Association of Takayasu arteritis, Crohn disease and pregnancy]

The authors report a case of a pregnant woman with Takayasu's arteritis and Crohn's disease. The course of pregnancy was uneventful. It is suggested that these two inflammatory diseases may be immunologically related. A brief review of the literature confirm that fetal and maternal prognosis are generally excellent.     

Irritantcy Potential and Sub Acute Dermal Toxicity Study of Pistacia Lentiscus Fatty Oil as a Topical Traditional Remedy

The current study was undertaken to assess safety of Pistacia lentiscus fruits fatty oil (PLFO) as a topical traditional remedy. A primary skin and eye irritation tests were conducted with New Zealand white rabbits to determine the potential for PLFO to produce irritation from a single application. In addition, a sub acute dermal toxicity study was performed on 18 NZW rabbits to evaluate possible adverse effect following application of PLFO for 28 days. Based on the results of the current study, PLFO is classified as slightly irritating to the skin and the eye of rabbits (Primary Irritation Index (P.I.I.) = 1.037; Ocular Irritation Index (O.I.I.) = 5.33 at 1 h). In the sub-acute toxicity test, PLFO produced neither mortality nor significant differences in the body and organ weights between control group and treated rabbits. However, a reversible irritant contact dermatitis was observed in the treated areas from the end of the second week of application until the end of experiment. This local phenomenon was accompanied by a significant skin thickening (P≤0.01) since the 12^th day (ANOVA, F = 11, 07143, P = 0, 00765) which is confirmed with an inflammatory granuloma in histological study. Haematological analysis and blood chemistry values of the 2 groups showed no significant differences in any of the parameters examined. In summary, PLFO is minimally irritating to the eye and skin after a single exposure, but it may cause irritant contact dermatitis and a reversible thickening of skin after prolonged use.     

Ex vivo all-trans retinoic acid modulates NO production and regulates IL-6 effect during rheumatoid arthritis: a study in Algerian patients

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The pathophysiology of RA implicates several mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is deeply involved in the main characteristics of RA. Furthermore, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an active vitamin A derivative well-known to have diverse immunomodulatory actions. In our study, we investigated first, the ex vivo immunomodulatory potential of ATRA on NO pathway by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Algerian RA patients. Then, we assessed the possible regulatory effect of ATRA on NO production induced by IL-6. PBMCs isolated from active and inactive RA patients and healthy controls were cultured with different concentrations of IL-6 or/with ATRA. NO production was assessed using the Griess method. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and NF-κB activity were analyzed by immunofluorescence test. Our results revealed a high NO production during active RA. We noticed that while IL-6 induced a high NO production and iNOS expression, ATRA downregulated both. ATRA also inhibited nuclear NF-κB translocation. Interestingly, it seems that NO production mediated by IL-6 on PBMCs of RA patients is downregulated by ATRA. Taken together, our results highlight the immunomodulatory effect of ATRA on NO pathway in RA patients and its possible role in regulating IL-6-mediated NO production. All these findings suggest its potential therapeutic role during RA.     

Late-Onset Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) and Lymphoma in a 65-Year-Old Patient with XIAP Deficiency

Journal of Clinical Immunology -     

Drugs used for the treatment of cerebral and disseminated infections caused by free‐living amoebae

Free‐living amoebae (FLAs) are protozoa developing autonomously in diverse natural or artificial environments. The FLAs Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Naegleria fowleri represent a risk for human health as they can become pathogenic and cause severe cerebral infections, named granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE), and primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), respectively. Additionally, Acanthamoeba sp. can also rarely disseminate to diverse organs, such as the skin, sinuses, or bones, and cause extracerebral disseminated acanthamebiasis (EDA). No consensus treatment has been established for cerebral FLA infections or EDA. The therapy of cerebral and disseminated FLA infections often empirically associates a large diversity of drugs, all exhibiting a high toxicity. Nevertheless, these pathologies lead to a high mortality, above 90% of the cases, even in the presence of a treatment. In the present work, a total of 474 clinical cases of FLA infections gathered from the literature allowed to determine the frequency of usage, as well as the efficacy of the main drugs and drug combinations used in the treatment of these pathologies. The efficacy of drug usage was determined based on the survival rate after drug administration. The most efficient drugs, drug combinations, and their mechanism of action were discussed in regard to the present recommendations for the treatment of GAE, EDA, BAE, and PAM. At the end, this review aims to provide a useful tool for physicians in their choice to optimize the treatment of FLA infections.     

