Favour Of Males Research Articles

Phenotypic and morphobiometric characterization of local chicken (Gallus gallus) in family breeding on the outskirts of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

This study, with a main goal to characterise the local chicken at phenotypic and morphobiometric level, was conducted from September 2019 to January 2020 in three outlying districts of Lubumbashi city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A total of 116 adult females and 64 adult males were photographed, described, and measured individually. The main results indicated that the phenotypic traits of the local chicken studied were very heterogeneous. Indeed, four main types of feather distribution were observed – normal feathering (80.56%), crested head (17.22%), naked-neck (1.67%), and feathered shank (0.56%). For feather morphology, normal plumage (98.33%) dominated frizzled plumage (1.67%). Plumage colouring varied with the predominance of black (15.00%), millefiori (10.56%), salmon pink (9.44%), and fawn (8.89%) colours. The single comb was the most common (96.67%) having usually the red (51.67%) or pink (35.56%) colour. The colour of wattles was dominated by red (58.89%) followed by pink (33.89%), while the predominant earlobe colour was red (32.78%) followed by red-white (23.33%) and white (21.67%). Among the eye colours, orange-red predominated (73.33%) followed by dark-brown (11.11%) and yellow-brown (9.44%). Most of the birds were having white skin colour (56.67%) followed by pink (22.22%) and yellow (21.11%). The shank colour was predominantly white (34.44%) followed by yellow (23.89%), grey (19.44%), black (16.67%), and green (5.56%). Regarding morphobiometric traits, the average live body weight of the local peri-urban chicken of Lubumbashi was 1.25 ± 0.52 kg in males and 1.06 ± 0.29 kg in females. Body weight and other body measurements vary significantly (p<0.001) depending on sex and in favour of males. Body weight was strongly and significantly correlated with shank circumference and chest circumference with a coefficient of 0.86 and 0.80, respectively.

GENDER DIFFERENCE IN PERFORMANCE IN FOUR SCIENCE SUBJECTS IN BORNO STATE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION

Purpose: This study examines Gender Difference in Science Subjects Performance in Borno State Colleges of Education with particular reference to Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science and Technology, Bama. The objective of the study is to find out; whether or not there exists gender difference in performance in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics for three consecutive sessions.
 Methodology: Because of its suitability, the study adopted ex-post facto research design. The data for the study were collected from two independent groups (male and female) for three different sessions (2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013). The instrument used for data collection is the Students Result Proforma designed by the researcher. Through the proforma the researcher collected the NCE 1, 2 and 3 students’ CGPA. Inferential statistics (i.e. t-test) was used to analyse the data. The analysed data was presented in tables which are expressed in differences between means, variances and correlated coefficients. Stratified sampling technique was used to select gender and all the four core science subjects. All population within these departments (stratified as male and female) were utilized for the study. The t-test which was calculated at 0.05 level of significance reveals absence of differences in Chemistry and Mathematics.
 Findings: However, gender difference was obtained in favour of males in Biology and Physics.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It was recommended that sensitization on quality science education is necessary especially in all science subjects by government and non-governmental organization to inspire female students to catch up.

A Socio-Pragmatic Study of Gender Differences in the Use of “Walak’ (Woe) and Its Variants in Spoken Jordanian Arabic

Using a mixed-method approach, this study examines the pragmatic functions of the discourse marker walak and its variants in Spoken Jordanian Arabic. It also explores the differences in the use of this discourse marker according to the speakers’ gender. The data was collected from a sample of 200 native speakers of Jordanian Arabic, using informal interviews and a validation questionnaire. The results showed that walak and its variants perform six language functions: warning, insulting, addressing/vocative, endearment, threatening, and denial. As far as gender differences are concerned, the findings indicated that there were statistically significant differences between males and females in the use of walak and its variants in favour of males. This indicates that males agreed more with the sentences expressing each pragmatic function in the validation questionnaire. The study concludes with some pedagogical implications for learners of Arabic as a second language, teachers and syllabus designers.

University students’ ambition levels and vocational tendencies associated with common culture

Introduction.Jordanian education system encourages students to invest their potentials to fulfill their needs, make their ambitions come true and achieve success in their lives. However, many students still face problems in determining their ambitions and vocational tendencies to attain their goals.Aim.This studyaimsto identify the degree of ambition level and its relation to the vocational tendencies among university students with respect to the common culture. It focused on two main domains, namely the ambition level and its relation with vocational tendencies.Methodology and research methods.A quantitative method was adopted to analyse the data. The study sample consisted of 500 male and female students studying at Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) chosen randomly. The authors developed a study instrument which was divided into ambition level 10 items. Strong – Campbell Interest Inventory Scale was applied to examine the tendencies of vocational development. This scale consisted of 42 items divided into six domains.Results.The results showed there was a statistically significant positive relation between the ambition level and vocational tendency among BAU students. There were statistically significant differences at (.05 = a) in the ambition level attributed to the effect of the gender factor in favour of females. Also, there were statistically significant differences in the vocational tendencies attributed to the gender effect in all domains except the vocation selection domain. These differences were in favour of males in relation to the study materials domain, but in favour of females in relation to all the other domains as a whole. The vocational tendencies variable was considered a significant variable that increased the achievement of students’ ambitions.Scientific novelty.The study concluded that developing social changes require a high level of ambitions to cope with the continuous developments in different domains particularly the academic domain. Educators can develop students’ ambition level and identify vocational tendencies to excel in their own goals toward innovation and creativity in light of the common culture.Practical significance.The study draws interesting conclusions based on the analysis and discusses practical recommendations for key stakeholders. The Ministry of Education in Jordan should pay more attention to the vocational tendencies among students from earlier stages to direct these tendencies in appropriate ways that provide students with a good academic life leading to decent social, vocational and practical life that gets along with the common Jordanian culture. Besides, universities are recommended to focus on ways of developing the ambition level among students by raising parents’ awareness to set a good example to their children, bring them up from an early age to be ambitious and promote their ambition level.

The Prediction of Logical Thinking Levels of Prospective Teachers Through Some Variables

Logical thinking is of importance for true thinking, making true decisions, being able to solve problems in a true way and being in true communication. A study was planned in order to see this importance with regard to determining what the factors affecting logical thinking levels. In the current study, some variables (gender, age, class level, academic success, socio-economic level, critical thinking and communication barrier) which are thought to have an impact upon logical thinking were studied and discussed depending on the related literature. For that reason, correlational survey model, one of the general survey models based on quantitative data, was used in the study. The working group was made up of the students of University. In the study which was carried out with a total 400 people, Personal Information Form, The Critical Thinking Tendency Scale, The Scale of Interpersonal Communication Barriers and Logical Thinking Scale were used as a data collection tool. Data analysis was conducted with multiple regression analysis in order to determine to what extent the scores that prospective teachers obtained from the Logical Thinking Scale were predicted by independent variables. It was found trough the data obtained in the study that logical thinking was predicted by the variables of gender (in favour of males), critical thinking (positively) and communication barriers (negatively).

Knowledge Economy in Higher Education Institutions: Developing an Educational Administrative Manual

The study aimed to identify the reality of applying principles of the knowledge economy in Umm Al-Qura University, and to examine the differences in mean scores of the reality of the application of the principles of the knowledge economy in Umm Al Qura University according to the variables of gender and occupational degree. Additionally, to present a proposed educational administrative manual for applying the principles of knowledge economy in Umm Al-Qura University, KSA. The study sample was chosen by the simple random method, and the researcher surveyed the opinions of the study sample, and distributed the questionnaire to the members of the study. 300 faculty members participated. They were 210 males (70 %) and 90 females (30%). It is evident from the results shown in Table 2 that all domains had a medium degree of evaluation. The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the response averages of the study sample members about the reality of the application of the principles of knowledge economy, according to gender, in favour of males, on the areas of information and communication technology and good governance

Cyberbullying among Children with Emotional and Behavioural Disorders: Do Gender and Age Play a Role?

Interactions and relationships between students inside and outside the school take many forms. Some of them leave positive effects, such as sympathy, affection, and intimate relationships, and others leave negative effects, such as aggression, beating, cursing, mockery, and insult. The aim was to assess cyberbullying among children with emotional and behavioural disorders, taking into consideration the role of both gender and age. Quantitative research is carried out with the aim to assess cyberbullying among children with emotional and behavioural disorders, taking into consideration the role of both gender and age. It uses a survey-based methodology to obtain data from the respondents. The final sample consisted of 120 behaviourally and emotionally disordered students. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires. t-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe Test were used to analyse data. Findings indicated that cyberbullying level among children with emotional and behavioural disorders was ranked high. There are statistically significant differences at the significance level of 0.05 between responses means of the study sample on the cyberbullying scale according to gender in favour of males.

