Micropropagation of the Moroccan Endemic Plant <i>Thymus broussonetii</i>Boiss. with Aromatic-Medicinal Value and Conservation Concern

Micropropagation from shoot tips and nodal segments was carried out for the conservation and domestication of spontaneous Moroccan thyme, Thymus broussonetii Boiss. subsp. broussonetii (endemic threatened). The mineral composition of the culture medium, as well as the succession of different growth regulators, influenced the in vitro growth of this species. Sterilized achenes of T. broussonetii were able to germinate on an agar medium containing Gautheret macronutrients with a rate of 25% and a degree of contamination of less than 4%. Shoot apices of 15-day seedlings (two cotyledon leaves) were cultivated on SD + 0.46 μM Kin medium and the explants obtained were transplanted every month. Six macronutrients (MS, B5, SH, SD, MSm and N30K) were tested and N30K was chosen for the following experiments. Seven cytokinins (Kin, BAP, 2iP, DPU, adenine, Zeat and TDZ) at 0.46, 0.93 and 2.32 μM/l were evaluated and the addition of 0.93 μM adenine to N30K medium favored significantly the induction of buds and the elongation of explants. Three polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) at 2, 5, 10 and 20 μM/l were tested. A better multiplication of buds, shoots and roots was noted for N30K + 10 μM spermine. Cytokinin-auxin combinations led to better root multiplication and an increase in the number of buds and the length of explants, particularly for 0.46 μM Kin + 2.85 μM IAA. Acclimatization was successfully carried out using vitroplants developing a good root system. One month after the start of acclimatization, 97% of T. broussonetii plantlets were healthy. Three months later, they were transplanted into larger pots. 100% of the acclimatized plants developed flowers in the 2nd year between June and August. Re-initiation of the in vitro culture was carried out from sterilized twig segments collected from the acclimatized plants of T. broussonetii with 1 - 2 nodes on the medium N30K + 0.46 μM Kin, and 52.1% of the explants healthily proliferated. Finally, two micropropagation prototypes were developed: shoot tip culture from seedlings obtained after germination of achenes and node culture from acclimatized plants.

A Review of Enrofloxacin for Veterinary Use

This review outlines the current knowledge on the use of enrofloxacin in veterinary medicine from biochemical mechanisms to the use in the field conditions and even resistance and ecotoxicity. The basics of biochemistry, the mechanisms of action and resistance and pharmacokinetics are presented. Then an overview of available veterinary products, their efficacy and their toxicity against target species, human and environment is provided.

Endoscopy-based management decreases the risk of postoperative recurrences in Crohn's disease

AIM: To investigate whether an endoscopy-based management could prevent the long-term risk of postoperative recurrence.METHODS: From the pathology department database, we retrospectively retrieved the data of all the patients operated on for Crohn's disease(CD) in our center(1986-2015). Endoscopy-based management was defined as systematic postoperative colonoscopy(median time after surgery = 9.5 mo) in patients with no clinical postoperative recurrence at the time of endoscopy. RESULTS: From 205 patients who underwent surgery, 161 patients(follow-up > 6 mo) were included. Endoscopic postoperative recurrence occurred in 67.6%, 79.7%, and 95.5% of the patients, respectively 5, 10 and 20 years after surgery. The rate of clinical postoperative recurrence was 61.4%, 75.9%, and 92.5% at 5, 10 and 20 years, respectively. The rate of surgical postoperative recurrence was 19.0%, 38.9% and 64.7%, respectively, 5, 10 and 20 years after surgery. In multivariate analysis, previous intestinal resection, prior exposure to anti-TNF therapy before surgery, and fistulizing phenotype(B3) were postoperative risk factors. Previous perianal abscess/fistula(other perianal lesions excluded), were predictive of only symptomatic recurrence. In multivariate analysis, an endoscopy-based management(n = 49/161) prevented clinical(HR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.25-0.66, P < 0.001) and surgical postoperative recurrence(HR = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.13-0.70, P = 0.006).CONCLUSION: Endoscopy-based management should be recommended in all CD patients within the first year after surgery as it highly decreases the long-term risk of clinical recurrence and reoperation.

Combined evaluation of biomarkers as predictor of maintained remission in Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND The individual performances and the complementarity of Crohn's disease(CD)activity index(CDAI), C-reactive protein(CRP) and faecal calprotectin(Fcal) to monitor patients with CD remain poorly inves-tigated in the era of "tight control"and "treat to target" strategies.AIM To assess CDAI, CRP and Fcal variation, alone or combined, after 12 wk(W12) of anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF) therapy to predict corticosteroids-free remission(CFREM = CDAI < 150, CRP < 2.9 mg/L and Fcal < 250 μg/g with no therapeutic intensification and no surgery) at W52.METHODS CD adult patients needing anti-TNF therapy with CDAI > 150 and either CRP >2.9 mg/L or Fcal > 250 μg/g were prospectively enrolled.RESULTS Among the 40 included patients, 13 patients(32.5%) achieved CFREM at W52. In univariable analysis, CDAI < 150 at W12(P = 0.012), CRP level < 2.9 mg/L at W12(P = 0.001) and Fcal improvement at W12(Fcal < 300 μg/g; or, for patients with initial Fcal < 300 μg/g, at least 50% decrease of Fcal or normalization of Fcal(< 100 μg/g)(P = 0.001) were predictive of CFREM at W52. Combined endpoint(CDAI < 150 and CRP ≤ 2.9 mg/L and FCal improvement) at W12 was the best predictor of CFREM at W52 with positive predictive value = 100.0%(100.0-100.0)and negative predictive value = 87.1%(75.3-98.9). In multivariable analysis, Fcal improvement at W12 [odd ratio(OR) = 45.1(2.96-687.9); P = 0.03] was a better predictor of CFREM at W52 than CDAI < 150 [OR = 9.3(0.36-237.1); P = 0.145]and CRP < 2.9 mg/L(0.77-278.0; P = 0.073).CONCLUSION The combined monitoring of CDAI, CRP and Fcal after anti-TNF induction therapy is able to predict favorable outcome within one year in patients with CD.

Determination of Polyphenols Content in Carob Pulp from Wild and Domesticated Moroccan Trees

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) fruit pulp from 12 wild and 8 domesticated trees from 15 Moroccan localities were investigated for their polyphenols contents: total polyphenols content (53.22 - 118.04 mg and 57.46 - 183.31 mg), total flavonoids (1.41 - 4.83 mg and 1.62 - 7.46 mg) and condensed tannins (1.47 - 7.36 mg and 1.85 - 6.66 mg) in one carob fresh pulp for wild and domesticated trees, respectively. Fruit pulp from trees in the same region shows variable contents in polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins.