 MPN E. coli / 100 g of flesh and intravalvular liquid (FIL) and 11.11% of results that fell between 4600 and 46000 MPN E. coli / 100 g FIL. Sidi Moussa lagoon has been classified as a clean area category C since 2006. As a result, the oyster farming activity has been suspended in this area. This incident is a warning sign of the significant weakness of these ecosystems in addressing multiple social and economic challenges. On another side, INRH has sufficient data and tools to progress towards a better optimization of the marine environment sanitary monitoring program management

Graphene oxide-Fe(III) composite containing phosphate - a novel slow release fertilizer for improved agriculture management

Novel materials offer opportunities to develop new types of fertilizers which could potentially increase efficiency of nutrient use in agriculture. Slow-release fertilizers can be more effective than traditional nutrient sources and simultaneously reduce negative impacts of nutrients to the environment. Using low-cost, abundant natural material, graphite rock, a functionalized graphene oxide (GO)/iron (GO-Fe) composite was synthetised and examined as a new carrier of phosphate ions in order to improve nutrient delivery to plants. The morphology of the composite was examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the presence of crystal phases. The composite was also characterised with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). We found that the presence of ferric ions was responsible for attachment of phosphate ions onto the GO-Fe composite, providing a loading capacity of 48 mg P/g. The kinetics of P release were examined using a column perfusion test while P diffusion in three different types of soils was examined using a visualization technique and chemical analysis. Compared with commercial monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizer, application of GO-Fe composite loaded with phosphate (GO-Fe-P) resulted in slower release of P, thus reducing the possibility for leaching or runoff of soluble P to surface and groundwaters.Ivan B. Andelkovic, Shervin Kabiri, Ehsan Tavakkoli, Jason K. Kirby, Michael J. McLaughlin, Dusan Losi

Accuracy of five algorithms to diagnose gambiense human African trypanosomiasis.

Algorithms to diagnose gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT, sleeping sickness) are often complex due to the unsatisfactory sensitivity and/or specificity of available tests, and typically include a screening (serological), confirmation (parasitological) and staging component. There is insufficient evidence on the relative accuracy of these algorithms. This paper presents estimates of the accuracy of five algorithms used by past Médecins Sans Frontières programmes in the Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan and Uganda

Engineered phosphate fertilisers with dual-release properties

A new strategy to produce phosphate (P) fertilizers with both fast and slowly soluble P by the compaction method to produce composite products is presented. This unique composition is created by combining monoammonium phosphate (MAP) as a highly soluble P nutrient source, with a commercially available slow-release P such as struvite (Str) or P-loaded graphene oxide (GO). Graphene oxide-loaded P was synthesized by in situ oxidation of GO and ferrous ion (GO-Fe) mixtures with hydrogen peroxide and further loading of P onto the GO-Fe composite. The nutrient release in water was studied for dual-release MAP-Str and MAP-GO-Fe-P and compared to their corresponding slow- and fast-release sources. Column perfusion experiments showed a biphasic dissolution behavior with no significant difference between MAP-GO-Fe-P and MAP-Str. Visualization of P diffusion and chemical analysis of the soil after diffusion were used to assess the diffusion of P from different P fertilizers in various types of soil. Runoff and leaching simulations were performed to investigate the effects of the prepared fertilizer formulations on the environment. Overall, the diffusion of the dual-release fertilizers and the P loss in runoff and leaching experiments were less than for MAP. The better environmental performance of the dual-release fertilizers compared to MAP was related to the specific properties of the GO-based materials such as their two-dimensional structure and to the low solubility of the Str in the case of Str-based fertilizers.Shervin Kabiri, Ivan B. Andelkovic, Rodrigo C. da Silva, Fien Degryse, Roslyn Baird, Ehsan Tavakkoli, Dusan Losic, and Michael J. McLaughli

Congenital rubella syndrome in Iran

BACKGROUND: Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can be prevented with appropriate vaccination programs. The prevalence rates of rubella and CRS in Iran are unknown; therefore, the risk of exposure in pregnant women is not clear. The prevalence of CRS in the pre-vaccine period can be estimated by evaluating the proportion of children in the population with sensorineural hearing loss attributable to rubella. METHODS: This was a case-control study to estimate prevalence of CRS in Tehran (Iran) by evaluating the proportion of children with sensorineural hearing loss attributable to rubella. The study used rubella antibody titer as an indicator, and compared the prevalence of rubella antibody between children with and without sensorineural hearing loss. Using these findings, the proportion of cases of sensorineural hearing loss attributable to rubella was estimated. RESULTS: A total of 225 children aged 1 to 4 years were entered into the study (113 cases and 112 controls). There was a significant difference between cases and controls with regard to rubella antibody seropositivity (19.5% vs. 8.9%, respectively, odds ratio = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.04–5.97). The proportion of sensorineural hearing loss cases attributable to rubella was found to be 12%, corresponding to a CRS prevalence of 0.2/1000. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CRS was approximately 0.2/1000 before rubella vaccination in Iran, Moreover; the results suggest that implementation of appropriate rubella vaccination programs could potentially prevent about 12% of cases of sensorineural hearing loss in Iranian children. This data could potentially be used as baseline data, which in conjunction with an appropriate method, to establish a surveillance system for rubella vaccination in Iran. An appropriate surveillance system is needed, because the introduction of a rubella vaccine without epidemiological data and an adequate monitoring program could result in the shifting of rubella cases to higher ages, and increasing the incidence of CRS

