Search Results (255)

Atractylodes lancea (AL) has been shown to be a promising candidate for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The study explored the potential of atractylodin (AT) and β-eudesmol (BE) to chemosensitize the effects of standard chemotherapeutics in CCA. The cytotoxicities of AT and BE on CL6, HuCCT1, and HuH28 when used in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), gemcitabine (GEM), and cisplatin (Cis) were assessed by MTT assay. The modulatory effects of both compounds on mRNA expression of the reuptake and efflux transporters were determined by real-time PCR. The FIC (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration) indices indicated synergistic interactions (AT-5FU in all cell lines and BE-5FU in HuH28) and antagonistic interactions (BE-Cis in all cell lines and AT-Cis or AT-GEM in HuCCT1). The synergistic interactions observed with the AT-5FU and BE-5FU combinations were well correlated with the significant upregulation of the mRNA expression of the reuptake transporter genes hENT1 (2.64-fold) and hOCT3 (5.02-fold) and the significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of the efflux transporter gene ABCC2 (0.33-fold). AT and BE, when purified or present as significant components in AL, may benefit CCA treatment when used as adjunct therapy to standard chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly 5FU. The mechanism of synergistic activity may, at least in part, involve modulation of transporter gene expression and activity. Full article

Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) poses a significant clinical challenge, particularly in the context of biofilm-associated infections, with increasing antibiotic resistance further complicating infection eradication. In the present study, the effects of cinnamic acid and its derivatives (ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and sinapic acid), alone and in combination with the β-lactam antibiotic cloxacillin, on biofilm formation by a single methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) clinical strain were explored. The expression of the biofilm-associated icaADBC operon genes and the icaR repressor gene was assessed using Real-Time PCR as an exploratory analysis under sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of the tested compounds. Furthermore, confocal microscopy was used to qualitatively assess selected structural changes in the biofilm. Their occurrence was demonstrated depending on the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) levels used. The results revealed variable and nonlinear patterns of gene expression in response to the tested concentrations. Additionally, compound-dependent differences in anti-biofilm-related responses were observed. Overall, the findings provide insight into the potential influence of cinnamic acid derivatives combined with cloxacillin on biofilm-associated processes in S. epidermidis. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, currently represent one of the major challenges in contemporary medicine and geriatrics. Progressive degeneration of the nervous system affects not only patients’ physical functioning but also their psychosocial well-being, often leading to social isolation and disruption of interpersonal relationships. These processes are most strongly associated with individuals over 65 years of age, in whom metabolic syndrome is frequently diagnosed and constitutes a significant factor predisposing them to the exacerbation of neuropathological changes. This review analyzes the role of selected vitamins in modulating the course of neurodegenerative disorders, with particular emphasis on their neuroprotective potential. Specific attention is given to their involvement in antioxidant defense mechanisms, regulation of inflammatory pathways, prevention of abnormal protein aggregation, participation in neurotransmitter synthesis, and support of mitochondrial function and cellular energy metabolism. The review also considers key interactions between vitamins and coenzyme Q10, which synergistically enhance neuroprotective mechanisms. Deficiencies in certain vitamins may exacerbate oxidative stress, impair synaptic transmission, and intensify neuroinflammatory responses, thereby contributing to disease progression. The study analyzes the available data on therapeutic doses of vitamins and compares them with the recommended dietary intake and the upper tolerable intake levels (UL). The available evidence suggests that personalized vitamin supplementation, when integrated with a well-balanced and nutrient-dense diet, may constitute a valuable adjunctive therapeutic strategy. Such an approach may help attenuate disease progression, support neuronal integrity, and improve functional outcomes. Ultimately, targeted nutritional interventions may enhance overall well-being and quality of life in patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Cronobacter spp. is a pathogenic genus comprising seven species, of which C. sakazakii is particularly notable for its association with neonatal outbreaks linked to powdered infant formula. The severity of infections is associated with virulence factors (VFs) and β-lactam antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has enabled precise strain typing through core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), enhancing discrimination and accuracy. This study aimed to use cgMLST (2831 genes) to genomically characterize 34 Cronobacter strains which had been isolated from powdered milk and production surfaces between 2011 and 2022. The identified strains included C. sakazakii ST1, ST4, ST13, ST31 and ST83, as well as C. malonaticus ST60. Overall, there were eight clusters of closely related strains. All strains exhibited resistance to cephalothin, 18 were resistant to ceftazidime and 11 to ampicillin. Various resistance genes (bla_CSA, bla_CMA, fos, qacJ, marA, AcrAB-TolC, and mcr-9.1) and virulence genes (cpa, nanAKT, fic, relB, fliC) were detected, with some genes being exclusive to C. sakazakii. All strains carried plasmids and mobile genetic elements. The multidrug resistance and presence of virulence genes in these isolates highlight the significant risk that C. sakazakii-contaminated powdered dairy products pose to public health, underscoring the need to adopt proper hygienic manufacturing practices and effectively implement HACCP in their production. Full article

