BioDATA - Biodiversity Data for Internationalisation in Higher Education

BioDATA is an international project on developing skills in biodiversity data management and data publishing. Between 2018 and 2021, undergraduate and postgraduate students from Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Ukraine, have an opportunity to take part in the intensive courses to become certified professionals in biodiversity data management. They will gain practical skills and obtain appropriate knowledge on: international data standards (Darwin Core); data cleaning software, data publishing software such as the Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT), and preparation of data papers. Working with databases, creating datasets, managing data for statistical analyses and publishing research papers are essential for the everyday tasks of a modern biologist. At the same time, these skills are rarely taught in higher education. Most of the contemporary professionals in biodiversity have to gain these skills independently, through colleagues, or through supervision. In addition, all the participants familiarize themselves with one of the important international research data infrastructures such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The project is coordinated by the University of Oslo (Norway) and supported by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education (DIKU)

Efficacy and safety of curcumin and its combination with boswellic acid in osteoarthritis: a comparative, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract Background The aim of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of curcuminoid complex extract from turmeric rhizome with turmeric volatile oil (CuraMed®) and its combination with boswellic acid extract from Indian frankincense root (Curamin®) vs placebo for the treatment of 40- to 70-year-old patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods The effects of CuraMed® 500-mg capsules (333 mg curcuminoids) and Curamin® 500-mg capsules (350 mg curcuminoids and 150 mg boswellic acid) taken orally three times a day for 12 weeks in 201 patients was investigated in a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Primary outcome efficacy measures included OA physical function performance-based tests, the WOMAC recommended index of joint pain, morning stiffness, limitations of physical function, and the patients’ global assessment of disease severity. Results Favorable effects of both preparations compared to placebo were observed after only 3 months of continuous treatment. A significant effect of Curamin® compared to placebo was observed both in physical performance tests and the WOMAC joint pain index, while superior efficacy of CuraMed vs placebo was observed only in physical performance tests. The effect size compared to placebo was comparable for both treatment groups but was superior in the Curamin® group. The treatments were well tolerated. Conclusions Twelve-week use of curcumin complex or its combination with boswellic acid reduces pain-related symptoms in patients with OA. Curcumin in combination with boswellic acid is more effective. Combining Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts in Curamin® increases the efficacy of OA treatment presumably due to synergistic effects of curcumin and boswellic acid. Trial registration This trial is registered at the database www.clinicaltrials.gov . https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02390349?term=EuroPharma&rank=1 . Study registration number: NCT02390349

Oxidative stress and histopathological changes in several organs of mice injected with biogenic silver nanoparticles

AbstractThe widespread use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) requires a study of their safety. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of oxidative stress markers and histopathological changes in the experimental model of sarcoma S-180 of outbred mice caused by biogenic AgNPs. AgNPs were synthesized using 50% ethanol extract of Ocimum araratum leaves that was standardized for rosmarinic acid content. The effects of AgNPs were tested on chemiluminescence (ChL), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in healthy and experimental model of sarcoma S-180 mice. It was shown that, under the influence of AgNPs, the intensity of ChL decreased, in contrast with control groups (with the exception of the hepatocytes of animals with transplanted sarcoma). The presence of AgNPs leads to the decrease of MDA in the tissues of healthy mice and to a slight increase of MDA content in the tumour and kidney tissues. AgNPs neutralize the activity of SOD in kidney tissue samples in animals with transplanted sarcoma, and in tumour tissue, they reduce SOD activity by three times. The results of the histological analysis indicate that AgNPs not only cause the destruction of tumour tissue but also lead to structural changes in hepatocytes and nephrons, which can affect the function of these organs. AgNPs are potential agents for antitumor therapy. Future studies are needed using biocompatible non-toxic NPs that meet the requirement for these drugs