Tlemcen University Research Articles

PO-0051 Zinc And Copper Disorders In Children With Diabetes Type 1

Background and aims Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that results from the progressive and selective destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Trace elements have a key role as well as in adaptive immunity in inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to measure circulating levels of Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), and protein fractions in patients with T1D. Methods Sixty (60) subjects aged less than 15 years, divided into two similar groups (30 with recently type 1 diabetes and 30 controls) were recruited in the Department of Paediatrics of Tlemcen University Hospital. Zinc and copper were measured by polarimetry. The protein fractions were measured by zone electrophoresis on cellulose acetate (PFIC, serum protein electrophoresis) (HELENA, USA). Results Serum Zn and Cu levels were significantly elevated in type 1 diabetes compared with controls (respectively, p = 0.001, p = 0.002). 0,05). >However, the percentage of alpha -1, alpha -2, beta and gamma globulins, and the total rate of serum globulins were identical in the two groups (p > 0.05). Conversely, the percentage of albumin and albumin/globulin ratio were significantly decreased in type 1 diabetes compared with controls (p Conclusion Disorders Zn and Cu could be significant immunological abnormalities and inflammatory signs at the beginning of the installation of T1D.

Teaching EST in Algeria: Training or Retraining Language Teachers?

In this new millennium, learning English to fulfil communicative purposes becomes a worldwide concern, and Algeria is one of the interesting nations in developing the status of English regarded as a key to scientific and technological development. To meet such a challenge, the educational authority in Algeria implements the use of English mainly at all tertiary-level institutions. ESP courses are provided in different departments to meet learners’ specific objectives both academic and occupational. In this respect, teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) at the university level seems to have its own challenges and requirements in Algeria. This is, particularly, on the part of the language teacher and to ensure learners’ success, teachers’ qualifications, attitudes, and attributes have to be taken into consideration along side with the learners’ needs and desires. In this line of thought, our General English teachers often express their inadequacy for such positions; this may occur because of their fear of being unable to cater for their learners’ specific needs. As a result, being unprepared for teaching ESP, language teachers often find themselves obliged to rely on their own experience to teach those classes, as well as, to create their own teaching materials with respect to their students’ discipline and needs, too. Therefore, the main aim of the current paper is to present, discuss and reflect upon the actual situation of the language teachers who have been trained in linguistics, phonetics, civilization,…etc, and who are recruited to teach EST at the physics department within the faculty of Exact Sciences of Tlemcen University, and to search for the possible ways to increase the competence and confidence of those EST practitioners through a moderate call towards retraining them in other areas of interests. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p2381

Academic attainment in the light of the psychological aspects and requirements of the labor market –a field study-

The aim of this research is to focus on the main aspects of the education at the university by shedding light on the main problems that hinder its success, prevent the achievement of its objectives and the fulfilment of its mission.Despite the human potential and material secured by the University of Algeria, and in order to acquire appropriate educational services, the nature of psychiatric conditions is one the most important factors that create a pressure on students. A sample of 104 students representing the 3rd year class of Arabic language had been chosen for a questionnaire. They belong to the department of Art and Arabic Language Department at the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences at the University of Tlemcen for the academic year 2005-2006. The result of this research will confirm and enhance the proposed recommendations to improve the quality of educational services.

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients: Study of the clinical and biological parameters

ObjectivesDetection of thyroglobulin in serum is of major clinical importance. The current assay techniques do not have all the qualifications which make the results of thyroglobulin difficult to interpret. The major problem is the autoantibody thyroglobulin (TgAb) interference. They induce an underestimation of thyroglobulin concentrations in the immunometric methods. We report in this study the clinical and biological parameters of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Patients and methodsA total of 246 patients with thyroid carcinomas were delicately selected from 2005 to 2012 in the nuclear medicine service of Tlemcen University hospital. Plasma thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were measured on Elecsys with the standardised Immunoradiometric assay. ResultsWe noticed that there is a rapid increase in the annual number of cases of thyroid carcinoma detected since 2007 with a much higher incidence in women. The rate of anti-thyroglobulin antibody interference reached 20.40%. The distribution of positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies is not related to age or sex. ConclusionIt is recommended to systematically measure anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, in parallel with the determination of thyroglobulin, using a sensitive method.

