Momordica balsamina L.: An Appraisal on Morphology, Ecological Diversity, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Biotechnological Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 06 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saheed Sabiu ◽  
Christiana Eleojo Aruwa ◽  
Viresh Mohanlall ◽  
Himansu Baijnath
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Information ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Toxicological Data ◽  
Human Disorders ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Bioactive Agents

Background: Momordica balsamina L. is a monoecious climbing vine and perennial herb native to the tropical regions of Asia, Arabia and the Caribbean, and with prominent presence in Nigeria, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Southern African provinces. While evidence of its anecdotal usage as medicine exist, scientific reports complementing the claims are still emerging or at their infancy. Objective: This review appraised the morphology, therapeutic and biotechnological significance of M. balsamina. Method: Online resources such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect and MeSH were utilized for literature search and included relevant information from inception till May 2020 to streamline sought outcomes for in-depth discussion. Results: The data gathered and considered worthy of inclusion in this study revealed that M. balsamina is rich in phytonutrients of medicinal significance with cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, balsamin and momordins well characterized and fully elucidated. These compounds and other novel bioactive agents in M. balsamina have found remarkable pharmacological relevance and could further be harnessed for use against several debilitating human disorders. Conclusion: The potential applications of M. balsamina as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agent should not be undermined. Also, with the inadequate toxicological data on this wild species, its consumption should be with caution and translational studies that could advance scientific knowledge and aid better understanding of both its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics without sidelining its potent biotechnological applications are highly encouraged. It is hoped that this paper will provide baseline information that could serve as a guide and inspiration for further studies on the prospects of M. balsamina.

Potential Pharmaceutical and Food Applications of Postbiotics: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 1576-1587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aziz H. Rad ◽  
Amin Abbasi ◽  
Hossein S. Kafil ◽  
Khudaverdi Ganbarov
Keyword(s):  
Functional Foods ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Pharmaceutical Formulations ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Safe Product ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Food Applications ◽  
Potential Alternative ◽  
Bioactive Agents

In recent decades, functional foods with ingredients comprising probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics have been gaining a lot of attention from scientists. Probiotics and postbiotics are usually applied in pharmaceutical formulations and/or commercial food-based products. These bioactive agents can be associated with host eukaryotic cells and have a key role in maintaining and restoring host health. The review describes the concept of postbiotics, their quality control and potential applications in pharmaceutical formulations and commercial food-based products for health promotion, prevention of disease and complementary treatment. Despite the effectiveness of probiotic products, researchers have introduced the concept of postbiotic to optimize their beneficial effects as well as to meet the needs of consumers to provide a safe product. The finding of recent studies suggests that postbiotics might be appropriate alternative agents for live probiotic cells and can be applied in medical, veterinary and food practice to prevent and to treat some diseases, promote animal health status and develop functional foods. Presently scientific literature confirms that postbiotics, as potential alternative agents, may have superiority in terms of safety relative to their parent live cells, and due to their unique characteristics in terms of clinical, technological and economical aspects, can be applied as promising tools in the drug and food industry for developing health benefits, and therapeutic aims.

scholarly journals Visual Search and Conflict Mitigation Strategies Used by Expert en Route Air Traffic Controllers

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Ricardo Palma Fraga ◽  
Ziho Kang ◽  
Jerry M. Crutchfield ◽  
Saptarshi Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Visual Search ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
Air Traffic Control ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Air Traffic ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Air Traffic Controllers ◽  
Search Patterns ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Conflict Mitigation

The role of the en route air traffic control specialist (ATCS) is vital to maintaining safety and efficiency within the National Airspace System (NAS). ATCSs must vigilantly scan the airspace under their control and adjacent airspaces using an En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) radar display. The intent of this research is to provide an understanding of the expert controller visual search and aircraft conflict mitigation strategies that could be used as scaffolding methods during ATCS training. Interviews and experiments were conducted to elicit visual scanning and conflict mitigation strategies from the retired controllers who were employed as air traffic control instructors. The interview results were characterized and classified using various heuristics. In particular, representative visual scanpaths were identified, which accord with the interview results of the visual search strategies. The highlights of our findings include: (1) participants used systematic search patterns, such as circular, spiral, linear or quadrant-based, to extract operation-relevant information; (2) participants applied an information hierarchy when aircraft information was cognitively processed (altitude -> direction -> speed); (3) altitude or direction changes were generally preferred over speed changes when imminent potential conflicts were mitigated. Potential applications exist in the implementation of the findings into the training curriculum of candidates.

scholarly journals Biomedical Properties of Propolis on Diverse Chronic Diseases and Its Potential Applications and Health Benefits

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Nelly Rivera-Yañez ◽  
C. Rebeca Rivera-Yañez ◽  
Glustein Pozo-Molina ◽  
Claudia F. Méndez-Catalá ◽  
Adolfo R. Méndez-Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Geographical Origin ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Obesity And Cancer ◽  
Resinous Product

The use of alternative medicine products has increased tremendously in recent decades and it is estimated that approximately 80% of patients globally depend on them for some part of their primary health care. Propolis is a beekeeping product widely used in alternative medicine. It is a natural resinous product that bees collect from various plants and mix with beeswax and salivary enzymes and comprises a complex mixture of compounds. Various biomedical properties of propolis have been studied and reported in infectious and non-infectious diseases. However, the pharmacological activity and chemical composition of propolis is highly variable depending on its geographical origin, so it is important to describe and study the biomedical properties of propolis from different geographic regions. A number of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer, are the leading causes of global mortality, generating significant economic losses in many countries. In this review, we focus on compiling relevant information about propolis research related to diabetes, obesity, and cancer. The study of propolis could generate both new and accessible alternatives for the treatment of various diseases and will help to effectively evaluate the safety of its use.

scholarly journals Variation in the Chemical Composition of Five Varieties of Curcuma longa Rhizome Essential Oils Cultivated in North Alabama

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
William N. Setzer ◽  
Lam Duong ◽  
Ambika Poudel ◽  
Srinivasa Rao Mentreddy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Traditional Herbal Medicine ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Chromatographic Techniques ◽  
Chemical Profiles ◽  
Bioactive Agents

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is an important spice, particularly is Asian cuisine, and is also used in traditional herbal medicine. Curcuminoids are the main bioactive agents in turmeric, but turmeric essential oils also contain health benefits. Turmeric is a tropical crop and is cultivated in warm humid environments worldwide. The southeastern United States also possesses a warm humid climate with a growing demand for locally sourced herbs and spices. In this study, five different varieties of C. longa were cultivated in north Alabama, the rhizome essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation, and the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatographic techniques. The major components in the essential oils were α-phellandrene (3.7–11.8%), 1,8-cineole (2.6–11.7%), α-zingiberene (0.8–12.5%), β-sesquiphellandrene (0.7–8.0%), ar-turmerone (6.8–32.5%), α-turmerone (13.6–31.5%), and β-turmerone (4.8–18.4%). The essential oil yields and chemical profiles of several of the varieties are comparable with those from tropical regions, suggesting that these should be considered for cultivation and commercialization in the southeastern United States.

scholarly journals ESR white paper: blockchain and medical imaging

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elmar Kotter ◽  
Luis Marti-Bonmati ◽  
Adrian P. Brady ◽  
Nandita M. Desouza
Keyword(s):  
Medical Imaging ◽  
Image Data ◽  
Distributed Database ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Basic Technology

AbstractBlockchain can be thought of as a distributed database allowing tracing of the origin of data, and who has manipulated a given data set in the past. Medical applications of blockchain technology are emerging. Blockchain has many potential applications in medical imaging, typically making use of the tracking of radiological or clinical data. Clinical applications of blockchain technology include the documentation of the contribution of different “authors” including AI algorithms to multipart reports, the documentation of the use of AI algorithms towards the diagnosis, the possibility to enhance the accessibility of relevant information in electronic medical records, and a better control of users over their personal health records. Applications of blockchain in research include a better traceability of image data within clinical trials, a better traceability of the contributions of image and annotation data for the training of AI algorithms, thus enhancing privacy and fairness, and potentially make imaging data for AI available in larger quantities. Blockchain also allows for dynamic consenting and has the potential to empower patients and giving them a better control who has accessed their health data. There are also many potential applications of blockchain technology for administrative purposes, like keeping track of learning achievements or the surveillance of medical devices. This article gives a brief introduction in the basic technology and terminology of blockchain technology and concentrates on the potential applications of blockchain in medical imaging.

Evaluation of exposure to organophosphate, carbamate, phenoxy acid, and chlorophenol pesticides in pregnant women from 10 Caribbean countries

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1661-1671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin S. Forde ◽  
Lyndon Robertson ◽  
Elhadji A. Laouan Sidi ◽  
Suzanne Côté ◽  
Eric Gaudreau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
The Caribbean

Pesticides are commonly used in tropical regions such as the Caribbean for both household and agricultural purposes.

