Evaluation of Meskat System Functionality as Water Harvesting at Wadi Hamdoun Watershed (Sousse, Tunisia) Using the Geographic Information System

In the Sahel of Tunisia, areas were characterized by complex landforms like hills and depression with active and alternation of the geographical processes between bare hilly limestones and fertile soils. These landforms consist of the Meskat system. It represents the commonly used micro-catchment of water harvesting for olive tree groves as traditional soil and water conservation technique. However, in recent years, this system seems to be increasingly neglected. The present study aims to determine the current functionality of the Meskat system in the watershed of Wadi Hamdoun through the use of a geographic information system (GIS) as well as field’s investigation. Results reveal the presence of areas that do not respect the standards corresponding to the Meskat system implementation, and which most likely are the principal cause of its decreasing performance degree. For instance, the main reasons for the system dysfunction due to the urban area expansion, the densification of the roads network, and the planting of impluvium. The urbanization is manifested in the sub-basins of Wadi Ed Diq (WD) and Wadi Haj Abid (WHA), with affected areas reaching 1.86 and 1.05 km2 respectively. In addition, satellite images show that the impluvium of Borjin Sub-catchment and Bellani Wadi Sub-basin are being used for growing olives, with planted area of around 0.81 and 0.56 km2 respectively. Moreover, the destruction of Mankaas is most felt in Hmadet El Borijin and Wadi Bin Shahed sub-basins, with coverage area of 0.77 and 0.66 km2, respectively

Ectopic expression of dehydration responsive element binding proteins (StDREB2) confers higher tolerance to salt stress in potato

Dehydration responsive element binding proteins (DREB) are members of a larger family of transcription factors, many of which have been reported to contribute to plant responses to abiotic stresses in several species. While, little is known about their role in potato (Solanum tuberosum). This report describes the cloning and characterization of a DREB transcription factor cDNA, StDREB2, isolated from potato(cv Nicola) plants submitted to salt treatment. Based on a multiple sequence alignment, this protein was classified into the A-5 group of DREB subfamily. Expression studies revealed that StDREB2 was induced in leaves, roots and stems upon various abiotic stresses and in response to exogenous treatment with abscisic acid (ABA). In agreement with this expression pattern, over-expression of StDREB2 in transgenic potato plants resulted in enhanced tolerance to salt stress. These data suggest that the isolated StDREB2 encodes a functional protein involved in plant response to different abiotic stresses. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) indicated that the StDREB2 protein bound specifically to the DRE core element (ACCGAGA) in vitro. Moreover, Semi quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the transcript level of a putative target gene i.e. d1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS) was upregulated in transgenic plants submitted to salt stress conditions. A concomitant increase in proline accumulation was also observed under these conditions. Taking together, all these data suggest that StDREB2 takes part in the processes underlying plant responses to abiotic stresses probably via the regulation of ABA hormone signaling and through a mechanism allowing proline synthesis

Effects of home confinement on mental health and lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak:insights from the ECLB-COVID19 multicentre study

Although recognised as effective measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing and self-isolation have been suggested to generate a burden throughout the population. To provide scientific data to help identify risk factors for the psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 outbreak, an international cross-disciplinary online survey was circulated in April 2020. This report outlines the mental, emotional and behavioural consequences of COVID-19 home confinement. The ECLB-COVID19 electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists, following a structured review of the literature. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform and was promoted by thirty-five research organizations from Europe, North Africa, Western Asia and the Americas. Questions were presented in a differential format with questions related to responses “before” and “during” the confinement period. 1047 replies (54% women) from Western Asia (36%), North Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other continents (3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement evoked a negative effect on mental wellbeing and emotional status (P < 0.001; 0.43 ≤ d ≤ 0.65) with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing psychosocial and emotional disorders (+10% to +16.5%). These psychosocial tolls were associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviours with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing (i) physical (+15.2%) and social (+71.2%) inactivity, (ii) poor sleep quality (+12.8%), (iii) unhealthy diet behaviours (+10%), and (iv) unemployment (6%). Conversely, participants demonstrated a greater use (+15%) of technology during the confinement period. These findings elucidate the risk of psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 home confinement period and provide a clear remit for the urgent implementation of technology-based intervention to foster an Active and Healthy Confinement Lifestyle AHCL)

Globally altered sleep patterns and physical activity levels by confinement in 5056 individuals:ECLB COVID-19 international online survey

