Preparation and Characterization of Biochars Obtained from Biomasses for Combustible Briquette Applications.

Renewable energies have been considered as alternative, clean, available, and ecological sources of energy. The production of biochar from biomass by thermochemical means is considered an efficient method of converting biomass for energy production. In this study, the biochars were produced from the biomasses of peanut shells and sugar cane bagasse at different pyrolysis temperatures (400°C, 450°C, and 500°C). The biomass samples and their produced biochars were characterized using calorific value, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM and EDX), compressibility index, and combustion behavior in order to analyze their potential. Experimental results showed that biochar has better fuel qualities compared to raw biomass. We also found that increasing the pyrolysis temperature clearly improved the calorific value, the morphology, the porosity of the biochars as well as the compressibility index of the biochars. The interest of this study was to produce renewable biochar from peanut shell waste and sugar cane bagasse for use as solid fuel.

Unusual presentation of parotid gland adenoid cystic carcinoma : A case presentation and literature review.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) represents approximately 10% of all epithelial salivary neoplasms and most commonly involves the parotid gland. We report CT and MRI finding of a 38-year-old young man presented to our ENT department with 02 years history of an external auditory canal stenosis. Physical examination revealed bilateral parotid gland swelling with a complete stenosis of the left external auditory canal. Temporal bone contrast enhanced CT-SCAN revealed is an isodense enhancing mass measuring 4 cm involving posterior and inferior external auditory canal wall, and invading the superficial lobe of the homolateral parotid gland. No bone erosion was noted. MRI investigation has shown a tumor process highly suspicious of malignancy centered on the left EAC involving the superficial lobe of the homolateral parotid gland. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the parotid gland was the final diagnosis, after surgical biopsy and histopathological examination. The Pre-operative check-up demonstrated multiple round shape lung lesions suggestive of multiple metastases. Considering the metastatic stage of the tumor, a collegial decision to adopt a palliative treatment approach based on chemotherapy was taken by the multidisciplinary oncology board.

Prevalence of congenital malformations at the "les Orangers" maternity and reproductive health Hospital of Rabat: descriptive study of 470 anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Congenital malformations are described in about 3% of live births and 20% of stillbirths in the industrialized countries. The prevalence of congenital anomalies in developing countries, including Morocco, is not well known at the national level. The aim of our study is to conduct a descriptive exploratory analysis of congenital malformations cases diagnosed at the "Les Orangers" Maternity and Reproductive Health Hospital in Rabat. METHODS: We collected all the cases of congenital malformations diagnosed at the "Les Orangers" Maternity and Reproductive Health Hospital in Rabat, from January 1st, 2011 to June 31st, 2016. Data were reported on pre-established sheets and on a registry of malformations. Total and specific prevalences were calculated for each malformation. A principal component analysis (PCA) was then conducted followed by a Varimax rotation in order to identify the different associations of malformations in our series. RESULTS: We registred 245 cases of congenital malformations out of a total of 43,923 recorded births; a prevalence of 5.58 per thousand births of which 19.2% were FDIU (fetal deaths in utero). A polymalformative syndrome was found in 26.5% of cases which makes a total number of 470 anomalies. The musculoskeletal anomalies predominate with a rate of 33%, followed by neurological abnormalities 18%, of whom 31% were hydrocephalus, 26.2% anencephaly, and 20.24% spina bifida. Malformations of the eye, ear, face and neck were described in 12% of the cases, while genetic abnormalities were observed in 8,5% of which 87.5% represented Down syndrome. The antenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations was performed in 28.6% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a general overview of the epidemiological situation related to different types of congenital anomalies for a specific area in Morocco. It represents a database that should be complemented by other multicenter studies and the implementation of a national registry to determine the prevalence of congenital malformations at a national level.

Surface acoustic waves in one-dimensional piezoelectric-metallic phononic crystal: Effect of a cap layer.

