Vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome in Tunisian children with obesity.

Background: A negative association between serum vitamin D levels and obesity has been reported by several studies. Data on vitamin D status in Tunisian obese children and its relationship with metabolic syndrome remain rare.

Aim: We aimed to study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Tunisian obese children and to examine the correlation between vitamin D levels and metabolic syndrome.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Tunisian overweight and obese children.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its parameters in a cohort of overweight and obese Tunisian schoolchildren and to investigate the involvement of leptin, and insulin in MS development via obesity.

Methods: A total of 306 schoolchildren between 10- 12 years: obese (n=35), overweight (n=99) and normal weight (n=172) were included in the study. Height, weight, waist circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

[Alterations in lipidic metabolism in hemodialysis patients].

Background: Chronic kidney failure is associated with dyslipidemia and accelerated atherosclerosis.

Aim: To study lipidic metabolism alterations in patients with chronic kidney failure on hemodialysis.

Methods: The study interested 45 hemodialysis patients with a mean age of 49.

[Changes in serum lipids in patients with colorectal cancer].

Aim: To evaluate and assess disruptions of serum lipids at patients having a colorectal cancer.

Methods: Our prospective study interested 30 patients, from 26 to 93 year old, presenting a colorectal cancer confirmed histologically, examined during the period going from March 2003 to April 2004. Thirty healthy controls were examined in parallel.

[Importance of biologic parameters in Helicobacter pylori gastritis: comparison with histological results].

Helicobacter pylori (HP) chronic gastritis can lead to precursor stages of gastric cancer. New biological markers have been proposed to study the gastric mucosal state. We evaluate biological results in comparison with histological ones in a dyspeptic population.

[Importance of determination of C reactive protein (CRP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in colorectal cancer].

Aim: Evaluate and show the importance of CRP, ACE and LDH in colorectal cancer.

Methods: Our prospective study interested 30 patients, from 26 to 93 years old and present a colorectal cancer, confirmed histologically, during the period going from March 2003 to April 2004, and 30 healthy controls. A blood sample was collected from each patient respectively in preoperative, 48 hours before any treatment, and 6 months after surgical operation to measure serum LDH, CRP, and ACE.

Serum leptin concentration in Tunisian non obese children.

Leptin, an adipocyte-derived peptide hormone, is thought to play a key role in the regulation of body fat mass. Beyond this function, it appears to be an integral component of various hypothalamo-pituitary-endocrine feedback loops. Because childhood and puberty are periods of major metabolic and endocrine changes, we investigated leptin levels in 348 non overweight, non obese children (147 boys, 201 girls, age: 6-12 years) and then correlated these levels with age, anthropometric data, pubertal stage and insulin.

[Seric soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisia. Prospective study about 45 cases].

Background: Soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha (slL-2Ralpha) is a well-known indicator of T-cell activation noted to be increasing in nasopharyngeal cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate the importance of the use of this marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Our prospective study interested 45 patients (35M/10F) with a mean age of 49 years (15 to 78), presenting a nasopharyngeal carcinoma histologically confirmed and 61 healthy controls.

[Biological investigation of thyroid cancer].

Thyroid carcinomas represent the most common endocrine malignancy, and several biological markers are proposed according to the different types of this cancer: for papillary cancer, thyroglobulin constitutes an excellent prognostic factor and rearrangements of ret oncogene can be useful in diagnosis. In sporadic medullary carcinoma, calcitonin is a diagnosis marker of choice, and coupled with ACE, can prevent relapse. Regarding familial medullary carcinoma, mutation screening in ret oncogene leads to early detection of new cases.

[Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisian children: retrospective epidemiological, clinical and biological study about 48 cases].

Objective: Report epidemiological, clinical and biological aspects of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisian children.

Patients And Methods: Our retrospective study from 1994 to 2001 included all children treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Salah Azaïz Cancer Institute of Tunis. Initial investigation consisted of ENT and general examination, nasopharyngeal CT-scan, abdominal echography, chest X-ray and bone scintigraphy.

[Serum lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisia].

Our prospective study interested 41 patients, from 13 to 70 years old, and present a nasopharyngeal carcinoma confirmed histologically, during the period going from September 1999 to March 2000, and 45 healthy controls. A blood sample was collected from each patient before any treatment, as well as controls to measure serum LDH and its isoenzymes. Two groups of patients were selected after a period varying from 12 to 37 months with a mean of 29 months: 29 with favourable evolution, 12 with non favourable evolution.

[Contribution of serum Cyfra 21-1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisia].

Cyfra 21-1 is a recognised marker for epidermoid lung and head and neck carcinomas oriented to the cytokeratin 19 that is expressed particularly in malignant epithelial cells. The aims of this study were to evaluate the importance of the use of this marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Our prospective study interested 41 patients (33M/8F) with a mean age of 44 years (13 to 70) with 8 of them aged less than 30 years, presenting a nasopharyngeal carcinoma histologically confirmed from September 1999 to March 2000 and 45 healthy controls without evidence neoplasm.