Search Results (5,951)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive synaptic dysfunction, axonal pathology, and cognitive decline, with the hippocampal circuits showing particular vulnerability during disease progression. However, early-life nutritional interventions may influence long-term synaptic resilience. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of prenatal and lactational supplementation with choline, UMP, and fish oil in the 5XFAD mouse model. To this end, hippocampal synaptic and axonal pathology was assessed at 3, 6, and 9 months using Western blotting and immunofluorescence to measure synaptophysin, PSD-95, and neurofilament medium chain (NF-M), alongside a multidimensional behavioral battery that evaluated cognitive, affective, motor, and sensory outcomes. Results showed that early-life supplementation did not significantly improve the learning performance decline, increase nociception, or reverse changes in anxiety behavior in transgenic mice. However, it attenuated synaptic decline in transgenic animals by partially preserving synaptophysin and PSD-95 levels and reducing NF-M elevations. These molecular effects were accompanied by selective behavioral modulation, including preserved learning dynamics, altered anxiety-like behavior, and delayed nociceptive hypersensitivity, while late-stage motor impairments remained largely unaffected. Overall, prenatal and lactational supplementation produced modest, age-dependent effects on synaptic markers and partially prevented neurodegenerative progression in the 5XFAD model. Full article

Background/Objectives: Young women with breast cancer (aged ≤ 40 years) have distinct prognostic characteristics, yet little is known about how modifiable body composition factors influence outcomes in this age group. This study examined whether CT-derived body composition measures could identify thresholds that predict overall survival (OS). Methods: This was a single-center, 10-year, matched case–control study nested within a cohort, utilizing retrospectively collected data. Using an institutional database (2009–2018) and the initial cohort of 112 patients, we performed a subset analysis of patients with stage I–III breast cancer at diagnosis who had available pretreatment CT scans to estimate associations with body composition metrics and OS. The final analytic dataset included 89 individuals (49 survivors and 40 deceased). CT scans at the L3 level were analyzed using Slice-O-Matic software to quantify visceral (VAT), subcutaneous (SAT), intermuscular (IMAT), total adipose tissue (TAT), skeletal muscle density (SMD), skeletal muscle gauge (SMG), and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Cox proportional hazard models determined optimal cutpoints for OS. Multivariable models included adjustments for disease stage and hormone receptor status. Results: The median age was 35 (IQR, 32–38); 47% were White and 37% were Black. The majority (78%) were not Hispanic or Latina. Most (67%) were overweight/obese. Specific thresholds for IMAT index (>2.57), VAT (>31.38), and SMG (<2419.89) were associated with worse survival (all p < 0.05), while no cutpoints were identified for other variables. Conclusions: These findings show that muscle fat infiltration and reduced muscle quality have important prognostic value in young women with breast cancer. Exploratory cutpoints derived from routine staging CT scans may help inform risk stratification and generate hypotheses for targeted nutritional or exercise interventions, but require validation in larger, independent cohorts before clinical application. Full article

