Drug use patterns and health problems among people who use drugs in Guinea-Bissau (2022): A cross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling.

Background: Little data exists on the use of cocaine, methamphetamine, tramadol and heroin or related health conditions in Guinea Bissau. We aimed to estimate drug use practices and the prevalence of selected blood-borne infections, depression and population size estimates of people who use injectable drugs in Guinea-Bissau.

Methods: We used respondent-driven sampling to recruit adults who use injectable drugs in this cross sectional survey in three cities (Bissau, Bafatá and Gabú) between July and September 2022.

Sexual violence affecting female sex workers in Côte d'Ivoire: prevalence, context, and associated mental health and substance use outcomes.

Background: Female sex workers are disproportionately affected by sexual violence, which is associated with an increased risk of poor mental health outcomes, substance use, and decreased access to health resources. Understanding the pathways through which sexual violence impacts these outcomes can inform strategies that appropriately and effectively meet the health needs of sex workers.

Methods: This study investigated the prevalence of sexual violence among female sex workers in Côte d'Ivoire, and the relationship between sexual violence and adverse mental health and substance use outcomes.

Heterozygous variant as a novel genetic cause of telomere biology disorders.

Premature telomere shortening or telomere instability is associated with a group of rare and heterogeneous diseases collectively known as telomere biology disorders (TBDs). Here we identified two unrelated individuals with clinical manifestations of TBDs and short telomeres associated with the identical monoallelic variant c.767A>G; Y256C in Although the replication protein A2 (RPA2) mutant did not affect ssDNA binding and G-quadruplex-unfolding properties of RPA, the mutation reduced the affinity of RPA2 with the ubiquitin ligase RFWD3 and reduced RPA ubiquitination.

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In Senegal, violent delinquency and illicit drug use are on the increase. This study focuses on two distinct groups: drug users (DUs) undergoing rehabilitation and violent ex-offenders (VEs). The methodology adopted includes a quantitative survey of the general population (n=1009), followed by a qualitative survey of fifteen participants, including eight DUs undergoing treatment at the Centre de prise en charge intégrée des addictions de Dakar (CEPIAD) (Integrated Addictions Management Center of Dakar) and the Centre Jacques Chirac de Thiaroye, and seven former VEs from the Grand Yoff district.

High risk of lung cancer in surfactant-related gene variant carriers.

Background: Several rare surfactant-related gene (SRG) variants associated with interstitial lung disease are suspected to be associated with lung cancer, but data are missing. We aimed to study the epidemiology and phenotype of lung cancer in an international cohort of SRG variant carriers.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all adults with SRG variants in the OrphaLung network and compared lung cancer risk with telomere-related gene (TRG) variant carriers.

Liver disease in germline mutations of telomere-related genes: Prevalence, clinical, radiological, pathological features, outcome, and risk factors.

Background And Aim: Germline mutations of telomere-related genes (TRG) induce multiorgan dysfunction, and liver-specific manifestations have not been clearly outlined. We aimed to describe TRG mutations-associated liver diseases.

Approach And Results: Retrospective multicenter analysis of liver disease (transaminases > 30 IU/L and/or abnormal liver imaging) in patients with TRG mutations.

Differential diagnosis of small hepatocellular nodules in cirrhosis: surrogate histological criteria of TERT promoter mutations.

Aims: The differential diagnosis of small hepatocellular nodules in cirrhosis between dysplastic nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains challenging on biopsy. As TERT promoter (pTERT) mutations may indicate the nodules already engaged in the malignant process, the aim of this study was to identify histological criteria associated with pTERT mutations by detecting these mutations by ddPCR in small formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) hepatocellular nodules arising in cirrhosis.

Methods And Results: We built a bicentric cohort data set of 339 hepatocellular nodules < 2 cm from cirrhotic samples, divided into a test cohort of 299 resected samples and a validation cohort of 40 biopsies.

Meeting the reproductive health needs of female sex workers in Côte d'Ivoire: protecting the human right to dignified health.

The sexual and reproductive health needs of female sex workers (FSW) are often understudied and underserved in the context of HIV-related research in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa and West Africa. We assessed the lived experiences of FSW across Côte d'Ivoire to characterize unmet reproductive health needs and opportunities to address them. From February-August, 2020, ENDA Santé, Côte d'Ivoire conducted 75 in-depth interviews and 15 focus group discussions with FSW and community informants in five cities in Côte d'Ivoire.

Cultural mode and organo-mineral amendment effect on growth and yield of rice ( L.) and soil chemical properties in sulfated acid soils of Basse-Casamance.

