Annealing effect on the physical properties of TiO2 thin films deposited by spray pyrolysis.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films were deposited on glass substrates at 350 °C using the spray pyrolysis technique. As deposited and annealed thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and photodetection. Unlike the as deposited samples which were amorphous, annealed samples show an anatase phase. Films were absorbent in the UV region and the band gap energy decreases from 3.78 eV to 3.4 eV with annealing. The photoresponse of TiO2 photodetectors was recorded under UV (λ1 = 365 nm, λ2 = 254 nm) and visible light illumination by reversible switching (ON/OFF) cycles using DC electrical characterization. Photosensitive properties such as reproducible photosensitivity, responsivity, and detectivity were also studied.

[Stigma in psychiatry]. / Stigmatisation en psychiatrie.

Mental illness affects 48.9 % of the Moroccan population. Despite this significant figure, mental illness remains unrecognized. The patients suffering from mental disorders are therefore subject to stigma and social rejection. A descriptive study was conducted at the consultation service of the psychiatric Ibn Nafiss hospital of the CHU of Marrakech. We chose as a sample 100 stabilized patients, followed on an outpatient basis. The study included the three mental disorders: depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The number of patients in each group had been fixed beforehand; and we tried to get a fairly even distribution between the two genders. The questionnaire had three main axes: (1) Sociodemographic data of the patient. (2) Knowledge of the disease. (3) Evaluation of the experience of stigma. The results of our sample were as follows: For both sexes the age extremes were 19 to 68 years with an average of 38.5 with a clear predominance of women. For the entire population, most patients were single with a percentage of 60 %. Two thirds of the patients, i.e. 59 %, did not exceed primary school. For personal medical history, endocrine pathologies were the most prevalent, at 18 % of cases, while depression was the most common family psychiatric history in our study. We noticed that our population suffered more discrimination and disclosure from those around them regardless of family, social and professional with less appreciation of the positive aspects.

Chemical composition and antifungal effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium tripedale (Tvautv.) against Candida species.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Treatment of life-threatening fungal infections caused by Candida species has become a major problem. Candida spp. are the most important causative agents of candidiasis. Allium tripedale is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used to treat infections. In the present study, we aimed to determine the chemical compounds and antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extract of A. tripedale against different species of Candida. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phytochemical analysis was performed to identify the possible bioactive components of this extract by using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The hydroalcoholic extract of A. tripedale were collected. Different concentrations of A. tripedale (50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 mg/ml) were used to evaluate its antifungal activity against Candida species (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei) using disk diffusion assay. RESULTS: The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 40 different phytoconstituents with peak area; the major compounds were tetracosane, hexadecanoic acid, 1-eicosanol, 1,2-dihydro-pyrido[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazin-3-one, 2-hexadecen-1-ol, and 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl. Hydroalcoholic extract showed strong antimicrobial activity (inhibition zone ⩾ 20 mm), moderate antimicrobial activity (inhibition zone < 12-20 mm), and no inhibition (zone < 12 mm). In addition, the hydroalcoholic extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial properties against C. albicans strains. CONCLUSION: A. tripedale extract had a considerable inhibitory effect against various Candida species, but its highest inhibitory effect was against Candid albicans. Further investigations are required to detect the performance of this plant in the treatment of Candida infection.

[Chronic epicarditis, a soft pericardial constriction: about one case]. / L'épicardite chronique, une constriction à péricarde souple : à propos d'un cas.

Chronic constrictive epicarditis is a special form of chronic pericarditis. It is characterized by a thickening of the visceral pericardium that becomes adherent to cardiovascular structures, thus impeding the diastolic filling of the ventricles. The parietal pericardium remains soft, without symphysis with the visceral pericardium. We illustrate the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this pathology by a clinical case.

FEV1 and FVC pulmonary function reference values among 6-18-year-old children: a multi-centre study in Saudi Arabia.

