Search

Focusing on queer relationality, broadly conceptualized as minoritarian subjects' modes of relating, engaging, and connecting with others in a symbolic and material landscape of erasure and cultural unintelligibility, this special issue highlights their communication practices and relational experiences. In so doing, it attempts to mitigate epistemic injustice, a wrong perpetrated against minoritarian subjects in their capacity as knower and legitimate source of their own experiences, by making their practices and experiences known and legible in mainstream heteronormative culture. The purpose of our article is to offer a preliminary mapping of queer relationalities, ranging from communication practices to modes of sociality and relational formations that exist at the edges of mainstream cultural unintelligibility. To do so, we first explore the vast domain of queer relationality. Next, we identify and examine multiple ways of thinking, doing, and imagining queer relationality. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical, methodological, and political implications of current work on queer relationality assembled in this issue and explore future directions for research.

This article explores the reach of queer relationality beyond materiality and toward virtual realities. By expounding upon how desire, relationality, and race can be understood within technocultures, particularly within immersive interactive and virtual reality gaming, I situate the potentiality of queer worldmaking outside of the confines of social pressures and expectations in the material world. Through an analysis of Black Mirror 's episode, "Striking Vipers," I propose three concepts for analyzing queer relationality within technocultures, technodesiring, technorelating , and technoBlackness . The article concludes with possibilities for queer relationality and queer worldmaking that extend beyond the realm of white heteropatriarchal socialities.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is considered a rare but serious complication of Behçet's disease (BD). This study was performed to define the prevalence, clinical and biological features, treatment, and clinical course of BSC associated with BD in a Moroccan population. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1578 patients fulfilling the international diagnostic criteria for BD, including those with BSC. Eighteen male and 3 female patients, with a mean age of 36 ± 8.6 years. The inferior vena cava was involved in 81% (n = 17) of cases. All forms of BCS were noted: the chronic form in 52.4% (n = 11), the subacute form in 38% (n = 8), and the fulminant form (2 cases). Ascites was the main clinical sign and was present in 62% of patients (n = 13). Other venous thromboses (superior vena cava and lower limbs) were associated with BSC in 52.4% of patients (n = 11). Arterial involvement was noted in 28.6% (n = 6). Cardiac manifestations were present in 19% (n = 4) of the patients. All the patients received anticoagulants associated with corticosteroids. Immunosuppressants were used in 95% (n = 20). One patient received infliximab. Severe complications were noted in 38% (n = 8) of patients (digestive bleeding, confusion, infections and liver failure). Four patients have died during the study period. BCS in patients with BD is not uncommon and can be life threatening. It is frequently associated with other vascular manifestations that can be difficult to treat, particularly in the presence of pulmonary artery aneurysms. Prognosis improved with the use of immunosuppressants. Biologics can be promising in the early stages., Competing Interests: The authors have no ethical statement and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

North Africa is a key area for understanding hominin population movements and the expansion of our species. It is home to the earliest currently known Homo sapiens (Jebel Irhoud) and several late Middle Stone Age (MSA) fossils, notably Kébibat, Contrebandiers 1, Dar-es-Soltane II H5 and El Harhoura. Mostly referred to as "Aterian" they fill a gap in the North African fossil record between Jebel Irhoud and Iberomaurusians. We explore morphological continuity in this region by quantifying mandibular shape using 3D (semi)landmark geometric morphometric methods in a comparative framework of late Early and Middle Pleistocene hominins (n = 15), Neanderthals (n = 27) and H. sapiens (n = 145). We discovered a set of mixed features among late MSA fossils that is in line with an accretion of modern traits through time and an ongoing masticatory gracilization process. In Northern Africa, Aterians display similarities to Iberomaurusians and recent humans in the area as well as to the Tighenif and Thomas Quarry hominins, suggesting a greater time depth for regional continuity than previously assumed. The evidence we lay out for a long-term succession of hominins and humans emphasizes North Africa's role as source area of the earliest H. sapiens., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

A 42-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a 2-month history of recurrent fever and painful swelling on the left thigh. She was given a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis and an antimicrobial. Because the response was not significant and fever remained moderate to high grade, with the appearance of gradually increasing periorbital edema (Figure 1), the diagnosis was reconsidered, and she was referred to a tertiary referral center for further study.

