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Osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA) syndrome denotes the confluence of bone, muscle, and adipose tissue deterioration. Being a complex entity, numerous uncertainties about OSA still exist, despite the extensive research on the topic. Our objectives were to evaluate human studies addressing dietary intake/nutritional status and the quantity/types of physical activity related to OSA. The search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted to examine relevant articles published from inception to the end of December 2022, utilizing the MeSH strings in the search strategy. Only studies published in English and conducted in humans (≥18 years) without chronic conditions (cancers, kidney/liver disease) or pregnancy were used. Book chapters, abstracts-only, and studies in which participants did not have all three body composition components measured to identify OSA or when body composition components could not be related to the independent/exposure variables were excluded. A total of n = 1020 articles were retrieved from all three databases and eight more from the reference lists. After the exclusion of duplicates and other unsuitable articles, n = 23 studies were evaluated. Among those, eleven were from epidemiological or cross-sectional studies relating nutrients/dietary intake or nutritional status with OSA. Another four examined the relationship between serum biomarkers (vitamin D and ferritin) with OSA, while eight articles presented the results of the interventional studies with resistance training. Overall, higher protein, calcium, potassium, and vitamins D and C intakes emerged as nutrients positively modifying OSA, along with a diet higher in fruits and low-fat dairy foods. Higher serum vitamin D and ferritin were respectively positively and negatively related to OSA. Resistance training was a safe intervention yielding several beneficial outcomes for the OSA syndrome in older women.

Pomegranate juice (PJ) has potential positive effects in patients with metabolic disturbances due to a high content of polyphenols. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of a 2-week consumption of dietary doses of PJ on blood pressure, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress markers in overweight patients with dyslipidemia. Twenty-four patients, 8 males and 16 females, 40-60 years of age, with established overweight and dyslipidemia were randomly assigned into intervention group, who consumed 300 mL of PJ daily for 2 weeks, or control group. After 2 weeks of juice intake, intervention group had significantly lower diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, aminotransferase, and activity of glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, patients who consumed PJ had reduced percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) in plasma phospholipids and increased estimated activity of stearoyl-CoA desaturase. In erythrocytes, we found a significant increase in the levels of dihomo-gamma- linolenic acid (20:3n-6, DGLA) and DHA, as well as in estimated activity of Delta 6 desaturase, and a decrease in estimated activity of Delta 5 desaturase. These results show that even a short-term consumption of dietary doses of PJ exerts beneficial effects and affects lipid metabolism in overweight patients with dyslipidemia.

Calf bronchopneumonia is accompanied by increased level of circulating immune complexes (CIC), and we analysed size, and protein and lipid constituents of these CIC with an attempt to elucidate the connection between the CIC structural properties and their capacity to modulate leukocyte function. CIC of heathy calves (CICH) and calves with naturally occurring bronchopneumonia (CICD) were isolated by PEG precipitation and analysed by electrophoresis and chromatography. The predominant CIC proteins were IgG, albumin, and transferrin. Affinity isolated serum and CIC IgG coprecipitated several proteins, but only 75 and 80 kDa proteins bound CIC IgG, exclusively. 60 and 65 kDa proteins co-precipitated with CICD IgG, unlike CICH IgG. In both CICH and CICD, oleic acid-containing phospholipids predominated. In CICD, the content of oleic and vaccenic acid was higher than in CICH, while myristic, palmitic, stearic, linoleic and arachidonic acid showed lower content. Dynamic light scattering displayed difference in particle size distribution between CICH and CICD; 1280 nm large particles were present only in CICD. The effect of CICH and CICD on mononuclear cells (MNC) and granulocytes was analysed in vitro. CICH and CICD, with slight difference in intensity, stimulate MNC apoptosis, promote cell cycle arrest of unstimulated MNC, and cell cycle progression of PHA stimulated MNC. Both CIC reduced granulocyte apoptosis after 24 h while after 48 h this effect was detected for CICD only. These results indicate that structural differences of CICH and CICD might interfere with the CIC functional capacity, which we consider important for evaluation of CIC immunoregulatory function.

Neurofilament light chain (NFL), one of the major subunits of neuron-specific intermediate filaments, is an important component of the neuronal cytoskeleton. Mutations in the NEFL gene and disturbances of NFL turnover or transport are associated with the pathophysiology of various diseases of the nervous system. Also, NFL is released from neurons as a result of neuroaxonal damage and NFL levels in cerebrospinal fluid and blood have emerged as a biomarker of the progression of numerous neurological diseases. One common underlying factor in these diseases is oxidative stress. Although both NFL and oxidative injury play a role in the development of neurological diseases, the effect of oxidative stress on NFL at the cellular level has not been extensively studied. Here, by investigating the response of neurofilaments to in vitro oxidative injury, we discovered that NFL localizes in the nuclei of primary neurons. We show that this depends on calpain activity and determine that a proteolytic fragment of the tail domain, not the full-length NFL, is that which accumulates in the nuclei. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the recombinant NFL tail domain accumulates in the nuclei of neurons and neuroblastoma cells, even in the absence of oxidative injury. Finally, we show that the tail domain of NFL interacts with the DNA in the nuclei of living cells, suggesting that NFL plays a role in the regulation of gene expression in response to oxidative injury.

Developments in microscopy techniques have brought about a demand for new protein labelling methods. Labelling tags should be small and ideally compatible with live-cell imaging. An elegant protein labelling technique that fulfils these criteria is based on genetic code expansion and bioorthogonal click chemistry. Genetic code expansion allows incorporation of clickable UAAs into proteins of interest which are subsequently directly labelled with small fluorescent dyes using click chemistry. While previous work has mainly focused on easy-to-transfect standard cell lines, recent publications have described applications of this technology in primary neurons. Here, we report a detailed protocol for transfections and bioorthogonal click chemistry-based labelling of intracellular proteins in living primary neurons.

Lifestyle modifications are the main support of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) therapy. Weight loss is one of the primary goals in NAFLD, but the effects of different calorie-restricted diets remain unclear. Thus, we evaluated the effects of two calorie-restricted diets&mdash, the Mediterranean diet (Med diet) and low-fat diet&mdash, on liver status, cardiometabolic markers, and fatty acid profiles in patients with NAFLD. Twenty-four overweight/moderately obese men were randomly assigned to consume one of these diets. Lipid levels, glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, steatosis, and fatty acid profiles of serum and erythrocytes phospholipids were assessed. After 3 months, all participants had a significant weight loss (&gt, 9%), with improvements in waist circumference, body fat %, index of visceral adiposity (VAI), lipid accumulation product, fatty liver (FLI), and hepatic steatosis (HSI) index (p &lt, 0.001). Both diets significantly lowered triglycerides, total and LDL-cholesterol, liver enzymes, fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR index. Fatty acid profiles were enhanced after both diets, with a significantly decreased n-6/n-3 ratio. Participants on the Med diet had higher levels of HDL-cholesterol and monounsaturated and n-3 docosahexaenoic acids in serum phospholipids and lower levels of saturated fatty acids, triglycerides, TG/HDL ratio, and FLI when compared to participants on the low-fat diet. Our results indicate that dietary patterns and calorie restriction represent central therapeutic issues in the improvement of obesity-related cardiometabolic alterations that are involved in the mechanism of hepatic steatosis. The Med diet may contribute to disease treatment even more than the low-fat diet since it leads to decreased saturated and increased monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status and improved FLI in NAFLD patients.

Juglans nigra (Black walnut) is a source of health-promoting biologically active compounds used in traditional medicine. The investigation of bioactive compounds in black walnut could lead to its broader application, as well as application of its by-products. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize J. nigra nut and green husk based on chemical analysis of their petroleum ether and ethanol extracts obtained by ultrasonic and reflux extraction methods, respectively. Different extract fractions were tested for their antimicrobial activities using Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis Staphylococcus aureus) and yeast (reference strain and clinical isolates of Candida albicans). Ethanol extracts analysis, performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), singled out the ellagic acid as the most dominant compound in nut (55.0 ? 1.3 ? 10-3 kg m-3) and green husk (114.1 ? 0.5? 10-3 kg m-3) extracts. Non-polar compounds were evaluated using Gas Chromatography (GC) analysis of petroleum ether extracts. Juglans nigra nut and green husk contained two saturated fatty acids, palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0), then, monounsaturated fatty acids, palmitoleic (C16:1n-7), oleic (C18:1n-9), and vaccenic acid (C18:1n-7), as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic (C18:2n-6), ?-linolenic (C18:3n-6), and ?-linolenic (C18:3n-3) acids. Ethanol extracts of both J. nigra nut and green husk showed antimicrobial activity against C. albicans which is the most common cause of yeast infections.

Our study aimed to examine the status of plasma fatty acids (FAs), inflammatory markers, and lipid peroxidation in patients with femoral neck fractures. The study included 20 patients (64–86 years) with femoral neck fractures indicated for surgery and a control group of 17 elderly subjects without fractures or serious chronic diseases. Plasma was obtained during the first 12 h postfracture and presurgery and 7 days postop. Compared to the control, patients had significantly higher saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA as well as increased TNF-α and IL-6. Opposite to that, levels of individual and total n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), individual and total n-3 PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio, and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were markedly lower in the patient than in the controls. On the seventh day after the surgery, we showed a further rise in the SFA, oleic acid, and TNF-α and reductions of n-6 PUFA and IL-6. Taken together, our results suggest that altered FA status, especially reduced PUFA, may influence hip fracture repair and even contribute to femoral fracture susceptibility in the elderly. A potential benefit from nutritional intervention with PUFA in prevention and (or) fracture healing should be considered.

In this paper are presented results of tests and analyses of complex dynamic loads carried out on the bucket-wheel excavator SchRs 650/5 × 24 Krupp, as well as assessment of service life of vital welded structures of a bucket-wheel excavator boom subjected to cyclic loading with a variable amplitude through the use of experimental tests carried out in order to determine operational strength and growth of a fatigue crack for one structural part. Bucket-wheel excavator was built by “Thyssen Krupp” company, Germany. Outer loads, or in other words digging forces for the overburden and coal have been calculated on the basis of measured values of actual current intensity of the bucket-wheel drive and recorded output values of changeable loads. Correlations between the power of the bucket-wheel drive system and adequate hourly production, depending on the overall digging resistance which affects the stress condition of the bucket-wheel, were also determined. Results of the theoretical and experimental analysis of natural and forced oscillations of the support structure for various exploitation conditions are presented in first part of the paper. Deformations e i determined by tensometric measurements on the rotating shaft of the bucket-wheel were converted into tangential stresses through the introduction of the modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio, which, along with the polar moment of inertia of the cross-section, define the moment of rotation on the bucket-wheel shaft. Through the use of the load - strength comparison method (maximization of the ratio of load and strength indicators) the application factor of the gear with the largest number of turns K A has been determined. In the second part of the paper methodological approach for the assessment of service life of vital welded structures of a bucket-wheel excavator boom was presented. Assessment was done in order to determine operational strength and growth of a fatigue crack, through the use of experimental tests. Realized researches and results presented in this paper offer great possibilities for the analyses of behaviour of vital welded structures of the bucket-wheel boom. By the application of the measurement device with 8 channels for registration and processing of electric signals HBM Spider 8 and measurement tapes HBM 6/350 × XY31 deformations were measured at vital welded structures of the boom in the area of the bucket-wheel. The objective of the test is to determine if there is a possibility of occurrence of plastic deformations or initial cracks due to fatigue at vital welded structures and to obtain data which define crack growth.

This study investigated different dietary strategies, high-fat (HFd), or standard diet (Sd) alone or in combination with standardized Aronia melanocarpa extract (SAE), as a polyphenol-rich diet, and their effects on lipids and fatty acids (FA) in rats with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups: healthy and rats with MetS, and then depending on dietary patterns on six groups: healthy rats fed with Sd, healthy rats fed with Sd and SAE, rats with MetS fed with HFd, rats with MetS fed with HFd and SAE, rats with MetS fed with Sd, and rats with MetS fed with Sd and SAE. 4 weeks later, after an overnight fast (12-14 h), blood for determination of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), index of lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS), and FA was collected. Increased FA and lipid concentration found in MetS rats were reduced when changing dietary habits from HFd to Sd with or without SAE consumption. Consumption of SAE slightly affects the FA profiles, mostly palmitoleic acid in healthy rats and PUFA in MetS + HFd rats. Nevertheless, in a high-fat diet, SAE supplementation significantly decreases n-6/n-3 ratio, thereby decreasing systemic inflammation. Further researches are warranted to confirm these effects in humans.

The aim of this paper is to show wear properties of different types of filler metals aimed for hard facing and exploitation in dry condition. Testing of wear resistance is done in laboratory on prepared samples/models in order to simulate real exploitation conditions. Samples were made by hard facing of carbon steel using 4 different filler metals. Hard facing was done by using MMA welding method in three layers with enough height so samples could be made. After samples were made, the hardness and microstructure of all zones of hard facing were determined. Testing of wear resistance is done using block on disc contact on samples made from pure weld metal. As a parameter for estimates of the wear resistance of models it was used volume of worn material in mm3. Metallographic investigations and hardness measurements were used as additional parameter for drawing the conclusions.

Varying degrees of liver injuries have been reported in patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In general, oxidative stress is actively involved in initiation and progression of liver damage. The liver metabolizes various compounds that produce free radicals. Maintaining the oxidative/antioxidative balance is important in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Antioxidant vitamins, essential trace elements and food compounds, such as polyphenols, appear to be promising agents, with effects in oxidative burst. Deficiency of these nutrients suppresses immune function and increases susceptibility to COVID-19. Daily micronutrient intake is necessary to support anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects but for immune function may be higher than current recommended dietary intake. Antioxidant supplements (β-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) could have a potential role in patients with liver damage. Available evidence suggests that supplementing the diet with a combination of micronutrients may help to optimize immune function and reduce the risk of infection. Clinical trials based on the associations of diet and SARS-CoV-2 infection are lacking. Unfortunately, it is not possible to definitively determine the dose, route of administration and best timing to intervene with antioxidants in COVID-19 patients because clinical trials are still ongoing. Until then, hopefully, this review will enable clinicians to understand the impact of micronutrient dietary intake and liver status assessment in COVID-19 patients.

