The vulnerable side of technology addiction: Pathways linking the Vulnerable Dark Triad to problematic smartphone and social media use

Across two cross-sectional studies, this research investigated the role of the Vulnerable Dark Triad – Factor II Psychopathy, Vulnerable Narcissism, and Borderline Personality – in Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) and Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) (Study 1), and examined whether PSMU functions as a bridge between this personality taxonomy and PSU (Study 2). In Study 1 ( N = 298 participants; Mage = 28.91, SDage = 10.33; 126 females) hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographics, HEXACO dimensions, and Dark Tetrad personality traits, revealed that Factor II Psychopathy was the strongest and most consistent predictor of PSU and PSMU. Vulnerable Narcissism related more to PSU while Borderline Personality related more to PSMU. In Study 2 ( N = 586 participants; Mage = 31.70; SDage = 9.72; 313 females), mediation analyses, controlling for sociodemographics, HEXACO dimensions, and Dark Tetrad personality traits, showed that PSMU significantly mediated the effects of all facets of the Vulnerable Dark Triad on PSU, supporting a bridge effect from PSMU to a generalised PSU. These results have significant implications for theoretical and educational perspectives, underscoring the importance of integrating personality-based vulnerabilities into digital mental health frameworks

Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Foods: Risk Perspectives Across Different Regulatory Systems

Listeria monocytogenes poses a significant challenge in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods due to its persistence in processing environments and severe impact on vulnerable populations. Regulatory approaches differ internationally, reflecting distinct conceptual frameworks and tolerance thresholds. These differences arise from the adoption of zero-tolerance or risk-based regulatory models, which define qualitative or quantitative microbiological limits (absence in 25 g or up to 100 cfu/g) based on a product’s growth potential, and vary in the extent of environmental monitoring, sampling plans, and verification intensity across jurisdictions. In 2024, the European Union updated its regulatory framework governing the microbiological criteria for L. monocytogenes. Previous requirements were strengthened, responsibility was extended across the supply chain, and a strategic role was assigned to challenge testing carried out by manufacturers. This review examines how the European Union and the United States apply risk assessment principles, challenge testing, predictive modelling, and environmental monitoring to control L. monocytogenes in RTE foods. By integrating epidemiological trends, regulatory criteria, and experimental evidence, key differences in safety objectives, validation procedures, and risk management strategies are highlighted. This review also identifies gaps and opportunities for harmonisation, providing guidance for improved evidence-based decision-making and regulatory compliance

Oxysterol fingerprinting via UPLC-APCI-MS/MS for monitoring developmental stages in the zebrafish model

Oxysterols, oxidized derivatives of cholesterol, play multifaceted roles in cholesterol homeostasis and cellular signalling. Despite their recognized biological relevance, the temporal dynamics of oxysterol profiles during vertebrate development remain poorly understood. In this study, we developed and validated a robust UHPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of ten oxysterols in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos across five developmental stages (3-, 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours post-fertilization). The method exhibited excellent performance in terms of sensitivity, recovery, and reproducibility, following EMA guidelines. A combination of hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and Random Forest classification revealed distinct stage-specific oxysterol profiles. Notably, 6α-hydroxycholesterol emerged as the most discriminative marker, followed by 24- and 27-hydroxycholesterol, indicating their potential involvement in neurodevelopmental and metabolic regulation processes. These findings provide new insights into the role of oxysterols during embryogenesis and establish a reliable platform for evaluating oxysterol dynamics in developmental, toxicological, and pharmacological studies using the zebrafish model

From biocide to biohazard: influence of methylchloroisothiazolinone on physiological integrity of Mytilus galloprovincialis

Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT), an isothiazolinone-based compound, is extensively used in several commercial products as a biocide and has recently been identified as an emerging contaminant in aquatic environments. This study investigates the impact of this substance on key cellular, physiological, and biochemical endpoints in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). Mussels were exposed for 14 days to two sublethal CMIT concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mg L−1), and responses were assessed in haemocytes (H) and digestive gland (DG). Cytotoxic effects were determined in H and DG through cell viability assays. Phagocytic activity was quantified in H. The osmoregulatory performance of DG isolated cells was evaluated using the Regulatory Volume Decrease (RVD) assay. Furthermore, oxidative stress biomarkers catalase and glutathione (GHS/GSSG), cytochrome P450-related activity (EROD) and neurotoxicity were measured in DG. Results revealed significant impairments in physiological functionality and osmoregulatory capacity, accompanied by high susceptibility of biochemical responses. In the DG, a clear association was observed between EROD activation and oxidative stress manifestations indicating the toxicity of CMIT derivatives. Overall, these findings confirm CMIT's toxic potential toward vital physiological and biochemical processes in M. galloprovincialis and provide a basis for further research aimed at demonstrating the ecological consequences of isothiazolinone contamination, with potential implications for both marine ecosystem health and human well-being

Mechanisms of Pulsed-Light Antifungal Activity: Direct Cellular Damage and Stress Adaptation in Alternaria alternata from Chees

Fungal spoilage in cheese production poses a significant risk because of mycotoxin production. As a result, it is crucial to use a structured approach that combines practical measures with strategies that inhibit fungal growth and activity. In this work, we studied the antifungal effect of pulsed light (PL) technology, mainly focusing on Alternaria alternata, a mycotoxin-producing spoilage fungus, frequently present in the semi-hard cheese matrix. Pulsed light was found to be efficient in controlling A. alternata, inhibiting its growth in a dose-dependent manner both on cheese agar medium (CAM) and potato dextrose agar (PDA). The CAM closely mimics the physicochemical properties of real cheese surfaces, making it a relevant model for practical applications. PL treatment caused up to 30 % inhibition of mycelial growth, while spore germination was significantly reduced by up to 79 %. Confocal microscopy revealed that PL induced cell death in A. alternata FCS26, which was marked by cellular and mitochondrial membrane potential loss, suggesting membrane depolarization. Additionally, PL elicited oxidative stress through increased intracellular levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and calcium, along with DNA damage and mitochondrial impairment. Chitin accumulation and lipid droplet reorganization were identified as adaptive responses reflecting cell wall reinforcement and altered lipid metabolism. Overall, this study provides new mechanistic insight into A. alternata inactivation and highlights PL as a promising, non-thermal antifungal intervention for the dairy industry

Regional Ecosystem Quality and University Spin-Off Growth in Internal Areas: Evidence on Territorial Resilience from Italian Academic Entrepreneurship

This study examines how territorial peripherality and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem quality shape the growth trajectories of Italian university spin-offs, with a specific focus on internal areas. Combining firm-level data from NETVAL and AIDA with territorial indicators from the Italian Strategy for Inner Areas (SNAI) and ISTAT, we construct a panel of 655 university spin-offs observed between 2018 and 2022. Two composite indicators capture provincial peripherality and regional ecosystem quality. Using mixed-effects models, we analyse their effects on revenue and employment growth. Results show that stronger regional ecosystems support employment growth overall and significantly amplify revenue growth for spin-offs located in internal areas, partially compensating for structural territorial disadvantages. The findings highlight the importance of place-based ecosystem policies and the strategic role of universities in fostering knowledge-based development and proxy indicators of territorial resilience in peripheral regions

Citizen science and analytical chemistry. Oxymoron or harmony of meaning?

Citizen science is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in analytical chemistry by opening research participation to non-specialists and expanding where and how data can be collected. This report explores how recent technological advances have made analytical tools simpler, smaller, and more affordable. These developments have enabled citizens and students to be engaged directly in environmental monitoring, food-quality assessment, and educational activities, often producing data comparable to those generated in laboratories. In addition, several emerging prototypes have been purposefully designed with citizen use in mind, anticipating future applications in participatory science. The discussion also addresses areas where citizen science could play a growing role, including biomedical and forensic analysis, while recognizing challenges related to data reliability, ethics, and validation. Overall, this report highlights how accessible technologies, supported by artificial intelligence and digital communication, are transforming analytical chemistry into a more inclusive and collaborative discipline, connecting scientific research with everyday life