Young microbes for adult obesity.

Gut microbes are active participants of host metabolism. At birth, child physiology is committed towards healthiness or sickness depending, in part, on maternal condition (i.e. lean vs obesity) and delivery. Finally, changes from breastfeeding to solid food also account to define gut microbiota ecology in adulthood. Nowadays, alterations of gut microbiota, named dysbiosis, are acquired risk factors for multiple diseases, especially type 2 diabetes and obesity. Despite important evidence linking nutrition to dysbiosis to energetic dysmetabolism, molecular mechanisms for causality are still missing. That the status of gut microbiota of mother and child is crucial for future diseases is witnessed by adulthood overweight and obesity observed in children with dysbiosis. In this short review we highlight the importance of early life events related to the microbiota and their impact on future adult disease risk. Therefore, our effort to treat or prevent metabolic diseases should be addressed towards early or previous life steps, when microbial decisions are going to affect our metabolic fate.

[Sperm immobilizing effect of leaves extracts of Cestrum parqui]. / Effet immobilisant des spermatozoïdes par les extraits des feuilles du Cestrum parqui.

OBJECTIVE: The leaves extracts of Cestrum parqui were reported to have spermicidal activity. The current investigation identified the spermicidal component of the extracts and evaluated its spermicidal potential in vitro, particularly the effects on sperm motility and vitality. METHODS: Sperms were prepared by discontinuous buoyant density gradient centrifugation and incubated with varying concentrations of extract from C. parqui (40-250 µg/ml) at 37°C and 5% CO(2). The mode of spermicidal action was evaluated by sperm motility and vitality at different intervals ranging from 5 to 240 minutes. Morphological changes in human spermatozoa after exposure to the extract were evaluated under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: A dose- and time-dependent effect of this extract on sperm motility and viability was observed. The mean effective concentration of extracts that induced irreversible immobilization was 250 µg/ml. Transmission electron microscope revealed a significant damage to sperm membrane in head and acrosomal membranes, notable swelling and disruption. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that this natural extract has potential spermicidal effect in vitro. It can adequately replace nonoxynol-9 in vaginal contraceptives to make them more vaginally safe and ecofriendly.

A novel UBE3A truncating mutation in large Tunisian Angelman syndrome pedigree.

We identified in a large Tunisian pedigree a novel UBE3A frameshift mutation in exon 16 coding region, and we expect that the resulting UBE3A truncated protein in our patients is non-functional since the mutation implies the catalytic region of the enzyme. The family includes 14 affected patients born from four sisters. This mutation was found in all surviving affected individuals and their mothers pointing out the importance of genetic counseling possibility in Angelman syndrome (AS). All patients had severe mental retardation with epilepsy and microcephaly. Minor clinical expression variation was observed among the investigated patients. The severity of clinical expression is related to the detected molecular variation: deletion of 15 bp and insertion of 7 bp. These results are concordant with the gene expression observed in previously reported individuals with AS and truncated UBE3A protein.

[Genetic analysis of Turner syndrome: 89 cases in Tunisia]. / Analyse génétique du syndrome de Turner : étude tunisienne de 89 cas.

Turner's syndrome (TS) affects about 1/2500 female infants born alive. The syndrome results from total or partial absence of one of the two X chromosomes normally present in females. We report the results of a retrospective analysis of 89 cases of TS observed during a six-year period (2000-2005). The patients' age ranged from two days to 51 years at the time of this analysis. Most patients were adults (48%). The aim of this study is to ascertain the principal clinical features leading to a request for a karyotype, searching for a possible relationship between chromosomal anomalies and clinical expression of TS. Pediatric patients were referred for statural retardation or dysmorphic features, while reproduction anomalies were the main indication for karyotyping in patients aged over 20 years. Mosaicism was prevalent (47%), whereas the homogeneous karyotype 45,X was found in only 32% of the patients; structural anomalies were found in 21%. Regarding the advanced age of our patients, we established a relationship between chromosome anomalies and the clinical expression of TS, based on an analysis of stature and reproduction disorders. Short stature and primary amenorrhea were correlated with total deletion of one chromosome X or imbalanced gene dosage due to structural X anomalies. Whereas cases of infertility, recurrent miscarriages and secondary amenorrhea were associated with a mosaic karyotype pattern (45,X/46,XX or 45,X/46,XX/47,XXX ...), with a slight mosaicism in most cases. Thus, chromosome investigations should be performed in cases of reproduction failure even for women with normal stature.

Y chromosome microdeletions in Tunisian infertile males.

AIM: To determine frequency of Y microdeletions in azoospermic and oligospermic Tunisian infertile males. METHODS: A Sample of 146 Tunisian infertile males with a low sperm count (<5 x 10(6) sperms per mililiter) and normal karyotype was screened for Y chromosome microdeletions. 76 men were azoospermic and 70 men were oligospermic. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood and multiplex PCR was carried out with a set of 20 AZFa, AZFb and AZFc STS markers to detect the microdeletions as recommended by the European Academy of Andrology. RESULTS: In 10/146 (6.85%) subjects AZF deletions were observed. Of these ten males with microdeletions, 9/10 subjects were azoospermic (90%), 1/10 was oligospermic (10%). Frequency of microdeletions in azoospermic men was 9/76 (11.84%). None of the patients showed isolated microdeletion in the AZFa region, but one azoospermic man had deletion in the AZFb region. Eight azoospermic patients and one oligospremic man have AZFc microdeletions. AZFc and AZFb were deleted in three azoospermic patients. AZFc, AZFb and AZFa were deleted in three azoospermic patients We estimate the sensitivity of the test comprising six STS in our sample to be 90%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Yq microdeletions in the study population of infertile Tunisian men falls within the range published in other countries. We suggest to analyze 9STS in the first step to detect efficiently Y microdeletions in our population.

Influence of bleaching by ultrasound on fatty acids and minor compounds of olive oil. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile compounds (by SPME coupled to GC/MS).

The effects of bleaching using high power ultrasound (20 kHz) on the quality of olive oil were considered in this study, in order to verify the modifications that can occur in fatty acid composition and minor compounds. During the treatment of olive oil under ultrasonic waves, a rancid odour has been detected. Treated olive oils show no significant changes in their chemical composition but the presence of some volatile compounds, due to ultrasonic treatment. Some off-flavour compounds (hexanal, hept-2-enal and 2(E),4(E)-decadienal) resulting from the sonodegradation of olive oil have been identified. A wide variety of analytical techniques (GLC, HPLC and GC/MS) were used to follow the quality of bleached olive oils with ultrasonic waves by the determination of the amounts of certain minor compounds such as sterols and tocopherols. Steradienes, resulting from the dehydration of sterols, were detected with small quantities especially in severe conditions of sonication. Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) coupled to gas chromatography was known to be a sensitive technique to follow changes in the oxidative state of vegetable oils by measuring the amount of volatile materials produced during the refining process.

Traitement medical du mal de Pott: a propos des 18 cas

Introduction: la tuberculose vertebrale est de loin la localisation osteo-articulaire la plus frequente ; son traitement est de moins en moins chirurgical; la duree et les modalites du traitement medical restent cependant sujettes a discussion.Le but de ce travail est de proposer une attitude therapeutique standardisee pour le mal de Pott. Patients et methodes : Les acteurs rapportent une etude retrospective de 18 cas de mal de pott. Resultats : L'age moyen etait de 51 ans .Tous les malades ont beneficie d'un traitement medical ; aucune indication chirurgical n'a ete portee.l'imagerie par resonance magnetique et la biopsie sous scanner ont permis d'eviter les abords churirgicaux a visee diagnostic.La chimiotherapie consistait en une phase d'attaque comprenant quatre antituberculeux d'une duree moyenne de 5 mois ; suivi d'une phase d'entretien associant uniquement deux antituberculeux majeurs en prise quotidienne et d'une duree moyenne de 11 mois .Huit patients ont eu une immobilisation rachidienne. Apres un recul moyen de 36 mois l'evolution clinique et anatomique etait favorable pour tous les maladies. Aucune aggravation des troubles neurologiques n'a ete notee. Conclusion: traitement medical antituberculeux bien conduit est toujours efficace surtout si le diagnostic est assez precoce et permet ainsi d'eviter le recours a la chirurgie assez laborieuse et dont les resultats ne sont pas encourangeants

Alteration of chemical composition and the oxidative stability of bleached pomace-olive oil on activated clays.

This work is a contribution to the study of the bleaching process, which is a very important stage in the refining process of vegetable oils and used to reduce or convert undesired constituents to harmless ones from fats and oils. The virgin olive oil, taken as reference, and the pomace-olive oil were bleached in the optimal conditions using Tunisian bleaching earths (South of Tunisia) which were activated in our laboratory and compared with commercial clays. It was shown that activated Tunisian clays are characterized by a very important adsorptive capacity, comparable to that of commercial clays. Also, the physicochemical stability of bleached oils was studied. The fatty acid composition (GC), the triacylglycerol composition (HPLC), and the oxidative stability (UV spectrometry) allowed us to conclude that oils, bleached with the Tunisian activated clays, do not undergo considerable physicochemical alterations and remain corresponding to the international standards for refined oils for human consumption.

[Deep benign fibrous histiocytoma: a case report]. / L'histiocytofibrome bénin profond: à propos d'un cas.

Bening fibrous histiocytoma is one of the most frequent benign tumors. Most tumors are found in the skin, particularly on the limbs. Tumor size is usually small. According to the WHO, a deep location is found for less than 1% of all benign fibrous histiocytomas. Most deep tumors occur in the subcutaneous tissue. Deep locations in other organs have also been reported. We report a case and discuss the pathological and clinical aspects of this rare tumor.

[Epidemiology, clinical features, and evolution of Erysipelas in the Marrakech region (100 cases)]. / Erysipèle. Profil epidémiologique, clinique et evolutif dans la région de Marrakech (100 observations).

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical profile, and to study the evolution of this disease in the Marrakech region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied all patients with a diagnosis of erysipelas admitted in the Department of Dermatology from 1990 to 2002, in the Marrakech Mohamed VI hospital. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were included in the study, 58 male (58%) and 42 female (42%) patients, age range 9-95 years (mean age: 47 years). The lesions were most frequently located on the lower limbs (87% of the cases), with 82 cases occurring in the legs, whereas the face was affected in 10% of the cases. Erysipelas relapsed in 12 patients (12%). All patients had at least one risk factor: portal of entry (80 cases, with 67 cases of toe web intertrigo), obesity (10% of the cases), lymphedema (6% of the cases), diabetes (3% of the cases). The first line treatment was intravenous penicillin G in 76 cases (76%). Satisfactory results were observed in 78% of the cases. COMMENTS: Erysipelas is common in hospital environment. An early penicillin therapy associated to the treatment of the portal of entry leads to satisfactory results.

Integration esthetique d'une prothese partielle amovible a chassis metallique

L'objectif primordial du traitement d'un edentement partiel est de retablir la fonction occlusale; mais dans le cas ou l'edentement est borde par une dent anterieure notre objectif sera aussi de retablir l'esthetique. A travers un cas clinique; nous allons discuter l'apport d'un attachement axial sur les deux plans esthetique et fonctionnel ainsi que les cles de reussite de ce traitement prothetique qui doit repondre imperativement aux regles regissant la realisation des protheses composites

[Isolated dislocation of the carpal scaphoid. A case report with review of the literature]. / Luxation isolée du scaphoïde carpien. A propos d'un cas avec revue de la littérature.

Isolated dislocation of the carpal scaphoid is an extremely rare injury, which is usually accompanied by significant ligamento-capsular lesions. A review of the literature found only 21 reported cases. The aim of this report is to present a single case of isolated radio-palmar dislocation of the scaphoid treated conservatively, which provided a good functional result at 10 years follow up.

An interdisciplinary research strategy to improve symbiotic nitrogen fixation and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in salinised areas of the Mediterranean basin.

The main findings of a cooperative research group of agronomists, plant breeders, microbiologists, physiologists and molecularists to improve the symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) and N2-dependent yield of common bean under moderate salinity in the Mediterranean basin are summarised. Agronomic surveys in reference production areas show large spatial and temporal variations in plant nodulation and growth, and in efficiency of utilisation of the rhizobial symbiosis. The latter was associated with a large rhizobial diversity, including new bean nodulating species. Macrosymbiont diversity in SNF and adaptation to NaCl was found. However, contrasts between plant genotypes could be altered by specific interactions with some native rhizobia. Therefore, variations in soil rhizobial population, in addition to agronomic practices and environmental constraints, may have contributed to erratic results observed in field inoculations. At the mechanistic level, nodule C and N metabolisms, and abcissic acid content, were related to SNF potential and tolerance to NaCl. Their relation with nodule conductance to O2 diffusion was addressed by in situ hybridisation of candidate carbonic anhydrase and aquaporin genes in nodule cortex. The limits and prospects of the cooperative strategy are discussed.

Synthesis of catecholamide spiroarsoranes and their in vitro anthelmintic properties against Molinema dessetae and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infective larvae.

Catecholamide spiroarsoranes were synthesized and evaluated for anthelmintic properties on two in vitro models, infective larvae of the filaria Molinema dessetae and infective larvae of an intestinal nematode. Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. On the N dessetae model, the most active compound after 24 h incubation time had an EC50 of 0.1 mumol/l. Eleven compounds had EC50 's in a range from 2 to 200 mumol/l. After 7 days incubation time, the two most active compounds had EC50 's of 0.03 and 0.07 mumol/l, respectively. On the N brasiliensis model, only three compounds were slightly active after 4 days incubation time. The ligands used for the spiroarsoranes synthesis were also evaluated for anthelmintic activity in order to know the contribution of these structures in the spiroarsoranes activity. Spiroarsoranes as prodrugs of arsonic acids were very active on the filaria, nematode having predominantly transcuticular uptake of nutrients while the activity on the intestinal nematode having both the types, transcuticular and intestinal uptake was low. The high sensitivity of filarial infective larvae is probably in relation to their location in the mosquito whereas N. brasiliensis infective larvae are telluric and should be more unsensitive to survive in a variable environment.