The importance of using fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Background: Thyroid nodules are common diseases, frequent in middle-aged women; only 5%-30% are malignant. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, rapid and non invasive diagnostic test, performed to predict malignancy and avoid unnecessary surgery.The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of fine needle aspiration in the management of thyroid lesions.

IgA is the predominant isotype of anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti-β2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) among Tunisian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Ninety RA patients with positive anti-cyclic citrullinated antibodies (anti-CCP) and 90 healthy blood donors (HBD) were studied. aCL and aβ2GPI of isotype IgG, IgA and IgM were detected by ELISA.

Breast diseases in women over the age of 65 in Monastir, Tunisia.

As life expectancy is on the rise, it is predicted that a growing number of people will live beyond the age of 65 and therefore a higher number of elderly women will have breast diseases requiring significant health care and services. This study is aimed at investigating the characteristics, the treatment and outcomes of women older than 65 years old treated for breast diseases at our institution. This was a retrospective study covering the period from January 2003 to December 2011.

Comparison of Periodontal Status Between Male Exclusive Narghile Smokers and Male Exclusive Cigarette Smokers.

Studies evaluating the effects of narghile use on the periodontium present conflicting conclusions. This study aimed to compare the periodontal status of exclusive narghile smokers (ENSs, n = 74) to that of exclusive cigarette smokers (ECSs, n = 74). Males aged 20-40 years were recruited to participate in this comparative study.

Understanding of plagiarism among North-African university hospital doctors (UHDs): A pilot study.

No previous North-African study has evaluated the UHDs understanding of plagiarism (UP). This descriptive study aimed to assess UP among Tunisian UHDs. UHDs were recruited via electronic mails sent to all the Tunisian UHDs through the national health networks and by convenience sampling via a questionnaire provided directly to some UHDs.

Temporal and climate characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in neonates and children in Sousse, Tunisia, during a 13-year surveillance.

This study established the correlation between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis and climate factors in the area of Sousse, Tunisia, during 13 years (2003-2015), from neonates and children <= 5 years old and hospitalized in Farhat Hached University-Hospital of Sousse. The meteorological data of Sousse including temperature, rainfall, and humidity were obtained. RSV detection was carried out with the direct immunofluorescence assay.

"Spirometric" lung age reference equations: A narrative review.

The aim of the present paper was to conduct a narrative review of the published norms of the "spirometric" lung-age (SLA). A literature search which covered the period 1970 to June 2017, was conducted using the Pubmed. The search strategy had used the following MeSH words: "Spirometry"[Majr]) AND "Aging"[Majr].

Preliminary findings on the correlation of saliva pH, buffering capacity, flow rate and consistency in relation to waterpipe tobacco smoking.

The aim of the present comparative study was to compare some salivary characteristics between exclusive waterpipe smokers (EWPS) and non-smokers. 72 males (36 EWPS) were recruited. The volume of stimulated saliva was determined and divided by the duration of saliva collection.

Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on North African children's heart rate and oxy-haemoglobin saturation at rest and during sub-maximal exercise.

Aim: To examine the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on the heart rate (HR) and oxyhaemoglobin saturation levels (oxy-sat) of boys at rest and during a six-minute walking test (6MWT).

Methods: Eighteen boys (age: 11.9 ± 0.

Swallowing function and chronic respiratory diseases: Systematic review.

Background: The precise coordination between breathing and swallowing is an important mechanism to prevent pulmonary aspiration. Factors that alter breathing patterns and ventilation, such as chronic respiratory diseases, may influence that precise coordination of breathing and swallowing.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to examine the effects of chronic respiratory diseases on swallowing function.

Periodontal bone height of exclusive narghile smokers compared with exclusive cigarette smokers.

Objective: To compare the periodontal bone height (PBH) of exclusive narghile smokers (ENS) with that of exclusive cigarette smokers (ECS).

Methods: Tunisian males aged 20-35 years who have been ENS for more than five narghile-years or ECS for more than five pack-years were recruited to participate in this comparative cross-sectional study. Information about oral health habits and tobacco consumption were gathered using a predetermined questionnaire.

Molecular diagnosis of Rickettsia infection in patients from Tunisia.

Diagnosis of rickettsioses had largely benefited from the development of molecular techniques. Unfortunately, in Tunisia, despite the large number of rickettsial cases registered every year, the Rickettsia species remain unidentified. In this study, we aimed to detect the Rickettsia species in clinical samples using molecular tests.

Defining obstructive ventilatory defect in 2015.

Introduction: There is no clear consensus as to what constitutes an obstructive ventilatory defect (OVD): Is it FEV1/FVC
Aim: To determine, according to the two definitions, the percentage of subjects having an OVD among them explored in a lung function exploration laboratory.

Population And Methods: This is a retrospective study including 4,730 subjects aged 17-85 years.

Comparison of two quantitative real time PCR assays for Rickettsia detection in patients from Tunisia.

Background And Objectives: Quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) offers rapid diagnosis of rickettsial infections. Thus, successful treatment could be initiated to avoid unfavorable outcome. Our aim was to compare two qPCR assays for Rickettsia detection and to evaluate their contribution in early diagnosis of rickettsial infection in Tunisian patients.

Facial cellulitis revealing choreo-acanthocytosis: a case report.

We report a 62 year-old-man with facial cellulitis revealing choreo-acanthocytosis (ChAc). He showed chorea that started 20 years ago. The orofacial dyskinisia with tongue and cheek biting resulted in facial cellulitis.

Effects of Ramadan on physical capacities of North African boys fasting for the first time.

Introduction: Most of the literature related to the effects of Ramadan fasting on physical performance has focused on adults, and only three studies have examined its impact on children's physical performance.

Aims: To examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on first-time fasting boys' performance in short-term explosive exercises [vertical and horizontal jump tests (VJT and HJT), 20-m and 30-m sprints and medicine-ball throw (MBT)], as well as in sub-maximal endurance [6-min walking distance (6MWD) measured during the 6-min walk test (6MWT)].

Methods: Eighteen Tunisian boys [mean±standard deviation (SD) of age and body mass (BM): 11.