Association of vitamin D status with multiple sclerosis in a case-control study from Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that hypovitaminosis D contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate whether vitamin D levels are associated with having MS and some of its characteristics in the Moroccan population. METHODS: Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the 25(OH)D3 metabolite was measured to quantify vitamin D serum levels (DSLs) in 113 patients with MS and 146 healthy controls matched for gender and age. DSLs were then compared between patients and controls, with correlations sought between DSLs and gender, age at onset, disease duration, MS type, degree of disability (EDSS score) and disease severity (MSSS) in patients. RESULTS: Hypovitaminosis D (DSL<30ng/mL) was observed in 97.3% of MS patients and in 98.6% of controls. Although the mean DSL was slightly lower in patients (11.69±6.97ng/mL) than in controls (12.98±6.58ng/mL), there was no significant association between DSL and MS status (P=0.131). Similarly, among patients, no apparent association was found between DSL and MS type (P=0.214), EDSS score (P=0.076) or MSSS (P=0.772). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that DSL is not associated with having MS nor with MS type, degree of disability or disease severity in the Moroccan population. On the other hand, DSL was lower in women and decreased with age.

A novel stability-indicating UPLC method development and validation for the determination of seven impurities in various diclofenac pharmaceutical dosage forms.

An innovative simple, fast, precise and accurate ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was developed for the determination of diclofenac (Dic) along with its impurities including the new dimer impurity in various pharmaceutical dosage forms. An Acquity HSS T3 (C18, 100×2.1mm, 1.8µm) column in gradient mode was used with mobile phase comprising of phosphoric acid, which has a pH value of 2.3 and methanol. The flow rate and the injection volume were set at 0.35ml·min(-1) and 1µl, respectively, and the UV detection was carried out at 254nm by using photodiode array detector. Dic was subjected to stress conditions from acid, base, hydrolytic, thermal, oxidative and photolytic degradation. The new developed method was successfully validated in accordance to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines with respect to specificity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, precision, linearity, accuracy and robustness. The degradation products were well resolved from main peak and its seven impurities, proving the specificity power of the method. The method showed good linearity with consistent recoveries for Dic content and its impurities. The relative percentage of standard deviation obtained for the repeatability and intermediate precision experiments was less than 3% and LOQ was less than 0.5µg·ml(-1) for all compounds. The new proposed method was found to be accurate, precise, specific, linear and robust. In addition, the method was successfully applied for the assay determination of Dic and its impurities in the several pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Spray-dried plasma promotes growth, modulates the activity of antioxidant defenses, and enhances the immune status of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fingerlings.

Terrestrial animal byproduct meals, including nonruminant blood meal and blood products, represent the largest and largely untapped safe source of animal protein available within the international market for the aquafeed industry. Spray-dried blood and spray-dried plasma (SDP) proteins have long been recognized as high-quality feed ingredients for farmed animals. In this study, we evaluated the inclusion of SDP from porcine blood (SDPP) in growing diets for gilthead sea bream. Three isonitrogenous (CP = 51.2%) and isolipidic (fat = 12.4%) diets manufactured by cold extrusion (0.8 to 1.5 mm pellet size) were prepared by substituting high-quality fish meal with 0, 3, and 6% SDPP. The diets were tested for a period of 60 d at 22°C with 4 replicates each (400-L cylindroconical tanks, 150 fish per tank, and initial density = 0.5 kg/m(3)). The SDPP inclusion in diets for gilthead sea bream fingerlings were evaluated in terms of growth performance, feed utilization, histological organization of the intestinal mucosa, activity of oxidative stress enzymes (catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) in the intestine, and nonspecific serum immune parameters (lysozyme and bactericidal activity). Results from this study indicated that dietary SDPP promoted fish growth in terms of BW and length; fish fed 3% SDPP were 10.5% heavier (P < 0.05) than those fed the control diet. Spray-dried plasma from porcine blood modulated the activity of the antioxidative defenses in the intestine (P < 0.05) and increased the density of goblet cells in the intestine (P < 0.05) and benefited the host by providing an effective immune barrier against gut pathogenic microbiota. The nonspecific serum immune response in fish fed diets with SDPP was greater (P < 0.05) than in fish fed the control diet. These results indicated that the inclusion of SDPP in gilthead sea bream feed could be beneficial for the fish by enhancing intestinal and serum innate immune function and the activity of antioxidative stress enzymes of the intestine and promoting growth performance.

Bacillus cereus var. toyoi promotes growth, affects the histological organization and microbiota of the intestinal mucosa in rainbow trout fingerlings.

In this preliminary study, we evaluated the effects of a gram-positive soil bacteria Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, intestinal morphology, and microbiota in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fingerlings. Trout were maintained in a recirculation system and fed 2 diets: 1) a commercial trout feed deprived of the probiotic and 2) the same diet but with the spores of the probiotic bacteria dissolved in fish oil during the manufacturing of the feed (final concentration = 2 × 10(4) cfu/g). Each diet was tested in three 400-L cylindroconical tanks (125 fish per tank; initial density = 1.3 kg/m(3); 13.2°C) for a period of 93 d. The probiotic-supplemented diet promoted growth, and the final mean BW and standard length in fish fed the probiotic were 3.4% and 2.1%, respectively, which was greater than the control group (P < 0.05). Fish fed the probiotic showed a more homogeneous distribution in the final BW, with a greater frequency of individuals around the modal of the normal distribution of the population. This result is of practical importance because homogenous production lots can improve rearing practices, reducing hierarchical dominance situations arising from individuals of larger sizes. In addition, the probiotic-supplemented diet increased the level of leukocyte infiltration in the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa, the number of goblet cells (P < 0.010), and villi height (P < 0.001) but did not affect villi width. The administration of the probiotic changed the intestinal microbiota as indicated by 16S rDNA PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. In this sense, fish fed the probiotic formed a well-defined cluster composed of 1 super clade, whereas compared control fish had a greater degree of diversity in their gut microbiota. These changes in gut microbiota did not affect the specific activity of selected pancreatic and intestinal digestive enzymes. These results indicate that the inclusion of the probiotic bacteria in trout feeds could be beneficial for the host by enhancing its intestinal innate immune function and promoting growth.

[Cardiac hydatid cyst. Two cases in children]. / Kyste hydatique cardiaque. Deux observations chez des enfants.

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of a cardiac hydatid cyst is difficult because of the absence of specific clinical signs. This is a rare disease in adults, but even rarer in children. OBSERVATIONS: In a 12 year-old girl, operated on for a pulmonary hyatid cyst 4 years earlier, respiratory distress appeared. This was caused by right heart failure secondary to a chronic hyatid post-embolus pulmonary heart. In a 13 year-old boy exhibiting pulmonary hydatosis (first clinical signs 3 years earlier) echocardiography revealed a multi-compartmented cystic image of the anterior wall of the left atrium, with another similar image in the anterior section of the pulmonary infundibulum. DISCUSSION: These observations illustrate the potential gravity of complications of a hydatid cyst, endemic parasitosis in North Africa (metastatic pulmonary echinococcosis and chronic pulmonary heart). Imaging is crucial for the early diagnosis, assessment of the lesions and follow-up after treatment.

[Malignant bilateral mediastinal teratoma: a case report]. / Tératome malin bilatéral du médiastin: à propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of bilateral malignant teratoma of the mediastinum in a 40 year old female presenting with chest pain. Two separate bilateral soft tissue masses were noted in the mediastinum at imaging. On the right side, the mass was heterogeneous with large calcification and infiltration of the pericardium. On the left side, the mass was well defined, heterogeneous and without evidence of local invasion. The analysis of samples obtained by US guided puncture biopsy and surgical specimen of the two masses confirmed the diagnosis of pluricellular malignant teratoma. Mediastinal malignant teratomas represent 1 to 5% of all mediastinal tumors. To our knowledge, no case of synchronous bilateral mediastinal teratoma has never been reported.

[Intracranial hydatid cyst: contribution of scanography]. / Kyste hydatique cérébral. Apport de la scanographie.

We reviewed 14 cases of intracranial hydatid cysts, describing the clinical features and radiographic findings. The clinical presentation was dominated by signs of increased intracranial pressure and neurological manifestations. Diagnosis was established on the basis of CT findings, most valuable as a diagnostic tool.

[Hydatid cyst of the mediastinum: 2 cases]. / Kyste hydatique du médiastin. A propos de 2 cas.

Hydatid cysts of the mediastinum are very uncommon. We report two cases of mediastinal hydatic cyst. The first case was located in the cardiophrenic recess while the other was within both the heart and mediastinum. A review of the imaging findings and value of various techniques is presented.

[Cystic meningioma. Apropos of 6 cases]. / Méningiomes kystiques. A propos de six cas.

We report six cases of meningioma, uncommon tumors which accounted for 2.7 of all meningiomas observed in our series. Computed tomography was performed in all patients and produced the diagnosis in only 40% of the cases. Surgical treatment was given. Histological examinations of the surgical specimens confirmed the diagnosis. CT and magnetic resonance imaging were sometimes misleading, suggestive of metastasis or glioblastoma. Selective carotid arteriography with opacification of the external carotid artery established the diagnosis. Prognosis was good after surgery.

[Abdominal injuries in children. The value of emergency abdominal ultrasonography]. / Traumatisme abdominal de l'enfant. Intérêt de l'échographie abdominale en urgence.

UNLABELLED: Abdominal injuries are frequent in children. Their early assessment is the best guarantee for an accurate management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy children with abdominal trauma were evaluated by early ultrasonography. RESULTS: This investigation found abnormalities in 52 patients, with hematic peritoneal effusion in 26 cases, renal lesion in 20 cases, hepatic lesion in ten cases, splenic lesion in seven cases and a lesion involving liver, spleen and pancreas in one case. Based on these results, surgery was performed in six cases. The remaining cases were simply supervised with a good prognosis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography represents the main investigation in children's abdominal trauma, allowing an early, efficient and non-costly morphological diagnosis. Computerized tomography (CT) scan has some particular indications.

A transglutaminase-related antigen associates with keratin filaments in some mouse epidermal cells.

A mouse monoclonal IgG, G82, directed against guinea pig liver transglutaminase recognizes a transglutaminase-related antigen that is associated with the keratin intermediate filament network in some primary mouse keratinocytes. The association can be seen at the resolution of individual keratin tonofibrils following fixation and staining for double-label indirect immunofluorescence. Western blots indicate that G82 reacts with two proteins of 95 kDa and 280 kDa, respectively, in extracts of these cells. The 95-kDa band is also recognized by a polyclonal antibody against purified guinea pig liver transglutaminase, and the 280-kDa protein seems to correspond to a similar protein that was shown to be recognized by G92.1.2 in the intermediate filament fraction of primary mouse fibroblasts. The transglutaminase-related antigen was shown by confocal microscopy to co-localize only with nonbasal cell specific keratin intermediate filaments.

Lymphocyte populations in dermal lymphoid aggregates of vitiliginous Smyth line and normally pigmented light brown Leghorn chickens.

Smyth line (SL) chickens develop a spontaneous, autoimmune loss of melanocytes (vitiligo) from the feather. To determine whether lymphocyte infiltration into two-week-old regenerating feathers of vitiliginous chickens was accompanied by lymphocyte infiltration into the skin, skin biopsies were conducted in SL chickens at two-week intervals throughout the development of vitiligo (SLV) when the chicks were 6 to 14 weeks of age. Control skin samples were obtained from age-matched, normally-pigmented Light Brown Leghorn (LBL) chickens. Frozen skin sections were labelled with a panel of mouse mAb to identify various lymphocyte populations. There was no lymphocyte infiltration into the skin of SL or control chickens. However, in both lines of chickens, dermal lymphoid aggregates (DLA), consisting primarily of T cells, were observed. In the DLA of SL chickens, the ratio between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was lower (P = 0.005) and the percentage of gamma delta T cells higher (P = 0.027) than in the controls. Additionally, in SL chickens the lymphocyte populations in the DLA varied depending on the developmental stage of vitiligo. These data suggest a relationship between the DLA and autoimmune vitiligo in the SL model.

[Radiological features of thoracic localizations of lymphomas]. / Aspects radiologiques des localisations thoraciques des lymphomes.

This retrospective work aims to analyse the incidence and the radiologic features of initial thoracic involvement of lymphomas, observed in 320 patients selected among 1,153 lymphomas (640 Hodgkin's diseases and 513 non-Hodgkin's lymphomas). Thoracic involvement was not observed in 833 (72%) patients with lymphoma. In Hodgkin's disease (HD) (n = 200) thoracic involvement was observed in 31% (200/640). The mediastinal lymph nodes were noted in 99.5% and predominated in the superior and mid mediastinum in 84.5%. Mediastino-thoracic ratio was superior to 0.33 in 33.5%. Unilateral paratracheal nodes were involved in 26% and the hilar groups in 39.5%. The lung involvement was present in 26.5%, such as nodules in 11% and alveolar infiltration in 6.5%. In the cases with lung involvement, there were concomitant mediastinal lymph nodes. Pleural and pericardial effusions were seen in 23.5% and 4%. Parietal involvement was noted in 1%. In non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) (n = 120) thoracic involvement was observed in 23% (120/513). The mediastinal lymph nodes were seen in 82.5%, located in superior and mid mediastinum in 60%. Mediastino-thoracic ratio was superior to 0.33 in 47%. Lymph nodes were unilateral paratracheal in 7.5% and hilar in 18%. The posterior mediastinal lymph nodes group was involved in 2%. Lung involvement was noted in 24%, pleural effusion in 48%, pericardial effusion in 4% and parietal involvement in 2.5%. In the cases of thoracic involvement in HD, mediastinal lymph nodes involvement is constant, affecting commonly the anterior mediastinal, paratracheal and hilar groups. Involvement of the posterior mediastinum and paracardiac groups is more common in NHL. Thoracic computed tomography is helpful in the detection of the abnormalities misdiagnosed on the chest X-ray. Computed tomography is valuable in the initial stages of HD because it can modify the treatment in 15%.