Symptoms of psychological distress and disorder have been widely reported in people under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition to severe disruption of peoples' daily activity and sleep patterns. This study investigates the association between physical-activity levels and sleep patterns in quarantined individuals. An international Google online survey was launched in April 6th, 2020 for 12-weeks. Forty-one research organizations from Europe, North-Africa, Western-Asia, and the Americas promoted the survey through their networks to the general society, which was made available in 14 languages. The survey was presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "before" and "during" the confinement period. Participants responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. 5056 replies (59.4% female), from Europe (46.4%), Western-Asia (25.4%), America (14.8%) and North-Africa (13.3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement led to impaired sleep quality, as evidenced by the increase in the global PSQI score (4.37 +/- 2.71 before home confinement vs. 5.32 +/- 3.23 during home confinement) (p &lt; 0.001). The frequency of individuals experiencing a good sleep decreased from 61% (n = 3063) before home confinement to 48% (n = 2405) during home confinement with highly active individuals experienced better sleep quality (p &lt; 0.001) in both conditions. Time spent engaged in all physical-activity and the metabolic equivalent of task in each physical-activity category (i.e., vigorous, moderate, walking) decreased significantly during COVID-19 home confinement (p &lt; 0.001). The number of hours of daily-sitting increased by similar to 2 hours/days during home confinement (p &lt; 0.001). COVID-19 home confinement resulted in significantly negative alterations in sleep patterns and physical-activity levels. To maintain health during home confinement, physical-activity promotion and sleep hygiene education and support are strongly warranted.</p

Sleep Quality and Physical Activity as Predictors of Mental Wellbeing Variance in Older Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown:ECLB COVID-19 International Online Survey

Background. The COVID-19 lockdown could engender disruption to lifestyle behaviors, thus impairing mental wellbeing in the general population. This study investigated whether sociodemographic variables, changes in physical activity, and sleep quality from pre- to during lockdown were predictors of change in mental wellbeing in quarantined older adults. Methods. A 12-week international online survey was launched in 14 languages on 6 April 2020. Forty-one research institutions from Europe, Western-Asia, North-Africa, and the Americas, promoted the survey. The survey was presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "pre" and "during" the lockdown period. Participants responded to the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results. Replies from older adults (aged &gt;55 years, n = 517), mainly from Europe (50.1%), Western-Asia (6.8%), America (30%), and North-Africa (9.3%) were analyzed. The COVID-19 lockdown led to significantly decreased mental wellbeing, sleep quality, and total physical activity energy expenditure levels (all p &lt; 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the change in total PSQI score and total physical activity energy expenditure (F-(2,F- 514) = 66.41 p &lt; 0.001) were significant predictors of the decrease in mental wellbeing from pre- to during lockdown (p &lt; 0.001, R-2: 0.20). Conclusion. COVID-19 lockdown deleteriously affected physical activity and sleep patterns. Furthermore, change in the total PSQI score and total physical activity energy expenditure were significant predictors for the decrease in mental wellbeing.</p

Overexpression of StDREB1 Transcription Factor Increases Tolerance to Salt in Transgenic Potato Plants

International audienceIt has been established that drought-responsiveelement binding (DREB) proteins correspond to transcriptionfactors which play important regulatory roles in plant response to abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, a novel cDNA encoding DREB transcription factor, designatedStDREB1, was isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). This protein was classified in the A-4 group of DREB subfamily based on multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic characterization. Semi-quantitativeRT-PCR showed that StDREB1 is expressed in leaves,stems, and roots under stress conditions and it is greatlyinduced by NaCl, drought, low temperature, and abscisicacid (ABA) treatments. Overexpression of StDREB1 cDNAin transgenic potato plants exhibited an improved salt anddrought stress tolerance in comparison to the non-transformed controls. The enhanced stress tolerance may beassociated with the increase in P5CS-RNA expression (d1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase) and the subsequentaccumulation of proline osmoprotectant in addition to abetter control of water loss. Overexpression of StDREB1also activated stress-responsive genes, such as thoseencoding calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs), intransgenic potatoes under standard and high salt conditions.These data suggest that the StDREB1 transcription factor isinvolved in the regulation of salt stress tolerance in potato by the activation of different downstream gene expression

Hb H Disease Among Tunisians: Molecular Characterization of α‐Thalassemia Determinants and Hematological Findings

International audienceshort communicatio

Incidence Rate and Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of Kawasaki Disease in Children of Maghrebi Origin in the Province of Quebec, Canada, Compared to the Country of Origin

The incidence of Kawasaki disease in Maghreb countries is apparently low, unlike those living in the province of Quebec, Canada. This retrospective study compared Maghrebi children living in Quebec to the countries of origin, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The annualized incidence rate in Quebec (18.49/year/100 000 children under 5 years of age) was 4 to 12 times higher than in Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria (0.95, 4.52, and 3.15, respectively). The prevalence of incomplete diagnostic criteria was higher in Quebec at 39%, Morocco 43%, and Tunisia 39% compared to Algeria at 8%, with minimal delayed diagnosis (7%) only in Quebec compared to 30%, 35%, and 62%, respectively ( P < .001). The rate of coronary aneurysms was comparable however (11% in Quebec vs 4%, 10%, and 25%, in Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria, respectively; P = .31). The higher incidence of Kawasaki disease in the Maghreb community in Quebec versus the countries of origin seems due to underdiagnosis, which represents a public health concern in those countries