Search Results (614)

Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a neurotropic virus associated with lifelong latency and stress-induced reactivation. Its role in major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unclear. This study investigated the association between HHV-6 infection and MDD and evaluated interaction effects with psychosocial and clinical factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2403 university students in Thailand, including 52 participants with physician-diagnosed MDD and 2351 healthy controls. HHV-6 DNA was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using saliva. Logistic regression and interaction analyses were performed. HHV-6 DNA was detected in 50.7% of participants. HHV-6 infection was not significantly associated with MDD (OR = 1.335, 95% CI: 0.766–2.328, p = 0.309). Multivariable analysis identified congenital disease, high-fat food consumption, stress, and depressive symptoms as independent predictors of MDD. Significant interaction effects were observed between HHV-6 and several factors. HHV-6 was not independently associated with MDD; however, exploratory interaction analyses identified potential relationships with selected psychosocial and host-related factors that require further validation. Full article

Human herpesvirus-6 consists of a pair of viral species, HHV-6A and HHV-6B, which are neurotropic with the ability to invade, persist, and reactivate within the nervous system. Accumulating evidence links HHV-6 to epilepsy and other neuropathologies, including: multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and neurodegeneration. Yet, mechanisms by which these viruses induce neurological disorders, including their role in epileptogenesis, remain unknown. It has been demonstrated that HHV-6 exhibits tropism for astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. Thus, HHV-6 can perturb cellular homeostasis, neuronal signaling, and immune regulation, astrocytic glutamate clearance, GABAergic inhibition, and cholinergic or monoaminergic neurotransmission yielding network hyperexcitability. It is also reported that HHV-6 can activate neuroinflammation through Toll-Like Receptor (TLR), cytokine, and/or NF-$\kappa$B activation, which facilitates neuronal injury and network instability. Indeed, a suite of converging processes suggest a multifactorial nature for HHV-6 related neuropathology. Despite robust experimental and clinical data, definitive causal relationships between HHV-6 and epilepsy (or induction of neurodegeneration) remain elusive. This review discusses evidence for roseolovirus-induced neurological dysfunction and disorders commonly associated with HHV-6A and HHV-6B infections. A preponderance of clinical and experimental evidence suggests that differential tropism for distinct neuronal neurotransmitter chemotypes and glia as well as systemic effects are involved in roseolovirus-mediated neurological disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an HHV-8-associated angioproliferative malignancy with heterogeneous clinical presentation. Early lesions may be overlooked or misattributed to benign conditions, potentially causing diagnostic delay. We evaluated whether diagnostic delay was associated with survival outcomes in a real-world KS cohort. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 87 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed KS diagnosed between 2007 and 2025. Diagnostic delay was defined as the interval between first patient-reported lesion/symptom recognition documented in medical records and histological diagnosis. An exploratory, maximally selected log-rank method was used to identify the delay cut-off that best separated overall survival (OS). OS and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier estimates, log-rank tests, and Cox regression models. Results: The exploratory optimal cut-off for diagnostic delay was 6.5 months, defining early (≤6.5 months; n = 46) and late (>6.5 months; n = 41) diagnosis groups. Median OS was 202.2 months (95% CI 62.3–342.1) in the early group and 92.9 months (95% CI 61.8–124.0) in the late group (log-rank p < 0.001). Late diagnosis was associated with a higher risk of death (HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6–8.1; p = 0.001). This association was attenuated after multivariable adjustment and was no longer statistically significant (adjusted HR, 1.711, 95% CI 0.696–4.207; p = 0.242). Patients with late diagnosis were older (median 74 vs. 67 years, p = 0.004), had greater comorbidity burden (39.0% vs. 13.0%; p = 0.005), and more frequently had lymphedema (19.5% vs. 4.3%; p = 0.041). Conclusions: In this single-center KS cohort, longer diagnostic delay was associated with poorer post-diagnosis overall survival in unadjusted analyses, while this association was attenuated after multivariable adjustment. The exploratory 6.5-month threshold identified a subgroup with less favorable survival; however, this data-driven cut-off should be considered hypothesis-generating. These findings support efforts to improve early recognition, biopsy, and referral in KS, particularly in older and more comorbid patients. Full article

Background: Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular malignancy closely associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection, and its diagnosis relies on combined clinical, histopathological and molecular assessment. This study aimed to detect HHV-8 DNA in archived formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) biopsy samples of KS by real time PCR and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PCR compared with histopathology. Meth ods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 98 FFPE biopsy specimens with histopathologically confirmed KS and 30 FFPE biopsy specimens with non-KS vascular lesions were included as the patient and control groups, respectively. HHV-8 DNA was analyzed in all samples using real-time PCR. Diagnostic performance parameters, including sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy, were calculated, and agreement with histopathological diagnosis was assessed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results: HHV-8 PCR was positive in 89.8% (88/98) of KS cases and negative in all controls (30/30; 100%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy were 89.8%, 100%, 100%, 75.0% and 92.2%, respectively. Overall agreement between PCR and histopathology was 92.2% with a Cohen’s kappa of 0.34 (p < 0.001), indicating fair concordance. PCR positivity rates and cycle threshold values did not differ significantly between histopathological stages, or according to histopathological and immunohistochemical parameters. Conclusions: HHV-8 PCR in archived FFPE KS biopsies shows high specificity and good sensitivity and acts as a complementary diagnostic tool with fair agreement with histopathology. It is particularly valuable in diagnostic gray areas but should always be interpreted together with clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Long COVID-19 (LC-19), also known as Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS), is a chronic condition some people experience after an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. The etiology of this complex, multifactorial disease remains largely unknown, although various theories have been propounded. This study aims to profile and compare the metabolic activity of cells of normal and LC-19 patients. Methods: A cohort of 20 individuals, 10 with LC-19 and 10 without LC-19, was selected based on their post-COVID-19 symptomatology. Saliva was tested for opportunistic viruses like Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6). Lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from blood were analyzed using the Biolog Phenotype Mammalian Microarrays (PM-M1, PM-M6, and PM-M7) to assess metabolic activity across a wide array of growth substrates and effector molecules. Results: Unique metabolic profiles emerged across the controls and LC-19 groups. The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes an over two-fold enhanced utilization of glycolytic and anaerobic substrates and a reduced response to growth factors and effectors. The increased energy source utilization assessed in PM-M1 is unsustainable, and the LC-19 groups demonstrate this with a clear correlation with the number of LC-19 symptoms, demonstrating a trend consistent with metabolic reprogramming. The infection also results in a reduced response to growth factors and effectors, assessed in PM-M6 and PM-M7, with the level of reduction commensurate with the symptom burden. Conclusions: The data from the patient groups were analyzed and compared to construct a metabolic profile unique to individuals who developed LC-19, which could, in the future, be used for diagnosis and to identify targets for therapeutic intervention. Our study identified an LC-19-specific metabolic profile indicative of adaptive responses to stress, cellular dysfunction, and prolonged inflammation, leading to the reprogramming of bioenergetic pathways. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Human Herpesvirus 8-associated multicentric Castleman disease is a rare, lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of systemic inflammation. The disease is predominantly observed in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients, but there is evidence of its occurrence in negative individuals. Its pathogenesis is driven by dysregulated cytokine activity, particularly interleukin 6. Additionally, these individuals have an increased risk of developing Kaposi Sarcoma, which may present simultaneously. Case Presentation: The current paper presents a case of a 58-year-old male patient admitted to the Hematology Department of the Emergency City Hospital in Timisoara, Romania, in October 2024, accusing fever, night sweats, palpitations, weight loss and general deterioration, approximately three months prior, with gradual progression. Clinical examination revealed bilateral lymphadenopathy in the cervical and inguinal regions. No cutaneous lesions were observed initially. Laboratory tests showed elevated inflammatory markers, pancytopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia and hyponatremia. HIV serology had negative results. CT imaging revealed extensive lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly. Further excisional biopsy of the inguinal and cervical lymphadenopathies was performed. Following the microscopic examination, the final diagnosis of Human Herpesvirus 8-associated multicentric Castleman disease concurrent with Kaposi Sarcoma was established. Conclusions: Human Herpesvirus 8-associated multicentric Castleman disease is predominantly observed in HIV-positive patients, but there is evidence of its occurrence in human immunodeficiency virus-negative individuals, presenting distinct epidemiological and pathological characteristics. Early and precise diagnosis is essential, as the disease can progress rapidly and may lead to severe or fatal outcomes. Full article

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of wet biomass faces a fundamental tradeoff between higher heating value (HHV) and energy recovery (ER), where conditions that enhance carbon densification often reduce solid-phase energy retention. This study investigates whether co-biomass selection combined with citric acid (CA) catalysis can overcome this tradeoff in HTC of water hyacinth (WH), an invasive aquatic feedstock. WH was co-processed with wheat straw (WS), rice husk (RH), and chicken manure (CM) at 240–270 °C, with CA-assisted experiments performed at 240 °C. Individual feedstock HTC confirmed the HHV–ER tradeoff, and co-HTC without catalysis failed to resolve it. CA addition improved carbon densification but reduced ER when applied to WH alone. The WH–CM–CA system uniquely achieved a concurrent HHV of 21.3 MJ kg⁻¹ and ER of 95.8%, with synergistic effects of 50.0% and 29.7%, respectively. FTIR and elemental analysis indicated that Maillard-type condensation between WH-derived sugars and CM-derived amino acids drove preferential solid-phase carbon retention. These findings demonstrate that resolving the HHV–ER tradeoff requires coupling CA catalysis with biochemical complementarity between carbohydrate-rich and protein-rich feedstocks. This approach provides a practical route for hydrochar production with high energy density and recovery for waste-to-energy applications, supporting circular and low-carbon valorization of invasive aquatic biomass and livestock waste streams. Full article

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is the etiologic agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman disease (MCD), and KS-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS-KS). Quantifying HHV-8 DNA in whole blood is clinically relevant, yet laboratory practices remain heterogeneous. Here, we developed and validated an in-house quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting ORF26, optimized for whole blood. Assay calibration used plasmid, BCBL-1 cell–derived, and commercial HHV-8 DNA standards. Analytical validation was performed following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines and showed a 95% limit of detection of 65.7 copies/reaction, efficiencies of 90–101% (R² > 0.99), and intra/inter-assay coefficients of variation < 6.5%. Strong correlations were observed among the three calibrators (R² > 0.97).Clinical validation against a composite reference yielded 100% sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. Viral loads (log₁₀ copies/mL) varied by clinical condition: classic KS and transplant-associated KS showed the lowest medians (2.30–2.23), MCD HIV− and PEL intermediate values (2.83–3.72), and epidemic KS, MCD HIV+, and IRIS-KS the highest (4.12, 4.86, and 5.03, respectively). Viremia > 5 log₁₀ copies/mL was associated with uncontrolled E-KS, MCD HIV+, and IRIS-KS. Longitudinal follow-up revealed viral load decline paralleled clinical improvement. This validated assay provides a robust, affordable tool for HHV-8 quantification in whole blood and supports its integration into diagnostic workflows and patient monitoring. Full article

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) typically remains latent but can reactivate during immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy, potentially driving immune dysregulation. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical innate immune complex mediating pro-inflammatory signaling implicated in tumor progression and treatment toxicity. This study investigated the association between HHV-6 antigenemia and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in 193 chemotherapy-treated cancer patients at the Oncology Hospital in Al-Najaf, Iraq. Serological markers for HHV-6 IgG, IgM, and circulating viral antigen, along with serum NLRP3 levels, were quantified using ELISA. Active HHV-6 antigenemia was observed in over half the cohort, with 56.5% positive for IgM and 42.5% exhibiting antigenemia. Elevated serum NLRP3 levels were detected in 65.8% of patients and correlated significantly with HHV-6 antigen presence, particularly in hematological and genitourinary cancers. Viral antigenemia and inflammasome activity were more prominent in females and older patients. Host gene analysis revealed Hepcidin (HAMP) polymorphisms and altered expression compared to healthy controls, suggesting links between iron metabolism, viral antigenemia, and inflammasome activity. These findings highlight a potential mechanistic connection between HHV-6 antigenemia and inflammasome-driven inflammation, which may contribute to chemotherapy-associated immune dysregulation. Monitoring HHV-6 antigenemia and NLRP3 activation may offer valuable insight into the inflammatory status of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Full article

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from biomass combustion include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which cause climate change and global warming. By measuring GHG emissions by biomass combustion, a potent protocol for the calculation of global warming potential (GWP), which is how much the global temperature has risen due to combustion processes, can be achieved, contributing to determining the mean reduction in global temperature rise and fostering a transition towards more sustainable energy systems. Additionally, warning can be given of the GHG and GWP risks associated with different species of biomass. This review includes the GHG emissions and GWP of biomass combustion and their measurement and estimation directly through biomass sample combustion, using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellite measurements of radiation interacting with atmospheric gases, or satellite-derived data and calculations according to IPCC guidelines. In addition, the relationship of lignocellulosic compounds and elements in biomass to HHV and GHG emissions is described. The key mechanism of molecular vibration of hydrogen bonds in biomass caused by NIR radiation related to GHG emissions is revealed and recorded regarding the possibility of using NIR spectroscopy for the prediction of GHG emissions and GWP. Calculation examples for sugarcane bagasse and other biomass species are shown. The comparative advantages and limitations of NIR spectroscopy with respect to other methods are included. These factors lead to elucidation of the possibility of using NIR spectroscopy for non-destructive prediction of GHG emissions. In this review, the feasibility of using NIR spectroscopy to evaluate GHG emissions, GWP and emission factors (EFs) as an alternative to IPCC estimation methods related to climate change by biomass combustion is confirmed. NIR spectroscopy is a novel methodology for predicting GHG emissions and GWP directly from intact chip or powder biomass spectral data without explicit gas measurement. This article records the essential spectroscopic knowledge of biomass polymer valorization that is of value in polymer science. Full article

The presence of human herpesviruses is frequently detected in the oral cavity, yet their disease-specific role in chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disorders remains uncertain. This comparative observational study investigated Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus-7 (HHV-7) genomic sequences in saliva and virus-specific antibodies in serum among patients with oral lichen planus (OLP; n = 35), aphthous stomatitis (AS; n = 31), and healthy controls (n = 34). Salivary viral loads were quantified using real-time PCR, while EBV and HHV-7-specific IgG and IgM antibodies were measured using ELISA-based assays. EBV and HHV-7 DNA in saliva were commonly detected across all groups, demonstrating high baseline shedding and marked interindividual variability. Although EBV IgG levels were higher in OLP compared with AS in univariate analysis, multivariate regression revealed that age, rather than disease status, was the primary determinant of EBV IgG levels. After adjustment for age, sex, and discomfort, neither EBV nor HHV-7 salivary loads showed independent associations with OLP or AS. HHV-7 salivary loads were uniformly distributed among groups. These findings suggest that salivary detection of EBV and HHV-7 reflects widespread latent infection rather than disease-specific activity in OLP or AS. Longitudinal and tissue-based studies integrating immunological profiling are warranted to clarify whether herpesvirus reactivation contributes to disease severity in defined patient subgroups. Full article

A rapid accumulation of plastic waste has created an urgent need for efficient and sustainable recycling technologies. Among various approaches, pyrolysis stands out as promising method of thermochemical recycling of plastic waste; however, the process needs optimization and further research to make it more energy-efficient and sustainable. The conventional approaches for optimization focus on the enhancement of yield, only overlooking efficiency and system-level sustainability. In this study, a machine learning-enabled surrogate-assisted multi-objective artificial intelligence (AI) optimization framework is developed for plastic pyrolysis to maximize product recovery and minimize energy consumption. The model integrates energy return on investment (EROI) and higher heating value (HHV) into process design. A curated dataset of 312 experimental cases covering polyolefins, PET, nylon, and mixed plastics was used to train multiple machine learning algorithms, such as polynomial regression, Gaussian process regression, and Random Forest models. The Random Forest algorithm demonstrated superior predictive robustness across oil yield, HHV, char formation, and EROI. Pareto front analysis using NSGA-II revealed that moderate reaction severities (400–450 °C, 40–70 min) maximize net energy performance while minimizing solid residues. The conditional variational autoencoder as a GenAI model was incorporated to work as a generative proposal engine, which enhances the exploration of chemically feasible operating regions under uncertainty-aware active learning. The integration of techno-economic and life-cycle assessment demonstrates that energy-positive configurations outperform high-yield scenarios, achieving IRR > 15%, energy intensity < 10 MJ kg⁻¹, and CO₂ reductions up to 47% relative to incineration. The proposed framework establishes a data-driven methodology for aligning polymer pyrolysis optimization with circular economy and energy sustainability objectives. Full article

