Metabolomics on Apple (Malus domestica) Cuticle-Search for Authenticity Markers.

The profile of secondary metabolites present in the apple cuticular layer is not only characteristic of a particular apple cultivar; it also dynamically reflects various external factors in the growing environment. In this study, the possibility of authenticating apple samples by analyzing their cuticular layer extracts was investigated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) was employed for obtaining metabolomic fingerprints. A total of 274 authentic apple samples from four cultivars harvested in the Czech Republic and Poland between 2020 and 2022 were analyzed. The complex data generated, processed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods, enabled the building of classification models to distinguish apple cultivars as well as their geographical origin. The models showed very good performance in discriminating Czech and Polish samples for three out of four cultivars: "Gala", "Golden Delicious" and "Idared". Moreover, the validity of the models was tested over several harvest seasons. In addition to metabolites of the triterpene biosynthetic pathway, the diagnostic markers were mainly wax esters. "Jonagold", which is known to be susceptible to mutations, was the only cultivar for which an unambiguous classification of geographical origin was not possible.

Assessment of pesticide residues in citrus fruit on the Czech market.

When assessing citrus fruit quality, besides natural health-promoting compounds, attention also has to be paid to residues of chemicals used to protect fruit against various pests. A set of 49 samples of different types of citrus fruits collected at the Czech market were analysed for 460 pesticide residues using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS methods. While no residues were detected in citruses from organic farming, altogether 38 various pesticide residues were detected in conventional production samples. Buprofezin in two grapefruit samples and fenbutatin oxide in one tangerine sample exceeded maximum residue limits (MRLs). Depending on the pesticide group, 10-70% of residues were found in pulp, this means that their processing factors calculated for peeling are in the range of 0.02-0.76. In the case of a beverage prepared from unpeeled lemon slices, the transfer of residues from contaminated fruit into infusion was, depending on the beverage type and processing conditions, in the range of 8-61%.

Risk factors for hospitalization among older persons.

The hospitalization of older patients involves, in addition to treating of acute illness or acute worsening of chronic disease, the risk of a number of age-specific complications. Deliria are one of the most common events at the onset of the hospital stay. As the ethiology of deliria in addition to the underlying disease we have to consider the deteriorated adaptability to environmental change. Another serious complication is the emergence of immobilization syndrome, which can start the irreversible unfavourable outcome. Infection complications with a high tendency to develop sepsis are a frequent primary cause of hospitalization, but also a frequent complication of hospitalization from originally different indications. The onset of the infection complication is usually accompanied by a slower increase of inflammatory parameters, but it does not mean slower progression of the condition. The basic problem is the choice of appropriate antibiotic treatment with regard to the high risk of Clostridium difficile selection in older age. Other risks, such as malnutrition, dehydration, thromboembolic disease are more frequent in hospitalized older patients and it is advisable to start as soon as possible with preventive measures against their occurrence. Key words: dehydration - deliria - immobilization syndrome - instability - malnutrition - respiratory infection - urinary infection.

The effect of selected health, demographic and psychosocial aspects on quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease--a prospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a prevalent atherosclerotic disorder characterized by exertional limb pain, loss of limb, and a high mortality rate. Because of its chronic nature, it often has a negative impact on a patient quality of life (QoL). Aims. To evaluate the effect of selected health, demographic and psychosocial aspects on QoL in respondents with PAOD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study is a prospective and cross-sectional. It was carried out at the 2nd Department of Medicine of Charles University Hospital at the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. Forty two respondents with PAOD (28 male, 14 female) were evaluated. All the respondents had involvement of femoral and popliteal arterial circulation. The number of all respondents in accordance with Fontaine classification was as follows: intermittent claudication: stage IIa - 4, stage IIb (<200 m) - 16, stage IIb (<50 m) - 9, chronic limb ischaemia: stage III - 6, stage IV - 7. The average age of all respondents was 65,4 years old (age range 45-79 years old). The study evaluates the effect of health aspects (stage of PAOD in accordance with Fontaine classification, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, smoking), demographic (age, sex) and psychosocial aspects (level of education, marital status, religion) on QoL in respondents with PAOD. The Czech version of the International Generic European Quality of Life Questionnaire - EQ-5D was used. RESULTS: The statistical evaluation presents statistically a significant dependence of QoL in respondents with PAOD on age (p < 0,01) and the stage of PAOD in accordance with the Fontaine classification (p < 0,01). The effect of other health, demographic and psychosocial aspects was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The results had shown that with an increasing age and with a serious stage of PAOD in accordance with Fontaine classification, the QoL declines. The global QoL in respondents with PAOD is low.