Carob Syrup: Prebiotic Potential of a Neglected Functional Beverage of Mediterranean Countries.

Carob syrup, a traditional Mediterranean functional beverage obtained from (L.) pods, has been historically valued for its nutritional properties but is currently underutilized. This study compared the prebiotic potential of three handmade carob syrups produced by Tunisian women with commercial benchmarks from Italy, Greece and Cyprus.

Biological activities of astaxanthin in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) develop with the gradual advancement of neuronal damage and dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS). These disorders are mostly the outcomes of the improper sedimentation and accumulation of proteins, such as amyloid-β (Aβ), α-synuclein, and prions. Astaxanthin (AST) exists in different types of living organisms and displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions.

Reducing Door-to-Balloon Time Using EMS-Initiated App-Based Communication.

Background: Reducing door-to-balloon (D2B) time for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been shown to improve outcomes. Delays still occur due to various factors such as time to laboratory activation and diagnostic clarification in equivocal cases. We propose that early communication through a mobile application (app) between emergency medical services (EMS) and in-hospital providers can reduce EMS-to-balloon time and provide coordinated care to impact D2B time.

Evaluating the influence of parental atopy on the effectiveness of a maternal dairy-free diet in alleviating infantile colic: a before-and-after study.

Background: Infantile Colic (IC) poses a significant challenge for parents as it manifests through repeated and extended episodes of fussiness, crying, or irritability occurring before the age of 5 months. The precise cause of IC is currently unknown. The association between IC, a family history of atopy, and the development of individual atopy in the future remains uncertain, given conflicting findings from prior studies.

Blackcurrant Anthocyanins Attenuate Estrogen -Deficiency-Induced Bone Loss through Modulating Microbial-Derived Short-Chain Carboxylic Acids and Phytoestrogen Metabolites in Peri- and Early Postmenopausal Women.

Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effects of blackcurrant (BC) anthocyanins on concentrations of microbial-derived short-chain carboxylic acids (SCCAs) and metabolites of phytoestrogens. We then examined their associations with six-month changes in whole-body bone mineral density (BMD) and biomarkers of bone metabolism.

Methods: Fecal and blood samples from a pilot randomized controlled trial were collected and analyzed from 37 eligible peri- and early postmenopausal women aged 45-60 years who were randomized into one of three treatment groups consuming one placebo capsule (control), 392 mg BC (low BC) or 784 mg BC (high BC) daily for six months.