Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles with Parameters Required for In Vivo Applications: From Synthesis to Parametrization.

Hyaluronic acid is an excellent biocompatible material for in vivo applications. Its ability to bind CD44, a cell receptor involved in numerous biological processes, predetermines HA-based nanomaterials as unique carrier for therapeutic and theranostic applications. Although numerous methods for the synthesis of hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (HANPs) are available today, their low reproducibility and wide size distribution hinder the precise assessment of the effect on the organism. A robust and reproducible approach for producing HANPs that meet strict criteria for in vivo applications (e.g., to lung parenchyma) remains challenging. We designed and evaluated four protocols for the preparation of HANPs with those required parameters. The HA molecule was cross-linked by novel combinations of carbodiimide, and four different amine-containing compounds resulted in monodisperse HANPs with a low polydispersity index. By a complex postsynthetic characterization, we confirmed that the prepared HANPs meet the criteria for inhaled therapeutic delivery and other in vivo applications.

Socioeconomic disparities in childhood cancer survival in Switzerland.

In this study, we investigated whether childhood cancer survival in Switzerland is influenced by socioeconomic status (SES), and if disparities vary by type of cancer and definition of SES (parental education, living condition, area-based SES). Using Cox proportional hazards models, we analyzed 5-year cumulative mortality in all patients registered in the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry diagnosed 1991-2006 below 16 years. Information on SES was extracted from the Swiss census by probabilistic record linkage. The study included 1602 children (33% with leukemia, 20% with lymphoma, 22% with central nervous system (CNS) tumors); with an overall 5-year survival of 77% (95%CI 75-79%). Higher SES, particularly parents' education, was associated with a lower 5-year cumulative mortality. Results varied by type of cancer with no association for leukemia and particularly strong effects for CNS tumor patients, where mortality hazard ratios for the different SES indicators, comparing the highest with the lowest group, ranged from 0.48 (95%CI: 0.28-0.81) to 0.71 (95%CI: 0.44-1.15). We conclude that even in Switzerland with a high quality health care system and mandatory health insurance, socioeconomic differences in childhood cancer survival persist. Factors causing these survival differences have to be further explored, to facilitate universal access to optimal treatment and finally eliminate social inequalities in childhood cancer survival.

A common functional variant on the pro-inflammatory Interleukin-6 gene may modify the association between long-term PM10 exposure and diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Air pollutants have been linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypothesized to act through inflammatory pathways and may induce interleukin-6 gene (IL6) in the airway epithelium. The cytokine interleukin-6 may impact on glucose homeostasis. Recent meta-analyses showed the common polymorphisms, IL6 -572G > C and IL6 -174G > C to be associated with T2D risk. These IL6 variants also influence circulatory interleukin-6 levels. We hypothesize that these common functional variants may modify the association between air pollutants and T2D. METHODS: We cross-sectionally studied 4410 first follow-up participants of the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases (SAPALDIA), aged 29 to 73 years who had complete data on genotypes, diabetes status and covariates. We defined diabetes as self-reported physician-diagnosed, or use of diabetes medication or non-fasting glucose >11.1 mmol/L or HbA1c > 0.065. Air pollution exposure was 10-year mean particulate matter <10 µm in diameter (PM10) assigned to participants' residences using a combination of dispersion modelling, annual trends at monitoring stations and residential history. We derived interaction terms between PM10 and genotypes, and applied mixed logistic models to explore genetic interactions by IL6 polymorphisms on the odds of diabetes. RESULTS: There were 252 diabetes cases. Respective minor allele frequencies of IL6 -572G > C and IL6 -174G > C were 7 and 39 %. Mean exposure to PM10 was 22 µg/m(3). Both variants were not associated with diabetes in our study. We observed a significant positive association between PM10 and diabetes among homozygous carriers of the pro-inflammatory major G-allele of IL6 -572G > C [Odds ratio: 1.53; 95 % confidence interval (1.22, 1.92); P interaction (additive) = 0.003 and P interaction (recessive) = 0.006]. Carriers of the major G-allele of IL6 -174G > C also had significantly increased odds of diabetes, but interactions were statistically non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results on the interaction of PM10 with functionally well described polymorphisms in an important pro-inflammatory candidate gene are consistent with the hypothesis that air pollutants impact on T2D through inflammatory pathways. Our findings, if confirmed, are of high public health relevance considering the ubiquity of the major G allele, which puts a substantial proportion of the population at risk for the development of diabetes as a result of long-term exposure to air pollution.

Adult lung function and long-term air pollution exposure. ESCAPE: a multicentre cohort study and meta-analysis.

The chronic impact of ambient air pollutants on lung function in adults is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution with lung function in adult participants from five cohorts in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE). Residential exposure to nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOx) and particulate matter (PM) was modelled and traffic indicators were assessed in a standardised manner. The spirometric parameters forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) from 7613 subjects were considered as outcomes. Cohort-specific results were combined using meta-analysis. We did not observe an association of air pollution with longitudinal change in lung function, but we observed that a 10 µg·m(-3) increase in NO2 exposure was associated with lower levels of FEV1 (-14.0 mL, 95% CI -25.8 to -2.1) and FVC (-14.9 mL, 95% CI -28.7 to -1.1). An increase of 10 µg·m(-3) in PM10, but not other PM metrics (PM2.5, coarse fraction of PM, PM absorbance), was associated with a lower level of FEV1 (-44.6 mL, 95% CI -85.4 to -3.8) and FVC (-59.0 mL, 95% CI -112.3 to -5.6). The associations were particularly strong in obese persons. This study adds to the evidence for an adverse association of ambient air pollution with lung function in adults at very low levels in Europe.

Long-term smoking cessation and heart rate dynamics in an aging healthy cohort: Is it possible to fully recover?

AIM: To evaluate the long-term influence of smoking cessation on the regulation of the autonomic cardiovascular system in an aging general population, using the subpopulation of lifelong non-smokers as control group. METHODS: We analyzed 1481 participants aged ≥50 years from the SAPALDIA cohort. In each participant, heart rate variability and heart rate dynamics were characterized by means of various quantitative analyzes of the inter-beat interval time series generated from 24-hour electrocardiogram recordings. Each parameter obtained was then used as the outcome variable in multivariable linear regression models in order to evaluate the association with smoking status and time elapsed since smoking cessation. The models were adjusted for known confounding factors and stratified by the time elapsed since smoking cessation. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that smoking triggers adverse changes in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, even at low levels of exposure since current light smokers exhibited significant changes as compared to lifelong non-smokers. Moreover, there was evidence for a dose-response effect. Indeed, the changes observed in current heavy smokers were more marked as compared to current light smokers. Furthermore, full recovery was achieved in former smokers (i.e., normalization to the level of lifelong non-smokers). However, while light smokers fully recovered within the 15 first years of cessation, heavy former smokers might need up to 15-25 years to fully recover. CONCLUSION: This study supports the substantial benefits of smoking cessation, but also warns of important long-term alterations caused by heavy smoking.

Using headspace solid-phase microextraction for comparison of volatile sulphur compounds of fresh plants belonging to families Alliaceae and Brassicaceae.

In this study, an optimisation of extraction of sulphur volatile compounds (SVCs) has been performed using Central Composite Design. The conditions of the highest amount of eluated peaks and total peaks area have been treated. Factors such as coating of fiber for SPME (Solid Phase Microextraction), extraction temperature and extraction time have been optimised. The SVCs have shown the optimal extraction using a DVB/CAR/PDMS (divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane) fiber at 73 °C during 50 min. Furthermore, a pre-incubation step lasting 20 min at the extraction temperature has been used. In total, 12 samples have been investigated at the mentioned optimal conditions, eight from the Alliaceae and four from the Brassicaceae family. The highest number of SVCs (24) has been identified in the sample of chive. The most frequently identified compound found in 11 of 12 samples has been dimethyl trisulphide.

Cross-sectional associations between air pollution and chronic bronchitis: an ESCAPE meta-analysis across five cohorts.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess associations of outdoor air pollution on prevalence of chronic bronchitis symptoms in adults in five cohort studies (Asthma-E3N, ECRHS, NSHD, SALIA, SAPALDIA) participating in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE) project. METHODS: Annual average particulate matter (PM(10), PM(2.5), PM(absorbance), PM(coarse)), NO(2), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and road traffic measures modelled from ESCAPE measurement campaigns 2008-2011 were assigned to home address at most recent assessments (1998-2011). Symptoms examined were chronic bronchitis (cough and phlegm for ≥3 months of the year for ≥2 years), chronic cough (with/without phlegm) and chronic phlegm (with/without cough). Cohort-specific cross-sectional multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted using common confounder sets (age, sex, smoking, interview season, education), followed by meta-analysis. RESULTS: 15 279 and 10 537 participants respectively were included in the main NO(2) and PM analyses at assessments in 1998-2011. Overall, there were no statistically significant associations with any air pollutant or traffic exposure. Sensitivity analyses including in asthmatics only, females only or using back-extrapolated NO(2) and PM10 for assessments in 1985-2002 (ECRHS, NSHD, SALIA, SAPALDIA) did not alter conclusions. In never-smokers, all associations were positive, but reached statistical significance only for chronic phlegm with PM(coarse) OR 1.31 (1.05 to 1.64) per 5 µg/m(3) increase and PM(10) with similar effect size. Sensitivity analyses of older cohorts showed increased risk of chronic cough with PM(2.5abs) (black carbon) exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Results do not show consistent associations between chronic bronchitis symptoms and current traffic-related air pollution in adult European populations.

Serum bilirubin is associated with lung function in a Swiss general population sample.

Bilirubin is a strong antioxidant. Increased serum levels have been associated with lower respiratory disease and mortality risk. We studied the association of bilirubin with lung function in the Swiss study on Air Pollution and Lung Disease in adults (SAPALDIA) cohort. Associations between natural logarithmised bilirubin and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC and mean forced expiratory flow between 25%-75% of FVC (FEF25-75%) were tested using multiple linear regression in the whole study population (n=4195) and strata of ever-smoking and high body mass index (BMI, defined by the highest distribution quartile). Associations were retested with single nucleotide polymorphism rs6742078, a genetic determinant of bilirubin. High bilirubin levels were significantly associated with higher FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% overall. Upon stratification, significant associations persisted in ever-smokers, amounting to 1.1% (95% CI 0.1-2.2%) increase in FEV1/FVC, and 116.2 mL·s(-1) (95% CI -15.9-248.4 mL·s(-1)) in FEF25-75% per interquartile range of bilirubin exposure in smokers with high BMI. Associations were positive but nonsignificant in never-smokers with high BMI. Similarly, rs6742078 genotype TT was associated with increased FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%. Our results suggest a possible protective role of bilirubin on lung tissue, which could be important for prevention and therapy.

Association of ambient air pollution with the prevalence and incidence of COPD.

The role of air pollution in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains uncertain. The aim was to assess the impact of chronic exposure to air pollution on COPD in four cohorts using the standardised ESCAPE exposure estimates. Annual average particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and road traffic exposure were assigned to home addresses using land-use regression models. COPD was defined by NHANES reference equation (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) less than the lower limit of normal) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criterion (FEV1/FVC <0.70) and categorised by severity in non-asthmatics. We included 6550 subjects with assigned NOx and 3692 with PM measures. COPD was not associated with NO2 or PM10 in any individual cohort. In meta-analyses only NO2, NOx, PM10 and the traffic indicators were positively, although not significantly, associated with COPD. The only statistically significant associations were seen in females (COPD prevalence using GOLD: OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.11-2.23; and incidence: OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.21-2.68). None of the principal results were statistically significant, the weak positive associations of exposure with COPD and the significant subgroup findings need to be evaluated in further well standardised cohorts followed up for longer time, and with time-matched exposure assignments.

Comparison of various techniques for the extraction and determination of antioxidants in plants.

The following extraction techniques have been used for extracting antioxidants (apigenin, coumarin, esculetin, umbelliferone, bergapten, quercetin, rutin, scopoletin and xanthotoxin) from plant material: supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, extraction by means of Soxhlet apparatus, ultrasonic extraction in ultrasonic bath, and by means of ultrasonic probe. The analytical method based on HPLC-UV detection for the determination of selected antioxidants was developed. For all extracts the antioxidant capacity based on the reduction of free 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical was also determined. Comparing all results the ultrasonic probe method using 0.75 g of sample extracted by 50 mL of acetonitrile in water (30%, v/v) for 25 min at room temperature and with amplitude at 60% (equal to 90 W) without pulsation was evaluated as the best tool. The most significant indicator demonstrating this statement is the antioxidant capacity expressed as gallic acid equivalent where the ultrasonic probe method showed the best results in 10 of 16 samples. Also the operability of ultrasonic probe extraction method compared to other tested methods is more favorable.

Premature atrial contractions in the general population: frequency and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are independent predictors of atrial fibrillation, stroke, and death. However, little is known about PAC frequency in the general population and its association with other cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis among participants of the population-based Swiss cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA). 24-hour Holter electrocardiograms to assess PAC prevalence and frequency were performed in a random sample of 1742 participants aged ≥50 years. The median (interquartile range) number of PACs per hour was 0.8 (0.4-1.8), 1.1 (0.5-2.4), 1.4 (0.7-4.6), 2.3 (0.8-6.9), and 2.6 (1.2-6.5) among participants aged 50 to 55, 55 to 60, 60 to 65, 65 to 70, and ≥70 years, respectively (P<0.0001). Only 18 (1.0%) participants did not have at least 1 PAC during Holter monitoring. In multivariable negative binomial regression models, PAC frequency was significantly associated with age (risk ratio [RR] per SD 1.80; P<0.0001), height (RR per SD 1.52; P<0.0001), prevalent cardiovascular disease (RR 2.40; P<0.0001), log-transformed N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptides (RR per SD 1.27; P<0.0001), physical activity ≥2 hours per day (RR 0.69; P=0.002), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (RR per SD 0.80; P=0.0002). Hypertension and body mass index were not significantly related to PAC frequency. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess risk factors for PAC frequency in the general population aged ≥50 years. PACs are common, and their frequency is independently associated with age, height, history of cardiovascular disease, natriuretic peptide levels, physical activity, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The underlying mechanisms of these relationships need to be addressed in future studies.

Development of land use regression models for particle composition in twenty study areas in Europe.

Land Use Regression (LUR) models have been used to describe and model spatial variability of annual mean concentrations of traffic related pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). No models have yet been published of elemental composition. As part of the ESCAPE project, we measured the elemental composition in both the PM10 and PM2.5 fraction sizes at 20 sites in each of 20 study areas across Europe. LUR models for eight a priori selected elements (copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), nickel (Ni), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn)) were developed. Good models were developed for Cu, Fe, and Zn in both fractions (PM10 and PM2.5) explaining on average between 67 and 79% of the concentration variance (R(2)) with a large variability between areas. Traffic variables were the dominant predictors, reflecting nontailpipe emissions. Models for V and S in the PM10 and PM2.5 fractions and Si, Ni, and K in the PM10 fraction performed moderately with R(2) ranging from 50 to 61%. Si, NI, and K models for PM2.5 performed poorest with R(2) under 50%. The LUR models are used to estimate exposures to elemental composition in the health studies involved in ESCAPE.

Solid-phase microextraction based method for determination of essential oils components in herbal beverages.

A method employing the direct immersion solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS analysis is presented for the determination of essential oils components in herbal tea infusions, i.e. their direct content in the liquid phase. The extraction performances were compared using five different microextraction fibres. Significant parameters affecting sorption process such as sample amount, sorption and desorption time and temperature, stirring speed, pH adjustment and effect of ionic strength were optimised and discussed. By optimising the key parameters, a detection limits (LOD = S/N × 3) for ten target marker compounds were obtained in the range from 5.3 to 48.2 ng/mL with recoveries ranged between 93.03 and 100.50%. Intra-day and inter-day repeatability at three concentration levels were found to be 1.1-15.3 and 7.2-15.5% RSD, respectively. Finally, the optimised procedure enabling a rapid and simple analysis of essential oils was applied for the direct determination of these compounds in ten herbal tea infusions.

Utilizing proton transfer to produce molecular salts in bromanilic acid substituted-pyridine molecular complexes - predictable synthons?

Controlled introduction of proton transfer into the design of a series of molecular complexes is described, delivering the systematic production of ionic molecular complexes (molecular salts). The controlled production of molecular salts has relevance as a potential strategy in the design of pharmaceutical materials. In nine molecular complexes consisting of bromanilic acid with the N-heterocyclic compounds 2-, 3- and 4-picoline [bis(2/3/4-methylpyridinium) 2,5-dibromo-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,4-diolate, 2C6H8N(+)·C6Br2O4(2-)], 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5- and 3,5-lutidine [2,3/2,4/2,5/3,5-dimethylpyridinium 2,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, C7H10N(+)·C6HBr2O4(-)], and 3-bromo-4-methylpyridine [3-bromo-4-methylpyridinium 2,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-dien-1-olate, C6H7BrN(+)·C6HBr2O4(-)] and 2-bromo-3-methylpyridine [2-bromo-3-methylpyridine-2,5-dibromo-3,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (1/1), C6H6BrN·C6H2Br2O4], proton transfer occurs readily between the bromanilic acid molecule and the N heteroatom of the pyridine ring, in all cases producing a charge-assisted bifurcated N-H...O hydrogen bond. This reinforces the value of this motif as a design tool in the crystal engineering of such complexes. The protonation state (and stoichiometry) significantly affect the supramolecular synthons obtained, but 1:2 stoichiometries reliably give rise to PBP synthons and 1:1 stoichiometries to PBBP synthons (where P indicates a methylpyridine co-molecule and B a bromanilic acid molecule). The influence of halogen interactions on the wider crystal packing is also discussed, with C-H...Br and Br...O interactions the most prevalent; only one Br...Br interaction is found.

China's growing influence in the global carrageenan industry and implications for Indonesia.

China has reconfigured the global value chains of a wide range of commodities. This includes carrageenan, a polysaccharide extracted from specific types of red seaweeds used as a gelling and thickening agent in a wide range of applications. In the past 20 years, China has moved to centre stage in the global carrageenan processing sector, with wide-ranging implications for seaweed producing nations and farmers. This is especially the case for Indonesia, a pivotal carrageenan seaweeds producer that exports almost all seaweed to China, cemented by large Chinese investments in processing in Indonesia. Despite the importance, there is a dearth of studies on the Chinese domestic industry and associated trade and investment flows. This study fills the gap by triangulating a range of detailed industry, statistical and interview data, in multiple language sources. It finds that Chinese trade and investment linkages is of net benefit to Indonesia but that Indonesian government agencies at both central and local levels can begin to introduce terms in their favour.

Let's Connect to Keep the Distance: How SMEs Leverage Information and Communication Technologies to Address the COVID-19 Crisis.

COVID-19 caused significant challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the event industry. To address these challenges, many SMEs leveraged information and communication technologies (ICTs), with some even emerging strengthened from the crisis. Drawing on the technology-organization-environment framework and technology-affordances-and-constraints theory, we investigate the adoption of ICTs as a crisis response strategy in 10 SMEs in the German business event (e.g., corporate events, conferences) industry. Our findings reveal that ICT adoption not only depends on rational decisions based on organizational, environmental, and technological characteristics, but also on these dimensions' interrelationship and the specific ICTs' affordances and constraints. Introducing readily available ICTs (e.g., video-conferencing) has significant potential in addressing physical distancing in the short and medium term, while more sophisticated ICTs (e.g., virtual reality) are more likely to gain importance in the long term. Thus, we expand our understanding of organizational technology adoption and ICT-enabled crisis response strategies in SMEs.

Paradigm Shift in Radiation Treatment Planning Over Multiple Treatment Modalities.

The inverse planning simulated annealing optimization engine was used to develop a new method of incorporating biological parameters into radiation treatment planning. This method integrates optimization of a radiation schedule over multiple types of delivery methods into a single algorithm. We demonstrate a general procedure of incorporating a functional biological dose model into the calculation of physical dose prescriptions. This paradigm differs from current practice in that it combines biology-informed dose constraints with a physical dose optimizer allowing for the comparison of treatment plans across multiple different radiation types and fractionation schemes.

Access to specialized pediatric cancer care in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Specialized pediatric cancer centers (PCCs) are thought to be essential to obtain state-of-the-art care for children and adolescents. We determined the proportion of childhood cancer patients not treated in a PCC, and described their characteristics and place of treatment. PROCEDURE: The Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR) registers all children treated in Swiss PCCs. The regional cancer registries (covering 14/26 cantons) register all cancer patients of a region. The children of the SCCR with data from 7 regions (11 cantons) were compared, using specialized software for record linkage. All children <16 years of age at diagnosis with primary malignant tumors, diagnosed between 1990 and 2004, and living in one of these regions were included in the analysis. RESULTS: 22.1% (238/1,077) of patients recorded in regional registries were not registered in the SCCR. Of these, 15.7% (169/1,077) had never been in a PCC while 6.4% (69/1,077) had been in a PCC but were not registered in the SCCR, due to incomplete data flow. In all diagnostic groups and in all age groups, a certain proportion of children was treated outside a PCC, but this proportion was largest in children suffering from malignant bone tumors/soft tissue sarcomas and from malignant epithelial neoplasms, and in older children. The proportion of patients treated in a PCC increased over the study period (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: One in six childhood cancer patients in Switzerland was not treated in a PCC. Whether these patients have different treatment outcomes remained unclear.

Brachytherapy Future Directions.

Brachytherapy has advanced dramatically in the last decade due largely to improvements in applicators, imaging, treatment planning, and use of clinical trials. In addition, current research in brachytherapy technology continues to change how we deliver this treatment modality. The future of brachytherapy lies in the ability of new technologies to overcome real or perceived barriers. The focus for this manuscript is on specific tools that have or are near to being introduced in the clinic. First, we explore the impact electromagnetic tracking technologies can have on brachytherapy implants and planning workflow. This is followed by an overview of the use of 3D printing and its ability to help tailor brachytherapy implants. Next, we discuss advances in self-shielded applicators and intensity-modulated brachytherapy technology. The manuscript closes out with 2 sections on treatment planning. First is a discussion of biological optimization and its potential as compared with current techniques (eg, based on physical dosimetry). And lastly, a section on optimization treatment planning efficiencies in which we explore the potential for machine learning in brachytherapy. As recent clinical evidence continues to show excellent outcomes, this is an exciting time to practice brachytherapy. With the new technologies presented here, the future is even brighter.

Extraction of antioxidants from plants using ultrasonic methods and their antioxidant capacity.

The analytical method based on the HPLC coupled with UV detection (HPLC-UV) for the determination of selected antioxidants (i.e. esculetin, scopoletin, 7-hydroxycoumarine, rutin, xanthotoxin, 5-methoxypsoralen and quercetin) in plant material was developed. Two ultrasonic extraction methods for the isolation of these compounds from the plants such as Mentha longifolia L., Mentha spicata L., Ruta graveolens L., Achyllea millefolium L., Plantago lanceolata L. and Coriandrum sativum L. were used. Both of these methods, i.e. ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic bath, were optimised and compared to each other. For the proposed HPLC-UV method LOQ values in the range from 22.7 (xanthotoxin) up to 97.2 ng/mL (rutin) were obtained. For all extracts the antioxidant capacity based on the reduction of free 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical was also determined. Obtained results ranged from 10.11 up to 73.50% of DPPH radical inhibition.