Fluorescence spectroscopy as a novel approach for the assessment of myofibrillar protein oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions.

Assessment of protein glycation markers in infant formulas

Kinetics of color development, pH decreasing, and anti-oxidative activity reduction of Maillard reaction in galactose/glycine model systems.

Infant formulas are milk-based products, which are adapted to the composition of human milk. To ensure microbiological safety and long shelf life, infant formulas usually undergo rigid heat treatment. As a consequence of the special composition and the heat regimen, infant formulas are more prone to thermally induced degradation reactions than regular milk products. Degradation reactions observed during milk processing comprise lactosylation yielding the Amadori product lactulosyllysine, the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and protein-free sugar degradation products, as well as protein or lipid oxidation. Several methods have been developed to estimate the heat impact applied during the manufacturing of infant formulas, including indirect methods such as fluorescence analysis as well as the analysis of defined reaction products. Most studies confirm a higher degree of damage in infant formulas compared to regular milk products. Differences between various types of infant formulas, such as liquid, powdered or hypoallergenic formulas depend on the analyzed markers and brands. A considerable portion of protein degradation products in infant formulas can be avoided when process parameters and the quality of the ingredients are carefully controlled. The nutritional consequences of thermal degradation products in infant formulas are largely unknown.

Glycation products in infant formulas: chemical, analytical and physiological aspects

Dairy products and the Maillard reaction: A promising future for extensive food characterization by integrated proteomics studies

Intermediary and/or advanced Maillard products exhibit prooxidant activity on Trp: In vitro study on α-lactalbumin

The present study was carried out to develop an experimental endodontic irrigant solution based on plant extracts obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. that largely replenish the properties of the usual antiseptics used in dentistry. Background: This study investigated the phytochemical contents of plant extracts obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. and their potential antibacterial activity. Methods: Identification and quantification of biologically active compounds were made by UV field photo spectrometry, adapting the Folin-Ciocalteu test method. Antibacterial activity was tested on pathological bacterial cultures collected from tooth with endodontic infections using a modified Kirby-Bauer diffuse metric method. Results: Polyphenols and flavonoids were present in all plant extracts; the hydroalcoholic extract had the highest amount of polyphenols—17.44 pyrogallol equivalent (Eq Pir)/mL and flavonoids—3.13 quercetin equivalent (Eq Qr)/mL. Plant extracts had antibacterial activity among the tested bacterial species with the following inhibition diameter: White Staphylococcus (16.5 mm), Streptococcus mitis (25 mm), Streptococcus sanguis (27 mm), Enterococcus faecalis (10 mm). Conclusions: All plant extracts contain polyphenols and flavonoids; the antibacterial activity was in direct ratio with the amount of the bioactive compounds.

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Studies Regarding the Antibacterial Effect of Plant Extracts Obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb

The aim of the study was to assess the clinical effects of periodontal healing using a Romanian pharmaceutical compound of marine fish extract (Alflutop®). Adults with periodontal disease were included in the study group. Gingival inflammation, the degree of tooth mobility, and probing depth (PD) were recorded for each patient before and after therapy. Patients were divided into two groups: group I—after scaling and root planing (SRP), patients followed therapy with marine fish extract, Alflutop®, group II—SRP therapy alone. Statistically significant differences between groups in terms of gingival inflammation reduction (p = 0.045) were found. Tooth mobility reduction, as well as PD improvement, were also noticed after the therapy (p = 0.001), but no statistically significant differences among PD reduction rates were found (p = 0.356). Alflutop® has proven a certain therapeutic efficiency in the treatment of periodontitis in terms of reduction in the clinical signs of inflammation and tooth mobility.

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Measurement of the Clinical Effects of a Marine Fish Extract on Periodontal Healing—A Preliminary Clinical Interventional Study

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a category of work-related diseases affecting the dentists. The aim of this work is to investigate among dentists from Constanta the prevalence and characteristics of MSD, their posture during working and the adoption of ergonomic standards. Methods: A sample of 280 dentists working in private practice in Constanta were invited to participate to this study. The response rate was 65% (n=182). The participants filled a 35-items questionnaire including personal data, working position, MSD characteristics and treatment. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: 67% of the dentists reported the presence of MSD and 71% consider that symptoms are related to the dental activity. MSD were located mostly in cervical area and neck (41%), followed by lower back (24%). No statistical correlation was found between presence of MSD and body weight (p=0,7). A sitting position was always used by 27% of subjects, 46% are using both sitting and standing working postures. No statistical significant correlation was found among the presence of MSD pathology and the activity of the dentists during Covid-19 pandemic (p=0,8). Conclusion: A high percentage of dentists reported MSDs. The main location is the spine, the cervical and lower back area. It is concluded postural problems leading to neck and back reported from the dentists in Constanta are comparable to those from other countries. Adoption of correct posture, sport and stretching exercises could prevent or minimize the effect of static dental activity.

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Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists from Constanta, Romania after COVID-19 Pandemic

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are Gram-negative bacteria that belong to the Enterobacterales family and produce enzymes known as carbapenemases, which inhibit carbapenems, cephalosporins and penicillins. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are resistant to carbapenems, cephalosporins and penicillins via mechanisms that may or may not produce carbapenemases. The identification of carbapenems is critical for the initiation of proper antibiotic therapy. The present case-control, retrospective study included 64 patients with CPE strains admitted to an intensive care unit between September, 2017 and October, 2021; of these, 34 patients with CPE succumbed and 30 control patients with CPE strains survived. CPE strains in the deceased patients were caused by Klebsiella spp. in 31 cases (91.2%) and Escherichia coli in 3 cases (8.8%). The univariate analysis revealed that the predictive factors associated with mortality in patients with CPE were admission with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (P=0.001), invasive mechanical ventilation (P=0.001), and treatment with corticosteroids (P=0.006). The multivariate analysis revealed that admission with COVID-19 [odds ratio (OR), 16.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.56-74.14; P≤0.05] and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR, 14.98; 95% CI, 1.35-166.22; P≤0.05) were associated with mortality as independent risk factors. Admission with COVID-19 increased the risk of mortality 16.26-fold and invasive mechanical ventilation increased the risk of mortality by 14.98-fold. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the length of hospital duration in patients who acquired CPE did not influence mortality, whereas infection with COVID-19 increased and invasive mechanical ventilation were associated with an increased risk of mortality.

/pdf/risk-factors-in-non-surviving-patients-with-infection-with-2fj9yby6.pdf

Cristina Puscasu

Papers

Intermediary and/or advanced Maillard products exhibit prooxidant activity on Trp: In vitro study on α-lactalbumin

Studies Regarding the Antibacterial Effect of Plant Extracts Obtained from Epilobium parviflorum Schreb

Measurement of the Clinical Effects of a Marine Fish Extract on Periodontal Healing—A Preliminary Clinical Interventional Study

Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists from Constanta, Romania after COVID-19 Pandemic

Risk factors in non‑surviving patients with infection with carbapenemase‑producing Enterobacterales strains in an intensive care unit