Background/Objectives: The preschool period is critical for neurodevelopment, yet evidence investigating fortified formula’s effect and potential microbiota–gut–brain axis mechanisms in this age group is limited. To evaluate fortified formula milk’s effect on neurodevelopment and explore potential microbiota–gut–brain axis mechanisms in preschool children. Methods: In this 9-month cluster-randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 120 healthy children aged 3–6 years from four kindergarten classes were stratified by grade and randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either multi-nutrient fortified formula (intervention, n = 60) or standard control milk (n = 60). Neurocognitive function was assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Safety was evaluated through anthropometry and blood biochemistry. Gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) and fecal metabolomes (untargeted LC-MS) were analyzed at baseline and 9 months. Results: The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed no significant difference in Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (adjusted mean difference: 1.05 points; 95% CI: −1.42, 3.52; p = 0.400). However, the intervention group significantly improved the Processing Speed Index (adjusted mean difference: 5.91 points; 95% CI: 1.88, 9.93; p = 0.004), increased gut microbial alpha diversity (Shannon index) and Bifidobacterium abundance. Metabolomic analysis revealed elevated fecal 2-hydroxybutyric acid (2-HB), a marker of propanoate metabolism. Increases in both Bifidobacterium and 2-HB levels showed a positive association with PSI improvement (both p < 0.05). All children maintained normal growth and safety parameters. Conclusions: Fortified formula milk improved processing speed in preschoolers, a benefit associated with gut ecosystem modulation characterized by Bifidobacterium enrichment and upregulated microbial propanoate metabolism. These results offer preliminary evidence for the role of the microbiota–gut–brain axis in nutritional cognitive programming during early childhood. (Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2400084211). Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) causes significant oral manifestations that negatively impact oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of combined dental interventions and lifestyle guidance on OHRQoL in patients with MetS. Methods: In total, 82 participants with MetS were randomized into an intervention group (IG; n = 39), receiving dental treatment plus lifestyle guidance, or a control group (CG; n = 43), receiving lifestyle guidance only. OHRQoL was assessed using GOHAI and OHIP-14 at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and multivariable ANCOVA, adjusting for age, sex, baseline OHRQoL, and waist circumference. Pearson correlations examined the relationship between metabolic changes (Δ) and OHRQoL. Results: At 3 months, the IG demonstrated significantly superior OHIP-14 scores (p = 0.020) and a large effect size in social disability (${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.148, p < 0.001) compared to the CG. Within-group analysis showed the IG achieved highly significant longitudinal improvements in pain and psychological discomfort (all p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis confirmed these gains were primarily driven by participants with missing teeth (${\eta }_p^2$ = 0.447, p < 0.001), whereas the periodontitis-only subgroup showed non-significant shifts. Multivariable analysis identified age and baseline scores as primary predictors. Notably, OHRQoL improvements significantly correlated with reductions in body weight (r = 0.355, p = 0.001) and waist circumference (r = 0.238, p = 0.031). Conclusions: Integrated dental and lifestyle interventions significantly improved OHRQoL in MetS patients by enhancing psychosocial well-being and social reintegration. Gains were functionally driven by systemic metabolic success. Addressing “nutritional barriers” through dental rehabilitation, while targeting weight loss goals, was essential for holistic MetS management. Full article

Vaccine performance in livestock and poultry often varies under field conditions. Conventional explanations, such as handling errors, cold-chain failures, or antigen mismatch do not fully account for inconsistent immunogenicity and durability. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome acts as an upstream regulator of vaccine responses through microbial structural signals and metabolites that shape antigen presentation, B-cell metabolism, and inflammatory tone. Early life microbiome disruption can impair antibody responses to multiple vaccines, highlighting a plausible causal role for dysbiosis in suboptimal vaccine efficacy. Microbiota-derived metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), can influence B-cell differentiation and antibody production through metabolic and epigenetic pathways. However, these effects are dose- and context-dependent, highlighting the need for controlled translation rather than generalized assumptions that higher SCFA levels are beneficial. This review synthesizes microbiome–immunometabolism pathways relevant to vaccine responses in food animals and assesses practical nutritional and microbiome-targeted strategies, such as amino acids, trace minerals, organic acids, phytogenics, and postbiotics, that may modulate these pathways to improve outcomes. We also propose field-deployable biomarker panels that combine immune readouts with inflammation- and microbiome-linked metabolite proxies to stratify likely responders, monitor intervention effects, and improve trial comparability. Finally, we outline translational study designs that connect microbiome shifts to protective immune endpoints and performance outcomes, enabling evidence-based integration of microbiome-informed strategies into vaccination programs for poultry, with broader conceptual relevance to other food animals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease in which lifestyle modification represents the cornerstone of treatment. Among dietary strategies, ketogenic diets can induce rapid weight loss, whereas the Mediterranean diet is associated with established cardiometabolic benefits but typically produces slower weight reduction. Very-low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) are effective for weight loss but are often limited by cost, reliance on meal replacements, and reduced long-term feasibility. This study aimed to evaluate whether a whole-food Mediterranean ketogenic diet with moderate caloric restriction (MedKD) could represent a feasible and effective alternative to VLCKD for weight loss and metabolic improvement in adults with obesity. Methods: This 3-month prospective, real-world study compared VLCKD and MedKD in adults with obesity attending a clinical nutrition program. The primary outcome was percentage weight loss. Secondary outcomes included changes in waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, kidney function, and treatment tolerability. Clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Group differences and time-by-group interactions were analyzed to evaluate changes over the study period. Results: Sixty-two participants were enrolled, and 55 completed the study (27 VLCKD, 28 MedKD). Baseline characteristics were generally comparable, although the MedKD group had a higher prevalence of diabetes and higher baseline insulin resistance and triglyceride levels. Both dietary interventions resulted in substantial and comparable weight loss (approximately 15% of initial body weight), accompanied by significant reductions in waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Insulin resistance improved in both groups, with a greater reduction in HOMA-IR observed in the MedKD group (time × group p = 0.031). Serum creatinine decreased in the VLCKD group and slightly increased in the MedKD group (p = 0.025). Changes in lipid profile were not significantly different between groups. No severe adverse events were reported. Conclusions: A whole-food Mediterranean ketogenic diet with moderate caloric restriction achieved weight loss and metabolic improvements comparable to those observed with VLCKD over three months. These findings suggest that MedKD may represent a feasible alternative to formula-based ketogenic programs, supporting more flexible and personalized dietary strategies in the clinical management of obesity. Full article

Sarcopenia is a progressive and multifactorial muscle disorder associated with diminished strength, reduced functional capacity, and increased risk of adverse health outcomes including frailty, falls, and mortality. Despite its clinical burden, the molecular pathogenesis of sarcopenia remains poorly understood, which hinders the development of precise therapeutic strategies. This review examines emerging evidence linking anabolic resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuromuscular instability, and chronic inflammation to impaired regeneration and disrupted proteostasis. While nutritional interventions such as high-quality protein, leucine metabolites, and vitamin D supplementation preserve lean mass, they fail to consistently restore function independently. Although exercise remains the cornerstone therapy, its benefits are often constrained in patients with multimorbidity or reduced mobility. Given the biological heterogeneity of sarcopenia, there is a need to shift from generic supportive care to stratified, mechanism-based therapy. Emerging omics technologies including transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolic profiling offer a promising avenue to define molecular endotypes. This will guide the development of precision-based management strategies. Full article

Background: Major hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgeries cause significant physical stress. In this study, we evaluated how a 4-week multimodal prehabilitation program affects perioperative outcomes across different types of HPB procedures. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 359 patients undergoing HPB surgery (162 historical controls and 197 in the prehabilitation group). To accurately assess the clinical benefits of various procedures, patients were stratified into specific surgical groups: major and minor hepatectomy, pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), and left pancreatectomy (LP). Results: The prehabilitation program significantly improved preoperative nutrition, demonstrated by increased serum albumin levels on the day of surgery (p < 0.001), and the clinical benefits were most pronounced in pancreatic surgeries. Patients undergoing PD in the prehabilitation group had a significantly shorter median hospital stay (8 versus 13 days, p < 0.001). LP patients also experienced shorter hospital stays (5 versus 9 days, p = 0.001) and reduced blood loss (p = 0.002). For minor hepatectomies, the intervention significantly lowered the need for blood transfusions (8.3% versus 18.9%, p = 0.033). The length of stay and complication rates for major hepatectomies remained comparable between groups. Importantly, major morbidities and 90-day mortality were low and similar across all cohorts. Conclusions: Multimodal prehabilitation successfully optimizes preoperative nutrition and accelerates hospital discharge, especially after highly stressful pancreatic surgeries. Because benefits vary by surgical magnitude, prehabilitation pathways should be tailored to prioritize high-risk patients facing complex operations. Full article

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CCDS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting older dogs that shares many pathological mechanisms with human Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although it is common in geriatric dogs, CCDS is often underdiagnosed in veterinary medicine. Both CCDS and AD involve a gradual decline in cognitive functions such as memory, learning and executive abilities. From a pathological perspective, dogs with CCDS show brain changes similar to those seen in AD, including cerebral atrophy, loss of neurons and accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques. CCDS is diagnosed by exclusion, meaning that other medical or neurological conditions that could cause similar behavioural signs must first be ruled out. Clinical evaluation mainly relies on structured questionnaires completed by owners. Magnetic resonance imaging is used to confirm cerebral atrophy and, at the same time, to exclude other brain disorders, such as cerebrovascular accidents and neoplasia. Current research focuses on identifying fluid biomarkers, such as amyloid-beta, neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein, to support an early and objective diagnosis. The most effective management combines pharmacological therapy, targeted nutrition and non-pharmacological strategies, including environmental enrichment and behavioural support. Early intervention, ideally during mild cognitive impairment, is crucial to slow disease progression and maintain quality of life. Full article

