Scalable Manufacturing Method for Model Protein-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles: Biocompatibility, Trafficking and Release Properties.

: Drug delivery systems (DDSs) offer efficient treatment solutions to challenging diseases such as central nervous system (CNS) diseases by bypassing biological barriers such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Among DDSs, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), particularly poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs, hold an outstanding position due to their biocompatible and biodegradable qualities. Despite their potential, the translation of PLGA NPs from laboratory-scale production to clinical applications remains a significant challenge.

Evaluation of Five Ready-to-Use Bases for the Topical Administration of Propranolol Hydrochloride to Treat Infantile Hemangioma.

: Since 2008, following clinical studies conducted on children that revealed the ability of the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol to inhibit capillary growth in infantile hemangiomas (IHs), its oral administration has become the first-line treatment for IHs. Although oral propranolol therapy at a dosage of 3 mg/kg/die is effective, it can cause systemic adverse reactions. This therapy is not necessarily applicable to all patients.

Retinal Protection of New Nutraceutical Formulation.

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) protection represents an unmet need in glaucoma. This study assessed the neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effect of a new nutraceutical formulation named Epicolin, based on citicoline, homotaurine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, forskolin, and vitamins, through in vitro and in vivo studies. The neuroprotective effect of Epicolin or its single components, and Epicolin compared to an untreated control and two marketed formulations [Formulation G (FG) and N (FN)], was evaluated in neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) challenged with staurosporine.

Plant Resin Delivery by Nanovectors as an Emerging Approach to Boost Solubility, Permeability and Bioavailability.

Resins are complex mixtures of natural constituents containing non-volatile and volatile terpenes, in combination with gums and polyphenols, used since ancient times for their medicinal properties. Current research has evidenced their therapeutic value with a plethora of activities. The main limits of resins and their constituents for their clinical use are low water solubility, poor stability and bioavailability.

Drug-Drug Interactions Between HIV Antivirals and Concomitant Drugs in HIV Patients: What We Know and What We Need to Know.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to a significant increase in the life expectancy of people living with HIV. The trade-off is that HIV-infected patients often suffer from comorbidities that require additional treatment, increasing the risk of Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs), the clinical relevance of which has often not been determined during registration trials of the drugs involved. Therefore, it is important to identify potential clinically relevant DDIs in order to establish the most appropriate therapeutic approaches.

Development of Novel Oral Delivery Systems Using Additive Manufacturing Technologies to Overcome Biopharmaceutical Challenges for Future Targeted Drug Delivery.

The development of targeted drug delivery systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients with narrow absorption windows is crucial for improving their bioavailability. This study proposes a novel 3D-printed expandable drug delivery system designed to precisely administer drugs to the upper small intestine, where absorption is most efficient. The aim was to design, prototype, and evaluate the system's functionality for organ retention and targeted drug release.

Yield and Sensorial and Nutritional Quality of Strawberry ( × Duch.) Fruits from Plants Grown Under Different Amounts of Irrigation in Soilless Cultivation.

Water scarcity is an ecological issue affecting over 10% of Europe. It is intensified by rising temperatures, leading to greater evaporation and reduced precipitation. Agriculture has been confirmed as the sector accounting for the highest water consumption globally, and it faces significant challenges relating to drought, impacting crop yields and food security.

Leaf Functional Traits to Assess Urban Forest Health Status for Expeditious Analysis in a Mediterranean European Context.

In the Mediterranean basin, urban forests are widely recognized as essential landscape components, playing a key role in nature-based solutions by enhancing environmental quality and providing a range of ecosystem services. The selection of woody plant species for afforestation and reforestation should prioritize native species that align with the biogeographical and ecological characteristics of the planting sites. Among these, L.

The Role of Naphthaleneacetic Acid and 1-Methylcyclopropene in Preventing Preharvest Berry Dropping in L.

Fruit dropping represents a concern in many fruit species, including L. This research investigated the role of two plant growth regulators (PGRs), naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), in mitigating preharvest berry dropping (PHBD) through affecting ethylene (ET) and auxin (AUX) metabolism and interactions, key hormones involved in abscission. The experiment was carried out on cv.

Carotenoids in Potato Tubers: A Bright Yellow Future Ahead.

Carotenoids, the bright yellow, orange, and red pigments of many fruits and vegetables, are essential components of the human diet as bioactive compounds not synthesized in animals. As a staple crop potato has the potential to deliver substantial amounts of these nutraceuticals despite their lower concentration in tubers compared to edible organs of other plant species. Even small gains in tuber carotenoid levels could have a significant impact on the nutritional value of potatoes.

Exploring the Potential of Selenium-Containing Amine (Se-AMA) to Enhance Photosynthesis and Leaf Water Content: New Avenues for Carbonic Anhydrase Modulation in .

Global changes and growing demands have led to the development of new molecular approaches to improve crop physiological performances. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzymes, ubiquitous across various life kingdoms, stand out for their critical roles in plant photosynthesis and water relations. We hypothesize that the modulators of human CAs could affect plant physiology.

Genotyping Genebank Collections: Strategic Approaches and Considerations for Optimal Collection Management.

The maintenance of plant germplasm and its genetic diversity is critical to preserving and making it available for food security, so this invaluable diversity is not permanently lost due to population growth and development, climate change, or changing needs from the growers and/or the marketplace. There are numerous genebanks worldwide that serve to preserve valuable plant germplasm for humankind's future and to serve as a resource for research, breeding, and training. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) and the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) both have a network of plant germplasm collections scattered across varying geographical locations preserving genetic resources for the future.

Advancing the Taxonomy of the Diatom Through an Integrative Study Conducted in the Central and Southeastern Adriatic Sea.

The marine diatom genus comprises cosmopolitan phytoplankton species commonly present in the Adriatic Sea. Species within the genus have been of significant concern because they produce domoic acid (DA), which can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). In this study, we identified species along the Central and Southeastern Adriatic Sea, where monthly sampling carried out from February 2022 to February 2024 allowed for comprehensive species documentation.

- Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Phytotoxic Activity and Environmental Safety.

Weeds cause a decrease in the quantity and quality of agricultural production and economic damage to producers. The prolonged use of synthetic pesticides causes problems of environmental pollution, the possible alteration of agricultural products and problems for human health. For this reason, the scientific community's search for products of natural origin, which are biodegradable, safe for human health and can act as valid alternatives to traditional herbicides, is growing.

The Status of Wild Grapevine ( L. subsp. (C.C. Gmel.) Hegi) Populations in Georgia (South Caucasus).

Repeated expeditions across various regions of Georgia in the early 2000s led to the identification of 434 wild grapevine individuals ( L. subsp. (C.

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.

Different Genotypes of the Rare and Threatened Moss (Funariaceae) Exhibit Different Resilience to Zinc and Copper Stress.

The funarioid moss species , which is threatened with extinction, was the subject of this study. The riparian habitat type of this species is often under the influence of contaminated water, and, therefore, we tested the influence of selected potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely zinc and copper, on the development, physiological features, and survival of the species on two different accessions (German and Croatian). The results obtained showed the different resilience of the two accessions to the PTEs.

Bryophytes Floristic Patterns in the Sicilian Aquatic and Humid Habitats-Important Refuges for Biodiversity Safeguarding in the Mediterranean Islands.

In this study, a focus on the populations of bryophytes living in aquatic and humid habitats of Sicily is presented. This investigation aims to evaluate the consistency and diversity of this group of taxa. The complete list of taxa known to date in these habitats is provided, with reference to hornworts, liverworts, and mosses, and the patterns related to the biological, ecological, and chorological features of this bryophyte flora are also illustrated.

The Potency of Essential Oils in Combating Stored-Product Pests: From Nature to Nemesis.

, , , , , , , , and represent significant arthropod stored-product pests worldwide. To combat these noxious arthropods, the current study examines the pesticidal effect of essential oils (EOs) derived from four aromatic plants, i.e.

Freeze-Drying for the Reduction of Fruit and Vegetable Chain Losses: A Sustainable Solution to Produce Potential Health-Promoting Food Applications.

Freeze-drying fresh vegetables and fruits may not only prevent post-harvest losses but also provide a concentrated source of nutrients and phytochemicals. This study focused on the phenolic composition of different freeze-dried products derived from horticultural crop remains (HCRs) in the vegetable and fruit production chain. These products may be considered as a potential health-promoting solution for preventing post-harvest fruit spoiling and losses.

Rooting, Growth, and Root Morphology of the Cuttings of L. (cv. "Dottato"): Cutting Types and Length and Growth Medium Effects.

The fig tree ( L.) has gained renewed interest for its climate resilience and the health benefits of its fruit, driving demand for high-quality nursery plants. However, suboptimal propagation techniques limit the nursery production of figplants.

Behavior of Olive Genotypes Against Quick Decline Syndrome (QDS) Caused by subsp. in Apulia.

subsp. (), a quarantine pathogen in the European Union, severely threatens Mediterranean olive production, especially in southern Italy, where Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) has devastated Apulian olive groves. This study addresses the urgent need to identify resistant olive genotypes by monitoring 16 potentially tolerant genotypes over six years, assessing symptom severity and bacterial load.

Effects of Dietary Habits on Markers of Oxidative Stress in Subjects with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Comparison Between the Mediterranean Diet and a Gluten-Free Diet.

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MedD) exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects that are beneficial in autoimmune thyroid diseases (ATD). Recently, a gluten-free diet (GFD) has been proposed for non-celiac patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), but its usefulness is under debate. The present pilot study evaluates the effects of these two dietary regimes, with a focus on redox homeostasis, in HT.

Effects of the Mediterranean Diet on the Components of Metabolic Syndrome Concerning the Cardiometabolic Risk.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia (intended as an increase in triglyceride levels and a reduction in HDL cholesterol levels), and elevated fasting glucose, that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. With the rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome, effective dietary interventions are essential in reducing these health risks. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil and moderate in fish and poultry, has shown promise in addressing metabolic syndrome and its associated components.

Exploring Gender Differences in the Effects of Diet and Physical Activity on Metabolic Parameters.

Background: Gender differences in metabolic response to lifestyle interventions remain poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a six-month Mediterranean diet (MD) intervention combined with regular physical activity on metabolic parameters in overweight adults.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in an obesity clinic in Rome, Italy, involving overweight adults (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m) motivated to improve their lifestyle.