Polyester Fabric with Fluorescent Properties Using Microwave Technology for Anti-Counterfeiting Applications.

The article presented concerns the application of fluorescein as a fluorescent material for anti-counterfeiting technology which will allow the labeling and identification of legitimate articles in the textile field. Fluorescein has been applied to polyester fabrics by microwave irradiation technique in the presence of a UV absorber. Thus, its presence in the textile substrate is detectable following an excitation at a specific wavelength belonging to the Ultra-violet zone, which makes this material very effective for tracking and detecting counterfeit articles.

In vivo confocal microscopy as a novel and reliable tool for the diagnosis of Demodex eyelid infestation.

Aims: Demodex mites are implicated in several ocular surface diseases such as blepharitis, ocular rosacea and dry eye syndrome. Demodex eyelid infestation is classically diagnosed by analysing depilated eyelashes under the light microscope. The use of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) could be an easy way to improve its diagnosis.

Use of molecular and in silico bioinformatic tools to investigate pesticide binding to insect (Lepidoptera) phenoloxidases (PO): insights to toxicological aspects.

In the present work, the promising bioinformatic tools, based on structure-affinity analysis, allowed to screen several pesticides supposed to bind to the insect immune Phenoloxidases (PO). First, the binding of aminoparathion, a reference compound, to the PO was structurally (3D) validated in accordance with previous reports. Second, using the same docking conditions, a range of pesticides was checked for their binding ability to the crystal 3D structure (PDB 3HSS) of the insect Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera) PO.

Green tea decoction improves glucose tolerance and reduces weight gain of rats fed normal and high-fat diet.

Green tea containing polyphenols exerts antidiabetic and antiobesity effects, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. In this study, we first analyzed and compared polyphenol compounds [epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC)] in decoction of green tea leaves versus usual green tea extracts. Second, the effects of acute (30 min) or chronic (6 weeks) oral administration of green tea decoction (GTD) on intestinal glucose absorption were studied in vitro in Ussing chamber, ex vivo using isolated jejunal loops and in vivo through glucose tolerance tests.

PCR-based screening for the most prevalent alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency mutations (PI S, Z, and Mmalton) in COPD patients from Eastern Tunisia.

It is generally agreed that the protease inhibitor (PI) alleles PI*S (Val264Glu) and PI*Z (Lys342Glu) are the most common alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency variants worldwide, but the PI*Mmalton allele (ΔPhe52) prevails over these variants in some Mediterranean regions. In eastern Tunisia (Mahdia), we screened 100 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for these variants. The PI*S and PI*Z alleles were genotyped by the previously described SexAI/Hpγ99I RFLP-PCR.

Cell viability effects and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Tunisian date syrup (Rub El Tamer) polyphenolic extracts.

The aqueous-acetone polyphenolic extract of the traditionally derived date syrup, known as "Rub El Tamer", was analyzed using RP-HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS. The phenolic content of the extract was 394.53 ± 1.

Protective effects of crude garlic by reducing iron-mediated oxidative stress, proliferation and autophagy in rats.

The impact of garlic, known for its antioxidant activities, on iron metabolism has been poorly investigated. The aim of this work was to study the effect of crude garlic pre-treatment on iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, proliferation and autophagy for 5 weeks. Rats were fed distilled water or garlic solution (1 g/kg body weight) by gavage for the first 3 weeks as pre-treatment and received a basal diet supplemented or not with ferrous sulfate (650 mg Fe/kg diet) for the last 2 weeks of treatment.

Influence of garlic or its main active component diallyl disulfide on iron bioavailability and toxicity.

Garlic is regularly consumed and is known to have diverse biologic activities, particularly due to its antioxidant properties. In this study, we hypothesized that crude garlic can prevent iron-mediated oxidative stress in a rat model of nutritional iron overload, and we used an in vitro model to confirm the results. For the in vivo studies, rats received a basal diet supplemented with or without carbonyl iron (3%) and were fed distilled water or garlic solution (1g/kg body weight) by gavage for 3 weeks.

Oxidative stress in experimental vitiligo C57BL/6 mice.

Aim: To evaluate whether oxidative stress is implicated in melanocyte damage in vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is a complex disorder characterized by gradually enlarging areas of depigmentation. A new unifying hypothesis for the etiology of this pigment disorder is proposed, in which we postulate that the final destruction of melanocytes in vitiligo results from a cascade of reactions initiated by a disregulation of melanogenesis, as the result of a breakdown in free radical defense.

