Clinical profile of FTL3-ITD mutation in West Algerian population with acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the abnormal and rapid growth of cells. The mutation of the Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand gene (FLT3-ITD) represents an important factor in the prognosis of AML. The objective of this study was to determine for the first time the prevalence of FLT3-ITD mutation in west Algerian AML patients. A total of 160 AML patients were genotyped for FLT3-ITD mutation by using polymerase chain reaction. FLT3-ITD mutation was detected in 13% of patients. Mutation rates show no significant difference in the distribution of sex and age. A positive association was found between this mutation and a higher leukocyte and blast cells counts. We also found that the M3 and M5 subtype were the commonest in the FLT3 mutated group. This preliminary study provides first-time prevalence estimates for FLT3-ITD mutation in acute myeloid leukemia patients from the West region of Algeria.

Association of IL4 rs2070874, FoxP3 rs3761548 Polymorphisms with Keratoconus in Algeria.

PURPOSE: The aim of this case-control study was to determine the impact of environmental factors on the predisposition to develop keratoconus in a sample of Western Algerian population. Subsequently, we were interested in the implication of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) IL4 rs2070874 and FOXP3 rs3761548, previously described as contributing to the occurrence of allergy, in the development of keratoconus. METHODS: The study included 70 unrelated KC cases and 70 controls originating from Western Algeria. DNA genotyping was done using predesigned probe-based allelic discrimination TaqManⓇ assays. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between the cases and controls by Chi-square test and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A significant association between risk factors such as family history, atopy, eye rubbing, and the development of keratoconus was found in our sample. Smoking would provide a protective effect against the pathology. No statistically significant differences were found in the allele and genotype frequencies between cases and controls neither for IL4 rs2070874 nor for FOXP3 rs3761548. CONCLUSION: Our study provides, for the first time, a clear demonstration of the absence of association of the allergy-associated IL4 and FOXP3 polymorphisms with KC in a sample from Western Algerian population.

No association between XRCC3 Thr241Met and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer in West Algerian population: a case-control study.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a complex and multifactorial disease, in which genetic and environmental factors both seem to play a part. Many epidemiological studies have explored the association between genetic polymorphisms of X-ray repair cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) (Thr241Met) and Xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) lysine to glutamine at codon 751 (Lys751Gln) and risk of CRC in various populations; however, the results are controversial. We conducted this case-control study in a West Algerian population to assess the potential role of this genetic polymorphism on the risk of CRC in this population. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 129 sporadic CRC patients and 148 normal controls. The polymorphisms were determined by pyrosequencing technique. The distribution of XRCC3 Thr241Met and XPD Lys751Gln genotypes among controls did not differ significantly from those predicted by the Hardy-Weinberg distribution (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the genotypes distribution and allele frequencies between CRC patients and controls. A significant association was found between the combined heterozygous of XRCC3 and homozygous variant of XPD gene and CRC. This is the first study on DNA repair genetic polymorphisms in West Algerian population, and it suggests that the XRCC3 Thr241Met and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms may not be associated with the CRC risk in this population.

First molecular analysis of F8 gene in algeria: identification of two novel mutations.

The aim of this study was to detect the genetic alterations in the Factor 8 gene in 26 patients from Western Algeria. We detected the presence of "intron 22 inversion" with long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Negative patients for this inversion were analyzed for "intron 1 inversion" using multiplex PCR. Patients who were negative for both inversions were analyzed using a direct sequencing. Deleterious effects of novel mutations on protein were assayed with bioinformatics tools. Causing mutations were identified in 85.71% of the families, including 11 "intron 22 inversion," 1 "intron 1 inversion," and 6 different point mutations (2 nonsense, 1 splice site, and 3 missense mutations). Among these mutations, c.2189G > A (p.Cys711Tyr) and c.5219+1G>T are novel. This is the first study that reports spectrum of mutations in the Factor 8 gene in the Western Algerian population. Knowledge of these mutations is important for genetic counseling and medical care of affected families.