Effects of incorporating biochar on soil quality and barley yield in microplastics-contaminated soils.

Biochar has been recognized for its potential to improve the fertility soils by reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers, mitigating carbon emissions, and fostering soil microbial growth. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of biochar addition on the physicochemical properties of arid and semi-arid soils containing microplastics, while also assessing its effect on Barley (Hordeum vulgare) yield under drought stress. The experiment was conducted in a glass greenhouse.

Astrocytes initiate autophagic flux and maintain cell viability after internalizing non-active native extracellular α-synuclein.

Astrocytes are tasked with regulating the synaptic environment. Early stages of various neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by synapse loss, and astrocytic atrophy and dysfunction has been proposed as a possible cause. α-Synuclein (αS) is a highly expressed neuronal protein located in the synapse that can be released in the extracellular space.

Postzygotic mosaicism of SMARCB1 variants in patients with rhabdoid tumors: A not-so-rare condition exposing to successive tumors.

Background: Rhabdoid tumors (RT) are aggressive, rare tumors predominantly affecting young children, characterized by biallelic SMARCB1 gene inactivation. While most SMARCB1 alterations are acquired de novo, a third of cases exhibit germline alterations, defining Rhabdoid Tumors Predisposition Syndrome. With the increased sensitivity of next-generation sequencing (NGS), mosaicisms in genes linked to genetic diseases are more detectable.

Analysis and Risk Assessment of Essential and Toxic Elements in Algerian Canned Tuna Fish.

In Algeria, the data and research on the essential and toxic chemical elements in food are limited and insufficient; therefore, the present study focused on evaluating the essential and toxic elements content in different 11 brands with two types (tomato and oil) of canned tuna fish, consumed in Algeria in 2022, by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), while mercury (Hg) levels were determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry, as well as estimate the probabilistic risk assessment. The elements in canned tuna fish commercialized for human consumption in Algeria were determined by ICP-OES methods, The results showed that the heavy metal concentration in the samples under study ranged from 49.11 to 289.

The Synucleins and the Astrocyte.

Synucleins consist of three proteins exclusively expressed in vertebrates. α-Synuclein (αS) has been identified as the main proteinaceous aggregate in Lewy bodies, a pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Less is understood about β-synuclein (βS) and γ-synuclein (γS), although it is known βS can interact with αS in vivo to inhibit aggregation.

AXIN2 germline testing in a French cohort validates pathogenic variants as a rare cause of predisposition to colorectal polyposis and cancer.

Only a few patients with germline AXIN2 variants and colorectal adenomatous polyposis or cancer have been described, raising questions about the actual contribution of this gene to colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility. To assess the clinical relevance for AXIN2 testing in patients suspected of genetic predisposition to CRC, we collected clinical and molecular data from the French Oncogenetics laboratories analyzing AXIN2 in this context. Between 2004 and June 2020, 10 different pathogenic/likely pathogenic AXIN2 variants were identified in 11 unrelated individuals.

The Frequency of Germline BRCA and Non-BRCA HR-Gene-Variants in a Cohort of Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

Germline DNA alterations affecting homologous recombination pathway genes have been associated with pancreatic cancer (PC) risk. BRCA2 is the most studied gene and affects the management of PC patients and their families. Even though recent reports have suggested a similar role of germline ATM pathogenic variants (PV) in familial PC, there is still a disagreement between experts on how it could affect patient management given the lack of proper PC risk estimates.

Effect of Dapagliflozin on Cause-Specific Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure Across the Spectrum of Ejection Fraction: A Participant-Level Pooled Analysis of DAPA-HF and DELIVER.

Importance: In 2 trials enrolling patients with heart failure (HF) across the spectrum of ejection fraction (EF), dapagliflozin has been shown to reduce the rate of the composite of worsening HF events or death from cardiovascular (CV) causes.

Objective: To examine the effects of dapagliflozin on cause-specific CV and non-CV mortality across the spectrum of EF.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This was a participant-level, pooled, prespecified secondary analysis of data from the Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure, or DAPA-HF trial (participant left ventricular EF [LVEF] ≤40%), and Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure, or DELIVER trial (participant LVEF >40%), to assess the effects of randomized treatment on cause-specific mortality.

Exploring the genetic and phenotypic diversity within and between onion (Allium cepa L.) ecotypes in Morocco.

Background: Gaining insight into crop diversity, both at the genetic and phenotypic levels, is of prime importance for onion breeding with an enhanced yield and quality in combination with improved resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. In the current study, 192 different onion plants, representing 16 ecotypes, were characterized using ISSR markers.

Results: Based on the ISSR marker profile, there was a clear grouping of the plants into 16 different ecotypes.

Characterization of the Biochemical Potential of Moroccan Onions ( L.).

L. remains the most cultivated species in Morocco and around the world. With the purpose of making the first biochemical characterization of Moroccan onions, several biochemical components have been measured in eleven onion ecotypes.

Classification of 101 BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance by cosegregation study: A powerful approach.

Up to 80% of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic variants remain of uncertain clinical significance (VUSs). Only variants classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic can guide breast and ovarian cancer prevention measures and treatment by PARP inhibitors. We report the first results of the ongoing French national COVAR (cosegregation variant) study, the aim of which is to classify BRCA1/2 VUSs.

Analysis of experimental data of environmental cement prepared by fly ash of eggs shell and sand dune for reduction of carbon dioxid.

In the recent years, the dominant cementitious materials have been industrial by products such as fly ash. This present data describes some of the cementitious products that are attracting attention in the global research community and the properties and characteristics of these materials that affect their performance such durability, mechanically properties and reduction of carbon dioxid (CO). The present investigation deals with the chemical synthesis of cementitious material using fly ash of eggs shell rich in calcium(Ca) and sand dune(southern west of Algeria) rich in silica(SiO).

Luciobarbus lanigarensis and L. numidiensis, two new species of barbels from the Mediterranean Sea basin in North Africa (Teostei: Cyprinidae).

Two new species of Luciobarbus are described from the Mediterranean Sea basin in Morocco and Algeria. Their monophyly and phylogenetic placement are resolved by molecular analyses using two mitochondrial markers (cyt b and D-loop). Luciobarbus lanigarensis, new species, from the Tafna River drainage in Algeria and Morocco, is distinguished by having orange fins, a great predorsal length (52-59% SL) and a very long pectoral fin (79-90% HL).

Cost-effectiveness evaluation of pre-counseling telephone interviews before face-to-face genetic counseling in cancer genetics.

One of the main challenges in cancer genetics is responding to the exponential demand for genetic counseling, especially in patients with breast and/or ovarian cancer. To address this demand, we have set up a new procedure, based on pre-genetic counseling telephone interviews (PTI) followed by routing of patients: D1, a PTI is scheduled within 14 days; D7-D14, genetic counselors perform a 20 min PTI in order to establish a pre-genetic counseling file, by collecting personal and family medical history via a structured questionnaire and; D10-17, routing: pre-genetic counseling appointment files are analyzed by a cancer geneticist with 3 possible conclusions: (a) priority face-to-face genetic counseling (FTFGC) appointment with a cancer geneticist, if the genetic test results have an immediate therapeutic impact; (b) non-priority FTFGC with a genetic counselor, or (c) no FTFGC required or substitution by a more appropriate index case. In the context of breast and/or ovarian cancer, 1012 patients received PTIs, 39.

Luciobarbus chelifensis and L. mascarensis, two new species from Algeria (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

Cyprinids of the genus Luciobarbus are the most abundant and widespread fishes in most freshwater ecosystems in the Maghreb. In the Mediterranean basin of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, all species of Luciobarbus-with exception of L. guercifensis-are superficially very similar and are distinguished mostly by minor morphometric characters.

Genetic and morphological consequences of Quaternary glaciations: A relic barbel lineage (Luciobarbus pallaryi, Cyprinidae) of Guir Basin (Algeria).

Climatic variations during the Quaternary period had a considerable impact on landscapes and habitat fragmentation (rivers) in North Africa. These historical events can have significant consequences on the genetic structure of the populations. Indeed, geographically separated and genetically isolated populations tend to differentiate themselves through time, eventually becoming distinct lineages, allowing new species to emerge in later generations.

Effect of the angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696 compared with enalapril on mode of death in heart failure patients.

Aims: The angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) LCZ696 reduced cardiovascular deaths and all-cause mortality compared with enalapril in patients with chronic heart failure in the prospective comparison of ARNI with an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor to Determine Impact on Global Mortality and Morbidity in Heart Failure (PARADIGM-HF) trial. To more completely understand the components of this mortality benefit, we examined the effect of LCZ696 on mode of death.

Methods And Results: PARADIGM-HF was a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial in 8399 patients with chronic heart failure, New York Heart Association Class II-IV symptoms, and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% receiving guideline-recommended medical therapy and followed for a median of 27 months.

Chromosome 22q12.1 microdeletions: confirmation of the MN1 gene as a candidate gene for cleft palate.

We report on seven novel patients with a submicroscopic 22q12 deletion. The common phenotype constitutes a contiguous gene deletion syndrome on chromosome 22q12.1q12.

Evaluation of lymphangiogenesis in premalignant conditions of the head and neck mucosa.

Background: Our aim was to determine whether lymphangiogenesis occurs in the early steps of cancerogenesis of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Methods: We assessed the number of lymphatics per unit area (lymphatic vascular density [LVD]) and the percent area occupied by the lymphatic vessels (lymphatic vascular area [LVA]) by computer-assisted morphometric analysis in 56 samples immunohistochemically stained with the lymphatic marker D2-40. The results were compared to those obtained in 63 invasive squamous cell carcinomas.

Validation of the in vivo intravascular ultrasound measurement of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia volumes.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to validate the in vivo intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) measurement of in-stent neointimal hyperplasia (IH) volumes.

Background: Because stents reduce restenosis compared to balloon angioplasty, stent use has increased significantly. As a result, in-stent restenosis is now an important clinical problem.

Safety and efficacy of elective stent implantation following rotational atherectomy in large calcified coronary arteries.

Rotational atherectomy is an effective transcatheter therapy for calcified coronary lesions. In large (> 3-mm) calcified coronary arteries, stent implantation following rotational atherectomy may further improve acute and especially, long-term benefit. To determine the safety and efficacy of this device synergy approach, we studied 24 consecutive patients undergoing this procedure electively in native coronary arteries.