The Effect of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) on Human Inflammation Biomarkers and Antioxidant Enzymes: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Context: Consuming antioxidant-rich foods has been associated with potential benefits in managing chronic diseases by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of Aronia melanocarpa (aronia berry or chokeberry) on human inflammation biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes.

Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies investigating the potential effects of aronia on human inflammation biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes between April 2022 and November 2023.

Alkaloids Isolated from Vepris glandulosa with Antidiabetic Properties: An In Vitro and In Silico Analysis.

Diabetes is a major global health issue and as current treatments fail, the search for new antidiabetic drugs is crucial. This investigation, focusing on identifying potential antidiabetic compounds from the endangered plant species Vepris glandulosa, led to the isolation of two known alkaloids, choisyine acetate (1) and choisyine (2). The study established the in vitro inhibitory activities and in silico molecular interaction of the two alkaloids with α-amylase based on IC values, Linewaever-Burk/Dixon plot kinetic analyses and Molecular docking, respectively.

Growth regulation in bread wheat via novel bioinoculant formulation.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most significant crops and the backbone of food security worldwide. However, low wheat production remains a substantial concern in global agricultural systems.

Positive impact of early-probiotic administration on performance parameters, intestinal health and microbiota populations in broiler chickens.

Minimizing the utilization of antibiotics in animal production is crucial to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistances. Thus, research on alternatives is needed to maintain productivity, sustainability, and animal health. To gain a comprehensive understanding of probiotics' modes of action on performance, intestinal microbiota, and gut health in poultry, 3 probiotic strains (Enterococcus faecalis CV1028 [EntF], Bacteroides fragilis GP1764 [BacF], and Ligilactobacillus salivarius CTC2197 [LacS]) were tested in 2 in vivo trials.

An in silico approach uncovering the competency of oncolytic human adenovirus 52 for targeted breast cancer virotherapy.

Breast cancer remains a major health threat throughout the world specifically in women above 30 years of age however, it is rarely known to affect men as well. It is characterized by the abnormal division of cells in the breast tissue resulting in the development of breast malignancies. Various risk factors contributing to breast cancer include age, family history, genetic mutations (chiefly in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes) along with hormonal imbalances (oestrogen, progesterone, HER2).

Starch-based bio-membrane for water purification, biomedical waste, and environmental remediation.

This review article explores the utilization of starch-based materials as smart materials for the removal of dyes and heavy metals from wastewater, highlighting their cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. It addresses the critical need for clean water, emphasizing the contamination caused by industrial activities, such as printing, textile, cosmetic, and leather tanning industries. Starch and its derivatives demonstrate significant potential in water purification technology, effectively removing toxicants through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and complexation.

COVID-19 and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting and child marriage: An online multi-country cross sectional survey.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage are prevalent in many countries in Asia and Africa. These practices are a violation of human rights and have significant impacts on the physical and mental well-being of those affected. COVID-19 restrictions such as lockdowns and closure of schools may have influenced the occurrence of FGM/C and child marriage.

Illuminating Substrate Preferences of Promiscuous FH-Dependent Dehydroamino Acid Reductases with 4-Track mRNA Display.

Stereoselective reduction of dehydroamino acids is a common biosynthetic strategy to introduce d-amino acids into peptidic natural products. The reduction, often observed during the biosynthesis of lanthipeptides, is performed by dedicated dehydroamino acid reductases (dhAARs). Enzymes from the three known dhAAR families utilize nicotinamide, flavin, or FH coenzymes as hydride donors, and little is known about the catalysis performed by the latter family proteins.

Biochemical characterization of a recombinant laccase from Halalkalibacterium halodurans C-125 and its application in the biotransformation of organic compounds.

Objectives: This study aimed to produce an engineered recombinant laccase from extremophilic Halalkalibacterium halodurans C-125 (Lac-HhC-125) with higher protein yield, into a more active conformation and with properties that meet the fundamental needs of biotechnological application.

Results: The rLac-HhC125 was partially purified by size exclusion chromatography and concentrated by ultrafiltration (10 kDa) with a yield of 57.6%.

Exploring In Vitro Antibiofilm Potential and In Vivo Toxicity Assessment of Gold Nanoparticles.

In this study, biogenically synthesized AuNPs were first characterized via UV visible spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, and FTIR followed by toxicity evaluation using mice model. UV-visible spectroscopy of biogenic AuNPs showed peaks at 540-549 nm, while FTIR spectrum showed various functional groups involving O-H, Amide I, Amide II, O-H, C-H groups, and so on. SEM showed the size variation from 30 to 60 nm.

