Lycopene: Food Sources, Biological Activities, and Human Health Benefits.

As an antioxidant, lycopene has acquired importance as it prevents autoxidation of fats and related products. Tomatoes are an important agricultural product that is a great source of lycopene. It contains many vitamins and minerals, fiber, and carbohydrates and is associated with various positive effects on health. The antioxidant potential of tomatoes is substantially explained with lycopene compounds. Diet is a major risk factor for heart diseases which is shown as the most important cause of death in the world. It has been observed that the lycopene taken in the diet has positive effects in many stages of atherosclerosis. The serum lipid levels, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, blood pressure, and antioxidative potential are mainly affected by lycopene. These natural antioxidants, which can also enhance the nutritional value of foods, may lead to new ways if used in food preservation. In this review study, the antioxidant potential and cardiovascular protection mechanism of lycopene are discussed.

Citrus Genus and Its Waste Utilization: A Review on Health-Promoting Activities and Industrial Application.

Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines, and mandarins, whose production is increasing every year with the rise of consumer demand, are among the most popular fruits cultivated throughout the globe. Citrus genus belongs to the Rutaceae family and is known for its beneficial effects on health for centuries. These plant groups contain many beneficial nutrients and bioactive compounds. These compounds have antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiplatelet aggregation, and anti-inflammatory activities. Citrus waste, generated by citrus-processing industries in large amounts every year, has an important economic value due to richness of bioactive compounds. The present review paper has summarized the application and properties of Citrus and its waste in some fields such as food and drinks, traditional medicine practices, and recent advances in modern approaches towards pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations.

Induction of liver fibrosis by CCl4 mediates pathological alterations in the spleen and lymph nodes: The potential therapeutic role of propolis.

In an animal models, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a carcinogenic agent that causes liver fibrosis. The current study aims to investigate whether induction in liver-fibrosis by CCl4 in the mouse model could promote the initiation of fibrosis in lymph node and spleen due to sustained increase of inflammatory signals and also aimed to clarify the protective therapeutic effects of propolis. The male mice (BALB/c) were categorized into three experimental sets and each group involved 15 mice. Control group falls into first group; group-II and group-III were injected with CCl4 to induce liver-fibrosis and oral supplementation with propolis was provided in group-III for 4-weeks. A major improvement with hepatic collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) production was aligned with the activation of liver fibrosis from CCl4. Mice treated with CCl4 exhibited collagen deposition towards liver sections, pathological alterations in spleen and lymph node architectures, and a significantly increase the circulation of both T&B cells in secondary lymphoid organs. Mechanically, the secondary lymphoid organs treated with CCl4 in mice exposed a positive growth in α-SMA and collagen expression, increased in proinflammatory cytokine levels and a significant increase in TGF-ß, NO and ROS levels. A manifest intensification in the expression of Nrf2, COX-2, and eNOS and upregulation of ASK1 and P38 phosphorylation. Interestingly, addition of propolis-treated CCl4 mice, substantially suppressed deposition of liver collagen, repealed inflammatory signals and resorted CCl4-mediated alterations in signaling cascades, thereby repairing the architectures of the secondary lymphoid organs. Our findings revealed benefits of propolis against fibrotic complications and enhancing secondary lymphoid organ architecture.

The Effectiveness of a Smoking Cessation Initiative Among Employees in a Textile Factory.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation initiative for workers who are smokers in a textile factory located in Denizli, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort was conducted by using the occupational health and safety unit records of 821 workers who are smokers. All participants underwent cognitive behavioral therapy, and in case of need, a suitable pharmacological treatment was initiated. The status of smoking cessation was checked at the end of the third month with a carbon monoxide breath monitor. A chi-square test was performed to make comparisons between categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis (backward) was used to evaluate the factors related to the smoking cessation status. RESULTS: The ratio of participants who gave up smoking was 74.3%, and 63% of them used a pharmaceutical aid to quit smoking. Working in the department of finishing and using a pharmaceutical aid to quit smoking were related to increased success in smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of our study emphasize that workplace-based smoking cessation programs may create a huge impact on smoking cessation among workers. Pharmacological aid and cognitive behavioral therapy have been associated with success in quitting smoking.

