Detection of foodborne pathogens in contaminated food using nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors.

Foodborne pathogens are a grave concern for the for food, medical, environmental, and economic sectors. Their ease of transmission and resistance to treatments, such as antimicrobial agents, make them an important challenge. Food tainted with these pathogens is swiftly rejected, and if ingested, can result in severe illnesses and even fatalities. This review provides and overview of the current status of various pathogens and their metabolites transmitted through food. Despite a plethora of studies on treatments to eradicate and inhibit these pathogens, their indiscriminate use can compromise the sensory properties of food and lead to contamination. Therefore, the study of detection methods such as electrochemical biosensors has been proposed, which are devices with advantages such as simplicity, fast response, and sensitivity. However, these biosensors may also present some limitations. In this regard, it has been reported that nanomaterials with high conductivity, surface-to-volume ratio, and robustness have been observed to improve the detection of foodborne pathogens or their metabolites. Therefore, in this work, we analyze the detection of pathogens transmitted through food and their metabolites using electrochemical biosensors based on nanomaterials.

Deflamin Attenuated Lung Tissue Damage in an Ozone-Induced COPD Murine Model by Regulating MMP-9 Catalytic Activity.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is comprised of histopathological alterations such as pulmonary emphysema and peribronchial fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is one of the key enzymes involved in both types of tissue remodeling during the development of lung damage. In recent studies, it was demonstrated that deflamin, a protein component extracted from Lupinus albus, markedly inhibits the catalytic activity of MMP-9 in experimental models of colon adenocarcinoma and ulcerative colitis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated for the first time the biological effect of deflamin in a murine COPD model induced by chronic exposure to ozone. Ozone exposure was carried out in C57BL/6 mice twice a week for six weeks for 3 h each time, and the treated group was orally administered deflamin (20 mg/kg body weight) after each ozone exposure. The histological results showed that deflamin attenuated pulmonary emphysema and peribronchial fibrosis, as evidenced by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Furthermore, deflamin administration significantly decreased MMP-9 activity, as assessed by fluorogenic substrate assay and gelatin zymography. Interestingly, bioinformatic analysis reveals a plausible interaction between deflamin and MMP-9. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of deflamin in a COPD murine model, and suggest that the attenuation of the development of lung tissue damage occurs by deflamin-regulated MMP-9 catalytic activity.

Nitrooxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation Caused by Air Pollutants Are Associated with the Biological Markers of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Millions of people around the world are exposed to air pollutants, such as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). Such exposure usually does not exclude these two types of pollutants and their harmful effects could be additive or synergistic. O3 is a highly oxidizing gas that reacts with the cellular environment just as PM2.5, triggering nitrooxidative damage. Once nitrooxidative stress overcomes the endogenous antioxidant system, an acute neuroinflammatory process is generated, and once it becomes chronic, it favors the formation of neurodegenerative disease markers. The presence of these markers becomes potentially dangerous in people who have a genetic predisposition and are at a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Our experimental approach for nitrooxidative damage and neuroinflammation caused by air pollutants has focused on the exposure of rats to O3 in an isolated chamber. The hippocampus is the most studied brain structure because of its neuronal connectivity network with the olfactory epithelium, its weak antioxidant defense, and its fundamental roll in cognitive processes. However, other brain structures may exhibit a different degree of damage upon exposure to O3 and PM2.5, making their involvement an important factor in developing other CNS diseases. The age spectrum for augmented sensibility to air pollutants seems to mostly affect the pre-postnatal (autism spectrum) period and the elderly (neurodegenerative). Thus, a new approach could be the estimation of the damage caused by PM2.5 and O3 through a controlled exposure paradigm to determine the extent of damage caused by both pollutants.

Decidualized human decidual stromal cells inhibit chemotaxis of activated T cells: a potential mechanism of maternal-fetal immune tolerance.

