Chemical composition, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of five Lamiaceae essential oils

The aim of this study was to assess the biological activity of essential oils from five Lamiaceae species, Mentha piperita, Mentha pulegium, Lavandula angustifolia, Satureja montana and Salvia lavandulifolia, for their chemical composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties. Gas chromatography coupled with FID and MS of essential oils revealed menthol (47.5\%), pulegone (68.7), linalool (40.3\%), thymol (44.6\%), and camphor (29.1\%) to be major oils' components, respectively. Minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal (MBC/MFC) concentrations were determined by microdilution method. Seven bacterial species, representing clinical specimens, including Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Enterecoccus feacalis, and fifty eight clinical oral Candida spp. isolates along with three reference strains were used in experiment. All essential oils (EOs) exhibited a significant antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms; the oil of S. montana proved to be the most potent one (MIC 30.0-630.0 mu g/mL, MBC 60.0-250.0 mu g/mL; MIC 0.9-1.0 mu g/mL; MFC 1.0-3.0 mu g/mL). In addition, the oil also revealed the highest cytotoxic activity against tested cell lines, presenting IC50 values from 40.13 to 65.51 mu g/mL, with mild selectivity towards HeLa cells observed in regard to the normal cell line (MRC-5). In addition to the herbs traditional use in food and pharmacy, results of this study proved the great potential of their essential oils for application in oral disease and anticancer treatments. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia {[}173032, III41026

Changes in Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccine Uptake during Pandemic

The epidemic control approach was based on non-pharmacological measures in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by vaccine uptake in the second year. Vaccine uptake depends on the individual attitude toward vaccination. The aim was to assess the changes in attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccine protection during the pandemic and to determine the vaccination uptake concerning these attitudes. A panel study on COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and vaccination against COVID-19 was conducted in Belgrade, Serbia. The first survey was carried out in May–June 2020, and the second survey was organized in August–September 2021. During the baseline testing performed in 2020, 64.4% of respondents believed that the future vaccine against COVID-19 could protect against the COVID-19 disease, while 9.7% thought that it could not, and 25.9% were unsure. One year later, in the second survey, the percentage of participants with positive attitudes was slightly lower (64.7% vs. 62.5%). However, negative attitudes turned positive in 34% of cases, and 28.9% became unsure about vaccine protection (p < 0.001). Out of the 390 participants included in the study, 79.7% were vaccinated against COVID-19 until follow-up. There is a statistically significant difference in vaccination uptake compared to the baseline attitude about the protection of the COVID-19 vaccine. The main finding of our study is that the majority of participants who were vaccine hesitant during the baseline testing changed their opinion during the follow-up period. Additionally, the baseline attitude about the protection of the COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be a potential determinant of vaccination uptake

Modification of hydrophilic polymer network to design a carrier for a poorly water-soluble substance

pH sensitive, nontoxic, and biocompatible poly(methacrylic) acid (PMAA) based soft networks have been extensively used in the design of systems for targeted drug delivery. Still, their highly hydrophilic nature limits their potential to be used as a carrier of poorly water-soluble substances. With the aim to overcome this limitation, the present study details a new approach for modification of PMAA based carriers using two amphiphilic components: casein and liposomes. The FTIR analysis revealed structural features of each component as well as the synergetic effect that originated from the formation of specific interactions. Namely, hydrophobic interactions between the poorly water-soluble model drug (caffeine) and casein enabled caffeine encapsulation and controlled release, while addition of liposomes ensured better control of the release rate. The morphological properties of the carriers, swelling behavior, and release kinetics of caffeine were investigated depending on the variable synthesis parameters (neutralization degree of methacrylic acid, concentration of caffeine, presence/absence of liposomes) in two different media simulating the pH environment of human intestines and stomach. The data obtained from in vitro caffeine release were correlated and analyzed in detail using several mathematical models, indicating significant potential of investigated carriers for targeted delivery and controlled release of poorly water-soluble substances

AROME-ESO Oncology Consensus Conference: access to cancer care innovations in countries with limited resources. Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology of the Mediterranean Area (AROME-Paris) and European School of Oncology (ESO - Milan)

Purpose: Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Its incidence is still increasing, particularly in developing countries. Recent progresses further strengthen the differences between low/middle and high-income countries. This situation calls for joint action to reduce inequities in cancer outcomes among the patients. The Association of Radiotherapy and Oncology of the Mediterranean Area (AROME) and the European School of Oncology (ESO), have initiated joint conferences devoted to access to innovations in oncology in the Mediterranean area. The heterogeneity of the economic, political and cultural situations of the different participating countries, offers the opportunity to develop consensus conference