Sex differences in adrenal cortex beta-catenin immunolocalisation of the Saharan gerbil, Libyan jird (Meriones libycus, Lichtenstein, 1823).

Background: The adrenal cortex provides adequate steroidogenic responses to environmental changes. However, in desert rodents, the adrenocortical activity varies according to several factors especially sex, age, and seasonal variations. Herein, we examined the sex differences in the adrenal cortex activity and explored the involvement of sex hormones in the regulation of this function in Libyan jird Meriones libycus.

Effects of Pollen Deprivation in Groups of Tellian () and Saharan () Honey Bees under Controlled Conditions.

Worldwide, honey bees are increasingly faced with periods of pollen scarcity, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially of proteins and amino acids. These are essential for the proper functioning of the single organism and the colony. To understand how bees react to protein deficiency, under controlled conditions, we studied the effect of pollen deficiency on the main physiological parameters in two subspecies endemic of Algeria, Apis mellifera intermissa and Apismellifera sahariensis.

Fractal Analysis of a Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in a Rough-Walled Pipe.

The fully developed laminar flow of a viscous non-Newtonian fluid in a rough-walled pipe is considered. The fluid rheology is described by the power-law model (covering shear thinning, Newtonian, and shear thickening fluids). The rough surface of the pipe is considered to be fractal, and the surface roughness is measured using surface fractal dimensions.

Increased Salivary Cytokines and Nitric Oxide Levels in Behçet's Disease: Interleukin-32, a Novel Player in Disease Prognosis.

Background: Oral aphthosis is one of the major manifestations of Behçet's disease (BD), a chronic, multisystemic vasculitis. BD etio-pathogenicity related to oral health lack.

Objective: This study investigated the possible relationships between poor oral hygiene, oral activity, disease severity and saliva's Interleukin (IL)-32, IL-6, IL-10 and nitric oxide (NO) levels in Behçet's patients to determine their role in disease prognosis and their potential therapeutic interest.

Plasma secretome analyses identify IL-8 and nitrites as predictors of poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Predicting tumor recurrence and death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains to date challenging. We here analyzed the plasmatic secretomes of NPC untreated and relapsing patients, and explored possible correlations with the clinical and pathological features and survival characteristics of the corresponding patient cohorts, with the aim of identifying novel prognostic biomarkers. This study included 27 controls, 45 untreated NPC and 11 relapsed patients.

High-fat/high-carbohydrate-diet short- and middle-term effects on gerbil adrenal zona fasciculata histology.

The adrenals synthesize many hormones involved in the regulation and maintenance of homeostasis. To understand the pathophysiological changes during the development of obesity, a histological study of the adrenal was performed in gerbils receiving a high-fat/high-carbohydrate-diet (HFC) for 8 or 12 weeks. Compared to the controls, the HFC diet increased body weight.

Vasopressin and oxytocin expression in hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus and plasma electrolytes changes in water-deprived male .

In mammals, plasmatic osmolality needs to be stable, and it is highly related to the hydric state of the animals which depends on the activity of the hypothalamic neurohypophysial system and more particularly by vasopressin secretion. Meriones, a desert rodent, can survive even without drinking for more than one month. The mechanism(s) by which they survive under these conditions remains poorly understood.

Quorum quenching and anti-biofilm activities of halotolerant Bacillus strains isolated in different environments in Algeria.

Aims: The current study aimed to screen Bacillus strains with wide-spectrum quorum quenching (QQ) activity against N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs), helpful in controlling virulence traits in Gram-negatives, including biofilm formation and also with anti-biofilm activity against Gram-positives.

Methods And Results: A total of 94 halotolerant strains of Bacillus isolated from soil and salt-lake sediment samples in Algeria were examined for the presence of QQ activity against AHLs, the presence of the aiiA gene, encoding an AHL lactonase enzyme typical of Bacillus spp., antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans.

Dietary Diversity as a Risk Factor for Obesity in Algerian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Although the incidence of "diabesity" (coexistence of type 2 diabetes and obesity) is alarmingly increasing in Algeria, the diet-diabesity link has not been well defined. This study aimed to explore the association between dietary diversity score (DDS) and obesity among Algerian type 2 diabetic patients. It was a cross-sectional observational study involving 390 type 2 diabetic patients.

