Ain Defla Research Articles

Mycotoxin Accumulation in Dry Rot Potato Tubers from Algeria and Toxigenic Potential of Associated Isolates of Fusarium Genus.

The presence of different mycotoxins in 232 tuber samples exhibiting dry rot symptoms and their associated Fusarium strains from two production sites in Algeria was investigated. LC-MS/MS was used to simultaneously detect and quantify 14 mycotoxins, including trichothecenes and non-trichothecenes. A total of 49 tubers were contaminated with at least one mycotoxins, including T-2, HT-2, Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), 15-acetoxyscirpenol (15-AS) and Beauvericin (BEA). Positive samples from the Bouira region had a significantly higher level of toxin contamination compared to Ain Defla (56.34% and 5.59%, respectively). A total of 283 Fusarium strains were isolated: 155 from Bouira and 128 from Ain Defla. These strains were evaluated for their ability to produce the targeted mycotoxins. The results showed that 61.29% and 53.9% of strains originate from Bouira and Ain Defla regions were able to produce Nivalenol, Fusarenone-X, DAS, 15-AS, Neosolaniol, BEA and Zearalenone. The phylogenetic analysis of the conserved ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of 29 Fusarium strains, representative of the recorded mycotoxins profiles, was distributed into 5 Fusarium species complexes (SC): F. incarnatum-equiseti SC (FIESC), F. sambucinum SC (FSAMSC), F. oxysporum SC (FOSC), F. tricinctum SC (FTSC) and F. redolens SC (FRSC). This is the first study determining multiple occurrences of mycotoxins contamination associated to Fusarium dry rot of potato in Algeria and highlights fungal potential for producing trichothecene and non-trichothecens mycotoxins.

Effect of application sludge from Ain Defla wastewater treatment plant on the biomass and tomato production

Effect of application sludge from Ain Defla wastewater treatment plant on the biomass and tomato production

Evolution of Some Biochemical Parameters during Cold Storage and Their Effect on the Formation of Acrylamide in Fried Potatoes

Background: The province of Ain Defla (Algeria) is known for its high potato production potential. However, many challenges need to be overcome, among them the deterioration of biochemical and organoleptic quality after harvest and during storage of potato tubers. Methods: A study was carried out in this context over two successive years 2019 and 2020, with the aim of determining the degree of physiological evolution of tubers of four potato varieties (Kondor, Bartina, Spunta and Atlas) through biochemical indicators, such as pH, acidity, dry matter, reducing sugars and starch, during cold storage at a temperature of 6°C±2 and for 60 days and 90 days. A qualitative analysis of acrylamide formation under the effect of temperature and frying time was carried out. Result: Kondor revealed the highest pH value before and during storage. A progressive decrease in dry matter and starch as a function of storage time was detected for all varieties studied, notably Spunta and Atlas. The Spunta variety showed significant amounts of reducing sugars during 60 days of storage. Acrylamide formation was intense at 160°C for 4 minutes of frying in both Spunta and Kondor varieties. However, Kondor showed greater resistance to enzymatic browning (acrylamide) than Spunta under the same empirical conditions.

Neutralizing based seroprevalence study of Toscana virus in livestock from Algeria

Toscana virus is a sandfly-borne human pathogen belonging to Phlebovirus genus into Phenuiviridae family. It is emerging in north Africa posing a complex threat to public health. TOSV is heavily affecting sandfly-exposed people in northern Algeria. A larger distribution has recently been stated in Algeria by using dog sera. Dog exposure to TOSV was repeatedly identified in north Algeria, with 4.56% lately detected to possess respective neutralizing antibodies. However, evidence for TOSV has only been observed in dogs among various species of domestic animals. Therefore, we attempted to assess sera from 221 livestock comprising cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits and horses, to identify the presence of TOSV neutralizing antibodies. The study was conducted during 2017, in 11 areas from the governorates of Blida, Medea, Algiers, Tipaza, Ain Defla, Tissemsilt in the north center, and Setif, Mila, Tizi Ouzou, Jijel in the northeast of Algeria. Positive results were obtained in 14.6% (12/82) cattle, 17.18% (11/64) sheep, 15% (3/20) horses and 3.33% (1/30) goats, whereas rabbits remained negative. Positive samples originated mainly from the north centre, with new areas being first-ever detected. The seroprevalence was noticed to be very strongly related to sample origin (p < 0.01). Females (OR=4.09) were observed to be more likely infected. Our findings represent a further proof of TOSV circulation in Algeria. Moreover, they revealed a potential role of livestock (p = 0.00731) in its natural cycle. This fact emphasize how important is to elucidate the exact contribution of livestock to the epidemiology of sandfly-borne phleboviruses, and their impact on public health.

Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Pus/Wound Samples in Humans with Infected Wounds in North Central Algeria

The present study was carried out between 2016 and 2020 in Makour Hamou Public Hospital, Ain Defla district, North Centre of Algeria. The study aimed to characterise the antimicrobial resistance and multidrug resistance in bacteria isolated from 620 patients with purulent skin wounds. Out of the 428 bacterial isolates, 283 were Gram-positive (66.12 ± 4.48%) (P&lt;0.001). A total number of 77 Staphylococcus aureus isolates were obtained, among them 31.2 ± 9.3% (24/77) were methicillin-resistant. The most frequent Gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli (30.34±7.4%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (25.52±7.10%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (23.45±6.70%). All Staphylococcus aureus isolates (77/77) were sensitive to clindamycin. Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to several antibiotics with high resistance rates to amoxicillin (38/44; 86.4 ± 10.1%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (30/44; 68.2 ± 13.8%), cefazolin (21/44; 47.7 ± 7.5%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (16/44; 36.4 ± 14.2%) (P&lt;0.001). All Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to amikacin (145/145) and only one Gram-positive isolate (99.65 ± 0.69%) was resistant to vancomycin. Multidrug resistance was observed in 31.54% of isolates; it was significantly higher in Gram-negative compared to Gram-positive bacteria (62/145; 42.76 ± 8% and 73/283; 25.79 ± 5.10%, respectively) (P&lt;0.001). Multidrug resistance rate was significantly correlated to patients’ age (P&lt;0.001) but not according to years. These results showed the presence of different bacteria species from human wound infections. The resistance to one or multiple antibiotics were frequent. It is recommended to reduce irrational use of antibiotics and a more frequent use of antibiogram before any antibiotic prescription.

Quantification of solid particle transport in suspension in a stream: Case of Wadi Zeddine Ain-Defla, Algeria

Arid and semi-arid areas are characterised by differentiation in meteorological conditions. Sometimes the rains are rare and not very intense and at other times they are dense and very intense, resulting in torrents that often lead to strong soil erosion. Most of the time, the losses occur at the solids level because the erosion effect is too high. In this study, we want to evaluate the transfer of solid sediments as a function of liquid transport in the basin of Wadi Zeddine at Ain Defla in Algeria. To understand this phenomenon, we used the data of liquid flows ( Ql, m 3∙s –1) and concentration of suspended sediments ( C, g∙dm –3), transported in the river, the data collected by the NWRA (National Water Resources Agency), over 24 years have been used to find a relationship between these two quantities, to estimate the quantity of solid transport Qs (kg∙s –1) in the watercourse of the catchment area studied. The results obtained show a good correlation between solid and liquid flows, with a correlation coefficient estimated at 90%, and the average annual sediment supply recorded at the outlet of the Wadi Zeddine watershed is estimated at around 88,048 Mg, which corresponds to 202 Mg∙km –2∙y –1/ erosion rate. This value is comparable to those found in other regions with similar hydrological regimes.

Determining the impacts of climate change on Spatio-temporal patterns of meteorological drought using SPI

As an associated aspect of climate change, drought has become a severe challenge in different parts of the world, especially in regions where life depends on predominantly rain-fed agriculture. The Ain Defla study area is mostly agricultural land, most of its activity depends on rain. In recent years, droughts of varying impact and severity have affected crops. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and study the regions that are most vulnerable to drought in terms of time and space. Moreover, it provides a detailed picture of the drought in the region and finds appropriate solutions in the event of its return in the future. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the deviation from the average (EM) were calculated annually for 38 years for 13 stations from 1981 to 2019 within the study area. GIS was used to compile digital maps to visualize the spatial distribution of rainfall (P) and the difference in rainfall (EM) and determine the aridity using SPI values within the region based on the statistical method of Kriging. The Ain Defla region was subjected to drought of varying intensity and impact during the years (1983, 1989 and 2000), which extends with a decreasing value from east to west. Some wet years were also observed (2013 and 2018). Most years were in the moderate category by 60%. It is possible to rely on rain-fed agriculture in the western regions, that were less prone to drought during the study period compared to the eastern part, an area where drought is stable on an ongoing basis.

