Systematic review of a RAMSAR wetland and UNESCO biosphere reserve in a climate change hotspot (Ichkeul Lake, Tunisia)

Tunisia\u27s Ichkeul Lake is among the most productive ecosystems in the Mediterranean, with a great regional value thanks to its diversity of habitats. It is an important overwintering area for waterfowl species. It is a RAMSAR wetland, a National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage, and a Biosphere Reserve. This review paper provides a broad overview of the climatic, hydraulic, biogeochemical features, bio-resources, and bio-productivity of the Lake. The interconnectivity between the different environmental components of the lake is presented, highlighting the main characteristics of this vital ecosystem. Its ecosystem consists of a permanent lake bordered by temporary marshes. It is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via Bizerte Lagoon under a typical semi-arid to sub-humid bio-climate with wet and dry seasons. The winter rainfall fills up the rivers and lake with freshwater that overflows into the Tinja River. In summer, high evaporation reduces the water level and allows seawater to enter the wetland from Bizerte Lagoon. The ecosystem is threatened by pollution, the damming of its main rivers, and climate change. The unsustainable water management has resulted in fundamental environmental modifications, as evidenced by the large variation in the salinity, water level, productivity of water plants, and the decline in venue and stop-overs of waterbirds. The current situation is a warning that indicates a general perturbation of the resources of this particular site and of Tunisian wetlands in general, especially that the Mediterranean region has been designated as a climate change hotspot. Accurate hydrological management is needed to boost the physical functioning of the ecosystem, and to gain deeper knowledge of the different phases of the water cycle and its relationship to other long-term environmental cycles for sustainable water management strategies in the most water-scarce region in the world

Distribution Genotype High Risk (HR) And Low Risk (LR) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at Condyloma Acuminata

Abstract Introduction: Condyloma acuminata that is also known as genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted that caused by infection of Human papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent infection of Low Risk (LR) or High risk (HR) HPV is a risk factor for progress into benign or malignant cancer. The objective is to analyze distribution of genotype LR-HPV and HR-HPV at condyloma acuminata in anogenital region. Methods: A cross sectional study using were 36 lesions from men and women of condyloma acuminata patients. All subject signed the informed consent and ethic obtained from our institution, number 382/Panke.KKE/V/2016. The specimen was used to histopathological examination and to identified 40 genotypes of HPV using a reverse line blot assay. Results: The All patients were diagnosed as condyloma acuminata, some with focus dysplasia and koilocytosis. All patients were positive for HPV, including LR-HPV were HPV 6, 11, 42, 54, 61, 81,87,89 and HR-HPV were HPV 18, 26, 45, 51, 52, 66, 67, 68B, 69, 82. The single infection of LR-HPV was 44.4%, multiple infection LR/LR-HPV was 13,9% and the multiple infection of LR/ HR-HPV was 41.7%. The LR-HPV infected 70,6% and HR-HPV infected 29,4%. Conclusion: LR-HPV is the major infection of condyloma acuminata, in single infection or multiple infection with HR-HPV. The most common infections were HPV 11, followed by HPV 6, HPV 18, HPV 51, and HPV 82. The determination of genotype of HPV can be used to predict the malignant transformatio

Mitotically active fibrothecoma in association with sclerous peritonitis

Background: Mitotically active fibrothecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis is an enigmatic and rare condition, described by Clement et al. in 1994, with fewer than 50 pathologically characterized cases. Association of these two lesions is extremely rare and the etiology currently remains unclear; therefore, association with anti-epileptic drugs was suggested.&nbsp;Case presentation: We report the case of young female, with history of epilepsy, presented with acute severe abdomenal pain. Ultrasound revealed a 20 cm mass, possibly arised from ovary, which was associated with septate ascites. The microscopic examination of the mass showed a morphology fibrothecoma with areas of oedema and high mitotique index but without severe atypia.&nbsp;Conclusion: Mitotically active fibrothecoma associated to sclerosing peritonitis is relatively rare condition. Although its disturbing presentation, the behavior of this rare condition is benign; therefore this entity should be well known by surgeon and pathologist to ovoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment of patient.</p

Distribution Genotype High Risk (HR) And Low Risk (LR) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at Condyloma Acuminata

