Polyphenol Analysis via LC-MS-ESI and Potent Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Activities of Jatropha multifida L. Extracts Used in Benin Pharmacopoeia.

Jatropha multifida L., a plant from the Euphorbiaceae family, is commonly used in Benin's traditional medicine due to its therapeutic benefits. This study aims to explore the medicinal efficacy of Jatropha multifida L. by evaluating its various biological activities. An initial phytochemical analysis was conducted, following which the polyphenols and flavonoids were quantified and identified using LC-MS-ESI. The antimicrobial efficacy of the extracts was tested using agar diffusion. Their antioxidant capacity was assessed using several methods: DPPH radical reduction, ABTS radical cation reduction, ferric ion (FRAP) reduction, and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Anti-inflammatory activity was determined based on the inhibition of protein (specifically albumin) denaturation. The study identified several phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, o-Coumaroylquinic acid, Apigenin-apiosyl-glucoside, and luteolin-galactoside. Notably, the extracts of J. multifida demonstrated bactericidal effects against a range of pathogens, with Concentration Minimally Bactericidal (CMB) values ranging from 22.67 mg/mL (for organisms such as S. aureus and C. albicans) to 47.61 mg/mL (for E. coli). Among the extracts, the ethanolic variant displayed the most potent DPPH radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 value of 0.72 ± 0.03 mg/mL. In contrast, the methanolic extract was superior in ferric ion reduction, registering 46.23 ± 1.10 µgEAA/g. Interestingly, the water-ethanolic extract surpassed others in the ABTS reduction method with a score of 0.49 ± 0.11 mol ET/g and also showcased the highest albumin denaturation inhibition rate of 97.31 ± 0.35% at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL. In conclusion, the extracts of Jatropha multifida L. are enriched with bioactive compounds that exhibit significant biological activities, underscoring their therapeutic potential.

Bioactive Compounds in Moringa oleifera: Mechanisms of Action, Focus on Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is a tropical tree native to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan; it is cultivated for its nutritious leaves, pods, and seeds. This scientific study was conducted to outline the anti-inflammatory properties and mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds from M. oleifera. The existing research has found that the plant is used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds, including phytochemicals: flavonoids and polyphenols. The compounds are thought to exert their anti-inflammatory effects due to: (1) inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes: quercetin and kaempferol inhibit the pro-inflammatory enzymes (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase); (2) regulation of cytokine production: isothiocyanates modulate signaling pathways involved in inflammation, such as the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway; isothiocyanates inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α) and IL-1ß (interleukin-1ß); and (3) antioxidant activity: M. oleifera contains flavonoids, polyphenols, known to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. The review includes M. oleifera's effects on cardiovascular protection, anti-hypertensive activities, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This research could prove valuable for exploring the pharmacological potential of M. oleifera and contributing to the prospects of developing effective medicines for the benefit of human health.

Inclusion Body Myositis and Neoplasia: A Narrative Review.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an acquired, late-onset inflammatory myopathy, with both inflammatory and degenerative pathogenesis. Although idiopathic inflammatory myopathies may be associated with malignancies, IBM is generally not considered paraneoplastic. Many studies of malignancy in inflammatory myopathies did not include IBM patients. Indeed, IBM is often diagnosed only after around 5 years from onset, while paraneoplastic myositis is generally defined as the co-occurrence of malignancy and myopathy within 1 to 3 years of each other. Nevertheless, a significant association with large granular lymphocyte leukemia has been recently described in IBM, and there are reports of cancer-associated IBM. We review the pathogenic mechanisms supposed to be involved in IBM and outline the common mechanisms in IBM and malignancy, as well as the therapeutic perspectives. The terminally differentiated, CD8+ highly cytotoxic T cells expressing NK features are central in the pathogenesis of IBM and, paradoxically, play a role in some cancers as well. Interferon gamma plays a central role, mostly during the early stages of the disease. The secondary mitochondrial dysfunction, the autophagy and cell cycle dysregulation, and the crosstalk between metabolic and mitogenic pathways could be shared by IBM and cancer. There are intermingled subcellular mechanisms in IBM and neoplasia, and probably their co-existence is underestimated. The link between IBM and cancers deserves further interest, in order to search for efficient therapies in IBM and to improve muscle function, life quality, and survival in both diseases.

Oral Microbiome: Getting to Know and Befriend Neighbors, a Biological Approach.

The oral microbiome, forming a biofilm that covers the oral structures, contains a high number of microorganisms. Biofilm formation starts from the salivary pellicle that allows bacterial adhesion-colonization-proliferation, co-aggregation and biofilm maturation in a complex microbial community. There is a constant bidirectional crosstalk between human host and its oral microbiome. The paper presents the fundamentals regarding the oral microbiome and its relationship to modulator factors, oral and systemic health. The modern studies of oral microorganisms and relationships with the host benefits are based on genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. Pharmaceuticals such as antimicrobials, prebiotics, probiotics, surface active or abrasive agents and plant-derived ingredients may influence the oral microbiome. Many studies found associations between oral dysbiosis and systemic disorders, including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular, diabetes, cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. We outline the general and individual factors influencing the host-microbial balance and the possibility to use the analysis of the oral microbiome in prevention, diagnosis and treatment in personalized medicine. Future therapies should take in account the restoration of the normal symbiotic relation with the oral microbiome.

Diagnostic Challenges in Rare Causes of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy-The Role of Cardiac MRI.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a rare genetic condition of the myocardium, with a significantly high risk of sudden death. Recent genetic research and improved understanding of the pathophysiology tend to change the ARVD definition towards a larger spectrum of myocardial involvement, which includes, in various proportions, both the right (RV) and left ventricle (LV), currently referred to as ACM (arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy). Its pathological substrate is defined by the replacement of the ventricular myocardium with fibrous adipose tissue that further leads to inadequate electrical impulses and translates into varies degrees of malignant ventricular arrythmias and dyskinetic myocardium movements. Particularly, the cardio-cutaneous syndromes of Carvajal/Naxos represent rare causes of ACM that might be suspected from early childhood. The diagnostic is sometimes challenging, even with well-established rTFC or Padua criteria, especially for pediatric patients or ACM with LV involvement. Cardiac MRI gain more and more importance in ACM diagnostic especially in non-classical forms. Furthermore, MRI is useful in highlighting myocardial fibrosis, fatty replacement or wall movement with high accuracy, thus guiding not only the depiction, but also the patient's stratification and management.

Anemia in Sports: A Narrative Review.

Recent years have brought about new understandings regarding the pathogenesis of anemia in sports. From hemodilution and redistribution considered to contribute to the so-called "sports anemia" to iron deficiency caused by increased demands, dietary restrictions, decreased absorption, increased losses, hemolysis, and sequestration, to genetic determinants of different types of anemia (some related to sport), the anemia in athletes deserves a careful and multifactorial approach. Dietary factors that reduce iron absorption (e.g., phytate, polyphenols) and that augment iron's bioavailability (e.g., ascorbic acid) should be considered. Celiac disease, more prevalent in female athletes, may underlie an unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Iron loss during exercise occurs in several ways: sweating, hematuria, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation, and intravascular and extravascular hemolysis. From a practical point of view, assessing iron status, especially in the athletes at risk for iron deficiency (females, adolescents, in sports with dietary restrictions, etc.), may improve the iron balance and possibly the performance. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin are measures that are easily employable for the evaluation of patients' iron status. Cutoff values should probably be further assessed with respect to the sex, age, and type of sport. A healthy gut microbiome influences the iron status. Athletes at risk of iron deficiency should perform non-weight-bearing, low-intensity sports to avoid inducing hemolysis.

Rare Causes of Arterial Hypertension and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms-A Case-Based Review.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms may result in dissection with fatal consequences if undetected. A young male patient with no relevant familial history, after having been investigated for hypertension, was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm involving the aortic root and the proximal tubular segment, associated with a septal atrial defect. The patient underwent a Bentall surgery protocol without complications. Clinical examination revealed dorso-lumbar scoliosis and no other signs of underlying connective tissue disease. Microscopic examination revealed strikingly severe medial degeneration of the aorta, with areas of deep disorganization of the medial musculo-elastic structural units and mucoid material deposition. Genetic testing found a variant of unknown significance the PRKG1 gene encoding the protein kinase cGMP-dependent 1, which is important in blood pressure regulation. There may be genetic links between high blood pressure and thoracic aortic aneurysm determinants. Hypertension was found in FBN1 gene mutations encoding fibrillin and in PRKG1 mutations. Possible mechanisms involving the renin-angiotensin system, the role of oxidative stress, osteopontin, epigenetic modifications and other genes are reviewed. Close follow-up and strict hypertension control are required to reduce the risk of dissection. Hypertension, scoliosis and other extra-aortic signs suggesting a connective tissue disease are possible clues for diagnosis.

Insights on Health and Food Applications of Equus asinus (Donkey) Milk Bioactive Proteins and Peptides-An Overview.

Due to its similarity with human milk and its low allergenic properties, donkey milk has long been used as an alternative for infants and patients with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). In addition, this milk is attracting growing interest in human nutrition because of presumed health benefits. It has antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumoral, antiproliferative and antidiabetic activity. In addition, it stimulates the immune system, regulates the gastrointestinal flora, and prevents inflammatory diseases. Although all donkey milk components can contribute to functional and nutritional effects, it is generally accepted that the whey protein fraction plays a significant role. This review aims to highlight the active proteins and peptides of donkey milk in comparison with other types of milk, emphasizing their properties and their roles in different fields of health and food applications.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and CLOVES Syndrome: A Tricky Diagnosis.

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is significantly activated in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, somatic activating mutations of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway may result in PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum diseases, including CLOVES (Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular malformation, Epidermal nevi, Skeletal abnormalities/Scoliosis) syndrome. We describe the case of a young female patient, with anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies-positive rheumatoid arthritis, referred for persistent finger pain and stiffness. Examination revealed discrete macrodactyly involving two fingers, scoliosis, asymmetrical calves, venectasias, a shoulder nevus and triangular feet with a "sandal gap" between two toes. These mild dysmorphic features with early-onset and the history of surgeries for thoracic lipoma and venous malformation were strongly suggestive of CLOVES syndrome. Confirmatory mutation analysis was not performed, as blood or saliva testing is not contributive for tissue-specific localized effects in the PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum. Nevertheless, lack of detection of a PIK3CA mutation does not exclude the diagnosis in patients fulfilling clinical criteria. Due to the patient's wish to plan a pregnancy, therapy consisted in sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine, along with orthotic correction of leg length discrepancy. Overgrowth syndromes and arthritis may share common pathways. Mild macrodactyly should be differentiated from dactylitis. Diagnosing patients with minimal dysmorphic features within the PI3K-related overgrowth spectrum may help design better care strategies, in the quest for personalized medicine.

Iron Supplementation Influence on the Gut Microbiota and Probiotic Intake Effect in Iron Deficiency-A Literature-Based Review.

Iron deficiency in the human body is a global issue with an impact on more than two billion individuals worldwide. The most important functions ensured by adequate amounts of iron in the body are related to transport and storage of oxygen, electron transfer, mediation of oxidation-reduction reactions, synthesis of hormones, the replication of DNA, cell cycle restoration and control, fixation of nitrogen, and antioxidant effects. In the case of iron deficiency, even marginal insufficiencies may impair the proper functionality of the human body. On the other hand, an excess in iron concentration has a major impact on the gut microbiota composition. There are several non-genetic causes that lead to iron deficiencies, and thus, several approaches in their treatment. The most common methods are related to food fortifications and supplements. In this review, following a summary of iron metabolism and its health implications, we analyzed the scientific literature for the influence of iron fortification and supplementation on the gut microbiome and the effect of probiotics, prebiotics, and/or synbiotics in iron absorption and availability for the organism.

DNA Methylation and Micro-RNAs: The Most Recent and Relevant Biomarkers in the Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequently encountered cancer type, and its alarming incidence is explained by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Epigenetic changes may represent diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HCC. In this review we discussed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hypomethylation, DNA hypermethylation, and aberrant expression of small non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA), which could be useful new biomarkers in the early diagnosis of HCC. We selected the articles on human subjects published in English over the past two years involving diagnostic markers detected in body fluids, cancer diagnosis made on histopathological exam, and a control group of those with benign liver disease or without liver disease. These biomarkers need further investigation in clinical trials to develop clinical applications for early diagnosis and management of HCC.