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Biomedical subjects

A Masmoudi

Publications and source records attributed to A Masmoudi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Effect of beta-dystroglycan processing on utrophin/Dp116 anchorage in normal and mdx mouse Schwann cell membrane.

In the peripheral nervous system, utrophin and the short dystrophin isoform (Dp116) are co-localized at the outermost layer of the myelin sheath of nerve fibers; together with the dystroglycan complex. Dp116 is associated with multiple glycoproteins, i.e. sarcoglycans, and alpha- and beta-dystroglycan, which anchor the cytoplasmic protein subcomplex to the extracellular basal lamina. In peripheral nerve, matrix metalloproteinase activity disrupts the dystroglycan complex by cleaving the extracellular domain of beta-dystroglycan. Metalloproteinase creates a 30 kDa fragment of beta-dystroglycan, leading to a disruption of the link between the extracellular matrix and the cell membrane. Here we asked if the processing of the beta-dystroglycan could influence the anchorage of Dp116 and/or utrophin in normal and mdx Schwann cell membrane. We showed that metalloproteinase-9 was more activated in mdx nerve than in wild-type ones. This activation leads to an accumulation of the 30 kDa beta-dystroglycan isoform and has an impact on the anchorage of Dp116 and utrophin isoforms in mdx Schwann cells membrane. Our results showed that Dp116 had greater affinity to the full length form of beta-dystroglycan than the 30 kDa form. Moreover, we showed for the first time that the short isoform of utrophin (Up71) was over-expressed in mdx Schwann cells compared with wild-type. In addition, this utrophin isoform (Up71) seems to have greater affinity to the 30 kDa beta-dystroglycan which could explain the increased stabilization of this 30 kDa form at the membrane compartment. Our results highlight the potential participation of the short utrophin isoform and the cleaved form of beta-dystroglycan in mdx Schwann cell membrane architecture. We proposed that these two proteins could be implicated in Schwann cell proliferation in response to a microenvironment stress such as mediated by accumulating macrophages in mdx mouse muscle inflammation sites.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

[Adverse effects of intralesional Glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniosis].

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis used in Tunisia is Glucantime. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the adverse effects of intralesional Glucantime and to calculate the risk/benefit rate of this treatment. RESULTS: Adverse effects were observed in 14 cases (5%). For facial lesions, we observed facial staphylococci in 2 cases, stibio-intolerance in 1 case, and a palpebral subcutaneous nodule in 1 case. In limb lesions the complications were: sporotrichoid nodules in 5 cases, vagal malaise (1 case), pyodermitis (1 case), erysipelas (1 case), necrosis (1 case), and urticaria (1 case). COMMENTARY: The adverse effects of intralesional Glucantime are mostly infections, mainly observed in cephalic localization, and stibio-intolerance. For this reason, intralesional injection of Glucantime must be avoided in the cephalic region.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Gingival metastasis in breast phyllodes tumor].

BACKGROUND: The metastasis of oral cavity is rare. We report a gingival metastasis in the course of low grade phyllode sarcoma of the breast which is usually little metastatic. CASE-REPORT: A 44 year old woman was operated two years ago for a phyllod sarcoma of the breast histologically confirmed. She presented for a mandibular exophytic tumour associated with haemorrhagic, necrotic, ulcerated and bulking gingivitis surrounding at the level of the maxillary and mandibular gingiva. The examination revealed multiple nodular lesions of the trunk and the scalp. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous and gingival metastasis of the phyllod sarcoma of the breast. The evolution was rapidly fatal. DISCUSSION: The gingival metastasis are rare tumours with a bad prognostic. Their diagnosis is based on clinical and histological arguments and must be made different from chronic gingivitis which can be associated.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Subperiosteal hematoma in delivery].

Spontaneous subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit is uncommon and only five cases have been reported in literature. The aim is to report a new case of this exceptional complication of labour and delivery. A 28-year-old woman developed immediately after delivery exophthalmia, chemosis and diplopia. CT scan showed a subperiosteal hematoma of the orbit. Spontaneous evolution was good. For her second pregnancy, caesarean section was decided because of the risk of recurrence. Since no etiology is found, venous hyperpression occurring during labor could be the lone origin.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Antibiotic resistance and mechanisms implicated in clinical enterococci in a Tunisian hospital.

Susceptibility testing for 15 antibiotics was performed in a series of 191 clinical enterococci recovered in a Tunisian Hospital during 2000-2003. Species detected were the following ones (number of isolates): E. faecalis (139), E. faecium (41), E. casseliflavus (5), E. gallinarum (3), E. avium (2) and E. hirae (1). The percentages of antibiotic resistance detected were as follows (E. faecalis/ E. faecium/ other species) : penicillin (0/ 73/ 9%), tetracycline (78/ 44/ 54%), chloramphenicol (52/ 29/ 27%), erythromycin (66/ 100/ 82%), spiramycin (84/ 83/ 64%), pristinamycin (100/ 0/ 73%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (88/ 78/ 91%), rifampicin (72/ 41/ 0%), vancomycin (0/ 0/ 36%), teicoplanin (0/ 0/ 0%), high-level-resistance for gentamicin (24/ 29/ 45%), streptomycin (34/ 56/ 55%) and kanamycin (41/ 68/ 55%). Increased vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were only detected in E. casseliflavus and E. gallinarum isolates (MIC range 8-24 microg/ml). The erm(B), catA, tet(M), aac(6')-aph(2''), aph(3')-IIIa, and ant(6)-Ia genes were detected in 91%, 32%, 86%, 98%, 100%, and 72% of the E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates resistant to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and high-level-resistant to gentamicin, kanamycin and streptomycin, respectively. A total of 20 unrelated pulsed-field-gel-electrophoresis patterns were found in the series of 46 high-level gentamicin-resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates of this study.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

Diversity of structures carrying the aac(6')-aph(2") gene in clinical Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium strains isolated in Tunisia.

The diversity of structures carrying the aac(6')-aph(2") gene was studied in 46 high-level gentamicin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium clinical strains recovered in a Tunisian hospital during the period 2000-2003. The inclusion of the aac(6')-aph(2") gene within the Tn4001 composite element or in its truncated forms (lacking the IS256 at the right, the left or at both sides of the aac(6')-aph(2") gene) was investigated by PCR and sequencing. The aac(6')-aph(2") gene was included in the composite Tn4001 element in 19 of 34 high-level gentamicin-resistant E. faecalis strains (56%) and in 1 of 12 E. faecium strains (12%). A truncated form of Tn4001 lacking IS256 at the left-hand (in 10 E. faecalis and 8 E. faecium), at the right-hand (3 E. faecalis and 2 E. faecium) or at both sides of the aac(6')-aph(2") gene (in 2 E. faecalis and 1 E. faecium) was also detected in 26 of our enterococci. The transference by conjugation of the aac(6')-aph(2") gene, associated with other resistance genes, was demonstrated in seven of the high-level gentamicin-resistant E. faecalis strains.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed2005

Erysipelas after breast cancer treatment (26 cases).

Erysipelas is a bacterial hypodermal cellulitis usually associated with Streptococcal infection. Erysipelas of the upper limbs in women treated for breast cancer is relatively rare. We undertook a 10-year retrospective study identifying 26 cases of erysipelas of the upper limb following treatment for breast cancer; we describe the clinical, therapeutic, and evolutionary aspects. The age of our patients ranged from 37 to 80 years with a mean age of 53. All patients had a breast surgery and lymphadenectomy. Fifteen patients had chemotherapy and 23 had radiotherapy. The erysipelas appeared with an average of 5.23 years after cancer treatment (3 months to 15 years) and was recurrent in nine cases. Lymphedema occurred in eighteen patients. The first signs were fever and shivering in 25 patients. The clinical aspect was an inflammatory plaque. The physical findings of erysipelas included a raised edge (6 cases), blisters (1 case), purpura (1 case), and cellulitis (1 case). The portal of entry was not found in eleven patients. The upper limb was affected in all cases. Involvement of the axillary folds or the chest was observed in eight cases. Treatment with penicillin was undertaken for all patients; the length of treatment varied from 11 to 26 days. Lympadenectomy and radiotherapy in breast cancer may lead to lymphedema, which can be evident or sometimes discrete. Those patients who developed erysipelas in our series usually fared well with treatment, but many had recurrences attributed to persistent lymphedema. It was also of note that for many patients in this series, the portal of entry was not identified.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Glucantime injection: benefit versus toxicity].

UNLABELLED: Glucantime is the most common stibied derivative used to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Tunisia; however adverse effects have been reported. OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study deals with the various adverse of intramuscular glucantime used for CL. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (21%) receiving intramuscular Glucantime developed adverse effects. 8 male and 11 female patients, mean age 45, ranging from 8 to 84 years were affected. adverse effects were: fever (3), arthralgia and myalgia (4), nausea and vomiting (2), erythema nodosum (1), acute renal failure (3 including 1 lethal case), hepatic cytolysis (1), skin rash (4), and inflammation of the injection site (1). CONCLUSION: Adverse effects of intramuscular Glucantime were relatively frequent in our series. Arthralgia, myalgia, and skin rash were not severe and disappeared when the treatment was stopped. Stibiointoxication cases, mainly acute renal failure, were serious.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Usefulness of PCR in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tunisia.

We assessed the efficiency of a PCR method in establishing the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Tunisian patients. Four hundred and thirty specimens collected passively from patients with cutaneous ulcers suggestive of leishmaniasis attending health centres for diagnosis were included in the study. Dermal scrapings were analysed both by parasitological (examination of Giemsa-stained smears and in vitro cultivation) methods and by a genus-specific PCR detecting a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Microscopy revealed amastigotes in 245 samples (57.0%) and in vitro cultivation gave positive results in 88 cases (20.5%), whereas PCR detected Leishmania in 301 samples (70%). The sensitivities inferred from our results were 99.3%, 80.8% and 29% for PCR, microscopic examination and in vitro cultivation, respectively. The different forms of CL in this country are caused by three species of Leishmania and are treated with the same protocol. Of 303 well-documented cases in our study, 99% were probably caused by Leishmania major and 1% by Leishmania infantum. The lack of species-specific diagnosis is not known to affect treatment or prognosis in Tunisia. These data support the incorporation of PCR into diagnostic strategies for CL, particularly in Tunisia.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Mediastinal localisation of a thoracic duct lymphocele--account of a surgical case].

INTRODUCTION: Lymphocele of the thoracic duct is a rare pathological entity occurring as a consequence of deterioration and cystic dilation wall of this vessel. It may be of congenital or degenerative origin. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a 47 year old patient, operated on for a symptomatic cyst localised by CT scan to the inferoposterior mediastinum. At postero-lateral thoracotomy it was identified as a lymphocele and completely resected. Chemical analysis of the liquid and histopathology study of the cystic wall confirmed the diagnosis. The patient's post operative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the clinical characteristics of this entity and describes diagnostic techniques and surgical management.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed2005

[Bleomycin induced flagellate erythema].

Bleomycin is an antibiotic with antineoplastic pro prieties. It is used in the traitement of many syndromes. The cutaneous toxicity of bleomycin includes many alteration. We report a case of flagellate erythema following the administration of bleomycin in a 57-year-old women with Kaposi sarcoma. She developped linear lesions 6 days after the first dose of bleomycin. Flagellate erythema is a specific reaction to bleomycin therapy wich occurs in susceptible individuals independently of dose, route of administration and type of malignant disease treated. Its occurs in 10 to 35% of the treated patients.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed2005

[The cutaneous leishmaniasis of the face in Gafsa area, Tunisia].

The cutaneous leishmaniasis is a frequent affection in Tunisia. In the Gafsa region it is a endemoepidemic infection. Our prospective study was carried out on 225 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis of the face collected over two years in the outpatients' department of dermatology at Gafsa hospital. The aim of our study was to know more about the evolutive epidemio-clinical particularities of the cutaneous leishmaniasis of the face. The relative frequency of the cutaneous leishmaniasis of the face for the new patients reached 5%. An equal distribution between the two sexes was noted. The average age of our patients was 24 years old and 6 months old with extremes ranging from 3 months to 77 years. The nodular and ulcerated forms were the most frequent (35.3%), followed by impetiginoid forms (23%), then the lupoid forms (15%). The papular form was quite frequent (13%). Impetiginoid lesions occurred frequently in the child. Lupoid lesions appeared particularly on the nose. The complicated forms: the cutaneuos necrosis or erysipelas of the face appeared after intralesional injections of meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime). The intramuscular meglumine antimoniate was used in 172 patients, among them 47 needed two treatments or more because of a particular resistance of the lesions of the face. The pimple of Gafsa, term initially used for ulcerated skin nodules, was actually characterised by a lesional polymorphism. The prognosis was good however the risk of in aesthetic scar of the face was important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Penile sporotrichoid cutaneous leishmaniasis].

The localisation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis of L. major at the penis level is rare, we report here a new observation. Mr K. R aged of 41, without known pathological background presented for 20 days a nodular lesion of the anterior face of the neck, 2 juxtaposed ulcerated nodular lesions of the left wrist. He presented also subcutaneous nodules ranged linearly and extended to the root of the penis. Theses lesions were covered by an erythematous or ulcerated skin. The smear made from the genital lesions of the penis confirmed the diagnosis of a cutaneous leishmaniasis. The evolution was favourable after a 21 days treatment by doxycyclin after an interval of one week. Our observation was specific by the localisation of the cutaneous leishmaniasis and by the clinical form. This shows that in our region cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterised by different clinical symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Squamous cell carcinoma complicating an hereditary epidermolysis bullosa].

The dystrophic form of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa is associated with an increased frequency of squamous cell carcinoma. We report a new case. An 18-year-old patient, carrying a Hallopeau Siemens hereditary epidermolysis bullosa, presented a subcutaneous nodular lesion, for 1 year that ulcerated and budded with inguinal lymphadenopathy. The histological study led to the conclusion of a well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was treated surgically. Tumor and metastatic lymph nodes were excised. A radiotherapy was decided but the postoperative course was fatal due to an infection and to a deterioration of her general condition. Squamous cell carcinoma frequently occurs on the cicatricial lesion of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa and usually affects males with recessive hereditary epidermolysis bullosa. Metastases are frequent, precocious and multiple. The treatment may be surgical. The particularities of our observation are the young age of patient and the localization.

Adolescent↗