Impact of the use of treated wastewater for irrigation on the physico-chemical quality of soils: A case study from Ain Defla, Algeria

Impact of the use of treated wastewater for irrigation on the physico-chemical quality of soils: A case study from Ain Defla, Algeria

Prevalence of cervical cancer in Ain Defla region (Algeria).

The high rate of cervical cancer in Algeria and the absence of organized screening programs are well shown in this study, which aims to determine the prevalence of cervical cancer and describe the risk factors associated with this alarming prevalence. This retrospective study is based on data collected from medical records and A questionnaire was developed to assess the risk factors (such as: parity, age at first marriage, smoking, oral contraceptive, and Hormonal status) of cervical cancer among the participants. Face to Face interview were conducted with the participants. The result obtained from this study revealed that cervical cancer occupies the fourth place of cancer in the Wilaya of Ain Defla (4,71 %); the results confirm the effect of several risk factors such as early marriage age (below 20 years: 46.66 %), multiparity (53.33%), menopause (66.66 %); taking contraception (53.33%) and smoking in the development of this pathology. The adoption of an early and annual screening program in our region would be very important to us. In addition, the interest of annual screening is to raise women's awareness of this pathology, particularly in isolated regions.

Artificial reproduction of royal carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The aim of this study was to establish an experimental protocol for the artificial reproduction of royal carp ‘Cyprinus carpio’ with the hormonal induction of spawning. For this purpose, we conducted this study at an aquaculture farm in Khemis Meliana (Ain Defla, Algeria). The study included six royal carp broodstock, 4 females and 2 males. Hormone injection was performed in the dorsal muscle under the fin. The induction of carp was done successively in females by GnRH at a dose of 3 mg/kg and in males by hCG at a dose of 500 IU per kg weight. Fertilisation was done artificially by the dry method. After incubation of eggs, a binocular magnifying glass was used to check the condition of eggs and the development of the embryos over time. The results obtained show that the artificial reproduction of this species was possible, with success of ovulation and fertilisation, and hatching and growth of the larvae. Stripping was done after 24 h of hormonal stimulation at a temperature of 21°C. Disaggregation of eggs was performed efficiently with whole milk. The total number of eggs was 552,000 eggs with a weight of 1104 g. The average latency time was 22 hours. The hatching rate after 3 days of incubation on artificial spawning grounds at 21±1°C was 441,600 larvae (80%). Larvae food follow-up started from the 3rd day post-hatching with a combination natural food (rotifers) and artificial food. At the end of this experiment, we can conclude that it is possible to improve reproduction through the proper use of hormonal stimulation techniques and by improving feeding and abiotic factors that are dominant in fish farming.

Correlation of biological cervical cancer with its demographic and obstetric parameters in Ain Defla region, Algeria.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of cervical dysplasia and its relationship to biological and demographic characteristics. A transversal observational study is based on 236 conventional smears collected in Algeria. A Pap smear was taken, fixed and then stained using Papanicolaou staining. The interpretation of the results was done using the Bethesda 2014 system. Some of the patients with abnormal smears had colposcopy and, if necessary, a biopsy. Other patients with low-grade lesions were recommended to have their smears resumed 6 months or 1 year later. Cytological analysis was performed for 236 patients. Among those, 94 patients had abnormal smears, 45 cases with ASCUS (19.06 %), LSIL was reported in 36 cases (15.25%), AGC was observed in 6 cases (2.54 %), HSIL in 4 cases (1.69 %), only 1(0.42 %) case observed in SCC and 2 cases in ADK (0.84 %). Also, 34 low-grade patients underwent cytological examination 6 months to 1 year later to determine the persistence, regression or progression of low-grade dysplasia. During follow-up, persistence was observed in 35.29% (n= 12) of cases, progression to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) was detected in 5.88% (n= 2), while 52.88% (n= 20) of the patients experienced regression. Moreover, the frequency of Pap smear positivity correlated with the duration of OC use, the duration of marriage and parity. In this study, the prevalence of abnormal smear was 39.84 % for cytology. The colposcopy and histology confirmed just 3.33%. Meanwhile, these results highlight the importance of early screening of this pathology.

Bayesian Modeling of COVID-19 to Classify the Infection and Death Rates in a Specific Duration: The Case of Algerian Provinces.

