This reprint represents a collection of scientific papers belonging to a Special Issue of Antioxidants entitled "Advances in the Astonishing World of Phytochemicals: State-of-the-Art for Antioxidants". Several studies have revealed that plants are a source of a plethora of bioactive compounds, such as phytohormones, glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils, with a strong potential impact in the fields of pharmaceutics and agriculture. These phytochemicals represent a valuable weapon that plants use in self-defense in order to counteract the effects of abiotic stress disturbing the delicate equilibrium between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense systems. In recent years, interest in this area of research has been increasing due to the multifaceted properties of natural compounds with antioxidants having anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanism of their action is crucial to establishing their real potential in applied sciences. This reprint focuses on the most recent advances in the study of antioxidant molecular mechanisms activated by phytochemicals, with potential pharmacological and agricultural applications. We thank all the authors for their contribution to the research topic of this reprint and all editorial staff for their valuable support.

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This Special Issue is a collection of research topics on developing analytical and bioanalytical methods for isolation, identification, and determination of substances in biomedical and pharmaceutical matrices. Special attention is given to advancements in sample preparation, separation techniques and novel detection methods of small molecules, peptides, and monoclonal antibodies. The presented analytical methods exhibit several applications, including pharmacokinetic studies, therapeutic drug monitoring, microdialysis, toxicology, disease screening or drug stability study. Two comprehensive review articles were also presented on applying capillary electrophoresis to analyze bioactive compounds in herbal matrices.

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Today, food animal production systems demand high energy, land, chemicals, and water—all of which are increasingly becoming scarce. Thus, change and innovation are required in many animal production systems to meet the present and future demands for animal products sustainably. Over the last four decades, inexpensive grain, energy, and protein have enabled the economic development of intensive meat, eggs, and milk production systems based on feeding grains and other ingredients sourced from far-off places. The poultry and pig intensive production systems have become highly capital intensive, and they have resulted in many environmental challenges.Food animal feed, nutrition, and welfare are the foundation of successful animal systems. They directly or indirectly affect the entire animal production sector, associated services, public goods, and services, including animal productivity, health and welfare, product quality and safety, land use and land-use change, and greenhouse gas emissions. The sustainability of food animal nutrition and welfare is crucial in developing animal production across production systems. The sustainable increase in animal productivity, which is key to meeting the large current and future demands for animal origin products, cannot be achieved without sustainable animal nutrition and welfare.

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This reprint presents the published papers of a Special Issue titled Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils, of the journal Antioxidants, MDPI. Obviously, essential oils are a point of huge interest, due to them being rich in bioactive substances (with their recognised antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antiviral, etc., effects) and are also used extensively in the beauty/cosmetic industry, food products, etc. Considering the global trend of "return to nature", both in eating habits/nutrition, and in the adjuvant therapies (implying essential oils) addressed in the case of numerous diseases, and taking into account the interest of the authors who submitted their papers, the current topic can be considered to be of great interest and with increased and promising potential for future research.

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The chapters of this reprint cover a wide range of topics related to the theoretical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), as well as their practical applications. The theoretical aspects presented in this reprint are related to model compression, interpretable AI, effective augmentation strategies, time series analysis, etc., but most of the works are applicative and multidisciplinary. The applications include but are not limited to, medical image processing, natural language processing, time series analysis, diffusion model-based music generation, autoencoder applications, and adversarial learning, to name a few. By compiling such a diverse set of articles, the reprint aims to serve as a resource for researchers and AI enthusiasts and to offer them insights into the latest advancements and diverse applications of AI and ML. This reprint includes 26 articles accepted and published in the Special Issue “Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Based Methods and Applications, 2023” of the MDPI “Mathematics” journal.

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Global health, conceived as a discipline, aims to train, research and respond to problems of a transboundary nature, in order to improve health and health equity at the global level. The current worldwide situation is ruled by globalization, and therefore the concept of global health involves not only health-related issues, but also those related to the environment and climate change. Therefore, in this Special Issue, the problems related to global health have been addressed from a bibliometric approach in four main areas: environmental issues, diseases, health, education and society.

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Natural products remain important repositories of promising therapeutic candidates due to their rich chemical and biological diversity. The Special Issue on "Bio-functional Natural Products in Edible Resources for Human Health and Beauty" is intended to offer biological active natural products from edible resources as candidates and/or leads for pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics, and food additives, etc. The research fields of this Special Issue include natural products chemistry, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, food chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, molecular pharmacology, and other related research fields of bioactive natural products obtained from the edible resources. This eBook contains 12 Reviews and Articles focusing on these research areas. I hope that this eBook will be of benefit to outstanding professionals in these research areas.

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The close relationship between food intake and health promotion is not new; it dates back to Hippocrates’s famous “let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”, which is still as timely as ever. In recent years, some scientific evidence has supported this statement, showing that dietary plant extracts, or bioactive compounds isolated therefrom, are able to prevent or slow down the progression of chronic and degenerative diseases, making them particularly interesting from a nutraceutical point of view. On the other hand, extensive chemical investigations of functional plant extracts’ constituents are needed to rationalize certain bioactivity, in terms of efficacy and safety.

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Medicinal plants and natural products have played a central role in therapeutics, being considered the origin of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Plants are still a source in nature to obtain and isolate molecules with pharmacological applications (drug discovery), but can also be used as herbal medicinal products in traditional or complementary medicine.In addition, the WHO has launched a Traditional Medicine Strategy (2014–2023), including herbal medicines as medicinal therapies, with the aim to ensure the quality, safety, proper use, and effectiveness of traditional medicines, among other objectives.This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue on “Bioactivity of Medicinal Plants and Extracts” published online in the open access journal Biology. This reprint includes a collection of original research and review articles on new advances in the development and application of bioactive compounds and extracts from plant matrices.

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By joining the two previous editions, this Special Issue completes the trilogy of Special Issues entitled "Biological and Pharmacological Activity of Plant Natural Compounds", which deal with the properties and effects of phytonatural products in preclinical models. This third edition has also remained focused on their therapeutic potential, with the aim of increasing and contributing to the expansion of our scientific knowledge on plants in human health. We hope readers will enjoy this Special Issue as much as the previous publications.

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Conventional plant breeding has significantly improved crop yield, disease resistance, and adaptability to the environment; however, it is difficult to cultivate breakthrough new varieties using conventional breeding techniques. As such, new and novel breeding techniques are being developed. This book presents a comprehensive overview of plant breeding. It is organized into four sections on “Genetic Resources for Plant Breeding”, “Breeding Theory and Strategy”, “Breeding Practice and Cases”, and “The Perspective for Plant Breeding”.

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The interrelationship between economic growth, efficient use of natural resources, and sustainability has been of great interest to economists, researchers and policy makers. Knowledge of actual causality direction between sustainability, efficiency and growth has important implications for modeling environmental economic policies. Various serious environmental problems demand urgent attention and planning of adequate policies towards sustainability. Development of new economic and environmental policies and use of new econometric, operational research and mathematical and statistical techniques offers scope for further research. Studies were invited to address economic growth and environment: environmental problems; Air/water pollution; Health impact of pollution; Waste management; Natural resources management; Population economics; Environmental policy tools; Renewable energy sources; Business and sustainable development; Sustainable transport; Sustainable tourism; Urban and regional development.

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In the dynamic world of cellular biology, the intricate dance of life and death plays out through the lens of cytotoxicity. Delve deep into cellular responses’ mysteries, where threats and defenses wage a microscopic war, influencing the broader landscape of health and disease. This authoritative volume on cytotoxicity encapsulates the breadth and depth of current knowledge, illuminating pathways that have been meticulously charted and those yet to be discovered. Each chapter, penned by experts in the field, unveils the molecular intricacies, external triggers, and translational potential of understanding cellular damage. Key Highlights: •Comprehensive explorations of molecular mechanisms •Cutting-edge methodologies in cytotoxic research •Insight into the profound implications for drug development and disease therapeutics Whether you are a seasoned researcher, an aspiring scientist, or an avid learner, this book promises to challenge, enlighten, and inspire. As the boundary between known territories and uncharted frontiers blurs, Cytotoxicity - Understanding Cellular Damage and Response is your definitive guide to a world where cellular responses hold the keys to groundbreaking discoveries. This book is an indispensable resource for anyone eager to navigate the complexities of cell damage and defense. Join us on a journey into the cellular realm, where every page turns a new chapter in understanding, innovation, and hope.

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The objective of this collection is to illustrate the most recent research on the development of novel and/or rapid methods for mycotoxin determination, and to propose new strategies for monitoring and/or reducing mycotoxin contamination. Innovative sample preparation techniques or protocols and the possibility of multiclass mycotoxin detection will be very positively considered for possible inclusion in this Special Issue. Both methods based on (bio)sensors and chromatography with various detectors (including mass spectrometry) are welcome. Applications of already published methods on new matrices without any modification will not be accepted. However, extensive studies and monitoring on the spread of contamination through the food production chain could be of interest for this collection.

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Echinococcosis is a neglected parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus spp. of the family Taeniidae. The prevalence of the disease is increasing worldwide due to industrialization and climate change. This book provides a comprehensive overview of echinococcosis, including information on epidemiology, geographic distribution, diagnosis, management, and prevention.

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In this Special Issue are collected original research articles, short communications, and reviews on new perspectives for the chemical and functional properties of natural products, including the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of natural products used to treat human diseases. This reprint is addressed to all researchers interested in the studies about the bioavailability and biological effects of natural products isolated from plants and algae.

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Plants provide the foundation for the structure and function, as well as interactions, among organisms in both tropical and temperate zone habitats. To date, many investigations have revealed patterns and mechanisms generating plant diversity at various scales and from diverse ecological perspectives. However, in the era of climate change, anthropogenic disturbance, and rapid urbanization, new insights are needed to understand how plant species in these forest habitats are changing and adapting. Investigations of plants in both little-disturbed, more natural environments, as well as in urban areas in which crucial green infrastructure is ever more important for sustaining complex human societies are needed. This Special Issue of Forests will focus on plant variation from the perspectives of morphology, genetics, and function, especially plant interactions with biotic and abiotic factors. Research articles may address any aspect of plant evolution and community phylogenetics (explorations of patterns and mechanisms from diverse organismal levels, e.g., molecular, population, species, community, landscape, and ecosystem), plant functional traits (e.g., nutrient traits of leaf, stem, root; reproductive traits of flower, fruit, seed), and/or responses of plant species to changing environments (e.g., water, atmosphere, soil, human activities). Studies providing quantitative evaluation or description of interactions of plants with animals and microbes, both in natural and urban environments, including terrestrial and aquatic systems, are also welcome.

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Phytotherapy is attracting increased interest for several reasons. It differs from medical procedures in that it uses the whole herb, although there is often only one component of the plant that works effectively to manage the problem. Plants contain many natural chemicals or phytochemicals that interact with the active ingredient and help prevent any side effects. Medicinal herbs and spices are investigated for their suitability in daily diets for maintaining general wellness or preventing disease. In the past decade, natural health products, dietary supplements, foods with added value, or nutraceuticals have emerged due to the increasing demand for non-pharmaceutical healthcare products. Medical herbs and spices are potential sources for developing new, effective, and safe ingredients to capture a rapidly expanding opportunity in global marketplaces. This book presents up-to-date information on the chemical, pharmacological, and nutritional uses of medicinal herbs and spices in folk medicine, pharmaceuticals, the food industry, veterinary practice, and gastronomy.

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History is the basis for our interpretation of humanity’s past. Indeed, new developments in digital humanities and the digitalization of archives can place historical sources in a new light. Systematized historical sources allow us to see the practical changes that have occurred over centuries of ethnobotany and analyze (although sometimes solely hypothesize on) the causes of such changes. Studying history helps us to understand the influences on the evolution of local ecological knowledge regarding plant use. In ethnobotany, numerous understudied historical sources are awaiting modern interpretations. Old uses enhanced by the new possibilities offered by technology can enrich our everyday lives. Yet, understanding historical sources, especially in ethnobotany, where several disciplines are involved, is not univocal. Mistakes introduced by misidentified plants or information misinterpreted from old languages can have negative, long-term consequences. This Special Issue provides examples of the critical analyses of various historical sources and insights into ongoing historical and diachronic studies on plant use. This reprint is intended for a broad interdisciplinary audience interested in historical ethnobotany, history of plant studies, and human culture.

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Medicinal plants or medicinal herbs have been identified and used since ancient times to improve the sensory characteristics of food. The main compounds found in plants correspond to four major biochemical classes: Polyphenols, terpenes, glycosides and alkaloids. Plants synthesize these compounds for a variety of purposes, including protection of the plant against fungi and bacteria, defense against insects and attraction of pollinators and dispersal agents to favor the dispersion of seeds and pollens.

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The book entitled Medicinal Plants and Natural Product Research describes various aspects of ethnopharmacological uses of medicinal plants; extraction, isolation, and identification of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants; various aspects of biological activity such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory activity, etc., as well as characterization of plant secondary metabolites as active substances from medicinal plants.

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This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact

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While the Christian monastic tradition and its development on the mainland of Europe has been extensively studied by scholars, medieval monasticism in Northern Europe has gained considerably less attention. However, interest in the topic has grown steadily, as can be observed from the varied research that has taken place during the last decades. This growing interest can partly be explained by the current multidisciplinary approaches in academic research as well as the emergence of studies on material culture and its entwinement with archival material during the last decades of the twentieth century. It may also be further explained by an increased awareness of how North-European historiography, including medieval monastic studies, has since the nineteenth century been shaped by Protestant views, albeit in combination with longstanding nationalistic political perspectives. Therefore, the topic needs to be revisited, as is done here, not least due to the growing multinational and religious tolerance apparent in present academic studies of humanities. By highlighting Northern Europe specifically, the issue aims also to place medieval monasticism in a broader geographical and cultural context as being one of the active agents that formed the Christian worldview of the Middle Ages. The overall ambition of this Special Issue is, at the same time, to emphasize and introduce novel approaches to the reciprocal formation of the pan-European monasticism through its shifting localities and temporality.

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"Natural Bioactive Compounds and Human Health" comprehensively explores the profound impact of natural substances on human well-being. From phytochemicals and antioxidants to polyphenols and beyond, this reprint delves into how these compounds, derived from plants, fungi, marine organisms, and more, contribute to health and disease prevention. Featuring contributions from experts across disciplines, it bridges traditional knowledge with modern scientific research to uncover their roles in combating chronic diseases, enhancing immune function, and promoting overall vitality. This volume serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, healthcare professionals, and anyone intrigued by the therapeutic potential of nature's bioactive compounds.

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Nephrolithiasis - From Bench to Bedside is a treatise of selected work focusing on a wide range of issues in the management of kidney stones. It includes five chapters that review current trends in the diagnosis and management of stone disease. Topics addressed include the role of non-contrast CT and ultrasound in the diagnosis of kidney stones, the clinical diagnosis of and various conditions mimicking ureteral and renal colic, the significance of dietary interventions and misconceptions related to diet, the surgical management of urolithiasis, and more.

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There is a close link between food and territory. The current challenges are located in precision agriculture and food metrology from the perspective of monitoring and improving food quality, and addressing the promotion of diversity of agroecosystems and diets. Research studies describing factors affecting food quality—such as agronomic conditions, post-harvest elicitors, cultivar selection, harvest date, or environmental influences—are welcome. Sustainable environmental and innovative practices should be promoted. Advanced techniques, such as mass spectrometry, infrared, and Raman spectroscopy in the monitoring and control of foodstuffs to model the agrofood system should be considered. Innovative green technologies should be taken into account. Targeting food approaches should be promoted. Chemometrics applications are welcome. This issue promotes highly interdisciplinary studies, including disciplines from agriculture and biology, chemistry, and nutrition. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions, and reviews, are welcome.

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