Search Results (19,909)

Social media influencers (SMIs) have become effective intermediaries that influence consumer perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions through their online presence and persuasion skills; this has made it imperative to comprehend how buyer-related variables contribute to brand loyalty within contemporary marketing research. This study, therefore, examines the effect of social media influencer capability on brand loyalty in Saudi Arabia, using brand trust as a mediating variable and authentic leadership as a moderating variable. Utilizing Social Exchange Theory and Authentic Leadership Theory, the study applied a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were purposively collected from 476 active social media users in three major commercial hubs in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam). The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal that authenticity and communication skills have a positive and significant influence on brand trust and brand loyalty, but expertise and influence only have a significant and positive influence on brand trust, not on brand loyalty directly, which means that the two constructs are indirectly influencing brand loyalty. The study also finds that authentic leadership significantly moderates the relationship between expertise, influence, and communication skills and brand loyalty, while the interaction with authenticity is not significant. Moreover, the mediation analysis shows that brand trust plays a significant mediating role in the relationships between communication skills, expertise and influence and brand loyalty, implying that the antecedents play a leading role in fostering loyalty by first developing trust. The study contributes to theory by offering a process-based perspective on the concept of brand loyalty that positions brand trust as a fundamental mechanism and authentic leadership as a vital enabling context. The findings have practical implications for organizations that want to strengthen brand loyalty through authentic communication, trust-building strategies, and leadership practices in social media-based contexts. Full article

Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a major clinical challenge, driven in part by resistance–nodulation–division (RND) efflux pumps that reduce intracellular antibiotic concentrations and limit the efficacy of many antibacterial agents, including fluoroquinolones. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize TXA11114 as a small-molecule efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) capable of restoring the activity of the fluoroquinolone levofloxacin against MDR P. aeruginosa. Methods: The antibacterial activity of the TXA11114–levofloxacin combination was evaluated using minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays against panels of clinical isolates. Mechanistic studies included levofloxacin accumulation assays, ethidium bromide accumulation assays, outer-membrane permeability measurements, and whole-genome sequencing of mutants with altered potentiation phenotypes. In vivo efficacy was evaluated in murine thigh and lung infection models, while preliminary safety and drug-like properties were assessed using cytotoxicity assays and in vitro ADME profiling. Results: The TXA11114–levofloxacin combination produced > 1 log₁₀ CFU reductions in bacterial burden in murine thigh and lung infection models, exceeding the activity of levofloxacin monotherapy. TXA11114 markedly potentiated levofloxacin activity, producing substantial reductions in levofloxacin MIC values across multiple MDR clinical isolates, and also enhanced the activity of several additional efflux pump substrates, including β-lactams, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Mechanistic experiments demonstrated increased intracellular accumulation of efflux substrates without evidence of nonspecific membrane disruption, and mutations in ompH were associated with altered potentiation phenotypes. Conclusions: The TXA11114–levofloxacin combination produced significantly greater bacterial reductions than levofloxacin monotherapy in murine infection models. Levofloxacin was selected because fluoroquinolone resistance in P. aeruginosa is frequently driven by efflux-mediated mechanisms. While this study focused on levofloxacin potentiation, future work will evaluate additional efflux pump substrates and further define the molecular target of TXA11114. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ginger has a long history as both a culinary and medicinal plant and is widely recognized in traditional medicine for its ability to promote health and well-being. The principal bioactive compounds of ginger are present in fresh and dried forms and have been largely studied for their therapeutic potential. These compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities mediated through various mechanisms. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of innovative delivery systems, thereby enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of ginger-derived compounds in modern medical applications. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of ginger and its potential role in disease prevention. Relevant studies were identified through the main research databases, publication screening, manual reference checks, and author consensus was conducted. Results: This narrative review provides an overview of the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds in ginger for the management and prevention of cardiovascular, arthritis, neurodegenerative, and gastrointestinal diseases, with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms. In addition, their potential anti-aging properties are extensively discussed. The evidence reported is predominantly preclinical (in vitro and in vivo models), with more limited and heterogeneous clinical data. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in accelerating the discovery and evaluation of bioactive agents with therapeutic relevance across diverse biological systems. Conclusions: This review highlights the emerging applications of ginger extracts in human health and suggests their applications in both traditional medicine and contemporary drug discovery. Full article

