Difficulties in laboratory diagnosis of coexistent lupus anticoagulant and factor VIII inhibitors: case report and review of literature.

Background: Whereas lupus anticoagulant (LA) and anti-factor VIII (anti-VIII) antibody are both acquired autoimmune coagulation inhibitors, they exhibit different pathophysiologic mechanisms and opposite clinical manifestations. Distinguishing between these two inhibitors is therefore essential for optimizing appropriate management. Harboring both antibodies, which is a rare condition, is of a challenging and confounding laboratory work-up.

Synthesis and comparative study of the structural and optical properties of binary ZnO-based composites for environmental applications.

The development of photoactive systems to solve serious environmental problems is a key objective of researchers and remains a real challenge. Herein, n-p heterojunction ZnO-based composites were developed to achieve better photocatalytic performance in methylene blue (MB) degradation under natural solar irradiation. The hydrothermal technique was used to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO)/metal oxide (MO) composites, with a molar ratio of 1 : 1 (MO = MnO; FeO; CuO; NiO).

Non-doped and transition metal-doped CuO nano-powders: structure-physical properties and anti-adhesion activity relationship.

Bacterial contamination and biofilm formation generate severe problems in many fields. Among these biofilm-forming bacteria, () has emerged as a major cause of nosocomial infection (NI). However, with the dramatic rise in resistance toward conventional antibiotics, there is a pressing need for developing effective anti-biofilms.

Massive transfusion practices in Tunisia and protocol proposal.

Introduction: Massive transfusion (MT) is a life-saving therapy in situations of major hemorrhage awaiting radical haemostatic treatment. Poor management and control of this therapy may, however, compromise the patient's vital prognosis. The main aim of our study was to take stock of massive transfusion practices in Tunisia.

Subcutaneous Panniculitis-Like T-Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Full Facial Edema and Hemophagocytic Syndrome.

A 42-year-old previously healthy woman presented with a 2-month history of recurrent fever and painful swelling on the left thigh. She was given a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis and an antimicrobial. Because the response was not significant and fever remained moderate to high grade, with the appearance of gradually increasing periorbital edema (Figure 1), the diagnosis was reconsidered, and she was referred to a tertiary referral center for further study.

Virulence and resistance genes profiles and clonal relationships of non-typhoidal food-borne Salmonella strains isolated in Tunisia by whole genome sequencing.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has made impressive progress in the field of molecular biology. Its most common application for public health is in the area of surveillance of food-borne diseases. WGS has the potential for providing a large amount of information, such as the identification of the strain type, the characterization of antibiotic resistance and virulence, and phylogeny.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity against crystal violet dye of Co and In doped ZnO thin films grown on PEI flexible substrate under UV and sunlight irradiations.

This work is focused on the photocatalytic activities of undoped ZnO, Co (1%) doped ZnO (CZO) and In (1%) doped ZnO (IZO) thin films grown on flexible PEI (Polyetherimide) substrate by spray pyrolysis. The photodegradation of crystal violet dye was investigated under UV and sunlight irradiations. Doping and excitation energy effects on photocatalytic efficiencies are discussed.

Occurrence and Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance of Isolates from Food in Tunisia.

Multidrug-resistant isolates have been recovered from food in Tunisia. isolates from food are resistant to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins. Surveillance of the antimicrobial susceptibility of foodborne bacteria is needed in Tunisia.

Successful resolution of Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated to brucellosis in the adult.

Hemophagocyticlymphohistocytosis (HLH) is a proliferation of histiocytes with importanthemophagocytosisoccurring in different organs such as the spleen and the bone marrow. HLH is now increasingly diagnosed in the context of infections, malignancies and connective tissue diseases. Although brucellosis is an endemic infection in Tunisia, its association with HLH is a very rare condition which should be considered in patients with splenomegaly and cytopenia.

Eukaryotic molecular diversity at different steps of the wastewater treatment plant process reveals more phylogenetic novel lineages.

Wastewater microbiota represents important actors of organic depollution. Nowadays, some species used as bioindicators of the effluent quality are still identified by microscopy. In the present study, we investigated eukaryotic diversity at the different steps of the treatment process of a wastewater treatment plant (aerobic, anaerobic, clarifier basins and anaerobic digester) using the 18S rRNA gene sequencing approach.

Co-occurence of Crenarchaeota, Thermoplasmata and methanogens in anaerobic sludge digesters.

16S rRNA Crenarchaeota and Thermoplasmata sequences retrieved from 22 anaerobic digesters were analysed. 4.8 and 0.

Thymidylate synthase polymorphism in sporadic colorectal and gastric cancer in Tunisian population: a predictive role in 5-fluorouracil based chemotherapy treatment.

In our study, we investigate the possible association of thymidylate synthase polymorphism, 28 bp tandem repeat in 5'-UTR (transcription enhancer element) with susceptibility of colorectal and gastric cancer in Tunisian population. Because thymidylate synthase provides an effective prediction of chemotherapy treatment based on 5-fluorouracil, our interest in this study was focused on finding an eventual interaction between thymidylate synthase polymorphism and treatment of sporadic colorectal and gastric cancer. Whole blood was collected into EDTA tube, after centrifugation for 15 min, the buffy coat was isolated, and genotyping of TS 5'-UTR polymorphism was carried by polymerase chain reaction method using appropriate primers.

