Influence of the drought on antioxidant and enzymatic activities of two Pinus species in humid and sub-humid climate

Pinus genus is widespread in the Mediterranean region and the most common in Tunisia. The impact of high temperatures in the mid-summer period (July 2015 and July 2016) on phenols and biological properties were examined in vitro. The study was carried out in two arboreta, in humid and sub-humid climates, dry needles of Pinus pinea and Pinus pinaster were used for secondary metabolites, antioxidant activities, and enzymatic inhibitory activities. The amount of all measured parameters increased from 2015 to 2016 in the two pine species in the two arboreta. Pinus pinea produced more phenols and showed higher antioxidant activity and a-amylase and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities than Pinus pinaster. Besides, both species generally presented better biological activities and higher phenol amounts in 2016 than in 2015, being 2016 warmer and drier than 2015 in both harvest zones. It was evident that both species in every bioclimatic zones adapted to the new climate conditions producing more secondary metabolites that rendered better antioxidant and inhibitory enzymatic activities. These findings confirmed the impact of mid-summer water deficits on pine species in the context of climate change and help to select the most resistant species for future reforestation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pseudomonas rhizophila S211, a New Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium with Potential in Pesticide-Bioremediation

A number of Pseudomonas strains function as inoculants for biocontrol, biofertilization, and phytostimulation, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Here, we present a new metabolically versatile plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, Pseudomonas rhizophila S211, isolated from a pesticide contaminated artichoke field that shows biofertilization, biocontrol and bioremediation potentialities. The S211 genome was sequenced, annotated and key genomic elements related to plant growth promotion and biosurfactant (BS) synthesis were elucidated. S211 genome comprises 5,948,515 bp with 60.4% G+C content, 5306 coding genes and 215 RNA genes. The genome sequence analysis confirmed the presence of genes involved in plant-growth promoting and remediation activities such as the synthesis of ACC deaminase, putative dioxygenases, auxin, pyroverdin, exopolysaccharide levan and rhamnolipid BS. BS production by P. rhizophila S211 grown on olive mill wastewater based media was effectively optimized using a central-composite experimental design and response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for maximum BS production yield (720.80 ± 55.90 mg/L) were: 0.5% (v/v) inoculum size, 15% (v/v) olive oil mill wastewater (OMWW) and 40◦C incubation temperature at pH 6.0 for 8 days incubation period. Biochemical and structural characterization of S211 BS by chromatography and spectroscopy studies suggested the glycolipid nature of the BS. P. rhizophila rhamnolipid was stable over a wide range of temperature (40–90◦C), pH (6–10), and salt concentration (up to 300mM NaCl). Due to its low-cost production, emulsification activities and high performance in solubilization enhancement of chemical pesticides, the indigenous BS-producing PGPR S211 could be used as a promising agent for environmental bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated agricultural soils

MADFORWATER. WP2 Adaptation of wastewater treatment technologies for agricultural reuse. Task2.2 Municipal wastewater and drainage canal water treatment. UMA-Tunisia

This dataset contains the data produced by UMA team in the framework of task 2.2 of MADFORWATER project. This task deal with a set of data generated regarding the detection of antibiotic resistance genes and enterovirus, particularly Hepatitis A virus from Treated Municipal Wastewater. To monitor the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in MWW before and after treatment, the qualitative and quantitative PCR methods, allowing the detection of resistance genes in all microorganisms including the non-culturable species, were performed. PCR products of target antibiotic genes (tet(O), tet(Q), tet(W), tet(G), amp(C) and bla TEM) were loaded and visualized on agarose gels. For qPCR, the analysis was performed in order to detect and quantify the antibiotic resistance genes copy number. The investigation of the Hepatitis A virus prevalence in MTWW was performed using two different extraction methods (virus extraction, concentration and concentrate decontamination method according to US Environmental Protection Agency (1992) from Mud (M) and Supernatant (S) of the influent and from the effluent and virus concentration from water with adsorption/elution on glass wool (XP T 90-451. March 1996) (Rodier et al., 2009)) followed by qPCR. A specific attention was dedicated to the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewaters using the same protocols developed and optimized under MADFORWATER (RNA extraction/concentration, cDNA synthesis, Q-RT-PCR) by using specific DNA primers approved in the RT-PCR test. This could contribute to better understanding and studying the emerged SARS-CoV-2 and its propagation routes and epidemiology in a given population (i.e. Tunis city). Regarding Microarray, the generated data were produced and elaborated basing on a list of targeted genes downloaded from accessible databases (NCBI, IMG, KEEG). The effectiveness of MWWTP cannot be approved without accepted microbiological quality. In the literature, there is a huge number of publications and standards related fecal or pathogen bacteria removal in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), many publications show inefficiency of current MWWTP in removing virus but no standards dealing with virus detection from MWW in Tunisia. Generated data allowed the design of the WWchip, able to monitor catabolic genes markers of fecal indicators, pathogens indicators, virus and antibiotic resistant bacteria. A total of 3744 genes and 12832 probes were designated. In silico validation and verification of all probes was performed using the BLASTN algorithm and custom-made databases. Two set of data are proposed. The first one summarizes the gene type, number of genes and number of probes considered in the design of the WWchip. The list and sequences of all the probes of target genes is presented a second set of data. The data format produced by the microarray consists of a list of genes and corresponding values that represent relative DNA levels of each targeted gene. The developed WWChip will constitute a new rapid tool for pathogen monitoring of different types of treated wastewaters

