A comprehensive review of recent development in extraction and encapsulation techniques of betalains.

Betalains are attractive natural pigments with potent antioxidant activity, mainly extracted from the roots, tubers, leaves, flowers, and fruits of certain plants and some fungi. They constitute a reliable alternative to synthetic dyes used in the food industry and are considered toxic for consumers. In addition, there is convincing evidence of their health benefits for consumers. However, betalains are highly unstable to environment factors, such as light, heat, oxygen, water activity, and pH change which can be degraded during food processing, handling, storage, or delivery. Therefore, newly developed extraction methods and micro/nano-encapsulation techniques are currently applied to enhance the extraction yield, solve their instability problems, and improve their application in the food industry. This article aims to summarize the new advanced extraction methods of betalains, discussing the recent encapsulation techniques concerning the different encapsulating materials utilization. Betalains, natural pigments with potent antioxidant activity, are increasingly extracted from the roots, tubers, leaves, flowers, and fruits of certain plants and some fungi as safe alternatives to synthetic food dyes used in the food industry. However, their susceptibility to degradation during food processing, storage, and delivery poses challenges. Recent developments in extraction methods (e.g., supercritical fluid, pressurized liquid, ultrasound- and microwave-assisted, and enzyme-assisted) enhance betalain recovery, minimizing degradation. Encapsulation techniques using biopolymers, proteins, lipids, and nanoparticles protect betalains from environmental factors, extending shelf life and enabling controlled release. These advancements offer improved extraction efficiency, reduced solvent use, shorter processing times, and enhanced stability. Integration of these techniques in the food industry presents opportunities for incorporating betalains into various products, including functional foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. By addressing stability challenges, these developments support the production of innovative, healthier food items enriched with betalains. This article provides an overview of recent advancements in betalain extraction and encapsulation, highlighting their potential applications in the food industry.

New Insights Into the Genetic Variability of Fasciola Hepatica (Trematoda) in Algeria and Relationships with Other Geographic Regions Revealed By Mitochondrial DNA.

This study aims to investigate the level of genetic variability of Fasciola hepatica flukes isolated from cattle in Algeria and to determine the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships with sequences isolated worldwide. Mitochondrial (Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I gene - COI) and nuclear markers (Internal Transcribed Spacers of nuclear ribosomal DNA - ITS) for 24 F. hepatica flukes isolated from 12 cattle in North Algeria were characterised. Only two haplotypes were obtained for the COI gene, resulting in a low level of genetic variation. The analysis of variation among the COI sequences isolated from around the world did not show high levels of genetic divergence, and the phylogenetic analysis revealed a genetic similarity among F. hepatica isolates from different areas of the world. The analysis of the ITS region showed a low level of variability, which prevented obtaining informative phylogenetic and phylogeographic results. The present study also revealed that specimens of F. hepatica are genetically similar in different hosts, indicating that the genetic structure among populations of this parasite is not influenced by the host species. The low levels of genetic variation for COI and ITS regions among fluke isolates from all continents are consistent with a common origin for the flukes' worldwide distribution.

Cystic Echinococcosis in Algeria: the Role of Cattle as Reservoirs in the Dynamics of Transmission of Echinococcus granulosus to Humans via Dogs.

In North Africa, the parasite Echinococcus granulosus is transmitted in a synanthropic cycle evolving mainly between dogs (DH) and sheep (IH), but other animals like cattle are most often found to be more infested with hydatid cysts but their potential role in human contamination via dogs is unknown. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and fertility rates of hydatid cysts in ruminants (cattle and sheep) in two slaughterhouses in central and eastern Algeria. Determining the frequency and fertility of cysts in cattle will assess the degree of involvement of this species, alongside sheep, in the epidemiological cycle of E. granulosus in Algeria. In the present study, prevalence rates were estimated at 4.9% and 10% in slaughtered ruminants, all species combined at the slaughterhouses of El Harrach and Souk Ahras, respectively. The distribution of the prevalence by species indicates higher infestation rates in cattle compared to sheep: 6% vs 3.9% and 37% vs 4.7% in the slaughterhouses of El Harrach and Souk Ahras, respectively. The survey results showed relatively low cyst fertility rates in cattle compared to sheep: 13.8% vs 43.7% and 33.3% vs 71.4% in the two slaughterhouses, El Harrach and Souk Ahras, respectively. The low fertility rate of cysts in cattle can be explained by a poor adaptation of the species, E. granulosus sensu stricto, previously identified by molecular analysis in all samples of hydatid cysts collected from cattle in Algeria. In conclusion, cattle infested with E. granulosus sensu stricto, with low fertility rates, play a minor role in the epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis in Algeria. It is rather an indicator of the persistence of cystic echinococcosis infection in endemic regions.

En Afrique du Nord, le parasite Echinococcus granulosus est transmis dans un cycle synanthropique évoluant principalement entre les chiens (HD) et les moutons (HI). Mais d'autres animaux comme les bovins se révèlent le plus souvent très infestés par les kystes hydatiques : leur rôle potentiel dans la contamination humaine via des chiens est inconnu. Le but de cette étude est d'évaluer la prévalence et les taux de fertilité des kystes hydatiques chez les ruminants (bovins et ovins) dans deux abattoirs du centre et de l'est de l'Algérie. La détermination de la fréquence et de la fertilité des kystes chez les bovins permettra d'évaluer le degré d'implication de cette espèce, aux côtés des ovins, dans le cycle épidémiologique d'E. granulosus en Algérie. Dans la présente étude, les taux de prévalence ont été estimés à 4,9 et 10 % chez les ruminants abattus, toutes espèces confondues dans les abattoirs d'El Harrach et de Souk Ahras respectivement. La répartition de la prévalence par espèce indique des taux d'infestation plus élevés chez les bovins que chez les ovins : 6 vs 3,9 % et 37 vs 4,7 % dans les abattoirs d'El Harrach et de Souk Ahras respectivement. Les résultats de l'enquête ont montré des taux de fertilité des kystes relativement bas chez les bovins par rapport aux ovins : 13,8 vs 43,7 % et 33,3 vs 71,4 % dans les deux abattoirs, El Harrach et Souk Ahras respectivement. Le faible taux de fertilité des kystes chez les bovins peut s'expliquer par une mauvaise adaptation de l'espèce E. granulosus sensu stricto, précédemment identifiée par analyse moléculaire dans tous les échantillons de kystes hydatiques prélevés sur des bovins en Algérie. En conclusion, les bovins infestés par E. granulosus sensu stricto, avec des kystes à faible taux de fertilité, jouent un rôle mineur dans l'épidémiologie de l'échinococcose kystique en Algérie. Il s'agit plutôt d'un indicateur de la persistance de l'infection à échinococcose kystique dans les régions endémiques.

First isolation of Dicrocoelium dendriticum among cattle in some Northern Algerian slaughterhouses.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dicrocoelium dendriticum or small liver fluke often causes unnoticed clinical manifestations in cattle. For a live animal, its diagnosis is mainly based on the detection of eggs by coproscopic examination. The objective of this study was to determine the presence or absence of Dicrocoelium spp. never previously reported in the study area but also to establish its prevalence, as well as an association between dicrocoeliasis and sex, age and season of the year, and histological characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in slaughterhouses of three districts (Bouira, Tizi-Ouzou, and Bejaia) from January 2017 to December 2017. To this end, of 4053 cattle, representing more than 10% of the total number of animals slaughtered, stool and bile samples were collected and a liver inspection was carried out to investigate lesions of distomial cholangitis. They were processed for histological analysis. The specimens were morphologically identified according to the orientation of the testicles, the length and width of the body, and the level of the maximum width of the body. RESULTS: The total prevalence of dicrocoeliasis obtained of the 4053 cattle inspected is 0.52% with a prevalence of 0.66% in Tizi-Ouzou, 0.54% in Bouira, and 0.27% in Bejaia. About 0.52% of livers had distomial cholangitis (21 of the 4053 livers examined had adult D. dendriticum and 15% had non-distomial cholangitis. About 0.25% of cattle had D. dendriticum eggs in the stool versus 0.52% of cattle had parasite eggs in the bile. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between dicrocoeliasis infection and the season of the year (p>0.05). However, a significant association was found between dicrocoeliasis infection and sex and age of the animal (p<0.05); females and older animals are more likely to have dicrocoeliasis. Histological analysis of the fluke revealed an anterior positioning of the testicles with a slightly oblique tandem orientation, an average body length of 3.69 mm and an average body width of 1 mm. The maximum body width level is either in the middle of the fluke body or in the rear position. CONCLUSION: The histological study confirms that the collected fluke is D. dendriticum. Thus, this work reveals for the 1st time in Algeria the presence of D. dendriticum in three districts (Bouira, Tizi-Ouzou, and Bejaia). The results indicate that many cattle farms in the North Central Province of Algeria are infested with D. dendriticum.

