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Objectives Human leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) is implicated in several cancers and is considered to be an immune checkpoint regulator. We determined the association between polymorphisms in the 3′ untranslated region of HLA‐G and soluble HLA‐G (sHLA‐G) expression with gynecological cancers (GCs). Methods A meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the association between HLA‐G14‐bp insertion (I)/deletion (D) and +3142C/G polymorphism in GC and to evaluate sHLA‐G expression Results We revealed a significant association between the +3142C/G polymorphism and invasive cervical cancer (ICC) based on the allelic model G versus C (odds ratio [OR] = 0.738, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.563–0.966, p = 0.027), dominant GG+GC versus CC (OR = 0.584, 95% CI = 0.395–0.862, p = 0.007), and codominant GG versus CC (OR = 0.527, 95% CI = 0.312–0.891, p = 0.017) models, suggesting that the G allele and GG genotype are protective against ICC. In gynecological precancerous patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, we found that the 14‐bp I/D under the codominant DD versus DI model (OR = 0.492, 95% CI = 0.241–1.004, p = 0.051) was of borderline significance. Soluble HLA‐G levels were significantly higher in patients compared with healthy controls (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 1.434, 95% CI = 0.442–2.526, p = 0.005). Stratification by cancer type revealed that the sHLA‐G levels were significantly increased in cervical cancer (SMD = 4.889, 95% CI = 0.468–9.310, p = 0.030) and in subjects of Asian ethnicity (SMD = 4.889, 95% CI = 0.467–9.309, p = 0.030). Conclusions HLA‐G14‐bp I/D and +3142 C/G polymorphisms are associated with GC and HPV‐associated cervical cancer. In addition, we found significantly increased sHLA‐G levels in cancer patients. These results provide a basis for further studies in diagnostics and immunotherapy of GC. Human leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G)14‐bp insertion (I)/deletion (D) and+3142 C/G polymorphisms are associated with gynecological cancer (GC) and human papillomavirus‐associated cervical cancer. Soluble HLA‐G is significantly increased in GC.

The aim of different strategies is to precisely define which patients have a poor prognosis and to be able to easily guide them to other options using a cartesian scientific approach.Wang et al.for example, proposed a prognostic prediction model based on differential gene expression between muscle invasive bladder cancer (BLC) and non-muscle invasive BLC. [...]Wang et al.computed an optimal predictive model disulfidptosis score (DS) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. [...]Liang et al.investigated the predictive value of disulfidptosis-related genes in breast cancer (BC) and their relationship with TME.

DNA fragmentation can be deleterious on spermatozoon morphology but the pathogenesis of teratozoospermia associated with DNA breaks is not fully understood, even if oxidative attacks and defects in chromatin maturation are hypothesized. Therefore, this study is one of the first to clarify on the underlying hypothesizes behind such observations. The objectives of our study were to assess the role of oxidative attacks in DNA damage pathogenesis in ejaculated spermatozoa from patients with isolated teratozoospermia. We aimed to assess the correlation of DNA breaks with morphologically abnormal spermatozoa, as well as ROS level and impairment chromatin condensation. A total of 90 patients were divided into two groups, men with isolated teratozoospermia (n = 60) and men with normal semen parameters (n = 30) as controls. DNA fragmentation was evaluated by TUNEL assay; chromatin immaturity was studied using acridine orange and toluidine blue staining. We evaluated the ability of spermatozoa to produce reactive oxygen species with nitro blue tetrazolium staining. Patient with teratozoospermia when compared to fertile men showed significantly higher rates of semen ROS production, sperm hypocondensated chromatin, denaturated DNA, and fragmented DNA. All these parameters were positively correlated with abnormal sperm morphology. The studied DNA integrity markers were also correlated with ROS production. Fragmented DNA is the main pathway leading to morphology defects in the sperm. In fact, impaired chromatin compaction may induce DNA breaks and free radicals, which can break the DNA backbone indirectly, by reducing protamination and disulphide bond formation, as oxidative attack appears to be the major cause of poor semen morphology.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is implicated in the same time in apoptosis and in cell proliferation. TNF-α not only acts as pro-inflammatory cytokine conducing to wide spectrum of human diseases including inflammatory diseases, but can also induce tumor development. The molecular mechanisms of TNF-α functions have been intensively investigated. In this review we covered TNF-α, the molecule, its signaling pathway, and its therapeutic functions. We provide a particular insight in its paradoxical role in tumor promotion and in its use as anti-tumor agent. This review considers also the recent findings regarding TNF-α inhibitors, their pharmacokinetics, and their pharmacodynamics. Six TNF-α inhibitors have been considered here: Infliximab, Adalimumab, Golimumab, CDP870, CDP571, Etanercept, and Thalidomide. We discussed the clinical relevance of their functions in treatment of several diseases such as advanced inflammatory rheumatic and bowel disease, with a focus in cancer treatment. Targeting TNF-α by these drugs has many side effects like malignancies development, and the long-term sequels are not very well explored. Their efficacy and their safety were discussed, underscoring the necessity of close patients monitoring and of their caution use.

