Search Results (11,250)

Periodontal diseases in pediatric subjects represent a challenging and relatively underexplored area compared to the extensive data available about periodontal diseases in adults. The present narrative review aims to explore the periodontal status and the related subgingival and/or salivary microbial profiles in pediatric subjects (≤18 years), focusing also on the state of health or systemic diseases. In healthy periodontium, early colonizers, such as Streptococcus and Actinomyces spp., dominate the subgingival microbiota, supporting an eubiosis state. Low levels of Candida albicans and latent Herpesviridae may be detected. In gingivitis, the microbial profile shifts towards more pathogenic species, including Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum. In necrotizing gingivitis, typically affecting systemically compromised children, the microbial profile is characterized by spirochetes, Fusobacterium, and Prevotella intermedia. Viral coinfections—especially with HSV, CMV, and EBV—are more frequently detected. In periodontitis, the microbiota was dominated by red complex pathogens along with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in the aggressive forms, especially in systemically compromised children, as Herpesviridae reactivation and co-infections. Fungal involvement is less well characterized; Candida albicans may be present, particularly in cases of severe immune suppression. Nevertheless, the lack of pediatric longitudinal studies investigating periodontal disease progression after periodontal treatment and related changes in microbiological composition limited the understanding and exploration of the oral microbiota over time. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging is associated with a gradual decline in physical capabilities, often leading to impaired balance and reduced functional status, which are major contributors to falls in older adults. Although many studies have assessed these variables independently, a limited amount of research has explored the direct relationship between balance and functional status in a healthy geriatric population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between balance and functional capacity and to assess the influence of demographic factors such as age, comorbidities, smoking status, and history of falls. Methods: A sample of community-dwelling older adults (19 women, 16 men) (n = 35), aged 60 years and above (M = 78 years; SD = 9.23) from Sparta, Greece, took part in the present study. Participants were assessed using three validated tools: (a) the Five Times Sit-to-Stand test, (b) the Timed Up-and-Go test, and (c) the Berg Balance Scale. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). Results: Age was positively correlated with poorer performance in the Five Times Sit-to-Stand (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) and the Timed Up-and-Go test (r = 0.47; p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with Berg Balance Scale scores (r = −0.51; p < 0.01). Comorbidities and smoking were also associated with the Berg Balance Scale. A strong negative correlation was observed between balance and the other two functional tests (Five Times Sit-to-Stand: r = −0.51; Timed Up-and-Go: r = −0.66; both p < 0.01). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of evaluating both balance and functional capacity in older adults as interrelated factors that can significantly influence quality of life and fall risk. Future research with larger and more diverse populations is recommended to confirm the present findings and to use exercise programs to prevent falls in the geriatric population. Full article

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis with eosinophilic inflammation and variable clinical presentations. Although skin manifestations are frequent, current classification criteria do not include them, which may underestimate their diagnostic value. This prospective observational study aimed to assess systemic and skin involvement as well as eosinophilia, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), and Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) serum levels in 20 EGPA patients followed for one year at the University Hospital of Messina, Italy, before starting Mepolizumab, 300 mg. Eosinophilia, ANCA status, systemic and skin involvement were also evaluated at 6 and 12 months; a literature review on these data supplements our findings. Skin involvement was present in 55% of patients, including purpura, urticarial vasculitis, angioedema, maculopapular rash, and nodules, mostly in ANCA-negative patients, though purpura was more frequent in ANCA-positive cases but without any statistically significant correlation. ANAs were present in 50% of patients, together with ANCA in two subjects and without in eight. Mepolizumab significantly reduced eosinophil levels, BVASs, and corticosteroid dependence, with notable improvement in skin symptoms. In conclusion, skin manifestations are common in EGPA and may represent useful indicators of disease activity. Their integration with ANCA status, eosinophil counts, and positivity to other autoantibodies could enhance diagnostic and monitoring strategies identifying different clusters of EGPA patients even if the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings. Full article

Food security is crucial for social stability and economic development. Ensuring food security in the arid region of Northwest China presents unique challenges due to limited water and soil resources. This study addresses these challenges by integrating a comprehensive water and soil resource matching assessment with grain production forecasting. Based on data from 2000 to 2020, this research projects the food security status to 2035 using the GM(1,1) model, incorporating a comprehensive index of soil and water resource matching and regression analysis to inform production forecasts. Key assumptions include continued historical trends in population growth, urbanization, and dietary shifts towards an increased animal protein consumption. The findings revealed a consistent upward trend in grain production from 2000 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. Corn and wheat emerged as the dominant grain crops. Certain provinces demonstrated comparative advantages for specific crops like rice and wheat. The most significant finding is that despite the projected growth in the total grain output by 2035 compared to 2020, the regional grain self-sufficiency rate is projected to range from 79.6% to 84.1%, falling below critical food security benchmarks set by the FAO and China. This projected shortfall carries significant implications, underscoring a serious challenge to regional food security and highlighting the region’s increasing vulnerability to external food supply fluctuations. The findings strongly signal that current trends are insufficient and necessitate urgent and proactive policy interventions. To address this, practical policy recommendations include promoting water-saving technologies, enhancing regional cooperation, and strategically utilizing the international grain trade to ensure regional food security. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a global health epidemic with rising prevalence within Asian populations, particularly amongst individuals with high visceral adiposity and ectopic organ fat, the so-called Thin-Outside, Fat-Inside phenotype. Metabolomic and microbiome shifts may herald T2D onset, presenting potential biomarkers and mechanistic insight into metabolic dysregulation. However, multi-omics datasets across ethnicities remain limited. Methods: We performed cross-sectional multi-omics analyses on 171 adults (99 Asian Chinese, 72 European Caucasian) from the New Zealand-based TOFI_Asia cohort at 4-years follow-up. Paired plasma and faecal samples were analysed using untargeted metabolomic profiling (polar/lipid fractions) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, respectively. Sparse multi-block partial least squares regression and discriminant analysis (DIABLO) unveiled signatures associated with ethnicity, glycaemic status, and sex. Results: Ethnicity-based DIABLO modelling achieved a balanced error rate of 0.22, correctly classifying 76.54% of test samples. Polar metabolites had the highest discriminatory power (AUC = 0.96), with trigonelline enriched in European Caucasians and carnitine in Asian Chinese. Lipid profiles highlighted ethnicity-specific signatures: Asian Chinese showed enrichment of polyunsaturated triglycerides (TG.16:0_18:2_22:6, TG.18:1_18:2_22:6) and ether-linked phospholipids, while European Caucasians exhibited higher levels of saturated species (TG.16:0_16:0_14:1, TG.15:0_15:0_17:1). The bacteria Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, and Enterocloster bolteae characterised Asian Chinese participants, while Oscillibacter sp. and Clostridium innocuum characterised European Caucasians. Cross-omic correlations highlighted negative correlations of Phocaeicola vulgatus with amino acids (r = −0.84 to −0.76), while E. ramosum and C. innocuum positively correlated with long-chain triglycerides (r = 0.55–0.62). Conclusions: Ethnicity drove robust multi-omic differentiation, revealing distinctive metabolic and microbial profiles potentially underlying the differential T2D risk between Asian Chinese and European Caucasians. Full article

