Evaluation of the Influence of Extract on Cognitive Functions and Hippocampal BDNF Expression.

L. has been traditionally applied as a remedy for headaches, rheumatism, digestion, respiratory and neurological problems, and other medical conditions. However, the literature data on its effects on cognitive function are scarce.

Endogenous interactomes of MFN1 and MFN2 provide novel insights into interorganelle communication and autophagy.

MFN1 (mitofusin 1) and MFN2 are key players in mitochondrial fusion, endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria juxtaposition, and macroautophagy/autophagy. However, the mechanisms by which these proteins participate in these processes are poorly understood. Here, we studied the interactomes of these two proteins by using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to insert an HA-tag at the C terminus of MFN1 and MFN2, and thus generating HeLa cell lines that endogenously expressed MFN1-HA or MFN2-HA.

Alcohol-Induced Activation of Chemokine System and Neuroinflammation Development.

Chemokines are immunoregulatory proteins with pleiotropic functions involved in neuromodulation, neurogenesis, and neurotransmission. The way chemokines affect the CNS plays an important role in modulating various conditions that could have negative impact on CNS functions, including development of alcohol use disorders. In this review, we analyzed the literature data available on the problem of chemokine participation in pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and remission of alcohol use disorders both in animal models and in the study of patients with alcoholism.

Immunomodulatory properties of polysaccharide extract samples from Cyanobacterium sp. Rippka B-1200.

Cyanobacteria are most abundant in aquatic systems and can grow in freshwater, saline or brackish water, and cold/hot springs. Cyanobacteria have attracted considerable research attention in the last decade as a potential source of numerous biological products in large quantities, such as biofuels, pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutraceuticals, enzymes, and polysaccharides. Unlike most plant and fungal polysaccharides, the chemical composition, immunomodulatory activity, and molecular mechanisms of action of Cyanobacterium sp.

Genus Stachys-Phytochemistry, Traditional Medicinal Uses, and Future Perspectives.

The genus represents one of the most extensive genera within the subfamily and ranks as one of the largest genera in the family. Many species are associated with a rich history in traditional medicine across various cultures, and their extracts and essential oils are rich in non-volatile and volatile compounds. Because of their complex profile of bioactive substances, members are considered to possess an extensive spectrum of therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and wound-healing effects, as well as benefits for memory enhancement, lipid profile regulation, blood glucose control, and weight management.

Phytoecdysteroids: Quantification in Selected Plant Species and Evaluation of Some Effects on Gastric Smooth Muscles.

Phytoecdysteroids (PEs) are naturally occurring steroid compounds, that have recently gained significant attention, due to their diverse biological activities and high therapeutic potential. The aim of the present study was to quantify some PEs including 20-hydroxyecdysterone (20-HE), ponasterone A (PA), and turkesterone (TU) in selected plant foods and extract. Furthermore, the effects of 20-HE, TU, and extract, were investigated with in vitro methods using isolated smooth muscle tissues.

Blood Growth Factor Levels in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: High Neuregulin-1 Is Associated with Comorbid Cardiovascular Pathology.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are known to frequently suffer from comorbid cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). There are abundant data on cytokine levels and their role in the pathogenesis of SLE, while growth factors have received much less attention. The aim of this study was to analyze growth factor levels in SLE patients and their association with the presence of comorbid CVDs.

[Association of inflammation and chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease].

Objective: To study the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and association of CFS with other clinical and neuropsychological manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as with serum inflammatory markers and genetic polymorphisms.

Material And Methods: The study included 533 patients with PD. All patients underwent clinical, neurological examination and neuropsychological testing using validated questionnaires: MoCA test, HADS, BDI-II, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).

Identification and Characterization of Human Breast Milk and Infant Fecal Cultivable Lactobacilli Isolated in Bulgaria: A Pilot Study.

During the last few decades, the main focus of numerous studies has been on the human breast milk microbiota and its influence on the infant intestinal microbiota and overall health. The presence of lactic acid bacteria in breast milk affects both the quantitative and qualitative composition of the infant gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess the most frequently detected cultivable rod-shaped lactobacilli, specific for breast milk of healthy Bulgarian women and fecal samples of their infants over the first month of life, in 14 mother-infant tandem pairs.

Finely Tunable Carbon Nanofiber Catalysts for the Efficient Production of HMF in Biphasic MIBK/HO Systems.

This work proposes catalytic systems for fructose dehydration to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using a series of functionalized carbon nanofibers. The catalysts were synthesized via finely selected covalent grafting in order to include a variety of functionalities like pure Bronsted acid, tandem Brønsted/Lewis acid, and tandem Lewis acid/Lewis base catalysts. After the characterization and evaluation of acidity strength and the amount of acid centers, the catalyst series was screened and related to the product distribution.

(L.)-Biological Activity, Chemical Profile, and Future Perspectives.

Species belonging to the genus , Lamiaceae, have been deeply involved in the folk medicine of different nations since ancient times. Lilac sage, or L. () is a less studied species from the genus.

An Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp of the Stomach.

An inflammatory fibroid polyp (Vaněk's polyp) is a rare, benign, mesenchymal polyp originating from the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms are non-specific and depend on the tumor size and location. Despite their benign nature, these tumors can mimic other malignant conditions, making an accurate diagnosis crucial for appropriate management.

Synthesis of polysaccharides by microalgae Chlorella sp.

Microalgae are known to be the richest natural source of polysaccharides. The study aimed to evaluate the ability of microalgae from the Chlorella sp. genus to synthesize polysaccharides.

Genus -Biological Activity, Chemical Composition, and Future Perspectives.

Species belonging to the genus (Apiaceae) have been used by humanity since ancient times as flavoring agents, preservatives, and medicines for the treatment of a broad spectrum of conditions, including respiratory, digestive and kidney disorders, fungi infections, wounds, and gastric ulcers. Phytochemical studies on this botanical genus mainly investigate the essential oil composition and reveal the species as a rich source of volatile compounds, including monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids. Among the non-volatile secondary metabolites, flavonoids, coumarins, phenolic acids, phytosterols, and polyacetylenes have been identified.

New insights for valorization of polyolefins/light alkanes: catalytic dehydrogenation of -alkanes by immobilized pincer-iridium complexes.

This scientific review delves into the innovative realm of polyolefins/light alkanes valorization through their catalytic dehydrogenation employing pincer-ligated iridium organometallic complexes. These widely studied catalysts exhibit outstanding properties, although the intrinsic characteristics of homogeneous catalysis (such as challenging product-catalyst separation, poor applicability to continuous-flow processes and low recyclability) limit their activity and industrial application, as well as their thermal stability. Through the immobilization of complexes on inorganic supports, these downsides have been bypassed, harnessing the true potential of these catalysts, affording more selective and stable catalysts in addition to facilitating their implementation in industrial processes.

Validation of a new acoustic telemetry transmitter for the study of predation events in small fishes.

Acoustic telemetry has emerged as an important tool for studying the movement and behavior of aquatic animals. Predation-sensing acoustic transmitters combine the functions of typical acoustic transmitters with the added ability to identify the predation of tagged animals. The objective of this paper was to assess the performance of a newly miniaturized acid-based predation-sensing acoustic transmitter (Innovasea V3D; 0.

Ecdysterone and Turkesterone-Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition.

The naturally occurring compounds ecdysterone and turkesterone, which are present in plants, including Willd. (Iljin), L., Willd.

A Comparison between Bulgarian Essential Oil from Two Different Locations.

L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant with a long-standing historical use in traditional medicine. Recently L.

A giant synovial sarcoma of the left lung.

Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma is an extremely rare and aggressive neoplasm that primarily affects young people and has a poor prognosis. Establishing this diagnosis requires the exclusion of a wide number of other neoplasms with multimodal clinical, imaging, histological, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic assessment. We present a case of synovial sarcoma of the left lung in a 44-year-old man, diagnosed immunohistochemically after left lower lobectomy with atypical resection of the 5th segment.

Development and validation of a high-performance thin-layer chromatography method for detection of sibutramine in dietary supplements.

In the period between 1997 and 2010, sibutramine-containing drugs were widely prescribed for obesity and over-weight management. Due to safety concerns, in 2010 all medicines containing sibutramine were urgently withdrawn from the USA and European pharmaceutical market. Although sibutramine is no longer available in pharmaceutical products, there have been numerous reports of mislabeled weight-loss dietary supplements containing sibutramine.

[Associations of serum neuromarkers with clinical features of Parkinson's disease].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory correlation of biomarkers with anti- and pro-apoptotic activity with the severity of motor and non-motor symptoms depending on the progression rate of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Material And Methods: A wide range of non-motor symptoms (emotional-affective, cognitive, psychotic and behavioral disorders, fatigue, sleep disorders and autonomic disorders) was evaluated using validated scales and a number of serum neuromarkers responsible for neuroplasticity and neuronal survival processes (BDNF, PDGF, cathepsin D) in 71 patients with PD (mean age 65 (55; 70) years, disease duration 7 (4; 9) years, age of onset 57 (49; 62) years).

Results: The concentration of biomarkers (BDNF, PDGF and cathepsin D) was the lowest in the group of patients with a rapid PD progression rate (<0.

Enhanced Solubility of Ibuprofen by Complexation with β-Cyclodextrin and Citric Acid.

The ability of β-CD to form inclusion complexes with ibuprofen (IBU) and at the same time to make a two-phase system with citric acid was explored in the present study for achieving improved solubility and dissolution rate of IBU. Mechanical milling as well as mechanical milling combined with thermal annealing of the powder mixtures were applied as synthetic methods. Solubility and dissolution kinetics of the complexes were studied in compliance with European Pharmacopoeia (ICH Q4B).