Influence of Unmodified and β-Glycerophosphate Cross-Linked Chitosan on Anti-Candida Activity of Clotrimazole in Semi-Solid Delivery Systems

The combination of an antifungal agent and drug carrier with adjunctive antimicrobial properties represents novel strategy of complex therapy in pharmaceutical technology. The goal of this study was to investigate the unmodified and ion cross-linked chitosan’s influence on anti-Candida activity of clotrimazole used as a model drug in hydrogels. It was particularly crucial to explore whether the chitosans’ structure modification by β-glycerophosphate altered its antifungal properties. Antifungal studies (performed by plate diffusion method according to CLSI reference protocol) revealed that hydrogels obtained with chitosan/β-glycerophosphate displayed lower anti-Candida effect, probably as a result of weakened polycationic properties of chitosan in the presence of ion cross-linker. Designed chitosan hydrogels with clotrimazole were found to be more efficient against tested Candida strains and showed more favorable drug release profile compared to commercially available product. These observations indicate that novel chitosan formulations may be considered as promising semi-solid delivery system of clotrimazole.     

Synthesis of polymer membranes of different porosity and their application for phenol removal from liquid phase

Preparation of polymeric membranes based on polyethersulfone (PES) modified by adding different amounts of a pore-forming agent (PVP) is presented, and potential application of the membranes obtained for removal of phenol from the liquid phase is examined. The addition of various amounts of PVP has been shown to bring about changes in the content of the surface oxygen groups, but has no significant effect on the chemical character of the groups and acidic groups dominate. Filtration by phenol solution leads to significant changes in the total content of surface oxides; however, the acidic groups remain dominant. Membranes characterized by higher porosity exhibited more stable and higher rejection ratio for phenol removal. Although all the membranes were characterized by similar rejection ratios for phenol removal, the cake resistance (Rc) and pore resistance (Rp) values were found to depend significantly on the structure and porosity of the membrane applied for filtration.     

Changes of bioactive components in berry seed oils during supercritical CO2 extraction

The objective of the work was to elucidate the chemical composition of fractions of oil extracts obtained during the supercritical extraction on a semi‐industrial scale from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), chokeberry [Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.)], and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seeds from industrial press cake. The oil extracts differed in terms of their content of bioactive components: carotenoids, tocopherols, chlorophylls, and fatty acids. Raspberry seed oil was the richest source of tocopherols (620.1–2166.7 mg kg^?1) and α‐linolenic acid (above 37%). Chokeberry seed oil had the highest content of linoleic acid (above 70%), and α‐tocopherol (166.0–1104.8 mg kg^?1). Strawberry oil was characterized by the highest content of chlorophylls and α‐linolenic acid (above 30%). It was showed that the oil fraction collected at the beginning of extraction is characterized by a high acid value, which requires purification steps to be used for food purposes.

Practical applications

Strawberry, raspberry, and chokeberry by‐products left over from the production of concentrated juice are a valuable source of oils rich in n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, and carotenoids. The research showed that the fractionation of extracts in the course of supercritical extraction leads to oils with varying amounts of different bioactive compounds, and thus to products with potentially wide applications. Seeds oils have high potential utility as a source of unconventional oil for cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors and biodiesel. Their targeted utilization may be exploited for economic, environmental and health benefits.     

The WWOX/HIF1A Axis Downregulation Alters Glucose Metabolism and Predispose to Metabolic Disorders

Recent reports indicate that the hypoxia-induced factor (HIF1α) and the Warburg effect play an initiating role in glucotoxicity, which underlies disorders in metabolic diseases. WWOX has been identified as a HIF1α regulator. WWOX downregulation leads to an increased expression of HIF1α target genes encoding glucose transporters and glycolysis’ enzymes. It has been proven in the normoglycemic mice cells and in gestational diabetes patients. The aim of the study was to determine WWOX’s role in glucose metabolism regulation in hyperglycemia and hypoxia to confirm its importance in the development of metabolic disorders. For this purpose, the WWOX gene was silenced in human normal fibroblasts, and then cells were cultured under different sugar and oxygen levels. Thereafter, it was investigated how WWOX silencing alters the genes and proteins expression profile of glucose transporters and glycolysis pathway enzymes, and their activity. In normoxia normoglycemia, higher glycolysis genes expression, their activity, and the lactate concentration were observed in WWOX KO fibroblasts in comparison to control cells. In normoxia hyperglycemia, it was observed a decrease of insulin-dependent glucose uptake and a further increase of lactate. It likely intensifies hyperglycemia condition, which deepen the glucose toxic effect. Then, in hypoxia hyperglycemia, WWOX KO caused weaker glucose uptake and elevated lactate production. In conclusion, the WWOX/HIF1A axis downregulation alters glucose metabolism and probably predispose to metabolic disorders.     

Biological Water Treatment by a Hybrid Fluidized-Bed Bioreactor: Theoretical Study

A hybrid fluidized-bed bioreactor for water purification was proposed and analyzed. It is a novel type of bioreactor characterized by hitherto unknown stationary and dynamic features. Steady-state characteristics of this hybrid bioreactor with external liquid circulation are presented. A quantitative analysis of steady-state properties of the bioreactor was performed with the aid of an original mathematical model developed for a double-substrate aerobic microbiological process. A steady-state analysis of aerobic processes characterized by different oxygen demand was performed. The effect of essential parameters was evaluated, including carbonaceous substrate concentration in the feed stream to the apparatus, aeration intensity, total residence time of a liquid in the bioreactor, and height of the bed of fine carrier particles.     

Role of HMOX1 Promoter Genetic Variants in Chemoresistance and Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Whilst the survival rates of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have increased remarkably over the last decades, the therapy resistance and toxicity are still the major causes of treatment failure. It was shown that overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) promotes proliferation and chemoresistance of cancer cells. In humans, the HO-1 gene (HMOX1) expression is modulated by two polymorphisms in the promoter region: (GT)n-length polymorphism and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) A(−413)T, with short GT repeat sequences and 413-A variants linked to an increased HO-1 inducibility. We found that the short alleles are significantly more frequent in ALL patients in comparison to the control group, and that their presence may be associated with a higher risk of treatment failure, reflecting the role of HO-1 in chemoresistance. We also observed that the presence of short alleles may predispose to develop chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. In case of SNP, the 413-T variant co-segregated with short or long alleles, while 413-A almost selectively co-segregated with long alleles, hence it is not possible to determine if SNPs are actually of phenotypic significance. Our results suggest that HO-1 can be a potential target to overcome the treatment failure in ALL patients.     

Hydroxyl Functionalized Methacrylic Terpolymers as Supports for Mn(III) Salen Catalysts and Their Application in Asymmetric Epoxidation

Hydroxyl functionalized gel type resins derived from 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl methacrylates were applied to covalent immobilization of Mn(salen) complexes via glutarate and carbonate linkers. The obtained catalysts were characterized by FTIR and DR UV–Vis methods and elemental analysis. It was found that the activity of polymeric catalysts obtained in this way depended on both the nature of the functional and cross-linking monomers and the degree of the cross-linking of polymer matrices and the way of complex immobilization. The highest activity was observed for the complexes immobilized on the HEMA resins cross-linked with 3%-mol of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate. For instance, in the presence of the catalysts with (S,S)-salen ligand S-epoxystyrene and (1S, 2R)-epoxyindene could be obtained with 46% and 69% ee, respectively. Attempts have also been made to recycle the selected catalyst. However, a rapid fall off in the activity was observed, although the selectivity was similar in which three cycles.     

Perceptions of the health and convenience characteristics of fresh and dried fruits

Dried fruits consumption has not received much research attention, although these foods are associated with potential health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare fresh fruits and dried fruits on measures of health, convenience and consumer feelings.An on-line questionnaire that measured consumers' perceptions of the health benefits and convenience characteristics and their feelings about the consumption of both fresh fruits (apples and plums) and dried fruits (e.g., raisins, dates, and apricots) was completed by 693 respondents (Polish, French, and Dutch).Generally, fresh fruits were perceived to be healthier and less convenient than dried fruits. Consumers also reported more positive feelings about the consumption of fresh fruits compared to dried fruits. The more that the respondents were willing to sacrifice for their health, the more positively they rated the health aspects of both fresh and dried fruits, as well as several perceptions of convenience of both fresh and dried fruits. Health preoccupation was unrelated to most of the convenience perceptions and was associated with lower scores on several perceptions of healthiness. Recommendations for the consumer-oriented development of dried fruits are also provided.