Alcohol Use and Associated Environmental Factors Among Middle and High School Students in Sfax (Tunisia)

Our objective was to investigate the prevalence and the environmental determinants of alcohol use among students in the region of Sfax in Tunisia. We carried out a cross-sectional study among 315 middle and high school students. We used the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to identify risky alcohol consumption, and we used the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) to assess the students’ perceptions of their parents’ parenting styles. The results show that 19.7% reported drinking alcohol at least once in their lifetime. Among them, 21% scored as dependent alcohol users, according to the AUDIT. Those who drank alcohol at least once were more likely to have parents with a permissive parenting style (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.287), and a father (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.258), a mother (p = 0.025; Cramer’s V = 0.158), or a friend (p < 0.001; Cramer’s V = 0.341) who drinks. Students perceiving their parents’ parenting style as permissive had the highest AUDIT score (p = 0.005; partial η² = 0.132). The authoritarian style score was significantly higher for students who were current alcohol users (p = 0.028; Cohen’s d = 0.57). Our study highlights the influence of peers, family drinking, and parenting styles on alcohol use among middle and high school students. Therefore, particular attention should be given to students that are at risk of having the abovementioned environmental determinants of alcohol use. And, prevention strategies should involve parents, as well as enhanced guidance and counseling for these students.

     

Infective endocarditis complicated by fatal cerebral hemorrhage revealing an unrepaired univentricular heart in a 19-year-old woman

Univentricular heart is a complex and rare cyanotic congenital heart disease. When not operated, affected patients exceptionally reach adulthood. We report the unprecedented case of a 19 year-old young woman, admitted to the hospital for a severe deterioration of general status and ultimately diagnosed to have an infective endocarditis with multiple vegetations in a previously undiagnosed univentricular heart of left ventricular morphology, subsequently rapidly complicated by fatal cerebral hemorrhage.     

First Molecular Identification and Genetic Characterization of Theileria lestoquardi in Sheep of the Maghreb Region

Theileria lestoquardi is the most prominent Theileria species in small ruminants that causes malignant theileriosis of sheep in Africa and Asia. In the present survey, blood samples and ticks were collected in Kebili (southern Tunisia) from 166 Queue Fine de l'Ouest sheep. Giemsa‐stained blood smears, immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and PCR were performed. The DNA was extracted from blood and analysed by PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene of Theileria spp. and then sequenced. A total number of 140 ticks were collected from a total number of 166 sheep during the four seasons. The ticks belonged to two genera and 4 species; the most frequent tick was Hyalomma excavatum 84.3% (118/140) and then Rhipicephalus spp. 15.7% (22/140). Only two animals had positive Giemsa‐stained blood smears, and they were also positive by IFAT. The amplicons had 99.3 and 99.6% homology with the BLAST published T. lestoquardi amplicons. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. lestoquardi in small ruminants within the Maghreb region.     

Value of the plasma protein and hemoglobin concentration in the diagnosis of pulmonary edema in scorpion sting patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of measuring total plasma protein and hemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of pulmonary edema secondary to scorpion envenomation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study over a 4-year period in the medical intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 67 patients older than 3 years admitted in the intensive care unit for scorpion envenomation and stratified into two groups according to the presence of pulmonary edema assessed by a medical committee that took into account clinical, radiological, and blood gas data at admission and after treatment. Total plasma protein and hemoglobin concentrations were analyzed separately. RESULTS: At admission all patients with and without pulmonary edema exhibited polypnea and tachycardia. The mean plasma protein and hemoglobin concentrations were higher in patients with pulmonary edema (74+/-6 and 14.2+/-2.0 g/dl, respectively) than in those without pulmonary edema (64+/-6 and 12.3+/-1.4 g/dl). After 24 h plasma protein and hemoglobin concentrations decreased in the pulmonary edema group (-11 and -1.9 g/dl) despite a negative fluid balance (-500 ml). A plasma protein concentration of 70 g/l or more predicted the presence of pulmonary edema with a sensitivity of 80% a specificity of 96%, a positive predictive value of 97%, and negative predictive value of 77%. CONCLUSIONS: In scorpion-envenomed patients with cardiorespiratory manifestations high plasma protein and hemoglobin concentrations suggest the presence of pulmonary edema.     

Quantum dot nanoparticles affect the reproductive system of Caenorhabditis elegans

Quantum dots (QDs) are an increasingly important class of nanoparticle, but little ecotoxicological data for QDs has been published to date. The effects of mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA)-capped QDs (QDs-MSA) and equivalent concentrations of cadmium (Cd) from cadmium chloride on growth and reproduction of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Rhabditidae) were assessed in laboratory experiments. Growth from larvae to adults of C. elegans was unaffected by exposure to 1?μM fluorescent QDs-MSA, but adults produced more embryos and laid them prematurely. Furthermore, C. elegans exposed to QDs-MSA (1?μM) showed a high percentage of embryo mortality (19.2?±?0.5, p?相似文献   

Myofibroblastic tumor of the right ventricle causing bilateral pulmonary embolism in a 31 year-old woman

The myofibroblastic tumor (MFT) is a very rare tumor, initially described in the lungs, and which involves exceptionally the heart. We report the unusual case of a 31 year-old female patient, in whom the tumor produced a bilateral pulmonary embolism and whose unique clinical demonstration was a longstanding fever. The tumor, located in the right ventricle, has been surgically completely excised with excellent results. We also make a review of literature of the various aspects of this pathology.