Search

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of gestational hypertension, and to determine its predictors among pregnant women attending primary health care facilities in Beni Mellal city in Morocco. The prevalence of gestational hypertension was 18.7%. The low monthly household income (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.874; IC 95% = [1.788-34.67]), gestational age less than 37 weeks (AOR = 6.860; IC 95% = [1.285-36.626]), limited knowledge on gestational hypertension (AOR = 12.719; IC 95% = [3.386-47.785]), and primigravidity (AOR = 9.047; IC 95% = [1.595-51.324]), were significantly associated with gestational hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design and test of a single phase and thermoelectric cooling Micro-Inverter using a DC-DC interleaved isolated boost. It focuses on the optimization of (DC-DC and DC-AC) converters performances and its physical dimensions, and presents an efficient method to track the maximum power point and the load regulation. For this purpose, a specific architecture and design of a high-reliable, robust, stable and miniaturized system are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is closely associated with an inactive lifestyle. Physical activity and/or exercise have been shown to delay the development of hypertension. This study aimed to assess the level of physical activity and sedentary time, and its determinants among Moroccan Hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and July 2019 including 680 hypertensive patients. We administered international physical activity questionnaire in face-to-face interview to assess the level of physical activity and sedentary time. The results showed that only 43.4% of participants met recommended physical activity levels (≥ 600 MET min/week). Adherence to physical activity recommendations was observed more in male participants (p = 0.035), in participants aged less than 40 years (p = 0.040) and those aged between 41 and 50 years (p = 0.047). The average sedentary time was 37.19 ± 18.92 hours per week. This time was significantly longer in people aged 51 and over, in married, divorced, and widowed people, and in those with low levels of physical activity. The level of physical inactivity and the sedentary time was high. In addition, participants with a high-level sedentary lifestyle had a low level of physical activity. Educational actions should be undertaken among this group of participants to prevent the risks associated with inactivity and sedentary behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in blood, including mononuclear leukocytes and organs other than the lung, suggests that RSV disseminates outside the respiratory tract. In this study, the role of platelets in host defense against RSV was explored using an in vitro model. Platelets, also produced in the lungs, are increasingly recognized as an important part of host immune responses and may therefore play a role in modulating lung infections and clearing RSV viremia. In human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), platelets significantly reduced RSV infection of monocytes, monocyte activation, and interferon (IFN) α/ γ production. Direct contact of platelets with PBMCs modulated the immune response when stimulated with Poly I:C (TLR3) and R848 (TLR7/8), Toll-like receptors (TLRs) involved in the recognition of RSV, and led to an enhanced IFN α/ γ production. This suggested that reduction in RSV infection of monocytes in the presence of platelets could be IFN dependent; blocking IFN α receptor 2 (IFNAR2) on PBMCs indeed increased RSV infection. In addition, IFNs were not detected when PBMCs were stimulated with inactivated RSV, indicating that infection of monocytes was important for the induction of IFN responses and that the platelet-mediated reduced RSV infection was responsible for the decreased IFN levels. Furthermore, platelets could internalize RSV reducing the amount of viral particles that could infect monocytes. Our findings suggest that platelets may play a role in the clearance of RSV viremia by internalizing viral particles and by enhancing type I IFN production from PBMCs, which subsequently exert antiviral effect on host cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Introduction Le syndrome de Cushing paranéoplasique est une cause rare d’hypercorticisme endogène. Il est dû à une sécrétion ectopique d’ACTH par une tumeur endocrine non hypophysaire. Les données biologiques et radiologiques à visée étiologique sont souvent non concluantes posant un problème de diagnostic différentiel avec la maladie de Cushing. En outre, ces tumeurs sont souvent de petite taille et leur siège est extrêmement variable d’où les difficultés de localisation imposant le recours à des techniques d’imagerie moderne notamment la tomographie par émission de positons au 18-fluoro-désoxyglucose (TEP- 18 FDG) ou au 18-fluoro-dihydroxyphénylalanine (TEP au 18 FDOPA). Observation Nous rapportons l’observation d’un homme âgé de 50 ans présentant un syndrome de cushing sévère et rapidement évolutif, en rapport avec un hypercorticisme par sécrétion ectopique d’ACTH. Devant la sévérité du tableau clinique, la résistance au traitement par kétoconazole et l’impossibilité de localiser la tumeur causale par les techniques d’imagerie conventionnelle, une surrénalectomie bilatérale de sauvetage était