Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
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Author(s):  
Marco Giammanco ◽  
Fulvio Plescia ◽  
Manfredi M. Giammanco ◽  
Gaetano Leto ◽  
Carla Gentile

Citrus fruits are the main fruits of the Mediterranean diet and have been long recognized for their beneficial effects on human health. Observational studies have shown a significant association between dietary flavo-noid intake and reduced risk of cardiovascular and malignant diseases. The beneficial effects of citrus fruits on human health appear to be due to their high content in vitamins, minerals and fibers. In particular, the an-tioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been indicated as some of the mechanisms through which citrus fruits may thwarts the development of chronic degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis and can-cer. This review would critically examine the results from numerous studies carried out in order assess the contribute of citrus flavonoids to the prevention of chronic pathological conditions including athero-sclerosis and cancer.


Author(s):  
Slamet Santosa ◽  
Eddy Soekendarsi ◽  
Dody Priosambodo ◽  
Abdul Hayat Kasim

Growing media that contain organic materials can provide nutrients and water for plants. This study analyzed the availability and effects of nutrients and water, N and P resorption, and growth of teak seedlings under drought stress. The growing medium was made from ultisol soil (M1), ultisol soil with husk charcoal (M2), ultisol soil with chicken manure (M3), and ultisol soil with compost (M4), then planted with teak seeds. Maintenance was conducted by field capacity watering for 30 days. Teak seedlings were treated with drought stress for 90 days. Based on the analysis, growing media total N ranged from 0.19 to 0.28%, total P ranged from 0.10 to 0.17%, and water ranged from 11.40 to 16.20%. Teak seedling leaves contain N nutrient ranging from 0.34 to 0.95 % and P nutrient ranging from 0.04 to 0.16 %. The N resorption ability of teak seedlings ranged from 26 to 31%, and P resorption was around 20 to 25 %. The height growth of teak seedlings ranged from 80 to 115cm, the stem diameter from 1.4 to 1.8cm, the leaf area from 630 to 650cm2, and the thickness of the leaves from 545 to 462µm. Growing media made from ultisol soil and chicken manure (M3) produced the best water content, N and P resorption, and the growth of teak seedlings after 3 days of drought stress.


Author(s):  
Yamina Ben Miri ◽  
Aldjia Taoudiat ◽  
Mohamed Mahdid

The aim of the study was to determine the phenolic and flavonoid content of essential oils (EOs), chloroform and ethanolic extracts of 12 Algerian Thymus species and evaluate their antioxidant and antifungal activities. EOs (1.73 ± 0.30–15.00 ± 1.24 μg/mg), chloroform extracts (33.8 ± 2.42–160.93 ± 3.88 μg/mg) and ethanol extracts (27.01 ± 3.56 –148.46 ± 4.40 μg/mg) showed considerable phenolic content. Flavonoids values of chloroform extracts ranged between 3.39± 0.17 and 20.27 ± 0.29 μg/ml while ethanolic extracts values ranged between 2.81 ± 0.11 and 26.64 ± 0.18 μg/mg. Results of DPPH showed that EOs, chloroform and ethanolic extracts exhibited strong radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 21.75 ± 6.54–338.22 ± 2.99 μg/ml, 22.91 ± 5.59–90.93 ± 1.36 μg/ml, and 33.51 ± 5.72–103.80 ± 4.54 μg/ml, respectively). Inhibition of β-carotene bleaching was potentially performed by all EOs (66.48 ± 2.41–94.06 ± 2.68 %), chloroform extracts (68.98± 1.58–95.30± 1.99%), and ethanolic extracts (62.15 ± 2.51–92.36± 1.15%). The antifungal activity of EOs and extracts was tested using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The EOs (0.1 ± 0.00 mg/ mL – 1.06 ± 0.46 mg/mL), chloroform (0.1 ± 0.00 mg/ mL –1.06 ± 0.46 mg/mL) and ethanol (0.1 ± 0.00 mg /mL–1.6 ± 0.00 mg/mL) showed remarkable antifungal activity against mycotoxigenic Aspergillus genera. The MFC of EOs (1.0 ± 0.34 mg/mL and > 4.8 mg/mL) , chloroform (0.26 ± 0.11 mg/mL and > 1.6 mg/mL) and ethanol (0.2 ± 0.00 mg/mL and > 1.6 mg/mL) were fungicidal in nature higher than MICs. The findings of the study indicated that Thymus spp. EOs and extracts could be used as natural alternatives for food industry.


Author(s):  
Wassila Dendouga ◽  
Mohamed Belhamra

The Algerian Sahara contains numerous hypersaline ecosystems including salt lakes in which the fungal diversity has not been characterized. The abundance and diversity of soil microofungi in three salt lakes in southeastern Algeria was investigated together with their profiles of hydrolytic enzyme. Fungal population size and relative abundance were determined in about 75 soil samples by plate count. From 69 fungal isolates, 46.38% were Aspergillus, 20.29% were Penicillium and 11.59% belonging to Cladosporium genus. The sixty-nine isolates have been studied at different constant temperatures and salinities. All fungal isolates are halotolerant or halophiles with the ability to grow at 50°C. The screening for extracellular halophilic enzymes at 40°C showed that 69.57% of the isolates were able to produce at least two types of the screened enzymes. Protease was the most abundant enzyme detected in 60.87% of the total isolates. The results obtained of all the growth tests indicate the adaptability of fungal isolates tested to the extreme conditions and their possible utilisation as producers of halophilic-active hydrolytic enzymes.


Author(s):  
Burhan Zaman ◽  
Suzan Omer Rasool ◽  
Saeed Mohammed Sabri ◽  
Ghazwan A.M. Raouf ◽  
Amer A. Balatay ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the prevalence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) alterations and different types of thyroid dysfunctions in both sexes with no age limitations from variety of sources in Duhok province. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we screened 25040 suspicious cases of thyroid diseases in a year (2019), retrieving the data from the computer of three clinical laboratories in the Duhok City; following exclusion of 470 cases, 24568 cases were included to categorize the different types of thyroid dysfunctions. Results: The prevalence of TSH alteration was 25.03%, 20.55% of them had a high concentration being statistically higher in females, while only 4.48% was low TSH with equal prevalence among both sexes. Out of 24568 patients, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was 94.85%, followed by 2.20%, 1.20%, 0.78%, 0.67%, and 0.31% for each of subclinical hyperthyroidism, primary hypothyroidism, central hyperthyroidism, central hypothyroidism, and primary hyperthyroidism respectively. Conclusions: The studied population had high prevalence of high TSH level (20.55%), being more prevalent in female than in male. Our survey revealed that the distribution of thyroid disorders was vary among different age groups with highest prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in all age groups (94.85%); Also, we concluded that middle & advanced ages, and females were more susceptible to thyroid disorders.  


Author(s):  
Marco Giammanco ◽  
Margherita Mazzola ◽  
Manfredi Marco Giammanco ◽  
Giovanni Tomasello ◽  
Francesco Carini

The influence of diet on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and related pathologies has been known for some time. Some classes of nutrients, such as fatty acids belonging to the omega 3 series, have particular effects on the bacteria that make up the intestinal microbiota. ω-3 PUFAs affect the gut microbiota in three different ways: by modulating the type and abundance of intestinal bacteria, by regulate SCFAs levels, and by alter the levels of proinflammatory mediators. Through these modalities, ω-3 PUFAs could be useful for the prevention of intestinal diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC). The ability of ω-3 PUFAs to modulate the intestinal inflammatory response, to preserve the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and to modulate the bacterial composition of the intestine, could be useful as a preventive strategic approach to hinder the development of CRC.


Author(s):  
Valentina Bonetto ◽  
Linda Scarabelli ◽  
Maria Angela Masini

This study focused on effects induced by short-term simulated microgravity (SMG) condition on primary cell culture from pre-pubertal Wistar rats testis. Cells were analyzed for cytoskeletal and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG/ABP) changes by immunofluorescence technique, for antioxidant system exploiting RT-PCR and cell viability. Cells were cultured for 6 and 24h on a three-dimensional clinostat, Random Positioning Machine (RPM). At the end of each experiment, once stopped the RPM rotation, cells were either fixed in paraformaldehyde or lysed and RNA extracted. In cells exposed to SMG the cytoskeleton became disorganized, microtubules fragmented and SHBG was already undetectable after 6h of treatment. Moreover, various antioxidant systems significantly increased after 24h of SMG exposure. Initially, SMG seemed to disturb antioxidant protection strategies allowing the testes to support sperm production, thus generating an aging-like state of oxidative stress. Studies on changes induced by short-term altered gravity conditions, carried out in real microgravity, could give more information on steroidogenesis and germ cell differentiation within the testis exposed to this condition and confirm the validity of simulation approach.


