Advancing Open Science

Chronic rhinitis is induced by endotype-diverse inflammatory processes, which complicates effective therapeutic management. According to the current principles of personalized medicine, which also apply to the management of rhinological disorders, the best therapeutic results can be achieved after targeted treatment preceded by analysis of the patient’s endotype. Analysis of immune and cellular mechanisms allows for the use of biological treatment, and its effects provide new information on inflammatory processes in the nasal mucosa. The effects of biological treatment may be particularly interesting in the case of mixed endotypes, which pose a difficult therapeutic challenge. In eosinophilic asthma co-occurring with allergic rhinitis, as well as in eosinophilic asthma associated with non-allergic rhinitis, eosinophils represent a key effector cell population driving the underlying type 2-mediated inflammatory response. The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of anti-IL5 or anti-ILR5 therapy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma and persistent allergic or non-allergic rhinitis. Methods: In this single-center real-life study, the authors analyzed the effects of biological treatment on rhinological symptoms in patients over the age of 18 with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic bronchial asthma with coexisting persistent allergic or non-allergic rhinitis treated with mepolizumab or benralizumab. In all patients, the otolaryngologist performed anterior rhinoscopy. Evaluation of rhinological symptoms and quality of life in patients treated with anti-IL5 or anti-IL5 therapy before and six months after biological treatment was performed using the TNSS and SNOT-22 scales. Results: In total, 67 patients with eosinophilic severe bronchial asthma were included in the study; among them 39 (58.2%) suffered from persistent allergic rhinitis and 28 (41.8%) suffered from chronic non-allergic rhinitis. After six months of treatment, higher absolute differences for SNOT and TNSS were observed in the persistent allergic rhinitis group. Conclusions: Biological treatment with mepolizumab and benralizumab may reduce the severity of rhinological symptoms in both endotypes of inflammation. However, higher therapeutic benefits were observed in patients with co-existing persistent allergic rhinitis. It was demonstrated that, in addition to IgE-mediated responses, the eosinophil represented an important component of the inflammatory reaction in allergic rhinitis.

Coastal flooding can result from multiple interacting drivers and can be a complex, challenging topic for learners to grasp. Interactive learning with apps offers new opportunities for improving comprehension and engagement. We present the Floodport app, an educational interactive tool that puts students in the role of coastal risk analysts exploring how natural hazards threaten port safety. Users have to adjust key parameters, including high tides, storm surges, terrestrial rainfall contribution, sea-level rise, and engineered features such as dock height. These forces, individually or jointly, result in water-level rises that may flood the app’s port. The app supports exploration of mitigation designs for the port. Developed in Excel and Python 3.11.4 and deployed as an R/Shiny application, Floodport was used as a classroom game by 153 students with no prior knowledge on coastal flooding concepts. Pre–post survey statistical analysis showed significant learning gains and positively correlation with willingness to engage further. Floodport was found to be a useful tool for basic introduction to flooding concepts. The results indicate strong pedagogical promise and potential for using the app beyond the classroom, in contexts such as stakeholder engagement and training.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), as a class of “permanent chemicals” with high environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, have attracted much attention. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism of the interaction between perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ). Using molecular docking, binding free energy calculation, and structural analysis, we systematically investigated the binding modes, key amino acid residues, and binding energies of 20 structurally diverse PFAAs with PPARδ. The results showed that the binding energies of PFAAs with PPARδ were significantly affected by the molecular weight, the number of hydrogen bond donors, and the melting point of PFAAs. PFAAs with smaller molecular weights and fewer hydrogen bond donors showed stronger binding affinity. The binding sites were concentrated in high-frequency amino acid residues such as TRP-256, ASN-269, and GLY-270, and the interaction forces were dominated by hydrogen and halogen bonds. PFAAs with branched structure of larger molecular weight (e.g., 3m-PFOA, binding energy of −2.92 kcal·mol⁻¹; 3,3m₂-PFOA, binding energy of −2.45 kcal·mol⁻¹) had weaker binding energies than their straight-chain counterparts due to spatial site-blocking effect. In addition, validation group experiments further confirmed the regulation law of binding strength by physicochemical properties. In order to verify the binding stability of the key complexes predicted by molecular docking, and to investigate the dynamic behavior under the conditions of solvation and protein flexibility, molecular dynamics simulations were conducted on PFBA, PFOA, 3,3m₂-PFOA, and PFHxA. The results confirmed the dynamic stability of the binding of the high-affinity ligands selected through docking to PPARδ. Moreover, the influence of molecular weight and branched structure on the binding strength was quantitatively verified from the perspectives of energy and RMSD trajectories. The present study revealed the molecular mechanism of PFAAs interfering with metabolic homeostasis through the PPARδ pathway, providing a theoretical basis for assessing its ecological and health risks.

Background/Objectives: Surfactin is a biosurfactant with various biological activities, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effects on bone metabolism remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of surfactin on osteoclast differentiation and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and surfactin, and osteoclast differentiation and maturation were evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and F-actin staining, respectively. Gene expression of differentiation markers was assessed using real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while the kinetics of intracellular signaling molecules and transcription factors were analyzed using Western blot analysis. Results: Surfactin treatment significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation and maturation, as well as the mRNA expression of Nfatc1, Acp5, and Cathepsin K. Although surfactin did not markedly affect RANKL-induced activation of the NF-κB or MAPK-mediated signaling, it significantly suppressed the expression of c-Fos at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, surfactin attenuated the phosphorylation of Elk1, a transcription factor involved in c-Fos induction. Conclusions: Surfactin inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by negatively regulating the Elk1-AP-1-NFATc1 axis. Surfactin may thus be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of metabolic bone disorders and inflammatory bone destruction.

Juniperus communis L. is a conifer widely used in traditional European medicine for the management of inflammatory disorders. However, its effects on oxidative stress and inflammation remain incompletely characterized. The present study investigated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of an ethanolic needle extract of J. communis using in vitro assays and an in vivo model of acute inflammation induced by turpentine oil in rats. Phytochemical profiling by HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS revealed a polyphenol-rich extract dominated by flavonols, flavanols, and hydroxybenzoic acids, with quercetin derivatives and taxifolin as major constituents. In vitro analyses demonstrated radical-scavenging and reducing capacities, exceeding or comparable to reference antioxidants in DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, ferric-reducing, and nitric oxide scavenging assays. In vivo, both therapeutic and prophylactic administration of the extract significantly attenuated oxidative and nitrosative stress, as evidenced by reductions in total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, nitric oxide, 3-nitrotyrosine, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, alongside restoration of total antioxidant capacity and thiol levels. These effects were concentration-dependent. Concomitantly, inflammatory signaling was suppressed, with decreased NF-κB activity and reduced levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. These results support the use of these extracts, whose benefits have been observed in traditional medicine, providing scientific support for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of J. communis extract.

The hospitality sector is an environment where leadership quality significantly impacts organizational performance and employees’ well-being. However, research on leadership styles in the Greek hotel industry remains limited. Using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), this research explores the connections between transformational, transactional, and passive leadership styles, as well as the employees’ outcome (extra effort, effectiveness, satisfaction). The survey was conducted among 211 hotel employees from the major Greek tourism areas. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported the MLQ structure, and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the hypothesized relationships. The findings indicate that transformational leadership is the primary factor positively associated with all three employee outcomes, with idealized influence and individualized consideration being the strongest predictors. Contingent reward (transactional leadership) is positively associated with several employee outcomes. Laissez-faire leadership has significant negative associations with extra effort, effectiveness, and satisfaction, while passive management-by-exception demonstrates some positive associations, making the situation difficult to interpret. These results verify the Full Range Leadership Model (FRLM) as a viable theoretical framework in the Greek hotel sector and offer a plethora of research-based guidelines to leadership program schedulers.

Refractory geopolymers derived from aluminosilicate sources and alkaline activation are a promising alternative to traditional fired bricks, particularly when low-cost, waste-derived raw materials are used. This study improves the workability of a refractory brick formulated with clays (Kaolin and Tepozan–Bauwer), seashell waste, sodium silicate, potassium hydroxide, and water by incorporating sodium lignosulfonate (LS) and polycarboxylate (PC) plasticizers. Clays from Comonfort, Guanajuato, Mexico, and seashells were ground and sieved to pass a 100 Tyler mesh. A base mixture was prepared and evaluated using the Mini Slump Test, varying plasticizer content from 0 to 2% relative to the solid fraction. Based on workability, 0.5% LS and 1% PC (by solids) increased the slump, and a blended plasticizer formulation (1.5% by solids, 80%PC+20%LS) produced the highest workability. These additives act through different mechanisms, with LS primarily promoting electrostatic repulsion and PC steric repulsion. Bricks with and without plasticizers exhibited thermal resistance up to 1200 °C. After four calcination cycles, compressive strength values were 354.74 kg_f/cm² for the brick without plasticizer, 597.25 kg_f/cm² for 1% PC, 433.63 kg_f/cm² for 0.5% LS, and 519.05 kg_f/cm² for 1.5% of the 80%PC+20%LS blend. Strength was consistent with changes in porosity and apparent density, and 1% PC provided a favorable combination of high workability and high compressive strength after cycling. Because the cost of clays and seashells is negligible, formulation selection was based on plasticizer cost per brick. Although 1% PC and the 1.5% of 80%PC+20%LS blend showed statistically comparable strength after cycling, 1% PC was selected as the preferred option due to its lower additive cost ($0.0449 per brick) compared with the blend ($0.0633 per brick). Stereoscopic microscopy indicated pore closure after calcination with no visible cracking, and SEM–EDS identified O, Si, and Al as the significant elements, with traces of S and K. Overall, the study provides an integrated assessment of workability, multi-cycle calcination, microstructure, and performance for refractory bricks produced from readily available clays and seashell waste.

Background and objective: Evidence of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) and oral anticoagulants (OACs) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with intermediate-to-borderline high stroke risk is scarce. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of these treatments in the latter clinical population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included NVAF patients with CHA₂DS₂-VA scores of 1–2 and used 1:1 propensity score matching (184 patients per group) to compare efficacy and safety outcomes. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of stroke, transient ischemic attacks, systemic embolism, and cardiovascular death during follow-up. Adverse safety events were categorized into peri-procedure (LAAC group) and non-procedural (both groups) events. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 48.93 ± 28.50 months, a total of 26 patients (7.07%) reached the primary composite efficacy endpoint. The LAAC group showed a significantly higher incidence of the efficacy endpoint compared to the OAC group (HR = 3.09; 95% CI 1.22–7.85; log-rank p = 0.01). Procedure-related events occurred in five LAAC patients (one contributing to primary endpoint), while non-procedural bleeding rates were similar (0.54% vs. 1.09%; p = 0.56). Subgroup analyses suggested concomitant ablation of NVAF in LAAC group did not significantly improve efficacy composite endpoints (HR = 0.47). Conclusions: In NVAF patients with intermediate-to-high stroke risk, OACs were more effective than LAAC in preventing thromboembolic events, with comparable rates of clinically relevant bleeding.