Metabolomic profiles of 38 acylcarnitines in major depressive episodes before and after treatment.

Background: Major depression is associated with changes in plasma L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine. But its association with acylcarnitines remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess metabolomic profiles of 38 acylcarnitines in patients with major depression before and after treatment compared to healthy controls (HCs).

The association of polymorphisms with response to antidepressant treatment in depressed patients.

β-arrestin 1, a protein encoded by involved in receptor signaling, is a potential biomarker for the response to antidepressant drug (ATD) treatment in depression. We examined genetic variants for their association with response following ATD treatment in METADAP, a cohort of 6-month ATD-treated depressed patients. Patients ( = 388) were assessed at baseline (M0) and after 1 (M1), 3 (M3), and 6 months (M6) of treatment for Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) changes, response, and remission.

[General practitioners' management of childhood asthma in Sfax, Tunisia].

Aims: To study primary care physicians' attitudes toward childhood asthma management and their adherence to international guidelines.

Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical survey conducted among 400 primary care physicians practicing in the governorate of Sfax. Data collection was done through a self-administered questionnaire with 36 questions.

The ERICH3 rs11580409 polymorphism is associated with 6-month antidepressant response in depressed patients.

Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the current leading cause of disability worldwide. The effect of its main treatment option, antidepressant drugs (AD), is influenced by genetic and metabolic factors. The ERICH3 rs11580409(A > C) genetic polymorphism was identified as a factor influencing serotonin (5HT) levels in a pharmacometabolomics-informed genome-wide association study.

Plasma acetyl-l-carnitine and l-carnitine in major depressive episodes: a case-control study before and after treatment.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the main cause of disability worldwide, its outcome is poor, and its underlying mechanisms deserve a better understanding. Recently, peripheral acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) has been shown to be lower in patients with major depressive episodes (MDEs) than in controls. l-Carnitine is involved in mitochondrial function and ALC is its short-chain acetyl-ester.

Child deprivation among Palestinian refugees in Lebanon and Palestinian refugees from Syria living in Lebanon: a cross-sectional analysis of co-occurrence of deprivation indicators.

Background: Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (PRL) and Palestinian refugees from Syria (PRS) living in Lebanon have high poverty rates. As the social, economic, and physical environment in which a child develops is a strong determinant of health and wellbeing, a comprehensive approach that recognises the influence of multidimensional deprivation on child wellbeing is needed. This study investigates overlaps (co-occurrences) in deprivation indicators experienced by Palestinian children compared to those experienced by other vulnerable children living alongside them in Lebanon; children who are Syrian refugees (SYR) and children who are Lebanese nationals (LBN).

The Effectiveness of Combined Balloon and Bougie Dilatation Technique in Children with Impassable Esophageal Stricture.

Impassable caustic esophageal strictures (CES) can be rendered passable through sophisticated dilatation techniques, hence avoiding the esophageal replacement surgery and its complications. Patients with impassable CES who were presented to our hospital between January 2015 and April 2020 underwent a combined balloon and bougie dilatation. This technique aims at doing an initial partial dilatation of the proximal segment of the stricture, using a balloon catheter to pave the way for the endoscope to be advanced more distally.

Predictors of successful endoscopic management of caustic esophageal strictures in children: When to stop the dilatations?

Background: Caustic esophageal strictures are mainly managed by endoscopic dilatations. Cases that do not respond to the dilatations eventually require an esophageal replacement. The aim of our study was to identify factors that could allow us to predict if the dilatations will be successful or not.

Iatrogenic esophageal perforation caused by endoscopic dilatation of caustic stricture: Current management and possibility of esophageal salvage.

Background: Iatrogenic esophageal perforation (EP) is an undesirable complication of endoscopic dilatation of caustic esophageal stricture. We reported our current management protocol with possibility of continuing the dilatation program.

Patients And Methods: From January 2009 to January 2020 medical records were reviewed for patients presented with iatrogenic EP.

Accuracy of contrast swallow study in assessment of caustic esophageal stricture length in children: Agreement study.

Background: Caustic esophageal stricture length assessment is essential for planning endoscopic management and predicting its prognosis. We aimed to assess the accuracy of contrast swallow study (CSS) in measuring stricture length in comparison to endoscopy (definitive investigation for actual length measurement).

Method: Medical records of caustic esophageal strictures between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.

SOD2 genetic polymorphism (rs4880) has no impact on 6-month response to antidepressant treatment and inflammatory biomarkers in depressed patients.

Two thirds of patients suffering from a major depressive episode (MDE) do not reach a complete response with antidepressant drugs. This lack of response is due to several factors, including genetic determinants. Since major depressive disorder is associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress abnormalities, the metabolism of superoxide anions might be involved in non-response to antidepressant drugs.

Retrograde endoscopic dilatation for difficult caustic esophageal strictures: Feasibility and effectiveness.

Background: Difficult caustic esophageal strictures may need a more sophisticated dilatation technique before referring for esophageal replacement surgery.

Patients & Method: Retrospective review of caustic esophageal strictures managed at our center between January 2010 and June 2018 was done. Twenty two patients labeled as undilatable strictures were enrolled.

Closed Gastroschisis.

