Influence of the drying mode of support on the properties of Pd/Al2O3-ZrO2 materials used for methane combustion.

This work constitutes a new trial to enhance the properties of palladium supported on alumina modified with zirconium used as catalysts for methane combustion. The effect of the support drying mode is studied. For this aim, Al2O3-ZrO2 binary oxides with zirconium loading of 2 and 5% in weight were prepared using sol-gel process then dried under ordinary or supercritical conditions. Palladium with a loading of 0.5% was deposited on the support by wet impregnation. Several techniques have been used to investigate differences between the two types of the derived catalysts.

Les surdites brusques idiopathiques facteurs pronostiques / Sudden idiopathic deafness prognostic factors

Les surdités brusques idiopathiques (SBI) constituent l'un des sujets les plus débattus en otologie. Plusieurs problèmes d'ordre physiopathologiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques restent non résolus. But : Identifier les facteurs pronostiques, cliniques et audiométriques de récupération auditive après traitement d'une SBI. Malades : Etude rétrospective portée sur 27 malades (29 cas de SBI) traités dans le service d'ORL et chirurgie cervicofaciale du CHU Habib Bourguiba Sfax durant la période comprise entre les années 1990 et 2005. Méthodes : C'est une étude statistique recherchant une corrélation significative entre certains facteurs cliniques et audiométriques et la récupération auditive. Les facteurs étudiés étaient : l'âge, l'aspect de la courbe audiométrique, la perte auditive initiale et le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique. Résultats : L'âge inférieur à 50 ans, la courbe ascendante et la perte auditive inférieure à 70 dB étaient les facteurs de meilleur pronostic. Le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique semble avoir peu de rôle dans la récupération auditive. Discussion : La majorité des auteurs ont signalé que l'âge jeune, les surdités légères ou moyennes, la courbe ascendante et la précocité de la prise en charge sont associés à un meilleur pronostic. Nos résultats rejoignent ceux de Tran Ba Huy qui ne trouve pas de corrélation entre le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique et le pronostic de récupération auditive.

Predictive factors associated with complete pathological response after neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: A proportion of 10 to 30% of patients treated by chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision surgery for a locally advanced rectal cancer can achieve a complete pathological response. We aimed to identify predictive factors associated with complete pathological response or no response and to assess the impact of each response on survival rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients treated with long course chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced and/or node positive rectal cancer from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine predictors of tumor regression and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Records were available on 70 patients. In the univariate analysis, clinical factors associated with complete tumor response were tumor mobility in digital rectal examination (P=0.047), a limited parietal invasion (P=0.001), clinically negative lymph node (P<0.001) and a circumferential extent greater than 50% (P=0.001). On the other hand, a T4 classification and an endoscopic tumor size greater than 6cm were associated with no response to treatment (P=0.049 and P=0.017 respectively). On multivariate analysis, T2 clinical classification and N0 statement before treatment were independent predictive factors of pathologic complete response (P<0.001 and P=0.001) and a delayed surgery after 12 weeks was associated with no response to treatment (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The identification of predictive factors of histological response may help clinicians to predict the prognosis and to propose organ preservation for good responders.

Comparative analyses of albumin/globulin grain proteome fraction in differentially salt-tolerant Tunisian barley landraces reveals genotype-specific and defined abundant proteins.

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses threatening crop production and yield worldwide. Breeding programmes are therefore needed to improve yield under cultivation in soil. Traits from locally adopted landraces provide a resource to assist breeding of novel elite genotypes. Here, we examine differentially expressed proteins by performing comparative proteomic profiling of the albumin/globulin grain fraction of Tunisian barley genotype landraces with contrasting salinity tolerance. Tunisian barley Boulifa (B, tolerant) and Testour (T, sensitive) mature grains were assessed in 2-DE profiles. Differentially expressed spots, with an abundance enhanced 1.5-fold in the grain, were subjected to MALDI TOF/TOF MS for identification. Distinctiveness between tolerant and sensitive genotypes was proved in the albumin/globulin fraction using PCA; 64 spots showed significant differential abundance. Increased accumulation of 40 spots was confirmed in Boulifa with, interestingly, four genotype-specific spots. Two of these four spots were sHSP. Proteins with highest abundance were serpin Z7, 16.9 KDa Class I HSP and phosphogluconolactonase 2. Proteins such as expansin, kiwellin, kinesin and succinyl-CoA ligase were identified for the first time in barley grain. Moreover, ß-amylase, LEA family and others were identified as abundant in Boulifa. On the other hand, proteins more accumulated in Testour are implicated mainly in ROS scavenging and protease inhibition. Our results clearly indicate proteomic contrast between the two selected genotypes. With identification of specific HSP, high abundant stress-protective and other defined proteins, we provide biochemical traits that will support breeding programmes to address the threat of salinity in agricultural production.