Association of a transglutaminase-related antigen with intermediate filaments.

A mouse monoclonal antibody, G92.1.2, raised against guinea pig liver transglutaminase (TGase) recognizes an antigen present in primary mouse dermal fibroblasts. A filamentous pattern, bearing remarkable similarity to the vimentin intermediate filament (IF) network, is seen when these cells are fixed and processed for indirect immunofluorescence with the antibody. Double-label immunofluorescence reveals that the antigen reacting with the antibody colocalizes precisely with vimentin IF and that this colocalization is retained after the treatment of fibroblasts with colchicine, which induces a redistribution of the majority of IFs into perinuclear aggregates. These morphological observations are further supported by the finding that the protein reacting with G92.1.2 is retained in IF-enriched cytoskeletal preparations made by using nonionic detergent-containing high ionic strength solutions. Western blots of the IF fraction show that G92.1.2 recognizes a major band of approximately 280 kDa and does not cross react with vimentin. Furthermore, when the antibody is microinjected into live dermal fibroblasts, it causes a collapse of the vimentin IF network in the majority of injected cells. The results suggest that a form of TGase, or a TGase-related antigen, is closely associated with the vimentin IF network of primary cultures of mouse dermal fibroblasts.

T cells in regenerating feathers of Smyth line chickens with vitiligo.

Smyth line (SL) chickens exhibit a spontaneous, autoimmune, depigmentation (SL vitiligo, SLV) in regenerating feather tissue due to the death of pigment cells (melanocytes). It was the purpose of this study to characterize mononuclear leukocytes which infiltrate the feather as SLV develops. Frozen sections of regenerating features from SL and control chickens were labeled with a panel of mAbs specific for chicken mononuclear leukocytes. SL chickens were found to have significantly greater numbers of T cells in the feather pulp prior to, and throughout, the development of SLV. Initially, both SL and control chickens had a CD4/CD8 ratio near 1.0 in their feather pulp. Following the onset of SLV, the CD4/CD8 ratio in SL chickens dropped below 0.4. Throughout the development of SLV, SL chickens had greater proportions of T cells with alpha/beta T cell receptors than controls. Histological evidence strongly supports an important role for T cells in the pathology of SLV.

Statistical analysis of morphometrically analyzed outlines of cells in culture. Comparison of populations of normal and polyomavirus-transformed FR 3T3 fibroblasts.

The correspondence analysis method was used to statistically characterize the morphologies of populations of normal (nontransformed; N.3T3) and polyomavirus-transformed (Py.3T3) Fisher rat 3T3 fibroblasts in culture, based on morphologic parameters calculated according to a previously described morphometric method. With this statistical method, each cell is considered as a vector in a space defined by an arrangement of the calculated morphologic parameters. The N.3T3 cells and the Py.3T3 have two distinct morphologic aspects in culture: they have either a smooth or a multipolar outline. The normal cell population contained twice as many cells with smooth outlines (46%) as did the transformed one (23%). Moreover, the cells with smooth outlines in the two strains could be classified into three homologous subpopulations that were present in significantly different proportions in the N.3T3 cells versus the Py.3T3 cells. In addition, morphologic differences were observed among the cells with multipolar outlines in these two strains, due to differences in the morphologies, size, number and distribution of the cytoplasmic expansions along the cell outline.

Peptide and ester synthesis in organic solvents catalyzed by seryl proteases linked to alumina.

Trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin were immobilized to alumina-phosphocolamine complex, activated by glutaraldehyde. The immobilized enzymes show a great stability toward organic solvents miscible or immiscible with water. In the presence of a low concentration of water, the immobilized enzymes catalyzed transesterification reactions as well as peptide synthesis. The synthesized peptides were stable toward the immobilized enzymes.

Chymotrypsin catalysed synthesis of fluorescent amino acid amide and peptide derivatives.

Chymotrypsin catalyses a condensation reaction between 1-methyl-3,4-dihydro-beta-carboline-3-methyl carboxylate and amino acid amides or peptides, yielding fluorescent derivatives. During the peptide bond formation, the enzyme ensures the reaction's steric control of both carboxyl and amino components.