The in vitro effects of zearalenone and T-2 toxins on Vero cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate in vitro, whether cytolethality and oxidative damage is enhanced by combination of both mycotoxins as compared to their individual effect. In our paper, we applied a tiered in vitro experimental approach in order to predict the possible health risk effects of two interactive fusarial toxins. Considering the concomitant production of zearalenone (ZEN) and T-2 toxin, it is very likely that humans and animals are always exposed to the mixture rather than to individual compounds.Our results clearly showed that cultured renal cells respond to individual (ZEN) or T-2 toxin exposure by a moderate inhibition of cell proliferation, respectively. However, when combined, they exert a more significant decrease in cell viability. Similar results were found for the investigated oxidative status endpoints. When combined, ZEN and T-2 toxin increased ROS production and heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 expression as compared to the effect of each mycotoxin taken alone.We can conclude that the mixture of ZEN and T-2 toxin increased their toxic effects. The health risk is heightened by the interactions between co-occurring mycotoxins.     

Molecular Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia (North Africa) through Several Successive Waves of COVID-19

Documenting the circulation dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in different regions of the world is crucial for monitoring virus transmission worldwide and contributing to global efforts towards combating the pandemic. Tunisia has experienced several waves of COVID-19 with a significant number of infections and deaths. The present study provides genetic information on the different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 that circulated in Tunisia over 17 months. Lineages were assigned for 1359 samples using whole-genome sequencing, partial S gene sequencing and variant-specific real-time RT-PCR tests. Forty-eight different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 were identified, including variants of concern (VOCs), variants of interest (VOIs) and variants under monitoring (VUMs), particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, A.27, Zeta and Eta. The first wave, limited to imported and import-related cases, was characterized by a small number of positive samples and lineages. During the second wave, a large number of lineages were detected; the third wave was marked by the predominance of the Alpha VOC, and the fourth wave was characterized by the predominance of the Delta VOC. This study adds new genomic data to the global context of COVID-19, particularly from the North African region, and highlights the importance of the timely molecular characterization of circulating strains.     

Fatal neonatal respiratory distress in Niemann-Pick C2 and prenatal diagnosis with mutations in gene HE1/NPC2]

We report the fifth case of neonatal form of type C2 (NP-C2) Niemann-Pick disease with early and fatal respiratory distress. Eleven families presenting such cases are known to date in the world. Since December 2000, isolation of the underlying gene HE1/NPC2 and its mutations has allowed major advances in diagnosis. CASE REPORT: Elisa was born in May 2000. NP-C2 disease was associated with severe respiratory distress leading to death at the age of four months. On the next pregnancy in September 2000, prenatal diagnosis was performed by means of biological tests that required four weeks response time. In December 2000, isolation of the HE1/NPC2 gene located to 14q24.3 and of some of its mutations allowed to characterize the patient as being homozygote for the nonsense mutation E20X. On the the two next pregnancies, prenatal diagnosis was performed at 12 SA, in 48 hours, by the means of mutation analysis. The last fetus was heterozygote for the mutation E20X, allowing the birth at term of a healthy male newborn baby. CONCLUSION: Niemann-Pick type C disease is a rare lysosomal lipid storage disease with severe prognosis. It is characterized by abnormalities of intracellular transport of endocytosed cholesterol. Diagnosis relies on biological tests that require cultured cells. Genetic heterogeneity defines two different genetic complementation groups C1 and C2. Severe and early respiratory distress is more likely to be associated with the rare type C2. Since December 2000, after identification of the disease-causing mutations in the proband, mutation analysis of gene HE1/NPC2 on direct chorionic villus samples allows early and fast (48 hours) prenatal diagnosis.     

