Biometrics analysis of the stem fibers of some local Algerian plant species

Studying the biometric characteristics of the stems of plant species has been of great interest to researchers in the wood and paper industry. The use of plant fibers has been widespread in the fields of composites, buildings, insulation, plastics and automobiles. The present study aimed to investigate the biometric characteristics of the stem fibers of local Algerian plant species, viz. Group 1 (Lygeum spartum and Stipa tenacissima), Group 2 (Linum usitatissimum in the greenhouse and Linum usitatissimum in natural conditions), Group 3 (Retama monosperma and Retama raetam) and Group 4 (Phoenix dactylifera and Ricinus communis). The extraction process was carried out using 1 M NaOH at 60 °C for 48 hours, and the fiber length was calculated for all the species using a micrometer. The fiber length of stems of all the species ranged from 0.36 to 5.18 mm. Then, the difference between each of the two species was approximated using Student's test. The results obtained showed that the t value ranged from 0.50 to 1.79 for Groups 4 and 1, respectively. There was no significant difference between them. These results suggest that these species are promising raw materials for paper production due to their adequate fibre length

Les réponses des médecins généralistes aux souffrances psychosociales ordinaires des patients : étude qualitative par entretiens individuels

CONTEXTE : Les souffrances ordinaires, plaintes subjectives non pathologiques, en lien avec une souffrance au travail, des conflits familiaux, des difficultés financières…, sont un motif fréquent de consultation en médecine générale.OBJECTIFS : Principal : analyser comment les médecins généralistes (MG) répondent aux souffrances ordinaires apportées par les patients en consultation.Secondaire : créer un guide directement utilisable par le MG pour l’aider à prendre en charge ces souffrances ordinaires en consultation.MÉTHODE : Étude qualitative, auprès de 20 MG installés en Auvergne. Réalisation d’entretiens individuels semidirigés d’octobre 2019 à janvier 2020. Analyse thématique à partir des verbatims.RÉSULTATS : Le MG était un interlocuteur privilégié pour prendre en charge ces souffrances. L’écoute sans jugement, en prenant le temps nécessaire, était la première réponse apportée par les médecins, pouvant être suffisante. Parfois, le patient a besoin de conseils, d’être guidé et encouragé pour arriver à dépasser sa souffrance. Les prescriptions médicamenteuses ou arrêts de travail n’étaient pas systématiques. L’orientation vers d’autres professionnels pouvait s’avérer utile, via un réseau que le MG a constitué au cours de ses années d’exercice. Les difficultés rencontrées étaient : le manque de temps, le sentiment d’incompétence, leur propre fatigue et leurs problèmes personnels qui affectaient la prise en charge de leurs patients. Ils pouvaient aussi se sentir épuisés, hyper investis, à risque de burnout. Pour éviter cela, il semblait essentiel de prendre du recul, de discuter des cas avec ses collègues, mais aussi de prendre du temps pour soi, d’autant plus qu’ils avaient tous l’impression d’une augmentation de souffrances ordinaires rapportées en consultation.CONCLUSION : Repérer, répondre par un soutien psychologique et suivre sont les étapes principales pour accompagner un patient en souffrance psychosociale ordinaire. Un guide de prise en charge de ce type de patient a été élaboré

Primary solitary fibrous tumor of the retroperitoneum

Solitary fibrous tumor is an uncommon neoplasm affecting adults and typically located in the pleura and can also occur in a large number of other extra thoracic sites. We present the case of a solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the retroperitoneum and describe their histopathological and immunohistochemical features. The identification of SFT in the retroperitoneum is of importance because its clinico-pathological behaviour is still unclear. The pathologist plays a fundamental role in establishing both the positive and differential diagnosis

Novel DDR2 mutation identified by whole exome sequencing in a Moroccan patient with spondylo-meta-epiphyseal dysplasia, short limb-abnormal calcification type

