Phenolic profiles of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) leaf extracts obtained by different extraction methods

Extracts from quince leaves are a well-known home remedy used for treating diverse health problems. Most of the beneficial properties of quince leaf extracts may be assigned to their high content of phenolic compounds, particularly tannins. In this research, we have evaluated the efficiency of various methods for phenolic extraction from quince leaves and determined detailed phenolic profiles of different extracts. The results indicated that leaf drying is a suitable pretreatment for enhancing the extraction of phenolic compounds. Higher extraction of phenolics was achieved at higher temperatures (i.e. infusion or decoction). Phenolic profiles of quince leaf extracts differed among the extraction solvents and time of extraction. Flavanols prevailed in extracts obtained by decoction and ethanolic maceration, while extracts obtained by maceration in water and infusion were rich in phenolic acids. A highly concentrated quince leaf extract was attained by ethanolic maceration, using a standard ratio of solvent and leaf material

Impact of Adriatic submarine HVDC cables to South East European Electricity Market Perspectives

The ultimate goal in today’s electricity business in Europe is market integration on pan-European level that will introduce transparency and competition between market players, incentives to clean energy development, as well as high quality of supply to the end-customers. To achieve these goals, in South-East Europe (SEE) there are number of barriers and uncertainties, one of which is linked with the possible new undersea HVDC connections between SEE and Italy. With the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and coordination of the United States Energy Association (USEA), within the framework of the Southeast Europe Transmission System Planning Project (SECI), a detailed analysis has been accomplished on the impact of one or more undersea HVDC cables between Italy and SEE on power system operation and electricity market development [1]. Special emphasis to this analysis is given by the fact that SECI has been one of the longest running projects in the region. It started in 2001 with active participation of all regional TSOs, including continuous updating of power system and electricity market models and its harmonization of constant changes in power system planning. It is of utmost importance in the environment of constant changes of national power system development plans and needed further steps for full market opening and integration in the region. SEE power systems and market1 were modelled using the most relevant power system and market simulation and optimization softwares. Both system and market comprehensive models have been verified by all SEE TSOs. Study analyses were divided in two parts: 1) market analysis and 2) network analysis. The market study investigated expected generation pattern, power exchanges and wholesale prices in SEE, taking into account regional market synergy, the new links with Italy, and high level of RES integration. Bulgaria and Romania are currently the main exporters in SEE. Significant power exchanges in the North-South/Southeast direction are related to the fact that the GR, MK, ME, HR and AL are mainly importing, plus the influence of Italy importing over new potential HVDC cable(s). Network analysis dealt with power flows, network bottlenecks and voltage profiles in given market scenarios. Finally, the results of this comprehensive market simulation comprised of the following: • Countries electricity balance (production, consumption and exchanges) • Electricity prices for each country • Cross-border power exchanges (MWh/h) for each border in the region on hourly basis • HVDC link loadings (MWh/h) for each HVDC submarine cable on hourly basis • Location and frequency of market congestions in SEE (NTCs full between areas with price difference) All those analyses have been performed in two different transmission network development scenarios: • Base case scenario: with planned HVDC ME-IT • Alternative scenario: with planned HVDC ME-IT, and HVDC HR-IT, and HVDC AL-IT In this way one of the most important uncertainties (new HVDC links SEE – Italy) for future power system and market operation in SEE, have been evaluated both in technical and market sense, using the most relevant inputs and model

Effects of long-term multimodal psychosocial treatment on antipsychotic-induced metabolic changes in patients with first episode psychosis

Background: Antipsychotic-induced weight gain and metabolic abnormalities are one of the major challenges in the treatment of psychosis, contributing to the morbidity, mortality and treatment non-adherence. Different approaches were used to counteract these side effects but showed only limited or short-term effects. This study aims to analyse the effects of a long-term multimodal treatment program for first episode psychosis on antipsychotic-induced metabolic changes. ----- Methods: We enrolled 71 patients with first episode psychosis treated at the Zagreb University Hospital Centre from 2016 until 2018. Participants were assigned to one of the two groups: day hospital program vs. treatment as usual (TAU). Outcomes were: body weight, blood glucose, lipids and cholesterol, psychopathology and global level of functioning during the 18-months follow-up. ----- Results: Although the TAU group gained more weight and had higher increase of blood glucose, while the day hospital group had a higher increase in total cholesterol at 18th month follow-up, after the adjustment for age, gender and baseline measures, the type of treatment was not significantly associated with any of the primary outcome measures. Patients' psychopathology measures significantly decreased and their functional level significantly increased at month 18th in both groups. ----- Conclusion: While both types of treatment were effective in reducing psychopathology and restoring the patients' level of functioning, both were relatively ineffective in counteracting antipsychotic-induced metabolic abnormalities and antipsychotic-induced weight gain

Red Walnut: Characterization of the Phenolic Profiles, Activities and Gene Expression of Selected Enzymes Related to the Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Pellicle during Walnut Development

A rare walnut variant with a red seed coat (pellicle) was examined for alterations in its phenolic profile during development. The red-walnut (RW) pellicle was compared with two commonly colored walnut varieties: ‘Lara’ (brown) and ‘Fernor’ (light brown). Furthermore, the activities of selected enzymes of the phenylpropanoid- and flavonoid-related pathways and the relative expressions of the structural genes <i>phenylalanine ammonia lyase</i> (<i>PAL</i>) and <i>anthocyanidin synthase</i> (<i>ANS</i>) were examined in the pellicles of the three varieties. In the pellicles of the RWs, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and related <i>PAL</i> expression was most pronounced in August, about one month before commercial maturity, suggesting a high synthesis rate of phenolic compounds at this development stage. The most pronounced differences between the red and light- and dark-brown varieties were the increased PAL activity, <i>PAL</i> expression, and <i>ANS</i> expression in RWs in August. The vibrant color of the RW pellicle is based on the presence of four derivatives of cyanidin- and delphinidin-hexosides

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide.Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters.Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 percent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 percent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 percent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle-compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries.Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)