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Ziziphus jujuba has been used since ancient times in traditional Eastern medicine. It is widely cultivated in numerous countries between the tropical and temperate climatic zones due to its high ecological plasticity and resilience to adverse weather. The different classes of chemical compounds contained in the plant are the reason for its medicinal properties. Research shows that every part of Ziziphus jujuba, the leaves, fruits and seeds, demonstrate therapeutic properties. This review focuses on the chemical composition in order to establish the relationship between the plant and its clinical use. Various biological effects are summarized and discussed: anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, gastrointestinal, etc. Apart from medicinal uses, the fruits of Ziziphus jujuba are edible and used in fresh and dried form. This literature review reveals possible medical applications of Ziziphus jujuba and its great potential for improving the diet of people in areas where the plant is abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast axonal transport is crucial for neuronal function and is driven by kinesins and cytoplasmic dynein. Here, we investigated the role of kinesin-1 in dense core vesicle (DCV) transport in C. elegans, using mutants in the kinesin light chains (klc-1 and klc-2) and the motor subunit (unc-116) expressing an ida-1::gfp transgene that labels DCVs. DCV transport in both directions was greatly impaired in an unc-116 mutant and had reduced velocity in a klc-2 mutant. In contrast, the speed of retrograde DCV transport was increased in a klc-1 mutant whereas anterograde transport was unaffected. We identified striking differences between the klc mutants in their effects on worm locomotion and responses to drugs affecting neuromuscular junction activity. We also determined lifespan, finding that unc-116 mutant was short-lived whereas the klc single mutant lifespan was wild type. The ida-1::gfp transgenic strain was also short-lived, but surprisingly, klc-1 and klc-2 extended the ida-1::gfp lifespan beyond that of wild type. Our findings suggest that kinesin-1 not only influences anterograde and retrograde DCV transport but is also involved in regulating lifespan and locomotion, with the two kinesin light chains playing distinct roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, there are no data in the scientific literature on studies aimed at characterizing Passiflora caerulea L. growing in Bulgaria. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic profile and elemental composition of the leaves and pulp of this Passiflora, as well as to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of its leaf and pulp extracts. The results showed that the pulp predominantly contained the essential amino acid histidine (7.81 mg g−1), while it was absent in the leaves, with the highest concentration being tryptophan (8.30 mg g−1). Of the fatty acids, palmitoleic acid predominated both in the pulp and in the leaves. A major sterol component was β-sitosterol. Fructose (7.50%) was the predominant sugar in the pulp, while for the leaves, it was glucose—1.51%. Seven elements were identified: sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc. The highest concentrations of K and Mg were in the pulp (23,946 mg kg−1 and 1890 mg kg−1) and leaves (36,179 mg kg−1 and 5064 mg kg−1). According to the DPPH, FRAP and CUPRAC methods, the highest values for antioxidant activity were found in 70% ethanolic extracts of the leaves, while for the ABTS method, the highest value was found in 50% ethanolic extracts. In the pulp, for all four methods, the highest values were determined at 50% ethanolic extracts. Regarding the antibacterial activity, the 50% ethanolic leaf extracts were more effective against the Gram-positive bacteria. At the same time, the 70% ethanolic leaf extract was more effective against Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076. The leaf extracts exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity than the extracts prepared from the pulp. The obtained results revealed that P. caerulea is a plant that can be successfully applied as an active ingredient in various nutritional supplements or cosmetic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to improving the energy efficiency of the boiler house by introducing more modern equipment with improved technical and economic characteristics. A drawing of this equipment is presented. The heat engineering calculation of the heat exchanger is performed. The problems of concession agreements of heat supply organizations are formulated. The mechanism of interaction of public-private regulation is described. The paper outlines how important it is to have a rational energy saving mechanism. The advantages and disadvantages of concessions are noted. An example of foreign experience in the use of concession agreements is given. This article touches on the topic of reducing energy consumption, including due to the transition to a different type of coolant in the boiler room. Based on the specifics of the object of heat consumption of the boiler house, the most rational heat carrier instead of water vapor is hot water, as can be seen from the above calculations. The principle of operation and the feasibility of using a waterwater heat exchanger are described. In the work, the author transfers the heat exchanger to another type of coolant, as well as to another design of the heat exchanger. The advantages and disadvantages of the equipment are given. The work carried out a constructive heat engineering calculation. An assessment is made of the contribution to the modernization of heat supply systems, due to the effective interaction of heat supply organizations with specialized heat supply companies.

