Identification and mapping of Algerian island vegetation using high-resolution images (Pléiades and SPOT 6/7) and random forest modeling.

Despite their proximity to the coast, few studies have focused on identifying and mapping the vegetation of Algerian islands and islets. To fill this lacuna, our work, using satellite images and machine learning methods, is mainly aimed at identifying and mapping the main vegetation groups on a few islands, while evaluating the effectiveness of the random forest classifier, which is effectively used in the study of the vegetation of large areas. However, despite the high heterogeneity of their vegetation cover, the use of very high-resolution images (Pléaides and SPOT 6/7), through the fusion bands and derived bands (NDVI), has allowed the elaboration of a fairly precise vegetation map that can be used for the preparation of management and protection plans for these habitats. Our methodological approach revealed very satisfactory results, having allowed the identification of the plant communities inventoried in the field, while showing high accuracy values, ranging from 0.642 for the halophilic group of Asteriscus to 1 for the endemic Chasmophyte group of the Habibas archipelago (Pléiades images). The groups identified from SPOT 6/7 images show accuracy values between 0.67 for the Mediterranean cliff formations on Garlic Islet and 1 for the two formations (shrubby and herbaceous) of the Skikda islands. Our methodological approach, and notwithstanding the great heterogeneity and the very small surface areas of our islands and islets, has led to very satisfactory results, reflected with good overall accuracy and kappa index values (for Pléiades: overall accuracy > 92% and kappa index > 0.90; for SPOT 6/7: overall accuracy > 83% and kappa index > 0.80).

Polymorphism of clinical manifestation of HPV infection in the genital mucosa - 3-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with a wide variety of cutaneous and mucosal infections and with malignancies in humans. More than 100 HPV types have been identified, some of which have affinity for skin and others for mucosal sites. AIM: The purpose of this study came from our desire to support the "Stop Cervical Cancer" campaign, adopted as "Cervical Cancer Removed as a Public Health Problem", following the World Health Organization (WHO) initiative in 2019-2020. At European level, cervical cancer mortality has fallen by more than 30% over the past 30 years, through coherent, consistent and comprehensive prevention programs based on accurate and consistent public information. Romania is in an unfavorable situation with regard to incidence (32.8 new cases∕100 000 women) and cervical cancer mortality (10.9 deaths∕100 000 women). Free Babes-Papanicolau (Pap) testing for early detection of cervical cancer was valid this year until March. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study runs over a period of three years, between 2016-2018, in the "Elena Doamna" Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iasi, Romania. Of the 8500 patients hospitalized for various diseases (ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, dysmenorrhea, ectopic pregnancies, placenta praevia, spontaneous abortions and on demand, benign, malignant tumors), only 382 were present in the ambulatory for Pap test. For the other conditions, Pap test denied because the patients did not want this but to solve the condition for which they presented themselves. RESULTS: We retrospectively review 382 Pap tests of patients who presented themselves in the Ambulatory Service of the Hospital both at the advice of the gynecologist and due to the program initiated by the WHO and supported by the Department of Public Health, Iasi: "Cervical cancer can be eliminated as a problem of public health". Lesions equal to or worse than high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) equivalate with high-grade lesions including HSIL (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - CIN1, CIN2). Endometrial lesions were excluded from the study. As seen of this campaign, the number of patients has increased in 2018 (242 cases), compared to 46 cases in 2017 and 94 cases in 2016. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that 35% (7/20) of HSIL-confirmed biopsies previously had negative HPV assays. Despite the previous negative HPV tests, a wide variety of HPV genotypes has been detected in most biopsies. In our case, we frequently identified the HPV 59 and 45 strains, 51 cases with HSIL lesions presented a first positive HPV test, 13 cases with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) showed three negative HPV tests. Prevention plays an important role in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer cases. The Pap test is now considered the primary prevention method, but consecutive vaccination significantly increases protection against high-risk HPV strains. Education plays an important role in the prophylaxis of HPV infection and cancer. It should be instituted in schools, from puberty age through partnerships or government programs with public health directorates and university hospitals or using European funds.

[Giant uterine fibroma. Case report]. / Fibrom uterin gigant. Prezentare de caz.

The presence of the giant abdominal-pelvic tumours is more and more rare because of the precocious methods of diagnosis. Sometimes the rare cases of giant uterine fibroma are met in medical practice and they need the use of atypical surgical techniques that are not entirely risk-free. In the present case, the giant uterine fibroma that was diagnosed (23/21/20 cm) was investigated clinically, and with imaging and pathologic techniques, then it underwent a surgical procedure in two stages, with major difficulties, because the entire anatomical structure of the pelvis was totally modified.

[Struma ovarii]. / Struma ovarii.

UNLABELLED: Struma ovarii is a rare tumor in its pure form, but its true incidence is hard to estimate because of all the variation in the diagnostic criteria due to the fact that some authors reported it as within a teratoma and others only in its pure form. In general, it is an asymptomatic tumor, "benign-like" in most of the cases, and the diagnostic is based only on the histopathological findings. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a retrospective study of all ovarian tumors treated in our departments over a period of 11 years, from January 1, 1995 to January 1, 2006. RESULTS: All medical records of 644 patients were reviewed, of which 502 patients (77.96%) with unilateral tumors and 142 (22.04%) with bilateral involvement. 879 tumors were removed: 88.39% benign and 11.61% malignant. Struma ovarii was demonstrated in 2 patients. The only complaint in these 2 patients diagnosed and treated in our clinics was pain in the lower abdomen. The clinical examination and ultrasound suggested ovarian tumors, but the diagnosis was made on the histopathological findings. Following surgical treatment (classic or laparoscopic) the postoperative course was excellent, confirming that this approach is the only practical solution.