TRP Channels: The Neglected Culprits in Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance?

Breast cancer is a major health concern worldwide, and resistance to therapies remains a significant challenge in treating this disease. In breast cancer, Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels are well studied and constitute key players in nearly all carcinogenesis hallmarks. Recently, they have also emerged as important actors in resistance to therapy by modulating the response to various pharmaceutical agents.

Economic analysis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Bone Marrow Transplant Center of Tunisia.

New procedures and diagnostic tests in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are associated with a significant increase in costs. The last cost estimate of allogeneic HSCT done in Tunisia was in 1996 and concerned only direct medical costs. Therefore, an updated cost analysis is needed.

Characterizing epidemiology of prediabetes, diabetes, and hypertension in Qataris: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To characterize the epidemiologic profiles of prediabetes mellitus (preDM), diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypertension (HTN) in Qataris using the nationally representative 2012 Qatar STEPwise Survey.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey that included 2,497 Qatari nationals aged 18-64 years. Descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were conducted.

Validation of routine analytical method for injectable cyclosporine preparation control using HPLC-FIA assay.

Objective: The aim of this study is to validate a new HPLC-FIA method for routine analytical control of cyclosporine injectable preparations and to evaluate the routine analytical control with this technic.

Material And Methods: Cyclosporine dosage was carried out by the HPLC-FIA method. The column was replaced by a PEEK (polyetheretherketone) loop tubing.

Health technology assessment: Choice between a cytotoxic safety cabinet and an isolator for oncology drug reconstitution in Tunisia.

Introduction: In order to implement a centralized cytotoxic reconstitution unit (CCRU), a study was conducted to compare the implementation costs of a CCRU equipped with a cytotoxic safety cabinet (CSC) and one equipped with an isolator with negative pressure.

Materials And Methods: This study compares items such as infrastructure, air treatment and CCRU qualification costs, equipment's purchase and qualifications costs, as well as staff dressing costs. Two plans were elaborated according to the international recommendations in a way that they respond to the necessary requirements in both cases.

Physical and chemical stability of cytarabine in polypropylene syringes.

Background: Cytarabine is widely used to treat leukemia and lymphoma. Currently, Cyrabol®, powder for injection, is one of the specialties marketed in Tunisia. However, no stability data when diluted with 0.

[Pseudotumoral sublingual leishmaniasis caused by Leishmaniainfantum].

Introduction: Mucosal leishmaniasis is endemic in certain parts of Latin America and are usually absent in Morocco. Herein we report a case of Leishmaniainfantum in a Moroccan patient.

Patients And Methods: A 61-year-old male patient working as a tourist bus driver presented with a sublingual endobuccal tumor.

Parenteral Nutrition Complications in Children Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation.

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) seems to be a practical solution to face the negative nutritional effects of bone marrow transplantation.

Objective: Report and describe all observed PN-related complications in children undergoing allogenic bone marrow transplantation in a tertiary center and determine the possible risk factors.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study including 51 allografted children 2 to 17 years of age.

Association of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, and MTRR A66G Polymorphisms with Neural Tube Defects in Tunisian Parents.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the association of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR C677T and A1298C) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR A66G) gene polymorphisms with neural tube defects (NTDs) in a Tunisian population.

Methods: Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLPs) using the restriction enzymes. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between mothers and fathers of fetuses with NTDs with matched controls based on an association analysis using SPSS software.

Perception of hematologists and oncologists about the biosimilars: A prospective Tunisian study based on a survey.

Introduction: Biosimilar drugs have significantly shaken the global pharmaceutical market through a better access to the health care services. The aim of this study is to establish a state of play in Tunisia based on the knowledge and perceptions of doctors on biosimilars in order to identify the problems related to these drugs and to propose solutions for improvement.

Materials And Methods: In our study, we conducted a prospective, descriptive survey using a questionnaire, destinated to oncologists and hematologists with different grades, from both public and private sectors and from several regions.

Associations of rs1883832 and rs4810485 polymorphisms of CD40 gene with myocardial infarction in the Tunisian population.

Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), and its ligand CD40L, are major co-stimulatory molecules whose interactions are important in both cellular and humoral immunity, and has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this study was to examine the association of CD40 polymorphisms (-1 C>T (rs1883832) and 945G>T (rs4810485)) and myocardial infarction (MI), and to test the association of CD40 gene haplotypes with MI in Tunisians. Three hundred and fifty MI patients and 301 apparently healthy controls were included in the study.

Direct cost analysis of the second year post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Bone Marrow Transplant Centre of Tunisia.

: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a medically complicated therapy with a long recovery time. In Tunisia, the National Health Insurance Fund (CNAM) covers only the first year post-transplantation, after which the costs are borne by the hospital. : Describe complications that can occur during the second year post-allogeneic HSCT and calculate direct costs in different groups of patients.

