Association of MTHFR (C677T, A1298C) and MTRR A66G polymorphisms with fatty acids profile and risk of neural tube defects.

Objective: This study aims to determine if 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR A66G) gene polymorphisms were associated with fatty acid (FA) levels in mothers of fetuses with neural tube defects (NTDs) and whether these associations were modified by environmental factors.

Methods: Plasma FA composition was assessed using capillary gas chromatography. Concentrations of studied FA were compared between 42 mothers of NTDs fetuses and 30 controls as a function of each polymorphism by the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test.

Association of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, and MTRR A66G Polymorphisms with Neural Tube Defects in Tunisian Parents.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR A66G) gene polymorphisms with neural tube defects (NTDs) in a Tunisian population.

Methods: Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs) using the restriction enzymes. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between mothers and fathers of fetuses with NTDs with matched controls based on an association analysis using SPSS software.

Congenital anomalies in Tunisia: Frequency and risk factors.

Background: Despite the high risk of recurrence of congenital malformations, there are no well-accepted preventive measures in developing countries like Tunisia. It is recommended that thorough epidemiological studies of congenital anomalies in this country are needed. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency and types of congenital anomalies in Tunisia and research some risk factors associated with occurrence of these anomalies.

[Neu-Laxova syndrome: Three case reports and a review of the literature].

Introduction: The Neu-Laxova syndrome (NLS) is a rare autosomal recessive and early lethal disorder. It is characterized by severe intra-uterine growth retardation, abnormal facial features, ichthyotic skin lesions and severe central nervous system malformations, especially microlissencephaly. Others characteristic features associated with fetal hypokinesia sequence, including arthrogryposis, subcutaneous edema and pulmonary hypoplasia, are frequently reported in NLS.

Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and the occurrence of neural tube defects in Tunisia.

Objective: To determine whether low vitamin D levels in pregnant women are associated with the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in Tunisia.

Methods: In a prospective study, pregnant women were recruited at a center in Tunis between January 1, 2012, and December 30, 2013. Women carrying a fetus with a severe NTD were recruited before elective termination.

Association of maternal homocysteine and vitamins status with the risk of neural tube defects in Tunisia: A case-control study.

Background: This study was conducted to determine whether low folate and vitamin B12 levels, as well as high homocysteine levels in pregnant women are associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) in Tunisia.

Methods: A total of 75 NTDs pregnancies and 75 matched controls were included in the study. Their vitamin B12, folate, and red blood cell folate concentrations were measured using a radio-immunoassay kit and total homocysteine concentrations were determined using a fluorescent polarization immunoassay.

Postnatally diagnosed agenesis of corpus callosum in fetuses.

Objectives: To examine and characterize the agenesis of the corpus calosum (ACC) in an epidemiological study of fetal autopsies, as well as, to analyze the associated anomalies and to emphasize the importance of the clinical examination of ACC.

Methods: The subjects of observation are 20 fetuses from a total of 2238 autopsies carried out during a period of three years (2006-2009) in Tunis.

Results: The associated abnormalities are hydrocephalus, cerebellar hypoplasia, agenesis of vermis cerebelli, polymicrogyria and lissencephaly.

Gender and associated skeletal abnormalities in fetuses with neural tube defects.

Objective: To determine the association between gender and skeletal defects in fetuses with NTDs.

Methods: 150 NTD fetuses have been examined in three years' course (01.2006-01.

Fetopathological aspects of holoprosencephaly.

Unlabelled: Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a congenital central nervous system malformation estimated to occur in 1/250 conceptuses and 1/10,000 live births. While the severe forms, which are incompatible with life, are easier to detect in the prenatal period, the milder forms can remain unrecognised. As this can have serious consequences for the pregnancy and malformation carriers it is of crucial importance to find ways of timely detection of this pathological condition.

[Bulimia and anorexia among the teenagers].

Background: The disturbances related to the feeding behavior are increasing in Tunisia.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of an adapted and personalized therapeutic program, including dietetic advises and practice of yoga in Tunisian teenagers suffering from bulimia or anorexia.

Methods: Our study was carried out on 31 teenagers, old 16 to 19 years, 10 were anorexics (9 girls and 1 boy) and 21 were bulimics (14 girls and 7 boys).

