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To study the influence of ecological growing conditions on the chemical composition of plants, supercritical carbon dioxide extraction is carried out of wild carrot samples, widespread in all regions of the world with a temperate climate (Daucus carota subsp. maritimus). Using the methods of gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectral analysis, volatile organic compounds, fatty acids, and phytosterols in the studied objects are determined in the extracts obtained. The dependence of the chemical composition of wild carrots on its growing conditions (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, etc.) is shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colistin (also known as polymyxin E), a polymyxin antibiotic discovered in the late 1940s, has recently reemerged as a last‐line treatment option for multidrug‐resistant infections. However, in recent years, colistin‐resistant pathogenic bacteria have been increasingly reported worldwide. Accordingly, the presented review was undertaken to identify, integrate and synthesize current information regarding the detection and transmission of colistin‐resistant bacteria across the African continent, in addition to elucidating their molecular mechanisms of resistance. PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct were employed for study identification, screening and extraction. Overall, based on the developed literature review protocol and associated inclusion/exclusion criteria, 80 studies published between 2000 and 2021 were included comprising varying bacterial species and hosts. Numerous mechanisms of colistin resistance were reported, including chromosomal mutation(s) and transferable plasmid‐mediated colistin resistance (encoded by mcr genes). Perhaps unexpectedly, mcr‐variants have exhibited rapid emergence and spread across most African regions. The genetic variant mcr‐1 is predominant in humans, animals and the natural environment, and is primarily carried by IncHI2‐ type plasmid. The highest number of studies reporting the dissemination of colistin‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria were conducted in the North African region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the (1, 2)-dimensional supercircle, we investigate the second cohomology space associated with the Lie superalgebra K (2) of vector fields on the supercircle S1|2 with coefficients in the space of weighted densities. We explicitly give the 2-cocycle spanning for these cohomology spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyse the frequency of genes encoding virulence factors and to characterize resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk. In total, 47 and 9 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 150 and 100 raw bovine and ovine milk samples, respectively, in Tunisia. The majority of isolates was resistant to penicillin, and no methicillin‐resistant S. aureus was detected. Eighteen and two isolates harboured etd and eta genes respectively. Sixteen enterotoxin‐encoding genes were detected (n, %): sed (25, 44·6%), sec (16, 28·6%), sei (16, 28·6%), seh (13, 23·2%), seln (13, 23·2%), sell (10, 17·8%), seg (9, 16%), selu (8, 14·3%), selq (7, 12·5%), selo (7, 12·5%), selm (7, 12·5%), seb (7, 12·5%), sea (6, 10·7%), selk (3, 5·4%), ser (1, 1·8%) and selp (1, 1·8%). Ten isolates carried the tsst1 gene. All isolates carried the haemolysin toxin (hla, hld and hlg). The immune evasion cluster system‐type B was predominant (20 isolates) followed by C (3 isolates), A and E (1 isolate each). The occurrence of enterotoxigenic S. aureus in raw milk constitutes a potential risk for human health. Significance and Impact of the Study: This paper describes the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk samples from healthy cows and ewes collected from small family farms in Tunisia. Fifty‐six strains were analysed by determining their antibiotic susceptibility and genes encoding antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Methicillin‐resistant strains were not detected, and overall low level of antimicrobial resistance was reported. However, our strains harboured several genes encoding virulence factors and 87·5% of them carried at least one gene encoding for enterotoxins showing a high risk of spread of food‐borne diseases. Significance and Impact of the Study: This paper describes the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk samples from healthy cows and ewes collected from small family farms in Tunisia. Fifty‐six strains were analysed by determining their antibiotic susceptibility and genes encoding antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Methicillin‐resistant strains were not detected, and overall low level of antimicrobial resistance was reported. However, our strains harboured several genes encoding virulence factors and 87·5% of them carried at least one gene encoding for enterotoxins showing a high risk of spread of food‐borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives de l'Institut Pasteur de Tunis is the property of Institut Pasteur de Tunis and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since 1998, southern Europe has experienced multiple incursions of different serotypes and topotypes of Bluetongue virus, a vector-borne transmitted virus, the causative agent of Bluetongue ( BT), a major disease of ruminants. Some of these incursions originated from northern Africa, likely because of wind-blown dissemination of infected midges. In this report, we describe the detection and whole genome characterization of a novel BTV-3 strain identified in a symptomatic sheep in Tunisia. Sequences were immediately deposited with the GenBank Database under Accession Nos KY432369-KY432378. Alert and preparedness are requested to face the next vector seasons in northern Africa and the potential incursion of this novel strain in southern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Nile virus ( WNV) is a mosquito-transmitted Flavivirus