Impact of toll-like receptor 4 variations on nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk and survival in tunisian population.

Introduction: The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an important member of the host's innate immune response, is coded by a polymorphic gene. This polymorphism could be a predisposing factor for NasoPharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC).

Aim: To determine the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to NPC in a cohort of Tunisian affected patients.

Soluble MICA and anti-MICA Antibodies as Biomarkers of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Disease.

The MHC class I chain-related molecule A (MICA) is a ligand for the activating natural killer (NK) cell receptor NKG2D. A part from its genetic diversity, MICA is characterized by the presence of membrane-bound and soluble isoform (sMICA) and by the propensity to elicit antibody-mediated allogeneicity (MICA Abs). Altogether such properties are important in the cancer setting.

MICA-129Met/Val Polymorphism Is Associated with Early-Onset Breast Cancer Risk.

The major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA), expressed on cell surface, plays an important role in the elimination of both virus-infected cells and tumor through the activation of the natural killer (NK) receptor NKG2D. A polymorphic change from methionine (Met) to valine (Val) at amino acid position 129 categorizes MICA alleles into strong and weak binders for the NKG2D receptor and has been found in a variety of immune-related disorders. In this study, we investigated the potential interaction between genetic polymorphism of MICA and the development of breast cancer.

MDM2 344T>A polymorphism; could it be a predictive marker of anthracycline resistance?

Purpose: To find a possible association between the Mouse Double Minute 2(MDM2) 344T>A, alone and in combination with p53 72 Arg/Pro polymorphism, and resistance to anthracycline-based chemotherapy of breast cancer in Tunisia.

Methods: This study enrolled 542 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood, using the phenol chloroform method.

[Genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 2E1 and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) is a detoxifying enzyme that belongs to the phase I metabolism of xenobiotics. This enzyme is encoded by a highly polymorphic gene whose common polymorphism corresponds to the substitution of cytosine (C) and thymine (T) at position -1019 (rs2031920). This polymorphism has been identified in several cancers including nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).

Polymorphisms in oxidative stress-related genes are associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma susceptibility.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a complex multifactorial disorder involving both genetic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms of genes encoding nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and antioxidant glutathione-S transferases (GSTs) have been associated with various tumors. We examined the combined role of NOS3, NOS2 and GST polymorphisms in NPC risk in Tunisians.

The CC-genotype of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene associates with decreased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a Tunisian population.

Background: The cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) pathway is now recognized to be important in human cancer development and progression. The gene for cox-2 carries a common single nucleotide polymorphism, T8473C, located within a potential functional region in the 3'-UTR of cox-2 gene was identified. We have investigated the frequencies of cox-2 genotypes in Tunisian population to determine whether that polymorphism was associated with the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Tunisian population.

[Immunogenetics of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a complex multifactorial disorder involving both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic predisposition linked to the immune system has been associated with various tumors. This involves genetic diversity of the genes encoding the molecules of the immune response such as inflammation and anti-tumor surveillance.

[Phenotypic and molecular changes of hemoglobinopathies in cancer].

Background: The abnormalities of the haemoglobin divide into qualitative abnormalities and quantitative abnormalities. This variant contains polymorphisms often useful as markers of population. At present more than 693 types of abnormal haemoglobin are listed.

Prognostic value of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level in colorectal cancer in Tunisia.

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative serum carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) level in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: This retrospective study included 125 colorectal cancer patients aged from 14 to 87 years, surgically treated between January 2001 and December 2006. Preoperative serum CEA was measured by chemiluminescence assay.

Association of IL-12p40 +1188 A/C polymorphism with nasopharyngeal cancer risk and tumor extension.

The interleukin 12 (IL-12) cytokine, encoded by polymorphic genes, plays a central role in the T helper 1 cell-mediated immunity against tumors. We investigated whether the 3' untranslated region +1188 A/C polymorphism (rs 3212227) influences the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk in Tunisian patients. DNA analysis of 247 patients and 284 healthy individuals showed a higher frequency of the 1188 C allele and the CC genotype in patients than in controls (P = 0.

[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.

[Rhinitis and asthma related to cotton dust exposure in apprentices in the clothing industry].

Objective: Respiratory allergies are the most common occupational diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rhinitis and asthma among apprentices exposed to cotton dust in the clothing industry and to describe their epidemiologic and clinical profiles.

Subjects And Methods: We carried out a descriptive study of 600 apprentices in a textile and clothing vocational training centre in the Monastir area.

[Macroprolactinoma revealed by an exophthalmos].

With the purpose of illustrating a particular circumstance of giant macroprolactinoma diagnosis, we report the case of a 54-year-old woman who was seen in the Endocrinology department with the suspected diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in presence of unilateral exophthalmos. The patient reported headaches during the last year and secondary amenorrhea since she was 38 years old. The ophthalmologic examination confirmed the unilateral left exophthalmos, which was associated with oculomotor paralysis and vision loss.

Association of MICA-129 polymorphism with nasopharyngeal cancer risk in a Tunisian population.

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I chain-related A (MICA) molecules mediate natural killer (NK) cell activation and T lymphocyte co-stimulation. A polymorphic methionine (met) to valine (val) variation at amino acid position 129 of the alpha2 heavy chain domain is in linkage disequilibrium with other allelic changes and seems to categorize MICA alleles into strong and weak binder of NKG2D receptor and thereby to influence effector cell function. We investigated here whether MICA-129 dimorphism is associated with susceptibility to/or resistance against developing nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).

[Nasofrontal fistula and epidermoid cyst: a case study].

Nasofrontal fistulas, also called nasofrontal dermal sinuses, are very rare and found for the most part in children. This congenital malformation may be revealed by local infection or neuromeningitis, making this a serious disorder. We report one case of nasofrontal dermal sinus diagnosed in an 11-month-old girl, which was complicated by left fronto-orbital infection.

Value of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibodies in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.

We assessed the diagnostic value of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) and compared it with those of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP), IgA (ARF), IgM (MRF) and IgG (GRF) rheumatoid factors for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Serum samples of 170 RA patients, with early and established RA, and 309 controls were tested for anti-MCV, anti-CCP, ARF, MRF and GRF using commercially available ELISA kits. Cut off of different tests was determined with ROC curves.

[Diagnosis of spinal diseases by MRI].

For a long time the imaging diagnosis of spine disease was based on conventional radiology (plain radiography, myelography and arteriography). The recent employment of MRI had changed the study of spine disease thanks to an excellent contrast and a multiplanar approache. In fact, nowadays MRI is the most sensible technic for a combined study of spine container and contents and medullar tissue.

[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.

[Primitive pleural hydatid cyst: case report].

Even in endemic countries, the primitive pleural hydatid cyst is exceptionnal and it's very difficult to distinguish from other pleural and parietal cystic masses all the more the immunologic tests are negative. We report the case of a primitive pleural hydatid cyst diagnosed in 43 years old man. Throug this case, imaging features are emphasized.

[Erythropoietin in cancer patients with anemia].

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the endogenous erythropoietin production in cancer patients with anemia.

Methods: Our prospective study interested 99 cancer patients with anemia from 17 to 80 years old, during the period going from March 2002 to December 2004, and 31 healthy individuals with anemia caused by iron deficiency. A blood sample was collected from each patient, as well as healthy individuals to measure serum erythropoietin, C reactive protein and ferritin.

[Erythropoietin levels in perioperative period in cancer patients].

Anemia is frequent in cancer patients, is the result of decreased erythropoietin production. In fact in cancer, alteration of immune system alters iron metabolism and inhibits erythropoietin production. In this study we proposed to determine the profile of erythropoietin secretion in anaemic cancer patients in the pre and postoperative period.