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This article, published in the journal Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, examines the correlation between depth and scan quality in ultrasound examinations. The study included 187 scans with 205 fetuses and 565 ultrasound images. The results showed that increasing depth was associated with decreased image quality. The authors suggest that selecting entry sites with minimal abdominal adipose tissue content can help ensure superior image quality. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "EP01.65: MATHLAB-sonographer agreement for the contrast-to-noise ratio at the 18-week scan," evaluates the agreement between MATHLAB and sonographers in assessing the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) during the 18-week scan. The study included 187 pregnancies, with 205 fetuses and 565 ultrasound images. The results showed a slight agreement between MATHLAB and sonographers for CNR. The authors concluded that using MATHLAB may not be a good solution for image quality assessments. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "EP01.58: Which maternal and pregnancy characteristics affect obstetric ultrasound quality?" explores the impact of maternal and pregnancy characteristics on the quality of obstetric ultrasound assessments at 18 weeks. The study, conducted at a single center, included 187 scans, 205 fetuses, and 565 ultrasound images. The results showed that maternal obesity was the main factor affecting fetal ultrasound quality, with half of the unsatisfactory scans being in obese patients. Other characteristics such as height, nulliparity, overweight, caesarean scar, history of bariatric surgery, multiple pregnancy, anterior placenta, and fetal anomaly did not significantly impact ultrasound quality. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "Interobserver reproducibility of the contrast-to-noise ratio assessment at the 18-week scan," examines the interoperator reproducibility of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) assessment during the 18-week scan. The study sample consisted of 187 consecutive 18-week scans, with two independent and blinded sonographers scoring the contrast and noise levels on ultrasound images. The results showed fair to good interobserver agreements of CNR for the two operators. The authors suggest that sonographer CNR assessment of the 4-chamber view may be the best approach for evaluating the quality of ultrasound images in routine practice. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "EP01.36: Spotlight on impaired acoustic window: time to agree on a scientific definition," discusses a study conducted to evaluate the impaired acoustic window (IAW) reported during second and third trimester obstetric ultrasound scans. The study found that the reporting of IAW was highly subjective and lacked standardization, which could lead to misuse of the term. Factors such as maternal obesity, gestational age, sonographer experience, and grade were found to contribute to the reporting of IAW. The study concludes that further research is needed to enhance the understanding and grading of IAW. [Extracted from the article]

The resonances appearing in splint-ring resonators are discussed. The theory of magnetoelectric coupling by Gay-Balmaz and Martin is used to explain this phenomenon.

Science of evolution is the basic of life and earth science (LES). It searches for mobilize the process and reasoning of tow scientific poles: functionalist and historical. Because it try together to reconstruct the history of living beings from their origins and to explain the working biological mechanisms in this process. Therefore, studies of evolution must respect this double polarization. In this article, we analyzed the programs of studied subjects in life and earth sciences for secondary school in Morocco to know how this polarization is taken into accent. We show that the programs of life and earth sciences are heaving biased toward the scientific pole functionalist. So, the historical sciences remains poor and implicit. This tendency, patent in the programs of life and earth science, might reveal probably more the difficult of evolution studies in Morocco.

Presents a study which explored the role of myoglobin in retarding the development of anoxia in the perfused working rat heart. Materials and methods; Results; Discussion.

Pyruvate halogen analogs, 3-fluoropyruvate and 3-bromopyruvate, are toxic toward Clostridium acetobutylicum. After mutagenesis with nitrosoguanidine, mutants resistant to these compounds were selected. In a normal batch culture regulated at pH 4.8, mutants quickly initiated the acid-solvent transition, accumulating more acetoin and lactate than the wild type strain. The maximum rate of specific glucose uptake was higher in the mutants than in the wild type: 1.76 h and 0.9 h respectively. When the pH was uncontrolled, mutants converted glucose into solvents, essentially butanol, while the wild-type strain ceased its fermentation at the acidogenic stage. Enzymatic investigations revealed that acetate kinase, butyrate kinase, and acetoacetate decarboxylase activities decreased sooner in the mutants than in the parent strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the guidance of magnetostatic surface waves (MSSW) by a metallic strip printed on a ferrimagnetic slab or on a dielectric/ferrimagnetic structure (suspended configuration) in the frame of the magnetostatic approach. An integral spectral domain analysis (SDA) is used for this purpose. Shielding upper and/or lower ground planes are also considered. Some interesting new physical effects, such as backward and complex MSSWs in the suspended configuration are reported. Good agreement with previously published experimental and computed results confirms the validity of our approach [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

L'aphtose buccale récidivante est une maladie le plus souvent bénigne mais parfois invalidante qui évolue de façon chronique et récidivante. Elle peut être isolée ou associé à d'autre pathologie, d'où lintérêt de la recherche du'ne maladie sous jacente. Nous rapportons le cas d'une aphtose buccale récidivante révélant une maladie c'liaque chez une patiente âgée de 45 ans.

