Geographic variation in phytochemical constituents and allelopathic potential of Pinus halepensis barks

Aqueous extracts (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/L) of Pinus halepensis barks, collected from Bizerte (B), Tabarka (T), Seliana (S) and Oueslatia (O) to elucidate the influence of ecological sites on allelopathic potential. Aqueous barks extracts from (S) and (O) have revealed a higher rate of phenolic acids than those from (T) and (B), respectively 13.23, 13.8, 11.63 and 10.37 mg/mL. Alep pin barks were analyzed using HPLC/UV for the identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds, among which in particular the catechin acetate, the gallic acid, the rutine hydrate, luteolin 7 glucoside and the cinnamic acid. In fact, the aqueous extract of barks from (S) revealed a highest level, respectively 2.61, 1.74, 1.61, 1.36, and 1.21 mg/mL. The Pinus halepensis barks was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. As a result, 29 compounds were identified representing 89% made up basically by β-caryophyllene, α-humulene. As for allelopathic activity, aqueous extracts of barks significantly delayed germination, reduced its rate and affected the seedling growth mainly the (S) and (O) extracts. The root growth of the two targets has shown a high sensibility compared to the shoot lengths. Pot cultures were conducted by the incorporation of barks powder (50 and 100 g/kg) or the irrigation with their aqueous extracts at 20 and 40 g/L. Pinus halepensis barks and its extracts have shown a high herbicide potent, particularly the one collected from (S) and (O), may be favorably used for incorporating in agricultural systems for sustainable weed managemen

Developments in fuel cell technologies in the transport sector

The demand for clean power source which can be used to run the various types of vehicles on the road is increasing on a daily basis due to the fact that high emissions released from internal combustion engine play a significant role in air pollution and climate change. Fuel cell devices, particularly Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) type, are strong candidates to replace the internal combustion engines in the transport industry. The PEMFC technology still has many challenges including high cost, low durability and hydrogen storage problems which limit the wide-world commercialization of this technology. In this paper, the fuel cell cost, durability and performances challenges which are associated with using of fuel cell technology for transport applications are detailed and reviewed. Recent developments that deal with the proposed challenges are reported. Furthermore, problems of hydrogen infrastructure and hydrogen storage in the fuel cell vehicle are discussed

Menopause and metabolic syndrome in Tunisian women

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of menopausal status on the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Tunisian women. Methods. We analyzed a total of 2680 women aged between 35 and 70 years. Blood pressure, anthropometric indices, fasting glucose, and lipid profile were measured. The MetS was assessed by the modified NCEP-ATPIII definition. Results. The mean values of waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma lipids, and fasting glucose were significantly higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women, a difference that was no longer present when adjusting for age. Except for hypertriglyceridaemia, the frequency of central obesity, hyperglycemia, high blood pressure, and high total cholesterol was significantly higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. After adjusting for age, the significance persisted only for hyperglycemia. The overall prevalence of MetS was 35.9%, higher in postmenopausal (45.7% versus 25.6%) than in premenopausal women. A binary logistic regression analysis showed that menopause was independently associated with MetS (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.10-1.82) after adjusting for age, residence area, marital status, family history of cardiovascular disease, education level, and occupation. Conclusions. The present study provides evidence that the MetS is highly prevalent in this group of women. Menopause can be a predictor of MetS independent of age in Tunisian women

PROBLEMATIQUE DE SUREXPLOITATION DES EAUX SOUTERRAINES DANS LES ZONES ARIDES : CAS DE LA PLAINE DE GHRISS MASCARA –ALGERIE PROBLEMS OF OVEREXPLOITATION OF GROUNDWATER IN ARID AREAS: CASE OF THE PLAIN GHRISS MASCARA-ALGERIA.

La plaine de Ghriss couvre une vaste étendue d'une superficie d'environ 1185 Km2. Elle est située dans la wilaya de Mascara avec une altitude moyenne de 585,03 m. Avec un climat semi-aride et une sècheresse récurrente, cette région n'a enregistré qu'une pluie annuelle moyenne de 257,81 mm entre 1994 et 2004 alors qu'elle était située entre les isohyètes 400 et 500 mm. La plaine de Ghriss est une région à vocation agricole avec un maraîchage dominant. Le niveau moyen des eaux des puits ou forages dans cette plaine est estimé à 70 m et plusieurs puits d'observations du réseau piézométrique sont secs. Le volume d'eau extrait est estimé à 88 hm3/an alors que l'apport des nappes n'est que de 66 hm3/an soit un déficit de 32 hm3/an. Cette plaine souffre d'une surexploitation due à la pratique agricole et à la croissance démographique à travers l'AEP. En espérant un retour rapide des conditions météorologiques favorables, une politique de gestion de l'eau est inévitable pour sauver cette plaine qui est la plus riche de l'oranie du point de vue agricole. The plain of Ghriss covers vast wide of a surface of approximately 1185 km 2. It is located in the wilaya of Mascara with an average altitude of 585.03 m. With a semi-arid climate and a recurring secheress, this area recorded only one mean annual rain of 257.81 mm between 1994 and 2004 whereas it was located between isohyets 400 and 500 mm. The plain of Ghriss is an area with agricultural vocation with a truck farming dominating. The mean level of water of the wells or drillings in this plain is estimated at 70 m and several wells of observations of the piezometric network are dry. The volume of water extracted is estimated at 88 hm 3 / year whereas the contribution of the tablecloths is not that 66 hm 3 / year is a deficit of 32 hm 3 / year. This plain suffers from an overexploitation due to husbandry and the demographic growth through the AEP. By hoping for a fast return of the favorable weather conditions, a policy of management of water is inevitable to save this plain which is richest of the oranie from the agricultural point of view

Biochemical characterization of a cefotaximehydrolysing &#946-lactamase encoded by a conjugative plasmid

During the nosocomials infections occurring in the intensive care unit of the military hospital of Tunis in 2005, the Enterobacter cloacae BW 1150 strain was isolated from a stool culture. This strain was found to have a high level resistance to broad-spectrum -lactams. Resistance profile against thevarious families of antibiotics was determined using the disc diffusion test. The minimal inhibitory concentrations values showed that this strain was resistant to the -lactams such as ampicillin and the extended spectrum cephalosporins (cefotaxime, ceftriaxon and cefpirome). Analysis of this strain by the disk diffusion test revealed synergies between amoxicillin-clavulanate (AMX-CA) and ceftriaxon, ceftazidime and cefotaxime. Cell sonicate of this isolate is very active against cefotaxime and showed aspecific activity (AS) of 7.54 U/mg for the same antibiotic. This activity was inhibited by the sulbactam and the clavulanic acid. Isoelectrofocusing methods revealed that the crude extract of the E. cloacae BW 1150 strain showed 1 - lactamase activity with an isoelectric piont (pI) of about 8. This activity was transferred by conjugation and was highly expressed in the transconjugant

Lymphome t/nk primitif du larynx : localisation inhabituelle de lymphome extranodal

Nous rapportons un cas de lymphome extranodal T/Nk primitif du larynx. il s’agit d’un patient âgé de 22 ans qui s’était présenté pour une dysphonie chronique associée à une dyspnée inspiratoire. une chimiothérapie protocole SMiLE avec radiothérapie ont été institués avec obtention d’une rémission complète. Huit mois plus tard, le patient présentait une récidive de la tumeur avec un oedème palpébral et une obstruction du canal lacrymonasal. L’évolution a été fatale suite à une aspergillose invasive en cours de chimiothérapie.Mots clés : lymphome, larynx.A rare case of primary laryngeal T/Nk- cell lymphoma, nasal type is reported. The patient was 22-year old male who presented with dysphonia, dyspnea. Chemotherapy protocol SMiLE and radiotherapy were instituted with complete remission of the tumor. Eight months afterward, he presented with tumor recurrence, palpebral edema, obstruction of the lacrymonasal duct. He died within few days with invasive aspergillosis while he was receiving chemotherapy SMiLE regimen.Keyswords : lymphoma, larynx

Removal Efficiency of Textile Dyes from Aqueous Solutions Using Calcined Waste of Eggshells as Eco-friendly Adsorbent: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

This research investigates the removal of textile dyes (Rhodamine B and Alizarin Red S) from aqueous solution by a low-cost adsorbent prepared from eggshell waste. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted in order to determine the effect of different parameters such as pH, dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage, particle size, and temperature. The best correlation was found by Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 175.58 mg g–1 for Rhodamine B and 156.56 mg g–1 for Alizarin Red S. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of Rhodamine B and Alizarin Red S were feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. Regeneration study conducted to test the reusability (five cycles) and comparison of adsorption capacities of Rhodamine B and Alizarin Red S showed that calcined eggshell adsorbent could potentially be used for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

Transient deSUMOylation of IRF2BP proteins controls early transcription in EGFR signaling

Molecular switches are essential modules in signaling networksand transcriptional reprogramming. Here, we describe a role forsmall ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO as a molecular switch inepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Using quantita-tive mass spectrometry, we compare the endogenous SUMOproteomes of HeLa cells before and after EGF stimulation. Thereby,we identify a small group of transcriptional coregulators includingIRF2BP1, IRF2BP2, and IRF2BPL as novel players in EGFR signaling.Comparison of cells expressing wild type or SUMOylation-deficientIRF2BP1indicates that transient deSUMOylation of IRF2BP proteinsis important for appropriate expression of immediate early genesincludingdual specificity phosphatase1(DUSP1, MKP-1) and thetranscription factor ATF3. We find that IRF2BP1is a repressor,whose transient deSUMOylation on the DUSP1promoter allows—and whose timely reSUMOylation restricts—DUSP1transcription.Our work thus provides a paradigm how comparative SUMOproteome analyses serve to reveal novel regulators in signal trans-duction and transcription