Some vegetable oils are currently being promoted as a safe alternative to commercial sunscreens. The true UVB photoprotective efficacy of 14 virgin vegetable oils and the suitability of the dilution method for determining their SPF value were evaluated. Oils and standard sunscreens were investigated in vitro by the Mansur's method in Slovakia and in vivo by the ISO method in the Czech Republic. SPF values in vitro (0.1; 0.0; 0.4; 0.2 and 0.2) and in vivo (2.5; 1.2; 2.6; 2.6; and 2.8) of the five most promoted oils (from carrot seed, coconut, raspberry seed, rosehip seed, and wheat germ) were significantly lower than the values reported in the controversial studies. We have shown that the overestimated SPF values of these oils were determined by authors who did not strictly follow Mansur's original methodology. The other eight vegetable oils also provide no or negligible SPF values. Only the in vitro SPF value of 11.2 tamanu oil is worth mentioning, probably due to high proportion of calophyllolides. In vitro and in vivo SPF ratios from 1.14 to 0.94 obtained by two methods in two laboratories for six commercial sunscreen oils used as controls confirm the correctness of performing the Mansur's method in this study. However, this dilution method has proven to be fundamentally flawed in determining the SPF value of substances with such negligible photoprotection as most vegetable oils can provide. An SPF value of less than 1, which can be determined by this Mansur's method, is physiologically impossible and meaningless.
- MeSH
- Benzimidazoles chemistry MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Skin radiation effects MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Sun Protection Factor MeSH
- Plant Oils chemistry MeSH
- Sunscreening Agents chemistry MeSH
- Rubus chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Seeds chemistry metabolism MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Ultraviolet Rays * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Cíl studie: Zhodnotit efekt jednotlivých metod, používaných v těhotenství jako prevence poranění hráze, na výskyt porodního poranění u primipar. Typ studie: Retrospektivní studie. Název a sídlo pracoviště: Nemocnice Český Krumlov, a.s. Metodika: V období od února 2014 do listopadu 2015 bylo 315 primipar s jednočetným těhotenstvím po vaginálním porodu pomocí dotazníku tázáno, zda v těhotenství používaly některou z metod prevence poranění perinea (vaginální dilatační balonky EPI-NO a Aniball, masáž hráze, přírodní metody – čaj z maliníku a lněné semínko). Efekt metod byl hodnocen podle výskytu intaktní hráze, ruptury perinea a epiziotomie v jednotlivých skupinách proti skupině kontrolní, která žádnou z těchto metod nepoužívala. Sledovali jsme též rozdíl ve výskytu spontánních a vaginálních operačních porodů v uvedených skupinách. Výsledky: Používání vaginálních dilatačních balonků (VDB) před porodem signifikantně zvýšilo počet žen, které porodily s intaktní hrází oproti kontrolní skupině (43,1 % vs. 14,1 %, (p < 0,001). Prokázali jsme zde i statisticky významné snížení počtu epiziotomií (29,3 % vs. 57,7 %, p < 0,001). U masáže hráze, čaje z maliníku ani lněného semínka nebyl prokázán statisticky významný efekt na prevenci poranění perinea. Prokázali jsme též snížení rizika operačního vaginálního porodu u žen užívajících VDB oproti kontrolní skupině (p = 0,02). Závěr: Používání vaginálního dilatačního balonku v těhotenství představuje pro rodičku jednoznačný benefit, pokud jde o poranění hráze při porodu. Snižuje též pravděpodobnost vaginálního operačního porodu.
Objective: To determine the effect of antepartal methods on the prevention of birth injuries in primiparous women. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Nemocnice Český Krumlov, a.s. Methods: Between February 2014 and November 2015 were 315 primiparous women questioned after a vaginal delivery on the use of methods of birth injury prevention (vaginal dilatators EPI-NO and Aniball, perineal massage, natural methods – raspberry-leaf tea or linseed). Consecutively, the rates of intact perineum, perineal tears and episiotomies among respective methods were compared with the control group using no preventive method. The effects of the methods were tested on the occurrence of spontaneous or vaginal operative delivery. Results: There was a significantly higher number of women with intact perineum after the use of vaginal dilatators (43.1% vs.14.1% in control group (p < 0.001). We also found a significant reduction of episiotomies in this group (29.3% vs. 57.7%, p < 0.001). There was no significant effect of perineal massage, raspberry-leaf tea or linseed on perineum injury prevention. A lower occurrence of vaginal operative delivery was also confirmed in the group of women using vaginal dilatators (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Significant benefit of the use of the antepartal vaginal dilatators in the reduction of birth injuries was shown as well as of the occurrence of vaginal operative delivery.
- Keywords
- vaginální dilatační balonek,
- MeSH
- Dilatation methods MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Episiotomy * history classification methods MeSH
- Phytotherapy methods MeSH
- Data Interpretation, Statistical MeSH
- Obstetric Labor Complications MeSH
- Flax MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Massage methods MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Perineum injuries MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Rubus MeSH
- Rupture * prevention & control MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
Berries, especially members of several families, such as Rosaceae (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry), and Ericaceae (blueberry, cranberry), belong to the best dietary sources of bioactive compounds (BAC). They have delicious taste and flavor, have economic importance, and because of the antioxidant properties of BAC, they are of great interest also for nutritionists and food technologists due to the opportunity to use BAC as functional foods ingredients. The bioactive compounds in berries contain mainly phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, such as anthocyanins and flavonols, and tannins) and ascorbic acid. These compounds, either individually or combined, are responsible for various health benefits of berries, such as prevention of inflammation disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or protective effects to lower the risk of various cancers. In this review bioactive compounds of commonly consumed berries are described, as well as the factors influencing their antioxidant capacity and their health benefits.
- MeSH
- Anthocyanins chemistry MeSH
- Antioxidants chemistry MeSH
- Blueberry Plants chemistry MeSH
- Ericaceae chemistry MeSH
- Phenols chemistry MeSH
- Flavonoids chemistry MeSH
- Fragaria chemistry MeSH
- Ascorbic Acid chemistry MeSH
- Fruit MeSH
- Rosaceae chemistry MeSH
- Rubus chemistry MeSH
- Vaccinium macrocarpon chemistry MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
The aim of this work is to determine the biological activity of ellagitannins rich extracts from leaves of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) in relation to cells and cell membranes. Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds of the extract was made using chromatographic methods. Cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of tested extracts in relation to erythrocytes and human vascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were determined by using fluorimetric and spectrophotometric methods. In order to establish the influence of the extracts on the physical properties of the membrane, such as osmotic resistance and erythrocytes shapes, mobility and/or hydration of polar heads and fluidity of hydrocarbon chains of membrane lipids, microscopic and spectroscopic methods were used. The results showed that the extracts are non-toxic for erythrocytes and HMEC-1 cells (up to concentration of 50 μg/mL), but they effectively protect cells and their membranes against oxidative damage. The increase in osmotic resistance of erythrocytes, formation of echinocytes and changes only in the polar part of the membrane caused by the extracts demonstrate their location mainly in the hydrophilic part of the membrane. The results indicate that tested extracts have high biological activities and may be potentially used in delaying the ageing process of organisms and prevention of many diseases, especially those associated with oxidative stress.
- MeSH
- Antioxidants chemistry pharmacology MeSH
- Endothelial Cells MeSH
- Erythrocytes MeSH
- Hydrolyzable Tannins MeSH
- Fragaria * chemistry MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Membrane Lipids MeSH
- Oxidative Stress MeSH
- Plant Extracts chemistry pharmacology MeSH
- Rubus * chemistry MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Background and Aims: Rubus subgenus Rubus is a group of mostly apomictic and polyploid species with a complicated taxonomy and history of ongoing hybridization. The only polyploid series with prevailing sexuality is the series Glandulosi , although the apomictic series Discolores and Radula also retain a high degree of sexuality, which is influenced by environmental conditions and/or pollen donors. The aim of this study is to detect sources of genetic variability, determine the origin of apomictic taxa and validate microsatellite markers by cloning and sequencing. Methods: A total of 206 individuals from two central European regions were genotyped for 11 nuclear microsatellite loci and the chloroplast trn L- trn F region. Microsatellite alleles were further sequenced in order to determine the exact repeat number and to detect size homoplasy due to insertions/deletions in flanking regions. Key Results: The results confirm that apomictic microspecies of ser. Radula are derived from crosses between sexual series Glandulosi and apomictic series Discolores , whereby the apomict acts as pollen donor. Each apomictic microspecies is derived from a single distinct genotype differing from the parental taxa, suggesting stabilized clonal reproduction. Intraspecific variation within apomicts is considerably low compared with sexual series Glandulosi , and reflects somatic mutation accumulation. While facultative apomicts produce clonal offspring, sexual species are the conduits of origin for new genetically different apomictic lineages. Conclusions: One of the main driving forces of evolution and speciation in the highly apomictic subgenus Rubus in central Europe is sexuality in the series Glandulosi . Palaeovegetation data suggest that initial hybridizations took place over different time periods in the two studied regions, and that the successful origin and spread of apomictic microspecies of the series Radula took place over several millennia. Additionally, the cloning and sequencing show that standard evaluations of microsatellite repeat numbers underestimate genetic variability considering homoplasy in allele size.
- MeSH
- Apomixis * MeSH
- DNA, Chloroplast genetics MeSH
- Hybridization, Genetic * MeSH
- Microsatellite Repeats * MeSH
- INDEL Mutation MeSH
- Polyploidy MeSH
- Rubus classification genetics MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
New species are generated by many means, among which hybridization plays an important role. Interspecific hybrids can form isolated evolutionary units, especially when mechanisms increasing viability and fertility, like polyploidy and apomixis, are involved. A good model system to study reticulate evolution in plants is Rubus subgen. Rubus (brambles, blackberries), which only in Europe includes 748 accepted species, out of which only four are sexual diploids and all others are polyploid apomicts. We employed two molecular markers (ITS and cpDNA) to shed light on the evolutionary history of European bramble flora and main processes generating such high species diversity. We distinguished just six ancestral diploids (including two extinct ones) for both markers, which gave rise to all European polyploid accessions, and revealed an extreme reticulation in bramble evolution. We furthermore detected hybridogenous origins and identified putative parents for several taxa (e.g. ser. Nessenses), while in other groups (e.g. ser. Discolores) we could also infer the direction of hybridization. By comparing different cp haplotypes having clear geographic patterns, we hypothesize that the origin of European brambles can be attributed to both Holocene species range expansion and Pleistocene climate fluctuations.
- MeSH
- Apomixis * genetics MeSH
- Diploidy MeSH
- DNA, Chloroplast genetics MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genetic Markers genetics MeSH
- Hybridization, Genetic genetics MeSH
- Ice Cover MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics MeSH
- Models, Genetic * MeSH
- Evolution, Molecular * MeSH
- Polyploidy MeSH
- Rubus classification genetics MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Genetic Speciation * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
