LANGUAGE LEARNING PLATFORMS: CONNECTING THE DOTS AROUND ROSETTA STONE PLATFORM

Language learning platforms have become significantly popular in recent years, with Rosetta Stone being one of the most well-known and widely used platforms. Rosetta Stone was established in 1992 and offers courses in 30 different languages. Its unique approach to language learning aims to simulate immersion and provide learners with comprehensible input by avoiding the use of translation. Importantly, Rosetta Stone uses images and audio recordings to teach vocabulary and grammar in context. Notwithstanding its popularity, questions remain about the effectiveness of Rosetta Stone in improving language proficiency. To address this issue, this paper is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Rosetta Stone as a language learning platform. It draws upon a comprehensive analysis of empirical studies to assess the utility of this platform in boosting learners’’ language-related skills. It equally examines its advantages and limitations. What transpires from this review is that Rosetta Stone is instrumental in improving language proficiency, particularly in the areas of vocabulary and reading comprehension. Additionally, the review identified several advantages of Rosetta Stone, including its personalized learning approach and its multimedia content. Regardless of its effectiveness, Rosetta Stone platform displays some limitations, such as the lack of explicit grammar instruction and the difficulty in achieving conversational capability. The findings of this review have important implications for language educators, learners, and those interested in ICT-based language teaching/learning.  Article visualizations

Les déterminants du misalignement du taux de change réel : Analyse empirique pour le cas de la région MENA

The purpose of this paper is to explain the magnitude of the misalignment of the real exchange rate and its determinants for the MENA countries. Misalignment is defined as the deviation of the real exchange rate from its equilibrium level, unlike volatility which is defined as fluctuations that are very frequent but do not persist. Through this study, an attempt is made to broaden the traditional analysis, focusing mainly on the role of the exchange rate regimes on misalignment of the REER. On the same point of view, the roles of the persistence of misalignment, the quality of institutions, financial development and inflation in the misalignment of the real equilibrium exchange rate of the region. The results of the empirical analysis show that the most advantageous exchange rate regime for the MENA countries is the floating regime. Also, the quality of institutions, financial development and inflation are determinants of the shift of the REER from its equilibrium value

Breast cancer treatment and sexual dysfunction: Moroccan women's perception

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This exploratory prospective study evaluated women's responses to questions that asked them to describe how their body image and sexual functioning had changed since their breast cancer diagnosis to treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A questionnaire concerning body image scale and various sexual problems experienced after diagnosis and treatment was anonymously completed by 120 women in the outpatient clinic of our hospital's Division of medical Oncology. To be eligible, subjects had to be sexually active and had histology proven breast cancer. They also had to have received treatment for breast cancer.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>100% of participants have never spoken with their doctor about this subject. 84% of the participants continued sexual activity after treatment, but there was an increase in the incidence of sexual functioning problems which resulted in a slight reduction in the quality of their sex lives. 65% of the women experienced dyspareunia followed by lubrication difficulties (54%) and the absence or reduction of sexual desire (48% and 64%, respectively) while, 37% had lack of satisfaction (37%). Female orgasmic disorder and brief intercourse and arousal were reported respectively by 40% and 38% of the subjects. The sexual dysfunctions were absent before diagnosis and management of breast cancer in 91.5% subjects and of these 100% subjects complained of a deterioration of the symptomatology after the various treatments. 90% of the dysfunctions were observed after chemotherapy, 9% after surgery and 3% after radiotherapy; none of the subjects indicated the onset of dysfunctions to have been associated with hormonotherapy. 100% expressed not having received sufficient information about how the disease and treatment (including surgery) might affect their sexual life.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Breast cancer and its treatment may result in significant difficulties with sexual functioning and sexual life. Addressing these problems is essential to improve the quality of life of Moroccan women with breast cancer.</p

Is there any advantage to combined trastuzumab and chemotherapy in perioperative setting her 2neu positive localized gastric adenocarcinoma?

We report here a 44-year-old Moroccan man with resectable gastric adenocarcinoma with overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) by immunohistochemistry who was treated with trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy in perioperative setting. He received 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of trastuzumab, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine. Afterwards, he received total gastrectomy with extended D2 lymphadenectomy without spleno-pancreatectomy. A pathologic complete response was obtained with a combination of trastuzumab and oxaliplatin and capecitabine. He received 3 more cycles of trastuzumab containing regimen postoperatively

When tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib can be discontinued in metastatic renal cell carcinoma to pancreas: a case report

Abstract Background Long-term survival with durable response remains possible in the area of targeted therapies. Discontinuation of sunitinib could improve quality of life and reduce treatment costs in metastatic renal cell carcinoma with long-term disease stabilization. We discuss a case of successful interruption of antiangiogenic therapy in a patient with persisting evidence of metastases. The discontinuation of antiangiogenic therapy seems to be an option, even in indolent oligo-metastatic renal cell carcinoma with long disease stabilization before sunitinib. This observation contributes important data to the ongoing discussion on the discontinuation of treatment with kinase inhibitors in selected patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Case presentation We report a case of an 80-year-old Moroccan man treated for renal clear cell carcinoma with multiple pancreatic metastases. He was not on any other medications. He underwent active surveillance with deferred sunitinib at disease progression. He showed significant disease control on sunitinib therapy demonstrating partial response with stable disease after a total of 28 months of therapy. He experienced toxicities which were manageable with supportive care and dose adjustments. Our patient asked for a break of the sunitinib administration, and the treatment was stopped. The disease remained stable after 13 months’ discontinuation of sunitinib therapy. The patient was in excellent overall health. Conclusions All available agents for metastatic renal cell carcinoma have side effects, which may become serious in a minority of patients. Clinicians and patients must therefore carefully balance the goals of maximal efficacy with minimal toxicity. Sunitinib can be discontinued without negatively impacting outcomes in indolent disease. Further research is needed to characterize the molecular determinants of response and resistance to targeted therapy

