The EPIYA-ABCC motif of Helicobacter pylori cagA gene and gastric carcinogenesis in Casablanca population

BackgroundH. pylori infection induce atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) that can lead to gastric cancer (GC). The severity of gastric lesions is related to H. pylori genetic diversity. The oncogenic potential of H. pylori cagA virulence factor is linked to its high polymorphic EPIYA motifs.ObjectivesOur aim was to evaluate the association of EPIYA motifs with the risk of AG and IM in Casablanca population.MethodsA total of 210 patients suffering from gastric lesions (chronic gastritis, AG, and IM) was enrolled. H. pylori infection and the type of lesions were diagnosed by ureC PCR and histological examination, respectively. Detection of the cagA gene, and the type of EPIYA motifs, were carried out by PCRResultsThe prevalence of H. pylori and cagA gene was 95% and 37%, respectively. CagA-positive strains were associated with the risk of IM. The EPIYA motifs detected were: EPIYA-ABC (58%), EPIYA-ABCC (22%), and EPIYA-AB (20%). The EPIYA-ABCC motif was associated with the risk of IM (p-value = 0.007), compared to AG (p-value = 0.28).ConclusionThe EPIYA-ABCC motif might be a useful marker for the identification of patients at high risk of developing IM that can lead to GC.     

Impact des facteurs psychosociaux sur la santé mentale du personnel de nettoyage

Purpose

To describe the relationship between psychosocial factors and mental health among housekeepers.

Anti-Cancer Effect of Moroccan Cobra Naja haje Venom and Its Fractions against Hepatocellular Carcinoma in 3D Cell Culture

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer in adults, the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer related death. An alternative to the surgical treatments and drugs, such as sorafenib, commonly used in medicine is necessary to overcome this public health problem. In this study, we determine the anticancer effect on HCC of Moroccan cobra Naja haje venom and its fraction obtained by gel filtration chromatography against Huh7.5 cancer cell line. Cells were grown together with WI38 human fibroblast cells, LX2 human hepatic stellate cell line, and human endothelial cells (HUVEC) in MCTS (multi-cellular tumor spheroids) models. The hepatotoxicity of venom and its fractions were also evaluated using the normal hepatocytes cell line (Fa2N-4 cells). Our results showed that an anti HCC activity of Moroccan cobra Naja haje venom and, more specifically, the F7 fraction of gel filtration chromatography exhibited the greatest anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect by decreasing the size of MCTS. This effect is associated with a low toxicity against normal hepatocytes. These results strongly suggest that the F7 fraction of Moroccan cobra Naja haje venom obtained by gel filtration chromatography possesses the ability to inhibit cancer cells proliferation. More research is needed to identify the specific molecule(s) responsible for the anticancer effect and investigate their mechanism of action.     

Penetrating atherosclerosis aortic ulcer: a re-appraisal

Background: Penetrating aortic ulcer is a rare pathology, often clinically silent, but potentially fatal when manifesting as an acute aortic syndrome. It is more often detected in recent years, due to ageing of the population and more widespread use of computed tomography. A literature review aims to define the distinct disease entity of penetrating aortic ulcer.

Methods: Five recent cases of penetrating aortic ulcer, treated in authors’ department are reported. A review of English-language medical literature from 1980 to 2015 was undertaken using PubMed and EMBASE databases, to identify studies reporting surgical (open and endovascular) treatment of penetrating aortic ulcer.

Results: From September 2013 to September 2015, five cases of acute aortic syndrome caused by a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer of the descending thoracic aorta were observed in authors’ department. This represents 9% of all acute aortic syndromes admitted to our hospital in the same period. All five patients benefitted from thoracic endovascular stent grafting with a 100% success rate. Natural history and optimal management of penetrating aortic ulcer are outlined according to the most recent insights.

Conclusion: Penetrating aortic ulcer represents 2–7% of all acute aortic syndromes. Symptomatic penetrating aortic ulcer requires coverage by thoracic endovascular stent grafting according to the recent guidelines.     

Arsthinol nanosuspensions: pharmacokinetics and anti‐leukaemic activity on NB4 promyelocytic leukaemia cells

Objectives The organoarsenical arsthinol was used in the 1950s in the treatment of amoebiasis and yaws and was considered as ‘highly tolerated’. The aim of this work was to study its anti‐leukaemic activity and to develop nanosuspensions of the drug, thereby limiting brain concentrations and the risk of encephalopathy. Methods Arsthinol nanosuspensions were produced by high‐pressure homogenization. The anti‐leukaemic activity was assessed on NB4 acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells (vs solutions of arsthinol, As₂O₃ and melarsoprol). In addition, a pharmacokinetics study was performed to compare the nanosuspensions and the solution of arsthinol. Key findings Arsthinol induced growth inhibition of NB4 cells at lower concentration (IC50 (concentration inhibiting growth by 50%) = 0.78 ± 0.08 μmol/l after 24 h) than As₂O₃ (IC50 = 1.60 ± 0.23 μmol/l after 24 h) or melarsoprol (IC50 = 1.44 ± 0.08 μmol/l after 24 h). When formulated as nanosuspension, arsthinol remained cytotoxic (IC50 = 1.33 ± 0.30 μmol/l after 24 h). This formulation also reduced the drug's access to the brain (C_max = 0.03 μmol/g) whereas bone marrow concentrations remained very high (C_max = 2 μmol/g). Conclusions Nanosuspensions of arsthinol could be proposed for further studies in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukaemia.     

Associations of common SNPs in the SORT1, GCKR,LPL, APOA1, CETP,LDLR, APOE genes with lipid trait levels in an Algerian population sample

Genome-wide association studies have identified many lipid-associated loci primarily in European and Asian populations. In view of the differences between ethnic groups in terms of the frequency and impact of these variants, our objective was to evaluate the relationships between eight lipid-associated variants (considered individually and in combination) and fasting serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels in an Algerian population sample (ISOR study, n = 751). Three SNPs (in SORT1, CETP and GCKR) were individually associated with lipid level variations. Moreover, the risk allele scores for total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels (encompassing between three and six SNPs) were associated with their corresponding lipid traits. Our study is the first to show that some of the lipid-associated loci in European populations are associated with lipid traits in Algerians. Although our results will have to be confirmed in other North African populations, this study contributes to a better understanding of genetic susceptibility to lipid traits in Algeria.