University of Monastir

Let U-i, V-i is an element of B(H) (i = 1, ... , n), and let 0 < q <= 1, r, s >= 1. Denote by omega(q)(center dot) the q-numerical radius, parallel to center dot parallel to the operator norm, and mu(center dot) the minimum modulus. We establish the following refined in equality: q(2)/4(2 - q(2))(2)parallel to 1/n Sigma(n)(i=1) V-i*U parallel to(2),<= omega(2)(q)(1/n Sigma(n)(i=1) V-i*U-i) <= alpha(r,s) - beta(r,s) where alpha(r,s) := parallel to 1/n Sigma(n)(i=1) (U-t*U-t)(r)parallel to(1/r),<= parallel to 1/n Sigma(n)(i=1) V-i*V-t)(s)parallel to(1/s),,beta(r,s),= 1/n(3),(max {0, alpha(U) L-V - beta(V) M-U ,M- alpha(V) L-U - beta(U) (V),})(2), with alpha(U),:=,Sigma (n)(i=1) mu(U-i),,beta(U) := Sigma(n)(i=1) parallel to U-i parallel to, alpha(V) :=,Sigma(n)(i=1) mu(V-t),,beta(V:=) Sigma(n)(i=1) parallel to V-i parallel to, and L-U := (max {0, Sigma(n)(t=1),mu(U-i)(2),- 1/n (Sigma(n)(i=1)parallel to U-i parallel to)(2)}}(1/2), M-U :=,(Sigma(n)(i=1) parallel to U-i parallel to)(2),- 1/n ( Sigma(n)(i=1) mu(Ut)(2)}(1/2), L-V,: = (max{0, Sigma(n)(i=1)mu(V-i)(2),- (1)(n),( Sigma(n) (i=1),parallel to V-i parallel to )(2) }}(1/2), M-V,:= (Sigma(n)(i=1) parallel to V-t parallel to)(2),- 1/n (Sigma(n)(i=1) mu(V-i)(2)}(1/2). This result refines a recent inequality by Kittaneh and Rashid [1, Theorem 2.5] by incorporating geometric correction terms involving the minimum modulus of the operators. The obtained bound is sharper and provides enhanced insight into operator means under the q-numerical radius. Moreover, the theoretical improvements are illustrated through numerical examples, confirming the tighter majorant and the practical effectiveness of the proposed refinement.

The development of liposomes for the delivery of chemically labile natural extracts is often limited by extract instability and poorly controlled biological responses. In this study, zwitterionic 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) liposomes were engineered as platforms for the encapsulation of aqueous extracts from Opuntia stricta var. stricta (OpS) and var. dillenii (OpD), and the role of the formulation medium as a key design parameter was systematically investigated. Liposomes were prepared at pH 5.0 in water, phosphate solution, or acetate buffer and characterised in terms of size, surface charge, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and loading capacity. While all formulations displayed nanometric dimensions, the ionic composition of the preparation medium markedly influenced liposome organisation and extract retention. Acetate-based formulations showed enhanced encapsulation efficiency (up to 61%) and loading capacity (up to 23%), together with improved size homogeneity compared to phosphate-based systems. Release studies under physiological conditions revealed a sustained and biphasic release profile for both extract varieties. The biological performance of liposomes was evaluated in vitro using human HaCaT keratinocytes and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. All formulations were cytocompatible towards HaCaT cells, whereas acetate-formulated OpS-Lip and OpD-Lip induced a moderate, formulation-dependent reduction in SH-SY5Y cell viability, highlighting the influence of physicochemical design parameters on cellular response. Overall, these results demonstrate that formulation conditions critically govern the colloidal and biological performance of DOPC-based liposomes, providing design guidelines for the development of lipid carriers for unstable plant-derived bioactives.

In many developing countries, the reuse of wastewater for irrigation is increasingly practiced as a strategy to address water scarcity. However, this approach raises concerns about the environmental dispersion of contaminants, particularly persistent, bioaccumulative, and potentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This study investigated the occurrence of phthalic acid esters (PAEs), non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs), and bisphenol A (BPA) in untreated industrial poultry wastewater (PWW), their accumulation in soil, and their uptake by young olive trees (Olea europaea L., cv. Chemlali) irrigated through drip systems. Three experimental plots were established: one irrigated with tap water (TW), another with undiluted PWW, and a third with PWW diluted with tap water (50:50) (v/v). Water, soil, olive leaf, and root samples were analyzed using a GC/MS based workflow validated for seven target analytes, including PAEs, NPPs and BPA. Bibliographic data demonstrated that poultry breeding wastewater is a potential reservoir of microplastics. Surprisingly, none of the target contaminants were detected in the wastewater, yet all soil samples contained measurable levels of the investigated pollutants (0.468 to 5.736 µg/kg), most likely originating from previous agricultural practices. Bis(2-thylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DiBP) were the most prevalent compounds. In plant tissues, plasticizer concentrations were low (0.046 to 2.465 µg/kg), suggesting limited uptake by olive trees, while BPA was absent from both leaves and roots. Although the concentrations remained below international safety thresholds, the detection of contaminants highlights the need for continuous monitoring. Further research is necessary to investigate other emerging contaminants and evaluate their combined impact on agroecosystems.

Dysregulation of inflammatory and antioxidant signaling is characteristic of breast cancer development and influences therapeutic efficacy. This study investigated the relationship between inflammation and cancer invasion by assessing levels and/or gene expression of COX2, Adipoq, PPAR gamma, uPAR, sialic acid, and heparinase; apoptosis via caspase-3 evaluation; and redox balance in MCF-7 breast cancer mice treated with rutin. Three groups of virgin female mice were divided: (i) a control group; (ii) an MCF-7 group that was treated with Imuran before being injected with MCF-7 cells; and (iii) an MCF-7/rutin group that was given rutin (200 mg/kg). Biochemical and histological analyses were assessed after two and four weeks of post-treatment. Mice bearing breast tumors and treated with rutin exhibited less GATA-3 expression in mammary tissue at 4 weeks, signifying reduced cell invasiveness in mammary tissue at 4 weeks, Rutin therapy also resulted in decreased serum levels of prolactin, estrogen, and CA15-3 At two weeks, both untreated and rutin-treated tumor-bearing mice showed increased levels of COX2, uPAR and sialic acid, demonstrating higher inflammation and invasive potential. By four weeks, rutin-treated mice exhibited elevated serum sialic acid compared to control, but reduced compared with untreated mice, accompanied by elevated caspase-3, indicating enhanced apoptosis. Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of PPAR gamma at both 2 and 4 weeks and Adipoq at 2 weeks, suggesting the activation of apoptotic pathways and adipocyte differentiation. COX2 and heparinase were downregulated at both 2- and 4weeks reflecting suppression of inflammation and invasion. Rutin-treated mice had reduced mammary MDA and nitric oxide levels at 2 and 4 weeks while mammary GSH and catalase activity were elevated at 2 weeks and depleted at 4 weeks in comparison to healthy mice. It was concluded that rutin treatment of mice bearing breast cancer improved oxidative balance, modulated inflammation, reduced invasion, and preserved mammary tissue structure in breast cancer-induced mice. It is recommended to study the treatment of mice with breast cancer or other types of cancer with chemotherapy combined with rutin to mitigate the side effects of these drugs.

The present work introduces a sustainable strategy for biowaste valorization through the extraction and functionalization of biopolymers from Citrus limetta (bergamot) peel using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). A green NADES system composed of citric acid, glucose, and water (1:1:2 molar ratio) enabled an efficient extraction of polysaccharides, achieving a maximum yield of 28.11