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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrinopathies among young women. Ultrasound evidence of polycystic ovaries is one of its crucial diagnostic criteria. Objectives: Our main objective is to study the contribution of ultrasound data in diagnosing PCOS. In addition, we aim to establish a new cutoff point for the use of ultrasound and to determine its sensitivity as well as its specificity. Design: It was a prospective study, including all patients presenting with clinical hyperandrogenism. Methods: The ultrasound examination of these patients was performed using a novel ultrasound machine (18 MHz) compared to an older ultrasound machine (2 Hz–8 MHz). Inclusion criteria encompassed adult female patients over 18 years presenting symptoms suggestive of PCOS, particularly hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation, meeting Rotterdam's diagnostic criteria. Prior to inclusion, assessments were conducted to eliminate other potential causes explaining hyperandrogenism or menstrual disorders in both groups. Results: We examined 92 patients diagnosed with PCOS. Menstrual disorders were the main symptoms, with amenorrhea being more frequent in the PCOS group (G1) (48.9% vs the control group (G2): 11.1%). The follicle number was significantly lower in the control group, as assessed by both ultrasound machines (p < 10−3). The accuracy of the new ultrasound device was evaluated compared to the old one using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, revealing a cutoff of 18 follicles (sensitivity of 68.1%, specificity of 100%) and an area under the curve of 0.955. We found a significant difference between the median values of the number of follicles (NF) by both ultrasound machines (18 vs 12). It was positively correlated with an index of r = 0.916. For the volume, it was distinctively higher in G1 (p < 10−3). ROC curve analysis revealed an ovarian volume cutoff of 9.25 ml with a sensitivity of 48.9% and a specificity of 100%. Both ultrasound machines were positively correlated with an index of r = 0.979 (p < 10−3). Conclusion: In conclusion, we were able to establish significant correlations between the new and the old ultrasound devices for both the NF and ovarian volume. Our study is distinctive as it represents the first on the African continent to re-evaluate the ultrasound criterion for PCOS. Plain language summary: Validating ultrasound criteria for PCOS in North African patients In this study, we explored patients using ultrasound to better diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in North African women. Ovarian follicles are small sacs in a woman's ovaries that not only release eggs but also produce important hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, prepare the body for pregnancy, and influence many aspects of a woman's health and well-being. We set new standards for measuring follicles and ovaries to improve diagnosis accuracy. Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is often diagnosed using ultrasound in North African women. Current ultrasound standards may not be accurate enough for this group. This study aimed to improve PCOS diagnosis by setting new standards for measuring ovarian sizes and follicle numbers. Methods: We reviewed a new ultrasound method. We then established new measurement thresholds specific to North African women. These new standards were tested for accuracy in diagnosing PCOS. Results: Our new measurement thresholds were more accurate in diagnosing PCOS. The improved standards led to better identification of PCOS in North African women. This suggests that current ultrasound methods might need adjustments based on population-specific data. Conclusions: Using ultrasound with new measurement standards can improve PCOS diagnosis in North African women. Adjusting diagnostic criteria to specific populations may enhance overall healthcare outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Equity-oriented efforts to mitigate and prevent COVID-related disparities are hindered due to methodological limitations of the categorization of racial and ethnic groups, including Arabs and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities, which remain invisible in national data collection efforts. This study highlights the disparities in COVID-related outcomes in Toronto, Canada and supports ongoing calls to collect public health data among MENA communities in the United States. Methods: Data on racial/ethnic identity and hospitalizations were collected by the Toronto Public Health (TPH) of the Ontario Ministry of Public Health Case between May 20, 2020, and September 30, 2021 from people with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19. Results: The reported COVID-19 infection rate for Arab, Middle Eastern, West Asians (i.e., categories used to self-identify as MENA in Canada) relative to Whites in Toronto was 3.51. The age-standardized hospitalization rate ratio between Arab, Middle Eastern, West Asians and Whites was 4.59. Discussion: Data from Toronto highlight that Arab, Middle Eastern, and West Asians have higher rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations than their White counterparts. Comparable studies are currently not possible in the United States due to lack of data that can disaggregate MENA individuals. This study underscores the critical need to collect data among MENA communities in the United States to advance our field's goal of promoting and advancing equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc)-systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overlap syndrome is rarely described in the literature, and its morbidity and mortality remain high after the early onset of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which determines its severity. The epidemiology of SSc-SLE overlap syndrome is not well known. It is characterized by high clinical polymorphism, making its diagnosis difficult. Through this case, we underline the difficulty and delay in the diagnosis of this syndrome in a country with limited resources, as well as the difficulty of its management given the specificity of the treatment for each pathology and the risk of infections, which could limit their use. Case presentation: We report the case of a 49-year-old North African female patient, initially followed for SSc for 8 years, whose diversity of symptoms masked the distinct disease. Indeed, her initial clinical presentation was in favor of SSc, but the discovery of a pericardial effusion stimulated us to carry out more investigations and correct the initial diagnosis. The involvement of the myocardium and pericardium, as well as the positive antibody serology tests, make it possible to retain the diagnosis of SSc-SLE overlap syndrome. Despite the introduction of treatment, the patient unfortunately died a month later after developing a multi organ failure following an opportunistic infection. Conclusions: The management of SSc-SLE overlap syndrome can be complex, requiring good knowledge of these two pathologies, especially in immunocompromised patients with complications. Treatments based on corticosteroids and immunosuppressants may differ from one case to another, making their use difficult in a patient developing a cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. These patients require urgent treatment before the onset of complications, at the risk of worsening the prognosis, with close collaboration between a cardiologist and an internist, given the multisystem involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Few studies have evaluated the health of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women and children in the United States. Objectives were to determine the odds of well-visits, preventive behaviors during pregnancy, and low birthweight among foreign-born non-Hispanic MENA women and children compared to their US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic White counterparts after adjusting for covariates (hereafter, reported as MENA and White). Methods: We analyzed 2000–2018 National Health Interview Survey data (411,709 women, 311,961 children). Outcomes included well-woman visits (past 12 months); dentist visits (past 6 months) and current smoking among pregnant women; and low, moderately low, and very low birthweight among children. Covariates included age, family income, and health insurance for children. Education and marital status were also evaluated among women. Results: Over half (53.4%) of foreign-born MENA women were of childbearing age (ages 18–45) compared to 47.7% US-born and 43.2% foreign-born White women. The odds of completing a well-women visit were 0.73 times lower (95% CI = 0.38–0.89) among foreign-born MENA women compared to US-born White women after adjusting for age, education, and marital status. There was no statistically significant difference in dental visits between groups. No foreign-born MENA pregnant women reported current smoking. Foreign-born MENA children had higher odds of low (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.16–2.35) and moderately low birthweight (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.19–2.66) compared to US-born White children in adjusted models. Discussion: MENA women and children are classified as White by the federal government. Our results highlight that the health of foreign-born MENA women and children differ from their White counterparts. Significance: What is already known on this subject?: National studies have evaluated maternal and perinatal health among minoritized groups; however, none have presented results among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) women and children. The few studies that have evaluated MENA maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes have provided only state and local estimates. What this study adds?: This study provides nationally representative baseline data on the maternal and perinatal health of foreign-born MENA women and children. This is the first study to examine oral health among pregnant MENA women compared to US- and foreign-born pregnant White women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research examines the stereotypes held about North Africans in French society today. Extending past works, we included gender and separately studied the stereotypes of North African men and women. Using three techniques, namely, spontaneous generation, attribute rating, and pathfinder analysis, our results revealed distinct stereotypes of North African men and women in French society. North African men are ascribed more antisocial traits. Traits associated with North African women are related to submissiveness and domestic chores. This suggests that stereotypes revealed in past studies concerned mainly the men of the group. The results underscore the need to consider gender when studying stereotypes of ethnic and minority groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The strength of the association between obesity and oral health is still indecisive. Objective: The objectives of the study were to compare some oral‐health data between two groups involving obese (OG) and normal weight (NWG) participants and determine the influencing factors of the periodontal probing depth (PPD). Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study including 67 Tunisian adults [OG (n = 33, body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2), NWG (n = 34, BMI: 18.5–25.0 kg/m2)]. The plaque level was recorded using the plaque index (PI). Gingival index (GI) was used to evaluate gingival inflammation. The depths of the sulci/pockets were probed using a periodontal probe. Stimulated saliva was collected for 5 min, and salivary flow rate (SFR) was determined. Salivary baseline pH (SBpH) was measured. A multivariable regression analysis was performed between PPD and some independent variables [i.e. obesity status, age, sex, socioeconomic status, systemic diseases and PI data]. Results: The OG and NWG were age‐ and sex‐matched and included comparable percentages of participants with systemic diseases (27.3 vs. 29.4%, respectively). The OG included a higher percentage of participants having a low socioeconomic status (87.9 vs. 64.7%, respectively). Compared with the NWG, the OG: (i) had comparable values of daily toothbrushing frequency, PI, GI and tooth mobility, (ii) included comparable percentages of irregular brushers, of participants with periodontitis, PI classes [0–1]and [1–2]; and GI classes [0–1], [1–2] and [2, 3]; (iii) had a higher PPD (2.02 ± 0.41 vs. 2.35 ± 0.22 mm, respectively), (iv) had lower SBpH (7.59 ± 0.21 vs. 7.45 ± 0.22, respectively) and SFR (1.98 ± 0.28 vs. 1.60 ± 0.32 mL/mn, respectively) and (v) included a higher percentage of participants having a PI class [2, 3] (67.6 vs. 87.9%, respectively). The multivariable regression analysis revealed that only obesity status, age and PI classes influenced the PPD, altogether explained 29.62% of the PPD variance. Conclusion: Obesity poses a risk for oral health, and obese adults had altered PPD and lower BSpH and SFR. Dentists should make obese patients aware of the health risks of obesity in an attempt to reduce the potential oral complications associated with this epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the impact of implicit religious beliefs on work ethic in specific cultural contexts. Based on three studies, the authors found that thoughts related to religion impact work ethic, but only when the culture embraces religious values at work and in public environments. In a comparative setting, Moroccan participants primed with religious thoughts displayed greater work ethic, whereas similarly primed French participants exhibited less work ethic (Study 1). For North African–French biculturals, religious stimuli interacted with cultural identity to predict work ethic (Study 2) and activated religious beliefs and cultural identity had a significant effect on their level of effort (Study 3). Our research reveals that implicit religious beliefs can predict work ethic in a manner contingent on a cultural setting. In cultures where religious values are historically embraced and encouraged, work ethic constitutes a religious construct that enhances work ethic. Conversely, in secular cultures, religious cues inhibit work ethic. We believe that within a multi-cultural, multi-religion work force, it is important to take note of these influences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African (Arab/MENA) individuals are regularly unaccounted for in research because they are conflated with the racial category "White." The systematic underrepresentation of Arab/MENA individuals in research persists, despite the fact that Arab/MENA individuals experience stigma, discrimination, and structural barriers that separate them from their White peers and contribute to disparities in mental health and well-being (Awad et al., 2021). Further, the lack of widespread inclusion of an Arab/MENA racial category has created assumptions about the generalizability of psychological constructs, measures, and treatments for Arab/MENA people, despite well-known cultural differences. The present study explored the validity of a widely used emotion regulation measure, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale–18, in an Arab/MENA emerging adult sample (Mage = 21.8, SD = 3.02), invariance across sex assigned at birth, differences in latent scores for religious identity, and associations with mental health and well-being. Results support the original six-factor model and are invariant across males and females. The implications of these findings for supporting assessment and treatment of Arab/MENA individuals, and the importance of including Arab/MENA as a racial category in research, are discussed. Public Significance Statement: Arab and Middle Eastern Americans are incorrectly categorized as "White" despite the higher rates of structural discrimination and barriers these individuals face. The lack of research on this group yields the inability to understand if current psychological measures adequately capture Arab/Middle Eastern individuals' functioning. This article evaluated a widely used emotion regulation measure in Arab/Middle Eastern Americans and its associations with mental health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review aimed to identify the scope of the current literature on the prevalence, consequences, and risk factors of domestic violence (DV) against women by their husbands or male partners in North African and Middle Eastern countries. The methodology for this scoping review was based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O'Malley. Studies published on DV against women over the age of 15 by partner or husband and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals between January 1970 and April 2018 were included in the review. The databases MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, Scopus, African Journals Online, Turkish Journal Database, and gray literature sources were searched. On completion of the review process, 151 full-text articles were identified for charting. This review demonstrated that women's age, women's education level, duration of marriage, history of childhood abuse/witnessing family violence, living in the rural region, and family income level were negatively associated with DV, indicating that younger women, women with lower education, a longer marriage duration, and a lower income level had a higher risk of exposure to DV in this region. Anxiety, depression/insomnia, and physical injury were the most common health problems reported by victims in the region. The highest proportion of women with no response to violence was reported in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The findings of this scoping review represent the first attempt to summarize the literature from North African and Middle Eastern countries and demonstrate the similarity in DV-related behaviors among women despite the cultural and regional diversity of the studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To estimate and compare the prevalence of cognitive limitations among Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) immigrants compared to US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites from Europe (including Russia/former USSR) and examine differences after controlling for risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional data using linked 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001–2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (ages >=65 years, n = 24,827) were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of cognitive limitations was 17.3% among MENA immigrants compared to 9.6% and 13.6% among US- and foreign-born non-Hispanic Whites from Europe. MENA immigrants had higher odds (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.06–3.34) of reporting a cognitive limitation than US-born non-Hispanic Whites after controlling for age, sex, education, hearing loss, hypertension, depression, social isolation, and diabetes. Discussion: To further examine cognitive health among the MENA aging population, policy changes are needed to identify this group that is often absent from research because of their federal classification as non-Hispanic Whites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on relationships between psychosocial factors and health among North African (NA) women are scarce. This research investigated the self‐perceived psychosocial well‐being of NA women by a structured questionnaire and anthropometric survey examining the possible explanatory variables of their mental health in comparison to a sample of NA migrants. The association of endogenous stress, psychological well‐being, discomfort, and quality of life with migrant/non‐migrant status, demographic characteristics, and adiposity indices was examined. Moreover, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach's alpha. A sample of 228 women living in Tunis and Casablanca participated in a survey in Tunisia and Morocco. According to multiple regression models, migrant/non‐migrant status was the best explanatory variable of well‐being and quality of life, marital status, educational level and the number of children were explanatory variables of discomfort and endogenous stress. Among anthropometric variables, central adiposity was a significant explanatory variable of well‐being. The comparison with women who migrated mainly from Morocco and Tunisia to Italy (NA migrants) exhibited higher weight status and central adiposity in NA migrants. The perceived stress and discomfort were the same in the two groups; the migrants, despite reporting lower psychological well‐being, presented a higher quality of life than residents. Our findings emphasise the potential to promote monitoring of the psychosocial health of NA women, planning effective interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Estudios Internacionales Mediterraneos is the property of Taller de Estudios Internacionales Mediterraneos 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.)

