Carcinogenic effect of low doses of polycyclic and heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and amines and lack of protection by inulin supplementation.

Evidence suggests that meat processing and heat treatment may increase cancer risk through exposure to potentially carcinogenic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs). This study aims to investigate the effect of low concentrations of PAHs and HAAs (from 1 to 100 µmol/L/24h and 48h) in colorectal tumor cells (HT-29, HCT116, and LS174T) and to evaluate the effect of PAHs in the presence of inulin in mice. In vitro, the 4-PAHs have no effect on healthy colon cells but decreased the viability of the colorectal tumor cells and activated the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. In vivo, in mice with colitis induced by 3% DSS, the 4-PAHs (equimolar mix at 50,100, 150 mg/kg.bw, orally 3 times a week for 3 weeks) induced a loss of body weight and tumor formation. Inulin (10 g/L) had no effect on colon length and tumor formation. A significant decrease in the loss of b.w was observed in inulin group as compared to the fiber free group. These results underscore the importance of considering the biological association between low-dose exposure to 4-HAPs and diet-related colon tumors.

Anti-inflammatory activity of essential oils from Tunisian aromatic and medicinal plants and their major constituents in THP-1 macrophages.

In this study, the capacity of eight essential oils (EOs), sage (Salvia officinalis), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), black cumin (Nigella sativa), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and wormwood (Artemisia herba-alba), on the inhibition of NF-κB activation was screened at concentrations up to 0.25 µL/mL using THP-1 human macrophages bearing a NF-κB reporter. This screening selected coriander, geranium, and wormwood EOs as the most active, which later evidenced the ability to decrease over 50 % IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α and COX-2 mRNA expression in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. The chemical composition of selected EOs was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The two major constituents (>50 % of each EO) were tested at the same concentrations presented in each EO. It was demonstrated that the major compound or the binary mixtures of the two major compounds could explain the anti-inflammatory effects reported for the crude EOs. Additionally, the selected EOs also inhibit>50 % caspase-1 activity. However, this effect could not be attributed to the major components (except for ß-citronellol/geranium oil, 40 %/65 % caspase-1 inhibition), suggesting, in addition to potential synergistic effects, the presence of minor compounds with caspase-1 inhibitory activity. These results demonstrated the potential use of the EOs obtained from Tunisian flora as valuable sources of anti-inflammatory agents providing beneficial health effects by reducing the levels of inflammatory mediators involved in the genesis of several diseases.

Diagnosis and management of patients with stage III non­small cell lung cancer: A joint statement by the Lebanese Society of Medical Oncology and the Lebanese Pulmonary Society (Review).

Proper management of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) might result in a cure or patient long-term survival. Management should therefore be preceded by adequate and accurate diagnosis and staging, which will inform therapeutic decisions. A panel of oncologists, surgeons and pulmonologists in Lebanon convened to establish a set of recommendations to guide and unify clinical practice, in alignment with international standards of care. Whilst chest computerized tomography (CT) scanning remains a cornerstone in the discovery of a lung lesion, a positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT scan and a tumor biopsy allows for staging of the cancer and defining the resectability of the tumor(s). A multidisciplinary discussion meeting is currently widely advised for evaluating patients on a case-by-case basis, and should include at least the treating oncologist, a thoracic surgeon, a radiation oncologist and a pulmonologist, in addition to physicians from other specialties as needed. The standard of care for unresectable stage III NSCLC is concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, followed by consolidation therapy with durvalumab, which should be initiated within 42 days of the last radiation dose; for resectable tumors, neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgical resection is recommended. This joint statement is based on the expertise of the physician panel, available literature and evidence governing the treatment, management and follow-up of patients with stage III NSCLC.

A case of relapsing chronic eosinophilic pneumonia treated by Omalizumab.

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by an abnormal accumulation of eosinophils in the pulmonary interstitial and alveolar spaces. Although many patients respond very well to treatment by steroids, some suffer from disease relapse. There aren't many treatment alternatives for steroid dependent patients or patients who are steroid intolerant because of their side effects. In the following article, we report the case of a 68 years old lady suffering from a relapsing CEP and severe osteoporosis successfully treated with Omalizumab.

Essential Oil Stabilisation by Response Surface Methodology (RSM): Nanoemulsion Formulation, Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Investigations.