Biological properties of carotenoids extracted from Halobacterium halobium isolated from a Tunisian solar saltern.

Background: Bioactive molecules have received increasing attention due to their nutraceutical attributes and anticancer, antioxidant, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing properties. This study aimed to investigate the biological properties of carotenoids extracted from Archaea.

Methods: Halophilic Archaea strains were isolated from the brine of a local crystallizer pond (TS7) of a solar saltern at Sfax, Tunisia.

[Importance of preanalytical step in hemostasis].

The preanalytical conditions are the major component to assure the reliability and validity of results in hemostasis. They extend from the requirement of analysis, patient preparation, blood collection and the conditions of transport, centrifugation and plasma storage until analysis. They are the most important sources of erroneous or inconclusive results; mainly the quality of the analytical stage has seen great progress of instruments and reagents.

[Prevalence and risk factors of thromboembolic complications in inflammatory bowel disease].

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of thromboembolic complications (TEC), which represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of TEC in patients with IBD.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including all the IBD patients in the gastroenterological department of Charles Nicolle hospital between 2000 and 2010.

[Dysfibrinogenemia and thrombosis. A case report].

Background: Congenital dysfibrinogenemia is a functional disorder of the fibrinogen that represents a rare cause of thrombophilia.

Aim: To report a Tunisian case of the association dysfibrinogenemia and thrombosis.

Case: A woman with inherited dysfibrinogenemia associated with mild tendency to bleeding experienced a deep vein thrombosis of the lower-extremity at 26 years of age and a fatal pulmonary embolism a few years later.

Novel prokaryotic diversity in sediments of Tunisian multipond solar saltern.

The phylogenetic diversity of a sediment microbial community from two ponds having different salinities, 150-200 g/l (M2) and 250-300 g/l (TS38), of an Sfax (Tunisia) solar saltern, was investigated using 16S rRNA clone libraries. The 16S rRNA genes from 135 bacterial clones and 105 archaeal clones were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. 32 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were generated for Bacteria and 64 for Archaea.

Microbial community of salt crystals processed from Mediterranean seawater based on 16S rRNA analysis.

Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA was used to investigate for the first time the structure of the microbial community that inhabits salt crystals retrieved from the bottom of a solar saltern, located in the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea (Sfax, Tunisia). This community lives in an extremely salty environment of 250-310 g/L total dissolved salt. A total of 78 bacterial 16S rRNA clone sequences making up to 21 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), determined by the DOTUR program to 97% sequence similarity, was analyzed.

[Activated protein C resistance and factor V Leiden: clinical interest].

Activated protein C resistance (APCR) is a coagulation abnormality often linked to FV Leiden mutation, a single nucleotide G1691A substitution resulting in arginine 506→glutamine missense factor V mutation. FV Leiden has a frequency of 20 to 30% in groups of patients with venous thrombosis while it is of 4 to 10% in normal subjects. FV Leiden is considered as a weak risk factor of thrombosis except in homozygote.

[Chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation caused by aortic dissection].

Background: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a severe disease. It can be caused by loss of pathology.

Case Report: We report the case of chronic aortic dissection discovered during the evaluation of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Towards the definition of a core of microorganisms involved in anaerobic digestion of sludge.

The microbial consortium involved in anaerobic digestion has not yet been precisely characterized and this process remains a 'black box' with limited efficiency. In this study, seven anaerobic sludge digesters were selected based on technology, type of sludge, process and water quality. The prokaryotic community of these digesters was examined by constructing and analysing a total of 9890 16S rRNA gene clones.

Molecular diversity analysis and bacterial population dynamics of an adapted seawater microbiota during the degradation of Tunisian zarzatine oil.

The indigenous microbiota of polluted coastal seawater in Tunisia was enriched by increasing the concentration of zarzatine crude oil. The resulting adapted microbiota was incubated with zarzatine crude oil as the only carbon and energy source. Crude oil biodegradation capacity and bacterial population dynamics of the microbiota were evaluated every week for 28 days (day 7, day 14, day 21, and day 28).

[Resistance to curative treatment by unfractionned heparin].

Unfractionated heparin has been used as antithrombotic therapy for many years. Its main effect is attributed to the activation of antithrombin (AT), the heparin/AT complex inactivating both factor IIa (thrombin) and factor Xa. Resistance to unfractionated heparin with clinical or biological expression is uncommon.

[Congenital protein S deficiencies; diagnostic difficulties].

Protein S is a physiologic inhibitor of coagulation acting as a cofactor of activated protein C (APC) that inhibits factor Va and VIII. Approximately 60% of PS is bound to C4bBP, a protein of the complement system and only the free PS has a cofactor PCa role. Congenital PS deficiencies are diagnosed by immunologic dosage of free and total PS and functional assay evaluating APC cofactor activity.