Biological effect of pomegranate polyphenols on the components of metabolic syndrome: implications on oxidative stress

Nar (Punica granatum, L) je jedan od najstarijih jestivih plodova koji se koristi u prevenciji i lečenju od davnina. Različiti delovi biljke, kao što su plod, seme, kora i lišće, sadrže bioaktivne sastojke za koje se navodi da poseduju lekovita i terapeutska svojstva. Međumnogobrojnimbioaktivnimkomponentama u naru, polifenoli predstavljaju najvažniju grupumolekula sa pozitivnimefektomna zdravlje. Hipoglikemijski, hipolipemijski, hipotenzivni i anti-oksidativni efekat polifenola nara potvrđen je u brojnimstudijama. Ovaj pregledni rad ima za cilj da predstavi najnovija istraživanja o strukturi i biološkoj aktivnosti komponenata nara i njihovompotencijalnom korisnom efektu u terapiji bolesti povezanih sa metaboličkim sindromom.Pomegranate (Punica granatum, L) is one of the oldest edible fruits used in prevention and treatment. Various parts of the plant, such as fruit, seeds, bark, and leaves, contain bioactive ingredients that possess medicinal and therapeutic properties. Among the many bioactive components in pomegranate, polyphenols are the most important group of molecules with a positive effect on health. The hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, and anti-oxidative effects of pomegranate polyphenols have been confirmed in numerous studies. The aim of this review is to present the latest research on the structure and activity of bioactive components of pomegranate and their potential beneficial effect in the treatment of diseases related to metabolic syndrome

REVERSE ENGINEERING OF THE HUMAN FIBULA BY USING METHOD OF ANATOMICAL FEATURES

This paper describes reverse engineering (RE) of human fibula, on right male bone, using the method of anatomical features (MAF) with the aim to obtain 3D surface model. The first step in the process of reverse engineering was CT scanning and digitalization of data. CT data were obtained with Toshiba MSCT scanner Aquillion 64 and saved in DICOM format. This data were subjected to further processing and imported in Computer Aided Design (CAD) program as STL file. The process continues in CAD program with identification and determination of Referential Geometrical Entities (RGEs) which are crucial for RE process. These RGEs are the basis for definition of axis and planes of intersection. Intersecting polygonal model of fibula bone on upper and lower extremities and the body with these planes gives as result set of curves, which were used for points determination on them. Through these points splines were pulled, and with loft function surface models of extremities and the body of fibula bone is built. Joining and merging of these models leaded to 3D shape model of fibula bone. Accuracy of the model is confirmed by conducting distance and deviation analysis. Model is suitable for rapid prototyping, reconstruction missing parts of fibula bone, orthopedic training and simulation

Monitoring of the Surface Ozone Concentrations in the Western Banat Region

This paper presents the results of measuring the concentrations of ozone, VOCs (benzene, toluene, m- and p-xylene, o-xylene and ethylbenzene), nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2 and NOx), CO, H2S, SO2 and PM10 in the ambient air in parallel with recording the meteorological parameters: temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction during the year 2009. The measurements were performed at the measuring station located within an agricultural area near the city of Zrenjanin (Serbian Banat, Serbia). The results are presented in this paper as average values in winter and summer vs. time of day, and as average daily values vs. measurement date. Several correlations of the ozone concentration vs. atmospheric observables were made, together with Principal Component Analysis. The statistical analysis of the obtained data, based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), led to result that 80.87 % of the variance in the measured values could be described with five factors. A high level of intercorrelation of VOCs, NOx and CO was determined. These pollutants were all grouped in factor 1, which described 42.85 % of variances of the measured values. According to the VOCs/NOx and VOCs/CO ratios (which were 0.26 and 0.029, respectively), it was determined that production of tropospheric ozone is a VOCs sensitive process for the investigated region