Association between Increased Bcl-2, Fas and FasL Levels and Inflammation Extent in Labial Salivary Glands During Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Background: Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by epithelial atrophy, mononuclear infiltration in exocrine glands resulting in the defective function of these glands. In pSS, atrophy of the epithelium is caused by an increased amount of apoptosis.

Objective: The main aim of this study is to investigate the role of the apoptosis-related factors by studying Bcl-2, Fas and FasL expression in relation to the extent of inflammation as well as the effect of therapy on the expression of these mediators.

Phytoremediation of PCB: contaminated Algerian soils using native agronomics plants.

Pot cultivation experiments were conducted to assess the phytoremediation potential of two local agronomic plants, namely Avena sativa and Vicia sativa. Several soils with long-standing contamination and different levels of Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination were used for this study. The soil samples came from different regions of Algeria and had different physico-chemical parameters.

Evaluation of the level of biomolecules isolated from date palm seeds () and Antioxidant property.

Date palm fruits and by-products such as seeds are a source of various elements with significant nutritional values like fibres, minerals, essential fatty acids, amino acids and phenolic compounds. The experimental part was carried out on date palm seeds from Bent Kbala cultivar, the chemical composition of the organic fraction was determined using the method of UV-visible spectrophotometer, thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The results revealed the presence of catechic tannins and approximately 17 phenolic compounds, including two compounds, which were identified for the first time in the date palm sub-product, especially in seeds such as naringenin and rutine.

Study of coincidence summing effect using Monte Carlo simulation to improve large samples measurement for environmental applications.

A new measurement model composed of High Purity Germanium detector HPGe including Lead Shield with a mixed source of Am-241, Cd-109, …in a soil matrix packed in a cylindrical container was developed by Monte Carlo N-Particles code MCNP5. The Monte Carlo models being largely used for efficiencies calculations in routine environmental radioactivity measurements of high volume soil samples. In order to validate the simulation, a multi-radionuclides soil matrix source in a cylindrical container is prepared.

Interference of altered plasma trace elements profile with hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress damage to insulin secretion dysfunction in : focus on the selenium.

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between altered plasma trace elements, particularly selenium (Se), with Hyper-homocysteinemia (HhCys) as a predictive factor of insulin secretion dysfunction. The study is carried out on adult , divided in 4 experimental groups: (I) Normoglycemic/Normoinsulinemic; (II) Normoglycemic/Hyperinsulinemic; (III) Hyperglycaemic/Hyperinsulinemic and (IV) Hyperglycaemic/Insulin deficiency with ketoacidosis. The data showed that a drastic depletion of Se plasma levels is positively correlated with HhCys (>15 µmol/L;  < .

Distillation time effecting on the composition of essential oils and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

The essential oils (EOs) of Munby, an aromatic and medicinal plant endemic in Algeria, were extracted by different hydrodistillation times (30 min, 1, 2 and 3 h) and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The chromatographic analysis showed that thymol (32.7-45.

Lipid Profile Modulates Cardiometabolic Risk Biomarkers Including Hypertension in People with Type-2 Diabetes: A Focus on Unbalanced Ratio of Plasma Polyunsaturated/Saturated Fatty Acids.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with lipid metabolism disorder, particularly elevated plasma levels of non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFFA) and an increased cardiovascular disease risk, such as essential hypertension (H). The plasma unbalance of saturated fatty acid (SFA)/polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio is a likely contributor, but the mechanisms involved are not clearly elucidated. The aim of this study is to explore the association between plasma SFA/PUFA ratio and the clusters of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS), including the atherogenic biomarkers, inflammatory status, feeding patterns, and physical activity in people with T2DM with or without essential hypertension.

Identification and homology modeling of a new biotechnologically compatible serine alkaline protease from moderately halotolerant Gracilibacillus boraciitolerans strain LO15.

