Integrated biomarker responses and metal contamination survey in the wedge clam Donax trunculus from the Atlantic coast of Morocco.

In Morocco, the marine environment has always been a major occupation for socioeconomic activities (industry, tourism, urbanization, etc.). Thus, this work displays a case study of Taghazout coast in the central Atlantic part of the country, which becomes the center of several development projects, such as the touristic resort Taghazout Bay.

Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes (LODDS) as an Independent Predictor of Overall Survival Following Radical Cystectomy in Urothelial Bladder Cancer: Time to Rethink Conventional Node Staging.

Background: Radical cystectomy (RC) with lymph node dissection is the mainstay of treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and high risk non-MIBC. The American Joint Committee on Cancer's (AJCC) node staging and lymph node ratio (LNR) systems are used in estimating prognosis; however, they do not directly factor in negative dissected nodes. In this study, we evaluated the log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), a novel measure of nodal involvement, as a predictor of survival.

Artificial Intelligence in Endoscopic Ultrasound for Pancreatic Cancer: Where Are We Now and What Does the Future Entail?

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the United States (US), the overall 5-year relative survival rate for pancreatic cancer during the 2012-2018 period was 11.5%.

Metabotyping of Andean pseudocereals and characterization of emerging mycotoxins.

Pseudocereals are best known for three crops derived from the Andes: quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), canihua (C. pallidicaule), and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus). Their grains are recognized for their nutritional benefits; however, there is a higher level of polyphenism.

Prevalence and impact of opioid use in patients undergoing peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Background And Aims: Chronic narcotic use may cause opioid-induced esophageal dysfunction and associated type III achalasia, hypercontractile esophagus (HE), diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO). The frequency of opioid use and its impact on peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in these patients is unknown.

Methods: Consecutive patients between April 2017 and September 2021 who underwent POEM for type III achalasia, EGJOO, DES, or HE with ≥6 months follow-up were identified.

Occurrence, characteristics, and removal of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants located on the Moroccan Atlantic: The case of Agadir metropolis.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are some of the main sources of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. However, studies on the occurrence and removal efficiency of MPs in WWTPs are still scarce, especially in African countries. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the abundance of MPs in the influent and effluent of two WWTPs (Aourir and M'zar) from the Agadir metropolis (Moroccan Atlantic).

Trace metals in urbanized coasts: The central Atlantic of Morocco as a case study.

This study describes the contamination, accumulation, and ecological risk assessment of five trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr) in sediments of an urbanized beach in the central Atlantic coastline of Morocco. The two-year investigation (2018 and 2019) included six sampling sites along a 6 km coastal reach. In both years, none of the studied trace metals exceeded the background or the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs).

"I want the doctors to know that I am as bright as a candle": : Experiences with and Hopes for Doctor Interactions Among Malaysian Key Populations and People Living with HIV.

Stigma in healthcare settings is a pernicious barrier to HIV prevention and treatment in contexts with strong HIV-related structural stigma. Previous work has documented substantial stigma towards key populations and people living with HIV (PLWH) among Malaysian doctors. The perspectives of Malaysian key populations and PLWH, however, remain understudied.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Online, Asynchronous Photovoice with Key Populations and People Living with HIV.

Photovoice is an action-oriented qualitative method involving photography and story-telling. Although photovoice yields a powerful form of data that can be leveraged for research, intervention, and advocacy, it has arguably been underutilized within HIV research. Online, asynchronous photovoice methods represent a promising alternative to traditional in-person methods, yet their acceptability and feasibility with key populations and people living with HIV (PLWH) have yet to be explored.

New acylated triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Acacia polyacantha Willd. (Fabaceae).

In our continuing search of saponins from the plants of Fabaceae family, phytochemical investigation of the roots of Acacia polyacantha, led to the isolation and structural characterization of six undescribed triterpenoid saponins, named polyacosides A-F (1-6). Their structures were established, using extensive analysis by NMR techniques, mainly 1D NMR (H, C, and DEPT) and 2D NMR (COSY, NOESY, HSQC, TOCSY and HMBC) experiments, HRESIMS and by comparison with the literature data, as 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)- [β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-21-O-[Cis-2-methoxycinnamoyl] machaerinic acid (1), 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)- [β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-21-O- [Cis-3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl] machaerinic acid. (2), 3-O- [β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-21-O- [Trans-4-methoxycinnamoyl] machaerinic acid (3), 3-O- [β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] -21-O- [Cis-3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl] machaerinic acid (4), 3-O- [β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] -21-O- [Cis-2-methoxycinnamoyl] machaerinic acid (5) and 3-O- [β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] -21-O- [Trans-4-methoxycinnamoyl] machaerinic acid (6).

Evaluation of a standardized approach using optimized and contiguous RF applications for electrical isolation of the superior vena cava.

The superior vena cava (SVC) is well described as one of the most common non-pulmonary vein (PV)-triggers for atrial tachyarrhythmias (ATA). In our study we evaluated a standardized approach for electrical isolation of the SVC from the right atrium using a horseshoe-shaped lesion set with optimized and contiguous ostial RF lesions. The results are promising, demonstrating a very high rate of acute SVC isolation in a safe and time efficient manner (mostly less than 10 min).