Interactions of Different Urolithins With Bovine Serum Albumin

Backgound/Objectives: Urolithins (UROs) are the metabolites derived from the gut microbial action on ellagitannins and ellagic acid-rich foods. Following their absorption in the intestine, UROs are transported through the systemic circulation to various tissues where they can express their biological function as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agents. In addition to blood plasma, where they can be found as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, they are also found in urine. Therefore, the interactions of UROs with serum proteins are of great clinical interest. Methods: A powerful technique for examining these urolithin-serum protein interactions is fluorescence spectroscopy. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is a particularly suitable model protein because it is readily available, affordable, and similar to human serum albumin. This work aimed to study the binding of UROs (urolithin A, UROA and urolithin B, UROB) and their glucuronide conjugates (UROAG and UROBG) to BSA by quenching the intrinsic fluorescence of protein. Results: The spectra obtained showed that the binding process is influenced by the polyphenol's structure and the conjugation process with the glucuronide. The calculated Stern Vollmer binding constants (Ksv): UROA and UROB Ksv were 59236 ± 5706 and 69653 ± 14922, respectively, while for UROAG and UROBG, these values were 15179 ± 2770 and 9462 ± 1955, respectively, which showed that the binding affinity decreased with glucuronidation. Molecular docking studies confirmed that all of the studied molecules will bind favorably to BSA. The preferential binding site for both UROs and UROGs is Sudlow I, while UROs will also bind to Sudlow II. URO-Gs can bind to BSA in the cleft region with lower binding scores than for the Sudlow I binding site. Conclusion: The aglycone's higher hydrophobicity increases the binding affinity to BSA, thus reducing its bioavailability in the blood

Use of high-fat high-fructose diet for a model of metabolic syndrome in Wistar rats: challenges remain

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global public health challenge and one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Its pandemic prevalence created a demand for developing a relevant model system for deep insight into the molecular basis of MetS. Animal models, especially Wistar rats, are commonly used for that purpose. However, there are no standardized protocols in terms of the diet, strain, or age of rats used for the development of MetS. Studies have mostly used a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet in Wistar rats but have reported inconsistent results; thus the main aim of this study was to examine the effects of the HFHF diet on inducing MetS in Wistar rats. We used two different sub-strains of Wistar rats – Hannover and Kyoto – of two different age groups (8 weeks and 4 months). Animals were placed on a modified diet, standard chow diet enriched with 25% fat and 20% fructose. Following 8 weeks of treatment, all groups were tested for indicators of MetS and the treatment was extended to 16 weeks for groups that developed some of the required parameters. None of the tested groups developed MetS after 16 weeks of HFHF diet, suggesting that the HFHF diet is not sufficient to develop at least three out of five (visceral obesity, high fasting glucose, high triglyceride, low HDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure) needed parameters. Based on our results, the addition of some pharmacological agents (e.g., cholic acid) is necessary for establishing a rat model system of MetS

Eating behaviors and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: Experiences of breast cancer patients on adjuvant hormonal therapy

Background/Aim. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a strict lockdown in Serbia, the population has experienced drastic lifestyle changes. Physical distancing, self-isolation, limited availability of essential food products, and the stress related to the availability of therapy during the pandemic particularly affected the lives of vulnerable groups, such as breast cancer (BrC) patients. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in eating behaviors and physical activity of postmenopausal BrC patients on adjuvant hormonal therapy under the COVID-19 lockdown conditions. Methods. This observational retrospective pre-post cohort study included 32 women treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) who responded to telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire aims to collect data on eating habits (intake of certain foods on a daily/weekly basis, as well as changes in the usual choice of food), intake of supplements, changes in weight, and physical activity before and during the lockdown. Results. The results showed that, due to problems in obtaining groceries, the patients cooked and consumed homemade sweets and fruit more often (47% of the respondents), while fewer (31%) consumed fresh fish. Nearly 41% of patients reported increased food intake, and 88% reported decreased physical activity, which led to an increase in body weight in as many as 47% of subjects. The intake of supplements was doubled. Conclusion. The COVID-19 lockdown with home confinement exacerbated health risks and affected dietary patterns and physical activity, which may have had a negative impact on the long-term health of BrC patients treated with AIs

Mechanical CPR

INTRODUCTION: High-quality chest compressions as a basic measure of the revival of the heart aims to ensure continued flow of blood through the body and maintains the function of vital organs . Maintaining the circulation can be performed by manual and mechanical chest compression, using AUTOPULSE and LUCAS. Autopulse is used in the emergency department since 2008. OBJECTIVE: To show the advantage of mechanical compression of the thorax in relation to manual. RESULTS: Mechanical CPR increases the quality of the compression, allows continuous compression, as the duration of the compression and decompression, and thus provides a greater flow of blood to the brain and heart. It offers the same quality for all patients over time, regardless of traffic conditions, fatigue or experience of the person performing compressions. Mechanical CPR allows defibrillation during compression of the heart, replacing one member of the team and the possibility of compression during transport. The application of mechanical chest compression is contraindicated in children, pregnant women, trauma and extremely obese patients. Manual and also automatic compression of the thorax leads to complications such as fracture of the last ribs, fractured vertebrae, and skin abrasions and so on. CONCLUSION: The use of mechanical chest compression achieves better quality in reanimation. Great importance is that it can be used during transport of the patient, and that it can replace one member of the team during performing CPR

