Tc1/Tc2 ratio in the inflammatory process in patients with Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral blood CD8+ T cells expressing interferon gamma and interleukin-4 (IL-4), and lacking CD28 molecules, were responsible for the dynamic interplay between peripheral blood and inflammatory sites. INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study was to define in Behçet's disease (BD), CD8+ T-cell subsets using CD28 and CD11b monoclonal antibodies, and the characterization of the Tc1/Tc2 ratio and perforin expression. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used for intracytoplasmic cytokines and perforin expression. Effector cells were investigated by adhesion of CD8+ T cells to human microvascular endothelial cells and by chemotaxis using beta-chemokine. RESULTS: Interferon-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells in active and remission BD patients were increased, which induce a significant increase of the Tc1:Tc2 ratio in BD. CD8(+)CD28(-)CD11b+ T cells were found to be more expanded in BD patients than in age-matched healthy controls. The expression of CD11b molecules in active BD allowed to CD8(+)CD28+/CD8(+)CD28- subsets to adhere to human microvascular endothelial cells, with more efficiency in BD. Using MIP-1alpha, we observed that the migratory process of CD28(-)CD11b(+) is more important in BD. CD28(-)CD11b+ exhibited an increased perforin expression in BD patients. CONCLUSION: Taken together these results suggest the presence of immune activation, probably in response to a profound inflammation affecting BD patients. The physiopathological significance of these results were toward autoimmune diseases and/or infectious process

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Selected Adipokines and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers in Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Young Males-A Pre-Post Test Trial

The study aimed to assess effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on plasma adipokines and cardiometabolic markers in normal and excess weight youth. Eighteen healthy young males (18.2 ± 1.06 yrs.) were divided in normal-weight group (NWG; body mass index (BMI), 20.5 ± 1.51 kg/m2; n = 9) and excess-weight group (EWG; BMI, 30.8 ± 4.56 kg/m2; n = 9). Participants performed an eight-week HIIT program without caloric restriction. Body composition, plasma leptin, adiponectin, chemerin, omentin-1, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and the homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed before and after the HIIT program. The program resulted in significant increases in omentin levels (p < 0.01) in EWG (27%) and NWG (22%), but no changes in leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin in both groups. BMI (−1.62%; p = 0.015), body fat (−1.59%; p = 0.021), total cholesterol (−11.8%; p = 0.026), triglycerides (−21.3%; p = 0.023), and HOMA-IR (−31.5%; p = 0.043) decreased in EWG only. Repeated measures detected significant interaction “Time x Group” for body mass and BMI only. Eight-week HIIT program improved body composition, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in excess-weight individuals. It resulted in an increase in omentin levels in both normal- and excess-weight groups, but no changes in leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin. Body composition has not influenced the response of the four adipokines to HIIT

Angiotensin II Receptor Gene A1166C Variant and Hypertension in Tunisian Population

Many genes have been proposed as candidate genes for hypertension. Among these genes, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AGTR1) has been investigated in the pathogenesis of hypertension, but studies have often generated controversial results. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the A1166C variant of the AGTR1 and hypertension in a sample from the Tunisian population. Analysis of the AGTR1 genotypes was performed in 388 Tunisian patients with hypertension and 428 healthy subjects by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The results shows that the AGTR1 genotypes distribution and allele frequencies were not significantly different between the hypertensive and normotensive subjects (p&gt;0.05). This polymorphism was not associated with hypertension (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.47-2.24]; p = 0.58) for AC and (OR = 1.19, 95% CI [0.65-2.19]; p = 0.83) for CC in comparison to the AA wild homozygous. After adjustment for the confounding factors of age, gender, body mass index, fasting glucose concentration, dyslipidemia and smoking, the OR for hypertension remained no significant (OR = 1.28, 95% CI [0.87-1.84]; p = 0.50) for CC vs AA. Furthermore, no relationship was found between clinical characteristics and AGTR1 genotypes. In the conclusion; our data suggested that the A1166C variant of the AGTR1 is not involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the Tunisian population

Plasma arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in Tunisian very low birth weight infants: status and association with selected neonatal morbidities