Rhizobacteria and their metabolites as a promising green approach for the treatment of pesticide contaminated agricultural soils

Pesticides are employed to control and manage pest populations at tolerable levels. Pesticides are classified especially according to their chemical structure, toxicity, environmental persistence and target organisms. The massive use of these pollutants in addition to their toxic potential seriously threatens ecosystems and humans. For this reason, the development of green bioremediation processes is necessary. The ability of several microorganisms to bioremediate pesticides is mainly based on their biodegradation activity. Though bacteria have been proved to be efficient biodegraders and bioremediators, some fungi and archae could biodegrade recalcitrant pesticides too. The bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated agricultural sites may be optimized by considering the prevalent environmental conditions, the microorganisms that solubilize and degrade the pesticides most effectively, the variables that affect the biodegradation rate and the chemical structure of pesticides. This chapter explores the importance of pesticides as persistent organic pollutants in agricultural soils, particularly in the plants rhizospheric area and further illustrates the recent advances in pesticide microbial bioremediation, with emphasis on the metabolic potential of pseudomonads as a representative model of pesticide-degrading microorganisms

MADFORWATER. WP4 Field pilots for the adaptation and integration of technologies. Task4.3 Operation and optimization of the field pilots. Wastewater treatment performances and Irrigation/treated wastewater reuse performances. Municipal wastewater pilot. UMA-Tunisia

This dataset contains the data produced by UMA team in the framework of task 4.3 of MADFORWATER project. Two sets of data were generated during the first and the second periods of survey of the pilot to evaluate: (i) the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Pilot efficiency, and (ii) the impact of the Treated Municipal Wastewater (TMWW) reuse in agriculture. The first part of the data consists of quantitative survey results from monitoring the Pilot at different sampling points, including SP1: pilot plant inlet, sampling point after preliminary treatments in the main WWTP, SP2: outlet of the BOD oxidation section, SP3: outlet of the nitrification section and SP4: sample point after disinfection and secondary settler, constructed wetland (CW) inlet and SP5: sample after the constructed wetland. The monitored physicochemical parameters are: chemical oxygen demand (COD), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), the conductivity, the turbidity, Kjeldahl Nitrogen (NKj), nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), phosphate (PO4) and Total Phosphorous (TP), pH, Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen, E. coli. The second part of the data consist of the irrigation pilot reports on the performance of the Treated Municipal Wastewater (TMWW) reuse in agriculture. The supply of Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) bacteria through irrigation network was also investigated. A first-year corn field trial allowed the evaluation of the plant growth and crop production including roots and shoots fresh and dry weights, plant height, tassel length, plant and ear numbers, grain number, crop yield, crop biomass and 100-grain weight. The second-year field trial on wheat crop estimated the effect of TMWW and PGPB supply on shoot and spike lengths; root, shoot and spike weights; and wheat crop biomass. Data related to crop water productivity and soil microbiological quality are also reported for both crop types (Maize and Wheat)

Carboxymethylated Sulfated Heteroexopolysaccharide from a Haloarchaeal Strain as Potential Biomolecule for Harmless Adjuvant Therapy in Cancer Treatment

This study explored the possible use of a microbial carboxymethylated sulfated heteroexopolysaccharide (CS-hEPS) as a potential anticancer agent. The investigation was carried out through antioxidant, antifatigue, and antiproliferative activities. Antioxidant potential including scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radical activities and reducing power was evaluated. Antifatigue activity was determined by assessing the endurance of mice using the forced swimming test. Following 30 days of CS-hEPS oral treatment at different doses, biochemical parameters related to fatigue such as lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), serum urea nitrogen (SUN), and hepatic glycogen (HG) contents were measured. Antitumor activities were investigated against human cancer liver and myelogenous leukemia cells. Results showed that CS-hEPS possesses notable antioxidant, antifatigue, and antitumor effects. CS-hEPS significantly inhibited the proliferation of leukemia (86.6 ± 0.32%) and cancer liver (58.6 ± 0.43%) cells. CS-hEPS are promising natural antioxidant, antifatigue, and antitumor harmless adjuvant materials that could be applied in human cancer therapy

The Date Palm Tree Rhizosphere Is a Niche for Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria in the Oasis Ecosystem

