Apis

The Dr. Bódog Beck Félix Medal of Merit: Legacy, Recognition, and Contemporary Perspectives in International Apitherapy

2026-01-03T09:57:23+00:00

The Dr. Bódog Beck Félix Medal of Merit represents one of the highest distinctions in the field of international apitherapy. Established to honour the legacy of Dr Bódog Beck Félix (1868–1942), a pioneer of modern apitherapy, the award recognises individuals whose scientific and clinical contributions have significantly advanced the understanding and therapeutic application of bee-derived therapies. This article outlines the historical background and symbolic significance of the medal and documents the presentation of its third award at the Apimondia World Congress in Copenhagen. Particular attention is given to the professional achievements of the 2023 award recipient, Dr Dietrich Klinghardt, whose interdisciplinary work in biological medicine exemplifies the continuity between early apitherapy traditions and contemporary integrative medical approaches.

Effects of various fall feeding sugar sources on survival, health, and productivity of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.)

2026-01-03T09:57:23+00:00

In Canada, beekeepers must supplement their colonies with sugar in the fall to ensure survival during winter, when floral resources are absent.
Sucrose syrup is the predominant choice due to its high availability, chemical stability, and ease of use. However, upcoming revisions to Canada’s organic standards will prohibit the use of conventional sugar syrup, necessitating a shift toward honey or organic sugar syrup as overwintering resources. The implications of this transition on colony survival, development, productivity, and pathogen prevalence remain insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies fed with either conventional sugar syrup, organic sugar syrup, summer honey, or fall honey. Key parameters assessed included winter survival, colony development, honey production, and pathogen development (Varroa destructor, Nosema spp., and six viruses).
Results indicate that organic sugar syrup, summer honey, and fall honey are viable alternatives to conventional sugar syrup for overwintering. However, precise colony weight management following fall feeding is critical to prevent starvation. In most cases, a minimum of nine honey frames per colony housed in a Langstroth single-brood chamber or four frames supplemented with 12L of organic sugar syrup supported successful overwintering, although adjustments may be required depending on colony size and winter severity.
No statistically significant differences were observed in brood and bee population development, honey production, or pathogen development across feeding treatments. These findings suggest that while organic beekeepers can effectively overwinter colonies using alternative carbohydrate sources honeybased feeding warrant careful consideration.

In vitro assessment of Tropilaelaps mercedesae survival across different substrates

2026-01-03T09:57:23+00:00

Tropilaelaps spp. are parasitic mites that feed and reproduce within honey bee brood (Apis spp.), causing significant damage to Apis mellifera colonies. While traditionally believed to be incapable of surviving without brood, recent findings suggest T. mercedesae may persist during broodless periods. This study aimed to investigate the survival potential of T. mercedesae on various matrices in the absence of brood, with a focus on understanding possible mechanisms supporting its persistence and spread.

An in vitro survival experiment was conducted using T. mercedesae mites placed on three matrix types: live adult bees (A. dorsata / A. mellifera), decomposing pupae, and decomposing adults. Mite survival was monitored over time under controlled conditions. Survival duration was recorded and analysed using Log Rank tests and visualized with Kaplan Meier survival curves to identify differences in survival across matrices.

Mites survived for over 96 hours on live adult A. mellifera, over 144 hours on decomposing pupae, and up to 168 hours on decomposing adults. These findings demonstrate the mite’s ability to survive for extended periods without access to live brood, challenging existing assumptions about its biology and survival limits.

This study highlights a potential survival mechanism of T. mercedesae outside brood environments, which may contribute to its spread through previously considered low-risk pathways, such as queen/package bee trade and used beekeeping equipment. These findings underscore the need for updated biosecurity protocols and further research into transmission dynamics and control strategies.

When the Patient Is the Control: A Pragmatic Framework for Early-Phase Evaluation of Complex, Low-Risk Clinical Interventions

2026-01-03T09:57:23+00:00

Background
Parallel control groups, particularly within randomized controlled trials, are widely regarded as the gold standard of clinical evidence. While indispensable for confirmatory and high-risk investigations, this paradigm may be ill-suited for early-phase evaluation of complex, multi-component, and low-risk interventions operating within real-world clinical systems.
Objective
This paper proposes a pragmatic methodological framework for evaluating such interventions without reliance on parallel control groups, while maintaining scientific rigor and ethical proportionality.
Methods
We synthesize methodological principles from longitudinal within-subject designs, complex systems theory, and risk-based research ethics. The framework rests on three core pillars:

the use of patients as their own controls through stable baseline and pre–post comparisons,
black-box, output-oriented validation prioritizing reproducible clinical outcomes over early mechanistic isolation, and
safety-first justification grounded in the absence of known adverse effects and low iatrogenic risk.

Results
We demonstrate that, under clearly defined conditions, control-free and within-subject designs can provide valid exploratory evidence, address common methodological criticisms—including placebo effects, natural disease course, and regression to the mean—and serve as a coherent first step in a phased research trajectory.
Conclusion
The absence of a parallel control group does not imply the absence of methodological control. When applied proportionately and transparently,
pragmatic, control-free frameworks can generate meaningful, reproducible clinical insights while guiding subsequent mechanistic and controlled
investigations. This approach supports methodological pluralism and aligns evidentiary standards with intervention complexity, risk profile, and research
objectives.

From the Hive to the Clinic: Clinical Case Studies Illustrating the Use of Propolis in Dentistry

2026-01-03T09:57:23+00:00

Background
Propolis has been increasingly investigated in dentistry due to its antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, analgesic, and regenerative properties. Several clinical applications have been reported; however, detailed case-based documentation remains limited.

Objective
This article presents a series of clinical case studies originally introduced at an international conference and subsequently expanded to provide a comprehensive description suitable for a scientific readership. The aim is to illustrate the clinical use of propolis-based treatments across different dental disease groups.

Materials and Methods
Clinical cases from daily dental practice were retrospectively analyzed. The cases included patients aged between 14 and 75 years and covered five main clinical categories: endodontic infections, periodontal disease, deep carious lesions, prosthetic-related fungal infections, and post-extraction wound management. Propolis was applied mainly as a 5% solution, either alone or in combination with other biomaterials such as calcium hydroxide, hydroxyapatite, or calcium alginate. Clinical and radiographic follow-up ranged from one week to one month, depending on the indication.

Results
In endodontic cases, propolis demonstrated effective antibacterial and antiinflammatory activity, contributing to pain reduction and periapical healing. Periodontal applications showed visible improvement in gingival inflammation within one week. In deep carious lesions, propolis-supported treatments
promoted pulp vitality and dentin bridge formation after one month. Prosthetic cases involving Candida albicans infection exhibited marked mucosal healing
within 7–15 days. Post-extraction use of propolis combined with calcium alginate supported normal wound healing and helped prevent alveolar osteitis.

Conclusions
The presented case studies suggest that propolis is a safe and versatile adjunctive agent in various dental treatments. When standardized and properly
applied, propolis may support infection control, inflammation reduction, and tissue regeneration. Further controlled clinical studies are warranted to confirm
these observations and to establish standardized treatment protocols.