Drivers and Barriers Influencing Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet: A Comparative Study across Five Countries.

Given the global decline in adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), even within its native region, it is key to identify the factors influencing this trend to mitigate the negative health outcomes associated with westernized diets. To this end, 4025 individuals (49.6% women, 42.

Uterine leiomyoma torsion: A rare cause of acute abdominal pain.

Introduction: Leiomyoma torsion is an incredibly rare entity. Diagnosis is frequently intraoperative due to poor correlation between clinical symptoms and radiological findings. We report a case of a twisted uterine leimyoma diagnosed intraoperatively.

Interleukin-21 receptor gene polymorphism (rs2285452 A/G) is associated with susceptibility to Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic auto inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology. Recently, the dysregulation of interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R) has been incriminated in different autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes. Herein, we aimed to investigate the association of two Il-21R gene polymorphisms with BD.

Evapotranspiration in Semi-Arid Climate: Remote Sensing vs. Soil Water Simulation.

Estimating crop evapotranspiration (ET) is an important requirement for a rational assessment and management of water resources. The various remote sensing products allow the determination of crops' biophysical variables integrated in the evaluation of ET by using surface energy balance (SEB) models. This study compares ET estimated by the simplified surface energy balance index (S-SEBI) using Landsat 8 optical and thermal infra-red spectral bands and transit model HYDRUS-1D.

Delineating the origins and processes of groundwater salinization and quality degradation in a coastal irrigated plain, Korba (Northeastern Tunisia).

From 2006 to 2020, groundwater investigations were conducted in the Korba coastal aquifer in northern Tunisia along two flow paths (transects S1 and S2), perpendicular to the shoreline. Groundwater sampling, hydrodynamic monitoring, and electrical tomography imaging were performed in situ. Geochemical analysis (Ionic ratios, ionic deltas, conventional diagrams, and stable isotopes) and modelling using PHREEQC, and multivariate statistical analysis were applied.

A CD40 variant is associated with systemic bone loss among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Little is known about genes predisposing to systemic bone loss (SBL) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Therefore, we examined the association between SBL and variants of genes playing a critical role in both immune response and bone homeostasis among patients with RA.

Methods: IRAK-1 rs3027898, IRAK-2 rs3844283, IRAK-2 rs708035, IFIH1 rs1990760, CD40 rs48104850, TNFAIP3 rs2230926, and miR146-a rs2910164 were genotyped in 176 adult RA patients.

Prospective survey of psychiatric patients during the first confinement of the COVID 2019 pandemic.

Unlabelled: In the early steps of an emerging infectious disease epidemic such as Covid-19, uncertainties about the nature of the disease, its spread and impact can lead to emotional distress. In addition, the studies on confinement during an epidemic have shown a psychological impact of this measure on the feelings of anxiety and depression in the general population.

Method: We assessed the psychological health of 550 patients followed up in outpatient psychiatry, via a pandemic-related teleconsultation during the first confinement period between March and June 2020.

IgA rheumatoid factor is associated with bone mineral density preservation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Autoantibodies such as IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated proteins/peptides antibodies (ACPA) have previously been incriminated in systemic bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are, however, no data describing association of IgA RF and IgG RF with systemic bone loss.

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the association of RF isotypes with systemic bone loss among patients with RA.

Anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies in primary biliary cholangitis.

Background And Study Aims: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 autoantibodies in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sera of 106 PBC patients with positive anti-mitochondrial antibodies and 58 healthy blood donors were analyzed. A line immunoassay was used to evaluate the reactivity of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 antibodies.

Results: The frequency of anti-gp210 and anti-Sp100 autoantibodies was 29.

Laboratory Calibration and Field Validation of Soil Water Content and Salinity Measurements Using the 5TE Sensor.

Capacitance sensors are widely used in agriculture for irrigation and soil management purposes. However, their use under saline conditions is a major challenge, especially for sensors operating with low frequency. Their dielectric readings are often biased by high soil electrical conductivity.

