Polysaccharide from Thymelaea hirsuta L. leaves: Structural characterization, functional properties and antioxidant evaluation.

In this study, we successfully extracted a new polysaccharide from Thymelaea hirsuta L., which we named THP, with a yield of 13.94 % through aqueous extraction. The polysaccharide comprises 46.83 % neutral sugars and 7.08 % uronic acids. This heteropolysaccharide contains glucose, glucuronic acid, rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose with relative molar ratios of 29.68: 25.73: 21.31: 13.47 and 9.8, respectively. Analysis of glycosylation positions via methylation and structural features using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy revealed that THP has a repeating unit (1 → 3 and 1 → 4)-linked ß-d-glucopyranosyl backbone, with the d-glucopyranosyl residue as the branch point at O-6. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination showed ellipsoidal granules with smooth surface. This polysaccharide also has good foaming capacity and emulsion stability, and a water holding capacity of 1.81 g/g. The THP dispersion at 1 % showed shear thinning behavior, demonstrating that it is a promising natural additive in various food formulations. The polysaccharide also demonstrated significant antioxidant properties, with a total antioxidant capacity of 315 mg α-tocopherol equivalents/g and an IC50 value of 8.01 mg/mL using the ß-carotene bleaching method, surpassing those of synthetic antioxidants. Additionally, when added at a concentration of 0.13 % to an oil/water emulsion system, THP effectively delayed lipid oxidation during storage at 37 °C. The kinetic study of THP-stabilized oil/water emulsion is anticipated to provide valuable insights for its future applications in food and pharmaceutical emulsions.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Bacillus velezensis M3-7 lipopeptides: Enhanced antifungal activity and potential use as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium crown rot disease of wheat seedlings.

Bacillus velezensis M3-7 is a hyperactive mutant, 12-fold improved in its antifungal activity, obtained during a previous study from the wild strain BLB371 after a combination of random mutagenesis and medium component optimization. This study explores the use of this mutant in synthesizing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) for the control of Fusarium crown rot disease (FCR) in wheat seedlings. LC-MS/MS analysis proved that both strains co-produced different families of lipopeptides and that mutagenesis caused the hyper-production of iturin A C14 and C15, the liberation of iturin A C10 and C12, and the inhibition of fengycin release. Our aim was a further improvement in the antifungal activity of the wild strain and the mutant M3-7 in order to control Fusarium crown rot disease (FCR) in wheat seedlings. Therefore, a nanotechnology approach was adopted, and different lipopeptide concentrations produced by the wild strain and the mutant M3-7 were used as capping agents to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) with enhanced antifungal activity. Ag-NPs formed using 3 mg·mL-1 of the mutant lipopeptides were found to exhibit a good distribution, improved antifungal activity, a promising potential to be used as a biofortified agent for seed germination, and an effective compound to control FCR in wheat seedlings.

Massive hydronephrosis due to obstruction by upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma with compression of the inferior vena cava.

A 78-year-old woman presented with tachypnea, abdominal distension, bilateral lower limb edema, and hematuria. A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis was performed, which revealed a significant left-sided hydronephrosis upstream of an upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUT-UC). The patient underwent a left open nephroureterectomy, and approximately 10 L of fluid were evacuated. Follow-up examinations did not show any recurrence of abdominal swelling.

Ocular abscess: An extremely rare complication of transurethral resection of the prostate.

Ocular abscess following transurethral resection of the prostate is an rare complication. We report the case of a male who developed an ocular abscess with purulent melting of the eye after undergoing TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The patient successfully underwent the TURP procedure. However, he developed a right epididymitis and subsequently an ocular abscess on the same side. Treatment involved dual antibiotic therapy for the epididymitis, followed by incision of the ocular abscess and intravenous antibiotics. Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli was identified in both ocular and postoperative urine cultures. This case highlights the rarity and potential serious complications following TURP.

Intrascrotal self insertion of foreign body: Form of entry to schizophrenia.

A 23-year-old boy was referred to Urology because of a nail self insertion on the scrotum. Examination revealed a visible big nail within the scrotum, lateralized to the right at 1 cm from the median raphe. Scrotal exploration and debridement of non-viable tissue was performed, and no testicular or surrounding structure injury was found. Referred to a psychiatrist the diagnosis of schizophrenia was retained in our patient in front of several arguments including the self-mutilation and his psychiatrist concluded that this was secondary to delusions.

Pelvic ureteral angiomyoma mimicking urothelial carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Angiomyoma is a rare benign tumor that can occur in any organ with smooth muscles. No one has already described an angiomyoma of the ureter. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 44 year old woman who presented with intermittent hematuria and left flank pain. The diagnosis of left ureteral tumor was evoked by the scannographic aspect. She underwent a radical nephro-ureterectomy. Final histological examination concluded to ureteral angiomyoma. DISCUSSION: Angiomyoma is rare benign smooth muscle tumor with a vascular component. Symptomatology depends on the organ that angiomyoma is developed from, and is usually mimicking malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Symptomatology, radiologic findings are mimicking urothelial carcinomas, however the pathology corrected the diagnostic error.

A round cell sarcoma of the bladder following radiotherapy: A case Report.

Sarcomas are uncommon and extremely aggressive malignancies. Sarcomas of the bladder are exceedingly rare. We report the case of 67-year-old female patient having had 20 years ago a total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy followed by adjuvant external radiotherapy to an undifferentiated uterine sarcoma, was presented with hematuria. An abdomino-pelvic Computed Tomography (CT) Scan was done showing a 5 cm budding lesion of the bladder floor. An anterior pelvectomy with external urinary diversion was undergone. The histological examination showed a high grade urothelial carcinoma infiltrating the muscle with a sarcomatoid component.

Bladder endometriosis: A serious disease.

Urinary tract endometriosis (UTE) is a very rare but serious form of infiltrating endometriosis because of the risk of urinary tract obstruction and loss of renal function. We report the case of A 42-year-old female patient admitted for intense right back pain with lower urinary tract disorders. An abdomino-pelvic ultrasound was done showing right uretero-hydronephrosis. Ureteroscopy showed an inflammatory-like stenosis of the right pelvic ureter. Given the young age of the patient, the poor quality of the right kidney, we opted for a right total nephro ureterectomy. The anatomopathological examination showed a bladder endometriosis .

Effect of the Harvest Season of Anthyllis henoniana Stems on Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities: Phytochemical Profiling of Their Ethyl Acetate Extracts.

Anthyllis henoniana stems were harvested in two seasons: winter and spring (February and May 2021). In this study, we investigated the antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and TAC) and antimicrobial activities, total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents of the obtained extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol). The results showed that ethyl acetate extract from stems harvested in winter exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, while ethyl acetate extract from the stems harvested in spring showed the most potent antibacterial and antifungal activities. To explain these differences, we investigated the phytochemical composition of these two extracts using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Therefore, 45 compounds were detected, from which we identified 20 compounds (flavonoids, triterpenoids, chalcones and phenolic acids); some were specific to the harvest month while others were common for both periods. Some of the major compounds detected in ethyl acetate (spring) were dihydrochalcone (Kanzonol Y, 8.2%) and flavanone (sophoraflavanone G, 5.9%), previously recognized for their antimicrobial effects. We therefore concluded that the difference in activities observed for the two harvest periods depends on the chemical composition of the extracts and the relative abundance of each compound.

Isolated emphysematous prostatitis: A very rare entity.

Emphysematous prostatitis is characterized by their rarity and its severity. It often occurs in older diabetics. This study reports a new case of an isolated emphysematous prostatitis in a 66-year-old patient which presented with mental confusion and severe sepsis. Computed tomography revealed intra parenchymal air bubbles of the prostate which evolved well after early resuscitation and rapid and effective antibiotic therapy. Emphysematous prostatitis is an uncommon but potentially serious disorder that has the potential for causing problems if not diagnosed at the early stage and treated promptly.

Bladder colloid carcinoma: A case report.

