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Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most damaging beetle species destroying stored products. Their management are difficult because they are developing resistance to insecticide. Essential oil application as bio-pesticide is receiving renewed attention. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) is a relevant crop in the production of EO. The insecticidal effect of Tunisian pennyroyal EO were investigated against T. castaneum adults on wheat flour substrate under different occupation space conditions after 30 and 60 days of storage. EO impacts on wheat flour quality, volatile compounds retained by the treated substrate and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were examined. GC/MS analysis showed that EO major compounds was pulegone (39.15 %). Insect mortality was assessed when EO was applied at 196 µL/L air to the stored wheat flour at 50 % or 100 % container capacity. A highest mortality occurred at 50 % container capacity, with means at 32.8 % and 72.2 % after storing for 30 and 60 days, respectively. Volatile compounds retained by the treated wheat flour were characterized via Headspace analysis. Results underlined that long time of storage (mainly 60 days) allowed the retention of significant amounts of menthone. EO substrate treatment changed flour moisture and protein content. EO exhibited insecticidal activity via inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity. Resumen. Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebroideae) es la especie de escarabajo más dañina que destruye productos almacenados. Su manejo es difícil debido al desarrollo de resistencia a insecticidas. La aplicación de aceites esenciales (AE´s) como bio-pesticidas está recibiendo atención renovada. El poleo (Mentha pulegium L.) es un cultivo relevante en la producción de AE. El efecto insecticida del aceite esencial de poleo Tunecino fue investigado contra adultos de T. castaneum mantenidos en sustrato de harina de trigo bajo diferentes condiciones de espacio después de 30 y 60 días de almacenamiento. El AE impacta sobre la calidad de la harina de trigo, se evaluaron los compuestos volátiles retenidos en el sustrato tratado y la actividad de acetilcolinesterasa (ACE). El análisis por CG/EM mostró que el compuesto mayoritario en el AE fue la pulegona (39.15 %). La mortalidad de los insectos fue evaluada cuando el AE fue aplicado a 196 mL/L de aire a harina de trigo almacenada a un 50 % y 100 % de la capacidad del contenedor. La mortalidad más alta ocurrió en el contenedor a un 50 % de capacidad, con promedios de 32 % y 72.7 % después de 30 y 60 días de almacenamiento, respectivamente. Los compuestos volátiles retenidos por la harina de trigo fueron caracterizados mediante un análisis por espacio de cabeza (Headspace). Los resultados resaltaron que un tiempo largo de almacenamiento (principalmente 60 días) permite la retención de cantidades significativas de metona. El tratamiento del sustrato con AE cambió la humedad y el contenido de proteína de la harina. El AE mostró actividad insecticida por inhibición de la actividad de la enzima acetilcolinesterasa.

The aim of this research was to investigate the variation regarding the chemical composition and biological activities of needles essential oils (EOs) of P. halepensis. Chemical profiles demonstrated a significant (P

Background: Internet trade popularize the ornamental interest of plants but can also threaten species’ wild populations, if this activity is performed in uncontrolled and unauthorised ways. Questions: What endemic plants of Morocco and Tunisia are traded over the Internet by whom and at what prices? Studied species: 94 endemic plants of northern Morocco and 83 of Tunisia. Study site and dates: Tunisia and northern Morocco (Mediterranean coast and Rif region); internet survey between September 2018 and December 2019. Methods: To understand the extent of this new form of trade, We recorded the type of plant material sold over the Internet for the studied taxa, their prices and suppliers using online platforms. Results: Four northern Moroccan taxa (4.25 % of the total local endemics) were found as marketed by 18 nurseries in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, while no marketing activity was detected for Tunisian endemic plants. The nurseries involved offer for sale and distribution living individuals of Abies marocana at €12.00-259.50, Rhodanthemum hosmariense at €0.35-19.5, Salvia interrupta subsp. paui at €6.23-8.90, and bulbs of Acis tangitana at €1.05-3.95. Although these taxa are classified as endangered, they are traded worldwide without permit of the Moroccan authorities. The source and origin of the plant material are not clearly indicated, and only some nurseries report that their marketed material comes from own cultivated stocks. Conclusions: The implementation of protection laws/regulations and the monitoring of nurseries’ websites are recommended to control the illegal trade of wild plant material.

Limonium genus is traditionally used in North Africa for disease treatment and in cosmetic. This study investigates for the first time the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibitory activities of two Tunisian endemic plants, L. boitardii and L. cercinense. Analysis of phenolic compounds was carried out by using RP-HPLC. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity (antiradical, reducing and total antioxidant activities), tyrosinase and α-glucosidase, collagenase inhibition activities were determined. Inhibiting of NO release in LPS-stimulated macrophages was assessed. L. cercinense exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In the tyrosinase and α-glucosidase inhibitor activity tests, the two species were highly active, especially L. cercinense. High total phenolic and flavonoid contents were recorded in L. cercinense and myricitrin, myricetin, myricetin 3-O-β-D-galatopyranoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside and rutin were the main phenolics in both species. The results obtained render L. boitardii and L. cercinense as valuable new natural sources for cosmetic and pharmacological applications.

Resume Introduction Les agressions sexuelles aux enfants constituent un probleme de sante publique, malheureusement sous-declare et sous-rapporte dans tous les pays du monde. Nous nous proposons dans ce travail de determiner le profil en population clinique de l’enfant victime d’agression sexuelle. Methode Nous avons realise une etude retrospective descriptive menee au service de pedopsychiatrie a l’hopital Mongi-Slim localise a la capitale Tunis en Tunisie. Nous avons inclus tous les dossiers des patients adresses ou/et pris en charge pour agression sexuelle durant la periode allant de janvier 2013 jusqu’a juin 2019. Les donnees sociodemographiques et les caracteristiques cliniques ont ete relevees sur des fiches preetablies a partir des dossiers des patients. Resultats Le nombre total de consultants etait de 150 patients dont 61,33 % etaient de sexe feminin (n = 92) L’âge moyen etait de 9,9 ans avec des extremes variant de deux ans a 18 ans . L’agression etait unique dans 62,7 % et elle a eu lieu dans un endroit connu par la victime dans 47,33 %. Les agressions sexuelles avec contact sans penetration etaient les plus frequentes (48 %). La moyenne d’âge de l’enfant lors de la survenue de la premiere agression etait de neuf ans. L’agresseur etait de sexe masculin dans la plupart des cas. Dans 37,3 % des cas, l’agresseur etait un membre de la famille. Le pere etait l’abuseur presume dans la moitie des cas intrafamiliaux. En cas d’agressions extra-familiales, l’abuseur etait connu par la victime et/ou leurs familles dans 48,66 %. Un trouble psychiatrique a ete diagnostique dans 58 % des cas. Un trouble psychiatrique a ete observe chez 52,1 % des filles et chez 60,3 % des garcons. Les diagnostics retenus etaient un trouble stress aigu dans 10,6 %, un trouble stress post-traumatique dans 19,3 %, un trouble de l’adaptation dans 14,6 % et un trouble depressif caracterise dans 8 %. Conclusion La connaissance du profil de l’enfant victime d’agression sexuelle permet d’adapter les moyens d’intervention de prise en charge et de prevention.

Six Tunisian medicinal plants were screened for their phenolic pools, antioxidant activities as well as for their anti-inflammatory and gastro-protective effects. A significant variability in pheno...

This study targets to explore the bioactivties of the essential oils (EOs) ofCuminum cyminum and Carum carvi alone and three combinations and the impact of the emulsification process on their bioac...

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created a situation of general distress. Although the focus has been initially more on the physical health during the pandemic, mental health concerns linked to the lockdown have quickly risen. This study aims to assess the effect of the COVID-19-related lockdown on Tunisian women's mental health and gender-based violence. An online survey was conducted, using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Facebook Bergen Addiction Scale (FBAS). We chose a female-exclusive social group on Facebook and used the snowball sampling method. A total of 751 participants originating from all the Tunisian regions completed the questionnaire. More than half of the participants (57.3%) reported extremely severe distress symptoms, as per the DASS-21. Those who had a history of mental illness and who were allegedly abused during lockdown were found to have more severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Around 40% of women reported problematic social media use. Violence against women also reportedly increased significantly during the lockdown (from 4.4 to 14.8%; p < 0.001). Psychological abuse was the most frequent type of violence (96%). Women who had experienced abuse before the lockdown were at an increased risk of violence during lockdown (p < 0.001; OR = 19.34 [8.71-43.00]). To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the acute impact of COVID-19 on mental health and violence against women in Tunisia, Africa, and the Arab world. It may be a sound basis for developing a more effective psychological intervention aimed at women in these regions.

