Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

Contribution a l'etude de la tetrode MOS. Conduction et bruit de fond basse frequence

SIGLEAvailable from INIST (FR), Document Supply Service, under shelf-number : T 84274 / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Selection of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) for yield and symbiotic nitrogen fixation ability under salt stress

This research was aimed at selecting chickpea for improved symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) under saline conditions. 200 Moroccan lines were screened for nitrogenase activity, dry weight, nodule mass, plant colour and total nitrogen under 0 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM NaCl in screenhouse nitrogen-free sandbenches. Inoculum was a mixture of 4 Moroccan salt-resistant Rhizobium strains. Seven lines were selected as tolerant to salt for SNF. In winter 1998 these lines were tested on-station in a saline and a non-saline soil for salt tolerance with 2 checks. The salt reduced yield by 26 to 38% according to genotypes. Based on data from the 2 soils MCA103, MCA131 and MCA250 were selected as tolerant lines to the salt for SNF and yield. In 1999 these 3 tolerant lines were evaluated for production on-farm in 2 regions. The 3 lines over-yielded the checks. MCA250 was the most productive line on both sites.Sélection du pois chiche (Cicer arietinum) pour le rendement et la fixation symbiotique de l'azote sous contrainte saline. L'objectif de cette recherche est de sélectionner des génotypes de pois chiche pour la capacité de fixation symbiotique de l'azote (SNF) sous des contraintes salines. Deux cents lignées marocaines ont été évaluées pour l'activité de la nitrogénase, la matière sèche, la masse des nodules, la couleur de la plante et l'azote total sous 0 mM, 25 mM et 50 mM NaCl en serre sur du sable dépourvu d'azote. L'inoculum comprend un mélange de 4 souches locales de Rhizobium tolérantes à la salinité. Sept lignées tolérantes à la salinité pour la SNF ont été sélectionnées. Les lignées sélectionnées ont été évaluées en hiver 1998 sur un sol salin et un autre non salin en station expérimentale. Les résultats ont confirmé la supériorité des lignées tolérantes au sel par rapport aux témoins pour le rendement et les caractères associés à SNF en sol salin. Le rendement a été réduit de 26 à 38 % en sol salin selon les génotypes. Sur la base des données des deux sols, les lignées MCA103, MCA131 et MCA250 ont été sélectionnées pour leur tolérance au stress salin pour la fixation symbiotique et le rendement. En 1999 ces 3 lignées ont été évaluées pour la production à la ferme dans 2 régions. Les résultats ont montré leur supériorité par rapport aux témoins Douyet et Rizky. MCA250 est la lignée la plus performante dans les 2 sites

Hydrological modelling for flood forecasting in Kénitra catchments, Western of Morocco

The Kenitra city located in western of Morocco. It is a port on the Sbu river, has a population in 2014 of 431,282. This city has known a rapid growth in the number of inhabitants due to the migration of the surrounding villages, as well as the growth of a group of industrial activities, as this city is the third economic city in Morocco, as it contains the third industrial zone in Morocco, this region follows the activity of car factories. Given its social and economic importance, protecting it from flood risks is a priority for decision-makers. In this paper, we developed a hydrological model using HEC-HMS tools for the purpose of protecting human life and economic activities from the risk of floods. The forecast model has been used in order to identify and regions at risk from flooding and to take other precautions to protect life. Additionally, a forecast can provide the basis for preparing critical infrastructure for floods in order to minimize damage

To what extent the ARIMNet transnational programme has contributed to the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean research and innovation area?

International audienceThe Mediterranean countries face common challenges in adapting their agro-systems to climate change and demographic threats. It is on this basis that ARIMNet (Agricultural Research in the Mediterranean Network) programme was implemented by 15 Euro-Mediterranean partners to foster agricultural research and innovation with the support of two successive grants from the European Commission. Our work aims to evaluate the impact of this collaborative work of 10 years over the period (2008–2017) on the implementation of a EURO-MED Research and Innovation Area. Considering ARIMNet as the first regional experience of joint programming and co-funding, it has allowed the funding of 46 research projects in the Mediterranean region with a budget of €25 M. The carried survey with coordinators shows that ARIMNet activities have a positive effect on regional networking, mobility, scientific production, innovation and the construction of a regional common vision regarding societal challenges regarding food security and sustainable agriculture. This transnational programme has consolidated collaboration between EU-MED policymakers and impacted as well national research governance in South Mediterranean countries, as stated by the questionnaire sent to partners from these countries. The ARIMNet experience inspired the current PRIMA initiative (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) which represents a step ahead for the reinforcement of the scientific Euro-Mediterranean collaboration in agriculture. The lessons learned from ARIMNet can benefit the Mediterranean and other regions in developing future common science and technology-based approaches to achieve Sustainable Development Goals

Effects of Climate Change on Vegetation Cover in the Oued Lahdar Watershed. Northeastern Morocco

Episodes of drought that Morocco experienced in the years 1984–1986, 1993–1995, and 1997–2000 had repercussions that were felt many years later and continue to pose serious problems for environmentalists, as some of the affected lands have become practically deserted. These problems acted on the socio-economic conditions and created severe constraints for the development of the country. This work was conducted to study and identify changes that occurred in vegetation cover in the Oued Lahdar watershed (Rif, Morocco) between 1984 and 2017 using Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Landsat TM 5, and Landsat OLI 8. The LST had significantly increased overall from 1984 to 2017, where it moved from a mean value of 29.4 °C in 1984 to 40.4 °C in 2007 and then reduced slightly to 37.9 °C in 2017. The vegetation cover index for the study area indicates that in 1984, fully vegetated areas represented 94.3% before deteriorating to 35.4% in 2007 and recovering in 2017 to 54.3%. While bare soil, which previously constituted 5.7%, reached a very high value of 64.6% in 2007 and then decreased to 47.7%. This study contributes towards society as it provides interesting data about the consequences of climate change in the area studied as well as potential protective strategies to protect vegetation cover

Diversity maintenance and use of Vicia faba L. genetic resources

The faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an ancient crop that is represented in collections by cultivated forms only. Botanic and molecular data suggest that the wild ancestor of this species has not yet been discovered or has become extinct. This fact makes ex situ collections more crucial for the present and future breeding activities of this crop, especially when the modernization of agriculture reduces genetic diversity. At the world level, more than 38,000 accession entries are included in at least 37 listed collections. The partial allogamous status of this crop makes maintenance activity of genotypes more expensive and difficult. In addition to the requirement of fixed genotypes to support new association genetics strategies, there is a need for more research on pollinators and maintenance of genetic diversity within populations. A large genetic variability has already been identified in V. faba in terms of floral biology, seed size and composition, and also tolerance to several biotic and abiotic stresses. More knowledge is needed on the interactions of V. faba with parasitic and pollinator insects, on traits related to environmental adaptation and impacts, on nitrogen fixation in interaction with soil Rhizobia and on bioenergy potential, which strengthens the demand for new and large phenotyping actions. Diversity analysis through genotyping is just beginning. The use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) or simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers has allowed genetic resources to be distinguished according to their geographic origin and the structuring of collections. Conservation of gene sequences among legume species and the rapid discovery of genes (particularly in the model species Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus), together with robotic developments in molecular biology, offer new possibilities for the analysis of sequence diversity for V. faba genes and to evaluate their impact on phenotypic traits. Combined genotyping and phenotyping projects must continue on V. faba so that core collections can be defined; these will help in the discovery of genes and alleles of interest for breeders. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The contribution of M.J. Suso was partially supported by the RF2006-00002-00-00 project.Peer Reviewe

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oil of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters branches of eastern Morocco

Abstract Background Some pathogenic microbial species are becoming less sensitive to antibiotics and developing resistance multiples. The use of essential oils is a serious substitute for treatment with antibiotics in infectious diseases. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of branches of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (Cupressaceae). Methods The extraction of the essential oil was realized by hydrodistillation, and the analysis was carried out by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC–MS/FID). The antibacterial test was carried out using two different methods: the disc diffusion method and the macrodilution method which aims to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Results The yield of essential oil was 0.84%. Chromatographic analysis revealed that the major constituents were α-pinene (38.75%), limonene (13.24%), bornyl acetate (8.78%) and camphor (7.68%). The results of the antibacterial activity show that the essential oil exerts a powerful effect to inhibit some strains tested. Conclusions The antibacterial activity demonstrated in this study could justify the traditional uses of this plant and could contribute to value its potential in order to develop new bioactive compounds