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INTRODUCTION: Small bowel volvulus due to mesenteric lipoma is a rare clinical entity. It poses both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Small bowel mesenteric lipoma is a rare cause of small bowel obstruction. We present the case of a patient admitted to our emergency department for a small bowel volvulus due to a mesenteric lipoma with small intestine obstruction. PATIENT AND METHOD: A 61 years old man, with diabetes since 25 years with antidiabetics oral medication, vaccinated against Covid 19 (two doses) who presented with peri-umbilical pain for two months, constipation and melaena, complicated 3 days before his admission by obstructive symptoms and vomiting with apyrexia and overall health state alteration. The physical examination noticed abdomen distension and the abdominal CT scan revealed a large fatty mass of the hypochondrium and left flank, roughly oval with regular borders, well limited measuring 124 × 86 mm of height of 126 mm thought to be a liposarcoma. The patient underwent enbloc resection of 20 cm of small bowel with the mass and end to end anastomosis of the ileo-ileum. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was been discharged from hospital on day 5. DISCUSSION: Mesenteric lipomas are diagnosed incidentally after laparoscopy or laparatomy. Ultrasound shows a well defined homogenous echogenic mass, and so can distinguish it from a mesenteric cyst. Computed Tomography (CT) is the standard imaging of diagnosis and shows homogenous tumor of adipose tissue. The treatment is surgery and the prognosis is better. CONCLUSION: The mesenteric is an uncommon location of lipoma. When there is small bowel obstruction with intra-abdominal mass, the mesenteric lipoma could be recalled.
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Artemisinin, the main active compound in Artemisia annua L., has been used for antimalarial properties for centuries and currently attracting increasing interest for its antiviral activities. In addition, several recent publications indicated that this valuable compound can be effective on Sars-CoV-2 virus. In the study, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was optimized in terms of mobile phase compositions, column temperature and flow rate using response surface methodology for the determination of artemisinin from A. annua samples. The method was also validated for some parameters according to the Eurachem guideline. Validated method was applied on A. annua plant samples, cultivated in a controlled condition, and content of artemisinin was found in the range from 5825 to 7972 mg/kg (n = 20). Extraction conditions of artemisinin from the plant samples were also optimized. In the first step of the extraction, solvents with different polarities were applied to the samples for the evaluation of artemisinin solubility. Then, ethanol was chosen for extraction solvent due the high extraction yield and classification in safer chemical ingredients list by EPA. After the extraction, a purification step using various adsorbents was studied to remove remnant impurities such as chlorophyl. The results showed that powdered charcoal was found to be the most effective adsorbent. Amount of the adsorbent was also studied to evaluate for the reduction of chlorophyl without reducing the artemisinin concentration. Finally, purified solvent was dewaxed, evaporated, and dried under nitrogen to concentrate the artemisinin content. In conclusion, the optimized conditions could be regarded as a new alternative technique in pharmaceutical industry for the extraction of artemisinin from A. annua samples. © 2022 Elsevier GmbH
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IntroductionFactors causing anxiety among healthcare professionals (HCP) are increasing, and psychosocial causes are the most common. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCP are exposed to additional stressful factors.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of trait-anxiety and its associated factors towards the COVID-19 outbreak among Tunisian HCP.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study conducted among Tunisian HCP during November and December 2020. The data were collected by an online questionnaire including the sociodemographic information and the “General anxiety questionnaire of Spielberger” (STAI-Y-B) which was used to assess the trait-anxiety.ResultsA total of 135 HCP participated in this study (47.4% female and 52.6% male). The average age was 31.98 years (SD=6.59). Of the participants, 3% were nurses, 8.1% were interns, 48.1% were residents, 34.8% were specialist doctors and 5.9% were generalist doctors. Concerning marital status, 61.5% were single, 36.3% were married and 2.2% were divorced. Of HCP involved in the study, 13.3% of the participants had a history of chronic somatic-disorder and 11.9 % of them had a history of a psychiatric disorder. The prevalence of trait-anxiety in HCP was 53.3%. The analysis showed that anxious HCP were more younger (p=0.002) and had history of a psychiatric disorder (p=0.017) compared to non-anxious HCP. However, no significant difference was found by gender, marital status and professional degree according to trait-anxiety.ConclusionsIn our study, we found that more than the half of HCP were anxious and these one were more younger and had history of psychiatric disorders.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
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IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic may cause elevated levels of anxiety in healthcare professionals (HCP). Identifying factors that could help maintain mental health especially social support could be helpful in facing this stressful situation.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to asses the relationship between the trait-anxiety and perceived social support among Tunisian HCP in the current pandemic wave of COVID-19.MethodsA cross- sectional descriptive and analytic study conducted among Tunisian HCP during November and December 2020. The data were collected by an online questionnaire. The trait-anxiety was assessed using the “General Anxiety questionnaire of Spielberger” (STAI-Y-B). We used the “Social Support Questionnaire” to measure availability and satisfaction regarding perceived social support.ResultsParticipants were 135 HCP, and aged from 24 to 61 years old (average age 31.98 years). The sex ratio was 1.1 (71 males and 64 females). Of HCP involved in the study, 61.5% were single, 36.3% were married and 2.2% were divorced. The average scores of availability and satisfaction regarding perceived social were 7.79 (SD=3.56) and 28.41 (SD=6.75), respectively. Seventy-two of the HCP had a trait-anxious. Analysis showed that social support satisfaction scores were significantly lower in trait-anxious HCP (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the score of availability according to trait-anxiety (p=0.49).ConclusionsOur study highlighted the existence of a deficit on perceived social support satisfaction among trait-anxious Tunisian HCP. Perceived social support as a determinant of trait anxiety should be the focus of social work in this period.DisclosureNo significant relationships.
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IntroductionThe current pandemic wave of COVID-19 has become a global threat. Healthcare professionals (HCP), by being on the front line in managing this pandemic, confronted high levels of stress and traumatic experiences.ObjectivesThe aims of our study were to evaluate the trait-anxiety among Tunisian HCP and its impact on coping strategies.MethodsA cross- sectional descriptive and analytic study conducted among Tunisian HCP during November and December 2020. The data was collected by an online questionnaire distributed through social media. The trait-anxiety was assessed using the “General Anxiety questionnaire of Spielberger” (STAI-Y-B) and the “Ways of coping checklist revised (WCC-R) questionnaire” identified three types of coping (problem-focused, emotion-focused and social-support seeking).ResultsParticipants were 135 HCP (71 males and 64 females) and aged from 24 to 61 years old (average age 31.98 years;SD 6.59 years). Of HCP involved in the study, 61.5% were single, 36.3% were married and 2.2% were divorced. Seventy-two of them had a trait-anxious. As a coping style, 85.2% of participants used problem-focused style, 88.9% of them used emotion-focused style and 63% of them used social support seeking style. The analysis of WCC-R showed that anxious HCP used emotion-focused coping more than non anxious HCP (p= 0.028). However, there was no significant difference in problem-focused or social support seeking coping styles and presence of trait-anxiety.ConclusionsIn our study, we find that the most anxious Tunisian HCP focused on emotions strategies. Personality traits play on attitudes of coping strategies.DisclosureNo significant relationships.