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Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) in school-age children, to identify the extent to which altitude affects the prevalence of the disease, and to examine trends in prevalence over time in China. Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched and last retrieved on September 10, 2021 for all studies reporting the prevalence of CHD in children after 1970 in China, which were then divided into high and low altitude regions based on 2500 meters above sea level. The random-effected model was used to combine prevalence data and subgroups analysis. The baseline data of all cases and individuals were used for comparison to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for overall and different altitude prevalence. Results: A total of 12,926,083 individuals (aged 3-18 years), with 31,835 cases from 86 studies, were included in the analysis. The pooled CHD prevalence of total children was 4.69 [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.10 to 5.29] per 1000 children. Overall, temporal trends analysis indicated that the prevalence of CHD in children continuously decreased with time, from 6.19 (95% CI: 4.50 to 7.88) per 1000 children in 1976-1985 to 3.30 (95% CI: 2.49; 4.38) per 1000 children in 2016-2021. The OR for the prevalence of CHD in children from high and low altitudes with baseline data was 2.84 (95% CI: 2.48 to 3.27) and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.53) (χ² = 53.89, p < 0.01), respectively. The OR of the prevalence of CHD in male children compared to females was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.53 to 0.68) at high altitudes and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.89) at low altitudes. Among the seven most common subtypes, patent ductus arteriosus was the most common at high altitudes, while atrial septal defects were the most common at low altitudes. Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights for further disease prevention and etiological exploration. The overall decreasing trend in the prevalence of CHD in children over time may indicate a positive effect of perinatal management and treatment during infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat-shock proteins are upregulated in cancer and protect several client proteins from degradation. Therefore, they contribute to tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis by reducing apoptosis and enhancing cell survival and proliferation. These client proteins include the estrogen receptor (ER), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and cytokine receptors. The diminution of the degradation of these client proteins activates different signaling pathways, such as the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB, Raf/MEK/ERK, and JAK/STAT3 pathways. These pathways contribute to hallmarks of cancer, such as self-sufficiency in growth signaling, an insensitivity to anti-growth signals, the evasion of apoptosis, persistent angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis, and an unbounded capacity for replication. However, the inhibition of HSP90 activity by ganetespib is believed to be a promising strategy in the treatment of cancer because of its low adverse effects compared to other HSP90 inhibitors. Ganetespib is a potential cancer therapy that has shown promise in preclinical tests against various cancers, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia. It has also shown strong activity toward breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, gastric cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. Ganetespib has been found to cause apoptosis and growth arrest in these cancer cells, and it is being tested in phase II clinical trials as a first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer. In this review, we will highlight the mechanism of action of ganetespib and its role in treating cancer based on recent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A class of chaperones dubbed heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) possesses high relevance in cancer diseases due to its cooperative activity with the well-established anticancer target Hsp90. However, Hsp70 is closely connected with a smaller heat shock protein, Hsp40, forming a formidable Hsp70-Hsp40 axis in various cancers, which serves as a suitable target for anticancer drug design. This review summarizes the current state and the recent developments in the field of (semi-)synthetic small molecule inhibitors directed against Hsp70 and Hsp40. The medicinal chemistry and anticancer potential of pertinent inhibitors are discussed. Since Hsp90 inhibitors have entered clinical trials but have exhibited severe adverse effects and drug resistance formation, potent Hsp70 and Hsp40 inhibitors may play a significant role in overcoming the drawbacks of Hsp90 inhibitors and other approved anticancer drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) holds great promise in cancer eradication due to its target selectivity, non-invasiveness, and low systemic toxicity. However, due to the hypoxic nature of many native tumors, PDT is frequently limited in its therapeutic effect. Additionally, oxygen consumption during PDT may exacerbate the tumor's hypoxic condition, which stimulates tumor proliferation, metastasis, and invasion, resulting in poor treatment outcomes. Therefore, various strategies have been developed to combat hypoxia in PDT, such as oxygen carriers, reactive oxygen supplements, and the modulation of tumor microenvironments. However, most PDT-related studies are still conducted on two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, which fail to accurately reflect tissue complexity. Thus, three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures are ideal models for drug screening, disease simulation and targeted cancer therapy, since they accurately replicate the tumor tissue architecture and microenvironment. This review summarizes recent advances in the development of strategies to overcome tumor hypoxia for enhanced PDT efficiency, with a particular focus on nanoparticle-based photosensitizer (PS) delivery systems, as well as the advantages of 3D cell cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen is an essential sex steroid hormone that functions primarily in female reproductive system, as well as in a variety of tissues and organs with pleiotropic effects, such as in cardiovascular, nervous, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. Women with low estrogen, as exemplified by those in postmenopause, are therefore prone to suffer from various disorders, i.e., cardiovascular disease, dementia, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, frailty, and so on. Estrogen regulates the expression of its target genes by binding to its cognate receptors, estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β. Notably, the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) α, β, and γ are originally identified as orphan receptors that share substantial structural homology and common transcriptional targets with ERs. Accumulating evidence suggests that ERs and ERRs play crucial roles in skeletal muscles, such as muscle mass maintenance, muscle exercise physiology, and muscle regeneration. In this article, we review potential regulatory roles of ERs and ERRs in muscle physiology, particularly with regard to mitochondrial function and metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry-cured pork products, such as dry-cured ham, undergo an extensive proteolysis during