Changes in Phospholipid Composition Studied by HPLC and Electric Properties of Liver Cell Membrane of Ethanol-Poisoned Rats

Ethanol introduced into the organism undergoes rapid metabolism to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid. The process is accompanied by formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which damage mainly lipids of membrane cells. The effects of ROS can be neutralized by administering preparations with antioxidant properties. The natural preparations of this kind are teas

Comparison of some chemical parameters of a naturally debittered olive (Olea europaea L.) type with regular olive varieties

Some olives grown in Karaburun peninsula in the west part of Turkey and mostly coming from Erkence variety lose their bitterness while still on the tree and are called Hurma among locals. This olive type does not require further processing to remove the bitter compounds. In this study, sugar, organic acid and fatty acid profiles of Hurma, Erkence (not naturally debittered) and Gemlik (commonly consumed as table olive) olives were determined throughout 8 weeks of maturation period for two consecutive harvest seasons, and the results were analysed by principal component analysis (PCA). PCA of sugar and organic acid data revealed a differentiation in terms of harvest year but not on variety. Hurma olive is separated from others due to its fatty acid profile, and it has higher linoleic acid content compared to others. This might be an indication of increased desaturase enzyme activity for Hurma olives during natural debittering phase.TUBITAK (TOVAG-110O780

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants used in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal): a comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We compare traditional knowledge and use of wild edible plants in six rural regions of the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula as follows: Campoo, Picos de Europa, Piloña, Sanabria and Caurel in Spain and Parque Natural de Montesinho in Portugal.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on the use of 97 species were collected through informed consent semi-structured interviews with local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document the relative importance of each species and to indicate differences in selection criteria for consuming wild food species in the regions studied.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>The most significant species include many wild berries and nuts (e.g. <it>Castanea sativa, Rubus ulmifolius, Fragaria vesca</it>) and the most popular species in each food-category (e.g. fruits or herbs used to prepare liqueurs such as <it>Prunus spinosa</it>, vegetables such as <it>Rumex acetosa</it>, condiments such as <it>Origanum vulgare</it>, or plants used to prepare herbal teas such as <it>Chamaemelum nobile</it>). The most important species in the study area as a whole are consumed at five or all six of the survey sites.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Social, economic and cultural factors, such as poor communications, fads and direct contact with nature in everyday life should be taken into account in determining why some wild foods and traditional vegetables have been consumed, but others not. They may be even more important than biological factors such as richness and abundance of wild edible flora. Although most are no longer consumed, demand is growing for those regarded as local specialties that reflect regional identity.</p

Structure and diversity trends at Fagus timberline in central Italy

Structure and diversity trends (β-diversity and species richness) across the Fagus sylvatica timberline in the central Apennines were investigated. Twenty-three belt transects were laid out across the upper forest line in the Simbruini Mountains. Number of species, plant cover, and height of different layers were recorded in each quadrat. The moving split-window method was used to detect ecological discontinuities across beech timberlines. We show how β-diversity changes along timberlines and we put forward some hypotheses about the possible dynamics of these transitions. Fourmodels resulted from the analysis of β-diversity trends: two β-diversity peaks indicated a transition where shrubs, mainly Juniperus communis ssp. alpina, (two high peaks) or beech scrub (two small peaks) formed a mantle that could allow forest expansion. One high β-diversity peak referred to an anthropo-zoogenic boundary maintained by disturbance, without the presence of a mantle. A little peak indicated a gradual transition at the upper potential timberline limit where beech forest had lost its typical floristical composition and structural characteristics

Einfluss des Eingriffes an der Nase auf die Ergebnisse der UPPP bei OSA

Einleitung: Die Rolle der Nasendurchgängigkeit in der Pathogenese der obstruktiven Schlafapnoe (OSA) ist nicht vollständig geklärt. Das Ziel der Arbeit war, die Einwirkung des chirurgischen Verkleinerung des nasalen Widerstands auf die Ergebnisse der Uvulopalatopharyngoplastik (UPPP) bei OSA.Material und Methode: Für die Untersuchungen wurden 40 Patienten mit Atemstörungen beim Schlaf gewählt, bei denen die Anzahl der Störungen in der Untersuchung vor der Operation nicht 30 überschritten hat (RDI<30) sowie deren BMI<30 ist. Bei 20 Patienten (Gruppe I) hat man eine erhebliche Behinderung der Durchgängigkeit von mindestens einem Nasengang. Bei allen an den Untersuchungen teilnehmenden Patienten hat man UPPP gemacht, bei den Patienten der I. Gruppe hat man zusätzlich Eingriffe durchgeführt, die die behinderte Nasenluftpassage korrigiert haben.Ergebnisse: Der Vergleich der Ergebnisse der chirurgischen Behandlung beider Gruppen hat ergeben, dass man bei Patienten, bei denen gleichzeitig die Nasendurchgängigkeit verbessert wurde, eine höhere Reduktion von RDI erreicht wurde. Diese Patienten haben auch weniger geschnarcht, als die Patienten, bei denen man nur UPPP (Gruppe II) durchgeführt hat.Schlussfolgerungen: Unsere Untersuchungsergebnisse bestätigen die Meinung, dass die Störung von Nasendurchgängigkeit nicht der Hauptfaktor für OSA ist, sondern nur eine Begleiterscheinung

