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Globally, all people deserve the highest level of respect for their dignity, rights, and health. Bioethics has been recognized as a powerful discipline that aims to ensure such respect. Fritz Jar (1895–1953) and Van Rensselar Potter (1911–2001) will remain heroic men who ushered in the existence of the discipline of bioethics. Bioethics has been recognized as the science of survival and a bridge to the future. Thus, bioethics aims to enrich people’s wisdom. Wisdom is the knowledge of how to use knowledge for human survival and improvement in the quality of life. Worldwide, all people must widely possess such knowledge. Unfortunately, after many years of existence, implementing the principles and goals of bioethics remains centralized and confined to academic fields. Due to its centralized status, few branches of bioethics have been recognized. Besides, both pre-standard and standard practices still exist in the field of bioethics. Healthcare bioethical principles have been mentioned in numerous publications. However, healthcare bioethics has not been recognized as a vital branch of bioethics. The lack of well-established healthcare bioethics hinders strategies for eradicating many of the ephemeral and heuristic approaches that are still obstructing the achievement of optimum health status for numerous people worldwide. Integrating bioethical principles in all healthcare sectors in decentralized manners would lead to the existence of healthcare bioethics. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe healthcare bioethics as a vital branch of bioethics with respect to its description, branches, core principles, functions, system components, and pre-standard and standard practices of healthcare bioethics.

The human immune system consists of innate and adaptive immune responses which both provide protective immunity to microbial infection. The adaptive immune system consists of T and B cell which act as second line defense through production of neutralizing antibody by B cells and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells. The CD4+ T-cell performs a central role in the immune responses. These cells also known as T4 or helper/inducer T lymphocytes recognize antigens presented by antigen presenting cells (APC) such as macrophages and monocytes. Once antigens such as bacteria and viruses are presented, CD4+ T lymphocytes orchestrate the body’s antigen-specific immune response by Coordinating B-lymphocyte production of antibodies to these antigens, producing cytokines and induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. The paper was aimed to review the role of T-helper cells (CD4+ T cells) in human immune system against some microbial infections.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel four-spherical intrauterine contraceptive device (4-SIUD) with nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) for human, and to evaluate the contraceptive effect. The 4-SIUD composed of 4 mesh spheres and 5 support arms. The shape of 4-SIUD was like a “T”. The height (H), upper width (D) and thickness of the 4-SIUD for macaques were 0.8 cm, 0.5 cm and 0.3 cm, and for human were 4.5 cm, 4.0 cm and 0.8 cm, respectively. The 4-SIUD was inserted into 5 macaques and pregnancy was not observed at 12 months. Three women used the 4-SIUD for 12 months, uterine perforations, expulsion, pain, and pelvic inflammatory did not occur. The results suggested that the 4-SIUD is appropriate for rhesus macaques and human use, and has a good contraceptive effect.

Background: There is a huge global loss of lives due to COVID-19 pandemic, the primary epicentre of which is China, where the causative agent of the disease, SARS-CoV-2 was first emerged in December 2019. This study aims to explore the severity, in terms of case fatality rate (CFR), of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data of ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic were retrieved from website of the WHO, and processed for the estimation of global (both including and excluding China) CFRs of COVID-19. CFRs were explored following the naive estimates, 14-day delay estimates, and linear regression model analysis, during January 25, 2020 to April 25, 2020, on weekly basis. To explore the current situation, in terms of CFR, data for the next 13 weeks (May 2, 2020 through July 25, 2020), were processed by naive and linear regression model analysis. Results: Mean CFRs, in naive estimates, were 4.59% for the world including China, and 3.62% for the world excluding China. The 14-day delay estimates of CFRs were 15.6% globally, and 21.65% in countries outside China. Following statistical model, global (both including and excluding China) CFRs were 6.81%, by naive estimates, and ~13%, by 14-day delay estimates. Global CFRs of COVID-19 during May 2, 2020 to July 25, 2020, ranged 4.1% – 7.04%, by naive estimates, and by statistical regression analysis the CFR was 3.19%. Conclusion and recommendations: The CFR might help estimate the need of up-to-date hospital supplies and other mitigation measures for COVID-19 ongoing pandemic, and therefore, instantaneous CFR estimations are recommended.

