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Research background. Given the potential of microbial exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria in various industrial processes, alternative sources for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria are highly topical. In this study, we used a traditional sourdough from einkorn (Triticum monococcum L. ssp. monococcum) as a source of lactic acid bacteria for the isolation, identification and determination of exopolysaccharide producers. Experimental approach. The sourdough was prepared from einkorn according to the traditional method. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated and purified using the single colony technique on MRS and M17 media. The isolates were characterised using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass (MALDI-TOF) spectrometry. All isolates were analysed for extracellular polysaccharide production and one isolate was selected for purification and characterisation of its polysaccharide. Results and conclusions. The isolates were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, L. paraplantarum, L. brevis, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Enterococcus faecium and E. durans. The production of exopolysaccharides by all lactic acid bacteria was evaluated and it was found that all strains (except one) were capable of producing exopolysaccharides. One polysaccharide (EPS-SL70) was purified from the isolates of E. durans SL70. This anionic heteropolysaccharide had, in addition to the carbohydrate backbone, a protein structure that did not contain nucleic acid. The carbohydrate backbone consisted of mannose, glucose, rhamnose, arabinose, xylose and galactose. Novelty and scientific contribution. The microbial flora of traditional einkorn sourdough has been identified in this study and represents the first report on the exopolysaccharide production by lactic acid bacteria in traditional einkorn sourdough. Additionally, Enterococcus durans from einkorn sourdough was identified as a new exopolysaccharide producer.

Volatile oil analysis, phenolic constituents, antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, vitamin C, and enzyme activities of the fruits of Rhus coriaria L. were studied. The chemical with the highest percentage was sesquiterpene hydrocarbons with 40.4%. The major compound was detected as caryophyllene (36.9%). The main phenolic constituents of fruit samples were gallic acid, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. The highest phenolic constituents of fruits were gallic acid. Ferric (III) ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) capacity (14.9 mg FeSO4 eq./g), free radical scavenging (ABTS) capacity (68.8 mg AA eq./g), ABTS % inhibition rate (98.0%), free radical scavenging (DPPH) (53.1 mg AA eq./g), and DPPH % inhibition (79.6%) amounts were determined in antioxidant capacities of the samples. The bioactive component contents of the samples were total antioxidant amounts (TAC) (32.8 mg GA/g), total flavonoid substance amounts (TFC) (73.8 mg QE eq./g), and total phenolic substance amounts (TPC) (41.4 mg GA eq./g). The results of the antimicrobial activity analysis of R. coriaria fruit samples showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes microorganisms. The amount of vitamin C and enzyme inhibitor activity in the fruits of R. coriaria were determined as 35.5 mg/100 g and 0.07 mg/mL, respectively.

Objective To test the effect of a complex, interdisciplinary, lifestyle and psychosocial intervention on metabolic and mental health outcomes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy and in the post partum.Design Single centred, single blinded, randomised, controlled trial (the MySweetheart trial).Setting Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, from 2 September 2016 to 25 October 2021.Participants 211 women aged at least 18 years with a diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus at 24-32 gestational weeks were randomly assigned (1:1) to the intervention (n=105) or to usual care (n=106).Interventions In addition to a comparator based on active guidelines for prepartum and postpartum usual care, the intervention consisted of four individual lifestyle visits during pregnancy and four interdisciplinary visits in the postpartum group, a peer support group workshop in pregnancy and post partum, and a bimonthly lifestyle coach support through telemedicine. The intervention focused on tailored behavioural and psychosocial strategies to improve diet, physical activity, mental health, social support, and adherence to gestational weight gain during pregnancy and weight retention recommendations.Main outcome measures Primary outcomes were between-group differences in the decrease in maternal weight and depression symptom scores between baseline and one year post partum. Secondary outcomes included changes in total and central body fat, anxiety, wellbeing, glycaemic parameters (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (known as HOMA-IR) and Matsuda indices), aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen uptake), gestational weight gain, and weight retention. Assessors were blinded to primary and secondary outcomes.Results 84 (80%) of 105 women in the intervention and 95 (90%) of 106 in the usual care completed the study. There was not enough evidence of a difference in the decrease in weight (mean difference –0.38 kg (95% confidence interval –2.08 to 1.30)) or depression scores (–0.67 (–1.84 to 0.49)). The intervention led to an increase in fat-free mass (0.02 kg (0.01 to 0.03)). The intervention also decreased gestational weight gain since the first gestational diabetes mellitus visit (–1.20 kg (–2.14 to –0.26)) and weekly weight gain throughout the entire pregnancy (–0.14 kg (–0.25 to –0.03)), and led to a higher proportion of women without weight retention at one year post partum (34.1% (28/82) v 20.8% (20/96), P=0.034).Conclusions Compared with active usual care based on guidelines, there was not enough evidence to conclude that the intervention led to decrease in weight or depression symptoms. However, the intervention decreased gestational weight gain and increased the proportion of women without weight retention.Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02890693.

