Fungal Growth and Mycotoxins Production: Types, Toxicities, Control Strategies, and Detoxification

Fungal growth and the production of mycotoxins are influenced by several factors. Environmental conditions such as temperature, water activity, and humidity affect mycotoxin production and fungal growth. Other factors such as pH, fungal strain, and substrate also play roles. Common mycotoxins include aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, sterigmatocystin (STC), citrinin, ergot alkaloids, ochratoxins, zearalenones (ZEAs), patulin, deoxynivalenol (DON), Alternaria toxins, tremorgenic mycotoxins, fusarins, cyclochlorotine, sporidesmin, 3-nitropropionic acid, etc. These toxins cause many health conditions in animals and humans, including death. A comprehensive approach starting from the field before planting, continuing throughout the entire food chain is required to control mycotoxin contamination. Good practices, such as proper field practices before and after planting, good harvest practices and postharvest handling, and proper drying and storage measures, help reduce mycotoxin contamination. Several physical, biological, and chemical techniques have been applied to help reduce/eliminate mycotoxin contamination. Food processing also play slight role in mycotoxins removal

UCP-LF and other assay methods for schistosome circulating anodic antigen between 1978 and 2022

Detection of circulating anodic antigen (CAA) is known for its high sensitivity in diagnosing schistosomiasis infection, even in low-prevalence settings. The Up-Converting Phosphor-Lateral Flow (UCP-LF) assay developed in 2008 presented greater sensitivity than other assay methods in use for CAA detection. Our study aims to comprehensively review all studies conducted in this area and thus generate informed conclusions on the potential for adopting the UCP-LF assay for diagnosing this important yet neglected tropical disease. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we generated search criteria to capture all studies in English journals available in the Scopus and PubMed databases on 20 December 2022. A total of 219 articles were identified, and 84 that met the inclusion criteria were retrieved and eventually included in the study. Twelve different assay methods were identified with a noteworthy transition from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the UCP-LF assay, a laboratory-based assay that may be applicable as a point-of-care (POC) diagnostic test for schistosomiasis. Reducing the time, cost, and dependence on specialized laboratory skills and equipment, especially relating to the trichloroacetic acid extraction step and centrifugation in the UCP-LF CAA assay may go a long way to aid its potential as a POC tool. We also propose the development of a CAA-specific aptamer (short protein/antigen-binding oligonucleotide) as a possible alternative to monoclonal antibodies in the assay. UCP-LF has great potential for POC application

Advances in Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics: biochemistry, exploring bioactive compounds and novel approaches

ABSTRACTThe most rampant and complex form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which is characterized by various cognitive deficits and personality abnormalities. AD is a neurodegenerative condition marked by the buildup of beta-amyloid peptide fragments and Tau protein in the form of tangles in brain neurons. The presence of β-amyloid peptide, Tau protein, oxidative stress, and an aggravated neuro-inflammatory response are all part of its pathophysiological pathway. Quite a number of invertebrates have been genetically modified such that they express human proteins that play a role or two in the pathogenesis of AD. Also, in order to create an animal model of AD, quite a number of substances have been investigated for their potential to cause cognitive dysfunctions. The following keywords were used to search and retrieve articles from reputable databases, including Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and PubMed: “Alzheimer’s Disease,” “Tau protein,” “beta-secretase,” “Cognitive Impairments,” “Amyloid beta,” “phytochemicals and AD,” “neurofibrillary tangles” and “Neurotoxins that induce AD,” The aim of this review is to advance a better understanding of the functions and roles of Tau and amyloid precursor proteins in the pathogenesis of AD; and to offer updated and recent information on the use of plant chemicals in the treatment of AD. It is expedient to state that not all biochemical, cognitive, behavioral and histological disorders are recapitulable. Nevertheless, research into the etiology of this severely debilitating disease is being aided by experimental models of AD created by chemicals and bioengineered model organisms

Hesperidin plays beneficial roles in disorders associated with the central nervous system: a review

ABSTRACTSignificant levels of flavonoids with antioxidant properties can be found in citrus species. Flavonoids are a class of plant chemical known for a wide range of pharmacological activities. Notable among these flavonoids is Hesperidin. It has quite a number of biological properties, like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Numerous studies have examined the biological impacts of hesperidin and its underlying mechanisms throughout the last few decades. Hesperidin’s antioxidant properties have led to a thorough evaluation of this phytochemical’s cardioprotective and anti-cancer properties. To assess the underlying neuropharmacological processes of hesperidin, numerous cellular and animal models have been created. Additionally, its neuroprotective activity has been validated by clinical data. Hesperidin reduces neuroinflammatory and apoptotic pathways to exert its neuroprotective effects. In preclinical models for disorders of the central nervous system, hesperidin function has been investigated. Hesperidin has been shown to enhance memory and cognition while successfully treating depression. Although the biological activities of hesperidin in neurodegenerative diseases have been evaluated, more investigation into its underlying mechanisms is required to understand its function in a number of central nervous system disorders, including autoimmune demyelinating disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this study focuses on the potential role of hesperidin in several models of central nervous system neuroinflammation, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and on the potential role of hesperidin in various neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Information about the usage of hesperidin as a nutraceutical to prevent certain CNS illnesses based on recent research is provided

Mycotoxins’ Toxicological Mechanisms Involving Humans, Livestock and Their Associated Health Concerns: A Review

Mycotoxins are well established toxic metabolic entities produced when fungi invade agricultural/farm produce, and this happens especially when the conditions are favourable. Exposure to mycotoxins can directly take place via the consumption of infected foods and feeds; humans can also be indirectly exposed from consuming animals fed with infected feeds. Among the hundreds of mycotoxins known to humans, around a handful have drawn the most concern because of their occurrence in food and severe effects on human health. The increasing public health importance of mycotoxins across human and livestock environments mandates the continued review of the relevant literature, especially with regard to understanding their toxicological mechanisms. In particular, our analysis of recently conducted reviews showed that the toxicological mechanisms of mycotoxins deserve additional attention to help provide enhanced understanding regarding this subject matter. For this reason, this current work reviewed the mycotoxins’ toxicological mechanisms involving humans, livestock, and their associated health concerns. In particular, we have deepened our understanding about how the mycotoxins’ toxicological mechanisms impact on the human cellular genome. Along with the significance of mycotoxin toxicities and their toxicological mechanisms, there are associated health concerns arising from exposures to these toxins, including DNA damage, kidney damage, DNA/RNA mutations, growth impairment in children, gene modifications, and immune impairment. More needs to be done to enhance the understanding regards the mechanisms underscoring the environmental implications of mycotoxins, which can be actualized via risk assessment studies into the conditions/factors facilitating mycotoxins’ toxicities