A reassessment of the function of the so-called compatible solutes in the halophytic plumbaginaceae Limonium latifolium

The compatible solute hypothesis posits that maintaining osmotic equilibrium under conditions of high salinity requires synthesis of organic compounds, uptake of potassium ions, and partial exclusion of NaCl. To assess whether osmotic adaptation in Limonium latifolium proceeds according to this hypothesis, a comprehensive analysis of solute accumulation during NaCl treatments was conducted. Determination of prevailing inorganic ions and establishment of the metabolic profiles for low M(r) organic substances revealed that contrary to the mentioned hypothesis the major contributors to osmolarity were constituted by inorganic solutes. Independent of salinity, only 25% of this osmolarity resulted from organic solutes such as Suc and hexoses. Proline (Pro), beta-alanine betaine, and choline-O-sulfate were minor contributors to osmolarity. Compatible inositols also occurred, especially chiro-inositol, characterized for the first time in this species, to our knowledge. Principal component analysis showed that only a limited number of metabolic reconfigurations occurred in response to dynamic changes in salinity. Under such conditions only sugars, chiro-inositol, and Pro behave as active osmobalancers. Analysis of metabolic profiles during acclimatization to either mild salinity or nonsaline conditions showed that organic solute accumulation is predominantly controlled by constitutive developmental programs, some of which might be slightly modulated by salinity. Osmolarity provided under such conditions can be sufficient to maintain turgor in salinized seedlings. Compartmental analysis of Pro and beta-alanine betaine in leaf tissues demonstrated that these solutes, mainly located in vacuoles under nonsaline conditions, could be partly directed to the cytosol in response to salinization. Thus they did not conform with the predictions of the compatible solute hypothesis.     

Adiaspiromycosis of an Apodemus agrarius captured wild rodent in Korea

Adiaspiromycosis is caused by pulmonary infection with Emmonsia. Inhalated spores of Emmonsia cause asymptomatic infection to necrogranulomatous pneumonia, depending on the burden of adiaspore and host immunity. For disease monitoring of wild rodents captured on Jeju Island in Korea, we examined the lung tissue of wild rodents histopathologically. Spores composed of thick three-layered walls were found following histopathological examination and were diagnosed as adiaspiromycosis. Adiaspiromycosis has been found in mammals in many parts of the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report of adiaspiromycosis of an Apodemus agrarius captured in Korea.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel quinazoline derivatives as potential anti-cancer agents

Twenty-two quinazoline derivatives have been synthesised and examined for their anti-tumour activity against three tumour cell lines, namely human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) and human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). Twelve of the tested compounds have shown promising anti-tumour activity with an IC(50) range of 5.0-9.7 μg/mL. Regarding the spectrum of activity, five compounds exhibited interesting anti-proliferative properties against the three tested cell lines comparable to the reference drug (dasatinib).     

The effect of strength training at the same time of the day on the diurnal fluctuations of muscular anaerobic performances

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of training at the same time of the day on the diurnal variations of anaerobic performances to provide some recommendations to adjust training hours with the time of the day of competitive events. Thirty participants underwent 8 weeks of lower-extremity progressive resistance training performed 3 times per week designed to promote muscular strength and power. These subjects were randomly assigned to a morning training group (MTG, 07:00-08:00 hours, n = 10), an evening training group (ETG, 17:00-18:00 hours, n = 10), and a control group (CG, completed all tests but did not train, n = 10). Performance in the squat jump, the countermovement jump, the Wingate and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) during leg extension, leg curl, and squat tests was recorded just before and 2 weeks after an 8-week course of regular training. For all the subjects, the morning and evening tests were scheduled at the same time of the day as for the morning and evening training sessions. Before training, the results indicated a significant increase in performance from morning to evening tests (ca. 2.84-17.55% for all tests) for all groups. After training, the diurnal variations in anaerobic performances were blunted in the MTG. In fact, there was no significant difference in muscular power or strength between morning and evening tests. However, these intradaily variations in anaerobic performances persisted in the ETG and CG. From a practical point of view, adaptation to strength training is greater at the time of the day at which training was scheduled than at other times.     

