Different Electrochemical Sensor Designs Based on Diazonium Salts and Gold Nanoparticles for Pico Molar Detection of Metals.

We report a comparison of sensors' performance of different hybrid nanomaterial architectures modifying an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode surface. Diazonium salts and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used as building units to design hybrid thin films of successive layers on the ITO electrode surface. Different architectures of hybrid thin films were prepared and characterized with different techniques, such as TEM, FEG-SEM, XPS, and EIS.

Glutathione Deficiency in Does Not Impair Bacteroid Differentiation But Induces Early Senescence in the Interaction With .

Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, legumes are able to interact symbiotically with bacteria of the Rhizobiaceae family. This interaction gives rise to a new organ, named a root nodule. Root nodules are characterized by an increased glutathione (GSH) and homoglutathione (hGSH) content compared to roots.

Application of Factorial and Doehlert Designs for the Optimization of the Simultaneous Separation and Determination of Antimigraine Drugs in Pharmaceutical Formulations by RP-HPLC-UV.

A sensitive, precise, accurate, and specific isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for the simultaneous separation and determination of zolmitriptan, naratriptan, dihydroergotamine, ketotifen, and pizotifen in pharmaceutical formulations has been developed and validated. An experimental design was applied for the optimization of the chromatographic parameters. A two-level full factorial 2 was used for studying the interaction between the variables to be optimized: the percentage of acetonitrile in the mobile phase, mobile-phase pH, nature of the buffer, and column oven temperature.

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induced Oxidative Stress and Changes in the Photosynthetic Apparatus in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.).

The aim of this work was to study the toxicity of nanosheet zinc oxide nanoparticle with the size of 45 nm. The penetration of nanoparticles at an exposure by a localized spray does not make it possible to understand the mechanism of transport and bioavailability of the nanoparticles. In contrast, nanoparticles penetrated, via the roots, as a function of their diameter, the smaller ones having caused leaf stress (by translocation) at low concentrations.

Whole Y-chromosome sequences reveal an extremely recent origin of the most common North African paternal lineage E-M183 (M81).

E-M183 (E-M81) is the most frequent paternal lineage in North Africa and thus it must be considered to explore past historical and demographical processes. Here, by using whole Y chromosome sequences from 32 North African individuals, we have identified five new branches within E-M183. The validation of these variants in more than 200 North African samples, from which we also have information of 13 Y-STRs, has revealed a strong resemblance among E-M183 Y-STR haplotypes that pointed to a rapid expansion of this haplogroup.

Isolation and characterisation of an enterocin P-producing Enterococcus lactis strain from a fresh shrimp (Penaeus vannamei).

Screening for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from fresh shrimp samples (Penaeus vannamei) collected from retail seafood markets in the Tunisian's coast, resulted in the isolation of an Enterococcus strain termed Q1. This strain was selected for its antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactococcus garvieae and against fungi (Aspergillus niger and Fusarium equiseti). The Q1 strain was characterised using standard morphological and biochemical tests, growth assays at different temperatures, pH and salinity.

Recent Historical Migrations Have Shaped the Gene Pool of Arabs and Berbers in North Africa.

North Africa is characterized by its diverse cultural and linguistic groups and its genetic heterogeneity. Genomic data has shown an amalgam of components mixed since pre-Holocean times. Though no differences have been found in uniparental and classical markers between Berbers and Arabs, the two main ethnic groups in the region, the scanty genomic data available have highlighted the singularity of Berbers.

Protective Effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. Against a Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Alterations in Liver and Kidney in Rat.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential protective role of Ceratonia siliqua L. against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced oxidative damage and inflammation in liver and kidney of rats. The hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were induced in rats by oral administration of synthetic DSS (5%) in the drinking water for over 7 days.

Grape seed and skin extract protects kidney from doxorubicin-induced oxidative injury.

The study investigated the protective effect of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) against doxorubicin-induced renal toxicity in healthy rats. Animals were treated with GSSE or not (control), for 8 days, administered with doxorubicin (20mg/kg) in the 4th day, and renal function as well as oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. Data showed that doxorubicin induced renal toxicity by affecting renal architecture and plasma creatinine.

Gastroprotective effect of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rat.

Background: We aimed in the present study, at investigating the gastroprotective effect of carob pods aqueous extract (CPAE) against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rats as well as the mechanism implicated.

Methods: Adult male wistar rats were used and divided into six groups of ten each: control, EtOH (80% v/v, 4 g/kg b.w.

From Arabia to Iberia: A Y chromosome perspective.

At different times during recent human evolution, northern Africa has served as a conduit for migrations from the Arabian Peninsula. Although previous researchers have investigated the possibility of the Strait of Gibraltar as a pathway of migration from North Africa to Iberia, we now revisit this issue and theorize that although the Strait of Gibraltar, at the west end of this corridor, has acted as a barrier for human dispersal into Southwest Europe, it has not provided an absolute seal to gene flow. To test this hypothesis, here we use the spatial frequency distributions, STR diversity and expansion time estimates of Y chromosome haplogroups J1-P58 and E-M81 to investigate the genetic imprints left by the Arabian and Berber expansions into the Iberian Peninsula, respectively.

[Diagnosis of fetal engagement by transperineal sonography: a preliminary Tunisian study].

Introduction: The assessment of fetal head engagement by digital examination is highly subjective even though this method remains the gold standard. Ultrasound could be a new way to specify the fetal head engagement with objective and reproductible measurements.

Objective: To compare the clinical data and the transperineal ultrasound results for the diagnosis of fetal head engagement.

Genome-wide and paternal diversity reveal a recent origin of human populations in North Africa.

The geostrategic location of North Africa as a crossroad between three continents and as a stepping-stone outside Africa has evoked anthropological and genetic interest in this region. Numerous studies have described the genetic landscape of the human population in North Africa employing paternal, maternal, and biparental molecular markers. However, information from these markers which have different inheritance patterns has been mostly assessed independently, resulting in an incomplete description of the region.

Hepatoprotective effect of carob against acute ethanol-induced oxidative stress in rat.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether subacute treatment with aqueous extract of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods (AECPs) protects against ethanol (EtOH)-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Animals were divided into four groups: control, carob, EtOH and EtOH + carob.

Grape seed and skin extract mitigates garlic-induced oxidative stress in rat liver.

Garlic is a commonly used spice in folk medicine that can exert adverse health effects when given at a high dose. Grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) exhibits a variety of beneficial effects even at a high dose. In the present study we evaluated the toxicity of high-dose garlic treatment on liver and the protective effect of GSSE.

Grape seed and skin extract protects against acute chemotherapy toxicity induced by doxorubicin in rat heart.

Doxorubicin (Dox), an antitumor anthracycline antibiotic, plays a key role in the treatment of many neoplastic diseases. However, its chronic administration induces cardiomyopathy. Increased oxidative stress is a major factor implicated in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effect of resveratrol on antioxidant enzyme activities in the brain of healthy rat.

We have studied the effect of resveratrol on lipoperoxidation and antioxidant enzyme activity level in the brain of healthy rats. When intraperitoneally administered, resveratrol significantly and dose dependently decreased brain malondialdehyde level. Resveratrol also increased in a dose-dependent way brain superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities.

Acute effects of a partially purified fraction from garlic on plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in rats: putative involvement of nitric oxide.

Garlic has been extensively used as a medicinal plant. Most of its numerous beneficial effects such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumoral involve sulfur-derived amino acids. In the present work, we reevaluated the acute effects of aqueous extract of garlic on plasma glucose and cholesterol levels in normal rats.

Strong cardioprotective effect of resveratrol, a red wine polyphenol, on isolated rat hearts after ischemia/reperfusion injury.

We have studied some hemodynamic parameters as heart rate (HR) developed pressure (DP) and maximal positive values of the first derivative of pressure (+dP/dt max) in isolated heart from control or resveratrol treated rats. In acute ex vivo experiments, resveratrol (1-100 microM) infusion in Langendorff perfused hearts did not affect contractile function in either normoxic conditions or after ischemia/reperfusion. However when semi-chronically administered by IP injection during 7 days, resveratrol which had no effect on pre-ischemic heart greatly improved post-ischemic indexes of myocardial function.