Paracetamol 650mg / Ascorbic acid 50mg oral powder sachets

Background: The collection of microorganisms that colonize the human genital and urinary tract is referred to as the genitourinary microbiome. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which predominantly affect women, are linked to alterations in the genitourinary microbiome. Cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccos), rich in proanthocyanidins, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), known for their urinary acidification properties, are commonly used for UTI prevention. However, their effects on the genitourinary microbiome remain inadequately characterized. This pilot study assesses the genitourinary microbiome composition in healthy women and evaluates the influence of cranberry and ascorbic acid supplementation. Methods: In a randomized, controlled, and open-label trial, 27 healthy women in their reproductive age (18–40 years) were assigned to three groups: cranberry (n = 8), ascorbic acid (n = 10), and control (n = 9). Urine samples were collected at three time points and processed for 16S rRNA gene amplicon-based microbial community composition analysis. Microbiome composition was compared within and between groups, and between study visits. Results: Sufficient microbial DNA was extracted from all midstream urine samples. The genitourinary microbiome was predominantly composed of Lactobacillus spp., as reported previously. No significant shifts in microbial composition were observed in response to cranberry or ascorbic acid supplementation, and no statistically significant differences were detected between the intervention and control groups or between study visits. Conclusion: The genitourinary microbiome of healthy women remained stable during cranberry or ascorbic acid supplementation. Further studies in patients with recurrent UTIs are needed to explore the potential impacts of these supplements on the genitourinary microbiome in disease states.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Escherichia coli is a major cause of serious infections, with antibiotic resistance rendering many treatments ineffective. Hence, novel strategies to combat this pathogen are needed. Anti-virulence therapy is a promising new approach for the subsequent era. Recent research has examined the impact of sub-inhibitory doses of ascorbic acid and paracetamol on Escherichia coli virulence factors. This study evaluated biofilm formation, protease production, motility behavior, serum resistance, expression of virulence-regulating genes (using RT-PCR), and survival rates in a mouse model. Ascorbic acid significantly reduced biofilm formation, protease production, motility, and serum resistance from 100% in untreated isolates to 22–89%, 10–89%, 2–57%, and 31–35% in treated isolates, respectively. Paracetamol also reduced these factors from 100% in untreated isolates to 16–76%, 1–43%, 16–38%, and 31–35%, respectively. Both drugs significantly down-regulated virulence-regulating genes papC, fimH, ompT_m, stcE, fliC, and kpsMTII. Mice treated with these drugs had a 100% survival rate compared with 60% in the positive control group control inoculated with untreated bacteria. This study highlights the potential of ascorbic acid and paracetamol as anti-virulence agents, suggesting their use as adjunct therapies alongside conventional antimicrobials or as alternative treatments for resistant Escherichia coli infections.

Abstract licence: CC BY

Ascorbic acid (AA) plays roles in many biological functions, such as participating in the production of collagen by taking a role in proline and lysine hydroxylation. AA works by removing the reactive oxygen species, thus removing the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelium. The present study investigates the protective effects of AA on the testis tissue damage induced by paracetamol in rats. Thirty-two male rats were equally divided into four groups, with eight rats in each. Group (1) regular control group, group (2) was received 500 mg/kg/b.w. of AA orally for two weeks, group (3) was received 500 mg/kg/b.w. of paracetamol orally for two weeks, group (4) was treated with the AA (500 mg/kg/b.w.) and paracetamol (500 mg/kg/b.w.) orally for two weeks. The histopathological investigations of the testis tissues from the paracetamol group showed atrophy and degeneration of seminiferous tubules with an absence of spermatozoa, presence of cell debris, and loss of the Sertoli cells in some seminiferous tubules when compared with control animals. The testis tissues from a protective group showed less damage in the tubules and germ cells when compared with the paracetamol group. This study indicates that AA protects against paracetamol-induced testis damage in adult male rats.

Abstract licence: CC BY

A simple, facile, and sensitive method based on leather shaving waste extract (LSWE) modified pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was developed to determine paracetamol (PAR) by employing the square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SW-AdSV) technique. Leather shaving waste (LSW) was characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and by investigating its morphology by taking scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The extraction process was conducted on an LSW by utilizing acetonitrile. Furthermore, the extraction ratio of LSW to acetonitrile was optimized and found to be 0.1 g LSW/10 mL acetonitrile at room temperature for an extraction period of 12 h. Modification of PGE by 0.1 g of LSWE (0.1LSWE/PGE) was done by performing cyclic voltammetry (CV) at the potential range 0–(+2.3) V for 10 cycles, followed by a characterization process of 0.1LSWE/PGE by employing CV, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and SEM techniques. PAR determination parameters at 0.1LSWE/PGE were optimized and found to be an accumulation time of 35 s in Britton Robinson buffer solution at pH 1.8. A linear relationship (r2 = 0.997) was observed between peak current and PAR concentration within the range 5–100 μM, with a sensitivity of 196.46 μA μM–1 cm–2. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 1.6 and 4.51 μM, respectively. Neglected interferant influence on the determination of PAR at 0.1LSWE/PGE was observed in the presence of dopamine, uric acid, caffeine, ascorbic acid, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NO3–, and Cl– ions. In order to evaluate 0.1LSWE/PGE in the determination of PAR in real pharmaceutical samples, different common PAR-containing pharmaceuticals in Türkiye were analyzed, achieving a recovery range of 99.76–102.87%.

Abstract licence: CC BY

The study of crystallography and the introduction to X-ray structure analysis are generally regarded as tasks for universities and, even then, usually only in graduate studies. However, analysis of crystal structures in science classes at high schools offers a wide range of opportunities for illustrating and improving understanding of fundamental structural chemistry concepts. This article attempts to share some experiences with crystallographers who want to work with high school students on crystallographic topics. After presenting some preconditions for introducing students to crystallographic topics, such as the curricular situation, two levels of didactical reduction are suggested. Examples of the use of database structures from the Protein Data Bank and the Teaching Subset of the Cambridge Structural Database in chemistry lessons are presented. In the Göttingen experimental laboratory for young people, XLAB, high school students can carry out the essential steps of structure determination, structure solution and refinement of X-ray diffraction data themselves, using aspirin or citric acid as examples. Finally, a network scheme for promoting crystallographic topics in the classroom is proposed.

Abstract licence: CC BY