Abstract Introduction: Condyloma acuminata that is also known as genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted that caused by infection of Human papillomavirus (HPV). Persistent infection of Low Risk (LR) or High risk (HR) HPV is a risk factor for progress into benign or malignant cancer. The objective is to analyze distribution of genotype LR-HPV and HR-HPV at condyloma acuminata in anogenital region. Methods: A cross sectional study using were 36 lesions from men and women of condyloma acuminata patients. All subject signed the informed consent and ethic obtained from our institution, number 382/Panke.KKE/V/2016. The specimen was used to histopathological examination and to identified 40 genotypes of HPV using a reverse line blot assay.Results: The All patients were diagnosed as condyloma acuminata, some with focus dysplasia and koilocytosis. All patients were positive for HPV, including LR-HPV were HPV 6, 11, 42, 54, 61, 81,87,89 and HR-HPV were HPV 18, 26, 45, 51, 52, 66, 67, 68B, 69, 82. The single infection of LR-HPV was 44.4%, multiple infection LR/LR-HPV was 13,9% and the multiple infection of LR/HR-HPV was 41.7%. The LR-HPV infected 70,6% and HR-HPV infected 29,4%. Conclusion: LR-HPV is the major infection of condyloma acuminata, in single infection or multiple infection with HR-HPV. The most common infections were HPV 11, followed by HPV 6, HPV 18, HPV 51, and HPV 82. The determination of genotype of HPV can be used to predict the malignant transformation

Human papillomaviruses-related cancers Presence and prevention strategies in the Middle East and North African Regions

WOS: 000342901200014PubMed ID: 25424787Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Meanwhile, it is well established that infection by high-risk HPVs is considered the major cause of cervical cancer since more than 96% of these cancers are positive for high-risk HPVs, especially types 16 and 18. Moreover, during the last 2 decades, numerous studies pointed-out the possible involvement of high-risk HPV in several human carcinomas including head and neck, colorectal and breast cancers. The association between high-risk HPVs and cervical cancer and potentially other human malignancies would necessitate the introduction of vaccines which were generated against the 2 most frequent high-risk HPVs (types 16 and 18) worldwide, including the Middle East (ME) as well as North African countries. The presence of high-risk HPVs in the pathogenesis of human cancers in the ME, which is essential in order to evaluate the importance of vaccination against HPVs, has not been fully investigated yet. In this review, we present an overview of the existing epidemiological evidence regarding the presence of HPV in human cancers in the ME and the potential impact of vaccination against HPV infections and its outcome on human health in this region.Canadian Institutes for Health Research, (CIHR) the Cancer Research Society Inc. of Canada; National Colorectal Cancer Campaign; Fonds de la Recherche en Sante du Quebec (FRSQ-Reseau du Cancer)Fonds de la Recherche en Sante du QuebecThe authors are thankful to Mrs A Kassab and Mr. B Al Moustafa for their reading of the manuscript. The research works from Dr Al Moustafa's laboratory has been supported by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, (CIHR) the Cancer Research Society Inc. of Canada, the National Colorectal Cancer Campaign, and the Fonds de la Recherche en Sante du Quebec (FRSQ-Reseau du Cancer)

Multi-Organ Involvement of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibroinflammatory condition of unknown etiology, with presumed autoimmune mechanisms. It is characterized by high levels of IgG4 and variable clinical manifestations. It can involve one or multiple organs. Herein, we reported the case of a 62-year-old man with three organs involvement. He initially presented with recurrent jaundice. Laboratory analysis revealed cholestasis, high gamma-globulin levels, renal failure, and proteinuria. Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed segmental strictures of the left intrahepatic bile ducts and the wirsung duct with an increased volume of the pancreas and diffuse bilateral enlargement of the kidneys. Laboratory tests revealed high IgG4 levels (770 mg/dL). Based on the biological and radiological findings, we have suggested the diagnosis of systemic IgG4-related disease involving bile ducts, the pancreas, and probably the kidneys. Renal biopsy revealed lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and fibrosis, but no IgG4-positive cell. The patient received corticosteroid therapy with a complete resolution of all symptoms and a rapid normalization of all blood tests. The present case underlines the complexity of IgG4-RD because of its variable clinical presentation. The diagnosis is challenging and should be carefully assessed for possible multi-organ involvement