Diagnostic Accuracy of Molecular Amplification Tests for Human African Trypanosomiasis—Systematic Review

A range of molecular amplification techniques has been developed for the diagnosis of HAT, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the forefront. As laboratory strengthening in endemic areas increases, it is expected that the applicability of molecular tests will increase. However, careful evaluation of these tests against the current reference standard, microscopy, must precede implementation. Therefore, we have investigated the published diagnostic accuracy of molecular amplification tests for HAT compared to microscopy for both initial diagnosis as well as for disease staging

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules (THYCOVID): a retrospective, international, multicentre, cross-sectional study

Background Since its outbreak in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted resources from non-urgent and elective procedures, leading to diagnosis and treatment delays, with an increased number of neoplasms at advanced stages worldwide. The aims of this study were to quantify the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate whether delays in surgery led to an increased occurrence of aggressive tumours.Methods In this retrospective, international, cross-sectional study, centres were invited to participate in June 22, 2022; each centre joining the study was asked to provide data from medical records on all surgical thyroidectomies consecutively performed from Jan 1, 2019, to Dec 31, 2021. Patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules were divided into three groups according to when they underwent surgery: from Jan 1, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020 (global prepandemic phase), from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021 (pandemic escalation phase), and from June 1 to Dec 31, 2021 (pandemic decrease phase). The main outcomes were, for each phase, the number of surgeries for indeterminate thyroid nodules, and in patients with a postoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancers, the occurrence of tumours larger than 10 mm, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, distant metastases, and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence. Univariate analysis was used to compare the probability of aggressive thyroid features between the first and third study phases. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05178186.Findings Data from 157 centres (n=49 countries) on 87 467 patients who underwent surgery for benign and malignant thyroid disease were collected, of whom 22 974 patients (18 052 [78 center dot 6%] female patients and 4922 [21 center dot 4%] male patients) received surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We observed a significant reduction in surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the pandemic escalation phase (median monthly surgeries per centre, 1 center dot 4 [IQR 0 center dot 6-3 center dot 4]) compared with the prepandemic phase (2 center dot 0 [0 center dot 9-3 center dot 7]; p<0 center dot 0001) and pandemic decrease phase (2 center dot 3 [1 center dot 0-5 center dot 0]; p<0 center dot 0001). Compared with the prepandemic phase, in the pandemic decrease phase we observed an increased occurrence of thyroid tumours larger than 10 mm (2554 [69 center dot 0%] of 3704 vs 1515 [71 center dot 5%] of 2119; OR 1 center dot 1 [95% CI 1 center dot 0-1 center dot 3]; p=0 center dot 042), lymph node metastases (343 [9 center dot 3%] vs 264 [12 center dot 5%]; OR 1 center dot 4 [1 center dot 2-1 center dot 7]; p=0 center dot 0001), and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence (203 [5 center dot 7%] of 3584 vs 155 [7 center dot 7%] of 2006; OR 1 center dot 4 [1 center dot 1-1 center dot 7]; p=0 center dot 0039).Interpretation Our study suggests that the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic period could have led to an increased occurrence of aggressive thyroid tumours. However, other compelling hypotheses, including increased selection of patients with aggressive malignancies during this period, should be considered. We suggest that surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules should no longer be postponed even in future instances of pandemic escalation.Funding None.Copyright (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (VT) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P < 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P < 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high VT and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome

Epidemiology, practice of ventilation and outcome for patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications: LAS VEGAS - An observational study in 29 countries

BACKGROUND Limited information exists about the epidemiology and outcome of surgical patients at increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), and how intraoperative ventilation was managed in these patients. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of surgical patients at increased risk of PPCs, and to compare the intraoperative ventilation management and postoperative outcomes with patients at low risk of PPCs. DESIGN This was a prospective international 1-week observational study using the ‘Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score’ (ARISCAT score) for PPC for risk stratification. PATIENTS AND SETTING Adult patients requiring intraoperative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals across 29 countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was the incidence of patients at increased risk of PPCs based on the ARISCAT score. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative ventilatory management and clinical outcomes. RESULTS A total of 9864 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The incidence of patients at increased risk was 28.4%. The most frequently chosen tidal volume (V T) size was 500 ml, or 7 to 9 ml kg−1 predicted body weight, slightly lower in patients at increased risk of PPCs. Levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were slightly higher in patients at increased risk of PPCs, with 14.3% receiving more than 5 cmH2O PEEP compared with 7.6% in patients at low risk of PPCs (P ˂ 0.001). Patients with a predicted preoperative increased risk of PPCs developed PPCs more frequently: 19 versus 7%, relative risk (RR) 3.16 (95% confidence interval 2.76 to 3.61), P ˂ 0.001) and had longer hospital stays. The only ventilatory factor associated with the occurrence of PPCs was the peak pressure. CONCLUSION The incidence of patients with a predicted increased risk of PPCs is high. A large proportion of patients receive high V T and low PEEP levels. PPCs occur frequently in patients at increased risk, with worse clinical outcome.</p