scholarly journals Applications of Microwave Energy in Medicine

Biosensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Alexandra Gartshore ◽  
Matt Kidd ◽  
Lovleen Tina Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Wave ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Medical Industry ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Microwave Energy ◽  
Living Matter ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Potential Benefits

Microwaves are a highly utilized electromagnetic wave, used across a range of industries including food processing, communications, in the development of novel medical treatments and biosensor diagnostics. Microwaves have known thermal interactions and theorized non-thermal interactions with living matter; however, there is significant debate as to the mechanisms of action behind these interactions and the potential benefits and limitations of their use. This review summarizes the current knowledge surrounding the implementation of microwave technologies within the medical industry.

scholarly journals The Role of Oxidative Stress in NAFLD–NASH–HCC Transition—Focus on NADPH Oxidases

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 687
Author(s):  
Daniela Gabbia ◽  
Luana Cannella ◽  
Sara De De Martin
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Nadph Oxidases ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

A peculiar role for oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its transition to the inflammatory complication non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as well as in its threatening evolution to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is supported by numerous experimental and clinical studies. NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are enzymes producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose abundance in liver cells is closely related to inflammation and immune responses. Here, we reviewed recent findings regarding this topic, focusing on the role of NOXs in the different stages of fatty liver disease and describing the current knowledge about their mechanisms of action. We conclude that, although there is a consensus that NOX-produced ROS are toxic in non-neoplastic conditions due to their role in the inflammatory vicious cycle sustaining the transition of NAFLD to NASH, their effect is controversial in the neoplastic transition towards HCC. In this regard, there are indications of a differential effect of NOX isoforms, since NOX1 and NOX2 play a detrimental role, whereas increased NOX4 expression appears to be correlated with better HCC prognosis in some studies. Further studies are needed to fully unravel the mechanisms of action of NOXs and their relationships with the signaling pathways modulating steatosis and liver cancer development.

scholarly journals The Complexity of FGF23 Effects on Cardiomyocytes in Normal and Uremic Milieu

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1266
Author(s):  
Andreja Figurek ◽  
Merita Rroji ◽  
Goce Spasovski
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
Normal Kidney ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) appears to be one of the most promising biomarkers and predictors of cardiovascular risk in patients with heart disease and normal kidney function, but moreover in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review summarizes the current knowledge of FGF23 mechanisms of action in the myocardium in the physiological and pathophysiological state of CKD, as well as its cross-talk to other important signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes. In this regard, current therapeutic possibilities and future perspectives are also discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of the Resistance Responses to Stress Conditions Encountered in Food and Food Processing Environments on the Virulence and Growth Fitness of Non-Typhoidal Salmonellae

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 617
Author(s):  
Silvia Guillén ◽  
Laura Nadal ◽  
Ignacio Álvarez ◽  
Pilar Mañas ◽  
Guillermo Cebrián
Keyword(s):  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Modified Atmospheres ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Salmonella Virulence ◽  
Short Time

The success of Salmonella as a foodborne pathogen can probably be attributed to two major features: its remarkable genetic diversity and its extraordinary ability to adapt. Salmonella cells can survive in harsh environments, successfully compete for nutrients, and cause disease once inside the host. Furthermore, they are capable of rapidly reprogramming their metabolism, evolving in a short time from a stress-resistance mode to a growth or virulent mode, or even to express stress resistance and virulence factors at the same time if needed, thanks to a complex and fine-tuned regulatory network. It is nevertheless generally acknowledged that the development of stress resistance usually has a fitness cost for bacterial cells and that induction of stress resistance responses to certain agents can trigger changes in Salmonella virulence. In this review, we summarize and discuss current knowledge concerning the effects that the development of resistance responses to stress conditions encountered in food and food processing environments (including acid, osmotic and oxidative stress, starvation, modified atmospheres, detergents and disinfectants, chilling, heat, and non-thermal technologies) exerts on different aspects of the physiology of non-typhoidal Salmonellae, with special emphasis on virulence and growth fitness.

scholarly journals Investigation of COVID-19 comorbidities reveals genes and pathways coincident with the SARS-CoV-2 viral disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Dolan ◽  
David P. Hill ◽  
Gaurab Mukherjee ◽  
Monica S. McAndrews ◽  
Elissa J. Chesler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Diseases ◽  
Bioinformatics Analysis ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Biomedical Ontologies ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Significant Enrichment ◽  
Intense Research

AbstractThe emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and subsequent COVID-19 pandemic initiated intense research into the mechanisms of action for this virus. It was quickly noted that COVID-19 presents more seriously in conjunction with other human disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and lung diseases. We conducted a bioinformatics analysis of COVID-19 comorbidity-associated gene sets, identifying genes and pathways shared among the comorbidities, and evaluated current knowledge about these genes and pathways as related to current information about SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed our analysis using GeneWeaver (GW), Reactome, and several biomedical ontologies to represent and compare common COVID-19 comorbidities. Phenotypic analysis of shared genes revealed significant enrichment for immune system phenotypes and for cardiovascular-related phenotypes, which might point to alleles and phenotypes in mouse models that could be evaluated for clues to COVID-19 severity. Through pathway analysis, we identified enriched pathways shared by comorbidity datasets and datasets associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Usnic Acid Derivatives as Cytotoxic Agents Against Cancer Cells and the Mechanisms of Their Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beata Guzow-Krzemińska ◽  
Katarzyna Guzow ◽  
Anna Herman-Antosiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Tumour Growth ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Parent Compound ◽  
Usnic Acid ◽  
Xenograft Model ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Cytotoxic Agents ◽  
Lead Compound

Abstract Purpose of Review This article summarises recent research on modifications of the structure or formula of usnic acid (UA), a lichen secondary metabolite, in order to obtain derivatives with higher bioavailability, potency and selectivity against cancer cells and presents the current knowledge on the mechanisms of action of such compounds. Recent Findings Numerous approaches have been undertaken to improve bioactivity of UA concerning its use as an anticancer drug. Among them, the synthesis of UA salts or complexation with 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin to improve its solubility and the encapsulation using different carriers (including various nanomaterials) to stabilise UA in biological fluids and improve their penetrance to, and release in, cancer cells were applied.. Synthetic modification of the UA structure has been explored to obtain more active and cancer-specific derivatives. Recent work indicates that some modifications of the C or A ring of UA selectively increase its antiproliferative potential against cancer cells. Moreover, specific changes in the UA structure allow to obtain derivatives which inhibit enzymes important for the cancer cells’ survival, such as mTOR, Pim, TDP1 or PARP. Some of them have been shown to enhance anticancer activity of the already approved chemotherapeutics, such as topotecan. Others, when used in an animal cancer xenograft model, were superior to UA in retardation of tumour growth and less toxic that the parent compound. Summary UA is a promising lead compound for synthesis of anticancer drugs. Further work on its modifications, mechanisms of activity and validation in animal models is critical for development of effective therapeutics.

scholarly journals Commodity chain and strengthening of the agro-food sector competitiveness

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (No, 7) ◽  
pp. 293-297
Author(s):  
I. Blažková
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Integration ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Market Force ◽  
Food Chains ◽  
Commodity Chain ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Vertical Interconnection ◽  
Production Characteristics

In the last decade, the character of agro-food chains functioning has changed significantly. Globalisation elements in the food processing and distribution are changing conditions in agro-food sector and influencing also agrarian markets. Due to higher food finalisation and market force of processing and distribution stages in the agribusiness commodity vertical, farm value share in the final food price has decreased. Increasing competition makes agribusiness firms  look for possibilities to strengthen their competitiveness, which is increasingly determined by the ability to develop successful partnerships within commodity verticals, i.e. vertical integration, eventually co-ordination, enforces. In this study, potential benefits and risks of these forms of vertical interconnection are reviewed with respect on specific market and production characteristics of agro-food chains. The problem is presented on the example of the commodity chain of bakery and pasta production in the Czech Republic. At the end of the paper, main arguments for the interconnection of particular stages of this vertical are derived, especially between mills and bakeries.

scholarly journals Investigation of COVID-19 comorbidities reveals genes and pathways coincident with the SARS-CoV-2 viral disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary E. Dolan ◽  
David P. Hill ◽  
Gaurab Mukherjee ◽  
Monica S. McAndrews ◽  
Elissa J. Chesler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Diseases ◽  
Bioinformatics Analysis ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Viral Disease ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Biomedical Ontologies ◽  
Phenotypic Analysis ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Significant Enrichment ◽  
Intense Research

AbstractThe emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and subsequent COVID-19 pandemic initiated intense research into the mechanisms of action for this virus. It was quickly noted that COVID-19 presents more seriously in conjunction with other human disease conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and lung diseases. We conducted a bioinformatics analysis of COVID-19 comorbidity-associated gene sets, identifying genes and pathways shared among the comorbidities, and evaluated current knowledge about these genes and pathways as related to current information about SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed our analysis using GeneWeaver (GW), Reactome, and several biomedical ontologies to represent and compare common COVID-19 comorbidities. Phenotypic analysis of shared genes revealed significant enrichment for immune system phenotypes and for cardiovascular-related phenotypes, which might point to alleles and phenotypes in mouse models that could be evaluated for clues to COVID-19 severity. Through pathway analysis, we identified enriched pathways shared by comorbidity datasets and datasets associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Factors contributing to practitioner choice when declining involvement in legally available care: A scoping protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e023901
Author(s):  
Janine Brown ◽  
Donna Goodridge ◽  
Lilian Thorpe ◽  
Mary Chipanshi
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Professional Networks ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Meta Analyses

