Geospatial mapping of drug-resistant tuberculosis prevalence in Africa at national and sub-national levels.

Objective: To map subnational and local prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) across Africa.

Methods: We assembled a geolocated dataset from 173 sources across 31 African countries, comprising drug susceptibility test results and covariate data from publicly available databases. We used Bayesian model-based geostatistical framework with multivariate Bayesian logistic regression model to estimate DR-TB prevalence at lower administrative levels.

[Management of risks linked to the sterilization of reusable medical devices in dentistry].

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the risks associated with the sterilization process for reusable medical devices (RMD) in stomatology, by applying the FMECA method, with a view to implementing the necessary corrective and preventive actions necessary to secure this process.

Methods: The study, which was descriptive, took place between June and July 2024 in the medicine and dental surgery department of our hospital and concerned the moist heat sterilization process of RMD. The study began by defining its scope and the formation of the work team, followed by the functional analysis of the process, the identification of the failure modes (FM), the definition of the rating scales, the rating of the FM and finally the calculation of the criticality index and the development of the action plan.

Effects of Real-Life Motor Complexity on Walking and Mobility in Trained and Sedentary Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities: A Motor Dual-Task Investigation.

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) often encounter challenges in walking and mobility due to cognitive and motor impairments. This study aimed to investigate the impact of real-life motor complexity on walking and mobility in this population, particularly focusing on dual-task scenarios. Twenty-four adolescents with ID, divided into trained and sedentary groups, participated in the study.

PFAS contamination in tap water: Target and suspect screening of zwitterionic, cationic, and anionic species across Canada and beyond.

This study investigated the occurrence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic compounds, in drinking water. Between 2021-2023, an expanded list of 76 target PFAS was screened in tap water samples mainly from Canada, but also including tap water samples from the Eastern United States, Mexico, South America (Argentina), the Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Cuba), Africa (Algeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Morocco, Rwanda, Tunisia), Europe (France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Asia (Japan, Vietnam, Iran, and Türkiye). An additional ∼ 200 suspect-target PFAS were screened using high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Detection of Echinococcus spp. and other taeniid species in lettuces and berries: Two international multicenter studies from the MEmE project.

Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis are severe zoonotic diseases characterized by long asymptomatic periods lasting months or years. Viable Echinococcus spp. eggs released into the environment through the feces of canids can infect humans through accidental ingestion via hand-to-mouth contact or consumption of contaminated food or water.

Unlocking advanced thermometric capabilities: BiVO: Er/Yb nanophosphors with dual-mode up-conversion and down-shifting features.

Luminescent materials doped with rare-earth (RE) ions have emerged as powerful tools in thermometry, offering high sensitivity and accuracy. However, challenges remain, particularly in maintaining efficient luminescence at elevated temperatures. This study investigates the thermometric properties of BiVO: Yb/Er (BVO: Er/Yb) nanophosphors synthesized the sol-gel method.

A recurrent loss-of-function variant in DRC1 causes non-syndromic severe asthenozoospermia with favorable intracytoplasmic sperm injection and pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Asthenozoospermia, characterized by reduced sperm motility, is a common cause of male infertility. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) represent a severe and genetically heterogeneous form of asthenozoospermia. Over 50 genes have been associated, but approximately half of MMAF cases remain unexplained.

Validation of the Perceived hope scale in Arabic-speaking adults living in Gaza in the midst of war, destruction and death.

Background: Despite its obvious relevance for clinical practice and research, it is surprising that presently no hope measure is available for use among Arabic-speaking populations, especially the most vulnerable ones who have been going through major humanitarian crises. This paper aimed to provide novel insights into psychometric information on the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Perceived Hope Scale (PHS) in Palestinians living in Gaza who have endured several months of suffering since the war began in October 2023.

Method: This study had a cross-sectional design and applied a quantitative research approach.

Reliability generalization meta-analysis of the internal consistency of the Big Five Inventory (BFI) by comparing BFI (44 items) and BFI-2 (60 items) versions controlling for age, sex, language factors.

Introduction: The Big Five Inventory (BFI) is a popular measure that evaluates personality on the Big-Five model. Apart from its utilization across cultures, the literature did not reveal any meta-analysis for the reliability of the different versions of the BFI and its translations. The current study carried out a reliability generalization meta-analysis (REGEMA) to establish the reliability of the BFI across cultures and languages.

Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity in Some Algerian Essential Oils and Selection of Thymus vulgaris as a Potential Biofilm and Quorum Sensing Inhibitor Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Biofilm formation and virulence factor production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are identified as the main mechanisms of its antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity. In this context, the study of the chemical composition of three Algerian essential oils (EOs) and the screening of their antibacterial, antibiofilm, and virulence factor inhibitory activities enabled us to select the thyme EO as the best oil to control the P. aeruginosa strain isolated from hospital environments.

PGM3 insufficiency: a glycosylation disorder causing a notable T cell defect.

