This study aimed to identify new genetic characteristics contributing to individual susceptibilit... more This study aimed to identify new genetic characteristics contributing to individual susceptibility to smoke-induced lung cancer. Despite functional evidence of a possible role of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) in lung cancer susceptibility, no studies have evaluated the influence of CYP1A2 genotypes on lung cancer risk. We investigated the interaction between CYP1A2-T2467delT (allele*1D) polymorphism and smoking in Tunisian lung cancer cases (n=101 male smokers) separately for the histological types squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n=60) and adenocarcinoma (n=41), and in controls (n=98 male smokers) using a case-only study design. A significant interaction between CYP1A2-T/delT or delT/delT genotypes and tobacco consumption (pack-years) adjusted for age was evident (OR (95% CI) 7.78 (1.52-42.8)) in the SCC cases who smoked relatively less (< or =33 pack-years, I quartile value), but not in adenocarcinoma and controls. Our results suggest that CYP1A2-T2467delT polymorphism has an important role in lung carcinogenesis, especially SCC, among smokers.
INTRODUCTION GST non-functional genotypes can lead to the accumulation of toxic intermediates, re... more INTRODUCTION GST non-functional genotypes can lead to the accumulation of toxic intermediates, resulting in liver damage and increasing susceptibility to ATDH. AIM To investigate the impact of GST Mu (GSTM1), GST Theta (GSTT1) null genotypes, and GST Pi (GSTP1; adenosine (A) > guanine (G), rs1695) variant allele on the development of ATDH in Tunisian patients treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy. METHODS This was a case-control study including patients receiving anti-tuberculosis regimen. Cases (n=23) were tuberculosis patients presenting ATDH during two months of anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. Controls (n=30) were patients treated for tuberculosis, but presenting no ATDH. Genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS No statistically significant association was observed between GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygous null genotypes, and the risk of ATDH. A statistically significant association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotypes, and the risk of ATDH was found (p=0.033) between cases and controls. For GSTP1, the distribution of GG homozygous mutant genotype was significantly associated with ATDH compared with the wild and the transition A to G (AA+AG) genotypes. CONCLUSION Double deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 may predispose to ATDH in a Tunisian population. Moreover, GSTP1 rs1695 (A>G) genotyping can predict susceptibility to developing ATDH.
The metabolism of the polycyclic hydrocarbon dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene (DBF) has been investigated... more The metabolism of the polycyclic hydrocarbon dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene (DBF) has been investigated. Two new primary metabolites have been identified by proton n.m.r. as the trans diaxial dihydrodiols of the bay and of the pseudo bay regions of DBF. In addition, twelve new metabolites arising from secondary and tertiary metabolic transformations have been identified. The stereochemistry of eleven of these products has been established by proton n.m.r. spectroscopy. In contrast with other alternant carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons, a vicinal diol epoxidation at the bay region of the trans diequatorial dihydrodiols is a minor reaction relative to attack at distant sites, which leads principally to phenolic derivatives of the dihydrodiols and, with a lower yield, to a bis-dihydrodiol (3,4,12,13-tetrahydro-3,4,12,13-tetrahydroxy-DBF). This offers a possibility of bifunctional metabolic activation in the carcinogenicity of DBF. A catechol of the benzanthracenic moiety of DBF has also be identified, dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene 3,4-catechol. In summary, all three external rings of DBF can be attacked enzymatically, but apparently ring E does not undergo epoxidation while more usual trans diaxial and diequatorial dihydrodiols, as well as tetraols of rings A and D, were detected.
Introduction neffa, a form of air-dried smokeless tobacco used in North Africa, is spuriously per... more Introduction neffa, a form of air-dried smokeless tobacco used in North Africa, is spuriously perceived as a lower risk alternative to smoking. The objective of this study was to provide information on some harmful constituents of neffa and to use them for cancer risk assessment. Methods a high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with fluorescence detector was used to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in one sample of neffa. An atomic absorption spectrometry was performed to determine the concentrations of lead and cadmium in three samples of neffa. The levels of toxicants found in neffa were used to assess for lifetime cancer risk as advocated by the US Environment Protection Agency. Results the determination of PAHs in neffa allowed the identification of phenanthrene and anthracene. However, the higher molecular weight PAHs such as Benzo(a)Pyrene B(a)P were not detected. The concentrations of cadmium and lead varied between 1.3 to 2.8µg/g and 1.7 to 4....