Bioenergy production from agro-industrial waste has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation. In Brazil, the pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) production chain makes an economic, environmental, and social contribution. However, the collection and processing of the fruit produce large amounts of waste, such as the peel, whose improper disposal leads to significant environmental impacts. This study evaluated how moisture and carbonization temperature influence the energy properties of charcoal briquettes made from pequi peel waste. Carbonization was performed at two final temperatures (360 °C/480 °C) with a heating rate of 1.5 °C min⁻¹ and residence times of 4 h and 5 h 20 min, respectively. Carbonization yields were calculated based on dry mass. Briquettes were produced from pequi peel at moisture contents of 5%, 7.5%, and 10% (wet basis). After carbonization, the charcoal briquette samples were characterized by proximate analysis, higher heating value (HHV), bulk density, energy density, and mechanical durability. Carbonization temperature exerted a more pronounced effect on the properties of the carbonized briquettes than the initial moisture content. Carbonization at 480 °C increased the fixed carbon content (76.38%, 74.25%, and 75.10% for treatments 1, 2, and 3) and the HHV (25.10–25.31 MJ kg⁻¹), while reducing the gravimetric yield (32.84–33.25%). The influence of moisture content was more evident in carbonizations carried out at 360 °C, indicating a temperature-dependent interaction. The use of pequi peel for solid biofuel production promotes the valorization of agro-industrial residues and supports strategies aimed at the circular bioeconomy and the decarbonization of the energy matrix. Full article

The dynamic growth of global maize production results in the generation of large amounts of residues originating from both cultivation and processing, creating a need to develop efficient and sustainable management pathways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing selected maize-derived residues (straw, cobs, technical maize, and post-fermentation DDGS) for the production of densified solid fuels based on biochar obtained through pyrolysis at 500 °C. The study included analyses of the mineral composition of biomass and biochar, determination of biochar yield, ash content, and higher heating value (HHV). The biochar yield ranged from 30.19% to 42.49%, with the highest values obtained for DDGS (dried distillers grains with solubles). The pyrolysis process led to an increase in HHV to 25.3–32.14 MJ/kg. These values are comparable to the calorific values of hard coal. The results indicate that biochar derived from maize residues may represent a promising feedstock for the production of solid fuels with increased energy density, while the ashes generated during their combustion show potential for agricultural applications. Full article

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) have a substantially increased risk of both AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs), which remain a major cause of morbidity despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART); this review aims to integrate current epidemiological, molecular, and clinical evidence on HIV-associated oncogenesis. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed (2000–2026) using predefined keywords, including “HIV”, “cancer”, “oncogenesis”, and “immune dysregulation”, with inclusion of original studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses meeting predefined quality criteria. Results: Available evidence indicates that HIV contributes to cancer development through both direct and indirect mechanisms: viral proteins such as Tat, Nef, and Vpr disrupt apoptosis, DNA repair, and cell cycle regulation, while chronic immune activation, persistent inflammation, and immunosuppression impair tumor immune surveillance and facilitate oncogenic viral co-infections, including Epstein–Barr virus, human papillomavirus, and human herpesvirus 8. Emerging pathways, such as epigenetic alterations, microRNA dysregulation, metabolic reprogramming, and the contribution of HIV reservoirs to pro-tumorigenic microenvironments, further modulate cancer risk. Conclusions: HIV may function as a cofactor that enhances the effects of oncogenic viruses by promoting viral persistence and immune dysregulation; while biologically plausible, direct evidence linking HIV to amplification of tumorigenesis in humans remains limited. Full article