Baicalein and baicalin in cancer therapy: Multifaceted mechanisms, preclinical evidence, and translational challenges.

Natural compounds with multitargeted actions are gaining prominence in oncology for their potential to complement and transcend the limitations of conventional therapies. Among them, baicalein and baicalin, two flavonoids primarily isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, have attracted attention for their broad-spectrum anticancer properties. This review synthesizes current evidence from cellular systems, animal models, and early-phase clinical studies, exploring their pharmacological potential and translational relevance.

Are mussels accumulating trace metals and microplastics in port facilities?

Mediterranean port areas have an important economic and societal role and are a key sector within Europe's Blue Economy framework. Amongst these activities, the shipping industry has a direct effect on local communities but also has an impact on these coastal areas through routinely activities related to repairment and maintenance of ships and dispensing stations, amongst others. Mussels have a large filtering capacity and can intake simultaneously trace metals and microplastics derived from these activities.

Potential Use of Marine Plants as a Source of Bioactive Compounds.

The search for bioactive natural compounds, traditionally focused on terrestrial environments, has increasingly expanded to the seas and oceans, opening new frontiers for exploration. Among the diverse organisms inhabiting these ecosystems, marine phanerogams have emerged as a promising source of health-promoting bioactive compounds. This review highlights the distinctive chemical diversity of seagrasses including species such as , , and among others, and focusses on the growing interest in natural therapies as alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals.

Systematic Ultrasound Screening for Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis in ICU Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE), whether pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is common in patients with COVID-19. Recommendations on systematic screening in the intensive care unit (ICU) are lacking.Research questionIs there any clinical benefit of systematic screening for DVT in critically ill patients with severe COVID-19?Study design and methodsSingle-center randomized clinical trial (RCT) of COVID-19 cases admitted to the ICU.

GDF-15 as a proxy for epigenetic aging: associations with biological age markers, and physical function.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has emerged as a significant biomarker of aging, linked to various physiological and pathological processes. This study investigates circulating GDF-15 levels in a cohort of healthy individuals from the Balearic Islands, exploring its associations with biological age markers, including multiple DNA methylation (DNAm) clocks, physical performance, and other age-related biomarkers. Seventy-two participants were assessed for general health, body composition, and physical function, with GDF-15 levels quantified using ELISA.

The Role of Physical Exercise as a Therapeutic Tool to Improve Lipedema: A Consensus Statement from the Italian Society of Motor and Sports Sciences (Società Italiana di Scienze Motorie e Sportive, SISMeS) and the Italian Society of Phlebology (Società Italiana di Flebologia, SIF).

Purpose Of Review: This consensus statement from the Italian Society of Motor and Sports Sciences (Società Italiana di Scienze Motorie e Sportive, SISMeS) and the Italian Society of Phlebology (Società Italiana di Flebologia, SIF) provides the official view on the role of exercise as a non-pharmacological approach in lipedema. In detail, this consensus statement SISMeS - SIF aims to provide a comprehensive overview of lipedema, focusing, in particular, on the role played by physical exercise (PE) in the management of its clinical features.

Recent Findings: Lipedema is a chronic disease characterized by abnormal fat accumulation.

Hospital Volume of Elective Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair as a Predictor of Mortality After Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Objective: Registry data suggest that centralising abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery decreases the mortality rate after AAA repair. However, the impact of higher elective volumes on ruptured AAA (rAAA) repair associated mortality rates remains uncertain. This study aimed to examine associations between intact AAA (iAAA) repair volume and post-operative rAAA death.

Mitigating Age-Related Cognitive Decline and Oxidative Status in Rats Treated with Catechin and Polyphenon-60.

Aging is a normal physiological process influenced by the combination of multiple mechanisms, primarily oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which impact general physiology and brain function. Phenolic compounds have demonstrated the ability to slow down the aging process of the brain due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study assessed the protective properties of catechin and polyphenon-60 in non-pathologically aged rats regarding visuo-spatial learning and the oxidative status of the frontal cortex.

Circulating Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Increase with Age and Are Associated with Worse Physical Function and Body Composition in Men but Not in Women.

This study aimed to assess the relationship between age-related changes in Neurofilament Light Chain (NFL), a marker of neuronal function, and various factors including muscle function, body composition, and metabolomic markers. The study included 40 participants, aged 20 to 85 years. NFL levels were measured, and muscle function, body composition, and metabolomic markers were assessed.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Reduces Oxidative Stress and Inflammation, and Increases Growth Factors Favouring the Healing Process of Diabetic Wounds.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the clinical application of oxygen at pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. HBOT has been effectively used to manage diverse clinical pathologies, such as non-healing diabetic ulcers. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of HBOT on the plasma oxidative and inflammation biomarkers and growth factors in patients with chronic diabetic wounds.

