A linear solvation energy relationship analysis of selected imidazoline derivatives in reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography

A linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) analysis of 19 selected imidazoline derivatives was performed using retention data obtained from four different thin-layer chromatography (TLC) systems with the same mobile phase consisting of methanol‒water‒ammonia and with different polarities of the stationary phase (CN, RP2, RP8, and RP18). Stepwise multiple linear regression and partial least square regression were applied to examine the most significant Abraham’s descriptors affecting retention under the investigated conditions. The results obtained showed that the Abraham descriptors with the most significant contribution to the retention mechanism in all studied TLC systems were molecular volume (V) and solute basicity (B), with V having a positive influence and B a negative influence on retention. All models created met very strict internal and external validation criteria, indicating their high reliability in predicting the retention behavior of compounds containing the imidazoline scaffold. Furthermore, correlation studies between retention data and pharmacokinetic properties, such as volume of distribution, rate of brain penetration, and blood‒brain partition coefficient revealed the potential of the examined reversed-phase systems as an alternative biomimetic tool for the rapid profiling of novel imidazoline analogs

Hidden Industrial Trans-Fatty Acids: Mechanistic Insights into Dyslipidemia, Cardiovascular Disease, and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease

Trans-fatty acids (TFAs), particularly industrially produced TFAs (iTFAs), are linked to dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Despite regulatory efforts, “hidden” TFAs persist in processed foods, posing ongoing health risks. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the biochemical and metabolic impacts of the most studied TFAs, focusing on dyslipidemia, CVD, and MASLD, and highlights gaps in research and policy. Available data suggest that iTFAs, which are dominant in modern diets, were associated with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and lipoprotein (a), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), exacerbating atherosclerosis, increasing hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation and driving MASLD progression to fibrosis, whereas ruminant TFAs (rTFAs) showed neutral or beneficial effects. Epigenetic modifications (e.g., DNA methylation, miRNA alterations) induced by TFAs may further worsen metabolic dysfunction. Analytical challenges and inconsistent food labeling make it difficult to assess TFAs intake. Global disparities in TFAs regulations persist, but some regions still exceed recommended limits. Hidden iTFAs represent a critical public health issue, necessitating stricter policies, improved labeling, and consumer education. Future research should prioritize human studies on TFA-induced epigenetic changes and develop healthier fat alternatives. Eliminating residual iTFAs from the food supply is essential to mitigate cardiometabolic risks globally

Treatment of urinary tract infections: study on patients' beliefs and attitudes

The present study investigated patients' opinions and attitudes regarding the use of antibiotics and plant-based products in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The research was conducted as a cross-sectional study, using a validated questionnaire for data collection. The results indicate that the majority of respondents considered antibiotics (74.3%) and plant-based products (87.9%) to be effective in treating UTIs, while approximately half of the participants evaluated plant-based products as being more effective than antibiotics. Additionally, over 50% of respondents believed that plant-based products could be administered concomitantly with other medications. Regarding the treatments used, patients who exhibited UTI symptoms were treated with antibiotics in 63.9% of cases, while 78.6% also used plant-based products. Data analysis revealed that patients who perceived plant-based products as more effective than antibiotics were 40.4% less likely to use antibiotics and 138.2% more likely to opt for plant-based products. Furthermore, positive beliefs regarding the efficacy, safety, and compatibility of concomitant administration with other medications, along with access to adequate information, significantly increased the use of plant-based products.Studiul de față a investigat opiniile și poziția pacienților referitor la utilizarea antibioticelor și a produselor pe bază de plante în tratamentul infecțiilor tractului urinar (ITU). Cercetarea a fost realizată sub forma unui studiu transversal, utilizând un chestionar validat pentru colectarea datelor. Rezultatele indică faptul că majoritatea respondenților au considerat că antibioticele (74,3%) și produsele din plante (87,9%) sunt eficiente în tratamentul ITU, în timp ce aproximativ jumătate dintre participanți au evaluat produsele din plante ca fiind mai eficiente decât antibioticele. De asemenea, peste 50% dintre respondenți au fost de părere că produsele din plante pot fi administrate concomitent cu alte medicamente.În ceea ce privește tratamentele utilizate, pacienții care au prezentat simptome de ITU au fost tratați cu antibiotice în proporție de 63,9%, iar 78,6% dintre aceștia au utilizat și produse din plante. Analiza datelor a evidențiat că pacienții care percep produsele din plante ca fiind mai eficiente decât antibioticele au avut o probabilitate cu 40,4% mai mică de a utiliza antibiotice și cu 138,2% mai mare de a opta pentru produse pe bază de plante. În plus, convingerile pozitive legate de eficacitatea, siguranța și compatibilitatea administrării concomitente cu alte medicamente, alături de accesul la informații adecvate, au determinat o creștere semnificativă a utilizării produselor din plante

