The journey of cancer patients and the quest to equity: findings from Morocco.

OBJECTIVES: Rapid diagnostic and assessment pathways for cancer patients provide timely and effective care. This study took place in Morocco, where the majority of patients treated in the public sector are diagnosed at an advanced stage. The aim of this study was to determine the duration of different time intervals along the cancer patient pathway and to highlight problem areas so that strategies can be implemented to make the process more equitable and effective. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Recently diagnosed cancer patients were recruited from four major oncology centres in Morocco; namely, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, and Fez. A questionnaire survey was administered, including sociodemographic and medical information and questions on access to the oncology centre, beliefs, and opinions on the medical staff. The dates of symptom recognition, assessment, diagnosis referral, biopsy, and treatment initiation were collected. Different time intervals (patient, diagnosis, biopsy, and treatment) were estimated and their determinants were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 812 patients were interviewed. The majority of participants were breast cancer patients. In total, 60% of participants were at stage III-IV. The main facilitators of cancer diagnosis confirmation and treatment initiation were easy access to diagnosis and treatment facilities, financial resources, personal history of cancer, time availability, late stage at diagnosis, advanced age, and private health insurance. The patient interval (i.e., time from symptom recognition to initial healthcare assessment) had a median duration of 30 days. The biopsy and treatment intervals were within the current international recommendations (7 and 28 days, respectively). However, the diagnosis interval (52 days) was twice as long as the recommended timeframes from the UK, Australia, and the World Health Organization (<28 days). CONCLUSIONS: Interval targets should be defined to encourage health systems to be more equitable and effective and to ensure that cancer patients are treated within a defined timeframe.

COPEDOL: A two-year observational study in pretreated HIV-1-infected patients switching to a dolutegravir-based regimen.

OBJECTIVES: Dolutegravir is a second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor of particular interest as a rescue treatment for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) who develop resistance to multiple antiretrovirals (ART). We assessed the virological treatment response in patients switched to a dolutegravir-based regimen following failure of previous ART treatment in a real-world treatment setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, longitudinal, observational study with retrospective patient enrolment. Patients were enrolled between February 2017 and January 2018. Patients starting dolutegravir treatment between February 2014 and September 2016 were retrospectively included. Patients were followed up for 24 months after dolutegravir initiation. During this period, treatment with dolutegravir could be discontinued at any time at the physician's discretion. Treatment failure was either defined as a viral load≥50 copies/mL at two consecutive blood samples or as clinical or biological safety issues. Overall, 459 patients were enrolled and 329 completed 24 months of treatment. The primary study outcome measures were treatment response and time to treatment response. RESULTS: 346/440 patients (78.6%) achieved a treatment response; 86 patients discontinued dolutegravir treatment (of whom 17 for failure to achieve or maintain viral suppression and 38 for tolerability issues). Acquired dolutegravir-resistance mutations were identified in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: A sustained treatment response can be obtained with a dolutegravir-based treatment regimen in PLWHIV experiencing treatment failure, even in vulnerable patients with a long history of previous ART failure, infected with multidrug-resistant HIV strains, and with multiple comorbidities.

Theoretical design of D-π-A system new dyes candidate for DSSC application.

Currently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are one of the energy technologies that has piqued the interest of researchers, due to their distinct characteristics such as excellent air stability, ease of synthesis and photovoltaic properties interesting. This work aims to study the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic of six organic dyes based on phenothiazine (PTZ). The effects of bridging core modifications of recently synthesized PSB-4(R) molecule on structural, photovoltaic, electronic, and optical properties of D1-D6 are studied. Using the method Density Functional Theory (DFT) level of the B3LYP (Becke three-parameter Lee-Yang-Parr) exchange correlation functional with 6-31G (d, p) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT). According to the obtained results, optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic of the dyes, we can suggest that these designed molecules are better sensitizers as a candidate for the production of dye solar cells (DSSCs). This theoretical study paves the way for chemists to synthesize more efficient sensitizers for applications in dye solar cells.