In the frame of conservation and sustainable utilization of neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, this study produced for the first time a detailed ecological profiling for the local Tunisian endemic Marrubium ascheronii (Lamiaceae) using Geographical Information Systems and open-source data. This profile was used to illustrate the abiotic environmental conditions of its wild habitats; the profile facilitated the examination of the effect of temperature on its seed germination and may inform species-specific guidelines for its cultivation in man-made environments. With effective seed propagation firstly reported herein (68.75% at 20 °C), species-specific in situ conservation efforts and ex situ conservation or sustainable exploitation strategies were enabled for M. aschersonii. The first-reported molecular authentication (DNA barcoding) of M. aschersonii may facilitate its traceability, allowing for product design. This study also reports for the first time the effects of chemical and integrated nutrient management (INM) fertilizers on the growth and pilot cultivation of M. aschersonii seedlings, with the latter being advantageous. This multidisciplinary approach has bridged important research gaps that hindered the conservation efforts and/or the sustainable exploitation for this local endemic plant of Tunisia. Based on all the above, we re-evaluated and updated the feasibility and readiness timescale for sustainable exploitation of M. aschersonii in the medicinal-cosmetic, agro-alimentary and ornamental-horticultural sectors.

Resume Objectifs Etudier l’apport de la psychotherapie Eyes Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) aupres d’enfants avec Trouble Stress Post-Traumatique. Methodes Les patients ayant consulte au service de pedopsychiatrie du CHU Mongi Slim (Tunisie) de juillet 2016 a mai 2018 pour Trouble Stress Post-Traumatique et ayant beneficie d’une psychotherapie a type EMDR ont ete inclus a l’etude. Une evaluation selon les criteres du DSM-5 en pre et post-therapie a ete effectuee. Resultats Seize enfants âges entre 3 et 17 ans avec un sex-ratio de 1,6 ont ete inclus. Cinq d’entre eux avaient moins de six ans. Nos patients ont ete exposes a une agression sexuelle dans 4 cas, un deces d’un parent dans 3 cas, un accident de la voie publique dans 3 cas, une agression physique dans 4 cas, une arrestation du pere dans 1 cas et un cambriolage dans le dernier cas. Le nombre total des seances de suivi a varie entre 1 seance et 7 seances avec une moyenne de 3 ± 2,4 seances. La moyenne des seances des enfants d’âge prescolaire etait de 2,6 ± 0,5 seances. A la fin de la therapie, tous les patients ne repondaient plus aux criteres diagnostiques de Trouble Stress Post-Traumatique. La difference entre les scores des criteres du DSM 5 en pre et post EMDR etait significative (p = 10-3 si âge > 6 ans et p Conclusions L’EMDR est une psychotherapie efficace, breve et adaptable aux enfants de tout âge avec Trouble Stress Post-Traumatique.

The effect of drying methods (sun, oven and shade drying) on aniseeds was investigated in terms of their essential oils, phenolics and antioxidant activities. The optimum yield of essential oil was found in shade drying (2.62%). Fourteen volatile compounds were determined in all samples with variation of the main component proportions depending on drying methods. Thus, trans-anethole (84.21%) and estragole (3.82%) proportions significantly increased in shade drying. The highest total phenol and flavonoid contents of aniseeds were recorded in shade drying (42.70 mg of GAE/g and 53.55 mg of QE/g, respectively) while the lowest contents in oven drying at 60 °C (31.15 mg of GAE/g and 46.20 mg of QE/g, respectively). In all drying methods, naringin (41.04–43.76%), chloroginic acid (23.13–27.19%) and rosmarinic acid (12.26–15.95%) were the predominant phenol compounds. Although shade drying increased the antioxidant activity, aniseed extracts exhibited higher radical scavenging (IC50 = 10.15 µg/mL), reducing power (EC50 = 187.24 µg/mL) and chelating (IC50 = 6.85 mg/mL) capacities than essential oils (IC50 = 114.87 µg/mL, EC50 = 548.05 µg/mL and IC50 = 58.65 mg/mL, respectively). In conclusion, Shade drying method was found to enhance essential oils, phenols and antioxidant activities in aniseeds.

