Explore the vast range of titles available.

Nowadays, biopolymers as intelligent and active biopolymer systems in the food and pharmaceutical industry are of considerable interest in their use. With this association in view, biopolymers such as chitosan, alginate, pectin, cellulose, agarose, guar gum, agar, carrageenan, gelatin, dextran, xanthan, and other polymers have received significant attention in recent years due to their abundance and natural availability. Furthermore, their versatile properties such as non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and flexibility offer significant functionalities with multifunctional applications. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most compatible biopolymers such as chitosan, alginate, and pectin, which are used for application in food, biotechnological processes, and biomedical applications. Therefore, chitosan, alginate, and pectin are biopolymers (used in the food industry as a stabilizing, thickening, capsular agent, and packaging) with great potential for future developments. Moreover, this review highlights their characteristics, with a particular focus on their potential for biocompatibility, biodegradability, bioadhesiveness, and their limitations on certain factors in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Background The evidence on the economic burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) remains scarce. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to establish the magnitude and knowledge gaps in relation to the economic burden of CVD and hypertension on households, health systems and the society. Methods We included studies using primary or secondary data to produce original economic estimates of the impact of CVD. We searched sixteen electronic databases from 1990 onwards without language restrictions. We appraised the quality of included studies using a seven-question assessment tool. Results Eighty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, most of which were single centre retrospective cost studies conducted in secondary care settings. Studies in China, Brazil, India and Mexico contributed together 50% of the total number of economic estimates identified. The quality of the included studies was generally low. Reporting transparency, particularly for cost data sources and results, was poor. The costs per episode for hypertension and generic CVD were fairly homogeneous across studies; ranging between $500 and $1500. In contrast, for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke cost estimates were generally higher and more heterogeneous, with several estimates in excess of $5000 per episode. The economic perspective and scope of the study appeared to impact cost estimates for hypertension and generic CVD considerably less than estimates for stroke and CHD. Most studies reported monthly costs for hypertension treatment around $22. Average monthly treatment costs for stroke and CHD ranged between $300 and $1000, however variability across estimates was high. In most LMICs both the annual cost of care and the cost of an acute episode exceed many times the total health expenditure per capita. Conclusions The existing evidence on the economic burden of CVD in LMICs does not appear aligned with policy priorities in terms of research volume, pathologies studied and methodological quality. Not only is more economic research needed to fill the existing gaps, but research quality needs to be drastically improved. More broadly, national-level studies with appropriate sample sizes and adequate incorporation of indirect costs need to replace small-scale, institutional, retrospective cost studies.

The Vaccinium L. (Ericaceae) genus consists of a globally widespread and diverse genus of around 4250 species, of which the most valuable is the Vaccinioidae subfamily. The current review focuses on the distribution, history, bioactive compounds, and health-related effects of three species: cranberry, blueberry, and huckleberry. Several studies highlight that the consumption of Vaccinium spp. presents numerous beneficial health-related outcomes, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects against diabetes, obesity, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disorders. These plants’ prevalence and commercial value have enhanced in the past several years; thus, the generated by-products have also increased. Consequently, the identified phenolic compounds found in the discarded leaves of these plants are also presented, and their impact on health and economic value is discussed. The main bioactive compounds identified in this genus belong to anthocyanins (cyanidin, malvidin, and delphinidin), flavonoids (quercetin, isoquercetin, and astragalin), phenolic acids (gallic, p-Coumaric, cinnamic, syringic, ferulic, and caffeic acids), and iridoids.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is a great challenge for worldwide researchers in the human microbiota area because the mechanisms and long-term effects of the infection at the GI level are not yet deeply understood. In the current review, scientific literature including original research articles, clinical studies, epidemiological reports, and review-type articles concerning human intestinal infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the possible consequences on the microbiota were reviewed. Moreover, the following aspects pertaining to COVID-19 have also been discussed: transmission, resistance in the human body, the impact of nutritional status in relation to the intestinal microbiota, and the impact of comorbid metabolic disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), obesity, and type two diabetes (T2D). The articles investigated show that health, age, and nutritional status are associated with specific communities of bacterial species in the gut, which could influence the clinical course of COVID-19 infection. Fecal microbiota alterations were associated with fecal concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 severity. Patients suffering from metabolic and gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are thought to be at a moderate-to-high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, indicating the direct implication of gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 severity. However, additional efforts are required to identify the initial GI symptoms of COVID-19 for possible early intervention.

