Publications by authors named "Kallel H"

(Bl), a snake endemic to Martinique, is responsible for numerous envenomations annually, leading to severe complications such as thrombosis, necrosis, and hemorrhage. This case series investigates the link between envenomation and acute myocarditis, utilizing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to enhance management strategies. In both cases, cardiac MRI confirmed myocarditis with edema, and subsequent cerebral MRI revealed bilateral infarcts.

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  • The study investigates a new water-soluble polysaccharide called PSP extracted from leaves, using techniques like FT-IR and NMR to identify its chemical structure.
  • HPLC analysis shows that PSP is a heteropolysaccharide made up of two types of monosaccharides, with additional assessments revealing its semi-crystalline nature and various functional properties.
  • The research highlights PSP's antioxidant potential in food preservation, particularly in ground beef, where it significantly inhibits lipid oxidation, microbial growth, and demonstrates stability in color, pH, and moisture.
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  • Researchers sequenced the complete genome of a rabies virus from a gold panner's cerebellum who died from unknown encephalitis in French Guiana.
  • The analysis revealed that this virus is closely related to rabies strains found in vampire bats.
  • This finding marks the second recorded case of human rabies in that region.
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  • The venom of Bothrops lanceolatus, a viper species from Martinique, is known to cause thrombosis, particularly in patients bitten by juvenile snakes, prompting research into the underlying mechanisms.
  • The study compared the venoms of juvenile and adult specimens, revealing that juvenile venom induces more significant thrombus formation in mice than adult venom, despite both having similar proteomes.
  • An experimental model showcasing the thrombotic effects of B. lanceolatus venom was established, highlighting the differences in effects between juvenile and adult specimens, and indicating that other factors like metalloproteinase activity may not be solely responsible for thrombus formation.
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This qualitative review aims to summarize current knowledge on ventriculostomy-related infection (VRI) pathophysiology and its prevention. VRI generally occurs at day 10, mainly because of Gram-positive cocci, after a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Skin microbiota and biofilm seem to play a major role in VRI pathogenesis.

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Background: Rabies is a fatal viral disease preventable by vaccination. The multiple-dose regimens, along with the high production costs of current rabies vaccines, limit their use in rabies-endemic countries with developing economies and consequently there is a need for new efficacious, low-cost rabies vaccines. This study investigates the immunogenicity of recombinant rabies virus glycoprotein (rRABVG), expressed in the yeast (), as a candidate subunit rabies vaccine.

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Background: Activation of innate immunity is a first line of host defense during acute critical illness (ACI) that aims to contain injury and avoid tissue damages. Aberrant activation of innate immunity may also participate in the occurrence of organ failures during critical illness. This review aims to provide a narrative overview of recent advances in the field of innate immunity in critical illness, and to consider future potential therapeutic strategies.

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Optimizations of the gene expression cassette combined with the selection of an appropriate signal peptide are important factors that must be considered to enhance heterologous protein expression in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of different signal peptides on the production of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG) in CHO-K1 cells. Four optimized expression constructs containing four promising signal peptides were stably transfected into CHO-K1 cells.

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  • Lancehead snakes (Bothrops) cause 90% of snakebites in Latin America, prompting a study on the effects of B. atrox venom in male and female mice.
  • The research found that male mice exhibited a lower lethal dose (LD) and more severe physical symptoms from the venom compared to females, particularly via the intraperitoneal injection route.
  • Hematological changes, including a significant drop in total leukocyte levels, were more pronounced in males, indicating a greater susceptibility to B. atrox venom and highlighting the need to consider sex differences in venom studies.
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Introduction: Sexual violence is a major public health issue, including in French Guiana. The feeling of insecurity is significant in this part of France. Sexual violence is an important reason for consultation in forensic and emergency medicine.

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Snakebite envenoming is a high-priority neglected tropical disease and antivenom is the cornerstone of treatment. Antivenom is listed among essential medicines and its access must be considered as a human right. Despite resolutions from various international organizations including the WHO, antivenom remains unavailable, unaffordable, and sometimes not targeted against the specific snake involved.

