Modeling, synthesis, and biological evaluation of potential retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonists: novel analogues of 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethynyl]benzoic acid (bexarotene) and (E)-3-(3-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,4,4,6-pentamethylnaphthalen-7-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylic acid (CD3254).

Three unreported analogues of 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5-6-7-8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethynyl]benzoic acid (1), otherwise known as bexarotene, as well as four novel analogues of (E)-3-(3-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,4,4,6-pentamethylnaphthalen-7-yl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylic acid (CD3254), are described and evaluated for their retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonism. Compound 1 has FDA approval as a treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), although treatment with 1 can elicit side-effects by disrupting other RXR-heterodimer receptor pathways. Of the seven modeled novel compounds, all analogues stimulate RXR-regulated transcription in mammalian 2 hybrid and RXRE-mediated assays, possess comparable or elevated biological activity based on EC50 profiles, and retain similar or improved apoptotic activity in CTCL assays compared to 1.

2-Hy-droxy-methyl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium triiodide.

The crystal packing of the title salt, C6H11N2O(+)·I3 (-), can be described as consisting of alternating layers of cations and anions parallel to the (100) plane along the a-axis direction. The components are linked by O-H⋯I, C-H⋯I and C-H⋯O interactions, generating a three-dimensional network. The O atom deviates from the imidazol ring by 0.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation practice variation among centers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO): Eastern Mediterranean Bone Marrow Transplantation (EMBMT) group survey.

Introduction: This practice survey is conducted to analyze clinical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) practice variability among centers in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), as represented by the Eastern Mediterranean Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EMBMT) group.

Method: This internet based survey was completed by the medical program directors of the EMBMT centers; 17 centers participated. The survey collected data on various clinical aspects of HSCT practice.

Postnatal steroids in extremely low birth weight infants: betamethasone or hydrocortisone?

Aim: To compare the efficacy and tolerance of betamethasone (BTM) and hydrocortisone (HC) in weaning extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) from the ventilator.

Methods: Monocentric, retrospective, cohort analysis based on prospective, standardized collection of data between 2005 and 2011 in ELBW receiving postnatal steroids (PS) after the second week of life. We used BTM for the first 4 years, and thereafter HC.

Hepatitis C genotype 4 with normal transaminases: correlation with fibrosis and response to treatment, a cohort Egyptian study of 4277 patients.

Background And Objective: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with persistently normal transaminases represent a subgroup of patients with mild, slowly progressive disease, natural history, and optimal management of these patients needs to be investigated in Egypt. Our aim is to assess the severity of hepatic fibrosis and response to therapy in a cohort of Egyptian HCV patients with normal transaminases.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective demographics, laboratory, histological features and treatment outcome of patients included in the national program for the control of viral hepatitis in Egypt since 2007 were collected.

Influence of morphological characteristics on physical and physiological performances of tunisian elite male handball players.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the body structure and morphological characteristics of Tunisian elite handball players, and to determine the effect of these variables on functional and physical performance levels.

Methods: A sample of 42 male handball players (mean age 21.98±3.

TEDIS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder' patients information system, preliminary results.

TEDIS, an information system dedicated to patients with Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) was tested. Results focused on the process of behavioural changes among physicians and health professionals with regard to structured organized patient information.The experiment encouraged changes in professionals' habits for further documenting and systematizing patient information collection.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adolescent and adult patients with high-risk T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is often recommended for patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in second or later complete remission (≥CR2) and sometimes in high-risk (HR) patients in first complete remission (CR1). Between January 1995 and July 2009, 53 patients with HR T-ALL underwent allo-SCT at our institution. Median age was 18 years (range, 14-51).

Is overweight in stunted preschool children in Cameroon related to reductions in fat oxidation, resting energy expenditure and physical activity?

Background: Recent studies suggest that early modifications in metabolic pathways and behaviour, leading to energy conservation and reduced linear growth, could represent adaptations to nutritional constraints during foetal life and infancy. Impaired fat oxidation, low resting energy expenditure and reduced physical activity, resulting from these adaptations, could facilitate fat storage and development of overweight in growth-retarded children that consume more energy-dense food. This study aims at assessing whether: (1) dual-burden preschool children (simultaneously stunted and overweight) of Yaounde (Cameroon) have low birth-weight (indicator of foetal undernutrition) and reductions in fat oxidation, resting energy expenditure (REE) and physical activity, (2) fat oxidation, REE and physical activity are associated with foetal growth.

The distribution of large herbivore hotspots in relation to environmental and anthropogenic correlates in the Mara region of Kenya.

1. The distributions of large herbivores in protected areas and their surroundings are becoming increasingly restricted by changing land use, with adverse consequences for wildlife populations. 2.

The effect of a combined high-intensity plyometric and speed training program on the running and jumping ability of male handball players.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a combined program including sprint repetitions and drop jump training in the same session on male handball players.

Methods: Twenty-two male handball players aged more than 20 years were assigned into 2 groups: experimental group (n=11) and control group (n=11). Selection was based on variables "axis" and "lines", goalkeepers were not included.

HLA tissue typing has no effect on the outcome of patients undergoing a living-donor liver transplant: a single-center experience in Egypt.

Objectives: To analyze the effect of human leukocyte antigen tissue typing on outcome of live-donor liver transplant.

Materials And Methods: Fifty recipients underwent live-donor liver transplant in the Dar Al-Fouad Hospital in Egypt and were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were classified into 2 groups: those with human leukocyte antigen +ve, and those with human leukocyte antigen -ve and donors.

High resolution melt analysis to track infections due to ribotype 027 Clostridium difficile.

The increased prevalence of hypervirulent ribotype 027 Clostridium difficile requires rapid identification of isolates in order to implement timely infection control strategies. High resolution melt (HRM) analysis of PCR products can identify strain variation amongst genera of bacteria. The intergenic (16S-23S rDNA) spacer region contains sequence regions conserved within genera and other sequence region variables between species within genera.

The offensive efficiency of the high-level handball players of the front and the rear lines.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigat the offensive efficiency of the professional handball players forming the front and rear lines.

Methods: Our investigation was carried out on four matches (final, semi-finals and classifying match) at the 19(th) male Handball World Championship "Tunisia 2005". Finalist teams were Tunisia, France, Croatia, and Spain.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus capitis with reduced vancomycin susceptibility causes late-onset sepsis in intensive care neonates.

Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci, mainly Staphylococcus epidermidis, are the most frequent cause of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. However, recent reports indicate that methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-heteroresistant Staphylococcus capitis could emerge as a significant pathogen in the NICU. We investigated the prevalence, clonality and vancomycin susceptibility of S.

Leukemia relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: how does chronic graft-versus-host disease influence the pattern and onset of relapse?

We describe a pattern of relapse in 601 patients who received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant at our institution for acute or chronic leukemia and myelodysplasia over a period of 18 years. We show a correlation between chronic graft-versus-host disease and extramedullary relapse, suggesting that the expected graft versus leukemia effect in patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease may preferentially maintain marrow remission without preventing relapse in extramedullary sites.

Implementation and experimentation of TEDIS: an information system dedicated to patients with pervasive developmental disorders.

This article aims at describing the implementation and experimentation of TEDIS, an information system dedicated to patients with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The experiment included 30 prospective patient records aged from 3.2 to 7.

Successful treatment of steroid-refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenia associated with Castleman disease with anti-CD-20 antibody (rituximab).

Multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of incompletely understood etiology and with various clinical presentations. The best therapeutic option for this disease is not well established. MCD is known to be associated with autoimmune phenomena.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) 2008-2009: report on behalf of the Eastern Mediterranean Bone Marrow Transplantation (EMBMT) Group.

Background: The Eastern Mediterranean Bone Marrow Transplantation (EMBMT) Group has accumulated over 25 years of data and experience in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), most particularly in hemoglobinopathies, severe aplastic anemia (SAA), and inherited metabolic and immune disorders, in addition to hematologic malignancies peculiar to the region and where recent updates in trends in activities are warranted.

Objectives: To study trends in HSCT activities in the World Health Organization-Eastern Mediterranean (EM) region surveyed by EMBMT between 2008 and 2009.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of the survey data, mainly of the cumulative number of transplants, types of transplants (autologous vs.

The diabetic foot and leg: combined He-Ne and infrared low-intensity lasers improve skin blood perfusion and prevent potential complications. A prospective study on 30 Egyptian patients.

The objective of this study was to examine skin blood flow in diabetic patients having disease-related skin lesions, and to evaluate possible improvement imposed by low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) as a new treatment modality. Thirty patients (in addition to 15 controls receiving conventional treatment = group II and 15 others receiving no treatment = group III) having diabetes-related skin lesions were tested for skin blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry. Group I patients received LILT by a specified dosimetry.

High efficacy and low toxicity of short-course oral valganciclovir as pre-emptive therapy for hematopoietic stem cell transplant cytomegalovirus infection.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major infectious complication post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). CMV seropositivity in Eastern Mediterranean and certain Asian countries is reported to be close to 100%; hence, the need for effective pre-emptive treatment strategy that has low toxicity. Valganciclovir (VGC) is a prodrug of ganciclovir with high bioavailability.

CEMARA an information system for rare diseases.

Rare diseases cover a group of conditions characterized by a low prevalence, affecting less than 1 in 2,000 people; 5000 to 7000 rare diseases have been currently identified in Europe. Most diseases do not have any curative treatment. They represent thus an important public health concern.

TEDIS: an information system dedicated to patients with pervasive developmental disorders.

Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD) represent a life disorder which significantly affects individuals and families. It requires long term specialized institutions health care, education and social accompaniment. In France, 350,000 to 600,000 patients are estimated to be affected and 5,000 to 8,000 newborns will develop the disorder every year.

Fludarabine-based conditioning chemotherapy for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acquired severe aplastic anemia.

Thirty-eight patients who met the diagnostic criteria for severe aplastic anemia underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The median patient age was 20 years (range, 14-36 years). Twenty-four patients were treatment-naïve, 11 had failed one or more previous courses of immunosuppressive therapy, and 3 had failed a previous HSCT.