Massive molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis is mandatory to manage the spread of COVID-19. Diagnostic screening should be performed at a mass scale, extended to the asymptomatic population, and repeated over time. An accurate diagnostic pipeline for SARS-CoV-2 that could massively increase the laboratory efficiency, while being sustainable in terms of time and costs, should be based on a pooling strategy. In the past few months, researchers from different disciplines had this same idea test groups, not individuals. This critical review intends to highlight both the general consents-even if the results from different publications have been obtained with different protocols-and the points of disagreement that are creating some interpretative/comprehension difficulties. Different pooling schemes and technical aspects associated to the type of pooling adopted are described and discussed. We hope that this review can consolidate information to support researchers in designing optimized COVID-19 testing protocols based on pooling.Heliotropium is one of the most important plant genera to have conventional folklore importance, and hence is a potential source of bioactive compounds. Thus, the present study was designed to explore the therapeutic potential of Heliotropium crispum Desf., a relatively under-explored medicinal plant species. Methanolic extracts prepared from a whole plant of H.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/CUDC-101.html  crispum were studied for phytochemical composition and possible in vitro and in silico biological properties. Antioxidant potential was assessed via six different assays, and enzyme inhibition potential against key clinical enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)), diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), and skin problems (tyrosinase) was assayed. Phytochemical composition was established via determination of the total bioactive contents and reverse phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP-UHPLC-MS) analysis. Chemical profiling revealed the tentative presence of 50 secondary metabolites. The plant extract exhibited significant inhibition against AChE and BChE enzymes, with values of 3.80 and 3.44 mg GALAE/g extract, respectively. Further, the extract displayed considerable free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals, with potential values of 43.19 and 41.80 mg TE/g extract, respectively. In addition, the selected compounds were then docked against the tested enzymes, which have shown high inhibition affinity. To conclude, H. crispum was found to harbor bioactive compounds and showed potent biological activities which could be further explored for potential uses in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries, particularly as a neuroprotective agent.Background and objectives Reproductive disorders may occur not only due to environmental factors (air pollution, stressful lifestyle, previous abortions or the use of contraceptives) but also due to genetic factors. Materials and Methods The aim of the study was to identify the range and frequency of chromosomal aberrations in couples (n = 99) with infertility or recurrent miscarriages in Lithuania. The data were collected from the out-patient medical histories. The couples were divided into three groups based on pregnancy, childbirth and the number of miscarriages. The Chi-square test was used to carry out the statistical analysis, and the statistical significance was (p 0.05). The miscarriages observed in the second group of couples (childless with ≥2 miscarriages) were more frequent at 18.1% (n = 11), in the third group (having children ≥2 miscarriages) they were less frequent at 12.9% (n = 4), while no miscarriages were recorded in the first group of infertile couples. In total, 3% of the identified significant chromosomal aberrations were likely to trigger miscarriages or the inability to conceive. Conclusions In couples with reproductive disorders, chromosomal mutations and chromosomal length polymorphisms were found at similar rates 3% vs. 3.6%. The highest aberration rate was found in couples that were unable to conceive, a lower one was found in a group with children and ≥2 miscarriages, and the lowest one was found in a childless group of subjects with ≥2 miscarriages. The miscarriage rate in partner families was 8.1%; however, no difference was found between the male and female sides.The number of patients with central nervous system disorders is increasing. Despite diligent laboratory and clinical research over the past 30 years, most pharmacologic options for the prevention and long-term treatment of central nervous system disorders and neurodegenerative disorders have been unsuccessful. Therefore, the development of drugs and/or functional foods to prevent the onset of neurodegenerative disorders is highly expected. Several reports have shown that polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs) derived from citrus fruit, such as nobiletin, tangeretin, and 3,3',4',5,6,7,8-heptamethoxyflavone, are promising molecules for the prevention of neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. In various animal models, PMFs have been shown to have a neuroprotective effect and improve cognitive dysfunction with regard to neurological disorders by exerting favorable effects against their pathological features, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and synaptic dysfunction as well as its related mechanisms. In this review, we describe the profitable and ameliorating effects of citrus-derived PMFs on cognitive impairment and neural dysfunction in various rat and murine models or in several models of central nervous system disorders and identify their mechanisms of action.Combating single and multi-drug-resistant infections in the form of biofilms is an immediate challenge. The challenge is to discover innovative targets and develop novel chemistries that combat biofilms and drug-resistant organisms, and thwart emergence of future resistant strains. An ideal novel target would control multiple genes, and can be inhibited by a single compound. We previously demonstrated success against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by targeting the tRNA-dependent regulated T-box genes, not present in the human host. Present in Gram-positive bacteria, T-box genes attenuate transcription with a riboswitch-like element that regulates the expression of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and amino acid metabolism genes required for cell viability. PKZ18, the parent of a family of compounds selected in silico from 305,000 molecules, inhibits the function of the conserved T-box regulatory element and thus blocks growth of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus in biofilms. The PKZ18 analog PKZ18-22 was 10-fold more potent than vancomycin in inhibiting growth of S.