Polyphenols of plant origin are a broad family of secondary metabolites that range from basic phenolic acids to more complex compounds such as stilbenes, flavonoids, and tannins, all of which have several phenol units in their structure. Considerable health benefits, such as having prebiotic potential and cardio-protective and weight control effects, have been linked to diets based on polyphenol-enriched foods and plant-based products, indicating the potential role of these substances in the prevention or treatment of numerous pathologies. The most representative phenolic compounds in apple pomace are phloridzin, chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin, with major health implications in diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular and neurocognitive diseases. The cereal byproducts are rich in flavonoids (cyanidin 3-glucoside) and phenolic acids (ferulic acid), all with significant results in reducing the incidence of noncommunicable diseases. Quercetin, naringenin, and rutin are the predominant phenolic molecules in tomato by-products, having important antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The present understanding of the functionality of polyphenols in health outcomes, specifically, noncommunicable illnesses, is summarized in this review, focusing on the applicability of this evidence in three extensive agrifood industries (apple, cereal, and tomato processing). Moreover, the reintegration of by-products into the food chain via functional food products and personalized nutrition (e.g., 3D food printing) is detailed, supporting a novel direction to be explored within the circular economy concept.

Despite not being utilized as considerably as other antidepressants in the therapy of depression, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) proceed to hold a place in neurodegeneration and to have a somewhat broad spectrum in respect of the treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Preclinical and clinical studies on MAOIs have been developing in recent times, especially on account of rousing discoveries manifesting that these drugs possess neuroprotective activities. The altered brain levels of monoamine neurotransmitters due to monoamine oxidase (MAO) are directly associated with various neuropsychiatric conditions like Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Activated MAO induces the amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition via abnormal cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Additionally, activated MAO contributes to the generation of neurofibrillary tangles and cognitive impairment due to neuronal loss. No matter the attention of researchers on the participation of MAOIs in neuroprotection has been on monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, there is a developing frame of proof indicating that monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors may also play a role in neuroprotection. The therapeutic potential of MAOIs alongside the complete understanding of the enzyme’s physiology may lead to the future advancement of these drugs.

The human gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem that influences host metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Dysbiosis, defined as an imbalance in microbial composition or function, has been linked to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. This connection is mediated by microbial metabolites that enter the systemic circulation and interact with vascular and immune pathways. Among these, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) has been most extensively studied and is consistently associated with cardiovascular events. Other metabolites, including lipopolysaccharides (LPS), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and secondary bile acids, also contribute by modulating inflammation, endothelial function, and lipid metabolism. Recent research has expanded to emerging metabolites such as indoxyl sulfate, indole-3-propionic acid, and polyamines, which may provide additional mechanistic insights. These microbial products are increasingly explored as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. TMAO has shown predictive value in large human cohorts, while microbiota composition and diversity measures remain less consistent across studies. However, interpretation of these biomarkers is limited by methodological variability, interindividual differences, and lack of standardization. Therapeutic interventions targeting the gut–heart axis are under investigation. Dietary strategies such as the Mediterranean diet and fiber-rich nutrition, probiotics and prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) show promise, while pharmacological approaches targeting TMAO or bile acid pathways are in early stages. This review summarizes current knowledge on the mechanistic, diagnostic, and therapeutic links between the gut microbiota and atherosclerosis, highlighting both established findings and emerging directions for future research.

Introduction: This study investigated heart rate variability (HRV) and perceived recovery status (PRS) in relation to sprint performance in competitive athletes involved in sprint events. A secondary aim was to explore potential gender-based differences in these relationships. Methods: Fifty-six sprint-trained athletes (21 males, 35 females; age 16–21) participated in a 5-day in-season microcycle. Daily morning HRV was measured using Polar H10 chest straps and the HRV4Training app, with the root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) used as the primary HRV marker. Perceived recovery was assessed each morning using the PRS scale. On each day, athletes completed 20 m maximal sprint tests. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the relationships between LnRMSSD, PRS, gender, and sprint performance while accounting for repeated measurements within athletes. Results: Linear mixed-effects modeling revealed that LnRMSSD was a significant negative predictor of sprint time (β = −0.019, p = 0.003), indicating that higher parasympathetic activity was associated with faster sprint performance. PRS was also a significant negative predictor of sprint performance (β = −0.014, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Daily recovery markers were associated with sprint performance in competitive sprint athletes, with potential gender-specific patterns that should be interpreted cautiously. Both LnRMSSD and PRS were significantly associated with sprint performance, highlighting the relevance of combining physiological and subjective recovery markers in athlete monitoring.

Background: This study examined the relationship between gamification experience, fitness performance, and physical activity patterns according to gender. Methods: A total of 622 students aged 13–14 years (52.1% boys, 47.9% girls) completed a six-week gamified PE program via the Sworkit platform, integrating progress tracking, digital rewards, and challenge-based progression into three weekly instructor-led sessions. Fitness was measured pre- and post-intervention using the Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery—BMI, 20 m shuttle run, handgrip strength, and standing long jump. Gamification experience was assessed with the Gamification User Experience Scale (GAMEX), and the Y-PATHS framework was applied to classify physical activity patterns. Results: Significant improvements were observed across all physical fitness indicators following the six-week gamified intervention. The largest gains occurred in the 20 m shuttle run (Δ = +4.3; F = 48.22; p < 0.001; η[sup.2] = 0.60) and handgrip strength (Δ = +2.6; F = 39.74; p < 0.001; η[sup.2] = 0.51), indicating substantial improvements in aerobic and muscular fitness. Standing long jump also showed notable progress (Δ = +7.7 cm; F = 35.12; p < 0.001; η[sup.2] = 0.48), while BMI decreased modestly but significantly (Δ = −0.3; F = 7.85; p < 0.001; η[sup.2] = 0.55). Overall, the ANOVA confirmed significant pre–post changes across all domains (p < 0.01; η[sup.2] = 0.41–0.62). Higher GAMEX scores correlated strongly with total fitness gains (r = 0.54; p < 0.001) and predicted performance improvement (R[sup.2] = 0.29). Conclusions: Gamified PE can enhance both fitness performance and physical activity patterns, with clear gender-specific trends. Integrating YFIT, GAMEX, and Y-PATHS offers a comprehensive framework for designing targeted, effective PE programs for adolescents.

In the current work the physicochemical features of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) biofilms, enriched with eco-friendly polyols and with carotenoid-rich extracts, were investigated. The polyols, such as glycerol (Gly), 1,3-propanediol (PDO), and 2,3-butanediol (BDO) were used as plasticizers and the tomato-based pigments (TP) as coloring agents. The outcomes showed that β-carotene was the major carotenoid in the TP (1.605 mg β-carotene/100 DW), which imprinted the orange color to the biofilms. The flow behavior indicated that with the increase of shear rate the viscosity of biofilm solutions also increased until 50 s−1, reaching values at 37 °C of approximately 9 ± 0.5 mPa·s for PVOH, and for PVOH+TP, 14 ± 0.5 mPa·s in combination with Gly, PDO, and BDO. The weight, thickness, and density of samples increased with the addition of polyols and TP. Biofilms with TP had lower transparency values compared with control biofilms (without vegetal pigments). The presence of BDO, especially, but also of PDO and glycerol in biofilms created strong bonds within the PVOH matrix by increasing their mechanical resistance. The novelty of the present approach relies on the replacement of synthetic colorants with natural pigments derived from agro-industrial by-products, and the use of a combination of biodegradable polymers and polyols, as an integrated solution for packaging application in the bioplastic industry.