Biological significance of promoter hypermethylation of p14/ARF gene: Relationships to p53 mutational status in Tunisian population with colorectal carcinoma

One of the most important pathways which are frequently affected in colorectal cancer is p53/ (MDM2)/p14ARF pathway. We aim to determine the methylation pattern of p14/ARF in relation to mutation of p53. This correlation was studied to investigate whether their alterations could be considered as a predictor factor of prognosis in colorectal cancer and whether it can be useful in early-stage diagnosis. Statistical analyses show that p14/ARF hypermethylation was correlated with rectum location (p?=?0.004), primary TNM stage (p?=?0.016), and advanced Astler–Coller stage (p?=?0.024). The RT-PCR that revel 31 % of patients did not express p14/ARF mRNA or at very low level. A high concordance between CpG hypermethylation and the low levels (p?<?0.005) was shown. In addition, our analyses demonstrate that patients with mutation in the p53 gene have a lack of the protein expression (p?<?0.005). This category with negative expression of p53 had a shorter survival rate (p?<?0.005). On the one hand, MSP pattern of p14/ARF were correlated with a lack of p53 expression (p?=?0.007). We found that p53/p14ARF pathway was frequently deregulated among our patients. In our study, we demonstrate that hypermethylation of p14/ARF occurs early during CRC tumorogenesis. However, we did not find correlation between p14/ARF and survival. These results suggest that p14/ARF methylation pattern may constitute a predictor factor of CRC in early stage but it could not be considered as a prognostic factor. On the other hand and because of the reversibility of the methylation mechanism, it may be appropriate to target the demethylation of p14/ARF to develop new drogues for CRC.     

Effect of purified Russell’s viper venom-factor X activator (RVV-X) on renal hemodynamics, renal functions, and coagulopathy in rats

Acute renal failure (ARF) is the most frequent and a serious complication in victims of Russell’s viper snakebites. Russell’s viper venom-factor X activator (RVV-X) has been identified as a main procoagulant enzyme involving coagulopathy, which might be responsible for changes in renal hemodynamics and renal functions. Here, we purified RVV-X from crude Russell’s viper venom to study renal hemodynamics, renal functions, intravascular clot, and histopathological changes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Changes in renal hemodynamics and renal functions were evaluated by measuring the mean arterial pressure, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), effective renal blood flow (ERBF), renal vascular resistance (RVR), and fractional excretion of electrolytes. After 10 min, rats receiving both crude venom and purified RVV-X decreased GFR, ERPF, and ERBF and increased RVR. These changes correlated to renal lesions. Along with the determination of intravascular clot, rats injected with purified RVV-X increased the average D-dimer level and reached a peak at 10 min, declined temporarily, and then reached another peak at 30 min. The temporal association between clots and renal dysfunction was observed in rats within 10 min after the injection of purified RVV-X. These findings suggested RVV-X as a major cause of renal failure through intravascular clotting in the renal microcirculation.     

A verrucous tumor of the leg: Atypical case of Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum

Syringocystadenoma Papilliferum (SCAP) is a benign adnexal tumor. Most of the cases present with a solitary lesion in the head and neck region at birth or in early childhood. In fact, only two cases of SCAP on the lower leg have been reported in the literature. We report an atypical case by its location and its clinical aspect.     

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma mimicking cutaneous sarcoidosis

Annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) is a benign skin disorder, with, unknown cause. It appears as erythematous papules or annular plaques. Few challenging cases of AEGCG have been reported in the literature. We describe a rare clinical presentation of AEGCG mimicking cutaneous sarcoidosis.     

Multiple nodules in the scrotal wall

Herein, we report a rare case of extensive ISC. It affects dark‐colored skin men aged from 20 to 40 years old, suggesting an ethnic susceptibility. Pathogenesis of scrotal calcinosis remains controversial.     

An acute localized reaction following a mosquito bite in a breast cancer treated patient

Acute localized exanthematous pustulosis (ALEP) is a rare localized variant of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). We report a case of ALEP localised on the trunk and induced by a mosquito bite in a breast cancer treated female patient.     

Unusual facial lesions in H syndrome

H Syndrome is a rare genodermatosis. It may include facial involvement such as: facial telangiectasia, both hypo‐ and hyperpigmented lesions, hirsutism, swollen cheeks due to subcutaneous infiltration and eczematous lesions. We describe a new facial phenotype with dermoscopic and histological features in the spectrum of non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis.