Biological Availability Research Articles

Purity determination and uncertainty evaluation of L-selenium-methylselenocysteine

In our country, sodium selenite and sodium selenate are still used as nutritional fortifiers of selenium. Both of them are inorganic selenium, the absorption effect of human body is lower, the risk of toxic wind is larger, and it is easy to cause selenium poisoning. L-selenium-methylselenocysteine (L-SeMC) is a good source of organic selenium, which has higher biological activity and availability. At present, L-SeMC solid standard materials have not yet been developed, a high accuracy and low technical requirement method is needed to determine the purity of candidate reference materials (RMs). In this way, the key steps in the development of reference materials can be completed, and provide a source of high quality selenium supplement for people. In this paper, the candidate structures were identified and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Homogeneity, together with stability were also measured by HPLC. The sample can be transported for a short period of one month under normal conditions, which can also be stored for a long time within the temperature range of −20 °C to room temperature for more than one year. The purity of L-SeMC measured by mass balance method and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) was 99.5 % with an expanded uncertainty of 0.4 % (k = 2). However, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was not suitable for the purity determination of L-SeMC samples. This method has a wide range of applications and may provide a reference for the purity determination of other RMs.

Factors influencing the initiation of biologic therapy in children with severe asthma: Results of the pediatric asthma noninvasive diagnostic approaches (PANDA) study.

Despite the availability of biologics for severe pediatric asthma, real-life studies reporting on drivers behind initiating biologics and their alignment with the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) recommendations are lacking. We performed analysis within the pediatric asthma noninvasive diagnostic approaches study, a prospective cohort of 6- to 17-year-old children with severe asthma. Information was collected on demographic factors, symptom control, treatment, comorbidities, and diagnostic tests from medical records and questionnaires. We divided patients into "starters" or "nonstarters" based on the clinical decision to initiate biologics and performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify drivers behind initiating therapy. Additionally, we assessed patient suitability for biologics according to key factors in the GINA recommendations: Type 2 inflammation, frequency of exacerbations, and optimization of treatment adherence. In total, 72 children (mean age 11.5 ± 3.0 years, 65.3% male) were included (13 starters). Initiation of biologics was associated with a higher GINA treatment step (adjusted odds ratio's [aOR] = 5.0, 95%CI 1.33-18.76), steroid toxicity (aOR = 21.1, 95%CI 3.73-119.91), frequency of exacerbations (aOR = 1.6, 95%CI 1.10-2.39), improved therapy adherence (aOR = 1.7, 95%CI 1.10-2.46), Caucasian ethnicity (aOR = 0.20, 95%CI 0.05-0.80), ≥1 allergic sensitization (aOR = 0.06, 95%CI 0.004-0.97), and allergic rhinitis (aOR = 0.13, 95%CI 0.03-0.65). Furthermore, steroid toxicity was identified as an important factor for deviation from the current recommendations on biologic prescription. We identified multiple drivers and inhibitors for initiating biologics, and showed the clinical need for biologics in severe pediatric asthmatics suffering from steroid toxicity. These findings may help refine asthma management guidelines.

Synthesis, characterization and anticancer investigation of some novel 2,5-disubstituted-1,3-thiazol-4-(5H)-ones and 1-substituted-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d] thiazole derivatives

Fused pyrazoles and 2,5-disubstituted thiazolinone derivatives are attractive molecules for drug design development that are widely recognized as significant biological activity exhibition scaffolds. A considerable number of them were utilized as anti-cancer medications. In this current study, hybrid molecules that exhibited kinase inhibitory activity in addition to anti-tumor properties were synthesized. Our plan was to create a series of disubstituted-1,3-thiazolinone on fused pyrazolo[3,4-d]-thiazole derivatives as efficient anti-cancer drugs with low cytotoxicity and significant biological availability properties using 2-hydroxy acetophenone thiosemicarbazene and ethyl chloroacetate to provide 2-[2-(2-hydroxy phenyl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl]-1,3-thiazole-(5H)-one (3) as the essential precursor to heterocyclization processes. Compounds (3–8) were prepared and identified using infrared, 1H, and 13C NMR spectral data. These synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against the two cancer cell lines (MCF-7 breast cancer and HepG2 liver cancer). The preliminary screening of their compounds for their anti-cancer activity revealed that compound (6) possessed the highest anti-cancer activity. It's interesting to note that these substances, when compared to the reference medicines Erlotinib and Lapatinib, respectively, significantly caused apoptosis in the HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines using flow cytometry analysis, suggesting potentially high therapeutic ratios.