Peroneal Nerve Palsy due to Bulky Osteochondroma from the Fibular Head: A Rare Case and Literature Review.

Common peroneal neuropathy is the most common compressive neuropathy in the lower extremities. The anatomical relationship of the fibular head with the peroneal nerve explains entrapment in this location. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy admitted with a left foot drop. The diagnosis was an osteochondroma of the proximal fibula compressing the common peroneal nerve. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the nerve and resection of the exostosis. Three months postoperatively, there was a complete recovery of the deficits. The association of osteochondroma and peroneal nerve palsy is rare. Early diagnosis is required in order to adjust the management and improve the results. It is worth to underscore that surgical resection is proven to be the appropriate treatment method ensuring high success rates.

Evolution of quality of life in patients with breast cancer during the first year of follow-up in Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life has an important place in the future of patients with breast cancer. The objective of this study is to assess the evolution of the patient's quality of life with breast cancer in Morocco after a year of follow-up. METHODS: This study involved the patients with breast cancer with all types of treatment as determined by their physicians. Patient's quality of life was assessed with the Moroccan Arabic version of QLQ- EORTC QLQ C30 and EORTC-BR23 questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20 software. RESULTS: Regarding EOTRC questionnaires QLQ C-30, there was a significant improvement in global health status and all scales of the functional dimension except the social functional where there was a trend towards improvement and the financial impact of the disease where the situation has deteriorated. Quality of life was improved for most symptom-sized scales dimension of EORTC QLQ- C30 with the exception of diarrhea where it was observed degradation. Most of the EORTC QLQ-scales BR23 questionnaires showed a favorable trend in the quality of life except those of sexual functioning, sexual enjoyment, hair loss and the side effects of systemic therapy. CONCLUSION: The quality of life of the patient is significantly improved after 1 year of follow up. Quality of life instruments can be useful in the early identification of patients whose score low on functional scales and symptoms.

Intracaval Migration of Ureteral Stent.

Ureteral stents have proven to be an invaluable tool for endourologists. Morbidity is minimal, but complications do exist. Up to 3 months complications are not frequent, but longer indwelling times are associated with increasing frequency of incrustation, infections, secondary stone formation, obstruction of the stented tract and migration. We report a rare case of a 33 year old pregnant patient with migration of an ureteral endoprosthesis. The patient received a right ureteral stent at 12 weeks for acute obstructive pyelonephritis. When her urologist tried to remove the ureteral stent post delivery, the stent was not found in the bladder. Ureteroscopy was performed but no ureteral stent was found. The patient showed a moderate improvement of the pyelonephritis, but complained about insidious palpitations. A CT scan was performed and showed the presence of the ureteral stent extending from the inferior vena cava up to the right atrium. Endovascular retrieval was performed through a puncture of the common femoral vein, using a curved guide that was introduced through the vena cava into the right atrium. Under fluoroscopic control, it was twisted around the stent and pulled out. The outcome was favorable, and no other complications were noted.

Microbiological impact of treatment lagoons on the economics of water for reuse in agriculture a case study in Morocco (Settat and Soualem regions).

This study was undertaken to enumerate pathogens: fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, fecal enterococci and Salmonella in the areas irrigated with treated wastewater. The samples were isolated from Settat (33°00'N, 7°37'W) and Soualem regions (34°26'N, 5°53'W). A total of (n= 48) raw water, (n=48) treated water, (n=71) of vegetables samples irrigated by treated water taken from Waste Water Treatment Plant Settat; A total of (n=24) raw water, (n=24) treated water, (n=97) of vegetables samples irrigated by treated water taken from Waste Water Treatment Plant Soualem. The results show the total average in the two stations of raw water 7.9, 6.1 log MPN 100 ml⁻¹ for respectively fecal coliforms and E. coli, 5.4 log CFU 100 ml⁻¹ for fecal enterococci and 5.2 log MPN L⁻¹ for Salmonella; for treated water 4.6, 3.1 log MPN 100 ml⁻¹ for respectively fecal coliforms and E.coli and 3.5 log CFU 100 ml⁻¹ for fecal enterococci. Regarding plants, four types of crops were harvested and analyzed (forage, herbs, cereals and vegetables), the germs charges were found with fecal coliforms, E.coli and fecal enterococci respectively 3.2, 2.8 and 4.1 log CFUg⁻¹. Salmonella was never detected in both treated water and crops samples.

