Primary α-Phosphino- and α-Arseno-Nitriles, Analogues of α-Aminonitriles.

More than 170 years after the synthesis of α-aminonitriles by the reaction of Strecker, α-phosphinonitriles, and α-arsenonitriles have been prepared and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. For the simplest derivatives, the reaction was carried out by reaction of cyanomethyltributylstannane with phosphorus or arsenic trichloride, followed by a chemoselective reduction of the dichlorophosphine and dichloroarsine formed to the corresponding primary phosphine and arsine. The phosphinoacetonitrile can be stored at -80 °C for months in its pure state, but arsenoacetonitrile decomposes at this temperature.

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Introduction: Despite current recommendations, most asthmatics remain insufficiently controlled. This is largely due to non-adherence to medications. Looking for factors associated with lack of therapeutic adherence is mandatory in order to improve the management of these patients.

[Nutritional status and dietary intake in patients with chonic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Introduction: Undernutrition is a predictor of mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objectives of our study were to assess nutritional intake in COPD and to study its relationship with disease severity.

Methods: A cross-sectional study that included 66 patients followed for COPD.

Maximal Voluntary Breath-Holding Tele-Inspiratory Test in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Maximal voluntary inspiratory breath-holding time (MVIBHT) has proved to be of clinical utility in some obstructive ventilatory defects. This study aims to correlate the breath-holding time with pulmonary function tests in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine the feasibility of using a breath-holding test in assessing the severity of COPD.A cross-sectional study including male patients with stable COPD were conducted.

COPD patients' body composition and its impact on lung function.

Introduction: Despite fat-free mass index (FFMI) is one of the strongest predictive factors of survival during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a considerable lack of information regarding body composition in Tunisian patients with COPD.   Aim: Describe the body composition of Tunisian patients followed for COPD and examine the relationship between body composition and the severity of the disease.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with stable COPD.

[Assessment of body composition during pulmonary tuberculosis].

Background: Although the body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used tool to assess the nutritional status of patients with active tuberculosis (TB), it does not assess changes in body composition. This study aims to assess the contribution of bioelectrical impedancemetry (BIA) for the assessment of body composition during the course of TB compared to BMI and to examine the associated factors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in patients with active TB at the pulmonology department of CHU la Rabta in Tunis, Tunisia.

Contribution of mobile applications to learning and medical practice.

Introduction: Medical mobile applications are increasing, accessible and easy leading to a considerable increase use by physicians.

Aim: To assess the contribution of mobile applications to medical learning and practice among medical residents.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out during May and June 2021, via an anonymous questionnaire, published online focusing on the contribution of medical applications in the learning and the daily life of medical interns.

[Testosterone and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Introduction: Testosterone level has been shown to be associated with respiratory function and loss of lean body mass in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between testosterone level and functional respiratory parameters during COPD.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 95 male patients with stable COPD.

Aluminosilicate-catalyzed electrochemical removal of ammonium cation from water -kinetics and selectivity.

Aluminosilicate-catalyzed electrochemical decomposition of ammonium cation (NH) in water was investigated using NH-saturated clinoptilolite and copper-nickel electrodes in the presence of different salts and acidic species. The results showed beneficial roles of chloride anion and moderately acidic media. NH adsorbed by the zeolites was converted with a 98% selectivity into nitrogen.

Synthesis, liquid crystalline behaviour and structure-property relationships of 1,3-bis(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzenes.

Two series containing 1,3-bis(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)benzene as a rigid core (RC) and alkyl or perfluoroalkyl as terminal chains were synthesized and characterized. Liquid crystal properties of the synthesized compounds have been investigated by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction techniques. Conformation effects of the synthesized products on the dipole moments were also investigated.

Breathing pattern during sequential swallowing in healthy adult humans.

Sequential liquid swallowing is a common daily occurrence during which coordination of deglutition and breathing are highly regulated to avoid pulmonary aspiration and to maintain hematosis. We studied the effects of sequential water swallowing (SWS) at fixed swallowing rates and with regular succession of swallows on respiration in healthy subjects. Thirty-one normal adults (19 men, 12 women) with a mean age of 27.

[Assessment of insomnia among Tunisian patients with lung cancer].

Introduction: Sleep disorders are relatively common in oncology. However, they have not been well studied and are often treated insufficiently.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and severity of insomnia in lung cancer patients and evaluate the relationship between insomnia and certain clinical parameters.

[Home non-invasive ventilation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Introduction: The benefits of long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remain controversial.

Aim: To analyze the characteristics of COPD patients under home NIV and to evaluate its impact among this population.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective study between January 2002 and April 2016 of COPD patients under long-term NIV at "la Rabta" and the Military Hospital.

[Clinical and microbiological profile of patients experiencing relapses of tuberculosis in Tunisia].

Introduction: Relapse of tuberculosis (TB) is known to be as one of the major risk factors for resistant TB. The aim of this study is to focus on clinical, radiological and bacteriological features of patients with pulmonary TB relapse.

Methods: We performed a retrospective survey in the respiratory department of the teaching hospital La Rabta in Tunis between January 2000 and December 2014.

Evaluation of Tuberculin Skin Test Positivity and Early Tuberculin Conversion among Medical Intern Trainees in Tunisia.

Background: As healthcare workers (HCWs), medical trainees are at a high-risk for acquisition of tuberculosis (TB) infection and disease. To our knowledge, there are no published data about TB infection among medical trainees in Tunisia.To determine the tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity and tuberculin conversion among a group of medical trainees in different departments at our institution.

Acute Respiratory Failure as the First Manifestation of Antisynthetase Syndrome.

We report the case of a 40-year-old man with acute respiratory failure syndrome that later proved to be an initial manifestation of antisynthetase syndrome. The diagnosis of this rare combination of a connective tissue disease and an acute respiratory failure is difficult in a previously asymptomatic patient. Early diagnosis and immunosuppressive therapy started precociously prevented the disease progression and resulted in a good outcome.

[Occupational asthma: Clinical and professional profile of the Tunisian asthmatic worker].

Introduction: Asthma takes up a great importance in occupational diseases but remains underestimated as it is insufficiently diagnosed.

Objective: We aimed to access the clinical and professional profile of the Tunisian asthmatic worker.

Materials And Methods: It was a retrospective descriptive study in a professional pathology unit in a university hospital.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Fluorinated Tetrazines Displaying a High Fluorescence Yield.

Following the case of tetrazines substituted with perfluorinated alkyl chains, separated by two methylene groups from the tetrazine core, a new series of analogous tetrazines, but featuring only one methylene group between the fluorescent core and the perfluorinated chain, have been synthesized, and their photo-physical properties investigated. Their fluorescence quantum yields in acetonitrile are in same range than chloroalkoxytetrazines, which make them interesting candidates for light emission. Surprisingly, the quantum yields are lower with one methylene group, rather than two methylene groups separating the fluorinated chain from the emitting core, in the case of unsymmetrical compounds, while they are superior in the case of symmetrical ones.