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Clinical depression is a multifactorial disorder and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. The alterations in tryptophan metabolism such as changes in the levels of serotonin, ...kynurenine, and kynurenine acid have been implicated in the etiology of depression for more than 50 years. In recent years, accumulated evidence has revealed that gut microbial communities, besides being essential players in various aspects of host physiology and brain functioning are also implicated in the etiology of depression, particularly through modulation of tryptophan metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the evidence of the role of gut bacteria in disturbed tryptophan metabolism in depression. We summed up the effects of microbiota on serotonin, kynurenine, and indole pathway of tryptophan conversion relevant for understanding the pathogenesis of depressive behavior. Moreover, we reviewed data regarding the therapeutic effects of probiotics, particularly through the regulation of tryptophan metabolites. Taken together, these findings can open new possibilities for further improvement of treatments for depression based on the microbiota-mediated modulation of the tryptophan pathway.
The aim of this study was to test the potential of high molecular weight exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by the putative probiotic strain
BGCG11 (EPS CG11) to alleviate inflammatory pain in Wistar ...rats. The EPS CG11 was isolated from bacterial surface and was subjected to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis. FTIR spectra confirmed the polysaccharide structure of isolated sample, while the thermal methods revealed good thermal properties of the polymer. The antihyperalgesic and antiedematous effects of the EPS CG11 were examined in the rat model of inflammation induced by carrageenan injection in hind paw. The results showed that the intraperitoneal administration of EPS CG11 produced a significant decrease in pain sensations (mechanical hyperalgesia) and a paw swelling in a dose-dependent manner as it was measured using Von Frey anesthesiometer and plethysmometer, respectively. These effects were followed by a decreased expression of
β and
mRNAs in rat's paw tissue suggesting that the antihyperalgesic and antiedematous effects of the EPS CG11 are related to the suppression of inflammatory response. Additionally, we demonstrated that EPS CG11 exhibits immunosuppressive properties in the peritonitis model induced by carrageenan. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators IL-1β, TNF-α and iNOS were decreased, together with the enhanced secretion of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-6 cytokines, while neutrophil infiltration was not changed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which reports an antihyperalgesic effect as the novel property of bacterial EPSs. Given the high demands of pharmaceutical industry for the replacement of commonly used analgesics due to numerous side effects, this study describes a promising natural compound for the future pharmacological testing in the area.
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To elaborate the decisive role of surfactants in promotion of aceclofenac’ skin absorption, potentially avoiding irritation, we developed non-ionic microemulsions varying natural or ...synthetic surfactants: sucrose esters (laurate or myristate) vs. polysorbate 80. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization indicated no significant influence of the solubilized nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug on the bicontinuous structure of blank formulations. To evaluate skin tolerability of isopropyl alcohol, a sucrose ester-based microemulsion containing transcutol P as a cosurfactant was also developed. The measured skin parameters strongly depended on the (co)surfactant type, showing higher compatibility of the microemulsions containing sucrose ester and isopropyl alcohol. In vitro release results, in vivo tape stripping and pharmacokinetics in rats confirmed superiority of the sucrose ester- over polysorbate-based microemulsions (total amounts of aceclofenac penetrated 60.81±5.97 and 60.86±3.67 vs. 27.00±5.09μg/cm2, and its maximum plasma concentrations 275.57±109.49 and 281.31±76.76 vs. 150.23±69.74ng/ml for sucrose laurate- and myristate- vs. polysorbate 80-based microemulsions, respectively). Hence, sugar-based excipients increased delivery of aceclofenac through stratum corneum by increasing its fluidity, showing overall more satisfying safety profiles. In conclusion, sucrose ester-based microemulsions proved to be promising carriers for dermal/transdermal aceclofenac delivery.
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of postbiotics originated from
BGHV110 strain (HV110) to counteract acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells. This strain was ...selected according to its autophagy inducing potential, based on previous studies reporting protective role of autophagy in APAP caused cellular damage. Cell viability was assessed using MTT and LDH assays, while autophagy was monitored by qPCR analysis of
,
,
, and
mRNA expression and by Western blot analysis of p62/SQSTM1 and lipidated LC3 accumulation. Our results showed that detrimental effect of APAP on cell viability was suppressed in the presence of HV110 which was linked with increased conversion of LC3 protein and p62/SQSTM1 protein degradation. Additionally, higher
and
mRNA transcription were noticed in cells co-treated with APAP/HV110, simultaneously. In conclusion, this study suggests that HV110 enhances activation of PINK1-dependent autophagy in HepG2 cells and its eventual co-supplementation with APAP could be potentially used for alleviation of hepatotoxic side effects caused by APAP overdose.
Crop insurance is used to reduce risk in agriculture. This research is focused on selecting an insurance company that provides the best policy conditions for crop insurance. A total of five insurance ...companies that provide crop insurance services in the Republic of Serbia were selected. To choose the insurance company that provides the best policy conditions for farmers, expert opinions were solicited. In addition, fuzzy methods were used to assess the weights of the various criteria and to evaluate insurance companies. The weight of each criterion was determined using a combined approach based on fuzzy LMAW (the logarithm methodology of additive weights) and entropy methods. Fuzzy LMAW was used to determine the weights subjectively through expert ratings, while fuzzy entropy was used to determine the weights objectively. The results of these methods showed that the price criterion received the highest weight. The selection of the insurance company was made using the fuzzy CRADIS (compromise ranking of alternatives, from distance to ideal solution) method. The results of this method showed that the insurance company DDOR offers the best conditions for crop insurance for farmers. These results were confirmed by a validation of the results and sensitivity analysis. Based on all of this, it was shown that fuzzy methods can be used in the selection of insurance companies.
This paper presents a preliminary geosite physical assessment model which has the potential to assist in the sustainable planning and management of natural heritage locations and their transformation ...into tourism destination. The methodology is based on several existing models and presented through two groups of values – main and additional, which are further divided into indicators and subindicators respectively. The resultant model is a graph that consists of nine fields, into which geosites can be classified as fitting into nine general areas of suitability for tourism in terms of their main (scientific/educational, aesthetic/scenic and protection as market appeal and conservation) and additional values (functional and tourism use as current stage of development). This could prove to be of great help to natural heritage protection and tourism managers, as they could assess the current state of a geosite and thence propose a future path for it.
Romania is one of the countries severely affected by numerous natural hazards, where landslides constitute a very common geomorphic hazard with strong economic and social impacts. The analyzed area, ...known as the “Ciuperca Hill”, is located in Oradea (NW part of Romania) and it has experienced a number of landsliding events in previous years, which have endangered anthropogenic systems. Our investigation, focused on the main causal factors, determined that landslide events have rather complex components, reflected in the joint climatological characteristics, properties of the geological substrate, and human activity that further contributed to the intensive change of landscape and acceleration of slope instability. Analysis of daily precipitation displays the occurrence and intensive distribution between May and September. Higher values of rainfall erosivity (observed for the 2014–2017 period), are occurring between April and August. Erosivity density follows this pattern and indicates high intensity events from April until October. SPI index reveals the greater presence of various wet classes during the investigated period. Geological substrate has been found to be highly susceptible to erosion and landsliding when climatological conditions are suitable. Accelerated urbanization and reduced vegetation cover intensified slope instability. The authors implemented adequate remote-sensing techniques in order to monitor and assess the temporal changes in landslide events at local level. Potential solutions for preventative actions are given in order to introduce and conduct qualitative mitigation strategies for shaping sustainable urban environments. Results from this study could have implications for mitigation strategies at national, regional, county, and municipality levels, providing knowledge for the enhancement of geohazard prevention and appropriate response plans.
•Embodied impact of timber building when considering connections and fasteners.•Embodied impact per floor area decreases as the building height increases.•The building envelope is a critical element ...when considering embodied GHG emissions.•The load-bearing structure is a critical element when considering embodied energy.•Connections and fasteners should be included in the LCA of timber buildings.
In recent years, interest in the construction of multi-storey timber buildings in the urban context has increased. The stability of any timber building depends on the structural connections that transfer and anchor the loads acting on the building, such as horizontal forces (wind, earthquake), which increase significantly with the building height. However, they are generally neglected in studies assessing their environmental performance. For this reason, the present study investigates the embodied energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a residential multi-storey timber building with an increase in height by performing a life cycle assessment (LCA) with an integrated approach that considers structural behaviour and includes connectors and fasteners. The results presented as relative and absolute contributions of different building elements show that the embodied impacts per floor decrease as the building height increases, However, relative and absolute contributions of different building elements change with the variation in the number of storeys. While the building envelope is recognised as a critical element when considering GHG emissions, the load-bearing timber structure is a critical element when considering cumulative energy demand (CED). The results further revealed the importance of connectors and fasteners, as they account for up to 4.80% of the non-renewable CED at the building level, and up to 25.66% when assessing the load-bearing timber structure. Considering a significant contribution, it is suggested that their impact should be evaluated in the environmental impact assessments of timber buildings. In addition, the study highlights the relevance of certain design parameters regarding the embodied impact to achieve a more environmentally efficient building design.
Recent natural hazards (floods and wildfires) which hit some of the most visited Greek tourist destinations during the summer season 2018 are threatening to decrease the number of tourist visits in ...the affected regions. As these regions, being namely Chalkidiki, Olympic Riviera and regions surrounding Athens and Thessaloniki, are the most popular summer destinations for Serbian tourists, it is interesting to examine how natural hazards that occurred there influence tourist behavior based on the perceived risk. The study aims to explore the role of psychological factors such as different personality traits and tourism worries on the tourist behavior based on the perceived risk of affected destinations. Moreover, the assumption was that tourism worrieswill mediate the relationship between analyzed personality traits and tourist behavior based on the perceived risk. Although previous studies investigated the effect of different psychological factors on tourist behavior based on the perceived risk, this is the first study to explore the interaction of different psychological factors including tourism worries, which previously were not analyzed in this context. Besides theoretical contribution, practical implications are also further discussed in the paper within the realm of their use for destination managers.
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