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Background/Objectives: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) remain frequent and increase morbidity, mortality, and resource use. Preoperative risk scores (ARISCAT, NSQIP-derived calculators) use mostly static variables and may miss the dynamic perioperative host response preceding respiratory deterioration or infection. We address the gap in clinically interpretable syntheses of perioperative blood biomarker trajectories that distinguish infectious from non-infectious PPCs and clarify bedside-ready versus exploratory markers. Methods: We conducted a narrative review with a structured Medline search (inception to 1 November 2025) plus reference screening. We included English-language adult surgical studies (observational or interventional) evaluating perioperative blood biomarkers in relation to PPCs or postoperative pulmonary infection; case reports, editorials, and reviews were excluded. No formal risk-of-bias assessment or quantitative meta-analysis was performed. Results: Across 298 cited publications, serial patterns of routinely available biomarkers (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, lactate, albumin, and leukocyte-derived indices) were most consistently associated with PPC risk and helped separate expected postoperative inflammation from evolving infection when interpreted longitudinally rather than as single values. Mechanistic biomarkers (cytokines/immune-function assays, endothelial injury and coagulation/fibrinolysis markers, oxidative stress indicators) add biological insight but are limited by assay availability, heterogeneous sampling windows, and absent standardized cut-offs. Omics signatures and machine learning models combining biomarker kinetics with clinical variables are promising but require prospective, transportable validation. Conclusions: Key barriers to implementation include biological variability, non-specificity across postoperative syndromes, heterogeneous sampling windows, and lack of standardized cut-offs. Integrating multimarker panels into validated, dynamic predictive frameworks represents a promising direction for perioperative precision medicine. Full article

Opportunities to capture anticipated niche markets for diverse populations continue to rise. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), considered a high-value crop, is rich in nutritional and medicinal properties; however, fresh okra is highly perishable. This study examined the effects of thermal pre-treatments and drying processes in combination on the nutritional quality of dried okra. The experiment consisted of two thermal treatments (steam-blanched and hot water-blanched, and the control) and three drying treatments (freeze-dried, hot air-dried, and infrared-dried). Okra was grown in black plastic mulch, harvested twice per week, and processed three times throughout the growing season. The study analyzed moisture content, water activity, phytonutrients, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, and antioxidant activities. No significant differences were observed in moisture content and water activity among the treatments. Significant differences were observed among treatments and harvest time for total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity. Notable differences in β-carotene content were observed across all treatments. Based on the findings, the steam-blanched freeze-dried treatment was the most effective preservation technique for maintaining the nutritional and functional quality of dried okra. Hot water-blanching, hot air-drying, and infrared-drying were the least effective for the development of a high-value, nutrient-dense dried okra value-added product. Full article

A huge amount of waste is produced annually by the food processing industry which must be valorized into high-value products. Therefore, the aim of this work involves the use of such wastes for production of β-glucans from medicinal basidiomycete strains which are powerful biological response modifiers in several clinical disorders. The production of β-glucans from basidiomycete strains in submerged fermentation was monitored by using monoclonal antibodies of the IgG and IgM classes as well as by Congo red assay in the presence of several agro-industrial waste products such as milk permeate, waste coffee grounds, orange peels and rice husks. Subsequently, these β-glucans were purified by using gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. FTIR analysis of several β-glucans was carried out to investigate their structural properties. The adsorption of β-glucans on microtiter plates was dependent on the temperature as well as on the time period of immobilization for ELISA. These mAbs can be used in a competitive ELISA for detection and quantification of β-glucans from basidiomycete mushrooms. Full article

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have emerged as a critical component of diet quality, yet data on the associations between UPF and nutrient intakes remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate nutrient consumption in relation to UPF intake and adherence to international dietary guidelines for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention. Methods: Data from 469 individuals aged 2–18 years enrolled in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS) were analyzed. Intakes were assessed using two 24 h recalls, and foods were classified according to the NOVA system. Participants were categorized by UPF energy intake tertiles. Nutrient adequacy was assessed using Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, European Society of Cardiology guidelines for macronutrients, and the Institute of Medicine’s Estimated Average Requirements and Adequate Intake values for micronutrients. Results: Children in the highest UPF tertile had significantly higher intakes of energy, carbohydrates, added sugars, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and cholesterol, but lower intakes of protein compared to those in the lowest tertile. Fiber intake remained inadequate across all tertiles, with no significant differences. Regarding adherence to NCD prevention guidelines, children in the 3rd UPF tertile had a 2.3 times higher prevalence ratio for exceeding added sugar recommendations, while their protein intake prevalence ratio was 0.8 times lower. For micronutrients, the highest UPF tertile showed significantly elevated intakes of vitamins E, B₁, folate, calcium, iron, copper, and sodium, but lower potassium intake compared to the lowest tertile. Conclusions: Our results underscore the need for effective public health strategies to improve diet quality in children and adolescents and prevent diet-related NCDs. Full article

