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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

ERGA-BGE reference genome of the Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus), an IUCN Vulnerable species.

The Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, is the only pinniped that lives in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. The species was recently classified as "vulnerable" by the IUCN, considering an improvement in its overall status. However, the species' populations have undergone severe bottlenecks due to systematic persecution by humans over the past centuries. Today, the global population of M. monachus is estimated to be no more than 1,000 individuals. The Mediterranean monk seal is mainly using marine caves as resting and pupping sites. It is an opportunistic apex predator and as a result its role is considered important for maintaining the structure and function of marine ecosystems. Nowadays, the species is threatened mainly by the destruction of its habitat (due to coastal development, mass tourism, and pollution) and by the depletion of its prey due to overfishing. The Mediterranean monk seal is an emblematic species; its ecological importance and its vulnerable status render its protection and effective management necessary. The entirety of the genome sequence of a female specimen was assembled into 16 contiguous chromosomal pseudomolecules, one sex chromosome (X), and one mitochondrial genome. This chromosome-level assembly encompasses 2.4 Gb, composed of 316 contigs and 275 scaffolds, with contig and scaffold N50 values of 90.9 Mb and 157 Mb, respectively.

Biodiversity Genomics Europe↗
PubMed2025

Broad geographical circulation of a novel vesiculovirus in bats in the Mediterranean region.

Bats are the natural reservoirs for a variety of emerging and re-emerging viruses. Among them, rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae) is one of the first and most emblematic described in these animals. Since its first description, several new bat lyssaviruses have been regularly identified. In addition to lyssaviruses, other bat rhabdoviruses have also been discovered, including members of the genera Vesiculovirus, Ledantevirus and, more recently, Alphanemrhavirus and Tupavirus. However, the family Rhabdoviridae is one of the most abundant and diverse viral families, with 434 officially recognized species, divided into 5 subfamilies and 56 different genera. The number of rhabdoviruses associated with bats is therefore probably higher than that currently available. In this study, we first developed and validated a combined nested RT-qPCR technique (pan-rhabdo RT-nqPCR) dedicated to the broad detection of animal rhabdoviruses. After validation, this technique was used for a large retrospective screening of archival bat samples (n = 1962), including blood (n = 816), brain (n = 723) and oral swab (n = 423). These samples were collected from various bat species over a 12-year period (2007-2019) in 9 different countries in Europe and Africa. A total of 23 samples (1.2%) from bat species Miniopterus schreibersii, Rhinolophus euryale and Rhinolophus ferrumequinum tested positive for rhabdovirus infection, including 17 (2.1%) blood and 6 (1.4%) oral swab samples, all collected from bats originating from the Mediterranean region. Complete virus genome sequences were obtained by next-generation sequencing for most of the positive samples. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of these sequences demonstrated that the virus isolates, named Mediterranean bat virus (MBV), were closely related and represented a new species, Mediterranean vesiculovirus, within the genus Vesiculovirus. MBV was more specifically related to other bat vesiculoviruses previously described from China and North America, together clustering into a distinct group of bat viruses within this genus. Interestingly, our results suggest that MBV is widespread, at least in the western part of the Mediterranean region, where it circulates in the blood of several bat species. These results expand the host range and viral diversity of bat vesiculoviruses, and pave the way for further studies to determine the transmission route and dissemination dynamics of these viruses in bat colonies, as well as to assess their potential threat to public health.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Dietary approaches for glycemic management in type 1 diabetes: A systematic review of Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Specific dietary approaches for better management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) have not been thoroughly investigated. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the Mediterranean and low-carbohydrate diets for glycemic management in people with T1D. METHODS: We examined longitudinal studies (cohort studies and clinical trials) including individuals with T1D who followed low-carbohydrate diets (<26% calories from carbohydrates and/or <130&#x202f;g of carbohydrates per day) and/or a Mediterranean diet, while hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and/or time in range (TIR) were measured. Additional eligibility criteria included publication in English and availability of a full-text primary research article. Non-longitudinal studies, abstracts, and studies published in languages other than English were excluded. Results were synthesized narratively, and the GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool was used to assess article quality. RESULTS: A total of 565 studies were identified from PubMed, the Web of Science, and citation chasing. After removal of duplicates and further evaluation, 22 studies (6 cohort studies and 16 clinical trials; total n&#x202f;=&#x202f;3284) were included in this review. The search was initially completed in May 2024, and updated February 2026. Low-carbohydrate diets were associated with better glycemic management when compared to usual diets or baseline glycemic parameters. Studies using CGM were overall underpowered. The impact of Mediterranean diets was less clear, but generally appeared to be less effective at improving glycemic management than low-carbohydrate diets. DISCUSSION: Although structured dietary interventions for T1D hold promise for improving glycemic outcomes, further research is needed to determine exactly which dietary intervention is most beneficial for this population. The evidence provided by included studies is limited by small sample sizes and short durations; better powered, longer-term studies are required to inform clinical recommendations.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Lactose intolerance in the Lebanese population and in "Mediterranean lymphoma".

