Weeds cause a decrease in the quantity and quality of agricultural production and economic damage to producers. The prolonged use of synthetic pesticides causes problems of environmental pollution, the possible alteration of agricultural products and problems for human health. For this reason, the scientific community’s search for products of natural origin, which are biodegradable, safe for human health and can act as valid alternatives to traditional herbicides, is growing. Essential oils can have useful implications in agriculture by acting as effective alternatives to chemical herbicides. In this work, the chemical composition of an EO from Artemisia herba-alba and its herbicidal properties were studied on two weeds (Lolium multiflorum and Trifolium pratense) and two crops (Brassica napus and Hordeum vulgare) and its environmental safety was also assessed using three model organisms: Chaoborus sp., Tubifex tubifex and Eisenia foetida. The principal component of the EO was camphor (26.02%), with α- and β-thujone (9.60 and 8.38%, respectively), 1,8-cineole (8.02%), piperitenone (5.29%) and camphene (4.95%) as the main components. The EO demonstrated variable phytotoxic effects with a dose-dependent manner, inhibiting both the germination and the radical elongation of the tested seeds, and was also found to be environmentally safe for the selected organisms. The results lay the foundation for considering this EO as a potential weed control agent.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of two lengths of Nordic walking (NW) training interventions combined with time-restricted eating (TRE) on improving body-composition parameters, lipid profiles, and levels of selected adipokines in women with elevated body mass. Overweight and obese women (n = 55, age: 21–85) were recruited. Four groups were selected: 6 weeks (SG6, n = 13) and 12 weeks intervention (SG12, n = 13); and two control groups: CON6 (n = 13) and CON12 (n = 13). The training sessions took place three times a week (60 min each) and were conducted outdoors under the supervision of a professional coach. The training intensity was determined individually. The extended NW program combined with TRE induced a significant weight reduction in SG12 by 1.96 kg (p = 0.010) and fat tissue by 1.64 kg (p = 0.05). The proposed interventions did not affect LBM, TBW [kg], VFA, and lipid profile. The LDL/HDL ratio changed with a small size effect. The leptin concentration differed between groups (p = 0.006), but not over time. For resistin, the differentiating factor was time (p = 0.019), with lower results observed after the intervention. The change in leptin concentration was negatively correlated with its baseline concentration (p = 0.025). Extended to 12 weeks, this intervention allows for an improvement in body composition. Neither 6 nor 12 weeks of training and fasting affected the lipoprotein profile. It is, therefore, indicated to recommend prolonged training protocols and to inform patients that beneficial effects will be seen only after prolonged use of training and time-restricted eating.

Background and Objective: Tuberculosis is one of the globally prevalent infectious diseases. Lipids play a crucial role in its development as well as in other diseases of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular diseases significantly worsen the functional and vital prognosis of tuberculosis patients. The aim of the study was to assess the differences in lipid profile, glucose, and atherogenic markers between tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: The project involved 34 patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and a control group (CG: n = 35). The following were assessed: total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), and glucose. Atherogenic indices: Castelli risk index I (CRI-I), Castelli risk index II (CRI-II), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) were calculated from lipid profile parameters using appropriate formulas. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between CG and TB in the parameters CHOL, LDL and HDL (p < 0.001). Based on the calculated atherogenic indices CRI-I and AIP, people diagnosed with TB can be classified into the high cardiovascular risk group. By fitting the ROC curve, atherogenic indices were shown to be effective predictors of cardiovascular risk in people with tuberculosis. Conclusions: Atherogenic indices are useful markers for detecting cardiovascular disease in patients with tuberculosis and may help identify cardiovascular risks that might otherwise be missed.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of two lengths of Nordic walking (NW) training interventions combined with time restricted eating (TRE) on improving body composition parameters, lipid profile, and levels of selected adipokines in women with disrupted body mass. Overweight and obese women (n=55, age: 21-85) were recruited. Four groups were selected: 6 weeks (SG6, n=13) and 12 weeks intervention (SG12, n=13); and two control groups: CON6 (n=13); and CON12 (n=13). The training sessions took place 3 times a week (60 minutes each) and were conducted outdoor under the supervision of professional coach. The training intensity was determined individually. The extended NW program combined with TRE induced a significant weight reduction in SG12 by 1.96 kg (p=0.010) and fat tissue by 1.64 kg (p=0.05). The proposed interventions did not affect LBM, TBW [kg], VFA and lipid profile. The LDL/HDL ratio changed with small size effect. Leptin concentration differed between groups (p=0.006), but not over time. For resistin, the differentiating factor was time (p=0.019, with lower results observed after the intervention). The change in leptin concentration was negatively correlated with its baseline concentration. Extended to 12 weeks, this intervention allows for an improvement in body composition. Neither 6 nor 12 weeks of training and fasting affected the lipoprotein profile.

Objectives: The BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene (vitamin D receptor) is one of the important genetic variants influencing the development of osteoporosis. Measurement and evaluation of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration in individuals with reduced bone mineral density are essential because deficiency of this hormone causes impaired bone mineralization, leads to low BMD (bone mineral density), and influences fracture formation. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the VDR gene BsmI polymorphism and 25(OH)D levels in Slovak postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 287 untreated postmenopausal women, who were divided into three groups based on T-scores: normal (CG = 65), osteopenia (OPE = 126), and osteoporosis (OPO = 96). DNA isolation was performed using a standard protocol. Genetic analyses of the BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphism of the VDR gene were performed using the TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Biochemical analysis of total 25(OH)D was performed in blood serum using the electrochemiluminescence method. Results: The chi-square test confirmed that the mutant T allele was not associated with the development of osteoporosis (p = 0.419). Through Kruskal–Wallis analysis, we found significant differences (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) in total 25(OH)D concentrations in individual genotypes of the BsmI variant of the VDR gene between the groups of women studied. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the VDR gene and its variant BsmI as well as 25(OH)D total may be relevant markers in the etiology of the search for individuals at risk of osteoporosis.

Evidence indicates that unhealthy eating habits constitute multilevel obstacles threatening health and well-being. Studies suggest that consumer choices have turned irremovably towards Western diets. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered one of the most effective in preventing and treating overweight and obesity, yet its results and associations are ambiguous. This explanatory research aims to examine the effect of the MD on anthropometric and biochemical variables in 181 females from an Eastern European country. The sample was divided into three distinct clusters based on age (tricenarian, quadragenarian, and quinquagenarian). Anthropometric and biochemical examinations in the three-month MD program plan failed to provide convincing evidence of the benefits of the MD on selected integrands. However, total body fat (FATP) values between groups showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.032) between groups A and C (p ≤ 0.029), which can be attributed to the age of the cohort (30–39 vs. 50–60 years). Values in groups A and B (p ≤ 0.001) and C and A (p ≤ 0.001) were significant between the cohorts but did not indicate any changes in visceral fat (VFATL) in the individual groups. The presented findings can have implications for further investigation and the development of more comprehensive instruments, incorporating critical add-on constituents that will be appropriate to monitor, evaluate, and predict body weight management in experimentation.