belonging to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly Culex spp. and Aedes/Ochlerotatus spp., which acquire the virus by feeding on viraemic birds. Humans, horses and other mammals are regarded as incidental or dead-end hosts. In the last decades, an increasing number of cases of WNV infection in horses and humans have been notified in the Mediterranean basin. In Tunisia, human cases of WNV-related meningoencephalitis were detected in 1997, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Based on the analysis of climatic and environmental conditions found in the locations where human cases have been reported in 2012, the aim of this study was to identify similar areas in Tunisia potentially at risk of disease occurrence. Data related to 85 neuroinvasive West Nile fever ( WNF) human cases were georeferenced and a set of environmental and climatic variables (wetlands and humid areas, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), temperatures and elevation, migratory bird settlements) were used in the analysis. Areas, ecologically similar to those where human cases were detected, were identified using the Mahalanobis distance statistic. A leave-one-out cross-validation was performed to validate the sensitivity of the model, and 78 of 85 points were correctly classified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rift Valley fever ( RVF) is a vector-borne zoonotic disease that has caused widespread outbreaks throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, with serious consequences for livestock-based economies and public health. Although there have never been any reports of RVF in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, it is a priority disease in the Maghreb, due to the threat of introduction of the virus through transboundary livestock movements or infected mosquito vectors. However, the implementation of surveillance activities and early warning contingency plans requires better knowledge of the epidemiological situation. We conducted a multicriteria decision analysis, integrating host distribution with a combination of important ecological factors that drive mosquito abundance, to identify hotspots and suitable time periods for RVF enzootic circulation (i.e. stable transmission at a low to moderate level for an extended period of time) and an RVF epizootic event (i.e. a sudden occurrence of a large number of infected animals over a large geographic area) in the Maghreb. We also modelled vector species distribution using available information on vector presence and habitat preference. We found that the northern regions of the Maghreb were moderately suitable for RVF enzootics, but highly suitable for RVF epizootics. The vector species distribution model identified these regions as the most favourable mosquito habitats. Due to the low density of animal hosts and arid conditions, the desert region showed low RVF suitability, except in oases. However, the presence of competent vectors in putative unsuitable areas underlines the need for further assessments of mosquito habitat preference. This study produced monthly RVF suitability maps useful for animal health managers and veterinary services involved in designing risk-based surveillance programmes. The suitability maps can be further enhanced using existing country-specific sources of information and by incorporating knowledge - as it becomes available - on the epidemiology of the disease and distribution of vectors in the Maghreb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal Africain D'Hépato-Gastroentérologie is the property of Lavoisier and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The wine industry rejected large amounts of pressed grape pomace containing huge reserves of natural dyes that could be exploited in textile dyeing. The present paper aims to develop and optimize an extraction method of natural dye from grape pomace in order to dye wool fabrics. The influence of the main extraction conditions (grape pomace amount, sodium hydroxide concentration, extraction temperature and duration) on the dyeing performances of wool fabrics was studied. These performances were appreciated by measuring the color yield ( K/S) of dyed wool fabrics. A central composite design method made with MINITAB 15 software was used for the optimization of the extraction method. The optimum conditions were found to be: concentration of sodium hydroxide of about 0.13 M, amount of grape pomace of about 69.56 g/l, extraction temperature of about 80 °C and extraction duration of about 70 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last fifteen years, West Nile Virus ( WNV) has dramatically expanded its geographic range and is now considered the most widespread arbovirus in the world. In Tunisia, West Nile Fever ( WNF) outbreaks were reported in humans in 1997, 2003 and 2012. Usutu Virus ( USUV), which is a 'new' emerging Flavivirus antigenically close to WNV, has never been reported in Tunisia. A serological investigation in 284 equids was conducted in 2012 in the southern west region of the country to assess the presence and prevalence of the WNV and USUV infection. Of the 284 samples tested by competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay, 129 were positive. Of these, 120 (42.3%) had WNV-specific neutralizing antibodies. The prevalence was significantly higher in areas closer to the oasis compared with that of the surrounding arid areas. Antibody titres against USUV were also reported in 10 equids. This was the first evidence of USUV circulation in Tunisia. Data recorded by this study indicate that WNV and USUV have circulated/are circulating in the region and that there is an urgent need to adapt the current surveillance programmes to this new scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the subclasses and the immunophenotypic profile of peripheral mononuclear cells in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) and to assess associations between the expression of HLA-B51 antigen and that of other cell