Saved Queries

by Sharmila Vaz, Reinie Cordier, Annette Joosten, Mandie Shean, Robert Kane, Melissa H. Black, Karen Martin, Natasha Pearce and Kevin Runions

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1192; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091192 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Loneliness is an unavoidable facet of human existence. When chronic and intense, adolescent loneliness is associated with maladjustment over time. A prospective multiple-cohort study examined the links between child-reported loneliness and coping skills and parent-rated child mental health in early adolescence (aged 11.9 years at Time 1; 12.9 years at Time 2), with a total of 266 students from 75 primary and 152 secondary schools. Results indicated that (i) boys and girls did not differ in their levels of loneliness; (ii) boys reported poorer coping, fewer emotional problems, and more externalizing problems than girls; (iii) loneliness in primary school predicted increases in emotional and externalizing problems over time; (iv) problem-solving and non-productive coping mediated the associations between loneliness and emotional problems and externalizing problems; and (v) reference to others’ coping moderated the association between loneliness and emotional problems. Findings suggest that loneliness may potentially erode positive coping mechanisms over time. This study emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the impact of loneliness on early-adolescent mental health. Full article

26 pages, 1902 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development, Characterization, and Stability of Flavored Water Kefir: Impact of Fermentation and Storage

by Samarha Pacheco Wichello, Kamila Ferreira Chaves, Wallaf Costa Vimercati, Sergio Henriques Saraiva and Luciano Jose Quintão Teixeira

Fermentation 2025, 11(9), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11090513 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

:The increasing demand for functional beverages sparked greater interest in health-promoting craft drinks, highlighting the need to optimize production parameters and assess their stability. This study aimed to develop, optimize, and characterize a grape juice-flavored naturally carbonated water kefir, evaluating its sensory qualities, physicochemical and microbiological stability. Fermentation conditions (F1) were optimized using Central Composite Rotational Design, leading to the selection of 24 h at 30 °C with (6.5% w/v) brown sugar, ensuring efficient pH reduction to safe levels. Sensory analysis selected grape juice as the flavoring agent, and a mixture design coupled with the desirability function determined the optimal formulation as 50% kefired water, 46.4% grape juice, and 3.6% water, resulting in high overall sensory desirability. During 42 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C), the beverage exhibited progressive sugar consumption from residual metabolic activity, a dynamic antioxidant profile characterized by increases in total phenolic compounds and FRAP activity, stability in ABTS activity, and decline in DPPH activity. Lactic acid bacteria counts remained stable during storage, while acetic acid bacteria and yeast populations decreased. Furthermore, pH (~3.30) and alcohol content (~1.86 °GL) remained stable, although the latter requires clear labeling in compliance with regulations for similar fermented beverages. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Fermentation for Food and Beverages)

13 pages, 1221 KB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Genomic Surveillance and Immune Escape of SARS-CoV-2 in the Republic of Korea, with a Focus on JN.1-Derived Variants

by Il-Hwan Kim, Eun Ju Lee, Jin Sun No, Ji Yeong Noh, Chae Young Lee, Sang Won O, Yong Jun Choi, Jeong-Ah Kim, Bo Min An, Jeong-Hyun Nam, Jeong-Min Kim, Jee Eun Rhee and Eun-Jin Kim

Viruses 2025, 17(9), 1202; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17091202 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republic of Korea has experienced continuous waves of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The current study aimed to analyze the long-term trends of variant prevalence and associated changes in immune responses within the country. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on confirmed patient samples collected from December 2020 to May 2025, and variant distribution, genetic diversity, and neutralization were compared. As a result of analyzing a total of 157,962 gene sequences, various Omicron sub-lineages, including BA.1, BA.2, BA.5, followed by JN.1, KP.3, and NB.1.8.1, were seen to circulate sequentially over time. The nucleotide diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 genome gradually increased after the JN.1 outbreak. Of the tested variants, hamster antiserum neutralization analysis indicated that Omicron NB.1.8.1, which began to circulate in 2025, exhibited the lowest neutralization activity, with an approximately 6.6-fold decrease compared to JN.1. This suggests a potential expansion in the dominance of new variants with enhanced immune evasion. As the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 continues, new variants with novel characteristics may emerge; therefore, continuous national genomic surveillance and immunological characterization are considered crucial for early detection of emerging variants and for guiding effective public health responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Coronaviruses)

39 pages, 10524 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ecballium elaterium (L.) A. Rich. (Squirting Cucumber) Plants Cultured Under Different Temperatures: Anatomical and Biochemical Modifications of Their Leaves and the Bioactivity of Leaf Extracts

by Aikaterina L. Stefi, Maria Chalkiadaki, Emily Bashari, Konstantina Mitsigiorgi, Paweł Szczeblewski, Danae Papageorgiou, Dimitrios Gkikas, Dido Vassilacopoulou, Nikolaos S. Christodoulakis and Maria Halabalaki

Metabolites 2025, 15(9), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15090585 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Ecballium elaterium is a widely distributed species and is one of the earliest recorded in traditional medicine. With global temperatures rising, this study aimed to investigate the changes in E. elaterium plantlets subjected to thermal stress. The goal was to understand how thermal stress affects morphology, physiology, and bioactive metabolite production, both for ecological adaptation and potential therapeutic applications. Methods: Seedlings were cultivated under controlled conditions and subjected to either the control temperature (22 °C) or the heat stress temperature (35 °C) for one week. Morphological and anatomical traits were assessed, along with physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), L-proline, soluble sugars, and total phenolic content. Methanolic leaf extracts from both groups were analyzed via LC-HRMS/MS and examined in vitro for cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (breast), DU-145 (prostate), and SH-SY5Y (neuroblastoma). Results: Heat stress reduced dry mass and stomatal density but increased the diameter of the root transition zone, indicating anatomical adaptation. Leaves exhibited elevated oxidative stress markers and altered metabolite accumulation, while the roots showed a more integrated stress response. LC-HRMS/MS profiling revealed significant shifts in Cucurbitacin composition. Extracts from heat-stressed plants displayed stronger cytotoxicity, particularly toward DU-145 and SH-SY5Y cells, correlating with higher levels of glycosylated Cucurbitacins. Conclusions: E. elaterium demonstrates organ-specific thermotolerance mechanisms, with heat stress enhancing the production of bioactive metabolites. These stress-induced phytochemicals, especially Cucurbitacins, hold promise for future cancer research and therapeutic applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Metabolism)

16 pages, 445 KB

Open AccessArticle

Application of the Magnetar Engine to an Intermediate-Luminosity Gamma-Ray Burst Associated with the Supernova GRB 201015A/SN 201015A

by Xingling Li, Defeng Kong, Liangjun Chen, Xianggao Wang and Enwei Liang

Universe 2025, 11(9), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11090292 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

We present optical photometry for the afterglow of GRB 201015A, which can be classified as a medium-luminosity gamma-ray burst (

L_{γ, iso} \approx 2.55 \times 10^{49} erg s^{- 1}

) and the associated underlying supernova SN 201015A. [...] Read more.

We present optical photometry for the afterglow of GRB 201015A, which can be classified as a medium-luminosity gamma-ray burst (

L_{γ, iso} \approx 2.55 \times 10^{49} erg s^{- 1}

) and the associated underlying supernova SN 201015A. A millisecond magnetar engine has been widely suggested to exist in gamma-ray burst (GRB) phenomena. In this paper, we study the effects of the magnetar engine on GRB 201015A/SN 201015A by light curve analysis. We use a smooth broken power-law plus magnetar spin-down model to fit the X-ray and optical light curves of GRB 201015A/SN 201015A. The best-fitting results reveal that the magnetar initial spin period and surface magnetic field at the pole are constrained to be

P_{0} = 16 . 80_{- 0.47}^{+ 0.24} ms

and

B_{p} = 0 . 80_{- 0.32}^{+ 0.34} \times 10^{15} G

, respectively, and the SN ejected a total mass of

M_{ej} = 2 . 55_{- 0.37}^{+ 1.12} M_{⊙}

and an ejecta velocity of

v_{ej} = 30, 000_{- 2500}^{+ 4800} km s^{- 1}

, inferring a kinetic energy of

E_{SN}, K \approx 1.37 \times 10^{52} erg

. From our analysis, we find that the central engine of GRB 201015A/SN 201015A may well be a magnetar, and the emission from a magnetar central engine can be solely responsible for powering SN 201015A. Full article

