Search

(1) Background: We aimed to analyze the oxidative status of patients with unstable angina pectoris (UA), as well as to determine the correlation of these parameters between coronary arterial and peripheral venous blood samples. (2) Methods: The study included 47 human subjects with UA and 45 control subjects. We performed clinical examinations, hemodynamic and coronary angiography measures. Also, in the blood samples, we measured routine laboratory markers and the concentration of pro-oxidants: index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), superoxide anion radical (O2−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrites (NO2−), while antioxidant parameters were determined from red blood cells: reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). All parameters were determined spectrophotometrically. (3) Results: Significantly higher values of TBARS and all measured antioxidants SOD, CAT and GSH were observed in the coronary arterial blood of the UA group relative to coronary arterial blood of the control subjects. On the other hand, in the peripheral venous blood samples, a significantly lower GSH value was found in the UA group compared to the control. (4) Conclusions: This study has shown that the majority of changes in all measured redox markers are found in coronary blood, especially related to the activity of antioxidant components. In patients with an unstable form of angina, prooxidants (superoxide anion radical and index of lipid peroxidation) and endogenous antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione) are in direct correlation with the course of ischemic disease. Future studies, where participants would be randomized depending on symptom duration, are necessary to confirm these conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adipose tissue is a dynamic endocrine organ, a highly active metabolic tissue, and an important source of cytokines. Inflammatory factors play an important role in visceral obesity associated with insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MS), hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis. Objectives: To examine corelation of siMS score, as a quantification method for metabolic syndrome (MS), with insulin resistance, glucoregulation parameters, as with other co-founding factors of MS, inflammation and thrombosis factors, microalbuminuria, uric acid, fatty liver index (FLI) and homocysteine. Methods: The study included 451 obese individuals with pre-metabolic syndrome (pre-MS) and MS (age 16-75, body mass index (BMI) > 25kg/m2) classified into two groups: I-age 10-30 (167 patients); II-age 31-75 (284 patients). International Diabetes Federation (IDF) classification was applied for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Patients with less than three criteria indicated below were considered pre-metabolic syndrome. siMS risk score was used. Results: siMS score increased with age: I-3.03 ± 0.87, II-3.27 ± 0.90. siMS score correlated with associated factors of MS: hyperinsulinemia and IR, ALT, gama-GT, FLI, uric acid in both groups and CRP (p < 0.01) in group I. Correlations in II group: siMS score with PAI-1 (p = 0.01), microalbuminuria (p = 0.006), homocysteine (p = 0.076). Conclusion: Correlation of siMS score with HOMA-IR confirmed that hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance are in the basis of MS. Correlation of siMS score with parameters of NAFLD, CRP, PAI-1, uric acid, microalbuminuria and homocysteine indicates that they are significant co-founding factors of MS. Correlation of siMS score with PAI-1, microalbuminuria, homocysteine, indicates higher risk for progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This randomized study aimed to evaluate the correlation between bone mineral densities (BMD) measured at different sites and the frequency of vertebral fractures in a group of Serbian postmenopausal women.Method: BMD was measured in 130 naïve postmenopausal women by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the ultra-distal part of the forearms, at the hip and at the lumbar spine. At each of the measurement sites, the patients were categorized as osteoporotic, or osteopenic, or in the reference range. Vertebral fractures were examined using thoracic and lumbar spine radiography.Results: A T-score at different skeletal sites showed discordance in the site-specific region. Vertebral fractures were found in 58.82% of patients with hip osteopenia, in 45% with forearm osteopenia and in 54.54% with lumbar spine osteoporosis.Conclusions: The study confirmed that the reduction of BMD depends on age and choice of measurement site. The best correlation was obtained in the women with osteopenia at all measurement sites. The discovery of vertebral fractures by lateral thoracic and lumbar spine radiography improves prompt treatment. Reference values of BMD do not exclude vertebral fractures. Of vertebral fractures, 72.5% were asymptomatic and thus spine radiographies are obligatory. Currently discussed is the position of DXA for measuring BMD as a method of detection for patients at risk of fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of modernization in each industry, including the apparel industry, primarily reflects in the effective implementation of innovation, which today is related primarily to computer systems. Prerequisite for good modernization of the production comes from the optimization of the production cycle, which we examined in the flexible application of CAD/CAM systems in SMEs of the apparel industry in the developing countries, considering the effects of their impact on the efficiency and quality of operations, by measuring selected parameters