Tag: pubmed

Tunis Med. 2025 Aug 1;103(8):1033-1038. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5375.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: By 2030, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are expected to overtake all other causes of death in Africa. The prevalence of NCDs and related risk factors are influenced by gender and socioeconomic disparities.

AIM: Thus, this study aimed to determine the impact of socio-economic and demographic factors on non-communicable diseases in Morocco.

METHODS: Cross-sectional data were analysed from 4766 adults who participated in the 2017 STEPS survey in Morocco. Data collection included assessment of behavioural and biochemical risk factors. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square and the Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference between genders in NCDs. Men had higher rates of tobacco and alcohol use (21.2%, 13.9%, respectively, with a p <0.001)), while women had higher obesity prevalence (31.2% (p <0.001)). Individuals with no formal education showed the highest prevalence of hypertension (38.9%), diabetes (10.1%), and obesity (27.9%) compared to those having primary education or more. Adults aged 70 years or older showed higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes than the other age groups.

CONCLUSION: Morocco has a high prevalence of NCDs. The incidence of NCDs is significantly associated with sociodemographic and behavioral factors. A multisectoral and integrated strategy, focusing on sociodemographic and behavioral factors is necessary to prevent and control NCDs.

PMID:41832640 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5375

Tunis Med. 2025 Aug 1;103(8):1024-1032. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5969.

ABSTRACT

Indonesia ministry of health data shows that 21.7% of the population has anemia, with a prevalence of 26.4% in the 5-14-year age group and 18.4% in the 15-24-year age group (Hb <12.0 g/dL). The Health Belief Model (HBM) is used to identify lifestyle patterns of anemic students and their risks to academic achievement.

AIMS: This study examines the relationship between hemoglobin levels and academic achievement and assesses the relationship between the HBM construct and anemia.

METHODOLOGY: This study is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 80 grade VIII students at SMP Negeri 1 Lhokseumawe. This study examines the relationship between hemoglobin levels and academic achievement and assesses the relationship between the HBM construct and anemia.

RESULTS: Chi-square test showed a significant relationship (p<0.05) between anemia and academic achievement, where students with normal hemoglobin levels had better achievements than those with anemia.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the impact of anemia on academic achievement, highlighting the importance of iron for brain function, concentration, and intelligence. The limited correlation of most HBM constructs with anemia suggests low student awareness, thus educational interventions are needed to improve preventive behavior.

PMID:41832639 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5969

Tunis Med. 2025 Aug 1;103(8):1016-1023. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5900.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Obesity is a common problem with increasing prevalence and health consequences. In pregnant patients, its impact seems equally worrying affecting large population. Some obesity complications in pregnant women have not been examined, in particular link with fetal macrosomia. Aim: The study aimed to assess the obesity factor associated with cesarean section and birth-weight infants. Methods In a retrospective study, 174 women were recorder in the period from 2021 to 2022 in the Hospital El Idrissi of Kenitra, Morocco. For each patient, age, newborn weight, number of grosses, body mass index (BMI) prepregnancy and before delivering were recorded, univariate and bivariate analyses was performed for all parameters. Results The occurrence of maternal complications during attempted vaginal delivery of a child weighing more than 4000 g is 6%. Risk factors for maternal complications, in addition to the child’s birth weight (p=0.004, attributable risk (AR)=10%), are the mother’s origin (p=0.04; AR=3%), a long duration of labor (p=0.02; AR=12%), and a cesarean section during labor (p=0.004; AR=17%). Multiparous patients who had already given birth vaginally to a macrosomic child had a reduced risk of maternal complications (p=0.03). The prevalence of obesity was 2% (p<0.001). Obesity was significantly associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery and macrosomia (p<0.0001). The prevalence of macrosomia remained higher in the overweight group than in the normal weight group (aOR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.13-3.58, p<0.05). Conclusion The study shows a significant relationship between obesity and macrosomia outcome in Moroccan women.

PMID:41832638 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5900

Tunis Med. 2025 Aug 1;103(8):1009-1015. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5637.

ABSTRACT

Introduction-Aim: Children with kidney failure (KF) are prompt to undernutrition with subsequent growth failure. The aim of this study was to assess probable correlates of normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) in children on chronic hemodialysis (HD).

METHODS: This prospective study included all 20-year-old or less patients undergoing chronic HD at our pediatric HD unit between 1st January 2024 and 30th April 2024. Patients included had been on HD for more than 3 months and were clinically stable. For each patient, baseline characteristics were recorded along with their echocardiogram findings. Mean nPCR was calculated and potential predictive factors were simultaneously evaluated. Our study included a univariate and a multivariate analysis. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included with a mean age of 14.4 ± 3.7 years old and a sex-ratio M/F of 1.9. Twenty-two (55%) had a mean nPCR <1g/kg/day. A strong positive correlation between nPCR and the 3-months body mass index variation percentage was found with a correlation ratio of 0.82. On multivariate analysis, Patients with a single pool KT/V < 1.2 and those exhibiting left ventricular hypertrophy were more likely to have a nPCR value <1g/kg/day (OR: 7.2 and 11.1, 95% CI: 2.28 – 75.23 and 5.5-98,08, respectively). A first hour refill index > 1.7 ml/kg/h/% was also correlated with a low nPCR (Adjusted OR:5.5- 95% CI: 3.2-65.2).

CONCLUSION: Pressure and volume control along with dialysis adequacy are promising factors in improving nutritional status and clinical outcomes in children with KF.

PMID:41832637 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5637

Tunis Med. 2025 Aug 1;103(8):1001-1008. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5904.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EO-CRC), defined as occurring before 50 years, is rising significantly. While genetic syndromes account for a minority of cases, the majority are sporadic and influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This study aimed to identify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of EO-CRC.

METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective, comparative study over seven years, including all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients were classified into two groups: <50 years (G1) and ≥50 years (G2). Clinical data, tumor characteristics, and treatment strategies were compared.

RESULTS: Among 180 patients, 26.1% were under 50 years (G1). No significant differences were observed in sex ratio, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, or family history of cancer. Both groups presented with bowel transit disorders and general health deterioration, but diarrhea (p = 0.015) and rectal bleeding (p = 0.026) were more frequent in G1. Rectal localization was significantly more common in G1 (p < 0.001). Histologically, EO-CRC was more often poorly differentiated, exhibited greater lymph node involvement, and was diagnosed at more advanced stages, though differences were not statistically significant. A curative approach was more frequently proposed in younger patients, without significant difference.

CONCLUSION: EO-CRC represented over one-quarter of CRC cases in our cohort. It was predominantly rectal and frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness, early diagnosis, and tailored management strategies for younger patients.

PMID:41832636 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.5904

Tunis Med. 2025 Aug 1;103(8):990-1000. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.6080.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Describing the editorial, methodological and thematic profile of scientific publications on Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases in the Arab World during the five-year period 2020-2024.

METHODS: Based on the MeSH descriptor ‘Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases’ (PID), combined with the names of 22 Arab countries, this bibliometric study was conducted on MEDLINE, via Web of Science, analyzing all available bibliographic fields. The number of authors was limited to researchers from the Arab world who had co-authored at least two publications during the study period. Visualization of author and research topic clusters was carried out using VOS Viewer.

RESULTS: During the five-year study period, 156 publications from the Arab world were indexed under the PID descriptor, published by 86 scientific journals, and tagged with 479 MeSH descriptors. These publications, often of the ‘Case Reports’ (19%) and ‘Review Article’ (15%) type, were mainly categorized under ‘Immunology’ (62%), “Pediatrics” (47%) and ‘Genetics’ (39%). They were published particularly by the Journal of Clinical Immunology (15%) and Frontiers in Immunology (12%). Among the 119 co-authors of these publications, from 12 countries, the most prolific were AL-HERZ (Kuwait), BOUSFIHA (Morocco) and ADELI (Qatar). These studies were often retrospective in nature, focused on children and the problem of “Severe Combined Immunodeficiency”, particularly in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Morocco. In addition to the ‘Genetics’ approach (39%), notably ‘Genetic Predisposition To Disease’ and ‘Genetic Diseases Inborn’, these publications also addressed “Immunology” (19%), including topics such as ‘Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes’ and ‘Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome’. Visualization of these publications reveals collaboration between two sub-regions of the Arab world (Africa and Asia) with a strong focus on ‘Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation’.

CONCLUSION: The bibliometric analysis of PID publications in the Arab world highlights a dynamic editorial landscape, diverse methodological approaches, and a wide thematic range. This stresses the need to network researchers, following a unified and interdisciplinary approach (bridging basic, clinical and public health sciences), and aligning with local epidemiological priorities.

PMID:41832635 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i8.6080

Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.2174/0118715265433644251226073827. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) are key pathogens in periodontitis. Considering the antibacterial properties of licorice, this study investigated the prevalence of Aa and P. gingivalis in patients with chronic periodontitis using PCR and evaluated the antimicrobial effects of licorice root extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival samples were obtained from 50 patients with chronic periodontitis at the Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. DNA was extracted, and specific primers were used for PCR detection. All positive isolates (n=24) were cultured, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of licorice extract (Barij Esans Co., Iran) were determined in triplicate using the microbroth dilution method. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests with SPSS 24.