21 pages, 7404 KB

Open AccessArticle

Satellite-Based Analysis of Nutrient Dynamics in Northern South China Sea Marine Ranching Under the Combined Effects of Climate Warming and Anthropogenic Activities

by Rui Zhang, Nanyang Chu, Kai Yin, Langsheng Dong, Qihang Li and Huapeng Liu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(9), 1677; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13091677 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of long-term nutrient dynamics in the northern South China Sea (NSCS), a region that hosts the world’s largest marine ranching cluster and serves as a cornerstone of China’s “Blue Granary” initiative. By integrating multi-sensor satellite remote sensing data (Landsat and Sentinel-2, 2002–2024) with in situ observations, we developed robust retrieval algorithms for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), achieving high accuracy (TN: R² = 0.82, RMSE = 0.09 mg/L; TP: R² = 0.94, RMSE = 0.0071 mg/L; n = 63). Results showed that TP concentrations increased significantly faster than TN, leading to a decline in the TN:TP ratio (NP) from 19.2 to 13.2 since 2013. This shift indicates a transition from phosphorus (P) limitation to nitrogen (N) limitation, driven by warming sea surface temperatures (SST) (about 1.16 °C increase) and increased anthropogenic phosphorus inputs (about 27.84% increase). The satellite-based framework offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for monitoring aquaculture water quality. When integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, these near-real-time nutrient anomaly data can support early warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs), offering key insights for ecosystem-based management and climate adaptation. Overall, our findings highlight the utility of remote sensing in advancing sustainable marine resource governance amid environmental change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine Environmental Science)

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15 pages, 878 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Nopalea cochenillifera (Prickly Pear Cactus) Contributes to Improved Lipid Metabolism and Immune Function

by Sayaka Yokoyama, Amane Kikuchi, Hideaki Takahashi, Hinako Ushimaru, Hibiki Yamaguchi, Chikako Yamada, Kotoyo Fujiki, Hana Kozai, Suzuno Ota, Tadashi Fujii, Yoshiki Hirooka, Takumi Tochio and Mamoru Tanaka

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2844; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172844 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck cladodes are rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, and minerals, which are known to exert antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. However, the mechanisms and active constituents have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of continuous N. cochenillifera consumption on lipid metabolism, immune function, and the gut microbiota in mice. Methods: The feed was made using freeze-dried and powdered cladodes of N. cochenillifera. Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to four groups: control diet (C), control diet plus 10% N. cochenillifera (CN), high-fat diet (FC), and high-fat diet plus 10% N. cochenillifera (FN). Results: Cactus supplementation reduced the body and liver weights that were elevated by the high-fat diet. Serum total cholesterol and free fatty acids were increased in the FC group compared with the C group, while cactus intake lowered these levels and enhanced fecal cholesterol excretion. Cactus consumption also elevated fecal total IgA and mucin contents. IL-4 expression in Peyer’s patches was significantly increased in the FN group compared with the FC group. Gut microbiota analysis showed significant differences in β-diversity, along with increased α-diversity and higher abundance of Lachnospiraceae, following cactus intake. Conclusions: These findings suggest that N. cochenillifera intake increases gut microbiota diversity, which enhances intestinal barrier function and thereby contributes to improved lipid metabolism and immune regulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Foods and Sustainable Health (2nd Edition))

16 pages, 806 KB

Open AccessArticle

Minimizing Redundant Hash and Witness Operations in Merkle Hash Trees

by DaeYoub Kim

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9611; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179611 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Reusing cached data is a widely adopted technique for improving network and system performance. Future Internet architectures such as Named Data Networking (NDN) leverage intermediate nodes—such as proxy servers and routers—to cache and deliver data, reducing latency and alleviating load on original data sources. However, a fundamental challenge of this approach is the lack of trust in intermediate nodes, as users cannot reliably identify and verify them. To address this issue, many systems adopt data-oriented verification rather than sender authentication, using Merkle Hash Trees (MHTs) to enable users to verify both the integrity and authenticity of received data. Despite its advantages, MHT-based authentication incurs significant redundancy: identical hash values are often recomputed, and witness data are repeatedly transmitted for each segment. These redundancies lead to increased computational and communication overhead, particularly in large-scale data publishing scenarios. This paper proposes a novel scheme to reduce such inefficiencies by enabling the reuse of previously verified node values, especially transmitted witnesses. The proposed scheme improves both computational and transmission efficiency by eliminating redundant computation arising from repeated calculation of identical node values. To achieve this, it stores and reuses received witness values. As a result, when verifying 2ⁿ segments (n > 8), the proposed method achieves more than an 80% reduction in total hash operations compared to the standard MHT. Moreover, our method preserves the security guarantees of the MHT while significantly optimizing its performance in terms of both computation and transmission costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Data and Information Security, Fourth Edition)

