Diagnostic value of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using the recombinant CT694 species‐specific protein of Chlamydia trachomatis

Aim: To study the performance of the CT694 protein in relation to the microimmunofluorescence (MIF) and the pELISA tests for the serodiagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Methods and Results: The CT694 protein was produced as recombinant protein and was used as antigen in ELISA test for the detection of C. trachomatis IgG antibodies. The performance of the developed ELISA test was compared to the MIF test at two cut‐off values of 16 and 64, and to the specific pELISA test using a panel of 342 sera. These sera were from children MIF C. trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae negative, patients MIF C. pneumoniae positive, patients MIF C. trachomatis positive, patients suspected to have chlamydial infections diagnosed by the Cobas Amplicor test, healthy blood donors and prostitutes. Our results indicate that the developed ELISA test has performed better compared with the MIF and the pELISA tests. The highest performance was obtained when comparing the developed ELISA test in relation to the pELISA, yielding an overall sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 87% respectively. Conclusions: The CT694 ELISA showed the best performance when compared to the species‐specific pELISA test and may be used for the serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infections. Significance and Impact of the Study: The CT694 ELISA test responds to the criteria of both sensitivity and specificity according to the MIF and pELISA tests and may be used for serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infections.     

Retentissement de l’infection genitale a chlamydia trachomatis sur le sperme chez les hommes consultant pour infertilite du couple

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) genital infection is one of the most frequent causes of infertility. Its repercution on semen parameters and male infertility is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of CT genital infection on semen parameters in male partners of infertile couples. Ninety-seven infertile couples were studied. Semen, urethral and cervical samples were tested for CT by means of direct fluorescence antibodies assay (DFA), cell culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and FLISA. Sera from both parteners were tested for immunoglobulin M, A and G antibodies to Chlamydia by means of the microimmunofluorescence MIF). For all mens, standard semen parameters were analysed according to the guidlines of the word health organisation. CT infection was identified in 34% of the male partners. In 76% of cases, the infection was asymptomatic. 60,6% of infected patients’s wives were also infected by CT. There was no significant difference between the mean values of concentration, motility and morphology of spermatozoa in both groups of male patients, infected by CT (CT+ group) and lacked infection (CT-group). The mean values of motility, vitality, concentration and normal forms of spermatozoa, in both CT+ and CT- groups were respectively: 39,6%±17,5% vs 40,4% ± 14,9%, 61,9% ±18,1% vs 62,4% ± 18,5%, 80,7×10⁶±67,5×10⁶ vs 67,1×10⁶ ±65,2×10⁶ and 34,7% ± 16,7% vs 33% ± 0,1%. Oligospermia was significantly more frequent in CT+ group (54,9%) than in CT-group (26,9%). High levels of coiled flagella (≥20) were more frequently observed in CT+ group (18,5%) than in CT-group (7,4%), but the difference was not significant. We found in this study a high prevalence of genital chlamydial infection into infertile couples. This infection has no repercution on sperm quality, suggesting that there is no effect of CT upon the spermatozoa. But, we can not exclude any impact on fertilisation ability and/or ultrastructure of these gametes. The finding that oligospermia was more frequent in CT+group, leds us to suggest thas chlamydial infection has a repercution on the gametogenesis or on genital ducts permeability. Another hypothesis would be that oligospermia, reflect of spermatogenesis disorder would be associated with reduction of local immunity. Other studies with wide exploration of spermatic functions and of different parts of genital tract are needed to specify the real impact of genital chlamydial infection upon men reproduction function.     

A New Structure-based Classification of Gram-positive Bacteriocins

Bacteriocins are ribosomally-synthesized peptides or proteins produced by a wide range of bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of this group of natural substances against foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria has raised considerable interest for their application in food preservation. Classifying these bacteriocins in well defined classes according to their biochemical properties is a major step towards characterizing these anti-infective peptides and understanding their mode of action. Actually, the chosen criteria for bacteriocins’ classification lack consistency and coherence. So, various classification schemes of bacteriocins resulted various levels of contradiction and sorting inefficiencies leading to bacteriocins belonging to more than one class at the same time and to a general lack of classification of many bacteriocins. Establishing a coherent and adequate classification scheme for these bacteriocins is sought after by several researchers in the field. It is not straightforward to formulate an efficient classification scheme that encompasses all of the existing bacteriocins. In the light of the structural data, here we revisit the previously proposed contradictory classification and we define new structure-based sequence fingerprints that support a subdivision of the bacteriocins into 12 groups. The paper lays down a resourceful and consistent classification approach that resulted in classifying more than 70% of bacteriocins known to date and with potential to identify distinct classes for the remaining unclassified bacteriocins. Identified groups are characterized by the presence of highly conserved short amino acid motifs. Furthermore, unclassified bacteriocins are expected to form an identified group when there will be sufficient sequences.     

Effects of strength training with elastic band programme on fitness components in young female handball players: a randomized controlled trial

This study examined the effect of a 10-week programme of strength training with elastic band (STEB) on fitness components in young female handball players. Twenty-six young female handball players (aged 15.8 ± 0.2 years) from the same club participated in this study. They were randomly assigned between experimental (EG; n = 13) and control (CG; n = 13) groups. The EG performed the STEB, replacing some handball-specific drills in the regular handball training. The CG followed the regular handball training (i.e., mainly technical-tactical drills, small sided and simulated games, and injury prevention drills). Two-way analyses of variance were used to assess: handgrip; back extensor strength; medicine ball throw; 30 m sprint times; Modified Illinois change-of-direction (Illinois-MT); four jump tests: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJA) and five-jump test (5JT); static (Stork test) and dynamic balance (Y Balance Test); and repeated sprint T-test (RSTT). Results revealed significant gains in handgrip - right (p < 0.001, d = 1.75: large), handgrip - left (p < 0.001, d = 2.52: large), back extensor (p < 0.001, d = 2.01: large), and medicine ball throw (p = 0.002, d = 0.95: large) with EG compared to the CG. The EG also demonstrated greater improvement in sprint performance over 20 m (Δ = 10.6%, p = 0.001, d = 1.07: large) and 30 m (Δ = 7.2%, p < 0.0001, d = 1.56: large) compared to the CG. The EG showed better Illinois-MT (Δ = 5.6%, p = 0.034, d = 0.62: medium) compared to the CG. Further, EG posted significant improvements in the SJ (Δ = 17.3%, p = 0.048, d = 0.58: medium), CMJ (Δ = 17.7%, p = 0.017 d = 0.71: medium), and CMJA (Δ = 16.3%, p = 0.019, d = 0.69: medium) compared to the CG. Similarly, the EG exhibited significant improvement in RSTT best time [p = 0.025, d = 0.66 (medium)], RSTT mean time [p = 0.019, d = 0.69 (medium)] and RSTT total time [p = 0.019, d = 0.69 (medium)] compared to the CG. In conclusion, the 10-week STEB improved the physical abilities in young female handball players.     

Effect of dietary fiber of “Rihane” barley grains and azoxymethane on serum and liver lipid variables in Wistar rats

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of diet enriched with dietary fiber of barley variety “Rihane” and azoxymethane on serum and liver lipid variables in male rats. Forty male rats were divided into four groups and fed on control diet or experimental diet that contained control enriched with dietary fiber of barley variety “Rihane”. Animals were injected with saline (controls) or azoxymethane (20 mg/kg body weight s.c.) at 7 and 8 weeks of age. The experimental diet significantly decreased cholesterol level compared with the control diet. Rats fed with BR diet significantly increased the serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and significantly decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. The experimental diet decreased the atherogenic index (p < 0.05) compared with the control diet. Whereas the azoxymethane induced a significant increase of liver lipid, serum LDL and triglyceride concentrations, but it caused a significant reduction of HDL. Consequently, the ratio of HDL/TC decreased significantly compared with the control (p < 0.05). Accordingly, these results indicated that the diet enriched with dietary fiber of barley variety “Rihane” could be effective in decreasing the atherogenic risk factors in rats whereas the use of the azoxymethane as colon-specific carcinogen substance altered the lipid metabolism.     

Molluscicidal and antiparasitic activity of Solanum nigrum villosum against Galba truncatula infected or uninfected with Fasciola hepatica

The present study was based on assessments of the molluscicidal and antiparasitic activities of Solanum nigrum villosum. This plant has been collected in Tozeur's traditional oases (south-western Tunisia). Molluscicidal activities of leaves, ripe fruit and unripe fruit extracts of S. n. villosum have been assessed in experimental and semi-field conditions on uninfected Galba truncatula. Antiparasitic activities have also been assessed on larval stages (rediae, intraredial germinal masses and cercariae) of the parasite Fasciola hepatica infecting G. truncatula naturally. The unripe fruit extract (LC50 = 41.2 mg l- 1) was more toxic than the leaf (LC50 = 132.5 mg l- 1) and the ripe fruit (LC50 = 172.8 mg l- 1) extracts on the snail after 48 h of treatment. One mg l- 1 of cupric chloride produced the death of 97% of G. truncatula after 25 days of treatment. Solanum n. villosum extracts used at the lethal laboratory concentration in semi-field conditions were also toxic to G. truncatula. The unripe fruit extract was more toxic than the leaf and the ripe fruit extracts on larval stages of F. hepatica. Maximum deterioration rates were obtained with the unripe fruit extract: 65.6% for rediae, 77.8% for cercariae and 27.6% for intraredial germinal masses after 48 h of treating the snails. The possibility of the unripe fruit extract application for the control of G. truncatula and F. hepatica larval stages should be considered.     

Interaction between the intermediate host of Fascioliasis in Tunisia,Galba truncatula and a possible competitor,Melanoides tuberculata (Muller, 1774): a field study

The snail Melanoides tuberculata has been used successfully in the control of some snails, intermediate host of parasitosis. Melanoides tuberculata has been found in Tunisia, but its effects on populations of native snail have not yet been evaluated in the field. Our objective is to determine whether M. tuberculata competed with Galba truncatula, using a field study. Twelve monthly investigations were carried out along an irrigation system in Ain Soltane's oasis (southwest of Tunisia). Here, we describe the population dynamics of G. truncatula with and without M. tuberculata in two stations: a witness pilot station (S1), in which the snail lives alone, and an experimental station (S2), where two species live together. The abundance of G. truncatula varied according to subsistence or not of M. tuberculata. The number of annual generations is higher in S1 (four generations) than S2 (two generations). In the absence of other molluscs or predators that can influence the density of G. truncatula and assuming that climatic factors are mitigated by the presence of an oasean microclimate, these results show that the mollusc M. tuberculata has a competition with the vector species of fluke.     

Molluscicidal activity of various solvent extracts from Solanum nigrum var. villosum L. aerial parts against Galba truncatula

Molluscicidal activity of Solanum nigrum var. villosum (morelle velue) extracts and their fractions were tested against the mollusca gastropoda Galba truncatula intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica. The results indicated that the hydro-methanol (MeOH-H2O) immature fruit extract possess the highest molluscicidal activity (LC50 = 3.96 mg/L) against Galba truncatula compared with other tested compounds. After acido-basic treatment, the methanolic extract fraction isolated from the immature fruits and the richest in alkaloids was the most toxic (LC50 = 1.65 mg/L). The fractions richest in saponosides obtained from the hydromethanolic and methanolic extracts of immature fruits showed interesting molluscicidal activities (LC50 = 6.15 mg/L and LC50 = 7.91 mg/L, respectively). The observed molluscicide activity could be attributed to the presence of alkaloids or saponosides. So, the immature fruits of Solanum nigrum var. villosum could be substrates of choice for molluscicide activity. In addition, total alkaloids and saponosides present in this plant deserve further investigations in order to identify the active principles and demonstrate their activities on mollusks in their natural habitat. According to the World Health Organization's guidelines on screening for plant molluscicides, use of these fractions may add to the arsenal of methods to control snail transmitting fasciolosis in tropical and Third World countries where fasciolosis is a common disease.