per stages of the production process in enterprises with and without CAD/CAM systems. The measurement results indicate the comparative advantages of SMEs with CAD/CAM systems, and thus the necessity of modernization and optimization of production, while the Survey results are mostly compatible, but they also showed the influence of other factors on the efficient work of SMEs (company size, type of product, production volume, batch size, personnel, information, etc.). We can conclude that the process of optimization opens the possibility to different types and scope of modernization, improved efficiency and quality of operations, as well as strengthened competitiveness, with the adjustment to the specificities of SMEs in the developing countries, while obviously there is no need or justification for ultimate applications of CAD/ CAM systems in all production stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper represents monitoring the wear in shaft bearings during motor vehicle exploitation with the aim to improve, and monitor different parameters and factors that lead to disturbance and wear. The cause of influence of each reliability state parameter change represents the basis for developing a new model. Thus, the required level of bearing reliability is further secured based on monitoring the check of the bearing and motor vehicle shaft state. The results of the exploitation research include the process of determining extreme values of the wear in bearings and their optimisation. Furthermore, they represent a contribution to the issue at hand which will enable the failure reduction and increase reliable work of motor vehicle constituent components. The characteristics of output changes in the process of exploitation can be applied as diagnostic parameters, i.e. values by means of which the condition assessment of motor vehicle bearings is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary supplements containing black cohosh are alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy in menopause. This study investigates the maximum tolerated dose of a 75% ethanol extract of black cohosh and determines the pharmacokinetics of one of its most abundant triterpene glycosides, 23-epi-26-deoxyactein. Single doses of black cohosh extract containing 1.4, 2.8, or 5.6 mg of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein were administered to 15 healthy, menopausal women. Serial blood samples and 24-h urine samples were obtained; blood chemistry, hormonal levels, and 23-epi-26-deoxyactein levels were determined. No acute toxicity or estrogenic hormone effects were observed. Pharmacokinetic analyses of 23-epi-26-deoxyactein in sera indicated that the maximum concentration and area under the curve increased proportionately with dosage, and that the half-life was ~2 h for all dosages. Less than 0.01% of the 23-epi-26-deoxyactein was recovered in urine 24 h after administration. No phase I or phase II metabolites were observed either in clinical specimens or in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To document the chemical and biologic profile of a clinical phase II red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) extract by identifying and measuring the major and minor components visible in the high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) chromatogram and evaluating each compound for estrogenic and antioxidant activity. DESIGN: Individual compounds in the preformulated (i.e., no excipients present) extract were identified by either chemical isolation followed by structure elucidation or matching to retention time and molecular mass of chemical standards via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Quantitation of the amounts of compounds found in the preformulated extract was done using HPLC-UV or LC-MS. Isolated compounds or standards were evaluated for their ability to: (1) induce alkaline phosphatase (AP) in an endometrial carcinoma cell line, (2) competitively bind to recombinant human estrogen receptors (ERs) alpha (alpha) and beta (beta), and (3) act as antioxidants by scavenging 2,2-di(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. RESULTS: The preformulated red clover extract had 50% effective concentration (EC 50) of 2.0 to 2.2 microg/mL in the AP estrogenicity assay, and 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) of 18.4 to 32.6 microg/mL and 1.9 to 3.4 microg/mL in the ERalpha and ERbeta binding assays, respectively. The preformulated extract was composed of 35.54% isoflavones, 1.11% flavonoids, 0.06% pterocarpans, < or =0.03% coumarins, and < or =0.03% tyramine. Daidzein, genistein, formononetin, biochanin A, coumestrol, and naringenin were estrogenic in the AP assay, and all of these, except formononetin, bound to one or both ERs. CONCLUSIONS: The major and minor chemical and active estrogenic components of a preformulated phase II red clover clinical extract were identified, quantitatively measured, and the final capsule doses were calculated. The extract is currently under evaluation in a year-long clinical study for the alleviation of menopausal hot flashes. This is the first report to thoroughly summarize the chemistry and biology of all major peaks observed in the HPLC-UV chromatogram of a clinical red clover dietary supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The intestinal permeability and hepatic metabolism of the investigational cancer chemoprevention agent 4′-bromoflavone were investigated in vitro using human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers, human liver microsomes and human hepatocytes. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry were used for quantitative analysis in support of the Caco-2 cell studies and for the characterization of metabolites of 4′-bromoflavone. 