Prevalence of comorbid asthma in Tunisian patients with COVID-19: clinical features and outcomes.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in around 1 million COVID-19 infection cases and over 29,000 deaths in Tunisia thus far. There is great variability in the prevalence of asthma among patients with COVID-19, but the impact of asthma on patients with COVID-19 is not clear. We sought to describe the clinical features of Tunisian patients with COVID-19 and to compare asthmatic and non-asthmatic patients.

The effects of prolonged stress exposure on the brain of rats and insights to understand the impact of work-related stress on caregivers.

Introduction: Stress exposure is a significant concern in the healthcare sector. This animal model study aims to reproduce caregivers' working conditions and determine their impact on the brain.

Method: Twenty-four healthy male rats of the Wistar strain were divided into four groups.

Effect of the incorporation of polysaccharides from green alga Bryopsis plumosa on beef sausages quality.

Maintaining the quality and stability of functional meat products during storage is one of the major challenges of these products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of polysaccharides extracted from green alga Bryopsis plumosa as a new natural additive in the formulation of beef sausages. In order to evaluate the impact of the incorporation of polysaccharides in beef sausages formulation, the physico-chemical, microbiological, and antioxidant properties were investigated during 12 days of storage at 4°C.

Extraction, characterization and biological properties of polysaccharide derived from green seaweed "Chaetomorpha linum" and its potential application in Tunisian beef sausages.

A novel polysaccharide extracted from green algae Chaetomorpha linum (PS) was characterized, using infrared spectroscopy, HPLC-FID, gel filtration high-pressure chromatography, thin layer chromatography and spectrum visible UV. Natural antioxidant potential of PS was evaluated based on DPPH free radical, ferrous iron-chelating, β carotene bleaching inhibition activities and DNA nicking assay. Functional properties were estimated based on Water Holding Capacity (WHC), Oil Holding Capacity (OHC), emulsifying activity and foaming ability.