Devil's Thorn (Emex spinosa (L.) Campd.) Response to Tribenuron-methyl and 2,4-D in Ouazzane Region of Morocco

A soft wheat weed control trial was conducted during the 2016-2017 growing season. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of two postemergence herbicides Tribenuron-methyl and 2,4 D on Emex spinosa infestation in a soft wheat crop. Treatments consist on two Tribenuron-methyl rates of application and two 2,4-D rates of application. The experimental design was a random block with tree repetitions and observations were made 60 days after application of herbicides. Results showed that treatment with Tribenuron-methyl at 9.50g/ha and 14.25g/ha widely decrease E. spinosa infestations. Tribenuron-methyl at 9.50g/ha recorded 87.8%, 86.1% and 90.5% respectively on E. spinosa density reduction, E. spinosa height reduction, and E. spinosa dry biomass reduction. Tribenuron-methyl at 14.25g/ha recorded 96.3%, 95.5% and 98.7% respectively on E. spinosa density reduction, E. spinosa height reduction, and E. spinosa dry biomass reduction. 2,4 D at 400g/ha and 600g/ha recorded the lowest efficacies that did not exceed 75.2% in all observed parameters

Patterns of primes in joint Sato--Tate distributions

For $j=1,2$, let $f_j(z) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} a_{j}(n) e^{2\pi i nz}$ be a holomorphic, non-CM cuspidal newform of even weight $k_j \ge 2$ with trivial nebentypus. For each prime $p$, let $\theta_{j}(p)\in[0,\pi]$ be the angle such that $a_j(p) = 2p^{(k-1)/2} \cos \theta_{j}(p)$. The now-proven Sato--Tate conjecture states that the angles $(\theta_j(p))$ equidistribute with respect to the measure $d\mu_{\mathrm ST} = \frac{2}{\pi}\sin^2\theta\,d\theta$. We show that, if $f_1$ is not a character twist of $f_2$, then for subintervals $I_1,I_2 \subset [0,\pi]$, there exist infinitely many bounded gaps between the primes $p$ such that $\theta_1(p) \in I_1$ and $\theta_2(p) \in I_2$. We also prove a common generalization of the bounded gaps with the Green--Tao theorem.Comment: 28 page

Asymptotic behavior of Kawahara equation with memory effect

In this work, we are interested in a detailed qualitative analysis of the Kawahara equation, a model that has numerous physical motivations such as magneto-acoustic waves in a cold plasma and gravity waves on the surface of a heavy liquid. First, we design a feedback law, which combines a damping control and a finite memory term. Then, it is shown that the energy associated with this system exponentially decays.Comment: 20 pages. Comments are welcom

Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of fruits and leaves of Zizyphus lotus L. collected in North West of Algeria

The present study was conducted on medicinal plant, called Zizyphus lotus L. (Rhamnaceae) which is known as Sedra in Mascara city (North West of Algeria). This plant is very well-known in the traditional medicine to cure gastro-intestinal tract, liver and other different respiratory infections. It is communally used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-ulcer and antidiabetic properties. In this context, this study was aimed at investigating the in vitro antimicrobial activity of ethereal extract fruits and leaves of Zizyphus lotus, collected in the locality of Bouhanifia (Mascara city). Phytochemical screening of ethereal extract revealed the presence of free quinons, entraquinons, flavonoids and tannins, alkaloids. Fruits and leaves polyphenolic amount was 563.17 and 542.93μgEGA/mgMS respectively, and 47.62 and 45.19 μgEGA/mg MS for flavonoids and 213.74 μgEQ/gdm  and 170.66 μgEQ/dm. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the ethereal extract showed significant activity on the different tested bacteria.

Méthodologie d’analyse et d’évaluation technico- économique des systèmes de production ovine et caprine

