The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research
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<div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <h6 class="font_8"> </h6> <h6 class="font_8"> </h6> <h6 class="font_8"><strong>****************************************</strong><strong>****************************************</strong><strong>**********************</strong><strong>**********</strong><strong>********</strong></h6> <p>We are delighted to announce that <em>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research </em>has been accepted for Scopus (<a href="https://suggestor.step.scopus.com/progressTracker/index.cfm?trackingID=CF3C2A77DE885AC9">link</a>)</p> <p><strong>****************************************</strong><strong>************************************</strong><strong>**********************</strong><strong>****</strong><strong>**********</strong><strong>********</strong></p> <h6 class="font_8"> </h6> <h6 class="font_8"> </h6> <h6 class="font_8"> </h6> <h6 class="font_8"> </h6> <h6 class="font_8"><strong style="font-size: 0.875rem;"><strong><span style="font-size: 2em;">Editor's quote</span></strong></strong><span style="font-size: 0.875rem;"> </span></h6> </div> </div> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>"<em>The Mediterranean diet, known to maintain good health and promote longevity, has been gradually abandoned by populations in Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Near East as reported by the F.A.O. High rates of overweight and obesity, as reported by several studies, are not limited to the European Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal) and recalls what the W.H.O. says for two years: emerging economies are increasingly affected. Among them, is Algeria.</em></p> <p><em>During the last few decades, there has been a great interest in the field of nutrition and health. The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research aims to encourage scientists and physicians of all fields to publish their works in order to promote nutrition and education among all concerned communities in Africa. Furthermore, the purpose of the journal is to provide balanced, reliable, and updated data for researchers and health care professionals, to facilitate decisions and management of metabolic diseases related to nutritional status.</em>"</p> <p class="font_8"> </p> <p class="font_8"><strong>Prof. Meghit Boumediene KHALED</strong></p> <p class="font_8"><strong>Editor-in-Chief /Founder</strong></p> <div id="comp-k85k1f0x" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kh3rqf0c" class="_1Z_nJ" data-testid="richTextElement"> <p> </p> </div> </div> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> </div> <p><strong>Publishing model: </strong><a href="https://scientific-publishing.webshop.elsevier.com/publication-process/difference-between-green-gold-open-access/">Gold Open Access model (OA)</a> and articles are made freely available online when published. </p> <p><strong>9 days: </strong>Submission to first decision (Median).</p> <p><strong>45 days: </strong>average time between submission and the final decision.</p> <p><strong>< 15 days:</strong> time between acceptance and online publication. </p> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p> </p> <p>***************************************************</p> <p><strong>Appointment of new Editors </strong></p> <p>On behalf of the Editorial Board, journal Editors, and staff of the <em>North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research</em> <em>(NAJFNR)</em>, I am honored to announce that Professor Mustapha Diaf has been appointed as the second Editor-in-Chief and Professor Hajer Debbabi, Professor Farid Dahmoune, Doctor Nada Benajiba, and Dr. Basil H Aboul-Enein have agreed to serve as the Deputy Executive Editors-in-Chief for a three-year term effective August 1, 2023.</p> <p><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/announcement/view/8"><strong>Read more ....</strong></a></p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p><img src="https://www.najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/support-6ad0dbb4e9de0d2e75b0151710bb3967.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="160" /></p> <p><strong> Acknowledgment of Reviewers in 2023 </strong></p> <p><a href="https://najfnr.com/home/announcement/view/11">Read more...</a></p> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> </div> </div> <p class="font_8">Actually the NAJFNR has become an official Turnetin partner.<a href="https://www.crossref.org/services/similarity-check/"><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/crossref-similarity-check-logo-200.jpg" alt="" width="172" height="88" /></a> </p> <p class="font_8">We are pleased to announce our latest service to our authors, referees and the scientific community. We are now members of CrossCheck, and using the iThenticate text comparison software, which picks up on overlapping and similar text between submitted and published manuscripts across a list of more than 50 publishers. This will help us to make sure that all research published with <em>The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition</em> Research is original.