Multiplication et bulbaison in vitro du glaïeul (Gladiolus grandiflorus Hort.)

In vitro Multiplication and Bulb Formation of (Gladiolus grandiflorus Hort.). In order to set up a new bulb formation and micropropagation of gladiolus in vitro, trials were undertaken using two ornemental gladiolus cultivars 'Peter pears' and 'White friend ship'. The explants used are apical buds with 2 to 3 mm length taken from the cormes. In vitro initiation and multiplication were done for the two cultivars on Murashige and Skoog medium to which 2 mg. l-1 of BA and 0.5 mgl-1 of AIB were added. In vitro root development and bulb formation have been occurred in MS Agar Agar medium with 0.5 mg.l-1 of AIB 30 days later than the same MS medium containing 6% of saccharose and without Agar

Antioxidant and antimicrobial phenolic compounds from extracts of cultivated and wild-grown Tunisian Ruta chalepensis

The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of phenolic compounds from cultivated and wild Tunisian Ruta chalepensis L. leaves, stems, and flowers were assessed. The leaves and the flowers exhibited high but similar total polyphenol, flavonoid, and tannin content. Moreover, two organs showed strong, although not significantly different, total antioxidant activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging ability, and reducing power. Investigation of the phenolic composition showed that vanillic acid and coumarin were the major compounds in the two organs, with higher percentages in the cultivated organs than in the spontaneous organs. Furthermore, R. chalepensis extracts showed marked antibacterial properties against human pathogen strains, and the activity was organ- and origin-dependent. Spontaneous stems had the strongest activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. From these results, it was concluded that domestication of Ruta did not significantly affect its chemical composition and consequently the possibility of using R. chalpensis organs as a potential source of natural antioxidants and as an antimicrobial agent in the food industry

Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Shares Features of Both Pathogenic and Non-pathogenic Lentiviral Infections.

The virus-host relationship in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infected chimpanzees is thought to be different from that found in other SIV infected African primates. However, studies of captive SIVcpz infected chimpanzees are limited. Previously, the natural SIVcpz infection of one chimpanzee, and the experimental infection of six chimpanzees was reported, with limited follow-up. Here, we present a long-term study of these seven animals, with a retrospective re-examination of the early stages of infection. The only clinical signs consistent with AIDS or AIDS associated disease was thrombocytopenia in two cases, associated with the development of anti-platelet antibodies. However, compared to uninfected and HIV-1 infected animals, SIVcpz infected animals had significantly lower levels of peripheral blood CD4+ T-cells. Despite this, levels of T-cell activation in chronic infection were not significantly elevated. In addition, while plasma levels of β2 microglobulin, neopterin and soluble TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (sTRAIL) were elevated in acute infection, these markers returned to near-normal levels in chronic infection, reminiscent of immune activation patterns in 'natural host' species. Furthermore, plasma soluble CD14 was not elevated in chronic infection. However, examination of the secondary lymphoid environment revealed persistent changes to the lymphoid structure, including follicular hyperplasia in SIVcpz infected animals. In addition, both SIV and HIV-1 infected chimpanzees showed increased levels of deposition of collagen and increased levels of Mx1 expression in the T-cell zones of the lymph node. The outcome of SIVcpz infection of captive chimpanzees therefore shares features of both non-pathogenic and pathogenic lentivirus infections.This work was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and by the Wellcome Trust.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from PLOS via http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.100514

Zn treatment effects on biological potential of fennel bulbs as affected by in vitro digestion process

Zn treatment effects on the stability of polyphenols, MDA (malondialdehyde) content, antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibition activities of two varieties of fennel bulbs were studied by using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model. Likewise, the effect of Zn on viability cells of E. coli was also performed. The results revealed that high amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were released during the digestion process, especially after the intestinal phase. Additionally, the antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity were affected by the gastrointestinal digestion process and seems to be correlated with total phenol contents. On the other hand, the viability of E. coli was not affected by the activity of our tested bulbs during passage through the artificial digestion model, but the treated bulbs activity contribute relatively to the inhibition growth of bacteria. The survival of E. coli in fennel bulbs was challenged with simulated gastrointestinal fluids and the results showed that the E. coli strains, despite having experienced a viability reduction at the intestinal phase, were able to overcome the exposure to the gastrointestinal synthetic fluids. This E. coli ability reinforces the need for good hygienic measures to assure safe fresh produce, even for those that are rich in antibacterial compounds.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spinal cystic echinococcosis - a systematic analysis and review of the literature : part 1. Epidemiology and anatomy

Bone involvement in human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is rare, but affects the spine in approximately 50% of cases. Despite significant advances in diagnostic imaging techniques as well as surgical and medical treatment of spinal CE, our basic understanding of the parasite's predilection for the spine remains incomplete. To fill this gap, we systematically reviewed the published literature of the last five decades to summarize and analyze the currently existing data on epidemiological and anatomical aspects of spinal CE

The practice of plagiarism in the Faculty of medicine of Tunis: Attitudes of teacher- researchers

Abstract Background Plagiarism is a cosmopolitan scourge, which might lead to serious consequences. The Faculty of Medicine of Tunis (FMT), involved in the international accreditation process, intends to fight vigorously against plagiarism. From this perspective, the present study was undertaken and aimed to explore the positions and attitudes of FMT's faculty members towards plagiarism and the different factors influencing them. Methods It was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among faculty members of the FMT during the academic year 2018-2019 using the validated English version of the 'Attitudes Towards Plagiarism' (ATP) questionnaire distributed online with Google forms. The ATP questionnaire consisted of 29 items divided into three factors: positive attitude, negative attitude and subjective norms towards plagiarism. Results A total of 340 faculty members responded to the questionnaire. Mean scores for positive attitude and subjective norms were 28.8±6.9 and 24.6±4.9 respectively, corresponding to low to moderate scores. The mean score of negative attitude was 22.4±2.6, matching a moderate score. Interpretation of these scores revealed an unfavorable attitude of the faculty members towards plagiarism and the belief that such behavior is associated with social disapproval and rejection. However, the temptation of plagiarism was palpable and self-plagiarism seemed to be tolerated. ATP scores were significantly influenced by age, grade, work experience, supervision, research activities, and English proficiency. Conclusions This study has pointed out the dilemma facing our faculty in its academic anti-plagiarism crusade. On the one hand, it should ensure the commitment of its faculty members and solicit their mobilization to carry on this fight, but on the other it should put in place clear disincentive policies to prevent plagiarism and cheating and apply them in an equal and transparent way between faculty members and students. Key messages This study showed unfavorable attitudes of Tunisian faculty members toward plagiarism. Self-plagiarism seemed to be tolerated. </jats:sec