Non-urothelial bladder cancers are rare. We report the case of a 72-year-old who consulted for terminal hematuria evolving for three months. Computed Tomography scan showed a tumor of the anterior wall of the bladder. The patient underwent a transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. The histological examination of the tumor showed a bladder colloid carcinoma. The extension evaluation showed pulmonary and bone metastases. The patient received chemotherapy.

A case of pheochromocytoma in pregnancy: A syndromic association.

BACKGROUND: Pheochromocytoma in association with pregnancy is a very rare, without specific symptoms. Concurrent pheochromocytoma in pregnant women can lead to severe complications and death due to associated catecholamine excess. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old pregnant woman, without medical or surgical history, gravida 1 para 0, was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma through biochemical and imaging tests at 20 weeks of gestation. Perioperative management included a multidisciplinary approach, symptom stabilization with medical treatment. An open right adrenalectomy was than performed at 23 weeks of gestation. DISCUSSION: Pheochromocytoma is a rare but important cause of hypertension in pregnancy. It should be included and investigated as a differential diagnosis in cases of labile hypertension in pregnant women with or without associated symptoms. CONCLUSION: A correct diagnosis in all pregnant women with severe hypertension and a multidisciplinary management are mandatory to obtain optimal results and avoid deleterious effects at delivery.

Acute obstructive pyelonephritis due to pyosalpinx: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A pyosalpinx is the acute inflammation of the fallopian tube, which fills up and swells with pus. It commonly results from inadequate or delayed treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 54-year-old Africain female patient, who presented with sustained high-grade fever, right flank pain, and severe acute storage low-urinary-tract symptoms. Computed tomography showed signs of acute obstructive pyelonephritis with a right tubular juxtauterine mass with complex internal fluid and thick enhancing walls exerting a mass effect on the right ureter. A drainage of the right excretory cavities by a JJ stent was performed. An ultrasound-guided aspiration of the collection was also performed. CONCLUSION: A pyosalpinx can then exert a mass effect on the excretory cavities, thus causing an acute obstructive pyelonephritis. A double drainage coupled with an effective antibiotic therapy is then necessary.

Hydrolytic enzyme screening and carotenoid production evaluation of halophilic archaea isolated from highly heavy metal-enriched solar saltern sediments.

This paper aimed to screen the enzymatic activities and evaluate the carotenoid production level of twenty-two halophilic archaea isolated from Sfax solar saltern sediments. The molecular identification performed by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes showed that all strains have a high similarity degree (99.7-100%) with Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1. The strains were screened for the presence of eight hydrolase activities using agar plate-based assays. The most detected enzyme was gelatinase (77.27% of total strains), followed by protease (63.63%) and amylase activities (50%). The carotenoid production yields of the strains ranged between 2.027 and 14.880 mg/l. The UV-Visible spectroscopy of pigments revealed that it was a bacterioruberin type. When evaluated and compared to the standard ß-carotene, the antioxidant capacities of these pigments showed a scavenging activity of more than 75% at a concentration of 5 µg/ml for three strains (AS16, AS17, and AS18). Then a sequence of one-step optimization processes was performed, using the one-factor-at-a-time approach, to define the optimum conditions for growth and carotenoid production of the highest carotenoid producing strain (AS17). Different environmental factors and nutritional conditions were tested. Variations in these factors were found to deeply influence growth and carotenoid production. A maximum carotenoid production (16.490 mg/l), higher than that of the control (14.880 mg/l), was observed at 37 °C, pH 7, 250 g/l of salinity, with 80% air phase in the flask at 110 rpm, in presence of light and in culture media containing (g/l) 10, yeast extract; 7.5, casamino acid; 20, MgSO4; 4, KCl; and 3, trisodium citrate.

Genomic analysis of heavy metal-resistant Halobacterium salinarum isolated from Sfax solar saltern sediments.

