Search

Abstract Background Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease with an unknown etiopathogenesis that mostly affects middle-aged women with uterine leiomyoma. Many metastatic nodules outside the uterus characterize the condition. The metastases are smooth muscle lesions without malignancy. Morphologically and immunohistochemically, they resemble uterine leiomyomas, indicating a shared clonal origin. The lungs are the most prevalent site for incidental metastasis detection. BML has a relatively slow progression and good prognosis, and historically, there has been a lack of established guidelines for its treatment. Case presentation Herein, we report a case of BML in a patient with multiple metastases. Through extensive histological and immunohistochemical analyses, this complex case enabled not only the definitive diagnosis of BML, but also shed light on its complex etiopathogenesis. Conclusion This study presents novel histology evidence suggesting a potential causal relationship between metaplasia and the development of BML.

Root-associated microbiota play a key role in plant growth, resilience, and health. In this study, the microbial community structure in the rhizosphere of 12 pumpkins accessions belonging to three Cucurbita species i.e. C. pepo, C. maxima, and C. moschata, was monitored using the soil dilution plating technique on specific media. All accessions tested were also screened for their production and yield parameters. Based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 4 accessions of C. maxima (namely C5, C23, C14.2 and C6.2) were characterized by the greatest average fruit weight and yield, the highest actinomycetes, bacterial, Trichoderma spp. and Aspergillus spp. communities, and the lowest total fungal population in their rhizosphere. Positive correlations were noted between fruit fresh weight, culturable bacteria and Trichoderma spp. populations in the rhizopshere of pumpkins accessions. Negative correlations were noted between fruit weight and yield parameters and the total culturable fungal populations. The current study clearly demonstrated that the rhizosphere soil microbial communities have been shaped by Cucurbita species and accessions. Based on the significant links observed between soil microbiota and yield parameters, future pumpkin breeding programs could be focused on the selection of accessions that are quite able to exploit these associated beneficial microbial communities.

Abstract Background Due to the soilborne and tuber-borne nature of their causative agents, Fusarium wilt, Rhizoctonia root canker and black dot diseases are still leading to serious problems in potato production in Tunisia and worldwide. Among endophytic bacteria, the genus Bacillus is one of the most exploited microbial groups known as potent biocontrol agents against several potato diseases. In the present study, six strains belonging to five Bacillus species were screened for their abilities to inhibit root and wilt potato pathogens in vitro, in vivo and under natural conditions over three cropping seasons and to promote plant growth. Results Based on the dual-culture assays, the whole-cell suspensions of SV39 and SV104 (Bacillus tequilensis), SV41 (B. subtilis), SV44 (B. methylotrophicus) and SV65 (B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum) strains exhibited potent antifungal activity against important potato soilborne phytopathogens with ~ 65 to 70% inhibition rates. Significant inhibition rates were also induced by the cell-free culture filtrates, the butanolic and the chloroformic extracts depending on the target pathogens, the concentration used and the Bacillus strain tested. In pot experiment, a decrease in Rhizoctonia root canker severity, ranging from 43 to 65% compared to the inoculated and untreated control, was induced by all Bacillus spp. strain-based treatments, while SV39-, S42- and SV65-based treatments were the most effective in suppressing by 50–53 and 65–52%, black dot severity and the relative vascular discoloration extent induced by F. oxysporum f. sp. tuberosi, respectively, relative to positive control. This biocontrol potential was associated with an enhancement of potato growth parameters. Field studies indicated that soil treatment with the most of the Bacillus spp. strains had significantly controlled all the target fungal soilborne diseases and improved at the least two growth and/or production parameters depending on the strain used and the cropping seasons. SV39-, SV41-, SV44- and SV104-based treatments resulted in a significant increase in tuber yield in one cropping season. Conclusion These Bacillus spp. strains could be used in combinations and/or introduced with other existing practices in order to provide supplemental control of target diseases and yield promotion under organic or conventional potato production systems.

