An EZH2 blocker sensitizes histone mutated diffuse midline glioma to cholesterol metabolism inhibitors through an off-target effect.

Background: Diffuse Midline Glioma, H3K27M-mutant (DMG) is a rare, highly aggressive pediatric tumor affecting the brainstem, and is one of the deadliest cancers. Currently available treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy do only modestly prolong survival. In this pathology, H3K27 mutations deregulate Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), including enzymatic activity of EZH2, which is therefore under investigation as a therapeutic target.

Association of MTHFR C677T and A1298C gene polymorphisms with methotrexate efficiency and toxicity in Algerian rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Methotrexate (MTX) is the most used drug in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, it shows variability in clinical response, which is explained by an association with genetic polymorphisms. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the two gene polymorphism C677T and A1298C of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in response to MTX in Algerian RA patients.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Algerian rheumatoid arthritis patients. Correlation with disease activity and functional status.

Background: There is evidence that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have an over-risk of cardiovascular disease. This may be mainly due to an increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The prevalence of MetS among adults in Algeria is 19.

Ex vivo all-trans retinoic acid modulates NO production and regulates IL-6 effect during rheumatoid arthritis: a study in Algerian patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The pathophysiology of RA implicates several mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is deeply involved in the main characteristics of RA. Furthermore, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an active vitamin A derivative well-known to have diverse immunomodulatory actions.

Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis in Algeria: a multicenter study.

The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in North Africa to that of Western countries. We have enrolled in a cross-sectional study all consecutive patients presenting with the diagnosis of RA according to the 1987 ACR criteria, and during a 5-month period, patients were included in 11 centers across northern Algeria. Demographics, clinical data, and health assessment questionnaires (HAQ) were collected for each patient.

Microlithiasis of the gallbladder: role of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis.

Objectives: Causes may be found in most cases of acute pancreatitis, however no etiology is found by clinical, biological and imaging investigations in 30% of these cases. Our objective was to evaluate results from endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for diagnosis of gallbladder microlithiasis in patients with unexplained (idiopathic) acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Thirty-six consecutive non-alcoholic patients with diagnoses of acute pancreatitis were studied over a five-year period.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration using helical computerized tomography for TN staging and vascular injury in operable pancreatic carcinoma.

Context: EUS-FNA is increasingly being used in operable pancreatic carcinoma cases identified by CT.

Objectives: Determine the safety, accuracy and clinical utility of EUS-FNA for T, N and TN staging and vascular injury assessment in proven ductal pancreatic carcinoma.

Patients: Fifty-two consecutive patients (29 women and 23 men) with histologically ductal pancreatic carcinoma, with an excellent possibility of mass resection assessed by helical computerized tomography, were studied.

[Endoscopic ultrasound in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer: correlation with the surgical and/or pathological findings].

Background: Gastric adenocarcinoma is the major cause of death by cancer in Brazil. For the planning of the treatment and evaluation of the prognosis, the preoperative staging according to the TNM classification is very important.

Aim: To evaluate the results of endoscopic ultrasound for the T and N categories.

[Antologus and heterotopic splenic regeneration in rats].

Purpose: verify the cytological and histological aspects of the regeneration of fragments of autologous and heterotopic spleen implanted in peritoneal cavity and subcutaneous screen in Wistar albino rats.

Methods: forty four Wistar rats were assigned to one of two groups A (n=22) and B (n=22), which received their implants in subcutaneous screen and peritoneal cavity, respectively, under anesthesia. Those groups were redistributed in two other subgroups A1 (n=11) and B1 (n=11), which received one and four splenic fragments in the areas of study.

[The status of hormone therapy in breast cancer in 2001?].

Cancer of the breast represents in Tunisia and the most frequent female cancer in the world. Hormonotherapy is one of the main weapons of the medical treatment based on the blockage of hormonal action on the cellular growth. Endocrine therapy remains an essential part of treatment in both adjuvant and metastatic settings and is guided by the presence and degree of expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR).

Role of EUS in the preoperative localization of insulinomas compared with spiral CT.

Background: Preoperative radiologic localization of insulinomas often fails because of the small size of these tumors. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can localize insulinomas in up to 80% of the cases. The aim of this study was to compare EUS and computed tomography (CT) diagnostic accuracy for insulinomas.

Finsterer-Bancroft operation: an option for the treatment of difficult duodenal ulcers.

Background: In the surgical management of duodenal ulcers, the most feared complications are related to the treatment of the duodenal stump after Billroth lI-type gastric resections. Such complications are more evident in so-called 'difficult duodenum' cases, whose identification is directly related to the surgeon's experience. Among available techniques to avoid those complications, one is the treatment of the antralduodenal stump by the method of pre-pyloric exclusion and removal of antral mucosa, as proposed by Finsterer in 1918 and diffused by Bancroft in 1932.

[Inferior vena cava trauma: analysis of 36 cases].

The authors analysed 36 trauma patients with inferior vena cava injuries to evaluate different surgical approaches, as well as, important aspects related to morbidity and mortality. Gunshot wounds were the most frequent cause of inferior vena cava injuries and 55% of the patients had circulatory instability on admission. Retrohepatic inferior vena cava was frequently injured in association with liver injury.

Sugar in the treatment of infected surgical wounds.

Forty-two patients with infected wounds were treated with common sugar. In all cases, the infections cleared within five to 30 days.