Abstract: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains one of the most devastating gastrointestinal emergencies in neonates and also presents major diagnostic challenges. Despite extensive research, NEC still lacks a practical definition and relies on a set of nonspecific clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings rather than a single pathognomonic presentation or test. The modified Bell staging system remains the most widely used framework in clinical practice and research, but it was originally developed to base the treatment decisions rather than helping in diagnosis and has important limitations when applied as a diagnostic aid. Clinical and radiological criteria used for early stages of NEC are nonspecific, progression of the disease is not always linear, radiographic signs are inconsistently present, and histopathological confirmation is unavailable in most of the cases as surgery is not undertaken in all the cases. These limitations have led to the opinion that even the modified Bell staging is “broken” when it is used to define the disease itself. At the same time, increased understanding about gut immunity and microbiome progression, and neonatal hemodynamics have made it increasingly clear that NEC is not a single uniform disease. It is now regarded as a heterogeneous syndrome comprising multiple phenotypes that share a final common pathway of intestinal injury and necrosis but differ in timing, predisposing factors, mechanisms involved, and clinical course. These presentations overlap with several neonatal conditions including spontaneous intestinal perforation, septic ileus, cow’s milk protein allergy, congenital heart disease-related intestinal hypoperfusion, viral enterocolitis, malrotation with volvulus, and intussusception. This review discusses controversies in the definition and staging of NEC, consolidates alternative diagnostic criteria proposed beyond Bell’s system, and elaborates a phenotype-based framework for clinical distinction. Also, the review throws light on the clinical mimickers, practical bedside diagnosis using serial clinical assessment and imaging, consequences of NEC, and emerging precision medicine approaches. A shift from stage-based labeling toward a practical, phenotype-informed framework may improve diagnostic precision, reduce misclassification, and enhance both clinical care and research.

Abstract: Background: Currently marketed hepatitis B vaccines are primarily recombinant protein vaccines. However, their antigen immunogenicity is relatively weak, requiring combination with effective adjuvants to enhance the immune response. The development of novel, highly effective adjuvants is a key strategy for optimizing vaccine performance. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C), a synthetic double-stranded RNA analog, activates TLR3/RLR pathways to enhance T-cell priming and cellular immunity. However, its utility as a sole adjuvant is limited by rapid nuclease degradation and poor cytosolic delivery. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), a mature delivery platform, enable high encapsulation efficiency, efficient cellular uptake, and endosomal escape. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the adjuvant effect of LNP-encapsulated PolyI:C (LNP-PolyI:C) on the immunogenicity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in vivo. Methods: The colloidal stability of LNP-PolyI:C stored at 2–8°C for 9 months was monitored using dynamic light scattering (DLS) on a Zetasizer Lab instrument. Serum levels of HBsAg-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies in immunized Kunming mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The secretion of HBsAg-specific cytokines by splenocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay. Results: The results demonstrated that the LNP-encapsulated PolyI:C adjuvant significantly increased the secretion of HBsAg-specific IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α by murine splenocytes, indicating a Th1-biased and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cellular immune response. In addition, this formulation markedly elevated serum titers of HBsAg-specific IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a. Notably, the increased IgG2a/IgG1 ratio highlights a robust enhancement of the humoral immune response. Conclusions: These findings underscore the advantages of the LNP-PolyI:C adjuvant in enhancing both humoral and cellular immunity, demonstrating its considerable potential as a novel adjuvant.