A Pilot Study of the Role of Semaphorin 4A (sema4A) and 3C (sema3C) in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC).

Bladder cancer is a very important issue in contemporary urology. The aim of this pilot study was to assess for the first time the clinical utility of semaphorin 3C (sema3C) and 4A (sema4A) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The experiment involved 15 patients with NMIBC and 5 patients without malignancies as the control group.

Deciphering the Landscape of GATA-Mediated Transcriptional Regulation in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is an asymptomatic malignancy in early stages, with an invasive and cost-ineffective diagnostic toolbox that contributes to severe global mortality rates on an annual basis. Ectopic expression of the lineage survival transcription factors (LS-TFs) GATA4 and 6 promotes stomach oncogenesis. However, LS-TFs also govern important physiological roles, hindering their direct therapeutic targeting.

Ensemble Classification Model With CFS-IGWO-Based Feature Selection for Cancer Detection Using Microarray Data.

Cancer is the top cause of death worldwide, and machine learning (ML) has made an indelible mark on the field of early cancer detection, thereby lowering the death toll. ML-based model for cancer diagnosis is done using two forms of data: gene expression data and microarray data. The data on gene expression levels includes many dimensions.

Dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy among women in Bosomtwe District, Ghana.

The sustainable development goals seek to end all forms of malnutrition of women of reproductive age (WRA) by 2030. As such, recent data on nutrient adequacy are needed to aid in tracking progress. However, data on specific dietary nutrient intakes includes only iron, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin B in Ghana.

Novel pyrimidine linked acyl thiourea derivatives as potent α-amylase and proteinase K inhibitors: design, synthesis, molecular docking and ADME studies.

To discover promising therapeutic agents, novel diaryl pyrimidine linked acyl thiourea derivatives (6a-j) were designed and synthesized straightforward and multistep synthesis. The structure of these derivatives (6a-j) was confirmed by FTIR, H, and C NMR spectroscopic techniques. The biological screening of these compounds was carried out to assess their bacterial, α-amylase, and proteinase K inhibition potential.

Food acquisition and consumption by NOVA food classification and lived poverty index among rural and urban households in South Africa and Ghana.

Objective: This study aimed to determine differences in food consumption by the NOVA food categories in South Africa and Ghana and how they relate to poverty and food supply systems.

Design: This study used a cross-sectional design to assess household food acquisition and lived poverty index.

Setting: The study was conducted in Khayelitsha and Mount Frere, urban and rural communities in South Africa, respectively, and Ahodwo and Ejuratia, urban and rural communities in Ghana, respectively.

Evidence for the Quercetin Binding Site of Glycogen Phosphorylase as a Target for Liver-Isoform-Selective Inhibitors against Glioblastoma: Investigation of Flavanols Epigallocatechin Gallate and Epigallocatechin.

Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is the rate-determining enzyme in glycogenolysis, and its druggability has been extensively studied over the years for the development of therapeutics against type 2 diabetes (T2D) and, more recently, cancer. However, the conservation of binding sites between the liver and muscle isoforms makes the inhibitor selectivity challenging. Using a combination of kinetic, crystallographic, modeling, and cellular studies, we have probed the binding of dietary flavonoids epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epigallocatechin (EGC) to GP isoforms.

Neuroprotective Effect of Artemisinin in an Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in older people, characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregated of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, which normally helps stabilize microtubules in neurons.

Method: Nowadays, artemisinin (ART) as well as its semisynthetic derivatives (ARTs) are seen as potential neuroprotectors. The goal of the present study is the assessment of neuroprotective, antibacterial activity of ART, as well as in silico studies of ART affinity to Aβ-peptides and the search of potential targets for ART.

Enhancing anti-adhesion properties by designing microstructure - the microscopy and spectroscopy study of the intercellular bacterial response.

This study is the first one that investigates in detail the bacterial intercellular response to the high density of crystallographic defects including vacancies created in Cu by high pressure torsion. To this aim, samples were deformed by high pressure torsion and afterward, their antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus were analyzed in adhesion tests. As a reference an annealed sample was applied.

Bioengineering of glucan coated silver nanoparticles as dynamic biomedical compound; in vitro and in vivo studies.

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) gaining importance for the treatment of microbial infections and are in great demand due to their efficient broad antibacterial action but there is only one problem that silver nanoparticles can cause tissue damage. Therefore, the present study evaluated antimicrobial potential and intricacy of glucan coated silver nanoparticles in comparison with free silver nanoparticles. In this study, glucan coated silver nanoparticles (Glucan-AgNPs) by using Pleurotus spps.