It is important to establish lung function reference values for each population. This study aimed to determine the spirometric reference values for healthy Saudi Arabian children and adolescents and to derive prediction equations for these. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy schoolboys and girls aged 6-18 years old, selected randomly from the 6 administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by questionnaire and physical examinations including spirometry. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly higher in males than females. Height was the anthropometric variable most strongly correlated with FEV1 (r = 0. 61), more so for males (r = 0.71) than females (r = 0.50). In males the multivariate linear regression model explained 53.9% of FEV1 and 35.1% of FVC variations. In females it explained 25.3% of FEV1 and 16.5% of FVC variations. All changes in R² were statistically significant.

[Anaphylaxis to protamine during cardiovascular surgery]. / L'allergie à la protamine en chirurgie cardiovasculaire.

Protamine is a polypeptide with low molecular weights that is used widely to reverse heparin anticoagulation during cardiac surgery. Protamine, efficient and relatively sure, can produce multiple adverse reactions after intravenous administration, including pulmonary hypertension, or systemic hypotension leading at times to cardiovascular collapse and death. Physiopathologic mechanisms, underlying these reactions, are not clear. Immunologic and non-immunologic pathways are suggested. Some risk factors expose to protamine's adverse reactions. Preoperative identification of these factors should prompt specific preventive measures. The anesthesiologist and the cardiac surgeon must be vigilant when administrating protamine. Reheparinization and reinstitution of cardiopulmonary bypass should be considered in patients with refractory shock.

Comparative Evaluation of Iron Deficiency among Obese and Non-obese Children.

BACKGROUND: Obese children are at the risk of micronutrient deficiency especially iron deficiency. Given the importance of iron deficiency in this age group and considering the existing discrepancies, present study was performed with the aim of evaluating iron deficiency in obese children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was conducted, in the form of a case-control study, on 100 children aged between 5 to 15 during June and November 2013 in Kashan. Cases consisted of 50 obese children and controls were 50 children who were not obese.Blood sample was drawn to check for serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) by biochemistry method and plasma ferritin by ELISA method. The obtained data were entered into SPSS software version 16 and statistically analyzed. P < 0.05 was identified as statistically significance. RESULTS: The mean values of serum iron were 52.38 and 64.50 microg/dL for the case and control groups (P<0.02). TIBC levels in obese and non-obese Children were 434.80 and 382.28 microg/dL (P<0.008). The ferritin level in the study group was 70.56 versus 68.06 ng/ml in the control group (P=0.79). In the obese children group, 8.3% (n=2) of children with iron deficiency had ferritin levels less than 15 while in control group 100% (n=14) of iron deficient children had ferritin levels below 15 (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, mean serum iron levels were lower among obese children in comparison with control group. However, ferritin concentrations were similar in both groups. It is supposed that due to inflammatory state caused by obesity, serum ferritin levels are naturally higher in obese people. It is suggested that higher levels of ferritin considered as normal reference values in obese people.

FEV1 and FVC pulmonary function reference values among 6-18-year-old children: a multi-centre study in Saudi Arabia

من المهم إقرار قيم مرجعية لوظائف الرئة لكل مجموعة سكانية. وتهدف هذه الدراسة إلى التعرف على القيم المرجعية للقياسات التنفسية لدى الأطفال والمراهقين الأصحاء في المملكة العربية السعودية، واشتقاق معادلات للتنبؤ بقيمها.وقد أجرى الباحثون دراسة مستعرضة شملت تلاميذ وتلميذات أصحاء تراوح أعمارهم بين 6 و 18 عاما، تم اختيارهم عشوائيا من ست مناطق إدارية في المملكة العربية السعودية. وجمع الباحثون البيانات من خلال استبيان ومن خال الفحص المادي باستخدام المقياس التنفسي. واتضح أن قيم حجم الزفير القسري خلال الثانية الأولى والسعة الحيوية القسرية كانت أعلى بمقدار يعتد به إحصائيا لدى الذكور مما هي لدى الإناث. وقد كان الطول هو المتغير الأكثر أهمية من حيث الترابط في القياسات البشرية ذات الصلة بحجم الزفير القسري خلال الثانية الأولى [معامل الارتباط r = 0.61]وهو أكثر قيمة لدى الذكور [معامل الارتباط r = 0.71]منه لدى الإناث [معامل الارتباط r = 0.5]وقد أوضح نموذج التحوف الخطي المتعدد المتغيرات لدى الذكور تفسر التفاوتات لدى 53.9 من حجم الزفير القسري خلال الثانية الأولى و35.1 % من السعة الحيوية القسرية، أما ما لدى الإناث فقد فسر التفاوتات لدى 25.3 % من حجم الزفير القسري خلال الثانية الأولى و16.5% من السعة الحيوية القصوى. وقد كانت جميع التغيرات في مربع معامل الارتباط R[2] ذات أهمية يعتد بها إحصائيا

