Search

Little is known about the effect of seed natural long storage on the germination capacity of vascular plant species particularly those used in restoration programs. In the current paper, we aimed to study the effect of different seed storage durations (from 3 months to 22 years) on the germination of Argyrolobium uniflorum (Decne.) Jaub. & Spach, herbaceous legume of high pastoral value indigenous to the Mediterranean Basin. In this paper, we found that the seeds scarification, hasten germination capacity of scarified seeds (SS) to almost 80%. The seed germination is maintained for 14 years at the level of 78 to 60% and then decreases. Also, other measured parameters of water content, electric conductivity, seedling lengths and MGT were also modified along seeds age. The duration of storage affects the germination performance of Argyrolobium uniflorum seeds which decreases after approximately one decade and half which give us an idea about the longevity of soil seeds bank of this species.

Plants are important components of any rangeland. However, the importance of desert rangeland plant diversity has often been underestimated. It has been argued that desert rangelands of Tunisia in good ecological condition provide more services than those in poor ecological condition. This is because rangelands in good condition support a more diverse mixture of vegetation with many benefits, such as forage for livestock and medicinal plants.Nearly one-quarter of Tunisia, covering about 5.5 million hectares, are rangelands, of which 87% are located in the arid and desert areas (45% and 42%, respectively). Here, we provide a brief review of the floristic richness of desert rangelands of Tunisia. Approximately 135 species are specific to desert rangelands. The predominant families are Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Fabaceae. These represent approximately 50% of Tunisian desert flora. Keywords: Vegetation, Dryland, Species richness

Abstract Background This study reports the prevalence and the viral aspects of HBV infection in HCV-positive patients from Tunisia, a country with intermediate and low endemicity for hepatitis B and C, respectively. Results HBV infection was assessed in the serum samples of 361 HCV-positive patients and compared to a group of HCV negative individuals. Serological markers were determined by ELISA tests and HBV DNA by real-time PCR. HBV serological markers were found in 43% and 44% of patients and controls, respectively. However, the serological and molecular expression of HBV infection differed in the two groups: The group of patients included more individuals with ongoing HBV infection, as defined by the presence of detectable HBsAg and or HBV DNA (17% and 12%, respectively). Furthermore, while most of the controls with ongoing HBV infection expressed HBsAg, the majority of HCV and HBV positive patients were HBsAg negative and HBV DNA positive. Genotyping of HCV isolates showed large predominance of subtype 1b as previously reported in Tunisia. Comparison of the replicative status of the two viruses found low HBV viral load in all co-infected patients as compared to patients with single HBV infection. In contrast, high levels of HCV viremia levels were observed in most of cases with no difference between the group of co-infected patients and the group with single HCV infection. Conclusions This study adds to the knowledge on the prevalence and the virological presentation of HCV/HBV dual infection, providing data from the North African region. It shows that, given the local epidemiology of the two viruses, co-infected patients are likely to have low replication levels of HBV suggesting a suppressive effect of HCV on HBV. In contrast, high replication levels for HCV were fond in most cases which indicate that the presence of circulating HBV-DNA does not necessarily influence HCV replication.

Background: This study reports the prevalence and the viral aspects of HBV infection in HCV-positive patients from Tunisia, a country with intermediate and low endemicity for hepatitis B and C, respectively., Results: HBV infection was assessed in the serum samples of 361 HCV-positive patients and compared to a group of HCV negative individuals. Serological markers were determined by ELISA tests and HBV DNA by real-time PCR. HBV serological markers were found in 43% and 44% of patients and controls, respectively. However, the serological and molecular expression of HBV infection differed in the two groups: The group of patients included more individuals with ongoing HBV infection, as defined by the presence of detectable HBsAg and or HBV DNA (17% and 12%, respectively). Furthermore, while most of the controls with ongoing HBV infection expressed HBsAg, the majority of HCV and HBV positive patients were HBsAg negative and HBV DNA positive. Genotyping of HCV isolates showed large predominance of subtype 1b as previously reported in Tunisia. Comparison of the replicative status of the two viruses found low HBV viral load in all co-infected patients as compared to patients with single HBV infection. In contrast, high levels of HCV viremia levels were observed in most of cases with no difference between the group of co-infected patients and the group with single HCV infection., Conclusions: This study adds to the knowledge on the prevalence and the virological presentation of HCV/HBV dual infection, providing data from the North African region. It shows that, given the local epidemiology of the two viruses, co-infected patients are likely to have low replication levels of HBV suggesting a suppressive effect of HCV on HBV. In contrast, high replication levels for HCV were fond in most cases which indicate that the presence of circulating HBV-DNA does not necessarily influence HCV replication.

Background: Endoscopic band ligation is considered as the gold standard of treatment for oesophageal varices. Fewer and often mild complications can occur., Aim: To report and to discuss an association between oesophageal variceal endoscopic band ligation and actue pancreatitis., Case Report: We report the original case of a patient with cirrhosis and who had presented an acute pancreatitis 3 days after oesophageal variceal endoscopic band ligation. Common aetiologies of acute pancreatitis was eliminated. The evolution was favourable without specific treatment., Conclusion: In the absence of similar case reports, the association between oesophageal variceal endoscopic band ligation and acute pancreatitis observed in our patient remains rather fortuitous even though experimental studies can explain these association.

The association of Budd-Chiari syndrome and celiac disease is rare and has been reported in only 13 cases. We report a 23-year-old man with celiac disease, treated with gluten-free diet since the age of 16 years. He presented with epigastric pain that was secondary to a Budd-Chiari syndrome. No other cause than celiac disease could be identified.

Tuberculosis of the central nervous system is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing nations where it accounts for 10 to 30% of intracranial space-occupying lesions. It preferentially affects young subjects, predominantly male. MRI and in particular new methods, including magnetization transfer and diffusion-weighted imaging, are useful for positive and differential diagnoses of central nervous system tuberculosis and surveillance during treatment.

Suppurative pylephlebitis is a rare condition with a significant mortality rate, ranging from 50% to 80%. We report a case of suppurative pylephlebitis complicating acute pancreatitis treated by percutaneous drainage in a 40-year-old woman. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

Introduction: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive and often fatal infection of the soft-tissue fascia deep to the skin but superficial to the muscles. We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the anterior chest wall complicating a percutaneous needle biopsy., Case: A 49-year-old diabetic patient, presented persistent excavated right pulmonary opacities. A percutaneous biopsy was obtained and complicated by a necrotizing fasciitis. The patient underwent surgery for total resection of the necrotic tissues followed by antibiotic treatment. Outcome was favorable after 30 days of antibiotic therapy., Discussion: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life threatening complication of transthoracic percutaneous biopsy. Prognosis depends on rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Pituitary-hypothalamic axis Langerhans cell histiocytosis is an uncommon entity. It is a rare disease in adults. The CT and MR study provides us the best anatomo-topographic evaluation and determine the precise size of the lesion which are necessary to the treatment. We report a case of hypothalamic involvement by Langerhans cell histiocytosis accompanied by lesions in bone affecting a 31-year-old woman. The clinical, histiotological and CT/MR findings of histiocytosis X are described in this article.