Social and early life adversity and chronic health conditions among Tunisian adults.

Early life adversities (ELAs) are shown as significant risk factors for chronic health conditions (CHCs). ELAs include multiple types of abuse such as the social abuse (peer, community, and collective violence). The purpose is to describe the relationship between childhood social abuse and chronic conditions in adulthood among a sample of adults in Tunisia and to investigate the role of obesity and tobacco use as mediators of this association.

Immunity Against Infection: Parasite-Specific Granzyme B Induction as a Correlate of Protection.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by infection is characterized by different clinical presentations which depend in part on the host factors. In attempt to investigate the impact of the host's immune response in the outcome of the disease, we conducted a prospective study of 453 individuals living in endemic foci of transmission in Central Tunisia. Several factors were assessed at the baseline including (i) the presence of typical scars of ZCL, (ii) hypersensitivity reaction to leishmanin, and (iii) the release of granzyme B (Grz B) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to stimulation with live promastigotes.

Presence of Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) lewisi (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Tunisia.

In Tunisia, 17 phlebotomine sand fly species are reported, belonging to genera Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. However, subsequent to faunal studies and outbreaks of leishmaniasis in different regions of the country, unrecognized sand fly species could exist. Indeed, we report in this study the presence of Sergentomyia (Parrotomyia) lewisiParrot 1948.

Carcass yields, muscle amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and antioxidant indices of broilers supplemented with synbiotic and/or organic acids.

The objective of the current research was to explore the possible impacts of dietary supplementation with synbiotic and/or organic acids (OA) on the performance traits, carcass yields and muscle amino acid and fatty acid (FA) profiles of broilers. Randomly, a total of 160 day-old chicks (Ross 308) were assigned into four equal groups (40 birds each), with each group subdivided into eight replicates (five birds/pen). The control group (CON) fed the basal diet with no supplements, while diets of the treated groups were supplemented with OA (Sodium butyrate 40%; 1 g/kg), synbiotic (comprised Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerivisiae, Streptococcus faecium, Mannan-Oligosaccharides and β-Glucan; 1 g/kg) and equal mix of OA and synbiotic (2 g/kg).

Tumor behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatitis C treatment by direct-acting antivirals: comparative analysis with non-direct-acting antivirals-treated patients.

Introduction: Scarce reports have commented on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) behavior after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

Aim: To analyze differences in tumor behavior between patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced HCC and were either treated or not using DAAs.

Patients And Methods: This case-control study includes patients with HCV-related HCC who received generic DAAs (group I) and all non-DAA treated patients with HCC who presented to our clinic during the same period (group II).

Evaluation of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography as non-invasive diagnostic tool in living donor liver transplantation.

Background And Aims: Role of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography, in transplant setting, is not well established. We aimed to define the normal mean values of the liver stiffness by ARFI Elastography in healthy liver donors and to evaluate ARFI elastography as predictor of graft fibrosis post living donor liver transplant (LDLT) in comparison to other non-invasive methods (transient elastography [TE], APRI and FIB4).

Patients And Methods: A total of 100 subjects (70 recipients and 30 donors) were recruited.

Ecological niche modeling predicting the potential distribution of Leishmania vectors in the Mediterranean basin: impact of climate change.

Background: Due to climate change, the geographical distribution of sand flies during the last decades has shifted northward from latitudes below 45°N in southern Europe to latitudes just above 50N. Recent studies show that some phlebotomine sand flies were recorded in several parts of Germany and Belgium. In central Europe, some autochthone leishmaniasis cases are being recorded in regions traditionally regarded as leishmaniasis-free.

Enhancing quantum phase transitions in the critical point of Extended TC-Dicke model via Stark effect.

A system of N two-level atoms, Tavis-Cummings Dicke (TC-Dicke) model, interacting with a one-mode electromagnetic radiation field in the presence of the Stark shifts is studied, which is expected to predict new phenomena that are not explored in the original TC-Dicke model. We obtained the potential energy surface of the system using a trial state the direct product of coherent states in each subspace. In the frame of mean-field approaches, the variational energy is evaluated as the expectation value of the Hamiltonian for this state.

Establishment of blood pressure nomograms representative for Egyptian children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To define nomograms for blood pressure in Egyptian children and adolescents.

Methods And Study Design: A total of 60 025 Egyptian children from birth to 19 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional randomised study from December 2015 to March 2017. They were selected from diverse geographical districts in Egypt.

Granulated cork as biosorbent for the removal of phenol derivatives and emerging contaminants.

This study evaluated the ability of cork to adsorb a broad range of phenolic, pharmaceutical and cosmetic compounds: phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, pentachlorophenol carbamazepine, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, triclosan, and methyl paraben. The effect of variables such as the compound concentrations and the amount of cork were studied resulting in a highly pH dependence in the case of phenolic compounds. Maximum removal percentages and uptake values of 75% (1.

Calmodulin shuttling mediates cytonuclear signaling to trigger experience-dependent transcription and memory.

Learning and memory depend on neuronal plasticity originating at the synapse and requiring nuclear gene expression to persist. However, how synapse-to-nucleus communication supports long-term plasticity and behavior has remained elusive. Among cytonuclear signaling proteins, γCaMKII stands out in its ability to rapidly shuttle Ca/CaM to the nucleus and thus activate CREB-dependent transcription.

