Physiological responses of three field-grown species (Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Moringa oleifera) to water deficits in a Mediterranean semi-arid climate

Reforestation of degraded drylands calls for the selection of species with the capacity to withstand water scarcity. In this current study we have assessed, the physiological responses of three field-grown species (Ceratonia siliqua, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Moringa oleifera) to water deficits in semi-arid regions in order to suggest a potential species for rehabilitation programs. The physiological behavior of the given species was studied in three irrigation schemes: subsurface drip irrigation (applied weekly), tank irrigation (applied monthly), and unirrigated plants. In a stressed state, an assessment of relative water content (RWC), water potential (pre-dawn water potential PWP and midday water potential MWP) and stomatal conductance revealed three contrasting physiological responses. First, C. siliqua stomata remained open with a high RWC at low water potentials. Consequently, this species tolerated water deficits by decreasing its leaf water potential, primarily associated with osmotic adjustment. On the other hand, E. camaldulensis was found to be a drought-avoider species, mutated to a water-saving strategy by complete stomatal closure. Finally, for the extreme case, M. oleifera showed leaf shedding under water deficit conditions. These different physiological responses allowed these species to survive water deficits, and consequently, could be considered suitable candidates for rehabilitating degraded semi-arid areas.

Assessment of genetic diversity among wild rose in Morocco using ISSR and DAMD markers

Background

Morocco is considered one of the main biodiversity hotspots in the Mediterranean region and contains various plant species including wild and domestic Rosa. This genus is the most important among cultivated ornamental plants in the world, with a high economic value in cosmetics, pharmaceutical industries, and floriculture. In the present study, genetic diversity among the collected accessions of wild Rosa species in Morocco was assessed using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Directed Amplification of Minisatellites DNA (DAMD) markers.

Results

Results confirmed that both markers used have a good efficiency to assess genetic diversity in wild roses. Ten ISSR and eight DAMD primers amplified 276 and 203 loci, with an average of 27.4 and 25 polymorphic alleles per primer, respectively. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values were 0.34 with ISSR and 0.31 with DAMD. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that genetic variation in wild rose occurs mainly within populations (86%) rather than between populations (14%). The region of Azrou (Middle Atlas of Morocco) is the area that registered the highest genetic diversity in the present study with He = 0.21. The 39 rose accessions were divided into three main groups with among-group similarity of 30%. Principal component analysis and the hierarchical classification were consistent with genetic relationships derived by structure analysis.

Conclusion

The findings revealed that the patterns of grouping are weakly correlated with geographical origin. ISSR and DAMD markers showed that the accessions have a good genetic diversity.

The Fodder Legume Chamaecytisus albidus Establishes Functional Symbiosis with Different Bradyrhizobial Symbiovars in Morocco

In this work, we analyzed the symbiotic performance and diversity of rhizobial strains isolated from the endemic shrubby legume Chamaecytisus albidus grown in soils of three different agroforestry ecosystems representing arid and semi-arid forest areas in Morocco. The analysis of the rrs gene sequences from twenty-four representative strains selected after REP-PCR fingerprinting showed that all the strains belong to the genus Bradyrhizobium. Following multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) using the rrs, gyrB, recA, glnII, and rpoB housekeeping genes, five representative strains, CA20, CA61, CJ2, CB10, and CB61 were selected for further molecular studies. Phylogenetic analysis of the concatenated glnII, gyrB, recA, and rpoB genes showed that the strain CJ2 isolated from Sahel Doukkala soil is close to Bradyrhizobium canariense BTA-1 ^T (96.95%); that strains CA20 and CA61 isolated from the Amhach site are more related to Bradyrhizobium valentinum LmjM3^T, with 96.40 and 94.57% similarity values; and that the strains CB10 and CB60 isolated from soil in the Bounaga site are more related to Bradyrhizobium murdochi CNPSo 4020 ^T and Bradyrhizobium. retamae Ro19^T, with which they showed 95.45 and 97.34% similarity values, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of the symbiotic genes showed that the strains belong to symbiovars lupini, genistearum, and retamae. All the five strains are able to nodulate Lupinus luteus, Retama monosperma, and Cytisus monspessilanus, but they do not nodulate Glycine max and Phaseolus vulgaris. The inoculation tests showed that the strains isolated from the 3 regions improve significantly the plant yield as compared to uninoculated plants. However, the strains of Bradyrhizobium sp. sv. retamae isolated from the site of Amhach were the most performing. The phenotypic analysis showed that the strains are able to use a wide range of carbohydrates and amino acids as sole carbon and nitrogen source. The strains isolated from the arid areas of Bounaga and Amhach were more tolerant to salinity and drought stress than strains isolated in the semi-arid area of Sahel Doukkala.

