In-silico analysis of interacting pathways through KIM-1 protein interaction in diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Human Kidney Injury Molecule-1, also known as HAVCR-1 (Hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1), belongs to the cell-surface protein of immunoglobulin superfamily involved in the phagocytosis by acting as scavenger receptor epithelial cells. The study focused on pinpointing the mechanisms and genes that interact with KIM-1. METHODS: This in-silico study was done from March 2019 to December 2019. The Enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network carefully choose proteins. In addition, the diagramed gene data sets were accomplished using FunRich version 3.1.3. It was done to unveil the proteins that may affect the regulation of HAVCR1 or may be regulated by this protein. These genes were then further considered in pathway analysis to discover the dysregulated pathways in diabetic nephropathy. The long list of differentially expressed genes is meaningless without pathway analysis. RESULTS: Critical pathways that are dysregulated in diabetic nephropathy patients have been identified. These include Immune System (Total = 237, P < 0.05), Innate Immune System (Total = 140, P < 0.05), Cytokine Signaling Immune system (Total = 116, P < 0.05), Adaptive Immune System (Total = 85) and Neutrophil degranulation (Total = 78). CONCLUSION: The top 5 genes that are interacting directly with HIVCR1 include CASP3, CCL2, SPP1, B2M, and TIMP1 with degrees 161, 144, 108, 107, and 105 respectively for Immune system pathways (Innate Immune System, Cytokine Signaling Immune system, Adaptive Immune System and Neutrophil degranulation).

Evaluation of in vitro anticancer potential of pharmacological ethanolic plant extracts Acacia modesta and Opuntia monocantha against liver cancer cells.

Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM) are distributed in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Both of these plants have different pharmacological properties. This study was designed to evaluate anticancer potential of Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM). Liver cancer cell line HepG2 was used for assessment of anticancer activity. For the evaluation of anti-proliferative effects, cell viability and cell death in all groups of cells were evaluated via MTT, crystal violet and trypan blue assays. For the evaluation of apoptosis ELISA of p53 performed. Furthermore, LDH assay to find out the ability of malignant cells to metabolize pyruvate to lactate and antioxidant enzymes activity (GSH, CAT and SOD) at the end HPLC was performed to find active compound of AM and OM. Cytotoxicity (MTT), Viability assays (trypan blue, crystal viability, MUSE analysis) showed more dead, less live cells in plant treated groups with increase of concentration. Scratch assay for the anti-migratory effect of these plants showed treated groups have not ability to heal scratch/wound. ELISA of p53 for cellular apoptosis showed more release of p53 in treated groups. Antioxidant assay via glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) showed less anti-oxidative potential in treated cancer groups. LDH assay showed more lactate dehydrogenase release in treated groups compared with untreated. HPLC analysis showed the presence of phytochemicals such as steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone and amino acids in AM and OM plant extracts. Based on all these findings, it can be concluded that ethanolic extracts of Acacia modesta and Opuntia monocantha have promising anti-cancer potential.

Management of subacute acetabular osteomyelitis in a child.

Clinical manifestations of subacute osteomyelitis may lead to delayed diagnosis. Acetabular subacute osteomyelitis is an uncommon disease. Bone tumors are usually suggested first. Diagnosis is often made based on radiological findings. We report on the case of a 9-year-old girl who consulted at the emergency department because of limping and pain in her left limb lasting 2 weeks. No fever was reported. Physical examination found a clear, painful reduction in hip mobility. X-ray findings revealed a posterior loss of bone in the acetabular wall. MRI found a mild invasion of the periarticular hip joint and muscles. The surgical exploration of the hip found a collection in the posterior acetabular wall suggesting septic disease. Bacteriological and pathological exams confirmed acetabular subacute osteomyelitis. Nine months after surgery, antibiotic therapy, and physiotherapy, the patient was painless and the hip mobility showed near normal values with a reduction in external rotation and flexion. The aim of this case report is to review the characteristics of subacute acetabular osteomyelitis, including therapeutic modalities, underlining surgical debridement as a rule for both diagnosis and treatment.

[BCG multifocal osteomyelitis. A case report]. / Ostéomyélite multifocale à BCG : à propos d'un cas.

Multifocal osteomyelitis is a rare complication of the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. It particularly affects immunocompromised children and poses a difficult diagnostic problem. A 6-month-old boy had BCG vaccination postnatally and developed extensive disseminated skeletal osteomyelitis. He was found to have severe combined immunodeficiency. Despite antibiotic therapy and bone marrow grafting, the disease was fatal.

Preparation of mesoporous activated carbon from palm-date pits: optimization study on removal of bentazon, carbofuran, and 2,4-D using response surface methodology.

Palm-date pits were used to prepare activated carbon by physiochemical activation method, which consisted of potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment and carbon dioxide (CO(2)) gasification. The effects of variable parameters, activation temperature, activation time and chemical impregnation ratios (KOH: char by weight) on the preparation of activated carbon and for removal of pesticides: bentazon, carbofuran and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were investigated. Based on the central composite design (CCD), two factor interaction (2FI) and quadratic models were respectively employed to correlate the effect of variable parameters on the preparation of activated carbon used for removal of pesticides with carbon yield. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on each experimental design response was identified. The optimum conditions for preparing activated carbon from palm-date pits were found to be: activation temperature of 850 °C, activation time of 3 h and chemical impregnation ratio of 3.75, which resulted in an activated carbon yield of 19.5% and bentazon, carbofuran, and 2,4-D removal of 84, 83, and 93%, respectively.