. Cet article rapporte le travail effectué depuis 1994 par le groupe d’experts du sous-réseau FAO-CIHEAM sur les systèmes de production ovine et caprine, concernant la méthodologie d’évaluation de ces systèmes. L’objectif de ce travail était de mettre au point une méthodologie pour analyser, évaluer et comparer les systèmes de production ovine et caprine, et ainsi pour répondre aux besoins des éleveurs et des agents de développement dans les domaines du diagnostic, du conseil et de l’aide à la décision. La méthode repose sur l’estimation d’un ensemble d’indicateurs directement mesurés, ou d’indicateurs calculés à partir d’autres indicateurs concernant l’exploitation agricole dans son ensemble ou l’atelier ovin ou caprin exclusivement. Les indicateurs sont choisis après validation du groupe d’experts. L’article décrit comment dans certains cas, les difficultés sur le choix d’un ou plusieurs indicateurs ont été résolues. Au total, 196 indicateurs sont décrits dans les tableaux de 1 à 8 avec des conseils sur les conditions de calcul, la signification et l’interprétation de chaque indicateur. Cette méthode repose sur le travail d’enquête des agents de développement qui peuvent être aidés par les éleveurs au niveau de l’enregistrement des données. Les différentes approches pour interpréter les résultats en fonction des objectifs de l’étude sont passées en revue, en particulier l’interprétation par des "blocs diagnostics" et l’identification des points forts ou faibles de chaque système. La restitution des résultats aux éleveurs est considérée comme une phase essentielle de la méthode. La méthode a été appliquée dans des conditions différentes en Andalousie, en Roumanie, au Portugal et au Nord du Maroc pour validation ; ce qui a permis d’améliorer certains points de la méthode afin qu’elle puisse être appliquée de façon plus large.This paper presents the work undertaken since 1994 by a working group of experts from sub-network FAO-CIHEAM on systems of sheep and goat production, on evaluation’s methodology of such systems. The objective of this study was to set up a methodology for analysing and comparing the various systems of sheep and goat production, an so as to meet farmers and extension officers’ requirements in terms of diagnosis, advise and help to decision. This methodology may be applied only if the characteristics of sheep and goat units can be measurable and measured. The method is based on the assessment of a set of directly measured indicators, as well as indicators calculated by other indicators concerning the whole farm or sheep or goat units exclusively. The indicators are selected after validation decided by a working group of experts. The present paper reports on how in some cases, the difficulties on the choice of one or several indicators were solved. On overall, 196 indicators were described in tables from 1 to 8 with advises on conditions of calculation, the significance and interpretation of each indicator. This method is based on the work of survey of development agents likely to be helped by farmers at recording of data. The different approaches for interpreting results in accordance with the objectives of the study are presented in the present paper, particularly the interpretation by "indicators sets for diagnostic" and identification of major or weak points of each system. The diffusion of results to farmers is an essential phase of the method. This method was applied in different conditions in Andalusia, in Romania, in Portugal and Northern Morocco for validation purpose; this enabled the improvement of some points of the method so as to enlarge its field of applicatio

HLA diversity in Saudi population : high frequency of homozygous HLA alleles and haplotypes

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) diversity has a tremendous impact on shaping the transplantation practices, transfusion-associated graft versus host disease prevention strategies, and host–pathogen interactions. Here, we conducted a retrospective study of HLA class I and class II homozygosity at allelic and haplotype levels in unrelated individuals genotyped from 2012 to 2016 in a tertiary hospital in the capital of Saudi Arabia. Among 5,000 individuals, 2,773 individuals meet inclusion criteria and were retrospectively analyzed for HLA-A, -B, -C–DRB1, and -DQB1 homozygosity at allelic and haplotype levels. HLA molecular typing was performed using a commercial reverse sequencespecific oligonucleotide (rSSO) kit. We were able to identify 15 HLA-A, 20 HLA-B, 11 HLA-C, 13 HLA-DRB1, and five HLA-DQB1 homozygous alleles demonstrating a very low genetic diversity in the Saudi population. The highest homozygosity in HLA class I was found in locus C followed by A and B (20.3% > 16.1% > 15.5%; p < 0.001) where the most homozygote alleles were A*02 (9.2%), B*51 and B*50 (5.7% and 3.7%), and C*07, C*06, and C*15 (7.2%, 5.48%, and 3.3%) and in HLA class II, the highest homozygosity was found in locus DQB1 compared to DRB1 (31.71% > 19.2%; p < 0.001), with the most common homozygote alleles being DRB1*07 and DRB1*04 (5.33% and 4.2%) and DQB1*02, DQB1*06, and DQB1*03 (13.55%, 7.92%, and 7.64%). The frequency of finding an individual with one homozygote allele was (24.6%), two homozygote alleles (13.5%), three homozygote alleles (4.7%), four homozygote alleles (3.4%), and five alleles were (4.8%). The most frequent homozygote haplotypes are A*23~C*06~B*50~DRB1*07~DQB1*02 and A*02~C*06~B*50~DRB1*07~DQB1*02. This study shows low diversity of both class I and II alleles and haplotypes in the Saudi population, which would have a significant impact on shaping the transplantation practices, transfusion-associated graft versus host disease prevention strategies, and host–pathogen interactions.KFMChttps://www.frontiersin.org/journals/geneticsdm2022Medical Microbiolog

CD95 co-stimulation blocks activation of naive T cells by inhibiting T cell receptor signaling

