Extract from Aronia melanocarpa, Lonicera caerulea, and Vaccinium myrtillus Improves near Visual Acuity in People with Presbyopia.

Presbyopia is a global problem with an estimated 1.3 billion patients worldwide. In the area of functional food applications, dietary supplements or herbs, there are very few reports describing the positive effects of their use. In the available literature, there is a lack of studies in humans as well as on an animal model of extracts containing, simultaneously, compounds from the polyphenol group (in particular, anthocyanins) and iridoids, so we undertook a study of the effects of a preparation composed of these compounds on a condition of the organ of vision. Our previous experience on a rabbit model proved the positive effect of taking an oral extract of Cornus mas in stabilizing the intraocular pressure of the eye. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an orally administered ternary compound preparation on the status of physiological parameters of the ocular organ. The preparation contained an extract of the chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa, the honeysuckle berry Lonicera caerulea L., and the bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus (hereafter AKB) standardized for anthocyanins and iridoids, as bioactive compounds known from the literature. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study lasting with a "wash-out" period of 17 weeks evaluated a group of 23 people over the age of 50, who were subjects with presbyopia and burdened by prolonged work in front of screen monitors. The group of volunteers was recruited from people who perform white-collar jobs on a daily basis. The effects of the test substances contained in the preparation on visual acuity for distance and near, sense of contrast for distance and near, intraocular pressure, and conjunctival lubrication, tested by Schirmer test, LIPCOF index and TBUT test, and visual field test were evaluated. Anthocyanins (including cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, delphinidin 3-O-arabinoside, cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside) and iridoids (including loganin, sweroside, loganic acid) were identified as substances present in the extract obtained by HPLC-MS. The preliminary results showed that the composition of AKB applied orally does not change visual acuity in the first 6 weeks of administration. Only in the next cycle of the study was an improvement in near visual acuity observed in 92.3% of the patients. This may indicate potential to correct near vision in presbyopic patients. On the other hand, an improvement in conjunctival wetting was observed in the Schirmer test at the beginning of week 6 of administration in 80% of patients. This effect was weakened in subsequent weeks of conducting the experiment to 61.5%. The improvement in conjunctival hydration in the Schirmer test shows the potential beneficial effect of the AKB formulation in a group of patients with dry eye syndrome. This is the first study of a preparation based on natural, standardized extracts of chokeberry, honeysuckle berry, and bilberry. Preliminary studies show an improvement in near visual acuity and conjunctival hydration on the Schirmer test, but this needs to be confirmed in further studies.

Familial hypercholesterolemia - treatment update in children, systematic review.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is one of the most common genetic diseases, and its first symptoms occur in childhood. Proper diagnosis and treatment prevent young patients from severe consequences in their future. The treatment of this dyslipidaemia is still evolving, and new promising agents are being discovered. In this review we summarize the old and new treatment methods of familial hypercholesterolaemia, giving an update estimated on the latest publications.

Traumatic dental injuries - practical management guide.

Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) with a prevalence of 25% among school children and 33% among adults are a public health problem and can have a negative influence on the quality of life. The treatment prognosis of some teeth injuries is heavily dependent on the actions taken at the place of injury. The objective was to summarize evidence-based knowledge on the topic of TDIs and present a practical management guide for first aid in an accessible way. The authors searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The review included only papers published in 2013 or later. Tooth injuries are proven to cause physical, social as well as economic consequences. The most frequent type of injury in primary dentition is avulsion, whereas crown fractures are most common in permanent dentition. TDIs occur most often at home and in school. Certain risk factors for TDIs were identified which include, among others, male gender, younger age, obesity. The general community knowledge of correct first aid in case of dental trauma is limited. Guidelines published by the International Association of Dental Traumatology include practical recommendations for first aid after avulsion. Permanent teeth should be replanted immediately at the accident site, whereas primary teeth should not be replanted when avulsed. Broken teeth fragments ought always to be collected if possible. After dental trauma it is vital that the patients seek professional help. Measures preventing TDIs (e.g., mouthguards) should be encouraged. It is of great importance that parents, teachers, guardians or bystanders witnessing a TDI are equipped to assist after a dental trauma or give advice on first aid when needed. Raising public awareness on the topic of dental injuries is a strongly advised general objective.

[Dietary supplements - a temporary trend or an effective help in the fight against obesity and increasing physical performance]. / Suplementy diety ­ chwilowy trend czy skuteczna pomoc w walce z otyloscia i zwiekszeniem wydolnosci fizycznej.

Dietary supplements are products that are intended to supplement deficiencies in diets deficient in vitamins, micro- and macro-ingredients and biologically active substances. More and more preparations appear on the market as a result of the lack of regulations regarding the requirements that must be met by the product before being released on the market. People are increasingly reaching for this type of product, believing in the manufacturers' assurances about their effectiveness in the fight against excessive kilograms or about increasing efficiency during training. However, supplements do not have to undergo any clinical trials and therefore it is not entirely safe to use the same preparations for all people, because an excess of some substances can be even harmful and cause various side effects. The literature review covered the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Mainly articles appeared after 2013. There are many clinical studies that directly indicate the toxic effects of some substances that are found in commonly available dietary supplements on the market. Due to ignorance, very often these preparations are confused with drugs because the labels show similar ingredients. In the case of people struggling with the problem of excess weight, the best way to get rid of obesity is exercise, a healthy diet. The diet of athletes should be adjusted to cover the needs of all micro and macro ingredients. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the growing problem of the abuse of dietary supplements, without finding a deficiency in a given person, we should pay special attention to the preparations consumed by patients, bought without a prescription. This can lead to serious disturbances in the proper functioning of the body.