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This study aims to comprehensively examine the chemical composition, physicochemical characterization, as well as antioxidant and antiplatelet activities of Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil (PLFO). Our results showed that the prominent class of fatty acids was represented by monounsaturated fatty acids (42.73%), followed by saturated fatty acids (33.99%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (23.13%). The different ratios of fatty acids were determined (PUFA/MUFA = 0.54, PUFA/SAFA = 0.68 and MUFA/SAFA = 1.25). The obtained results related to saturated and polysaturated fatty acids ratios were in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The principal fatty acid (FA) consisted in oleic acid (41.32%), followed by linoleic acid (23.08%). A comparison was made with Moroccan and Algerian PLFO showing that Tunisian PLFO is the richest in linoleic acid. The main tentatively identified triacylglycerols, which are in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated forms, were SLL+PLO (19.73%), OOL+LnPP (13.12%) and POO (10.57%). The primary sterol identified in PLFO was β‐sitosterol (80.19%). However, tocopherols were quantified at a content of 1249.16 mg g–1 of oil. The effect on platelet aggregation was evaluated on human platelet‐rich plasma treated with various PLFO concentrations, dissolved in ethanol (named POE) and then induced by ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid (AA). The outcome revealed that 8 µL mL–1 of POE strongly inhibited ADP‐induced platelet aggregation in humans. Additionally, the expression of CD63 and P‐selectin as markers of platelet secretion, and αΙΙβ3 integrin activation were assessed by flow cytometry. It has been found that PLFO significantly reduced platelet activation as well as alpha and dense granule secretion. Moreover, the cytotoxicity assay on normal HEK‐293 cells, the hemolysis test and the platelet viability confirmed that PLFO is a safe substance. These findings are valuable for assessing the nutritional composition of PLFO within a preventive and/or therapeutic framework in a clinical context. Practical applications: PLFO is mainly used to alleviate problems related to poor blood circulation, especially for women but it is also employed to treat problems such as heavy legs and varicose veins. Furthermore, PLFO would prevent certain diseases such as phlebitis, and alleviates various disorders, including cardiovascular problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Finding new effective substances to develop drugs against cancer or to prevent it remains a big challenge facing scientists and clinicians. Objectives: In such an issue, we tested the anti-tumoral effect of Scorzonera undulata extracts on MCF7 cells. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extracts of S. undulata roots (RSU) and aerial parts (ASU) from the Ha'il region were analyzed by HPLC. Their DPPH scavenging, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant potentials were evaluated. The MTT test was used to determine their cytotoxic effects on MCF7 cells using different concentrations, and their potential to induce apoptosis was determined by measuring the mitochondrial transmembrane loss of potential by flow cytometry using the JC-1 fluorescent marker. Results: S. undulata was found to be rich in flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols. ASU contains great amounts of apigenin and gallic acid, whereas RSU contains luteolin and chlorogenic acid as major components. The potential to scavenge DPPH and the total antioxidant activity of ASU were twofold greater than those of RSU. MCF7 cell viability was reduced by 50% at concentrations of 4.22 ± 0.06 and 5.89 ± 0.08 mg.mL−1, respectively, for ASU and RSU at 24 h. In addition, S. undulata extracts induced MCF7 cells' death through cell lysis and apoptosis. Conclusion: As an edible vegetable, S. undulata is worth further exploration in alternative and complementary medication as it possesses significant antioxidant and anti-cancer potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe goal of selecting a healthy blood donor is to safeguard donors and reduce the risks of infections and immunologic complications for recipients.Study design and methodsTo evaluate the blood donor selection process, a survey was conducted in 28 blood transfusion centers located in 15 francophone African countries. Data collected included availability of blood products, risk factors for infection identified among blood donor candidates, the processing of the information collected before blood collection, the review process for the medical history of blood donor candidates, and deferral criteria for donor candidates.ResultsDuring the year 2009, participating transfusion centers identified 366,924 blood donor candidates. A mean of 13% (range, 0%-36%) of the donor candidates were excluded based solely on their medical status. The main risk factors for blood-borne infections were having multiple sex partners, sexual intercourse with occasional partners, and religious scarification. Most transfusion centers collected this information verbally instead of having a written questionnaire. The topics least addressed were the possible complications relating to the donation, religious scarifications, and history of sickle cell anemia and hemorrhage. Only three centers recorded the temperature of the blood donors. The deferral criteria least reported were sickle cell anemia, piercing, scarification, and tattoo.ConclusionsThe medical selection process was not performed systemically and thoroughly enough, given the regional epidemiologic risks. It is essential to identify the risk factors specific to francophone African countries and modify the current medical history questionnaires to develop a more effective and relevant selection process.

Abstract Background There is clinical evidence to show that sperm DNA damage could be a marker of sperm quality and extensive data exist on the relationship between DNA damage and male fertility status. Detecting such damage in sperm could provide new elements besides semen parameters in diagnosing male infertility. We aimed to assess sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation and to study the association between these two markers, routine semen parameters and malondialdehyde formation. Methods Semen samples from 55 men attending the Histology-Embryology Laboratory of Sfax Faculty of Medicine, Tunisia, for semen investigations were analysed for sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation using flow cytometry. The Sperm was also assessed spectrophotometrically for malondialdehyde formation. Results Within the studied group, 21 patients were nonasthenozoospermic (sperm motility ≥ 50%) and 34 patients were considered asthenozoospermic (sperm motility < 50%). A positive correlation was found between sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidation (p = 0.01; r = 0.33). We also found a negative correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation and some sperm parameters: total motility (p = 0.001; r = -0.43), rapid progressive motility (type a motility) (p = 0.04; r = -0.27), slow progressive motility (type b motility) (p = 0.03; r = -0.28), and vitality (p < 0.001; r = -0.65). Sperm DNA fragmentation was positively correlated with coiled tail (p = 0.01; r = 0.34). The two parameters that were found to be correlated with oxidative DNA damage were leucocytes concentrations (p = 0.01; r = 0.38) and broken neck (p = 0.02; r = 0.29). Sperm MDA levels were negatively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.001; r = -0.57), total motility (p = 0.01; r = -0.35) and type a motility (p = 0.03; r = -0.32); but not correlated with DNA fragmentation and DNA oxidation. Conclusions Our results support the evidence that oxidative stress plays a key role in inducing DNA damage; but nuclear alterations and malondialdehyde don't seem to be synchronous.

Abstract Background The OmcB protein is one of the most immunogenic proteins in C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae infections. This protein is highly conserved leading to serum cross reactivity between the various chlamydial species. Since previous studies based on recombinant proteins failed to identify a species specific immune response against the OmcB protein, this study evaluated an in silico predicted specific and immunogenic antigen from the OmcB protein for the serodiagnosis of C. trachomatis infections. Results Using the ClustalW and Antigenic programs, we have selected two predicted specific and immunogenic regions in the OmcB protein: the N-terminal (Nt) region containing three epitopes and the C-terminal (Ct) region containing two epitopes with high scores. These regions were cloned into the PinPoint Xa-1 and pGEX-6P-1 expression vectors, incorporating a biotin purification tag and a glutathione-S-transferase tag, respectively. These regions were then expressed in E. coli. Only the pGEX-6P-1 has been found suitable for serological studies as its tag showed less cross reactivity with human sera and was retained for the evaluation of the selected antigens. Only the Ct region of the protein has been found to be well expressed in E. coli and was evaluated for its ability to be recognized by human sera. 384 sera were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis by our in house microimmunofluorescence (MIF) and the developed ELISA test. Using the MIF as the reference method, the developed OmcB Ct ELISA has a high specificity (94.3%) but a low sensitivity (23.9). Our results indicate that the use of the sequence alignment tool might be useful for identifying specific regions in an immunodominant antigen. However, the two epitopes, located in the selected Ct region, of the 24 predicted in the full length OmcB protein account for approximately 25% of the serological response detected by MIF, which limits the use of the developed ELISA test when screening C. trachomatis infections. Conclusion The developed ELISA test might be used as a confirmatory test to assess the specificity of serological results found by MIF.

Abstract Background Serologic diagnosis of Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cpn) infection routinely involves assays for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Cpn. Although IgA antibodies to Cpn have been found to be of interest in the diagnosis of chronic infections, their significance in serological diagnosis remains unclear. The microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test is the current method for the measurement of Cpn antibodies. While commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been developed, they have not been fully validated. We therefore evaluated and optimized a commercial ELISA kit, the SeroCP IgA test, for the detection of Cpn IgA antibodies. Methods Serum samples from 94 patients with anti-Cpn IgG titers ≥ 256 (study group) and from 100 healthy blood donors (control group) were tested for the presence of IgA antibodies to Cpn, using our in-house MIF test and the SeroCP IgA test. Two graph receiver operating characteristic (TG-ROC) curves were created to optimize the cut off given by the manufacturer. Results The MIF and SeroCP IgA tests detected Cpn IgA antibodies in 72% and 89%, respectively, of sera from the study group, and in 9% and 35%, respectively, of sera from the control group. Using the MIF test as the reference method and the cut-off value of the ELISA test specified by the manufacturer for seropositivity and negativity, the two tests correlated in 76% of the samples, with an agreement of Ƙ = 0.54. When we applied the optimized cut-off value using TG-ROC analysis, 1.65, we observed better concordance (86%) and agreement (0.72) between the MIF and SeroCP IgA tests. Conclusion Use of TG-ROC analysis may help standardize and optimize ELISAs, which are simpler, more objective and less time consuming than the MIF test. Standardization and optimization of commercial ELISA kits may result in better performance.