Electrical, morphology and structural properties of biodegradable nanocomposite polyvinyl-acetate/ cellulose nanocrystals

In this work, the dielectric properties and the electrical conductivity of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) polymer doped with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), extracted from the date palm rachis, are reported. We investigate the filler effect on the molecular mobility of the PVAc polymer chains and the charge transport properties of this material. PVAc/CNC films structure was characterized by powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD), showing the crystalline behavior of the cellulose filler. The dielectric properties were investigated using impedance spectroscopy, in the frequency range of 102–106 Hz and temperatures from 200 to 350 K. A β relaxation, assigned to the motions of the -OCOCH3 side groups, and α relaxation, associated with the glass transition of the PVAc matrix, can be detected.publishe

In vitro screening of soil bacteria for inhibiting phytopathogenic fungi

At present, the greatest interest resides with the development and application of specific biocontrol agent for the control of diseases on plant and this form the focus of this work. Several soil bacteria were evaluated in vitro for their effectiveness on the basis of their ability to suppress fungi in plate inhibition assays. 51 strains of 12 bacterial species were performed against 12 strains of 10 phytopathogenic mould species. Almost all soil bacteria species; but about 50% of the bacteria strains, showed an antagonistic activity against at least one phytopathogenic fungus. Sphingomonans spp was the only specie that did not show any antagonistic effect to all fungi. Bradyrhizobium japonicum could highly inhibit the mycelial growth of five moulds (Botrytis cinerea, Phoma medicaginis, Fusarium verticilloides, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophtora infestans) with a growth inhibition varying between 12.38 and 37.61%. 12 Bacillus strains and five Pseudomonas strains were antagonistic to the major phytopathogenic moulds used in this trial. Bacillus subtilis exhibited strong antagonism against fungi both from cultural medium and from sterile filtrate. Results show that bacterial suspension and bacterial supernatant did not operate in the same way. Supernatant from bacterial strains seemed to be efficient against phytopathogenic moulds. The mycelial growth of R. solani, P. medicaginis and F. verticilloides was inhibited by 12-fold dilution of the supernatant from B. japonicum. The latter draws a conclusion that bacteria isolated from soil are promising natural biocontrol agents and should be further studied and tested for the control of numerous plant diseases. Additional studies are required to definitively determine their mode of antifungal action, safety and biocompatibility.Keywords: Bacteria, phytopathogenic fungi, antagonis

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant properties of leaves extracts from Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile and their allelopathic potential on terrestrial plant species

Dichloromethane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts obtained from Posidonia oceanica (L.) leaves, were examined in order to determine their total phenolic, flavonoid, flavonol, anthocyanin and condensed tannins contents as well as their antioxidant and allelopathic activities. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of crude extracts confirmed the presence of coumarins in dichloromethane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts. The antioxidant activity estimated using the DPPH assay was significantly more pronounced for the ethyl acetate extract (IC50 = 1.19±0.018 mg/mL) than that of the other extracts. The allelopathic effect against the seeds of Carum carvi (L.) and Foeniculum vulgare (Mill.) indicated that, depending on concentration, the extracts from the leaves of P. oceanic (L.) inhibited or stimulated at different concentrations the germination, shoot and root elongation of seedlings growth. The results of this study suggest that P. oceanica (L.) extracts could be useful as a natural source of health-promoting effects and herbicides.                     KEY WORDS: Posidonia oceanic (L.), Phytochemical profile, Phenolic compounds, Antioxidant activity, Carum carvi (L.), Foeniculum vulgare (Mill)   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(3), 437-447. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i3.

Value of routine ultrasound examination at 35-37 weeks' gestation in diagnosis of fetal abnormalities

Objective: To investigate the potential value of routine ultrasound examination at 35-37 weeks’ gestation in the diagnosis of previously unknown fetal abnormalities. Methods: This was a prospective study in 52,401 singleton pregnancies attending for a routine ultrasound examination at 35+0 - 36+6 weeks’ gestation; all pregnancies had a previous scan at 18-24 weeks and 47,215 also had a scan at 11-13 weeks. We included pregnancies resulting in livebirth or stillbirth but excluded those with known chromosomal abnormalities. The abnormalities were classified according to affected major organ system and the type and incidence of new abnormalities was determined. Results: In the study population the incidence of fetal abnormalities was 2.2% (1,168 / 52,401), including 847 (72.5%) that had been previously diagnosed during the first and / or second trimester, 247 (21.2%) that were detected for the first time at 35-37 weeks and 74 (6.3%) that were detected for the first time postnatally. The most common abnormalities that were diagnosed during the first and / or second trimester, that were also observed at 35-37 weeks, included aberrant right subclavian artery, ventricular septal defect, talipes, unilateral renal agenesis and / or pelvic kidney, hydronephrosis, duplex kidney or unilateral multicystic kidney, cystic pulmonary airway malformation, ventriculomegaly, cleft lip and palate, polydactyly,abdominal cyst or gastroschisis. The most common abnormalities seen at 35-37 weeks were hydronephrosis, mild ventriculomegaly, ventricular septal defect, duplex kidney, ovarian cyst and arachnoid cyst. The incidence of abnormalities first seen at 35-37 weeks was 0.5% and the most common were ovarian cysts, microcephaly, achondroplasia, dacryocystocele and hematocolpos. The incidence of abnormalities first seen postnatally was 0.1% and the most common were isolated cleft palate, polydactyly or syndactyly and ambiguous genitalia or hypospadias; prenatal examination of the genitalia was not a compulsory part of the protocol. Conclusions: A high proportion of fetal abnormalities are detected for the first time during a routine ultrasound examination at 35-37 weeks’ gestation. Such diagnosis and subsequent management, including selection of time and place for delivery and postnatal investigations, could potentially improve postnatal outcome

