Effects of an Oral Nutritional Supplementation and Physical Exercise Intervention on Older Adults at Risk for Sarcopenia.

Objectives: Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle mass (SMM) disease characterized by loss of strength with generalized loss of SMM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week intervention on SMM, strength, and functionally in older adults.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of an intervention protocol with older adults at risk of sarcopenia who performed a daily intake of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and resistance training exercise (RET), 3 times a week.

How climate change-related abiotic factors affect the production of industrial valuable compounds in Lamiaceae plant species: a review.

The interest in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) has increased significantly in recent years, driven by the growing demand for natural products. MAPs are a valuable source of secondary metabolites, which renders them useful to a number of industries, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food. The Lamiaceae family includes economically important MAPs that produce valuable secondary metabolites such as essential oils (EOs) and phenolic compounds (PCs).

Intersectoral collaboration in a One Health approach: Lessons learned from a country-level simulation exercise.

Intersectoral collaboration is an essential component of the One Health (OH) approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The OH European Joint Programme (OHEJP) developed a national foodborne outbreak table-top simulation exercise (SimEx) to practice OH capacity and interoperability across the public health, animal health, and food safety sectors, improving OH preparedness for future disease outbreaks. The Portuguese OHEJP SimEx highlighted strengths and weaknesses regarding the roles and functions of available systems, the constraints of existing legislation, the importance of harmonisation and data sharing, and the creation of common main messages adapted to each target sector.

Mediterranean Diet: The Role of Phenolic Compounds from Aromatic Plant Foods.

Today's global food system aggravates climate change while failing in meeting SDG2 and more. Yet, some sustainable food cultures, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MD), are simultaneously safe, healthy, and rooted in biodiversity. Their wide range of fruits, herbs, and vegetables convey many bioactive compounds, often associated with colour, texture, and aroma.

Hypoglycemia post bariatric surgery: drugs with different mechanisms of action to treat a unique disorder.

Postprandial hypoglycemia (PPH) is a complex and multifactorial complication of bariatric surgery (BS). PPH may cause severe symptoms or be asymptomatic. The treatment of this condition requires dietary changes, but severe cases require drug therapy.

Toxicokinetics of silver and silver sulfide nanoparticles in Chironomus riparius under different exposure routes.

Engineered nanoparticles released into surface water may accumulate in sediments, potentially threatening benthic organisms. This study determined the toxicokinetics in Chironomus riparius of Ag from pristine silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), a simulating aged Ag NP form (AgS NPs), and AgNO as an ionic control. Chironomid larvae were exposed to these Ag forms through water, sediment, or food.

Impact of Temperature on Phenolic and Osmolyte Contents in In Vitro Cultures and Micropropagated Plants of Two Mediterranean Plant Species, and .

In this study, in vitro cultures and micropropagated plants of two Mediterranean aromatic plants, L'Hér and López and Morales, were exposed to different temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30 °C). The effect of temperature on the levels of hydrogen peroxide (HO), lipid peroxidation, and osmoprotectants (proline, soluble sugars, and soluble proteins), as well as on the phenolic profile by HPLC-HRMS and intermediates of the secondary metabolism (phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity and shikimic acid content), was investigated. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the plant extracts was also analyzed.

Response of In Vitro Cultures to Drought Stress and Role of Green Extracts in Cosmetics.

The impact of drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) on morphological, physiological, (bio)chemical, and biological characteristics of López and Morales shoot cultures have been investigated, as well as the potential of iron oxide nanoparticles, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as alleviating drought stress agents. Results showed that PEG caused oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner, raising HO levels and reducing shoots' growth, photosynthetic pigment contents, and phenolic compounds production, especially phenolic acids, including the major compound rosmarinic acid. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra analysis revealed that PEG treatment caused changes in shoots' composition, enhancing terpenoids biosynthesis.

Influence of Wine pH and Ethanol Content on the Fining Efficacy of Proteins from Winemaking By-Products.

Wine color and limpidity are important aspects of consumer preferences. The alteration of these parameters can damage wine's appearance but also its mouthfeel characteristics due to its relationship with attributes such as bitterness and astringency. Fining is a practice usually used in enology to modulate undesirable wine organoleptic attributes.

SGLT2 Inhibition with Empagliflozin as a Possible Therapeutic Option for Postprandial Hypoglycemia After Bariatric Surgery.

Purpose: Since SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce postprandial hyperglycemia, this study aimed to evaluated whether empagliflozin might be useful in the treatment of postprandial hypoglycemia (PPH) postbariatric surgery (BS).

Patients And Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent BS, nine without type 2 diabetes and five with diabetes before surgery and in remission after surgery, were included. Seven of them presented symptoms of PPH (hypoglycemic group; HG) and seven were asymptomatic (nonhypoglycemic group (NHG)).

Effects of sulfidation of silver nanoparticles on the Ag uptake kinetics in Brassica rapa plants.

Land application of sewage sludge containing increasing levels of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) raises concerns about the risk for plant exposure. This study compared the uptake kinetics and distribution of Ag in Brassica rapa seedlings grown in Lufa 2.2 natural soil spiked with 20 nm AgS NPs, with those from 3 to 8 nm AgNPs, 50 nm AgNPs and AgNO exposures (10 mg Ag/kg dry soil).