In the frame of the sustainable use of neglected and underutilized phytogenetic resources, and along with numerous studies in Abies spp. due to the innate conservation value of fir forests, this research focused on the Moroccan endemic fir, Abies marocana. The aim was triple-fold: to assess its potential and dynamics in economic sectors for sustainable exploitation; to determine the ecological conditions in which the species naturally thrives; and to find the appropriate requirements for its successful seed germination. We sourced multifaceted evaluations for three economic sectors performed in three levels, using 48 attributes and eight criteria from previous studies of our own, and the relevant species-specific assessments are overviewed herein in detail. The species’ ecological profile was constructed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and open access data (Worldclim). Seed germination trials were performed to examine the effect of cold stratification (non-stratified, one- and two-months stratified seeds), the influence of four temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C), and interactions thereof in relation to germination percentage (GP) and mean germination time (MGT). The experiments showed that the interaction of cold stratification and germination temperature has a strong effect on the GP and MGT of A. marocana seeds. A detailed GIS-derived ecological profile of the focal species was created in terms of precipitation and temperature natural regimes, enabling the interpretation of the seed germination results. The multifaceted evaluations reveal an interesting potential of the Moroccan fir in different economic sectors, which is mainly compromised due to extant research gaps, unfavorable conditions, and low stakeholder attraction. The findings of this study fill in extant research gaps, contribute to in situ and ex situ conservation strategies, and can facilitate the sustainable exploitation of this emblematic local endemic plant of northern Morocco.

This research aimed to study the chemical composition of Aloysia citrodora methanolic extract and its biological activities as an antioxidant, and its antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities based on four bioclimatic collection stages. The contents of total phenols, total flavonoids and total tannins were determined. Nine phenolic compounds were identified by LC-DAD–ESI-MS/MS. The major compound was acteoside, a phenylpropanoid which represented about 80% of the methanolic fraction in the various regions. The antioxidant activities of different locations were measured by different analytical assays, such as DPPH, ABTS and iron reducing power. The results showed that phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities varied with climatic and environmental factors. Moreover, there was a significant dependency between regions and biological activities. The use of a principal component analysis showed that there was a close relationship among phenylpropanoids, phenolic compounds and the studied biological activities.

The neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) could become alternative food sources in the agro-alimentary sector, enriching human and animal diets, offering the opportunity for sustainable exploitation, resilience to climate change, and production with resistance to pests and diseases. In the Mediterranean countries, these valuable resources are threatened by climate change, overexploitation, and/or monoculture. In this framework, we evaluated 399 local endemic NUPs of Crete (Greece), the Mediterranean coast, Rif of Morocco, and Tunisia, regarding their agro-alimentary potential, and assessed their feasibility and readiness timescale for sustainable exploitation with own previously published methodology. The methodological scheme was developed by experts in co-creative workshops, using point-scoring of seven attributes to evaluate the potential of the targeted NUPs in the agro-alimentary. Our results showed a diversity of promising local endemic NUPs of different families in the studied regions (Lamiaceae members are prominent), and we outlined the cases of 13 taxa with the highest optimum scores of agro-alimentary potential (&gt, 70%). Despite the diversity or the promising potential and current ex-situ conservation efforts to bridge gaps, our study indicated that only a few cases of Cretan local endemic NUPs can be sustainably exploited in the short-term. However, it is argued that many more local endemic NUPs can easily follow sustainable exploitation schemes if specific research gaps are bridged. Since NUPs can help to increased diversification of food production systems by adding new nutritional/beneficial species to human and animal diets, basic and applied research, as well as market and stakeholder attraction, is suggested as prerequisite to unlock the full potential of the focal endemic NUPs in the agro-alimentary sector.

A comparative study of bioactive lipids extraction from black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) seeds using conventional petroleum-based solvent and green solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) was performed. MeTHF extraction allowed obtaining the highest oil yield in black cumin (34%). Regarding fatty acids composition, linoleic acid (61%) and α-linolenic (78%) were relevant in black cumin and basil green and conventionally extracted oils, respectively. Besides, MeTHF allowed obtaining higher tocopherols and total phenolics contents in black cumin (400 mg/kg of oil and 12 mg EGA/g oil) and basil (317 mg/kg oil and 5 mg EGA/g oil) compared to hexane-extracted ones. The content of major phenolic compounds in the two seed oils, trans-hydroxycinnamic acid, rosmarinic acid, and thymol was enhanced by MeTHF extraction. Furthermore, MeTHF-extracted oils possess stronger antioxidant activities (radical scavenging, total antioxidant, and β-carotene bleaching activities) and high and similar anti-inflammatory capacity to hexane-extracted oils. In conclusion, the results revealed that MeTHF is efficient to replace hazardous solvents to extract oil from black cumin and basil seeds rich in compounds relevant to the human diet, including essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 and n-3), tocopherols, and phenolic compounds with improved biological activities.

