Polyphenols content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts of some wild plants collected from the south of Tunisia

25 wild plants were collected from the south of Tunisia. The dried aerial parts were extracted under a continuous reflux set-up in a Soxhlet extractor with hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. The extracts were screened for total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Total phenolic contents were determined using a spectrophotometric technique, based on the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and calculated as pyrogallol equivalents (PyE) per 100 g of dry weight (dw). Total phenolic content ranged from traces to 2225 ± 267 mg PyE/100 g dw in Periploca angustifolia hexane extract and Erodium glaucophyllum methanol extract, respectively. Total flavonoids and flavonols weremeasured by a colorimetric assay and expressed as mg of rutin equivalents (RuE) per 100 g dw and mg of quercetin equivalents (QuE) per 100 g dw respectively. The highest amounts of flavonoids of 315 mgRuE/100 g dw and of flavonols of 63 mg QuE/100 g dw was recorded in the ethyl acetate extract of Acacia radiana. The antioxidant capacity of all extracts was evaluated with the (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH and 2,2'-azino-bis [3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid]) ABTS tests. Several extracts showed antioxidant capacity higher than (butylated hydroxytoluene) BHT. Different trend was observed for each antioxidant system with respect to solvents used. All tested plants showedantimicrobial activity, but this activity depended closely on the nature of the solvent used and of the microorganism tested. Rhanterium suaveolens ethyl acetate extract showed the largest spectre of antibacterial activity and Bassia indica ethyl acetate extract showed the highest antifungal activity.Interestingly, some of the collected plants had a high phenolic content and powerful antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These plants may serve as sources of antioxidants with new chemotypes and potential beneficial health properties

Numerical Modeling of Hydraulic Confinement around Crude Oil Storage Cavern in Fractured Rocks: Direct Application of DFN Concept

Unlined rock caverns for hydrocarbon storage are mainly excavated in strong and stable rock masses with very low-permeable matrix, where hydrocarbon migration is only possible along fractures connected to the cavern boundaries and their networks. In this paper, the hydraulic confinement around a URC cavern was simulated by directly applying distinct fracture network (DFN) model. First, a computational code, so-called “FNETF”, was developed to generate DFN and solving fluid flow equation along fractures. Proper internal hydraulic boundary condition of water-hydrocarbon interface at cavern boundary was defined based on the fluids properties and applied in the FNETF code. Fluid flow in fracture network was numerically simulated for different outer boundary hydraulic conditions assigned by different groundwater pressures of water curtain. Finally, the assessment achieved to expect the occurrence of hydrocarbon

La preferencia ecológico versus convencional en los productos lácteos: el caso del queso

Las nuevas exigencias de los consumidores hacia todo lo relacionado con la calidad y la seguridad de los productos agroalimentarios están provocando un cambio progresivo en los hábitos de compra y de consumo de dichos productos. Concretamente, en el sector lácteo los consumidores buscan cada vez más productos de mayor calidad, más sanos, naturales, ecológicos, artesanales, locales etc., y en definitiva, más saludables y respetuosos con el medioambiente. Las nuevas tendencias del consumo alimentario hacia estos nuevos productos están provocando una continua adaptación de las empresas productoras para satisfacer estas demandas y, por consiguiente, poder competir en el mercado. Dentro del sector lácteo, los productos lácteos artesanales (PLA) y sobre todo los derivados de la ganadería de pequeños rumiantes, forman parte del patrimonio de productos agroalimentarios de las regiones más desfavorecidas en muchos países de la región mediterránea. Dichos productos constituyen un recurso endógeno con un claro potencial de desarrollo, no siempre bien aprovechado y revalorizado, particularmente, en España. Varias razones tanto relacionadas con la demanda y los mercados, como con la potencialidad productiva primaria y, sobre todo, secundaria avalan dicho potencial. Analizando dicho sector, uno de los productos con un alto potencial de desarrollo es el queso artesanal. En este sentido, debido a la creciente importancia de la producción ecológica en la dieta alimentaria y la orientación progresiva de los consumidores hacia dichos productos, entre las oportunidades comerciales que se presentan para el queso, es la diferenciación hacia la calidad ecológica. No obstante, como dicha diferenciación no parece resultar suficiente para incrementar el consumo, parece de gran interés analizar la estructura de preferencias de los consumidores en relación con unos atributos del queso, y estimar la importancia relativa del atributo modo de producción (ecológica vs convencional) frente a otras características del mismo tal como el tipo de leche, el proceso de elaboración (industrial, de pequeñas industrias o artesanal) y el precio. Asimismo, se han intentado estimar los precios implícitos de las variaciones en los niveles de los diferentes atributos, básicamente, la disposición a pagar de los consumidores por la calidad ecológica frente al convencional. La información manejada en este trabajo proviene de una encuesta realizada a 263 consumidores de queso en Andalucía. El cuestionario tiene dos grandes bloques. En el primero se incluye un test de preferencias de los entrevistados hacia unos perfiles de quesos. En el segundo se recogen las características sociodemográficas y de estilo de vida de los encuestados.Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria IFAPA Centro Camino de Purchil, Granada. Área de Economía y Sociología Agrarias

