The relationship between sleep, glial cells, and the endocannabinoid system represents a multifaceted regulatory network with profound implications for neuroinflammation and cognitive function. The molecular underpinnings of sleep modulation by the endocannabinoid system and its influence on glial cell activity are discussed, shedding light on the reciprocal relationships that govern these processes. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of glial cells in mediating neuroinflammatory responses and their modulation by sleep patterns. Additionally, this review examines how the endocannabinoid system interfaces with glia-immune signaling to regulate inflammatory cascades within the central nervous system. Notably, the cognitive consequences of disrupted sleep, neuroinflammation, and glial dysfunction are addressed, encompassing implications for neurodegenerative disorders, mood disturbances, and cognitive decline. Insights into the bidirectional modulation of cognitive function by the endocannabinoid system in the context of sleep and glial activity are explored, providing a comprehensive perspective on the potential mechanisms underlying cognitive impairments associated with sleep disturbances. Furthermore, this review examines potential therapeutic avenues targeting the endocannabinoid system to mitigate neuroinflammation, restore glial homeostasis, and normalize sleep patterns. The identification of novel therapeutic targets within this intricate regulatory network holds promise for addressing conditions characterized by disrupted sleep, neuroinflammation, and cognitive dysfunction. This work aims to examine the complexities of neural regulation and identify potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Dengue, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is a global health threat transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, resulting in 400 million cases annually. The disease ranges from mild to severe, with potential progression to hemorrhagic dengue. Current research is focused on natural antivirals due to challenges in vector control. This study evaluates the antiviral potential of peptides derived from the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum, known for its bioactive compounds. Microalgae were cultivated under controlled conditions, followed by protein extraction and hydrolysis to produce four peptide fractions. These fractions were assessed for cytotoxicity via the MTT assay and antiviral activity against DENV serotype 2 using flow cytometry and plaque formation assays. The 10–30 kDa peptide fraction, at 150 and 300 μg/mL concentrations, demonstrated no cytotoxicity and significantly reduced the percentage of infected cells and viral titers. These findings suggest that peptides derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum exhibit promising antiviral activity against dengue virus serotype 2, potentially contributing to developing new therapeutic approaches for dengue.

The intricate mechanisms governing brain health and function have long been subjects of extensive investigation. Recent research has shed light on two pivotal systems, the glymphatic system and the endocannabinoid system, and their profound role within the central nervous system. The glymphatic system is a recently discovered waste clearance system within the brain that facilitates the efficient removal of toxic waste products and metabolites from the central nervous system. It relies on the unique properties of the brain’s extracellular space and is primarily driven by cerebrospinal fluid and glial cells. Conversely, the endocannabinoid system, a multifaceted signaling network, is intricately involved in diverse physiological processes and has been associated with modulating synaptic plasticity, nociception, affective states, appetite regulation, and immune responses. This scientific review delves into the intricate interconnections between these two systems, exploring their combined influence on brain health and disease. By elucidating the synergistic effects of glymphatic function and endocannabinoid signaling, this review aims to deepen our understanding of their implications for neurological disorders, immune responses, and cognitive well-being.

Monkeypox (Mpox) is an emerging zoonotic disease with the potential for severe complications. Early identification and diagnosis are essential to prompt treatment, control its spread, and reduce the risk of human-to-human transmission. This study aimed to develop a clinical diagnostic tool and describe the clinical and sociodemographic features of 19 PCR-confirmed Mpox cases during an outbreak in a nonendemic region of northwestern Mexico. The median age of patients was 35 years, and most were male. Mpox-positive patients commonly reported symptoms such as fever, lumbago, and asthenia, in addition to experiencing painful ulcers and a high frequency of HIV infection among people living with HIV (PLWH). Two diagnostic models using logistic regression were devised, with the best model exhibiting a prediction accuracy of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.8–1), a sensitivity of 0.86, and a specificity of 0.93. The high predictive values and accuracy of the top-performing model highlight its potential to significantly improve early Mpox diagnosis and treatment in clinical settings, aiding in the control of future outbreaks.

The ongoing threat of viral pandemics such as COVID-19 highlights the urgent need for novel antiviral therapeutics targeting conserved viral proteins. In this study, peptides of 10–30 kDa derived from the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum were identified as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), a key enzyme in viral replication. Peptides less than 60 amino acids in length were retrieved from the UniProt database and aligned with reference antiviral sequences using the Biopython pairwise2 algorithm. Six candidates were selected for structural modeling using AlphaFold2 and Swiss-Model, followed by molecular docking using ClusPro2. LigPlot+ was used to assess molecular interactions, while NetMHCpan 4.1 and AVPpred evaluated immunogenicity and antiviral potential, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns were conducted using OpenMM. These peptides demonstrated stable binding interactions with key catalytic residues of Mpro. Specifically, peptide A0A8J9SA87 interacted with Cys145 and Glu166, while peptide A0A8J9SDW0 exhibited interactions with His41 and Phe140, both of which are known to be essential for Mpro inhibition. Although peptide A0A8J9X3P8 also interacted with catalytic residues, it exhibited greater structural fluctuations during molecular dynamics simulations and achieved lower AVPpred scores, suggesting lower overall antiviral potential. Therefore, A0A8J9SA87 and A0A8J9SDW0 were identified as the most promising candidates. Molecular dynamics simulations further supported the high structural stability of these peptide-Mpro complexes over a 100 ns timescale, reinforcing their potential as effective inhibitors. These findings support P. tricornutum as a valuable source of antiviral peptides and demonstrate the feasibility of in silico pipelines for identifying therapeutic candidates against SARS-CoV-2.

Olive pomace, a byproduct of olive oil production, is a rich source of bioactive phenolic compounds with potential health benefits. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the metabolic effects of a subcritical water extract from California olive pomace (SWE COP) obtained from Arbequina olives. The extract was mainly composed of carbohydrates (72.81%) and contained 66.62 ± 1.22 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of phenolics, with 3,4-DHPEA-EDA, hydroxytyrosol, and verbascoside identified as the predominant compounds. Male C57BL/6N mice were fed a standard diet (SD; n = 7), a high-fat and high-sugar diet (HFSD; n = 7), which was used to induce features of diet-associated metabolic syndrome, or an HFSD supplemented with 3% (w/w) SWE COP (n = 7) for 16 weeks. Supplementation with SWE COP significantly reduced plasma triglycerides and increased HDL cholesterol levels compared with the HFSD group. Moreover, SWE COP improved glucose tolerance, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and reduced mesenteric and epididymal adiposity. Histological analysis showed that SWE COP alleviated hepatic steatosis and lowered the NAFLD activity score. These findings demonstrate that phenolic-rich SWE COP exerts beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism and reduces liver fat accumulation in diet-induced obese mice. Overall, SWE COP represents a promising functional ingredient derived from olive industry byproducts for mitigating metabolic dysfunctions associated with obesity.