Four samples of Tunisian virgin olive oils of Chetoui, Chemlali, Chemchali and Oueslati varieties were analyzed for their chemical and fatty acid, total chlorophyll, total polyphenol and total aroma contents. The results showed that Chetoui was the most pigmented oil (4.45 ppm) and Oueslati oil contained the smallest amount of total chlorophylls (1.29 ppm). The Chetoui oil had the highest amount (94.37 ppm) of total polyphenols, while the Oueslati had the lowest amount (65.5 ppm). Furthermore, the Chemchali oil contained the highest level of total aroma (55.49 µg/mL of oil), followed by the Chemlali, Chetoui and Oueslati oils. The Chetoui oil was characterized by the highest level of oleic acid (70.9%) in contrast to the Chemlali, which had the lowest level of this fatty acid (58.6%). In addition, the highest level of palmitic acid characterizes the oil Chemlali (19.7%), whereas the Chetoui had the lowest (9.1%).

Lipid accumulation during formation and ripening of safflower seeds by plants cultivated in the north‐west of Tunisia was evaluated. The results obtained showed an increase in oil content and total lipids. At the level of fatty acids, seed replenishment resulted mainly in an increase in the rate and the amounts of linoleic acid (C18:2), the major fatty acid identified in seeds (75% of total fatty acids). The ripening process of safflower seeds was also characterized by an increase in the content of triacylglycerols (TAG) and a decrease in the diacylglycerols (DAG), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidic acid (PA) contents. To explain these results, the hypothesis of TAG biosynthesis from PC and PA via DAG was advanced and discussed. Finally, ripening of safflower seeds was characterized by a decrease in the amounts of main galactolipids, indicating a decrease of the photosynthetic activity in storage tissues.

Brown tumors (BTs) are relatively uncommon but they are serious complications of renal osteodystrophy. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics of 16 patients with BTs provoked by secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) and its response to the decrease in parathyroid hormone levels after parathyroidectomy (PTX). The management of that uncommon condition was also reviewed. We conducted a retrospective study including 16 end-stage renal disease patients who underwent subtotal PTX between 1997 and 2007 for severe sHPT with BTs. Our study included 10 men and 6 women, whose average age was 34 years. All patients were on dialysis. Ten of them were on dialysis for more than 5 years. The median duration on dialysis was 84 months. Patients included suffered from swellings associated with functional limitations. BTs had multiple locations in 7 patients. Jaw was the most frequent location (62%). Radiography and tomodensitometry demonstrated a mixed radio lucent and radio-opaque lesions with an expansion of the cortical bone. Bone scan demonstrated an increased uptake of lesions. Chirurgical treatment was indicated in all cases because of severe refractory sHPT with functional limitations and/or disfiguring deformities. In all cases, BTs stopped its progression and even decreased in size. However, it was insufficient in four cases, which required a surgical resection. PTX remains an efficacious approach in resistant cases of sHPT with persistent BTs.

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