The Serum Lead level in Patients With Retained Lead Pellets

Background: Patients, who survived from shotgun injuries, often have some retained lead pellets in their bodies. Several cases of lead toxicity have been reported regarding these patients. Objectives: This study seeks to compare the serum lead level in patients who have retained lead pellets in their bodies with the control group. Patients and Methods: In this case-control study, we gathered the serum lead levels of 25 patients with some retained lead pellets in their bodies due to shotgun and 25 volunteers without similar lead exposure and compared them in view of the age, gender, and living place. Results: While the mean serum lead level in both groups was lower than the standard level (i.e. 40 µg/dL) , the mean ± SD of serum lead level were 29 ± 12.8 µg/dL and 25.3 ± 6.4 µg/dL in the case and control groups, respectively without any significant difference (P = 0. 30) . However, a positive relationship was seen between serum lead level, and the number of retained lead pellets (r = 0.447, P = 0. 025) . Conclusions: Although extensive surgery to remove the lead pellets is not recommended in patients injured with shotguns, those with many retained lead pellets in their bodies should be considered at risk for lead poisoning and monitored carefully

A critical review on polydopamine surface-modified scaffolds in musculoskeletal regeneration

Increasing concern about age-related diseases, particularly musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic conditions, highlights the need for strategies such as tissue engineering to address them. Surface modification has been developed to create pro-healing interfaces, personalize scaffolds and provide novel medicines. Polydopamine, a mussel-inspired adhesive polymer with highly reactive functional groups that adhere to nearly all substrates, has gained attention in surface modification strategies for biomaterials. Polydopamine was primarily developed to modify surfaces, but its effectiveness has opened up promising approaches for further applications in bioengineering as carriers and nanoparticles. This review focuses on the recent discoveries of the role of polydopamine as a surface coating material, with focus on the properties that make it suitable for tackling musculoskeletal disorders. We report the evolution of using it in research, and discuss papers involving the progress of this field. The current research on the role of polydopamine in bone, cartilage, muscle, nerve, and tendon regeneration is discussed, thus giving comprehensive overview about the function of polydopamine both in-vitro and in-vivo. Finally, the report concludes presenting the critical challenges that must be addressed for the clinical translation of this biomaterial while exploring future perspectives and research opportunities in this area

Massive Increase, Spread, and Exchange of Extended Spectrum {beta}-Lactamase-Encoding Genes Among Intestinal Enterobacteriaceae in Hospitalized Children With Severe Acute Malnutrition in Niger.

Background. From the time of CTX-M emergence, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing enterobacteria (ESBL-E) have spread worldwide in community settings as well as in hospitals, particularly in developing countries. Although their dissemination appears linked to Escherichia coli intestinal carriage, precise paths of this dynamic are largely unknown. Methods. Children from a pediatric renutrition center were prospectively enrolled in a fecal carriage study. Antibiotic exposure was recorded. ESBL-E strains were isolated using selective media from fecal samples obtained at admission and, when negative, also at discharge. ESBL-encoding genes were identified, their environments and plasmids were characterized, and clonality was assessed with polymerase chain reaction-based methods and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis for E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. E. coli strains were subjected to multilocus sequence typing. Results. The ESBL-E carriage rate was 31% at admission in the 55 children enrolled. All children enrolled received antibiotics during hospitalization. Among the ESBL-E-negative children, 16 were resampled at discharge, and the acquisition rate was 94%. The bla(CTX-M-15) gene was found in >90% of the carriers. Genetic environments and plasmid characterization evidenced the roles of a worldwide, previously described, multidrug-resistant region and of IncF plasmids in CTX-M-15 E. coli dissemination. Diversity of CTX-M-15-carrying genetic structures and clonality of acquired ESBL E. coli suggested horizontal genetic transfer and underlined the potential of some ST types for nosocomial cross-transmission. Conclusions. Cross-transmission and high selective pressure lead to very high acquisition of ESBL-E carriage, contributing to dissemination in the community. Strict hygiene measures as well as careful balancing of benefit-risk ratio of current antibiotic policies need to be reevaluated

Le secteur caprin laitier andalou : Stratégies de recherche, développement et formation afin d’augmenter la valeur ajoutée des fromages artisanaux

Résumé. Le secteur caprin laitier andalou produit 50% du lait de l’Espagne et possède des opportunités de développement très claires utilisant des races autochtones et des grandes surfaces de pâturages disponibles. La production de fromages de chèvre en Andalousie peut être considérée comme un modèle de développement rural durable. Différents organismes publics et privés ont créé récemment un réseau de travail multidisciplinaire pour travailler sur la promotion et le développement des fromages artisanaux andalous, en établissant des stratégies de recherche, de développement et de formation destinées à la valorisation de ces fromages, spécialement ceux de chèvre. A partir des résultats d’une analyse stratégique, le présent travail propose des activités de recherche, de développement et de formation consacrées à la caractérisation de la qualité des fromages artisanaux, aux études de marché sur la connaissance et la perception de la qualité, aux activités de formation spécialisée dans la fromagerie et aux activités de promotion.Abstract. The Andalusian dairy goat sector (representing 50% of the national goat milk production) has potential opportunities for development using autochthonous breeds and semi-extensive production systems. Goat cheese production in Andalusia can be considered as a model for a sustainable rural development. Public institutions of research, development, and training as well as private ones have recently created a multidisciplinary and multinstitutional network to perform actions in favour of the marketing and promotion of the andalusian goat cheeses. In this paper, through the results of a strategic analysis, some research, development, and training actions were proposed. These actions are related with the improvement of quality, and the definition of the hand made cheese attributes; studies on the demand side, and consumer perception of quality; and those related to training and promotion

Dietary intake and lifestyle behavior in different phenotypes of polycystic ovarian syndrome: a case-control study

Objective: To compare dietary intake and lifestyle behaviour in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women. Methods: 160 healthy women (partner with male infertility) were recruited to a control group; 168 women with PCOS (diagnosed on ultrasound) were recruited to a case study group for this cross-sectional comparative study. The case group was classified into three phenotypes based on presence or absence of menstrual disorder (M), hyperandrogenism (HA), and polycystic ovary according to sonography (PCO): HA+PCO (n=53), PCO+M (n=57) and M+HA+PCO (n=66). Dietary intake and lifestyle behaviour were measured using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a lifestyle questionnaire (LQ). Results: The mean energy (P<0.001) and fat intake (P<0.001) were greater in PCOS groups compared with the control group. The average energy and fat intake were greater in HA+M+PCO group after age and BMI adjustment compared with other phenotypes (P<0.001). In comparison with the control group, lifestyle scores were lower in the PCOS group in the fields of physical activity, weight and nutrition control after age and BMI adjustment (P<0.001). The average score of lifestyle in the fields of physical activity, weight and nutrition control, and psychological health was lower in the phenotype HA+M+PCO compared with other phenotypes (P<0.001). Conclusions: Limited energy and fat intake is strongly recommended in Iranian women with PCOS especially in phenotype HA+M+PCO. Consultation on improvement of psychological health and the importance of weight and nutrition control, and appropriate physical activity in patients especially in HA+M+PCO is advocated. Keywords: Lifestyle, polycystic ovarian syndrome, die

Evaluation of native microalgae from Tunisia using the pulse-amplitude-modulation measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence and a performance study in semi-continuous mode for biofuel production

Background: Microalgae are attracting much attention as a promising feedstock for renewable energy production, while simultaneously providing environmental benefits. So far, comparison studies for microalgae selection for this purpose were mainly based on data obtained from batch cultures, where the lipid content and the growth rate were the main selection parameters. The present study evaluates the performance of native microalgae strains in semi-continuous mode, considering the suitability of the algal-derived fatty acid composition and the saponifiable lipid productivity as selection criteria for microalgal fuel production. Evaluation of the photosynthetic performance and the robustness of the selected strain under outdoor conditions was conducted to assess its capability to grow and tolerate harsh environmental growth conditions. Results: In this study, five native microalgae strains from Tunisia (one freshwater and four marine strains) were isolated and evaluated as potential raw material to produce biofuel. Firstly, molecular identification of the strains was performed. Then, experiments in semi-continuous mode at different dilution rates were carried out. The local microalgae strains were characterized in terms of biomass and lipid productivity, in addition to protein content, and fatty acid profile, content and productivity. The marine strain Chlorella sp. showed, at 0.20 1/day dilution rate, lipid and biomass productivities of 35.10 mg/L day and 0.2 g/L day, respectively. Moreover, data from chlorophyll fluorescence measurements demonstrated the robustness of this strain as it tolerated extreme outdoor conditions including high (38 ° C) and low (10 ° C) temperature, and high irradiance (1600 µmol/m2 s). Conclusions: Selection of native microalgae allows identifying potential strains suitable for use in the production of biofuels. The selected strain Chlorella sp. demonstrated adequate performance to be scaled up to outdoor conditions. Although experiments were performed at laboratory conditions, the methodology used in this paper allows a robust evaluation of microalgae strains for potential market applications.This study was supported by the Marine Microalgae Biotechnology Group at the University of Almer'a (BIO 173) and the Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario (ceiA3) within the joint framework of supervised theses between the University of Almeria, Spain and the University of Sfax, Tunisia.Scopu