A new serine alkaline protease (designated as SAPGB) from Gracilibacillus boraciitolerans strain LO15, was produced (9000 U/mL), purified, and characterized. SAPGB has a monomer structure with a precise molecular weight of 30,285.03 kDa as learnt from matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight/mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF/MS) exploration.

α-Amylase production by Tepidimonas fonticaldi strain HB23: statistical optimization and compatibility study for use in detergent formulations.

In a previous study, a thermostable α-amylase-producing bacterium (designated HB23) was isolated from an Algerian hydrothermal spring. In the present study, the native strain was subjected to a statistical optimization aimed at enhancing the α-amylase production. To achieve this, thirteen factors have been studied, among which are cultural and nutritional parameters.

Leptin level as a biomarker of uncontrolled eating in obesity and overweight.

Background: Uncontrolled eating (UE) showed important relationships with the development of obesity. Homeostatic regulations of feeding and energy balance, as well as hedonic eating, are regulated by leptin.

Aims: The aims of this study were (1) to assess eating behaviors of Algerian adults as measured by the 51-item eating inventory; we also evaluate changes in the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) scores according to the body mass index (BMI) category; (2) to examine the association between the scores of the three TFEQ factors and the BMI values of the participants; and (3) to examine whether leptin concentrations are associated with eating behavior.

Silibinin down-regulates PD-L1 expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by interfering with tumor cell glycolytic metabolism.

The upregulation of checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 expression has recently been associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) resistance to therapy. The mechanism of induction of PD-L1 has also been linked to enhanced aerobic glycolysis promoted by HIF1-α dysregulation and LDH-A activity in cancer. Here, we investigated the effect of the anti-tumoral compound Silibinin on HIF-1α/LDH-A mediated cancer cell metabolism and PD-L1 expression in NPC.

Therapeutic effects of Rhamnus alaternus on the nephroangiosclerosis in wistar rats.

The buckthorn "Rhamnus alaternus" is a plant used in traditional medicine especially in the treatment of certain diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia. The aim of our study was to analysed and evaluate the effects of buckthorn on nephroangiosclerosis Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats, adult weighing between 120g and 250g were distributed as follows: Five control animals received a standard laboratory diet, thirty four experimental rats received the standard laboratory diet supplemented with palm oil and 4% of NaCl (High Sold Fat Diet).

Purification and biochemical characterization of a new organic solvent-tolerant chitinase from Paenibacillus timonensis strain LK-DZ15 isolated from the Djurdjura Mountains in Kabylia, Algeria.

A new extracellular chitinase (called ChiA-Pt70) was produced and purified from a newly isolated Paenibacillus timonensis strain LK-DZ15. The maximum chitinase activity recorded after 44-h of incubation at 30 °C was 11,500 U/mL. Pure enzyme was obtained after ammonium sulphate precipitation (40-70%) followed by sequential column chromatographies on fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Ankylosing spondylitis: analysis of gene-gene interactions between β, , and in Han Chinese and Algerian cohorts.

Introduction: Association studies have recently identified the importance of new genetic variants for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in several populations. Our aim was to confirm associations of variants within genes involved in the IL-23 signalling pathway with AS in two ethnically different populations: Han Chinese and Algerian.

Material And Methods: Two case-control studies were performed in separate cohorts: Han Chinese (430 AS patients and 580 controls) and Algerian (130 AS patients and 120 controls).

Combination of metformin with sodium selenite induces a functional phenotypic switch of human GM-CSF monocyte-derived macrophages.

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of metformin (Met, 1,1‑dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride) combined or not with sodium selenite (Ss, NaSeO) on the functional activities of LPS-activated GM-CSF monocyte-derived macrophages (GM-MDM).

Materials And Methods: Human GM-MDMs from three healthy donors were treated with Met or Ss alone, or with the combination of Met and Ss, and assayed for various biological activities and cytokines expression.

Results: Met alone and Ss alone had significantly different effects on phagocytosis and killing capacities and IL-β production, but had similar effects on the downregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, relative nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced (NADH) dehydrogenase (Complex I), intracellular free calcium ions (Ca), and on the upregulation of arginase activity.