Anthocyanins are polyphenolic plant pigments associated with antioxidant and health-promoting properties. However, their application in the food industry is limited due to their poor stability. The purpose of this study was to encapsulate anthocyanin-rich bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract by freeze-drying and to investigate the effects of different wall materials and extract contents on the physicochemical and bioactive properties of the obtained encapsulates. Ethanolic bilberry extract was encapsulated with the use of maltodextrin (16.5–19.5 DE) (MD), gum Arabic (GA), and their combination in a 1:1 w/w ratio (MIX). Bilberry solids to wall material ratios were examined at 20:80, 30:70, and 40:60. All encapsulates showed an attractive red colour and low water activity values (a_w ≤ 0.3) that indicated a low risk of microbial spoilage. In general, the biggest losses of total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins during three-week storage in the dark and at room temperature (20 ± 2 °C) were detected in the case of encapsulates with a higher content of bilberry extract (MIX30 and MIX40, and GA30 and GA40, respectively). The use of maltodextrin provided the best protection to bilberry anthocyanins during forced storage. Overall, the obtained encapsulates show suitable potential for the development of food products with added nutritional benefits.

The aim was to: (1) compare changes among primary and secondary implant stability between immediate and early loaded implants in edentulous maxilla, (2) evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and (3) determine patient satisfaction with 6 implant supported fixed full-arch dentures. A prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 24 edentulous maxilla patients. The BLT SLActive implants in 12 patients were immediately loaded with temporary restorations while 12 patients did not receive temporary restorations. Definitive (final) dentures were delivered to all patients after 6 weeks. Stability of the implants were assessed by insertion torque (IT) and resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Oral Health Impact Profile-19 (OHIP-19) questionnaire was used to evaluate OHRQoL and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for patient satisfaction. The IT value of implants assigned for immediate and early loading group was 27.17 ± 9.55 Ncm and 25.01 ± 11.06 Ncm, respectively. Changes in implant stability from baseline to week 6 were similar in both groups when measured by Penguin (P = .881) and Ostell (P = .828). Patients in the immediate loading group reported significantly lower OHIP physical pain scores (P = .016) and OHIP psychological disability score (P = .046), and the patients reported significantly higher VAS function score (P = .009) and VAS esthetics score (P = .009). Implant loading protocols do not have a significant effect on the change in implant stability 6 weeks after implantation; however, immediate loading significantly improves OHRQoL as well as satisfaction of patients with maxillary edentulism treated by fixed full-arch dentures. Future trials will determine the role of immediate loading protocol in clinical scenarios with various amounts of available jaw bone using different numbers of implants to retain a fixed prosthetic restoration in the edentulous maxilla.

Blackberries (Rubus sp.) are considered a good source of bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols. The high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity associated with polyphenols offers the possibility of using blackberry extracts in various food applications. This study investigates the potential of blackberry extracts obtained with various solvents and extraction techniques as a source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. Ethanol and two natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) (N1 - choline chloride:glycerol (1:2) and N2 - choline chloride:lactic acid (1:4)) and three different extraction techniques (maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction) were applied. The extracts were evaluated in terms of total monomeric anthocyanin content, polymeric color, total polyphenol content, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The antimicrobial potential against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria, as well as one yeast, was assessed using agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. The N2 solvent gave a better yield of bioactives than N1 and ethanol, while the microwave-assisted extraction had the most pronounced effect on the extracts' polyphenol content and color. All samples displayed significantly higher antimicrobial activity than the ethanolic extract, with the generally highest efficacy observed against Gram-positive bacteria. Overall, these preliminary results demonstrate the potential of acidic NADES for the extraction and application of blackberry polyphenols. Future steps should include extraction optimization and food application studies.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), extensively used in various industries, have been shown to cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in gastric cells. In this study, young adult female Wistar rats were treated orally with a single dose of either vehicle (V), pristine TiO2 NPs, or TiO2 NPs surface-modified with salicylic acid (SA/TiO2 NPs), or 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA/TiO2 NPs). The stomach weight to body weight ratio (sw/bw), prooxidant/antioxidant balance (PAB) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), were measured. 5-ASA/TiO2 NPs treatment significantly reduced sw/bw, PAB and LPO levels compared to pristine TiO2 NPs, and remained similar to the V treatment. SA/TiO2 NPs treatment showed similar trend but without significance. Results suggest potential protective effects of 5-ASA modification on TiO2 NPs-induced oxidative damage, while further research is necessary to fully understand both the modification process and its underlying mechanisms

D-galactose (d-gal), mainly found in food as a component of lactose and to a lesser extent in legumes, fruits and vegetables, plays a crucial role in metabolism. However, there are indications that it’s chronic (intraperitoneal i.p. and subcutaneous s.c.) administration leads to oxidative damage in various organs, accompanied by signs of aging. To prevent irritation and discomfort from prolonged needle use in animals, our study aimed to determine if chronic oral intake of d-gal in tap water causes similar oxidative age-related liver changes in rats as observed with i.p. or s.c. d-gal administration. We investigated the effects of orally administered d-gal (200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, 6 weeks) on oxidative stress parameters in the liver of adult Wistar rats. Both d-gal doses led to an increase in markers of oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, however further studies are conducting to fully understand these effects on the liver function and morphology.