This manuscript aimed to optimise the encapsulation of Thymus capitatus essential oil into nanoemulsion. Response Surface Methodology results were best fitted into polynomial models with regression coefficient values of more than 0.95. The optimal nanoemulsion showed nanometer-sized droplets (380 nm), a polydispersity index less than 0.5, and a suitable Zeta potential (-10.3 mV). Stability results showed that nanoemulsions stored at 4 °C were stable with the lowest d3,2, PolyDispersity Index (PDI), and pH (day 11). Significant ameliorations in the capacity to neutralise DPPH radical after the encapsulation of the antimicrobial efficacy of thyme essential oil were recorded. S. typhimurium growth inhibition generated by nanoencapsulated thyme essential oil was 17 times higher than by bulk essential oil. The sensory analysis highlighted that the encapsulation of thyme essential oil improved enriched milk's sensory appreciation. Indeed, 20% of the total population attributed a score of 4 and 5 on the scale used for milk enriched with nanoemulsion. In comparison, only 11% attributed the same score to milk enriched with bulk essential oil. The novel nanometric delivery system presents significant interest for agroalimentary industries.

Epidemiology of Community-Acquired Respiratory Tract Infections in Patients Admitted at the Emergency Departments.

OBJECTIVES: Community-acquired respiratory infections (CARTIs) are responsible for serious morbidities worldwide. Identifying the aetiology can decrease the use of unnecessary antimicrobial therapy. In this study, we intend to determine the pathogenic agents responsible for respiratory infections in patients presenting to the emergency department of several Lebanese hospitals. METHODS: A total of 100 patients presenting to the emergency departments of four Lebanese hospitals and identified as having CARTIs between September 2017 and September 2018 were recruited. Specimens of upper and lower respiratory tract samples were collected. Pathogens were detected by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction respiratory panel. RESULTS: Of 100 specimens, 84 contained at least one pathogen. Many patients were detected with ≥2 pathogens. The total number of pathogens from these 84 patients was 163. Of these pathogens, 36 (22%) were human rhinovirus, 28 (17%) were Streptococcus pneumoniae, 16 (10%) were metapneumovirus, 16 (10%) were influenza A virus, and other pathogens were detected with lower percentages. As expected, the highest occurrence of pathogens was observed between December and March. Respiratory syncytial virus accounted for 2% of the cases and only correlated to paediatric patients. CONCLUSION: CARTI epidemiology is important and understudied in Lebanon. This study offers the first Lebanese data about CARTI pathogens. Viruses were the most common aetiologies of CARTIs. Thus, a different approach must be used for the empirical management of CARTI. Rapid testing might be useful in identifying patients who need antibiotic therapy.

Case series of endoscopic treatment of post-intubation tracheal stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Benign tracheal stenosis is a common problem encountered after tracheal intubation or tracheostomy. It can be managed by surgical or nonsurgical techniques. This case series describes the outcome of 11 cases of endobronchial treatment for complex tracheal stenoses. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in two hospitals in Lebanon. Patients were contacted on a regular basis for 6 months and asked about the presence of dyspnea and its characteristics. RESULTS: The most common presenting symptom was inspiratory stridor. Five patients (45.45%) were not satisfied after the bronchoscopic intervention. Six patients (54.55%) were satisfied with the outcome. All were initially treated with argon plasma coagulation and dilation. If any persistent symptoms were present, stenting was done. Three patients had a stent placement. Failure of stenting occurred with two patients. None of the satisfied patients had any early symptoms. CONCLUSION: Bronchoscopic interventions yielded acceptable results when treating complex stenoses. More data is still needed to guide physicians for better approaches. When confronting complex tracheal stenosis, a multidisciplinary approach between surgical and nonsurgical doctors is preferred to choose the best medical care.

A case of massive saddle pulmonary embolism and benign tracheal stenosis in a patient with COVID-19 infection.

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that started in Wuhan, China, has become a global pandemic affecting millions of people around the globe. These patients are prone to a number of complications either related to their disease or to the different treatment modalities. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and benign post-intubation tracheal stenosis (BTS) are among these complications. In this study, we report the case of a patient with a recent COVID-19 infection that got complicated by a massive PE as well as a BTS.

Essential Oils in Livestock: From Health to Food Quality.

Using plant essential oils (EOs) contributes to the growing number of natural plants' applications in livestock. Scientific data supporting the efficacy of EOs as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant molecules accumulates over time; however, the cumulative evidence is not always sufficient. EOs antioxidant properties have been investigated mainly from human perspectives. Still, so far, our review is the first to combine the beneficial supporting properties of EOs in a One Health approach and as an animal product quality enhancer, opening new possibilities for their utilization in the livestock and nutrition sectors. We aim to compile the currently available data on the main anti-inflammatory effects of EOs, whether encapsulated or not, with a focus on mammary gland inflammation. We will also review the EOs' antioxidant activities when given in the diet or as a food preservative to counteract oxidative stress. We emphasize EOs' in vitro and in vivo ruminal microbiota and mechanisms of action to promote animal health and performance. Given the concept of DOHaD (Developmental Origin of Health and Diseases), supplementing animals with EOs in early life opens new perspectives in the nutrition sector. However, effective evaluation of the significant safety components is required before extending their use to livestock and veterinary medicine.