The yin and yang of the terminal non-lytic complement pathway

Event Abstract Back to Event The yin and yang of the terminal non-lytic complement pathway Kheir Eddine KERBOUA1*, Zineb Hadjidj2, Warda MEZIANE2, Amina BOUMEDIENE1 and Mourad Aribi2 1 Unite of Immunology, Military University Hospital of Oran, Algeria 2 Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology andn Immunology, University of Tlemcen, Algeria The anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a are bioactive products generated for the terminal non-lytic complement pathway, known for their ability to recruit inflammatory cells, induce oxidative stress, trigger signaling of survival and anti apoptotic responses, control innate and adaptive immunity, and take part in the body’s growth and maintenance. Firstly, we highlight their benefic role in the brain by activating MAPK and AKT signaling in leukocytes and protect neurons against cell death and their help for spur microglia to eliminate the damaged connections; then we see their implication in skeleton, illustrated by the 3MC syndrome; and finally in spurs damaged organs like liver injured which repair itself by C3a and C5a in via the upregulatation of the hepatocyte growth factor-c-Met axis. Secondly, we highlight the dark side of these anaphylatoxins via their implication in various illnesses, including immune related conditions such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, and organ transplant rejection; and non immune related conditions such as osteoarthritis and age-related macular degeneration. Compelling evidence based on the cancer immunoediting theory has been reported emerging data on the relationship between complement and cancer progression where tumor cells under the immunological pressure develop a variety of strategies to avoid complement-mediated damage and the expansion of new tumor populations that are able to control complement activation. Here we will review the contribution of The C5a/C5aR axis to lung cancer progression, emphasizing the upregulatation of phospholipase C2, phospholipase D, cyclins E and D1 and the transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor. At the end, we illustrate the importance of these biomolecules by the armory of therapeutic inhibitors that has been proposed like eculizumab, cinryze, compstatin, TT30, and the C5a/C5aR axis inhibitor PMX-53 Keywords: C5a, C3a, benefic role, dark side, therapeutic inhibitors Conference: The First International Congress of Immunology and Molecular Immunopathology (CIMIP2014), Tlemcen, Algeria, 17 Oct - 20 Oct, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Immunodeficiencies Citation: KERBOUA K, Hadjidj Z, MEZIANE W, BOUMEDIENE A and Aribi M (2014). The yin and yang of the terminal non-lytic complement pathway. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: The First International Congress of Immunology and Molecular Immunopathology (CIMIP2014). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2014.04.00032 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 01 Dec 2014; Published Online: 01 Dec 2014. * Correspondence: Mr. Kheir Eddine KERBOUA, Unite of Immunology, Military University Hospital of Oran, Orna, Algeria, K.K.Eddine@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Kheir Eddine KERBOUA Zineb Hadjidj Warda MEZIANE Amina BOUMEDIENE Mourad Aribi Google Kheir Eddine KERBOUA Zineb Hadjidj Warda MEZIANE Amina BOUMEDIENE Mourad Aribi Google Scholar Kheir Eddine KERBOUA Zineb Hadjidj Warda MEZIANE Amina BOUMEDIENE Mourad Aribi PubMed Kheir Eddine KERBOUA Zineb Hadjidj Warda MEZIANE Amina BOUMEDIENE Mourad Aribi Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Occupational dermatitis of allergic origin among the active population of the region of Tlemcen and their impact on the occurrence of respiratory allergies