COVID-19 causes acute respiratory illness in humans. The direct consequence of the spread of the virus is the need to find appropriate and effective solutions to reduce its spread. Similar to other countries, the pandemic has spread in Algeria, with noticeable variation in mortality and infection rates between regions. We aimed to estimate the proportion of people who died or became infected with SARS-CoV-2 in each provinces using a Bayesian approach. The estimation parameters were determined using a binomial distribution along with an a priori distribution, and the results had a high degree of accuracy. The Bayesian model was applied during the third wave (1 January–15 August 2021), in all Algerian’s provinces. For spatial analysis of duration, geographical maps were used. Our findings show that Tissemsilt, Ain Defla, Illizi, El Taref, and Ghardaia (Mean = 0.001) are the least affected provinces in terms of COVID-19 mortality. The results also indicate that Tizi Ouzou (Mean = 0.0694), Boumerdes (Mean = 0.0520), Annaba (Mean = 0.0483), Tipaza (Mean = 0.0524), and Tebessa (Mean = 0.0264) are more susceptible to infection, as they were ranked in terms of the level of corona infections among the 48 provinces of the country. Their susceptibility seems mainly due to the population density in these provinces. Additionally, it was observed that northeast Algeria, where the population is concentrated, has the highest infection rate. Factors affecting mortality due to COVID-19 do not necessarily depend on the spread of the pandemic. The proposed Bayesian model resulted in being useful for monitoring the pandemic to estimate and compare the risks between provinces. This statistical inference can provide a reasonable basis for describing future pandemics in other world geographical areas.

Seroprevalence of Q fever among ewes and associated risk factors in Ain Defla region, North-central Algeria

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, which causes abortions in domestic ruminants. This study aims to assess the seroprevalence of Q fever among ewes and investigate the associated risk factors in the Ain Defla region (north-central Algeria). Blood samples from 184 ewes were randomly collected from 45 sheep flocks. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against C. burnetii using an ELISA test. Seroprevalence was 24.9% and 66.7% at the animal and flock levels respectively. Univariate analysis at the animal level indicated three factors significantly associated with C. burnetii seropositivity: presence of pigeons in farms (χ2 = 9.689; p = 0.008), abortion in ewes (χ2 = 11.209; p = 0.001), and abortion history in the flock (χ2 = 7.744; p = 0.005). Therefore, C. burnetii infection plays a major role in abortions in the sheep populations under study, and the presence of pigeons in farms plays a role in disease transmission.

First Ethnobotanical Study Relating to Usage of Medicinal Plants in Province of Ain Defla Region, South-West of Algeria

The study was performed through 2019-202 in Ain Defla province (South-west of Algeria) including 10 municipalities. Ain Defla has a wide diversity of plants used by their inhabitants for therapeutic aims. The data were collected and recorded using a feedback form, from a pre-established population, targeting on informants demographics, medicinal plants and parts used, method of treatment, and diseases treated. The collected information were analysed in terms of species use value, fidelity level and informant consensus factor. 180 people were interviewed; gender distributions (40%) ladies and 60% were men. The study recounted 65 medicinal plants belonging to 33 distinct families, of which the Lamiaceae are the most commonly used. The most used parts of plants are leaves. The most common mode for therapeutic preparations was infusion. The most frequently plant used was with 1.07 following by was with 0.69 of use value, T. munbyanus Allium cepa respectively. The highest fidelity level was recorded for with 100% for treatments of cardiovascular diseases, follow by Petroselinum crispum Inula viscosa with 86% for gastrointestinal diseases. The informant consensus factor varies from 0.75 to 0.96 and gastrointestinal diseases with 0.96 represented the highest informant consensus factor.

Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in goats in central Algeria

This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in goats in central Algeria. A total of 605 samples of goat faeces were collected from several mixed farms (sheep and goats) in the regions of Médéa, Djelfa, and Ain Defla. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected using the Ziehl-Nelseen technique modified by Henriksen and Polhenz. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 103 samples (17.02%). Females accounted for 69.90% of positive samples while males accounted for 30.09% of positive samples (P&amp;lt;0.05). The most infested animals were those aged between 2 months and 7 years (69.99%). Animals under 15 days of age were also very vulnerable to infection (59.25%) (P&amp;lt;0.05); Young goats with diarrhoea infested with Cryptosporidium were noticed in 25% of samples. The infestation rate during autumn was 56.31%, and 43.68% in spring (P&amp;lt;0.05). Post-weaned goats are potential carriers and shedders of the parasite and young are vulnerable to the infection. To conclude, further studies are needed on a larger sample and in other areas to improve our epidemiology knowledge of cryptosporidiosis in goats.