Le lymphangiome kystique scrotal. A propos d’un cas

Lymphangioma is a benign tumor of the lymphatic system classified as simple, cavernous, or cystic depending on the size of the dilated lymphatic spaces within the tumor. Most cases present as a soft, cystic, slowly enlarging swelling in the neck and axilla in children, while the scrotum is a rare site. We report the case of a 39-year-old man who presented with a painless left hemiscrotal mass. On examination, the testes and spermatic cords were normal bilaterally. There was a firm, polycystic mass in the inferior portion of the left hemiscrotum. Scrotal ultrasound revealed normal testes, with a large complex cystic loculated mass. Histology demonstrated a cystic lymphangioma. The mass was completely excised. The patient remained well without recurrence with a follow-up of 6 months.     

Natural Products among Brown Algae: The Case of Cystoseira schiffneri Hamel (Sargassaceae,Phaeophyceae)

A chemotaxonomic study on the marine brown alga Cystoseira schiffneri collected from the Tunisian marine coast allowed us to identify kjellmanianone ( 1 ) and a new isololiolide derivative named schiffnerilolide ( 2 ). The structure elucidation and the assignment of relative configurations of the isolated natural products were based on advanced mass spectrometric and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. This outcome suggested a close phylogenetic relationship of C. schiffneri with brown algae belonging to genus Sargassum C. Agardh . Molecular characterization using the nuclear small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene (18S) sequence as genetic marker was made. Pigment analysis showed a significant seasonal change of carotenoids, in particular of fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol. Also galactolipids, the main constituents of the thylakoid membranes, showed remarkable seasonal changes.     

Isolation and characterization of three new PGPR and their effects on the growth of Arabidopsis and Datura plants

This study characterizes three bacterial strains isolated from plant rhizospheres and evaluates their performance as plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Pseudomonas plecoglossicida strain Pp20 was isolated from the rhizosphere of a date palm in Bechar (Algerian Sahara), Bacillus spec. strain Bt04 isolated from the rhizosphere of pear in Ghardaia (Algerian Sahara) and Lysinibacillus fusiformis strain Lf89 was isolated from the rhizosphere of tomato in Ain Defla (northern Algeria). Their effects on plant growth and development were analyzed in different in vitro cultures: an Arabidopsis thaliana plate assay and two hydroponic systems for Datura stramonium and Datura tatula. Our results show that all strains significantly improve plant growth of the plant species tested and some strains produce a shift in the C/N ratio in A. thaliana. Inoculation had no effect on alkaloid production per gram leaf dry weight in D. stramonium, but specific plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria interactions may alter the alkaloid composition in the shoot.     

Daily and seasonal activity patterns of the dorcas gazelle,scimitar-horned oryx,north-African ostrich and canids in an arid habitat

North Africa's megafauna has developed behavioural adaptations to reduce energetic and fitness costs under harsh arid land conditions. Animal behaviour and activity patterns are difficult to study in the wild, but remote camera traps provide a solution to collecting data without the presence of a researcher influencing outcomes. Here, we report results from a study comprising over 20,382 camera-trap days during a 34-month period in Dghoumes National Park, Tunisia. We aimed to evaluate temporal activity patterns and their overlap and explore opportunities for niche partitioning. Our focal species were the reintroduced scimitar-horned oryx, north-African ostrich, dorcas gazelles and extant regional top-order predators, African wolf and red fox. We found differences in activity patterns between seasons across the focal species, with the most noticeable change being an increase in dawn activity from 1% to 33% between winter and summer for the red fox. Consequently, higher summer temperatures limit opportunities for temporal niche partitioning and push focal species towards dawn-time activity peaks resulting in higher intra-guild overlap values at dawn. Arid antelopes have physiological adaptations that enable them to better exploit ecological resources in hotter time periods than the carnivores, and this reduces inter-guild overlap during summer days.