Decontamination of textile effluents the adsorption process on various raw clay minerals enhanced by ozonation: a modeling approach and optimization.

This study seeks to characterize three different clays and compare their capability to decontaminate a textile effluent using the adsorption process and to explore the synergistic effects of ozonation on the treatment. Response surface methodology, based on central composite design, was used to investigate the impact of three key parameters, namely, solution pH, clay dosage, and contact time, on the adsorption process. The three clays were sourced from distinct regions across Tunisia: Rommana, Tabarka, and Medenine.

Determinants of low satisfaction with life among wheelchair users with spinal cord injury in Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most catastrophic injuries that might lead to permanent use of a wheelchair and severely affects the quality of life, hence SCI patients report lower satisfaction with life (SWL) than the general population. Therefore, it is important to identify factors that determine SWL among wheelchair users with SCI. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of low SWL and to identify its determinants among wheelchair users with SCI in Egypt.

Respiratory effects of prone position in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome differ according to the recruitment-to-inflation ratio: a prospective observational study.

Background: Improvements in oxygenation and lung mechanics with prone position (PP) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are inconstant. The objectives of the study were (i) to identify baseline variables, including the recruitment-to-inflation ratio (R/I), associated with a positive response to PP in terms of oxygenation (improvement of the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure over the inspired oxygen fraction (PaO/FiO) ≥ 20 mmHg) and lung mechanics; (ii) to evaluate whether the response to the previous PP session is associated with the response to the next session.

Methods: In this prospective, observational, single-center study in patients who underwent PP for ARDS due to COVID-19, respiratory variables were assessed just before PP and at the end of the session.

Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops.

The African BioGenome Project (AfricaBP) Open Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics aims to overcome barriers to capacity building through its distributed African regional workshops and prioritizes the exchange of grassroots knowledge and innovation in biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. In 2023, we implemented 28 workshops on biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics, covering 11 African countries across the 5 African geographical regions. These regional workshops trained 408 African scientists in hands-on molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics techniques as well as the ethical, legal and social issues associated with acquiring genetic resources.

Canine olfactory detection and its relevance for the medical identification of patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: The assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath or sweat represents a potential non-invasive and rapid diagnostic tool for respiratory diseases.

Objective: To determine if trained dogs can reliably identify the odour associated with COVID19.

Methods: This is a monocentric prospective study carried out in the Emergency Department (ED) of a university hospital fromJulyto November 2021.

Benefit of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema.

Our study aimed to assess the benefit of intrapleural fibrinolysis before resorting to surgery to treat complicated parapneumonic effusion and empyema. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, including all patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Abderhaman Mami hospital, Tunisia for empyema treated with instillation of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy between the 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2016. In all patients, empyema was diagnosed on clinical features, imaging findings (chest X-ray, thoracic echography and/or computed tomography (CT), and microbiological data.

Hemodynamic profile of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a Tunisian center.

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) management can only be conceived in a specialized center. We aimed to report the experience of a Tunisian ICU about PH invasive hemodynamic exploration and to describe consequent therapeutic decisions.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study including all patients admitted to the medical ICU of Abderrahmen Mami Hospital for right heart catheterization (RHC), between 2005 and 2019 as part of the investigation of PH.

Transcutaneous canine breast cancer detection in Tunisia: a pilot study.

Background: Breast cancer in Tunisia is often diagnosed at a late stage with long delay in time to consultation and to diagnosis.The aim of this study is to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the transcutaneous breast cancer detection by canine olfactionin Tunisian women and to identify the potential confounding factors.

Methods: This is a diagnostic case control study that took place from October 2021 to November 2022 in the Department of Medical Oncology at the University Hospital Farhat Hached of Sousse and in the security and training dog center located in Sousse (K9 Dog Center Security & Training).

Comparison of the clinical features and outcomes of severe seasonal influenza and COVID-19 patients in Tunisia between 2021 and 2022.

Background: We compared patients diagnosed at a SARI (severe acute respiratory infections) surveillance site with COVID-19 and those with seasonal influenza to investigate the clinical differences, common features, and outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Abderrahman Mami Hospital between September 2021 and April 2022. Demographic, clinical, and biological data as well as outcomes were recorded for all patients.

Hand hygiene and biomedical waste management among medical students: a quasi-experimental study evaluating two training methods.

Background: Several studies revealed that medical students have low performance levels of hand hygiene (HH) and biomedical waste management (BMWM). However, there have been limited interventions directed at young students targeting HH and BMWM enhancement. Given these data, we aimed at assessing HH and BMWM among medical students after two training methods.

The increase in cardiac output induced by a decrease in positive end-expiratory pressure reliably detects volume responsiveness: the PEEP-test study.

Background: In patients on mechanical ventilation, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can decrease cardiac output through a decrease in cardiac preload and/or an increase in right ventricular afterload. Increase in central blood volume by fluid administration or passive leg raising (PLR) may reverse these phenomena through an increase in cardiac preload and/or a reopening of closed lung microvessels. We hypothesized that a transient decrease in PEEP (PEEP-test) may be used as a test to detect volume responsiveness.

Resource utilization and preparedness within the COVID-19 pandemic in Tunisian medical intensive care units: A nationwide retrospective multicentre observational study.

Background: The worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic represents the most recent global healthcare crisis. While all healthcare systems suffered facing the immense burden of critically-ill COVID-19 patients, the levels of preparedness and adaptability differed highly between countries.

Aim: to describe resource mobilization throughout the COVID-19 waves in Tunisian University Medical Intensive Care Units (MICUs) and to identify discrepancies in preparedness between the provided and required resource.

Interleukin6 prediction of mortality in critically ill COVID19 patients: A prospective observational cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the role of IL6 in predicting outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Design Prospective observational cohort study. Setting 20-bed respiratory medical intensive care unit of Abderrahmen Mami Teaching Hospital between September and December 2020.

Tidal volume challenge to predict preload responsiveness in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome under prone position.

Background: Prone position is frequently used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), especially during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Our study investigated the ability of pulse pressure variation (PPV) and its changes during a tidal volume challenge (TVC) to assess preload responsiveness in ARDS patients under prone position.

Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in a 25-bed intensive care unit at a university hospital.

Severe influenza A in a Tunisian ICU sentinel SARI centre: Epidemiological and clinical features.

Introduction: Influenza A virus infection is a contagious acute respiratory infection which mostly evolves in an epidemic form, less frequently as pandemic outbreaks. It can take a severe clinical form that needs to be managed in intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of influenza A, then to determine independent predictive factors of ICU mortality in Abderrahmen Mami hospital, Ariana, Tunisia.

Screening of Durum Wheat Cultivars for Selenium Response under Contrasting Environments, Based on Grain Yield and Quality Attributes.

In the literature, little information is available on the effect of Selenium (Se) on durum wheat yield and grain quality performances. A field investigation was conducted to explore the effect of exogenous Se foliar supply on two types of durum wheat germplasm; i.e.

Phylogenetic and amino acid signature analysis of the SARS-CoV-2s lineages circulating in Tunisia.

Since the beginning of the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, there has been a growing interest in exploring SARS-CoV-2 genetic variation to understand the origin and spread of the pandemic, improve diagnostic methods and develop the appropriate vaccines. The objective of this study was to identify the SARS-CoV-2s lineages circulating in Tunisia and to explore their amino acid signature in order to follow their genome dynamics. Whole genome sequencing and genetic analyses of fifty-eight SARS-CoV-2 samples collected during one-year between March 2020 and March 2021 from the National Influenza Center were performed using three sampling strategies.

Use of Biostimulants: Towards Sustainable Approach to Enhance Durum Wheat Performances.

The use of biostimulant (BS) holds a promising and environmental-friendly innovation to address current needs of sustainable agriculture. The aim of the present study is twofold: (i) assess the potential of durum wheat seed coating with microbial BS ('Panoramix', Koppert), a mix of spp., spp.

Adoption of Durum Wheat Cultivar 'Salim' with a Technical Package and Its Resilience to Climate Change Impacts in Smallholders: Case of Nebeur/Kef Region, Tunisia.

In recent years, there has been an urgent need for local strategies to ensure food sustainability in Tunisia, recognized as a climate change hotspot region. In this context, adaptation measures, including the adoption of high-yielding durum wheat cultivars with adequate agronomical practices, are an important avenue to improving the productivity of the smallholders that represent 80% of Tunisian farmers. Thus, this study highlights the impact of (i) the adoption of the recently marketed durum wheat cultivar 'Salim' as compared to the common cultivar 'Karim' and the transfer of a technical package to 11 farmers in the Nebeur delegation/Kef-Tunisia (semi-arid region) during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 cropping seasons, and (ii) climate change on the expected mean grain yield and biomass by 2070, using the CropSyst agronomic cultivation model based on multi-year crop simulations run with a daily weather series (2020-2070).

Persistent effect of nurse-led education on self-care behavior and disease knowledge in heart failure patients.

Purpose: The guidelines on the management of patients with heart failure support intensive patient education on self-care. The present study aimed to evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of a structured education provided by a qualified heart failure nurse on patients' self-care behavior and disease knowledge.

Methods: One hundred fifty patients (66 ± 12 years) hospitalized for heart failure participated in a structured one-hour educational session by a heart failure nurse.

Aborted sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation in a female patient with mitral valve prolapse.

Background: Mitral valve prolapse is the most frequent valvular defect associated with a wide range of electro-hemodynamic abnormalities, leading to heart failure, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Mitral valve prolapse, first described from Barlow in the 1960s, is defined as displacement of mitral leaflet tissue into the left atrium past the mitral annular plane during systole. The correlation between mitral valve prolapse and sudden cardiac death has been investigated and clarified by various studies in recent years.

Acute Kidney Injury due to Povidone-Iodine.

Povidone-iodine is a broad-spectrum antiseptic applied topically to treat wounds and prevent their infection. Despite the apparent innocuousness of this agent, several cases of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to iodine toxicity have been reported. We report a case of severe AKI that occurred in a 32-year-old female three days after a hysteroscopy for the diagnosis of primary sterility using povidone-iodine as the local antiseptic agent.

A Survey on Trust Management for WBAN: Investigations and Future Directions.

The rapid uptake of the Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN) and their services poses unprecedented security requirements. WBAN are evolving to support these requirements. Fulfilling these tasks is challenging as their mobile context is increasingly complex, heterogeneous, and evolving.

Removal of phosphate by Donnan dialysis coupled with adsorption onto calcium alginate beads.

In this study the removal of phosphates from solution by Donnan dialysis and by adsorption onto calcium alginate beads were studied separately and then together. This hybrid process was conducted in order to benefit from each process, and it is an original and new combination. First, the Donnan dialysis process was performed with different parameters: the type of counter-ion, the concentration of the counter-ion, the initial phosphate concentration, the pH of the solution and the choice of anion-exchange membranes.