The application and development of electron microscopy for three-dimensional reconstruction in life science: a review

Imaging technologies have played a pivotal role in advancing biological research by enabling visualization of biological structures and processes. While traditional electron microscopy (EM) produces two-dimensional images, emerging techniques now allow high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) characterization of specimens in situ, meeting growing needs in molecular and cellular biology. Combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with serial sectioning inaugurated 3D imaging, attracting biologists seeking to explore cell ultrastructure and driving advancement of 3D EM reconstruction. By comprehensively and precisely rendering internal structure and distribution, 3D TEM reconstruction provides unparalleled ultrastructural insights into cells and molecules, holding tremendous value for elucidating structure-function relationships and broadly propelling structural biology. Here, we first introduce the principle of 3D reconstruction of cells and tissues by classical approaches in TEM and then discuss modern technologies utilizing TEM and on new SEM-based as well as cryo-electron microscope (cryo-EM) techniques. 3D reconstruction techniques from serial sections, electron tomography (ET), and the recent single-particle analysis (SPA) are examined; the focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM), the serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), and automatic tape-collecting lathe ultramicrotome (ATUM-SEM) for 3D reconstruction of large volumes are discussed. Finally, we review the challenges and development prospects of these technologies in life science. It aims to provide an informative reference for biological researchers.

Quantification of the effect of biochar application on heavy metals in paddy systems: Impact, mechanisms and future prospects

Biochar (BC) has shown great potential in remediating heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) contamination in paddy fields. Variation in feedstock sources, pyrolysis temperatures, modification methods, and application rates of BC can result in great changes in its effects on HM bioavailability and bioaccumulation in soil-rice systems and remediation mechanisms. Meanwhile, there is a lack of application guidelines for BC with specific properties and application rates when targeting rice fields contaminated with certain HMs. To elucidate this topic, this review focuses on i) the effects of feedstock type, pyrolysis temperature, and modification method on the properties of BC; ii) the changes in bioavailability and bioaccumulation of HMs in soil-rice systems applying BC with different feedstocks, pyrolysis temperatures, modification methods, and application rates; and iii) exploration of potential remediation mechanisms for applying BC to reduce the mobility and bioaccumulation of HMs in rice field systems. In general, the application of Fe/Mn modified organic waste (OW) derived BC for mid-temperature pyrolysis is still a well-optimized choice for the remediation of HM contamination in rice fields. From the viewpoint of remediation efficiency, the application rate of BC should be appropriately increased to immobilize Cd, Pb, and Cu in rice paddies, while the application rate of BC for immobilizing As should be <2.0 % (w/w). The mechanism of remediation of HM-contaminated rice fields by applying BC is mainly the direct adsorption of HMs by BC in soil pore water and the mediation of soil microenvironmental changes. In addition, the application of Fe/Mn modified BC induced the formation of iron plaque (IP) on the root surface of rice, which reduced the uptake of HM by the plant. Finally, this paper describes the prospects and challenges for the extension of various BCs for the remediation of HM contamination in paddy fields and makes some suggestions for future development.

Advancements in robotic surgery: innovations, challenges and future prospects

The use of robots has revolutionized healthcare, wherein further innovations have led to improved precision and accuracy. Conceived in the late 1960s, robot-assisted surgeries have evolved to become an integral part of various surgical specialties. Modern robotic surgical systems are equipped with highly dexterous arms and miniaturized instruments that reduce tremors and enable delicate maneuvers. Implementation of advanced materials and designs along with the integration of imaging and visualization technologies have enhanced surgical accuracy and made robots safer and more adaptable to various procedures. Further, the haptic feedback system allows surgeons to determine the consistency of the tissues they are operating upon, without physical contact, thereby preventing injuries due to the application of excess force. With the implementation of teleoperation, surgeons can now overcome geographical limitations and provide specialized healthcare remotely. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) aids in surgical decision-making by improving the recognition of minute and complex anatomical structures. All these advancements have led to faster recovery and fewer complications in patients. However, the substantial cost of robotic systems, their maintenance, the size of the systems and proper surgeon training pose major challenges. Nevertheless, with future advancements such as AI-driven automation, nanorobots, microscopic incision surgeries, semi-automated telerobotic systems, and the impact of 5G connectivity on remote surgery, the growth curve of robotic surgery points to innovation and stands as a testament to the persistent pursuit of progress in healthcare.

