Exposing Salmonella Senftenberg and Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Poultry Farms to Formaldehyde and Lingonberry Extract at Low Concentrations.

European Union (EU) countries strive to improve the quality and safety of food of animal origin. Food production depends on a good microbiological quality of fodder. However, feed can be a reservoir or vector of pathogenic microorganisms, including Salmonella or Escherichia coli bacteria. Salmonella spp. and E. coli are the two most important food-borne pathogens of public health concern. Contamination with these pathogens, mainly in the poultry sector, can lead to serious food-borne diseases. Both microorganisms can form biofilms on abiotic and biotic surfaces. The cells that form biofilms are less sensitive to disinfectants, which in turn makes it difficult to eliminate them from various surfaces. Because the usage of formaldehyde in animal feed is prohibited in European countries, the replacement of this antibacterial with natural plant products seems very promising. This study aimed to assess the inhibitory effectiveness of Vaccinium vitis-idaea extract against biofilm produced by model Salmonella enterica and E. coli strains. We found that formaldehyde could effectively kill both species of bacterial cells in biofilm, while the lingonberry extract showed some antibiofilm effect on S. enterica serovar Senftenberg. In conclusion, finding natural plant products that are effective against biofilms formed by Gram-negative bacteria is still challenging.

Nutritional and Physicochemical Properties of Wild Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)-Effects of Geographic Origin.

In recent years, much attention has been devoted to Vaccinium L. berries because of their substantial potential to be adapted for the development of innovative food and pharmaceutical applications. The accumulation of plant secondary metabolites is extremely dependent on climate and other environmental conditions. In order to increase the reliability of the findings, this study was conducted with samples collected in four regions in Northern Europe (Norway, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania) and analyzed in a single laboratory using a standardized methodology. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional (biologically active compounds (phenolic (477-775 mg/100 g fw), anthocyanins (20-57 mg/100 g fw), pro-anthocyanidins (condensed tannins (141-269 mg/100 g fw)) and antioxidant activity in different systems (ABTS•+, FRAP). Physicochemical properties (acidity, soluble solids, color) of wild Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. were also evaluated. The results may contribute to the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals with potential health benefits in the future. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the evaluation of the biologically active compounds of wild lingonberries from different Northern European countries based on one laboratory's validated methods. The results indicated a geomorphological influence on the biochemical and physicochemical composition of wild Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. depending on their place of geographical origin.

Inhibitory effect of lingonberry extract on HepG2 cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) extract contains various active ingredients with strong inhibitory effects on cancer cell growth. HepG2 cells were treated with various concentrations of lingonberry extract, cell inhibition rate was measured by CCK-8 assay, and apoptosis rate by annexin-propidium iodide double-staining assay. The cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and cell migration and invasion by transwell assay. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting were employed to analyze the expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CXCL3). Ki-67, TUNEL, and transwell assays were used to verify the relationship between CXCL3 expression and cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The composition of lingonberry extract was: 37.58% cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, 10.96% kaempferol 3-O-arabinoside, 4.52% epicatechin, 4.35% chlorogenic acid, 3.83% catechinic acid, 1.54% isoquercitrin, 1.05% 4-hydroxycinnamon acid, 1.03% cyanidin chloride, 0.85% 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 0.55% quercetin, 0.36% D-(-)-quininic acid, 0.96% caffeic acid, 0.16% ferulic acid, 0.12% oleanolic acid, and 0.03% ursolic acid. Lingonberry extract inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. After 48 h exposure to 100 µg/mL extract the inhibition rate and IC50 were 80.89±6.05% and 22.62 µg/mL, respectively. Lingonberry extract promoted late apoptosis in HepG2 cells and arrested the cell cycle at G2/M and S phases. Lingonberry extract also promoted the apoptosis of HepG2 cancer cells, inhibiting their proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating the expression of CXCL3. This study offers new insight into the antihepatoma activity of lingonberry extract and provides a basis for the development of pilot antitumor drugs.

Exploring Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. as a potential source of therapeutic agents: antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of extracts and fractions.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry) leaves and fruits have traditionally been used in Asian and European countries as a natural solution for urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal distress, neurodegenerative diseases, and related inflammatory disorders, which are overall associated with free radical damage and presence of triggering pathogenic strains in the human body. Considering growing attention to natural products, there are not enough scientific data to confirm predominant specialized metabolites, responsible for the traditional therapeutic use of lingonberries. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study aimed at an in-depth study of specialized metabolite profiling and biological activity evaluation of lingonberry crude extracts and isolated fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Crude dry extracts and fractions from lingonberry leaves and fruits were analyzed by the UPLC-MS method. Potential inhibiting properties against different bacterial strains and hyaluronidase, ability to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, and effect on its production in a macrophage culture J774 were examined. RESULTS: Findings suggested the tentative presence of 59 compounds, mainly phenolics, displayed higher bioactivities of particular fractions than that of crude extracts and elucidated particular compounds as candidates in pharmaceuticals. Trimeric and dimeric proanthocyanidins from lingonberry leaves and fruits were shown to have the strongest antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory potential. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed specialized metabolites responsible for the traditional medicinal properties of lingonberries and pointed out demand for further purification and new research directions of proanthocyanidins in the frame of their multipharmacological perspectives.

Effects of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Supplementation on Hepatic Gene Expression in High-Fat Diet Fed Mice.

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is growing worldwide in association with Western-style diet and increasing obesity. Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) is rich in polyphenols and has been shown to attenuate adverse metabolic changes in obese liver. This paper investigated the effects of lingonberry supplementation on hepatic gene expression in high-fat diet induced obesity in a mouse model. C57BL/6N male mice were fed for six weeks with either a high-fat (HF) or low-fat (LF) diet (46% and 10% energy from fat, respectively) or HF diet supplemented with air-dried lingonberry powder (HF + LGB). HF diet induced a major phenotypic change in the liver, predominantly affecting genes involved in inflammation and in glucose and lipid metabolism. Lingonberry supplementation prevented the effect of HF diet on an array of genes (in total on 263 genes) associated particularly with lipid or glucose metabolic process (such as Mogat1, Plin4, Igfbp2), inflammatory/immune response or cell migration (such as Lcn2, Saa1, Saa2, Cxcl14, Gcp1, S100a10) and cell cycle regulation (such as Cdkn1a, Tubb2a, Tubb6). The present results suggest that lingonberry supplementation prevents HF diet-induced adverse changes in the liver that are known to predispose the development of NAFLD and its comorbidities. The findings encourage carrying out human intervention trials to confirm the results, with the aim of recommending the use of lingonberries as a part of healthy diet against obesity and its hepatic and metabolic comorbidities.

Lingonberries-General and Oral Effects on the Microbiome and Inflammation.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis ideae L.) is a low-bush wild plant found in the northern hemisphere. The berries are used in traditional medicine in Finland to treat oral yeast infections. General and oral effects of lingonberries on the microbiome and inflammation are reviewed. A brief introduction to oral microbiome symbiosis and dysbiosis, innate and adaptive immunity and inflammation are included, and special features in microbe/host interactions in the oral environment are considered. In vitro anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and in vivo mouse and human studies are included, focusing on the symbiotic effect of lingonberries on oral and general health.

Aqueous extracts of lingonberry and blackberry leaves identified by high-content screening beneficially act on cholesterol metabolism.

Decreasing circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels leads to decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Natural compounds are capable of lowering LDL-cholesterol even on top of lifestyle modification or medication. To identify novel plant-derived compounds to lower plasma LDL cholesterol levels, we performed high-content screening based on the transcriptional activation of the promoter of the LDL receptor (LDLR). The identified hits were thoroughly validated in human hepatic cell lines in terms of increasing LDLR mRNA and protein levels, lowering cellular cholesterol levels and increasing cellular LDL uptake. By means of this incremental validation process in vitro, aqueous extracts prepared from leaves of lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) as well as blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) were found to have effects comparable to lovastatin, a prototypic cholesterol-lowering drug. When applied in vivo in mice, both extracts induced subtle increases in hepatic LDLR expression. In addition, a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was observed. Taken together, aqueous extracts from lingonberry or blackberry leaves were identified and characterized as strong candidates to provide cardiovascular protection.

Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Fruit as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Health-Promoting Effects-A Review.

Berries, especially members of the Ericaceae family, are among the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds with beneficial health effects. The most popular berries are in the genus Vaccinium, such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, V. oxycoccos), and blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) is less prevalent in the daily human diet because they are collected from the wild, and plant breeding of lingonberry is still on a small scale. Lingonberries are classed as "superfruits" with the highest content of antioxidants among berries and a broad range of health-promoting effects. Many studies showed various beneficial effects of lingonberries, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Lingonberries have been shown to prevent low-grade inflammation and diet-induced obesity in diabetic animals. Moreover, lingonberry intake has been associated with a beneficial effect on preventing and treating brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders. The consumption of berries and their health-promoting activity is a subject receiving a great deal of attention. Many studies investigated the natural compounds found in berries to combat diseases and promote healthy aging. This article's scope is to indicate the potential beneficial effect of lingonberry consumption on health, to promote well-being and longevity.

ROS Modulating Effects of Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) Polyphenols on Obese Adipocyte Hypertrophy and Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction.

Oxidative stress and dysregulated adipocytokine secretion accompanying hypertrophied adipose tissue induce chronic inflammation, which leads to vascular endothelial dysfunction. The present study investigated the ability of anthocyanin (ACN) and non-anthocyanin polyphenol (PP) fractions from lingonberry fruit to mitigate adipose tissue hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). This study showed that the PP fraction decreased intracellular ROS generation in hypertrophied adipocytes by enhancing antioxidant enzyme expression (SOD2) and inhibiting oxidant enzyme expression (NOX4, iNOS). Moreover, PP and ACN fractions reduced triglyceride content in adipocytes accompanied by downregulation of the expression of lipogenic genes such as aP2, FAS, and DAGT1. Treatment with both fractions modulated the mRNA expression and protein secretion of key adipokines in hypertrophied adipocytes. Expression and secretion of leptin and adiponectin were, respectively, down- and upregulated. Furthermore, PP and ACN fractions alleviated the inflammatory response in TNF-α-induced HUVECs by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-6, IL-1ß) and adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, SELE). The obtained results suggest that consuming polyphenol-rich lingonberry fruit may help prevent and treat obesity and endothelial dysfunction due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Optimization, Validation and Application of HPLC-PDA Methods for Quantification of Triterpenoids in Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.

Triterpenoids have regained much attention as promising multi-targeting bioactive agents of natural origin in the treatment of numerous disorders. Due to the high potential for phytopharmaceutical development, accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis of triterpenoids for screening and quality control is required. Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (lingonberry) raw materials have aroused interest as a rich source of triterpenoids. However, currently, no validated, rapid, and easy-to-perform quantification method is available for the routine control of these compounds in lingonberries. This research aimed at developing and validating HPLC-PDA methods for the determination and screening of triterpenoids in extracts of lingonberry leaves, fruits, and flowers. The developed methods were deemed satisfactory by validation, which revealed acceptable analytical specificity, linearity (r2 > 0.9999), precision (RSD < 2%), trueness (94.70-105.81%), and sensitivity (LOD: 0.08-0.65 µg/mL). The real sample analysis demonstrated established methods applicability for quantification of 13 triterpenoids in lingonberries and emphasized differences between raw materials. Lingonberry fruits were distinguished by the richness of ursolic acid; lingonberry flowers by similar profile to fruits, but low content of neutral triterpenoids; whereas lingonberry leaves by the particularly high level of α-amyrin. Thus, the proposed methods proved to be reliable and applicable for quantification and routine analysis of triterpenoids in lingonberry samples.

Lingonberry polyphenols: Potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors as nutraceutical tools?