RESULTS: Aa and P. gingivalis were detected in 48% of samples (Aa: 18%, P. gingivalis: 26%, both: 4%). The MIC and MBC values of licorice extract were 7.81 ± 0.42 mg/mL and 20.53 ± 0.61 mg/mL for Aa, and 4.69 ± 0.37 mg/mL and 10.94 ± 0.54 mg/mL for P. gingivalis, respectively. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in bacterial prevalence between localized and generalized periodontitis (p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION: Due to the potential toxicity of licorice, such as hypertension and hypokalemia, careful dose standardization and toxicity evaluation must be performed before clinical use.

CONCLUSION: Licorice extract demonstrated promising in vitro antibacterial activity against Aa and P. gingivalis. These findings suggest that licorice may serve as a potential adjunctive agent in the management of chronic periodontitis. However, further in vivo and clinical studies are required before clinical application.

PMID:41832621 | DOI:10.2174/0118715265433644251226073827

Magn Reson Med. 2026 Mar 14. doi: 10.1002/mrm.70343. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate Frequency Alternation at Low duty cycle for Single Offset (FALSO) as a novel Magnetization Transfer (MT) preparation scheme to increase speed and/or spatial resolution of inhomogeneous MT (ihMT) MRI by reducing the number of volumes required.

METHODS: We compared FALSO MT to standard single frequency MT preparations using signal simulations and ihMT data acquired in a rat brain at 9.4 T and human brains at 3 T. Using FALSO MT preparations, combined with optimized Variable Flip Angle (VFA) MPRAGE readouts, we also acquired ihMT data at high resolution (down to 1.4 mm isotropic) to demonstrate the reduction in acquisitions required for ihMT images of sufficient SNR.

RESULTS: We found no statistically significant difference between ihMT ratios from data acquired using FALSO MT preparations versus averaging data following separate positive and negative frequency offset MT acquisitions (as in regular ihMT to account for MT asymmetry). Use of VFA (relative to constant flip angle) readouts allowed high-resolution ihMT images with a minimal number of volumes to be acquired and reduced variance in ihMT ratios within ROIs.

CONCLUSION: FALSO MT preparations allow for a reduction in the number of acquisitions required for ihMT while still controlling for MT asymmetry. IhMT data acquired with VFA readouts allow for higher resolution acquisitions in the same scan time. The combination of FALSO MT and VFA readouts can be used to increase the spatial and/or temporal resolution of ihMT experiments, allowing for easier clinical translation and improving the utility of ihMT in neurological studies of myelin.

PMID:41832609 | DOI:10.1002/mrm.70343

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2026 Mar 14:ezag122. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezag122. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This statistical primer presents a comprehensive introduction to the use of inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), a method for rebalancing group confounders at baseline in cardiovascular surgical outcomes research. We leveraged a retrospective study comparing the outcomes of two different surgical approaches to aortic arch pathology to illustrate the essential aspects of performing IPTW, including basic theories, application, extreme weights, underestimated variance, heterogeneity of treatment effect, and multicollinearity. The limitations of IPTW were discussed with examples of solutions. Ten practical recommendations are made on avoiding the pitfalls in the use of IPTW. Proper use of IPTW may effectively reduce confounding bias by balancing confounders between different groups at baseline, retain a relatively large sample size and allow for integration with other statistical methods. However, it is crucial to be fully aware of its limitations and carefully select appropriate methods to avoid improper use and data misinterpretation in cardiovascular outcomes research.

PMID:41830434 | DOI:10.1093/ejcts/ezag122

Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2628366. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2628366. Epub 2026 Mar 14.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early detection through screening is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and reducing disease burden. . This study investigates the predictors of previous prostate cancer screening among Saudi men attending primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to July 2023, involving 6,177 men attending 48 PHCs in Riyadh, selected via multistage cluster sampling. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of screening, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 6,177 men participated in the study. Age distribution was 31% under 50, 48.4% aged 50-75, 20.5% 75+ years . Only 1.5% of participants reported having undergone previous prostate cancer screening. crude proportions of screening were 0.9%, 1.7%, and 1.3% for the <50, 50 – 75, and ≥75 age groups, respectively. In adjusted analysis, age 50-75 years (AOR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.73-5.46), unemployment (AOR: 3.69, 95% CI: 2.33-5.85), health insurance coverage (AOR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.93-4.61), smoking (AOR: 4.52, 95% CI: 2.73-7.49), and history of heart disease (AOR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.44-6.42) were significant predictors of previous prostate cancer screening.

CONCLUSION: The extremely low prevalence of previous prostate cancer screening in this population underscores urgent need to improve access to PSA testing. Employment status, insurance coverage, smoking, and history of heart disease were significant predictors of screening uptake. These findings highlight need for both targeted and general interventions and support development of a national strategy for PSA testing among asymptomatic men in Saudi Arabia.

PMID:41830420 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2026.2628366