Athletic identity and its relationship to moral values among physical education university students

Introduction. Physical education (PE) is one of the majors that some people and societies may consider less important than other majors which reduces the importance of the specialisation in this field. The investigation of athletic identity and its relationship to moral values among PE university students is an attempt to see the extent of the athletic identity may influence the possession of moral values among individuals who work in the PE field. This evaluation study seen from PE students’ perception is a new study that has not been carried out in Jordan. Most dominant researchers in Jordan and the Arab world evaluate athletic identity or possession of moral values but they have not studied the relation between the two variables.Aim. The present researchaimsto evaluate the athletic identity with relation to moral values based on the perceptions of PE university students.Methodology and research methods. A descriptive approach was used to analyse the data. To collect data, a questionnaire was applied. The questionnaire consists of two scales. The first is the Athletic Identity Measuremtent Scale (AIMS), consisting of 14 items distributed over three domains: socialisation identity (5 items), exclusivity (5 items), and negative emotion (4 items). The second is the Moral Values Scale (MVS), consisting of 27 items, distributed into five domains: responsibility (7 items), honesty, (5 items), socialisation (10 items), beauty (5 items), and competition (5 items). The study sample consisted of 280 students of Faculty of Physical Education at Yarmouk University.Results and scientific novelty. The results revealed that the level of athletic identity among students was rated high with statistically significant differences in favour of males. The domain of negative emotion was rated first, followed by exclusivity and socialisation identity respectively. The domains of moral values were estimated high in which competition domain was rated first, followed by beauty, honesty, responsibility and socialisation respectively. The results also demonstrated that there was a positive statistically significant relationship between athletic identity and moral values.Practical significance. The study recommends consolidating athletic identity among students through increasing sports participation and activities, strengthening academic courses that deal with sports culture and sports values, involving female students in sports activities to enhance the level of their athletic identity to bridge the gap in the level of athletic identity between them and male students.

Gender differences in extractive activities: evidence from Ghana

PurposeThe study seeks to examine women’s participation in Ghana’s extractive growth-driven economy and the quality of this participation in terms of employment status and earnings relative to their male counterparts and establish whether these differences constitute discrimination for policy attention.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopts both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches to assess the extent of gender inequality in employment and earnings in the Ghanaian extractive sector and the sources of these differences. It computes three segregation indices to ascertain the degree of unequal gender distribution of employment based on nationally representative labour force and living standards surveys followed by quantitative analysis of gender earnings differences using Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition technique. This is complemented by the results of Focus Group Discussion to go behind the numbers and examine the sources of the employment and earnings differences between men and women in extractive activities.FindingsThe authors observe lower participation of women in the extractive sector, with a considerable degree of gender segregation and existence of gender earnings gap in favour of men due to differences in observable characteristics such as age, education and occupational skills. There is also evidence of existence of discrimination against women and indication of barriers that impede women’s involvement in high-earning extractive activities in Ghana. The study suggests measures to remove these barriers and improve women’s education particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to address the gender imbalance in extractive activities in Ghana.Social implicationsWomen’s low involvement in the strong extractive growth-driven process has implication for undermining the effort of empowering women economically.Originality/valueThe study draws argument from the literature and adopts a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques to establish gender in terms of employment distribution and earnings in favour of males in the Ghanaian extractive sector. This has the effect of undermining women’s economic empowerment and exacerbating gender inequality in the country.

Using Mediterranean Mussel Bio-Indicators to Assess the Initial Health State of Ecosystems Receiving Desalination Plant Effluents in Agadir Bay (Morocco)

Elazzaoui, A.; Kalla, Y.; Lefrere, L.; Bouhaimi, A., and Moukrim, A., 2022. Using Mediterranean mussel bio-indicators to assess the initial health state of ecosystems receiving desalination plant effluents in Agadir Bay (Morocco). Journal of Coastal Research, 38(1), 154–167. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Mussels are often used as a biological bio-indicator for the quality assessment of marine ecosystems. Adopting this approach, the present work aims to study the initial health status of two ecosystems in Agadir Bay, Morocco expected to receive seawater desalination plant effluents. This study was conducted between February 2015 and March 2017 in two stations, Tifnit-Douira and Cap Ghir. In addition to the gametic development, variations of sex ratio and gonadal index were also determined. The reproductive cycle of Mytilus galloprovincialis is spread throughout the year. Under natural conditions, three collective spawning periods were observed. The main one was during the spring and the two other periods were optional and were in winter and summer. Variations of seawater temperature can make some changes in mussel spawning, with one principal period lasting during spring and summer and the optional one during winter. In both studied stations, sexual rest was manifested by a small percentage of the population particularly during summer, and could not reach the whole population at the same time. This finding is consistent with the gonadal index that never reached the value of 1. A unique hermaphroditism case was revealed in Tifnit-Douira mussels, and it remained statistically insignificant. The sex ratio was perfectly balanced in both stations and was in favour of males. The gonad histology did not show any cellular abnormalities in the germinal tissue. These results are of great importance since they characterize the current state of the studied stations area before the installation of the desalination plant. This state must be maintained after installation in order to preserve the typical halieutic resources of these ecosystems. The present findings confirm the good environmental health status and the aquaculture potential of Agadir Bay, especially in the north ecosystems (Cap Ghir) due to upwelling-nutritional intake and optimum seawater temperature.

