Concordance with the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research recommendations for cancer prevention and colorectal cancer risk in Morocco: A large,population-based case–control study

The present study aimed to investigate associations between adherence to the recommendations on cancer prevention from the WCRF/AICR and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in Morocco. Incident CRC cases (n = 1,516) and controls (n = 1,516) matched on age, sex and center, were recruited between September 2009 and February 2017 at five major hospitals located in Morocco. In-person interviews were conducted to assess habitual diet using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire, physical activity and anthropometric measurements. Adherence to the WCRF/AIRC Recommendations was ranged from 0 (no adherence) to 6 (maximal adherence) and incorporating six WCRF/AICR components (food groups, physical activity and BMI). Multivariable odd ratios (OR_A) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional multivariate logistic regression models, with low adherence as referent, adjusting for potential confounding factors. Compared to those with the lowest adherence score, individuals in the highest WCRF/AICR score category had a statistically significant reduced risk for colon cancer (OR_A = 0.63, 95% CI 0.53–0.76); rectal cancer (OR_A = 0.52, 95% CI 0.43–0.63) and CRC overall (OR_A = 0.58, 95% CI 0.51–0.66). For individual score components, when comparing the lowest with the highest adherence category, CRC risk was significantly lower in the highest adherence category for body fatness (OR_A = 0.73; 95% CI 0.62–0.85), physical activity (OR_A = 0.70; 95% CI 0.60–0.82), plant foods (OR_A = 0.50; 95% CI 0.39–0.63) and red/processed meat (OR_A = 0.81; 95% CI 0.71–0.92). Our analysis indicated that greater adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations for cancer prevention may lower CRC risk in Morocco.     

Isolated genital annular lichen planus

Annular lichen planus is a rarely reported variant of lichen planus (LP). Although genital lesions are frequent in patients with LP, isolated genital LP is rarely reported. We present a case of a 29-year- -old circumcised man with an asymptomatic annular lesion of the penis. Histopathological features were consistent with LP. Topical clobetasol was prescribed, with clinical improvement. It is important to consider annular LP among the possible diagnoses of individual annular genital lesions.     

Absent sural responses in tethered cord syndrome

Context: Tethered cord syndrome is a progressive condition usually diagnosed early in life, and leads to a diversity of manifestations including neurologic, urologic, and orthopedic dysfunction.Findings: We report two cases of tethered cord syndrome associated with a unilaterally absent sural sensory response on nerve conduction studies while other causes of this finding being excluded.Conclusion/clinical relevance: We believe that this finding is caused by a selective injury of sensory fibers at the level or distal to the dorsal root ganglia.     

Acute Effects of Caffeine Supplementation on Physical Performance,Physiological Responses,Perceived Exertion,and Technical-Tactical Skills in Combat Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Although the effects of caffeine supplementation on combat sports performance have been extensively investigated, there is currently no consensus regarding its ergogenic benefits.This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to summarize the studies investigating the effects of caffeine supplementation on different aspects of performance in combat sports and to quantitatively analyze the results of these studies to better understand the ergogenic effect of caffeine on combat sports outcomes. A systematic search for randomized placebo-controlled studies investigating the effects of caffeine supplementation on combat sports’ performance was performed through Scopus, Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases up to 18 April 2022. Random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean differences (Hedge’s g) were performed to analyze the data. Twenty-six studies of good and excellent methodological quality (based on the Pedro scale) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis results revealed caffeine has a small but evident effect size (ES) on handgrip strength (ES = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.52; p = 0.02), and total number of throws during the special judo fitness test (SJFT) (ES = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.78; p = 0.02). Regarding the physiological responses, caffeine increased blood lactate concentration ([La]) in anaerobic exercise (ES = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.29 to 2.18; p = 0.01) and simulated combat (ES = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.47; p = 0.002). For Heart Rate (HR), caffeine increased HR final (ES = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.52; p = 0.003), and HR 1min (ES = 0.20; 95% CI 0.004 to 0.40; p = 0.045). However, caffeine had no impact on the countermovement jump height, the SJFT index, the judogi strength-endurance test, the number and duration of offensive actions, HR at the end of the fight, and the rating of perceived exertion. Caffeine supplementation may be ergogenic for a range of combat sports aspects involving isometric strength, anaerobic power, reaction time, and anaerobic metabolism. However, supplementation effects might be ineffective under certain circumstances, indicating supplementation needs to take into account the performance metric in question prior to creating a dosing protocol.     