Abstract: Periodontal disease (PD) affects a large proportion of adults and is increasingly associated with systemic inflammation and neurodegenerative risk. However, current therapies have limited efficacy in disrupting biofilms and modulating systemic responses. In this pilot study, we evaluated epigallocatechin-3-gallate-palmitate (EGCG-palmitate or EC16) nanoparticles (NPs), a lipid-soluble derivative of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), generated using Facilitated Self-Assembling Technology (FAST), a green nanotechnology that enables spontaneous formation of stable nanoparticles without surfactants or carrier materials. We hypothesized that EC16 NPs could inhibit periodontal pathogens and modulate neuroinflammatory responses. Antimicrobial activity was assessed in vitro, and potential therapeutic effects were evaluated in a ligature + pathogen-induced mouse model of periodontitis. EC16 NPs inhibited the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis. Oral administration of EC16 NPs (0.02% w/v equivalent to 16-20 mg/kg) significantly reduced bacterial load and decreased alveolar bone loss by approximately 50% compared with controls. Importantly, biodistribution analysis using Cy5-labeled EC16 NPs demonstrated detectable signals in mouse brain tissue following oral gavage, indicating EC16 NPs can cross the blood–brain barrier. This represents, to our knowledge, the first evidence that an orally administered EGCG derivative in nanoparticle form reaches the central nervous system and induces biological responses. In addition, EC16 NP treatment was associated with increased regulatory T cell (Treg) populations in cervical lymph nodes and reduced expression of inflammatory (IL-1β) and senescence-related markers (p16, p53) in brain tissue. These findings demonstrate that EC16 nanoparticles possess dual local and systemic activity and support further investigation of FAST-enabled nanoformulations as a novel therapeutic strategy for periodontal disease and inflammation-related brain conditions.

Abstract:

Introduction: The use of medicinal plants to cure human diseases is going on since the development of human civilization. Also, the discovery of antibiotics had profound impact to reduced death rates against various pathogens but due to rise of resistance against these antibiotics are serious threats for human health. Henceforth, the world is looking for alternative approach and the use of active plant metabolites are one of them. Multidrug resistant Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (MDR STEC) are life threatening microorganisms worldwide and their ability to produce aggregated biofilm makes them tolerant to many antibiotics used for treating STEC infections. In this study effect of plant metabolites were studied against MDR STEC samples. Methods: The different parts of 10 medicinal plants reported from central India were used in this study. Extract preparation and active fractions were used to test antimicrobial activity against MDR-STEC through measuring zone of inhibition. The biofilm structure was observed using electron microscopy. Results: Total 20 MDR STECs were identified out of 100 STEC samples. The intimin (eae) gene responsible for drug resistance was present in 18 (90%) MDR STEC samples. STEC were producing more aggregated biofilm layer as compare to sensitive E. coli. The plant extracts isolated from Acacia auriculiformis, Albizia lebbeck and Gliricidia sepium showed significantly high antimicrobial activity against MDR STEC as compared to various antibiotics. Conclusions: The study will be helpful to develop new or alternate antimicrobial agents and therapy against MDR STEC by using metabolites from medicinal plants.

Abstract: The effects of the rust fungus Puccinia komarovii Tranzschel and the aphid Impatientinum asiaticum Nevsky 1929 on plant height, seed number per capsule, and seed mass were investigated in eight small balsam (Impatiens parviflora DC.) stands in Hungary and one in Poland. Two stands were infected by rust, five by aphids, and two were healthy. The lowest average plant height was 37.5 cm, the highest 94.7 cm, both measured in aphid-infested stands. Examining the stands separately, no relationship appeared with the type of damage. For data pooled across stands, differences were significant: rust-infected plants were the tallest, healthy shoots were the shortest, while aphid-infected plants fell in between. Mean seed number per capsule was the lowest (1.53) in the pest-free Nagybörzsöny stand, and the highest (2.33) in the aphid-infested Bielsko-Biała stand. In pairwise comparison of stands, average seed number did not differ in most cases. Significant positive correlation was found between average plant height and average seed number per capsule. Seeds were the heaviest in the healthy stand, whereas they were lighter in rust-infected and aphid-damaged stands. The pests tested had no detrimental effect on Impatiens parviflora, but both pest types somewhat reduced the seed mass. The applicability of the studied pests as biological control agents against host plant invasion is also discussed.

Abstract: Background: Retrobulbar haemorrhage (RBH) is a rare, vision-threatening complication of midface fractures. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the incidence, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, management strategies, and visual outcomes of RBH in patients with orbito-zygomatic and orbito-ethmoid fractures. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting RBH secondary to midface fractures were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to pool incidence rates and visual outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Seventeen studies with 7,529 patients were included. The pooled incidence of RBH was 2.1% (95% CI: 1.0–4.4%), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 96%). The pooled proportion of patients achieving full visual recovery was 61% (95% CI: 43–77%), while permanent vision loss occurred in 5% (95% CI: 2–11%). Surgical decompression was performed in 62% of reported cases. Computed tomography was the primary diagnostic modality. Conclusions: RBH is an uncommon but serious complication of midface fractures. Timely surgical decompression is associated with favorable visual outcomes in most cases. Standardized reporting and prospective multicenter studies are needed to optimize management protocols.

Abstract:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn), with the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Given the limitations of current therapies, mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as a promising neuroprotective strategy. This study evaluated the in vitro neuroprotective potential of decidua-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DMSC) using neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) neurotoxin-induced damage in a human neuroblastoma cell line (NB69) as a model for PD. NB69 cells were differentiated into a mature dopaminergic phenotype using dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) and subsequently exposed to the MPP+. In proliferative NB69 cells, the effect of DMSC was masked by their inherent anti-tumor activity against the neuroblastoma phenotype. Conversely, in the differentiated NB69 model, DMSC demonstrated a significant protective role against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity. It is interesting that the mechanism by which DMSCs exert a neuroprotective effect against MPP+ damage in differentiated NB69 cells could be through an improvement in mitochondrial function by reducing free radicals. In summary, these findings suggest that DMSC exert a neuroprotective effect in a dopaminergic-like context and highlight the importance of using differentiated cell models to accurately evaluate cell-based therapies for PD in the striatum.

Abstract: Host-directed therapy (HDT) has emerged as a transformative paradigm for managing infectious diseases by targeting host immune pathways rather than pathogen-specific mechanisms alone. Despite significant progress, the rational design of HDT strategies remains constrained by the complexity of host–pathogen interaction networks, limitations in gene-delivery technology, and the computational intractability of simulating immune signalling at atomistic resolution. This review proposes and critically evaluates a conceptual integration of three cutting-edge technological domains — quantum-assisted computation, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and nanoformulation-based delivery — into a unified pipeline for next-generation HDT. We explicitly acknowledge that this integration is functional and computational rather than physical: a single quantum-CRISPR-nano device does not exist, nor is it technologically imminent. Instead, we articulate a six-step pipeline wherein quantum molecular simulation and quantum machine learning (QML) inform sgRNA design and nanoparticle optimisation; CRISPR-Cas9 executes precision gene modulation of host immunological targets such as the NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1 signalling axis, and myeloid cell maturation checkpoints; and nanoformulation platforms — including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), polymeric nanocarriers, and polyherbal nanoemulsions — deliver CRISPR components efficiently to lung epithelial cells and tissue-resident macrophages. We systematically review the literature across four thematic clusters: (1) CRISPR-Cas9 and base-editing systems, (2) nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery, (3) host-pathogen immunology with emphasis on macrophage biology, and (4) quantum computational biology. We identify critical contradictions within and between clusters, map the evolution of key datasets, compare dominant and underutilised methodologies, and delineate 50 unanswered research questions that define the frontier of this convergent field. Our knowledge map identifies NLRP3 as the most therapeutically tractable host target, LNPs as the most translationally advanced delivery vehicle, and variational quantum eigensolvers (VQE) as the most promising near-term quantum tool for CRISPR off-target prediction. We conclude that this pipeline, while currently aspirational in its full integration, is scientifically grounded at each individual node and represents a realistically achievable research trajectory for the 2025–2035 decade.