Formativno ocenjivanje u fizičkom vaspitanju i njegov odnos prema nivou pažnje dece osnovnoškolskog uzrasta

Introduction. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between primary school students' perception of the Physical Education teacher's formative assessment practices in terms of their level of attention. Methods. In this descriptive cross-sectional study that included 172 students, attention was assessed through the Perception of Similarities and Differences test and the teacher's formative assessment practices through the teacher performance questionnaire associated with formative assessment practices whose scores were validated. Results. With regard to gender, Student's t-test showed no significant differences except for the number of errors in favour of males (p < .05). In relation to the level of attention, we detected statistically significant differences in metacognitive (p < .05) and retrospective (p < .05) formative assessment in favour of those with a lower level of attention. However, the linear regression test showed a negative association between attention and metacognitive formative assessment (R 2 = .28). Conclusion. It can be concluded that a lower level of attention seems to be associated with a higher perception of primary school students of metacognitive assessment practice associated with internal information processing and with retroactive assessment practice, which is related to the anticipation of learning difficulties. Being aware of the importance of formative assessment in the teaching-learning process, it would be advisable to involve the whole educational community in order to arouse interest among teachers, as it provides essential knowledge in their professional work, contributing to the improvement of academic development as well as to the comprehensive training of all schoolchildren.

Repercussions of Covid-19 crisis on students’ remote learning in Saudi universities

This study aims to identify the positive and negative repercussions of the novel Coronavirus crisis on students’ remote learning in Saudi universities. A descriptive survey method is carried out using a questionnaire and distributed to a cluster sample of 651 undergraduate students. Results reveal the most prominent positive repercussions, which are that the university cares about the learners' safety and health health and places them at the highest priority, review of recorded lectures and investing time. Results also reveal the most prominent negative repercussions, which are students’ concern about their academic conditions, reduced access to teaching and research facilities and laboratories, and large assignments. Statistically significant differences are also found in favour of males, health disciplines, and King Faisal University and University of Hail. Keywords: Repercussions,covid-19, student,remote learning,Saudi universities

SEX DISPARITIES IN THE TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES OF FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited condition equally prevalent in males and females, is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood. If left untreated, FH leads to the development of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and death. Many barriers to care in FH exist, which can result in low rates of diagnosis and suboptimal treatment and outcomes. Sex disparities have been identified as an important barrier to care in CVD, however their influence on treatment and lipid target achievement in FH remains to be explored. <h3>METHODS AND RESULTS</h3> Here we performed a longitudinal registry analysis of sex differences in treatment and lipid level achievement in Heterozygous FH (HeFH) patients at the MUHC. Patients were included in the study if they were diagnosed as either "definite", "probable", or "possible" FH based on the Simon-Broome criteria, Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, or the new Canadian FH definition. Differences between males and females were calculated using a t-test or chi-squared test. There were 127 females and 162 males from the McGill FH Registry included in the analysis. The mean age at the initial clinic visit was 49±17 years for females and 45±16 years for males (p=0.04). First, we analyzed sex differences in lipid lowering medication use. At the most recent clinic visit, there were more males (89%) than females (76%) taking statins (p=0.7), and only 35% of females were on high-intensity statins, compared to 74% of males (p=0.002). Interestingly, statin intolerance was reported in 40% of females and 22% of males (p=0.02). We then examined guideline-recommended lipid target achievement between both sexes. At baseline, males and females had similar mean LDL-C levels of 6.9±2.2 mmol/L and 6.7±1.6 mmol/L respectively (p=0.7). Despite this, at the most recent visit, 55% of males reached a target LDL-C of ≤ 2.5 mmol/L compared to just 32% of females (p=0.02). As well, from baseline to most recent visit, females reduced their LDL-C by 51%, whereas males lowered their LDL-C by 62% (p=0.01). Thus, fewer females are reaching appropriate guideline-based target LDL-C levels compared to males. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> Our analysis reveals a sex bias in FH patients in favour of males in regard to treatment intensity and lipid level target achievement. Identifying these imbalances will allow us to break down these barriers in care through educational initiatives and additional training, to improve quality of life and life expectancy of individuals with FH.

