Унікальне дослідження багатовікового розвитку української культури (рецензія на 5-томне видання «Історія української культури»)

Наприкінці 2013 р. було успішно завершено великий академічний видавничий проект – «Історія української культури» у п’яти томах (дев’яти книгах). Ця подія стала масштабним явищем у науковому і культурному житті сучасної України

Changing patterns of malaria during 1996-2010 in an area of moderate transmission in Southern Senegal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria is reportedly receding in different epidemiological settings, but local long-term surveys are limited. At Mlomp dispensary in south-western Senegal, an area of moderate malaria transmission, year-round, clinically-suspected malaria was treated with monotherapy as per WHO and national policy in the 1990s. Since 2000, there has been a staggered deployment of artesunate-amodiaquine after parasitological confirmation; this was adopted nationally in 2006.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were extracted from clinic registers for the period between January 1996 and December 2010, analysed and modelled.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over the 15-year study period, the risk of malaria decreased about 32-times (from 0.4 to 0.012 episodes person-year), while anti-malarial treatments decreased 13-times (from 0.9 to 0.07 treatments person-year) and consultations for fever decreased 3-times (from 1.8 to 0.6 visits person-year). This was paralleled by changes in the age profile of malaria patients so that the risk of malaria is now almost uniformly distributed throughout life, while in the past malaria used to concern more children below 16 years of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides direct evidence of malaria risk receding between 1996-2010 and becoming equal throughout life where transmission used to be moderate. Infection rates are no longer enough to sustain immunity. Temporally, this coincides with deploying artemisinin combinations on parasitological confirmation, but other contributing causes are unclear.</p

Implementation of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) at a district health centre in rural Senegal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intermittent preventive treatment with <it>s</it>ulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is recommended for reducing the risk of malaria in pregnancy and its consequences on mothers and babies (IPTp-SP). Indicators of implementation and effects of IPTp-SP were collected in a rural clinic in Southern Senegal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Women seen routinely at the antenatal clinic (ANC) of a rural dispensary during 2000–2007. Deployment of IPTp-SP started in January 2004. Inspection of antenatal and outpatient clinic registries of the corresponding period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Between 1^stJanuary 2000 and 30^thApril 2007, 1,781 women of all gravitidities and parities attended the ANC with 965 deliveries (606 and 398 respectively since 1^stJanuary 2004, when IPTp-SP was started.) 69% of women were seen ≥ 3 times; 95% received at least one dose and 70% two doses of SP (from 61% in 2004 to 86% in 2007). The first visit, first and second dose of SP occurred at a median week 20, 22 and 31. The probability of receiving two doses was > 80% with ≥ 3 antenatal visits and a first dose of SP by week 20.</p> <p>The prevalence of maternal malaria was low and similar pre- (0.7%) and during IPTp (0.8%). Effects on of low birth weight (LBW, < 2.5 kg) were non-statistically significant. The prevalence of LBW was 10.8% pre- and 7.7% during IPTp deployment (29% risk reduction, p = 0.12).</p> <p>Unfavourable pregnancy outcomes numbered 72 (7.5% of pregnancies with known outcome), including 30 abortions and 42 later deaths (late foetal deaths, stillbirth, peri-natal) of which 13 with one or more malformations (1.35% of all recorded deliveries).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The implementation of IPTp-SP was high. Early attendance to ANC favours completion of IPTp-SP. The record keeping system in place is amenable to data extraction and linkage. A model was developed that predicts optimal compliance to two SP doses, and could be tested in other settings. Maternal malaria was infrequent and unaffected by IPTp-SP. The risk of LBW was lower during IPT implementation but the difference was non-significant and could have other explanations.</p

Physiopathology of human embryonic implantation: clinical incidences.

Embryo implantation consists of a series of events promoting the invasion of the endometrium and then the uterine arterial system by the extra-embryonic trophoblast. In order for this semi-heterologous implantation to succeed, the endometrium has to first undergo a number of structural and biochemical changes (decidualization). The decidua's various constituents subsequently play a role in the embryonic implantation. The third step is the transformation of the uterine vascular system and the growth of the placenta, which will provide the foetoplacental unit with nutrients. Several physiopathological aspects will be discussed: 1) the implantation window, regulated by maternal and embryonic hormonal secretions and thus influenced by any defects in the latter: dysharmonic luteal phase, 21-hydroxylase block, abnormal integrin expression, 2) the successive trophoblast invasions of uterine vessels which, when defective, lead to early embryo loss or late-onset vascular pathologies, as preeclampsia, 3) the pregnancy's immunological equilibrium, with a spontaneously tolerated semi-allogeneic implant, 4) the impact of pro-coagulant factors (thrombophilia) on the pregnancy's progression, 5) the environment of the uterus, ranging from hydrosalpinx to uterine contractions. In summary, the least anatomical or physiological perturbation can interfere with human embryonic implantation - a very particular phenomenon and a true biological paradox

Improving tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department: a prospective, double-blind cost-effectiveness study.

BACKGROUND: The choice of tetanus prophylaxis for patients with wounds depends on obtaining their vaccination history, which has been demonstrated to be unreliable. Use of a rapid immunoassay (Tétanos Quick Stick, the TQS), combined with knowledge of certain demographic characteristics, may improve the evaluation of tetanus immunity and thus help to avoid inadequate prophylactic measures and reduce costs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the contribution of the TQS in the choice of tetanus prophylaxis and to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis. The final aim was to define the place of the TQS in a modified algorithm for assessment of tetanus immunity in the emergency department. METHOD: In this Belgian prospective, double-blind, multicentre study, 611 adult patients with a wound were included; 498 (81.5%) records were valid. The TQS test was performed by a nurse before the vaccination history was taken and the choice of prophylaxis was made, using the official algorithm (Belgian Superior Health Council), by a doctor who was unaware of the TQS result. RESULTS: The prevalence of protective anti-tetanus immunity was 74.1%. Immunity was lower in older patients and in female patients. The TQS was a cost-effective tool for patients presenting with a tetanus-prone wound and considered from the vaccination history to be unprotected. Use of the TQS would have improved management in 56.9% (95% CI 47.7% to 65.7%) of patients by avoiding unnecessary treatments, leading to a reduction in the mean cost per patient (10.58 euros/patient with the TQS versus 11.34 euros/patient without). The benefits of the TQS use were significantly greater in patients <61 years old: unnecessary treatment would have been avoided in 76.9% (95% CI 65.8% to 85.4%) of cases and the mean cost per patient reduced to 8.31 euros. CONCLUSION: In selected patients, the TQS is a cost-effective tool to evaluate tetanus immunity. An algorithm is proposed for ED assessment of tetanus immunity integrating age and the TQS result

Projet Termitofuel: les termites et leurs symbiontes pour mieux valoriser la biomasse ligno-cellulosique

L’exploitation actuelle de la biomasse ligno-cellulosique, extrêmement abondante sur Terre, est liée à la production de déchets relativement peu valorisables. C’est pourquoi le projet TERMITOFUEL étudie la digestion du bois chez les termites, grâce à une approche pluridisciplinaire, en vue d’améliorer la production de bioéthanol de seconde génération. Au sein de l’Unité d’Entomologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, l’approche protéomique est employée afin d’identifier les micro-organismes présents dans le tube digestif des termites et caractériser les activités enzymatiques

How to Improve Assessment of Tetanus Immunity in the Emergency Room: A Prospective Cost-Effectiveness, Double Blind Study

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