Evaluation of the chemical and nutritional properties of tunisian almond cultivars

The aim of this research was to evaluate for the first time protein, oil content, fatty acid profile and sugar composition for the main commercial almond cultivars in Tunisia in comparison to foreigners. Thus, fruits from twelve locals and five introduced cultivars from France, Italy and Spain were analyzed over two years. In fact, total oil content varied from 52.28% ("Blanco") to 60.95% ("Lsen Asfour") in the first year and from 47.75% ("Zahaaf") to 56.15% ("Mahsouna") in the second. However, the highest oleic acid content was noted in "Francoli" (76.2%) for both years. It was followed by "Sahnoun" (75.11%) firstly and "Abiodh" (73.02%) secondly. Likewise, the highest linoleic acid content was observed in "Porto" for both studied years (22.87% and 23.67%). The highest palmitic acid content was detected in "Porto" (7.02%) and in "Tuono" for the consecutive years. Sugars profile was quite distinctive among cultivars. The cultivar "Porto" presented the highest total sugars (5.8 g/100g DW) and sucrose contents (4.96 g/100g DW). Nevertheless, protein content doesn"t show extreme values. For both years, the local cultivar "Zahaaf" presented the highest protein content (27 g/100g DW) while introduced French cultivar "Fournat de Breznaud" presented the lowest protein content (17 g/100g DW). All the analyzed components were different significantly according to cultivar and year effects. Results evidenced that the local Tunisian cultivars are highly rich in oil and fatty acids particularly oleic and linoleic acids, confirm the almond kernel as a high nutritional dietetic source and underline the high adaptability of some introduction

Valorisation of local almond genotypes regarding their biochemical and mineral compositions

The new tendency for intensification of almond plantations has induced a clear neglect of local ecotypes and cultivars that have proved high performances and good adaptation to many biotic and abiotic stresses. Prospecting the main producing regions in Tunisia has demonstrated a high genetic diversity. In addition, all of the pomological, biochemical and mineral characterizations have confirmed the potentialities of some local genotypes in comparison to the newly introduced cultivars. The analysis of their content in some biochemical compounds such as antioxidant has furthermore shown that some landraces are highly rich in α, γ and δ- tocophérols. Our result reported that the mineral composition of this nut is dominated by phosphor, calcium, iron, sodium, zinc and copper. In comparison to some introduced cultivars such as ‘Mazzetto’, ‘Lauranne’ and ‘Supernova’ many local ecotypes presented high performances. In fact the ecotype ‘BF2’, was highly rich in potassium and phosphor while ‘TL7’ in calcium. Additionally, the dominance of ‘khoukhi’, ‘Dillou’ and ‘Blanco’ for the iron element composition is another statement in favour of existent possibilities for a better valorisation of the local germplasm and consequently for its better preservationPublishe

Clinicopathologic significance of HLA-G and HLA-E molecules in Tunisian patients with ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G and HLA-E, non classical HLA class I molecules, have been highly implicated in immune tolerance. HLA-G and HLA-E molecules were proposed as putative markers of several advanced cancers. As a step towards a better understanding of ovarian carcinoma, we evaluated the expression of both HLA-G and HLA-E molecules and explored their prognostic implication. METHODS: HLA-G and HLA-E expression were studied by immunohistochemistry on ovarian carcinoma tissues. This expression was semi-quantitatively scored into four expression groups and correlated to clinicopathological parameters and patients' survival. RESULTS: HLA-G and HLA-E have been found to be highly expressed in ovarian carcinoma tissues (Respectively, 72.4% and 96.8%). They are frequently co-expressed. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that a positive HLA-G expression status in tumor tissue is a promising candidate parameter to predict disease recurrence in addition to the disease status in Tunisian patients with ovarian carcinoma. Moreover, the elevated HLA-E expression was associated with serous ovarian carcinoma subtype as well as with advanced stages of ovarian carcinoma. CONCLUSION: HLA-G and HLA-E are highly represented in ovarian carcinoma suggesting a potential association with progressive disease mechanism. HLA-G and HLA-E molecules might be new candidates' markers for ovarian carcinoma progression. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Endogenous Starter Bacteria Associated to Chanterelle mycelia Enhance Aroma, color and growth of mycelia

Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) mushroom can be cultured from its fruit body on agar medium. The present study showed that the growth rate of chanterelle mycelia in agar medium is slow whereas the pigment of the cultured mycelia was medium dependent. Different mycelia colors were detected in this study: from orange to pink and brown.This study also revealed bacterial growth near mycelia fragments, which appeared only at the initial phase of mycelia growth after which the mycelia continued to grow, blocking bacterial growth in the center of the agar plates. Therefore, we presumed that these bacteria were able to transfer the color to the chanterelle mycelia and may serve as fungal growth helper bacteria. The first step was to isolate these accompanying bacteria in pure culture and relate its phenotypical aspect to the mycelia aspect. The second step consisted of chemically treating the mycelia to suppress bacteria around and verify the myceliarsquos ability to enhance or decrease color production. As a third step, the Chanterelle mycelia were treated separately with different chemical reagents [Sodium nitrate, Potassium phosphate monobasic, Ammonium nitrate, Citric acid, Acetic acid, Boric acid (0.05 g/ml), 1% NaOH, 1% KOH and 0.5%.HCl] followed by incubation in different agar plates. We demonstrated that some treatments killed all bacteria after which the mycelia lost its growth capacity. As a final step, agar plates showing no development of mycelia were inoculated with bacteria. After this inoculation, mycelia growth resumed and obtained the color of the inoculated bacteria.nbspThe results clearly showed that endogenous bacteria present in Chanterelle mycelia serve to initiate mycelial growth and impart color to the Chanterelle mycelia. The isolated bacteria produced aromas, lecithinase, amylase and laccase as well. However, these bacteria were unable to produce oxidase, catalase or protease

Increased plasmatic soluble HLA-G levels in endometrial cancer

Human Leukocyte Antigen-G (HLA-G) is known as an immune suppressive molecule; it interacts with several immune cells and inhibits their functions. HLA-G molecule is highly represented in pathological conditions including malignant transformation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study that focuses on the expression of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) in endometrial cancer (EC). We aimed at exploring sHLA-G plasma levels and its prognostic value in EC. We examined total sHLA-G expression as well as the sHLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms expression in plasma samples from 40 patients with EC and 45 healthy controls by a specific sandwich ELISA. Immunoprecipitation and Coomassie blue staining were performed to explore the presence of plasmatic sHLA-G monomers and dimers. sHLA-G plasma level was significantly enhanced in patients with EC compared to healthy controls (p = 0.028). Additionally, HLA-G5 molecules were highly represented than sHLA-G1 molecules in EC, at the borderline of significance (p = 0.061). Interestingly, sHLA-G has been shown to be increased in early stages (Stages I and II) as well as in high grade EC (Grade 3) that is associated with rapid spread of the disease (p = 0.057). sHLA-GpositiveEC plasma were majorly in monomeric form (75%). Clinically, all the HLA-G dimers were detected in early stages and in high grade of EC. Our data strengthen the implication of HLA-G molecules in EC etiology and especially in progression

Variability of eight Algerian oleaster ecotypes (Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris [Mill.] Lehr): pollen and exine morphology in relation to geo-climatic effect

International audiencePollen characters of the Algerian oleaster (Olea europaea subsp. europaea var. sylvestris [Mill.] Lehr) from eight ecotypes were analysed to evaluate the geo-climatic effect of their environment. Samples were collected along an altitudinal gradient from western to central Algeria. Eighteen morphological characters of the pollen grains were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show significant inter-populations variability. The geo-climatic conditions, duration and timing of dry periods vary from one area to another. Depending on the area, the length of the dry period (P p ≤ 2T) coincides more or less with anthesis periods. No significant geo-climatic effects on exine parameters were detected, except for lumina density (LD) and mean lumina diameter (Lm). However, polar axis (P), pollen size index (PSI) and pollen colpis length (PCL) were found to be related to latitude, longitude and temperature. LD and Lm were strongly linked to the pollen parameters, resulting in variation in pollen shape and size. Depending on the geo-climatic conditions, three morphotypes appear. The morphotype from a site with high temperature, low humidity associated with a long dry period is characterised by small pollen size, low lumina surface area and high lumina density/100 μm2 and vice versa. The results indicate that the exine has played an important role in the environmental adaption in these wild populations