Optimization of PCR Conditions to Amplify Microsatellite Loci in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Genomic DNA

A total of three different primer pairs were optimized for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify microsatellite loci in total genomic DNA of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Different concentrations of MgCl2, DNA and different regimes of annealing temperature were optimized. For all the primer pairs, 2.5 mM MgCl2 concentration was found optimum. For DNA concentration, 100 ng in the final reaction volume was suitable for good amplification. Annealing temperatures 56°C, 61°C and 58°C were found optimum to amplify with primer pairs VVMD5, scu04vv and VMC8E6, respectively. The other reagents used in PCR and temperature regimes (denaturation and extension temperature) were kept constant. The protocol has been successfully applied producing scorable and clear amplicons in all cultivars studied. These loci can be used to evaluate the genetic variability and cultivar relatedness in autochthonous Vitis vinifera cultivars from Tunisia

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and associated healthcare resource consumption in the Middle East and North Africa: The BREATHE study

SummaryData on COPD-related healthcare resources use are rarely documented in developing countries. This article presents data on COPD-related healthcare resource consumption in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan and addresses the association of this variable with illness severity. A large survey of COPD was conducted in eleven countries of the region, namely Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi-Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates, using a standardised methodology. A total of 62,086 subjects were screened. This identified 2,187 subjects fulfilling the “epidemiological” definition of COPD. A detailed questionnaire was administered to document data on COPD-related healthcare consumption. Symptom severity was assessed using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). 1,392 subjects were analysable. Physician consultations were the most frequently used healthcare resource, ranging from 43,118 [95% CI: 755–85,548] consultations in UAE to 4,276,800 [95% CI: 2,320,164–6,230,763] in Pakistan, followed by emergency room visits, ranging from 15,917 [95% CI: 0–34,807] visits in UAE to 683,697 [95% CI: 496,993–869,737] in Turkey and hospitalisations, ranging from 15,563 [95% CI: 7,911–23,215] in UAE to 476,674 [95% CI: 301,258–652,090] in Turkey. The use of each resource increased proportionally with the GOLD 2011 severity groups and was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in subjects with more symptoms compared to those with lower symptoms and in subjects with exacerbations to those without exacerbations. The occurrence of exacerbations and the CAT score were independently associated with use of each healthcare resource. In conclusion, the BREATHE study revealed that physician consultation is the most frequently COPD-related healthcare resource used in the region. It showed that the deterioration of COPD symptoms and the frequency of exacerbations raised healthcare resource consumption

Rapid, High Quality DNA Isolation from Tunisian Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) Cultivars and Optimization of the RAPD Marker Technique

Various problems are encountered during DNA extraction from Vitis species, harbouring high levels of secondary metabolites and polysaccharides. A simple and highly efficient protocol for isolating large quantities (0.5±0.3 mg.g-1 of leaf tissue) of high-quality DNA, from dry young Vitis vinifera leaves, is described in the present study. Thus, three different DNA extraction protocols were examined. The isolated DNA is essentially free of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and other major contaminants as judged by viscosity, clear color, A260/280 ratio, and RAPD suitability. Moreover, the RAPD profiling from the isolated DNA was optimized to produce scorable and clear amplicons in all studied cultivars

Tunisian South Cultivated Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) -Foliar Composition on Major Mineral Elements

Abstract: The diversity of the local grapevine varietal set of Tunisia was remarkably noted in areas of Sfax, Kerkhennah, Gabes, Tozeur, Nafta, Degache, Zarzis and Djerba. Some varieties showed requested characteristics at the level of the production quality, its lateness and its fitness to take on tree, and its adaptation to various Tunisian pedoclimatic conditions. In an attempt to explore the genetic diversity of 25 autochthones cultivars of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in South East of Tunisia, the determination of leaves composition on major mineral elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) have permitted to appreciate the genetic variability inter-cultivars and its structuring in this collection. Data (PCA plot, cluster analysis) provide that some of these parameters were designed suitable to discriminate significantly few cultivars (ARCz, KORg, BAKz, MGB, BAK, TON, SAKj…). In fact, the recorded differences could be due to sever environmental conditions such as: nature of the soil, culture and climatic conditions, irrigation, salinity, position of leaves on the branches, rootstock etc

A New Direct Speed Estimation and Control of the Induction Machine Benchmark: Design and Experimental Validation

Speed sensorless control schemes have potential benefits for industrial applications because they contribute to reducing process cost and they avoid using fragile sensors as encoders or resolvers in hostile environment. In addition, simplicity, reliability, and fast response of control structures to signal commands are much-needed features. In this paper, a new Speed Sensorless Direct Control (SSDC) technique allowing the achievement of these objectives is proposed. This technique combines Field Oriented Control (FOC) and Direct Torque Control (DTC) properties in the same approach. The estimated speed is reached only according to the measured current and voltage of the stator. DTC is extended to speed sensorless direct control with any notable modification. The proposed scheme is implemented to the induction machine benchmark and evaluated in real time under various possible scenarios of use. Experimental results show that the proposed SSDC has interesting capabilities to conduct induction motor in real time operation with good accuracy

Tunisian South Cultivated Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) -Foliar Composition on Major Mineral Elements-

peer reviewedThe diversity of the local grapevine varietal set of Tunisia was remarkably noted in areas of Sfax, Kerkhennah, Gabes, Tozeur, Nafta, Degache, Zarzis and Djerba. Some varieties showed requested characteristics at the level of the production quality, its lateness and its fitness to take on tree, and its adaptation to various Tunisian pedoclimatic conditions. In an attempt to explore the genetic diversity of 25 autochthones cultivars of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in South East of Tunisia, the determination of leaves composition on major mineral elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) have permitted to appreciate the genetic variability inter-cultivars and its structuring in this collection. Data (PCA plot, cluster analysis) provide that some of these parameters were designed suitable to discriminate significantly few cultivars (ARCz, KORg, BAKz, MGB, BAK, TON, SAKj…). In fact, the recorded differences could be due to sever environmental conditions such as: nature of the soil, culture and climatic conditions, irrigation, salinity, position of leaves on the branches, rootstock etc

Onset of thermosolutal convection in a horizontal porous layer salted from below and subjected to cross heat fluxes

International audienc

Natural Hydroxyapatite: Green Catalyst for the Synthesis of Pyrroles, Inhibitors of Corrosion

Polysubstituted pyrroles have been synthesized in good yields via a four-component one-pot reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, amines, aldehydes, and nitroalkanes using natural hydroxyapatite (HAp) as an efficient green catalyst. This strategy provides advantages such as simple experimental and work-up procedures, mild conditions, high selectivity, low cost, high atom economy, and environmental friendliness; it uses a green commercial catalyst and does not require a solvent. The electrochemical behavior of S300 steel in 1 M hydrochloric acidic was studied in the presence of these heterocyclic compounds. The results showed good inhibition efficiency for steel in acidic media