Search Results (445)

Background: Severe obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, dysglycemia, and higher periodontitis risk. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is now a dominant bariatric procedure and reliably improves weight and metabolic status yet reported oral and periodontal trajectories after surgery remain heterogeneous. Objective: To synthesize SG-centered evidence on periodontal outcomes, oral and gut microbiome remodeling, and mechanistic pathways that may link postoperative physiology to the gut–oral axis. Methods: We conducted a structured narrative review guided by SANRA principles using targeted searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, complemented by citation chaining of key reviews and mechanistic anchor papers; evidence was organized into clinical, oral microbiome, gut microbiome, and mechanistic gut–oral axis streams and interpreted with a pragmatic evidence hierarchy. Results: Small prospective SG cohorts suggest bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival indices, and sometimes probing depth (PD) may improve in some patients, particularly alongside weight loss, improved glycemic control, and lower systemic inflammatory burden, whereas clinical attachment level (CAL) and longer-term structural trajectories remain mixed; mixed-procedure syntheses also report early deterioration in some settings. Oral microbiome findings after bariatric surgery are site- and time-dependent, and salivary signals do not necessarily mirror subgingival plaque, whereas gut microbiome remodeling and bile acid signaling changes are more consistently reported and provide plausible but indirect mediator candidates. At the same time, reflux, vomiting, salivary changes, diet patterning, medications, and periodontal care can modify or counteract potential periodontal benefits and may increase competing risks such as caries or erosive tooth wear. Conclusions: The SG–gut–oral axis-periodontal pathway is a biologically plausible working hypothesis rather than a proven causal pathway in humans. The present evidence for any periodontal benefit relies mainly on small observational cohorts and is most credibly demonstrated for inflammatory, not structural, endpoints. Full article

Environmental pollution affects the health of living organisms, provoking the emergence of new diseases and infections. In search of sustainable and effective solutions, this study presents a “green” synthesis of five silver nanocomposites with activated carbon (Ag-NACs) obtained from waste biomass from peach shells. The process is carried out in an aqueous environment and does not use toxic organic solvents. The chemical composition, structural properties and morphology of the synthesized Ag-NACs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Comparative analysis under different conditions, including silver concentration (0.5%, 1.5%, 4.0% and 8.0%) and impregnation time (24 and 72 h), identified the samples with 4.0% and 8.0% Ag as optimally structured, showing the strongest antibacterial activity. The results confirmed the synergistic effect and mechanism of the carbon composites, which effectively attract bacterial cells while the silver ions inhibit the growth of various pathogens. This efficacy was demonstrated against both Gram-positive (Gram⁺), Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus spizizenii, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Enterococcus faecium, and Gram-negative (Gram⁻) bacterial strains, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which highlights the significant potential of Ag-NACs. Full article

New benzazole–sesamol derivatives 6a–8c were synthesized via an easily accessible reaction based on the coupling of Sesamol with in situ generated electrophilic N-alkoxycarbonylbenzazolium ions. This strategy successfully integrated benzothiazole, benzimidazole, and 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole fragments with the biologically active natural lignan Sesamol. The structural integrity and the specific position of the newly formed C–C bond was confirmed by ¹H-, ¹³C{¹H}-, HSQC-NMR, FTIR, and HRMS analyses. The obtained compounds with yields in the range of 71–95% were evaluated for their in vitro radical scavenging activity and subjected to in silico predictions of mutagenicity and toxicity. Radical scavenging activity studies demonstrate that the introduction of a benzothiazoline ring (compounds 6a and 6b) enhances radical scavenging activity compared to Sesamol in the DPPH assay, outperforming the benzimidazole analogues. In silico analyses identified compounds 7b, 7c, 8a, 8b, and 8c as promising molecules due to the absence of mutagenic and irritant effects and their low toxicity profiles. In particular, compounds 7a, 7b, and 8a were found to be significantly safer than Sesamol. Compound 7a exhibited the highest safety profile, characterized by an LD₅₀ value of 3046.92 mg/kg. Full article

This study aimed to assess the effect of concentrate supplementation frequency on the nutrient intake, performance, carcass characteristics, and tissue composition of sheep for meat raised on Panicum maximum cv. Massai pasture. A group of 36 sheep of the Santa Inês breed (18 males and 18 females) with a mean initial weight of 17.0 ± 1.5 kg and mean age of 90 ± 10 days were assigned to three treatments: supplementation every 24 h, every 48 h, and every 72 h. The formulation comprised ground maize kernels (70%), soybean meal (25%), mineral mix (2.5%), urea (1.8%), table salt (0.5%), and ammonium sulfate (0.2%). The females reached a higher final weight than the males (p < 0.05). Dry matter intake did not differ among the treatment groups (p > 0.05), but the sheep supplemented every 72 h showed greater pasture and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, while those supplemented every 24 h and 48 h consumed more concentrate and had higher total weight gain (7.19 and 7.10 × 5.68 kg) (p < 0.05). The same behavior was found for carcass and meat cut weights and for leg and carcass compacity indexes, but carcass and cut yields were not impacted by supplementation strategy. Supplementation on alternate days, i.e., every 48 h, maintains the performance and productive efficiency levels in sheep kept on Massai grass pasture compared to those supplemented daily, but providing intermittent supplementation with intervals above 48 h is not recommended as a nutritional strategy. Full article

This study comprehensively characterised the volatile composition of hydrolates obtained as by-products of the hydrodistillation of orange, mandarin, and clementine peels. Enzymatic pretreatments using pectinase, cellulase, xylanase, or their mixture were applied in purified water or citrate buffer (pH 5) prior to Clevenger hydrodistillation, and volatile profiles were analysed by HS–SPME GC–MS. Across all citrus species, hydrolates were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes and alcohols, with α-terpineol and linalool identified as the principal constituents. Statistical analysis suggested differences in hydrolate volatile composition following enzymatic pretreatment in citrate buffer with cellulase, xylanase, or their combination (p < 0.05); notably, α-terpineol content in mandarin hydrolates nearly doubled after these treatments. Enzyme-free reflux extraction in water also led to observable changes in volatile profiles (p < 0.05), highlighting the importance of including both untreated and enzyme-free controls when evaluating enzymatic effects. The study also illustrates the distinct distribution of dominant volatiles between hydrolates with prevailing α-terpineol. These findings demonstrate the potential of enzymatic hydrodistillation for the valorisation of citrus peel by-products by enabling modulation of hydrolate volatile composition and supporting more sustainable use of citrus processing residues. Full article

The rising demand for sustainable and circular approaches in the agro-industrial sector has generated interest in repurposing herbal tea residues as sources of high-value bioactive compounds. This work focusses on recovering phytochemicals from Rosa canina L. peel and seed dust (by-products of processing of herbal tea in filter tea bags) using green extraction techniques. Two environmentally friendly technologies were used: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) with a sonotrode and subcritical fluid extraction (SBFE). The extracts were qualitatively profiled using (HR) LC-ESI-QToF-MS/MS and quantified using HPLC-PDA. Both by-products contained phenolic substances, including gallic acid derivatives, ellagic acid, and flavonoids such as quercetin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside (only in the peel). Additionally, Folin–Ciocalteu’s assay was used to determine Total Phenolic content (TP). The extraction efficiency was considered in terms of phenolic compound recovery and total phenolic content obtained under the respective experimental conditions. The maximum TP for SBFE was reported in samples extracted with ethanol–water (48:52) at 180 °C, producing 3876.67 GAE mg/L for peel and 1648.57 GAE mg/L for seeds. In the UAE, extraction with ethanol–water (48:52) for 10 min yielded the maximum TP of 2773.81 GAE mg/L for peel and 957.86 GAE mg/L for seeds. These findings highlight the potential of R. canina infusion by-products as long-term sources of bioactive compounds for use in nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Full article

