Drug Abuse-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmias: Mechanisms and Management

Toxicomania is a worldwide emerging problem threatening young population. Several reports highlighted its hazardous cardiovascular effects. Sudden cardiac death secondary to cardiac arrhythmias is the most occupying issue. Different forms of cardiac rhythm disorders may be induced by illicit drug abuse according to the type of drug and the mechanism involved. In this review, we exposed the main ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmia complicating the common recreational drugs, and we explained their different mechanisms as well as the particularities of management

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Results of comparative trials between stone Pine (Pinus pinea L.)

Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is widely used for reforestation in northern Tunisia to produce both fruit and timber. A genetic improvement programme for this species has begun, the first stage of which is a geographic exploration of its genetic variability. Experimental plots have been established in several countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This article reports the results of 10 years of monitoring the two plots in northern Tunisia, at Jbel Essmaa and Oued El Bir. The survival and vigour data recorded for seedlings of various provenances are presented and analysed. Survival and growth of the provenances differ significantly between the two sites whereas differences are not significant within each site taken individually.Le Pin pignon (Pinus pinea L.) est largement utilisé dans les reboisements du Nord de la Tunisie pour ses productions ligneuse et fructifère. Un programme d’amélioration génétique de cette espèce a été mis en oeuvre avec une première étape d’exploration géographique de sa variabilité génétique. Des dispositifs expérimentaux impliquant plusieurs pays du pourtour méditerranéen ont été installés dans différents pays. Nous présentons, ici, le bilan des deux dispositifs de Jbel Essmaa et Oued El Bir situés dans le Nord de la Tunisie après 10 années de suivi. Les résultats enregistrés au niveau de la survie et de la vigueur des plants de différentes provenances et entre les sites sont présentés et analysés. Il en ressort qu’il existe une différence significative entre les deux sites, mais les différences entre la survie et la croissance des provenances ne sont pas significatives à l’intérieur de chaque site

SCREENING FOR THE HOMOZYGOUS C.144DELC MUTATION IN AURKC GENE IN ALGERIAN INFERTILE MEN

 Objective: Male infertility is a major health problem worldwide. Despite recent advances, the etiopathogenesis of spermatogenic failure remains largely uncertain. Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinases, consisting of Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB), and Aurora C (AURKC), are essential kinases for cell division through regulating mitosis and meiosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of c.144delC mutation in AURKC gene in infertile Algerian patients with abnormal sperm parameters.Methods: In this study, 40 infertile men with impaired spermatogenesis (Azoospermia AZOs,â€â€ oligoasthenoteratospermia OATs,â€â€ Asthenospermia ASTsâ€) were recruited from Ibn Rochd clinic and Ibn Sina Laboratory, between 2008 and 2014. All men were of Algerian origin. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. The third exon of the AURKC gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, PCR products were sequenced using the big dye V1.1 terminator cycle sequencing in forward and reverse directions, and the results of sequenced segments were analyzed.Results: Sequencing of the third exon of AURKC gene revealed the absence of c144delC mutation in all of the 40 patients screened.Conclusion: Our data indicate that the AURKC c.144delC mutation must be investigated in infertile men with Macrozoospermia

Approche multidisciplinaire d’un cas de fusion incisive centrale maxillaire avec un « talon cusp »

Fusion et gémination sont des termes qui décrivent les « dents doubles » et représentent des défis thérapeutiques. Le cas clinique d’un garçon âgé de 8 ans, normodivergent, classe I DDM, présentant une fusion de l’incisive centrale maxillaire droite avec deux dents surnuméraires (une supplémentaire et un talon cusp) est décrit. La prise en charge chirurgicale par résection, restauration esthétique puis traitement orthodontique d’alignement dentaire et le traitement endodontique conservateur de l’incisive centrale maxillaire droite sont présentés

Heat treatment of concrete and its influence on the mechanical properties

Concrete is used globally for all types of construction. This is mainly due to a market economy that has grown strongly in recent years and the particularities of its own. Despite its good performance at room temperature, concrete can have a critical behavior at high temperature. Analysis of the effects of high temperatures on the microstructure is necessary to understand the complex macroscopic phenomena step because the concrete undergoes physicochemical changes that strongly influence its thermomechanical behavior. Indeed, the strength of concrete can be greatly reduced by damage due to the rise in temperature as it entails the destruction of the constituent hydrates the cement paste by degradation of its mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength … The objective of our work is to study by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA / DTA) and the heated unheated concrete to follow the evolution of solid phases present in the latter when exposed to high temperatures

Heat treatment of concrete and its influence on the mechanical properties

Concrete is used globally for all types of construction. This is mainly due to a market economy that has grown strongly in recent years and the particularities of its own. Despite its good performance at room temperature, concrete can have a critical behavior at high temperature. Analysis of the effects of high temperatures on the microstructure is necessary to understand the complex macroscopic phenomena step because the concrete undergoes physicochemical changes that strongly influence its thermomechanical behavior. Indeed, the strength of concrete can be greatly reduced by damage due to the rise in temperature as it entails the destruction of the constituent hydrates the cement paste by degradation of its mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength … The objective of our work is to study by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA / DTA) and the heated unheated concrete to follow the evolution of solid phases present in the latter when exposed to high temperatures

Improvements of ram semen quality using cactus seed oil during liquid preservation in Tris egg yolk and skim milk based extenders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of cactus seed oil (CSO) on a Tris egg yolk (TEY) and skim milk (SM) extenders, on the sperm quality parameters in ram semen chilled for 72 h. Semen collected from five adult fertile Boujaâd rams was pooled and diluted to a final concentration of 0.8 × 109 spermatozoa/ml in TEY and SM extenders supplemented with CSO at 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% v/v. Semen was then stored at 5 °C and several sperm parameters (motility, viability, morphology, peroxidation and DNA fragmentation) were assessed after 8, 24, 48 and 72 h of storage. Results showed that the supplementation of TEY and SM extenders with 1% and 2% CSO, respectively contributed to enhance sperm motility and viability and decreased levels of peroxidation and DNA fragmentation during storage. Therefore, we conclude that the optimal concentration of CSO in ram semen extender is 1% and 2%. In addition, our results suggest that CSO in these concentrations can help to maintain ram semen quality during chilled storage

The Addition of Opuntia ficus-indica Ethanolic Extract to a Skimmed Milk-Based Extender Impacts Ram Sperm Quality

Recently, researchers have focused on the use of natural antioxidants to improve semen quality as a key element for successful artificial insemination. In this context, the first aim of this study was to determine the antioxidant activity and composition (minerals, vitamins, and sugars) of Opuntia ficus-indica cladode ethanolic extract (ETHEX). A further purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of ETHEX supplementation on the quality of liquid ram semen extended with skim milk (SM) at 5°C. The antioxidant activity of ETHEX was studied using free radical 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) assay. The mineral composition and the sugar and vitamin contents of ETHEX were determined using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and HPLC-DAD-RID analytical instruments. As a second part, semen was collected from five Boujaâd rams with an artificial vagina. The ejaculates with more than 70% motility were pooled, extended with skim milk (SM) extender without (control) or supplemented with 1–8% of ETHEX (37°C; 0.8 × 109 sperm/mL). Sperm quality parameters were assessed at 8, 24, 48, and 72 h. The results showed that ETHEX had a higher antioxidant activity compared to those of ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Furthermore, ETHEX contains a considerable amount of minerals, vitamins, and sugars. The inclusion of 1 or 2% ETHEX in SM increased the sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity and decreased the abnormality of spontaneous and catalyzed lipids peroxidation (p<0.05) up to 72 h. In addition, semen diluted with 1 and 2% ETHEX decreased the level of DNA fragmentation compared to the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the ETHEX could be recommended to improve the quality of liquid ram spermatozoa. However, its effects on artificial insemination should be further studied