To study plasma arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) status in Tunisian very low birth weight (VLBW) infants and their association with selected neonatal morbidities. A total of 709 VLBW infants and 339 term infants were included. Plasma fatty acids were analyzed using capillary gas chromatography. VLBW infants had significantly (p &lt; 0.001) lower plasma AA (9.44 \ub1 2.12 vs. 10.8 \ub1 2.10) and DHA (2.56 \ub1 0.89 vs. 3.46 \ub1 1.09) levels, but higher n-6:n-3 ratio (5.58 \ub1 1.22 vs. 5.17 \ub1 1.46) than term infants. In VLBW infants, plasma AA and DHA were related to gestational age (r = 0.156; p = 0.001 and r = 0.134; p = 0.003, respectively), birthweight (r = 0.242; p &lt; 0.001 and r = 0.181; p &lt; 0.001, respectively) and head circumference (r = 0.138; p = 0.005 and r = 0.108; p = 0.027, respectively). Infants with respiratory distress syndrome have decreased plasma AA and DHA and those with intraventricular hemorrhage have decreased plasma AA and n-6:n-3 ratio. Sepsis was associated with decreased DHA levels. Plasma long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids status is low in VLBW infants. These deficits may enhance the risk of common neonatal morbidities, rendering their prevention and correction greatly warranted

ScaI Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Gene Polymorphism and Hypertension in the Tunisian Population

Numerous genetic variants have been linked to hypertension. Among these variants T2238C polymorphism in atrial natriuretic peptide gene has been investigated in the pathogeneses of hypertension, but studies have often generated controversial results. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between hypertension and the ANP/ T2238C variant gene that led to the loss of ScaI restriction site, thus eliminated the regular stop codon and involved an extension of the human ANP by two additional arginines. We genotyped 384 patients with hypertension and 435 healthy controls. The ScaI ANP gene polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The results shows that the ScaI ANP gene polymorphism genotypes distribution and allele frequencies were not significantly different between the hypertensive and normotensive subjects (p&gt;0.05). The frequencies of A2 wild allele and A1 mutant allele were 48% and 52% respectively in hypertensive patients and 49% and 51% in control group (p=0.66). This polymorphism is not associated with hypertension (OR= 1.55, 95% CI [0.82-2.92]; p=0.17) for TC and (OR=1.80, 95% CI [0.81-3.98]; p=0.14) for CC after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, fasting glucose concentration, dyslipidemia and smoking. Furthermore, no relationship was found between clinical characteristics and ScaI ANP genotypes. As a conclusion; this study suggested that the ScaI ANP gene polymorphism is not associated with hypertension in the Tunisian population

Poor Eating Habits and Low Physical Activity Contribute to Weight Excess and Increase Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents Practicing Soccer as a Recreational Sport

Background: Monitoring anthropometry, dietary intake, and physical activity (PA) is essential to prevent/counteract childhood obesity. This study examined dietary intake, PA, and anthropometric characteristics in young boys practicing soccer as a recreational sport. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 226 boys aged 8 to 13 years participating in soccer as a recreational activity in football academies located in Tunis, Tunisia. Anthropometric measures allowed the calculation of body mass index, fat mass, and peak height velocity as markers of biological maturity. A three-day food record and a food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake and eating habits. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to estimate the PA level of the participants. Results: It was found that a high percentage of the children had excess weight (54%) and excess fat mass (47%). The total energy, carbohydrate, and saturated fat intake of the children exceeded the recommended levels by approximately 10%, 15%, and 30%, respectively. However, the intake of unsaturated fat was below the estimated requirements, particularly in obese children. In addition to the unbalanced macronutrient intake, the children also showed an insufficient intake of many essential micronutrients. Around 60% to 70% of the children in all three groups had a low intake of magnesium, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and vitamins B9, B12, and D. Moreover, 20% to 35% of the children in the three groups had an insufficient intake of vitamins A and C. Insufficient vitamin E intake was found in 63% of obese children and 35% of non-obese children. It was observed that the PA level was lower in the overweight/obese group compared to the normal-weight group (p < 0.005). More than three-quarters of overweight/obese children had low PA levels, about 20% were moderately active, and only 1 to 2% were highly active. Conversely, normal-weight children showed moderate to high PA levels. Conclusions: Poor eating behavior, an unbalanced diet, and a low PA level are prevalent in Tunisian boys practicing recreational sports. Such a combination is responsible for a disparity between energy intake and expenditure, contributing to weight excess and increased cardiometabolic risk. The study findings provide meaningful information for practitioners and authorities on applying a balanced diet and adequate PA to prevent and fight against obesity and improve cardiometabolic health in youth