Introduction Working in a care setting is characterised by an increased mental and physical load. During their professional life, personnel in this sector can develop essentially degenerative pathologies, which could influence their professional career as well as their psychological balance. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the impact of chronic pathologies on the prevalence of anxiety and depression among this group. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in hospitals in Sfax using a self-administered questionnaire. This questionnaire evaluated socio-demographic, professional, and clinical characteristics as well as an evaluation of the degree of anxiety and depression by the HAD questionnaire. Results Our population consisted of 120 participants. The average age was 37 years, with a female predominance (a sex ratio of 0.69). The chronic pathologies found in the participants were mainly diabetes (18%), high blood pressure (4%), and rheumatic disease (6.7%). The average anxiety score was 8.18± 3.5 and that of depression was 9.02± 3.5. Certain depressive and anxious signs were found in 28.4% and 23.6% of participants, respectively. Although the average scores for anxiety and depression were higher in the subgroup of personnel with chronic pathologies (respectively, 9.8 versus 9.04 and 9.3 versus 8.46), these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions Physical and mental health are both important to ensure a balanced life. Having good control of somatic illness can improve mental health. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Abstract Background Anthracnose is a soil-borne tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) disease caused by Colletotrichum coccodes and associated with early dying syndrome and postharvest fruits decays leading to significant yield losses. A biocontrol trial was conducted using Penicillium sp. and Gliocladium spp. isolates recovered from soil and compost for the evaluation of their antifungal potential against the target pathogen. Results Cell-free culture filtrates of the microbial agents tested at different concentrations displayed an important antifungal activity based on pathogen mycelial growth inhibition and spore germination suppression. The highest antifungal potential was induced by Penicillium sp. CH6, G. catenulatum Gc1 and G. virens Gv1 cell-free filtrates applied at 3 concentrations (10, 15 and 20% v/v). C. coccodes mycelial growth was significantly reduced by 16 to 84% with chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Penicillium sp. CH6 and G. catenulatum Gc1 isolates applied at the concentrations 1, 2.5 and 5% v/v. These treatments had induced an important morphological alteration to pathogen mycelium expressed mainly by a decrease in colony melanization. Testing on pathogen-inoculated fruits, treatment based on cell-free culture filtrates and organic extracts had significantly reduced anthracnose severity as compared to control. Rot lesion diameter was significantly decreased about 22% following treatments with Penicillium sp. CH6 and G. catenulatum Gc1 cell-free filtrates. All chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of isolates tested had suppressed disease severity by 11 to 59% and 14 to 85%, respectively, as compared to the untreated control. Conclusions The results demonstrated the involvement of bioactive compounds in the cultural filtrates and organic extracts tested. These microbial agents may be explored as an alternative tool for the protection of tomato fruits from fungi-associated decays.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known to have the worst outcome compared to the other forms of breast cancer. Moreover, molecular markers identified basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) phenotypes to be also related to a worse prognosis. In this study, we evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) the prognostic significance of combining Cytokeratin-19 (CK19), E-cadherin, and Ki-67 tissue expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases presenting a basal-like (BLBC) or a non-basal-like (n-BLBC) phenotype to improve the selection and the monitoring of BC patients with a more aggressive outcome. Herein, when compared to n-BLBC, patients with BLBC showed a positive correlation with lymph node metastasis occurrence and lower survival rates. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed significantly lower E-cadherin prevalence and higher prevalence of both CK19 and Ki-67 in BLBC when compared to n-BLBC. Spearman correlation showed that E-cadherin is negatively and significantly correlated to CK19 and Ki-67 expressions. Moreover, in BLBC, expressing both CK19 and Ki-67 combined with E-cadherin loss was associated with the worst relapse-free and overall survival. In conclusion, TNBC/BLBC phenotypes simultaneously losing E-cadherin and overexpressing CK19 and Ki-67 markers are the most aggressive forms. This combined analysis could be a predictive marker of poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Culicoides kingi and Culicoides oxystoma belong to the Schultzei group of biting midges. These two species are vectors of disease in livestock of economic importance. As described in the literature, morphological identification for discrimination between them is still unclear. However, species-specific identification is necessary to solve taxonomic challenges between species and to understand their roles in disease transmission and epidemiology. This study aims to develop accurate tools to discriminate C. oxystoma from C. kingi using traditional morphometry and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR RFLP) assays for use in developing countries. Methods Specimens were collected from the region of Kairouan in central Tunisia. A total of 446 C. oxystoma/C. kingi individuals were identified using traditional morphometric analyses combined with PCR–RFLP of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Thirteen morphometric measurements were performed from the head, wings, and abdomen of slide-mounted specimens, and six ratios were calculated between these measurements. Multivariate analyses of the morphometric measurements were explored to identify which variables could lead to accurate species identification. Results Four variables, namely antennae, wings, spermathecae, and palpus length, were suitable morphometric characteristics to differentiate between the species. Digestion with the SspI restriction enzyme of the PCR product led to good discriminative ability. Molecular procedures and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the efficiency of this simple and rapid PCR–RFLP method. Conclusions This study highlights for the first time in Tunisia the presence of C. oxystoma and its discrimination from C. kingi using abdominal measurements and the PCR–RFLP method. This approach could be applied in future epidemiological studies at the national and international levels. Graphical Abstract

