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In Morocco, the high consumption of dietary sodium increases the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and predisposes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and hypertension. This study aims to assess the dietary sodium and potassium intake in a random sample of Moroccan adult students as a benchmark informing a national strategy for reducing salt intake. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 103 adults aged 18 to 25 years recruited in Casablanca. The 24-hour urinary excretion was used to measure the sodium and potassium. Creatinine excretion was used to validate the completeness of the urine collections. The average urinary sodium excretion was 3125.77 ± 121.99 mg/day, 13.5% consumed less than 5g/day, while 69% consumed more than 5 g/day of which 17.5% consumed more than twice the recommendations. For the average urinary potassium excretion was 1826.1 ± 61.2 mg/day, and more than 98% of the students consumed less than the adequate intake. The results of this pilot study show that the population studied has a high sodium intake and low potassium intake which does not meet World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which requires implementing an action plan to reduce salt.

Failure of brackets is a common problem in orthodontics. This affects the treatment time, cost, and compliance of the patient. This study was conducted to estimate the bracket failure rate and the related factors for the long term. Methodology. This ambidirectional cohort study included 150 nonsyndromic orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance therapy for the last two years. The same patients were followed for 7 months. Different variables related to bracket failure were evaluated. The available data were analyzed descriptively, and the Kaplan-Meier estimate was used to measure the bracket survival rate from the date of bonding to failure. Results. A total of 180 bracket bond failures in the 150 included patients (52.2% males and 47.8% females) with a median age of 17 years (range 10-25 years). 69% of brackets failures were reported within the first 6 months after bonding. About 58.3% of bracket failure was noticed in adolescent patients before the age of 18 years. The majority of the cohort (81.1%) has good oral hygiene. The failure rate in patients with normal overbite was 41.1%, in decreased overbite cases was 15%, while in deep bite cases the failure rate was 43.9% with a statistically significant difference. Adults show less bracket failure (41.7%) than adolescent patients (58.3%). More bracket failure was noted in the lower arch (55%) than the upper arch (45%), and there were more bond failures posteriorly (61%) than on the anterior teeth (39%). Majority (41.1%) of the bracket failed on round NiTi wires. Conclusion. The bracket failure rate was 6.4%, with most bracket failure occurring in the first 6 months after bonding with individual difference. There was more incidence of bond failure in an increased overbite, adolescents, lower arch, posterior teeth, and lighter alignment wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the perceived effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic lockdown measures on food availability, accessibility, dietary practices and strategies used by participants to cope with these measures.Design: We conducted a cross-sectional multi-country online survey between May and July 2020. We used a study-specific questionnaire mainly based on the adaptation of questions to assess food security and coping strategies from the World Food Programme's 'Emergency Food Security Assessment' and 'The Coping Strategy Index'.Setting: The questionnaire was hosted online using Google Forms and shared using social media platforms.Participants: A total of 1075 adult participants from eighty-two countries completed the questionnaire.Results: As a prelude to COVID-19 lockdowns, 62·7 % of the participants reported to have stockpiled food, mainly cereals (59·5 % of the respondents) and legumes (48·8 %). An increase in the prices of staples, such as cereals and legumes, was widely reported. Price increases have been identified as an obstacle to food acquisition by 32·7 % of participants. Participants reported having lesser variety (50·4 %), quality (30·2 %) and quantity (39·2 %) of foods, with disparities across regions. Vulnerable groups were reported to be facing some struggle to acquire adequate food, especially people with chronic diseases (20·2 %), the elderly (17·3 %) and children (14·5 %). To cope with the situation, participants mostly relied on less preferred foods (49 %), reduced portion sizes (30 %) and/or reduced the number of meals (25·7 %).Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted food accessibility and availability, altered dietary practices and worsened the food insecurity situation, particularly in the most fragile regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies had revealed that following the Mediterranean diet (MD) contributes to beneficial health status and a decreased risk of many chronic diseases. The aim of our study was to assess adherence to MD in Casablanca City and to identify the relationship between MD adherence and sociodemographic and lifestyle parameters. This cross-sectional study concerned 719 subjects with complete dietary data. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire including sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The dietary intake was assessed with the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. The compliance with MD was evaluated with a simplified MD score. Our study showed that high adherence to the MD was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, fruits, pulses, fish, cereals, olive oil, and low meat and dairy consumption according to the Simplified MD score. As regard to the multivariate logistic, being a man, being married, persons with a level of education >6 years, luxurious housing, and consumption of alcohol were associated with a higher adherence to MD, while, the overweight was negatively associated with a higher adherence to MD. Maintaining the traditional MD pattern is crucial for public health; in this way, more research is needed in this area in order to precisely measure these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To perform a diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) systematic review and meta‐analysis comparing multiparametric (diffusion‐weighted imaging [DWI], T2‐weighted imaging [T2WI], and dynamic contrast‐enhanced [DCE] imaging) magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and biparametric (DWI and T2WI) MRI (bpMRI) in detecting prostate cancer in treatment‐naïve patients. Methods: The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE) were searched to identify relevant studies published after 1 January 2012. Articles underwent title, abstract, and full‐text screening. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients with suspected prostate cancer, bpMRI and/or mpMRI as the index test(s), histopathology as the reference standard, and a DTA outcome measure. Methodological and DTA data were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)‐2 tool. DTA metrics were pooled using bivariate random‐effects meta‐analysis. Subgroup analysis was conducted to assess for heterogeneity. Results: From an initial 3502 studies, 31 studies reporting on 9480 patients (4296 with prostate cancer) met the inclusion criteria for the meta‐analysis; 25 studies reported on mpMRI (7000 patients, 2954 with prostate cancer) and 12 studies reported on bpMRI DTA (2716 patients, 1477 with prostate cancer). Pooled summary statistics demonstrated no significant difference for sensitivity (mpMRI: 86%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 81–90; bpMRI: 90%, 95% CI 83–94) or specificity (mpMRI: 73%, 95% CI 64–81; bpMRI: 70%, 95% CI 42–83). The summary receiver operating characteristic curves were comparable for mpMRI (0.87) and bpMRI (0.90). Conclusions: No significant difference in DTA was found between mpMRI and bpMRI in diagnosing prostate cancer in treatment‐naïve patients. Study heterogeneity warrants cautious interpretation of the results. With replication of our findings in dedicated validation studies, bpMRI may serve as a faster, cheaper, gadolinium‐free alternative to mpMRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Time to detection (TTD) given by continuous monitoring automated blood culture systems (CMABS) have been found to be a predictor of clinical outcome, drug resistance and type of microorganism in cases of bacteremia but the studies evaluating TTD with respect to fungemia are scarce especially from India. Aims: To evaluate TTD for yeast isolates in fungal bloodstream infections with respect to the type of yeast isolates, risk factors and outcome and to study yeast susceptibility and distribution of yeast isolates with respect to patient population. Materials and methods: All blood culture specimens were processed in CMABS. The TTD for yeast isolates were recorded. The identification of yeast and susceptibility testing was done by automated methods. A correlation of TTD was done with respect to prior/concurrent yeast isolates, use of antifungal, risk factors and clinical outcome. Results: Out of 80 yeast isolates, the maximum was C. parapsilosis (26.25%) followed by C. albicans (16.25%) and C. tropicalis (13.75%). A statistically significant difference in the occurrence of yeasts with early TTD (TTD<=48hrs) and late TTD (TTD>48 hrs) was found. TTD of C. glabrata was significantly longer (p=0.002) while TTD of C. tropicalis was significantly shorter (p=0.013). There was an observable favorable outcome in shorter TTD (<=48 hrs). C. albicans and C. tropicalis depicted 100% susceptibility for Azoles, Amphotericin B and Echinocandins. Conclusion: TTD may be used as both diagnostic and prognostic adjunct in fungal bloodstream infections. This study is a step towards this novel approach. We also emphasize on the importance of speciation of yeast isolates and susceptibility testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structure. The presence of metallic sources, such as dental implants, orthodontic braces and metallic dental crowns may reduce the image quality of MRI in the maxillofacial region causing large magnetic field distortion and signal loss. Study was designed to evaluate the effects of Dantauram metallic orthodontic brackets on diagnostic quality of MRI image at nine craniofacial regions. A Cross sectional study was carried out on 30 patients visiting Department of Orthodontics, de' Montmorency College of Dentistry/Punjab Dental Hospital Lahore (tertiary health care center). Patients with 18 years or above, of either sex and recently bonded with Dantauram metallic orthodontic brackets were included in the study. Duration of study was six months. Dantauram metallic brackets were bonded to all incisors, canine and premolars except molars. The mean distortion score of MRI at nine different sections of head and neck including tongue, body of mandible, hard palate, orbits/globes, nasopharynx, pituitary gland, frontal lobe, temporal lobe and brain stem with Dantauram metallic orthodontic brackets on the teeth was noted. The neuroradiologist was requested to rank the images according to the distortion of these regions using a modified receiver operating characteristic method of distortion classification. The results of the current study revealed that 53.33% patients were between 18-30 years, 36.67% 31-40 years, and 10% patients with > 40 years age. Among these patients 76.67% were females and 23.33% males. The mean distortion score of MRI at nine different sections of head and neck with Dantauram metallic orthodontic brackets on the teeth of these patients was noted. It was observed that mean distortion score was 2.15±0.93 for tongue, body of mandible 2.79±0.88, hard plate 2.02±0.12, orbits/globes 2.32±0.38, nasopharynx 2.11±0.43, pituitary gland 1.96±0.23, frontal lobe 1.15±0.21, temporal lobe 1.75±0.76 and for brain stem was 0.78±0.53. It was concluded that mean distortion score of MRI at nine different sections of head and neck with Dantauram metallic orthodontic brackets on the teeth is <3 in all sections. This means that there is insignificant distortion of MRI at different craniofacial regions with Dantauram metallic orthodontic brackets on the teeth. However, more trials are required to confirm the findings and recommending for non-removal of brackets before MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, a method is proposed for humanoid robots performing object transfering task in a teleoperated cooperative paradigm. The cooperative task is accomplished using simple communication among two humanoid robots and then switch between modes according to the situation. In case of object passing with two humanoid robots, mutual position shifts may occur while they are moving. Therefore, it is necessary to correct the position in a real-time manner. To control the arm and hand of the robot remotely we use master arm and hand while it carries and passes the object, the dynamic stability during the execution of walking is ensured by incorporating the ZMP criterion and the desired spacing between the robots is controlled by Leader follower type control .Object passing cooperation for two humanoid robots is based on computer control, wireless LAN, vision, cooperative handling control and text commands. The method is applied as key software of the system. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology for performing cooperatively real time tasks is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) category 3 lesions' impact on the diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) of MRI for prostate cancer (PC) and to derive the prevalence of PC within each PI-RADS category. MEDLINE and Embase were searched until April 10, 2020 for studies reporting on the DTA of MRI by PI-RADS category. Accuracy metrics were calculated using a bivariate random-effects meta-analysis with PI-RADS three lesions treated as a positive test, negative test, and excluded from the analysis. Differences in DTA were assessed utilizing meta-regression. PC prevalence within each PI-RADS category was estimated with a proportional meta-analysis. In total, 26 studies reporting on 12,913 patients (4,853 with PC) were included. Sensitivities for PC in the positive, negative, and excluded test groups were 96% (95% confidence interval [CI] 92–98), 82% (CI 75-87), and 95% (CI 91-97), respectively. Specificities for the positive, negative, and excluded test groups were 33% (CI 23-44), 71% (CI 62-79), and 52% (CI 37-66), respectively. Meta-regression demonstrated higher sensitivity (p < 0.001) and lower specificity (p < 0.001) in the positive test group compared to the negative group. Clinically significant PC prevalences were 5.9% (CI 0-17.1), 11.4% (CI 6.5–17.3), 24.9% (CI 18.4–32.0), 55.7% (CI 47.8–63.5), and 81.4% (CI 75.9–86.4) for PI-RADS categories 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. PI-RADS category 3 lesions can significantly impact the DTA of MRI for PC detection. A low prevalence of clinically significant PC is noted in PI-RADS category 1 and 2 cases. Inclusion or exclusion of PI-RADS category 3 lesions impacts the DTA of MRI for PC detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pédagogie Médicale is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Contexte: L'apprentissage des sciences infirmières, soit en milieu académique ou en milieu clinique, est souvent jugé difficile et pénible par beaucoup d'étudiants. Certains cours sont considérés comme des cours difficiles dont la réussite demande un effort important. Les enseignants sont conscients de ces problèmes mais se renferment, souvent, dans une logique qui culpabilise l'étudiant sur la base des notes obtenues lors des examens et des évaluations. Ainsi, les problèmes liés à l'apprentissage sont rarement définis en termes de difficultés mais sont décrits comme une ignorance, un problème de niveau ou une question d'aptitude. C'est dans cette perspective que vient ce travail de recherche préalable qui vise à identifier et à décrire l'ensemble des difficultés d'apprentissage -encore peu explorées - que vivent les étudiants infirmiers. Ce diagnostic constitue, en fait, une condition primordiale pour espérer garantir un enseignement de qualité. Objectifs: Les objectifs de la présente étude, descriptive de type mixte, étaient d'identifier les principales difficultés d'apprentissage des sciences infirmières au niveau de la faculté des sciences et techniques de santé de Casablanca, de trouver des causes explicatives et de proposer des actions de remédiation. Méthode: L'étude s'est déroulée en deux phases. Nous avons d'abord entamé des entretiens semi structurés avec 11 encadrants: sept enseignants et quatre tuteurs de stage pour décrire les difficultés d'apprentissage observées par les encadrants. Ensuite, et sur la base des résultats obtenus, un questionnaire a été élaboré et destiné aux 54 étudiants des trois années d'étude pour explorer et estimer la fréquence des difficultés d'apprentissage perçues par ces derniers. Résultats: L'analyse des donnés a confirmée 15 principales difficultés d'apprentissage et 21 mesures de remédiation. Les difficultés évoquées comprennent des difficultés cognitives dont les lacunes théoriques et les difficultés de raisonnement clinique, et des difficultés non cognitives: procédurales et comportementales. Les difficultés de raisonnement cliniques restent les plus fréquentes quel que soit le niveau d'étude. Pour n'en citer que les difficultés de recueil des données (66%des enquêtés), les difficultés à formuler et à justifier des jugements cliniques infirmiers (72 %), les difficultés à prioriser les jugements cliniques identifiés (62 %) et les difficultés d'élaboration des plan de soins (83 %). Discussion et conclusion: Les solutions évoquées concernent le contenu du programme, les stratégies d'enseignement, les stratégies d'évaluation et le développement personnel des étudiants. Les résultats de cette étude ouvrent plusieurs pistes de recherche, dont notre projet de digitalisation du contenu pédagogique de la deuxième année d'étude de l'option infirmier polyvalent dans le cadre d'une approche blended learning qui favorise notamment la mise en lien entre les connaissances théoriques et cliniques des étudiants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contexte et problématique: Le développement des technologies de l'information a offert de nouvelles alternatives aux systèmes pédagogiques conventionnels. Par conséquent, l'e-learning est de plus en plus utilisé dans le monde entier pour la formation des professionnels de la santé. L'université Mohammed VI des sciences de la santé (UM6SS) dispose d'une plateforme pédagogique; Blackboard Learn (BBL), qui a été utilisé jusqu'à maintenant pour déposer et archiver les cours. Objectif: Restructuration des modules du curriculum de l'option infirmier polyvalent, de la faculté des sciences et techniques de santé, basée sur l'approche par compétence et axée sur l'e-learning, la simulation médicale et l'apprentissage par résolution de problème (Problem-based learning) afin de développer le raisonnement clinique, la maîtrise des gestes et procédures et le développement de la relation soignant-soigné. Méthodes: Nous avons déterminé 7 modules