réalisée. Deux ans plus tard, la tomodensitométrie thoracique objectivait un nodule de 11 mm isolé au niveau du lobe inférieur gauche, la TEP au 18 FDG retrouvait un hypermétabolisme discret du nodule pulmonaire sans spécificité, et la TEP au 18 FDOPA confirmait la nature hyperfixante de ce nodule en faveur d’un carcinome endocrine. L’examen anatomopathologique était en faveur d’une tumeur carcinoïde typique et le complément immuno-histochimique montrait une positivité des cellules tumorales pour l’ACTH, le CD56, la chromogranine et la synaptophysine. Conclusion Cette observation illustre le dilemme entre la nécessité de localiser la sécrétion ectopique de l’ACTH et le contrôle d’un syndrome de Cushing agressif et menaçant. Le recours précoce à la TEP au 18 FDG ou au 18 FDOPA doit être envisagé si le diagnostic topographique de la tumeur causale ne peut être fait par les techniques d’imageries conventionnelles. Introduction Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome is a rare cause of endogenous hypercortisolism attributable to ectopic ACTH secretion by non-pituitary tumors. Imaging and biochemical results are often inconclusive and differential diagnosis with Cushing's disease can then be challenging. Moreover, these tumors may be occult and difficult to find and thus the need of new imaging tools such as 18 FDG-PET scan and 18 DOPA-PET scan. Case report We report a 50-year-old man who presented with very aggressive clinical features related to Cushing's syndrome. Biological work-up confirmed the hypercortisolism and was consistent with an ectopic ACTH secretion. Conventional localization techniques failed to show any tumor and bilateral adrenalectomy was performed because of life-threatening complications. Two years later, thoracic computed tomography reveals an 11 mm mass in the left lower pulmonary lobe, 18 FDG-PET scan found a non-specific mild hypermetabolism of the lung nodule, and the 18 DOPA-PET scan confirmed the high uptake of this nodule suggesting an endocrine carcinoma. Histology confirmed a typical carcinoid tumor. The tumor cells stained positive for ACTH, CD56, chromogranin and synaptophysin. Conclusion This case illustrates the dilemma between the need for morphological diagnosis of the ectopic ACTH source and control of the life-threatening hypercortisolism. 18 FDG-PET scan and 18 DOPA-PET scan should be considered early as a secondary diagnostic tool when conventional imagery fails to show any tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Amorphous Co80− x Dy x B20 alloys have been prepared by melt spinning technique and their magnetic properties have been studied. The mean field theory has been used to explain the temperature dependence of the magnetization. High-field magnetization studies performed at 4.2K in magnetic fields up to 38T have revealed, for samples with stoichiometry close to that of a compensated ferrimagnet, a magnetic behavior that is characteristic of a non-collinear magnetic structure of the Dy and Co sublattices. From the non-collinear regime the exchange interactions between the Co and Dy magnetic sublattices and the magnetic anisotropy constants have been evaluated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Synthesis of BiFe 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3 multiferroic ceramic using conventional solid state method. Enhanced multi-functional properties are funded. • Narrow optical band gap of 1.86 eV (BiFe 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3) was obtained compared to 2.44 eV (BiFeO 3). • Magnetic and dielectric properties have been improved in BiFe 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3. Multiferroic BiFeO 3 (BFO) and BiFe 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3 (BFMO) ceramics have been elaborated using conventional solid state method. X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement revealed the existence of rhombohedrally R3c symmetry in BFMO with traces of secondary phase and decrease in structural parameters. From the optical and dielectric study, narrower band gap and a significant increase in the dielectric permittivity was shown in BFMO, compared to BFO. Magnetic measurement at room temperature of BFMO showed weak ferromagnetic hysteresis behavior. Also, a significant increase of magnetization has been detected with Mn ion substitution. These findings encourage a further thorough investigation of the prepared (BFMO) ceramic for enhancing multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reviewed the charts of 58 patients who underwent orthotopic bladder replacement after total cystoprostatectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Mean age was 56 years. As described by Camey, 60 centimetres of small bowel, are isolated, detubularised then folded upon itself to form a U shaped reservoir, which is anastomosed to the urethra. Death occurred in 5%. Urologic complications observed were: urinary leakage (15%), ureteral reflux (6.8%), ureteral stenosis (8.6%) and stones of the neobladder (5.1%). 64.2% of the patients were immediately continent during the day. Nocturnal continence was obtained for 50% immediately and for 80% three months postoperatively. Detubularised and U shaped cystoplasty achieve a low pressure reservoir, with protection of the upper urinary tract, and a diurnal continence. Nocturnal continence is achieved later.