Self-care intervention using mobile apps for sexual and reproductive health in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns physical, mental, and social well-being as related to sexual and reproductive systems. Self-care, which is the ability to promote health without the support of a health-care provider, can advance SRH, especially for fragile populations. Mobile health (mHealth) solutions can be used to raise awareness about SRH. We performed a structured literature review and analysis of mHealth-based approaches for delivering self-SRH services and interventions in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). A fuzzy-based framework for assessing those mHealth apps was proposed. We identified 6 out of 737 papers, and 23 (5.7%) out of 400 mHealth apps retrieved from app-stores, describing mHealth use for self SRH with only 10 apps developed in EMR countries, namely Morocco, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and Jordan. Our fuzzy-based framework proposes guidelines regarding the implementation of self-care interventions to help project leaders promote their adoption in the SRH systems.

Next-generation sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Moroccan prostate cancer patients with positive family history

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Morocco. Although sporadic forms account for a large proportion of patients, familial forms of prostate cancer are observed in 20% of cases and about 5% are due to hereditary transmission. Indeed, germline mutations in BRCA1/2 genes have been associated with prostate cancer risk. However, the spectrum of these mutations was not investigated in Moroccan Prostate cancer patients. Thereby, the aim of this study was to characterize and to estimate the prevalence of germline BRCA1/2 mutations and large rearrangements in Moroccan patients with familial prostate cancer. The entire coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been analyzed by next generation sequencing (NGS) in a total of 30 familial prostate cancer patients. Three pathogenic mutations were detected in four unrelated patients (13.3%). One BRCA1 mutation (c.1953_1956delGAAA) and two BRCA2 mutations (c.7234_7235insG and BRCA2ΔE12). In addition, sixty-three distinct polymorphisms and unclassified variants have been found. Early identification of germline BRCA1/2 mutations may be relevant for the management of Moroccan prostate cancer patients.

[Role of laparoscopy in the management of the abnormalities of sex differentiation: about 12 cases]

Disorders of sex differentiation cause a discrepancy between sex itself (phenotype) and genetic sex (genotype) which poses a problem in sex determination. In lower socioeconomic level countries where prenatal diagnosis is often absent and technical equipments are inadequate, medical and surgical management is difficult. The aim of this study is to clarify the role of laparoscopy in the management of sexual ambiguity through observation of 4 cases and review of the literature.

[Non secreting paraganglioma of Zuckerkandl organ]

Le Phéochromocytome extra-surrénalien ou paragangliome est une tumeur rare. Il dérive de la crête neurale du système neuroendocrinien et il est souvent sécrétant. La plupart de ces tumeurs sont situées dans les ganglions sympathiques abdominaux, y compris l'organe de Zuckerkandl adjacent à la bifurcation de l'aorte abdominale. Les Formes non fonctionnelles sont rares: moins de 50 cas sont rapportés dans la littérature. Nous rapportons le cas d'un paragangliome non sécrétant de l'organe de Zuckerkandl opéré au sein de notre service d'urologie ainsi qu'une revue de la littérature afin de discuter les différents aspects diagnostiques et thérapeutiques de cette entité tumorale rare.

[Giant calculi on enterocystoplasty]

La formation des lithiases est une complication fréquente des entérocystoplasties après cystectomie radicale pour tumeur de vessie infiltrante. Le délai d'apparition dépend des facteurs de risque favorisants notamment les infections urinaires. Néanmoins la survenue de lithiase géante sur néovessie reste exceptionnelle, seulement 5 cas ont été rapportés dans la littérature. Nous rapportons dans ce travail, le cas d'une lithiase géante compliquant une entérocystoplastie chez un malade suivi pour tumeur de vessie infiltrante.

[Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours of the bladder]

The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the bladder is a rare benign affection that interests mainly young adults. Its etiopathogeny remains unknown, but its tumoral origin was evocated recently by Griffin (1999), incriminating a chromosomic abnormality involving the ALK gene. We will discuss the etiopathogenic, anatopathological and therapeutical aspects of this lesion for which the diagnosis is histological and the treatment remains conservative with a good prognosis.

[Sub-urethral diverticulum in women. Apropos of 12 cases]

The authors report a retrospective study of 12 cases of urethral diverticuli in women, observed over 17 years (1977-1994) at the department of urology in Casablanca. The mean age was 40 years. The reason of consultation was iterative cystitis (10 cases), the perception of the diverticulum by the patient in 50% of cases. The clinical examination permitted the diagnosis in all the cases. Intra-venous pyelography and retrograde cystogram led to a better analysis of the diverticulum. All our patients have been operated on by a vaginal approach, the resection of the diverticulum being made in 12 cases. During follow-up, one patient presented a recurrence, and another has been admitted for dilatation of a meatal stenosis.