The modern agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation produces a significant number of by-products containing valuable nutrients. The article considers the possibilities of using secondary raw materials of agro-industrial sector in biotechnology industry. The role of waste processing of agricultural raw materials in optimization of lactobacilli cultivation process has been studied. Experimental studies of growth dynamics of probiotic microorganisms Lactobacillus plantarum on complex nutrient media using food and agriculture production waste were carried out. The optimal composition of the nutrient medium for lactobacilli growth and the time of microorganisms cultivation corresponding to the maximum increase of biomass were determined. Comparative analysis of media components for growing Lactobacillus plantarum according to the growth index of probiotic microorganisms was carried out. The growth stimulating role of such substrates for cultivation as beet pulp and corn gluten has been established.

Background and Objectives: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are used for minimising the risk of thromboembolic events. In clinical practice, there is no need to measure DOAC concentration in the routine. Nevertheless, there are cases where such measurements are necessary, as the European Society of Cardiology's guideline recommends. However, determining DOAC levels is not available for everyone due to chromogenic assay availability limitations from sample storage problems, as tests are performed only in a few healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess whether more applicable storage conditions could be used for transportation to provide chromogenic assays for outpatient healthcare and other hospitals' practices. Materials and Methods: Chromogenic assays measuring anti-FXa (for rivaroxaban and edoxaban) and anti-FIIa (for dabigatran) were used. Concentrations were determined immediately after blood collection as baseline value: (1) after the storage of citrated whole blood in refrigerator (+2–8 °C); (2) of citrated plasma in refrigerator (+2–8 °C); and (3) of citrated frozen plasma (−20 °C) on the third and seventh days of storage. Acceptable change limits were considered stable if the deviation did not exceed ±20% of the baseline value. Results: The median (Cl 95%) baseline value of rivaroxaban was 168 (147–236) ng/mL; of dabigatran 139 (99–178) ng/mL; and of edoxaban—174 (135–259) ng/mL. The median deviation from a baseline value stored as citrate whole blood samples (+2–8 °C) was 5.4% and 3.4%; as citrated plasma (+2–8 °C) was 0.4% and −0.6%; and as citrated frozen plasma (−20 °C) was −0.2% and 0.2% on the third and seventh days of storage, respectively. Conclusions: Our data suggest that whole blood samples stored in a refrigerator, as well as citrated plasma samples stored in both the refrigerator and freezer, preserve DOAC concentration stable at +2–8 °C or −20 °C for up to 7 days, and are suitable for transportation, except for low-concentration samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsaicinoids are amides, a type of secondary metabolites in hot peppers, responsible for their hot taste also known as pungency. They possess many pharmacological properties with great potential for pharmacy like analgesic, blood glucose level reduction, insulin level improvement, reduction of triglycerides and cholesterol levels, etc. For the needs of this study a reliable and easy applicable RP-HPLC method with UV detection for determination of capsaicinoids was developed. Two traditional and two newly selected Bulgarian hot pepper varieties were studied. The concentrations of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in the pericarp and the seeds were determined respectively. According to the Scoville heat unit (SHU) equivalence of the pericarps, the varieties Dzhulyunska shipka 1021, Zlatna shipka and Kehlibar show moderate pungency and present a potential value for the pharmaceutical and food industries. The current study contributes to the scientific database with regard to the pungency of Capsicum annuum L. varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]