Eating disorders and related psychological features among Arabs and Jews in Israel: Does culture play a moderating role?

Eating disorders (EDs) have been documented in various cultural settings. A continuous increase in ED' rates among non-Western cultures (e.g., Arab cultures and East-Asian cultures) has been reported. We aimed to investigate the relations among culture, ED symptoms, and psychological features that are highly relevant in EDs through a cultural comparison of three groups. The groups included female university students in Israel with varying levels of exposure to Westernization: 118 Jewish students, 132 Arab students studying at a mixed university with a Jewish majority, and 111 Arab students studying at Sakhnin College, a college for Arab students only. The groups differed significantly on the Conservation Value dimension from the Short Portrait Values Questionnaire. Four psychological features were examined as predictors of ED symptoms: Interoceptive-deficits, Ineffectiveness, Asceticism, and Maturity-fear. The results revealed a comparable prevalence of self-reported ED symptoms among Arabs and Jews, with a small exception for bulimic symptoms, which were less prevalent among those in the Sakhnin group, who also scored lower on Ineffectiveness and higher on asceticism than the other groups. Testing the relations between the four psychological features and ED symptoms revealed that culture played a moderating role in predicting the strength of ineffectiveness and maturity-fear. Ineffectiveness was not a predictor among the Sakhnin group, whereas maturity-fear was not a predictor in the least conservative Jewish group. Asceticism and interoceptive-deficits predicted ED symptoms across all study groups. Our findings indicate that the problem of EDs may be similar among Arab and Jewish women in Israel. Moreover, despite some similarities in the relevance of some ED-related psychological features, other features are moderated by culture.

Prenatal exposure to acrylamide differently affected the sex ratio, aromatase and apoptosis in female adult offspring of two subsequent generations

In the present study, we investigated the effect of acrylamide (ACR) exposure during pregnancy on the ovary of female adult offspring of two subsequent generations. Sixty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were given different doses of ACR (2.5 and 10 mg/kg/day) from day 6 of pregnancy until giving birth. Females from the first generation (AF1) were fed ad libitum, and thereafter, a subgroup was euthanized at 8 weeks of age and ovary samples were obtained. The remaining females were maintained until they reached sexual maturity (50 days old) and then treated in the same way as the previous generation to obtain the second generation of females (AF2). The histopathological examination indicated a high frequency of corpora lutea along with an increased number of antral follicles that reached the selectable stage mainly at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. Interestingly, ACR exposure significantly increased the mRNA levels of CYP19 gene and its corresponding CYP19 protein expression in AF1 females. The TUNEL assay showed a significantly high rate of apoptosis in stromal cells except for dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day. However, in AF2 females, ACR exposure significantly increased the number of degenerating follicles and cysts while the number of growing follicles was reduced. Moreover, in both ACR-treated groups, estradiol-producing enzyme CYP19A gene and its corresponding protein were significantly reduced, and an excessive apoptosis was produced. We concluded that the ovarian condition of AF1 females had considerable similarity to the typical early perimenopausal stage, whereas that of AF2 females was similar to the late perimenopausal stage in women.

Outcomes of Older Patients with Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases Cancer (CRLM): Single Center Experience

Surgery is the only potential curative option of CRLM if resectable. The curative approach in patients over 70 years old is challenging mainly because of comorbidities and other geriatric syndromes. Herein, we report outcomes of older patients with resectable CRLM in our center. We retrospectively analyzed characteristics and outcomes of older patients with CRLM operated at "Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal" (CHUM) between 2010 and 2019. We identified 210 patients aged ≥70 years with a median age of 76 (range: 70-85). CRLM were synchronous in 56% of patients. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 41.3 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 62.2 months and estimated 5-year survival rate was 51.5% similar to those of younger counterparts. Patients with metachronous CRLM had a trend to a higher OS compared to those with synchronous disease (67.2 vs. 58.7 months; p = 0.42). Factors associated with lower survival in the multivariate analysis were right-sided tumors and increased Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI). Survival outcomes of patients aged ≥70 years were comparable to those of younger patients and those reported in the literature. Age should not be a limiting factor in the curative management of older patients with resectable CRLM.

