Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Major Triterpenic Acids of Chios Mastic Gum and Their Semi-Synthetic Analogues.

24-Masticadienonic acid (MNA) and 24-isomasticadienonic acid (IMNA) are the major triterpenic acids in Chios Mastic Gum (CMG), a resin derived from var. . Despite their promising pharmacological potential, limited information is available due to the complexity of isolating them in pure form.

Exploring 4,7-Disubstituted Pyrimido[4,5-]pyrimidines as Antiviral and Anticancer Agents.

Thirteen new 4,7-disubstituted pyrimido[4,5-]pyrimidines were synthesized via a straightforward methodology starting from thiourea. The anti-proliferative activity of these compounds was evaluated across a diverse panel of eight cancer cell lines, with derivatives and showing efficacy against several hematological cancer types. Furthermore, all compounds were assessed for their antiviral potency against a panel of viruses.

Preoperative blood tests provide diagnostic and prognostic information about patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Our aim was to assess parameters derived from preoperative blood tests as diagnostic or prognostic markers in patients with operable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We included 210 patients who underwent liver resection as the first treatment for suspected hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) or HCC (January 2010-December 2022). Parameters originated from preoperative complete blood count and biochemical blood tests were examined for associations with clinicopathological parameters and survival.

Exploring the Effect of Resveratrol, Tyrosol, and Their Derivatives on Platelet-Activating Factor Biosynthesis in U937 Cells.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent lipid mediator, involved in thrombosis, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. The protective effect of wine and olive oil against atherosclerotic diseases is largely attributed to their phenolic compounds and mostly to resveratrol and tyrosol. Both compounds have been reported to inhibit PAF biosynthesis in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-stimulated monocytes and also to attenuate PAF biosynthesis in cell lysates.

Ole-Oxy, a Semi-Synthetic Analog of Oleuropein, Ameliorates Acute Skin and Colon Inflammation in Mice.

Inflammation is a key process in the pathophysiology of various diseases, with macrophages playing a central role in the inflammatory response. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of a newly synthesized analog of oleuropein (OP), the major olive tree ( metabolite. This derivative of OP, named Ole-Oxy, was designed by introducing an oxygen atom between the aromatic ring and the aliphatic chain of OP, to enhance interaction with proteins and improve bioactivity.

Synthesis of hydroxytyrosol analogs with enhanced antioxidant and cytostatic properties against MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells and their potential implications for bone health.

Sixteen novel hydroxytyrosol (HT) analogs with substitutions at the C-1 position of the HT aliphatic side chain were synthesized and evaluated for their cytostatic activity against MG-63 human osteoblast-like cells and for their antioxidant properties. The results revealed that these analogs exhibited significantly higher inhibitory activity compared with HT, which served as the positive control. Among these, the cyclo-substituted compounds stood out as particularly potent, demonstrating strong radical scavenging abilities and notable cytostatic effects against MG-63 cells.

Oxidation Study of Oleocanthal and Oleacein Induced by Oxone.

A selective Oxone-induced oxidation of oleocanthal and oleacein, the two main secoiridoids of olive oil, to their bis-oxidized products is described. This protocol is based on a Baeyer-Villiger mechanism and the concentration of Oxone in the final solution. The bis-oxidation of the aldehydic compounds could be extended for the synthesis of various semisynthetic analogs.

An empirical investigation of the nexus among renewable energy, financial openness, economic growth, and environmental degradation in selected ASEAN economies.

This study investigates the relationship between economic growth, renewable energy consumption, financial openness, and environmental degradation in selected ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) from 1996 to 2018. We aim to analyze how macroeconomic situation, energy-related factors, and financial determinants contribute to environmental deprivation in selected countries whose growth has recently been substantial. To address this issue, we employ second-generation panel data regression models and quantiles with fixed-effects estimators.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-Substituted Quinazolin-4(3)-Ones with Antiproliferative Activities.

Sixteen new 2-substituted quinazolines were synthesized using a straightforward methodology starting from 2-methoxybezoic acid or 3-methoxy-2-naphthoic acid. The anti-proliferative activity of the target compounds was evaluated against nine cancer cell lines. Additionally, all the compounds were screened for their potency and selectivity against a panel of 109 kinases and four bromodomains, using Differential Scanning Fluorimetry (DSF).

Exploring the Interaction of New Pyridoquinazoline Derivatives with G-Quadruplex in the c-MYC Promoter Region.

Novel amino-substituted pyridoquinazolinone derivatives have been designed and synthesized as potential c-MYC G-quadruplex (G4) ligands, employing an efficient methodology. All the new compounds exhibited moderate to good antiproliferative activity against the human osteosarcoma U2OS cell line. NMR and docking experiments revealed that the recently synthesized compounds interact with the Pu22 G-quadruplex in the c-MYC promoter region, establishing a 2:1 complex, with each molecule positioned over the tetrads at the 3'- and 5'-ends.

Next-generation sequencing reveals altered gene expression and enriched pathways in triple-negative breast cancer cells treated with oleuropein and oleocanthal.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Oleuropein and oleocanthal are bioactive chemicals found in extra-virgin olive oil; they have been shown to have anti-cancer potential. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of these two natural compounds, on MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 TNBC cell lines.

Xanthone synthetic derivatives with high anticandidal activity and positive mycostatic selectivity index values.

With the current massive increases in drug-resistant microbial infection as well as the significant role of fungal infections in the death toll of COVID-19, discovering new antifungals is extremely important. Natural and synthetic xanthones are promising derivatives, although only few reports have demonstrated their antifungal mechanism of action in detail. Newly synthetized by us xanthone derivative 44 exhibited strong antifungal activity against reference and fluconazole resistant C.

Bridging locoregional treatment prior to liver transplantation for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We performed a meta-analysis to assess the benefit of bridging locoregional treatment (LRT) before liver transplantation for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) already within the Milan criteria at diagnosis.

Methods: We included original studies with HCC cases within the Milan criteria at diagnosis, comparing patients with and without bridging LRT before liver transplantation.

Results: Twenty-six retrospective original studies were included.

Time-Related Evidence of Intestinal Oxidative Stress in Obstructive Jaundice-Induced Rats.

Introduction: Obstructive jaundice is known to affect intestinal permeability and facilitate bacterial translocation through related mechanisms. This study was conducted to evaluate the alterations concerning blood biochemistry and levels of several markers of oxidative stress (OS) in blood and intestinal mucosa caused by obstructive jaundice and how these fluctuate over time, in order to further explore the possibility of intervening in the OS path in future experiments.

Methods: A total of 54 albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (control, sham operated, and bile duct ligation) and sacrificed at specific time intervals (12 h and 2, 7, and 14 days).

Disaggregated energy use and socioeconomic sustainability within OECD countries.

This study investigates the relationship between disaggregated energy use, human development, trade openness, economic growth, urbanization, and sustainability index in OECD countries from 2014 to 2019. Static, quantile, and dynamic panel data approaches are employed. The findings reveal that fossil fuels such as petroleum, solid fuels, natural gas, and coal decrease sustainability.

Mitochondria-Targeted Triphenylphosphonium-Hydroxytyrosol Prevents Lipotoxicity-Induced Endothelial Injury by Enhancing Mitochondrial Function and Redox Balance via Promoting FoxO1 and Nrf2 Nuclear Translocation and Suppressing Inflammation via Inhibiting p38/NF-кB Pathway.

Hyperlipidemia results in endothelial dysfunction, which is intimately associated with disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis, and is a real risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Triphenylphosphonium (TPP+)-HT, constructed by linking a mitochondrial-targeting moiety TPP+ to hydroxytyrosol (HT), enters the cell and accumulates in mitochondria and is thus an important candidate drug for preventing hyperlipidemia-induced endothelial injury. In the present study, we found that TPP-HT has a better anti-inflammatory effect than HT.

Donor-Recipient Body Surface Area Mismatch and the Outcome of Liver Transplantation in the UK.

Too small or too big liver grafts for recipient's size has detrimental effects on transplant outcomes. The purpose was to correlate donor-recipient body surface area ratio or body surface area index with recipient survival, graft survival, hepatic artery or portal vein, or vena cava thrombosis. High and low body surface area index cut-off points were determined.

Policies for supporting the regional circular economy and sustainability.

The Circular Economy and Sustainability are among the greatest challenges faced by policymakers, producers, and consumers. Circular Economy processes demand less from the environment since they can minimize waste generation and, hence, can be powerful tools to combat the negative effects of climate change. Additionally, following subsidiarity principles, public policies supporting the Circular Economy should be designed at the lowest levels of public administrations-this provides huge opportunities for regional governments to design, implement and monitor these policies.

Chemometrically Assisted Optimization of Pregabalin Fluorescent Derivatization Reaction with a Novel Xanthone Analogue and Validation of the Method for the Determination of Pregabalin in Bulk via a Plate Reader.

Quantitation of chromophore-free analytes is always a challenge. To this purpose, derivatization of the analyte constitutes a common strategy, leading to a product with a strong signal. In the current study, a novel xanthone analogue was utilized for the first time for the derivatization of pregabalin, a model analyte with a primary amine moiety that lacks a chromophore.

Adrenocortical Cancer: A 20-Year Experience of a Single Referral Center in Prognosis and Outcomes.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare but very aggressive endocrine malignancy with poor survival. Histopathology is important for diagnosis, while in some cases immunohistochemical markers and gene profiling of the resected tumor may be superior to current staging systems to determine prognosis. We aimed to present the 20-year experience at a tertiary hospital in patients with ACCs and correlate the immunohistochemical characteristics of ACCs with the clinical and morphological characteristics of the tumors and the survival of the patients.

Molecular investigation of artificial and natural sweeteners as potential anti-inflammatory agents.

Repurposing existing drugs, as well as natural and artificial sweeteners for novel therapeutic indications could speed up the drug discovery process since numerous associated risks and costs for drug development can be surpassed. In this study, natural and artificial sweeteners have been evaluated by and experimental studies for their potency to inhibit lipoxygenase enzyme, an enzyme participating in the inflammation pathway. A variety of different methods pinpointed that aspartame inhibits the lipoxygenase isoform 1 (LOX-1).

Residential demand for electricity: empirical evidence from Greece using pseudo-panels.

This study investigates the behaviour of residential demand for electricity, employing a pseudo-panel methodology. The case of Greece, over the period 2009-2018, is taken as an example for our empirical investigation. The empirical analysis uses annual household panel data for the construction of 330 cohorts.