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Journal of Advanced Research Apr 2023Lycopene is a natural red compound with potent antioxidant activity that can be utilized both as pigment and as a raw material in functional food, and so possesses good... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Lycopene is a natural red compound with potent antioxidant activity that can be utilized both as pigment and as a raw material in functional food, and so possesses good commercial prospects. The biosynthetic pathway has already been documented, which provides the foundation for lycopene production using biotechnology.
AIM OF REVIEW
Although lycopene production has begun to take shape, there is still an urgent need to alleviate the yield of lycopene. Progress in this area can provide useful reference for metabolic engineering of lycopene production utilizing multiple approaches.
KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW
Using conventional microbial fermentation approaches, biotechnologists have enhanced the yield of lycopene by selecting suitable host strains, utilizing various additives, and optimizing culture conditions. With the development of modern biotechnology, genetic engineering, protein engineering, and metabolic engineering have been applied for lycopene production. Extraction from natural plants is the main way for lycopene production at present. Based on the molecular mechanism of lycopene accumulation, the production of lycopene by plant bioreactor through genetic engineering has a good prospect. Here we summarized common strategies for optimizing lycopene production engineering from a biotechnology perspective, which are mainly carried out by microbial cultivation. We reviewed the challenges and limitations of this approach, summarized the critical aspects, and provided suggestions with the aim of potential future breakthroughs for lycopene production in plants.
Topics: Lycopene; Biotechnology; Biosynthetic Pathways; Metabolic Engineering; Bioreactors
PubMed: 35753652
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.06.010 -
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and... Sep 2021Idiopathic chilblains is a cold-induced inflammatory condition that causes significant morbidity. When preventative measures alone are inadequate, oral nifedipine is...
Idiopathic chilblains is a cold-induced inflammatory condition that causes significant morbidity. When preventative measures alone are inadequate, oral nifedipine is generally recommended as first-line pharmacologic therapy. Given the natural course of this spontaneously remitting/relapsing condition, controls are needed to critically appraise studies and determine the value of treatments. We report a systematic review of placebo-controlled or comparative therapeutic trials for the treatment of idiopathic chilblains. Our search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases, identified 11 studies that met our inclusion criteria for a combined study population = 576. Therapies included nifedipine, pentoxifylline, tadalafil, topical glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), topical minoxidil, diltiazem, corticosteroids, and vitamin D. There was moderate evidence to support the use of nifedipine and pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe or refractory cases of idiopathic chilblains, while other therapies had inadequate evidence or nonsignificant results compared to placebo.
Topics: Chilblains; Humans; Nifedipine; Pentoxifylline; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 33653127
DOI: 10.1177/1203475421995130 -
PeerJ 2022Titanium dioxide dental implants have a controversial effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS is necessary for cellular signal transmission and proper... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Titanium dioxide dental implants have a controversial effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. ROS is necessary for cellular signal transmission and proper metabolism, but also has the ability to cause cell death as well as DNA, RNA, and proteins damage by excessive oxidative stress. This study aimed to systematically review the effect of titanium dioxide dental implant-induced oxidative stress and its role on the osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling in bone remodeling.
METHODS
This systematic review was performed conforming to preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) model. Four different databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Medline databases) as well as manual searching were adopted. Relevant studies from January 2000 till September 2021 were retrieved. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) was used to assess the quality of the selected studies.
RESULTS
Out of 755 articles, only 14 which met the eligibility criteria were included. Six studies found that titanium dioxide nanotube (TNT) reduced oxidative stress and promoted osteoblastic activity through its effect on Wnt, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) signaling pathways. On the other hand, three studies confirmed that titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs) induce oxidative stress, reduce ostegenesis and impair antioxidant defense system as a significant negative correlation was found between decreased SIR3 protein level and increased superoxide (O ). Moreover, five studies proved that titanium implant alloy enhances the generation of ROS and induces cytotoxicity of osteoblast cells via its effect on NOX pathway.
CONCLUSION
TiONPs stimulate a wide array of oxidative stress related pathways. Scientific evidence are in favor to support the use of TiO nanotube-coated titanium implants to reduce oxidative stress and promote osteogenesis in bone remodeling. To validate the cellular and molecular cross talk in bone remodeling of the present review, well-controlled clinical trials with a large sample size are required.