Lactose tolerance tests were performed on 75 healthy Lebanese volunteers, 12 patients with "Mediterranean lymphoma" and 15 American and West European Caucasians. Small intestinal biopsies were done on 10 intolerant and five tolerant subjects for histological evaluation and lactase assay. Lactose malabsorption was present in 78% of the Lebanese subjects, in all patients with Mediterranean lymphoma and in five of the 15 Caucasians. Two of the five intolerant Caucasians had giardiasis. There was no difference in the prevalence rate among the various Lebanese groups nor among males and females. Symptoms occurred in 91% of the 58 intolerant Lebanese subjects: diarrhea in 71%, abdominal distension in 67%, and cramps in 48%. The increased prevalence of lactose intolerance with Mediterranean lymphoma is probably secondary to the pathological changes in the intestinal mucosa and protein depletion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2025

Historical introgression as a driver of diversification of diploid Picris (Compositae) in the Mediterranean Basin.

The Mediterranean Basin is recognized as one of the world's most prominent biodiversity hotspots, where past climatic changes have driven range shifts, secondary contact between populations, and gene exchange. This study investigates the impact of historical introgression on the diversification of diploid members of the genus Picris (Compositae). Using nuclear and plastid genome data obtained through the Hyb-Seq approach, we assess whether introgression contributed to the evolution of the Mediterranean Picris, potentially giving rise to multiple regional endemics. We also test whether introgression was associated with the transfer of traits such as life strategy and fruit morphology, which are involved in habitat-specific adaptation. Phylogenetic network analysis revealed two major introgression events that shaped evolutionary trajectories within the genus. The earliest and most complex events involved the Turkish endemic P.&#xa0;campylocarpa, which hybridized with the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the P. cyprica-P. pauciflora lineage and with the MRCA of the B1 subclade, comprising the P. hieracioides group and the P.&#xa0;scaberrima-P.&#xa0;strigosa lineage. The latter introgression preceded shifts from iteroparity to semelparity and from heterocarpy to homocarpy, ruling out an adaptive introgression origin for these traits. Nevertheless, all detected historical introgression events contributed to the diversification of diploid Picris taxa.

Diploidy↗
PubMed1979

Quantitative studies of Hb Bart's levels and red cell indices in alpha thalassaemia trait in Mediterraneans.

Haemoglobin Bart's was detected and quantitated in 42 babies during a survey of cord blood from neonates of Mediterranean origin. The distribution of Hb Bart's levels for the group appeared to be bi-modal, with modes at 2.0% and 5.5%. Haematological data obtained from 21 babies during the first week of life showed a highly significant reduction in average MCV (86.3 +/- 7.7 fl) and MCH (27.8 +/- 6.0 pg) in comparison with a control group of babies. However, there was no significant correlation between these parameters and Hb Bart's levels. Haematological data were available on 57 parents of the Hb Bart's babies and HbH preparations were positive in 28 cases (49%). Examination of red cell indices showed a highly significant reduction in the average MCV and MCH of parents with positive HbH preparations, and a diagnosis of alpha-thalassaemia (based on the presence of HbH inclusion bodies and reductions in MCV and/or MCH) was made in at least one parent in the majority of couples with both partners tested, suggesting that alpha-thalassaemia trait in people of Mediterranean origin is generally associated with detectable haematological changes.

Cyprus↗
PubMed2026

Multi-Omic Insights Into Mediterranean Diet-Associated Microbiota.

This study aimed to evaluate the gut microbiota and mycobiota composition, depending on the Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, using metataxonomics. Combining metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, we also investigate the gene expression level in the bacterial community. Two groups of healthy subjects greatly differing in adherence were selected. Significant differences in microbiota composition were observed between individuals with high adherence (HAMD; mean 10.5&#xa0;+/-&#xa0;0.9 points) and low adherence (LAMD; 5.23&#xa0;+/-&#xa0;83 points). Notably, the olive oil, vegetable, and fruit consumption presented an important discriminant power between groups. Saccharomyces, Penicillium, and Candida were the most abundant genera. Mycobiota richness was higher in LAMD than in HAMD. Aspergillus was identified as a biomarker for LAMD, whereas Yarrowia, a potential probiotic, was a biomarker for HAMD. Metatranscriptomics indicated that Bacillota was the most metabolically active phylum in the gut microbiota. The low-abundant genus, Methanobrevibacter, showed high transcriptional activity, contributing to the crucial methanogenesis process. Gene expression analyses further highlighted functional differences. Overall, HAMD microbiota presented increased metabolic activity, protein synthesis, and cellular mobility. Overexpression of flagellin and urease genes may enhance immune response in HAMD. Further metatranscriptomic studies are necessary to deepen our understanding of intestinal microbiota transcriptional programs and their interactions with the diet and human health.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Effect of a PROtein-enriched MEDiterranean diet and EXercise (PROMED-EX) on nutritional status and cognitive performance in older adults at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline: the PROMED-EX randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition in older adults is associated with adverse health outcomes including cognitive decline, yet evidence for effective preventive strategies is limited. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate effects of a protein-enriched Mediterranean diet, with and without exercise, on nutritional status and cognitive performance in "at risk" community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: A total of 105 participants (69% female; aged 67.7 &#xb1; 6.1 y) at risk of undernutrition and cognitive decline were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: 1) PROMED-EX (personalized dietary counseling plus home-based exercise); 2) PROMED (personalized dietary counseling only); or 3) CON (healthy eating leaflet). The primary outcome was change in nutritional status at 6 mo, measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA; 0-30 points). Secondary outcomes included neurocognitive test battery (NTB) z-score, PROMED diet quality score (0-14), physical performance, and health-related quality of life. Analyses followed an intention-to-treat approach using linear regression to assess between-group differences in 6-mo outcomes. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean MNA score was 22.5 &#xb1; 2.3. After 6 mo, nutritional status improved significantly in both intervention groups compared with CON: mean differences in MNA were 2.7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3, 4.2] for PROMED and 2.9 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.3) for PROMED-EX (both P < 0.001). Cognitive function also improved, with NTB z-score differences of 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1, 0.5; P = 0.01) in PROMED and 0.2 (95% CI: 0.0, 0.4; P = 0.02) in PROMED-EX compared with CON. Diet quality scores significantly increased with mean differences of 4.0 (95% CI: 2.9, 5.0) for PROMED and 3.9 (95% CI: 2.8, 4.9) for PROMED-EX compared with CON (both P < 0.001). Despite low adherence to exercise, additional benefits were observed for physical performance and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intervention improved nutritional status in community-dwelling older adults at risk of undernutrition. Correcting undernutrition could help to slow cognitive decline and promote physical health and quality of life during aging. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05166564.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Targeted Epigenetic Silencing of Jumonji Domain-Containing Protein 3 Alleviates Nuclear Factor-Kappa B-Mediated Inflammation in Familial Mediterranean Fever.

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory condition caused by variants in the MEFV gene encoding pyrin, the essential component of the NLRP3/NF-&#x3ba;B complex of inflammasomes. Deregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-&#x3ba;B), a key proinflammatory mediator, leads to chronic inflammation in autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases. Epigenetic modulation offers a new approach to regulate inflammasome activity, with Jumonji domain-containing protein 3 (JMJD3) being a promising target for managing inflammatory illnesses. GSK-J4 is a selective inhibitor of JMJD3, restricting pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation. AIM: Our research aimed to elucidate the role of JMJD3 and the NF-&#x3ba;B-JMJD3 signaling pathways in regulating inflammation in an in vitro model, and to investigate GSK-J4's effect in inhibiting inflammasome activation in primed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from FMF cases. METHODS: PBMCs were cultured and primed with LPS, and then treated with GSK-J4. JMJD3 knockdown was achieved using siRNA interference. Cellular inflammatory dynamics were assessed by Western blotting (WB) and ELISA. The qRT-PCR was used for gene expression quantification. Untreated cells served as a negative control. RESULTS: Our results showed significantly downregulated gene expression of NF-&#x3ba;B, NLRP3, and inflammatory cytokines in GSK-J4-treated cells compared to untreated cells, as confirmed by ELISA. WB reported a reduction of NF-&#x3ba;B in induced cells following GSK-J4 treatment. Knocking down JMJD3 also showed decreased levels of JMJD3, NF-&#x3ba;B, and inflammatory cytokines, indicating its proinflammatory role. CONCLUSION: The study showed that selective inhibition or silencing of JMJD3 significantly suppressed the inflammasome in FMF cases, suggesting its role as a therapeutic target for alleviating inflammation in various autoinflammatory diseases.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Digital health interventions for diabetes management in the eastern mediterranean region: A systematic review of types and effectiveness.

AIM: The aim of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the types and effectiveness of digital health interventions used for diabetes management in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). METHODS: This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus up to May 2025 to identify studies on digital interventions for diabetes management in EMRO countries. Methodological&#xa0;quality of the included studies was evaluated using the EPHPP tool, and findings were categorized by intervention type, outcome measures, and intervention effectiveness. RESULTS: A total of 46 studies were included, mainly from Iran and Saudi Arabia. Phone calls and SMS were the most common digital tools. Digital interventions significantly improved HbA1c, fasting blood sugar, and several behavioral outcomes such as physical activity, medication adherence, and self-efficacy, while effects on psychological outcomes were mixed. CONCLUSION: Digital health interventions, especially phone calls and SMS, effectively improve glycemic control and self-care behaviors, though their impact on psychological outcomes remains inconsistent.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Mediterranean and standard American diet consumption in psychosis and non-psychosis affective disorders groups: Symptoms and cognition.

UNLABELLED: Research supports an association between diet and health, and emerging evidence suggests that diet is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, no human study has examined an anti-inflammatory diet across rigorously defined psychiatric diagnoses and its associations with symptom severity and cognition. As inflammation is implicated in mental illness, we investigated adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), an anti-inflammatory diet, and the standard American diet (SAD), and examined cross-sectional relationships with psychiatric symptoms and cognition. METHOD: Participants included 54 individuals with psychotic disorders, 30 with non-psychosis affective disorders and 40 healthy controls. Participants underwent diagnostic interviews, PANSS symptom ratings, and MATRICS cognitive assessments. The self-report GBAQ was used to assess adherence to the MD versus SAD. RESULTS: The psychosis group was significantly more likely to consume the SAD than healthy controls (p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.007), with MD adherence predicting better working memory (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.461, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). In the non-psychosis affective disorders group, MD adherence predicted slower processing speed (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.376, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.049). In the non-psychosis affective disorders group, MD predicted reduced PANSS General Psychopathology scale (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.449, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.013), as well as the Activation (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.362, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.049), and Dysphoric Mood factors (r&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.403, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.027). DISCUSSION: This first-of-its kind study identified poor dietary choices in persons with psychosis, showing significantly lower symptoms and better cognition in association with the MD in transdiagnostic analyses. It supports the study of dietary interventions for prevention and treatment of psychiatric conditions.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Phagocyte functions in familial Mediterranean fever.

Monocytes derived from peripheral blood of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (F.M.F.) demonstrated lower phagocytic capacity for Shigella flexneri and depressed bactericidal activity against S. albus when compared to monocytes from healthy individuals. Treatment of patients with colchicine did not alter these functions. On the other hand, chemokinesis of PMN of F.M.F. patients was enhanced especially during attacks. Colchicine treatment decreased significantly the PMN chemotactic migration.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Monocyte function in familial Mediterranean fever.

Monocytes derived from the peripheral blood of patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) demonstrated a consistently lower phagocytic capacity (38-44%) for 125I-labelled Shigella flexneri when compared to monocytes from healthy subjects. Phagocytosis of both viable and killed Staphylococcus albus was similar in patients and controls. However, FMF monocytes had a two- to eight-fold depressed bactericidal capacity against S. albus in comparison to normal monocytes. Acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase monocyte activities were similar in patients and controls. It is suggested that the defects in monocyte function may be of importance in the pathogenesis of FMF. Colchicine had no effect on any of the indices studied.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Amyloid goitre in familial Mediterranean fever.

Three patients known to suffer from familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), systemic amyloidosis and chronic renal failure developed large amyloid goitres. Amyloid goitre is an extremely rare complication of systemic amyloidosis not previously described in FMF. The clinical and pathological features of these three cases were similar to those previously described in amyloid goitre. In two of the patients abnormalities in thyroid function were consistent with those documented in chronic renal failure. There was evidence of hypothyroidism in a third patient. There was no evidence of amyloid induced dysfunction of other endocrine organs.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Efficacy of intermittent colchicine therapy in familial Mediterranean fever.

Nine patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) were admitted to a controlled, double-blind trial to determine if there are patients with this disease who are able to abort their acute episodes of pain and fever with short courses of colchicine taken at the onset of attacks. Five patients completed their treatment assignments, and colchicine was significantly effective in aborting the attacks of three but was ineffective in two. The remaining four patients could not be assessed because of insufficient numbers of courses. During the 10 months of the trial, 28 courses of colchicine and 31 of placebo were taken during the early stages of FMF attacks. Twenty-one (75%) colchicine courses were followed by attacks considered to have been aborted, compared to only three (10%) placebo courses. This trial shows that patients can recognize the prodrome of their FMF attacks and that some patients can consistently abort their attacks with short courses of colchicine taken at the very onset of symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Amyloid deposition in a renal transplant in familial Mediterranean fever.

A patient with familial Mediterranean fever and amyloidosis who received a cadaver renal transplant 6 1/2 years ago was studied to determine the relation of the serum precursor of secondary amyloid (SAA) to the clinical course and to the deposition of amyloid in the transplant. Amyloid fibrils extracted from the patient's kidneys contained protein AA as a major constituent, which identified the amyloid as secondary. Protein AA antiserum was used in an indirect immunofluorescent technique to stain amyloid deposits in sections of the original kidney. A renal biopsy at 2 years showed no amyloid, but a renal biopsy at 4 years showed amyloid. Serum levels of SAA from 3 years before transplant to 6 years after transplant were elevated throughout most of the course.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Renal transplantation in the amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever. Experience in ten cases.

Ten patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and histologically confirmed amyloidosis received cadaver kidney transplants for treatment of terminal renal disease. Colchicine, 1 mg daily, was included in the routine postoperative regimen from 1974 for amyloidotic patients. Graft and patient survival were compared with ten nonamyloidotic recipients of renal grafts matched for age, sex, type of allograft, and HLA compatibility. In the FMF group, five of ten grafts have survived from 20 to 64 months; in the control group, six of ten. While only recipients with functioning grafts survived in the FMF group, patient survival in the control group is eight of ten after one year. In all five FMF survivors, graft function is satisfactory, proteinuria is absent, and blood creatinine levels are normal. Amyloid involvement of an allograft was documented 16 months after transplantation in the only patient whose maintenance colchicine dosage had been reduced to 0.5 mg daily.

Adult↗