Herbal and Dietary Supplements as Adjunctive Treatment for Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Italy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several observational studies proved a certain efficacy of nutraceuticals, herbal products, and other dietary supplements as adjuvant therapies used alongside antiviral drugs. Although their use has not been widespread in Italy, according to preliminary evidence, many supplements with demonstrated immunomodulatory effects, such as vitamins C and D, herbal medicines and essential oils, might relieve the respiratory symptoms of COVID-19, since SARS-CoV-2 can activate inflammasome-mediated inflammatory signaling pathways. Other observational studies have shown that herbal treatments, such as and ginseng, help alleviate respiratory symptoms and reduce serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are typically overexpressed in both adult and pediatric SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Non-Celiac Gluten/Wheat Sensitivity-State of the Art: A Five-Year Narrative Review.

Non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity (NCGWS) is a syndrome for which pathogenesis and management remain debated. It is described as a condition characterized by gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms rapidly occurring after gluten ingestion in subjects who have had celiac disease or wheat allergy excluded. To date, the diagnosis of NCGWS is challenging as no universally recognized biomarkers have been yet identified, nor has a predisposing genetic profile been described.

Postprandial Aminoacidemia Following the Ingestion of Alternative and Sustainable Proteins in Humans: A Narrative Review.

There is a pressing need to expand the production and consumption of alternative protein sources from plants, fungi, insects, and algae from both nutritional and sustainability perspectives. It is well known that the postprandial rise in plasma amino acid concentrations and subsequent muscle anabolic response is greater after the ingestion of animal-derived protein sources, such as dairy, meat, and eggs, than plant-based proteins. However, emerging evidence shows that a similar muscle anabolic response is observed-despite a lower and slower postprandial aminoacidemia-after the ingestion of alternative protein sources compared with animal-derived protein sources.

An Experimental Approach for Investigating Fatigue-Induced Debonding Propagation in Composite Stiffened Panels Using Thermographic Phase Mapping.

This work introduces an experimental approach focused on investigating fatigue-driven debonding in a composite structure designed to simulate the complexity of a typical aeronautical panel. The debonding is placed between the skin and the stringer, and the structure has been tested under fatigue compression conditions. Using lock-in thermography, the damage evolution during fatigue cycles has been detailed monitored.

Decoding the Biobased Blueprint: Key Players and Evolutionary Trends in Materials Innovation.

In the rapidly evolving biobased materials innovation landscape, our research identifies key players and explores the evolutionary perspective of biobased innovation, offering insights into promising research areas to be further developed by biobased material scientists in search of exploiting their knowledge in novel applications. Despite the crucial role of these materials in promoting sustainable production and consumption models, systematic studies on the current innovation terrain are lacking, leaving gaps in understanding key players, emerging technologies, and market trends. To address this void, we focused on examining patents related to biobased monomers and polymers, aiming to describe the innovation strategies and business dynamics of leading assignees.

Effect of Crystallinity on the Printability of Poly(ethylene Terephthalate)/Poly(butylene Terephthalate) Blends.

This study explores the impact of blending polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) on the thermal, structural, and mechanical properties of 3D-printed materials. Comprehensive analyses, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing, were conducted to assess the influence of blend composition. FT-IR confirmed that PET and PBT blend physically without transesterification, while TGA showed enhanced thermal stability with increasing PET content.

Comparing Hydrolysable and Condensed Tannins for Tannin Protein-Based Foams.

Tannin-based foams have gained attention as a potential bio-based alternative to conventional synthetic foams. Traditionally, namely condensed tannins (CT) have been used, leaving the potential of hydrolysable tannins (HT) largely unexplored. This study compared the performance of chestnut (HT) and quebracho (CT) in tannin-protein-based foams at different tannin ratios.

Resonance Frequency as an Indicator of the Damage in Carbon Composite Plates: Analysis on Composites Prepared with Conventional and Sustainable Resins Subjected to Impact Tests.

This paper experimentally investigates the impact response of composite laminates made with conventional and bio-based epoxy resin. Drop tower impact tests were conducted at varying energy levels, including repeated low-energy impacts, to evaluate perforation resistance. The laminates' residual strength and damage tolerance were assessed using the Damage Index (DI) and by analysing the resonance frequency variations through the Impulse Excitation Technique (IET).

Sustainable 3D Scaffolds Based on β-Chitin and Collagen I for Wound Dressing Applications.

The development of greener substitutes for plastics is gaining massive importance in today's society. This also involves the medical field, where disposable materials are used to grant sterility. Here, a novel protocol using only a water-based solvent for the preparation of bio-based composite foams of actual β-chitin and collagen type I is presented.

Development of Bio-Based and Recyclable Epoxy Adhesives by Modification with Thermoplastic Polymers.

This paper deals with the design of novel epoxy adhesives by incorporating thermoplastic polymers such as polyetherimide (PEI) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) into a bio-based and recyclable epoxy resin, known as Polar Bear. The adhesives were characterized by their mechanical (quasi-static and dynamic) and rheological properties, thermal stability, and adhesion properties in single-lap joints tested at three different temperatures (i.e.

Uncovering Psychedelics: From Neural Circuits to Therapeutic Applications.

Psychedelics, historically celebrated for their cultural and spiritual significance, have emerged as potential breakthrough therapeutic agents due to their profound effects on consciousness, emotional processing, mood, and neural plasticity. This review explores the mechanisms underlying psychedelics' effects, focusing on their ability to modulate brain connectivity and neural circuit activity, including the default mode network (DMN), cortico-striatal thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loops, and the relaxed beliefs under psychedelics (REBUS) model. Advanced neuroimaging techniques reveal psychedelics' capacity to enhance functional connectivity between sensory cerebral areas while reducing the connections between associative brain areas, decreasing the rigidity and rendering the brain more plastic and susceptible to external changings, offering insights into their therapeutic outcome.

Advancing Therapeutic Targets in IBD: Emerging Goals and Precision Medicine Approaches.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic, relapsing conditions characterized by dysregulated immune responses and persistent intestinal inflammation. This review aims to examine new potential therapeutic targets in IBD starting from the STRIDE-II statements. Key targets now include clinical remission, endoscopic remission, and biomarker normalization (such as C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin).

Hormonal Contraception and Bone Metabolism: Emerging Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies on Post-Pubertal and Reproductive-Age Women.

Background/objectives: This study aims to assess the effects of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) on bone metabolism markers. It primarily measures osteocalcin and additionally examines other bone health markers, seeking to determine their responses to estrogen-progestogen treatments.

Methods: This study involved a comprehensive evaluation of the pertinent literature and a meta-analysis explicitly conducted on data describing women of reproductive age.

Uncovering the Mechanism of Action of Antiprotozoal Agents: A Survey on Photoaffinity Labeling Strategy.

, , and parasites are responsible for infectious diseases threatening millions of people worldwide. Despite more recent efforts devoted to the search for new antiprotozoal agents, efficacy, safety, and resistance issues still hinder the development of suited therapeutic options. The lack of robustly validated targets and the complexity of parasite's diseases have made phenotypic screening a preferential drug discovery strategy for the identification of new chemical entities.

Kojic Acid Derivative as an Antimitotic Agent That Selectively Kills Tumour Cells.

The primary method used to pharmacologically arrest cancer development and its metastasis is to disrupt the cell division process. There are a few approaches that may be used to meet this objective, mainly through inhibiting DNA replication or mitosis. Despite intensive studies on new chemotherapeutics, the biggest problem remains the side effects associated with the inhibition of cell division in non-tumoural host cells.

Silver -Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Complexes as Antimicrobial and/or Anticancer Agents.

The strict connections/interactions between microbial infections and cancer are nowadays widely accepted. Hence, the dual (or multiple) targeting of microbial infections and cancer is an essential issue to be addressed. In this context, metal complexes have gained considerable importance and effectiveness in medicinal chemistry.

Diversity and Distribution of Species Along an Elevation Gradient in Natural and Semi-Natural Forest Ecosystems in Portugal.

Globally, forests are constantly threatened by a plethora of disturbances of natural and anthropogenic origin, such as climate change, forest fires, urbanization, and pollution. Besides the most common stressors, during the last few years, Portuguese forests have been impacted by severe decline phenomena caused by invasive pathogens, many of which belong to the genus . The genus includes a large number of species that are invading forest ecosystems worldwide, chiefly as a consequence of global trade and human activities.

A Case of Dibothriocephalosis () from Iseo Lake (Northern Italy): An Update on a Persistent Sanitary Issue.

Dibothriocephalosis is a fish-borne parasitic zoonosis that is caused by tapeworms of the (syn. ) genus. This paper describes a human case of dibothriocephalosis associated with the consumption of a presumably infected fish, prepared at a restaurant near Iseo Lake (northern Italy).

Epidemiological Analysis of Fungal Infection Disease in Pediatric Population: Focus on Hospitalization from 2007 to 2022 in Veneto Region in Italy.

Fungal infections (FIs) are widespread globally, affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent children, with varying clinical implications based on age and comorbidities. In immunocompromised children, particularly those with hematologic oncological conditions, FI leads to substantially longer hospital stays and increased in-hospital mortality, with reported rates ranging from 15% to 20%. Our study aims to analyze the epidemiological trends of fungal infections in the pediatric population within a specific region of Italy.

Prevalence of spp. in Lithuanian Wild Boars ().

is a bacteria responsible for a widespread zoonosis that affects both humans and animals. Leptospirosis is a challenging pathology to diagnose and treat since its signs are unspecific and symptoms vary greatly. The disease seems to be highly prevalent in environments where reservoir animals such as rats and small mammals are common.

Pneumonia Severity Is Associated with Taxonomic Shifts in the Respiratory Microbiota.

Pneumonia caused by infection (PCP) is a potentially life-threatening illness, particularly affecting the immunocompromised. The past two decades have shown an increase in PCP incidence; however, the underlying factors that promote disease severity and fatality have yet to be fully elucidated. Recent evidence suggests that the microbiota of the respiratory tract may play a role in stimulating or repressing pulmonary inflammation, as well as the progression of both bacterial and viral pneumonia.

Introduction of Vector-Borne Infections in Europe: Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Pathogens with Potential Impact on One Health.

The rise and resurgence of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Europe pose an expanding public health challenge, exacerbated by climate change, globalization, and ecological disruptions. Both arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) transmitted by ticks such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and arboviruses transmitted by mosquitoes like dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis have broadened their distribution due to rising temperatures, changes in rainfall, and increased human mobility. By emphasizing the importance of interconnected human, animal, and environmental health, integrated One Health strategies are crucial in addressing this complex issue.

A Four-Year Study of Antibiotic Resistance, Prevalence and Biofilm-Forming Ability of Uropathogens Isolated from Community- and Hospital-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in Southern Italy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between nosocomial and community microorganisms isolated from patients with UTI by determining their bacterial profile, antibiotic resistance and ability to produce biofilms. A retrospective study, based on bacterial isolates from consecutive urine samples collected between January 2019 and December 2023, was conducted at a university hospital. The main pathogens isolated from both community and hospital samples were the same, but their frequency of isolation differed.

Genome-Wide Approach Identifies Natural Large-Fragment Deletion in ASFV Strains Circulating in Italy During 2023.

African swine fever (ASF), characterized by high mortality rates in infected animals, remains a significant global veterinary and economic concern, due to the widespread distribution of ASF virus (ASFV) genotype II across five continents. In this study, ASFV strains collected in Italy during 2022-2023 from two geographical clusters, North-West (Alessandria) and Calabria, were fully sequenced. In addition, an in vivo experiment in pigs was performed.

Identification of Strains from Animal Cases in Ethiopia and Genetic Characterization by Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease characterized by rapid onset with usual fatal outcomes in livestock and wildlife. In Ethiopia, anthrax is a persistent disease; however, there are limited data on the isolation and molecular characterization of strains. This study aimed to characterize isolated from animal anthrax outbreaks between 2019 and 2024, from different localities in Ethiopia.