HAL Portal usj Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth-Liban
Not a member yet
1220 research outputs found
Sort by
New Feeding Network Topology for Patch Arrays Dedicated for Spatial Intersatellite Communication
No full textInternational audienc
Understanding the role of media and food labels to disseminate food related information in Lebanon
No full textInternational audienceAbstract Today’s consumers are becoming more aware of what they consume and the implications that a proper diet can have for their health. This work aimed to understand how Lebanese people get information about foods, and which communication media they consider the most appropriate. Also, the attitudes toward food labelling were assessed. This was a cross-sectional study undertaken by means of a questionnaire survey on a sample of 258 Lebanese participants. Data analysis used statistical tools such as T -test and ANOVA with post hoc to test possible group differences or Cronbach’s alpha to assess internal scale reliability. The results showed that radio was the first choice as a media tool used by Lebanese people for gathering food information (29.1%), followed by hospitals (23.3%), and the participants also considered that these are the most appropriate means to communicate information (28.3 and 22.5%, respectively). Regarding the Lebanese behaviour on nutrition labelling, nearly half of the participants (44.6%) very frequently or always check the food labels but some showed no interest in the components and the fibres they contain. Reliability analysis showed that the items used to assess the food labelling scale have a very high internal consistency ( α = 0.847). So, the Lebanese people tend to rely on radio for information about food and the labels are considered as important source of information as well. Nevertheless, Lebanese don’t consult the nutritional composition as often as desirable in order to adjust their purchases or compare to different items, aimed at healthier food choices. So in order to inform Lebanese people about related food rich in fibres and to instigate their purchasing intentions, the producing companies must rely on marketing campaigns through radio and on labels not just the information in nutritional composition
Study of nutritional limitations of wheat bran based culture medium for scaling-up Btk based biopesticide productions
No full textInternational audienc
The clinician-administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) structured interview for PTSD: A French language validation study.
No full textInternational audienc
Lack of Correlation Between the Penetration of Two Types of Sealers and Interfacial Adaptation to Root Dentin
No full textInternational audienceThis study aimed to determine the correlation between sealer penetration into dentinal tubules and interfacial adaptation to root canal walls using a hydraulic calcium silicate-based sealer, Endosequence Bioceramic Sealer (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA, USA), and an epoxy resin-based sealer, AH Plus (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany). Methods: Sixty-four maxillary central incisors were endodontically prepared with nickel-titanium rotary instruments and randomly assigned into two groups (n=32). Roots were filled with gutta-percha using a singlecone technique in conjunction with one of the two sealers, AHP or BCS. Sealers were mixed with Rhodamine B and analysed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. Transverse sections at 5 mm from root apex were obtained. The circumference of the root canal wall was first outlined and measured to determine the circumferential percentage of sealer penetration. The regions along the canal walls where the sealer had penetrated the dentinal tubules were delineated and measured. Then, the outlined distances were divided by the canal circumference. The width of each gap was measured and pooled for each specimen for comparison to determine the interfacial adaptation. The measurements were repeated twice to ensure reproducibility. Mann-Whitney tests were performed to compare continuous variables between AHP and BCS groups. The correlation between gap width and percentage of sealer penetration was investigated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: No significant difference was observed between groups regarding the percentage of sealer penetration (P>0.05) and the gap width (P>0.05). Also, there was no significant correlation between the two variables analysed for AHP (r=0.165; P>0.05) and BCS (r=-0.147; P>0.05) and in the overall sample (r=0.061; P>0.05). Conclusion:The present results show no correlation between interfacial adaptation and sealer penetration in dentinal tubules in the total sample and among sealer subgroups. The ability of root canal sealers to penetrate dentinal tubules cannot be considered a sign of better interfacial adaptation.</div
Early Interventions to Prevent Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Youth after Exposure to a Potentially Traumatic Event: A Scoping Review
No full textInternational audienceThe worldwide occurrence of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) in the life of children is highly frequent. We aimed to identify studies on early mental health interventions implemented within three months of the child/adolescent’s exposure to a PTE, with the aim of reducing acute post-traumatic symptoms, decreasing long term PTSD, and improving the child’s adjustment after a PTE exposure. The search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE databases resulting in twenty-seven articles meeting our inclusion criteria. Most non-pharmacological interventions evaluated had in common two complementary components: psychoeducation content for both children and parents normalizing early post-traumatic responses while identifying post-traumatic symptoms; and coping strategies to deal with post-traumatic symptoms. Most of these interventions studied yielded positive results on outcomes with a decrease in post-traumatic, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. However, negative results were noted when traumatic events were still ongoing (war, political violence) as well as when there was no or little parental involvement. This study informs areas for future PTSD prevention research and raises awareness of the importance of psychoeducation and coping skills building in both youth and their parents in the aftermath of a traumatic event, to strengthen family support and prevent the occurrence of enduring post-traumatic symptoms