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC) has been confirmed to possess excellent nutritional activities as a natural flavonoid low-calorie sweetener, but its practical application in the food industry was greatly limited due to its low water solubility. The potential NHDC activity against oxidative stress (OS) diseases was explored through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, and a highly water-soluble NHDC-L-arginine complex (NL) was prepared by combining NHDC with L-arginine to overcome this technical bottleneck. Meanwhile, the enhancement of antioxidant capacity markers under non-stressed conditions following NL treatment was systematically investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), and transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were integrated to reveal the potential regulatory mechanism at the molecular and metabolic levels. It was found that NHDC could exert potential anti-OS effects by targeting and binding to key proteins such as CYP19A1, TYR, EPHX2, TDP1, ESR1, and SLC5A1. In addition, the MDA level in C. elegans after NL intervention was significantly reduced to 0.65 ± 0.06 nmol/mg prot, while the activities of antioxidant enzymes T-SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT were significantly increased to 48.83 ± 1.75 U/mg prot, 112.95 ± 0.55 U/mg prot, and 6.30 ± 0.16 U/mg prot, respectively. Longevity regulating pathway–worm was identified as a potential key signaling pathway for NL to regulate the enhancement of antioxidant capacity markers under non-stressed conditions of C. elegans at the molecular level, and the pentose phosphate pathway was the core metabolic pathway. These results could offer theoretical support for the potential development of NHDC and NL in the field of antioxidants, as well as their large-scale applications in the functional food and flavored food industries. Full article

Yushu yaks face nutritional deficiency and poor production performance in the cold season on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, yet their metabolic responses to different feeding modes remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of traditional grazing, grazing with concentrate supplementation, and TMR stall-feeding on 90 four-year-old Yushu yaks (30 per group) during a 180-day cold-season trial, by determining body weight changes, serum biochemical parameters and plasma metabolic profiles. Stall-fed yaks had the highest average daily gain (259.05 ± 61.56 g/d), while grazing yaks showed negative gain (−279.50 ± 44.45 g/d) and supplementary-fed yaks had intermediate performance; grazing yaks had stronger antioxidant enzyme activity, and supplemented/stall-fed yaks had higher serum mineral and albumin levels. Metabolomic analysis identified 2024 plasma metabolites, with grazing yaks enriched in plateau adaptation and antioxidant pathways, stall-fed yaks in energy metabolism pathways, and supplementary-fed yaks in both growth and antioxidant pathways. Our findings confirm that gradient nutritional interventions regulate the balance between yak growth and plateau adaptability, with concentrate supplementation as the optimal cold-season feeding mode for local herders and stall-feeding suitable for intensive breeding to maximize growth efficiency. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a nutritionally balanced eating pattern characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil as the principal fat source and limited intake of red meat and refined sugars. Emerging evidence indicates that the MD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties extend beyond systemic health, potentially reducing the risk and severity of periodontitis. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between adherence to the MD and periodontal health outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed without restrictions on publication date. Fourteen studies, ranging from 2019 to 2025, were included, encompassing human, clinical, experimental, and review designs that examined MD adherence and its effects on periodontal parameters. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, cohort, randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews; and animal models assessing clinical periodontal indices, inflammatory biomarkers, or microbial composition. Extracted data included study design, population characteristics, dietary assessment methods, and primary periodontal findings. Results: Most studies demonstrated that greater adherence to the MD was associated with improved periodontal parameters, including reduced probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Interventional trials showed significant reductions in systemic inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and CRP, along with decreased counts of periodontopathogenic bacteria. Experimental studies further revealed the protective role of oleic acid and polyphenols in regulating macrophage activity, suppressing osteoclastogenesis, and enhancing IL-10 expression via epigenetic modulation. However, heterogeneity in dietary scoring systems, sample characteristics, and follow-up duration limited direct comparison, and not all associations reached statistical significance. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a beneficial association between MD adherence and periodontal health, mediated through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiome-stabilizing mechanisms. Further standardized longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm causality and refine nutritional strategies for periodontal disease prevention and management. Full article