Out of hospital cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary reanimation: Our experience

INTODUCTION: The aim of this study was toanalyse frequency of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), demographics and outcomes in patients who were resuscitated by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Subotica teams in 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study in which data of EMS Subotica from January1, 2013toDecember 31, 2013 , were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2013, resuscitation was attempted in 83 OHCA events. 60.2% of persons who experienced OHCA were male. The youngest patient was 26 years old, the oldest 88 years old. 67.5% of arrests occurred at home. Cardiopulmonary reanimation (CPR) was attempted in 5 patients (6%) during transport, because of diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation, to Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Sremska Kamenica. Average reaction time of our EMS teams was 5 minutes and 10 seconds. Month with the highest number of OHCA events was April. Ventricular fibrillation was initialrhythm in 42.2% of events, ventricular tachycardia without pulse in 6%, asystole in 42.2% and pulse less electrical activity (PEA) in 9.6%. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved in 39.8% of OHCA events. Only 6% of patients received bystander CPR. CONCLUSION: As majority of OHCA events occurs in home setting, education of community members in basic life support skills is necessary

Effects of Brown Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) Supplementation on Enteric Methane Emissions, Metabolic Status and Milk Composition in Peak-Lactating Holstein Cows

The dairy industry contributes significantly to anthropogenic methane emissions, which have an impact on global warming. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a dietary inclusion of brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum on enteric methane emissions (EMEs), hematological and blood biochemical profiles, and milk composition in dairy cows. Eighteen Holstein cows were divided into three groups: CON (non-supplemented cows), BS50 (50 mL of 10% A. nodosum), and BS100 (100 mL of 10% A. nodosum). In each cow, measurements of EME, dry matter intake (DMI), and milk yield (MY), as well as blood and milk sampling with respective analyzes, were performed before supplementation (P1), after 15 (P2) days, and after 30 (P3) days of supplementation. A. nodosum reduced (p < 0.05) methane production, methane yield, and methane intensity in both BS50 and BS100, and raised DMI (p < 0.05) only in BS50. Total bilirubin (p < 0.05) was higher in BS50 compared to CON cows in P2, and triacylglycerols were lower (p < 0.05) in BS50 than in CON cows in P3. Higher milk fat content was found in BS50 than in CON cows in P3. C16:0 proportions were higher (p < 0.05) in BS50 and BS100 than in CON cows, while C18:3n-3 was higher (p < 0.05) in BS100 than in BS50 and CON cows in P3. Dietary treatment with A. nodosum reduced EMEs and showed the potential to increase DMI and to improve energy status as well as milk composition in peak-lactating dairy cows

Methane Emission and Metabolic Status in Peak Lactating Dairy Cows and Their Assessment Via Methane Concentration Profile

Ruminant husbandry contributes to global methane (CH4) emissions and beside its negative impact on the environment, enteric CH4 emissions cause a loss of gross energy intake in cows. The study is aimed to estimate CH4 emission and metabolic status in dairy cows via the methane concentration profile as a tool for analyzing the CH4 production pattern. The study included eighteen cows whose enteric CH4 emission was measured during three consecutive days in three periods: 2 hours before (P1), 2-4 hours (P2) and 6-8 hours (P3) after the morning feeding. Based on CH4 enteric emissions, cows were divided into two groups (n=6, respectively): HM (average CH4 concentration: 5430.08 ± 365.92 ppm) and LM (average CH4 concentration: 1351.85 ± 205.20 ppm). Following CH4 measurement, on day 3, venous blood was sampled to determine the indicators of the metabolic status. HM cows had significantly higher average CH4 concentrations, maximum and average CH4 peak amplitude than LM cows in all measuring periods (P1-P3), while the number of CH4 peaks tended to be higher in HM than in LM cows in P2. There were no differences in the maximum and average CH4 peak width and average distance among two CH4 peaks between examined groups of cows. HM cows had significantly higher total protein concentrations and significantly lower total bilirubin and NEFA concentrations than LM cows. In conclusion, HM cows have a greater number of eructations and release more CH4 per eructation than LM cows, hence the differences in metabolic status are most likely related to the differences in their liver function