manufacturing process which determines the organoleptic properties of the final product. As a result of endogenous pork muscle endo- and exopeptidases, many medium- and short-chain peptides are released from muscle proteins. Many of them have been isolated, identified, and characterized, and some peptides have been reported to exert relevant bioactivity with potential benefit for human health. However, little attention has been given to di- and tripeptides, which are far less known, although they have received increasing attention in recent years due to their high potential relevance in terms of bioactivity and role in taste development. This review gathers the current knowledge about di- and tripeptides, regarding their bioactivity and sensory properties and focusing on their generation during long-term processing such as dry-cured pork meats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gliomas are the most commonly occurring primary brain tumor with poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Currently, the diagnostic and monitoring options for glioma mainly revolve around imaging techniques, which often provide limited information and require supervisory expertise. Liquid biopsy is a great alternative or complementary monitoring protocol that can be implemented along with other standard diagnosis protocols. However, standard detection schemes for sampling and monitoring biomarkers in different biological fluids lack the necessary sensitivity and ability for real-time analysis. Lately, biosensor-based diagnostic and monitoring technology has attracted significant attention due to several advantageous features, including high sensitivity and specificity, high-throughput analysis, minimally invasive, and multiplexing ability. In this review article, we have focused our attention on glioma and presented a literature survey summarizing the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers associated with glioma. Further, we discussed different biosensory approaches reported to date for the detection of specific glioma biomarkers. Current biosensors demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity, which can be used for point-of-care devices or liquid biopsies. However, for real clinical applications, these biosensors lack high-throughput and multiplexed analysis, which can be achieved via integration with microfluidic systems. We shared our perspective on the current state-of-the-art different biosensor-based diagnostic and monitoring technologies reported and the future research scopes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review focusing on biosensors for glioma detection, and it is anticipated that the review will offer a new pathway for the development of such biosensors and related diagnostic platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spinal cord and the brain form the central nervous system (CNS), which is the most important part of the body. However, spinal cord injury (SCI) caused by external forces is one of the most difficult types of neurological injury to treat, resulting in reduced or even absent motor, sensory and autonomic functions. It leads to the reduction or even disappearance of motor, sensory and self-organizing nerve functions. Currently, its incidence is increasing each year worldwide. Therefore, the development of treatments for SCI is urgently needed in the clinic. To date, surgery, drug therapy, stem cell transplantation, regenerative medicine, and rehabilitation therapy have been developed for the treatment of SCI. Among them, regenerative biomaterials that use tissue engineering and bioscaffolds to transport cells or drugs to the injured site are considered the most promising option. In this review, we briefly introduce SCI and its molecular mechanism and summarize the application of biomaterials in the repair and regeneration of tissue in various models of SCI. However, there is still limited evidence about the treatment of SCI with biomaterials in the clinic. Finally, this review will provide inspiration and direction for the future study and application of biomaterials in the treatment of SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer interest in protein rich diets is increasing, with more attention being paid to the protein source. Despite the occurrence of animal proteins in the human diet, non-animal proteins are gaining popularity around the world due to their health benefits, environmental sustainability, and ethical merit. These sources of protein qualify for vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets. Non-animal proteins are versatile, derived mainly from cereals, vegetables, pulses, algae (seaweed and microalgae), fungi, and bacteria. This review's intent is to analyze the current and future direction of research and innovation in non-animal proteins, and to elucidate the extent (limitations and opportunities) of their applications in food and beverage industries. Prior knowledge provided relevant information on protein features (processing, structure, and techno-functionality) with particular focus on those derived from soy and wheat. In the current food landscape, beyond conventionally used plant sources, other plant proteins are gaining traction as alternative ingredients to formulate animal-free foodstuffs (e.g., meat alternatives, beverages, baked products, snack foods, and others). Microbial proteins derived from fungi and algae are also food ingredients of interest due to their high protein quantity and quality, however there is no commercial food application for bacterial protein yet. In the future, key points to consider are the importance of strain/variety selection, advances in extraction technologies, toxicity assessment, and how this source can be used to create food products for personalized nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria have many forms and can change their shape through fusion and fission of the outer and inner membranes, called "mitochondrial dynamics". Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins, such as mitochondrial fission protein 1 (FIS1), mitochondrial fission factor (MFF), mitochondrial 98 dynamics proteins of 49 kDa (MiD49), and mitochondrial dynamics proteins of 51 kDa (MiD51), can aggregate at the outer mitochondrial membrane and thus attract Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) from the cytoplasm to the outer mitochondrial membrane, where DRP1 can perform a scissor-like function to cut a complete mitochondrion into two separate mitochondria. Other organelles can promote mitochondrial fission alongside mitochondria. FIS1 plays an important role in mitochondrial–lysosomal contacts, differentiating itself from other mitochondrial-fission-associated proteins. The contact between the two can also induce asymmetric mitochondrial fission. The kidney is a mitochondria-rich organ, requiring large amounts of mitochondria to produce energy for blood circulation and waste elimination. Pathological increases in mitochondrial fission can lead to kidney damage that can be ameliorated by suppressing their excessive fission. This article reviews the current knowledge on the key role of mitochondrial-fission-associated proteins in the pathogenesis of kidney injury and the role of their various post-translational modifications in activation or degradation of fission-associated proteins and targeted drug therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat is characterized by high perishability and a short shelf‐life under improper storage. The evolution of food packaging in response to the growing need for clean‐label technology has resulted in a sustainable, effective, safe, and natural method of prolonging the shelf‐life of food using eco‐friendly technologies. Active packaging presents a peculiar approach to preserving and packaging foods such as fresh and processed meat. They are composed of films and/or coatings obtained from natural sources of polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins that are edible, biodegradable, and can act as carriers of active ingredients from natural sources. Essential oils (EOs) are plant‐extracted volatile aromatic compounds that have been the center of attention several types of research owing to their potential in food as natural additives and active ingredients with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Their utilization into biodegradable components for instance edible films to develop an active packaging system with enhanced functionalities and usefulness to the packaging and food industry is described. This review provides critical insights into the inclusion of EOs into bio‐based materials with an emphasis on muscle food applications. Encapsulation was also emphasized as a key factor in optimizing the usage, stability, and efficiency of EOs in active packaging. The shelf‐life of food is prolonged by the packaging system through preventing the actions of external aggressors such as oxygen and moisture, delaying the proliferation of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, slowing oxidative processes, and extending the duration that products are organoleptically acceptable. While cost and commercialization are the main concern for food industry professionals, consumers' main concerns are safety and awareness. In a nutshell, EO‐based active packaging holds a lot of potential for shelf‐life extension of meat and quality preservation. Novelty impact statement: EO‐based active packaging system has the potential to offer clean‐label technology to consumers while alleviating food wastage and utilization of plastics by extending the shelf‐life of food through eco‐friendly processes.Encapsulation can improve the stability and effectiveness of EOs as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, as well as address the challenges that have limited their application in the food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in diagnostic imaging have provided unprecedented opportunities to detect diseases at early stages and with high reliability. Diagnostic imaging is also crucial to monitoring the progress or remission of disease and thus is often the central basis of therapeutic decision-making. Currently, several diagnostic imaging modalities (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography, among others) are routinely used in clinics and present their own advantages and limitations. In vivo near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has recently emerged as an attractive imaging modality combining low cost, high sensitivity, and relative safety. As a preclinical tool, it can be used to investigate disease mechanisms and for testing novel diagnostics and therapeutics prior to their clinical use. However, the limited depth of tissue penetration is a major challenge to efficient clinical use. Therefore, the current clinical use of fluorescence imaging is limited to a few applications such as image-guided surgery on tumors and retinal angiography, using FDA-approved dyes. Progress in fluorophore development and NIR imaging technologies holds promise to extend their clinical application to oncology, cardiovascular diseases, plastic surgery, and brain imaging, among others. Nanotechnology is expected to revolutionize diagnostic in vivo fluorescence imaging through targeted delivery of NIR fluorescent probes using antibody conjugation. In this review, we discuss the latest advances in in vivo fluorescence imaging technologies, NIR fluorescent probes, and current and future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flavor is an essential organoleptic trait of meat, affecting its acceptability and delectability towards consumers. Flavor, in the meat, is formed through thermally produced reactions, including vitamin degradation, maillard reaction and lipid oxidation. Such reactions lead to the development of meat flavor with some bloody taste and aroma during cooking. However, adverse effects like discoloration, cooking loss, hard texture, and flavor loss can occur due to conventional cooking. Currently, some novel thermal and non‐thermal processing techniques are being explored with the promise to ensure mild processing. Owing to their milder processing conditions, such methods can effectively improve the flavor together with improved nutritional value of meat and meat products. This review discusses the application and optimization of various thermal and non‐thermal processing techniques in meat processing with special focus on development and preservation of meat flavors. Novelty impact statement: Conventional cooking has adverse effects on the meat quality and its organoleptic attributes. However, applications of non‐thermal processing techniques have been explored to ensure mild processing's and flavor formation. Optimization of various thermal and non‐thermal processing techniques with special focus on development and preservation of meat flavors is of industrial importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the food processing industry, hygiene is the key measure to eliminate the pathogens which cause food spoilage. These spoilage microorganisms are persistent sourcing a problem to the processing industry. It stresses the whole environment of food processing. Processing facilities suffer from microbes that suites the microbiota of raw material. These microorganisms grow in the form of biofilm, which is slimy and are hard to eradicate. The conventional methods of eradication of these biofilms can be tiresome and have their limitation. Novel research frontier pertaining to food has shown unrealized potential for eradicating biofilm that can be employed in the food industry. Potential novel technologies that can control biofilm formation include Plasma‐activated water, electrolyzed oxidizing water, probiotics, quorum quenching techniques, electrical effects, and cold plasma. The review focus on biofilms in different food industries and the mechanism of various novel approaches which help in controlling biofilm formation. Novelty impact statement: Plasma‐activated water causes lipid oxidation, membrane disturbance, and oxidative damages breaking the bacterial cell's defense mechanism.Ultrasonication increases cell permeability due to more effortless penetration of antimicrobial agents into the cells.Electrolyzed oxidizing water could effectively remove biofilm after a short exposure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid nanoarchitectures such as magnetic polymeric micelles (MPMs) are among the most promising nanotechnology-enabled materials for biomedical applications combining the benefits of polymeric micelles and magnetic nanoparticles within a single bioinstructive system. MPMs are formed by the self-assembly of polymer amphiphiles above the critical micelle concentration, generating a colloidal structure with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell incorporating magnetic particles (MNPs) in one of the segments. MPMs have been investigated most prominently as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as heat generators in hyperthermia treatments, and as magnetic-susceptible nanocarriers for the delivery and release of therapeutic agents. The versatility of MPMs constitutes a powerful route to ultrasensitive, precise, and multifunctional diagnostic and therapeutic vehicles for the treatment of a wide range of pathologies. Although MPMs have been significantly explored for MRI and cancer therapy, MPMs are multipurpose functional units, widening their applicability into less expected fields of research such as bioengineering and regenerative medicine. Herein, we aim to review published reports of the last five years about MPMs concerning their structure and fabrication methods as well as their current and foreseen expectations for advanced biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine wilt disease (PWD) is a global quarantine disease of forests that mainly affects Pinaceae species. The disease spreads rapidly. Once infected, pine trees have an extremely high mortality rate. This paper provides a summary of the common techniques used to detect PWD, including morphological-, molecular-, chemical- and physical-based methods. By comprehending the complex relationship among pinewood nematodes, vectors and host pine trees and employing the available approaches for nematode detection, we can improve the implementation of intervention and control measures to effectively reduce the damage caused by PWD. Although conventional techniques allow a reliable diagnosis of the symptomatic phase, the volatile compound detection and remote sensing technology facilitate a rapid diagnosis during asymptomatic stages. Moreover, the remote sensing technology is capable of monitoring PWD over large areas. Therefore, multiple perspective evaluations based on these technologies are crucial for the rapid and effective detection of PWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triterpenic acids are a widespread class of phytocompounds which have been found to possess valuable therapeutic properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, lipolytic, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. They are a subclass of triterpenes bearing a characteristic lipophilic structure that imprints unfavorable in vivo properties which subsequently limit their applications. The early investigation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a drug candidate can provide valuable information regarding the possible side effects and drug interactions that may occur after administration. The current paper aimed to summarize the most recent (last 5 years) studies regarding the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could contribute to the development of future studies; the paper stands as the sequel of our previously published paper regarding the MOA of triterpenic acids with therapeutic value. The recent literature published on the topic has highlighted the role of triterpenic acids in several signaling pathways including PI3/AKT/mTOR, TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B, JNK-p38, HIF-α/AMPK, and Grb2/Sos/Ras/MAPK, which trigger their various biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors that extend from the oral cavity to the upper gastrointestinal tract. The principal etiologic factors for oral tumors include tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, while human papillomavirus (HPV) infections have been accused of a high incidence of pharyngeal tumors. Accordingly, HPV detection has been extensively used to categorize carcinomas of the head and neck. The diverse nature of HNC highlights the necessity for novel, sensitive, and precise biomarkers for the prompt diagnosis of the disease, its successful monitoring, and the timely prognosis of patient clinical outcomes. In this context, the identification of certain microRNAs (miRNAs) and/or the detection of alterations in their expression patterns, in a variety of somatic fluids and tissues, could serve as valuable biomarkers for precision oncology. In the present review, we summarize some of the most frequently studied miRNAs (including miR-21, -375, -99, -34a, -200, -31, -125a/b, -196a/b, -9, -181a, -155, -146a, -23a, -16, -29, and let-7), their role as biomarkers, and their implication in HNC pathogenesis. Moreover, we designate the potential of given miRNAs and miRNA signatures as novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for successful patient stratification. Finally, we discuss the currently ongoing clinical trials that aim to identify the diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility of miRNAs in HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermentation has been an important strategy in the preservation of foods. The use of starter cultures with probiotic activity has gained the attention of researchers to produce functional fermented meat products. This review aims to overview the main strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of fermented meat products with probiotics. Fermented meat products can be considered as a relevant matrix for the delivery of probiotics with potential health benefits. Moreover, fermented meat products produced by traditional methods are sources of probiotics that can be explored in the production of functional meat products. However, some barriers are limit the progression with these products: the complex selection process to obtain new and tailored probiotic strains, the current perception of healthiness associated with meat and meat products, and the limited application of probiotic to fermented sausages. Promising opportunities to improve the value of functional fermented meat products have been developed by exploring new meat products as functional fermented foods, improving the protection of probiotics with microencapsulation and improving the quality of meat product (reducing nitrate and nitrate salts, adding dietary fibre, and exploring the inherent antioxidant and cardioprotective activity of meat products). Attention to potential threats is also indicated such as the unclear future changes in meat and meat products consumption due to changes in consumer preferences and the presence of competitors (dairy, fruit and vegetable‐based products, for instance) in more advanced stages of development and commercialization. Significance and Impact of Study: This review provides an overview of the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats related to the development of functional fermented meat products with probiotics. Internal and external factors that explain the current scenario and strategies to advance the production are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authentication and traceability of food attract more attention due to the increasing consumer awareness regarding nutrition and health, being a new hotspot of food science. Infrared spectroscopy (IRS) combined with shallow neural network has been widely proven to be an effective food analysis technology. As an advanced deep learning technology, deep neural network has also been explored to analyze and solve food-related IRS problems in recent years. The present review begins with brief introductions to IRS and artificial neural network (ANN), including shallow neural network and deep neural network. More notably, it emphasizes the comprehensive overview of the advances of the technology combined IRS with ANN for the authentication and traceability of food, based on relevant literature from 2014 to early 2020. In detail, the types of IRS and ANN, modeling processes, experimental results, and model comparisons in related studies are described to set forth the usage and performance of the combined technology for food analysis. The combined technology shows excellent ability to authenticate food quality and safety, involving chemical components, freshness, microorganisms, damages, toxic substances, and adulteration. As well, it shows excellent performance in the traceability of food variety and origin. The advantages, current limitations, and future trends of the combined technology are further discussed to provide a thoughtful viewpoint on the challenges and expectations of online applications for the authentication and traceability of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating lesions, as it can damage the continuity and conductivity of the central nervous system, resulting in complex pathophysiology. Encouraged by the advances in nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and materials science, researchers have proposed various interdisciplinary approaches for spinal cord regeneration. In this respect, the present review aims to explore the most recent developments in SCI treatment and spinal cord repair. Specifically, it briefly describes the characteristics of SCIs, followed by an extensive discussion on newly developed nanocarriers (e.g., metal-based, polymer-based, liposomes) for spinal cord delivery, relevant biomolecules (e.g., growth factors, exosomes) for SCI treatment, innovative cell therapies, and novel natural and synthetic biomaterial scaffolds for spinal cord regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsafe food is estimated to cause 600 million cases of foodborne disease, annually. Thus, the development of methods that could assist in the prevention of foodborne diseases is of high interest. This review summarizes the recent progress toward rapid microbial assessment through (i) spectroscopic techniques, (ii) spectral imaging techniques, (iii) biosensors and (iv) sensors designed to mimic human senses. These methods often produce complex and high-dimensional data that cannot be analyzed with conventional statistical methods. Multivariate statistics and machine learning approaches seemed to be valuable for these methods so as to "translate" measurements to microbial estimations. However, a great proportion of the models reported in the literature misuse these approaches, which may lead to models with low predictive power under generic conditions. Overall, all the methods showed great potential for rapid microbial assessment. Biosensors are closer to wide-scale implementation followed by spectroscopic techniques and then by spectral imaging techniques and sensors designed to mimic human senses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver is one of the richest organs in mitochondria, serving as a hub for key metabolic pathways such as β-oxidation, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, ketogenesis, respiratory activity, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, all of which provide metabolic energy for the entire body. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to subcellular organelle dysfunction in liver diseases, particularly fatty liver disease. Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a life-threatening liver disorder unique to pregnancy, which can result in serious maternal and fetal complications, including death. Pregnant mothers with this disease require early detection, prompt delivery, and supportive maternal care. AFLP was considered a mysterious illness and though its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, molecular research over the past two decades has linked AFLP to mitochondrial dysfunction and defects in fetal fatty-acid oxidation (FAO). Due to deficient placental and fetal FAO, harmful 3-hydroxy fatty acid metabolites accumulate in the maternal circulation, causing oxidative stress and microvesicular fatty infiltration of the liver, resulting in AFLP. In this review, we provide an overview of AFLP and mitochondrial FAO followed by discussion of how altered mitochondrial function plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AFLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrometallurgical approaches have been successfully employed for metal separation and recovery from various types of waste materials. Therefore, hydrometallurgy is a promising technology for metal recovery and the removal of potentially toxic heavy metals found in industrial sludge. However, a comprehensive review that focuses on the heavy metal recovery from industrial sludge using hydrometallurgical approaches has not been conducted in the recent past. The present review discusses the capacity of hydrometallurgical techniques in recovering heavy metals sourced from different types of industrial sludges, highlighting recent scientific findings. Hydrometallurgical approaches primarily consist of three process stages: metal dissolution, concentration and purification, and metal recovery. The chemical characteristics of industrial sludge, including the type, concentration and speciation of heavy metals, directly impact selection of the best recovery method. Solvent extraction, ion-exchange, and adsorption are the major techniques employed in concentration and purification, whereas electrodeposition and precipitation are the main methods used in metals recovery. Future research should focus on the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly methods for metal dissolution from industrial sludges contaminated with multiple metals, while increasing selectivity and energy use efficiency in the concentration and purification, and recovery steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although epidemiological studies have discerned the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and hypertension and/or cardiovascular disease in the general population, the possible mechanisms for this association are not well understood. We sought to examine the association between urinary metabolites of PAHs and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and blood pressure in adults, by conducting a meta-analysis of observational studies. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of science, up to July 2021, for observational studies that investigated the association between urinary metabolites of PAHs and CVDs and blood pressure in adults. Nine prospective studies, including 27,280 participants, were included. Based on overall pooled results, there was a significant positive association between all types of urinary metabolites of PAH and blood pressure (OR: 1.32; 95%, CI: 1.19 to 1.48, p < 0.0001) (I2 = 62.4%, p < 0.0001). There was no significant association between any urinary metabolite of PAH and CHD (OR: 0.93; 95%, CI: 0.83 to 1.03, p = 0.174) (I2 = 0%, p = 0.653). Overall, there was a significant positive association between all urinary metabolites of PAH and CVD (OR: 1.23; 95%, CI: 1.16 to 1.30, p < 0.0001) (I2 = 59.7%, p < 0.0001). The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that different metabolites PAHs are associated with an increased risk of CVD and HTN. Further studies, including randomized clinical trials, are needed to confirm the veracity of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is the most common non‐communicable disease, with about 1.28 billion hypertensive people worldwide. It is more prevalent in men than women and more common in the elderly. Hereditary, age, obesity, lifestyle, diet, alcohol, and chronic metabolic diseases are the major risk factors of hypertension. Treating hypertension is a complex process as there are several mechanisms responsible for its pathogenesis; hence, a combination of several drugs is used for managing hypertension. Drugs used in managing hypertension are expensive and often come with associated side effects; thus, there is need for alternative means of managing this life‐threatening disease. These drugs do not achieve the recommended blood pressure target in most people; more so majority of people with hypertension do not follow the treatment regimen religiously. Some Africans have been reported to become normotensive as a result of dietary consumption of spices. Several spices have been used over the years in Africa to manage hypertension. The aim of this review is to evaluate the ethnomedicinal use, bioactive phytochemical composition, bioactive compounds present, and pharmacological applications of spices commonly used in Africa for managing hypertension. Most of the plants used contained polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinone, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and saponins. Dietary supplementation of Xylopia aethiopica and other spices in diet have been proven to significantly reduced plasma angiotensin‐I‐converting enzyme (ACE) than simvastatin (the reference drug). Toxicological, histological, and hematological evaluation revealed that acute and chronic consumption of most of these spices are safe. Studies have also revealed that some of the spices can be used as alternative therapy alongside usual antihypertensive medications. Practical implication: The prevalent rate of hypertension is on the increase in both the developed and developing countries. People often skip medication due to their busy schedule and anti‐hypertensive potential side effects; however, this is not the case with food/spices as most people consumed them daily. Deliberate, right combinations and consistent incorporation of spices with proven anti‐hypertensive potential into our diet may be of great benefit in normalizing blood pressure and mitigate other complications on the heart and vital organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-blockers are among the most prescribed drugs and frequently recommended in patients with hypertension, angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Additionally, since β-blockers cause low anxiety, they are abused by athletes in branches where aiming is important. β-blocker residues may be present in environmental samples due to high consumption. At this point, the development of sensitive, rapid, and reliable analytical methods is very important for determination of β-blockers in different matrices. Among all the analytical methods, chromatographic methods are used in a wide range for the determination of β-blockers as they enable simultaneous determination of many analytes and removal of interfering components. Electrochemical methods, which usually do not require any pretreatment process, have become important due to their reliability, high specificity, and fast response. Simple and rapid optical methods can be used in laboratories where modern and expensive instruments such as high-performance liquid chromatography or gas chromatography are not available. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the analytical methods for determination of β-blockers in pharmaceuticals, biological fluids, and environmental samples. Some selected studies for the determination of β-blockers published in the last decade are discussed. Furthermore, current trends and future perspectives on β-blocker analyses are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red beetroot and its functional products have gained popularity in the food industry and are utilized as a food colorant or additive. Red beetroots are a great source of unique bioactive components called betalains and are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, minerals, and ascorbic acids. It has diverse therapeutic effects associated with biochemical content. However, maintaining health benefits is problematic due to its betalain instability. It is essential to choose the best cultivar with high betalain levels for ensuring the target product in the food industry. In addition, betalains are quite sensitive toward production techniques and pre and postharvest factors, which are the main indicators for affecting the food quality of red beetroot. Therefore, we aimed to review the results of some studies on red beetroot and provide a comprehensive knowledge on health benefits, production techniques, and quality maintenance for the food industry. Moreover, nutrition content, potential uses, and future outlook were also summarized. Practical applications: The present review summarizes a comprehensive knowledge about pre and postharvest factors affecting quality of red beetroots and indicates ways to maintain high quality red beetroots for promising value‐added products in respect of consumers and food processors. Moreover, recently reported processing techniques for red beetroots was examined and appropriate techniques were explained in order to sustain bioavailability and stability of betalains for food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) are biodegradable, compostable, and biocompatible polymers that can be produced from annually renewable resources. These properties made them popular in environmentally friendly applications, and their industrial usage and production have grown in the latest years. However, both polymers have a few drawbacks that have limited so far their use: PLLA is hard and brittle with a slow crystallization rate, whereas PBS is ductile, has fast crystallization kinetics, but low modulus. The complementarity of their properties makes their blending a unique opportunity to exploit the favorable properties of the two polymers, which raised considerable research efforts in recent years on blends made of PLLA and PBS. Unfortunately, literature data on PLLA/PBS blends often report contradictory results on miscibility of the two polymers, as well as on the influence of composition on material properties: this creates confusion, complicating their exploitation. As an effort to elucidate miscibility and properties of the blends as function of composition, a critical analysis of the available research results on blends made of PLLA and PBS is provided in this review. The aim is to highlight the potentiality of PLLA/PBS blends, whose properties can be tailored by fine-tuning the composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of electronic communication technology, the issues of electromagnetic (EM) wave pollution have become increasingly prominent, and the requirements for EM wave absorbing materials are rising. Polypyrrole (PPy), an important type of conductive polymers, has attracted increasing attention in the applications of EM wave absorbing due to their facile synthesis process, low density, good conductivity, corrosion resistance, and stable chemical properties. Various PPy-based composite materials exhibit excellent electromagnetic absorbing properties and have been widely reported in the literature. In this review, the recent development and understanding of PPy and PPy-based composites materials in the applications of EM wave absorption are summarized in detail. In particular, as a conductive loss-type absorbing material, we focus on the design and fabrication of PPy-based composites and explore the significant impact of EM parameters on the EM wave absorbing properties. Finally, perspectives are provided for future directions of advanced PPy and PPy-based composites for microwave absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalysis is becoming a strategic area of science because it represents a new way to meet the challenges of energy and sustain