Explore the vast range of titles available.

The walnut (Juglans spp.) is an appreciated nut that belongs to the Juglandaceae family. The fruit includes four main parts: the kernel, the skin, the shell, and the green husk. It is widely cultivated due to its edible kernel. In walnut production centers, high amounts of the husk as an agro-forest waste product are produced and discarded away. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the walnut green husk could be valued as a source of different natural bioactive compounds with excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Regarding this respect, in this contribution, the current scientific knowledge on the antioxidant and antiradical activities, various identified and isolated individual chemical constituents, as well as the functional applications of the walnut husk with more emphasis on the Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) are reviewed.

As a valuable tree nut, walnut is a well-known member of the Juglandaceae family. The fruit is made up of an outer green shell cover or husk, the middle shell which must be cracked to release the kernel, a thin layer known as skin or the seed coat, and finally, the kernel or meat. The nutritional importance of walnut fruit is ascribed to its kernel. The shell and husk are burned as fuel or discarded away as waste products. In the past two decades, the evaluation of the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of different parts of walnut has received great interest. In this contribution, the recent reports on the extraction and quantification of phenolic content from each part of the walnut tree and fruit using different solvents were highlighted and comparatively reviewed. The current review paper also tries to describe the antioxidant content of phenolic extracts obtained from different parts of the walnut tree and fruit. Additionally, the antioxidant and antiradical activities of the prepared extracts have also been discussed.

HER2-positive breast cancer is an aggressive subtype with limited therapeutic options. Trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the HER2 receptor, has improved clinical outcomes; however, its efficacy remains a critical challenge in the HER2-positive model. This study investigated the potential of chrysin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, to enhance the efficacy of trastuzumab in HER2-positive SKBR3 and BT-474 breast cancer cells. The effects of chrysin and trastuzumab, alone or in combination, were evaluated in SKBR3 and BT-474 cells. Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay, and the combination index (CI) value was determined using Compusyn software. Apoptosis and HER2 expression were analyzed by flow cytometry. The morphological characteristics of apoptosis were evaluated using the DAPI-TUNEL staining. Protein expression of STAT3 and PDL-1 was detected by western blotting. Real-time PCR was employed to quantify the angiogenesis-related genes. Chrysin enhanced the anticancer effects of trastuzumab, achieving an optimal combination index (CI) of 0.39 in SKBR3 cells and a similarly strong synergistic profile in BT-474 cells (CI = 0.54). Chrysin synergistically enhanced trastuzumab-induced apoptosis in both cell lines ( p  < 0.01 and p  < 0.001). Trastuzumab significantly reduced HER2 expression on SKBR3 and BT-474 cells ( p  < 0.001) and, surprisingly, chrysin also reduced HER2 expression in a significant manner ( p  < 0.001). Combination therapy further intensified this effect in SKBR3 and BT-474 cells ( p  < 0.001 and p  < 0.01, respectively). Additionally, the combination therapy significantly decreased p-STAT3 and PD-L1 protein levels in SKBR3 and reduced mRNA levels of Tie2 and VEGFR2 in both cell lines. Chrysin synergistically enhances the efficacy of trastuzumab in HER2-positive SKBR3 and BT-474 breast cancer cells. These findings warrant further investigation in immune-competent and in vivo models to assess clinical applicability and underlying mechanisms.

This research aims to study the spray flow of a droplet on an aluminum surface. Fluid spraying is a significant topic in various strategic industries worldwide. In this study, the commercial software FLUENT 22.3.0 is used to simulate the spray of a droplet with turbulent flow on a surface. We use Gambit for mesh generation to ensure accurate and efficient discretization of the computational domain. Initially, we validate our finite volume method (FVM) by comparing the simulation results with existing experimental data to ensure accuracy. After verifying the numerical methods and boundary conditions, we extend the analysis to explore new scenarios involving different environmental pressures, nozzle-to-surface distances, and heated surface temperatures. The effects of pressure variation on the efficiency of droplet heat transfer are examined within sub-atmospheric and super-atmospheric pressure ranges at different Weber numbers, all below the critical Weber number of the droplet. Additionally, by modifying the model geometry and boundary conditions, the influence of the spray-to-surface distance was examined. The findings show that both pressure changes and the spacing between the spray origin and the surface have a substantial effect on the droplet’s heat transfer performance.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive kidney damage with an increasing prevalence. Some evidence suggests that propolis as a novel antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agent may have beneficial effects in CKD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis on some kidney function parameters, pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB), glycemic status, quality of life, and blood pressure (BP) in patients with CKD. In this study, 44 patients with CKD were randomly assigned to receive propolis capsules at a dose of 250 mg daily or placebo for three months. Of 44 randomized individuals, 35 completed the trial. At the end of the intervention (end of month three), improvement in some dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (derived from Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL- SF TM , v. 1.3) questionnaire) were significantly higher in the propolis group than the placebo group, even after adjustment for baseline values, present of diabetes, and age ( P  < 0.05). Like systolic and diastolic BP, changes in serum creatinine, 24-h urine volume and protein, fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), insulin, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and PAB did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P  > 0.05). No serious adverse events were reported throughout the study. Propolis supplementation may improve the HRQoL of CKD patients. More studies are needed to validate the adjunct use of propolis for metabolic control of CKD patients.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth common cause of cancer death. Surgery and chemotherapy are the common treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer patients; however, the response rate is less than 20% at advanced stages. In recent years, growing interest has been dedicated to natural products. Bitter apricot seeds possess a number of pharmacological properties including antitumor activity and amygdalin from bitter apricot seeds can induce apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the cyto/genotoxic effects of bitter apricot ethanolic extract (BAEE) and amygdalin on human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 and normal epithelial 293/KDR cells. BAEE was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography for the confirmation of the structure. The biological impacts of BAEE and amygdalin on PANC-1 and 293/KDR cells were evaluated by MTT assay, DAPI staining, AnnexinV/PI and Real-time qPCR analysis. BAEE and amygdalin inhibited cancer cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. DAPI staining and flow cytometric analysis revealed fragmented nuclei and elevated numbers of early and late apoptotic cells, respectively. Also, increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and upregulation of caspase-3 further confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis in PANC-1 cells, but not in non-cancerous 293/KDR cells. These results indicate that BAEE could mediate apoptosis induction in cancer cells through a mitochondria dependent pathway. These findings suggest that BAEE functions as a potent pro-apoptotic factor for human pancreatic cancer cells without a significant effect on 293/KDR cells. Though, the potent anti-cancer components of BAEE should be further identified. Moreover, in vivo investigations are required to confirm bitter apricot ethanolic extract’s clinical value as an anti-tumor drug.

Background Abnormalities in biochemical parameters and changes in eating habits are considered complications of obesity. Oleoylethanolamide (OEA), an endocannabinoid-like compound, has been shown to have protective effects on many metabolic disorders. Given this evidence, the present study aimed to assess the effects of OEA on lipid profile parameters, fasting blood sugar (FBS), and dietary habits in healthy obese people. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which was carried out in 2016 in Tabriz, Iran, 60 obese people were enrolled in the study based on inclusion criteria. The intervention group consumed 125 mg of OEA capsules, and the placebo group received the same amount of starch twice for 8 weeks. Blood samples (5 mL) were taken at baseline and the end of the study in a fasting state. Serum concentrations of FBS, triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) were measured by enzymatic methods using commercial kits. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration was obtained using the Friede-Wald formula. To assess dietary habits, a food frequency questionnaire (147 items) was used at baseline and the end of the study. A value less than < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results The TG concentration decreased significantly in the intervention group (mean (SD): 166.29 (70.01) mg/dL to 142.22 (48.05) mg/dL, p  = 0.047). Changes in the placebo group were not significant ( p  > 0.05). After adjusting for baseline values and demographic characteristics, the difference in TG between groups remained significant ( p  = 0.044). Changes in other biochemical parameters were not significant. There was no significant difference between or within groups in terms of food groups. Conclusion OEA, as a complementary agent, plays a protective role in TG regulation. However, future studies with longer durations are needed to explore the impact of OEA on regulating dietary habits and to identify the mechanisms related to metabolic abnormalities in obese people. Trial Registration The study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) center as IRCT201607132017N30 with URL. www.IRCT.IR in date 03/10/2016.