Assisted reproduction of Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822

The objective of this work was to set up an experimental protocol concerning artificial reproduction in the catfish Clarias gariepinus with the induction of spawning using GnRH. The experiment was carried out at an aquaculture farm in Khemis Meliana (Ain Defla), Algeria. In the study, five African catfish broodstock (3 females and 2 males) were used. Hormonal injection was made into the back muscle below the fin, and doses of GnRH were determined according to the weight of each individual. Fertilisation was performed artificially using the dry method. After incubating the eggs, a binocular magnifying glass was used to check egg condition and embryonic development over time. The results obtained show that artificial insemination of this species, and survival and growth of larvae, are possible. After injection with GnRH, C. gariepinus females displayed successful ovulation, fertilisation, larval hatching, and larval monitoring. For this species, a latency period of 22 hours was recorded, and approximately 35,700 larvae were obtained. The fertilization rate was 48%. At the end of this experiment, we can conclude that it is possible to improve reproduction through the proper use of hormonal stimulation techniques and by improving the diet and abiotic factors that are dominant in fish farming.

Study of the Varietal Behavior of Eight Durum Wheat Genotypes Under Conditions in Haut Chéllif (Ain Defla, Algeria)

This study was conducted on five varieties of durum wheat of which 03 are native to the region of Ain Defla (Waha, Vitron, and Siméto), and 05 others introduced were studied during this test (NV25, NV26, NV27, NV28, NV29), to study their varietal behavior under natural climatic conditions in the semi-arid zone of Ain Defla, during the 2008/2009 campaign. The chosen experimental device is complete random blocks with 04 repetitions. The study focused on the phenological characteristics of the plant, such as plant height at maturity (cm), the number of tillers.m-2, the length of cob, the length of the pedoncule cob, as well as the development of the yield (biological and actual yield) and their components (number of fertile tillers plant-1, number of grains cob-1, 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield m-2). With phenological characteristics, the results show that some introduced varieties have a clear superiority compared to local varieties. Regarding the yield components, the results show that they are influenced by the variety factors and pedoclimatic adaptation conditions of the new varieties compared with the control varieties. Additionally, a difference between the biological and real yields was recorded to estimate the yield around 5% to 28% in the form of loss.

Seroprevalence of Q Fever Among Ewes and Associated Risk Factors in Ain Defla Region, North-Central Algeria

Seroprevalence of Q Fever Among Ewes and Associated Risk Factors in Ain Defla Region, North-Central Algeria

ANTIMICROBIALS USE IN BROILER CHICKEN BREEDING: CASE OF THE AIN DEFLA PROVINCE (ALGERIA)

The objective of this study is to assess the use of antimicrobials in the broiler production in Algeria, through a survey completed by private veterinarians of the Ain Defla province. In this context, 65 band breeding were studied for antimicrobial use between October 2019 and June 2020. The results showed that all of the studied bands received antimicrobial treatments for at least 5 days during the breeding period. Quinolones class was the most widely used class of antimicrobials (24.4%), followed by the tetracyclines class (22.5%), sulfonamides (20.1%) and polypeptides (12.1%). Macrolides and beta-lactams come last (4.02% and 3.22% respectively). 160 mg of active compound were administered per kg of chicken meat produced. The number of daily doses (nDDkg) was 10.5, while the treated live weight (nCDkg) was 2.66. Per molecule, chickens were more exposed to colistin, doxycycline, oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin. The withdrawal period of used bands was not respected, and meat from these treated broilers was found to contain antimicrobial residues at 33.9%. The reasons for this frequent use are various: poor conditions and bad practices of breeding, poor quality of day-old chicks, veterinary practices, and difficulties of control by veterinary authorities.

The effect of municipal sewage sludge on properties physicochemical and microbial agricultural soil

The organic matter content of sludge can improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil ensuring better cultivation and good agricultural productivity. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of sewage sludge on the main physicochemical and biological properties of the soil. The sludge was spread in an agricultural field in Ain defla (Algeria) cultivated with a tomato crop (‘Panikra’) in four treatments: (T): soil without sewage sludge and without mineral fertilization, (B): soil with sewage sludge, (E): soil with mineral fertilization, (B + E): soil with sewage sludge and mineral fertilization. For this, several physical, chemical and microbiological properties were analyzed on the residual sludge used and the soils collected in the studied plots. The results show that the sludge used does not exhibit any toxicity and that the treatment with the sewage sludge with the fertilizer used on the agricultural soil forms a better compost for improving the physicochemical quality of the soil compared to the other treatments. The application of sewage sludge also can accelerate microbial activity by increasing the number of bacteria, fungi and azotobacter.