bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional Status Is Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life, Physical Activity, and Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study in an Elderly Greek Population
Authors: Papadopoulou Sousana K. , Mantzorou Maria , Voulgaridou Gavriela , Pavlidou Eleni , Vadikolias Konstantinos , Antasouras Georgios , Vorvolakos Theofanis , Psara Evmorfia , Vasios Georgios K. , Serdari Aspasia , Poulios Efthymios , Giaginis Constantinos
Published: January 2023

This study aims to explore the associations between nutritional status and health-related quality of life, physical activity, and sleep quality in older exclusively Caucasian adults from Greec who were free of any severe disease. This is a cross-sectional study. Mini Nutritional Assessment was used to assess nutritional status, health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form Healthy Survey questionnaire, sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and physical activity levels were assessed via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. 3405 community-dwelling men and women, over 65 years old from14 different Greek regions were enrolled. Ten-point four percent (10.4%) of the participants were classified as malnourished, while 35.6% were “at risk of malnutrition”. A better nutritional status was significantly and independently associated with higher physical activity levels (p = 0.0011) and better quality of life (p = 0.0135), as well as better sleep quality (p = 0.0202). In conclusion, our study highlights the interrelationships between a good nutritional status, a high-quality sleep, active lifestyle, and good quality of life. Further interventional studies are needed to clarify the associations, and test the feasibility of improving the nutritional status, physical activity levels and sleep quality of the elderly, and the impact of these changes on quality of life, and healthy ageing in races beyond Caucasian populations. Public health strategies and policies should be recommended to inform older adults for the necessity to improve their nutritional status and lifestyle habits to improve their health status and to obtain better life expectancy.
Adipocyte Metabolism and Health after the Menopause: The Role of Exercise
Authors: Marsh Megan L. , Oliveira Marta Novaes , Vieira-Potter Victoria J.
Published: January 2023

Postmenopausal women represent an important target population in need of preventative cardiometabolic approaches. The loss of estrogen following the menopause eliminates protections against metabolic dysfunction, largely due to its role in the health and function of adipose tissue. In addition, some studies associate the menopause with reduced physical activity, which could potentially exacerbate the deleterious cardiometabolic risk profile accompanying the menopause. Meanwhile, exercise has adipocyte-specific effects that may alleviate the adverse impact of estrogen loss through the menopausal transition period and beyond. Exercise thus remains the best therapeutic agent available to mitigate menopause-associated metabolic dysfunction and represents a vital behavioral strategy to prevent and alleviate health decline in this population.
Potential Synergistic Supplementation of NAD+ Promoting Compounds as a Strategy for Increasing Healthspan
Authors: Sharma Arastu , Chabloz Sophie , Lapides Rebecca A. , Roider Elisabeth , Ewald Collin Y.
Published: January 2023

Disrupted biological function, manifesting through the hallmarks of aging, poses one of the largest threats to healthspan and risk of disease development, such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular ailments, and neurodegeneration. In recent years, numerous geroprotectors, senolytics, and other nutraceuticals have emerged as potential disruptors of aging and may be viable interventions in the immediate state of human longevity science. In this review, we focus on the decrease in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) with age and the supplementation of NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR), in combination with other geroprotective compounds, to restore NAD+ levels present in youth. Furthermore, these geroprotectors may enhance the efficacy of NMN supplementation while concurrently providing their own numerous health benefits. By analyzing the prevention of NAD+ degradation through the inhibition of CD38 or supporting protective downstream agents of SIRT1, we provide a potential framework of the CD38/NAD+/SIRT1 axis through which geroprotectors may enhance the efficacy of NAD+ precursor supplementation and reduce the risk of age-related diseases, thereby potentiating healthspan in humans.
Neuroprotective Effects of Agri-Food By-Products Rich in Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Rojas-García Alejandro , Fernández-Ochoa Álvaro , Cádiz-Gurrea María de la Luz , Arráez-Román David , Segura-Carretero Antonio
Published: January 2023

Neurodegenerative diseases are known for their wide range of harmful conditions related to progressive cell damage, nervous system connections and neuronal death. These pathologies promote the loss of essential motor and cognitive functions, such as mobility, learning and sensation. Neurodegeneration affects millions of people worldwide, and no integral cure has been created yet. Here, bioactive compounds have been proven to exert numerous beneficial effects due to their remarkable bioactivity, so they could be considered as great options for the development of new neuroprotective strategies. Phenolic bioactives have been reported to be found in edible part of plants; however, over the last years, a large amount of research has focused on the phenolic richness that plant by-products possess, which sometimes even exceeds the content in the pulp. Thus, their possible application as an emergent neuroprotective technique could also be considered as an optimal strategy to revalorize these agricultural residues (those originated from plant processing). This review aims to summarize main triggers of neurodegeneration, revise the state of the art in plant extracts and their role in avoiding neurodegeneration and discuss how their main phenolic compounds could exert their neuroprotective effects. For this purpose, a diverse search of studies has been conducted, gathering a large number of papers where by-products were used as strong sources of phenolic compounds for their neuroprotective properties. Finally, although a lack of investigation is quite remarkable and greatly limits the use of these compounds, phenolics remain attractive for research into new multifactorial anti-neurodegenerative nutraceuticals.
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives: Technological, Nutritional, Environmental, Market, and Social Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Andreani Giulia , Sogari Giovanni , Marti Alessandra , Froldi Federico , Dagevos Hans , Martini Daniela
Published: January 2023

There is a growing awareness that fostering the transition toward plant-based diets with reduced meat consumption levels is essential to alleviating the detrimental impacts of the food system on the planet and to improving human health and animal welfare. The reduction in average meat intake may be reached via many possible ways, one possibility being the increased consumption of plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). For this reason, in recent years, hundreds of products have been launched on the market with sensory attributes (i.e., taste, texture, appearance, and smell) similar to their animal counterparts; however, these products have often a long list of ingredients and their nutritional values are very different from animal meat. The present review aims to highlight the main opportunities and challenges related to the production and consumption of PBMAs through an interdisciplinary approach. Aspects related to the production technology, nutritional profiles, potential impacts on health and the environment, and the current market and consumer acceptance of PBMAs are discussed. Focusing on the growing literature on this topic, this review will also highlight research gaps related to PBMAs that should be considered in the future, possibly through the collaboration of different stakeholders that can support the transition toward sustainable plant-based diets.
Protective Effect of Vegan Microbiota on Liver Steatosis Is Conveyed by Dietary Fiber: Implications for Fecal Microbiota Transfer Therapy
Authors: Daskova Nikola , Heczkova Marie , Modos Istvan , Hradecky Jaromir , Hudcovic Tomas , Kuzma Marek , Pelantova Helena , Buskova Irena , Sticova Eva , Funda David , Golias Jaroslav , Drabonova Barbora , Jarkovska Jarmila , Kralova Maria , Cibulkova Ivana , Gojda Jan , Cahova Monika
Published: January 2023

Fecal microbiota transfer may serve as a therapeutic tool for treating obesity and related disorders but currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal donor characteristics. We studied how microbiota from vegan donors, who exhibit a low incidence of non-communicable diseases, impact on metabolic effects of an obesogenic diet and the potential role of dietary inulin in mediating these effects. Ex-germ-free animals were colonized with human vegan microbiota and fed a standard or Western-type diet (WD) with or without inulin supplementation. Despite the colonization with vegan microbiota, WD induced excessive weight gain, impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and liver steatosis. However, supplementation with inulin reversed steatosis and improved glucose homeostasis. In contrast, inulin did not affect WD-induced metabolic changes in non-humanized conventional mice. In vegan microbiota-colonized mice, inulin supplementation resulted in a significant change in gut microbiota composition and its metabolic performance, inducing the shift from proteolytic towards saccharolytic fermentation (decrease of sulfur-containing compounds, increase of SCFA). We found that (i) vegan microbiota alone does not protect against adverse effects of WD; and (ii) supplementation with inulin reversed steatosis and normalized glucose metabolism. This phenomenon is associated with the shift in microbiota composition and accentuation of saccharolytic fermentation at the expense of proteolytic fermentation.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Promotes Beige Adipocyte Reconstruction by Modulating the Gut Microbiota in Obese Mice
Authors: Ma Xiaoyi , Yan Huanhuan , Hong Shubin , Yu Shuang , Gong Yingying , Wu Dide , Li Yanbing , Xiao Haipeng
Published: January 2023

Given the increasing prevalence of obesity, the white-to-beige adipocyte conversion has attracted interest as a target for obesity treatment. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment can reduce obesity, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanism by which GABA triggers weight loss by improving the beiging of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and the role of gut microbiota in this process. The results showed that GABA reduced body weight and adipose inflammation and promoted the expression of thermogenic genes in the iWAT. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis of gut microbiota showed that GABA treatment increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Akkermansia, and Romboutsia and reduced that of Firmicutes and Erysipelatoclostridium in obese mice. Additionally, serum metabolomic analysis revealed that GABA treatment increased 3-hydroxybutyrate and reduced oxidized lipid levels in obese mice. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that Akkermansia and Romboutsia were negatively associated with the levels of oxidized lipids. Fecal microbiota transplantation analysis confirmed that the gut microbiota was involved in the white-to-beige adipocyte reconstruction by GABA. Overall, our findings suggest that GABA treatment may promote iWAT beiging through the gut microbiota in obese mice. GABA may be utilized to protect obese people against metabolic abnormalities brought on by obesity and gut dysbiosis.
Policy to Decrease Low Birth Weight in Indonesia: Who Should Be the Target?
Authors: Wulandari Ratna Dwi , Laksono Agung Dwi , Matahari Ratu
Published: January 2023

The study aimed to analyze the target of the policy to decrease low birth weight (LBW) in Indonesia. This cross-sectional study used a sample of live births in last five years preceding the survey of birth weight. Data collection took place from July to September 2017. The weighted sample size was 17,848 participants. The variables analyzed included residence, age, marital status, education, employment, parity, and wealth. The study employed binary logistic regression in the final stage to determine the target of policy regarding LBW. The results showed that women in urban areas were 1.200 times more likely to deliver babies with LBW than women in rural areas. All age groups were less likely to deliver babies with LBW than those aged 45–49. The study also found all marital statuses had a lower likelihood of providing babies with LBW than those who had never been in a marriage. Women of all education levels had a greater risk of giving birth to babies with LBW than women with higher education levels. Unemployed women had 1.033 times more chances of delivering babies with LBW than employed women. Primiparous women were 1.132 times more likely to give birth to babies with LBW than multiparous women. Overall, the women in all wealth status categories had a higher probability of delivering babies with LBW than the wealthiest groups. The study concluded that policymakers should target women who live in urban areas, are old, have never been married, have low education, and are unemployed, primiparous, and poor to decrease LBW cases in Indonesia.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Interest in the Energy Labelling on Restaurant Menus
Authors: Alkhaldy Areej A. , Alhumaidan Omar A. , Alkhunein Sarah M. , Alkhalaf Majid M. , Bookari Khlood A. , Arrish Jamila M.
Published: January 2023

No study has investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public’s interest in using energy labelling on restaurant menus. This study explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public interest in using energy labelling on restaurant menus and meal delivery applications and the impact of energy-labelling availability on food choices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was completed by 1657 participants aged ≥ 18 years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 32% of customers visited a restaurant 2–4 times/week. However, during the pandemic, 35% of customers visited a restaurant only once per week. There was no difference in interest in reading energy labelling or using meal delivery applications before and during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 55% of restaurant customers reported that they had noticed energy labelling, with 42% of them being influenced by the energy-labelling information. Regarding energy information on food delivery applications, 40% of customers noticed energy labelling when using the applications, with 33% of them being affected by the energy labelling. Customer interest in reading about energy on restaurant menus during the pandemic did not change significantly from the level of interest before the pandemic. The interest expressed by the public in using the energy labelling was low both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Siraitia grosvenorii Extract Attenuates Airway Inflammation in a Murine Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Induced by Cigarette Smoke and Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Kim Mi-Sun , Kim Dong-Seon , Yuk Heung Joo , Kim Seung-Hyung , Yang Won-Kyung , Park Geum Duck , Kim Kyung Seok , Ham Woo Jung , Sung Yoon-Young
Published: January 2023

We studied the activities of Siraitia grosvenorii extracts (SGE) on airway inflammation in a mouse model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stimulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as well as in LPS-treated human bronchial epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B). SGE improved the viability of LPS-incubated BEAS-2B cells and inhibited the expression and production of inflammatory cytokines. SGE also attenuated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling activated by LPS stimulation in BEAS-2B cells. In mice stimulated by CSE and LPS, we observed the infiltration of immune cells into the airway after COPD induction. SGE reduced the number of activated T cells, B cells, and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), lung tissue, mesenteric lymph node, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as well as inhibited infiltration into organs and mucus production. The secretion of cytokines in BALF and the expression level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mucin 5AC, Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, and Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 in lung tissue were alleviated by SGE. In addition, to investigate the activity of SGE on expectoration, we evaluated phenol red secretions in the trachea of mice. SGE administration showed the effect of improving expectoration through an increase in phenol red secretion. Consequently, SGE attenuates the airway inflammatory response in CSE/LPS-stimulated COPD. These findings indicate that SGE may be a potential herbal candidate for the therapy of COPD.
Adaptive Evolution Compensated for the Plasmid Fitness Costs Brought by Specific Genetic Conflicts
Authors: Li Feifeng , Wang Jiong , Jiang Ying , Guo Yingyi , Liu Ningjing , Xiao Shunian , Yao Likang , Li Jiahui , Zhuo Chuyue , He Nanhao , Liu Baomo , Zhuo Chao
Published: January 2023

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-carrying IncX3 plasmids is important in the transmission of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli. Fitness costs related to plasmid carriage are expected to limit gene exchange; however, the causes of these fitness costs are poorly understood. Compensatory mutations are believed to ameliorate plasmid fitness costs and enable the plasmid’s wide spread, suggesting that such costs are caused by specific plasmid–host genetic conflicts. By combining conjugation tests and experimental evolution with comparative genetic analysis, we showed here that the fitness costs related to ndm/IncX3 plasmids in E. coli C600 are caused by co-mutations of multiple host chromosomal genes related to sugar metabolism and cell membrane function. Adaptive evolution revealed that mutations in genes associated with oxidative stress, nucleotide and short-chain fatty acid metabolism, and cell membranes ameliorated the costs associated with plasmid carriage. Specific genetic conflicts associated with the ndm/IncX3 plasmid in E. coli C600 involve metabolism and cell-membrane-related genes, which could be ameliorated by compensatory mutations. Collectively, our findings could explain the wide spread of IncX3 plasmids in bacterial genomes, despite their potential cost.
Using Zoos as Sentinels for Re-Emerging Arboviruses: Vector Surveillance during an Outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease at the Minnesota Zoo
Authors: McGregor Bethany L. , Reister-Hendricks Lindsey M. , Nordmeyer Cale , Stapleton Seth , Davis Travis M. , Drolet Barbara S.
Published: January 2023

Vector-borne disease prevalence is increasing at a time when surveillance capacity in the United States is decreasing. One way to address this surveillance deficiency is to utilize established infrastructure, such as zoological parks, to investigate animal disease outbreaks and improve our epidemiological understanding of vector-borne pathogens. During fall 2020, an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) at the Minnesota Zoo resulted in morbidity and seroconversion of several collection animals. In response to this outbreak, insect surveillance was conducted, and the collected insects were tested for the presence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) by RT-qPCR to better understand the local transmitting vector populations responsible for the outbreak. Six pools of Culicoides biting midges were positive for EHDV, including three pools of Culicoides sonorensis, two pools of Culicoides variipennis, and a pool of degraded C. variipennis complex midges. All three endemic serotypes of EHDV (1, 2, and 6) were detected in both animals and midge pools from the premises. Despite this outbreak, no EHDV cases had been reported in wild animals near the zoo. This highlights the importance and utility of using animal holding facilities, such as zoos, as sentinels to better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of pathogen transmission.
Fusarium Yellows of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. zingiberi Is Associated with Cultivar-Specific Expression of Defense-Responsive Genes
Authors: Prasath Duraisamy , Matthews Andrea , O’Neill Wayne T. , Aitken Elizabeth A. B. , Chen Andrew
Published: January 2023

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is an important horticultural crop, valued for its culinary and medicinal properties. Fusarium yellows of ginger, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. zingiberi (Foz), is a devastating disease that has significantly reduced the quality and crop yield of ginger worldwide. The compatible interaction between ginger and Foz leading to susceptibility is dissected here. The pathogenicity of two Foz isolates on ginger was confirmed by their ability to colonise ginger and in turn induce both internal and external plant symptoms typical of Fusarium yellows. To shed light on Foz susceptibility at the molecular level, a set of defense-responsive genes was analysed for expression in the roots of ginger cultivars challenged with Foz. These include nucleotide-binding site (NBS) type of resistant (R) genes with a functional role in pathogen recognition, transcription factors associated with systemic acquired resistance, and enzymes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis and cell wall modifications. Among three R genes, the transcripts of ZoNBS1 and ZoNBS3 were rapidly induced by Foz at the onset of infection, and the expression magnitude was cultivar-dependent. These expression characteristics extend to the other genes. This study is the first step in understanding the mechanisms of compatible host–pathogen interactions in ginger.
A More Comprehensive Clinical and Laboratory Characterization of 61 Acute HIV Infection Patients in Southwest China
Authors: Shi Wu , Yang Mei , Wei Yinhao , Tang Zhuoyun , Luo Lan , Deng Jielun , Tao Chuanmin
Published: January 2023

Acute HIV infection (AHI), i.e., the early stage of HIV infection, plays an important role in immune system failure and HIV transmission, but most AHI patients are missed due to their non-specific symptoms. To facilitate the identification of patients with high AHI risk and reduction of missed diagnosis, we characterized 61 AHI patients in a Southwest China hospital with 4300 beds; specifically, we characterized their general clinical characteristics, evolution in results of a novel HIV screening assay called Elecsys® HIV Duo, and by programming, we analyzed the ability of all routine laboratory tests (e.g., routine blood analysis) to identify AHI patients. Among 61 AHI patients, 85.2% were male and the median age was 42 (interquartile range, 25–62) years. A total of 61.9% of patients visit the emergency department first during AHI. Clinical presentation of AHI patients included fever, fatigue, chills, rash, and various respiratory, digestive, and nervous system symptoms. Two of three results from Elecsys® HIV Duo show clear evolution trends: HIV P24 antigen decreased while HIV antibody increased in consecutive samples of nearly all patients. High fluorescence lymphocytes have a very high positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 10.33 and a relatively high “rate of out-of-range tests” of 56.8% (21 in 37 patients who received this test had a result outside the reference range). In addition, we identified more than ten tests with LR+ greater than two. In summary, the emergency department is important for AHI screening. The evolution of HIV P24 Ag and HIV Ab and those laboratory tests with a high “rate of out-of-range tests” or high LR+ may aid the AHI identification and missed diagnosis reduction.
In Silico Analysis of a Drosophila Parasitoid Venom Peptide Reveals Prevalence of the Cation–Polar–Cation Clip Motif in Knottin Proteins
Authors: Arguelles Joseph , Lee Jenny , Cardenas Lady V. , Govind Shubha , Singh Shaneen
Published: January 2023

As generalist parasitoid wasps, Leptopilina heterotoma are highly successful on many species of fruit flies of the genus Drosophila. The parasitoids produce specialized multi-strategy extracellular vesicle (EV)-like structures in their venom. Proteomic analysis identified several immunity-associated proteins, including the knottin peptide, LhKNOT, containing the structurally conserved inhibitor cysteine knot (ICK) fold, which is present in proteins from diverse taxa. Our structural and docking analysis of LhKNOT’s 36-residue core knottin fold revealed that in addition to the knottin motif itself, it also possesses a Cation–Polar–Cation (CPC) clip. The CPC clip motif is thought to facilitate antimicrobial activity in heparin-binding proteins. Surprisingly, a majority of ICKs tested also possess the CPC clip motif, including 75 bona fide plant and arthropod knottin proteins that share high sequence and/or structural similarity with LhKNOT. Like LhKNOT and these other 75 knottin proteins, even the Drosophila Drosomycin antifungal peptide, a canonical target gene of the fly’s Toll-NF-kappa B immune pathway, contains this CPC clip motif. Together, our results suggest a possible defensive function for the parasitoid LhKNOT. The prevalence of the CPC clip motif, intrinsic to the cysteine knot within the knottin proteins examined here, suggests that the resultant 3D topology is important for their biochemical functions. The CPC clip is likely a highly conserved structural motif found in many diverse proteins with reported heparin binding capacity, including amyloid proteins. Knottins are targets for therapeutic drug development, and insights into their structure–function relationships will advance novel drug design.
Limiting the Spread of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Low-to-Middle-Income Countries: One Size Does Not Fit All
Authors: Saliba Rindala , Zahar Jean-Ralph , Dabar Georges , Riachy Moussa , Karam-Sarkis Dolla , Husni Rola
Published: January 2023

The spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) is associated with additional costs as well as higher morbidity and mortality rates. Risk factors related to the spread of MDRO can be classified into four categories: bacterial, host-related, organizational, and epidemiological. Faced with the severity of the MDRO predicament and its individual and collective consequences, many scientific societies have developed recommendations to help healthcare teams control the spread of MDROs. These international recommendations include a series of control measures based on surveillance cultures and the application of barrier measures, ranging from patients’ being isolated in single rooms, to the reinforcement of hand hygiene and implementation of additional contact precautions, to the cohorting of colonized patients in a dedicated unit with or without a dedicated staff. In addition, most policies include the application of an antimicrobial stewardship program. Applying international policies to control the spread of MDROs presents several challenges, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). Through a review of the literature, this work evaluates the real risks of dissemination linked to MDROs and proposes an alternative policy that caters to the means of LMICs. Indeed, sufficient evidence exists to support the theory that high compliance with hand hygiene and antimicrobial stewardship reduces the risk of MDRO transmission. LMICs would therefore be better off adopting such low-cost policies without necessarily having to implement costly isolation protocols or impose additional contact precautions.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Pathophysiology in 2022
Authors:   Pathophysiology Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Design of Novel Tricaprylin-Incorporated Multi-Layered Liposomal System for Skin Delivery of Ascorbic Acid with Improved Chemical Stability
Authors: Ho Myoung Jin , Park Dong Woo , Kang Myung Joo
Published: January 2023

L-ascorbic acid (Vit C) possesses a variety of dermatological functions in maintaining skin health and anti-aging properties. However, its topical application is challenging owing to its liability to light, oxygen, or heat. Therefore, in this study, a novel liposomal system, including a lipophilic neutral oil named a lipo-oil-some (LOS), was designed to improve the chemical stability and aid the skin absorption of Vit C. The vesicular systems were prepared using the ethanol injection method, employing phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoglycerol, and tricaprylin as neutral oil. The optimized LOS was characterized as follows: shape, multi-layered sphere; size, 981 nm; zeta potential, −58 mV; and Vit C encapsulation efficiency, 35%. The encapsulation of the labile compound into the novel system markedly enhanced photostability, providing over 10% higher Vit C remaining compared to Vit C solution or Vit C-loaded conventional liposome under a light intensity of 20,000 lx. On the other hand, the ex vivo skin permeation and accumulation of Vit C with the LOS system were comparable to those of smaller conventional liposomes (198 nm) in a Franz diffusion cell model mounted with porcine skin. Based on these findings, we concluded that the novel liposomal system could be utilized for skin delivery of Vit C with enhanced chemical stability.
Terminalia arjuna, a Cardioprotective Herbal Medicine–Relevancy in the Modern Era of Pharmaceuticals and Green Nanomedicine—A Review
Authors: Ramesh Purnimajayasree , Palaniappan Arunkumar
Published: January 2023

Herbal medicines were the main source of therapeutic agents in the ancestral era. Terminalia arjuna (TA) is one such medicinal plant widely known for its several medicinal properties, especially its cardiovascular properties. They have several phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenoids, tannins, glycosides, and several minerals, proteins, and others that are responsible for the above-mentioned medicinal properties. In this review, we have first elaborated on the various processes and their parameters for the efficient extraction of relevant phytochemicals from TA extracts. Secondly, the mechanisms behind the various medicinal properties of TA extracts are explained. We have also highlighted the role of TA extracts on the green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, especially silver and gold nanoparticles, with an elucidation on the mechanisms behind the synthesis of nanoparticles. Finally, TA extracts-based polymeric formulations are discussed with limitations and future perspectives. We believe that this review could help researchers understand the importance of a well-known cardioprotective medicinal plant, TA, and its biomedical properties, as well as their role in green nanotechnology and various formulations explored for encapsulating them. This review will help researchers design better and greener nanomedicines as well as better formulations to improve the stability and bioavailability of TA extracts.
Protective Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on COVID-19-Related Intensive Care Hospitalization and Mortality: Definitive Evidence from Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis
Authors: Argano Christiano , Mallaci Bocchio Raffaella , Natoli Giuseppe , Scibetta Salvatore , Lo Monaco Marika , Corrao Salvatore
Published: January 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the world’s most important challenges for global public healthcare. Various studies have found an association between severe vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19-related outcomes. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune function and inflammation. Recent data have suggested a protective role of vitamin D in COVID-19-related health outcomes. The purpose of this meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) was to better explain the strength of the association between the protective role of vitamin D supplementation and the risk of mortality and admission to intensive care units (ICUs) in patients with COVID-19. Methods: We searched four databases on 20 September 2022. Two reviewers screened the randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and assessed the risk of bias, independently and in duplicate. The pre-specified outcomes of interest were mortality and ICU admission. Results: We identified 78 bibliographic citations. After the reviewers’ screening, only five RCTs were found to be suitable for our analysis. We performed meta-analyses and then TSAs. Vitamin D administration results in a decreased risk of death and ICU admission (standardized mean difference (95% CI): 0.49 (0.34–0.72) and 0.28 (0.20–0.39), respectively). The TSA of the protective role of vitamin D and ICU admission showed that, since the pooling of the studies reached a definite sample size, the positive association is conclusive. The TSA of the protective role of vitamin D in mortality risk showed that the z-curve was inside the alpha boundaries, indicating that the positive results need further studies. Discussion: The results of the meta-analyses and respective TSAs suggest a definitive association between the protective role of vitamin D and ICU hospitalization.
A New Challenge for the Old Excipient Calcium Carbonate: To Improve the Dissolution Rate of Poorly Soluble Drugs
Authors: Ambrogi Valeria
Published: January 2023

Calcium carbonate is an excipient traditionally used in solid dosage forms with several functions such as a diluent, a quick dissolution agent, a buffer and an opacifier. Recently, many other challenges have arisen for calcium carbonate and, among them, the possibility of using it as an excipient for improving the dissolution rate of poorly soluble drugs. As a consequence of their poor solubility in biological fluids, many active ingredients suffer from low and erratic bioavailability when administered by the oral route and thus, many formulation strategies and excipients have been proposed to overcome this problem. Among them, calcium carbonate has been proposed as an excipient for improving dissolution rates. Calcium carbonate has many interesting characteristics, in fact it dissolves quickly in gastric fluid, is inexpensive and is safe. It exists in different polymorphic forms and in porous morphology and recently a porous functionalized calcium carbonate has been proposed as a new excipient. This review is the first overview on the use of calcium carbonate as an excipient for improving drug dissolution rates. The drug loading procedure, the physical characterization of the drug/CaCO3 samples and their dissolution profiles will be described. Moreover, the possible mechanisms of dissolution improvement, such as the presence of the drug in amorphous or polymorphic forms, in small crystals, and the effects of CaCO3 dissolution in acidic medium will be discussed. Different polymorphic forms of calcium carbonate and the presence of porosity and functionalization will be analyzed as well and their effects on dissolution rates will be discussed.
Point-by-Point Induced High Birefringence Polymer Optical Fiber Bragg Grating for Strain Measurement
Authors: Gao Shixin , Wang Heng , Chen Yuhang , Wei Heming , Woyessa Getinet , Bang Ole , Min Rui , Qu Hang , Caucheteur Christophe , Hu Xuehao
Published: January 2023

In this paper, the first- and fourth-order fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based axial strain sensors are proposed. The FBGs are inscribed in step-index polymer optical fibers (POFs) (TOPAS core and ZEONEX cladding) via the point-by-point (PbP) direct-writing technique. A first-order FBG with a single peak is obtained with a pulse fluence of 7.16 J/cm2, showing a strain sensitivity of 1.17 pm/με. After that, a fourth-order FBG with seven peaks is obtained with a pulse fluence of 1.81 J/cm2 with a strain sensitivity between 1.249 pm/με and 1.296 pm/με. With a higher fluence of 2.41 J/cm2, a second fourth-order FBG with five peaks is obtained, each of which is split into two peaks due to high birefringence (Hi-Bi) of ~5.4 × 10−4. The two split peaks present a strain sensitivity of ~1.44 pm/με and ~1.55 pm/με, respectively. The peak difference corresponding to Hi-Bi presents a strain sensitivity of ~0.11 pm/με and could potentially be used for simultaneous dual-parameter measurement, such as temperature and strain.
Iron Nutrition in Plants: Towards a New Paradigm?
Authors: Li Meijie , Watanabe Shunsuke , Gao Fei , Dubos Christian
Published: January 2023

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development. Fe availability affects crops’ productivity and the quality of their derived products and thus human nutrition. Fe is poorly available for plant use since it is mostly present in soils in the form of insoluble oxides/hydroxides, especially at neutral to alkaline pH. How plants cope with low-Fe conditions and acquire Fe from soil has been investigated for decades. Pioneering work highlighted that plants have evolved two different strategies to mine Fe from soils, the so-called Strategy I (Fe reduction strategy) and Strategy II (Fe chelation strategy). Strategy I is employed by non-grass species whereas graminaceous plants utilize Strategy II. Recently, it has emerged that these two strategies are not fully exclusive and that the mechanism used by plants for Fe uptake is directly shaped by the characteristics of the soil on which they grow (e.g., pH, oxygen concentration). In this review, recent findings on plant Fe uptake and the regulation of this process will be summarized and their impact on our understanding of plant Fe nutrition will be discussed.
Effects of Plasma-Activated Water on Leaf and Fruit Biochemical Composition and Scion Growth in Apple
Authors: Kuzin Andrei , Solovchenko Alexei , Khort Dmitry , Filippov Rostislav , Lukanin Vladimir , Lukina Natalya , Astashev Maxim , Konchekov Evgeny
Published: January 2023

The application of plasma-activated water (PAW) in agriculture has gained the attention of researchers and practitioners. In particular, treatment with PAW is a promising method for increasing scion and rootstock survival as well as augmenting the mineral nutrition applicable to tree fruit crops. However, the applications of PAW are hampered by the lack of information about the effects of PAW on apple tree condition and yield. The increase in survival rate by PAW is believed to stem from the general stimulation of physiological processes in the plant tissue. To assess the actual effect of the PAW treatments, one needs to consider an important indicator of young tree quality such as their vegetative growth. We conducted field experiments to study the possibility of use of PAW for increase in primary nutrient contents in fruits and leaves in an orchard, as well as to assess the scion survival rate and vegetative growth of young grafts in a nursery. The application of PAW influenced the fruitset, yield, leaf nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), fruit phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) ascorbic acid (AA) and titratable acidity (TA). Treatment with PAW did not significantly reduce the negative impact of the rootstock thickness on the survival rate of bench grafts and their subsequent development. At the same time, scion survival tended to increase in the case when the scions and the rootstocks were of compatible thickness. Further studies of the PAW treatment effects are needed to better understand its applicability in diverse fields of horticulture.
Small Heat Shock Protein (sHSP) Gene Family from Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Fruits: Involvement in Ripening and Modulation by Nitric Oxide (NO)
Authors: González-Gordo Salvador , Palma José M. , Corpas Francisco J.
Published: January 2023

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are usually upregulated in plants under diverse environmental stresses. These proteins have been suggested to function as molecular chaperones to safeguard other proteins from stress-induced damage. The ripening of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit involves important phenotypic, physiological, and biochemical changes, which have associated endogenous physiological nitro-oxidative stress, but they can also be significantly affected by environmental conditions, such as temperature. Based on the available pepper genome, a total of 41 sHSP genes were identified in this work, and their distributions in the 12 pepper chromosomes were determined. Among these genes, only 19 sHSP genes were found in the transcriptome (RNA-Seq) of sweet pepper fruits reported previously. This study aims to analyze how these 19 sHSP genes present in the transcriptome of sweet pepper fruits are modulated during ripening and after treatment of fruits with nitric oxide (NO) gas. The time-course expression analysis of these genes during fruit ripening showed that 6 genes were upregulated; another 7 genes were downregulated, whereas 6 genes were not significantly affected. Furthermore, NO treatment triggered the upregulation of 7 sHSP genes and the downregulation of 3 sHSP genes, whereas 9 genes were unchanged. These data indicate the diversification of sHSP genes in pepper plants and, considering that sHSPs are important in stress tolerance, the observed changes in sHSP expression support that pepper fruit ripening has an associated process of physiological nitro-oxidative stress, such as it was previously proposed.
Spore-Trapping Device: An Efficient Tool to Manage Fungal Diseases in Winter Wheat Crops
Authors: Kremneva Oksana , Danilov Roman , Gasiyan Ksenia , Ponomarev Artem
Published: January 2023