The invasive speciesCylindrodesmus hirsutusPocock (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Haplodesmidae) spreads to the northern Caribbean, with a compilation of published localities

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-302
Author(s):  
Ernesto Recuero
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
First Record ◽  
Quintana Roo ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
New Mexican ◽  
Cozumel Island ◽  
Southern Central ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Mexican Species

AbstractMillipede diversity in tropical regions, and in Mexico in particular, is still mostly unknown. A modest but recurrent source of new Mexican species is the colonization of exotic species, due to human activity. The invasive speciesCylindrodesmus hirsutusPocock, 1889 has spread from its area of origin in Indonesia or Melanesia and become a virtually pantropical species. Although long known from South and Central America, reports from the Caribbean are sparse and limited to some eastern islands and southern Central America. On 9 March 2016, two adult specimens were found on Cozumel Island, Quintana Roo, in an area of medium semideciduous tropical forest. This paper comprises the first record of this species from Mexico and the northern Caribbean. Given the intense commercial activity in the region, the presence of more populations both in Cozumel Island and in the mainland coast is highly probable.

Preface

2008 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. vi
Author(s):  
Francesco Nicotra ◽  
Mary Garson
Keyword(s):  
Bioorganic Chemistry ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Organic Synthesis ◽  
Industrial Application ◽  
Drug Research ◽  
Bioinorganic Chemistry ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Chemistry Division ◽  
Novel Drug

In August 2007, IUPAC‚ Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Division launched a combined Biomolecular-Biotechnology Symposium as a major component of the 41st IUPAC Congress in Turin, Italy. This four-day CHEM-BIO-TECH 2007 Symposium comprised IUPAC‚ 1st Symposium on Biotechnology held jointly with IUPAC‚ 8th Symposium on Bioorganic Chemistry, ISBOC-8.In designing the program, the goal was to focus on work at the interface of biotechnology and biomolecular chemistry from which many key industrial and academic advances have sprung. The program embraced topics ranging from novel drug discovery, biosynthesis, biocatalysis, and organic synthesis through artificial biomolecules and other emerging biotechnological applications. Attention was also devoted to industrial experience in drug research and in biotechnological productions.The special topics discussed during the symposium included:- natural products synthesis, biosynthesis, and isolation- industrial application of bioorganic chemistry and biotechnology- bioorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, biosynthesis, and biocatalysis- analytical methods applied to molecular recognitionThis issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry comprises a collection of 11 papers based upon the invited lectures delivered at CHEM-BIO-TECH 2007. It offers readers an enduring record of the representative scientific contributions announced during the symposium, in an area of interface between chemistry and biology of great interest and relevant potential applications.Francesco Nicotra and Mary GarsonConference Chair and Co-chair

Logistic services in the Caribbean region

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 534-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex J. Ruiz-Torres ◽  
Guillermo Cardoza ◽  
Markku Kuula ◽  
Yuritza Oliver ◽  
Henry Rosa-Polanco
Keyword(s):  
Information Sharing ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Contingency Planning ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
And Performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the relationships between the capabilities and performance characteristics of logistic service providers (LSPs) in the Caribbean region. The study considers the organization’s process improvement (PI) performance as it relates to their innovation capabilities, their efforts into information sharing and collaboration with customers, their planning for contingencies and considering the uncertainty of their customer’s technology. Design/methodology/approach A survey was applied to 88 LSP firms with operations in the Caribbean region. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the hypothesized relationships. Findings The results indicate that the PI performance of LSPs is significantly related to their innovation capabilities, and that these capabilities are positively related to collaboration and exchange of relevant information. Furthermore, they indicate that information sharing between LSPs and their customers significantly improves the quality of contingency planning. However, the study showed that innovation capabilities are not directly related to the LSPs’ focus on contingency planning and that customers’ technology uncertainty does not have a significant effect on the LSPs’ innovation capabilities. Research limitations/implications The sample of LSP firms is limited to three countries of the Caribbean region. Further examination of the model in additional countries and across multiple industrial contexts would increase the validity of the findings and expand to settings such as manufacturing and services. Originality/value This study measures operational performance of LSPs from a different perspective: its PI performance, and considers how multiple factors affect this performance.

scholarly journals Classification of lipolytic enzymes and their biotechnological applications in the pulping industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ramnath ◽  
B. Sithole ◽  
R. Govinden
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Pulp And Paper Industry ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
Lipolytic Enzymes ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Microbial Sources

In the pulp and paper industry, during the manufacturing process, the agglomeration of pitch particles (composed of triglycerides, fatty acids, and esters) leads to the formation of black pitch deposits in the pulp and on machinery, which impacts on the process and pulp quality. Traditional methods of pitch prevention and treatment are no longer feasible due to environmental impact and cost. Consequently, there is a need for more efficient and environmentally friendly approaches. The application of lipolytic enzymes, such as lipases and esterases, could be the sustainable solution to this problem. Therefore, an understanding of their structure, mechanism, and sources are essential. In this report, we review the microbial sources for the different groups of lipolytic enzymes, the differences between lipases and esterases, and their potential applications in the pulping industry.

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