Rapid quantification models for assessing melamine adulteration in sport nutrition supplements via benchtop and portable NIRS instruments.

Sport nutrition supplements (SNS) are vulnerable to adulteration with melamine, artificially augmenting their protein content as determined by conventional assay methodologies. Vibrational spectroscopy techniques are suitable for the detection of adulteration because they allow rapid analysis, require minimal sample preparation, and can perform numerous analyses in a short time. The aim of this study was to develop rapid quantification models for the determination of melamine adulteration in a variety of SNS matrices using NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) in combination with multivariate data processing. Moreover, a comparison of benchtop and portable NIR instruments was carried out. Employing a stepwise approach involving OPLS-DA and PLS analysis, matrix discrimination and prediction ability were investigated. The benchtop instrument effectively discriminated among matrices (R2Y = 0.964, Q2 = 0.933), while the portable device, although showing a slightly altered pattern, maintained favorable discrimination capability (R2Y = 0.966, Q2 = 0.931). The quantitative PLS models for each SNS matrix exhibited comparable statistical indicators for both instruments with reasonable errors for melamine content estimation and prediction (RMSEE: 0.3-2.4 %, RMSEP: 0.98-2.99 %). Higher estimation and prediction errors were observed for protein-containing samples in both acquisition modes, probably due to the tendency of protein agglomeration and adhesion to different surfaces, which affects the homogeneity of the powder. Despite data loss due to the narrower spectral range and lower resolution of the portable instrument, all models were found to be suitable for predicting melamine content in sport nutrition supplements.

The role of alcohol and patterns of alcohol-related deaths in Republic of North Macedonia within the period 2007-2020.

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most important factors in a substantial number of violent deaths. The aim of our study was to investigate alcohol-related deaths in the Republic of North Macedonia in the period from 2007 to 2020, in order to study the influence of elevated blood alcohol levels in violent deaths. Five hundred sixty-four post-mortem blood samples from alcohol-related death cases-natural deaths and violent deaths (suicides, accidents, and homicides)-were analyzed, and the results were evaluated according to sex, age, and cause of death. Among 564 cases, traffic accidents were the leading cause of violent death (54.3% of the cases) followed by suicides (19.9% of the cases). In the examined post-mortem samples, BAC values ranged from 0.15-6.20 g/L. The average age was 45 ± 16 years for the male and 49 ± 19 years for the female group. The biggest proportion of high BAC values was found in the group of accidents specifically road traffic accidents and accidental intoxication as well as in the group of bolus deaths. The analysis of BAC in the cases of violent deaths in the Republic of North Macedonia confirmed that consumption of alcohol is strongly related to violent deaths. The data obtained from this study could raise caution and give aid in a national strategy for the prevention of alcohol-related violent deaths.

Rational development of nanomedicines for molecular targeting in periodontal disease.

Recent advances in understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease and polymicrobial synergy in the dysbiotic oral microbial community endorsed novel therapeutic targets and assured further improvement in periodontal disease treatment. Moreover, understanding of the events at the molecular level inspired the researchers to alleviate the stress from the disease by applying the bottom-up approach and delivering the drugs at the site of action, using nanoscale medicines. This review is focused on promising strategies for rational design of nanopaharmaceuticals for periodontal disease treatment based on novel therapeutic targets and the potential of advanced concepts for inflammation cascade targeting. Due to their size, nanomedicines are capable to interact with the elements of the immune system through cell receptor binding and to subsequently influence specific intracellular signaling pathways activation. They might also interfere with different signaling molecules continuously involved in the disease progression, in order to abolish cell activation and block the production of proinflammatory substances. Different biomacromolecules can be trafficked to the site of action using nanomedicines for gene targeting: i) decoy oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) for suppression of NF-κB transcription activity, ii) DNA therapeutics for modulation of cell inflammatory response and iii) siRNA for cytokine production silencing. However, despite the potential of the nanotechnology for improvement of periodontal disease treatment, the translation of nano-drug delivery systems to clinical therapy is hindered by the lack of standard procedures for proper safety and efficacy profile evaluation.