Professional and Psychological Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Training of Medical Residents.

Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has profoundly impacted residency and fellowship training and education. However, how and to what extent the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon compromised the daily involvement of trainees on the clinical and ethical levels is currently unknown, which this study will shed light on.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (30 questions) targeting medical residents delivering healthcare services in Lebanon.

The effectiveness of parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment of monosymptomatic enuresis in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

Background: Parasacral Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PTENS) is a treatment used in enuresis refractory to first-line treatment. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PTENS in treating monosymptomatic enuresis (MNE) in children and adolescents.

Methods: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic (PRISMA) guidelines.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis for use in Brazil (SSIPPE-Br).

Objective: Enuresis is associated with attentional and emotional comorbidities in 20 to 30 % of cases. The Short Screening Instrument for Psychological Problems in Enuresis (SSIPPE) is a questionnaire that allows the initial screening of these comorbidities. This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the SSIPPE for Brazilian children and adolescents (SSIPPE-Br).

Dynamic and static ultrasound features predictive of vesicoureteral reflux and renal damage in children and adolescents with neurogenic bladder.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic and static ultrasound (DSUS) in detecting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scarring in a cohort of children with neurogenic bladder (NB).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective, longitudinal, observational study was conducted using the Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies guideline. The DSUS (index test) data were compared with voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and renal scintigraphy 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic (reference tests).

Acceptance and attitude of Lebanese lawyers and medical students toward surrogate pregnancy: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Little is known about the acceptance of specific populations of decision makers in Lebanon regarding surrogacy. This study aimed to explore the acceptance and attitude of Lebanese Lawyers and Medical Students regarding surrogacy.

Methods: In total 248 medical students and 204 lawyers completed a questionnaire to assess socio-demographic data, attitude toward surrogacy, and three different clinical scenarios to assess patterns of thinking.

Using Facebook advertising data to describe the socio-economic situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

While the fighting in the Syrian civil war has mostly stopped, an estimated 5.6 million Syrians remain living in neighboring countries. Of these, an estimated 1.

Validation of the Vancouver Symptom Score Questionnaire for bladder and bowel dysfunction for Brazilian children and adolescents.

Objective: This study aimed to translate, and perform a cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Vancouver Symptom Score (VSS) for bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) for Brazilian children and adolescents Materials and Methods: Six steps were performed for the translation and cross-cultural adaptation: (1) translation, (2) synthesis of translations, (3) back-translation, (4) pre-final version of the translated instrument, (5) pilot test and degree of comprehensibility and (6) elaboration of the Brazilian version of the VSS. For validation, the Brazilian Dysfunctional Voiding Score (DVSS) questionnaire was used.

Results: Validation was performed on a sample of 107 children and adolescents with a mean age of 9.

Relationship between primary monosymptomatic enuresis and process toilet training: a case-control.

Objective: Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a prevalent condition in childhood, and the pathophysiology is multifactorial. This study investigated the relationship between the toilet training process (TT) and PMNE in children and adolescents.

Patients And Methods: A case-control study was carried out from 2015 to 2020.

Clinical Course of Patients with Bartter Syndrome.

Introduction: Bartter syndrome (BS) is a salt losing tubulopathy due to impairment of the transport mechanisms at the thick ascending limb of the Henle's loop. The aim of this study was to report the clinical course of patients with BS.

Methods: Patients with BS were followed from 1996 to 2020 and enrolled to a systematic protocol to confirm primary BS by evaluating the metabolic derangements, nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis.

Association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and lower urinary tract symptoms in children and adolescents in a community setting.

Introduction: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of lower tract urinary symptoms (LUTS) and symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents and their association in a community setting using validated scoring instruments.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2015 to December 2019, during which the parents or guardians of 431 children and adolescents from 5 to 13 years of age, attending a general pediatric outpatient clinic were interviewed.

Results: The prevalence of ADHD symptoms and LUTS were 19.

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and nocturnal enuresis co-occurrence in the pediatric population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Attention deficit and hyperactivity/impulsivity disorder (ADHD) and enuresis are common behavioral disorders in childhood, impacting adolescence and adult life. Enuresis (NE) is an incontinence disorder frequently observed in children with ADHD. The relationship between ADHD and NE has been a matter of debate.

Personal and familial factors associated with toilet training.

Purpose: Toilet training (TT) is an important marker in a child's physical and psychosocial development. The present study aimed to evaluate aspects associated to delayed TT.

Material And Methods: We interviewed 372 parents of children who had completed TT up to 48 months before the interview.

Withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in intensive care units in Lebanon: a cross-sectional survey of intensivists and interviews of professional societies, legal and religious leaders.

