Is Pseudofrankia, the non-nitrogen-fixing and/or non-nodulating actinorhizal nodule dweller, mutualistic or parasitic? Insights from genome-predictive analysis.

This study re-evaluates Pseudofrankia strains, traditionally regarded as parasitic dwellers of actinorhizal root nodules due to their inability to fix nitrogen (Fix -) and/or nodulate (Nod -), as potential plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). We compared plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs) between Pseudofrankia strains, including one newly sequenced strain BMG5.37 in this study and typical (Fix + /Nod +) Frankia, Protofrankia, and Parafrankia, as well as non-frankia actinorhizal species Nocardia and Micromonospora, and the phytopathogenic Streptomyces.

Robust Tracking Control of Wheeled Mobile Robot Based on Differential Flatness and Sliding Active Disturbance Rejection Control: Simulations and Experiments.

This paper proposes a robust tracking control method for wheeled mobile robot (WMR) against uncertainties, including wind disturbances and slipping. Through the application of the differential flatness methodology, the under-actuated WMR model is transformed into a linear canonical form, simplifying the design of a stabilizing feedback controller. To handle uncertainties from wheel slip and wind disturbances, the proposed feedback controller uses sliding mode control (SMC).

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition dysregulation in prostate cancer: Insights from molecular unraveling and epidemiological analyses in Tunisia, North Africa.

Introduction: The progression of prostate cancer (PCa) has been linked worldwide, including in African populations, to the dysregulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods: To clarify the connection among EMT markers, clinicopathological parameters, and epidemiological factors, we analyzed 35 PCa specimens from patients in Tunisia, a country in North Africa, arranged by stages. We also carried out extensive molecular and epidemiological analyses.

Effect of geographical origin on the chemical characteristics of acorns: profiling fatty acids, tocopherols, and phenolic composition.

The impact of geographical origin on the chemical composition of acorns from Quercus species has significant attention. This study aimed to explore the phenolic composition of methanolic extracts, tocopherol content, and fatty acid composition of acorn oils from six different populations of acorns. The obtained results revealed that acorn oil from BniMtir exhibited high levels of α-tocopherol (58 mg/kg).

An insight into the diagnostic, prognostic, and taxanes resistance of double zinc finger and homeodomain factors expression in naïve prostate cancer.

Unlabelled: Currently, clinical biomarkers are urgently needed to improve patient management to guide personal therapy for cancer. In this study, we investigate the deregulation of in prostate cancer (PC) Tunisian patients. Expression patterns of the were investigated in prostate adenocarcinoma and benign prostate biopsies using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and 2-ΔΔCt method.

A comparative study of secondary metabolites profiling and biological activity of L. leaf, flower and fruit.

Essential oil (EO) composition of was characterised by high proportion of furanosesquiterpenes (51.66-69.35%).

Co-expression of Twist and Snai1: predictor of poor prognosis and biomarker of treatment resistance in untreated prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains one of the most complex tumors in men. The assessment of gene expression is expected to have a profound impact on cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factors Twist and Snai1 in the treatment of naïve prostate cancer.

Phytochemical characterization of forest leaves extracts and application to control apple postharvest diseases.

The study investigated the antifungal and phytochemical properties of three forest plants (Eucalyptus globulus, Pistacia lentiscus, and Juniperus phoenicea) against apple diseases caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Alternaria alternata. The determination of the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents in the three aqueous extracts of studied plants showed that E. globulus exhibited the highest contents than those of P.

Genetic landscape of forensic DNA phenotyping markers among Mediterranean populations.

Forensic DNA Phenotyping can reveal the appearance of an unknown individual by predicting the External Visible Characteristics (EVC) from DNA obtained at the crime scene. Our aim is to characterize the genetic landscape of Human identification markers responsible for EVC among Mediterranean populations compared to other worldwide groups. We conducted an exhaustive search for genes involved in EVC variation.

Gut microbiota profile and the influence of nutritional status on bacterial distribution in diabetic and healthy Tunisian subjects.

Gut microbiota plays a key role in the regulation of metabolism and immunity. We investigated the profile of gut microbiota and the impact of dietary intake on gut bacterial distribution in diabetic and healthy Tunisian subjects, aiming to identify a dysbiotic condition, hence opening the way to restore eubiosis and facilitate return to health. In the present research, we enrolled 10 type 1 diabetic (T1D), 10 type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients and 13 healthy (H) subjects.

Correlation between E-cadherin/β-catenin, Vimentin expression, clinicopathologic features and drug resistance prediction in naïve prostate cancer: A molecular and clinical study.

Although epithelial-mesenchymal markers play an important role in prostate cancer (PC), further research is needed to better understand their utility in diagnosis, cancer progression prevention, and treatment resistance prediction. Our study included 111 PC patients who underwent transurethral resection, as well as 16 healthy controls. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to examine the expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and Vimentin.

Influence of droplet size on the antibacterial efficacy of citral and citronella oil nanoemulsions in polysaccharide coated fresh-cut apples.

Fresh-cut fruits are highly perishable and susceptible to bacterial contamination. Polysaccharides edible coating loaded with essential oils nanoemulsions have the potential to extend shelf life and improve quality of fruits. The effectiveness of this approach is dependent on the properties of the nanoemulsions, such as droplet size (DS) and stability.

Improving estimation of water soil erosion by introducing lithological formation for environmental remediation.

Soil erosion is a serious and complex environmental problem worldwide, especially in the centre west of Tunisia. Whereas the construction of hill reservoirs is part of the soil and water conservation strategy, many of these have a siltation problem. Dhkekira is one of the smallest watersheds in central Tunisia whose most lithological formation consists of materials that are quite susceptible to water erosion.

Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Tunisian Soils.

Soil microorganisms play an important role in maintaining natural ecological balance through active participation in carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorous cycles. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are of high importance in the rhizosphere, enhancing the solubilization of inorganic phosphorus complexes into soluble forms available for plant nutrition. The investigation of this species of bacteria is of major interest in agriculture, as they can be used as biofertilizers for crops.

Simultaneous Heavy Metal-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Removal by Native Tunisian Fungal Species.

Multi-contamination by organic pollutants and toxic metals is common in anthropogenic and industrial environments. In this study, the five fungal strains (MH667651.1), (MH665977.

Lipid Profile Quantification and Species Discrimination of Pine Seeds through NIR Spectroscopy: A Feasibility Study.

Pine seeds are known for their richness in lipid compounds and other healthy substances. However, the reference procedures that are commonly applied for their analysis are quite laborious, time-consuming, and expensive. Therefore, it is important to develop rapid, accurate, multi-parametric, cost-effective and, essentially, environmentally friendly analytical techniques that are easily implemented at an industrial scale.

Next-generation sequencing of Tunisian Leigh syndrome patients reveals novel variations: impact for diagnosis and treatment.

Mitochondrial cytopathies, among which the Leigh syndrome (LS), are caused by variants either in the mitochondrial or the nuclear genome, affecting the oxidative phosphorylation process. The aim of the present study consisted in defining the molecular diagnosis of a group of Tunisian patients with LS. Six children, belonging to five Tunisian families, with clinical and imaging presentations suggestive of LS were recruited.

Screening for insecticidal toxicity of (L.) bulbs and (L.) tubers for the control of (Tenebrionidae).

This research was conducted to determine the effect of geographical distribution on morphological characteristics of plants and some chemical compounds such as polyphenols. Moreover, we explore the contact toxicity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts from bulbs and tubers collected from three localities in the North West of Tunisia against adults. The toxicity results demonstrated that both of the studied plant extracts had an effective control against at concentration 7.

Laurel essential oil: biological activities and application for semolina preservation against the red flour beetle (Tenebrionidae).

The phytochemical composition of essential oil and their anticholinesterase, antioxidant, and insecticidal potential were studied. Also, the oil volatile fraction was compared in semolina at the beginning and after storage periods. For that, a headspace solid-phase-microextraction analysis (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry was undertaken.

Hochst. ex Boiss. from the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia: Essential Oil Profiling, Plant Extracts and Biological Activities.

Hochst. ex Boiss is an occasional plant species in the Northern region of Saudi Arabia. The shrub is favored on sandy desert wadis, gypsaceous substrate, and sandy gravel desert.

Insights for the control of dried-fruit beetle (Nitidulidae) using rosemary essential oil loaded in chitosan nanoparticles.

Natural insecticidal products, essentially essential oils and their bioactive compounds are available as an excellent alternative method to control insect pests as well as they are less toxic to human health. However, due to their volatile constituents, encapsulation could be considered as the most suitable solution for their practical application. Therefore, this study aims to explore the insecticidal toxicity of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with essential oil against adults of .

Effect of processing technology on chemical, sensory, and consumers' hedonic rating of seven olive oil varieties.

This study established physicochemical and sensory characteristics of virgin olive oils (VOOs) and linked them to consumers' liking using external preference mapping. We used five Tunisian and two foreign VOO varieties produced by two processing systems: discontinuous (sp) and continuous three-phase decanter (3p). The samples were analyzed and evaluated by a panel of 274 consumers.

Association of HNF1A gene variants and haplotypes with metabolic syndrome: a case-control study in the Tunisian population and a meta-analysis.

Background: Variants in the Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 1 Alpha gene (HNF1A) are associated with lipoproteins levels and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we aimed to assess the association of HNF1A gene and haplotypes with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components through an association study in the Tunisian population as well as by a meta-analysis.

Methods: A total of 594 Tunisian individuals were genotyped for three variants (rs1169288, rs2464196 and rs735396) located in HNF1A gene using KASPar technology.

Metal loaded nano-carbon gas sensor array for pollutant detection.

Many research works report a sensitive detection of a wide variety of gas species. However, their in-lab detection is usually performed by using single gases and, therefore, selectivity often remains an unsolved issue. This paper reports a four-sensor array employing different nano-carbon sensitive layers (bare graphene, SnO@Graphene, WO@Graphene, and Au@CNTs).

Technological Feasibility of Couscous-Algae-Supplemented Formulae: Process Description, Nutritional Properties and In Vitro Digestibility.

The aim of this work was to develop functional couscous in a traditional Tunisian manner (hand rolling), enriched in algae biomass (6% ). Four () biomasses and one mixture of and two macroalgae biomasses ( and ) were used. The strain was subjected to random mutagenesis and different culture conditions (Allmicroalgae), resulting in different pigmentations and biochemical compositions.