Tobacco smoking and its impact on the expression level of sperm nuclear protein genes: H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2

The aim of this current study was to investigate the influence of tobacco smoke on sperm quality determined by standard parameters, on sperm DNA maturity tested by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, on sperm DNA fragmentation tested by TUNEL assay and on the transcript level of sperm nuclear proteins H2BFWT, PRM1, PRM2, TNP1 and TNP2 genes quantified by RT‐PCR. One hundred forty‐one (141) sperm samples (43 nonsmokers (G.1) and 98 heavy smokers (G.2)) of couples undergoing ICSI were enrolled in this study. In G2, a significant decrease in standard semen parameters in comparison with nonsmokers was shown (p < .01). In contrast, protamine deficiency (CMA3 positivity) and sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) were significantly higher in G2 than in G1 (p < .01). Furthermore, the studied genes were differentially expressed (p < .01), down‐regulated in the spermatozoa of G.2 compared to that of G.1 (fold change <0.5) and were significantly correlated between each other (p < .01). Moreover, in comparison with G1, the protamine mRNA ratio in G2 was significantly higher (p < .01). It can therefore be concluded that smoking alters mRNA expression levels of H2BFWT, TNP1, TNP2, PRM1 and PRM2 genes and the protamine mRNA ratio and consequently alters normal sperm function

Dynamic parameters optimization of a Gough-Stewart Platform mounted on a 2-DOF moving base

International audienceA common issue of the parallel robot is that has a large number of dynamicparameters, which requires a lot of processing time, whether in dynamic modeling,identification or control. The optimization and estimation of inertial parametersof a large DoF number of robotic system is crucial to tune the model-basedcontrol law in order to improve the robot accuracy. In this paper, we present an optimizednumber of dynamic parameters, called base inertial parameters. As a result,only 90 base inertial parameters affect the evr@ simulator instead of 210 standardone. Torque signals evaluation from experimental parallel platform and the developedanalytical form show the effectiveness of the obtained results

Modélisation numérique du chauffage diélectrique des biocomposites multicouches

Le chauffage diélectrique par micro-ondes est une technique qui consiste à chauffer des matériaux peu conducteurs électriquement et, généralement, thermiquement. Cette méthode est utilisée dans plusieurs secteurs de l’ingénierie tels que l’agroalimentaire, le traitement phytosanitaire des produits en bois et le séchage des structures. Toutefois, le chauffage par micro-ondes des multicouches, à base de composites bois-polymère (CBP), ne semble pas été élucidé dans la littérature. C’est dans ce cadre que le projet est inscrit et porte sur le chauffage diélectrique d’un CBP multicouche (trois couches). Pour cela, une approche couplant l’équation de l’énergie (1D), d’une part, avec les équations de Maxwell (1D) et, d’autre part, avec le modèle de Berr-Lambert est utilisée. Le CBP étudié est composé de 70% de polypropylène PP et de 30% de fibres de bois (Leucaena Leucocephala). Pour cette étude; trois tailles de ce dernier ont été considérées : 100, 200 et 500 μm. En ce qui concerne la modélisation numérique, on a utilisé la méthode des éléments finis pour l’équation d’énergie (1D). La fréquence des micro-ondes utilisée est 2,47 GHz et les propriétés thermo-physiques et diélectriques de chaque couche sont considérées constantes. Les simulations numériques ont permis de confronter et de valider les résultats obtenus vis-à-vis ceux issus de la littérature. Ensuite, l’impact des micro-ondes sur la puissance dissipée dans les multicouches et sur l’évolution et la distribution de la température ont été calculées. Les résultats obtenus, montrent que la dissipation maximale de l’énergie par micro-ondes est localisée dans la couche intermédiaire renforcée par les fibres du bois de taille 200 μm

Review the role of transovarial transmission by mosquitoes and wildlife circulation in the persistence of Rift Valley fever virus

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic viral disease affecting domestic and wild animals as well as humans, primarily in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with a proven ability to emerge in new geographic areas. Despite its importance, the mechanisms for maintaining RVFV between epidemics remain unclear. This review highlights the vertical transmission of the virus in mosquitoes, the role of wildlife as a reservoir host and the impact of climate change on disease outbreaks. Field and laboratory studies show that RVFV is primarily maintained by transovarial virus transmission in mosquitoes, while wildlife, particularly ruminants, acts as a reservoir during inter-epidemic periods. Climate change promotes outbreaks by increasing populations of RVFV vectors, particularly Aedes mosquitoes, in areas where heavy precipitation, flooding and high temperatures provide conditions for infected mosquitoes to multiply

Calcium amendment based on the shells of Amiantis umbonella: Elaboration, characterization and its use in planta in the cultivation of Vicia faba L.

