Raman and ATR-FTIR analyses of medieval wall paintings from al-Qarawiyyin in Fez (Morocco).

A multi-analytical study has been undertaken to characterise wall paintings from the al-Qarawiyyin university in Fez, dating back to the 9th century and still in activity, with the aim of identifying the pigments used and going back to the painting techniques adopted by the Moroccan craftsmen of the time. The investigation crossed Raman and ATR-FTIR structural analyses along with XRF elemental ones, as well as colorimetric measurements. The colours and shades of six representative fragments collected during a recent excavation have been examined. Hence, red ochre (mainly hematite) was used to obtain brown-red colour, calcite for white, bistre for carbon-based black, while blue shades were achieved using azurite. Mixtures of pigments were created to widen the colour palette: cinnabar, minium and hematite were identified in orange hues while lapis lazuli and azurite were observed in grey-blue areas. The exploration of mortar layers revealed gypsum, gypsum/calcite and calcite type plasters. Furthermore, the observation of the morphological aspect of the interface between the plaster and the painting layer seems indicating that the lime-secco-painting skill had been the adopted painting technique.

Colocolic Intussusception in an Adult Patient Secondary to Caecal Adenocarcinoma.

Acute intestinal invagination is the pathology of infants and small children. Its occurrence in adults is rare, and it represents 1 to 5% of intestinal occlusions often leading to the discovery of an organic cause that may be tumor. We report the case of a 72-year-old patient admitted to the emergency room of Ibn Sina Rabat, Morocco, for intestinal occlusion. The abdominal CT scan showed a voluminous intestinal invagination on a very probable heterogeneous digestive mass. The treatment was an open right hemicolectomy. The histopathological examination of the surgical specimen concluded a colonic well-differentiated adenocarcinoma with a 30% mucinous component. By review of literature, we discuss diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in emergency.

[Self-induced dermatosis on the shoulder]. / Une dermatose auto provoquée de l'épaule.

Self-induced dermatoses are more and more frequent in adolescent substance abusers with adaptation problems. We here report a case of self-induced bullous lesions on the shoulder in an adolescent with major depression and suicidal ideations. The study involved a 22-year old man, who was a chronic smoker, an occasional user of cannabis and alchool with no particular past medical history, with divorced parents, in conflict with his father. He presented with bullous eruption on the left shoulder made of bubbles, post-bullous skin erosions and scabs on a healthy skin. The monomorphic appearance of lesions, their accessibility (on the left shoulder in a right-handed patient), patient's history and his psychiatric problems have immediately suggested the investigation of self-induced dermatosis or factitious disorder. The patient admitted that he had taken psychotropic drugs and that the self-induced lesions had been caused by cigarette burns. This first psichologic evaluation also showed that the patient had suicidal ideations and a self-and hetero-aggressive behavior. The patient was treated with emollients and healing creams and referred to the Department of Psychiatry for complementary therapies.

[Multiple and extensive skin necrosis revealing anti phospholipid antibody syndrome]. / Nécroses cutanées multiples et extensives révélant un syndrome des anticorps anti phospholipids.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombophilic state resulting from autoantibodies activity against phospholipides and/or their cofactors. It may be primary or associated with various diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which represents a potential severity marker. We here report the case of a young girl with multiple cutaneous necrosis suffering from APS secondary to SLE. Skin lesions associated with APS are common, polymorphic, sometimes inaugural and may be the only clinical manifestation of the syndrome. However, skin necrosis are rare; their treatment is based on anticoagulation therapy and appropriate local care. Rigorous long term follow up associated with closer cooperation between the dermatologist and the internist is justified by unpredictable outcomes and poor prognosis.