Rosmarinic acid content in selected varieties of sage (Salvia officinalis L.)

Cieľom práce bolo zistiť obsah kyseliny rozmarínovej (RA) vo vybraných odrodách šalvie lekárskej (Salvia officinalis L.): Krajová, Purpurascens, Berggarten, Tricolor, Icterina a Alba. V rámci sledovaných rokov 2013-2015 a dvoch termínov zberu sme zistili, že najvyšší obsah RA mala odroda Tricolor v roku 2013 (30084,65 mg*kg-1) zberaná v prvom termíne. Najnižšia hodnota bola zaznamenaná pri odrode Berggarten (9000,5 mg*kg-1) v roku 2015 v druhom termíne zberu. Najvyšší priemerný obsah RA bol v odrodeTricolor (19605,82 mg*kg-1), naopak najnižší obsah RA bol v odrodeBerggarten (14610,71 mg*kg-1). Pri porovnávaní termínov zberu sme potvrdili štatisticky významný rozdiel obsahu RA v sledovaných odrodách šalvie (P˂0,001) medzi 1. termínom (22516,08 mg*kg-1) a 2. termínom zberu (11155,83 mg*kg-1). V rámci sledovaných rokov bol najnižší obsah RA (13562,74 mg*kg-1) zistený v roku 2015 a rozdiel v obsahu RA v tomto roku v porovnaní s rokmi 2013 a 2014 bol štatisticky významný (P˂0,001). Priemerné hodnoty RA v sledovaných odrodách šalvie lekárskej v roku 2013 (17624,12 mg*kg-1) a v roku 2014 (17522,69 mg*kg-1) neboli štatisticky významné. Na základe týchto výsledkov je možné konštatovať, že na obsah RA v šalvii lekárskej (Salvia officinalis L.) štatisticky významne vplývala odroda, termín zberu aj pestovateľský ročník.The aim of this thesis was to find the content of rosmarinic acid (RA) in the selected varieties of sage (Salvia officinalis L.): Krajová, Purpurascens, Berggarten, Tricolor, Icterina and Alba. In the monitoring years 2013-2015 and two collection dates was found that the highest RA content was in Tricolor in 2013 (30,084.65 mg*kg-1) collected in the first term. The lowest value was recorded for the Berggarten (9,000.5 mg*kg-1) in 2015 in the second collection date. The highest average RA content was found in Tricolor (19,605.82 mg*kg-1), while the lowest RA content was in Berggarten (14,610.71 mg*kg-1). When the terms of collection were compared, there were confirmed statistically significant difference in RA content in the monitored varieties of sage (P˂0.001) between 1st time of harvesting (22,516.08 mg*kg-1) and 2nd time of harvesting (11,155.83 mg*kg-1). Within years was the lowest content of the RA (13,562.74 mg*kg-1) found in 2015 and the difference in the RA content this year compared to 2013 and 2014 was statistically significant (P˂0.001). Average RA values in the monitored varieties of sage in 2013 (17,624.12 mg*kg-1) and in 2014 (17,522.69 mg*kg-1) were not statistically significant. These results follow, that the content of RA in sage (Salvia officinalis L.) statistically significantly affected the variety, time of harvesting and growing year

Cross sectional study of vitamin B12 supplementation in Slovak and Czech vegans

Background. The number of vegans in the world is growing and in Slovakia and the Czech Republic they make up 1% of the population. Vegan diet excludes all foods of animal origin and vegans who do not use vitamin B12 supplements are at risk of the vitamin B12 deficiency. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine what proportion of Czech and Slovak vegans use vitamin B12 supplements regularly, irregularly or not at all and what is their supplemental cobalamin intake. Materials and methods. The research involved 1337 self-identified vegans from Slovakia and the Czech Republic who were interviewed using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method. Participants were recruited by posts in veganism-themed social media groups. Results. Out of 1337 vegans 55.5% supplemented cobalamin regularly, 32.54% irregularly and 11.97% were not supplementing. Rate of not supplementing individuals was 5.04% higher in Slovaks than in Czechs. Short-term vegans had a significantly higher rate of not supplementing individuals (17.99%) compared to medium-term (8.37%) and long-term vegans (7.50%). Mean weekly cobalamin intake from supplements was 2938.34±2566.60 μg in regularly supplementing vegans compared to 1630.31±1949.27 μg in irregularly supplementing vegans, particularly due to the lower weekly supplementation frequency among irregularly (2.93) compared to regularly supplementing vegans (5.27). Conclusions. The rate of supplementation in Slovak and particularly Czech vegans was higher than in other countries. The number of not supplementing individuals was significantly higher among short-term vegans, indicating that there is still a need for education on the importance of adequate and regular cobalamin supplementation, especially in new vegans. Our results support the hypothesis that the reason for higher rate of cobalamin deficiency in irregularly compared to regularly supplementing vegans is the lower cobalamin intake caused by lower supplementation frequency

Anthropometric Indices as Predictive Screening Tools for Obesity in Adults; The Need to Define Sex-Specific Cut-Off Points for Anthropometric Indices

Due to the lack of full agreement as to the best indicators for obesity diagnosis and type, the aim of this study was to assess the comparative classification capabilities with the use of BIA results and selected anthropometric indices in individuals aged 20–60 years. This was a cross-sectional observational study among 368 Caucasian subjects aged 20–60 years. Body size and four skinfolds measurement were taken. To assess individual body composition, the bioelectrical impedance (BIA) method was applied. The results of fat mass (FM, kg) and fat-free mass (FFM, kg) were taken to calculate FM/FFM, fat mass index (FMI), and fat free mass index (FFMI). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to compare the predictive power of different anthropometric indices in differentiating the classification of obesity in adults. The results of this study demonstrated and confirmed the need to change the approach to commonly used indicators such as BMI (body mass index) or WHtR (waist-to-height ratio), which should lead to the establishment of new criteria for the diagnosis of obesity that will also be sex-specific, in the adult population. The measurement of body fat content should become a generally accepted indicator for effective diagnosis, as well as for screening, of obesity

Burnout nos estudantes do ensino superior

Os estudantes fazem parte de uma organização de educação onde desempenham um determinado papel, realizam tarefas que exigem esforço, possuem metas a cumprir e seu desempenho é constantemente avaliado pelos seus professores, os quais exercem uma função muito semelhante à de uma chefia num contexto de trabalho. O burnout académico é definido como exaustão cognitiva e emocional devido às exigências académicas, a sentimentos de incapacidade e ineficácia e uma atitude cínica em relação aos estudos, aos professores e colegas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Fungal Spores and Plant Bioactive Compounds

Fungi, and their spores, are responsible for the spoilage of several foods and plants and are susceptible to contamination with mycotoxins, which have associated health hazards. In this context, proper methodologies for inactivating such fungi and controlling mycotoxin production are critical. High-pressure processing (HPP) has recently become popular as a nonthermal alternative to conventional thermal pasteurization processes. Even though HPP can effectively eliminate some fungal spores, some species, such as those from the genera Byssochlamys, Talaromyces, and Aspergillus, are quite resistant to this treatment. Additionally, high pressure can also be used as a cold extraction technique for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and other matrices (termed high pressure-assisted extraction, HPE). With this method, safe use for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications is guaranteed. This method simultaneously works (depending on the applied pressure level) as an extraction technique and induces the pasteurization effect on the extracts. This encyclopedia entry aims to highlight the effects of nonthermal HPP on fungal spores, the prevalence of mycotoxins in plant materials and how high pressure can be used as an extraction technique to produce high-value cold pasteurized extracts with biological activity

Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure on Fungal Spores and Plant Bioactive Compounds