Topics: Reactive Oxygen Species; Titanium; Dental Implants; Oxidative Stress; Bone Remodeling
PubMed: 35261818
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12951 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2022People who practice outdoor sports have an increased risk of skin cancer as they are exposed to high doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Recent studies have shown that...
People who practice outdoor sports have an increased risk of skin cancer as they are exposed to high doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Recent studies have shown that in many athletes, sun protection behaviours are inadequate, with the risk that this entails. The aim of this review is to collect the information published to date about the knowledge, attitudes and habits of athletes in relation to sun exposure and its risks. A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Embase with the search algorithm "(skin cancer OR melanoma) AND (exercise OR sport OR athletes)". All studies analysing the knowledge, attitudes and habits of photoprotection in athletes were included. A total of 2,365 publications were found, of which 23 were selected, including a total of 10,445 sportspeople. The majority of participants declared their voluntary intention to tan and stated that the sun made them feel better, although they also showed concern about possible damage associated with UV radiation. In most studies, less than half of the participants made adequate use of photoprotective measures. In general, most athletes had a high level of knowledge regarding the risk of skin cancer associated with sun exposure. In conclusion, most athletes are aware of the risks associated with UV radiation but do not make adequate use of photoprotective cream. New training programs on photoprotection could help improve athletes' photoprotective behaviour, reducing the incidence of skin cancer and precancerous lesions in this population.
Topics: Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Melanoma; Skin Neoplasms; Sunburn; Sunlight; Sunscreening Agents; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 36011808
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191610175 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Nov 2022Mucosal or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is the most severe form of tegumentary leishmaniasis due to its destructive character and potential damage to respiratory and...
BACKGROUND
Mucosal or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is the most severe form of tegumentary leishmaniasis due to its destructive character and potential damage to respiratory and digestive tracts. The current treatment recommendations are based on low or very low-quality evidence, and pentavalent antimonial derivatives remain strongly recommended. The aim of this review was to update the evidence and estimate the cure rate and safety profile of the therapeutic options available for mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) in the Americas.
METHODOLOGY
A systematic review was conducted in four different databases and by different reviewers, independently, to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity associated with different treatments for ML. All original studies reporting cure rates in more than 10 patients from American regions were included, without restriction of design, language, or publication date. The risk of bias was assessed by two reviewers, using different tools according to the study design. The pooled cure rate based on the latest cure assessment reported in the original studies was calculated grouping all study arms addressing the same intervention. The protocol for this review was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO: CRD42019130708.
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
Twenty-seven original studies from four databases fulfilled the selection criteria. A total of 1,666 patients with ML were treated predominantly with pentavalent antimonials in Brazil. Other interventions, such as pentamidine, miltefosine, imidazoles, aminosidine sulfate, deoxycholate and lipidic formulations of amphotericin B (liposomal, lipid complex, colloidal dispersion), in addition to combinations with pentoxifylline, allopurinol or sulfa were also considered. In general, at least one domain with a high risk of bias was identified in the included studies, suggesting low methodological quality. The pooled cure rate based on the latest cure assessment reported in the original studies was calculated grouping all study arms addressing the same intervention. It was confirmed that antimony is still the most used treatment for ML, with only moderate efficacy (possibly increased by combining with pentoxifylline). There is already evidence for the use of miltefosine for ML, with a cure rate similar to antimony, as observed in the only direct meta-analysis including 57 patients (OR: 1.2; 0.43-3.49, I2 = 0). It was possible to gather all descriptions available about adverse events reported during ML treatment, and the toxicity reflected the pattern informed in the manufacturers' technical information.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides an overview of the clinical experience in the Americas related to ML treatment and points out interventions and possible combinations that are eligible to be explored in future well-designed studies.
Topics: Humans; Antimony; Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous; Pentoxifylline
PubMed: 36395328
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010931 -
Photodermatology, Photoimmunology &... Nov 2020DNA damage is one of the main factors responsible for photoageing and is predominantly attributed to ultraviolet irradiation (UV-R). Photoprotection by conventional...
BACKGROUND
DNA damage is one of the main factors responsible for photoageing and is predominantly attributed to ultraviolet irradiation (UV-R). Photoprotection by conventional sunscreens is exclusively prophylactic, and of no value, once DNA damage has occurred. As a result, the demand for DNA repair mechanisms inhibiting, reversing or delaying the pathologic events in UV-exposed skin has sparked research on anti-photoageing and strategies to improve the effect of conventional sunscreens. This review provides an overview of recent developments in DNA repair enzymes used in sunscreens and their impact on photoageing.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature, up to March 2019, was conducted using the electronic databases, PubMed and Web of Science. Quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) to ensure inclusion of adequate quality studies only (NOS > 5).
RESULTS
Out of the 352 publications, 52 were considered relevant to the key question and included in the present review. Two major enzymes were found to play a major role in DNA damage repair in sunscreens: photolyase and T4 endonuclease V. These enzymes are capable of identifying and removing UV-R-induced dimeric photoproducts. Clinical studies revealed that sunscreens with liposome-encapsulated types of photolyase and/or T4 endonuclease V can enhance these repair mechanisms.
CONCLUSION
There is a lack of randomized controlled trials demonstrating the efficacy of DNA repair enzymes on photoageing, or a superiority of sunscreens with DNA repair enzymes compared to conventional sunscreens. Further studies are mandatory to further reveal pathogenic factors of photoageing and possible therapeutic strategies against it.
Topics: Animals; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; Deoxyribodipyrimidine Photo-Lyase; Deoxyribonuclease (Pyrimidine Dimer); Humans; Skin Aging; Sunscreening Agents; Ultraviolet Rays; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 32772409
DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12597 -
The International Journal of Lower... Jun 2024The venous leg ulcers are debilitating, painful, and often unresponsive to advanced dressing treatments, so drugs used locally and systematically are essential adjuvant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The venous leg ulcers are debilitating, painful, and often unresponsive to advanced dressing treatments, so drugs used locally and systematically are essential adjuvant therapy-pentoxifylline (PTX) whose anti-inflammatory effects may offer a promising avenue to treat venous leg ulcers. However, the current results are controversial. To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of PTX, we performed an updated meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of PTX in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. We systematically searched multiple electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China Science and Technology Journal Database, WanFang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to identify eligible studies. Randomized clinical trials of pentoxifylline versus placebo treatment in patients with venous leg ulcers were considered for inclusion. The primary outcomes included ulcer healing rate and the incidence of adverse events after treatment. The secondary outcomes were the ulcer significant improvement (the ulcer size shrank by more than 60% after treatment) rate, mean duration of complete wound healing and changes in mean ulcer size. A meta-analysis and qualitative analysis were conducted to estimate endpoints. A total of 13 randomized clinical trials, including 921 individuals, were finally included. Compared with placebo, pentoxifylline significantly improved the ulcer healing rate (RR = 1.59, 95%CI 1.22 to 2.07, < .001) and significant improvement rate (RR = 2.36, 95%CI 1.31 to 4.24, = .004) while increased the incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances (RR = 2.29, 95%CI 1.04 to 5.03, = .04) at the same time. Moreover, pentoxifylline also shortened mean duration of complete wound healing ( = .007) and shrank ulcer size ( = .02). Currently available evidence suggests that pentoxifylline could help venous leg ulcers heal more quickly and effectively. However, the evidence is insufficient to prove the results due to moderate-certainty evidence. Large-scale, well-designed randomized clinical trials are warranted.
Topics: Humans; Pentoxifylline; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Varicose Ulcer; Wound Healing
PubMed: 34779680
DOI: 10.1177/15347346211050769 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Mar 2020Neonatal invasive candidiasis (NIC) is a leading cause of infection-related morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates. Several studies have shown that... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Neonatal invasive candidiasis (NIC) is a leading cause of infection-related morbidity and mortality in preterm neonates. Several studies have shown that (1,3)-Beta-d-glucan (BDG) was accurate in detecting invasive fungal infection in adults, but studies in neonates are scarce. The aim was to obtain summary estimates of the accuracy of BDG detection in serum for the diagnosis of NIC.