An international qualitative study exploring patients' experiences of cutaneous leishmaniasis: study set-up and protocol.

Introduction: Lack of investments in drug development, lack of standardisation of clinical trials and the complexity of disease presentations contribute to the current lack of effective, safe and adapted treatments for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). One aspect concerns outcomes affecting patients' quality of life (QoL): these are hardly assessed in trials, despite potential functional and/or aesthetic impairment caused by CL, which typically affects disadvantaged and vulnerable people living in rural areas. Here, we describe the approach used to bring perspectives of patients with CL into designing and assessing treatments.

Microwave extraction of essential oil and assessment of its GC-MS identification and protective effects versus vanadium-induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats models.

In this study, we assess the impact of essential oil on renal toxicity induced by vanadium in rats. The animals were exposed to either ammonium metavanadate (5 mg/kg body weight) or the combination of vanadium and essential oil (15 mg EO/kg body weight) for 10 days. Vanadium induced significant renal damage, demonstrated by increased plasma levels of urea and creatinine.

The response of transgenic Brassica species to salt stress: a review.

Salt stress is considered one of the main abiotic factors to limit crop growth and productivity by affecting morpho-physiological and biochemical processes. Genetically, a number of salt tolerant Brassica varieties have been developed and introduced, but breeding of such varieties is time consuming. Therefore, current focus is on transgenic technology, which plays an important role in the development of salt tolerant varieties.

Combined Doppler ultrasound and platelet indices for prediction of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnancies.

To evaluate Doppler ultrasound and platelet indices for the prediction of preeclampsia (PE). Prospective observational study. The study included 270 normal pregnancy primigravida <20 years at 20-24-week gestation.

Fluorescent BODIPY-Anionic Boron Cluster Conjugates as Potential Agents for Cell Tracking.

A series of novel fluorescent BODIPY-anionic boron cluster conjugates bearing [BH] (5, 6), [3,3'-Co(1,2-CBH)] (7, 8), and [3,3'-Fe(1,2-CBH)] (9) anions have been readily synthesized from meso-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3 a,4 a-diaza- s-indacene (BODIPY 4), and their structure and photoluminescence properties have been assessed. Linking anionic boron clusters to the BODIPY (4) does not alter significantly the luminescent properties of the final fluorophores, showing all of them similar emission fluorescent quantum yields (3-6%). Moreover, the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of compounds 5-9 have been analyzed in vitro at different concentrations of B (5, 50, and 100 μg B/mL) using HeLa cells.

Disruption of Claudin-1 Expression by miRNA-182 Alters the Susceptibility to Viral Infectivity in HCV Cell Models.

HCV entry involves a complex interplay between viral and host molecules. During post-binding interactions, the viral E2 complexes with CD81 receptor for delivery to the tight junction proteins CLDN1 and OCLN, which aid in viral internalization. Targeting HCV entry receptors represents an appealing approach to inhibit viral infectivity.

Correction to: Ectopic delivery of miR-200c diminishes hepatitis C virus infectivity through transcriptional and translational repression of Occludin.

The author would like to correct the errors in the online published article.

Mobilization of the outer cavernous membrane decreases bleeding and improves resection in spheno-clinoidal meningiomas without cavernous sinus extension: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether adding mobilization of the outer cavernous sinus membrane as a part of the approach, in large spheno-clinoidal meningiomas without cavernous sinus extension, would reduce bleeding and increase the extent of resection.

Methods:: This prospective randomized controlled trial was held between February 2016 and April 2017 at Cairo University Hospitals. The study recruited 94 patients with spheno-clinoidal meningiomas without cavernous sinus involvement.

Natural Infection of by in Libya.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a public health concern caused by () and in Libya. Information on sandfly vectors, as well as their associated species, is of paramount importance because vector dispersion is one of the major factors responsible for pathogen dissemination. A number of 515 sandflies (275 males and 240 females) were collected during June-November 2012 using the Centers for Disease Control miniature light traps from Al Rabta, northwest of Libya.

S211, a New Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium with Potential in Pesticide-Bioremediation.

A number of strains function as inoculants for biocontrol, biofertilization, and phytostimulation, avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Here, we present a new metabolically versatile plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, S211, isolated from a pesticide contaminated artichoke field that shows biofertilization, biocontrol and bioremediation potentialities. The S211 genome was sequenced, annotated and key genomic elements related to plant growth promotion and biosurfactant (BS) synthesis were elucidated.

Synthesis, structural determination and antimicrobial evaluation of two novel Co and Zn halogenometallates as efficient catalysts for the acetalization reaction of aldehydes.

Background: Complexes of imidazole derivatives with transition metal ions have attracted much attention because of their biological and pharmacological activities, such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiallergic, antitumoural and antimetastatic properties. In addition, imidazoles occupy an important place owing to their meaningful catalytic activity in several processes, such as in hydroamination, hydrosilylation, Heck reaction and Henry reaction. In this work, we describe the crystallization of two halogenometallate based on 2-methylimidazole.