First Report of Dieback of Quercus suber Trees Associated with Phytophthora quercina in Morocco

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is an evergreen tree native to SW Europe and NW Africa. It covers 2·106 ha in the western Mediterranean basin, forms heterogeneous forest ecosystems and represents an important source of income derived from cork production. While in Iberia, Italy, Tunisia and Algeria, drought and several endemic pathogens have been associated with cork oak decline (Moricca et al. 2016; Smahi et al. 2017), in Morocco there is no evidence, apart from overgrazing and human intervention (Fennane and Rejdali 2015), of a pathogen associated with oak decline. In December 2019, extensive dieback and mortality of 60-year-old cork oak trees were observed in a natural stand of ca 150 ha located 5 km east from Touazithe, in Maâmora forest, Morocco (34°13'38''N, 6°14'51''W - 87 m a.s.l.). Two years before, Q. suber seedlings from a local nursery were planted to increase tree density. Symptoms in trees and planted seedlings included chlorosis, reddish-brown discoloration of the whole crown and dieback starting in the upper crown. Root rot and lack of fine roots were observed. Tree mortality was estimated at ca 30%, and disease incidences of trees and seedlings were 45 and 70%, respectively. A Phytophthora species was consistently isolated from the rhizosphere of 3 symptomatic trees randomly selected at the site using leaves as bait (Jung et al. 1996). On carrot agar Phytophthora colonies were uniform and cottonwool-like. Sporangia were typically terminal, with ovoid, and obpyriform shape, mostly papillate, measuring 30.7 ± 4.7 µm length and 22.7 ± 4.1 µm wide. Oogonia were produced in single culture, and they were globose to subglobose, elongated to ellipsoid, 32.1 ± 2.9 µm in diameter and 46.1 ± 4.8 µm in length. Oospores were usually spherical, thick-walled, and measured 28.1 ± 2.4 µm. Antheridia were paragynous, mostly spherical, measuring 12.2 ± 1.4 µm. Isolates had minimum and maximum temperatures of 5 °C and 30 °C, respectively, and a growth optimum at 20 °C. Apart from the small size of sporangia, features were typical of Phytophthora quercina Jung. The identity of a representative strain (TJ1500) was corroborated by sequencing the ITS and mitochondrial cox1 gene regions, and BLAST search in GenBank showed 100% homology with sequences of the ex-type culture of P. quercina (KF358229 and KF358241 accessions, respectively). Both sequences of the representative isolate were submitted to GenBank (accessions OP086243 and OP290549). The strain TJ1500 is currently stored within the culture collections of the Mendel University in Brno and the University of Sassari. Its pathogenicity was verified and compared with a P. cinnamomi strain in a soil infestation test with one-year-old cork oak seedlings (Corcobado et al. 2017). Five months after inoculation, the symptoms described were observed in the seedlings, and fine root weight of plants inoculated with the TJ1500 strain and P. cinnamomi was reduced by 19 and 42%, respectively, in relation to non-inoculated controls. The pathogen was re-isolated from the necrotic roots, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. So far, P. quercina has been reported associated with chronic mortality of cork oak in new plantations in Spain (Martín-García et al. 2015; Jung et al. 2016) and natural forests in Italy (Seddaiu et al. 2020). To our knowledge this is the first report of P. quercina in Morocco. Givenat Morocco is an important cork producing country, our finding warns about the risk this pathogen poses to Q. suber and other North African oaks.