ability. In recent times, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were widely utilized as catalyst in a diverse range of organic transformations such as coupling, reduction and multicomponent reactions. In this review, we present recent developments in the catalytic application of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propargylamines are a versatile class of amine molecules which find broad applications in numerous fields such as medicinal chemistry and drug discovery research. A3-coupling reaction of terminal alkynes, aldehydes and secondary amines is an efficient route for the synthesis of biologically active propargylamines. Over the last decade, the utilization of magnetic nanomaterials as heterogeneous reusable catalysts has received considerable attention in organic chemistry. In this review, we focus on the synthesis and versatile application of magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts in A3-coupling reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly functionalized piperidines are a versatile class of nitrogen-containing heterocycles which find broad applications in numerous fields such as medicinal chemistry and drug discovery research. The synthesis of this privileged scaffold from readily available materials remains is a hot topic research for the synthetic chemistry community. This review aims to describe the different strategies developed so far for the synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pyran scaffolds are present in many natural products, pharmaceutical and bioactive molecules. These valuable bioactivities have prompted synthetic chemists to develop novel, green and efficient catalytic systems for the synthesis of pyran scaffolds. Nowadays, magnetic nanocatalysts have opened up new chapters for generating numerous products with extremely high activity and selectivity, low energy consumption and long life time. The present review summarizes the application of magnetic nanomaterials as efficient magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts for the synthesis of diverse biologically relevant pyran scaffolds reported so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalysis is a key component of "green chemistry", and is a strategically vital for the efficient and eco-friendly organic transformations. Easy recovery of catalysts and their reusability is a hot research topic in organic synthesis especially from the perspective of green chemistry. In recent times, magnetic separation has received profound attention because magnetic nanocatalysts (due to their insoluble and paramagnetic nature) can be readily separated from reaction medium by using an external magnet, without the need for filtration, centrifugation or other tedious workup processes. During the last decade, many magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts have been utilized to catalyze a diverse range of chemical reactions. The aim of this review is to highlight the progress in the catalytic applications of magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts in various chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalysis research under bromine is always a fetching research topic in organic synthesis because a series of reactions such as oxidation and multicomponent reactions readily can be fulfilled in the presence of bromine as catalyst. But, there is a serious problem; bromine is a highly toxic and hazardous liquid material; this material is a very strong irritant that creates painful blisters on exposed skin and especially mucous. In recent times, bromine source immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles has received profound attention because magnetic nanocatalysts (due to their insoluble and paramagnetic nature) can be readily separated from reaction medium by using an external magnet, without the need for filtration, centrifugation or other tedious workup processes. The aim of this review is to highlight the progress in the catalytic application of magnetically recoverable bromine nanocatalysts in various chemical reactions. Stepwise fabrication and characterization of bromine source immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles have been discussed, and their potential to catalyze oxidation and multicomponent reactions evaluated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellular defense pathway plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis, tissues and organisms. Nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), as a key cell signaling pathway, plays an important role in encoding detoxification enzymes and other stress response mediators. Recent studies have shown that it is closely related to the prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI). Therefore, this article reviews the protective effects of Nrf2‐related signaling pathways on acute kidney injury, and summarizes the strategies of natural pharmaceutical ingredients such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, phenylpropionic acid, polyphenols, and polysaccharides to prevent and treat acute kidney injury. It is of great significance to further study the relationship between Nrf2 regulated signal pathway and kidney disease and the development of new medicines for acute kidney injury treatment. It can also provide new ideas and treatment strategies for clinical treatment of acute kidney injury. Practical applications: This article reviewed the mechanisms by which the active ingredients of natural medicines slow down acute kidney injury through the Nrf2 pathway. It will help us to understand the regulatory role of the Nrf2 pathway in AKI more comprehensively, and provide a theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism of more natural drugs to reduce acute kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cephalosporins, one of the classic β-lactam antibiotics, has been widely concerned by global population as the most commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic. Serious health hazards are possible to be posed by quality control problems caused by its unstable structure, as well as food and environmental pollution introduced by improper use. Given the reasons above, the sensitive and valid methods for monitor and determination of cephalosporins in different matrices are urgently required. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the current status of the pretreatment and analysis methods of cephalosporins in bulk drug, pharmaceutics, animal-derived foodstuffs including eggs, milk, meat, environment samples, and biological samples. Pretreatment methods including simple steps (protein precipitation, centrifugation, filtration), liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, QuECHERS, and detection methods covering LC, LC-MS/MS, voltammetric sensor, capillary electrophoresis spectroscopy, biological methods from January 2005 to October 2018 are updated, elaborated and compared here. Moreover, advanced materials and prospects for development are discussed. Determination of cephalosporins in different newly found matrix are represented. Comparisons between different mass analyzers and progress in HRMS methods are in detailed. Optimization of experimental conditions are discussed. Newly emerged eco-friendly methods are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalyst is very important in chemistry science especially in organic synthesis, it can greatly promote the chemical processes and reactions, effectively and sustainably synthesize products. Zinc is a cheap and readily available metal (zinc is easily extracted