Vegetation of Beni Bousera (northern Morocco) ultramafic soils and adjacent non-ultramafic soils in relation to edaphic factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 353
Author(s):  
A. El Ghalabzouri ◽  
R. Ajbilou ◽  
M. G. Mariotti ◽  
K. Targuisti ◽  
M. Ater
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Ultramafic Soils ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Principal Factors ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Clear Differentiation ◽  
Student’S T

Vegetation and soil sampling were undertaken in 47 relevés in two different sites in Beni Bousera (northern Morocco), 32 relevés were on ultramafic sites (peridotite) and 15 were on adjacent non-ultramafic soils (mica-schist). Soil composition of exchangeable elements (nickel, calcium, magnesium, calcium : magnesium ratio, iron, copper) and physicochemical characteristics (e.g. pH, cation exchange capacity, conductivity, carbonate) were investigated and the species composition and cover were recorded. Although there was a significant difference between the two types of soil shown by Student’s t-test and principal component analysis, the ‘serpentine factor’ can be considered moderate on the basis of the observed heavy metal concentrations and of the related calcium : magnesium ratio. Correspondence and canonical analysis were used to detect the principal factors associated with gradients in species composition. This analysis showed a clear differentiation of vegetation among the plant communities. Preferential or strict serpentinophyte species were recognised, whereas no hyperaccumulator species have yet been found.

scholarly journals URINARY STONE RISK PROFILE IN STONE FORMER PATIENT

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommie Prasetyo ◽  
Ponco Birowo ◽  
Nur Rasyid
Keyword(s):  
Normal Population ◽  
Potassium Phosphate ◽  
Urinary Stone ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stone Former ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Magnesium Oxalate ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Student’S T Test

Objective: We were comparing the urinary stone risk profiles in stone former subjects group with normal population (non stone-former) group. Material & method: In this study, each group consist of 10 subjects. Urine samples used was a 24-hour-urine. All subjects in this study were previously informed and voluntarily participating. Inclusion criteria in this study were adult, stone free, residing in Jakarta. Measurement was performed in Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Faculty of Medicine Indonesia University. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20 (Chicago, USA) with Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney (p < 0.05 was considered significant). Results: There was a significant difference in the mean age of two groups with no significant difference in weight and height. Significant difference (p < 0.05) in urinary profile was found in urea, uric acid, chloride, potassium, phosphate, and ammonia. Conversely, we found no significant differences (p > 0.05) in sodium, creatinine, calcium, magnesium, oxalate, and citrate levels. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in urinary stone promoting and inhibiting factors between two groups. Bigger number of sample size with better sampling method must be conducted for future studies.

scholarly journals Avaliação física, físico-química e sensorial de cookies enriquecidos com farinha de açaí

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
A. V. S. Azevedo ◽  
M. V. S. Ribeiro ◽  
M. T. S. Fonseca ◽  
T. A. S. Gusmão ◽  
R. P. Gusmão
Keyword(s):  
Essential Fatty Acids ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
Dark Color ◽  
Hedonic Scale

<p class="WW-Estilopadro">Os biscoitos apresentam grande consumo, longa vida de prateleira e boa aceitação, e nos dias atuais têm sido formulados com a intenção de torná-los mais nutritivos para a melhoria da qualidade da dieta dos consumidores. O açaí apresenta alto teor de antocianinas e alto valor energético, sendo rico em fibras, vitamina E, proteínas, minerais e ácidos graxos essenciais como Ômega-6 e Ômega-9. O objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar biscoitos tipo cookies utilizando diferentes concentrações de farinha de açaí, avaliar suas características físicas, físico-químicas e a sua aceitação sensorial. A partir de uma formulação padrão, foram adicionados 100 g (FA), 80 g (FB) e 60 g (FC) de farinha de açaí totalizando três amostras. Avaliaram-se os biscoitos quando à umidade, cinzas, pH, acidez, cor e textura. Os testes sensoriais foram realizados com 50 julgadores não treinados, utilizando uma escala hedônica para avaliação dos atributos bem como o teste de intenção de compra. Não houve diferença significativa entre as diferentes formulações de cookies quando ao conteúdo de cinzas e para o parâmetro de textura fraturabilidade. A formulação A apresentou um valor muito elevado no parâmetro dureza (28,81 N) e uma coloração muito escura (L* 43,97).<strong> Os resultados da análise sensorial demonstraram satisfatória a aceitação do cookies com farinha de açaí, apresentado escores acima de 6,0 em relação a todos os atributos. A formulação B apresentou melhor escore para a intenção de compra e foi caracterizado pelos parâmetros sabor e aroma na análise de componentes principais</strong>, apresentando os melhores resultados para os parâmetros estudados.</p><p class="WW-Estilopadro" align="center"><strong><em>Evaluation of physical, physico-chemical and sensory of cookies with added acai flour</em></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong><strong>: </strong>The cookies have great consumption, long shelf life and good acceptance, and nowadays have been formulated with the intention of making them more nutritious for improving the quality of the diet of consumers. Acai has a high content of anthocyanins and high energy value, being rich in fiber, vitamin E, protein, minerals and essential fatty acids like Omega-6 and Omega-9. The purposes of the present study was to create formulations of cookies by using different concentrations of flour acai, as well as to investigate their physical, physicochemical characteristics and sensory acceptance. From a standard formulation, was added 100 g (FA), 80 g (FB) and 60 g (FC) flour acai totaling three samples. We evaluated the cookies as to their moisture, ash, pH, acidity, color and texture. The sensory tests were conducted with 50 non-trained panelists, and a hedonic scale was used to evaluate the overall acceptance and attributes, purchase attidute was also investigated. There was no significant difference among the different formulations of cookies, where the contents of ash and the parameter fracturability texture. Formulation A showed a very high value in hardness parameter (28.81 N) and a very dark color (L* 43.97). The results of sensory evaluation showed satisfactory acceptance of cookies with acai flour, presented scores above 6.0 for all the attributes. The formulation B had higher scores for purchase intent and was characterized by flavor and aroma parameters in the principal component analysis and showed better results for the studied parameters.<strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p>

scholarly journals Chemical and Physical Characteristics in Uncultivated Soils with Different Lithology in Semiarid Mediterranean Clima

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Moraetis ◽  
Nikolaos Lydakis-Simantiris ◽  
Despina Pentari ◽  
Emmanouil Manoutsoglou ◽  
Chryssa Apostolaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Organic Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Undisturbed Soil ◽  
Bulk Chemical

The aim of this study is to identify the chemical and physical characteristics in uncultivated soils derived from different parent materials under semiarid Mediterranean climatic conditions which favoured the formation of fragile soils. The current work is of great interest in the agriculture and environmental stakeholders for providing a “benchmark” of undisturbed soil quality regarding organic content and nutrients availability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used as the primary tool to demonstrate the soil quality stage, regarding nutrient availability. The statistical analysis revealed that one of the major physicochemical characteristics such as cation exchange capacity (CEC) is controlled exclusively from mineralogy and not from organic matter. Mineralogy and bulk chemical analysis is directly related to soil parent material lithology. The availability of inorganic nutrients (macro- and micronutrients) is low and relatively identical to most of the soils. PCA shows the unusual correlation of K+with not only illite content but also the OM in soils. The development of soils which are already of low quality in respect of organic content and nutrients is evident in Crete in most of the 54 samples investigated.

scholarly journals Preliminary Insights in Sensory Profile of Sweet Cherries

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 612
Author(s):  
Vânia Silva ◽  
Sandra Pereira ◽  
Alice Vilela ◽  
Eunice Bacelar ◽  
Francisco Guedes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sweet Cherry ◽  
Prunus Avium ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Titratable Acidity ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Sensory Data

Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) is a fruit appreciated by consumers for its well-known physical and sensory characteristics and its health benefits. Being an extremely perishable fruit, it is important to know the unique attributes of the cultivars to develop cultivation or postharvest strategies that can enhance their quality. This study aimed to understand the influence of physicochemical characteristics of two sweet cherry cultivars, Burlat and Van, on the food quality perception. Several parameters (weight, dimensions, soluble solids content (SSC), pH, titratable acidity (TA), colour, and texture) were measured and correlated with sensory data. Results showed that cv. Van presented heavier and firmer fruits with high sugar content. In turn, cv. Burlat showed higher pH, lower TA, and presented redder and brightest fruits. The principal component analysis revealed an evident separation between cultivars. Van cherries stood out for their sensory parameters and were classified as more acidic, bitter, and astringent, and presented a firmer texture. Contrarily, Burlat cherries were distinguished as being more flavourful, succulent, sweeter, and more uniform in terms of visual and colour parameters. The results of the sensory analysis suggested that perceived quality does not always depend on and/or recognize the quality parameters inherent to the physicochemical characteristics of each cultivar.

scholarly journals GC-MS Based Identification of the Volatile Components of Six Astragalus Species from Uzbekistan and Their Biological Activity

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 124
Author(s):  
Haidy A. Gad ◽  
Nilufar Z. Mamadalieva ◽  
Stefan Böhmdorfer ◽  
Thomas Rosenau ◽  
Gokhan Zengin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Reducing Power ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Maximum Activity ◽  
Volatile Components ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Predominant Component ◽  
Clear Differentiation

The compositions of volatile components in the aerial parts of six Astragalus species, namely A. campylotrichus (Aca), A. chiwensis (Ach), A. lehmannianus (Ale), A. macronyx (Ama), A. mucidus (Amu) and A. sieversianus (Asi), were investigated using gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Ninety-seven metabolites were identified, accounting for 73.28, 87.03, 74.38, 87.93, 85.83, and 91.39% of Aca, Ach, Ale, Ama, Amu and Asi whole oils, respectively. Sylvestrene was the most predominant component in Asi, Amu and Ama, with highest concentration in Asi (64.64%). In addition, (E)-2-hexenal was present in a high percentage in both Ale and Ach (9.97 and 10.1%, respectively). GC-MS based metabolites were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchal cluster analysis (HCA) to explore the correlations between the six species. The PCA score plot displayed clear differentiation of all Astragalus species and a high correlation between the Amu and Ama species. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using various assays, phosphomolybdenum (PM), 2,2 diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), 2,2-azino bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing power (FRAP) and ferrous ion chelation (FIC) assays. In addition, the potential for the volatile samples to inhibit both acetyl/butyrylcholinesterases (AChE, BChE), α- amylase, α-glucosidase and tyrosinase was assessed. Most of the species showed considerable antioxidant potential in the performed assays. In the DPPH assay, Ama exhibited the maximum activity (24.12 ± 2.24 mg TE/g sample), and the volatiles from Amu exhibited the highest activity (91.54 mgTE/g oil) in the ABTS radical scavenging assay. The effect was more evident in both CUPRAC and FRAP assays, where both Ale and Ama showed the strongest activity in comparison with the other tested species (84.06, 80.28 mgTE/g oil for CUPRAC and 49.47, 49.02 mgTE/g oil for FRAP, respectively). Asi demonstrated the strongest AChE (4.55 mg GALAE/g oil) and BChE (3.61 mg GALAE/g oil) inhibitory effect. Furthermore, the best tyrosinase inhibitory potential was observed for Ale (138.42 mg KAE/g). Accordingly, Astragalus species can be utilized as promising natural sources for many medicinally important components that could be tested as drug candidates for treating illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress-related diseases.

scholarly journals Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) and Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) have a Differential Impact on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS): Retrospective Analysis of the Multicentre UK-ROPE (UK Register of Prostate Embolization) Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Vigneswaran ◽  
Drew Maclean ◽  
Mohammed Hadi ◽  
Benjamin Maher ◽  
Sachin Modi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Transurethral Resection ◽  
Artery Embolization ◽  
Prostatic Artery Embolization ◽  
Voiding Symptoms ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Prostatic Artery