Acroeimeria lineri (McAllister, Upton, Freed, 1988) Paperna and Landsberg, 1989 in Mediterranean Geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus): Oocyst Morphometrics, Endogenous Developmental Stages, and Molecular Sequencing Support its Placement into Acroeimeria

Between June 2016 and June 2019, we surveyed 62 Mediterranean geckos, Hemidactylus turcicus, from Abu Rawash, Giza, Egypt, for the presence of endoparasites. In June 2016, we found 3 individuals to be infected with Eimeria lineri. We studied the morphology and inner structures of its sporulated oocysts, and the locations of its intestinal endogenous stages. We also extracted genomic DNA from these sporulated oocysts and successfully sequenced a 632-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analyses using this partial sequence allowed us to support previous studies that assigned E. lineri to the genus Acroeimeria. Our consensus sequence was used to query similar 18S rDNA sequences from GenBank, and 14 sequences were selected. The phylogenetic analysis inferred by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods gave similar results, as both separated the sequences into 2 clades: (1) a monophyletic group of Goussia species (from fish); and (2) a strongly supported clade that separated 4 Choleoeimeria species from a polyphyletic group of species that clustered A. lineri with 3 other Acroeimeria species and 3 Eimeria species from lizards, including Eimeria tiliquae from Tiliqua rugosa (Gray, 1825), Eimeria tokayae from Gecko gecko (L., 1758), and Eimeria eutropidis from Eutropis macularia (Blyth, 1853). Our study supports the placement of E. lineri into the Acroeimeria and contributes additional life history information toward understanding the evolutionary origin of the Eimeria-like species that have sporocysts without Stieda bodies in their oocysts and that infect saurian reptiles. We also support the concept that several traits (morphological, endogenous, and gene sequences) are both necessary and important for authors to include when making generic reassignments within the eimeriid coccidia.

N-Heterocyclic carbene-palladium-PEPPSI complexes and their catalytic activity in the direct C–H bond activation of heteroarene derivatives with aryl bromides: synthesis, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities

The Pd–NHC–PEPPSI complexes were used as catalysts in the direct C5-arylation of 2-acetyl furan, 2-acetylthiophene, and 2n-propylthiazole with different aryl bromides and were evaluated for their potential antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Outcomes of elderly patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer (CRLM): Single center experience

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Background: Half of patients with colorectal cancer develop liver metastases during the course of their disease. Surgery is the only potentially curative option for CRLM if resectable. Treatment of patients over 70 years old is challenging mainly because of comorbidities and other geriatric syndromes. Thus, we intended to report our experience with elderly patients with resectable CRLM. Methods: After approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), all records from a prospectively collected database at Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Monréal (CHUM) were retrospectively analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics, surgery and chemotherapy treatment modalities were reviewed. RFS and OS in patients ≥ 70y were calculated using the Kaplan Meier survival curve. Results: From 2010 to 2016, 101 patients older than 70 years were identified. Safety and surgical complications were previously reported. Median age was 75 years. CRLM were synchronous in 46.5% and metachronous in 53.5%. Relapse free survival (RFS) of patients ≥ 70 years was 33.7 months. Overall survival (OS) of patients ≥70 years was comparable to those of less than 65 years old (median OS: 56 vs 62 months; p = 0.15, respectively). Hepatic relapse showed worse survival when compared to extra-liver recurrence, mOS: 44 vs 33.2 vs 29.3 months for non-hepatic, hepatic only and hepatic with other sites respectively (trend p = 0.034). Although non-statistically significant, Patients with metachronous CRLM had superior mOS compared to those with synchronous disease (58.7 vs 44.7 months; p = 0.22). Conclusions: Survival Outcomes of patients with an age ≥ 70 years were comparable to those of younger patients and what is reported in literature. Age should not be a limiting factor in the management of elderly patients with resectable CRLM. Hepatic metastatectomies +/- chemotherapy should be offered with curative intents.

Synthesis, characterization, biological determination and catalytic evaluation of ruthenium(ii) complexes bearing benzimidazole-based NHC ligands in transfer hydrogenation catalysis

A new series of ruthenium (ii) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes has been synthesized via transmetalation. The obtained complexes were applied to transfer hydrogenation of ketone derivatives.

Ru(ii)–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis, characterization, transfer hydrogenation reactions and biological determination

A series of ruthenium(ii) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were successfully synthesized by transmetalation reactions between silver(i) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ in dichloromethane under Ar conditions. All new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods. These ruthenium(ii)–NHC complexes were found to be efficient precatalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones by using 2-propanol as the hydrogen source in the presence of KOH as a co-catalyst. The antibacterial activity of ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes 3a–f was measured by disc diffusion method against Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compounds 3d exhibited potential antibacterial activity against five bacterial species among the six used as indicator cells. The product 3e inhibits the growth of all the six tested microorganisms. Moreover, the antioxidant activity determination of these complexes 3a–f, using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) as reagent, showed that compounds 3b and 3d possess DPPH and ABTS antiradical activities. From a concentration of 1 mg ml⁻¹, these two complexes presented a similar scavenging activity to that of the two used controls gallic acid (GA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). From a concentration of 10 mg ml⁻¹, the percentage inhibition of complexes 3b and 3d was respectively 70% and 90%. In addition, these two Ru–NHC complexes exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Investigation of the anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of the studied complexes showed that compounds 3a, 3b, 3d and 3e exhibited good activity at 100 μg ml⁻¹ and product 3d is the most active. In a cytotoxicity study the complexes 3 were evaluated against two human cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Both 3d and 3e complexes were found to be active against the tested cell lines showing comparable activity with examples in the literature.