Objective Hyperglycaemia during pregnancy is associated with cardiometabolic risks for the mother and the offspring. Mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have signs of subclinical atherosclerosis, including increased carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT). We assessed whether GDM is associated with increased CIMT in the offspring at birth.Design and setting MySweetHeart Cohort is a prospective cohort study conducted in Switzerland.Participants, exposure and outcome measures This work included pregnant women with and without GDM at 24–32 weeks of gestation and their singleton live-born offspring with data on the primary outcome of CIMT. GDM was diagnosed based on the criteria of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. Offspring’s CIMT was measured by ultrasonography after birth (range 1–19 days).Results Data on CIMT were available for 99 offspring of women without GDM and 101 offspring of women with GDM. Maternal age ranged from 18 to 47 years. Some 16% of women with GDM and 6% of women without GDM were obese. Smoking during pregnancy was more frequent among women with GDM (18%) than among those without GDM (4%). Neonatal characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The difference in CIMT between offspring of women with and without GDM was of 0.00 mm (95% CI −0.01 to 0.01; p=0.96) and remained similar on adjustment for potential confounding factors, such as maternal prepregnancy body mass index, maternal education, smoking during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, as well as offspring’s sex, age, and body surface area (0.00 mm (95% CI −0.02 to 0.01; p=0.45)).Conclusions We found no evidence of increased CIMT in neonates exposed to GDM. A longer-term follow-up that includes additional vascular measures, such as endothelial function or arterial stiffness, may shed further light on the cardiovascular health trajectories in children born to mothers with GDM.Trial registration number NCT02872974; Pre-results.

Bu çalışmada, Suriyeli sığınmacı kadınların Türk basınındaki temsilleri incelenmiştir. Çalışma kapsamında sığınmacıların Türkiye’ye giriş yapmaya başladığı 2011 yılının Nisan ayından, 2018 yılının sonuna kadar siyasi tutumları farklı olan Cumhuriyet, Hürriyet, Sabah, Sözcü ve Türkiye gazetelerinde yayımlanan ve Suriyeli sığınmacı kadınları konu edinen haberler analiz edilmiştir. Bu haberlere, “Suriyeli kadın” anahtar kelimesi kullanılarak PRNet adlı medya takip şirketinin veritabanı aracılığıyla ulaşılmıştır. Çalışmanın amacı, Türk basınının Suriye’de çıkan iç savaş sonucunda Türkiye’ye gelen Suriyeli sığınmacı kadınlara yönelik bakış açısını belirlemek ve Suriyeli sığınmacı kadınların hangi konular etrafında ele alındığını ortaya koymaktır. Araştırma Suriyeli sığınmacı kadınların Türk Basınında nasıl temsil edildiği sorunsalına odaklanmaktadır. Çalışmanın yöntemi nicel ve nitel içerik analizidir. Bulgular sonucunda, Türk basını Suriyeli sığınmacı kadınlara yönelik genel olarak olumlu ve yansız bir bakış açısına sahip gibi görünse de “sığınmacılar” ve “kadınlar” için üretilen uluslararası stereotiplerin aynen üretildiği sonucuna bu çalışmada da ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca gazetelerin siyasi tutumları haber içeriklerinde gazetelerin siyasi pozisyonlarına göre hükümet eleştirisi ya da övgüsü şeklinde kendini göstermektedir.

Temozolomide, a chemotherapeutic drug that is often administered for the treatment of brain cancer has severe side effects and a poor aqueous solubility. In order to decrease the detrimental effect of the drug over healthy cells, a novel drug delivery vehicle was developed where the therapeutic drug was encapsulated within the hydrophobic cavities of b-CD modified magnetite nanoparticles, which are embedded in chitosan nanobeads prepared by salt addition. In-vitro studies have shown that the magnetic properties of the novel delivery vehicle are adequate for targeted drug delivery applications under an external magnetic field. Additionally, an increase in the amount of chitosan was shown to exhibit a strong shielding effect over the magnetic properties of the delivery vehicle, which lead to deterioration of the amount of captured drug at the targeted area, suggesting a delicate balance between the amounts of constituents composing the drug delivery vehicle.

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the dried aerial parts of Pedicularis condensata was analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Thirty-eight components have been identified in the essential oil of P. condensata. The major compounds of the essential oil were pentacosane 21.28% , hexadecanoic acid 18.48% and tricosane 13.70% . The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was also investigated and it showed moderate antimicrobial and antifungal activites aganist twelve gram negative bacteria and five fungi. The amount of total phenolic and DPPH reducing activity quantified essential oil in P. condensata were found as 198.28 GGA/L and 10.90 % respectively

ABSTRACT Temozolomide is a poorly soluble anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of some brain cancers. Following literature reports about the enhancement of solubility and stability for these kinds of drugs upon complexation with cyclodextrins, we aimed to form an inclusion complex between temozolomide and the different types of cyclodextrins (CDs) to enhance its solubility. In this study, three different cyclodextrins (β -CD, hydroxyl-β-CD and γ-CD) were used, and changes in solubility was measured by UV-Vis Spectroscopy and HPLC. Morphological changes upon complexation were shown by the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and weight loss profiles with respect to temperatures which were unique to the compounds were shown by Thermogravimetric Analysis. Changes in heat release profiles were shown by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). Drug solubility was measured to be increased to around 25% for 1:1 molar ratio for all used CD complexations. Changes of morphology, heat release and weight loss profiles are consistent with the formation of an inclusion complex between CDs and temozolomide. In this study, success was shown in the enhancement of temozolomide solubility upon complexation with different types of CDs. It has been demonstrated that cyclodextrins can be used as complexing agents for poorly soluble anti-cancer drugs, increasing their solubility and hence drug availability.

Objective: Participation is one of the key goals of re/habilitative processes. Since participation impacts adolescents' social-emotional development and overall health, this goal is particularly important for them. However, to date, no German-speaking self-assessment tool for participation among adolescents is available. This study sought therefore to develop such a tool and to test its psychometric properties., Methods: Based on a preliminary qualitative study, we developed 133 items for a pilot version of the Social Participation Inventory (SPI). The SPI assesses the objective dimension (i.e., attendance) and the subjective dimension (i.e., involvement and satisfaction) of participation. To test the psychometric properties of the SPI, we conducted a quantitative cross-sectional survey and applied the SPI to n = 151 adolescents with and without disabilities and/or chronic diseases., Results: By using principal component analyses, we examined the SPI's consistency and verified the theoretical considerations regarding the two components of participation (i.e., objective and subjective dimensions). Items that did not load sufficiently on components were removed after careful theoretical-based consideration. The condensed version of the SPI consists of 39 items that assess participation and 18 items to assess the perceived importance of respective areas of life. The SPI shows very good overall reliability (Cronbach's α = .920) and good validity., Conclusion: This study provides a new psychometrically tested participation self-assessment scale for adolescence with and without disabilities and/or chronic diseases. Further research is needed to re-evaluate its psychometric properties and to evaluate the application of the SPI in clinical and scientific contexts., (© 2023 The Authors. Child: Care, Health and Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Older organs represent an untapped potential to close the gap between demand and supply in organ transplantation but are associated with age-specific responses to injury and increased immunogenicity, thereby aggravating transplant outcomes. Here we show that cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mt-DNA) released by senescent cells accumulates with aging and augments immunogenicity. Ischemia reperfusion injury induces a systemic increase of cf-mt-DNA that promotes dendritic cell-mediated, age-specific inflammatory responses. Comparable events are observed clinically, with the levels of cf-mt-DNA elevated in older deceased organ donors, and with the isolated cf-mt-DNA capable of activating human dendritic cells. In experimental models, treatment of old donor animals with senolytics clear senescent cells and diminish cf-mt-DNA release, thereby dampening age-specific immune responses and prolonging the survival of old cardiac allografts comparable to young donor organs. Collectively, we identify accumulating cf-mt-DNA as a key factor in inflamm-aging and present senolytics as a potential approach to improve transplant outcomes and availability.