Three complex alleles of CFTR gene identified in Lebanese, Egyptian and French population and their potential impact on splicing
No full textInternational audienceCystic Fibrosis (CF) in Arab Mediterranean countries has a different CFTR mutational profile if compared either to Caucasians or in the Arabian Peninsula. The c.3909C>G (N1303K, p.Asn1303Lys) mutation of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator gene (CFTR). This mutation represents a higher frequency in the Mediterranean countries in association with different polymorphisms or mutations in cis position constituting various complex alleles. N1303K mutation induces many phenotypes, especially pancreatic insufficiency from mild to severe and it is associated in cis with other polymorphisms. The aim of this investigation is therefore to screen complex alleles carrying N1303K mutation among Lebanese, Egyptian and French patients. All exons of the CFTR and their flanking regions were performed by PCR amplification, followed by automated direct DNA sequencing. Two complex alleles are more frequent corresponding to Wild Type and mutated haplotype. Besides that two other very rare complex alleles have been detected, one in Egyptian and French samples, and then another one in Lebanon samples. We have studied their impact on the CFTR mRNA splicing using a minigene strategy. Constructs containing wild-type and mutant CFTR cloned into the pTBNdeI hybride minigene have been expressed in HeLa, HT29 and HEK293 cells. RT-PCR analysis of mRNA using β-globin-specific primers revealed that N1303K and the polymorphisms associated with cis induce weak abnormal splicing and a modification of the quality and the quantity of CFTR protein. These different associations of identified polymorphisms with N1303K in cis could have an impact on the severity of the disease
PM2.5 in an urban industrial site in the East Mediterranean: Source apportionment and oxidative potential
No full textInternational audienceThe East Mediterranean region faces elevated concentrations of PM resulting from transported pollution mixed with anthropogenic emissions (traffic, industrial, and residential emissions), and natural emissions (Saharan and African deserts) . It is considered as a hotspot of climate change where model projections show elevated temperatures by the end of the century leading to the increase of photochemical air pollution . Therefore, it is crucial to determine the sources of pollution and the species that contribute the most to the toxicity in order to develop efficient air quality strategies.PM2.5 samples were collected between December 2018 and October 2019 in an urban site under industrial influence in Lebanon: Zouk Mikael region (ZK). ZK is characterized by the biggest power plant in the country which runs on heavy fuel oil, a high density of population along with high number of diesel private generators and traffic. PM2.5 samples were characterized for their carbonaceous fraction, water-soluble ions, elements, and organic species. Several species and tracer compounds were gathered in the USEPA-PMF model in order to assess the contribution of the sources to the PM2.5 concentrations. Crustal dust and secondary ammonium sulfate sources contributed to 43% of PM2.5. Vehicular and industrial emissions were two important sources at ZK contributing to 14% and 13% of PM2.5, respectively. Furthermore, primary and secondary biogenic emissions contributed to 9% of PM2.5.On the other hand, the oxidation properties of PM components were studied using the oxidative potential (OP) with two acellular methods: the ascorbic acid (AA) and the dithiothreitol (DTT) assays. The mean volume normalized OP-AAv value was 0.67 ± 0.29 nmol.min¬-1.m-3 and the mean OP-DTTv was 0.52 ± 0.32 nmol.min-1.m-3. A multiple linear regression approach was applied to the contribution of the sources obtained by PMF and the OP in order to estimate the contributions of PM sources to OP values. The results showed that local anthropogenic sources such as biomass burning (33% of OP-AAv and 9% of OP-DTTv), vehicular emissions (20% and 23%), and heavy fuel oil combustion (31% and 46%) contribute the most to the OP-AAv and OP-DTTv, respectively
Source apportionment of PM2.5 in two East-Mediterranean sites
No full textInternational audienceThe East Mediterranean region faces elevated concentrations of PM resulting from transported pollution mixed with anthropogenic emissions (traffic, industrial, and residential emissions), and natural emissions (Saharan and African deserts) (ESCWA 2009). It is considered as a hotspot of climate change where model projections show elevated temperatures by the end of the century leading to the increase of photochemical air pollution (Lelieveld et al. 2014). Therefore, it is crucial to determine the sources of pollution in the region in order to develop efficient air quality strategies.PM2.5 samples were collected on a 24-hour basis every third day for a year in two urban sites under industrial influence in Lebanon: Zouk Mikael region (ZK) and Fiaa region (FA). ZK is characterized by the biggest power plant in the country which runs on heavy fuel oil, a high density of population (4,200 inhabitants/km2) along with high road traffic and the use of diesel generators for electricity generation. FA is surrounded by chemical industries such as the cement plants along with their corresponding quarries. The samples were characterized for their carbonaceous fraction, water-soluble ions, elements, and organic species (alkanes, PAHs, fatty acids, biogenic secondary organic aerosols, etc.). Several species and tracer compounds were gathered in the USEPA-PMF model in order to assess the contribution of the sources to the PM2.5 concentrations. Crustal dust and secondary ammonium sulfate contributed to 43% and 46% of PM2.5 at ZK and FA. These sources mainly originate from long range transport of air masses as evaluated by HYSPLIT cluster analysis of air mass back-trajectories. Vehicular and industrial emissions were two important sources at ZK contributing to 14% and 13% of PM2.5, respectively. While at FA, vehicular and cement plants emissions contribute together to 13%. Furthermore, open burning of waste explained 16% of PM2.5 concentration at FA. Primary and secondary biogenic emissions contributed to 9% of PM2.5 at ZK and 13% at FA (Figure 1). This study is a first in Lebanon and from the few in the region using extensive dataset on PM2.5 chemical composition with organic and inorganic species and quantifying the contribution of different natural and anthropogenic sources