Renal damage induced by pemetrexed causing drug discontinuation: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Pemetrexed maintenance therapy holds tremendous potential in improving the survival of patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Major side effects include myelosuppression and cutaneous reactions. However, little data are available on pemetrexed nephrotoxicity. Our case describes clinically relevant renal events leading to treatment discontinuation in routine practice. Case presentation We report a case of a 69-year-old Moroccan man treated for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. He was not on any other medications and he did not receive any nephrotoxic agents. He was exposed to intravenously administered contrast from thoracoabdominal computed tomography in the week of his last pemetrexed treatment. He developed kidney disease related to pemetrexed. He was submitted to renal biopsy, which showed acute tubular damage and interstitial fibrosis. His kidney function remained impaired, but stable, after discontinuation of pemetrexed therapy. He died 5 months later. Conclusions Medical oncologists should be aware of renal adverse events for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer eligible for pemetrexed maintenance therapy. Suggestions for mitigating the risk for renal toxicities (dehydration, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and zoledronic acid, radiocontrast agents) during pemetrexed maintenance should be followed to enable early detection and management of this adverse event

Trophic Interactions of European Hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) in Benthic Communities off the Moroccan Mediterranean Coastline: Seasonal and Ontogenetic Shifts

The European hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758), is one of the most important resources for Mediterranean fisheries. Due to its pivotal role in energy transfer from lower to higher trophic levels, this species is a crucial component of the ecosystem’s functioning. The ecological role of Merluccius merluccius, off the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea (southern Alboran Sea), was investigated, exploring seasonal and ontogenetic shifts, geographical variations in prey composition, and feeding strategy. Between November 2020 and July 2022, a total of 402 hake specimens were collected by oceanographic bottom trawl surveys (MEDITS) that were carried out during warm and cold seasons to assess their diet and feeding habits. The sample was analyzed according to fish sizes and seasons, and qualitative/quantitative feeding indices were calculated. The trophic spectrum of Merluccius merluccius included 24 prey items in total, mainly belonging to Osteichthyes (12), Crustacea (10), Cephalopoda (1), and Polychaeta (1), suggesting a generalist behavior of this predator as in numerous regions of the Mediterranean Sea, with several species that occasionally occurs in its diet. In the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea, Osteichthyes proved to be the most important prey item (%IRI = 78.56) among the different zoological groups, followed by Crustacea (%IRI = 16.22). The other food items were occasionally and randomly consumed, and cannibalism was low (0.8%). Hierarchical cluster analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) showed different feeding habits of two main groups separated at 60% similarity: small specimens 0.05). A trophic level (TROPH) of 4.1 was calculated, indicating that the species is a top predator (quaternary consumers). The TROPH values ranged between 2.58 and 4.38 from juveniles to adults, increasing asymptotically with the size of specimens. In contrast to what has previously been found in other Mediterranean regions, where ichthyophagous hake feed mostly on pelagic Osteichthyes, such as Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardina pilchardus, and Micromesistius poutassou, the study points up the vital role played by Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus for hake diet in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea. Information on the feeding ecology of fish species as provided in this study is essential to improve ecosystem conservation in accordance with multispecies approach to fishery management, leading to a better understanding of the role of hake in the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea demersal communities

Heavy Metals Concentration in Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) from the Moroccan Mediterranean Coast and Potential Human Health Risk Assessment

Due to their toxicity, long persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and biomagnification in the food chain, heavy metals pose a serious hazard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health risks associated with the consumption of Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) and to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of four potentially toxic metallic elements. Three hundred and sixty specimens of sardine were collected between December 2020 and October 2021 at three Mediterranean coast sites, Beni-Ensar, Ras el Ma, and El-Houceima, in the northeast region of Morocco. The toxic metallic elements were evaluated by assessing the contamination level of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the muscle, liver, and gills of sardine from the Mediterranean Moroccan coast. The results showed a significant effect of the study area, organ, and season (p>0.05) on Moroccan Mediterranean sardine heavy metal contamination levels. Regardless the location and season, the liver presents the higher concentration of the studied metals (p<0.05). The highest heavy metal concentrations of Cd (0.408 μg·g−1 wet weight (ww)), Hg (0.044 μg·g−1 ww), and As (6.74 μg·g−1 ww) were found in winter while the concentration of Pb was the highest in autumn (0.056 μg·g−1 ww). Furthermore, the lowest contamination of metal levels was found in the spring. El-Houceima region contains the highest values for Hg (0.093 μg·g−1 ww), Pb (0.018 μg·g−1 ww), and As (7.73 μg·g−1 ww). However, the highest values for Cd (0.172 μg·g−1 ww) were recorded in Beni-Ensar. Regarding the assessment of possible risks to human health, the results showed that the indices are below the established safety values in the case of estimated weekly intake, and target hazard quotient (THQ). In contrast, the carcinogenic risk index and total THQ were above the threshold limits and thus represented a potential carcinogenic risk to human health