The aim of this study was to compare dietary intake and status of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in plasma and erythrocyte phospholipids metabolically healthy and unhealthy, and obese and nonobese persons. Metabolic health status in 171 participants was defined according to criteria for metabolic syndrome. Obese and nonobese metabolically unhealthy persons (MUHO and MUHNO) had higher energy intake of n-6 PUFA (7.82 +/- 1.03 and 7.49 +/- 0.86) and lower intake of n-3 PUFA (0.60 +/- 0.12 and 0.62 +/- 0.11) compared to obese and nonobese metabolically healthy persons (MHO and MHNO) (5.92 +/- 0.63 and 5.72 +/- 0.67; 1.20 +/- 0.07 and 1.22 +/- 0.09, respectively) and a higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. The plasma level of n-6 PUFA was lower in the MUHO and MUHNO groups (38.49 +/- 3.71 and 38.53 +/- 2.19) compared to MHNO (40.90 +/- 2.43), while n-3 PUFA status was lower in obese than in nonobese persons (3.58 +/- 0.79 and 3.50 +/- 1.02 vs. 4.21 +/- 0.80 and 4.06 +/- 1.15). The MHO group had a higher eicosapentaenoic/arachidonic acid ratio and estimated desaturase (SCD16, D6D) and elongase activity in plasma phospholipids compared to MHNO. The low intake of n-3 PUFA is directly associated with metabolic risk factors. These results indicated that obesity is closely associated with low levels of n-3 PUFA in plasma phospholipids, suggesting that dietary modifications including n-3 PUFA supplementation appear to be suitable therapeutic strategy in obese persons.

Being characterized by progressive and severe damage in neuronal cells, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are the major cause of disability and morbidity in the elderly, imposing a significant economic and social burden. As major components of the central nervous system, lipids play important roles in neural health and pathology. Disturbed lipid metabolism, particularly lipid peroxidation (LPO), is associated with the development of many NDDs, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), all of which show elevated levels of LPO products and LPO-modified proteins. Thus, the inhibition of neuronal oxidation might slow the progression and reduce the severity of NDD; natural antioxidants, such as polyphenols and antioxidant vitamins, seem to be the most promising agents. Here, we summarize current literature data that were derived from human studies on the effect of natural polyphenols and vitamins A, C, and E supplementation in patients with AD, PD, and ALS. Although these compounds may reduce the severity and slow the progression of NDD, research gaps remain in antioxidants supplementation in AD, PD, and ALS patients, which indicates that further human studies applying antioxidant supplementation in different forms of NDDs are urgently needed.

Background/Aim. Epileptogenic lesions carry intrinsic epileptogenicity or epileptogenic potential in their close vicinity. One third of patients with focal epilepsy have no epileptogenic lesions magnetic resonance imaging [MRI(-)]. The aim of this study was to determine the epileptogenic zone investigating electrical and clinical properties of MRI- patients. Methods. In 180 patients with focal epilepsy we analyzed 1,712 seizures for interictal and ictal electroencephalography (EEG) and seizure semiology. If multiple seizures occurred we took the best seen on video as an example, with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) if it occurred. Brain MRI was focused to investigate the zone of ictal EEG onset. Electroclinical properties of the MRIpatients were compared to lesion positive patients [MRI(+)]. Results. A single epileptogenic lesion was identified in 68.89% [hippocampal sclerosis (HS) in 58, focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 28 and other pathologies in 38 patients]. MRI(-) patients had significantly less interictal epileptiform abnormalities, and presented more often (p < 0.001) with secondary GTCS as the only seizure. Eye opening, hypermotor seizure, bilateral asymmetric clonic seizure, vocalization, and contralateral body turning occurred more frequently in the MRI- group compared to the MRI+ one. MRI- patients share some semiological features with FCD as opposed to HS patients. Conclusion. MRIepilepsy patients frequently present with electroclinical features seen in frontal lobe epilepsy or in epilepsy associated with FCD.

Objective: Metabolic changes in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) impair vasodilation, and this leads to tissue hypoxia and microvascular pathology. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly improve the outcome of ischemic conditions in IDDM patients and reduce vascular complications. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of HBOT on plasma fatty acid (FA) composition, and expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) in IDDM patients. Methods: Our study included 24 adult IDDM patients diagnosed with peripheral vascular complications. The patients were exposed to 10 sessions of 100% oxygen inhalation at 2.4 atmosphere absolute for 1 hour. Blood samples were collected at admission and after HBOT for measurement of metabolic parameters, FA composition and IGFBP-1. Measurement of plasma FA composition was determined by gas chromatography. Expression of IGFBP-1 in the serum was estimated by Western blot analysis. Results: HBOT decreased blood levels of total cholesterol (p

The Mediterranean diet is characterized by an adequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, fish, cereals, olive oil, and moderate consumption on meat and dairy products. The olive oil is an excellent source of oleic acid that has multiple beneficial effects on human health. The level of oleic acid in plasma phospholipids reflects its dietary intake and endogenous metabolism. In some diseases the level of OA is altered independently on its intake. Currently, cardiovascular diseases and cancer are the most common causes of death worldwide. This chapter evaluates status of OA in Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean region and impact of the Mediterranean diet and oleic acid on cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Background/Aim. Consensus on the exercise effect on the fatty acid metabolism has not been reached, and probably depends on the type of sports (aerobic, anaerobic or mixed). The aim of this study was to investigate effect of long-term handball training on the body composition, lipid profile and the plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition in female and male younger players. Methods. Seventeen female and 15 male active handball players, aged 16-20 years, who competed at the national/international level, were enrolled in the study. A control group was established from healthy, sedentary individuals (13 females and 19 males, aged 17-21 years), comparable to the athletes in terms of age, sex and body mass index. Results. In both groups of handball players a higher percentage of palmitoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid (18:3, n-3), were found and lower percentage of oleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3), when compared with corresponding control group. On the other hand, the lower level of stearic acid and estimated activity of plasma elongase was detected in female players than in sedentary women. Furthermore, higher proportion of linoleic acid (18:2, n-6), n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and total PUFA was found only in female players in comparison to the control group. Conclusion. The observed differences between handball players and sedentary individuals showed that handball training influenced lipid and fatty acid metabolism. Follow-up of these changes could indicate potential need for supplementation or nutritional intervention in young handball players. Uvod/Cilj. Konsenzus o uticaju treniranja na metabolizam masnih kiselina nije postignut, a taj uticaj verovatno zavisi od tipa sporta - aerobno, anaerobno ili mešovito vežbanje. Cilj ove studije bio je da se ispita efekat dugotrajnog, aktivnog treniranja rukometa na telesnu kompoziciju, profil lipida i masnih kiselina fosfolipida plazme kod mlađih kategorija rukometaša oba pola. Metode. U studiju je bilo uključeno 17 devojaka i 15 mladića, starosne dobi od 16 do 20 godina koji treniraju rukomet i takmiče se na nacionalnom i internacionalnom nivou. Kontrolnu grupu činilo je 13 devojaka i 19 mladića starosti od 17 do 21 godine, koji su bili uporedivi sa sportistima po godinama, polu i indeksu telesne mase. Rezultati. Procenat palmitoleinske i alfa-linolenske kiseline (18:3, n-3) bio značajno viši, dok je procenat oleinske i dokozaheksaenske kiseline (22:6, n-3) bio značajno niži u fosfolipidima plazme kod obe grupe sportista u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu. Sa druge strane, niži nivo stearinske kiseline i procenjene aktivnosti elongaze, ali i visok nivo linolne kiseline (18:2, n-6), ukupnih n-6 masnih kiselina, kao i ukupnih polinezasićenih masnih kiselina, utvrđen je kod rukometašica u odnosu na ispitanice iz kontrolne grupe, dok u grupi muškaraca nisu utvrđene takve razlike. Zaključak. Utvrđene razlike između rukometaša i rukometašica, sa jedne strane, i kontrolne grupe, sa druge strane, ukazale su na to da treniranje rukometa utiče na metabolizam lipida i masnih kiselina. Praćenje tih promena moglo bi ukazati na moguću potrebu za suplementacijom kod mladih rukometaša i rukometašica.

Rosehip (Rosa caninaL.) oil (RSO) was recovered from waste rosehip seeds by cold pressing as well as maceration and Soxhlet extraction usingn-hexane. The influence of the extraction temperature, the solvent-to-seed ratio (SSR), and the extraction time on RSO yield was examined for the maceration process. The extraction technique did not influence the fatty acid profile of the RSO. All process factors had a significant effect on the oil yield. The kinetics was described using the model involving instantaneous washing followed by diffusion. The RSO maceration was spontaneous, endothermic, and irreversible.

Our study aimed to examine the status of plasma fatty acids (FAs), inflammatory markers, and lipid peroxidation in patients with femoral neck fractures. The study included 20 patients (64-86 years) with femoral neck fractures indicated for surgery and a control group of 17 elderly subjects without fractures or serious chronic diseases. Plasma was obtained during the first 12 h postfracture and presurgery and 7 days postop. Compared to the control, patients had significantly higher saturated FA (SFA) and monounsaturated FA as well as increased TNF-α and IL-6. Opposite to that, levels of individual and total

Background:: Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruits are widely consumed and used as preventive and therapeutic agents since ancient times. Pomegranate is a rich source of a variety of phytochemicals, which are responsible for its strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential. Objective:: The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of chemical structure and potential health benefits of pomegranate. Method: : A comprehensive search of available literature. Results:: The review of the literature confirms that juice and extracts obtained from different parts of this plant, including fruit peel, seeds, and leaves exert health benefits in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial and anti-tumour effects of pomegranate fruit are of particular scientific and clinical interest. Conclusion:: Further investigations are required to clarify the mechanism of action of the bioactive ingredients and to reveal full potential of pomegranate as both preventive and therapeutic agent.

BACKGROUND Pomegranate juice is a rich source of polyphenols and is thus a promising dietary antioxidant with numerous health-promoting effects. These include a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health that could be partly attributed to the effects of polyphenols on lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of pomegranate juice for 6 weeks could modify lipid peroxidation and phospholipid fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocytes in subjects with metabolic syndrome. Twenty-three women, aged 40–60 years, were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups: the intervention group, in which each participant consumed 300 mL of juice per day for 6 weeks; and a control group. RESULTS A statistically significant decrease in the relative amount of arachidonic acid (P < 0.05) and an increase in the relative amount of saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) were observed in the intervention group at the end of the consumption period. In addition, pomegranate juice significantly increased the relative amount of total mono-unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05), and significantly decreased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in erythrocytes (P < 0.05). The status of blood lipids and the values for blood pressure were not changed during the study. CONCLUSION The results obtained indicate a positive impact of the consumption of pomegranate juice on lipid peroxidation and fatty acid status in subjects with metabolic syndrome and suggest potential anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective effects.

Oleic acid has many beneficial effects on human health. One of the main dietary sources of oleic acid is olive oil. Non-Mediterranean European countries, including Serbia, have low habitual olive oil consumption, but other vegetable oils also contain different amounts of oleic acid. In infants and young children m ilk is the most important source of fatty acids, including oleic acid. Furthermore, fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids reflects dietary intake and fatty acid metabolism. In patients with serious chronic diseases fatty acid status is altered independently on the intake. Here we reviewed status of oleic acid in healthy persons as well as in patients with different chronic diseases in Serbia. Oleinska kiselina ima ima višestrukepozitivne efekte na život i zdravlje ljudi. Jedan od glavnih izvora oleinske kiseline je maslinovo ulje. Evropske zemlje, koje nepripadaju mediteranskoj regiji, među kojima je i Srbija, retko koriste maslinovo ulje u ishrani, ali i druga biljna ulja sadrže oleinsku kiselinu u različitom procentu. Kod odojčadi i dece mlađeg uzrasta, mleko je najvažniji izvor masnih kiselina, uključujući i oleinsku. Dijetetski unos masnih kiselina i njihov metabolizam u telu, odražava masnokiselinski sastav ufosfolipidima plazme. Kod pacijenata sa teškim hroničnim oboljenjima, masnokiselinski sastav je promenjen nezavisno od unosa. U ovom radu je prikazan status oleinske kiseline kod zdravih osoba, kao i kod pacijenata sa različitim hroničnim oboljenjima u Srbiji.

Premature damages and fractures of components and structures of bucket-wheel excavators at open-pit mine often occur in exploitation, caused either by inadequate design or insufficient knowledge of the material properties, welded joints and flaws in component production technology. The bucket-wheel excavator, TAKRAF SRs 2000 × 32/5.0 was employed on the excavation of barren soil for 5.000 h (a few weeks more than a year after the assembly) when the fracture of the tooth of the girth gear, which enables the circular motion of the upper structure of the bucket-wheel excavator, occurred. The gear was, according to the manufacturer’s certificate, made of the cast steel GS 40 MnCrSi3 V. The paper presents calculations of the stress variations cycles’ number for one tooth, as well as of the fracture mechanics parameters – the critical stress intensity factor and critical crack length. It was established that the fracture of the tooth occurred due to an initial crack existing in its base, which originated during the gear’s manufacturing, i.e. due to the so-called "manufacturing-in defect".

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Reactive oxygen species have been considered as aggravating factors for autoimmune diseases. Fatty acids had been linked in reduction of various diseases by augment of their antioxidant potential and antiinflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the oxidative status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who used concentrated fish oil only or concentrated fish oil in combination with evening primrose oil in a period of 3 months. Subjects were divided into three groups. The group I consists of patients who had been taking only their regular rheumatologic therapy; group II, patients who had been taking concentrated fish oil; and group III, patients who had been taking concentrated fish oil and evening primrose oil. Peripheral blood samples were used for all the assays. We assessed the following oxidative stress markers: index of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion radical (O-2 (-)), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), catalase activity (CAT), and glutathione levels (GSH) in erythrocytes. There were no statistically significant changes for any of the oxidative stress parameters in group I. In group II, levels of TBARS, NO2 (-), and GSH were increased, while levels of H2O2 decreased. Increased values of TBARS, NO2 (-), and SOD were found in group III. Our findings indicate that intakes of fish oil and evening primrose oil may be of importance in mitigation of inflammation, disease activity, and oxidative stress biomarkers, through increased activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Considering the limited knowledge regarding the effects of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs on the inflammatory response during physical activity, we aimed to evaluate the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in young soccer players before and after a maximal physical load test at the beginning and end of a two-month training process. The study included 75 young footballers from Football School 'Kragujevac,' who were followed during the two-month training programme. The subjects were divided into the following groups: 1) control group (consumed a standard diet); 2) group that consumed fish oil (2500 mg of n-3 PUFAs per day); 3) group that consumed nutritional sunflower oil (2500 mg of n-6 PUFAs daily). The maximal progressive exercise test was performed using a treadmill belt. Venous blood samples were drawn 4 times for the determination of cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α): before and after the exercise load test before the two-month training programme (initial measurement) and immediately before and after the exercise load test after the two-month training programme (control measurement). Supplementation with fish oil (n-3) has been associated with reduced levels of IL-6 compared with the initial values. After an acute bout of exercise, n-3 PUFAs did not show a significant effect on inflammatory marker dynamics, whereas n-6 PUFAs slightly stimulated the production of TNF-α. S'obzirom na ograničeno znanje o efektima polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (n-3 i n-6 PUFA-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids), cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se procene vrednosti pro- i antiinflamatornih medijatora u miru i nakon maksimalnog testa opterećenja pre i nakon dvomesečnog trenažnog programa. U studiji je učestvovalo 75 mladih fudbalera omladinske fudbalske škole 'Kragujevac', starosti od 18 - 19 godina, koji su bili praćeni tokom dva meseca. Oni su bili podeljeni u tri grupe: 1. kontrolna grupa (standardna ishrana), 2. grupa koja je konzumirala riblje ulje (2500mg n-3 PUFA dnevno), 3. grupa koja je konzumirala suncokretovo ulje (2500mg n-6 PUFA dnevno). Venski uzorci krvi za određivanje nivoa citokina (IL-6, TNF- α) uzimani su 4 puta: u miru i nakon testa opterećenja, pre i posle dvomesečnog trenažnog programa. Svakodnevna suplementacija ribljim uljem povezana je sa smanjenim vrednostima IL-6 u odnosu na njegove početne vrednosti. Upotreba različitih vrsta polinezasiđenih masnih kiselina nije bitnije uticala na proizvodnju citokina, neposredno nakon akutnog nastupa sportske aktivnosti (testa opterećenja).

This study examined the fatty acid (FA) composition of 13 (7 soft and 6 hard) Serbian margarines. Significantly higher amounts of trans fatty acids (TFA) were found in hard margarines (up to 28.84% of total FA), than in soft ones (0.17–6.89%). Saturated FA (SFA) were present with 22.76–51.17%. Oleic acid ranged from 26.78% to 43.78%. The proportion of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) was 22.15–49.29% in soft margarines, but only 8.02–15.28% in hard margarines, probably due to the hydrogenisation process. The atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes (AI and TI, respectively) in soft margarines were relatively low (AI 0.23–0.63 and TI 0.44–0.97), but in hard margarines AI and particularly TI were high (1.03–1.67 and 1.96–3.04, respectively). These findings suggest that FA composition of Serbian margarines should be improved by replacing atherogenic TFA and SFA with beneficial ones, in order to avoid adverse effects on health. Therefore legislative changes and consumer information are urgently needed.

Pomegranate peel contains high levels of various phytochemicals. We evaluated the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) consumption on plasma lipid profile, fatty acids (FA) level and blood pressure (BP) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2). Thirty-seven subjects were recruited in this double blind, placebo controlled randomized trial. The study group (n = 19) received over 8 week’s capsules containing PoPEx twice a daily, while the placebo group received placebo. Treatment with PoPEx induced a significant lowering of both systolic and diastolic BP. The plasma levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C), and HbA1c were significantly decreased, while the level of HDL-C was significantly increased, compared with placebo intake. Moreover, the PoPEX treatment significantly improved the plasma lipids fatty acids content. It is concluded that consumption of PoPEx in DMT2 subject had favourable effects on some metabolic parameters, BP, lipid profile and plasma lipid FA composition.

Limited studies have been performed to associate abnormal phospholipid (PL) profile and disease activity in hematological malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The aim of his study was to evaluate the levels of plasma PL fractions in NHL patients, in response to chemotherapy. Forty non-treated patients with NHL and 25 healthy individuals were recruited. Blood samples from patients were taken before chemotherapy, after 3 cycles and after the end of the treatment, and PL fractions were resolved by one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. To assess potential relationship between plasma PL profile and response to therapy, patients were divided according to clinical outcome in 3 groups: complete remission (CR), stable disease (SD) and progression (PG). Despite significant differences between NHL patients and healthy controls, no differences were found at baseline among patients divided according to clinical outcome. During and after chemotherapy important alterations in PL profile were observed. Levels of total PLs and all PL fractions decreased in patients with PG while in patients who responded to therapy (CR, SD) PLs significantly increased. Results of our study suggest that changes of total PLs and PL fractions during the therapy are associated with the effects of therapy and clinical outcome in patients with NHL. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calf bronchopneumonia is complex multifactorial disease and for its accurate diagnosis and therapy, besides clinical examination, microbiologic, hematologic and biochemical analyses could be necessary. In general, additional analyses are not implemented, mainly because the disease biomarkers are not defined.To establish which analysis might be useful for determining the severity of the disease, we analyzed 23 three-month old calves with mild clinical signs of bronchopneumonia and 15 age-matched healthy calves.Pasteurella multocidawas isolated from deep nasal swabs of diseased calves. Peripheral blood erythrocyte and leukocyte count of bronchopneumonic and healthy calves showed no difference. Serum proteins, lipoproteins and lipids were analyzed with spectrophotometry, agarose gel electrophoresis, non-reducing SDS-PAGE, gel zymography, and thin-layer chromatography. The bronchopneumonic calves had an increased level of circulating immune complexes and α globulins, which contain some of the positive acute phase proteins. In diseased calves the increased concentration of total γ globulins (IgG), due to an increased concentration of anionic γ globulins (predominately IgG1), was detected. The increased concentration of anionic γ globulins followed by increased concentration of transferrin (negative acute phase protein) and HDL cholesterol, decreased concentration of LDL-cholesterol, unchanged activity of matrix metalloproteases and leukocyte counts might reflect the obvious absence of generalized inflammation. A positive correlation was found between the acquired results and the appearance of mild clinical signs. Therefore, we believe that the parameters analyzed in the peripheral blood could be applied as reliable disease markers to distinguish between severe (inflammatory) and mild forms of calf bronchopneumonia and to predict a better outcome for these calves.

Urolithins (UROs) are metabolites derived from ellagic acid (EA) and ellagitannins (ETs) by gut microbiota after consumption of different ETs. The health effects attributed to UROs are numerous and diverse, ranging from antimalarial properties to anticancer activities and regulation of gene expression. The aim of this work was at assessing the effect of URO-A; -B; -C; -D on the oxidative status of colon epithelium using as a model colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2). No significant cytotoxic effects of UROs was noted, with the applied treatments. Supplementation of cell growth medium with a mixture of UROs decreased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species both after short- and long-term exposure. UROs also affected the activity of antioxidative enzymes within the cell, especially catalase.Conclusions: At concentrations reached in the lumen of the gut, UROs can exert beneficial effects on the cells by decreasing oxidative stress thus preventing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species.

The effect of polyphenol-rich chokeberry juice consumption on plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles of 32 active male and female handball players was examined. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted during the preparatory training in a closed campus, where 18 players (8 males, 10 females) consumed 100 mL of chokeberry juice, while 14 players (7 males, 7 females) consumed placebo. Lipid status, glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and percentages of fatty acids were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. Consumption of chokeberry juice induced decreases of C18:1n-9 and C18:3n-3 in men, but no changes in female players. However, placebo-controlled groups had reduced proportions of mono- (C16:1n-7, C18:1n-7) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs: C18:3n-3, C20:5n-3, and C22:4n-6) in males, as well as n-6 PUFAs and total PUFAs in females after consumption. These results indicate that chokeberry juice had a weak impact on attenuating the effect of intensive training in active handball players.

Fatty acids (FAs) are long hydrocarbon chain molecules with a terminal carboxylate group, originating from the organism or food. Their nomenclature, structure, and properties depend on the length of hydrocarbon chain, degree of unsaturation, and position of double bond(s). The process of FA synthesis occurs in the cytosol, whereas the process of β-oxidation of FA takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. Saturated FAs are synthesized by the enzyme system FA synthase, while synthesis of unsaturated FA involves elongase and desaturase activity. The final products of FA β-oxidation are acyl CoA, FADH 2 , and NADH.

Contrast enhancement plays a fundamental role in image processing. Weighted thresholded histogram equalization (HE) is a well-known method for contrast enhancement, frequently used at the preprocessing stage in many image processing systems. Optimization of the weighting constraints is a hard optimization problem, and swarm intelligence metaheuristics have been successfully used for solving such problems. In this chapter we present an application of the bat algorithm (BA) to an image contrast enhancement problem. The proposed method improves performance of the weighted thresholded HE method by using the BA for optimizing weighting constrains. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated via quantitative and visual analysis. Discrete entropy of the image was used as an objective criterion for measuring image contrast enhancement. The experimental results show that, for the variety of test images, the proposed method enhances contrast effectively while preserving brightness and natural appearance.

Contrast enhancement plays a fundamental role in image processing. Histogram equalization is a well-known and effective technique for enhancing the contrast of the input image, however it fails to preserve the brightness of the image. In order to preserve natural appearance and brightness of enhanced images, we propose a new dynamic recursive sub-image histogram equalization method for contrast enhancement. Experimental results show that, for the variety of test images, the proposed method enhances contrast effectively, while preserving brightness and natural appearance.

Lip detection is an important area of research in image processing that has numerous applications. In this paper an improved algorithm for lip detection is proposed. It is based on skin detection using combination of HSV, YCbCr and normalized RGB color models, face detection using largest connected skin region and lip detection after lower part extraction by edge information. Experimental results show that our proposed algorithm, tested on standard benchmark images, exhibits excellent performance and has capacity for improvement.