This study aims to formulate calcium amendments from the shells of Amiantis umbonella and to evaluate their effectiveness in the cultivation of Vicia faba L. The physicochemical properties of these amendments were analyzed using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray diffraction (SEM/EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The growth parameters of the plant (length of the aerial part and yield) as well as its nutritional characteristics (chlorophyll content, proteins, lipids and sugars) were rigorously monitored. The results indicate that the calcium amendments developed can be used at concentrations between 5% and 10% while maintaining optimal yield without altering nutritional quality. This study highlights the potential of calcium amendments from Amiantis umbonella shells to improve the cultivation of Vicia faba L., thus paving the way for more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices

NH3(CH2)6NH3SiF6 catalyzed highly efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles, benzoxazoles, benzothiazoles, quinoxalines and pyrimidin-2-ones/thiones

Herein, we describe a simple, highly efficient and environmentally friendly protocol for the synthesis of benzimidazoles, benzoxazoles, benzothiazoles,  3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones/ thiones and quinoxalines derivatives using hybrid crystal NH3(CH2)6NH3SiF6 as a catalyst. Use of recyclable catalyst, easy work-up procedure, excellent yields, short reaction times and scalability are the important practical features of the present protocol

High-gain interval observer for continuous–discrete-time systems using an LMI design approach

In this paper, a high-gain interval observer (HGIO) for a class of partially linear continuous-time systems with sampled measured outputs in the presence of bounded noise and additive disturbances is proposed. The design of the HGIO is formulated in the Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) framework. The gain of the HGIO is designed to satisfy the cooperative property using a time-varying change of coordinates based on pole placement in separate LMI regions. Moreover, a procedure for designing the HGIO gain to minimise the effect of the noise and disturbance in the estimation is provided. The stability of the proposed HGIO is also guaranteed. The proposed approach is assessed in simulation using a numerical example.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Analyse comparative des déterminants du taux d’imposition effectif des entreprises : Tunisie -Maroc

L’objectif du travail présenté dans cet article est double. Nous essayons non seulement de révéler la réalité de l’imposition des entreprises cotées tunisiennes et marocaines mais aussi d’identifier certains déterminants de la variabilité du Taux d’imposition effectif (TIE) de ces entreprises. L’étude porte sur l’impact de certaines caractéristiques de l’entreprise telles que le secteur d’activité, la taille, l’intensité capitalistique et le niveau de rentabilité sur la variation du TIE. Pour ce faire, nous avons eu recours à des données de panels tunisiennes et marocaines pour la période allant de 2002 à 2006. Nos résultats empiriques ont permis d’apporter des réponses à plusieurs questions : Qu’est ce qui fait expliquer la variation du TIE des entreprises tunisiennes et celles marocaines? Lequel de ces pays maghrébins, celui offrant une fiscalité plus favorable que l’autre ? Quel est le niveau réel d’avantages fiscaux dont bénéficie chaque secteur de ces pays? Dans quelle mesure, les systèmes fiscaux tunisien et marocain sont- ils jugés de systèmes neutres

Diarrhea associated to parasites at Peltier Hospital in Djibouti (Period from 2019 to 2021)

Diarrhea may be present alone or be associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or weight loss. Diarrhea diseases represent a true public health that needs to be considered. On the other hand, Diarrhea was a very prevalent symptom of COVID-19 and other infections. This study objects to find different parasitic diarrhea. A total of 850 patients were surveyed, of whom 380 were men and 470 were women (sex ratio 0.80), with an average age of 33.5 years [15-80 years]. Acute diarrhea was reported in 55 % of patients, choleriform in 24 % of patients, and dysenteric in 21 % of patients. Among 850 stool samples, 181 were negative (21 %). A review of the stool revealed altered leukocytes in 374 samples (44 %). The most common parasites reported were Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas intestinalis and Giardia intestinalis representing 85 % of cases. Diseases most commonly associated with diarrhea include malaria (27 %), Covid-19 (15 %), acute lung disease (13 %) and genitourinary infections (9 %). Parasitic diarrhea dominated by helminthiasis remains a concern

An additional marker for sperm DNA quality evaluation in spermatozoa of male partners of couples undergoing assisted reproduction technique (IVF/ICSI): Protamine ratio

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the protamine ratio (P1/P2), DNA fragmentation of spermatozoa and protamine deficiency. Patients were grouped into fertile (G1; n = 151) and sub‐fertile (G2; n = 121). DNA fragmentation in spermatozoa was analysed by a TUNEL assay (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick‐end labelling), and the protamination was determined by CMA3 staining, while Western blot was used to measure protamine P1 and P2. While sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and protamine ratio were significantly elevated in G2 compared with G1 (12.31 ± 7.01% vs. 17.5 ± 9.5%; p = .001) and (0.91 ± 0.43 vs. 0.75 ± 0.42; p = .003); respectively, the CMA3 positive showed no difference at all between G1 and G2. In G1, the CMA3 positive correlated negatively with the P1/P2 ratio and SDF (r = −.586, r = −.297; p = .001 respectively). In contrast, the protamine ratio correlated positively with SDF (r = .356; p = .001). In G2, no correlation was observed between CMA3 positive, SDF and the P1/P2 ratio but the P1/P2 ratio showed a positive correlation with SDF (r = .479; p = .001). In conclusion, the spermatozoa DNA deterioration was closely associated with abnormal protamination but showed an association with the protamine ratio, more than with CMA3 positive. Therefore, for the evaluation of DNA damage in spermatozoa, the P1/P2 ratio might act as an additional biomarker