Preoperative concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy in cervix cancer: preliminary results

This is a retrospective study of patients treated for cervix cancer staged IB2, IIA or IIB with bulky tumor (> 4cm). Treatment was concurrent radiotherapy (45Gy with 1,8Gy daily fraction) and chemotherapy (5 cycles of Platinum 40mg/m2/week). All patients underwent Brachytherapy (15Gy on the reference isodose according to Paris system) followed by surgery (radical abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy: Piver 3) Between October 1999 and December 2002, forty five patients were treated in this protocol. Median age was 46 years (21- 68). Histology was squamous cell carcinoma in 93% and glandular carcinoma in 7%. Average external radiation dose was 44Gy (20-50). Ninety three percent of patients had at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy and 46,5% received the planned 5 cycles. On the operative specimens, there was 62,5% complete response and only 7 pelvic node involvement (17,5%). Four postoperative complications were noted (one vascular injury, one urinary fistula, one phlebitis and one lymph collection). Preoperative combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the early bulky stages of uterine cervix cancer is well tolerated and "gives" a high rate of sterilisation. There was no increase in surgical morbidity.     

Cholangitis revealing an intrahepatic Osler's disease

Osler Weber Rendu Disease is an hereditary haemorrhagic télangectasia habitually revealed by reccurent bleeding (epistaxis). Hepatic involvement in Osler disease is found in 8 to 31%, manifested by cholestasis. We report an original observation of a cholangitis revealing Osler disease.     

Tuberculosis of the greater trochanter: a report of three cases

Trochanteric tuberculosis represents less than 2% of all musculo-skeletal tuberculosis. The diagnosis is difficult especially if abscess and fistula are missing. The authors report 3 cases of trochanteric tuberculosis. The diagnosis was established, respectively, 4, 9 months and 1 year after the beginning of the symptoms. The tuberculosis was plurifocal in all cases. Diagnosis was based on the presence of caseum granuloma in the first case, positive Lowenstein culture in the second case and on clinical and paraclinical arguments in the third one. Healing was obtained after medical treatment alone. The authors discuss the potential role of the newer imaging modalities in diagnosis of trochanteric tuberculosis and the indications of medical and surgical treatment.     

Iron deficiency anemia and proteino-energetic status in woman from 15 to 49 years old in Tunisia

A foodstuffs survey has been carried out on young women aged from 15 to 49 in order to determine the total and available iron supplies, in proteins and in energy so as to establish the link between an iron deficiency and the protein-energy supplies in comparison to the needs required by the FAO and the WHO. The regions studied are the Great Tunis (GT) and the South West (SW) both in urban and rural backgrounds. These two regions have been selected because of the high prevailing rate of deficiency discovered after the 1996/1997 nutritional survey. Women have been divided into two groups: those who have a deficiency and those who don't have. The study concerned 1151 homes therefore about 1468 women and from them 712 are from GT and 756 from SW. The results of foodstuffs survey demonstrated that supply of meat is more elevated in non anemic women than anemic women concerning proteins supplies. A moderate energetic deficit is noticed in non deficient women and those anemic who have an iron deficiency. Women presented anemia have total and available iron deficient and a deficiency in energy supplies.     

Iron-deficiency anemia and protein-energy status in children aged 6 to 59 months in Tunisia

Our study is going to analyse the foodstuffs consumption of the people who have an iron deficiency and then compare it to the consumption of the people who don't have a deficiency. The anemic children who suffer from an iron deficiency have shown an average supply of iron inferior to the required needs which is of 86%. 22.7% of these children have an available iron supply below the recommended average which represents the limit of a severe deficiency risk. No child exceed the severe deficiency risk limit in proteins. 31% of the deficient children have daily energetic supplies inferior to the minimum limit of the daily-required supplies and they are on the brink of a deficiency. The protein needs are common in children but not the energetic ones.     

Uterine leiomyoma with massive lymphoid infiltration: case report

Uterine leiomyoma with massive lymphoid infiltration is a rare and unusual pathological finding; only 20 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a case of this unusual lesion in a 35-year-old woman who underwent a myomectomy. On gross examination, the tumor was of white color and firm consistency. Histological sections showed interlacing bundles of spindle shaped cells of low density with moderate to severe lymphocytic infiltrate associated to lymphoid follicles and few plasma cells. Immunohistochemically, the diffusely infiltrating lymphoid cells were predominantly of T cell phenotype. The interspersed spindle shaped cells were positive with alpha smooth muscle actin, desmin and h-caldesmon. The cause of this unusual lesion is not clear, but the recognition of its distinct histological features is important to avoid possible confusion with differential diagnosis including malignant lymphoma, inflammatory pseudotumor and pyomyoma.