qui ont fait l'objet de la restructuration (sémiologie et raisonnement clinique, soins infirmiers et affections médico-chirurgicales, soins infirmiers et pathologies en médecine, pathologies spécialisées et pédiatrie). Nous avons identifié les besoins en formation et priorisé les problèmes de santé publique au Maroc. Nous avons également élaboré un référentiel des compétences pour l'infirmier. La restructuration a été faite selon une approche participative impliquant l'ensemble du staff académique. Résultats: Le contenu pédagogique validé par le Ministère de l'enseignement supérieur a été analysé pour identifier les redondances dans le curriculum. Nous avons listé les pratiques infirmières et les symptômes clés pour le diagnostic infirmier selon les normes de l'OMS et nous avons élaboré les cartes sémantiques et les champs disciplinaires de collaboration avec le staff médical pour les pathologies médicochirurgicales, spécialisées et de pédiatrie. Un tableau de spécification des objectifs et des activités d'apprentissage tenant compte des besoins prioritaires de formation a permis d'identifier les activités digitalisables. Le contenu digitalisé est mis à la disposition des étudiants sur la plateforme BBL sous la forme d'exposés illustrés, de quizzs, d'études de cas, et de cartes sémantiques. La digitalisation du contenu des modules est accompagnée par un système de tutorat en ligne pour encadrer et guider les étudiants. Remerciements Les auteurs remercient les membres du groupe de collaboration FSTS: Aasfara Jehanne, Alammari Insaf, Benjelloun Roukaya, Benzouina Soukayna, Bouziyane Amal, El Oury Hiba, Hazim Asmâa, Hassouni Kenza, Jabrani Fatim-Zahra et Ismaili Nabil de l'université Mohammed VI des sciences de la santé. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pédagogie Médicale is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Intravenous (IV) ascorbic acid (AA) improves organ function and reduces inflammation in sepsis, an inflammatory state similar to post-hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) milieu. This salutary effect is mediated by antioxidant activity as well transcriptional modulation by AA. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of IV AA in ameliorating the inflammatory milieu following myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic HCT. Methods: Patients with advanced hematologic malignancies (CML, AML, ALL, MDS) were enrolled in an IRB approved prospective phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03613727). IV AA 50mg/kg/d divided in 3 doses was given on days 1-14 after HCT followed by oral AA 500mg bid from day 15 until 6 months post HCT (IND 138924). The treatment regimens included myeloablative fludarabine & melphalan, or cyclophosphamide with either busulfan or total body irradiation. GVHD prophylaxis included ATG. FDA mandated safety lead-in cohort enrollment for the trial is complete with ongoing accrual to target primary end point of reducing 1-year non-relapse mortality. Cytokines were measured at various time points following HCT. Results: As of October 2019 21 patients have received IV AA: these include HLA-MRD (n=5), and 10/10 or 9/10 HLA-MUD (12 & 4 respectively) recipients. Graft source was either peripheral blood (19) or bone marrow (2). Median age was 56 years; males (11). All patients enrolled were deficient in AA at day 0, median 0.3 mg/dL (range: 0.1-0.5), day 14, post AA infusion level was normal at 1.6 (1.2-5.7). Neutrophil recovery was by 11 days (9-15 days) and platelets by 12 (9-19) with sustained donor engraftment. Median absolute CD3+ cell count at day 30 was 390/mL (55-2288) with 100% donor chimerism. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1b, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ, as well as soluble thrombomodulin remained unchanged between day 0 and day 14 & day 30 after HCT (P=NS for all comparisons Figure 1). At a median follow up of 201 days (13-335) there is a 95% survival observed (Figure 2). There was no VOD and no attributable grade 3 and 4 toxicities to AA. Mucositis was mild and TPN was required in only 43% of patients. The cumulative incidences of grades II–IV and grades III–IV acute GVHD were 33% and 9% respectively, and moderate chronic GVHD 21%. No severe cGVHD has been observed, only one relapse has occurred. Conclusions: In patients undergoing myeloablative allogeneic HCT the administration of IV ascorbic acid is safe and does not negatively impact myeloid engraftment or immune reconstitution. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and endothelial injury markers remain around baseline levels, with no VOD and low rates of GVHD observed. IV AA requires further investigation in HCT given its safety, and low cost (∼$450 for 14 day infusion in a 80 KG recipient) and potential for worldwide use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]