Mixture toxicity prediction of substances from different origin sources in Daphnia magna.

Due to several anthropogenic activities, water bodies have been heavily impacted by contaminants identified in aquatic ecosystems, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, agricultural and industrial chemicals. Risk assessment based on chemical mixtures is still default in many monitoring studies, with decisions being based solely on a chemical-by-chemical basis. The present study aimed to improve risk assessment procedures in water bodies by focusing on mixtures of chemical substances of different origins.

Impact of Metallic Nanoparticles on In Vitro Culture, Phenolic Profile and Biological Activity of Two Mediterranean Lamiaceae Species: L'Hér and G. López and R. Morales.

Nanoparticles (NPs) recently emerged as new chemical elicitors acting as signaling agents affecting several processes in plant metabolism. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of the addition of copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO) and iron oxide (FeO) NPs (<100 nm) at different concentrations (1, 5 and 10 mg/L) to the culture media on several morphological, physiological and -biochemical parameters of in vitro shoot cultures of L'Hér and G. López and R.

Plant Species of Sub-Family Valerianaceae-A Review on Its Effect on the Central Nervous System.

Valerianaceae, the sub-family of Caprifoliaceae, contains more than 300 species of annual and perennial herbs, worldwide distributed. Several species are used for their biological properties while some are used as food. Species from the genus have been used for their antispasmodic, relaxing, and sedative properties, which have been mainly attributed to the presence of valepotriates, borneol derivatives, and isovalerenic acid.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction and Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents Combination: A Green Strategy to Improve the Recovery of Phenolic Compounds from subsp. (Chaytor) Franco.

The present study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of different natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) on the extraction of phenolic compounds from subsp. (Chaytor) Franco, on the antioxidant activity, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and tyrosinase (Tyr) inhibitory capacities. Ten different NADES were used in this research and compared with conventional solvents.

Toxicokinetics of silver nanoparticles in the mealworm Tenebrio molitor exposed via soil or food.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may reach the soil compartment via sewage sludge or nanoagrochemical applications. Understanding how NPs interact with biological systems is crucial for an accurate hazard assessment. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the Ag toxicokinetics in the mealworm Tenebrio molitor, exposed via Lufa 2.

Site-specific hazard evaluation for improved groundwater risk assessment.

Groundwater represents one of the most important natural water resources worldwide. Contamination is a key driver in sustaining water quality to populations and the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to look at contamination and potential effects.

Association between thiamine deficiency and hyperlactatemia among critically ill patients with diabetes infected by SARS-CoV-2.

Background: The present study aims to verify the association between diabetes and thiamine deficiency in critically ill patients infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, whose demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data (arterial lactate, bicarbonate, and plasma thiamine) were obtained in the first hours of admission to the intensive care unit. Patients with diabetes were compared with individuals without diabetes, and the correlation was performed between thiamine and lactate levels.

Association Between Low Zinc Levels and Severity of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by New Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Background: We verify the prevalence of low zinc levels among critically ill patients infected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the intensive care unit (ICU) who required invasive mechanical ventilation, as well as its association with severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: This is an observational study composed of patients admitted to the ICU. Demographics, anthropometric data for calculating body mass index (BMI), and laboratory data were obtained at admission: blood count, ferritin, arterial blood gas, serum zinc levels, and C-reactive protein.

Influence of elaboration process on chemical, biological, and sensory characteristics of European pennyroyal liqueurs.

Background: Mentha pulegium is an aromatic and medicinal plant used in different Mediterranean herb-based liqueurs, whose phytochemical composition depends on the elaboration technique used. The aim of this work was to investigate differences in the sensory, chemical, and biological characteristics of pennyroyal liqueurs elaborated by hydro-alcoholic (HI) and aqueous (AI) infusions, percolation (P), maceration (M), and distillation (D) techniques, and by the mixture of spirit with pennyroyal essential oil (EO). The volatile composition determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection (GC-FID), the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents, the antioxidant (AC), and enzyme (α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and acetylcholinesterase) inhibitory capacities, and the sensory analysis by napping, were evaluated in the liqueurs obtained.

Prevalence of obesity and hypovitaminosis D in elderly with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Background & Aim: Verify the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and obesity in elderly patients infected by new coronavirus. The patients developed severe symptoms and were admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) to receive invasive ventilation due to diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study composed of elderly (age ≥ 60 years) admitted to the ICU.

Perioperative Immunonutrition in Elderly Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Impact on Postoperative Outcomes.

Background: Arthroplasties in elderly patients are surgeries performed to ensure their quality of life. Perioperative care with specific nutrients can improve nutrition status and metabolic response to orthopedic surgeries, such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods: Retrospective study with elderly patients divided into 2 groups: control and immunonutrition.

Cactus: Chemical, nutraceutical composition and potential bio-pharmacological properties.

Cactus species are plants that grow in the arid and semiarid regions of the world. They have long fascinated the attention of the scientific community due to their unusual biology. Cactus species are used for a variety of purposes, such as food, fodder, ornamental, and as medicinal plants.