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Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) has been used for millennia as a rich source of food and fibers, whereas hemp flowers have only recently gained an increased market interest due to the presence of cannabinoids and volatile terpenes. Currently, the hemp flower processing industry predominantly focuses on either cannabinoid or terpene extraction. In an attempt to maximize the valorization of hemp flowers, the current study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of several extracts obtained from post-distillation by-products (e.g., spent material, residual distillation water) in comparison to the essential oil and total extract obtained from unprocessed hemp flowers. A terpene analysis of the essential oil revealed 14 monoterpenes and 35 sesquiterpenes. The cannabinoid profiling of extracts showed seven acidic precursors and 14 neutral derivatives, with cannabidiol (CBD) reaching the highest concentration (up to 16 wt.%) in the spent material extract. The antimicrobial assessment of hemp EO, cannabinoid-containing extracts, and single compounds (i.e., CBD, cannabigerol, cannabinol, and cannabichromene) against a panel of 20 microbial strains demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria, Helicobacter pylori , and Trichophyton species. In conclusion, this work suggests promising opportunities to use cannabinoid-rich materials from hemp flower processing in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals with antimicrobial properties.

(1) Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a significant global health challenge, contributing to numerous cancer deaths. Despite advances in diagnostics and therapy, identifying reliable biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic stratification remains difficult. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), crucial for innate immunity, now show potential as contributors to cancer development and progression. This study aims to investigate the role of TLR expression as potential biomarkers in the development and progression of NSCLC. (2) Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 89 patients diagnosed with NSCLC and 40 healthy volunteers, for whom the prevalence of TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR8, and TLR9 was assessed on selected subpopulations of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of recruited patients along with the assessment of their serum concentration. (3) Result: Our study showed several significant changes in NSCLC patients at the beginning of the study. This resulted in a 5-year follow-up of changes in selected TLRs in recruited patients. Due to the high mortality rate of NSCLC patients, only 16 patients survived the 5 years. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that TLRs may constitute real biomarker molecules that may be used for future prognostic purposes in NSCLC. However, further validation through prospective clinical and functional studies is necessary to confirm their clinical utility. These conclusions may lead to better risk stratification and tailored interventions, benefiting NSCLC patients and bringing medicine closer to precision.

Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases among all types of lung cancer. Infectious diseases contribute to morbidity and mortality by delaying appropriate anti-cancer therapy in patients with NSCLC. Methods: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in 288 newly diagnosed NSCLC patients. The analysis of the post-vaccination response was performed after vaccination by assessing the frequency of plasmablasts via flow cytometry and by assessing the concentration of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The results of the study showed that NSCLC patients responded to the vaccine with an increase in the frequencies of plasmablasts and antibodies but to a lesser extent than healthy controls. The immune system response to PCV13 vaccination was better in patients with lower-stage NSCLC. We found higher antibody levels after vaccination in NSCLC patients who survived 5 years of follow-up. Conclusions: We hope that our research will contribute to increasing patients' and physicians' awareness of the importance of including PCV13 vaccinations in the standard of oncological care, which will extend the survival time of patients and improve their quality of life.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have many practical applications, ranging from environmental protection to biomedicine. IONPs are being investigated due to their high potential for antimicrobial activity and lack of toxicity to humans. However, the biological activity of IONPs is not uniform and depends on the synthesis conditions, which affect the shape, size and surface modification. The aim of this work is to synthesise IONPs using a mixed method, i.e., chemical co-precipitation combined with biogenic surface modification, using extracts from spent hops ( Humulus lupulus L.) obtained as waste product from supercritical carbon dioxide hop extraction. Different extracts (water, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 80% ethanol, acetone, water) were further evaluated for antioxidant activity based on the silver nanoparticle antioxidant capacity (SNPAC), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The IONPs were characterised via UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Spent hop extracts showed a high number of flavonoid compounds. The efficiency of the solvents used for the extraction can be classified as follows: DMSO > 80% ethanol > acetone > water. FT-IR/ATR spectra revealed the involvement of flavonoids such as xanthohumol and/or isoxanthohumol, bitter acids (i.e., humulones, lupulones) and proteins in the surface modification of the IONPs. SEM images showed a granular, spherical structure of the IONPs with diameters ranging from 81.16 to 142.5 nm. Surface modification with extracts generally weakened the activity of the IONPs against the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts by half. Only the modification of IONPs with DMSO extract improved their antibacterial properties against Gram-positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus epidermidis , Staphylococcus aureus , Micrococcus luteus , Enterococcus faecalis , Bacillus cereus ) from a MIC value of 2.5-10 mg/mL to 0.313-1.25 mg/mL.