</p> <p class="font_8"><a href="https://crossref-29160.turnitin.com/home/sign-in">Login</a> to Turnitin</p> <h1 class="cms-h1"><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/turnitin.png" alt="" width="145" height="45" /></h1> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <p>......................................................................................................................................................</p> <p><a href="https://www.reviewercredits.com/user/najfnr-1/"><strong><img src="https://najfnr.com/public/site/images/admin/najfnr-reviewcredit.png" alt="" width="233" height="131" /></strong></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> <div id="comp-kaj2mxmq" class="_1Z_nJ animating-screenIn-exit" data-testid="richTextElement" data-angle="0" data-angle-style-location="style"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>Laboratoire de Nutrition, Pathologie, Agro-Biotechologie et Santé (LAB-NUPABS)en-USThe North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research2588-1582<div id="deed-conditions" class="row"> <ul class="license-properties col-md-offset-2 col-md-8" dir="ltr"> <li class="license by"> <p><strong>Attribution</strong> — You must give <a id="appropriate_credit_popup" class="helpLink" tabindex="0" title="" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" data-original-title="">appropriate credit</a>, provide a link to the license, and <a id="indicate_changes_popup" class="helpLink" tabindex="0" title="" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" data-original-title="">indicate if changes were made</a>. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.</p> </li> <li class="license by"> <p><span id="by-more-container"></span><strong>No additional restrictions</strong> — You may not apply legal terms or <a id="technological_measures_popup" class="helpLink" tabindex="0" title="" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" data-original-title="">technological measures</a> that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.</p> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="row"> <ul id="deed-conditions-no-icons" class="col-md-offset-2 col-md-8"></ul> <h3> </h3> </div>Assessment of phthalate knowledge, plastic use practices and cheese handling among adults in Jeddah city (Saudi Arabia)
https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/425
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Phthalates are chemical compounds that have the tendency to migrate into food and beverages, thereby leading to negative health consequences. <strong>Aims:</strong> was to assess the knowledge of phthalates and practices relating to plastic use among adults residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with an emphasis on cheese wrapped in plastic materials. <strong>Material and Methods: </strong>A total of 435 adult participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of three sections 1) socio-demographic characteristics, 2) knowledge-related phthalates, and 3) practices related to plastic use. All collected data were verified and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). <strong>Results: </strong>Our findings revealed that 64.1% of the respondents had poor knowledge regarding plastics and phthalates with gender being a significant factor (p=0.0003). The usage rate of plastic material was found to be remarkably high with 38.2% keeping the purchased cheese either in its original plastic wrapping or placed inside plastic boxes. Moreover, 53.6% never viewed the safe plastic number before purchasing the food products. However Interestingly enough, the type of plastics did not influence participant’s decision-making process when it came down to purchasing or consuming cheese (45.1% & 46.2%, respectively). Respondents who had poor practice represented up to 85 %, while those with poor knowledge and practice constituted 65.1%. However, no significant link between these two factors could be established.<strong> Conclusions: </strong>Poor awareness levels concerning phthalates along with imprudent usage rates for plastics were observed among adults living within Jeddah city's boundaries; thus, appropriate interventions aimed at raising awareness need implementation so as minimize exposure risks associated with this issue.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Phthalate, Plastic use, Cheese, Knowledge, Practice, Saudi Arabia.</p>Rowida AllilyHaneen H. Mouminah
Copyright (c) 2024 Rowida Allily, Haneen Mouminah
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2024-01-212024-01-2181711010.51745/najfnr.8.17.1-10Association between 24-hour urinary sodium and iodine in a Beninese population