Anticancer properties of bromelain: State-of-the-art and recent trends.

Bromelain is a key enzyme found in pineapple (.); a proteolytic substance with multiple beneficial effects for human health such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic, traditionally used in many countries for its potential therapeutic value. The aim of this updated and comprehensive review focuses on the potential anticancer benefits of bromelain, analyzing the cytotoxic, apoptotic, necrotic, autophagic, immunomodulating, and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer cells and animal models.

The Antioxidant Potential of the Mediterranean Diet as a Predictor of Weight Loss after a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) in Women with Overweight and Obesity.

Obesity involves a chronic state of low-grade inflammation, which is linked to the development of several comorbidities. Recently, the very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has gained great interest in the treatment of obesity, almost ousting the ancient and healthy Mediterranean diet (MD). However, because these dietary regimens exploit different pathophysiological mechanisms, we hypothesize that adherence to the MD may play a role in determining the efficacy of the VLCKD.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of rhizome aqueous extract of sea holly (Eryngium maritimum L.) on Jurkat cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The genus Eryngium is known for producing a wide range of bioactive compounds with proved medicinal properties. In the last years, research has focused on E. maritimum, with previous studies reporting anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.

A Biomarker Approach as Responses of Bioindicator Commercial Fish Species to Microplastic Ingestion: Assessing Tissue and Biochemical Relationships.

Plastic debris is a growing environmental problem on a global scale, as plastics and microplastics (MPs) can be ingested by marine organisms, inducing toxic effects. The aim of this study was to assess MP intake and antioxidant responses in three bioindicator species: red mullet, bogue, and anchovy (, and , respectively) for plastic contamination in the Mediterranean Sea. MP intake was assessed in the gastrointestinal tract of the fish.

Multispecies Assessment of Anthropogenic Particle Ingestion in a Marine Protected Area.

We have applied a multispecies ecosystem approach to analyse the ingestion of anthropogenic particles (AP) in the gastrointestinal tract of 313 individuals (17 fish species and 8 invertebrate species) from pelagic, demersal and benthic habitats in a marine protected area off the Western Mediterranean (Cabrera National Park). We have quantified and characterized the ingestion at several taxonomic levels of fish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, bivalves, and jellyfish in relation to biotic/abiotic factors based on taxonomic groups, trophic guilds (functional groups) and habitats. AP ingestion occurrence ranged from 26 to 100% with no significant differences among taxonomic groups.

Quantification of differential tissue biomarker responses to microplastic ingestion and plasticizer bioaccumulation in aquaculture reared sea bream Sparus aurata.

Marine aquaculture is considered a potential source of microplastics (MPs). MPs can induce oxidative stress and damage in marine species. In this study we evaluated the impact of MPs intake in the commercial fish, Sparus aurata, from aquaculture facilities and the antioxidant response associated to this MPs ingestion in caged specimens for 120 days.

5-Dodecanolide, a Compound Isolated from Pig Lard, Presents Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Background: Pork lard (PL) is traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory agent. We propose to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory properties of PL, and elucidate which compounds could be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects of PL were tested in a rat model of zymosan-induced hind paw inflammation.

An Update of Anthraquinone Derivatives Emodin, Diacerein, and Catenarin in Diabetes.

Diabetes is part of metabolic diseases and is characterized by high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period as result of an insulin-deficient production or an inappropriate response to insulin by our cells. This chronic disease was the direct cause of 1.6 million deaths in 2016 as reported by the World Health Organization.

Polycystic ovary syndrome and cardiovascular risk. Could trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) be a major player? A potential upgrade forward in the DOGMA theory.

Several studies reported an increase in cardiovascular risk (CVR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), considered primarily as the result of the combination of all the clinical features that characterize the syndrome, including hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity chronic low-grade inflammation. Interestingly, in 2012 it has been proposed the so-called DOGMA theory, suggesting the pivotal role played by microbiota alteration in the development of PCOS. Subsequently, several authors evidenced the existence in PCOS women of a marked dysbiosis, which is related to the development of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular complications, mainly due to the production of bacteria-derived metabolites that interfere with various pathways.