Hyperlipidemia is a major modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Although effective, current pharmacological interventions such as statins are often limited by adverse effects, including muscular pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, and increased risk of insulin resistance. Consequently, there is a growing interest in exploring safer, natural alternatives that can modulate lipid metabolism with minimal side effects. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of a combined intervention using bacterial lysates derived from Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus alongside an extract of Physalis peruviana in a rat model of diet-induced hyperlipidemia. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups and treated for 7weeks: (1) standard diet (normal control), (2) high-fat diet (HFD, hyperlipidemic control), (3) HFD + Physalis peruviana extract, (4) HFD + bacterial lysate mixture, (5) HFD + Physalis peruviana extract and bacterial lysate mixture, and (6) HFD + atorvastatin (reference drug). Lipid profiles, liver and kidney function markers, and hepatic antioxidant levels were assessed. Histopathological analyses of cardiac and hepatic tissues were also conducted. The combination of bacterial lysates and Physalis peruviana extract significantly reduced (p < 0.05) body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) while significantly increasing (p < 0.05) high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This treatment also led to notable improvements in hepatic and renal function markers and enhanced hepatic antioxidant activity. Histological examination revealed reduced inflammation in cardiac and hepatic tissues of the combination-treated group, comparable to the effects observed with atorvastatin. The co-administration of Lactobacillus bacterial lysates and Physalis peruviana extract exhibited pronounced hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects, effectively mitigating diet-induced hyperlipidemia and associated organ dysfunction. These findings highlight the potential of this natural therapeutic approach as a functional alternative to conventional lipid-lowering agents in managing hyperlipidemia.

We conducted a “meta-analytic” study of the link among transformational leadership and performance outcomes (citizenship behavior, task performance, and innovation) employing data from over 121,385 consumers, 519 samples and 39 nations. We examined whether this link is moderated by national cultural and research design at three various levels. The results revealed that transformational leadership has a positive effect on citizenship behavior, task performance, and innovation regardless of national cultures. Nonetheless, this influence is greater in societies with high degree of individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance. Furthermore, the results revealed that measurement instruments, time lag, and data sources play a significant role in explaining the results of the previous studies. These results proposes that performance outcomes in various cultures could be improved by investing in transformational leadership, but this strategy is more effective and benefit for firms in societies with high degree of individualism, uncertainty avoidance, and power distance.

Introduction: Rutin, a natural flavonoid, exhibits promising cardioprotective properties but suffers from poor solubility and bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic potential. This study evaluates the efficacy of Rutin nanoparticles (Rutin-NPs) as a novel intervention against isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac damage in mice. Methods: Rutin-NPs were synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined. Cardioprotective effects were assessed by measuring plasma biomarkers (CK-MB, cTnT, LDH, BNP), oxidative stress markers (MDA, TGF-β1, VEGF), antioxidant levels (GSH, SOD, GPx), and gene expression profiles (miRNA-145, miRNA-181, miRNA- 221). Histopathological analysis evaluated structural restoration. Results: Characterization confirmed the formation of spherical Rutin-NPs (48.29±5.28 nm) with a zeta potential of +17.9 mV. At 59.25 mg/kg (1/20 LD50), Rutin-NPs significantly reduced cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB: -41.2%, cTnT: -60.5%, LDH: -26.7%, BNP: -57.7%) and oxidative stress markers (MDA: -45%, TGF-β1: -52%, VEGF: -49%), while enhancing antioxidant defenses (GSH: +100.5%, SOD: +115.1%, GPx: +128.1%). Gene expression analysis indicated a reversal of ISO-induced dysregulation (mRNA-145: +213%, mRNA-181: +172%, mRNA-221: -62%). Histopathological evaluation confirmed restoration of cardiac architecture. Discussion: These findings demonstrate the potential of Rutin-NPs as a nano-therapeutic for cardiovascular diseases, offering multi-targeted antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gene-regulatory actions. The improved bioavailability and enhanced therapeutic effects highlight its translational relevance. However, further investigation is needed to optimize clinical formulations and explore combinatorial treatment approaches. Conclusion: Rutin-NPs exhibit dose-dependent cardioprotection in ISO-induced cardiac injury, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and key plasma biomarkers while restoring antioxidant defenses and gene expression balance. The optimal dose (59.25 mg/kg) offers substantial efficacy with a five-fold safety margin, supporting its potential for therapeutic applications in cardiovascular disease management.

The human oral microbiome is a complex, dynamic ecosystem critically involved in maintaining oral health and contributing to systemic well-being. Many bacteria and fungi are involved in oral cavities such as Penicillium, Rhodotorula, Saccharomycetales, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Neisseria, Actinomyces, and Schizophyllum. Disruption of microbial homeostasis, or dysbiosis, underpins a wide spectrum of oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, endodontic infections, and mucosal conditions. Recent advances in microbiome research have elucidated the mechanisms by which pathogenic microbial consortia, such as the red complex (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella. forsythia, and Treponema denticola), synergistically promote disease progression through virulence factors, metabolic interactions, and biofilm formation. Emerging microbiome-based therapies, comprising probiotics, postbiotics, predatory bacteria, and using bacteriophages, offer promising adjuncts or alternatives to traditional antimicrobial approaches by restoring microbial balance, reducing pathogenic load, and modulating host immune responses. For instance, probiotic strains likeStreptococcus salivariusandLactobacillusspp. have demonstrated efficacy in reducing plaque, gingival inflammation, and pathogenic bacteria, as well as having significant immunological modulation, while postbiotics provide similar benefits with enhanced safety and stability. Additionally, predatory bacteria such asBdellovibrio bacteriovorusshow potential for selective bacterial elimination and combating periodontal diseases that are driven by Gram-negative anaerobes. Bacteriophages offer another precision tool for targeting oral pathogens by lysing bacteria upon replication. Finally, oral microbiota transplantation aimed at treating periodontal disease by restoring a balanced microbial community in the oral cavity. These innovative strategies, combined with a nuanced understanding of biofilm dynamics and host-microbe interactions, pave the way for personalized and ecologically sustainable oral health interventions. Continued research is essential to translate these promising approaches into clinical practice, optimize delivery systems, and elucidate long-term safety and efficacy.

This study explored how AI affects the sustainability of competitive advantage in the tourism and hospitality sector, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of digital culture and digital skills in the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were collected via a structured questionnaire distributed to a purposive sample of 488 managers and supervisors working in five-star hotels, travel agencies, and DMCs across Saudi Arabia. The findings revealed that AI has a significant direct effect on sustainable competitive advantage and also exerts strong positive effects on both digital culture and digital skills. In turn, both of these internal enablers significantly contribute to sustaining a competitive advantage. Mediation analysis further showed that both digital culture and digital skills partially mediate the relationship between AI and sustainable competitiveness. The study addresses a notable gap in tourism research by providing localized evidence from a market undergoing rapid transformation under Vision 2030, and, taken together, extends TAM to an organizational lens by demonstrating AI’s role in shaping culture and skills that underpin a durable advantage while pointing to actionable priorities—targeting high-value AI use cases, conducting capability audits, institutionalizing continuous learning through visible leadership and role-based upskilling, and embedding culture- and skills-oriented KPIs within AI governance.

Gmelina philippensis is an ornamental plant from the family Lamiaceae. From published data, not enough information concerning our targeted species' active constituents or even cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects. In accordance, this study aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents through GC‒MS and HPLC‒ESI‒MS/MS analysis, followed by assessing antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities and elucidating the mechanism via an in silico study. GC‒MS revealed 25 compounds, 1,2,5,6-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dimethyl anthracene and 5-phenyl undecane benzene, 1-butyl heptyl, of the highest concentrations. Thirty compounds, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids, were identified through HPLC‒ESI‒MS/MS. Cytotoxicity was evaluated against five cancer cell lines, including A-549, WI-38, HepG-2, HCT-116, and MCF-7, and using cisplatin as a reference drug. The highest activity was on HCT-116 cells, with an IC50 of 1.56µg/mL. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity with ciprofloxacin as a positive control showed potent antimicrobial activity. In silico study indicated that compounds, including 1,2,5,6-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dimethylanthracene from GC‒MS analysis and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside from LC‒ESI‒MS/MS analysis, demonstrated potential binding affinities with docking scores of -6.912 and -9.306kcal/mol, respectively. Such highly negative docking scores reflect strong binding interactions with the EGFR protein, suggesting their potential to inhibit its kinase activity and thereby contribute to the observed anticancer effects. Finding implies anticancer effects observed in the extract could be associated with their potential to inhibit the EGFR protein, a key target involved in cancer cell proliferation and survival. In conclusion, G. philippensis can be a successful natural substitute with fewer side effects than synthetic agents.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a mounting global health challenge projected to cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Despite advances in antibiotic discovery, the rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) pathogens undermines modern medicine, threatening procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy, and organ transplantation. Conventional antibiotics face increasing limitations due to target-site mutations, efflux mechanisms, enzymatic degradation, and biofilm-associated tolerance, underscoring the urgent need for novel antimicrobial strategies. Phenazines, particularly 1-hydroxyphenazine (1-HP), represent promising alternatives owing to their redox activity, broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, and ecological roles in microbial competition. Recent advances highlight the potential of 1-HP as both a virulence factor and a therapeutic scaffold, with applications spanning agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine. Synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and nanocarrier-based delivery systems have enabled scalable production and reduced toxicity, while structural modifications such as halogenation have expanded therapeutic potential. This review consolidates historical, mechanistic, and translational insights into 1-HP, emphasizing its dual role as a pathogenic metabolite and a lead compound for future antimicrobial and anticancer development.

BackgroundDuck virus hepatitis (DVH) is highly fatal disease that predominantly affects young ducklings, causing substantial losses due to its high morbidity and mortality rates. A severe outbreak occurred in young Pekin ducklings on a commercial farm in Benha, Egypt.ResultsThe affected birds exhibited neurological signs, including lethargy, ataxia, and opisthotonus, leading to a high mortality rate. The livers and kidneys of ducklings showed various degrees of gross and histopathological lesions. Virus isolation trials in embryonated duck eggs revealed the characteristic greenish discoloration of the allantoic fluid, along with hepatitis and embryonic mortality. Furthermore, RT-PCR confirmed the presence of suspected duck hepatitis A virus type 1(DHAV-1). This study presents the first complete genome sequence of DHAV-1 from Egypt using next generation sequencing (NGS). Sequence analysis revealed that DHAV-1 exhibits the characteristic genomic organization of Avihepatovirus. The whole nucleotide sequence of Du/Egy/Benha/2020/DHAV-1 showed a high similarity to viruses isolated from Hungary in 2004, with a 99.9% identity in both the complete genome and structural genes (VP0, VP3, VP1). Antigenic analysis revealed a unique escape mutation, S178Y, related to conserved antigenic determinants on VP1 of DHAV-1 isolate. The cross-neutralization assay was utilized to assess the antigenic diversity between the field strain and the locally used live attenuated vaccine strain.ConclusionThe results revealed minimal antigenic variation, highlighting the potential for immune evasion. These findings suggest that the currently administered vaccines in Egypt remain effective in controlling DHAV-1 infections. However, continuous surveillance is essential to monitor any emerging genetic or antigenic changes that could compromise vaccine efficacy in the future.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-025-05010-5.