First detection of Waddlia chondrophila in Africa using SYBR Green real-time PCR on veterinary samples.

Waddlia chondrophila is a strict intracellular microorganism belonging to the order Chlamydiales that has been isolated twice from aborted bovine fetuses, once in USA and once in Germany. This bacterium is now considered as an abortigenic agent in cattle. However, no information is available regarding the presence of this bacterium in Africa. Given the low sensitivity of cell culture to recover such an obligate intracellular bacterium, molecular-based diagnostic approaches are warranted. This report describes the development of a quantitative SYBR Green real-time PCR assay targeting the recA gene of W. chondrophila. Analytical sensitivity was 10 copies of control plasmid DNA per reaction. No cross-amplification was observed when testing pathogens that can cause abortion in cattle. The PCR exhibited a good intra-run and inter-run reproducibility. This real-time PCR was then applied to 150 vaginal swabs taken from Tunisian cows that have aborted. Twelve samples revealed to be Waddlia positive, suggesting a possible role of this bacterium in this setting. This new real-time PCR assay represents a diagnostic tool that may be used to further study the prevalence of Waddlia infection

Improving PBL in Empowering Meta cognitive Skill of Students

Abstract Objective: Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a potential constructivist learning strategy that empowers students’ Meta cognitive skill. PBL focuses on problem, involves thinking activity to solve problems, and correlates to cognitive function of students. Methods: The implementation of PBL reveals various benefits, but there are also some weaknesses in this learning strategy. Thus, it is necessary to implement a certain learning strategy that can cover the PBL weaknesses, such as Reading, Questioning, and Answering (RQA) learning strategy. RQA is a new learning strategy developed based on a fact that almost all students do not read the next lecture materials, causing failure of learning strategy planned and finally the students’ comprehension becomes low. RQA is also potential to empower students’ Meta cognitive skill. Findings: The integration of RQA and PBL learning strategy is called PBL-RQA learning strategy. This study was a quasi-experimental study designed to compare the effect of PBL, RQA, and PBL-RQA learning strategies on the students’ Meta cognitive skill of Faculty of Mathematics and Science, State University of Makassar. Application: The results of the study showed that the potency of PBL learning strategy in empowering the students’ Meta cognitive skill has been increased by integrating it to RQA learning strategy. The meta cognitive skill mean score of the students taught by PBL-RQA learning strategy was 21% higher than that of the students taught by PBL and 26.9% higher than that of the students taught by RQA learning strategy. Keywords: Answering, Meta Cognitive Skill, Problem-Based Learning, Questioning, Reading, PBL-RQ

Stability of charge ordering in La0.5−xHoxCa0.5MnO3 polycrystalline manganites

International audienceMagnetotransport properties of La0.5-xHoxCa0.5MnO3 (x=0.05 and 0.1) polycrystalline samples were investigated in order to study the effect of magnetic Ho 3+ ions on the stability of the charge ordering (CO) and magnetic phase coexistence in pristine La0.5Ca0.5MnO3. Our samples were synthesized by using sol-gel method. Temperature dependence of resistivity shows an insulating behavior with high resistivity values, confirming the presence of long-range CO. The application of 7 T magnetic field slightly reduces resistivity values and demonstrates relatively small magnetoresistance (MR) values (-MR(T) did not exceed 14 % under 7 T applied field). This observation indicates that the CO in the Ho-based specimens is strong, which indicates that Ho-substitution for La in La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 gives more strength to the CO

Faut-il traiter la biprotrusion des enfants tunisiens ?

La situation géographique de la Tunisie en Afrique du Nord pourrait laisser sous-entendre que la biprotrusion serait d'origine ethnique, liée à son appartenance à l'Afrique et à l'influence des populations mélanodermes. Une première étude, réalisée sur 95 téléradiographies de profil d'élèves (âge moyen : 16 ans 9 mois), ayant une denture complète normale et un schéma facial jugé équilibré, montre que dans cet échantillon de la région de Sfax, les incisives sont, en effet, légèrement vestibuloversées et que leurs bords libres se trouvent 3 mm en avant par rapport aux normes américaines. Dans une deuxième étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à la stabilité du traitement de la biprotrusion en comparant la position des incisives sur des téléradiographies de profil de début de traitement, de fin de traitement et hors contention (prises 2 à 3 ans après la fin du traitement) de 26 cas de classe I biprotrusif, tous traités par avulsion de 4 premières prémolaires. Cette deuxième étude montre que la correction des incisives supérieures et inférieures est suivie d'une récidive moyenne comprise entre 20 et 30 % en fonction du paramètre étudié