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Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the Maghreb and around the world. It's the most common cause of cancer deaths. It represents a major public health problem because of its frequency, morbidity and mortality that it generates as well as the cost of the therapies used. Epidemiological data are similar in the 3 countries of the Maghreb (Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria). Currently, the incidence of breast cancer is lower than in developed countries, but is increasing steadily, and projections for the coming years predict that rates will be closer to the European ones. The diagnosis is often done at advanced stages compromising the prognosis of the patients. Strategies to combat this cancer remain insufficient and further efforts are needed to improve the situation.

Objective To investigate the difference in the outcome of ICSI-ET cycles among respondents patients, taking into account the molecule inducer of controlled ovarian stimulation: HP-hMG ou rFSH. Patients and Methods A comparative retrospective study over 62 months including a total of 1005 infertile couples, divided into two groups: HP-HMG (n=125) and rFSH (n=880). Results - The average numbers of retrieved oocytes and matures oocytes were significantly higher in rFSH group rFSH (7,94 ± 2,49, HP-HMG vs 9,05 ± 3,40, rFSH, p=0.0001and  3±2,68, HP-HMG vs 6,65±3,05 , rFSH, p=0,02 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the endometrial thickness and estradiol level on hCG injection day, the total amount of administrated gonadotropin and the duration of stimulation. In addition, we did not find a significant difference between the two groups regarding the fertilization, the maturation, the cleavage, top quality embryo, implantation, clinical pregnancy, multiple pregnancies, live birth and miscarriage rates. There was no case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Conclusion - Inspite of a higher number of retrieved and mature oocytes obtained with rFSH, the latter showed no superiority over HP-hMG which seem to be equally efficient and safe for ICSI treatment cycles.

Cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) is a key enzyme in the etiology of breast cancer (BC). It is involved in breast carcinogen activation [aromatic (AAs) and heterocyclic amines (HAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)], in the production of beneficial oestrogen [2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1)] and in converting arachidonic acid (AAc) to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which have anti-inflammatory properties. Within a hospital-based case-control study, the effect of functional CYP1A2 variants [-3860G/A (rs2069514), -2467T/delT (rs3569413), -163C/A (rs762551)] and their interactions with environmental factors in BC risk was investigated. The study population included 125 BC cases and 43 non-cancer controls. Genotyping was performed in RT-PCR using Taqman assays. The gene-environment interaction was appraised using a case-only study design. We found that the -3860A variant, independently from environmental factors, as well as by interacting with fried foods (p=0.025) and indoor exposure to pollutants (p=0.050), reduced the risk of BC (p=0.025), whereas its interaction with coffee (p=0.045) increased the BC risk. This is the first study indicating that the -3860A variant, by decreasing CYP1A2 activity, modifies BC risk by interacting with environmental factors, thereby supporting the hypothesis that reduced CYP1A2 activity contributes to BC risk in different ways, for example, it may be protective by reducing the activation of pro-carcinogens such as AAs, HAs and PAHs, but would increase risk by reducing the beneficial formation of 2-OHE1 and EETs.

This study retrospectively evaluated the histopathological criteria commonly used in the literature on the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole, in correlation with the diagnosis rendered previously. The molar and non-molar cases seen in the first-trimester of pregnancy were separately reviewed by two pathologists. The correlation between the consensual histological diagnosis and the ploidy status was then evaluated. We retrospectively studied 89 specimens of abortus conception, including 35 complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), 12 partial hydatidiform moles (PHM), and 42 hydropic abortions (HA). The final histopathological diagnosis was compared with the results of DNA content detected by imaging analyzer (Samba 200), studying all cases of molar pregnancy and 4 cases of HA (initially diagnosed as molar pregnancies). In the consensus histological diagnosis, the cases were reclassified as follows: 30 CHM (initial diagnosis (ID): 27 CHM and 3 PHM), 12 PHM (ID: 6 PHM and 6 CHM), and one case with a persistent problem in differentiating PHM from HA and 46 HA (ID: 42 HA, 2 CHM, and 2 PHM). An agreement between the two pathologists was reached in 77 cases (K=0.72, 0.52, and 0.9, respectively, for CHM, PHM, and HA). The ploidy study demonstrated diploidy in 56.6% (17/30) of CHM and triploidy in 58.3% (7/12) of PHM. In the 4 cases of HA studied, 3 were diploid and 1 case was aneuploid. Our study demonstrated that several histopathological criteria could be used for the distinction between PHM, CHM, and HA. However, the study of DNA cannot be the technique of choice to distinguish between these entities. Some cases remain problematic since the morphological criteria are not easily reproducible. New sensitive techniques might resolve these dilemmas.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility, the cost and the effects of antenatal maternal corticosteroid treatment on preventing respiratory distress syndrome in premature neonates of our population., Subjects and Methods: Between January, 1, 1998 and June, 31, 1999, 118 pregnant women at 26-34 weeks' gestation and at a high risk of premature delivery, were prospectively randomized in 2 groups: group 1 received intramusculary 24 mg of betamethasone (12 mg every 24 hours), group 2 didn't receive antenatal corticosteroids. At birth, premature neonates were systematically examined by a neonatologist., Results: 131 premature neonates were born (63 from group 1, 68 from group 2). The incidence and the degree of severity of respiratory distress syndrome, appeared substancially reduced (4.8% vs 27.9%) by the use of antenatal corticosteroids. Moreover, neonatal mortality due to respiratory distress syndrome was statistically less in group 1 than in group 2 (22.9% vs 57%). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of maternal or neonatal corticosteroid complications such as infection between treated group and control subjects. We estimated a potential annual savings of 21 thousands tunisian dinars, when the cost implications for antenatal corticosteroid therapy were estimated to 2 thousands tunisian dinars., Conclusion: Maternal administration of corticosteroids before preterm delivery results in a decrease in the incidence and severity of respiratory distress syndrome and a decrease in neonatal mortality rate among premature neonates born to treated versus untreated mothers at 26-34 weeks' gestation; added to an annual savings estimated to 21 thousands tunisian dinars.