Haplotypes of TNF/ Genes Associated with Sex-Specific Paranoid Schizophrenic Risk in Tunisian Population.

Several medical research findings have announced a strong association between the biology of cytokines and various brain activities. Since growing evidences suggest the crucial and complex role of the tumor necrosis factor in the CNS, we have hypothesized that functional genetic variants of the LTA and TNFA genes (LTA +252A/G (rs909253) and TNFA -857C/T (rs1799724) and TNFA -238G/A (rs361525)) may be involved in the predisposition to schizophrenia. This research is based on a case-control study.

Neurological soft signs in Tunisian patients with first-episode psychosis and relation with cannabis use.

Background: Neurological soft signs (NSS) are minor non-localizing neurological abnormalities that are conceptualized as neurodevelopmental markers that mediate the biological risk for psychosis. We aimed to explore the relationship between NSS and cannabis use, an environmental risk factor of psychosis.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in consecutively admitted patients hospitalized for first-episode psychosis.

Association of the IFN-γ (+874A/T) Genetic Polymorphism with Paranoid Schizophrenia in Tunisian Population.

Since growing evidence suggests a significant role of chronic low-grade inflammation in the physiopathology of schizophrenia, we have hypothesized that functional genetic variant of the IFN gamma (IFN-γ; +874A/T; rs2430561) gene may be involved in the predisposition to schizophrenia. This research is based on a case-control study which aims to identify whether polymorphism of the IFN-γ gene is a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia. The RFLP-PCR genotyping of the IFN-γ gene was conducted on a Tunisian population composed of 218 patients and 162 controls.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in schizophrenia and associated clinical features.

The belief that latent toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic has been questioned, in particular due to the repeated highlighted link between the Toxoplasma gondii infection and an increased incidence of schizophrenia. However, to understand this relationship, the effect of infection with Toxoplasma gondii on the severity of schizophrenia has been poorly studied. Our work focused on comparing the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls, as well as comparing the clinical features and the demographic characteristics between Toxoplasma-seronegative and Toxoplasma-seropositive patients with schizophrenia.

IFNGR2 genetic polymorphism associated with sex-specific paranoid schizophrenia risk.

Background: Considering current scientific evidence about the significant role of chronic low grade inflammation in the physiopathology of schizophrenia, it has been hypothesized that changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma may have a significant role in the predisposition to schizophrenia.

Aim: This study focuses on identifying whether the functional polymorphism of interferon gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2) is a risk factor for the development of schizophrenia.

Methods: This study was conducted by the RFLP-PCR on a Tunisian population composed of 225 patients with different sub-types of schizophrenia and 166 controls.

A gender-specific association of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist polymorphism with schizophrenia susceptibility.

Objective: Recent genetic studies have revealed that the interleukin (IL) 1 gene complex is associated with schizophrenia in the Caucasian population; however, data from the North African population are limited. To further assess the role of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist protein (IL1Ra) in schizophrenia, we examined a functional multiallelic polymorphism localised in intron 2 of this receptor gene associated with an altered level of IL1Ra.

Methods: In the present case-control study, we have analysed the (86 bp) n polymorphism of the interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene (RS 1794068) by polymerase chain reaction genotyping in 259 patients with schizophrenia and 178 healthy controls from the Tunisian population.

Paraoxonase 1 activity and lipid profile in schizophrenic patients.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the variations of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and lipid profile in patients with schizophrenia and the association of this activity with the sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutical characteristics of this population.

Patients And Methods: Our cross-sectional study included 140 schizophrenic patients and 119 control subjects aged respectively 37.3±10.

Prevalence and Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Type 2 Diabetes in Tunisian Patients over Sixty Years Old.

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a population aged over sixty years with type 2 diabetes and to study the impact of anxiety and depression on glycemic balance and disease outcome. Results.

In vitro effects of three antidepressant drugs on plasma paraoxonase activity.

Background: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is important in organophosphates and xenobiotic metabolism and as an antioxidant bio-scavenger. PON1 activity was shown to significantly decrease in depressed patients after antidepressant treatment instauration. Our aim was to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of three antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline and fluoxetine) on PON1 activity.

[Butyrylcholinesterase activity in schizophrenic patients].

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is an enzyme that has been investigated for its putative role in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of our work was to study BChE activity variations in schizophrenic patients and to investigate the involvement of this enzyme in schizophrenia and the importance of determining its activity in this disease. This cross-sectional study was carried out 131 (104 males and 27 females, mean age  = 38.

[Compared effects of etomidate and propofol for anaesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy].

Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) requires repeated short-term anaesthesia with muscle relaxation and deep narcosis and uses several anaesthetic agents. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the anaesthetic technique applied for ECT by comparing two products: propofol and etomidate.

Methods: This was a prospective randomised study that included ECT sessions.