A series of ruthenium(ii) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were successfully synthesized by transmetalation reactions between silver(i) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ in dichloromethane under Ar conditions.

Mineral features of connective dental hard tissues in hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mineral features of dentin and cementum in hypoplastic Amelogenesis imperfecta AI teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four (44) teeth cleaned and free of caries were used: 20 control and 24 affected by hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta. Thirty-two teeth were studied by pQCT, cut in sections, and analyzed under microradiography, polarized light microscopy, and confocal Raman spectroscopy. Eight teeth were observed under scanning electron microscope. Four teeth were used for an X-ray diffraction. The mineral density data were analyzed statistically with the Mann-Whitney U test, using GraphPad InStat software.

RESULTS

Both coronal dentin and radicular dentin were less mineralized in AI teeth when compared to control (respectively 6.2% and 6.8%; p < .001). Root dentinal walls were thin and irregular, while the cellular cementum layers were thick, reaching sometimes the cervical region of the tooth. Regular dentinal tubules and sclerotic dentin areas were noticed. Partially tubular or cellular dysplastic dentin and hyper-, normo-, or hypomineralized areas were noticed in the inter-radicular areas of hypoplastic AI teeth. The main mineral component was carbonate hydroxyapatite as explored by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Dentin and cementum in hypoplastic AI teeth are (i) hypomineralized, (ii) constituted of carbonate hydroxyapatite, and (iii) of non-homogenous structure.

Interleukin-17 as a predictor of sepsis in polytrauma patients: a prospective cohort study

Sepsis is one of the most serious complications after major trauma, and may be associated with increased mortality. We sought to determine whether there is an association between serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the development of sepsis. We evaluated 100 adult patients with major trauma admitted to the surgical ICU over a 6-month period. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-6, and TNF-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The IL-17 rs1974226 genotype was determined by real-time PCR. In both non-adjusted and adjusted analyses, IL-17 was the only biomarker significantly associated with sepsis [median serum IL-17 of 72 pg/mL in sepsis versus 37 pg/mL in those without sepsis, P = 0.0001; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.2, P = 0.02]. No significant association was found among IL-17 rs1974226 genotypes and related serum cytokine levels. These data suggest that elevated serum IL-17 may increase the susceptibility for septic complications in polytrauma patients and so could be a useful biomarker for trauma patient management.

DBU-Catalysed Synthesis of Metal-Free Phthalocyanines and Metallophthalocyanines Containing 2(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)Ethanol and 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde Groups: Characterisation, Antimicrobial Properties and Aggregation Behaviour

The synthesis, characterisation, and spectral and antimicrobial properties of novel peripherally tetra-substituted metal-free phthalocyanines and metallophthalocyanines bearing four 2(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanol or 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde substituents is reported. The aggregation behaviour of these compounds was investigated in different concentrations of DMSO. The compounds exhibited antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms.

Genetic association between the HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and the recurrent spontaneous abortions in Saudi Arabian women

The non-classical class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G molecule was found to be predominately expressed in the extravillous cytotrophoblasts at the fetal-maternal interface during pregnancy. This molecule is critically important for successful implantation during human pregnancy. The polymorphic insertion-deletion (indel) 14-base pair (bp) site localized at the 3' untranslated region was associated with HLA-G mRNA stability and isoform alternative splicing patterns, and thus may influence HLA-G function during pregnancy. We studied the association between the 14-bp indel polymorphism (rs16375) at the 3' untranslated region with recurrent spontaneous abortions in a Saudi population living in Riyadh. A group of 64 women with 2-11 successive abortions were included in this study. The control group included 62 women without reported abortions and at least 2 pregnancies, all visiting the King Khaled Hospital in Riyadh. The 14-bp indel was genotyped in the case and control groups. The frequency of the genotype +14/+14 was slightly higher in women with recurrent spontaneous abortions, but no significant differences were observed in the distribution of alleles and genotypes.

