Skin cancer knowledge and attitudes in the region of Fez,Morocco: a cross-sectional study

Background

The prevalence of skin cancers is constantly increasing in Morocco, and they have gradually become more aggressive due to a significant delay in the diagnosis. Our aim was to assess the levels of awareness and the influencing factors related to skin cancer knowledge in Morocco.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was carried out in Morocco through the medium of a validated questionnaire, which contained several items – demographics, skin cancer knowledge and attitudes towards skin cancer patients– during a period of 1 year (2014).

Results

Out of the 700 participants enrolled in the study, 17.9% had never heard of skin cancer, 32.5% had a low score of skin cancer knowledge, 66.7% had a moderate score, and only 0.85% had a high score of skin cancer knowledge. Further, 15.1% of the participants were under the assumption that this cancer is contagious. The sun was the most incriminated risk factor in skin cancer occurrence by 74.3% of the participants, and 57.9% of them believed that prevention is important through using various means of photoprotection. After univariate and multivariate analysis, the influencing factors related to the skin cancer knowledge in Morocco were: the socioeconomic status (P?=?0.003, OR?=?7. 3) and the educational level (p?<?0.001, OR?=?20. 9).

Conclusions

Due to the lack of knowledge or the underestimation of skin cancer in our study population, efforts are needed to promote skin cancer surveillance behaviors in Morocco.

     

Fibromatosis Colli: A case report

Fibromatosis Colli also known as congenital torticollis is a rare cause of benign cervical pseudotumor in neonates, consisting of benign fibrous tissue proliferation within the sternocleidomastoid muscle, resulting in a fusiform enlargement. The cause of fibrosis is unknown; however it could be linked to trauma during pregnancy or at the time of birth, resulting in hemorrhage and, subsequently, fibrosis. Ultrasound plays a necessary role in confirming this diagnosis and follow-up. We Report a case of Fibromatosis colli in a four-week old newborn who was diagnosed using ultrasonography and treated with physiotherapy.     

Spontaneous uterine rupture of an unscarred uterus revealed by a subocclusive syndrome: A case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous uterine rupture of an unscarred uterus is a complication that has dramatic results for both mother and fetus. The clinical presentation commonly comprises abdominal pain and metrorrhagia however we report a case of spontaneous uterine rupture revealed by a subocclusive syndrome. We report a case of a young woman who came to the ER with 3 days of progressive abdominal pain and subocclusive syndrome. The current pregnancy was estimated at 32 weeks of amenorrhea and the patient was hemodynamically stable. An obstetric ultrasound was performed showing a progressive monofoetal pregnancy and moderate peritoneal effusion. In view of the presence of effusion on ultrasound and the subocclusive syndrome, an abdominal and pelvic CT scan with contrast was carried out, showing a fundal uterine rupture defect with contrast media extravasation and intraperitoneal hemoperitoneum. The patient was immediately transferred to the operating room for a caesarean section. Although CT scans use radiation, their contribution was essential to avoid maternal death.     

The reconstruction of the lacrimal pathway in the common canaliculus surgery

We describe a new technique for restoring lacrimal pathway anatomy in common canaliculus surgery. Fourteen patients (4 men and 10 women), with a mean age of 59 +/- 19 years, suffering from chronic epiphora caused by common canaliculus stenosis were operated on (18 procedures: 14 unilateral, 4 bilateral). We used a modified Dupuy-Dutemps technique. The anterior face of the lacrimal sac was cut as a flap, which was secured with the posterior nasal mucosal flap for the posterior anastomosis plane. The common canaliculus stenosis and the external face of the lacrimal sac were excised guided by the operating microscope so as to put in place a bicanalicular device, which was left for 6 months. The anterior plane of anastomosis was made of a Goretex((R)) patch or PTFE((R)) (Polytetrafluoroethylene((R))) placed under the deep face of the orbicularis muscle. The procedure was successful in 15 of the 18 cases (success rate: 83.3%). Among the three failures, two were due to the early loss of the bicanalicular stent and one to anastomosis fibrosis. This technique made it possible to restore lacrimal pathway anatomy, which was severely modified by the dacryocystorhinostomy procedure and to protect the anastomosis from fibrosis by the surrounding tissues. Biomaterials such as Goretex((R)) and PTFE((R)) are valuable tools for this technique. In common canaliculus stenosis, restoring the lacrimal pathway with biomaterials such as Goretex((R)) or PTFE((R)) improves the functional results.     

