Synergistic stress-relieving and cognitive-enhancing effects of walnut peptide and theanine in human brain organoid and mouse stress models.

Background: Stress is a prevalent mental health concern that often emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood. Since 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any novel anxiolytic pharmaceuticals, leading to increased interest in nutritional supplements as alternative therapies for stress management.

Purpose: Building on our previous study, this work aims to investigate the synergistic effects of Theanine (Th) and Walnut Peptide (WP) on stress mitigation and cognitive enhancement.

Chromosomal Abnormalities in Couples Experiencing Recurrent Implantation Failure in West of Iran: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) is defined as the inability to establish pregnancy despite high-quality embryo transfer after the application of at least three consecutive in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer procedures. Chromosomal abnormalities are one of the primary reasons for pregnancy failure, miscarriage, and birth defects in both natural conception and IVF pregnancies. This study was to evaluate the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in peripheral blood samples from 100 couples who experienced RIF.

Evaluation of the protective effect of resveratrol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on radiation- or doxorubicin-induced spermatogenic damage in mice.

Radiation and doxorubicin (Dox) exert destructive effects on testicular tissue. Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant, may protect the spermatogenic system against the toxic effects of these agents. This study evaluated the protective and antioxidant properties of resveratrol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (RES-SLNs) against Dox- and radiation-induced testicular injury in mice.

Exploring the synergy of CO nanobubbles and biochar as a hydroponic substrate for enhanced carbon and nutrient utilization with a comprehensive health risk assessment.

In this study, a deep-water culture (DWC) hydroponic system integrating carbon dioxide nanobubble (CNB) water and biochar (BC) was explored as a potential substrate for carbon and nutrient management. Lettuce seedlings were cultivated under varying substrates, including tap water (TW) and deionized water (DW) with and without CNB and BC at concentrations of 0.1 or 0.

BaTiO-Ni Flexible Thin-Film Capacitor via Photoassisted Chemical Solution Deposition Retaining Pristine Ni Foil Elasticity and Hardness.

The direct deposition of piezoelectric ceramic thin films onto metal foils has become a significant challenge due to the increasing demand for embedded decoupling capacitors, nanogenerators, and flexible piezo-sensors. However, traditional thermal sintering (TS) methods present several issues for metal foils, including alterations in mechanical properties, the formation of wrinkles, and the need for precise control over the sintering atmosphere to prevent oxidation. In this study, we successfully crystallized BaTiO on a Ni foil under atmospheric conditions, mitigating thermal damage to the foil through a hybrid-solution-incorporated photoassisted chemical solution deposition (HS-PCSD) method.

In-Built Compatible Electrode-Electrolyte Interphases for Quasi-Solid-State Li-SPAN Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur batteries have been regarded as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and low cost. Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) as a cathode material has received wide interest due to the solid-solid conversion mechanism, while the Li-SPAN cell performance has been limited by the notorious issue of lithium metal anode. Developing solid-state electrolytes for lithium-sulfur batteries with favorable electrode-electrolyte compatibility is urgently desired.

ROS-responsive resiquimod prodrug nanoparticles for macrophage reprogramming and enhanced immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer remains a formidable challenge, especially for patients who fail to respond adequately to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The suboptimal efficacy of current treatments underscores an urgent need for more effective immunomodulatory strategies. Here, we propose a ROS-responsive resiquimod (R848) prodrug (R-P) that improves drug delivery and reshapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Three-phase microenvironment modification by optimizing ionomer towards high-performance proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) represent a promising clean and efficient energy conversion technology. Enhancing the efficiency of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode is crucial for improving overall cell performance. Beyond the intrinsic activity of the catalyst, mass transport at the oxygen-water-catalyst three-phase boundary (TPB) in the catalyst layers (CLs) significantly influences ORR kinetics.

Dairy-Derived Bioactive Peptides and the Risk of Prostate Cancer among Iranian Men: A Case-Control Study.

This case-control study aimed to assess the association of dairy-derived digestion-resistant bioactive peptides (BPs) with the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in a cohort of 50 men with PCa and 99 controls. Dietary, demographic, and anthropometric factors of all participants were assessed. Various types of dairy-derived BPs were determined by an method.

Peptide Coacervates with Metal-Phenolic Membranes Modulate Glucose Metabolism and Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy.

Glucose consumption by tumors induces metabolic restriction of T cells, which results in immune evasion and tumor progression. Regulating cellular metabolism represents a promising strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy; however, redirecting glucose utilization from tumor cells to T cells is challenging. Herein, the activation of cytotoxic T cells using engineered peptide coacervates (PCs) containing interferon alpha (IFNα) and membranized with metal-phenolic networks (MPNs) (PC-IFNα@MPNs), which promote glucose uptake and glycolysis, is reported.

OGG1-driven pathogenesis in Kawasaki Disease: Identification and pharmacological regulation of a molecular marker validated in transgenic mice and clinical models.

Kawasaki Disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis affecting children and leads to severe coronary artery complications, such as aneurysms. The cause of KD remains elusive, with infections suspected as potential triggers. Diagnosis is largely dependent on clinical symptoms due to the lack of specific laboratory molecular markers.

Synergistic enhancement of PBAT biodegradation by Purpureocillium lilacinum BA1S: Insights from transcriptomics and functional analyses.

Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polyester widely used in agriculture and packaging. However, its slow decomposition under natural conditions raises environmental concerns. In this study, we explored strategies to enhance PBAT degradation by Purpureocillium lilacinum strain BA1S.

Metal-free pyridinium salts with strong room-temperature phosphorescence and microsecond radiative lifetime.

Easily processed metal-free phosphorescent luminophores with a fast rate of phosphorescence are emerging as promising materials for advanced optoelectronics. Alkylation of a modified vitamin B6 vitamer (pyridoxine) affords a family of pyridinium-derived ionic pairs 1-7 exhibiting variable anion-π interactions in the solid state. Such a noncovalent cation-anion network promotes tunable room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP, = 510-565 nm) in crystalline materials stemming from anion(I)-π(pyridinium) charge transfer.

Shape memory hydrogels in tissue engineering: Recent advances and challenges.

Shape memory hydrogels (SMHs) have emerged as transformative materials in tissue engineering, owing to their unique ability to recover their original shape after deformation. These hydrogels combine hydrophilicity and elasticity with shape memory capabilities, making them ideal candidates for various biomedical applications. This review examines their innovative design and synthesis, highlighting the physical and biological characteristics that make them well-suited for tissue engineering, such as mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.

A plasma metabolite-based test to detect minimal residual disease in post-surgery patients with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, predominantly caused by recurrence, underscoring the need for novel biomarkers for the early detection of relapse. We hypothesize that patients' response to cancer is closely linked to metabolic changes and can be detected in blood as an indicator for recurrence. Full metabolomics analysis was performed on the longitudinal samples collected from 160 patients with CRC before and after surgery for 24 months or more.

Tri-manual interaction in hybrid BCI-VR systems: integrating gaze, EEG control for enhanced 3D object manipulation.

Brain-computer interface (BCI) integration with virtual reality (VR) has progressed from single-limb control to multi-limb coordination, yet achieving intuitive tri-manual operation remains challenging. This study presents a consumer-grade hybrid BCI-VR framework enabling simultaneous control of two biological hands and a virtual third limb through integration of Tobii eye-tracking, NeuroSky single-channel EEG, and non-haptic controllers. The system employs e-Sense attention thresholds (>80% for 300 ms) to trigger virtual hand activation combined with gaze-driven targeting within 45° visual cones.

Key regulatory genes in sugar beet's defense against curly top virus identified by network analysis and qRT-PCR.

Curly top disease, caused by Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV), is a major threat to sugar beet (), resulting in significant yield losses. This study integrates RNA sequencing, gene network analysis, and experimental validation to uncover key regulatory genes involved in plant responses to viral infection. Network analysis identified nine central hub genes associated with fatty acid metabolism, stress adaptation, and transcriptional regulation.

Time-resolved analysis of UV-B-induced secondary metabolite biosynthesis and gene expression in L.

The medicinal plant is known for its rich secondary metabolite content, which plays a critical role in its therapeutic properties. This study investigates the impact of UV-B radiation on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenes, carotenoids, and lycopene, as well as the expression of key biosynthetic genes (, , , , and ) in . Plants were exposed to UV-B radiation for 1 and 2 h, and metabolite content and gene expression were measured at intervals of 3, 6, 9, and 12 h post-exposure.

Molecular Simulation-Guided Development of a Ractopamine Aptasensor Based on Magnetic Microspheres.

β-Adrenergic agonists are employed in the livestock industry to promote the growth of poultry and livestock. However, due to the frequent lack of scientific guidance in medication administration among farmers, issues such as indiscriminate use, misuse, and noncompliance with withdrawal periods have arisen. These practices result in drug residues, triggering food safety concerns and posing a threat to consumer health.

Effect of sensory art therapies on root canal treatment anxiety and high dental anxiety in adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: Root canal treatment is one of the most anxiety-provoking procedures in dental practice. Sensory art therapies can help control patient anxiety during the procedure. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the state of knowledge in this field and to examine whether sensory art therapies can reduce state anxiety during endodontics and in patients with high levels of dental anxiety.

Subjective cognitive decline in major depressive patients is associated with altered entropy and connectivity changes of temporal and insular region.

Depressive cognitive impairment is seen in a significant number of patients with depression. However, it remains challenging to differentiate between patients with amnestic (those with subjective cognitive impairment complaints) and non-amnestic major depressive disorder, highlighting the urgent need for additional objective tools to help classify these patients more accurately. We analyzed cognitive state, alterations in regional entropy and functional connectivity measures of the brain between patients with major depression and healthy controls.

Photo-Healable and Stretchable Fibers from Upcycled TPEE and Azopolymers by Harnessing Solid-to-Liquid Photoisomerization.

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability has driven the development of products derived from recycled plastics; however, their applications remain largely confined to packaging and beverage containers due to high recycling costs and limited economic viability. This study focuses on upcycling plastic waste by depolymerizing and repolymerizing waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE). To enhance the functional properties of the resulting material, an azobenzene-containing polymer (PAzo) is incorporated, leveraging its reversible photoinduced solid-to-liquid phase transition under ultraviolet and visible light irradiation.

Phenolic/carboxylic acid-functionalized films: A promising and innovative strategy in next-generation packaging materials.

Biopolymer-based food packaging films are emerging as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials, but their physicochemical and functional limitations often require expensive or toxic methods for improvement. This paper focuses on enhancing the properties of biopolymer films for food packaging using biodegradable phenolic and carboxylic acids as natural cross-linkers. It provides an overview of cross-linking technologies and details the classification and description of phenolic and carboxylic acid-based cross-linkers.

Trifolium pratense-Derived Exosome Improved Serum Biochemical Parameters and Pancreatic Genes in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Introduction: Plant-derived exosomes (PDEs) are promising nanotherapeutics for improving chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. Trifolium pratense (TP) is a flowering herb with potent antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. The present study aimed to explore the diabetic-healing effects of TP-derived exosomes (TPDEs) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.