Marcin Myszko, Jerzy Bychowski, Elżbieta Skrzydlewska
et al.
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), with both beneficial and detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. On one hand, the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and vascular remodeling, which are central to the development and progression of CAD. These pathological effects drive key processes such as atherosclerosis, plaque formation, and thrombosis. On the other hand, moderate levels of oxidative stress can have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. These include regulating vascular tone by promoting blood vessel dilation, supporting endothelial function through nitric oxide production, and enhancing the immune response to prevent infections. Additionally, oxidative stress can stimulate cellular adaptation to stress, promote cell survival, and encourage angiogenesis, which helps form new blood vessels to improve blood flow. Oxidative stress also holds promise as a source of biomarkers that could aid in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of CAD. Specific oxidative markers, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), isoprostanes (isoP), ischemia-modified albumin, and antioxidant enzyme activity, have been identified as potential indicators of disease severity and therapeutic response. This review explores the dual nature of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis and CAD, examining its mechanisms in disease pathogenesis as well as its emerging role in clinical diagnostics and targeted therapies. The future directions for research aimed at harnessing the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of oxidative stress biomarkers are also discussed. Understanding the balance between the detrimental and beneficial effects of oxidative stress could lead to innovative approaches in the prevention and management of CAD.
Alijon Khusanov, Ozodbek Sabirov, Yulia Frank
et al.
This study analyzes microplastic pollution of surface waters of the Zarafshan River flowing through the Samarkand and Navoi regions of Uzbekistan. Microplastics pose a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems due to their ubiquity and ability to accumulate toxic substances. In the Central Asian context, the problem of microplastics remains poorly understood, complicating the development of mitigation strategies. The study was conducted in July 2023. Surface water samples were collected using a microsampler equipped with a 330μm mesh. Laboratory processing included oxidation of organic matter with hydrogen peroxide and separation of plastic particles by density separation. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the polymer composition. According to the results, the concentration of MP particles was 3.22±1.64 units/m3 in the corresponding part of the Zarafshan River in the Navoi region and 2.96±0.78 units/m3 in the Samarkand region. The particles found in the water have a diameter of 0.15 to 3.00 mm. According to the results of the data analysis, a part of the Zarafshan River flowing through the territory of Samarkand and Navoi regions is polluted with plastic particles due to environmental factors. Existing data on microplastic pollution of freshwater ecosystems in Central Asia are fragmentary, which makes it difficult to assess environmental risks and take appropriate measures. The aim of this paper is to assess the level of microplastic pollution in the Zarafshan River and identify the main sources of pollution. The results of the study highlight the need for regular monitoring and the development of effective measures to reduce the level of microplastic pollution in the region.
Nazia Quadir, Rashmi Deopujari, Ranjana Agrawal
et al.
Background:
The ulnar artery, the larger terminal branch of the brachial artery, is a key contributor to forearm vascularization. It traverses the Guyon’s canal alongside the ulnar nerve in the palmar medial carpal region. Due to its favorable anatomical properties, the ulnar artery has gained significance as an alternative to the radial artery for coronary angiography and angioplasty. Additionally, the ulnar artery forearm flap is widely used in reconstructive head and neck surgeries and post-burn contracture management. Variations in the course and branching pattern of the ulnar artery in the medial carpal region are clinically significant for surgical interventions.
Materials and Methods:
The study was conducted on 50 formalin-fixed cadaveric upper limbs obtained from the Department of Anatomy, P.C.M.S. and R.C, Gandhi Medical College, and Chirayu Medical College. Dissection was performed in the medial palmar carpal region to examine the course, tortuosity, and branching pattern of the ulnar artery. The boundaries of the Guyon’s canal were delineated, and any variations in the artery’s trajectory and termination were recorded. Digital photographs documented the anatomical findings.