Closed gastroschisis is a rare entity usually associated with intestinal atresia and short bowel syndrome. We report two cases of closed gastroschisis presenting with neonatal intestinal obstruction and para-umbilical evisceration without an abdominal defect.

Surgical management of corrosive-induced gastric injury in children: 10years' experience.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to report surgical management and outcome of corrosive-induced gastric injuries in children at our institute over the last decade.

Patients & Method: Medical records of patients admitted for corrosive-induced gastric injury at the Pediatric Surgery Department of Ain Shams University between January 2007 and January 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Twenty six cases (17 boys and 9 girls) were enrolled.

Colonic Atresia: Association with Other Anomalies.

Background: Colonic atresia (CA) is a rare form of congenital intestinal atresia. Although CA may be isolated, it is more commonly reported in literature in association with other congenital anomalies.

Materials And Methods: This study is a review of prospectively collected data of all the patients with colonic atresia presented to our center (Ain Shams University) during 2008 to 2016.

The radiological assessment of colonic replacement of the esophagus in children: A review of 43 cases.

Purpose: To define the characteristic radiological features following colonic replacement of the esophagus in children.

Materials And Methods: The upper gastro-intestinal contrast studies of 43 patients who underwent colonic replacement of the esophagus at our pediatric surgery unit were available for analysis. UGI contrast studies were performed routinely in the post-surgical period in 17 cases (first asymptomatic group), while the rest of contrast studies (26) belonged to a second group of out-patients complaining of dysphagia (18) or dyspepsia (8) following colonic replacement of the esophagus.

Surgical aspects of inflammatory bowel diseases in pediatric and adolescent age groups.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasingly encountered in children. Early disease is associated with higher complication rate with increased incidence of surgical intervention.

Patients And Methods: From January 2010 to June 2015, 25 patients in the pediatric and adolescent age groups with IBD underwent surgical intervention in our center.

Simple antireflux technique for the cologastric anastomosis: complementary step in retrosternal colon interposition procedure.

Gastrocolic reflux is a troublesome symptom causing repeated aspiration or chocking in patients underwent retrosternal colon interposition. Various techniques were described to avoid such complication, however, they entail complicated technique that may jeopardize the viability of the graft or cause obstructing symptoms. A simple antireflux procedure is described here alleviating this problem.

Topical mitomycin C can effectively alleviate dysphagia in children with long-segment caustic esophageal strictures.

Caustic ingestion in children and the resulting long esophageal strictures are usually difficult to be managed, and eventually, esophageal replacement was required for cases refractory to frequent dilatation sessions. Topical mitomycin C (MMC) application has been used recently to improve the results of endoscopic dilatation for short esophageal strictures. The study aims to assess the role of MMC application in management of long-segment caustic esophageal strictures.

Topical mitomycin C application is effective in management of localized caustic esophageal stricture: a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Frequent sessions of endoscopic dilatation are usually required in the management of benign esophageal strictures, especially caustic induced ones. Topical mitomycin C (MMC) has been recently used in the management of resistant strictures. This study evaluated the efficacy of MMC application in prevention of stricture recurrence after endoscopic dilatation.

Topical Mitomycin C application for esophageal stricture: safe, precise, and novel endoscopic technique.

Purpose: The first line of management of benign esophageal stricture is endoscopic dilatation; however, multiple sessions are usually indicated especially in resistant cases. Topical Mitomycin C (MCC) application is a new adjuvant treatment in the management of esophageal stricture with promising results in different case series. Several techniques have been reported for application; nevertheless, the ideal technique has not been described yet.

Financial characteristics and satisfaction of physicians practicing in Lebanon: a survey study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the financial characteristics and level of satisfaction of physicians practicing in Lebanon.

Methods: We conducted an anonymous, interviewer-administered phone survey of physicians practicing medicine in Lebanon. We conducted both descriptive and regression analyses.

Characteristics of physicians practising in Lebanon: a survey.

The last survey of the characteristics of the Lebanese physician workforce, in 1998, raised concerns about the oversupply of physicians and gaps in capacity building. This telephone survey in 2007 of a stratified random sample of physicians describes the demographic, educational and practice characteristics of 546 physicians practising in Lebanon. A majority of the physicians had graduated from an eastern European or a Lebanese medical school, in the1980s or 1990s, and had postgraduate training in a non-primary care specialty, in a western or eastern European country.

Willingness of Lebanese physicians in the United States to relocate to Lebanon.

Background: We recently proposed that Lebanon could become a regional 'academic hub' through the repatriation of emigrated Lebanese physicians who would then provide clinical services in the Arab Gulf region on a locum tenens basis. The objectives of this study were to assess the willingness of Lebanese medical graduates practicing in the United States of America to relocate to Lebanon and the Arab Gulf region and to explore the factors associated with this willingness.

Methods: In 2009 we surveyed Lebanese medical graduates practicing medicine in the United States.

Did the post war repatriation of Lebanese physicians drive recent Lebanese medical graduates to emigrate? An observational study.

Background: A significant number of Lebanese medical graduates have emigrated from Lebanon. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that the repatriation of Lebanese physicians educated abroad has contributed to the international emigration of recent Lebanese medical graduates.

Methods: We analyzed the demographic and educational characteristics and the year of registration of physicians registered with the two physician associations in Lebanon as of 2007.