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Gap junctions (GJs) are important in the regulation of cell growth, morphology, differentiation and migration. However, recently, more attention has been paid to their role in the pathogenesis of different diseases as well as tumorigenesis, invasion and metastases. The expression pattern and possible role of connexins (Cxs), as major GJ proteins, under both physiological and pathological conditions in the adrenal gland, were evaluated in this review. The databases Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus were searched. Studies were evaluated if they provided data regarding the connexin expression pattern in the adrenal gland, despite current knowledge of this topic not being widely investigated. Connexin expression in the adrenal gland differs according to different parts of the gland and depends on ACTH release. Cx43 is the most studied connexin expressed in the adrenal gland cortex. In addition, Cx26, Cx32 and Cx50 were also investigated in the human adrenal gland. Cx50 as the most widespread connexin, along with Cx26, Cx29, Cx32, Cx36 and Cx43, has been expressed in the adrenal medulla with distinct cellular distribution. Considerable effort has recently been directed toward connexins as therapeutically targeted molecules. At present, there exist several viable strategies in the development of potential connexin-based therapeutics. The differential and hormone-dependent distribution of gap junctions within adrenal glands, the relatively large gap junction within this gland and the increase in the gap junction size and number following hormonal treatment would indicate that gap junctions play a pivotal role in cell functioning in the adrenal gland.

With the rising global burden of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the rising costs of novel biological drugs, there is an increasing need for dietary approaches and functional foods that could modulate the course of IBD. The Mediterranean diet has proven to be efficacious in managing chronic inflammatory diseases, and recent studies have also shown its benefits in the setting of IBD. Since olive oil and its compounds have been shown to provide a considerable anti-inflammatory effect, in this review, we aim to discuss the latest evidence concerning the impact of olive oil and its bioactive compounds on IBD. Numerous preclinical studies have exhibited solid evidence on the mechanisms by which polyphenol-rich extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or specific polyphenols like hydroxytyrosol (HT) provide their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antitumour, and microbiota-modulation effects. Accordingly, several human studies that explored the effects of olive oil on patients with IBD further confirmed the evidence brought forward by preclinical studies. Nevertheless, there is a need for larger-scale, multicentric, randomized control trials that would finally elucidate olive oil's level of efficacy in modulating the course of IBD.

Background: First choice of therapy for severe hypoglycemia outside hospital environment is glucagon injection, an undertaught and underused remedy. Aim of this study was to investigate knowledge about glucagon therapy, possession rate and usage rate in insulin-treated diabetic patients, with special emphasis on history of hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemia episodes., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 insulin-treated diabetic patients (146 males and 154 females, mean age 61.1±16.4 years) were recruited from comprehensive Diabetes Center in Croatia. Specialized self-administered, 13-item questionnaire regarding glucagon therapy and history of hypoglycemia was obtained from each patient, as well as data collected from medical history documentation., Results: Experience of hypoglycemic episode was reported by 233 (77.7%), and severe hypoglycemia by 73 (24.3%) patients. Participants with experience of hypoglycemia have significantly longer diabetes duration (17.2±11.2 vs. 11.9±8.5 years, P<0.001) and lower BMI values (26.38±3.97 vs. 31.11±7.17 kg/m 2 , P<0.001). Knowledge about glucagon therapy had 55.3% patients, 44.7% obtained it from the pharmacy, while glucagon was used in 35.6% cases of severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon knowledge was better in patients that attended at least one diabetes lecture (P=0.038), while educational level showed no statistical significance (P=0.286). Main significant positive predictor of glucagon knowledge was history of severe hypoglycemia (OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.38 - 16.02, P=0.013)., Conclusions: Glucagon therapy was underused in treating severe hypoglycemia. It is highly important to emphasize value of quality education as one of the fundamentals of good diabetes management., Competing Interests: No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Aims/introduction: Prediabetes (PD) represents a transitional state where the glucose levels are higher than normal, but not enough for diabetes mellitus diagnosis. As there is a growing number of the population with PD, its early detection and treatment could prevent the development of diabetes mellitus and its complications. We aimed to assess the overall knowledge of PD among medical professionals of different varieties., Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based study addressing PD and type 2 diabetes mellitus knowledge among Southeastern European general practitioners, postgraduates, physicians and superior specialists was carried out., Results: A total of 397 physicians completed the questionnaire. The total rate of correct answers from diabetologists, non-diabetologist internists, residents and general practitioners was 69, 56.1, 54 and 53%, respectively. Questions related to the PD definition achieved a total of 46.6% correct answers. Correct responses considering the numerical definition of impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance were 46.3 and 46.8%, respectively. Younger physicians had better knowledge of numerical values regarding PD and type 2 diabetes mellitus criteria (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: The present results show that overall knowledge of PD is poor among Southeastern European physicians, which necessitates adequate educational programs on PD in this region., (© 2017 The Authors. Journal of Diabetes Investigation published by Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes (AASD) and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Introduction: The Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders of the Croatian Medical Association has issued in 2011 the first national guidelines for the nutrition, education, self-control, and pharmacotherapy of diabetes type 2. According to the increased number of available medicines and new evidence related to the effectiveness and safety of medicines already involved in the therapy there was a need for update of the existing guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes in the Republic of Croatia., Participants: as co-authors of the Guidelines there are listed all members of the Croatian Association for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, as well as other representatives of professional societies within the Croatian Medical Association, who have contributed with comments and suggestions to the development of the Guidelines., Evidence: These guidelines are evidence-based, according to the GRADE system (eng. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation), which describes the level of evidence and strength of recommendations., Conclusions: An individual patient approach based on physiological principles in blood glucose control is essential for diabetes' patients management. Glycemic targets and selection of the pharmacological agents should be tailored to the patient, taking into account the age, duration of disease, life expectancy, risk of hypoglyce- mia, comorbidities, developed vascular and other complications as well as other factors. Because of all this, is of national interest to have a practical, rational and applicable guidelines for the pharmacotherapy of type 2 diabetes.