Knowledge about the potential roles of pets as reservoirs for plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance is still limited in Türkiye. Thus, in our study, the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone genes (qnrA, qnrB and qnrS) was examined by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 101 fecal Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli) strains isolated from healthy dogs. Moreover, the relationship between the presence of qnr genes and prevalence of quinolone resistance, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid replicon types, mostly detected among fecal E. coli isolates (F, K, FIB, N, FIA, FIC, and Y) were investigated. A total of 41 strains (40.6%) carried at least one qnr gene. Qnr genes were found in 38.8% of quinolone-resistant and 40.9% of quinolone-susceptible strains. ESBL production was detected in 27 strains, 10 of which also harbored a qnr gene. Among qnr-positive strains, 19 (46.3%) carried both IncK and IncF plasmids (p < 0.001). IncF plasmids were significantly more prevalent in quinolone-resistant strains than in susceptible ones (p < 0.001), suggesting a potential link between qnr carriage, quinolone resistance, and IncF plasmids. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the relationship between qnr genes and specific plasmid replicon types in E. coli from healthy dogs in Türkiye. Our findings suggest that domestic animals may serve as reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant E. coli, underscoring the importance of a One Health approach. Full article

Fractal image compression achieves high compression ratios but suffers from prohibitively long encoding times and limited reconstruction quality. To address these limitations, we propose fast fractal image compression using non-uniform partition (FFICNUP), a hybrid algorithm that adaptively partitions range blocks (R-blocks) and domain blocks (D-blocks) based on local texture and edge content. Smaller R-blocks are employed in texture-rich regions or edge-dense areas to preserve fine details, while larger R-blocks are adopted in smooth regions to accelerate encoding. By integrating a Task-Serial Workflow with Data-Parallel Vectorization and adaptive block partitioning, FFICNUP substantially accelerates both encoding and decoding processes while enhancing reconstruction fidelity and compression ratios. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed FFICNUP method significantly outperforms conventional fractal image compression (FIC) approaches. By leveraging vectorized parallelization, the proposed FFICNUP achieves state-of-the-art (SOTA) decoding speed with a 14× acceleration, reduces encoding latency by three orders of magnitude, improves the Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) by up to 5.19 dB, and attains a compression ratio 2.21 times higher than that of conventional FIC. Validated across both CPU and GPU platforms, FFICNUP dynamically balances encoding speed, reconstruction quality, compression ratio, and latency across varying image sizes, demonstrating its suitability for practical engineering applications. Full article

Urban markets are key nodes for the persistence and adaptation of traditional edible plant knowledge, linking rural production with urban consumption. This study was based on monthly market surveys conducted throughout 2025 in an urban market in Baise City, Guangxi, China. A total of 54 edible plant taxa were recorded, including both native and introduced species, with herbaceous plants predominating alongside climbers, trees, and grasses. Ethnobotanical data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 40 local informants (20 men and 20 women, aged 25–65 years) selected using purposive sampling, focusing on individuals actively involved in purchasing and preparing edible plants. High Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) values highlighted culturally central taxa, including Allium ascalonicum L., × Brassarda juncea (L.) Su Liu & Z.H. Feng, and Houttuynia cordata Thunb., reflecting frequent use and culinary–medicinal integration. Fidelity Level (FL) analyses identified species with strong consensus for specific therapeutic applications, such as × B. juncea, Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd., and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., while Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) values indicated moderate to high agreement across gastrointestinal, respiratory, inflammatory, and other health categories. These results underscore the persistence of the “food as medicine” concept, showing that edible plants function simultaneously as nutritional and preventive healthcare resources. The overlap of culinary and medicinal roles demonstrates dynamic food–medicine integration, with urban markets acting as cultural hubs that maintain dietary diversity, household food security, and ethnobotanical knowledge. Future studies should incorporate ethnozoological resources and longitudinal monitoring to capture the full scope of urban food–medicine systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Streptococcus suis are increasingly prevalent and present significant challenges in clinical management. Given that the development of new antibiotics is a resource-intensive process and time-consuming, there is an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies to address resistance in the short term. One promising approach is the use of combination therapy, which involves pairing potent antibiotics with agents that may be less effective on their own, to enhance therapeutic efficacy and potentially overcome resistance mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of combining two classes of antibiotics with distinct mechanisms of action—cell wall synthesis inhibitors and protein synthesis inhibitors—against MDR S. suis strains isolated from diseased pigs. Methods: A total of 36 MDR S. suis strains were tested using a microbroth dilution checkerboard assay to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of four cell wall synthesis inhibitors —amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC), ampicillin (AMP), penicillin G (PEN), and vancomycin (VAN)— in combination with four protein synthesis inhibitors —gentamicin (GEN), neomycin (NEO), tilmicosin (TMS), and tylosin (TYL). Time–kill curve assays were conducted to evaluate the in vitro bactericidal activity of synergistic antibiotic combinations (PEN–GEN and AMP–NEO) against Beta-lactam-resistant and Beta-lactam-susceptible MDR S. suis strains. Results: Checkerboard analysis revealed that penicillin-gentamicin combination exhibited the most effective synergistic activity against the MDR S. suis strains (10/19, 52.6%), with ∑FIC values of 0.25–1.06 and MIC reductions from resistant to susceptible levels. Time-kill assays further confirmed the synergistic bactericidal effect of the combination, demonstrating complete bacterial clearance within 6–9 h, markedly rapid bacterial killing compared to monotherapy. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that antibiotic combinations, particularly Beta-lactams combined with aminoglycosides, show synergistic activity against pig-isolated S. suis MDR strains. The PEN-GEN combination exhibited strong synergistic and bactericidal effects, supporting combination therapy as a potential strategy to address antimicrobial resistance. Further evaluation in diverse strain backgrounds and prudent antibiotic use are essential to confirm efficacy and limit the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Full article

This study documents the ethnomedicinal knowledge of Konak (Malatya, Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye), a region with rich plant diversity but no prior comprehensive research. The aim of the study is to systematically document and analyze the ethnomedicinal practices of Konak village, focusing on plant taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) used, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 68 local informants. Quantitative analysis was performed using Informant Consensus Factor (F_IC) and Use Value (UV) indices. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the herbarium. The study documented 86 plant taxa from 35 families used in 230 therapeutic applications. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae were the most represented families. High F_IC values were recorded for colds (F_IC = 0.95), stomach pain (F_IC = 0.92), and inflammation (F_IC = 0.90), indicating strong community consensus. The most frequently cited species were Origanum vulgare subsp. gracile, Mentha spp., and Rosa canina. There are novel or locally specific uses, with 13 taxa having no previously recorded ethnomedicinal applications in the reviewed literature. The findings reveal Konak as a significant repository of ethnomedicinal knowledge. High-F_IC taxa represent prime candidates for phytochemical and pharmacological research to validate traditional uses and support evidence-based phytotherapy. This study enriches regional ethnopharmacological data and highlights candidate taxa for pharmacological validation. Full article

Local vegetables and spices are essential components of traditional food and health systems in northeastern Thailand, yet quantitative ethnobotanical evidence remains limited. This study documents the diversity, utilization, and cultural significance of vegetables and spices used in Sang Kho Sub-district, Phu Phan District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Ethnobotanical data were collected in 2025 through field surveys, voucher-based plant identification, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation involving 92 informants across 23 villages. Cultural significance and medicinal knowledge were evaluated using the Cultural Importance Index (CI), Informant Consensus Factor (FIC), and Fidelity Level (FL). A total of 113 taxa belonging to 94 genera and 49 plant families were recorded. Poaceae and Zingiberaceae were the most species-rich families. Native species slightly predominated (51.33%), and herbaceous taxa were most common. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part. Most taxa were used as vegetables (92 species), followed by traditional medicines (20 species), spices or seasonings (18 species), and food ingredients or culinary additives (18 species). The highest CI values were recorded for Allium ascalonicum L. (1.152), Capsicum annuum L. (1.098), and Coriandrum sativum L. (1.043). FIC values ranged from 0.60 to 1.00, with complete consensus for circulatory and neurological disorders. Cymbopogon citratus showed the highest FL (75%) for gastrointestinal uses. These findings demonstrate the close integration of food and medicine in local plant-use systems and provide baseline data for food system resilience and cultural knowledge conservation. Full article

Variants of the MYO5B gene, which encodes the molecular motor protein myosin-Vb, have gained prominence as a causative factor in familial intrahepatic cholestasis (FIC). Understanding the disease mechanism is pivotal for therapy development and clinical decision-making. The prevailing theory for the mechanism underlying MYO5B-associated cholestasis implicates faulty trafficking of the ABCB11-encoded bile salt export pump (BSEP) in hepatocytes due to dysfunctional myosin-Vb. This is supported by cell and mouse studies. However, while BSEP localization was abnormal in some patients’ liver biopsies, BSEP appeared normally localized in others, raising questions with regard to the role of BSEP in MYO5B-associated FIC. We present a focused systematic narrative review of all cases of MYO5B variant-associated isolated FIC reported in the MEDLINE database. We assembled a comprehensive patient dataset and assessed clinical features of MYO5B-associated FIC, their relationship with MYO5B genotype, the clinical value and significance of BSEP abnormalities, and the relationship of MYO5B-associated FIC to ABCB11 variant-associated FIC. Our review revealed that aberrant BSEP localization correlated with the absence of one MYO5B allele carrying a truncating nonsense or frameshift variant. Notably, biochemical and clinical parameters including treatment outcome were indistinguishable between patients presenting with normal and aberrant BSEP localization. Further, myosin-Vb and BSEP deficiency-associated FIC patient cohorts showed distinct biochemical and clinical phenotypes, indicating different underlying mechanisms. This suggests that whether or not BSEP localization was abnormal depended on the MYO5B genotype without a predictable effect on clinical parameters and treatment response. Treatment decisions should be guided by clinical parameters rather than by genotype or immunohistochemistry findings. Full article

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) producing OXA-48-like carbapenemase was first detected in Hungary in 2022. The aim of the present study was to characterize such strains isolated in 2022–2025 in Baranya County, Hungary. Methods: Antibiotic susceptibility and the whole-genome sequence (WGS) of E. coli isolates, identified as OXA-48-like carbapenemase producers using the CARBA-5 NG test, were established. The transferability of bla_OXA-48-like plasmids was tested by conjugation. Results: Of the 6722 non-repeat E. coli isolates, 6 produced an OXA-48-like carbapenemase. They exhibited variable resistance to ertapenem and were susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. WGS revealed that all OXA-48-like producer E. coli belonged to high-risk clones: two clonally related OXA-181-producer E. coli ST405 were isolated in Hospital A, three OXA-244-producing E. coli ST38 (two identical via cgMLST from Hospital B), and an OXA-48-producing E. coli ST69. The bla_OXA-48 and bla_OXA-244 genes were chromosomally located, while bla_OXA-181 was on a non-conjugative IncFIB-IncFIC plasmid. So far, the bla_OXA-181-bearing plasmid of this incompatibility type has only been described in Ghana, but all bla_OXA-48-like gene-carrying transposons in this study have already been identified in Europe and other continents. The E. coli ST38 isolates, showing close association based on core genome SNP distances to European and Qatari strains, belonged to Cluster A and harbored bla_CTX-M-27. All but the E. coli ST69 isolate had cephalosporinase gene(s). Conclusions: This study describes small-scale intra-hospital transfers of OXA-48-like carbapenemase-producer E. coli. Interestingly, E. coli ST405 of Hungary carried bla_OXA-181 on an IncFIB-IncFIC plasmid, which has only been reported from Africa so far. Full article

Coffee silverskin is generated in large quantities as a co-product during the roasting process of coffee beans. This co-product is rich in bioactive compounds that offer potential health benefits, justifying its consideration as a functional ingredient in food. In this study, silverskin from the species Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora from six different countries was characterized to highlight its potential and applicability as a safe ingredient in new food formulations. The results revealed a dietary fiber content ranging from 71.81 to 76.86 g/100 g, with a high portion of insoluble fiber ranging from 54.02 to 60.58 g/100 g. The mineral content showed that, in all samples, potassium and calcium were the main elements with values ranging from 6.66 to 17.57 mg/g and from 9.25 to 16.44 mg/g, respectively. The caffeine content was quantified with levels ranging from 0.81 to 7.32 mg/g. In addition, high levels of phenolic compounds were identified in free and bound forms, with 5-caffeoylquinic, 3-caffeoylquinic, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic, and ferulic acids being the main components in both fractions. All samples analyzed showed a good antioxidant capacity in the four different methods used, with values ranging from 8.12 to 10.85 mg Trolox Equivalents (mgTE/g) in the DPPH assay; from 9.69 to 19.68 mgTE/g in the FRAP assay; from 5.96 to 11.05 mgTE/g in the FRAP assay; and from 0.21 to 1.11 and 4.69 mg EDTA/g sample in the FIC assay. In conclusion, coffee silverskin has the potential to play a beneficial role as an ingredient in new food formulations, thus contributing to the development of a circular economy in the food industry. Full article

Terminalia catappa L. (Family: Combretaceae) is used globally to treat various diseases, including bacterial infections. Whilst the antibacterial activity of T. catappa has previously been tested against antibiotic-sensitive bacterial strains, the antimicrobial activity against methicillin and β-lactam-resistant pathogens has been relatively ignored. The antibacterial activity of T. catappa extracts, both alone and combined with selected clinical antibiotics, was evaluated in this study. The inhibition of bacterial growth by the extracts was determined using agar diffusion and broth micro-dilution assays. Combinations of the extracts and several clinical antibiotics were also examined and the ∑FICs were calculated to determine the interaction class. Synergistic combinations were further evaluated by isobologram analysis. The T. catappa leaf extracts were screened for toxicity using Artemia franciscana lethality bioassays (ALA). Orbitrap liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling analysis was undertaken to identify flavonoid components of the extracts, putatively. The T. catappa methanolic extract inhibited all the tested bacterial strains. It displayed especially good inhibitory activity against E. coli (MIC = 130 µg/mL). Combining the T. catappa extracts with some conventional antibiotics potentiated the inhibitory activity of the combinations compared to the activity of individual components. LC-MS profiling analysis identified multiple flavonoid components, including rutin, quercitin, orientin, the tannin component, and ellagic acid in the extracts. All extracts were non-toxic against Artemia nauplii. The phytochemical constituents present in the T. catappa leaf extracts warrant future investigation as potential antibacterial agents. Full article

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and sarcopenia are prevalent age-related disorders that share common pathophysiological mechanisms such as aging, chronic inflammation, and physical inactivity. Their coexistence may aggravate functional decline and disability. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the prevalence of sarcopenia between individuals with KOA and matched controls and to explore the relationship between femoral intercondylar cartilage (FIC) thickness and muscle-related parameters. A total of 228 participants (114 KOA, 114 controls) matched by age, sex, and body mass index were enrolled. Assessments included appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI), handgrip strength, walking speed, and physical activity. In KOA patients, ultrasound measurements of FIC and quadriceps thickness and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were additionally obtained. Sarcopenia prevalence was higher in the KOA group than in controls (41.2% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.017). Greater FIC thickness was associated with higher ASMMI, stronger handgrip strength, faster walking speed, and lower WOMAC pain and total scores. These findings indicate that FIC thickness may serve as a potential structural biomarker linking cartilage integrity with muscle function in KOA. Full article