Western Algeria Research Articles

In vitro biological activities and phenolic compounds analysis by RP-HPLC-PDA of Thymus ciliatus (Desf.) Benth. ssp. coloratus extracts from Western Algeria

In vitro biological activities and phenolic compounds analysis by RP-HPLC-PDA of Thymus ciliatus (Desf.) Benth. ssp. coloratus extracts from Western Algeria

Investigation of Potent Antifungal Metabolites from Marine Streptomyces bacillaris STR2 (MK045300) from Western Algeria

Fungal infections significantly threaten public health, and many strains are resistant to antifungal drugs. Marine Actinobacteria have been identified as the generators of powerful bioactive compounds with antifungal activity and can be used to address this issue. In this context, strains of Actinomycetes were isolated from the marine area of Rachgoun Island, located in western Algeria. The isolates were phenotypically and genetically characterized. The most potent antifungal isolate was selected, and its crude extract was purified and characterized by the GC/MS method. The results revealed that the STR2 strain showed the strongest activity against at least one target fungal species tested on a panel of fungal pathogens, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium oxysporum. The molecular assignment of the STR2 strain based on the 16S rRNA gene positioned this isolate as a Streptomyces bacillaris species. The presence of safranal (2,3-dihydro-2,2,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde) in the crude chloroform extract of Streptomyces bacillaris STR2 strain was discovered for the first time in bacteria using chromatographic analysis of its TLC fractions. Moreover, certain molecules of biotechnological interest, such as phenols, 1,3-dioxolane, and phthalate derivatives, were also identified. This study highlights the potential of marine actinomycetes to produce structurally unique natural compounds with antifungal activity.

Effect of Subclinical Mastitis Detected in the First Month of Lactation on the Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Western Algeria

Background: The current study aimed to detect in the first month of lactation the prevalence and risk factors of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and its effects on reproductive performance in dairy cows in western Algeria. Methods: 530 cows from 18 herds were examined in the study. California Mastitis Test (CMT) was used to screen subclinical mastitis for individual cows and a score of two or more for any quarter without any clinical symptoms and abnormalities in milk was considered as positive for SCM. Milk samples positive for subclinical mastitis were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Result: The present study revealed a prevalence of subclinical mastitis of 34.90%, (185 of 530). The most common pathogen identified from CMT-positive milk samples was Staphylococcus aureus with 35.62%. Logistic regression analysis showed that parity, farming system and milking method affect significantly the prevalence of SCM. Subclinical mastitis during the first month of lactation affected significantly the reproductive performance by increasing calving to first service interval (CFSI), calving-to-conception interval (CCI)and number of services per conception (NSPC). The results of this study highlight the importance of mastitis control programs in dairy farms by showing that a high frequency of subclinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus may have a negative impact on the reproductive performance of dairy cows.

Incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli causing community-acquired urinary tract infection in Tiaret province, Western Algeria: retrospective study

Incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Escherichia coli causing community-acquired urinary tract infection in Tiaret province, Western Algeria: retrospective study

E-MANAGEMENT AS A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY TO IMPROVE PERCEIVED EDUCATION QUALITY AND STUDENT SATISFACTION, EVIDENCE FROM ALGERIA

The wider recognition of the importance of digital transformation and its various applications in institutions has led to its adoption by higher education institutions seeking to improve their education quality and retain their customers. Accordingly, through this study, the researcher aims to investigate the effect of e-management in improving perceived education quality and student satisfaction in Algerian higher education. To achieve this objective, the researcher distributed an online survey to a random sample of 218 international students enrolled in the faculty of sciences and technology at Oran University in Western Algeria. Based on structural equation modelling analysis using Amos Program (v24.0.0), the results showed that e-management positively and significantly affects perceived education quality. Likewise, e-management also has a positive and significant effect on student satisfaction. Moreover, the results revealed that perceived education quality has a positive and significant effect on student satisfaction in Algeria HEIs.

Allelopathic Potential of Volatile Oils from Mentha piperita and Chrysanthemum coronarium Growing in Western Algeria

