Chemical composition, diuretic, and antityrosinase activity of traditionally used romanian cerasorum stipites

Cherry stems (CS) represent a by-product intensively used in Eastern European countries as a traditional remedy for urinary tract disorders. Ethnopharmacological evidences sustain the use of CS as aqueous preparations (infusion and decoction), but few data were previously reported about phytochemical profile and pharmacological potential of CS hydroalcoholic extracts. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the phenolic profile, in vitro antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory potential, and in vivo diuretic activity of 70% hydroethanolic cherry stems extract and cherry stems decoction (CSD). LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid-type compounds as main constituents for both preparations, especially flavanones (naringenin glycosides). Antioxidant activity evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP methods was superior for cherry stems extract, probably due to the presence of phenolic-derived compounds in higher amounts than CSD. On the other hand, tyrosinase inhibitory potential and diuretic effect exerted by CSD were stronger, highlighting that other types of hydrophilic secondary metabolites are responsible for this bioactivity. Overall, our findings indicate that CS preparations could be used as promising mild diuretic agents and encourage further investigations regarding the correlation between their chemical composition and bioactive potential.This work was supported by a Grant of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CCCDI—UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-5360, within PNCDI III.” The authors MID, LB, and ICFRF are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); national funding by F.C.T. and P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for MID and LB contracts. To FEDER-Interreg Es-paña- Portugal programme for financial support through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cognitive impairment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially in severe forms, is commonly associated with multiple cognitive problems. Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA) is used to detect cognitive impairment evaluating several areas: visuospatial, memory, attention and fluency. Our study aim was to evaluate the impact of stable COPD and exacerbation (AECOPD) phases on cognitive status using MoCA questionnaire.We enrolled 39 patients (pts), smokers with COPD group D (30 stable and 9 in AECOPD) and 13 healthy subjects (control group), having similar level of education and no significant differences regarding the anthropometric measurements. We analyzed the differences in MoCA score between these three groups and also the correlation between this score and inflammatory markers.Patients with AECOPD had a significant (p<0.001) decreased MoCA score (14.6±3.4) compared to stable COPD (20.2±2.4) and controls (24.2±5.8). The differences between groups were more accentuated for the language abstraction and attention (p<0.001) and delayed recall and orientation (p<0.001) sub-topics. No significant variance of score was observed between groups regarding visuospatial and naming score (p = 0.095). The MoCA score was significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume (r = 0.28) and reverse correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = -0.57), fibrinogen (r = -0.58), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = -0.55) and with the partial pressure of CO2 (r = -0.47).According to this study, COPD significantly decreases the cognitive status in advanced and acute stages of the disease

Comparison of patients parameters between studied groups.

a<p>Variables are Gaussian distributed. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation. p values were calculated with unpaired t-student and ANOVA tests.</p>b<p>Variables are not-Gaussian distributed. Results are presented as median and interquartile range. p values were calculated using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.</p><p>CRP – C-reactive protein, RBC – Red blood cell, WBC – White blood cell, FVC – Force vital capacity, FEV₁ – Forced expiratory volume.</p

Multivariate regression analysis between studied parameters and MoCA score.

<p>Multivariate regression analysis between studied parameters and MoCA score.</p

Correlation between MOCA score and clinical parameters.

<p>Correlation between MOCA score and clinical parameters.</p

BoxPlot for MoCA score in the three study subgroups.

<p>The band inside the box represents the median score; the top and bottom of the box the third respectively the first quartile; the whiskers - data within 1.5 interquartile range and stars and circles the outliers.</p

Analele Universităţii din Oradea -Fascicula Biologie PRELIMINARY RESEARCHES REGARDING THE MICROWAVES INFLUENCE ON THE MILK MICROFLORA

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the microwaves action against the microflora existing normally in the raw milk. A number of 6 milk samples were exposed to the microwaves treatment for different periods of time (15 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s and 120 s) and analyzed using the Horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms -Colony count technique at 30°C in order to determine their T.N.G (total number of germs). The results showed a significant reduction of the colonies number as the microwave time exposure increased

Balance Impairment in Patients with COPD

<div><p>Background/Purpose</p><p>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease that results in progressive airflow limitation and respiratory distress. Physiopathological features of COPD suggest that people who suffer from this disease have many risk factors for falls that have been identified in older individuals. The aim of the study was to compare and quantify functional balance between COPD patients and healthy subjects; to investigate the risk of falls in acute stages of the disease and to identify risk factors that could lead to falls.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We studied 46 patients with moderate-severe COPD (29 stable and 17 in acute exacerbation - AECOPD) and 17 healthy subjects (control group) having similar demographic data. We analyzed the difference in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Single Leg Stance (SLS) and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) between these three groups and the correlation of these scores with a number of incriminatory factors.</p><p>Results</p><p>The presence of COPD was associated with significant worsening of balance tests: BBS (55 control, vs. 53 COPD, vs. 44 AECOPD points p<0.001), TUG (8.6 control vs. 12.3 COPD vs. 15.9 AECOPD seconds. p<0.001), SLS (31.1 control vs. 17.7 COPD vs. 7.2 AECOPD seconds p<0.001) which may be associated with an increased risk of falls. Anxiety and depression were significantly associated with decreased balance test scores; anxiety (2 control vs. 6 COPD vs. 9 AECOPD points p<0.001) depression (2 control vs. 7 COPD vs. 12 AECOPD points p<0.001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>According to our results COPD patients in moderate-severe stages and especially those in exacerbation have a high risk of falls.</p></div