HIV infection and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), particularly preeclampsia (PE) with severe features, are leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. This study investigates the role of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and prostacyclin (PGI2) concentrations in endothelial impairment in normotensive pregnant versus PE women within an HIV endemic setting in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The study population (n = 84) was grouped according to pregnancy type, i.e., normotensive (n = 42) and PE (n = 42), and further stratified by HIV status. Clinical factors were maternal age, weight, blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) levels, and gestational age. Plasma concentrations of ADMA and PGI2 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Differences in outcomes were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis test together with Dunn’s multiple-comparison post hoc test. The non-parametric data were presented as medians and interquartile ranges. Gravidity, gestational age, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly different across the study groups where p < 0.05 was deemed significant. Furthermore, the concentration of ADMA was significantly elevated in PE HIV-positive vs. PE HIV-negative (p = 0.0174) groups. PGI2 did not show a significant difference in PE compared to normotensive pregnancies (p = 0.8826) but was significantly different across all groups (p = 0.0212). An increase in plasma ADMA levels was observed in the preeclampsia HIV-negative group compared to the normotensive HIV-negative group. This is linked to the role played by ADMA in endothelial impairment, a characteristic of PE development. PGI2 levels were decreased in PE compared to the normotensive group regardless of HIV status. These findings draw attention to the importance of endothelial indicators in pathogenesis and possibly early prediction of PE development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bladder cancer is a common malignancy with a high rate of recurrence and progression. Recent studies have identified that the urinary microbiome can be a key factor in tumor pathogenesis, progression, and outcomes. This narrative review is designed to summarize current evidence regarding the urobiome and explore its diagnostic and therapeutic potential. Methods: Studies between 2019 and 2024 were identified through the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases. Case reports and non-English-language articles were excluded. Results: The main findings revealed that specific bacteria, viruses, and taxa are linked to bladder cancer presence, progression, and response to immunotherapy treatment. Urinary microbiota differ by tumor type, sex, smoking status, and occupational exposure to toxins. Conclusions: Urinary microbiome and certain types of viruses present in urine may serve as promising tools to enhance bladder cancer diagnosis and predict treatment response. However, larger longitudinal studies are needed to confirm and establish these findings. Furthermore, integration of the urinary microbiome in clinical practice and public health strategies may reduce disease-related burden. Full article

The paper presents the results of investigations into the relationship between selected water quality parameters and hydrological streamflow drought in a small river situated in the Mazovian Lowlands in Poland. As hydrological streamflow drought periods become more frequent in Poland, investigations about the relationship between flow and water quality parameters can be an essential contribution to a better understanding of the impact of low flow on the status of water rivers. Data from a three-year study of a small lowland river along with significant agricultural land management was used to analyze the connection between low flows and specific water quality indicators. The separation of low-flow data from water discharge records was achieved using two criteria: Q90% (the discharge value from a flow duration curve) and a minimum low-flow duration of 10 days. During these periods, the concentration of water quality indicators was determined based on collected water samples. In total, 30 samples were gathered and examined for pH, suspended sediments, dissolved substances, hardness, ammonium, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, total phosphorus, chloride, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, and water temperature during sampling. The study’s main aim was to describe the relation between hydrological streamflow droughts and chosen water quality parameters. The analysis results demonstrate an inverse statistically significant relationship between concentration and low-flow values for total hardness and sulfate. In contrast, there was a direct relationship between nutrient indicators, suspended sediment concentration, and river hydrological streamflow drought. Statistical tests were applied to compare the datasets between years, revealing statistical differences only for nutrient indicators. Full article

Background: Risk assessment in hyperthyroidism remains challenging. The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of hyperthyroid metabolic status on blood clotting and an increased risk of thrombosis. Methods: This prospective study included 50 patients after radical thyroidectomy and ablative radioiodine therapy because of thyroid carcinoma who were compared with 50 control subjects in a euthyroid metabolic state. Latent hyperthyroid patients with basal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) ≤ 0.15 mU/L on levothyroxine hormone therapy were included. The control group was selected to match the patient group based on age and sex. The evaluation data were collected using laboratory coagulation tests and patient questionnaires. A bleeding and a thrombosis score were determined. Results: The coagulation parameters between the patient and control groups showed statistically significant differences. In particular, the patients’ group showed a significantly shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT/p = 0.009) and a significantly higher plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1/p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Age, sex, and medication use were not found to influence the patients’ laboratory results. Only body mass index was higher in the patient group than in the control group. Conclusions: Our results support a shift in the coagulation system in latent hyperthyroid metabolism towards increased coagulability and reduced fibrinolysis. A latent hyperthyroid metabolic state appears to be associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Further prospective cohort studies with large patient populations are needed to verify the association between (latent) hyperthyroidism and thromboembolic events as well as to determine therapeutic anticoagulation or to adjust the indication for exogenous administration of thyroid hormone. Full article

