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Various extracts are tested for anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory properties on in vitro models. RBL-2H3 cells are widely used in allergic or immunological studies. FCεRI and its downstream signaling cascades, such as MAPK, NF-κB, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, are important allergic or inflammatory signaling mechanisms in mast and basophil cells. This systematic review aims to study common signaling pathways of the anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory compounds on RBL-2H3 cells. We selected the relevant research articles published after 2015 from the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science databases. The risk of bias of the studies was assessed based on the modified CONSORT checklist for in vitro studies. The cell lines, treatments, assay, primary findings, and signaling pathways on RBL-2H3 cells were extracted to synthesize the results. Thirty-eight articles were included, and FCεRI and its downstream pathways, such as Lyn, Sky, PLCγ, and MAPK, were commonly studied. Moreover, the JAK/STAT pathway was a potential signaling mechanism in RBL-2H3 cells. However, the findings based on RBL-2H3 cells needed to be tested along with human mast cells to confirm its relevance to human health. In conclusion, a single plant extract may act as an anti-inflammatory reagent in RBL-2H3 cells via multiple signaling pathways besides the MAPK signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mold contamination in post‐harvest grain storage degrades grain quality and produces mycotoxins, causing economic losses and health issues. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of six essential oils (cinnamon, clove, eugenol, orange terpenes, oregano, and thyme oil) on total and specific mold genera growth using potato dextrose agar (PDA) and selective media plates, respectively, at different concentrations of EOs (0–0.8 mg/mL). The antifungal index (AI) of each treatment were measured after 7 days incubation at 22°C. The fungicidal activity of EOs in stored organic corn grains was tested using a simulated fumigation method, and the aflatoxin contents in the corn grains were determined biweekly for 6 weeks. Results: Results indicate that the tested EOs, except orange terpenes, significantly inhibited mold growth. Overall, eugenol demonstrated the highest effectiveness against total mold growth with cinnamon oil following closely behind. The cinnamon oil also consistently showed highest AI and lowest IC50 (0.065 mg/mL) against the growth of Aspergillus and Penicillium followed by clove oil with IC50 being 0.12 mg/mL. The Fusarium spp. was more sensitive to EOs, particularly cinnamon oil (IC50 = 0.006 mg/mL), and eugenol and oregano oil (IC50 = 0.01 mg/mL). In the simulated fumigation tests, cinnamon, oregano, and thyme oils at 0.05 mL/25 g corn significantly inhibited the mold growth and aflatoxin production at water activity 0.85, and temperature 25 and 35°C over a period of 42 days storage. Conclusion: The EOs tested in this study except orange terpenes can potentially serve as alternatives to toxic synthetic fungicides/fumigants for organic corn grain protection during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natively unfolded tau has a low propensity to form aggregates, but in tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau aggregates into paired helical filaments (PHFs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Multiple intracellular transport pathways utilize kinesin-1, a plus-end-directed microtubule-based motor. Kinesin-1 is crucial in various neurodegenerative diseases as it transports multiple cargoes along the microtubules (MT). Kinesin-1 proteins cannot progress along MTs due to an accumulation of tau on their surfaces. Although kinesin-1-mediated neuronal transport dysfunction is well-documented in other neurodegenerative diseases, its role in AD has received less attention. Very recently, we have shown that knocking down and knocking out of kinesin-1 heavy chain (KIF5B KO) expression significantly reduced the level and stability of tau in cells and tau transgenic mice, respectively. Here, we report that tau interacts with the motor domain of KIF5B in vivo and in vitro, possibly through its microtubule-binding repeat domain. This interaction leads to the inhibition of the ATPase activity of the motor domain. In addition, the KIF5B KO results in autophagy initiation, which subsequently assists in tau degradation. The mechanisms behind KIF5B KO-mediated tau degradation seem to involve its interaction with tau, promoting the trafficking of tau through retrograde transport into autophagosomes for subsequent lysosomal degradation of tau. Our results suggest how KIF5B removal facilitates the movement of autophagosomes toward lysosomes for efficient tau degradation. This mechanism can be enabled through the downregulation of kinesin-1 or the disruption of the association between kinesin-1 and tau, particularly in cases when neurons perceive disturbances in intercellular axonal transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Date fruit is an excellent source of nutritional and health benefits. The chemical composition of dates includes carbohydrates, dietary fibre, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins, enzymes, phenolic acid and carotenoids, all of which are directly linked to nutritional and health benefits for consumers. A number of studies have also confirmed the therapeutic effects of dates and their efficacy in the treatment of many disease conditions. As a result, a number of food products such as date syrup, date juice and date paste have been developed in order to harness the nutritional potential of dates. Adequate sources of nutrition are important for all consumers, especially for active lifestyle individuals such as athletes and sportspeople. As the goal of every athlete is to enhance athletic performance and prevent energy deficit, the use of dietary supplements has been highly recommended as a solution in this regard. For example, nutrition bars are one source of high energy and nutrients that can provide the required energy for enhanced athletic performance, and date fruits could be valorised into nutrition bars in order to help athletes to achieve their performance and nutritional goals. In this paper, we review the chemical composition and health benefits of date fruit, its food application and consequently its formulation in nutrition bars for athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]