Antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity of Escherichia coli isolated from common dairy products in the Lebanon

In a recent study, bacteria have been isolated from popular Lebanese dairy products, which had been collected in the Beqaa Valley, in north-eastern Lebanon. The foods investigated were two cheeses (shankleesh and baladi) and a dried fermented mixture of yogurt and wheat grains (kishk). Bacterial colonies on McConkey and sorbitol-McConkey agar that showed the morphology of Escherichia coli were biochemically tested and then classified, using PCR-based assays, into the various strains of pathogenic and non-pathogenic E. coli. Some of the confirmed E. coli isolates were proven to be pathogenic, including two identified as E. coli O157:H7. When the pathogenic isolates were tested for their susceptibility to 10 different antibiotics (all commonly used, by clinicians and veterinarians, for the treatment of infections with Gram-negative bacteria), each tested isolate was found to be highly resistant to at least one antibiotic. It therefore appears that, in Lebanon, some popular dairy products pose a public-health hazard, acting as vehicles for the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens. © The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine 2009

Hydrochemical characterization of groundwater in the Nekor basin located in the North-East of the Rif of Morocco

 In order to evaluate the physicochemical quality of the groundwater of the Nekor watershed (central Rif area in Morocco) and to explain the origin of the mineralization of these waters, we have analyzed the major elements and traces in water samples taken from 17 wells distributed along the basin. This study showed that the samples of water are very charged with a very important mineralization (≥ 1500 mg / l). The Piper diagram allowed us to define dominant Ca-SO4 or Mg-SO4 hydrochemical facies in upstream of the basin. In downstream of the basin Na-SO4 or Na-Cl is the dominant facies. The analyzes of the trace elements show very high levels of manganese, aluminum and iron with contents exceeding those set by the WHO recommendations.The geochemical study shows that the water-rock interaction is predominant in the aquifer. The water saturation indices indicate that these waters are supersaturated in carbonate minerals.The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the analysis of the reports of the major elements allowed us the classification of the waters and the determination of the correlation between the various parameters. Two major phenomena in the acquisition of mineralization of water have been put in evidence. The main phenomenon is the dissolution of the rock by the contact water rock due to the important residence time in the aquifer. The second phenomenon is associated to the supply of nutrients and therefore with the exchange and recharge of the aquifer. The use of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) technique revealed three homogeneous groups.

Use of magnetic resonance imaging in assessment of constrictive pericarditis: a Moroccan center experience

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis continues to be a clinical challenge. Magnetic resonance imaging provides excellent visualization of the pericardium. The aim of our study is to clarify the contribution of this non invasive exploration in the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis in our center.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>we conducted a prospective study over a period of two years, since 2008, covering a series of patients (n = 11), mean age 44 ± 15 years, in whom constrictive pericarditis was suspected clinically and on transthoracic echocardiography. We studied its characteristics on magnetic resonance imaging.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis showing pericardial thickening in all cases, measuring 8.2 +/- 2.6 mm on average, circumferential in 64%, and localized in 36%. The imaging data, particularly pericardial thickening and its topography, were confirmed by surgical exploration, and results were concordant in all cases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Magnetic resonance imaging is a powerful tool to establish constrictive pericarditis diagnosis.</p

The effect of care setting in the delivery of high‐value colon cancer care

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108690/1/cncr28874.pd

L'analogie, moteur de la pensée

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Pierre-Emmanuel Sorignet, Danser. Enquête dans les coulisses d’une vocation

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