Topography‐driven variability in soil greenhouse gas emissions during potato growth season

AbstractTopographical variations strongly influence the spatial variability of soil physicochemical properties by affecting water retention, nutrient distribution and biochemical activity. These topography‐driven differences in soil dynamics can significantly impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Understanding the variation in GHG emissions over the growing season across topographic changes can facilitate the development of targeted precision agriculture strategies to mitigate GHG emissions. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the influence of topographical variations on soil properties and to assess the spatiotemporal variations of CO2 and N2O emissions throughout the various crop‐growing stages (CGS) of the potato growing season. Moreover, the impact of topography on potato yield was also examined. The experiment was conducted at Victoria Potato Farm, Prince Edward Island, Canada. A substantial N2O flux (80 g ha−1 day−1) was emitted after fertilizer application over the early CGS, and the upper positions had the highest cumulative N2O emissions (993 g ha−1), which aligned with the higher observed soil moisture in this zone. This finding highlights the critical importance of managing fertilizer application, as well as implementing mitigation strategies based on the spatial variability of soil properties to reduce emissions following fertilization. During the mid and late CGS, the depressional positions showed the highest cumulative N2O emissions (90 and 70 g ha−1, respectively). The highest cumulative CO2 emission was observed from the upper positions during the early CGS (1580 kg ha−1); however, the highest emissions were observed in the depressional areas during the mid and late CGS (1415 and 605 kg ha−1, respectively). Overall, the total N2O emission from the three zones accounting for both the differences in each zone's GHG fluxes and the length of each CGS indicated 43% emission in the upper areas, 32% and 25% for the depressional and mid‐slope positions, respectively. These values were 32%, 36% and 32% for CO2 in the upper, depressional and mid‐slope positions. This emission pattern aligns with the elevated soil‐activated carbon (AC), biological nitrogen availability (BNA) values and soil respiration rates in upper and depressional areas. In this study, significantly higher yields were also observed in depressional areas.

A review on advancements in emerging processing of whey protein: Enhancing functional and nutritional properties for functional food applications

AbstractWhey protein (WP) isolates are widely used in food products because they improve protein content, functional properties, and health benefits. It has been observed that WP can form conjugates with essential micronutrients, improving their dietary delivery and biological availability. WP and its derived bioactive peptides have potential health benefits in preventing chronic diseases. However, the off‐flavor and bitter peptides of WP are limiting factors that can be used in the food and beverage industries. Emerging innovative processing technologies, such as high hydrostatic pressure, ultrasonication, and extrusion, improve WP gelling ability, gel strength, and storage stability, providing high‐quality and healthy functional products. The integration of technological advancements into WP‐loaded fortified food products (FFPs) has increased the uptake rate of bioactive compounds, resulting in increased bioavailability and bioaccessibility in the human body. Furthermore, WP‐based FFPs treated with advanced thermal and nonthermal processing techniques possess better rheological properties, expansion ratios, and textural properties. Therefore, WP would be a promising and sustainable ingredient for developing stable functional foods. This review explores recent advancements in the processing technologies of WP, emphasizing their role in enhancing its bioavailability and functional properties for different food applications.

Changes at Presentation in Patients With Early Rheumatoid Arthritis: A 24-Year Study of the Early Undifferentiated Polyarthritis (EUPA) Cohort.