We wish to show our experiance with threating a rare congenital brain malformation-encephalocele. It is a protusion of brain matter with greater incidence in the Far East. Our case is even more curious because of the site of occurrence-frontobasal. Most of encephalocele occur in the occipital region. In this article we report a case of a 57-year-old woman, without deformations on the face, which had epileptic seizures and in spite of receiving antiepileptic drug. She was also frequently treated for sinusitis. She never had rhinoliquorrhea, nor was she diagnosed to have meningitis. In the last few years she had difficulty breathing on her right nostril. After she was diagnosed with encephalocele and treated surgically her recovery was complete and she is without the seizures.

Background: Limited epidemiological evidence exists regarding the role of healthy eating patterns in reducing the risk of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to four established healthy eating patterns and subsequent CD or UC risk, and further examined whether these associations are linked to anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 197,391 participants from the UK Biobank who completed at least one dietary questionnaire and were free from inflammatory bowel disease or cancer at baseline. Four dietary patterns were assessed, including Alternate Mediterranean Diet (AMED), Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015), Healthful Plant-based Diet Index (HPDI), and EAT-Lancet. Cox proportional models with restricted cubic splines were applied to explore the associations. The potential role of low-grade inflammation in these associations was examined through mediation analysis. Results: During 2,193,436 person-years follow-up, 260 CD and 601 UC cases were identified. Higher AMED and HEI-2015 scores were associated with a reduced risk of CD but no UC, with no evidence against nonlinearity. These associations remained consistent across multiple sensitive and subgroup analyses. For dietary components, the fruits and monounsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acids ratio in AMED, and total fruits, total protein foods and fatty acid in HEI-2015 were linked to a decreased CD risk. Both diets were also associated with lower plasma inflammation biomarkers. Mediation analysis indicated that 7.66% and 13.40% of the reductions in CD risk attributed to AMED and HEI-2015 diets, respectively, were mediated by low-grade inflammation scores. Conclusions: Higher adherence to AMED and HEI-2015 might significantly reduce CD risk, partly due to their anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiome, a collection of gut microorganisms, is crucial in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Therefore, diet and dietary interventions are promising strategies to shape the gut microbiota for IBD management. Of all the diets studied in the IBD field, the Mediterranean diet has the least restrictive nature, promoting long-term adherence. The Mediterranean diet is rich in plants, with a high daily intake of fruits and vegetables (high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins), olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. It includes the moderate consumption of animal products such as oily fish (rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids), dairy products, and poultry, with a limited intake of red meat and processed foods. This diet is associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, including IBD. However, the mechanisms of specific nutrients behind these effects in the Mediterranean diet remain under investigation. Therefore, in this review, we aim to provide an overview of the nutrients that are abundant in the Mediterranean diet and their effects on IBD, with a main focus on preclinical evidence. While several nutrients like fructo-oligosaccharide, chitosan, plant-derived protein, polyphenols, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and resveratrol have shown potential beneficial effects in preclinical models, clinical evidence is often limited. However, understanding the complex interactions between specific nutrients and IBD is essential to developing a tailored, multidisciplinary, and personalized approach for disease management; therefore, further research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is universally considered to be an integral part of type 1 diabetes management and crucial for optimizing the safety and efficacy of complex insulin regimens. This extends to type 2 diabetes patients on intensive insulin therapy, and there is also a growing body of evidence suggesting that structured SMBG is beneficial for all type 2 diabetes patients, regardless of therapy. However, access to SMBG can be limited in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe. A consensus group of diabetes experts from 10 countries in this region (with overlapping historical, political, and social environments)--Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine--was formed to discuss the role of SMBG across the spectrum of patients with diabetes. The group considered SMBG to be an essential tool that should be accessible to all patients with diabetes, including those with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. The current article summarizes the evidence put forward by the consensus group and provides their recommendations for the appropriate use of SMBG as part of individualized patient management. The ultimate goal of these evidence-based recommendations is to help patients and providers in Central and Eastern Europe to make optimal use of SMBG in order to maximize the efficacy and safety of glucose-lowering therapies, to prevent complications, and to empower the patient to play a more active role in the management of their diabetes.

The aim of this study was to measure plasma nitrite, the biochemical marker of endothelial nitric oxide ((•)NO) synthesis, before and after hyperoxia, in order to test the hypothesis that hyperoxia-induced vasoconstriction is a consequence of reduced bioavailability of (•)NO caused by elevated oxidative stress. Ten healthy men breathed 100% normobaric O(2) for 30 min between 15th and 45th min of the 1-h study protocol. Plasma nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA), arterial stiffness (indicated by augmentation index, AIx) and arterial oxygen (P(tc)O(2)) pressure were measured at 1st, 15th, 45th and 60th minute of the study. Breathing of normobaric 100% oxygen during 30 min caused an increase in P(tc)O(2) (from 75 ± 2 to 412 ± 25 mm Hg), AIx (from -63 ± 4 to -51 ± 3%) and MDA (from 152 ± 13 to 218 ± 15 nm) values and a decrease in plasma nitrite (from 918 ± 58 to 773 ± 55 nm). During the 15-min recovery phase, plasma nitrite, AIx and MDA values remained altered. This study suggests that the underlying mechanism of hyperoxia-induced vasoconstriction may involve reduced (•)NO bioavailability caused by elevated and sustained oxidative stress., (© 2012 The Authors Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging © 2012 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine.)

Objective: We determined and compared acute effects of different alcoholic beverages on oxygen-induced increase in oxidative stress plasma marker and arterial stiffness in healthy humans., Methods: Ten males randomly consumed one of four tested beverages: red wine (RW), vodka, beer (0.32 g ethanol/kg body wt) and water as control. Every beverage was consumed once, a week apart, in a cross-over design. The volunteers breathed 100% normobaric O(2) between 60th and 90th min of 3h study protocol. Plasma lipid peroxides (LOOH) and uric acid (UA) concentration, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and arterial stiffness (indicated by augmentation index, AIx) were measured before and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after beverage consumption., Results: Intake of all alcoholic beverages caused a similar increase of BAC. The oxygen-induced elevation in AIx was similarly reduced in all three groups relative to the control (3.4 ± 1.3%, 5.4 ± 2.2% and 0.2 ± 1.6% vs. 13.7 ± 2.6% for red wine, vodka, beer and control, respectively, 60 min after intake). Exposure to oxygen resulted in increased plasma LOOH in all groups. However, in RW group this increase was lowest (1.1 ± 0.5) in comparison to the vodka (2.1 ± 0.5), beer (1.6±0.3) and control (2.5 ± 0.4μM/L H(2)O(2)). 60 min after intake of RW and beer plasma UA significantly increased (34 ± 4 and 15 ± 3) in contrast to vodka and control (-6 ± 2 and -8 ± 2μmol/L)., Conclusion: All three alcoholic beverages provided similar protection against oxygen-induced increase in arterial stiffness, probably due to central vasodilatatory effect of alcohol itself, but only RW provided protection against oxygen-induced oxidative stress., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This article reviews the contemporary understanding of the functional role of connexins in intercellular communications, their involvement in maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis, and in aging-associated respiratory disease pathogenesis. Connexins are discussed as potential therapeutic targets. The review particularly focuses on the involvement of gap junction connexins and hemichannels in the transfer of calcium ions, metabolite molecules, ATP, and mitochondria through the cell membrane. Various disorders in the regulation of intercellular communication can heavily contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple diseases, including respiratory system diseases. A deeper understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying the activities of various connexins in gap junction channels will enable the prospective development of therapeutic approaches by either inhibiting or stimulating the activities of a certain connexin, while considering its critical functions in intercellular communications on the whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: An inappropriate intake of dietary fats can disrupt the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota, affect the host's metabolic status, and increase the risk of chronic diseases. The impact of dietary fat types on the composition and metabolic functionality of the intestinal microbiota has become a research focus over recent years. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of regular peanut oil (PO) and high-oleic-acid peanut oil (HOPO) on the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota. Methods: A dietary intervention test was conducted on SD rats fed a high-fat/high-fructose (HFF) diet. The composition and metabolic functionality of the intestinal microbiota of the experimental rats were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and fecal metabolomics. Results: Compared with saturated fat, PO and HOPO enhanced the diversity of intestinal microbiota in HFF diet-fed rats. Compared with PO, HOPO significantly increased the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Harryflintia (p < 0.05), which are able to generate butyrate and acetate. Compared with saturated fat, 318 and 271 fecal biomarkers were identified in PO and HOPO groups, respectively. In contrast, 68 fecal biomarkers were identified between the PO and HOPO groups. The inhibition of harmful proteolytic fermentation in the colon may represent the main regulatory mechanism. With regard to metabolic status, HOPO provided better control of body weight and insulin sensitivity than PO. Conclusions: Compared with saturated fat, peanut oils better regulated the composition and metabolic function of the intestinal microbiota. In addition, HOPO exhibited better regulatory effects than PO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephrotic syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by massive proteinuria, called nephrotic range proteinuria (over 3.5 g per day in adults or 40 mg/m2 per hour in children), hypoalbuminemia, oncotic edema, and hyperlipidemia, with an increasing incidence over several years. Nephrotic syndrome carries severe morbidity and mortality risk. The main pathophysiological event in nephrotic syndrome is increased glomerular permeability due to immunological, paraneoplastic, genetic, or infective triggers. Because of the marked increase in the glomerular permeability to macromolecules and the associated urinary loss of albumins and hormone-binding proteins, many metabolic and endocrine abnormalities are present. Some of them are well known, such as overt or subclinical hypothyroidism, growth hormone depletion, lack of testosterone, vitamin D, and calcium deficiency. The exact prevalence of these disorders is unknown because of the complexity of the human endocrine system and the differences in their prevalence. This review aims to comprehensively analyze all potential endocrine and hormonal complications of nephrotic syndrome and, vice versa, possible kidney complications of endocrine diseases that might remain unrecognized in everyday clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognized that foods, biodiversity, and human health are strongly interconnected, and many efforts have been made to understand the nutraceutical value of diet. In particular, diet can affect the progression of intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal cancer. In this context, we studied the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of extracts obtained from a local endangered variety of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fagiola di Venanzio, FV). Using in vitro intestinal cell models, we evaluated the activity of three different extracts: soaking water, cooking water, and the bioaccessible fraction obtained after mimicking the traditional cooking procedure and gastrointestinal digestion. We demonstrated that FV extracts reduce inflammation and oxidative stress prompted by interleukin 1β through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production and through the reduction in reactive oxygen species production and NOX1 levels. The reported data outline the importance of diet in the prevention of human inflammatory diseases. Moreover, they strongly support the necessity to safeguard local biodiversity as a source of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Emerging evidence is placing the Mediterranean diet (MD) in the spotlight as a potential dietary model that could benefit inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in terms of prevention and progress of the disease. The main aim of the present study is to shed some light on the relationship between the adherence to the MD and the degree of disease activity, as well as the quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Materials and Methods: An administered questionnaire was used to assess and record a number of parameters, including recent medical and weight history, anthropometric characteristics, disease activity (in remission or active disease), and quality of life of both male and female CD patients. Moreover, the level of compliance of the participants to the Mediterranean diet model was evaluated and its relationship with disease activity and quality of life was investigated. Results: Adherence to the MD was significantly higher in patients with inactive disease than in those with active disease (p = 0.019). According to the correlation analysis conducted, adherence to the MD was negatively correlated with disease activity (p = 0.039) and positively correlated with quality of life (QoL) (p = 0.046) of the participants. Intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products was significantly higher in remission patients (p = 0.046, p = 0.001, p = 0.041, respectively). Conclusions: We conclude, according to the findings of the study, that adherence to the MD is associated with disease activity and QoL in patients with CD. Future research should focus on MD intervention studies on IBD patients in order to assess its effect on modulating disease activity/course and related inflammatory biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity constitutes a public health problem worldwide and causes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (MALFD), the leading cause of liver disease in developed countries, which progresses to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. MAFLD is associated with obesity and can be evaluated by validated formulas to assess MAFLD risk using different parameters such as the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). However, these parameters do not accurately measure body fat. As MAFLD is strongly associated with obesity, we hypothesize that measuring body and visceral fat by electrical bioimpedance is an efficient method to predict the risk of MAFLD. The objective of our work was to demonstrate that electrical bioimpedance is a more efficient method than the BMI or WC to predict an elevated risk of MAFLD. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study involving 8590 Spanish workers in the Balearic Islands was carried out. The study’s sample of employees was drawn from those who underwent occupational medicine examinations between January 2019 and December 2020. Five MAFLD risk scales were determined for evaluating very high levels of body fat and visceral fat. The determination of body and visceral fat was performed using bioimpedanciometry. Student’s t-test was employed to ascertain the mean and standard deviation of quantitative data. The chi-square test was used to find prevalences for qualitative variables, while ROC curves were used to define the cut-off points for body and visceral fat. The calculations included the area under the curve (AUC), the cut-off points along with their Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity. Correlation and concordance between the various scales were determined using Pearson’s correlation index and Cohen’s kappa, respectively. Results: As both total body fat and visceral fat increase, the risk of MAFLD increases with a statistically significant result (p < 0.001), presenting a higher risk in men. The areas under the curve (AUC) of the five scales that assess overweight and obesity to determine the occurrence of high values of the different MAFLD risk scales were very high, most of them exceeding 0.9. These AUC values were higher for visceral and body fat than for the BMI or waist circumference. FLD-high presented the best results in men and women with the AUC at around 0.97, both for visceral fat and total body fat, with a high Youden index in all cases (women body fat = 0.830, visceral fat = 0.892; men body fat = 0.780, visceral fat = 0.881). Conclusions: In our study, all the overweight and obesity scales show a very good association with the scales assessing the risk of MAFLD. These values are higher for visceral and body fat than for waist circumference and the BMI. Both visceral fat and body fat are better associated than the BMI and waist circumference with MAFLD risk scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) impacts host metabolism in people marked by an excess of visceral adiposity, and it affects the microbiota composition in terms of taxa presence and relative abundances. As a matter of fact, there is little available literature dealing with microbiota differences in obese patients marked by altered intestinal permeability. With the aim of inspecting consortium members and their related metabolic pathways, we inspected the microbial community profile, together with the set of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from untargeted fecal and urine metabolomics, in a cohort made of obese patients, stratified based on both normal and altered intestinal permeability, before and after VLCKD administration. Based on the taxa relative abundances, we predicted microbiota-derived metabolic pathways whose variations were explained in light of our cohort symptom picture. A totally different number of statistically significant pathways marked samples with altered permeability, reflecting an important shift in microbiota taxa. A combined analysis of taxa, metabolic pathways, and metabolomic compounds delineates a set of markers that is useful in describing obesity dysfunctions and comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress plays a central role in most chronic liver diseases and, in particular, in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), the new definition of an old condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The mechanisms leading to hepatocellular fat accumulation in genetically predisposed individuals who adopt a sedentary lifestyle and consume an obesogenic diet progress through mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction, which amplifies reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, and influence the release of chronic inflammation and liver damage biomarkers, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines. This close pathogenetic link has been a key stimulus in the search for therapeutic approaches targeting oxidative stress to treat steatosis, and a number of clinical trials have been conducted to date on subjects with NAFLD using drugs as well as supplements or nutraceutical products. Vitamin E, Vitamin D, and Silybin are the most studied substances, but several non-pharmacological approaches have also been explored, especially lifestyle and diet modifications. Among the dietary approaches, the Mediterranean Diet (MD) seems to be the most reliable for affecting liver steatosis, probably with the added value of the presence of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a healthy food with a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, and variable concentrations of phenols (oleocanthal) and phenolic alcohols, such as hydroxytyrosol (HT) and tyrosol (Tyr). In this review, we focus on non-pharmacological interventions in MAFLD treatment that target oxidative stress and, in particular, on the role of EVOO as one of the main antioxidant components of the MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms can be effectively managed with the low FODMAP diet. However, its efficacy in reducing inflammation is not yet proven. On the contrary, the Mediterranean diet has anti-inflammatory properties with proven efficacy in treating chronic low-grade inflammation-related diseases. Aim: To publicly share our protocol evaluating the efficacy of the Mediterranean low-FODMAP (MED-LFD) versus NICE recommendations (British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) diet in managing IBS symptoms and quality of life. Materials and Methods: Participants meeting the Rome IV criteria will be randomly assigned to MED-LFD or NICE recommendations and they will be followed for six months. Efficacy, symptom relief, quality of life and mental health will be assessed using validated questionnaires. In addition, fecal samples will be analyzed to assess gut microbiota, and to measure branched and short-chain fatty acids, and volatile organic compounds (metabolic byproducts from bacteria). Expected results and discussion: By publicly sharing this clinical study protocol, we aim to improve research quality in the field of IBS management by allowing for peer review feedback, preventing data manipulation, reducing redundant research efforts, mitigating publication bias, and empowering patient decision-making. We expect that this protocol will show that MED-LFD can effectively alleviate IBS symptoms and it will provide pathophysiology insights on its efficacy. The new dietary pattern that combines the LFD and the MED approaches allows for the observation of the synergistic action of both diets, with the MED's anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties enhancing the effects of the LFD while minimizing its limitations. Identifier in Clinical Trials: NCT03997708 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose meters provide a rapid blood glucose status for evidence-based diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of diabetes mellitus. We aimed to evaluate the commutability of processed blood materials (PBMs) and their use in the performance evaluation of glucose meters. Two PBMs obtained by the fixed-cell method were analyzed for homogeneity, stability, and commutability. The compatibility of ten pairs between mass spectrometry and each glucose meter was categorized as compatible (mean paired difference ≤ 5%) and incompatible (mean paired difference > 5%). The performance of glucose meter 1 (n = 767) and glucose meter 2 (n = 266) was assessed. The glucose in the PBMs remained homogenized and stable for at least 180 days. Six out of ten pairs had commutable PBMs. Commutability of PBMs was observed in both well-compatible and incompatible glucose results. Target glucose values from mass spectrometry were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) from consensus values in one group of glucose meters. When commutable PBMs were used, glucose meter 1 showed better performance than glucose meter 2, and the percentage of satisfaction was associated when using target values for glucose from mass spectrometry and consensus values, but the performance of glucose meter 2 was not associated. PBM from a fixed-cell method could be mass produced with acceptable homogeneity and stability. Commutability testing of PBMs is required prior to use in the performance evaluation of glucose meters, as the commutability of glucose in the PBMs obtained by a fixed-cell method was variable and depended on the individual glucose meter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented alcoholic beverages and their by-products, including beer and breweries’ bio-wastes like spent yeasts, grain, and hops, contain a plethora of natural bioactive compounds that have recently gained attention for their valorization as functional ingredients in several novel foods and nutraceuticals, as well as in drugs and cosmetics applications. Within this article, the natural bio-functional compounds of fermented beer product and breweries’ by-products with anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and anti-oxidant bioactivities are thoroughly reviewed. The important roles of yeasts involved for such bioactives to be present in the fermented product and in the brewery bio-wastes are also outlined. The health promoting benefits of beer moderate consumption resulting from these bioactives, as part of a balanced diet, against inflammation-related chronic disorders is also discussed, along with the detrimental effects of beer consumption abuse and the potential benefits of alternative non-alcoholic beers. The mechanisms of action and synergism of the natural bioactives present in the fermented beer product and in breweries’ by-products, with anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and antioxidant properties are also presented. Current research and future perspectives on valorizing bioactives of fermented beer and brewery by-products, such as spent yeasts, grain and hops in health-promoting functional foods, supplements, nutraceuticals cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceuticals are also thoroughly evaluated, while the limitations of their use are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review, covering 2021-2023, explores the multifaceted chemical and pharmacological potential of coumarins, emphasizing their significance as versatile natural derivatives in medicinal chemistry. The synthesis and functionalization of coumarins have advanced with innovative strategies. This enabled the incorporation of diverse functional fragments or the construction of supplementary cyclic architectures, thereby the biological and physico-chemical properties of the compounds obtained were enhanced. The unique chemical structure of coumarine facilitates binding to various targets through hydrophobic interactions pi-stacking, hydrogen bonding, and dipole-dipole interactions. Therefore, this important scaffold exhibits promising applications in uncountable fields of medicinal chemistry (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, inflammation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underwater activities are characterized by an imbalance between reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) and antioxidant mechanisms, which can be associated with an inflammatory response, depending on O2 availability. This review explores the oxidative stress mechanisms and related inflammation status (Oxy-Inflammation) in underwater activities such as breath-hold (BH) diving, Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) and Closed-Circuit Rebreather (CCR) diving, and saturation diving. Divers are exposed to hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions, amplified by environmental conditions, hyperbaric pressure, cold water, different types of breathing gases, and air/non-air mixtures. The "diving response", including physiological adaptation, cardiovascular stress, increased arterial blood pressure, peripheral vasoconstriction, altered blood gas values, and risk of bubble formation during decompression, are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large generation of olive by-products has motivated their revalorization into high-added-value products. In this regard, olive leaves pose as an interesting source of bioactive compounds, due to their phenolic content with commonly known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, with potential application in non-communicable diseases. However, their effectiveness and applicability into functional foods is limited by their instability under gastrointestinal conditions. Thus, the development of protective formulations is essential. In this study, the spray-drying encapsulation of a phenolic-rich olive leaf extract with inulin as the encapsulating agent was optimized. Then, the behavior of the free extract under gastrointestinal conditions, its co-administration with the encapsulating agent, and the optimized microencapsulated formulation were studied through an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process following the INFOGEST protocol. Digestion of the free extract resulted in the degradation of most compounds, whereas this was minimized in the co-administration of the non-encapsulated extract with the encapsulating agent. This protective effect, related to its interaction with inulin, was similar to the microencapsulated formulation. Thus, both approaches, co-administration and microencapsulation with inulin, could be promising strategies for the improvement of the stability of these anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory compounds under gastrointestinal conditions, enhancing their beneficial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through this research, we introduce two new forms of the half-discrete Hilbert inequality for three variables. In addition, we show that the constants that appear on the right-hand of inequalities are the best. Also, we introduce the equivalence forms of the two inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the three-dimensional enhanced computed tomography (3D-EnCT) and ultrasound imaging features of recurrent parathyroid carcinoma lesions and develop a prediction model based on these features., Methods: The clinical data of 34 patients (48 cases) with recurrent parathyroid carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital's Thyroid and Neck Surgery