Omega-3 supplementation and outcomes of heart failure: A systematic review of clinical trials.

BACKGROUNDS: Omega-3 supplements are endorsed for heart failure (HF) patients to reduce hospitalizations and mortality, offering anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in various databases until November 2022. Eligible studies included clinical trials on patients with HF. Data extraction covered study details, omega-3 specifics, outcomes, and limitations. The JADAD scale was used to assess the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: The review process involved 572 records from database searches, resulting in 19 studies after eliminating duplicates and screening. These studies assessed the impact of omega-3 on various clinical outcomes, such as mortality, hospitalization, cardiac function, and quality of life. Studied duration varied from weeks to years. Omega-3 supplementation demonstrated potential benefits such as improved heart function, reduced inflammation, and decreased risk of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: Omega-3 supplementation could benefit heart disease treatment, potentially reducing therapy duration and improving outcomes. Starting omega-3 supplementation for HF patients seems favorable.

PREGNANT WOMEN WITH COVID-19 AND PLACENTA ANGIOGENESIS.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of our research was to conduct a clinical and laboratory analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and the condition of the fetus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: At the first stage, we conducted a retrospective examination of 50 pregnant women treated at Ternopil Municipal Hospital No.2 (Ukraine) between November 2020 and January 2022 with the history of COVID-19, confirmed by PCR test, and 25 pregnant COVID-19 negative pregnant women (control group). At the second stage, we performed prospective cohort study and involved 40 pregnant women treated with the history of COVID-19, confirmed by PCR, and 10 pregnant COVID-19 negative women with a physiological course of pregnancy as a control group.Women were divided into the following groups: group I -10 women diagnosed with COVID-19 during the first trimester of pregnancy: group II-15 women diagnosed during the second trimester; group III-15 women diagnosed during the third trimester. Ultrasound examination and cardiotocograms were performed to assess fetus status. Blood samples were collected at delivery. To determine whether COVID-19 could alter placental angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), PlGF and interleuin-32-α were assessed. RESULTS: Results: We identified that concentration of VEGFA was 95.30±5.65 pg/ml in control group. In women who had COVID-19 in first trimester, this index was 1.3 times higher, in second trimester 1.63 times higher and in third trimester by 2 times compared to control group. PlGF concentration was only 27,4 percent in group I, 16 percent in group II and 30 percent in group III,compared to control group. Concentration of interleuin-32-α was 67.27±5.63 pg/ml in control group and increased to 167 percent in group I, by 2.8 times in group II and by 6.3 times in group III compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: COVID-19 has a negative impact on placental angiogenesis, including VEGFA and PlGF. Fetal post-COVID-19 syndrome requires timely diagnosis of disorders and further study. Post-COVID-19 syndrome is an immune-dependent pathology in which the processes of protracted cytokine activation occur in the body of a pregnant woman.

Intestinal parasite infections among internal war refugees and inhabitants of the Ternopil region, Western Ukraine.

BACKGROUND: The armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine resulted in the destruction of the country's infrastructure and a decline in the standard of living for many citizens (e.g. shortages of electricity and safe drinking water, limited access to healthcare, living in unsuitable cold basements). A lot of Ukrainians living in the eastern, southern and central parts of the country were forced to flee their homes. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections among internal war refugees and residents of Ternopil, a city in Western Ukraine, in response to the worsening of the epidemiological situation in the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parasitological diagnostics was carried out in June 2023 and involved 127 adult Ukrainian citizens aged 19-80 years old, including 80 internal war refugees (most of the participants came from Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipro, Kherson regions) and 47 residents of Ternopil region, Western Ukraine. Surveys and parasitological examination of stool samples by three different light microscopy testing methods (direct smear, decantation, flotation) were performed. The samples were then tested for the presence of Giardia intestinalis intestinal protozoa by molecular tests (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) and immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). RESULTS: All RT-PCR and RDT tests to detect Giardia intestinalis were found to be negative. The examination of faecal samples taken from 127 patients showed no infections with nematodes, cestodes or trematodes. The examinations only revealed infections with potentially pathogenic Blastocystis spp.: 18/80 infections in the population of internal war refugees (22.5%) and 7/47 infections among residents of the Ternopil region (14.9%). Survey results demonstrated frequent use of antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs without physician advise or prescription: 43.9% of the study participants (n = 127) were taking antibiotics, and 25.2% were taking antiparasitic drugs during the period of 3 months prior to the study. CONCLUSIONS: An absence of intestinal parasite pathogens was detected in the studied population. The authors may explain it by the fact, that many Ukrainian patients have unlimited access to antimicrobial drugs (drugs sold without a valid prescription and taken without consultation with a physician), which could have contributed to the low incidence of intestinal parasite infections.

The Relationship between COVID-19 Severity in Children and Immunoregulatory Gene Polymorphism.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its outcomes remain one of the most challenging problems today. COVID-19 in children could be asymptomatic, but can result in a fatal outcome; therefore, predictions of the disease severity are important. The goal was to investigate the human genetic factors that could be associated with COVID-19 severity in children. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the following genes were studied: ACE2 (rs2074192), IFNAR2 (rs2236757), TYK2 (rs2304256), OAS1 (rs10774671), OAS3 (rs10735079), CD40 (rs4813003), FCGR2A (rs1801274) and CASP3 (rs113420705). In the case-control study were 30 children with mild or moderate course of the disease; 30 with severe COVID-19 symptoms and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and 15 who were healthy, and who did not have SARS-CoV-2 (PCR negative, Ig G negative). The study revealed that ACE2 rs2074192 (allele T), IFNAR2 rs2236757 (allele A), OAS1 rs10774671 (allele A), CD40 rs4813003 (allele C), CASP3 rs113420705 (allele C) and male sex contribute to severe COVID-19 course and MIS-C in 85.6% of cases. The World Health Organization reported that new SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause previously unseen symptoms in children. Although the study has limitations due to cohort size, the findings can help provide a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and proactive pediatric patient management.

Blood ACE2 Protein Level Correlates with COVID-19 Severity.

ACE2's impact on the severity of COVID-19 is widely discussed but still controversial. To estimate its role in aspects of the main risk factors and comorbidities, we involved post-COVID-19 patients in Ternopil region (Ukraine). The recruitment period was from July 2020 to December 2021. Medical records, treatment modalities, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. The serum human ACE2 protein was measured with Cusabio ELISA kits (Houston, TX, USA). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS21.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The level of the ACE2 serum protein was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with mild symptoms compared to a more severe course of the disease, and inversely had changed from 1 to 90 days after recovery. In patients with mild COVID-19, ACE2 levels significantly decreased over time, while among critical patients, it increased by 34.1 percent. Such results could be explained by ACE2 shedding from tissues into circulation. Loss of the membrane-bound form of the enzyme decreases the virus' entry into cells. Our studies did not identify a sex-related ACE2 serum level correlation. The most common comorbidities were hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus. All abovementioned comorbidities except respiratory diseases contribute to the severity of the disease and correlate with ACE2 blood serum levels.

Five Different Artemisia L. Species Ethanol Extracts' Phytochemical Composition and Their Antimicrobial and Nematocide Activity.

Among the plants that exhibit significant or established pharmacological activity, the genus Artemisia L. deserves special attention. This genus comprises over 500 species belonging to the largest Asteraceae family. Our study aimed at providing a comprehensive evaluation of the phytochemical composition of the ethanol extracts of five different Artemisia L. species (collected from the southwest of the Russian Federation) and their antimicrobial and nematocide activity as follows: A. annua cv. Novichok., A. dracunculus cv. Smaragd, A. santonica cv. Citral, A. abrotanum cv. Euxin, and A. scoparia cv. Tavrida. The study of the ethanol extracts of the five different Artemisia L. species using the methods of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) allowed establishing their phytochemical profile. The obtained data on the of five different Artemisia L. species ethanol extracts' phytochemical composition were used to predict the antibacterial and antifungal activity against phytopathogenic microorganisms and nematocidal activity against the free-living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The major compounds found in the composition of the Artemisia L. ethanol extracts were monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, coumarins, and phenolic acids. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the extracts began to manifest at a concentration of 150 µg/mL. The A. dracunculus cv. Smaragd extract had a selective effect against Gram-positive R. iranicus and B. subtilis bacteria, whereas the A. scoparia cv. Tavrida extract had a selective effect against Gram-negative A. tumefaciens and X. arboricola bacteria and A. solani, R. solani and F. graminearum fungi. The A. annua cv. Novichok, A. dracunculus cv. Smaragd, and A. santonica cv. Citral extracts in the concentration range of 31.3-1000 µg/mL caused the death of nematodes. It was established that A. annua cv. Novichok affects the UNC-63 protein, the molecular target of which is the nicotine receptor of the N-subtype.

Vessel-on-a-Chip: A Powerful Tool for Investigating Endothelial COVID-19 Fingerprints.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes various vascular and blood-related reactions, including exacerbated responses. The role of endothelial cells in this acute response is remarkable and may remain important beyond the acute phase. As we move into a post-COVID-19 era (where most people have been or will be infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus), it is crucial to define the vascular consequences of COVID-19, including the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. Research is needed to determine whether chronic endothelial dysfunction following COVID-19 could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic events. Endothelial dysfunction could also serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for post-COVID-19. This review covers these topics and examines the potential of emerging vessel-on-a-chip technology to address these needs. Vessel-on-a-chip would allow for the study of COVID-19 pathophysiology in endothelial cells, including the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with endothelial function, leukocyte recruitment, and platelet activation. "Personalization" could be implemented in the models through induced pluripotent stem cells, patient-specific characteristics, or genetic modified cells. Adaptation for massive testing under standardized protocols is now possible, so the chips could be incorporated for the personalized follow-up of the disease or its sequalae (long COVID) and for the research of new drugs against COVID-19.

Effect of Foliar Sodium Selenate and Nano Selenium Supply on Biochemical Characteristics, Essential Oil Accumulation and Mineral Composition of Artemisia annua L.

Selenium (Se) biofortification of aromatic plants is a promising strategy to produce valuable functional food with high biological activity and enhanced essential oil yield. The experiment carried out in 2021 and 2022 on A. annua treated with sodium selenate or nano-Se sprayed on foliar apparatus demonstrated a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments, pectin, waxes, macro- and microelements and a decrease in malonic dialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Contrary to literature reports, neither selenate nor nano-Se showed a beneficial effect on essential oil accumulation; the oil yield did not differ between the selenate treated and control plants but was halved by the nano-Se application. Extremely high variations in the number of essential oil components, as well as in the eucalyptol, artemisia ketone, camphor and germacrene D ratio in the 2021 and 2022 experiments were recorded. The analysis of the 2016-2022 data for oil yield and composition in the control plants revealed a direct correlation between the number of components and of solar flares, and a negative correlation between oil yield and the percentage of spotless days. Both control plants and plants fortified with selenium showed higher levels of germacrene D and lower levels of artemisia ketone in 2022, characterized by more remarkable solar activity compared to 2021. Nano-Se supply resulted in the highest percentage of germacrene D accumulation. The results of the present research highlight the importance of the solar activity effect on the essential oil yield and quality of aromatic plants.

Evaluation of Factors Affecting Tree and Shrub Bark's Antioxidant Status.

The importance of using the barks of trees and shrubs as powerful natural antioxidants suggests the necessity to evaluate the effect of different environmental factors on bark extracts' quality. The determination of total antioxidant activity (AOA) and polyphenol content (TP) in the bark of 58 tree and shrub species from 7 regions differing in mean annual temperature, insolation, humidity, salinity level, and altitude was performed. The above stress factors positively affected bark AOA but did not have a statistically significant effect on TP. The bark of trees grown in the seashore proximity was characterized by significantly higher AOA than samples gathered in other areas, similarly to the trees grown at high altitude. The bark antioxidant status of 18 species was described for the first time. New sources of powerful antioxidants were represented by the ornamental shrubs Cornus sanguinea and Cornus alba, which showed the highest AOA (169−171 mg GAE g−1 d.w.). Among the typical halophytes, Calligonum and Tamarix had high AOA (172 and 85 mg GAE g−1 d.w.), while in the bark of tamarisk, an Se accumulator, an Se concentration of about 900 µg kg−1 d.w. was recorded. A significant positive correlation was found between leaves and bark AOA in the Karadag Nature Reserve's deciduous trees (r = 0.898, p < 0.01). The relationship between bark AOA and TP was highly significant (r = 0.809; p < 0.001) for all samples except the mountainous ones. The results of the present research revealed new opportunities in successive bark utilization.

Chitosan self-assembled polymeric nanoparticles for percutaneous delivery of betamethasone in contact dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: The study was performed with an aim to investigate the efficiency of two treatment options in experimental nickel-induced contact dermatitis (CT), with either betamethasone or chitosan cross-linked nano-encapsulated betamethasone lanoline solutions (nano-betamethasone). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were used. The differences were compared based on lesion visual appearance, skinfold thickness, white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), blood serum prooxidant-antioxidant balance (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS; supersoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, KAT), blood cytokine profile (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10, and IL-4), and histological examination of affected skin. RESULTS: All animals treated with nickel sulfate developed CT and systemic inflammatory response on day 12, which only slightly lessened, if left untreated, on day 20. The therapeutic effectiveness of nano-betamethasone was significantly far superior (p < 0.01) compared to betamethasone. Specifically, the visual appearance of lesion severity of betamethasone vs. nano-betamethasone ± SD was 1.82 ± 0.18 vs. 1.17 ± 0.24 points, skinfold thickness-2.68 ± 0.12 vs. 2.12 ± 0.10 mm, ESR-6.38 ± 0.27 vs. 5.12 ± 0.20 mm/h, WBC-8.47 ± 0.28 vs. 7.17 ± 0.24 109/L, TBARS-1.09 ± 0.04 vs. 0.94 ± 0.02 µmol/L, SOD-3.38 ± 0.26 vs. 4.12 ± 0.18 r.u./L, KAT-11.54 ± 0.14 vs. 10.02 ± 0.19 mkatal/L, respectively. The nano-betamethasone formulation was also more effective (p < 0.01) in increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines level, IL-10 (8.96 ± 0.32 vs. 7.54 ± 0.52 pg/mL) and IL-4 (13.16 ± 0.45 vs. 11.43 ± 0.58 pg/mL); and decreasing in pro-inflammatory TNF-α (20.94 ± 2.30 vs. 26.98 ± 1.16 pg/mL) and IL-1ß (19.35 ± 1.28 vs. 24.77 ± 1.75 pg/mL), respectively. These findings were also supported with histological examination. CONCLUSIONS: Nano-betamethasone may be considered as a more successful transcutaneous therapy for managing contact dermatitis compared to ointments consisting of betamethasone in traditional form.

Yield, Essential Oil and Quality Performances of Artemisia dracunculus, Hyssopus officinalis and Lavandula angustifolia as Affected by Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi under Organic Management.

Utilization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for enhancing growth and development as well as production of essential oil in aromatic plants has been increasingly drawing research interest. In order to assess the AMF effects on different aromatic species, an open-field experiment was carried out using Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon), Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) and Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop). AMF stimulated the growth of tarragon and lavender plants, whereas hyssop showed a slight developmental slowing; nonetheless, a significant increase in essential oil content in the three species was seen. AMF application increased the biomass of A. dracunculus and H. officinalis by 20-35%. No differences in antioxidant activity and phenolics content were recorded at harvest between the control and AMF-inoculated plants, but the latter showed a significant increase in antioxidant status upon storage at high temperature and humidity compared to the untreated control. The enhancement of abiotic stress resistance during storage in plants inoculated with AMF was the highest in A. dracunculus, and the lowest in H. officinalis, while the untreated control plants showed a significant decrease in phenolics, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content, as well as antioxidant activity, upon the abiotic stress. AMF inoculation differentially affected the mineral composition, increasing the accumulation of Se, I and Zn in A. dracunculus, and decreasing the levels of heavy metals and Co, Fe, Li, Mn in H. officinalis. Based on the outcome of the present research, AMF inoculation resulted in a significant enhancement of the overall performances of A. dracunculus, L. angustifolia and H. officinalis, and also in the improvement of plant antioxidant status upon storage in stress conditions.

The effect of two formulations of carbon enterosorbents on oxidative stress indexes and molecular conformation of serum albumin in experimental animals exposed to CCl4.

The liver failure means inability to perform its normal synthetic, biotransformation and excretory functions. The disturbance of metabolic processes leads to the development of "metabolic endogenous intoxication" resulting in oxidative stress. Oxidative stress initiates the processes of oxidation of amino acid residues of blood plasma proteins causing the changes in their structure and functions. The effect of administration of highly activated porous carbonic enterosorbents on oxidative stress manifestations and molecular conformation of serum albumin in blood of experimental animals with acute liver failure induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) needs to be investigated. Two forms of activated carbonic enterosorbents such as AC1 (primary beads with the range of diameters of 125-250 µm) and AC2 (secondary granules prepared from micronized AC1 having the mean particle size of ~1 µm) derived from phenol-formaldehyde resin were used in rat model with CCl4 intoxication. The total level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in blood plasma, the activity of catalase (CAT) in blood hemolysates; the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver homogenates, and the level of oxidative modification of proteins (OMP) such as aldehyde-dinitrophenylhydrazone (A-DNPH) and ketone-dinitrophenylhydrazone (K-DNPH) derivatives in blood plasma and liver homogenates were determined. In addition, the level of pro/antioxidant ratio in blood hemolysates and the content of lipid peroxidation product - malondialdehyde (MDA), in blood plasma and liver were determined. Melting thermograms of blood plasma proteins (BPP) and molecular conformation changes of serum albumin were analyzed by biophysical methods (differential scanning microcalorimetry and spectrofluorimetry). The extent of CCl4-induced oxidative damage in blood and liver of experimental animals was shown to be less expressed for AC1 in comparison with AC2 enterosorbent. However, AC2 used in the form of secondary granules positively influenced some biophysical properties of albumin molecule (temperature of melting, shape of melting endotherm and intrinsic fluorescence) after rats exposure to CCl4. In general, administration of both AC1 and AC2 led to the reduction of oxidative stress manifestations and partial restoration of native molecular conformation of serum albumin. These observations are promising in terms of achieving recovery of detoxification potential of organism after severe liver injury.

Effect of Primary and Secondary Beads of Carbon Enterosorbent on Haematological Parameters and Oxidative Stress Development Caused by Melphalan in Rats.

Background and Objectives: Side effects of anti-cancer drugs are usually accompanied by oxidative stress, including myelotoxicity. We evaluated the potential of oral highly activated micro-/macroporous carbon adsorbents (bulk density of 0.16 g/cm3, surface area calculation by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller model (SBET) > 2200 m2/g, derived from proprietary phenolic resin beads) to alleviate oxidative stress and myelotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: A single injection of cytostatic melphalan (L-PAM) at a dose of 4 mg/kg was used for modelling. Two forms of activated carbon were used: AC1-primary beads with the particle size range of 125-250 µm, and AC2-micronized AC1 with a mean particle size of ~1 µm. We measured haematological parameters white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet count, and haemoglobin level. Oxidative stress intensity was evaluated using the following markers: total levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in blood plasma; catalase activity (CAT) and pro-oxidant/antioxidant ratio in blood haemolysate samples; level of reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver tissues; oxidative modification of proteins, OPM (APHD, aldehyde-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives and KPHD, ketone dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives) and malonic dialdehyde (MDA) in blood plasma and liver samples. Results: AC2 administration promoted significant myeloprotective effect: 1.5-fold increase in leukocytes, 2-fold in neutrophils, 1.5-fold in lymphocytes, and 1.23-fold in platelet count compared to the experimental Melphalan Group. At the same time, AC1 administration resulted in a slight increase in haematological parameters. Both ACs positively corrected important, but diverse, components of oxidative stress. They significantly reduced oxidative modification of blood and liver proteins (especially the AC1 form), normalized the level of reduced glutathione, pro-oxidant/antioxidant ratio and other markers. For some markers, such as ROS production in blood plasma, the use of enterosorbents resulted in non-significant a shift towards normal parameters. Conclusions: Oral activated carbon adsorbents reduce oxidative stress intensity and myelotoxicity; they can be promising means to combat the adverse effects of chemotherapy in clinical practice.