Fungi, and their spores, are responsible for the spoilage of several foods and plants and are susceptible to contamination with mycotoxins, which have associated health hazards. In this context, proper methodologies for inactivating such fungi and controlling mycotoxin production are critical. High-pressure processing (HPP) has recently become popular as a nonthermal alternative to conventional thermal pasteurization processes. Even though HPP can effectively eliminate some fungal spores, some species, such as those from the genera Byssochlamys, Talaromyces, and Aspergillus, are quite resistant to this treatment. Additionally, high pressure can also be used as a cold extraction technique for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants and other matrices (termed high pressure-assisted extraction, HPE). With this method, safe use for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications is guaranteed. This method simultaneously works (depending on the applied pressure level) as an extraction technique and induces the pasteurization effect on the extracts. This encyclopedia entry aims to highlight the effects of nonthermal HPP on fungal spores, the prevalence of mycotoxins in plant materials and how high pressure can be used as an extraction technique to produce high-value cold pasteurized extracts with biological activity

Effects of hemodialysis on serum fetuin-A levels

Fetuin-A is a calcification inhibitor, negative acute phase response marker and cardiovascular mortality predictor in hemodialysis patients. Low levels of fetuin-A are associated with malnutrition, inflammation, decreased bone mass density, low-turnover bone and use of high calcium concentration dialysate. Hemodialysis procedure (HD) has been shown to decrease fetuin-A levels by 20%, probably due to HD-induced inflammation or acute changes in calcium metabolism. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of HD on serum fetuin-A levels. Forty clinically and hemodynamically stable hemodialysis patients (21 females, 68 (38-85) years) underwent routine bicarbonate hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration with polysulfone dialyzer. On consecutive HD dialysis solution with different calcium concentration with/without citric acid was used to assess influence of calcium shifts and parathyroid activity on fetuin-A changes during HD. All other parameters of HD were kept constant. Serum fetuin-A, calcium, phosphorus, iPTH, CRP and other biochemical parameters were measured before and after each HD. Our data show that predialysis serum fetuin-A levels have positive correlation with iPTH levels (p<0.05) and tendency to decrease with higher CRP levels. There was no change in fetuin-A levels during HD: 206 (167.1; 231.9) ug/ml before and 208.9 (170.3; 246.3) ug/ml after HD; respectively. When corrected for haemoconcentration, decrease in fetuin-A was only 2.8% (p<0.05). There was also no difference between effect of hemodialysis and hemodia-filtration procedure. The use of different calcium dialysate concentrations had distinct effect on iPTH levels during and after HD, however, we observed no associated changes in fetuin-A levels. The use of dialysate solution with citric acid had no effect on fetuin-A levels. In conclusion, standard bicarbonate HD with polysulfone dialyser and ultrapure dialysate induces only minor changes in fetuin-A and no changes in hsCRP levels. iPTH levels correlate positively with predialysis fetuin-A, but distinct acute changes in iPTH secretion induced by different dialysate calcium concentrations have no effect on serum fetuin-A levels after a single HD

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Secondary Metabolites Present in Sarcopoterium Spinosum L.

Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of various diseases including cancer in the Near- and Middle East. The fractions and constituents of the ethanol extract of S. spinosum were screened for in vitro cytotoxic activities on Jurkat (acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia), HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (mammary gland adenocarcinoma), Caco-2 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma), and MDA-MB-231 (mammary gland adenocarcinoma) cell lines using the MTT (3-(dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The ethanol extract was subsequently re-extracted with ethyl acetate and in its sub-fraction obtained by column chromatography three compounds (stachydrine, benzalkonium chloride and rutine) were the first time identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The most active subfraction showed cytotoxic activity against HeLa, MCF-7, and Caco-2 cell lines. The three compounds mentioned, as standards of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quality, were studied individually and in combination. Cytotoxic activity observed might be due to the presence of benzalkonium chloride and rutin. Benzalkonium chloride showed the strongest growth suppression effect against HeLa cells (IC50 8.10−7 M) and MCF-7 cells (IC50 5.10−6 M). The mixture of stachydrine and benzalkonium chloride allowed a synergistic cytotoxic effect against all tested cancer and normal cells to be obtained. Anti-cancer activity of the plant extract of S. spinosum remains under-investigated, so this research describes how the three major compounds identified in the ethyl acetate extract can exert a significant dose dependent in vitro cytotoxicity