Antiviral activity of Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist extracts grown in Tunisia

Ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol and methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Conyza Canadensis L. Cronquist were investigated for their antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) AD-169 and Cox-B3 viruses by modification of the widely used shell-vial assay. The results showed that butanol and methanol extracts had the most potent antiviral activity against HCMV and Cox-B3 viruses.Key words: Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist, antiviral activity, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Coxsackie B virus type 3 (CoxB-3)

Radon Concentration in Urban Areas in the North and West of Morocco

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium and radium. It is the second cause of cancer of the lungs after smoking. It has been present in Earth's crust since the creation of Earth. Uranium-rich rocks in the deep crust are the main source of radon. Its emanation from the ground surface varies from one point to another depending on the physical characteristics of the terrain crossed as observed in this study between North and West Morocco. A dosimetric study of those emanations was performed by using the LR-115 solid-state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) which was subsequently processed by techniques developed and calibrated in the laboratory. The study revealed high concentrations of this gas in confined spaces at ground level and, in particular, in basements and less-ventilated ground floor rooms. In order to reduce these concentrations of radon and the probability of carcinogenic attacks by these accumulations of this gas, it is recommended to ventilate these premises well. Good air circulation allows the removal of this harmful gas

Quantification and Identification of Road Organic Matter in an Absorbing Storm Basin, RN 20 Olivet-Orléans, France.

The deterioration of the quality of superficial and subsurface waters by motorway organic pollution is a problem of great concern nowadays. The absorption of road runoff waters through sinkhole clay filled in a karstic area has been proposed as a way to the attenuation pollution. The groundwaters near of surface are very vulnerable at this pollution. The study of the storm basin of Belle-Croix (RN 20 Loiret) indicates a diminution of DOC levels through the first meter of infiltration in sinkhole, and then little change occurs down 5 meters. However only the > 10 KD (10 nm) organic fraction is retained. This fraction is weakly fluorescent and should correspond to black carbon (BC) matter associated to clays as it is suggested by Electron Microscopy in Transmission EMT observation. The < 10 KD fraction which are the more fluorescent account for up to 80 % of total DOC at 5 meter depth, at the contact with the limestone

Chloroformic and Methanolic Extracts of Olea europaea L. Leaves Present Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities

Olea europaea L. is used in traditional medicine in the Mediterranean areas. Its natural products are used in the treatment of different disorders, like fighting fever and some infectious diseases such as malaria, the treatment of arrhythmia, and relief of intestinal spasms. The aim of the current study is to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and anatinociceptive effects of methanol and chloroformic extracts prepared from leaves of Olea europaea L. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the different extracts of Olea europaea leaves were assessed after intraperitoneal administration into rats and mice, using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats to test the anti-inflammatory effect and the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice to test the analgesic effect. The chloroformic and methanolic leaves extracts, studied at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg (Body Weight: BW), exhibited significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that Olea europaea leaves extracts have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects

Messinian salinity crisis impact on the groundwater quality in Kert aquifer NE Morocco: Hydrochemical and statistical approaches.

Groundwater's studies at middle Kert aquifer in northeast of Morocco are very important due to the semi-arid character and its geological history. The region is recognized by messinian salinity crisis already 5.6 Ma. Water chemistry is mainly dominated by dissolution of evaporate rocks (Halite and Gypsum) related to outcropping and basement limits developed in Messinian age. Freshwater with total dissolved solids 740 mg/l (average value) in Tafersite district is chemically distinct from saline water with total dissolved solids of 9803 mg/l in the south zone. In wadis, water is S04-Cl-Ca type; they are influenced by the surrounding highlands located at the south of the plain. The investigation reveals that weathering of evaporated rocks is the processes responsible for high Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl andSO42- concentrations. Also, hydro chemical data displays that freshwater observed in the northwest part reflect the influence of freshwaters coming from metamorphic massive of Temsamane. The factorial analysis reveal three sources of salinization, the principal one is described above, whilst the dissolution of carbonates and human influence represented by NO3- played only a secondary role

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extracts Against Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated From Urinary Tract Infected Patients