In young people brain ischemias vary according to their cause and prognosis. In internal medicine they have a specific cause, considering the tertiary source of recruitment. Our study aimed to provide informations about some specific causes of this disease in young subject. We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of young patients hospitalized at the Department of Internal Medicine in Casablanca over the period 2000-2014. All patients underwent CT scan angiography and/or magnetic resonance angiography that determined the nature and the topography of the ischemic stroke. Clinical examination was followed by appropriate investigations to determine the cause of brain ischemia. Data were collected from twenty-five patients, with a sex ratio of 0.73 and an average age of 36±7. Smoking was reported in 32% of cases, diabetes and high blood pressure were found in 8% of cases. Amnesia and migraine episodes were found in 24% of cases. Combination estrogen-progestin and a history of miscarriage were reportedin 12% of cases. Ischemic strokes were mainly caused by acute systemic lupus (32%) associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (80%), Behcet's disease (16%), Takayasu's disease (12%). In addition to anti-aggregation treatment, 76% of patients underwent corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapies. Internists are involved in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke, in particular to determine its cause. The causes of brain ischemias in young people are multiple. Research has to be rigorous in order to identify specific causes, to evaluate the risk of recidivism and to establish a therapeutic approach.

Dermatomyositis is a rare connective tissue disease of unknown origin, including inflammatory myopathy and cutaneous manifestations. Several pulmonary complications associated to dermatomyositis were described; especially interstitial lung disease. Some rare and particular pulmonary complications were reported in the literature such as pneumodiastinum and pneumothorax. We are describing here, a case report about a female patient, who presented with dermatomyositis associated to pneumomediastinum as a severe and lethal complication without pneumothorax. It is a novel observation depicting this severe and rare complication. Brutal dyspnea and cervical subcutaneous crackling are alarming signs that should make practitioners think about this complication., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most frequent primary immunodeficiency and has a reported prevalence of approximately 1:25,000 to 1:50,000. The fact that it is rarely considered as a diagnosis in adults can lead to diagnostic delay, especially in older patients, and to complications such as bronchiectasis and excess mortality. However, practitioners should first exclude common causes of hypogammaglobulinaemia before considering CVID. Here we present a case of CVID revealed by prolonged fever and complicated with granulomatous manifestations and bronchiectasis in an older woman without a history of recurrent infections., Learning Points: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) should be considered in atypical cases with unexplained chronic signs such as fever of unknown origin (even in older patients) after tuberculosis, HIV, neoplasia and connective tissue disease have been ruled out.Common causes of hypogammaglobulinaemia should be excluded before CVID is considered.CVID can mimic sarcoidosis., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interests: The Authors declare that there are no competing interests.

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is defined by a lack of estrogen and progesterone receptor gene expression and by the absence of overexpression on HER2. It is associated to a poor prognosis. We propose to analyze the clinicopathologic and prognostic characteristics of this breast cancer subtype in a Mediterranean population originated or resident in the North of Morocco., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 279 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2010 and January 2015. Clinicopathologic and prognostic features have been analyzed. Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS) have been estimated., Results: Of all cases, forty-nine (17.6 %) were identified as having triple negative breast cancer with a median age of 46 years. The average tumor size was 3.6 cm. The majority of patients have had invasive ductal carcinoma (91.8 %) and 40.4 % of them were grade III SBR. Nodal metastasis was detected in 38.9 % of the patients and vascular invasion was found in 36.6 % of them. About half of the patients had an early disease (53.1 %) and 46.9 % were diagnosed at an advanced stage. Patients with operable tumors (61.2 %) underwent primary surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with no operable tumors (26.5 %) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery, and patients with metastatic disease (12.2 %) were treated by palliative chemotherapy. DFS and OS at 5 years were respectively 83.7 and 71.4 %. Among 49, twelve had recurrences, found either when diagnosing them or after a follow-up. Local relapse was 6.1 %. Lung and liver metastases accounted consecutively for 8.2 and 10.2 %. Bone metastases were found in 4.1 % and brain metastases in 2.1 % of the cases., Conclusion: Our results are in accordance with literature data, particularly what concerning young age and poor prognosis among TNBC phenotype. Therefore, the identification of BRCA mutations in our population seems to be essential in order to better adapt management options for this aggressive form of breast cancer.

Epidermoid cyst is a frequent benign cutaneous tumor. The pelvic localization does not occur very often. The literature that taps into such cases is very limited in scope. Here is a report of a 27-year-old woman with a giant pelvic retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst. The use of ultrasound exploration and computed tomography has indicated ovarian origins. The surgery also revealed a retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst, uterus and ovaries were all intact. The evacuation of a cyst was found to contain lamellas of keratin. Histology permitted us to confirm the diagnosis. The patient was faring well after two years of followup.

