Bioactive Sesquiterpenoids from L. Flowers: Chemical Profiling and Antifungal Activity Against Species.

L. (cotton-lavender) is receiving increasing attention due to its potential for modern medicine and is considered both a functional food and nutraceutical. In this work, the phytochemical profile of its flower hydromethanolic extract was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and its applications as a biorational for crop protection were explored against spp.

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.

Optimizing In Vitro Propagation of Schönland Using Leaf, Root, and Inflorescence.

, a species native to South Africa, is characterized by its limited growth and scarcity, contributing to high production costs. Countries like China and Turkey are known for exporting globally. Tissue culture offers an efficient method for mass-producing unique and beautiful species such as This study tested Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with various concentrations of IBA (0.

The Genus : A Comprehensive Review of Taxonomic Aspects, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities.

The genus (Asteraceae) has been traditionally used in Mediterranean medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. However, scientific research on this genus remains limited, highlighting the need for a comprehensive review of its chemical composition and pharmacological characteristics. This review compiles existing knowledge on species, focusing on their secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oils, as well as associated biological activities.

Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Agronomic and Physiological Performance of Pomegranate ( L.).

Agriculture accounts for over 70% of global freshwater consumption, with increasing competition for water resources due to climate change and rising urban and industrial demands. This study analyzes the effect of deficit irrigation (DI) on the agronomic and physiological performance of pomegranate ( L.) in a Mediterranean climate.

Effects of Caffeine Intake Combined with Self-Selected Music During Warm-Up on Anaerobic Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Study.

Background: Both listening to music during warm-up and consuming caffeine before exercise have been independently shown to enhance athletic performance. However, the potential synergistic effects of combining these strategies remain largely unexplored. To date, only two studies have reported additional benefits to combining music during warm-up with a caffeine dose of 3 mg/kg on taekwondo-specific performance tasks.

The Association Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in University Students: The Mediating Role of Lean Mass and the Muscle Strength Index.

Background/objectives: recent studies have suggested that components typical of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) are associated with depression and anxiety prevention. In this sense, the main objective of this study was to analyse the associations between adherence to the MedDiet and depression and anxiety symptoms and to examine whether this relationship is mediated by lean mass and the muscle strength index (MSI).

Methods: a cross-sectional study (based on data obtained from the Nuts4Brain-Z study) was conducted from 2023-2024, involving 428 university students, aged 18-30 years, from a Spanish public university.

Influence of Dietary Fiber and Polyphenols During Pre-Gestation, Gestation, or Lactation on Intestinal Gene Expression.

Background/objectives: Diet composition is important for health, especially during critical periods such as pre-gestation (P), gestation (G), or lactation (S), due to its potential impact not only on the mother but on the offspring. The Mediterranean diet includes many healthy foods rich in fiber and/or polyphenols, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. The present preclinical study assesses the impact of a diet rich in fiber and polyphenols (HFP diet) during one of those three periods (P, G, or S, three weeks each) on the rat gene expression of the small intestine obtained at the end of the lactation period.

Diet, Advanced Maternal Age, and Neonatal Outcomes: Results from the GESTAGE Study.

Maternal nutrition during pregnancy plays a pivotal role in influencing both maternal and fetal health, impacting neonatal anthropometric outcomes and long-term disease susceptibility. An advanced maternal age (AMA ≥ 35 years) has been linked to increased risks of obstetric complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, yet its specific nutritional profile remains underexplored. : This study aimed to evaluate the nutrient and polyphenol intakes of women at an AMA compared to those of a younger control group and to investigate associations with neonatal anthropometric measures.

Beneficial Effects of a Moderately High-Protein Diet on Telomere Length in Subjects with Overweight or Obesity.

Background And Aim: Telomere length (TL) is a key biomarker of cellular aging, with shorter telomeres associated with age-related diseases. Lifestyle interventions mitigating telomere shortening are essential for preventing such conditions. This study aimed to examine the effects of two weight loss dietary strategies, based on a moderately high-protein (MHP) diet and a low-fat (LF) diet on TL in individuals with overweight or obesity.

Cross-National Survey About Nutrition and Nutrition Communication Among Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above.

The global population is undergoing a significant demographic shift characterised by an increasing proportion of older individuals. Healthy aging has become a priority for personal well-being and sustainable healthcare systems, with nutrition playing a pivotal role. However, the rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), malnutrition, and a shift in eating behaviour underscore the need for tailored, effective nutrition communication strategies.

Specific Physical and Nutritional Preparation of a Professional Kata Karate Athlete: A Case Study with a Bronze Medallist from the Pan American Games.

Background And Objectives: In karate, particularly in the kata discipline, there is a notable lack of studies focused on specific physical preparation for competitions. This highlights an urgent need for more in-depth research into this crucial aspect of athletic training to optimize performance and athlete preparation. The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of a dietary plan combined with specific physical preparation on the performance and body composition of a professional kata athlete preparing for a Pan American championship.

Psychoneurological Links Contributing to Body Mass Index and Eating Disorder Severity.

Background-objectives: Multiple dynamic interacting factors contribute to the presence and progression of eating disorders (ED). Empirical research has provided mixed findings regarding the mechanisms explaining the contribution of body mass index (BMI) to the diverse ED endophenotypes. The present study aims to evaluate the underlying processes (direct and indirect effects) contributing to BMI and ED severity, considering the contribution of multiple neuropsychological constructs.

Efficacy of -Acetylcysteine in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age and requires better treatment. -acetylcysteine (NAC) is known to be beneficial under such conditions owing to its antioxidant potential and insulin-sensitizing properties. The effect of NAC on the reproductive outcomes of PCOS patients was examined in this meta-analysis.

Relationship Between the Gut Microbiome, Tryptophan-Derived Metabolites, and Osteoarthritis-Related Pain: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and affects over 528 million people worldwide. Degenerative joint disease involves cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodeling, and synovial inflammation, leading to chronic pain, stiffness, and impaired joint function. Initially regarded as a "wear and tear" condition associated with aging and mechanical stress, OA is now recognized as a multifaceted disease influenced by systemic factors such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and chronic low-grade inflammation.

Diet Quality, Healthy Dietary Restrictions, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Food Deserts Among the Elderly in Spain.

Background/objectives: Food deserts are areas characterized by limited access to affordable and healthy food, often due to significant distances from supermarkets-exceeding 1.6 km in urban areas and 16 km in rural settings. These spatial limitations exacerbate health and socioeconomic disparities.

Impact of Early Childhood Malnutrition on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Adults from Marginalized Areas of Chiapas, Mexico.

The presence of malnutrition in early life is a determining factor in the onset of metabolic alterations and chronic diseases in adults. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of malnutrition in early childhood with the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood in marginalized populations from Chiapas, Mexico. The present investigation was based on a prospective cohort study that began in 2002, with young adults aged 18 to 25 years belonging to region in Chiapas, Mexico.

Cross-Sectional Study on the Influence of Religion on the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Food in Spanish Schoolchildren in North Africa.

(1) Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) constitutes a public health problem given their high availability and easy accessibility among children and young people and their influence on the development of non-communicable diseases in the long term. In this context, culture and religion may be modulating factors for the consumption of processed food. The aim of this study is to assess the consumption of UPFs in Spanish schoolchildren living in Melilla (North Africa), together with the possible impact of religion on this.

Effect of a Novel Food Rich in Miraculin on the Intestinal Microbiome of Malnourished Patients with Cancer and Dysgeusia.

Background/objectives: Dysgeusia contributes to malnutrition and worsens the quality of life of patients with cancer. Despite the different strategies, there is no effective treatment for patients suffering from taste disorders provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, we developed a novel strategy for reducing side effects in cancer patients by providing a novel food supplement with the taste-modifying glycoprotein miraculin, which is approved by the European Union, as an adjuvant to medical-nutritional therapy.

Impact of Caffeine Intake on Female Basketball Players' Performance.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effect of caffeine ingestion on basketball performance in semi-professional female players.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized experimental design was conducted, in two different periods separated by a week. Twelve female basketball players ingested 3 mg of caffeine/kg of body mass or a placebo.

Vitamin D Supplementation Is Associated with Inflammation Amelioration and Cognitive Improvement in Decompensated Patients with Cirrhosis.

Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by systemic inflammation and innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prevalent and debilitating condition characterized by cognitive disturbances in which ammonia and inflammation play a synergistic pathogenic role. Extraskeletal functions of vitamin D include immunomodulation, and its deficiency has been implicated in immune dysfunction and different forms of cognitive impairment.

Impact of Flash Glucose Monitoring in Adults with Inherited Metabolic Disorders at Risk of Hypoglycemia.

Background: This study addresses hypoglycemia in adults with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs), highlighting the importance of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM). Despite the elevated risk of hypoglycemia in an important group of these diseases, the use of isCGM remains uncommon and there is limited evidence supporting its effectiveness.

Methods: A longitudinal quasi-experimental study was performed in 18 adults with IMDs, evaluating the use of isCGM for 2 months.

Trends in Dehydration in Older People: Identifying Landmark Scientific Contributions.

Background: Dehydration and low fluid intake cause the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance in older adults and increase their morbi-mortality.

Objective: To analyse the scientific production on dehydration in older adults.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis was performed using the Web of Science Core Collection database.

Interactive Coupling Relaxation of Dipoles and Wagner Charges in the Amorphous State of Polymers Induced by Thermal and Electrical Stimulations: A Dual-Phase Open Dissipative System Perspective.

This paper addresses the author's current understanding of the physics of interactions in polymers under a voltage field excitation. The effect of a voltage field coupled with temperature to induce space charges and dipolar activity in dielectric materials can be measured by very sensitive electrometers. The resulting characterization methods, thermally stimulated depolarization (TSD) and thermal-windowing deconvolution (TWD), provide a powerful way to study local and cooperative relaxations in the amorphous state of matter that are, arguably, essential to understanding the glass transition, molecular motions in the rubbery and molten states and even the processes leading to crystallization.

Improving Sensitivity and Resolution of Dendrimer Identification in MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Using Varied Matrix Combinations.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a well-known technique for polymer analysis, particularly for determining the molecular weight and structural details of dendrimers. In this study, we evaluated the performance of various matrices, such as 2',4',6'-trihydroxyacetophenone (THAP), α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (HCCA), and sinapinic acid (SA), and their combinations, on the sensitivity and resolution of poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of different generations (G3.0, G4.