Results:
In all but one case, the ulnar artery was found to traverse through the Guyon’s canal. A tortuous course was observed in 38% of cases, while 62% exhibited a straight trajectory. The tortuosity extended 6 cm proximally and 4 cm distally from the pisiform bone and resulted in ulnar nerve kinking in 16% of cases. The deep terminal branch originated distal to the pisiform in 94%, at its level in 4%, and proximal to the pisiform in 2% of cases. The artery was accompanied by venae comitantes and gave rise to dorsal cutaneous, dorsal carpal, and palmar carpal branches. A unique case was noted where the deep branch traversed deep to the flexor retinaculum and gave off a superficial branch entering the palm.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the variability in the ulnar artery’s course, with a 38% prevalence of tortuosity and its potential impact on clinical procedures. The findings are crucial for vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists, especially when performing transulnar angiography and angioplasty. Additionally, understanding the branching pattern enhances precision in reconstructive microsurgery and prevents inadvertent nerve compression or ischemic complications.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) inherently requires considerable time for data acquisition, but obtaining multi-contrast MRI data further prolongs this process, thereby increasing susceptibility to motion artifacts. It is worth noting that the multi-contrast MR images have both structural similarities and unique contrast information. Therefore, to take advantage of their similarities while preserving their distinctive characteristics, we proposed a new method called high-dimensional subsets embedding (HDSE). This novel approach is based on the frame of low-rank modeling of local k-space neighborhoods with parallel imaging (P-LORAKS). Specifically, our approach utilizes the structural similarity of multi-contrast MR images to process different k-space data through two independent channels. In one channel, we individually separate the complementary T1-T2 k-space data and directly construct a new subset of local k-space, allowing the model to better capture structural correlations between multiple contrasts. In another channel, we provide global under-sampled T2-weighted k-space data further constrain image acquisition in high-dimensional space to maintain image consistency and reduce noise amplification. These two different channels information is fused together to form high-dimensional feature objects. Besides, we embed the constructed objects into P-LORAKS in various ways to enhance the reconstruction performance. Experimental results demonstrated that the aided reconstruction of local subsets fusion and the high-dimensional reconstruction of adaptive global constraints can improve the accuracy of image reconstruction and enhance the robustness of the model.
Physical and theoretical chemistry, Analytical chemistry
Victor Castañeda-Monsalve, Laura-Fabienne Fröhlich, Sven-Bastiaan Haange
et al.
The human gut microbiota is a complex microbial community with critical functions for the host, including the transformation of various chemicals. While effects on microorganisms has been evaluated using single-species models, their functional effects within more complex microbial communities remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the response of a simplified human gut microbiota model (SIHUMIx) cultivated in an in vitro bioreactor system in combination with 96 deep-well plates after exposure to 90 different xenobiotics, comprising 54 plant protection products and 36 food additives and dyes, at environmentally relevant concentrations. We employed metaproteomics and metabolomics to evaluate changes in bacterial abundances, the production of Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), and the regulation of metabolic pathways. Our findings unveiled significant changes induced by 23 out of 54 plant protection products and 28 out of 36 food additives across all three categories assessed. Notable highlights include azoxystrobin, fluroxypyr, and ethoxyquin causing a substantial reduction (log2FC < −0.5) in the concentrations of the primary SCFAs: acetate, butyrate, and propionate. Several food additives had significant effects on the relative abundances of bacterial species; for example, acid orange 7 and saccharin led to a 75% decrease in Clostridium butyricum, with saccharin causing an additional 2.5-fold increase in E. coli compared to the control. Furthermore, both groups exhibited up- and down-regulation of various pathways, including those related to the metabolism of amino acids such as histidine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine, as well as bacterial secretion systems and energy pathways like starch, sucrose, butanoate, and pyruvate metabolism. This research introduces an efficient in vitro technique that enables high-throughput screening of the structure and function of a simplified and well-defined human gut microbiota model against 90 chemicals using metaproteomics and metabolomics. We believe this approach will be instrumental in characterizing chemical-microbiota interactions especially important for regulatory chemical risk assessments.
As an exogenous pollutant, the microplastics accumulated in soil could alter microbial activity. The use of plastic mulch in greenhouse vegetable planting not only enhances vegetable yield and quality, but also leads to the formation and accumulation of microplastics in the soil over time. It is essential to determine the characteristics of microplastics and microorganisms in soils with varying years of planting is crucial for ensuring vegetable quality and quantity. Therefore, this study investigated the abundance and particle size of microplastics, the concentration of phthalates (PAEs), and the dynamics of soil microbial activity in greenhouse soils with different planting years (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years). Results showed that microplastics increased in abundance, particle size, and PAEs concentration as planting years progressed. Specifically, the abundance of microplastics rose from 70.0 ± 8.7 to 224.0 ± 10.4 items/kg, with the proportion of microplastics sized 0–2 mm increasing from 14.02 to 69.11 %, and the total PAEs concentration in the soil escalating from 0.31 to 1.89 mg/kg. Additionally, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria levels increased, correlating with organic matter degradation. Metabolic pathway linked to degradation were enriched according to KEGG analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that microplastics notably decreased soil pH, creating an acidic environment that boosted urease activity and the relative abundance of Nitrospirae. This study sheds light on the accumulation characteristics of microplastics and their impact on soil microbial activity following prolonged planting.
