The Prodrug DHED Delivers 17β-Estradiol into the Retina for Protection of Retinal Ganglion Cells and Preservation of Visual Function in an Animal Model of Glaucoma.

We report a three-pronged phenotypic evaluation of the bioprecursor prodrug 10β,17β-dihydroxyestra-1,4-dien-3-one (DHED) that selectively produces 17β-estradiol (E2) in the retina after topical administration and halts glaucomatous neurodegeneration in a male rat model of the disease. Ocular hypertension (OHT) was induced by hyperosmotic saline injection into an episcleral vein of the eye. Animals received daily DHED eye drops for 12 weeks.

A View on the Chemical and Biological Attributes of Five Edible Fruits after Finishing Their Shelf Life: Studies on Caco-2 Cells.

We studied five common perishable fruits in terms of their polyphenols dynamic, minerals distribution, scavenger activity and the effects of 50% ethanolic extracts on the viability of Caco-2 cells in vitro, over a period of time between T = 0 and T = 5/7 days, typically the end of their shelf life. Altogether, there were few changes found, consisting of either an increase or a decrease in their chemical and biological attributes. A slow decrease was found in the antioxidant activity in apricot (-11%), plum (-6%) and strawberry (-4%) extracts, while cherry and green seedless table grape extracts gained 7% and 2% antioxidant potency, respectively; IC values ranged from 1.

The outcome and risk factors associated with central and peripheral nervous system involvement in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect any organ, including both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The aim of this study was to explore the outcome and risk factors associated with the involvement of either CNS or PNS in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19, between May 2020 and December 2022, presenting with new onset neurological disabilities any time after admission.

Anti-Proliferative Potential of Cynaroside and Orientin-In Silico (DYRK2) and In Vitro (U87 and Caco-2) Studies.

Luteolin derivates are plant compounds with multiple benefits for human health. Stability to heat and acid hydrolysis and high resistance to (auto)oxidation are other arguments for the laden interest in luteolin derivates today. The present study was designed to compare the in silico and in vitro anti-proliferative potential of two luteolin derivates, luteolin-7--glucoside/cynaroside (7-Lut) and luteolin-8--glucoside/orientin (8-Lut).

Cardiac deficiency of P21-activated kinase 1 promotes atrial arrhythmogenesis in mice following adrenergic challenge.

P21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) signalling plays a vital and overall protective role in the heart. However, the phenotypes of deficiency in the cardiac atria have not been well explored. In this study, cardiac-conditional knock-out (cKO) mice were studied under baseline and adrenergic challenge conditions.

Potential Benefits of Dietary Plant Compounds on Normal and Tumor Brain Cells in Humans: In Silico and In Vitro Approaches.

Neuroblastoma can be accessed with compounds of larger sizes and wider polarities, which do not usually cross the blood-brain barrier. Clinical data indicate cases of spontaneous regression of neuroblastoma, suggesting a reversible point in the course of cell brain tumorigenesis. Dual specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase2 (DYRK2) is a major molecular target in tumorigenesis, while curcumin was revealed to be a strong inhibitor of DYRK2 (PBD ID: 5ZTN).

Potential Antitumor Effect of Functional Yogurts Formulated with Prebiotics from Cereals and a Consortium of Probiotic Bacteria.

Various types of functional yogurts were obtained from normalized milk (with normalized lipid content) and a standardized probiotic consortium of probiotic bacteria named ABY3. All the types of yogurts obtained contained prebiotics from black or red rice; malt of barley, rye, wheat; or wheat bran. The physico-chemical analyses of all the functionalized products obtained showed that all of them met the quality standard for yogurt products.

Antioxidant-Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of a Polyherbal Formula.

Most disease-both acute and chronic-results from inflammation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered some of the strongest stimuli of inflammation. Many studies reported the traditional use of herbal species for treating inflammation, especially when ROS are involved. The present study aims to demonstrate the antioxidant-anti-inflammatory effects of a patented preparation based on and extracts and to highlight its applicative potential; the formula was characterized by HPTLC and HPLC and in-vitro studies were conducted on TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Waldst. & Kit.

(1) Background: Waldst. & Kit. (hellebore) is a plant species found mainly in Balkans and the Carpathians, and it is traditionally used for a variety of ailments since the time of Hippocrates.

Encapsulation of Polyphenols from Leaves into Liposomes as a Strategy to Improve Their Delivery.

This study is focused on the encapsulation of polyphenols from leaves into liposomes as a strategy to improve their delivery. Liposomes loaded with leaves extract were obtained and characterized for particle size, polydispersity, entrapment efficiency, and stability. Liposomes presented entrapment efficiency higher than 75%, nanometric particle size, narrow polydispersity, and good stability over three months at 4 °C.

Healthcare-associated infection during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital in Romania.

Information on healthcare-associated infection (HA-CDI) in COVID-19 patients is limited. We aimed to assess the characteristics of HA-CDI acquired during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital, in which since March 2020 exclusively COVID-19 patients are hospitalized.

Nerve conduction study and electromyography findings in patients recovering from Covid-19 - Case report.

• Three patients with recent sequelae after Corona Virus Disease (COVID)-19 such as fatigue and myalgia of both calves underwent electrophysiological examinations, nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG). NCS shows, as common elements, the presence of a partial or complete conduction block on several nerves, slightly prolonged latency of the tibial nerve, and rare or absent F-waves, all suggesting a demyelinating polyneuropathy due to SARS−COV-2. The short duration and low amplitude of the motor unit action potential with early full recruitment on interference pattern on EMG, typical for myopathy, suggest a direct action of COVID-19 on muscular fibers, especially in the lower limbs.

Polyphenolic Extract from L. Leaves Free and Loaded into Lipid Vesicles.

The paper deals with the preparation and characterisation of hydroalcoholic polyphenolic extract from (SE) leaves that was further loaded into three-types of lipid vesicles: liposomes, transfersomes, and ethosomes, to improve its bioavailability and achieve an optimum pharmacological effect. For L.-loaded lipid vesicles, the entrapment efficiency, particle size, polydispersity index and stability were determined.

μ-Opioid receptor activation modulates CA3-to-CA1 gamma oscillation phase-coupling.

In the intact brain, hippocampal area CA1 alternates between low-frequency gamma oscillations (γ), phase-locked to low-frequency γ in CA3, and high-frequency γ, phase-locked to γ in the medial entorhinal cortex. In hippocampal slices, γ in CA1 is phase-locked to CA3 low-frequency γ. However, when Schaffer collaterals are cut, CA1 can generate its own high-frequency γ.

Evaluation of antiproliferative and protective effects of Eupatorium cannabinum L. extracts.

Eupatorium cannabinum L. (Asteraceae) has been used for a long time for medicinal purposes due to its various pharmacological effects and richness in active compounds such as phenolics, sesquiterpenes, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and polysaccharides. Despite the high content of compounds that have important roles in medicinal plants, there are still limited literature data regarding this valuable species.

Transverse cardiac slicing and optical imaging for analysis of transmural gradients in membrane potential and Ca transients in murine heart.

Key Points: A robust cardiac slicing approach was developed for optical mapping of transmural gradients in transmembrane potential (V ) and intracellular Ca transient (CaT) of murine heart. Significant transmural gradients in V and CaT were observed in the left ventricle. Frequency-dependent action potentials and CaT alternans were observed in all ventricular regions with rapid pacing, with significantly greater incidence in the endocardium than epicardium.

Regionalizing staff development resources.

Whether staff development is a low-budgeted priority in CMHCs need not determine the value or volume of training activities in such a setting. In Northwest Indiana five CMHCs have, for the past few years, regionalized staff development training resources, sharing presenters, hardware, and monies, through the Northwest Indiana Staff Development Consortium. This article describes its purpose, history, and cost effective collaborative efforts.