To analyze changes in baseline characteristics of patients with very early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 24 years in the Early Undifferentiated Polyarthritis (EUPA) cohort. Consecutive patients with recent-onset polyarthritis fulfilling RA classification criteria recruited in EUPA were assessed at baseline. Three successive periods were defined: (1) prior to the general availability of biologics (1998-2004; 245 patients), (2) prior to the implantation of the 2010 classification criteria (2005-2010; 266 patients), and (3) the most recent decade (2011-2022; 329 patients). At baseline, demographics, BMI, swollen and tender joint counts, proportion fulfilling 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, shared epitope status, patient-reported outcomes except pain, and patient global assessment of disease activity remained stable over the 3 periods. Despite a marked decrease in active smoking (22.2% to 12.1%), prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities and prior cancer increased. Although duration of symptoms increased from a median of 2.9 to 4.1 months, decreases were seen in seropositivity (53.9% to 42.2%) and C-reactive protein beginning in the 2005-2010 period. A large decrease in erosive status (Sharp/van der Heijde erosion score ≥ 5; 18.3% to 9.4%) was only observed after 2011; this decrease occurred mostly in seronegative patients. Use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs prior to inclusion remained low and stable (25.7%), but use of oral corticosteroids increased (18% to 33.4%). Baseline characteristics of patients with RA evolved since 2005 toward less seropositivity and lower blood inflammation but with more comorbidities. Milder erosive damage at baseline became evident only since 2011, mostly in seronegative patients. These changes at baseline, before any intervention, suggest ongoing secular trends that may favorably affect outcomes in patients with early RA.

Eutrophication constrains driving forces of dissolved organic carbon biodegradation in metropolitan lake systems

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) components can be highly variable in aquatic ecosystems, and play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycles. To comprehend potential effects of nutrient enrichment on portion of DOC biodegradability (%BDOC), we conducted an extensive investigation on 26 urban lakes in a major metropolitan area in subtropical China in a small gradient of trophic levels from mesotrophic to light and middle eutrophic. In addition to field measurements on lake ambient conditions and laboratory analysis of DOC characteristics, we conducted a 28-day temperature-controlled incubation experiment, in which %BDOC of lake waters was determined. In the mesotrophic waters, %BDOC ranged from 0.6 to 41.4 % (11.2 ± 8.9 %). The %BDOC levels spanned from 5.2 to 20.2 % (10.7 ± 4.0 %) in the light eutrophic waters, and the %BDOC ranged from 2.7 to 35.0 % (13.7 ± 8.4 %) in the middle eutrophic waters. We found a significant change in DOC chemical composition across the study lakes characterized by shifting of trophic levels. Although the experiment found significant changes in the factors that can influence %BDOC, a significant difference was not observed in %BDOC among the three trophic levels. The %BDOC was primarily influenced by the inherent DOC concentration and aromaticity, with eutrophication leading to the varied driving factors of %BDOC in lake systems. We show that most of the lake water DOC was stable. The findings indicate the intricate interplay between biological metabolism and nutrient availability governing %BDOC dynamics in urban lake ecosystems.

Design of a liposome casein hydrogel as an efficient front-end homeostatic anthocyanin loading system

Proteins have been studied and applied to improve the stability of anthocyanins (ACNs), but the changes in the pH microenvironment during the preparation of steady-state systems are often ignored, and more attention is given to the stability of the system after preparation. In this study, we propose the “anthocyanin front-end homeostasis strategy”, which involves designing a system can protect anthocyanins under acidic conditions so that more anthocyanin prototypes can be loaded inside the protein. Anthocyanins are encapsulated in liposomes (Lip) at pH 3.0 and combined with casein methacrylate (CSMA) to form Anthocyanin-loaded liposomes/CSMA hydrogel (Lip@ACNs/CSMA), with good physical properties and good blood compatibility. The system increased the hydrogen peroxide scavenging capacity by 1.16 mg Vc equiv./mg ACNs and the cellular antioxidant activity by 17.55 μM quercetin/100 mg ACNs, the photo and thermal storage stability increased by 36.50 % and 30.71 %, the digestive rate increased by 17.50 %, and the biological availability increased by 0.0049 mg/mL. This study designed a liposome casein hydrogel as an efficient front-end homeostatic anthocyanin loading system and provided a new approach for improving the stability of anthocyanins.

Amphiphilic Affibody-PROTAC conjugate Self-Assembled nanoagents for targeted cancer therapy