In today’s world, unhealthy living habits have contributed to the rise in metabolic disorders like hyperlipidemia. Recognized as a popular edible and medicinal mushroom in China and various eastern nations, Ganoderma lucidum is a promising high-value functional and medicinal food with multiple biological activities. Our earlier research has demonstrated that G. lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) showed distinct lipid-lowering abilities by enhancing the response to oxidative stress and inflammation, adjusting bile acid production and lipid regulation factors, and facilitating reverse cholesterol transport through Nrf2-Keap1, NF-κB, LXRα-ABCA1/ABCG1, CYP7A1-CYP27A1, and FXR-FGF15 pathways, hence we delved deeper into the effects of GLP on hyperlipidemia, focusing on its structural characterization, gut microbiota, and fecal metabolites. Our findings showed that GLP changed the composition and structure of gut microbiota, and 10 key biomarker strains screened by LEfSe analysis markedly increased the abundance of energy metabolism, and cell growth and death pathways which were found by PICRUSt2. In addition, GLP intervention significantly altered the fecal metabolites, which enriched in amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism pathways. The results of structural characterization showed that GLP, with the molecular weight of 12.53 kDa, consisted of pyranose rings and was linked by α-type and β-type glycosidic bonds, and its overall morphology appeared as an irregular flaky structure with some flecks and holes in the surface. Collectively, our study highlighted that the protective effects of GLP were closely associated with the modification of gut microbiota and the regulation of metabolites profiles, thus ameliorating dyslipidemia. Full article

HIV/AIDS continues to pose a significant global public health concern, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Traditional medicines have been increasingly essential in treating and managing PLHIV. Product Nkabinde (PN), a polyherbal formulation derived from traditional medicinal plants, has recently demonstrated significant potential in the treatment of HIV. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of phytochemicals identified from PN in HIV treatment, utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking. The intersecting (common) genes of the 27 phytochemicals of PN and HIV were computed on a Venn diagram, while the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of the intersecting genes was plotted using STRING. The hub (10) genes were computed and analyzed for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment pathways using ShinyGO. Molecular docking and protein–ligand interaction analysis of the 27 phytochemicals with each of the 10 hub genes were performed using the Maestro Schrodinger suite. The KEGG analysis reveals an important network with lower False Discovery Rate (FDR) values and higher fold enrichment. The pathway enrichments reveal that the 10 hub genes regulated by PN focus on immune regulation, metabolic modulation, viral comorbidity, carcinogenesis, and inflammation. GO analysis further reveals that PN plays key roles in transcription regulation, such as miRNA, responses to hormones and endogenous stimuli, oxidative stress regulation, and apoptotic signalling, kinase binding, protein kinase binding, transcription factor binding, and ubiquitin ligase binding enriched pathways. Consequently, molecular docking unveils complexes with higher binding energies, such as rutin-HSP90AA1 (−10.578), catechin-JUN (−9.512), quercetin-3-O-arabinoside-AKT1 (−9.874), rutin-EGFR (−8.127), aloin-ESR1 (−8.585), and quercetin-3-0-β-D-(6′-galloyl)-glucopyranoside-BCL2 (−7.021 kcal/mol). Overall, the results reveal pathways associated with HIV pathology and possible anti-HIV mechanisms of PN. Therefore, further in silico, in vitro, and in vivo validations are required to substantiate these findings. Full article

The medicinally and ornamentally valuable genus Thunbergia faces taxonomic uncertainty, while certain Acanthaceae species are threatened by habitat loss, underscoring the need for chloroplast genome studies to support conservation efforts. The chloroplast genome of Thunbergia grandiflora was sequenced and assembled. Additionally, 28 Acanthaceae species with significant medicinal value were selected for comparative genomic analysis. Based on the chloroplast genome data of Acanthaceae species, this study conducted phylogenetic and comparative evolutionary analyses. The results preliminarily support a systematic framework that divides Acanthaceae into eight tribes within five subfamilies. Concurrently, the study revealed significant inverted repeat (IR) region structural variations. A clear correspondence was observed between the contraction of IR length and the topological structure of the phylogenetic tree. In particular, species within the genus Strobilanthes exhibited significant contraction in their IR regions, which corresponded consistently with their tendency to cluster into an independent clade in the phylogenetic tree. This suggests that structural variation in the IR regions may be closely associated with the evolutionary divergence of this group. SSR analysis revealed a prevalent mononucleotide A/T repeat dominant pattern across Acanthaceae species. Furthermore, selection pressure analysis detected positive selection acting on multiple key genes, including rbcL, rps3, rps12, cemA, and ycf4, suggesting that these genes may play important roles in the adaptive evolution of Acanthaceae. This study reveals that the chloroplast genomes of Acanthaceae exhibit distinctive characteristics in phylogenetic architecture, dynamic variations in IR regions, and adaptive evolution of key genes, providing important molecular insights for understanding the mechanisms underlying species diversity and for the conservation of medicinal resources within this family. Full article

Background: Cigarette smoking remains one of the most important preventable causes of respiratory morbidity, exerting detrimental effects even in young adults. Medical students represent a particularly relevant population, as the lifestyle habits they adopt during their training years may influence both their personal health and professional credibility. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 264 medical students from the University of Medicine, Pharmacology, Science and Technology of Târgu-Mures, aged 18–30 years, stratified according to smoking status, type of tobacco product used, and lifestyle characteristics (athletic vs. sedentary). Standardized spirometry was performed to assess FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio, PEF, and small airway flow parameters (MEF₂₅, MEF₅₀, MEF₇₅). Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and correlation analyses, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Smokers demonstrated significantly lower values for FEV₁, PEF, and MEF parameters compared with non-smokers, confirming early functional impairment of both large and small airways. Within the smoking group, users of e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products exhibited more favorable FEV₁ and small airway flow values than conventional cigarette smokers. However, differences in FVC were less pronounced. Significantly, athletes consistently outperformed their sedentary peers across all respiratory parameters, regardless of smoking status, with markedly higher FEV₁, FVC, and MEF values and a lower prevalence of obstructive patterns. Cumulative smoking exposure (pack-years) was inversely associated with small airway function, whereas higher levels of physical activity were independently linked to a pronounced protective effect. Conclusions: Even in early adulthood, smoking is related to measurable declines in lung function, particularly affecting small airway dynamics. Although alternative products may appear less harmful than conventional cigarettes, they cannot be considered risk-free. Conversely, regular physical activity demonstrated a protective association in the case–control analysis, attenuating functional decline and supporting the preservation of long-term respiratory health. These findings underscore the importance of integrated prevention strategies in medical universities, combining smoking cessation initiatives with the systematic promotion of physical activity to safeguard the health of future physicians and reinforce their role as credible health advocates. Full article

This paper aims to examine the current landscape of novel biomarkers in diabetes mellitus (DM), with particular emphasis on emerging candidates, and their roles in early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, risk stratification, and managing complications. Given the global prevalence of DM and its complex pathophysiology, identifying reliable biomarkers is critical for optimizing prevention strategies and personalized treatment approaches. This review highlights the shift from traditional glycemic markers, which remain clinically useful but limited, to a broader array of novel biomarkers that more accurately reflect the complex pathophysiology of DM. In addition to conventional measures, inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators, along with genetic and epigenetic regulators, provide added predictive value for disease susceptibility, progression, and complications. Recent research has identified emerging biomarkers, such as adiponectin, adropin, netrin-1, α-hydroxybutyrate, fetuin-A, lipo-protein(a), and lysophosphatidylcholine, which detect early metabolic imbalances and reveal mechanistic links to insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and vascular injury. Their integration into multimarker panels holds particular promise for precision medicine, supporting tailored prevention, targeted therapy, and improved outcomes for individuals with prediabetes and DM. Full article

Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are of notable pharmacological relevance. For instance, galanthamine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, while other alkaloids (lycorine, crinine, etc.) derived from Amaryllidaceae plants are also of great interest because they exhibit antitumour, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, analgesic and cytotoxic properties. Phenolic acids comprise a group of natural bioactive substances that have commercial value in the cosmetic, food and medicinal industries due to their antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective potential. In the present study, the effect of temperature (15, 20, 25 and 30 °C) on Amaryllidaceae alkaloid and phenolic acid biosynthesis in Leucojum aestivum in vitro plant cultures was investigated. The highest diversity of alkaloids (i.e., galanthamine, crinan-3-ol, demethylmaritidine, crinine, 11-hydroxyvitattine, lycorine, epiisohaemanthamine, chlidanthine) was noted in plants cultured at 30 °C. By contrast, ismine and tazettine were only present in plants cultured at 15 °C. Temperatures of 20 °C and 30 °C were found to stimulate galanthamine accumulation. The highest lycorine content was noted in plants grown at temperatures of 15 and 30 °C, and it was negatively correlated with the expression of the gene that encodes the cytochrome P450 96T (CYP96T) enzyme which catalyses a key step in the biosynthesis of different types of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. This observation may reflect temperature-induced shifts in metabolic flux among different branches of Amaryllidaceae alkaloid biosynthesis. The observed stimulating effect of a 15 °C temperature on the chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric, sinapic, ferulic and isoferulic acid content was in line with the highest expression of a gene that encodes the tyrosine decarboxylase (TYDC) enzyme, which is involved in plant stress response mechanisms. At 30 °C, however, the highest content of the caffeic, vanillic, p-coumaric and isoferulic acids was noted. Full article

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (E. ulmoides), an endemic tree species in China, holds significant value in traditional Chinese medicine industry and health food. The plant is rich in diverse bioactive compounds, including lignans, iridoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, E. ulmoides gum, amino acids, and minerals. These components contribute to a range of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, immunomodulatory, and bone-protective effects, which support its long-standing traditional use and emerging clinical and adjunctive applications. While current research has predominantly focused on the bark and leaves, other parts, such as flowers, seeds, stems and roots, remain underexplored despite their substantial potential for medicinal and edible applications. Based on the recent literature, this paper systematically summarized the chemical composition, health benefits, and comprehensive utilization of different parts of E. ulmoides (bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds), aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for the high-value utilization of the entire plant resources of E. ulmoides. As a health-promoting plant resource, E. ulmoides has extensive development potential in applications such as health foods, natural medicines, and agricultural inputs. Future research should prioritize elucidating the synergistic mechanisms among different active compounds, advancing technologies for multi-part utilization, and establishing standardized quality evaluation systems to facilitate broader applications in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and related interdisciplinary fields. Full article

Schiff bases are bioactive compounds that have been synthesized by many researchers in recent years. They may also exhibit strong antimicrobial activities against various pathogenic microorganisms in both medicine and veterinary applications. The synthesis of new Schiff base-derived compounds remains of interest due to the increasing problem of antibiotic-resistance in clinical practice. Seven new Schiff base derivatives were synthesized, and their chemical structures were characterized using FT-IR, ¹H/¹³C NMR, and LCMS-MS analyses. The antimicrobial activities of thesyntesized compounds against various pathogenic bacteria, yeasts, and fungi were evaluated using the disk-diffusion method, and their MIC values were also determined. In addition, one representative microorganisms from each class were selected for molecular docking studies. IFD analyses were performed for the 4f and 4g ligands using the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed the structures of the synthesized compounds, revealing the presence of characteristic imine functionalities and validating the integrity of the molecular frameworks. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated that several derivatives exhibited measurable activity, with compounds 4f and 4g showing the most potent effects, displaying MIC values of 32 µg/mL against B. cereus and E. faecalis, respectively. Molecular docking studies further indicated that both 4f and 4g bind efficiently to the DHFR active site. These findings indicate that among the synthesized Schiff base derivatives, compounds 4f and 4g exhibit particularly promising antimicrobial activity, warranting further pharmacological evaluation and medicinal chemistry optimization. Full article

Background and Rationale: Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook.f. & Thomson (T. crispa) is a climbing medicinal plant with long-standing ethnopharmacological use, particularly in inflammatory and hepatic disorders and cancer-related conditions. There is a knowledge gap regarding how wild versus cultivated ecotypes differ in chemotype, bioactivity, and safety, and how this might support or refine traditional use. Study Objectives: This study aimed to compare wild and cultivated ecotypes of T. crispa from the Nile Delta (Egypt) in terms of quantitative and qualitative phytochemical profiles; selected in vitro biological activities (especially antioxidant and cytotoxic actions); genetic markers potentially associated with metabolic variation; and short-term oral safety in an animal model. Core Methodology: Standardized extraction of plant material from wild and cultivated ecotypes. Determination of total phenolics, total flavonoids, and major phytochemical classes (alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids). Metabolomic characterization using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS, supported by NMR, to confirm key compounds such as berberine, palmatine, chlorogenic acid, rutin, and borapetoside C. In vitro bioassays including: Antioxidant activity (e.g., radical-scavenging assay with EC₅₀ determination). Cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, with emphasis on HepG2 hepatoma cells and calculation of IC₅₀ values. Targeted genetic analysis to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gen1 locus that differentiate ecotypes. A 14-day oral toxicity study in rats, assessing liver and kidney function markers and performing histopathology of liver and kidney tissues. Principal Results: The wild ecotype showed a 43–65% increase in total flavonoid and polyphenol content compared with the cultivated ecotype, as well as substantially higher levels of key alkaloids, particularly berberine (around 12.5 ± 0.8 mg/g), along with elevated chlorogenic acid and borapetoside C. UHPLC-MS and NMR analyses confirmed the identity of the main bioactive constituents and defined a distinct chemical fingerprint for the wild chemotype. Bioassays demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity of the wild extract than the cultivated one and selective cytotoxicity of the wild extract against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ ≈ 85 µg/mL), being clearly more potent than extracts from cultivated plants. Genetic profiling detected a C → T SNP within the gen1 region that differentiates the wild ecotype and may be linked to altered biosynthetic regulation. The 14-day oral toxicity study (up to 600 mg/kg) revealed no evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity, with biochemical markers remaining within physiological limits and normal liver and kidney histology. Conclusions and Future Perspectives: The wild Nile-Delta ecotype of T. crispa appears to be a stress-adapted chemotype characterized by enriched levels of multiple bioactive metabolites, superior in vitro bioactivity, and an encouraging preliminary safety margin. These findings support further evaluation of wild T. crispa as a candidate source for standardized botanical preparations targeting oxidative stress-related and hepatic pathologies, while emphasizing the need for: More comprehensive in vivo efficacy studies. Cultivation strategies that deliberately maintain or mimic beneficial stress conditions to preserve phytochemical richness. Broader geographical and genetic sampling to assess how generalizable the present chemotypic and bioactivity patterns are across the species. Full article

Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain (LBD) proteins are plant-specific transcription factors characterized by a typical N-terminal LOB domain and are critical for plant growth, development, and stress response. Currently, LBD genes have been investigated in various plant species, but they have yet to be identified in Neolamarckia cadamba, known as a ‘miracle tree’ for its fast growth and acknowledged for its potential medicinal value in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia. In this study, a total of 65 NcLBD members were identified in N. cadamba by whole-genome bioinformatics analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed their classification into two clades with seven distinct groups, and their uneven distribution across 18 chromosomes, along with 6 tandem repeats and 58 segmental duplications. Furthermore, enrichment analysis of transcription factor binding motifs within NcLBD promoters identified the MYB-related and WRKY families exhibited the most significant enrichment in the NcLBD promoter. Protein interaction network analysis revealed potential interactions among NcLBD proteins, as well as their interactions with various transcription factors. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses of NcLBDs transcript levels showed distinct expression patterns both across various tissues and under different hormone and abiotic stress conditions. Specifically, NcLBD3, NcLBD37, and NcLBD47 were highly expressed in vascular cells and induced by abiotic stress, including cold, drought, and salt, suggesting their significant role in the processes. In summary, our genome-wide analysis comprehensively identified and characterized LBD gene family in N. cadamba, laying a solid foundation for further elucidating the biological functions of NcLBD genes. Full article

Lavender is a perennial Mediterranean plant that has been cultivated throughout history for medicinal, aromatic, and cosmetic purposes. Due to its high economic and commercial value, it has become an important agricultural product worldwide. The low production cost, adaptability to environmental conditions, and demand for its versatile use in the global market make it a significant potential source of income for developing Mediterranean countries. This study aims to identify commercially suitable cultivation sites for Lavandula angustifolia Mill. using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies to support rural development. Within this scope, suitable cultivation habitat parameters for the species in open fields and natural conditions were determined; these parameters were weighted according to their importance using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA), and thematic maps were created for each parameter. The created maps were combined using weighted overlay analysis, and a final map was generated according to the suitability class. The results indicate that within the study area, 75,679.45 ha is mostly suitable, 388,832.71 ha is moderately suitable, 24,068.43 ha is marginally suitable, and 229,327.20 ha is not suitable. As a result, it has been observed that Lavandula angustifolia Mill., which is currently cultivated on approximately 4045 ha of land and contributes 429 tons of product to the regional economy, covers only a relatively small portion of the suitable cultivation sites identified in the study and is not utilized to its full potential. It is understood that the expansion of lavender cultivation in determined suitable sites has significant potential to substantially develop the region and its rural population in terms of both yield and production volume, and to involve women and youth entrepreneurs in agricultural employment. Full article