markers. Thirty healthy volunteer blood donors and forty patients with BD were enrolled into this study. Phenotyping was performed using two color flow cytometry. HLA-B51 typing was performed using the complement dependent microlymphocytotoxicity assay. Unlike controls, patients with BD presented a modified immunophenotypic profile of lymphocytes. Compared to those in the remission phase, patients with active BD showed an increased mean of MFI ratio of CD56 on CD16+CD56+ cells (32.47 ± 14.26 versus 23.87 ± 10.3; p = 0.032), increased absolute numbers of CD4−CD8bright and CD4+CD8+ cells (657.1 ± 463.6 cells/µL versus 319.24 ± 116.4 cells/µL; p = 0.017 and 40.77 ± 36.41 cells/µL versus 10.77 ± 9.78 cells/µL; p < 0.0001, respectively) and an elevated mean of MFI ratio of CD19 on B cells (252.3 ± 56.7 versus 205.67 ± 32.3; p = 0.021). However, expression of HLA-B51 was not associated with any specific immunophenotypic profile. In conclusion, abnormal immunophenotypic profile of peripheral lymphocytes was found in patients with BD, especially in active phase, reflecting an immune dysregulation. Moreover, HLA-B51 expression was not found to be related to the expression of other cell markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of activin-A during the in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) and in vitro embryo culture (IVC) on nuclear maturation, blastocyst yield and blastocyst quality of prepubertal goat oocytes. In Experiment 1, three groups of oocytes were used during the IVM of prepubertal goat oocytes to determine the optimal concentration of recombinant human activin-A added to the maturation medium. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were matured in an IVM medium containing 0, 10 and 100 ng/ml (groups A0, A10 and A100), fertilized and in vitro cultured using standard procedures. In Experiment 2, the addition of 10 ng/ml activin-A at IVM (A10A0), IVC (A0A10) or IVM+IVC (A10A10) was studied and compared with the control group (A0A0). Results of the first experiment demonstrated that the addition of activin-A yielded similar percentages of maturation (⩽71.0%) and blastocyst formation rates (⩽24.9%) than the control group (A0). Experiment 2 showed that exposure of prepubertal goat oocytes to an IVC medium containing 10 ng/ml activin-A (A0A10) significantly increased the rates of development to the blastocyst stage, as compared with the control group (A0A0) (19.5±2.21% v. 13.1±2.37%, respectively; P<0.05). With regard to the blastocyst quality, total number of cells, inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm of prepubertal goat embryos produced in the presence of activin-A did not differ significantly among experimental groups. In summary, these results indicate that supplementation of the IVC medium with activin-A enhances embryo development of prepubertal goat oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Contents The aim of this study was to test the effect of insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS) and L-ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation and the hormonal level during in vitro maturation (IVM) of small oocytes from pre-pubertal goat on the blastocyst yield and quality. Concretely, we used four maturation media: conventional IVM medium (CM), growth medium (GM: CM+ITS+AA and low level of hormones), modified CM (mCM: CM with low level of hormones) and modified GM (mGM: CM+ITS+AA and normal level of hormones). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified into two categories according to oocyte diameter: <125 μm and ≥125 μm. Large oocytes were matured 24 h in CM (Treatment A). Small oocytes were matured randomly in six experimental groups: Treatment B: 24 h in CM; Treatment C: 12 h in GM and 12 h in CM; Treatment D: 24 h in mGM; Treatment E: 12 h in mGM and 12 h in CM; Treatment F: 12 h in mCM and 12 h in CM; and Treatment G: 12 h in GM and 12 h in mGM. After IVM, oocytes were fertilized and cultured for 8 days. The blastocyst quality was assessed by the survival following vitrification/warming and the mean cell number. When different maturation media were combined, the blastocyst rate did not improve. The large oocytes produced the highest blastocysts yield. However, the culture of small oocytes in GM (53.3%) enhanced the post-warming survival of blastocysts compared to large oocytes matured in CM (35.7%). In conclusion, IVM of pre-pubertal goat small oocytes in GM would be useful to improve the quality of in vitro-produced blastocysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A number of K+ channels are regulated by small, fast changes in cell volume. The mechanisms underlying cell volume sensitivity are not known, but one possible mechanism could be purinergic signalling. Volume activated ATP release could trigger signalling pathways that subsequently lead to ion channel stimulation and cell volume back-regulation. Our aim was to investigate whether volume sensitivity of the voltage-gated K+ channel, KCNQ1, is dependent on ATP release and regulation by purinergic signalling. Methods We used Xenopus oocytes heterologously expressing human KCNQ1, KCNE1, water channels ( AQP1) and P2 Y2 receptors. ATP release was monitored by a luciferin-luciferase assay and ion channel conductance was recorded by two-electrode voltage clamp. Results The luminescence assay showed that oocytes released ATP in response to mechanical, hypoosmotic stimuli and hyperosmotic stimuli. Basal ATP release was approx. three times higher in the KCNQ1 + AQP1 and KCNQ1 injected oocytes compared to the non-injected ones. Exogenously added ATP (0.1 m m) did not have any substantial effect on volume-induced KCNQ1 currents. Nevertheless, apyrase decreased all currents by about 50%. Suramin inhibited about 23% of the KCNQ1 volume sensitivity. Expression of P2 Y2 receptors stimulated endogenous Cl− channels, but it also led to 68% inhibition of the KCNQ1 currents. Adenosine (0.1 m m) also inhibited the KCNQ1 currents by about 56%. Conclusion Xenopus oocytes release ATP in response to mechanical stimuli and cell volume changes. Purinergic P2 and P1 receptors confer some of the KCNQ1 channel volume sensitivity, although endogenous adenosine receptors and expressed P2 Y2 receptors do so in the negative direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin de la Société de Pathologie Exotique is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In vitro oocyte maturation can be influenced by oocyte source and maturation media composition. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficiency of a defined in vitro maturation medium (TCM199 supplemented with cysteamine and epidermal growth factor; Cys + EGF) with an undefined medium (TCM199 supplemented with follicle-stimulating hormone and follicular fluid; FSH + FF) for in vitro production (IVP) of ovine embryos, using oocytes obtained by laparoscopic ovum pick-up from FSH-stimulated [n = 11; 158 cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs)] and non-stimulated (n = 16; 120 COCs) live ewes, as well as abattoir-derived oocytes (170 COCs). The produced blastocysts were vitrified and some of them were transferred to synchronized recipients. The best and the worst final yields of embryo IVP observed in this study were obtained using oocytes from FSH-stimulated ewes matured in FSH + FF (41.3%; 33/80) and in Cys + EGF (19.2%; 15/78) medium, respectively (p < 0.01). No significant differences between both media were attained in the blastocyst development rate or in the final yield of embryo IVP using oocytes from non-stimulated ewes or abattoir-derived oocytes. The overall in vivo survival rate of the transferred vitrified blastocysts was 13.1% (8/61), without significant differences between oocyte sources or maturation media. In conclusion, under the experimental conditions of the present study, TCM199 supplemented with cysteamine and EGF is a convenient defined maturation medium for IVP of embryos from oocytes of live non-stimulated ewes or from oocytes of abattoir-derived ovaries. However, the best final yield of embryo IVP observed in this study was attained when oocytes came from FSH-stimulated donors and TCM199 was supplemented with FSH and follicular fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy (VER), is caused by a nodavirus included within the Betanodavirus genus of the Nodaviridae family. This disease affects more than 30 marine fish species worldwide and has been a major obstacle in the aquaculture industry; control of the disease is based on virus detection, essentially in carrier specimens. This study describes a real time PCR procedure for viral nervous necrosis virus detection from several organs of sea bass, Senegalese sole, and gilt-head sea bream, from fish displaying either clinical symptoms or asymptomatic cases. The sensitivity of this technique was about 10-fold higher than that of the conventional RT-PCR. The newly designed primers detected nodavirus isolates belonging to the RGNNV and SJNNV genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To detect the possible coexistence of striped jack nervous necrosis virus (SJNNV) and red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) genotypes in a single fish, a methodology based on the combination of PCR amplification and blot hybridization has been developed and applied in this study. Methods and Results: The degenerate primers designed for the PCR procedure target the T4 region within the capsid gene, resulting in the amplification of both genotypes. The subsequent hybridization of these amplification products with two different specific digoxigenin-labelled probes resulted in the identification of both genotypes separately. The application of the RT-PCR protocol to analyse blood samples from asymptomatic wild meagre ( Argyrosomus regius) specimens has shown a 46·87% of viral nervous necrosis virus carriers. The combination of RT-PCR and blot hybridization increases the detection rate up to 90·62%, and, in addition, it has shown the coexistence of both genotypes in 18 out of the 32 specimens analysed (56·25%). Conclusions: This study reports the coexistence of betanodaviruses belonging to two different genotypes (SJNNV and RGNNV) in wild fish specimens. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report demonstrating the presence of SJNNV and RGNNV genotypes in the same specimen. This study also demonstrates a carrier state in this fish species for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finfish nodaviruses (betanodaviruses) can cause highly destructive infections in numerous species of farmed marine fish larvae and juveniles worldwide. The betanodavirus genome consists of two single-stranded positive-sense RNA molecules (RNA1 and RNA2). The virus can be classified into four genotypes based on the partial sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene (T2 and T4 regions). Currently, genomic sequence information for RNA1 regions of RNA2 outside of T2 and T4 is less well documented. This study reports on the characterization of the full RNA2 sequence of a Tunisian betanodavirus with a length of 1433 nt, containing a 339 amino acid open-reading frame encoding the CP, and typing to the redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus Ia genotype following phylogenetic analysis. The homology of the capsid protein to other betanodaviruses or alphanodaviruses was compared. In addition, a full length RNA1 sequence of 3104 nt encoding a 982 amino acid RNA-dependent RNA polymerase was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New state feedback stabilisability conditions of both monovariable and multivariable nonlinear continuous systems, based on the use of aggregation techniques associated to the use of the arrow form instantaneous characteristic matrix, are proposed in this paper. Examples are considered to illustrate the efficiency of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactivity guided fractionation of Echiochilon fruticosum Desf. (Boraginaceae) butanolic extract biautography assay against fungi led to the isolation of a new bioactive alkaloid, named saoussanabiloide (1). Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic measurements, IR, MS and 2D NMR using COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments. The strongest inhibitory effect of the butanolic extract, from fractions derived from the crude extract and saoussanabiloide (1), were observed against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from fresh flowers and aerial parts of Thymus hirtus Wilid was analyzed using GC and GC/MS. Forty-six components were identified in the oil of each organ. Camphor occurred as the major constituent of the aerial part oil, while α-pinene was the most notably dominating compound in the flower oil. Biological activities of the indicated oils were evaluated against eight bacteria, nine phytopathogenic, and 15 human pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bio Tribune Magazine is the property of Lavoisier and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We studied the relationship between apo E polymorphism and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in 127 type 2 diabetic patients who did not take lipid lowering drugs. Furthermore, we studied the relationship between apo E and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in modulating plasma triglyceride and HDLcholesterol. Apo E genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP, and CETP activity was measured using an exogenous way. Our results showed that the CETP activity increased significantly in the E2 carrier group compared to E4 carriers and E3/E3 homozygous (84.7 ± 43.9 vs. 62.5 ± 35.9 vs. 52.6 ± 23.6 nmol CE/ml/2h, respectively; p = 0.015). However, there was no association between apo E polymorphism and lipid parameter variations. Even after adjustment for CETP activity, the results remained unchanged, showing that CETP did not step in the relationship between apo E and lipid parameter variations. In conclusion there is an association between apo E polymorphism and CETP activity, and this association did not affect the relationship between apo E polymorphism and triglyceride and HDLcholesterol concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Severe cases of scorpion envenomation (SE) generally show both respiratory and cardiocirculatory dysfunction. However, the pathophysiology of SE remains controversial. In the present study, we tried to explain the pathophysiology of the haemodynamic perturbations and cardiac failure in rats poisoned by the venom of Buthus occitanus tunetanus through a histomorphometric study of myocardial and muscular skeletal microcirculation and analysis of the oxidative stress state in order to evaluate the implication of the inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of SE. 2. Experiments were performed on 96 rats divided into 16 groups ( n = 6 in each group). Two groups were used to determine the optimum conditions of venom administration and times when to measure haemodynamic parameters. The B. occitanus tunetanus venom was administered at a dose of 800 µg/kg and tissues were removed 5 and 20 min after envenomation. Six groups were used for histomorphometric study: two control groups, two poisoned groups an two melatonin-pretreated and poisoned groups. The histomorphometric study was performed on isolated hearts and skeletal muscles. The final eight groups of rats (two control groups, two envenomated groups, two control groups pretreated with melatonin and two groups pretreated and envenomated) were used to investigate the state of tissue oxidative stress during SE and to evaluate the anti-oxidant effect of melatonin on rats poisoned with B. occitanus tunetanus venom. This study was based on the determination of tissue malondialdehyde in isolated organs as an indicator of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Melatonin was injected at a dose of 5 mg/kg, i.v., 15 min before the administration of serum or venom. Data were compared using analysis of variance and Tukey's test for multiple pair-wise comparisons. 3. Five minutes after venom injection, a significant reduction in the mean relative volume of venules and arterioles in the heart and skeletal muscles of poisoned rats was noted. Twenty minutes after venom injection, these volumes were significantly increased in the heart and skeletal muscles of poisoned rats. Pretreatment of envenomated rats with melatonin resulted in a significant decrease in the mean relative volume of the venules and arterioles in the heart and skeletal muscles 5 and 20 min after venom injection compared with untreated envenomated rats. Investigation of the oxidative stress state showed a highly significant increase in TBARS in poisoned rats compared with control groups 5 and 20 min after venom injection. Melatonin pretreatment of rats poisoned with B. occitanus tunetanus venom resulted in an important and highly significant reduction of TBARS compared with untreated envenomated rats. 4. It appears from the results of the present study that administration of B. occitanus tunetanus venom engendered an excessive myocardial and skeletal muscular vasoconstriction attributed to massive catecholamine release followed by arteriolar and venular vasodilatation. This venous stasis at the muscular microcirculation could be due to myocardiac failure. However, the concomitant presence of arteriolar vasodilatation suggests an inflammatory process in the pathophysiology of SE. This process was suggested by the genesis of a state of oxidative stress in relation to the important lipoperoxidation, which was inhibited by administration of the anti-oxidant melatonin. Thus, melatonin pretreatment seemed to accentuate the first phase of vascular reactivity in envenomed rats and inhibit the second vasodilator phase observed 20 min after administration of the venom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Phenothiazine-induced lupus has been reported infrequently, and is rarely associated with significant symptoms. Objectives: We report a rare case of