[Female sexual dysfunction and multiple sclerosis: A case-control study]. / Dysfonction sexuelle féminine et sclérose en plaques : étude cas-témoins.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the scores of the different dimensions of sexual function of women with multiple sclerosis to a group of control women and to identify possible factors associated with sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: This is a descriptive and analytical case-control study. Twenty-six women with multiple sclerosis were compared to 26 control women matched for age and socioeconomic status. The evaluation focused on demographic and clinical data. Patients with multiple sclerosis were evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for functional status, by Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) for sexual function and by Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-DF) for severity of depression. RESULTS: Our results confirmed the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction among patients with multiple sclerosis (69.2%) compared to controls (26.9%) (P=0.002). Sexual desire, arousal and orgasm were the most altered sexual phases in our study. Total FSFI, and FSFI subscale scores (sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction) were lower in women with multiple sclerosis compared with controls. The analytical study showed that in women with multiple sclerosis, the total FSFI score was correlated with age (rs=-0.68; P<0.001), duration of marriage (rs=-0.57; P=0.002), level of disability (rs=-0.45; P=0.021) and BDI-SF score (rs=-0.51; P=0.008). FSFI score was also associated to low education level (P=0.02) and urinary dysfunction (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Our study highlighted the importance of sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis. The inclusion of this aspect in the clinical assessment will improve the quality of life of these patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in farmed animals from steppe and high plateau regions in Algeria.

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and associated potential risk factors in farmed animals from different steppe and high plateau regions in Algeria. A total of 289, 254 and 149 faecal samples of cattle, sheep and dromedary camels respectively, and tracheas of 135 broiler chickens were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. by formalin-ether concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Overall, Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 36.7%, 15%, 8.9% and 2% of examined cattle, sheep, broiler chickens and dromedary camels. In cattle, the highest prevalence was observed in the neonatal calves (52.6%) and the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly associated with diarrhoea. Ovine cryptosporidiosis was found in more of 80% of sampled farms and lambs aged between 1-6 months (20.3%), followed by neonatal lambs (18.7%) were the most infected. Cryptosporidium excretion in sheep was not associated with presence of diarrhoea. The presence of cryptosporidia in broiler chickens showed a higher rate in birds aged of 16-24 days (30%) than in those of 35-44 days (3.5%). None of broiler chickens more than 44 days was found to be positive for Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium in dromedary camels was reported in three females aged more than 6 months, which did not show any signs of diarrhoea at the time of sampling. Cryptosporidium prevalence was not affected by sex in all studied animal species. The results of the present study provide the first data on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dromedary camels and broiler chickens from steppe and high plateau regions in Algeria.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in farmed animals from steppe and high plateau regions in Algeria

@#This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and associated potential risk factors in farmed animals from different steppe and high plateau regions in Algeria. A total of 289, 254 and 149 faecal samples of cattle, sheep and dromedary camels respectively, and tracheas of 135 broiler chickens were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. by formalin-ether concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Overall, Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 36.7%, 15%, 8.9% and 2% of examined cattle, sheep, broiler chickens and dromedary camels. In cattle, the highest prevalence was observed in the neonatal calves (52.6%) and the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly associated with diarrhoea. Ovine cryptosporidiosis was found in more of 80% of sampled farms and lambs aged between 1-6 months (20.3%), followed by neonatal lambs (18.7%) were the most infected. Cryptosporidium excretion in sheep was not associated with presence of diarrhoea. The presence of cryptosporidia in broiler chickens showed a higher rate in birds aged of 16-24 days (30%) than in those of 35-44 days (3.5%). None of broiler chickens more than 44 days was found to be positive for Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium in dromedary camels was reported in three females aged more than 6 months, which did not show any signs of diarrhoea at the time of sampling. Cryptosporidium prevalence was not affected by sex in all studied animal species. The results of the present study provide the first data on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dromedary camels and broiler chickens from steppe and high plateau regions in Algeria.

[Idiopathic intracranial hypertension and factor V Leiden mutation]. / Hypertension intracrânienne idiopathique et mutation du facteur V de Leiden.

Activated proteinC resistance is a frequent prothrombotic abnormality. In most cases it is due to factorV Leiden mutation by nucleotide G1691A substitution. This recently described thrombophilic defect of activated proteinC resistance has been postulated to be implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We report a case of factorV Leiden mutation in association with IIH and their likely link and implication in the management of IIH.

