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INTRODUCTION The existence of both the nutrition transition and the double burden of malnutrition is of great concern in many developing countries. (1,2) As these countries struggle with undernutrition, overweight [...], BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Accuracy of the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) depends on population-specific prediction equations. The aim of our study was to develop prediction equations for assessing total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) in healthy North-African adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In all, 250 participants (194 women, 56 men) aged 18-64 years were included in the analysis. BIA variables were measured by a tetra-polar device. TBW and FFM were assessed by the dilution of deuterium ([D.sub.2]O). The participants were sorted by gender and randomly split into development and validation subgroups. The validity of other published equations was also tested using Bland and Altman procedure, proportional bias and pure error. RESULTS: The prediction equations derived were: TBW (l) = 5.68 + 0.267 [height.sup.2]/resistance + 4.42 sex (male = 1, female = 0) + 0.225 weight--0.052 age ([R.sup.2] = 0.92, root mean square error (RMSE) = 1.75 l, RMSE% = 5.65); and FFM (kg) = 7.47 + 0.366 [height.sup.2]/resistance + 6.04 sex + 0.306 weight-0.063 age ([R.sup.2] = 0.92, RMSE = 2.38 kg, RMSE% = 5.61). The new equations provided nonsignificant proportional bias values, and better agreement than other tested equations. Bias and pure error values were 0.36 and 1.88 1 for men and 0.00 and 1.82 l for women, for TBW equation. For FFM equation, bias values were 0.43 and -0.04 kg, and pure errors were 2.57 and 2.46 kg for men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The new prediction equations provide reliable estimates of TBW and FFM in North-African adults and are recommended for use in these populations. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2013) 67, 1081-1086; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2013.125; published online 10 July 2013 Keywords: bioelectrical impedance; prediction equation; total body water; fat-free mass; North-Africans; cross-validation

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Copyright of Journal of Agronomy & Crop Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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.)

Introduction and Importance: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome, or aorto-mesenteric clamp syndrome, is a rare condition where the third portion of the duodenum is compressed between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. This syndrome often affects adolescents and young adults, with predisposing factors including significant weight loss, anatomical variations, and spinal deformities. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for managing symptoms and preventing complications., Case Presentation: A 14-year-old girl with a history of mitral insufficiency presented with persistent postprandial vomiting over four years. Despite minimal weight loss and stable vital signs, imaging studies revealed significant gastric and duodenal dilation, with a reduced aorto-mesenteric angle and distance, confirming SMA syndrome. Due to the chronicity of her symptoms, surgical intervention in the form of a gastrojejunostomy was performed, bypassing the compressed duodenal segment., Discussion: SMA syndrome is characterized by a reduced aorto-mesenteric angle and narrowing of the aorto-mesenteric distance, which can lead to duodenal compression. Risk factors include rapid weight loss and certain anatomical variations. Diagnosis relies on imaging, particularly CT angiography and gastroduodenal transit studies. While conservative management is the initial approach, up to 75 % of patients require surgical intervention. Various surgical techniques, including gastrojejunostomy, have been successful in providing symptomatic relief and improving quality of life., Conclusion: SMA syndrome should be considered in patients with chronic postprandial vomiting, particularly when conservative measures fail. Early diagnosis through imaging is essential, and surgical treatment, such as gastrojejunostomy, can offer significant symptom relief and improve patient outcomes in refractory cases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction and Importance: Retroperitoneal schwannomas are extremely rare, benign tumors originating from Schwann cells in peripheral nerve sheaths, with few reported cases. Their deep location and nonspecific symptoms make preoperative diagnosis challenging, often requiring imaging and surgical resection for confirmation. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of retroperitoneal schwannoma in a young patient, emphasizing its rarity., Case Presentation: An 18-year-old male presented with a progressively enlarging, non-tender mass in the left flank. Imaging revealed an 8 × 7 cm well-circumscribed, encapsulated mass displacing adjacent major vessels without invasion. The patient underwent successful surgical resection, and histopathology confirmed a benign schwannoma. Immunohistochemistry showed strong S100 protein positivity, with no signs of malignancy. Follow-up was uneventful, with no recurrence at six months., Discussion: Retroperitoneal schwannomas, typically slow-growing and benign, are infrequently encountered. Due to their nonspecific presentation, they often reach considerable size before detection. Imaging may suggest diagnosis but is not definitive, making surgical excision essential for confirmation. Complete