Relationship between homocysteine, vitamin B9, vitamin B12 levels methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (C677T, A1298C) polymorphisms, and cryptogenic stroke in Tunisian adults´ patients: a case-control study.

Introduction: the relationship between elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and stroke has been established, but this association remains indistinct in cryptogenic stroke in adults. Our aim is to investigate the association between homocysteine, vitamins B9 and B12, and cryptogenic stroke. Furthermore, to determine the correlation between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism and biochemical levels in plasma.

[Epidemiology of urolithiasis in south of Tunisia].

Determine the epidemiological characteristics of urolithiasis in the South region of Tunisia and the impact of age and sex on stone composition. We conducted a retrospective study including patient records whose urinary lithiasis was analyzed within the biochemistry department of CHU Habib Bourguiba of Sfax (2011-2020). Stone analysis was performed using a stereomicroscope and infrared spectroscopy.

Seed quality as a proxy of climate-ready orphan legumes: the need for a multidisciplinary and multi-actor vision.

In developing countries, orphan legumes stand at the forefront in the struggle against climate change. Their high nutrient value is crucial in malnutrition and chronic diseases prevention. However, as the 'orphan' definition suggests, their seed systems are still underestimated and seed production is scanty.

Plasma Exchange for Lyme Neuroborreliosis delayed diagnosis: A case report.

Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a rare infectious disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes and responsible for a variety of neurological manifestations. The most common manifestations of LNB in children are cranial nerve involvement, especially facial nerve palsy often accompanied by lymphocytic meningitis. In this article, we present a case of a 4-year-old boy presented to our emergency department with abdominal pain evolving for a week and symmetrical ascending progression of weakness responsible for severe respiratory failure.

Isolation and identification of a new Bacillus glycinifermentans strain from date palm rhizosphere and its effect on barley seeds under heavy metal stress.

Soil contamination by heavy metals is one of the major problems that adversely decrease plant growth and biomass production. Inoculation with the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can attenuate the toxicity of heavy metals and enhancing the plant growth. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a novel extremotolerant strain (IS-2 T) isolated from date palm rhizosphere to improve barley seedling growth under heavy metal stress.

Influence of pneumatic tube delivery system on laboratory results.

Introduction: The pneumatic tube system (PTS) is an automated and fast modality of transportation of biological samples, but it has been reported to induce preanalytical errors.

Aim: To study the influence of transportation by PTS on biochemistry tests which are particularly sensitive to haemolysis and atmospheric pressure variation.

Materials And Methods: We compared laboratory results of arterial blood gas, sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose and haemolysis index of samples conveyed simultaneously by PTS and by courier.

The anti-Müllerian hormone: A useful tool for diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrine disorder that affects reproductive-age women with important long-term health implications. As such, the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was proposed as a helpful test to identify women with PCOS. The aim of this study was to determine an AMH cut-off value for the diagnosis of PCOS.

Seed priming to optimize germination in Arthrocnemum Moq.

Background: Seed germination and seedling growth constitute the first stage of a plant's life cycle for crop establishment. Arthrocnemum Moq. is a halophyte of the subfamily Salicornioideae (Amaranthaceae), which could be recognized in the foreseeable future as an emerging candidate in applied biosaline agricultural programs, mainly due to the large biomass it represents in coastal and inland saltmarshes, in addition to its interesting nutritional and pharmacological properties.

Evaluation of L. Plant Food Safety after Lead Exposure: Phytochemical Processes.

Lead stands as a food contaminant through its accumulation in consumed plants. In this study, the effects of lead (II) chloride (PbCl2) and its levels of uptake on morphological and phytochemical responses of fenugreek were assessed to evaluate its tolerance and safety for human consumption. Results revealed that PbCl2 (50−2000 mg L−1) did not affect the germination rate, but it decreased the radicle length and amylase activity.

[Monocentric experience of the RenalGuard® system to limit post-contrast acute kidney injury in patients at high-risk undergoing interventional coronary procedures].

Background: Despite an often favorable risk/benefit ratio, patients with severe chronic kidney disease are sometimes declined for interventional coronary procedures, due to the risk of acute kidney injury post-contrast (AKI-PC). A large preventive supply of intravenous fluid may be problematic in this population. The RenalGuard® system allows hyperhydration by maintaining a stable volemia through an enhanced diuresis.

Priming with EDTA, IAA and Fe alleviates Pb toxicity in Trigonella Foneum graecum L. growth: Phytochemicals and secondary metabolites.

This study evaluated the effects of the exogenous application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and iron sulfate (FeSO) upon the phytochemical mechanisms of fenugreek grown under Pb-excess (2000 mg L PbCl). The results showed that chemical additives of EDTA and IAA as well as FeSO improved fenugreek germination parameters. The radicle length and the amylase activity were significantly improved under IAA treatment compared to EDTA and FeSO.

Modulatory Effect of Chaetomorpha gracilis on Erythrocytes Functions and Metabolic Disorders in Mice Fed a High-cholesterol Diet.

The current study was carried out to estimate the protective effect of methanolic extract of Chaetomorpha gracilis (MECG) against High Cholesterol Diet (HCD) induced erythrocyte damage in mice. The results of the in vitro assay showed that MECG have higher antioxidant capacities in the DPPH, TAC, ABTS, NBT, NO inhibition assays. The HPLC analysis confirmed that this potential antioxidant seems to be due to the active compounds, in particular polyphenols, flavonoids.

Vitamin D status and CYP27B1-1260 promoter polymorphism in Tunisian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Aim: An association between serum vitamin D (Vit D) levels and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported by several studies that suggested the involvement of genetically determined characteristics of enzymes of vitamin D metabolism. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level, the most representative metabolite of VitD status, and polymorphism of the cytochrome P450, CYP27B1 gene, which influence vitamin D metabolism, and serum levels, in SLE Tunisian patients.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional study has been conducted in SLE patients (supplemented and not supplemented patients), matched to healthy controls by age and gender.

In-site and Ex-site Date Palm Exposure to Heavy Metals Involved Infra-Individual Biomarkers Upregulation.

As a tree of considerable importance in arid regions-date palm, L. survival in contaminated areas of Sfax city has drawn our attention. Leaf samples of the plants grown in the study area showed high levels of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr).

Diagnosis and management of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical, biological and hematological profiles of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) in children and to specify its etiologies, therapeutic modalities, and treatment responses.

Methods: This is a 14-year retrospective study of AIHA cases collected at the department of pediatric emergency and reanimation of Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax. We included patients under 14 years old with clinical and biological features of hemolysis and a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT).

Effect of compared To 17β-oestradiol on osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice.

Phytoestrogens, with a wide range of beneficial effects, prevent bone loss caused by oestrogen deficiency.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract compared to 17β-oestradiol on osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice.The study was carried out on female mice, divided into five groups: control mice (GI), treated mice (0.

[Bipolar disorder vulnerability: The vitamin D path].

Objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) etiopathogenesis is still not well elucidated. It has recently been proven that 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) has an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective role. Our objectives were to measure 25OHD plasma levels in patients with BD in acute decompensation and compare them with patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) or schizoaffective disorder (SAD) and with healthy controls.

Transcriptome assembly and abiotic related gene expression analysis of date palm reveal candidate genes involved in response to cadmium stress.

Date palm in Tunisia is of major economic importance but are also factors of social, environmental and economic stability. An annotated assembly of the transcriptome of cultivar Deglet Nour was reported. RNA was isolated from plant Cd-contaminated leaves, and 37,049 unique Illumina RNA-seq reads were used in a transcriptome assembly.

Development of a new stability indicating method for the simultaneous separation of voriconazole from its impurities along with sodium benzoate used as a preservative in a powder for oral suspension.

Voriconazole is a second-generation triazole derived from fluconazole, having an enhanced antifungal spectrum, compared with older triazoles. It is the drug of choice for treatment of invasive aspergillosis and many Scedosporium/Pseudallescheria Fusarium infections. Voriconazole is available in both intravenous and oral formulations.

Conductive Carbon Materials from the Hydrothermal Carbonization of Vineyard Residues for the Application in Electrochemical Double-Layer Capacitors (EDLCs) and Direct Carbon Fuel Cells (DCFCs).

This study investigates the production of bio-based carbon materials for energy storage and conversion devices based on two different vineyard residues (pruning, pomace) and cellulose as a model biomass. Three different char categories were produced via pyrolysis at 900 °C for 2 h (biochars, BC), hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) (at 220, 240 or 260 °C) with different reaction times (60, 120 or 300 min) (hydrochars, HC), or HTC plus pyrolysis (pyrolyzed hydrochars, PHC). Physicochemical, structural, and electrical properties of the chars were assessed by elemental and proximate analysis, gas adsorption surface analysis with N and CO, compression ratio, bulk density, and electrical conductivity (EC) measurements.

Hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats induced by carbon tetrachloride and the protective effects of Teucrium polium and vitamin C.

This work investigated the protective effects of Teucrium polium (T. polium) and vitamin C (Vit C) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl) induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats. T.

Insight into the expression variation of metal-responsive genes in the seedling of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera).

Phytochelatin synthase and metallothionein gene expressions were monitored via qPCR in order to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in Cd and Cr detoxification in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). A specific reference gene validation procedure using BestKeeper, NormFinder and geNorm programs allowed selection of the three most stable reference genes in a context of Cd or Cr contamination among six reference gene candidates, namely elongation factor α1, actin, aldehyde dehydrogenase, SAND family, tubulin 6 and TaTa box binding protein. Phytochelatin synthase (pcs) and metallothionein (mt) encoding gene expression were induced from the first days of exposure.

Improvement of Vip3Aa16 Toxin Production and Efficiency Through Nitrous Acid and UV Mutagenesis of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae).

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) strain BUPM95 was known by the efficiency of its vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3Aa16) against different Lepidoptera such as Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To overcome the problem of the low quantities of Vip3 proteins secreted by B. thuringiensis strains in the culture supernatant, classical mutagenesis of vegetative cells of BUPM95 strain was operated using nitrous acid and UV rays.