phenothiazine-induced lupus in a patient with schizophrenia. Methods: A case report Results:Wereport the case of a 37 year-old woman with no medical or surgical history, diagnosed with resistant schizophrenia at the age of 22 with regular follow-up in psychiatric outpatient services. She received Clozapine 400mg/day and chlorpromazine 300mg/day. She presented an erythematous and hyper pigmented rash over the cheeks and upper lips along with eczematous lesions on the hands and feet in October 2018. Chlorpromazine was stopped immediately. One month later, clear improvement of lesions was noticed with slight persistence of hyperpigmentation. In November 2018, she experienced sleep problems which needed the prescription of levomepromazine and hydroxyzine. The introduction of these drugs resulted in the reappearance of the eruption with generalization to the neckline and limbs. A cutaneous biopsy along with direct immunofluorescence were performed that showed C3 deposits in the dermoepidermal junction compatible with Lupus. Blood tests showed positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) at 1/1280, positive anti-double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and positive anti-nucleosome antibodies. Levomepromazine and hydroxyzine were stopped with again clear improvement of lesions was noticed with slight persistence of hyperpigmentation. Patch-test was performed with both suspect drugs 6 weeks after discontinuation which revealed negative. Pharmacovigilance investigation retained the diagnosis of phenothiazine induced lupus. Conclusions: Phenothiazine drugs are still used in daily practice due to its historical background. Thus, rare adverse reactions, like in our case, could be challenging for clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The β2 integrin CD11b/CD18 (CR3) is a major adhesion receptor of neutrophils, normally utilized to fend off infections. This receptor contributes, however, to multiple forms of non-infectious inflammatory injury when dysregulated as shown in gene knock-outs and through the use of blocking monoclonal antibodies. The major ligand recognition site of CR3 has been mapped to the A-domain in the CD11b subunit (CD11bA). The recombinant form of this domain exhibits a ligand binding profile similar to that of the holoreceptor. To assess the potential anti-inflammatory activity of CD11bA as a competitive antagonist of CR3 in vivo, we assessed its effects on a developed animal model of traumatic skeletal muscle injury in the rat. Recombinant soluble rat CD11bA-domain fused to glutathione-S-transferase (GST) was administered intravenously in a single dose at 1 mg/kg to nine groups of Wistar rats, five in each group, 30 min before inducing traumatic skeletal muscle injury. Control animals received either a function-blocking anti-CD11b/CD18 monoclonal antibody (1 mg/kg), non-functional mutant forms of the CD11bA (D140GS/AGA, T209/A, D242/A), recombinant GST or buffer alone. In control animals, the wounded muscle showed oedema, erythrocyte extravasation and myonecrosis both within and outside the immediate wounded area (5–10 mm zone) and influx of neutrophils was detected 30 min post-wound, followed by a second wave 3 hr later. Wild-type CD11bA- or anti-CD11b monoclonal antibody (mAb)-treated rats showed a comparable and significant decrease in the number of infiltrating PMN (78 + 4%, n = 70 and 86 ± 2%, n = 50, respectively) and preservation of the muscular fibres outside the immediate zone of necrosis (75 + 4%, n = 70, 84 ± 1%, n = 50, respectively), compared to controls. These data demonstrate that CD11bA can be an effective tissue-preserving agent in acute inflammatory muscular injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine pestiviruses isolated from different batches of a contaminated Tunisian sheep pox vaccine and one Tunisian field ovine isolate of border disease virus (BDV) were studied at the antigenic and molecular levels. Seroneutralization tests were carried out on three vaccine isolates, the Tunisian field isolate and representative reference strains of the different pestivirus groups. The antigenic study showed that the Tunisian isolates were closer to the two BDV reference strains than to the Alfort-187 and the NADL reference strains. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the 5'-non coding regions of all the Tunisian isolates to those of other pestiviruses have shown that these isolates were distinct from the established pestivirus species. The entire Npro-E2 coding sequences of four Tunisian isolates were determined and compared to other pestiviruses. Segregation of these pestiviruses based on the Npro-E2 region was identical to that obtained with the 5'UTR sequences. The phylogenetic tree obtained with these sequences showed that the Tunisian isolates formed a separate branch between the BDV and CSFV groups, and consequently a possible new species within the pestivirus genus. However, as indicated by the antigenic study and the host origin of the isolates, the Tunisian isolates were assigned to a novel subgroup within the BDV species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have reported beneficial effects of antioxidant drugs on semen quality, but there is no well-defined therapeutical protocol in male infertility. This study aimed to test the effects of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on lipid peroxidation and on sperm parameters. The study included 54 voluntary and infertile men who produced semen samples for spermiogram and for spectrophotometric measurement of a lipid peroxidation marker, the malondialdehyde (MDA), and produced blood samples for high-performance liquid chromatography assessment of serum vitamin E level. The trial was randomized and open. Twenty-eight men were supplemented daily by vitamin E (400 mg) and selenium (225 µg), during 3 months. The remaining 26 patients received vitamin B (4,5 g/day) for the same duration. Only 20 patients achieved their treatment and returned for control analysis. MDA concentrations in sperm