resection is generally recommended to reduce recurrence, though partial excision may be appropriate when adjacent critical structures are involved., Conclusion: Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare and challenging to diagnose preoperatively. Complete surgical resection remains the primary approach, allowing histological confirmation and reducing recurrence risk. This case underscores the importance of considering retroperitoneal schwannomas in young patients presenting with atypical retroperitoneal masses., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction and Importance: Paratubal cysts are common adnexal lesions that can lead to complications such as torsion, especially during pregnancy, presenting diagnostic challenges due to symptom overlap with acute surgical emergencies. This study details the clinical characteristics and management of paratubal cyst torsion through a case report and literature review., Case Presentation: A 29-year-old pregnant woman at 28 weeks gestation presented with right iliac fossa pain and nausea. Initial investigations revealed leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. An abdominal ultrasound showed no clear evidence of appendicitis or adnexal masses, leading to a presumptive diagnosis of appendicitis. Laparotomy was performed, revealing a twisted, necrotic paratubal cyst. A cystectomy was conducted, with the appendix appearing normal. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on postoperative day three., Discussion: Paratubal cyst torsion is rare, with an incidence of 3 to 5 per 10,000 pregnancies, often misdiagnosed as other conditions. Imaging techniques have limited diagnostic value. Surgical intervention remains the definitive treatment, with laparoscopic methods preferred in early pregnancy, though laparotomy is often necessary in later stages., Conclusion: This case emphasizes the rarity of paratubal cyst torsion at 28 weeks of gestation and the diagnostic challenges it presents. Timely surgical intervention is crucial for preserving reproductive potential. Increased awareness among healthcare providers is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and outcomes., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: Ectopic pancreatic tissue (EPT) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the presence of pancreatic tissue in an abnormal location, separate from the pancreas, without any anatomical or vascular connection to it. This anomaly is often an incidental finding during operation or autopsy. This peculiarity poses clinical and radiological challenges for surgeons, particularly during laparoscopic or open procedures., Case Report: This article presents a compelling case of EPT, discovered incidentally during a planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient, a 50-year-old male with a history of biliary colic, underwent a meticulous laparoscopy exploration revealing an undistended gallbladder with an unexpected yellowish tissue fragment resembling pancreatic parenchyma., Clinical Discussion: EPT has an incidence ranging from 0.55 % to 13.7 % in autopsy studies. While the origins of EPT remain unclear, theories regarding the embryonic separation of pancreatic tissue offer insights into its origins and displacement from the original site. Macroscopically, EPT may present as polypoid lesions or yellow nodules and is typically asymptomatic. The various attachment locations and potential manifestations in other intra-abdominal sites add complexity to its diagnosis. Imaging techniques are often ineffective, making histopathological examination essential for diagnosis., Conclusion: Diagnosing EPT in the gallbladder before and during surgery often presents significant challenges. Pathologists should be aware of this rare incidental finding, as it can mimic a tumor and lead to an overdiagnosis of malignancy. Only a precise histopathologic examination can provide a definite diagnosis and distinguish it from malignancies. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is sufficing treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Importance: Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare disorder characterized by benign histiocytic proliferation. The purely cutaneous variant of Rosai-Dorfman disease is exceptionally uncommon. This abstract centers on an extraordinary case-an instance of primary cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (PCRDD), a rare cutaneous variant within an already infrequent disorder. Successfully managed through surgical intervention, this unique case underscores the pressing need for refined diagnostic and therapeutic strategies., Case Report: We present a noteworthy case of primary cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (PCRDD) in a north African female, deviating from the typical age of onset. The patient exhibited a rare cutaneous variant, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness in diverse demographics. Histological analysis revealed characteristic emperipolesis and immunohistochemical features consistent with RDD., Clinical Discussion: PCRDD, although uncommon within the Rosai-Dorfman Disease spectrum, manifests with a later onset and distinctive demographic characteristics. Surgical excision emerges as a viable therapeutic option for managing symptomatic lesions, as demonstrated in our case. The infrequency of PCRDD underscores the importance of tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Individualized approaches become pivotal in addressing the complexities associated with PCRDD, ensuring careful consideration of its intricacies in the broader context of Rosai-Dorfman disease., Conclusion: This case underscores the complexity of RDD, especially in rare cutaneous presentations. Surgical excision, with its reported efficacy, stands as a crucial intervention, offering both symptomatic relief and potential cure, showcasing the significance of individualized care in managing this rare disorder. Continued research remains imperative for advancing RDD understanding and refining clinical approaches., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction and Importance: Leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids, are benign soft tissue tumors mostly found in the uterus. Although predominantly uterine, they can occur rarely in other areas, notably in the gastrointestinal tract. This article emphasizes an unusual case: an ileal leiomyoma in a 54-year-old patient, showcasing the distinct diagnostic and management challenges it presents., Case Report: A 54-year-old female with no prior medical history presented with a progressively enlarging, painful abdominal mass over six months. Imaging suggested a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), but guided biopsy yielded an unexpected diagnosis of ileal leiomyoma. Subsequent surgical intervention successfully removed the tumor, leading to an uneventful postoperative recovery., Clinical Discussion: This case underscores the diagnostic intricacies and clinical manifestations of ileal leiomyomas. While diagnosis can be challenging, timely histopathological evaluation is crucial. Surgical resection guided by pathological findings played a pivotal role in this patient's care, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment in unique medical cases., Conclusion: The rarity of ileal leiomyomas presents a substantial challenge in the medical field, where expertise can be limited. This case emphasizes the pivotal role of histopathological analysis in confirming the diagnosis and guiding effective surgical management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Medical studies are hard to manage especially for students with specific needs. These students warrant some adaptations in studies and trainings in order to achieve learning goals. Studies showed they face structural and cultural barriers and stigma. Current efforts aim to encourage integration of these persons in order to increase diversity., Objective: This study aimed to assess perception of Tunisian medical students with specific needs., Method: Cross-sectional study through online questionnaire including learners affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (students, interns, and residents) who consider they have specific needs. This questionnaire was elaborated by authors and explored barriers faced by participants, needed help, and suggested solutions. Study respected consent and confidentiality., Results: This study included 40 participants. Most of them ( n  = 32) were post-graduate (interns and residents). The most reported condition was mental disability ( n  = 14). Main challenges faced by participants were work time schedule, unhealthy lifestyle, and negative attitudes from peers and supervisors, and 19 felt victim of stigma. Reported specific needs were adapting work schedule and psychological support from peers, from supervisors, or from mental health professionals. Almost half of the participants did never disclose their difficulties ( n  = 21). Suggested solutions involved to have a counseling center within the faculty. Only 8 participants knew there was a new unit helping students with specific needs in FMT., Conclusions: Despite efforts of the university, medical learners with chronic conditions still face many structural and cultural barriers to inclusion. Most participants suggested to have more psychological support from faculty., Competing Interests: Competing InterestsThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) under exclusive licence to International Association of Medical Science Educators 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Introduction: Surgery remains a cornerstone in the treatment of rectal cancer. Optimal surgical resection implies respect for carcinologic principles. The best way to evaluate a good quality of resection requires certainly an exhaustive evaluation of the surgical specimen by the surgeon and the pathologist., Aim: To assess the quality of resected rectal cancers., Methods: This study included patients operated on for rectal malignant epithelial tumors, between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2020, in the general surgery department B at Charles Nicolle's Hospital in Tunis. Data relevant to the pathologic examination were recorded. We performed a descriptive study and an analytic bivariate study comparing the two groups "number of lymph nodes harvested less than 12" versus "number of lymph nodes harvested higher than or equal to 12"., Results: Neoadjuvant therapy was performed in 39 patients (79%). Anterior resection (AR) was performed in 43 patients (43%) and abdominoperineal resection (APR) was performed in 11 patients (20%). There were no invaded margins. The mean distal surgical margin was 3±1.4 cm. Mesorectum was complete in 38 surgical specimens (70%). The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 14. Resection was considered R0 in 47 patients (87%). In bivariate analysis, there was no difference between the "number of harvested lymph nodes <12" and the "number of harvested lymph nodes ≥ 12"groups for the variables: laparotomy, laparoscopic approach, conversion to laparotomy and chemoradiotherapy., Conclusion: Quality of surgical resection of rectal cancer in our department was in accordance with recommendations.

COVID-19 cases are increasing daily worldwide. With such emerging disease, the medical community should be aware of atypical clinical presentations in order to help with correct diagnosis, and to take the proper measures to isolate and treat patients to avoid healthcare professionals being infected and to limit its spread (SARS-CoV-2). Thrombogenesis in COVID-19 has been described in few cases, but a thrombosis of a large digestive vessel has not been documented so far. Mesenteric ischemia due to an obstruction of a large vessel may be a new presentation of COVID-19 infection., Competing Interests: The authors whose names are listed certify that they have conflict of interests., (© 2021 The Authors. Clinical Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Although the symptoms attributed to gall stones resolve in most patients after cholecystectomy, some may have symptoms that persist or recur. It is known as the post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). The aim of this case was to describe the diagnostic difficulties encountered and to discuss the main etiologies of this entity., Case Report: A 54-year-old man presented for a recurrent right upper quadrant pain despite laparoscopic cholecystectomy five years ago. Imaging showed cystic lesion at the gallbladder fossa with gallstones. We decided to reoperate the patient by laparoscopic approach. It turned to be a residual gallbladder with stones inside. It was confirmed by histopathology. He was asymptomatic after a follow-up of 2 years., Discussion: The PCS should not be trivialized. Most of the causes are allocated to extra biliary etiologies. They must be ruled out first as most of them can be controlled with medication. There are etiologies for which re-operation can be necessary., Conclusion: The indication of cholecystectomy must be taken wisely otherwise surgery will not solve the problem. Even though patient may complain of persistence or recurrence of the pain. In this case, it can be a real challenge for both diagnosis and treatment., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), presents a significant and urgent threat to global health. This alarming viral infection, declared as pandemic by the WHO in February 2020, has resulted millions of infected patients and thousands of deaths around the world. In Morocco, despite the efforts made by the authorities, the SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread and constitutes a burden of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to describe clinical characteristics of COVID-19 Moroccan patients and to establish the relationship between specific clinical symptoms, namely ageusia and/or anosmia, with these characteristics., Methods: We performed a descriptive, non-interventional cross-sectional study analyzing data from 108 patients admitted to the VINCI clinic, Casablanca (Morocco). The database includes 39 parameters including epidemiological characteristics, anthropometric measurements and biological analyzes., Results: The average of age of the patients was 43.80 ± 15.75 years with a sex ratio of 1:1. The mean body mass index of the patients was 25.54 ± 4.63 Kg/m 2 . The majority of patients had, at least, one comorbidity and among 75% symptomatic patients, about 50% had, at least, three symptoms namely, fever (40.7%), cough (39.8%), myalgia (28.7%), and anosmia and/or ageusia (20.4%). From biological analyzes, we noticed lymphopenia and an elevated protein C reactive and lactate dehydrogenases levels in 24.1, 36.1, and 35.2% of patients, respectively. A disturbance in liver function markers was observed in 15.7% of cases. For the other hemostasis parameters, high levels of prothrombin and platelets were reported in 14.6 and 14.8% of patients, respectively. Comparisons related to the presence of anosmia and/or ageusia did not show any difference for demographic and anthropometric characteristics, while a possibility of a significant difference was revealed for certain biological parameters, particularly the levels of lymphocytes, D-dimer and troponin., Conclusion: This study provides significant findings that will be used not only to supplement previous studies carried out in Morocco in order to resume the epidemiological situation in comparison with other countries, but also to improve the quality of the diagnosis of COVID-19 patients by identifying all the symptoms of the disease and better understanding its clinical outcomes., (Copyright © 2020 Benkirane, Heikel, Laamiri, Bouziani, Lahmam, Al-Jawaldeh, El Haloui, Ennibi, Akhtar-Khan, El Fahime, Obtel, Barkat and Aguenaou.)

Iron deficiency constitutes a major public health problem in Morocco, mainly among women and children. The aim of our paper is to assess the efficacy of consumption of multiple micronutrients (MMN) fortified milk on iron status of Moroccan schoolchildren living in rural region. Children (N = 195), aged 7 to 9 y, were recruited from schools and divided into two groups: the nonfortified group (NFG) received daily a nonfortified Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) milk and the fortified group received (FG) daily UHT milk fortified with multiple micronutrients including iron sulfate. Blood samples were collected at baseline (T0) and after 9 months (T9). Hemoglobin (Hb) was measured in situ by Hemocue device; ferritin and C Reactive Protein were assessed in serum using ELISA and nephelometry techniques, respectively. Results were considered significant when the p value was <0.05. At T9 FG showed a reduction of iron deficiency from 50.9% to 37.2% (p = 0.037). Despite the low prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (1.9%); more than 50% of children in our sample suffered from iron deficiency at baseline. The consumption of fortified milk reduced the prevalence of iron deficiency by 27% in schoolchildren living in high altitude rural region of Morocco. Clinical Trial Registration. Our study is registered in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry with the identification number PACTR201410000896410.

Thromboxane B(2) has been labeled by four fluorescent probes structurally related to coumarin (4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin, 7-[(chlorocarbonyl) methoxy]-4-methylcoumarin, 4-luminarin) or anthracen (panacyl bromide). The purity of the derivatives determined by liquid chromatography was over 90%. The extinction coefficient, Stokes' shift, quantum yield, life-time and the anisotropy of the emitted fluorescence were determined. Immunorecognition of thromboxane B(2) derivatives was checked by competition immunoassays. Among the derivatives tested, that obtained with 4-luminarin has a suitable Stokes' shift (95 nm), a quantum yield of 0.46, a single value of excited state life-time (9.3 nsec), a well-preserved immunorecognition and a good chemical stability. Preliminary results in competition experiments showed variations in fluorescence anisotropy correlated to thromboxane B(2) concentration.