Does social media promote civic activism? A field experiment with a civic campaign

Social media may help civil society organize and mobilize for different campaigns. However, the extent to which social media campaigns simply recruit like-minded individuals as compared to exerting a causal impact on joiners' attitudes is difficult to disentangle. We test both the organizational and transformative potential of a civil society campaign in a randomized field experiment deployed via Facebook or an email newsletter in collaboration with a Bulgarian environmental campaign. As expected, we find that Bulgarian Facebook users who are active in pro-environmental groups, and those who decide to follow the campaign, are more highly educated than those who decide to stay at the sidelines. Moreover, beliefs in the effectiveness of civic society, character traits and prior activism systematically predict whether a Bulgarian Facebook user decides to join the cause on Facebook, or subscribe to the email newsletter. In contrast, we find little evidence that the campaign affected opinions, knowledge, or self-reported behavior. We conclude that social media campaigns that are commonplace among civil society organizations are effective at selecting activist-types, but changing the views and behaviors of the broader social media population may be more difficult than assumed

Creatine lysinate – part II: effects on the motor coordination and muscle hypertrophy in mice

In the current study, we investigated the effect of creatine monohydrate (CrM) and newly synthesized creatine lysinate (CrLys) in tail suspension (TST) and rotarod tests and their influence on the histology of the skeletal muscles. In the TST, a slight decrease in the immobility time from the 1st to the 3rd week was observed in the group treated with CrM at a dose of 1.5 g/kg/day and CrLys at a dose of 6 g/kg/day. The rotarod test revealed that CrM (1.5 g/kg/day) and CrLys (3 g/kg/day) lead to a significant improvement in motor coordination in the 3rd week. The results from histology showed an increase in the muscle fiber diameter of soleus muscle in animals treated with CrM (3 g/kg/day) and CrLys (6 g/kg/day). The results showed that supplementation with creatine derivatives appears to be a generally effective nutritional ergogenic aid for an improvement of physical performance

Creatine lysinate – part I: investigation of the toxicity and the influence on some biochemical parameters in mice

In our study we investigated the acute toxicity of а newly synthesized creatine lysinate as well as its effect on the biochemical parameters in mice. Creatine lysinate exerts better solubility in water (3.3%) in comparison to creatine monohydrate (1.4%) at 20 °C and it is determined as a non-toxic after intraperitoneal (LD50 – 4543 mg/kg) and oral administration (LD50 > 8000 mg/kg). Oral administration of creatine lysinate at doses of 3 g/kg/day and 6 g/kg/day for 2 weeks reduced the creatine kinase levels, which indicates muscle protection. An increased levels of liver enzymes like alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) was observed after the supplementation with creatine lysinate at both administered doses and the level of lactate was comparable both in the studied and the control group

Newly Synthesized Creatine Derivatives as Potential Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Agents on In Vitro Models of Parkinson’s Disease

Oxidative stress is one of the key factors responsible for many diseases–neurodegenerative (Parkinson and Alzheimer) diseases, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc. Creatine, a natural amino acid derivative, is capable of exerting mild, direct antioxidant activity in cultured mammalian cells acutely injured with an array of different reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating compounds. The aim of the study was in vitro (on isolated rat brain sub-cellular fractions–synaptosomes, mitochondria and microsomes) evaluation of newly synthetized creatine derivatives for possible antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. The synaptosomes and mitochondria were obtained by multiple centrifugations with Percoll, while microsomes–only by multiple centrifugations. Varying models of oxidative stress were used to study the possible antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the respective compounds: on synaptosomes–6-hydroxydopamine; on mitochondria–tert-butyl hydroperoxide; and on microsomes–iron/ascorbate (non-enzyme-induced lipid peroxidation). Administered alone, creatine derivatives and creatine (at concentration 38 µM) revealed neurotoxic and pro-oxidant effects on isolated rat brain subcellular fractions (synaptosomes, mitochondria and microsomes). In models of 6-hydroxydopamine (on synaptosomes), tert-butyl hydroperoxide (on mitochondria) and iron/ascorbate (on microsomes)-induced oxidative stress, the derivatives showed neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. These effects may be due to the preservation of the reduced glutathione level, ROS scavenging and membranes’ stabilizers against free radicals. Thus, they play a role in the antioxidative defense system and have a promising potential as therapeutic neuroprotective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, connected with oxidative stress, such as Parkinson’s disease