A TRAF6 genetic variant is associated with low bone mineral density in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: This study was aimed to investigate the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), rs540386, with low bone mineral density (BMD) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: TRAF6 rs540386 genotyping was performed by mutagenically separated PCR in a cohort of 188 (23 men, 165 women, median age, 56.2 years) adult RA patients and 224 age and gender-matched controls.

Physical Activity Level Assessed by Accelerometer and PAQ-C in Tunisian Children.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is an important agent in the prevention of chronic diseases such as obesity.

Objectives: To provide preliminary data on PA among school children and to correlate the PA with weight status.

Material And Methods: A total of 40 children aged between 8 and 11 years and attending Tunisian schools were recruited.

Development and validation of impedance-based equations for the prediction of total body water and fat-free mass in children aged 8-11 years.

Background/objectives: Accuracy of impedance analysis depends on population-specific prediction equations. The aim of this study was to propose new prediction equations to estimate body composition using impedance analysis for healthy Tunisian children and validate them using the deuterium oxide dilution (DO) technique.

Subjects/methods: Body composition was estimated by the Tanita impedance analyzer.

IRAK2 is associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

This study was performed to investigate the association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 2 (IRAK2) rs3844283 and rs708035 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IRAK2 rs3844283 and rs708035genotyping was determined by mutagenically separated PCR with specifically designed primers in a cohort of 222 (30 men, 192 women, mean age 49 years) adult RA patients and 224 matched controls. IRAK2 rs3844283 C allele was detected in 66% of RA patients and 74% of controls.

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND A-AMYLASE INHIBITORY POTENTIAL OF L.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrinal disorders and medicinal plants continue to play an important role in the management of this disease. In this study, was investigated for the antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activities.

Materials And Methods: Methanolic extract of was investigated for its potential antioxidant activity.

Characterization of mechanisms and processes of groundwater salinization in irrigated coastal area using statistics, GIS, and hydrogeochemical investigations.

Coastal aquifers are at threat of salinization in most parts of the world. This study was carried out in coastal shallow aquifers of Aousja-Ghar El Melh and Kalâat el Andalous, northeastern of Tunisia with an objective to identify sources and processes of groundwater salinization. Groundwater samples were collected from 42 shallow dug wells during July and September 2007.

Continuous and high-intensity interval training: which promotes higher pleasure?

Objectives: To compare the psychological responses to continuous (CT) and high-intensity interval training (HIT) sessions.

Methods: Fifteen men attended one CT session and one HIT session. During the first visit, the maximum heart rate, VO2Peak and respiratory compensation point (RCP) were determined through a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test.

[Effect of protein restriction on renal function and nutritional status of type 1 diabetes at the stage of renal impairment].

Background: In an effort to slow the deterioration of renal function, several authors have recommended in the diabetic stage renal disease with moderate renal impairment decreased protein intake to 0.7 or 0.3 g / kg / day associated with energy intake of at least 30 to 35 kcal / kg / day.

Evaluation of Chitine synthase (CHS1) polymerase chain reaction assay in diagnosis of dermatophyte onychomycosis.

Background: Onychomycosis is one of the most prevalent dermatophytic diseases. Mycological methods used in the conventional diagnosis may not be optimal. PCR was reported as a reliable alternative in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis.

[Multiple medication use in diabetic patients aged].

Background: Multiple medication use is especially common in those with diabetes aged due to multiple illnesses, certain chronic diseases and disabling of the growing demand for care, treatment advances, but also some over-prescription.

Aims: To assess the achievement of treatment goals in a population of older diabetics, to analyze drug consumption and to derive a practical driving prevention.

Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was interested in 600 cases of diabetic patients older than 60 years, recruited from the diabetes followed at the National Institute of Nutrition and Health Unit in Tunis Sidi Hassine involving three local clinics to during the years 2009-2010.

Anti-C1q antibodies and systemic lupus erythematosus in the Tunisian population.

Objectives: The presence of a wide variety of autoantibodies is a characteristic feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although non-specific, anti-complement C1q (anti-C1q) were shown to correlate with the occurrence of active nephritis. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anti-C1q in Tunisian SLE patients and their association with clinical manifestations, especially renal involvement.