18 pages, 3234 KB

Open AccessArticle

Start-up Strategies of MBBR and Effects on Nitrification and Microbial Communities in Low-Temperature Marine RAS

by Jixin Yuan, Shuaiyu Lu, Jianghui Du, Kun You, Qian Li, Ying Liu, Gaige Liu, Jianlin Guo and Dezhao Liu

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9610; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179610 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

The rapid development of marine recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) worldwide offers an efficient and sustainable approach to aquaculture. However, the slow start-up of the nitrification process under low-temperature conditions remains a significant challenge. This study evaluated multiple start-up strategies for moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) operating at 13–15 °C. Among them, the salinity-gradient (SG) strategy exhibited the best performance, reducing the start-up time by 38 days compared to the control, with microbial richness (Chao1 index) reaching 396 and diversity (Shannon index) of 4.89. Inoculation with mature biofilm (MBI) also showed excellent results, shortening the start-up period by 26 days and achieving a stable total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) effluent concentration below 0.5 mg/L within 132 days. MBI exhibited the highest microbial richness (Chao1 index = 808) and diversity (Shannon index = 5.55), significantly higher than those of the control (Chao1 index = 279, Shannon index = 3.90) and other treatments. The hydraulic retention time-gradient (HRT) strategy contributed to performance improvement as well, with a 24-day reduction in start-up time and a Chao1 index of 663 and a Shannon index is 4.69. In contrast, nitrifying bacteria addition (NBA) and carrier adhesion layer modification (CALM) had limited effects on start-up efficiency or microbial diversity, with Chao1 indices of only 255 and 228, and Shannon indices were both 3.24, respectively. Overall, the results indicate that salinity acclimation, mature biofilm inoculation, and extended HRT are effective approaches for promoting microbial community adaptation and enhancing MBBR start-up under low-temperature marine conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Prospects of Wastewater Treatment: Implications for Aquaculture and Water Quality)

15 pages, 921 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Clinical Characteristics, Treatment, and Prognosis of Lung Cancer in Young Patients in the New Era of Cancer Treatment: A Retrospective and Comprehensive Analysis

by Xiaoyi Feng, Shengjie Li, Siyuan Yu, Yunxin Liu, Zhanxian Peng, Haoran Zhang, Xiaoxing Gao, Xiaoyan Liu, Minjiang Chen, Jing Zhao, Wei Zhong, Yan Xu and Mengzhao Wang

Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(9), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32090489 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed to comprehensively investigate the clinical and molecular characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of young patients with lung cancer in the new era of cancer treatment. Methods: Clinical data from patients aged 18 to 45 with lung cancer, treated at our hospital from January 2014 through January 2024, were systematically collected and analyzed. Results: This study enrolled a total of 343 patients, with a predominance of females, never-smokers, and those diagnosed at an advanced stage. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology (72.0%), and rare tumors could also be seen in young patients, such as pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma and pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The mutation rate of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in NSCLC patients were 35.9% (111/309) and 14.2% (44/309), respectively. PD-L1 expression was assessed in 55 patients, with 14 showing high expression (≥50%) and 24 showing negative expression (<1%). The median overall survival (mOS) for the entire cohort was 80.2 months, with a 5-year survival rate of 55.7%. For patients with stage I, II, and III disease, the mOS had not yet been reached, whereas the mOS for stage IV patients was 39.7 months. Targeted therapy, particularly second-generation ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), significantly improved the prognosis of patients with driver gene mutations. Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy was beneficial for patients with progressive disease or driver gene negativity in NSCLC and was associated with improved OS in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Female, family history of lung cancer, positive driver genes, and first-line use of second-generation ALK-TKIs are independent prognostic factors in young patients with advanced NSCLC. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy in improving outcomes for young patients with lung cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Thoracic Oncology)

12 pages, 2334 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Antigenic Determinant Glycans of Soybean Glycoprotein Gly m Bd 30K

by Lingmei Li, Sidi Luo, You Wu, Xuefei Feng, Yuxin Ding and Yajuan Zhou

Molecules 2025, 30(17), 3571; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30173571 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Glycosylation of many proteins has been revealed to be closely related to food allergy, and screening and structural analysis of related glycoproteins are essential for studies in this important area. Gly m Bd 30K is one of the major allergens that exist in soybeans. N-Glycans of the Gly m Bd 30K influenced the immunoreactivity and antigen-presenting efficiency. In this paper, soybean allergen glycoprotein Gly m Bd 30K was used as the research object. It was separated and purified by the combination of isoelectric point and Sepharose CL-6B gel. The glycoprotein was analyzed and identified by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS. The N-glycans of Gly m Bd 30K glycoprotein were released and labeled by a newly developed one-pot method, and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by ESI-MSⁿ and HILIC-UV-MS/MS. The results showed that the purity of Gly m Bd 30K glycoprotein was 95%, and the relative molecular mass was 33,923 Da. The Gly m Bd 30K glycoprotein contained a total of six kinds of glycans, including two types: oligo-mannose type (4.3%) and paucimannose type (95.7%). The paucimannose modified with core α-1,3-fucose and β-1,2-xylose accounted for 92.87%. This study provides quality-reliable materials for the follow-up study of glycan sensitization and also provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth study of the specificity and biological function of the antigenic determinant of Gly m Bd 30K glycoprotein. Full article

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21 pages, 2484 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Impact of Arabinoxylan Consumption on Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

by Yujing Xu, Yuxin Liang and Jung Eun Kim

Nutrients 2025, 17(17), 2840; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172840 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Arabinoxylan (AX) has shown potential benefits in glycemic control; however, findings remain inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of AX intake on glycemic control in preclinical and clinical studies. Methods: A database search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL. A total of 133 studies were included for systematic review and extracted data from 46 clinical studies and 25 preclinical studies were further analyzed for meta-analysis. Results: The AX consumption improved overall postprandial glycemic control in clinical studies, as evidenced by reductions in glucose iAUC (SMD: −0.41; 95% CI: [−0.57, −0.25]), insulin iAUC (SMD: −0.28; 95% CI: [−0.44, −0.12]), glucose iPeak (SMD: −0.52; 95% CI: [−0.80, −0.25]), and insulin iPeak (SMD: −0.24; 95% CI: [−0.41, −0.06]) compared to the control. For chronic glycemic control, fasting glucose (Hedges’ g: −1.18; 95% CI: [−1.56, −0.80]), insulin (Hedges’ g: −1.07; 95% CI: [−1.92, −0.23]), HbA1c (Hedges’ g: −2.93; 95% CI: [−5.48, −0.38]), and HOMA-IR (Hedges’ g: −2.44; 95% CI: [−3.66, −1.22]) reduced in preclinical studies, while improvements were limited to fasting glucose (MD: −0.10; 95% CI: [−0.16, −0.03]) in clinical studies. Subgroup analyses revealed that AX exerted a greater glycemic-lowering effect in metabolically impaired animals and individuals compared to healthy counterparts. Furthermore, extracted AX was found to be more effective than intrinsic AX in optimizing glycemic control. Conclusions: The consumption of AX improves glycemic control, particularly in metabolically impaired animals and human participants. Moreover, the benefit appears more pronounced with extract AX interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dietary Polysaccharides for Human Health and Diseases)

16 pages, 683 KB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Factors of Mental Health in University Students: A Predictive Model Based on Personality Traits, Coping Styles, and Sociodemographic Variables

by Josefa A. Antón-Ruiz, Elisa Isabel Sánchez-Romero, Elena Cuevas-Caravaca, Miguel Bernabé and Ana I. López-Navas

Medicina 2025, 61(9), 1575; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61091575 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Data on mental health in university students have been increasingly concerning, with high prevalence rates of clinical conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression. This study aims to evaluate the risk factors associated with mental health status and to develop a predictive model. Materials and Methods: A total of 242 university students were recruited (74.8% women). Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 56 years (M = 25.81; SD = 7.59). Data collection were conducted through the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10), and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE-28). Results: Overall, mean scores across the three clinical dimensions are within the moderate range, but anxiety shows the highest mean value (M = 8.67, SD = 5.69) and is categorized as “extremely severe.” Additionally, identifying as female, living with family or roommates, and having high scores on passive coping styles were significant risk factors for mental health deterioration. In contrast, identifying as male, living with a romantic partner (cohabitation), and having high scores on the Responsibility personality trait were identified as protective factors against mental health impairment. Conclusions: Additional research is warranted to explore additional mediating variables and to develop specific intervention protocols for improving university students’ psychological well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into the Diagnosis, Management, and Interventions of Mood Disorders)

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25 pages, 1928 KB

Open AccessArticle

Hibiscus moscheutos L. Flower Petals Extract Phenolic Profile and In Vitro Antimicrobial, Biofilm Formation, Autoaggregation, Prebiotic, Genotoxicity, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

by Patryk Kowalczyk, Elżbieta Klewicka, Joanna Milala, Lidia Piekarska-Radzik, Elżbieta Karlińska, Michał Sójka and Robert Klewicki

Molecules 2025, 30(17), 3569; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30173569 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

The flowers of Hibiscus moscheutos L. are among the largest within the genus, and the plant contains numerous nutrients and phytochemicals that perform various structural and regulatory functions in the human body upon consumption. However, these properties remain insufficiently explored. In this study, the phenolic composition and in vitro biological activity of an ethanolic extract from H. moscheutos petals were investigated. The total phenolic content was 219.52 mg/g (HPLC method), including phenolic acids (5.17 mg/g), flavanols (59.18 mg/g), flavonols (93.09 mg/g), and anthocyanins (62.08 mg/g). Many species of the genus Staphylococcus, as well as two probiotic strains of Lacticaseibacillus spp., were sensitive to the extract’s effects (100 mg/mL), which appeared to be strain-dependent. The MIC values for Staphylococcus spp. ranged from 6.25 to 100.00 mg/mL, while for the two probiotic strains, they were 12.50 and 100.00 mg/mL, respectively. The extract did not show prebiotic activity. Nevertheless, it enhanced the biofilm-forming ability of both probiotic and pathogenic microbiota on abiotic (polystyrene) and biotic (mucin and gelatin) surfaces. The stimulation of Staphylococcus spp. biofilms is considered undesirable and may justify limiting the use of the extract, for example, in pharmaceutical or medical applications. At concentrations above 25 mg/mL, the extract reduced bacterial autoaggregation. It also exhibited low genotoxicity in the Ames test and demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity comparable to sodium diclofenac. Hibiscus petal extracts might represent a promising source of bioactive compounds for novel pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food applications; however, their potential requires further in-depth investigation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extraction and Analysis of Natural Products in Food—3rd Edition)

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33 pages, 2526 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Global Prevalence and Modifiers of Human Papillomavirus Positivity in Oral Cavity Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence (1995–2024)

by Areeb Iraqui, Alaa Safia, Mohamad Mahameed, Uday Abd Elhadi and Shlomo Merchavy

Cancers 2025, 17(17), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17172870 (registering DOI) - 31 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a known etiologic agent in oropharyngeal cancers, but its role in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global prevalence of HPV in OCSCC and explore variation by clinicodemographic and tumor characteristics. Methods: We systematically searched multiple databases for studies reporting HPV prevalence in OCSCC. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated, and subgroup analyses examined differences by age, gender, cancer stage, anatomical site, histologic subtype, region, and HPV type (HPV-16 and HPV-18). Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using standard meta-analytic techniques. Results: A total of 122 studies involving 16,311 patients were included. The pooled HPV prevalence in OCSCC was 25.8% (95% CI: 20.4–31.2), with HPV-16 and HPV-18 detected in 52.4% and 30.3% of positive cases, respectively. Prevalence varied geographically, from 73% in Singapore to 7.7% in South Korea. Younger patients (<40 years) had higher HPV positivity (29.7%) than older patients (>70 years, 23.8%). Early-stage cancers (stage I) showed higher HPV prevalence (41.8%) than advanced-stage cancers (stage IV, 10.4%). Verrucous carcinoma had the highest HPV positivity (34.1%), and moderately differentiated tumors the lowest (23.4%). HPV prevalence was highest in the lower alveolus (29.5%) and lips (25%), and lowest in the upper gingiva (3.9%). Conclusions: HPV prevalence in OCSCC demonstrates significant heterogeneity across regions and clinical subgroups. These findings emphasize the need for standardized diagnostic approaches and further research into the role of HPV in OCSCC pathogenesis and treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Systematic Review or Meta-Analysis in Cancer Research)

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