Background: Numerous lines of evidence confirm that decidual stromal cells (DSCs) play a key role in maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Under the influence of progesterone and other hormones, the DSCs go through a process of differentiation (decidualization) during normal pregnancy. In mice, DSCs inhibit the expression of chemokines that attract abortigenic Th1 and Tc cells to the decidua. We have studied this phenomenon in humans. Methods: We established human DSC lines and decidualized these cells in vitro with progesterone and cAMP. We determined the expression of the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11, whose receptor CXCR3 is expressed by Th1 and Tc cells, in undifferentiated DSCs and decidualized DSCs by qRT-PCR. Activated CD3+CXCR3+ cells, including CD4+ Th1 cells and CD8+ Tc cells, were induced in vitro. The migration capacity of these activated lymphocytes was investigated in Transwell chambers with conditioned media from undifferentiated and decidualized DSCs. Results: We demonstrated that CXCL9 was not expressed by DSCs, whereas the expression of CXCL10 and CXCL11 was inhibited in decidualized cells. Conditioned media from decidualized cells significantly inhibited the migration of Th1 and Tc cells. We found that decidualized cells secrete factors of MW less than 6000-8000 Da, which actively inhibit the chemotaxis of these lymphocytes. Discussion: These results confirm in humans that decidualization of DSCs inhibits the expression by these cells of chemokines that attract Th1 and Tc cells and induces the secretion by DSCs of factors that inhibit the chemotaxis of these lymphocytes, thus preventing the arrival of abortigenic T cells in the decidua.

Guamara and Cocuixtle: Source of Proteases for the Transformation of Shrimp By-Products into Hydrolysates with Potential Application.

Since the fruits of Bromelia pinguin and Bromelia karatas are rich in proteases, the aim of this research was to optimize the hydrolysis process of cooked white shrimp by-products due to the effect of these proteases. A robust Taguchi L16' design was used to optimize the hydrolysis process. Similarly, the amino acid profile by GC-MS and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and FRAP) were determined. The optimal conditions for hydrolysis of cooked shrimp by-products were pH 8.0, 30 °C, 0.5 h, 1 g of substrate and 100 µg/mL of B. karatas, pH 7.5, 40 °C, 0.5 h, 0.5 g substrate and 100 µg/mL enzyme extract from B. pinguin and pH 7.0, 37 °C, 1 h, 1.5 g substrate and 100 µg/mL enzyme bromelain. The optimized hydrolyzates of B. karatas B. pinguin and bromelain had 8 essential amino acids in their composition. The evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of the hydrolyzates under optimal conditions showed more than 80% inhibition of in ABTS radical, B. karatas hydrolyzates had better higher ferric ion reduction capacity with 10.09 ± 0.02 mM TE/mL. Finally, the use of proteolytic extracts from B. pinguin and B. karatas to optimize hydrolysis process allowed obtaining hydrolyzates of cooked shrimp by-products with potential antioxidant capacity.

Biofilm-Forming Bacteria Implicated in Complex Otitis Media in Children in the Post-Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7) Era.

Background: Chronic media with effusion (COME) and recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) are closely related clinical entities that affect childhood. The aims of the study were to investigate the microbiological profile of otitis-prone children in the post-PCV7 era and, to examine the biofilm-forming ability in association with clinical history and outcome during a two-year post-operative follow-up. Methods: In this prospective study, pathogens from patients with COME and RAOM were isolated and studied in vitro for their biofilm-forming ability. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of both the planktonic and the sessile forms were compared. The outcome of the therapeutic method used in each case and patient history were correlated with the pathogens and their ability to form biofilms. Results: Haemophilus influenzae was the leading pathogen (35% in COME and 40% in RAOM), and Streptococcus pneumoniae ranked second (12% in COME and 24% in RAOM). Polymicrobial infections were identified in 5% of COME and 19% of RAOM cases. Of the isolated otopathogens, 94% were positive for biofilm formation. Conclusions: This is the first Greek research studying biofilm formation in complex otitis media-prone children population in the post-PCV7 era. High rates of polymicrobial infections, along with treatment failure in biofilms, may explain the lack of antimicrobial efficacy in otitis-prone children.

