For many years, cow’s milk has been considered as an essential food because of its nutritional value. However, the demand for plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) increased over recent years due to lactose intolerance and allergies, as well as different lifestyles. This review aims to provide updated information on the main raw materials used in PBMAs, as well as the production processes, technological functionality, nutritional composition, current consumption, benefits, sensory characteristics, and challenges in the development of PBMAs. Alternatives to formulate PBMAs are growing since traditional seeds or nuts are being rescued from endemic uses. Environmental benefits of PBMA over cow’s milk is still unclear since carbon footprint, eutrophication, and water consumption depend on geographic location. PBMAs are inadequate to cover the nutrimental profile of cow’s milk; however, the enrichment using additives and PBMAs blends are investigated to enhance their composition. Most PBMA physicochemical properties have close values to cow’s milk. However, PBMAs technological uses need improvements since gel formation, water holding capacity, texture, and viscoelastic properties of derived products are poor. Main challenges in PBMA are related to enhance their stabilization, reduced their antinutrients, off-flavors, and allergens. The treatment of PBMAs using emerging technologies seems to help overcome these challenges.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a type of kidney cancer that arises from the cells lining the tubes of the kidney. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of ccRCC is a complex interplay of various immune cells, cytokines, and signaling pathways. One of the critical features of the ccRCC TIME is the presence of infiltrating immune cells, including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Among these cells, CD8+ T cells are particularly important in controlling tumor growth by recognizing and killing cancer cells. However, the TIME of ccRCC is also characterized by an immunosuppressive environment that hinders the function of immune cells. Several mechanisms contribute to the immunosuppressive nature of the ccRCC TIME. For instance, ccRCC cells produce cytokines such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which suppress immune cell activation and promote the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs, in turn, dampen the activity of effector T cells and promote tumor growth. In addition, ccRCC cells can express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which interacts with the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells to inhibit their function. In addition, other immune checkpoint proteins, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3), also contribute to the immunosuppressive milieu of the ccRCC TIME. Finally, the hypoxic and nutrient-poor microenvironment of ccRCC can stimulate the production of immunosuppressive metabolites, such as adenosine and kynurenine, which further impair the function of immune cells. Understanding the complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune system in the ccRCC TIME is crucial for developing effective immunotherapies to treat this disease.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an enveloped respiratory β coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), leading to a deadly pandemic that has claimed millions of lives worldwide. Like other coronaviruses, the SARS-CoV-2 genome also codes for non-structural proteins (NSPs). These NSPs are found within open reading frame 1a (ORF1a) and open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and encode NSP1 to NSP11 and NSP12 to NSP16, respectively. This study aimed to collect the available literature regarding NSP inhibitors. In addition, we searched the natural product database looking for similar structures. The results showed that similar structures could be tested as potential inhibitors of the NSPs.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is an effective disinfection technology, able to inactivate a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. A safer UV wavelength of 222 nm, also known as far‐UVC, has been proposed to minimize these harmful effects while retaining the light’s disinfection capability. This study is aimed at exploring the antimicrobial activity of filtered far‐UVC (222 nm) on a panel of pathogens commonly found in nosocomial installations. A panel of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and yeast pathogens was tested. Microorganisms were deposited on a plastic surface, allowing them to dry before exposure to the far‐UVC light at a distance of 50 cm. Results showed that far‐UVC light successfully inhibits the growth of the tested pathogens, although at different exposure times. In conclusion, the results of this study provide fundamental information to achieve reliable disinfection performance with far‐UVC lamps with potential applications in healthcare facilities like hospitals and long‐term care homes.

In this study, the leaves of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi were consecutively macerated with hexane, chloroform, and methanol. These extracts were used to assess the bioactivities of the plant. The antimicrobial activity was tested against a panel of Gram-positive and -negative pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains using the microdilution method. The cytotoxicity of K. fedtschenkoi extracts was investigated using human-derived macrophage THP-1 cells through the MTT assay. Finally, the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts was studied using the same cell line by measuring the secretion of IL-10 and IL-6. The phytoconstituents of hexane and chloroform extracts were evaluated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In addition, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to study the phytochemical content of methanol extract. The total flavonoid content (TFC) of methanol extract is also reported. The chemical composition of K. fedtschenkoi extracts was evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Results revealed that the chloroform extract inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 150 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/mL. At the same concentration, methanol extract inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Regarding their cytotoxicity, the three extracts were highly cytotoxic against the tested cell line at IC₅₀ < 3 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/mL. In addition, the chloroform extract significantly stimulated the secretion of IL-10 at 50 $\mathsf{\mu }$g/mL (p < 0.01). GC/MS analyses revealed that hexane and chloroform extracts contain fatty acids, sterols, vitamin E, and triterpenes. The HPLC analysis demonstrated that methanol extract was constituted by quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. This is the first report in which the bioactivities and chemical profiles of K. fedtschenkoi are assessed for non-polar and polar extracts.