Background: Melissa officinalis standardised extracts, characterised by the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids, have been experimentally demonstrated to be endowed with anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia pharmacological actions. These effects, probably attributable, at least in part, to the role played by rosmarinic acid on GABA-T, have not always been observed in a reproducible manner in humans, perhaps due to the poor bioavailability of these compounds. Methods: as nutraceuticals and botanicals could be an alternative option to prescription medications for alleviating symptoms of mild anxiety and insomnia, we have verified in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and cross-over study the supporting role on sleep quality played by a Melissa officinalis highly standardised extract, formulated as Phytosome™ (MOP) to improve the oral bioavailability of its active polyphenolic components. Results: results showed a significant reduction in the ISI score in the treated group, with an average of 6.8 ± 4.1 compared to 9.7 ± 3.7 in the placebo group, indicating a significant reduction of 2.9 points (p = 0.003). The SWS phase duration increased by an average of 15%, while the REM phase decreased by 10%. Additionally, 87% of participants in the treated group reported improved sleep quality, compared to 30% in the placebo group, with significant differences measured by chi-square test (χ²₍₄₎ = 21.01, p = 0.0003), highlighting the effects due to Melissa officinalis L. No significant changes in physical activity or anxiety levels were observed. Conclusions: these findings suggest that MOP may represent a natural and safe alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments for insomnia.

This study investigates the efficacy of Streptococcus salivarius K12 in preventing upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in healthy adults. URTIs are a common issue, particularly in physically active individuals, leading to significant disruptions in daily life. Probiotics, such as S. salivarius K12, have emerged as a potential preventive strategy for these infections. This research was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 112 participants aged between 19 and 25. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one group received a daily dose of S. salivarius K12, marketed as Bactoblis^®, while the other received a placebo. The trial lasted for four months, during which adherence to the treatment protocol was closely monitored. The primary goal was to measure the incidence of URTIs using the Jackson Scale and the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS-11). The results indicated that higher adherence to the S. salivarius K12 treatment was associated with an increased number of days without URTI symptoms. Although the overall severity of symptoms did not differ significantly between the treatment and control groups, those with high adherence to S. salivarius K12 (greater than 90%) reported more days free from illness. In conclusion, S. salivarius K12 demonstrated potential as a preventive measure against URTIs, especially in individuals who adhered strictly to the treatment regimen. However, further research involving larger populations and longer follow-up periods is needed to fully confirm these findings and better understand the role of S. salivarius K12 in preventing respiratory infections.

The use of dietary supplements is widespread in sports and fitness, with many products containing multiple ingredients. Among supplements often consumed to support musculotendinous health, collagen hydrolysate (CH) has gained popularity for its potential in improving joint comfort and function. This single-blind quasi-experimental study investigated the effects of a three-month oral supplementation with a specific CH-based product, Chondrovita FIT^® (Bone Srl, Rome, Italy), on tendon structure in elite Italian skaters. Eighteen male and female elite skaters (mean age: 21 ± 3 years) participated, receiving daily pre-workout (4500 mg CH) and post-workout (2500 mg CH) doses. Tendon structure in the patellar and peroneal tendons was assessed using ultrasound imaging at baseline and post-supplementation. Results showed a significant increase in tendon thickness in both the patellar and peroneal tendons after supplementation, although no changes were observed in the tendon cross-sectional area. These findings suggest that Chondrovita FIT^® supplementation may induce beneficial structural changes in tendons, potentially supporting tendon health and performance in high-load sports. However, further research is needed to confirm long-term effects and functional outcomes.

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a prevalent inflammatory disease of the upper airways, frequently characterized by recurrence and impaired quality of life. Persistent inflammation and bacterial biofilms contribute to disease chronicity. Topical plant-derived therapies may offer a preventive strategy in long-term CRS management. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a Pistacia lentiscus–based nasal medical device in reducing the impact of CRS recurrence on patients' daily life. Methods: In this retrospective, observational, single- center case-control study, 100 adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and recurrent disease were identified and included from clinical records. Patients were stratified according to prior exposure to nasal drops containing ultra-fractionated Pistacia lentiscus oil in addition to isotonic saline nasal irrigation, or to isotonic saline nasal irrigation alone, according to routine clinical practice. All patients had undergone a 12-month follow-up regimen with assessments available at baseline, 30 days, and 12 months. The primary outcome was symptom severity measured using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). Secondary outcomes included nasal cytology parameters, biofilm presence, nasal discharge, bacterial elements, supranuclear stria, and ciliary motility. Results: Of the 100 identified subjects, 92 were included in the final analysis due to loss to follow-up. In the exposed group, SNOT-22 scores showed a 40.6% reduction after the first month, compared with a 7.8% reduction observed in the control group ( p < 0.001). Only patients exposed to Pistacia lentiscus oil demonstrated statistically significant reductions over time in nasal discharge ( p < 0.005), biofilm presence ( p < 0.005), and bacterial elements ( p < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed in the control group for these parameters. Ciliary motility remained unchanged in both groups across the study period. Discussion: Overall, within the limits of this retrospective case-control design, patients exposed to Pistacia lentiscus oil in addition to standard saline irrigation showed greater improvement in patient-reported symptoms and selected cytological markers compared with patients treated with saline irrigation alone.

