Greek Validation of Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents

Aim: In this study, we focused on the Greek validation of the Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents (EES-C). Methods: Our sample consisted of 150 students in primary and secondary school settings from two different areas of Greece. Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and State and Trait Anxiety in Children (STAIC) were also used for validation purposes. Results: The principal component factor analysis for construct validity generated three subscales: eating in response to anger/anxiety, feeling unsettled and depression. The EES-C tool was found with high internal reliability (Cronbach's Alpha 0.917). Conclusions: EES-C is a valid and reliable instrument to detect the emotional eating in children and adolescents in Greece

Antitumor activity of Neem leaf Extract and Nimbolide on Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma Cells in Mice

Background: Azadirachta indica (Neem) has been used traditionally for many centuries. Some impressive therapeutic qualities have been discovered. Aim: Our study aims to investigate the in vivo antitumor and antioxidant activities of Ethanolic Neem Leaf Extract (ENLE) and its fraction called Nimbolide, a limonoid present in leaves and flowers of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica). Also, to study the side effects of the ethanolic Neem leaf extract and Nimbolide fraction on the liver and kidney. Materials & Methods: We assessed the effect of nimbolide and ethanolic Neem leaves extract (ENLE) on replicative lifespan prolongation in vitro and on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Caspase-3, and Cytochrome c. Also, our study estimated their effect on Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Total Protein (TP), Albumin (Alb), bilirubin, urea and creatinine. Results: Ethanolic neem leaves extract and nimbolide resulted in increases in replicative lifespan. Also, they showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide and an increase in catalase, glutathione peroxidase, caspase-3 activities, and cytochrome c concentration. Hence, it may be possible that Nimbolide and ENLE decrease lipid peroxidation level due to their antioxidant effect and enhance apoptosis. The Neem leaves extract and nimbolide showed no side effects on liver and kidney. Also, they showed a significant protection for both liver and kidney histopathologically

Stress Management in Women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: Stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), nevertheless evidence is scarce regarding the effect of stress management on individuals suffering from HT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of an 8-week stress management intervention on the anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of women with HT. Secondary endpoints included the effect on the patients’ lifestyle, body mass index (BMI), depression, anxiety and stress. Methods: This was a two-arm parallel group (stress management intervention vs. standard care groups) randomized controlled study. Adult women with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depression and lifestyle, at the beginning of the programme and 8 weeks later. Laboratory thyroid function tests (anti-TPO, anti-TG antibodies and TSH) were also measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: A total of 60 women with HT, aged 25-76 years, participated in the study (30 patients in each group). After eight weeks, patients in the intervention group demonstrated statistically significant beneficial decrements in the rate change of anti-TG titers and the levels of stress, depression and anxiety as well as better lifestyle scores, compared to the control group.   

Potential interference of aluminum chlorohydrate with estrogen receptor signaling in breast cancer cells

Aluminum salts are widely used as the active antiperspirant in underarm cosmetic. Experimental observations indicate that its long term application may correlate with breast cancer development and progression. This action is proposed to be attributed, among others, to aluminum possible estrogen-like activities. In this study we showed that aluminum, in the form of aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH), caused increase in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein levels, in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells. This effect was accompanied by moderate activation of Estrogen Response Elements (ERE)-driven reporter gene expression and 20%-50% increase in certain estrogen responsive, ERE-independent genes expression. Genes affected were ERα, p53, cyclin D1, and c-fos, crucial regulators of breast cancer development and progression. ACH-induced genes expression was eliminated in the presence of the estrogen antagonist: ICI 182780, in MCF-7 cells, whereas it was not observed in ERα-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, indicating aluminum interference with estrogen signaling. Moreover, ACH caused increase in the perinuclear localization of estrogen receptor alpha in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and increase in the mitochondrial Bcl-2 protein, possibly affecting receptors-mediated mitochondrial actions and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. ACH-induced perinuclear localization of estrogen receptor beta was also observed in MDA-MB-231. Our findings indicate that aluminum actions on estrogen receptors protein level and subcellular localization possibly affect receptors-mediated actions and thus, aluminum interference with estrogen signaling

Impact of a stress management program on weight loss, mental health and lifestyle in adults with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

Aim: To evaluate the impact of a stress management program on weight loss, depression, anxiety and stress as well as on the adoption of healthy lifestyle in adults with obesity. Methods: Adults with obesity who sought help for weight loss at a medical obesity clinic were consecutively enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. All participants received standard instructions for a healthy lifestyle. The intervention group attended an 8-week stress management program that comprised diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided visualization and instructions about healthy nutrition/dietary habits. Anthropometric parameters were assessed and several questionnaires were completed by all participants, at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results: A total of 45 adults (mean age±SD 45.7±10.55 years) with obesity were enrolled in the study; 22 in the intervention group and 23 in the control group. Participants in the two groups were matched for age and BMI. Participants in the intervention group achieved a significantly larger reduction in BMI compared to the control group (ΔBMI -3.1 vs. -1.74 kg/m2 respectively, P<0.001). In addition, they displayed ameliorated depression and anxiety scores and a reduction in the health locus of control based on chance

Introducing Thetis: a comprehensive suite for event detection in molecular dynamics

A suite of computer programs has been developed under the general name Thetis, for monitoring structural changes during molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on proteins. Conformational analysis includes estimation of structural similarities during the simulation and analysis of the secondary structure with emphasis on helices. In contrast to available freeware dealing with MD snapshots, Thetis can be used on a series of consecutive MD structures, thus allowing a detailed conformational analysis over the time course of the simulation

Mannose-rich guar gum nanoparticles as a novel therapeutic drug against inflammatory diseases

The potential to deliver nanoparticles, like polymer-based nanoparticles that can be enriched with functional groups to ensure entry into cells, directly into targeted cells is important for the therapy of inflammatory diseases. Plant-derived nanoparticles, with inherent anti-inflammatory activity and modified to allow receptor-mediated uptake, can be used as effective therapy with minimal side effects. The particle used in this study is an edible polysaccharide, derived from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, with a galactomannan component. The particle was made mannose-rich to increase specificity towards cells expressing mannose receptors, and initially tagged with rhodamine isothiocyanate to trace its path. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of the guar gum nanoparticle (GN) in vitro and in vivo in inflammatory diseases. In vitro studies on RAW 264.7 cells showed successful uptake of the nanoparticle, in a short duration of time, via their mannose receptors. Nitric oxide and MTS assays showed anti-inflammatory effects of GN. In vivo mouse model of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis showed significant decrease in inflammation, indicating its anti-inflammatory effect, and increase in clonogenic potential, indicating its regenerative potential, on intraperitoneal administration of GN. The results reflect the potential of the nanoparticle in cellular trafficking, site- specific drug delivery and bioimaging applications

Overexpression of human DKK1 via rAAV vector-mediated gene transfer stimulates chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Enhancing the chondroregenerative activities of mesenchymal stem cells via therapeutic gene transfer as reinforced sources of implantable cells in sites of cartilage injury is a promising tool to improve the natural processes of cartilage repair. In the present study, we show that overexpression of the Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) via clinically adapted recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vectors is capable of significantly stimulating proliferative, anabolic, and chondrodifferentiation events in primary human mesenchymal stem cells compared with control (reporter rAAV lacZ) transduction over an extended period of time in vitro (21 days). Strikingly, administration of the rAAV DKK1 candidate vector concomitantly restrained unwanted osteogenic and hypertrophic differentiation outcomes in these cells. These findings reveal the possible future benefits of such an approach to treat articular cartilage lesions in relevant experimental models in vivo