https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/416
<p><strong>Aims:</strong> To evaluate the association between sodium concentration in 24-hour urine and iodine status in an urban and rural population of Benin.</p> <p><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong> A two-center descriptive, and cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Three hundred and fifty-four apparently healthy subjects (men and women) aged 25 to 64 were selected. Adequate iodine intake was defined as an iodine/creatinine urinary ratio (I/Cr) between 32.7 and 70.0 μg/g, and deficiency and excess such as < 32.7 μg/g and ≥ 70.0 μg / g respectively. Urinary sodium / creatinine (Na/Cr) ratios were classified as low (< 96.0 mmol /g), intermediate (96.0 – 171.8 mmol/g), high (≥ 171.8 mmol/g).</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> The median urinary iodine concentration was 66.8 μg/L (IQI, 42 to 98) and the median urinary I/Cr ratio was 46.8 μg /g (IQI, 32.7 to 70.0). Iodine deficiency (< 100 μg /L) and iodine excess (> 300 μg /L) were observed in 75.1% and 2.5% of subjects, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between uncorrected UNaC and iodine status in the study population (p < 0.001). Paradoxically, no statistically significant association was found between the ratio I/Cr and Na/Cr in urine (p = 0.05). The distributions of UIC, UNaC and I/Cr, urinary Na /Cr ratios varied according to age group and sex.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> No significant association was recorded between iodine status and UNaC in the Beninese study population. The recommended optimal iodine intake for eliminating disorders related to iodine deficiency has not yet been achieved in the study population; at least 50% of participants had inadequate UIC even after correction.</p> <p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Iodine; Benin; sodium; urine creatinine; nutrition.</p>Carmelle Mizéhoun-AdissodaKahina FettiouneDismand S. HouinatoEmilie AuditeauPierre-Marie PreuxBello Hamidou
Copyright (c) 2024 Carmelle Mizéhoun-Adissoda, Kahina Fettioune, Dismand S. Houinato, Emilie Auditeau, Pierre-Marie Preux, Bello Hamidou
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2024-03-252024-03-25817667510.51745/najfnr.8.17.66-75Anti-inflammatory activity of doum palm fruit extract used in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia
https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/405
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequent health concern in men over the age of 50. It is characterized by an increase in the size of the prostate, which can lead to urinary issues. In the past, the treatment of BPH was limited to surgery. However, the introduction of drugs such as Permixon, based on saw palmetto extract, has revolutionized the management of this disease. This natural plant extract is effective in relieving the symptoms of BPH and can also slow the progression of the disease. The Algerian population consumes several plants for this purpose, such as nettle, galangal, pumpkin seeds, and doum palm. The doum palm (<em>Chamaerops humilis</em>) is a bushy plant with fan leaves that is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. The terminal bud of this species is edible, however the doum palm has been appreciated by several societies throughout time for its multiple traditional uses and is primarily exploited for its fibers. In addition, this plant has aroused growing interest for its properties, especially in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. <strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the doum palm by the protein denaturation method comparing it to Permixon extracts and corticosteroids in order to valorize this species and confirm its traditional use. <strong>Material and Methods: </strong>The fruits of<em> Chamaerops humilis</em> L. were dried, powdered, and extracted with aqueous water then screened by various chemical tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was estimated after dilution of each extract using the human serum albumin. <strong>Results: </strong>When evaluating the anti-inflammatory effect, we observed that the fruit extract exhibited significantly higher activity, with an IC<sub>50</sub> of 446,02 mg/mL, too close to that of Permixon (IC<sub>50</sub>= 423.17 μg/mL) and exceeding that of corticosteroids (IC<sub>50</sub>= 602,21 mg/mL). All three extracts clearly demonstrated their ability to reduce inflammation. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The aqueous extract was found to be an effective anti-inflammatory agent. These results offer promising novel perspectives in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, especially benign prostatic hyperplasia.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong>anti-inflammatory activity, benign prostatic hyperplasia, doum palm, Permixon, secondary active metabolites.</p>Nazim BellifaIsmail Abedlhak BenhaddouAbedallah BerberAdil SelkaHouari Toumi