Cancer ranks as one of the top causes of death worldwide, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates an increase of up to 55% in cases over the next 15 years, reaching 300 million cases worldwide. Current approaches to the treatment of cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, have been used with continuous significant advancements. However, these conventional methods have harmful side effects that can last a lifetime. Today, there is growing interest in developing alternative cancer therapies from natural products or complementary medicine. One of the natural sources that has shown promise as an anticancer agent is honey, which has long been applied as a complementary medicine, and its beneficial health effects on various diseases in both animal and human models have been widely studied. Malaysian honey, such as Tualang, pineapple, Gelam, Kelulut, and Acacia, possesses a rich composition of phytochemicals, including polyphenols and flavonoids, which are reported to have promising anticancer properties. Examples of the phytochemicals highlighted in this review are phenolic acid, syringic acid, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, benzoic acid, caffeic acid, chrysin and its derivatives, kaempferol, fisetin, catechin, apigenin, quercetin, acacetin, pinocembrin, pinobanksin, hesperetin, naringenin, vitexin, isoorientin, xanthohumol, and galangin. This review highlights the anticancer mechanisms and molecular pathways of the phytochemicals found in Malaysian honey, focusing on their antioxidant effects, induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis, and suppression of cancer cell proliferation. The findings of various studies published in the past five years are collated to understand their mechanisms of action. Full article

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central regulator of energy homeostasis, and its dysregulation is implicated in HF pathophysiology. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been investigated in HF management, but a systematic synthesis of preclinical evidence on TCM-mediated AMPK modulation is lacking. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were searched from January 2020 to December 2025 using a comprehensive strategy combining terms for AMPK, HF, and TCM. Studies were included if they were original research investigating TCM-derived compounds or formulas in HF models and reporting AMPK modulation. Study quality and evidence levels were assessed using predefined criteria. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results: Of 243 records identified, 56 studies met the inclusion criteria (7 from database search and 49 from manual screening). Direct evidence for AMPK-dependent cardioprotection was limited. Cinnamaldehyde and paeoniflorin showed the most rigorous validation with confirmed target engagement and loss-of-function rescue. Berberine, crocin, ginsenoside Rb1, and honokiol demonstrated pathway-specific effects validated by pharmacological or genetic approaches. Most complex herbal formulas provided correlative evidence only, with Fuyu Decoction being a notable exception where AMPK agonist EX229 confirmed pathway involvement. Conclusions: Current evidence for TCM-mediated AMPK modulation in HF remains predominantly preliminary and correlative. Future research should prioritize causality validation using genetic models and human-relevant systems. Full article

Sustainable development has become an important global goal for environmental protection and economic growth. Promoting environmental sustainability and green development has become an inevitable trend for global economic transformation. The carbon emission trading market (carbon market) is a crucial market-based mechanism for pricing greenhouse gas emissions, where carbon trading prices signal the costs of emission reduction and drive firms to engage in green technology innovation for a low-carbon transition. Using a sample of A-share listed companies in China’s eight carbon pilot regions from 2013 to 2024, this study employs a two-way fixed effects model to examine how carbon prices affect both the quantity and quality of corporate green technological innovation. Baseline regressions show that a one-unit increase in carbon prices significantly boosts green patent quantity (GreNum) by 0.018 and quality (GreQua) by 0.361, both at the 1% significance level. Mechanism analysis reveals that financing constraints act as a partial mediator, while environmental regulation and media attention further amplify the positive impact of carbon prices on corporate green technological innovation. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that this positive effect is more pronounced in non-high-tech enterprises, China’s northern and eastern regions, and state-owned enterprises. This study provides empirical evidence for optimizing carbon market allocation, supporting corporate low-carbon transition, and promoting global environmental sustainability and green development. Full article

Excessive lipid accumulation, a hallmark characteristic of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, has become a worldwide challenge, necessitating the exploration of secure and efficacious natural products for its intervention. In the present work, a polysaccharide (MCP) was extracted and purified from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L., a novel halophyte, and its physicochemical properties, in vitro fermentation characteristics, lipid-lowering activity, and underlying mechanisms were systematically investigated. Physicochemical analysis revealed that MCP is an acidic polysaccharide, with galacturonic acid as the predominant monosaccharide component, broad molecular weight distribution, and a porous structural morphology. In vitro fermentation experiments demonstrated that MCP could be effectively utilized by human fecal microbiota, significantly promoting the yield of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate at high concentrations, which outperformed inulin. 16S rDNA sequencing uncovered that MCP optimized microbiota composition by enriching SCFA-producing beneficial bacteria (Prevotella_9, Faecalibacterium) while suppressing opportunistic pathogens (Megamonas, Escherichia-Shigella). Metabolomic analysis of fermentation broth revealed that MCP significantly affected microbial glycerophospholipid metabolic pathways. Experiments in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) confirmed that MCP inhibited HFD-induced lipogenesis, which was linked to the regulation of the nhr-49/sbp-1-mediated lipogenesis pathway. For the first time, using an antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion model in C. elegans, the lipid-lowering effect of MCP was observed to disappear, suggesting a potential role of the gut microbiota in mediating this effect. This investigation establishes a scientific basis for MCP as a novel prebiotic or dietary supplement for managing obesity-related lipid accumulation. Full article

Background: Piperine, an alkaloid from Piper nigrum, modulates oxidative stress, proliferation, and survival pathways in several cancer models; however, its mechanistic effects in colorectal epithelial Caco-2 cells remain insufficiently defined. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic, antiproliferative, oxidative, autophagic, and anti-migratory effects of piperine in Caco-2 cells. Methods: Caco-2 cells were treated with piperine (0.001–0.1 mg/mL) for up to 72 h. Cell viability, proliferation, and migration were assessed using SRB and scratch assays. Oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, and tight junction integrity were evaluated through ROS quantification, Western blotting, gene expression analysis, confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). NACET was used to determine the contribution of oxidative stress to piperine-induced cytotoxicity and autophagy. Results: Piperine induced a time- and dose-dependent reduction in viability, with viability decreasing to 53.0 ± 2.88% at 0.1 mg/mL after 72 h. Proliferation decreased to 51% of control levels (p < 0.001), accompanied by p21 upregulation (p < 0.05), indicating G2/M cell cycle arrest. Piperine markedly increased intracellular ROS (p < 0.001), downregulated NRF2 (p < 0.05), and suppressed GSTA1 expression (p < 0.001), while NACET co-treatment restored viability (p < 0.001). No activation of caspase-dependent apoptosis was observed. Piperine significantly enhanced autophagic flux, as shown by the increased LC3B-II/LC3B-I ratio (p < 0.01), elevated LC3B-II/LAMP-1 co-localization (p < 0.01), and chloroquine-induced accumulation of LC3B-II and p62 (p < 0.01), with preserved lysosomal function. TEM analysis confirmed a marked increase in double-membrane autophagosomes in piperine-treated cells compared with controls. NACET reduced LC3B-II/LC3B-I levels, increased p21 expression, and significantly improved cell viability, indicating that piperine-induced autophagy is cytotoxic and driven by oxidative stress. Additionally, piperine upregulated occludin (p < 0.01) and reduced cell migration independently of proliferation (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Piperine exerts antiproliferative effects in Caco-2 cells through ROS-mediated stress, p21-dependent G2/M arrest, and activation of cytotoxic autophagy. Its ability to impair migration and enhance tight junction integrity further supports its potential as a complementary therapeutic agent in colon cancer. Full article

Although diazotrophy is compatible with low-carbon agriculture and aligned with sustainability goals, its benefits could be expanded by better leveraging associative plant–diazotroph partnerships. Host control, however, remains underemphasized despite increasing resolution of microbial determinants of colonization. Understanding how plants tune permissiveness across fluctuating mineral N landscapes is therefore central to explaining when microbial presence translates into measurable diazotrophic function and plant N gain. Here, we propose an N-mediated host gatekeeping framework that organizes existing evidence into four licensing windows: (i) spatial positioning of permissive sites, (ii) N-sensitive transcriptional thresholding, (iii) local immune tuning at the contact interface, and (iv) carbon energy arbitration sustaining fixation and N transfer. Our model predicts that moderate, spatially heterogeneous mineral N biases the root interface toward permissive states in which microdomain colonization can translate into measurable biological nitrogen fixation, whereas at either extreme one or more windows tend to close. In crops, soil heterogeneity and genotype-linked root functional traits act as filters shaping when functional engagement becomes possible. By reframing N as both a resource and a signal acting through host arbitration, this model clarifies how permissiveness can be tuned to better realize diazotrophic potential and support plant N gain under rational mineral N management. Full article

Speaking proficiency remains one of the most challenging skills for learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), particularly in contexts where sustained spoken interaction is limited. This systematic review synthesises 36 empirical studies (2015–2025) identified through a PRISMA-guided Scopus search to examine how artificial intelligence (AI)-mediated instruction supports EFL speaking development. The included studies were analysed according to AI modality, pedagogical integration, instructional input characteristics, and linguistic and affective outcomes. Findings indicate that AI tools—such as chatbots, automatic speech recognition systems, and large language models—consistently support affective outcomes, including reduced speaking anxiety and increased willingness to communicate. Improvements in fluency, pronunciation, and accuracy were frequently reported, particularly when AI tools were embedded within task-based and pedagogically structured instructional designs. However, evidence for sustained development of higher-order communicative competence was more variable. The review proposes a mediated input framework conceptualising AI as a design-sensitive instructional resource rather than an autonomous teaching agent. Full article

Spring and autumn phenology jointly regulate terrestrial carbon, water, and energy exchanges, yet the mechanisms linking seasonal transitions remain debated under increasing hydroclimatic stress. Here, we integrate satellite-derived phenology with reanalysis-based indicators of land–atmosphere coupling to examine how spring onset interacts with growing season controlling factors and how these interactions shape autumn senescence at the global scale. Globally, start-of-season (SOS) and end-of-season (EOS) timings are positively coupled, with later SOS generally followed by later EOS, and this relationship becomes stronger when only later-SOS years are considered. However, SOS does not induce coherent global shifts in growing season climate limitation. Piecewise structural equation modeling reveals that SOS influences EOS primarily through a direct phenological pathway, with a mean path coefficient of ~0.4 day·day⁻¹ explaining approximately 26% of global EOS variability. In contrast, energy and water-mediated pathways contribute smaller but spatially heterogeneous effects, together accounting for ~5% of explained variance on average. SOS–EOS coupling is strongest in water-limited regimes, particularly in grasslands and shrublands. Managed croplands exhibit distinct and more heterogeneous responses, reflecting partial decoupling of phenology from natural hydroclimatic constraints. Collectively, our results indicate that spring phenology exerts a robust but spatially variable influence on autumn timing, dominated by direct effects rather than indirect mediation through growing season climate limitations, with regional modulation imposed by background hydroclimatic conditions. Full article

Our study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a 20% ethanolic extract of the Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. (EPT) herb and its associated bioactive compounds in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma mouse model. We used phytochemical analysis and identified sesamoside, shanzhiside methyl ester, 8-O-acetyl shanzhiside methyl ester, and isoacteoside as the bioactive components. We validated and quantitatively analyzed shanzhiside methyl ester as a major compound. The treatment with EPT significantly attenuated the T helper type 2 (Th2)-based immune response, eosinophilia, histopathological changes, and biochemical parameters. Furthermore, EPT inhibited interleukin (IL)-33-mediated activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathways, as well as reduced fibrosis and apoptosis associated with inflammation. The findings of our study suggest that EPT is a promising natural substance for alleviating symptoms of allergic asthma. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a sensitive developmental period marked by heightened emotional reactivity and increasing demands on emotion recognition and regulation. Although alexithymia has been associated with less adaptive and avoidant coping tendencies in adolescents, most prior research has relied on descriptive or bivariate approaches, leaving the underlying processes and model-based pathways insufficiently clarified. In particular, the explanatory role of difficulties in emotion regulation in the association between alexithymia and coping strategies remains underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by examining whether difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the relationship between alexithymia and coping strategies in adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1415 adolescents (13–17 years) from public high schools in Central Anatolia, Türkiye, completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16), and the Coping Strategies Indicator (CSI). Pearson correlations were calculated. Mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS Macro (Model 4) with 5000 bootstrap samples, adjusting for age, gender, academic achievement, and family type. Results: Alexithymia was moderately associated with emotion regulation difficulties (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses revealed significant indirect effects for seeking social support (B = −0.068, 95% CI [−0.087, −0.051]) and problem solving (B = −0.067, 95% CI [−0.086, −0.049]), with direct effects remaining significant, indicating inconsistent (competitive) mediation patterns. For avoidance coping, the indirect effect was significant (B = −0.072, 95% CI [−0.090, −0.055]), whereas the direct effect became non-significant, consistent with an indirect-only mediation pattern. Correlations involving coping outcomes were small in magnitude. According to Cohen’s criteria, the association between alexithymia and emotion regulation difficulties was moderate in magnitude, whereas correlations involving coping outcomes were small. Conclusions: Difficulties in emotion regulation emerged as a statistical mediator within the proposed model, demonstrating systematic associations between alexithymia and distinct coping patterns in adolescents. These findings underscore the relevance of emotion regulation–focused prevention and intervention efforts in school settings. By examining multiple coping outcomes simultaneously within a covariate-adjusted mediation framework in a large community adolescent sample, this study offers an integrative, model-based perspective on how alexithymic traits are linked to coping through regulatory difficulties. Full article

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a member of the Vesiculovirus genus within the Rhabdoviridae family, is a widespread pathogen affecting all hoofed livestock species, leading to reduced animal growth and productivity. To date, no effective therapeutic treatment for VSV infection has been developed. Natural medicinal compounds with immunomodulatory properties represent a promising supportive strategy for infection control. Ginsenoside Rh1, a primary bioactive component of ginseng plants, has been reported to possess broad pharmacological and immunoregulatory activities. Nevertheless, its potential antiviral effects against VSV remain unexplored. In this study, we demonstrate that Ginsenoside Rh1 exhibits considerable antiviral activity against VSV in cellular models. Mechanistically, its antiviral effect is primarily mediated through the inhibition of VSV-induced autophagy, thereby enhancing interferon-mediated antiviral responses. Collectively, our findings identify Ginsenoside Rh1 as a novel antiviral agent active against VSV and potentially related vesiculoviruses, clarify its mechanism of action, and highlight an autophagy-dependent immunomodulatory approach that could be critical for confronting existing and emerging RNA viral infections. Full article

Background/Objectives: The mediating role of the diverse range of screen-based sedentary behaviors (SBs) remains understudied, particularly at younger ages. The present study examined the direct and indirect effects of parental BMI and education on ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among preschoolers, testing the potential mediating role of screen time. Methods: The cross-sectional study sample comprised 919 kindergarten children (484 boys, 52.7%), with ages ranging from 2.2 to 6.8 years (mean: 4.7 ± 1.0 years). Screen-based sedentary behaviors (television viewing, smartphone use, tablet use, computer use, and playing electronic games) were measured by proxy-report fulfilled by parents, separately for weekdays and weekends. UPF consumption (drinks/yogurts, packaged/fast foods, and sweet/salty snacks) was assessed via 24 h recall scales. Path analysis mediation models tested direct effects of maternal/paternal BMI and education on UPF intake, and indirect effects through screen time, controlling for child age and sex. Results: Lower parental education and higher parental BMI were associated with increased mobile device use and UPF consumption (r = 0.10–0.28). Screen-based sedentary behaviors mediated the association between maternal BMI and UPF pathways (15–90% of total effects), particularly for sweet and salty snacks (50–90%). Parental education effects were also mediated by screen time (9–23% indirect effects), with paternal education showing stronger protection against packaged/fast foods. Conclusions: Mobile devices and watching television partially mediate intergenerational transmission of obesogenic dietary patterns from parental BMI/education to preschoolers’ UPF consumption. Findings of the current study support family-centered interventions targeting screen-time limits and UPF exposure, mainly at the weekends, to prevent early obesity trajectories. Full article