ABSTRACT It is important to establish lung function reference values for each population. This study aimed todetermine the spirometric reference values for healthy Saudi Arabian children and adolescents and to deriveprediction equations for these. A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthy schoolboys and girlsaged 6–18 years old, selected randomly from the 6 administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collectedby questionnaire and physical examinations including spirometry. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)and forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly higher in males than females. Height was the anthropometricvariable most strongly correlated with FEV1 (r = 0. 61), more so for males (r = 0.71) than females (r = 0.50). Inmales the multivariate linear regression model explained 53.9% of FEV1 and 35.1% of FVC variations. In females itexplained 25.3% of FEV1 and 16.5% of FVC variations. All changes in R2 were statistically significant.

RÉSUMÉ Il est important d'établir des valeurs de référence de la fonction respiratoire pour chaque population. Laprésente étude visait à déterminer les valeurs spirométriques de référence chez des enfants et des adolescentssaoudiens en bonne santé et à en déduire des équations pronostiques pour ces derniers. Une étude transversalea été menée auprès d'écoliers et d'étudiants des deux sexes en bonne santé et âgés de 6 à 18 ans, sélectionnésaléatoirement dans six régions administratives d'Arabie saoudite. Des données ont été recueillies au moyen d'unquestionnaire et d'examens cliniques, y compris la spirométrie. Le volume expiratoire maximal par seconde (VEMS) etla capacité vitale forcée (CVF) étaient nettement supérieurs chez les garçons que chez les filles. La taille était la variableanthropométrique la plus fortement corrélée au VEMS (r = 0, 61), et cette corrélation était plus forte chez les garçons(r = 0,71) que chez les filles (r = 0,50). Chez les garçons, le modèle de régression linéaire multivariée expliquait 53,9 %des variations du VEMS et 35,1 % des variations de la CVF. Chez les filles, le modèle expliquait 25,3 % des variations duVEMS et 16,5 % des variations de la CVF. Toutes les évolutions du R2 étaient statistiquement significatives.

[Syphilitic aortic regurgitation: a sexually transmissible cardiopathy]. / L'insuffisance aortique d'origine syphilitique : une cardiopathie sexuellement transmissible.

Syphilitic cardiovascular complications are currently rare. It concerns the tertiary phase of the disease and results in sacciform aneurysm of the thoracic aorta or ostial coronary artery stenosis. Syphilitic aortic regurgitation is even more rare. We illustrate it by a clinical observation and discuss its diagnosis and its treatment.

Prognostic role of Helicobacter pylori infection in acute coronary syndrome: a prospective cohort study.

In a prospective cohort study, we evaluated the effect of Helicobacter pylori seropositivity on the risk of future adverse cardiovascular outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In 433 patients, IgA and IgG antibodies to H pylori, along with classic risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, smoking and family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) were determined. Short and long-term follow-up information on adverse outcomes, defined as recurrence of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and sudden cardiac death was obtained. None of the classic CAD risk factors correlated with incidence of either short- or long-term outcomes. Seropositivity for H pylori was significantly associated with risk of short-term adverse outcomes, and independently predicted their incidence in multivariate regression (R = 3.05, p < 0.001). Results failed to show such an association between H pylori seropositivity and long-term adverse outcomes. H pylori infection may affect short-term prognosis in patients with ACS. Randomised trials are needed to evaluate the role of H pylori eradication in these patients.

State-of-the-art chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension diagnosis and management.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a debilitating disease caused by chronic obstruction of pulmonary artery branches following episodes of pulmonary embolism and incomplete thrombus resolution. The prognosis of patients with CTEPH is poor unless an early diagnosis is made and treatment is initiated. Chest radiography and echocardiography are used in the initial assessment of suspected pulmonary hypertension. A diagnosis of CTEPH may be confirmed by the presence of a mismatched wedge-shaped perfusion deficit during ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy or characteristic findings during multi-slice computed tomography (CT) angiography, including a mosaic perfusion pattern, dilatation of proximal pulmonary arteries and right heart chambers, and the presence of vascular stenosis or obstruction. Prior to possible surgery, pulmonary angiography remains the definitive diagnostic technique, indicating the site and accessibility of the obstruction. However, many centres utilise CT and magnetic resonance imaging following recent advances in these noninvasive techniques. Haemodynamic evaluation via right heart catheterisation is also mandatory, as pulmonary vascular resistance is the most important determinant of both prognosis and the risk associated with pulmonary endarterectomy surgery. Accurate CTEPH diagnosis and characterisation of its extent and distribution are imperative to allow the prompt initiation of treatment, particularly surgical pulmonary endarterectomy in eligible patients.

A randomized controlled trial on the hemostasis of femoral artery using topical hemostatic agent.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effect of using a topical hemostatic agent named "ChitoHem(®)" on different factors on patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. METHODS: The present blind, randomized, controlled study included 124 patients randomly divided into 2 groups. In the treatment group following femoral sheath removal, ChitoHem(®) powder and in the control group conventional hemostatic procedure was applied. RESULTS: In the treatment group, time to hemostasis, ambulation, and the use of sandbag were significantly shorter compared with the control group, respectively (4.6 ± 1.3 vs 12.4 ± 4.4 minutes, 3.5 ± 2.7 vs 23.0 ± 1.73 hours and 1.6 vs 98.4%; P < .05). There were no significant differences in hematoma formation and re-bleeding between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: It was exhibited ChitoHem(®) topical hemostatic powder used on treatment patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography was statistically superior at reducing the time to hemostasis and ambulation as well as the use of sandbags compared with manual compression in control group.

Outbreak of tularaemia in brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in France, January to March 2011.

We report an outbreak of tularaemia in brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in France, which occurred from January to March 2011 and was characterised by a high mortality rate in the local hare population. In France, hare tularaemia is usually sporadic and does not significantly affect hare populations. The epizootic form of the outbreak reported here led us to reconsider the potential associated risks for hare populations and public health.

[Vidéo-assisted mitral valve surgery: state of the art]. / La chirurgie mitrale vidéo-assistée : état de l'art.

Video-assisted mitral valve surgery by right mini-thoracotomy is adopted systematically in many centers in the world. It is a safe procedure that offers good results with low morbidity. His major interest can be appreciated in surgical management of mitral valve regurgitation after coronary artery bypass.

[Variation of cognitive functions and glycemia during physical exercise in Ramadan fasting]. / Variation des fonctions cognitives et de la glycémie lors de l'exercice physique durant le jeûne du mois de Ramadan.

INTRODUCTION: During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset. Several studies have shown that Ramadan fasting affects biochemical parameters, sleep/wake cycle, behaviour and food habits. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting (RF) and physical exercise on cognitive functions, blood glucose. METHODS: Eleven healthy male volunteers aged 20.45+/-1.65 years were assessed before RF (B.RF), during the 1st week (wk), 3rd wk and 1 wk B.RF, in blood sugar, work memory (WM), visual perception (VP), before exercise (B. Ex) and after exercise (A. Ex) exercise of 1000 m. RESULTS: Compared to control days (B.RF), there were no significant changes in body mass index. Physical performance declined significantly during 1st wk (p<0.001), 3th wk (p<0.013) and before (p<0.046) of RF. At the level of the glycemia, the results show a significant effect of Ramadan by increasing gradually during Ramadan but nevertheless, the values remain lower of 100mg/dl. No significant change was observed between B. Ex and A. Ex value in WM during RF. However, the WM A. Ex value increase significantly during and after RF (respectively 1st wk (p<0.013), 3rd wk (p<0.005) and before (p<0.003). The VP was significantly affected by fasting effect (F=16.84, p<0.001) and exercise effect (F=14.01, p<0.0001), and was progressively increased 15.56% in the 1st wk, 25.69%, the 3rd wk during RF, and 27.07% A.RF, but no significant change was found in errors performances of VP during and after RF. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the intermittent fasting imply differently effects on cognitive functions and physiological.

Comparative genomics-guided loop-mediated isothermal amplification for characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola.

AIMS: To design and evaluate a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) protocol by combining comparative genomics and bioinformatics for characterization of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (PSP), the causal agent of halo blight disease of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). METHODS AND RESULTS: Genomic sequences of Pseudomonas syringae pathovars, P. fluorescens and P. aeruginosa were analysed using multiple sequence alignment. A pathovar-specific region encoding pathogenicity-related secondary metabolites in the PSP genome was targeted for developing a LAMP assay. The final assay targeted a polyketide synthase gene, and readily differentiated PSP strains from other Pseudomonas syringae pathovars and other Pseudomonas species, as well as other plant pathogenic bacteria, e.g. species of Pectobacterium, Erwinia and Pantoea. CONCLUSION: A LAMP assay has been developed for rapid and specific characterization and identification of PSP from other pathovars of P. syringae and other plant-associated bacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This paper describes an approach combining a bioinformatic data mining strategy and comparative genomics with the LAMP technology for characterization and identification of a plant pathogenic bacterium. The LAMP assay could serve as a rapid protocol for microbial identification and detection with significant applications in agriculture and environmental sciences.

[Middle aortic syndrome: a case report]. / Middle aortic syndrome: à propos d'un cas.

Middle aortic syndrome (MAS) results from a diffuse narrowing of the distal thoracic or abdominal aorta commonly involving both the visceral and renal arteries. Congenital, acquired, inflammatory, and infectious etiologies have been described. Symptoms typically occur within the first three decades of life and include hypertension, lower extremity claudication, and mesenteric ischemia. The condition is considered a life-threatening emergency as a result of the complications associated with severe hypertension. Diagnosis is made with magnetic resonance and computed tomography angiography. Surgical bypass grafting is the optimal method of treatment and must be tailored depending on the distribution of disease. We report one case of MAS treated with thoracic aorta to abdominal aorta bypass and reimplantation of the right renal artery.

Abiotic degradation of imazethapyr in aqueous solution.

The photodegradation of imazethapyr [2-(4,5-dihydro-4-méthyl-4-(1-méthylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-5-ethyl-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid] in aqueous solution in the presence of titranium dioxide (TiO2) and humic acids (HA) at different ratios of herbicide/TiO2 and herbicide/humic acids was studied at pH 7.0. Irradiation was carried out with polychromatic light using Heraeus apparatus equipped with xenon lamp to simulate sunlight having a spectral energy distribution similar to solar irradiation (>290 nm). The concentration of remaining herbicide was followed using a High Pressure Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC) equipped with UV detector at 230 nm. In pure aqueous solution imazethapyr degrades slowly and the photodegradation leads to the formation of two metabolites labelled A and B. The presence of TiO2 caused enhancement of the degradation rate. The presence of HA induced an increase of the photodegradation of the pesticide with respect to pure aqueous solution.