Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Agents versus Bovine Colostrum Supplementation for the Management of Bone Health Using an Osteoporosis-Induced Rat Model

Osteoporosis is defined by loss of bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture. The present study compared the effects of available pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for osteoporosis [alendronate (ALE) and concomitant supplementation of vitamin D (VD) and calcium (Ca)] with the effects of bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation in ovariectomized (OVX) and orchidectomized (ORX) rats. Seven-month-old rats were randomly allocated to: (1) placebo-control, (2) ALE group (7.5 μg/kg of body weight/day/5 times per week), (3) VD/Ca group (VD: 35 μg/kg of body weight/day/5 times per week; Ca: 13 mg/kg of body weight/day/3 times per week), and (4) BC supplementation (OVX: 1.5 g/day/5 times per week; ORX: 2 g/day/5 times per week). Following four months of supplementation, bone microarchitecture, strength and bone markers were evaluated. ALE group demonstrated significantly higher Ct.OV, Ct.BMC, Tb.Th, Tb.OV and Tb.BMC and significantly lower Ct.Pr, Tb.Pr, Tb.Sp, Ct.BMD and Tb.BMD, compared to placebo (p < 0.05). BC presented significantly higher Ct.Pr, Ct.BMD, Tb.Pr, Tb.Sp, and Tb.BMD and significantly lower Ct.OV, Ct.BMC, Tb.Th, Tb.OV and Tb.BMC compared to ALE in OVX rats (p < 0.05). OVX rats receiving BC experienced a significant increase in serum ALP and OC levels post-supplementation (p < 0.05). BC supplementation may induce positive effects on bone metabolism by stimulating bone formation, but appear not to be as effective as ALE

Toward More Inclusive Networks and Initiatives in Innovation Ecosystems: Protocol for a Systematic Review

BackgroundExpanding the cooperation and enlarging the participation of more diverse stakeholders within innovation ecosystems will increase their efficiency and capacity to contribute at local, regional, and national levels. ObjectiveThis paper presents the protocol for a systematic review that will identify “opening-up” strategies of innovation ecosystems for increasing the participation of more diverse innovation stakeholders, particularly from low-innovation countries, during the ecosystem formation period. MethodsAn algorithmic search in 4 databases (Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Social Science Research Network) will be applied based on the PerSPecTIF (perspective, setting, phenomenon of interest/problem, environment, optional comparison, time/timing, and findings) methodology, the Cochrane guidelines for qualitative evidence synthesis, and the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Selection criteria for eligibility include peer-reviewed articles published after December 31, 1999, and containing original data. No restrictions will be placed on the article language and study region, design, or methodology. Methodological strengths and limitations will be assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. The thematic synthesis method will be adopted, and the GRADE-CERQual tool will be used to assess confidence. ResultsA preliminary search in Web of Science revealed 2758 records. This work is part of the ANGIE project, which was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant 952152) in January 2021. We anticipate that the results of this systematic review will be published in spring 2022. ConclusionsWe anticipate that the outcomes of this systematic review will outline the best practices used by initiatives and networks, as well as their impacts on creating larger and more inclusive ecosystems. Trial RegistrationOSF Registries osf.io/hc62k 10.17605/OSF.IO/HC62K International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)PRR1-10.2196/3407

Challenge Test for Assessing the Growth Potential of Listeria Monocytogenes in Greek Soft Cheese (Anthotyros)

Foodborne listeriosis is one of the most serious and severe foodborne diseases, with a high mortality rate worldwide. Listeria monocytogenes&rsquo; (Lm) ability to survive under a diversity of conditions makes it a threat for food safety. Soft and semisoft cheeses are common RTE foods that support survival and growth of Lm due to their high moisture content and favorable pH. The aim of the present study was to assess, after artificial inoculation, the growth potential (&Delta;) of Lm in vacuum packed RTE soft Greek Anthotyros cheese. Growth potential of Lm was determined according to the new version of &ldquo;EURL Lm Technical Guidance Document on challenge tests and durability studies for assessing shelf life of ready-to-eat foods related to Lm&rdquo;. The results of our study revealed that the growth potential of Lm was (&Delta;) = 4.93 log10 CFU/g, indicating that the specific soft cheese &ldquo;anthotyros&rdquo; is a &ldquo;Ready to eat food able to support growth of Lm and classified in food safety category 1.2 in the (EC) Regulation 2073/2005&rdquo;. That means that the food business operator (FBO) must comply with the criteria that define that the bacterium must not be detected in 25 g (n = 5, c = 0) at the time of leaving the production plant. Through this study, we try to highlight the need for FBO to conduct relevant research to ensure that the ready-to-eat products which they produce, during their shelf life, do not support the growth of Lm

Challenge Test for Assessing the Growth Potential of Listeria Monocytogenes in Greek Soft Cheese (Anthotyros)