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are an emerging class of promising therapeutic molecules that can target specific disease-related proteins and then degrade them by the cellular ubiquitin–proteasome system. However, the excessive hydrophobicity and potential off-target effects of PROTACs severely limit their applications in clinics. In this work, we constructed a targeting nano-delivery system to improve the biological availability of PROTACs. A hydrophilic affibody ZEGFR:1907 (an affinity protein of epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR) was selected to couple with a hydrophobic drug PROTAC MS28 (a cyclin D1 degrader) through a bio-responsive linker containing disulfide bond to produce an amphiphilic ZEGFR:1907-MS28 conjugate. It was able to self-assemble into a nanoagent (ZEGFR:1907-MS28 ADCN) in PBS for targeted cancer therapy. Benefiting from the extraordinary targeting performance of ZEGFR:1907, ZEGFR:1907-MS28 ADCN can be effectively accumulated in tumor sites through the EGFR-mediated endocytosis. After internalization in vitro, ZEGFR:1907-MS28 ADCN released PROTAC MS28 via the cleavage of disulfide bonds at the high level of glutathione to selectively degrade cyclin D1 and then induced apoptosis of cancer cells. After tail-vein injection in vivo, ZEGFR:1907-MS28 ADCN also exhibited significant tumor selectivity, favorable biological safety, excellent cyclin D1 degradation and good antitumor activity in EGFR-positive epidermal carcinoma tumor models. In summary, this affibody mediated nano-delivery system would provide a versatile platform for the application of PROTACs in targeted cancer therapy.

An unusual case of an isolated, incarcerated appendix epiploica inguinal hernia and laparoscopic mesh herniorrhaphy

Abstract An isolated appendix epiploica (AE) inguinal hernia remains a rare surgical entity despite laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and improved intra peritoneal visualization. The surgical disposition of the AE remains controversial with proponents for both excision and conservative management. The paucity of data, based only on case reports precludes definite guidelines in their management. The presence of infection, organ ischemia, surgeon experience, and biological mesh availability all play a role in the management of this type of hernia. We present a rare case report with a viable incarcerated, AE inguinal hernia and its laparoscopic excision, and hernia repair. This is only the third such case report in the published literature to date.

The Use of High-Dose Intravenous L-Ascorbate in Pain Therapy: Current Evidence from the Literature.

Pain is the most common reason for seeking medical treatment. Despite extensive research efforts and effective analgesics modulating pain, there is still a major therapeutic gap in addressing the root causes of pain. Pain is associated with tissue damage induced by oxidative stress and induction of inflammatory mediators following high consumption of antioxidants. The role of antioxidants in general, and the administration of L-ascorbate in particular, is still controversially discussed and underestimated in the daily clinical practice. The current literature on the therapeutic effect of L-ascorbate, ascorbic acid, and vitamin C on various pain conditions was evaluated against the background of evidence-based medicine. Those articles, obtained from systematic search in PubMed, were critically assessed and rated in terms of evidence level and methodological quality by two independent experts. The primary purpose of this work was to establish specific pain therapy guidance for intravenous L-ascorbate. A PubMed search revealed 14 suitable articles comprising controlled clinical trials and meta-analyses. An additional ten publications could be identified via secondary literature. There is supporting evidence for the efficacy of ascorbate treatment in inflammatory pain conditions, in the complex regional pain syndrome, in post zoster neuralgia, in neuropathic pain, in post-operative pain conditions, and in tumor-related pain. However, the considered studies differ in the type of administration, in dosage, in duration of treatment, as well as in quality of research. Despite all study heterogeneity, it became evident that research of high scientific quality is in support of the efficacy of L-ascorbate in pain treatment. Oxidative stress is present in almost all pain conditions. Because oral administration of most magistral formulas of vitamin C does not provide biological availability, parenteral administration should be preferred and can be supported by an oral dose with high bioavailability on days without intravenous treatment. L-ascorbate should be preferred for parenteral high dosage, rather than ascorbic acid, as it does not release acid valences under physiological conditions. L-ascorbate is an effective, safe, and economically favorable integrative treatment option for various pain conditions, addressing the root cause of tissue damage and inflammatory mediator burst.

Photochemical Oxidation of Substrate Water Analogs and Halides by Photosystem II

AbstractPhotosystem II (PSII) is a multi‐subunit protein‐pigment complex with diverse redox‐active cofactors, which enabled the biological availability of O2 on Earth. The substrate specificity and the underlying redox chemistry of the Mn4CaO5 catalytic center are investigated using alternate substrates such as small molecules (ammonia and methanol) and halides (Cl‐, Br‐, I‐) instead of the natural substrate water. Changes in the kinetic profiles of steady‐state O2 evolution and of dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) photochemical reduction by PSII as well as the detection of modified sites by proteomic analysis implied the possibility of alternate substrate photooxidation. Of particular interest is the role of two chlorides bound close to the putative water channels in the native system. The mutation of D2‐K317 to alanine is believed to impair the binding of a catalytically relevant chloride, eliminating the chloride requirement for water oxidation catalysis. The efficiency of small molecule photooxidation by the OEC is enhanced by the mutated D2‐K317A PSII complex without the competition from chloride. These results provide insight into the role of bound chloride in native PSII as a filter for enhancing the selectivity of water oxidation. The design principles for PSII may be extended to new strategies for developing highly selective catalysts.