Abstract Purpose To compare the relative IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) improvement in storage and voiding symptoms between prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Method Retrospective analysis of the UK-ROPE (UK Register of Prostate Embolization) multicentre database was conducted with inclusion of all patients with full IPSS questionnaire score data. The voiding and storage subscore improvement was compared between interventions. Student’s t-test (paired and unpaired) and ANOVA (Analysis of variance) were used to identify significant differences between the groups. Results 146 patients (121 PAE, 25 TURP) were included in the analysis. Storage symptoms were more frequently the most severe symptom (‘storage’ in 75 patients vs ‘voiding’ in 17 patients). Between groups, no significant difference was seen in raw storage subscore improvement (TURP 4.9 vs PAE 4.2; p = 0.34) or voiding subscore improvement (TURP 8.4 vs PAE 6.7; p = 0.1). ANOVA demonstrated a greater proportionate reduction (relative to total IPSS) towards voiding symptoms in the TURP group (27.3% TURP vs 9.9% PAE, p = 0.001). Conclusion Although both TURP and PAE improve voiding symptoms more than storage, a significantly larger proportion of total symptom reduction is due to voiding in the TURP cohort, with PAE providing a more balanced improvement between voiding and storage.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Health Behaviours and Value-Based Health Analysis of People Aged 50+ Who Were Hospitalized Due to Cardiovascular Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4221
Author(s):  
Izabela Gąska ◽  
Katarzyna Sygit ◽  
Elżbieta Cipora ◽  
Marian Sygit ◽  
Anna Pacian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Health Care Unit ◽  
Student’S T

Introduction: The basic determinant of healthy behaviour—among other human behaviours—is the fact that it consistently affects health. Nowadays, health behaviour studies are considered to be an important method of measuring the health of a population. Objective: To assess the health behaviours and value-based health analysis of people aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease, depending on the selected descriptive variables. Materials and methods: The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2018 among 411 subjects aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease at the Independent Public Health Care Unit in Sanok (Podkarpackie voivodship in Poland). The method used in the study was a diagnostic survey. The study used the authors’ survey questionnaire and two standardized tests: Inventory of Health-Related Behaviour (IHB) and List of Health Criteria (LHC). A statistical analysis was carried out in the R program, version 3.5.1. The obtained results were subjected to thorough statistical analysis using the following tests: Student’s t, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD), Pearson, and Spearman. Results: The strongest correlation between health status and health behaviours (according to the IHB questionnaire) was in the area of ‘health practices’, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of ‘correct eating habits’ and ‘preventive behaviours’. Based on the LHC questionnaire, the most important health criteria according to the subjects were ‘not feeling any physical ailments’; ‘having all body parts functional’; ‘feeling well’; ‘eating properly’; and ‘infrequent need of going to the doctor’. A positive correlation was found in the group of respondents where the ‘preventive health behaviours’ were more intense; herein, the more important criterion for the respondents was ‘eating properly’. Conclusions: Respondents aged 50+ and hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases indicated (based on the IHB questionnaire) that health behaviours in the area of ‘health practices’ had the strongest correlation with their health, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of ‘correct eating habits’ and ‘preventive behaviours’. According to the respondents, the most important criteria determining health (according to the LHC questionnaire) included ’not feeling any physical ailments’; ‘having all body parts functional’; ‘feeling well’; ‘eating properly’; and ‘infrequent need of going to the doctor’. Based on the information collected from the respondents, it was found that the most important criteria determining health depended on selected descriptive variables, such as age, gender, place of residence, education, and marital status.

scholarly journals Antibacterial Activity of Moroccan Zantaz Honey and the Influence of Its Physicochemical Parameters Using Chemometric Tools

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4675
Author(s):  
Youssef Elamine ◽  
Hamada Imtara ◽  
Maria Graça Miguel ◽  
Ofélia Anjos ◽  
Letícia M. Estevinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Coumaric Acid ◽  
Atlas Mountains ◽  
Methyl Syringate ◽  
Chemometric Tools