Leaf airborne diseases cause major shortfalls in agricultural crops. The introduction of technical means can significantly improve early-warning systems for plant diseases as well as provide timely and accurate forecasts. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the possibilities of detecting a phytopathogenic infection using a spore-catching device developed at the Federal Research Center of Biological Plant Protection (FRCBPP) on winter wheat varieties of different levels of susceptibility to major economically important leaf diseases, taking into account climatic conditions. The device captures spores in the surface layer of air among crop plants. We conducted research in the experimental fields of FRCBPP in 2019–2021. The objects of the study were four cultivars of winter wheat. They were selected according to the degree of resistance to various leaf diseases. We studied the progress of wheat diseases according to generally accepted international scales the onset of the first manifestations to their maximum development. We studied the aerogenic infection in wheat crops using the FRCBPP developed portable device for determining the infestation of plants. Sampling was carried out in the same period as the visual assessment. The samples were taken in the crops of each variety at five points. The sampling time was one minute. As a result of research on experimental crops of four varieties of winter wheat, we observed the development of such diseases as powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis), yellow spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis), septoria leaf spot (Septoria tritici), yellow (Puccinia striiformis) and brown rust (Puccinia triticina). In a laboratory study of samples under a light microscope, all of the listed pathogens were found except for septoria leaf spot. Two-way analysis of variance confirmed the statistically significant separate and cumulative influence of the cultivar and year factor on winter wheat diseases. A generalized correlation analysis for three growing seasons (2019–2021) showed that an average statistically significant correlation coefficient (0.5–0.6) remains for the total groups for powdery mildew, yellow and brown rust. This indicator for the causative agent of yellow spot was equal to 0.4 with a high level of statistical significance. Thus, we conclude that by using a spore-catching device, it is possible to identify spores of economically significant pathogens in winter wheat crops and predict the further development of pathogens, taking into account the cultivar and annual climate factors.
In Vitro α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity of Green Seaweed Halimeda tuna Extract from the Coast of Lhok Bubon, Aceh
Authors: Gazali Mohamad , Jolanda Odi , Husni Amir , Nurjanah  , Majid Fadzilah Adibah Abd , Zuriat  , Syafitri Rina
Published: January 2023

Seaweed belongs to marine biota and contains nutrients and secondary metabolites beneficial for health. This study aimed to determine the antidiabetic activity of extracts and fractions of green seaweed Halimeda tuna. The H. tuna sample was extracted with the maceration method using methanol and then partitioned using ethyl acetate and water to obtain ethyl acetate and water fractions. The methanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction of H. tuna were tested for their inhibitory activity against α-amilase and α-glucosidase. The methanol extract and the fractions with the highest inhibitory activity were phytochemically tested and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 0.88 ± 0.20 mg/mL) inhibited α-amylase relatively similar to acarbose (IC50 = 0.76 ± 0.04 mg/mL). The methanol extract (IC50 = 0.05 ± 0.01 mg/mL) and the ethyl acetate fraction (IC50 = 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/mL) demonstrated stronger inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase than acarbose (IC50 = 0.27 ± 0.13 mg/mL). Phytochemical testing showed that the methanol extract and the ethyl acetate fraction contained secondary metabolites: alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and phenol hydroquinone. The compounds in methanol extract predicted to have inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were Docosanol, Neophytadiene, Stigmasta-7,22-dien-3-ol,acetate,(3.beta.,5.alpha.,22E), Octadecanoic acid,2-oxo-,methyl ester, and phytol, while those in the ethyl acetate fraction were n-Nonadecane, Phytol, Butyl ester, 14-.Beta.-H-pregna, Octadecenoic acid, and Oleic acid.
Inheritance of Fruit Red-Flesh Patterns in Peach
Authors: Zaracho Nathalia , Reig Gemma , Kalluri Naveen , Arús Pere , Eduardo Iban
Published: January 2023

Fruit color is an important trait in peach from the point of view of consumer preference, nutritional content, and diversification of fruit typologies. Several genes and phenotypes have been described for peach flesh and skin color, and although peach color knowledge has increased in the last few years, some fruit color patterns observed in peach breeding programs have not been carefully described. In this work, we first describe some peach mesocarp color patterns that have not yet been described in a collection of commercial peach cultivars, and we also study the genetic inheritance of the red dots present in the flesh (RDF) and red color around the stone (CAS) in several intra- and interspecific segregating populations for both traits. For RDF, we identified a QTL at the beginning of G5 in two intraspecific populations, and for CAS we identified a major QTL in G4 in both an intraspecific and an interspecific population between almond and peach. Finally, we discuss the interaction between these QTLs and some other genes previously identified in peach, such as dominant blood flesh (DBF), color around the stone (Cs), subacid (D) and the maturity date (MD), and the implications for peach breeding. The results obtained here will help peach germplasm curators and breeders to better characterize their plant materials and to develop an integrated system of molecular markers to select these traits.