A prognostic approach on a case of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with monosomy‐7

In this work, we present the first case of a Ph‐positive ALL Moroccan girl with t(9;22)(q34;q11) and monosomy‐7. She was diagnosed with Ph‐positive ALL based on bone marrow examination, immunophenotyping, and cytogenetic analysis. She relapsed after treatment with the persistence of the Ph chromosome and the appearance of a monosomy‐7.     

++Helicobacter pylori infection in North Lebanon

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in North Lebanon and to compare it with published figures. The study period was from September 1 1996 to March 31 1998. We tested 349 patients for HP, using biopsy tissue obtained by esophagoduodenoscopy and the modified urease technique. One hundred and seventy-nine of these patients were men and 170 were women. The mean age of the subjects was 39.3 years (range: 20 to 78 years). The prevalence of HP was 25.9% in individuals with normal endoscopy results (n = 104), 60.8% in patients with duodenal ulcer and 72% in patients with congestive antritis. The prevalence of HP in patients with erosive antritis was similar to that in individuals with normal endoscopy results. The prevalence of HP increased with age in the individuals with pathological endoscopic results but no such relationship was observed in individuals with normal endoscopy results. Our results show that the prevalence of HP in our patients is similar to that of industrialized countries. As age affected the prevalence of HP only in subjects with pathological endoscopy results, it is probably the extent of lesions caused by HP, rather than the infection itself, that increases with age.     

Regulation of cancer stem cell activities by tumor-associated macrophages

Recent studies revealed that tumor-associated macrophages play a decisive role in the regulation of tumor progression by manipulating tumor oncogenesis, angiogenesis and immune functions within tumor microenvironments. However, the role of cancer stem cells in the tumorigenic activities of tumor-associated macrophages during the course of transformation and treatment remains largely unknown. Recent studies have clarified the functional aspects of tumor-associated macrophages in the regulation of the tumorigenic activities and anticancer drug responsiveness of cancer stem cells through complex networks formed by distinct sets of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. In this article we discuss recent advances and future perspectives regarding the molecular interplay between cancer stem cells and tumor-associated macrophages and provide future perspective about the therapeutic implication against treatment-resistant variants of cancer.     

Self‐management programmes in temporomandibular disorders: results from an international Delphi process

Self‐management (SM) programmes are commonly used for initial treatment of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The programmes described in the literature, however, vary widely with no consistency in terminology used, components of care or their definitions. The aims of this study were therefore to construct an operationalised definition of self‐management appropriate for the treatment of patients with TMD, identify the components of that self‐management currently being used and create sufficiently clear and non‐overlapping standardised definitions for each of those components. A four‐round Delphi process with eleven international experts in the field of TMD was conducted to achieve these aims. In the first round, the participants agreed upon six principal concepts of self‐management. In the remaining three rounds, consensus was achieved upon the definition and the six components of self‐management. The main components identified and agreed upon by the participants to constitute the core of a SM programme for TMD were as follows: education; jaw exercises; massage; thermal therapy; dietary advice and nutrition; and parafunctional behaviour identification, monitoring and avoidance. This Delphi process has established the principal concepts of self‐management, and a standardised definition has been agreed with the following components for use in clinical practice: education; self‐exercise; self‐massage; thermal therapy; dietary advice and nutrition; and parafunctional behaviour identification, monitoring and avoidance. The consensus‐derived concepts, definitions and components of SM offer a starting point for further research to advance the evidence base for, and clinical utility of, TMD SM.     

Cyanide poisoning related deaths,a four-year experience and review of the literature

Cyanide has been used as a poison for thousands of years. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning begin quickly and death occurs within minutes. In this study, we review 52 cyanide poisoning cases in Tehran, Iran, over a four-year interval, from 30 December 2009 to 1 January 2014. Toxicological analysis and post-mortem findings are discussed. Colour test (Prussian Blue) was used for screening for cyanide with confirmation using the voltammetry method. The youngest decedent was a 2-month old girl. Men constituted 76.9% (40) of the total 52 victims. Peak age prevalence of cases was seen in age groups 21–40 years (32 cases, i.e. 61.5%). Methadone and opioid alkaloids were the most common drugs detected in biological samples in this study. A suicide attempt was the main cause of poisoning in 33 cases. The results showed that cyanide-poisoning-related deaths are among the most public health problems in Iran. Restricted access to cyanide and stricter buying and selling controls may reduce intentional self-poisoning with this dangerous substance.     

Immunohistochemical detection of laminin-1 and Ki-67 in radicular cysts and keratocystic odontogenic tumors

Background  

Odontogenic cysts are those which arise from the epithelium associated with the development of teeth. Some odontogenic cysts were found to have special biological features that make them distinct from other lesions. This study was conducted to detect the immunoepxression of laminin-1 and Ki-67 in both radicular cysts (RCs) and keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) and to examine the possible predictive value of these markers.     

Late sequelae of hip septic arthritis in children

Septic arthritis of the hip in children has multiple sequelae and may result in severe disability. Significant morbidity can be prevented by early recognition and treatment. The authors reviewed 13 children with 14 hips with sequelae of septic arthritis of the hip. All of children had history of hip septic arthritis before age of 4 years. Six were male subjects, and 7 were female subjects. We evaluated the history, clinical findings and radiographs of all children who had been treated at the Imam Khomeini hospital between 1986 and 2001 for septic arthritis of the hip. Final results of operations in patients include range of motion, presence or absence pain, joint stability, limb-length discrepancy were assessed. Three hips had mild pain in usual daily activities and one patient with cerebral palsy experienced hip instability. Most of patients (80%) had flexion contracture about 10-15 degrees .Final results showed average limb length discrepancy was about 2.8 cm. Septic arthritis of the hip in children may result in a spectrum of residual problems and the significant complications can be averted by early detection and treatment. Treatment in younger age cause better outcome.     

Variants of the human NRAMP1 gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis in Morocco.

It has been well established that the host genetic background is an important modulator of tuberculosis susceptibility. The NRAMP1 (alias SLC11A1) gene has been associated with tuberculosis susceptibility in several ethnic groups. Here we studied the association and linkage of NRAMP1 with tuberculosis in 116 nuclear families, comprising 211 affected offspring, from Casablanca, Morocco. All enrolled tuberculosis cases were culture-positive. No evidence was found of linkage or association of NRAMP1 with tuberculosis. These findings suggest heterogeneity in the genetic control of tuberculosis susceptibility.