Long-Term Resveratrol Supplementation as a Secondary Prophylaxis for Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, as well as a source of long-term disabilities and huge socioeconomic costs. This study investigates the effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant supplement, on blood pressure, weight status, glucose, and lipid profile in patients who had a stroke in the last 12 months. Two hundred and twenty-eight patients were divided into three groups: group I received only allopathic treatment (control group), while groups II and III received allopathic treatment with a daily supplementation of oral resveratrol (100 and 200 mg, resp.) for 12 months. In all groups, the changes of the studied parameters were monitored at 6 and 12 months from the initial evaluation. In groups II and III, resveratrol induced significant changes (p<0.05) in the blood pressure, body mass index, as well as all parameters of the lipid profile, and glucose (in nondiabetic patients), compared to the control group. The supplementation of the allopathic treatment with resveratrol had a beneficial effect on all monitored parameters, which serve as major risk factors for stroke

Investigations concerning the influence of sports trainings carried out in a protected area (Natura 2000 site) on various physiological and biological parameters for athletes

The study propose a comparative analysis of biochemical and physiological parameters and their dynamics in athletes training in two different locations: the campus stadium in the Oradea University and a protected area- Valea Roşie Natura 2000 site. The research was conducted between 31st of May 2016 –9th of June 2016 on the players of a female volleyball team of Oradea’s University Sport Club, aged between 18 and 24. We used Polar RC3 heart rate monitor, monitoring: distance travelled in each exercise, duration, calories consumed, heart rate, minimum and maximum altitude. After the effort, biological samples were taken, analysing the following indices: Creatine kinase (CK), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Sideremia; the data interpretation and the results highlighted that organizing outdoor trainings in sites like Natura 2000 has a favourable influence on the biochemical parameters, had a contribution to "breaking" the routine and being a motivating factor for athletes in their activity

Carbon Nanotubes for Improved Performances of Endodontic Sealer

In order to overcome the limitations of current endodontic sealers, especially against resistant bacteria, recent developments in the field of nanotechnology have proved the necessity to reconsider the composition and physico-chemical properties of classical sealers. Nanoparticles with their unique features in terms of small size and high specific surface area, are the best choice for incorporation of antiseptic agents and effective delivery. The aim of our study is to prepare a novel platform for antibacterial drug delivery in dental adhesive systems used in endodontics. For this purpose, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) encapsulating chlorhexidine (CHX) and colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared and incorporated into commercial sealer and investigated in terms of bonding performance to dentin and effectiveness against E. faecalis, S. aureus and Candida albicans, which are responsible for the majority of the failures in endodontic treatments. In this context, the challenges related to the long-term biological effects of CHX/AgNPs loaded MWCNTs are discussed

Aspects Regarding the Pharmaceutical Waste Management in Romania

The issue of drug disposal, as well as the development and implementation of efficient collection strategies, represents an important concern at the highest European level. This research looks into the factors that could have an impact on the efficiency of pharmacies in collecting and disposing the medicinal waste of the population. There were 521 pharmacists from all over the country who filled in a questionnaire on their opinion/attitude related to the system of collecting and disposing the pharmaceutical waste of the population. Of the surveyed pharmacists, 16% work in pharmacies that do not collect unused/expired drugs from the population, and nearly 33% of those investigated have refused, at least once, to take the unused medicines from the people. Pharmacists&rsquo; most important reasons for refusing to collect the pharmaceutical waste were the lack of procedure, incomplete legislation, exceeding the amount contracted with the operators, and high costs. Results show that pharmacies in Romania face several deficiencies in the pharmaceutical waste collection services. The lack of implemented programs has contributed considerably to lower standards of pharmaceutical waste management in Romania. This study is the first research on this topic in Romania, a country where the management of drug-based waste generated by the population is at the beginning. The results shown in this survey can provide a reference point for competent authorities in developing and implementing a take-back program for waste medicine whose efficiency is superior to the existing ones

Effects of the Hormone Replacement Therapy and of Soy Isoflavones on Bone Resorption in Postmenopause

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis and one of the major public health problems in developed countries. The prevalence of this condition, associated with the physiological stage of menopause, is continuously increasing. This study evaluated the effectiveness of soy isoflavones as compared to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in low doses, on the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, by determining bone mineral density (BMD) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (D-pyr) in physiological postmenopausal women. The study was conducted over a period of 12 months, on three parallel groups, which included a total of 325 postmenopausal women (HRT group: n = 95; phytoestrogens group: n = 124; control group: n = 106). At the one-year evaluation, we observed T-score normalization in a small number of cases (5.26%, 2.42% and 0.00%, respectively). The average values of D-Pyr decreased by 11.38% in the group treated with phytoestrogens (p &lt; 0.05) and by 15.32% in the group that followed HRT (p &lt; 0.05); it increased by 4.38% in the control group (p &gt; 0.05). Both therapies have beneficial effects on bone metabolism, leading to a significant decrease in the evolution of bone resorption and there are no major differences between the efficacy of HRT and phytoestrogens in terms of the effects on BMD and bone resorption

Electrochemical strategies for gallic acid detection: Potential for application in clinical, food or environmental analyses

International audiencePolyphenols are important to human health thus making it interesting and necessary to identify and assess methods for their detection. Gallic acid (GA) is a well-known antioxidant compound, found in tea leaves, various fruits, fruit seeds and in fruit-derived foods and beverages. In this study, to electrochemically detect this compound and assess the potential for GA detection, different analytical conditions at pH values of 5.8, 7 and 8 were tried. Two types of device were used for GA detection: (1) Lazar ORP-146C reduction-oxidation microsensors, coupled with a Jenco device, for estimation of antioxidant capacities of different electroactive media, and (2) screen-printed carbon sensors coupled with a mobile PalmSens device using differential pulse voltammetry (qualitative and quantitative GA determination). These proposed methods were validated by analysing some real samples: wine, green tea, apple juice and serum fortified with GA. Detection was evaluated in terms of specific calibration curves, with low limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ), low response time, and high sensitivities. The analytical characteristics obtained recommend these methods to be tested on more other types of real samples. Our proposed methods, used in the established conditions of pH, may have further application in other clinical, food or environmental samples analyses in which the results of total antioxidants contents are usually expressed in GA equivalents

Effects of combining modern recovery techniques with neurotrophic medication and standard treatment in stroke patients

International audienceStroke is the main cause of disability after age 65, leaving survivors with sequels that require care and recovery treatment lasting years. It is estimated that by the year 2030 this pathology will be leading cause of mortality. To determine the efficacy of Lokomat training combined with neurotrophic medication and balneo-physiotherapeutic treatment in rehabilitation of post-stroke patients, a prospective study of 3 parallel groups was conducted: Group I (n = 22) – Lokomat, balneo-physiotherapy, and Cerebrolysin; Group II (n = 18) – Lokomat associated with balneo-physiotherapy; and Group III (n = 30) – balneo-physiotherapy alone (Control group). Patients were evaluated physically, neurologically, and functionally, according to the evolution of their motor deficiency, spasticity, functional independence and health-related quality of life.Patient improvement is significantly better (p b 0.05) in the group with associated therapies, especially during the first 6 months. Evolution was significantly better in all groups at 12 months than initially (p b 0.05), for all studied parameters and with the best effects in Group I (the three therapies combined). Association of Lokomat training with neurotrophic factors and classic recovery techniques improves the rehabilitationprocess in stroke patients