Functional neurological disorder (FND), formerly called conversion disorder, is a condition characterized by neurological symptoms that lack an identifiable organic purpose. These signs, which can consist of motor, sensory, or cognitive disturbances, are not deliberately produced and often vary in severity. Its diagnosis is predicated on clinical evaluation and the exclusion of other medical or psychiatric situations. Its treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary technique addressing each of the neurological symptoms and underlying psychological factors via a mixture of medical management, psychotherapy, and supportive interventions. Recent advances in neuroimaging and a deeper exploration of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation have shed new light on this disorder. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge on FND, focusing on its epidemiology and underlying mechanisms, neuroimaging insights, and the differentiation of FND from feigning or malingering. This review highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of FND and the diagnostic challenges it presents. It also discusses the significant role of neuroimaging in unraveling the complex neural underpinnings of FND and its potential in predicting treatment response. This paper underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of FND in informing clinical practice and guiding future research. With advancements in neuroimaging techniques and growing recognition of the disorder’s multifaceted nature, the paper suggests a promising trajectory toward more effective, personalized treatment strategies and a better overall understanding of the disorder.

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, is a major public health issue characterized by subtle neuronal damage that traditional imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often fail to detect. Fluid biomarkers have emerged as promising diagnostic and prognostic tools for mTBI. Objectives: This umbrella meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the key fluid biomarkers, S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1, neurofilament light chain (NfL)) and tau protein, in detecting mTBI and to clarify their roles as screening, confirmatory, and complementary indicators. Methods: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane to identify the published meta-analyses that assessed the biomarkers in mTBI. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were then calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I2 statistic, and publication bias was assessed via funnel plots. The results of S100B demonstrated high sensitivity (91.6%) but low specificity (42.4%), making it an effective rule-out biomarker to minimize unnecessary CT scans. In contrast, GFAP exhibited moderate sensitivity (84.5%) with improved specificity (61.0%), supporting its role in confirming mTBI diagnoses. UCH-L1 revealed a sensitivity of 86.7% alongside low specificity (37.3%), indicating its potential as a complementary marker. Additionally, the NfL levels were notably elevated in sports-related concussions, while the diagnostic utility of tau protein remains inconclusive due to limited available data. Conclusions: The findings underscore the clinical promise of fluid biomarkers in the management of mTBI. S100B and GFAP are particularly valuable as screening and confirmatory markers, respectively. Nonetheless, further standardization of biomarker thresholds and additional longitudinal studies are necessary to validate the roles of UCH-L1, NfL, and Tau protein. The integration of these biomarkers into a multimodal diagnostic panel may enhance mTBI detection accuracy and facilitate improved patient stratification and management.

The formation of microbial colonies and biofilms are common on dental restorations. This can lead to secondary caries. Another common complication is the post-operative inflammation noted in patients. The traditionally used dental composites are designed without the inherent components having antimicrobial and inflammatory properties. This has become a major challenge in current restorative dentistry applications. In order to address these challenges, a possible approach is to incorporate eugenol nanoparticles (NPs) into dental composites. This approach can offer dual therapeutic benefits since eugenol possess both antimicrobial and inflammatory properties. In fact, compared to synthetic antimicrobial agents, eugenol exhibits antibacterial activity not only against Streptococcus mutans but also against a range of oral pathogens. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects that can promote healing by reducing post-operative sensitivity. In spite of the above benefits, eugenol cannot be incorporated directly into dental materials. This is because eugenol is highly volatile and has poor water solubility. The encapsulation of eugenol in suitable nano-materials can overcome these limitations. In addition, it can enable the controlled and sustained release of desirable agents for long-term therapeutic action. In this review, we explore the mechanisms, advantages and potential clinical applications of dental composites containing NP integrated with eugenol. We highlight the advantages of having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions in a single restorative material. At the same time, we acknowledge the need for more in-depth research to optimize NP formulations with eugenol that does not compromise the mechanical properties of dental materials. Based on a thorough literature review, we believe that this approach has much potential in restorative dentistry procedures that will aid therapeutic outcomes in the future.

This study aimed to assess the chemical composition and antibacterial potential of essential oils (EOs) from two plants: clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) and fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) EOs. The major compounds, eugenol and estragole, were isolated from these oils and tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The EOs were obtained via hydrodistillation and analyzed using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Clove oil was found to be rich in eugenol (68.51%), while fennel seed oil was dominated by estragole (93.30%). Antibacterial activity, assessed by the agar disc diffusion method and supported by MIC/MBC testing, revealed that eugenol exhibited the highest efficacy, with MIC values ranging from 0.58 to 1.15 mg/mL and MBC values from 1.15 to 2.30 mg/mL, particularly against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. In silico analysis was conducted to evaluate pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and molecular docking interactions. ADME predictions indicated good oral bioavailability and high membrane permeability for both compounds, with eugenol displaying superior solubility and better compliance with Lipinski’s Rule of Five. Molecular docking simulations confirmed the antibacterial potential, with eugenol showing stronger binding affinities to bacterial targets (−7.8 kcal/mol), forming more stable and diverse interactions compared to estragole. However, toxicity predictions indicated potential mutagenic, carcinogenic, and cardiotoxic (hERG inhibition) risks for both compounds.

The purpose of this study is to assess the association between digital biomarkers on diet compliance and other health-related outcomes in adults willing to change their eating behaviours. This study employed a mixed-method, cross-sectional design with 100 participants over three months. Basic demographic and clinical data were obtained, and self-monitoring was done using digital biomarkers of diet and physical activity. The dietary compliance level was measured pre- and post-intervention using a dietary questionnaire. Quantitative analyses included paired t-tests, correlation, regression, and mediation analyses to assess the impact of digital biomarkers on nutritional and health outcomes. There was a statistically significant improvement in dietary adherence scores post-intervention (t = 9.61, p < 0.001). A positive relationship was found between digital biomarker use and diet consumption (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) and weight loss (r = 0.32, p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that baseline dietary adherence and biomarker use were significant predictors of weight loss (F (1, 22) = 7.92; p < 0.001 and F (1,22) = 7.69; p < 0.01), though the model explained only 20% of variance, suggesting other influencing factors. This study identified usefulness, motivation, and responsibility as key themes related to digital biomarker use. Digital biomarkers hold potential for enhancing personalised nutrition interventions and adherence to dietary recommendations. Future research should focus on data privacy, user involvement, and improving AI algorithms for clinical implementation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges in managing neurological conditions, particularly among athletes. This paper explores the intersection of post-COVID-19 neurological syndrome (PCNS/PASC) and post-concussion syndrome (PCS), focusing on their implications in sports medicine. Our analysis covers the symptomatology, pathophysiology, and management strategies for PCNS/PASC and PPCS, with special attention paid to the unique challenges faced by athletes recovering from these conditions, including the risk of symptom exacerbation and prolonged recovery. Key findings reveal that both PCNS/PASC and PPCS present with overlapping symptoms such as cognitive difficulties, exercise intolerance, and mental health issues, but differ in specific manifestations like anosmia and ageusia, unique to COVID-19. Pathophysiological analysis reveals similarities in blood–brain barrier disruption (BBB) but differences in the extent of immune activation. Management strategies emphasize a gradual increase in physical activity, close symptom monitoring, and psychological support, with a tailored approach for athletes. Specific interventions include progressive aerobic exercises, resistance training, and cognitive rehabilitation. Furthermore, our study highlights the importance of integrating neurology, psychiatry, physical therapy, and sports medicine to develop comprehensive care strategies. Our findings underscore the dual challenge of COVID-19 and concussion in athletes, necessitating a nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to effective management. Future research should focus on the long-term neurological effects of both conditions and optimizing treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for advancing the management of athletes affected by these overlapping conditions and ensuring their safe return to sports.