Eco-friendly and safe alternatives for the valorization of shrimp farming waste.

The seafood industry generates waste, including shells, bones, intestines, and wastewater. The discards are nutrient-rich, containing varying concentrations of carotenoids, proteins, chitin, and other minerals. Thus, it is imperative to subject seafood waste, including shrimp waste (SW), to secondary processing and valorization for demineralization and deproteination to retrieve industrially essential compounds. Although several chemical processes are available for SW processing, most of them are inherently ecotoxic. Bioconversion of SW is cost-effective, ecofriendly, and safe. Microbial fermentation and the action of exogenous enzymes are among the significant SW bioconversion processes that transform seafood waste into valuable products. SW is a potential raw material for agrochemicals, microbial culture media, adsorbents, therapeutics, nutraceuticals, and bio-nanomaterials. This review comprehensively elucidates the valorization approaches of SW, addressing the drawbacks of chemically mediated methods for SW treatments. It is a broad overview of the applications associated with nutrient-rich SW, besides highlighting the role of major shrimp-producing countries in exploring SW to achieve safe, ecofriendly, and efficient bio-products.

COVID-19 epidemic in remote areas of the French Amazon, March 2020 to May 2021: Another reality.

BACKGROUND: French Guiana (FG) is an ultra-peripheral European region in the Amazon, and the COVID-19 epidemic has had very different kinetics from both its giant neighbors, Brazil or mainland France. METHODS: This study summarized the epidemics of COVID-19 in FG. RESULTS: The tropical climate, multiethnicity, and remoteness of the population forced healthcare providers to accordingly adapt the management of the epidemic. Incidence and mortality have been lower than that in Europe and Latin America due to a combination of prevalence of the youth in the population and highly developed healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, vaccine hesitancy hinders the rapid expansion of vaccine coverage.

COVID-19 epidemic in remote areas of the French Amazon, March 2020 to May 2021: Another reality

ABSTRACT Background: French Guiana (FG) is an ultra-peripheral European region in the Amazon, and the COVID-19 epidemic has had very different kinetics from both its giant neighbors, Brazil or mainland France. Methods: This study summarized the epidemics of COVID-19 in FG. Results: The tropical climate, multiethnicity, and remoteness of the population forced healthcare providers to accordingly adapt the management of the epidemic. Incidence and mortality have been lower than that in Europe and Latin America due to a combination of prevalence of the youth in the population and highly developed healthcare system. Conclusions: Currently, vaccine hesitancy hinders the rapid expansion of vaccine coverage.

Immobilized lipases-based nano-biocatalytic systems - A versatile platform with incredible biotechnological potential.

Lipases belong to α/ß hydrolases that cause hydrolytic catalysis of triacylglycerols to release monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, and glycerol with free fatty acids. Lipases have a common active site that contains three amino acid residues in a conserved Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly motif: a nucleophilic serine residue, an acidic aspartic or glutamic acid residue, and a basic histidine residue. Lipase plays a significant role in numerous industrial and biotechnological processes, including paper, food, oleochemical and pharmaceutical applications. However, its instability and aqueous solubility make application expensive and relatively challenging. Immobilization has been considered as a promising approach to improve enzyme stability, reusability, and survival under extreme temperature and pH environments. Innumerable supporting material in the form of natural polymers and nanostructured materials is a crucial aspect in the procedure of lipase immobilization used to afford biocompatibility, stability in physio-chemical belongings, and profuse binding positions for enzymes. This review outlines the unique structural and functional properties of a large number of polymers and nanomaterials as robust support matrices for lipase immobilization. Given these supporting materials, the applications of immobilized lipases in different industries, such as biodiesel production, polymer synthesis, additives, detergent, textile, and food industry are also discussed.

Fungal biosynthesis of lignin-modifying enzymes from pulp wash and Luffa cylindrica for azo dye RB5 biodecolorization using modeling by response surface methodology and artificial neural network.

This study demonstrates the evaluation between the artificial neural network technique coupled to the genetic algorithm (ANN-GA) and the response surface methodology (RSM) for prediction of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) decolorization by crude enzyme from Pleurotus. sajor-caju. Fungal lignin-modifying enzymes (FLME) were synthesized using pulp wash (PW) as an inducing substrate, and L. cylindrica (L.C) for cell immobilization. When grown in PW, the fungus showed higher Lac activity (126.5 IU. mL-1), whereas when immobilized a higher MnP activity was achieved (22.79 IU. mL-1), but both methods were capable of decolorizing the dye in about 89.4 % and 75 %, respectively. This indicates applicability of PW as an alternative substrate for FLME induction and viability of immobilization for MnP synthesis. For RB5 decolorization, the action of the crude enzyme extract was considered as a function of pH, dye concentration, temperature, and reaction time. The models are well adjusted to predict the efficiency of biodecolorization, with no statistical difference between ANN-GA and RSM, which indicates potential for green enzymes prospecting application in bioprocess industry.

