Camphene as a Protective Agent in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) and the resulting heart failure is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Camphene has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic properties; however, its role in the protection of the heart from ischemia and reperfusion has not been investigated. The cardioprotective role of camphene and the mechanism that mediates its action against I/R injury was evaluated in the present study. A single dose of camphene was administered in adult rats prior to ex vivo I/R induction. Infarct size was measured using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cardiomyocyte injury was assessed by determining the release of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Camphene pretreatment provided significant protection reducing myocardial infarct size and cell death after I/R. The effect was correlated with the reduction in oxidative stress as evidenced by the determination of protein carbonylation, GSH/GSSG ratio, the increase in mitochondrial content as determined by CS activity, and the modulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms (expression of Nrf2 and target genes and activities of CAT, MnSOD, and GR). Furthermore, ferroptosis was decreased, as demonstrated by downregulation of GPx4 expression and reduction in lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that camphene can protect the heart against I/R injury by maintaining redox homeostasis and can hold therapeutic potential for mitigating the detrimental effects of I/R in the heart.

Family support, anger and aggression in health workers during the first wave of the pandemic.

Introduction: Anger is considered as one of the basic human emotions, constituting the affective component of aggression. In the first year of the pandemic, the intense pressure on healthcare workers resulted in the deterioration of their psychosocial problems. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between family support, anger, and aggression. Methods: The present study included physicians and nurses who completed an online survey of Dimensions of Anger Reactions-5 (DAR-5), a Brief Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ) and a Family Support Scale (FSS). Before completing the questionnaires, participants were asked to state their gender, years of work, age, and profession. Results: Fifty-three men and 190 women participated in the study. Almost one-third of the participants had a positive score on the DAR-5 scale. Male participants displayed lower DAR-5 scores compared to women. Female participants displayed lower FSS scores compared to men, but higher scores when compared with earlier measures. Regression showed that 15.2% of the variance in BAQ scores can be explained by DAR-5 scores, with an additional 3.8% explained by FSS scores, while an additional 2.3% is explained by years of working experience. Mediation analysis highlighted the role of family support as a negative mediator in the DAR-5 and BAQ relationship. Conclusion: During the first year of the pandemic, there was an increase in the sense of family support among female health workers. One-third of the participants displayed increased anger scores. Family support acts as a mediator by preventing anger derailing into aggression. In healthcare worker support programs, it seems necessary to entail a specific section on anger management.

MOF-Derived Defective Co3O4 Nanosheets in Carbon Nitride Nanocomposites for CO2 Photoreduction and H2 Production.

In photocatalysis, especially in CO2 reduction and H2 production, the development of multicomponent nanomaterials provides great opportunities to tune many critical parameters toward increased activity. This work reports the development of tunable organic/inorganic heterojunctions comprised of cobalt oxides (Co3O4) of varying morphology and modified carbon nitride (CN), targeting on optimizing their response under UV-visible irradiation. MOF structures were used as precursors for the synthesis of Co3O4. A facile solvothermal approach allowed the development of ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) Co3O4 nanosheets (Co3O4-NS). The optimized CN and Co3O4 structures were coupled forming heterojunctions, and the content of each part was optimized. Activity was significantly improved in the nanocomposites bearing Co3O4-NS compared with the corresponding bulk Co3O4/CN composites. Transient absorption spectroscopy revealed a 100-fold increase in charge carrier lifetime on Co3O4-NS sites in the composite compared with the bare Co3O4-NS. The improved photocatalytic activity in H2 production and CO2 reduction is linked with (a) the larger interface imposed from the matching 2D structure of Co3O4-NS and the planar surface of CN, (b) improvements in charge carrier lifetime, and (c) the enhanced CO2 adsorption. The study highlights the importance of MOF structures used as precursors in forming advanced materials and the stepwise functionalization of the individual parts in nanocomposites for the development of materials with superior activity.

Experimental data of cement grouting in coarse soils with different superplasticisers.

High-range water reducers, such as superplasticisers, can be potentially viable for cement grouting applications. In this study, we investigate the influence of two types of superplasticisers-one based on polycarboxylate ether and another based on naphthalene condensates-on the injectability of thick cement grouts into coarse soil and on the shear strength parameters of the grouted soil. Injectability tests were performed on soil columns with various superplasticiser dosages and grouts prepared with different water-to-cement ratios over a wide range of grouting pressures. The shear strength parameters of the grouted soil were evaluated through undrained unconsolidated triaxial compression tests.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of the major Chios mastic water constituents.

Chios mastic products are well-known for their broad applications in food industry, cosmetics, and healthcare since the antiquity. Given our recent finding that Chios mastic water (CMW) exerts antigenotoxic action, in the present study, we evaluated the genotoxic as well as the antigenotoxic potential of the four major compounds of CMW, namely, verbenone, α-terpineol, linalool, and trans-pinocarveol. The cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay in cultured human lymphocytes and the Drosophila Somatic Mutation And Recombination Test (SMART), also known as the wing spot test, were employed. None of the four major CMW's constituents or their mixtures showed genotoxic or recombinogenic activity in either of the assays used. Co-treatment of each of the constituents with MMC revealed that all except trans-pinocarveol exerted antigenotoxic potential. Moreover, co-administration of verbenone with linalool or α-terpineol presented statistically significant reduction of MMC-induced mutagenicity. In conclusion, the major CMW constituents were shown to be free of genotoxic effects, while some exerted antigenotoxic activity either alone or in combinations, suggesting synergistic phenomena. Our results provide evidence on the key antigenotoxicity effectors of the plant extract CMW.

Dexmedetomidine for the reduction of emergence delirium in children undergoing tonsillectomy with propofol anesthesia: A double-blind, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Postanesthesia emergence delirium is a motor agitation state complicating pediatric anesthesia. We investigated the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in reducing emergence delirium in children undergoing tonsillectomy with and without adenoidectomy using total intravenous anesthesia with propofol. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center, double-blind, randomized study. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of emergence delirium with and without dexmedetomidine. Secondary outcomes were emergence delirium severity, time to extubation, cardiovascular stability, and need for additional postoperative analgesia. Eligible were children 3-14 years of age, ASA I or II, scheduled for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy. Patients were randomized to receive dexmedetomidine 1 mcg kg-1 or a volume matched normal saline solution. Presence of emergence delirium and agitation severity was assessed with the Watcha scale 10, 20, and 30 minutes after arrival in the postanesthesia care unit. RESULTS: Sixty children participated to the study, 31 (51.7%) of them were treated with dexmedetomidine. Their mean age was 6.2 years (SD 5.5). Duration of anesthesia and surgery and blood pressure measurements did not differ between groups. Extubation time was not different between groups. The dexmedetomidine group had a significantly lower frequency of emergence delirium compared with no dexmedetomidine after 20 and 30 minutes in postanesthesia care unit: 16.1% and 12.9% at 20 and 30 minutes in the dexmedetomidine group vs 48.3% and 41.4% in in the no dexmedetomidine group. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg kg-1 reduces the incidence and severity of emergence delirium after tonsillectomy with propofol anesthesia without prolonging the extubation time.

Bioflavonoid profile of citrus juices from Greece.

High-performance liquid chromatography with confirmation by UV-visible photodiode array detector-positive electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry [HPLC-UV-vis-DAD-(+ESI)-MS] with enhanced fragmentation by appropriate adjustment of the cone voltage was used to determine bioflavonoid content of five citrus species (tangerine, sanguine, sour orange, lemon and grapefruit) cultivated in Greece which come from citrus varieties analyzed for the first time. The main groups of bioflavonoids found in the juice of the citrus species according to HPLC retention times, spectral data and literature references were O-glycosylated flavanones and flavones, C-glucosylated flavones, O-glucosylated flavones, O-C-glucosylated flavones like saponarin and a phenolic derivative.

Monitoring of heavy metal levels in roadside dusts of Thessaloniki, Greece in relation to motor vehicle traffic density and flow.

In recent years, the level of heavy metal pollution in urban areas has been of considerable concern. The principal source has been attributed to the motor vehicle and increasing inner city congestion, which has lead to a change and enlargement of transport stop-start zones. These areas of high traffic density are associated with an increased release of heavy metals into the adjacent residential or commercial areas. Seventy-five roadside dust samples were collected throughout the inner city and by-pass motorway areas of Thessaloniki, Northern Greece. Samples were taken from arterial, major and minor roads, as well as the ring road, to compare and contrast the levels of heavy metals, namely Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn and Pb. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) was developed to quantitatively determine concentrations of both total element and geochemical fractionation, within the two dust particulate fraction sizes <75 microm and 75-125 microm. Acid digestion using Aqua Regia (3:1 conc. HCl:HNO(3)) was employed for the total elemental analysis, a method that was validated through the use of certified reference materials (CRM). Fractionation studies involved a three-step sequential extraction method performed on five selected samples (representatives of high, mid and low total elemental concentrations). The resultant solutions were analysed for lead and zinc levels to ascertain fractionation throughout the different geochemical fractions, thus assessing bioavailability.It was found that congestion/stop-start traffic patterns did influence and have led to increased levels of heavy metal deposition along inner city roads compared to levels observed on the new relief ring road. Dust particulate fraction sizes were only found to show statistically significant differences in cadmium and manganese, at the probability P < 0.001 or 99.9% confidence limit. Both Cd and Mn showed higher total levels in the smaller fraction sizes (<75 microm), implying that their major release source is exhaust emissions. There were no significant differences in the other elements, at the P > 0.05 or 95% confidence limit. Road type was seen to have little affect on cadmium and manganese, though lead, copper and zinc were all found to show higher levels on the inner city routes. This can be related back to the wear-and-tear of vehicle components as a result of the stop-start traffic patterns (brake pads etc). Both Pb and Zn have shown to be in chemical forms that are bio available to ecosystems.

Lead concentrations and isotope ratios in street dust in major cities in Greece in relation to the use of lead in petrol.

Until recently, the most important source of environmental lead pollution in cities was thought to come from the combustion of leaded petrol. A simple way to monitor the extent of this phenomenon, used in a number of studies in the past, has been to measure lead levels in street dust. Nowadays, it would be expected that lead concentrations in urban dust would have decreased from earlier values, following the progressive reduction of lead in petrol over the past few years, and this hypothesis has recently been confirmed in Manchester, UK. The object of the present work is to determine levels of lead pollution in cities in Greece on 1997 and, if possible, to discover whether similar reductions in lead concentrations have occurred there also. Surveys have been conducted in Thessaloniki, Athens and Piraeus. Samples of roadside dust were collected from streets (categorised by traffic density), national gardens and school playgrounds, and lead was extracted by digestion with concentrated nitric acid. Lead concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and lead isotope ratios measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results for Thessaloniki showed that mean lead concentrations in all categories of location are similar to present levels in Manchester. Further, lead concentrations in dust in the busiest streets in Thessaloniki have fallen by about 55% since a previous study 17 years ago. In Athens and Piraeus, the lead levels in street dust are much higher and significant differences were observed between the various types of street. In particular, it was observed that lead levels in school playgrounds in these two cities were much higher than in similar locations in Thessaloniki and Manchester, with a possible hazard to children. Isotope ratio measurements showed that Thessaloniki's lead is isotopically distinct from that found in Athens and Piraeus, which presumably reflects differences in sources of supply.

Analysis of antioxidant compounds in sweet orange peel by HPLC-diode array detection-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

HPLC-diode array detection-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to determine qualitatively and quantitatively the flavonoid content of several fractions and residues of extracts of Greek navel sweet orange peel (Citrus sinensis) from the region of southern Greece (Leonidi-Tripoli). The main groups of flavonoids found according to HPLC retention times, spectral data and literature references were polymethoxylated flavones, C-glycosylated flavones, O-glycosylated flavones, O-glycosylated flavanones, flavonols and phenolic acids and their derivatives. The ethyl acetate fraction which has been shown in previous work to possess the best radical scavenging activity among the others was found to contain C-glycosylated flavones, polymethoxylated flavones, O-glycosylated flavones, O-glycosylated flavanones, two phenolic acid derivatives and two unknown compounds, all in low concentrations. The group of C-glycosylated flavones was reported for the first time in the peel of Navel sweet orange. The C-glycosylated flavones found according to their spectral characteristics and literature were 6-C-beta-glucosyldiosmin, 6,8-di-C-glucopyranosylapigenin, 6,8-di-C-beta-glucosyldiosmin and two unknown. The results suggest that the ethyl acetate fraction of navel Citrus sinensis peel consists of significant antioxidant compounds and can be used as a food additive of natural origin or a pharmaceutical supplement using as a source of peel the byproducts of the orange juice industry.