Organic Trace Elements Improve the Eggshell Quality via Eggshell Formation Regulation during the Late Phase of the Laying Cycle.

The quality of eggshells is critical to the egg production industry. The addition of trace elements has been shown to be involved in eggshell formation. Organic trace elements have been found to have higher biological availability than inorganic trace elements. However, the effects of organic trace elements additive doses on eggshell quality during the laying period of commercial laying hens required further investigation. This experiment aims to explore the potential mechanisms of different doses of organic trace elements replacing inorganic elements to remodel the eggshell quality of egg-laying hens during the laying period. A total of 360 healthy hens (Lohmann Pink, 45-week-old) were randomly divided into four treatments, with six replications per treatment and 15 birds per replication. The dietary treatments included a basal diet supplemented with inorganic iron, copper, zinc and manganese at commercial levels (CON), a basal diet supplemented with organic iron, copper, zinc and manganese at 20% commercial levels (LOT), a basal diet supplemented with organic iron, copper, zinc and manganese at 30% commercial levels (MOT), and a basal diet supplemented with organic iron, copper, zinc and manganese at 40% commercial levels (HOT). The trial lasted for 8 weeks. The results of the experiment showed that the replacement of organic trace elements did not significantly affect the production performance of laying hens (p > 0.05). Compared with inorganic trace elements, the MOT and HOT groups improved the structure of the eggshells, enhanced the hardness and thickness of the eggshells, increased the Haugh unit of the eggs, reduced the proportion of the mammillary layer in the eggshell, and increased the proportion of the palisade layer (p < 0.05). In addition, the MOT and HOT groups also increased the enzyme activity related to carbonate transport in the blood, the expression of uterine shell gland-related genes (CA2, OC116, and OCX32), and the calcium and phosphorus content in the eggshells (p < 0.05). We also found that the MOT group effectively reduced element discharge in the feces and enhanced the transportation of iron (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 30-40% organic micronutrients were able to improve eggshell quality in aged laying hens by modulating the activity of serum carbonate transport-related enzymes and the expression of eggshell deposition-related genes.

Continuous Intercropping Increases the Depletion of Soil Available and Non-Labile Phosphorus

Background and aims: This research aimed to evaluate the effects of consecutive intercropping on soil phosphorus (P) partitioning, concentrations, and sensitivity to P fertilizer application, elucidating its impact on soil P bioavailability. Methods: A field experiment investigated soil P fractions and content under continuous wheat and faba bean intercropping. Three P levels (0, 45, and 90 kg P2O5 ha−1 denoted as P0, P1, and P2, respectively) and three planting patterns (monocropped wheat (MW), monocropped faba bean (MF), and wheat and faba bean intercropping (W//F)) were established since 2014. Aboveground P uptake by wheat and faba bean was determined. The soil P fractions and content were analyzed after six-, seven-, and eight-year continuous field experiments. Results: Wheat and faba bean intercropping increased wheat aboveground P uptake by 28.3–42.7% compared to MW under P1 and P2 levels and presented a P uptake advantage (LERPuptake &gt; 1), although W//F had no impact on faba bean P uptake. Consequently, continuous intercropping for 8 years decreased soil available P reserves by 9.0–23.4% in comparison to the weighted average value of MW and MF (It). Faba bean consumed greater non-labile and labile P than wheat with low P input. W//F had nearly no impact on the labile P pool but reduced the non-labile P pool by 5.0–12.1% under all P levels and lowered the moderately labile P pool by 1.7–4.7% at P0 and P1 levels compared to It with consecutive intercropping for 8 years. Consecutive intercropping of wheat and faba bean primarily decreased the proportion of Resin-P in the labile P pool and the proportion of Residual-P in the non-labile P pool. According to the structural equation model, crop P uptake mainly originated from soil available P, which was directly affected by non-labile P (Residual-P and Conc. HCl-P). In addition, intercropping changed the contribution of each P faction to crop P uptake compared to MW and MF, and P uptake in intercropping primarily depended on Conc. HCl- P and Dil. HCl-P. Therefore, consecutive intercropping decreased soil non-labile P and drove soil available P depletion, and intercropping’s increase of P uptake was related to the non-labile P mobilized to moderately labile and labile P. Conclusions: Continuous wheat and faba bean intercropping reduced non-labile P and led to soil available P depletion under low P input. This practice stimulated non-labile P mobilization, enhancing soil P fraction effectiveness and facilitating P uptake in intercropping. Continuous intercropping of wheat and faba bean is as an effective method to maximize the biological availability of soil P and reduce P application rates.

