Search Results (1,206)

Background/Objectives: Thalassemias, a hereditary condition commonly linked to chronic anemia, require regular blood transfusions and repeated blood draws for assessments of hemoglobin (Hb) content, which can be uncomfortable. A promising substitute for laboratory hemoglobin testing is non-invasive spectrophotometric hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring; however, its applicability particularly among blood transfusion-dependent thalassaemic patients needs to be investigated. This study’s primary goal was to investigate the relationships and agreements between SpHb, g/dL, and an automated hematology analyzer (Hb, g/dL) in this particular patient population. The secondary goal was to track how blood transfusions affect SpHb, g/dL, laboratory Hb, and pleth variability index (PVI, %). Methods: In this study, sixty patients were included. A Masimo Radical-7 pulse CO-oximeter was used to measure the SpHb, and a Sysmex XN-1000 hematological analyzer measured the laboratory Hb. Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between SpHb and laboratory Hb (n = 108, r = 0.587, p < 0.001) but also demonstrated that SpHb consistently overestimated laboratory Hb levels, with a mean bias of −1.18 g/dL (95% CI: −1.4344 to −0.9267). The Bland–Altman analysis showed a good degree of reliability between this bias (SpHb–Hb) and laboratory Hb (g/dL), with an Intra Class Correlation (ICC) of 0.613 but with a wide 95% CI ranging from 0.557 to 0.736 (t = 3.817, p < 0.001). The 95% limits of agreement ranged from −3.7893 to +1.4228 g/dL. Conclusions: This significant bias restricted the application of SpHb as a trustworthy method for assessing hemoglobin levels in patients with blood transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Nonetheless, the capability to monitor SpHb and PVI variations during blood transfusions offered a real-time assessment of the impact of transfusions on patients’ hemoglobin levels and volume status. Full article

This paper presents a dataset for a comparative analysis of direct (spectrophotometric) and indirect (multispectral imagery-based) methods for quantifying crop leaf chlorophyll content. The dataset originates from a study conducted in the Department of Cauca, Colombia, a region characterized by diverse agricultural production. Data collection focused on seven economically important crops, namely coffee (Coffea arabica), Hass avocado (Persea americana), potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum), corn (Zea mays) and banana (Musa paradisiaca). Sampling was conducted across various locations and phenological stages (healthy, wilted, senescent), with each leaf subdivided into six sections (A–F) to facilitate the analysis of intra-leaf chlorophyll distribution. Direct measurements of leaf chlorophyll content were obtained by laboratory spectrophotometry following the method of Jeffrey and Humphrey, allowing for the determination of chlorophyll A and B content. Simultaneously, indirect estimates of leaf chlorophyll content were obtained from multispectral images captured at the leaf level using a MicaSense Red-Edge camera under controlled illumination. A set of 32 vegetation indices was then calculated from these multispectral images using MATLAB. Both direct and indirect methods were applied to the same leaf samples to allow for direct comparison. The dataset, provided as an Excel (.xlsx) file, comprises raw data covering laboratory-measured chlorophyll A and B content and calculated values for the 32 vegetation indices. Each row of the tabular dataset represents an individual leaf sample, identified by plant species, leaf identifier, and phenological stage. The resulting dataset, containing 16,660 records, is structured to support research evaluating the direct relationship between spectrophotometric measurements and multispectral image-based vegetation indices for estimating leaf chlorophyll content. Spearman’s correlation coefficient reveals significant positive relationships between leaf chlorophyll content and several vegetation indices, highlighting its potential for a nondestructive assessment of this pigment. Therefore, this dataset offers significant potential for researchers in remote sensing, precision agriculture, and plant physiology to assess the accuracy and reliability of various vegetation indices in diverse crops and conditions, develop and refine chlorophyll estimation models, and execute meta-analyses or comparative studies on leaf chlorophyll quantification methodologies. Full article

