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Polyphenol-rich black currant and cornelian cherry juices ameliorate metabolic syndrome induced by a high-fat high-fructose diet in Wistar rats
Get PDFDiets high in fat and sugar lead to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related chronic diseases. We investigated the effects of commercially available, cold-pressed polyphenol-rich black currant (BC) and cornelian cherry (CC) juices on the prevention of MetS in Wistar rats induced by a 10-weeks high-fat high-fructose (HFF) diet. Juice consumption, either BC or CC, with a HFF diet resulted in lower serum triglycerides compared to only the HFF consumption. Both juices also mitigated the effects of HFF on the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue, by preserving liver and pancreas histomorphology and reducing visceral fat and adipocyte size. Furthermore, supplementation with both juices reduced glucagon and up-regulated insulin expression in the pancreas of the rats on the HFF diet, whereas the BC also showed improved glucose regulation. BC juice also reduced the expression of IL-6 and hepatic inflammation compared to the group only on HFF diet. Both juices, especially BC, could be a convenient solution for the prevention of MetS in humans
Comparative evaluation of tableting properties of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from wheat and corn crop residues
No full textINTRODUCTION
Crop residues (CRs) represent a resource that is available in
virtually unlimited quantities, but still the largest part
remains unused. Unfortunately, CRs are usually burned in
the field, which causes air pollution, contributes to global
warming by emitting greenhouse gasses, hinders nutrient
recycling, and negatively affects soil microbes through
overheating and carbon loss [1]. One of the most important
value-added components that can be isolated from CRs is
microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a common excipient in
tablet formulation. In this study, a comparative evaluation
of tableting properties of MCC obtained from wheat and
corn CRs by different chemical treatment was performed. ..
Omega-3 (n-3) Fatty Acid-Statin Interaction: Evidence for a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Get PDFManaging atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) often involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medications aiming to decrease the risk of cardiovascular outcomes, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. The aim of this article is to discuss possible omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid–statin interactions in the prevention and treatment of ASCVD and to provide evidence to consider for clinical practice, highlighting novel insights in this field. Statins and n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) are commonly used to control cardiovascular risk factors in order to treat ASCVD. Statins are an important lipid-lowering therapy, primarily targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while n-3 fatty acids address triglyceride (TG) concentrations. Both statins and n-3 fatty acids have pleiotropic actions which overlap, including improving endothelial function, modulation of inflammation, and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Thus, both statins and n-3 fatty acids potentially mitigate the residual cardiovascular risk that remains beyond lipid lowering, such as persistent inflammation. EPA and DHA are both substrates for the synthesis of so-called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), a relatively recently recognized feature of their ability to combat inflammation. Interestingly, statins seem to have the ability to promote the production of some SPMs, suggesting a largely unrecognized interaction between statins and n-3 fatty acids with relevance to the control of inflammation. Although n-3 fatty acids are the major substrates for the production of SPMs, these signaling molecules may have additional therapeutic benefits beyond those provided by the precursor n-3 fatty acids themselves. In this article, we discuss the accumulating evidence that supports SPMs as a novel therapeutic tool and the possible statin–n-3 fatty acid interactions relevant to the prevention and treatment of ASCVD
Thrombocytopenia risks in ARDS COVID-19 patients treated with high-dose linezolid during vvECMO therapy: an observational study
No full textPatients treated with ECMO are at great risk of nosocomial infections, and around 10% of isolates are gram-positive pathogens. Linezolid (LZD) is effective in the treatment of these infections but appropriate dosing is challenging. The aim was to evaluate the occurrence of thrombocytopenia during ECMO when treated with LZD. An LZD trough concentration of 8 mg/L was set as the cutoff value for thrombocytopenia occurrence among critically ill patients who received parenteral LZD therapy at a dose of 600 mg every 8 h during ECMO. Eleven patients were included in this prospective observational study. Median LZD trough concentrations were 7.85 (interquartile range (IQR), 1.95-11) mg/L. Thrombocytopenia was found in 81.8% of patients. Based on the median LZD trough concentrations cutoff value, patients were divided into two groups, 1.95 (IQR, 0.91–3.6) and 10.3 (IQR, 9.7–11.7) mg/L, respectively. Median platelet values differed significantly between groups on admission, ECMO day 0, ECMO day 1, and LZD sampling day [194 and 152.5, (p < 0.05)], [113 and 214, (p < 0.05)], [76 and 147.5, (p < 0.01)], and [26 and 96.5, (p < 0.01)], respectively. Duration of LZD therapy was similar between the groups. Significant platelet reduction was observed in both groups, emphasizing the need for closer monitoring to prevent LZD-associated thrombocytopenia