from the minerals in high purity). Low toxicity, cheap and abundance and accessibility of zinc make it probably attractive for application in chemistry catalysis. Among zinc complexes, zinc (II) bromide (ZnBr2) has been used widely as a catalyst in organic synthesis. In recent times, the application of ZnBr2 as catalyst for the synthesis of organic compounds and heterocyclic molecules has been reported in the literature. Now, in this review, we focused on the catalytic activity of ZnBr2 in a diverse range of organic reactions with the goal of stimulating further progresses in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrazoles are an important class of nitrogen-containing heterocycles with a broad spectrum of applications in medicinal chemistry. Recent literature studies clearly showed that tetrazoles have a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities such as antiallergic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antibiotic, antihypertensive, antineoplastic, antiviral and receptor modulator activities. Magnetic recoverable nanocatalysts can be readily separated from reaction medium by using an external magnet, without the need for filtration, centrifugation or other tedious workup processes. In recent times, the catalytic potential of magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts was evaluated in synthesis of biologically active tetrazole derivatives. In this review, we focused on the fabrication, surface modification and characterization of nanomagnetite materials and their application as magnetically recoverable catalysts in the synthesis of biologically active tetrazole structural scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurological diseases are a major threat to global public health and prosperity. The number of patients with neurological diseases is increasing due to the population aging and increasing life expectancy. Autophagy is one of the crucial mechanisms to maintain nerve cellular homeostasis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that autophagy plays a dual role in neurological diseases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a vital class of noncoding RNAs with a length of more than 200 nucleotides and cannot encode proteins themselves but are expressed in most neurological diseases. An early phase, emerging knowledge has revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial in autophagy regulation. Furthermore, autophagy-associated lncRNAs can promote the development of neurological diseases or slow their progression. In this review, we introduce a general overview of lncRNA functional mechanisms and summarizes the recent progress of lncRNAs on autophagy regulation in neurological diseases to reveal possible novel therapeutic targets or useful biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surviving changing climate conditions is particularly difficult for organisms such as insects that depend on environmental temperature to regulate their physiological functions. Insects are extremely threatened by global warming, since many do not have enough physiological tolerance even to survive continuous exposure to the current maximum temperatures experienced in their habitats. Here, we review literature on the physiological mechanisms that regulate responses to heat and provide heat tolerance in insects: (i) neuronal mechanisms to detect and respond to heat; (ii) metabolic responses to heat; (iii) thermoregulation; (iv) stress responses to tolerate heat; and (v) hormones that coordinate developmental and behavioural responses at warm temperatures. Our review shows that, apart from the stress response mediated by heat shock proteins, the physiological mechanisms of heat tolerance in insects remain poorly studied. Based on life‐history theory, we discuss the costs of heat tolerance and the potential evolutionary mechanisms driving insect adaptations to high temperatures. Some insects may deal with ongoing global warming by the joint action of phenotypic plasticity and genetic adaptation. Plastic responses are limited and may not be by themselves enough to withstand ongoing warming trends. Although the evidence is still scarce and deserves further research in different insect taxa, genetic adaptation to high temperatures may result from rapid evolution. Finally, we emphasize the importance of incorporating physiological information for modelling species distributions and ecological interactions under global warming scenarios. This review identifies several open questions to improve our understanding of how insects respond physiologically to heat and the evolutionary and ecological consequences of those responses. Further lines of research are suggested at the species, order and class levels, with experimental and analytical approaches such as artificial selection, quantitative genetics and comparative analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer has grown to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Only a few treatment options are available for breast cancer due to the widespread occurrence of chemoresistance, which emphasizes the need to discover and develop new methods to treat this disease. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an early tumor diagnostic marker and is known to promote breast cancer malignancy. Recent clinical and preclinical data indicate the involvement of overexpressed and constitutively activated STAT3 in the progression, proliferation, metastasis and chemoresistance of breast cancer. Moreover, new pathways comprised of upstream regulators and downstream targets of STAT3 have been discovered. In addition, small molecule inhibitors targeting STAT3 activation have been found to be efficient for therapeutic treatment of breast cancer. This systematic review discusses the advances in the discovery of the STAT3 pathways and drugs targeting STAT3 in breast cancer. Video abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is a key step in upgrading of biomass‐derived feedstocks to fuels and valuable chemicals. In this review, I select to discuss the current understanding of heterogeneous HDO catalysis of representative small oxygenates that are present in the bio‐crude obtained from thermochemical conversions of biomass raw materials, as the efficient valorization of these presently underutilized carbon sources would significantly improve carbon recovery and the overall process techno‐economics, in addition to facilitating downstream processing in some cases. A primary focus is laid on the kinetics, mechanisms and active site requirements of molecular H2‐involved hydrogenation and deoxygenation reactions of small aliphatic oxygenates. More often than not, surprising contrasts are found between gas‐solid and polar liquid‐solid interfaces and hint toward substantial restructuring and modifications of the catalytic surfaces and chemistries in polar liquids, particularly induced by protic molecules (the most abundant being water). Knowledge gaps, uncharted territories and associated challenges for the interrogations of these fundamental aspects are also discussed in this review. Big things come in small packages: Integrating the currently underutilized small oxygenates will improve the techno‐economics for upgrading a variety of biomass‐derived feedstocks and move us a step closer to a sustainable carbon cycle. This would not be readily achieved without a comprehensive understanding of the kinetics, mechanisms and active site requirements for the involved reactions, which this review aims to tackle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]