Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil from the Aerial Parts of Teucrium luteum (Mill.) Degen subsp. flavovirens (Batt.) Greuter & Burdet Growing Wild in Tunisia

Essential oils (EOs), the odorous and volatile products of a plant's secondary metabolism, have wide applications in folk medicine, in food flavoring and preservation, and in fragrance industries. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of the EO from the aerial parts (including the inflorescences) of wild Teucrium luteum subsp. flavovirens from Tunisia. The EO obtained by the hydrodistillation of air-dried plant material in a Clevenger-type apparatus was analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Fifty-three components representing 83.9% of the total constituents were identified. The EO of T. luteum subsp. flavovirens is characterized by the presence of beta-elemol (7.2%), (+)-alpha-pinene (6%), beta-eudesmol (5.5%), guaiol (4.2%), alpha-bisabolol (4.2%), and beta-caryophyllene (4.1%) as principal chemical components. In vitro (DPPH and beta-carotene bleaching assays), it showed significantly higher radical scavenging and antioxidant properties than the reference compound, BHT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the composition and antioxidant properties of the EO from Tunisian T. luteum subsp. flavovirens. Our preliminary data will help to valorize this potentially useful plant species from Tunisia and represent a starting point for further studies on its volatile fraction

Responses of Cymbopogon schoenanthus to salt stress

Cymbopogon schoenanthus is an aromatic and medicinal plant rich in essential oil. The physiological behavior of this species, related with growth production, the photosynthetic pigments, the nutritional status and the osmotic adjustment were studied. Saline treatments varied from 0 to 150 mM NaCl. The results show that the growth of C. schoenanthus was affected by the salinity and the effect increased with more stress at 100 mM of NaCl. Besides the response of C. schoenanthus to the salt stress, this study has allowed us to conclude that this plant is excluder glycophyte and less tolerant to salt stress.Key words: Cymbopogon schoenanthus, NaCl, growth, mineral nutrition, osmotic adjustment

A prioritised inventory of crop wild relatives and wild harvested plants of Tunisia

An inventory of crop wild relatives (CWR) and wild harvested plants (WHP) occurring in Tunisia, based on the integration of the last available floristic checklists, is presented. The taxa were prioritised according to economic value of the related crop, potential for crop improvement, threat status, endemism, inclusion in the ITPGRFA (Annex I) and average annual contributions to dietary energy (kilocalories) per capita per day by applying a scoring system based on 4 priority levels. Of a total of 2912 taxa belonging to the Tunisian Flora, 2504 CWR and/or WHP (86% of the total), from 143 families and 686 genera, were identified, 2445 of which are CWR and 847 are WHP. In detail, 1654 are solely CWR and 59 are WHP only, whereas 788 are both CWR and WHP. The final priority list for active conservation includes 1036 CWR (43% of the total CWR taxa), with 139 taxa rated as high priority, 660 medium priority and 237 low priority. The final priority list for WHP is composed of 344 taxa and includes eight high priority, 254 medium priority and 82 low priority taxa. Our results confirm Tunisia as a hotspot of CWR and WHP diversity in the Mediterranean area. The inventory here proposed provides the basis for the development and implementation of a more targeted national CWR/WHP conservation strategy for Tunisia

Effect of pressure variation on the efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction of wild carrot (Daucus carota subsp. maritimus) extracts

The present study was conducted to check the comparative qualities of essential oils prepared by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical fluid techniques. It constitutes the first attempt to investigate the chemical composition of Daucus carota subsp. maritimus extracts using supercritical fluid technology (SFE) as an environmentally clean innovative method of extraction. The effect of pressure on the nature of extractable substances from wild carrot has been performed at a constant temperature of 50 °C and two different pressures (100 and 300 bar). The experimental results showed that pressure had a significant enhancing effect on the fluid transport properties and therefore on yield values. The extraction yield increases from 1.167 to 2.986% while increasing pressure. The chemical compositions of the essential oils prepared by HD and SFE were analyzed on the basis of gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS). Thus, we noticed that all analyzed samples were enriched in geranyl acetate and β‑bisabolene, and that the quantities of different identified substances were extremely sensitive to the extraction method and to the pressure variation in case of SFE

ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND DIABETES RELATED ENZYME INHIBITION PROPERTIES OF LEAVES EXTRACT FROM SELECTED VARIETIES OF PHOENYX DACTYLIFERA L.