Background: The allelopathic effects of the essential oils of M. piperita and C. coronarium on seed germination of two wheat species qualify them as bio-herbicides. Objective: In order to search for natural plant-based products that may have herbicidal action, we selected two plant species, M. piperita and C. coronarium, to evaluate the allelopathic potential of their essential oils on wheat seed germination of two wheat species. Methods: Aerials parts of M. piperita and C. Coronarium were subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus to extract essential oils, followed by characterization using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Bioassays were conducted with ethanol as the organic solvent, employing three concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 μl/ml of oil/ethanol) to assess their effects on the seed and seedling growth of two wheat species. Results: Under laboratory conditions, extracts of Mentha piperita and Chrysanthemum coronarium oils at varying concentrations (0.25 μl, 0.5 μl, and 0.75 μl) were examined for their effects on two wheat species (Triticum durum L. and Triticum aestivum L.). The yields of the obtained oils were 1.19% and 0.25%, respectively. The chemical composition of the essential oils extracted from M. piperita and C. coronarium was dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, representing 97.5% and 94.9%, respectively. The tested essential oils strongly inhibit seed germination and seedling growth (root length LR and shoot length LPA) of both wheat species studied. The inhibition increased as the oil concentration increased, although this increase differed between the two species. This study has shown that the tested essential oils possess an interesting inhibitory allelopathic potential. result: The oils extracts of M. piperita and C. coronarium at different concentrations (0.25 μl, 0.5 μl, and 0.75 μl) were tested on two varieties of wheat (Triticum durum L. and Triticum aestivum L.) under laboratory conditions. The yields of the obtained oils are 1.19% and 0.25%, respectively. The chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of M. piperita and C. coronarium is dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes, representing 97.5.% and 94.9%, respectively. The tested EOs strongly inhibit seed germination and seedling growth (LR and LPA) of both wheat varieties studied. The inhibition increases as the oil concentration increases, although this increase is not comparatively similar for the two species. This study has shown that the tested EOs possess an interesting inhibitory allelopathic potential. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the tested essential oils possess promising allelopathic properties, suggesting them as natural bio-herbicides.

Clinical profile of obese patients treated in Oran, a city in Western Algeria.

Clinical profile of obese patients treated in Oran, a city in Western Algeria.

Assessment of Fungal Contamination and Their Toxigenic Potential of Farmed Fish in Western Algeria

Fish and fish products have been documented as a major source of pathogens, with fungi playing a key role. In this paper, a survey was conducted to determine the presence of fungi in fish reared in various aquaculture farms in western Algeria, namely Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The search for micromycetes was carried out on different parts of the body: skin and flesh, gills, and intestines. A total of 1937 fungal strains were revealed and divided into 10 genera of filamentous fungi, one genus of yeast, and other yeasts that have not yet been determined. Penicillium was the most common genus, representing 41.56% of the fungal population, fol-lowed by Rhodotorula (17.60%), and Aspergillus (15.95%). The greatest number of isolates was identified in the gills of gilthead sea bream, while the lowest number was isolated from sea bass intestines. Secondly, we sought to highlight the toxigenic potential of the fungal strains isolated, using the brine shrimp lethality test. Five of the fungal strains tested, belonging to the two genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, showed toxic potential for Artemia salina. The highest toxicities were observed mainly by strains of Aspergillus parasiticus (APAR001), Aspergillus terreus (ATER002), and Aspergillus niger (ANIG001) respectively. Penicillium chrysogenum (PCHR002) showed the lowest activity. These results confirm the infection of farmed fish by toxigenic fungal communities, which can present a real health hazard to consumers. Regular monitoring and compliance with fish health management practices are recommended.

Effect of Port Activities and Urban Discharge on Water Quality in the Port of Oran, Western Algeria

Effect of Port Activities and Urban Discharge on Water Quality in the Port of Oran, Western Algeria

The seasonal variation of the inhibitory effect of bioactive extracts of a marine algae (Corallina officinalis) collected from the Algerian west coast

Algae are increasingly becoming the center for interest due to researchers for their composition of various important bioactive molecules. The objective of this study is to investigate the seasonal variations in the concentrations of flavonoids, polyphenols, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, as well as the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts from the red alga Corallina officinalis collected from western Algeria. The results of the biochemical assays show that the best polyphenol contents are recorded by the summer extract with a concentration of 33.29 μgEqAG/mg. The recorded flavonoid contents are 967.33; 869; 239.66 and 156 µgEQ/mg for summer, autumn, spring and winter respectively. For chlorophyll a and b the winter extract recorded the highest values. The best results of antibacterial tests were noted for the summer season with diameters of 14.33 mm against the two-bacteria E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin (SARM). The autumn extract gave low activity against E. coli, Pseudomonas, SARM and Klebsiella. For the winter extract we noted resistance against B. cereus, Pseudomonas and B. subtilis while E. coli, SARM, Klebsiella and the yeast Candida albicans recorded low activity. For the spring extract, resistance was observed against all the bacteria tested except for the E. coli and Klebsiella strains. The extracts obtained can be used as an antibacterial due to their rich content of bioactive molecules. The best results of antibacterial tests are noted for the summer season.

Study of the soil-vegetation relationships of some chamaephytes in the southern landscape of Tlemcen (Oranie, Western Algeria)

Study of the soil-vegetation relationships of some chamaephytes in the southern landscape of Tlemcen (Oranie, Western Algeria)

The molecular significance of BRCA1 promoter methylation in peripheral blood cells in women with breast cancer in West Algeria

IntroductionEpigenetic alterations, in particular DNA methylation, are the most important mechanism that silences tumor suppressor genes during carcinogenesis. Methylation of the BRCA1 promoter in peripheral blood is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. In the present study, we aimed, for the first time in western Algeria, to investigate the role of BRCA1 CpG promoter methylation in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) among breast cancer patients, as a potential biomarker for detecting breast cancer risk at an early age.Material and methodsThe methylation profile of the BRCA1 gene promoter and its frequency in PBCs, derived from 39 breast cancer patients, was explored by methylation-specific PCR (MSPCR). The association between methylation profiles and clinicopathological features was evaluated with SPSS statistics software to estimate a convenient biomarker for early detection of breast cancer.ResultsMSPCR results demonstrated that the methylation frequency of the BRCA1 gene promoter detected in PBCs is significantly higher than in other populations. It was observed in 23 of 39 (58.97%) breast cancer patients.ConclusionsOur study showed that the methylation of the BRCA1 gene promoter detected in PBCs’ DNA could have potential utility in clinical diagnostics as a new biomarker for breast cancer risk in Algerian women and for early detection.

Alternative plant protection using an indigenous bacterium (Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans) isolated from agricultural soil of potato fields in Western Algeria to biodegrade common pesticides

Nowadays, it is highly important to find ways to degrade pesticides residues from the environment. We studied degradation of carbamate, copper sulphate - Cymoxanil and Cycloxydim by using an indeginous bacterium Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans. This bacteria uses pesticides as source of carbon and solubilize them by their enzymatic machinery. Experiments were conducted using mineral salt medium (MSM) on agar supplemented with two different pesticides as sole carbon and energy source: carbamate and acetamiprid. These organic pesticides contain carbon (example of carbamate: NH2COOH). Growth of the bacteria could suggest that it has utilized the pesticide as its sole energy source, indicating its ability to degrade the pesticide. The effects of different factors on pesticides degradation were investigated such us pesticide tolerance. The bacteria were tested for the ability to tolerate high concentrations of pesticides to optimize the degradation conditions. The treatments consisted of carbon-free mineral salts medium (MSM) supplemented with pesticides that are usually used during cultivation of potato such as acetamiprid, carbamate, copper sulphate - Cymoxanil and Cycloxydim at increasing concentrations (70, 100, 200 and 500mgl-1). Bacterial growth was monitored by daily measurement of the optical density at 600 nm on UV-1600 Spectrophotometer. Only one strain (Labeled PF2 of Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans) showed potential to tolerate and mitigate the tested pesticides at high concentrations. Further, a phenotypic characterization was carried, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis performed to identify the PF2 strain. Pesticides did not show any significant inhibitory effect on the isolate PF2. Comparison of sequences with GenBank database gave similarity with Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans with 99.74% of homology. A phylogenetic tree of Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans was constructed to show relationship to closely related bacteria. The potential and efficiency of the strain PF2 using pesticides can be considered as a qualitative leap in the field of pesticide bioremediation in agricultural soils.

Spatio-Temporal Changes of Aridity in the Province of Naâma (Western Algeria)

Arid regions are characterized by the fragility of their ecosystems, which are highly vulnerable to climate change. The increase in aridity in these regions makes them more exposed to droughts. This article analyses the trend in aridity and the expansion of drylands in the Wilaya (province) of Naâma, which is an arid region in south-western Algeria, over the period of 1951 to 2020. Monthly rainfall data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC), as well as monthly mean temperature and potential evapotranspiration (PET) data from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU), characterized by a spatial resolution in grid points of 0.5º, were used. The results showed an increase in annual aridity, leading to transformation of drylands in to arid lands. As a result of these changes an additional 10% area of semi-arid land to converted to arid zone

Epidemiological and pathomorphologic investigation of peste des petits ruminants in Western Algeria: A comprehensive study of clinical and histopathological findings.

This study delves into the epidemiology and pathomorphologic characteristics of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in western Algeria, a viral disease that constantly threatens small animals in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the epidemiology of PPR in western Algeria and to understand the pathomorphological lesions in naturally infected small ruminants. An online survey conducted via google forms and shared with veterinarians in the wilaya of Tiaret, provided insights into the prevalence and clinical manifestations of PPR.A comprehensive examination of organs was conducted and representative tissue samples from the lungs, trachea, thymus, spleen, liver, kidney, heart, tongue, stomach, different parts of the small and large intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected and the specimen was fixed in a 10% neutral buffer formalin solution. Among 2,200 small ruminants managed by expert veterinarians, 192 small ruminants exhibited clinical signs compatible with PPR, and 79 dead animals. Among the 31 sick young small ruminants, eight were confirmed to be infected with the PPR virus. Necropsies of affected animals revealed significant gross lesions in organs such as the lungs, intestines, spleen, and lymph nodes. Histopathological analysis further illuminated the severity of lesions, including interstitial pneumonia, syncytial cell formation, and severe gastroenteritis. The study's comprehensive approach, encompassing epidemiological data, necropsy findings, and histopathological insights, contributes valuable knowledge for understanding and managing PPR outbreaks.The pathological lesions observed in this study exhibited consistency with those previously documented in experimental studies, thereby providing support for the diagnosis based on clinical signs and disease history.

Medicinal and aromatic plants as source of essential oils for curing diseases in Western Algeria

Medicinal and aromatic plants as source of essential oils for curing diseases in Western Algeria

Potential contamination of groundwater quality in west Algeria by non-biodegradable effluents from public discharges

The aim of this work is to study the environmental impact of the municipal landfill in the town of Sidi Bel Abbes (western Algeria), in particular on the water table, which circulates at a shallow depth (Max. 20 m) under permeable soil. The huge quantities of putrescible waste discharged into this landfill generate highly polluting leachate water, rich in organic matter (COD up to 1300 mg/L, 209 mg/L in BOD5), salts and micro-organisms. A physico-chemical study of well water in the region reveals a significant deterioration in the quality of the underlying groundwater. In fact, electrical conductivities (on average 5.75 mS/cm) are common in wells, especially those located close to the landfill site. This indicates heavy contamination of the water in these wells by leachate. As for the organic and metallic load, abnormally high levels (82 mg/l in COD, 40 mg/l in BOD₅, 0.74 mg/L in Cr, 0.45 mg/L in Cd, 0.24 mg/L in Cu, 0.85 mg/L in Ni) were observed, mainly in the wells located near and downstream of the landfill, in the direction of groundwater flow.

Livestock Breeders’ Conflicts in the Steppe Rangelands of Naâma Region (Western Algeria)

Sheep farming represents a very important activity in the Algerian steppe, unfortunately it is in a critical situation following climate changes, decreases in rangelands and the rise in the prices of livestock feed, this has created conflicting situations between breeders. The competition for access to steppe spaces and the use of natural resources are at the origin of several conflicts between the actors of the steppe. In this article, we tried to present in a brief way the nature and rate of existing conflicts between pastoralists, and compliance with current legislation which aims to protect the plant cover and soil. The approach taken to carry out this analysis is based on a field survey whose target population is the holders of the herd. The sample size exceeds 364 surveyed spread across the 12 municipalities in our study area. Our work shows that one-fifth of respondents suffer from conflectual situations, either against a legal person or natural persons, while four-fifths endure no strife. In addition, the comparison between two periods (2010 - 2014 and 2015 – 2019) shows that the average number of established and trained offence report by forest administration concerning “illicit grazing” had doubled. The solution consists in cleaning up the steppe against illegal monopolies, accompanied by awareness-raising activities for a better awareness of residents to change their bad behavior. Finally, the competent authorities are required to find alternatives to enable farmers to carry out their activities properly.

Clinical profile of epilepsy in western Algeria

BackgroundEpilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases that affects people of different ages, ethnicities, and geographical locations. The objective of the present study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in west Algerian population.Patients and methodsWe enrolled 226 patients with epilepsy and collected data from medical records. We analyzed socio-demographic data, personal and family history, age at onset, seizure types, neurological and psychological findings, etiologies, syndromic classification and comorbidities.ResultsIn our cohort, the mean age was 27.26 ± 17.57 years and there was no gender predominance. The mean age of seizure onset was 17.11 ± 16.27 years. Genetic epilepsy was the most observed (45.13%). Focal seizures (69.02%) were more frequent than generalized seizures which were mostly represented by absence and tonic–clonic seizures. We reported 51.45% of patients with comorbidities and 16.65% with a history of traumatic brain injury.ConclusionThis is the first report describing the clinical profile and the socio-demographic features in a cohort of patients with epilepsy in the western Algeria. Our results could help to offer personalized care to our patients based on the clinical particularities of their epileptic disorders.

Spatial distribution of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. formations in north- western Algeria

Spatial distribution of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. formations in north- western Algeria