Borderline para-ovarian cysts (PCs) are rare entities. They are commonly present in the third decade. Borderline PCs are often discovered fortuitously on routine ultrasound examination or they are common incidental findings during a laparotomy. They must be differentiated from simple ovarian cysts, peritoneal inclusion cysts and hydrosalpinges on ultrasound sonography. Papillary projections on the cyst wall should be searched carefully to suggest diagnosis. The treatment is surgical including fertility -sparing operation or more radical surgery depending on the case. The prognosis is good because borderline PCs are usually early-stage at diagnosis. Here is a report of a 38- year old woman with a borderline paratubal cyst. Adnexal torsion of hydrosalpinx was suspected; thus, she underwent an urgent surgery. Cystectomy was performed without rupture. The final diagnosis revealed a borderline PC. The patient underwent a radical surgery. Currently, she has had no evidence of disease recurrence.

Peritoneal tuberculosis in pregnancy is one of the least common forms of extrapulmonory tuberculosis in pregnancy. Early diagnosis is important to prevent obstetrical and neonatal morbidity. We report the case of a 37-year-old pregnant woman who presented with abdominal volume increase, night-sweat, anorexia, loss of weight and abdominal pain at 23 weeks. A peritoneal laparoscopic biopsy was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. The patient received antituberculosis chemotherapy. The recovery was good as gave birth to a healthy infant of 3200Kg at 37th week's gestation by vaginal delivery.

Purpose: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is a rare systemic affection characterised by the association of ocular inflammatory manifestations and extra ocular lesions such as meningismus, tegumentary or auditory findings observed in pigmented population. Auto-immune origin of this syndrome is probable; a T-lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune process is directed against an unidentified antigen associated with melanocytes., Methods: The aim of this retrospective study is to determine their clinical profile in our country., Results: Eight consecutive cases of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease were studied during a 22-year period. All the patients fulfilled the criteria of American Uveitis Society. All patients were female and had bilateral ocular involvement as panuveitis. Retinal serous detachment was observed in 4 patients, meningitis in 6 cases. 7 patients had hearing loss and 5 patients had cutaneous lesions represented by poliosis. Corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive therapy were administered in all patients leading to improvement in 5 patients., Conclusion: Our series are concording with a usually good ocular prognosis. Immunosuppressive therapy should be used early in posterior segment involvement.

Introduction: Neurological involvement is well described in Behçet's Disease (BD), with variable prevalence of 5.3 to 30p.cent. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical patterns of neuro-Behçet (NB) and to compare them with different clinical features of 925 BD registered in the same period and the literature., Methods: All patients of NB fulfilled the International Study Group Criteria for the diagnosis of BD. 93 patients with headache, without other neurological symptoms were excluded. The findings were supported by cerebrospinal fluid, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging and angiography., Results: NB was present in 16.64p.cent of BD. A sex ratio male/female: 4.31. The mean age of patients with NB was 31.76 years. The average age of onset of NB was 29.83. The mean duration of the NB disease was 3.81 years. The findings were categorised in 2 main types: parenchymal and non-parenchymal involvement. Some patients had features of both types (mixed patterns). 94 patients (61.03p.cent) presented with parenchymal central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The most common findings were pyramidal signs, cranial nerve palsies, pseudobulbar syndrome and cerebellar signs. 27 patients (17.53p.cent) without parenchymal CNS which were divided into: intracranial hypertension in 24 patients (15.58p.cent) presenting headache, vomiting and bilateral papilloedema; cerebro-arterial involvement in 3 cases (one of them had cerebrovascular aneurysms). Mixed patterns were observed in 9 cases. Erythema nodosum and vascular involvement were more frequent in intracranial hypertension than in BD. Other clinical features were reported: pure meningeal pattern in 15 cases, pure peripheral nervous system involvement in 4 cases, isolated cranial nerves in 8 cases, chorea in one patient and pseudotumor of cervical medulla in other patient. 6 cases of juvenile BD and one case of familial Behçet were observed. 133 patients were treated (86.36p.cent). Mean duration of treatment was 7.46 month. We used corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents (cyclophosphamid, azathioprine, chlorambucil) and anticoagulant in intracranial hypertension. The course of disease was good in only 54.13p.cent of cases, and was bad in 18.79p.cent., Conclusion: NB occurred frequently in men and is more serious especially in parenchymal CNS involvement: 7 deaths (6 from parenchymal CNS).

Still's Disease of the adult is a systemic disease that the cause is unknown. If the pediatric forms are frequent, the affection of the adult is rare and its diagnosis is difficult. The purpose of this study is to analyse the features of the clinical evolution of adult Still's disease and to compare our results with the literature. It is a retrospective study about 21 years that permitted to collect 11 cases according the criteria of Yamaguchi. It is a matter of 6 men and 5 women that the mean age is 31 years old (age range: 16 to 48 years old). The fever was constant, the skin rash was noticed in 8 patients (72.7%); a polyarthritis was noticed in all the patients, chronic in 10 cases (90.9%) which 2 erosive forms. Adenopathies were present in 5 patients, a splenomegaly and a hepatomegaly were noticed respectively in 4 and 2 cases. Inflammatory syndrome with hyperleukocytosis was constant, and a hepatic cytolysis was noticed in 80%. The total ferritinemia titrated in 8 patients was constantly high. The hemocultures realized in all the patients were sterile and the complete immunologic examination was negative. The strong dose of corticoid was prescribed with success in all the patients. The immediate evolution was favourable in 10 patients. We deplore one death after a state of deep denutrition. Still's disease of the adult is rare, its diagnosis is difficult, sensitive to corticotherapy and its clinical evolution in our country is comparable to the literature.

