Anatomical Study of Atriplex halimus L. (Guettaf) Growing under the Climatic Conditions of Biskra - Algeria

Atriplex halimus L. Known as Guettaf (Amaranthaceae) is used in traditional medicine in Algeria to treat several diseases among them rheumatism and fever. The aim of this work was to study the anatomy of the Atriplex halimus L., growing under the climatic conditions of Biskra (north-east of Algeria). Atriplex halimus L., stem, leaf and root were harvested during the month of January (2019). Microscopic observation of the different organs revealed that the anatomy of this plant contains many more characters of xerophytism as the presence of thick cuticle, trichomes, perivascular sheath and much more hydrophilic cellulosic tissues (parenchyma and collenchymas) than hydrophobic lignified tissues, We can deduce that Atriplex halimus L., requires a high humidity which explains the great growth of this species under the climatic conditions of the region of Biskra

Prevalence of BTK mutations in male Algerian patterns with agammaglobulinemia and severe B cell lymphopenia

International audienceX linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is the first described primary immunodeficiency and the most common form of agammaglobulinemia. It is characterized by susceptibility to recurrent infections, profound decrease of all immunoglobulin isotypes and very low level of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood. The disorder is caused by mutations in the Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK). Nine male patients suspected to have XLA from nine unrelated families were enrolled in this study. We performed sequencing of the BTK gene in all nine patients, and in the patients' relatives when possible. The XLA diagnosis was confirmed for six patients with six different mutations; we identified a novel mutation (c.1522GN A) and five known mutations. One third of nine unrelated patients do not have mutations in BTK and thus likely suffer from autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia in the setting of consanguinity. Our results support that the autosomal recessive agammaglobulinemia can be more common in Algeria

Relationship between obesity and severe COVID ‐19 outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results from the CORONADO study

International audienceAim: To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) classes and early COVID-19 prognosis in inpatients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods: From th e CORONAvirus-SARS-CoV-2 and Diabetes Outcomes(CORONADO) study, we conducted an analysis in patients with T2D categorized by four BMI subgroups according to the World Health Organization classification. Clinical characteristics and COVID-19–related outcomes (i.e. intubation for mechanical ventilation [IMV], death and discharge by day 7 [D7]) were analysed according to BMI status.Results: Among 1965 patients with T2D, 434 (22.1%) normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m2, reference group), 726 (36.9%) overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2) and 805 (41.0%) obese subjects were analysed, including 491 (25.0%) with class I obesity (30-34.9 kg/m2) and 314 (16.0%) with class II/III obesity (≥35 kg/m2). In a multivariable-adjusted model, the primary outcome (i.e. IMV and/or death by D7) was significantly associated with overweight (OR 1.65 [1.05-2.59]), class I (OR 1.93 [1.19-3.14]) and class II/III obesity (OR 1.98 [1.11-3.52]). After multivariable adjustment, primary outcome by D7 was significantly associated with obesity in patients aged younger than 75 years, while such an association was no longer found in those aged older than 75 years.Conclusions: Overweight and obesity are associated with poor early prognosis in patients with T2D hospitalized for COVID-19. Importantly, the deleterious impact of obesity on COVID-19 prognosis was no longer observed in the elderly, highlighting the need for specific management in this population

Clinical, immunological and genetic features in eleven Algerian patients with major histocompatibility complex class II expression deficiency

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Presenting processed antigens to CD4+ lymphocytes during the immune response involves major histocompatibility complex class II molecules. MHC class II genes transcription is regulated by four transcription factors: CIITA, RFXANK, RFX5 and RFXAP. Defects in these factors result in major histocompatibility complex class II expression deficiency, a primary combined immunodeficiency frequent in North Africa. Autosomal recessive mutations in the <it>RFXANK</it> gene have been reported as being the principal defect found in North African patients with this disorder. In this paper, we describe clinical, immunological and genetic features of 11 unrelated Algerian patients whose monocytes display a total absence of MHC class II molecules. They shared mainly the same clinical picture which included protracted diarrhoea and respiratory tract recurrent infections. Genetic analysis revealed that 9 of the 11 patients had the same RFXANK founder mutation, a 26 bp deletion (named I5E6-25_I5E6+1, also known as 752delG26). Immunological and genetic findings in our series may facilitate genetic counselling implementation for Algerian consanguineous families. Further studies need to be conducted to determine 752delG26 heterozygous mutation frequency in Algerian population.</p

Low incidence of SARS-CoV-2, risk factors of mortality and the course of illness in the French national cohort of dialysis patients

International audienceThe aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of COVID-19 disease in the French national population of dialysis patients, their course of illness and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. Our study included all patients on dialysis recorded in the French REIN Registry in April 2020. Clinical characteristics at last follow-up and the evolution of COVID-19 illness severity over time were recorded for diagnosed cases (either suspicious clinical symptoms, characteristic signs on the chest scan or a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 1,621 infected patients were reported on the REIN registry from March 16th, 2020 to May 4th, 2020. Of these, 344 died. The prevalence of COVID-19 patients varied from less than 1% to 10% between regions. The probability of being a case was higher in males, patients with diabetes, those in need of assistance for transfer or treated at a self-care unit. Dialysis at home was associated with a lower probability of being infected as was being a smoker, a former smoker, having an active malignancy, or peripheral vascular disease. Mortality in diagnosed cases (21%) was associated with the same causes as in the general population. Higher age, hypoalbuminemia and the presence of an ischemic heart disease were statistically independently associated with a higher risk of death. Being treated at a selfcare unit was associated with a lower risk. Thus, our study showed a relatively low frequency of COVID-19 among dialysis patients contrary to what might have been assumed