Evaluation of Acute and Subacute Toxicity and LC-MS/MS Compositional Alkaloid Determination of the Hydroethanolic Extract of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants Flowers

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants is a medicinal plant that has traditionally been used to cure a range of diseases. There has been no thorough investigation of the potential toxicity of this plant. The objective of this study is to assess the acute and subacute toxicity of D. ambrosioides hydroethanolic extract (DAHE), as well as it alkaloids composition, utilizing LC-MS/MS analysis. An in silico approach was applied to determine pharmacokinetic parameters and to predict the toxicity of D. ambrosioides identified alkaloids. A 14-day treatment with a single oral dose of 1–7 g/kg was carried out to investigate acute toxicity. DAHE was given orally at dosages of 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg for 15 days in the subacute toxicity investigation, and body weight and biochemical parameters were evaluated. Livers, kidneys, lungs, and heart were examined histologically. Chromatographic investigation revealed the existence of nine alkaloids, with N-formylnorgalanthamine being the most prevalent. The oral LD₅₀ value of DAHE was found to be 5000 mg/kg in an acute toxicity study. No variations were observed with respect to food intake, water consumption, mortality, or body and organ weight in the subacute toxicity study. On the other hand, DAHE (500 mg/kg) significantly enhanced alanineaminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and urea. Liver and kidney histological examinations revealed modest infiltration of hepatocyte trabeculae by inflammatory cells in the liver and slight alteration in the kidney histoarchitecture. According to our findings, DAHE exhibits low to moderate toxicity.     

Advanced Photocatalytic Treatment of Wastewater Using Immobilized Titanium Dioxide as a Photocatalyst in a Pilot-Scale Reactor: Process Intensification

In many nations, particularly those experiencing water scarcity, novel approaches are being applied to clean wastewater. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is the most widely used of these approaches because it entails the decomposition of organic molecules into water and carbon dioxide, which is a more ecologically benign process. In our study, we studied the photocatalytic degradation process on the effluent flumequine. This treatment is made through a solar pilot reactor in the presence of immobilized titanium dioxide with three light intensities and two types of water as solvents. A variety of factors that might influence the rate of deterioration, such as flow rate, light intensity, and initial concentration, have been investigated. The maximal degradation of flumequine was achieved at more than 90% after 2.5 h under optimal conditions (an initial concentration of 5 mg/L, three lamp light intensities, and a flow rate of 29 L/h). By combining the oxidized agent H₂O₂ with this process, the photocatalytic activity was improved further to 97% under the same conditions. The mineralization of this product has also been tested using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. A high mineralization rate has been recorded at around 50% for a high initial concentration (20 mg/L) at a flow rate of 126 L/h. The results demonstrated the highly effective removal of flumequine and the efficacy of this photocatalytic system.     

Free throw shot in basketball: kinematic analysis of scored and missed shots during the learning process

The aims of the present study were to analyze selected kinematical parameters of free throw shooting in basketball performed during the learning process and identify which one has a greater effect on success. Fifteen FT attempts performed by 10 male college sports students were recorded with a high-speed camera (200 Hz) and analyzed using the system software SIMI-Motion. Statistical analysis showed that the knee angle helped determine success in FT shooting. Comparing various body angles effect on missed to scored baskets, only knee angles showed a significant difference with a higher value in scored baskets (p < 0.05); more specifically only knee angle was highly correlated to the performance and to the hand velocity with p < 0.05 (r = 0.7and ?0.75, respectively). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that in an inexpert player, the knee angle is the variable in which a teacher or a coach should intervene to improve the learning outcomes (i.e., performance). However, more studies in this field using expert players are necessary to confirm these suggestions in high-level athletes.