Self-sacrificing template synthesis of ultralight porous hydroxyapatite microtube-based ceramics for hemoglobin adsorption

Strong and porous hydroxyapatite ceramics are highly desired for biomedical materials. However, 1D hydroxyapatite crystals with enhanced bioactivity, densification, and sinterability are limited in practical application for self-agglomeration and unfavorable 3D morphology. Herein, a sacrificed template approach is developed to prepare ultralight porous hydroxyapatite microtube-based ceramics (HMTC). First, hydroxyapatite microtubes (HMTs) are self-assembled proceeding from nanowires to microtubes through a solvothermal reaction. Then, HMTs are shaped into 3D columns by using chitosan aerogel as a template and sintered at 1300 °C to obtain ultralight porous ceramics. The chitosan template considerably contributes to constructing the macro-meso-microporous architecture of HMTC, thereby benefiting the loading capacity, biomolecule migration, cell proliferation, and other biomedical applications. HMTC exhibits ultralight weight but excellent compressive resistance to bear objects weighing hundreds of times more. HMTC exhibits a high adsorption capacity (311 mg g−1) towards bovine hemoglobin (BHb) at the pH near pI by the driving force of ionic interaction and hydrophobic interaction. The adsorption kinetics and fixed-bed adsorption confirm that the physisorption process is controlled by the intraparticle diffusion of BHb. The excellent protein adsorption performance and good recyclability demonstrate the biological availability of HMTC.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle enhanced microwave pretreatment for anaerobic digestion of meat industry sludge

Our study investigates the effects of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles combined microwave pretreatment on the anaerobic digestibility and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) of meat industry sludge. One of our main objectives was to see whether the different microwave-based pretreatment procedures can enhance biogas production by improving the biological availability of organic compounds. Results demonstrated that combining microwave irradiation with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles considerably increased SCOD (enhancement ratio was above 1.5), the rate of specific biogas production, and the total cumulative specific biogas volume (more than a threefold increment), while having no negative effect on the biomethane content. Furthermore, the assessment of the sludge samples’ dielectric properties (dielectric constant and loss factor measured at the frequency of 500 MHz) showed a strong correlation with SCOD changes (r = 0.9942, R2 = 0.99), offering a novel method to evaluate pretreatment efficiency.

Effect of cuprum proteinate on blood parameters in broiler chickens

The data obtained during the scientific and economic experiment show that the replacement of copper sulfate with copper proteinate in broiler chickens, even in smaller doses, did not significantly affect hematological and biochemical blood parameters. Some increase in the total level of albumins and globulins, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, and the content of calcium, phosphorus and copper in blood serum was noted. Introduction of cuprum proteinate to compound feed to broiler chickens of the third experimental group in doses of 13.9; 12.6 and 9.0 g/t (on average for 42 days – 12.5 g/t) contributed to a probable increase in total protein by 14.2 % (Р &lt; 0.05) on the 30th day of the experiment and by 12.3 % (Р &lt; 0.05) on the 42nd day of the experiment compared to the control group. At the same time, the level of albumins increased by 11.9 % (Р &lt; 0.05) and 15.8 % (Р &lt; 0.05), and globulins by 12.0 % (Р &lt; 0.05) and 10.7 %, respectively. This fact shows that reducing the dose of cuprum proteinate has a positive effect on protein synthesis, activation of albumin and globulin synthesis occurs, which reduces the load on the immune system of broiler chickens and has a positive effect on protein metabolism. On the 42nd day of the experiment, the calcium content in the blood of all groups increased, but in the experimental groups it was higher than the control indicator in the second group by 4.8 % and by 5.6 % in the third experimental group. Regarding the level of Phosphorus in the blood serum of experimental groups of broiler chickens, its amount increased to 1.85–1.96 mmol/l on the 42nd day. The content of cuprum in the blood of broiler chickens, which were fed cuprum proteinate as part of compound feed, was probably higher than the indicator of the control group. Chickens of the second experimental group, which were fed cuprum proteinate in quantities of 18.2; 16.8 and 12.0 g/t of compound feed exceeded their counterparts by 14.0–16.3 % (Р &lt; 0.05). Broiler chickens of the third experimental group, which were added to compound feed with cuprum proteinate in doses of 13.9, 12.6 and 30 g/t, prevailed on day 30 of the experiment by 18.8 % (Р &lt; 0.01), and on day 42 day by 18.9 % (Р &lt; 0.01). A higher level of Calcium and Phosphorus in the blood serum of experimental broiler chickens indicates an increase in the resistance of the bird to infections and better mineralization of bone tissue. Feeding of cuprum proteinate to broiler chickens makes it possible to reduce the dose of the trace element in compound feed, which reduces the burden on the bird's body and increases the biological availability of mineral compounds.