Chitin and chitosan are abundant unique sources of biologically-fixed nitrogen mainly derived from residues of the fishery productive chain. Their high potential as nitrogen-based highly added-value platform molecules is still largely unexploited and a catalytic way for their valorization would be strongly desirable within a biorefinery concept. Here we report our results obtained with a series of heterogeneous catalysts in the depolymerization of chitosan and chitin to acetylglucosamine. Copper catalysts supported on SiO2, SiO2–Al2O3, SiO2-ZrO2, ZrO2 and the corresponding bare oxides/mixed oxides were tested, together with a sulfated zirconia system (ZrO2-SO3H) that revealed to be extremely selective towards glucosamine, both for chitosan and chitin, thus giving pretty high yields with respect to the values reported so far (44% and 21%, respectively). The use of a heterogeneous catalyst alone, without the need of any additives or the combination with a mineral acid, makes these results remarkable.

Abstract Introduction Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunosuppressive tryptophan‐depleting enzyme expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissue. However, IDO has not been reported in the peripheral blood of NPC patients. The aim of this study was to analyze, IDO1 and IDO2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, the kynurenine (Kyn) and tryptophan (Trp) plasma levels, their clinical values and their relationship with cytokine levels in NPC. Methods We evaluated IDO1 and IDO2 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by quantitative real‐time PCR, plasma Trp and Kyn levels by HPLC, and cytokine levels by ELISA in 75 NPC patients and 51 healthy controls. Results Compared to controls, IDO1 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated and IDO2 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in PBMC of patients. Also compared to controls, plasma Kyn levels and Kyn/Trp ratio were significantly higher in patients. At the time of diagnosis, the plasma Kyn/Trp ratio was associated with advanced cancer status and was an independent prognostic factor for worse disease‐specific survival. According to cancer stages, IDO1 mRNA expression was positively correlated with plasma Kyn/Trp ratio in patients with earlier stages (I–II–III) but negatively correlated in patients with the late‐stage cancer (IV). Tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐10 levels were significantly higher in patients compared to controls. Moreover, and despite treatment, patients simultaneously carrying high plasma Kyn/Trp ratio and high plasma IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels at diagnosis died approximately 1 year after first diagnosis. Conclusion Measuring blood IDO mRNA expression and Kyn/Trp ratio at diagnosis could be a potential marker to evaluate NPC progression and predict survival outcome.

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization 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.)

Abstract Background Fusarium wilt biocontrol using endophytic microorganisms may represent a potentially attractive and environmentally safe alternative since endophytes could better limit disease incidence and severity through inhibition of the systemic fungus progress. Main body of the abstract Twenty-three endophytic bacterial isolates, naturally associated with Solanum sodomaeum and Solanum bonariense, were evaluated for their ability to control Fusarium wilt of tomato induced by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL) and to promote plant growth. Selected endophytic isolates were screened in vivo, using the root dipping and the culture substrate drenching methods. The most bioactive isolates were subjected to morphological and biochemical characterization and subsequent identification through 16S rDNA sequencing genes. Seven isolates (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia S23, S24, S26 and S28; Bacillus sp. SV81; Azotobacter chroococcum S11; and Serratia marcescens S14) were found to be the most efficient in reducing disease severity by 82–96% over control. Treatments with these isolates led to a significant enhancement in growth parameters, estimated at 45.5–61 and 24.2–70.5% than the control, in tomato plants infected or not with FOL, respectively. Diffusible and volatile metabolites released from bacterial cultures had significantly limited FOL radial growth. All isolates were positive for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production. S. marcescens S14, S. maltophilia S28, and Bacillus sp. SV81 exhibited a positive phosphate solubilization activity. Production of chitinase, protease, pectinase, and hydrogen cyanide were also investigated. Short conclusion This study clearly demonstrated that endophytic bacteria recovered from these 2 Solanum species can be explored as promising biocontrol agents active against FOL and are able to enhance tomato growth.

Abstract Background In the past decade, cervical cancer has gone from being the second to the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, but remains the second most common in developing countries. This cancer is most commonly caused by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly type 16 (HPV16), which are sexually transmitted. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of a cyclic synthetic peptide designed from the major L1 capsid protein of HPV16 for detecting anti-HPV16 antibodies. Methods We designed and synthetized a peptide that corresponds to the full sequence of the surface-exposed FG loop. We tested the antigenicity of the linear and the cyclic peptides against HPV16 L1 monoclonal antibodies. We used ELISA to detect anti-peptide antibodies in sera and cervical secretions of 179 Tunisian women, and we applied polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing methods to detect and genotype HPV DNA. Results Both the linear and the cyclic peptides were recognized by the same neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, but the cyclic peptide was more reactive with human sera. The prevalence of the anti-peptide antibodies in sera was higher in women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL) than in women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL) (44% and 15%, respectively). This contrasts with HPV16 DNA prevalence. Compared to women from the general population, systemic IgG prevalence was significantly higher among sex workers (25%; P = 0.002) and women with LGSIL (44%; P = 0.001). In addition, systemic IgA and cervical IgG prevalence was higher among sex workers only (P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). We did not observe anti-peptide IgG antibodies in women with a current HPV16 infection. Conclusion Anti-peptide IgG in sera or in cervical secretions could be markers of an effective natural immunization against HPV16. This may open novel perspectives for monitoring vaccinated women and for the design of synthetic peptide-based vaccines.

In this study, both experimental and numerical investigations are carried out on samples fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM). The determination of stress distribution in parts obtained by AM, even for simple tensile test, is complicated because it is largely influenced by many manufacturing parameters as the adopted infill pattern, the infill orientation and the infill density. Firstly, the material parameters of the fused filament PLA and tensile specimens made by the AM with an infill grid pattern with density of 100% are experimentally determined. Then, the effect of the infill orientation with an infill density of 40% on the tensile stress state is experimentally and numerically investigated. By synthesizing these results, a comprehensive understanding of stress distribution in AM-produced components is achieved. The obtained anisotropic mechanical parameters are used to simulate compression of a flat-ring part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two endophytic bacteria, Bacillus subtilis SV41 (KR818071) and B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 (KR818073), were assessed under field conditions for their capacity to control tomato Fusarium wilt in tomato and their effects on soil microbial activity. Six months after planting, Fusarium wilt severity, estimated through the vascular browning extent in tomato stems, was significantly reduced by 82.3 and 88.2% compared to control following bacterial treatments. The frequency of F.oxysporum re-isolation from roots, collars and stems was also significantly lowered in treated plants compared to controls. These effects were associated with a significant improvement, by 10.6 to 16.3%over control, in plant height and root fresh weight and an increase in fruit production by 8.4-12.5%. As for microbial activity, F. oxysporum population in the rhizosphere of tomato plants treated with B. subtilis SV41 and B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 was reduced by 87.5-91.7%compared to the initial soil (sampled before planting) and by 88.4-92.3% relative to the rhizospheric soil of untreated plants (control soil). A significant enhancement in the total culturable bacterial community was also noted in the rhizosphere of tomato plants treated with both strains compared to initial and control soils where a significant enrichment in Pseudomonas and actinobacteria community was recorded.

The chemical composition of volatile fractions from leaves, flowers and peels of Citrus aurantium growing in Tunisia obtained by hydrodistillation were analysed using GC and GC-MS. Furthermore, the isolated essential oils were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria, eight phytopathogenic and nine human pathogenic fungi. The essential oils from peels and its main compound limonene have been found to possess strong contact toxicity against four storage-grain insects. The highest mortality rate was observed when the essential oil was applied against Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Liposcelis bostrychophila and Tribolium castaneum.