Performance evaluation of Gurez sheep in farmer’s flocks—A threatened sheep breed of Kashmir

Gurez is an indigenous breed of sheep native to the Gurez Valley of J&amp;K, India. Despite being a unique genetic resource, this breed is largely unexplored and meagre studies have been conducted on it. Hence, a comprehensive study was conducted to study the breed in its native breeding tract. Data on growth, wool, reproduction and morphometric traits of Gurez sheep maintained under farmers' flocks in its native tract were recorded and analyzed for performance evaluation as well as the farming practices in that area with regards to the breed. Screening for parasites and brucellosis, blood biochemistry and mineral profile were also conducted. This triple purpose breed produces milk, meat as well as apparel quality wool. The average values for wool traits were 76.12, 28.31, 4.42, 5.35 and 8.18 for clean wool yield (CWY) (%), fibre diameter (FD) (μ), staple length (SL) (cm), crimps per cm (NCPC) and medullation (%), respectively. The coefficient of variations % of these traits ranged from low to very high indicating that the traits had low to very high variability. The least squares mean for clean wool yield (%), fiber diameter (μ), staple length (cm), crimps per cm and medullation (%) were 77.07±0.33, 29.83±0.41, 4.80±0.17, 5.04±0.28 and 9.26±0.79, respectively. The sexual dimorphism was observed in favour of males with respect to all these traits. Age had non-significant effect on these traits in the present study. Black wool samples were having higher estimates of FD, CWY (%), SL and medullation (%). NCPC was higher for white wool samples. Conservation of this unique breed and its selective breeding is highly recommended. The incidence of Eimeria (37.50%) was found to be highest in the area.

Perception of Learning Management System Among Distance Learners in South-West, Nigeria

Learning Management System (LMS) is a common platform where students and teachers can interact digitally, most especially in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions. However, it has been discovered over time that most of the distance learners with poor study habits lag behind in its utilization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Perception of Learning Management System among Distance Learners’ in South-West, Nigeria. Emphasis was on gender and field of study using an adapted Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). This study employed a descriptive research method. Data were collected through the administration of a-validated researcher-adapted questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions one and two. Inferential statistics of t-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The research findings indicated that there were significant differences between male and female distance learners in their: perceived usefulness of LMS (p=0.00); perceived ease of use of LMS (p=0.004); in favour of males; there was no significant difference among Sciences, Arts and Social Science distance learners on their perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of LMS. It was therefore recommended that training and support programs be established to ensure a sustainable use and prevent collapse of LMS in the institutions in respective of distance learners’ gender and field of study.

Hypothesis: human trophectoderm biopsy downregulates the expression of the placental growth factor gene.

Preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are the results of defective placentation associated with the downregulation of different genes in the human trophoblast including the Placental Growth Factor (PGF). TrophEctoderm (TE) biopsy is increasingly performed for Pre-implantation Genetic Testing of Aneuploidies and it involves the traumatical removal of an unpredictable number of mural TE cells from the human blastocyst. We observed strikingly similar obstetrical and neonatal complications in pregnancies where the placenta bears PGF downmodulation or a TE biopsy has been done. In both groups, the risk of PE, IUGR, congenital cardiac ventricular septal defects, caesarean section, sex ratio in favour of males and preterm birth is significantly increased compared to controls. Given the high degree of correlation, the observation may not be a casual one. We postulate herein that the TE biopsy may induce persistent dysregulation of different genes in the placenta including PGF. The mechanism proposed is the disruption of tight junctions caused by the TE biopsy.

The Sources of Organizational Power Prevailing among Academic Leaders at University of Tabuk and its Relationship to Institutional Creativity from the Viewpoint of Faculty Members

This study aims to examine the sources of organizational power prevailing among the academic leaders at the University of Tabuk from the faculty members’ viewpoint. The purposes behind such an aim are: to reveal the level of administrative and technical institutional creativity, the nature of the relationship between the reality of organizational power and the level of institutional creativity, and to disclose statistically the significant differences between the averages of faculty members’ responses attributed to the demographic variables (gender, years of experience, academic degree). The study used the descriptive approach, both survey and correlational. A questionnaire was used to collect data from a simple random sample of (354) faculty members.Results have revealed that the sample agreement came at a high degree on both the reality of organizational power in its dimensions as well as on the level of institutional creativity of academic leaders. A very strong statistically significant direct correlation has been found between the reality of the morganizational power and the level of institutional creativity. Moreover, the statistically gender-based significant differences detected among the mermbers’ response averages about the sources of compulsion power and experience power were in favour of males and females, respectively. Speaking of the academic degree variable in the source of experience power, it was in favor of assistant professor category.

