Hepatitis C Treatment With Generic Sofosbuvir-Based Regimens in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of locally manufactured generic sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antivirals in the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Patients And Methods: We have conducted a retrospective multicenter study including patients on maintenance hemodialysis, treated with sofosbuvir-based regimens between 01/01/2017 and 09/30/2021. Patients were treated for 12 or 24 weeks, with sofosbuvir 400 mg + ledipasvir 90 mg 3 times/week, or sofosbuvir 3 times/week + daclatasvir 60 mg/d, or sofosbuvir + daclatasvir in coformulation, 3 times/week.

EncephalApp Stroop Test for covert hepatic encephalopathy screening in Tunisian cirrhotic patients.

Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is underdiagnosed and is difficult to detect. The EncephalApp Stroop test is validated for its screening. The aim of the study was to define Tunisian norms for the test based on healthy controls norms and to estimate the prevalence of CHE in cirrhotic Tunisian patients.

Mannose Inhibits the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Colorectal Cancer and Enhances Sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil Therapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancers and causes of death in patients. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is the therapy of choice for CRC, but it exhibits high toxicity and drug resistance. Tumorigenesis is characterized by a deregulated metabolism, which promotes cancer cell growth and survival.

Lessons learned from the discovery and development of the sesquiterpene lactones in cancer therapy and prevention.

Introduction: Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are one of the most diverse bioactive secondary metabolites found in plants and exhibit a broad range of therapeutic properties . SLs have been showing promising potential in cancer clinical trials, and the molecular mechanisms underlying their anticancer potential are being uncovered. Recent evidence also points to a potential utility of SLs in cancer prevention.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy on the response of MALT-Gastric lymphoma.

Introduction: The link between gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (LG-MALT) and chronic Helicobacter Pylori (HP) infection had led to a real revolution in the management of the disease.

Aims: To study the results of the HP eradication therapy and to clarify its place in the tumor response.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective bicentric study, between January 2007 and December 2016, including patients with LG-MALT treated in the gastroenterology departments of Sahloul hospital in Sousse and Habib Bougtafa hospital in Bizerte, and having received treatment for eradication of HP.

Functionalization of Bambusurils by a Thiol-Ene Click Reaction and a Facile Method for the Preparation of Anion-Free Bambus[6]urils.

Sulfide-functionalized bambus[4]urils ((RS) BU[4]) and bambus[6]urils ((RS) BU[6]) were synthesized through thiol-ene click coupling reactions (TEC) of allylbambus[n]urils. Thiosugars were grafted to BU[4] and BU[6]. Synthesis of BU[6] derivatives always requires the use of a template anion (iodide, chloride, or bromide), which is enclosed in the cavity of BU[6].

[Intervention in Context of Radicalization Leading to Violence: a Multidisciplinary Clinical Approach].

Objectives This manuscript provides a first description of a specialized clinical work addressing the radicalization leading to violence phenomenon in Canada. Since July 2016, a multidisciplinary clinical team attached to a mental health and primary care program in Montreal proposes specialized consultations to support partners across Quebec.Methods This paper describes the clinical team approach, the consultation service organization and illustrates through clinical vignettes the main categories of social and clinical problems referred to the team during its first year of operation.

The Cardiac Rhythm of the Unconscious in a Case of Panic Disorder.

The field of psychodynamic psychotherapy would benefit from a comprehensive model that integrates its constructs with neurobiology. Research on the autonomic nervous system activity during the psychotherapeutic process is necessary because it is key in affective experiences and defensive behavior. The current case study reports physiological findings on heart rate dynamics in a patient suffering from panic disorder during two therapeutic sessions in which we used Davanloo's Intensive Short-term Dynamic Psychotherapy.

Phylogenetic Analysis and Epidemic History of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 in Tunisia, North Africa.

