Primary lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland in a North African woman

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary glands is a rare neoplasm that is characterized by a non-neoplastic lymphocytic infiltration associated with an epithelial proliferation. It involves mainly the parotid gland. Racial and geographical factors contribute to the pathogenesis of this tumor. We report a case of a 70-year old woman from a non-endemic area who presented with several months history of swelling in the parotid region. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a parotid mass suggestive of a pleomorphic adenoma. The diagnosis of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland was performed on the surgical specimen. A primitive nasopharyngeal carcinoma was ruled out by random biopsies of the nasopharynx mucosa. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was absent in neoplastic cells. We insist that, even in non-endemic areas and when clinical and radiological characteristics are not suggestive of malignancy, intra-operative frozen section analysis should be used in order to ensure the appropriate treatment

EFFECTS OF DRYING PROCESS ON LIPID QUALITY OF SILVERSIDE (FISH) ATHERINA LAGUNAE

Abstract Changes in lipid quality of silverside during solar and hot air drying process were investigated. Total fatty acid content in silverside was 5.42 g/100g fresh sample. N-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels were 0.59 and 0.62 g/100g fresh silverside respectively. Therefore, all fatty acid groups increased significantly (p<0.05) within processing with higher levels in experimental drying process. After hot air and solar drying treatments, PV and TBARS of the total lipids increased significantly (p <0.05) to reach 2.58 and 3.41 meq active O /kg oil and 0.87 and 1.27 mg MA/kg oil, respectively

Capital market integration, currency crises, and exchange rate regimes 1990-2002

The international capital market integration and currency crises of the last decade have renewed the debate on optimal exchange rate regimes. Research is mixed regarding what their effect has been on the system of exchange rate regimes and the anchor currencies at the centre of the system. The debate is complicated by growing empirical evidence that the de jure regimes announced by governments often differ from the de facto regimes that are actually applied. In this paper we divide the period 1990-2002 according to the major crises and use the generalized method of moments to identify the individual de facto regimes and relevant anchor currencies for each sub-period. We find that although intermediate regimes as a percentage of the overall database remained stable over the three periods, the type of peg and anchor currencies varied considerably. Pegs on a single currency fell from 62% of the sample in the first period to 49% in the second period, then rose to 66% in the third period. Basket pegs rose from 33% in the first period to 51% in the second period and back to 34% in the third period. Independent floats disappeared after the first period. When we group countries according to their access to capital markets, we find that all nine of the developed countries in the sample followed some type of intermediate regime for all three periods. We also find a trend towards hard pegs in the group of countries that has managed to increase its integration in the international capital markets. Our results also suggest that the US dollar remains the main anchor currency in the international financial system, even after the major currency crises and the rise of the euro. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Investigating otolith mass asymmetry in six benthic and pelagic fish species (Actinopterygii) from the Gulf of Tunis

Otolith mass asymmetry can significantly affect the vestibular system functionalities; usually, the X values of mass asymmetry vary between −0.2 and + 0.2 (−0.2 < X < + 0.2). These values can change during a fish life and therefore they are not related to the fish total length. We collected a total of 404 fish specimens from the Gulf of Tunis, including three pelagic species: Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) (74 otolith pairs), Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) (66 otolith pairs), and Chelon auratus (Risso, 1810) (60 otolith pairs) and three benthic species: Gobius niger Linnaeus, 1758 (77 otolith pairs), Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758 (60 otolith pairs), and Trachinus draco Linnaeus, 1758 (67 otolith pairs). The relation between the total length and the otolith mass asymmetry was first calculated and compared, and then was evaluated. The comparison of the otolith mass asymmetry between benthic and pelagic species showed a significant difference (P < 0.05), where the absolute mean value of X does not exceed the critical value (0.2) for all the studied species. No relation has been found between the magnitude of the otolith mass asymmetry and the length in both benthic and pelagic specimens. Environmental factors have an indirect effect on somatic growth and otolith accretion. The significant difference found in this study can be due to the difference between the benthic and pelagic environments

Two new gene clusters involved in the degradation of plant cell wall from the fecal microbiota of Tunisian dromedary

Dromedaries are capable of digesting plant cell wall with high content of lignocellulose of poor digestibility. Consequently, their intestinal microbiota can be a source of novel carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). To the best of our knowledge, no data are available describing the biochemical analysis of enzymes in dromedary intestinal microbiota.To investigate new hydrolytic enzymes from the dromedary gut, a fosmid library was constructed using metagenomic DNA from feces of non-domestic adult dromedary camels living in the Tunisian desert. High-throughput functional screening of 13756 clones resulted in 47 hit clones active on a panel of various chromogenic and non-chromogenic glycan substrates. Two of them, harboring multiple activities, were retained for further analysis. Clone 26H3 displayed activity on AZO-CM-cellulose, AZCL Carob galactomannan and Tween 20, while clone 36A23 was active on AZCL carob galactomannan and AZCL barley β-glucan. The functional annotation of their sequences highlighted original metagenomic loci originating from bacteria of the Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi group, involved in the metabolization of mannosides and β-glucans thanks to a complete battery of endoand exo-acting glycoside hydrolases, esterases, phosphorylases and transporters

Reference Values of Physical Performance in Handball Players Aged 13–19 Years: Taking into Account Their Biological Maturity

Biological maturity status significantly influences success in handball, impacting an athlete’s performance and overall development. This study aimed to examine the anthropometric and physical performance variables concerning age and maturity status, establishing reference values for physical performance among Tunisian players. A total of 560 handball players (309 males and 251 females aged 13–19 years) were categorized based on maturity status: early (n = 98), average (n = 262), and late (n = 200), determined through Mirwald and colleagues’ equations. Anthropometric, physical fitness, and physiological data were collected for reference value creation. Our findings revealed significantly higher anthropometric parameters (p = 0.003) in late-maturing athletes compared to their early-maturing counterparts. Post-pubertal athletes showed significantly superior (p = 0.002) jumping ability, change of direction, and aerobic performance compared to their pre-pubertal peers. Additionally, male athletes outperformed females in both fitness (p = 0.001) and aerobic (p = 0.001) performance. A notable age-by-maturity interaction emerged for most performance outcomes (η2 ranging from 0.011 to 0.084), highlighting increased sex-specific differences as athletes progressed in age. Percentile values are provided for males and females, offering valuable insights for coaches and sports scientists to design personalized training programs. Understanding a player’s performance relative to these percentiles allows trainers to tailor workouts, addressing specific strengths and weaknesses for enhanced development and competitiveness