Assessment of knowledge, perception, and practice patterns of Jordanian optometrists during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional online survey.

Aim: To investigate knowledge, risk perception, and attitude towards corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and infection control measures among optometrists in Jordan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed through social media platforms to optometrists registered with the Jordanian syndicate and Jordanian association of optics. Information on participants' socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of clinical features of COVID-19, risk assessment and infection control measures for preventing disease transmission were collected.

Multiprofessional round with checklist: association with the improvement in patient safety in intensive care.

Objective: To verify the association between a multiprofessional round with the use of checklists and patient safety practices by health professionals in an intensive care unit.

Method: Mixed-method study, delineated by the sequential explanatory approach, conducted in a hospital in southern Brazil. Quantitative data were analyzed using Poisson regression, and qualitative data, using content analysis.

Care for women in situations of violence: construction of a model of permanent health education.

Objective: To propose a Permanent Health Education Model with strategies linked to the Five Disciplines framework for the development of competencies of professionals who work in direct care for women in situations of violence.

Method: A qualitative research carried out by the focus group technique, with professionals who are part of an intersectoral network in Curitiba-PR, from August to October 2019. Data analyzed by content analysis in the thematic modality, in the light of the theoretical framework of the Five Disciplines: personal mastery; mental model; shared vision; team learning and systems thinking.

Optimal Echocardiographic Parameters to Improve the Diagnostic Yield of Tc-99m-Bone Avid Tracer Cardiac Scintigraphy for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Background: Echocardiographic deformation-based ratios and novel multi-parametric scores have been suggested to discriminate transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) from other causes of increased left ventricular wall thickness among patients referred for ATTR-CM evaluation. Their relative predictive accuracy has not been well studied. We sought to (1) identify echocardiographic parameters predictive of ATTR-CM and (2) compare the diagnostic accuracy of these parameters in patients with suspected ATTR-CM referred for technetium-99m-pyrophosphate scintigraphy.

Favipiravir Efficacy And Safety For The Treatment Of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Corona virus disease is caused by the enveloped, single stranded RNA virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) becoming the deadliest disease of the century. Its global outbreak has led researchers to develop drugs or vaccines to prevent the spread of the disease. Favipiravir is an approved orally administered antiviral drug that selectively inhibits RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, used off-label to treat COVID-19.

Effect of Titanium-Base Abutment Height on Optical Properties of Monolithic Anterior Zirconia Crowns.

The effects of different heights of ti-base abutments on the color of anterior screw-retained zirconia restorations fabricated using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technologies may affect the optical clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the color parameters of zirconia crowns in different shades on ti-base abutments. Identical specimens (N = 160) were milled to restore the screw-retained central maxillary incisor crown, using 5% mol yttria zirconia (5Y-TZP).

Preventing burnout and substance use disorder among healthcare professionals through breathing exercises, emotion identification, and writing activities.

The introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed additional strain on healthcare workers, inducing immense levels of stress and workplace burnout. Health care professionals are acutely susceptible to COVID-19 exposure, ultimately leading to elevated levels of anxiety and mental illness. For example, dental professionals are at high risk due to their close work with the oral cavity.

Neonatal Healthcare-Associated Conjunctivitis: A Descriptive Study from Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare-associated conjunctivitis (HAC) has been associated with serious ophthalmological complications in neonates, including blindness. This three-year retrospective, descriptive study was conducted between 2019 and 2021 to determine the most common bacteria associated with neonatal HAC at a tertiary-care hospital in Saudi Arabia. The inclusion criteria were defined based on the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) guidelines for the diagnosis of neonatal HAC.

Has the "Covid-19" lockdown an impact on beach faunal communities? The central Atlantic coast of Morocco as a case study.

The restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a global hiatus in anthropogenic activities; several scientists have utilized this unique opportunity to assess the human impact on biological systems. In this study, the study describes for a period of five years (2018-2022) how the faunal community have been affected by human disturbances, as well as the effect of the "anthropause" period driven by the COVID-19 lockdown. The results confirmed human disturbances on faunal communities related to coastal urbanization.

Construction and validation of clinical scenarios for training informal caregivers of dependent persons.

Objective: To construct and validate three clinical scenarios for training dependent persons' informal caregivers.

Methods: Methodological study, conducted between January and August 2021, in a municipality in the northwest of the state of Paraná. It was developed in two stages: construction of scenarios; and content validation by experts (n = 12).

The Conundrum of Obesity and Gastroparesis Hospitalizations: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Hospitalization Characteristics and Disparities Amongst Socioeconomic and Racial Backgrounds in the United States.

Background/aims: We aim to assess the influence of obesity on gastroparesis (GP) hospitalizations in the United States (US).

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample was analyzed from 2007-2017 to identify all adult hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of GP. They were subdivided based on the presence or absence of obesity (body mass index > 30).