Bioactive effects of citrus flavonoids and role in the prevention of atherosclerosis and cancer

Citrus fruits are the main fruits of the Mediterranean diet and have been long recognized for their beneficial effects on human health. Observational studies have shown a significant association between dietary flavo-noid intake and reduced risk of cardiovascular and malignant diseases. The beneficial effects of citrus fruits on human health appear to be due to their high content in vitamins, minerals and fibers. In particular, the an-tioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities have been indicated as some of the mechanisms through which citrus fruits may thwarts the development of chronic degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis and can-cer. This review would critically examine the results from numerous studies carried out in order assess the contribute of citrus flavonoids to the prevention of chronic pathological conditions including athero-sclerosis and cancer.

Human Stem Cell Transplantation for Retinal Degenerative Diseases. Where Are We Now?

Background and Objectives: Irreversible visual impairment is mainly caused by retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Stem cell research has experienced rapid progress in recent years, and researchers and clinical ophthalmologists are trying to implement this promising technology to treat retinal degeneration. The objective of this systematic review is to analyze currently available data from clinical trials applying stem cells to treat human retinal diseases. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed to identify articles related with stem cell therapies to retinal diseases published prior to September 2021. Furthermore, a systematic search in ClinicalTrials (NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine) was performed to identify clinical trials using stem cells to treat retinal diseases. A descriptive analysis of status, conditions, phases, interventions, and outcomes is presented here. Conclusions: To date, no available therapy based on stem cell transplantation is approved for use with patients. However, numerous clinical trials are currently finishing their initial phases and, in general, the outcomes related to implantation techniques and their long-term safety seem promising. In the next few years, we expect to see quantifiable results pertaining to visual function improvement.

Development of high fiber rich antioxidant biscuits from purple and orange sweet potato peels

Sweet potato peel (SPP), which consist of various natural bioactive compounds, could play an important role in ameliorating chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other degenerative diseases and yet remained underutilized. The current study investigated the effect of orange or purple SPP powder at different level of substitution (2, 5, 10%) in the production of biscuits on the proximate, antioxidant potentials and consumer acceptance. Dietary fibre increased significantly (P < 0.05) with an increase in SPP powder, ranging from 2 to 2.3 g/100 g. The total phenolic content of the biscuits was between 101.21 and 147.7 GAE/mL, total flavonoid ranged from 22.7 to 42.2 RU/mL, ABTS radical content ranged from 2.7 to 42.2 (µg ascorbic/mL). Acceptable biscuits were obtained by incorporating 2% SPP powder. Thus, SPP powder could be used as a functional and nutraceutical ingredient in biscuit production.

Hybrid surgery with PEEK rods for lumbar degenerative diseases: a 2-year follow-up study

Background Finite element analyses and biomechanical tests have shown that PEEK rods promote fusion and prevent adjacent segment degeneration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and complications of hybrid surgery with PEEK rods in lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods From January 2015-December 2017, 28 patients who underwent lumbar posterior hybrid surgery with PEEK rods were included in the study. The patients were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, or degenerative grade I spondylolisthesis. Before the operation and at the last follow-up, the patients completed lumbar anteroposterior and lateral X-ray, dynamic X-ray, MRI examinations. In addition, at the last follow-up the patients also completed lumbar CT examinations. The radiographic parameters, clinical visual analog scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were compared. Results The average age of the patients was 44.8 ± 12.6 years, and the average follow-up duration was 26.4 ± 3.6 months. The VAS score improved from 6.3 ± 1.6 to 1.0 ± 0.9, and the ODI score decreased from 38.4 ± 10.8 to 6.8 ± 4.6. The fusion rate of the fused segment was 100%. There were no significant changes in the modified Pfirrmann classifications or disc height index for the nonfused segments and the upper adjacent segments from pre- to postoperatively. No cases of screw loosening, broken screws, broken rods or other mechanical complications were found. Conclusion Hybrid surgery with PEEK rods for lumbar degenerative diseases can yield good clinical results and effectively reduce the incidence of complications such as adjacent segment diseases.

Inhibition of the formation of lysozyme fibrillar assemblies by the isoquinoline alkaloid coralyne

Protein aggregation into oligomeric and fibrillar species are the hallmark of many degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and prion diseases, as well as type II diabetes. Compounds that can modulate protein...

Risk Factor Analysis for Fat Infiltration in the Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles in Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Diseases

Introduction This study aimed to investigate factors related to fat infiltration in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (lumbar disc herniation and/or spinal stenosis), examining a wide range of potential risk variables. Materials and methods We studied consecutive adult patients who underwent posterior lumbar spinal surgery for degenerative diseases at our hospital between July 2013 and June 2017. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the presence or absence of fat infiltration at the level of the L4-5 lumbar paraspinal muscles using Kjaer’s evaluation method. Patients without fat infiltration (0%–10%) were rated as grade 0, grade 1 for moderate fat infiltration (10%–50%), and grade 2 for severe fat infiltration (>50%). Patients were then divided into two groups: Group A (without fat infiltration, grade 0) and Group B (with fat infiltration, grade 1 or 2). Detailed patient clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results A total of 205 consecutive patients were enrolled; 54 (26.3%) patients were assigned to Group A and 151 (73.7%) to Group B. Logistic regression analysis revealed two independent risk factors for fat infiltration of the lumbar paraspinal muscles: female sex and older age (P < .001). Discussion Fat infiltration of the lumbar paraspinal muscles is reported to be associated with the development of pain and dysfunction of the lumbar region and postoperative complications of spinal instrumented fusion surgery. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have identified female sex and older age as independent risk factors for fat infiltration in the lumbar paraspinal muscles using multivariate analysis. Conclusions Female sex and older age were independent risk factors for fat infiltration in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. The results of the current study may provide useful information for the study of preventive measures for fat infiltration.

Effect of Discectomy on Dynesys Dynamic Fixation in the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases

Objective. To compare the effect of decompression of the spinal canal with or without discectomy on the clinical efficacy of Dynesys dynamic fixation treatment in lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods. A total of 62 patients treated for single-segment lumbar degenerative disease from October 2010 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent decompression of the spinal canal with Dynesys dynamic fixation and were divided into two groups. Twenty-seven patients in group A did not undergo discectomy, and 35 patients in group B underwent discectomy. The intervertebral height, range of motion, Pfirrmann grade of the surgical segment and the upper adjacent segment, function scores, and operation information were compared. Results. All patients were followed up for an average of 30.7 ± 11.5 months. At the final follow-up, the intervertebral height and range of motion of the surgical segment decreased significantly in both group A and B ( p < 0.05 ), the range of motion of the upper adjacent segment increased significantly ( p < 0.05 ), and the intervertebral height did not change significantly ( p < 0.05 ). The retained percentages of surgical segment intervertebral height and ROM in group A were significantly better than those in group B ( p < 0.05 ). The intervertebral height ( p > 0.05 ) and range of motion ( p < 0.05 ) of the surgical segment in group A were higher than those in group B. The surgical segment Pfirrmann grading of group A was better than that of group B ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Dynesys in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases may lead to a good clinical effect. In selected cases without discectomy, the range of motion and intervertebral height may be better preserved, and disc degeneration may be reduced.

The Role of Inflammation in Retinal Neurodegeneration and Degenerative Diseases

Retinal neurodegeneration is predominantly reported as the apoptosis or impaired function of the photoreceptors. Retinal degeneration is a major causative factor of irreversible vision loss leading to blindness. In recent years, retinal degenerative diseases have been investigated and many genes and genetic defects have been elucidated by many of the causative factors. An enormous amount of research has been performed to determine the pathogenesis of retinal degenerative conditions and to formulate the treatment modalities that are the critical requirements in this current scenario. Encouraging results have been obtained using gene therapy. We provide a narrative review of the various studies performed to date on the role of inflammation in human retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal dystrophies, retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt macular dystrophy, and Leber congenital amaurosis. In addition, we have highlighted the pivotal role of various inflammatory mechanisms in the progress of retinal degeneration. This review also offers an assessment of various therapeutic approaches, including gene-therapies and stem-cell-based therapies, for degenerative retinal diseases.