2. The Caco-2 cell model indicated that 4′-bromoflavone would be absorbed by the intestine at a moderate rate by means of direction-independent, passive diffusion. There was no indication of active transport or efflux. 3. Three monohydroxylated metabolites and one monohydroxylated, hydrated metabolite of 4′-bromoflavone were detected at relatively low levels in the human liver microsomal and hepatocyte incubations. The structures of these metabolites were confirmed by comparison with synthetic standards. Hydroxylation occurred on the A-ring of 4′ - bromoflavone but not on the B-ring, probably due to deactivation of the B-ring by bromine. No phase II metabolites were detected following incubation of 4′-bromoflavone in these in vitro systems. 4. In conclusion, these studies predict that 4′-bromoflavone should show moderate oral bioavailability, and that it would probably be excreted as unchanged compound and monohydroxylated metabolites. The results might be helpful in the design of clinical trials and in the interpretation of pharmacokinetic studies of 4′-bromoflavone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that aims to examine the chemical composition of an essential oil of Geum rhodopeum. Topics include plant collection and air drying, the analysis of essential oils through gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems, and the therapeutic use of Geum rhodopeum such as anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and antidizziness. Results show that myrtenal, palmitic acid, and myrtanal are some of the significant compounds that were found in the plant.

The article discusses a study conducted to identify chemical composition of the essential oil of Geum coccineum. Topics discussed include details of the study method, composition of the essential oil from aerial parts of Geum coccineum, identification of compounds based on comparison of Kovats retention indexes and obtaining of oil from air-dried aerial parts of the plant.

Reliable analysis of chemical indicators in water, sediment and soil samples for the purpose of environmental pollution assessment poses one of the greatest analytical challenges, having in mind the complexity of sample matrix and low concentrations of pollutants. Organics (pesticides, PAHs, PFOS, etc.) and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb and As) represent target parameters. Laboratories performing sampling and tests in this field regulated by respective EU directives, need strong support in order to establish a quality system. It is necessary to provide appropriate calibrators i.e. matrix CRMs relates to the unique sample matrices representing typical samples in the geomorphological and anthropological sense. In addition to that, bearing in mind the complexity and instability of environmental samples, it is very difficult to obtain appropriate referents materials with no local providers. Our project is aiming to develop capacity to produce CRMs for environmental analysis by transferring the theoretical and practical know-how between the partners and combining their skills to focus on environmental CRM production in accordance with ISO Guide 34. Our project will have an impact on environmental monitoring in the partnering countries and on the scientific community, who will use the newly developed reference materials. Furthermore, partners will develop strategies for producing new CRMs either on their own or in cooperation. This will lead to regional CRM producers serving scientific and official laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the composition of the volatile oil from the aerial parts of Euphrasia stricta which has been used for the treatment of various eye problems such as cataracts, conjunctivitis and sore eyes. It notes the obtainment of oil from air-dried aerial parts of the plant in 0.02% yield by hydrodistillation and the performance of an analysis by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems. A chart is offered on the complete list of the composition.

Reliable analysis of chemical indicators in water, sediment and soil samples for the purpose of environmental pollution assessment poses one of the greatest analytical challenges, having in mind the complexity of sample matrix and low concentrations of pollutants. Organics (pesticides, PAHs, PFOS, etc.) and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb and As) represent target parameters. Laboratories performing sampling and tests in this field regulated by respective EU directives, need strong support in order to establish a quality system. It is necessary to provide appropriate calibrators i.e. matrix CRMs relates to the unique sample matrices representing typical samples in the geomorphological and anthropological sense. In addition to that, bearing in mind the complexity and instability of environmental samples, it is very difficult to obtain appropriate referents materials with no local providers. Our project is aiming to develop capacity to produce CRMs for environmental analysis by transferring the theoretical and practical know-how between the partners and combining their skills to focus on environmental CRM production in accordance with ISO Guide 34. Our project will have an impact on environmental monitoring in the partnering countries and on the scientific community, who will use the newly developed reference materials. Furthermore, partners will develop strategies for producing new CRMs either on their own or in cooperation. This will lead to regional CRM producers serving scientific and official laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]