Regulation and standardization of herbal drugs: Current status, limitation, challenge's and future prospective

Herbal drugs (HD) or traditional drugs have been used worldwide for centuries, especially in the developing countries. Global market of HD reaches billion of USD annually and increases every year. For ensuring the safety and efficacy of HD, the Drug Agency/Authority issues regulations for the registration & application of new HD, their manufacturing processes, controlling and monitoring in the market. The efficacy and safety of HD depend on their whole chemical contents. Quality assessment of HD should be performed using standardization methods according to the current Pharmacopoeias or Materia Medica. Unfortunately, the official methods of the compendia cannot be applied for evaluation of mixed herbs and their preparations.; HD's producers should develop, validate, and standardize the method for the quality assessment of their own specific products. Therefore, assuring the safety and efficacy of HD remains a challenging task due to the complex nature of HD, that typically consist of many constituents of herbs/extracts whose quality may vary among different sources of materials. This present review will describe, compare, and discuss the regulations and standardization methods of HD from US, EU countries, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Indonesia. The official standardization methods of HD, their current criteria, limitations, challenge and future prospective will be described and discussed. Official methods for quality assessment of HD should be state of the art, fast, low-cost, accurate and precise, and could be used for evaluation of all kinds of HD.

Clinical applications of minimally invasive uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the field of minimally invasive thoracic surgery has experienced significant advancements driven by improvements in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) techniques and surgical instruments. These advances have given rise to uniportal VATS as a new area of exploration in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. This technique presents several potential advantages, including reduced access trauma, less postoperative pain, improved cosmesis, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster rehabilitation, ultimately leading to an improvement in patient quality of life.

PURPOSE

This article reviews the evolutionary history of minimally invasive thoracic surgery, highlights novel techniques, explores possible applications and obtained results, and discusses future prospects of uniportal VATS.

CONCLUSION

Experienced thoracic surgeons have demonstrated the capacity to perform uniportal VATS with a high level of safety and efficacy. Further studies are necessary to assess its long-term efficacy, address limitations, and enhance clinical decision-making for optimal treatment of thoracic conditions.

Biogenic nanoparticles from waste fruit peels: Synthesis, applications, challenges and future perspectives

Nanotechnology is a continually growing field with a wide range of applications from food science to biotechnology and nanobiotechnology. As the current world is grappling with non-biodegradable waste, considered more challenging and expensive to dispose of than biodegradable waste, new technologies are needed today more than ever. Modern technologies, especially nanotechnology, can transform biodegradable waste into products for human use. Researchers are exploring sustainable pathways for nanotechnology by utilizing biodegradable waste as a source for preparing nanomaterials. Over the past ten years, the biogenic production of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) has become a promising alternative technique to traditional NPs synthesis due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness, and biocompatibility in nature. Fruit and vegetable waste (after industrial processing) contain various bioactives (such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, glycosides, anthocyanins, carotenoids, ellagitannins, vitamin C, and essential oils) serving as reducing and capping agents for NP synthesis and they possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review addresses various sources of biogenic NPs including their synthesis using fruit/vegetable waste, types of biogenic NPs, extraction processes and extracted biomaterials, the pharmacological functionality of NPs, industrial aspects, and future perspectives. In this manner, this review will cover the most recent research on the biogenic synthesis of NPs from fruit/vegetable peels to transform them into therapeutic nanomedicines.

