Aim: To elaborate Tunisian recommendations for the therapeutic management in current practice of patients with spondyloarthritis who are candidates for treatment with a biological agent.
Methods: Following the standardized procedures of the INEAS (Instance Nationale de l'Evaluation et de l'Accréditation en Santé) and in collaboration with the LITAR (Tunisian League against Rheumatism), a systematic review of the literature, carried out by 6 rheumatologists, based on the questions individualized by the working group (15 expert rheumatologists), served as the basis for the working meetings, with determination of the strength of the recommendations and the degree of agreement of the experts. The recommendations were validated by an independent reading group comprising 19 experts from various related specialties.
Aim: To develop good practice recommendations (GPR) for the therapeutic management of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), including psoriatic arthritis.
Methods: Following standardised procedures, a systematic review of the literature was carried out on non-pharmacological and non-biological pharmacological treatments for SpA. The review was based on questions defined by a working group of 15 rheumatologists.
Unlabelled: Advancements in understanding SpA have greatly improved patient quality of life through early detection and effective treatment. However, non-specialist physicians often face challenges in identifying the early symptoms of SpA.
Aim: This study aims to assist healthcare practitioners in the early detection of SpA and to streamline management strategies by employing a standardized assessment protocol for adult patients with SpA.
This framework was developed under the auspices of the Tunisian League Against Rheumatism (LITAR), coordinated by a project leader. The primary objective is to formulate recommendations for the management of spondyloarthritis, grounded in the development of questions structured according to the PICO model. This model defines four essential elements of a clinical question: P: Patient or Population or Problem, I: Intervention (the proposed action), C: Comparison (between diagnostic tests, treatments, etc.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe capture of carbon dioxide (CO) is crucial for reducing greenhouse emissions and achieving net-zero emission goals. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) present a promising solution for carbon capture due to their structural adaptability, tunability, porosity, and pore modification. In this research, we explored the use of a copper (Cu(II))-based MOF called .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRosacea, a chronic facial dermatosis, poses a substantial global prevalence burden. Its impact extends beyond physical symptoms, affecting patient quality of life, self-esteem, and psychosocial functioning. This study aims to assess the health-related quality of life and emotional well-being in Jordanian rosacea patients in comparison to healthy controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite decades of research, defining insomnia remains challenging due to its complex and variable nature. Various diagnostic systems emphasize the chronic nature of insomnia and its impact on daily functioning, relying heavily on patient self-reporting due to limitations in objective measures like polysomnography (PSG). Discrepancies between subjective experiences and objective PSG results highlight the need for more nuanced approaches, such as electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral analysis, which reveals distinct patterns of high-frequency activity in individuals with insomnia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClass III malocclusion is one of the most challenging malocclusions in orthodontics. Its nature and multifactorial etiology should be taken into consideration, especially in growing and adolescent patients. Many treatment modalities have been proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCapturing carbon dioxide from diluted streams, such as flue gas originating from natural gas combustion, can be achieved using recyclable, humidity-resistant porous materials. Three such materials were synthesized by chemically modifying the pores of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with Lewis basic functional groups. These materials included aluminum 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxylatophenyl) benzene (Al-TCPB) and two novel MOFs: Al-TCPB(OH), and Al-TCPB(NH), both isostructural to Al-TCPB, and chemically and thermally stable.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt Urogynecol J
November 2024
Introduction And Hypothesis: Accurate and complete reporting of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) system is essential for reporting research outcomes in POP. We aimed to assess the accuracy and completeness of POP-Q reporting in studies published from selected journals in 2023 and evaluate the validity of available POP-Q calculators.
Methods: A systematic search of Medline and Embase was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify eligible studies from selected journals in 2023 that utilised the POP-Q system.
This opinion deals with the re-evaluation of saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts (E 954) as food additives. Saccharin is the chemically manufactured compound 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one-1,1-dioxide. Along with its sodium (Na), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) salts, they are authorised as sweeteners (E 954).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe medicinal plant Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) is currently being extensively studied to determine the full extent of its therapeutic pharmacological potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Environ Res Public Health
October 2024
Background: Environmental surroundings reduce the rate of several diseases, especially those related to stressful events. Ischemic stroke can be affected by such events, either directly or through its risk factors. Therefore, the present study evaluates the effects of green spaces and noise exposure on the risk of ischemic stroke.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFL. (UD), also known as the stinging nettle, has long been used in traditional medicine for its wide range of health benefits. The current study focuses on the effect of nettle tea on the growth and proliferation of one of the most aggressive ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line, SKOV-3 cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present opinion is the follow-up of the conclusions and recommendations of the Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive relevant to the safety assessment for all age groups. In addition, the risk assessment of silicon dioxide (E 551) for its use in food for infants below 16 weeks of age is performed. Based on the newly available information on the characterisation of the SAS used as E 551 and following the principles of the 2021 EFSA Guidance on Particle-TR, the conventional safety assessment has been complemented with nano-specific considerations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Hypertension is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. An important strategy in controlling hypertension is dietary modification. The present study evaluates the effect of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on the risk of ischemic stroke.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Monitoring progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) has become increasingly important, especially given the centrality of UHC in achieving the sustainable development goals. We sought to estimate the progress towards UHC in the 22 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.
Methods: Employing the Joint World Bank and World Health Organization Framework for Monitoring UHC, we estimated the UHC index for MENA countries using both service coverage and financial protection indicators.
Layered TiCT MXene has been successfully intercalated and exfoliated with the simultaneous generation of a 3D silica network by treating its cationic surfactant intercalation compound (MXene-CTAB) with an alkoxysilane (TMOS), resulting in a MXene-silica nanoarchitecture, which has high porosity and specific surface area, together with the intrinsic properties of MXene (e.g., photothermal response).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of shellac (E 904) when used as a food additive and with the new application on the extension of use of shellac (E 904) in dietary foods for special medical purposes. The Panel derived an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 4 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for wax-free shellac (E 904) produced by physical decolouring, based on a NOAEL of 400 mg/kg bw per day and applying an uncertainty factor of 100. The Panel concluded that the ADI of 4 mg/kg bw per day should be considered temporary for wax-free shellac (E 904) produced by chemical bleaching, while new data are generated on the identity and levels of the organochlorine impurities in E 904.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: While significant evidence supports the benefits of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (NCPB) over hypothermic techniques, many institutions in developing countries, including ours, continue to employ hypothermic methods. This study aimed to assess the early postoperative outcomes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (NCPB) for complete surgical repair via the Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) within our national context.
Methods: We conducted this study in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) at the University Children's Hospital.