Event Abstract Back to Event Occupational dermatitis of allergic origin among the active population of the region of Tlemcen and their impact on the occurrence of respiratory allergies Zakia Meziane1* and Abdessalam Taleb2 1 Service of occupational medicine, University centre, Tlemcen, Algeria, Algeria 2 Laboratory Toxicomed,University of Tlemcen, Algeria, Algeria Allergic manifestations in the workplace, including allergic contact dermatitis, are increasingly common. In addition, the association between skin and respiratory allergy is little reported in the literature. We study this association through observations collected at the Service of Medicine of the University centre of Tlemcen's work (CHUT). Objective: The aim of this work was to study dermatitis allergic contact (DCA) and respiratory diseases of allergic allure as, as well as to propose a preventive approach. Methods and results: it is a descriptive study that took place from January to July 2010. It includes an analysis of working conditions and a medical survey (questionnaires, clinical examination, respiratory functional explorations, allergy skin tests, and other paraclinical exploration oriented depending on symptomatology). The study population consists of patients having consulted in occupational medicine service (CHUT) for which the diagnosis of occupational allergic contact dermatitis was made at the end of this consultation, a total of 49 patients included in this study (57.1% of men, 42.9% of women) with a mean age of 37.2 ± 10.4 years. Health and the BTP sector professionals are the most represented (38.8% 20.5%, respectively). A history of personal atopy was found in 21% and family in 14%. The proportion of the association of asthma, rhinitis, anaphylaxis to a Contact allergic dermatitis was respectively 12.2% 61.2%, 8.16%. Clinical responses were scored in 20.4% for chrome, 16.3% for latex, in 8.1% to thiuram mix in 6% for Mercapto mix in 2% aldehyde and epoxy resins. There is therefore a significant allergic risk and it is important to give attention to the identification of risk and its evaluation order to implement support and prevention strategies for this risk. Keywords: Allergic contact, Dermatitis, Occupational asthma, Occupational allergens, Respiratory Allergies. Conference: The First International Congress of Immunology and Molecular Immunopathology (CIMIP2014), Tlemcen, Algeria, 17 Oct - 20 Oct, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Allergology Citation: Meziane Z and Taleb A (2014). Occupational dermatitis of allergic origin among the active population of the region of Tlemcen and their impact on the occurrence of respiratory allergies. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: The First International Congress of Immunology and Molecular Immunopathology (CIMIP2014). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2014.04.00025 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 03 Oct 2014; Published Online: 01 Dec 2014. * Correspondence: Dr. Zakia Meziane, Service of occupational medicine, University centre, Tlemcen, Algeria, tlemcen, Algeria, mezianezakia@yahoo.fr Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Zakia Meziane Abdessalam Taleb Google Zakia Meziane Abdessalam Taleb Google Scholar Zakia Meziane Abdessalam Taleb PubMed Zakia Meziane Abdessalam Taleb Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Complement-related Innovations: From the immunology laboratories to biotechnology companies

Event Abstract Back to Event Complement-related Innovations: From the immunology laboratories to biotechnology companies Kheir Eddine Kerboua1*, Warda Meziane2, Bey Baba-Hamed3, Amina Boumediene1 and Mourad Aribi2 1 Unite of Immunology, Military University Hospital of Oran,Algeria, Algeria 2 Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology and Immunology. University of Tlemcen, Algeria 3 Department of Biotechnology of Oran, Algeria, Algeria Increased knowledge about the involvement of complement network in physiology, pathology and homeostasis,the development of high qualified research teams in structural and analytical techniques, and the promising experiences of Eculizumab and Mirococept in human medicine have resulted in thousands of creative approaches on Complement-related Innovations (CRI) in various immunological applications. This paperexposes the biotechnological attractiveness of the over fifty complement proteins in the development of potentially life-saving diagnostic and therapeutic tools that has lead to more than 1,000 patents related to the complement system. We alsohighlight questions about the safety and potential risks of therapeutic complement inhibition. Among the CRI, the development of protein-protein interaction inhibitors has been gaining traction, and monoclonal antibodies or antibody fragments are the most growing class in this field. In fact, many starts up have developed Minibodies (Adienne Laboratory), Aptamers (Ophthotech Laboratory) and Speigelmers (Noxxon laboratory) as alternative macromolecular blocking entities. On the other hand, we discuss the natural concepts-based CRI where biotechnological companies exploit the powerful evasion strategies of microorganisms and parasites to develop more promising drug candidates. Finally, selected examples of complement therapeutics on the market, on clinical trials and in pre-clinical development are highlighted to illustrate the creativity in field. Keywords: complement-related innovations, biotechnologicalmacromolecular blockers, risks of therapeutic complement inhibition, creative approaches on Complement-related Innovations (CRI), complement system Conference: The First International Congress of Immunology and Molecular Immunopathology (CIMIP2014), Tlemcen, Algeria, 17 Oct - 20 Oct, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Immunodeficiencies Citation: Kerboua K, Meziane W, Baba-Hamed B, Boumediene A and Aribi M (2014). Complement-related Innovations: From the immunology laboratories to biotechnology companies. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: The First International Congress of Immunology and Molecular Immunopathology (CIMIP2014). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2014.04.00026 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 03 Oct 2014; Published Online: 01 Dec 2014. * Correspondence: Dr. Kheir Eddine Kerboua, Unite of Immunology, Military University Hospital of Oran,Algeria, Oran, Algeria, K.K.Eddine@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Kheir Eddine Kerboua Warda Meziane Bey Baba-Hamed Amina Boumediene Mourad Aribi Google Kheir Eddine Kerboua Warda Meziane Bey Baba-Hamed Amina Boumediene Mourad Aribi Google Scholar Kheir Eddine Kerboua Warda Meziane Bey Baba-Hamed Amina Boumediene Mourad Aribi PubMed Kheir Eddine Kerboua Warda Meziane Bey Baba-Hamed Amina Boumediene Mourad Aribi Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

A New Curriculum for Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management for BS and MS Degrees

This paper deals with the design and implementation of a new Curriculum for Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management for Bachelor and Master Degrees at Tlemcen University, Algeria. This Curriculum aims to give to the student a multidisciplinary knowledge in the domain of Engineering, technology as well as management. The implementation of this curriculum at Tlemcen University has showed a large improvement of student skill that permits it to become a national curriculum.

