Search Results (925)

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent complication of anticancer therapy which arises from cytotoxic injury, having significant clinical implications. Nutritional and supplement-based interventions have been proposed as adjunctive strategies to improve outcomes. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating nutritional or natural supplement interventions for prevention or management of OM in pediatric oncology. Methods: We conducted a systematic search (17 August 2025) of Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Google Scholar (1 January 2000–1 June 2025) following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251134454). The review included randomized controlled trials in pediatric cancer patients (≤18 years; up to 25 years for follow-up) receiving chemo-/radiotherapy, assessing nutritional, dietary, or natural product interventions for oral mucositis prevention or treatment. Non-randomized, adult, non-English, non-peer-reviewed, or inaccessible studies were excluded. Outcomes included incidence, severity, duration of OM, and mucositis-associated pain. Risk of bias was assessed using the NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results were qualitatively summarized. Results: Of 5870 records identified, 20 RCTs met inclusion criteria resulting in 1430 total included patients. Interventions tested included systemic supplements (e.g., glutamine, zinc, and bovine colostrum), topically applied agents (e.g., honey, vitamin E, Aloe vera, and olive oil), and nutrient-containing rinses (e.g., chamomile, Caphosol, and Traumeel S). Honey-based interventions showed promising outcomes. Discussion: Study designs and sample sizes varied considerably, and outcome measures were heterogeneous. Challenges with blinding, variable compliance, and inconsistent reporting reduce confidence and precision in the findings. Conclusions: Evidence from pediatric RCTs remains limited but highlights nutritional and natural products as promising supportive care options for OM. Findings suggest potential for practical, low-cost adjuncts to established oral care protocols, warranting further high-quality multicenter trials. Full article

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been suggested as potential contributors to the initiation and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Nicotinamide and pyruvate are important in the human body for maintaining metabolic function and preserving cytoskeletal structures. Both substances show an age-dependent decline in humans which may contribute to metabolic dysfunction and POAG vulnerability. Pilot works suggest their consumption may help prevent retinal ganglion cell deterioration under elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and oxidative stress. Currently, there are no approved POAG treatments to mitigate risks from non-IOP drivers of disease, including oxidative stress. The purpose of this review is to summarize and critically evaluate interventional studies that have investigated nicotinamide and pyruvate supplementation in attempts to treat metabolic dysfunction in POAG patients. A review of the relevant literature from October 1979 to November 2025 was performed using related search terminologies through PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar, and by reference cross-matching of all related articles. Current pilot data suggests that supplementation with nicotinamide and pyruvate demonstrates certain aspects of retinal neuroprotection and produces short-term improvements in visual function. However, much of the existing work has been conducted in animal models, and human study data are severely limited in scope and duration. Several clinical trials are registered as being in progress that aim to determine the chronic effects of nicotinamide and pyruvate in humans. Long-term longitudinal investigations with significantly larger and diverse sample sizes tied to functional and structural outcomes are needed for the safety and potential clinical utility of nicotinamide and pyruvate for POAG. Full article

Background/Objectives: Moringa oleifera Lam. is traditionally used in African and Asian medicine for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. Rich in (poly)phenols, vitamins, and minerals, various parts of the plant were used to manage metabolic disorders. No systematic research critically evaluated its impact on cardiometabolic outcomes assessed through randomized controlled trials (RCTs), thus this study aimed to do so by synthesizing existing evidence. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted through 7 April 2025. Eligible RCTs with a minimum duration of two weeks that evaluated moringa supplementation in adults (≥18 years) and reported at least one cardiometabolic outcome, including anthropometric measures, lipid profile, glycemic indices, or blood pressure. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences, risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, while the certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE assessment. Results: Nine RCTs (12 study arms) involving 341 participants in the intervention and 308 in the control groups met inclusion criteria. Moringa supplementation showed no significant effects on most considered outcomes. A modest reduction in diastolic blood pressure (SMD: −0.41; 95% CI: −0.75 to −0.07; p = 0.02; I² = 19%) was observed; however, this effect was not robust in sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses suggested potential benefits at doses <10 g/day, in participants <50 years old, and in interventions lasting ≥12 weeks. Nevertheless, risk of bias, substantial heterogeneity (I² frequently >80% for anthropometric and lipid parameters), indirectness, and methodological limitations reduced the overall certainty of evidence to very low for all the evaluated outcomes. Conclusions: Current evidence does not support consistent cardiometabolic benefits of moringa supplementation in adults. Further large-scale, rigorously designed RCTs are warranted to clarify its therapeutic potential and optimal supplementation parameters. Full article