We study the propagation of transverse acoustic waves associated with the surface of a semi-infinite superlattice (SL) composed of piezoelectric-metallic layers and capped with a piezoelectric layer. We present closed-form expressions for localized surface waves, the so-called Bleustein-Gulyaev (BG) waves depending on whether the cap layer is open-circuited or short-circuited. These expressions are obtained by means of the Green's function method which enables to deduce also the densities of states. These theoretical results are illustrated by a few numerical applications to SLs made of piezoelectric layers of hexagonal symmetry belonging to the 6 mm class such as PZT4 and ZnO in contact with metallic layers such as Fe, Al, Au, Cu and boron-doped-diamond. We demonstrate a rule about the existence of surface modes when considering two complementary semi-infinite SLs obtained by the cleavage of an infinite SL along a plane parallel to the piezoelectric layers. Indeed, when the surface layers are open-circuited, one obtains one surface mode per gap, this mode is associated with one of the two complementary SLs. However, when the surface layers are short-circuited, this rule is not fulfilled and one can obtain zero, one or two modes inside each gap of the two complementary SLs depending on the position of the plane where the cleavage is produced. We show that in addition to the BG surface waves localized at the surface of the cap layer, there may exist true guided waves and pseudo-guided waves (i.e. leaky waves) induced by the cap layer either inside the gaps or inside the bands of the SL respectively. Also, we highlight the possibility of existence of interface modes between the SL and a cap layer as well as an interaction between these modes and the BG surface mode when both modes fall in the same band gaps of the SL. The strength of the interaction depends on the width of the cap layer. Finally, we show that the electromechanical coupling coefficient (ECC) is very sensitive to the cap layer thickness, in particular we calculate and discuss the behavior of the ECC as a function of the adlayer thickness for the low velocity surface modes of the SL which exhibit the highest ECC values. The effect of the nature of the metallic layers inside the SL on the ECC is also investigated. The different surface modes discussed in this work should have applications in sensing applications.

[Prognostic of older age for patients with invasive-muscle-bladder cancer and treated by radical cystectomy]. / L'âge avancé est-il un facteur de mauvais pronostic pour les patients atteints de tumeur de vessie infiltrant le muscle et traités par cystectomie ?

INTRODUCTION: Bladder tumor is a disease of older persons, but can also occur in young adults, because certainly an influence of environmental factors and a change of lifestyle. The aim of our retrospective analysis is to assess and evaluate the extent of the prognostic impact of age on the carcinological prognosis of invasive-muscle-bladder cancer treated by total cystotomy. METHODS: To evaluate the association of patient age with pathological characteristics and recurrence-free and disease survival, we retrospectively reviewed 345 patients with invasive bladder cancer between January 2000 and January 2015. RESULTS: We divided our patients into two groups: patients under 65 years of age=150 cases (group 1), patients aged 65 years and over=195 cases (group 2). The 3-year survival rates for patients according to the age groups were 88% and 64% respectively, end the recurrence-free survival 66% and 28%. When age was analysed as a categorical variable, was associated with hydronephrosis (P=0.001), advanced pathological stage (P=0.034), high grade (P=0.026), nodal involvement (P=0.011) and lymphovascular invasion (P=0.008). The multivariate Cox model analysis showed that hydronephrosis and pathological stage was prognostic factors of survival (P=0.012 and P=0.035, respectively). Higher age is significantly associated with the risk of pathologically advanced disease and poorer global survival. CONCLUSION: This work allowed us to assert that advanced chronological age is significantly associated with an advanced pathological stage of the disease (volume, pT, grade, lymph nodes) and a low overall survival rate. This could be useful for selecting subjects who would require adjuvant therapy, as well as for planning early complementary therapies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Resultados patológicos y agresividad del cáncer de próstata de bajo riesgo en los hombres del norte de África / Pathological outcomes and agressiveness of low-risk prostate cancer in Northern African men

