Guidance on scientific principles and data requirements for the safety and relative bioavailability assessment of new micronutrient sources.

Following the adoption of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers, the European Commission requested EFSA to update its 'Guidance on safety evaluation of sources of nutrients and bioavailability of the nutrient from the sources' regarding the scientific principles and data requirements for the scientific assessment of all new forms of micronutrients and to derive a conversion factor for new micronutrient sources or forms of micronutrients to be authorised for addition to foods, including food supplements. This guidance outlines the scientific principles that the NDA Panel will consider for the assessment of the safety and the quantification of the relative bioavailability of new sources of micronutrients, which applicants are requested to consider when preparing their applications. It also outlines the data requirements for dossiers. Applicants should integrate the data presented in different sections to provide their overall considerations on how the information provided supports the safety of the new micronutrient source and the quantification of its relative bioavailability compared to a reference source under the proposed conditions of use. As preparatory work for the development of this guidance, EFSA launched an Expert Survey and held an online workshop on 9th March 2023 inviting scientific input from stakeholders and scientific experts, the report of which is now available online in the EFSA's webpage.

Rate of hydrolysis of the phosphate esters of B vitamins is reduced by zinc deficiency: In vitro and in vivo.

Extracellular hydrolysis of the phosphate esters of B vitamins (B1, B2, and B6) is crucial for their cellular uptake and metabolism. Although a few zinc-dependent enzymes have been implicated in these processes, their exact mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. This study investigated the potential involvement of phosphate group hydrolyzing enzymes in the hydrolysis of B vitamin phosphate esters. We evaluated enzyme activity in membrane lysates prepared from cells transiently transfected with these enzymes or those endogenously expressing them. Specifically, we investigated how zinc deficiency affects the rate of hydrolysis of B vitamin phosphate esters in cellular lysates. Assessment of the activities of zinc-dependent ectoenzymes in the lysates prepared from cells cultured in zinc-deficient conditions and in the serum of rats fed zinc-deficient diets revealed that zinc deficiency reduced the extracellular hydrolysis activity of B vitamin phosphate esters. Furthermore, our findings explain the similarities between several symptoms of B vitamin and zinc deficiencies. Collectively, this study provides novel insights into the diverse symptoms of zinc deficiency and could guide the development of appropriate clinical strategies.

Exploring novel pharmacological trends: Natural compounds in dry eye disease management.

Dry eye disease (DED) is an ocular condition characterized by altered tear film homeostasis, resulting in symptoms like tear film instability, hyperosmolarity, inflammation, and neurosensory abnormalities. It affects visual acuity and quality of life and is influenced by age, gender, and environmental factors. The first line of treatment consists of dynamically developing artificial tears, gels, and eyelid sprays, which can be supplemented with natural ingredients for enhanced efficacy. Other therapeutic steps include auto-logous serum tears, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive eyedrops, or oral tablets. Management also targets Meibomian gland dysfunction and the ocular surface micro-biome. This article explores various therapeutic approaches, including natural compounds and complementary strategies. Natural compounds, such as vitamins, and herbal substances (e.g., trehalose), offer promising benefits in enhancing tear film stability and ocular surface protection. Apitherapeutic products like manuka honey and propolis exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, human tissue-derived solutions, such as auto-logous serum tears and amniotic membrane extracts, hold the potential for ocular surface regeneration. Other strategies, including polyherbal eye drops, liposomal eyelid sprays, and microbiome-supporting solutions offer alternative therapeutic avenues. Moreover, patient education, lifestyle modifications, and interdisciplinary collaboration play crucial roles in DED management, emphasizing the importance of holistic care approaches.

Understanding the role of the human gut microbiome in overweight and obesity.

The gut microbiome may be related to the prevalence of overweight and obesity, but high interindividual variability of the human microbiome complicates our understanding. Obesity often occurs concomitantly with micronutrient deficiencies that impair energy metabolism. Microbiota composition is affected by diet. Host-microbiota interactions are bidirectional. We propose three pathways whereby these interactions may modulate the gut microbiome and obesity: (1) ingested compounds or derivatives affecting small intestinal transit, endogenous secretions, digestion, absorption, microbiome balance, and gut barrier function directly affect host metabolism; (2) substrate availability affecting colonic microbial composition and contact with the gut barrier; and (3) microbial end products affecting host metabolism. The quantity/concentration, duration, and/or frequency (circadian rhythm) of changes in these pathways can alter the gut microbiome, disrupt the gut barrier, alter host immunity, and increase the risk of and progression to overweight and obesity. Host-specific characteristics (e.g., genetic variations) may further affect individual sensitivity and/or resilience to diet- and microbiome-associated perturbations in the colonic environment. In this narrative review, the effects of selected interventions, including fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary calorie restriction, dietary fibers and prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, on the gut microbiome, body weight, and/or adiposity are summarized to help identify mechanisms of action and research opportunities.

Nutraceuticals and pharmacological to balance the transitional microbiome to extend immunity during COVID-19 and other viral infections.

SCOPE: The underlying medical conditions and gut dysbiosis is known to influence COVID-19 severity in high-risk patients. The current review proposed the optimal usage of nutraceuticals & pharmacological interventions can help regulate the protective immune response and balance the regulatory functionality of gut microbiota. Many studies have revealed that the probiotic interventions viz., Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. plantarum & other bacterial spp. reduce IFNγ & TNF-α and increase IL-4 & IL-10 secretions to control the immunostimulatory effects in upper respiratory tract infection. Dietary fibres utilized by beneficial microbiota and microbial metabolites can control the NF-kB regulation. Vitamin C halts the propagation of pathogens and vitamin D and A modulate the GM. Selenium and Flavonoids also control the redox regulations. Interferon therapy can antagonize the viral replications, while corticosteroids may reduce the death rates. BCG vaccine reprograms the monocytes to build trained immunity. Bifidobacterium and related microbes were found to increase the vaccine efficacy. Vaccines against COVID-19 and season flu also boost the immunity profile for robust protection. Over all, the collective effects of these therapeutics could help increase the opportunities for faster recovery from infectious diseases. CONCLUSION: The nutraceutical supplements and pharmacological medicines mediate the modulatory functionalities among beneficial microbes of gut, which in turn eliminate pathogens, harmonize the activity of immune cells to secrete essential regulatory molecular receptors and adaptor proteins establishing the homeostasis in the body organs through essential microbiome. Therefore, the implementation of this methodology could control the severity events during clinical sickness and reduce the mortalities.

Association Between High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Levels With Lipids and Micronutrients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, indicating systemic inflammation. Abnormal lipid levels and deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals could also contribute to elevated hs-CRP levels. By broadly looking at the cross-correlations between inflammatory, lipid, and micronutrient markers, we aim to highlight the key associations at the serological levels. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,014 free-living individuals who tested for cardiovascular and micronutrient panels along with hs-CRP at Vibrant America Clinical Laboratory. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Based on parametric t-tests, significant variations between the sexes (Ma1) were observed for cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, vitamin A, vitamin D3, serum copper, and valine. Pearson's correlation showed a high-significant positive correlation between hs-CRP and triglycerides, folate, serum copper, and manganese.

The Multitarget Action of Vitamins in the Ischemic Stroke.

A stroke, also known as a cerebral hemorrhage, occurs when there is an interruption in the blood supply to a part of the brain, resulting in damage to brain cells. This issue is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries, currently killing about 5 million people annually. Individuals who survive ischemic stroke often face serious vision problems, paralysis, dementia, and other sequelae. The numerous efforts to prevent and/or treat stroke sequelae seem insufficient, which is concerning given the increasing global elderly population and the well-known association between aging and stroke risk. In this review, we aim to present and discuss the importance of vitamins in stroke prevention and/or incidence. Vitamins from diet or dietary supplements influence the body at various levels; they are a relevant factor but are reported only in isolated articles. This review reports and updates the multitarget role of vitamins involved in reducing stroke risk.

Health assessment of nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in one of their largest rookeries (central eastern Florida coast, USA).

Reproduction is a physiologically demanding process for sea turtles. Health indicators, including morphometric indices and blood analytes, provide insight into overall health, physiology and organ function for breeding sea turtles as a way to assess population-level effects. The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (ACNWR) on Florida's central eastern coast is critical nesting habitat for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), but health variables from this location have not been documented. Objectives of the study were to (1) assess morphometrics and blood analyte data (including haematology, plasma biochemistry, protein electrophoresis, ß-hydroxybutyrate, trace nutrients, vitamins and fatty acid profiles) from loggerheads nesting on or near the beaches of the ACNWR, (2) investigate correlations of body condition index (BCI) with blood analytes and (3) analyse temporal trends in morphometric and blood analyte data throughout the nesting season. Morphometric and/or blood analyte data are reported for 57 nesting loggerheads encountered between 2016 and 2019. Plasma copper and iron positively correlated with BCI. Mass tended to decline across nesting season, whereas BCI did not. Many blood analytes significantly increased or decreased across nesting season, reflecting the catabolic state and haemodynamic variations of nesting turtles. Twenty-three of 34 fatty acids declined across nesting season, which demonstrates the physiological demands of nesting turtles for vitellogenesis and reproductive activities, thus suggesting potential utility of fatty acids for the assessment of foraging status and phases of reproduction. The findings herein are relevant for future spatiotemporal and interspecies comparisons, investigating stressor effects and understanding the physiological demands in nesting sea turtles. This information provides comparative data for individual animals in rescue or managed care settings and for assessment of conservation strategies.

What Dietary Vitamins and Minerals Might Be Associated with Paraoxonase-1 Serum Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease?

Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is an antioxidant enzyme inversely associated with atherosclerosis incidence. Dietary antioxidants help to increase PON-1 serum levels. Since most vitamins and minerals have antioxidant properties, this research aimed to examine the association between PON-1 serum levels and dietary intake of vitamins and minerals in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In this cross-sectional study, 102 inpatients with CAD and 60 healthy individuals participated. The average dietary vitamins and minerals intake were computed using information from the food frequency questionnaire with the assistance of Nutritionist IV software. The serum PON-1 level was measured using the ELISA method. Regarding minerals, serum PON-1 level was positively correlated with dietary calcium (ß = 0.57, p = 0.001), phosphorus (ß = 0.52, p = 0.004), and potassium intake (ß = 0.40, p = 0.03), but inversely associated with dietary consumption of iron (ß = - 0.43, p = 0.04), and sodium (ß = - 0.41, p = 0.02). Concerning vitamins, serum levels of PON-1 were positively associated with vitamin B6 (ß = 0.53, p = 0.01) and riboflavin (ß = 0.44, p = 0.03) but inversely correlated with niacin (ß = - 0.49, p = 0.03). The serum level of PON-1 might be associated with the dietary intake of minerals and vitamins. Therefore, a diet rich in certain minerals and vitamins may be advantageous in increasing serum PON-1 levels and preventing CAD.

Biochemical assessment in a cohort of pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive inherited disorder caused by genetic mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. It is a multisystem condition that primarily induces abnormal mucus accumulation in the respiratory system and obstructs the intrapancreatic common bile duct, causing a reduction in the delivery of digestive enzymes to the small intestine. Thus, patients with CF are characterized by maldigestion, malabsorption, and recurrent airway bacterial infections. Clinical monitoring of the health status of patients with CF is mandatory for increasing the patients' lifespan. To assess the feasibility of monitoring life quality (LQ) in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to explore the relationship between biochemical parameters and clinical symptoms, our study analyzed inflammatory responses related to CF, medication, and pulmonary bacterial infections in 52 patients diagnosed with CF. Blood, hypo-pharyngeal exudate, and fecal samples were analyzed using clinical biochemistry, hematology, and microbiology techniques at the Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health central laboratory in Bucharest, Romania. All the participants adhered to their prescribed outpatient CF regimens and appeared clinically stable. The overall clinical status of patients with CF was observed and compared with that of a healthy control group, which consisted of individuals similar in number and age. The screened patients with CF presented an impaired lipid status and chronic infections with various bacteria, iron, and vitamin (A, D, and E) deficiencies. Our findings provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of CF and suggest that tailored monitoring and personalized therapeutic strategies could improve patient management.

Dietary fibers boost gut microbiota-produced B vitamin pool and alter host immune landscape.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fibers can alter microbial metabolic output in support of healthy immune function; however, the impact of distinct fiber sources and immunomodulatory effects beyond short-chain fatty acid production are underexplored. In an effort to discern the effects of diverse fibers on host immunity, we employed five distinct rodent diets with varying fiber content and source in specific-pathogen-free, gnotobiotic (containing a 14-member synthetic human gut microbiota), and germ-free mice. RESULTS: Broad-scale metabolomics analysis of cecal contents revealed that fiber deprivation consistently reduced the concentrations of microbiota-produced B vitamins. This phenomenon was not always explained by reduced biosynthesis, rather, metatranscriptomic analyses pointed toward increased microbial usage of certain B vitamins under fiber-free conditions, ultimately resulting in a net reduction of host-available B vitamins. Broad immunophenotyping indicated that the local gut effector immune populations and activated T cells accumulate in a microbiota-dependent manner. Supplementation with the prebiotic inulin recovered the availability of microbially produced B vitamins and restored immune homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the potential to use defined fiber polysaccharides to boost microbiota-derived B vitamin availability in an animal model and to regulate local innate and adaptive immune populations of the host. Video abstract.

Clinical performance and application of novel serum collection "Ser-Col" device in the practice of laboratory diagnosis of infection diseases and several other immunochemical tests.

BACKGROUND: Dried blood collection devices might be beneficial for diagnosing infectious diseases in areas far from the medical facilities and in lockdown situations. There are several reports on the efficacy of such applications for qualitative tests. Here we demonstrated the feasibility of a novel Ser-Col blood collection device as a standardized approach for qualitative and quantitative detection of infectious markers and several over immunochemical tests. METHODS: In the current study, we included 395 adult participants, 191 men and 204 women, with a median age of 41 years, as well as 75 children with a median age of 3 years. Serological status was determined by testing serum samples for three groups of infection diseases: hepatitis A and C, SARS-CoV-2, and herpes family viruses, as well as for thyroid peroxidase (TPO), prolactin, vitamin B12, and folate. Blood collected on the Ser-Col device (Labonovum) was eluted using an automated system (SCAUT Ser-Col automation, Blok System Supply) and manually. Ser-Col results were compared with serum sampled via standard venipuncture considered as the reference. RESULTS: High correlation coefficients (r = 0.95-0.99) were observed between serum samples collected with Ser-Col and via standard venipuncture for the following tests: anti-HCV, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, anti-HSV-2 IgG, and anti-CMV IgM. Correlation coefficients between Ser-Col and standard venipuncture serum for anti-HSV-1 IgG, anti-CMV IgG, and anti-EBV tests were relatively low (r = 0.73-0.77). Correlation coefficients for anti-TPO, prolactin, vitamin B12, and folate were also characterized with high values (r = 0.97-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: High accuracy and quantitative correlation were demonstrated between Ser-Col and samples collected by standard venipuncture. Hence, the Ser-Col blood collection device should be considered as a promising alternative for blood collection, storage, and transportation in both adult and pediatric populations.

The causal relationship between hydatidiform mole and nutrients: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Hydatidiform mole (HM), a subset of gestational trophoblastic disease, is considered precancerous and exhibits geographical variation. The incidence of HM is linked to nutritional factors. This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between nutrients and HM using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS: We utilized publicly available genome-wide association study data to assess the causal associations between levels of specific vitamins (retinol, vitamins B12, B6, C, D, E, folate, and carotene) and minerals (iron, calcium, and magnesium) with HM. The MR analysis was conducted and reported following the STROBE-MR guidelines, employing MR Egger and inverse variance weighted (IVW) methods to estimate associations, with MR-PRESSO for pleiotropy testing. RESULTS: The study revealed vitamin B6 as a significant protective factor against HM (MR-Egger OR: 0.094, 95% CI: 0.011-0.0778, P < 0.05; IVW OR: 0.365, 95% CI: 0.142-0.936, P < 0.05). Folate and magnesium showed suggestive associations with HM, whereas most other nutrients did not exhibit a causal relationship. MR-PRESSO analysis supported the absence of horizontal pleiotropy of vitamin B6. Besides, reverse MR analysis did not reveal a significant causal association between HM and serum nutrient levels, suggesting that differences of nutrients in HM patients may not be directly attributed to the mole. CONCLUSION: This MR study provides evidence that vitamin B6 may protect against HM, and suggests potential roles for folate and magnesium in HM development, while highlighting the need for further research to confirm these findings.

Linking GERD and the Peptide Bombesin: A New Therapeutic Strategy to Modulate Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress and Clinical Biochemistry Parameters.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents one of the most prevalent foregut illnesses, affecting a large portion of individuals worldwide. Recent research has shown that inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes are crucial for causing esophageal mucosa alterations in GERD patients. It seems likely that the expression of various cytokines in the esophageal mucosa also induces oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). As humoral agents and peptidergic neurotransmitters that may support the enterogastric axis, bombesin and its related bombesin-like peptide, GRP (gastrin releasing peptide), have not been fully investigated. Therefore, considering all these assumptions, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of bombesin in reestablishing biochemical markers linked with inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress in GERD pathological settings. C57BL/6 mice were alternatively overfed and fasted for 56 days to induce GERD and then treated with bombesin (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally) once daily for 7 days, and omeprazole was used as the positive control. After 7 days of treatment, gastric pain and inflammatory markers were evaluated. Abdominal pain was significantly reduced following bombesin administration, which was also successful in diminishing inflammatory and oxidative/nitrosative stress markers in a manner overlapping with omeprazole. Moreover, bombesin was also able to appreciably modulate gastric pH as a result of the restoration of gastric homeostasis. Overall, these observations indicated that the upregulation of bombesin and interconnected peptides is a promising alternative approach to treat GERD patients.

Exploring Dietary Interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves social communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors, and it has a growing prevalence worldwide. Symptoms include cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal (GI) issues, feeding difficulties, and psychological problems. A significant concern in ASD is food selectivity, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Common GI issues in ASD, such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, stem from abnormal gut flora and immune system dysregulation. Sensory sensitivities and behavioral challenges exacerbate these problems, correlating with neurological symptom severity. Children with ASD also exhibit higher oxidative stress due to low antioxidant levels like glutathione. Therapeutic diets, including ketogenic, high-antioxidant, gluten-free and casein-free, and probiotic-rich diets, show potential in managing ASD symptoms like behavior, communication, GI issues, and oxidative stress, though the evidence is limited. Various studies have focused on different populations, but there is increasing concern about the impact among children. This review aims to highlight the food preferences of the ASD population, analyze the effect of the physicochemical and nutritional properties of foods on the selectivity in its consumption, GI problems, and antioxidant deficiencies in individuals with ASD, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic diets, including diets rich in antioxidants, gluten-free and casein-free, ketogenic and essential fatty acids, and probiotic-rich diets in managing these challenges.

Micro- and Macronutrients in Endometrial Cancer-From Metallomic Analysis to Improvements in Treatment Strategies.

Endometrial cancer is reported to be one of the most prevalent cancers of the female reproductive organs worldwide, with increasing incidence and mortality rates over the past decade. Early diagnosis is critical for effective treatment. Recently, there has been a growing focus on the role of nutrition and micronutrient and macronutrient status in patients with gynecologic cancers, including endometrial cancer. In the following paper, we have conducted an in-depth narrative literature review with the aim of evaluating the results of metallomic studies specifically concerning the micro- and macronutrient status of patients with endometrial cancer. The main objective of the paper was to analyze the results regarding the nutritional status of endometrial cancer patients and describe the role of chosen elements in the onset and progression of endometrial carcinogenesis. Further, we have focused on the evaluation of the usage of the described elements in the potential treatment of the abovementioned cancer, as well as the possible prevention of cancer considering proper supplementation of chosen elements in healthy individuals. Calcium supplementation has been proposed to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, although some studies offer conflicting evidence. Deficiencies in phosphorus, selenium, and zinc have been inversely associated with endometrial cancer risk, suggesting they may play a protective role, whereas excessive levels of iron, copper, and cadmium have been positively correlated with increased risk. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these elements affect endometrial carcinogenesis are not fully understood, and current findings are often contradictory. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and to evaluate the potential of nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of endometrial cancer.

Assessment of Supplementation with Different Biomolecules in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19.

Consequences of the disease produced by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have led to an urgent search for preventive and therapeutic strategies. Besides drug treatments, proposals have been made for supplementation with biomolecules possessing immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to review published evidence on the clinical usefulness of supplementation with vitamin D, antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C), melatonin, lactoferrin and natural products found in food (curcumin, luteolin, ginger, allicin, magnesium and zinc) as supplements in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In general, supplementation of conventional treatments with these biomolecules has been found to improve the clinical symptoms and severity of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), with some indications of a preventive effect. In conclusion, these compounds may assist in preventing and/or improving the symptoms of COVID-19. Nevertheless, only limited evidence is available, and findings have been inconsistent. Further investigations are needed to verify the therapeutic potential of these supplements.

Improvement of Vicia faba plant tolerance under salinity stress by the application of thiamine and pyridoxine vitamins.

Enhancement of plant growth at early growth stages is usually associated with the stimulation of various metabolic activities, which is reflected on morphological features and yield quantity and quality. Vitamins is considered as anatural plant metabolites which makes it a safe and ecofriendly treatment when used in appropriate doses, for that this research aimed to study the effect of two different vitamin B forms (thiamine and pyridoxine) on Vicia faba plants as agrowth stimutator in addition to study it's effect on plant as astrong antioxidant under salinity stress.Our findings demonstrated that both vitamin forms significantly increased seedling growth at germination and early growth stages, especially at 50 ppm for pyridoxine and 100 ppm for thiamine. Pyridoxine at 50 ppm increased seedling length by approximately 35% compared to control, while thiamine at 100 ppm significantly promoted seedling fresh and dry wt by 4.36 and 1.36 g, respectively, compared to control seedling fresh wt 2.17 g and dry weight 1.07 g. Irrigation with 100 mM NaCl had a negative impact on plant growth and processes as well as the uptake of several critical ions, such as K+ and Mg+2, increasing Na uptake in comparison to that in control plants. Compared to control plants irrigated with NaCl solution, the photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and total antioxidant capacity increased in the presence of pyridoxine and thiamine, both at 50 and 100 ppm salinity. The proline content increased in both treated and untreated plants subjected to salt stress compared to that in control plants. Thiamine, especially at 50 ppm, was more effective than pyridoxine at improving plant health under saline conditions. An increase in Vicia faba plant tolerance to salinity was established by enhancing antioxidant capacity via foliar application of vitamin B through direct and indirect scavenging methods, which protect cell macromolecules from damage by oxidative stress, the highest antioxidant capacity value 28.14% was recorded at 50 ppm thiamine under salinity stress.The provided results is aguide for more researches in plant physiology and molecular biology to explain plant response to vitamins application and the suggest the sequence by which vitamins work inside plant cell.

Cefoperazone-Sulbactam-Induced Coagulopathy in Critically Ill Egyptian Patients: Role of Vitamin K Prophylactic Doses.

Aim: Evaluating the impact of vitamin K prophylaxis on cefoperazone-sulbactam-induced coagulopathy in critically ill patients. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on critically ill adult patients treated with cefoperazone-sulbactam. Patients received systemic cefoperazone-sulbactam antibiotics of 1.5 to 2 g every 12 hours. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: the intervention group (Gp-I), who received a 10 mg intravenous dose of vitamin K every week until cefoperazone-sulbactam therapy ended, and the control group (Gp-C), who received only cefoperazone-sulbactam. Results: Our main finding was the significantly higher survival probability from coagulopathy in Gp-I than in Gp-C using the Kaplan-Myers curve (χ2 = 25.5, P < .001). The adjusted hazard ratios for coagulopathy obtained from the Cox regression analysis revealed that the intervention was significantly associated with a 99% reduction in the hazard of coagulopathy relative to Gp-C (HR = 0.01, P = .001). The Kaplan-Myers curve indicated a significantly higher survival probability from bleeding in Gp-I than in Gp-C (χ2 = 9, degree of freedom = 1, P = .005). Conclusion: In critically ill patients, intravenous prophylactic doses of vitamin K of 10 mg per week prevent cefoperazone-sulbactam-induced coagulopathy. Therefore, we recommend adding vitamin K supplementation to ICU protocols in Egypt for cefoperazone-sulbactam safety.

Circulating levels of vitamins and risk of lymphoma: insights from a two-sample Mendelian randomization.

BACKGROUND: To explore the genetic causal association between lymphoma and the circulating levels of vitamins through Mendelian randomization (MR). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed MR analysis using publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data. Seven indicators related to the circulating levels of vitamins (vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin E, and carotene) served as exposures, while lymphoma was the outcome. The genetic causal association between these circulating levels of vitamin indicators and lymphoma was assessed using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. RESULTS: Based on IVW method, vitamin B12 (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.28-5.19; p = 0.018) and folic acid (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.40-0.96; p = 0.032) both showed substantial evidence of a relationship with lymphoma. Moreover, the Weighted median method similarly indicated potential evidence of an association between vitamin B12 (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.18-0.90; p = 0.027) and lymphoma. The Simple mode, and Weighted mode methods showed no potential genetic causal association (p > 0.05 in the two analyses). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potential association between folic acid and vitamin B12 and lymphoma. Further research is required to assess the reproducibility of this finding in different contexts and to gain deeper insights into the potential underlying mechanisms.