METHODS
We searched Medline, Embase, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar (inception to July 2019). We checked the reference lists of included studies, clinical guidelines, and review articles. We included studies that assessed the accuracy of BDG against a reference standard that defined groups of patients with ordinal levels of NIC probability (e.g. proven, probable, possible) and included fungal blood culture. Participants were neonates suspected of having NIC. The intervention was BDG measurement in serum (Fungitell® assay). We assessed risk of bias and applicability using QUADAS-2. We used bivariate meta-analysis to produce summary estimates of diagnostic accuracy at prespecified positivity thresholds of 80 and 120 pg/mL. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018089545).
RESULTS
We included eight studies (465 participants). Of these, two were judged at low overall risk of bias. There was substantial variability across studies in the reference standards used. At a positivity threshold of 80 pg/mL, summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity of BDG were 89% (95% CI: 80-94%) and 60% (53-66%), respectively; summary sensitivity for detecting proven cases of NIC was 99% (93-100%). At a positivity threshold of 120 pg/mL, summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 81% (71-88%) and 80% (67-88%), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Because of high sensitivity, BDG seems promising to rule-out NIC. It might be too early to recommend its use because of the scarcity of reliable clinical data, heterogeneity in case definitions, and unstable accuracy estimates.
Topics: Age Factors; Biomarkers; Candidiasis, Invasive; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Proteoglycans; ROC Curve; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 31539634
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.09.010 -
F1000Research 2023Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) denture-base resins have poor surface properties that facilitates microbial adhesion causing denture stomatitis. This systematic review...
Effect of addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the antimicrobial properties, surface roughness and surface hardness of polymethyl methacrylate: A Systematic Review.
Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) denture-base resins have poor surface properties that facilitates microbial adhesion causing denture stomatitis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of different sizes and percentages of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NP) on the antimicrobial property, surface roughness and surface hardness of PMMA denture base resin. A systematic search of English peer-reviewed articles, clinical trial registries, grey literature databases and other online sources was performed using the PRISMA-S Guidelines for and studies. Qualitative data synthesis was performed to analyse sample dimensions, acrylic used, treatments of nanoparticles, methods used for testing and effect of size and percentage of nanoparticle. Risk of bias assessment was done using modified Cochrane risk of bias tool. Out of 1376 articles, 15 were included. TiO NP of size less than 30 nm was most frequently used. Both antimicrobial property and surface hardness improved irrespective of the size of the added TiO NP. Three studies reported increase in the surface roughness with less than 50 nm TiO NP. 3% TiO NP was most frequently used. On increasing the percentage, three studies reported an increase in antimicrobial property, while two studies found no change. With TiO NP greater than or equal to 3%, six studies reported an increase in surface hardness, while two reported increase in surface roughness. Large methodological variations were observed across studies. All studies except one were of moderate quality. On addition of TiO NP to heat polymerized PMMA, the antimicrobial property and surface hardness improved irrespective of the size of the TiO NP, however, addition of nanoparticles less than 50 nm increased the surface roughness. Increasing the percentage of TiO NP increased the surface hardness but did not always increase the antimicrobial property. Addition of 3% TiO NP provided optimum results with regards to antimicrobial effect and surface hardness, but increase in the surface roughness.
Topics: Hardness; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Materials Testing; Denture Bases; Surface Properties; Nanoparticles; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 37424742
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.130028.1 -
Nutrients Jun 2020Elevated blood pressure affects a great part of the elderly population and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. New approaches have been taken in the...
Elevated blood pressure affects a great part of the elderly population and is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. New approaches have been taken in the fight against this growing problem, in the form of diets (Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and intermittent fasting). Recent research has shown the promising results regarding diets and their effect on the prevention and improvement of elevated blood pressure. This review attempts to take this a step further, reviewing 26 studies in the search for dietary elements that may be causing this improvement. Although good evidence was found in favor of lycopene, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fiber and anthocyanin, further evidence is needed before any conclusions can be made. In contrast, the evidence shows that licorice increases blood pressure.
Topics: Anthocyanins; Blood Pressure; Diet, Mediterranean; Dietary Approaches To Stop Hypertension; Dietary Fiber; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fasting; Female; Glycyrrhiza; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Hypertension; Lycopene; Male
PubMed: 32503160
DOI: 10.3390/nu12061659