Antecedentes: Los hombres norteafricanos (NAF) presentan una alta incidencia de cáncer de próstata (CaP) avanzado en el momento del diagnóstico. Varios estudios han demostrado la existencia de diferencias étnicas en la agresividad del CaP y esto ha dado lugar a algunas preocupaciones relacionadas con la inclusión de algunos grupos étnicos en los protocolos de vigilancia activa. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados patológicos y la agresividad del CaP de bajo riesgo tratado con prostatectomía radical en un grupo étnico NAF. Sujetos y métodos: Los datos de 147 NAF sometidos a prostatectomía radical por CaP de bajo riesgo diagnosticado por medio de una biopsia de 12 núcleos en 2 centros académicos entre 2011 y 2015 se revisaron retrospectivamente para evaluar las tasas de resultados patológicos peores definidas como: actualización de la puntuación de Gleason a por lo menos 3 + 4, eclipse a pT3a o superior o pN1, y márgenes quirúrgicos positivos. Resultados: El eclipse y/o actualización significativa global se produjo en el 20,2% y se produjeron márgenes quirúrgicos positivos en el 18,3%. En el análisis de regresión logística multivariante, las variables independientes que predijeron eclipse y/o actualización o márgenes quirúrgicos positivos en toda la cohorte fueron: grupo de riesgo NCCN (riesgo bajo > riesgo muy bajo), edad avanzada > 60 años, PSA > 6 ng/ml, densidad de PSA ≥ 0,15, más de 2 núcleos positivos en la biopsia, implicación del cáncer de más del 50% en los núcleos positivos, estadio clínico (T2a > T1c) y puntuación UCSF-CAPRA-S > 3. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio encontró que, al menos patológicamente, los hombres NAF no tienen una enfermedad más agresiva que los caucásicos y afroamericanos, tanto en CaP de bajo como de muy bajo riesgo. Por lo tanto, creemos que la vigilancia activa es un enfoque adecuado para pacientes seleccionados ya que no hay datos definitivos que muestren una historia natural más agresiva de CaP en hombres NAF

Background: Northern African (NAf) men show a high incidence of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) at diagnosis. Several studies suggested the existence of ethnic differences in the PCa aggressiveness and this has led to some concerns related to the inclusion of some ethnic groups into active surveillance protocols. Objective: To evaluate pathological outcomes and aggressiveness of low risk PCa treated by radical prostatectomy in a NAf ethnic group. Subjects and methods: Data of 147 NAfs, who underwent radical prostatectomy for low risk PCa diagnosed via a 12-core biopsy in 2 academic centers between 2011 and 2015, were reviewed retrospectively to assess rates of worse pathological outcomes defined as: Gleason score upgrade to at least 3 + 4, upstage to pT3a or higher or pN1, and positive surgical margins. Results: Overall significant upstage and/or upgrade occurred in 20.2% and positive surgical margins occured in18.3%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent variables that predicted for upstage and/or upgrade or positive surgical margins in the entire cohort were: NCCN risk group (low risk > very low risk), advanced age > 60 years, PSA > 6 ng/ml, PSA density ≥ 0.15, more than 2 positive cores in biopsy, more than 50% cancer involvement in positive cores, clinical stage (T2a > T1c) and UCSF-CAPRA-S score > 3. Conclusions: Our study found that, at least pathologically, NAf men do not have more aggressive disease than Caucasians and African Americans in both low and very low risk PCa. Thus, we think that active surveillance is a suitable approach for selected patients since there is no definitive data that show a more aggressive natural history of PCa in NAf men

Pathological outcomes and agressiveness of low-risk prostate cancer in Northern African men. / Resultados patológicos y agresividad del cáncer de próstata de bajo riesgo en los hombres del norte de África.

BACKGROUND: Northern African (NAf) men show a high incidence of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) at diagnosis. Several studies suggested the existence of ethnic differences in the PCa aggressiveness and this has led to some concerns related to the inclusion of some ethnic groups into active surveillance protocols. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pathological outcomes and aggressiveness of low risk PCa treated by radical prostatectomy in a NAf ethnic group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data of 147 NAfs, who underwent radical prostatectomy for low risk PCa diagnosed via a 12-core biopsy in 2 academic centers between 2011 and 2015, were reviewed retrospectively to assess rates of worse pathological outcomes defined as: Gleason score upgrade to at least 3+4, upstage to pT3a or higher or pN1, and positive surgical margins. RESULTS: Overall significant upstage and/or upgrade occurred in 20.2% and positive surgical margins occured in18.3%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent variables that predicted for upstage and/or upgrade or positive surgical margins in the entire cohort were: NCCN risk group (low risk>very low risk), advanced age>60 years, PSA>6ng/ml, PSA density≥0.15, more than 2 positive cores in biopsy, more than 50% cancer involvement in positive cores, clinical stage (T2a>T1c) and UCSF-CAPRA-S score>3. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that, at least pathologically, NAf men do not have more aggressive disease than Caucasians and African Americans in both low and very low risk PCa. Thus, we think that active surveillance is a suitable approach for selected patients since there is no definitive data that show a more aggressive natural history of PCa in NAf men.

