The inflammation process in the human body plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) exert potentially a decisive role in human body, particularly in physiological and pathological process. The chronic inflammation state could generate several types of diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and arthritis, especially if it is concomitant with high levels of pro-inflammatory markers and ROS. The respiratory burst of inflammatory cells during inflammation increases the production and accumulation of ROS. However, ROS regulate various types of kinases and transcription factors such nuclear factor-kappa B which is related to the activation of pro-inflammatory genes. The exact crosstalk between pro-inflammatory markers and ROS in terms of pathogenesis and development of serious diseases is still ambitious. Many studies have been attempting to determine the mechanistic mutual relationship between ROS and pro-inflammatory markers. Therefore hereby, we review the hypothetical relationship between ROS and pro-inflammatory markers in which they have been proposed to initiate cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and arthritis.
Background: The contribution of vitamin D to thyroid disorders has received paramount attention; however, results are mixed. Hence, we designed a systematic review and meta-analysis to obtain a definitive conclusion. Methods: The search included PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to March 2021 to collect available papers reporting the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D and thyroid disorders. The pooled effect was reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Out of 6123 datasets, 42 were eligible to get into this systematic review and meta-analysis. Serum vitamin D was markedly lower in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) (WMD − 3.1 ng/dl; 95% CI, − 5.57 to − 0.66; P = 0.013; I2 = 99.9%), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) (WMD − 6.05 ng/dl; 95% CI, − 8.35 to − 3.75; P < 0.001; I2 = 91.0%) and hypothyroidism patients (WMD − 13.43 ng/dl; 95% CI, − 26.04 to − 0.81; P = 0.03; I2 = 99.5%), but not in subjects with Graves’ disease (GD) (WMD − 4.14 ng/dl; 95% CI, − 8.46 to 0.17; P = 0.06; I2 = 97.5%). Conclusions: Our findings suggested lower vitamin D levels in patients with hypothyroidism, AITD, and HT compared to healthy subjects. However, the link between serum vitamin D and GD was only significant among subjects ≥40 years old.
1 April 2018 in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Arabinoxylans (AXs) are major dietary fibers. They are composed of backbone chains of β-(1-4)-linked xylose residues to which α-l-arabinose are linked in the second and/or third carbon positions. Recently, AXs have attracted a great deal of attention because of their biological activities such as their immunomodulatory potential. Extraction of AXs has some difficulties; therefore, various methods have been used to increase the extractability of AXs with varying degrees of success, such as alkaline, enzymatic, mechanical extraction. However, some of these treatments have been reported to be either expensive, such as enzymatic treatments, or produce hazardous wastes and are non-environmentally friendly, such as alkaline treatments. On the other hand, mechanical assisted extraction, especially extrusion cooking, is an innovative pre-treatment that has been used to increase the solubility of AXs. The aim of the current review article is to point out the health-related effects and to discuss the current research on the extraction methods of AXs.
This review synthesises current research findings and modelling approaches to explore the impact of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO2) concentrations on crop productivity, water and nutrient use efficiency, plant nutritional quality, and the implications for global food security. Over recent decades, rising atmospheric CO2 levels have sparked significant concern due to their role in driving climate change. While some studies highlight the potential benefits of eCO2, such as increased crop yields and improved water-use efficiency, many recent investigations reveal a concerning decline in crop nutritional quality. eCO2 has been shown to reduce concentrations of key nutrients, including nitrogen, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, and other non-nutrient compounds, as well as alter gene expression. These changes are further complicated by interactions with heat stress and drought, presenting significant challenges in predicting sustainable future crop productivity. These nutritional declines exacerbate the global crisis of malnutrition and hidden hunger, threatening the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), which aims to end hunger and ensure food security. Addressing these challenges requires further research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches to mitigate the adverse effects of eCO2 on crop physiology and nutritional content while maximising agricultural sustainability. This review aims to provide insights into the complex mechanisms governing crop responses to eCO2 using wheat as a model and proposes pathways for future research and agricultural practices. These strategies are critical for tackling the intricate dynamics of climate variability, ensuring nutrient-rich food production, and securing food security in the face of a rapidly changing climate.
18 January 2018 in Journal of Food Science and Technology