The Effect of a High-Protein Diet Supplemented with Blackthorn Flower Extract on Polyphenol Bioavailability and Antioxidant Status in the Organs of C57BL/6 Mice.

The health benefits of polyphenols are based on their bioavailability, which is why a significant portion of research focuses on factors that affect their bioavailability. Previous studies suggest that the intake of polyphenols along with macronutrients in food represents one of the key factors influencing the bioavailability of polyphenols and, consequently, their biological activity in the organism. Since polyphenols in the human diet are mainly consumed in food together with macronutrients, this study investigated the in vivo absorption, metabolism, and distribution of polyphenolic compounds from the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a protein-enriched diet in the organs (small intestine, liver, kidney) of C57BL/6 mice. The bioaccumulation of polyphenol molecules, biologically available maximum concentrations of individual groups of polyphenol molecules, and their effect on the oxidative/antioxidative status of organs were also examined. The results of this study indicate increased bioabsorption and bioavailability of flavan-3-ols (EC, EGCG) and reduced absorption kinetics of certain polyphenols from the groups of flavonols, flavones, and phenolic acids in the organs of C57BL/6 mice after intragastric administration of the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a diet enriched with whey proteins. Furthermore, subchronic intake of polyphenols from the water extract of blackthorn flower (Prunus spinosa L.) in combination with a diet enriched with whey proteins induces the synthesis of total glutathione (tGSH) in the liver and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and small intestine. The results of this study suggest potential applications in the development of functional foods aimed at achieving the optimal health status of the organism and the possibility of reducing the risk of oxidative stress-related disease.

Association of chronic inflammation with cardiovascular risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-A cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: COPD is progressive lung disease with known higher cardiovascular (CV) risk, mainly attributed to smoking of cigarettes as the main etiological factor of disease. The aim of this study was to compare CV risk in patients with COPD to control groups of smokers and non-COPD and to investigate the relation of lung function variables, COPD severity, and smoking with Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) risk calculation, arterial stiffness (AS) values, and biological systemic inflammatory markers. Methods: A total of 208 subjects were included in this study: 61 subjects diagnosed with COPD, 83 smokers without COPD, and 64 nonsmokers without COPD. Medical history and clinical data were recorded, including assessment of pulmonary function and AS, calculation of ankle-brachial index, blood analysis, and CV risk assessment by SCORE risk calculation. Results: Subjects with COPD had significantly higher values of SCORE calculation of risk, central aortic pressure, AS, and markers of systemic inflammation compared to control groups of smokers and nonsmokers without COPD (p < 0.001). Furthermore, statistically significant increase in hs-CRP concentration was found between the COPD group and the control group of non-COPD smokers (p < 0.001), and a statistically significantly higher SCORE calculation was found in the COPD group compared to control groups of smokers and nonsmokers without COPD (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the research support further identification and research of biological markers and simple specific tests such as arteriography that will enable progress in personalized treatment of patients with COPD and better primary and secondary prevention of comorbidities with the aim of improved treatment outcome.

Elite 100-km road ultramarathon runners: characteristics and musculoskeletal injuries.

BACKGROUND: Currently known data about ultramarathon medical issues has been collected from all combinations of ultramarathon race types (road, trail, etc.) and the population in those studies consists of mixed elite and recreational athletes. There are few studies concerning injuries related to musculoskeletal system injuries in ultramarathon runners. METHODS: The study was conducted on total of 77 elite ultramarathoners based on a questionnaire-based survey. We studied the elite male and female athletes who participated in the 30th IAU 100-km World Championships held in Croatia, in 2018. RESULTS: Ultramarathon runners have higher percentage of lower-leg injuries and rehabilitation of those injuries tend to last longer as ultramarathon runners show specific training habits with less days off and hold a permanent, full-time job and often with a higher academic degree. Furthermore, also the mean age is higher. CONCLUSIONS: Ultramarathoners have a higher percentage of lower-leg injuries than runners who do not run distances beyond a marathon. In addition, rehabilitation tends to last longer. This may well be correlated also to their specific training loads with fewer days off and training whilst holding a permanent full-time job. Often, they also hold a higher academic degree with years spent in the education system which might influence their mindsets on the medical issues they encounter. Also, being older may also have a bearing on injury occurrence and rehabilitation time.

Variceal bleeding due to idiopathic portal vein thrombosis in a 15-year-old boy.

Portal vein thrombosis is an important cause of portal hypertension in the pediatric population. It is a rare and potentially fatal condition with diverse underlying pathology. A successfully managed case, without an identified etiology, is reported herein.

N-glycosylation patterns of plasma proteins and immunoglobulin G in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex condition, whose diagnosis requires spirometric assessment. However, considering its heterogeneity, subjects with similar spirometric parameters do not necessarily have the same functional status. To overcome this limitation novel biomarkers for COPD have been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential value of N-glycans as COPD biomarkers and to examine the individual variation of plasma protein and immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation profiles in subjects with COPD and healthy controls. METHODS: Both the total plasma protein and IgG N-glycome have been profiled in the total of 137 patients with COPD and 95 matching controls from Croatia. Replication cohort consisted of 61 subjects with COPD and 148 controls recruited at another Croatian medical centre. RESULTS: Plasma protein N-glycome in COPD subjects exhibited significant decrease in low branched and conversely, an increase in more complex glycan structures (tetragalactosylated, trisialylated, tetrasialylated and antennary fucosylated glycoforms). We also observed a significant decline in plasma monogalactosylated species, and the same change replicated in IgG glycome. N-glycans also showed value in distinguishing subjects in different COPD GOLD stages, where the relative abundance of more complex glycan structures increased as the disease progressed. Glycans also showed statistically significant associations with the frequency of exacerbations and demonstrated to be affected by smoking, which is the major risk factor for COPD development. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that complexity of glycans associates with COPD, mirroring also the disease severity. Moreover, changes in N-glycome associate with exacerbation frequency and are affected by smoking. In general, this study provided new insights into plasma protein and IgG N-glycome changes occurring in COPD and pointed out potential novel markers of the disease progression and severity.

Assessment of Environmental and Hereditary Influence on Development of Pituitary Tumors Using Dermatoglyphic Traits and Their Potential as Screening Markers.

The aim of this study was to assess environmental and hereditary influence on development of pituitary tumors using dermatoglyphic traits. The study was performed on 126 patients of both genders with pituitary tumors (60 non-functional and 66 functional pituitary tumor patients) in comparison to the control group of 400 phenotypically healthy individuals. Statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative traits of digito-palmar dermatoglyphics was performed, and hormonal status was determined according to the standard protocols. Although we did not find markers that could specifically distinguish functional from non-functional tumors, we have found markers predisposing to the development of tumors in general (a small number of ridges between triradius of both hands, a smaller number of ridges between the triradius of c-d rc R), those for endocrine dysfunction (increased number of arches and reduced number of whorls, difference of pattern distribution in the I3 and I4 interdigital space), and some that could potentially be attributed to patients suffering from pituitary tumors (small number of ridges for variables FRR 5, smaller number of ridges in the FRL 4 of both hands and difference of pattern distribution at thenar of I1 and I2 interdigital space). The usage of dermatoglyphic traits as markers of predisposition of pituitary tumor development could facilitate the earlier detection of patients in addition to standard methods, and possibly earlier treatment and higher survival rate. Finally, our results are consistent with the hypothesis about multifactorial nature of pituitary tumor etiology comprised of both gene instability and environmental factors.

Atrial fibrillation cardioversion following acupuncture.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and it is an independent risk for serious events. Acupuncture has been growing in popularity in the West, and there are reports of its benefits in treating AF. We report a 57-year-old man who was admitted after having an allergic reaction to amiodarone administered to treat paroxysmal AF with fast ventricular response. Cardioversion with intravenous propafenone was uneventful. Before an attempt of electric cardioversion, he was treated with acupuncture as additional therapy to peroral propafenone. After acupuncture treatment consisting of 10 treatments during 30 days period, both immediate cardioversion to sinus rhythm and no paroxysmal AF during 30 days period were recorded.

Comparison of the hospital arrival time and differences in pain quality between diabetic and non-diabetic STEMI patients.

The aim of our study was to determine whether diabetic ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients arrive in the emergency room (ER) later than non-diabetics, compare the differences in pain quality and quantity between those groups, and measure differences in the outcome after an index hospitalization. A total of 266 patients with first presentation of STEMI were included in our study during a period of two years, 62 with diabetes and 204 without diabetes type 2. Pain intensity and quality at admission were measured using a McGill short form questionnaire. Diabetic patients did not arrive significantly later than non-diabetic (χ²; p = 0.105). Most diabetic patients described their pain as "slight" or "none" (χ²; p < 0.01), while most non-diabetic patients graded their pain as "moderate" or "severe" (χ²; p < 0.01). The quality of pain tended to be more distinct in non-diabetic patients, while diabetic patients reported mainly shortness of breath (χ²; p < 0.01). Diabetic patients were more likely to suffer a multi-vessel disease (χ²; p < 0.01), especially in the late arrival group. Therefore, cautious evaluation of diabetic patients and adequate education of target population could improve overall survival while well-organized care like a primary PCI Network program could significantly reduce CV mortality.