Translation and validation of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 into Moroccan Arabic for ENT head and neck cancer patients in Morocco.

Disease-specific quality of life (QOL) measures have enhanced the capacity of outcome measures to evaluate subtle changes and differences between groups. As many of the QOL measures have been developed in English, they require translation to ensure their usefulness in a multi-cultural and/or international society. Published guidelines provide formal methods to achieve cross-culturally comparable versions of a QOL tool. The aim of this study was to adapt the head and neck specific module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire) into Moroccan Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties. After translation, back translation and pretesting of the pre-final version, the translated version was submitted to a committee of professionals composed by otolaryngologists and epidemiologists. The psychometric properties were tested in patients with ENT cancer. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's alpha and the test-retest reliability using interclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed by examining item convergent and divergent validity. It was also tested using Spearman's correlation between QLQ-H&N 35 scales and EQ-5D. The study was conducted in 120 patients. The Moroccan version was internally reliable, Cronbach's α ranged from 0.71 for "trouble with social contact" to 0.94 for "senses impairment", indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient, which ranged from 0.64 for "speech trouble" to 0.89 for "physical activities". The instrument demonstrated a good construct and concomitant validity. We have developed a semantically equivalent translation with cultural adaptation of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire. The assessment of its measurement properties showed that it is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effect of cancer on the quality of life in Moroccan patients.

[Comments on article "Scalp flap pedicled on posterior auricular artery. Anatomical study and clinical application"]. / Commentaires de l'article "Lambeau de scalp pédiculé sur l'artère auriculaire postérieure. Étude anatomique et application clinique".

The authors comment on the reliability of the scalp flap pedicled on auricular posterior artery, arguing with the conclusions of anatomic studies published in this issue and their little experience in reconstructing scalp defects by local flaps.

Reversion of apoptotic resistance of TP53-mutated Burkitt lymphoma B-cells to spindle poisons by exogenous activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinases.

Defects in apoptosis are frequently the cause of cancer emergence, as well as cellular resistance to chemotherapy. These phenotypes may be due to mutations of the tumor suppressor TP53 gene. In this study, we examined the effect of various mitotic spindle poisons, including the new isocombretastatin derivative isoNH2CA-4 (a tubulin-destabilizing molecule, considered to bind to the colchicine site by analogy with combretastatin A-4), on BL (Burkitt lymphoma) cells. We found that resistance to spindle poison-induced apoptosis could be reverted in tumor protein p53 (TP53)-mutated cells by EBV (Epstein Barr virus) infection. This reversion was due to restoration of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as assessed by relocation of the pro-apoptotic molecule Bax to mitochondria, loss of mitochondrial integrity and activation of the caspase cascade with PARP (poly ADP ribose polymerase) cleavage. EBV sensitized TP53-mutated BL cells to all spindle poisons tested, including vincristine and taxol, an effect that was systematically downmodulated by pretreatment of cells with inhibitors of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein kinases. Exogenous activation of p38 and JNK pathways by dihydrosphingosine reverted resistance of TP53-mutated BL cells to spindle poisons. Dihydrosphingosine treatment of TP53-deficient Jurkat and K562 cell lines was also able to induce cell death. We conclude that activation of p38 and JNK pathways may revert resistance of TP53-mutated cells to spindle poisons. This opens new perspectives for developing alternative therapeutic strategies when the TP53 gene is inactivated.

[Trichoblastic carcinoma]. / Un carcinome trichoblastique.

INTRODUCTION: Trichoblastic carcinoma is a rare malignant adnexal tumor. Its presentation is non-specific and the diagnosis is always histological. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old patient presented with a trichoblastic carcinoma of the eyelid and eyebrow. It was located on the lower end of the scar, 7 years after the incomplete excision of a tumor. There was a large subcutaneous extension of the tumor, well beyond the visible margins of the skin lesion. The treatment was a broad surgical excision followed by radiotherapy. There was neither local recurrence nor metastasis 20 months later. DISCUSSION: This clinical presentation was atypical and had never been reported. We discuss the therapeutic management of this rare tumor.

Percutaneous endoscopic nephropexy with a percutaneous suture passed through the kidney.