Background Arugula ( Eruca vesicaria subsp. Sativa Mill.) is a leafy vegetable rich in nutritional value, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While previous studies showed that foliar applications of melatonin and salicylic acid influence plant nutrient levels, research on the individual and combined effects of these two compounds in Arugula is Limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess both the individual and combined effects of salicylic acid and melatonin on the concentrations of essential elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and various micronutrients in Arugula. Treatments were initiated 45 days after planting and were conducted in greenhouse conditions, utilizing a completely randomized design with two factors—melatonin and salicylic acid—each at 0, 50, and 100 µM. After sampling, analysis of the nutritional elements was conducted. Results The findings revealed that the application of 50 µM salicylic acid significantly enhanced nitrogen concentration to 5.22 ± 0.10 mg g −1 , representing an about 4.9% increase compared to the control. Application of 50 µM melatonin boosted potassium concentration to 18.9 ± 0.26 mg g −1 . The concentration of phosphorus peaked at 100 µM of melatonin, showing around a 22.2% increase, while sulfur concentration rose to 1.94 ± 0.03 mg g −1 , representing about a 60.3% increase. The highest concentration of iron, measuring 0.075 ± 0.001 mg g −1 , was observed with the application of 50 µM salicylic acid. However, in the interaction involving 100 µM of salicylic acid and 100 µM of melatonin, the concentration of zinc declined from 0.098 ± 0.002 mg g −1 under control conditions to 0.03 ± 0.001 mg g −1 . Additionally, copper concentration was highest in the condition without foliar spraying, with a concentration of 0.0074 ± 0.0001 mg g −1 . Conclusions The study found that 50 µM salicylic acid significantly increased potassium, nitrogen, and iron levels in Arugula, while 50 µM melatonin enhanced potassium concentrations. The highest phosphorus levels were observed with 100 µM melatonin. However, combining melatonin and salicylic acid at higher concentrations led to a decrease in nitrogen and sulfur levels, indicating negative interactions. Higher levels of melatonin also improved iron and manganese concentrations. The results showed that the higher concentrations of salicylic acid and melatonin have a key impact on nutritional value and efficient nutrient concentrations in Arugula.

Background The widespread presence of childhood obesity has increased considerably over three decades. The present study was designed to investigate expression patterns of miR-146a, miR-155, miR-15a, miR-193a, and miR-122 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in children who are obese along with their association with metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. Methods Ninety test subjects were admitted. The profile of blood pressure, resting energy expenditure (REE), anthropometric measures, body composition, dietary intakes, physical activity levels, insulin, and lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and pubertal stage have been measured. Total RNA (including small RNAs) was extracted from PBMCs. The expression levels of miRNAs were measured by stem-loop RT-qPCR. Results The miR-155a expression level was significantly lower in obese children, children with high hs-CRP, and children with high-fat mass. Obese girls had significantly higher PBMC levels of miR-122. MiR-155a had a significant negative association with fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and hs-CRP. There were significant positive associations between miR-193a and miR-122 expression levels and fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and TG. MiR-15a was positively correlated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Children with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and high-fat mass had higher PBMC levels of miR-122 and miR-193a. Higher miR-193a and miR-122 levels were also detected in PBMCs of children with fast REE, compared to those with slow REE, and the subjects with high hs-CRP, respectively. Conclusion lower level of miR-155 expression in obese subjects and significant associations unfolds the need for more studies to detect the possible underlying mechanisms.

Taurine (Tau) has modulatory effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers; however, the results of clinical studies are not comprehensive enough to determine the effect of different durations and doses of Tau supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. The current study was conducted based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. For this purpose, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Embase databases were systematically searched to obtain the relevant studies published before 30th March 2021. Meta-analysis was performed on controlled clinical trials by using the random-effects method. Non-linear relationship between variables and effect size was performed using dose–response and time–response analyses. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Tau supplementation can reduce the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD = −1.17 µmol/l; 95% CI: −2.08, − 0.26; P = 0.012) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD = −1.95 mg/l; 95% CI: −3.20, − 0.71; P = 0.002). There have been no significant effects of Tau supplementation on the levels of tumor necrosis factors-alpha (TNF-α) (SMD = −0.18 pg/ml; 95% CI: −0.56, 0.21; P = 0.368), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = −0.49 pg/ml; 95% CI: −1.13, 0.16; P = 0.141). Besides, Tau has more alleviating effect on oxidative stress and inflammation on 56 days after supplementation (P < 0.05). Tau can decrease the levels of CRP and MDA. Based on the currently available evidence, Tau has no significant effect on the level of TNF-α and IL-6. Eight-week of Tau supplementation has more beneficial effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.