Hanène Djeghim

Coxiella burnetii, or Q fever agent, has notable implications for human and livestock health. Infections in cattle primarily manifest through reproductive issues where infected animals shed the bacterium in birth fluids, placental tissues, and milk, serving as potential sources of transmission. Bovine herds become reservoirs, contributing to the environmental contamination of farming areas. Comprehensive studies on the prevalence, transmission routes, and associated risk factors among cattle contribute to the development of effective control strategies, ultimately safeguarding both livestock and public health.Here we determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies against in dairy cattle farms from Kabylia (northern Algeria) and identify the associated risk factors. Bulk tank milk samples from 184 farms were analyzed by indirect ELISA technique, 49 of them were tested positive which corresponds to a prevalence rate of 26.63% (95% CI 20.25–33.01%). Multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that the risk factors associated with detection of anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies are: cohabitation of cattle with small ruminants(OR = 3.74 95% CI [1.41–8.92]), exposure to prevailing winds (OR = 5.12 95% CI [2.11–13.45]), and the veterinarian visits frequency(OR = 5.67 95% CI [2.55–13.60]). These findings underscore the susceptibility of dairy cattle to Q fever in the Kabylia region, highlighting practices that pose risks. We recommend the implementation of hygienic measures and adherence to proper farming conditions to mitigate the transmission of Q fever and reduce the associated zoonotic risk.

The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of aflatoxins in the foodstuffs most consumed by the population in Algeria. To determine the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels of coffee samples marketed in Constantine province (Algeria), 43 samples of green and roasted coffee were purchased from local markets and coffee shops. The occurrence and concentration range of AFB1 were investigated by a highly sensitive microtitre plate Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The detection and quantification limits were 0.2ng g⁻¹ and 0.5ng g⁻¹, respectively. The results showed that all the coffee samples were contaminated with AFB1 in the range of 1.004 ng g⁻¹ to 1.167 ng g⁻¹. The highest range was observed in Beans-roasted coffee samples. The authors recommend that surveys of mycotoxins in coffee, as well as other agricultural products, should be continued. Restrictive regulations must be applied to ensure the protection of consumers.

Background. The peanut is one of the most important oil crops suitable for cultivation in the tropical areas of the world. Despite its agronomic importance, few studies have been carried out to assess the morphogenetic diversity of Arachis hypogaea L., especially in East African countries. The major interest of this morphologic study lies in the potential of this species to provide useful genes for the improvement of cultivated peanuts. To date, no study has been performed in Algeria to characterize local peanut varieties.Materials and methods. Thirty peanut accessions were collected from four principal areas of peanut production in Algeria. Genetic characterization using 15 agronomic characters and 25 morphological descriptors showed a high level of diversity among accessions. Principal Component Analysis and the Hierarchical Ascendant Classification were made to clarify the genetic relationship between peanut accessions.Results and discussion. Results showed that leaflet size (length and width), seed shape and size, oil content, and branching pattern were the principal characters to discriminate the screened A. hypogaea accessions. In addition to that, the weights of 10 pods and 100 seeds were the most variable traits and presented a CV of 42.53% and 40.12%, respectively. On the other hand, total storage proteins extracted were separated using SDS-PAGE and revealed thirty bands that were used to generate a matrix and make a cluster analysis using the UPGMA method, exhibiting different storage proteins compositions. Moreover , the phenotypic diversity observed agrees with the storage protein profile diversity, while the accessions grouped in similar clusters belong to the two subspecies of A. hypogaea. The results of the current study show that morphological traits and seed storage proteins can be useful for exploring the diversity among A. hypogaea accessions.

Plant-derived compounds have recently been gaining popularity as skincare factors due to their ability to absorb ultraviolet radiations and their anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this light, this work aimed to evaluate in vitro the pharmacological activities of the butanolic extract prepared from the aerial parts of Astragalus gombiformis Pomel, an endemic species to southern Algeria. The sun protection factor was used to assess the photoprotective effect (SPF), the protein denaturation method to determine the anti-inflammatory activity, and brine shrimp nauplii and OxHLIA assay, respectively, to assess the cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacity of A. gombiformis. In addition, LC–ESI–MS analysis was employed for the characterization of the phenolic constituents of A. gombiformis. The results showed that A. gombiformis had high capacity for absorbing UV radiations with an SPF of 37.78 ± 0.85 and significant anti-inflammatory activity with a percentage inhibition of 75.38% which is close to that of diclofenac and ketoprofen. In addition, A. gombiformis was found to have effective cytotoxicity against Artemia nauplii with a DC50 value of about 44.7 µg/mL, but a weak hemolytic effect against human erythrocytes. LC–ESI–MS results detected the presence of 17 phenolic compounds with a predominance of cirsiliol, silymarin, quercitrin (quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside), and kaempferol. Taken together, these results suggest that A. gombiformis extract could be used as a skincare agent in cosmetic formulations, providing excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, allowing the treatment of skin conditions, as well as a pharmaceutical agent with multidimensional applications.

Although T. gondii is of considerable both public and veterinary importance worldwide, studies on its existence in sheep in Algeria, either through serology and or parasitology is scarce. To this end, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Tébessa, an Algerian eastern province, to, firstly, investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and, secondly, determine the potential risk factors that may be associated with seropositivity. A total of 376 serum samples from 39 flocks, collected between September 2015 and October 2017, were tested for anti-T.gondii antibodies via the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). A T. gondii seroprevalence of 35.37% (95% CI 30.54–40.21%) was recorded, and 84.61% (95% CI 73.29–95.94%) of the flocks sampled had, at least, one seropositive animal. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that abortion during the latest pregnancy (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.02–2.44; p = 0.05), presence of goats in sheep flocks (OR = 1.76; 95% CI 1.04–2.98; p = 0.037), and the sampling period were the variables significantly associated with seropositivity. The present study reports, for the first time in this part of Algeria, the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and bears out the highly dissemination capacity of the parasite. This is of a great importance for veterinarians in charge of veterinary public health, veterinary practitioners, and breeders in order to improve the control and prophylactic measures of toxoplasmosis. Nevertheless, further study should be conducted to explore the impact of the parasite on public and animal health.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is currently the most favorable target for the symptomatic treatment and reduction of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to identify new potent inhibitors of this enzyme, we describe herein a new structure‐based virtual screening (SBVS) using the Institut Curie‐CNRS chemical library (ICCL), which contained at the screening date 14307 compounds. The strategy undertaken in this work consisted of the use of several docking programs in SBVS calculations followed by the application of a consensus method (vSDC) and a scrupulous visual analysis. It allowed us to obtain a high degree of success, with a yield of almost 86 %, since 12 hits were identified among only 14 molecules tested in vitro. Still more remarkably, 6 of these hits were more active than galantamine, the reference inhibitor. These hits were predicted to have good ADMET properties. The two most promising compounds can serve as leads for AD treatment.