As the population ages, promoting healthy aging through targeted interventions becomes increasingly crucial. Growing evidence suggests that dietary interventions can significantly impact this process by modulating fundamental molecular pathways. This review focuses on the potential of targeted dietary strategies in promoting healthy aging and the mechanisms by which specific nutrients and dietary patterns influence key pathways involved in cellular repair, inflammation, and metabolic regulation. Caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, the Mediterranean diet, as well as the ketogenic diet showed promising effects on promoting healthy aging, possibly by modulating mTORC1 AMPK, an insulin signaling pathway. By understanding the intricate interplay between diet and molecular pathways, we can develop personalized dietary strategies that not only prevent age-related diseases, but also promote overall health and well-being throughout the aging process.

Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural populations where geographic and socioeconomic barriers exacerbate the issue. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, focusing on influenza vaccinations in rural and urban communities in Romania. The study was conducted between October 4 and October 30, 2024, across 16 family medicine practices, including seven in rural and nine in urban areas from Romania. A 13-item vaccine hesitancy questionnaire, assessing factors such as fear of adverse effects, distrust in vaccines, and perceived necessity included 272 responses. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify distinct subgroups of hesitancy, while Chi-square and odds ratio analyses assessed geographic differences. We performed logistic regression for the most observed root attitudes on influenza vaccination refusal. Rural residents were significantly more likely to refuse influenza vaccination compared to urban residents. The LCA revealed three distinct latent classes, characterized by varying levels of agreement with key hesitancy items. Class 1 demonstrated low hesitancy, Class 2 exhibited high hesitancy driven by beliefs in natural immunity and perceived lack of necessity, and Class 3 showed intermediate hesitancy, influenced by distrust in vaccines and past negative experiences. Among the key significant triggers underlying vaccine refusal were fear of adverse effects, parental status, chronic diseases, and previous vaccination experiences, while factors such as age and gender showed limited impact. Vaccine hesitancy persists as a complex, multidimensional issue, with rural populations disproportionately affected. Targeted, context-specific interventions addressing key drivers such as distorted risk perception, fear of adverse effects and distrust in vaccines are critical for improving vaccination rates These findings underscore the importance of tailored public health strategies to promote equitable vaccine uptake.

Background: Social prescribing initiatives are tailored coaching programs created to assist participants in improving their personal circumstances and might constitute a creative way to enhance public and preventive health as we work toward providing universal financially sustainable healthcare. Methods: We conducted a scoping review with the aim of summarizing the main global trends on social prescribing and to identify the existing resources and potential targets of social prescribing in Romania. Results: One of the main concerns that arose from this review is the lack of defined pathways to access social programs and the lack of link workers, recognized as a valuable form of support in directing people toward the most appropriate intervention, necessary to increase long-term sustainability. We also acknowledge the importance of primary care in social prescribing, especially in prevention. The level of awareness and the capacity of primary care providers to identify the need for social prescription to increase the awareness of resources and encourage teamwork should be increased. Conclusions: By focusing on these areas, we can enhance the health and well-being of the population and fully realize the benefits of social prescribing in Romania. Further research and collaboration on social prescribing are crucial for optimizing its impact in Romania.

Older individuals are typically more susceptible to stroke, and age-related differences in brain plasticity significantly affect recovery and treatment responses following cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising diagnostic and therapeutic tools due to their role in intercellular communication and ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. While EVs hold potential in promoting brain repair, their efficacy is influenced by donor age—those derived from young stem cells exhibit more regenerative profiles, whereas aged donor EVs may carry senescence-related signals that impede recovery. Emerging therapies, including senolytics, exosome-based approaches, and immune modulation, aim to enhance post-stroke repair, yet a substantial translational gap persists, especially in adapting these strategies to the aged brain. Differences in immune responses, neurovascular integrity, and repair mechanisms between young and aged individuals further complicate therapeutic development. Incorporating aged animal models in preclinical research is thus essential for ensuring the relevance and safety of interventions in elderly patients. These findings underscore the need for age-tailored strategies that reflect the unique biological landscape of aging, paving the way for more effective treatments for stroke and related neurological conditions in older adults.

Ischemic stroke triggers a complex cascade of cellular and molecular events leading to neuronal damage and tissue injury. This review explores the potential therapeutic avenues targeting cellular signaling pathways implicated in stroke pathophysiology. Specifically, it focuses on the articles that highlight the roles of RhoA/ROCK and mTOR signaling pathways in ischemic brain injury and their therapeutic implications. The RhoA/ROCK pathway modulates various cellular processes, including cytoskeletal dynamics and inflammation, while mTOR signaling regulates cell growth, proliferation, and autophagy. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of targeting these pathways in stroke models, offering insights into potential treatment strategies. However, challenges such as off-target effects and the need for tissue-specific targeting remain. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests the therapeutic potential of MSC secretome in stroke treatment, highlighting the importance of exploring alternative approaches. Future research directions include elucidating the precise mechanisms of action, optimizing treatment protocols, and translating preclinical findings into clinical practice for improved stroke outcomes.

Introduction: Vaccine hesitancy remains a critical barrier to achieving widespread vaccination, particularly in settings with limited public trust and high exposure to misinformation. This study aims to measure the level of vaccine hesitancy, identifying the factors contributing to it, and to evaluate the effectiveness of two targeted interventions—group and individual counseling—designed to address vaccine hesitancy among employees in seven industrial companies in Romania during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemics. Methods: A total of 256 participants were included in the study, and interventions were delivered by family physicians and occupational medicine specialists trained in motivational interviewing (MI) techniques. Data on sociodemographic factors, vaccine hesitancy, and willingness to vaccinate were collected using a questionnaire and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for vaccine willingness. Results: Both interventions led to significant increases in willingness to vaccinate, with group counseling showing a 1.4-point increase on the VAS (p-value < 0.0001) and individual counseling showing a 1.5-point increase (p-value < 0.0001), though the differences between the two approaches were not statistically significant (p-value = 0.209). Key factors correlated with higher levels of vaccine hesitancy included younger age, lower education levels, marital status (single or divorced), having children, the presence of chronic diseases, a lack of general antivaccine beliefs, and a lack of trust in the natural origin of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Conclusion: This study highlights the effectiveness of dual interventions involving family doctors and occupational medicine specialists in reducing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among industrial workers in Romania. Key factors influencing hesitancy included demographic characteristics (age, marital status) and social determinants (education level, anti-vaccine beliefs, parenthood, and chronic illness). The findings emphasize the role of trusted healthcare professionals in addressing these concerns through targeted communication strategies, such as motivational interviewing.