[Metabolic profile of Tunisian obese adult].

Background: Obesity is associated with multiple comorbidities such us metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Aims: Evaluate metabolic profile and to determinate the frequency of metabolic syndrome in Tunisian obese adult.

Methods: It's a prospective study realized in the unit of obesity research in the national institute of nutrition between April 2003 and March 2005.

[Evaluation of the role of dietary intake in the occurrence of alopecia].

Transversal case-control study was conducted among 42 patients aged between 20 and 35 years who had diffuse alopecia. Alimentary inquiry according to the 3-day method was achieved in each case. The following nutriments were evaluated: total proteins, calcium, copper, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, omega 3 and omega 6.

[Bullosis diabeticorum: report of ten cases].

Background: Bullosis diabeticorum is a rare characteristic complication of diabetes mellitus; it affects 0.5% of diabetics. Bullosis diabeticorum is a manifestation of complicate and longstanding diabetes mellitus.

[Distribution and prevalence of dyslipidemia in Tunisia: results of the Tunisian National Nutrition Survey].

Unlabelled: The aims of the study were to study the distribution of cholesterol and triglycerides and to assess the prevalence of dyslipemia in Tunisian adult population.

Methods: The Tunisian National Nutrition Survey (TNNS) was a cross sectional study performed on a total of 7860 adult subjects and was conducted on 1996-1997. The TNNS included 3087 adults over 20 years old.

The sirenomelia sequence: a case history.

We report a case of sirenomelia sequence observed in an incident of preterm labor during the 29th gestational week. According to some authors, this syndrome should be classified separately from caudal regression syndrome and is likely to be the result of an abnormality taking place during the fourth gestational week, causing developmental abnormalities in the lower extremities, pelvis, genitalia, urinary tract and digestive organs. Despite recent progress in pathology, the etiopathogenesis of sirenomelia is still debated.

[Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 21: the Tunisian experience].

Unlabelled: Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is the most common fetal chromosomal abnormality in humans. Its clinical signs are now well known. Methods for prenatal screening have advanced substantially in the past two decades.

[Prenatal ultrasound aspects of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita].

Aim: To analyze the contribution of prenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of arthrogryposis multiplex congenital according to its type and antenatal expression.

Methods: Retrospective study led between January 1993 and November 2007. We studied the cases of arthrogryposis suspected or diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound while analyzing the circumstances of discovery, the profile of the pregnant women and the abnormal scan findings.

Tunisian children reference for body mass index and prevalence of obesity.

Background: The prevalence of obesity in children is known to be increasing rapidly worldwide but few population-based surveys have been undertaken in North Africa and in the Middle East.

Aims: Report the means of body mass index with values corresponding to the different percentiles in boys and girls by age from a large nationally representative sample of the Tunisian children population. The second aim was to estimate the prevalence of obesity and over weight in children and adolescent using the 85th and 95th body mass index percentile respectively derived from the U.

Prenatal diagnosis of ectopia cordis: case report.

Unlabelled: Ectopia cordis is a rare and impressive malformation presenting as an isolated lesion or as part of the Cantrell's pentology syndrom. It is defined as an anomaly in which the fetal heart lies outside the thoracic cavity. THE AIM of the study is to report the prenatal diagnostic features and management of ectopia cordis.

[How a diabetic lives during the month of Ramadan].

Aim: The research is about diabetic people who can fast Ramadan. In order to do so in a good physical health must have some stipulations.

Methods: In a certain research, about 278 diabetic people of the two types were examinated, making comparaison between those who were fasting and who weren't.

Aetiological factors and perception of anaemia in Tunisian women of reproductive age.

Objectives: To identify aetiological factors in anaemia and to explore knowledge, perceptions and attitudes towards anaemia.

Design: Two cross-sectional surveys and sixteen focus group discussions.

Setting: The two regions with the highest prevalence of anaemia in Tunisia, Greater Tunis (GT) and the South West (SW).

Waist circumference cut-off points for identification of abdominal obesity among the tunisian adult population.

Aims: Waist circumference (WC) is a convenient measure of abdominal adipose tissue. It itself is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes-risk factor and is strongly linked to other CVD risk factors. There are, however, ethnic differences in the relationship of WC to the other risk factors.