Abord laparoscopique d’un volumineux kyste hépatique simple : à propos d’un cas [A laparoscopic approach to a large simple hepatic cyst : a case report]

French Abstract : La fenestration laparoscopique a récemment été considérée comme une procédure stan­dard pour les kystes hépatiques symptomatiques non parasitaires. L’objectif de notre observation était de montrer l’abord laparoscopique d’un volumineux kyste du dôme hépatique. Une femme de 54 ans sans antécédent pathologique qui consultait pour des douleurs chroniques de l’hypochondre droit. Les explorations radiologiques avaient ob­jectivé un volumineux kyste hépatique et une lithiase vésiculaire non compliquée. La Sérologie hydatique était négative. Le traitement consistait en une fenestration large par laparoscopie après ponction prudente du kyste, afin d’éliminer une pathologie pa­rasitaire et une aspiration d’environs 1,8 L d’un liquide brunâtre, une cholécystectomie et l’extraction de la pièce opératoire dans un sac. L’étude histologique était en faveur d’un kyste hépatique simple. La fenestration laparoscopique est le traitement de réfé­rence des kystes hépatiques simples symptomatiques et ce d’autant que les kystes sont volumineux ou difficiles à ponctionner sous échographie. English Abstract : Laparoscopic fenestration has recently been considered a standard procedure for non parasitic symptomatic liver cysts.The objective of our observation was to show the laparoscopic approach of a large cyst of the hepatic dome. A 54-year-old wo­man with no pathological history who consulted for chronic pain in the right hypo­chondrium. The radiological explorations had objectified a large hepatic cyst and an uncomplicated gall bladder lithiasis. Hydatid serology was negative. The treatment consisted of a wide fenestration by laparoscopy after careful puncture of the cyst in order to eliminate a parasitic pathology and an aspiration of around 1.8 liter of a brownish liquid, a cholecystectomy and the exteriorization of the cyst wall in an endobag. The histological study was in favor of a simple liver cyst. Laparoscopic fe­nestration is the reference treatment for symptomatic simple liver cysts, especially when the cysts are large or difficult to puncture under ultrasound

Abord laparoscopique d’un volumineux kyste hépatique simple : à propos d’un cas [A laparoscopic approach to a large simple hepatic cyst : a case report]

French Abstract : La fenestration laparoscopique a récemment été considérée comme une procédure stan­dard pour les kystes hépatiques symptomatiques non parasitaires. L’objectif de notre observation était de montrer l’abord laparoscopique d’un volumineux kyste du dôme hépatique. Une femme de 54 ans sans antécédent pathologique qui consultait pour des douleurs chroniques de l’hypochondre droit. Les explorations radiologiques avaient ob­jectivé un volumineux kyste hépatique et une lithiase vésiculaire non compliquée. La Sérologie hydatique était négative. Le traitement consistait en une fenestration large par laparoscopie après ponction prudente du kyste, afin d’éliminer une pathologie pa­rasitaire et une aspiration d’environs 1,8 L d’un liquide brunâtre, une cholécystectomie et l’extraction de la pièce opératoire dans un sac. L’étude histologique était en faveur d’un kyste hépatique simple. La fenestration laparoscopique est le traitement de réfé­rence des kystes hépatiques simples symptomatiques et ce d’autant que les kystes sont volumineux ou difficiles à ponctionner sous échographie. English Abstract : Laparoscopic fenestration has recently been considered a standard procedure for non parasitic symptomatic liver cysts.The objective of our observation was to show the laparoscopic approach of a large cyst of the hepatic dome. A 54-year-old wo­man with no pathological history who consulted for chronic pain in the right hypo­chondrium. The radiological explorations had objectified a large hepatic cyst and an uncomplicated gall bladder lithiasis. Hydatid serology was negative. The treatment consisted of a wide fenestration by laparoscopy after careful puncture of the cyst in order to eliminate a parasitic pathology and an aspiration of around 1.8 liter of a brownish liquid, a cholecystectomy and the exteriorization of the cyst wall in an endobag. The histological study was in favor of a simple liver cyst. Laparoscopic fe­nestration is the reference treatment for symptomatic simple liver cysts, especially when the cysts are large or difficult to puncture under ultrasound

First draft genome assembly of the Argane tree (Argania spinosa)

Background: The Argane tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) is an endemic tree of southwestern Morocco that plays an important socioeconomic and ecologic role for a dense human population in an arid zone. Several studies confirmed the importance of this species as a food and feed source and as a resource for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds. Unfortunately, the argane tree ecosystem is facing significant threats from environmental changes (global warming, over-population) and over-exploitation. Limited research has been conducted, however, on argane tree genetics and genomics, which hinders its conservation and genetic improvement. Methods: Here, we present a draft genome assembly of A. spinosa. A reliable reference genome of A. spinosa was created using a hybrid de novo assembly approach combining short and long sequencing reads. Results: In total, 144 Gb Illumina HiSeq reads and 7.2 Gb PacBio reads were produced and assembled. The final draft genome comprises 75 327 scaffolds totaling 671 Mb with an N50 of 49 916 kb. The draft assembly is close to the genome size estimated by k-mers distribution and covers 89% of complete and 4.3 % of partial Arabidopsis orthologous groups in BUSCO. Conclusion: The A. spinosa genome will be useful for assessing biodiversity leading to efficient conservation of this endangered endemic tree. Furthermore, the genome may enable genome-assisted cultivar breeding, and provide a better understanding of important metabolic pathways and their underlying genes for both cosmetic and pharmacological purposes

The ocean sampling day consortium.

