Field Survey and Resistance Occurrence to ALS-Inhibiting Herbicides in L. in Tunisian Wheat Crops.

(L.) Cass. ex Spach is a troublesome weed in cereal cropping systems in northern Tunisia.

Immunological effects of AFM1 in experimental subchronic dosing in mice prevented by lactic acid bacteria.

Aim: Recently, higher contamination by aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) has been detected in many countries. Unfortunately, many tons of contaminated milk and milk byproducts are removed from the food chain to avoid human contamination; as a consequence of higher economic losses. Fewest number of studies are interested to AFM1 detoxification using lactic acid bacteria.

Characterization of microplastics in the surface waters of an urban lagoon (Bizerte lagoon, Southern Mediterranean Sea): Composition, density, distribution, and influence of environmental factors.

Compared to open sea environments, there is still limited knowledge about microplastic levels in semi-enclosed systems such as coastal lagoons. This work aims to assess the levels of MPs in the waters of an urban lagoon (Bizerte lagoon, northern Tunisia) and to study the effects of environmental factors on their distribution and abundance. Average concentration of total MPs was found to be 453.

Microplastics in edible mussels from a southern Mediterranean lagoon: Preliminary results on seawater-mussel transfer and implications for environmental protection and seafood safety.

This study assesses the microplastics (MPs) levels in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and seawater from a southern Mediterranean lagoon (Bizerte lagoon, Northern Tunisia) and discusses the potential effects of its consumption on human health. Polyethylene was the most abundant in mussels and seawater, followed by polypropylene and cellophane. The lowest and highest average MPs concentrations were recorded in the lagoon channel and southern area of the lagoon, respectively, for both mussels (2.

Lactobacillus paracasei alleviates genotoxicity, oxidative stress status and histopathological damage induced by Fumonisin B1 in BALB/c mice.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a prevelant mycotoxin in our alimentary chain. It was produced by the fungi of the genus Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum. FB1 was playing as a competitive inhibitor of ceramide synthase; a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of sphingolipids.

Bisphenols and Male Reproductive Health: From Toxicological Models to Therapeutic Hypotheses.

Bisphenols, and in particular bisphenol A (BPA), have been widely used for the production of plastic manufacts in the last 50 years. Currently, BPA is present in a variety of daily use polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, and dietary ingestion is considered the main route of human exposure. Accordingly, BPA is the chemical pollutant with the widest exposure in humans, involving nearly 90% of general population, according to recent studies.

Microstructure and characteristic properties of dogfish skin gelatin gels prepared by freeze/spray-drying methods.

The effects of two pretreatments (microwaves or oven-drying) on the dogfish (Squalus acanthias) skin as well as two drying processes (freeze-drying or spray-drying) on the extracted gelatins were studied. Thus six types of gelatins were obtained, three of which were freeze-dried (FG) and the others were spray-dried (SG), from the untreated skin (US), microwaves-pretreated skin (MS) and oven-pretreated skin (OS). The highest yield (8.

Chemical Characterization of Bioactive Components of Extract and Its Protective Effect on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Intestinal Bowel Disease in a Mouse Model.

is a well-known medicinal plant used in folk remedy that alleviates various disorders, including inflammation, gastritis, and diarrhea. The objective of this investigation was to identify and quantify the phenolic components of methanolic extract (RCME) and to determine its protective action with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-generated mice colitis model. RCME chemical analysis was done using Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, and experimental animals received RCME at different doses before colitis induction by oral DSS administration during 7 days.

The protective effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes extract against cypermethrin induced oxidative stress in mice.

Cypermethrin (Cyp) is a kind of pyrethroids compound that is broadly used against different species of insects and pests. Cyp can also elicit a range of neurotoxic, immunotoxic, genotoxic and reproductive toxic effects on various experimental organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa against the toxicity damage induced by Cyp exposure.

The Effects of Carob ( L.) on Emotional Behavior Impairment and Metabolic Disorders Induced by Estrogen Deficiency in Rats.

Carob ( L.) contains a wide variety of polyphenols with high antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of carob pods (AECP) on emotional behavior impairments and metabolic disorders in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.

Response-surface methodology for the production and the purification of a new H O -tolerant alkaline protease from Bacillus invictae AH1 strain.

This work deals with the optimization of the culture conditions of Bacillus invictae AH1 in order to increase the production level of the proteolytic activity. Response-surface methodology (RSM) was applied for the most significant fermentation parameters (concentration of wheat bran and K HPO /KH PO ) that were earlier identified by Plackett-Burman Design from seven possible factors. A central composite design was used and the quadratic regression model of producing active protease was built.

Protective Action of Leaves Aqueous Extracts Against Bisphenol A-Caused Testicular Damages.

action on the male reproductive system and fertility has not been precisely defined. In this study, the aim was to investigate the ameliorative activity of aqueous extracts (ESAE) on reproductive toxicity associated with oxidative stress induced by bisphenol A (BPA). Wistar rats were used and divided into six groups of animals each; control (0.

Zearalenone nephrotoxicity: DNA fragmentation, apoptotic gene expression and oxidative stress protected by Lactobacillus plantarum MON03.

The present study was conducted to determine the abilities of the living Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 cells to degrade Zearalenone (ZEN) in liquid medium, and to elucidate the preventive effect in ZEN-contaminated balb/c mice showing kidney damage. The DNA fragmentation, Bcl-2 and Bax gene expression, caspase-3 activity, mRNA level of inflammation-regulating cytokines and histology of kidney tissues were examined. Female Balb/c mice were divided into four groups (10/group) and treated daily for 2 wk by oral gavage with lactic acid bacteria (L.

Identification of a Potential Inhibitor Targeting MurC Ligase of the Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain through Structure-Based Virtual Screening Approach and In Vitro Assay.

Background & Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa shows resistance to a large number of antibiotics, including carbapenems and third generation cephalosporin. According to the World Health Organization global report published in February 2017, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is on the priority list among resistant bacteria, for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. Peptidoglycan serves as a good target for the discovery of novel antimicrobial drugs.

Phytochemical/Antioxidant Properties and Individual/Synergistic Actions of L. Aqueous Extract and Loperamide on Gastrointestinal Altering Motor Function.

Medicinal plants are known by pharmacological relevance and were used for long time to prevent/treat numerous gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The current study focuses on the phytochemical/antioxidant characteristics of sage aqueous extract (SAE), as well as its pharmacological actions on altering motor function in the intestine and related disruptions. phytochemical/antioxidant properties were investigated by colorimetric/biochemical methods.

Modulating and opposite actions of two aqueous extracts prepared from L. bark and L. on the gastrointestinal tract in rats.

Cinnamon bark and evergreen oak acorns, natural sources of functional ingredients, are effective for those suffering from diarrhea, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. This study aimed to evaluate the dissimilar phytochemical composition and the opposite potential actions of bark (ACCE) and aqueous extracts (GIAE) on gastrointestinal (GI)-physiological activities and disruptions. An HPLC-PDA/ESI-MS assay was used to identify the distinctive qualitative and quantitative profiles of phenolic compounds.

The potential of aqueous extract to protect against delayed gastric emptying and colonic constipation in rats.

Thyme is a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals and it is frequently used in folk-medicine to treat gastroenteritis irritations. The current study was performed to examine the potential of aqueous extract (TV-AE) to protect against delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and colonic constipation in rats. Stomach ulcer was caused by a single oral dose administration of indomethacin (INDO) (30 mg kg of body weight).

HLA Class II Allele and Haplotype Diversity in Libyans and Their Genetic Relationships with Other Populations.

: Libya witnessed the succession of many civilizations and ethnic groups throughout history, thereby questioning the origin of present-day Libyans. Indeed, they were considered Africans given the geographical position of the country, Arabs at the cultural level, and Berbers because of the notable presence of Berber tribes. Genetic anthropology studies investigating the origin of Libyans were rarely reported, and thus little was known about the population structure of current Libyans, particularly at autosomic markers level.

Whole-genome sequence analysis of a Pan African set of samples reveals archaic gene flow from an extinct basal population of modern humans into sub-Saharan populations.

Background: Population demography and gene flow among African groups, as well as the putative archaic introgression of ancient hominins, have been poorly explored at the genome level.

Results: Here, we examine 15 African populations covering all major continental linguistic groups, ecosystems, and lifestyles within Africa through analysis of whole-genome sequence data of 21 individuals sequenced at deep coverage. We observe a remarkable correlation among genetic diversity and geographic distance, with the hunter-gatherer groups being more genetically differentiated and having larger effective population sizes throughout most modern-human history.

Assessment of Cholesterol, Glycemia Control and Short- and Long-Term Antihypertensive Effects of Smooth Hound Viscera Peptides in High-Salt and Fructose Diet-Fed Wistar Rats.

In this study, the antihypertensive activity of Purafect-smooth hound viscera protein hydrolysate (VPH) and its peptide fraction with molecular weight (MW) below 1 kDa (VPH-I) was investigated. In addition, the lipase inhibitory activity, as well the anticoagulant potential, in vitro, were assessed. The antihypertensive effects of VPH and VPH-I were studied during 24 h (short-term effect) and 30 days (long-term effect) using high-salt (18% NaCl) and -fructose (10%) diet (HSFD)-induced hypertension.

Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 counteracts zearalenone génotoxicty in mice: Chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, DNA fragmentation and apoptotique gene expression.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a potent estrogenic metabolite produced by some Fusarium species. No treatment has been successfully employed to get rid against ZEN contained in foods and/or mitigates its genotoxicity. This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of lactic acid bacteria, isolated from Tunisia traditional butter, Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 (LP) to protect mice against cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by ZEN.

Congenital Lactase Deficiency: Mutations, Functional and Biochemical Implications, and Future Perspectives.

Congenital lactase deficiency (CLD) is a severe autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects the functional capacity of the intestinal protein lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH). This disorder is diagnosed already during the first few days of the newborn's life due to the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in mammalian milk. The symptoms are similar to those in other carbohydrate malabsorption disorders, such as congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency, and include severe osmotic watery diarrhea.

Bioprotective mechanisms of lactic acid bacteria against fungal spoilage of food.

In modern societies, conscious consumers demand healthy, fresh and natural foods devoid of added chemical preservatives and stabilizers. The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to preserve food is one of the oldest and best characterized approach. Production of organic acids is the main feature LAB use to outcompete spoilage organisms, but several other mechanisms have been demonstrated.

Characterization and assessment of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from cuttlefish skin and muscle.

In this study, novel polysaccharides extracted from cuttlefish skin (CSP) and muscle (CMP), by precipitation with cetylpyridinium, were characterized and their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were investigated. CMP showed the highest amounts of sulfated groups (6.6%), uronic acids (9.