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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.

Background and aims To assess the levels of lipid peroxidation and circulating levels of nitric oxide (NO), lipoproteins and immunoglobulins in type 1 diabetes children. Methods Thirty (30) type 1 diabetic patients newly diagnosed and 30 healthy control subjects, comparable for age (less than 15 years), sex and body mass index (BMI) were recruited in the Department of Paediatrics in the Mother and Child Hospital of Tlemcen. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA, CH2 (CHO) 2) using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA). The serum NOx (nitrate and nitrite, NOx [NO2-, NO3-]) was measured as an indirect marker of the formation of NO in vivo by the Griess method. Lipoproteins were measured by ultrasensitive gel electrophoresis (SEBIA, France). Immunoglobulins were determined by the radial immunodiffusion technique (IDR). Results Circulating levels of MDA and NO production were significantly higher in type 1 diabetic patients compared to controls (respectively, p = 0.001, p = 0.01). This was also the same for immunoglobulins A, G and M (for all comparisons, p 0.05); however, those of the pre-beta and beta lipoproteins were significantly increased in patients compared to controls (respectively, p = 0.039, p = 0.018). Conclusion The onset of the DT1 is associated with nitrogen stress and oxidation of circulating lipids. Also, the excessive formation of NO and MDA may be the result of inflammatory conditions associated with the autoimmune disease process.

Background and aims To investigate whether the anomalies affecting the antioxidant defenses could start at birth and to check the decrease in antioxidant defenses in macrosomic newborns. Methods Thirty macrosomic and 30 sex-matched control newborns were recruited for a retrospective case-control study at the Maternity of Tlemcen University Hospital (Algeria). Results The serum plasma ORAC, and albumin levels were significantly decreased in macrosomic than in control newborns, yet no difference was observed after adjustment for weight. Additionally, serum concentrations of malondialdehyde and xanthine oxidase were significantly higher in macrosomic than in controls before adjustment for weight. Moreover, macrosomia was significantly associated with low levels of ORAC (OR = 4.96, 95% CI 1.2–20.55), albumin (OR = 2.25, 95% CI 0.41612.48) and with high levels of MDA (OR = 10.29, 95% CI 2.02–52.36). Conclusions Excessive weight could be a potential factor for decreased anti-oxidative capacity and increased oxidative stress.

Background To investigate whether the anomalies affecting the antioxidant defenses could start at birth and to check the decrease in antioxidant defenses in macrosomic newborns. Material and Methods Thirty macrosomic and 30 sex-matched control newborns were recruited for a retrospective case-control study at the Maghnia Maternity Hospital of Tlemcen Department (Algeria). Results The serum plasma ORAC, albumin, vitamin E, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased in macrosomic than in control newborns, yet no difference was observed after adjustment for weight. Additionally, serum concentrations of malondialdehyde and xanthine oxidase were significantly higher in macrosomic than in controls before adjustment for weight. Moreover, macrosomia was significantly associated with low levels of ORAC (OR = 4.96, 95%CI 1.2–20.55), vitamin E (OR = 4.5, 95%CI 1.29–15.68), SOD (OR = 6.88, 95%CI 1.35–35.11) and CAT (OR = 5.67, 95%CI 1.37–23.46), and with high levels of MDA (OR = 10.29, 95%CI 2.02–52.36). Conclusions Excessive weight could be a potential factor for decreased anti-oxidative capacity and increased oxidative stress.

Context: Support for non-Hodgkin′s lymphoma (NHL) with large cells that is refractory or relapsed after first-line chemotherapy poses a greater therapeutic problem with bone marrow transplant therapy or when old age is a contra-indication for high-dose chemotherapy, especially among developing countries such as Algeria. Aim: To show that the regimen, including gemcitabine, could be more effective in treating elderly patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in relapse / refractory, without complete remission, when compared with the ESHAP (etoposide, cisplatine, solumedrol, aracytine) regimen. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six patients in the age group of 60-70 years were volunteers for a prospective randomized single-blind study, carried out for three years. Patients were divided into two groups by the drawing of lots. The first group (GA, n = 48, relapse; n = 27 [56.3%], refractory; n = 21 [43.7%]) received treatment with ESHAP protocol and the second one (GB, n = 48, relapse; n = 28 [58%], refractory; n = 20 [42%]) with GPD (gemcitabine, dexamethasone, cisplatine) protocol. Results: The overall response rates and mean survival at three years were significantly higher among patients subjected to GPD treatment compared with those subjected to ESHAP treatment (63% vs. 55%, P = 0.01 and 20.5% [95% CI 16.5-24.5] vs. 11.8% [8.9-14.6], respectively). Additionally, three-year progression-free and event-free survival rates were 20.5% (16.3-24) and 19.7% (15.9-23.5), respectively, for the GPD regimen and 10.9% (8.2-13.7) and 11.1% (95% CI 8.5-13.7), respectively, for the ESHAP regimen. Moreover, the GPD regimen was associated with improving overall survival (RR=2.02, 95% CI 1.59-2.56; P = 0.000), event-free survival (2.03, 1.64-2.52; P < 0.001) and progression-free survival (1.86, 1.46-2.37; P < 0.001). Conclusion: In cases of contra-indication for high-dose chemotherapy for elderly patients with DLBCL, without complete remission, the Gemcitabine-based therapy protocol represents a more effective and less toxic than that of ESHAP.