BackgroundSepsis is a life-threatening condition associated with high morbidity and mortality, in which early diagnosis is crucial for improving clinical outcomes [1] Routine haematological parameters generated by automated analyzers have emerged as promising biomarkers for sepsis detection due to their rapid availability and low cost [2]. AimsThe principal aim was to investigate the predictive value of routine hematochemical parameters for sepsis diagnosis and to construct a validated multivariable logistic regression model. Particular attention was given to variable selection, model validation, and cut-off optimization through the weighted Youden index to maximize sensitivity while maintaining high specificity. MethodsA total of 597 subjects admitted to the Emergency Department were included and the sample was randomly divided into training (n = 427; 71.5%) and validation datasets (n = 170; 28.5%). Dataset homogeneity was assessed through independent samples t-tests and chi-square tests with effect size estimation (Cohen’s d and Cramer’s V). Multicollinearity was evaluated using variance inflation factors (VIF > 10 threshold) and univariate logistic regression analyses were initially performed to identify candidate predictors associated with sepsis, with variable preselection based on statistical significance and sensitivity > 0.70. A forward stepwise multivariable logistic regression approach was subsequently applied (entry p = 0.05; removal p = 0.10). Model fit was evaluated using Nagelkerke’s R² and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Discriminative ability was assessed using ROC curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and weighted Youden index (Jw). Since minimizing false negatives represented the main clinical priority, multiple probability thresholds (0.25–0.75) were tested to optimize classification performance. ResultsMost hematochemical parameters differed significantly between sepsis and non-sepsis groups. Nine variables demonstrated strong discriminatory performance in univariate analyses (sensitivity > 0.70). The final multivariable model included ten predictors and demonstrated excellent goodness-of-fit (Nagelkerke’s R² = 0.947; AIC = 84.689). At the conventional threshold (0.50), sensitivity and specificity reached 97.12% and 97.26% in the training dataset, and 92.96% and 96.67% in validation. Threshold optimization identified 0.31 as the optimal cut-off (Jw = 0.9796), increasing sensitivity to 99.04% while maintaining specificity at 96.35%, substantially reducing false negatives. ConclusionsThe proposed statistical framework enabled the development of a highly discriminative and robust predictive model for sepsis detection. The prioritization of sensitivity-driven threshold optimization improved clinical applicability by minimizing missed diagnoses while preserving high specificity.

This randomized crossover trial examined the effects of low‐carbohydrate high‐fat (LCHF) versus high‐carbohydrate low‐fat (HCLF) isocaloric diets on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)‐derived glucose metrics in trained, healthy male cyclists. Participants ( n = 15) followed each dietary condition for 7 days, with glucose data continuously collected using CGM technology. The primary outcomes assessed were mean glucose levels, glucose variability, and time spent within specific glycemic ranges across wake, exercise, and nighttime phases. Results indicated that the LCHF diet significantly reduced mean glucose levels and glycemic variability (CV) compared to the HCLF diet. Mean glucose values were significantly higher during exercise compared to wake and night phases, irrespective of dietary conditions. Exercise intensity was positively associated with higher glucose concentrations during training sessions, independent of dietary conditions. Furthermore, nocturnal glycemia was significantly lower after exercise days, suggesting an influence of prior physical activity on overnight glucose regulation. Substantial interindividual variability in glucose responses was observed, highlighting the necessity of personalized dietary strategies for athletes. This study demonstrates that dietary carbohydrate manipulation significantly influences glucose metabolism, with implications for optimizing training, recovery, and metabolic health in endurance athletes. Future research should further explore individualized glucose responses and longer‐term adaptations to dietary interventions in athletic populations.