Background: The National Strategic Plan for HIV Prevention and Control 2014-2018 recognized the need for the utilization of research findings to guide the development of HIV policies, programs and interventions for the general population and key population groups and to inform the allocation of government resources to the areas of greatest impact and need. To this end, a Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Sexual Practices Survey (KABP) was conducted among adults’ ages 15 to 49 years. Objectives: To identify the sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults that exposed them to the risks of HIV/STIs and to identify factors that may have to be addressed, in order to achieve further reduction in the spread of HIV in this population. Methods: This is a population based cross-sectional survey undertaken in 2016. Sample was taken from among persons’ ages 15 – 49 years using a multistage sampling methodology. The survey questionnaire was developed from Family Health International’s guidelines for repeated behavioral surveys in populations at risk of HIV. It was interviewer-administered and consisted of ninety-nine (99) closed-ended questions. The topics covered by the survey included sexual history; use of and access to condoms; and HIV testing. Participants were asked about their sexual behaviors over the last 12 months, and about their experience with their most recent partner. Results: Overall, 87.8% described themselves as heterosexual, 1.2% as bisexual and 0.5% as homosexual. By the age 16, 17 1nd 19 years 25%, 50% and 75% of respondents have had sex respectively. Among the 763 respondents reporting vaginal or anal sex over the past 12 months, 80.6 and 19.4% had a single and multiple sex partner respectively. Also, 94.4%, 13.3% and 1.6% reported to have regular, non-regular and commercial sex partners respectively. Overall, 54.6% used condom at the last sex, the corresponding figure for the regular and non-regular partners were 41.2% 80.8% respectively. Only 40.9% reported to have had a HIV test done over the past 12 months and of those who did not, 42.8% had never been tested for HIV. Conclusion: Inconsistent and infrequent condom use and low HIV testing especially among the adolescents and younger adults, in the setting of young ages at sexual debut and multiple sexual partners. Findings form this study strongly recommends for a much greater effort from the public health at promoting condom use and HIV testing especially targeting the younger persons who risk their own protection and that of their partners.

Introduction: HIV infection leads to metabolic disorders. The objective of this work was to study the lipid profile of HIV + patients followed at the University Teaching Hospital of Kinshasa (UTHK). Methods: This study analyzes the lipid profile of HIV + patients, aged at least 18 years, followed at the UTHK from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2014. The medians of different types of lipids, the frequency of lipid disorders, the general clinical characteristics of patients and factors associated with dyslipidaemia were studied. Haemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cells (WBC), Leukocyte Formula (LF), Blood Sugar, Urea, Creatinine, Transaminases, Uric Acid, CD4s+ count were analyzed. Results: The lipid balance was performed in 38.8% of patients; 38.1% of them had dyslipidaemia. Total hypercholesterolaemia (28.6%), elevated LDL-C (19%), hypertriglyceridemia (23.8%) and HDL hypocholesterolaemia (42.9%) were observed. The medians of TG (128 mg / dL), HDL-C (51 mg/dL) and LDL-C (78 mg/dL) were high. Risk factors associated with dyslipidaemia were represented by WHO stage 4, tuberculosis (TB) and hyperglycaemia. The highest levels of LDL-C and TG and the lowest HDL-C were seen when CD4s+ were below 200 elements/µL. Conclusion: The HIV/AIDS dyslipidaemia characterized in this study by HDL-C hypocholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridemia and total and LDL hypercholesterolemia can be considered as an indicator of the progression of HIV infection.

Aim: To study resistivity & pulsatility indices in the interlobar arteries of kidneys in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and evaluate their response to steroids Method: The prospective case-control study was carried out in 100 patients, aged 2 years - 15 years of nephrotic syndrome and divided into 5 groups depending upon their response to steroids. Twenty-five age-matched controls were included for comparison. The abdominal ultrasonography and Doppler examinations were performed for patients of each group and for the controls. Result: The mean Resistivity Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index (PI) of the interlobar arteries were calculated for the five subgroups of nephrotic syndrome patients and for the controls. There was a significant difference in mean RI in all the evaluated arteries between the 6 groups. No significant difference was noted in the pulsatality indices of the kidney of the cases of nephrotic syndrome when compared to controls. Conclusion: Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome patients show a statistically significant difference in RI and not a statistically significant difference in PI Doppler parameters when groups of patients compared to controls. These parameters may be used to predict the response to steroids. 