Antibiotic resistance has increased substantially in recent years and is posing an ever-increasing therapeutic problem. One of the methods to reduce the resistance to antibiotics is by using antibiotic resistance inhibitors from plants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial properties of aqueous, petroleum ether and methanolic leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera plant against pathogenic bacteria isolated from urinary tract infected patients and five standard strains of American type culture collection. The antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts was determined in vitro, using Cup plate method, and compared with sensitivity testing of some antibiotic agents using disc diffusion method. The results obtained showed that all concentration of methanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera had high inhibitory effects on S. aureus ATCC25923, K. pneumoniae ATCC35637 standard strains and the S. aureus, S. saprophyticus and E.coli isolated from UTI. The three concentration of water extract had inhibitory effects only on Proteus vulgaris NCTC8196 strain. The petroleum ether extracts showed no inhibitory activity on any organism. These results were compared with standard antibiotics Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Norfloxacin which showed moderate sensitivity against S. aureus and Amikacin was completely resistant to K. pneumoniae isolated from UTI. These results provide valuable information that Moringa oleifera hold great promise as highly effective antibacterial agents

Research paper: Characteristics of an online HIV education program for iranian female methadone patients: The first study

Objectives: Female methadone patients need specific education on HIV. However, few studies have been conducted on the essential characteristics of designing an online HIV education program for this population. Therefore, the current qualitative study aimed at addressing this research gap. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 female patients and 19 methadone treatment providers in 11 methadone treatment centres in Tehran, Mashhad and Sari, Iran. Both focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted and a narrative analysis approach was implemented. The NVivo 9 software was used for data analysis. Results: The qualitative analyses of the data revealed three major themes and six minor themes as follows: a. information for focused action (knowing the epidemic response) using the effective visual presentation and audio presentation; b. interventions for impact evaluation (covering the needed services) by short-term documentary movies and animations; and c. program delivery for understanding (covering the population in need of services) using problem-solving and taking quizzes. Discussion: Audio and visual components, as well as the role of documentary movies and animations, should be considered in HIV education. The active role of women in learning using problem-solving and taking quizzes was highlighted. The findings of this study can be used in designing women-specific HIV education programs in Iran. Randomized controlled trials are suggested to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs. © 2020 University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences

La maladie de cowden a propos d’un cas

La maladie de Cowden est une maladie héréditaire à transmission autosomique dominante caractérisée par des lésions associant des atteintes cutanées constantes et caractéristiques (lésions papuleuses au niveau de la face et des extrémités) et des lésions viscérales inconstantes notamment thyroïdiennes, mammaires, intestinales et rénales à haut risque de dégénérescence. Nous rapportons un cas chez une femme de 30 ans porteuse d’une craniomégalie, de polypes intestinaux, d’un fibroadénome des seins, de lésions papuleuses des gencives et d’un goitre multi-nodulaire. Elle a eu dans notre service une thyroïdectomie totale dont l’analyse anatomopathologique définitive de la pièce a révélé un micro-carcinome vésiculaire du lobe gauche de la thyroïde. Les lésions thyroïdiennes sont habituellement bien limitées, mais devant la multifocalité, le risque accru de récidive et de dégénérescence maligne, une thyroïdectomie totale doit être préconisée.Mots clès : Maladie de Cowden, Cancer de la thyro

Numerical analysis of lean premixed combustor fueled by propane-hydrogen mixture

A numerical investigation of combustion of propane-hydrogen mixture in a swirl premixed micro gas turbine combustor is presented. The effects of hydrogen addition into propane on temperature distribution in the combustor, reaction rates of propane and hydrogen and NO, emissions for different equivalence ratios and swirl numbers are given. The propane-hydrogen mixture of 90/10% by volume was assumed. The numerical results and measurements of NO emissions for pure propane are compared. Excellent agreements are found for all equivalence ratios and swirl numbers, except for the highest swirl number (1.13). It is found that the addition of hydrogen into propane increases NO, emission. On the other hand, the increase of swirl number and the decrease of equivalence ratio decrease the NO, emissions