Clinical experience in anti-synthetase syndrome: a monocentric retrospective analytical study

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) is a rare autoimmune disorder combining autoantibodies and specific clinical manifestations. One of the particularities of ASS is the pleiomorphic radiological presentation seen at the initial work-up. Evaluating treatment response can also be challenging and requires specific clinical, functional, biological and radiological monitoring. For these reasons, it is fundamental to identify specific radiological and clinical features of ASS for improved diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. METHODS: We retrospectively studied all patients suffering from ASS in the CHU of Liège from 2008 to 2019. We analysed the clinical features, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), computed tomography (CT), and longitudinal evolution with regard to patient treatment. RESULTS: In the whole cohort of 30 patients, we identified 19 with anti-JO1 antibodies, 5 with anti-PL12 antibodies and 6 with anti-PL7 antibodies. The sex ratio was slightly in favour of males. Interestingly, PL-12 syndrome was more likely to be present in younger patients than those associated with other antibodies. Overall, 77% of the overall cohort exhibited specific pulmonary involvement without any significant difference with regard to the severity assessed by PFT at diagnosis. In contrast, the radiological presentation was pleomorphic for anti-JO1 syndrome, and anti-PL12 syndrome exhibited mainly ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and reticular abnormalities, while those with anti-PL7 antibodies showed reticulations and bronchiectasis. Longitudinal CT analysis mainly showed a reduction in consolidations and GGOs with specific therapies. CONCLUSION: In our single-centre retrospective study, we found different profiles for different autoantibodies according to age and radiological appearance.

Interpopulation variability of the reproductive cycle of Arbacia lixula (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) in the Mostaganem shallow-water area (south-western Mediterranean)

The study on the reproductive biology of the black sea urchin Arbacia lixula was carried out at two different sites on the west coast of Algeria (Mostaganem) (one located at Salamandre considered polluted and the other at Stidia is relatively healthy). A monthly sampling was carried out from January 2015 to December 2016. The sex ratio at the two sites is slightly in favour of males. Monthly monitoring of the gonad index showed maximum values during the month of May, and minimum values in September. The gonad index for both male and female evolves in the same way. Histological study of the male and the female gonads confirmed the results obtained for the gonad index. The sexual resting stage takes place in winter, followed by maturation in spring. Finally, the spawning phase occurs between spring and summer. The variability of the seasonal temperature values appears to influence the maturation of the gonads and the spawning process in A. lixula. The results obtained in this study show the existence of an annual cycle in A.lixula with the presence of a massive spawning in July, the duration of which depends on the combined effect of stress factors (increase in temperature and presence of pollution).

Survival and Quality of Life of Patients After Rectal Cancer Surgery in a Low-Income Country: A Study in Cameroon, Sub-Saharan African Region

Background: Survival of patients after rectal cancer surgery as well as their quality of life (QoL) has been little study in Africa and never in our country in particular. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional multicentre study in Yaounde (Cameroon). We reviewed operating reports of the selected departments to identify patients operated from January 2010 to December 2019 for a rectal cancer. The outcome of patients enrolled had to be known until December 2020. Patients who were alive were contacted to evaluate their QoL using the EORTC QLQ C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL questionnaire). Results: During the study period, rectal cancer was ranked 4thM/sup> within the digestive cancers. We included 68 patients; their mean age was 49.74 years and 41.18% were under 45. The sex ratio was 1.19 in favour of males. The tumour was mainly located in the lower rectum (45.6%). The main surgical procedure implemented was abdominoperineal amputation (42.6%). Forty-one patients died, giving a mortality rate of 60.29%. The mean survival time was 13 months. The 5-year survival rate for the 32 patients operated from January 2010 to December 2015 was 21.87%. The overall QoL of the 27 living patients was good with a mean of 62.346±15.907. Sexual complications and urinary disorders were found in 40.74% and 14.81% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: There is a low hospital incidence of rectal cancer in our context. The 5-year survival after rectal cancer surgery is poor while the QoL of living patients is good.