IntroductionAs legislation addressing medical treatments continues to evolve, there are several circumstances (eg, abortion, assisted dying) in which health practitioners may choose to not provide legally available care options. It is not always clear what underlies practitioner choice, as some research has suggested non-participation in care provision is not always due to an ethical abstention but may represent other factors. This results in tension between a practitioner’s right to refrain from practices deemed morally objectionable by the practitioner, and the care recipient’s right to access legally available treatments. The aim of this systematic scoping review is to identify the current knowledge regarding all the factors influencing practitioner’s choices when declining involvement in legally available healthcare options.Methods and analysisArksey and O’Malley’s scoping framework in concert with Levacet al’s enhancements will guide the systematic scoping review methodological processes. English language documents from 1 January 1998 to current will be sought using Medline, CINAHL, JSTOR, EMBASE, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, PsychINFO and Sociological Abstracts. MeSH headings, keywords and synonyms will be adjusted using an iterative search process. Theses and dissertations will be included in the search protocol; however, other grey literature will be accessed only as required. Two research team members will screen the abstracts and full articles against inclusion criteria. Article information will be extracted via a data collection tool and undergo thematic analysis. Descriptive summary (visual summary and study contextual information) and a presentation of analytical themes will align findings back to the research question.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist will be used to support transparency and guide translation of findings. Findings will be disseminated through professional networks, in peer-reviewed journals and conferences via abstract and presentation.

scholarly journals Electromagnetic Wave Scattering from a Moving Medium with Stationary Interface across the Interluminal Regime

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Zoé-Lise Deck-Léger ◽  
Xuezhi Zheng ◽  
Christophe Caloz
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Wave ◽  
Wave Scattering ◽  
Negative Refraction ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Moving Medium ◽  
Refraction Angle ◽  
Electromagnetic Wave Scattering ◽  
Transmitted Waves ◽  
Stationary Interface ◽  
Moving Media

This paper extends current knowledge on electromagnetic wave scattering from bounded moving media in several regards. First, it complements the usual dispersion relation of moving media, ω(θk) (θk: phase velocity direction, associated with the wave vector, k), with the equally important impedance relation, η(θS) (θS: group velocity direction, associated with the Poynting vector, S). Second, it explains the interluminal-regime phenomenon of double-downstream wave transmission across a stationary interface between a regular medium and the moving medium, assuming motion perpendicular to the interface, and shows that the related waves are symmetric in terms of the energy refraction angle, while being asymmetric in terms of the phase refraction angle, with one of the waves subject to negative refraction, and shows that the wave impedances of the two transmitted waves are equal. Third, it generalizes the problem to the case where the medium moves obliquely with respect to the interface. Finally, it highlights the connection between this problem and a spacetime modulated medium.

Listeria monocytogenes Persistence in Food-Associated Environments: Epidemiology, Strain Characteristics, and Implications for Public Health

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. FERREIRA ◽  
M. WIEDMANN ◽  
P. TEIXEIRA ◽  
M. J. STASIEWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Molecular Subtype ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment ◽  
Genetic Characteristics ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Processing Plants

Over the last 10 to 15 years, increasing evidence suggests that persistence of Listeria monocytogenes in food processing plants for years or even decades is an important factor in the transmission of this foodborne pathogen and the root cause of a number of human listeriosis outbreaks. L. monocytogenes persistence in other food-associated environments (e.g., farms and retail establishments) may also contribute to food contamination and transmission of the pathogen to humans. Although L. monocytogenes persistence is typically identified through isolation of a specific molecular subtype from samples collected in a given environment over time, formal (statistical) criteria for identification of persistence are undefined. Environmental factors (e.g., facilities and equipment that are difficult to clean) have been identified as key contributors to persistence; however, the mechanisms are less well understood. Although some researchers have reported that persistent strains possess specific characteristics that may facilitate persistence (e.g., biofilm formation and better adaptation to stress conditions), other researchers have not found significant differences between persistent and nonpersistent strains in the phenotypic characteristics that might facilitate persistence. This review includes a discussion of our current knowledge concerning some key issues associated with the persistence of L. monocytogenes, with special focus on (i) persistence in food processing plants and other food-associated environments, (ii) persistence in the general environment, (iii) phenotypic and genetic characteristics of persistent strains, (iv) niches, and (v) public health and economic implications of persistence. Although the available data clearly indicate that L. monocytogenes persistence at various stages of the food chain contributes to contamination of finished products, continued efforts to quantitatively integrate data on L. monocytogenes persistence (e.g., meta-analysis or quantitative microbial risk assessment) will be needed to advance our understanding of persistence of this pathogen and its economic and public health impacts.

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