Algerian medical teachers' research output and its determinants during the 2000-2009 decade.

BACKGROUND: Publications are the primary output of scientific research. We conducted a national study to quantify Algerian medical teachers' research output and identify its determinants during the 2000-2009 decade. METHODS: The American Medline database and the French Pascal database were used. A publication was eligible only if the lead author was an Algerian medical teacher (in medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry) working in Algeria. The same questionnaire was completed by cases (teachers who were first authors of an original article during the study period) and randomly selected controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to research output. RESULTS: A total of 79 original articles (42.2% of publications) were retrieved, a quarter of which were listed in Pascal alone. The publication rate was 2.6 original articles per 1000 teachers per year. The journals that published these original articles had a median impact factor of 0.83. The ability to publish an original article was 4.3 times higher if the teacher had undergone training in biostatistics and/or epidemiology (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=4.31, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79-10.38). A promotion evaluation grid that did not encourage writing (aOR=3.44, 95% CI: 1.42-8.33), a doctoral thesis, seniority, foreign collaboration, and English language proficiency were found to be associated with publication output. CONCLUSIONS: Algerian medical teachers' research output was particularly low. Replacing the current promotion grid with a grid that promotes writing, developing abilities to read and write articles and developing English language proficiency are likely to improve this situation.

Visibility of dichalcogenide nanolayers.

Dichalcogenides with the common formula MX(2) are layered materials with electrical properties that range from semiconducting to superconducting. Here, we describe optimal imaging conditions for the optical detection of ultrathin, two-dimensional dichalcogenide nanocrystals containing single, double and triple layers of MoS(2), WSe(2) and NbSe(2). A simple optical model is used to calculate the contrast for nanolayers deposited on wafers with varying thicknesses of SiO(2). The model is extended for imaging using the green channel of a video camera. Using AFM and optical imaging we confirm that single layers of MoS(2) and WSe(2) can be detected on 90 and 270 nm SiO(2) using optical means. By measuring contrast under broadband green illumination we are also able to distinguish between nanostructures containing single, double and triple layers of MoS(2) and WSe(2.) We observe and discuss discrepancies in the case of NbSe(2).

[Ectasic diffuse vasculopathy of the cerebral arteries associated with neurofibromatosis type 1]. / Vasculopathie ectasiante diffuse des artères cérébrales associée à la neurofibromatose de type 1.

Type 1 neurofibromatosis is the most common of all the phakomatosis. It is a hereditary neurocutaneous syndrome that may involve any organ or system of the body. Central nervous system lesions are frequent and dominated by neoplasms and nonneoplastic hamartomatous lesions. Craniocerebral vascular abnormalities are relatively rare, most often occlusive or stenotic. The occurring of intracranial aneurysms during the neurofibromatosis type 1 gives rise to the question of the fortuitous aspect or not of this association, especially as the quasi-totality of the reported aneurysms in the literature are sacciform and most often unique. We report an original case of ectasic diffuse vasculopathy of the cerebral arteries associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 in a 43-year-old man presented with seizures.

[Imaging features of CNS tuberculosis]. / Les aspects en imagerie de la tuberculose du système nerveux central.

CNS tuberculosis remains relatively frequent in endemic regions. Both CT and MRI are valuable for diagnosis. Even though non-specific, MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging and proton spectroscopy is more sensitive than CT for detection of some lesions. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the imaging features of CNS tuberculosis.

[Dental-radical cysts, a rare aetiology of maxillary sinus opacity]. / Kystes radiculodentaires, une cause rare de sinus maxillaire opaque.

OBJECTIVE: To specify CT scan roll in diagnosis of radicullar cyst invading maxillary sinus. METHODS: Two cases of 23 and 34-year-old men presented with facial injury and sinusitis was explored by CT scan. RESULTS: CT scan showed in both patients a cystic lesion, developing into the maxillary sinus around a tooth apex and limits by a double dense thin rim. CONCLUSION: CT scan permits diagnosis of radicular cyst invading maxillary sinus, in the event of obscured maxillary sinus, when double dense thin rim corresponding to the repulsed wall of the sinus is looking.

[Thumb acrometastasis revealing lung adenocarcinoma: a case report with review of literature]. / Acrométastase du pouce révélant un adénocarcinome pulmonaire: a propos d'un cas avec revue de la littérature.

Bone metastases in the hand and foot bone (acrometastases) are rarely observed. The authors report a case of a 57-years-old man diagnosed as hand tumour, revealing a bronchic adenocarcinoma. Radiography showed destruction of the phalanx, and histology study confirmed a metastasis of the lung cancer.

[Neuro-imaging of tuberous sclerosis]. / Neuro-imagerie de la sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville.

Tuberous sclerosis is a phakomatosis with central nervous system manifestations characterized by 4 lesions detectable on neuro-imaging: tubers, white matter abnormalities, subependymal nodules and subependymal astrocytomas. The first three are benign lesions composed of by identical cytological lesions varying only in size and location. At CT, enhancement of subependymal nodules is usually considered as evidence of transformation to subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. This latter poses the problem of its relative benignity: hydrocephalus source of morbidity or even mortality. From a series of 22 cases, the authors review the characteristics of these abnormalities.

[A rare cause of hematuria: rupture of a renal artery aneurysm. A case report]. / Une cause rare d'hématurie: rupture d'anévrisme de l'artère rénale. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of ruptured renal artery aneurysm in a 78 year old patient presenting with macroscopic hematuria. The rare occurrence of this entity and the value of imaging for diagnosis are discussed.

[Intramedullary rupture of a dermoid cyst of the conus: a case report]. / Rupture intra-médullaire d'un kyste dermoïde du cône. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of a 40 year old patient with history of cauda equina syndrome and pyramidal signs due to intramedullary rupture of a congenital dermoid cyst of the conus without associated spinal dysraphism. Diagnosis was suggested at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed by histological examination and percutaneous aspiration of the intramedullary cavity.