The Libyan journal of medicine
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Aim: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide including Libya, where they account for 43% of all deaths. Sphingolipids are involved in the pathology of numerous diseases including cardiovascular diseases and are proposed as potential biomarkers of cardiovascular health that could be more effective compared to traditional clinical biomarkers. The aim of this study was to determine the sphingolipid content in the erythrocyte membrane of Libyan migrant and Serbian resident women. ⋯ Besides, in this group of apparently healthy women (n = 28), the sphingolipid content of erythrocytes was inversely related to the Omega-3 index (r =-0.492, p = 0.008) and directly linked to vitamin D status (r = 0.433, p = 0.021) and membrane cholesterol levels (r = 0.474, p = 0.011). Conclusion: The erythrocytes' sphingolipid levels should be measured/assessed as an additional biomarker of CV health, by applying a simple and routine method. Still, further investigation in a larger population-specific context is warranted.
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Injuries are responsible for a high premature mortality and disability. They are poorly explored in low and middle income-countries. We aimed to estimate the burden of hospitalized injuries in the Monastir governorate (Tunisia) according to the nature of the injury, trends and projections of hospitalizations for injuries up until 2024, and to identify the distribution of this disease burden based on age and sex. ⋯ Injuries had a high prevalence and an important burden in a Tunisian university hospital. Prediction showed increased prevalence for 2024. Preventive measures and a trauma surveillance register should be implemented soon.
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Introduction: Pituitary adenomas [PAs] constitute the third most common primary intracranial tumours, with a wide prevalence rate of 1% to 40%. Histologic (H & E) classification into acidophilic, basophilic and chromophobic adenomas have little clinical relevance but WHO recommended immunohistochemical subclassification has both therapeutic and prognostic significance. This immunohistochemical subclassification has not been done in our environment, making it imperative for us to evaluate the patterns in our environment. ⋯ Conclusion: PAs predominate amongst males, occurring mostly in the middle age groups in Southeastern Nigeria. Null cell adenoma is the commonest immunohistochemical subtype followed by PRL-secreting adenomas. Routine immunohistochemical characterization is required for accurate diagnosis and optimal patient care.
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As a gastrointestinal malignancy, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a main cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Mex-3 RNA-binding family member A (MEX3A) is upregulated in multiple types of tumors and plays a critical role in tumor proliferation and metastasis. However, the function of MEX3A in CRC angiogenesis has not been fully understood. ⋯ Cell assays showed high MEX3A expression in CRC cells and its promoting effects in CRC cell proliferation and glycolysis as well as angiogenesis. Rescue experiment confirmed that glycolysis inhibitor 2-DG could offset the promoting effects of MEX3A on the proliferation, angiogenesis and glycolysis of CRC cells. In conclusion, MEX3A could facilitate CRC angiogenesis by activating the glycolytic pathway, suggesting that MEX3A may be a novel therapeutic target for CRC.
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Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is triggered by periodontal pathogens influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent studies have suggested that anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 17 (IL-17) play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of CP. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between eight sub-gingival pathogens and interleukin 17F (IL-17F) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms with CP among Libyans. ⋯ A novel variant in the c. *34 G>A in IL-17F gene caused a change in glutamic amino acid to lysine amino acid, position on chromosome number (6) in the third exon, mRNA/genomic position 597, found in 14.6% of CP patients (p-value = 0.010) while the IL-17F (rs763780) SNP showed no association with CP (p-value = 0.334). Conclusion: P. intermedia appear as keystone pathogen for CP in the Libyan population. A novel variant in the IL-7F gene may be related to the severity of CP.