Fréquence du déficit en glucose-6-phosphate déshydrogénase (A-376/202) dans trois groupes ethniques vivant en zone d’endémie palustre au Mali

Erythrocyte G6PD deficiency is the most common worldwide enzymopathy. The aim of this study was to determine erythrocyte G6PD deficiency in 3 ethnic groups of Mali and to investigate whether erythrocyte G6PD deficiency was associated to the observed protection against malaria seen in Fulani ethnic group. The study was conducted in two different areas of Mali: in the Sahel region of Mopti where Fulani and Dogon live as sympatric ethnic groups and in the Sudanese savannah area where lives mostly the Malinke ethnic group. The study was conducted in 2007 in Koro and in 2008 in Naguilabougou. It included a total 90 Dogon, 42 Fulani and 80 Malinke ethnic groups. Malaria was diagnosed using microscopic examination after Giemsa-staining of thick and thin blood smear. G6PD deficiency (A-^376/202) samples were identified using RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) assay and analysis of PCR-amplified DNA amplicon. G6PD deficiency (A-^376/202) rate was 11.1%, 2.4%, and 13.3% in Dogon, Fulani, and Malinke ethnic group respectively. Heterozygous state for G6PD (A-^376/202) was found in 7.8% in Dogon; 2.4% in Fulani and 9.3% in Malinke ethnic groups while hemizygous state was found at the frequency of 2.2% in Dogon and 4% in Malinke. No homozygous state was found in our study population.We conclude that G6PD deficiency is not differing significantly between the three ethnic groups, Fulani, Dogon and Malinke.     

New-generation oral anticoagulants for the prevention of stroke: Implications for neurosurgery

A new generation of oral anticoagulants, namely direct thrombin inhibitors and factor X_a inhibitors, have recently been approved for clinical use in patients with atrial fibrillation. These novel families of drugs have been shown to have favorable efficacy and safety profiles in multiple clinical settings, particularly in the prevention of atrial fibrillation-related stroke, and are likely to become part of everyday practice, making a crossover to neurosurgical patients inevitable. Concern has risen regarding the complexity of managing intracranial and intraspinal hemorrhages related to these drugs. This review aims to provide an update on the most recent advances in oral anticoagulant drug therapy from a neurosurgeon’s perspective. We discuss current evidence for the use of these novel agents, their limitations, existing methods of drug-level monitoring, and controversies related to anticoagulation reversal. We also discuss specific topics such as anticoagulation resumption after intracranial or intraspinal bleeding, perioperative anticoagulant administration, and the possibility of combination with tissue plasminogen activator in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. A special focus is given to the incidence of intracranial and intraspinal hemorrhage associated with each drug.     

Current Advances in the Regeneration of Degenerated Articular Cartilage: A Literature Review on Tissue Engineering and Its Recent Clinical Translation

Functional ability is the basis of healthy aging. Articular cartilage degeneration is amongst the most prevalent degenerative conditions that cause adverse impacts on the quality of life; moreover, it represents a key predisposing factor to osteoarthritis (OA). Both the poor capacity of articular cartilage for self-repair and the unsatisfactory outcomes of available clinical interventions make innovative tissue engineering a promising therapeutic strategy for articular cartilage repair. Significant progress was made in this field; however, a marked heterogeneity in the applied biomaterials, biofabrication, and assessments is nowadays evident by the huge number of research studies published to date. Accordingly, this literature review assimilates the most recent advances in cell-based and cell-free tissue engineering of articular cartilage and also focuses on the assessments performed via various in vitro studies, ex vivo models, preclinical in vivo animal models, and clinical studies in order to provide a broad overview of the latest findings and clinical translation in the context of degenerated articular cartilage and OA.     

A novel mutation in the RSPO4 gene in a patient with autosomal recessive anonychia

The Wnt signalling pathway is a major pathway involved in the embryogenic development of the various organs of the body. Appropriate signalling in this pathway relies on the proper functioning of several proteins including the R‐spondin family of proteins. Deactivating mutations in R‐spondin 4 are associated with anonychia. We present the case of a 26‐year‐old man presenting with anonychia of the 20 nails, which had been present since birth. Using genetic studies, we identified a novel nonsense mutation, c.164‐165TC>AA, characterized by two consecutive mismatch bases. To our knowledge, this mutation is the first to be reported in R‐spondin 4 in a Lebanese population. Evaluating new patients with anonychia provides fruitful clinical and molecular findings.     

The elastomers for complete denture impression: A review of the literature

This article reviews the current trends in materials used for complete denture impression. Peer-reviewed articles, published in English and in French between 1954 and 2007, were identified through a MEDLINE search (Pubmed and Elsevier) and a hand search of relevant textbooks and annual publications. Emphasis was made on the characteristics of the elastomers, their manipulation, the different techniques used, and the quality of the impression obtained. The combination of excellent physical properties, handling characteristics, and unlimited dimensional stability assures the popularity of these impression materials.     

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast. Case report

We report a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast in a 62-year-old lady. This tumor is a rare histologic form of breast cancer, associated with a favorable prognosis, and a special clinical behavior. It is mainly diagnosed on morphological grounds, by identifying two populations of neoplastic basaloid myoepithelial and epithelial cells with extracellular deposits of eosinophilic basement membrane-like substance. Lymph node metastases are rare. Partial or simple mastectomy is an adequate treatment. Axillary lymph node dissection may not be necessary.