Solvatochromism, Preferential Solvation and Multiparametric Approach to the Spectral Shift of Methyl Orange in Aqueous Cosolvent Mixtures.

In this study, the solvatochromic behavior of Methyl orange was studied visible spectrophotometrically in seven aqueous binary systems from water with methanol, ethanol, propanol, DMF, DMSO, acetone and dioxane solvents. The spectral data was interpreted in terms of solute-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions. The deviation from linearity in the plots of νmax versus x2 due to preferential solvation of the Methyl orange by one component of the mixed solvent and due to solvent microheterogeneity. The preferential solvation parameters local mole fraction X2L, solvation index δs2 and exchange constant K12 were evaluated. The preference of solute to be solvated by one of the solvating species relative to others was explained. All values of K12 were less than unity that indicates the preferential solvation of Methyl orange by water, except in case the water-propanol mixture where K12 was higher than unity. The preferential solvation index δs2 values were calculated and interpreted for each binary mixture. The magnitude of preferential solvation index was highest in water-DMSO mixtures than in the all other solvent mixtures. The energy of electronic transition in maximum absorption (ET) was calculated in each binary mixture. The extent and importance of each solute-solvent interactions to ET were analyzed by the linear solvation energy relationships using the Kamlet-Taft strategy.

Contribution of ultrasound scans in the first episode of urinary tract infection in children.

Background - Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common pediatric urologic disorder. After the first urinary tract infection (UTI), imaging studies are recommended, starting with a renal ultrasound (US) and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). We propose to determine whether abnormalities found on US can help indicate the necessity of VCUG in children after the first urinary tract infection. Methods - A retrospective study included all children admitted with their first episode of urinary tract infection from January 2007 to December 2012. Results - A total of 311 children were included. The median age was 2.5 years, 72.3% were female. VUR Prevalence was 14%.  Forty-four patients were found to have VUR on VCUG, giving a prevalence of 14%. Of these 44 patients, 11 had grade I reflux, 6 had grade II reflux, 3 had grade III reflux, 15had grade IV reflux, and 9 had grade V reflux. Ultrasound findings were positive for VUR in 43 patients, 19 of them had RVU. Twenty five patients had a normal ultrasound but showed VUR on VCUG (11 had grade I reflux, six grade II reflux, three grade III reflux and five grade IV reflux).  The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in suggesting VUR were 43% and 91%, respectively. The positive predictive value of ultrasound in suggesting VUR was 44%; the negative predictive value was 91%. Conclusion - Renal ultrasound findings are specific for VUR in children with a first UTI, but no sensitive. Clinicians should consider renal ultrasound results to take decision on whether or not to proceed with a VCUG in the investigation of a first episode UTI in young children.

[Validation of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire in Tunisian language]. / Validation de la version dialectale tunisienne de l'ankylosing spondylitis quality of life (ASQoL).

BACKGROUND: The Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL) questionnaire is a Wide-world used, unidimensional, disease-specific measure of quality of life. Arabic or Tunisian versions of ASQoL or any other quality of life index are not provided. AIM: To adapt the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of life Questionnaire (ASQoL) for use in Tunisian and to test its reliability and validity. METHODS: 99 patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were included in this study (84 male and 15 female). The translation process included the recent guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation. Reliability of the Tunisian version of the ASQoL was assessed by test-retest method (day 1 and day 10) and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. For construct validity, ASQoL scores were correlated with specific instruments of AS. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 38.35 years ± 12.26 (18- 73) and the mean disease duration was 11.3 years ± 9.4 (0.6 - 40). The mean time to complete the questionnaire was 5 minutes. Reproducibility was good with no significant difference between ASQoL0 (mean score = 9.8 ± 5.04) and ASQoL10 (mean score = 9.46 ± 5.89) as well as the statically significant positive correlation intra-class coefficient: 0.87 (IC 95%: 0.79-0.92). Internal consistency was good (Cronbach: 0.933; IC95%=0.86-0.95). ASQoL was significantly correlated with BASDAI (p<0.001), BASFI (p<0.001), BASG-s (p<0.001), BASMI (p=0.026), MASES (p=0.024) and all items of SF-36. CONCLUSION: Validation of the ASQoL for use in Tunisia was successful. The results of the present study indicate that the Tunisian version for ASQoL is reliable and valid.

Contribution of laparoscopy in the abdominal tuberculosis diagnosis: retrospective study of about 11 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal tuberculosis is one of the most frequent extra-pulmonary localizations. Its diagnosis is difficult and may lead to a delayed prescription of specific treatment. This study is aimed at stressing the role of laparoscopy associated with a biopsy in the diagnostic confirmation of abdominal tuberculosis particularly in doubtful cases. METHODS: The diagnostic features of 11 cases hospitalized for abdominal tuberculosis in the Paediatric Surgery Department of Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital in Monastir for a 6-year period (2001-2006), were evaluated retrospectively. The diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis was substantiated histopathologically by laparoscopy in all cases. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics along with the laboratory, radiological and histological data were studied. RESULTS: Eleven cases of abdominal tuberculosis with a mean age of 5.6 years were diagnosed. It was peritoneal tuberculosis in all cases and associated with intestinal localization in one case. A conversion to laparotomy was practiced in three patients: appendicular plastron in one case, pseudo-tumor aspect of an intestinal loop in another case and because of their pathological aspect appendicectomy and caecum biopsy in the third. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically by biopsies in nine cases and on excision pieces in the other two cases. All patients had an uneventful course with an antituberculosis treatment. CONCLUSION: Abdominal tuberculosis is still frequent in Tunisia. Because of its non-specific clinical presentation and the limited means of investigation, a laparoscopy with biopsy should be practiced as first line diagnostic tool in case of doubtful abdominal tuberculosis. The earlier the diagnosis is established and an adapted antituberculosis treatment is started, the better the prognosis is.

Congenital hypothyroidism presenting with reversible renal impairment: an under-recognised problem?

BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism with impairment of renal function and raised creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) is described in adults and children with acquired hypothyroidism, but not in congenital hypothyroidism. CASE PRESENTATION: A male infant born at term weighing 3390 g was seen aged 2 months with prolonged jaundice. Examination showed somnolence, umbilical hernia, enlarged fontanelles and lower limb edema; length 55 cm (-1.5 SD), weight 5.4 kg (-0.13 SD). Biochemistry showed fT4 < 1 pmol/L, TSH = 1044.36 µUI/mL, creatinine 77 µmol/L(normal <35 µmol/L), estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) 26 ml/min/1.73 m2, CPK 3952.5 IU/L (normal<400 IU/L). Ultrasound showed no thyroid tissue in the neck. In view of the renal impairment, peritoneal dialysis was initially contemplated but postponed and the child received levothyroxine 10 µg/kg/day. Two months later thyroid function tests, CPK and renal function had all normalized with creatinine 19 µmol/L and GFR 116 ml/min/1.73m2. DISCUSSION: Reversible renal impairment is attributable to severe congenital hypothyroidism causing decreased myocardial contractility and cardiac output and to a direct effect on the kidneys. Thyroid function should be checked in infants with renal impairment of unknown cause. Cautious fluid management is indicated in hypothyroid infants. Hypothyroidism may also be associated with elevated serum CPK levels but resolves with thyroxin therapy.

Validation of the Arabic and Tunisian Arabic version of the KINDL questionnaires for children with diabetes type 1.

AIM: We aimed to validate the Arabic and Tunisian Arabic versions of diabetes- specific quality of life (QOL) instrument KINDL-R Diabetes Module for Tunisian children population with type 1 diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This a cross-sectional study to validate Arabic and Tunisian KINDL QOL instrument that we translate in literary and dialectal Arabic. Both forward and backward translations from the German version of KINDL QOL into Arabic version were performed. Our project received a GPED grant in August 2014. After the face validity of the Arabic version was established, it was then pilot-tested. Finally, the validity and reliability of the final version of the Arabic KINDL questionnaire were evaluated. RESULTS: The KINDL-R Diabetes Module (DM) questionnaire of QOL was given to 212 persons : 108 children (aged 3-17 years) with T1DM and 104 parents. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the overall items and the main domains was about 0.7. The mean total score of the KINDL-R DM was 69,56  ± 14,01 in children aged 7-13 years, 59.93± 15.17 in children aged 13-17 years and 56.6± 9.9 in parents (higher scores indicate better QOL). The parents reported lower diabetes-specific HRQOL than the children themselves (p < 0.01).Emotional score was correlated to environment (p = 0,03). Self-esteem was reported to environment (p = 0,02) and mother's instruction level's (p = 0,014). CONCLUSIONS: The KINDL-R Diabetes Module (DM) of QOL in literary and dialectal Arabic have sufficient acceptability, reliability and validity so as to be used for the purposes of a comparative in Tunisian and Arabic populations.