Three novel CYP11B1 mutations in congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to steroid 11Beta-hydroxylase deficiency in a moroccan population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Steroid 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency (11OHD), the second cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), accounts only for 5% of all CAH. To date, only 51 different mutations have been reported with poor clinical and biological data. Most of them could be considered as private mutations except one, p.R448H, identified especially in Moroccan Jews but also in Caucasian patients. As two other CYP11B1 mutations have a high incidence in Tunisian patients, we report from another Maghreb population the clinical, follow-up and molecular genetics of 5 Moroccan patients with classical 11OHD. METHODS: Patients belonging to 3 families were recruited on clinical data. The diagnosis was confirmed by 11-deoxycortisol determination. Sequencing of the CYP11B1 gene and molecular modeling were performed. RESULTS: Clinical, hormonal and follow-up data were consistent with a severe form of 11OHD. Gender reassignment and evolution of hypertension were discussed. Three novel mutations, p.Ala259Asp, p.Gly446Val and IVS5+2T>G were identified. As each patient was homozygous for one mutation, we could deduce from their phenotype and our modeling studies that the p.Gly446Val mutation was more severe than p.Ala259Asp. CONCLUSION: This study shows a good correlation between phenotype and genotype. Each CYP11B1 mutation is new and private, contrasting with the high incidence of two Tunisian mutations.

Primary hydatid disease of the thigh. A rare location.

Primary muscle hydatidosis is very rare, accounting for less than 1% of hydatid cyst locations. Clinical symptoms are insidious and non-specific causing a frequent delay in diagnosis. Intramuscular hydatid disease can cause a variety of diagnostic problems, especially in the absence of typical radiologic findings. We report the observation of an 82-year-old man consulting for inguinal tumefaction with radiological exploration suggestive of hydatid cyst of the adductors muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is helpful in diagnosis, since it reveals a very suggestive aspect and demonstrates the relationship between cysts and adjacent structures. Treatment of muscle echinococcosis is based on surgery, which is curative and incurs a low risk of local relapse.

A rare cause of non discal sciatica: schwannoma of the sciatic nerve.

Schwannomas are peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Schwannomas arising in the sciatic nerve are considered a rare condition. Their symptomatology usually mimics sciatic pain due to a herniated disc, which can delay the diagnosis. We report the case of a patient with chronic sciatica in whom Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination of the right thigh revealed a tumor of the sciatic nerve. Excision of the tumor was easily performed without neural lesioning. Histopathological examination revealed the tumor to be a schwannoma. No neurologic deficit was noted postoperatively which confirms the good prognosis of this tumor.

Syndromic approach to sexually transmitted infections in Tunisian women: bacteriological validation.

The World Health Organization emphasizes an integrated primary care approach using syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections. The objective of our study was to evaluate the quality of care of the syndromic management of sexually transmitted disease in women in Rabta hospital in Tunisia. Algorithms have been developed for: cervicitis due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia (algorithm 3a), vaginitis due to Trichomonas vaginalis or Chlamydia trachomatis (algorithm 3b) and vaginitis due to Candida (algorithm 3c). A total of 116 women were enrolled in the study during February 2003 to April 2004. The prevalence of each bacterium was Chlamydia (10%), N. gonorrhoeae (1%), Treponema pallidum (1%), T. vaginalis (5%) and Candida (21%). Algorithm '3a' had a sensitivity of 45%, a specificity of 42% and positive predictive value (PPV) of 11.9%. Algorithm '3b' had a sensitivity of 35.7%, a specificity of 68.9% and PPV of 20.8%. Algorithm '3c' had a sensitivity of 12%, a specificity of 88% and PPV of 33.3%. To improve the sensitivity of the syndromic approach, we suggest improving the quality of history taking.

[Diverticulum of the left atrium detected antenatally. Management of a case]. / Diverticule de l'oreillette gauche découvert en anténatal. Conduite a tenir a propos d'un cas.

Cardiac diverticulae are rare, most often affecting the ventricles rather than the atria. We report the case of a diverticulum of the left atrium discovered during routine fetal echocardiography. The diagnosis was confirmed at birth with cardiac echography and an MRI. In view of the patient's age and asymptomatic nature, it was decided to defer surgery and to observe the infant with regular echocardiography. Surgery was eventually performed via a left thoracotomy after the appearance of signs of cardiac compression, and there were no complications in the post-operative period.

[Predictive factors for late complete atrio-ventricular block after surgical treatment for congenital cardiopathy]. / Facteurs prédictifs de bloc auriculo-ventriculaire complet tardif après traitement chirurgical des cardiopathies congénitales.

The late occurrence of complete atrio-ventricular block (CAVB) after cardiac surgery is rare but potentially responsible for cases of late sudden death. We searched for factors allowing prediction of this complication, retrospectively reviewing the case notes of 11 patients in hospital with complete AVB, 2 months to 10 years after correction of a cardiac malformation. All had a normal pre-operative ECG. The diagnosis had been made based on symptoms in 8 patients: syncope or collapse (4 cases) symptoms on effort (3 cases) or fatigue (1 case). In the others the diagnosis had been made on ECG. The block was infra-His in 5 patients who had electrophysiology. ECG analysis showed that all the patients had CAVB immediately post-operatively lasting 3-14 days. After restoration of conduction the ECGs showed the following anomalies compared to the pre-operative ECGs: long PR (1 case), long PR + right bundle branch block (2 cases), long PR + left axis deviation (1 case), RBBB + left deviation or rotation of the QRS axis (3 cases), long PR + RBBB + left axis deviation (4 cases). All of these patients had been fitted with a cardiac stimulator. In conclusion, the children who had CAVB immediately post-operatively lasting more than 48 hours and who then had an ECG showing different QRS compared to the pre-operative QRS and/or long PR had a risk of late complete AVB. These patients should have electrophysiology and a stimulator must be implanted in those who have an infra-His block.