Objective: Osteo-articular sarcoidosis may be evoked in the presence of peripheral articular manifestations or bone lesions that are sometimes asymptomatic. The aim of this work is to describe clinical and progressive features of sarcoidosis with osteo-articular involvement., Methods: Our retrospective study concerned 18 patients presenting with osteo-articular sarcoidosis from 1985 to 1999. We included patients with clinical diagnosis suggestive of sarcoidosis and with at least one positive biopsy., Results: Among 35 cases of sarcoidosis, 18 patients had an osteo-articular manifestation (51.42%), which revealed the disease in 2 patients. The female sex was predominant (sex ratio M/F of 0.12), the mean age was 47 years and the time before diagnosis was 3.6 years. Articular involvement was the most frequent. Inflammatory joint pains were present in 11 cases, a Lofgren syndrome in 2 cases, a chronic arthritis in 4 cases and acute monoarthritis of the elbow in 1 case. A female patient exhibited a probable association with a spondylarthropathy. The bone involvement, revealing the disease in 1 case, was also noted in 5 cases, located exclusively on hands; this sarcoidosal dactyly was represented in 2 cases in the form of phalangeal geodes, in wired form (2 cases) and in large bulla form (1 case). The bone biopsy when it was performed was positive in all 3 cases. The patients responded well to corticosteroids., Conclusion: The osteo-articular involvement of sarcoidosis is polymorphic and can reveal the disease or may appear during the course of its progression.

Blood culture is a key investigation for the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis (IE). When negative, there are diagnostic and therapeutic problems. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, the clinical features and the aetiological factors of IE with negative blood cultures compared with IE with positive blood cultures compared with IE with positive blood cultures. The authors undertook a retrospective review of 98 cases of patients admitted for IE from 1991 to 2000 to the Department of Infectious Diseases and Cardiology of Sousse (Tunisia). Of the 98 patients, 48 (48.9%), 29 men and 19 women with an average age of 34.3 years, had negative blood cultures. An infectious agent was identified in 7 cases (14.5%) by serology, valve culture or cerebrospinal fluid including Brucella (2), Coxiella (1) and Candida (1). Therefore, in 41 cases (42%), the cause of IE was not determined. Transthoracic echocardiography was of diagnostic value in 96% of cases and transoesophageal echocardiography showed disease not observed on transthoracic echocardiography in 5 cases. The main complication was cardiac failure (27 cases). The mortality was 14.5%. Comparison of the two groups showed that negative blood cultures were associated with a higher incidence of previous antibiotic therapy, extracardiac signs of IE and cardiac failure. Early surgical indications and mortality were the same in both groups. This report confirmed the high frequency of IE with negative blood cultures. Previous antibiotic therapy seems to be an important aetiological factor but cannot explain this high frequency. Methodological problems of blood cultures and the absence of systematic investigation for rare infectious agents are other possible factors.

Objectives: To gain additional knowledge on the joint manifestations of Behçet's disease, with special attention to unusual forms., Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of 340 cases with joint manifestations identified among 601 cases of Behçet's disease seen over a 15-year period. All the patients met International Study Group for Behçet's disease criteria. Radiographs of all joints with arthritis were obtained. Starting ten years ago, a radiograph of the sacroiliac joint was taken routinely., Results: Joint manifestations were present in more than half the patients (56.57%) and were inaugural in 18.23% of cases. The knees and ankles were the joints most commonly affected. Monoarthritis and oligoarthritis were seen in 16.17% and 11.76% of cases, respectively and polyarthritis involving the large limb joints and the small joints of the hands and feet in 17.05% of cases. Unusual forms included polyarthritis with deformities and/or destruction (n: 8, including two patients who also met criteria for rheumatoid arthritis), pseudogout (n: 5), popliteal cyst (n: 3, including one case imitating deep vein thrombosis), myositis (n: 1), spondylarthropathy (n: 5), and Sjögren's syndrome (n: 2). Children were more likely than adults to have joint manifestations (73.68%) and polyarthritis (35.7%)., Conclusion: Joint manifestations are common in Behçet's disease. Their unusual forms deserve to be known since they can raise diagnostic problems when they are inaugural.