SPECTRUM ANALYZER FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF BIOACTIVE AGENTS

Fluorescent diagnostic method of molecular structure and composition of biological products was developed. The method is based on fiber-optical detection of the fluorescence spectra at ultraviolet laser excitation. Correlation fluorescence spectra were constructed that allows one to establish differences in the composition and structure of pharmaceuticals

Non-Aromatic Naphthalane: A Future Remedy For Oral Mucosal Lesions

Svrha je ovoga rada prikazati podatke dobivene iz nekoliko eksperimentata koje su proveli autori u vezi sa sastavom posebne frakcije Hrvatske nafte, nazvane “NeAromatskim - Visoko Steranskim (NAVS) naftalanom, te njezinim izraženim protutupalnim djelovanjem i djelovanjem na kontrolu stanične proliferacije. NAVS je dobiven iz nafte vrlo bogate steranima, koja se desetljećima uspješno upotrebljava u liječenju psorijaze (Naftalan, Ivanić Grad, Hrvatska). Proizvodi se gotovo potpunim uklanjanjem policikličkih aromata (od kojih su neki kancerogeni), čime se dobiva potpuno bezbojno ulje ugodnoga mirisa. Prigodom postupka dearomatizaije sterani su održani i čak koncentrirani, kako je i dokazano plinskom kromatografijom i vezanim sustavom plinske kromatografije i spektrometrije masa. Ti su geogeni sterani molekularnom strukturom srodni bioaktivnim spojevima, npr. kortikosteroidima i vitaminu D. Zbog tih strukturnih sličnosti, moguće je objasniti dobru učinkovitost u liječenju psorijaze NAVS-om, u čemu su rezultati obećavajući. Tijekom liječenja NAVS-om nije bilo nikakvih promjena hematoloških niti biokemijskih nalaza. In vitro studije dokazuju izraženu dozno-ovisnu inhibiciju proliferacije stanica planocelularnoga karcinoma SCC VII, ali ne i inhibiciju nemalignih fibroblasta L929, pokazujući time selektivnost u kontroli staničnoga rasta. In vivo rezultati pokazuju znatno usporavanje rasta malignoga tumora. Uzrok tome, osim u samoj kontroli proliferacije tumorskih stanica, autori također vide i u sprječavanju neoangiogeneze (poput onom vitamina D), koje još treba dokazati imunohitokemijskim studijama. Planiraju se dodatna istraživanja i razvija se animalni model oralnog planocelularnoga karcinoma u svrhu budućeg uvođenja NAVS-a u liječenje različitih bolesti oralne sluznice budući da je NAVS i učinkovit i vrlo upotrebljiv zbog superiornih organoleptičnih svojstava.The purpose of this lecture is to summarize data obtained from several experiments conducted by authors, regarding the composition of special Croatian petrol fraction reffered to as “Non Aromatic- Very rich in Steranes” (NAVS) naphthalane, as well as its potent-inflammatory and cellular growth controlling effect. NAVS is derived from ordinary brown naphthalane, particulaly rich in steranes, that has been famous for decades in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris (Naftalan, Ivanić Grad, Croatia). NAVS was prepared by removing virtually all of its original polycyclic aromatic content (some of them are carcinogenic), which resulted in completely colourless transparent oil with a pleasant scent. Steranes were preserved and concentrated during the de-aromatisation process, as was proven by means of GC and GC-MS. These geogenic steranes have molecular skeletons analogous to bioactive compounds, such as corticosteroids and vitamin D. Due to these structure similarities, we can explain the beneficial affects in treating psoriatic patients with NAVS, which yielded promising results. NAVS treatment did not affect either haematological or biochemical findings. Further studies established In vitro dose dependant inhibition of planocellular carcinoma (SCC VII) cell proliferation, withhout interfering with nonmalignant fibroblast (L929) cells, thus showing selectivity in cell proliferation control. In vivo results showed marked delay in tumour growth. A rationale for that, besides cell proliferation control, authors see also in the antineoangiogenetic activity of NAVS (similar to vitamin D), wich is yet to bi proved through immunohistochemical studies. Future studies are planned and oral planocellular carsinoma animal models are being developed in order to introduce NAVS in the treatment of different conditions of oral mucosa, because the preparation is not only effective, but also highly applicable in oral tissues, due to its superior organoleptic properties

Comparative analysis on the communication strategies of the forest owners associations in Europe

This research reports a comparative analysis of the communication strategy that forest owners' associations across Europe use to influence society on one side and the decision-makers on the other, in order to fulfill forest owners' interests. 60% of Europe's forests are privately owned by an estimated number of 16 million forest owners, who are represented by forest owners' associations. One of its main functions is to influence the public perceptions on forests and forestry. In this article it is analyzed how a specific forestry stakeholder fixes its strategies to communicate with and lobby society in order to get acceptability for their proposals/demands. Open-end surveys have been used as a source of information in 2006 and repeated in 2012. Besides of the comparison among countries, a comparison along the time has been also performed. The whole communication frame is analyzed, considering the objectives, the structure, the messages, the channels, and the evaluation. The main conclusions that arise are: first, the temporary comparison (2006 2012) results into an improvement in several issues; second, there is room for improvement of professionalization of communication in forest owners' associations in Europe; third, social research into public perception of forestry might help to define communication strategies.Fabra Crespo, M.; Rojas Briales, E. (2015). Comparative analysis on the communication strategies of the forest owners associations in Europe. Forest Policy and Economics. 50:20-30. doi:10.1016/j.forpol.2014.06.004S20305

Successful aging, change in sexual interest and sexual satisfaction in couples from four European countries

Although the importance of sexuality and physical intimacy for well-being of older adults has been recognized, the role of sexuality in successful aging (SA) has been largely neglected. Building on our previous work, here we further validated a three-dimensional model of SA and examined its associations with sexual satisfaction and change in sexual interest among older heterosexual couples (aged 60–75 years). Participants were recruited in a probability-based survey, which was carried out in 2016–2017 in four European countries. Using structural equation modeling of the Actor–Partner Interdependence, we observed significant relationships between SA and sexual satisfaction for both male and female partners across countries. Among women, their retrospectively assessed change in sexual interest over the past 10 years was consistently associated with sexual satisfaction. Partner effects were gender-specific: male partners’ SA was significantly related to their female partners’ change in sexual interest, which in turn was linked to male partners’ sexual satisfaction. The findings point to substantial ties between successful aging and sexuality in older European couples. Taking into account the prevalent stereotypes about old age and sexuality, this study’s findings can assist professionals working with aging couples

How environmental managers perceive and approach the issue of invasive species: the case of Japanese knotweed s.l. (Rhône River, France)

We would like to thank Springer for publishing our article. The final publication is available at http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10530-015-0969-1International audienceStudying the perceptions of stakeholders or interested parties is a good way to better understand behaviours and decisions. This is especially true for the management of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed s.l. This plant has spread widely in the Rhône basin, where significant financial resources have been devoted to its management. However, no control technique is recognized as being particularly effective. Many uncertainties remain and many documents have been produced by environmental managers to disseminate current knowledge about the plant and its management. This article aims at characterizing the perceptions that environmental managers have of Japanese knotweed s.l. A discourse analysis was conducted on the printed documentation produced about Japanese knotweed s.l. by environmental managers working along the Rhône River (France). The corpus was both qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. The results indicated a diversity of perceptions depending on the type of environmental managers involved, as well as the geographicalareas and scales on which they acted. Whereas some focused on general knowledge relating to the origins and strategies of colonization, others emphasized the diversity and efficacy of the prospective eradication techniques. There is a real interest in implementing targeted actions to meet local issues. To do so, however, these issues must be better defined. This is a challenging task, as it must involve all types of stakeholders

Viscum album L. extracts in breast and gynaecological cancers: a systematic review of clinical and preclinical research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Viscum album </it>L. extracts (VAE, European mistletoe) are a widely used medicinal plant extract in gynaecological and breast-cancer treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Systematic review to evaluate clinical studies and preclinical research on the therapeutic effectiveness and biological effects of VAE on gynaecological and breast cancer. Search of databases, reference lists and expert consultations. Criteria-based assessment of methodological study quality.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>19 randomized (RCT), 16 non-randomized (non-RCT) controlled studies, and 11 single-arm cohort studies were identified that investigated VAE treatment of breast or gynaecological cancer. They included 2420, 6399 and 1130 patients respectively. 8 RCTs and 8 non-RCTs were embedded in the same large epidemiological cohort study. 9 RCTs and 13 non-RCTs assessed survival; 12 reported a statistically significant benefit, the others either a trend or no difference. 3 RCTs and 6 non-RCTs assessed tumour behaviour (remission or time to relapse); 3 reported statistically significant benefit, the others either a trend, no difference or mixed results. Quality of life (QoL) and tolerability of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery was assessed in 15 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs. 21 reported a statistically significant positive result, the others either a trend, no difference, or mixed results. Methodological quality of the studies differed substantially; some had major limitations, especially RCTs on survival and tumour behaviour had very small sample sizes. Some recent studies, however, especially on QoL were reasonably well conducted. Single-arm cohort studies investigated tumour behaviour, QoL, pharmacokinetics and safety of VAE. Tumour remission was observed after high dosage and local application. VAE application was well tolerated. 34 animal experiments investigated VAE and isolated or recombinant compounds in various breast and gynaecological cancer models in mice and rats. VAE showed increase of survival and tumour remission especially in mice, while application in rats as well as application of VAE compounds had mixed results. <it>In vitro </it>VAE and its compounds have strong cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>VAE shows some positive effects in breast and gynaecological cancer. More research into clinical efficacy is warranted.</p

DNA damage by lipid peroxidation products: implications in cancer, inflammation and autoimmunity

Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by inflammation, excess metal storage and excess caloric intake cause generalized DNA damage, producing genotoxic and mutagenic effects. The consequent deregulation of cell homeostasis is implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of malignancies and degenerative diseases. Reactive aldehydes produced by LPO, such as malondialdehyde, acrolein, crotonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, react with DNA bases, generating promutagenic exocyclic DNA adducts, which likely contribute to the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects associated with oxidative stress-induced LPO. However, reactive aldehydes, when added to tumor cells, can exert an anticancerous effect. They act, analogously to other chemotherapeutic drugs, by forming DNA adducts and, in this way, they drive the tumor cells toward apoptosis. The aldehyde-DNA adducts, which can be observed during inflammation, play an important role by inducing epigenetic changes which, in turn, can modulate the inflammatory process. The pathogenic role of the adducts formed by the products of LPO with biological macromolecules in the breaking of immunological tolerance to self antigens and in the development of autoimmunity has been supported by a wealth of evidence. The instrumental role of the adducts of reactive LPO products with self protein antigens in the sensitization of autoreactive cells to the respective unmodified proteins and in the intermolecular spreading of the autoimmune responses to aldehyde-modified and native DNA is well documented. In contrast, further investigation is required in order to establish whether the formation of adducts of LPO products with DNA might incite substantial immune responsivity and might be instrumental for the spreading of the immunological responses from aldehyde-modified DNA to native DNA and similarly modified, unmodified and/or structurally analogous self protein antigens, thus leading to autoimmunity