Colchicine anti-inflammatory therapy for non-intensive care unit hospitalized COVID-19 patients: results from a pilot open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial

Systemic inflammation is a hallmark of severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Anti-inflammatory therapy is considered crucial to modulate the hyperinflammatory response (cytokine storm) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. There is currently no specific, conclusively proven, cost-efficient, and worldwide available anti-inflammatory therapy available to treat COVID-19 patients with cytokine storm. The present study aimed to investigate the treatment benefit of oral colchicine for hospitalized COVID-19 patients with suspected cytokine storm. Colchicine is an approved drug and possesses multiple anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This was a pilot, open-label randomized controlled clinical trial comparing standard of care (SOC) plus oral colchicine (colchicine arm) vs. SOC alone (control arm) in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients with suspected cytokine storm. Colchicine treatment was initiated within first 48 hours of admission delivered at 1.5 mg loading dose, followed by 0.5 mg b.i.d. for next 6 days and 0.5 mg q.d. for the second week. A total of 96 patients were randomly allocated to the colchicine (n=48) and control groups (n=48). Both colchicine and control group patients experienced similar clinical outcomes by day 14 of hospitalization. Treatment outcome by day 14 in colchicine vs control arm: recovered and discharged alive: 36 (75.0%) vs. 37 (77.1%), remain admitted after 14-days: 4 (8.3%) vs. 5 (10.4%), ICU transferred: 4 (8.3%) vs. 3 (6.3%), and mortality: 4 (8.3%) vs. 3 (6.3%). The speed of improvement of COVID-19 acute symptoms including shortness of breath, fever, cough, the need of supplementary oxygen, and oxygen saturation level, was almost identical in the two groups. Length of hospitalization was on average 1.5 day shorter in the colchicine group. There was no evidence for a difference between the two groups in the follow-up serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers including C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT pro-BNP). According to the results of our study, oral colchicine does not appear to show clinical benefits in non-ICU hospitalized COVID-19 patients with suspected cytokine storm. It is possible that the anti-inflammatory pathways of colchicine are not crucially involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.

POS1466 A CASE REPORT OF IRAQI CHILD WITH MONA SYNDROME AND GALACTOSEMIA

Background

MONA) Multicentric Osteolysis, subcutaneous Nodulosis and Athropathy(is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by inactivating mutations in the matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) gene.

It is manifested by osteolysis of the carpal and tarsal bones, progressive joint contractures, and fibrocollagenous nodules (1,2). In addition, there are reports of gingival hypertrophy, pigmented skin lesions, coarse face, corneal opacities, and cardiac defects (1,3). Because of joint contractures and dysmorphic features and radiological findings, it can be misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis and mucopolysaccharidoses respectively(4). Most affected children are apparently normal at birth with symptoms’ onset usually between six months and six years of age (5); the range is from birth to 11 years (2).To date, 51 individuals have been identified with biallelic pathogenic variants in MMP2 (3,6).Here we report a case of child MONA and galactosemia which is not known before.

Objectives

To share this interesting extremely rare presentation and new association

Methods

An eight year old Iraqi boy with Galactosemia at the 4th month of life presented with 4 years history of fractures of his long and short bones after trivial traumas with progressive painful deformities in hands and feet with limitation motion He has seizures, and Atrial septal defects. Intellect is normal, He had coarse facial features, hypertelorism, gum hypertrophy with high arched palate and hirsutism. Painful subcutaneous nodules involving both palms and soles (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Results

The immunological, hematological and ultrasound were normal. The X-rays showed osteopenia, decrease in joint space and resorption of phalanges with cortical thinning and expansion of the phalangeal and metacarpal bones was a distinct finding (Figure 1). Genetic study revealed Homozygous MMP2 mutation.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of MONA Combined with galactosemia was made.