In arid ecosystems environmental factors such as geoclimatic conditions and agricultural practices are of major importance in shaping the diversity and functionality of plant-associated bacterial communities. Assessing the influence of such factors is a key to understand (i) the driving forces determining the shape of root-associated bacterial communities and (ii) the plant growth promoting (PGP) services they provide. Desert oasis environment was chosen as model ecosystem where agriculture is possible by the microclimate determined by the date palm cultivation. The bacterial communities in the soil fractions associated with the root system of date palms cultivated in seven oases in Tunisia were assessed by culture-independent and dependent approaches. According to 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE fingerprinting, the shapes of the date palm rhizosphere bacterial communities correlate with geoclimatic features along a north-south aridity transect. Despite the fact that the date palm root bacterial community structure was strongly influenced by macroecological factors, the potential rhizosphere services reflected in the PGP traits of isolates screened in vitro were conserved among the different oases. Such services were exerted by the 83% of the screened isolates. The comparable numbers and types of PGP traits indicate their importance in maintaining the plant functional homeostasis despite the different environmental selection pressures

The Date Palm Tree Rhizosphere Is a Niche for Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria in the Oasis Ecosystem

In arid ecosystems environmental factors such as geoclimatic conditions and agricultural practices are of major importance in shaping the diversity and functionality of plant-associated bacterial communities. Assessing the influence of such factors is a key to understand (i) the driving forces determining the shape of root-associated bacterial communities and (ii) the plant growth promoting (PGP) services they provide. Desert oasis environment was chosen as model ecosystem where agriculture is possible by the microclimate determined by the date palm cultivation. The bacterial communities in the soil fractions associated with the root system of date palms cultivated in seven oases in Tunisia were assessed by culture-independent and dependent approaches. According to 16S rRNA gene PCR-DGGE fingerprinting, the shapes of the date palm rhizosphere bacterial communities correlate with geoclimatic features along a north-south aridity transect. Despite the fact that the date palm root bacterial community structure was strongly influenced by macroecological factors, the potential rhizosphere services reflected in the PGP traits of isolates screened in vitro were conserved among the different oases. Such services were exerted by the 83% of the screened isolates. The comparable numbers and types of PGP traits indicate their importance in maintaining the plant functional homeostasis despite the different environmental selection pressures

Effect of environmental conditions on chemical polymorphism and biological activities among Artemisia absinthium L. essential oil provenances grown in Tunisia

International audienceVariation on yields, chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils of Artemisia absinthium L. collected from four different bioclimatic areas ranging from Humid to Arid stage of Tunisia was investigated. The observed yields of essential oils increase significantly from arid to humid climate. A significant qualitative and quantitative variation of the chemical composition according to the studied localities was revealed. Plants collected from the Inferior Arid bioclimatic region (Gafsa) presented chamazulene, a-thujone and camphor as the main components of their essential oils. However, for Superior Arid (Kasserine) and Semi Arid (El Kef) bioclimatic regions, camphor and chamazulene are the dominant constituents followed by linalool for Kasserine and bornyl acetate for El Kef originated oils. The Humid bioclimatic zone (Ghar Dimaou) showed different chemotype and presented camphor, (Z)-sabinene hydrate and 1-terpinen-4-ol as the major compounds. Based on the two DPPH and ABTS tests, the investigated oils highlighted important in vitro antioxidant capacities which increase significantly from the humid (Ghar Dimaou) to the Inferior Arid bioclimatic zone (Gasfa). Even the investigated essential oils displayed an antimicrobial activity against all the tested bacterial and fungal strains with variable degrees, our findings did not reveal a clear correlation between the antimicrobial properties and the studied bioclimatic zones. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Management of acute mastoiditis in children. A retrospective study and literature review

Objectives: We aimed to figure out clinical characteristics of pediatric acute mastoiditis and to plan a strategy for the management of these young patients. Methods: In this retrospective study we evaluated the medical records of 32 patients aged less than 16 years old, who were treated in our department for acute mastoiditis between 2000 and 2011. Results: The mean age of the population was 3.7 years. In 6 children (18%) previous pathologic conditions of the ear have been reported. All children had some evidence of post-auricular inflammation. Other symptoms such as auricular protrusion, otorrhea, fever and otalgia have been reported. White blood cell count showed elevated values of leucocytes in 72% of the cases. Anemia was noted in 24 patients with a mean hemoglobin rate of 9 g/dl. Computerized tomographic scan of the petrous temporal bones was required in 27 children. In our series, 19 patients had subperiosteal abscess and 3 children presented involvement of the central nervous system. Upon admission, all the patients were immediately put on intravenous antibiotics. Abscess drainage was indicated in 11 cases. A simple mastoidectomy was performed in 54% of the cases. Most of the children recovered well. Three children suffering from immunodeficiency had a recurrence of acute mastoiditis and required a second surgical treatment. Conclusion: Initial management of acute mastoiditis starts with intravenous antibiotics and computerized tomographic scan of the petrous temporal bones. Surgical approach is required in case of complications or failure of medical treatment. Watchful clinical monitoring is essential in all cases