Analysis of genetic diversity of Tunisian pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers.

Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers preferentially amplify open reading frames and were used to study the genetic diversity of Tunisian pistachio. In the present study, 43 Pistacia vera accessions were screened using seven SRAP primer pairs. A total of 78 markers was revealed (95.12%) with an average polymorphic information content of 0.850. The results suggest that there is strong genetic differentiation, which characterizes the local resources (GST = 0.307). High gene flow (Nm = 1.127) among groups was explained by the exchange of plant material among regions. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant differences within groups and showed that 73.88% of the total genetic diversity occurred within groups, whereas the remaining 26.12% occurred among groups. Bayesian clustering and principal component analysis identified three pools, El Guettar, Pollenizers, and the rest of the pistachios belonging to the Gabès, Kasserine, and Sfax localities. Bayesian analysis revealed that El Guettar and male genotypes were assigned with more than 80% probability. The BayeScan method proposed that locus 59 (F13-R9) could be used in the development of sex-linked SCAR markers from SRAP since it is a commonly detected locus in comparisons involving the Pollenizers group. This is the first application of SRAP markers for the assessment of genetic diversity in Tunisian germplasm of P. vera. Such information will be useful to define conservation strategies and improvement programs for this species.

[Comparative study of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in the severity diagnosis of pyelonephritis in children]. / Étude comparative de la protéine C-réactive et de la procalcitonine dans le diagnostic de sévérité des pyélonéphrites aiguës de l'enfant.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare two biologic parameters; C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the detection of acute renal lesions assessed by DMSA scintigraphy in the urinary tract infection in child. DESIGN: In a prospective study, serum PCT, CRP and leukocyte counts were measured for children admitted, between January and December 2010, with a first episode of febrile urinary tract infection. RESULTS: Seventy-five children were enrolled in the study. Thirty-three patients had renal lesions (group A) and 42 had a normal DMSA scintigraphy (group B). The mean PCT level was significantly higher in group A than in group B (8.81 ng/mL versus 1.7 ng/mL, P=0.01). In this study, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, we identified that the optimal cut-off value with ideal sensitivity and specificity for PCT in detection of renal lesions was 0.76 ng/mL and for CRP, it was 70 mg/L. The sensitivity, the negative predictive value and the indice of Youden of the cut-off value of PCT were significantly higher than CRP (82% versus 70%; 84% versus 70% and 0.58 versus 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the serum PCT level was more sensitive and specific than the CRP in the detection of renal lesions in the first urinary tract infection in child.

Genetic diversity of Tunisian figs (Ficus carica L.) as revealed by nuclear microsatellites.

The present study portrays the achievement of the genetic polymorphism surveying and the establishment of an ecotypes identification key on the basis of simple sequence repeats data. Seventy-two Tunisian fig ecotypes in situ and ex situ conserved were analyzed using six microsatellite loci. A total of 58 alleles and 124 genotypes were revealed and permitted to evidence high degree of genetic diversity mainly explained at the intra group level. Cluster analysis based on genetic distances proved that a typical continuous genetic diversity characterizes the local germplasm. In addition, the microsatellite multilocus genotyping has permitted to unambiguously distinguish 70 well-defined ecotypes (resolving power of 97.22%). Data are discussed in relation with the reliability of the used markers to check the conformity of the plant material and to rationally manage the conservation of this crop.

Renal transplantation unveils Conn's syndrome: a case report.

Primary hyperaldosteronism or Conn's syndrome is rare after renal transplantation. We present a case of a 34-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease, who had received a living renal transplant and showed persistent hypertension and hypokalemia. The common causes of hypertension after kidney transplantation were excluded and hypokalemia persisted despite potassium supplementation and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Biochemical findings revealed extremely elevated plasma aldosteron levels, suppressed plasma renin activity, and massive urinary potassium wasting. Abdominal computerized tomography scan showed a left 25-mm adrenal nodule. Her hypertension and hypokalemia was cured by the removal of the adenoma.

[Encapsulating peritonitis disclosing primary melanoma of the small intestine: a case report]. / Péritonite enccapsulante révélatrice d'un mélanome primitif du grêle: à propos d'une observation.

Encapsulating peritonitis is a chronic peritonitis leading to the constitution of the thick white nacred fibrosis membrane. It is a rare affection. Its physiopathology is poorly elucidated. Diagnosis is usually at operation. We report an unpublished case of a 36-year-old patient, admitted for an abdominal mass. The different investigations demonstrated small bowel tumor with entrapped ileal and jejunal loops within a capsule. Diagnosis was made at the time of operation by discovering an encapsulating peritonitis caused by a primary malignant melanoma of the small bowel, which is an exceptional affection.

[Diaphragmatic bronchogenic cyst: a rare case report]. / Kyste bronchogénique du diaphragme : à propos d'un cas rare.

Retroperitoneal bronchogenic cysts are rare and those located in the diaphragm are exceptional. We describe an additional case of bronchogenic cyst of the left crus of diaphragm. Diagnosis of a diaphragmatic lesion was confirmed during laparotomy and complete resection was successful. Final diagnosis was done on pathology.

