Ocean Dumping — History, Control and Biological Impact

Experimental studies have provided convincing evidence that food bioactive compounds (FBCs) have a positive biological impact on human health, exerting protective effects against non-communicable diseases (NCD) including cancer and cardiovascular (CVDs), metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). These benefits have been associated with the presence of secondary metabolites, namely polyphenols, glucosinolates, carotenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, vitamins, and fibres, among others, derived from their antioxidant, antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antithrombotic, cardioprotective, and vasodilator properties. Polyphenols as one of the most abundant classes of bioactive compounds present in plant-based foods emerge as a promising approach for the development of efficacious preventive agents against NCDs with reduced side effects. The aim of this review is to present comprehensive and deep insights into the potential of polyphenols, from their chemical structure classification and biosynthesis to preventive effects on NCDs, namely cancer, CVDs, and NDDS. The challenge of polyphenols bioavailability and bioaccessibility will be explored in addition to useful industrial and environmental applications. Advanced and emerging extraction techniques will be highlighted and the high-resolution analytical techniques used for FBCs characterization, identification, and quantification will be considered.

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The Mauritius Oil Spill: What’s Next?

Pollutants ◽

10.3390/pollutants1010003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 18-28

Author(s):

Davide Seveso ◽

Yohan Didier Louis ◽

Simone Montano ◽

Paolo Galli ◽

Francesco Saliu

Keyword(s):

Indian Ocean ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Oil Spill ◽

Local Population ◽

Marine Ecosystems ◽

Mangrove Forests ◽

Biological Impact ◽

Marine Oil ◽

Restoration Techniques

In light of the recent marine oil spill that occurred off the coast of Mauritius (Indian Ocean), we comment here the incident, the containment method used by the local population, the biological impact of oil spill on two sensitive tropical marine ecosystems (coral reefs and mangrove forests), and we suggest monitoring and restoration techniques of the impacted ecosystems based on recent research advancements.

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The Cellular and Biological Impact of Extracellular Vesicles in Pancreatic Cancer

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13123040 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 3040

Author(s):

Zainab Hussain ◽

Jeremy Nigri ◽

Richard Tomasini

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Pancreatic Tumors ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Biological Impact ◽

Physiological Relevance ◽

Cellular Components ◽

Tumoral Cells

Deciphering the interactions between tumor and stromal cells is a growing field of research to improve pancreatic cancer-associated therapies and patients’ care. Indeed, while accounting for 50 to 90% of the tumor mass, many pieces of evidence reported that beyond their structural role, the non-tumoral cells composing the intra-tumoral microenvironment influence tumor cells’ proliferation, metabolism, cell death and resistance to therapies, among others. Simultaneously, tumor cells can influence non-tumoral neighboring or distant cells in order to shape a tumor-supportive and immunosuppressive environment as well as influencing the formation of metastatic niches. Among intercellular modes of communication, extracellular vesicles can simultaneously transfer the largest variety of signals and were recently reported as key effectors of cell–cell communication in pancreatic cancer, from its development to its evolution as well as its ability to resist available treatments. This review focuses on extracellular vesicles-mediated communication between different cellular components of pancreatic tumors, from the modulation of cellular activities and abilities to their biological and physiological relevance. Taking into consideration the intra-tumoral microenvironment and its extracellular-mediated crosstalk as main drivers of pancreatic cancer development should open up new therapeutic windows.

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Biological impact of an enhanced recovery after surgery programme in liver surgery

BJS Open ◽

10.1093/bjsopen/zraa015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Author(s):

S Gonvers ◽

J Jurt ◽

G -R Joliat ◽

N Halkic ◽

E Melloul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Surgery ◽

Enhanced Recovery ◽

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery ◽

Surgical Stress ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Albumin Concentration ◽

Biological Impact ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Before And After ◽

Major Resection

Abstract Background The clinical and economic impacts of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes have been demonstrated extensively. Whether ERAS protocols also have a biological effect remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the biological impact of an ERAS programme in patients undergoing liver surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing liver surgery (2010–2018) was undertaken. Patients operated before and after ERAS implementation in 2013 were compared. Surrogate markers of surgical stress were monitored: white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, albumin concentration, and haematocrit. Their perioperative fluctuations were defined as Δvalues, calculated on postoperative day (POD) 0 for Δalbumin and Δhaematocrit and POD 2 for ΔWBC and ΔCRP. Results A total of 541 patients were included, with 223 and 318 patients in non-ERAS and ERAS groups respectively. Groups were comparable, except for higher rates of laparoscopy (24.8 versus 11.2 per cent; P < 0.001) and major resection (47.5 versus 38.1 per cent; P = 0.035) in the ERAS group. Patients in the ERAS group showed attenuated ΔWBC (2.00 versus 2.75 g/l; P = 0.013), ΔCRP (60 versus 101 mg/l; P <0.001) and Δalbumin (12 versus 16 g/l; P < 0.001) compared with those in the no-ERAS group. Subgroup analysis of open resection showed similar results. Multivariable analysis identified ERAS as the only independent factor associated with high ΔWBC (odds ratio (OR) 0.65, 95 per cent c.i. 0.43 to 0.98; P = 0.038), ΔCRP (OR 0.41, 0.23 to 0.73; P = 0.003) and Δalbumin (OR 0.40, 95 per cent c.i. 0.22 to 0.72; P = 0.002). Conclusion Compared with conventional management, implementation of ERAS was associated with an attenuated stress response in patients undergoing liver surgery.

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