Vitiligo treatment with vitamins, minerals and polyphenol supplementation.

Background: Mammalian pigmentation results from the synthesis and accumulation of photo protective epidermal melanin. Melanin was formed from the amino acid precursor L-tyrosine within specialized cells, the melanocytes. Oxidative stress has been suggested to be the initial pathogenetic event in melanocyte degeneration with H(2)O(2) accumulation in the epidermis of patients with active disease.

Dermatology life quality index scores in vitiligo: reliability and validity of the Tunisian version.

Background: Vitiligo is an important skin disease that can alter individual self-image and thus have major impact on the quality of life.

Aims: The objective of this study was to translate and to test the reliability and validity of the 10-item Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire in Tunisian vitiliginous patients.

Methods: Using a standard "forward-backward" translation procedure, the English language version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian (the Iranian official language) by two bilinguals.

Study of total antioxidant status and glutathione peroxidase activity in Tunisian vitiligo patients.

Background: Vitiligo affects one to two percent of the word population. Its pathogenesis has not been clarified yet. Multiple mechanisms such as autoimmune, neuronal, endocrine and oxidative stress resulting from unbalanced antioxidant defense system have been proposed.

Profile of vitiligo in the south of Tunisia.

Background: Vitiligo is a depigmentation disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes from cutaneous cells. Its pathogenesis has not yet been clarified.

Objective: To study the epidemiologic profile of vitiligo in Tunisia and analyze its characteristics.

Both aluminum and polyphenols in green tea decoction (Camellia sinensis) affect iron status and hematological parameters in rats.

Background: Green tea leaves naturally contain high levels of polyphenols and aluminum (Al). Polyphenols in green tea decoction are considered to be one of the major factors responsible of low iron status. However, the effects of Al from green tea decoction on iron status and hematological parameters remained unclear.

Artemisia herba-alba Asso (Asteraceae) has equivalent effects to green and black tea decoctions on antioxidant processes and some metabolic parameters in rats.

Aims: The objective was to compare the long-term effects of Artemisia herba-alba Asso decoction with a green or black tea decoction, prepared without sugar, on the antioxidant processes in rats.

Methods: The direct parameters used in the control of antioxidant processes were total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase activity and conjugated dienes, as early markers of lipid peroxidation. However, the indirect parameters used in this control were the body weight gains, plasma glucose and lipid concentrations, iron, copper and zinc status.

Comparative effects of the addition of mutton or beef to a bean seed ragout on iron status in growing rats.

Aims: The objective was to compare the effects of the addition of mutton or beef to a bean seed ragout (BSR) on iron status in growing rats. In addition, we have studied the possible interference of fat from mutton on iron status because this type of animal contains a high amount of subcutaneous fat.

Methods: The iron status was investigated through the exploration of the total iron in the blood and the reserve of iron stored in the liver, spleen, intestine, heart and tibia.

[Evaluation of the iron bioavailability from meals prepared with lentil (Lens esculenta) or with white kidney bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris) in anemic rats].

The aim of our study was to evaluate the iron bioavailability from lentil seeds and white kidney bean seeds. The iron bioavailability from diets was measured in rat by the depletion-repletion hemoglobin method and the reserve of iron stored in the liver. Our results showed that the iron bioavailability from meal based on cooked lentil seeds was significantly low (3.

Effect of green tea decoction on long-term iron, zinc and selenium status of rats.

Aims: The objective was to examine the effect of green tea decoction given at two different concentrations on the long-term (6 weeks) iron, zinc and selenium status of rats.

Methods: During the experimental period, the rats were given ad libitum a basic diet + ultra pure water (control group), a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 50 g/l (tea 50 group), or a basic diet + green tea decoction prepared from 100 g/l (tea 100 group). The zinc and iron status was evaluated by determining their concentrations in the serum, blood precipitate, liver, spleen, femur, heart and kidney.

Iron bioavailability and weight gains to iron-deficient rats fed a commonly consumed Tunisian meal 'bean seeds ragout' with or without beef and with green or black tea decoction.

The Fe bioavailability and the weight gains were evaluated in rats fed a commonly consumed Tunisian meal 'bean seeds ragout' (BSR), with or without beef and with black or green tea decoction. The Fe bioavailability was evaluated in Fe-deficient rats by the hemoglobin repletion method and the Fe stored in the liver. The addition of beef to the BSR significantly increased the Fe bioavailability from this meal by 147% and the reserve of Fe stored in the liver by 77% (P < 0.