General lockdown was declared in Tunisia in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had a negative psychological and social impact on the Tunisian population and health professionals. Mental healthcare was crucial during this period but health services access was difficult because of movement restrictions. Mongi Slim Hospital contains three special COVID-19 units and there was an urgent need for a psychological intervention with increasing demands at the mental health department in this hospital. A psychological support unit (PSU) was implemented with a free helpline for both patients, families and hospital staff. The objective of this paper was to describe the design, implementation and activities of this unit. This PSU had preventive and management activities for both patients and health professionals. Recommendations drawn from this experience are to promote mental health care and to encourage implementation of such units in order to respond to the local need of patients and staff. This pilot experience should be generalized to other hospitals in Tunisia and worldwide.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the replacement aspects of conventional methods (petroleum-based solvent and Folch assay) by alternative methods (bio-based and biodegradable solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) and supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2)) for seed oil extraction from anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). Results showed that the highest oil yield of aniseeds was obtained by using Folch (24.07%) and MeTHF (23.65%) extraction methods whereas fennel seeds had 20.02% and 18.72%, respectively. Fatty acid composition of both seed oils obtained by the two green extraction methods was similar to the conventional ones with the predominance of petroselinic acid (54.22–61.25% in fennel and 42.39–48.97% in anise). Besides, SC-CO2 method allowed to obtain the maximum of sterol content in anise (3.85 mg/g of oil) and fennel (4.64 mg/g of oil) seed oils. Furthermore, anise and fennel seed oils extracted with MeTHF method significantly showed higher total phenolic content (2.43 and 1.32 mg GA/g oil, respectively), stronger antioxidant activity (9.23 and 5.04 μmol TEAC/g oil, respectively), and oxidative stability (8.23 and 10.15 h, respectively) than the other methods (p

Glaucium flavum (Papaveraceae) is a halophyte which is known for its high importance in phytomedicine and ecology. In this work, phytochemical analysis, as well as antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects were investigated for EOH, EA and PE fractions of G. flavum shoots. Results showed that total polyphenol amounts were highest in EOH fraction (158.3 mg GAE/g DR) followed by EA and PE. This latter fraction was rich in flavonoids (128.43 mg CE/g DR), however EA produced more condensed tannins (19.83 mg CE/g DR) than other fractions. In addition, seven molecules (phenolics) have been identified: kaempferol, caffeic acid, catechin hydrate, syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin, and trans-hydroxycinnamic acid. Concerning antioxidant effects, ethanol fraction was distinguished by a high total antioxidant activity (432.58 mg GAE/g DR), a lower iron reducing power (EC50 = 800 µg/ml), a capacity to inhibit the β-carotene bleaching (IC50 = 48.78 µg/ml), and an important antiradical activity (IC50 = 140 µg/ml). In addition, PE, EA and EOH fractions have strong antiproliferative effect against MCF-7 cells but with superiority of EA fraction (IC50 = 135 µg/ml). EA showed also a high anti-inflammatory effect with an amount of NO which is equal to around 29 and 20 µM/ml NO at 50 and 100 µg/ml, respectively.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of four aniseed populations (Egyptian, Serbian, Tunisian and Turkish) were investigated during three developmental stages. The highest oil yield was achieved at full maturity in all aniseed accessions ranged from 11.93% (Serbia) to 13.80% (Tunisia). Fatty acid profile of aniseed oil was characterized by high proportions of palmitic (4.90–57.18%) and petroselinic (10.48–46.60%) acids which had an antagonist evolution during maturation. The essential oil yield reached its maximum at the beginning of ripening process in all aniseed accessions ranged from 1.94% (Serbia) to 3.09% (Tunisia). The main essential oil compound was trans-anethole (66.34–93.05%) during aniseed ripening in all accessions. Phenolic content patronized its maximum at the last stage of aniseed ripening ranged from 17.11 mg GAE/g DW (Serbia) to 25.16 mg GAE/g DW (Tunisia). The main phenolic compound of aniseed was naringin (17.55–32.49%) and its accumulation was followed by the reduction of gallic, rosmarinic, ellargic and syringic acids during aniseed ripening in all accessions. Concerning antioxidant activity, DPPH scavenging activity, chelating ability and reducing power were maximal at full maturity in all aniseed accessions. Our findings indicate that the determination of optimal periods and provenances for antioxidant accumulation can be used to evaluate the quality of aniseeds and could be important for industries.