[Macular edema revealing scleral necrosis following scleral buckling surgery]. / OEdème maculaire cystoïde révélateur d'une nécrose sclérale secondaire à une indentation sclérale.

INTRODUCTION: Macular edema is a very rare complication of scleral necrosis after scleral buckling surgery. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a 45-year-old women with an ocular history of severe myopia in both eyes and retinal detachment in the left eye. She underwent segmental scleral buckling in 2003. Two years and nine months later, the patient had acute, painless visual loss in her left eye. Funduscopic examination revealed cystoid macular edema with no intraocular inflammation. A fluorescein angiography and OCT revealing cystoid macular edema consistent with the macular edema was noted clinically. The surgical exploration revealed scleral necrosis beneath the scleral buckle. After removal of the scleral buckle, a scleral patch was performed. Several months after surgery, the vision had improved; funduscopic examination and OCT revealed no residual macular thickening. DISCUSSION: Macular edema is a rare complication of scleral necrosis following scleral buckling surgery, with only one case described in the literature. Our patient's complication occurred 2 years after surgery. The macular edema is likely the result of the scleritis. This inflammatory process can extend from the sclera and result in several ocular complications, including uveitis. Regression of macular edema occurs frequently after removal of the scleral buckle.

[Mitral commissurotomy during pregnancy]. / Commissurotomie mitrale percutanée au cours de la grossesse.

The physiological hemodynamic changes of the circulation during pregnancy are the main cause of mitral stenosis (MS) decompensation. In pregnant women with MS, the blood volume increase, tachycardia and the obstacle to left ventricular filling are responsible of post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PF). This hemodynamic stress associated to other conditions can trigger acute pulmonary edema or even cardiogenic shock leading eventually to an unacceptable maternal and fetal death. The percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) has been tested with success during pregnancy, with excellent short- and mid-term results. We report our experience on seventy patients requiring PMC during the third trimester of pregnancy, between March 1998 and June 2006. The PMC was successful in sixty nine out of seventy patients. All of them improved their NYHA class of that least one stage. None of them kept a residual mitral surface<1.5 cm2. The PMC permitted a spectacular clinical and hemodynamic improvement, and the course of pregnancy until end of term occurred in almost all cases.

[Prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection in female prison population in Morocco]. / Prévalence de la syphilis et de l'infection à VIH dans une population carcérale féminine au Maroc.

We studied the prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection in 217 female prisoners at Oukacha prison, Casablanca and associated risk factors. The mean age was 32.0 years and mean length of imprisonment 22.8 months. As regards risk factors, 9% of the women said they used condoms, homosexuality was not admitted, 1.8% were intravenous drug users and the average number of sexual partners was 5.17. Fifty-one women (23%) were positive for syphilis and 4 (2%) were HIV-positive. Multivariate analysis found that being married was protective (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57-0.97), while high number of partners was a positive risk factor (OR = 2, 95% CI: 1.2-3.51).

[Prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection in female prisoners in Morocco]

We studied the prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection in 217 female prisoners at Oukacha prison, Casablanca and associated risk factors. The mean age was 32.0 years and mean length of imprisonment 22.8 months. As regards risk factors, 9% of the women said they used condoms, homosexuality was not admitted, 1.8% were intravenous drug users and the average number of sexual partners was 5.17. Fifty-one women [23%] were positive for syphilis and 4 [2%] were HIV-positive. Multivariate analysis found that being married was protective [OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57-0.97], while high number of partners was a positive risk factor [OR = 2, 95% CI: 1.2-3.51]

[Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac remodeling in the high-level football player]. / Evaluation echocardiographique du remodelage cardiaque chez le footballeur de haut niveau.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to assess the morphological and hemodynamic cardiovascular changes of 24 high-level football players, using Doppler-echocardiography, and compare them to a similar control group. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four elite football players were matched to 24 normal subjects according to age, sex, and body surface. All participants had a clinical examination, resting ECG, Doppler-echocardiography and a measurement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max). The echocardiographic variables were compared between two groups by the Student's t-test and other statistical tests, using the SPSS 12 for Windows software. Compared to the control group, the wall thickness (10.49 + 1.04 vs. 7.5 + 2.04 mm, p < 0.05), the LV end-diastolic diameter (57.1 + 3.70 vs. 41.2 + 3.65 mm, p < 0.01) and left atrium surface (20.16 + 2.03 vs. 16.16 + 1.83 cm2, p < 0.01) were significantly more important in football players. The LV and RV ejection fractions were similar in both groups. The RV long-axis diastolic diameter (8 + 0.5 vs. 6.5 + 1.1 mm, p < 0.01) and S-wave using DTI (0.17 + 0.02 vs. 0.14 + 0.02, p < 0.05) were more important among football players. DISCUSSION: The hemodynamic and morphological changes result from an acquired cardiac adaptation in athletes with important endurance and resistive efforts. The majority of players presented an intermediate-type of remodeling, but the more offensive ones had an endurance-type heart, whereas the defense players had a resistance-type aspect. CONCLUSION: This study on the cardiac remodeling in high-level athletes permits to have a distinctive approach between physiological and pathological remodeling. This remodeling varies according to the player's post and exercise capacities. In a football player, a correlation between physical level and physical capacity is plausible.

[Neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging findings in five patients after carbon monoxide poisoning]. / Troubles cognitifs dus à l'intoxication oxycarbonée: étude neuropsychologique et IRM de 5 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has been shown to result in cognitive impairments. These disorders have rarely been reported. The present study aimed to evaluate these disturbances in five patients with a neuroanatomical study. METHODS: There were two men and three women with an average of 25 years old. Patients were explored several months after acute CO poisoning. Neuropsychological testing was administered to assess memory, intellectual, executive, visual-spatial and constructional functions, language, praxis and gnosis. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in all patients using axial, sagittal and coronal slides with T1 and T2 weighted and flair images. None of the subjects had hyperbaric oxygen. They received 7, 5 mg bromocriptine per day. RESULTS: All patients presented cognitive disorders including marked impairment in long term memory with a severe defect in recall performance in comparison to recognition memory. Visual memory was more affected than the verbal one. There were also moderate disturbances in intellectual, executive, visual-spatial and constructional functions. One patient presented alexia agraphia, severe visual disturbances, constructional and dressing apraxia. Four patients had depression and one psychic akinesia. Cerebral MRI studies revealed that all patients had bilateral pallidal necrosis, bilateral hippocampal and moderate cortical atrophy. Fornix atrophy was found in 2 patients and corpus mammillary atrophy in 3 patients. Others lesions were also found: bilateral cerebellar in two cases and cortical in three cases. Treatment with bromocriptine was effective in three cases. There was no improvement in the patients treated 14 months and 5 years following CO poisoning. CONCLUSION: Neuropsychological impairments in CO poisoned subjects include memory, intellectual, executive, and visuospatial defects. In addition to pallidal necrosis, which is a typical feature of CO poisoning, hippocampal and cortical atrophy are often present. Bromocriptine can improve the cognitive disorders.

[Orbital cellulitis in children: a retrospective study of 33]. / Cellulites orbitaires chez l'enfant à propos d'une étude rétrospective de 33 cas.