Influence of the ectopic location on the antigen expression and functional characteristics of endometrioma stromal cells.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Are the alterations observed in the endometriotic cells, such as progesterone resistance, already present in the eutopic endometrium or acquired in the ectopic location? DESIGN: The response to decidualization with progesterone and cyclic AMP for up to 28 days was compared in different endometrial stromal cell (EnSC) lines established from samples of endometriomas (eEnSC), eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis (eBEnSC), endometrial tissue from healthy women (BEnSC) and menstrual blood from healthy donors (mEnSC). RESULTS: Usual features of decidualized cells, such as changes in cell morphology and expression of prolactin, were similarly observed in the three types of eutopic EnSC studied, but not in the ectopic cells upon decidualization. Among the phenotypic markers analysed, CD105 was down-regulated under decidualization in all cell types (mEnSC, P = 0.005; BEnSC, P = 0.029; eBEnSC, P = 0.022) except eEnSC. mEnSC and BEnSC underwent apoptosis during decidualization, whereas eBEnSC and eEnSC were resistant to the induction of cell death. Lastly, migration studies revealed that mEnSC secreted undetermined factors during decidualization that inhibited cell motility, whereas eEnSC showed a significantly lower ability to produce those migration-regulating factors (P < 0.0001, P  < 0.001 and P = 0.0013 for the migration of mEnSC at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for the migration of eEnSC at all times studied). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides novel insights into the differences between endometriotic and eutopic endometrial cells and reinforces the idea that the microenvironment in the ectopic location plays additional roles in the acquisition of the alterations that characterize the cells of the endometriotic foci.

Extraction of Acetogenins Using Thermosonication-Assisted Extraction from Annona muricata Seeds and Their Antifungal Activity.

The objective of this work was to find the optimal conditions by thermosonication-assisted extraction (TSAE) of the total acetogenin content (TAC) and yield from A. muricata seeds, assessing the effect of the temperature (40, 50, and 60 °C), sonication amplitude (80, 90, and 100%), and pulse-cycle (0.5, 0.7, and 1 s). In addition, optimal TSAE conditions of acetogenins (ACGs) were compared with extraction by ultrasound at 25 °C and the soxhlet method measuring TAC and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, solubility and identification of isolated ACGs were performed. Furthermore, the antifungal activity of ACGs crude extract and isolated ACGs was evaluated. Optimal TSAE conditions to extract the highest TAC (35.89 mg/g) and yield (3.6%) were 50 °C, 100% amplitude, and 0.5 s pulse-cycle. TSAE was 2.17-fold and 15.60-fold more effective than ultrasound at 25 °C and the Soxhlet method to extract ACGs with antioxidant capacity. Isolated ACGs were mostly soluble in acetone and methanol. Seven ACGs were identified, and pseudoannonacin was the most abundant. The inhibition of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis was higher from isolated ACGs than crude extract. TSAE was effective to increase the yield in the ACGs extraction from A. muricata seeds and these ACGs have important antifungal activity.

Stromal cells of the endometrium and decidua: in search of a name and an identity†.

Human endometrial and decidual stromal cells are the same cells in different environments (nonpregnancy and pregnancy, respectively). Although some authors consider decidual stromal cells to arise solely from the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells, this is a debatable issue given that decidualization processes do not end with the formation of the decidua, as shown by the presence of stromal cells from both the endometrium and decidua in both undifferentiated (nondecidualized) and decidualized states. Furthermore, recent functional and transcriptomic results have shown that there are differences in the decidualization process of endometrial and decidual stromal cells, with the latter having a greater decidualization capacity than the former. These differences suggest that in the terminology and study of their characteristics, endometrial and decidual stromal cells should be clearly distinguished, as should their undifferentiated or decidualized status. There is, however, considerable confusion in the designation and identification of uterine stromal cells. This confusion may impede a judicious understanding of the functional processes in normal and pathological situations. In this article, we analyze the different terms used in the literature for different types of uterine stromal cells, and propose that a combination of differentiation status (undifferentiated, decidualized) and localization (endometrium, decidua) criteria should be used to arrive at a set of accurate, unambiguous terms. The cell identity of uterine stromal cells is also a debatable issue: phenotypic, functional, and transcriptomic studies in recent decades have related these cells to different established cells. We discuss the relevance of these associations in normal and pathological situations.

Curcumin Modifies the Activity of Plasmatic Antioxidant Enzymes and the Hippocampal Oxidative Profile in Rats upon Acute and Chronic Exposure to Ozone.

Ozone (O3) is an oxidating tropospheric pollutant. When O3 interacts with biological substrates, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are formed. Severe oxidative damage exhausts the endogenous antioxidant system, which leads to the decreased activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Curcumin (CUR) is a natural polyphenol with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of curcumin on CAT, GPx, and SOD activity and the inhibition of oxidative damage after the acute and chronic exposure to O3. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: the intact control, CUR-fed control, exposed-to-O3 control, CUR-fed (preventive), and CUR-fed (therapeutic) groups. These two last groups received a CUR-supplemented diet while exposed to O3. These experiments were performed during acute- and chronic-exposure phases. In the preventive and therapeutic groups, the activity of plasma CAT, GPx, and SOD was increased during both exposure phases, with slight differences; concomitantly, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation were inhibited. For this reason, we propose that CUR could be used to enhance the activity of the antioxidant system and to diminish the oxidative damage caused by exposure to O3.

SLAMF8 Downregulates Mouse Macrophage Microbicidal Mechanisms via PI3K Pathways.

Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family 8 (SLAMF8) is involved in the negative modulation of NADPH oxidase activation. However, the impact of SLAMF8 downregulation on macrophage functionality and the microbicide mechanism remains elusive. To study this in depth, we first analyzed NADPH oxidase activation pathways in wild-type and SLAMF8-deficient macrophages upon different stimulus. Herein, we describe increased phosphorylation of the Erk1/2 and p38 MAP kinases, as well as increased phosphorylation of NADPH oxidase subunits in SLAMF8-deficient macrophages. Furthermore, using specific inhibitors, we observed that specific PI3K inhibition decreased the differences observed between wild-type and SLAMF8-deficient macrophages, stimulated with either PMA, LPS, or Salmonella typhimurium infection. Consequently, SLAMF8-deficient macrophages also showed increased recruitment of small GTPases such as Rab5 and Rab7, and the p47phox subunit to cytoplasmic Salmonella, suggesting an impairment of Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) progression in SLAMF8-deficient macrophages. Enhanced iNOS activation, NO production, and IL-6 expression were also observed in the absence of SLAMF8 upon Salmonella infection, either in vivo or in vitro, while overexpression of SLAMF8 in RAW264.7 macrophages showed the opposite phenotype. In addition, SLAMF8-deficient macrophages showed increased activation of Src kinases and reduced SHP-1 phosphate levels upon IFNγ and Salmonella stimuli in comparison to wild-type macrophages. In agreement with in vitro results, Salmonella clearance was augmented in SLAMF8-deficient mice compared to that in wild-type mice. Therefore, in conclusion, SLAMF8 intervention upon bacterial infection downregulates mouse macrophage activation, and confirmed that SLAMF8 receptor could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of severe or unresolved inflammatory conditions.

Bioactivity of peptides obtained from poultry by-products: A review.

The production and consumption of poultry products (chicken, duck, and turkey) are continually growing throughout the world, leading to the generation of thousands of tons of organic by-products, which may be important sources of bioactive peptides. The bioactive peptides isolated from poultry by-products have biological properties that can be useful in the prevention of different metabolic diseases and hence, their consumption could be beneficial for human health. Such peptides can be used as nutraceuticals, and their inclusion as active components of functional food products is increasingly gaining attention. The aim of this review was to present the investigations of the biological effect of the peptides obtained from different poultry by-products and the possible mechanisms of action underlying these effects.

The ever-changing landscape in modern dentistry therapeutics - Enhancing the emptying quiver of the periodontist.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis comprises of a wide range of inflammatory conditions of the gums leading to soft tissue damage and attachment loss. The initiation of periodontitis constitutes a rather complex disease pathogenesis which is based on pathogenic shifts of the oral microbiota combined with the host-microbiome interactions. The severity of the periodontitis is multifactorial depending on genetic, environmental, as well as host immunity factors. DATA AND SOURCES: To make an inclusive analysis on the periodontitis therapeutics, reading of the recent relevant literature was carried out using the MEDLINE/PubMed database, Google Scholar and the NIH public online database for clinical trials (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). CONCLUSIONS: Tackling the inflammation associated periodontal defects can be succeeded with conventional therapy or resective and regenerative treatment. To date, the mechanical removal of the supragingival and subgingival biofilm is considered the "gold standard" of periodontal therapy in combination with the use of antibacterial compounds. The antimicrobial resistance phenomenon tends to turn all the currently applied antibacterials into "endangered species". Ongoing efforts through the conduct of clinical trials should be focused on understanding the advantages of modern approaches in comparison to traditional therapies.

Curcumin Decreases Hippocampal Neurodegeneration and Nitro-Oxidative Damage to Plasma Proteins and Lipids Caused by Short-Term Exposure to Ozone.

Neurodegeneration is the consequence of harmful events affecting the nervous system that lead to neuronal death. Toxic substances, including air pollutants, are capable of inducing neurodegeneration. Ozone (O3) is the most oxidative toxic pollutant. O3 reacts with cellular components and forms reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, triggering nitro-oxidative damage during short-term exposure. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural phenolic molecule bearing well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological activities in diverse experimental models. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of preventive dietary administration of CUR against hippocampal neurodegeneration and nitro-oxidative damage caused by short-term exposure to O3. Eighty Wistar male rats were distributed into four experimental groups, twenty rats each: intact control; CUR dietary supplementation without O3 exposure; exposure to 0.7 ppm of O3; and exposed to O3 with CUR dietary supplementation. Five rats from each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 h of exposure. The CUR dose was 5.6 mg/kg and adjusted according to food consumption. CUR significantly decreased oxidative damage to plasma lipids and proteins, as well as neurodegeneration in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions. Concluding, CUR proved effective protection in decreasing neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and prevented systemic oxidative damage.

Association of the apoptotic marker APO1/Fas with children's predisposing factors for metabolic syndrome and with mean platelet volume.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis antigen 1/FAS receptor (APO1/Fas) signaling in endothelial cells plays a significant role in angiogenesis while increased mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important marker for platelet activation. We investigated the possible correlation between APO1/Fas and both metabolic parameters and platelet activity (indicated by the MPV) in a healthy pediatric population. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five children, aged 5-17 years old, were enrolled in the study. The participants were divided into subgroups according to their age and body mass index percentile (BMI%). APO1/Fas was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and MPV by the MEK-6410K. RESULTS: Eighty-one children (43.8%) had excess weight, which was more prevalent in children ≤9 years of age. Sixty-five children (35.1%) exhibited a predisposition for metabolic syndrome. A negative correlation was found between APO1/Fas and predisposing factors for metabolic syndrome: Glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. In contrast, a positive correlation was found between APO1/Fas and C-reactive protein (CRP). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed a predisposition to metabolic syndrome when APO1/Fas was <78.46 pg/mL. A negative correlation was also observed between APO1/Fas and MPV. MPV was also positively correlated with predisposing factors for metabolic syndrome: BMI%, glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, LDL, and negatively with high-density lipoprotein. CONCLUSIONS: APO1/Fas expression is associated with a lower predisposition to metabolic syndrome may be through endothelial homeostasis, the induction of apoptosis of cells involved in atherosclerosis, and platelet activity. It may also enhance CRP-mediated noninflammatory clearance of apoptotic cells. Early monitoring of all the components of metabolic syndrome in overweight children is important in order to prevent metabolic and cardiovascular complications.

Decidualization modulates the mesenchymal stromal/stem cell and pericyte characteristics of human decidual stromal cells. Effects on antigen expression, chemotactic activity on monocytes and antitumoral activity.

Decidual stromal cells (DSCs) are the most abundant cellular component of human decidua and play a central role in maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Antigen phenotyping and functional studies recently confirmed the relationship of DSCs with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and pericytes, the latter two cell types being closely related or identical. The present study investigated the effect of decidualization, a process of cell differentiation driven by progesterone (P4) and other pregnancy hormones, on the MSC/pericyte characteristics of DSCs. To this end we isolated undifferentiated DSC (preDSC) lines that were decidualized in vitro (dDSC) by the effect of P4 and cAMP. Using flow cytometry, we found significant downmodulation of the expression of the MSC/pericyte markers α-smooth muscle actin, nestin, CD140b, CD146 and SUSD2 in dDSCs. The dDSCs did not differ, compared to preDSCs, in the expression of angiogenic factors (characteristic of pericytes) HGF, FGF2, ANGPT1 or VEGF according to RT-PCR results, but had significantly increased PGF expression. In migration assays, preDSC-conditioned media had a chemotactic effect on the THP-1 monocytic line (characteristic of pericytes), and this effect was significantly greater in dDSC-conditioned media. Media conditioned with dDSC, but not with preDSC, induced apoptosis in 4 out of 6 different tumor cell lines (characteristic of MSCs) according to propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry results. Our findings show that decidualization induces phenotypic and functional changes in the MSC/pericyte properties of DSCs that may have a role in the normal development of pregnancy.

Antimicrobial Resistance, FlaA Sequencing, and Phylogenetic Analysis of Campylobacter Isolates from Broiler Chicken Flocks in Greece.

Human campylobacteriosis caused by thermophilic Campylobacter species is the most commonly reported foodborne zoonosis. Consumption of contaminated poultry meat is regarded as the main source of human infection. This study was undertaken to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and the molecular epidemiology of 205 Campylobacter isolates derived from Greek flocks slaughtered in three different slaughterhouses over a 14-month period. A total of 98.5% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. In terms of multidrug resistance, 11.7% of isolates were resistant to three or more groups of antimicrobials. Extremely high resistance to fluoroquinolones (89%), very high resistance to tetracycline (69%), and low resistance to macrolides (7%) were detected. FlaA sequencing was performed for the subtyping of 64 C. jejuni and 58 C. coli isolates. No prevalence of a specific flaA type was observed, indicating the genetic diversity of the isolates, while some flaA types were found to share similar antimicrobial resistance patterns. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using the neighbor-joining method. Seven clusters of the C. jejuni phylogenetic tree and three clusters of the C. coli tree were considered significant with bootstrap values >75%. Some isolates clustered together were originated from the same or adjacent farms, indicating transmission via personnel or shared equipment. These results are important and help further the understanding of the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter spp. derived from poultry in Greece.

Current Situation and Perspectives of Fruit Annonaceae in Mexico: Biological and Agronomic Importance and Bioactive Properties.

The Annonaceae family is one of the oldest angiosperms. The genus Annona is the one with the most species and, together with Asimina, the only ones that contain edible fruits. In the last 10 years, interest in these fruit species has increased, mainly due to their nutritional properties and their application in the treatment of human diseases. Mexico is the center of origin for most of them. However, at present much of the basic agronomic information, postharvest handling of the fruits, and their potential as new crops for areas with poor soils in organic matter or semi-dry climates is unknown. It is considered that these custard apple species may be an option to change towards instead of crops that have lost profitability and sustainability. A review of the current state of knowledge in different areas of the species A. muricata, A. macroprophyllata, A. reticulata, A. squamosa, and A. cherimola was carried out and to focus research efforts on the topics of greatest interest and on those where is required to achieve a sustainable production and use of these resources in Mexico. However, knowledge about the cultivation and potential uses of these species is needed to increase their commercialization; the integration of interdisciplinary and interinstitutional groups is required.

Annonas: Underutilized species as a potential source of bioactive compounds.

The genus Annona belongs to the family Annonaceae and includes several species of tropical and subtropical crops characterized by their edible and exotic fruits. Twenty species of Annona have been reported in Mexico, localized mainly in the tropical southeastern regions of the country. Most species, however, are not marketable and remain underutilized, and are often referred to as wild Annona species, but they are a valuable source of bioactive compounds. According to ethnobotanical evidence, extracts obtained from different Annona species and different parts of the plant (stem bark, leaves, roots, seeds, and peel) have been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Most of their reported health benefits are attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds with various in vitro and in vivo biological activities, such as antidepressant, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, vasorelaxant, antipyretic, anti-ulcer, analgesic, and healing activities. Therefore, further extensive knowledge of these species especially information on their health benefits is essential to increase their cultivation and commercial use. The present review focuses on traditional uses of underutilized Annona species, their bioactive compounds content, and biological activities.

Thermal Neutron Relative Biological Effectiveness Factors for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy from In Vitro Irradiations.

The experimental determination of the relative biological effectiveness of thermal neutron factors is fundamental in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. The present values have been obtained while using mixed beams that consist of both neutrons and photons of various energies. A common weighting factor has been used for both thermal and fast neutron doses, although such an approach has been questioned. At the nuclear reactor of the Institut Laue-Langevin a pure low-energy neutron beam has been used to determine thermal neutron relative biological effectiveness factors. Different cancer cell lines, which correspond to glioblastoma, melanoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and non-tumor cell lines (lung fibroblast and embryonic kidney), have been irradiated while using an experimental arrangement designed to minimize neutron-induced secondary gamma radiation. Additionally, the cells were irradiated with photons at a medical linear accelerator, providing reference data for comparison with that from neutron irradiation. The survival and proliferation were studied after irradiation, yielding the Relative Biological Effectiveness that corresponds to the damage of thermal neutrons for the different tissue types.