Stress response and humoral immune system alterations related to chronic hypergravity in mice

Spaceflights are known to induce stress and immune dysregulation. Centrifugation, as hindlimb unloading, is a good ground based-model to simulate altered gravity which occurs during space missions. The aim of this study was to investigate the consequences of a long-term exposure to different levels of hypergravity on the stress response and the humoral immunity in a mouse model. For this purpose, adult C57Bl/6J male mice were subjected for 21 days either to control conditions or to 2G or 3G acceleration gravity forces. Corticosterone level and anxiety behavior revealed a stress response which was associated with a decrease of body weight, after 21-day of centrifugation at 3G but not at 2G. Spleen lymphocyte lipopolysaccharide (LPS) responsiveness was diminished by 40% in the 2G group only, whereas a decrease was noted when cells were stimulated with concanavalin A for both 2G and 3G groups (about 25% and 20%, respectively) compared to controls. Pro-inflammatory chemokines (MCP-1 and IP-10) and Th1 cytokines (IFNγ and IL2) were slightly decreased in the 2G group and strongly decreased in the 3G mouse group. Regarding Th2 cytokines (IL4, IL5) no further significant modification was observed, whereas the immunosuppressive cytokine IL10 was slightly increased in the 3G mice. Finally, serum IgG concentration was twice higher whereas IgA concentration was slightly increased (about 30%) and IgM were unchanged in 2G mice compared to controls. No difference was observed in the 3G group with these isotypes. Consequently, functional immune dysregulations and stress responses were dependent of the gravity level.     

Response to low-dose X-irradiation is p53-dependent in a papillary thyroid carcinoma model system

The link between high doses of radiation and thyroid cancer has been well established in various studies, as opposed to the effects of low doses. In this study, we investi-gated the effects of low-dose X-ray irradiation in a papillary thyroid carcinoma model with wild-type and mutated p53. A low dose of 62.5 mGy was enough to cause an upregulation of p16 and a decrease in the number of TPC-1 cells in the S phase, but not in the number of BCPAP p53-mutant cells. At a dose of 0.5?Gy, visible signs of senescence appeared only in the TPC-1 cells. We conclude that low doses of X-rays are enough to cause a change in cell cycle distribution, possibly p53-dependent p16 activation, but no significant apoptosis. Senescence requires higher doses of X-irradiation via a mechanism involving both p16 and p21.     

Prenatal exposure to tobacco extract containing nicotinic alkaloids produces morphological and behavioral changes in newborn rats

Tobacco exposure is not only a health concern for adults but has also been shown to exert deleterious effects on the health of the fetus, newborn, child, and adolescent. Decreased cognitive function, lower Intellectual Quotient (IQ) and deficits in learning and memory in children have been associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy.In this study, we have studied the effect of a tobacco plant extract on the growth and development in the rat. The extract contained relative proportions of alkaloids, including nicotine, purified by chemical separation. Pregnant rats received oral doses of either control (NaCl) or tobacco extract during the entire gestational period. Offspring length and body weight were measured. Each day, the offspring were observed for the following physical parameters: hair growth, incisor eruption and eye opening. The day of appearance of these developments was recorded. Before weaning, the offspring were examined to test their cliff avoidance response (6 postnatal day (PN)), surface righting reflex (05, 07, 13 postnatal day), swimming development (10, 12 postnatal day), negative geotaxis response (7,9,13 and 17 postnatal day) and jumping down choice cage (15, 17 postnatal day).Administration of tobacco extract to dams during the entire gestation period affects behavior and development in pups. The observed effects were a delay in opening eyes, incisor eruption and hair appearance, behavioral developments and an alteration in the rate of success behavior. However, in the jumping down choice cage test there was no difference compared to control animals.The results suggest that tobacco extract has a significant effect on the development of behavioral patterns, orientation and motor coordination and function. They also suggest significant growth retardation and teratogenic effects.