Ex vivo immunomodulatory effect of all-trans-retinoic acid during Behçet’s disease: a study in Algerian patients

Uveitis, recurrent oral and genital ulcerations associated with skin lesions are the major symptoms of a chronic multisystemic inflammatory disorder known as Behçet’s disease (BD). High prevalence of this dreaded disease has been observed in the Mediterranean basin, including Algeria and along the Silk Road. Although the etiologic agent of this disease remains uncertain, many hypotheses have been advanced in its pathogenesis. Our team has previously reported high levels of nitric oxide (NO) in sera of BD patients, suggesting its deleterious effect during chronic inflammation. In our current study, the aim is to investigate the ex vivo immunomodulatory effect of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on NO pathway in Algerian BD patients. First, peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from active and inactive BD patients and healthy controls were cultured with different concentrations of ATRA. NO production was estimated with the Griess method. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ATRA effect on NO production, we analyze inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity by immunofluorescence test. Our results revealed a higher production of NO in active BD compared with the inactive stage and healthy controls. We observed that ATRA inhibits NO production in BD both in active and inactive stages and inhibits NF-κB translocation. In conclusion, we report a relationship between NO production and the disease activity. ATRA down-regulates NO production in BD patients. This immunomodulatory effect seems to be mediated through NF-κB pathway. All these findings suggest that ATRA could be considered as a promising therapy for BD.     

Locally-Delivered T-Cell-Derived Cellular Vehicles Efficiently Track and Deliver Adenovirus Delta24-RGD to Infiltrating Glioma

Oncolytic adenoviral vectors are a promising alternative for the treatment of glioblastoma. Recent publications have demonstrated the advantages of shielding viral particles within cellular vehicles (CVs), which can be targeted towards the tumor microenvironment. Here, we studied T-cells, often having a natural capacity to target tumors, for their feasibility as a CV to deliver the oncolytic adenovirus, Delta24-RGD, to glioblastoma. The Jurkat T-cell line was assessed in co-culture with the glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) line, MGG8, for the optimal transfer conditions of Delta24-RGD in vitro. The effect of intraparenchymal and tail vein injections on intratumoral virus distribution and overall survival was addressed in an orthotopic glioma stem cell (GSC)-based xenograft model. Jurkat T-cells were demonstrated to facilitate the amplification and transfer of Delta24-RGD onto GSCs. Delta24-RGD dosing and incubation time were found to influence the migratory ability of T-cells towards GSCs. Injection of Delta24-RGD-loaded T-cells into the brains of GSC-bearing mice led to migration towards the tumor and dispersion of the virus within the tumor core and infiltrative zones. This occurred after injection into the ipsilateral hemisphere, as well as into the non-tumor-bearing hemisphere. We found that T-cell-mediated delivery of Delta24-RGD led to the inhibition of tumor growth compared to non-treated controls, resulting in prolonged survival (p = 0.007). Systemic administration of virus-loaded T-cells resulted in intratumoral viral delivery, albeit at low levels. Based on these findings, we conclude that T-cell-based CVs are a feasible approach to local Delta24-RGD delivery in glioblastoma, although efficient systemic targeting requires further improvement.     

Women's mental health in the Muslim world: cultural, religious, and social issues

In Arab communities, several cultural factors, derived mainly from the subordinate position of women, have been shown to affect the prevalence, clinical picture, health seeking behaviour, course and management of psychopathology in women. Women are definitely at a greater risk of developing mental disorders such as depressive, somatoform, anxious or eating disorders, as well as suicidal behaviors. Furthermore, mentally ill women are more stigmatized, have less access to care and suffer from a worse social outcome. This paper describes a series of culture-related risk factors such as education, work, sexuality, marriage, and infertility, which significantly contribute to triggering mental disorders in females, or to worsen their course and outcome. The authors recommend that mental health providers should play a critical role by addressing the cultural as well as psychological conditions that create and maintain threats to women's mental health.     

Phosphorylated cellulose paper as highly efficient adsorbent for cadmium heavy metal ion removal in aqueous solutions

In search for more effective and eco-friendly adsorbent materials, this study comprehensively investigated Cd²⁺ adsorption onto phosphorylated cellulose paper (PCP). For this, cellulose microfibers (CMF) was extracted from Alfa fibers and phosphorylated using the solid-state phosphorylation approach. Then, the prepared PCP samples were characterized by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, TGA, conductometric titration and zeta potential measurement. The adsorption of cadmium ions, the effect of time, pH and Cd²⁺ initial concentration were systematically studied in batch experiments. Based on the results, the highest adsorption capacity achieved was 479 mg of Cd²⁺ per g of PCP, which was remarkable compared to other modified cellulose capacities cited in the literature. Furthermore, the Cd²⁺ removal mechanism was investigated based on characterization results before and after adsorption and also based on the kinetics results. It was concluded that cation exchange and electrostatic attraction between phosphorylated cellulose and the cadmium ion mainly dominated the adsorption process. These findings highlighted that the phosphorylated cellulose paper has a broad application prospect in removal of divalent metal from aquatic solution.

In search for more effective and eco-friendly adsorbent materials, this study comprehensively investigated Cd²⁺ adsorption onto phosphorylated cellulose paper (PCP).