Cannabis sativa L. is an aromatic medicinal plant with various biologically active classes of compounds such as cannabinoids, polyphenols, and terpenes. Unlike the widely investigated inflorescence and leaf, the stembark of C. sativa has been overlooked regarding its medicinal potential. This study, therefore, was aimed at determining the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the fresh and dried stembark of two C. sativa cultivars, Lifter and Cherrywine, grown in Komga, South Africa, with a view to ascertaining the more promising cultivar. The chemical profiles of the hydro-distilled EOs were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while an in vitro antioxidant activity assessment of the EOs was performed using DPPH and H₂O₂ spectrophotometric methods. The identified constituents from the EOs were molecularly docked against NOX2, a protein implicated in oxidative stress. The afforded EOs were colorless with a mild skunk-like odor. A total of thirty-two constituents were identified in both fresh and dry oils from the Lifter cultivar while the Cherrywine cultivar contained a total of forty-two constituents. The EOs of both cultivars contained twenty compounds, notably Cannabidiol (0.25–85.03%), Caryophyllene oxide (1.27–19.58%), Caryophyllene (0.64–16.61%), Humulene (0.37–8.15%), Octacosane (3.37–6.55%), Humulene-1,2-epoxide (0.45–5.78%), Nerolidol (0.32–4.99%), Palmitic acid (1.45–4.45%), Tetracosane (1.75–2.91%), Dronabinol (0.86–2.86%), Cannabinol (0.54–1.64%), 7-epi-γ-eudesmol (0.53–1.00%), Guaiol (0.37–0.66%), Linoleic acid (0.22–0.60%), γ-Selinene (0.15–0.48%), β-Eudesmol (0.34–0.50%), and Linalool (0.24–0.30%). The dried Lifter stembark oil (DLSO) gave the best antioxidant activity among the four investigated cannabis oils, exhibiting the lowest IC₅₀ values of 21.68 ± 1.71 and 26.20 ± 1.34 µg/mL against DPPH and H₂O₂ radicals, respectively. The notable antioxidant activity of the DLSO may be attributed to the higher number (30) of constituents compared to the fresh Lifter stembark oil (LSO) with 11 constituents. Additionally, the DLSO showed a unique chemical profile comprising monoterpenes, oxygenated and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. Further in silico studies on the putative constituents in the Lifter cultivar revealed Cannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Linalool as the promising constituents based on their higher binding energy scores of −9.7, −8.5, and −6.5 kcal/mol, respectively, compared to L-Ascorbic acid (−5.7 kcal/mol). It can be inferred from this study that the EOs from the stembark of C. sativa contain promising compounds, such as Cannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Linalool, which might be responsible for the displayed antioxidant activity of the oils. Thus, the study findings underscore the biological importance of C. sativa stembark in the management of oxidative stress-related conditions. Full article

Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) play a key role in the marine carbon cycle, facilitating the aggregation and exportation of organic matter. TEP production is particularly relevant during Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), where dinoflagellates like Lingulaulax polyedra can release significant amounts of exudates. Temperature is a crucial environmental factor that influences HAB dynamics and physiological processes of bloom-forming species, affecting exudate composition and abundance. This study investigates the influence of temperature and nutrient availability on the production of organic exudates in L. polyedra cultures. TEP, Particulate Organic Carbon (POC), and Particulate Organic Nitrogen (PON) concentrations were analyzed under controlled laboratory conditions. Batch cultures were maintained at temperatures of 17, 20, and 25 °C, with two nutrient regimes (low and high nitrate and phosphate concentrations). Exudates were quantified using colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. We found that temperature and nutrient availability significantly influence exudate production. The highest TEP concentration was recorded at 25 °C in cells cultivated under low-nutrient conditions, whereas POC exhibited a notable increase at 20 °C. ANOVA revealed that TEP and POC were the primary drivers of variability among treatments. These findings reveal that temperature is important in the regulation of L. polyedra exudate production. The role of this variable on organic matter cycling and bloom dynamics in marine ecosystems is discussed. Full article

Storage of Blood units determines the accumulation of harmful substances, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and free hemoglobin (fHb). These may lead to several complications, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and metabolic disorders in recipients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of MDA and fHb in canine leukoreduced (LR) and non-leukoreduced (NLR) packed red blood cells (pRBC) during the storage period of six weeks. Blood samples were collected from six healthy adult Weimaraner dogs (three females and three males). Whole blood was stored in citrate-phosphate-dextrose saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol additive solution (CPD-SAGM) bags and, for each donor, two pRBC units (one NLR and one LR) were produced and stored at 4 °C for 42 days. Samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) using a canine-specific ELISA method, and for free hemoglobin (fHb) using the Harboe direct spectrophotometric method. The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in MDA accumulation in LR-pRBC compared to NLR-pRBC blood units and lower values of fHb in LR at T6. However, no significant difference in fHb levels were demonstrated. These findings suggest that leukoreduction may limit oxidative stress during blood storage, reducing the potential adverse effects of transfusions related to oxidative damage. Full article

