Haplotype structure of MSTN, IGF1, and BMP2 genes in Tunisian goats (Capra hircus) and their association with morphometric traits.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate variability and haplotype structure of twenty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at myostatin (MSTN), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) genes. Association between the polymorphic SNPs and morphometric traits was performed on a population of 263 Tunisian goats. The SNPs analyzed were all polymorphic (except one), and the three genes had different haplotype structures.

Incorporation of Organic Growth Additives to Enhance In Vitro Tissue Culture for Producing Genetically Stable Plants.

The growing demand for native planting material in ecological restoration and rehabilitation for agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems has resulted in a major global industry in their sourcing, multiplication, and sale. Plant tissue culture is used for producing high-quality, disease-free, and true-to-type plants at a fast rate. Micropropagation can help to meet the increasing demand for planting material and afforestation programs.

A review of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) studies of Mediterranean catchments: Applications, feasibility, and future directions.

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is a well-established eco-hydrological model that has been extensively applied to watersheds across the globe. This work reviews over two decades (2002-2022) of SWAT studies conducted on Mediterranean watersheds. A total of 260 articles have been identified since the earliest documented use of the model in a Mediterranean catchment back in 2002; of which 62% were carried out in Greece, Italy, or Spain.

Nitric Oxide Metabolic Pathway in Drought-Stressed Nodules of Faba Bean ( L.).

Drought is an environmental stress that strongly impacts plants. It affects all stages of growth and induces profound disturbances that influence all cellular functions. Legumes can establish a symbiosis with Rhizobium-type bacteria, whose function is to fix atmospheric nitrogen in organs called nodules and to meet plant nitrogen needs.

The genomic response of human granulosa cells (KGN) to melatonin and specific agonists/antagonists to the melatonin receptors.

Melatonin is a known modulator of follicle development; it acts through several molecular cascades via binding to its two specific receptors MT1 and MT2. Even though it is believed that melatonin can modulate granulosa cell (GC) functions, there is still limited knowledge of how it can act in human GC through MT1 and MT2 and which one is more implicated in the effects of melatonin on the metabolic processes in the dominant follicle. To better characterize the roles of these receptors on the effects of melatonin on follicular development, human granulosa-like tumor cells (KGN) were treated with specific melatonin receptor agonists and antagonists, and gene expression was analyzed with RNA-seq technology.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria modulates the antioxidant defense and the expression of stress-responsive genes providing Pb accumulation and tolerance of grass pea.

To ensure the success of phytoremediation, it is important to consider the appropriate combination of plants and microorganisms. This study was conducted to get a better insight into the underlying molecular and biochemical mechanism of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) induced by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), when exposed for 3, 6, 9, and 14 days to 1 mM Pb in a hydroponic system.

Tunisian camel casein gene characterization reveals similarities and differences with Sudanese and Nigerian populations.

Milk is a primary protein source that has always played a role in mammalian health. Despite the intensification of research projects on dromedary and the knowledge of the genetic diversity at the casein loci, the genetic structure of the Tunisian camel population still needs exploration. This study sought to determine the genetic diversity of 3 casein gene variants in 5 Tunisian camel ecotypes: c.

Does thermal stress modulate the biochemical and physiological responses of Ruditapes decussatus exposed to the progestin levonorgestrel?

In this study, we investigated the effects of 1000 ng/l levonorgestrel (LNG) alone or combined with increased temperature of 20, 24, and 28 °C on the biochemical and physiological responses of the clam (Ruditapes decussatus) for 28 days. Our results revealed that female clams treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) alone showed enhancement of the antioxidant defense against oxidative stress related to the inductions of catalase (CAT), gluthatione -S -transferase (GST), and protein sulfhydryl (PSH), while the elevated temperatures of 20, 24, and 28 °C diminished most of the specific responses to LNG and was the main factor in the determining the responses to combine exposures. The responses of lysosomal membrane stability, alkaline phosphatase, and NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase detected were the most common signs of an adverse effect in all exposures.