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has prompted the development of alternative therapies, including the use of natural products with antibacterial properties. The antibacterial properties of Zantaz honey produced in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated and analyzed using chemometric tools. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against S. aureus were the lowest (112.5 ± 54.5 mg/mL), revealing that this species was most sensitive to Zantaz honey. P. aeruginosa showed an intermediate sensitivity (MIC= 118.75 ± 51.9 mg/mL), while E. coli was the most resistant to treatment (MIC = 175 ± 61.2 mg/mL). Content of monosaccharides, certain minerals, and phenolic compounds correlated with antibacterial activity (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis of physicochemical characteristics and antibacterial activity indicated that the parameters most associated with antibacterial activity were color, acidity, and content of melanoidins, fructose, epicatechin, methyl syringate, 4-coumaric acid, and 3-coumaric acid.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Kynurenine Metabolism and Its Effect in Mitochondrial Function in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 124-125
Author(s):  
Raul Castro-Portuguez ◽  
Samuel Freitas ◽  
George Sutphin
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Wilcoxon Test ◽  
Nad Synthesis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Kynurenine Metabolism

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent cancer in the liver. The majority of ingested tryptophan is processed in the liver through the kynurenine pathway, the endpoint of which is de novo NAD+ biosynthesis. Dysregulation of tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism and NAD+ synthesis may promote mitochondrial malfunction, tumor reprogramming, and carcinogenesis. Using a publicly available gene expression dataset from liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) samples available through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; n = 371), we employed Principal Component Analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, gene-pattern expression profiling, and survival analysis to cluster patients and determine overall survival. Our analysis of genes encoding kynurenine pathway enzymes determined that patients with high QPRT expression had a poor prognosis with decreased median survival, with no effect on the maximum survival. There is a significant difference in the survival between patients with high QPRT expression relative to patients with high HAAO/AFMID expression (HR = 1.2, [95% CI 0.5-1.8] P = 0.0181, Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test). Patients with high QPRT expression have higher survival rates compared with low QPRT expression (HR = 1.4, [95% CI 0.9-2.2] P = 0.0344, Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon Test). To test the consequences of kynurenine-pathway inhibition in mitochondrial function and morphology we use 4-Cl-3HAA, an irreversible HAAO inhibitor, and observed a small increase in mitochondrial fragmentation in HepG2 cells after 24 hours of treatment. We conclude that kynurenine metabolism may be useful as a biomarker to predict patient prognosis among HCC patients. In ongoing work, we are testing QPRT inhibitors in cell culture as a potential adjuvant for chemotherapies.

scholarly journals Characterization of the Volatile Profile of Cultivated and Wild-Type Italian Celery (Apium graveolens L.) Varieties by HS-SPME/GC-MS

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 5855
Author(s):  
Samantha Reale ◽  
Valter Di Cecco ◽  
Francesca Di Donato ◽  
Luciano Di Martino ◽  
Aurelio Manzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Apium Graveolens ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Volatile Profile ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Clear Differentiation

Celery (Apium graveolens L.) is a vegetable belonging to the Apiaceae family that is widely used for its distinct flavor and contains a variety of bioactive metabolites with healthy properties. Some celery ecotypes cultivated in specific territories of Italy have recently attracted the attention of consumers and scientists because of their peculiar sensorial and nutritional properties. In this work, the volatile profiles of white celery “Sedano Bianco di Sperlonga” Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) ecotype, black celery “Sedano Nero di Torricella Peligna” and wild-type celery were investigated using head-space solid-phase microextraction combined with gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and compared to that of the common ribbed celery. Exploratory multivariate statistical analyses were conducted using principal component analysis (PCA) on HS-SPME/GC-MS patterns, separately collected from celery leaves and petioles, to assess similarity/dissimilarity in the flavor composition of the investigated varieties. PCA revealed a clear differentiation of wild-type celery from the cultivated varieties. Among the cultivated varieties, black celery “Sedano Nero di Torricella Peligna” exhibited a significantly different composition in volatile profile in both leaves and petioles compared to the white celery and the prevalent commercial variety. The chemical components of aroma, potentially useful for the classification of celery according to the variety/origin, were identified.

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