Management of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Tunisian oases by mass trapping methods

In Tunisia oases, the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata affect heavily fruit production. The efficiency of the mass trapping technique based on the use of Cera Trap® was evaluated in two types of oases in the south of Tunisia against C.capitata. Our results showed that in the traditional oasis (mixed orchard), the medfly moves from one fruit specie to another according to their receptivity periods. The population density of medflies started low and peaked three times (16 Jun, 23 Jun, and 7 July) corresponding to the maturation period of apricot fig and peach fruits. The field study showed that medfly population density and rate of fruit damage were significantly lower in figs than in peaches and apricot. Modern oases have later apricot fruit maturity periods than traditional oases, and their medfly populations peaked at 19 Mai.  Ceratrap® reduces 2, 2, and 6 times the population density of Mediterranean fruit fly and the rate of damaged fruits  compared to untreated plots. These two parameters were twofold less in modern oases than in traditional oases. These results suggest that the use of traps at the density of 70 per ha is sufficient to protect crops under high population densities of C. capitata characterizing the traditional oases agricultural systems

Versatile anti-infective properties of pyrido- and dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-based compounds

A series of 1H-indeno[2',1':5,6]dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine and 1H-indeno[2',1':5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives was prepared and screened for antiparasitic and viral RNase H inhibitory activity. Several compounds showed considerable activity against Toxoplasma gondii parasites and Leishmania major amastigotes, which warrants further investigation. Based on the structural similarities of certain derivatives with common viral RNase H inhibitors, a HIV-1 RNase H assay was used to study the RNase H inhibition by selected test compounds. Docking of active derivatives into the active site of the HIV-1 RNase H enzyme was carried out. The new compound 2a, inactive in the antiparasitic tests, showed distinct HIV-1 RNase H inhibition. Thus, ring substitution determines antiparasitic or HIV-1 RNase H inhibitory activity of this promising compound class

Agriculture et émigration dans les stratégies productives des jbalia du Sud-Est tunisien

Introduction La région du sud-est de la Tunisie appartient à l’étage bioclimatique aride où les pluviométries annuelles moyennes varient du sud au nord de 50 à 200 mm avec un déficit hydrique annuel qui dépasse dans les secteurs sud les 1 000 mm. Cette région se subdivise en trois grandes unités naturelles. De l’ouest vers l’est, on rencontre le plateau du Dahar (parcours naturels saisonniers), les jbels Matmata (espace de jessour et de parcours) et enfin les plaines de la Jeffara et d’EI-Oua..

Management of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Tunisian oases by mass trapping methods

In Tunisia oases, the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly) Ceratitis capitata affect heavily fruit production. The efficiency of the mass trapping technique based on the use of Cera Trap® was evaluated in two types of oases in the south of Tunisia against C.capitata. Our results showed that in the traditional oasis (mixed orchard), the medfly moves from one fruit specie to another according to their receptivity periods. The population density of medflies started low and peaked three times (16 Jun, 23 Jun, and 7 July) corresponding to the maturation period of apricot fig and peach fruits. The field study showed that medfly population density and rate of fruit damage were significantly lower in figs than in peaches and apricot. Modern oases have later apricot fruit maturity periods than traditional oases, and their medfly populations peaked at 19 Mai.  Ceratrap® reduces 2, 2, and 6 times the population density of Mediterranean fruit fly and the rate of damaged fruits  compared to untreated plots. These two parameters were twofold less in modern oases than in traditional oases. These results suggest that the use of traps at the density of 70 per ha is sufficient to protect crops under high population densities of C. capitata characterizing the traditional oases agricultural systems

Design, theoretical study, druggability, pharmacokinetics and properties evolution of a new organo-bromocadmate compound as prospective anticancer agent

International audienceCrystals of the organic-inorganic hybrid complex [H3NCH2(C5H4NH)]2CdBr6·2H2O ([H3NCH2(C5H4NH)] = diprotonated 3-picolylamine or 3-ampH2), were grown successfully by slow evaporation solution growth method at room temperature and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, optical absorption and thermal analysis. The title compound belongs to the triclinic space group P1 ̅, with a crystal structure consisting of inorganic layers built up from hexabromocadmate anions [CdBr6]4- and free water molecules, linked together by O-H···Br hydrogen bonds and halogen···halogen interactions, along the b axis. The organic cations, 3-ampH2, are intercalated between the mineral layers via N-H···Br hydrogen bonds. The optimized molecular structure and the vibrational spectra were calculated thanks to the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method resorting to the B3LYP function with the LanL2DZ basis set. Infrared spectrum was used to gain more information of the title compound, with the assignment of the observed vibration modes. Good agreement has been found between the calculated results and the experimental data. Subsequently, the optical properties were diagnosed throughout optical absorption explaining the possible charge transfer interactions that happen within the molecules. The thermal behavior was studied by TG/DT analyses. In silico analyses showed that the synthesized compound bound several anticancer receptors (TNF-α, COX-2, VEGF...) with high affinities, which together with molecular interactions, druggability and pharmacokinetics satisfactory explain the anticancer potential of the compound

Job Disengagement Among Physical Education Teachers: Insights From a Cross-sectional Web-Based Survey With Path Modeling Analysis

BackgroundPhysical education teachers often experience stress and job disengagement. ObjectiveThis study’s aims were as follows: (1) to adapt in the Arabic language and test the reliability and the validity of the work–family conflict (WFC) and family–work conflict (FWC) scales, (2) to develop and assess the psychometric properties of work disengagement among physical education teachers, and (3) to evaluate an explanatory model by presenting the mediating role of perceived stress as a major influencing factor in work disengagement and job satisfaction. MethodsA total of 303 primary and secondary school physical education teachers, comprising 165 (54.5%) men and 138 (45.5%) women participated voluntarily in our study. The measuring instruments are the Work Disengagement Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the WFC scale, the FWC scale, and the 9-item Teacher of Physical Education Job Satisfaction Inventory. ResultsThe Arabic language versions of the WFC and FWC scales had reasonably adequate psychometric properties, which were justified by confirmatory factor analyses and by the measurement of reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity through the measurement model using SmartPLS software. Similarly, the structural model established with SmartPLS confirmed strong links of the concepts of FWC, WFC, the job satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived stress with work disengagement among teachers of physical education. ConclusionsThere is a growing interest in helping teachers cope with the daily pressures of work and family. A positive organizational context is a context with clear values regarding work priorities, which constitutes the basis of a feeling of shared responsibility and professional support. Good conditions can act as protective factors reducing work stress and positively influencing personal well-being, work attitudes, work commitment, and professional efficiency. Additional research on teachers is needed to examine the relationship between perceived work stress and the role of families, along with the extent to which this association can have a significant impact on teachers’ commitment to work

Exploring Medicinal Herbs’ Therapeutic Potential and Molecular Docking Analysis for Compounds as Potential Inhibitors of Human Acetylcholinesterase in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as a pervasive neurodegenerative ailment of global concern, necessitating a relentless pursuit of remedies. This study aims to furnish a comprehensive exposition, delving into the intricate mechanistic actions of medicinal herbs and phytochemicals. Furthermore, we assess the potential of these compounds in inhibiting human acetylcholinesterase through molecular docking, presenting encouraging avenues for AD therapeutics. Materials and Methods: Our approach entailed a systematic exploration of phytochemicals like curcumin, gedunin, quercetin, resveratrol, nobiletin, fisetin, and berberine, targeting their capability as human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, leveraging the PubChem database. Diverse bioinformatics techniques were harnessed to scrutinize molecular docking, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity), and adherence to Lipinski’s rule of five. Results: Results notably underscored the substantial binding affinities of all ligands with specific amino acid residues within AChE. Remarkably, gedunin exhibited a superior binding affinity (−8.7 kcal/mol) compared to the reference standard. Conclusions: These outcomes accentuate the potential of these seven compounds as viable candidates for oral medication in AD treatment. Notably, both resveratrol and berberine demonstrated the capacity to traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB), signaling their aptitude for central nervous system targeting. Consequently, these seven molecules are considered orally druggable, potentially surpassing the efficacy of the conventional drug, donepezil, in managing neurodegenerative disorders