The Relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Pancreatic Cancer-Diabetes Mellitus as a Red Flag for Pancreatic Cancer.

The relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic cancer is complex-DM is both a risk factor and early sign of pancreatic cancer. DM is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer because it increases insulin resistance, intrapancreatic concentrations of insulin, and the bioavailability of IGF, subsequently promoting ductal cell proliferation. Accordingly, treatment targeting the insulin/IGF pathway is the focus of many researchers. Antidiabetic drugs modify the risk for pancreatic cancer-metformin's antineoplastic effect being most notable and indicating potential clinical use in pancreatic cancer. New-onset DM can also be the first manifestation of pancreatic cancer. There are several theories for the pathogenesis of DM in pancreatic cancer, the most important being that DM is a paraneoplastic syndrome caused by diabetogenic factors. As a consequence of this intricate relationship, new-onset DM after the age of 50 is considered a red flag for pancreatic cancer, prompting the need for screening in this patient population. Multiple clinical studies are currently underway exploring this matter. A better understanding of the relationship between DM and pancreatic cancer could aid in developing novel screening and treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer. This could ultimately improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Conventional vs. Green Extraction Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents-Differences in the Composition of Soluble Unbound Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of green solvents, natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES), in comparison with conventional solvents on the extraction of free unbound phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of extracts of dried bilberry fruit, bilberry leaves and green tea leaves. After preparation of the extracts via ultrasound-assisted extraction using NaDES and conventional solvents (water and ethanol), spectrophotometric determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content, HPLC analysis of extracted polyphenols and antioxidant determination using FRAP, DPPH and ABTS assays were conducted. The results showed that NaDES have a great potential as agents for the extraction of phenolic compounds with potent antioxidant activity; the highest values of phenolic content and antioxidant activity were detected in the samples obtained by extraction using the NaDES combination betaine + urea. The bilberry leaves exhibited the highest flavonoid content among all extracts and turned out to be more active than bilberry fruits, to which they are often just a by-product during processing. The most active extract of all was the betaine-urea green tea leaves extract. Further research into the most active NaDES extracts should be performed.

Enhanced Skin Performance of Emulgel vs. Cream as Systems for Topical Delivery of Herbal Actives (Immortelle Extract and Hemp Oil).

Immortelle, as rich source of chlorogenic acid and the phloroglucinol alpha-pyrone compound arzanol, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, affects cell regeneration, and has positive effect on many skin conditions. Hemp oil, characterized by a favorable omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, as well as an abundance of essential fatty acids and vitamin E, participates in immunoregulation and also act as an anti-inflammatory. In the present study, we examined the effect on the skin of creams and emulgels with immortelle extract and hemp oil, by comparing them to placebo samples and a non-treated control. A long-term in vivo study of biophysical skin characteristics, which lasted for 30 days, was conducted on 25 healthy human volunteers. Measured parameters were electrical capacitance of the stratum corneum, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), and skin pH and erythema index. Further, a sensory study was carried out in which the panelists had to choose descriptive terms for sensory attributes in questionnaire. The results showed that application of all preparations led to increase of skin hydration and TEWL reduction, while the skin was not irritated, and its normal pH was not disrupted. This study also showed importance of the carrier. Not only were emulgels described by panelists as preparations with better sensory properties, there was a significant difference between the skin hydration effect of emulgel with immortelle extract and hemp oil compared to the placebo emulgel, which was not the case with creams. Such findings indicated enhanced delivery of herbal active substances from emulgel compared to the cream.

Old Plant, New Possibilities: Wild Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L., Ericaceae) in Topical Skin Preparation.

Bilberry represents a valuable source of antioxidant substances responsible for its application for the treatment of different conditions (such as inflammation, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and different age-related diseases) associated with increased oxidative stress. As oxidative stress might cause skin impairments, we aim to evaluate a topical preparation containing bilberry leaves extract and bilberry seeds oil, obtained as a byproduct of the food industry. To obtain the extracts, the conventional maceration technique for leaves, and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction for seeds were employed. The chemical profile of both actives was achieved by HPLC and GC methods, revealing the presence of phenolic acids (chlorogenic being the most abundant), flavonoids (isoquercetin in the highest amount), and resveratrol in leaves extract, while in seeds oil the essential ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids were determined in favorable ratio, almost being 1. Antioxidant potential of the wild bilberry extract and seed oil was evaluated using in vitro DPPH and FRAP assays. Finally, effects of the oil-in-water creams with mentioned wild bilberry isolates on the skin were investigated in an in vivo study conducted on healthy human volunteers, revealing the significant beneficial effects when topically applied.

Maternal education, health profession and cigarette smoking are decisive factors for self-medication in children by parents.

Self-medication of children by their parents (SMCP) is an important public health issue as the effects and potential risks may be unpredictable. The objective of this first national Montenegrin study was to assess the prevalence of and factors influencing SMCP among schoolchildren. Data were obtained from a national representative sample of 4496 schoolchildren aged 7-13 years (50.4 % boys). Parents/caregivers completed a questionnaire concerning their demographic characteristics, socio-economic and cultural status, as well as the self-medication (SM) of their children. The association between SMCP and parents' socio-economic, demographic or cultural status was assessed by logistic regression analyses. The prevalence rate of SMCP was 24.6 %. Univariate logistic regression showed that maternal socio-demographic characteristics (educational level, employment status, health care profession and smoking habits) were relevant for SMCP. In a multiple logistic regression the independent effect /adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95 % CI)/of maternal factors on SMCP remained for: education /2.23 (1.18-4.24)/, university-level vs. no education; profession /1.50 (1.07-3.00)/, health profession vs. non-health profession; and smoking habit /1.22 (1.04-1.42)/smokers vs. non-smokers. SMCP may be expected for every fourth child in Montenegro. Specific maternal factors that independently raise the probability of SMCP are higher education, health profession and smoking.

The association between follicle stimulating hormone and glutathione peroxidase activity is dependent on abdominal obesity in postmenopausal women.

PURPOSE: Menopause is frequently associated with an increase in visceral fat, thus modifying redox status by promoting oxidative damage and decreasing antioxidant defense systems. It is known that at higher concentrations estradiol has some antioxidant properties, while its decline in postmenopause is associated with pro-oxidant effects. However, the role of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in antioxidant defense in postmenopausal women is still not well elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the potential complex association between visceral obesity, FSH and enzymatic antioxidant defense as measured by glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 150 postmenopausal women (mean age 56.6 ± 4.8 years), among them 50 normal weight and 100 overweight/obese, were included. GPx activity, FSH, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, total testosterone, cardiometabolic and anthropometric parameters, were determined. RESULTS: With increasing tertiles of serum FSH levels, significant increase in GPx activity (P = 0.005) was found. Also, the highest number of overweight/obese subjects were in the group with the lowest FSH values (χ 2 = 14.9, P < 0.001). After multiple linear regression analysis, the relationship between GPx and FSH disappeared, whereas only higher waist circumference (ß = -0.218, P = 0.045) predicted lower FSH level (adjusted R 2 = 0.227). CONCLUSION: Higher GPx activity is associated with higher FSH level, but abdominal obesity may be the underlying determinant of this relationship.

The Association Between Retinol-Binding Protein 4 and Cardiovascular Risk Score is Mediated by Waist Circumference in Overweight/Obese Adolescent Girls

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an emerging risk factor for atherosclerotic disease in adults. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies examining the relationship between RBP4 and cardiovascular risk in young population. Therefore, we aimed to estimate this potential relationship in overweight/obese adolescent girls. Seventy overweight/obese adolescent girls, mean age 17.6±1.20 years, were included. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured. Cardiovascular risk score (CVRS) was calculated by adding points for each risk factor (e.g., sex, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), non-HDL-c, smoking, blood pressure and fasting glycemia). According to the risk status, we divided adolescent girls into low, medium and high risk groups (-2≤ CVRS ≤1, 2≤ CVRS ≤4 and CVRS ≥5, respectively). We found significantly higher RBP4 in the high risk group as compared with low risk group (p<0.001). However, multiple linear regression analysis showed waist circumference (beta=0.257, p=0.031) to be the only independent predictor of higher cardiovascular risk (adjusted R(2)=0.342, p<0.001). In conclusion, RBP4 may be associated with higher cardiovascular risk in overweight/obese adolescent girls, but this association is mediated by abdominal obesity.

Prevalence of and contributing factors for overweight and obesity among Montenegrin schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Newly emerging Western style economic systems provide new opportunities to study the prevalence and predictors of childhood obesity. We also provide for the first time a national study of childhood obesity using all three international anthropometric criteria. METHODS: The sample included 4097 Montenegrin children, 2076 boys (50.7%) and 2021 girls. Anthropometric measurements were performed in school. The questionnaire for parents included questions on 24 potential contributing factors for childhood obesity. Nutritional status was assessed according to World Health Organization, US Center for Disease Prevention and Control and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. RESULTS: Overall percentage of Montenegrin children who are overweight or obese (IOTF) is 22.9% of which 5.3% are obese (7.0% boys vs. 3.5% girls). We found 10 factors to be independently associated with child obesity. Positive relations [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)] were found with maternal obesity [2.05 (1.68-2.51)], paternal obesity [1.67 (1.32-2.10)], paternal employment [1.40 (1.12-1.74)], maternal smoking [1.32 (1.08-1.61)], obesity at birth [1.33 (1.04-1.70)] and computer game playing [per hour--1.11 (1.00-1.24)]. Negative relations were found with female gender [0.64 (0.53-0.78)], the number of siblings [0.88 (0.78-0.98)], birth order [0.73 (0.64-0.83)] and age [0.92 (0.88-0.98)]. CONCLUSION: One out of four Montenegrin children is overweight, with two times more frequent obesity among boys compared with girls. Some previously salient predictors did not appear salient in this sample. To enable worldwide comparability, we propose the use of all three childhood obesity criteria in national studies.