Search Results (17,756)

(1) Background: Adult neurogenesis within the hippocampus modulates hippocampal memory and is often dysregulated in diseases that cause memory dysfunction, notably Alzheimer’s disease. We have discovered a novel modulator of hippocampal neurogenesis—low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). (2) Methods: Using an inducible knockout of LRP1, male and female mice were subject to loss of LRP1, specifically in adult-born neural stem cells at 3 months of age. (3) Results: After 6 months with the knockout, animals without LRP1 in adult-born neural stem cells displayed behavioral phenotypes consistent with deficits in working memory and hippocampal-mediated spatial memory. We also found that over time, increasing numbers of adult-born LRP1-knockout neurons were present, although those neurons were morphologically less complex with fewer dendrites than controls. Our data suggest that the increase in the total number of adult-born neurons 6 months after knockout is due to a subtle increase in hippocampal proliferation over time. (4) Conclusions: Altogether, our data suggest that LRP1 is an important and previously unknown regulator of hippocampal neurogenesis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a multifactorial condition associated with androgen imbalance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, leading to growing interest in food-derived bioactive compounds with multitarget activity. This study aimed to investigate the biological effects of a nutraceutical combination of Gastrodiae elata Blume extract and coenzyme Q10 (Q10), focusing on mechanisms relevant to prostate physiological balance using food-relevant in vitro models. Methods: An intestinal epithelial barrier model (Caco-2) was employed to assess intestinal tolerance and permeability of the tested compounds. Subsequently, a prostate epithelial–stromal co-culture exposed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was used to reproduce BPH-like cellular conditions. Oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, androgen-related pathways, and markers of proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated following simulated intestinal passage. Results: The combined formulation showed no cytotoxic effects and demonstrated efficient intestinal permeability. After intestinal passage, the combination significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in the prostate co-culture, decreasing reactive oxygen species and pro-inflammatory mediators, including NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In parallel, the formulation modulated androgen-related pathways by reducing 5-α-reductase activity and DHT levels while supporting testosterone homeostasis. Across some of the evaluated endpoints, the combined formulation tended to show more pronounced protective effects compared with the individual components. Conclusions: These results suggest that a combination of Gastrodiae elata and coenzyme Q10 may have a positive effect on prostate health. In the nutraceutical field, this food-based formulation could help support prostate health, probably through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hormonal control mechanisms. Further studies using advanced experimental models are warranted. Full article

Background/Objectives: Plant-based supplements are widely used for the management of anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Despite their over-the-counter availability and perceived safety, these products may pose relevant pharmacological and toxicological risks. This narrative review critically evaluates clinical evidence on commonly used herbal preparations, with particular emphasis on herb–drug interactions, adverse effects, and issues related to product adulteration. Methods: Major scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched to identify clinical studies evaluating plant-based supplements for mental health and sleep disorders. Data on study design, dosage, efficacy, and adverse events were analyzed, together with regulatory information and reports of product adulteration and quality concerns. Results: Herbal supplements such as Hypericum perforatum, Passiflora incarnata, Valeriana officinalis, Piper methysticum, Withania somnifera, Crocus sativus, and Curcuma longa demonstrated anxiolytic, antidepressant, and sedative effects in clinical studies, with improvements in mood, stress levels, and sleep quality. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of monoaminergic and GABAergic pathways, serotonergic activity, regulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinically relevant risks were identified, including cytochrome P450–mediated drug interactions, excessive sedation, serotonin syndrome, and toxic effects associated with adulterated products, such as hepatotoxicity, cardiovascular events, and neurological disturbances. Conclusions: While plant-based supplements may provide clinically meaningful benefits for anxiety, depression, and insomnia, their use requires careful clinical monitoring due to potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions and safety concerns. Increased awareness of herb–drug interactions and stricter quality control are essential to optimize therapeutic outcomes and minimize harm. Full article

