Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems of tamoxifen citrate: Design and optimization

Tamoxifen citrate is an antiestrogen for peroral breast cancer treatment. The drug delivery encounters problems of poor water solubility and vulnerability to enzymatic degradation in both intestine and liver. In the current study, tamoxifen citrate self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) were prepared in an attempt to circumvent such obstacles. Preliminary screening was carried out to select proper ingredient combinations. All surfactants screened were recognized for their bioactive aspects. Ternary phase diagrams were then constructed and an optimum system was designated. Three tamoxifen SNEDDS were then compared for optimization. The systems were assessed for robustness to dilution, globule size, cloud point, surface morphology and drug release. An optimum system composed of tamoxifen citrate (1.6%), Maisine 35-1 (16.4%), Caproyl 90 (32.8%), Cremophor RH40 (32.8%) and propylene glycol (16.4%) was selected. The system was robust to different dilution volumes and types. It possessed a mean globule size of 150 nm and a cloud point of 80 °C. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated spherical particle morphology. The drug release from the selected formulation was significantly higher than other SNEDDS and drug suspension, as well. Realizing drug incorporation into an optimized nano-sized SNEDD system that encompasses a bioactive surfactant, our results proposed that the prepared system could be promising to improve oral efficacy of the tamoxifen citrate.     

Mutational analysis of TP53 gene in Tunisian familial hematological malignancies and sporadic acute leukemia cases

Mutations are responsible for familial cancer syndromes which account for approximately 5–10 % of all types of cancers. Familial cancers are often caused by genetic alterations occurring either in tumor suppressor or genomic stability genes such as TP53. In this study, we have analyzed the TP53 gene by direct sequencing approach, in a panel of 18 Tunisian familial hematological malignancies cases including several forms of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloid syndrome and 22 cases of sporadic acute leukemia. In one familial case diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we reported an intronic substitution 559+1 G>A which may disrupt the splice site and impact the normal protein function. Most of the deleterious mutations (Arg158His; Pro282Trp; Thr312Ser) as classified by IARC data base, were commonly reported in ALL cases studied here. The cosegregation of the two variants rs1042522 and rs1642785 was observed in most patients which may be in favor of the presence of linkage disequilibrium. The most defined TP53 mutations found here were identified in acute lymphoblastic leukemia context whereas only 3 % of mutations have been in previous studies. The cosegregation of the two recurrent variant rs1042522 and rs1642785 should be further confirmed.     

Peptic pyloroduodenal strictures treated by endoscopic balloon dilation and eradication of helicobacter pylori. Results of a prospective study

Endoscopic dilatation of pyloro-duodenal peptic stenosis is a safe and efficient procedure that constitutes an alternative choice to surgical management. Our aims is to evaluate efficiency of endoscopic balloon dilatation associated with Helicobacter pylori eradication. During a period of 3 years (January 1999-December 2001). 16 patients were included in this study. Successful endoscopic dilatation was obtained in 15 of them (93, 75%). No severe complications (perforations) happened. All patients were infected by Helicobacter pylori. The mean follow-up was 13 months. Endoscopic balloon dilatation associated with Helicobacter pylori eradication is a safe and efficient treatment of pyloro-duodenal peptic stenosis.     

Prevalence of hookah smoking among Iranian pupils and university students: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis

ObjectiveToday, smoking is considered a pressing global health issue. The present study aimed to estimate the total prevalence of hookah smoking among pupils and university students in Iran.Materials and MethodsThis systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted via searching in databases such as Scientific Information Database (SID), MagIran, Scopus, PubMed and Web of Sciences from inception to October 2021. We targeted observational studies evaluating the prevalence or frequency of hookah smoking among Iranian pupils and university students. Data analysis was performed using a random‐effects model, and the heterogeneity of the articles was assessed using Cochran''s Q test and the I ² statistic.ResultsIn total, 124 studies conducted on 155 115 subjects were reviewed. The lifetime prevalence of hookah smoking among high school students and university students was estimated at 34.4% and 32.3%, respectively. In addition, the frequency of hookah smoking within the past month/week (point prevalence) was estimated at 21.5% and 16.6% in university students and pupils, respectively. The frequency of hookah smoking within the past year (period prevalence) was also reported to be 22.5% and 20.8% in these groups, respectively. No significant correlation was observed between the prevalence of hookah smoking, sample size, year of publication and the mean age of the participants. Region 5 had the highest lifetime prevalence (41.7%) and period prevalence (27.1%). However, Region 1 had the highest point prevalence of hookah smoking (27.2%).ConclusionsAccording to the results, hookah smoking is highly prevalent among Iranian pupils and university students. Therefore, proper educational interventions are required in the form of workshops and curricula to raise awareness regarding the hazardous effects of this unhealthy habit on the young generation.     

