Advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde — the new biological markers of oxidative stress — are elevated in postmenopausal women

Objectives: The aim of the study was to measure advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) as markers for oxidative stress to evaluate cardiovascular risk in pre- and postmenopausal women and to compare the results with malondialde­hyde (MDA) levels. Material and methods: Twenty premenopausal women and 84 naturally postmenopausal patients were enrolled in the study. AOPP and MDA plasma levels were measured. The postmenopausal group was further subdivided into two groups: postmenopausal age of 40–49 and of 50–59 years. AOPP and MDA levels were compared between premenopausal, 40–49 and 50–59 year old menopausal women. Results: Plasma AOPP and MDA levels in postmenopausal women were increased when compared with their premeno­pausal peers (123.83 ± 55.51 μmol/L vs. 61.59 ± 16.42 μmol/L and 6.50 ± 1.05 μmol/L vs. 5.98 ± 0.77 μmol/L; respectively). Mean plasma AOPP levels in the two menopausal age groups were both significantly higher from the premenopausal group (118.64 ± 59.1 μmol/L vs. 61.59 ± 16.42 μmol/L and 132.31 ± 48.97 μmol/L vs. 61.59 ± 16.42 μmol/L; respectively). No significant difference was found in mean AOPP levels between postmenopausal subjects of 40–49 and 50–59 years age (118.64 ± 59.12 μmol/L vs. 132.31 ± 48.97 μmol/L). Mean plasma MDA levels of each of two postmenopausal age groups were both significantly higher from the premenopausal group (6.50 ± 1.04 μmol/L vs. 5.98 ± 0.77 μmol/L and 6.50 ± 1.10 μmol/L vs. 5.98 ± 0.77 μmol/L; respectively). However, no statistically significant difference between the two postmenopausal age groups (6.50 ± 1.04 μmol/L vs. 6.50 ± 1.10 μmol/L) was found. Conclusions: AOPP and MDA levels are elevated in postmenopausal women as compared to their premenopausal peers, suggesting they can be used as markers for cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women

Coenzyme Q10 Reduces Ethanol-Induced Apoptosis in Corneal Fibroblasts

Dilute ethanol (EtOH) is a widely used agent to remove the corneal epithelium during the modern refractive surgery. The application of EtOH may cause the underlying corneal fibroblasts to undergo apoptosis. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of the respiratory chain coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an electron transporter of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and a ubiquitous free radical scavenger, against EtOH-induced apoptosis of corneal fibroblasts. Corneal fibroblasts were pretreated with CoQ10 (10 µM) for 2 h, followed by exposure to different concentrations of EtOH (0.4, 2, 4, and 20%) for 20 s. After indicated incubation period (2–12 h), MTT assay was used to examine cell viability. Treated cells were further assessed by flow cytometry to identify apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the change in mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed using dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate/2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein (DCFH-DA/DCF) assays and flow-cytometric analysis of JC-1 staining, respectively. The activity and expression of caspases 2, 3, 8, and 9 were evaluated with a colorimetric assay and western blot analysis. We found that EtOH treatment significantly decreased the viability of corneal fibroblasts characterized by a higher percentage of apoptotic cells. CoQ10 could antagonize the apoptosis inducing effect of EtOH. The inhibition of cell apoptosis by CoQ10 was significant at 8 and 12 h after EtOH exposure. In EtOH-exposed corneal fibroblasts, CoQ10 pretreatment significantly reduced mitochondrial depolarization and ROS production at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min and inhibited the activation and expression of caspases 2 and 3 at 2 h after EtOH exposure. In summary, pretreatment with CoQ10 can inhibit mitochondrial depolarization, caspase activation, and cell apoptosis. These findings support the proposition that CoQ10 plays an antiapoptotic role in corneal fibroblasts after ethanol exposure

The Application of Revenue Management in Beverage Operations

In recent years, beverage establishments have grown in popularity among millions of people seeking leisure activities, nightlife attractions, and entertainment venues. Despite the prevalence of this well-established industry, beverage establishments have received little academic attention. The present study was designed to compare basic revenue management principles and characteristics with existing beverage establishments and suggest adaptations of those principles in the context of those beverage operations to optimize prices of their food and beverage products and entrance fees. This study involves a qualitative approach based on the interviews with 20 beverage operations managers from the United States and Europe

Interdisciplinary research in tourism

202312 bckwAccepted ManuscriptSelf-fundedPublishedGreen (AAM

Advanced oxidation protein products and malondialdehyde - the new biological markers of oxidative stress - are elevated in postmenopausal women

Objectives: The aim of the study was to measure advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) as markers for oxidative stress to evaluate cardiovascular risk in pre- and postmenopausal women and to compare the results with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Material and methods: Twenty premenopausal women and 84 naturally postmenopausal patients were enrolled in the study. AOPP and MDA plasma levels were measured. The postmenopausal group was further subdivided into two groups: postmenopausal age of 40-49 and of 50-59 years. AOPP and MDA levels were compared between premenopausal, 40-49 and 50-59 year old menopausal women. Results: Plasma AOPP and MDA levels in postmenopausal women were increased when compared with their premenopausal peers (123.83 +/- 55.51 mu mol/L vs. 61.59 +/- 16.42 mu mol/L and 6.50 +/- 1.05 mu mol/L vs. 5.98 +/- 0.77 mu mol/L; respectively). Mean plasma AOPP levels in the two menopausal age groups were both significantly higher from the premenopausal group (118.64 +/- 59.1 mu mol/L vs. 61.59 +/- 16.42 mu mol/L and 132.31 +/- 48.97 mu mol/L vs. 61.59 +/- 16.42 mu mol/L; respectively). No significant difference was found in mean AOPP levels between postmenopausal subjects of 40-49 and 50-59 years age (118.64 +/- 59.12 mu mol/L vs. 132.31 +/- 48.97 mu mol/L). Mean plasma MDA levels of each of two postmenopausal age groups were both significantly higher from the premenopausal group (6.50 +/- 1.04 mu mol/L vs. 5.98 +/- 077 mu mol/L and 6.50 +/- 1.10 mu mol/L vs. 5.98 +/- 0.77 mu mol/L; respectively). However, no statistically significant difference between the two postmenopausal age groups (6.50 +/- 1.04 mu mol/L vs. 6.50 +/- 1.10 mu mol/L) was found. Conclusions: AOPP and MDA levels are elevated in postmenopausal women as compared to their premenopausal peers, suggesting they can be used as markers for cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women