Climatic variability and the scarcity of rainfall have intensified the process of soil salinization, leading to land degradation and loss of rice yield. A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of cultural mode and organo-mineral fertilizers on rice performance and soil chemical properties. A split plot design with four replications and two factors that were cultural mode (flat and ridge) and fertilizers (mineral, organic, organo-mineral, and control) was carried out.

Associations between punitive policies and legal barriers to consensual same-sex sexual acts and HIV among gay men and other men who have sex with men in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicountry, respondent-driven sampling survey.

Background: Few assessments of associations between structural-level factors and HIV among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have been conducted, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to examine HIV testing history, HIV status, and stigmas among MSM living in ten countries with heterogeneous legal environments.

Methods: This study used pooled data from ten country-specific, cross-sectional studies done in 25 sites in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Eswatini, Rwanda, and Togo.

Genetics in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Clinical Perspective.

Background: Unraveling the genetic background in a significant proportion of patients with both sporadic and familial IPF provided new insights into the pathogenic pathways of pulmonary fibrosis.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to overview the clinical significance of genetics in IPF.

Perspective: It is fascinating to realize the so-far underestimated but dynamically increasing impact that genetics has on aspects related to the pathophysiology, accurate and early diagnosis, and treatment and prevention of this devastating disease.

TERT Promoter Mutations as Simple and Non-Invasive Urinary Biomarkers for the Detection of Urothelial Bladder Cancer in a High-Risk Region.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the 10th most common cancer in the world. While there are FDA-approved urinary assays to detect BC, none have demonstrated sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be integrated into clinical practice. Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase () gene mutations have been identified as the most common BC mutations that could potentially be used as non-invasive urinary biomarkers to detect BC.

Clinical impact of TERT somatic mutation in telomerase-related gene mutation carriers after lung transplantation.

Almost 25% of patients with pulmonary fibrosis referred for lung transplantation have a germline rare variant of a telomere-related gene. Acquired TERT promoter mutations may counterbalanced the germline defect and reduce the risk of hematological complications in this population. In a series of 34 patients with a germline telomere-related gene mutation who underwent lung transplantation, 12 (35%) patients had at least 1 acquired TERT promoter mutation.

Genotype-Phenotype Relationships in Inheritable Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Greek National Cohort Study.

Background: Monogenic and polygenic inheritances are evidenced for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pathogenic variations in surfactant protein-related genes, telomere-related genes (TRGs), and a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter of MUC5B gene encoding mucin 5B (rs35705950 T risk allele) are reported. This French-Greek collaborative study, Gen-Phen-Re-GreekS in inheritable IPF (iIPF), aimed to investigate genetic components and patients' characteristics in the Greek national IPF cohort with suspected heritability.

Interstitial lung diseases associated with mutations of poly(A)-specific ribonuclease: A multicentre retrospective study.

Background And Objective: Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) mutations have been associated with familial pulmonary fibrosis. This study aims to describe the phenotype of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and heterozygous PARN mutations.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational, non-interventional study of patients with an ILD diagnosis and a pathogenic heterozygous PARN mutation followed up in a centre of the OrphaLung network.

Disclosure of same-sex practices and experiences of healthcare stigma among cisgender men who have sex with men in five sub-Saharan African countries.

Background: For men who have sex with men (MSM) across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), disclosure of same-sex practices to family and healthcare workers (HCWs) can facilitate access to HIV prevention services and support, but can also lead to experiences of stigma.

Methods: We performed mixed-effects regressions on pooled data from MSM in Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Lesotho, and eSwatini to assess associations between disclosure and sexual behavior stigma in healthcare contexts; we used logistic regressions to analyze country-specific data.

Results: Compared to participants who had not disclosed to either family or HCWs, those who had disclosed only to family were more likely to have been gossiped about by HCWs (aOR = 1.

Determinants of survival after lung transplantation in telomerase-related gene mutation carriers: A retrospective cohort.

Carriers of germline telomerase-related gene (TRG) mutations can show poor prognosis, with an increase in common hematological complications after lung transplantation (LT) for pulmonary fibrosis. The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes after LT in recipients carrying a germline TRG mutation and to identify the predictors of survival. In a multicenter cohort of LT patients, we retrospectively reviewed those carrying pathogenic TRG variations (n = 38; TERT, n = 23, TERC, n = 9, RTEL1, n = 6) between 2009 and 2018.

[Factors associated with scale-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Senegal: a case-control survey of parents].

Introduction: after a pilot phase, Senegal is the first country in West Africa to introduce cervical cancer vaccine into its Expanded Program on Immunization. Despite the gratuity and availability of the vaccination, coverage was low. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with HPV vaccination coverage in girls .