Abstract: Background: Upper limb strength characteristics are considered important determinants of shooting stability in precision sports; however, the specific relationships between upper limb strength variables and shooting performance in elite air pistol athletes remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the associations between upper limb specific strength characteristics and shooting performance in elite air pistol shooters. Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted using a purposive total population sample from an elite training camp. Isometric peak force and rate of force development of nine upper limb muscle actions, including handgrip, elbow flexion and extension, and shoulder joint movements, were assessed using a Vald Dynamo handheld dynamometer. Official scores from an international selection competition were used as indicators of shooting performance. Ridge regression analysis was applied to examine the relationships between strength variables and shooting performance while addressing multicollinearity among predictors. Results: Twenty four elite air pistol athletes at national master level or above were recruited. Shooting performance demonstrated significant positive associations with handgrip peak force, handgrip rate of force development, elbow flexion peak force, elbow extension peak force, shoulder abduction peak force, shoulder internal rotation peak force, and elbow extension rate of force development. Significant negative associations were observed between shooting performance and shoulder flexion peak force, shoulder adduction peak force, shoulder external rotation peak force, shoulder extension rate of force development, shoulder adduction rate of force development, and shoulder internal rotation rate of force development. Conclusions: These findings indicate that a coordinated balance of upper limb specific strength is a key factor influencing shooting performance in elite air pistol athletes. Appropriate development of task specific muscle strength may enhance gun holding stability and trigger control, whereas excessive activation of antagonistic muscle groups may adversely affect shooting accuracy.

Abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest malignancies, largely due to late-stage diagnosis and lacks effective early detection procedures. Despite advances in the discovery of biomarkers, imaging technologies, and artificial intelligence, clinically scalable frameworks for detection of early PDAC have not yet emerged. This minireview evaluates the current diagnostic approaches for PDAC including serum biomarkers, cross-sectional imaging, invasive diagnostic procedures, and emerging non-invasive strategies. We further synthesize the recent developments in liquid biopsy and multi-omics profiling and AI-assisted diagnostics which enable the detection of molecular and radiographic features in association with PDAC. We argue that the principal barrier to reaching improved PDAC outcomes is not the lack of diagnostic innovation, but that fragmented advancements do not translate into integrated, scalable, multi-modal diagnostic frameworks. Advancing such integrated detection strategies may enable diagnosis at earlier, potentially curable stages and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Abstract: Ototoxicity is traditionally viewed as a local cochlear adverse effect of indispensable therapies such as cisplatin and aminoglycosides. However, emerging evidence suggests that cochlear vulnerability is shaped by systemic physiology, including inflammatory tone, vascular barrier integrity, and metabolic state. In this Review, we propose a Gut–Mito–Ear axis in which gut ecosystem function influences circulating mediator modules that converge on two cochlear mediator nodes: blood–labyrinth barrier (BLB) gating and mitochondrial stress tolerance. We synthesize evidence showing that gut perturbation can alter cochlear outcomes in vivo, that at least one microbiota-derived metabolite signal can directly protect hearing in experimental settings, and that BLB dysfunction and inflammatory trafficking are mechanistically relevant to cisplatin- and aminoglycoside-induced injury. We further organize the literature using an evidence-weighted framework that distinguishes direct cochlear causality from mechanistic plausibility and explicitly retains negative studies as boundary-setting evidence. Finally, we outline a translational roadmap in which microbiome-targeted prevention is pursued through mediator-anchored, non-interference-aware strategies and evaluated across linked state variables spanning exposure context, gut function, defined mediator modules, BLB gating, mitochondrial stress tolerance, and auditory phenotype. Framed in this way, the Gut–Mito–Ear axis is presented not as an established mechanism but as an operational, falsifiable systems-biology model that defines minimum and ideal standards for A-tier evidence, interpretable criteria for boundary-setting A− evidence, and testable predictions for causal validation.

Abstract: We performed a proteomic analysis of the secretome of two stem cell types currently used in topical skin care product that has proven benefits as evidenced by a double-blinded, randomized, vehicle- controlled clinical trial. Our analysis was of the whole secretome, not just constituent parts such as exosomes and/or ectosomes, given the complete secretome compared to only its parts has been found to be more beneficial to reducing inflammation and eliciting a regenerative state in tissues. While many protein types were common to the two cell types, adipose mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, significant differences were found between the two, providing evidence for the mechanisms of actions of each. The proteome we analyzed in the combination secretome of the two cell types provides at least 16 major therapeutic pathways comprised of 100s of signaling mechanisms to provide many benefits to various skin conditions when topically applied.

Abstract: Ischemic heart disease (IHD), a chronic and progressive condition marked by restricted blood flow predominantly arising from atherosclerosis, is currently the leading cause of mortality within cardiovascular disease. In recent years, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), ubiquitous, highly persistent environmental contaminants and wellestablished endocrine disruptors, have emerged as potential risk factors for IHD, given their documented associations with hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and insulin resistance. Despite the still limited number of epidemiological studies and the inconsistent findings from investigations conducted in occupational settings, there is growing evidence that elevated exposure to certain PFAS compounds may increase the risk of IHD and vascular dysfunction, in some cases displaying doseresponse relationships and sexspecific patterns. Mechanistic studies support these epidemiological signals. Dysregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha promotes vascular inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby contributing to endothelial dysfunction and the establishment of a prothrombotic milieu. Epigenetic modifications, together with telomere shortening, and alterations in mitochondrial DNA copy number, provide additional pathways linking PFAS exposure to atherogenesis. Future opportunities offered by novel approaches and intelligent techniques might revolutionize the research in this field attempting to address the existing knowledge gaps and to clarify the mechanistic relationships linking PFAS exposures with clinical cardiovascular outcomes.

Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), Lewy Body Disease (LBD), and related dementias, represents a global health challenge, particularly in aging populations. The simultaneous occurrence of neurodegenerative diseases in an aging population suggests a potential link between causative proteins. Such neurodegenerative proteins, including amyloid-β (Aβ), τ-protein (tau), α‑synuclein, TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and Fused in Sarcoma (FUS), share key characteristics of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), which can explain promiscuous physical interactions, cross-seeding, co-occurrence, pathological synergy, and shared upstream and downstream mechanisms. This review synthesizes current evidence on (1) shared biophysical features of neurodegeneration-associated proteins, (2) mechanisms driving mixed neuropathology, (3) therapeutic implications of disorder-driven interactions, and (4) key unresolved questions shaping future research. By framing neurodegeneration as a network of interacting, disorder-driven proteinopathies rather than isolated entities, this perspective highlights the need for integrative, systems-level approaches to better understand disease heterogeneity and to identify novel targets for intervention.

Abstract:

Background: The intake of mineral water for therapeutic purposes (crenotherapy) in digestive system disorders is a long-established practice, even though there are still few controlled clinical studies confirming the effect of natural mineral water rich in bicarbonate. Objective: To verify whether the daily intake of Aqua 3 bicarbonate natural mineral water is able to improve digestion in a population of patients with functional dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Methods: Patients had a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia formulated in accordance with the Rome IV criteria and were subjected to three periods of 2 weeks: tap water (wash-out), bicarbonate natural mineral water, and oligomineral water. The mineral water bottles had their labels removed. Primary efficacy endpoint: improvement in the PAGI-SYM total. Secondary endpoints: improvements in the PAGI-SYM subscales, in the use of antacids, and in the self-assessment of efficacy on digestion. Results: The PAGI-SYM total score and the six subscales significantly decreased after bicarbonate mineral water intake, while they significantly increased after oligomineral water supplementation. The antacid use was significantly different comparing the decrease after oligomineral water versus the increase after oligomineral water. In addition, the score of the subjective assessment of effectiveness of the patient’s digestion was significantly better after the intake of bicarbonate than after oligomineral water. Conclusions: In line with the evidence reported in the literature, the findings of this study provide additional support for recommending natural bicarbonate mineral water as a symptomatic treatment for functional dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The intake of Aqua 3 bicarbonate mineral water proved to be a simple, safe, and natural intervention capable of improving digestive symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia and reflux-related disorders, while promoting the digestive process.

Abstract: The increasing demand for sustainable plant protection products has intensified interest in microbial biocontrol agents (BCAs). The antifungal activity of ten actinobacterial strains of the genus Streptomyces were evaluated against phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum salicis, Fusarium oxysporum and F. graminearum using the dual-culture assay. All tested Streptomyces isolates exhibited antifungal activity, with S. venezuelae MSCL 350 demonstrating the strongest inhibition of fungal growth. The antifungal activity of T. asperellum MSCL 309, Bacillus subtilis MSCL 49, B. subtilis MSCL 1441 and B. stercoris MSCL 897 against twelve Fusarium spp. isolates obtained from oats was evaluated. T. asperellum effectively inhibited F. sporotrichioides, F. oxysporum, F. culmorum and F. poae in dual culture assay while minimal inhibition was observed against the F. graminearum strains used. Soluble metabolites produced by T. asperellum showed strong antifungal activity against Fusarium spp., whereas no significant inhibitory effect of volatile compounds was detected. B. subtilis MSCL 1441 inhibited the growth of all tested Fusarium isolates, while other two Bacillus strains showed no detectable antifungal activity. The results confirm the significant antifungal potential of selected Streptomyces, Trichoderma, and Bacillus strains and support their prospective application as environmentally friendly BCAs against phytopathogenic fungi.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Silver’s ability to kill pathogenic bacteria is being widely researched in environment, consumer, and health related applications. One topic of voluminous research is antimicrobial properties of silver and silver in wound dressings. This research literature has been reviewed in articles using qualitative analysis, meta-analysis, systematic review, bibliometric analysis, and other grounded methods. We present a new strategy of analysis of the population of articles on the subject based on an ontology of this topic. Methods: A search of the Scopus database for all peer-reviewed articles on silver in wound dressings yielded a population of 4,711 relevant ones. The ontology is a logical deconstruction of the problem of: “Use of silver species on nanosupports deposited on a matrix with antimicrobial effectiveness assayed by methods to promote wound healing of chronic wounds as determined by recovery”. Each bolded term denotes a dimension of the ontology, and each dimension denotes a taxonomy of constituent elements. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) was trained using a manually mapped subset of articles. The CNN was then used to map the population of articles. Results: Out of the 4711 articles, 3079 dealt with silver and wound dressings, the others involved silver, but were not related to wound dressings, and were not considered. Overall analysis shows that three classes of silver encompass the entire field: silver nanoparticles (AgNP) (78% of papers), inorganic silver ion containing species (7%) and silver associated with organic molecules (15%). AgNP papers have grown exponentially beginning in early 2000s; there is no clear trend regarding inorganic silver containing species papers; whereas there has been modest linear growth with the silver-organics species papers since the early 2000s. Research on the AgNP has primarily focused on in-vitro testing (54%), with very limited animal testing (17%) and human testing (3%). On the other hand, with silver-organics, animal (30%) and human testing (38%) are prominent. Inorganic silver ion species also have been human tested extensively (43%). Thus, in clinical applications of silver wound dressings AgNP lags considerably as compared to the other silver species, though academic research in AgNP is robust. Conclusions: From detailed temporal visualizations of the ontological mapping, the antecedents and consequences of silver in wound dressings are presented. This first ontological analysis is a novel way of visualizing an entire research field and the temporal characteristics of the various dimensions of the ontology provides information on the current state of research as well as where the field is headed.

Abstract: Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a valuable multipurpose crop with high potential both industrially and therapeutically. This article reviews the various uses of hemp in production, building, food, cosmetics and medicine, focusing on its economic, environmental and health benefits. Industrially, hemp has been used for making fabrics, paper, bioplastics, construction materials and biofuels, because of its strong fibres, fast growth and low impact on the environment. Hemp seed oil and protein in the food and beauty industries are gaining more recognition for their nutritional and functional characteristics. Medically, compounds extracted from hemp, especially cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-psychoactive phytochemicals, have been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, neuroprotective, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. This article talks about how better cultivation methods, processing technologies, and extraction techniques can help improve product quality, marketability, regulatory frameworks, safety standards and quality control measures that are in place to monitor hemp production and utilization, as well as the focus on new policies in developing nations. Even though hemp has a wide range of potentials, the industry still faces difficulties in the form of laws, lack of infrastructure, unequal product standardization, and lack of scientific proof in certain areas of application. It further identifies research gaps and points out potential areas for innovation, policy, making, and market development to be explored in the future. If backed up by proper regulations and research, hemp has great potential to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly industries, improvement of public health and the socio-economic upliftment of communities.

Abstract: Background: Kidney fibrosis develops through sustained communication between injured tubular epithelial cells and surrounding interstitial populations. In our recent mechanistic study, we identified a pyrimidinergic pathway linking injury-associated proximal tubule metabolism to P2Y6-mediated fibroblast activation. Here, we sought to determine whether this biological axis is also detectable in human kidney disease transcriptomes. Methods: We analyzed publicly available human kidney single-cell RNA-sequencing (sc-RNA-seq) data spanning healthy reference tissue, acute kidney injury (AKI), and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We quantified proximal tubule (PT) pyrimidine metabolism at the subject level and examined the abundance, P2RY6 expression, and subtype distribution of fibrogenic interstitial cells. We also evaluated calcium signaling and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related associations across compartments. Results: PT pyrimidine metabolism was significantly increased in diseased kidneys, with the strongest elevation observed in AKI. P2RY6 expression was elevated in the stromal compartment in both AKI and DKD, with the strongest signal in ACTA2+ myofibroblasts. The fibrogenic interstitial compartment expanded in disease and showed a significant increase in P2RY6 expression in DKD. Fibrogenic interstitial cells from AKI and DKD kidneys also displayed increased calcium signaling activity. At the subject level, higher PT pyrimidine module score was associated with stronger interstitial calcium signaling (rho = 0.395, p = 0.011), while greater abundance of P2RY6-positive fibrogenic interstitial cells correlated with ECM remodeling (rho = 0.434, p = 0.005). Conclusions: These findings provide human transcriptomic validation of a proximal tubule–fibrogenic interstitial pyrimidinergic axis in kidney disease. By extending our prior mechanistic observations into human single-cell data, this study strengthens the translational relevance of P2Y6-linked epithelial–interstitial communication as a candidate pathway in fibrogenic kidney remodeling.

Abstract: Colpodella spp. are phylogenetically related to apicomplexans such as Plasmodium spp., Babesia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Colpodella spp. are free-living protists that prey on bodonids, ciliates and algae using myzocytosis. Colpodella spp. cause human and animal infections known as colpodellosis, with transmission predominantly through ticks in different geographic areas across different continents. Colpodella spp. have been detected in six genera of ticks and the biting fly Stomoxys indicus. Ticks transmit zoonotic pathogens and the identification of Colpodella spp. coinfected with Babesia spp. poses a major public health risk due to human and animal encounters exposing humans to tick bites. Human cases of colpodellosis have involved three cases of blood infection, a fourth case of tickborne infection and a fifth case of urinary tract infection. In this narrative review, the predominant occurrence of Colpodella spp. in ticks that transmit zoonotic pathogens will be reviewed. Differences in the disease presentations and symptoms of colpodellosis in tickborne infections will be discussed. The pattern of Colpodella spp. coinfections with piroplasms and Cryptosporidium spp. will be evaluated. The pressing need for morphological identification of Colpodella spp. to assist proper characterization of the different species and strains identified in arthropods and vertebrate hosts will be highlighted.