OBJECTIVES: To report a technique of percutaneous endoscopic nephropexy, using a polyglactin suture passed through the kidney, in patients with nephroptosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four women presenting with symptomatic right nephroptosis underwent a percutaneous endoscopic nephropexy. An upper-pole calyx was accessed percutaneously and a 24-F working sheath was placed. Another needle access was made through a lower-pole calyx and a #2 polyglactin suture was passed into the renal pelvis. It was then pulled out through the upper-pole tract using the nephroscope. A retroperitoneoscopy was performed and the tip of the nephroscope was used to cause nephrolysis. After inserting the nephrostomy tube the polyglactin suture was passed into the subcutaneous tissue and then tied without too much tension, to avoid cutting the parenchyma. RESULTS: The operative duration was 33 min and the hospital stay after surgery was 3.5 days. The nephrostomy catheter was removed 5 days after surgery. There were no complications, especially no haemorrhagic, infectious, lithiasic or thoracic complications. The four patients were relieved of their initial symptoms, with a mean follow-up of 28 months. Ultrasonography and/or intravenous urography showed the kidney at a higher location with the patient standing. CONCLUSIONS: This technique combines the nephrostomy tract used in percutaneous techniques with the suture and nephrolysis used in laparoscopic techniques. Moreover, this procedure seems to be safe, with satisfactory anatomical and clinical results and a lower morbidity. However, a larger series will be necessary to establish its long-term morbidity and success rate.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the thyroid gland.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the thyroid gland is an uncommon condition. Up to date, its clinical pathological features are not fully understood. We present a case of an extramedullary nonmucosal plasmacytoma of the thyroid gland which is the first case with regional metastatic lymph nodes. This condition requires a scrupulous survey to rule out a metastatic multiple myeloma. Although localized forms management is still controversial, authors require combined approach for regional metastatic forms. The prognosis is favorable compared to solitary bone plasmacytomas or multiple myeloma.

Resection of osteoid osteoma of distal tibia using the intraoperative isotopic scan.

Osteoid osteomas are small-sized benign painful bony tumors. The authors report the case of an osteoid osteoma located in the distal third of the tibia, treated by the surgical excision of the nidus using the intraoperatively isotopic marking which allows reducing the incision size and the bony resection.

[Transuterine migration of intrauterine contraceptive devices]. / Migration transutérine des dispositifs intra-utérins.

UNLABELLED: The intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is frequently used. The use of IUCD can be responsible of serious complications as transuterine migration. In this study, we evaluate the physiopathology, the strategy of diagnosis and treatment of the IUCD translocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of nine cases of IUCD migration having occurred between 2004 and 2009. We discussed the age, the type of IUCD, the risk factors, the mechanisms of migration, the circumstances and methods of diagnosis, the treatment and the evolution of IUCD migration. Mean age of the patients was 35 years. The risk factors were: multiparity, anteversus uterus, scarred uterus, IUCD postpartal insertion, inexperience of the operator. Most patients were asymptomatic. Two patients had urinary symptoms. The diagnosis of an extrauterine device was confirmed by abdominal X-ray and ultrasound results in all patients. The endoscopic treatment was successful in 66% of cases. All patients had an uneventful recovery. Transuterine migration remains one of the least common but most serious complications associated with the use of an IUCD. This complication could be controlled if thorough gynaecological exam was performed, if risk factors were delineated, if the IUCD was technically well inserted and a rigorous surveillance was performed.

[Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland in young children]. / Carcinome mucoépidermoïde de la glande parotide chez le petit enfant.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland is a rare malignant tumor mostly affecting adults. It accounts for 1 to 3 % of head and neck malignant tumors. It is very rarely observed in children under 10 years of age. OBSERVATION: A four-and-half-year-old boy was brought to consultation in our department, in June 2006, for a left cervical swelling having progressively increased over the previous two years. Cervical US confirmed the presence of a 2.3cm long tumor of the left parotid area, hyperechogenic and heterogenic, associated to a homolateral lymphadenopathy in the jugular and carotid region (zone II), 2cm in diameter. A total parotidectomy preserving the facial nerve was performed. The biopsy extemporaneous histological examination suggested a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Surgery was completed by functional neck dissection. DISCUSSION: Our four-and-half-year-old patient was one of the youngest cases ever reported. Malignant parotid gland tumors are very rarely observed in children: less than 19 cases have been published worldwide. Its occurrence in a young child under ten years of age is very rare. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma accounts for one third of all malignant parotid gland tumors.