[Contribution and limits of intensity-modulated reirradiation of nasopharyngeal carcinomas]. / Apports et limites de la réirradiation conformationnelle avec modulation d'intensité des carcinomes nasopharyngés.

PURPOSE: We report in this study, the dosimetric and carcinologic results of intensity-modulated technique for the reirradiation of nasopharyngeal carcinomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients reirradiated with intensity-modulation technique between January 2015 and December 2017 were included. We noted for each patient: the minimum, maximum and average doses, the dose received by 95% (D95%), 98% (D98%) and 2% (D2%) of the volume to be irradiated, the homogeneity and conformity indices and doses to the organs at risk. RESULTS: Target volume coverage was satisfactory with a median of D95% greater than 57Gy (95% of the prescribed dose). The median maximum dose received by the spinal cord and brainstem were 8.2Gy and 18.25Gy, respectively. After a median follow-up of 14.5 months [1-29 months], five patients were in complete remission of their disease. Overall survival at 2 years was 66.7%. An increase in preexisting late toxicity after the first irradiation (now grade 2 or above) was found in four patients (50% of cases). CONCLUSION: Intensity-modulation is an attractive technique for reirradiation of the nasopharynx. It allows a better conformity of the dose to the target and a reduction of the doses on the already irradiated critical organs. This offers good control of the disease with fewer severe late toxicities.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

INTRODUCTION: We report the first case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid gland coexisting with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis and discuss various theories concerning the histogenesis of SCC of the thyroid gland and the optimal treatment strategy. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old woman presented with an anterior neck mass measuring 4cm on clinical examination. Imaging showed a suspicious thyroid nodule invading the trachea. Total thyroidectomy with bilateral central lymph node resection was performed. Histological examination revealed tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with SCC of the right lobe of the thyroid and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Immunohistochemistry of the SCC showed positive staining for p53 and Ki67 and negative staining for thyroglobulin. The patient underwent adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy and radiotherapy. With postoperative follow-up of 24 months, the patient was in good health. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, the most probable origin of SCC in this case was malignant transformation from Hashimoto's thyroiditis following a phase of metaplasia. This immunohistological profile is associated with a better prognosis. Optimal treatment consists of extensive surgical resection of tumour tissuefollowed by radiotherapy.

TPF induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Long term results of a Tunisian series.

PURPOSE: We represent in this study the long term results of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Tunisian patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The objective of our study is to analyse the efficacy as well as the toxicity of this therapeutic protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2008, 32 patients with locoregional advanced non metastatic disease (T2b or above and/or N1 or above AJCC 2002) were treated in our institution by three cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy every 21 days followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Conventional radiotherapy was delivered using a cobalt 60 machine during 7 weeks with weekly cisplatin (40mg/m2). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (90%) had presented an objective clinical response in lymph nodes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, with a complete response in 28%. Acute toxicity of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy was dominated by vomiting (59%), asthenia (40.6%), diarrhea (34.4%) and febrile neutropenia (15.6%). The complete response rate after the end of treatment was around 80%. The 5 years overall survival and disease-free survival were respectively 68.2% and 67.5%. CONCLUSION: Our results, in this field of study, are encouraging with acceptable toxicity despite the lack of intensity-modulated radiotherapy technique in our institution during the period of study.

[Resistance to vitamin K antagonist revealing interaction with soy lecithin]. / Résistance aux antivitamines K révélant une interaction avec la lécithine de soja.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) are difficult to use because of a narrow therapeutic index and of a marked inter- and intra-individual variability among patients in the required dosage. This drug may interact with many other drugs and same with certain food compounds. We report the case of potential interaction between soy lecithin and Vitamin K antagonists in a 46 years-old woman. Subtherapeutic INR values were detected despite the increase gradually in dose and replacing acenocoumarol by fluindione. An enquiry of pharmacovigilance was conducted found the consumption of soy lecithin capsules. Fifteen days after its stopping, the INR values have really increased. Clinicians should think to the possibility of interaction between oral anticoagulants and food supplement that is increasingly used.

[Primary Sjögren syndrome in a child]. / Syndrome de Goujerot-Sjögren primitif de l'enfant : à propos d'un cas.

Sjögren syndrome is uncommon in children and occurs most often in association with autoimmune diseases (secondary Sjögren syndrome). We describe the clinical and biological features of a 7-year-old girl with primary Sjögren syndrome revealed by recurrent parotiditis. CASE REPORT: A 7-year-old girl was referred for investigation of multiple episodes of parotid swelling since age 4 years, without systemic symptoms. The examination was unremarkable except for enlarged and painless parotid glands. Laboratory investigations and labial salivary gland biopsy revealed Sjögren syndrome without associated disease. Hydroxychloroquine was prescribed with clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Recurrent parotiditis in children is an uncommon condition. The onset of parotid swelling at 5 years or over deserves screening for disimmune disorders, sarcoidosis, or Sjögren syndrome. Diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome is based on diagnostic criteria.

[Ectopic thymus: A rare cause of neck mass in children]. / Thymus ectopique : une cause rare de tuméfaction cervicale chez le nourrisson.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic cervical thymus (ECT) is a rare embryological abnormality in children. It can be revealed by a compressive neck mass mistaken for a malignant tumor. Through a new case of ECT, we review the embryopathogenesis, diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic features. CLINICAL OBSERVATION: A 19-month-old girl presented a right cervical mass that quickly increased in size, causing intermittent dyspnea. The physical examination objectified a 6-cm, soft and compressible, painless right cervical tumefaction, extending from the mastoid area to the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa. The diagnosis suggested based on CT was a cervicomediastinal cystic lymphangioma. The diagnoses discussed based on MRI were a collection of necrotic lymphadenopathy, rhabdomyosarcoma or neurofibroma debris. The mass was surgically excised through a laterocervical incision. A whitish multilobular tissular mass was found, adherent to the neurovascular axis of the neck. Pathological examination concluded in normal ectopic thymus tissue. The postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Although ECT is a rare benign anomaly, it should be considered as a possible cause of a neck mass in children. Surgery is the curative treatment. Before surgery, the presence of a mediastinal thymus must be confirmed to avoid the risk of a total thymectomy in children. MRI is helpful in delineating thymic ectopia compared to the mediastinal thymus.

[Local failures of nasopharynx carcinoma: Anatomoclinical aspects and therapeutic results]. / Aspects anatomocliniques et thérapeutiques des récidives locales des carcinomes du nasopharynx.

PURPOSE: Retrospective analysis of clinical aspects and therapeutic results of nasopharynx cancer local failures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with local failure with or without nodal involvement of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated between 1993 and 2013. Reirradiation of nasopharynx was delivered at the dose of 60Gy. Platinum-based chemotherapy was indicated in case of locally advanced disease and/or associated nodal failure. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis of primitive tumour was 41.9 years (26-67 years). The mean time of relapse occurrence was 31.7 months (6-104 months). Sixty five percent of failures were confined to the nasopharynx. Nodal failure was seen in 14 cases. Twenty-eight patients had chemotherapy. Twenty-five patients had reirradiation of nasopharynx. Mean follow-up was 98 months (12-191 months). Fourteen patients were still alive and in complete remission. Five-year survival was 40.7%. Xerostomia was the most frequent late toxicity. No haemorrhage was seen. CONCLUSION: Reirradiation is the mainstay treatment of nasopharyngeal local failure. Late toxicity seems to decrease with novel techniques of reirradiation.

[Parathyromatosis: An uncommon cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism]. / Parathyromatose : une cause rare d'hyperparathyroïdie récidivante.

INTRODUCTION: Parathyromatosis is a rare cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. It results from hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue scattered throughout the thyroid bed region. CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old man with a history of parathyroidectomy, presented 18 years later with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgical exploration identified a single parathyroid gland. The act was completed by a central compartment dissection and ipsilateral lobectomy. The patient was free of recurrence after a one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Parathyromatosis a rare cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Its management is challenging. Extensive surgery is required with clearance of the central neck compartment and homolateral lobectomy. Medical therapy could be used to decrease parathormone level in recurrent parathyromatosis.