Background: In Morocco, despite various initiatives to improve the quality of reproductive healthcare, the indicators remain unfavorable. To strengthen the skills of midwives and support the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 by 2030, Morocco has developed and implemented a competency-based training framework. However, there is a lack of information on the successful implementation of this program and its impact on the quality of student midwives' preparation for practice., Objective: This study aimed to gain a deeper understanding and explore the barriers affecting the development of clinical learning skills among midwifery students and newly qualified midwives., Methods: This study employed a descriptive, exploratory qualitative approach. Data were collected through nine focus group discussions with 30 midwifery students and 24 newly graduated midwives between April and June 2023 from six higher education institutions in northern and central Morocco. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed discussions., Results: The barriers varied between locations. Overall, the internship design was inadequate, and the clinical environment was insufficient. Participants highlighted limited opportunities to experience the full range of midwifery skills. However, most midwifery students and new graduates had deficient competencies in managing high-risk situations and emergencies., Conclusion: This work provides an overview of the nature and extent of the challenges faced by many student midwives in Morocco, resulting in newly graduated midwives being poorly prepared for the full range of midwifery practice. These findings can inform various initiatives to strengthen midwifery education at the global, regional, and national levels., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Aim: This study aimed to assess nursing students' knowledge towards pressure injury prevention. The intent is to improve the undegraduate nursing curricula., Material and Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive research design. The study population consisted of 285 nursing students enrolled during the second semester of the 2022 year. The response rate was 84.9%. The authors translated and validated the English version of PUKAT 2.0 into French to collect data. PUKAT-Fr is a French version of PUKAT 2.0. The authors used an information form to gather data about participants' descriptive characteristics and specific educational behaviors. Data analysis was performed through descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Ethical procedures were accomplished., Results: The total mean score of the participants was low (5.88/25). « Prevention of pressure ulcers » and « Specific patient groups » were the most critical themes. Most participants did not use the risk assessment tool in the lab or clinical settings (66.5%) nor the pressure-redistribution mattresses or cushions (43.3%). Education specialization and the number of departments frequented were significantly associated with the participants' total mean score (p < 0.001)., Conclusion: The nursing students' knowledge level was low (5.88/25). Curricular and organizational issues were involved. Efforts from faculty and nursing managers could be introduced to ensure evidence-based education and practice., Competing Interests: Declarations of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2023 Tissue Viability Society / Society of Tissue Viability. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Exostoses or osteochondromas are benign osseous tumors that develop on the bone surface and can be sporadic or hereditary. Their evolution is generally benign, but they may be complicated in some patients by conflicts with the surrounding nervous or vascular structures, in particular arteries. We report a case of false aneurysm of the popliteal artery secondary to an isolated exostosis of the left femur in a 20-year-old woman. A delay in the diagnosis allowed the development of the false aneurysm, which was at the origin of a major venous compression. The surgical treatment consisted in aneurysmectomy and reconstruction by end-to-end anastomosis associated with the resection of the osseous tumor, and the deep venous thrombosis was treated medically., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We demonstrate feasibility and safety of Electrochemotherapy for treatment of a prostate cancer (PCa) with infiltration of the urethral sphincter. The patient remained continent and potent, toxicity was low, and 6 months of follow-up showed no cancer activity. We conclude that Electrochemotherapy should be further evaluated as treatment strategy for locally advanced PCa.

Aneurysms of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) are rare and can have many etiologies. Hyperflow is an exceptional etiology. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who presented with a stress-induced ischemia of the left arm. Computed tomography angiography showed occlusion of the subclavian artery and a true aneurysm of the ITA. The ITA aneurysm was resected without restoration of the ITA continuity and a carotid-subclavian bypass was performed. Pathological examination of the aneurysm sac was not specific., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dysphagia lusoria is a rare cause of organic dysphagia. This report describes a series of six patients admitted to our university hospital for dysphagia lusoria. Dysphagia was a constant feature in all our patients. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and a barium esophagram prompted the diagnosis, which was confirmed by angiography of the aortic arch showing an aberrant right subclavian artery in all cases. Treatment was surgical in all patients with good results., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Venous aneurysms are a relatively rare pathology, far less common than arterial aneurysms. Unrelated to either age or gender, they can affect any vein, including cervical, thoracic, visceral, and lower limb veins. Aneurysmal dilatations in cervical veins are rare due to low pressure in the vena cava system; they can involve any vein but most frequently are observed on the internal and external jugular veins. This report of three patients highlights some of the specific diagnostic and therapeutic features of this pathology., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) represents the best vascular approach for chronic hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to determine the survival of the first AVF and to identify the factors responsible for poor AVF survival., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 96 chronic hemodialysis patients benefiting from the creation and cannulation of their first AVF at our center, with a minimum follow-up period of 1 year. We collected demographic, clinical, and biological data, as well as analyzed the following AVF characteristics: anatomic site, cannulation time, survival, and complications. To identify the predictive factors of poor AVF survival, we defined and compared two groups of patients on the basis of whether they lost their first AVF during the evolution., Results: Patients' mean age was 42.1 ± 13 years, with predominantly female patients. Mean AVF cannulation time was 17.5 ± 24 days. AVF loss was mainly related to thrombosis in 29% of the cases and stenosis in 9.4%. AVF survival was 87%, 77%, 71%, 67%, and 64% after 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years of hemodialysis, respectively. In our study, the main factors associated with AVF loss were lengthy jugular venous catheters placement (p = 0.004), short AVF cannulation time after its creation (p = 0.03), and hypotension episodes during dialysis (p = 0.03)., Conclusion: Long-term survival and quality of life in hemodialysis depend on an appropriate dialysis carried out-thanks to a correct vascular approach! According to the previously published data, survival of the first AVF can vary between 10% and 36% at 10 years. In our study, survival of the first native AVF was satisfying because it reached 64% at 10 years. Early AVF creation and prevention and management of its complications remain the safest and most comfortable solution to ensure AVF survival and thus a satisfying survival and quality of life in chronic hemodialysis patients., (Copyright © 2011 Annals of Vascular Surgery Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Extracranial carotid aneurysm due to Behçet disease is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this complication has been previously reported in only 12 cases. We report two new cases of extracranial carotid aneurysm in Behçet disease and discuss the clinical features, therapeutic modalities, and postoperative complications of these uncommon lesions.

Neck angulation (NA) is an important risk factor for type 1 proximal endoleaks following stenting of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The Aorfix (Lombard Medical, Oxon, UK) is a new flexible stent graft designed to overcome this issue. The aim of this study was to compare the endoleak flow rate (EFR) in relation to NA between the Aorfix and other manufactured stent grafts. A flow model with silicone proximal and distal necks was used. EFRs corresponding to 10 neck angles between 0 and 70 degrees were measured. Eight stent grafts were tested: Aorfix, Ancure (Guidant, Indianapolis, IN), Powerlink (Endologix, Irvine, CA), AneuRx (Medtronic, Sunnyvale, CA), Excluder (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ), Zenith and Zenith-Flex (Cook Inc., Bloomington, IN), and Lifepath (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA). For all stent grafts except the Aorfix, the EFR was greater than at baseline for NA >or= 30 degrees (p < .01). The EFR at NA >or= 30 degrees was lower with the Aorfix compared with the other stent grafts (p < .01). NA had no influence on the EFR with the Aorfix. The Aorfix may decrease the incidence of proximal type 1 endoleak in patients with a severely angulated aortic neck.

Objectives: Little comparative information is available on mitochondrial function changes during experimentally-induced hypertrophy. Respiratory control mechanisms are not exactly the same in situ and in isolated mitochondria. This study assessed in situ mitochondrial function in two myocardial hypertrophy models., Methods: Cytochrome aa3 (Cytaa3) and myoglobin (Mb) absorption changes were monitored in isolated rat hearts using dual wavelength spectrophotometry (Cytaa3: 605-630 nm, Mb: 581-592 nm). Hypertrophy was induced by creation of an aortic stenosis or of an aorto-caval fistula. Optical monitoring was performed on diastole-arrested perfused hearts using the sequence O2 perfusion, N2 perfusion during 4 min, and reoxygenation. The plateaus of the Cytaa3 and Mb curves were used to quantify oxidation-reduction and oxygenation levels. Respiratory kinetics were characterized by the slopes of transition phase curves., Results: Myoglobin oxygenation was comparable in the hypertrophied and control hearts. However, Cytaa3 oxidation-reduction levels in the hypertrophied hearts showed a shift towards greater reduction in comparison with the controls (controls: 0.580 +/- 0.008 DO605/DO630 nm, n = 34; fistula: 0.530 +/- 0.023, n = 23; stenosis: 0.522 +/- 0.016, n = 20, p < 0.001). The rate of Cytaa3 reduction and the rate of myoglobin deoxygenation were significantly accelerated (p < 0.005) in the volume overload group (0.507 +/- 0.043, n = 23), whereas the respiratory rate in the pressure overload group (0.389 +/- 0.034, n = 20) was comparable to that in the control hearts (0.358 +/- 0.026 delta DO 605 nm/DO630 nm.min-1, n = 34)., Conclusion: We found mitochondrial function alterations in both volume overload- and pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, despite adequate cytosol oxygenation. The patterns of these alterations differed: the redox state showed a shift of similar magnitude toward greater reduction in both models, but the respiratory rate was increased in the volume-overloaded hearts and unchanged in the pressure-overloaded hearts. The modification in the oxidation-reduction state suggested that overload hypertrophy may induce changes in the metabolism of the myocardium, which may, in turn, load to persistent modifications in mitochondrial function. The differences between the two models suggest that adaptation to hypertrophy-inducing events exists at the level of the mitochondrion.

The actions of butyric and acetic acids on acetone-butanol fermentation are investigated. Production of butyric and acetic acids are controlled by the extracellular concentrations of both acids: acetic acid added to the medium inhibits its own formation but has no effect on butyric acid formation, and added butyric acid inhibits its own formation but not that of acetic acid. The ratio of end metabolites depends upon acetic and butyric acid quantities excreted during the fermentation. In contrast to acetic acid, which specifically increases acetone formation, butyric acid increases both acetone and butanol formations. Acetate and butyrate kinase activities were also examined. Both increase at the start of fermentation and decrease when solvents appear in the medium. Coenzyme A transferase activity is weak in the acidogenic phase and markedly increases in the solvent phase. Acetic and butyric acids appear to be co-substrates. On the basis of these results, a mechanism of acetic and butyric acid pathways, coupled to solvent formation by C. acetobutylicum glucose fermentation is proposed.

Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 using pyruvate as the sole carbon source produced mainly acetate and butyrate as end products of fermentation. Acetate and butyrate kinase activities were higher in cells growing in the presence of pyruvate than glucose, whereas the level of the acetoacetate decarboxylase, an enzyme involved in solvent formation, was lower. Similar activities of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase were found in cells grown in pyruvate and glucose mediums. The transfer of C. acetobutylicum from pyruvate to glucose medium suggested that pyruvate represses the "solventogenesis."

Pyruvate effects on the metabolism of Clostridium acetobutylicum during glucose fermentation were studied. After addition to the culture medium, the pyruvate was rapidly used, provoking several changes in the metabolic pattern of the bacteria. When pyruvate addition occurred early in the fermentation, the glucose utilization decreased and the solventogenic phase was not induced. When pyruvate was added during solventogenesis, glucose consumption was slightly affected and the cells fermented both substrates simultaneously: however, the acidogenic phase started again to the detriment of solvent formation. Usually, during the solvent phase, the cells remetabolized acetic and butyric acids into solvents, but when pyruvate was added, the utilization of acids was stopped and the specific rates of acetate and butyrate formation increased immediately. The acidogenic growth phase was characterized by high levels of acetate and butyrate kinase which dropped during the solvent phase. Addition of pyruvate limited the down shift of these two enzymes and the levels of the activities remained constant during the course of the fermentation. Conversely, the acetoacetate decarboxylase, which is characteristic of the solvent phase, decreased sharply in the presence of pyruvate. The fact that the specific rate of glucose consumption was not decreased by the pyruvate metabolism, a cosubstrate, proves that the phosphoroclastic reaction is not a limiting step. Furthermore, the pyruvate utilization represented a promising approach to obtain useful data on the intracellular compounds implicated in the mechanism for switching from the acidogenic to the solventogenic phase.