Objective: to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities of ethanolic leaves extracts of three selected varieties of Phoenyx dactylifera L. namely: Gharsâ€, Deglet Nour†and Hamrayaâ€. Methods: The assessment of the antioxidant potential of crude leaves extracts, using superoxide anions inhibition, DPPH and total antioxidant activity essays, was carried out. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of the extracts were determined by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production. Moreover, the antidiabetic effect was evaluated by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The total phenolic content measured by Folin-ciocalteu method was as well conducted. Results: The raw leaves extracts of the selected varieties was found to contain a high content of total phenolic content (342.45 mg GAE/ gDW for GE) and therefore exhibited a higher antioxidant activity and inhibitory effect of radicals scavenging activity against DPPH and superoxide anion (IC50=7.44 μg/mL and 39.11 μg/mL respectively). The three varieties exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects using in-vitro inhibition of NO (IC50=240.28 μg/mL for GE). The extracts also displayed high inhibition actions against α-amylase. Conclusion: the results suggest that the leaves of the three selected varieties of Phoenyx dactylifera can be considered as a good source of natural antioxidant and anti-inflammation drugs as well as potent antidiabetic medicine

Digestive Malacoplakia in Children: Case Report

Malacoplakia is a form of chronic granulomatous inflammatory reaction that rarely affects the pediatric age group. The gastrointestinal system is the second most common site for the occurrence of malacoplakia. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl who was hospitalized for abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, and rectal hemorrhage. The endoscopic examinations and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of intestinal malacoplakia. We successfully treated her with oral levofloxacin. This disease does not have any specific clinical or biological signs, and the diagnosis is exclusively based on histology

Hemangiomes Larynges De L\'adulte A Propos De 9 Cas

L\'hémangiome laryngé de l\'adulte est extrêmement rare et présente des spécificités histologiques et évolutives. Il peut représenter un véritable défi thérapeutique. Les auteurs rapportent 9 cas d\'hémangiomes laryngés de l\'adulte colligés rétrospectivement sur une période de 20 ans (1984- 2004). Il s\'agissait de 6 hommes et 3 femmes, âgés en moyenne de 46 ans (17 à 75 ans). Les signes d\'appel étaient la dysphonie dans tous les cas, associée à des hémorragies de sang rouge extériorisées par voie buccale chez 3 patients. Le diagnostic reposait dans tous les cas sur la laryngoscopie directe qui retrouvait une tuméfaction glottique de couleur bleutée, à surface lisse. Une biopsie avec examen anatomo-pathologique a été systématique. Tous les patients ont bénéficié d\'une exérèse instrumentale de la masse par voie endoscopique, avec hémostase locale. Deux récidives ont été notées, pour lesquels une seconde exérèse instrumentale par voie endoscopique a été réalisée avec une évolution favorable. Le recul moyen était de 9 ans.The adult laryngeal hemangioma is extremely rare and presents histological and evolutionary particularities. It can represent a real therapeutic challenge. The authors report 9 cases of adult laryngeal hemangiomas over a period of 20 years (1984-2004). It was about 6 man and 3 women, old on average of 46 years ( 17 - 75 years). The signs of appeal were the dysphonia in every case, associated to bleedings of red blood exteriorized with oral way in 3 cases. Diagnosis based in every case on the direct laryngoscopy which found a glottic tumefaction of bluish colour, in smooth surface. A biopsy with anatomo-pathological exam was realized in every case. All the patients benefited from an instrumental excision of the mass by endoscopic way, with local haemostasis. Two recurrences were noted, which benefited from a second endoscopic instrumental excision, with a favorable evolution. Average follow up was of 9 years. Journal Tunisien d\'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 16 2006: pp. 5-