In this study, changes in total phenolic content, total flavonoids, tannin content and phenolic constituents, and mineral content of the leaves of five olive varieties (Ayvalık, Gemlik, Sarıulak, Çöpaşı and Delice) collected in Mersin province in Turkey were investigated. Tannin contents of olive leaves extracts were determined to be between 1.73 (Sarıulak) and 5.33% (Çöpaşı). Total phenolic and flavonoid amounts in olive leaves were assayed to be between 2122.02 (Sarıulak) and 2338.69 mgGAE/100 g (Çöpaşı), and between 9010.71 (Sarıulak) and 18,910.71 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g (Çöpaşı), respectively. Also, the antioxidant activities of methanol extracts of the olive leaves were discovered to be between 0.85 mmolTE/kg (Gemlik) and 21.04 mmolTE/kg (Sarıulak). The phenolic components of the olive leaves studied showed differences depending on the variety of olive. Catechin, rutin, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were the most abundant phenolics in leaf extracts. Also, “Delice” olive leaves in the wild form generally had more caffeic acid, syringic acid and rutin, compared to the other olive varieties studied. While the olive leaves were determined to be high in macroelements, the microelement contents detected in olive leaves were low. In general, there was a linear connection between the total phenols and antioxidant activities of leaf samples. This connection was also exhibited between the total flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of olive leaves (except for Sarıulak). Full article

Cyanide, a highly toxic compound, may exist in trace amounts in distilled Chinese liquor, a traditional spirit consumed by over a billion people. To enhance the efficiency and reliability of cyanide detection, we propose a rapid, fully automated method integrating steam distillation with a continuous flow analyzer. This system combines sample pretreatment, fast distillation, and colorimetric detection using the isonicotinic-barbituric acid chromogenic system based on Lambert–Beer law (measuring at 600 nm). The standard curve exhibits an excellent linear relationship and a correlation coefficient r = 0.99959. The detection limit (0.2519 µg/L) was derived from 11 replicate blank measurements. When applied to three types of Chinese liquor, the method yields spike recovery rates ranging from 91.530% to 98.485%, and precision values between 1.177% and 1.525%. A paired t-test confirms no significant difference between this method and the national standard spectrophotometric method (t = 0.535, p = 0.615). Overall, this method offers outstanding repeatability, high accuracy, rapid analysis, and minimal manual intervention, establishing it as a reliable tool for cyanide determination and contributing to the assurance of food safety in alcoholic beverages. Full article

The Cauchao berry (Amomyrtus luma), native to southern Chile and Argentina, has been traditionally used in folk medicine, yet scientific evidence supporting its bioactive potential remains limited. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds and assess their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Fresh and freeze-dried samples were compared in terms of proximate composition, dietary fiber, reducing sugars, and fatty acid profiles. Proximate and fiber contents were determined using AOAC methods, while fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography, and α-tocopherol levels were measured via HPLC. Extraction optimization was conducted using a Box–Behnken design within a response surface methodology framework, employing freeze-dried samples. Total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and anthocyanin (TAC) contents were quantified spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant potential was assessed by DPPH and ORAC assays, while α-glucosidase inhibition determined antidiabetic activity. Phenolic profiles were characterized by HPLC. Optimal extraction conditions (58% ethanol, 60% ultrasound power, 30 min) enhanced antioxidant response. Results showed high fiber content (~39%), linoleic acid as the predominant fatty acid, and an α-tocopherol concentration of ~95 µg/g. TPC, TFC, and TAC values reached 25.43 ± 0.85, 46.51 ± 1.38, and 5.91 ± 0.40 mg/g d.m., respectively. Antioxidant capacity was 289.54 ± 9.05 μmol TE/g (DPPH) and 451.09 ± 6.04 μmol TE/g (ORAC). The IC₅₀ for α-glucosidase inhibition was 0.558 ± 0.015 mg/mL. Phenolic compounds were identified. These findings position the Cauchao berry as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. Full article