Die posteriore Chordektomie mit der Verwendung von CO2-Laser bei der Rekurrenslähmungbehandlung

Einleitung: Rekurrenslähmung nach Strumektomie ist eine Komplikation, deren Häufigkeit etwa 1% beträgt. Oft ist der Patient auf die Tracheotomie angewiesen zur Gewährleistung einer unbehinderten Atmung. Die von Dennis und Kashima beschriebene Methode der Laser-Behandlung der posterioren Chordektomie wurde in der HNO - Klinik in Bialystok bei der Behandlung der Patienten mit beidseitiger Rekurrenslähmung durchgeführt.Das Ziel der Arbeit war, die Ergebnisse der Behandlung von Rekurrensparesen mit der Methode der posterioren Chordektomie mit der Verwendung von CO2-Laser vorzustellen.Material und Methode: Es wurden 12 Patienten untersucht, die mit dieser Methode behandelt wurden. Der Zeitraum der Beobachtung betrug von 6 bis 20 Monaten nach dem Eingriff. Bei allen Patienten hat man vor dem Chordektomie-Eingriff eine Tracheotomie durchgeführt, um die Atemlosigkeit zu beseitigen. Bei den postoperativen Bewertung wurden Endoskopie-Untersuchungen, phoniatrische Untersuchungen mit videostroboskopischen Untersuchungen, sowie spirometrische Untersuchungen berücksichtigt.Ergebnisse: Bei allen Patienten wurden spätestens am dritten Tag nach der Operation die Kanüle entfernt. Die subjektive Patienten-Bewertung der Behandlungsegebnisse war sehr gut. Bei den stroboskopischen Untersuchungen stellte man die gewünschte Erweiterung des Glottisspaltes fest. Die spirometrischen Daten waren nach dem Eingriff zufriedenstellend.Schlußfolgerungen: Die posteriore Chordektomie zeigt eine gute langfristige Verbesserung der Atmung und Phonation. Der postoperative Zeitraum ist nicht mit Komplikationen verbunden und der Hospitalisations-Zeitraum ist kurz

Peroxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid in the course of Lyme arthritis

Objective The objective of the study was measurement of serum arachidonic acid level as well as the product of its peroxidation – 8-isoPGF2α, and the activity of phospholipase A2 and PAF-acetylhydrolase that participate in releasing 8-isoPGF2α from glycerol skeleton, and the potential designation of their role in the pathomechanism of Lyme disease (LD). Material and Methods Changes in the phospholipid arachidonic acid level and the level of 8-isoPGF2α were determined in the plasma and urine of patients with LA (n=57) and of healthy controls (n=41). The activity of phospholipase A2 and PAF acetylhydrolase were assayed. All examined parameters were also measured in the plasma of some LA patients (n=13) after antibiotics treatment. Results An almost 3-fold higher level of the total plasma 8-isoPGF2α was observed in LA patients compared to the controls, while in the urine it increased over 5-fold. The plasma PLA2 activity was more than 3-fold higher in LA patients than in the healthy subjects, while PAF acetylhydrolase activity was observed to be modestly, but not significantly lower. The total 8-isoPGF2α level in the plasma and urine of LA patients was significantly lower after antibiotics treatment. The plasma activity of PAF-AH in the LA patients was increased, while the cPLA2 activity decreased after antibiotics treatment. Conclusions It may be suggested that in the course of LA, the level of binding 8-isoPGF2α is significantly enhanced, and it may also be suggested that uncontrolled changes in the lipid status of some patients may make their Lyme arthritis unresponsive to antibiotics

Archaic Food Uses of Large Graminoids in Agro Peligno Wetlands (Abruzzo, Central Italy) Compared With the European Ethnobotanical and Archaeological Literature

Large graminoid species, which often dominate wetland ecosystems with extensive and dense formations, are among the most indicative plants from the first human settlements, where they have been used (even transformed) for various functions ranging from food, cordage, weaving and other utilities. Wetland large graminoid foraging today represents one of the rarest and most archaic customs still in existence, as they have frequently disappeared following changes in society or the disappearance of marshes. These customs have (almost) disappeared in Europe, especially in Italy, following socio-economic changes and wetland reclamation; remaining uses can generally only be found in prehistoric traces. This research in Agro Peligno documents and describes for the first time the remains of these prehistoric uses, which are related to the ancient Peligni (or Paeligni) people. The data collected in the current field study were later compared with food uses of graminoids arising from a large spectrum of archaeological, ethnobotanical, and folkloric literature from other European areas, in a large sense. Problems and outlook regarding the loss of this traditional knowledge are also briefly discussed