Polyphenolics and Chemical Profiles of Domestic Norwegian Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) Cultivars.

Using modern analytical techniques, a comprehensive study of the chemical composition of fruits from apple cultivars grown in Western Norway during 2019 and 2020 was done. Metals, sugars, organic acids, antioxidant tests, and polyphenol content have been observed. In all investigated samples, the most dominant sugars were glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Among 11 tested organic acids, the dominant was malic acid, followed by citric and maleic acid. The most common metal was potassium, followed by magnesium and zinc. The quantification of polyphenols showed that among the 11 quantified polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, quercetin, and phlorizin were the most abundant. A detailed study of the polyphenolic profile of nine investigated apple samples provided 30 identified polyphenolic compounds from the class of hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and dihydrochalcones. In addition to the identified 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, its two isomers of 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and three esters were also found. Present polyphenols of the tested apples provided significant data on the quality of Norwegian apples, and they contribute to the distinguishing of these apple samples.

Polyphenolic and Chemical Profiles of Honey From the Tara Mountain in Serbia.

This study presents a detailed characterization of 27 honey samples from the Tara Mountain region in Serbia using different comprehensive techniques and methods. The types of the honey samples were defined as monofloral (4 samples), honeydew (5 samples) and polyfloral (18 samples) honey based on determined polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, electrical conductivity and melissopalynological analyses. Physicochemical parameters such as pH (4.13-4.94), diastase activity (24.20-41.70 DN), acidity (14.60-29.70 meq/kg), content of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (in range below 5, up to 16.90 mg/kg), sucrose (0.20-3.90 g/100 g), and moisture content (15.01-19.23%) confirmed the required quality of the honey samples. Sensory analysis revealed honey characteristics favorable to consumers. Analyses of 19 phenolic compounds using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detection and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS) revealed six phenolic acids and 13 other compounds from the group of flavonoids and their glycosides. In all the samples the highest content was determined for p-coumaric acid, followed by caffeic acid and pinocembrin. Besides total phenolic content and radical scavenging activity, antimicrobial activity was also examined. Most honey samples showed bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli, while none of the honey samples inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. Chemometric analyses were applied for an in-depth study of the results to further evaluate the characteristics of the honey samples studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for assessing the differences in physicochemical parameters, polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity between honey samples. The unrooted cluster tree was used to group the samples based on the melissopalynological analyses.

Distribution of polyphenolic and sugar compounds in different buckwheat plant parts.

The aim of this study was to provide information on the phenolic and sugar profiles of different parts of the buckwheat plant, which can define that buckwheat is a functional food, with a high nutritional value and very useful for human health. Therefore, the extracts of buckwheat leaf, stem, and flower, as well as buckwheat grain were analysed for the content of polyphenol and antioxidant tests. The identification of a notable number of phenolic compounds and quantification of sugars in different parts of buckwheat indicates that buckwheat is a highly valuable plant. A total of 60 phenolic compounds were identified (18 cinnamic acid derivatives, 14 flavonols, 13 flavan-3-ols (including proanthocyanidins), 10 hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives, and 5 flavones) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), coupled with a hybrid mass spectrometer which combines the Linear Trap Quadrupole (LTQ) and OrbiTrap mass analyzer. The highest number of phenolic compounds was found in the analysed buckwheat flower sample, and then in the leaf, followed by the grain and the stem. In addition, the sugar profile of buckwheat leaf, stem, flower and grain, as well as the buckwheat pollen and the nectar was analysed. Hence, 16 sugars and 5 sugar alcohols were detected by the high-performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) with a pulsed amperometric detector (PAD). Sucrose was found in a significant amount with the highest content in buckwheat leaf. Trisaccharides had similar accumulation in the sample extracts, while disaccharides dominated in buckwheat leaf, followed by nectar and pollen. The sugar alcohols showed the highest content in buckwheat grain, where erythritol was predominant. The obtained results show that buckwheat is very rich in phenolic compounds and sugars. In addition to grain, the other parts of the buckwheat plant can be used as a very good source of different classes of phenolic compounds. This study provides useful information on the distribution of phytochemicals in different parts of the buckwheat plant, which contribute to the maintaining of the status of buckwheat as a functional food.

Polyphenol profile of buckwheat honey, nectar and pollen.

A focus of research in recent years is the comparison of honey as the final product of bees with pollen and nectar of the plant from which the honey originates, as the main food source for bees. Buckwheat honey is recognized as a nutritionally valuable product, which provides a scientifically proven health benefit and is confirmed as a functional food. The quality of this type of honey is attributed to high levels of phytochemicals in buckwheat. The purpose of this study was the examination of similarity between buckwheat honey and buckwheat nectar and pollen, as well as simultaneous investigation of their chemical profiles and the origin of the honey. The phenolic profile of buckwheat pollen showed a lower number of flavonoids and phenolic acids than those of nectar and honey samples, but confirmed the presence of the most characteristic polyphenols derived from the buckwheat plant. The notable difference was found to be the presence of (epi)catechin units, its galloylated derivatives and procyanidin dimers, which were not present in honey. Honey polyphenols displayed a pronounced correlation with those of nectar, but not with those of pollen. Finally, by comparing the polyphenolic profiles of honey, nectar and pollen sharing the same geographical origin, new data could be provided for a potential assessment of the botanical origin of buckwheat honey.