In this work, a set of methods for the study of the physical–chemical properties of flotation processing products was applied to establish parameters for the technological mode of anthropogenic raw material flotation processing using waste paper as an example. The proposed methods include the criterion E_f estimation, which characterizes the interfacial characteristics during flotation, and the criterion J determination, which characterizes the degree of purification of the obtained paper mass. The estimation of criterion E_f is based on the measurement of electric potential difference during flotation. The estimation of criterion J is based on spectrophotometric studies of the flotation product’s optical properties. Based on dispersion analysis, it was established that the proposed criteria are statistically dependent on the variation of the flotation purification mode parameters. The results of the study of flotation processing products show that the criterion E_f is sensitive to the recovery selectivity of dye particles in the froth product. In conjunction with the criterion of optical purity, J, it can be used to assess the effectiveness of proposed solutions of hardware design and the technological mode of flotation separation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fungotherapy has long been recognized as a therapeutic approach for treating and preventing various diseases. As an important representative of the so-called functional mushrooms, Chaga plays a crucial role in this system. Since this species is of limited distribution in Bulgaria, we are interested in studying a related but different species, Inonotus nidus-pici Pilát, with potential benefits for human health. Methods: The phytochemical composition of phenolic compounds in the studied species was analyzed using spectrophotometric methods and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, antioxidant activity was assessed using various assays, and the gastroprotective effect was evaluated in experimental rat models with indomethacin-induced gastric damage. Results: The quantities of the main classes of phenolic compounds in the studied object were determined, and an enriched phenolic extract (EPE) was obtained. The amount of phenolic compounds, in decreasing order, is as follows: tannins (1.67 ± 0.02%), phenolic acids (1.50 ± 0.09%), and flavonoids (1.24 ± 0.04%). Quercetin was the most present flavonoid (15.95 ± 0.05 mg/g DWE), followed by (+)-catechin (9.86 ± 0.15 mg/g DWE) and kaempferol (1.67 ± 0.09 mg/g DWE) in the enriched phenolic extract. The quantity of other established compounds was significantly lower. Of all ten phenolic acids identified in the same extract, the highest concentration was found only for rosmarinic acid (6.41 ± 0.08 mg/g DWE) and somewhat for p-coumaric acid (2.13 ± 0.12 mg/g DWE). Among all the applied methods regarding antioxidant activity, the highest potential of the extract for reducing copper ions was the most pronounced (1506.93 μM TE/g DWE), and the ability of the extract to reduce iron ions was almost the same (1354.05 μM TE/g DWE). In the experimental indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer rat model, EPE (25 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) demonstrated a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect. Conclusions: The results of the experiments confirm the potential of the wood fungus species as a source of valuable biologically active compounds with beneficial and pharmacological effects. However, further studies are needed to fully determine its chemical composition and the biological activities related to it. Full article

Globally, cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality, despite the availability of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures in contemporary allopathic medicine. In accordance with their ethnomedical applications, herbal medicines may offer valuable options for the prevention, treatment, and management of cardiovascular disorders. Considering that cardioprotective effects are associated with antioxidant mechanisms, and that our knowledge of the antioxidant properties of polyphenolic compounds, as well as of the effects of Melilotus species on the heart, is limited, the present study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of M. officinalis and M. albus aerial parts. The extracts were evaluated for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total coumarin content (TCC) by spectrophotometric methods and by LC-MS/MS. The effect of pretreatment with Melilotus sp. extracts on the isoprenaline-induced infarct-like lesion in rats was evaluated by ECG monitoring and the assessment of serum oxidative stress markers and serum cardiac injury markers. Various polyphenolic compounds were identified by LC-MS/MS in M. officinalis and M. albus aerial parts: catechin, syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, and vanillic acid. Gallic acid and chlorogenic acid were found only in M. officinalis. The extracts showed good in vivo antioxidant activity: M. officinalis and M. albus extracts induced a significant decrease in the levels of oxidative stress index (OSI) and total oxidant status (TOS), while pre-treatment with M. albus extract induced a significant reduction in nitric oxide production, and pretreatment with M. officinalis increased total thiols (SH) levels. In the same way, ECG and cardiac injury markers were also improved. These results show that M. officinalis and M. albus extracts may exert cardioprotective effects against myocardial ischemia by reducing oxidative stress. Full article

Background: Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) is a medicinal plant native to the spontaneous Romanian flora. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenolic profile, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity (AC) of two L. salicaria L. extracts, a hydro-methanolic extract (LSmet-1) and a hydro-ethanolic extract (LSeth-2), and their putative toxicity, as well as the effect on eye pigment content in the case of Drosophila melanogaster of an extract derived from LSmet-1 (LSmet-3). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the influence of L. salicaria L. extracts on cytotoxicity and the expression of genes as determined by eye pigment levels, using a D. melanogaster-based model system. Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography was carried out to investigate the chemical composition of the extracts. Spectrophotometric methods were used to estimate their TPC and AC. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using an in vivo D. melanogaster diet-dependent viability assay and eye pigments of w^m4h males, suitable for position-effect variegation studies, which were quantified by a spectrophotometric method. Results: The results indicated that the main phenolic compounds were gallic acid, resveratrol, and rutin in LSmet-1, whereas in LSeth-2, gallic acid and quercetin were the most relevant. LSmet-1 had a higher TPC compared to LSeth-2. Both extracts exhibited notable efficacy in the applied in vitro antioxidant tests. The viability of flies on normal media increased in a concentration-dependent manner at lower concentrations, with the extract being toxic at higher concentrations. On a high-sugar diet, even lower concentrations were toxic. All tested concentrations influenced the eye pigment content. Conclusions: Our study brings new findings on L. salicaria L. extracts, suggesting the need for further investigation before introducing them in therapy. Full article

This study investigates the phenolic composition and antioxidant potential of root extracts from three Opuntia ficus-indica varieties (green, red, and orange) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). Phenolic compounds were extracted with a hydromethanolic solvent and quantified by spectrophotometric assays, while antioxidant activity was assessed through DPPH, ABTS, iron III reduction, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide scavenging methods. A total of 26 compounds were identified, including piscidic acid, epicatechin-3-O-gallate, and isovitexin, with several phenolics newly reported for O. ficus-indica roots. The green and red varieties showed the highest phenolic contents (up to 147.82 mg/g extract) and strong antioxidant capacity, particularly in ABTS (IC₅₀ = 29.38 μg/mL) and hydroxyl radical inhibition (>90%). Relative Antioxidant Capacity Index (RACI) analysis confirmed a consistent correlation between phenolic/flavonoid content and antioxidant efficacy. These findings highlight the analytical relevance of UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS for profiling underutilized plant matrices and support the potential use of O. ficus-indica root extracts as natural sources of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Full article

Despite their crucial biological role as metabolites, reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) can have a negative effect on organisms when their cellular contents overwhelm the normal equilibrium provided by antioxidant defenses. Important biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (i.e., DNA), can be damaged by their oxidative effects, resulting in malfunction or a shorter lifespan of cells and, eventually, of the whole organism. Oxidative stress can be defined as the consequence of an imbalance of pro-oxidants and antioxidants due to external stress sources (e.g., exposure to xenobiotics, UV radiation, or thermic stress). It can be evaluated by monitoring specific biomarkers to determine the state of health of breathing organisms. Assessments of ROS, RNS, specific degenerative oxidative reaction products, and antioxidant system efficiency (antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant compound contents) have been extensively performed for this purpose. A wide variety of analytical methods for measuring these biomarkers exist in the literature; most of these methods involve indirect determination via spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric techniques. This review reports a collection of studies from the last decade regarding contaminant-induced oxidative stress in insects, with a brief description of the analytical methods utilized. Full article

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) and deoxycytidine monophosphate deaminase (DCTD) play crucial roles in pyrimidine metabolism, affecting DNA synthesis, cell cycle progression, and the efficacy of numerous nucleoside analog-based chemotherapeutics. Given their significance, accurate and sensitive measurement of their enzymatic activity is paramount for both fundamental biochemical research and clinical applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the methodologies used to assess CDA and DCTD activity, both established and emerging. We systematically categorize and discuss various approaches, including spectrophotometric, fluorimetric, liquid chromatography-based (Ultraviolet-Visible, fluorescence, and mass spectrometry), radiometric, and cell-based assays. For each method, we present its underlying principles, advantages, and limitations. Furthermore, we draw comparisons across the techniques to highlight their suitability for specific research questions. Full article