Background: Balkan nephropathy (BEN) is an environmental form of aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) strongly associated with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Clinical diagnosis remains challenging, and misclassification is frequent. The study reassessed BEN diagnoses in kidney transplant recipients from rural farming areas who did not undergo prophylactic bilateral nephroureterectomy and evaluated post-transplant outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective single-centre study, we analysed 12 kidney transplant recipients from rural Balkan farming regions. BEN diagnoses were reevaluated according to international consensus criteria. Key endpoints included patient and graft survival, post-transplant clinical course, and UTUC characteristics. Results: Upon reassessment, three of the six patients initially diagnosed with BEN were reclassified as having BEN. Among the remaining six patients, four were reclassified as having sporadic BEN. Overall, only 33% of patients had a diagnosis concordant with their admission records. During a median follow-up of 6.8 years (IQR 2.1–15.8), UTUC developed in seven out of 12 patients. The UTUC cases were predominantly high-grade and multifocal, and they were identified as the leading cause of death. Five-year patient and graft survival rates were 71% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: BEN is frequently misdiagnosed or misclassified in kidney transplant candidates from rural farming areas. Despite excellent graft survival, the high incidence of post-transplant urothelial carcinoma underscores the necessity of accurate diagnosis and the consideration of prophylactic bilateral nephroureterectomy. Lifelong intensive surveillance is essential not only for patients from established BEN regions but also for individuals from other rural farming areas at risk for sporadic BEN. Full article

Objective: Emphysema is an important chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotype characterized by the destruction of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchiole. Aiming to detect potential emphysema biomarkers and to assess the systemic effects of emphysema in blood plasma, we conducted a small cross-sectional shotgun proteomics study. Methods: This study included N = 40 participants divided into four subgroups (N = 10 per group): patients with emphysema and COPD (CE), patients with COPD but without emphysema (CN), healthy smokers (HS) and healthy never-smokers (HN). The participants were sampled non-probabilistically to be similar in terms of age, sex and comorbidities. Participants’ blood plasma was analyzed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Bioinformatic analysis included detection of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and overrepresentation analysis (ORA). Results: Across all groups, a total of 994 proteins were identified, with NADP-dependent malic enzyme (NADP-ME; encoded by ME1) being the only DEP in the CE vs. CN contrast. Proteins such as BMP1, ADAMTSL-2, -4 and IGFBP4, -5, 6 were identified to be upregulated in CE vs. HN. Fibulin-1, -3 and several immunoglobulin components were identified to be downregulated in the CE vs. HN contrast. ORA revealed several enriched processes, including serine-type endopeptidase activity, insulin-like growth factor I and II binding, and signaling receptor binding. Conclusion: We propose NADP-ME, an important enzyme of intermediary metabolism and redox homeostasis, as a potential biomarker candidate of emphysema. Notably, NADP-ME is also implicated in anoikis resistance. Additionally, changes in the expression levels of BMP1, ADAMTSL-2 and -4, and fibulin suggest potential major systemic effects of extracellular matrix perturbation. As all data was derived from LC-MS analysis, these findings need to be further evaluated with complementary methods. Full article

This study evaluated combinations of defoliation frequencies and intensities to identify grazing strategies that optimize forage accumulation and morphological composition in mixed pastures of Marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) with the legume Macrotyloma axillare. Treatments consisted of pre-grazing heights of 30 and 40 cm (defining defoliation frequency) combined with post-grazing heights of 15 and 20 cm (defoliation intensity), in a 2 × 2 factorial randomized block design with four repetitions. Forage accumulation rate, morphological component mass, and leaf area index (LAI) were evaluated under rotational stocking. The highest forage accumulation rates of grass and its stems occurred at a pre-grazing height of 30 cm. A taller pre-grazing height (40 cm) resulted in greater pre-grazing forage mass, leaf and stem mass of Marandu palisadegrass and LAI, but it also increased the amount of dead material and post-grazing stem mass. The greatest Macrotyloma forage accumulation occurred under grazing strategies of 30–20 cm and 40–15 cm. Lenient defoliation (20 cm post-grazing height) favored post-grazing leaf mass, whereas severe defoliation (15 cm) favored stem mass. Marandu palisadegrass showed higher LAI at 40 cm pre-grazing height (4.7) than at 30 cm (3.6), with slightly greater values under 20 cm (4.3) than 15 cm (4.1) post-grazing height, while Macrotyloma axillare exhibited low LAI. Across all grazing strategies, the legume mass decreased over time. Therefore, future studies should explore alternative grazing strategies and periodic reseeding of Macrotyloma axillare to maintain its presence in mixed tropical pastures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) affects healthcare professionals indirectly exposed to patients’ trauma, and emergency personnel may be particularly vulnerable. Evidence from Romania is limited. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey (July–August 2025) among emergency medical professionals working across the integrated emergency care system in Timisoara, Romania (prehospital ambulance/SMURD services and hospital Emergency Department). Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) symptoms were measured using the 17-item Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS; item coding 1–5). We summarized STSS total/subscale scores and reliability, classified total scores into severity categories (0–68 metric), compared scores by workplace, sex, and professional role, and examined associations with age and years of experience. Results: The analytic sample included 145 participants (49.0% women), with a median age of 44 years [33–50] and median professional experience of 10 years [5–15]. Mean total STSS was 36.4 (SD 11.9; range 17–66) and internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92). Most participants were classified as little/no STS (77.2%), followed by mild (12.4%), moderate (5.5%), high (4.1%), and severe (0.7%). STSS scores did not differ significantly between ambulance service and ED/UPU staff. Women reported higher total STSS than men (39.0 vs. 33.9; p = 0.010), with significant differences for intrusion (p = 0.035) and arousal (p = 0.004). Role differences were significant for total STSS, intrusion, and arousal (p ≤ 0.031), with nurses scoring higher than ambulance drivers/attendants in post hoc comparisons. Years of experience showed small positive correlations with total STSS (r = 0.18, p = 0.032) and intrusion (r = 0.21, p = 0.010); age was associated with intrusion only (r = 0.22, p = 0.008). Conclusions: In this Romanian emergency care cohort, most participants reported low STS severity, but a clinically relevant minority had moderate-to-severe symptoms. Higher symptom burden among women and nurses suggests groups that may benefit from targeted monitoring and support within the integrated emergency system. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients with pre-existing heart failure (HF) represent a clinically vulnerable population with increased susceptibility to adverse outcomes during acute systemic illnesses, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Systemic inflammation is increasingly recognized as a central pathophysiological mechanism linking cardiovascular vulnerability with infection-related organ dysfunction. However, the prognostic role of inflammatory biomarkers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients with pre-existing HF remains incompletely defined. This study aimed to evaluate the association between inflammatory biomarkers and clinical outcomes in this high-risk population. Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study included 395 consecutive adult patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 between March 2020 and December 2024 at a tertiary referral center. Pre-existing HF was documented in 143 patients (36.2%). Inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin, and D-dimer, were measured at admission. The primary outcomes were development of sepsis and in-hospital mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to identify independent predictors of adverse outcomes after adjustment for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, disease severity, and cardiac biomarkers. Results: Patients with pre-existing HF had significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared with those without HF (11.9% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.016) and showed a trend toward increased intensive care unit admission. HF patients exhibited higher admission IL-6 levels, indicating enhanced inflammatory activation. In univariable analysis, HF was associated with mortality (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.22–5.83, p = 0.014). After multivariable adjustment, the association between HF and mortality was attenuated, whereas IL-6 remained an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04–1.82, p = 0.021). Elevated IL-6 and procalcitonin levels were also independently associated with sepsis development. Conclusions: Pre-existing heart failure identifies a population at increased risk of adverse outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and this excess risk appears to be partly mediated by systemic inflammatory activation. Interleukin-6 emerged as a key biomarker linking cardiovascular vulnerability, immune dysregulation, and clinical deterioration. These findings support the potential role of inflammation-based risk stratification to improve prognostic assessment and guide personalized management in high-risk patients with underlying cardiovascular disease. Full article

Waste lignin from the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials is an abundant but underused by-product of the pulp and biorefinery industries. Phenolic compounds derived from lignin, rich in aromatic structures, show strong antioxidant potential and can be applied in polymer stabilization, food, and medical fields. This study evaluated the radical-scavenging activity of phenolic fractions obtained from alkaline-treated waste lignin against DPPH● and ABTS•⁺, using Trolox as a reference. Both spectrophotometric and electrochemical techniques were employed, providing deeper insight into the underlying mechanisms. Depending on the assay, the phenolic extracts demonstrated substantial radical-scavenging capacity, in some cases matching or surpassing that of Trolox. This behavior was linked to electron/proton transfer pathways, radical reactivity, and solubility effects. The combined use of multiple antioxidant tests offered a comprehensive characterization of the bioactivity of lignin-derived phenolics and supports their potential as sustainable sources of antioxidant compounds within a circular economy framework. Furthermore, the study examined how toluene-extracted phenolics affect the thermo-oxidative stability of model polyurethane films. Incorporating small amounts (1%, 3%, 5%) into the polymer matrix showed that a 1% loading provides the most effective stabilization. At higher concentrations, however, additional oxidative processes seem to be activated, as indicated by FTIR measurements and thermogravimetric analysis. Full article

This study examines how research in the United States has addressed infrastructure resilience across different disaster contexts, situating the topic within broader discussions on climate-related risks and adaptation. Infrastructure resilience has gained increasing importance as communities face more frequent and severe natural hazards and as infrastructure systems become more complex and interconnected. A database of more than 7000 studies published over the past century by universities, research centers, and government agencies was compiled and organized, including supplemental works from regions such as Europe, Australia, Japan, Africa, and South America. The dataset provides a long-term perspective on the evolution of resilience-related research and reflects the scope of accessible literature indexed in major research repositories. Using systematic classification, each study was categorized by disaster type (i.e., floods, hurricanes, wildfires, heatwaves, and snowstorms) and by infrastructure system (i.e., transportation, water, energy, telecommunications, and buildings). A keyword-based relevance scoring method was applied to distinguish studies in which resilience is a central analytical focus from those in which it appears as a secondary or contextual concept. The results are presented through an interactive web-based platform that enables users to explore resilience research by state, year, disaster type, infrastructure category, and level of relevance. The analysis reveals a substantial increase in resilience-related publications in recent decades, with notable geographic and thematic concentrations. Transportation and water infrastructure dominates the literature, while energy systems, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure remain underrepresented. These findings highlight both progress and persistent gaps in infrastructure resilience research and support more integrated, system-oriented, and future-focused resilience planning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease, largely driven by persistent systemic inflammation. This study aimed to assess the risk of CKD in RA patients and to evaluate its association with structural joint damage and cardiovascular risk (CVR). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 patients fulfilling the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA were evaluated. Structural joint damage was assessed using the Sharp/van der Heijde score (SHS). Renal involvement was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and intrarenal resistive index (RRI). CVR was assessed using the SCORE system, adjusted according to EULAR recommendations, and carotid ultrasonography was performed to assess intima–media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques. Results: SHS was significantly correlated with renal and vascular parameters, showing positive associations with ACR, RRI, and carotid IMT, and a negative correlation with eGFR (all p < 0.0001). CVR correlated positively with SHS, ACR, RRI, and IMT. Patients with elevated RRI (≥0.70) had longer disease duration, more severe joint damage, impaired renal function, and higher CVR. Conclusions: In RA patients, cumulative articular damage is closely associated with renal dysfunction and increased CVR, highlighting the central role of sustained inflammation in multiorgan involvement. Full article

The oil-bearing rose (Rosa damascena Mill.), traditionally cultivated in Bulgaria for centuries, and the rose oil produced from it are of major cultural and economic importance. Its distinctive fragrance and rich aromatic profile are highly valued worldwide. In this study, a set of 15 start codon-targeted (SCoT) molecular markers was used to evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships of 38 rose accessions. The analyzed materials included Bulgarian-bred R. damascena cultivars, a locally improved population (‘Population 5’), three oil-bearing species (Rosa alba L., Rosa gallica L., and Rosa centifolia L.), Romanian heritage roses, and an unidentified rose genotype from an old Bulgarian plantation (Rosa sp.). The SCoT primers yielded a cumulative count of 238 bands, with an average of 12.9 bands per primer. The range of diversity markers, such as PIC (0.20–0.78), number of different alleles (1.5–2.00), Shannon’s information index (0.24–0.69), and gene diversity (0.15–0.50), provided evidence of genetic differences among the examined accessions. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) revealed higher genetic variation within groups (61%) than among the groups (39%). Multivariate analyses (UPGMA, PCoA, and STRUCTURE) resolved the accessions into major genetic clusters corresponding to their taxonomic identity or breeding history. The unidentified Rosa sp. formed a distinct genetic group, showing closer affinity to R. gallica. The locally improved R. damascena ‘Population 5’ exhibited higher genetic diversity than the Bulgarian cultivars. Overall, our results demonstrate the effectiveness of SCoT markers and the value of local and traditional rose germplasm as reservoirs of genetic diversity. The study provides a molecular framework to support breeding, conservation, and sustainable management of oil-bearing rose genetic resources. Full article