Waste by-products from Olea europaea as a potential application in Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome

The use of agri-food by-products represents an important resource in the nutraceutical field in a circular economy perspective oriented to the valorization of our territory products: among these, the olive tree (Olea europaea, Coratina cultivar in particular), is an excellent nutraceutical even though it derives from food waste. In this study we present a polyphenolic complex - derived from the mechanical filtration process of wastewater resulting from olive oil production - called MOMAST®. Based on the results obtained from the chemical composition analysis, we hypothesized a possible application of the phytocomplex as a food supplement in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) [1] [2]. After testing three different types of extracts (MOMAST Plus30, PW25, and HY100) on some IBS-related targets, we verified their antioxidant action and effects on spontaneous and induced intestinal contractility of ileum and colon [3, 4]. From the scientific evidence found, MOMAST® compounds have proved to be excellent candidates to become food supplements in the treatment of IBS [5]: in particular, Plus30 also showed an interesting action against some microorganisms due to its high concentration of polyphenols and oleuropein. References [1] L. Recinella, A. Chiavaroli, G. Orlando, L. Menghini, C. Ferrante, L. Di Cesare Mannelli, C. Ghelardini, L. Brunetti, S. Leone, Molecules, 2019, 24, 3002. [2] T. Tian, Z. Wang, J. Zhang, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, 2017, 4535194. [3] J.K. Triantafillidis, A. Triantafyllidi, C. Vagianos, A. Papalois, Annals of Gastroenterology, 2016, 29, 268. [4] M. Micucci, M. Malaguti, T.G. Toschi, G. Di Lecce, R. Aldini, A. Angeletti, A. Chiarini, R. Budriesi, S. Hrelia, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2015, 2015, 318125. [5] M.J. Oliveras-López, G. Berna, E.M. Carneiro, H.L.G. De La Serrana, F. Martin, M.C. López, The Journal of Nutrition, 2008, 138, 1074

Chemical Features and Biological Effects of Astaxanthin Extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow: Focus on Gastrointestinal System

The main purpose of this review is to analyze published data concerning the antioxidant properties of astaxanthin, a xanthophyll, produced by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis in response to specific conditions of “environmental stress” and characterized by its typical deep red color. Natural astaxanthin establishes effective protections against oxidative stress, neutralizing free radicals in both the inner and outer layer of cell membranes, especially in mitochondria. The most recent preclinical and clinical studies that have investigated the beneficial properties of this molecule toward the gastrointestinal tract were included

Further Quinolizidine Derivatives as Antiarrhythmic Agents- 3

Fourteen quinolizidine derivatives, structurally related to the alkaloids lupinine and cytisine and previously studied for other pharmacological purposes, were presently tested for antiarrhythmic, and other cardiovascular effects on isolated guinea pig heart tissues in comparison to well-established reference drugs. According to their structures, the tested compounds are assembled into three subsets: (a) N-(quinolizidinyl-alkyl)-benzamides; (b) 2-(benzotriazol-2-yl)methyl-1- (quinolizidinyl)alkyl-benzimidazoles; (c) N-substituted cytisines. All compounds but two displayed antiarrhythmic activity that was potent for compounds 4, 1, 6, and 5 (in ascending order). The last compound (N-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)aminohomolupinane) was outstanding, exhibiting a nanomolar potency (EC50 = 0.017 µM) for the increase in the threshold of ac-arrhythmia. The tested compounds shared strong negative inotropic activity; however, this does not compromise the value of their antiarrhythmic action. On the other hand, only moderate or modest negative chronotropic and vasorelaxant activities were commonly observed. Compound 5, which has high antiarrhythmic potency, a favorable cardiovascular profile, and is devoid of antihypertensive activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats, represents a lead worthy of further investigation

Effects of turmeric powder on intestinal and biliary functions: The influence of curcuminoids concentration on spontaneous contractility

Two turmeric food powders (C1 and C2) were studied for curcuminoid content and their effects on the guinea pig intestinal tract in vitro. C1 contained a higher curcuminoid content than C2 (5.22% vs 2.31%). C1 and C2 increased gallbladder (similar to 10%) and biliary smooth muscle tone (similar to 15%), without affecting the sphincter of Oddi smooth muscle contractility. C2 was more effective than C1 in lowering ileum tone (-22% vs -37%), whereas the reverse occurred in the colon (-50% vs 20%). Standard Fast Fourier transforms and absolute powers analysis of the frequency bands highlighted that, in the bile duct, C2 induced contractions of higher variability and ampler oscillations of low-frequency waves. At the Oddi sphincter, C1 had a biphasic effect, increasing and then drastically decreasing the oscillations. The same occurred with C2 in the ileum, while both samples reduced the fluctuations in the colon

Phase and amplitude electroencephalography correlations change with disease progression in people with idiopathic rapid eye-movement sleep behavior disorder

Study Objectives Increased phase synchronization in electroencephalography (EEG) bands might reflect the activation of compensatory mechanisms of cognitive decline in people with neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated whether altered large-scale couplings of brain oscillations could be linked to the balancing of cognitive decline in a longitudinal cohort of people with idiopathic rapid eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD). Methods We analyzed 18 patients (17 males, 69.7 +/- 7.5 years) with iRBD undergoing high-density EEG (HD-EEG), presynaptic dopaminergic imaging, and clinical and neuropsychological (NPS) assessments at two time points (time interval 24.2 +/- 5.9 months). We thus quantified the HD-EEG power distribution, orthogonalized amplitude correlation, and weighted phase-lag index at both time points and correlated them with clinical, NPS, and imaging data. Results Four patients phenoconverted at follow-up (three cases of parkinsonism and one of dementia). At the group level, NPS scores decreased over time, without reaching statistical significance. However, alpha phase synchronization increased and delta amplitude correlations decreased significantly at follow-up compared to baseline. Both large-scale network connectivity metrics were significantly correlated with NPS scores but not with sleep quality indices or presynaptic dopaminergic imaging data. Conclusions These results suggest that increased alpha phase synchronization and reduced delta amplitude correlation may be considered electrophysiological signs of an active compensatory mechanism of cognitive impairment in people with iRBD. Large-scale functional modifications may be helpful biomarkers in the characterization of prodromal stages of alpha-synucleinopathies.Peer reviewe

Magnolia officinalis L. bark extract and respiratory diseases: From traditional Chinese medicine to western medicine via network target

The understanding of the use of Magnolia officinalis L. (Magnoliaceae) as a possible dietary supplement for supporting the treatment of airway pathologies might be of clinical interest. Two commercially available bark extracts (M. officinalis extract [MOE]) were characterized by quantitation in honokiol and magnolol content by means of high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. MOE effects, as well as those of the reference compounds per se, on some targets connected to airway pathologies (antibacterial- and lung and trachea relaxing- activities) were investigated. Results showed that MOE possessed interesting antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. This was accompanied by a spasmolytic and antispasmodic activity, possibly owing to its ability to concurrently modulate different targets such as H-1-, beta(2)- and muscarinic receptors and l-type calcium channels involved in bronchodilation. All these effects were directly related to the MOE content in honokiol and magnolol. In conclusion, the properties of MOE highlighted here strongly encourage its application as dietary supplement in the treatment of airway diseases

Essential Oil Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Eucalyptus largiflorens F. Muell

In this study, we investigated the chemical composition, the antibacterial activity, and the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from the leaves, flowers, and fruits of Eucalyptus largiflorens F. Muell. The antioxidant effects of the methanolic extract of aerial parts of the plant, obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, were estimated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods. The essential oils were chemically characterized by gas chromatography (GC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) and flame ionization detector (FID). Thirty compounds were identified, with 1,8-cineol, α-pinene, aromadendrene, globulol and α-phellandrene being the major components. The antibacterial activities of the essential oils were tested against several bacterial isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia Coli, using the disc diffusion method. All the essential oils exhibited antibacterial activity. The maximum zone of inhibition was observed for Escherichia coli, with the fruit essential oil in the concentration (100 μL). There was no significant antioxidant activity in the essential oils, while the extracts exhibited considerable antioxidant effects in comparison to butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In this regard, the flower extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in both DPPH (IC50 = 21.5±0.2 μg/mL) and β-carotene/linoleic acid tests (Inhibition (%) = 84.3±0.7). Finally, the fruit essential oil exerts a significant antibacterial activity against several bacterial strains and exhibits a significant antioxidant effect in the β-carotene/linoleic acid tests, thus it may represent an innovative nutraceutical tool able to act on bacteria and host oxidative stress related to infections

Management of pregnancy in autoimmune rheumatic diseases: maternal disease course, gestational and neonatal outcomes and use of medications in the prospectiveItalian P-RHEUM.it study

Objectives To investigate pregnancy outcomes in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) in the Italian prospective cohort study P-RHEUM.it. Methods Pregnant women with different ARD were enrolled for up to 20 gestational weeks in 29 Rheumatology Centres for 5 years (2018-2023). Maternal and infant information were collected in a web-based database. Results We analysed 866 pregnancies in 851 patients (systemic lupus erythematosus was the most represented disease, 19.6%). Maternal disease flares were observed in 135 (15.6%) pregnancies. 53 (6.1%) pregnancies were induced by assisted reproduction techniques, 61 (7%) ended in miscarriage and 11 (1.3%) underwent elective termination. Obstetrical complications occurred in 261 (30.1%) pregnancies, including 2.3% pre-eclampsia. Two cases of congenital heart block were observed out of 157 pregnancies (1.3%) with anti-Ro/SSA. Regarding treatments, 244 (28.2%) pregnancies were treated with glucocorticoids, 388 (44.8%) with hydroxychloroquine, 85 (9.8%) with conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and 122 (14.1%) with biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Live births were 794 (91.7%), mostly at term (84.9%); four perinatal deaths (0.5%) occurred. Among 790 newborns, 31 (3.9%) were small-for-gestational-age and 169 (21.4%) had perinatal complications. Exclusive maternal breast feeding was received by 404 (46.7%) neonates. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was compiled by 414 women (52.4%); 89 (21.5%) scored positive for emotional distress. Conclusions Multiple factors including preconception counselling and treat-to-target with pregnancy-compatible medications may have contributed to mitigate disease-related risk factors, yielding limited disease flares, good pregnancy outcomes and frequency of complications which were similar to the Italian general obstetric population. Disease-specific issues need to be further addressed to plan preventative measures

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

APPLICAZIONE SULLA DISMOTILITÀ INTESTINALE DI ESTRATTI DI FOGLIE DI OLEA EUROPAEA L. E DI PETALI DI HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA L. (HERBAL MIX)

Razionale dello studio: La miscela di erbe (Herbal Mix, HM) composta da estratti di foglie di Olea europaea L. ed estratti di petali di Hibiscus sabdariffa L. è stata studiata su alcuni target di patologie infiammatorie intestinali caratterizzate da dismotilità. Nello specifico, ne sono stati analizzati gli effetti sulla contrattilità della muscolatura liscia intestinale e l’azione su iNOS ed eNOS umana. Materiali e Metodi: HM è costituito dall’86,67% di estratto di foglie di Olea europaea L. (principalmente oleuropeina) e dal 13,33% di estratto di fiori di Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (principalmente acido ibiscico), in rapporto 13:2. Sono stati utilizzati tessuti ex vivo di ileo e colon per l’analisi degli effetti di HM sulla contrattilità spontanea e indotta; per la valutazione dell’inibizione della NOS, è stato seguito il saggio della L-citrullina con rilevamento fluorimetrico. Risultati: HM ha mostrato attività spasmolitica con significativa diminuzione delle contrazioni ad alta e media frequenza su ileo e colon, sia per quanto riguarda la contrattilità spontanea che indotta, con un effetto di tipo dose-dipendente. Inoltre, l’estratto ha provocato un’inibizione dose-dipendente degli enzimi iNOS ed eNOS, con un effetto massimo del 67% per iNOS e del 64% per eNOS. Conclusioni: I risultati mostrano che HM costituisce una formulazione efficace nella modulazione di alcuni bersagli legati alle malattie intestinali su base infiammatoria