Metamizole (dipyrone) – cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects on HeLa, HT-29 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines

Cancer pain treatment is a big challenge for healthcare providers and patients as well. The wide range of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used as painkillers in cancer patients, requires in-depth characterization of their effect on the disease process. The effects of NSAIDs have been widely studied over the last decades as preventive drugs in some oncological diseases. Metamizole is an NSAID belonging to the non-narcotic analgesics group and is highly recommended in oncology either alone or in combinations with opioid analgesics. There is a dearth of information regarding the cytotoxicity profile of metamizole and hence the present study evaluated the potential anticancer activity of metamizole in some permanent human tumour cell lines: HeLa, human cervical cancer cells; HT-29, a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line; and МСF-7, human breast adenocarcinoma cells. The studied tumour cells were sensitive to metamizole at doses higher than 25 μg/mL. Metamizole induced a statistically significant decrease in the viability of HeLa, HT-29 and MCF-7 cells in in vitro tests as measured by the MTT assay; the highest effect was observed at the 48th hour of the treatment. Metamizole could induce cell death by apoptosis. Metamizole also suppressed the migration of the three tumour cell lines. This was most clearly pronounced in HeLa cells. The results obtained indicate that metamizole is a suitable choice for the treatment of cancer pain and has prospects for further in-depth studies

The effects of meloxicam, lornoxicam, ketoprofen, and dexketoprofen on human cervical, colorectal, and mammary carcinoma cell lines

Targeting the inflammation-related molecules with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represents a promising approach for cancer prevention/therapy. We evaluated the in vitro anticancer effects of meloxicam, lornoxicam, ketoprofen, and dexketoprofen on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of human cervical, colorectal, and mammary carcinoma cells. The antiproliferative activity and cytotoxicity of tested NSAIDs on HeLa, HT-29, and MCF-7 cell lines were assessed by the MTT test. The apoptosis-inducing potential was analyzed by fluorescent staining with acridine orange/ethidium bromide and DAPI. Migration activity was assessed by a wound-healing scratch assay. The tested NSAIDs reduced the viability of the used tumor cell lines. The cytomorphological analysis revealed reduced cell density and mitotic activity and the presence of cells with morphological features of early and late apoptosis. Significant inhibition of the migration capacity was established as well. In conclusion, NSAIDs could be candidates for the development of new pharmacological strategies for the treatment and prevention of cancer

Metabolic syndrome: comparison of three diet-induced experimental models

The high-fat (HF) diets can be used to generate a valid rodent model for metabolic syndrome (METS). The aim of this study was to compare three different diets, namely a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (HF-HCD), a high-fat lard-based diet (HFD), and a cafeteria diet (CFD), in terms of the ability to induce METS. The next step was to characterize the syndrome according to the biochemical and histopathological changes in the liver and pancreas, and to determine the optimal animal model. As a result, all diets disturbed significantly the serum biochemical parameters. HF-HCD and CFD increased the uric acid levels and reduced the weight gain in comparison with the standard chow diet (SCD) and HFD. The HFD and CFD induced the highest fasting glycemia levels. Although the animals fed with HF-HCD had the lowest body weight, the most serious histopathological changes in the pancreas, hypertension, and oxidative stress were noted in them

UHPLC-Orbitrap screening of oleraindoles in hydromethanolic extracts of Portulaca oleracea