Contribution to the Quality Assessment in Higher Education: The Case Study of the Faculty of Technology, Tlemcen, Algeria

This work is a contribution to the continuous improvement of quality in higher education. After giving an overview of the evaluation system, it was considered appropriate to define the concept of quality and explain its principles in the management and administration of total quality. The paper deals also about the pedagogical quality in general and specifically in higher education, and some methods are presented, to be used in education to have a good quality. Based on the survey, and results from questionnaires distributed to some teachers and students of the Faculty of Technology, University of Tlemcen, we have proposed some recommendations in order to help improve the service provided.

English

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) caused by staphylococcal toxins including Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) have increased these last years. Treatment of these complicated infections is often difficult. The search for new methods and new antimicrobial substances is necessary. Natural products such as essential oils appear among the possible solutions. The objective of our work was to prove the effectiveness of treatment of these infections with essential oils in vivo on Wistar rats; we have chosen the oil of Origanum glandulosum from Algeria to perform this treatment because of its antiseptic properties. The treatment was done on infections induced in Wistar rats using PVL producing Staphylococcus aureus strain isolated from Tlemcen University Hospital. The results of our experiment have shown a significant decrease in the number of colonies collected from rats treated by the concentrations of 1 and 5% of O. glandulosum essential oil. The treatment of skin infections especially wounds caused by PVL positive S. aureus is possible with the essential oil of O. glandulosumwhich seems to be effective in eradicating the germ from infected wounds.   Key words: PVL-producing, Staphylococcus aureus, essential oil, skin infection,Origanum glandulosum.

Relationship between selenium intake and inflammatory markers in newly-diagnosed patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Event Abstract Back to Event Relationship between selenium intake and inflammatory markers in newly-diagnosed patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma Mourad Aribi1*, Meriem Rabia Zahzeh1, Zineb Hadjidj1, Chahinez Triqui1 and Naima Mesli1, 2 1 Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology and Immunology. University of Tlemcen, Algeria 2 Haematology Department, Tlemcen Medical Centre University, Algeria Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the seventh most common cancer in the world. They are malignancies that develop from lymphoid cells. Selenium can modulate the expression of multiple cellular signaling pathways leading to decreased inflammatory gene expression. Objectives: To determine the relationship between selenium intake and inflammatory markers in newly-diagnosed patients with B-cell NHL. Materials and Methods: Newly-diagnosed patients with B-cell NHL and healthy age- and sex-matched controls were recruited at the Hematology Department of Tlemcen Medical Centre University (Algeria Northwest) for a retrospective case-control study. Results: Dietary selenium intake was significantly decreased in patients than in controls, and was significantly correlated with high C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and serum protein electrophoresis patterns. Additionally, oxidant/antioxidant balance was altered in patients. Conclusion: The reduction of selenium intake induces the synthesis of CRP during the acute phase response in B-cell NHL. Additionally, oxidative stress biomarkers and multi-serum proteomic models may be used for diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to patients and subjects for their participation. Keywords: Inflammatory markers, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Selenium, crp, Serum protein electrophoresis patterns Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Abstract Topic: Immune-mediated disease pathogenesis Citation: Aribi M, Zahzeh M, Hadjidj Z, Triqui C and Mesli N (2013). Relationship between selenium intake and inflammatory markers in newly-diagnosed patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.01106 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 19 Jul 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013. * Correspondence: Dr. Mourad Aribi, Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology and Immunology. University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria, mourad.aribi@univ-tlemcen.dz Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Mourad Aribi Meriem Rabia Zahzeh Zineb Hadjidj Chahinez Triqui Naima Mesli Google Mourad Aribi Meriem Rabia Zahzeh Zineb Hadjidj Chahinez Triqui Naima Mesli Google Scholar Mourad Aribi Meriem Rabia Zahzeh Zineb Hadjidj Chahinez Triqui Naima Mesli PubMed Mourad Aribi Meriem Rabia Zahzeh Zineb Hadjidj Chahinez Triqui Naima Mesli Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Assessment of the types of catheter infectivity caused by Candida species and their biofilm formation. First study in an intensive care unit in Algeria

