Stinging Nettle () Roots: The Power Underground-A Review.

Stinging nettle () is an herbaceous perennial plant native to Eurasia, wildly distributed throughout the temperate parts of the world. Although generally considered as a weed due to its fast growth and invasive capacity, stinging nettle is well suited to cultivation and is currently experiencing a revival as a beneficial crop due to its numerous potential applications. This interest reflects in an increasing number of scientific articles related to nettle in the last years.

Medicinal Plant Use in North Karelia, Finland, in the 2010s.

Finnish North Karelia is a region with a rich cultural history of ethnomedicinal plant use, shaped by centuries of interactions among various ethnic groups. This study identified both similarities and divergences between local Finns, Karelians war refugees, and individuals of mixed origin compared to historical records. Based on 67 semi-structured interviews, we documented the use of 43 medicinal plant taxa from 25 families, of which 31 remain in use.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and the Risk of Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Studies.

Background/objectives: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, with rising incidence rates and significant mortality. While tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and viral infections are established risk factors, the role of dietary patterns, particularly adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in HNC prevention has gained increasing attention. The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the association between adherence to the MD and the risk of HNC.

Effects of Hydroxyapatite Additions on Alginate Gelation Kinetics During Cross-Linking.

Alginate hydrogels have gathered significant attention in biomedical engineering due to their remarkable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate cells and bioactive molecules, but much less has been reported on the kinetics of gelation. Scarce experimental data are available on cross-linked alginates (AL) with bioactive components. The present study addressed a novel method for defining the crosslinking mechanism using rheological measurements for aqueous mixtures of AL and calcium chloride (CaCl) with the presence of hydroxyapatite (HAp) as filler particles.

Targeting Cytokine-Mediated Inflammation in Brain Disorders: Developing New Treatment Strategies.

Cytokine-mediated inflammation is increasingly recognized for playing a vital role in the pathophysiology of a wide range of brain disorders, including neurodegenerative, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental problems. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cause neuroinflammation, alter brain function, and accelerate disease development. Despite progress in understanding these pathways, effective medicines targeting brain inflammation are still limited.

Synthesis of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs' Chalcone Derivatives and a Study of Their Conformational Properties Through a Combination of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Molecular Modeling.

Background: In this study, two chalcone analogs were synthesized through in silico and experimental methods, and their potential to inhibit the lipoxygenase enzyme, which plays a role in the inflammation pathway, was assessed. Specifically, this study is a continuation of previous research in which chalcone derivatives were synthesized and characterized.

Objectives/methods: In the current work, we present the re-synthesis of two chalcones, with a focus on their docking studies, NMR analysis, and dynamic simulations.

Monitoring Sleep and Nightly Recovery with Wrist-Worn Wearables: Links to Training Load and Performance Adaptations.

Previous studies on the effects of intensified training on sleep quality/quantity have been somewhat contradictory. Moreover, recreational athletes often track various sleep metrics, and those metrics' actual connections to training adaptations are unknown. This study explored the effects of intensified training on sleep and nightly recovery along with their associations with training adaptations.

Post COVID-19 and Long COVID Symptoms in Otorhinolaryngology-A Narrative Review.

Post/Long COVID (syndrome) is defined as a condition with symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks after the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection that cannot be explained otherwise. The prevalence of self-reported otorhinolaryngological Post/Long COVID symptoms is high. The aim of this review was to analyze the current literature regarding the actual prevalence, knowledge of the etiopathology, and evidence-based treatment recommendations of otorhinolaryngology-related Post/Long COVID symptoms.

Edentulism or Poor Oral Hygiene: Which Is the Stronger Predictor for All-Cause Mortality?

: All-cause mortality consisting of several heterogeneous subgroups does not have a well-defined set of risk factors. Despite the well-described role of oral hygiene on mortality, the association between the condition of the existing dentition and mortality remains unclear. Therefore, we embarked on the current study to assess the association of oral hygiene self-care (OHS) with all-cause mortality.

Experimental Validation of Antiobesogenic and Osteoprotective Efficacy of Ginsenoside CK via Targeting Lipid and Atherosclerosis Pathways.

The present study explored the possible antiobesogenic and osteoprotective properties of the gut metabolite ginsenoside CK to clarify its influence on lipid and atherosclerosis pathways, thereby validating previously published hypotheses. These hypotheses were validated by harvesting and cultivating 3T3-L1 and MC3T3-E1 in adipogenic and osteogenic media with varying concentrations of CK. We assessed the differentiation of adipocytes and osteoblasts in these cell lines by applying the most effective doses of CK that we initially selected.

The Effects of Disturbance on Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Native Forests of an Oceanic Island (Terceira, Azores).

The native biodiversity of oceanic islands is threatened by human-driven disturbance and by the growing number of species introductions which often interfere with natural ecological processes. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic disturbance on plant-pollinator interactions in the native forest communities of an oceanic island (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). We found that native species predominated in preserved sites compared to disturbed ones and that the extant plant-pollinator interactions were mostly dominated by generalist species.

Predicting Early Death in Head and Neck Cancer-A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate biomarkers and biological characteristics of tumor biopsies from patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) to assess the risk of early death. Furthermore, we analyzed whether any combination of markers could be used for the prognostication of death within six months after cancer diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with HNC, receiving curative treatment decision at a multidisciplinary tumor board meeting, and who died within six months of diagnosis were included in this study.

Thematic Review of Endocrine Disruptors and Their Role in Shaping Pubertal Timing.

This review examines the inconsistent effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and pollutants on pubertal timing, emphasizing the methodological challenges contributing to variability in findings. Data from nine key studies reveal that chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, and PFAS impact pubertal onset differently based on exposure timing, dosage, and sex. For instance, BPA is linked to earlier puberty in girls but delayed onset in boys, while other EDCs show mixed effects across populations.

Severe Lipoatrophy in a Growth Hormone Deficient Toddler Girl Treated with a Non-Pegylated Long-Acting Growth Hormone.

Background: Recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) has been used since 1985 to treat growth hormone (GH)-induced short stature, typically associated with transient adverse events. However, lipoatrophy, characterized by irreversible damage to subcutaneous fat, was first reported in 1999 and linked to antibody formation. In 2021, localized lipoatrophy was observed in 14.

A Scoping Review of the Current Knowledge of the Social Determinants of Health and Infectious Diseases (Specifically COVID-19, Tuberculosis, and H1N1 Influenza) in Canadian Arctic Indigenous Communities.

Social determinants of health (SDHs) and the impact of colonization can make Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities susceptible to infectious diseases, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This scoping review followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and studied what is known about selected pandemics (COVID-19, tuberculosis, and H1N1 influenza) and SDHs (healthcare accessibility, food insecurity, mental health, cultural continuity, housing, community infrastructure, and socioeconomic status (SES)) for Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities. Original studies published in English and French up to October 2024 were located in databases (PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL), , and through reference tracking.

Development of an Operational Map for the 3D Printing of Phytosterol-Enriched Oleogels: Rheological Insights and Applications in Nutraceutical Design.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing attracts significant interest in the food industry for its ability to create complex structures and customize nutritional content. Printing materials, or inks, are specially formulated for food or nutraceuticals. These inks must exhibit proper rheological properties to flow smoothly during printing and form stable final structures.

Advanced Practice Nurses' Evidence-Based Healthcare Competence and Associated Factors in Finland and Singapore-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: To describe and compare the Evidence-Based HealthCare (EBHC) competence of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), and the factors associated with it in Finland and Singapore.

Design: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study.

Methods: Data were collected from APNs working in healthcare in Finland (n = 157) or Singapore (n = 99) between May 2023 and October 2023 using a self-assessment instrument to measure EBHC competence (EBHC-Comp-APN) and an EBHC knowledge test.

Risk factors and preventive measures for severe orofacial and neck infections: a three-year observational study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors of severe orofacial and neck infections and the factors that could prevent them and reduce their severity.

Methods: A three-year prospective observational study was conducted from 8.15.

Upper Blepharoplasty for Dermatochalasis With or Without Resection of the Orbicularis Oculi Muscle, Preaponeurotic and Nasal Fat Pads: A Comparative Study.

Objective: Upper blepharoplasty is the gold standard procedure for upper eyelid dermatochalasis. Upper blepharoplasties procedures include removing the skin, orbicularis oculi muscle, preaponeurotic, or nasal fat pad. The purpose of this study is to report surgical outcomes and compare them to the most common techniques.

Disruption of boreal lake circulation in response to mid-Holocene warmth; evidence from the varved sediments of Lake Nautajärvi, southern Finland.

Future climate projections are expected to have a substantial impact on boreal lake circulation regimes. Understanding lake sensitivity to warmer climates is therefore critical for mitigating potential ecological and societal impacts. The Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM; ca 7-5 ka BP) provides a valuable analogue to investigate lake responses to warmer climates devoid of major anthropogenic influences.

The role of non-respiratory arousals in residual daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure: An analysis of the European Sleep Apnea Database registry.

Study Objectives: To assess the impact of the non-respiratory arousal burden at baseline polysomnography (PSG) on residual daytime sleepiness in positive airway pressure (PAP)-treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: We included OSA patients from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry with available arousal data who had at least 2 treatment follow-up visits. The primary outcome was the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score under PAP.

Development of the PRECIOUS Short-Form (PRECIOUS-SF) quality of care measure for children with serious illnesses.

Background: Rising number of children with complex medical conditions necessitate regular healthcare quality evaluation to achieve optimal outcomes. To address the need for a periodic and quick assessment of quality of care in serious childhood illnesses, we developed a short version of previously validated 45-item PaRental Experience with care for Children with serIOUS illnesses (PRECIOUS) measure.

Methodology: PRECIOUS was administered by parents of children living with serious illnesses at two time-points (baseline and two weeks) in an online survey.

Metabolic modeling identifies determinants of thermal growth responses in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Temperature is a critical environmental factor affecting nearly all plant processes, including growth, development, and yield. Yet, despite decades of research, we lack the ability to predict plant performance at different temperatures, limiting the development of climate-resilient crops. Further, there is a pressing need to bridge the gap between the prediction of physiological and molecular traits to improve our understanding and manipulation of plant temperature responses.