Traitement Chirurgical De L\'hyperparathyroidie Primaire : Techniques Et Resultats

L\'hyperparathyroïdie est secondaire à une sécrétion élevée de parathormone. Le diagnostic positif est biologique et le diagnostic de localisation est radiologique et isotopique. Le traitement chirurgical est la règle. Le but : de ce travail est d\'étudier notre stratégie thérapeutique en cas d\'hyperparathyroïdie primitive et ses résultats. Patients et méthodes : Nous avons mené une étude rétrospective à propos de 34 patients traités pour hyperparathyroïdie primitive durant la période entre 1992 et 2004. Résultats : L\'âge moyen de nos patients était de 51 ans avec une nette prédominance féminine. Notre stratégie chirurgicale était l\'exploration sous anesthésie générale des 4 glandes parathyroïdes. Les glandes pathologiques ont siégé au niveau des compartiments inférieurs dans la majorité des cas. Histologiquement l\'aspect adénomateux a été observé chez 26 patients. L\'examen extemporané était systématique. Son résultat était concordant avec l\'examen anatomopathologique final lui conférant une fiabilité de 100 %. L\'hypocalcémie post-opératoire immédiate a été rencontrée chez 11 patients. Elle était transitoire dans 8 cas. Un seul patient avait une hypercalcémie persistante conférant à notre stratégie chirurgicale un taux de succès de 97,15 %. Discussion : le risque d\'hypocalcémie immédiate varie dans la littérature de 3 à 50%. Dans notre série il était de 32,35%. Ceci est surtout expliqué par notre technique opératoire exposant les parathyroïdes à la dévascularisation. D\'autres techniques chirurgicales moins invasives ont été essayées visant à diminuer le risque d\'hypoparathroidie transitoire ou définitive. Elles sont basées sur un bilan localisateur performant actuellement surplombé par la scintigraphie au sestamibi.Primary hyperparathyroidism is secondary to an elevated secretion of parathormone. The positive diagnosis is biologic. The diagnosis of localization is radiological and isotopic. The surgical treatment is the rule. The aim : of this work is to study our therapeutic strategy in cases of primary hyperparathyroidism and its results. Patients and methods: We proceed to a retrospective study about 34 patients treated for primary hyperparathyroidism during the period between 1992 and 2004. Results: The middle age of our patients was of 51 years with a female predominance. Our surgical strategy was the exploration under general anaesthesia of the 4 parathyroid glands. The pathological glands were in the lower compartments in the majority of cases. Histologically, adenoma has been observed at 26 patients. Extemporary exam was systematic. Its result was in agreement to the final anatomopathological result conferring him a reliability of 100%. The immediate post-operative hypocalcaemia has been observed at 11 patients. It was transient in 8 cases. One alone patient had an obstinate hypercalcaemia conferring to our surgical strategy a rate of success of 97,15%. Discussion: the risk of immediate hypocalcaemia varies in the literature from 3 to 50%. In our study it was 32,35%. It is especially explained by our operative technique exhibitor parathyroïd to the devascularisation. Other operative techniques less invasiveness have been tried aiming to decrease the risk of transient or definitive hypoparathroidy. They are based currently on a effective exam of localization overhung by the scintigraphy to the sestamibi. Journal Tunisien d\'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 16 2006: pp. 8-1

West Nile virus meningoencephalitis during pregnancy: Case report with MR imaging findings

AbstractMR imaging findings of West Nile virus meningoencephalitis during pregnancy are unknown. We report the first case of serologically proved West Nile virus meningoencephalitis complicating pregnancy with MRI findings. MR imaging of the brain revealed abnormal hyperintensity in the periventricular white matter near the left frontal horn and insular left lobe on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T2-weighted images. Evolution was favorable, and no obvious fetal consequences of infection were noted after birth. Recognition of the MR imaging appearance of this entity is important because of the expanding epidemic

Efecto del extracto de cáscara de granada tunecina sobre la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de maíz en condiciones de calentamiento

The effect of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) on the oxidative stability of corn oil during heating was studied. Oxidation was followed by determining peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), free fatty acid value (FFA), conjugated dienes (CD), conjugated trienes hydroperoxides (CT) and the calculated total oxidation value (TOTOX). Polyphenol (TPC) and ortho-diphenol (TOPC) contents as well as the antioxidant activity of each oil sample were evaluated before and after heating. PPE showed a significant inhibitory effect on lipid oxidation. Heating samples for 8 hours supplemented by PPE to a level of 1000 ppm resulted in the highest significant decreases in investigated indices compared to the control and BHT values. It was concluded that the antioxidant activity of PPE delayed oxidation and can be used in the food industry to prevent and reduce lipid deterioration in oil.Se estudió el efecto del extracto de cáscara de granada (ECG) sobre la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de maíz durante condiciones de calentamiento. La oxidación se siguió mediante la determinación del índice de peróxido (IP), el índice de p-anisidina (p-AV), el índice de acidez (IA), los dienos conjugados (DC), los hidroperóxidos de trienos conjugados (TC) y el valor calculado de la oxidación total (TOTOX). Se evaluó el contenido de polifenoles totales (PT) y de orto-difenoles (o-DF), así como la actividad antioxidante de cada muestra de aceite, antes y después del calentamiento. El ECG mostró un efecto inhibidor significativo sobre la oxidación de lípidos. El calentamiento de las muestras, durante 8 horas suplementadas con ECG a un nivel de 1000 ppm, dio como resultado una significativa disminución de los índices investigados en relación con los valores de control y con BHT. Se concluyó que la actividad antioxidante de los ECG retrasó la oxidación y que se puede utilizar en la industria alimentaria para prevenir y reducir el deterioro de los lípidos del aceite

Three Phenolic and a Sterol Glycosides Identified for the First Time in Matthiola longipetala Growing in Tunisia

Three phenolic glycosides: 4-O-ß-D-glycopyranosyl zingerone 1, 4-O-ß-D-glycopyranosylhomovanillyl alcohol 2 and eugenol glycoside 3, together with 3-O-ß-D-glycopyranosyl sitosterol 4, were isolated and identified for the first time from the flowers of Matthiola longipetala (Crucifers) growing in Tunisia. The structures of 1, 2 and 3 were identified via their acetylated derivatives on the basis of the 1 and 2D NMR data analysis, mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy

Localisation nasosinusienne des tumeurs plasmocytaires

Introduction : Les tumeurs plasmocytaires représentent 3 à 4% des tumeurs des cavités naso-sinusiennes. Elles nécessitent un bilan diagnostique spécifique et une prise en charge adéquate. Nous nous proposons d’étudier les particularités diagnostiques et thérapeutiques des plasmocytomes naso-sinusiens. Matériel et méthodes : Notre étude est rétrospective comportant 5 cas de plasmocytomes naso-sinusiens confirmés histologiquement.Résultats : Il s’agit de 3 hommes et 2 femmes âgés de 32 à 77 ans. Le plasmocytome avait une localisation sphénoïdale dans un cas, nasale dans 2 cas, ethmoïdo-nasale dans un cas et naso-maxillaire dans le cas restant. Il s’agissait d’un myélome multiple dans un cas. Trois patients ont eu une radiothérapie. Celle-ci était associée à une chimiothérapie dans le cas du myélome multiple et à une exérèse chirurgicale dans les 2 autres cas La chirurgie a été seule dans un cas. La chimiothérapie exclusive a été proposée dans un cas de plasmocytome localement avancé mais le patient a été perdu de vue. Pour les patients suivis, une seule récidive a été notée à 18 mois.Conclusion : La présentation clinique des plasmocytomes nasosinusiens est aspécifique. Le diagnostic est confirmé par l’histologie. Le pronostic est dominé par la présence ou non d’un myélome multiple et par la taille tumorale. Un suivi prolongé est nécessaire.Mots clés : plasmocytome extramédullaire ; cavités naso-sinusiennes ; radiothérapie ; chirurgie.Introduction: Plasmocytomas represent 3-4% of tumors naso-sinus cavities. Their diagnosis requires a specific investigations and adequate management. We report 5 cases of naso-sinus plasmacytoma and we propose to study their diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics.Materials and methods: Our study is retrospective including 5 cases of naso-sinus plasmacytoma confirmed histologically.Results: There were 3 men and 2 women aged 32 to 77 years. The plasmacytoma had a sphenoidal location in one case, nasal in 2 cases, ethmoid-nasal in one case and naso-maxillary in the remaining case. Multiple myeloma was found in one case. Three patients underwent radiotherapy. This was associated with chemotherapy in multiple myeloma case and surgical resection in 2 cases. Surgery alone was performed in one case. Exclusive chemotherapy was proposed in a case of plasmacytoma locally advanced but the patient was lost sight of. For followed patients, only one recurrence was noted at 18 months.Conclusion: The clinical presentation of sinonasal plasmacytomas is aspecific. The diagnosis is confirmed by histology. The prognosis is dominated by the presence or absence of multiple myeloma and tumor size. Prolonged follow-up is necessary.Keywords : extramedullary plasmacytoma, naso-sinus cavities, radiotherapy ; surgery