Effect of shading imposed by the algae Chaeotomorpha linum loads on structure, morphology and physiology of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa.

In shallow coastal waters, seagrass and macroalgae occur together but under eutrophic conditions, bloom-forming algae can take over seagrasses causing an irreversible regime shift. Understanding the effect of macroalgae loads on seagrass meadows at an early stage can help prevent the loss of these ecosystems and the services they provide. In the present study, in situ experiments were conducted for 90 days in Bekalta (eastern coast of Tunisia) to assess the response of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa when challenged with shading induced by filamentous macroalgae Chaetomorpha linum.

A critical review of biogas production and usage with legislations framework across the globe.

This review showcases a comprehensive analysis of studies that highlight the different conversion procedures attempted across the globe. The resources of biogas production along with treatment methods are presented. The effect of different governing parameters like feedstock types, pretreatment approaches, process development, and yield to enhance the biogas productivity is highlighted.

Evaluation of an interactive teaching method in the teaching of Pulmonology.

Introduction: For several years, interactive teaching has proved its effectiveness in learning. At the Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (FMT), the interactive sessions are sessions of clarification, illustration, application, and participation (CIAP).

Aim: To evaluate pneumology CIAP session in the acquisition of learning by first-year students of the second cycle of medical studies (SCMS1).

[Night-to-night variability of the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome].

Unlabelled: The apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) is the primary measurement used to characterize the obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS). Despite its popularity, there are limiting factors to its application such as night-to-night variability.

Aim: To evaluate the variability of AHI in the OSAHS.

Sit-to-stand test and 6-min walking test correlation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The 6-min walking test (6MWT) is one of the most commonly used tests to assess exercise capacity during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is a relatively time-consuming test. Many authors assessed the usefulness of simpler methods, as the sit-to-stand test (STST), to estimate exercise capacity.

Stromal cell derived factor-1 and CXCR4 expression in colorectal cancer promote liver metastasis.

Background: Recent studies suggest that SDF-1 and CXCR4 are expressed in certain cancer cells, and malignant cells use this chemokine/receptor system to promote tumor progression and metastasis. However, the pathophysiological significance of their expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue has not been fully elucidated.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess SDF-1/CXCR4 expression and to explore its contribution to colorectal cancer.

Variation along the year of trace metal levels in the compartments of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in Port El Kantaoui, Tunisia.

The accumulation of the five trace metals (TMs) cadmium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc was measured in Posidonia oceanica leaves. Shoots were seasonally sampled at 8-10-m depth from four stations located in Port El Kantaoui area, Tunisia, during four campaigns performed in 2012. Levels of the five TMs were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) in three compartments of P.

Relationship between SDF-1G801A polymorphism and its expression in Tunisian patients with colorectal cancer.

The aim was to evaluate the relationship between SDF-1G801A polymorphism and its immunohistochemical expression in colorectal cancer tissues in the Tunisian cohort. The molecular and immunohistochemical analysis showed that SDF-1G801A polymorphic variant was higher in CRC patients with TNM stage II and III, the SDF-1 expression was significantly increased from normal mucosa to primary tumor (p < 0.05).

Biological significance of promoter hypermethylation of p14/ARF gene: relationships to p53 mutational status in Tunisian population with colorectal carcinoma.

One of the most important pathways which are frequently affected in colorectal cancer is p53/ (MDM2)/p14ARF pathway. We aim to determine the methylation pattern of p14/ARF in relation to mutation of p53. This correlation was studied to investigate whether their alterations could be considered as a predictor factor of prognosis in colorectal cancer and whether it can be useful in early-stage diagnosis.

Health-related Quality of Life Assessment on 100 Tunisian Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis using the SF-36 Survey.

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to examine the self reported health status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared with the general population and the secondary objective (in the AS group) was to study the association between health status, demographic parameters, and specific disease instruments in AS.

Methods: A cross sectional study of 100 AS patients recruited between 2006 and 2009 at the Department of Rheumatology. Health status was assessed by using the SF-36 health questionnaire in patients with AS.

Evaluation of microsatellite instability, MLH1 expression and hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation in colorectal carcinomas among Tunisians patients.

Background: About 10% to 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers demonstrate high level of microsatellite instability that is generally associated with aberrant methylation of hMLH1 promoter.

Aim: To investigate the association between MSI status, hMLH1 protein expression and methylation status of the hMLH1 promoter in a cohort of Tunisian sporadic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Expression of MLH1 and MSH2 was determined by immunohistochemistry and the MSI status was analysed by microfluid-based on-chip electrophoresis.

Impact of MDM2 polymorphism: increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and a poor prognosis in the Tunisian population.

Introduction: MDM2 was originally identified as an oncoprotein that binds to p53 and inhibits p53-mediated transactivation. Scientists have described functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the MDM2 gene. They showed that the genotype of SNP 309 induces an increase in the level of MDM2 protein, which causes attenuation of the p53 pathway.

Loss of galectin-3 expression in mucinous colorectal carcinomas is associated with 5'CpG island methylation in Tunisian patients.

The β-galactoside-binding protein galectin-3 (gal-3) has pleitropic biological functions and has been implicated in cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, RNA processing, apoptosis, and malignant transformation. To investigate the pattern of inactivation of the gal-3 gene (LGALS3) in colorectal cancers (CRC), we studied a series of Tunisian patients with CRC to identify abnormal methylation in LGALS3 promoter using a methylation-specific PCR. We also examined the gal-3 gene expression by reverse transcription-PCR and the expression of gal-3 protein by immunohistochemistry.

Pemphigus vegetans: a clinical, histological, immunopathological and prognostic study.

Background: Pemphigus vegetans (P Veg) is a rare clinical form of pemphigus. Studies on P Veg are rare in the literature and none has so far evaluated the prognostic parameters.

Objective: In this retrospective study of P Veg, we aimed to analyse epidemiological, clinical, immunopathological and therapeutic data.

Relationship between p73 polymorphism and the immunohistochemical profile of the full-length (TAp73) and NH2-truncated (ΔNp73) isoforms in Tunisian patients.

Background: We examined the association of one linked GC/AT polymorphism at p73 with the risk of colorectal cancer.

Aim: In this study, we investigated whether this polymorphism was related to the risk of colorectal cancer, and whether there were relationships between the polymorphism and loss of heterozygosity, protein expression, or clinicopathologic variables.

Materials And Methods: The p73 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 150 Tunisian patients with colorectal cancer and in 204 healthy control subjects.

[Management of breast cancer detected by a mammography program in the Ariana area of Tunisia].

Objective: To report the epidemiological and anatomoclinical features of breast cancers referred to a department of gynecology from the screening program of l'Ariana state in Tunisia.

Material And Methods: A longitudinal retrospective Study was done over a period of 4 years (2004-2006 ) at the unit "A" gynecology department of the maternity of Tunis. We collected all the cases with histologically confirmed breast cancer diagnosed within the mammography screening program of l'Ariana state, referred to our unit for treatment.

The prognostic value of p73 overexpression in colorectal carcinoma: a clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and statistical study of 204 patients.

Introduction: The protein p73 is the first identified homolog of the tumor suppressor gene p53, but its function in tumor development has not been established. Indeed, the results regarding the p73 implication in colorectal cancers is still controversial.

Aim: We investigated whether the p73 is implicated in colorectal cancer, whether the p73 expression is related to prognosis and whether the p73 expression is correlated with p21-ras or p53.

[Acinic cell carcinoma of the nasal septum].

Introduction: Nasal cavity acinic carcinoma are exceptional and often of turbinal origin. We report a case of acinic carcinoma of septal origin and discuss this histological type rare in this site.

Observation: A 47-year-old women, with no pathologic history, consulted for right nasal obstruction and hyposmia having evolved for a year.

[A case of thyroid metastasis of an unusual cancer].

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma affects preferentially young adults and is characterized by a high rate of node and visceral metastases that explains a part of therapeutic failure. We report a case of thyroid metastasis of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A 50-year-old patient had been treated of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma (T4 N2M0).

Implementing a quality improvement programme in a family planning centre in Monastir, Tunisia.

We aimed to improve the quality of family planning and reproductive health services in a family planning centre though implementation of a quality improvement programme. Clients were surveyed to identify quality-related problems. Health care teams then analysed the causes of the problems, developed solutions for 3 selected ones and established a quality assurance framework.

Variability of acid-base status in acetate-free biofiltration 84% versus bicarbonate dialysis.

The ultimate goal of hemodialysis (HD) treatment is to achieve the highest level of efficacy in the presence of maximal clinical tolerance. With an aim to offer good hemodynamic stability, as observed during the acetate-free biofiltration 14% (AFB 14%) to patients who are intolerant to bicarbonate dialysis (BD) and with less cost, we have developed since June 1994, a new HD technique, namely AFB 84%. This study was carried out to analyze acid-base variations during the AFB 84% in comparison to BD in hemodynamically stable patients on regular HD.

[Morgagni hernia in elderly patients: a study about two cases].

Two cases of retrocostoxiphoid hernia are reported. Both patients were adults. The hernia was strangled in one case and symptomatic in the second case.

[Correlation between aortic atherosclerosis at transesophageal echocardiography and coronary atherosclerosis].

The aim of this study was to test the relationship between atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta detected by transesophageal echocardiography and coronary artery disease detected by angiography. A prospective study was carried out in 103 patients who underwent coronary angiography. All patients underwent transesophageal echocardiography with imaging of the thoracic aorta.