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Patients with diabetes mellitus 1 (DM) have ultrastructural myocardial deterioration. Rare studies have assessed the impact of type I diabetes on myocardial function in children. The aim of this study was to assess whether cardiac ultrastructural deterioration can be detected in pediatric patients with type I DM. In a retrospective study, children with type 1 DM and controls were enrolled. All patients underwent blood tests. Ejection fraction and left ventricular mass were measured using 2D echocardiography. Left ventricular mass was indexed to Z score. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to assess global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle. The study population included 69 children compared with 70 controls, ventricular dilatation was noted in only one patient with a left ventricular end-diastolic diameter equal to 38 mm and its Zscore was equal to 2.65 (> 1.96). With this same patient, an associated left ventricular hypertrophy was noted with an indexed LV mass equal to 51.02 g/m 2.7 and an indexed LV mass Zscore equal to 2.25 (> 1.64). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LV mass Z-score 1.64) was noted in 22 patients or 32% of cases, with an RWT of less than 0.41 in all of these cases, reflecting the eccentric nature of the hypertrophy. In addition, 2 patients (2.9%) had a left ventricular mass greater than 51 g/m2. The aortic annulus was found to be dilated in 2 cases (2.9%) with an aortic annulus diameter Zscore aortic annulus diameter greater than 1.96. Patients with DM in childhood rarely have insight into the significance of DM, and their diet is difficult to control. An alteration of myocardial function induced by DM may begin earlier than generally thought, and these changes are accelerated when glycemic control is poor. We recommend the early institution of close observation of patients with diabetes for alterations in cardiac function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of microwave power density on drying kinetics of olive fruit (variety Zarrazi).The thin layer drying characteristics of olive fruit (variety Zarrazi) was investigated under three microwave power densities; 1, 1.5 and 2 W/g. The experimental data were fitted appropriately to Page model. The effective moisture diffusivity was calculated in the range from 5.96x10-99 to 13.00x10-99 m²/s. The values of k and Deff increased with the increase of power density. An Arrhenius relation with an activation energy value of 1.6316 W/g expressed the effect of microwave power density on the diffusivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: No data regarding the prevalence of the Brugada-type electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and the early ventricular repolarization pattern (ERP) in the North African population were available. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of Brugada-type ECG pattern and ERP in Tunisia and to evaluate ECG descriptors of ventricular repolarization in a population of athletes. Methods: Over a 2-year period, resting 12-lead ECG recordings were analyzed from athletes (n = 540; 348 males; age 18.3 ± 2.4 years). Brugada-type ECG pattern was defined as Type 1, 2, or 3, and ERP was characterized by an elevation of the J point in the inferior and/or lateral leads. The population was divided into three groups of athletes: ERP group; Brugada-type ECG pattern group; and control group, with neither ERP nor Brugada ECG pattern. Clinical and electrocardiographic parameters were compared among the study groups. Results: Nine subjects (1.66%) had a Brugada-type ECG pattern. None of them had the covedtype, 3 (0.6%) had the Type 2, and 6 (1.1%) had the Type 3. All subjects were asymptomatic. A Brugada-type ECG pattern was observed in seven males. No female had the Type 2 Brugada ECG pattern. ECG parameters were similar among Brugada-type ECG pattern and control athletes. ERP (119 subjects, 22%) was obtained in 98 males. Heart rate was lower, the QRS duration shorter and QT and Tpeak-Tend intervals were longer in ERP than control groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that the frequency of the Brugada-type ECG pattern and ERP were respectively 1.66% and 22.00% in athletes, being more prevalent in males. The ERP group experienced shorter QRS duration and longer Tpeak-Tend interval than in the control population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescent suicide and suicide attempts (SA) present a complex and multifactorial problem that deserves special attention. Identifying particularities of suicidal behavior in this age group is essential in order to identify suffering adolescents. Objectives: To determine the characteristics of adolescent suicide attempts compared to those of adults. Methods: It was a retrospective study carried out on a clinical population who consult in the psychiatry department at the Gabes regional hospital during the period from January 1st, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical data of the patients as well as their family dynamics, their education, their personal and family history, characteristics of the SA and psychiatric symptoms preceding the act were assessed. We compared two subgroups: patients aged 10 to 19, and those aged 20 and over. Results: 278 suicide patients were included. 101 of them were adolescents (10 -19 years), of which 89 (88.11%) were female. Mean age of suicidal adolescents was 16.5 years. They were mostly living with their families (92.07%). Intentional drug ingestion was more common in adolescents (81.1%) than in adults (40%). Adolescent suicide attempts were correlated with a conflictual family environment (p=0.04), exposure to mistreatment (p=0.001), the absence of underlying mental disorders (p<10-3), the presence of academic difficulties (p<10-3) and the presence of a precipitating factor such as family conflict (p<10-3) or school failure (p= 0.004). Conclusions: A good knowledge of the particularities of suicidal behavior in adolescents is preliminary to support an effective preventive measure targeting both family and school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]