Valorization of harbor dredged sediment activated with blast furnace slag in road layers

International audienceThe valorization solutions for dredged sediment have been the subject of a great number of investigations over the previous decades. In the current present study, treatment of polluted dredged sediment fom the commercial port of Sfax, Tunisia, is proposed. An industrial byproduct (blast furnace slag) was used to bind raw sediment for a reuse in road engineering.Following standards of this field, the raw sediment first was identified and classified according to the French technical guidance. Then an environmental assessment was applied due to the presence of heavy metals. The concentrations were measured on the raw sediment particles so as to control the binding effect on heavy metals. Sediment mixtures consisted of a mix of sand and a blast furnace slag activated with quicklime. Different mixtures were tested and some were proposed for sub-layer applications. The Sfax commercial port raw sediment is considered as a sandy loam with a very low fraction of clay. The measured concentrations of heavy metals exceed the recommended thresholds for cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc. These can induce hazardous effects in the case of their dumping into the sea. On the other hand, the concentrations of the detected elements after leaching tests run on raw sediment samples are very low compared to the thresholds; such results highlight a possible recycling of the raw sediment in subgrade layers without any negative impact. Suitable formulations were deduced for road engineering tests relying on the ratio the California Bearing Ratio index and the immediate bearing index. If the obtained ratio exceeds one, the treated sediment can be recycled and used in road layers

Study of the multicomponent system wet process phosphoric acid–methyl isobutyl ketone at 40 °C phase equilibria and extraction performances

International audienceThis work concerns the purification of wet process phosphoric acid (WPA) by solvent extraction with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) at 40degreesC. For this purpose, an exhaustive study of the multicomponent extraction system WPA-MIBK was carried out. In a first step., the distribution of the main components (H3PO4, H2O, MIBK) and the major impurities of WPA (Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Fe3+, SO42-, F-) between the conjugated phases was systematically studied. Then, expression of phase compositions in terms of H3PO4, H2O and MIBK on an impurity-free basis enabled us to compute the characteristics of the H3PO4 countercurrent multistage extraction using the Mac Cabe-Thiele method. Both as-received and water-saturated MIBK were considered as solvent. From graphical results, optimum conditions to conduct the extraction of H3PO4 from concentrated WPAs (53.5-58% P2O5) were determined. To validate experimentally the obtained results, continuous countercurrent extractions were performed on a laboratory-scale mixer-settler unit. A good agreement was observed

Ghrelin Response to Acute and Chronic Exercise: Insights and Implications from a Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Ghrelin is a peptide hormone predominantly produced by the stomach. It exerts a wide range of functions including stimulating growth hormone release and regulating appetite, food intake, and glucose and lipid metabolism. Since physical exercise affects all these aspects, a particular interest is accorded to the relationship between ghrelin and exercise. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current available data on the topic for a better understanding of the relationship. METHODS An extensive computerized search was performed in the PubMed and SPORTDiscus databases for retrieving relevant articles. The search contained the following keywords: ghrelin, appetite-related peptides, gastrointestinal peptides, gastrointestinal hormones, exercise, acute exercise, chronic exercise, training, and physical activity. Studies investigating the effects of acute/chronic exercise on circulating forms of ghrelin were included. RESULTS The initial search identified 840 articles. After screening, 80 articles were included. Despite a heterogeneity of studies and a variability of the findings, the review suggests that acute exercise suppresses acyl ghrelin production regardless of the participants and the exercise characteristics. Long- and very long-term exercise training programs mostly resulted in increased total and des-acyl ghrelin production. The increase is more noticeable in overweight/obese individuals, and is most likely due to weight loss resulting from the training program. CONCLUSION The review suggests that exercise may impact ghrelin production. While the precise mechanisms are unclear, the effects are likely due to blood flow redistribution and weight loss for acute and chronic exercise, respectively. These changes are expected to be metabolically beneficial. Further research is needed for a better understanding of the relationship between ghrelin and exercise