Institut Pasteur International Network's efforts to guide control measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic among healthcare workers in Africa.

During epidemic periods, HCW are vulnerable. In Africa, cohort studies implemented by the Institut Pasteur International Network in five countries showed after 3-month follow-up around 40% of the HCW have been infected by the SARS-CoV-2. So advocacy for HCW protection strategy need to be fostered and sustained by the health authorities all over the African continent.

Effects of mixed reality head-mounted glasses during 90 minutes of mental and manual tasks on cognitive and physiological functions.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effects of a mixed reality (MR) head-mounted deviceon some cognitiveand physiological functions during 90 min tasks in an attempt to determine their safety for workers. METHODS: A total of 12 volunteers performed 90-min intellectual and manual tasks with and without MR glasses. Balance, Stroop, and memory tests were conducted before, during and after these tasks. Heart rate and electromyographic activity of some muscles were recorded. A survey was used to determine subjective fatigue, pain, or discomfort. RESULTS: Balance, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, memory, and attention were unaffected by wearing MR glasses. Electromyographic activity increased with MR glasses for deltoid, biceps brachii, and soleus muscles. Few subjects reported discomfort, pain, or visual fatigue with MR glasses. Some participants reported they lost the notion of time and reality. DISCUSSION: Accordingly, we concluded that the MR glasses under investigation (Hololens) can be used safely. An appropriate setup and familiarization are needed to optimize use.

In vivo molecular imaging of myocardial angiogenesis using the alpha(v)beta3 integrin-targeted tracer 99mTc-RAFT-RGD.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial angiogenesis following reperfusion of an infarcted area may impact on patient prognosis and pro-angiogenic treatments are currently evaluated. The non-invasive imaging of angiogenesis would therefore be of potential clinical relevance in these settings. (99m)Tc-RAFT-RGD is a novel (99m)Tc-labeled tracer that targets the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin. Our objective was to determine whether this tracer was suitable for myocardial angiogenesis imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: A rat model of reperfused myocardial infarction was employed. Fourteen days following reperfusion, the animals were injected with (99m)Tc-RAFT-RGD or with its negative control (99m)Tc-RAFT-RAD. Fourteen animals were dedicated to autoradiographic imaging, infarct staining, and gamma-well counting of myocardial activity. In vivo dual-isotope pinhole SPECT imaging of (201)Tl and (99m)Tc-RAFT-RGD or (99m)Tc-RAFT-RAD was also performed in 11 additional animals. Neovessels were observed by immunostaining in the infarcted and peri-infarct areas. (99m)Tc-RAFT-RGD infarct-to-normal ratios by gamma-well counting and ex vivo imaging (2.5 +/- 0.6 and 4.9 +/- 0.9, respectively) were significantly higher than those of (99m)Tc-RAFT-RAD (1.7 +/- 0.2 and 2.2 +/- 0.4, respectively, P < .05). The infarcted area was readily visible in vivo by SPECT with (99m)Tc-RAFT-RGD but not with (99m)Tc-RAFT-RAD (infarct-to-normal zone activity ratio, 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 1.7 +/- 0.4, respectively, P < .05). CONCLUSION: (99m)Tc-RAFT-RGD allowed the experimental in vivo molecular imaging of myocardial angiogenesis.