Quantitative analysis of capsaicinoids in various parts of the fruits (pericarp, placenta and see... more Quantitative analysis of capsaicinoids in various parts of the fruits (pericarp, placenta and seeds) of four hot peppers varieties, cultivated in Tunisia <em>Capsicum annuum</em> L. were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Total capsaicinoids content varied according to the variety, and within the same variety according to the stage of maturity and different parts of the fruit. Capsaicinoids content was higher in the placenta than in other parts, but lowest in seeds as well as in green and red fruit. 'Piment Sesseb' and 'Rouge Long' varieties had the highest total capsaicinoids contents in green and red pepper fruit but "Baklouti Kairouan" had the lowest. In each of peppers studied, the placenta had the highest capsaicinoids content, followed by the pericarp, the seeds had the lowest. The capsaicinoids content in the placenta ranged from 3.06±0.046 mg.g<sup>-1</sup> to 0.28±0.002mg.g<sup>-1</sup> ...
BACKGROUND Student absenteeism is a major concern for higher education and especially for medical... more BACKGROUND Student absenteeism is a major concern for higher education and especially for medical studies. AIM This work was conducted to assess the extent of this phenomenon among undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse and to determine whether certain student characteristics affect student absenteeism. METHODS We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among first and second year of medical study students from the faculty of medicine of Sousse during the second semester of the 2015-2016 academic year using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS The response rate was 80.9%. Of the respondents, 9.6% reported never having attended the lectures. The reason that justified this absenteeism was the boring teaching. Absenteeism was significantly associated with gender (15.7% of male students never attended versus 7.1% of female students, p = 0.015), with the year of study (7.4% of first-year students versus 12.1% of second-year students, p =...
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening, 2020
Aim and Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. ... more Aim and Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. It is a multifactorial disorder (caused by aging, environmental, and genetic factors). Metabolomics can help explore the biomarker profiles for aging. Recent studies showed an association between the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) polymorphisms and PD risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of this genetic polymorphism and the metabolomic profile in PD Tunisian patients, in order to identify effective biomarkers in the genetic differentiation. Materials and Methods: In this study, the metabolomic profile changes related to GSTs polymorphism were searched in 54 Tunisian PD patients treated with L-dopa, using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Results: The study results showed that mannose, methyl stearate, and three other unknown metabolites, increased in patients with GSTM1 positive genotype, while glycolic acid, porphine, monomethyl phos...
Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine, 2020
BACKGROUND Thyroid metabolism involves iodine, which allows us to use radioactive iodine for diag... more BACKGROUND Thyroid metabolism involves iodine, which allows us to use radioactive iodine for diagnostic and therapy purposes. The efficiency of radioiodine therapy depends on several parameters; the ability of thyroid tissue to uptake radioactive iodine is one of them. OBJECTIVE The objective of this work is to quantify the radioactive iodine uptake on thyroid tissue. METHODS In this work, we developed a method to quantify the in vivo uptake of iodine-131 on sections of thyroid glands removed by thyroidectomies. We performed an analysis of histological sections of the thyroid tissue by beta imaging. We had the opportunity to quantify the fixed radioactivity and to analyze its distribution in the thyroid gland, thanks to the good spatial resolution available with the type of detector used. RESULTS The results gave a high image resolution showing the heterogeneity of iodine-131 fixation by the thyroid tissue. We were able to quantify the tissue radioactivity in mega Becquerel (MBq) pe...
Environmental radiation measurements are useful to identify areas of potential natural radiation ... more Environmental radiation measurements are useful to identify areas of potential natural radiation hazard and assess the human population dose due to terrestrial radiation, particularly in areas of mining activities where enhanced radiation levels are expected to be present. Measurements have been carried out of the concentrations of primordial radionuclides in samples of phosphate layers collected from Gafsa City and its surrounding region in central of Tunisia, Moularaes and Kef Schfayer. The chemical composition in the phosphate samples was also analysed by Xray diffraction technique (XRD). Measurements of radon concentration levels, indoors and outdoors, were performed in some workplaces situated within the phosphate deposit area using solid state nuclear track detectors. The results show that concentration ranges (minimum to maximum, in Bq .kg-1) of the naturally occurring radionuclides, comprising 40K, 226Ra, 238U and 232Th from Moularaes are 21.6-149.4, 360.9-580.2, 20.3-85.8 a...
