The rare translocation t(14;21)(q11;q22) detected in a Moroccan patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Cytogenetic studies of acute lymphoblastic leukemia have been at the forefront of research in the pathogenesis of cancer. The presence of recurring chromosomal abnormalities (either numeral or structural rearrangements) provides immediate clues to the genetic events leading to leukemia and many abnormalities have important prognostic significance. The rare translocation t(14,21)(q11.2;q22) has been described in pediatric T lineage ALL in only one case so far in 2000. The present study is a case report of an ALL case in which we found a t(14,21)(q11.2;q22) as a non random chromosomal abnormality among 70 analyzed pediatric ALL cases referred exclusively to BIOLAB Laboratory from the children hospital of Morocco.

The antifungal activity of Moroccan plants and the mechanism of action of secondary metabolites from plants.

This review is based on a comprehensive literature search for existing knowledge about antifungal mechanisms of different secondary metabolites from plants. The secondary metabolites have been grouped into three major groups according to their biosynthetic origin. On another side, this review represents studies on antifungal activity of essential oils and extracts from Moroccan plants, against fungal species involved in human or plant diseases.

Association between GPX1 Pro189Leu polymorphism and the occurrence of bladder cancer in Morocco.

Worldwide, Bladder cancer is the most frequent male malignancy. It is the third most common male malignancy in Morocco. The risk factors for developing bladder cancer are multiples including dietary conditions, environmental exposure and oxidative stress. GPX1 gene encoding for the human cellular antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase1 is a key factor in the cell detoxification process. GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism is associated with a decrease of enzyme activity and may contribute to bladder cancer susceptibility. The present case-control study was planned to assess the presence of GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism in Moroccan population to determine whether it is associated with the risk of developing bladder cancer in Moroccan patients. A total of 32 patients with bladder cancer and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. Genotyping of the GPX1 Pro198Leu polymorphism was carried out by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. Pro198Leu polymorphism was observed in both bladder cancer patients and healthy controls. No significant association between the polymorphism and bladder cancer occurrence was found (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p=0.425; Leu vs. Pro: p=0.435). For the analysis of Pro198Leu polymorphism and progression of bladder cancer, no association was observed neither for stages (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p=0.500; Leu vs. Pro: p=0.500) nor grades (Pro/Leu vs. Pro/Pro: p=0.415; Leu vs. Pro: p=0.427). Our results clearly showed no significant association between Pro198Leu polymorphism and risk of bladder cancer in our population, suggesting that the effect of this polymorphism on bladder cancer development might be a result of a combination with other genetic alterations and/or non-genetic variables such as diet and lifestyle factors.

Testing for Partial RhD with a D-Screen Diagast Kit in Moroccan Blood Donors with Weak D Expression.

The aim of this study was to search for the partial D phenotype in Moroccan blood donors with weak D expression. The study included 32 samples with weak D phenotype, and partial D category red blood cells were detected with the D-Screen Diagast kit, which consists in 9 monoclonal anti-D antibodies specific for the most common categories of partial D. Among the 32 samples studied, we identified 13 specific reactions to a partial D antigen (3 DVI, 2 DVa, 2 DIII((a,b,c)), and 6 DVII), with 8 reactions suggesting a weak D and 11 reactions providing no formal argument in favor of a partial D antigen. This work can be used to validate the performance of the anti-D reagent and to improve the safety of transfusion of red blood cells from donors expressing the partial D antigen by integrating the finding into the recipient file with a recommendation concerning the appropriate care.

Regulation by a protein-free carbohydrate-rich diet of rat pancreatic mRNAs encoding trypsin and elastase isoenzymes.

The levels of mRNAs coding for trypsin and elastase isoenzymic forms were determined in the pancreatic tissue of rats fed a high-carbohydrate protein-free diet for a 0-5-day period. No change in the amounts of mRNAs coding for the two isoelastases was observed, although previous results showed that the biosynthesis of anionic elastase was markedly increased, whereas the biosynthesis of cationic elastase decreased, suggesting the existence of a translational-control mechanism in response to nutritional substrates. In contrast, the levels of mRNAs specific for the three isotrypsins were significantly enhanced, possibly as a result of transcriptional regulation and/or a change in messenger stability. In combination with earlier observations of an overall decrease in cationic trypsin biosynthesis during the same nutritional manipulation, these results suggest that formation of this enzyme is also subject to translational control.

Specific response of serine protease mRNA to a protein-free diet in the rat pancreas.

The time course of response of pancreatic chymotrypsin, trypsin and elastase to a protein-free carbohydrate-rich diet was studied in Wistar rats. The levels of serine proteases in pancreatic tissue were markedly decreased for the first two days of diet consumption and further increased up to day 13 without reaching, however, the corresponding levels in control rats. This biphasic pattern of response may be due to some changes in the secretory process and/or the synthesis of enzymes in the acinar cell. The relative rate of synthesis of pancreatic enzymes was found to vary linearly with time and to be regulated in inverse proportion to nutritional substrates. Although the animals were totally deprived of dietary proteins, synthesis of acidic isoenzymic forms of serine proteases was nevertheless increased. The specific response of these proteases to a protein-free diet was mediated, at least partly, by changes in the levels of the corresponding specific mRNAs. As early as day 2 after diet consumption, the level of chymotrypsin mRNA was markedly enhanced in sharp contrast with that of amylase. This difference was further increased up to the fifth day of dietary manipulation. It is suggested that changes in cytoplasmic concentrations of chymotrypsin mRNA most probably resulted from transcriptional control of the corresponding gene although a possible increase in mRNA stability could not be ruled out.