Serum copper, zinc and selenium levels in Tunisian patients with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The etiology of this disease is still not fully clear, but free radicals have been proposed to cause neuronal injury. Metals play a key role in the intracellular oxidative balance. However their implication in the degeneration process remains unknown. AIM: To assess Cu, Zn and Se concentrations in serum of a group of PD patients in order to determinate, in comparison with age-matched controls, whether alteration in their levels could be involved in PD. METHODS: A serum level of 3 trace elements (Cu, Zn and Se) was investigated in 48 patients with PD and 36 matched controls using plasma atomic absorption spectrometry. We compared these parameters in PD patients with controls, and we also compared the variations within the PD group according to age, illness duration, stage of the disease and levodopa intake. RESULTS: Patients with PD had significantly lower Cu levels compared to controls. The mean Zn and Se levels in PD patients did not differ significantly from those of controls. Levodopa therapy, age, stage, and illness duration did not significantly influence the measured parameters. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a disturbance of the plasmatic rate of Cu could be a marker of PD or at least, a risk factor for the development of this disease. Although zinc participates to the reduction of oxidative stress and the antioxidant role of the selenium, their implication in the onset of PD is not clearly established. Perspectives for the future could include antioxidant therapy. For this reason, other prospective studies should be conducted on this subject to elucidate the implication of trace elements in PD.

[Tuberous sclerosis and intracranial aneurysms: a rare association]. / Anévrismes intracrâniens et sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville : une association rare.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant inherited phakomatosis. It is associated with a wide variety of central nervous system abnormalities, but intracranial aneurysms are rare. CASE REPORT: We report a 34-year-old patient fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of tuberous sclerosis in association with intracranial aneurysm. DISCUSSION: This association has been reported in only 17 other cases of tuberous sclerosis. We discuss the etiopathogenic mechanisms, preferential localizations and the various therapeutic propositions.

[Brain MRI associated with chronic hepatic failure and hypermanganism]. / Hypersignal T1 bipallidal dans le cadre d'une cirrhose avec hypermanganésémie.

INTRODUCTION: Hypermanganism is primarily linked to inhalation exposure. Several observations of exogenous manganese poisoning have been reported associating neuropsychiatric symptoms, parkinsonian syndrome and hyperintensities of the two pallida on T1 weighted sequences on brain MRI. Recently, similar neurological and radiological signs have been described without exogenous exposure to manganese but in the framework of endogenous poisoning particularly in chronic hepatic failure. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 41-year-old HIV-positive and HVC-positive man who presented psychomotor impairment associated with bipallidal T1 hyperintensities on the brain MRI. The diagnosis of a hypermanganesemia was made on blood samples. We present a literature review on exogenous and endogenous hypermanganesemia and discuss differential diagnosis in the radiological setting of bipallidal T1 hyperintensities. CONCLUSION: Bipallidal T1 hyperintensities on brain MRI may suggest hypermanganism even in the clinical setting of a non-specific neurological disorder such as psychomotor impairment.

[Preliminary study on the prevalence of fasciolosis with Fasciola hepatica in some bovine breeding facilities of the northern center of Algeria (the Mitidja)]. / Etude préliminaire sur la prévalence de la fasciolose due à Fasciola hepatica dans quelques élevages bovins du nord centre algérien (la Mitidja).

In Algeria, cattle fasciolosis is a parasitic pathology very frequently met at slaughterhouses level; however its prevalence on a national scale is unknown. To this end, we conducted a study on the prevalence of fasciolosis to Fasciola hepatica in 202 bovine breedings in the area of Mitidja (northern Algerian center), from February to May 2005. 1,870 serums were analyzed by an ELISA method and 1,870 faeces underwent coproscopic analyses. No eggs of Fasciola hepatica were detected by the coprologic analysis. The serologic analysis highlighted an infestation of the bovines by Fasciola hepatica with a average prevalence of 18.54% within two localities (Dar El beida and Blida) with a prevalence of 0%.

[Lobstein's disease presenting with seizures]. / Maladie de Lobstein révélée par une crise convulsive.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of hereditary disorders most often due to an anomaly of collagen biosynthesis. Divers clinical manifestations are reported. Neurological manifestations are exceptional. A 40-year-old man with a history of multiple bone fractures was admitted for a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. There was no metabolic disorder, the patient however complained of bilateral shoulder pain. Standard radiography and shoulder MRI revealed bilateral humeral fractures. The electroencephalogram and the brain MRI showed no abnormalities. He was given valproate acid and eight months later was free of crises. Search for an etiological favored the diagnosis of Lobstein disease.