The community of nematodes (Nematoda: Secernentea) in groves of North East Algeria, has been the subject of regular observations of September 2011 to May 2012. Sampling and extraction of nematodes by the buckets technique are conducted following the method of Baermann. The sampling groves are composed by olive trees (Olea europea: Oleaceae) from four varieties: Chemlal, Sigoise, Frontoï and Sévillane. We identified a total of 531 individuals. The systematic inventory revealed 14 genus of Nematoda, belonging to 10 families and 3 orders. The Tylenchida and Dorylaimida are the best represented orders. They represent 92.85% of the total community of all identified nematodes, while Aphelenchida represent only 7.15%. The genus Pratylenchus records alone 54.75% on the Sévillane variety and 33.02% on the Frantoi variety. The most represented genus on Sigoise and Chemlal varieties is Meloidogyne with respectively 43.24% and 30.43%. Grove of Sévillane variety hosts the highest abundance of nematodes with 57.44%; against only 19.96%, 13.94% and 8.66%, respectively, for the varieties Frantoi, Sigoise and Chemlal. Depending on the seasons, nematodes are more abundant in autumn (88.52%) than in winter (8.66%) and the spring (2.82%). Pratylenchus and Meloidogyne are noted with large numbers, especially in winter.

Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre de la thématique du laboratoire de Pharmacognosie de l’UFR Santé, au sein de l’Université de Bourgogne. Elle vise essentiellement la recherche de molécules d’origine végétale issue de la biodiversité tropicale dotées d’une activité antitumorale et immuno-modulatoire dont principalement les saponines. Ce sont des glycosides triterpéniques ou stéroïdiques connus pour leurs nombreuses propriétés pharmacologiques. L’étude de 4 espèces végétales appartenant à 3 familles à savoir Dracaena marginata L., Dracaena fragrans Ker Gawl (Asparagaceae), Allium flavum L. (Amaryllidaceae) et Weigela stelzneri (Caprifoliaceae),a conduit à l’isolement et à la caractérisation de 26 glycosides naturels. Il s’agit de 22 saponines stéroïdiques parmi lesquelles 6 sont de structure nouvelle ainsi que 4 saponines triterpéniques dont 3 nouvelles. Les structures ont été élucidées principalement par l’utilisation de la RMN 2D ainsi que la spectrométrie de masse. 10 des 26 molécules isolées ont été testées en vue d’évaluer leurs activités cytotoxiques sur deux lignées cellulaires cancéreuses (SW480 et EMT-6), et 3 pour l’étude de la modulation de la production d’une cytokine pro-inflammatoire, l’interleukine IL-1β sur cellules PBMC stimulées par le LPS. Nos résultats montrent que 6 d’entre elles possèdent une activité cytotoxique modérée sur les deux lignées cancéreuses. En revanche, deux saponines triterpéniques de type oléanane exercent les plus fortes cytotoxicités sur les deux lignées cancéreuses comparées à celles des références internes (Etoposide et Methotrexate). De plus elles révèlent un important effet de modulation de la production de l’interleukine IL-1β sur cellules PBMC et de ce fait, un fort potentiel anti-inflammatoire. Des relations structure/activité ont été ainsi proposées.

This research work deals with the problem of karst sinkhole collapse occurring in the last few years in Cheria area (NE Algeria). This newly revealed phenomenon is of a major constrain in land use planning and urbanization, it has become necessary to locate and assess the stability of these underground features before any planning operation. Several exploration methods for the localization of underground cavities have been considered. Geological survey, discontinuity analysis, resistivity survey [ground penetrating radar has not been used as most of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary filling deposit covering Eocene limestone contains clay layers which limits the applicability of the method (Roth et al. in Eng Geol 65:225–232, 2002)] and borehole drilling were undertaken in order to locate underground cavities and assess their depth, geometry, dimensions, etc. Laboratory testing and field work were also undertaken in order to determine both intact rock and rock mass properties. All the rock mechanics testing and measurement were undertaken according to the ISRM recommendations. It has been found that under imposed loading, the stability of the karst cavities depends on the geo-mechanical parameters (RMR, Rock Mass Rating; GSI, Geological Strength Index; E, Young modulus) of the host rock as well as the depth and dimensions of the gallery. It increases with RMR, GSI, E and depth and decreases as the cavity becomes wider. Furthermore, the calculation results show that a ratio (roof thickness to gallery width) of 0.3 and more indicate, a stable conditions. The results obtained in this work allow identifying and assessing the stability of underground karst cavities. The methodology followed in this paper can be taken as a road map in the establishment of a hazard map related to the studied phenomenon. This map will be a useful tool for the future urban extension planning in Cheria area.