This study was designed to investigate the impact of different extraction solvent systems on the chemical composition and biological activities of Allium scorodoprasum L. (Amaryllidaceae)—the medicinal plant that was traditionally used as a remedy in the medieval period in the Balkans. Targeted chemical analysis of nine different extracts was performed by UHPLC(−)HESI–QqQ-MS/MS. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the extracts were investigated on sixteen clinical isolates of bacteria, yeasts and dermatomycetes, all isolated from infected human skin and corneal formations. Cytotoxicity and wound-healing properties were tested on human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line). Antioxidant activity was assessed by six different assays, while beneficial potential against certain neurodegenerative diseases and type 2 diabetes was determined in selected enzyme inhibition assays coupled with molecular modeling. The results showed that the obtained extracts were rich in phenolic compounds, especially flavonoid glycosides such as rutin and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside. All of the extracts showed antimicrobial, wound-healing, antioxidant and anti-enzymatic properties. This study is the first of its kind, linking the medieval medicinal use of wild-growing flowers of A. scorodoprasum with contemporary in vitro scientific approaches.

Background/Objectives: Verbena officinalis L. (common vervain) is a medicinal plant traditionally used and investigated in phytotherapy for its neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical diversity and biological activity of V. officinalis extracts prepared with different ratios of butanol and ethanol. Methods: Aerial parts of V. officinalis were extracted using four solvent systems: 100% butanol (B1), 75:25 (BE7.5), 50:50 (BE5), and 25:75 (BE2.5) butanol:ethanol mixtures. Metabolite profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). Antioxidant activities were evaluated through six assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), metal-chelating ability (MCA), and the phosphomolybdenum assay (PMA). Enzyme inhibition assays targeted acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, and α-amylase. Antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested via microdilution, while dominant phytochemicals were evaluated for binding affinity through molecular docking. Results: Seventy-five compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, phenylethanoids, and xanthones, were identified. BE5 extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content and strongest antioxidant capacity, while BE2.5 demonstrated the greatest antibacterial and metal-chelating effects. All extracts showed comparable AChE inhibition, with BE5 achieving the strongest tyrosinase and α-amylase inhibition. Docking studies confirmed high binding affinities of luteolin glucuronides to human and bacterial target enzymes. Conclusions: Solvent composition markedly influenced the chemical and biological profiles of V. officinalis extracts. BE5 and BE2.5 emerged as promising systems for obtaining bioactive fractions with therapeutic potential.

Background: Coxiella burnetii is a common zoonotic pathogen that can lead not only to acute or chronic Q fever but also to post-infectious syndromes, where autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction has been suggested as a contributing mechanism. This study aimed to assess autonomic function in patients presenting with polymorphic symptoms, dysautonomia, or ME/CFS who had serological evidence of acute infection with Coxiella burnetii. Methods: A total of 156 participants were evaluated, including 100 seropositive patients and 56 matched controls. All subjects underwent standardized cardiovascular reflex tests (CART), beat-to-beat analysis of heart rate and blood pressure with baroreflex indices, 24 h Holter ECG with HRV assessment, and, in the Coxiella group, head-up tilt testing (HUTT). Results: A significantly higher prevalence of autonomic dysfunction was observed in the Coxiella group, predominantly affecting parasympathetic regulation, with abnormal CART scores, reduced LF power and baroreflex effectiveness, and a high rate of positive HUTT findings characterized by extreme blood pressure variability. Although long-term HRV measures did not differ significantly between groups, short-term indices consistently indicated ANS impairment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Coxiella burnetii infection may trigger persistent autonomic dysfunction, potentially contributing to the development of ME/CFS and syncope in affected individuals. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical implications.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a malignancy with high recurrence rate and poor survival, may be influenced by immune-related genetic variations and oncogenic viruses. Objective This study evaluated the clinical relevance of EBI3 polymorphisms, along with tumor Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) status, in prognostically adverse HPV-negative OSCCs. Methodology EBI3 (rs4740, rs4905, rs428253) genotyping was performed by qPCR in 95 HPV-negative OSCC patients and 108 age- and sex-matched controls. Tumor HPV, EBV, and HCMV status were assessed by qPCR. EBV viral load was calculated by exponential approach and a relative estimate of EBV copies per 105 cells. Associations with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results EBV-positive tumors showed a significant association with increasing nodal stage (P=0.020). EBV viral load stratification (negative, low, high) presented a non-significant trend toward association with advanced tumor stage (P=0.060). Notably, EBI3 rs428253 predicted worse OS in EBV-positive patients, whereas rs4740 and rs4905 variants were associated with advanced tumor stage (P=0.024 and P=0.018). rs4740 and rs4905 variants were inversely associated with OSCC risk in dominant and overdominant models. Analysis detected HCMV in 7.4% of tumors but was not clinically relevant. Conclusions EBI3 genetic variants and EBV status may have prognostic relevance in HPV-negative OSCC. EBV may interact with the host genetics to influence nodal metastases and outcomes, suggesting a potential EBV-EBI3 axis, which warrants further investigation. Future precision oncology approaches may incorporate host and viral genetic markers to identify and stratify high-risk HPV-negative OSCC patients.

This study aimed to assess the incidence and distribution of dermatomycetes in patients at the Medical Military Academy (MMA) with suspected superficial skin infections over a five-year period (October 2017 to October 2022) and to analyze variations in fungal infections based on factors such as gender, body part, and time, particularly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 3993 samples were analyzed. Collected data were statistically analyzed with two tests. A total of 1048 samples were positive for fungal infections. Over the study period, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum were the predominant taxa, while Microsporum canis and Candida albicans were frequently observed. Statistical analysis indicated significant annual variations for T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, and M. canis, with monthly differences for T. mentagrophytes in June and August and M. canis in October and December. Gender-based analysis showed that T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes were more common in males, while M. canis, C. albicans, Candida spp., and Geotrichum candidum were more prevalent in females. Analysis by body part revealed that Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis showed significant differences between surface types. These findings can help improve diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative strategies.

Background: Bartonella henselae infection has been associated with a broad spectrum of neurological and autonomic manifestations, although its impact on autonomic nervous system function remains insufficiently characterized, and the aim of this study was to evaluate autonomic function in patients with polymorphic symptoms and Bartonella henselae IgM seroreactivity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 75 patients were compared with 75 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and all participants underwent cardiovascular autonomic reflex testing, short-term (5 min) and long-term (24 h) heart rate variability analysis, and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, while head-up tilt testing was performed in the Bartonella group. Results: Abnormal autonomic reflex tests were significantly more frequent in the Bartonella IgM-seroreactive group, particularly those reflecting parasympathetic function, while heart rate variability analysis demonstrated reduced high-frequency components and lower long-term variability indices, and head-up tilt testing revealed heterogeneous hemodynamic responses including orthostatic hypotension and pronounced blood pressure variability, with ambulatory monitoring additionally showing higher nighttime blood pressure values and reduced nocturnal dipping. Conclusions: These findings indicate a consistent pattern of autonomic imbalance characterized predominantly by parasympathetic impairment and altered blood pressure regulation in patients with Bartonella henselae IgM seroreactivity, although further studies are required to clarify underlying mechanisms and clinical implications.