How Well Does the Metropolis Algorithm Cope With Local Optima?

The Metropolis algorithm (MA) is a classic stochastic local search heuristic. It avoids getting stuck in local optima by occasionally accepting inferior solutions. To better and in a rigorous manner understand this ability, we conduct a mathematical runtime analysis of the MA on the CLIFF benchmark. Apart from one local optimum, cliff functions are monotonically increasing towards the global optimum. Consequently, to optimize a cliff function, the MA only once needs to accept an inferior solution. Despite seemingly being an ideal benchmark for the MA to profit from its main working principle, our mathematical runtime analysis shows that this hope does not come true. Even with the optimal temperature (the only parameter of the MA), the MA optimizes most cliff functions less efficiently than simple elitist evolutionary algorithms (EAs), which can only leave the local optimum by generating a superior solution possibly far away. This result suggests that our understanding of why the MA is often very successful in practice is not yet complete. Our work also suggests to equip the MA with global mutation operators, an idea supported by our preliminary experiments.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of GECCO 2023. With appendix containing all proofs. 28 page

Addressing the Challenge of Cultivars Identification and Authentication in Mediterranean Olive Collections: A Case Study in Morocco

Conservation and use of well-characterized olive (Olea europaea L.) genetic resources are the key to future olive improvement and sustainable production. Yet, authentication of plant materials in ex-situ olive collections throughout the world has received little attention. Here we characterized 95 accessions, from a collection maintained in the experimental station of INRAMeknes, Morocco, by comparing their SSR (14 markers) and morphological (11 endocarp traits) profiles to an international reference dataset with 672 distinct genotypes corresponding to 535 well-described olive cultivars from the two Worldwide Olive Germplasm Banks of Marrakech, Morocco, and Cordoba, Spain (WOGB-M/C). Results revealed 122 alleles in the Meknes collection versus 265 in the reference database, but the difference was not significant. Additionally, forty cultivars were identified in Meknes collection, among which 33 were present in the reference database. Principal Coordinates Analysis revealed that these varieties span the range of all of the 535 varieties in the international database, indicating important genetic diversity within the investigated plant materials. Finally, cases of mislabeling errors, synonyms, and redundant genotypes pertaining mainly to “Picholine marocaine” and “Frantoio” varieties have been encountered in Meknes collection. Overall, our work highlights the power of coupling modern genetic and morphological tools along with exploring reference databases for authenticating genetic cultivars in olive tree collections. &nbsp

Response of Escherichia coli containing mycobacterial carotene genes to UV radiation

The plasmid pC5, which encodes biogenesis of lycopene in Mycobacterium aurum A(+), was partially digested by restriction endonucleases and generated fragments were cloned. After transformation of Escherichia coli (colorless bacteria) with the plasmids so constructed, seven orange clones were detected and found to carry the same recombinant plasmid (pC51). E. coli cells containing this plasmid synthesize neurosporene and lycopene, and were more resistant to ultraviolet irradiation than nonpigmented strain

Place de l’hémodialyse dans la prise en charge de l’intoxication aiguë au lithium

Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient âgé de 47 ans, suivi depuis vingt ans pour une psychose maniaco-dépressive sous lithium admis dans un tableau de trouble de conscience après une tentative de suicide au lithium (30 comprimés de Téralithe® LP 400, forme galénique retard correspondant à 12 g de carbonate de lithium), bien amélioré cliniquement après trois séances d'hémodialyse. Cette observation illustre l'intérêt thérapeutique de l'hémodialyse au cours des intoxications volontaires au lithium sous sa forme retard même après une semaine de la prise et l'insuffisance thérapeutique d'une seule séance d'hémodialyse.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Hypotension artérielle intra dialytique chez un hémodialysé chronique révélatrice d’insuffisance antéhypophysaires

L'hypotension artérielle per dialytique est une complication fréquente chez l'hémodialysé chronique. Elle est occasionnée par des facteurs liés à la séance d'hémodialyse et/ou au patient. Nous rapportons le cas d'un patient âgé de 42 ans, hémodialysé chronique sur néphropathie lithiasique depuis 5 ans. Il a rapporté des céphalées chroniques atypiques, compliquées d'une baisse progressive de l'acuité visuelle, une asthénie, une hypertrophie mammaire, et une baisse de libido. Il est référé pour une hypotension artérielle per dialytique non expliquée par les causes habituelles, dont la recherche étiologique a objectivé une insuffisance anté hypophysaire et une masse hypophysaire à l'IRM. A travers cette observation, nous montrons qu'après avoir éliminé les causes classiques d'hypotension artérielle chez l'hémodialysé, une cause endocrinienne doit être recherchée.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Profil de l’infection urinaire nosocomiale dans un service de nephrology