The neglected and underutilized plants (NUPs) have never been mainstreamed by researchers, politicians and stakeholders for sustainable exploitation in the ornamental-horticultural sector. This study focused on 399 local endemic plants of three Mediterranean regions (Crete, Mediterranean coast-Rif of Morocco, Tunisia), with the aim to develop a new scheme for their multifaceted ornamental-horticultural evaluation facilitating their sustainable exploitation. The methodological scheme was developed within three multidisciplinary co-creative workshops by experts and was adjusted by end-users. The developed scheme uses point and weighted scoring of several attributes relevant to biological and ornamental-horticultural characteristics and concerns three ranking levels: (i) ornamental-horticultural potential (general or subsector-specific, 20 attributes), (ii) sustainable exploitation feasibility (12 attributes) and (iii) readiness timescale (after gap and SWOT analyses) in creating value chains in short-, medium- or long-term. The analysis of the data illustrated two example-cases of already achieved sustainable exploitation with established value chains, outlined the prospects for sustainable exploitation of 18 and 23 local endemic NUPs in short-term and medium-term, respectively, and identified 86 taxa with reachable possibilities in the long-term. The proposed multifaceted evaluation scheme can be applied for the valorisation of NUPs in other areas and may help to define priorities and to identify opportunities and gaps for their sustainable exploitation.

The preterm birth represents a stressful situation that can lead to questions about the survival of the child and the possible consequences.To examine the interactions between mothers and premature babies in the neonatal care unit (NCU) and assess the psychological state of the mothers.Cross-sectional study conducted from March to May 2017 in the Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology of the Mongi Slim Hospital (Tunis, Tunisia). Ten mothers of premature babies hospitalized in NCU were involved and responded to the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (cut off≥10) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).The mean age of the mothers was 31 years. A personal history of depression was found in two mothers. The current pregnancy was not desired in three cases, two corresponded to mothers with a history of depression. According to interactions, the median PBQ score was 11. The EPDS median score was six; four mothers had a score greater than 10. A high level on the anxiety sub-scale of the HADS was found in the two mothers who had a personal psychiatric history. The more depressed or anxious the mothers were, the higher the interaction scores (p = 0.012 and p = 0.032, respectively).Preterm birth seems to affect the psychological state of mothers and their interactions with their baby.

The Covid-19 pandemic had a major psychosocial impact on the mental health of children and adolescents, especially when the childhas mental health problems. During containment, the healthcare structures were subject to a significant restriction of their activities. The child and adolescent psychiatry department of the Mongi Slim Hospital in Tunis has set up telephone follow-up for patients deemed to be at risk. This follow-up involved 166 cases, the majority of them were suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders, followed by depressive disorders and adjustment disorders. A third of the patients had reported a worsening of the symptoms during the containment and a third had reported clinical improvement. During this follow-up, recommendations were made to parents to limit the negative impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Maintaining follow-up of patients with mental disorders by telemedicine is a major challenge in order to prevent the repercussions of this pandemic in the long term.