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the oral health and patient satisfaction of flexible and non-metal clasp dentures (NMCD) compared to removable partial dentures (RPD) using a systematic review. Methods: The PICOS framework of this review was as follows: Do rehabilitations involving flexible dentures or NMCD have a similar success rate to those using RPD? Thus, the PICOS approach involves the following topics: (P) Population/Problem: partial edentulous adult patients; (I) Intervention: patients rehabilitated with flexible dentures or NMCD; (C) Comparison: patients rehabilitated with standard RPD; (O) Outcome: clinical parameters such as oral health, masticatory function, and patient satisfaction; and (S) Study Type: clinical trials and observational studies (cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional). No language restrictions were applied to the studies. The search strategy consisted of the following keywords in different databases: ((flexible) OR (nonmetal) OR (non-metal) OR (thermoplastic)) AND (denture). Only clinical trials and observational studies (cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies) from the last 15 years were included, and no language restrictions were applied. Studies that did not describe the denture material were excluded. Results: Of the 2197 potentially relevant records, 14 studies were included in the present review. Two studies reported retrospective results, while twelve reported a prospective evaluation. Considering the thermoplastic materials, five studies evaluated polyester, five polyamides, three polyacetals, and only one study evaluated polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Flexible dentures and NMCD demonstrated similar periodontal status and bone levels on abutment teeth to RPD after up to 12 months. Flexible dentures exhibited a higher degree of redness of the mucosa after 12 months. One study showed a lower maximum bite force for flexible dentures compared to RPD. No study has performed a clinical evaluation of mastication and chewing ability. Conclusions: Despite increased short-term patient satisfaction for flexible dentures and NMCD, there is weak evidence to support a similar clinical performance of flexible dentures and NMCD to RPD. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous brain tumor. Glioma stem-like cells (GSCs) play a central role in tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence. Although immune cells are known to shape the GBM microenvironment, the impact of antigen-presenting-cell (APC) signature genes on tumor-intrinsic phenotypes remains underexplored. We analyzed both bulk- and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets of GBM to investigate the association between APC gene expression and tumor-cell states, including stemness and metabolic reprogramming. Signature scores were computed using curated gene sets related to APC activity, KEGG metabolic pathways, and cancer hallmark pathways. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to examine the links between immune regulators and metabolic programs. The high expression of APC-related genes, such as HLA-DRA, CD74, CD80, CD86, and CIITA, was associated with lower stemness signatures and enhanced inflammatory signaling. These APC-high states (mean difference = –0.43, adjusted p < 0.001) also showed a shift in metabolic activity, with decreased oxidative phosphorylation and increased lipid and steroid metabolism. This pattern suggests coordinated changes in immune activity and metabolic status. Furthermore, TNF-α and other inflammatory markers were more highly expressed in the less stem-like tumor cells, indicating a possible role of inflammation in promoting differentiation. Our findings revealed that elevated APC gene signatures are associated with more differentiated and metabolically specialized GBM cell states. These transcriptional features may also reflect greater immunogenicity and inflammation sensitivity. The APC metabolic signature may serve as a useful biomarker to identify GBM subpopulations with reduced stemness and increased immune engagement, offering potential therapeutic implications. Full article

Urban health planning requires a multi-scalar understanding of the territory, capable of capturing socio-economic inequalities and health needs at the local level. In the case of Rome, current administrative subdivisions—Urban Zones (Zone Urbanistiche)—are too large and internally heterogeneous to serve as effective units for equitable health planning. This study presents a methodology for the territorial redefinition of Rome’s Municipality III, aimed at supporting healthcare planning through an integrated analysis of census sections. These were grouped using a combination of census-based socio-demographic indicators (educational attainment, employment status, single-person households) and real estate values (OMI data), alongside administrative and road network data. The resulting territorial units—21 newly defined Mesoareas—are smaller than Urban Zones but larger than individual census sections and correspond to socio-territorially homogeneous neighborhoods; this structure enables a more nuanced spatial understanding of health-related inequalities. The proposed model is replicable, adaptable to other urban contexts, and offers a solid analytical basis for more equitable and targeted health planning, as well as for broader urban policy interventions aimed at promoting spatial justice. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic, non-communicable spectrum of diseases characterized by lipid accumulation. It is often asymptomatic, and its prevalence varies by region, age, gender, and economic status. It is estimated that 25% of the world’s population currently suffer from MAFLD, and 20 million patients will die from MAFLD-related diseases. In the last 20 years, tea and anti-obesity research have indicated that regularly consuming tea decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MeS). In this review, we aimed to present studies concerning the influence of matcha extracts and epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) supplements on metabolic functions in the context of MAFLD in human and animal studies. The published data show promise. In both human and animal studies, the beneficial effects on body weight, cholesterol levels, and liver metabolism and function were noted, even in short-period experiments. The safety levels for EGCG and green tea extract consumption are marked. More experiments are needed to confirm the results observed in animal studies and to show the mechanisms by which green tea exerts its effects. The preliminary data from research concerning microbiota or epigenetic changes observed after polyphenols and green tea consumption need to be expanded. To improve the efficiency and availability of green tea or supplement consumption as a treatment for MAFLD patients, more research with larger groups and longer study durations is needed. Full article

Efficient plastic waste end-of-life management is a serious worldwide environmental issue motivated by growing waste production and negative effects of wrongful disposal. This study presents a comparative overview of plastic waste management regimes within the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA), and Romania, ranked with circular economy goals. By using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Waste Reduction Model (WARM), version 16, the study provides a quantified score to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within three large options of management: recycling, energy recovery through combustion, and landfilling. The model setup utilizes region-specific information on legislation, base technology, and recycling efficiency. The outcomes show that recycling always entails net GHG emissions reductions, i.e., −4.49 kg CO_2e/capita/year for EU plastic waste and −20 kg CO_2e/capita/year for USA plastic waste. Combustion and landfilling have positive net emissions from 1.76 to 14.24 kg CO_2e/capita/year. Economic indicators derived from the model also show significant variation: salaries for PET management amounted to USD 2.87 billion in the EU and USD 377 million in the USA, and tax collection was USD 506 million and USD 2.01 billion, respectively. The conclusions highlight the wider environmental and socioeconomic benefits of recycling and reinforce its status as a cornerstone of circular-economy sustainable plastic waste management and a strategic element of national development agendas, with special reference to Romania’s national agenda. Full article

Background: Midfacial fractures are common outcomes of facial trauma. While younger individuals typically sustain these injuries through high-energy events like assaults and traffic or sports accidents, elderly patients increasingly present with fractures from low-energy mechanisms, primarily falls. Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze age- and gender-specific patterns in midfacial fractures over a 10-year period, with emphasis on elderly individuals and low-energy trauma. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of proven midfacial fractures between 2013 and 2022 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (University of Pécs, Hungary). The patients were stratified by age (<65 vs. ≥65 years) and gender. The variables included the injury mechanism, fracture localization, the dental status, hospitalization, and the presence of associated injuries. Bivariate analyses were performed, and the significance level was set to p < 0.05. Results: A total of 957 radiologically confirmed midfacial fracture cases were evaluated, of whom 344 (35.9%) were ≥65 years old. In the elderly group, females had a 19-fold higher risk for midfacial trauma than younger females (OR: 19.1, 95%CI: 9.30–39.21). In the older group, a fall was significantly the most frequent injury mechanism (OR: 14.5; 95%CI: 9.9–21.3), responsible for 89.5% of the cases, while hospitalization (OR: 0.36; 95%CI: 0.23–0.56) was less characteristic. Most of the fractures occurred in the zygomatic bone, in the zygomaticomaxillary complex, or in the anterior wall of the maxilla. Associated injuries in the elderly group included mostly lower limb injuries—particularly pertrochanteric femoral fractures in females—and upper limb injuries, with a slight male dominance. Conclusions: Low-energy falls are the primary cause of midfacial fractures in elderly patients, particularly in women. Tailored prevention and management strategies are essential for improving the outcomes in this growing demographic group. Full article