Alternative treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: pre-clinical and clinical basis for using plant-based drugs.

The most common cause of infertility and metabolic problems among women of reproductive age is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a multifaceted disorder. It is an endocrine disorder that occurs in approximately one in seven women. Among these PCOS patients, two thirds will not ovulate on a regular basis and seek treatment for ovulation induction. The symptoms vary in their severity, namely ovulation disorders, excessive androgen levels, or polycystic ovarian morphology. All these symptoms require a therapeutic approach. Many drugs are used to eradicate PCOS symptoms, like metformin, clomiphene citrate, spironolactone, and pioglitazone. Long-term treatment is required to achieve the desired outcome, which is often accompanied by significant adverse reactions. Some herbs and phytochemicals are equally effective for treating PCOS and produce minimal side effects. Recently, herbal products are gaining popularity due to their wide biological activities, safety, availability, and efficacy. The present review covers aetiology, current treatment, pathophysiology, and detailed pre-clinical and clinical studies on plants and phytochemicals that are proven to be useful for the treatment of symptoms associated with PCOS.

A brief review on the nanomaterials-based detection of CKD biomarkers

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) imposes a significant worldwide medical burden, exacerbated by the often limited efficacy of current treatments. The future prevention and management of CKD critically rely on early detection and effective intervention. Nanomaterials (NMs), such as fluorescence carbon dots (CDs), quantum dots (QDs), and metal-based NMs, emerge as unique and highly sensitive probe materials expected to play a substantial role in the precise identification of CKD biomarkers. NMs’ design makes it possible to manage properties including size, shape, charge, and targeting ligands, which enhances the biological compatibility and availability of medicines. Consequently, the rise of NMs in medicine has brought about fresh approaches to CKD diagnosis. This review explores the utility of the NMs for the rapid identification of CKD biomarkers.

Thymoquinone Nanoparticles (TQ-NPs) in Kidney Toxicity Induced by Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC): An In Vivo Study.

Cisplatin (Cis) is potent chemotherapy used to treating already many different types of cancer; however, it is found to correlate with nephrotoxicity and other adverse health consequences. Thymoquinone (TQ) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule that may defend against the consequences of different chemotherapies. Thymoquinone uses, although, are negatively impacted by its weak solubility and inadequate biological availability. This investigation examined the efficacy of a new nanoparticle (NP) absorbing TQ in an Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) mice model to address its low solubility, enhance its bioavailability, and protect against Cis-induced nephrotoxicity. Following 4 treatment groups were included in this research: (1) control, (2) EAC, (3) EAC + Cis + Thymoquinone nanoparticle (TQ-NP) treated, and (4) EAC + Cis-treated. The study revealed that TQ-NP was efficacious in avoiding Cis-induced kidney problems in EAC mice, as well as restoring kidney function and pathology. Thymoquinone nanoparticle considerably reduced Cis-induced oxidative damage in renal tissue by augmenting antioxidant levels. According to tumor weight and histological investigation results, TQ-NP did not impair Cis's anticancer efficacy. Thymoquinone nanoparticle might be used as a potential drug along with Cis anticancer therapy to reduce nephrotoxicity and other side effects while maintaining Cis anticancer properties.