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Severe Lonomia caterpillar envenoming is an increasing hazard in South America. It can trigger severe coagulation disorders that can progress to systemic complications and death. We report the first documented case of severe Lonomia caterpillar envenoming in Guyana.

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The purpose of this paper was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activities of sulfated polysaccharide from (PCT) using carrageenan (CARR)-induced paw edema in a rat model and anti-vasculogenic activity on a chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) model. Based on in vitro tests of anti-radical, total antioxidant, and reducing power activities, PCT presents a real interest via its antioxidant activity and ability to scavenge radical species. The in vivo pharmacological tests suggest that PCT possesses anti-inflammatory action by reducing paw edema and leukocyte migration, maintaining the redox equilibrium, and stabilizing the cellular level of several pro-/antioxidant system markers.

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(1) Background: Only a few studies on histoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients have been reported in French Guiana. Therefore, we conducted a detailed clinical description of hospitalized patients suffering with histoplasmosis among non-HIV patients. (2) Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study conducted at Cayenne Hospital Center between 2008 and 2022.

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  • The study explored how excess copper and zinc affect male reproductive health in mice, highlighting a significant decline in sperm quality and increased oxidative stress.
  • Co-treatment with a polysaccharide extracted from green algae helped reduce these toxic effects and improved reproductive parameters.
  • The findings suggest that this polysaccharide could be a promising protective agent against metal-induced reproductive toxicity.
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  • * Out of 3,443 E. coli isolates, a significant percentage (64.4%) were β-lactamase producers, with common resistance mechanisms being penicillinase production; 6.1% had extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL).
  • * While susceptibility to certain antibiotics like amoxicillin/clavulanic acid declined, ciprofloxacin showed increased susceptibility; overall, resistance trends necessitate ongoing monitoring and efforts to reduce antibiotic use in the community.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of intensive care units (ICUs) and their organization in healthcare systems. However, ICU capacity and availability are ongoing concerns beyond the pandemic, particularly due to an aging population and increasing complexity of care. This study aimed to assess the current and future shortage of ICU physicians in France, ten years after a previous evaluation.

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  • Indonesia and French Guiana face similar challenges in emergency medical care access, particularly in the prehospital phase.
  • Unlike in France, where emergency medicine is a fully developed specialty, Indonesia is still developing this field.
  • A partnership was initiated between Jakarta University and French Guiana University, leading to the launch of a joint program in emergency medicine that started in August 2022, graduating its first class of 50 Indonesian doctors in August 2023.
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Background: Acute poisonings (AP) are a significant public health problem, accounting for a high number of emergency department visits and thousands of deaths worldwide. This study aimed to assess the epidemiology of AP in an adult population admitted to Cayenne Hospital (French Guiana) and to investigate the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: We conducted a monocentric retrospective study from January 2010 to December 2022, including patients over eighteen years of age who had been admitted to the emergency department of Cayenne Hospital for acute poisoning.

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Bothrofav, a monospecific antivenom, was introduced in June 1991 and has shown excellent effectiveness against life-threatening and thrombotic complications of envenoming. Because of the reoccurrence of cerebral stroke events despite the timely administration of antivenom, new batches of Bothrofav were produced and introduced into clinical use in January 2011. This study's aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of Bothrofav generations at treating envenoming.

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Background: French Guiana (FG) is a French territory located in South America with the highest rate of armed assaults. FG presents a poorly developed road system and a young and precarious population that makes the geographical and socio-demographic characteristics specific. No data concerning the firearm injury management are available in this country.

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In this study, we investigated for the first time the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of crude polysaccharide (PSHT) extracted from green marine algae . PSHT exhibited anti-oxidant activity in vitro through scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydroxyl free radical, reducing Fe/ferricyanide complex, and inhibiting nitric oxide. PSHT maintained the erythrocyte membrane integrity and prevented hemolysis.

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