[Role of scintigraphic tests in upper urinary tract dilatation in children]. / Place des explorations scintigraphiques dans les dilatations de la voie excrétrice supérieure chez l'enfant.

The diuresis renography has an important place in the management of upper urinary tract dilatation in children. This non-aggressive and low irradiant exploration is very helpful to determine if hydronephrosis is obstructive or not and to evaluate the renal function impairment. The protocol of exam must be particularly rigorous and interpretation should take into account physiopathological factors that influence provocated diuresis. A well patient hydration and if necessary a bladder catheter are required. The MAG-3 is the radiopharmaceutical of choice especially in newborn and infants. The furosemide administration at 20 minutes after radiotracer injection is the most commonly used protocol and is generally sufficient to classify the urinary dilatation. Equivocal cases and symptomatic forms can benefit from a modified protocol in which furosemide is administered 15 minutes before radiotracer injection (F-15). False positive tests may result from a marked dilatation or renal function reduction. The place of diuresis renography in management of neonatal hydronephrosis is controversial, particularly because of the dynamic and evolving nature of this pathology.

[Aorticopulmonary paraganglioma. A case report]. / Paragangliome aortico-pulmonaire. A propos d'un cas.

Paraganglioma is a tumor which develops from the paraganglion system, generally in the adrenal medulla (90%). Thoracic localisations are exceptional and arise essentially for the aortic and subaortic bodies, leading, in this case, to an anterior and posterior localisation. We report a case of non-chromaffin non-secreting aorticopulmonary paraganglioma, discovered fortuitously in a 64-year-old man.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and severe hypothyroidism, associated with a single hot nodule.

We report the case of a 27 year-old man with symptoms of severe hypothyroidism that have evolved since his adolescence. He was found to have an 11 mm right lobe thyroid nodule. On thyroid ultrasound, the nodule was solid, heterogeneous with markedly atrophic hypoechoic surrounding tissue. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed increased (99m)Tc pertechnetate and (131)I uptake, with persistence of (131)I hyperfixation after 24 h. There was no fixation of the radiotracer in the remaining tissue. Thyroid function tests found TSH > 100 mIU/l, free thyroxine level 0.9 pmol/l (normal values 11.5-21.8), anti-thyroid peroxydase antibodies strongly positive > 1,000 IU/ml, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies negative. One year after levothyroxine therapy, the nodule decreased to 40% of its original size. Hashimoto's thyroiditis may present as a single hot nodule and severe hypothyroidism. Data of reported cases suggest that the hot nodule corresponds to a localized hyperplasia of the less diseased portions of the thyroid. Chronic stimulation by TSH may have promoted nodular growth and isotopes uptake.

Tiroiditis de Hashimoto e hipotiroidismo severo, asociado con un solo nódulo caliente / Hashimoto's thyroiditis and severe hypothyroidism, associated with a single hot nodule

Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 27 años de edad con síntomas de hipotiroidismo severo en evolución desde la adolescencia, y un nódulo tiroideo de 11 mm en el lóbulo derecho. En la ecografía del tiroides, el nódulo era sólido, heterogéneo y con un tejido notablemente atrófico hipoecoico alrededor. La gammagrafía tiroidea reveló un aumento en la captación en el nódulo tanto del 99mTc-pertecnetato como del 131I, con persistencia de la captación de 131I en la imagen de 24 h. No se observó fijación del radiotrazador en el resto de la glándula. Los análisis mostraron unos niveles séricos de TSH > 100 mUI/l, tiroxina libre 0,9 pmol/l (11,5-21,8), anticuerpos antitiroperoxidasa positivo > 1.000 UI/ml y anticuerpos antitiroglobulina negativos. Un año después del tratamiento con levotiroxina, el nódulo redujo en un 40% su tamaño original. La tiroiditis de Hashimoto puede presentarse como un solo nódulo caliente e hipotiroidismo severo. Datos reportados sugieren que el nódulo caliente corresponde a una hiperplasia localizada de las porciones menos dañadas del tiroides. La estimulación crónica por TSH puede haber favorecido el crecimiento nodular y la captación de los isótopos(AU)

We report the case of a 27 year-old man with symptoms of severe hypothyroidism that have evolved since his adolescence. He was found to have an 11 mm right lobe thyroid nodule. On thyroid ultrasound, the nodule was solid, heterogeneous with markedly atrophic hypoechoic surrounding tissue. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed increased 99mTc pertechnetate and 131I uptake, with persistence of 131I hyperfixation after 24 h. There was no fixation of the radiotracer in the remaining tissue. Thyroid function tests found TSH > 100 mIU/l, free thyroxine level 0.9 pmol/l (normal values 11.5-21.8), anti-thyroid peroxydase antibodies strongly positive > 1,000 IU/ml, and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies negative. One year after levothyroxine therapy, the nodule decreased to 40% of its original size. Hashimoto's thyroiditis may present as a single hot nodule and severe hypothyroidism. Data of reported cases suggest that the hot nodule corresponds to a localized hyperplasia of the less diseased portions of the thyroid. Chronic stimulation by TSH may have promoted nodular growth and isotopes uptake(AU)