Proposed pathway of the effect of lingonberry polyphenols on oral microbial (viral) load reduction and consequent beneficial local and systemic (respiratory tract) anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial/antiviral effects.

Magnetic ligand fishing using immobilized DPP-IV for identification of antidiabetic ligands in lingonberry extract.

In this work, a new magnetic ligand fishing probe for discovery of DPP-IV inhibitory ligands was developed and it was tested as a proof of concept on the fruit extract of Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry). The ligands were shown to have appreciable dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity (IC50: 31.8 µg mL-1).) Inhibition of DPP-IV is a well-known therapeutic approach for management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). DPP-IV was successfully immobilized onto magnetic beads and was shown to retain its catalytic activity and selectivity over a model mixture. A total of four ligands were successfully fished out and identified as cyanidin-3-galactoside (2), cyanidin-3-arabinoside (3), proanthocynidin A (4), and 10-carboxyl-pyranopeonidin 3-O-(6″-O-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside (5) using HPLC/HRMS.

Patterns of pollen and resource limitation of fruit production in Vaccinium uliginosum and V. vitis-idaea in Interior Alaska.

Many recent studies assessing fruit productivity of plants in the boreal forest focus on interannual variability across a forested region, rather than on environmental variability within the forest. Frequency and severity of wildfires in the boreal forest affect soil moisture, canopy, and community structure at the landscape level, all of which may influence overall fruit production at a site directly or indirectly. We evaluated how fruit production in two boreal shrubs, Vaccinium uliginosum (blueberry) and V. vitis-idaea (lingonberry), was explained by factors associated with resource availability (such as canopy cover and soil conditions) and pollen limitation (such as floral resources for pollinators and pollen deposition) across boreal forest sites of Interior Alaska in 2017. We classified our study sites into upland and lowland sites, which differed in elevation, soil moisture, and active layer. We found that resource and pollen limitation differed between the two species and between uplands and lowlands. Lingonberry was more pollen limited than blueberry, and plants in lowland sites were more pollen limited relative to other sites while plants in upland sites were relatively more resource limited. Additionally, canopy cover had a significant negative effect in upland sites on a ramet's investment in reproductive tissues and leaves versus structural growth, but little effect in lowland sites. These results point to importance of including pollinator service as well as resource availability in predictions for changes in berry abundance.

Beneficial effects of lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) supplementation on metabolic and inflammatory adverse effects induced by high-fat diet in a mouse model of obesity.

Obesity is a constantly increasing health problem worldwide. It is associated with a systemic low-grade inflammation, which contributes to the development of metabolic disorders and comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. Diet has an important role in the prevention of obesity and its adverse health effects; as a part of healthy diet, polyphenol-rich berries, such as lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) have been proposed to have health-promoting effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of lingonberry supplementation on high-fat diet induced metabolic and inflammatory changes in a mouse model of obesity. Thirty male C57BL/6N mice were divided into three groups (n = 10/group) to receive low-fat (LF), high-fat (HF) and lingonberry-supplemented high-fat (HF+LGB) diet for six weeks. Low-fat and high-fat diet contained 10% and 46% of energy from fat, respectively. Lingonberry supplementation prevented the high-fat diet induced adverse changes in blood cholesterol and glucose levels and had a moderate effect on the weight and visceral fat gain, which were 26% and 25% lower, respectively, in the lingonberry group than in the high-fat diet control group. Interestingly, lingonberry supplementation also restrained the high-fat diet induced increases in the circulating levels of the proinflammatory adipocytokine leptin (by 36%) and the inflammatory acute phase reactant serum amyloid A (SAA; by 85%). Similar beneficial effects were discovered in the hepatic expression of the inflammatory factors CXCL-14, S100A10 and SAA by lingonberry supplementation. In conclusion, the present results indicate that lingonberry supplementation significantly prevents high-fat diet induced metabolic and inflammatory changes in a murine model of obesity. The results encourage evaluation of lingonberries as a part of healthy diet against obesity and its comorbidities.