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the presence of low skeletal muscle mass, is highly prevalent in cancer patients and associated with adverse events and lower survival. Given the chronic inflammation associated with sarcopenia, it is especially relevant in patients receiving immunotherapy. The current research is limited to small sample sizes and single cancer types leaving the overall effect of sarcopenia unclear. This review and meta-analysis examined the prognostic effect of sarcopenia in cancer patients treated with immunotherapy. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus. Studies were included if they investigated the association of baseline low skeletal muscle mass, as measured on CT or MRI and normalised for height, and survival in patients with solid tumours treated with immunotherapy. A meta-analysis of hazard ratios (HR) was performed using a random effects model for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: In total, 48 studies were included in this review, of which 42 were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of sarcopenia ranged between 19.5% and 83.6%. The meta-analysis showed an overall prognostic effect of sarcopenia for OS and PFS (HR = 1.58; 95% CI 1.35–1.85; p < 0.0001 and HR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.30–1.72; p < 0.001, respectively). High heterogeneity was present between the included studies, which could possibly be explained by the differences in sarcopenia definition, cutoff values, and measurement techniques. Conclusions: Sarcopenia is a significant adverse prognostic factor for both OS and PFS in patients with solid tumours treated with immunotherapy across cancer types. Further research into the underlying mechanism of sarcopenia and its relation to the immune response and survival is needed. Prospective intervention studies are required to establish the care needed, such as nutrition and exercise, to improve the prognosis of sarcopenic patients. Full article

Health-promoting foods are attracting growing interest as complements to pharmacological interventions, particularly when incorporated into bioactive-enriched functional foods. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plays a key socio-economic role in arid and semi-arid regions, and is widely recognized for its high nutritional value, functional attributes, and therapeutic potential. Date fruits and their processing by-products, particularly the seeds, are a rich source of essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and diverse phytochemicals with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. This narrative review summarizes the latest evidence from experimental, preclinical, and emerging clinical studies on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, and biofunctional properties of dates and their derivatives, with particular emphasis on seeds as a significant processing by-product. Recent advances in their valorization for food applications, including bakery products, dairy products, beverages, meat products, confectionery, and active packaging, are critically discussed, as are their emerging uses in the pharmaceutical and related industries. Particular attention is given to their potential to improve the nutritional quality, functional performance, sensory attributes, and shelf life of food products. Overall, date fruits and their by-products are cost-effective, natural, and sustainable ingredients for developing value-added functional foods. Their efficient valorization offers promising strategies for reducing waste, implementing circular economy principles, and meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthier products. This review highlights the need for multidisciplinary research and innovation to advance sustainable by-product utilization, improve agro-industrial waste management, and expand the range of high-value applications for date fruits and seeds, thereby contributing to global food security, economic development, and improved public health. Full article

While the association between food insecurity and adolescent obesity is well-established, the mechanisms through which these co-occurring public health crises are linked remain inadequately understood. Using the Social Ecological Model as a theoretical framework, this study examines how individual (physical activity), interpersonal (household food security), community (poverty level, residence), and societal (race/ethnicity) factors interact to influence adolescent weight outcomes. Cross-sectional data from 37,425 adolescents aged 12–17 years in the 2022–2023 National Survey of Children’s Health using weighted multinomial logistic regression with interaction terms were used. Adolescents experiencing nutrition insecurity (adequate quantity but poor-quality food) had 41% higher odds of obesity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.20–1.65), while those with food insecurity (insufficient quantity) had 48% higher odds (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.08–2.02) compared to food-secure peers. Significant effect modification emerged across ecological levels: poverty below the 200% federal poverty level (FPL) significantly amplified the food insecurity–obesity relationship (interaction p < 0.001), Hispanic and Black adolescents demonstrated 49% and 78% higher obesity odds, respectively, independent of household food and nutrition security status, and physical activity showed protective effects that varied by food security context (interaction p = 0.003). These findings underscore the necessity of multi-level interventions addressing structural inequities alongside individual behaviors to combat adolescent obesity in food-insecure populations effectively. Full article