Department between January 2017 and April 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 103 suspicious lesions were identified through a combination of preoperative 3D-EnCT and ultrasound examinations. Patients admitted prior to 1 January 2023 were included in the training set, and those admitted after 1 January 2023 were included in the validation set. In the training set, lesions were categorized as positive or negative based on pathological analysis. Statistically significant imaging features were identified via intergroup comparisons. An imaging prediction model was developed based on the 3D-EnCT and ultrasound features, and the predictive performance of the model was evaluated via receiver operating characteristic curves in the validation set., Results: Arterial- and venous-phase CT values, lesion boundaries, and blood flow signals were associated with pathological positivity. The 3D-EnCT prediction model based on these features achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.9 and 0.714 in the training and validation sets, respectively, whereas the ultrasound prediction model achieved AUCs of 0.601 and 0.621, respectively. The 3D-EnCT model demonstrated superior predictive performance., Conclusion: The 3D-EnCT prediction model demonstrated superior predictive performance for recurrent parathyroid carcinoma lesions., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Ethical approval: This is a retrospective observational study. The Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University Research Ethics Committee has confirmed that no ethical approval is required. Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Consent to publish: All participants consented to the release of their data to the journal., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO).)

Copyright of Journal of Jilin University (Science Edition) / Jilin Daxue Xuebao (Lixue Ban) is the property of Zhongguo Xue shu qi Kan (Guang Pan Ban) Dian zi Za zhi She and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this paper is to investigate when a linear normed space is an inner product space. Several conditions in a linear normed space are formulated with the help of inequalities. Some of them are from the literature and others are new. We prove that these conditions are equivalent with the fact that the norm is induced by an inner product. One of the new results is the following: in an inner product space, the sum of opposite edges of a tetrahedron are the sides of an acute angled triangle. The converse of this result holds also. More precisely, this property characterizes inner product spaces. Another new result is the following: in a tetrahedron, the sum of squares of opposite edges are the lengths of a triangle. We prove also that this property characterizes inner product spaces. In addition, we give simpler proofs to some theorems already known from the publications of other authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is no direct evidence of gut microbiota disturbance in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to provide direct evidence and a comprehensive understanding of gut microbiota disturbance in children with GERD through combined metagenomic and metabolomic analysis. Methods: 30 children with GERD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were continuously enrolled, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects were collected. First, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to evaluate differences in the gut microbiota between children with GERD and HC group, and 10 children with GERD and 10 children in the HC group were selected for metagenomic analysis. Nontargeted metabolomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and metagenomic and metabolomic data were analyzed together. Results: There were significant differences in the gut microbiota diversity and composition between children with GERD and HCs. The dominant bacteria in children with GERD were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. At the species level, the top three core bacterial groups were Bacteroides stercoris, Bacteroides vulgatus and Alistipes putredinis. The main differential pathways were identified to be related to energy, amino acid, vitamin, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. LC/MS detected 288 different metabolites in the positive and negative ion modes between children with GERD and HCs, which were mainly involved in arachidonic acid (AA), tyrosine, glutathione and caffeine metabolism. Conclusion: This study provides new evidence of the pathogenesis of GERD. There are significant differences in the gut microbiota, metabolites and metabolic pathways between HCs and children with GERD, and the differences in metabolites are related to specific changes in bacterial abundance. In the future, GERD may be treated by targeting specific bacteria related to AA metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new reverse half-discrete Mulholland-type inequality with the nonhomogeneous kernel of the form h (v (x) ln n) and the best possible constant factor is obtained by using the weight functions and the technique of real analysis. The equivalent reverses are considered. As corollaries, we deduce some new equivalent reverse inequalities with the homogeneous kernel of the form k λ (v (x) , ln n) . A few particular cases are provided. Our new reverse half-discrete Mulholland-type inequality which has a nonhomogeneous kernel is more general than in the previous homogeneous kernel work. The harmonized integration will have more applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, the emergence of viral infections, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the monkeypox virus, and, most recently, the Langya virus, has highlighted the devastating effects of viral infection on human life. There has been significant progress in the development of efficacious vaccines for the prevention and control of viruses; however, the high rates of viral mutation and transmission necessitate the need for novel methods of control, management, and prevention. In recent years, there has been a shift in public awareness on health and wellbeing, with consumers making significant dietary changes to improve their immunity and overall health. This rising health awareness is driving a global increase in the consumption of functional foods. This review delves into