Background: Little is known about the attitudes and practices of intensivists working in Lebanon regarding withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments (LSTs). The objectives of the study were to assess the points of view and practices of intensivists in Lebanon along with the opinions of medical, legal and religious leaders regarding withholding withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in Lebanese intensive care units (ICU).

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among intensivists working in Lebanese adult ICUs.

Bartter's syndrome: clinical findings, genetic causes and therapeutic approach.

Backgound: Bartter's syndrome (BS) is a rare group of salt losing tubulopathies due to the impairment of transport mechanisms at the thick ascending limb of the Henle's loop.

Data Sources: Literature reviews and original research articles were collected from database, including PubMed and Scopus.

Results: According to the time of onset and symptoms, BS can be classified into antenatal and classic BS.

Normative Data for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in a Lebanese Older Adult Population.

Introduction: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a neuropsychological tool for cognitive decline screening is widely used. In the absence of normative data in Lebanon, this study offers normative data for the MoCA in Lebanese community-dwelling older people and compare scores to those of other countries.

Methods: 164 literate subjects aged 60 and above were recruited to complete the MoCA.

Prevalence of enuresis and its impact in quality of life of patients with sickle cell disease.

Introduction: Evidence indicates an increase in the prevalence of enuresis in individuals with sickle cell disease. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence and impact of enuresis on quality of life in individuals with sickle cell disease.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated individuals with sickle cell disease followed at a reference clinic, using a questionnaire designed to evaluate the age of complete toilet training, the presence of enuresis and lower urinary tract, and the impact on quality of life of these individuals.

Metataxonomics of Tunisian phosphogypsum based on five bioinformatics pipelines: Insights for bioremediation.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an acidic by-product from the phosphate fertilizer industry and it is characterized by a low nutrient availability and the presence of radionuclides and heavy metals which pose a serious problem in its management. Here, we have applied Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology and five bioinformatics pipelines to explore the phylogenetic communities in Tunisian PG. Taking One Codex as a reference method, we present the results of 16S-rDNA-gene-based metataxonomics abundances with four other alternative bioinformatics pipelines (MetaGenome Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (MG-RAST), mothur, MICrobial Community Analysis (MICCA) and Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME)), when analyzing the Tunisian PG.

Lipid metabolism and benzo[a]pyrene degradation by Fusarium solani: an unexplored potential.

In a search for indigenous soil saprotrophic fungi for bioremediation purposes, Fusarium solani, a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the phylum Ascomycota, was isolated from a fossil carbon contaminated soil. The effect of the carbon source, glucose or olive oil, was investigated in vitro on the biomass produced by F. solani and on the degradation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in mineral medium.

Smoking and its association with cryptorchidism in Down syndrome.

Introduction: Cryptorchidism is a common and prevalent condition in patients with Down syndrome. Environmental factors, such as smoking, can be associated with malformations during fetal development. The study of the prevalence of cryptorchidism and its association with parental tobacco use in Down syndrome can contribute to alert health care professionals, patients and family members regarding the prevention of the harms caused by cryptorchidism and its possible predisposing factors.

Prolonged toilet training in children with Down syndrome: a case-control study.

Objectives: Children with Down syndrome have delayed psychomotor development, which is a factor that influences the level of difficulty in toilet training. The current study aims to estimate the age toilet training starts and completes in children with DS compared to children with normal psychomotor development and to evaluate the method and type of toilet training most frequently used, as well as its association with lower urinary tract symptoms and functional constipation.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out from 2010 to 2015.

Screening for dementia in Arabic: normative data from an elderly Lebanese sample.

Objective: Prevention and treatment of dementia is a global concern that requires involvement of international samples. The purpose of this study is to develop culturally sensitive norms based on normal older Lebanese adults using multiple cognitive screening measures translated into Arabic for regional use.

Methods: Participants were 164 community dwelling older Lebanese adults without cognitive complaints.

Sociolinguistic reflection on neuropsychological assessment: an insight into selected culturally adapted battery of Lebanese Arabic cognitive testing.

Neuropsychological tests (NPTs) are highly dependent on education, culture differences as well as age and sex. It is therefore essential to take these factors into consideration when translating NPTs to be used in screening for cognitive impairment. Translations into Arabic must respect the principles of linguistic relativity and cultural specificity of the population under study.

Attitudes Toward Placebo Use in Lebanon.

Purpose: Placebo use, both in clinical trials and patient care, is a problematic ethical issue surrounded by opposing arguments from those who advocate its use versus those who do not. This problematic aspect of placebo is more challenging in Lebanon where religious ideologies dominate people's beliefs, and where laws that guide medical care are vague. This paper aims to highlight the cultural ideologies that dominate medical care and the perspectives of people associated with the field.