Author Correction: Preparation of Lauroyl Grafted Alginate-Psyllium Husk Gel Composite Film with Enhanced Physicochemical, Mechanical and Antimicrobial Properties.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis and venous anatomical variation.

A 34-year-old multipara presented 72 hours postpartum with acute right-sided abdominal pain. The investigation revealed mild leucocytosis with positive D-dimer and elevated C reactive protein. Abdominal ultrasound and abdominopelvic CT demonstrated an enlarged right ovarian vein with endoluminal thrombus, representing postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis. The patient became asymptomatic 48 hours after starting broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment and anticoagulant therapy. She completed the treatment in ambulatory regimen and control abdominopelvic CT imaging was performed and revealed a duplicated right ovarian vein and a small residual subacute thrombus in the lumen of the distal right ovarian vein. The patient remained asymptomatic in the clinical follow-up.

Cancer cell fusion: a potential target to tackle drug-resistant and metastatic cancer cells.

Cell fusion is an integral, established phenomenon underlying various physiological processes in the cell cycle. Although research in cancer metastasis has hypothesised numerous molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways responsible for invasion and metastasis, the origin and progression of metastatic cells within primary tumours remains unclear. Recently, the role of cancer cell fusion in cancer metastasis and development of multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumours has gained prominence. However, evidence remains lacking to justify the role of cell fusion in cancer metastasis and drug resistance. Here, we highlight plausible mechanisms governing cell fusion with different cell types in the tumour microenvironment (TME), the clinical relevance of cancer cell fusion, its potential as a target for overcoming MDR and inhibiting metastasis, and putative modes of treatment.

Preparation of Lauroyl Grafted Alginate-Psyllium Husk Gel Composite Film with Enhanced Physicochemical, Mechanical and Antimicrobial Properties.

In this study, a lauroyl grafted hydrophobic glycolipid derivative of alginate has been successfully synthesized and characterized. This glycolipid has been incorporated into Psyllium husk gel-alginate composite films and compared with the films containing only Psyllim husk gel and Psyllim husk gel-alginate for its mechanical and physicochemical properties. Additionally, the composite film has also been evaluated for protein adsorption and antimicrobial property to verify its utility in biomedical applications. The results showed that the composite films have enhanced physicochemical and mechanical properties. The film produced better swelling characteristic and lower protein adsorption property indicating the usefulness of the film in wound care dressing, particularly for low suppurating wounds. Incorporation of the synthesised glycolipid derivative also imparts antimicrobial activity to the composite film. Therefore, the developed film is capable of sustaining the microbial contamination during the storage and also valuable in the biomedical utility including wound dressings.

Tumor Microenvironment Targeted Nanotherapy.

Recent developments in nanotechnology have brought new approaches to cancer diagnosis and therapy. While enhanced permeability and retention effect promotes nano-chemotherapeutics extravasation, the abnormal tumor vasculature, high interstitial pressure and dense stroma structure limit homogeneous intratumoral distribution of nano-chemotherapeutics and compromise their imaging and therapeutic effect. Moreover, heterogeneous distribution of nano-chemotherapeutics in non-tumor-stroma cells damages the non-tumor cells, and interferes with tumor-stroma crosstalk. This can lead not only to inhibition of tumor progression, but can also paradoxically induce acquired resistance and facilitate tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Overall, the tumor microenvironment plays a vital role in regulating nano-chemotherapeutics distribution and their biological effects. In this review, the barriers in tumor microenvironment, its consequential effects on nano-chemotherapeutics, considerations to improve nano-chemotherapeutics delivery and combinatory strategies to overcome acquired resistance induced by tumor microenvironment have been summarized. The various strategies viz., nanotechnology based approach as well as ligand-mediated, redox-responsive, and enzyme-mediated based combinatorial nanoapproaches have been discussed in this review.

Recent trends in in-vitro nanodiagnostics for detection of pathogens.

In recent times, infectious diseases are posing to be a major healthcare issue. The contagious nature of these diseases makes it imperative to develop logical solutions for early diagnosis and containment of these diseases. Traditional techniques suffer from limitations, including laborious sample preparation, bulky instrumentation and slow data readout. In view of the urgency for sensitive, specific, robust and rapid diagnostics, numerous advancements have been made in the area of diagnostics. Broadly, most of these innovative approaches, have utilized the unique properties of nanomaterials in order to achieve detection of infectious agents, even in complex media like blood, urine. Additionally, researchers have also leveraged the advantages of nanomaterials by coupling with novel methods, such as surface plasmon spectroscopy, amperometry and magnetic relaxation. Thus, this review intends to provide an overview on nanotechnology-based in-vitro diagnostics encompassing the useful role of both bioreceptors and transducers in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in diverse settings throughout the globe, preventing epidemics and safeguarding human and economic wellness.

Atualização sobre investigação de doença do refluxo gastroesofágico em crianças com asma / Updates on the investigation of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with asthma

Introdução. A interação entre asma e doença do refluxo gastroesofágico é tema controverso. A prevalência de doença do refluxo gastroesofágico em pacientes pediátricos com asma pode chegar a 80%. A orientação de tratamento empírico da referida doença vem sendo questionada, pois ainda faltam indícios que comprovem se essa terapia levaria à melhorado quadro clínico da asma e à diminuição do uso de medicações ou da frequência de exacerbações clínicas. Desse modo, faz-se necessária a utilização de métodos diagnósticos da doença em questão, como pHmetria e impedanciometria. Objetivo. Coletar e analisar dados recentes sobre a investigação da doença em pacientes asmáticos na faixa etáriapediátrica. Método. A atualização sobre doença do refluxo gastroesofágico e asma foi realizada por meio de pesquisa de artigosrelevantes no PubMed, publicados nos últimos cinco anos ou textos de referência sobre o assunto. Resultados. A monitorização dos episódios de refluxo se faz necessária para o diagnóstico e para o manejo da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. A utilização de ultrassonografia para esse fim está desaconselhada e o uso de cintilografia estáindicado para a investigação de aspiração pulmonar, assim como a endoscopia digestiva alta para a pesquisa de complicações,como a esofagite. A pHmetria, considerada padrão-ouro, avalia a presença de refluxo durante 18 a 24 horas. É indicada para detectar refluxo oculto e para pacientes com manifestações atípicas, como tosse noturna. A impedanciometria merece destaque, porém ainda é um exame caro e de difícil acesso. Conclusão. A presença de refluxo gastroesofágico deve ser avaliada em pacientes com asma e, nesse contexto, deve ser elucidado, dentre tantas opções diagnósticas, qual é o exame mais indicado para cada paciente

Introduction. The interaction between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease is controversial. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric patients with asthma may reach up to 80%. The empirical treatment of this condition has been questioned because there is still lack of evidence to prove whether this therapy would lead to improvement of the clinical condition related to asthma or would decrease the use of medication or the frequency of clinical exacerbations.Thus, it is necessary to use diagnostic methods of gastroesophageal reflux disease such as pH and impedance monitoring. Objective. To collect and analyze recent data on the investigation of gastroesophageal reflux disease in pediatric patients with asthma. Method. An update on gastroesophageal reflux disease and asthma was performed by searching PubMed for relevant articles published over the past five years or reference texts on the subject. Results. The monitoring of reflux episodes is necessary for the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The use of ultrasound for this purpose is discouraged and the use of scintilography is indicated for the investigation of pulmonary aspiration, as well as upper endoscopy for the detection of complications, such as esophagitis. The pH monitoringis considered to be the gold standard and it evaluates the presence of reflux for 18 to 24 hours. It is indicated to detect occult reflux in patients with atypical symptoms, like nocturnal cough. Impedance monitoring is a promising test. However, it is an expensive test and the access to it is difficult. Conclusion. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux should be evaluated in patients with asthma and, in such context, it should be clarified which, among many diagnostic options, should be the best investigation for each patient.

Formulation development of parenteral phospholipid-based microemulsion of etoposide.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of a phospholipid-based microemulsion formulation for parenteral delivery of anticancer drug, etoposide. The microemulsion area was identified by constructing pseudoternary phase diagrams. The prepared microemulsions were subjected to different thermodynamic stability tests. The microemulsion formulations that passed thermodynamic stability tests were characterized for optical birefringence, droplet size, viscosity measurement, and pH measurements. To assess the safety of the formulations for parenteral delivery, the formulation was subjected to compatibility studies with various intravenous infusions and in vitro erythrocyte toxicity study. The developed formulation was found to be robust and safe for parenteral delivery.

Nano-interventions for neurodegenerative disorders.

With an increase in lifespan and changing population demographics, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is expected to increase significantly in the 21st century. Contrary to common belief, it is recognized that neurodegenerative diseases may be multisystemic in nature and this presents numerous difficulties for the potential treatment of these disorders. This review focuses on applications in the nano-delivery of therapeutic agents across the blood-brain barrier. We explore various types of nanoparticles, ranging from polymerics to liposomes. A brief discussion of the pharmacokinetic parameters and specific targeting strategies of these nanoparticles follows, presenting suggestions for the mechanisms of cellular and intracellular uptake and possible toxicity considerations of nanoparticles.