The objective of this study is two-fold: firstly, to review the local endemic plants of Tunisia and northern Morocco (Mediterranean coast and Rif region) and the extent to which extinction risk status characterisations have been assigned to date to the endemic plants of these areas; and secondly, to identify which of these unique taxa are conserved ex-situ around the world. For the first aim, five major online databases as well as widely scattered literature sources were consulted; for the latter, the PlantSearch facility of Botanic Gardens Conservation International was used, followed by communication with domestic institutions. The examination of the extent of the ex-situ conservation of endemic plants of the Mediterranean part of northern Morocco (n=94 taxa) showed that only six of them are conserved in one conservatory, four arboretums and 18 botanic gardens of 10 countries, totalling only 25 accessions, with 40% of these in UK institutions. The threatened and near threatened flora of northern Morocco (Mediterranean coast and Rif region) is estimated at 64 taxa; only five of these are preserved ex-situ, among which only Abies marocana and Rhodanthemum hosmariense are assessed as effectively conserved. For the endemic flora of Tunisia which is estimated at 83 taxa, we have found only one taxon (Calendula suffruticosa subsp. suffruticosa) conserved ex-situ. With scarce evaluations made to date, the threatened endemic flora of Tunisia is limited to one taxon only (Rumex tunetanus). This study presents comprehensive and evaluated lists of the endemic plant taxa found in the studied countries/regions, indicating that consensus is compromised among the widely used taxonomic/phytogeographical online sources. Additionally, it is suggested that more coordinated efforts are needed to conserve the plant heritage of these countries, through integrated management, species-prioritisation, restoration of populations of threatened taxa, inclusion of threatened species in national lists of protected species, and establishment of seed banks focused on the wild flora.

In this work, LC-ESI-TOF-MS and GC-EI-MS were used to assess the potential of Artemisia herba alba as a source of health-promoting constituents. Besides, the antioxidant, the antimicrobial and the cytotoxic potentials were evaluated. A total of 86 metabolites, including C-glycosylated and methylated flavones, quinic acid derivatives, coumarins, sesquiterpenes lactones, terpenoids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, organic acids and alkaloids were identified, sixty five of them were reported for the first time in A. herba alba. The main compounds were di-O-caffeoylquinic acids, artemisinic acid, menthol, α-ketoglutaric acid, scopolin, isoschaftoside and sucrose. Furthermore, results showed that A. herba alba possess high total antioxidant activity (Total antioxidant activity=423mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight), strong potential anticancer capacity against MCF-7 breast cancer and HeLa human cervical cell lines (IC50 of 15 and 70μg/ml, respectively), and moderate antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. thurigiensis and A. hydrophila. These results support the use of this plant as alternative bioactive ingredient for functional foods, dietary supplements or nutraceuticals.

Resume L’etiopathogenie des troubles du spectre autistique (TSA) est complexe et multifactorielle. Le role des facteurs genetiques et environnementaux dans son emergence est bien documente. Les recherches actuelles tendent a montrer que ces deux facteurs agissent de maniere synergique et que les modifications epigenetiques pourraient constituer le mediateur qui sous-tend cette interaction. L’epigenetique designe les processus moleculaires permettant de moduler l’expression des genes sans changements dans la sequence de l’ADN. Il s’agit principalement de la methylation de l’ADN et de la modification post-traductionnelle des histones. Dans cet article, nous presentons un etat synthetique des connaissances actuelles sur l’hypothese epigenetique dans les TSA. Apres avoir developpe les principaux mecanismes intervenant dans la regulation epigenetique, nous exposons dans la premiere partie les arguments en faveur de cette hypothese dans les TSA. Les modifications epigenetiques des genes candidats de l’autisme seront abordees secondairement ainsi que les facteurs environnementaux qui pourraient augmenter le risque des TSA par le biais de changement dans les marques epigenetiques. Finalement, nous exposerons certaines des limites methodologiques des etudes epigenetiques conduites dans les troubles neurodeveloppementaux.

In this study, two Euphorbia species (i.e. terracina and paralias) were investigated for their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Cytotoxicity of plant methanol and chloroform fractions was examined towards human acute myeloid leukemia (THP1) and human colon epithelial (Caco2) cancer cell lines, as well as CD 14 and IEC-6 normal cells by targeting various modulators of apoptosis or inflammation. Moreover, secondary metabolite pools (phenolic classes, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins) and antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS and O2- scavenging, as well as FRAP tests) were assessed in plant extracts. Both Euphorbia species appeared to be rich in phenolic compounds and terpenoids, Moreover, E. terracina polar and apolar fractions and E. paralias polar fraction were highly active against THP1 cells, with IC50 values of 2.08, 14.43 and 54.58μg/mL, respectively. However, no cytotoxicity was found against normal cells (CD14+ monocytes). The results indicate that the three fractions induce apoptosis in THP1 cell line after 6h of exposure. Furthermore, apoptosis caused by apolar fraction was related to a caspase-dependent process, whereas other death pathways seemed to be involved with the polar fractions. An enhanced production of reactive oxygen species was detected upon cell treatment with plant extracts. Interestingly, they have no effect on cytokine TNF-α secretion in THP1 and normal cells compared to untreated cells, indicating that the three fractions caused no inflammation. Euphorbia terracina and E. paralias polar fractions showed strong antioxidant activity with potent scavenging capacity against DPPH, ABTS and superoxide radicals. Moreover, these fractions displayed a very high ferric reducing power. These findings confirm the strong antioxidant capacity of Euphorbia plants and suggest a targeted anti-cancer effect with a potent anti-proliferative property of E. terracina and E. paralias extracts, which induce programmed cell death in leukemia cell lines but not in normal monocytes cells.