Carbonization of Invasive Plant Species—Novel Route for Removal of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients via Adsorption
No full textThe development of efficient adsorbents for sustainable adsorption processes is required in environmental studies. Here, we propose using carbonized Ailanthus altissima leaves as a novel adsorbent, derived from invasive species that threaten biodiversity. Biochar was prepared by pyrolysis at 500 °C, activated with ZnCl2 and tested for the target adsorbates—active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). A range of characterization techniques were employed—FTIR, SEM, XPS and Raman spectroscopy—and the adsorption of representative APIs was analyzed. The adsorption kinetics revealed that the adsorbent reached equilibrium within a 3 h period. The adsorption capacities for the selected model substances ranged from 59 mg g−1 for atenolol to 112 mg g−1 for paracetamol, while the highest values were recorded for ketorolac and tetracycline at over 130 mg g−1. The excellent retention is ascribed to the developed surface area, the availability of oxygen surface functional groups and the aromatization of the biochar. The proposed biochar, which is obtained in a sustainable process, proves to be a highly efficient adsorbent for selected pharmaceuticals
The Bray–Liebhafsky Oscillatory Reaction as a Chemosensor for Benzenediols
No full textBenezediols are widely used in different areas of industry, thus identification and quantification of benzenediols is of utmost importance due to their toxicity and high environmental abundance. In this work, benzenediol isomers (pyrocatechol, resorcinol, and hydroquinone) were investigated by using the Bray–Liebhafsky (BL) oscillatory reaction. All three isomers exhibit different behavior in the BL reaction, which renders the BL system applicable as a chemosensor. The period between the fifth and sixth oscillation, the amplitude of the sixth oscillation and in the case of hydroquinone, the emergence of a new oscillation in the BL reaction were selected as the parameters used for the identification and quantification of these isomers. Furthermore, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and DFT calculations were performed in order to provide insights into the mechanism of benzenediols reactions with the BL system
Recommendations on the use of artificial intelligence in health promotion
No full textThe purpose of this perspective is to provide recommendations on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in health promotion. To arrive at these recommendations, we followed a 6-step process. The first step was to recruit an international authorship team from the Healthy Living for Pandemic Event Protection (HL- PIVOT) network. This enabled us to achieve an international perspective with insights from Canada, Great Britain, Kenya, Italy, and the US. A philosophical inquiry was conducted addressing 5 questions. What should the relationship be between humans and AI in health promotion? How can the public and professionals trust AI? How can we ensure AI is aligned with our values? How can we ensure the ethical use of data by AI? How can we control AI? 4 hypothetical scenarios were also developed to provide perspectives on: i) Artificial ‘Versus’ Human Intelligence; ii) AI Empowerment in Self-Care; iii) Could AI Improve Patient Provider Relationship; and iii) The Kenyan Cancer Patient at the Height of a Pandemic. Based on the philosophical inquiry and the scenarios 11 recommendations are made by the HL-PIVOT on the use of AI in health promotion. The golden thread running through these recommendations is a human centric approach. The recommendations begin by suggesting that workforce planning should take account of AI. They conclude with the statement that any serious incidents involving an AI in Health Promotion should be reported to the relevant regulatory authority
Antioxidant potential of dihidroqercetin alone and in combination with biochaga in vitro
No full textFree radicals, which continuously arise from normal mitochondrial function or exposure to external toxins, play a significant
role in the development and progression of various diseases. Antioxidants with low molecular weight, which are non-enzymatic,
can be obtained through dietary sources. Dihydroquercetin, also known as taxifolin (3,5,7,3,4-pentahydroxyflavanone), is a
flavonoid that exhibits promising properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Additionally, it
has a strong ability to modulate and prevent oxidative stress, cardiovascular issues, and liver diseases. Another natural remedy is
the edible medicinal mushroom Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), which has been used for centuries to treat various health conditions.
Chaga displays antitumor, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and antigenotoxic effects. To assess
their antioxidant capabilities, we measured the scavenging activity of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), the total antioxidant
activity using FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power), and the scavenging capacity for hydroxyl radicals. When tested alone,
dihydroquercetin (DHQ) demonstrated excellent reducing power (IC50=0.3216 mg/mL). When combined with Biochaga (B), the
synergistic effect resulted in strong reducing power (IC50=0.531 mg/mL). DHQ also exhibited moderate DPPH radical scavenging
activity (IC50=0.169 mg/mL), while the combination of DHQ and B showed very strong inhibition of DPPH (IC50=0.105 mg/
mL). Furthermore, DHQ effectively scavenged hydroxyl radicals (IC50 =2.501 mg/mL), with the combination of DHQ and B
demonstrating moderate activity (IC50=8.475 mg/mL). In summary, these investigated substances fall into the category of radical
scavengers, efficiently neutralising hydroxyl radicals for which the body’s natural antioxidant defences may be insufficient.52nd European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EEMGS) & 15th International Comet Assay Workshops (ICAW) meeting, Rovinj, Croatia, 23rd – 27th September 2024, Abstract
Activated Charcoal-Alginate Platform for Simultaneous Local Delivery of Bioactive Agents: At the Nexus of Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Zn2+ Ions
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat that affects cancer patients more than the general population. In this work, a composite system based on Zn-alginate hydrogel and activated charcoal (AC) particles that, upon contact with physiological fluids, simultaneously releases bioactive agents (Zn2+ and AC particles impregnated with povidone–iodine) was designed to locally address specific problems characteristic for malignant wounds (MWs). This composite was comprehensively investigated in vitro regarding its morphology (field-emission scanning electron microscopy), Zn2+ release (flame atomic absorption spectrometry), iodine adsorption and desorption from AC particles (energy dispersive X-ray analysis and UV–visible spectroscopy) as well as its antimicrobial and antitumor activity. With respect to the ongoing AMR crises, antimicrobial activity was tested against a wide range of wild multi-drug resistant bacterial and yeast strains, all isolated from patient wounds. Since Zn2+ ions proved to be selectors of resistant strains of bacteria, the synergistic activity of AC particles and adsorbed iodine was shown to be crucial for excellent antibacterial activity. On the other hand, the synergy of AC particles and Zn2+ ions showed an equally strong antifungal effect. In addition, antimicrobial concentrations of Zn2+ ions showed cytotoxic activity against two cancer cell lines derived from cancers affecting skin either as metastatic cancer (breast cancer MDA-MB-453 cell line) or primary cancer of the skin (malignant melanoma Fem-X cell line), which enables Zn2+ ions to be further investigated as potent local agents targeting malignant cells
Translation, adaptation and psychometric testing of the Digital Health Technology Literacy Assessment Questionnaire (DHTL-AQ) in the Serbian language
No full textBackground: The use of digital health technologies (DHTs), systems that use computing platforms, connectivity, software, and/or sensors for health care and related uses, is rapidly increasing. Assessing literacy in this area may be challenging given the absence of comprehensive instruments, especially those dedicated to health care professionals. The digital health technology literacy assessment questionnaire (DHTL-AQ) is a 34-item instrument that assesses an individual’s ability to use DHTs, services, and data. Aim: To translate and culturally adapt the DHTL-AQ and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Serbian version. Method: The DHTL-AQ English version was translated into Serbian, back-translated, and adapted via expert consensus discussion. Pilot testing was conducted among a population of community pharmacists. To gather evidence of initial validity, the culturally adapted version was tested in the same population as the pilot. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha (Cα), and a test–retest methodology for temporary stability. Validity was explored through factor analysis. Results: A pilot study (n = 22) included linguistic and cultural adjustments, confirming the item comprehensibility. The final Serbian DHTL-AQ consists of 5 questions and 25 items. The psychometric analysis (n = 162) indicated, satisfactory internal consistency (Cα = 0.822) and temporal stability (ICC = 0.981). Factor analysis identified 3 factors that explained 52% of the total variance, reducing the number of factors to 3 compared with 4 into the original questionnaire. Conclusion: The culturally adapted DHTL-AQ Serbian version demonstrated strong psychometric properties. Practical application can support the development and implementation of customized education and training programs and new DHT-related services that pharmacists can offer patients