Physicochemical analysis and phenolic profile of polyfloral and honeydew honey from Montenegro.

The research subject of this paper was a detail physicochemical analysis of 28 honey samples from the northern part of Montenegro. The honey from Montenegro has not been previously studied in such detail. Differentiation between samples, such as honeydew honey and polyfloral honey, was based on electrical conductivity, which was higher than 0.8 mS cm-1 for honeydew honey, as was expected. Other investigated physicochemical parameters (water content, free acids, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content and sugar content) have shown great similarity for all honey samples. The main interest of this study was the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with mass spectrometry detection. The results show that honey samples are very rich in phenolic compounds, especially quercetin. Among the 31 quantified phenolic compounds, the most dominant were phenolic acids. The highlight was based on p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid. Considering polyphenolic compounds and sugar content, a high nutritional value can be observed in all samples, with an emphasis on polyfloral honeys, as was confirmed with principal component analysis (PCA). In addition, all honey samples were tested for total phenolic content (TPC) and radical scavenging activity (RSA). The results indicate the higher antioxidant ability of honeys from Montenegro in comparison to some honey samples from other countries in the region.

Effects of vanadate on the mycelium of edible fungus Coprinus comatus.

Vanadate is proposed to play a pivotal role in application of edible fungus Coprinus comatus for medical purposes. In this study the concentration of extracellular vanadate acceptable for the submerged cultivation of C. comatus mycelium was established. The mycelium could grow, and overcome vanadate toxic effects, up to the concentration of 3.3 mM. Moreover, in this condition, at the end of the exponential phase of growth, biomass yield was almost identical to that in the control. 31P NMR spectroscopy showed that addition of 10 mM vanadate to the mycelium in the exponential phase of growth provoked instantaneous increase of a sugar phosphates level which could be related to changes in activities of glycolytic enzymes. Exposure to higher vanadate concentration was toxic for the cell. 51V NMR measurements revealed that monomer of vanadate is present in the cytoplasm causing the metabolic changes. C. comatus has also capacity for vanadate reduction, as shown by EPR measurements, but vanadyl uptake is significantly less comparing to vanadate.

[Primary hypothyroidism associated with empty sella turcica and hypopituitarism].

INTRODUCTION: Empty sella syndrome is a rather frequent neuroradiological finding in the general population and can be associated with hypopituitarism. Examinations reveal low pituitary hormone levels and lack of response to stimuli. Most patients suffer from central hypothyroidism as part of pituitary insufficiency. Primary hypothyroidism is a rare finding in these patients. CASE REPORT: We present 3 patients: one female and two male, suffering from complete hypopituitarism, as part of the empty sella syndrome diagnosed due to low concentrations of all pituitary hormones, elevated TSH and low thyroid hormones. TRH, LHRH, ACTH and ITT tests, as well as IGF1 have confirmed hypopituitarism and primary hypothyroidism. CT and NMR in all three patients showed empty sella without a tumor in it. The diagnosis of primary hypothyrodism in the first patient was made before hypopituitarism has taken place, or at the same time in the second patient, whereas in the third patient it was diagnosed twenty years later. In two patients anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibody levels were high, and in the third patient they were not elevated. It can be assumed that the etiology of primary hypothyrodism in all three patients was of autoimmune origin, which caused thyroid hypofunction. High level of TSH in all three patients and especially in the patient whose hypopituitarism was diagnosed twenty years later, showed presence of thyrotrophic cells in the pituitary. Evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis was carried out during the complete substitution therapy of hypopituitarism. CONCLUSION: Diagnosing primary hypothyroidism associated with hypopituitarism helps improving the knowledge on empty sella syndrome and points to different clinical syndromes characterized by lack of mixoedema, although approach to therapy is the same for both primary and central hypothyroidism.

[Autoimmune processes in diseases of the thyroid gland]. / Automuni procesi u bolestima stitaste zlezde.

The previous knowledge related to auto-immune occurrences in thyroid gland disease are described in the review, showing main antigens, auto-antibodies, the inclusion of humoral and cellular immunity in the most frequent thyroid gland diseases. In spite of many learnings, which are broadened every day, the exact sequence of events and roles of external factors in genetically predisposed persons is still unknown. An identification of auto-antibodies gives direct evidence about the auto-immune process, as they are present among the majority of patients with Graves' hyperthyroid and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Immuno globulins, created by plasma cells, linked with cytokinins from lymphocyte CD4 T, engage the cell auto-immune reaction in these diseases. Being acquainted with all events in the auto-immune process, we can understand better why these frequent diseases occur, why do they have chronic and recidivous course, why they are more frequent with women and within some families, and why they enable us to make a better diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

[Adrenocortical hypertension]. / Adrenokortikalna hipertenzija.

