scholarly journals Health Properties and Composition of Honeysuckle Berry Lonicera caerulea L. An Update on Recent Studies

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gołba ◽  
Sokół-Łętowska ◽  
Kucharska
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
European Union ◽  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Lonicera Caerulea ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Hydroxybenzoic Acids ◽  
High Concentrations

Lonicera caerulea L., also known as haskap or honeysuckle berry, is a fruit commonly planted in eastern Europe, Canada and Asia. The fruit was registered as a traditional food from a third country under European Union regulations only on December 2018. It is resistant to cold, pests, various soil acidities and diseases. However, its attractiveness is associated mostly with its health properties. The fruit shows anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity—important factors in improving health. These features result from the diverse content of phytochemicals in honeysuckle berries with high concentrations of phytocompounds, mainly hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, flavanols, flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones and anthocyanins but also iridoids, present in the fruit in exceptional amounts. The content and health properties of the fruit were identified to be dependent on cultivar, genotype and the place of harvesting. Great potential benefits of this nutritious food are its ability to minimize the negative effects of UV radiation, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, and to exert hepato- and cardioprotective activity.

scholarly journals A Novel Microfluidic Device for the Neutrophil Functional Phenotype Analysis: Effects of Glucose and Its Derivatives AGEs

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 944
Author(s):  
Ke Yang ◽  
Xiao Yang ◽  
Chaoru Gao ◽  
Changyi Hua ◽  
Chenggang Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Microfluidic Device ◽  
Normal Serum ◽  
Neutrophil Chemotaxis ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Phenotype Analysis ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Functional Phenotype

Neutrophil dysfunction is closely related to the pathophysiology of patients with diabetes mellitus, but existing immunoassays are difficult to implement in clinical applications, and neutrophil’s chemotaxis as a functional biomarker for diabetes mellitus prognostic remains largely unexplored. Herein, a novel microfluidic device consisted of four independent test units with four cell docking structures was developed to study the neutrophil chemotaxis, which allowed multiple cell migration observations under a single field of view (FOV) and guaranteed more reliable results. In vitro studies, the chemotaxis of healthy neutrophils to N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) gradient (0, 10, 100, and 1000 nM) was concentration-dependent. The distinct promotion or suppression in the chemotaxis of metformin or pravastatin pretreated cells were observed after exposure to 100 nM fMLP gradient, indicating the feasibility and efficiency of this novel microfluidic device for clinically relevant evaluation of neutrophil functional phenotype. Further, the chemotaxis of neutrophils pretreated with 25, 50, or 70 mM of glucose was quantitatively lower than that of the control groups (i.e., 5 mM normal serum level). Neutrophils exposed to highly concentrated advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (0.2, 0.5, or 1.0 μM; 0.13 μM normal serum AGEs level), a product of prolonged hyperglycemia, showed that the higher the AGEs concentration was, the weaker the migration speed became. Specifically, neutrophils exposed to high concentrations of glucose or AGEs also showed a stronger drifting along with the flow, further demonstrating the change of neutrophil chemotaxis. Interestingly, adding the N-benzyl-4-chloro-N-cyclohexylbenzamide (FPS-ZM1) (i.e., high-affinity RAGE inhibitor) into the migration medium with AGEs could hinder the binding between AGEs and AGE receptor (RAGE) located on the neutrophil, thereby keeping the normal chemotaxis of neutrophils than the ones incubated with AGEs alone. These results revealed the negative effects of high concentrations of glucose and AGEs on the neutrophil chemotaxis, suggesting that patients with diabetes should manage serum AGEs and also pay attention to blood glucose indexes. Overall, this novel microfluidic device could significantly characterize the chemotaxis of neutrophils and have the potential to be further improved into a tool for risk stratification of diabetes mellitus.

Recent developments in the assessment of telecom mergers in the European Union

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-40
Author(s):  
Pinar Bagci ◽  
Lucrezio Figurelli ◽  
Pedro L. Marín
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Mobile Network ◽  
Virtual Network ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Network Operator ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Operator Model ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Potential Benefits

This article reviews recent merger decisions in the European Union telecoms sector and finds that the European Commission has adapted its approach since 2014 due to the experience of price increases or unfulfilled commitments with previous mergers. In recent decisions the Commission has indicated that it considers the negative effects of ‘4-to-3’ concentrations to outweigh any potential benefits. Remedies are becoming more structural, with the mobile virtual network operator model regarded as insufficient to remedy competition concerns. Parties must offer remedies which can be implemented with certainty and in a timely way, and upfront measures have been required to ensure entry of a fourth mobile network operator in the market. Efficiencies arguments have largely been rejected for not being merger-specific or unlikely to be passed on to consumers.

scholarly journals Potential of Beetroot and Blackcurrant Compounds to Improve Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
Cameron Haswell ◽  
Ajmol Ali ◽  
Rachel Page ◽  
Roger Hurst ◽  
Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Metabolic Abnormalities ◽  
Dietary Nitrate ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Concentrations

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic abnormalities, which together lead to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as well as reduced quality of life. Dietary nitrate, betalains and anthocyanins may improve risk factors for MetS and reduce the risk of development of CHD and T2DM. Beetroot is a rich source of dietary nitrate, and anthocyanins are present in high concentrations in blackcurrants. This narrative review considers the efficacy of beetroot and blackcurrant compounds as potential agents to improve MetS risk factors, which could lead to decreased risk of CHD and T2DM. Further research is needed to establish the mechanisms through which these outcomes may occur, and chronic supplementation studies in humans may corroborate promising findings from animal models and acute human trials.

EUROPEAN FISCAL RULES AS A LIABILITY IN THE TRANSATLANTIC TRADE CONFLICT: LESSONS FROM NiGEM SIMULATIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 254 ◽  
pp. R54-R66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Dullien ◽  
Sabine Stephan ◽  
Thomas Theobald
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
European Union ◽  
Fiscal Policy ◽  
Fiscal Rules ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Transatlantic Trade ◽  
The Us ◽  
Trump Administration

Under the Trump administration, a transatlantic trade conflict has been escalating step by step. First, it was about tariffs on steel and aluminium, then about retaliation for the French digital tax, which is suspended until the end of the year. Most recently, the US administration threatened the European Union with tariffs on cars and car parts because of Canadian seafood being subject to lower import duties. As simulations with NiGEM show, a further escalation of the transatlantic trade conflict has the potential to slow down economic growth significantly in the countries involved. This is a considerable risk given the fact that the countries have to cope with the enormous negative effects of the pandemic shock. Furthermore, the damage caused by the trade conflict depends on the extent to which the affected countries use fiscal policy to stabilise their economies.

scholarly journals Didymo and Its Polysaccharide Stalks: Beneficial to the Environment or Not?

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79
Author(s):  
Hurmat Ejaz ◽  
Esther Somanader ◽  
Uday Dave ◽  
Hermann Ehrlich ◽  
M. Azizur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Structural Component ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Adhesive Properties ◽  
The Past ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Bodies Of Water ◽  
Agricultural Setting

Didymosphenia geminata diatoms, or Didymo, was first found to be an invasive species that could have negative impacts on the environment due to the aggressive growth of its polysaccharide-based stalks. The stalks’ adhesive properties have prompted park officials to alert the general public to limit further spread and contamination of this algae to other bodies of water. Although the negative effects of Didymo have been studied in the past, recent studies have demonstrated a potential positive side to this alga. One of the potential benefits includes the structural component of the polysaccharide stalks. The origin of the polysaccharides within stalks remains unknown; however, they can be useful in a waste management and agricultural setting. The primary purpose of this study was to describe both the harmful and beneficial nature of Didymo. Important outcomes include findings related to its application in various fields such as medicine and technology. These polysaccharides can be isolated and studied closely to produce efficient solar power cells and batteries. Though they may be harmful while uncontained in nature, they appear to be very useful in the technological and medical advancement of our society.

scholarly journals Determination of Chemical Constituents and Antioxidant Activities of Leaves and Stems from Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Müll. Arg and Jatropha cordata (Ortega) Müll. Arg

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Yeimi Cecilia Vega-Ruiz ◽  
Corina Hayano-Kanashiro ◽  
Nohemí Gámez-Meza ◽  
Luis Angel Medina-Juárez
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Leaf Extracts ◽  
Methanolic Extracts ◽  
Northwestern Region ◽  
High Concentrations

Jatropha species have been shown to be an important source of secondary metabolites with different biological effects. Jatropha cinerea (Ortega) Müll. Arg and Jatropha cordata (Ortega) Müll. Arg are distributed in the Northwestern region of Mexico, are adapted to extreme weather conditions and are widely used (stems, leaves, and sap) in traditional medicine. The aim of the present study was to carry out the phytochemical characterization and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity in methanolic extracts of stems and leaves from J. cinerea and J. cordata. The compounds present in the extracts of both species were characterized by ESI-IT-MS/MS and quantified by HPLC-DAD. The results showed that the stem extracts of both species are rich in phenolic acids, while the leaf extracts are rich in flavonoids. Some of the main compounds found were gallic acid, gentisic acid, 3,4-Dihydroxybenzoic acid, vitexin, isovitexin, and catechol. Both species showed high concentrations of phenols and total flavonoids and antioxidant activity. J. cordata showed the highest antioxidant capacity and the highest concentration of phenolic compounds. Overall, both Jatropha species are a natural source of antioxidant compounds with potential biotechnological uses.

Elevated non-esterified fatty acids impair survival and promote lipid accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bovine endometrial epithelial cells

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1770 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chankeaw ◽  
Y. Z. Guo ◽  
R. Båge ◽  
A. Svensson ◽  
G. Andersson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine Production ◽  
Esterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Proliferation And Apoptosis ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Endometrial Epithelial Cells

Elevated non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are associated with negative effects on bovine theca, granulosa and oviductal cells but the effects of NEFAs on bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs) are not as well documented. The objective of this study was to define the effects of NEFAs on bEECs. Postprimary bEECs were treated with 150, 300 or 500 µM of either palmitic acid (PA), stearic acid (SA) or oleic acid (OA) or a mixture of NEFAs (150 µM of each FA) or 0.5% final concentration of vehicle ethanol (control). Viability and proliferation of bEECs exposed to 150 µM of each NEFA or a mixture of NEFAs were unaffected. Increased lipid accumulation was found in all treated groups (P < 0.01). In cells exposed to 500 µM of each NEFA and 300 µM PA decreased cell viability (P < 0.001), proliferation (P < 0.05) and increased apoptosis (P < 0.05) were observed. Treatment with 500 µM OA, PA and SA had the strongest effects on cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis (P < 0.05). Treatment with PA and OA increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations (P < 0.05), whereas only the highest concentration of PA, OA and SA stimulated IL-8 production (P < 0.05). These results suggest that high concentrations of NEFAs may impair endometrial function with more or less pronounced effects depending on the type of NEFA and time of exposure.

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