HLA-G is highly expressed in cancer. Also, it is associated to its progression. Here, we explored the relationship between two HLA-G polymorphisms with breast cancer (BC) and tried to make a correlation with sHLA-G levels. We genotyped 104 patients with BC and 83 controls (CTRL) for HLA-G 14-bp insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) and HLA-G +3142 C>G polymorphisms. The mutations were identified with PCR and PCR–RFLP. The sHLA-G dosage was performed on plasma samples by a specific ELISA. A significant association with BC was found concerning the G allele in the +3142 C>G polymorphism ( p  = 0.0004). The G/G genotype is the protective genotype (1 % in BC patients vs. 13.1 % in CTRL, OR 0.065, 95 % CI 0.008–0.523). No statistically significant differences were observed for the 14-bp Ins/Del polymorphism between BC patients and controls frequencies. The protection by G/G genotype of +3142 C>G polymorphism is maintained in young patients (<50 years, p  = 0.0006) and in early-diagnosed BC patients (<50 years, p  = 0.0033). In addition, an association was found between the haplotypes inferred by both HLA-G polymorphisms and BC susceptibility. Indeed, the (DelG) haplotype is found as the protective haplotype against BC (OR 0.269, 95 % CI 0.081–0.895, p  = 0.023). The ELISA dosage of sHLA-G revealed increased levels in BC compared to CTRL ( p  < 0.0001). We demonstrated also that sHLA-G is closely associated with advanced stages of BC without significance. sHLA-G is increased in TNM IV and SBR III subgroups. It is also enhanced in patients with a tumor size over 20 mm and in triple-negative patients. Taken together, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, the association of HLA-G +3142 C>G polymorphism with BC susceptibility in Tunisian population. Our results revealed also a potential implication of sHLA-G in advanced stages of BC.

A thorough assessment of the phylogenetic diversity and community structure of halophilic archaea from three halite-crystal salts, processed from two separated saline systems of Southern Tunisia has been performed using culture dependent and independent methods targeting different regions of 16S rRNA gene sequences including DGGE, 16S rRNA clone libraries and Illumina Miseq sequencing. Two samples, CDR (red halite-crystal salts) and CDW (white halite-crystal salts), were collected from Chott-Eljerid and one sample CDZ (white halite-crystal salts) from Chott Douz. Fourteen isolates were identified as Halorubrum, Haloferax, Haloarcula, and Halogeometricum genera members. Culture-independent approach revealed a high diversity of archaeal members present in all samples, represented by the Euryarchaeal phylum and the dominance of the Halobacteria class. Nanohaloarchaea were also identified only in white halite samples based on metagenomic analysis. In fact, a total of 61 genera were identified with members of the Halorhabdus, Halonotius, Halorubrum, Haloarcula, and unclassified. Halobacteriaceae were shared among all samples. Unexpected diversity profiles between samples was observed where the red halite crust sample was considered as the most diverse one. The highest diversity was observed with Miseq approach, nevertheless, some genera were detected only with 16S rRNA clone libraries and cultured approaches.

It is now widely recognized that HLA-G molecule is implicated in immune tolerance and particularly in immune subversion of tumor cells. In this study, we explored levels of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in plasma samples obtained from women with breast cancer (BC). Additionally, we correlated sHLA-G concentration with pregnancy and breastfeeding history. We reported in this preliminary work significant differences in sHLA-G levels between BC patients with/without breastfeeding experience ( p  = 0.04). Interestingly, among women with BC, only those without previous pregnancy experience present significant increase in sHLA-G ( p  = 0.02). Of relevance, we demonstrated that patients without both pregnancy and breastfeeding history have advanced SBR III grade, associated with significant enhancement in tumor size compared with patients who had both experiences ( p  = 0.028). Taken together, our results indicate the potential implication of previous pregnancy and breastfeeding experience in sHLA-G expression during BC. We theorized that having pregnancy and breastfeeding history may protect against advanced BC stages.

