Recent Articles

E-cigarettes (ECs) can affect several organs in the body. On the liver, it causes toxic and immunological effects associated with many inflammatory processes and oxidative stress. E-cigarettes may cause hepatic fibrosis, steatosis, cell dysfunction, injury with the elevation of liver enzymes, and cancer. On the other hand, it also causes hepatic DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nicotine affects both cellular and humoral immune responses.

Herein, we aimed to compare the neurologic improvement, postoperative complications, and changes of Cobb’s angle between four main surgical approaches, including anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), laminoplasty (LAMP), laminectomy (LC), and anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF), to treat cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Tuberculosis still remains a public health priority, especially with the emergence of HIV. It is more and more revealing of the HIV infection. The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic aspect of tuberculosis in patients infected with HIV.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory sleep disorder characterized by episodes of occlusion of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in intermittent chronic hypoxia and sleep fragmentation. Clinical studies have described an association between OSAS and arterial hypertension (SAH), with CPAP being the treatment of choice. The use of CPAP in the treatment of OSAS makes it possible to avoid blocking the passage of air to the lungs. The primary underlying mechanism of hypertension in individuals with OSAS is the activation of the sympathetic nervous system triggered by episodes of apnea. Currently, there are no studies that correlate the use of CPAP and the decrease in the use of antihypertensive agents in patients with OSAS.

Glyoxal (G) and methylglyoxal (MG) have received cautions for their roles in the atmospheric chemistry and formation of secondary organic aerosol. Mostly they come from the photochemical transformation of precursors like isoprene, aromatic compounds, acetylene and acetone etc. Here these two compounds were studied in Wanqingsha, the central sector of Pearl River Delta (PRD), south China, in deep-autumn from 2008-2011.

Hb SC disease is a type of hemoglobinopathy that can be viewed as a hybrid of hemoglobin S and C. In this disorder there is co-inheritance of one Hbs gene and one HbC gene resulting in a milder phenotype than sickle cell anemia (SCA). Whereas SCA clinical features have been extensively studied, very few studies have been dedicated specifically to HbSC disease as most cases are reported to be silent or of mild severity. As the pandemic continues to evolve with the novel Sars-CoV-2 virus we have learned it can lead to thrombotic complications which could be fatal if not detected early. Of those requiring admission to the intensive care unit, most carry multiple comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus etc.) leading to worse clinical outcomes. Here, we present a case of a young adult patient with silent hemoglobin SC disease who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 leading to multiple infarcts, splenic sequestration and respiratory failure. The concurrence of a hemoglobinopathy and COVID-19 should warrant heightened clinical suspicion for unusual outcomes. Hence, providers must remain vigilant while treating any patient with any hemoglobinopathy in the setting of COVID-19.

During early embryonic development in female mammals, one copy of the X chromosome is randomly inactivated in a process known as X chromosome inactivation. In X chromosome inactivation, approximately 70% of genes on the short arm and nearly all of the genes on the long arm of the designated chromosome are inactivated. RNA activation is known to RNAs activating gene expression; however its roles in X chromosome inactivation have not been determined.

Melanoma is one of the most fatal disorders dermatologists have to diagnose and treat. Despite its prevalence and seriousness, there has been no protocol with consensus suggesting systematic approach for diagnosis and treatment of pigmented lesions. A series of 141 melanomas diagnosed and managed over five years in an Australian dermatology clinicare presented. Also a systematic approach has been suggested for the management of suspicious pigmented lesions and melanomas. It is hoped that this paper provides a platform to open discussion for the development of the best systematic approach.

When cancer is terminal and cancer-directed therapy has no value, the goal of treatment is to improve the quality of life (QoL). The current work proposed to assess the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on QoL in patients with terminal cancer

Chronic pilonidal sinus disease, an acquired benign affliction too many across the globe but in the very few follows through to malignant transformation. We report an unusual case of a large squamous cell carcinoma arising from a chronic pilonidal sinus, its successful surgical excision and detailed documentation of wound healing with the assistance of a negative pressure wound therapy dressing. For large sacrococcygeal wounds we evidence that secondary intention healing via NPWT is a valid initial alternative to reconstructive surgery with a good cosmetic outcome and the option for early ambulation.

The physical appearance of older people in the commune of Ouidah seems to be correlated with the economic level of the people. However, it is now clear that the nutritional status of older people is a key element for natural ageing and improved quality of life. Objective: To identify the factors associated with undernutrition among people aged 60 years and over in the commune of Ouidah in southern Benin. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical survey that took place between May and June 2020 and involved older people aged 60 and over selected by cluster sampling using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Their sociodemographic characteristics, health status, diet and the health system in their environment were explored.

The virulent Escherichia coli strains are responsible for extraintestinal infections. However, no past studies have been undertaken via the presence of virulence genes, ability of biofilms formation and the frequency of Escherichia coli pathovars recovered from different butcheries and slaughterhouses in Tunisia. The aims of this study was to investigate 1-) the prevalence of pathogenic E. coli strains isolated from bovine, ovine, and poultry meat in Tunisia, 2-) to determinate the antibiotic resistance profiles, and 3-) to determine their biofilm-forming ability by three phenotypic methods .Totally, 36 E. coli isolates from meat of healthy animals (bovines, ovine, and chickens) collected from different butcheries and slaughterhouses were investigated by searching by PCR genes encoding virulence factors (hlyA, stx1, stx2, fimH, papC, eaeAet papG allèle III, ibeA, iutA, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Biofilm production was detected by three phenotypic: Congo Red Agar (CRA) method, tube method (TM) and tissue culture plate (TCP) method. In addition, the genetic relationship of isolates was determined by PFGE.

Fisher exact test is one of most popularly used methods in modern data analyses. However, it is conservative because of discreteness. The mid-p method may reduce the conservativeness but it is defined by the factor 1/2, an extra term beyond data. This paper considers an adjustment defined by a data-based factor. The adjusted test is compared with other ten tests. Special attention is given to the comparison between the data-based factor and the factor 1/2. The standardized version of the adjusted test is asymptotically standard normal.

Analyze the clinical profile of the spine with osteonecrosis in sickle cell disease. 610 patients were followed-up in this study between 2000 and 2017. 98 osteonecrosis were identified, 48 in the lumbar spine, 40 in the thoracic spine and 10 in both spine segments. We analyzed sex, age, genotype, and pain. Magnetic resonances and radiographs of the spine were performed.

A total of 26 NHL patients (56.5%) and 20 LH cases (43.5%), aged 32-11 and 51-18 years respectively, were selected. Polyadenopathy was noted in 95% of cases of HL and 73.1% of cases of NHL (p=0.002). Patients were at Ann Arbor Stage II-IV in 80% of cases for the NHL and 70% of cases for LH (p: 0 ,317). Type B-Cell NHL entities were Diffuse Large Cell B Lymphoma (34.6%), Follicular Lymphoma (15.4%), Mantle Lymphoma (7.7%), Lymphocytic Lymphoma (7.7%), and Malt Lymphoma (3.8%). The NHL was type T-Cell in 30.8% of cases including 19.2% of anaplastic lymphoma. The HL were classic (80%) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (20%). Specific treatment was performed in 82.6% of cases, 28.9% of which were immunochemotherapy. Remission was noted in 52.4% of NHL patients and 70.3% of those with HL.

During the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic in Italy, even though many people died due to virus-induced complications, there was a warm advice from the government against performing body autopsies, instigating their incineration. It was a reckless decision, leaving clinicians and scientists empty handed when it comes to studying infection-induced tissue changes and subsequent organ failures, making it more difficulties in finding a better clinical solution for combating the virus.

In order to evaluate the possibilities of valorisation as feed of the plant biomass produced during wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands, a study of the in vitro digestibility and gas production of Echinochloa crus-pavonis was carried out in the Laboratory of Animal Production and Nutrition of the University of Dschang. The in vitro digestibility of Echinochloa crus-pavonis was evaluated at different harvesting periods

Non-uniform native T1 (T10) distribution influences reliable measurement of Ktrans: a pharmacokinetic parameter (Ktrans) that quantitatively measures neovascularization of the tumor tissue that has been used for the classification of malignant breast lesions and to monitor therapy response.