Biogenic silver,gold and copper nanoparticles - A sustainable green chemistry approach for cancer therapy

The advent of nanotechnology has revolutionized the way clinicians are treating cancers. Treatment for cancer includes surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and now nano therapy, which could be a possible alternative. This new treatment regime can be beneficial since it shows minimum side effects as compared to other treatment methods. Metallic nanoparticles synthesized through green chemistry by using biological entities minimizes the side effects and enhances the properties of the metal against cancer cells. These green nanoparticles are widely used in research and have shown promising cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, these nanoparticles can enter the cancer cell and cause cell death by the activation of various molecular pathways such as apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. This review focuses on the metal nanoparticles (silver, gold and copper) synthesized by the green chemistry approach that have been utilized to study the cancer cell death and we are also discussing the underlying molecular pathways.     

The influence of environmental and health indicators on premature mortality: An empirical analysis of the City of Toronto's 140 neighborhoods

The objective of this paper was to assess the link between premature mortality and a combination of neighbourhood contextual (environmental and health) and compositional (socioeconomic and demographic) characteristics. We statistically and spatially examined six environmental variables (ultrafine particles, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic pollutants, pollution released to air, tree cover, and walkability index), six health service indicators (number health providers, breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening uptake rates, student nutrition program uptake rates, and healthy food index), and eight socioeconomic indicators (total income, Gini coefficient, two age categories – below and above 40 years, proportion of females to males, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, education, less than grade 9) among 140 neighbourhoods of the City of Toronto in Ontario (Canada). We applied principal component analysis to identify patterns and to reduce the number of explanatory variables into combined component axes that represent unique variation in these confounded and overlapping factors. We then applied regression analysis to model the relationship between the indices of enviro-health and socioeconomics and their potential relationship with premature mortality. Residual spatial analysis was used to investigate any remaining spatial structure (such as neighbourhoods with higher residual premature mortality rates). Neighbourhood Equity Index was correlated with our enviro-health and socioeconomic indices. Premature mortality within neighbourhoods was predicted by poor cancer screenings, pollution, lack of tree canopy, increased uptake of student nutrition programs and high walkability index. A negative association between premature mortality and pollution was associated low walkability index and presence of visible minorities within neighbourhoods. There was some unexplained residual spatial variation in our model of premature mortality - especially along the shores of Lake Ontario and in neighbourhoods with major highways or road corridors: premature mortality in Toronto neighbourhoods was higher than expected along highway-corridor neighbourhoods and shorelines. Our analysis revealed a significant relationship between neighbourhood contextual features – both environmental and health – and premature mortality, suggesting that these contextual components of neighbourhoods can predict rates of urban premature mortality in Toronto.     

茶饮的内涵及现实意义

除山茶科植物来源的传统茶叶外,市场上还广泛流通着许多口感不错的药食同源的别样茶。传统茶和别样茶统称为茶饮。梳理了茶饮的发展历程,丰富其内涵及多样性,突出其"治未病"和慢病防治的功效,探明部分功能分子基础,明确其临床应用价值,展望其未来发展方向。茶饮作为"健康中国"的重要载体,具有大规模市场开发的广阔前景,可以更好地为人民群众健康服务,同时亟须提供更精准的科学依据。     

Ethyl lactate as a potential green solvent to extract hydrophilic (polar) and lipophilic (non-polar) phytonutrients simultaneously from fruit and vegetable by-products

Phytonutrients extracted from natural resources are receiving much attention among researchers due to their highly antioxidative characteristics which prevent several degenerative diseases including cardiovascular diseases and cancers. These nutraceutical compounds can be used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as natural antioxidants, preservatives, colourants and functional foods. Huge volume of food wastes are generated from the processing industry and these low-value food residues are rich in various phytonutrients worth recovering. This approach of valorisation reduces the generation of food wastes and is cost-effective considering the cheap feedstock, reduced waste management expenses and high market value of extracted compounds. In light of the health and safety risks posed by commonly used organic extraction solvents derived from the petrochemical industry, there is a need to recover the phytonutrients using green, sustainable and efficient solvents that are safe for human consumption. This work discusses ethyl lactate as a safe, green, efficient and potentially cheap solvent to recover phytonutrients from fruit and vegetable by-products. Ethyl lactate is compared with other organic solvents commonly used from the aspects of safety, environmental impacts and efficiency. Current challenges when employing ethyl lactate are also discussed.     

Kombucha tea ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS), in which an inflammatory demyelination and axonal damage occurs. Kombucha tea is a fermented beverage made from kombucha mushroom, brewed tea, and sugar. In recent years kombucha tea has attracted interest due to its pharmacological properties like antioxidant effects. The aim of the present research was to test the therapeutic effect of kombucha tea in EAE. We induced EAE model in 18 female C57BL/6 mice by inoculation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-35-55 (MOG_35-55) in complete Freund’s adjuvant emulsion. Then, in order to ameliorate EAE symptoms, we used kombucha tea. During the course of study clinical evaluation was assessed, and on the day 21 post-immunization, for evaluation of nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidants capacity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), blood samples were taken from the heart of mice. The mice were sacrificed and brains and cerebellums of mice were removed for histological analysis. Our findings demonstrated that kombucha tea had beneficial effects on EAE by lower incidence, attenuation in the severity, and also a delay in the onset of disease. Histological analysis showed that inflammatory criteria including the number of infiltrated immune cells and plaques as well as demyelination in kombucha tea dosed mice were significantly lower than the control group. Also, in comparison with control mice, the serum levels of NO and TNF-α in kombucha tea-treated mice were significantly decreased. Kombucha tea with its potential therapeutic effects and immunomodulatory properties might be proposed, after additional necessary tests and trials, for treatment of MS.     

Effect of green coffee extract supplementation on serum adiponectin concentration and lipid profile in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized,controlled trial

ObjectivesThe current study evaluated the effects of green coffee extract (GCE) on serum lipid profile and adiponectin levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).DesignThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on NAFLD patients aged 20–60 years and body mass index (BMI) of 25−35 kg/m².SettingPatients were recruited from the Bahman poly-clinic (Neyshabur, Iran) between January and June 2016.InterventionsThe study subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 400 mg GCE (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) for eight weeks.Main outcome measuresSerum liver enzyme levels, lipid profile, adiponectin concentrations, and hepatic steatosis grade were measured for all patients at baseline and the end of the trial.ResultsGCE supplementation significantly reduced BMI [mean difference (MD): −0.57 and 95 % confidence interval (CI): −0.84 to −0.29, P < 0.001] and increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: 7.06, 95 % CI: 0.25–13.87, P < 0.05) compared to the control group. Serum total cholesterol decreased significantly within the GCE group (MD: −13.33, 95 % CI: −26.04 to −0.61, P < 0.05). Triglyceride levels reduced significantly in GCE group compared to the placebo group (MD: -37.91; 95 % CI: −72.03 to −3.80; P = 0.03). However, this reduction was not significant when was further adjusted for mean changes in BMI and daily energy intake (MD: -23.43; 95 % CI: −70.92 to 24.06; P = 0.32). Hepatic steatosis grade, liver enzymes, and adiponectin levels did not show significant differences between the two groups after the intervention.ConclusionsGCE supplementation improved serum lipid profile and BMI in individuals with NAFLD. GCE may be useful in controlling NAFLD risk factors.     

以格林模式为指导的健康宣教对尖锐湿疣患者情绪及自我效能的影响

目的探讨以格林模式为指导的健康宣教对尖锐湿疣患者情绪及自我效能的干预作用。方法将220例尖锐湿疣患者按就诊时间分为两组,各110例。对照组予以常规护理干预,观察组在此基础上实施以格林模式为指导的健康宣教,观察6个月,治疗后随访6个月统计复发率。干预前后采用医院自制尖锐湿疣患者健康知识调查问卷调查健康知识掌握情况,采用焦虑自评量表、抑郁自评量表评定焦虑、抑郁情绪,采用医学应对问卷评定应对方式,采用一般自我效能感量表评定自我效能。干预后采用纽卡斯尔护理满意度量表评定护理满意度。结果干预后观察组尖锐湿疣患者健康知识调查问卷总分及尖锐湿疣疾病知识、自我保健知识评分显著高于对照组(P<0.01),焦虑自评量表、抑郁自评量表评分显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。干预后观察组一般自我效能感量表评分及医学应对问卷的面对、自我效能评分显著高于对照组(P<0.01),回避、屈服评分显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。观察组复发率显著低于对照组(P<0.05),总满意率显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论以格林模式为指导的健康宣教能提高尖锐湿疣患者健康知识掌握度及自我效能水平,有效缓解其不良情绪,改变其应对方式,降低复发率,提高患者满意度。     

“白汤”实物考辨与方剂学意义探析＊

本文简要概述两宋煎点茶汤、以茶入药之俗，并以四君子汤为例对《太平惠民和剂局方》所载“白汤”实物及其方剂学意义进行探讨。《太平惠民和剂局方》所记载“白汤”在方剂的运用中具有一定的规律性，笔者粗考两宋药事、茶事民俗，认为《太平惠民和剂局方》所载“白汤”或为两宋时期冲点团茶。四君子汤中虽无“大行气”之品，然得“白汤”之助却获“大行气”之用。诸家或循此“以茶入药”之实践，终成四君子汤后世“行补兼施，补而不滞”之衍化。