Foodborne listeriosis is one of the most serious and severe foodborne diseases, with a high mortality rate worldwide. Listeria monocytogenes’ (Lm) ability to survive under a diversity of conditions makes it a threat for food safety. Soft and semisoft cheeses are common RTE foods that support survival and growth of Lm due to their high moisture content and favorable pH. The aim of the present study was to assess, after artificial inoculation, the growth potential (Δ) of Lm in vacuum packed RTE soft Greek Anthotyros cheese. Growth potential of Lm was determined according to the new version of “EURL Lm Technical Guidance Document on challenge tests and durability studies for assessing shelf life of ready-to-eat foods related to Lm”. The results of our study revealed that the growth potential of Lm was (Δ) = 4.93 log10 CFU/g, indicating that the specific soft cheese “anthotyros” is a “Ready to eat food able to support growth of Lm and classified in food safety category 1.2 in the (EC) Regulation 2073/2005”. That means that the food business operator (FBO) must comply with the criteria that define that the bacterium must not be detected in 25 g (n = 5, c = 0) at the time of leaving the production plant. Through this study, we try to highlight the need for FBO to conduct relevant research to ensure that the ready-to-eat products which they produce, during their shelf life, do not support the growth of Lm

Nutraceutical Supplementation Based on Colostrum as Osteoporosis Treatment: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Naturally based treatments for osteoporosis are currently limited. The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain whether bovine colostrum supplementation can improve bone health in humans. Methods: In total 63 individuals volunteered in a 4-month supplementation project. They were stratified into three groups: 1) healthy post-menopausal women (n = 24); 2) individuals with osteopenia (n = 25); 3) people with osteoporosis (n = 14). Participants of each group were randomly assigned into two experimental sub-groups: a) the bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation (200 mL/day; 5 days/week); b) the placebo sub-group. Before and after the 4-month supplementation, blood samples were obtained and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was performed on three different anatomical sites: lumbar spine (LS), left femur neck (FN), and left forearm (Arm). Bone health markers (bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-I), deoxypyridinoline (DPD)) as well as immunological markers (interleukin 6 (IL6) and immunoglobulin E (IgE)), were assessed in blood serum with enzyme immunoassays, at baseline and 4-months after BC supplementation. Results: No significant changes were found in bone densitometry factors (p > 0.05), for all studied blood parameters and their calculated effect sizes. Conclusions: It is concluded that, as studied herein, BC does not seem to affect human bone health. This pilot study though warrant the need for further research into the efficacy of BC in patients with osteoporosis

THE EFFECT OF PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION ON EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE: DEPRESSION-ANXIETY-STRESS, SENSE OF COHERENCE, HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, AND WELL-BEING OF UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE IN GREECE: AN INTERVENTION STUDY

Objectives: Assessment of the impact of Jacobson Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) on depression-anxiety-stress symptoms, sense of coherence, health-related quality of life and well-being in long-term unemployed people with anxiety disorders. Design and setting: An intervention study was conducted at a relevant Organization, in Athens, Greece. Intervention: 50 long-term unemployed individuals suffering from anxiety disorders participated in the study. Participants were separated into two groups: (a) the intervention group (30 individuals) that was trained on an 8-week on Progressive Muscle Relaxation program and also received counseling services and (b) the control group (20 individuals) that received only counseling services. Main outcome measures: Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, Sense of Coherence, Health-Related Quality of Life and Well-being were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention. Results: Significant changes were noted in the studied variables between the two groups, with improved outcomes in the intervention group. The intervention group showed a decrease in the symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress (p &lt; 0.001) [depression (p &lt; 0.001), anxiety (p &lt; 0.001), stress (p &lt; 0.001)], a higher score of sense of coherence (p &lt; 0.001), improved health-related quality of life regarding the mental health domain (p &lt; 0.001), and improvement in well-being (p &lt; 0.001). No significant change was observed in the control group during the follow-up period

Un calostro bovino neuroprotector atenúa la apoptosis inducida por dexametasona en células osteoblásticas MC3T3-E1

