Topic Review
Biocontrol of L. monocytogenes in Meat Products
Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis, a group of human illnesses that appear more frequently in countries with better-developed food supply systems. Meat and meat products, especially the ready-to-eat (RTE) ones, have been reported as being a major food vehicle for L. monocytogenes transmission to humans. The cause of this phenomenon is mainly attributed to the contamination during processing or post-processing steps, such as slicing and packaging, followed by the growth of the pathogen during storage to numbers that endanger the consumers’ health.  In the attempt to satisfy the consumers’ demand with respect to both healthy and safe foods, studies have focused on biocontrol methods, including bacteriophages, antagonistic microbial interactions, and plant- or microbe-derived substances having antilisterial activity.
  • 111
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Food Proteins
Proteins are critical macronutrients, and beyond their physiological importance, they also contribute to satiety, aiding in weight management and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Protein-based foods stand as a foundation in global diets, contributing significantly to human health, nutrition, and overall well-being. The essential role of proteins as building blocks for tissues, enzymes, hormones, and various bodily functions underlines their vital significance in sustaining life. Emerging alternative food processing technologies now offer solutions to enhance protein functionality and create opportunities for innovation.
  • 164
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
EMP/EMT-Dependent Fibrosis
Fibrosis represents a process characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. It often represents the evolution of pathological conditions, causes organ failure, and can, in extreme cases, compromise the functionality of organs to the point of causing death.
  • 146
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Cytochalasins as Modulators of Stem Cell Differentiation
Regenerative medicine aims to identify new research strategies for the repair and restoration of tissues damaged by pathological or accidental events. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a key role in regenerative medicine approaches due to their specific properties, such as the high rate of proliferation, the ability to differentiate into several cell lineages, the immunomodulatory potential, and their easy isolation with minimal ethical issues. One of the main goals of regenerative medicine is to modulate, both in vitro and in vivo, the differentiation potential of MSCs to improve their use in the repair of damaged tissues. Over the years, much evidence has been collected about the ability of cytochalasins, a large family of 60 metabolites isolated mainly from fungi, to modulate multiple properties of stem cells (SCs), such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation, by altering the organization of the cyto- and the nucleo-skeleton. The ability of two different cytochalasins, cytochalasins D and B, to influence specific SC differentiation programs modulated by several agents (chemical or physical) or intra- and extra-cellular factors, is discussed herein, with particular attention to human MSCs (hMSCs).
  • 140
  • 08 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Phosphorus HotSpots in Crop Plants on the Farm
Phosphorus resources, both in phosphate rocks and in the soil, are limited. However, effective food production is not possible without the use of P fertilizers. Recognizing and eliminating or at least ameliorating factors (hot spots) that interfere with the uptake and use of phosphorus (P) by crop plants is of key importance for effective use of both P and nitrogen (N) on the farm. Plants have developed many adaptation mechanisms to their environment, i.e., soil low in available phosphorus. The most important ones include the secretion of organic compounds into the rhizosphere and the association of plant roots with microorganisms. A classic example is mycorrhiza. These mechanisms can be used by the farmer to sequentially select plants in the crop rotation. The uptake of inorganic P (Pi) by plants from the soil is reduced by environmental (temperature and water) and soil factors (low content of available phosphorus, soil acidity, soil compaction). These factors are responsible for the growth and size of the root system. Mitigating these negative effects improves the efficiency of phosphorus uptake from the soil. The second group of critical factors, limiting both root growth and availability of phosphorus, can be effectively controlled using simple measures (for example, lime).
  • 130
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Amino Acids Biostimulants and Protein Hydrolysates
The effects of different types of biostimulants on crops include improving the visual quality of the final products, stimulating the immune systems of plants, inducing the biosynthesis of plant defensive biomolecules, removing heavy metals from contaminated soil, improving crop performance, reducing leaching, improving root development and seed germination, inducing tolerance to abiotic and biotic stressors, promoting crop establishment and increasing nutrient-use efficiency. Protein hydrolysates are mixtures of polypeptides and free amino acids resulting from enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis of agro-industrial protein by-products obtained from animal or plant origins, and they are able to alleviate environmental stress effects, improve growth, and promote crop productivity. Amino acids involve various advantages such as increased yield and yield components, increased nutrient assimilation and stress tolerance, and improved yield components and quality characteristics.
  • 149
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Articulating Organic Agriculture and Sustainable Development in Serbia
With the greening of agriculture, there is a need to better link the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and organic agriculture in developing countries. However, in Serbia, there is a huge gap between the potential of their implementation and the actual situation. The restricted development of organic agriculture in Serbia stems from the undeveloped awareness of consumers, slower acceptance of alternative agricultural systems and the volatility of mainstream conventional agricultural production. The integration of organic agriculture into the largest conceptual and strategic frameworks, such as the SDGs, can offer a true transformation of local food systems and could result in positive feedback to the environment and society.
  • 152
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
The Application of Potassium Diformate in Aquaculture
Potassium diformate (KDF) is an organic acid salt. It is a dimer formed through hydrogen bonding between one molecule of formic acid and one molecule of potassium formate. The chemical formula of KDF is HCOOH·HCOOK, with a molecular weight of 130.14. It is a white or slightly yellow crystalline powder with no discernible pungent odor. KDF dissolves in water and exhibits a pronounced hygroscopic nature. Its aqueous solution is acidic and remains stable under acidic conditions, while it decomposes into formate and formic acid under neutral or slightly alkaline conditions. Compared with formic acid, KDF overcomes the irritability, corrosiveness, and instability of formic acid. Therefore, KDF is a more suitable additive in feed, providing a safer and more stable solution in maintaining the balance of microbial communities in aquatic animals.
  • 234
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Pulse Protein Isolates as Competitive Food Ingredients
The ever-increasing world population and environmental stress are leading to surging demand for nutrient-rich food products with cleaner labeling and improved sustainability. Plant proteins, accordingly, are gaining enormous popularity compared with counterpart animal proteins in the food industry. While conventional plant protein sources, such as wheat and soy, cause concerns about their allergenicity, peas, beans, chickpeas, lentils, and other pulses are becoming important staples owing to their agronomic and nutritional benefits. However, the utilization of pulse proteins is still limited due to unclear pulse protein characteristics and the challenges of characterizing them from extensively diverse varieties within pulse crops. 
  • 183
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Role of Oxidative Stress in Tuberculous Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be triggered by various factors, including infectious agents like viruses and bacteria and non-infectious contributors such as cancer or head injuries. The impact of meningitis on the central nervous system involves disruptions in the blood–brain barrier, cellular infiltrations, and structural alterations. 
  • 192
  • 07 Mar 2024
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