Bellis prostrata Pomel (Asteraceae), a new species for Morocco

Investigations conducted in temporary wetlands of the coastal Meseta of W Morocco (Benslimane region) lead to the discovery of Bellis prostrata in a small endoreic temporary pool (ca. 1 ha) of the quartzitic-limestone plateau of Benslimane

Les barotraumatismes de l’oreille moyenne

Objectif : Le barotraumatisme de l’oreille moyenne est une entité pathologique particulière rare et spécifique.Matériel et méthodes : Nous rapportons une série rétrospective de 13 cas de barotraumatismes de l’oreille moyenne diagnostiqués et suivis au centre d’expertise et de médecine aéronautique de Tunis.Résultats : L’âge moyen de nos patients est de 34 ans. Les signes fonctionnels étaient dominés par l’otalgie et l’hypoacousie. L’atteinte était bilatérale dans deux cas. Il s’agissait d’atteinte bénigne de stade (I et II) chez huit patients et d’épanchement rétrotympanique dans quatre cas. Une perforation tympanique a été observée chez un seul pilote. Le bilan clinique a permis de mettre en évidence la présence de circonstances favorisantes à la survenue du barotraumatisme dans neuf cas. Sur le plan fonctionnel, nous avons observés quatre barotraumatismes à audition conservée .Par ailleurs, La surdité était de type transitionnelle. La prise en charge thérapeutique était fonction du bilan lésionnel. L’évolution était favorable chez neufs patients avec une récupération auditive totale.Une dispense de vol fût proclamée dans tous les cas. La durée  d’inaptitude initiale était fonction du bilan lésionnel anatomique et fonctionnel et a variée entre dix et soixante jours.Mots-clés : Barotraumatisme, Surdité, Oreille moyenne, Pilote

Mal de pott révelé par un abcès latéropharyngien chez un pilote

Introduction: Pott's disease is the most frequent localisation of osteoarticular tuberculosis. The authors report a case of cervical Pott's disease with lateropharyngeal abscess.Observation: Our patient is a 44 years old pilot; he presented since 6 months cervicalgy, dysphagia and weighting loss.  Clinical findings showed a swelling of posterior and lateral oropharyngeal wall extending to hypopharynx. A palsy of the XI th nerve and an abolition of the bicipital reflex were also noticed. CT scan showed a lateropharyngeal collection extending from C4 to D1. It was also noticed a subtotal destruction of C6.However, there were no medullar lesions in the cervical spine MRI.Tuberculosis was confirmed thanks to histological analysis of caseum taken during cervical biopy. The patient was operated using anterior approach. He had surgical removal of C6 which was replaced by iliac prothesis. Medical treatment was based on antituberculosis drugs used during 12 months. After three years of follow up, the out come was favourable with no recurrence and satisfying consolidation. For aeronautic considerations, the patient was declared unable for flying mission.Conclusion: Tuberculosis constitutes a problematic infectious disease in Tunisia which may have serious consequences on publish health. We insist on preventing measurements because there are neither specific clinical findings nor radiological characterising features.Keywords: Tuberculosis, Pott's disease, lateropharyngeal absces

TiO 2

Nanocomposites TiO2-CdS with different relative contents of CdS (molar ratios Cd/Ti = 0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5) were studied. The structural, photophysical, and chemical properties were investigated using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, GSDR, and LIL. XRD and Raman results confirmed the presence of TiO2 and CdS with intensities dependent on the ratio Cd/Ti. The presence of CdSO4 was detected by XPS at the surface of all TiO2-CdS composites. The relative amount of sulphate was dependent on the CdS loading. Luminescence time-resolved spectra clearly proved the existence of an excitation transfer process from CdS to TiO2 through the luminescence emission from TiO2 after excitation of CdS at λexc=410 nm, where no direct excitation of TiO2 occurs. Photodegradation of a series of aromatic carboxylic acids—benzoic, salicylic, 4-bromobenzoic, 3-phenylpropionic, and veratric acids—showed a great enhancement in the photocatalytic efficiency of the TiO2-CdS composites, which is due, mainly, to the effect of the charge carriers’ increased lifetime. In addition, it was shown that the oxidation of CdS to CdSO4 did not result in the deactivation of the photocatalytic properties and even contributed to enhance the degradation efficiency

Imaging features of histological subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma: Implication for LI-RADS

Background & Aims: The histopathological subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are associated with distinct clinical features and prognoses. This study aims to report Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS)-defined imaging features of different HCC subtypes in a cohort of resected tumours and to assess the influence of HCC subtypes on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) LI-RADS categorisation in the subgroup of high-risk patients.Methods: This retrospective institutional review board-approved study included patients with resected HCCs and available histopathological classification. Three radiologists independently reviewed preoperative CT and MRI exams. The readers evaluated the presence of imaging features according to LI-RADS v2018 definitions and provided a LI-RADS category in patients at high risk of HCC. Differences in LI-RADS features and categorisations were assessed for not otherwise specified (NOS-HCC), steatohepatitic (SH-HCC), and macrotrabecular-massive (MTM-HCC) types of HCCs.Results: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients (median age 64.0 years, 215 [77.6%] men) were analysed, which involved 295 HCCs. There were 197 (66.7%) NOS-HCCs, 62 (21.0%) SH-HCCs, 23 (7.8%) MTM-HCCs, and 13 (4.5%) other rare subtypes. The following features were more frequent in MTM-HCC: elevated alpha-foetoprotein serum levels (p <0.001), tumour-in-vein (p <0.001 on CT, p <= 0.052 on MRI), presence of at least 1 LR-M feature (p <= 0.010 on CT), infiltrative appearance (p <= 0.032 on CT), necrosis or severe ischaemia (p <= 0.038 on CT), and larger size (p <= 0.006 on CT, p <= 0.011 on MRI). SH-HCC was associated with fat in mass (p <0.001 on CT, p <= 0.002 on MRI). The distribution of the LI-RADS major features and categories in high-risk patients did not significantly differ among the 3 main HCC subtypes.Conclusions: The distribution of LI-RADS major features and categories is not different among the HCC subtypes. Nevertheless, careful analysis of tumour-in-vein, LR-M, and ancillary features as well as clinico-biological data can provide information for the non-invasive diagnosis of HCC subtypes.Lay summary: In high-risk patients, the overall distribution of LI-RADS major features and categories is not different among the histological subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma, but tumour-in-vein, presence of LR-M features, and ancillary features can provide information for the non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)

Multispacer Sequence Typing Relapsing Fever Borreliae in Africa

In Africa, relapsing fevers are caused by four cultured species: Borrelia crocidurae, Borrelia duttonii, Borrelia hispanica and Borrelia recurrentis. These borreliae are transmitted by the bite of Ornithodoros soft ticks except for B. recurrentis which is transmitted by louse Pediculus humanus. They cause potentially undifferentiated fever infection and co-infection with malaria could also occur. The exact prevalence of each Borrelia is unknown and overlaps between B. duttonii and B. crocidurae have been reported. The lack of tools for genotyping these borreliae limits knowledge concerning their epidemiology. We developed multispacer sequence typing (MST) and applied it to blood specimens infected by B. recurrentis (30 specimens), B. duttonii (18 specimens) and B. crocidurae (13 specimens), delineating these 60 strains and the 3 type strains into 13 species-specific spacer types. B. crocidurae strains were classified into 8 spacer types, B. duttonii into 3 spacer types and B. recurrentis into 2 spacer types. These findings provide the proof-of-concept that that MST is a reliable tool for identification and genotyping relapsing fever borreliae in Africa

Multispacer typing of Rickettsia isolates from humans and ticks in Tunisia revealing new genotypes

BACKGROUND: Rickettsioses are important remerging vector born infections. In Tunisia, many species have been described in humans and vectors. Genotyping is important for tracking pathogen movement between hosts and vectors. In this study, we characterized Rickettsia species detected in patients and vectors using multispacer typing (MST), proposed by Founier et al. and based on three intergenic spacers (dksA-xerC, rmpE- tRNA(fMet), mppA-pruC) sequencing. METHODS: Our study included 25 patients hospitalized during 2009. Ticks and fleas were collected in the vicinity of confirmed cases. Serology was performed on serum samples by microimmunofluorescence using Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi antigens. To detect and identify Rickettsia species, PCR targeting ompA, ompB and gltA genes followed by sequencing was performed on 18 obtained skin biopsies and on all collected vectors. Rickettsia positive samples were further characterized using primers targeting three intergenic spacers (dksA-xerC, rmpE- tRNA(fMet) and mppA-purC). RESULTS: A rickettsial infection was confirmed in 15 cases (60%). Serology was positive in 13 cases (52%). PCR detected Rickettsia DNA in four biopsies (16%) allowing the identification of R. conorii subsp israelensis in three cases and R. conorii subsp conorii in one case. Among 380 collected ticks, nine presented positive PCR (2.4%) allowing the identification of six R. conorii subsp israelensis, two R. massiliae and one R. conorii subsp conorii. Among 322 collected fleas, only one was positive for R. felis. R. conorii subsp israelensis strains detected in humans and vectors clustered together and showed a new MST genotype. Similarly, R. conorii subsp conorii strains detected in a skin biopsy and a tick were genetically related and presented a new MST genotype. CONCLUSIONS: New Rickettsia spotted fever strain genotypes were found in Tunisia. Isolates detected in humans and vectors were genetically homogenous despite location differences in their original isolation suggesting epidemiologic circulation of these strains

Culex pipiens, an Experimental Efficient Vector of West Nile and Rift Valley Fever Viruses in the Maghreb Region

West Nile fever (WNF) and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are emerging diseases causing epidemics outside their natural range of distribution. West Nile virus (WNV) circulates widely and harmlessly in the old world among birds as amplifying hosts, and horses and humans as accidental dead-end hosts. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) re-emerges periodically in Africa causing massive outbreaks. In the Maghreb, eco-climatic and entomologic conditions are favourable for WNV and RVFV emergence. Both viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to the Culex pipiens complex. We evaluated the ability of different populations of Cx. pipiens from North Africa to transmit WNV and the avirulent RVFV Clone 13 strain. Mosquitoes collected in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia during the summer 2010 were experimentally infected with WNV and RVFV Clone 13 strain at titers of 107.8 and 108.5 plaque forming units/mL, respectively. Disseminated infection and transmission rates were estimated 14–21 days following the exposure to the infectious blood-meal. We show that 14 days after exposure to WNV, all mosquito st developed a high disseminated infection and were able to excrete infectious saliva. However, only 69.2% of mosquito strains developed a disseminated infection with RVFV Clone 13 strain, and among them, 77.8% were able to deliver virus through saliva. Thus, Cx. pipiens from the Maghreb are efficient experimental vectors to transmit WNV and to a lesser extent, RVFV Clone 13 strain. The epidemiologic importance of our findings should be considered in the light of other parameters related to mosquito ecology and biology

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on liver cancer management (CERO-19)

Background & Aims: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems and it may have heavily impacted patients with liver cancer (LC). Herein, we evaluated whether the schedule of LC screening or procedures has been interrupted or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An international survey evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and clinical trials from March 2020 to June 2020, as the first phase of a multicentre, international, and observational project. The focus was on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, cared for around the world during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave. Results: Ninety-one centres expressed interest to participate and 76 were included in the analysis, from Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Africa (73.7%,17.1%, 5.3%, 2.6%, and 1.3% per continent, respectively). Eighty-seven percent of the centres modified their clinical practice: 40.8% the diagnostic procedures, 80.9% the screening programme, 50% cancelled curative and/or palliative treatments for LC, and 41.7% modified the liver transplantation programme. Forty-five out of 69 (65.2%) centres in which clinical trials were running modified their treatments in that setting, but 58.1% were able to recruit new patients. The phone call service was modified in 51.4% of centres which had this service before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 19/37). Conclusions: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the routine care of patients with liver cancer. Modifications in screening, diagnostic, and treatment algorithms may have significantly impaired the outcome of patients. Ongoing data collection and future analyses will report the benefits and disadvantages of the strategies implemented, aiding future decision-making. Lay summary: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally. Herein, we assessed the impact of the first wave pandemic on patients with liver cancer and found that routine care for these patients has been majorly disrupted, which could have a significant impact on outcomes. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)

Amplification and sequencing of entire tick mitochondrial genomes for a phylogenomic analysis

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) has proven to be important for the taxonomy, systematics, and population genetics of ticks. However, current methods to generate mitogenomes can be costprohibitive at scale. To address this issue, we developed a cost-effective approach to amplify and sequence the whole mitogenome of individual tick specimens. Using two different primer sites, this approach generated two full-length mitogenome amplicons that were sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies’ Mk1B sequencer. We used this approach to generate 85 individual tick mitogenomes from samples comprised of the three tick families, 11 genera, and 57 species. Twentysix of these species did not have a complete mitogenome available on GenBank prior to this work. We benchmarked the accuracy of this approach using a subset of samples that had been previously sequenced by low-coverage Illumina genome skimming. We found our assemblies were comparable or exceeded the Illumina method, achieving a median sequence concordance of 99.98%. We further analyzed our mitogenome dataset in a mitophylogenomic analysis in the context of all three tick families. We were able to sequence 72 samples in one run and achieved a cost/sample of ~ $10 USD. This cost-effective strategy is applicable for sample identification, taxonomy, systematics, and population genetics for not only ticks but likely other metazoans; thus, making mitogenome sequencing equitable for the wider scientific community.NIH Grants and the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellow.http://www.nature.com/scientificreportsam2023Veterinary Tropical Disease