Orbital cellulitis is rare. However the high risk of severe ocular and neurological complications make early diagnosis and adequate therapy essential. The purpose of this retrospective study is to describe 33 cases observed in the pediatric infectious disease department of the Casablanca Children's Hospital in Morocco from 1994 to 2000. Orbital cellulitis was preseptal in 24 patients and retroseptal in 9. Infection occurred in relation with sinusitis in 10 cases, polydermitis in 8, wound infection in 6, ocular infection in 2, and dental abscess in 2. Ages ranged from 40 days to 15 years with a mean age of 5 years. Infants accounted for 25% of cases and always presented preseptal cellulitis. Fever and local edema were noted in all patients. Exophthalmia occurred in six patients and seizures in 2. The 9 cases of retroseptal cellulitis were complicated by empyema in 2 cases, meningitis in 1 case and thrombophlebitis of cavernous sinus with cerebromalacia in 1 case. Bacteriological testing identified micro-organisms in 10 cases, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus in 6 cases, Streptococcus B in 1, Streptococcus pyogenes in 1, Enterobacter Cloacae in land Acinitobacter jejuni in 1 case. Therapy was based on broad-spectrum antibiotics in association with surgery in the patient presenting in intracranial abscess. Ophthalmoplegia-like sequels including blindness, aphasia, and motor deficit occurred in 2 patients. Orbital cellulitis in children are usually preseptal and have a favorable prognosis. However prompt and adequate antibiotherapy is essential due to the risk of retroseptal involvement with inflammatory palpberal edema and possible cerebral extension.

Triadic Distance Models: Axiomatization and Least Squares Representation

Distance models for three-way proximity data, which consist of numerical values assigned to triples of objects that indicate their joint (lack of) homogeneity or resemblance, require a generalization of the usual distance concept defined on pairs of objects. An axiomatic framework is given for characterizing triadic dissimilarity, triadic similarity, and triadic distance, where the term triadic implies that each element of the triple is treated on an equal footing. Two kinds of distance models are studied in detail: the Minkowski-p or Mp model, which is based upon dyadic components and includes the perimeter model as an important special case, and several models based on presence-absence variables. They are shown to satisfy the tetrahedral inequality, a condition that is characteristic for the present axiomatization. Two monotonically convergent algorithms are described that find weighted least squares representations of three-way proximity data under the Euclidean M1 model and the Euclidean M2 model. To enable a scalefree evaluation of the quality of the fit, an additive decomposition of the sum of squares of the dissimilarities is derived. As illustrated in one of the examples, distance analysis of three-way, three-mode tables is possible by a suitable manipulation of the least squares weights.

[Sufficient autotransfusion with a single-use device in experimental vascular surgery]. / Autosuffisance transfusionnelle réalisée au moyen d'un dispositif à usage unique en chirurgie vasculaire expérimentale.

The authors used a disposable original system to recover total blood during surgery and realized 17 transfusions of autologous blood in sheep. No biological or clinical disturbance was observed.

[Primary Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome. Spontaneous one-year course of clinical, biological and histological signs]. / Syndrome de Gougerot-Sjögren primaire. Evolution spontanée sur un an des signes cliniques, biologiques et histologiques.

OBJECTIVES: The natural clinical course of primary Sjögren's syndrome was followed in 8 patients to identify the concomitant functional, clinical, biological, scintigraphic and histological manifestations of the disease. METHODS: The diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome was made on the basis of functional signs (ocular or salivary sicca syndrome) and 2 positive tests among the 3 objective ocular tests (Schirmer's test, break-up time, Rose Bengale). Work-up included recording of functional and clinical signs, ophthalmologic examination and laboratory tests at diagnosis and every 3 months for 12 months. Scintigraphy of the salivary glands was performed together with a biopsy at diagnosis and at 12 months. RESULTS: No one parameter varied significantly over a 1 year period demonstrating the lack of need for renewed examinations for diagnosis or regular follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is the first report providing a homogeneous series studied by one team over a determined period of time. It demonstrates that clinical, biological and anatomic criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome do not show any correlation between functional signs and objective ocular tests.