Natural killer (NK) cell receptors (NKRs) play a crucial role in the homeostasis of antigen-experienced T cells. Indeed, prolonged antigen stimulation may induce changes in the receptor repertoire of T cells to a profile that features NKRs. Chronic antigen exposure, at the same time, has been shown to trigger the loss of costimulatory CD28 molecules with recently reported intensified antigen thresholds of antigen-experienced CD8(+) T cells. In transplantation, NKRs have been shown to assist allograft rejection in a CD28-independent fashion. We discuss here a role for CD28-negative T cells that have acquired the competency of the NKR machinery, potentially promoting allorecognition either through T cell receptor (TCR) crossreactivity or independently from TCR recognition. Collectively, NKRs can bring about innate-like T cells by providing alternative costimulatory pathways that gain relevance in chronic inflammation, potentially leading to resistance to CD28-targeting immunosuppressants., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The advent of more potent immunosuppressants led to the first successful human upper extremity transplantation in 1998. At this time, >100 upper extremity transplants, 30 face transplants, and a variety of other vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) procedures have been performed around the world. VCA recipients present unique challenges for transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection exceeds 80% in hand and face transplantation and is well documented, whereas reports about antibody-mediated rejection and chronic rejection remain scarce. Immunosuppression protocols commonly used at US centers are derived from solid organ transplantation protocols. Novel approaches to minimize rejections in VCA may include improved HLA matching and considerations toward cytomegalovirus infection status. New graft preservation techniques may decrease immunogenicity prior to transplant. Novel monitoring methods such as valid biomarkers, ultrasound biomicroscopy, and sentinel flaps may enable earlier diagnosis of rejection. Cell-based therapies are being explored to achieve immunosuppressive regimen minimization or even tolerance induction. The efficacy of local immunosuppression in clinical VCA remains controversial. In conclusion, although immunosuppressive strategies adapted from SOT have demonstrated good midterm results, focusing on the unique features of VCA grafts may enable additional, more specific treatment strategies in the future and improved long-term graft outcomes., (© 2015 Steunstichting ESOT.)

Consequences of aging are gaining clinical relevance. In transplantation, aging and immunosenescence impact treatment and outcomes. The impact of aging, however, will critically depend on distinguishing healthy, chronological aging from biological aging that may result into frailty. Approximately 15% of individuals older than 65 years are frail, and it is expected that this condition will gain more clinical relevance with an expected increase to greater than 20% over the next 5 years. Clearly, frailty impacts various general aspects of health care and organ transplantation in particular including patient selection, waitlist management and treatment after transplantation. In general, frailty has been characterized by a compromised physiological reserve and an augmented vulnerability. In comparison to healthy aging, inflammatory markers and cytokines are increased in frail older adults. Thus, modifications of the immune response, in addition to physical limitations and changes of metabolism, are likely to impact outcomes after transplantation. Here, we provide a risk assessment of frailty at the time of transplant evaluation and review effects on outcomes and recovery after transplantation. Moreover, we summarize our current understanding of the pathophysiology of frailty and consequences on immune responses and metabolism.

CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs have been shown to play a central role in immune homeostasis while preventing from fatal inflammatory responses, while Th17 cells have traditionally been recognized as pro-inflammatory mediators implicated in a myriad of diseases. Studies have shown the potential of Tregs to convert into Th17 cells, and Th17 cells into Tregs. Increasing evidence have pointed out CD25 as a key molecule during this transdifferentiation process, however molecules that allow such development remain unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of NAD(+) on the fate of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Tregs in-depth, dissected their transcriptional signature profile and explored mechanisms underlying their conversion into IL-17A producing cells. Our results demonstrate that NAD(+) promotes Treg conversion into Th17 cells in vitro and in vivo via CD25 cell surface marker. Despite the reduced number of Tregs, known to promote homeostasis, and an increased number of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells, NAD(+) was able to promote an impressive allograft survival through a robust systemic IL-10 production that was CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) independent. Collectively, our study unravels a novel immunoregulatory mechanism of NAD(+) that regulates Tregs fate while promoting allograft survival that may have clinical applications in alloimmunity and in a wide spectrum of inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of Review: With global demographic changes and an overall improved healthcare, more older end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients receive kidney transplants. At the same time, organs from older donors are utilized more frequently. Those developments have and will continue to impact allocation, immunosuppression and efforts improving organ quality., Recent Findings: Findings mainly outside the field of transplantation have provided insights into mechanisms that drive immunosenescence and immunogenicity, thus providing a rationale for an age-adapted immunosuppression and relevant clinical trials in the elderly. With fewer rejections in the elderly, alloimmune responses appear to be characterized by a decline in effectiveness and an augmented unspecific immune response., Summary: Immunosenescence displays broad and ambivalent effects in elderly transplant recipients. Those changes appear to compensate a decline in allospecific effectiveness by a shift towards an augmented unspecific immune response. Immunosuppression needs to target those age-specific changes to optimize outcomes in elderly transplant recipients.

We have compared the efficiency of biotinylated DNA probes and various visualization techniques with 35S-labeled DNA probes in routine paraffin sections from the pathology service; both autopsy and biopsy tissue were investigated. Probes included DNA genomic fragments from cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods of detection by Pathogene II kit (ENZO) and Blue Gene kit (BRL) with visualization by AEC, NBT/BCIP, Immunogold (Janssen) and autoradiography were used. The study shows most satisfactory results by applying the Blue Gene-NBT/BCIP combination followed by the Immunogold technique. Data obtained by these techniques compare well to those of using radioactive DNA probes and autoradiography.