Praziquantel: An update on the mechanism of its action against schistosomiasis and new therapeutic perspectives

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice for the treatment of all forms of schistosomiasis, although its mechanisms of action are not completely understood. PZQ acts largely on adult worms. This narrative literature review describes what is known about the mechanisms of action of PZQ against schistosomes from in vitro and in vivo studies and highlights the molecular targets in parasites and immune responses induced in definitive hosts by this drug. Moreover, new therapeutic uses of PZQ are discussed. Studies have demonstrated that in addition to impacting voltage-operated Ca2 + channels, PZQ may interact with other schistosome molecules, such as myosin regulatory light chain, glutathione S-transferase, and transient receptor potential channels. Following PZQ administration, increased T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cell differentiation and decreased inflammation were observed, indicating that PZQ promotes immunoregulatory pathways. Although PZQ is widely used in mass drug administration schemes, the existence of resistant parasites has not been proven; however, it is a concern that should be constantly investigated in human populations. In addition, we discuss studies that evaluate health applications of PZQ (other than helminth infection), such as its effect in cancer therapy and its adjuvant action in vaccines against viruses.

In-vitro meat: a promising solution for sustainability of meat sector

The in-vitro meat is a novel concept in food biotechnology comprising field of tissue engineering and cellular agriculture. It involves production of edible biomass by in-vitro culture of stem cells harvested from the muscle of live animals by self-organizing or scaffolding methodology. It is considered as efficient, environmental friendly, better ensuring public safety and nutritional security, as well as ethical way of producing meat. Source of stem cells, media ingredients, supply of large size bioreactors, skilled manpower, sanitary requirements, production of products with similar sensory and textural attributes as of conventional meat, consumer acceptance, and proper set up of regulatory framework are challenges faced in commercialization and consumer acceptance of in-vitro meat. To realize any perceivable change in various socio-economic and environmental spheres, the technology should be commercialized and should be cost-effective as conventional meat and widely accepted among consumers. The new challenges of increasing demand of meat with the increasing population could be fulfill by the establishment of in-vitro meat production at large scale and its popularization. The adoption of in-vitro meat production at an industrial scale will lead to self-sufficiency in the developed world.

Polysaccharides; Classification, Chemical Properties, and Future Perspective Applications in Fields of Pharmacology and Biological Medicine (A Review of Current Applications and Upcoming Potentialities)

Polysaccharides are essential macromolecules which almost exist in all living forms, and have important biological functions, they are getting more attention because they exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumour, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticoagulant, antidiabetic, antiviral, and hypoglycemia activities, making them one of the most promising candidates in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. Polysaccharides can be obtained from many different sources, such as plants, microorganisms, algae, and animals. Due to their physicochemical properties, they are susceptible to physical and chemical modifications leading to enhanced properties, which is the basic concept for their diverse applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. In this review, we will give insight into the most recent updated applications of polysaccharides and their potentialities as alternatives for traditional and conventional therapies. Challenges and limitations for polysaccharides in pharmaceutical utilities are discussed as well.

Biosorption technology for removal of toxic metals: a review of commercial biosorbents and patents

In last decades, the biosorption process has become one of the main alternative treatment technologies for the removal of pollutants from dilute aqueous solution. Among these pollutants, toxic metals have drawn attention due to their negative effects in human body and food chain. Even though biosorption is considered a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology to remove toxic metals from dilute wastewaters, there are still obstacles that restrain its commercialization. For this reason, various scientific articles and patents have been published each year to make more effective and economical this technology. This review reports an overview of past achievements, current research of biosorption studies, and future trends for the development of the biosorption as sustainable cleaner technology. Mechanisms of metal uptake, recovery and biosorbent regeneration, process design, commercial application of biosorbents, and patents registered are presented. Finally, future aspects in biosorption research and suggestions for its application will be discussed.

3D printing in urology: Is it really promising?

Three-dimensional (3D) printings are gaining a place in a variety of the medical sectors. With applications in urogenital diseases, 3D printing is a new tool that present difficulties at stages of imaging, planning, and carry out therapeutic interventions. In this review we tried to find answers to the questions that come to mind on this new topic by empasizing the suitable 3D printing models in urology, their clinical usage, and the limitations.