Lingonberries and their two separated fractions differently alter the gut microbiota, improve metabolic functions, reduce gut inflammatory properties, and improve brain function in ApoE-/- mice fed high-fat diet.

Lingonberries (LB) have been shown to have beneficial metabolic effects, which is associated with an altered gut microbiota. This study investigated whether the LB-induced improvements were associated with altered gut- and neuroinflammatory markers, as well as cognitive performance in ApoE-/- mice fed high-fat (HF) diets. Whole LB, as well as two separated fractions of LB were investigated. Eight-week-old male ApoE-/- mice were fed HF diets (38% kcal) containing whole LB (wLB), or the insoluble (insLB) and soluble fractions (solLB) of LB for 8 weeks. Inclusion of wLB and insLB fraction reduced weight gain, reduced fat deposition and improved glucose response. Both wLB and insLB fraction also changed the caecal microbiota composition and reduced intestinal S100B protein levels. The solLB fraction mainly induced weight loss in the mice. There were no significant changes in spatial memory, but significant increases in synaptic density in the hippocampus were observed in the brain of mice-fed wLB and insLB. Thus, this study shows that all lingonberry fractions counteracted negative effects of HF feedings on metabolic parameters. Also, wLB and insLB fraction showed to potentially improve brain function in the mice.

Beyond rest and quiescence (endodormancy and ecodormancy): A novel model for quantifying plant-environment interaction in bud dormancy release.

Bud dormancy of plants has traditionally been explained either by physiological growth arresting conditions in the bud or by unfavourable environmental conditions, such as non-growth-promoting low air temperatures. This conceptual dichotomy has provided the framework also for developing process-based plant phenology models. Here, we propose a novel model that in addition to covering the classical dichotomy as a special case also allows the quantification of an interaction of physiological and environmental factors. According to this plant-environment interaction suggested conceptually decades ago, rather than being unambiguous, the concept of "non-growth-promoting low air temperature" depends on the dormancy status of the plant. We parameterized the model with experimental results of growth onset for seven boreal plant species and found that based on the strength of the interaction, the species can be classified into three dormancy types, only one of which represents the traditional dichotomy. We also tested the model with four species in an independent experiment. Our study suggests that interaction of environmental and physiological factors may be involved in many such phenomena that have until now been considered simply as plant traits without any considerations of effects of the environmental factors.

Rapid simultaneous determination of pentacyclic triterpenoids by mixed-mode liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (PCTs) possess high biological activity, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and hepatoprotective properties and are widespread in a plant biomass. Due to significant differences in polarity and other physicochemical properties, the simultaneous determination of different classes of PCTs by the methods of reversed phase liquid chromatography is difficult. In the present study, we proposed a new approach to chromatographic separation of such compounds based on the use of a stationary phase with a mixed retention mechanism combining hydrophobic, weak anion exchange and hydrophilic interactions. The use of the Acclaim Mixed-Mode WAX-1 column and tuning the selectivity by changing the contributions of different types of analyte-stationary phase interactions allowed the separation of 10 PCTs (betulin, erythrodiol, uvaol, friedelin, lupeol, ß-amyrin, α-amyrin, betulinic, oleanolic and ursolic acids) belonging to four different classes (monools, diols, ketones and triterpenic acids) during 7.5 min in isocratic elution mode. The combination of this approach with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection and pressurized liquid extraction of analytes with methanol allowed to develop a rapid, accurate and highly sensitive method for analyzing PCTs in plant tissues with a total duration of the analytical cycle (including sample preparation steps) of not more than 40 min. It provides the detection limits in plant biomass extracts of 3-12 µg L-1 (44 µg L-1 for friedelin). The developed method was validated and successfully tested in the analyses of real birch bark and lingonberry peels.

Phytochemical-Rich Antioxidant Extracts of Vaccinium Vitis-idaea L. Leaves Inhibit the Formation of Toxic Maillard Reaction Products in Food Models.

Thermal treatment of proteinaceous foods generates heat-induced Maillard reaction substances including toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and heterocyclic amines (HAs). It is known that plant phenolic compounds may influence Maillard reaction. This study investigated the impact of lingonberry leaf extracts on the formation of Nε -(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and Nε -(2-furoylmethyl)-L-lysine (furosine) in milk model system and HAs in meat-protein and meat model systems. In addition, lingonberry leaf extracts obtained by different solvents were characterized by radical scavenging, Folin-Ciocalteu assays and ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography quadruple-time-of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-MS). Water extract (WE) stronger suppressed CML than furosine formation in milk model system: CML levels were reduced by nearly 40%. Moreover, quinic acid and catechin, which were abundant in WE, were effective in inhibiting CML and furosine formation. WE and acetone extract (AE) at 10 mg/mL significantly inhibited HAs formation in both model systems. However, higher suppressing effect on HAs formation showed AE, which had lower antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content values than WE. WE contained higher amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids, proanthocyanidins and flavonols, while AE was richer in flavan-3-ols and arbutin derivatives. It indicates that the composition of phenolics might be a major factor for explaining different effect of extracts from the same plant on HAs formation. In general, the results suggest that lingonberry leaves is a promising source of phytochemicals for inhibiting toxic Maillard reaction products and enriching foods with plant bioactive compounds. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The increased consumption in processed foods has been linked with the increased risks of various diseases, while thermal food processing is required to develop flavor, insure safety, and extend shelf life. Therefore, developing effective technological means for inhibiting the formation of heat-induced toxic substances is an important task. This study showed a potential of lingonberry leaf extracts containing health beneficial phytochemicals to suppress the formation of toxic Maillard reaction products during heating of milk and meat.

Neonatal thrush of newborns: Oral candidiasis?

Objectives: Neonatal thrush, also called oral candidiasis, is commonly a clinical diagnosis based on white patches on oral mucosal surfaces. Candida albicans is often associated with it. This clinical study aimed to investigate the presence of C. albicans among newborns with or without clinical findings of candidiasis on oral mucosa. Another aim was to investigate how thrush responded to current therapy by acidic liquids such as lingonberry or lemon juice. Material and methods: Swipe samples were collected from 32 healthy, full-term infants younger than 12 months with or without white patches on oral mucosa. Clinical diagnosis of thrush was made by a community nurse based on thick and yellowish white patches. The routine therapy was oral lingonberry or lemon juice or soda water. Disappearing of patches was controlled by a phone call about 2 weeks after the baseline. Both parents and nurses gave background factors by filling a questionnaire. Results: One (3%) infant without clinical signs was diagnosed with Candida parapsilosis, none with C. albicans. Thrush resembling candidiasis was diagnosed clinically in four (12.5%) children. Three out of four parents reported persisting findings after 2 weeks. Only the maternal mastitis and use of antibiotics were significantly associated with thrush (p = .001). C. albicans was not discovered from babies with clinical thrush. Conclusions: Aetiology of the white patches remained unclear. The current way of treating them with acidic liquids is not efficient. Additional studies are needed.

Oral intake of lingonberry and amla fruit extract improves skin conditions in healthy female subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

In this study, we examined the effect of ingestion of lingonberry and amla fruit extract (LAE) on several human skin conditions. To conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we randomly divided 99 healthy female subjects into three groups; the first group received a drink containing 25 mg of lingonberry extract and 30 mg of amla fruit extract; the second group received a drink containing double the volume of extracts received by the first group; and the third group received a placebo drink. Each participant drank 50 mL of their assigned drink once daily for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was skin elasticity, and the secondary endpoints included skin thickness, stratum corneum water content, and degree of wrinkles around the eyes. After 12 weeks of LAE drink intake, skin elasticity showed significant, dose-dependent improvements (P < 0.01). Skin thickness, stratum corneum water content, and the degree of wrinkles also significantly improved (P < 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. The improvements in skin elasticity and thickness, as well as in the stratum corneum water content and the degree of wrinkles, observed upon oral intake of LAE indicate that LAE may be considered a candidate anti-aging agent for preventing skin weakening.