Abstract Background Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been classified as a disease subgroup defined by the lack of expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors as well as the absence of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) overexpression. Germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene have been associated with TNBC. Approximately 70% of breast cancers arising in BRCA1 mutation carriers and up to 23% of breast cancers in BRCA2 carriers display a triple negative phenotype. However, the contribution and the frequency of BRCA1 mutations in individuals with TNBC, not specifically selected for age at diagnosis or enriched family history of breast/ovarian cancer, have not been investigated in the Tunisian population and are to be established. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution and the prevalence of recurrent BRCA1 germline mutation (5382inC) in Tunisian women with TNBC unselected for family history or age at onset. Methods For BRCA1 5382inC mutation detection, the exon 20 coding region and exon–intron boundaries of BRCA1 was analyzed using direct DNA sequencing. A total of 33 DNA samples from Tunisian women diagnosed with TNBC and unselected for family history or age at onset were analyzed. Results The 5382inC mutation was identified in 2 out of 33 women with TNBC with an overall prevalence of 6% (2/33). The detection rate of the 5382inC mutation among TNBC women with family history of breast cancer was 25% (2/8). The two 5382inC mutation carriers were postmenopausal and diagnosed at the age of 50 and 57. When stratified by age, the frequency of BRCA1 mutation in patients diagnosed at age ≥ 50 years was 8.7% (2/23). Conclusions Our results confirm a noticeable contribution of BRCA1 5382inC mutation in TNBC development in Tunisia and further indicate that screening for 5382insC mutation in the BRCA1 gene is of interest in genetic testing in our population. Additionally, our data highlight that receptor triple negativity could be an effective selection criterion for BRCA1 genetic test in our population and should therefore be considered in genetic testing guidelines in Tunisia.

Fifteen endophytic bacterial isolates from Solanum nigrum and S. nigrum var. villosum stems were screened for their plant growth-promoting potential and antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (FOL). Isolates SV65, SV68 and SV109 were the most efficient in controlling the development of the disease (77-92%) and in improving tomato growth (32-62%) compared to the controls. They were characterized and identified by using 16S rDNA sequencing genes as being Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum for the strain SV65 (KR818073) and B. methylotrophicus for the two strains SV68 (KR818074) and SV109 (KR818076). Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of the n-butanol extract from B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 matched phthalic acid, mono(2-ethylhexyl)ester as major compound. The bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 and B. methylotrophicus SV109 were shown to be chitinase-, protease-, pectinase-, phosphatase-, and indole 3-acetic acid (IAA)-producing agents. Furthermore, B. methylotrophicus SV68 produced chitinase, pectinase, and IAA (28.49 µg/ml), and B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 excreted siderophores andoxalic and malic acids. This study demonstrates that S. nigrum and S. nigrum var. villosum can be potential plant species for isolation of endophytic bacteria serving as biocontrol and biofertilizing agents for the improvement of production of tomato grown in FOL infested and noninfested soils.

Bacillus subtilis SV41, B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 and Sargassum vulgare extracts were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting potential on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) plants. Bio-treatments applied singly and/or in combination were further compared to a compost tea and to a commercial bio-fertilizer (Acadian™). Results clearly showed that the combined treatments based on the two Bacillus spp. strains and the aqueous algal extract and the last one mixed with B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 induced the highest enhancements in the plant height and the maximum root length which were estimated at 32.4-33.9%, 23.9-25.5% and 23.4-25% and at 36.8-41%, 32.9-37.4% and 36.3-40.5% compared to water, compost tea and Acadian™ based treatments, respectively. Furthermore, the combined treatment based on the aqueous algal extract and B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum SV65 had significantly improved eggplant growth where the recorded increments in the stem diameter, the aerial part fresh weight, and the root fresh weight varied from 17.5 to 24.6%, 38.4 to 46.1%, and 32.3 to 50% as compared to the three controls, respectively. As for single treatments tested, the aqueous extract had induced a significant improvement in the major growth parameters measured. Developed bio-stimulant was found to be more effective than compost tea and commercial bio-fertilizer based treatments.