The influence of the conjugate of 24-epibrassinolide with succinic acid (tetrahydrosuccinate of 24-epibrassinolide, EBL THS) and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on the acclimation of rapeseed plants (Brassica napus L.) to chloride salinity (150 mM NaCl) was investigated. After two weeks of growth in Hoagland–Snyder medium, the rapeseed seedlings were transferred to the same medium supplemented with EBL or EBL THS (10 nM) for 4 h, after which NaCl (150 mM) was added; parameters were taken on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days. It was established that salt stress inhibited growth processes (by 19–45%), reduced the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents (by 19–50%), photosystem II efficiency (by 13–19%), tissue hydration (by 3.54%), and osmotic potential (by three times), increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) (by 1.5–2 times), and proline accumulation (by 1.4–18 times), and altered ion status, increasing the concentrations of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions while decreasing the levels of K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, S²⁺, Fe²⁺, Al³⁺, and P³⁺. The short-term pretreatment of plants with EBL THS, similar to EBL, reduced the inhibitory effects of NaCl on growth processes, pigment content (to a greater extent with EBL THS), the efficiency of photochemical processes in photosystem II, the accumulation of Na⁺ ions, and in the case of EBL THS, the accumulation of Cl⁻ ions. Both regulators (especially EBL THS) reduced LPO, and stimulated the accumulation of NaCl-induced proline, which was organ-specific and dependent on the duration of stress. EBL THS stimulated the activity of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase, whereas EBL primarily stimulated peroxidase. Thus, it was demonstrated for the first time that EBL THS, like EBL, increased the salt tolerance of rapeseed plants, but had a more pronounced stress-protective effect, primarily at the level of antioxidant system components. Full article

Improving growth and health at weaning remains a priority in pig production. This study investigates whether supplementation with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs) followed by xylo-oligosaccharides (XOSs) improves performance and gut health of healthy 28-day old weaning piglets. Pigs received either a control basal (CON) diet, the CON diet containing 1% GOS for 7 days followed by the CON diet containing 0.017% XOS for 47 days (GXOS), or the CON diet for 7 days followed by the CON diet containing 0.017% XOS for 47 days (XOS). Body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ between diets from day 1 of weaning (d1) to d54. At d7, GXOS pigs showed increased jejunal and caecal α-diversity (Shannon, inverse Simpson), distinct ileal β-diversity (Yu and Clayton, Bray–Curtis, Jaccard), and greater short-chain fatty acid-producing Lactobacillus and Veillonella; no taxa remained differentially abundant by d22, and the XOS group showed no microbiota shifts throughout the study. Jejunal goblet cell density was lower in GXOS pigs at d7. Jejunal and caecal IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 gene expression was transiently greater at d7 in GXOS pigs, whereas by d22 cytokine/chemokine differences resolved, whilst intestinal alkaline phosphatase was upregulated in the ileum and caecum (XOS) and colon (GXOS and XOS). Sequential prebiotic switching and delayed XOS onset likely missed the immediate post-weaning window, during which the gut microbiota is most receptive to dietary modulation, consequently limiting potential performance gains; therefore, prebiotic timing, sequence, and duration are critical to achieving functional benefits at weaning. Full article

Background: Migraine is a common, disabling neurological disorder with substantial genetic and environmental contributions. Dietary exposures are widely discussed by patients and clinicians as potential triggers or modifiers of attack frequency and severity. We synthesized contemporary evidence on dietary patterns, specific nutrients, and elimination strategies relevant to migraine prevention and management. Methods: We performed a narrative review of PubMed and Google Scholar (inception–August 2025) using combinations of “migraine”, “diet”, “nutrition”, “ketogenic”, “Mediterranean”, “omega-3”, and “gluten”. We prioritized randomized/controlled studies, recent systematic reviews/meta-analyses, and representative observational studies; evidence quality and applicability were appraised descriptively. Results: Higher adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with lower migraine frequency and disability in observational cohorts. Very low-calorie ketogenic diets significantly reduced monthly migraine attack frequency compared with isocaloric non-ketogenic comparators in an adult randomized controlled trial of participants with overweight or obesity (≥50% responder rate: 74% vs. 6%). Additional supportive evidence from uncontrolled studies, including those involving medium-chain triglyceride supplementation, further corroborates these findings. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) show prophylactic benefit in randomized trials and network meta-analyses, with favorable tolerability. Gluten-free diets may improve headaches in celiac disease and may help selected non-celiac patients. Alcohol (especially red wine) and high, irregular caffeine intake are frequently reported triggers, while evidence for specific foods/additives remains inconsistent. Weight loss and regular physical activity may further reduce burden in people with obesity. Conclusions: Current evidence supports recommending Mediterranean-style eating, consideration of omega-3 supplementation, and selective trials of ketogenic or elimination approaches in appropriate patients, alongside weight management and lifestyle optimization. High-quality, longer-duration RCTs using standardized dietary protocols and adherence biomarkers are needed to define dose–response relationships and enable personalized nutrition in migraine. Full article

The nutritional potential of Opuntia forage is limited by its low crude protein (CP) content. Urea supplementation enhances low-quality forages, but its application in Opuntia silage and its influence on ruminal degradability are limited. This study evaluated the effects of urea addition (0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 g/kg of dry matter (DM)) and ensiling duration (0, 4, 8, 16, 24, or 28 d) on the silage pH and in situ DM degradability of four Opuntia species. Silage pH was influenced by both species and urea level, with greater values observed in silages treated with urea at 80 g/kg DM. The effective degradability of DM (EDDM) was influenced by Opuntia species and was reduced at the highest urea level. In contrast, the ensiling period beyond 12 d did not affect EDDM, and pH stabilized for all treatments after this point. Urea supplementation increases CP content and modifies silage pH but does not improve ruminal degradability. It is recommended that the addition of urea in Opuntia silages should not exceed 60 g/kg DM to avoid reduced fermentative quality. A study limitation is the absence of fermentation end-product data, which would offer a more complete quality assessment. Full article

Background: The interaction between probiotics and the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) pathway has been increasingly explored as a potential mechanism for immune modulation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) has shown promising results in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, but its effect on the VDR pathway remains unexplored in humans. Aim: To test the hypothesis that LGG can stimulate the vitamin D/VDR pathway and modulate mucosal-adherent microbiota. Methods: In this study, we analyzed a subgroup of 13 patients from the LGGinUC trial, in which UC patients with mild-to-moderate disease activity received LGG monotherapy for four weeks. Colonic biopsy samples were collected before and after treatment to evaluate VDR expression via RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Mucosal-adherent microbiota was also analyzed by DNA extraction and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: LGG administration significantly increased VDR mRNA expression in colonic mucosa (p < 0.05), with a corresponding rise in VDR protein levels in both epithelial and sub-epithelial compartments. Microbiota analysis revealed a reduction in α-diversity, primarily due to a decrease in commensal bacterial species, while β-diversity remained largely unchanged. Conclusions: Although the present results have to be considered preliminary, this is the first human study demonstrating that probiotic supplementation can upregulate VDR expression in colonic mucosa. We propose that LGG may exert its beneficial effects in UC by stimulating the VDR pathway, which in turn modulates mucosal immunity and microbiota composition. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer treatment durations are needed to validate these findings and explore their therapeutic implications. Full article

The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is widely used as a biological control agent against phloem-feeding pests in vegetable production. However, its mass rearing is constrained by the lack of standardized and cost-effective artificial diets (ADs). In this study, the effects of various AD compositions on the development and viability of A. swirskii were assessed at lab-scale. A basal diet was supplemented with eggs of Sitotroga cerealella, Galleria mellonella, Tetranychus turkestani, and decapsulated Artemia salina cysts. The feeder mite Carpoglyphus lactis served as a control. Developmental duration, survival, adult longevity, feeding intensity, and fertility were evaluated. The shortest pre-imaginal development (2.9 ± 0.1 days) and highest survival (78%) were observed on S. cerealella eggs, while the longest adult lifespan (10.5 ± 0.3 days) and weakest survival (38%) occurred with A. salina. In contrast, G. mellonella eggs proved to be the least suitable, resulting in minimal survival and reproduction. Study findings support S. cerealella and A. salina as promising AD components, with further optimization needed for improving reproductive output. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ingestion of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) or GOS mixtures has been purported to improve exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) distress and post-exercise recovery. However, the effects have not been explored in recreationally trained endurance athletes. This triple-blind randomised controlled trial, therefore, investigated whether 12 weeks of B-GOS^® supplementation affects gastrointestinal comfort and psychological wellbeing in recreational athletes. Methods: Eighteen physically active individuals (12 males, 8 females, 44 ± 14 years, 1.7 ± 0.1 m and 73 ± 14 kg) volunteered for this study. Participants were assigned to independent groups in a placebo-controlled, triple-blind manner via stratified randomisation. A 20 min run at 80% VO_2max was completed, with measures for GI distress and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 questionnaire (CSAI-2) pre- and post-exercise. A 12-week supplementation period then ensued, where participants ingested either 3.65 g of B-GOS or an appearance-matched maltodextrin placebo. During this time, physical activity levels (IPAQ-7), general stress (REST-Q), mental wellbeing (WEMWBS), and sleep (core consensus sleep diary) were measured at regular time points. Results: There were no significant differences in VO_2max (p = 0.437), GI discomfort (p = 0.227), or CSAI-2 (p = 0.739–0.954) from pre- to post-exercise at any time point or between conditions. Over the 12 weeks there were no significant differences between B-GOS and placebo in IPAQ-7 (p = 0.144–0.723), REST-Q (p = 0.282–0.954), WEMWBS (B-GOS pre = 51 ± 10, post = 53 ± 7; PLA pre = 51 ± 4, post 54; p = 0.862), or sleep (p = 0.065–0.992). The linear mixed model suggests that some may benefit on an individual level in terms of WEMWBS, general stress score, recovery-related scores, sleep, and sport-specific recovery score. Conclusions: There were no group benefits of B-GOS supplementation compared with placebo, although the individual variation may warrant further research in larger sample sizes and longer-duration studies. Full article

Biathlon is a winter Olympic sport that combines high-intensity cross-country skiing with precise rifle shooting. These dual demands require athletes to develop exceptional aerobic capacity while maintaining fine motor accuracy under physiological stress. Despite its complexity, nutritional strategies in biathlon remain under-explored and recommendations are often extrapolated from related endurance sports. This narrative review aims to summarise existing knowledge on nutrition in biathlon, highlight sport-specific challenges and identify areas for future research. The main findings indicate that biathletes face very high energy demands, with daily expenditure exceeding 7000 kcal during intensive training. Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source, with intake recommendations based on training intensity and duration (6–12 g/kg/d). Furthermore, protein is essential for muscle repair, recovery and adaptation. To achieve the recommended intake of 1.6 g/kg/day, it is advisable to consume meals containing approximately 0.3 g/kg of high-quality protein every three to four hours. Given the frequency of training sessions, effective recovery strategies are important in biathlon. When recovery is a priority, biathletes should consume a meal comprising protein (approximately 0.3 g/kg) and carbohydrates (approximately 1.2 g/kg) before key training sessions. Micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies are not commonly observed in biathletes due to their high calorie intake. However, concerns regarding iron and vitamin D are common among endurance athletes due to the high risk of low energy intake, diets lacking in iron, and insufficient exposure to sunlight. On the day of the race, it is recommended that biathletes plan their meals to ensure that they meet their nutritional needs and begin recovery as soon as possible after the race is over. Biathletes may use specific supplements to enhance performance and health during preparation and competition. However, it is important to note that some supplements that improve performance may harm shooting accuracy. Current guidance is provisional, and future research should adopt a dual-performance framework that evaluates both endurance output and shooting precision under realistic competition conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral focal mucinosis (OFM) and solitary cutaneous focal mucinosis (SCFM) are rare, benign lesions characterized by localized mucin deposition in the stromal connective tissue. While both share similar histological features, they occur in distinct anatomical sites and clinical contexts and have not been directly compared in the literature. Method: This study presents a case series of 39 OFM cases diagnosed over 25 years, supplemented by a literature review of previously reported OFM cases, and compares the combined data with published cases of SCFM. The literature-based analysis included 116 OFM cases published in four articles and 138 cases of SCFM published in five articles. Demographic and clinical data were extracted and analyzed, including age, sex, lesion location, size, duration, symptoms, clinical impression, treatment, and recurrence. Results: The mean age of OFM patients was 41 years, with a slight female predominance, most commonly affecting the gingiva. SCFM cases were more common in males, with a higher mean age of 52 years and frequent occurrence on the extremities and trunk. Both lesions were predominantly asymptomatic and managed by conservative excision. Due to its rare occurrence and nonspecific clinical presentation, both entities were frequently clinically misdiagnosed. Conclusions: In conclusion, this is the first study to directly compare OFM with SCFM and represents the largest series of OFM reported to date. The study provides new comparative insights into SCFM and OFM, highlighting differences in age, gender, lesion site, size, and symptomatology. SCFM predominantly affects older males on the extremities, whereas OFM occurs in younger females, mainly in the gingiva, with larger, sometimes symptomatic lesions, and with a very low recurrence rate. Full article

Clinical application of ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) has increased marginal donor lung utilization. It has been developed as a platform for donor lung reconditioning. However, many of the current repair strategies are limited by a maximum reliable EVLP circuit duration of 12 h. Past studies have successfully extended EVLP through nutrient supplementation, but the exact components and respective mechanisms by which EVLP is extended remains unknown. As such, the focus of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of nutritional supplements in EVLP perfusates on cell apoptosis, viability, confluence, and migration. To test this, we developed a high-throughput human lung endothelial cell culture platform where experimental perfusates with various combinations of GlutaMAX (a glutamine dipeptide), Travasol (amino acids), Intralipid (lipids), Multi-12 (vitamins), cysteine, and glycine were tested using the Incucyte Live imaging system. GlutaMAX supplementation alone significantly reduced apoptosis, improved viability and cell migration beyond all other supplements and further outperformed standard endothelial cell culture medium. Travasol offered short-term benefits, while Intralipid offered minimal functional support. Multi-12 improved viability and apoptosis independently and in combination with other supplements. The best experimental perfusate targeted the glutathione synthesis pathway, combining GlutaMAX, cysteine and glycine and further reduced apoptosis compared with GlutaMAX alone. Collectively, these results suggest that nutrient selection during EVLP is critical and highlights the need to systematically evaluate perfusate modifications as opposed to broad-spectrum nutrient delivery. This in vitro model provides a cost-effective platform for preclinical screening of perfusate modifications to enhance organ viability during EVLP. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and osteoarthritis disproportionately affect women due to hormonal, metabolic, and socio-cultural factors. Emerging evidence suggests that combining structured exercise with nano-curcumin, a bioavailable phytochemical formulation with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may provide synergistic benefits. This scoping review systematically synthesizes available evidence on the combined effects of nano-curcumin supplementation and exercise interventions on health outcomes in women with lifestyle-related diseases. Methods: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR framework, a comprehensive database search was conducted in March 2025 and updated in June 2025. Records were retrieved from Scopus (n = 30), Web of Science (n = 22), PubMed (n = 18), and other sources (n = 71), yielding a total of 141 studies. After screening and deduplication, eight studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. All the studies were conducted in Iran with small sample sizes (12–53 participants) and short intervention durations (6–16 weeks). Therefore, the current evidence is geographically and demographically limited. Results: Across the included trials, the combined interventions produced additive or synergistic improvements in oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, lipid and glucose metabolism, cardiovascular function, pulmonary capacity, muscle fitness, and psychological outcomes (e.g., depression). When paired with nano-curcumin supplementation at different concentrations, high-intensity interval training, aerobic exercise, Pilates, and resistance training consistently outperformed exercise or supplementation alone in modulating antioxidant defenses, reducing systemic inflammation, and improving metabolic risk factors. Conclusions: The integration of exercise and nano-curcumin supplementation appears to confer superior benefits for women with lifestyle-related diseases compared with either approach alone. These findings highlight the potential of combining phytochemicals with lifestyle interventions to optimize women’s health outcomes. However, most available evidence originates from small, short-term studies in single geographic regions. Large-scale, multicenter, randomized controlled trials with diverse populations are warranted to establish standardized protocols and optimal dosing strategies, and to assess long-term safety and efficacy. Full article

Yeast culture (YC) is widely used in dairy production to enhance milk yield and quality, yet effects vary due to differences in products, doses, and trial conditions. This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of YC supplementation on milk yield and composition in lactating Holstein cows, aiming to identify effective yeast culture types, dosages, and duration of use. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2000 to 2024 was conducted. Following PICOS criteria, 23 RCTs comprising 32 comparisons and over 3200 cows were included. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata/MP 15.0 to compute standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals with random-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results showed that YC supplementation significantly improved milk yield (SMD = 2.14), fat (SMD = 0.57), protein (SMD = 1.34), and lactose content (SMD = 0.61). Subgroup analysis revealed that supplementation with saccharomyces cerevisiae at a dosage of 10–50 g/d effectively increased milk yield during lactation 42–56 d. In contrast, during the lactation 21–30 d, different dosages of saccharomyces cerevisiae exerted differential effects on milk composition: supplementation at 60–120 g/d contributed to an increase in milk fat content, while supplementation at 10–50 g/d significantly enhanced milk protein level. Furthermore, lactose content was not significantly associated with the feeding period of saccharomyces cerevisiae; however, high-dose (>120 g/d) could significantly increase lactose content. Significant heterogeneity (I² = 70.7–89.6%) was observed, largely due to strain and dose variations. In conclusion, YC effectively enhances milk production and composition, with optimal outcomes depending on yeast type, dose, and duration, providing evidence-based recommendations for targeted supplementation strategies. Full article