[The degree of chronic renal failure is associated with the rate of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hyperhomocysteinemia and with oxidative stress]. / Le degré de l'insuffisance rénale chronique est associé aux taux de cytokines pro-inflammatoires, à l'hyperhomocystéinémie et au stress oxydant.

AIM: To evaluate pro-inflammatory cytokines, homocysteinemia and markers of oxidative status in the course of chronic renal failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and two patients (male/female: 38/64; age: 45±07 years) with chronic renal failure were divided into 4 groups according to the National Kidney Foundation classification. They included 28 primary stage renal failure patients, 28 moderate stage renal failure, 28 severe stage renal failure and 18 end stage renal failure. The inflammatory status was evaluated by the determination of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6) and total homocysteine. Pro-oxidant status was assessed by assaying thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, and protein carbonyls. Antioxidant defence was performed by analysis of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase. RESULTS: Inflammatory markers were elevated in the end stage renal failure group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Indeed, an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls was noted in the end stage renal failure group in comparison with the other groups (P<0.001), while the levels of antioxidants enzymes activity were decreased in the study population (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Impaired renal function is closely associated with the elevation of inflammatory markers leading to both increased markers of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense.

Medial displacement of T-tubes: case report.

Medial displacement of T-tubes is rare and only 6 cases have been reported in literature. We report a case of a medial displacement of a T-tube in the middle ear behind an intact tympanic membrane with normal mobility. No treatment was undergone as the patient was asymptomatic and no hearing problems were detected. A brief overview of this unusual complication of tympanostomy tubes is presented and the management strategy is discussed.

Thermal behaviour of chrome shavings and of sludges recovered after digestion of tanned solid wastes with calcium hydroxide.

The thermal behaviour of chrome shavings and of sludges recovered after digestion of tanned wastes with Ca(OH)2 was studied. Ashes obtained after incineration of wastes at various temperatures were analysed by X-ray diffraction and EDX method. The main crystallized phases present in the ash obtained at 600 degrees C are Cr2O3 and NaCl. The diffractograms revealed an increase in the intensities of the chromium oxide peaks and a very notable decrease of the amount of sodium chloride at 1100 degrees C. EDX analysis revealed a total disappearance of the chlorine peak at this temperature. Scanning electron micrographs show that the waste lost its fibrous aspect when the temperature increases. Formation of aggregates was noted after 550 degrees C. Combustion of organic matters and decarbonation phenomenon are the main stages observed on GTA and DTA curves of sludges. These phenomena are, respectively, exothermic and endothermic. The diffractogram of sludges recorded at 550 degrees C, in the presence of a constant oxygen surplus, revealed the presence of CaCrO4 and CaCO3.

[Ear, nose and throat pathology in human immunodeficiency virus infection]. / Pathologie de la sphère ORL au cours de l'infection par le virus de i'immunodéficience humaine.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, which is responsible for AIDS, is one of the most widespread in the world. Its clinical manifestations are polymorphous, and are casued by the virus itself (primary lesions) or the resulting immunodepression (secondary lesions). All the body can be affected, and the ORL organs are frequently involved. Our purpose was to describe these manifestations at all stages of the disease, and to illustrate the importance of an early diagnosis, which needs close collaboration between the clinician, the anatomopathologist and the radiologist.

[Ear, nose and throat manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus infection]

Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, which is responsible for AIDS, is one of the most widespread in the world. Its clinical manifestations are polymorphous, and are casued by the virus itself [primary lesions] or the resulting immunodepression [secondary lesions]. All the body can be affected, and the ORL organs are frequently involved. Our purpose was to describe these manifestations at all stages of the disease, and to illustrate the importance of an early diagnosis, which needs close collaboration between the clinician, the anatomopathologist and the radiologist

Synergistic extraction of cobalt(II) from cesium containing aqueous solutions with mixtures of 4-acyl-pyrazol-5-ols and crown ethers.

The synergistic extraction of cobalt(II) from aqueous solutions loaded with cesium chloride or nitrate, with mixtures of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-acyl-pyrazol-5-ols (HL) [acyl = benzoyl (HPMBP), para-tert.-butyl-benzoyl (HPMB'P), stearoyl (HPMSP)] and crown ethers E = B15C5, 18C6, DC18C6, DB18C6 and DB24C8 (DC = dicyclohexano, B = benzo, DB = dibenzo), in CHCl(3), CH(2)Cl(2) and ClCH(2)CH(2)Cl, has been studied. The experimental data agree with the extracted species E(2)CsCoL(3) (E = B15C5), ECsCoL(3), (E = DB18C6) and CoL(2)E (E = DB24C8). The extraction yields follow the orders: 18C6 DC18C6 > DB18C6 > B15C5 > DB24C8, HPMBP > HPMB'P > HPMSP, and ClCH(2)CH(2)Cl > CH(2)Cl(2) > CHCl(3). In spite of the better complexation of potassium than cesium with "18C6" type crown ethers, the extraction of ECsCo (PMBP)(3) is generally higher than the EKCo(PMBP)(3) one. Except in the case of DB24C8, loading the aqueous phase with Cs(+), K(+), Sr(2+) or Ba(2+) improves the synergistic extraction of cobalt.

[Castelman disease. Apropos of 2 cervical localizations]. / La maladie de Castelman. A propos de deux localisations cervicale.

The authors report two cases of neck localisations of Castelman's disease. A cervical mass and an inflammatory syndrome are the main clinical and biological symptoms. The diagnosis of the disease is based on histology. Surgery provides a complete recovery.

[Nasopharyngeal fibroma. Our own experience with 12 cases]. / Le fibrome nasopharyngien. Notre expérience à travers 12 cas.

Our study is devoted to 12 cases of NPF collated in the ENT department of the Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat from 1983 to 1990. All our patients were male, aged from 11 to 24, with late consultation for nasal obstruction and recurring epistaxis. The diagnosis suspected clinically was confirmed by angiography and a CT scan. Surgery of the tumour was the only therapy employed for all our patients. Surgery was preceded by embolization in 5 cases, which considerably reduced per-operative bleeding.