Medecine Nucleaire-imagerie Fonctionnelle Et Metabolique, 2018
In the treatment of thyroid cancer, radioiodine therapy takes place after surgery. Therapeutic ef... more In the treatment of thyroid cancer, radioiodine therapy takes place after surgery. Therapeutic efficacy depends on thyroid tissue ability to uptake radioactive iodine. Methods: In this work we proposed to develop a method to quantify the fixation of iodine 131 on sections of thyroid glands removed during thyroidectomies. We performed an analysis of histological sections of thyroid tissue by beta imaging. Our goal is to quantify the fixed radioactivity and analyze its distribution in the thyroid gland given the good spatial resolution available with the type of detector used. Results: The results gave an excellent quality of images showing the heterogeneity of iodine 131 fixation by thyroid tissues. Conclusion: This work has shown that direct quantification of thyroid uptake is possible using the beta imaging system.
Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2021
Background: Rosmarinus officinalis L.is traditionally used as an infusion in the treatment of sev... more Background: Rosmarinus officinalis L.is traditionally used as an infusion in the treatment of several diseases and in particular against neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It was established that rosemary extracts show an antidepressant effect on animal models. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific data that highlights the therapeutic effects of rosemary intake on human mental health. Aim:This study investigated whether rosemary tea consumption affects the plasma levels of anxiety and depression biomarkers in healthy volunteers. Methods:Twenty-two healthy volunteers aged between 20 and 50 years old consumed rosemary tea prepared from 5 g of dried rosemary in 100 mL boiled water once a day for 10 days. Plasma concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Interleukine-6 (IL-6), Interleukine-4 (IL-4), Tumor Necrosis Factor- alpha (TNF-α), Interferon-gamma (IFNϒ), and cortisol were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial ELISA kits (R&D systems) before rosemary consumption and at the end of the experiment. Results:Rosemary tea consumption significantly increased the concentration of BDNF([BDNF]D0 = 22363.86 ± 12987.66 pg/mL, [BDNF]D10 = 41803.64 ± 28109.19, p = 0.006) and TNF-α([TNF-α] D0 = 39.49 ± 14.44 pg/mL, [TNF-α] D10 = 56.24 ± 39.01, p = 0.016). However, a slight variation that was statistically non-significant in INFϒ, cortisol, IL-4, IL-6 levels and in the ratio IL-4/INFϒ was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion:Our findings highlight the promising anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects of rosemary tea consumption in healthy volunteers since it increases the level of the most reliable depression biomarker BDNF. However, more powerful studies with larger sample size, carefully-chosen target population and, an extended intervention period are required.
This study aimed to identify new genetic characteristics contributing to individual susceptibilit... more This study aimed to identify new genetic characteristics contributing to individual susceptibility to smoke-induced lung cancer. Despite functional evidence of a possible role of cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) in lung cancer susceptibility, no studies have evaluated the influence of CYP1A2 genotypes on lung cancer risk. We investigated the interaction between CYP1A2-T2467delT (allele*1D) polymorphism and smoking in Tunisian lung cancer cases (n=101 male smokers) separately for the histological types squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n=60) and adenocarcinoma (n=41), and in controls (n=98 male smokers) using a case-only study design. A significant interaction between CYP1A2-T/delT or delT/delT genotypes and tobacco consumption (pack-years) adjusted for age was evident (OR (95% CI) 7.78 (1.52-42.8)) in the SCC cases who smoked relatively less (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; or =33 pack-years, I quartile value), but not in adenocarcinoma and controls. Our results suggest that CYP1A2-T2467delT polymorphism has an important role in lung carcinogenesis, especially SCC, among smokers.
INTRODUCTION GST non-functional genotypes can lead to the accumulation of toxic intermediates, re... more INTRODUCTION GST non-functional genotypes can lead to the accumulation of toxic intermediates, resulting in liver damage and increasing susceptibility to ATDH. AIM To investigate the impact of GST Mu (GSTM1), GST Theta (GSTT1) null genotypes, and GST Pi (GSTP1; adenosine (A) > guanine (G), rs1695) variant allele on the development of ATDH in Tunisian patients treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy. METHODS This was a case-control study including patients receiving anti-tuberculosis regimen. Cases (n=23) were tuberculosis patients presenting ATDH during two months of anti-tuberculosis drug therapy. Controls (n=30) were patients treated for tuberculosis, but presenting no ATDH. Genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS No statistically significant association was observed between GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygous null genotypes, and the risk of ATDH. A statistically significant association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 double null genotypes, and the risk of ATDH was found (p=0.033) between cases and controls. For GSTP1, the distribution of GG homozygous mutant genotype was significantly associated with ATDH compared with the wild and the transition A to G (AA+AG) genotypes. CONCLUSION Double deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 may predispose to ATDH in a Tunisian population. Moreover, GSTP1 rs1695 (A>G) genotyping can predict susceptibility to developing ATDH.
The metabolism of the polycyclic hydrocarbon dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene (DBF) has been investigated... more The metabolism of the polycyclic hydrocarbon dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene (DBF) has been investigated. Two new primary metabolites have been identified by proton n.m.r. as the trans diaxial dihydrodiols of the bay and of the pseudo bay regions of DBF. In addition, twelve new metabolites arising from secondary and tertiary metabolic transformations have been identified. The stereochemistry of eleven of these products has been established by proton n.m.r. spectroscopy. In contrast with other alternant carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons, a vicinal diol epoxidation at the bay region of the trans diequatorial dihydrodiols is a minor reaction relative to attack at distant sites, which leads principally to phenolic derivatives of the dihydrodiols and, with a lower yield, to a bis-dihydrodiol (3,4,12,13-tetrahydro-3,4,12,13-tetrahydroxy-DBF). This offers a possibility of bifunctional metabolic activation in the carcinogenicity of DBF. A catechol of the benzanthracenic moiety of DBF has also be identified, dibenzo[a,e]fluoranthene 3,4-catechol. In summary, all three external rings of DBF can be attacked enzymatically, but apparently ring E does not undergo epoxidation while more usual trans diaxial and diequatorial dihydrodiols, as well as tetraols of rings A and D, were detected.
Introduction neffa, a form of air-dried smokeless tobacco used in North Africa, is spuriously per... more Introduction neffa, a form of air-dried smokeless tobacco used in North Africa, is spuriously perceived as a lower risk alternative to smoking. The objective of this study was to provide information on some harmful constituents of neffa and to use them for cancer risk assessment. Methods a high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with fluorescence detector was used to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in one sample of neffa. An atomic absorption spectrometry was performed to determine the concentrations of lead and cadmium in three samples of neffa. The levels of toxicants found in neffa were used to assess for lifetime cancer risk as advocated by the US Environment Protection Agency. Results the determination of PAHs in neffa allowed the identification of phenanthrene and anthracene. However, the higher molecular weight PAHs such as Benzo(a)Pyrene B(a)P were not detected. The concentrations of cadmium and lead varied between 1.3 to 2.8µg/g and 1.7 to 4....
Quantitative analysis of capsaicinoids in various parts of the fruits (pericarp, placenta and see... more Quantitative analysis of capsaicinoids in various parts of the fruits (pericarp, placenta and seeds) of four hot peppers varieties, cultivated in Tunisia <em>Capsicum annuum</em> L. were determined by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Total capsaicinoids content varied according to the variety, and within the same variety according to the stage of maturity and different parts of the fruit. Capsaicinoids content was higher in the placenta than in other parts, but lowest in seeds as well as in green and red fruit. 'Piment Sesseb' and 'Rouge Long' varieties had the highest total capsaicinoids contents in green and red pepper fruit but "Baklouti Kairouan" had the lowest. In each of peppers studied, the placenta had the highest capsaicinoids content, followed by the pericarp, the seeds had the lowest. The capsaicinoids content in the placenta ranged from 3.06±0.046 mg.g<sup>-1</sup> to 0.28±0.002mg.g<sup>-1</sup> ...
BACKGROUND Student absenteeism is a major concern for higher education and especially for medical... more BACKGROUND Student absenteeism is a major concern for higher education and especially for medical studies. AIM This work was conducted to assess the extent of this phenomenon among undergraduate medical students at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse and to determine whether certain student characteristics affect student absenteeism. METHODS We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among first and second year of medical study students from the faculty of medicine of Sousse during the second semester of the 2015-2016 academic year using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS The response rate was 80.9%. Of the respondents, 9.6% reported never having attended the lectures. The reason that justified this absenteeism was the boring teaching. Absenteeism was significantly associated with gender (15.7% of male students never attended versus 7.1% of female students, p = 0.015), with the year of study (7.4% of first-year students versus 12.1% of second-year students, p =...
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening, 2020
Aim and Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. ... more Aim and Objective: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. It is a multifactorial disorder (caused by aging, environmental, and genetic factors). Metabolomics can help explore the biomarker profiles for aging. Recent studies showed an association between the glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) polymorphisms and PD risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of this genetic polymorphism and the metabolomic profile in PD Tunisian patients, in order to identify effective biomarkers in the genetic differentiation. Materials and Methods: In this study, the metabolomic profile changes related to GSTs polymorphism were searched in 54 Tunisian PD patients treated with L-dopa, using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Results: The study results showed that mannose, methyl stearate, and three other unknown metabolites, increased in patients with GSTM1 positive genotype, while glycolic acid, porphine, monomethyl phos...
Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine, 2020
BACKGROUND Thyroid metabolism involves iodine, which allows us to use radioactive iodine for diag... more BACKGROUND Thyroid metabolism involves iodine, which allows us to use radioactive iodine for diagnostic and therapy purposes. The efficiency of radioiodine therapy depends on several parameters; the ability of thyroid tissue to uptake radioactive iodine is one of them. OBJECTIVE The objective of this work is to quantify the radioactive iodine uptake on thyroid tissue. METHODS In this work, we developed a method to quantify the in vivo uptake of iodine-131 on sections of thyroid glands removed by thyroidectomies. We performed an analysis of histological sections of the thyroid tissue by beta imaging. We had the opportunity to quantify the fixed radioactivity and to analyze its distribution in the thyroid gland, thanks to the good spatial resolution available with the type of detector used. RESULTS The results gave a high image resolution showing the heterogeneity of iodine-131 fixation by the thyroid tissue. We were able to quantify the tissue radioactivity in mega Becquerel (MBq) pe...
Environmental radiation measurements are useful to identify areas of potential natural radiation ... more Environmental radiation measurements are useful to identify areas of potential natural radiation hazard and assess the human population dose due to terrestrial radiation, particularly in areas of mining activities where enhanced radiation levels are expected to be present. Measurements have been carried out of the concentrations of primordial radionuclides in samples of phosphate layers collected from Gafsa City and its surrounding region in central of Tunisia, Moularaes and Kef Schfayer. The chemical composition in the phosphate samples was also analysed by Xray diffraction technique (XRD). Measurements of radon concentration levels, indoors and outdoors, were performed in some workplaces situated within the phosphate deposit area using solid state nuclear track detectors. The results show that concentration ranges (minimum to maximum, in Bq .kg-1) of the naturally occurring radionuclides, comprising 40K, 226Ra, 238U and 232Th from Moularaes are 21.6-149.4, 360.9-580.2, 20.3-85.8 a...
Medecine Nucleaire-imagerie Fonctionnelle Et Metabolique, 2018
In the treatment of thyroid cancer, radioiodine therapy takes place after surgery. Therapeutic ef... more In the treatment of thyroid cancer, radioiodine therapy takes place after surgery. Therapeutic efficacy depends on thyroid tissue ability to uptake radioactive iodine. Methods: In this work we proposed to develop a method to quantify the fixation of iodine 131 on sections of thyroid glands removed during thyroidectomies. We performed an analysis of histological sections of thyroid tissue by beta imaging. Our goal is to quantify the fixed radioactivity and analyze its distribution in the thyroid gland given the good spatial resolution available with the type of detector used. Results: The results gave an excellent quality of images showing the heterogeneity of iodine 131 fixation by thyroid tissues. Conclusion: This work has shown that direct quantification of thyroid uptake is possible using the beta imaging system.
Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2021
Background: Rosmarinus officinalis L.is traditionally used as an infusion in the treatment of sev... more Background: Rosmarinus officinalis L.is traditionally used as an infusion in the treatment of several diseases and in particular against neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. It was established that rosemary extracts show an antidepressant effect on animal models. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific data that highlights the therapeutic effects of rosemary intake on human mental health. Aim:This study investigated whether rosemary tea consumption affects the plasma levels of anxiety and depression biomarkers in healthy volunteers. Methods:Twenty-two healthy volunteers aged between 20 and 50 years old consumed rosemary tea prepared from 5 g of dried rosemary in 100 mL boiled water once a day for 10 days. Plasma concentrations of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Interleukine-6 (IL-6), Interleukine-4 (IL-4), Tumor Necrosis Factor- alpha (TNF-α), Interferon-gamma (IFNϒ), and cortisol were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercial ELISA kits (R&D systems) before rosemary consumption and at the end of the experiment. Results:Rosemary tea consumption significantly increased the concentration of BDNF([BDNF]D0 = 22363.86 ± 12987.66 pg/mL, [BDNF]D10 = 41803.64 ± 28109.19, p = 0.006) and TNF-α([TNF-α] D0 = 39.49 ± 14.44 pg/mL, [TNF-α] D10 = 56.24 ± 39.01, p = 0.016). However, a slight variation that was statistically non-significant in INFϒ, cortisol, IL-4, IL-6 levels and in the ratio IL-4/INFϒ was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion:Our findings highlight the promising anxiolytic and/or antidepressant effects of rosemary tea consumption in healthy volunteers since it increases the level of the most reliable depression biomarker BDNF. However, more powerful studies with larger sample size, carefully-chosen target population and, an extended intervention period are required.
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Papers by Sâad Saguem