Spondylo-meta-epiphyseal dysplasia (SMED), short limb-abnormal calcification type (SMED, SL-AC), is a very rare autosomal recessive disorder with various skeletal changes characterized by premature calcification leading to severe disproportionate short stature. Twenty-two patients have been reported until now, but only five mutations (four missense and one splice-site) in the conserved sequence encoding the tyrosine kinase domain of the DDR2 gene has been identified. We report here a novel DDR2 missense mutation, c.370C>T (p.Arg124Trp) in a Moroccan girl with SMED, SL-AC, identified by whole exome sequencing. Our study has expanded the mutational spectrum of this rare disease and it has shown that exome sequencing is a powerful and cost-effective tool for the diagnosis of clinically heterogeneous disorders such as SMED. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Verrucous carcinoma of the hand

Skin verrucous carcinoma is a rare well-differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma that usually affects the feet but can touch any part of the body including the hands. We report the case of a large verrucous carcinoma on an old man's wrist with a second localization on the interdigital space that presented diagnostic problems and was successfully treated by surgical excision and secondary skin grafting

Correction to: Exome sequencing reveals a novel PLP1 mutation in a Moroccan family with connatal Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: a case report

After publication of the original article [1] it was brought to our attention that author Bouchra Ouled Amar Bencheikh was incorrectly included as Bouchra Oulad Amar Bencheikh

Exome sequencing reveals a novel PLP1 mutation in a Moroccan family with connatal Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: a case report

Abstract Background Epilepsy regroups a common and diverse set of chronic neurological disorders that are characterized by spontaneous, unprovoked, and recurrent epileptic seizures. Epilepsies have a highly heterogeneous background with a strong genetic contribution and various mode of inheritance. X-linked epilepsy usually manifests as part of a syndrome or epileptic encephalopathy. The variability of clinical manifestations of X-linked epilepsy may be attributed to several factors including the causal genetic mutation, making diagnosis, genetic counseling and treatment decisions difficult. We report the description of a Moroccan family referred to our genetic department with X-linked epileptic seizures as the only initial diagnosis. Case presentation Knowing the new contribution of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for clinical investigation, and given the heterogeneity of this group of disorders we performed a Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) analysis and co-segregation study in several members of this large family. We detected a novel pathogenic PLP1 missense mutation c.251C > A (p.Ala84Asp) allowing us to make a diagnosis of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease for this family. Conclusion This report extends the spectrum of PLP1 mutations and highlights the diagnostic utility of NGS to investigate this group of heterogeneous disorders

Ankylosing spondylitis associated with Sweet’s syndrome: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Sweet’s syndrome is an acute neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by a diffuse dermal infiltrate of mature neutrophils. In most cases, it occurs as an isolated phenomenon (idiopathic Sweet’s syndrome) but it can be drug induced or associated with a variety of underlying diseases such as infections, neoplasms, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The association between Sweet’s syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis is rare. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature. We report a new case in which we describe an outbreak of acute neutrophilic dermatosis revealing ankylosing spondylitis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 33-year-old Moroccan man presented with large-joint polyarthralgia, inflammatory pain in his buttocks and lower lumbar spine, fever and skin lesions. On examination, the patient had a low-grade fever, six tender but not swollen joints, limitation of motion of the lumbar spine, and painful erythematous maculopapules over his face, neck, and hands. Laboratory tests showed hyperleukocytosis, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. The immunological tests and infectious disease markers were negative. Investigations for an underlying neoplastic disease remained negative. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a bilateral sacroiliitis. Skin biopsy findings were consistent with Sweet’s syndrome. The diagnosis of Sweet’s syndrome associated with ankylosing spondylitis was established. Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs were started and the patient showed rapid clinical and biological improvement.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Three observations of the association between Sweet’s syndrome and spondylarthropathy have been reported in the literature. The cause of this association remains unclear. Some hypotheses have been developed, but further studies are needed to confirm or refute them.</p