The growing consumer demand for minimally processed, “clean-label” foods is increasing interest in innovative technologies that maintain quality while ensuring microbial safety. This study sheds light on how the protein:lipid ratio in meat-like model matrices modulates the effectiveness of combined high-intensity ultrasound (20 kHz) and carvacrol treatments applied against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Three emulsified systems with geometrically spaced protein:lipid ratios (0.33, 1.0, 3.0) were subjected to combinations of ultrasound and carvacrol (0–1200 ppm) at $30\pm 2$ °C. To address the rheological non-linearity, the matrix index was log-transformed, and the process was modeled using both Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). While both models achieved high predictive accuracy ($R^2>0.96$), lack-of-fit analysis revealed that the reduced polynomial RSM model provided a more robust and statistically valid representation of the process compared to the ANN, which exhibited significant overfitting to experimental noise ($p<{10}^{-9}$). The results highlighted a distinct matrix dependency: ultrasound alone provided the fastest inactivation in the high-lipid matrix, while the high-protein matrix exhibited much slower kinetics due to viscous damping. Consequently, the explicit mathematical relationships derived from the RSM model are proposed as the preferred, transparent kernel for future digital twins and autonomous process-control systems in smart food-processing lines. Full article

By numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE), we study the elementary excitation and ionization processes of atomic hydrogen on the same footing, which is irradiated by the two-color laser fields composed of a strong 400 nm pulse and a weak 800 nm pulse. We find that under different intensities of the 400 nm laser, the ionization and excitation probabilities exhibit completely distinct modulations with the variation in the intensity of the 800 nm laser. Electron energy spectra (EESs), including above-threshold ionization (ATI) peaks and below-threshold bound states, indicate that the involvement of Rydberg states and the shift of low-energy ATI peaks due to the increase in the ponderomotive energy are the primary causes of the above-mentioned modulation behavior. By virtue of a quantum-state-resolved numerical method, the angular-momentum-resolved EES reveal how the addition of the 800 nm laser field perturbs and modifies the strong, 400 nm dominated multiphoton excitation and ionization channels. Our study provides a flexible control strategy for multiphoton excitation and ionization in atoms and even molecules and further advances the understanding of the complex ultrafast dynamics driven by two-color femtosecond laser fields. Full article

In recent years, metal phthalocyanine (MPc)-based sensors have garnered significant interest for applications in environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and industrial process control, owing to their efficient and cost-effective sensing capabilities. In contrast to conventional inorganic materials, MPcs are a class of small-molecule materials characterized by a stable, π-conjugated macrocyclic framework with a tunable central metal ion. This structural architecture imparts unique physicochemical properties, including high chemical stability, excellent redox activity, structural versatility, considerable dielectric constant and electrical conductivity, along with pronounced optical absorption and excellent environmental stability. By incorporating different metal ions into the macrocyclic core, their functional characteristics can be precisely modulated to achieve high sensitivity and selectivity toward various gas, ion, or biomolecule targets. Leveraging these advantages, MPcs have been extensively utilized in diverse sensing platforms, such as photoelectric, gas, and biosensors. This review outlines recent advances in MPc-based sensor research and provides perspectives on their future development trends. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined the acute effects of different doses of melatonin on performance, physiological, and psychophysiological responses during individualized exhaustive cycling exercise. Methods: Fifteen physically active but cycling-inexperienced men (18–35 years) completed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover protocol. Following an incremental test to determine the anaerobic threshold (AnT), participants performed four exhaustive exercise sessions at 80% of AnT after ingesting placebo or melatonin (5, 12.5, or 20 mg), administered approximately 30 min before exercise. Time to exhaustion (TLim) was considered the primary performance outcome. Heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, blood lactate concentration, blood glucose, and ratings of perceived exertion were assessed before, during, and after exercise. Results: No significant differences were observed between experimental conditions for TLim or for any physiological or psychophysiological variable. Only main effects of time were detected, reflecting expected exercise-induced responses, with small effect sizes and no evidence of a dose–response relationship across melatonin conditions. Baseline values were comparable among sessions. These findings indicate that acute melatonin administration at doses ranging from 5 to 20 mg does not elicit ergogenic effects nor modulate physiological or psychophysiological responses during prolonged individualized cycling exercise in healthy individuals. Conclusions: In male, healthy, physically active individuals inexperienced in cycling, acute melatonin administration at the doses tested did not produce ergogenic effects or alter physiological and psychophysiological responses during prolonged, individualized cycling exercise. Full article