References

[1]Tuysuz B, Mosig R, Altun G, Sancak S, Glucksman MJ, Martignetti JA. A novel matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) terminal hemopexin domain mutation in a family with multicentric osteolysis with nodulosis and arthritis with cardiac defects. European journal of human genetics. 2009;17(5):565–72.

[2]Castberg FC, Kjaergaard S, Mosig RA, Lobl M, Martignetti C, Martignetti JA, et al. Multicentric osteolysis with nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA) with cardiac malformation, mimicking polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: case report and literature review. European journal of pediatrics. 2013;172(12):1657–63.

[3]Bhavani GS, Shah H, Shukla A, Gupta N, Gowrishankar K, Rao AP, et al. Clinical and mutation profile of multicentric osteolysis nodulosis and arthropathy. Am J Med Genet A. 2016 Feb;170A(2):410–7.

[4]L. Kröger et al., “A novel mutation in the matrix metallopeptidase 2 coding gene associated with intrafamilial variability of multicentric osteolysis, nodulosis, and arthropathy,” Mol. Genet. genomic Med., vol. 7, no. 8, p. e802, 2019.

[5]Azzollini J, Rovina D, Gervasini C, Parenti I, Fratoni A, Cubellis MV, et al. Functional characterisation of a novel mutation affecting the catalytic domain of MMP2 in siblings with multicentric osteolysis, nodulosis and arthropathy. Journal of human genetics. 2014;59(11):631–7.

[6]H. Elsebaie, M. A. Mansour, S. M. Elsayed, S. Mahmoud, and T. A. El-Sobky, “Multicentric Osteolysis, Nodulosis, and Arthropathy in Two Unrelated Children with Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Variants: Genetic-Skeletal Correlations,” 2021.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1465 COMPLICATED QUESTIONS YET SIMPLE ANSWERS. A CASE OF THIAMIN DEFICIENCY MISTAKEN FOR SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Background

Sialosis is a non inflammatory nor neoplastic expansion of the salivary glands. it is a common mimicker for obstructive, inflammatory and malignant salivary gland disorders.(1) It had been described in acromegaly, vitamin A, and Thiamin deficiency and in amylophagia and bulimia.(2-5) Imaging should be normal in Sialosis(6) Here we describe a case of Sialosis due to Vitamin deficiency who was treated for a few months with anti-tuberculous and anti inflammatory drugs.

Objectives

To raise awareness about this cause of parotid swelling and encourage practice of exclusion prior to treatment.

Methods

A 30 year old lady with no significant past medical history presented to us with 2 years of slowly progressive, non tender bilateral facial swellings, with no excess or reduced salivation and no pain upon eating, she had negative history of preceding upper respiratory tract infection. the condition was associated with feeling a lump in her right axilla, and cervical region, there was no fever or systemic manifestations. she consulted a surgeon during that period, an exisional biopsy of the lump revealed the presence of fatty lumps, she was then prescribed antituberculosis medications since her symptoms were vague and because TB is quite common in Iraq. She denied any improvement with these medications. She then was prescribed treatment with hydroxyChloroquin and prednisolone by another physician assuming she had sjogren’s syndrome. When we saw the patient she was extremely distressed and depressed, had bilateral diffused parotid swellings, along with submandibular swelling, no mass could be felt during the exam, her mandibles and neck appeared large, she had normal tear film production and negative eye test, with no articular or muscular abnormalities.

Results

Her Labs were negative, and ultrasound for the parotids revealed enlarged glands with normal texture, MRI showed enlarged both parotids and submandibular glands with no other abnormality, minor salivary gland biopsy showed normal tissue with no inflammatory cell infiltrates. she had normal thyroid, parathyroid and growth hormone levels, normal metabolic panel and denied history of Alcohol consumption of Bulimia, but rarely consumed meat. a trial of Vitamin A, Thiamin and pilocarpine was started, the patient reported regression in the size of the swellings after 2 weeks of therapy but then developed mucosal dryness, afterwards, Vitamin A was stopped, she developed bone pain with normal bone markers and for that reason, pilocarpine was stopped. despite stopping these medicines, the size continued to regress on thiamin supplement alone, and she was prescribed anxiolytics and antidepressants by a Neurologist.

