Antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of a glycosaminoglycan extract from Rapana venosa marine snail.

Marine glycosaminoglycans (GAG) isolated from different invertebrates, such as molluscs, starfish or jellyfish, have been described as unique molecules with important pharmacological applications. Scarce information is available on GAG extract from Rapana venosa marine snail. The aim of this study was to isolate a GAG extract from R. venosa marine snail and to investigate its physicochemical, antioxidant and antiproliferative properties for further biomedical use. The morphology, chemical and elemental composition of the extract were established as well as the sulfate content and N- to O-sulfation ratio. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that GAG extract presented similar structural characteristics to bovine heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The pattern of extract migration in agarose gel electrophoresis and specific digestion with chondroitinase ABC and heparinase III indicated the presence of a mixture of chondroitin sulfate-type GAG, as main component, and heparan sulfate-type GAG. Free radical scavenging and ferric ion reducing assays showed that GAG extract had high antioxidant activity, which slightly decreased after enzymatic treatment. In vitro MTT and Live/Dead assays showed that GAG extract had the ability to inhibit cell proliferation in human Hep-2 cell cultures, at cytocompatible concentrations in normal NCTC clone L929 fibroblasts. This capacity decreased after enzymatic digestion, in accordance to the antioxidant activity of the products. Tumoral cell migration was also inhibited by GAG extract and its digestion products. Overall, GAG extract from R. venosa marine snail exhibited antioxidant and antiproliferative activities, suggesting its potential use as novel bioactive compound for biomedical applications.

The Chemical Profile, Antioxidant, and Anti-Lipid Droplet Activity of Fluid Extracts from Romanian Cultivars of Haskap Berries, Bitter Cherries, and Red Grape Pomace for the Management of Liver Steatosis.

This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of fluid extracts obtained from three Romanian cultivars of haskap berries (Lonicera caerulea L.) var. Loni, bitter cherries (Prunus avium var. sylvestris Ser.) var. Silva, and pomace from red grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) var. Mamaia, and their capacity to modulate in vitro steatosis, in view of developing novel anti-obesity products. Total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and ascorbic acid content of fluid extracts was spectrophotometrically assessed and their free radical scavenging capacity was evaluated using Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and free 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition assays. The Pearson coefficients showed a moderate correlation between the antioxidant activity of fluid extracts and their phenolic content, but a strong correlation between anthocyanin and ascorbic acid content. HPLC analysis identified and quantified the main phenolic compounds of chlorogenic and syringic acid, catechin, and glycosylated kaempferol, apigenin, and quercetin, in variable proportions. An in vitro experimental model of steatosis was developed in HepG2 hepatocytes treated with a mixture of free fatty acids. Cell culture analyses showed that cytocompatible concentrations of fluid extracts could significantly reduce the lipid accumulation and inhibit the reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide secretion in stressed hepatocytes. In conclusion, these results put an emphasis on the chemical compounds' high antioxidant and liver protection capacity of unstudied fluid extracts obtained from Romanian cultivars of bitter cherries var. Silva and pomace of red grapes var. Mamaia, similar to the fluid extract of haskap berries var. Loni, in particular, the positive modulation of fat deposition next to oxidative stress and the lipid peroxidation process triggered by fatty acids in HepG2 hepatocytes. Consequently, this study indicated that these fluid extracts could be further exploited as hepatoprotective agents in liver steatosis, which provides a basis for the further development of novel extract mixtures with synergistic activity as anti-obesity products.

Self-Sustained Three-Dimensional Macroporous TiO2-Graphene Photocatalyst for Sunlight Decolorization of Methyl Orange.

The development of highly efficient sunlight-driven photocatalysts has triggered increased attention due to their merit in effluent treatment through a chemically green approach. To this end, we present herein the synthesis and characterization of the TiO2/3D-GF/Ni hybrid emphasizing the main structural and morphological properties and the photodegradation process of a highly resistant aromatic azo dye, methyl orange, under both UV light and simulated sunlight. Three-dimensional (3D) graphene was grown by the thermal CVD method on the nickel foam and subsequently coated with thin films of anatase employing the sol-gel method. Thereafter, it was gratifyingly demonstrated that the hybrid nanomaterial, TiO2/3D-GF-Ni, was able to bring about more than 90% decolorization of methyl orange dye after 30 min under simulated sunlight irradiance. Moreover, the efficiency of the methyl orange decolorization was 99.5% after three successive cycles. This high-performance photocatalyst which can effectively decolorize methyl orange will most likely make a great contribution to reducing environmental pollution by employing renewable solar energy.

Comparative Palynological, Physicochemical, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Romanian Honey Varieties for Biomedical Applications.

The aim of this study was to investigate the melissopalynology, physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of seven honey samples harvested from different geographical regions and climates of Romania. The melissopalynological analysis revealed that monofloral and multifloral samples contained a wide diversity of minor pollen types from Romanian flora. The moisture, pH and free acidity values were within international limit. HPLC analysis indicated high content of fructose and glucose and low content of sucrose. Bioactive compounds including proteins, phenolics, flavonoids and ascorbic acid were present in variable quantities, according to the botanical origin and geographical area. The highest phenolics and ascorbic acid content was in multifloral honeys from Crisana mountain and meadow and the extrafloral honeydew honey. The same honey samples have exerted free radical scavenging and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The free radical scavenging activity was strongly correlated to phenolics and ascorbic acid content, while the antimicrobial activity was medium correlated only to phenolics content. In conclusion, the selected Romanian honey samples with best antioxidant and antimicrobial activity could be further tested for the development of novel biomedical products.

[Effect of phacoemulsification on the cornea]. / Impactul facoemulsificarii asupra cornei.

INTRODUCTION: Cataracta is the more common surgical diesease of the eye. The removal of the cataract is done my phacoemulsification. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of phacoemulsifcation on the cornea. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have studied 80 patients with cataract that underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification. We measured the corneal thickness and the number of endothelial cell before and after the surgery. REZULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: Corneal thickness grew with 3% and the number of endothelial cells decresed with 13%. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification with the use of vascoelastic substancees is a very safe method of lens extraction

[The therapeutic contact lens--advantages and limits]. / Lentila de contact terapeutica--avantaje si limite.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic use is one of the major indications of the contact lenses, near the correction of the refraction. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study analyzed 86 patients who wore one TCL. The data was analyzed concordant with the main effects of the TCL and their limits. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: The main positive effects of the TCL were: relief of pain, improving of re-epithelization, the tectonic effect, mechanic protection and hydratation of the cornea, visual improving and the permitting of the binocularity. The limits of the TCL are related to: susceptibility of infections, non adaptation or loosing of the lens in irregularity of the cornea. CONCLUSIONS: TCL: Efficient in majority of cases; Permits the binocular vision; The complications occur rarely and are minor.

[Lagophthalmy of VII nerve palsy--therapeutical approaches]. / Posibilitati curative în lagoftalmia prin paralizia de nerv facial.

Facial nerve palsy is impairing orbicular muscle function leading to lagophthalmos. This disease impairs patients' quality of life by exposure keratopathy which is accompanied by ocular pain and deteriorate visual acuity at a variable degree. The paper's aim is to show up the place of lagophthalmos in anterior ocular segment pathology and to evidence the results obtained by us with a new therapeutical method applied in several cases. All cases with lagophthalmos have ocular complications like exposure kerato-conjunctivitis. The treatment was both conservative and surgical which consisted in majority of cases in blepharoraphy with its inconveniencies, aesthetical and functional. We have applied a new surgical method--gold weight superior lid implantation--in 4 cases and the results are promising.

[Anterior uveitis in seronegative spondylarthropathies]. / Uveita anterioara în spondilartropatiile seronegative.

PURPOSE: To study the implication of seronegatives spondylarthropaties in anterior uveitis ethiology. We analyzed 51 patients with rheumatologic disease related uveitis hospitalized in our clinic in last 4 years. We discussed sex and age group repartition of patients, type of rheumatologic disease, recurrencies, complications and patients evolutions under treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Seronegatives spondylarthtropaties related uveitis represent 26% from 208 patients with uveitis household in our clinic in period mentioned above. They have a slow evolution with multiples recurrences and complications, requiring long period of treatment and follow-up. Visual prognosis is reserved because of multiples recurrences which accentuate morfofunctional deficit every time.

[Refractive changes in concomitant exodeviations]. / Vicii de refractie în exodeviatiile concomitente.

UNLABELLED: The paper represents the analysis of 27 patients with a form of exodeviation examined în the Department of Ophthalmology Sibiu (jan. 1999-jan. 2003). METHOD: The evaluated parameters were: debut age, sensorial status, refraction, type of exodeviation related with refractive errors and treatment. RESULTS: The predominant refractive error was hyperopia (low degree)-40.74%, exophoria was the most frequent type of exodeviation (44.44%). Amblyopia was present în 11.2% of cases, 25.9% of patients had no stereopsis. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied group 81.48% of cases had refractive errors. Exophoria and intermittent exotropia were related with emetropia or minor refractive errors. Mixed astigmatism with amblyopia and anizometropia presented constant exodeviation.

[Preliminary study about therapeutical contact lenses use]. / Studii preliminare asupra folosirii lentilelor de contact terapeutice.

THE AIM OF THE PAPER: The goal of the paper is to emphasize the advantages of the application of therapeutical contact lenses as compared to the eye patch. MATERIAL AND METHOD: There have been taken into study 42 patients-43 eyes, to whom we applied therapeutical contact lenses. RESULTS AND DEBATES: In the studied cases there have been taken into discussion the type of corneal diseases, the treatment prescribed, the period of time that the lenses have been worn and the possible complications. There have been prevailed herpetic keratopathies (12 cases), edemato-bullous keratopathies--aphakic and pseudophakic (12 cases), followed by recurrent corneal erosions (4 cases), full thickness corneal and corneoscleral lacerations (4 cases) and alkali chemical corneo-conjunctival burns of II-nd/III-rd degree and III-rd degree. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The wearing of therapeutical contact lens determined the improvement of the pain, of the eye discomfort and the corneal epithelium healing. 2. A therapeutical alternative clearly superior to the occlusive eye patch, the therapeutical contact lens limits the indications of tarsorrhaphy and conjunctival flap. 3. The therapeutical contact lens find their usefulness in a tectonic aim until the final surgical solution.