Neuroprotective Role of Quercetin against Alpha-Synuclein-Associated Hallmarks in Parkinson's Disease.

Quercetin, a natural antioxidant, exhibits potential neuroprotective effects by efficiently downregulating α-synuclein protein aggregation and associated neurological hallmarks, responsible for the progression of Parkinson's Disease.

COVID-19 Vaccines, Effectiveness, and Immune Responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has captivated the globe's attention since its emergence in 2019. This highly infectious, spreadable, and dangerous pathogen has caused health, social, and economic crises. Therefore, a worldwide collaborative effort was made to find an efficient strategy to overcome and develop vaccines.

Pesticide residues in fresh fruits imported into the United Arab Emirates.

Pesticides are a major public health issue connected with excessive use because they negatively impact health and the environment. Pesticide toxicity has been connected to various human illnesses by means of pesticide exposure in direct or indirect ways. A total of 4513 samples of imported fresh fruits were collected from Dubai ports between 2018 to 2020.

Design and synthesis of new adamantyl derivatives as promising antiproliferative agents.

A series of adamantyl carboxamide derivatives containing sulfonate or sulfonamide moiety were designed as multitargeted inhibitors of ectonucleotide pyrophosphatases/phosphodiesterases (NPPs) and carbonic anhydrases (CAs). The target compounds were investigated for their antiproliferative activity against NCI-60 cancer cell lines panel. Three main series composed of 3- and 4-aminophenol, 4-aminoaniline, and 5-hydroxyindole scaffolds were designed based on a lead compound (A).

Inhibition of spoilage bacteria on marinated chicken by essential oils under aerobic and vacuum packaging.

"Chicken tawook" is a marinated boneless chicken entrée consumed in the Middle East. The aim of this study was to determine whether bioactive essential oil (EO) components carvacrol (CA), cinnamaldehyde (CI), and thymol (TH) would delay the growth of microorganisms causing tawook spoilage during aerobic (AP) or vacuum (VP) packed storage. The EOs at 1% and 2% were mixed individually with the marinade.

Blue Light-Driven [4+2]-Cycloaddition: Diastereoselective Synthesis of Chromeno[4,3-]quinoline and Chromeno[4,3-][1,8]naphthyridine Scaffolds.

A one-pot, metal-free, light-driven [4+2]-cycloaddition reaction is described by accessing a diverse collection of chromeno[4,3-]quinoline and chromeno[4,3-][1,8]naphthyridine scaffolds in a diastereoselective manner. This process delivered stereoisomers, which were challenging to produce by an inverse-demand Diels-Alder reaction. The tetracyclic products were provided in good yields, promoted by rose bengal and blue light in a single operation.

Synthesis and Biocompatibility Evaluation of PCL Electrospun Membranes Coated with MTA/HA for Potential Application in Dental Pulp Capping.

This study aimed to develop polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun membranes coated with mineral trioxide aggregate/hydroxyapatite (MTA/HA) as a potential material for dental pulp capping. Initially, the PCL membrane was prepared by an electrospinning process, which was further surface coated with MTA (labeled as PCLMTA) and HA (labeled as PCLHA). The physico-chemical characterization of the fabricated membranes was carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)/Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and contact angle analysis.

CXCL10 Chemokine: A Critical Player in RNA and DNA Viral Infections.

Chemokines constitute a group of small, secreted proteins that regulate leukocyte migration and contribute to their activation. Chemokines are crucial inflammatory mediators that play a key role in managing viral infections, during which the profile of chemokine expression helps shape the immune response and regulate viral clearance, improving clinical outcome. In particular, the chemokine ligand CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3 were explored in a plethora of RNA and DNA viral infections.

Recent Updates on the Functional Impact of Kahweol and Cafestol on Cancer.

Kahweol and cafestol are two diterpenes extracted from beans that have distinct biological activities. Recent research describes their potential activities, which include anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer properties, among others. The two diterpenes have been shown to have anticancer effects in various in vitro and in vivo cancer models.

Pharmacogenomics in Psychiatry Practice: The Value and the Challenges.

The activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes is influenced by genetic and nongenetic factors; hence, the metabolism of exogenous psychotropic medications and potentially some endogenous neuropeptides is variably affected among different ethnic groups of psychiatric patients. The aim of this review is to highlight the most common cytochrome P450 isoenzymes associated with the metabolism of psychotropic medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers), their variations among different populations, their impact on endogenous neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin), and the effect of nongenetic factors, particularly smoking, age, and pregnancy, on their metabolic activity. Furthermore, the adverse effects of psychiatric medications may be associated with certain human leukocytic antigen (HLA) genotypes.

Imidazothiazole Derivatives Exhibited Potent Effects against Brain-Eating Amoebae.

is a free-living, unicellular, opportunistic protist responsible for the fatal central nervous system infection, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Given the increase in temperatures due to global warming and climate change, it is estimated that the cases of PAM are on the rise. However, there is a current lack of awareness and effective drugs, meaning there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic drugs.

Plasma zonulin correlates with cardiac dysfunction and poor physical performance in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aims: An aberrant intestinal permeability is often associated with systemic inflammation and cardiovascular diseases accompanied by compromised physical performance. However, the link between these complications is poorly defined. Here we investigated the potential association of zonulin, a regulator of intestinal permeability, with ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure (HF) and, associated physical disability.

Fulminant Viral Hepatitis in Two Siblings with Inherited IL-10RB Deficiency.

Fulminant viral hepatitis (FVH) caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a life-threatening disease that typically strikes otherwise healthy individuals. The only known genetic etiology of FVH is inherited IL-18BP deficiency, which unleashes IL-18-dependent lymphocyte cytotoxicity and IFN-γ production. We studied two siblings who died from a combination of early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (EOIBD) and FVH due to HAV.

Evaluating Risk: Benefit Ratio of Fat-Soluble Vitamin Supplementation to SARS-CoV-2-Infected Autoimmune and Cancer Patients: Do Vitamin-Drug Interactions Exist?

COVID-19 is a recent pandemic that mandated the scientific society to provide effective evidence-based therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment for such a global threat, especially to those patients who hold a higher risk of infection and complications, such as patients with autoimmune diseases and cancer. Recent research has examined the role of various fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) in reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection. Studies showed that deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins abrogates the immune system, thus rendering individuals more susceptible to COVID-19 infection.

The Role of Systems Biology in Deciphering Asthma Heterogeneity.

Asthma is one of the most common and lifelong and chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway obstruction episodes. It is a heterogeneous disease of varying and overlapping phenotypes with many confounding factors playing a role in disease susceptibility and management. Such multifactorial disorders will benefit from using systems biology as a strategy to elucidate molecular insights from complex, quantitative, massive clinical, and biological data that will help to understand the underlying disease mechanism, early detection, and treatment planning.

Hindlimb unloading induces time-dependent disruption of testicular histology in mice.

Mechanical unloading of the body in the hindlimb unloaded (HU) mice induces pathology in multiple organs, but the effects on testes are poorly characterized. We investigated the histology and Raman spectroscopy of the mouse testes following HU condition. We divided male, c57BL/6j mice into ground-based controls or experimental groups for two and four weeks of HU.

Resveratrol-Mediated Regulation of Mitochondria Biogenesis-associated Pathways in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Molecular Insights and Potential Therapeutic Applications.

Neurodegenerative disorders include different neurological conditions that affect nerve cells, causing the progressive loss of their functions and ultimately leading to loss of mobility, coordination, and mental functioning. The molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis are still unclear. Nonetheless, there is experimental evidence to demonstrate that the perturbation of mitochondrial function and dynamics play an essential role.

Nanomedicine for Treating Muscle Dystrophies: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of genetic muscular diseases characterized by impaired muscle regeneration, which leads to pathological inflammation that drives muscle wasting and eventually results in weakness, functional dependency, and premature death. The most known causes of death include respiratory muscle failure due to diaphragm muscle decay. There is no definitive treatment for muscular dystrophies, and conventional therapies aim to ameliorate muscle wasting by promoting physiological muscle regeneration and growth.

Characterization of the Molecular Alterations Induced by the Prolonged Exposure of Normal Colon Mucosa and Colon Cancer Cells to Low-Dose Bisphenol A.

Colorectal cancer is a common cancer with a poor prognosis in both males and females. The influence of bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used environmental contaminant, in colon cancer development and progression is not well identified, in spite of the fact that the most common mode of exposure to BPA is ingestion. The aim of this work is to elucidate the carcinogenic effects of BPA in the colon in vitro.

Immunomodulatory effect of IL-1RA in LPS-activated macrophage/dental pulp stem cells co-culture.

Aims: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and macrophage co-cultures showed downregulated TNF-α secretion that is modulated by hDPSCs through IDO axis, whereas the secretory levels of IL-1β remained unchanged. Therefore, sustained production of IL-1β could contribute to progressive dental pulp inflammation. However, the role of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) in downregulating the secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α in LPS-activated M0/M1/M2 macrophage and hDPSCs co-culture has not been studied yet.