INTRODUCTION: Endocrine hypertension is almost exclusively adrenal hypertension which includes syndromes of mineralocorticoid, glucocorticoid and amine excess. ALDOSTERONISM: Although primary aldosteronism accounts for less than 1% of hypertensive population, it is the most common form of endocrine hypertension and the second most common form of curable hypertension. It is possible that load in type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular fibrosis is related to aldosteronism. DIAGNOSIS OF PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM: The conventional approach to low plasma potassium level in hypertensive patients suggests mineralocorticoid excess, whereas high aldosterone level and chronically suppressed plasma renin activity (PRA) are basic for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism. However, recent studies use the ratio of plasma aldosterone to plasma renin activity (ARR) in plasma. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: Differential diagnosis between idiopathic aldosteronism (IHA) and aldosterone--producing adenoma (APA) can be performed using postural testing, 18-hydro- xycorticosterone levels, adrenal computed tomograms, iodocholesterol scans and adrenal venous sampling. GLUCOCORTICOID HYPERTENSION: However, association between glucocorticoid excess and hypertension is complex and still poorly understood. Hypothesized mechanisms include: increased hepatic angiotensinogen synthesis, inhibition of vasodilator and stimulation of vasoconstrictor systems in vascular tissue, enhanced glucocorticoid-mediated vascular reactivity to noradrenaline, shifting of sodium and fluid from intracellular to extracellular compartment, and increase of local endothelial growth factor activity.

[Changes in calcium levels in blood and urine during various regimens of table salt intake in patients with essential arterial hypertension]. / Promene nivoa kalcijuma u krvi i urinu pri razlicitim rezimima unosa kuhinjske soli kod bolesnika s esencijalnom arterijskom hipertenzijom.

INTRODUCTION: It has been reported that changes in salt loading influence parameters of calcium metabolism in hypertensive subjects. It was also reported that response of blood pressure to salt intake is related to salt-induced increase in intracellular calcium and decrease in intracellular magnesium concentrations [1]. Several authors showed that salt-sensitive hypertensive subjects significantly decreased blood pressure after calcium intake which was emphasized by high salt intake. Resnick et al. showed that during high salt intake regimen increase in blood pressure was followed with decrease in serum calcium level, this was explained by the fact that high salt intake stimulates the calcium uptake by cells [2]. They also reported the following characteristics of hypertensive patients with additionally lower blood pressure as a response to calcium intake: salt-sensitive, low serum ionized calcium and plasma renin activity (PRA) values and high parathyroid hormonE (PTH) values and 1.25-(OH)2-D values. The aim of the study was to evaluate values of corrected and ionized serum and urine calcium in a group of salt-sensitive patients, salt-resistant patients and a whole group during normal salt-intake regimen, and a group without salt and during sodium load (10 g salt extra). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our study, 50 untreated patients (27 women and 23 men; average age 42 +/- 9.2 yrs; average BMI 27.91 +/- 4.6 kg/m2) with essential hypertension were put on a high salt regimen (200 mmol NaCl per day) for one week after a week on a low salt diet (20 mmol NaCl per day). On the last day of the normal regimen and during the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of low salt and high salt regimens, the following follow-up was carried out: total (corrected) serum calcium level and total urine calcium level, ionized serum calcium urine creatininE level; serum albumin and daily diuresis and blood pressure. All patients had normal sodium and potassium serum concentrations. Salt intake was checked by taking a specimen of 24-hour urine considered as satisfactory if sodium excretion of 100 to 150 mmol/d (mmol per day) was noted. During the whole hospital examination, calcium intake through hospital meals was standardized to about 817 mg of calcium daily. Salt sensitivity was defined as 10 mmHg increase in mean blood pressure at the end of high vs. low salt diet. Salt sensitive group consisted of 26 patients and salt insensitive of 24 patients. RESULTS: According to sex, there was no statistically significant difference: 27 females (54%) and 24 males (46%). Average age of patients was 49 +/- 9.2 yrs, ranging from 21 to 64 with normal frequency distribution. Average body weight was 80.49 kg +/- 12.45 kg. Body height was from 150 to 192 cm with average of 170.12 +/- 10.53 cm. Average value of Body Mass Index (BMI in kg per square meter) was 27.91 +/- 4.6. In the studied patients average duration of hypertension was 6.98 +/- 6.4 yrs with non-homogeneous distribution. In 32 patients (64%) the medical history confirmed that one or more family members had hypertension. It was found that salt loading significantly decreased ionized calcium (F = 2.49; p < 0.05) and significantly increased urinary excretion of calcium (F = 5.22; p < 0.001) in salt sensitive patients in comparison with salt insensitive subjects. Serum calcium did not differ significantly during different salt intake regimens between two groups. Our study revealed no positive correlation between gender, age, BMI and family history and calcium metabolism. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the opinion of altered calcium metabolism in hypertensive subjects sensitive to salt intake. By demonstrated results we tried to define clinically different pathophysiologic and potentially different therapeutic subgroups in hypertensive population and to point to clinical and biochemical heterogeneity of primary hypertension.