Diagnosis and treatment of primary germ cell tumors of the mediastinum. Report of six cases

Primary germ cell tumours of the mediastinum are rare. We report a retrospective study of six cases. Sex ratio was 2/1. The tumor site was the posterior mediastinum in two patients and anterior in the remaining cases. High level serum markers was noted in two patients. At histologic exam we found two cases of seminoma, one embryonal carcinoma, one case of yolk sac tumor and two cases of composite tumor. All patients had non metastatic but locally advanced disease at diagnosis. Three patients were treated with cisplatin based chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy or surgical resection of residual masses. Only one patient is still alive. As it is often reported in the literature, the prognosis of this disease is poor especially for non seminomatous tumours.     

Evaluation of the quality of medical records in the Monastir regional hospitals--Tunisia

The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of medical records throughout a sample of 380 records at the medicine ward of three regional hospitals in Monastir. The medical audit was performed using a reference standard previously developed by foreign teams and adapted to the health care features of our country. The results showed that the quality of medical records should be improved. It depends on the hospital and in 2/3 of cases there was a lack of information or sheets important for the coordination and the continuity of medical care. The quality improvement of medical records could be reached by the professional education, which should emphasise the importance of medical and administrative data in the health care management. This could be included in a continuous quality improvement program.     

Polysaccharides from the Green Alga Ulva lactuca Improve Antioxidant Balance and Bone Mineral Density in Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus (DM), the 10th? leading cause of death worldwide, is a major and growing public health problem estimated to affect more than 578 million people in 2030 and 700 million people in 2045[1]. In diabetic animals, protein glycation and glucose autoxidation generate free radicals, which cause lipid peroxidation. Therefore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can quickly accumulate, decrease antioxidant activity, and cause deterioration of kidney and liver function. A disrupted redox balance in cells also damages crucial biomolecules such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins and lipids. Oxidative stress (OS) is elevated in diabetes mellitus and may be a major factor in the development and evolution of the typical long-term pathophysiology of?diabetes?and?its?associated?complications[2].     

Assessment of the antiprotozoal activity of Pulicaria inuloides extracts,an Algerian medicinal plant: leishmanicidal bioguided fractionation

Parasitology Research - The lack of an effective chemotherapy for treatment of protozoan disease urges a wide investigation for active compounds, and plant-derived compounds continue to provide key...     

Neuroleptic treatment and neurological soft signs in schizophrenic patients

OBJECTIVES: To appreciate the impact of the neuroleptic treatment on the neurological soft signs (NSS) in schizophrenic patients and to examine their relation with the treatment response based on the level of CGI-improvement. METHODS: A cross-sectional study bearing on 66 schizophrenic patients: untreated patients (N = 13) and treated patients (N = 53). All patients were assessed by the Krebs et al. Neurological Soft Signs Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI). RESULTS: No difference has been noted concerning the NSS total score between treated and untreated schizophrenic patients. Concerning the NSS sub-scores, we have noted a significantly difference in the sensory integration sub-score. In treated patients, no correlation was found between NSS and daily dosage or duration of exposure of neuroleptic treatment, extrapyramidal symptoms and level of CGI-improvement. CONCLUSION: The excess of NSS in schizophrenic patients is independent of the neuroleptic treatment, suggesting that NSS represent a neurodevelopmental risk factor for schizophrenia.     

Tophaceous gout in a young man with Gitelman syndrome: a case report with an overview

Clinical Rheumatology - Gitelman syndrome represents the clinical manifestations of inactivation of the Slc12a3 genes encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter and the Trpm6-Mg...     

A Period 2 genetic variant interacts with plasma SFA to modify plasma lipid concentrations in adults with metabolic syndrome

Genetic variants of Period 2 (PER2), a circadian clock gene, have been linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, it is still unknown whether these genetic variants interact with the various types of plasma fatty acids. This study investigated whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PER2 locus (rs934945 and rs2304672) interact with various classes of plasma fatty acids to modulate plasma lipid metabolism in 381 participants with MetS in the European LIPGENE study. Interestingly, the rs2304672 SNP interacted with plasma total SFA concentrations to affect fasting plasma TG, TG-rich lipoprotein (TRL-TG), total cholesterol, apoC-II, apoB, and apoB-48 concentrations (P-interaction < 0.001-0.046). Carriers of the minor allele (GC+GG) with the highest SFA concentration (>median) had a higher plasma TG concentration (P = 0.001) and higher TRL-TG (P < 0.001) than the CC genotype. In addition, participants carrying the minor G allele for rs2304672 SNP and with a higher SFA concentration (>median) had higher plasma concentrations of apo C-II (P < 0.001), apo C-III (P = 0.009), and apoB-48 (P = 0.028) compared with the homozygotes for the major allele (CC). In summary, the rs2304672 polymorphism in the PER2 gene locus may influence lipid metabolism by interacting with the plasma total SFA concentration in participants with MetS. The understanding of these gene-nutrient interactions could help to provide a better knowledge of the pathogenesis in MetS.