Whole Exome Sequencing allows the identification of two novel groups of Xeroderma pigmentosum in Tunisia,XP-D and XP-E: Impact on molecular diagnosis

Background

Skin cancers (SC) are complex diseases that develop from complex combinations of genetic and environmental risk factors. One of the most severe and rare genetic diseases predisposing to SC is the Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) syndrome.

Cell death in relation to DNA damage after exposure to the jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca nematocysts

Studies on the toxicity of Mediterranean jellyfish have gained attention owing to their weak toxic properties. Our research has been mainly performed on the Scyphomedusae. Pelagia noctiluca is a scyphozoan jellyfish which causes a danger to sea bathers and fishery damages in the Mediterranean Sea. To check whether the cytotoxicity of Pelagia noctiluca nematocysts was associated to DNA lesions, we have looked for DNA fragmentation by means of the Comet and chromosome aberration assays. To specify cell death pathway, we have investigated caspase‐3 activation. Our results have shown that nematocysts reduced cell viability and induced DNA fragmentation in a concentration‐dependent manner with a maximum effect at 150 000 nematocysts mL^?1. The high percentage of chromosome aberrations also emphasized the genotoxic character of Pelagia noctiluca nematocysts in Vero cells. This fragmentation was correlated to apoptosis induction which was confirmed by caspase‐3 activation. In conclusion, the present report has suggested that Pelagia noctiluca nematocysts were able to promote apoptosis in Vero cells and therefore may be useful in cancer therapy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 337–344, 2014.     

Anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> Antibodies are Frequent in Type 1 Diabetes

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) have been described in many autoimmune diseases in which there is an increased intestinal permeability. Also in type 1 diabetes (T1D), there is an increased intestinal permeability. Since no data are available about ASCA in T1D, we evaluated, retrospectively, the frequency of ASCA in this disease. ASCA, IgG, and IgA, were determined by ELISA in sera of 224 T1D patients in which coeliac disease has been excluded and 157 healthy control group. The frequency of ASCA (IgG or IgA) was significantly higher in T1D patients than in the control group (24.5% vs. 2.5%, p < 10⁻⁷). The same observation was found in children and in adult patients when we compare them to healthy children and blood donors group respectively. Compared to children, adult patients with T1D showed significantly higher frequencies of ASCA of any isotype (38% vs. 13.7%, p < 10⁻⁴), both ASCA IgG and IgA (12% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.002), ASCA IgG (35% vs. 9.8%, p < 10⁻⁵) and ASCA IgA (15% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.001). The frequency of ASCA was statistically higher in females of all T1D than in males (30.8% vs.17.7%, p = 0.03), in girls than in boys (22% vs.6.2%, p = 0.017), and significantly higher in men than in boys (35.7% vs. 6.2%, p < 10⁻⁴). The frequency of ASCA IgG was significantly higher than that of ASCA IgA in all T1D patients (21% vs. 9.8%, p < 0.002), in all females (26.5% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.002), in women (37.9% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). The frequency of ASCA was significantly higher in all long-term T1D than in an inaugural T1D (29% vs. 14.5%, p = 0.019). The same observation was found in adults (45.8% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.01). In long-term T1D patients, ASCA were significantly more frequent in adults than children (45.8% vs. 14.5%, p < 10⁻⁴). The frequency of ASCA IgG was significantly higher in long-term T1D than in an inaugural T1D (25.2% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.03). Patients with T1D had a high frequency of ASCA.     

Role of diffusion tensor imaging in characterization and preoperative planning of brain neoplasms

Background and purpose

DTI is an MR imaging measure of brain tissue integrity. It gives precise information about the involvement and integrity of the white matter tracts in the immediate region surrounding tumors. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the role of DTI in characterization and preoperative assessment of brain neoplasm.

Materials and methods

32 patients with intracranial neoplasm were included in this study which was conducted during a 2 year period. Conventional MRI before and after IV Gadolinium administration was done followed by DTI and diffusion tensor tractography, with FA and ADC value measurements of different white matter tracts in direct relation to the tumor. The values obtained were compared to the normal unaffected tract in the contralateral side.

Results

White matter involvement by a tumor was classified according to the criteria of displacement, infiltration, disruption or edema. Patients were classified into two main groups according to the tumor type: benign and malignant groups. Prevalence of tract displacement was higher among benign group in comparison to the malignant group with significant difference in between by using chi-square test (P value <0.05). While prevalence of disruption was higher among the malignant group, in comparison to the benign group significant difference was noted in between by using chi-square test. (P value <0.05).

Conclusion

The information provided by DT imaging further defined precise relationships between the sub cortical white matter structures and the cerebral neoplasm. This potentially has a role in tumor characterization, and more importantly in surgical planning.     

Increased androgen secretion in patients with prolactinomas: the impact of altered HPA function

Pituitary - Earlier studies suggested that hyperprolactinemia was associated with elevated serum DHEA-S levels. The importance of DHEA-S measurements in the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency...