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Oral anticoagulant therapy after ablation for atrial fibrillation
No full textOral anticoagulants are the cornerstone of stroke risk prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, regardless of whether sinus rhythm is restored. Evidence from two new randomized trials questions the need for long-term treatment with oral anticoagulants after successful ablation of atrial fibrillation and promises to change clinical practice
Does Corruption Affect Non-Performing Loans in Central and Eastern Europe?
No full textThe objective of this study is to examine the effect of corruption on non-performing loans in 17 Central and Eastern European countries from 2004 to 2021. The study investigates the influence of corruption on the incidence of non-performing loans while
controlling for macroeconomic, bank-specific, and governance-related factors. The analysis is based on panel data, and the fixed effects method is applied. The results indicate that several variables,
including corruption, unemployment, loan-to-deposit ratio, voice
and accountability index, and credit growth significantly affect nonperforming loans. The findings contribute to the existing literature
by examining the role of external factors in the persistence of nonperforming loans, revisiting this issue in the specific context of the
Central and Eastern European region
NUTRITIONAL AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTS AND BY-PRODUCTS: IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF THEIR POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS
No full textThe growing need to reduce the environmental footprint of human activities and to ensure
sustainable food production has accelerated the transition toward more resource-efficient and
nutritionally balanced food systems. At the same time, increasing consumer interest in healthpromoting
and naturally derived ingredients is driving innovation in the functional food and
nutraceutical sectors. Within this context, the valorisation of underutilized crops and agri-food
by-products represents a promising strategy to enhance food system sustainability while
expanding the range of available bioactive ingredients.
This research was based on the hypothesis that selected plant resources and agri-food byproducts,
when subjected to optimized, environmentally friendly extraction and processing
methods, can yield bioactive compounds with significant nutritional and health-promoting
potential, while also contributing to circular bioeconomy models.
To test this hypothesis, the study pursued two main objectives. The first was to characterize the
nutritional and bioactive profiles of selected plant cultivars with the dual aim of identifying
climate-resilient varieties and assessing their potential contribution to sustainable, nutrient-rich
diets. The second objective focused on the valorisation of agri-food by-products through the
development and optimization of selective, “green” extraction methods designed to recover
functional molecules—such as polyphenols, peptides, and dietary fibres—while mitigating
matrix effects that limit extraction efficiency, purity, and bioavailability.
The results demonstrated substantial variability in the nutritional composition and bioactive
compound content among the studied cultivars, highlighting specific landraces well-suited to
cultivation in resource-limited environments. Optimized extraction processes significantly
improved the recovery yields and stability of target compounds from by-products compared with
conventional methods, confirming the effectiveness of tailored green technologies. In vitro
gastrointestinal digestion models indicated good stability and bioaccessibility of several bioactive
fractions, while cell-based assays using Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells revealed low
cytotoxicity and, in selected cases, modulatory effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory
responses.
By integrating the valorisation of plant biodiversity with the recovery of bioactive compounds
from agricultural by-products, this thesis provides scientific evidence supporting the
development of sustainable, circular, and health-oriented food systems. Furthermore, it
demonstrates the potential of combining crop science, food chemistry, and cellular biology
approaches to generate functional ingredients that align with global sustainability goals and the
growing demand for nutritionally beneficial food products
Urinary polyphenol signature of the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk: the PREDIMED trial
No full textBackground: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is strongly associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and is particularly rich in polyphenols, bioactive compounds with potential cardioprotective effects. However, the specific phenolic compounds underlying these benefits remain unclear. The objective of this study was to develop a urinary multi-metabolite signature of phenolic compounds reflecting MedDiet adherence and to evaluate its prospective association with CVD risk. Methods: In a case–cohort nested study within the PREDIMED trial, we measured 62 phenolic metabolites in spot urine by liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry at baseline and after 1 year in 1180 individuals: 653 incident CVD cases (stroke, myocardial infarction, CVD death, or heart failure) and a random subcohort of 603 participants (76 overlapping cases). We applied elastic net regression to derive a urinary multi-metabolite signature prospectively associated with MedDiet adherence, measured by the validated 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). Multivariable Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of CVD by levels of the multi-metabolite signature. Results: The urinary multi-metabolite signature, comprising eight phenolic compounds selected by elastic net regression, was inversely associated with CVD risk in a dose–response pattern (HR per SD = 0.80 (0.68–0.94); HR Q4 vs Q1 = 0.48 (0.30–0.78); p-trend = 0.002). The metabolites included in the signature were derived from foods typical of the MedDiet, particularly virgin olive oil, wine, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. After 1 year, MedDiet interventions significantly increased urolithin A metabolites (derived from walnuts) compared to the control group. Conclusions: We identified a urinary multi-metabolite signature of MedDiet adherence that is prospectively associated with lower CVD incidence. These findings support that polyphenols derived from the MedDiet showed inverse associations with cardiovascular outcomes. Trial registration: The study was registered with the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) 35739639
Batch-Dependent Hepatobiliary Toxicity of 10 nm Silver Nanoparticles After Single Intravenous Administration in Mice
No full textSilver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are extensively employed for their antimicrobial and biomedical properties, yet concerns persist regarding their potential toxicity. While AgNPs can induce oxidative stress, membrane disruption, and DNA damage, in vivo data remain inconsistent. This study investigated whether batch-to-batch variability in nominally identical AgNPs of 10 nm size contributes to divergent in vivo toxicity outcomes. CD-1 (ICR) mice were intravenously injected with a single 10 mg/kg bw dose of spherical, citrate-coated 10 nm AgNPs from three different batches purchased from the same manufacturer. The mice were euthanized 24 h post-exposure for quantitative silver determination by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) and histopathological evaluation of liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Autometallography and immunofluorescence were used to assess silver distribution and cellular localization in the hepatobiliary system. All the batches induced hepatobiliary toxicity, characterized by hepatocellular necrosis and gallbladder wall hemorrhage, of differing severity. The most toxic batches contained higher proportions of smaller AgNPs, suggesting that differences in size distribution influence toxicological outcomes. Silver agglomerates were localized within multiple cell types, indicating internalization and cell-specific cytotoxicity. These findings highlight that minor physicochemical variations affect in vivo results, underscoring the importance of nanoparticle characterization to improve reproducibility in nanotoxicological research
Effects of Video-Based Feedback Instruction on Tactical Learning, Interest, and Self-Efficacy in Handball Education
No full textPurpose: This study examines the impact of video use in three different formats: continuous playback without interruption, self-paced control, and feedback-based format, on situational interest, self-efficacy, and the development of tactical knowledge in handball among students in physical education.
Methods: Sixty secondary school students, (age 14.47±0.44 years) were divided into three groups of 20 students each, with 10 girls and 10 boys per group: The Continuous Video Group (CVG; n=20), the Video Control Group (CTR; n= 20), and the Video Feedback Group (VFB; n=20). Students viewed a handball video scenario and then completed recall and transfer tests, as well as situational interest and self-efficacy questionnaires.
Results: Non-parametric analyses (Mann-Whitney U tests) showed that the Video Control Group had significantly better recall than the Video Continuous (U= 52, P< .001) and Video Feedback groups (U= 71.5, P< .001). For transfer and efficacy tests, both the Control and Feedback groups outperformed the Continuous group (transfer: U=4 7, P< .001; U= 73, P< .001; efficacy: U=118.5, P= .026; U= 110, P= .014). Situational interest was significantly higher in the Continuous group compared to the Feedback group (P= .027), suggesting continuous video exposure elicits greater interest than delayed feedback.
Conclusions: These results suggest that, although the continuous reading group demonstrated higher situational interest, their memorization and transfer performance was lower than that of the groups using video control or video feedback. Therefore, video control and video feedback appear to promote both self-efficacy and performance. Therefore, to optimize results, the use of these teaching tools should be progressively structured and adapted to the cognitive abilities of physical education students
The role of the duration of untreated illness (DUI) in generalized anxiety disorder: a cross-sectional, multicenter study
No full textObjective: A longer duration of untreated illness (DUI) has been associated with poorer outcomes across several mental disorders; however, few studies have investigated DUI in anxiety disorders, particularly in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with a longer DUI in GAD.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study, retrospectively reviewing the medical records of GAD patients from three mental health services. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were extracted for analysis. One-way analyses of variance and Pearson's correlations were used to examine the relationship between DUI and categorical and quantitative variables, respectively. A multivariate linear regression model was then conducted to identify variables independently associated with DUI.
Results: The total sample included 243 patients; the mean DUI was 30.92 (±65.25) months. In the final model, a longer DUI was associated with an earlier age at onset (B = -0.428; p = 0.023), a longer duration of illness (B = -0.431; p < 0.001), and the presence of multiple side effects (B = 55.778; p < 0.001). There was a trend toward statistical significance for the association between a longer DUI and multiple medical comorbidities (B = 13.122; p = 0.076).
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that reducing the time between the onset of GAD and the initiation of appropriate pharmacological treatment may improve clinical outcomes, mitigating the risk of a chronic course of illness. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of DUI as a prognostic factor in GAD
Consumer acceptance of cultivated fish:a scoping review
No full textCultivated fish (CF), produced through cellular agriculture, is emerging as a potential alternative to conventional fisheries and aquaculture. Yet, consumer acceptance of this product remains uncertain. This scoping review synthesizes peer-reviewed literature published since 2018 (n = 11 studies) on attitudes toward CF. Findings show that perceptions are shaped by expected product attributes (safety, health, taste, sustainability), self-reported intentions (willingness to try, buy, or pay a premium price), and individual factors (age, education, food neophobia, familiarity). Safety concerns and negative reactions to technical naming (e.g., “cell-cultured”) act as major barriers, while environmental and ethical benefits are viewed positively but do not always translate into purchase intention. The review highlights the need for targeted marketing strategies, appropriate naming, and regulatory clarity to foster consumers’ trust and support market development
Assessment of genetically modified soybean MON 94313 (application GMFF‐2022‐6595)
No full textGenetically modified soybean MON 94313 was developed to confer tolerance to dicamba, glufosinate, 2,4-D and mesotrione-based herbicides. These properties were achieved by introducing the dmo, pat, ft_t.1 and tdo expression cassettes. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatics analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between soybean MON 94313 and its conventional counterpart need further assessment, except for methionine and Gly m Bd 28K, which underwent additional evaluation and were found to not raise any safety or nutritional concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the DMO, PAT, FT_T.1 and TDO proteins as expressed in soybean MON 94313 and finds no evidence that the genetic modification would change the overall safety of soybean MON 94313. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from soybean MON 94313 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals, and no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of release of processed soybean MON 94313 material, or accidental spillage of viable GM soybean seeds into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of soybean MON 94313. The GMO Panel concludes that soybean MON 94313 is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM soybean varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment
Nel caleidoscopio della lingua poetica : Una premessa
No full textLa poesia di Giovanni Giudici e le carte d'Archivio, la scrittura, le scelte retoriche e metriche, il rapporto con la storia