Cysteine and homocysteine (Hcy), both sulfur‐containing amino acids (AAs), produced from methionine another sulfur‐containing amino acid, which is converted to Hcy and further converted to cysteine. This article aims to highlight the link between cysteine and Hcy, and their mechanisms, important functions, play in the body and their role as a biomarker for various types of diseases. So that using cysteine and Hcy as a biomarker, we can prevent and diagnose many diseases. This review concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated levels of homocysteine) is considered as toxic for cells and is associated with different health problems. Hyperhomocysteinemia and low levels of cysteine associated with various diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), ischemic stroke, neurological disorders, diabetes, cancer like lung and colorectal cancer, renal dysfunction‐linked conditions, and vitiligo.

Background The distressing COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on public mental health, and the importance of food and nutrients in several aspects of mental health has been recognized. People in isolation or quarantine suffer from severe stress, anger, panic attack, and anxiety. Scope and approach Although, people who have improved and progressed through medications or vaccines have reduced anxiety levels to some extent yet the efficacy of these measures, in the long run, remains a question. The review depicts that such negative emotional reactions were particularly higher in elderly individuals in the first wave than in other phases. The emotional and behavioral response to the COVID-19 pandemic is multifactorial. From different research studies, it has been found that stress scores were considerably higher for those engaging in unhealthy eating practices. This factor relies not only on external components but on personal and innate ones as well. In the present pandemic, the sustainable development of the food system would have been a major issue; this should be carefully restored to avoid a food crisis in the future. Key findings and conclusions Changes in mind-body interactions are triggered by psychosocial stresses such as interpersonal loss and social rejection. Physiological response (in terms of psychological stress) in COVID-19 affected patients varies due to individual physical health status. This review explores the relationship between nutrition and mental health as what we eat and think is interlinked with the gut-brain-axis. The role of dietary components along with the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet and use of psychobiotics in improving psychological distress in pandemic induced stress, anxiety and depression has also been discussed.

Pear is a typically climacteric fruit and highly perishable with a low shelf life owing to extreme metabolic activity after harvesting. The present study aimed to reduce weight loss and improve the firmness of pear during storage. The lemon peel essential oil (LPEO) has gained considerable attention due to being the richest source of bioactive compounds that behaved as a natural antioxidant agent, being cost‐effective, and being generally recognized as safe. Edible coatings equipped with a natural antioxidant agent and renewable biopolymers have gained more research fame owing to their involvement in the direction of biodegradability and food safety. In this work, edible skin coating materials (ESCMs) embedded by chitosan (1%) and guar gum (2%) were fabricated, and afterward, five concentrations of LPEO (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3.0%) were incorporated individually into the ESCMs. Findings revealed that LPEO–ESCMs significantly reduced the weight loss and improved the firmness of pear up to 45 days of storage at 4 ± 2°C. Furthermore, the LPEO–ESCMs have enhanced the antioxidant capacity, antibacterial efficiency, and malondialdehyde level of pear during storage time. It was concluded that 3% of LPEO–ESCMs improved the overall acceptability of pear fruits. Taken together, the novel insights of guar gum and chitosan‐based ESCMs entrapped with LPEO will remain a subject of research interest for researchers in the future.

Phyllanthus emblica L. (also popularly known as amla) is a tree native to the India and Southeast Asia regions that produces fruits rich in bioactive compounds that could be explored as part of the increasing interest in naturally occurring compounds with biological activity. Thus, this review aims to highlight the nutritional aspects, rich phytochemistry and health-promoting effects of amla. Scientific evidence indicates that polyphenols are central components in fruits and other sections of the amla tree, as well as vitamin C. The rich composition of polyphenol and vitamin C imparts an important antioxidant activity along with important in vivo effects that include improved antioxidant status and activity of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Other potential health benefits are the anti-hyperlipidemia and antidiabetic activities as well as the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, digestive tract and neurological protective activities. The promising results provided by the studies about amla bioactive compounds support their potential role in assisting the promotion of health and prevention of diseases.

Health-protective functional foods are gaining popularity in the world of nutrition because they promote excellent health while decreasing pharmaceutical burdens. Chia seeds (CS) (Salvia hispanica L.), the greatest vegetative source of α-linolenic acid, bioactive proteins, and fibers, are among the top unconventional oilseeds shown to have bounteous benefits against various non-communicable diseases. Purposely, this study was designed to integrate roasted CS powder into white-flour-based ordinary bakery goods to improve their nutritional and nutraceutical profiles. CS efficacy in normal and hyperlipidemic Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in mitigating blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while elevating high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cell counts, and platelets. The nutritional profiling of chia-fortified muffins indicated significant increases of 47% in fat, 92% in fiber, 15% in protein, and 62% in minerals. The farinographic experiments of CS-blends revealed generally improved dough quality features with a significant rise in the degree of softening as fortification levels increased. A marketable recipe for CSF-muffins with several degrees of fortification demonstrated a significant rise in fat, 92% rise in fiber, 15% rise in protein, and 62% rise in minerals. Sensorial evaluation by trained taste panelists revealed a maximum appraisal of the 15% chia-fortified muffins due to aroma, appearance, and overall acceptability, and were forwarded for being acceptable for commercialization.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the level of awarenessof the parents regarding Thalassemia Major; the cost of treatment of Thalassemia Major Patientsand the sufferings it brings to the families; the social problems faced by patients’ families; toidentify the barriers patients’ families face in the treatment of Thalassemia child. Study Design:Descriptive study. Setting: Four Thalassemic Centers (i) Thalassemia / Hemophilia Centre, TheChildren’s Hospital & the Institute of Child Health Multan (ii) Fatimid Foundation Multan (iii) AmnaBlood Foundation (iv) Minhajul Quran Multan. Period: January-2013 to June-2013. Methods:A sample of 500 respondents was drawn from the total population and structured interviewschedule was administrated. Data were analyzed and interpreted by using SPSS (StatisticalPackage for Social Sciences) 19.0 version software. The structured interview was discussedwith two experts of the Sociology Department and two Senior Doctors (>8 years’ experiences)working in the Thalassemia centers and Government Health Institutions. It was revised toincorporate recommended improvements. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied toanalyze the data that includes: frequency, percent, mean, standard deviations. Results: Dataindicated that 100(20.0%) respondents were patients’ father while 329(65.8%) were mothersand 71(14.2%) were close relatives. Of the 500 respondents, 306(61.2%) were married to theirfirst cousins, 91(18.2%) of the respondents were married to their second cousins, 34(6.8%) ofthe respondents married in distance relatives and 69(13.8%) of the respondents married out offamily. Conclusion: The study summarized that the health care providers should be encouragedto talk about Thalassemia as a public health problem in Pakistan and should enhance the publicawareness to eliminate the Thalassemia in Pakistan.

We present a case of a 23-year-old man coming with palpitations, found to be in atrial fibrillation (AF). He was initially managed with metoprolol for rate-controlled therapy—reverted to normal sinus rhythm and discharged home. He returned a few days later—this time in varying degrees of atrioventricular block including transient complete heart block. He was empirically started on intravenous ceftriaxone for suspected Lyme carditis, which subsequently led to the resolution of high-degree heart block. Lyme immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM returned positive. Follow-up ECG after the course of antibiotic exhibited normal sinus rhythm. AF is a rare presentation of Lyme disease but still exists. It should be considered in terms of appropriate treatment, especially in Lyme-endemic areas.

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