Obesity is well-known as a major risk factor for metabolic disorders, and natural compounds are being explored as alternatives to conventional therapies. While Centella asiatica is well known for its medicinal and dietary benefits, the biological activities of Giant Centella asiatica (GCA), especially when extracted with mineral-rich lava seawater, remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-adipogenic and lipid-metabolism-regulating effects of a novel GCA extract (GCA-LS-90) and its ability to stimulate GLP-1 secretion in vitro. GCA-LS-90 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by up to 24.3% at 200 µg/mL (p < 0.001). It downregulated adipogenic transcription factors (C/EBPβ, C/EBPα, PPARγ) and lipogenic regulators (SREBP1c, FAS, G6PD, ME), while upregulating KLF2 (all p < 0.001). Western blotting confirmed reduced SREBP1c and SREBP2 protein expression, increased phosphorylation of AMPKα/ACC, and enhanced HSL activity (p < 0.05–0.001). In STC-1 cells, GCA-LS-90 increased GLP-1 secretion (53.5 pmol/L at 90 µg/mL vs. 41.3 pmol/L in control, p < 0.001). The major compounds, 3,5- and 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acids, reproduced these effects. In conclusion, GCA-LS-90 modulated adipogenesis-, lipid-metabolism-, and GLP-1 secretion-related pathways in vitro, suggesting its potential as a functional ingredient for obesity management. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm efficacy and translational relevance. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Fibrosis is the main prognostic factor and the last reversible stage before cirrhosis, yet therapeutic options remain limited. Given the strong contribution of gut dysbiosis to MASLD progression, strategies targeting the gut microbiota are of growing interest. This study aims to evaluate the effect of melatonin, a well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic compound, and Akkermansia muciniphila, a next-generation probiotic, on an MASLD-associated liver fibrosis model. Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a control or Western diet supplemented with fructose and intraperitoneal CCl₄ to induce liver fibrosis. After eight weeks, the animals received either no intervention, melatonin, A. muciniphila, or both for four weeks. Serum biochemistry, liver histology and gut and liver gene expression were evaluated and multi-omic analyses were performed, including gut microbiota profiling and faecal metabolomics. Statistical analyses assessed intergroup differences and correlations across datasets. Both interventions partially restored gut microbiota composition and functionality and modulated hepatic and intestinal gene expression. Melatonin and A. muciniphila exerted protective effects against MASLD-associated fibrosis, which supports their potential as adjunctive therapeutic strategies to mitigate liver injury through modulation of the gut–liver axis. Full article

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke demands interventions that restore perfusion and protect neurons within a narrow therapeutic window. We propose a unified theranostic platform that couples adaptive imaging, topology-aware decision-making, and immediate neuroprotective and micro-dosimetric intervention. Methods: The platform integrates three components. First, a topology-preserving MR–PET engine employs adaptive Poisson-disc sampling, partial Fourier constraints, and structured Hankel low-rank priors in a closed loop. Persistent-homology metrics quantify vascular graph uncertainty and guide subsequent k-space and PET projections, reducing acquisition time while preserving collateral topology. Second, immediate post-reperfusion delivery of glycolic acid attenuates glutamate-driven calcium influx and stabilizes mitochondrial function. Third, trace doses of sol–gel-derived, neutron-activated ⁹⁰Y₂O₃ microspheres provide sharply confined beta irradiation for micro-scale metabolic modulation. Results: In a porcine stroke model replicating the human recanalization workflow, the imaging engine maintained vascular Betti-number invariants within three percent of fully sampled reference scans while reducing acquisition time by nearly half. Glycolic acid reduced glutamate-induced intracellular calcium rise by approximately sixty percent in vitro and decreased infarct volume by thirty-eight percent in vivo. Micro-dosimetry confirmed a mean perivascular beta dose of twenty-eight grays, and histology demonstrated a forty-two percent increase in NeuN-positive neuronal survival compared with standard recanalization. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that intelligent compressed-sensing MR–PET, targeted micro-radioembolization, and glycolic acid neuroprotection can act synergistically to bridge diagnostic imaging and immediate intervention. By coupling imaging, decision-making, and therapy in a closed-loop manner and elevating topological fidelity from a reconstruction byproduct to a control variable, the proposed platform reframes MR–PET from passive diagnostics into an active, decision-driven theranostic system and establishes a foundation for future human trials. Full article

Pinctada martensii is a marine resource with potential for bioactive peptide development, but its anti-photoaging properties remain underexplored. In this study, Pinctada martensii meat hydrolysates (PME) were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis, and their anti-photoaging effects were evaluated in an in vivo ultraviolet-B (UVB)-irradiated nude mouse model. The results showed that PME markedly ameliorated UVB-induced skin damage. UVB increased epidermal thickness from 21.60 μm in the Control to 47.50 μm in the Model, and PME reduced epidermal thickness to 22.46 μm. Dermal collagen content decreased from 64.58% in the Control to 26.22% in the Model and was restored to 52.75% by PME. UVB upregulated matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1), MMP-3 and MMP-9 by approximately 2.20-, 1.93- and 3.09-fold relative to the Control, and PME suppressed these matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by approximately 61%, 65% and 52%, respectively. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) expression increased to 1.41-fold in the Model and was reduced to about 1.05-fold after PME treatment, suggesting inhibition of collagen degradation-related pathways. Untargeted serum metabolomics identified 205 differential metabolites between the Model and the Control, and PME shifted metabolite profiles toward those of the Control. Total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) decreased from 868.69 μmol/g in the Control to 301.34 μmol/g in the Model and increased to approximately 562 μmol/g after PME treatment, accompanied by modulation of the gut microbiota including recovery of Lachnospiraceae members, indicating involvement of the gut–skin axis. These findings support the potential of Pinctada martensii meat as a source for developing novel functional foods targeting skin photoaging. Full article

Background: A sedentary behavior and being overweight represent major public health issues associated with both physical and psychological risks. Based on self-determination theory (SDT), the psychoeducational intervention PsicoFIT—a component of the TIGREFIT program—aims to foster motivation toward physical activity, to promote healthy habits, and to reduce psychological ill-being in sedentary adults who are overweight and are fans of a football club. Methods: This protocol corresponds to a longitudinal comparative pragmatic clinical trial, designed in accordance with the recommendations of the SPIRIT Statement. The intervention, preceded by a training program for the coaches involved, will comprise 12 weekly modules delivered in two modalities: (1) face-to-face, through group sessions, and (2) semi face-to-face, through short video capsules hosted on a digital platform. Changes associated with the intervention will be evaluated using hierarchical multiple regression and pre-post comparisons, assessing baseline and post-intervention data within and between the intervention modalities. Primary outcomes will include changes in healthy lifestyle and burnout as indicators of well-being and ill-being, respectively. Secondary outcomes will assess basic psychological needs satisfaction and autonomous motivation as potential mediators of these effects, as well as the coach’s controlling interpersonal style as a possible contextual predictor. The modality of participation will be analyzed as a potential moderator of the observed changes. Finally, the acceptability and perceived contribution of the intervention will be explored through a focus group. Discussion: PsicoFIT will provide a methodological framework for designing interventions within multicomponent programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and psychological well-being in sedentary adults who are overweight, considering the social context of football fandom and allowing for an exploration of the impact of the face-to-face and semi-face-to-face modalities. Future empirical application of the protocol will help verify its effectiveness, guide adaptations across contexts, and contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions. Conclusions: The implementation of PsicoFit will allow for the evaluation of its effectiveness, psychological mechanisms, and delivery modalities, thus guiding future evidence-based interventions in sport. Full article