In Algeria, vaccination against pertussis is carried out using the whole-cell pertussis vaccine combined with the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTwp). The quality control of vaccines locally produced or imported is carried out before the batch release. The aim of our work was to evaluate the potency of pertussis vaccines. In the present study, five consecutive trials of potency were conducted on samples of the same batch of (DTwp) using the mouse protection test (MPT) against experimental infection of Bordetella pertussis strain 18323, based on the Kendrick test. The virulence of B. pertussis strain 18–323 was verified by the mortality of mice, with an average LD50 of 338.92, as well as the dose of the lethal test containing a mean number of LD50 of 324.43. The (MPT) test recorded a relative potency of 8.02 IU/human dose, with 95% CL of (3.56–18.05) IU/human dose. The development of the (MPT) at the laboratory of quality control of vaccines and sera at the Pasteur Institute of Algeria was effective in evaluating the potency of whole-cell pertussis vaccines. Interestingly, our study indicates that this potency is necessary for the vaccine quality assurance. Further validation is needed to strengthen the application and routine use of the test.

BackgroundMale infertility is a problem that affects 10–15% of men of reproductive age. In particular, gametogenesis is a complex process in which inflammation may play a central role through the secretion of cytokines and the expression of microRNAs. We assessed the potential role of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α) and microRNAs (miR-146a-5p, miR-34a-5p and miR-23a-3p) in the seminal plasma of infertile men compared to controls, evaluating their correlation with seminal and biochemical parameters.Methods and resultsExpression of cytokines and microRNAs was analyzed by ELISA and q-PCR. Our data shows that IL-1α was significantly increased in the azoospermic group compared to controls, TNF-α mRNA was more expressed in the oligozoospermic group than controls. There were no significant differences in miRNAs expression among the three groups. The correlations between sperm parameters and inflammatory markers were evaluated, however no significance was highlighted.ConclusionsThe determination of each inflammatory marker separately in the seminal plasma of subfertile men, despite some significant differences, does not have a diagnostic value in male infertility even if an assay of selective pro-inflammatory cytokines and microRNAs in the semen may improve the diagnosis of male infertility.

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is implicated in several cancers and is considered to be an immune checkpoint regulator. We determined the association between polymorphisms in the 3' untranslated region of HLA-G and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) expression with gynecological cancers (GCs). A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the association between HLA-G14-bp insertion (I)/deletion (D) and +3142C/G polymorphism in GC and to evaluate sHLA-G expression RESULTS: We revealed a significant association between the +3142C/G polymorphism and invasive cervical cancer (ICC) based on the allelic model G versus C (odds ratio [OR] = 0.738, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.563-0.966, p = 0.027), dominant GG+GC versus CC (OR = 0.584, 95% CI = 0.395-0.862, p = 0.007), and codominant GG versus CC (OR = 0.527, 95% CI = 0.312-0.891, p = 0.017) models, suggesting that the G allele and GG genotype are protective against ICC. In gynecological precancerous patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, we found that the 14-bp I/D under the codominant DD versus DI model (OR = 0.492, 95% CI = 0.241-1.004, p = 0.051) was of borderline significance. Soluble HLA-G levels were significantly higher in patients compared with healthy controls (standardized mean differences [SMD] = 1.434, 95% CI = 0.442-2.526, p = 0.005). Stratification by cancer type revealed that the sHLA-G levels were significantly increased in cervical cancer (SMD = 4.889, 95% CI = 0.468-9.310, p = 0.030) and in subjects of Asian ethnicity (SMD = 4.889, 95% CI = 0.467-9.309, p = 0.030). HLA-G14-bp I/D and +3142 C/G polymorphisms are associated with GC and HPV-associated cervical cancer. In addition, we found significantly increased sHLA-G levels in cancer patients. These results provide a basis for further studies in diagnostics and immunotherapy of GC.