Rhonchopathie chronique : quelle chirurgie pour quels patients ?

Faisant partie de l'arsenal thérapeutique du ronflement, la chirurgie garde encore à ce jour un intérêt majeur. L'efficacité des traitements chirurgicaux est très difficile à évaluer, en raison principalement de l'hétérogénéité des critères d'évaluation rapportés dans la littérature, d'un recul très variable selon les séries, et surtout de la méthodologie des études.Nous avons mené une étude sur 105 patients qui ont été opérés pour le ronflement. Nos résultats ont été rapportés selon différents groupes plus homogènes permettent une comparaison plus fine des résultats. L'analyse univariée a montré un meilleur résultat de la chirurgie chez les ronfleurs simples par rapport aux apnéiques (p=0.03), l'efficacité de la chirurgie en cas d'apnées du sommeil se voyait surtout sur le volume sonore et non sur l'index d'apnées hypopnées. En analyse multivariée, nous avons dégagé le profildes malades chez qui le traitement chirurgical aurait de meilleurs résultats : jeune âge, non obèse, sans rétrognatisme avec un voile long et/ou flasque et avec un index apnées hypopnées< 30

Les perforations pharyngo-oesophagiennes par corps étranger

Introduction : La perforation pharyngo-œsophagienne par ingestion de corps étranger (CE) est une complication rare et grave. De ce fait, sa prise en charge n'est pas standardisée. Le but de ce travail est d'étudier les caractéristiques épidémiologiques et diagnostiques de ces complications et de discuter les modalités thérapeutiques. Patients et méthodes :Sur une période 17 ans (1998 - 2014), nous avons colligé 573 patients ayant ingéré des CE pharyngo-œsophagiens et qui ont bénéficié d'une extraction endoscopique au tube rigide. Onze patients (1,9%) se sont compliqués d'une perforation. Résultats : Il s'agissait de 3 enfants et 8 adultes. Les corps étrangers étaient dominés par les fragments d'os (55% des cas). Les perforations étaient jugées liées aux manœuvres d'extraction dans 54,5% et au CE dans 45,5%. Le diagnostic a été posé dans un délai maximal de 2 jours après extraction. La chirurgie a été réalisée d'emblée dans 2 cas devant la migration extra-viscérale du CE et devant la présence d'une abcédation péri-œsophagienne, respectivement. Le geste opératoire consistait, respectivement, en l'ablation du CE avec suture de l'œsophage et un simple drainage de l'abcès. Dans un autre cas, la chirurgie a été pratiquée en seconde intention après échec du traitement médical et devant l'apparition d'une pleurésie purulente. Le geste opératoire était une suture renforcée par un lambeau intercostal. Un traitement conservateur était instauré dans 8 cas (72,7%).L'évolution était favorable dans 10 cas (soit 90,9%) et fatale dans un seul cas, soit une mortalité de 9,1%. Conclusion : Le pronostic dépend essentiellement de la précocité diagnostique des perforations œsophagiennes par CE. Le traitement conservateur serait suffisant et efficace en dehors d'un syndrome infectieux sévère

[Surgery of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland]. / Chirurgie de l'adénome pléomorphe de la parotide.

INTRODUCTION: Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of the parotid gland. It has a tendency of recurrence and malignant transformation. The surgical excision of this lesion continues to be the subject of a major debate. In this study, we discuss optimal surgical options for pleomorphic adenoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 82 patients who underwent surgery. RESULTS: The tumor was localized in the superficial lobe in 81.7% of cases. Tumors of the deep lobe were removed by total parotidectomy. Those of the superficial lobe underwent partial exofacial parotidectomy (7 cases), exofacial parotidectomy (44 cases), or total parotidectomy (16 cases). Transitory facial paralysis was higher after total parotidectomy. Only one patient developed a recurrence, his tumor showed capsule infiltration. DISCUSSION: Conventional or partial superficial parotidectomy may be a good compromise with fewer complications and low incidence of recurrence.

[Idiopathic facial paralysis in children]. / Paralysie faciale idiopathique de l'enfant.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic facial palsy is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy in children. Controversy exists regarding treatment options. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of idiopathic facial palsy in children to suggest appropriate treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on children with a diagnosis of idiopathic facial palsy from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases (13 males, 24 females) with a mean age of 13.9 years were included in this analysis. The mean duration between onset of Bell's palsy and consultation was 3 days. Of these patients, 78.3% had moderately severe (grade IV) or severe paralysis (grade V on the House and Brackmann grading). Twenty-seven patients were treated in an outpatient context, three patients were hospitalized, and seven patients were treated as outpatients and subsequently hospitalized. All patients received corticosteroids. Eight of them also received antiviral treatment. The complete recovery rate was 94.6% (35/37). The duration of complete recovery was 7.4 weeks. DISCUSSION: Children with idiopathic facial palsy have a very good prognosis. The complete recovery rate exceeds 90%. However, controversy exists regarding treatment options. High-quality studies have been conducted on adult populations. Medical treatment based on corticosteroids alone or combined with antiviral treatment is certainly effective in improving facial function outcomes in adults. In children, the recommendation for prescription of steroids and antiviral drugs based on adult treatment appears to be justified. CONCLUSION: Randomized controlled trials in the pediatric population are recommended to define a strategy for management of idiopathic facial paralysis.

[Predictive factors for recurrence after surgery of nasal polyposis].

Introduction: Endoscopic sinus surgery has become the treatment of choice in the surgical management of patients with nasal polyposis. The aim of our study is to identify the role of some epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic factors in recurrence after surgery of nasal polyposis. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 11 years (between 2000 and 2010) including 184 patients operated for nasal polyposis after failure of prolonged medical treatment. We evaluated the impact of epidemiological and clinical factors (age, sex, asthma, Widal disease, allergy and stage of nasal polyposis at the time of surgery) and treatment (surgical technique, observance of postoperative topical steroids ) on postoperative recurrence. Results: Nasal poly­posis recurred in 26.6% of patients after an average period of 23 months. Widal disease, asthma and bad observance of the intranasal steroid therapy were significantly associated with postoperative recurrence in the univariate analysis. In multi­variate analysis the bad observance of the intranasal steroid therapy was the only factor significantly associated with recurren­ce. Conclusion: Postoperative steroids prescribed routi­nely in our practice can effectively prevent recurrence after endonasal surgery and this result was found in both uni­variate and multivariate analysis.

[Low-grade adenocarcinoma of nasal cavities: a case report]. / Adénocarcinome de bas grade des fosses nasales : à propos d'un cas.

Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas are uncommon and recently described entities. Its histologic diagnosis is challenging. This tumour is characterized by a tendency to local invasion, and rare distant metastases. Well treated, the prognosis is excellent. We describe a case of low-grade nasal cavity adenocarcinoma and discuss the anatomoclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of this malignant tumour. A 54-year-old female patient presented with a 10 years history of right-sided nasal obstruction and recurrent epistaxis. On examination the patient had a large, firm mass in the right nasal cavity. Endoscopic sinonasal surgery was performed. The lesion was found to originate from the posteriolateral wall of the right nasal cavity. Histopathology analysis identified a low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma. Upon follow-up 4 years after surgery, the patient exhibited no clinical evidence of recurrence. Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas are poorly defined neoplasms, accounting for 4 to 20% of all sinonasal malignancies. The nasal cavity is the most frequently involved site. Low-grade sinonasal adenocarcinomas pose a diagnostic challenge for the pathologist because they must be distinguished from benign tumours, especially adenomas. The primary treatment of sinonasal adenocarcinoma is complete surgical excision.

[Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasopharynx: A case report]. / Tumeur neuroendocrine à grandes cellules du nasopharynx : à propos d'un cas.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare entity. The parotid gland is the most commonly affected site. A nasopharyngeal site has not been previously described. We report a 35-year-old patient who consulted for tinnitus and nasal obstruction. The assessment found a nasopharyngeal tumour T4N0M0. The patient underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy based on VP16 and cisplatin, followed by radiotherapy at a dose of 70 Gy to the nasopharynx and 50 Gy to the neck. The evolution was marked by clinical improvement and radiological stability. Six months after the end of treatment, the patient had a local and meningeal relapse. He received palliative care. He died 19 months after the end of treatment.