Anomalous behavior detection-based approach for authenticating smart home system users.

This paper presents Duenna, an authentication framework for smart home systems (SHSs). When using controlling apps (e.g.

Long term inhibition of hip joint damage under tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors in spondyloarthritis.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of long-term treatment with TNF blockers on the radiographic progression of hip disease in spondyloarthritis (SpA). This retrospective multicentric cohort study included 2 groups of patients with SpA and hip involvement. Patients of group 1 were treated with anti-TNF alpha for at least 2 years, whereas those of group 2 were anti-TNF-naïve patients.

An Immunoscore System Based On CD3 And CD8 Infiltrating Lymphocytes Densities To Predict The Outcome Of Patients With Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Immunoscore (IS) methodology as a prognostic marker of colorectal adenocarcinoma in Tunisian population. Tumor blocks were retrospectively collected from 106 patients with sporadic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining and images analysis software were used to quantify the density of CD3 and CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the center of the tumor and invasive margin.

Parenteral Nutrition Complications in Children Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) seems to be a practical solution to face the negative nutritional effects of bone marrow transplantation.

Objective: Report and describe all observed PN-related complications in children undergoing allogenic bone marrow transplantation in a tertiary center and determine the possible risk factors.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study including 51 allografted children 2 to 17 years of age.

Antituberculous fight in the Maghreb: the balance sheet.

The fight against tuberculosis remains a priority for world leaders: a re-emerging disease in developed countries, endemic elsewhere, it was declared in 1993, as a "world emergency" by the World Health Organization (WHO). The aim of programs is to prevent infection from spreading and perpetuating; the recommended strategies were the subject of common consent by expert committees convened by international agencies, primarily the WHO. As a result, programs of the Maghreb countries have great similarities.

A cross sectional study of bone and cartilage biomarkers: correlation with structural damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between bone and cartilage remodeling biomarkers and joint damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and to detect whether they have the capacity to predict the progression of joint disease assessment by computed tomography (CT) erosion score. We analyzed 65 female patients with established RA in our Rheumatology Department. Serum levels of bone and cartilage markers were measured: osteocalcin (OC), N-propeptide of type I collagen (PINP), collagen type I and II, C-telopeptide (CTX I, CTX-II) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP).

Filgrastim following HLA-Identical Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation: Long-Term Outcomes of a Randomized Trial.

Human recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor reduces the duration of neutropenia following HLA-identical allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. However, its use remains controversial due to the risk of increasing the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and slower platelet recovery. To clarify these risks, we conducted a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial of filgrastim 5 µg/kg/day i.

First site of recurrence after breast cancer adjuvant treatment in the era of multimodality therapy: which imaging for which patient during follow-up?

Purpose: We evaluated the relation between first site of recurrence of early breast cancer and disease profile at presentation and reported survival results, suggesting a personalized diagnostic imaging guidance during follow up.

Methods: Among 1400 early breast cancer treated from 2000 to 2010, 324 relapses were divided into 4 groups according to first site: A-locoregional, B-bone, C-Brain and D-visceral. We analyzed redictive factors of each group compared to a control group of 100 non relapsing patients and the remaining groups matched.

Late mitral restenosis after percutaneous commissurotomy: Predictive value of inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling biomarkers.

Background: The role of chronic inflammation in mitral restenosis after percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) is still controversial.

Aims: We sought to assess the predictive value of inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling biomarkers in late mitral restenosis after PMC.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 155 patients (mean age 46.

Prognostic factors in children with extracranial malignant germ cell tumors: a monocentric pediatric Tunisian study.

Background Extracranial Germ cell tumors (GCT) are a rare and a heterogeneous group of pediatric cancers but highly curable. Aim We aimed to review management, outcome and prognostic factors that influence overall survival (OS) in a pediatric Tunisian oncologic unit. Methods We retrospectively evaluated between January 1998 and December 2012, 33 patients affected by extracranial germ cell tumors and treated according to TGM95 protocol established by the SFOPin a pediatric Tunisian oncologic unit.

Development and validation of a food photography manual, as a tool for estimation of food portion size in epidemiological dietary surveys in Tunisia.

Background: Estimation of food portion sizes has always been a challenge in dietary studies on free-living individuals. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a food photography manual to improve the accuracy of the estimated size of consumed food portions.

Methods: A manual was compiled from digital photos of foods commonly consumed by the Tunisian population.

Comparative clinical trial: fluconazole alone or associated with topical ketoconazole in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor.

Background: The efficacy of ketoconazole and fluconazole in pityriasis versicolor had been proved.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and the safety of two doses of fluconazole given 1 week apart alone or associated to ketoconazole shampoo.

Methods: Our study included all patients with pityriasis versicolor who attended in dermatology department of Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis (over a 21-month period).

Predictive score for positive upper endoscopies outcomes in children with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common pediatric emergency. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) is the first line diagnostic procedure to identify the source of bleeding. However etiology of UGIB remains unknown in 20% of cases.

[High risk areas for echinococcosis-hydatidosis in Tunisia].

Aim: The study was conducted in order to identify high risk areas for hydatidosis in Tunisia witch would be eligible for a Hydatidosis control program initiation.

Methods: The most recent epidemiological investigation on surgical incidence of hydatidosis was used to classify governorates according to their incidence rate. A "global hydatidosis risk score" was calculated for each governorate, combining some parameters related to the hygiene conditions of the population, the literacy rate, the canine density and livestock census.

A randomized, controlled trial of nebulized 5% hypertonic saline and mixed 5% hypertonic saline with epinephrine in bronchiolitis.

Background: Bronchiolitis is a public health problem in the word and in Tunisia. Nebulized hypertonic saline seems to have some benefits in bronchiolitis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of nebulized 5% hypertonic saline alone or mixed with epinephrine in bronchiolitis as measured by improvement in clinical score, oxygen saturation or reduction in duration of hospitalization.

Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of thermal cure and rehabilitation in knee osteoarthritis. A randomized therapeutic trial.

Objective: To compare the benefits of a thermal cure and non-thermal rehabilitation in treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: Randomized therapeutic trial including patients with knee osteoarthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria). Patients were randomly divided into two groups.

[Characteristics of ocular involvement in Behçet disease in Tunisia: Monocentric study and review of literature].

Background: Behçet's disease is a multisystemic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions and uveitis. The diagnosis of Behçet's disease is based on clinical criteria. The etiology of the disease is unknown but the wide variations of ethnic prevalence and of the prevalence in the same ethnic group in different geographic areas indicate environmental triggering of a genetically determined disorder.

Association of LRP5 genotypes with osteoporosis in Tunisian post-menopausal women.

Background: Osteoporosis is a highly heritable trait. Among the genes associated with bone mineral density (BMD), the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 gene (LRP5) has been consistently identified in Caucasians. However LRP5 contribution to osteoporosis in populations of other ethnicities remains poorly known.

Health-related Quality of Life Assessment on 100 Tunisian Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis using the SF-36 Survey.

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to examine the self reported health status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with the general population and the secondary objective (in the AS group) was to study the association between health status, demographic parameters, and specific disease instruments in AS.

Methods: A cross sectional study of 100 AS patients recruited between 2006 and 2009 at the Department of Rheumatology. Health status was assessed by using the SF-36 health questionnaire in patients with AS.

[Ocular risk factors for progression of primary open angle glaucoma in the Tunisian population].

Purpose: To evaluate intraocular pressure parameters and the role of other ocular risk factors in the progression of primary open angle glaucoma.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of long-term glaucomatous progression in 140 patients (280 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) between 1998 and 2009. After analyzing their disease progression, the eyes of our patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1) consisted of eyes with worsening of their POAG, and group 2 (G2) consisted of the eyes that remained stable.

Increased urinary type II collagen C-telopeptide levels in Tunisian patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Unlabelled: Osteoarthritis is characterized by a progressive degeneration of articular cartilage and loss of joint function. Clinical assessment of osteoarthritis is hampered by the lack of accurate measures of disease and disease progression, especially during the early stage.

Background: To investigate urinary C-telopeptide fragments of type II collagen (CTX-II) levels in knee osteoarthritis in the Tunisian population compared with controls and to assess the association between this biomarker and radiological signs.