The outbreaks and resurgence: The disease which reportedly began in the Chinese city Wuhan in November-December 2019, soon spread to various parts of the world, and was named and declared a pandemic disease by WHO. While the European countries were recovering from the epidemic, the disease took hold in the USA, the South American countries, Arabian countries, and South Asian countries, predominantly affecting Brazil, Peru, Iran, and India. Presently, many European countries are witnessing a resurgence and recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19. Spread and evolving new insights: Whereas there is workplace-related infection rise as people are returning to their offices, in other places the outbreaks are related to the people crowding and meeting care-freely and trying to resort back to their earlier way of life. The reopening of the educational facilities across the continents may make matters worse. Impact on health and healthcare: Most cases of COVID-19 infections go unnoticed and are followed by self-recovery. But what may appear good from the clinical perspective, appears to complicate epidemiological efforts to contain the outbreak. With the evolving information about the disease, there seem to be certain possible outcomes such as control and containment, or the persistence of the disease as global endemic accompanied with outbreaks and resurgent episodes. Gnetic factors linked to disease severity: With the COVID-19 pandemic, not all infected patients develop a severe respiratory illness. Further, there is a large variation in disease severity, which may be due to the genetic factors underlying the variable response to the virus. It is becoming clear that apart from the advanced age and pre-existing conditions, certain genetic constituent factors render some patients more vulnerable to the more severe forms of the diseases. Integration of virus into human genome: A significant part of the human genome is derived from viruses especially the RNA viruses. In fact, about 8 percent of the human genome is made up of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), which are viral gene sequences that have become a permanent part of the human lineage after they infected our ancient ancestors. With this background, a novel concept emerging that if COVID-19 persists for several generations, its genetic material is projected to be integrated or assimilated into human genome. The involved mechanisms are conceptualized through the transposons or transposable elements of the SARS-CoV-2.

Summary: Exercise is recommended for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Also, to control and reduce glucose fluctuations in people with type 1 diabetes. However, the most appropriate time and the most effective intensity of exercise is still unknown, and various studies provide different results and different recommendations, and none of the studies provide a comprehensive and practical result. We conducted our studies to examine the results and determine the effect of time and intensity of exercise on blood sugar control and glucose fluctuations during the day. Methods: search in PubMed and Google Scholar with keywords morning, evening, type 1 and 2 diabetes, exercise, interval, periodic, aerobic, and glucose and blood sugar fluctuations were performed. A total of 31 articles were reviewed and finally, 10 articles that were most related to each other or had complementary information were selected. Conclusion: HIIT exercises are useful for type 2 diabetes, but they are recommended for type 1 diabetes with less pressure. Morning exercise increases glucose and evening exercise is applicable for type 1 and 2 diabetes.

Background: The treatment of chronic lymphoid leukemia currently uses news drugs which are more expensive in our countries. Its why, the results of chemotherapy remains a challenge in our sector. Aims: To evaluate the place of polychemotherapy in the treatment of chronic lymphoid leukemia in black Africa. Methods: It was a prospective, descriptive, analytic and non-comparative study, concerning the records of patients with chronic lymphoid leukemia treated and followed at the department of clinical hematology in Abidjan. Results: We included 56 patients. The average age was 62 years with extremes of 38 and 84 years. The sex ratio was 0.8 in favor of female. The clinical signs noted a tumor syndrome among which splenomegaly, classified stage III (46, 43%) and adenopathy (64, 29%). Biologically, we observed a blood lymphocytosis (50%), an anemia (39.29%) and a thrombocytopenia (62.50%). The majority of patients were classified stage A of BINET (51.79%). The COP protocol (44.64%) and the monochemotherapy with chlorambucil (39.29%) were the most used. The therapeutic response of polychemotherapy was low (12.5%) compared to 35, 71% for monochemotherapy (p = 0.0001) with overall survival significantly better in monochemotherapy. The outcome of patients used polychemotherapy were more adverse that of patients used chlorambucil alone (p = 0,003). The overall probability of survival at 12 months was 90, 9% for patients who used monochemotherapy and 63, 4% for polychemotherapy. Conclusion: Polychemotherapy in chronic lymphoid leukemia of black African has an adverse therapeutic response hence the interest of using new therapeutic possibilities.