Bat Ectoparasites (Acari, Diptera, Hemiptera, Siphonaptera) in the Grand Maghreb (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia): A Literature Review and New Data.

Background: Arthropods parasites of bats play a crucial role in both ecological and public health contexts, as they have the potential to transmit zoonotic agents. The study aims to identify the distribution, and host-parasite associations of bat ectoparasites in the Grand Maghreb region (Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia), which has been largely understudied.

Methods: A thorough analysis of published records was conducted and we included our own field data.

Selenium content in wheat and estimation of the selenium daily intake in different regions of Algeria.

In this work, we have measured the selenium content in wheat produced locally in eight different regions of Algeria from east to west, and we have established the annual consumption of selenium for five socio-professional categories. Instrumental neutron activation analysis is used. The selenium levels in wheat samples varied from 21 (Tiaret) to 153 μg/kg (Khroub), with a mean value about 52 μg/kg.

[Children arthropod bites protective measures: insecticides and repellents].

Vector transmitted diseases are often a serious threat for child health, especially for children traveller in tropical regions. Few arthropod borne diseases are preventable by immunization or chimioprophylaxis. Prevention of most of them is based on personal protection against arthropod bites.

High-dose carmustine for high-grade gliomas in childhood.

Carmustine (BCNU) has proved to be of value against a variety of primary brain tumors. This agent exhibits a steep dose-response curve in in vitro and animal tumor models and has been proposed for use in high-dose chemotherapy as a single agent or in combination. We conducted a phase II study to assess high-dose BCNU in children with high-grade gliomas.

[Prolonged remission in a child with late brain metastasis of retinoblastoma].

Background: Outcome of patients with retinoblastoma is strongly related to the extent of the disease at diagnosis. Thus, prognosis of extra-ocular retinoblastoma is poor and metastases to central nervous system are usually fatal.

Case Report: An 8-year-old child presented with a late recurrence of bilateral retinoblastoma.

Histopathologic risk factors in retinoblastoma: a retrospective study of 172 patients treated in a single institution.

Background: Microscopic extrascleral involvement and involvement of optic nerve resection line are accepted risk factors for orbital and/or metastatic disease from retinoblastoma. Conversely, choroidal and retrolaminar optic nerve involvement are questionable risk factors. The aim of this retrospective study was to define the histopathologic risk factors for orbital and/or metastatic disease in patients treated by first-line enucleation.

The role of chemotherapy in orbital involvement of retinoblastoma. The experience of a single institution with 33 patients.

Background: Orbital involvement is a rare occurrence in retinoblastoma but still carries a bad prognosis. The aim of this study was to define more clearly the role of chemotherapy in this advanced disease.

Methods: Between 1977 and 1991, 33 patients were treated at the Services de Pédiatrie at Institut Curie (Paris, France) for orbital involvement of retinoblastoma, which was isolated in 20 patients and associated with metastases in 13 patients (outside the central nervous system [CNS], 6; within the CNS, 7).