Search Results (49,950)

Thanks to both endogenous and exogenous antioxidants (AOs), the antioxidant defense system ensures redox homeostasis, which is crucial for protecting the body from oxidative stress and maintaining overall health. The food industry also exploits the antioxidant properties to prevent or delay the oxidation of other molecules during processing and storage. There are many classical methods for assessing antioxidant capacity/activity, which are based on mechanisms such as hydrogen atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer (SET), electron transfer with proton conjugation (HAT/SET mixed mode assays) or the chelation of selected transition metal ions (e.g., Fe²⁺ or Cu¹⁺). The antioxidant capacity (AOxC) index value can be expressed in terms of standard AOs (e.g., Trolox or ascorbic acid) equivalents, enabling different products to be compared. However, there is currently no standardized method for measuring AOxC. Nanoparticle sensors offer a new approach to assessing antioxidant status and can be used to analyze environmental samples, plant extracts, foodstuffs, dietary supplements and clinical samples. This review summarizes the available information on nanoparticle sensors as tools for assessing antioxidant status. Particular attention has been paid to nanoparticles (with a size of less than 100 nm), including silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs), cerium oxide (CeONPs) and other metal oxide nanoparticles, as well as nanozymes. Nanozymes belong to an advanced class of nanomaterials that mimic natural enzymes due to their catalytic properties and constitute a novel signal transduction strategy in colorimetric and absorption sensors based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band. Other potential AOxC sensors include quantum dots (QDs, <10 nm), which are particularly useful for the sensitive detection of specific antioxidants (e.g., GSH, AA and baicalein) and can achieve very good limits of detection (LOD). QDs and metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) operate on different principles to evaluate AOxC. MNPs rely on optical changes resulting from LSPR, which are monitored as changes in color or absorbance during synthesis, growth or aggregation. QDs, on the other hand, primarily utilize changes in fluorescence. This review aims to demonstrate that, thanks to its simplicity, speed, small sample volumes and relatively inexpensive instrumentation, nanoparticle-based AOxC assessment is a useful alternative to classical approaches and can be tailored to the desired aim and analytes. Full article

Longitudinal studies consistently demonstrate that repeated exposure to peer victimisation can have enduring consequences for children and adolescents’ mental health. Documented outcomes include elevated risks of disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and self-harm or suicidality, as well as broader psychosocial difficulties such as low self-esteem, loneliness, and internalising difficulties. However, prevalence estimates and effect sizes vary widely, reflecting differences in study design, measurement strategies, follow-up length, and the operationalisation of victimisation. This systematic review synthesises findings from 24 longitudinal studies to provide a comprehensive account of the mental health and psychosocial outcomes associated with peer victimisation. Evidence was strongest for depression and anxiety disorders, where multiple population-based cohorts in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Scandinavia showed robust prospective and retrospective associations, with risks amplified by repeated or persistent exposure. Peer victimisation also functioned as a traumatic stressor, predicting later post-traumatic stress symptoms, while self-harm and suicidality were elevated in several large-scale studies, though findings were less consistent. Additional work linked victimisation to later impaired well-being, including low self-esteem and internalizing difficulties. Mediators such as rumination, hostile attributions, and internalised stigma and moderators including gender, school belonging, and family support further explained heterogeneity in outcomes. By integrating findings across diverse contexts, this review clarifies the breadth and severity of long-term consequences of peer victimisation, highlighting both psychological mechanisms and contextual buffers. These insights can inform theoretical models of victimisation as a developmental risk factor and support the design of targeted prevention and intervention strategies. Full article

Human West Nile virus (WNV) infections can have severe neurological health effects, especially among those over 50 years of age. As changes in weather patterns lead to more frequent and intense droughts, there is a public health need for improved understanding of drought associated WNV risks. While multiple studies have reported an association between drought conditions and human WNV cases, this information has not yet been synthesized systematically across studies. Our review aims to evaluate the existing evidence of an association between drought and human WNV cases while considering the impacts of different study regions, methodological approaches, drought metrics, and WNV case definitions. We conducted a systematic literature search of peer-reviewed epidemiological studies that examined a potential association between drought and human WNV cases. Our inclusion criteria targeted studies that employed measures of drought beyond precipitation and reported effect estimates along with measures of error. The literature search and screening process resulted in the inclusion of nine papers with study periods spanning from 1999 to 2018. The included peer-reviewed publications employed a wide variety of study designs and methods, such as linear mixed-effects models, generalized linear models using simultaneous autoregression, generalized additive models, Bayesian model averaging, and a case-crossover design using conditional logistic regression models. We summarize the key findings and provide study quality evaluations for each of the nine included studies. Studies that analyzed drought indices averaged over a seasonal period of three to four months reported positive associations between drought and WNV. However, studies that analyzed drought indicator variables averaged over weekly periods of time had less consistent results. We discuss potential mechanisms underlying the observed associations between drought and human WNV cases. Full article

This study presents the results on the composition of hydro-distilled essential oils and the antioxidant properties of extracts isolated with different polarity solvents from the leaves (GLEO) and roots (GREO) of wild-grown Lithuanian goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.). The yields of GLEO and GREO were 0.22% and 0.04%. The identified compounds numbered 117 and 88, which constituted 99.4 and 99.2% of the total integrated peak area, respectively. The major GLEO constituents were sesquiterpenes germacrene D (17.53%), (E)-β-bergamotene (11.75%), (E,E)-α-farnesene (7.23%), and (E)-caryophyllene (5.29%), while monoterpene α-pinene (19.24%) was quantitatively dominant in GREO, followed by sesquiterpenes germacrene B (4.59%), (E)-caryophyllene (4.51%), β-barbatene (4.26%), and β-bazzanene (4.10%). Polyacetylene (Z)-falcarinol, which is an important bioactive compound, constituted 4.60% in GREO. The antioxidant characteristics of water, methanol, and acetone extracts were evaluated by the TPC, DPPH^•/ABTS^•+ scavenging, and ORAC assays. The water and methanol extracts of the leaves were the strongest antioxidants; their TPC and ORAC values were 62.12 and 56.84 mg GAE/g, and 1426 and 1293 µM TE/g, respectively; the EC₅₀ values of DPPH^• and ABTS^•+ scavenging were 1.18 and 2.48, and 2.45 and 3.57 mg/mL, respectively. The results obtained may assist in developing antioxidants, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and other health-beneficial preparations from A. podagraria extracts. Full article

Urban waterfront spaces are key venues for residents’ physical activity, and their spatial environment significantly impacts usage efficiency. Existing studies predominantly employ linear models and focus on single waterfront types, making it difficult to reveal differences across various types and the nonlinear mechanisms of influencing factors. To address this, this study investigates three types of waterfront spaces in Shenzhen—riverfront, lakeshore, and seafront spaces—integrating multi-source data and machine learning techniques to systematically analyze the differential impacts of the same elements on physical activity. The results indicate: (1) In terms of transportation accessibility, public transport is the most important factor for riverfront and lakeshore spaces, while road network accessibility is most critical for seafront spaces. (2) Regarding natural landscapes, the dominant factors are normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) for riverfront spaces, green view index for lakeshore spaces, and distance to the shoreline for seafront spaces. (3) For facility services, the core factors are building density (riverfront), number of sports facilities (lakeshore), and number of leisure facilities (seafront). (4) The study further reveals nonlinear relationships and threshold effects of multiple elements. For instance, a turning point in physical activity intensity occurs when the distance to a subway station reaches 2–2.5 km. The green view index shows a threshold of 30% in the overall model, while dual-threshold phenomena are observed in the lakeshore and seafront models. (5) Synergistic effects between elements vary by waterfront type: in riverfront and seafront spaces, activity is more vibrant when areas are close to subway stations and have a low sky view index, whereas the opposite pattern is observed in lakeshore spaces. A combination of a high green view index and greater distance to the shoreline promotes activity in lakeshore spaces, while a high green view index combined with proximity to the shoreline has the most significant promotional effect in riverfront and seafront spaces. This study provides a scientific basis for health-oriented, precise planning and design of urban waterfront spaces. Full article

Background: The rapid rise in antimicrobial resistance has become one of the 10 most pressing health problems worldwide in recent years. Antibiotic stewardship offers hope in the fight against antibiotic resistance, but it is currently still falling short of expectations. A better understanding of the dynamics of the interaction between antibiotic consumption and the emergence and spread of resistance is urgently needed. Methods: We discuss a simple dynamic model based on a differential equation to describe the increase in the proportion of a pathogen’s antimicrobial resistance to an antibiotic as a function of the time-dependent consumption of that antibiotic. Furthermore, we investigate the association of heterogeneity in the consumption of antibiotics with the rate of resistant pathogens. Data basis is the hospital information system and the patient data-management system of a German hospital, restricted to the intensive care unit. To quantify heterogeneity, we discuss and compare different entropy measures. Results: For some pathogen–antibiotic pairs, the consumption-dependent dynamic model for the growth in the proportion of antimicrobial resistance provides acceptable predictions, while for others, the model is less suitable. Cross-resistance and complex interactions with other pathogens and antibiotics may be responsible for this, suggesting that the observed dynamic behavior should be complementary, described using heterogeneity models. Time courses of Shannon entropy, the Antibiotic Heterogeneity Index, and the negative Gini Index correlate positively with the time series of the resistance rate. Thus, an increase in heterogeneity correlates with a decreasing resistance rate. However, a time-delayed cross-correlation of a differential entropy measure with resistance share suggests a functional dependence that can be utilized for antibiotic stewardship. Conclusions: Evidence is provided that the amount of consumption of certain antibiotics drives the corresponding proportions of pathogens’ resistance to these antibiotics; however, the model predictions of these univariable models are generally not sufficiently good, pointing to a more complex interaction dynamics. Therefore, we switch to the level of structural features and show that the degree of constantly mixing of the shares of antibiotic consumption has a control function regarding the incidence of resistance. Controlling differential consumption heterogeneity, therefore, appears to be a feasible operational basis for antibiotic stewardship. Experimental studies are demanded to identify functional dependencies; however, the integration of clinical expertise with model-based prediction appears to be a feasible antibiotic stewardship strategy. Full article

With the improvement of living standards, people’s awareness of health care is becoming stronger and stronger. Rabbit meat is a very high-quality and healthy meat, but its consumption is low due to its poor flavor. To explore the regulatory mechanism of nutrition on the meat quality of rabbits, twenty-four rabbits were fed a control diet or a high-fat (5 percent lard) diet over 15 days. The contents and tissues of the jejunum were subjected to 16S sequencing and mRNA transcriptome sequencing, respectively. The results indicated that there were significant differences in species diversity through beta diversity analysis (p < 0.05). The diversity of alpha in the experimental group was also significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Based on gene function annotation, 8 bacteria at the phylum level and 11 bacteria at the genus level that are related to the metabolism of adipose tissue showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.05). The transcriptome results of the jejunum showed significant differences in 135 genes between the experimental group and control group (p < 0.05). Gene annotation revealed 10 differentially expressed genes related to fat metabolism, which regulate 36 signaling pathways. We speculated that Alloprevotella may influence drip loss and cooked meat rate by changing the expression of PHGDH through correlation analysis. In addition, Coprococcus may influence IMF by changing the expression of NEDD4, ANGPTL3, and CYP8B1. These results indicated that a high-fat diet changed the species and composition of bacteria in the rabbit jejunum. Alloprevotella and Coprococcus may influence rabbit meat quality and flavor by changing PHGDH, NEDD4, ANGPTL3, and CYP8B1 gene expression in the host. This study laid a molecular foundation for the improvement of rabbit meat quality through nutritional diets. Full article

The increasing use of multiple medications among older adults raises concerns about potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), which are associated with adverse health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and types of PIMs dispensed to older adults living in Northwest Italy using real-world pharmacy claims data. An observational, retrospective analysis was conducted on anonymized drug dispensing datasets from two local health authorities, covering individuals aged 65 years or older between 2018 and 2021. PIMs were identified according to the 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria, focusing on drugs that are inappropriate or should be used with caution in older adults or have anticholinergic properties. Over half of older adults who received medications during the study period were dispensed at least one PIM, with stable or slight increased prevalence over time with no differences by sex or region. Proton-pump inhibitors used for more than 8 weeks and paroxetine were the most common PIMs, while furosemide and sulfonylureas were also frequently reported PIMs. These findings indicate a persistently high burden of inappropriate prescribing in older adults and highlight the need for coordinated deprescribing interventions and prescriber education to promote safer, evidence-based pharmacotherapy in aging populations. Full article

Background: Milk fat metabolism is a complex process regulated by non-coding RNAs. circRNAs (circRNAs) can act as miRNA sponges to regulate target gene expression. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of the circRNA_01754/miR-302c/LATS2 axis in regulating milk fat metabolism in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). Methods: mRNA sequencing was performed on bovine mammary gland tissues from different lactation stages to analyze the expression profiles. The interactions between circRNA_01754, miR-302c, and LATS2 were verified using dual-luciferase reporter assays, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. The functional effects on triglyceride (TAG) and cholesterol synthesis were assessed. Results: CircRNA_01754 was identified as a direct sponge for miR-302c. Overexpression of circRNA_01754 increased LATS2 expression by sequestering miR-302c. Functional experiments showed that circRNA_01754 and LATS2 promoted TAG synthesis, whereas miR-302c inhibited it. Furthermore, miR-302c was found to regulate the expression of YAP1, a key effector of the Hippo pathway, through LATS2. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that circRNA_01754 promotes milk fat synthesis by acting as a ceRNA for miR-302c to upregulate LATS2. This study lays the groundwork for producing high-quality milk and opens up new avenues for enhancing public dietary health. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents is alarming, and the obesogenic environment is considered a major contributing factor to this public health concern. Nevertheless, individuals exposed to the same obesogenic environment exhibit considerable variability in their body weight and eating behaviors. Therefore, this study investigated the relationships between eating behaviors, sensory processing profiles, and peripheral biomarkers in the context of adolescent obesity. Methods: A total of 99 adolescents aged 11–18 years (51 in the obese group and 48 in the control group) were enrolled in the study. Blood and saliva samples were obtained from participants. All participants also completed a Sociodemographic Information Form, the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (A/ASP), and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in any of the sensory processing quadrants (p > 0.05). A moderate positive correlation was observed between Sensory Sensitivity (A/ASP) and Emotional Eating (DEBQ) (r = 0.442, p < 0.001), whereas no other associations between A/ASP quadrants and DEBQ subscales reached statistical significance after adjustment for multiple comparisons. After controlling for the effects of sex, BMI and physical activity, plasma leptin, ghrelin, and salivary cortisol levels were not significantly associated with restrained, emotional, or external eating behaviors (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Obese and control group adolescents exhibited similar sensory processing profiles, yet higher sensory sensitivity scores were associated with greater emotional eating. These findings suggest that sensory sensitivity may be relevant for understanding emotional eating in adolescence; however, longitudinal research is required to determine whether this association is causal and to clarify the processes underlying it. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of pineapple pomace as a functional feed additive on growth performance, fecal microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and odor substance emissions in weaned piglets. The experiment utilized 90 weaned three-way crossbred piglets (Duroc–Yorkshire–Guoshou Black Pig) at 28 days of age, randomly divided into three groups of 10 pigs each: the control group (CON, basal diet), the fish meal group (FM, basal diet + 2% imported fish meal), and the pineapple pomace group (PPC, basal diet + 2% pineapple pomace compound). The results indicated the PPC group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05) and significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05) than the CON group. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that the PPC group significantly increased fecal microbiota species richness and diversity (p < 0.01) while enriching beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and butyrate-producing bacteria such as Blautia. Concurrently, acetic acid and butyric acid levels in feces were significantly elevated in the PPC group (p < 0.05), with butyric acid production markedly higher than in the FM group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the levels of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs), such as isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid (p < 0.05). Moreover, PPC supplementation led to a significant decrease in fecal levels of indole and 3-methylindole (skatole) (p < 0.05). In summary, dietary inclusion of 2% pineapple pomace improves growth performance and intestinal health in weaned piglets by modulating the fecal microbiota, promoting beneficial SCFA production, and inhibiting protein putrefaction. These findings support PPC as an effective and sustainable alternative to fish meal, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly feeding strategies in pig production. Full article

Background: Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC, long COVID) is associated with persistent symptoms and marked reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but real-world data on rehabilitation and everyday functioning remain limited. Methods: In a cross-sectional online survey conducted between 15 April and 15 May 2024, we analysed 406 adults (308 women; mean age 36.0 ± 12.1 years) with ongoing post-COVID symptoms recruited from two moderator-supervised support communities. The questionnaire included sociodemographic and clinical items, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale. Participants indicated whether they had completed any form of rehabilitation targeting post-COVID problems (yes/no). Group differences were examined using Welch’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U and χ² tests, as appropriate. Multiple linear regression models with Bonferroni correction were used to explore associations between rehabilitation status, age, sex, symptom duration and outcomes. Results: Overall, 182 respondents (44.8%) reported rehabilitation and 224 (55.2%) did not. The groups did not differ significantly in age, sex distribution, BMI, number of infections, symptom duration or hospitalisation history. Most SF-36 domains, component summaries and PCFS differed significantly between groups, with small-to-large effects favouring respondents who reported rehabilitation. The largest effect sizes were observed for Vitality and Mental Health, whereas Physical Functioning showed no clear difference. In multivariable models, older age and longer symptom duration were consistently associated with poorer HRQoL, while rehabilitation status remained a robust correlate of better scores in several SF-36 domains, both component summaries, perceived health, and lower PCFS grades after correction for multiple testing. Conclusions: Although the cross-sectional design, self-reported data and non-standardised rehabilitation exposure preclude causal inference, the findings highlight the substantial HRQoL and functional burden of long COVID and suggest that, within a symptomatic population, reported completion of rehabilitation is positively associated with multiple aspects of everyday health and functioning. Full article

Background and Objectives: Milk with A2/A2 β-casein (A2 milk) is currently the subject of numerous studies on the effects of its consumption on health. Commonly consumed milk contains a mixture of β-casein of different genetic variants (most often A1 and A2). In the polypeptide chain of A2/A2 β-casein, proline occurs at position 67, while in β-casein A1/A2, histidine occurs. The main goal of the dietary intervention was to identify and compare the effects of consuming A2 milk, conventional milk (A1) and oat drink on bone health, cardiometabolic health and immune system function in adults. Methods: The controlled IMPA-CT (Investigating Milk and Plant Alternatives Comparative Trial) Study was a randomized study with three groups (A2 Milk group, A1 Milk group, and Oat Drink group). The study included 162 adults with normal and/or overweight, without coexisting chronic diseases, aged 30–60 years. The intervention study consisted of the consumption of 500 mL of an appropriate product (A2 milk/A1 milk/oat drink) daily for 12 weeks. After qualification of the subjects, before the start of the study (T1′), in the 4th week of the study (T2′), in the 8th week of the study (T3′) and at the end of the study, after 12 weeks (T4’), an assessment of the diet and nutritional status was planned. Body composition, bone mineral density (DEXA) and biochemical tests were done. The primary outcome will be the effect of cow’s milk variants and oat drink consumption on bone health. Secondary outcomes will include changes in nutrient intake and cardiometabolic health as well as the immune system in adults. Expected Results and Contributions: The study design, including extensive follow-up and robust endpoint measures, contributed to understanding the therapeutic potential and safety profile or otherwise of β-casein A2/A2 milk and plant-based drinks. Full article

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm characterized by grim survival outcomes, despite significant therapeutic advances. Mortality rates (up to 70%) have remained unaltered for decades, predominantly due to profound diagnostic delays. These derive from the asymptomatic nature of the early stages of oral carcinogenesis and the emergence of dysplastic areas in previously benign lesions, acting as the bridge to malignant transformation. Hence, the establishment of reliable salivary biomarkers is crucial for non-invasive OSCC detection, even from the premalignant stage of dysplasia. Based on our previous bioinformatic research identifying stage-specific miRNAs throughout OSCC progression, which yielded miR-34a-5p as the most significant, we aimed to experimentally investigate its role in oral oncogenesis and explore its stage-reflecting biomarker potential for liquid biopsy. Methods: The expression of miR-34a was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR in saliva samples from 9 patients with oral premalignant dysplastic lesions, 10 patients with OSCC and 10 healthy controls. The diagnostic accuracy of miR-34a expression profiles was assessed using ROC-curve analyses. Results: The expression of salivary miR-34a differed significantly across the studied groups, demonstrating a steep decrease in the presence of epithelial premalignant dysplasia, significant upregulation in OSCC and intermediate levels in normal oral mucosa (p < 0.001). The ROC results indicate strong diagnostic performance for the detection of oral dysplasia (AUC = 0.93; p < 0.001), OSCC (AUC = 0.77; p = 0.01) and excellent accuracy for the discrimination between premalignant and OSCC lesions (AUC = 0.98; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings reveal a state-dependent dysregulation of miR-34a in oral carcinogenesis, suggesting its complex role as a pathogenetic agent that allows for malignant transformation through its diminished expression, and as a secondary reactive mechanism attempting to suppress tumor development. Salivary miR-34a holds great, stage-specific diagnostic potential, thereby reflecting the health state of oral mucosa in real time. Full article

Background: Breastfeeding provides optimal nutrition and immunological protection, offering critical benefits for infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) and their mothers. This study aims to determine the prevalence of breastfeeding practices and identify common obstacles among mothers with and without CHD whose children are diagnosed with CHD. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed breastfeeding prevalence and obstacles among mothers with and without congenital heart disease (CHD) whose children were also diagnosed with CHD. Data were collected from January to August 2025 across tertiary hospitals and pediatric cardiology units in Saudi Arabia. A validated bilingual questionnaire (Cronbach’s α = 0.816) captured maternal, infant, and breastfeeding-related factors. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and odds ratios were applied, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 419 mothers of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) participated. Maternal CHD was reported in 15.8% of participants and was significantly associated with older maternal age, family history of CHD, low birth weight, and the presence of other chronic diseases (p < 0.05). Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and mitral stenosis were more frequent among children of CHD mothers. Breastfeeding initiation (≈91%) and duration did not differ significantly between CHD and non-CHD mothers. Interestingly, CHD mothers reported fewer breastfeeding obstacles (27.3% vs. 43.1%, p = 0.04) and were less likely to cite fatigue or pain as reasons for discontinuation. Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into breastfeeding practices and maternal child health characteristics among mothers and infants affected by CHD in Saudi Arabia. The current study findings revealed that maternal CHD was significantly associated with advanced maternal age, family history, low birth weight, and coexisting chronic conditions, highlighting important genetic and perinatal risk factors. Despite these health burdens, breastfeeding initiation and duration did not significantly differ between CHD and non-CHD mothers, suggesting that maternal CHD alone does not hinder breastfeeding success. Full article