Introduction: Early eschar removal is the standard management of burns. The goal is to remove all of the necrotic tissue and render the wound suitable for healing or skin grafting. The enzymatic debridement of burn wounds allows for minimally invasive removal of burn eschar. The aim of the study was to describe and compare the demographic characteristics, surgical treatment and outcomes of patients treated with Nexobrid ® with patients who had standard surgical excision., Material and Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on children who underwent enzymatic debridement. The study group was compared with children treated with the standard of care (SoC)., Results: Twelve children (mean age 8 years, range 3 to 15 years) with mixed deep dermal and full thickness burn wounds were treated with Nexobrid ® . The mean size of the burns was 29% TBSA. The median percentage TBSA debrided using Nexobrid ® was 15% (range 2-27%). In a clinical assessment, enzymatic debridement was effective in removing dead tissue in a single application. No adverse reaction to Nexobrid ® and serious complications after enzymatic procedure were recorded in the study group. The estimated relative risk of the need for reconstructive procedures decreases 3.5 times for the study group (RR 3.5, 95%CI 0.9-13.5, p = 0.089)., Conclusion: The bromelain-based enzymatic method offers a good and safe debridement option to improve the treatment and life quality of children with severe burns. The main outcome of interest was the number of reconstructive procedures due to scar contractures, which was reduced in the group treated enzymatically compared to the SoC-treated children.

Currently, data regarding the impact of COVID-19 disease (caused by SARS-CoV-2) on patients with childhood rheumatic diseases are significantly limited. To assess the possible connection, we measured levels of IgA and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and a control group during the pandemic, prior to the introduction of anti-COVID-19 vaccination. We assessed levels of PD-1 suppressive molecule and inflammatory markers in patients and correlated those results with serological response to SARS-CoV-2. In JIA patients, the activity of the disease was assessed using the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 71 (JADAS 71) scale. The study consisted of 96 children, 65 diagnosed with JIA, treated with antirheumatic drugs, and 31 healthy volunteers. In patients with JIA, significantly higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the IgA and IgG were demonstrated compared to the control group. We also found significantly higher serum PD-1 levels in JIA patients and control volunteers who were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 IgA or IgG antibodies compared to those who were seronegative. The humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with the persistent upregulation of PD-1 expression in both JIA patients and healthy children. The clinical significance of the detected disorder requires further careful observation.

There is a noticeable interest in alternative therapies where the outcome is the eradication of the Gram-negative bacterium, Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ), for the purpose of treating many stomach diseases (chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers) and preventing stomach cancer. It is especially urgent because the mentioned pathogen infects over 50% of the world's population. Recent studies have shown the potential of natural products, such as medicinal plant and bee products, on the inhibition of H. pylori growth. Propolis is such a bee product, with known antimicrobial activities. The main scope of the study is the determination of the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts from 11 propolis samples (mostly from Poland, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Greece) against H. pylori, as well as selected bacterial and yeast species. The most effective against H. pylori was the propolis from Ukraine, with an MIC = 0.02 mg/mL while the rest of samples (except one) had an MIC = 0.03 mg/mL. Moreover, significant antimicrobial activity against Gram+ bacteria (with an MIC of 0.02-2.50 mg/mL) and three yeasts (with an MIC of 0.04-0.63 mg/mL) was also observed. A phytochemical analysis (polyphenolic profile) of the propolis samples, by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-MS), was performed. An evaluation of the impact of the propolis components on antimicrobial activity, consisting of statistical analyses (principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical fuzzy clustering), was then performed. It was observed that the chemical composition characteristics of the poplar propolis correlated with higher antibacterial activity, while that of the poplar and aspen propolis correlated with weaker antibacterial activity. To summarize the activity in vitro, all tested propolis samples indicate that they can be regarded as useful and potent factors in antimicrobial therapies, especially against H. pylori.

The causes of endometriosis (EMS) remain unknown; however, a number of immunological abnormalities contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The cluster of differentiation-200 (CD200) and its receptor (CD200R) maintain peripheral self-tolerance by negatively regulating immune responses. In this comparative cross-sectional study, we investigated the expression of CD200 and CD200R on T and B lymphocytes and the serum level of soluble CD200 (sCD200) using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 54 female patients and 20 healthy, age-matched controls. Results were tested for correlation with disease severity and selected clinical parameters. We demonstrated that the differences in sCD200 levels ( p = 0.001), the frequencies of CD200-positive T and B lymphocytes ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively), and the frequencies of CD200R-positive T and B lymphocytes ( p < 0.001 for all comparisons) in the study group correlated positively with disease severity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that aberrant expression of CD200/CD200R might serve as a marker to distinguish between EMS cases. Finally, negative co-stimulatory factors may contribute to the induction and persistence of inflammation associated with EMS. It seems that it is essential to determine whether alteration in the CD200/CD200R pathway can be therapeutically targeted in EMS.