The draft genome sequences of five archaeal strains, isolated from Sfax solar saltern sediments and affiliated with Halobacterium salinarum, were analyzed in order to reveal their adaptive strategies to live in hypersaline environments polluted with heavy metals. The genomes of the strains (named AS1, AS2, AS8, AS11, and AS19) are found to contain 2,060,688; 2,467,461; 2,236,624; 2,432,692; and 2,428,727 bp respectively, with a G + C content of 65.5, 66.0, 67.0, and 66.2%. The majority of these genes (43.69-55.65%) are annotated as hypothetical proteins. Growth under osmotic stress is possible by genes coding for potassium uptake, sodium efflux, and kinases, as well as stress proteins, DNA repair systems, and proteasomal components. These strains harbor many genes responsible for metal transport/resistance, such as: copper-translocating P-type ATPases, ABC transporter, and cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistance protein. In addition, detoxification enzymes and secondary metabolites are also identified. The results show strain AS1, as compared to the other strains, is more adapted to heavy metals and may be used in the bioremediation of multi-metal contaminated environments. This study highlights the presence of several commercially valuable bioproducts (carotenoids, retinal proteins, exopolysaccharide, stress proteins, squalene, and siderophores) and enzymes (protease, sulfatase, phosphatase, phosphoesterase, and chitinase) that can be used in many industrial applications.

A giant renal hydatid cyst with pleural extension and epiploic localization management: A case report.

Hydatidosis is a rare parasitic disease that is endemic in many countries of the Mediterranean basin caused by the larval form of Echinococcus Granulosus. Among unusual localizations, renal involvement is rare, especially extension to the pleural cavity. Herein, we report a rare case of 75-year-old woman with giant renal hydatid cyst complicated by pleural extension. The patient was successfully treated with a median phreno-laparotomy.The renal hydatid cyst was completely emptied with resection of the epiploic hydatid cyst.The diaphragmatic breach was closed after resection of the necrotic margins. With 1 month albendazole therapy.

[Correlation between detrusor thickness, intravesical prostatic protrusion and maximum urinary flow in the monitoring of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. / Corrélation entre épaisseur du détrusor, index de protrusion prostatique et débit urinaire maximal dans le suivi de l'hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate.

INTRODUCTION: Detrusor thickness (DT) and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) are closely related to bladder outlet obstruction. The aim of our study was to look for correlation between DT, IPP and maximum urinary flow (Qmax). METHODS: It is a prospective, observational study including men over fifty managed for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Low urinary tract symptoms were assessed with the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS). Pelvic ultrasound was performed for all patients measuring prostatic volume, bladder volume, post- void residual, DT and IPP. Uroflowmetry was performed for all patients, Qmax was noted. Qmax equal or less than 15ml/s was considered pathologic. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included for our study. Strong negative correlation was noted between DT, IPP and Qmax (r=-0.59, r=-0.61 respectively). Patients with pathologic Qmax had higher DT and IPP than those with normal Qmax, the difference was significant (P<0.01). Threshold values predicting pathologic Qmax were 3mm for DT and 7mm for IPP. ROC analysis reveals for DT an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.76-0.92) and for IPP an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI 0.80-0.97). CONCLUSION: Detrusor thickness and intravesical prostatic protrusion have strong negative correlation with Qmax. These parameters could be an alternative to Qmax measurement if uroflowmetry is unavailable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Grade B.

Endophytic halotolerant Bacillus velezensis FMH2 alleviates salt stress on tomato plants by improving plant growth and altering physiological and antioxidant responses.

Salinity stress has significant deleterious effects on agricultural lands and plant yields. Plants undergo a series of physiological and molecular changes to reduce salt-induced damage. However, these mechanisms remain insufficient. The inoculation of plant growth promoting bacteria to improve plant health under stress conditions offers promise. Bacillus velezensis FMH2 has been shown to protect tomato fruits against black mold disease and to improve seed tolerance to abiotic stresses. During this study, the major physiological and metabolic changes connected with FMH2 mitigation of abiotic stress tolerance in tomato plants were explored. In presence of different salt levels, FMH2 showed a high potentiality to colonize internal plant tissues and to produce several plant growth promoting metabolites such as siderophores, indole acetic acid, and hydrolytic enzymes. FMH2-treatment promoted plant growth (root structure, plant elongation, leaf emission, fresh and dry weights, water content, etc.) in absence as well as in presence of salt stress. FMH2 treatment decreased endogenous Na+ accumulation and increased K+ and Ca2+ uptake. Furthermore, B. velezensis FMH2-treatment improved chlorophyll contents, membrane integrity and phenol peroxidase concentrations, and reduced malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels under saline conditions with a significant salinity × strain interaction. The present study suggests the endophytic strain FMH2 involved different mechanisms and regulatory functions to enhance plant oxidative systems and regulate ion uptake mechanisms supporting both growth and stress management.

Halotolerant Bacillus spizizenii FMH45 promoting growth, physiological, and antioxidant parameters of tomato plants exposed to salt stress.

KEY MESSAGE: Bacillus spizizenii is for the first time described as a plant growth salt-tolerant bacterium able to alleviate salt stress in crop plants by improving physiological parameters and antioxidant defense mechanisms. Agricultural soil salinization is a serious issue worldwide affecting agricultural yield. Plant growth promoting bacteria can enhance salt tolerance and plant yield. Bacillus spizizenii FMH45 has been shown to inhibit fungal attacks in tomato fruits and to augment tomato seed germination in presence of abiotic stresses. During this study, we reported for the first time B. spizizenii as a salt-tolerant bacterium able to alleviate salt stress in tomato plants. B. spizizenii FMH45 was examined in vitro for its potential to produce several plant growth promoting characters (siderophores, IAA, and phosphate solubilization) and hydrolytic enzymes (cellulase, glucanase and protease) in the presence of saline conditions. FMH45 was also investigated in vivo in pot experiments to evaluate its ability to promote tomato plant growth under salt stress condition. FMH45 inoculation, enhanced tomato seedling length, vigor index, and plant fresh and dry weights when compared to the non-inoculated controls exposed and not exposed to a regular irrigation with salt solutions containing: 0; 3.5; 7; and 10 g L-1 of NaCl. FMH45-treated plants also presented improved chlorophyll content, membrane integrity (MI), and phenol peroxidase (POX) concentrations, as well as reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels under saline conditions with a significant salinity × strain interaction. Furthermore, FMH45 inoculation significantly decreased endogenous Na+ accumulation, increased K+ and Ca2+ uptake, and thereby improved K+/Na+ and Ca2+/Na+ ratios. This study proves that bio-inoculation of FMH45 efficiently increases salt tolerance in tomato plants. This sustainable approach can be applied to other stressed plant species in affected soils.

Biocontrol and plant growth-promoting potentiality of bacteria isolated from compost extract.

The use of compost extracts is steadily increasing, offering an attractive way for plant growth enhancement and disease management replacing chemical pesticides. In this study, potential mechanisms involved in plant growth promotion and suppressive activity against fungal diseases, of a compost extract produced from poultry manure/olive husk compost, were investigated. Results of physico-chemical and microbiological investigations showed high ability to reduce Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger and Botrytis cinerea growth. The suppressive ability detected using confrontation test and the phytostimulatory effect tested on tomato seeds were related mainly to its microbial population content. Among 150 bacterial strains, isolated from the compost extract, 13 isolates showed antifungal activity against the four tested plant pathogenic fungi. Their identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed they belonged to different species of the genus Bacillus, Alcaligenes, Providencia and Ochrobactrum. When tested for their ability to produce cell wall degradation enzymes using specific media, the majority of the 13 isolates were shown to synthesize proteases, lipases and glucanases. Similarly, the best part of them showed positive reaction for plant growth promoting substances liberation, biosurfactant production and biofilm formation. In vivo tests were carried out using tomato seeds and fruits and proved that 92% of strains improved tomato plants vigor indexes when compared to the control and 6 among them were able to reduce decay severity caused by B. cinerea over 50%. Principal component analysis showed an important correlation between in vitro and in vivo potentialities and that Bacillus siamensis CEBZ11 strain was statistically the most effective strain in protecting tomato plants from gray mould disease. This study revealed the selected strains would be useful for plant pathogenic fungi control and plant growth promotion.