Effect of contact lens material on cytotoxicity potential of multipurpose solutions using human corneal epithelial cells

PURPOSE

Multipurpose solutions (MPS) are used daily to clean and disinfect silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lenses. This in vitro study was undertaken to identify the potential for interaction between MPS, SiHy surface treatments, and lens materials, which may lead to changes in the response of human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) to MPS-soaked lenses.

METHODS

The MPS tested were renu fresh (formerly known as ReNu MultiPlus; ReNu), OptiFree Express (OFX), OptiFree RepleniSH, SoloCare Aqua, and Complete Moisture Plus. The SiHy materials evaluated were lotrafilcon A, lotrafilcon B, comfilcon A, galyfilcon A, and balafilcon A (BA). MPS-soaked lenses were placed on top of adherent HCEC. The effect of MPS dilutions (0.1 to 10% final concentration in medium) was also characterized. Cell viability, adhesion phenotype and caspase activation were studied after 24-h cell exposure. OFX released from lenses was determined using UV absorbance.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in viability (between 30 to 50%) was observed with cells exposed to lenses soaked in ReNu and OFX. A significant downregulation of α(3) and β(1) integrins, with integrin expression ranging from 60% to 75% of control (cells with no lens), was also observed with OFX and ReNu-soaked lenses. With the exception of BA, all other lenses soaked in OFX resulted in significant caspase activation, whereby over 18% of cells stained positive for caspases. Minimal caspase activation was observed in cells exposed to ReNu and Solo soaked lenses. For both OFX and ReNu, exposing cells to at least a 5% dilution had a significant effect on viability and integrin expression. While Complete and Solo did not lead to reduction in viability, cells exposed to a 10% dilution showed reduced integrin expression down to less than 70% of control value. Comparing cell response to diluted MPS solutions and various MPS-soaked lenses showed that it is not possible to reliably use cell response to MPS dilution alone to assess MPS biocompatibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that the reaction of HCEC to MPS are affected by the type of lenses the MPS is released from and may potentially be influenced by the surface treatment (or lack of it) of SiHy materials.

Association analysis of HLA-class II and class III gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility to mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis

HLA-DRB1, -DQB1, TNFalpha, TNFbeta, HSP70-2 and HSP70-hom genetic polymorphisms were analyzed in 156 unrelated patients who developed mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis (MVL) due to Leishmania infantum, and 154 unrelated healthy controls, who have got asymptomatic infection with this parasite and were selected on the basis of a positive leishmanin skin test (LST). A significantly reduced frequency of HLA-DR2 was observed among MVL patients (16.1%), compared with controls (26.3%) (relative risk = 0.54; p = 0.04). HLA-DR2/DR13 as well as HLA-DQB1*0201/- genotype frequencies were significantly lower in patients vs controls (relapse rate = 0.17 and 0.46, respectively; p < 0.05). However, using Bonferroni correction, none of these associations remained significant. No association was found, between either the -308 base pair TNFalpha gene polymorphism or the NcoI polymorphism in the first intron of the TNFbeta gene and susceptibility to MVL. Analysis of PstI and NcoI polymorphisms in the coding region of HSP70-2 and HSP70-hom genes, respectively, revealed a significantly higher frequency of homozygotes for the HSP70-2/PstI negative allele, among patients (21.8%) vs controls (12.6%) (relapse rate = 1.94; p = 0.04). Again, this result was not significant after using Bonferroni correction. These results do not support association between susceptibility to MVL and the MHC class II and class III loci analyzed in this study.

[Lactobacillus acidophilus endocarditis]

BACKGROUND

Lactobacillus is a commensal germ found in the buccal cavity, the digestive tract and the vagina. Usually non-pathogenic except in case of dental caries, it can occasionally be the causal agent in severe endocarditis.

CASE REPORT

A 70-year-old woman developed endocarditis on an aortic valve bioprosthesis. Lactobacillus acidophilus was isolated from blood cultures of the valve after surgery.

COMMENTS

Forty-four cases of Lactobacillus endocarditis have been reported in the literature to date. Mortality is high (26%). The main difficulty in treatment is germ tolerance to penicillin and aminosides found in all cases. Cure requires high dose parenteral antibiotics and surgery in many cases (26%).

A histopathological study of different clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Biopsy specimens for histopathological study were taken from 15 parasitologically proven cases with different clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) including two patients with disseminated CL in the form of subcutaneous nodules and satellite papules. The clinical picture of these patients was also reported. The study revealed that the histopathological manifestations were variable, ranging from a diffuse infiltrate in the acute stage to a tuberculoid architecture in the chronic stage. One patient had perineural inflammatory cell infiltrate consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages.