Low-dose dimethylfumarate attenuates colitis-associated cancer in mice through M2 macrophage polarization and blocking oxidative stress.

Colitis-associated cancer (CAC) is an aggressive subtype of colorectal cancer that can develop in ulcerative colitis patients and is driven by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Current chemotherapy for CAC, based on 5-fluorouracil and oxalipltin, is not fully effective and displays severe side effects, prompting the search for alternative therapies. Dimethylfumarate (DMF), an activator of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), is a potent antioxidant and immunomodelatrory drug used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect on experimental colitis.

Protocolized Natriuresis-Guided Decongestion Improves Diuretic Response: The Multicenter ENACT-HF Study.

Background: The use of urinary sodium to guide diuretics in acute heart failure is recommended by experts and the most recent European Society of Cardiology guidelines. However, there are limited data to support this recommendation. The ENACT-HF study (Efficacy of a Standardized Diuretic Protocol in Acute Heart Failure) investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a standardized natriuresis-guided diuretic protocol in patients with acute heart failure and signs of volume overload.

A Distinct Anti-EBV DNase Profile in Patients with Undifferentiated Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Compared to Classical Antigens.

Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a prevalent type of cancer that often takes the form of undifferentiated carcinoma in the Maghreb region. It affects people of all ages. NPC diagnosis, mainly based on detecting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), has not been well evaluated in North Africa.

Loss of phospholipase PLAAT3 causes a mixed lipodystrophic and neurological syndrome due to impaired PPARγ signaling.

Phospholipase A/acyltransferase 3 (PLAAT3) is a phospholipid-modifying enzyme predominantly expressed in neural and white adipose tissue (WAT). It is a potential drug target for metabolic syndrome, as Plaat3 deficiency in mice protects against diet-induced obesity. We identified seven patients from four unrelated consanguineous families, with homozygous loss-of-function variants in PLAAT3, who presented with a lipodystrophy syndrome with loss of fat varying from partial to generalized and associated with metabolic complications, as well as variable neurological features including demyelinating neuropathy and intellectual disability.

TNF-α -308A/G SNP association with kidney allograft rejection in Algerian population: A retrospective case-control study.

No consensus has been reached regarding the association beween the -308A/G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the tumor necrosis factor-α gene (TNFA) and kidney allograft rejection (KAR). Our retrospective case-control study aimed to assess the association of the SNP with KAR in Algerian patients who underwent kidney transplantation. The study enrolled 313 Algerian patients: 58 kidney-transplant recipients without rejection events (PWoR); 58 kidney-transplant recipients with at least one rejection event, with or without graft loss (PWR); and 197 healthy individuals (HI).

Plasma secretome analyses identify IL-8 and nitrites as predictors of poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Predicting tumor recurrence and death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains to date challenging. We here analyzed the plasmatic secretomes of NPC untreated and relapsing patients, and explored possible correlations with the clinical and pathological features and survival characteristics of the corresponding patient cohorts, with the aim of identifying novel prognostic biomarkers. This study included 27 controls, 45 untreated NPC and 11 relapsed patients.

Rationale and Design of the Efficacy of a Standardized Diuretic Protocol in Acute Heart Failure Study.

Aims: Although acute heart failure (AHF) with volume overload is treated with loop diuretics, their dosing and type of administration are mainly based upon expert opinion. A recent position paper from the Heart Failure Association (HFA) proposed a step-wise pharmacologic diuretic strategy to increase the diuretic response and to achieve rapid decongestion. However, no study has evaluated this protocol prospectively.

Beneficial role of Pistacia lentiscus aqueous extract in experimental colitis: anti-inflammatory and potential therapeutic effects.

Background: Pistacia lentiscus L. (PL) is a flowering plant traditionally used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The extracts of this plant are endowed with strong pharmacological activities.

Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young Identified Among Algerian Probands with Early-Onset Diabetes.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of variants within selected maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY)-genes among Algerian patients initially diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet presenting with a MODY-like phenotype.

Methods: Eight unrelated patients with early-onset diabetes (before 30 years) and six relatives with diabetes were examined by targeted re-sequencing for variants in genes known to be involved in MODY (). Clinical data for probands were retrieved from hospital records.

Silibinin down-regulates PD-L1 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by interfering with tumor cell glycolytic metabolism.

The upregulation of checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 expression has recently been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) resistance to therapy. The mechanism of induction of PD-L1 has also been linked to enhanced aerobic glycolysis promoted by HIF1-α dysregulation and LDH-A activity in cancer. Here, we investigated the effect of the anti-tumoral compound Silibinin on HIF-1α/LDH-A mediated cancer cell metabolism and PD-L1 expression in NPC.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric oncology care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia region: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) group.

Background: Childhood cancer is a highly curable disease when timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy are provided. A negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to care for children with cancer is likely but has not been evaluated.

Methods: A 34-item survey focusing on barriers to pediatric oncology management during the COVID-19 pandemic was distributed to heads of pediatric oncology units within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) collaborative group, from the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia.

Vitamin D Levels Correlate with Metabolic Syndrome Criteria in Algerian Patients: The Ex-vivo Immunomodulatory Effect of α, 25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of metabolic disorders with increased risks for several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It is associated with the presence of various inflammatory molecules. Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism homeostasis.

Potential role of NF-κB pathway in the immuno-inflammatory responses during human cystic echinococcosis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) induces in the human host innate and adaptive immune response that plays an important role in controlling the immunopathogenesis. Due to the crucial role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in regulating immuno-inflammatory processes, we investigated its potential contribution in systemic and local immuno-inflammatory responses in primary CE patients and relapsed patients. The expression of NF-κB and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as well as in pericystic layer of pulmonary hydatid cysts from Algerian primary CE patients and relapsed patients.

Expression Analysis of the Mediators of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Early Risk Assessment of Therapeutic Failure in Laryngeal Carcinoma.

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is an aggressive malignancy which lacks early predictors of prognosis. Here, we hypothesized that expression and prognostic characterization of the critical mediators of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) may provide key information in this regard. Linear regression and multiple correspondence analyses were performed on immunohistochemical data obtained from 20 invasive tumors.

Correlation of adenosine deaminase operating under nitro-oxidative stress with tumor and vascularization in patients with advanced gallbladder carcinoma.

This study investigates serum redox status and adenosine catabolism markers in relation to tumor and angiogenesis, in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). The level of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, nitrites (NO2), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in sera of 40 GBC patients and 40 healthy donors. In parallel, 15 tumors at TNM stage IV were scored for CD34 expression and microvessel density (MVD).

Metabolic Imbalance and Vitamin D Deficiency in Type 1 Diabetes in the Algerian Population.

Background: We aimed to assess Vitamin D levels in patients with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and to investigate the correlation between vitamin D and metabolic imbalance.

Material And Methods: For our study, we selected thirty-one patients with T1D without complications and fifty-seven healthy controls. Diabetic patients were diagnosed using the criteria of the World Health Organization/American Diabetes Association.

Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) Genes Association in Type 1 Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a common worldwide multifactorial disease where involvement of genetic factors is well etablished. The aim of this study was to investigate the HLA genes implication in the development of type 1 diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: We performed a case- control study where one hundred and fifty subjects were examined.

Aberrant up-regulation of iNOS/NO system is correlated with an increased abundance of Foxp3 cells and reduced effector/memory cell markers expression during colorectal cancer: immunomodulatory effects of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the most cancer type related to chronic inflammation; however, the mechanisms that link inflammation to CRC development and progression are still poorly understood. Our study aimed to investigate one of the prominent inflammatory response in cancers, iNOS/NO system. In this regard, we evaluated the link between the iNOS/NO system and CRC progression, its relation with the host immune responses and its response to cetuximab combined with chemotherapy.

Gastro-protective, therapeutic and anti-inflammatory activities of Pistacia lentiscus L. fatty oil against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) (PL) is a flowering plant that grows in the Mediterranean area. It is traditionally used in the treatment of various skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present study, we investigated the anti-ulcerogenic activity of Pistacia lentiscus fatty oil (PLFO) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in Wistar rats MATERIAL AND METHODS: PLFO was orally administered to two experimental groups of rats before or after ethanol induction of gastric ulcer.

Clinical variables and ethnicity may influenced by polymorphism of CAT -262C/T and MnSOD 47C/T antioxidant enzymes in Algerian type1 diabetes without complications.

The latest studies in Algeria show that the frequency of type 1 diabetes (T1D) without complications is lower than that with complications and represents a significant burden in terms of cost and treatment. For this reason, we are interested in uncomplicated type1 diabetes and risk factors that are related to polymorphisms of antioxidant enzymes in order to prevent its complications. A total of 260 blood samples of young Algerian adults were examined.

Comparative assessment of HPV, alcohol and tobacco etiological fractions in Algerian patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Despite the increasing incidence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in Algeria, scarce information is available on the importance of the preventable etiological factors which may drive the disease. Remarkably, a significant number of cases occur in nonsmoker and nondrinker patients; hence, suggesting that alternative risk factors, like Human papillomavirus (HPV), might be etiologically involved. To gain more insight on the risk factors associated with the disease in the country, we evaluated the etiological fraction of HPV in comparison to tobacco and alcohol intake in LSCC patients.

Nerve Biopsy Is Still Useful in Some Inherited Neuropathies.

In hereditary neuropathies, next-generation sequencing techniques are producing a vast number of candidate gene mutations that need to be verified or excluded by careful genotype-phenotype correlation analysis. In most cases, clinical acumen is still important but needs to be combined with data from nerve conduction studies and, in some cases, from nerve biopsy examinations. Indeed, characteristic clinical, electrophysiological, and sometimes pathological features may be suggestive of a particular subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.

All-Trans Retinoic Acid Modulates TLR4/NF-B Signaling Pathway Targeting TNF- and Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 Expression in Colonic Mucosa during Ulcerative Colitis and Colitis Associated Cancer.

Colitis associated cancer (CAC) is the colorectal cancer (CRC) subtype that is associated with bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis (UC). The data on role of NF-B signaling in development and progression of CAC were derived from preclinical studies, whereas data from human are rare. The aim of this work was to study the contribution of NF-B pathway during UC and CAC, as well as the immunomodulatory effect of all-trans retinoic acid (AtRA).

IL-6/NOS2 inflammatory signals regulate MMP-9 and MMP-2 activity and disease outcome in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

The role of nitric oxide (NO)(·) in the development of the metastatic properties of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not fully understood. Previous studies proposed that interleukin-6 (IL-6) would act as regulator of matrix metalloprotease activation in NPC. Recently, we showed that (NO)(·) was a critical mediator of tumor growth in patients.