Figure 1.

Showing the appearance A, before and B after one month of treatment.

Conclusion

Sialosis can be a manifestation of variable metabolic and endocrine conditions and it should be kept in mind when facing a patient with parotid swelling being a potentially treatable cause.

References

[1]References in Sialosis: 35 cases of persistent parotid swelling from two countries - British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 20]. Available from: https://www.bjoms.com/article/S0266-4356(08)00040-5/references

[2]Salivary Swelling | Iowa Head and Neck Protocols [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 20]. Available from: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/iowaprotocols/salivary-swelling

[3]Yu YH, Park YS, Kim SH, Son BK, Jun DW, Jo YJ, et al. Sialadenosis in a Patient with Alcoholic Fatty Liver Developing after Heavy Alcohol Drinking. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jul 31;54(1):50–4.

[4]Scully C, Eveson J. Sialosis and necrotising sialometaplasia in bulimia; a case report. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2004 Dec 1;33(8):808–10.

[5]Scully C, Bagán JV, Eveson JW, Barnard N, Turner FM. Sialosis: 35 cases of persistent parotid swelling from two countries. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2008 Sep;46(6):468–72.

[6]Sialosis | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jan 20]. Available from: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/sialosis-1

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

P16 An audit of elderly patients with a femoral fracture: is the quality of care received by patients affected by where in the femur the fracture occurs?

Introduction

Elderly patients with femoral fractures are often frail and require a multidisciplinary approach to optimise medical care, rehabilitation and prevention of further injury. Previously, neck of femur fracture patients were the focus of such an approach, but NICE and BOAST guidelines emphasise extending this care to other elderly trauma patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 43 patients over 60 years old at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2019 with a femoral fracture other than a neck of femur fracture. BOAST guideline standards were surgery within 36 hours, orthogeriatric assessment within 72 hours, a documented ceiling of treatment, falls risk assessment, bone health review, nutritional assessment and physiotherapy review.

Results

Our study showed worse outcomes in all standards for patients with femoral shaft, distal femur and periprosthetic femur fractures compared to neck of femur fractures: surgery within 36 hours (63.9% vs. 66%); orthogeriatric assessment within 72 hours (32.6% vs. 91.9%); falls risk assessment (76.7% vs. 99.6%); bone health review (41.9% vs. 99.7%); nutritional assessment (55.8% vs. 99.6%); physiotherapy review (97.7% vs. 98.9%). The group also had worse outcomes for average length of stay (19 days vs. 14 days) and 30 day mortality (9.3% vs. 8.6%).

Discussion

Our study showed a discrepancy in care received by elderly patients with femoral fractures other than neck of femur. We will introduce a proforma for all femoral fractures, present our findings to orthogeriatric, bone health and physiotherapy teams to involve them in the care of such patients and re-audit following these recommendations.

The endemic Chamaecytisus albidus is nodulated by symbiovar genistearum of Bradyrhizobium in the Moroccan Maamora Forest

Out of 54 isolates from root nodules of the Moroccan-endemic Chamaecytisus albidus plants growing in soils from the Maamora cork oak forest, 44 isolates formed nodules when used to infect their original host plant. A phenotypic analysis showed the metabolic diversity of the strains that used different carbohydrates and amino acids as sole carbon and nitrogen sources. The isolates grew on media with pH values ranging from 6 to 8. However, they did not tolerate high temperatures or drought and they did not grow on media with salt concentrations higher than 85 mM. REP-PCR fingerprinting grouped the strains into 12 clusters, of which representative strains were selected for ARDRA and rrs analyses. The rrs gene sequence analysis indicated that all 12 strains were members of the genus Bradyrhizobium and their phylogeny showed that they were grouped into two different clusters. Two strains from each group were selected for multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using atpD, recA, gyrB and glnII housekeeping genes. The inferred phylogenetic trees confirmed that the strains clustered into two divergent clusters. Strains CM55 and CM57 were affiliated to the B. canariense/B. lupini group, whereas strains CM61 and CM64 were regrouped within the B. cytisi/B. rifense lineage. The analysis of the nodC symbiotic gene affiliated the strains to the symbiovar genistearum. The strains were also able to nodulate Retama monosperma, Lupinus luteus and Cytisus monspessulanus, but not Phaseolus vulgaris or Glycine max. Inoculation tests with C. albidus showed that some strains could be exploited as efficient inocula that could be used to improve plant growth in the Maamora forest.

Habitat- and soil-related drivers of the root-associated fungal community of Quercus suber in the Northern Moroccan forest

Soil fungi associated with plant roots, notably ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi, are central in above- and below-ground interactions in Mediterranean forests. They are a key component in soil nutrient cycling and plant productivity. Yet, major disturbances of Mediterranean forests, particularly in the Southern Mediterranean basin, are observed due to the greater human pressures and climate changes. These disturbances highly impact forest cover, soil properties and consequently the root-associated fungal communities. The implementation of efficient conservation strategies of Mediterranean forests is thus closely tied to our understanding of root-associated fungal biodiversity and environmental rules driving its diversity and structure. In our study, the root-associated fungal community of Q. suber was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing across three major Moroccan cork oak habitats. Significant differences in root-associated fungal community structures of Q. suber were observed among Moroccan cork oak habitats (Maâmora, Benslimane, Chefchaoun) subjected to different human disturbance levels (high to low disturbances, respectively). The fungal community structure changes correlated with a wide range of soil properties, notably with pH, C:N ratio (P = 0.0002), and available phosphorus levels (P = 0.0001). More than 90 below-ground fungal indicators (P < 0.01)-either of a type of habitat and/or a soil property-were revealed. The results shed light on the ecological significance of ubiquitous ectomycorrhiza (Tomentella, Russula, Cenococcum), and putative sclerotia-associated/ericoid mycorrhizal fungal taxa (Cladophialophora, Oidiodendron) in the Moroccan cork oak forest, and their intraspecific variability regarding their response to land use and soil characteristics.

[Impact of cork oak management on the ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity associated with Quercus suber in the Mâamora forest (Morocco)]

The cork oak forest is an ecosystem playing a major role in Moroccan socio-economy and biodiversity conservation. However, this ecosystem is negatively impacted by extensive human- and climate-driven pressures, causing a strong decrease in its distribution and a worsening of the desertification processes. This study aims at characterising the impact of cork oak forest management on a major actor of its functioning, the ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungal community associated with Quercus suber, and the determination of EcM bio-indicators. The EcM fungal community has been monitored during spring and winter seasons in two sites of the Moroccan Mâamora forest, corresponding to a forest site either impacted by human activities or protected. A significant impact of cork oak forest management on the EcM fungal community has been revealed, with major differences during the summer season. The results confirmed the potential ecological significance of several EcM fungi (e.g., Cenococcum) in the sustainability of the cork oak forest functioning, but also the significant association of certain EcM fungi (Pachyphloeus, Russula, Tomentella) with a perturbation or a season, and consequently to the cork oak forest status or to climatic conditions, respectively. The development of study at the Mediterranean scale may improve the robustness of ecological models to predict the impact of global changes on this emblematic ecosystem of Mediterranean basin.

Diversity of nodular bacteria ofScorpiurus muricatusin western Algeria and their impact on plant growth

A total of 51 bacterial strains were isolated from root nodules of Scorpiurus muricatus sampled from 6 regions of western Algeria. Strain diversity was assessed by rep-PCR amplification fingerprinting, which grouped the isolates into 28 different clusters. Partial nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and BLAST analysis revealed that root nodules of S. muricatus were colonized by different species close to Rhizobium vignae, Rhizobium radiobacter, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Phyllobacterium ifriqiyense, Phyllobacterium endophyticum, Starkeya sp., and Pseudomonas sp. However, none of these strains was able to form nodules on its host plant; even nodC was present in a single strain (SMT8a). The inoculation test showed a great improvement in the growth of inoculated plants compared with noninoculated control plants. A significant amount of indole acetic acid was produced by some strains, but only 2 strains could solubilize phosphate. In this report we described for the first time the diversity of bacteria isolated from root nodules of S. muricatus growing in different regions in western Algeria and demonstrated their potential use in promoting plant growth.

Phylogenetic status and diet of red fox (Vulpes vulpes griffithii) inhabiting Ayubia National Park, Pakistan

Abstract The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a medium-sized carnivore that occurs in different regions of Pakistan, however, still lacks scientific data on its ecology and distribution. The current study investigated the phylogenetic status and diet of the red fox (V.v. griffithii) occurring in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Through camera trapping and molecular analysis, we confirmed the occurrence of red fox in the study area. Based on mitochondrial cytochrome B (304 bp) and limited sampling, nearly all red foxes of Ayubia National Park and surrounding Himalayan ranges fall within Holarctic maternal lineage, whereas red foxes found in plains of Pakistan are part of the basal Palearctic maternal lineage. Using 32 scats, we found that red fox diet comprises of 80% animal-based prey species (both wild and domestic) and 19% plant matter. The wild animal prey species included Cape hare (Lepus capensis) and flying squirrel (Pteromyini sp.), which constituted 17% and 15% of diet, respectively. Red foxes infrequently consumed House mouse (Mus musculus), Himalayan Palm civet (Paguma larvata) and sheep (Ovis aries), each comprising around 6% to 9% of red fox diet. The fox species also scavenged on domestic donkey opportunistically. Based on our sampling, our study suggests that the red fox (V.v. griffithii) that occurs in Ayubia National Park and across the lesser Himalayan ranges belongs to Holarctic maternal lineage. The study also highlights consumption of plant seeds by red foxes, indicating it may play an important ecological role in seed dispersal in Ayubia National Park.

Laparoscopic and perineal approaches to perineal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Perineal hernias after abdominoperineal resection (APER) of the rectum appear to be becoming more common, but there only a small number of reported cases, with very few reports discussing more than one or two. There is little consensus as to the optimal method of repair. We report the successful management of 7 cases of postoperative perineal hernia, including a hernia around a gluteal rotation flap that has not previously been reported, and discuss the operative approaches.

METHODS

We performed a single-centre hospital database review over 6 years.

RESULTS

Seven perineal hernias occurred after APER and were repaired. Six were treated with a transabdominal approach (5 laparoscopic and 1 laparoscopic converted to open) and one perineal approach. In 4 cases, a synthetic composite mesh was used, in 2 a biological mesh and in one direct suture repair. There have been no recurrences during a median follow-up of 25 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic mesh repair of symptomatic perineal hernia is the method of choice in most cases. Herniation may still occur despite inset of a gluteal rotation flap at initial APER and laparoscopic repair in that instance is difficult.

Perioperative optimization of patients undergoing bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is fast becoming an efficient and safe method of weight reduction, especially for patients in whom conservative measures have failed. As the obese population of the world increases, so will the number of patients requesting or requiring surgical weight loss methods. Bariatric patients however have numerous co-morbidities that make their operative course more difficult, and therefore is important to have a good understanding of the important issues surrounding their pre, peri and post operative management. This article aims to educate the reader about optimal management of the bariatric surgical patient.

Ultratrace and isotope ratios analyses of some radionuclides by ICP-MS

Extensive work is under way using High Resolution-ICP-MS for90Sr,234U,235U,238U,239Pu,240Pu, and241Am detection. Sample preparation procedures based on liquid-liquid extraction and ion exchange chromatography were developed. Sr, U, Pu, and Am were separated from their matrix and concentrated to improve the power of detection in the mass spectrometer. A microconcentric nebulizer with a desolvation introduction system (Ardius) is used. Instrumental limits of detection using Sr and U standard solutions are 0.01 ppt and 0.006 ppt for Sr and U, respectively. A study is presented on the mass interferences for the specified radionuclides. In the environmental samples investigated the90Sr/86Sr isotope ratio is 6.02×10-9and for240Pu/239Pu the isotope ratio is 0.17.

HLA-matching by DNA methods: impact on a living related renal transplantation programme

DNA methods have resulted in improved renal allograft survival rates in cadaveric renal transplantation. This paper describes the impact of DNA typing by PCRSSP on a living related renal transplant (LRRT) programme. It evaluates error rates in serology, acute rejections, graft function and survival rates between the two typing methods. Serological typing was done on CTS 120 antisera Class 1 and 60 antisera Class 2 and 72 antisera Terasaki Class1 and 72 antisera Class2 Antigens. Low resolution PCR-SSP typing was done by 24 primers for HLA A , 48 for HLA B and 24 for HLA DR. Of the 585 transplants, 159 (Group I) were serology based, 172 serology and PCR-SSP for HLA DR (Group II) and 254 on serology and PCR-SSP for HLA A and B and only PCR-SSP for HLA DR (Group III). Error rates in serology as compared to PCR-SSP were 24% for HLA A, 16% for HLA B and 35% for HLA DR. Acute rejection in Group I were 39% Group II 30% and Group III 26% (p 0.02). Graft function of serum creatinine<1.5 mg/dl at 1 year was found in 26% of Group I patients as compared to 48% of Group III (p<0.0001). One and three year graft survival was 93% and 87% for Group II as compared to 81% and 69% for Group I respectively (p 0.0001). Matching by this combination of serology and PCR-SSP is not only economical for a developing country but also improves graft survival by 12% at 1 and 18% at 3 years.

The humoral immune response and the productivity of laying hens kept on the ground or in cages

The effects of two different keeping systems on the humoral immune response and productivity were compared for 80 laying hens, divided into four groups. Two groups each of 20 hens were kept on the ground and two were kept in cages. All the birds were immunised subcutaneously with human serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) at a dose of 100(microg per injection. The immunisations were performed twice at 4-week intervals. The lipopeptide Pam(3)Cys-Ser-(Lys)(4) was used as an adjuvant at a dose of 0.25mg per injection in one group from each housing system. In the second group from each housing system, the hens were immunised without any adjuvant (antigen control groups). The mean egg yield was significantly higher in both the antigen control group and the adjuvant group, when laying hens were kept in cages. Total egg weight remained constant in both of the housing systems. Keeping hens in cages resulted in higher mean specific antibody titres and mean immunoglobulin Y concentrations in the egg yolk.

Characterization of tumorous and normal tissue using a pH-sensitive fluorescence indicator (5,6-carboxyfluorescein) in vivo

The pH of the interstitial fluid of malignant tumours tends to be lower than that of normal tissue and is depressed by glucose administration. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dual-wavelength fluorometry using a pH-dependent indicator (5,6-carboxyfluorescein: 5,6-CF) for the detection of tumour areas in vivo. 5,6-CF has two main characteristics: it has two wavelengths of maximum absorbance (465 and 490 nm) and its fluorescence emission (maximum, 515 nm) increases as a function of pH in the physiological pH range of 6-7.4. The experimental study was performed on 28 CDF mice bearing lymphoid leukaemia P388 grafted subcutaneously. The tissue pH values were evaluated from the ratio of the fluorescence intensities (I490/I465) on the basis of a calibration curve linking pH measurements performed within the tissue using a microelectrode and values of the fluorescence intensity ratio. The fluorescence intensity reached its maximum value 60 min after 5,6-CF and glucose administration, followed by a plateau (90 min) when the ratios remained constant at 1.79 +/- 0.05 for normal tissue and 1.35 +/- 0.04 for tumour tissue (p less than 0.005). These results were correlated with the pH measurements in accordance with the calibration curve. This study validates the relevance of dual-wavelength fluorometry using a pH-dependent indicator to characterize in vivo normal and tumour tissues after glucose administration.