L'infection urinaire est l'infection nosocomiale la plus fréquente. Elle constitue un véritable problème de santé publique par la surmortalité et le surcoût qu'elle entraîne. L'objectif de notre étude est de  déterminer l'incidence et le profil des IU nosocomiales dans un service de Néphrologie. Etude  rétrospective sur dossier de tous les patients hospitalisés dans notre service durant l'année 2011, ayant bénéficié d'un examen cytobactériologique des urines. Ont été exclus, tous les patients admis avec une IU connue ou active. 325 dossiers ont été retenus. L'incidence de l'IU nosocomiale était de l'ordre de 16,9%. La durée moyenne d'hospitalisation était de 14,1±10,15 jours. 30% de nos patients ont été  transférés du service des urgences. 80% des IU nosocomiales étaient compliquées. Le germe  responsable était E.Coli dans 2/3 des cas dont 14,5% était à E.Coli sécrétrice de bétalactamases à  spectre étendu. L'évolution après traitement était favorable chez 90,7%. En analyse multivariée, les  facteurs de risque pour contracter une IU nosocomiale étaient le sexe féminin; le sondage urinaire et  l'antécédent d'IU à répétition. Nos résultats rejoignent ceux de la littérature concernant les facteurs de risque liés à la survenue de l'IU nosocomiale, la fréquence des infections à entérobactéries, et l'émergence de souches résistantes. Une Surveillance microbiologique et une évaluation de la résistance aux antibiotiques constituent une ligne de défense pour faire face à l'accentuation de nouvelles souches bactériennes de plus en plus résistantes aux antibiotiques rendant les options thérapeutiques très limitées.Key words: Infection urinaire, nosocomiale, facteurs de risque, néphrologi

Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Almond Trees: Tumorigenic Bacteria and Sustainable Management through Biological Control

Crown gall is a globally recognized bacterial disease caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. This bacterium is characterized by its potential to infect a wide range of plants, specifically fruit trees. In Morocco, almond trees (Prunus amygdalus) are among the most heavily affected species by this disease. In our study, all tested bacteria were isolated in the laboratory from infected almond samples exhibiting tumors at the crown and root of the sampled trees collected from northwestern of Morocco. Biochemical, pathogenicity and molecular identification were performed to identify the causal agent of almond crown gall. Molecular identification was done using a duplex PCR (A/C9 and A/E9) targeting virD2gene located in the pTi plasmid, which is the oncogenic element of the bacterium. The results showed that 12 from 20 isolates were identified as tumorigenic A. tumefaciens with the presence of pTi. Moreover, these isolates were found to exhibit tumorigenic properties both in vitro and in vivo when tested on indicator plants, specifically tomato and carrot discs. The efficacy of agrocin synthesized by Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K1026, a biopesticide known as NoGall, was tested in vitro and in planta against tumorigenic strains of A. tumefaciens. Our results revealed a significant inhibitory effect in vitro, with inhibition percentages ranging from 29.5% to 38.9%. Additionally, we observed a complete reduction in tumor growth at the inoculation sites on indicator plants, with a 100% reduction percentage

Noonan syndrome-causing genes: Molecular update and an assessment of the mutation rate

AbstractNoonan syndrome is a common autosomal dominant disorder characterized by short stature, congenital heart disease and facial dysmorphia with an incidence of 1/1000 to 2500 live births. Up to now, several genes have been proven to be involved in the disturbance of the transduction signal through the RAS-MAP Kinase pathway and the manifestation of Noonan syndrome. The first gene described was PTPN11, followed by SOS1, RAF1, KRAS, BRAF, NRAS, MAP2K1, and RIT1, and recently SOS2, LZTR1, and A2ML1, among others. Progressively, the physiopathology and molecular etiology of most signs of Noonan syndrome have been demonstrated, and inheritance patterns as well as genetic counseling have been established. In this review, we summarize the data concerning clinical features frequently observed in Noonan syndrome, and then, we describe the molecular etiology as well as the physiopathology of most Noonan syndrome-causing genes. In the second part of this review, we assess the mutational rate of Noonan syndrome-causing genes reported up to now in most screening studies. This review should give clinicians as well as geneticists a full view of the molecular aspects of Noonan syndrome and the authentic prevalence of the mutational events of its causing-genes. It will also facilitate lay the groundwork for future molecular diagnosis research, and the development of novel treatment strategies

GATA4 molecular screening and assessment of environmental risk factors in a Moroccan cohort with tetralogy of Fallot

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect (CHD) with an incidence of 1/3600 live births. This disorder was associated with mutations in the transcription factors involved in cardiogenesis, like Nk2 homeobox5 (NKX2-5), GATA binding protein4 (GATA4) and T-BOX1 (TBX1). GATA4 contributes particularly to heart looping and differentiation of the second heart field.Objectives: The aim of this study was to screen a Moroccan cohort with tetralogy of Fallot for GATA4 mutations, and to assess environmental risk factors that could be involved in the occurrence of this disorder.Methods: Thirty-one non-syndromic TOF patients, enrolled between 5th April 2014 and 18th June 2015, were screened for GATA4 mutations using direct sequencing of GATA4 coding exons. Statistical assessment of different risk factors, which is a retrospective study, was carried out using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: We identified seven exonic variants in nine patients (two missense and five synonymous variants); in addition of eight intronic variants. Assessment of environmental risk factors shows significant association of maternal passive smoking with TOF in the Moroccan population.Conclusion: The present study allowed, for the first time, the molecular and environmental characterisation of Moroccan TOF population. Our findings emphasise particularly the strong association of passive smoking with the emergence of tetralogy of Fallot.Keywords: Tetralogy of Fallot, GATA4, molecular screening, risk factors

Organic food consumption and eating habit in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

The purpose of the current study is to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected eating behavior and directed toward organic food and bioproducts consumption in the North African region especially Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia as well as identify the variables that may affect the eating behavior of these population. Data were collected using an anonymous online survey on 1,244 respondents from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The results showed that the confinement did influence the consumption of healthy food to enhance people’s immune system so as to prevent infection by the COVID-19, and other diseases. Moreover, academic level, gender, and country of residence were diversely correlated with the eating behavior during COVID-19 confinement. The understanding of people’s eating behavior will help the public health to reshape future policies toward organic and bio-based food production; moreover, some further nutritional recommendations could be concluded to maintain a global better health status and improve body defence mechanism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio