Characterization of faba bean and chickpea viruses causing yellowing and stunting symptoms in Tunisia

In Tunisia, faba bean (Vicia faba) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) are considered as strategic crops because of their economic and social relevance and significant direct contribution towards the national food balance. However, production levels of these crops remain quite low which is often attributed to abiotic and biotic stresses that are prevailing in the major growing areas. Viruses causing yellowing and stunting symptoms represent one of the major constraints that reduce the genetic potential of most cultivated species and varieties. To characterize these viruses in Tunisia, field surveys were conducted in five main regions (Béja, Bizerte, Cap-Bon, Jendouba and Kef) during 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. A total of 389 faba bean and 182 chickpea samples with yellowing and stunting symptoms were collected and tested by tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA) using specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Laboratory results showed that Chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV) was the most common virus detected in 47.6% of faba bean and 18.7% of chickpea tested samples, followed by Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) (28% in faba bean and 4.4% in chickpea). Whereas, only 8.8% of faba bean samples were infected with Faba bean necrotic yellows virus (FBNYV), and Bean leafroll virus (BLRV) in faba bean (6.7%) and chickpea (9%) samples. To confirm the presence of yellowing viruses in Tunisia, total RNA was extracted from 5 faba bean and 27 chickpea samples that showed positive reaction to BLRV MAb (8 samples: 2 faba bean, 6 chickpea), BWYV MAb (7 samples: 2 faba bean, 5 chickpea) and CpCSV MAb (17 samples: 1 faba bean, 16 chickpea). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed using specific luteovirus primer pairs. RT-PCR amplicons of the expected size of each primer were obtained from 32 samples and were sequenced in both directions. Molecular results showed that BWYV and CpCSV (both belong to genus Polerovirus, family Solemoviridae) and BLRV (belong to genus Luteovirus, family Tombusviridae) were identified in Tunisia, and the coat protein nucleotide sequence analysis of the Tunisian isolates showed 99% homology to Moroccan isolate (CpCSV), 97% homology to the French isolate (BWYV), and 98% homology to Argentina isolate (BLRV)

Recherche d’indicateurs de ruissellement et des risques d’érosion au moyen de tests d’infiltrométrie dans le bassin versant du Rhéraya (Haut-Atlas occidental, Maroc)

L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier les risques de ruissellement et d’érosion dans le bassin versant du Rhéraya (Haut-Atlas du Maroc) au moyen d’un irrigateur manuel à rampe sur 1 m2. Nous recherchons des indicateurs faciles à déterminer directement sur le terrain (états de surface du sol) ou à partir des tests en laboratoire (stabilité des agrégats, texture, matière organique), qui soient bien corrélés avec l’infiltrabilité et la turbidité issues des tests d’infiltrométrie. Pour les différents sols affleurant dans le bassin, les résultats ont mis en évidence une grande variabilité de l’infiltrabilité (de 1 à 70 mm.h‑1) et de turbidité des eaux de ruissellement (de 1,5 à 325 g.L‑1). La turbidité a pu être mesurée correctement grâce à la mise au point d’un nouveau dispositif de collecte des eaux de ruissellement de l’irrigateur. Bien que l’infiltrabilité et le ruissellement soient la résultante d’interactions entre toutes les caractéristiques physiques du sol, certaines apparaissent dominantes dans notre contexte. Nous montrons ainsi que l’infiltrabilité est déterminée principalement par la texture et l’ouverture de la surface du sol et que la turbidité est due essentiellement à la surface de sol nu exposée au ruissellement. Ces indicateurs cartographiables offrent la possibilité d’une spatialisation des risques d’érosion au niveau du bassin versant.The objective of this study was to investigate the risks of runoff and erosion of soils in the Rheraya catchment (High Atlas, Morocco) using infiltrometer tests on 1 m2 plots. We were looking for indicators that are easily obtained directly from field observations (ground surface features) or by laboratory tests (aggregate stability, soil texture and organic matter), and are well correlated with infiltrability and turbidity measurements from the infiltrometer tests. For the various soils present in the study area, the results show a large variability of infiltrability values (from 1 to 70 mm·h-1) and turbidity (from 1.5 to 325 g·L-1). The turbidity was correctly measured thanks to the development of a new runoff collector that doesn’t disturb the soil. Although runoff and erosion are the result of interactions among many parameters, some of these appear to be dominant in our case. The measurements show that the infiltrability was correlated mainly with texture and soil surface opening, whereas turbidity was related to the surface of bare soil that was exposed to runoff. These indicators may be used to determine the spatialization of potential erosion in the Rheraya catchment

Emerging applications of nanotechnology in context to immunology: A comprehensive review

Numerous benefits of nanotechnology are available in many scientific domains. In this sense, nanoparticles serve as the fundamental foundation of nanotechnology. Recent developments in nanotechnology have demonstrated that nanoparticles have enormous promise for use in almost every field of life sciences. Nanoscience and nanotechnology use the distinctive characteristics of tiny nanoparticles (NPs) for various purposes in electronics, fabrics, cosmetics, biopharmaceutical industries, and medicines. The exclusive physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of nanoparticles prompt different immune responses in the body. Nanoparticles are believed to have strong potential for the development of advanced adjuvants, cytokines, vaccines, drugs, immunotherapies, and theranostic applications for the treatment of targeted bacterial, fungal, viral, and allergic diseases and removal of the tumor with minimal toxicity as compared to macro and microstructures. This review highlights the medical and non-medical applications with a detailed discussion on enhanced and targeted natural and acquired immunity against pathogens provoked by nanoparticles. The immunological aspects of the nanotechnology field are beyond the scope of this Review. However, we provide updated data that will explore novel theragnostic immunological applications of nanotechnology for better and immediate treatment

Loss of genetic diversity as a signature of apricot domestication and diffusion into the Mediterranean Basin

Publication Inra prise en compte dans l'analyse bibliométrique des publications scientifiques mondiales sur les Fruits, les Légumes et la Pomme de terre. Période 2000-2012. http://prodinra.inra.fr/record/256699In order to reduce energy waste for artificial lights and subsequent air conditioning in plant growth chambers, the aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility of growing the microvine under 100% of LED illumination. Plant growth under two different LED lights was compared amongst each other and with plants maintained in greenhouse conditions. Regarding the impact on the reproductive and vegetative systems, the study showed that LED light is suitable to grow microvines in confined environments. Plants exposed to LED light exhibited similar leaf emergence rate but reduced vegetative and reproductive organ size compared to plants grown in the greenhouse. Photosynthesis for plants exposed to LED light was higher than what is usually observed on grapevine under natural conditions

Attenuated PTH Responsiveness to Vitamin D Deficiency among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Hyperglycemia

Background The short and long-term relationship between hyperglycemia and PTH level among patients suffering from both diabetes type 2 and vitamin D deficiency were evaluated. Methods This was a cross sectional study performed at Dubai Diabetes Center, UAE. To demonstrate the relationship between hyperglycemia and PTH level, subjects with type 2 diabetes and vitamin D deficiency (124 adults) were divided into 4 groups based on their FPG and HbA1c levels. Results Mean vitamin D and PTH levels among subjects with HbA1c ≤ 7% (53 mmol/mol) were 14.05 ng/ml and 19.51 pg/ml respectively. On the other hand, mean vitamin D and PTH levels among subjects with HbA1c ≥ 10% (86 mmol/mol) were significantly lower at 11.77 ng/ml and 17.75 pg/ml respectively. The product of vitamin D and PTH among subjects with an HbA1c ≤ 7% (53 mmol/mol) was 250.380, compared with only 197.710 among subjects with HbA1c ≥ 10 (86 mmol/mol). Regression analysis for subjects older than 50 years shows a significant negative effect of HbA1c on the PTH level. Mean calcium level among subjects with HbA1c ≤ 7% (53 mmol/mol) was 8.80 mg/dl compared with 8.94 mg/dl when HbA1c is ≥10% (86 mmol/mol) with no statistical difference. Although high FPG was associated with a lower PTH level, such association was not statistically significant. Conclusions Chronic hyperglycemia, as assessed by A1C level, is associated with a significantly attenuated PTH responsiveness to vitamin D deficiency without a significant change in calcium level. On the other hand, there was no significant association between FPG and PTH level

Case Report: A very rare case of a Pleural Effusion revealing Multiple Myeloma [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Multiple myeloma is a common malignant bone-based disease. Pleural effusions reported in these patients remain rare. It is commonly due to congestive heart disease, pulmonary embolism, nephrotic syndrome or a second neoplasia. The true myelomatous pleural effusion resulting from a direct tumoral invasion of the pleural are extremely rare. We report here the case of a massive pleural effusion revealing multiple myeloma in a 71-year-old patient. The chest ultrasound showed a massive pleural effusion in the left side with a multinodular thickening of the pleura. The medical thoracoscopy showed a grape-cluster appearance. The diagnosis was made by pleural guided biopsy revealing abnormal plasma cells with an intense positive CD 138 (plasma cell marker) and MUM1 (multiple myeloma oncogene1) staining with a light kappa chain in the protein electrophoresis associated with a myeloma. Unfortunately, our patient died one month after the initial diagnosis. We present also a review of the recent literature in order to highlight the clinical presentations of the myelomatous pleural effusion, the diagnostic tools, the therapeutic strategies as well as the outcomes

Perspectives on Preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Threats in the Middle East and North Africa Region: Application of Artificial Intelligence Techniques

Over the past 3 decades, the diversity of ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds worldwide, particularly in countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has led to an increase in the number of intercountry conflicts and terrorist attacks, sometimes involving chemical and biological agents. This warrants moving toward a collaborative approach to strengthening preparedness in the region. In disaster medicine, artificial intelligence techniques have been increasingly utilized to allow a thorough analysis by revealing unseen patterns. In this study, the authors used text mining and machine learning techniques to analyze open-ended feedback from multidisciplinary experts in disaster medicine regarding the MENA region's preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. Open-ended feedback from 29 international experts in disaster medicine, selected based on their organizational roles and contributions to the academic field, was collected using a modified interview method between October and December 2022. Machine learning clustering algorithms, natural language processing, and sentiment analysis were used to analyze the data gathered using R language accessed through the RStudio environment. Findings revealed negative and fearful sentiments about a lack of accessibility to preparedness information, as well as positive sentiments toward CBRN preparedness concepts raised by the modified interview method. The artificial intelligence analysis techniques revealed a common consensus among experts about the importance of having accessible and effective plans and improved health sector preparedness in MENA, especially for potential chemical and biological incidents. Findings from this study can inform policymakers in the region to converge their efforts to build collaborative initiatives to strengthen CBRN preparedness capabilities in the healthcare sector

Characterization of greater middle eastern genetic variation for enhanced disease gene discovery

The Greater Middle East (GME) has been a central hub of human migration and population admixture. The tradition of consanguinity, variably practiced in the Persian Gulf region, North Africa, and Central Asia1-3, has resulted in an elevated burden of recessive disease4. Here we generated a whole-exome GME variome from 1,111 unrelated subjects. We detected substantial diversity and admixture in continental and subregional populations, corresponding to several ancient founder populations with little evidence of bottlenecks. Measured consanguinity rates were an order of magnitude above those in other sampled populations, and the GME population exhibited an increased burden of runs of homozygosity (ROHs) but showed no evidence for reduced burden of deleterious variation due to classically theorized ‘genetic purging’. Applying this database to unsolved recessive conditions in the GME population reduced the number of potential disease-causing variants by four- to sevenfold. These results show variegated genetic architecture in GME populations and support future human genetic discoveries in Mendelian and population genetics

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely