The current study examined changes in body composition and dietary intake of healthy spanish postmenopausal before and after the COVID-19-related lockdown. Sixty-six women participated in the study (58.7 ± 5.4 years). Participants had a full bioelectrical impedance study (BIA) before (between July-October 2019) and after (August-October 2020) the lockout, which occurred as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic in Spain. Dietary intake was determined before and after using a dietary questionnaire. Study subjects completed a 131-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The FFQ was previously validated and involves a 24-hour recall conducted over seven days. Using the FFQ, we assessed the dietary intake of protein, fat, carbohydrates and total energy from the Spanish Food Composition database. All participants also underwent anthropometric determinations before and after. No statistically significant differences were observed in the weight of the participants 66.8 ± 12 vs 67.2 ± 13.1 (p=0.243). Neither were significant changes visible in the percentage of fat mass 37.5 ± 6.8 vs 37.6 ± 6.9 (p= 0.567), lean mass in kg 25.8 ± 9.1 vs 26.1 ± 9.7 (p= 0.365) or in the lean mass of the participants in kg 41.0 ± 3.7 vs 41.2 ± 4.3. The assessment of dietary intake of protein, fat and carbohydrates before and after the confinement period also showed no significant changes: protein 96.4 ± 38.5 vs 99.9 ± 37.7 g/day (p=0.657); fat 87.3 ± 35.7 vs 88.6 ± 38.2 g/day (p=0.505) and carbohydrates 340.7 ± 367.1 g/day vs 252.8 ± 68.4 g/day (p=0.590). The method used to measure food intake determines the quality of the estimate of nutrient intake of populations; a good estimate includes the intake of energy and total fat and necessarily involves a detailed measurement of the intake of all foods, since several foods account for the dietary intake of these nutrients. A 7-day record that adequately indicates portion sizes, as well as the inclusion of sufficient recording days over a period long enough, allows for accurate and detailed recording of foods and ultimately to be able to estimate individual daily mean intakes of most food types without significant bias. However, we recognize that the use of a FFQ may be unreliable and inadequate for assessing absolute and relative nutrient intakes.

In conclusion, it does not appear that there have been changes in the body composition of the postmenopausal women studied or in their dietary habits, related to the possible complications derived from the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plant-based (PB) diets typically result in lowering of total and LDL cholesterol. Eggs could complement the PB diet by increasing HDL cholesterol. In this randomized controlled cross-over intervention, we recruited 29 participants (49.3 ± 8 y) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) who followed a PB diet for 13 wk. A registered dietitian advised all subjects on food selection and followed them through the whole intervention to ensure compliance. Participants underwent a 2-wk washout with no eggs or spinach (sources of dietary choline) for 2 wk and were randomly allocated to consume spinach (70g) with either 2 eggs (EGG) or the equivalent amount of egg substitute (SUB) for breakfast for 4 wk. After a 3-week washout, they were allocated to the alternate breakfast. We hypothesized that whole egg intake (EGG) would increase plasma choline and result in better improvement in parameters of metabolic syndrome. Twenty-four participants (13 women/11 men) finished the intervention. Plasma lipids, glucose, anthropometrics, liver enzymes, insulin, plasma choline and TMAO, were assessed at baseline and the end of each intervention. Compared to the SUB breakfast, we observed a significant decrease in body weight (P < 0.02) and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol (P < 0.025) following the EGG breakfast. There were no differences in plasma LDL, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, or blood pressure. Plasma choline was higher in both treatments (P < 0.01) compared to baseline (8.3±2.1 nmol/mL). However, choline values were higher in EGG (10.54 ± 2.8 nmol/L) compared to SUB (9.47 ± 2.7 mmol/L) P < 0.025. These results indicate that consuming a plant-based diet in combination with whole eggs results in increases in plasma choline and in HDL cholesterol, both of which are beneficial for individuals with MetS.

Oxidative stress is increased in bladder cancer patients. During this time, an unbalanced state of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant capacity occurs, which then causes oxidative damage, cell damage, and eventually death. Oxidative stress mediates the development of several diseases, including urothelial cancer.
Bladder cancer is one of the ten most common types of cancer diagnosed in the world. Modern fluorescence diagnostics of bladder neoplasms, combining fluorescence cystoscopy with other methods, shows great potential both in basic biomedical research and in clinical practice.
The aim of this research was to explain what fluorescence diagnostics is to present the techniques of modern fluorescence diagnostics of bladder tumors combining fluorescence cystoscopy with other methods. So far, several mechanistic pathways have been proposed and it has been experimentally proven that oxidative stress causes epigenetic changes. General DNA hypomethylation, promoter hypermethylation and ROS-induced altered histone modification have been clearly demonstrated.
Fluorescence cystoscopy is based on the evaluation of the bladder mucosa under ultraviolet light after prior intravesical administration of a photosensitizer (PS). Basically, light of a certain wavelength activates the PS, which then leads to a series of photochemical reactions that ideally allow tumor cells to be visualized without damaging normal tissue. PS: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and hexylaminolevulinate (HAL) are commonly used in fluorescence cystoscopy.
Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC) is safe, well tested and effective in the treatment of bladder cancer and is well supported by high level evidence. The currently studied method, available and possible to implement, and at the same time more effective, is the combination of BLC with other methods of bladder cancer diagnosis. There is space and a need for further development and research in this area to minimize obstacles and introduce modern, improved diagnostic methods. In this paper, we present the current research reports on the generation and operation of ROS in bladder cancer.

Exercise training (ET) contrasts oxidative stress by activating the deacetylase SIRT1, a stress-sensor working to increase, when necessary, the endogenous antioxidant system. Other SIRT1 activators include polyphenols and vitamins whose antioxidant properties are well-known. Antioxidant supplements are used to improve athletes’ wellness and performance. However, they could blunt or even block ET-related benefits.

Two groups of middle-distance runners taking or not antioxidant supplements were compared with each other and with sedentary subjects to evaluate ET effects on mRNA and activity of SIRT1 and oxidative stress markers, and to investigate whether an exogenous source of antioxidants could interfere with such effects.

Twenty-five middle distance runners (MDR) and 14 sedentary controls (CTR) were enrolled. MDR assuming antioxidant supplements (240 mg vitamin C and 15 mg vitamin E, together with 861 mg sodium, 555 mg chlorine, 381 mg potassium, 66 mg magnesium) were indicated as MDR-S (n.12), MDR-noS indicated those not taking supplements (n.13). SIRT1 mRNA and activity were measured in PBMCs by a fluorimetric assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and oxidative stress index (TOS/TEAC) were determined in plasma.

MDR showed higher levels of SIRT1 mRNA and activity than controls without reaching a statistical significance. SIRT1 activity was higher (p=0.019) in MDR-noS (1909±626) compared with MDR-S (1276±474). Similarly, SIRT1 mRNA was higher (p=0.03) in MDR-noS (0,006±0,002) compared with MDR-S (0,003±0,0005).

Regarding TOS, MDR-S showed the highest, while MDR-noS had the lowest value. MDR showed higher TEAC levels than CTR (2866±581 vs 2082±560, p=0.001) as well as MDR-S (2919±551) and MDR-noS (2784±643) (MDR-S vs CTR, p=0.008 and MDR-noS vs CTR, p=0.02). No difference was found between MDR-S and MDR-noS. The CTR had the OSI highest value than the other groups (MDR vs CTR, p=0.003; MDR-noS vs CTR, p=0.03; MDR-S vs CTR, p=0.01).

Systemic antioxidant activity was higher in middle-distance runners taking or not antioxidant supplements compared with that measured in sedentary controls. An antioxidant supplementation seems to hinder the role of ET as a natural activator of SIRT1.

Natural products have been used for their healing properties for many centuries and have been of great interest in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry. Physical inactivity and the modern sedentary lifestyle, in which processed food has taken an important place, play an important role in oxidative stress induction. However, medicinal plants with antioxidant properties have been used since ancient times for their ability to treat or prevent several human ailments in which oxidative stress appears to be a cause. The aim of this research is to discover the antioxidant potential of Lomatium dissectum, a species of carrot family (Apiaceae) commonly known as fernleaf biscuitroot. Lomatium roots has been used historically by Native Americans, mostly as a treatment for respiratory illness, bacterial and viral infections. This study was to find out phytochemical composition, to determine total phenolic and flavonoid content, reducing potential and free radical scavenging activity in ethanolic extract of Lomatium roots. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, and steroids. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found to be 20.80 ± 5.76mg GAE/g and 65.5 ± 15.8 mg QE/g dry weight respectively. Plant extract showed high reducing potential in a dose-dependent fashion, which indicated the ability of the plant to donate electrons to neutralize free radicals. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl free radical scavenging assays. Lomatium extract displayed a concentration dependent radical scavenging activity. At a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml, plant extract scavenged DPPH, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals by 53.09%, 50.4% and 33.84% respectively. These results show that Lomatium root extract possess free radical scavenging activity and reducing potential and is rich in phenols and flavonoids. This is the first attempt at researching the antioxidant potential of Lomatium root. The results support traditional claims and pave the path for the discovery of antioxidant-rich nutrients that may help prevent us from oxidative stress borne diseases.