Background: Hypomorphic mutations in the () gene cause a glycosylation disorder that leads to immunodeficiency. It is often associated with recurrent infections and atopy. The exact etiology of this condition remains unclear.

Chemical characterization and evaluation of antiviral activity of two fucoidans extracted from Mediterranean brown seaweeds, Padina pavonica and Dictyopteris membranacea.

Brown seaweeds are known for their bioactive compounds, particularly sulfated polysaccharides such as fucoidans, which have demonstrated antiviral properties. However, limited studies have focused on the antiviral potential of fucoidans extracted from Mediterranean brown seaweeds. In this study, two brown seaweeds Padina pavonica and Dictyopteris membranacea (Fuc-Pad and Fuc-Dic) were collected from monastir coasts, Tunisia, and a specific extraction protocol was employed to obtain fucoidans.

Advancing breast cancer diagnosis: token vision transformers for faster and accurate classification of histopathology images.

The vision transformer (ViT) architecture, with its attention mechanism based on multi-head attention layers, has been widely adopted in various computer-aided diagnosis tasks due to its effectiveness in processing medical image information. ViTs are notably recognized for their complex architecture, which requires high-performance GPUs or CPUs for efficient model training and deployment in real-world medical diagnostic devices. This renders them more intricate than convolutional neural networks (CNNs).

New Record of Rhipicephalus fulvus (Neumann, 1913) from Goats and Sheep in Northeastern Algeria After more than a Century.

Purpose: Tick diversity in Algeria has garnered increasing interest due to its implications for animal health and zoonotic diseases. Recent reports of abnormal ulcerative lesions in goats and sheep in the Cheria region of northeastern Algeria have raised concerns about a potential association with tick infestations. The aim of this study is to hypothesize the potential involvement of ticks in these unusual lesions.

Research protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of music on anxiety and physiological outcomes in patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

Introduction: Bronchoscopy is a routine clinical examination that can cause discomfort and anxiety in patients. This paper presents a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to assess the effect of music on anxiety and physiological outcomes in patients undergoing bronchoscopy.

Methods: The protocol adhere to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines and has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024567398).

Bias Mitigation in Primary Health Care Artificial Intelligence Models: Scoping Review.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) predictive models in primary health care have the potential to enhance population health by rapidly and accurately identifying individuals who should receive care and health services. However, these models also carry the risk of perpetuating or amplifying existing biases toward diverse groups. We identified a gap in the current understanding of strategies used to assess and mitigate bias in primary health care algorithms related to individuals' personal or protected attributes.

Evaluating Communication Performance in Rotating Electrical Machines Using RSSI Measurements and Artificial Intelligence.

This paper introduces a novel methodology for evaluating communication performance in rotating electric machines using Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurements coupled with artificial intelligence. The proposed approach focuses on assessing the quality of wireless signals in the complex, dynamic environment inside these machines, where factors like reflections, metallic surfaces, and rotational movements can significantly impact communication. RSSI is used as a key parameter to monitor real-time signal behavior, enabling a detailed analysis of communication reliability.

Genetic Diversity and Relationships Among Tunisian Wild and Cultivated L. Species.

Assessing and determining genetic diversity in rose species is a crucial step for conservation efforts, the establishment of a core collection, and the development of new varieties. This study represents the first investigation of genetic diversity among various rose species at different ploidy levels in Tunisia, with the aim of elucidating the genetic structure of the genus. It encompasses both spontaneous and cultivated accessions, featuring local and introduced species recognized for their adaptability, ornamental value, and fragrance.

Invasive Infections in Children in Vaccine Era: Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization Tunis, Tunisia.

The changing epidemiological profile of invasive infections (IIHi) is noted in the post-vaccination era. The aim of this study was to characterize phenotypically and genotypically invasive (Hi) isolates detected in Tunisian pediatric patients. A retrospective study was conducted in the microbiology laboratory of the Children's Hospital of Tunis over ten years (2013-2023).

Mass Spectrometric Based Metabolomics of the Saudi Cultivar of Fenugreek ( L.): A Combined GC-MS, Antimicrobial and Computational Approach.

In Saudi Arabia, numerous plant species with promising medicinal properties are cultivated, widely traded, and commonly utilized in traditional medicine, including fenugreek (). This study aimed to comprehensively assess the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial potential of the Saudi cultivar of fenugreek using an integrative approach combining in vitro and in silico methodologies. A comprehensive investigation was conducted on the ethanol extract of fenugreek seeds, assessing its antibacterial, antifungal, properties.

A Selective Electrochemical Sensor for Bisphenol A Detection Based on Cadmium (II) (bromophenyl)porphyrin and Gold Nanoparticles.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a commonly synthetic chemical mainly used in producing plastic items. It is an endocrine-disrupting compound that causes irreversible health and environmental damage. Developing a simple method for BPA effective quantitative monitoring is emergently necessary.