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae) is a widespread edible plant with significant ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological importance. The plant is characteristic for the presence of a class of indoline amide glucoside alkaloids, called cyclo-dopa amides, or oleraceins. Additionally, a new, structurally similar to oleraceins, class of indole amides have been discovered recently, called oleraindoles. These compounds have been evaluated to possess antiinflammatory and anticholinesterase activities. Herein, utilizing UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS with MS2 filtering by diagnostic ion filtering (DIF), and diagnostic difference filtering (DDF) using different data analysis tools, eight compounds with oleraindole structure were tentatively identified

Adherence to Acromegaly Treatment and Analysis of the Related Factors—A Real-World Study in Bulgaria

The purpose was to assess the level of medication adherence (MA) and related factors among individuals with acromegaly. The secondary goal was to assess the quality of life of patients and whether and how it correlates with the level of adherence. A prospective one-year study was conducted among patients with acromegaly diagnosed, treated, and monitored in the reference center for rare endocrine diseases in Bulgaria in 2021. Clinical data, patients reported outcomes, and health economics data were collected to define the predictors of non-adherence to medicines. Medication adherence level was assessed through a free Morisky–Green 4-item questionnaire. A total of 179 patients with acromegaly were observed. Approximately 62% were female, 50% were between 41 and 60 years, and the mean age at diagnosis was 40.4 years. The response rate to the questionnaires was 53% (n = 95; mean age 53.5 years, 73% female and 26% male). Patients with high levels of MA reported higher median values for the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in comparison with those with low levels: 65.5 vs. 48.5 (p = 0.017). Similar results for EQ-5D-3L (3-level EuroQol 5D version) values and the level of MA were found: 0.656 vs. 0.796 (p = 0.0123). A low level of adherence was revealed in 34.7% of the patients, with no difference among different age groups. A significant positive determinant for adherence was years lived with acromegaly (OR = 5.625, 95% CI 1.7401–18.1832, p = 0.0039), as shorter duration was related to higher odds for high level of adherence. The current study demonstrates the importance of МА assessment for patients with acromegaly in Bulgaria. The medication adherence to the prescribed therapy among the observed group of patients with acromegaly varied as the percentage of adherent patients was around 65%. Still, there are low-adherent patients, and the responsible factors should be further investigated

Adherence to Acromegaly Treatment and Analysis of the Related Factors—A Real-World Study in Bulgaria

The purpose was to assess the level of medication adherence (MA) and related factors among individuals with acromegaly. The secondary goal was to assess the quality of life of patients and whether and how it correlates with the level of adherence. A prospective one-year study was conducted among patients with acromegaly diagnosed, treated, and monitored in the reference center for rare endocrine diseases in Bulgaria in 2021. Clinical data, patients reported outcomes, and health economics data were collected to define the predictors of non-adherence to medicines. Medication adherence level was assessed through a free Morisky–Green 4-item questionnaire. A total of 179 patients with acromegaly were observed. Approximately 62% were female, 50% were between 41 and 60 years, and the mean age at diagnosis was 40.4 years. The response rate to the questionnaires was 53% (n = 95; mean age 53.5 years, 73% female and 26% male). Patients with high levels of MA reported higher median values for the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) in comparison with those with low levels: 65.5 vs. 48.5 (p = 0.017). Similar results for EQ-5D-3L (3-level EuroQol 5D version) values and the level of MA were found: 0.656 vs. 0.796 (p = 0.0123). A low level of adherence was revealed in 34.7% of the patients, with no difference among different age groups. A significant positive determinant for adherence was years lived with acromegaly (OR = 5.625, 95% CI 1.7401–18.1832, p = 0.0039), as shorter duration was related to higher odds for high level of adherence. The current study demonstrates the importance of MA assessment for patients with acromegaly in Bulgaria. The medication adherence to the prescribed therapy among the observed group of patients with acromegaly varied as the percentage of adherent patients was around 65%. Still, there are low-adherent patients, and the responsible factors should be further investigated