Carcinome Anaplasique De La Thyroïde: A Propos De 11cas

Introduction : le carcinome anaplasique de la thyroïde est une tumeur rare, mais agressive. Le but de notre travail est d\'étudier les aspects cliniques et de discuter les modalités thérapeutiques de ce cancer. Matériel et méthodes : Il s\'agit d\'une étude rétrospective de 11 cas de carcinomes anaplasiques de la thyroïde colligés et traités au service d\'ORL et de CCF du CHU Farhat Hached Sousse sur une période de 16 ans (1990-2005). Résultats : l\'âge moyen de nos malades était de 60 ans, il s´agissait de 7 femmes et 4 hommes. Les signes de compression locale étaient présents dans 7 cas et l\'examen physique a objectivé un goitre chez 8 malades avec une taille moyenne de 6 cm. L\'atteinte ganglionnaire était observée dans 8 cas et les métastases à distance dans 2 cas. 4 malades ont eu une trachéotomie en urgence avec biopsie thyroïdienne. Les 7 autres malades ont eu une thyroïdectomie totale associée à un curage cervical bilatéral. La radiothérapie a été indiquée dans 10 cas, elle était palliative dans 6 cas. L\'évolution était fatale chez 10 malades avec une survie inférieure à un an. Une seule patiente est en vie, en rémission complète avec un recul de 10 ans. Conclusion : malgré les multiples modalités thérapeutiques envisagées, le pronostic du carcinome anaplasique de la thyroïde reste fâcheux avec une survie ne dépassant qu\'exceptionnellement un an.Introduction: thyroid anaplasic carcinoma of is a rare, but aggressive tumour. Our aim is to study the clinical aspects and to discuss the therapeutic methods of this cancer with great metastatic capacity and bad prognosis. Material and methods: It is a retrospective study of 11 cases of thyroid anaplasic carcinoma treated in the ENT department of Farhat Hached Hospital over one 16 years period (1990-2005). Results: the average age of our patients was 60 years with a female prevalence. The signs of local compression were present in 7 cases and the physical examination objectified a goitre among 8 patients with an average size of 6 cm. Lymph nodes were observed in 8 cases and metastases were noted among 2 patients. 4 patients had a tracheotomy in urgency and 7 other patients had a total thyroïdectomy associated to a bilateral lymph node dissection. The radiotherapy was indicated in 10 cases, palliative in 6 cases. The survival was less than one year for 10 patients. Only one patient is still alive with a complete remission after 10 years of follow up. Conclusion: in spite of the multiple therapeutic methods considered, the prognosis of anaplasic carcinoma of the thyroid is very bad with a survival exceeding rarely a year. Journal Tunisien d\'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 16 2006: pp. 12-1

Plantes vasculaires nouvelles ou rares pour la Tunisie presentes sur les iles (Galite, Zembra, Kuriat, Monastir, Kerkennah, Kneiss, Djerba)

Vascular plants new or rare for Tunisia occurring on the islands (Galite, Zembra, Kuriat, Monastir, Kerkennah, Kneiss, Djerba). - This study concerns the indigenous vascular plants newly reported for Tunisia and discovered on the islands during some field trips performed since 2014. Five native taxa are new to Tunisia: Bellis perennis, Carthamus creticus, Moraea mediterranea, Asplenium balearicum and Galium minutulum, the latter two also being new to North Africa. Information on 24 rare or poorly known taxa, most often of great biogeographical interest, is given, too. Most of these were discovered on the islands of the eastern coast (Kuriat, Monastir, Kerkennah, Kneiss, Djerba), but also on the northern islands of Zembra and La Galite. The new chorological data underline the first-rate conservation importance of these islands and islets for the preservation of the overall coastal biodiversity of Tunisia

Quantile causality and dependence between crude oil and precious metal prices

Abstract: This paper examines long‐run dependence and causality between oil and precious metal (gold, silver, platinum, palladium, steel, and titanium) prices across quantiles by exploiting their time series properties with the help of novel econometric techniques. The empirical results for the period 1990–2019 indicate that oil and metal prices are nonstationary across different quantiles and that cointegration patterns differ widely across quantiles. Causality running from oil to metal prices is quantile‐dependent and differs according to the metal, whereas upward and downward movements in metal prices have no causal effect on oil prices. These results have implications for investors and policymakers in terms of portfolio and risk management decisions