Social factors (e.g. housing, food security, etc.) contribute significantly to health. The purpose of this study is to describe social risk and social exclusion factors in one of the largest Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations in the U.S. and their association with health outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a community convenience sample of 412 adults who self-identify as MENA. Weighted, adjusted linear regression models were used to examine relationships of interest. Prevalent social risks included transportation barriers to healthcare (33%), food insecurity (33%), and financial strain (25%). In adjusted models, perception of being treated unfairly (Estimate (SE) 0.08 (0.04), p < 0.05) and fear of deportation (0.26 (0.06), p < 0.001) were associated with more social risk factors. More social risk factors were associated with worse self-reported health (0.09 (0.03), p < 0.01), more chronic conditions (0.11 (0.03), p < 0.004), and more mental health symptoms (0.34 (0.14) p < 0.01).Social risk is high among those perceiving unfairness and fear deportation. Those with more social risk factors reported worse health. These findings have implications for social needs screening and referral models that can best serve U.S. MENA sub-populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, many studies have reported an increasing global incidence of type 1 diabetes. Studies on migrant populations have underlined the importance of both environmental and genetic factors.Aims: Evaluate the incidence of type 1 diabetes in North African vs Italian children aged 0-14 years from 1 January 2015, to 31st December 2018, in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy.Methods: Clinical and epidemiological data about childhood onset type 1 diabetes in Emilia Romagna region were retrospectively collected by the regional centers of pediatric diabetology and matched using 3 different data sources.Results: 365 new cases were diagnosed. Total cumulative incidence was 15.4/100,000/year. North African cases showed a cumulative incidence of 53.8/100,000/year, statistically significant compared to cumulative incidence of the Italian cases alone 13.1/100,000/year (p value < 0.001). The annual incidence did not differ in the 4 years for both groups.  Conclusion: The incidence of type 1 diabetes in the pediatric age (0 14 years) was significantly higher in the North African population than in the Italian one, suggesting that a mix of genetic and environmental factors may have caused the increase in newly diagnosed cases.What Is Known: • The incidence of type 1 diabetes largely varies worldwide. • Study on immigrants helped to better understand the interplay role between genetics and environment.What Is New: • This is the first study focused on the incidence of children and adolescents of North African migrants in Italy. • The incidence of children and adolescents of North African migrants in Emilia Romagna region, Italy, seems to be higher than that reported in the host countries, and, above all, than that reported in highest-incidence countries in Europe and in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the issue of human rights in Germany after the mass sexual assaults on New Year's Eve 2015 in Cologne, Germany. She mentions the North African refugees accused of the assaults, the conflict between human rights and internal security, and the question of racism and the right of asylum.

This article traces the history of specialized social housing for North African families living in shantytowns in Marseille from the early 1950s to the mid-1970s. During the Algerian War, social housing assistance formed part of a welfare network that exclusively sought to "integrate" Algerian migrants into French society. Through shantytown clearance and rehousing initiatives, government officials and social service providers encouraged shantytown-dwelling Algerian families to adopt the customs of France's majority White population. Following the Algerian War, France moved away from delivering Algerian-focused welfare and instead developed an expanded immigrant welfare network. Despite this shift, some officials and social service providers remained fixated on the presence and ethno-racial differences of Algerians and other North Africans in Marseille's shantytowns. Into the mid-1970s, this fixation shaped local social assistance and produced discord between the promise and implementation of specialized social housing that hindered shantytown-dwelling North African families' incorporation into French society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented in which the authors argue that limited data concerning Arab or Middle Eastern and North African Health (MENA) data erodes the credibility of health disparity assessments.

In the article, the authors present their study in North Africa to determine whether childhood trauma (CT) can be used as an environmental determinant in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder (BD). The research also analyzed the relationship between the subtypes of trauma and the clinical features of BD. Also cited is the use of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) focusing on emotional neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect in the study.

Aims: There are very few studies comparing epidemiology and outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in different ethnic groups. Previous ethnicity studies have mostly determined OHCA differences between African American and Caucasian populations. The aim of this study was to compare epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of OHCA between the local Middle Eastern Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Arab and the migrant North African populations living in Qatar. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of Middle Eastern GCC Arabs and migrant North African patients with presumed cardiac origin OHCA resuscitated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Qatar, between June 2012 and May 2015. Results: There were 285 Middle Eastern GCC Arabs and 112 North African OHCA patients enrolled during the study period. Compared with the local GCC Arabs, univariate analysis showed that the migrant North African OHCA patients were younger and had higher odds of initial shockable rhythm, pre-hospital interventions (defibrillation and amioderone), pre-hospital scene time, and decreased odds of risk factors (hypertension, respiratory disease, and diabetes) and pre-hospital response time. The survival to hospital discharge had greater odds for North African OHCA patients which did not persist after adjustment. Multivariable logistic regression showed that North Africans were associated with lower odds of diabetes (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.25–0.91, p = 0.03), and higher odds of initial shockable rhythm (OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.30–6.33, p = 0.01) and greater scene time (OR 1.02 95% CI 1.0–1.04, p = 0.02). Conclusions: North African migrant OHCA patients were younger, had decreased risk factors and favourable OHCA rhythm and received greater ACLS interventions with shorter pre-hospital response times and longer scene times leading to better survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acculturation is a complex and multidimensional process that refers to the psychological process whereby individuals' behaviours, values, and cultural attitudes change as a result of contact between two or more distinct cultures. While there is a large amount of literature focused on linking acculturation to various adaptation-relevant outcome domains for other migrant groups, there has been little synthesis of literature focusing on African-born migrants. The present paper examined the relationship between acculturation (both host culture adoption and home culture maintenance) and the adaptation-relevant outcome domains that exist in the literature for African-born migrants (i.e., acculturative stress, discrimination, economic outcomes, healthcare utilisation, mental health, parenting, physical health, sexual health, social support and contact, and transnationalism). One hundred and eight records (113 studies; N total = 48,952 participants) were meta-analysed and revealed that host culture adoption was significantly related to better economic outcomes, greater healthcare utilisation, better sexual health, and greater social support and more social contact. Meta-analyses also revealed home culture maintenance was significantly related to greater discrimination, poor economic outcomes, and less social support and contact. Migrant status, acculturation measure, acculturation conceptualisation, and proxy acculturation measure moderated some of these relationships. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for future research and migration policies, namely indicating the importance of examining acculturation using bidimensional measures and the importance of migration policies supporting both host culture adoption and home culture maintenance. • Meta-analysis of acculturation and the adaptation-relevant outcome domains. • Identified differing adaptation-relevant outcomes for host and home culture. • Host culture is associated with economics, healthcare, sexual health, and social relations. • Home culture is associated with discrimination, economics, and social relations. • Limited moderation effects were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas instruments like the US Census classify Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans as white, racial formation-informed research has established that this population holds an ambiguous relationship with whiteness. I draw on theories of the self and cognition to introduce reflected race as an underexplored dimension of MENA racialization. Interviews with 84 Iranian Americans demonstrate how group members perceive they are appraised as distinct from and, in some ways, subordinate to a hegemonic US white norm. Following initial illegibility ("what?") in racial appraisal, respondents perceive a classificatory splitting from whiteness and/or lumping with similarly racialized others. In other words, they micro-interactionally move from "white" to "what?" and ultimately, to an uncertain but deeply felt sense non-white reflected race. By turning attention to social-psychological-informed phenomenon like reflected race, researchers can make more full use of racialization and racial formation as the dynamic, multi-level concepts they were originally theorized to be. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1923 the Parisian Municipal Council created a special police unit to control North Africans in Paris, known as the Brigade Nord-Africaine (BNA). During its twenty-year tenure, the BNA controlled the North Africans they policed through intimation and violence, but also through personal knowledge of the community. The BNA's harsh tactics had to be balanced by its officers' admitted reliance on North Africans for information. This article explores both the uniquely discriminatory and colonial nature of the BNA and the nuanced, intimate relationships that developed between the officers and the North African community. A repatriation of colonial control, the BNA reified the difference of those it policed, uniquely targeting North Africans but also offering a space of possible agency for them in interwar Paris. The BNA gives us insight into policing in the 1930s, demonstrating the acceptability of targeted policing but also showing the limits of coercive power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of Middle Eastern immigrants using national data, with and without African immigrants, have provided important discoveries on the health of this group. However, they do not directly measure health among Arab immigrants. It is yet to be determined whether using a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) classification can represent the health needs of Arab immigrants. The objective of this study was to assess if MENA immigrant health reflects the same patterns found in previous research focusing on Arab immigrant health. We used multiple years of data from the National Health Interview Survey in alignment with each former study methodology to compare our findings with four previous research studies. The independent variable was region of birth among non-Hispanic Whites. The dependent variables were chronic diseases, women's preventive health behaviors, men's preventive health behaviors, and cigarette smoking. Logistic regression was conducted to determine the odds of each outcome for MENA immigrants compared to US-born Whites. Then, adjusted 95% confidence intervals representing the more inclusive MENA immigrant categorization were compared to previous studies among Arab immigrants. Chronic conditions, women's and men's preventive health behaviors and cigarette smoking did not differ whether the MENA or Arab definition was used. However, statistically significant differences were observed between MENA and Arab immigrants regarding bachelor's degree or higher, not employed and years in the US. The MENA category reflects the Arab immigrant experience, even though it includes a wider set of origins, some of which are not Arab. Including a MENA identifier on future data collections will both represent Arab Americans, as well as identify this population as distinct from Whites to better represent and track health disparities. • The health of MENA/Arab American individuals has been invisible and understudied. • Whether a MENA or Arab designation was used did not change the results • From our research, MENA reflects the Arab experience, even though it includes a wider set of origins. • A MENA identifier on future data collections will both represent Arab Americans and health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Giardia and Cryptosporidium are common parasitic diarrhea agents of children contributing to childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Major risk factors, based on the international literature, are expected to include domestic animals, fresh vegetables and drinking water and foodstuffs purchased from street vendors. These factors and sub Saharan migrants are common in the study area. Reports elsewhere indicate that person-to-person transmission is also important.Objective: To assess the prevalence Cryptosporidium and Giardia in children with diarrhea in the Kufra City hospital and to assess risk factors for cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.Methods: A 10-month study, September 2013-June 2014 provided a fecal sample from 505 patients with diarrhea aged from 2 to 17 attending the outpatient clinics of local Kufra hospital, plus100 non symptomatic controls. Specimens were assayed for parasitic infection and for bacterial pathogens. Demographic information was obtained by questionnaire.Results: Giardia was found in nearly 1/3 of the symptomatic population but few had Cryptosporidium. Mixed parasite infections were found in 1/7th of samples including: Shigella, Salmonella, Ascaris ova, E. coli, and E. histolytica. Infection frequency was age related, and risk factors included: domestic animals, foreign workers from Africa, contaminated fresh vegetables and drinking water.Conclusion: Cryptosporidium and Giardia were frequently associated with diarrhea in children in a remote desert agricultural community with many opportunities for infection. Contact with animals, foreign workers from Africa, fresh vegetables and drinking water sources contaminated with sewage materials are the likely modes of transmission of both organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The COMT gene encodes for catechol- O -methyl-transferase, an enzyme playing a major role in regulation of synaptic catecholamine neurotransmitters. Investigating 4 markers of the COMT gene (rs2020917, rs4818, rs4680, rs9332377) in 6 Tunisian populations and a pool of Libyans. Our objective was to determine the distribution of allelic, genotypic and haplotypic frequencies by comparison to other populations of the 1000 genomes project and 59 populations from the Kidd Lab dataset. The allelic frequencies established for these SNPs in the North African populations are similar to those of Europeans and South Asians. Linkage disequilibrium between these SNPs and haplotypes frequencies are different between populations whose clustering in principal components analysis (PCA) according to their geographic origin was more significant using haplotypic frequencies. COMT activity prediction by haplotypes genotyping could be limited to rs4818-rs4680 micro-haplotypes. The Low activity haplotype (CG) displays the highest frequency in African populations (55%), in the 59 Kidd Lab populations we found also that Sub-Saharan Africans, Native Americans, and some East Asian and Pacific Island populations all have frequencies in the 50–81% range for (CG) where as its lowest frequency was found in Europeans (10%), this results have been also confirmed for Southwest Asians. North Africans and South Asians with intermediate frequencies have approximately similar values (20% and 25%). Europeans show the highest frequencies of haplotypes with predicted High and Medium activity in contrast to Africans. North Africans and South Asians present similar results for all the category of the COMT activity prediction by haplotypes genotyping. The high level of genetic diversity of COMT haplotypes, not only allows distinction between populations according to their history settlement, origin and ethnicity, it constitutes a basis for studies of association of the COMT gene polymorphism with pathologies, drugs response and for forensic investigation in North African populations. Highlights • There are very few studies that have studied the COMT gene in North Africa. • Determine the distribution of allelic, genotypic and haplotypic frequencies and make comparison to other populations. • Predicting the enzymatic activity using the Micro-haplotypes (rs4818-rs4680) and their frequency in the studied populations. • constitutes a basis for new studies of COMT gene polymorphism in North African populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trajectories of gender identity were examined from Grade 6 (Mage  = 11.9 years) to Grade 9 in European French (n = 570) and North African French (n = 534) adolescents, and gender and ethnic group differences were assessed in these trajectories. In Grade 6, boys of both ethnic groups reported higher levels of gender typicality and felt pressure for gender conformity than girls. European French girls and boys and North African French girls reported decreasing gender typicality from Grade 6 to Grade 9, whereas North African French boys did not change. Felt pressure decreased among girls, did not change in European French boys, and increased in North African French boys. Ethnic and gender differences in gender identity development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Drawing on in‐depth interviews with descendants of North African working‐class immigrants admitted to elite higher institutions in France, this paper investigates the under‐researched role of family dynamics in facilitating upward educational mobility and informing the experience of social ascension. It shows that concrete mobility strategies, such as authoritative parenting and close mentorship from older siblings, have been deployed to enable the respondents' educational attainment. Moreover, a set of moral resources transmitted through stories about family‐rooted aspirations and stories about post‐migration hardships and sacrifices have contributed to forging strong motivational dispositions that have facilitated school success among the respondents. These resources have further shaped the symbolic significance the interviewees associate with mobility. In contrast with the dominant individual‐centred narrative of success, for second‐generation North African immigrants, mobility represents a powerful way of 'giving back' to former‐generation migrants whose mobility dreams often had to be relinquished. The respondents also position themselves as role‐models for other youths of racially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds: their mobility pathways are described as vital for collective advancements particularly through the sense of minority empowerment these generate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited data on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We examined country- and age-specific HSV-2 seroprevalence among select MENA populations residing in Qatar.Methods: Sera were collected from male blood donors attending Hamad Medical Corporation between June 2013 and June 2016. Specimens were screened for anti-HSV-2 IgG antibodies following a 2-test algorithm: HerpeSelect 2 ELISA was used to identify HSV-2-positive specimens, and Euroline-WB was used to confirm positive and equivocal specimens for final HSV-2 status. Trends and associations with HSV-2 seropositivity were assessed.Results: Of the 2077 tested sera, 61 were found and confirmed positive. The proportion of those confirmed positive increased steadily with HerpeSelect 2 ELISA index value, ranging from 16.3% for index values of 1.101 to 1.999 to 92.9% for index values of 4 or greater. Nationality-specific seroprevalence was 6.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1%-8.8%) in Qataris, 5.3% (95% CI, 2.5%-11.1%) in Iranians, 4.2% (95% CI, 1.8%-9.5%) in Lebanese, 3.1% (95% CI, 1.2%-7.7%) in Sudanese, 3.0% (95% CI, 1.4%-6.4%) in Palestinians, 2.2% (95% CI, 1.1%-4.3%) in Egyptians, 2.0% (95% CI, 1.0%-5.0%) in Syrians, 1.0% (95% CI, 0.3%-3.6%) in Jordanians, 0.7% (95% CI, 0.1%-3.7%) in Yemenis, and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.1%-2.8%) in Pakistanis. There was evidence for higher seroprevalence in older age groups.Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was in the range of few percentage points. There were no major differences in seroprevalence by nationality. These findings add to our understanding of HSV-2 epidemiology in MENA and indicate unmet needs for sexual health and control of sexually transmitted infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research evaluated the psychosocial health and quality of life of North African (NA) immigrant women living in Italy. A survey of 205 NA-born and Italian-born women was carried out. Psychosocial, sociodemographic and migration data were collected. Anthropometric indices were computed by direct measurements of height, weight, waist and hip circumferences. Multivariate analysis showed that the main explanatory variable for all dimensions of psychosocial status was the migrant status. Other explanatory variables were educational level and number of children for psychological discomfort, and weight status for well-being, quality of life and stress. Anthropometric indices were explanatory variables for quality of life. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence of higher psychological stress and discomfort and lower well-being and quality of life in immigrant women. Public social support is necessary to control, maintain and improve the mental health outcomes of immigrant communities in the host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To highlight the prevalence of selected ophthalmic diseases accidentally discovered at first-time screening of a large sample of patients from the Middle East and North Africa visiting a large referral university hospital checkup unit based in Cairo. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study of two thousand and thirteen subjects coming for routine ophthalmic medical checkups from different Middle East countries (mainly Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen). Patients were evaluated for prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, ocular hypertension, cataract, and amblyopia. Patients’ demographic data and medical history were collected. Complete ophthalmic examination was performed. Investigations were done when needed to confirm suspected conditions. Results. The study included 1149 males and 864 females. 652 Sudanese patients, 568 Yemeni patients, 713 Egyptian patients, and 63 patients from different Gulf and North African countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya, and Jordan. Sudanese patients showed a higher percentage of glaucoma (13.3%) and ocular hypertension (8.3%). Yemeni patients showed the highest prevalence of amblyopia (6.7%), diabetic retinopathy (8.6%), and cataract (4.2%). The group of relatively higher economic classification seemed to show fewer prevalences of these ophthalmic conditions. Yemeni patients tended to have a high percentage of persistent myelinated nerve fibers. Conclusion. Different ophthalmic conditions were discovered for the first time at the general checkup clinic. Certain conditions were more common than others in certain countries. The lack of regular checkups and the unavailability of medical services due to low to moderate socioeconomic status as well as political turbulence may account for the delay in initial diagnosis of many treatable conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether unemployment and insecure employment lead to delaying first childbearing in France, and whether these impacts are likely to differ between children of immigrants from North Africa and natives across genders. Data come from pooling two cohorts of French school-leavers followed over 7–10 years. Findings show that women of North African descent have a first child later than native women, whereas results for men are not significantly ethnic origin-differentiated. Unemployment and non-permanent employment are related to postponement of fertility for both men and women. Current unemployment affects the children of immigrants from North Africa more than their counterparts with no direct migration background. Persistent unemployment does not have any significant effect on childbearing for the women of North African immigrant descent, while it strongly reduces that of the men. While employment uncertainty thus tends to delay first parenthood, its impact seems to occur more through the timing of couple formation than through the timing of conception among children of immigrants from North Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background:The genetic composition of human North African populations is an amalgam of different ancestral components coming from the Middle East, Europe, south-Saharan Africa and autochthonous to North Africa. This complex genetic pattern is the result of migrations and admixtures in the region since Palaeolithic times. Aims:The objective of the present study is to refine knowledge of the population history of North African populations through the analysis of complete mitochondrial sequences. Subjects and methods:This study has sequenced complete mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) in several North African and neighbouring individuals. Results:The mtDNA haplogroup classification and phylogeny shows a high genetic diversity in the region as a result of continuous admixture. The phylogenetic analysis allowed us to identify a new haplogroup characterised by positions 10 101 C and 146 C (H1v2), a sub-branch of H1v, which is restricted to North Africa and whose origins are estimated as ∼4000 years ago. Conclusions:The analysis of the complete mtDNA genome has allowed for the identification of a North African sub-lineage that might be ignored by the analysis of partial mtDNA control region sequences, highlighting the phylogeographic relevance of mtDNA complete sequence analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Western North African population was characterized by the presence of Iberomaurusian civilization at the Epiplaeolithic period (around 20,000 years before present (YBP) to 10,000 YBP). The origin of this population is still not clear: they may come from Europe, Near East, sub-Saharan Africa or they could have evolvedin situin North Africa. With the aim to contribute to a better knowledge of the settlement of North Africa we analysed the mitochondrial DNA extracted from Iberomaurusian skeletons exhumed from the archaeological site of Afalou (AFA) (15,000–11,000 YBP) in Algeria and from the archaeological site of Taforalt (TAF) (23,000–10,800 YBP) in Morocco. Then, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis relating these Iberomaurusians to 61 current Mediterranean populations. The genetic structure of TAF and AFA specimens contains only North African and Eurasian maternal lineages. These finding demonstrate the presence of these haplotypes in North Africa from at least 20,000 YBP. The very low contribution of a Sub-Saharan African haplotype in the Iberomaurusian samples is confirmed. We also highlighted the existence of genetic flows between Southern and Northern coast of the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The current research examines television news as a contextual determinant of intergroup threat from North African immigrants in Flanders (i.e. the northern part of Belgium). We content analyse the prevalence of intergroup threats in television news over an eleven-year period (2003-13), and take an experimental approach to examine the impact of these threatening news stories on perceived threats from North African immigrants. The content analysis revealed that (combinations of) safety and cultural issues were widespread in television news content. Experimental evidence showed that exposure to safety and cultural issues in news content increased perceptions of safety and cultural threat accordingly, but exposure to economic issues revealed no effect for economic threat. We conclude by emphasizing the potential of television news content in affecting perceptions of intergroup threat, particularly for those threats which are commonly present in the news and readily accessible in natives' minds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between perceived ethnic discrimination and (physical and mental) health indicators among North African women and men living in France. METHODS This study included 82 North Africans, aged 18-64 years. Perceived discrimination was measured at both group level (PGD) and personal level (PPD). The physical health indicator was blood pressure. The mental health indicator was self-reported psychological distress. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses showed that higher levels of PGD predicted higher blood pressure. PPD was not related to blood pressure. PPD was positively related to psychological distress among women, but not among men. CONCLUSION PPD and PGD are associated with physical and mental health indicators in different ways among North African women and men in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach of North African women's realities in France through the prism of "gender" in the capacity of a constructivist perspective, as well as its inclusion within socialization and personalization issues, seems to be an effective way for understanding identity dynamics. Based on the clinical data of two doctoral research, one related to educational practices of parents and the other related to young adults cross-cultural socialization and identity orientations, the construction of gender seems to take shape within a restructuring work of cultural references from educational practices and life experiences. Despite the temporal discrepancy regarding parents acculturation activity and young generations cross-cultural activities, both seem to make their way through legacy and desire, memory and the adaptation requirements of this world. School inputs seem however to be a determining additional asset in the development of the youngest. Gender construction appears ultimately as part of a guideline consistent with one's self-ima-ge and enrolls within a personal achievement dynamic as well as projects that give it meaning and power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antagonism around questions of conflicting customs of French secularism and Muslim traditions has regularly been re-ignited with political debates on the veil in public spaces since 2010 and the tragic events of 2015 in Paris. In this article French North African women's own interpretation of their identity is termed 'cultural layers and historical shades'. The works of writer Nina Bouraoui and graffiti artist Princess Hijab interact with competing cultural codes and create a new identitarian dynamics based not on clearly defined binaries of postcolonial concepts of Self and Other but on layers and shades. The aim of this article is less to focus on the challenges of such dynamics as elements to be resolved as it is to shed light on the ingenuity and originality of Bouraoui's and Princess Hijab's artistic interpretations of the veil as a point of contention. It uses translation theory to examine their renewed vision of 'recognition' subsequent to the ephemerality and fluidity of their cultural identity and its consequential vulnerability to misrecognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Studies evaluating adolescent risk factors for developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are virtually nonexistent. We assessed adolescent predictors of AML in adults, with a main focus on adolescent BMI.Methods: The study included 2,310,922 16-19-year-old Jewish Israeli adolescents (mean age 17.3 ± 0.4, 59.5% male), called up for an obligatory health examination. Sociodemographic and health data, including measured weight and height, were gathered. Body mass index (BMI) was examined both as a continuous variable and grouped according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification and US-CDC percentiles. Bone-marrow-biopsy-verified AML cases diagnosed up to 31 December 2012 were identified by linkage to the Israel national cancer registry. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional-hazards models were used to model time to diagnosis.Results: During 47 million person years of follow-up, 568 AML cases were identified (crude incidence rate 1.21/100,000 person years). There was a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.041 (95% CI 1.015-1.068, p = 0.002) per unit BMI. The association was evident in those of Middle Eastern, North African, and European origin. A graded association was evident across the overweight and obese WHO grouping. With the US-CDC grouping, excess risk was evident in overweight but not in obese adolescents, although a test for trend in percentiles was significant (p = 0.004). Borderline associations were noted for origin (p = 0.065) (higher in the predominantly Ashkenazi European origin), sex (higher in women: HR = 1.24 (95% CI 0.99-1.55), and stature (HR = 1.013, 95% CI 1.000-1.026, per cm).Conclusions: Higher BMI in adolescence was associated with increased AML incidence in adulthood in this multiethnic population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent genomic analyses suggest that the current North African gene pool was mainly influenced by population flow coming from the East that altered the genetic structure of autochthonous Berber populations. Such genetic flow has not been extensively addressed yet using North African populations of Middle-eastern origin as reference. Aim: To discern the Middle-eastern component in the genetic background of Tunisian Arabs and evaluate the extent of gene flow from the Middle East into North African autochthonous Berber populations. Subjects and methods: This study has examined 113 Tunisians of well-known Arabian origin from Kairouan region, using 15 autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) loci. Results: No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed and all loci presented high levels of heterozygosity. Principal coordinate and STRUCTURE analyses were consistent in clustering together North African and Middle Eastern populations, likely reflecting the recent gene flow from the East dating back to the Arab conquest period. This demographic migration and the Arabisation process that submerged the original Berber language and customs seems to have be accompanied by substantial gene flow and genetic admixture. Conclusion: This study represents an additional step to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the complex demographic history of North African populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Epidemiological studies in the Netherlands have reported an excessive gender gap in the risk for non-affective psychotic disorder (NAPD) among immigrants from Morocco with a higher risk elevation in males compared to females. We examined the consistency of these findings and their generalizability to immigrants from the Maghreb (Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya) in other European countries. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Medline, PsychINFO and EMBASE databases were searched for publications in the period from January 1970 to April 2014. We included incidence and prevalence studies of non-affective psychotic disorder (NAPD) among migrants from the Maghreb in Europe and studies of subclinical psychotic symptoms (SPS) in representative samples. A meta-analysis was performed on the subgroup of incidence studies. Results: Five incidence and three prevalence studies of NAPD, and two prevalence studies of SPS, conducted in the Netherlands ( n=7), Belgium ( n=1), France ( n=1) and Italy ( n=1) met our inclusion criteria. Across all research designs, the risks of NAPD and SPS were consistently increased among male, not female immigrants from the Maghreb. The meta-analysis of incidence studies of NAPD yielded male-to-female risk ratios of 5.1 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.1-8.4] for migrants from the Maghreb, 2.0 (95 % CI 1.6-2.5) for other migrant groups, and 1.8 (95 % CI 1.3-2.5) for non-migrant Europeans. Conclusions: The marked gender gap in psychosis risk among migrants from the Maghreb appears a consistent finding, foremost among the Moroccan-Dutch. The small number of studies limits the strength of conclusions that can be drawn about countries other than the Netherlands. Achievement-expectation mismatch, social marginalization and an increased prevalence of illicit drug use are possible explanations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]