Este estudio ha sido financiado por la Unión Europea mediante una MSCA-RISE-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) (Grant agreement ID: 778277). El proyecto, en toda su extensión, ha pretendido crear una colaboración intersectorial (instituciones académicas e industriales) para intercambiar conocimientos y experiencias con la finalidad de crear un producto nutracéutico innovador, basado en el calostro, para prevenir la osteoporosis. La osteoporosis constituye un importante problema de salud pública. Se prevé un aumento importante de la carga económica de las fracturas osteoporóticas en la Unión Europea hasta 2025. Estas estimaciones pueden indicar una ineficacia de los tratamientos farmacológicos actuales para la osteoporosis. Por tanto, se necesitan agentes innovadores para reducir la carga de la osteoporosis. El calostro es un agente prometedor frente a la pérdida de masa ósea ya que contiene componentes que intervienen directamente en el metabolismo óseo. Sin embargo, la posibilidad de su uso como agente nutracéutico para la osteoporosis sólo ha recibido atención dentro de la comunidad científica. Los conocimientos sobre los efectos del calostro en el metabolismo óseo aún no se han trasladado al mercado y, la industria, aunque posee los conocimientos para el desarrollo de productos, carece de experiencia en investigación. En definitiva, lo que dificulta la creación de un producto innovador basado en el calostro para la prevención de la osteoporosis es la ausencia de una colaboración intersectorial. Concretamente, la osteoporosis inducida por glucocorticoides (OIG) es una de las formas secundarias más frecuentes de osteoporosis. La OIG se debe en parte al proceso de apoptosis que experimentan los osteoblastos y osteocitos. Para el presente estudio se desarrolló un modelo celular de apoptosis exponiendo a una línea celular osteoblástica, MC3T3-E1, al glucorticoide dexametasona (DEX) en un rango de concentraciones en el medio de cultivo desde 0 hasta 700 μM. El daño inducido por la DEX se estudió en presencia y ausencia de tratamiento con un calostro bovino (0,1-5,0 mg/mL) con el fin de conocer la posible protección que puede ejercer frente a la apoptosis celular inducida por el glucocorticoide. El calostro evitó la disminución de la viabilidad celular y el aumento de la activación de la caspasa-3 y del estrés oxidativo causados por la exposición a DEX. Las células, tras el tratamiento con calostro junto con DEX, mostraron niveles más altos de p-ERK1/2 y niveles más bajos de Bcl-XL, Bax y Hsp70. Nuestros datos apoyan la noción de que el calostro puede ser capaz de reducir la apoptosis inducida por DEX posiblemente a través de la activación de la vía ERK y la modulación del sistema Hsp70. Proporcionamos pruebas preliminares de cómo el calostro bovino, como producto lácteo complejo y multicomponente, además de su acción neuroprotectora, puede afectar a la supervivencia de las células osteoblásticas sometidas a apoptosis. Estos resultados prueban que este calostro posee capacidad reductora de la apoptosis inducida por DEX, posiblemente a través de la activación de la vía ERK y la modulación del sistema Hsp70.Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is one of the most common secondary forms of osteoporosis. GIO is partially due to the apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes. In addition, high doses of dexamethasone (DEX), a synthetic glucocorticoid receptor agonist, induces neurodegeneration by initiating inflammatory processes leading to neural apoptosis. Here, a neuroprotective bovine colostrum against glucocorticoid-induced neuronal damage was investigated for its anti-apoptotic activity in glucocorticoid-treated MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. A model of apoptotic osteoblastic cells was developed by exposing MC3T3-E1 cells to DEX (0–700 μM). Colostrum co-treated with DEX was executed at 0.1–5.0 mg/mL. Cell viability was measured for all treatment schedules. Caspase-3 activation was assessed to determine both osteoblast apoptosis under DEX exposure and its potential prevention by colostrum co-treatment. Glutathione reduced (GSH) was measured to determine whether DEX-mediated oxidative stress-driven apoptosis is alleviated by colostrum co-treatment. Western blot was performed to determine the levels of p-ERK1/2, Bcl-XL, Bax, and Hsp70 proteins upon DEX or DEX plus colostrum exposure. Colostrum prevented the decrease in cell viability and the increase in caspase-3 activation and oxidative stress caused by DEX exposure. Cells, upon colostrum co-treated with DEX, exhibited higher levels of p-ERK1/2 and lower levels of Bcl-XL, Bax, and Hsp70. Our data support the notion that colostrum may be able to reduce DEX-induced apoptosis possibly via the activation of the ERK pathway and modulation of the Hsp70 system. We provided preliminary evidence on how bovine colostrum, as a complex and multi-component dairy product, in addition to its neuroprotective action, may affect osteoblastic cell survival undergoing apoptosis.MSCA-RISE-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) grant funded by the European UnionDepto. de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y BotánicaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEpu

A four-probiotic preparation for ventilator-associated pneumonia in multi-trauma patients: results of a randomized clinical trial

The role of probiotics in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a probiotic regimen for VAP prophylaxis in mechanically ventilated multi-trauma patients, intubated immediately after the injurious insult. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study enrolling multi-trauma patients, patients expected to require mechanical ventilation for &gt;10 days were assigned at random to receive prophylaxis with a probiotic formula (n= 59) or placebo (n= 53). The probiotic formula was a preparation of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 [1.75 x10(9) colony-forming units (cfu)], Lactobacillus plantarum (0.5 x10(9) cfu), Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 (1.75 x109 cfu) and Saccharomyces boulardii (1.5 x10(9) cfu) in sachets. Each patient received two sachets twice daily for 15 days: one through the nasogastric tube and one spread on the oropharynx. The incidence of VAP was the primary endpoint. The incidence of other infections and sepsis, and the duration of hospital stay were the secondary endpoints. Administration of probiotics reduced the incidence of VAP [11.9% vs 28.3%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.92; P=0.034] and sepsis [6.8% vs 24.5%, odds ratio 0.22, 95% CI 0.07-0.74: P= 0.016]. Furthermore, probiotic prophylaxis reduced the time of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the length of hospital stay. The prophylactic use of probiotics with a combination of enteral and topical application to the oropharynx had a positive effect on the incidence of VAP and sepsis, as well as on ICU and total hospital stay in patients receiving protracted mechanical ventilation. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd