Nutritional composition of ultra-processed plant-based foods in the out-of-home environment: a multi-country survey with plant-based burgers.

Ultra-processed plant-based foods, such as plant-based burgers, have gained in popularity. Particularly in the out-of-home (OOH) environment, evidence regarding their nutritional profile and environmental sustainability is still evolving. Plant-based burgers available at selected OOH sites were randomly sampled in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lisbon and London. Plant-based burgers (patty, bread and condiment) (n 41) were lab analysed for their energy, macronutrients, amino acids and minerals content per 100 g and serving and were compared with reference values. For the plant-based burgers, the median values per 100 g were 234 kcal, 20·8 g carbohydrates, 3·5 g dietary fibre and 12·0 g fat, including 0·08 g TFS and 2·2 g SFA. Protein content was 8·9 g/100 g, with low protein quality according to amino acid composition. Median Na content was 389 mg/100 g, equivalent to 1 g salt. Compared with references, the median serving provided 31% of energy intake based on a 2000 kcal per day and contributed to carbohydrates (17-28%), dietary fibre (42%), protein (40%), total fat (48%), SFA (26%) and Na (54%). One serving provided 15-23% of the reference values for Ca, K and Mg, while higher contributions were found for Zn, Mn, P and Fe (30-67%). The ultra-processed plant-based burgers provide protein, dietary fibre and essential minerals and contain relatively high levels of energy, Na and total fats. The amino acid composition indicated low protein quality. The multifaceted nutritional profile of plant-based burgers highlights the need for manufacturers to implement improvements to better support healthy dietary habits, including reducing energy, Na and total fats.

Histological Subtype of Ovarian Cancer as a Determinant of Sensitivity to Formamidine Derivatives of Doxorubicin - in Vitro Comparative Studies with SKOV-3 and ES-2 Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Development of new apoptosis-inducing drugs is a promising trend in anticancer therapy. For this purpose several formamidinoderivatives of doxorubicin were synthesized. The aim of our study was to investigate effects of the five formamidinodoxorubicins in the ES-2 human ovarian clear cell carcinoma line, for comparison with data obtained previously for SKOV-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells, to answer the question of whether and to what extent the histological cell type is a possible determinant of sensitivity to tested anthracyclines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our experimental work the following methods were used: spectrophotometric assays with MTT; fluorimetric assays - double staining with Hoechst 33258 and propidium iodide (PI), measurement of caspase-3, -8, -9 activity, intracellular accumulation of DOX and analogues, estimation of drug uptake, mitochondrial transmembrane potential; flow cytometry - phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization with annexin V-FITC and PI fluorochromes. RESULTS: Effects of the derivatives of doxorubicin were partially linked with the specific type of cancer cell although intracellular accumulation and cellular uptake of DOX and derivatives were similar in both. All of the investigated derivatives were considerably more cytotoxic than DOX. Formamidinodoxorubicins were able to induce caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death in both cell types. CONCLUSIONS: All new formamidine derivatives of DOX were able to induce caspase - dependent apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-3 and ES-2. Obtained results suggested that formamidine derivatives of DOX may be promising candidates for the prospective chemotherapeutic agents for the two different histological subtypes of ovarian cancer.

The combined effect of IDA and glutaraldehyde on the erythrocyte membrane proteins.

A number of investigators have been focusing their attention on the encapsulation of antineoplastic drugs within erythrocytes to diminish their side-effects. Glutaraldehyde is often used as crosslinking agent to link the drugs (including idarubicin, IDA) to the cells. The previous studies indicated that in glutaraldehyde-treated human erythrocytes the elevated level of drugs was observed but also the various changes in the organization of the red cells were noted. In this study, we continue our investigations on the interaction of IDA and glutaraldehyde on the erythrocytes and now we concentrate on the effect of these compounds with the erythrocyte membrane proteins. For this purpose, SDS-gel electrophoresis of the cell proteins was carried out. Additionally, analysis of the disturbances of erythrocytes shape and size, accompanied by the application of flow cytometry and microscopy examination, were undertaken. The fluorimetric method was used to estimate content of IDA in supernatants, after erythrocyte membranes incubation with different glutaraldehyde concentrations. It was observed that glutaraldehyde caused in gradually dependent manner an increase of percent of IDA linked to the cell membrane proteins. After this incorporation, perturbations in the content of the proteins in the cell membrane were observed. The protein aggregates and changes in the level of spectrin, band 3 protein and small mass proteins were noted. The use of flow cytometry and microscopy technique demonstrated also disturbances in the shape and size of erythrocytes. For all tested concentrations of glutaraldehyde, the changes were statistically significant.

The influence of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA) on the adenine energy charge and glutathione content of human erythrocytes.

We have examined the effect of exposure of human erythrocytes to the new chemotherapy drug 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA, cladribine), focusing on the glutathione (GSH and GSSG) content and the adenine energy charge (AEC). Incubation of erythrocytes with 0.1-5 microg/ml 2-CdA induced no significant change in the reduced or total glutathione level or in the AMP and ATP concentrations. The ADP concentration increased slightly and the AEC value is in the range typical of healthy organisms. Incubation of erythrocytes with 2-CdA also caused cell shape changes, converting most of the cells to echinocytes.

Influence of 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (cladribine) on human erythrocytes.

2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CdA, cladribine) is one of the newest chemotherapy drugs which has been around and in use for a few years. Drug in tumour cells causes the inhibition of DNA synthesis and repair processes in replication cells, and the accumulation of DNA strand breaks in nonproliferating cells. The present study was undertaken to characterize the influence of cladribine on the fluidity of the lipid bilayer and protein conformation in human erythrocytes. The effect of cladribine on the erythrocyte membrane structure was examined by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and fluorescence measurements. It was observed that under the studied conditions (c: 0.1-5 microg/ml, t = 1 h, 37 degrees C), cladribine localised mainly in the erythrocyte membrane and affected its organization. The alterations in the fluidity were observed mainly in the deeper regions of the cell membrane. The incorporation of drug into human erythrocytes also caused negligible conformational alterations of membrane cytoskeletal proteins and did not change the internal viscosity of the cells. We can conclude from these data that 2-CdA in vitro is significantly much less toxic to erythrocytes than anthracycline drugs, which are used in treatment of leukemias. However, the higher concentrations of 2-CdA (about 5 microg/ml) can be also toxic to erythrocytes.

Subconjunctival bupivacaine versus topical amethocaine in strabismus surgery.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate and compare the effect of subconjunctival bupivacaine and topical amethocaine on pain relief after strabismus surgery. A total of 40 children scheduled for elective operation were randomly allocated to receive either subconjunctival bupivacaine or topical amethocaine at the end of surgery. Post-operative pain was evaluated using a four-point assessment score. We show that both techniques provide good post-operative pain relief. We advocate that either could be used routinely in strabismus surgery although topical amethocaine is easier to administer.

Subconjunctival bupivacaine in strabismus surgery.

A prospective study was performed to assess the effect of subconjunctival bupivacaine on pain relief following strabismus surgery. A total of 36 children were randomly allocated to receive either subconjunctival infiltration of bupivacaine or normal saline at the conclusion of surgery. Post-operative pain was evaluated using a 4-point assessment score. Subconjunctival bupivacaine provided significantly better post-operative pain relief (P < 0.001). We suggest that it could be used routinely in strabismus surgery, as it improves post-operative comfort thereby facilitating day case surgery.

Partition coefficient of 133Xe between blood and eye tissues.

The relative solubility coefficient of 133Xe and the tissue-blood partition coefficient for the aqueous humour vitreous body, conjunctiva and external eye muscles of the rabbit were determined in vitro at 37 degrees C and at various haematocrit values. The partition coefficient for haematocrit 40 was: for the aqueous humour 0,49 ml/ml, for the vitreous body 0,50 ml/ml, for the conjunctiva 0,81 ml/g and for the external eye muscles 0,77 ml/g. It was found that the solubility of 133Xe in rabbit erythrocytes is about 50 per cent higher than that in human red cells. The consequences of this fact for the precision of blood flow measurements by the method of tissue clearance are discussed.