were much less than in seminal plasma and motility and viability were inversely correlated with semen MDA levels. In contrast to vitamin B supplementation, vitamin E and selenium supplementation produced a significant decrease in MDA concentrations and an improvement of sperm motility. The results confirm the protective and beneficial effects of vitamin E and selenium on semen quality and advocate their use in male infertility treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To evaluate the safety, efficacy and long-term actuarial results of balloon mitral commissurotomy in young patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis.Methods and results Event-free survival and freedom from restenosis were analyzed in 110 patients 20 years old or younger (group 1) and compared with those of 554 adults (group 2). Young patients were less frequently in atrial fibrillation (6% vs 35%, P<0.001) and had less mitral valve deformities (echo score 5.9±2.1 vs 7.5±3.0, P<0.0001). Mitral valve area index by 2D-echo was of 0.66±0.1cm2/m2in group 1 and 0.67±0.1cm2/m2in group 2 (P=ns) and was larger in group 1 (1.5 vs 1.3cm2/m2) after the procedure (P<0.0001). There were more complications in group 2 (8.4% vs 0%, P=0.01). Procedural success was obtained in 110 (100%) patients of group 1 vs 501 (92%) patients of group 2 (P<0.0001). At follow-up mitral valve area index was 1.34cm2/m2in group 1 and 1.16cm2/m2in group 2 (P<0.0001). At 10 years, freedom from restenosis was 61% in group 1 vs 71% in group 2 (P=0.35) and event-free survival was 74% and 69% respectively (P=0.15).Conclusion Balloon mitral commissurotomy is safe and effective in young with rheumatic mitral stenosis and provides better immediate results than in adults. However long-term outcome was similar between the 2 groups: 2/3 of patients were alive and free from clinical events at 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy for the treatment of pregnant women with severe mitral stenosis over a period of six years. DESIGN: Analysis of clinical, haemodynamic, and echocardiographic data before and immediately after the procedure, the pregnancy outcome, and the fate of newborn babies. SETTING: Academic cardiovascular centre in Monastir, Tunisia. PATIENTS: 44 pregnant patients who underwent percutaneous transvenous dilatation of the mitral valve between January 1990 and February 1996. Grade 2 mitral regurgitation was present in two patients and densely calcific valves in three (7%). RESULTS: Commissurotomy was successfully achieved in all cases. The total mean (SD) duration of teh procedure was 72 (18) minutes and that of fluoroscopy 16 (7) minutes. Left atrial pressure decreased from 28 (10) to 14 (7) mm Hg, mitral pressure gradient fell from 22 (8) to 5 (3) mm Hg. Cardiac output increased from 4.8 (1.1) to 6.3 (1.2) l/min and Gorlin mitral valve area from 0.96 (0.21) to 2.4 (0.4) cm2 (all P < < 0.001). Cross sectional echocardiographic mitral valve area increased from 1.07 (0.21) to 2.32 (0.36) cm2. There were no maternal or fetal deaths. Complications included a grade 4 mitral regurgitation in one patient that required early valve replacement. All patients delivered at full term, 42 vaginally and two (5%) by caesarean section; 41 babies were normal and three whose mothers had the procedure near term were relatively hypotrophic. At a mean follow up of 28 (12) months (range 2 to 26) all children had normal growth. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, balloon mitral commissurotomy is the treatment of choice of severe pliable mitral stenosis in patients who are refractory to medical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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Major histocompatibility complex class II expression deficiency is an autosomal recessive primary combined immunodeficiency. The prevalence of this deficiency is the highest in Mediterranean areas, especially North Africa. Early diagnosis is essential due to high mortality in the first 2 years of life. Prognosis is very poor when bone marrow transplantation cannot be performed. We report the case of an infant with major histocompatibility complex class II expression deficiency revealed by hypoxemic bronchiolitis due to Pneumocystis jiroveci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the leading causes of acute liver failure and has significant morbidity and mortality. In some studies, the drugs used in psychiatry and neurology are the second most important group of drugs implicated in hepatotoxicity. Objectives: Our study aimed at studying neuropsychiatric drugs with established causal relationship in cases of hepatic adverse drug reaction in a Tunisian population. Methods: It was a retrospective study conducted in the pharmacology Department of the Faculty of medicine of Sfax, Tunisia during the period going from January 2007 to December 2015. We collected the cases of DILI using the French drug reaction causality assessment method. Results: Our study found 23 cases of confirmed DILI out of 130 of total reported cases of drug adverse reactions (17.7%). The mean age was 33.52 years (SD=16.64, Range=11-81) and 56.5% of patients were female. We found different types of DILI: hepatocellular type which was the most frequent type (n=12), cholestatic type (n=6), mixed type (n=3), cirrhosis (n=1) and acute liver failure (n=1). In our study, causal agents were essentially anticonvulsants and mood stabilizers (n=16), antidepressants in 3 cases and antipsychotics in 4 cases. The implicated agents were valproic acid (n=10), valpromide (n=4), chlorpromazine (n=3), fluoxetine (n=1), clozapine (n=1), paroxetine (n=1), phenobarbital (n=1) and lamotrigine (n=1). Conclusions: Psychiatrists and neurologists should be aware that each clinician of all specialties may be confronted with abnormal liver tests. Liver function monitoring is necessary before and after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the isolation of a single genotype of bovine rotavirus in three geographically distant farms in Tunisia. No significant correlation found between anti-rotavirus titers and natural rotavirus infection; Anti-rotavirus antibody titers generally lower in the sera and colostrum from diseased animals and their dams compared with controls.