Author(s):  
Asaad Mordi ◽  
Mohammad Teimorian ◽  
Behnam Shakiba ◽  
Emadoddin Moudi ◽  
Mahmoud Bahmani

Medicinal plants have long been considered for the treatment of many diseases among Iranians and in recent years the use of medicinal plants has increased. In traditional Iranian medicine, many plants have been described to eliminate kidney stones, dissolve kidney stones or prevent stone formation. Based on the results Medicinal plants Cichorium intybus L. Biarum straussii Engl., Tribulus terrestris L., Nasturtium officinale R. Br., Alhagi camelorum Fisch., Adiantum Capillus-Veneris L., Anchusa italic, Alhagi maurorum, Achila mellifolium, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus., Adiantum capillus- Veneris L., Pistacia khinjuk, Acanthophyllum khuzistanicum Rech. F., Malva parviflora L., Allium iranicum (Wendelbo Wendelbo), Centaurea solstitialis L., Cerasus vulgaris Miller, and etc. are medicinal plants that are used in different parts of Iran used to treat kidney stones. It was found that plant families including Fabaceae (10 plants), Asteraceae(10 plants), Brassicaceae (6 plants) and Zygophyllaceae (6 plants) have the most medicinal plants in the discussion of medicinal plants affecting kidney stones and parts such as Leaf (27%), Fruit (15%), Aerial parts (15%) and Flower (14%) are the most plant organs that are used in this area for the treatment of kidney stones. The great tendency of people in the knowledge of ethno-botany and plant flora in traditional medicine is evident in the use of medicinal plants and the historical history of the use of medicinal plants. Iranian ethno-botanical knowledge can play a good role in presenting pure ideas of traditional medicine for modern medicine.


Author(s):  
Narges Ansari ◽  
Mohadeseh Pirhadi ◽  
Mahsa Alikord ◽  
Mahmoud Bahmani ◽  
Parisa Sadighara ◽  
...  

COVID-19 known as the “novel coronavirus disease 2019” is a respiratory illness, and the causative pathogen is officially named as Sars-CoV-2whose epidemic has spread rapidly worldwide. Thus, human-to human transmission has reduced if people's attention to health has increased and precautionary measures have been implemented.It is known that the virus can survive on infected surfaces and handsfor hours and days. It is possible to get infected by touchingthe contaminated surface of food packaging by customers in the grocery and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes. Thus, the public supposes that touching food or food packing by salesmen and buyers in the grocery can transmit the virus to the customers. Therefore, the World Health Organization encourages people to wash their hands regularly and disinfect areas where the virus can survive, such as metal and plastic surfaces.In fact, overwashing can cause disadvantages such as moisture penetration into food packages and increased water activity in food, which provides the conditions for fungi to grow and cause spoilage in food. Accordingly, this phenomenon would have shown significant negative effects on public health as the post-pandemic phase of COVID-19. The corona virus has had a significant impact on people's behavior in the food chain, washing and disinfecting food in these critical situations. People also quickly changed the way they bought and procured food from supermarkets to ensure food safety and eradicate the virus.Use of substances/disinfectants such as Sodium hypochlorite, reduce COVID-19 from surfaces and objects or reduce viral particles from surfaces and objects. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the virus. The virus is present on the surface of objects and the disease caused by the virus does not occur on objects. Washing and disinfecting food packaging may cause damage the products thereby reducing their shelf life and provide. Therefore, health experts report public awareness of hands and disinfect surfaces regularly to eliminate the virus. It is also recommended to wash and disinfect hands and disinfect surfaces.


Author(s):  
Isidoro Feliciello ◽  
Alfredo Procino

Dear editor, The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated the production of different therapeutic approaches for the resolution of coronavirus infections. On one hand, nanobiomolecules have been proposed as bait material for viruses, 1 on the other hand unconventional messenger RNA vaccines have been produced like SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines (BioNTech / Pfizer BNT162b2 and Moderna mRNA-1273). [...]


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