The main genomic region controlling the predisposition to type 1 diabetes is the Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) class II of the major histocompatibility complex. Association with different HLA types depends also on the studied populations. In our investigation, we tried to measure the phenotypic HLA class II association frequencies of DR3 and/or DR4 antigens, using a serologic method called microlymphocytotoxicity analysis, in diabetic and nondiabetic (ND) subjects originating from the west-Algerian region of Tlemcen. The aim of the present study was to determine which HLA DR antigens represent a high susceptibility to develop the disease in this area. Using a case-control retrospective study design, we randomly recruited ninety-one related subjects, 39 type 1 diabetics and 52 ND as controls, at the Internal Medicine Board of Medical Centre University of Tlemcen. DR3 antigen frequencies were comparable between the type 1 diabetics and the ND subjects and showed no association with the disease (p = 1.000, OR = 0.95), whereas DR4 and DR3DR4 antigens were associated with susceptibility to develop type 1 diabetes (DR4; OR = 2.10, DR3DR4; OR = 1.30). Also, no incidence for DR3 (p = 0.2646) or DR3DR4 (p = 0.0699) antigen frequencies was related to the sex ratio. However, significant differences in HLA DR4 frequencies between type 1 diabetics and ND were found to be related to sex (p = 0.0085). Taken together, our investigation showed that the strongest association with type 1 diabetes was noticed in the presence of HLA DR4 antigens followed by DR3DR4 antigens. This study highlighted a characteristic of Tlemcen population; a history of consanguineous marriages. Association studies between the disease and genetic polymorphisms should be undertaken in a population where consanguinity is more limited to reduce confounding in result interpretations.

Meriem Rabia Zahzeh,1 Bouchra Loukidi,1 Warda Meziane,1 Mustapha Haddouche,1,2 Naima Mesli,1,3 Zahia Zouaoui,4 Mourad Aribi1 1Laboratory of Applied Molecular Biology and Immunology, 2Department of Medicine, University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria; 3Department of Clinical Haematology, Tlemcen Medical Centre University, Tlemcen, Algeria; 4Department of Clinical Haematology, Sidi Bel-Abbès Medical Centre University, Sidi Bel-Abbès, Algeria Abstract: The effect of pesticides on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH), including its level and relationship with the T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 ratio, in patients suffering from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) was investigated. One hundred newly diagnosed patients with aggressive NHL (53 men, 47 women) and 40 healthy age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched controls (23 men, 17 women), exposed or not to pesticides, were recruited for a cross-sectional study conducted at the Clinical Hematology Departments of Tlemcen and Sidi Bel-Abbès University Medical Centers in the northwest of Algeria. NADPH levels were significantly increased in patients compared with controls; and in exposed patients compared with those not exposed, and controls (one-way analysis of variance; P=0.000). Albumin, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase activity, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity levels were significantly decreased in patients compared with in the control group. Oxygen radical absorbance capacity levels were significantly decreased in exposed patients compared with in unexposed patients; however, malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased in exposed patients when compared with controls and unexposed patients. Protein carbonyl and xanthine oxidase levels were significantly increased in exposed patients compared with controls; meanwhile, there were no significant differences between the two patient groups or between unexposed patients and controls. The Th1/Th2 ratio was significantly decreased in patients when compared with controls; the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly increased (for both comparisons, P

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disease, characterized by recurrent, oral and genital ulceration, skin lesions and uveitis. Several publications in the last decades showed the complex role of genetic factors; recent studies have revealed that SNPs of the IL10 gene promoter are associated with BD in various populations.