Macrophage Inhibitory Factor in Myocardial Oxidative Stress and Inflammation During Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis: Modulation by Betaine

Chronic liver disease is closely associated with impaired cardiovascular function. Cardiac dysfunction is caused in part by oxidative stress and increased levels of proinflammatory and profibrogenic mediators in myocardial tissue. The present study aims to investigate the role of betaine in the modulation of MIF-mediated oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrogenesis in heart during TAA-induced liver fibrosis in mice. The experiment is performed on wild-type and knockout MIF−/− C57BL/6 mice (MIF−/− group). They are randomly divided into groups: Control; Bet-group, received betaine (2% wt/v dissolved in drinking water); MIF−/− mice group; MIF−/−+Bet; TAA-group, treated with TAA (200 mg/kg b.w.), intraperitoneally, 3×/week/8 weeks); TAA+Bet; MIF−/−+TAA, and MIF−/−+TAA+Bet group. After eight weeks of treatment, animals are sacrificed and heart samples are taken to determine oxidative stress parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, profibrogenic factors, and histopathology of myocardial tissue. Our results suggest that MIF contributes significantly to lipid peroxidation of cardiomyocytes, as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress in myocardial tissue in mice with TAA-induced liver fibrosis compared to the control group. In addition, MIF was important for myocardial expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF as well as the profibrogenic mediators TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB in TAA-treated mice. Notably, betaine attenuated MIF effects in myocardial tissue reducing levels of MDA, AOPP, TNF, TGF-β1, PDGF-BB and increasing SOD and catalase activity in the coexistence of liver fibrosis. These results emphasize the potential of betaine as a therapeutic agent in mitigating MIF effects and demonstrate the need for further research into its optimal dosage and efficacy in preventing or slowing down cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis

Izrada oralno-disperzibilnih filmova metodom 3D štampanja ekstruzijom polučvrstog materijala - fleksibilan pristup izradi farmaceutskih oblika

Orodispersible films (ODFs) emerged as a patient-friendly dosage form that is particularly suitable for pediatric therapy, where swallowing difficulties often interfere with adherence to therapy. In this study, the preparation of ODFs using semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing was investigated as an alternative to the conventional solvent casting method. Four hydrophilic polymers – hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyethylene glycol-polyvinyl alcohol graft copolymer (PVA-PEG), maltodextrin (MDX) and sodium alginate (SA) – were used either individually or in binary blends, with caffeine selected as the model active ingredient. Films were printed on an Ultimaker 2+ system and evaluated for uniformity, thickness, porosity, moisture content, mechanical strength, disintegration and drug release. Formulations containing only MDX or PVA-PEG exhibited poor printability due to leakage and spreading, while other systems showed reproducible film deposition and satisfactory dimensional stability. Binary blends generally resulted in increased film thickness. SA-based films showed the lowest porosity and moisture absorption, while HPC films exhibited favorable mechanical properties. The investigated samples achieved rapid disintegration and complete release of the caffeine. These results confirm the potential of SSE 3D printing as a versatile manufacturing platform for customizable ODFs that enable precise dosing and patient-centric design for pediatric drugs.Oralno-disperzibilni filmovi (ODF) predstavljaju farmaceutski oblik posebno pogodan za primenu kod pedijatrijskih pacijenata gde poteškoće pri gutanju često utiču na adherencu. U ovom radu je ispitana mogućnost izrade ODF korišćenjem 3D štampanja metodom ekstruzije polučvrstog materijala (SSE) kao alternativne metode konvencionalnom izlivanja disperzija. Korišćena su četiri hidrofilna polimera - hidroksipropilceluloza (HPC), polietilenglikol-polivinil alkohol graft kopolimer (PVA-PEG), maltodekstrin (MDX) i natrijum-alginat (SA) - pojedinačno ili u binarnim mešavinama, a kofein je izabran kao model aktivna supstanca. Filmovi su štampani korišćenjem 3D štampača Ultimaker 2+ i procenjivana je njihova uniformnost, debljina, porozitet, sadržaj vlage, mehaničke karakteristike, raspadljivost i brzina oslobađanja kofeina iz filmova. Formulacije koje sadrže samo MDX ili PVA-PEG nisu bile pogodne za štampanje usled curenja disperzije iz mlaznica, dok su druge formulacije štampane nanošenjem uniformnih slojeva i imale su zadovoljavajuću strukturnu stabilnost. Binarne mešavine su generalno dovele do povećanja debljine filma. Filmovi izrađani sa SA imali su niske vrednosti poroziteta i sadržaja vlage, dok su HPC filmovi pokazali povoljne mehaničke karakteristike. Ispitani uzorci su se brzo raspadali i imali potpuno oslobađanje kofeina. Dobijeni rezultati potvrđuju potencijal SSE 3D štampe kao fleksibilne metode za izradu ODF koji omogućavaju precizno doziranje i dizajn usmeren na pojedinačnog pacijenta, posebno za pedijatrijske lekove

From Nature to Function: Green Composites Using Camphoric Acid-Based Unsaturated Polyester Resin and Bamboo/Flax Non-Woven Reinforcements

Unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs) were synthesized from camphoric acid and diluted with styrene, partially replaced (up to 30%) by trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA). Rheological tests showed increased but sustainable viscosity due to TMPTA’s higher polarity. These UPRs served as matrices for composites reinforced with non-woven bamboo and flax mats from recycled waste. Mechanical testing revealed that Cf-UPR/TMPTA30 exhibited the highest tensile strength (25.2 MPa) and modulus (0.96 GPa), compared to 18.7 MPa and 0.74 GPa for the styrene-based resin, respectively, attributed to greater cross-link density. Bamboo composites showed lower tensile properties (13.6 MPa) due to random fiber orientation and porosity, while flax-reinforced systems, especially Cf-UPR/TMPTA30–FLAX, reached 42.7 MPa tensile and 95.5 MPa flexural strength, indicating synergy between TMPTA-modified resin and flax fibers. Dynamic-mechanical analysis confirmed stable thermo-mechanical behavior, and water uptake tests showed reduced absorption (by ~10%), suggesting improved fiber/matrix adhesion. SEM images revealed brittle fracture and fiber pull-out in styrene systems, but fiber breakage and ductile textures in TMPTA-based ones, proving better stress transfer. Thermal analysis indicated slightly earlier degradation onset for TMPTA-modified resins but higher char yield in fiber composites. Overall, TMPTA substitution and flax reinforcement enhance the mechanical, interfacial, and thermal properties of bio-based UPRs, supporting sustainable high-performance composites

Утицај сушења, замрзавања и поновног овлаживања на филтрат земљишта у киселим и калцитним земљиштима

This study investigates the impact of drying-rewetting and freezingrewetting events on soil leachate ion composition across two contrasting geochemical settings through a series of controlled laboratory experiments. Dissolution of ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻) in soil leachate was analyzed following rewetting cycles after drying and freezing treatments. Results indicate that variations in leachate ion concentrations are primarily influenced by bedrock type, while drying-rewetting and freezing-rewetting treatments did not significantly impact overall variance. However, some inconsistent differences were observed: higher K⁺ concentrations in calcareous soils and Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ in acidic soils after drying, higher anion concentrations in calcareous soils in both treatment leachates compared to controls. Findings highlight that the effects of drying, freezing, and rewetting are inherently linked to treatment type, ion characteristics, and geochemical conditions

Evaluation of the effects of a diabetes type 2 rat model and semaglutide treatment on the sucrose preference test

Diabetes type 2 (T2D) is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide and can be associated with eating disorders and/or depression. Recent evidence suggests that semaglutide, glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist and antidiabetic drug, may affect appetite, food preference, but also mood, although preclinical data are lacking or conflicting. We therefore investigated the effects of T2D model based on high-fat diet and streptozotocin administration in middle-aged rats and semaglutide treatment on anhedonia or binge eating. Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were fed high-fat or control diet and treated with streptozotocin or vehicle. When T2D model or control was developed, rats were treated or not with semaglutide/solvent. These animals were studied in separate cohorts subjected to behavioral battery including sucrose preference test. The main effects of model, sex and treatment were found to be significant for sucrose preference, with T2D rats, female rats and semaglutide-treated rats, respectively, with the former showing decreased and two latter increased levels compared to respective controls. In addition, the main effects of model and sex showed differences in sucrose intake per 100 g animal body mass (SI), with T2D and female animals, showing decreased and increased levels, respectively, compared to their respective controls. Our results showed that T2D rats had reduced sucrose intake compared to controls, which could be related to anhedonia, and SI seems to be a more appropriate parameter than sucrose preference for this model. Semaglutide treatment had no effect on this parameter, which emphasizes the importance of dietary changes in T2D and warrants further investigation

Deciphering Morris water maze behavior in aging Sprague-Dawley rats: Taking care of age- and sex-specific effects in preclinical research

As aging is recognized as one of the risk factors for cognitive impairment contributing to thedecline in daily functioning in the aging population, its impact should be better assessed and characterizedin preclinical models. Therefore, we investigated the differences in learning and memory behavior in the Morris water maze (MWM) between aging and young adults. 15- and 7-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes were subjected to extended behavioral battery including the MWM. The animals were trained to find the platform for 4 days. Further, probe test was performed in which platform was removed and the animals were allowed to explore MWM. Aging animals covered greater distance than young adults during the training phase. Only young adult males and females covered shorter distance on training day 4 vs day 1. In addition, an interaction between sex and age for distance was observed during the training phase. On training day 2, aging males showed longer latency to find the platform compared to young adult males. Aging and young adult females showed higher percentage of peripheral time than young adult males on the training day 4. In the probe test, the latency to find the platform did not differ between groups, but the young adult females traveled greater distance than the young adult males. In addition, these animals had higher percentage of peripheral time compared to all other groups, except for the young adult males, where the difference was at trend level. Learning deficits in aging animals were partially associated with motor impairments in both sexes and were pronounced in aging males at the beginning of the training phase. Sex-specific differences were reflected in the increased anxiety observed in females, which may also contribute to the reduced learning performance. In the probe test, young adult females showed the hyperactivity characteristic of this age group, but also increased anxiety. The latter was reversed in the aging females, indicating their possible emotional maturation. The complex cognitive behavior in older age, which is influenced by sex, should be taken into account in drug discovery research of dementia and other age-related diseases

Припреме микрокапсула хитосан/натријум-додецил-сулфат: утицај методе припреме

This study aims to compare and analyse the synthesis of microcapsules stabilized with chitosan/sodium dodecyl sulphate complex according to emulsion preparation methods. For this purpose, 20 % oil-in-water emulsions were obtained in two ways: by emulsifying the oil phase in aqueous solution of chitosan and its mixtures with anionic surfactant (“method I”) and by subsequently dropping chitosan into an already prepared emulsion stabilized by anionic surfactant (“method II”). Good stability, positive zeta potential of the emulsions and uniform droplet size distribution obtained with both methods, enabled the preparation of chitosan-based microcapsules which were separated by spray drying and investigated in terms of yield, moisture content, particle mean diameter and size distribution. The results showed a uniform particle size distribution and approximately equal mean diameters of emulsion droplets (≈ 8 µm), i.e., suspension particles (≈ 5µm), while the microcapsule yields and moisture content for method I were 15 and 1.14 %, and for method II were 1.2 and 2.85 %, respectively. These results indicate that method I may be more suitable for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries for the production of chitosan microcapsules with oil content. The study confirmed that small variations in preparation can lead to large changes in the microencapsulation process and microcapsule structure.Циљ овог рада је упоредна анализа микрокапсула стабилизованих комплексом хито- зан/натријум-додецил-сулфат у зависности од методе припреме емулзијa. У том циљу, 20 % емулзије уље у води добијене су на два начина: емулговањем уљне фазе у воденом раствору хитозана и његових смеша са анјонским сурфактантом („метод I”) и накнадним укапавањем хитозана у већ припремљену емулзију стабилизовану помоћу анјонског сурфактанта („метод II”). Добра стабилност, позитиван зета потенцијал и уједначена расподела величина капи емулзија добијених обема методама, омогућили су припрему хитозанских микрокапсула које су издвојене сушењем распршивањем и којима је одређен принос, садржај влаге, средњи пречник и расподела величине честица. Резултати су пока- зали уједначену распподелу честица по величини и приближно једнаке средње пречнике капи емулзија (≈ 8 μm ), односно суспензија (≈ 5 μm), док су приноси микрокапсула и садржај влаге за метод I били 15 и 1,14 %, а за метод II 1,2 и 2,85 %, редом. Добијени резултати указују да метод I може бити погоднији за производњу хитозанских микро- капсула са уљним језгром у фармацеутској и прехрамбеној индустрији. Студија је пока- зала и да мале варијације у припреми могу довести до великих промена у процесу микрокапсулирања и структури микрокпсула