CD95 is a multifunctional receptor that induces cell death or proliferation depending on the signal, cell type, and cellular context. Here, we describe a thus far unknown function of CD95 as a silencer of T cell activation. Naive human T cells triggered by antigen-presenting cells expressing a membrane-bound form of CD95 ligand (CD95L) or stimulated by anti-CD3 and -CD28 antibodies in the presence of recombinant CD95L had reduced activation and proliferation, whereas preactivated, CD95-sensitive T cells underwent apoptosis. Triggering of CD95 during T cell priming interfered with proximal T cell receptor signaling by inhibiting the recruitment of ζ-chain–associated protein of 70 kD, phospholipase-γ, and protein kinase C-θ into lipid rafts, thereby preventing their mutual tyrosine protein phosphorylation. Subsequently, Ca2+ mobilization and nuclear translocation of transcription factors NFAT, AP1, and NF-κB were strongly reduced, leading to impaired cytokine secretion. CD95-mediated inhibition of proliferation in naive T cells could not be reverted by the addition of exogenous interleukin-2 and T cells primed by CD95 co-stimulation remained partially unresponsive upon secondary T cell stimulation. HIV infection induced CD95L expression in primary human antigeen-presenting cells, and thereby suppressed T cell activation, suggesting that CD95/CD95L-mediated silencing of T cell activation represents a novel mechanism of immune evasion

Excessive Food Intake, Obesity and Inflammation Process in Zucker fa/fa Rat Pancreatic Islets

Inappropriate food intake-related obesity and more importantly, visceral adiposity, are major risk factors for the onset of type 2 diabetes. Evidence is emerging that nutriment-induced β-cell dysfunction could be related to indirect induction of a state of low grade inflammation. Our aim was to study whether hyperphagia associated obesity could promote an inflammatory response in pancreatic islets leading to ß-cell dysfunction. In the hyperphagic obese insulin resistant male Zucker rat, we measured the level of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and estimated their production as well as the expression of their receptors in pancreatic tissue and β-cells. Our main findings concern intra-islet pro-inflammatory cytokines from fa/fa rats: IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα expressions were increased; IL-1R1 was also over-expressed with a cellular redistribution also observed for IL-6R. To get insight into the mechanisms involved in phenotypic alterations, abArrays were used to determine the expression profile of proteins implicated in different membrane receptors signaling, apoptosis and cell cycle pathways. Despite JNK overexpression, cell viability was unaffected probably because of decreases in cleaved caspase3 as well as in SMAC/DIABLO and APP, involved in the induction and amplification of apoptosis. Concerning β-cell proliferation, decreases in important cell cycle regulators (Cyclin D1, p35) and increased expression of SMAD4 probably contribute to counteract and restrain hyperplasia in fa/fa rat islets. Finally and probably as a result of IL-1β and IL-1R1 increased expressions with sub-cellular redistribution of the receptor, islets from fa/fa rats were found more sensitive to both stimulating and inhibitory concentrations of the cytokine; this confers some physiopathological relevance to a possible autocrine regulation of β-cell function by IL-1β. These results support the hypothesis that pancreatic islets from prediabetic fa/fa rats undergo an inflammatory process. That the latter could contribute to β-cell hyperactivity/proliferation and possibly lead to progressive β-cell failure in these animals, deserves further investigations

Galanin pathogenic mutations in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common epilepsy syndrome with a complex etiology. Despite evidence for the participation of genetic factors, the genetic basis of TLE remains largely unknown. A role for the galanin neuropeptide in the regulation of epileptic seizures has been established in animal models more than two decades ago. However, until now there was no report of pathogenic mutations in GAL, the galanin-encoding gene, and therefore its role in human epilepsy was not established. Here, we studied a family with a pair of monozygotic twins affected by TLE and two unaffected siblings born to healthy parents. Exome sequencing revealed that both twins carried a novel de novo mutation (p.A39E) in the GAL gene. Functional analysis revealed that the p.A39E mutant showed antagonistic activity against galanin receptor 1 (GalR1)-mediated response, and decreased binding affinity and reduced agonist properties for GalR2. These findings suggest that the p.A39E mutant could impair galanin signaling in the hippocampus, leading to increased glutamatergic excitation and ultimately to TLE. In a cohort of 582 cases, we did not observe any pathogenic mutations indicating that mutations in GAL are a rare cause of TLE. The identification of a novel de novo mutation in a biologically-relevant candidate gene, coupled with functional evidence that the mutant protein disrupts galanin signaling, strongly supports GAL as the causal gene for the TLE in this family. Given the availability of galanin agonists which inhibit seizures, our findings could potentially have direct implications for the development of anti-epileptic treatment

Biological heterogeneity in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension identified through unsupervised transcriptomic profiling of whole blood

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a rare but fatal disease diagnosed by right heart catheterisation and the exclusion of other forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension, producing a heterogeneous population with varied treatment response. Here we show unsupervised machine learning identification of three major patient subgroups that account for 92% of the cohort, each with unique whole blood transcriptomic and clinical feature signatures. These subgroups are associated with poor, moderate, and good prognosis. The poor prognosis subgroup is associated with upregulation of the ALAS2 and downregulation of several immunoglobulin genes, while the good prognosis subgroup is defined by upregulation of the bone morphogenetic protein signalling regulator NOG, and the C/C variant of HLA-DPA1/DPB1 (independently associated with survival). These findings independently validated provide evidence for the existence of 3 major subgroups (endophenotypes) within the IPAH classification, could improve risk stratification and provide molecular insights into the pathogenesis of IPAH