The Use of Brewer’s Spent Grain after Beer Production for Energy Purposes

The aim of this study was to assess the possibilities to use brewer’s spent grains (BSGs) left over from beer production for energy purposes, and to determine its calorific value and chemical composition. The research materials were samples of wet spent grain from a brewery in Poland. Three samples, that are different in ingredient composition, were examined. The examined samples of BSGs were characterised by humidity that is typical for this product (approx. 77–80%). Convective drying of the spent grain contributed to a reduction in the water content in the biomass to below 10%. Samples of dry spent grain that were examined contained a similar amount of ash (3.8–4.1% d.m.) and organic matter (91.0–91.9% d.m.). All the examined spent grain samples demonstrated similar volatile matter content—approx. 77.8–78.7% d.m. and calorific value—approx. 15.6–15.9 MJ/kg. The estimated calorific value for wet samples (approx. 1.4–2.0 MJ/kg) indicated that it is necessary to lower water content in the biomass in order to improve its energy properties.     

Analgesic and anticonvulsant activity of new derivatives of 2-substituted 4-hydroxybutanamides in mice

Earlier in vitro studies of the compounds marked as GT27, GT28, GT29 and BM128 revealed their inhibitory action towards murine γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporters (mGAT1-mGAT4). In the present paper, the pharmacological activity of four γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) amide derivatives was investigated. The following procedures were involved: locomotor activity, hot plate and electroconvulsive threshold tests. The compounds' influence on motor coordination was evaluated in the chimney test, as well. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of the GHB derivatives decreased animals' locomotor activity (ED(50) values ranged between 23.79 and 26.37 mg/kg). At a dose of 25 mg/kg (i.p.) the compounds prolonged the nociceptive reaction time latency in the hot plate assay to various degree and GT28 and GT29 were the most potent ones in this respect. Their analgesic efficacy was particularly pronounced 30 min after their administration [percent of maximal possible effect (%MPE) = 16.93 and 22.72, respectively]. The investigated GHB derivatives, except for GT29 at 100 mg/kg, increased the electroconvulsive threshold by approximately 4-11 mA as compared to the vehicle-treated mice. In the chimney test they impaired the animals' motor coordination to various degree. We suggest further investigations of the compounds to estimate their biological activity.     

Increased oxytocinergic system activity in the cardiac muscle in spontaneously hypertensive SHR rats

IntroductionThe present study aimed to determine whether the presence of cardiac hypertrophy due to arterial hypertension is associated with a change in the activity of the oxytocinergic system in cardiomyocytes.Material and methodsThe experiments were performed on male, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, n = 10) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 12). Blood samples were collected from both SHR and WKY animals to asses plasma oxytocin (OT) concentration; the rats were sacrificed by decapitation. Samples of the left and right ventricles were harvested for the analysis of the OT and oxytocin receptor (OTR) protein by ELISA, and OT and OTR mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Immunohistopathological studies were performed to confirm the presence of OTR receptors in the cardiac muscle of the ventricles.ResultsPlasma OT concentration did not differ between SHR and WKY rats. In the SHR rats, the expression of OT mRNA and the OT protein level was higher in the left and the right ventricle, while OTR mRNA expression was significantly lower in both the left and the right ventricle. However, the level of OTR protein was higher only in the left ventricle of the SHR rats. The presence of OTR receptors was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis in the muscle of the right and left ventricle.ConclusionsThe presence of arterial hypertension is associated with increased activity of the oxytocinergic system in the heart, especially in the area of the left ventricle. These findings support the important role of this system in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis.     

Dietary Therapy in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)—Tradition or Modernity? A Review of the Latest Approaches to Nutrition in CVD

The development of cardiovascular diseases is undoubtedly influenced by improper dietary behavior. The most common mistakes include irregularity of meal consumption, high dietary atherogenicity: snacking on sweets between meals, low supply of dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, legume seeds, and high supply of meat and meat products. Among many food components, some are characterized by a specific cardioprotective effect, which means that their supply of food may prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease or improve the health of the sick. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the ingredients showing cardioprotective effects on the heart and blood vessels. Antioxidant and lipid profile-enhancing effects are also attributed to sitosterol which is one of the plant-derived sterols. A very important argument indicating the necessity of a varied diet rich in a variety of plant products is the beneficial effect of polyphenols, which are most abundant in multicolored vegetables and fruits. Numerous studies show their effectiveness in lowering blood pressure, improving lipid profile, and regeneration of vascular endothelium. The collected publications from the field of lifestyle medicine can be a source of knowledge for dieticians, physicians, and people associated with physical culture and human mental health to prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases and reduce the risk of death from this cause.     

Selected Physical and Spectroscopic Properties of TPS Moldings Enriched with Durum Wheat Bran

The impact of the amount of durum wheat bran additive used on the selected structural, mechanical, and spectroscopic properties of thermoplastic starch moldings was examined in this study. Bran was added to corn starch from 10 to 60% by weight in the blends. Four temperature settings were used for the high-pressure injection: 120, 140, 160, and 180 °C. The highest value of elongation at break (8.53%) was observed for moldings containing 60% bran. Moreover, for these moldings, the tensile strength and flexural strength were lower (appropriately 3.43 MPa and 27.14 MPa). The highest deformation at break (1.56%) were obtained for samples with 60% bran and injection molded at 180 °C. We saw that higher bran content (50 and 60%) and a higher injection molding temperature (160 °C and 180 °C) significantly changed the color of the samples. The most significant changes in the FTIR spectra were observed at 3292 and 1644 cm⁻¹ and in the region of 1460–1240 cm⁻¹. Moreover, notable changes were observed in the intensity ratio of bands at 1015 and 955 cm⁻¹. The changes observed correspond well with the amount of additive used and with the injection temperature applied; thus it may be considered as a marker of interactions affecting plasticization of the material obtained.     

Oxazoline scaffold in synthesis of benzosiloxaboroles and related ring-expanded heterocycles: diverse reactivity,structural peculiarities and antimicrobial activity

Two isomeric benzosiloxaborole derivatives 3a and 5a bearing fluorine and 4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolin-2-yl substituents attached to the aromatic rings were obtained. Both compounds were prone to hydrolytic cleavage of the oxazoline ring after initial protonation or methylation of the nitrogen atom. The derivative 3c featuring N-methylammoniumalkyl ester functionality was successfully subjected to N-sulfonylation and N-acylation reactions to give respective derivatives which demonstrates its potential for modular synthesis of structurally extended benzosiloxaboroles. Compound 5c bearing N-ammoniumalkyl ester underwent conversion to a unique macrocyclic dimer due to siloxaborole ring opening. Furthermore, an unexpected 4-electron reduction of the oxazoline ring occurred during an attempted synthesis of 5a. The reaction gave rise to an unprecedented 7-membered heterocyclic system 4a comprising a relatively stable B–O–B–O–Si linkage and stabilized by an intramolecular N–B coordination. It could be cleaved to derivative 4c bearing BOH and SiMe₂OH groups which acts as a pseudo-diol as demonstrated by formation of an adduct with Tavaborole. Apart from the multinuclear NMR spectroscopy characterization, crystal structures of the obtained products were determined in many cases by X-ray diffraction. Investigation of biological activity of the obtained compounds revealed that derivatives 3e and 3f with pendant N-methyl arylsulfonamide groups exhibit high activity against Gram-positive cocci such as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ATCC 43300 as well as the MRSA clinical strains, with MIC values in the range of 3.12–6.25 mg L⁻¹. These two compounds also showed activity against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Enterococcus faecium ATCC 6057 (with MICs of 25–50 mg L⁻¹). The results of the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity studies indicate that 3e and 3f can be considered as potential antibacterial agents, especially against S. aureus MRSA.

Transformations of oxazoline–benzosiloxaborole conjugates gave rise to novel boracyclic systems as well as functionalized derivatives featuring antibacterial activity.     

CA 125 regression after two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as prognostic factor in patients with advanced ovarian cancer and primary peritoneal serous cancer who underwent interval surgical cytoreduction

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to assess the prognostic role of CA 125 regression during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) or primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) that underwent interval debulking surgery (IOC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty one patients with advanced OC or PPSC (FIGO stage IIIC and IV) who underwent initial exploratory surgery, followed by NAC containing platinum analogs, have been analyzed, retrospectively. We have used a regression coefficient (RCA 125), which was calculated as following: log10 (CA 125 level measured after two cycles of NAC/baseline CA 125) for statistical analysis. The median value of RCA 125 reached -0.788 and has been used to dichotomize. Optimal IOC has been performed in 67.74% (21/31) patients, suboptimal in 25.81% (8/31) patients and 6.45% (2/31) of patients did not undergo IOC due to the progression of the disease. RESULTS: We have noted significant correspondence between time to progression and RCA 125 in univariate analysis, which we have also confirmed in multivariate analysis (HR 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15-0.96; p = 0.0178). Similarly, we have observed significant relationship between overall survival, RCA 125 and extension IOC in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed that RCA 125 was independent prognostic factor, HR-0.18 (95% CI, 0.07-0.56; p = 0.004). In case of patients with high RCA 125, a greater rate of optimal debulking cytoreduction (p = 0.0278, U = 50.0) has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: RCA 125 after two courses of NAC appears to be an important prognostic factor in patients with OC or PPSC, who underwent IOC High RCA 125 during NAC seems to be a good predictive factor in order to achieve optimal IOC.