Adsorption of Algerian Asphaltenes onto Synthesized Maghemite Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

In this study, the adsorption of Algerian asphaltene sample extracted from Hassi Messaoud oil field is conducted for the first time. The adsorption process was performed using novel synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3). γ-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles were in-house synthesized and characterized by an array of techniques using, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles have an average crystalline domain size around 10 nm and a specific surface area of 120 m2/g. The adsorption process of the Algerian asphaltenes took place in a batch mode by dissolving the asphaltenes in toluene at 25°C. Different initial concentrations of asphaltene solutions were used in this study, namely 100, 500, and 1000 ppm. During this adsorption, both isotherm and kinetic studies were investigated. The results showed that the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles are promising nano-adsorbents that have a high affinity to remove the asphaltenes and the equilibrium was recorded after 15 min. The Solid-Liquid-Equilibrium (SLE) model was used to correlate the adsorption experimental data

L'accumulation des métaux lourds au niveau des cultures : Cas des cultures maraîchères du bassin de Sebou au Maroc

Le Bassin de Sebou présente une importance socio-économique pour le Maroc. En effet, il est sujet de diverses utilisations ; eau potable, eau d’irrigation et eau industrielle. Toutefois, ce bassin subit des pressions multiples, notamment par la pollution métallique. Considérant le risque de bioaccumulation des métaux par les cultures, base de la chaîne  alimentaire, cette étude a été conduite pour évaluer la charge métallique au niveau dudit Bassin. Elle a porté sur les trois supports; eau d’irrigation, sols agricoles et cultures maraîchères dont les graines (blé, mais), fruits (courgette), feuilles (laitue) et racines (navet). C’est ainsi que ces échantillons ont été prélevés durant la période 2006-2010 et les sept éléments métalliques Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb et Zn ont été analysés par ICP. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé des concentrations faibles à moyennes dépassant parfois les normes requises notamment pour le Cr et le Cd. L’origine possible de cette charge métallique peut être les rejets urbains et particulièrement industriels, notamment ceux des activités artisanales outre l’activité agricole intense et ses pratiques inappropriées.Mots-clés : bassin de Sebou, pollution métallique, métaux lourds, cultures maraîchères

Molecular analysis of the TMPRSS3 gene in Moroccan families with non-syndromic hearing loss

Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment (ARNSHI) is the most common type of inherited hearing impairment, accounting for approximately 80% of inherited prelingual hearing impairment. Hearing loss is noted to be both phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous. Mutations in the TMPRSS3 gene, which encodes a transmembrane serine protease, are known to cause autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment DFNB8/10. In order to elucidate if the TMPRSS3 gene is responsible for ARNSHI in 80 Moroccan families with non-syndromic hearing impairment, the gene was sequenced using DNA samples from these families. Nineteen TMPRSS3 variants were found, nine are located in the exons among which six are missense and three are synonymous. The 10 remaining variations are located in non-coding regions. Missense variants analysis show that they do not have a significant pathogenic effect on protein while pathogenicity of some variant remains under discussion. Thus we show that the TMPRSS3 gene is not a major contributor to non-syndromic deafness in the Moroccan population

Analysis of CLDN14 gene in deaf Moroccan patients with non-syndromic hearing loss

Mutations in the CLDN14 gene, encoding the tight junction claudin 14 protein has been reported to date in an autosomal recessive form of isolated hearing loss DFNB29. In order to identify the contribution of CLDN14 to inherited deafness in Moroccan population, we performed a genetic analysis of this gene in 80 Moroccan familial cases. Our results show the presence of 7 mutations: 6 being conservative and one leading to a missense mutation (C11T) which was found at heterozygous and homozygous states, with a general frequency of 6.87%. The pathogenicity of the resulting T4M substitution is under discussion. Finally, our study suggests that CLDN14 gene can be implicated in the development of hearing loss in the Moroccan population

Blue light effects on rose photosynthesis and photomorphogenesis

Through its impact on photosynthesis and morphogenesis, light is the environmental factor that most affects plant architecture. Using light rather than chemicals to manage plant architecture could reduce the impact on the environment. However, the understanding of how light modulates plant architecture is still poor and further research is needed. To address this question, we examined the development of two rose cultivars, Rosa hybrida‘Radrazz’ and Rosa chinensis‘Old Blush’, cultivated under two light qualities. Plants were grown from one-node cuttings for 6 weeks under white or blue light at equal photosynthetic efficiencies. While plant development was totally inhibited in darkness, blue light could sustain full development from bud burst until flowering. Blue light reduced the net CO2 assimilation rate of fully expanded leaves in both cultivars, despite increasing stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentrations. In ‘Radrazz’, the reduction in CO2 assimilation under blue light was related to a decrease in photosynthetic pigment content, while in both cultivars, the chl a/b ratio increased. Surprisingly, blue light could induce the same organogenetic activity of the shoot apical meristem, growth of the metamers and flower development as white light. The normal development of rose plants under blue light reveals the strong adaptive properties of rose plants to their light environment. It also indicates that photomorphogenetic processes can all be triggered by blue wavelengths and that despite a lower assimilation rate, blue light can provide sufficient energy via photosynthesis to sustain normal growth and development in roses

Salt effect on physiological, biochemical and anatomical structures of two Origanum majorana varieties (Tunisian and Canadian)

In this study, we evaluated the salt concentration effect on plant growth, mineral composition, antioxidant responses and anatomical structure of two varieties of Origanum majorana after exposure to NaCl treatment. Our results show an inclusive behaviour of the two varieties, since the majority of sodium was exported and accumulated in their aerial parts. The Canadian variety (CV) appeared relatively more tolerant to salt than the Tunisian one (TV). Transversal section of leaves showed a thickening of dorsal and ventral cuticle, more importantly in CV than in TV, in the presence and in absence of salt. This was accompanied by an increase in the length of palisade cells, and the width of spongy collenchyma lacuna. The stem had a subquadrangular shape in TV and quadrangular in the Canadian variety. At mature stage, the stem pit was reabsorbed in the TV and replaced by a large cavity, whereas it remained unchanged in CV. The relative salt tolerance of the CV was related to: (1) a good selectivity in favour of K+: (2) a strong peroxidase activity and (3) an increase in the lengthening of palisade cell accompanied with an increase of lacunae in spongy parenchyma in CV.Key words: Origanum majorana, salinity, growth, mineral nutrition, leaves, stems, anatomical, antioxidant

Towards a framework for comparing functionalities of multimorbidity clinical decision support: A literature-based feature set and benchmark cases.

Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more health conditions, has become more prevalent as mortality rates in many countries have declined and their populations have aged. Multimorbidity presents significant difficulties for Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), particularly in cases where recommendations from relevant clinical guidelines offer conflicting advice. A number of research groups are developing computer-interpretable guideline (CIG) modeling formalisms that integrate recommendations from multiple Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for knowledge-based multimorbidity decision support. In this paper we describe work towards the development of a framework for comparing the different approaches to multimorbidity CIG-based clinical decision support (MGCDS). We present (1) a set of features for MGCDS, which were derived using a literature review and evaluated by physicians using a survey, and (2) a set of benchmarking case studies, which illustrate the clinical application of these features. This work represents the first necessary step in a broader research program aimed at the development of a benchmark framework that allows for standardized and comparable MGCDS evaluations, which will facilitate the assessment of functionalities of MGCDS, as well as highlight important gaps in the state-of-the-art. We also outline our future work on developing the framework, specifically, (3) a standard for reporting MGCDS solutions for the benchmark case studies, and (4) criteria for evaluating these MGCDS solutions. We plan to conduct a large-scale comparison study of existing MGCDS based on the comparative framework

Legumain is an independent predictor for invasive recurrence in breast ductal carcinoma in situ

© 2018, United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology. Legumain is a proteolytic enzyme that plays a role in the regulation of cell proliferation in invasive breast cancer. Studies evaluating its role in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are lacking. Here, we aimed to characterize legumain protein expression in DCIS and evaluate its prognostic significance. Legumain was assessed immunohistochemically in a tissue microarray of a well-characterized cohort of DCIS (n = 776 pure DCIS and n = 239 DCIS associated with invasive breast cancer (DCIS-mixed)). Legumain immunoreactivity was scored in tumor cells and surrounding stroma and related to clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. High legumain expression was observed in 23% of pure DCIS and was associated with features of high-risk DCIS including higher nuclear grade, comedo necrosis, hormone receptor negativity, HER2 positivity, and higher proliferation index. Legumain expression was higher in DCIS associated with invasive breast cancer than in pure DCIS (p < 0.0001). In the DCIS-mixed cohort, the invasive component showed higher legumain expression than the DCIS component (p < 0.0001). Legumain was an independent predictor of shorter local recurrencefree interval for all recurrences (p = 0.0003) and for invasive recurrences (p = 0.002). When incorporated with other risk factors, legumain provided better patient risk stratification. High legumain expression is associated with poor prognosis in DCIS and could be a potential marker to predict DCIS progression to invasive disease