During 1992 and 1993, outbreaks of an acute, highly fatal disease mainly affecting adult rabbits were observed in Tunisia. The clinical and pathological findings were consistent with rabbit haemorrhagic disease. A monoclonal antibody designated PG4G3 specific for surface determinants of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus was used to identify the aetiological agent by ELISA and by colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy; a haemagglutination test and conventional immunoelectron microscopy were also used. The results confirmed the first recorded cases of the disease in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of the brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) test as an indirect measure of oocyte growth to select competent prepubertal sheep oocytes for in vitroembryo production. The BCB stain allows the determination of glucose–6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, an enzyme with decreased activity in oocytes that have finished their growth phase. Oocytes were obtained after slicing the surface of lamb ovaries (2–5 months old) obtained from a local abattoir. Oocytes with more than 3 compact cumulus layers and homogeny cytoplasm were selected and stained with different concentrations of BCB diluted in PBS (13-, 26-, 39-, and 52-μM BCB) during 60min at 38.5°C in a humidified air atmosphere. Oocytes were classified into groups depending on their cytoplasm coloration: oocytes with blue cytoplasm or grown oocytes (BCB+) and oocytes without blue coloration or growing oocytes (BCB–). Oocytes were matured in an enriched TCM-199 medium for 24h at 38.5°C and 5% CO2in a humidified atmosphere. Oocyte diameter was also measured. Matured oocytes were partially denuded and transferred to fertilization medium (SOF) supplemented with 10% of oestrous sheep serum. Fresh semen was kept at room temperature (25°C) for 1h. Highly motile spermatozoa were selected by using Ovipure density gradient (Nidacon EVB S.L.), and oocytes were fertilized with 1×106spmL-1. After 20h postinsemination, presumptive zygotes were cultured for 8 days in SOF with 10% of fetal bovine serum at 38.5°C, 5% CO2, and 90% N2. Data was analysed by performing Fisher’s exact test for blastocyst production and ANOVA with Tukey’s post-test for oocyte diameter. Table 1 shows the percentage of BCB-stained oocytes and their embryo development. In this study oocytes exposed during 60min to 13-μM BCB showed a higher percentage of embryos reaching blastocyst stage than did those in the control group (≤0.01). In other species such as goats (Rodriguez-Gonzalez et al.2002 Theriogenology 57(5), 1397–1409) and cattle (Alm et al.2005 Theriogenology 63(8), 2194–2205), the best protocol for the oocyte selection was the use of 26-μM BCB during 90min. Oocyte diameter showed significant differences between BCB– with BCB+ and control group (110μm, 134μm, and 121μm, respectively, ≤0.001). In conclusion, using 13μM of BCB during 60min is a suitable technique for increasing embryo blastocyst rates using lamb oocytes. Table 1.Effect of BCB1concentration on embryo development of lamb oocytesThe grant sponsor was the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Code: AGL2007-60227-CO2-01. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prepubertal goat ovary presents a large number of small oocytes with a compromised competence to develop up to blastocyst stage. In pigs (Wu et al.2006), using growth medium (GM) composed by low hormone concentrations, ascorbic acid, and insulin transferrin selenium (ITS) during the first 24h of in vitromaturation (IVM) improved embryo development of small oocytes. The aim of this study was to test the GM in small prepubertal goat oocytes in order to increase blastocyst yield. The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were recovered from prepubertal (1–2 months old) goat ovaries by slicing. The COC with a compact cumulus and homogeneous cytoplasm were selected and classified into 2 categories based on oocyte diameter: <125μm and ≥125μm. The ≥125μm oocytes were matured in groups of 25 to 30 COC/100μL drops of conventional IVM medium covered with mineral oil for 24h (Treatment A). This medium was TCM-199 supplemented with 10% donor bovine serum, 10μgmL-1FSH, 10μgmL-1LH, 1μgmL-117β-oestradiol, and 100μM cysteamine. The <125μm oocytes were distributed into 3 experimental groups: Treatment B, COC matured in the conventional IVM medium; Treatment C, COC cultured in GM (TCM-199, 10% donor bovine serum, 0.04μgmL-1FSH, 0.04μgmL-1LH, 0.004μgmL-117β-oestradiol, 100μM cysteamine, 100μgmL-1ascorbic acid, and 5μLmL-1ITS) for 12h before placement for other 12h in the conventional IVM medium, all drops of growth or maturation medium were covered with mineral oil; Treatment D, COC cultured during the first 12h in GM and other 12h into the conventional medium supplemented with 100μgmL-1ascorbic acid and 5μLmL-1ITS. After IVM, oocytes were fertilized for 24h with a sperm concentration of 4×106spzmL-1. Presumptive zygotes were cultured in SOF for 9 days. The cleavage rate was evaluated at 48h post-insemination and blastocyst percentages at the final in vitroembryo culture (treatments A, B, C: 5 replicates; treatment D: 4 replicates). The results are shown in the Table 1. Cleavage and embryo development did not show different results when we compared small oocytes matured in GM to those matured in conventional IVM medium. However, the biggest oocytes (≥125μm) showed the highest percentage of blastocyst development. The current study shows that the culture of small prepubertal goat oocytes in GM does not improve blastocyst yield. Table 1.Effect of growth medium on embryo development of small oocytes (<125μm) from prepubertal goats [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]