Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) are economically and ecologically vital bivalves, yet statutory compliance with individual element limits does not capture cumulative dietary risks from multi-element mixtures. This study quantified lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in farmed and wild M. galloprovincialis from 16 stations across the Sea of Marmara during spring and autumn 2025. All concentrations conformed to EU and Turkish Food Codex limits; Hg was below the method detection limit (< 0.015 mg/kg ww). Elemental burdens showed no significant seasonal (Wilcoxon, p = 0.4037) or origin-based differences (Mann–Whitney U = 84.0, p = 0.1200), consistent with a basin-scale ambient baseline, though limited wild composite samples (n = 4) preclude formal demonstration. Correlations between Pb and Cd (rₛ = 0.502, p < 0.01) and Pb and As (rₛ = 0.445, p < 0.05) suggest shared maritime-urban emission pathways. Deterministic screening under national (0.33 g/day) and European (3.12 g/day) scenarios yielded negligible hazard indices (HI = 0.0046 and 0.0430). Monte Carlo simulations (100,000 iterations) confirmed negligible risk for average consumers (20 g/day; P(HI > 1) < 0.001%), whereas high-intake consumers (70 g/day) approached the benchmark (P(HI > 1) = 0.04%). Sensitivity analysis attributed 62% of HI variance to ingestion rate and 24% to inorganic As fraction, identifying dietary behavior as the primary modifiable driver. Stress-testing (2026–2036) showed that lifetime cancer risks remain within the acceptable regulatory corridor (10−6 to 10−4), though narrowing safety margins under pessimistic trajectories underscore the necessity of basin-scale pollution abatement and speciation-informed dietary guidance.
Periorbital dark circles and edema are frequent cosmetic concerns that contribute to an older and fatigued appearance, thereby diminishing self-esteem and overall quality of life. Conventional topical regimens are often limited by the low stability, poor aqueous solubility, and insufficient epidermal penetration of many active compounds. To address these problems, we developed and characterized nanoemulgel (NEG) formulations utilizing standardized extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra (G. glabra) and Aesculus hippocastanum (A. hippocastanum). These formulations were designed as multifunctional topical platforms with potential relevance to both pigmentation-related and edema-associated periorbital concerns. Oil-in-water nanoemulsions (NEs) were prepared by ultrasonication using Quillaja saponin alone or combined with Kolliphor® P188 and subsequently gelled with xanthan gum. Physicochemical properties (droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, pH, viscosity, and conductivity) and stability were evaluated. Antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS), anti-inflammatory (lipoxygenase inhibition), and anti-tyrosinase activities were assessed. Among the generated NEGs, two formulations exhibited distinct physicochemical profiles. The saponin-based formulation F3P2 exhibited a droplet size of 142.70 ± 1.90 nm, a PDI of 0.184 ± 0.01, and a markedly negative zeta potential of − 59.0 ± 3.3 mV, signifying strong electrostatic stabilization. In contrast, the hybrid formulation F6P2, which integrates saponin with Kolliphor® P188, demonstrated a reduced droplet size of 136.48 ± 1.8 nm, a decreased PDI of 0.102 ± 0.00, and a zeta potential of − 46.8 ± 2.5 mV, indicating improved size uniformity. Both formulations exhibited stability at the nanoscale (< 200 nm) throughout accelerated and three-month stability evaluations. F6P2 showed the most favorable overall biological profile among the tested formulations, demonstrating pronounced antioxidant properties (DPPH IC₅₀ = 22.65 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀ = 10.42 µg/mL), along with 80.11 ± 0.04
Synaptic vesicle proteins, including the synaptophysin, synaptogyrins, and synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 family are fundamental for neurotransmitter release and synaptic function, influencing numerous physiological processes. Although these proteins hold promise as therapeutic targets, their study has remained complicated due to their location within the cell membrane. To tackle this, we performed comparative analyses on these proteins and their water-soluble variants, which were designed using the QTY code. This approach involves systematically replacing hydrophobic amino acids L (leucine), V/I (valine/isoleucine), and F (phenylalanine) with hydrophilic amino acids Q (glutamine), T (threonine), and Y (tyrosine). The water-soluble QTY variants generated in our study, despite having significant differences in their transmembrane sequences up to 55
PurposeThis study investigates the impact of the facades of conformity (FOC) on burnout, turnover intention, moral disengagement and social loafing among banking professionals.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by using a survey technique from 452 white-collar banking professionals in Istanbul, Turkey.FindingsFOC is positively related to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, turnover intention, moral disengagement and social loafing. Emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, as the subdimensions of burnout, partially mediate the relationship between FOC and turnover intention. Further, moral disengagement partially mediates the link between FOC and social loafing.Research limitations/implicationsThe study can be expanded to other countries to investigate how culture affects the dynamics of FOC on the concepts analyzed in this study.Practical implicationsFOC yields significant consequences for both individuals and organizations, regardless of whether employees stay or leave the organization. Consistently participating in such behaviors may eventually exhaust human psychological resources, resulting in burnout and heightened turnover intentions. Moreover, FOC can lead to cognitive erosion that may result in undesirable outcomes such as moral disengagement and social loafing. To reduce these outcomes, organizations should emphasize individuality, promote authenticity and embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace.Originality/valueThis is the first study to posit the undesirable consequences of FOC, regardless of whether employees intend to stay or have turnover intentions. This study connects FOC to burnout, turnover intention, moral disengagement and social loafing, while revealing crucial mediators, illuminating the hidden psychological and behavioral consequences of workplace inauthenticity. It highlights the ongoing dangers of FOC-oriented societies and emphasizes the need for authenticity, inclusivity and wellness within organizations.
In this study, we present detailed results on the molecular structure, vibrational frequencies, and bioactivity of the neutral L-Glu-L-Gln-L-Arg-L-Pro-L-Arg (EQRPR) pentapeptide, derived from rice bran, which exhibits anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer's, and anti-obesity properties. Theoretical conformational analysis was performed to evaluate the conformational preferences of the pentapeptide. The most stable conformer was then optimized at the DFT/b3lyp/6-31G(d,p), DFT/b3lyp/6-31 + G(d,p), and DFT/wb97xd/6-31++G(d,p) levels of theory. The experimental FTIR and Raman spectra were compared with the theoretically predicted vibrational spectra at these levels. As the DFT/wb97xd/6-31++G(d,p) results showed the closest agreement with the experimental data, all subsequent calculations were performed using this level of theory. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and frontier molecular orbitals were calculated using the optimized pentapeptide structure to evaluate its chemical reactivity. To investigate its potential biological activity as an anticancer and antiviral agent, molecular docking studies were performed against 1BNA, 4HJO, 1JV2, 3ZDX, 4WK0, 6 M03, 6 LU7, and 6VXX targets. Among these, the EQRPR pentapeptide exhibited the strongest binding affinity toward alpha 5 beta 1 integrin (4WK0; triangle G = -9.3 kcal/mol). Furthermore, following the docking calculations, the best conformation of the EQRPR-alpha 5 beta 1 integrin complex was subjected to 200 ns of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. The MD results indicate the stability of the EQRPR-4WK0 complex, and the binding free energy was determined from the simulation results using the Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM-PBSA) method as -72.9895 kcal/mol. Overall, these results suggest that the neutral EQRPR pentapeptide possesses broad therapeutic potential and may serve as a promising candidate for the development of antiviral and anticancer agents.
