The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is an important bridge in the switch from extracellular signals to intracellular responses. Alterations of signaling cascades are found in various diseases, including cancer, as a result of genetic and epigenetic changes. Numerous studies focused on both the homeostatic and the pathologic conduct of MAPK signaling; however, there is still much to be deciphered in terms of regulation and action models in both preclinical and clinical research. MAPK has implications in the response to cancer therapy, particularly the activation of the compensatory pathways in response to experimental MAPK inhibition. The present paper discusses new insights into MAPK as a complex cell signaling pathway with roles in the sustenance of cellular normal conduit, response to cancer therapy, and activation of compensatory pathways. Unfortunately, most MAPK inhibitors trigger resistance due to the activation of compensatory feed-back loops in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment components. Therefore, novel combinatorial therapies have to be implemented for cancer management in order to restrict the possibility of alternative pathway activation, as a perspective for developing novel therapies based on integration in translational studies.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have acquired significance in technological breakthroughs due to their unique properties, such as size, shape, chemical composition, physiochemical stability, crystal structure, and larger surface area. There is a huge demand for packaging materials that can keep food fresher for extended periods of time. The incorporation of nanoscale fillers in the polymer matrix would assists in the alleviation of packaging material challenges while also improving functional qualities. Increased barrier properties, thermal properties like melting point and glass transition temperatures, and changed functionalities like surface wettability and hydrophobicity are all features of these polymers containing nanocomposites. Inorganic nanoparticles also have the potential to reduce the growth of bacteria within the packaging. By incorporating nano-sized components into biopolymer-based packaging materials, waste material generated during the packaging process may be reduced. The different inorganic nanoparticles such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide, silver, and gold are the most preferred inorganic nanoparticles used in food packaging. Food systems can benefit from using these packaging materials and improve physicochemical and functional properties. The compatibility of inorganic nanoparticles and their various forms with different polymers make them excellent components for package fortification. This review article describes the various aspects of developing and applying inorganic nanoparticles in food packaging. This study provides diverse uses of metals and metal oxides nanoparticles in food packaging films for the development of improved packaging films that can extend the shelf life of food products. These packaging solutions containing nanoparticles would effectively preserve, protect, and maintain the quality of the food material.

The accumulation of high amounts of petro-based plastics is a growing environmental devastation issue, leading to the urgent need to innovate eco-safe packaging materials at an equivalent cost to save the environment. Among different substitutes, starch-based types and their blends with biopolymers are considered an innovative and smart material alternative for petrol-based polymers because of their abundance, low cost, biodegradability, high biocompatibility, and better-quality film-forming and improved mechanical characteristics. Furthermore, starch is a valuable, sustainable food packaging material. The rising and growing importance of designing starch-based films from various sources for sustainable food packaging purposes is ongoing research. Research on “starch food packaging” is still at the beginning, based on the few studies published in the last decade in Web of Science. Additionally, the functionality of starch-based biodegradable substances is technically a challenge. It can be improved by starch modification, blending starch with other biopolymers or additives, and using novel preparation techniques. Starch-based films have been applied to packaging various foods, such as fruits and vegetables, bakery goods, and meat, indicating good prospects for commercial utilization. The current review will give a critical snapshot of starch-based films’ properties and potential applicability in the sustainable smart (active and intelligent) new packaging concepts and discuss new challenges and opportunities for starch bio composites.

• Avocado seed are rich source of lipid, proteins, vitamins, minerals and bioactives. • Seeds are rich in various bioactive compounds and possess diverse health benefits. • This review summarizes nutritional and phytochemical profile of the avocado seeds. • Avocado seeds as an ingredient in functional food is outlined in the review.

Seaweeds have been generally utilized as food and alternative medicine in different countries. They are specifically used as a raw material for wine, cheese, soup, tea, noodles, etc. In addition, seaweeds are potentially good resources of protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and dietary fiber. The quality and quantity of biologically active compounds in seaweeds depend on season and harvesting period, seaweed geolocation as well as ecological factors. Seaweeds or their extracts have been studied as innovative sources for a variety of bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, carrageenan, fucoidan, etc. These secondary metabolites have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-obesity and anti-tumour properties. They have been used in pharmaceutical/medicine, and food industries since bioactive compounds from seaweeds are regarded as safe and natural. Therefore, this article provides up-to-date information on the applications of seaweed in different industries such as pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetics, dermatology and agriculture. Further studies on innovative extraction methods, safety issue and health-promoting properties should be reconsidered. Moreover, the details of the molecular mechanisms of seaweeds and their bioactive compounds for physiological activities are to be clearly elucidated.

Obesity and colorectal cancer (CRC) are among the leading diseases causing deaths in the world, showing a complex multifactorial pathology. Obesity is considered a risk factor in CRC development through inflammation, metabolic, and signaling processes. Leptin is one of the most important adipokines related to obesity and an important proinflammatory marker, mainly expressed in adipose tissue, with many genetic variation profiles, many related influencing factors, and various functions that have been ascribed but not yet fully understood and elucidated, the most important ones being related to energy metabolism, as well as endocrine and immune systems. Aberrant signaling and genetic variations of leptin are correlated with obesity and CRC, with the genetic causality showing both inherited and acquired events, in addition to lifestyle and environmental risk factors; these might also be related to specific pathogenic pathways at different time points. Moreover, mutation gain is a crucial factor enabling the genetic process of CRC. Currently, the inconsistent and insufficient data related to leptin’s relationship with obesity and CRC indicate the necessity of further related studies. This review summarizes the current knowledge on leptin genetics and its potential relationship with the main pathogenic pathways of obesity and CRC, in an attempt to understand the molecular mechanisms of these associations, in the context of inconsistent and contradictory data. The understanding of these mechanisms linking obesity and CRC could help to develop novel therapeutic targets and prevention strategies, resulting in a better prognosis and management of these diseases.