Long-term effect of conservation agriculture on the composition and nutritional value of durum wheat grains grown over 2 years in a Mediterranean environment.

Background: Given the interest in mitigating the consequences of soil deterioration and climate change impacts on durum wheat grain, the objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of two soil management systems - conservation agriculture (CA) and conventional tillage (CT) - on the grain composition and nutritional value of two durum wheat varieties (Karim and Monastir) grown over two cropping seasons (2018-2019 and 2019-2020).

Results: The soil management system had an impact on all studied parameters, namely 1000-kernel weight (TKW), proximate composition, energy value, total phenol content (TPC), antioxidant capacities (DPPH and ABTS) and mineral elements (K, P and Na), excluding hectoliter weight. CA resulted in high moisture content, crude protein, P, K, Na, TPC, DPPH and ABTS.

Functionalization of Pasteurized Milk Using Rosemary, Thyme, and Ammoides Aqueous Extracts for Better Microbial Quality and an Improved Antioxidant Activity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), and ammoides (Ammoidespusilla L.

Topolin cytokinins enhanced shoot proliferation, reduced hyperhydricity and altered cytokinin metabolism in Pistacia vera L. seedling explants.

The effect of 10 µM meta-topolin (mT) and meta-topolin riboside (mTR) on in vitro proliferation and anomalies of Pistacia vera L. were evaluated and compared to that of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA). The highest proliferation rate (15.

Screening of Durum Wheat Cultivars for Selenium Response under Contrasting Environments, Based on Grain Yield and Quality Attributes.

In the literature, little information is available on the effect of Selenium (Se) on durum wheat yield and grain quality performances. A field investigation was conducted to explore the effect of exogenous Se foliar supply on two types of durum wheat germplasm; i.e.

Potential of Oscheius tipulae nematodes as biological control agents against Ceratitis capitata.

A survey to collect soil nematodes with potential to control Ceratitis capitata flies was carried out in different locations in Tunisia. Several nematode isolates were recovered, laboratory colonies were established, and their taxonomic identities were determined based on molecular methods. Among all the recovered nematode isolates, two of them, Oscheius tipulae TC2 and OC2, were evaluated for their capacity to control C.

Varietal Screening of Durum Wheat Varieties for Resistance to (Tan Spot) under Field Conditions.

Tan spot disease caused by was becoming more bred in Tunisia during the last decade. The search for resistant varieties against the increased virulence diversity of is presently considered as a priority. Seven of the most commercialized durum wheat varieties in Tunisia (cvs.

Application of Response Surface Methodology to Optimize Solid-Phase Extraction of Benzoic Acid and Sorbic Acid from Food Drinks.

An experimental design was applied for the optimization of the extraction process of two preservatives, benzoic and sorbic acids (BA, SA), from food drinks. A simple, rapid, and reliable solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the simultaneous extraction of these two preservatives and their determination by liquid chromatography with a diode array detector was considered. Box−Behnken design (BBD) was applied to both steps of the SPE process: (i) the sample percolation to ensure the retention of the totality of the acids by the silica-based C18 sorbent; (ii) the elution step to ensure desorption of the totality of the acids from the cartridge.

Detection of Maternal and Cytoplasmic Effects on Resistance to in Durum Wheat.

Septoria tritici blotch (STB) is a major disease problem of wheat worldwide. To optimize the introgression of resistance genes in elite genotypes throughout traditional or molecular breeding programs, a full understanding of the quantitative inheritance of resistance to , plant height (PH), and thousand kernel weight (TKW) is needed. In this study, maternal and cytoplasmic effects of resistance to STB were investigated using P1 (susceptible, high-yielding line) and P2 (resistant, low-yielding line) durum wheat lines and their F, RF, F, RF, BC, RBC, BC, and RBC progeny, assessed for resistance to STB during three growing seasons.

Melatonin Signaling Pathways Implicated in Metabolic Processes in Human Granulosa Cells (KGN).

Female reproduction depends on the metabolic status, especially during the period of folliculogenesis. Even though it is believed that melatonin can improve oocyte competence, there is still limited knowledge of how it can modulate metabolic processes during folliculogenesis and which signaling pathways are involved in regulating gene expression. To investigate the effects of melatonin on metabolic signals during the antral stage of follicular development, human granulosa-like tumor cells (KGN) were treated with melatonin or forskolin, and gene expression was analyzed with RNA-seq technology.

Gendered Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Behaviors in North Africa: Cases of Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

The COVID-19 pandemic-related measures in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region have resulted in many lifestyle modifications, including changes in diet and food buying patterns among adults. However, the pandemic has impacted women and men differently and exacerbated existing socio-economic and gender inequalities. Indeed, numerous studies conducted worldwide have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionately negative impact on women compared to males.

Phenotyping Mediterranean Durum Wheat Landraces for Resistance to in Tunisia.

Durum wheat landraces have huge potential for the identification of genetic factors valuable for improving resistance to biotic stresses. Tunisia is known as a hot spot for Septoria tritici blotch disease (STB), caused by the fungus (). In this context, a collection of 3166 Mediterranean durum wheat landraces were evaluated at the seedling and adult stages for STB resistance in the 2016-2017 cropping season under field conditions in Kodia (Tunisia).

Characterization of Mediterranean Durum Wheat for Resistance to .

Tan spot (TS), caused by the fugus (), has gained significant importance in the last few years, thereby representing a threat to wheat production in all major wheat-growing regions, including Tunisia. In this context, we evaluated a Mediterranean collection of 549 durum wheat accessions under field conditions for resistance to over two cropping seasons in Jendouba (Tunisia), a hot spot for . The relative disease severities showed significant phenotypic variation from resistance to susceptibility.

Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes as Solid-Phase Extraction Adsorbent for the Determination of Copper in Natural Water Samples.

To increase the sensitivity of the analysis method of good copper sample preparation is essential. In this context, an analytical method was developed for sensitive determination of Cu (II) in environmental water samples by using TiO nanotubes as a solid-phase extraction absorbent (SPE). Factors affecting the extraction efficiency including the type, volume, concentration, and flow rate of the elution solvent, the mass of the adsorbent, and the volume, pH, and flow rate of the sample were evaluated and optimized.

Use of bacteriophage to inactivate pathogenic bacteria from wastewater.

The aim of this study was to enhance the rhizobacterium potential in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (CW) system planted by using specific and lytic phages. The bioinoculation of specific bacteriophage for target bacteria; , and the monitoring of bacterial inactivation under different conditions showed the effectiveness of this methodology to enhance bacteria reduction and consequentially ameliorate purification performance of this studied biological treatment system. The injection of the phage at a concentration equal to 10 UFP/mL within the rhizosphere of the inoculated filter (F) was allowed 1 U-Log of improvement of bacterial inactivation compared to the control filter (T) nearly 1 logarithmic unit thus, a 90% improvement of bacteria reduction.

Investigation of Multi-Frequency SAR Data to Retrieve the Soil Moisture within a Drip Irrigation Context Using Modified Water Cloud Model.

The objective of this paper was to estimate soil moisture in pepper crops with drip irrigation in a semi-arid area in the center of Tunisia using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. Within this context, the sensitivity of L-band (ALOS-2) in horizontal-horizontal (HH) and horizontal-vertical (HV) polarizations and C-band (Sentinel-1) data in vertical-vertical (VV) and vertical-horizontal (VH) polarizations is examined as a function of soil moisture and vegetation properties using statistical correlations. SAR signals scattered by pepper-covered fields are simulated with a modified version of the water cloud model using L-HH and C-VV data.

Potential of Tunisian carob pulp as feed for ruminants: chemical composition and in vitro assessment.

The nutritive value of the carob fruits harvested from ten different geographic regions of the North and the Center of Tunisia was assessed on the basis of chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation kinetic. Results showed that the chemical composition (ash, crude protein, fat, and sugar) of carob pods was highly influenced by geographic origin. Neutral detergent fiber varied from 24.