The investigation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of apitherapeutic agents on heart tissues in nitric oxide synthase inhibited rats via Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure effects heart and vessels. Development of pathogenesis is the result of oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate the antioxidant effects of propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), and pollen on the hearts of rats which chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibited through Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were analyzed on the heart. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided five groups of seven rats in every group; Group I: Control, Group II: L-NAME, Group III: L-NAME+propolis, Group IV: L-NAME+CAPE and Group V: L-NAME+pollen. L-NAME become dissolved in regular saline (0.9% NaCl w/v). The ethanolic extract of propolis (200 mg/kg/days, gavage), pollen (100 mg/kg/days, by gavage), CAPE (50 µM/kg/days, intraperitoneally), and the NOS inhibitor L-NAME (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) had been administered. RESULTS: Blood pressure (BP) of rats treated with propolis, CAP,E and pollen statistically significant decreased. Decreasing in BP of the rats of pollen group was more than CAPE and propolis groups (P < .05). PON1 and TAS levels decreased in L-NAME-treated groups (P < .05), but ranges have been better in propolis, CAPE and pollen groups. TOS, ADMA and NF-κB levels increased (P < .05) in L-NAME group; however, these parameters were lower (P < .05) in propolis and CAPE groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Vasorelaxant properties and free radical scavenging actions of propolis, CAPE, and pollen may reduce the oxidative stress and blood pressure in the rats chronic NOS inhibited through L-NAME.

Absolute Quantification of Plasma Apolipoproteins for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction.

Apolipoproteins have important structural and functional roles in several lipoprotein particles. Apolipoproteins regulate lipid metabolism, adipose tissue, and energy production and serve major regulatory roles in both pre- and pro-atherosclerotic mechanisms. They are also involved in protective mechanisms against atherosclerotic plaques. Therefore, accurate quantification of apolipoproteins may serve as a crucial biomarker for cardiovascular diseases. However, most apolipoproteins cannot be detected using standard clinical immunoassays, and multiplexing is not available for some species of apolipoproteins. Herein, we describe a highly robust and quantitative method using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry to quantify apolipoproteins in plasma. This methodology may add clinical value for profiling cardiovascular risk in vulnerable individuals and enable monitoring of apolipoprotein levels in plasma following intervention strategies.

Determination of the increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation in fibromyalgia syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the leading cause of ischemic stroke and is one of the most common arrhythmias. Previous studies have shown that impaired diastolic functions, P wave dispersion (Pd), and prolonged atrial conduction times (ACT) are associated with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic functions, Pd, and ACT in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients to determine whether there is an increase in the risk of developing AF. METHODS: The study included a total of 140 female patients (70 FMS group, 70 healthy control group). Pd was evaluated using 12 lead electrocardiography (ECG), and diastolic functions and ACT with echocardiography. The ECG and echocardiographic evaluations were performed by different cardiologists blinded to the clinical information of the subjects. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in laboratory and clinical parameters. Patients with FMS had significantly higher echocardiographic parameters of ACT known as left-sided intra-atrial (13.9 ± 5.9 vs. 8.1 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), right-sided intra-atrial (21.9 ± 8.2 vs. 10.4 ± 3.5, p < 0.001) and interatrial [40 (25-64) ms vs. 23 (14-27) ms p < 0.001] electromechanical interval (EMI) compared with the control group. Pd was significantly greater in the FMS group compared with the control group [46 (29-62) ms vs. 32 (25-37) ms, p < 0.001]. In the FMS group, there was no significant relationship of the echocardiographic parameters of ACT, Pmax and Pd with age, E/A ratio and deceleration time (DT); while all these five parameters were significantly correlated with left atrial dimension, isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS). There was a strong correlation between FIQ and VAS and echocardiographic parameters of ACT, Pmax and Pd. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired diastolic functions, an increase in Pd, and prolongation of ACT were observed in FMS. Current disorders are thought to be associated with an increased risk of AF in FMS. The risk of developing AF increases with the severity of FMS and clinical progression.

Determination of the increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation in fibromyalgia syndrome

Abstract Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the leading cause of ischemic stroke and is one of the most common arrhythmias. Previous studies have shown that impaired diastolic functions, P wave dispersion (Pd), and prolonged atrial conduction times (ACT) are associated with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic functions, Pd, and ACT in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients to determine whether there is an increase in the risk of developing AF. Methods: The study included a total of 140 female patients (70 FMS group, 70 healthy control group). Pd was evaluated using 12 lead electrocardiography (ECG), and diastolic functions and ACT with echocardiography. The ECG and echocardiographic evaluations were performed by different cardiologists blinded to the clinical information of the subjects. Results: There was no difference between the two groups in laboratory and clinical parameters. Patients with FMS had significantly higher echocardiographic parameters of ACT known as left-sided intra-atrial (13.9 ± 5.9 vs. 8.1 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), right-sided intra-atrial (21.9 ± 8.2 vs. 10.4 ± 3.5, p < 0.001) and interatrial [40 (25-64) ms vs. 23 (14-27) ms p < 0.001] electromechanical interval (EMI) compared with the control group. Pd was significantly greater in the FMS group compared with the control group [46 (29-62) ms vs. 32 (25-37) ms, p < 0.001]. In the FMS group, there was no significant relationship of the echocardiographic parameters of ACT, Pmax and Pd with age, E/A ratio and deceleration time (DT); while all these five parameters were significantly correlated with left atrial dimension, isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS). There was a strong correlation between FIQ and VAS and echocardiographic parameters of ACT, Pmax and Pd. Conclusions: Impaired diastolic functions, an increase in Pd, and prolongation of ACT were observed in FMS. Current disorders are thought to be associated with an increased risk of AF in FMS. The risk of developing AF increases with the severity of FMS and clinical progression.(AU)

Large area uniform deposition of silver nanoparticles through bio-inspired polydopamine coating on silicon nanowire arrays for practical SERS applications.

Despite the significant progress, the controlled deposition of nanoparticles onto the support materials having 3-D nano-morphologies is still facing challenges due to the limited diffusion of metal ions into the nanostructures and uncontrolled aggregation of nanoparticles. In this study, a simple yet versatile alternative is demonstrated to control the silver nanoparticle (AgNP) density and morphology onto the 3-D silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays based on bio-inspired polydopamine (PDOP) coating and electroless plating approaches for practical Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) applications. In order to control silver deposition and its morphology and to optimize the SERS performance of AgNP decorated SiNW arrays, the effect of some key experimental parameters including SiNW length and morphology, silver reduction time and PDOP thickness are investigated in detail. The optimized samples demonstrate remarkable surface-enhancement ability in Raman signals with high reproducibility (lower than ∼10% spot-to-spot and sample-to-sample). Interestingly, it is found that PDOP coating not only serves as a reducing agent for the deposition of AgNPs on SiNW arrays in a controlled manner, but also contributes to the observed SERS enhancements in terms of improving photon scattering and promoting electron transfer processes due to its organic semiconductor nature.

Comparison of GnRH agonist and antagonist protocols in normoresponder patients who had IVF-ICSI.

PURPOSE: To measure the estradiol (E2) and progesterone levels on day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and to assess follicular development, pregnancy rates and IVF-ICSI outcomes comparing gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and antagonist protocols. METHODS: A total 195 women were included in the study. The patients were treated with agonist or antagonist protocol according to the clinician's and patient's preference. GnRH agonist and antagonists were administered to 77 and 118 patients, respectively. RESULTS: Retrieved oocyte number (RON), metaphase two oocyte number (MON), E2 and progesteron levels on day of hCG, and fertilization rate were significantly higher in agonist group than antagonist group (p < 0.05). Implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) were significantly higher in antagonist group than agonist group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between both groups in relation with total follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). CONCLUSION: GnRH agonist treatment seems to be associated with higher serum E2 and progesterone levels and resulted in lower pregnancy rates than antagonist treatment.