Ocean Sampling Day was initiated by the EU-funded Micro B3 (Marine Microbial Biodiversity, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology) project to obtain a snapshot of the marine microbial biodiversity and function of the world's oceans. It is a simultaneous global mega-sequencing campaign aiming to generate the largest standardized microbial data set in a single day. This will be achievable only through the coordinated efforts of an Ocean Sampling Day Consortium, supportive partnerships and networks between sites. This commentary outlines the establishment, function and aims of the Consortium and describes our vision for a sustainable study of marine microbial communities and their embedded functional traits

The ocean sampling day consortium

Ocean Sampling Day was initiated by the EU-funded Micro B3 (Marine Microbial Biodiversity, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology) project to obtain a snapshot of the marine microbial biodiversity and function of the world’s oceans. It is a simultaneous global mega-sequencing campaign aiming to generate the largest standardized microbial data set in a single day. This will be achievable only through the coordinated efforts of an Ocean Sampling Day Consortium, supportive partnerships and networks between sites. This commentary outlines the establishment, function and aims of the Consortium and describes our vision for a sustainable study of marine microbial communities and their embedded functional traits

First draft genome assembly of the Argane tree (Argania spinosa) [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

BACKGROUND : The Argane tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) is an endemic tree of mid-western Morocco that plays an important socioeconomic and ecologic role for a dense human population in an arid zone. Several studies confirmed the importance of this species as a food and feed source and as a resource for both pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds. Unfortunately, the argane tree ecosystem is facing significant threats from environmental changes (global warming, over-population) and over-exploitation. Limited research has been conducted, however, on argane tree genetics and genomics, which hinders its conservation and genetic improvement. METHODS : Here, we present a draft genome assembly of A. spinosa. A reliable reference genome of A. spinosa was created using a hybrid de novo assembly approach combining short and long sequencing reads. RESULTS : In total, 144 Gb Illumina HiSeq reads and 7.6 Gb PacBio reads were produced and assembled. The final draft genome comprises 75 327 scaffolds totaling 671 Mb with an N50 of 49 916 kb. The draft assembly is close to the genome size estimated by k-mers distribution and covers 89% of complete and 4.3 % of partial Arabidopsis orthologous groups in BUSCO. CONCLUSION : The A. spinosa genome will be useful for assessing biodiversity leading to efficient conservation of this endangered endemic tree. Furthermore, the genome may enable genome-assisted cultivar breeding, and provide a better understanding of important metabolic pathways and their underlying genes for both cosmetic and pharmacological.DATA AVAILABILITY: All of the A. spinosa datasets can be retrieved under BioProject accession number PRJNA294096: http://identifiers.org/ bioproject:PRJNA294096. The raw reads are available at NCBI Sequence Reads Archive under accession number SRP077839: http://identifiers.org/insdc.sra:SRP077839. The complete genome sequence assembly project has been deposited at GenBank under accession number QLOD00000000: http://identifiers. org/ncbigi/GI:1408199612. Data can also be retrieved via the International Argane Genome Consortium (IAGC) website: http://www.arganome.org.https://f1000research.compm2021BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

The Ocean Sampling Day Consortium

Ocean Sampling Day was initiated by the EU-funded Micro B3 (Marine Microbial Biodiversity, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology) project to obtain a snapshot of the marine microbial biodiversity and function of the world’s oceans. It is a simultaneous global mega-sequencing campaign aiming to generate the largest standardized microbial data set in a single day. This will be achievable only through the coordinated efforts of an Ocean Sampling Day Consortium, supportive partnerships and networks between sites. This commentary outlines the establishment, function and aims of the Consortium and describes our vision for a sustainable study of marine microbial communities and their embedded functional traits

Significant association between ERCC2 and MTHR polymorphisms and breast cancer susceptibility in Moroccan population: genotype and haplotype analysis in a case-control study

Abstract Background Genetic determinants of breast cancer (BC) remained largely unknown in the majority of Moroccan patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the association of ERCC2 and MTHFR polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to breast cancer in Moroccan population. Methods We genotyped ERCC2 polymorphisms (rs1799793 (G934A) and rs13181 (A2251C)) and MTHFR polymorphisms (rs1801133 (C677T) and rs1801131 (A1298C)) using TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assays. Genotypes were compared in 151 BC cases and 156 population-matched controls. Allelic, genotypic and haplotype associations with the risk and clinicopathological features of BC were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Results ERCC2-rs1799793-AA genotype was associated with high risk of BC compared to wild type genotype (recessive model: OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.34–6.26, p = 0.0069) even after Bonferroni correction (p < 0,0125). MTHFR rs1801133-TT genotype was associated with increased risk of BC (recessive model, OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.17–5.29, p = 0.017) but the association turned insignificant after Bonferroni correction. For the rest of SNPs, no statistical associations to BC risk were detected. Significant association with clinical features was detected for MTHFR-rs1801133-TC genotype with early age at diagnosis and familial BC. Following Bonferroni correction, only association with familial BC remained significant. MTHFR-rs1801131-CC genotype was associated with sporadic BC. ERCC2-rs1799793-AA genotype correlated with ER+ and PR+ breast cancer. ERCC2-rs13181-CA genotype was significantly associated large tumors (T ≥ 3) in BC patients. None of these associations passed Bonferroni correction. Haplotype analysis showed that ERCC2 A-C haplotype was significantly associated with increased BC risk (OR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.7–8.12, p = 0.0002 and p = 0.0008 before and after Bonferroni correction, respectively) and positive expression of ER and PR in BC patients. ERCC2 G-C haplotype was correlated with PR negative and larger tumor (T4). We did not find any MTHFR haplotypes associated with BC susceptibility. However, the less common haplotype MTHFR T-C was more frequent in young patients and in familial breast cancer, while MTHFR C-C haplotype was associated with sporadic BC form. Conclusions Our findings are a first observation of association between ERCC2 SNPs and breast cancer in Moroccan population. The results suggested that ERCC2 and MTHFR polymorphisms may be reliable for assessing risk and prognosis of BC in Moroccan population

Empowering the immune fate of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells: gene and protein changes

Objective and design: Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are referred as a promising immunotherapeutic cell product. New approaches using empowered MSCs should be developed as for the treatment or prevention of different immunological diseases. Such preconditioning by new licensing stimuli will empower the immune fate of BM-MSCs and, therefore, promote a better and more efficient biological. Here, our main goal was to establish the immunological profile of BM-MSCs following inflammatory priming and in particular their capacity to adjust their immune-related proteome and transcriptome. Material and methods: To run this study, we have used BM-MSC cell cultures, a pro-inflammatory cytokine cocktail priming, flow cytometry analysis, qPCR and ELISA techniques. Results: Different expression levels of several immunological mediators such as COX-1, COX-2, LIF, HGF, Gal-1, HO-1, IL-11, IL-8, IL-6 and TGF-β were constitutively observed in BM-MSCs. Inflammation priming substantially but differentially modulated the gene and protein expression profiles of these mediators. Thus, expressions of COX-2, LIF, HGF, IL-11, IL-8 and IL-6 were highly increased/induced and those of COX-1, Gal-1, and TGF-β were reduced. Conclusions: Collectively, we demonstrated that BM-MSCs are endowed with a specific and modular regulatory machinery which is potentially involved in immunomodulation. Moreover, BM-MSCs are highly sensitive to inflammation and respond to such signal by properly adjusting their gene and protein expression of regulatory factors. Using such preconditioning may empower the immune fate of MSCs and, therefore, enhance their value for cell-based immunotherapy.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Diversity of bacteria that nodulate Prosopis juliflora in the eastern area of Morocco

A total of 274 bacterial strains were isolated from the root nodules of Prosopis juliflora, growing in two arid soils of the eastern area of Morocco. A physiological plate screening allowed the selection of 15 strains that could tolerate NaCl concentrations between 175 and 500 mM. These were compared with 15 strains chosen from among the ones which did not tolerate high salinity. The diversity of strains was first assessed by rep-PCR amplification fingerprinting using BOXA1R and ERIC primers. An analysis of the PCR-amplified 16S rDNA gene digestion profiles using five endonucleases indicated the presence of different lineages among the taxa associated with P. juliflora nodules in the soils studied. Nucleotide sequencing of the small subunit rRNA gene and BLAST analysis showed that P. juliflora could host at least six bacterial species in this region and that the identity of those associated with high salt tolerance was clearly distinct from that of the salt-sensitive ones. Among the former, the first type displayed 99% similarity with different members of the genus Sinorhizobium, the second 97% similarity with species within the genus Rhizobium, while the third ribosomal type had 100% homology to Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Within the salt-sensitive isolates the prevailing type observed showed 98% similarity with Rhizobium multihospitium and R. tropici, a second type had 98% similarity to R. giardinii, and a further case displayed 97% colinearity with the Ensifer group including E. maghrebium and E. xericitae. All of the thirty strains encompassing these types re-nodulated P. juliflora in microbiologically controlled conditions and all of them were shown to possess a copy of the nodC gene. This is the first report detecting the betaproteobacterial genus Achromobacter as nodule-forming species for legumes. The observed variability in symbiont species and the abundance of nodulation-proficient strains is in line with the observation that the plant always appears to be nodulated and efficiently fixing nitrogen in spite of a wide range of soil and environmental conditions