IsoCombretaQuinazolines: Potent Cytotoxic Agents with Antitubulin Activity.

A series of novel isocombretaquinazolines (isoCoQ) 4 were quickly prepared by coupling N-toluenesulfonylhydrazones with 4-chloroquinazolines under palladium catalysis. These compounds, which can be regarded as isocombretastatin A-4 (isoCA-4) analogues that lack the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl ring, displayed nanomolar-level cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines and were observed to effectively inhibit tubulin polymerization. The isoCoQ compounds 2-methoxy-5-(1-(2-methylquinazolin-4-yl)vinyl)phenol (4 b), 4-[1-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)vinyl]-2-methylquinazoline (4 c), and 2-methoxy-5-(1-(2-methylquinazolin-4-yl)vinyl)aniline (4 d), which respectively bear the greatest resemblance to isoCA-4, isoFCA-4, and isoNH2 CA-4, are able to arrest HCT116 cancer cells in the G2 /M cell-cycle phase at very low concentrations.

[Actinomycosic mycetoma of the foot in Morocco due to Actinomycetes viscosus].

We present the case of an actinomycotic mycetoma of the foot due to Actinomycetes viscosus. It evolved for nine years on the foot of a 26-year-old patient from a rural environment: Douar Inezgane (city in southern Morocco). Bacteriological study of the skin and grains confirmed the diagnosis.

Discovery of azaisoerianin derivatives as potential antitumors agents.

A series of N-methyl-diarylamines 2 was designed and synthesized as a novel class of CA-4 and isoCA-4 analogues. Compounds 2b and 2m showed excellent antiproliferative activity with mean GI50 values at a nanomolar level in a diverse set of human cancer cells. These compounds also inhibited tubulin assembly at a micromolar range, arrested the cellular cycle in the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis at very low concentrations.

[Disseminated fusariosis during autologous stem cells transplant].

Fusarium is a filamentous brown fungus found in soil, on plants and outdoors responsible for localized or disseminated infections. Diagnosis is based on blood cultures and skin biopsy. Disseminated fusariosis is a rare and serious fungal infection, that occurs especially in neutropenic immunosuppressed patients.

[Generalized chromomycosis caused by Phialophora verrucosa].

Background: Chromomycosis is a chronic fungal skin infection that generally presents in the form of verrucous or vegetative lesions on uncovered areas of skin. We report an unusual case of generalised chromomycosis due to Phialophora verrucosa.

Patients And Methods: A 42-year-old town-dwelling housewife was hospitalised for erythematous keratotic nodules on the arm showing sporotrichoid distribution, associated with a crusted ulcerative lesion on the homolateral index finger, as well as subcutaneous papulonodular lesions.

Central venous saturation is not an alternative to mixed venous saturation during cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery surgery patients.

Background: To evaluate the correlation and agreement between central venous saturation (ScvO(2)) and mixed venous saturation (SvO(2)) during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients scheduled for coronary artery surgery were prospectively included. Paired measurements of ScvO(2) and SvO(2) were performed 5 minutes after aortic cross-clamping, after each cardioplegia dose and after de-clamping of the aortic cross-clamp.

Effect of household processing and unit-to-unit variability of pyrifenox, pyridaben, and tralomethrin residues in tomatoes.

Residue levels of pyrifenox, pyridaben, and tralomethrin were determined in unprocessed and processed tomatoes, grown in a experimental greenhouse, to evaluate the effect of three different household processes (washing, peeling, and cooking) and the "unit to unit" variability of these pesticides in tomatoes. The study was carried out on 11 greenhouse tomato samples collected during a 5 week period in which two successive treatments with the studied pesticides were applied. Residue levels in unprocessed and processed tomato samples were determined by means of ethyl acetate extraction and gas chromatography-electron capture detection determination.

Legume nodule senescence: roles for redox and hormone signalling in the orchestration of the natural aging process.

Research on legume nodule development has contributed greatly to our current understanding of plant-microbe interactions. However, the factors that orchestrate root nodule senescence have received relatively little attention. Accumulating evidence suggests that redox signals contribute to the establishment of symbiosis and senescence.

An interdisciplinary research strategy to improve symbiotic nitrogen fixation and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in salinised areas of the Mediterranean basin.

The main findings of a cooperative research group of agronomists, plant breeders, microbiologists, physiologists and molecularists to improve the symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) and N2-dependent yield of common bean under moderate salinity in the Mediterranean basin are summarised. Agronomic surveys in reference production areas show large spatial and temporal variations in plant nodulation and growth, and in efficiency of utilisation of the rhizobial symbiosis. The latter was associated with a large rhizobial diversity, including new bean nodulating species.