HCV genotype 2 (HCV-2) has a worldwide distribution with prevalence rates that vary from country to country. High genetic diversity and long-term endemicity were suggested in West African countries. A global dispersal of HCV-2 would have occurred during the 20th century, especially in European countries.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B and Delta virus strains that spread in the Mediterranean North East Coast of Tunisia.

Background: Tunisia is classified as an area of middle endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, however little is known about hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection.

Objectives: This study aimed to address the prevalence of HDV infection, to identify possible risks factors, and to analyze the genetic diversity of HDV strains that are spreading in Tunisia.

Study Design: A retrospective large-scale study including 1615 HBsAg positive patients, native of the North East coast of Tunisia, recruited from Gastroenterology departments, was conducted.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants resistant to NS5A inhibitors in naïve patients infected with HCV genotype 1 in Tunisia.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitors have been recently developed to inhibit NS5A activities and have been approved for the treatment of HCV infection. However the drawback of these direct acting antivirals (DAAs) is the emergence of resistance mutations. The prevalence of such mutations conferring resistance to HCV-NS5A inhibitors before treatment has not been investigated so far in the Tunisian population.

Natural prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) variants resistant to protease and polymerase inhibitors in patients infected with HCV genotype 1 in Tunisia.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitors (PIs) and polymerase inhibitors: nucleos(t)ide inhibitors (NS5B-NIs) and non-nucleos(t)ide inhibitors (NS5B-NNIs) have been recently developed to inhibit protease (NS3) or polymerase (NS5B) activities. The drawback of antiviral treatment is the emergence of resistance mutations to the drugs. The prevalence of such mutations conferring resistance to PIs, NS5B-NIs, and NS5B-NNIs before treatment has not been investigated so far in the Tunisian population.

[Autism and social support in recently immigrated families : experience of parents from Maghreb].

This qualitative exploratory study examines the impact of an autism diagnosis on the social support networks of North African's parents recently immigrated to Quebec and having a child diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten parents and participant observation took place during support meetings for the mothers. Our results highlight how the autism diagnosis transforms the parents' family and community networks, creating tensions and losses while also generating new links, sources of support.

Subtyping genotype 2 hepatitis C viruses from Tunisia: identification of two putative new subtypes.

HCV variants were classified into six genotypes (1-6) subdivided into several subtypes with different geographic distribution worldwide. Previous studies conducted in Tunisia showed that genotype 1 counts for more than 80 % of circulating HCV genotypes and most of the isolates belong to subtype 1b. Genotype 2 comes in the second position, however, few sequences have been analyzed and published.

History of current non-insulin medications for diabetes mellitus.

This article is a brief review of the current non-insulin agents for diabetes mellitus in the United States, namely, sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, glucacon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors, amylin agonists, bromocriptine, and colesevelam.

History of insulin.

The advancement of diabetes treatment has gone from crude extracts of insulin and accidental discovery of sulfa-like drugs in antibiotics to the development of drugs based on improved understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. This article will review the history of the discovery and development of insulin. A companion focusing on non-insulin diabetes agents will follow in the next issue of JCHIMP.

North African reference equation for peak nasal inspiratory flow.

Aim: To assess, in healthy North African subjects, the applicability and reliability of a previously published reference equation and normal values for peak nasal inspiratory flow, and to calculate a peak nasal inspiratory flow reference equation in this population.

Subjects And Methods: Anthropometric data were recorded in 212 volunteers (100 females and 112 males) aged 13-27 years. Peak nasal inspiratory flow was measured several times.

Serological and molecular expression of Hepatitis B infection in patients with chronic Hepatitis C from Tunisia, North Africa.

Background: This study reports the prevalence and the viral aspects of HBV infection in HCV-positive patients from Tunisia, a country with intermediate and low endemicity for hepatitis B and C, respectively.

Results: HBV infection was assessed in the serum samples of 361 HCV-positive patients and compared to a group of HCV negative individuals. Serological markers were determined by ELISA tests and HBV DNA by real-time PCR.