This research provides a comprehensive evaluation of the phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and biological properties of four plant species with longstanding use in ethnobotanical traditions: Calendula officinalis, Mentha × piperita, Urtica dioica, and Juglans regia. Plant extracts were obtained using a range of solvent systems and subsequently analyzed for their content of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) enabled the accurate identification and quantification of major polyphenolic constituents. The antioxidant capacity was assessed through a series of in vitro assays, and elemental analysis was conducted to determine microelement content. To evaluate potential ecological implications, acute toxicity was tested using Daphnia magna, while phytotoxic effects were also examined. The results demonstrate pronounced antioxidant activity along with notable biocidal and soil-enhancing properties. These findings underscore the potential of such plant-based formulations as sustainable alternatives to conventional agrochemicals and highlight the relevance of integrating traditional botanical knowledge with modern strategies for enhancing soil quality, crop performance, and environmental sustainability.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic heart failure (HF) frequently coexist, but renal dysfunction may not relate uniformly to symptom-based, biomarker, and echocardiographic measures. This retrospective single-center study evaluated 75 adults with CKD and pre-existing cardiologist-confirmed chronic HF, classified at baseline as eGFR G3b (n = 14), G4 (n = 48), or G5 (n = 13). NYHA functional class, NT-proBNP, and echocardiographic parameters were compared across eGFR G categories, and exploratory correlations with continuous eGFR were examined. NYHA functional class distribution differed across categories, with NYHA III–IV present in 14.3% of G3b, 20.8% of G4, and 61.5% of G5 patients. NT-proBNP and E/e′ also differed across categories, and eGFR correlated inversely with NT-proBNP (ρ = −0.251, p = 0.030) and E/e′ (ρ = −0.333, p = 0.003). In contrast, eGFR was not significantly correlated with ordinal NYHA class, LVEF, or PASP, while LVEF, PASP, LAVI, LVMI, and LVH did not differ significantly across eGFR categories. Given the small subgroup sizes, marked sex imbalance across eGFR categories, unadjusted analyses, and absence of correction for multiple comparisons, these findings should be considered descriptive and hypothesis-generating. They suggest partially concordant patterns across functional, biomarker, and echocardiographic domains rather than independent effects of renal function and support cautious multidomain interpretation in CKD–HF populations.

Background/Objectives: Ketoanalogue-supplemented very-low-protein diets may reduce metabolic and mineral burden in advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), but nutritional changes and adherence remain concerns. This study evaluated nutritional, renal, mineral–bone, hematologic, and cardiovascular changes in patients with advanced nondialysis CKD and chronic heart failure receiving this dietary regimen. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort included 75 adults followed for 181–730 days, with a median follow-up of 243 days (interquartile range [IQR], 212–365 days). Prescribed protein and energy targets were 0.28–0.40 g protein/kg/day and 28–34 kcal/kg/day, respectively, with approximately one ketoanalogue tablet per 5 kg body weight/day and dietitian involvement. Paired analyses and exact-date body-weight sensitivity analyses were performed. Clinician-recorded adherence was summarized descriptively because assessment methods were not standardized. Results: The prespecified primary outcome, percentage body-weight change, had a Hodges–Lehmann estimate of −3.99% (95% CI, −4.68 to −3.42; p < 0.001). Mean body weight decreased from 75.85 ± 7.98 to 72.65 ± 7.09 kg, with a Hodges–Lehmann estimate of −3.10 kg (95% confidence interval [CI], −3.60 to −2.65; p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) also declined (estimate, −0.95 kg/m²; p < 0.001). A body-weight reduction of ≥5% occurred in 22 patients (29.3%); none had a reduction of ≥10%. The decrease remained evident among 62 patients followed for 181–366 days. Serum albumin and total protein increased slightly, while chart-recorded signs suggestive of nutritional deterioration were present in 25 patients (33.3%). Absolute eGFR change was modest (Hodges–Lehmann estimate, −1.50 mL/min/1.73 m²; 95% CI, −2.50 to −0.50; p = 0.007). Phosphorus, calcium–phosphorus product, intact parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase decreased, while calcium increased. Blood pressure showed little change, NYHA functional class was unchanged in 61 patients (81.3%), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) declined slightly. No maintenance dialysis initiation or death was documented before the final assessment. Conclusions: Body weight and BMI declined despite small cohort-level increases in serum proteins. Multidimensional nutritional monitoring and interpretation of weight change alongside fluid status are warranted. The absence of a control group, variable follow-up, and nonstandardized adherence assessment preclude causal interpretation.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) characterizes blood pressure patterns in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This retrospective cross-sectional study compared ABPM profiles and laboratory results in 403 hypertensive inpatients, including 149 with and 254 without recorded CKD. Separate ABPM outcome models adjusted for age, sex, and diabetes. Recorded CKD was associated with higher mean 24-h systolic pressure (adjusted difference, 12.48 mmHg; 95% CI, 7.98–16.98), pulse pressure (8.04 mmHg; 95% CI, 5.16–10.91), and diastolic pressure (4.45 mmHg; 95% CI, 1.73–7.17). The ambulatory arterial stiffness index remained higher after additional adjustment for nocturnal decline (difference, 0.042; 95% CI, 0.013–0.071). Neither systolic nor diastolic decline < 10% showed a clear adjusted association with recorded CKD. In secondary models including haemoglobin, neither erythrocyte sedimentation rate nor fibrinogen showed a clear association. Numerical urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, available for 234 patients, correlated with mean systolic pressure (ρ = 0.289; q < 0.001). These findings describe associations within an inpatient sample. Unverified CKD chronicity, unavailable recording-quality and treatment data, and missing urine results limit interpretation; urine analyses remain exploratory because they were unadjusted and predominantly involved recorded zero ratios.