The Natural Combination Medicine Traumeel (Tr14) Improves Resolution of Inflammation by Promoting the Biosynthesis of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators

The resolution of inflammation is an integral part of the acute inflammatory response and eventually leads to the return to homeostasis. It is supported by specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that act as immunoresolvents via specific G-protein-coupled receptors. In contrast to classical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that suppress the formation of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators such as prostaglandins, novel pharmacotherapeutic concepts propose to foster the biosynthesis of beneficial SPMs. Here, we demonstrate that the natural combination medicine Traumeel (Tr14) improves resolution of inflammation by promoting SPM formation. Tr14 enhanced the biosynthesis of 12-/15-lipoxygenase (LOX) products and of SPMs in zymosan-induced mouse peritonitis as well as in human monocyte-derived macrophages challenged with Staphylococcus aureus. Importantly, in the peritonitis model, Tr14 supported the recruitment of innate leukocytes and the efferocytotic capacity of macrophages, and positively influenced the inflammation resolution index. Taken together, we suggest that based on these properties Tr14 may possess therapeutic potential as an enhancer for the resolution of inflammatory processes.

Wound healing and antibacterial activities of water-soluble chitosan nanoparticles and excretion/secretion as a natural combination from medicinal maggots, Lucilia cuprina

Wounds management takes a high interest in the medical field and the addition of antimicrobial agents in an assortment of wound dressings leads to delay the wound healing. This study aimed at preparing natural combination between excretion/secretion (ES) and water-soluble chitosan nanoparticles (from Lucilia cuprina maggots) and investigating its antibacterial and wound healing activities. ES of maggots was collected, and the water-soluble chitosan nanoparticles (WSCNPs) were prepared and characterized. Antibacterial activities of combinations were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris. ES-WSC-2 combination that contains 50% ES and 1% WSCNPs showed highest antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria compared to the other combinations. In vitro, the ES-WSC-2 combination was used to study the wound healing activity by scratch assay. The synergism between ES and WSCNPs (in ES-WSC-2 combination) accelerated the wound healing rate which suggests the use of this combination as an effective natural antibacterial and wound healing agent.

Influence of experimental storage conditions of spores of Floating fern (Salvinia natans (L.) All., Salviniaceae Martinov) on the reproduction of the species

Salvinia natans is a heterospore annual aquatic fern from the Salviniaceae family. Increasing the spores’ viability by storage simulations is the basis for creating fern spore banks. In this aspect, S. natans appears to be an unconventional subject. Between October and August 2019–2020 we conducted an experiment on the storage of S. natans spore production for 4 months in 12 combinations of abiotic factors (lighting water content – temperature) and subsequent sporesgermination during the spring – summer under the same conditions of natural temperature regime, natural light and thepresence of water. The spore production viability was assessed by the time of megasporangia germination and the numberof new individuals in each storage option. We established that the of the S. natans reproduction occurs successfully witha natural combination of abiotic environmental factors – a gradually changing temperature with winter freezing, naturallight, and the presence of sporangia in water. Storage has a beneficial effect during stratification (+ 5 °C, water) and in thecombination of factors “natural temperature – dark – dry”. Early germination and the appearance of the maximum number of new individuals in these three wintering options indicate that S. natans adapts to the seasonal climate with low winter temperatures and warm summers. Dormancy of S. natans spores belongs to the forced type. Dry storage delayed germination of megasporangia for a period of two weeks to a month. The dormancy of S. natans spores belongs to the forcedtype, since the content of sporangia in water in the light and at room temperature showed the possibility of the appearanceof new individuals in October-November.

A Narrative Review on the Unexplored Potential of Colostrum as a Preventative Treatment and Therapy for Diarrhea in Neonatal Dairy Calves

Diarrhea is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pre-weaned dairy calves and, as such, represents a significant animal health and welfare concern. Furthermore, digestive disease early in life is associated with several long-term consequences such as reduced growth rate and decreased milk yield during the first lactation, thus generating severe economic losses. The majority of diarrheic cases in young calves are treated with antimicrobials; however, it is necessary to develop alternative treatments, as excessive antimicrobial usage can lead to antimicrobial resistance and can negatively impact the gut microflora of a calf. Bovine colostrum is abundant in immune and bioactive factors that improve immune function and development. This rich and natural combination of immunoglobulins, natural antimicrobial factors, growth factors, anti-inflammatories and nutrients may be an attractive alternative to antimicrobials in the treatment of diarrhea in young dairy calves. There is evidence that supports the use of colostrum as an early treatment for diarrhea in young calves. Future research should investigate its therapeutic and economic effectiveness.

Casein/Apricot Filler in the Production of Flame-Retardant Polyurethane Composites

Polyurethane (PUR) composites reinforced with 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of apricot filler modified with casein were synthesized in the following study. The impact of 1, 2, and 5 wt.% of casein/apricot filler on the cellular structure and physico-mechanical performances of reinforced PUR composites were determined. It was found that the incorporation of 1 and 2 wt.% of casein/apricot filler resulted in the production of PUR composites with improved selected physical, thermal, and mechanical properties, while the addition of 5 wt.% of casein/apricot filler led to some deterioration of their physico-mechanical performance. The best results were obtained for PUR composites reinforced with 2 wt.% of casein/apricot filler. Those composites were characterized by a uniform structure and a high content of closed cells. Compared with the reference foam, the incorporation of 2 wt.% of casein/apricot filler resulted in improvement in compressive strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and dynamic mechanical properties—such as glass transition temperature and storage modulus. Most importantly, PUR composites showed better fire resistance and thermal stability due to the good thermal performance of casein. The main aim of this article is to determine the influence of the natural combination of the apricot filler and casein on the mechanical properties and flammability of the obtained composites.

An Oral Combination of Turmeric-Pomegranate (With Ginger) Prevents Viral (Cold/ Flu) Episodes in Immunocompromised Patients

The aim of this pharma standard (“PS”) supplement, registry was the evaluation – in a period of 3 months – of the effects of the use of a standardized combination (oral supplement including turmeric, pomegranate and ginger) in preventing common, winter, viral events (cold and flu episodes). Results: No safety or tolerability problem was observed with the supplement. The two resulting registry management groups – standard management (SM) and SM+the supplement combination – were comparable. The number of viral (cold/flu) episodes (lasting more than 3 days), and the total number of subjects with any episode was in favor of the group managed with the preventive supplement combination (p<0.05). The average number of days of disease and the lost working days were lower with the combination (Phyto Relief). The use of other OTC products and the number of complications were significantly lower (<0.05) with the supplement combination. The number of subjects with a clinical extension of the disease to more than 7 days with bronchial or tracheal complications was also lower (p<0.05) with the supplements in comparison with the SM group. Salivation was improved more in the supplemented group (p<0.05). The results of this concept, preliminary study in mildly immuno-compromised subjects shows that Phyto Relief may help prevent some episodes of cold/flu and help (by shortening the length of the episodes) the evolution of viral episodes when used early, when the initial symptoms can be identified. More specific evaluations and larger prevention studies are needed, in a more heterogenous population. The extension of this supplementary prevention to more subjects and for longer periods may indicate a more permanent effect of this supplement combination on improving local, mucosal immunity and resistance to viral spread. Conclusions: The evaluation of immunocompromised subjects is significant in clinical conditions prevention (winter viral episodes) with this natural combination which may also avoid prolonged respiratory complications.

The Efficacy of Mootral Supplementation on Methane Production and Rumen Fermentation Characteristics in Ruminants Fed Different Styles