Background: Both clinical and experimental findings demonstrated a rise in prostate cancer in chronic renal illness. However, the clinical data associated with CKD was not looked at the context of prostate cancer. The study aims to investigate prostate cancer risk in CKD patients using clinical data via systemic review and meta-analysis. Materials and Methods: Using pertinent pairing keywords, I carried out a thorough exploration of PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science. The pooled HR with 95% CI of the considered clinical findings was estimated involving the general inverse variance outcome type. With RevMan 5.3, the total pooled estimate meta-analysis was evaluated utilizing the random effects model. Results: Total of six findings were considered for this analysis, with a total of 2,430,246 participants. The age and mean follow-up of the included patients and studies ranged from 55 to 67.4 years and 10.1 to 12 years, respectively. The meta-analysis showed no significant risk of prostate cancer among CKD patients (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.60-1.41; P = 0.70). The results from subgroup analysis based on eGFR levels ranged ≥30-59 ml/min per 1.73 m2 and also found no significant risk of prostate cancer among CKD patients (HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.92-1.18; P = 0.52). Here I did not report statistical heterogeneity found (Q = 0.56, I2 = 0%, P = 0.87). As per the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, the included studies suggested good quality. Conclusion: The results suggest no significant risk of developing prostate cancer among CKD patients. Therefore, well-designed prospective cohort studies with stages of CKD and clear predefined prior history and causative factors are needed to support the present evidence strongly.
Analytical Quality by design and greener solvent methods were applied to optimize the High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic method for assessing atorvastatin calcium in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage forms are highlighted in the present work. The research used a rotatable central composite design, with the volume of ethanol and flow rate chosen as critical method variables for examining their impact on critical analytical attributes such as tailing factor, capacity factor, and theoretical plates. On a Zorbax Eclipse plus C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm), optimal chromatographic separation was achieved using 0.5% v/v aqueous acetic acid: ethanol (42.5: 57.5 v/v) flowing at 0.91 mL/min. Photodiode array detection was made at 246 nm. The retention time was 6.27 min for atorvastatin and the run time was 12 min. The linearity of the proposed method was perceived in the range of 10 to 150 µg/mL. The outcomes of other validation studies were likewise satisfactory. The suggested HPLC method was assessed concerning its greenness and ecological nature by the Green Analytical Procedure Index; Analytical Method Greenness Score; and analytical Eco-Scale score approach along with software-based evaluation AGREE metrics, which affirmed the excellent greenness and safety of the present work. This AQbD and greener technology were proven adequate for regular analysis of atorvastatin calcium in the pharmaceutical tablet dose without damaging the environment.
Coffee is a very popular beverage worldwide. However, its composition and characteristics are affected by a number of factors, such as geographical and botanical origin, harvesting and roasting conditions, and brewing method used. As coffee consumption rises, the demands on its high quality and authenticity naturally grows as well. Unfortunately, at the same time, various tricks of coffee adulteration occur more frequently, with the intention of quick economic profit. Many analytical methods have already been developed to verify the coffee authenticity, in which the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) plays a crucial role, especially thanks to its high selectivity and sensitivity. Thus, this review summarizes the results of targeted and non-targeted HPLC analysis of coffee-based products over the last 10 years as an effective tool for determining coffee composition, which can help to reveal potential forgeries and non-compliance with good manufacturing practice, and subsequently protects consumers from buying overpriced low-quality product. The advantages and drawbacks of the targeted analysis are specified and contrasted with those of the non-targeted HPLC fingerprints, which simply consider the chemical profile of the sample, regardless of the determination of individual compounds present.
Iva Yenis Septiariva, Sapta Suhardono, Mega Mutiara Sari
et al.
Waste management at tourist sites is an unavoidable problem due to the massive number of visitors. One of the types of waste is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. This study aims to analyze the potential use of PET for waste to energy in tourist areas. This research was conducted in a tourist area in Klungkung Regency, Bali Province. This study only uses grab sampling in measuring waste generation and composition. This research was conducted by proximate analysis and thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA). The measurement of waste generation shows that the PET produced is 1.24 kg/day, or about 43.5% of the total waste generation. Proximate analysis measurements show the value of moisture, ash, volatile, and fixed carbon content, which are 1.53, 0.14, 95.92, and 2.42, respectively. Meanwhile, the caloric value of PET waste is 22.71 MJ/kg. The residue from the TGA results showed 2.575%. The thermal degradation process starts at a temperature of 280ᵒC, and the initial temperature of degradation starts at 406 – and ends at 468ᵒC. Utilization of PET waste at this tourist location can also help the purpose of waste management in Klungkung Regency, namely implementing the Waste to Energy concept at the Local Waste Processing Facility (TOSS).
Sylwia Bajkacz, Magdalena Ligor, Irena Baranowska
et al.
The main aim of this study was to develop a method for the isolation and determination of polyphenols—in particular, flavonoids present in various morphological parts of plants belonging to the cabbage family (<i>Brassicaceae</i>). Therefore, a procedure consisting of maceration, acid hydrolysis and measurement of the total antioxidant capacity of plant extracts (using DPPH assay) was conducted. Qualitative analysis was performed employing thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which was presented to be a suitable methodology for the separation and determination of chemopreventive phytochemicals from plants belonging to the cabbage family. The study involved the analysis of 25 vegetal samples, including radish, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, canola, kohlrabi, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, red cabbage, pak choi and cauliflower. In addition, selected flavonoids content in free form and bonded to glycosides was determined by using an RP-UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method.
H.Sumano- López, L.Carrillo- González, M. Monroy-Barreto
et al.
Summary: In the second cycle of laying hens, egg production and quality decrease. This is mainly due to decreased absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, serum concentrations of calcium tend to decrease and are compensated through bone reabsorption. There are several sources of calcium with different solubilities and absorption rates. The choice of one of them may be of importance for the referred second laying cycle in hens. Hence, relative bioavailability (Fr) of 4 sources of Ca were evaluated in 300 Bovans-White 85-wk-old hens. Animals were randomly assigned to 5 groups as follows: the control group receiving baseline doses of calcium carbonate as required by this hen's linage (control group [GC]); GCca group (receiving additional calium carbonate); the GFtc group (receiving tricalcium phosphate); the GLgc group (which received calcium lactate-gluconate), and the GCcaCp group, which received calcium carbonate plus 10 μg of capsicum oleoresin (COr). Each hen was orally dosed with 1 g of Ca equivalent by probe, and serum Ca was quantified at predetermined times. The Ca-kinetic behavior was characterized by calculating the following: maximum serum concentration (CMAX); time to achieve CMAX; area under the concentration curve vs. time (AUC0-24). Fr as compared with GCca were calculated. GLgc and GCcaCp had the greatest CMAX and Fr values, that is, 34.7 and 37.2 μg/dL for CMAX and 109.6 and 112.9% for FR, respectively, and they were statistically indistinguishable between them (P < 0.05). GCca showed lower AUC and CMAX than former groups, but greater than GC (P < 0.05). Capsicum oleoresin is postulated as a promoter of Ca F in hens during the second cycle of egg production. A dose-response relationship of COr is required to determine the optimum dose of COr to enhance Ca F.
Heba-Alla H. Abd-ElSalam, Mohammed Gamal, Ibrahim A. Naguib
et al.
Waste resulting from edible plants is considered one of the best sources of valuable phytochemicals. A promising approach for using these appreciated wastes is extracting precious medically important constituents, for example, free quercetin. Two new cost-effective and green extraction methods are introduced in the present study: ultrasound-assisted glycerol extraction (UAGE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). These extraction protocols are optimized using factorial design to define the highest yield of extraction, and HPLC-UV at 370 nm was used as a method of yield analysis. Quercetin remained stable during the whole process in both extraction protocols. A standard addition technique was performed to quantify quercetin in different extracts and eliminate the matrix effect. In UAGE and MAE, extraction yields were 16.55 ± 0.81 and 27.20 ± 1.55 mg/1g from red onion scales on a dry base, respectively. The amount of quercetin extracted using MAE was superior to UAGE in terms of time and yield. A greenness assessment of the offered studies compared to previously published relevant extraction methods was performed using the analytical eco-scale assessment method (ESA) and national environmental methods index (NEMI). MAE showed to be a greener method with a higher ESA score and a greener NEMI pictogram.