High-Yield Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyhexanoate) from Crude Glycerol by a Newly Isolated Species Oh_219.

Crude glycerol (CG), a major biodiesel production by-product, is the focus of ongoing research to convert it into polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). However, few bacterial strains are capable of efficiently achieving this conversion. Here, 10 PHA-producing strains were isolated from various media.

Sustainable Skincare Innovation: Cork Powder Extracts as Active Ingredients for Skin Aging.

: An emerging practice within the concept of circular beauty involves the upcycling of agro-industrial by-products. Cork processing, for instance, yields by-products like cork powder, which presents an opportunity to create value-added cosmetic ingredients. Building upon our previous research, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of hydroalcoholic extracts derived from two distinct cork powders (P0 and P1), in this work, aqueous extracts were prepared and analyzed.

Opioid System and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Opioids are a challenging class of drugs due to their dual role. They alleviate pain, but also pose a risk of dependency, or trigger constipation, particularly in cancer patients, who require the more potent painkillers in more advanced stages of the disease, closely linked to pain resulting from general inflammation, bone metastases, and primary or secondary tumour outgrowth-related nerve damage. Clinicians' vigilance considering treatment with opioids is necessary, bearing in mind extensive data accumulated over decades that have reported the contribution of opioids to immunosuppression, tumour progression, or impaired tissue regeneration, either following opioid use during surgical tumour resection and post-surgical pain treatment, or as a result of other diseases like diabetes, where chronic wounds healing constitutes a challenge.

The Role of Endogenous Beta-Endorphin and Enkephalins in the Crosstalk Between Ethanol and Morphine.

There is clinical concern about the combined use of alcohol and opiates. Several lines of evidence support an interaction between alcohol and the endogenous opioid system. Thus, we hypothesized that ethanol, by causing the release of opioid peptides, may sensitize the system to the action of exogenous opioids such as morphine.

Distribution, Phytochemical Insights, and Cytotoxic Potential of the Genus: A Comprehensive Review of , , and .

This review evaluates the cytotoxic potential of the genus, with a focus on , , and . These species, known for their diverse phytochemical compositions, exhibit notable cytotoxic effects that suggest their utility in natural cancer treatments. Compounds such as quercetin, kaempferol, and sesbagrandiforian A and B have been highlighted for their strong antioxidant and antiproliferative effects, further emphasizing their therapeutic potential.

Optimization of the Antibacterial Activity of a Three-Component Essential Oil Mixture from Moroccan , , and Using a Simplex-Centroid Design.

Background/objectives: The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has become a global health crisis, necessitating the development of alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study aimed to optimize the antibacterial effects of essential oils (EOs) from , , and , enhancing their efficacy through optimized mixtures.

Methods: This study utilized a simplex-centroid design to optimize the mixture ratios of EOs for maximal antibacterial and antioxidant effectiveness.

Synthesis and Characterization of PEGylated Liposomes and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers with Entrapped Bioactive Triterpenoids: Comparative Fingerprints and Quantification by UHPLC-QTOF-ESI-MS, ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy, and HPLC-DAD.

: Pentacyclic triterpenoids, as bioactive phytochemicals, have proven to exhibit significant bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and anticancer) and low cytotoxicity. This study developed convenient methods for extracting and characterizing a birch bark extract enriched in pentacyclic triterpenoids (betulin, betulinic acid, and lupeol) and entrapped in two bioavailable nanoformulations. The performance of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy as a cost-effective and non-destructive method was evaluated comparatively with accurate HPLC-based methods.

Exploring Zinc C295 as a Dual HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitor: From Strand Transfer to 3'-Processing Suppression.

: The global AIDS pandemic highlights the urgent need for novel antiretroviral therapies (ART). In our previous work, Zinc C295 was identified as a potent HIV-1 integrase strand transfer (ST) inhibitor. This study explores its potential to also inhibit 3'-processing (3'P), thereby establishing its dual-targeting capability.

Green Chemistry Within the Circular Bioeconomy to Harness Chestnut Burr Extract's Synergistic Antimicrobial Activity Against .

Green chemistry principles are pivotal in driving sustainable and innovative solutions to global health challenges. This study explores a hydroalcoholic extract from (chestnut) burrs, an underutilized natural resource, as a potent source of antimicrobial compounds against (). The extract demonstrated significant bactericidal activity, synergizing effectively with clarithromycin and showing additive effects with metronidazole.

The Role of Polarizability in Isoelectronic Ions: The Case of Pseudohalides.

Specific ion effects are widespread and have been studied for over a century, yet they remain poorly understood. Terms like "kosmotropes" and "chaotropes" are convenient rules of thumb but the frequent reversal of the Hofmeister series implies their limitations. Polarizability is often used to classify ions, with kosmotropes considered low in polarizability and chaotropes high.

Enhancing Industrial Hemp () Leaf By-Products: Bioactive Compounds, Anti-Inflammatory Properties, and Potential Health Applications.

The sustainable utilization of biomass-derived bioactives addresses the growing demand for natural health products and supports sustainable development goals by reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals in healthcare. biomass, in particular, has emerged as a valuable resource within this context. This study focuses on the hydroethanolic extract of leaves (CSE), which exhibited significant levels of phenolic compounds contributing to robust antioxidant activity.

Clonality and the Phenotype-Genotype Correlation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Isolates: A Multicenter Study of Clinical Isolates from Romania.

Antibiotic resistance is on the WHO's top 10 list of global public health threats due to its rapid emergence and spread but also because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with it. Amongst the main species driving this phenomenon is , a member of the ESKAPE group of medical assistance-associated infections causing species famous for its extensively drug-resistant phenotypes. Our findings note a 91.

Pan-Cancer Upregulation of the Transcription Factor.

Background: The human transcription factor controls cell cycle progression and genome stability, and it has been correlated to the onset and progression of many tumor types.

Methods: In our study, we collected all recent sequence and quantitative transcriptomics data about , testing its presence across vertebrate evolution and its upregulation in cancer, both in bulk tissue contexts (by comparing the TCGA tumor dataset and the GTEx normal tissue dataset) and in single-cell contexts.

Results: is significantly and consistently upregulated in all tested tumor types, as well as in tumor cells within a cancer microenvironment.

Proteostasis Decline and Redox Imbalance in Age-Related Diseases: The Therapeutic Potential of NRF2.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of cellular homeostasis, overseeing the expression of a wide array of genes involved in cytoprotective processes such as antioxidant and proteostasis control, mitochondrial function, inflammation, and the metabolism of lipids and glucose. The accumulation of misfolded proteins triggers the release, stabilization, and nuclear translocation of NRF2, which in turn enhances the expression of critical components of both the proteasomal and lysosomal degradation pathways. This process facilitates the clearance of toxic protein aggregates, thereby actively maintaining cellular proteostasis.

Peptides: Emerging Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Senescence: A Review.

One class of cosmetic compounds that have raised interest of many experts is peptides. The search for ingredients with good biocompatibility and bioactivity has led to the use of peptides in cosmetic products. Peptides are novel active ingredients that improve collagen synthesis, enhance skin cell proliferation, or decrease inflammation.

Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignant disease with a varying prognosis and is classified into four molecular subtypes. It remains one of the most prevalent cancers globally, with the tumor microenvironment playing a critical role in disease progression and patient outcomes.

Methods: This study evaluated tumor samples from 40 female patients with luminal A and B breast cancer, utilizing flow cytometry to phenotypically characterize the immune cells and tumor cells present within the tumor tissue.

Targeting Invasion: The Role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer Therapy.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers worldwide, prompting ongoing research into innovative therapeutic strategies. This review aims to systematically evaluate the role of gelatinases, specifically MMP-2 and MMP-9, as therapeutic targets in CRC, providing a critical analysis of their potential to improve patient outcomes. Gelatinases, specifically MMP-2 and MMP-9, play critical roles in the processes of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Synthesis and Anti-Cancer Activity In Vitro of Synephrine Derivatives.

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are routinely used to treat hematological malignancies; however, long-term treatment with GCs can lead to atrophic and metabolic adverse effects. Selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists (SEGRAs) with reduced side effects may act as a superior alternative to GCs. More than 30 SEGRAs have been described so far, yet none of them reached clinical trials for anti-cancer treatment.

The Difference a Year Can Make: How Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms in Have Changed in Northwestern Transylvania.

This study examines the prevalence and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in isolates collected from healthcare units in Northwestern Transylvania, Romania, between 2022 and 2023. Given the alarming rise in antibiotic resistance, the study screened 34 isolates for resistance to 10 antibiotics, 46 ARGs, and integrase genes using PCR analysis. The results reveal a concerning increase in multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) isolates over the two-year period.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Linear and Cyclic Peptides Containing Arginine, Tryptophan, and Diphenylalanine.

We have previously reported peptides composed of sequential arginine (R) residues paired with tryptophan (W) or 3,3-diphenyl-L-alanine residues (Dip), such as cyclic peptides [RW] and [R(Dip)], as antibacterial agents. Herein, we report antibacterial and antifungal activities of five linear peptides, namely ((DipR)(WR)), ((DipR)(WR)), ((DipR)(WR)), ((DipR)(WR)), and (DipR)R, and five cyclic peptides [(DipR)(WR)], [(DipR)(WR)], [(DipR)(WR)], [(DipR)(WR)], and [DipR], containing alternate positively charged R and hydrophobic W and Dip residues against fungal, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of all peptides were determined by the micro-broth dilution method against , , , , , , , , and .

Effectiveness of a Novel Liposomal Methylglyoxal-Tobramycin Formulation in Reducing Biofilm Formation and Bacterial Adhesion.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria presents a significant global health threat. Liposomal antibiotics have shown a potential to improve antibiotic delivery and efficacy. This study aimed to develop liposomes encapsulating tobramycin (TOB) and methylglyoxal (MGO) to enhance TOB activity while reducing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

New Promising Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitors with Multi-Target Action on Estrogen and Androgen Receptors for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Endocrine therapies that comprise anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the standard treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) (Luminal A) breast cancer-the most prevalent subtype. However, the emergence of resistance restricts their success by causing tumor relapse and re-growth, which demands a switch towards other therapeutic approaches in order to minimize or overcome resistance. Indeed, this clinical limitation highlights the search for new molecules to improve cancer treatment.

Argonaute2 and Argonaute4 Involved in the Pathogenesis of Kawasaki Disease via mRNA Expression Profiles.

Background: Argonautes (AGOs) are a type of protein that degrade specific messenger RNAs, consequently reducing the expression of a specific gene. These proteins consist of small, single-stranded RNA or DNA and may provide a route for detecting and silencing complementary mobile genetic elements. In this research, we investigated which AGO(s) were involved in Kawasaki disease (KD).

Editorial for Special Issue "Antibiotic Combination Therapy: A Strategy to Overcome Bacterial Resistance".

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a critical global health threat, challenging the efficacy of existing antibiotics and undermining advances in modern medicine [...

Evaluation of Inflammatory Markers and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients with Concurrent Infection: A Comparative Cohort Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Co-infection with () in COVID-19 patients has emerged as a clinical challenge associated with increased morbidity and mortality. While both infections elicit systemic inflammation, the interplay between inflammatory markers, disease severity, and outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and concurrent infection remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the inflammatory status and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, with and without co-infection, and to identify the inflammatory markers most predictive of severe disease.