Régime Méditerranéen Et Prévalence Des Facteurs De Risque Cardio-Métabolique Au Maroc Oriental

Introduction : Le modèle alimentaire du Maroc est en phase de transition, il cède d'avantage son trait purement traditionnel méditerranéen pour devenir de plus en plus standard. Il s'agit d'une étude transversale visant à mettre le point sur les comportements alimentaires, le mode de vie et leur relation avec les facteurs de risques cardio-métaboliques de la population adulte âgée de 18 ans et plus de la ville de Nador et Oujda (en Maroc oriental), et leur voisinage rural. Méthodes : Nous avons appliqué l'approche STEPwise de l'OMS pour étudier les relations entre les facteurs socio-économiques, socio-démographiques et nutritionnelles associées à des analyses biochimiques, afin d'analyser les maladies cardio-métaboliques et leurs facteurs de risque.   Résultats : Les résultats révèlent des scores d'adhésion au régime méditerranéen plus élevés en milieux ruraux, ceci est lié au niveau économique plus faible que celui des milieux urbains. Le surpoids et l'obésité y sont moins forts, alors que le niveau d’activité physique est plus élevé. L’échantillon total est 2537 (1261 femmes et 1276 hommes) personnes adultes, l’âge moyen est 43,62 (±18,29). La population étudiée adhère fortement au RM (76%). La glycémie à jeun représente une moyenne de 95.04 mg/dl et un écart type de ±15.06. La pression artérielle systolique et diastolique montrent respectivement les moyennes 128.23 mm Hg (±19.82) et 72.83 mm Hg (±12.74) et la fréquence cardiaque 91.73 battements par minute (±13.74). Le dosage des paramètres lipidiques montre des moyennes du cholestérol total de 1.68 g/L (±0.27), de HDL-Cholestérol 0.46 g/L (±0.08), de LDL-Cholestérol 1.15 g/L (±0.39) et les Triglycérides 0.76 g/L (±0.32). La moyenne d'acide urique était 4.76 mg/dl (±1.73). Les personnes qui exercent une activité physique de forte intensité représentent 64% en zone rurale versus 53% en zone urbaine, les femmes 48% contre 69% pour les hommes. Les personnes qui exercent une activité physique d’intensité modérée représentent 34% en zone rurale versus 31% en zone urbaine, les femmes 28% contre 39% pour les hommes. Conclusions : L'incitation de la population a une adoption du régime méditerranéen traditionnel qui fait partie de leurs habitudes connues, et de résister le plus possible à l'envahissement du régime standard, serait un moyen pour réduire la propagation des maladies cardio-métaboliques chez la population marocaine. Introduction: The Moroccan food model is in a transitional phase; it is giving up its purely traditional Mediterranean trait to become perceptly standard. We conducted a cross-sectional study that focuses on the dietary behavior, lifestyle, and their relationship with cardio-metabolic risk factors in the adult population, aged 18 and over, in the cities of Nador and Oujda (in eastern Morocco) and their rural neighborhoods. Methods: The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise Approach was utilized to study the relationship between the socio-economic, socio-demographic, and nutritional factors associated with the biochemical analysis to examine cardio-metabolic diseases and their risk factors. Results: The results revealed higher adherence scores to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in rural areas, which is related to lower economic levels compared to urban areas, lower levels of obesity, and a higher level of physical activity. We used a total of 2537samples (1261 women, and 1276 men) that we collected from adult participants with an average age of 43.62 (±18.29) years old. The study population had high adherence to the MD (76%). The mean fasting blood glucose level was 95.04 mg/dL (±15.06), while the systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed respectively, averages of 128.23 mm Hg (±19.82) and 72.83 mm Hg (±12.74). The average heart rate was 91.73 beats per minute (±13.74) and the lipid parameters showed mean total cholesterol of 1.68 g/L (±0.27). In addition to that, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol showed a value of 0.46 g/L (±0.08), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 1.15 g/L (±0.39), the triglycerides 0.76 g/L (±0.32), and the average uric acid was 4.76 mg/dL (±1.73). The proportion of people performing high-intensity physical activity was 64% in rural areas versus 53% in urban areas, in which 69% of them were men and 48% were women. People who exercise at a moderate intensity represent 34% of the population in rural areas versus 31% in urban areas, with women constituting 28% of them versus 39% for men. Conclusions: Encouraging the population to adopt the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is part of their known habits, and to resist as much as possible the invasion of the standard diet would be a way to reduce the spread of cardio-metabolic diseases among the Moroccan population. ad of cardio-metabolic diseases among the Moroccan population

QUALITY BY DESIGN (QBD) AS A TOOL FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF INDOMETHACIN FREEZE-DRIED SUBLINGUAL TABLETS: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO EVALUATION

Objective: This study aims to prepare and optimize indomethacin freeze-dried sublingual tablets (IND-FDST) by utilizing a quality by design (QbD) approach to achieve rapid drug dissolution and simultaneously bypassing the GIT for better patient tolerability. Methods: A screening study was utilized to determine the most significant factors which the quality attributes, namely disintegration time and % friability. Then an optimization study was conducted using a full response surface design to determine the optimized formula by varying the amount of the matrix-forming polymer (gelatin) and super disintegrant (croscarmellose sodium (CCS)). The variables' effect on the % friability, disintegration time, wetting time, and amount of drug release after 10 min (%Q10) was studied. The optimized formula was tested for compatibility, morphology as well as stability studies under accelerated conditions in addition to the in vivo pharmacodynamics in rats. QbD was adopted by utilizing a screening study to identify the significant formulation factors followed by a response surface optimization study to determine the optimized IND-FDST formulation. Results: Optimized IND-FDST comprised of gelatin/CCS combination in a ratio of 1:1 possessed adequate %friability (0.73±0.03%), disintegration time (25.40±1.21 seconds), wetting time (3.49±0.68 seconds), and % Q10 (100.99±5.29%) as well as good stability under accelerated conditions. IND-FDST also showed significant inhibition of edema, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 release in vivo compared to the oral market product by 70%, 42%, and 65%, respectively. Conclusion: QbD presents a successful approach in the optimization of a successful IND-FDST formula that showed superior in vivo and in vitro characteristics

Spontaneous Resolution of Fetal and Neonatal Ascites after Birth

Fetal ascites is an uncommon abnormality usually reported in relation to non- immunological causes. The prospect for fetal and neonatal mortality is high, particularly when the ascites develops before 24 weeks of gestation. The diminution of severe fetal ascites without intrauterine management, especially with an uncomplicated neonatal outcome, is unusual. We report a case of isolated fetal ascites detected at 20 weeks' gestation. All investigations carried out were normal. Consecutive ultrasound examination showed ascites at 20 weeks’ gestation. A follow-up ultrasound examination at 6 months of age revealed complete recovery from the ascites. Spontaneous resolution of fetal ascites, with a good prognosis, can occur in cases with an idiopathic aetiology.

PAX6 aniridia and interhemispheric brain anomalies

Purpose: To report the clinical and genetic study of patients with autosomal dominant aniridia

RAX and anophthalmia in humans: Evidence of brain anomalies

PURPOSE: To report the clinical and genetic study of two families of Egyptian origin with clinical anophthalmia. To further determine the role of the retina and anterior neural fold homeobox gene (RAX) in anophthalmia and associated cerebral malformations. METHODS: Three patients with clinical anophthalmia and first-degree relatives from two consanguineous families of Egyptian origin underwent full ophthalmologic, general and neurologic examination, and blood tests. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in the index cases of both families. Genomic DNA was prepared from venous leukocytes, and direct sequencing of all the exons and intron-exon junctions of RAX was performed after PCR amplification. RESULTS: Clinical bilateral anophthalmia was observed in all three patients. General and neurologic examinations were normal; obesity and delay in psychomotor development were observed in the isolated case. Orbital MRI showed a hypoplastic orbit with present but rudimentary extraocular muscles and normal lacrimal glands. Cerebral MRI showed agenesis of the optic nerves, optic tracts, and optic chiasma. In the index case of family A, the absence of the frontal and sphenoidal sinuses was also noted. In the index case of family B, only the sphenoidal sinus was absent, and there was significant cortical atrophy. The three patients carried a novel homozygous c.543+3A>G mutation (IVS2+3A>G) in RAX. Parents were healthy heterozygous carriers. No mutations were detected in orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2), ventral anterior homeobox 1 (VAX1), or sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a homozygous splicing RAX mutation associated with autosomal recessive bilateral anophthalmia. To our knowledge, only two isolated cases of anophthalmia, three null and one missense case affecting nuclear localization or the DNA-binding homeodomain, have been found to be caused by compound heterozygote RAX mutations. A novel missense RAX mutation was identified in three patients with bilateral anophthalmia and a distinct systemic and neurologic phenotype. The mutation potentially affects splicing of the last exon and is thought to result in a protein that has an aberrant homeodomain and no paired-tail domain. Functional consequences of this change still need to be characterized

Performance of 2 Polymerization Protocols Targeting Cloned Toxoplasma Parasites

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasitic infection of humans. Infection is usually mild. Serious complications can occur in pregnant and immunocompromised patients. AIM: The present study aims to investigate the performance of 2 different PCR protocols; real-time quantitative molecular assays (qPCR) and conventional molecular assays (cPCR), using 2 different sets of primers and by using cloned purified Toxoplasma genomic substances to be evaluated as reference samples. METHODS: The target DNA was provided in 8 different quantities. RESULTS: Amplification failure was reported only with the cPCR in samples of low concentrations using both primer sets. Quantitative PCR detected the 8 different dilutions of the purified Toxoplasma gondii using the 2 sets of primers while cPCR was sensitive to detect only 6 different dilutions. CONCLUSION: Generally real-time quantitative molecular assays, is easy to use method compared to conventional PCR assay and produces more reliable results within only one hour time but still the possible application of qPCRs in routine diagnosis necessitates analysis of a large number of clinical samples in further studies to make the proper choice

Compound Heterozygous VSX2 Mutation Causing Bilateral Anophthalmia in a Consanguineous Egyptian Family

Purpose: To report the clinical and genetic study of a child with bilateral anophthalmia. Methods: A 14-year-old Egyptian boy, born from consanguineous parents, underwent a general and a full ophthalmological examination. Mutation screen of the A/M genes with recessive inheritance was done stepwise and DNA was analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Results: Bilateral anophthalmia, arachnodactyly of the feet and high arched palate were observed on general examination. The parents were first cousins and healthy. Sequencing analysis revealed a novel compound heterozygous mutation in one of the copy of exon 2 of VSX2 and a possible deletion of at least exon 2 on the other allele. Conclusions: A compound heterozygous VSX2 mutation associated with anophthalmia was identified in a patient from an Egyptian consanguineous family. This report brings the number of VSX2 mutation in anophthalmia/microphthalmia (A/M) to 13. Functional consequences of the reported changes still need to be characterized, as well as the percentage of A/M caused by mutations in the VSX2 gene. This family also shows that despite consanguinity, heterozygous mutations can also happen and one should not restrict the molecular analysis to homozygous mutations

The Role of Medical Image Modalities and AI in the Early Detection, Diagnosis and Grading of Retinal Diseases: A Survey.

Traditional dilated ophthalmoscopy can reveal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal tear, epiretinal membrane, macular hole, retinal detachment, retinitis pigmentosa, retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Among these diseases, AMD and DR are the major causes of progressive vision loss, while the latter is recognized as a world-wide epidemic. Advances in retinal imaging have improved the diagnosis and management of DR and AMD. In this review article, we focus on the variable imaging modalities for accurate diagnosis, early detection, and staging of both AMD and DR. In addition, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in providing automated detection, diagnosis, and staging of these diseases will be surveyed. Furthermore, current works are summarized and discussed. Finally, projected future trends are outlined. The work done on this survey indicates the effective role of AI in the early detection, diagnosis, and staging of DR and/or AMD. In the future, more AI solutions will be presented that hold promise for clinical applications

Efficacy of pre and rehabilitation in radical cystectomy on health related quality of life and physical function:A systematic review

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of prehabilitation or rehabilitation interventions on radical cystectomy (RC) patient reported outcomes (PROs), and patient centered outcome has not yet been thoroughly explored in prior reviews, therefore the aim of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of a single or multi-modal prehabilitation or/and postoperative rehabilitation interventions compared to standard treatment on postoperative complications after RC. METHODS: We performed a three-step search strategy in PubMed, Cinahl, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. We used Covidence for the screening of articles, risk of bias assessment, and data-extraction. GRADE was used to assess the risk of bias in outcomes across studies. Where meta-analysis was possible, we used the random effect method due to substantial heterogeneity. The remaining outcomes were summarized narratively RESULTS: We identified fourteen studies addressing one of the outcomes. None of the studies provided evidence to support that prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation interventions can improve global health related quality of life (HRQoL) in RC surgery or can reduce postoperative complications significantly. However, preoperative and postoperative education in stoma care can significantly improve self-efficacy and we found significant added benefits of sexual counseling to intracavernous injections compared to injection therapy alone. Likewise, an intensive smoking and alcohol cessation intervention demonstrated a significant effect on quit rates. Physical exercise is feasible and improves physical functioning although it does not reduce the postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, no evidence of efficacy of prehabilitation and/or rehabilitation interventions to improve the overall HRQoL or postoperative complications after RC exists. We found evidence that education in stoma care improved self-efficacy significantly. Adequately powered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to generate high-quality evidence in this field

Decrypting cryptocurrencies: An exploration of the impact on financial stability

This study aims to empirically examine the relationship between cryptocurrency and various facets of the financial system. It seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how cryptocurrencies interact with, and influence, the stock market, the U.S. dollar’s strength, inflation rates, and traditional banking operations. This is carried out using linear regression models, Granger causality tests, case studies, including the collapse of the Futures Exchange (FTX), and the successful integration of Binance. The study unveiled a strong positive correlation between cryptocurrency market capitalization and key financial indicators like the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Consumer Price Index, and traditional banking operations. This indicates the growing significance of cryptocurrencies within the global financial landscape. However, a mild association was found with the U.S. dollar, suggesting a limited influence of cryptocurrencies on traditional fiat currencies currently. Despite certain limitations such as reliance on secondary data, methodological choices, and geographic focus, this research provides valuable insights for policymakers, financial industry stakeholders, and academic researchers, underlining the necessity for continued study into the complex interplay between cryptocurrencies and financial stability