the benefits of functional foods as potential natural means to modulate the host immune system to enhance defense against viral infections. We provide an overview of the functional food market in Europe and discuss the benefits of enhancing immune fitness in high-risk groups, including the elderly, those with obesity, and people with underlying chronic conditions. We also discuss the immunomodulatory mechanisms of key functional foods, including dairy proteins and hydrolysates, plant-based functional foods, fermentates, and foods enriched with vitamin D, zinc, and selenium. Our findings reveal four key immunity boosting mechanisms by functional foods, including inhibition of viral proliferation and binding to host cells, modulation of the innate immune response in macrophages and dendritic cells, enhancement of specific immune responses in T cells and B cells, and promotion of the intestinal barrier function. Overall, this review demonstrates that diet-derived nutrients and functional foods show immense potential to boost viral immunity in high-risk individuals and can be an important approach to improving overall immune health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Jilin University (Science Edition) / Jilin Daxue Xuebao (Lixue Ban) is the property of Zhongguo Xue shu qi Kan (Guang Pan Ban) Dian zi Za zhi She and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

By means of the weight functions, the idea of introduced parameters, using the transfer formula and Hermite–Hadamard's inequality, a more accurate half-discrete multidimensional Hilbert-type inequality with the homogeneous kernel as 1 (x + ∥ k − ξ ∥ α) λ + m (x , λ > 0) involving one derivative function of m-order is given. The equivalent conditions of the best possible constant factor related to several parameters are considered. The equivalent forms. the operator expressions and some particular inequalities are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a disorder identified by an inappropriate increase in weight in relation to height and is considered by many international health institutions to be a major pandemic of the 21st century. The gut microbial ecosystem impacts obesity in multiple ways that yield downstream metabolic consequences, such as affecting systemic inflammation, immune response, and energy harvest, but also the gut–host interface. Metabolomics, a systematized study of low-molecular-weight molecules that take part in metabolic pathways, represents a serviceable method for elucidation of the crosstalk between hosts' metabolism and gut microbiota. In the present review, we confer about clinical and preclinical studies exploring the association of obesity and related metabolic disorders with various gut microbiome profiles, and the effects of several dietary interventions on gut microbiome composition and the metabolome. It is well established that various nutritional interventions may serve as an efficient therapeutic approach to support weight loss in obese individuals, yet no agreement exists in regard to the most effective dietary protocol, both in the short and long term. However, metabolite profiling and the gut microbiota composition might represent an opportunity to methodically establish predictors for obesity control that are relatively simple to measure in comparison to traditional approaches, and it may also present a tool to determine the optimal nutritional intervention to ameliorate obesity in an individual. Nevertheless, a lack of adequately powered randomized trials impedes the application of observations to clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using weight functions and parameters, as well as applying real analytic techniques, we derive a new Hardy–Hilbert-type integral inequality with the homogeneous kernel 1 (x + y) λ + n involving one multiple upper limit function and one derivative function of higher order. Certain equivalent statements of the optimal constant factor related to some parameters are considered. A few particular inequalities and the case of reverses are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A disposable paper-based glucose biosensor with direct electron transfer (DET) of glucose oxidase (GOX) was developed through simple covalent immobilization of GOX on a carbon electrode surface using zero-length cross-linkers. This glucose biosensor exhibited a high electron transfer rate (ks, 3.363 s−1) as well as good affinity (km, 0.03 mM) for GOX while keeping innate enzymatic activities. Furthermore, the DET-based glucose detection was accomplished by employing both square wave voltammetry and chronoamperometric techniques, and it achieved a glucose detection range from 5.4 mg/dL to 900 mg/dL, which is wider than most commercially available glucometers. This low-cost DET glucose biosensor showed remarkable selectivity, and the use of the negative operating potential avoided interference from other common electroactive compounds. It has great potential to monitor different stages of diabetes from hypoglycemic to hyperglycemic states, especially for self-monitoring of blood glucose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is a significant public health problem globally and prevention strategies have become of great interest as its incidence rises. Exploring the connection between dietary patterns and the reduction of breast cancer risk is considered a promising approach. High levels of fiber, phytochemicals, a good antioxidant profile, and a composition of advantageous fatty acids are characteristics of healthy dietary programs such as the Mediterranean diet. This review summarized and discussed the active compounds that are considered important in preventing breast cancer, including dietary components from recent related reports. These include polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, phytochemicals, and alcohol. Although the exact mechanism for preventing breast cancer using these dietary factors is not well understood, the combination of all the elements in a healthy diet plays a role in reducing breast cancer risk. Considering the elevated probability of breast cancer relapse and mortality, it is crucial to investigate the correlation between a nutritious dietary pattern and breast cancer, while identifying bioactive components that have the potential to mitigate the risk of breast cancer incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]