Toxicity of graphene-family nanoparticles: a general review of the origins and mechanisms

Due to their unique physicochemical properties, graphene-family nanomaterials (GFNs) are widely used in many fields, especially in biomedical applications. Currently, many studies have investigated the biocompatibility and toxicity of GFNs in vivo and in intro. Generally, GFNs may exert different degrees of toxicity in animals or cell models by following with different administration routes and penetrating through physiological barriers, subsequently being distributed in tissues or located in cells, eventually being excreted out of the bodies. This review collects studies on the toxic effects of GFNs in several organs and cell models. We also point out that various factors determine the toxicity of GFNs including the lateral size, surface structure, functionalization, charge, impurities, aggregations, and corona effect ect. In addition, several typical mechanisms underlying GFN toxicity have been revealed, for instance, physical destruction, oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammatory response, apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis. In these mechanisms, (toll-like receptors-) TLR-, transforming growth factor β- (TGF-β-) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) dependent-pathways are involved in the signalling pathway network, and oxidative stress plays a crucial role in these pathways. In this review, we summarize the available information on regulating factors and the mechanisms of GFNs toxicity, and propose some challenges and suggestions for further investigations of GFNs, with the aim of completing the toxicology mechanisms, and providing suggestions to improve the biological safety of GFNs and facilitate their wide application.

History, problems, and prospects of Islamic insurance (Takaful) in Bangladesh

This study explains the history, current problems, and future possibilities of Islamic insurance (takaful) in Bangladesh. To articulate these issues, the researcher has adopted the qualitative method, and data has been collected through secondary sources i.e. articles, books, and online resources. The study reveals that Islamic insurance in Bangladesh is regulated by the Insurance Act 2010 which is contradictory with Islamic insurance causing numerous problems for Islamic insurance. This study also points out that Islamic insurance is a fast growing industry with huge prospects in Bangladesh. The government should introduce separate regulations for both Islamic and conventional insurance. The research concludes with suggestions for the further development of Islamic insurance in Bangladesh.

Zika: As an emergent epidemic

Zika virus is a new global threat for 2016 that has been swept to almost all Americas and is now posing serious threats to the entire globe. This deadly virus is playing havoc to unborn lives because of its reported association with upsurge of fetal deformation called microcephaly and neuropathic disorders including Guillain-Barré syndrome. Till today, there is no vaccine prospect, antiviral therapy or licensed medical countermeasures to curb the teratogenic outcomes of this destructive viral infection. Diagnosis, treatment, chronicity and pathogenesis are still vague and unsettled. Therefore, this review article addresses all the aspects related to this disease to mitigate the explosive rise in Zika virus infection.

Future Scenarios for Plant Virus Pathogens as Climate Change Progresses

Knowledge of how climate change is likely to influence future virus disease epidemics in cultivated plants and natural vegetation is of great importance to both global food security and natural ecosystems. However, obtaining such knowledge is hampered by the complex effects of climate alterations on the behavior of diverse types of vectors and the ease by which previously unknown viruses can emerge. A review written in 2011 provided a comprehensive analysis of available data on the effects of climate change on virus disease epidemics worldwide. This review summarizes its findings and those of two earlier climate change reviews and focuses on describing research published on the subject since 2011. It describes the likely effects of the full range of direct and indirect climate change parameters on hosts, viruses and vectors, virus control prospects, and the many information gaps and deficiencies. Recently, there has been encouraging progress in understanding the likely effects of some climate change parameters, especially over the effects of elevated CO2, temperature, and rainfall-related parameters, upon a small number of important plant viruses and several key insect vectors, especially aphids. However, much more research needs to be done to prepare for an era of (i) increasingly severe virus epidemics and (ii) increasing difficulties in controlling them, so as to mitigate their detrimental effects on future global food security and plant biodiversity.