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This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in social entrepreneurship to clarify theoretical boundaries, integrate diverse findings, and identify research gaps. The "Theory–Context–Characteristics–Methodology" (TCCM) framework is adopted to analyze 81 articles on EO in social entrepreneurship. The review reveals that the field remains fragmented due to diverse theoretical and empirical contributions. The study highlights the need for future research to adapt theoretical perspectives to understand EO's unique and hybrid aspects in social entrepreneurship, expand empirical research into under-represented geographical areas, conduct more longitudinal and qualitative studies to track changes in EO over time, and explore new variables that can further our understanding of EO in social entrepreneurship. The novelty of this study lies in the application of the TCCM framework to systematically analyze the literature on EO in social entrepreneurship. This framework facilitates the organization and evaluation of theoretical underpinnings, methodologies, contexts, and variables to identify relevant research gaps and future directions on the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal defense has traditionally relied on hard infrastructures like breakwaters, dykes, and groins to protect harbors, settlements, and beaches from the impacts of longshore drift and storm waves. The prolonged exposure to wave erosion and dynamic loads of different nature can result in damage, deformation, and eventual failure of these infrastructures, entailing severe economic and environmental losses. Periodic post-construction monitoring is crucial to identify shape changes, ensure the structure's stability, and implement maintenance works as required. This paper evaluates the performance and quality of the restitution products obtained from the application of UAV photogrammetry to the longest breakwater in the province of Cádiz, southern Spain. The photogrammetric outputs, an orthomosaic and a Digital Surface Model (DSM), were validated with in situ RTK-GPS measurements, displaying excellent planimetric accuracy (RMSE 0.043 m and 0.023 m in X and Y, respectively) and adequate altimetric accuracy (0.100 m in Z). In addition, the average enveloping surface inferred from the DSM allowed quantification of the deformation of the breakwater and defining of the deformation mechanisms. UAV photogrammetry has proved to be a suitable and efficient technique to complement traditional monitoring surveys and to provide insights into the deformation mechanisms of coastal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that patients suffering from COVID-19 may experience neurocognitive symptoms. Furthermore, other studies indicate a probable association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and neurocognitive changes in subjects with post-COVID-19 condition. Our study was designed to determine the correlation between telomere length and cognitive changes in post-COVID-19 subjects. Methods: This study included 256 subjects, categorized based on SARS-CoV-2 infection from 2020 to 2023. In addition, subjects with a psychiatric diagnosis were considered. Moreover, the MoCA and MMSE scales were applied. Telomere length was determined using a polymerase chain reaction, and statistical analysis was employed using ANOVA and X2 tests. Results: We identified a decrease in LTL in individuals with post-COVID-19 conditions compared to those without SARS-CoV-2 infection (p ≤ 0.05). However, no association was found between LTL and cognitive impairment in the subjects post-COVID-19. Conclusions: The findings suggest that LTL is affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nonetheless, this important finding requires further research by monitoring neurological changes in subjects with post-COVID condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COPD is a chronic disease characterized by frequent exacerbations that require hospitalization, significantly increasing the care burden. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence-based tools to improve the management of patients with COPD has progressed, but the prediction of readmission has been less explored. In fact, in the state of the art, no models specifically designed to make medium-term readmission predictions (2–3 months after admission) have been found. This work presents a new intelligent clinical decision support system to predict the risk of hospital readmission in 90 days in patients with COPD after an episode of acute exacerbation. Methods: The system is structured in two levels: the first one consists of three machine learning algorithms —Random Forest, Naïve Bayes, and Multilayer Perceptron—that operate concurrently to predict the risk of readmission; the second level, an expert system based on a fuzzy inference engine that combines the generated risks, determining the final prediction. The employed database includes more than five hundred patients with demographic, clinical, and social variables. Prior to building the model, the initial dataset was divided into training and test subsets. In order to reduce the high dimensionality of the problem, filter-based feature selection techniques were employed, followed by recursive feature selection supported by the use of the Random Forest algorithm, guaranteeing the usability of the system and its potential integration into the clinical environment. After training the models in the first level, the knowledge base of the expert system was determined on the training data subset using the Wang–Mendel automatic rule generation algorithm. Results: Preliminary results obtained on the test set are promising, with an AUC of approximately 0.8. At the selected cutoff point, a sensitivity of 0.67 and a specificity of 0.75 were achieved. Conclusions: This highlights the system's future potential for the early identification of patients at risk of readmission. For future implementation in clinical practice, an extensive clinical validation process will be required, along with the expansion of the database, which will likely contribute to improving the system's robustness and generalization capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The establishment of sports and health interventions based on different anthropometric profiles, considering the differences between the sexes, and a demonstration that physical activity is beneficial for health. Kinanthropometry is the study of body dimensions and composition measurements, which are influenced by factors such as age and nutritional status, establishing a relationship between static measurements and dynamic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the kinanthropometric differences among 403 individuals (aged 18–42), categorized by biological sex and the recreational sport they practiced. The main objective of this study was to clarify whether or not there were statistically significant differences between these groups. All of the measurements and indices were obtained following the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol. Significant differences were found in most variables among the different sports. In general, the men showed higher values in terms of weight, height, body circumference, body mass index (BMI), relative index of the lower limbs (RILLs), percentage of muscle mass (%M), and percentage of residual mass (%R). The women exhibited higher values in terms of skinfold thicknesses, Cormic index (CI), body density index (BDI), percentage of fat mass (%F), and percentage of bone mass (%B). These findings can guide individuals in selecting sports based on their morphotype, optimizing their physical performance in recreational activities and improving their health and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Drug-eluting stents (DESs) remain the standard of treatment for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, complications such as stent thrombosis and in-stent restenosis still pose significant risks. Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as a promising alternative, but data for this clinical scenario are still scarce. The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DCB culprit-lesion primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients presenting with STEMI and to evaluate its impact on the microcirculatory territory. Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted across six European centers. Results: In total, 118 patients were included. Of these, 82.2% were male, with a median age of 67 years (IQR 36–92); 28% patients presented with stent thrombosis and most of them (94%) underwent paclitaxel-DCB-pPCI. The median follow-up was 23.2 months (IQR 6.7–77.3). Target lesion failure (TLF) rates were low (3.4%), with no differences between patients presenting with native coronary vessel and stent thrombosis (4.7% vs. 0%; p = 0.205). Overall mortality rates at follow-up were 7%, with only 1.8% attributed to cardiac causes. A target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate of 1.8% was observed, with no target vessel myocardial infarction reported. A subgroup of patients (42; 35.6%) underwent an adenosine-free angiographic microvascular resistance (AMR) analysis. The median AMR was 4.7 (3.9–5.5) and was greater in the stent thrombosis group than in the native coronary group (5.1 vs. 4.6; p = 0.038) with no clinical differences between patients based on the AMR. Conclusions: DCB-pPCI has emerged as an alternative potential treatment for patients presenting with STEMI, with few long-term adverse cardiac events. Despite the encouraging outcomes, these findings underscore the need for a large randomized clinical trial powered by a relevant clinical outcome in order to elucidate the role of DCB-PCI in patients presenting with STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid present in the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.). Non-medicinal CBD oils with typically 5–40% CBD are advertised for various alleged positive health effects. While such foodstuffs containing cannabinoids are covered by the Novel Food Regulation in the European Union (EU), none of these products have yet been authorized. Nevertheless, they continue to be available on the European market. Methods: The Permanent Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) reviewed the currently available data on adverse and potential beneficial effects of CBD in the dose range relevant for foods. Results: Increased liver enzyme activities were observed in healthy volunteers following administration of 4.3 mg CBD/kg bw/day and higher for 3–4 weeks. As lower doses were not tested, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) could not be derived, and the dose of 4.3 mg/kg bw/day was identified as the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL). Based on the CBD content and dose recommendations of CBD products on the market, the SKLM considered several exposure scenarios and concluded that the LOAEL for liver toxicity may be easily reached, e.g., via consumption of 30 drops of an oil containing 20% CBD, or even exceeded. A critical evaluation of the available data on potential beneficial health effects of CBD in the dose range at or below the LOAEL of 4.3 mg/kg bw/day revealed no scientific evidence that would substantiate health claims, e.g., in relation to physical performance, the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous system, anxiety, relaxation, stress, sleep, pain, or menstrual health. Conclusions: The SKLM concluded that consumption of CBD-containing foods/food supplements may not provide substantiated health benefits and may even pose a health risk to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene (PE) is a widely used material for packaging food. However, certain additives and their degradation products, which may be generated during transformation processes, may pose risks to consumers health if they migrate into food at levels exceeding safety thresholds. Therefore, identifying and quantifying these potential migrant compounds is crucial to ensuring consumer safety. In the present work, PE films and the raw materials used in their production were kindly provided by the industry to evaluate undesired compounds throughout the PE transformation chain. For that purpose, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds were evaluated using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Alkanes were identified as the most abundant compounds, along with antioxidants, lubricants, or Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS), like 7,9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione in the films. For the unidentified compounds, evaluations were conducted at various stages of the transformation chain, and migration assays were performed to assess their behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The study addresses repeat breeder syndrome (RB), a significant reproductive issue in dairy cattle, where cows fail to conceive after three or more inseminations despite appearing healthy. The research aimed to identify risk factors contributing to RB in primiparous (first-time calving) and multiparous (multiple calvings) cows on dairy farms in northern Spain. Analyzing 2370 cows, the study identified critical risk factors such as body condition loss, reproductive pathologies (e.g., dystocia, endometritis), metabolic disorders (e.g., ketosis), lameness, and mastitis. For multiparous cows, delaying the first insemination postpartum reduced the RB risk. Seasonal effects showed fewer cases when calving occurred in summer or autumn. The findings suggest that addressing these factors through improved management, health monitoring, and breeding practices can enhance reproductive efficiency, lower costs, and support animal welfare. Therefore, reducing RB prevalence contributes to sustainable dairy farming and supports societal concerns about food production's economic and environmental impacts. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of repeat breeder syndrome (RB) in 2370 dairy cows in northern Spain. Data collected included the prevalence of postpartum pathologies, metabolic markers, and productive and reproductive parameters. The overall RB prevalence was 21.1%. In primiparous cows, the postpartum body condition loss (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.9–8.1, depending on severity), ketosis (OR: 3.5), lameness (OR: 3.4), clinical mastitis (OR: 4.2), dystocia (OR: 5.2), and endometritis (OR: 12.2) significantly increased the RB risk. Summer (OR: 0.4) or autumn (OR: 0.6) calvings reduced this likelihood compared to winter or spring calvings. In multiparous cows, risk factors included body condition loss (OR: 2.0), ketosis (OR: 4.3), lameness (OR: 2.5), clinical mastitis (OR: 4.2), dystocia (OR: 1.9), endometritis (OR: 6.2), metritis (OR: 1.38), and subclinical mastitis (OR: 1.9). A longer interval between calving and first postpartum insemination reduced the RB risk (OR: 0.99). Overall, metabolic and reproductive disorders were significant risk factors for RB across both cow groups, while seasonal calving and delayed insemination mitigated risk in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic map explores the role of sustainability certification schemes and labels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across biobased value chains. With increasing global and EU interest in transitioning to a sustainable bioeconomy, these certification mechanisms are seen as critical tools for promoting low-emission practices. This review maps the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of certification schemes, examining sector-specific variations and identifying knowledge gaps. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across three major databases and grey literature sources, yielding 41 relevant articles. There are significant disparities in the evidence on the impact of sustainability certification schemes and labels on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across biobased sectors. Agriculture has the most data, but studies are heavily focused on organic systems, limiting broader conclusions. Most research is concentrated in Southeast Asia and Europe, reducing generalizability to other regions. Additionally, most studies focus on the production stage, leaving value chain phases like processing and disposal under-represented. Knowledge gaps exist across sectors, certification schemes, and life cycle stages, highlighting the need for further research. While some schemes incorporate GHG management tools, evidence on their effectiveness remains insufficient and context-dependent, warranting more robust, targeted research. Though this research looked at all biobased feedstocks, it did not review schemes and labels specifically targeting biofuels, which presents an avenue for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated how healthy lifestyle motivators (MHLs) influence the Peruvian market's willingness to consume healthy food (WCHBF). The main objective was to analyze the relationship of variables, such as attitude (ATT), perceived behavioral control (PBC), self-identity (SI), and moral norms (MN) with the WCHBF. This study adopted a quantitative, non-experimental, and cross-sectional approach, using a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. A total of 585 individuals participated. The participants were consumers of the Unión brand, which specializes in healthy food. A 5-point Likert scale was used to evaluate the key variables. For the analysis, IBM SPSS Statistics 25 programs were used to examine the demographic data and SmartPLS 4.1.0.9 was used to assess the conceptual model using partial least squares (PLS-SEM). The results showed that healthy lifestyle motivators positively influence the willingness to consume healthy food and ATT, PBC, SI, and MN variables. In turn, these variables significantly impact the willingness to purchase healthy food. The findings suggest that marketing campaigns should highlight these motivators to encourage the consumption of healthy food. The implications of this study reinforce the importance of understanding psychological factors in consumer decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge on financial management highly matters as it assists the micro-entrepreneurs in the making of right and sustainable business decisions. This research seeks to examine the effects of financial literacy on microenterprise decision-making in order to improve rational decision-making in financial management. A structured questionnaire with Likert-scaled options was used to measure micro-entrepreneurs' financial decision-making capacity in terms of information processing and decision-making. They demonstrate a favorable relationship between financial education and rationality, which refers to micro-entrepreneurs' capacity to select from a range of acceptable options. Based on the findings presented in this research, it is suggested that greater efforts should be paid to the integration of financial literacy within any form of entrepreneurial training targeting improvement in sustainability dimensions and qualities of decisions made by micro-entrepreneurs. Through increased financial knowledge, micro-entrepreneurs can manage financial problems effectively and thereby support the growth of sustainable microenterprises. Moreover, such observations suggest that all future policies must focus on and incorporate financial literacy as the defining strategy towards the improvement of the microenterprise sector and, therefore, economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hybridization phenomenon increases genetic diversity and modifies recombinant individuals' secondary metabolite (SMs) content, affecting the canopy-dependent community. Hybridization events occur when Quercus rugosa and Q. glabrescens oaks converge in sympatry. Here, we analyzed the effect of the genetic diversity (He) and SMs of Q. rugosa, Q. glabrescens and hybrids on the community of gall-inducing wasps (Cynipidae) and their parasitoids on 100 oak canopy trees in two allopatric and two hybrid zones. Eighteen gall wasp species belonging to six genera and six parasitoid genera contained in four families were identified. The most representative parasitoid genera belonged to the Chalcidoidea family. Abundance, infestation levels and richness of gall wasps and their parasitoids registered the next pattern: Q. rugosa higher than the hybrids, and the hybrids equal to Q. glabrescens. Oak host genetic diversity was the variable with the highest influence on the quantitative SMs expression, richness and abundance of gall wasps and their parasitoids. The influence of SMs on gall wasps and their parasitoids showed the next pattern: scopoletin > quercitrin > rutin = caffeic acid = quercetin glucoside. Our findings indicate that genetic diversity may be a key factor influencing the dynamics of tri-trophic interactions that involve oaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Thyroglobulin is the specific tumor marker for papillary and other types of epithelial thyroid cancer. It holds significant value after total thyroidectomy, as elevated or rising levels indicate tumor persistence or recurrence. Therefore, from a biochemical standpoint, the goal of surgery in papillary thyroid cancer is to achieve undetectable levels of postoperative thyroglobulin. In this unicentric retrospective study, basal non-stimulated postoperative athyroglobulinemia was obtained in 89.6% of a series of 202 patients. We have found that the achievement of undetectable levels was more closely related to factors that have to do with tumor stage (tumor diameter, lymph node spread, and metastatic disease) than with differences in epidemiological data, clinic manifestations, preoperative diagnosis, and some histological features such as multifocality or the presence of aggressive cytological variants. Background: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is the specific tumor marker for epithelial thyroid cancer. It holds significant value in the postoperative period, and somehow, the goal of surgery in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) undergoing total thyroidectomy is to achieve undetectable levels of postoperative thyroglobulin (uTg). Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study in which first basal Tg values were evaluated post-surgery in PTC patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. Patients with elevated antithyroglobulin antibodies were excluded. The impact of various demographic, clinical, therapeutic, tumor-stage related, and histopathological variables on the achievement of undetectable thyroglobulin levels (uTg, <1 ng/mL) was studied. A descriptive and logistic regression-based bivariate and multivariate analysis was planned using STATA vs. 16.1. program. The significance level was stated at 0.05. Results: Basal athyroglobulinemia was obtained in 89.6% of 202 patients operated on between January 2015 and June 2023 in a single referral institution. Due to the limited number of cases with detectable Tg, multivariate analysis could not be performed. The main factors that favored its achievement on bivariate analysis were a smaller tumor size (p = 0.003), no need for extended resections due to local invasion beyond the thyroid gland (p = 0.003) or neck dissection (p = 0.039), absence of distant metastases (p = 0.000), and a lower MACIS score (p < 0.000). Conclusions: The achievement of uTg was closely related to factors related to tumor stage (tumor diameter, lymph node spread, and metastatic disease), and it was not influenced by differences in epidemiological data, clinic manifestations, preoperative diagnosis, multifocality, or the presence of aggressive cytological variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leadership literature suggests that a servant leadership style can reduce negative employee outcomes, even in challenging work environments such as the educational sector, where teachers play a key role in social development. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of servant leadership on work happiness and organizational justice. An explanatory study was carried out including 210 men and women who declared that they perform teaching activities, aged between 21 and 68 years (M = 38.63, SD = 10.00). The data were collected using a self-report scale of servant leadership, work happiness and organizational justice, obtaining an adequate measurement model (α = between 0.902 and 0.959; CR = between 0.923 and 0.963; AVE = 0.604 and 0.631; VIF = between 1.880 and 2.727). The theoretical model was evaluated using the Partial Least-Squares PLS-SEM method. According to the results, the hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating that there is a significant positive effect of servant leadership on work happiness (β = 0.69; p < 0.001) and organizational justice (β = 0.24; p < 0.001) and a positive effect of work happiness on organizational justice (β = 0.61; p < 0.001). This research provides valuable insight for educational leaders seeking to improve perceptions of happiness and justice in their organizations and promotes servant leadership to achieve this goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valid deciduous Quercus L. species from North Africa have been largely discussed by many authors. The current species remain yet uncertain. In this study, we compare several populations of presumably Q. canariensis Willd. and Q. faginea Lam. from Algeria with pure populations of these species from the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Different morphological characters from leaves have been analyzed. Principal components analysis and a canonical analysis of principal coordinates have been used to observe the relationship between samples, groups and the seven quantitative variables. Distances among centroids have been reported and a SIMPER procedure has also been executed to better explain the different variability within and between groups. PERMANOVA has been applied to test for significant differences between the groups. For the trichomes study, ANOVA models have been used. From our analysis, we conclude that in Algeria, we have a single Q. canariensis Willd. population, different from the Iberian population we examined. It probably corresponds morphologically to Q. mirbeckii Durieu, currently considered a synonymy of Q. canariensis Willd., and for the "Q. faginea" group we have two Algerian populations: Q. faginea Lam. subsp. faginea, found in the northeast Iberian Peninsula, and Q. tlemcenensis (A.DC.) Maire and Weiller ex Greuter and Burdet. Previous results from other authors have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natalizumab is a highly effective therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) in patients with relapsing–remitting MS treated with Natalizumab. sNfL and sGFAP were analyzed at baseline, 6 and 12 months post treatment using the single-molecule array (SiMoA) technique. We recruited matched healthy controls for comparison. The study included 54 patients, with a median age of 33 years (Interquartile range (IQR), 29–41), with 32 women (60%) and 76 healthy controls. A decrease in sNfL was observed at 6 (67%, p = 0.005) and 12 (72%, p < 0.0001) months compared to baseline. After two years, six patients experienced evidence of disease activity (EDA-3). The remaining ones had no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3). NEDA-3 presented a remarkable reduction in sNfL (p < 0.0001) and sGFAP (p = 0.01) after 6 months of treatment that continued to be observed after 12 months compared to baseline. EDA-3 only reached a significant decrease in sNfL after 12 months; there were no significant changes in sGFAP values. Natalizumab leads to a decrease in sNfL, which is higher and occurs earlier in NEDA-3 patients. Patients also showed a significant reduction in sGFAP levels, which was not observed in the EDA-3 group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Alternative antibiotics are needed to treat infective endocarditis (IE) caused by non-faecalis/non-faecium enterococci; we aimed to assess the in vitro activity of ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (AMP + CTR) against these enterococci and to describe its clinical efficacy in IE cases. (2) Methods: Time–kill curves with standard (ISI) and high (IHI) inocula were performed to test VanC isolates [3 E. casseliflavus (ECAS) and 1 E. gallinarum (EGALL)] and non-VanC isolates [1 E. durans (EDUR), 1 E. hirae (EHIR) and 1 E. raffinosus (ERAF)]. The narrative literature review of IE cases treated with AMP + CTR was analyzed alongside three study cases. Clinical outcomes were relapse and death. (3) Results: Ampicillin plus gentamicin (AMP + GEN) showed synergistic and bactericidal activity against most isolates. AMP + CTR was synergistic at ISI for EGALL, EDUR, and EHIR and bactericidal against EHIR. At IHI, indifferent activity was observed for all isolates. In IE cases treated with AMP + CTR, it was only effective for EDUR and EHIR. Clinical information for EGALL IE is lacking. For IE caused by ECAS and ERAF, AMP + CTR seems suboptimal or ineffective, respectively. (4) AMP + CTR cannot be recommended for treating IE due to ECAS/ERAF. In contrast, this combination was effective in IE caused by EDUR/EHIR and could be recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review presents an approach to the incorporation of cyanobacteria and microalgae in yogurts and explores their impact on the nutritional, rheological, sensory, and antioxidant qualities of these products. First, the yogurt market context and its relationship with nutritional quality are outlined, emphasizing the quest for functional foods that meet consumer demands for healthy and nutritious products. A discussion of the incorporation of cyanobacteria and microalgae, especially Spirulina platensis, in foods, particularly yogurt, is then presented, highlighting the nutritional and functional benefits that this type of biomass can provide to the final product. The fermentation process and the quantity of algae to be incorporated are discussed to understand their fundamental role in the characteristics of the final product. In addition, this article considers some challenges such as sensory and rheological changes in the product resulting from the interaction of milk, algal biomass, and the fermentation process. Addressing these challenges involves delineating how these interactions contribute to changes in the traditionally consumed product, while obtaining a pro- and prebiotic product is crucial for creating an innovative dairy product that diversifies the market for derived dairy products with increased functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship marketing is a concept that focuses not only on increasing the volume of relationship transactions, but also on improving consumer perception. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the influence of relationship marketing dimensions on brand love. An explanatory study was conducted considering 417 participants who confirmed their affiliation with a bank. Adults aged between 18 and 52 years participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-administered relationship marketing and brand love form, obtaining an adequate measurement model (α = between 0.842 and 0.908; CR = between 0.905 and 0.942; AVE = 0.679 and 0.845; VIFs = between 1.638 and 2.802). The theoretical model was evaluated using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method. According to the results, the hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating the positive influence of trust (β = 0.40), commitment (β = 0.08), communication (β = 0.12), and conflict management (β = 0.08) on brand love. These results demonstrated that trust, as a dimension of relationship marketing, guarantees a greater contribution to the structural model. The implementation of relationship marketing practices and strategies that emphasize trust by banks can strengthen brand love and foster developing markets in an emerging economy. Although previous studies have analyzed some factors that influence brand love, the topic has not been examined from a relationship marketing perspective, which provides valuable insights for the banking industry, stakeholders, academy, and leaders in business administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune pathology that follows a chronic course characterized by the involvement of the synovial membrane of joints all over the body. Clinically, the disease is characterized by persistent and painful immune-mediated inflammation, which culminates in bone deformations and joint movement limitation. Alternative therapies, such as garlic, ginger, curcumin, and resveratrol, are beneficial given their anti-inflammatory properties. These alternative therapies are a secondary option for treating the clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, helping to improve the patient's quality of life further and preventing future complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Organic amendments are often used for the phytostabilization of heavy metal-contaminated soils. This study investigated the suitability of different municipal waste processing methods for phytostabilization. Methods: The two feedstocks, biowaste, and green waste, were tested without pretreatment after composting or after pyrolysis at different temperatures and atmosphere compositions. The suitability of the differently pretreated amendments for phytostabilization was tested on sewage farm soil contaminated with Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn by measurement of maize growth, mineral content, and mobile heavy metal concentrations in the bulk and rhizosphere soil. Results: In contaminated soils, shoot and root growth increased markedly due to the soil amendments. Shoot concentrations of all four heavy metals were significantly higher in contaminated than non-contaminated soil, whereas Fe concentrations were lower in contaminated soil. The amendments increased shoot Cd concentrations and did not significantly affect the other elements. In contaminated soil, concentrations of heavy metals were generally lower in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil. The soil amendments markedly lowered soil heavy metal concentrations, whereby the decrease was significantly influenced by feedstock and pretreatment. The differences in the amendments' ability to reduce the soil mobile heavy metals were primarily, but not exclusively, determined by their effect on soil pH. Conclusion: The feedstock processing conditions significantly influenced the phytostabilization performance of green waste and biowaste. Optimal processing for phytostabilization depends on the heavy metal most important in the contamination of a specific site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the characterization of a binary mixture of construction and demolition waste (CDW) and bamboo leaf ash (BLAsh) calcined at 600 °C (novel mixture) and the study of its pozzolanic behavior. Different dosages in a pozzolan/Ca(OH)2 system were employed. The aim is the valorization of fine-fraction CDW that achieves a more reactive binary mixture and allows an adequate use of CDW as waste, as CDW is a material of limited use due to its low pozzolanic activity. The pozzolanic behavior of the mixture was analyzed using the conductometric method, which measures the electrical conductivity in the CDW + BLAsh/CH solution versus reaction time. With the application of a kinetic–diffusive mathematical model, the kinetic parameters of the pozzolanic reaction were quantified. This allowed a quantitative evaluation of the pozzolanic activity based on the values of these parameters. To validate these results, other experimental techniques were used: X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy. Also, mechanical compressive strength assays were carried out. The results show an increase in the pozzolanic activity of binary mixes of CDW + BLAsh for all the dosages used in comparison to the pozzolanic activity of CDW alone. The quantitative assessment (kinetic parameters) shows that the binary mixture CDW50 + BLAsh50 is the most reactive (reaction rate constant of 7.88 × 10−1 h−1) and is superior to the mixtures CDW60 + BLAsh40 and CDW70 + BLAs30. Compressive strength tests show higher strength values for the ternary mixes (OPC + CDW + BLAsh) compared to the binary mixes (OPC + CDW). In view of the results, the binary blend of pozzolans CDW + BLAsh is suitable for the manufacture of future low-carbon ternary cements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of viral proteins with host factors represents a crucial aspect of the infection process in plants. In this work, we developed a strategy to identify host factors in Nicotiana tabacum that interact with movement proteins (MPs) of the 30K family, a group of viral proteins around 30 kDa related to the MP of tobacco mosaic virus, which enables virus movement between plant cells. Using the alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) MP as a model, we incorporated tags into its coding sequence, without affecting its functionality, enabling the identification of 121 potential interactors through in vivo immunoprecipitation of the tagged MP. Further analysis of five selected candidates (histone 2B (H2B), actin, 14-3-3A protein, eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (elF4A), and a peroxidase-POX-) were conducted using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). The interactions between these factors were also studied, revealing that some form part of protein complexes associated with AMV MP. Moreover, H2B, actin, 14-3-3, and eIF4A interacted with other MPs of the 30K family. This observation suggests that, beyond functional and structural features, 30K family MPs may share common interactors. Our results demonstrate that tagging 30K family MPs is an effective strategy to identify host factors associated with these proteins during viral infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora capsici is a devastating pathogen in horticultural crops, particularly affecting Capsicum annuum (pepper). The overuse of chemical fungicides has led to resistance development, necessitating alternative strategies. This study investigates the antagonistic effects of four rhizobacterial isolates (Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) against P. capsici, focusing on the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using in vitro dual culture assays, we observed a significant inhibition of mycelial growth and sporangia production, especially by B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens. The GC-MS/SPME-HS analysis identified key VOCs responsible for these antagonistic effects. Our findings demonstrate that specific rhizobacteria and their VOCs offer a promising biocontrol strategy, potentially reducing the reliance on chemical fungicides and contributing to sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, principally driven by human activities, has led to an increase in global temperature, which is predicted to continue rising in the coming years. This temperature increase is even more pronounced in urban areas due to the heat island effect. This phenomenon is highly influenced by the presence of paved streets made with bituminous mixtures, which are characterised by their high solar radiation absorption capacity. Bituminous mixtures retain and re-emit a large amount of heat that intensifies the urban heat island effect. The novelty of this work is to measure retroreflective properties of bituminous mixtures that present a highly textured surface. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the retroreflectance of different bituminous mixtures for use as pavement surfaces, focusing on the influence of colour and different types of aggregates. For this, total and directional reflectance measurements were conducted to determine the retroreflectance of these mixtures, with the purpose of mitigating the heat island effect in urban environments without affecting users through reflected solar radiation. The results show the retroreflective capacity of the designed mixtures within the visible spectrum, especially those manufactured with light-coloured aggregates and synthetic binders pigmented with titanium dioxide. Thus, the retroreflectance of the lighter mixtures range from 37.9% at a 0° entrance angle to 68.9% at 60°, while the black mixtures exhibit values between 5.1% and 8.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is based on the application of a priori probability scales such as the Wells scale or PERC. However, the clinical heterogeneity of this pathology results in the absence of a target population to apply these algorithms. The Wells score does consider the possibility of an alternative diagnosis, awarding an additional point if no other diagnosis is likely, yet the presence of objective alternative diagnoses can still complicate clinical assessment and lead to unnecessary testing or missed diagnoses. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the discrimination capacity of clinical objective factors with a high negative predictive value for PE, compared to PERC in terms of reducing unnecessary testing across different risk strata of the Wells scale. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study, including patients who underwent chest CT angiography to rule out PE at a university hospital between 2008 and 2017, considering the presence of PE as the study outcome. The study collected demographic data, comorbidities, and clinical presentation data. The presence of objective criteria for pneumonia, heart failure, exacerbation of COPD, or the use of anticoagulation in non-oncological patients were considered a priori criteria with a high negative predictive value. Results: The analyses were performed on a cohort of 399 patients with an average age of 65 years and 53% females. A total of 139 patients were diagnosed with PE by CT angiography. The presence of factors with a high NPV showed a sensitivity of 100% in low-risk patients according to Wells, with sensitivity dropping below 50% in other populations. The association of these factors in the PERC plus criteria would allow a reduction of up to 34% in CT angiographies in patients with low risk according to the Wells scale. Conclusions: The combination of risk stratification of the Wells scale and PERC plus criteria allows an absolute reduction of 34.3% in the performance of CT angiographies in patients classified as low risk with a sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 100%. The preexistence of an alternative diagnosis does not allow ruling out PE in patients with intermediate or high risk according to the Wells scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 40 years, a significant increase in the incidence of lung infections by Aspergillus has been reported. The scarcity of studies that describe the costs of aspergillosis indicates that the economic impact of aspergillosis in the hospital environment is greater than that of other fungal infections. The objective of the study was to evaluate the direct healthcare costs associated with aspergillosis in the Spanish National Health System from 1997 to 2021. A retrospective nationwide longitudinal descriptive study was designed to review hospital records from the Minimum Basic Data Set of patients admitted to hospitals of the National Health System from 1997 to 2021, with a diagnosis of aspergillosis. A total of 44,586 patients were admitted for aspergillosis in the Spanish National Health System. There was a progressive increase in the average annual cost from 1997 to 2012, which reached a maximum peak, EUR 1,395,154.21 (±2,155,192.87). It decreased between 2014 and 2019, but increased again in 2020 and 2021, EUR 28,675.79 (±30,384.12). The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a weak negative correlation between age and hospital costs and a moderate positive correlation between average length of stay and hospital costs. Our data show that the economic impact of hospitalizations for aspergillosis is significant and increasing at a rate proportionally higher than that of other prevalent diseases. Costs related to Aspergillus infection are associated mainly with respiratory diseases. The results of this economic evaluation may be useful for health authorities to develop a future economic strategy for managing this fungal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can act as biomarkers and descriptors of the association between infections and other diseases, such as hepatitis and COVID-19. This study aims to investigate the role of miRNA serum expression according to laboratory data concerning hepatitis and COVID-19. Seventy individuals recruited in Southern and Southeastern Brazil donated serum samples and were divided into four groups: (i) 20 negative subjects, (ii) 20 presenting hepatitis, (iii) 19 with COVID-19 and (iv) 11 with hepatitis and COVID-19. Three miRNAs (miR-122, miR-143 and miR-223) were evaluated using real-time PCR. Hematological and biochemical markers were also analyzed. MiR-143 and miR-223 were downregulated among the hepatitis/COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between miR-223 and lymphocytes. There was a negative correlation between alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) for miR-143 and miR-223 and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) only for miR-223 (p < 0.05). For hepatic fibrosis (FIB-4), miR-122 and miR-143 had a greater association and miR-223 was more associated with a history of vaccination against COVID-19. MicroRNAs 143 and 223 could be useful as biomarkers for hepatitis coinfection with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite an existing safe and effective vaccine for hepatitis B virus (HBV), it is still a major public health concern. Nowadays, several drugs are used to treat chronic hepatitis B; however, full healing remains controversial. The viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formed by HBV forms a major challenge in its treatment, as does the ability of HBV to integrate itself into the host genome, which enables infection reactivation. Interfering RNA (RNAi) is a gene-silencing post-transcriptional mechanism which forms as a promising alternative to treat chronic hepatitis B. The aim of the present review is to assess the evolution of hepatitis B treatment approaches based on using RNA interference. Methods: Data published between 2016 and 2023 in scientific databases (PubMed, PMC, LILACS, and Bireme) were assessed. Results: In total, 76,949 articles were initially identified and quality-checked, and 226 eligible reports were analyzed in depth. The main genomic targets, delivery systems, and major HBV therapy innovations are discussed in this review. This review reinforces the therapeutic potential of RNAi and identifies the need for conducting further studies to fill the remaining gaps between bench and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazilian Amazon region is a highly endemic area for hepatitis Delta and has areas that are difficult to access. Understanding the dynamics of HDV transmission in these remote locations is important for elucidating the routes of infection. To investigate this, a molecular analysis of HDV was conducted to assess the spatio-temporal dynamics of HDV cases. Between 2010 and 2023, 35 patients were recruited from the Viral Hepatitis Outpatient Clinic in Rondônia, Brazil. Conventional PCR was used to amplify the complete HDV genome followed by nucleotide sequencing via the Sanger method. The HDV genotype was determined using maximum likelihood phylogenetic reconstruction. A Skygrid coalescent approach with a Relaxed Random Walk phylogeographic model was used for the spatio-temporal analysis. Most individuals were males (21/35), with a median age of 39 years. HDV-3 was identified in all samples (35/35; 100%). The tMRCA was estimated to be 1824, with a substitution rate of 8.2 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year. The results suggest that HDV likely entered Brazil around 1820, in the state of Amazonas, subsequently spreading to Acre and Rondônia. Notable migration events were observed starting from 2010. This study suggests that HDV-3 has a complex evolutionary history spanning over two centuries, with intricate transmission routes in different locations in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Viral hepatitis is a disease that is more prevalent among individuals residing in remote regions and in contexts of social vulnerability. The objective of this study was to ascertain the seroprevalence of hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), and C (HCV) in vulnerable communities in the rural area of São João do Piauí (SJP), northern Brazil. Methods: Immunoenzymatic assays were employed to detect the presence of anti-HAV (total and IgM), HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV serological markers in serum samples. Samples that yielded positive results were subjected to further analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total of 492 individuals, ranging in age from 3 to 101 years, were consecutively recruited from eight rural communities. The majority of individuals were female (51.2%), over 30 years of age (57.1%), self-identified as Black/Brown (92.2%), and resided in Afro-Brazilian communities, designated as "quilombos" (68.1%). The seroprevalence of anti-HAV was 69.5% (95% CI: 65.4–73.6%), while that of anti-HBc was 4.7% (95% CI: 2.8–6.6%), and that of anti-HBs was 35.2% (95% CI: 30.1–39.4%), and 0.2% (95% CI:0.0–0.6%) for anti-HCV. Conclusions: The seroprevalence rates observed were higher than the national average, and a significant proportion of individuals in the target age groups were susceptible to HBV, despite the availability of vaccination. These findings highlight potential shortcomings in the management of vaccine-preventable diseases, which could have implications for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has highlighted the need for vaccines targeting both neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and long-lasting cross-reactive T cells covering multiple viral proteins to provide broad and durable protection against emerging variants. Methods: To address this, here we developed two vaccine candidates, namely (i) DNA-CoV2-TMEP, expressing the multiepitopic CoV2-TMEP protein containing immunodominant and conserved T cell regions from SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, and (ii) MVA-CoV2-B2AT, encoding a bi-cistronic multiepitopic construct that combines conserved B and T cell overlapping regions from SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins. Results: Both candidates were assessed in vitro and in vivo demonstrating their ability to induce robust immune responses. In C57BL/6 mice, DNA-CoV2-TMEP enhanced the recruitment of innate immune cells and stimulated SARS-CoV-2-specific polyfunctional T cells targeting multiple viral proteins. MVA-CoV2-B2AT elicited NAbs against various SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) and reduced viral replication and viral yields against the Beta variant in susceptible K18-hACE2 mice. The combination of MVA-CoV2-B2AT with a mutated ISG15 form as an adjuvant further increased the magnitude, breadth and polyfunctional profile of the response. Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential of these multiepitopic proteins when expressed from DNA or MVA vectors to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, supporting their further development as next-generation COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The diversity of patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as the variability in mutations makes it essential to improve molecular characterization. Objective: Describe clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics MPE in a Caucasian population. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of patients with NSCLC diagnosis who had undergone a molecular study from 1 January 2018–31 December 2022. Univariate analysis was performed to compare patient characteristics between the group with and without MPE and molecular biomarkers. Results: A total of 400 patients were included; 53% presented any biomarker and 29% had MPE.PDL1, which was the most frequent. EGFR mutation was associated with women (OR:3.873) and lack of smoking (OR:5.105), but not with MPE. Patients with pleural effusion were older and had lower ECOG. There was no significant difference in the presence of any biomarker. We also did not find an association between the presence of specific mutations and MPE (22.4% vs. 18%, p = 0.2), or PDL1 expression (31.9% vs. 35.9%, p = 0.3). Being younger constituted a protective factor for the presence of MPE (OR:0.962; 95% CI 0.939–0.985, p = 0.002), as well as ECOG ≤ 1 (OR:0.539; 95% CI 0.322–0.902, p = 0.01). Conclusions: This is the first study that describes the clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics of MPE patients due to NSCLC in a Caucasian population. Although overall we did not find significant differences in the molecular profile between patients with MPE and without effusion, EGFR mutation was associated with a tendency towards pleural progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Manual therapy (MT) and occlusal splint therapy (OST) are the most conservative therapies applied on patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). The aim was to compare the efficacy of MT vs. OST in improving pain, maximal mouth opening (MMO), disability, and health related-quality of life (hr-QoL) in these patients. Methods: According to PRISMA guidelines, a meta-analysis (CRD42022343915) was conducted including randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of MT vs. OST in TMD patients, after searching in PubMed, PEDro, SCOPUS, and WOS up to March 2024. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the PEDro Scale. Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were the pooled effect measures calculated. Results: Nine studies, providing data from 426 patients, were included. Meta-analyses revealed that MT is more effective than OST in reducing disability (SMD = −0.81; 95% CI −1.1 to −0.54) and increasing MMO (SMD = 0.52; 95% CI 0.27 to 0.76) without differences for improving pain intensity and hr-QoL. Subgroup analyses revealed the major efficacy of OST in reducing pain in myogenic patients (SMD = 0.65; 95% CI 0.02 to 1.28). Conclusions: With caution, due to the low number of studies included, MT may be more effective than OST for improving disability and MMO in patients with TMDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass ash is currently attracting the attention of science and industry as an inexhaustible eco-friendly alternative to pozzolans traditionally used in commercial cement manufacture (fly ash, silica fume, natural/calcined pozzolan). This paper explores a new line of research into Marabou weed ash (MA), an alternative to better-known conventional agro-industry waste materials (rice husk, bagasse cane, bamboo, forest waste, etc.) produced in Cuba from an invasive plant harvested as biomass for bioenergy production. The study entailed full characterization of MA using a variety of instrumental techniques, analysis of pozzolanic reactivity in the pozzolan/lime system, and, finally its influence on the physical and mechanical properties of binary pastes and mortars containing 10% and 20% MA replacement content. The results indicate that MA has a very low acid oxide content and a high loss on ignition (30%) and K2O content (6.9%), which produces medium–low pozzolanic activity. Despite an observed increase in the blended mortars' total and capillary water absorption capacity and electrical resistivity and a loss in mechanical strength approximately equivalent to the replacement percentage, the 10% and 20% MA blended cements meet the regulatory chemical, physical, and mechanical requirements specified. Marabou weed ash is therefore a viable future supplementary cementitious material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and inflammation. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of secretome derived from adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) in mitigating inflammation and promoting cartilage repair in an in vitro model of OA. Our in vitro model comprised chondrocytes inflamed with TNF. To assess the therapeutic potential of secretome, inflamed chondrocytes were treated with it and concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, metalloproteinases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix markers were measured. In addition, secretome-treated chondrocytes were subject to a microarray analysis to determine which genes were upregulated and which were downregulated. Treating TNF-inflamed chondrocytes with secretome in vitro inhibits the NF-κB pathway, thereby mediating anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects. Additional protective effects of secretome on cartilage are revealed in the inhibition of hypertrophy markers such as RUNX2 and COL10A1, increased production of COL2A1 and ACAN and upregulation of SOX9. These findings suggest that ASC-derived secretome can effectively reduce inflammation, promote cartilage repair, and maintain chondrocyte phenotype. This study highlights the potential of ASC-derived secretome as a novel, non-cell-based therapeutic approach for OA, offering a promising alternative to current treatments by targeting inflammation and cartilage repair mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data spaces are conceptualised as a trusted and secure distributed data ecosystem through which to exchange resources in the Web. Several efforts define guidance toward data space implementation, such as reference architectures and frameworks. As yet, the proposed data space solutions do not provide common and mature implementation options yet, and this gap between concept and implementation risks confusing users and developers. However, well-recognised organisations have been developing solutions and standards that address interoperability and good data exchange practices for decades, especially in the domain of geospatial information and remote sensing. Therefore, this paper compares the available solutions, providing the mapping and integration of the proposed blueprints to available interoperable standards. This concrete mapping, followed by a discussion with experts, results in a proposal of integrated reference data space building blocks, and an overview of the related standards and solutions. It is designed to support the effective practical implementation of data spaces and to guide future solution developments. This work can form the base for effective collaboration among different organisations, clearly identifying their scopes. A key role is apparent for standards and use cases from the remote sensing and geospatial domains, which have achieved wide adoption and maturity over the past years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection that affects the nails and accounts for approximately 50% of all nail diseases. The main pathogens involved include dermatophytes, such as Trichophyton rubrum, members of the T. mentagrophytes complex, and emerging pathogens in this infection, T. schoenleinii and T. tonsurans. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia Cheel) essential oil (EO) has been proposed as a promising natural alternative to traditional treatments due to its antimicrobial properties. Among its more than 100 compounds, terpinen-4-ol is one of the main contributors to the antifungal action of this EO. To determine the antifungal activity of tea tree EO against dermatophytes, we designed an in vitro study using EUCAST-AFST protocols to obtain the values of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MFC (minimum fungicidal concentration) of several commercial M. alternifolia Cheel EOs against three species of dermatophytes isolated from clinical samples with suspected toenail onychomycosis. The results showed that the microorganism most sensitive to the action of the EO was T. rubrum, which had an MIC value more than 13 times lower than the value obtained for T. schoenleinii (0.4% v/v), the most resistant isolate. No differences in antifungal activity were observed by the analysed EOs or between the MIC and MFC values. These in vitro results suggest that tea tree EO is a viable option for the alternative treatment of onychomycosis, although clinical studies are needed to confirm the long-term antifungal activity, safety and efficacy of the oils studied in a clinical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: illegal drugs significantly contribute to global health issues, with health complications often occurring not only in regular users with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) but also in first-time and occasional users. Methods: this study examines five clinical cases from a public hospital in Ibiza, Spain, where patients presented with acute psychiatric symptoms due to recreational drug use. Results: Contrary to previous studies on SUDs, our patients typically had higher education levels and stable employment. Most of them used multiple substances, with cannabis, cocaine, and alcohol being the most frequently used. There was also a common occurrence of consuming drugs with uncertain contents. Upon admission, typical symptoms included aggression, hallucinations, mood swings, and disorientation in time and space. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the significant mental health risks posed by illicit drugs, even for individuals with no prior psychiatric history. Factors like the drug's potency, frequency and amount of use, past mental health issues, personality traits, and previous traumatic experiences might influence the onset of these symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiotonic steroids are known to bind to Na+/K+-ATPase and regulate several biological processes, including the immune response. The synthetic cardiotonic steroid γ-Benzylidene Digoxin 8 (BD-8) is emerging as a promising immunomodulatory molecule, although it has remained largely unexplored. Therefore, we tested the immunomodulatory potential of BD-8 both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, primary mouse macrophages were incubated with combinations of BD-8 and the pro-inflammatory fungal protein zymosan (ZYM). Nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reagent and cytokines production was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), p-nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and p-p38 were evaluated by flow cytometry. Macrophages exposed to BD-8 displayed reduced phagocytic activity, NO levels, and production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β induced by ZYM. Furthermore, BD-8 diminished the expression of iNOS and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, ERK, and p38. Additionally, BD-8 exhibited anti-inflammatory capacity in vivo in a carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema model. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of BD-8 and further reinforce the potential of cardiotonic steroids and their derivatives as immunomodulatory molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising biomarkers for many diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). The neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a biomarker that can detect axonal damage in different neurological diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the expression profile of pre-selected miRNAs and NfL levels with clinical and radiological variables in MS patients. We conducted a 1-year longitudinal prospective study in MS patients with different clinical forms. We measured clinical disability using the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry baseline, and cognitive functioning using the processing speed test (PST) at baseline and 1 year later. Selected serum miRNAs and serum NfL (sNfL) levels were quantified. Seventy-three patients were recruited. MiR-126.3p correlated with EDSS and cognitive status at baseline and miR-126.3p and miR-9p correlated with cognitive deterioration at 1 year. Correlations with regional brain volumes were observed between miR-126.3p and the cortical gray matter, cerebellum, putamen, and pallidum; miR-146a.5p with the cerebellum and pallidum; miR-29b.3p with white matter and the pallidum; miR-138.5p with the pallidum; and miR-9.5p with the thalamus. sNfL was correlated with miR-9.5p. miR-146a.5p was also associated with the MS phenotype. These data justify future studies to further explore the utility of miRNAs (mirR-126.3p, miR-146.5p, and miR.9-5p) and sNfL levels as biomarkers of MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is substantial evidence supporting the neuroprotective effects of the MIND diet in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a nutritional intervention (NI) with this diet on multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, two groups were included: MS patients before the NI (group A) and healthy control subjects (group B). In this stage, groups (A) and (B) were compared (case–control study). In the second stage, group (A) was assessed after the NI, with comparisons made between baseline and final measurements (before-and-after study). In the case–control stage (baseline evaluation), we found significant differences in fatigue scores (p < 0.001), adherence to the MIND diet (p < 0.001), the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (p < 0.001), and higher oxidative status in the MS group, with lower levels of reduced glutathione (p < 0.001), reduced/oxidised glutathione ratio (p < 0.001), and elevated levels of lipoperoxidation (p < 0.002) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (p < 0.025). The before-and-after intervention stage showed improvements in fatigue scores (p < 0.001) and physical quality-of-life scores (MSQOL-54) (p < 0.022), along with decreases in the serum levels of glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) (p < 0.041), lipoperoxidation (p < 0.046), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (p < 0.05). Consumption of the MIND diet is linked to clinical and biochemical improvement in MS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]