Reversible Wernicke encephalopathy caused by hyperemesis gravidarum in the second trimester of pregnancy: a case report

Wernicke encephalopathy is a potentially life-threatening neurologic syndrome caused by acute thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. It is usually associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Less frequently, this syndrome can be caused by persistent vomiting. This is a case report of a 33-year-old woman diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) during the second trimester of pregnancy. The presence of neurological and ophthalmological symptoms in the context of hyperemesis gravidarum led us to evoke the diagnosis of WE, and it was confirmed when specific lesions were found in the brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Luckily for our patient, WE was diagnosed promptly and the signs were reversible after thiamine supplementation. In conclusion, any first line care taker or midwife must know the symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy because prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to recovery

Diffuse lipomatosis of the thyroid gland

AbstractDiffuse thyroïd lipomatosis is an extremely rare histopathological condition characterized by diffuse fatty infiltration in thyroïd stroma. We report a case of 67year old female who presented a plunging goiter. She underwent a thyroïdectomy. Histopathologic study concluded to the diagnosis of diffuse thyroïd lipomatosis. No recurrence was observed

Hookah smoking is strongly associated with diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and obesity: a population-based study

Objectives The adverse effects of cigarette smoking have been widely studied before, whilst the effects of hookah smoking has received less attention, although it is a common habit in the Middle East. Here we have investigated the effects of cigarette and hookah smoking on biochemical characteristics in a representative population sample derived from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder (MASHAD) cohort study, from Northeastern Iran. Study design A total of 9840 subjects from the MASHAD population study were allocated to five groups; non-smokers (6742), ex-smokers (976), cigarette smokers (864), hookah smokers (1067), concomitant cigarette and hookah smokers (41). Methods Baseline characteristics were recorded in a questionnaire. Biochemical characteristics were measured by routine methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results After adjustment for age and sex; the presence of CVD, obesity, metabolic syndrome, DM and dyslipidemia were significantly (p < 0.001) related to smoking status. After multivariate analysis, HDL (p < 0.001), WBC (p < 0.001), MCV (p < 0.05), PLT (p < 0.01) and RDW (p < 0.001), and the presence of CVD (p < 0.01), obesity (p < 0.001), metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05) and DM (p < 0.01) remained significant between cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Between hookah smokers and non-smokers; uric acid (p < 0.001), PLT (p < 0.05) and RDW (p < 0.05), and the presence of obesity (p < 0.01), metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.01) and dyslipidemia (p < 0.01) remained significant after logistic regression. Conclusion There was a positive association between hookah smoking and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia which was not established in cigarette smoking

L'influence de la pédagogie de projet sur les interactions en classe de FLE chez les adolescents à l'Alliance Française d'Abu Dhabi

Le français enseigné à des adolescents à l’Alliance Française d’Abu Dhabi n’est pas une discipline obligatoire. Les élèves qui y sont inscrits, pour la plus grande majorité sans que leurs parents leur aient demandé leur avis, arrivent en classe en traînant des pieds. Leur passivité manifeste s’illustre en cours par un manque de participation évident. Le but a donc été de chercher comment améliorer notre enseignement à l’Alliance, comment initier une pratique vivante de la langue pour dynamiser et rendre nos classes dynamiques. Nous nous sommes orientée vers la pédagogie de projet. Pour tester sa faisabilité et son efficacité, nous avons mis en place un projet qui avait pour but la création collective d’un audioguide.Les adolescents âgés de 12 à 14 ans et de niveau A2 ont pu travailler de manière collaborative et coopérative pour atteindre le résultat final (la création d’un audioguide). La participation active, les interactions entre pairs, la coopération, la responsabilité qui ont été adoptées par les apprenants lors de ce projet, sont des caractéristiques fondamentales de la pédagogie de projet. A l’issue de cette expérimentation, qui n’a pas eu lieu dans des conditions optimales du fait de la crise sanitaire (COVID 19), nous pouvons dire que le pari a été réussi puisque la majorité des élèves a pris part de manière active au projet

Recovery of colorants from red prickly pear peels and pulps enhanced by pulsed electric field and ultrasound

International audienceThe aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of the non-conventional pre-treatments; pulsed electric fields (PEFs) and ultrasounds (USNs), to enhance the extraction of red colorants from red prickly pear (Opuntia stricta Haw.) peels and pulps. The overall goal was to valorize the thick part of the fruit, being discarded for fruit's consumption. PEF and USN treatments were first optimized using fruit slices, followed by a supplementary aqueous extraction (+ SAE) up to 1 h. The optimal conditions were then applied for peels and pulps, separately. Results showed that PEF + SAE and USN + SAE enhanced significantly the extraction of red colorants (betanin/isobetanin), compared to untreated tissues. Promising results for colorants recovery were obtained from fruit peels, using both pre-treatments, compared to that obtained from pulps, and without pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed cell denaturation after PEF and USN pre-treatments, which can provide better recovery of the intracellular compounds with less impurity

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus among non institutionalized elderly in Monastir City

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diabetes is a major public health problem worldwide. This problem is particularly relevant to the elderly. The prevalence of each condition increase with age. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) among elderly; we also examined socio-economic factors and life style that are likely to be associated with DM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008–2009, and used a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample among non institutionalized elderly in Monastir City. A total of 598 elderly aged 65 to 95 years were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of DM was 27.4% (29.2% in males’ vs 26.5% in females). Elderly with DM showed higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity and abdominal obesity. DM prevalence decreased with advancing ages in both men and women. Urban residents had a higher prevalence than did their rural counterparts. In multivariate analysis, DM was associated with abdominal obesity (OR [95% CI], 2.6 [1.1-6]; p <0.01), co-existing diseases (3.8 [2.4-6]; p <0.01), and hypertension (2.7 [1.6-4.5] ; p <0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study highlights the DM problem in Tunisia. An ageing population together with social, economic and lifestyle changes have led to a dramatic increase in DM. These data emphasize the urgent need for a comprehensive integrated population-based intervention program to ameliorate the growing problem of DM.</p

Study of the electrical and chemical mechanisms induced by high voltage electrical discharges and application to biomolecules extraction, ECCE10-ECAB3-EPIC5

International audienc