In this study, the effects of salinity on growth, fatty acid, essential oil, and phenolic composition of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds as well as the antioxidant activities of their extracts were investigated. Plants were treated with different concentrations of NaCl treatment: 0, 50, 75, and 125 mmoL. Plant growth was significantly reduced with the severity of saline treatment. This also caused important reductions in the seed yield and yield components. Besides, NaCl treatments affected fatty acid composition. Petroselinic and linoleic acids proportions diminished consistently with the increase in NaCl concentration, whereas palmitic acid proportion increased. Furthermore, NaCl enhanced essential oil production in C. cyminum seeds and induced marked changes on the essential oil quality. Essential oil chemotype was modified from γ-terpinene/1-phenyl-1,2 ethanediol in control to γ-terpinene/β-pinene in salt stressed plants. Total polyphenol content was higher in treated seeds, and salinity improved the amount of individual phenolic compounds. Moreover, antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined by four different test systems, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, β-carotene/linoleic acid chelating, and reducing power assays. The highest antioxidant activities were reveled in severe stressed plants. In this case, cumin seeds produced under saline conditions may function as a potential source of essential oil and antioxidant compounds, which could support the utilization of this plant in a large field of applications such as food industry.

Triterpenoids, tocopherols, and phytosterols presented in unsaponifiable fraction of grape seed oil have several beneficial effects comprising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor capacities. In this study, the unsaponifiable fraction of three Tunisian grape seed varieties (Vitis vinifera L.), namely Merlot, Carignan, and Syrah, was investigated. The identified compounds were two triterpenic compounds (β-amyrin, lanosterol), six phytosterols (campesterol, ∆7 -avenasterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, β-sitostanol, cholesterol), and three tocopherols (α, β, and γ tocopherols). The unsaponifiable fraction had significant protection against oxidative damage by modulating NO production and antioxidant activity. Statistical analysis showed the presence of three clusters of varieties associated to specific composition patterns. These results clearly demonstrated that unsaponifiable fraction profiles of grape species could be considered as a complementary data to the existing taxonomic evidence and classification purposes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Recently, much attention has been focused to substitute artificial antioxidant by others originating from natural products as plant matrices. The unsaponifiable fraction of grape seed oils is an interesting source of bioactive components like phytosterols, tocopherols, triterpenoids, and other various components. These components are known for their antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities.

Introduction The consumption of health-promoting products such as oil seeds may improve human health and prevent certain diseases. Carvi seeds have the potential to produce oil with nutritional and functional properties rich in active compounds. Objective To extract bioactive lipids from Carum carvi seeds using green methodologies. Material and methods Supercritical-carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2 ) and ethanol as co-solvent and bio-based solvent 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) were used to extract the oil from Carum carvi. The yield, the chemical composition, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of green extracted oils were investigated and compared to those obtained with conventional methods (hexane and Folch system). Results MeTHF extraction gave higher oil yield than that obtained by hexane. Fatty acids composition of the two obtained green extracted oils was similar to conventional extracted ones where petroselinic (39-43%), linoleic (29-31%) and oleic (19-21%) acids were the major compounds. Furthermore, MeTHF and Sc-CO2 green extracted oils were enriched of bioactive compounds including sterols (5.4 and 7.3 mg/g oil) and total polyphenols (9.3 and 7.6 mg GAE/g oil) which were correlated to enhanced antiradical capacity. Moreover, the green extracted oils exhibited high anti-inflammatory capacity inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages with IC50 values of 28 and 24 μg/mL. Conclusion Green solvents are a good alternative to petroleum solvents to recover oil from carvi seeds with high amount of nutritionally important fatty acids, along with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.