Background: Using natural feed supplements to mitigate methane emissions from ruminants is a promising strategy. Many antimethanogenic compounds have been used to alter rumen fermentation, yet their potential to reduce methane production effectively is not consistent across different kinds of feeding styles (forage:concentrate ratios). Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the impacts of Mootral (MT), a natural combination of garlic powder and bitter orange extract, on methane production, rumen fermentation, and digestibility in different feeding models commonly used for ruminants. The dietary treatments were 1000 g grass/kg ration (10 GRS), 8 GRS + 200 g concentrate/kg ration (2CON), 6GRS + 4CON, 4GRS + 6CON, and 2GRS + 8CON. MT was supplemented at 200 g/kg of the feed. Each group consisted of 6 replicates. The experiment was performed as a batch culture for 24 h at 39 °C. This procedure was repeated in 3 consecutive runs. Results: The results of this experiment showed that supplementation with MT strongly reduced methane production in all kinds of feeding models (P<0.001). Its efficacy in reducing methane/digestible dry matter was 44% in the 10GRS diet, and this reductive power increased with the inclusion of CON up to a 69.5% reduction with the 2GRS + 8CON diet. MT application significantly increased gas and carbon dioxide production and the concentration of ammonia-nitrogen, but decreased the pH (P<0.001). In contrast, it did not interfere with organic matter and fiber digestibility. Supplementation with MT was effective in altering rumen fermentation toward less acetate and more propionate and butyrate. Additionally, it improved the production of total volatile fatty acids in all feeding models (P<0.001). Conclusions: The MT combination showed effective methane reduction by improving rumen fermentation characteristics without exhibiting adverse effects on fiber digestibility. Thus, MT could be used with all kinds of feeding models to effectively mitigate methane emissions from ruminants.

Mobile Cloud Computing Integrating Cloud, Mobile Computing, and Networking Services Through Virtualization

Mobile computing is a critical technology area which is actively integrated with field of cloud computing. It is broadly an application of virtualization technology at both ends of client server architecture. The mobile and cloud computing is a natural combination as mobile devices have limited computing and storage capacity, thus to reap the benefits of high end computing, cloud is the answer. Thus, amalgamation of mobile platform with cloud platform is inevitable. This chapter shall deliberate on the various aspects of mobile computing, mobile cloud computing and its relationship with virtualization technology. The detailed integration aspects and virtualization shall be signified through case study and suitable real time examples. The chapter shall envisage a case study, modeling the virtualization in the context of mobile cloud.

A Large Scale, Knowledge Intensive Domain Development Methodology

Since time immemorial, organization and visualization has emerged as the pre-eminent natural combination through which abstract concepts in a domain can be understood, imbibed and communicated. In the present era of big data and information explosion, domains are becoming increasingly intricate and facetized, often leaving traditional approaches of know­ledge organization functionally inefficient in dynamically depicting intellectual landscapes. The paper attempts to present, ab initio, a step-by-step conceptual domain development methodology using know­ledge graphs, rooted in the rudiments of interdisciplinary know­ledge organization and know­ledge cartography. It briefly highlights the implementation of the proposed methodology on business domain data, and considers its research ramifications, originality and limitations from multiple perspectives. The paper concludes by summarizing observations on the entire work and particularizing future lines of research.

Antibacterial Clothing Made From Bamboo Fibers And Natural Dyes With A Combination Of Dragon Fruit, Betel, And Gambier Skin As A Solution For Using Synthetic Dyes

In the New Normal Era, cleanliness is very important to prevent the spread of Covid 19, therefore a garment that has antibacterial properties is needed, which is obtained from bamboo fibers and natural dyes. The author formulates bamboo fibers which are used as the basic material for making fabrics that contain anti-bacterial and natural dyes which are obtained by combining dragon fruit peel, gambier, lime and betel leaf which also contain antibacterial. The softening solution, namely NaOH, is then cleaned of chemical liquid and continued to separate the desired bamboo fibers. Furthermore, after obtaining bamboo fibers, clothes are made according to what they want. The dyeing of the fabric uses the method of dyeing the cloth from bamboo fibers that have been previously mordant at room temperature (27-30oC) for 10 minutes, then drying for 10 minutes. The staining will be carried out by immersing 10 times. Based on several previous studies that the bamboo fiber produced is influenced by the levels of chemicals used in the softening process, and the thickness of the blades used. The thinner the blade is used, the faster the process of forming bamboo fibers. Based on previous literature studies, it is stated that the use of natural combination ingredients consisting of dragon fruit peel, gambier, lime, betel leaf and banana sap can produce antibacterial clothing to support activities carried out in the post-pandemic period like today.