Drought and salinity are major abiotic stresses limiting plant performance in managed and natural ecosystems, including turfgrass systems. This study investigated the morphological, physiological, biochemical, and ionic responses of three Lolium perenne cultivars grown in natural and sterile soils under controlled water deficit and salinity treatments. Both stresses significantly reduced plant growth, but their underlying drivers differed markedly. Drought primarily imposed osmotic limitation, affecting biomass accumulation and plant water status, whereas salinity introduced an additional ionic constraint characterized by substantial Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation and reduced K⁺/Na⁺ ratios. This ionic imbalance was associated with enhanced oxidative stress and greater destabilization of photosynthetic pigments relative to drought. Multivariate hierarchical clustering revealed distinct trait coordination patterns under the two stress types, highlighting tighter integration among ionic regulation, redox balance, and growth limitation under salinity. Across treatments, plants grown in natural soil generally maintained improved physiological performance compared with those in sterile soil, although soil effects modulated response magnitude rather than direction. Cultivar-dependent differences reflected variation in regulatory efficiency across traits. Overall, the findings demonstrate that drought and salinity induce fundamentally different stress hierarchies in L. perenne, emphasizing the central role of ionic homeostasis in salinity tolerance and the value of integrated trait analysis for turfgrass stress management. Full article

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) in permanent-magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)-based wind energy conversion systems (WECS) remains challenging owing to strong nonlinearities, parametric uncertainties, and external disturbances. Conventional sliding mode control (SMC) strategies, while robust, suffer from chattering, dependence on full-state measurements, and degraded performance under model mismatch, limiting their practical deployment. To address these issues, this study proposes a neuroadaptive fuzzy fractional-order super-twisting sliding mode control (Fuzzy-FOSTSMC) integrated with a high-gain observer (HGO) and a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). The HGO estimates unmeasurable higher-order states (e.g., angular acceleration), enabling output-feedback implementation. In contrast, the RBFNN online approximates unknown nonlinear system dynamics $L_f^{2}h\left(x\right)$ and $L_g{L}_{f}h\left(x\right)$, rendering the controller model-free. Chattering is eliminated by replacing the discontinuous signum function with an adaptive fuzzy boundary layer that dynamically modulates the slope near the sliding surface. Stability is theoretically confirmed by Lyapunov analysis. Extensive MATLAB/Simulink simulations verify that the proposed approach yields a tracking precision of 99.96%, a steady-state speed error of 0.018 rad/s, and a 58.2% reduction in the integral absolute error (IAE) compared to the traditional FOSTSMC. It achieves the optimal power coefficient ($C_p=0.4762$) via TSR control at $7.000\pm 0.002$, under ±30% parametric uncertainties, demonstrating excellent robustness and MPPT effectiveness. Full article

The exceptional mechanical strength and toughness of collagen arise from its well-defined hierarchical architecture. Conventional methods for obtaining collagen aggregates (CAs), such as direct extraction from native tissues or acid swelling followed by mechanical processing, offer limited control over dimensional uniformity and provide little insight into the underlying exfoliation mechanisms. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces a novel strategy that leverages insights into the hierarchical interactions within collagen. We employ the ionic liquid 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIM]Cl) as an exfoliating agent to successfully isolate fibrous CAs from native bovine tendon. By precisely modulating temperature and processing time, we achieve CAs with tunable mesoscale dimensions (diameter 0.9–1.1 μm, length > 160 μm). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that [AMIM]Cl disrupts the intramolecular hydrogen-bonding network within collagen, thereby facilitating controlled exfoliation. These exfoliated aggregates serve as fundamental building blocks for fabricating collagen films. The resulting materials exhibit robust mechanical integrity, high transparency, reversible pH-responsive behavior, and excellent biocompatibility as verified by cytotoxicity assays, which together underscore their potential as versatile biomaterial platforms. Furthermore, the integration of single-walled carbon nanotubes yields conductive composites with confirmed electrical functionality. This study thus presents an innovative pathway for the precision processing of collagen and advances the design of high-performance collagen-based biomaterials. Full article