Copyright (c) 2024 Nazim Bellifa, Ismail Abedlhak Benhaddou, Abedallah Berber, Adil Selka, Houari Toumi
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2024-02-262024-02-26817445110.51745/najfnr.8.17.44-51Prognostic performance of serum protein markers in assessing mortali-ty risk for North African pediatric population hospitalized with com-plicated severe acute malnutrition
https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/399
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Complicated severe acute malnutrition (SAM) continues to kill numerous pediatric populations at the global level. Yet, significant progress has been achieved in the clinical management and treatment of this lethal condition in the pediatric population. <strong>Aims: </strong>To determine the prognostic performance of selected serum protein markers in predicting high-risk mortality in a pediatric population with complicated SAM. <strong>Subjects and Methods: </strong>This non-interventional cohort prognostic accuracy study included 59 pediatric patients (aged 6 – 60 months) with complicated SAM admitted to Moulay Ali Cherif Regional Hospital, Errachidia, Morocco, during the period from 01.02.2021 to 02.11.2022. Only the SAM pediatric population with medical complications were included in the study. SAM was defined as weight-for-height or weight-for-length z-score < -3 standard deviations, bilateral edema of nutritional origin, or mid-upper arm circumference < 11.5 cm. The enrolled pediatric population received standard inpatient care as per World Health Organization protocols for nutritional rehabilitation of SAM. The pediatric population was divided into two groups, deceased (n=10) and survivors (n=49), based on their outcomes during their hospital stay. Blood samples upon admission were obtained to assess levels of transthyretin, transferrin, albumin, retinol-binding protein, fibronectin, and C-reactive protein. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC), the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. <strong>Results: </strong>At a threshold of (≤ 0.13 g/L), transthyretin displayed the best performance of all nutritional markers, with an AUC of 0.71, good sensitivity (80.4%), and specificity (73%). While transferrin, albumin, retinol-binding protein, fibronectin, and C-reactive protein presented good to excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value, their performance was rated “fail” to “poor” (0.5 ≤ AUC < 0.7) with a “poor” positive predictive value. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Low levels of transthyretin (≤ 0.13 g/L) demonstrated a prognostic advantage compared to other biomarkers such as transferrin, albumin, retinol-binding protein, fibronectin and C-reactive protein suggesting transthyretin's potential as a prognostic marker for predicting pediatric population with complicated SAM at high mortality risk.</p> <p><strong>Key-words: </strong>biochemical markers; death; predictive accuracy; undernutrition.</p>Hassan Barouaca
Copyright (c) 2024 Hassan Barouaca
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2024-02-192024-02-19817112010.51745/najfnr.8.17.11-20Investigating bacterial gastroenteritis prevalence in the population of Tizi-Ouzou city under the context of social distancing and barrier measures
https://najfnr.com/home/article/view/385
<p><strong>Background: </strong>Epidemics of gastroenteritis are responsible for more than one million consultations in general medicine each year. <strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to isolate and identify the main bacteria at the origin of gastroenteritis, and to follow the distribution of these pathogenic bacteria within the population to predict hygiene conditions in the city of Tizi-ouzou. <strong>Material and Methods: </strong>Our study was conducted during the summer of 2022 on 106 liquid and semi-liquid stool samples. <strong>Results: </strong>The results of direct examination and fecal culture revealed the absence of pathogenic organisms, which constitutes a promising result. <strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings correlate with a rise in COVID-19 cases during the survey period. Hence, the probable reason for the absence of pathogenic germs is the efficacy of social distancing and barrier measures, specifically in curbing the transmission of fecal-oral contaminations.</p> <p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Bacterial gastroenteritis, stool culture, diarrhea, COVID pandemic.</p>Khalef LefsihYasmine CherifiNesrine CherfiDyhia Lakrouz
Copyright (c) 2023 Khalef Lefsih, Yasmine Cherifi, Nesrine Cherfi, Dyhia Lakrouz
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2023-12-152023-12-1581714615510.51745/najfnr.7.16.146-155