Nosocomial candidiasis remains a potential risk in intensive care units (ICUs), wherein Candida albicans is most responsible for its occurrence. Equally, non-C. albicans species, especially C. glabrata, are also involved. These infections are frequently associated with biofilms that contaminate medical devices, such as catheters. These biofilms constitute a significant clinical problem, and cause therapeutic failures, because they can escape the immune response and considerably decrease sensitivity to antifungal therapy. The diagnosis of catheter-related candidiasis is difficult; however, the differentiation between an infection of the catheter (or other medical implant) and a simple contamination is essential to start an antifungal treatment. Among the methods used for this type of study is the Brun-Buisson method, but this method only examines the infectivity of catheters caused by bacteria. For this reason, we wanted to adapt this method to the yeast cells of Candida spp. To assess the various types of infectivity of catheters (contamination, colonization, or infection) and their corresponding rates, as well as the responsible yeast species, we conducted our study, between February 2011 and January 2012, in the ICU at the University Hospital Center of Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria; during this study, we took photographic images of the tongue of one patient and of that patient’s implanted orobronchial catheter. In addition, catheters contaminated by C. albicans biofilms were observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Emergence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus identified in the Tlemcen university hospital (North-West Algeria)

Introduction Nosocomial infections are a matter of concern in surgical wards. Their incidence is constantly increasing, especially among immunocompromised patients who are vulnerable to colonization by opportunistic pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. The bacterium accumulates resistance mechanisms against antibiotics such as vancomycin. The objective of our study was to explore this resistance, to screen for Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to vancomycin, and to try various antibiotic combinations against these strains. Patients and methods The antibiotic susceptibility of 220 S. aureus strains was determined by agar diffusion and evaluation of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs), by dilution technique on solid medium according to clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI) standards. The screening of strains resistant to vancomycin was performed on brain heart infusion agar medium, supplemented with 6 μg/mL of vancomycin according to CLSI standards, and confirmed by determining MICs. The effectiveness of various antibiotic combinations was assessed by the checkerboard microplate method. Results The results show multidrug resistance to agents known for their antistaphylococcal activity with fluctuations in the level of resistance. Conclusion Three strains proved resistant to vancomycin. The vancomycin/gentamycin combination was the most effective.

Clinical evaluation of lipids, lipoproteins and red blood cells sodium and potassium in patients with different grades of hypertension

Objectives To show that lipid and lipoprotein levels and cell sodium and potassium content and transport could change depending on the degree of hypertension. Design and methods Forty-three hypertensive patients and 20 healthy subjects were recruited at the Cardiology and Biochemistry Departments of Tlemcen University Hospital Centre (Northwest of Algeria). Results Levels of CHOL, TG, PL, HDL-TG, LDLc, LDL-TG, LDL-PL, HDL2-TG and HDL3-TG were significantly higher in hypertensive patients than those in controls. HDL-PL levels were significantly lower in patients compared with controls and decreased according to the grade of hypertension. HDL2c, HDL2-PL and HDL3-TG and cell content and fluxes of sodium and potassium change gradually with higher grades of hypertension. Conclusions Hypertensive patients with circulating lipid alterations are associated to ion cell content and transport abnormalities, which were worsened progressively with higher grade of hypertension.

Effect of Endogamy and Consanguinity on the Development of LabialVenous Malformations in rea of Tlemcen (West Algeria)

Background: Vascular malformation is extremely rare, yet has a profound impact on quality of life, aesthetic and functional disorders. Aim: To show that endogamy and consanguinity may represent risk factors for labial venous malforma- tion (LVM) development. Materials and Methodology: Among the 18093 scrutinized families on a 20 years back period from marriage registers, five families with a child presenting LVM were recruited from two geographic areas, one highly endoga- mous (Nedroma), the other slightly endogamous (Maghnia). These families were recruited for a retrospective descriptive es- say at the Pathology and Oral Surgery Department of Tlemcen University Hospital Center (north-west of Algeria). Results: Four cases of LVM were from the Nedroma region, the fifth one from the Maghnia region. High consanguinity level was reg- istered in patient families from Nedroma. On the other hand, the blood group O frequency was slightly higher compared to that of the blood group non-O. Conclusions: The present study suggests that consanguinity could beget LVM and that endog- amy could increase its prevalence. The postulated association between this genetic disease and the OO genotype seems to be not confirmed. Therefore, it would be interesting to seek the SNP markers in this region.